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39th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

Journals No. 53 Monday, February 25, 2008 11:00 a.m.

Prayers

Private Members' Business

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

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Easter (Malpeque), seconded by Mr. Cuzner (Cape Breton—Canso), — That Bill C-219, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction for volunteer emergency service), be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

The debate continued.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That Bill C-219, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction for volunteer emergency service), be deemed read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Interruption

At 11:52 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:02 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Government Orders

Mr. MacKay (Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) for Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Prentice (Minister of Industry), moved, —

Whereas,

the House recognizes the important contribution and sacrifice of Canadian Forces and Canadian civilian personnel as part of the UN mandated, NATO-led mission deployed in Afghanistan at the request of the democratically elected government of Afghanistan;

the House believes that Canada must remain committed to the people of Afghanistan beyond February 2009;

the House takes note that in February 2002, the government took a decision to deploy 850 troops to Kandahar to join the international coalition that went to Afghanistan to drive out the Taliban in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and that this deployment lasted for six months at which time the troops rotated out of Afghanistan and returned home;

the House takes note that in February 2003, the government took a decision that Canada would commit 2000 troops and lead for one year, starting in the summer of 2003, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul and at the end of the one-year commitment, Canada’s 2000 troop commitment was reduced to a 750-person reconnaissance unit as Canada’s NATO ally, Turkey, rotated into Kabul to replace Canada as the lead nation of the ISAF mission;

the House takes note that in August 2005, Canada assumed responsibility of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar province which included roughly 300 Canadian Forces personnel;

the House takes note that the government took a decision to commit a combat Battle Group of roughly 1200 troops to Kandahar for a period of one year, from February 2006 to February 2007;

the House takes note that in January 2006, the government participated in the London Conference on Afghanistan which resulted in the signing of the Afghanistan Compact which set out benchmarks and timelines until the end of 2010 for improving the security, the governance and the economic and social development of Afghanistan;

the House takes note that in May 2006, Parliament supported the government’s two year extension of Canada’s deployment of diplomatic, development, civilian police and military personnel in Afghanistan and the provision of funding and equipment for this extension;

the House welcomes the Report of the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan, chaired by the Honourable John Manley, and recognizes the important contribution its members have made;

the House takes note that it has long been a guiding principle of Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan that all three components of a comprehensive government strategy – defence, diplomacy and development – must reinforce each other and that the government must strike a balance between these components to be most effective;

the House takes note that the ultimate aim of Canadian policy is to leave Afghanistan to Afghans, in a country that is better governed, more peaceful and more secure and to create the necessary space and conditions to allow the Afghans themselves to achieve a political solution to the conflict; and

the House takes note that in order to achieve that aim, it is essential to assist the people of Afghanistan to have properly trained, equipped and paid members of the four pillars of their security apparatus: the army, the police, the judicial system and the correctional system;

therefore, it is the opinion of the House,

that Canada should continue a military presence in Kandahar beyond February 2009, to July 2011, in a manner fully consistent with the UN mandate on Afghanistan, and that the military mission should consist of:

(a) training the Afghan National Security Forces so that they can expeditiously take increasing responsibility for security in Kandahar and Afghanistan as a whole;

(b) providing security for reconstruction and development efforts in Kandahar;

that, consistent with this mandate, this extension of Canada’s military presence in Afghanistan is approved by this House expressly on the condition that:

(a) NATO secure a battle group of approximately 1000 to rotate into Kandahar (operational no later than February 2009);

(b) to better ensure the safety and effectiveness of the Canadian contingent, the government secure medium helicopter lift capacity and high performance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance before February 2009; and

(c) the government of Canada notify NATO that Canada will end its presence in Kandahar as of July 2011, and, as of that date, the redeployment of Canadian Forces troops out of Kandahar and their replacement by Afghan forces start as soon as possible, so that it will have been completed by December 2011;

that the government of Canada, together with our allies and the government of Afghanistan, must set firm targets and timelines for the training, equipping and paying of the Afghan National Army, the Afghan National Police, the members of the judicial system and the members of the correctional system;

that Canada’s contribution to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan should:

(a) be revamped and increased to strike a better balance between our military efforts and our development efforts in Afghanistan;

(b) focus on our traditional strengths as a nation, particularly through the development of sound judicial and correctional systems and strong political institutions on the ground in Afghanistan and the pursuit of a greater role for Canada in addressing the chronic fresh water shortages in the country;

(c) address the crippling issue of the narco-economy that consistently undermines progress in Afghanistan, through the pursuit of solutions that do not further alienate the goodwill of the local population;

(d) be held to a greater level of accountability and scrutiny so that the Canadian people can be sure that our development contributions are being spent effectively in Afghanistan;

that Canada should assert a stronger and more disciplined diplomatic position regarding Afghanistan and the regional players, including support for the naming of a special envoy to the region who could both ensure greater coherence in all diplomatic initiatives in the region and also press for greater coordination amongst our partners in the UN in the pursuit of common diplomatic goals in the region;

that the government should provide the public with franker and more frequent reporting on events in Afghanistan, offering more assessments of Canada’s role and giving greater emphasis to the diplomatic and reconstruction efforts as well as those of the military and, for greater clarity, the government should table in Parliament detailed reports on the progress of the mission in Afghanistan on a quarterly basis;

that the House of Commons should strike a special parliamentary committee on Afghanistan which would meet regularly with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and National Defence and senior officials, and that the House should authorize travel by the special committee to Afghanistan and the surrounding region so that the special committee can make frequent recommendations on the conduct and progress of our efforts in Afghanistan;

that, the special parliamentary committee on Afghanistan should review the laws and procedures governing the use of operational and national security exceptions for the withholding of information from Parliament, the Courts and the Canadian people with those responsible for administering those laws and procedures, to ensure that Canadians are being provided with ample information on the conduct and progress of the mission; and

that with respect to the transfer of Afghan detainees to Afghan authorities, the government must:

(a) commit to meeting the highest NATO and international standards with respect to protecting the rights of detainees, transferring only when it believes it can do so in keeping with Canada’s international obligations;

(b) pursue a NATO-wide solution to the question of detainees through diplomatic efforts that are rooted in the core Canadian values of respect for human rights and the dignity of all people;

(c) commit to a policy of greater transparency with respect to its policy on the taking of and transferring of detainees including a commitment to report on the results of reviews or inspections of Afghan prisons undertaken by Canadian officials; and

that the government must commit to improved interdepartmental coordination to achieve greater cross-government coherence and coordination of the government’s domestic management of our commitment to Afghanistan, including the creation of a full-time task force which is responsible directly to the Prime Minister to lead these efforts. (Government Business No. 5)

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.

Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), laid upon the Table, — Copy of the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001, dated March 23, 2001. — Sessional Paper No. 8532-392-03.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), laid upon the Table, — Copy of the Protocol of 2003 to the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992, dated May 16, 2003. — Sessional Paper No. 8532-392-04.

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:

— Nos. 392-0236 and 392-0240 concerning the Criminal Code of Canada. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-26-05;

— No. 392-0242 concerning gun control. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-32-04;

— Nos. 392-0248, 392-0267, 392-0273 and 392-0306 concerning federal programs. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-16-05;

— Nos. 392-0249, 392-0268, 392-0297 and 392-0326 concerning the Canadian Human Rights Act. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-5-07;

— Nos. 392-0250 and 392-0295 concerning the sexual exploitation of minors. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-38-03;

— No. 392-0253 concerning the situation in Sri Lanka. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-63-02;

— No. 392-0259 concerning the Canada Labour Code. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-6-04;

— Nos. 392-0284 to 392-0291 concerning cruelty to animals. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-40-03;

— No. 392-0338 concerning the income tax system. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-392-19-08.

Introduction of Government Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food), seconded by Mr. Baird (Minister of the Environment), Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act, 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 amend the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act”.

Presenting Reports from Committees

Ms. Ratansi (Don Valley East), from the Standing Committee on Status of Women, presented the Fourth Report of the Committee (aboriginal women's shelters). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-61.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 17) was tabled.

Ms. Ratansi (Don Valley East), from the Standing Committee on Status of Women, presented the Fifth Report of the Committee (aboriginal women's organizations). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-62.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 17) was tabled.

Mr. Murphy (Charlottetown), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the Fourth Report of the Committee, "The Expenditure Management System at the Government Centre and the Expenditure Management System in Departments". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-63.

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. 15) was tabled.

Mr. Murphy (Charlottetown), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the Fifth Report of the Committee, "Protection of Public Assets – Office of the Correctional Investigator". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-64.

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. 2 and 15) was tabled.

Mr. Murphy (Charlottetown), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the Sixth Report of the Committee, "Departmental Answers to Questions About Government Responses (39th Parliament)". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-65.

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. 14 to 16) was tabled.

Mr. Murphy (Charlottetown), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the Seventh Report of the Committee, "Large Information Technology Projects". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-66.

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. 15 and 16) was tabled.

Mr. Murphy (Charlottetown), from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented the Eighth Report of the Committee (auditing of departmental performance reports). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-392-67.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 16) was tabled.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Ms. Black (New Westminster—Coquitlam), seconded by Ms. Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North), Bill C-511, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (means of communication for child luring), 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 Ms. Black (New Westminster—Coquitlam), seconded by Ms. Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North), Bill C-512, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (luring a child outside Canada), 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 Mrs. Mourani (Ahuntsic), seconded by Mr. Bachand (Saint-Jean), Bill C-513, An Act to amend the National Defence Act (foreign military mission), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Presenting Petitions

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

— by , one concerning the Canada Labour Code (No. 392-0369);

— by , one concerning prosperity partnership (No. 392-0370);

— by , one concerning the Criminal Code of Canada (No. 392-0371) and one concerning the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (No. 392-0372);

— by , three concerning the sexual exploitation of minors (Nos. 392-0373 to 392-0375) and one concerning the situation in Israel (No. 392-0376);

— by , two concerning the situation in Israel (Nos. 392-0377 and 392-0378);

— by , one concerning the Criminal Code of Canada (No. 392-0379);

— by , one concerning prosperity partnership (No. 392-0380).

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Prentice (Minister of Industry). (Government Business No. 5)

The debate continued.

Ms. Black (New Westminster—Coquitlam), seconded by Ms. McDonough (Halifax), moved the following amendment, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words from “Whereas” to “goals in the region;” and substituting the following:

“That the House call upon the government to begin preparations for the safe withdrawal of Canadian soldiers from the combat mission in Afghanistan with no further mission extensions;

that, in the opinion of the House, the government should engage in a robust diplomatic process to prepare the groundwork for a political solution, under explicit UN direction and authority, engaging both regional and local stakeholders, and ensuring the full respect for international human rights and humanitarian law;

that, in the opinion of the House, the government should maintain the current suspension on the transfer of Afghan detainees to Afghan authorities until substantial reforms of the prison system are undertaken;

that, in the opinion of the House, the government should provide effective and transparent development assistance under civilian direction consistent with the Afghanistan Compact;”

and by deleting all of the words following: “to ensure that Canadians are being provided with ample information on the conduct and progress of the mission”.

Debate arose thereon.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, the House shall sit beyond the ordinary hour of daily adjournment today; after 6:30 p.m. the Chair shall not receive any quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent; when no Member rises to speak to Government Business No. 5, or at 10:00 p.m., whichever is earlier, the debate shall adjourn without the question being put; after the debate on Government Business No. 5 is adjourned, the House shall consider the second reading motion of Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act; a Member from each recognized party may speak for not more than 20 minutes, following which Bill C-44 shall be deemed read the second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole, deemed considered in Committee of the Whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at the report stage and deemed read the third time and passed; after Bill C-44 is read the third time and passed, the House shall adjourn to the next sitting day.

Government Orders

And of the amendment of , seconded by .

The debate continued.

At 10:00 p.m., pursuant to Order made earlier today, the debate was adjourned.

Pursuant to Order made earlier today, the Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food of Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act.

Mr. Clement (Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario) for Mr. Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food), seconded by Mr. MacKay (Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Order made earlier today, the Bill was deemed read the second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole, deemed considered in Committee of the Whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at the report stage and deemed read the third time and passed.

Returns and Reports Deposited with the Clerk of the House

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), a paper deposited with the Clerk of the House was deemed laid upon the Table on Wednesday, February 20, 2008:

— by — Report on the administration and operation of the Canada Health Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, pursuant to the Canada Health Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-6, s. 23. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-458-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Health)

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

— by — Report on the operations under the Canada Water Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, pursuant to the Canada Water Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-11, s. 38. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-363-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

— by — Report on the operations under the Canada Water Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, pursuant to the Canada Water Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-11, s. 38. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-363-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

— by — Report on the operations under the Canada Water Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, pursuant to the Canada Water Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-11, s. 38. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-363-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

— by — Report on the operations under the Canada Water Act for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, pursuant to the Canada Water Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-11, s. 38. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-363-04. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

— by — Report on the administration and enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act for the year 2007, pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act, R.S. 1985, c. M-9, s. 38. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-998-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities)

— by — Federal-Provincial Implementation Agreement with the Province of Quebec, pursuant to the Farm Income Protection Act, S.C. 1991, c. 22, sbs. 6(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-392-483-04. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food)

Adjournment

At 11:10 p.m., pursuant to Order made earlier today, the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).