At 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

Ms. Bell (Vancouver Island North), seconded by Mr. Dewar (Ottawa Centre), moved, — That a special committee of the House be created to continue the work on electoral reform as outlined in the 43rd Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs from the 38th Parliament and to make further recommendations on strengthening and modernizing the democratic and electoral systems; that the membership of the special committee be established by the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and the membership report of the special committee be presented to the House within five sitting days after the adoption of this motion; that substitutions to the membership of the special committee be allowed, if required, in the manner provided by Standing Order 114(2); that the special committee have all of the powers granted to standing committees by Standing Order 108; that there be a maximum length for speeches by members of the special committee of 10 minutes on any single item; that the special committee be authorized to hold hearings across Canada; that the special committee be allowed to look into creating a citizens’ consultation group and issue an interim report to the House on this matter within six weeks of the special committee being struck; and that the special committee table its final report in the House of Commons no later than March 1, 2008. (Private Members' Business M-262)

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the Order was dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Prentice (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development), seconded by Ms. Verner (Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages), — That Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

The debate continued.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

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

Mr. Hanger (Calgary Northeast), from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, presented the Eighth Report of the Committee (Bill C-277, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (luring a child), with an amendment). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-163.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 44) was tabled.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Brown (Barrie), seconded by Mr. Albrecht (Kitchener—Conestoga), Bill C-405, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction for medical doctors in underserviced areas), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Pursuant to Standing Order 69(2), on motion of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform) for Mr. O'Connor (Minister of National Defence), seconded by Mr. Hill (Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip), Bill S-3, An Act to amend the National Defence Act, the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the Criminal Records Act, was read the first time and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Mr. Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster), seconded by Mr. Martin (Winnipeg Centre), moved, — That the Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, presented on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, be concurred in. (Concurrence in Committee Reports No. 21)

Debate arose thereon.

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

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster), seconded by Mr. Martin (Winnipeg Centre), — That the Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, presented on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, be concurred in. (Concurrence in Committee Reports No. 21)

The debate continued.

At 6:10 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 66(2), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded division was deferred until Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, a petition certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions was presented as follows:

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Prentice (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development), seconded by Ms. Verner (Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages), — That Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

The debate continued.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), papers deposited with the Clerk of the House were laid upon the Table as follows:

At 6:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 38(1), the question “That this House do now adjourn” was deemed to have been proposed.

After debate, the question was deemed to have been adopted.

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