Mr. Blackburn (Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec) for Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. O'Connor (Minister of National Defence), moved, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, a bill in the name of the Minister of Labour, entitled An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of railway operations, shall be disposed of as follows: (a) commencing when the said bill is read a first time and concluding when the said bill is read a third time, the House shall not adjourn except pursuant to a motion proposed by a Minister of the Crown, and no Private Members' Business shall be taken up; (b) the said bill may be read twice or thrice in one sitting; (c) after being read a second time, the said bill shall be referred to a Committee of the Whole; and (d) during consideration of the said bill, no division shall be deferred. (Government Business No. 15)

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

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

The Speaker informed the House that a vacancy had occurred in the representation in the House of Commons, for the Electoral District of Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, in the Province of Québec, by reason of the resignation of Mr. Yvan Loubier, and that, pursuant to paragraph 25(1)(b) of the Parliament of Canada Act, he had addressed, earlier today, his warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for the election of a member to fill the vacancy.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Blackburn (Minister of Labour), seconded by Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), Bill C-46, An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of railway operations, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding the Orders made on Tuesday, April 25, 2006, Thursday, June 22, 2006, and Wednesday, December 13, 2006, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security be authorized to continue its deliberations relating to its review of the Anti-terrorism Act (2001) beyond February 28, 2007, and present its final report no later than Tuesday, March 27, 2007.

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

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans of Bill C-45, An Act respecting the sustainable development of Canada's seacoast and inland fisheries.

Mr. Baird (Minister of the Environment) for Mr. Hearn (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans), seconded by Mr. Hill (Secretary of State), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor), seconded by Mr. Matthews (Random—Burin—St. George's), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word "That" and substituting the following:

Debate arose thereon.

At 1:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The Order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C-294, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (sports and recreation programs), as reported by the Standing Committee on Finance with amendments.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(5), the Speaker selected for debate Motion No. 1.

Mr. St-Cyr (Jeanne-Le Ber), seconded by Mr. Lussier (Brossard—La Prairie), moved Motion No. 1, — That Bill C-294, in Clause 1, be amended by replacing lines 10 to 15 on page 1 with the following:

Debate arose on motion No. 1.

The question was put on Motion No. 1 and, pursuant to Standing Order 98(4), the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, February 28, 2007, immediately before the time provided for Private Members' Business.

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

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

At 2:00 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).