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39th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION

Journals No. 97 Wednesday, December 13, 2006 2:00 p.m.

Prayers

National Anthem

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.

Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents

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

— No. 391-0587 concerning immigration. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-391-3-17;

— Nos. 391-0611 and 391-0614 concerning Afghanistan. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-391-16-04.

Introduction of Government Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Nicholson (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Solberg (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), Bill C-43, An Act to provide for consultations with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate, 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 provide for consultations with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate”.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Prentice (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development), seconded by Mr. Toews (Minister of Justice), Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act, 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 Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Hearn (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans), seconded by Mr. Toews (Minister of Justice), Bill C-45, An Act respecting the sustainable development of Canada's seacoast and inland fisheries, 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 respecting the sustainable development of Canada's seacoast and inland fisheries”.

Presenting Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), presented the report of the Canada-China Legislative Association respecting its participation at the Ninth Bilateral Consultations held in Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao and Hong Kong, China, from October 7 to 15, 2006. — Sessional Paper No. 8565-391-68-02.

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), presented the report of the Canadian delegation to the Fifth Plenary meeting of the Interparliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA), held in Bogota, Colombia, from November 19 to 21, 2006. — Sessional Paper No. 8565-391-74-02.

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), presented the report of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association concerning its participation at the Election Observation Mission, held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, from July 28 to August 1, 2006. — Sessional Paper No. 8565-391-76-04.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Hanger (Calgary Northeast), from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, presented the Sixth Report of the Committee, “The Challenge of Change: A Study of Canada's Criminal Prostitution Laws”. — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-128.

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

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 40) was tabled.

Mr. Wappel (Scarborough Southwest), from the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, presented the Third Report of the Committee (certificate of nomination of Robert Marleau, the nominee for the position of Information Commissioner). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-129.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 24) was tabled.

Mr. Pacetti (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel), from the Standing Committee on Finance, presented the Ninth Report of the Committee, “Parliamentary Review of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Act: A Value Proposition or a Failed Experiment”. — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-130.

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. 11 to 14, 56 and 57) was tabled.

Mr. Doyle (St. John's East), from the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, presented the Ninth Report of the Committee (marriage of gay and lesbian couples). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-131.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 29) was tabled.

Ms. Marleau (Sudbury), from the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, presented the Sixth Report of the Committee, "Accrual Budgeting and Appropriations in the Federal Government". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-132.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 32) was tabled.

Mr. Benoit (Vegreville—Wainwright), from the Standing Committee on International Trade, presented the Fifth Report of the Committee (imports of clothing and textiles from China). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-133.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 39 to 41) was tabled.

Mr. Goodyear (Cambridge), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 26th Report of the Committee (Bill C-31, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Public Service Employment Act, with amendments). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-134.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 31 to 35) was tabled.

Mr. Ritz (Battlefords—Lloydminster), from the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, presented the Seventh Report of the Committee (supplemental beef quota). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-135.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 31) was tabled.

Mr. Ritz (Battlefords—Lloydminster), from the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, presented the Eighth Report of the Committee (grain transport issues). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-136.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 29) was tabled.

Mr. Ritz (Battlefords—Lloydminster), from the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, presented the Ninth Report of the Committee (Order in Council appointment of Bruce Johnson to the position of Director of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Wheat Board). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-137.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 32) was tabled.

Mr. Ritz (Battlefords—Lloydminster), from the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, presented the Tenth Report of the Committee (Pest Management Regulatory Agency). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-138.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 33) was tabled.

Mr. Sorenson (Crowfoot), from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, presented the Fourth Report of the Committee, "Canada's International Policy Put to the Test in Haiti". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-139.

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. 5, 6, 8 to 11, 13, 14, 20, 25, 29, 31, 34 and 36) was tabled.

Mr. Sorenson (Crowfoot), from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, presented the Fifth Report of the Committee (government strategy for failed States). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-140.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 34) was tabled.

Mr. Rajotte (Edmonton—Leduc), from the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, presented the Fourth Report of the Committee (Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal interest rate), without amendment). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-141.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 38) was tabled.

Mr. Tweed (Brandon—Souris), from the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, presented the Third Report of the Committee (Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and the Railway Safety Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, with amendments). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-142.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 14, 16 to 23 and 26 to 31) was tabled.

Mr. Lauzon (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry), from the Standing Committee on Official Languages, presented the Fourth Report of the Committee (Publications Assistance Program). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-143.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 34) was tabled.

Motions

Mr. Nicholson (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Van Loan (President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovermental Affairs and Minister for Sport), moved, — That, in accordance with section 54(1) of the Act to extend the present laws of Canada that provide access to information under the control of the Government of Canada, chapter A-1 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, this House approve the appointment of Robert Marleau as Information Commissioner.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities be the Committee for the purposes of section 44 of the Employment Equity Act.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding the Orders made on Tuesday, April 25, 2006, and Thursday, June 22, 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 December 22, 2006, and to present its final report no later than February 28, 2007.

Presenting Petitions

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

— by , one concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (No. 391-0837) and one concerning marriage (No. 391-0838);

— by , one concerning marriage (No. 391-0839);

— by , one concerning the Canada Labour Code (No. 391-0840);

— by , 200 concerning the automobile industry (Nos. 391-0841 to 391-1040);

— by , one concerning the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (No. 391-1041);

— by , one concerning the Criminal Code of Canada (No. 391-1042);

— by , one concerning Canada's railways (No. 391-1043);

— by , 11 concerning immigration (Nos. 391-1044 to 391-1054);

— by , one concerning foreign aid (No. 391-1055);

— by , one concerning unborn children (No. 391-1056);

— by , one concerning the Canada Post Corporation (No. 391-1057);

— by , one concerning Remembrance Day (No. 391-1058);

— by , one concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (No. 391-1059);

— by , two concerning alcoholic beverages (Nos. 391-1060 and 391-1061) and one concerning the automobile industry (No. 391-1062);

— by , one concerning pornography (No. 391-1063), one concerning children's rights (No. 391-1064) and two concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (Nos. 391-1065 and 391-1066);

— by , three concerning the automobile industry (Nos. 391-1067 to 391-1069);

— by , one concerning housing policy (No. 391-1070);

— by , two concerning federal programs (Nos. 391-1071 and 391-1072) and one concerning the situation in Uganda (No. 391-1073);

— by , one concerning the situation in Uganda (No. 391-1074);

— by , one concerning sentences in the Criminal Code (No. 391-1075);

— by , one concerning China (No. 391-1076) and one concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (No. 391-1077);

— by , one concerning the situation in Sri Lanka (No. 391-1078);

— by , four concerning federal programs (Nos. 391-1079 to 391-1082);

— by , one concerning the situation in Sri Lanka (No. 391-1083), one concerning social policies (No. 391-1084) and one concerning Kyoto Protocol (No. 391-1085);

— by , one concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (No. 391-1086) and one concerning China (No. 391-1087).

Questions on the Order Paper

Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform) presented the returns to the following questions made into Orders for Return:

Q-112 — — With respect to government spending on adult literacy: (a) to what year(s) was the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development referring in her statement in the House on September 26, 2006, specifically “we are spending over $80 million a year on literacy programs for adults”; (b) what was the precise spending, broken down by program, in each province and territory, for literacy programs for adults in each year from 2004-2005, what is the spending for the current year, and what is the anticipated spending in each year from 2007-2008; (c) what is the government's position with respect to public funding of non-delivery program supports, capacity building, professional development for literacy practitioners, material and resource development and the promotion of literacy programming in communities; and (d) how does the government intend to ensure that the delivery of adult literacy programs is effective, efficient, of high quality and universally accessible to every Canadian who needs it? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-391-112.

Q-114 — — With respect to the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program: (a) what funding is still being allocated to this program; (b) what are the criteria for obtaining funding through this program; and (c) how much is being paid out through this program, by province, to the recipient organizations? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-391-114.

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Nicholson (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Ms. Finley (Minister of Human Resources and Social Development), — That this House take note of the Eighth Report of the Standing Committee on Finance, presented to the House on Thursday, December 7, 2006. (Government Business No. 13)

The debate continued.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, the House shall adjourn at the end of the time provided for Government Orders and, for the remainder of the day, the Chair shall not receive any quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent; and when the House adjourns on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, it shall stand adjourned until Monday, January 29, 2007, provided that, for the purposes of Standing Order 28, it shall be deemed to have sat on Thursday, December 14 and Friday, December 15, 2006.

Government Orders

The debate continued.

Messages from the Senate

Messages were received from the Senate as follows:

— ORDERED: That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed Bill C-3, An Act respecting international bridges and tunnels and making a consequential amendment to another Act, with the following amendments:

1. Clause 7, page 3:

Replace lines 9 to 11 with the following:

“of government that have jurisdiction over the place of the proposed construction or alteration and with any person who, in the”.

2. Clause 15, page 7:

Replace, in the French version, lines 35 and 36 with the following:

“gouvernement provincial et la municipalité ayant compétence à l’égard de tout”.

3. Clause 24, page 11:

Replace line 15 with the following:

“of government that have jurisdiction over the place”.

— ORDERED: That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Judges Act and certain other Acts in relation to courts, without amendment.

Returns and Reports Deposited with the Clerk of the House

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

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), laid upon the Table, — Sustainable development strategies, pursuant to An Act to amend the Auditor General Act, S.C. 1995, c. 43, sbs. 24(1), as follows:

(1) Public Works and Government Services Canada. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-95-01;

(2) Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-404-01;

(3) Department of Canadian Heritage. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-409-01;

(4) Canadian International Development Agency. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-410-01;

(5) Department of Citizenship and Immigration. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-421-01;

(6) Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-450-01;

(7) Department of Finance. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-452-01;

(8) Department of Fisheries and Oceans. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-460-01;

(9) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-473-01;

(10) Department of Health. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-477-01;

(11) Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-484-01;

(12) Department of Industry. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-491-01;

(13) Department of Justice. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-493-01;

(14) Department of National Defence. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-494-01;

(15) Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-503-01;

(16) Canada Revenue Agency. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-506-01;

(17) Department of Natural Resources. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-507-01;

(18) Department of Transport. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-522-01;

(19) Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-524-01;

(20) Department of Veterans Affairs. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-536-01;

(21) Department of Western Economic Diversification. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-537-01;

(22) Parks Canada Agency. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-744-01;

(23) Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-745-01;

(24) Department of the Environment. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-746-01;

(25) Office of the Auditor General of Canada. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-843-01;

(26) Canada Border Services Agency. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-922-01;

(27) Public Health Agency of Canada. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-923-01;

(28) Public Service Human Ressources Management Agency of Canada. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-924-01.

(Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

— by — Report on Crown Corporations and Other Corporate Interests of Canada for the year 2006, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 151(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-476-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)

— by Mr. Nicholson (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform) — Orders in Council approving certain appointments made by the Governor General in Council, pursuant to Standing Order 110(1), as follows:

— P.C. 2006-1382. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-1-04. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development)

— P.C. 2006-1418. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-2-05. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food)

— P.C. 2006-1381. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-3-08. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage)

— P.C. 2006-1383 to P.C. 2006-1386. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-14-09. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration)

— P.C. 2006-1377 to P.C. 2006-1379, P.C. 2006-1417 and P.C. 2006-1447. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-8-11. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development)

— P.C. 2006-1380. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-4-11. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)

— P.C. 2006-1372 to P.C. 2006-1376. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-16-08. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities)

— P.C. 2006-1389. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-22-10. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology)

— P.C. 2006-1387. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-13-04. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

— P.C. 2006-1367 to P.C. 2006-1371 and P.C. 2006-1390. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-24-12. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities)

— by the Clerk of Petitions — First Report, pursuant to Standing Order 131, which was as follows:

The Clerk of Petitions has the honour to report that the petition from the Boy Scouts of Canada, praying for the passage of a private act, filed by on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, meets the requirements of Standing Order 131.

— by the Examiner of Petitions for Private Bills — First Report, which was as follows:

Pursuant to Standing Order 133(2), the Examiner of Petitions for Private Bills has taken into consideration the petition from the Boy Scouts of Canada, received by the House on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, and has the honour to report that the requirements of the Standing Orders regarding notice have been fully complied with.

Petitions Filed with the Clerk of the House

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

— by , one concerning the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (No. 391-1088), one concerning Kyoto Protocol (No. 391-1089), one concerning health care services (No. 391-1090) and one concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (No. 391-1091);

— by , two concerning marriage (Nos. 391-1092 and 391-1093);

— by , and one concerning China (No. 391-1094).

Adjournment

At 5:30 p.m., pursuant to Order made earlier today, the Speaker adjourned the House until Monday, January 29, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).