HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
37th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

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JOURNALS

No. 54

Thursday, February 6, 2003

10:00 a.m.

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The Clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker.

Whereupon, Mr. Bélair (Timmins--James Bay) , Deputy Chairman of Committees of the Whole, took the Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 8.

Prayers

Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Regan (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) laid upon the Table, — Government responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

— Nos. 372-0889, 372-0891, 372-0895, 372-0896, 372-0901, 372-0902, 372-0906, 372-0908 and 372-0913 concerning stem cell research. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-372-14-23.

Introduction of Government Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Ms. Robillard (President of the Treasury Board) , seconded by Mr. Thibault (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) , Bill C-25, An Act to modernize employment and labour relations in the public service and to amend the Financial Administration Act and the Canadian Centre for Management Development Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Recommendation
(Pursuant to Standing Order 79(2))

Her Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances, in the manner and for the purposes set out in a measure entitled “An Act to modernize employment and labour relations in the public service and to amend the Financial Administration Act and the Canadian Centre for Management Development Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts”.

Statements by Ministers

Pursuant to Standing Order 33(1), Ms. Robillard (President of the Treasury Board) made a statement.

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Pursuant to Standing Order 33(1), Mr. Thibault (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) made a statement.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Bélanger (Ottawa—Vanier) , from the Standing Committee on Official Languages, presented the First Report of the Committee (Role and Responsibilities of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission in Developments in the Area of Official Languages in Canada). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-372-35.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee requested that the government table a comprehensive response.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 3 and 7) was tabled.

Presenting Petitions

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, petitions certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

— by Ms. Catterall (Ottawa West—Nepean) , one concerning stem cell research (No. 372-1009);

— by Mr. Hilstrom (Selkirk—Interlake) , one concerning pornography (No. 372-1010).

Business of Supply

The Order was read for the consideration of the Business of Supply.

Mr. Reynolds (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast) , seconded by Mr. Lanctôt (Châteauguay) , moved, — That, the first sitting day following a decision by the government to involve Canada in any military action to disarm Saddam Hussein, a motion, “That this House concur in the decision by the government regarding Canada's involvement in military action to disarm Saddam Hussein”, shall be deemed moved and seconded at the call of Government Orders and that any dilatory or other motion, including motions during Routine Proceedings, with the exception of requests for unanimous consent, shall not be receivable by the Chair; and that, in relation to the motion to concur in the decision by the government, at fifteen minutes before the expiry of the time provided for government business on that day, any proceedings before the House shall be interrupted, if required for the purpose of this Order, and in turn every question necessary for the disposal of said motion shall be put forthwith and successively without further debate or amendment.”.

Debate arose thereon.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, at the conclusion of today's debate on the opposition motion, all questions necessary to dispose of the said motion be deemed put and a recorded division deemed requested and deferred until Tuesday, February 11, 2003, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Business of Supply

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Reynolds (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast) , seconded by Mr. Lanctôt (Châteauguay) , in relation to the Business of Supply.

The debate continued.

Ms. Lalonde (Mercier) , seconded by Mr. Abbott (Kootenay—Columbia) , moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by adding between the words “Hussein” and “a motion” the following:

“ or, in the event the decision is made while the House stands adjourned, notwithstanding any Standing Order, the Speaker shall convene the House at the earliest opportunity,”.

Debate arose thereon.

Statements By Members

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

Oral Questions

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions.

Business of Supply

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Reynolds (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast) , seconded by Mr. Lanctôt (Châteauguay) , in relation to the Business of Supply;

And of the amendment of Ms. Lalonde (Mercier) , seconded by Mr. Abbott (Kootenay—Columbia) .

The debate continued.

At 6:00 p.m., by unanimous consent, the Acting Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

Pursuant to Order made earlier today, the question was deemed put on the amendment and the recorded division was deemed requested and deferred until Tuesday, February 11, 2003, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Private Members' Business

At 6:00 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

Mr. Bergeron (Verchères—Les-Patriotes) , seconded by Mr. Sauvageau (Repentigny) , moved, — That this House officially acknowledge the harm suffered by the Acadian people from 1755 to 1763. (Private Members' Business M-238)

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 96(1), the Order was dropped from the Order Paper.

Adjournment

At 7:00 p.m., the Acting Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).