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| 41st PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION | |
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JournalsNo. 24 Tuesday, November 26, 2013 10:00 a.m. |
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| Prayers |
| Daily Routine Of Business |
Tabling of Documents |
The Speaker laid upon the Table, — Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the House of Commons (Fall 2013), pursuant to the Auditor General Act, R.S. 1985, c. A-17, sbs. 7(3). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-64-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(g), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts)
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Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) laid upon the Table, — Notice of a Ways and Means motion to introduce an Act to replace the Northwest Territories Act to implement certain provisions of the Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. (Ways and Means No. 4) — Sessional Paper No. 8570-412-4. |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), an Order of the Day was designated for the consideration of this Ways and Means motion. |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled "Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement". — Sessional Paper No. 8525-412-4.
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Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Lukiwski (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. 412-0002, 412-0057, 412-0061, 412-0063, 412-0195, 412-0200, 412-0224 and 412-0233 concerning genetic engineering. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-412-4-02;
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— No. 412-0003 concerning the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-412-6-03;
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— Nos. 412-0193 and 412-0244 concerning the electoral system. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-412-12-02.
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Motions |
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By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, (a) any recorded division deferred, or deemed deferred, to Wednesday, November 27, 2013, Wednesday, December 4, 2013, and Wednesday, December 11, 2013, shall be taken up at the conclusion of oral questions, provided that there shall be no extension of the time provided for Government Orders pursuant to Standing Order 45(7.1); and (b) any recorded division demanded in respect of a debatable motion, other than an item of Private Members’ Business, on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, Wednesday, December 4, 2013, and Wednesday, December 11, 2013, shall be deemed deferred to the conclusion of oral questions on the next sitting day. |
Presenting Petitions |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 36, petitions certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows: |
— by Mrs. Smith (Kildonan—St. Paul), two concerning prostitution (Nos. 412-0478 and 412-0479);
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— by Ms. Charlton (Hamilton Mountain), four concerning the income tax system (Nos. 412-0480 to 412-0483);
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— by Mr. MacAulay (Cardigan), fifteen concerning funding aid (Nos. 412-0484 to 412-0498);
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— by Mr. Hyer (Thunder Bay—Superior North), one concerning the democratic process (No. 412-0499).
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Questions on the Order Paper |
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Mr. Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answer to question Q-48 on the Order Paper. |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the returns to the following questions made into Orders for Return: |
Q-10 — Mr. Dubé (Chambly—Borduas) — With regard to the funds allocated by the government for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, and the 2012-2016 Host Program Contribution Agreement between Canadian Heritage (Sport Canada) and the Organizing Committee of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games: (a) how much has been allocated to all the sports venues, including but not limited to the CIBC Athletes’ Village, the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Games Athletics Centre and Field House, the Markham Pan Am and Parapan Am Centre, the Welland Flatwater Centre, the Caledon Equestrian Park, and the Hamilton Soccer Stadium; (b) what are the specific details of the amounts allocated to construct new sports infrastructures and those allocated to renovate existing sports infrastructures; (c) for each of the capital projects (especially the sites for test events, training, competitions and support services), what are the specifics of all the interim quarterly activity/results reports describing the status of each project as stipulated in Annex E, Interim and Final Results Reporting Requirements, of the 2012-2016 Hosting Program Contribution Agreement; and (d) the amount allocated to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Contribution Agreement related to official languages and related services provided by the government for the Games? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-10.
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Q-17 — Mr. Regan (Halifax West) — With regard to spending in the federal riding of Halifax West, how much money was spent between 2007 and 2012: (a) through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund; (b) through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund; (c) through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund; (d) through the Infrastructure Canada program; and (e) how much money has the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency directed to businesses and projects in the federal riding of Halifax West between 2007 and 2012? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-17.
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Q-20 — Mr. Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior) — With regard to the horse slaughter industry in Canada: (a) what was the reason for the temporary halt, initiated by European Union (EU) officials, to horse meat imports from Canada on October 12, 2012; (b) has Canada participated in talks with EU officials regarding the safety of horse meat from Canada since that time, (i) if so, what topics were discussed, (ii) what conclusions were reached; (c) what restrictions effective in 2013 will be imposed upon the Canadian horse meat industry by the EU, (i) what is the anticipated impact of these restrictions on the frequency and type of drug residue testing on horse meat in Canada as well as on the data required on Equine Information Documents (EIDs), (ii) will the restrictions on prohibited/non-permitted drugs be further tightened; (d) is there any oversight by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on transport drivers and horse meat dealers listed on EIDs as current owners to check for a history of violations of the United States Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Transport, or CFIA transport regulations, (i) does the CFIA enhance its scrutiny of such violators or conduct follow-up investigations on those who have been flagged for violations, (ii) is this information shared with any other inter-connected government agency either in Canada or in the United States; (e) how often do CFIA inspectors do a visual inspection of the transports that arrive at the slaughter plants to ensure that the horses have been transported safely; (f) how many transport violations concerning horse slaughter transportation have been issued to transport drivers within the last five years, (i) how many warnings of violations have been issued, (ii) if the warnings have been ignored, how does the CFIA restrict or prohibit those transport drivers from conducting business in Canada; (g) how often does the CFIA conduct inspections of feedlots and how many warnings or violations were imposed in the last five years because of these inspections; (h) in the last five years, how many times has the CFIA conducted audits of processes and procedures regarding the export shipments of live horses to foreign countries, (i) how many audit reports were prepared, (ii) how many warnings were issued to shippers; (i) how does the CFIA ensure that e-coli or the potential for e-coli is properly erased from horses and horse meat during and after the slaughter process; (j) how often are in-house video cameras scrutinized in plants and does the CFIA keep these videos to scrutinize at a later date, and how does the CFIA address inappropriate behaviour by slaughter plant personnel that may be uncovered in video recordings; (k) after conditions at Les Viandes de la Petite-Nation were revealed in 2011, were structural changes instituted at that slaughter facility and, if so, which ones, and were changes concerning the safe use of a rifle rather than captive bolt gun instituted and, if so, did the CFIA see a reduction in the number of horses regaining consciousness after switching from captive bolt gun to rifle; (l) what accountability measures are taken towards recorded owners of horses whose carcasses were condemned for reasons of disease, malnourishment or other abuse; (m) are the carcasses of horses that test positive for prohibited drugs used for rendering, and if not, how does the CFIA oversee the safe disposal of contaminated carcasses and ensure that condemned carcasses are not combined in any way with normal rendering; (n) how often does the CFIA inspect slaughter house feedlots and out buildings for dead or downer horses, (i) are there any reports kept by plant personnel regarding dead or downer horses, (ii) if so, does the CFIA inspect these reports at any time, (iii) how many dead or downer horses have been involved since January 1, 2010, and what were the circumstances surrounding these cases; (o) what protocols are in place to ensure that equine blood and other body fluids are being properly diverted from municipal town water systems; (p) does the CFIA conduct audits or oversee EIDs when obvious erroneous information is listed by the recorded owner and is the slaughter plant required to flag these EIDs for scrutiny by the CFIA when there are obvious or deliberate errors or omissions; (q) what do slaughterhouses do with registration papers that may accompany thoroughbreds, standardbreds, quarter horses or other breeds to slaughter facilities; (r) does the CFIA compile statistics on breeds that are most likely to have been administered prohibited drugs; (s) what are the “animal well-being program” and “program to monitor animal slaughter” mentioned in the response to written question Q-714 on September 17, 2012, and what results have been seen from the use of these programs; (t) are horse slaughter facilities checking with ID scanners for microchips, (i) if not, does the CFIA plan to implement a microchip ID program and if so, when is the deadline for its implementation; (u) has a database been developed for Equine Information Documents and who is responsible for oversight and maintenance of the database; and (v) how many horse fatalities and serious injuries have occurred during loading or air transport of slaughter horses to Japan and any other countries, between January 1, 2008, and April 1, 2013, (i) what reasons were recorded for the fatalities or injuries, (ii) how was each case resolved? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-20.
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Q-22 — Mr. Nantel (Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher) — With regard to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, on an annual basis: (a) what human and financial resources have been allocated to the Convention’s implementation since its ratification, for fiscal years (i) 2013-2014, (ii) 2014-2015; (b) what projects, groups and associations have received funding since its ratification; (c) has the Department of Canadian Heritage reviewed its policies to ensure they comply with the Convention; (d) what action does the government intend to take in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 to implement the Convention; (e) how many meetings on the Convention have the government and the provinces held since its ratification; (f) how many UNESCO meetings on the Convention have Canadian delegates attended; (g) with regard to the Canada-Europe free-trade agreement, how many meetings between the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development have been held to date? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-22.
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| Business of Supply |
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The Order was read for the consideration of the Business of Supply. |
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Mr. LeBlanc (Beauséjour), seconded by Mr. MacAulay (Cardigan), moved, — That, given the recent sworn statements by RCMP Corporal Greg Horton, which revealed that: (i) on February 21, 2013, the Prime Minister’s Office had agreed that, with regard to Mike Duffy’s controversial expenses, the Conservative Party of Canada would “keep him whole on the repayment”; (ii) on February 22, 2013, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff wanted to “speak to the PM before everything is considered final”; (iii) later on February 22, 2013, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff confirmed “We are good to go from the PM once Ben has his confirmation from Payne”; (iv) an agreement was reached between Benjamin Perrin and Janice Payne, counsels for the Prime Minister and Mike Duffy; (v) the amount to keep Mike Duffy whole was calculated to be higher than first determined, requiring a changed source of funds from Conservative Party funds to Nigel Wright’s personal funds, after which the arrangement proceeded and Duffy’s expenses were re-paid; and (vi) subsequently, the Prime Minister's Office engaged in the obstruction of a Deloitte audit and a whitewash of a Senate report; the House condemn the deeply disappointing actions of the Prime Minister's Office in devising, organizing and participating in an arrangement that the RCMP believes violated sections 119, 121 and 122 of the Criminal Code of Canada, and remind the Prime Minister of his own Guide for Ministers and Ministers of State, which states on page 28 that “Ministers and Ministers of State are personally responsible for the conduct and operation of their offices and the exempt staff in their employ,” and the House call upon the Prime Minister to explain in detail to Canadians, under oath, what Nigel Wright or any other member of his staff or any other Conservative told him at any time about any aspect of any possible arrangement pertaining to Mike Duffy, what he did about it, and when. |
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Debate arose thereon. |
| Statements By Members |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements. |
| Oral Questions |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions. |
| Business of Supply |
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The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. LeBlanc (Beauséjour), seconded by Mr. MacAulay (Cardigan), in relation to the Business of Supply. |
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The debate continued. |
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At 5:15 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(16), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings. |
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The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 15 -- Vote no 15) | |
| YEAS: 124, NAYS: 146 |
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YEAS -- POUR Allen (Welland) Cullen Jacob Papillon Total: -- 124 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Ablonczy Clement Kerr Rickford Total: -- 146 |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Nil--Aucun |
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| Deferred Recorded Divisions |
Government Orders |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Ambrose (Minister of Health), seconded by Mrs. Yelich (Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)), — That Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. |
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The House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment of Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), seconded by Ms. Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine), — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “That” and substituting the following:
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“this house decline to give second reading to Bill C-2, an Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, because it:
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(a) fails to reflect the dual purposes of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to maintain and promote both public health and public safety;
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(b) runs counter to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in Canada v. PHS Community Services Society, which states that a Minister should generally grant an exemption when there is proof that a supervised injection site will decrease the risk of death and disease, and when there is little or no evidence that it will have a negative impact on public safety;
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(c) establishes onerous requirements for applicants that will create unjustified barriers for the establishment of safe injection sites, which are proven to save lives and increase health outcomes; and
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(d) further advances the Minister's political tactics to divide communities and use the issue of supervised injection sites for political gain, in place of respecting the advice and opinion of public health experts.”.
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The question was put on the amendment and it was negatived on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 16 -- Vote no 16) | |
| YEAS: 125, NAYS: 147 |
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YEAS -- POUR Allen (Welland) Crowder Hyer Nunez-Melo Total: -- 125 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Ablonczy Clement Kerr Rickford Total: -- 147 |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Nil--Aucun |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of Mr. Oliver (Minister of Natural Resources), seconded by Mr. Moore (Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)), — That Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and other Acts and to provide for certain other measures, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources. |
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The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 17 -- Vote no 17) | |
| YEAS: 268, NAYS: 4 |
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YEAS -- POUR Ablonczy Cotler Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Preston Total: -- 268 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Bellavance Fortin Patry Plamondon Total: -- 4 |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Nil--Aucun |
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Accordingly, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and other Acts and to provide for certain other measures, was read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources. |
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| Private Members' Business |
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At 6:16 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(7), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business. |
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The Order was read for the third reading of Bill C-452, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons). |
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Mrs. Mourani (Ahuntsic), seconded by Mrs. Smith (Kildonan—St. Paul), moved, — That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass. |
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Debate arose thereon. |
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The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to. |
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Accordingly, the Bill was read the third time and passed. |
| Returns and Reports Deposited with the Clerk of the House |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), papers deposited with the Clerk of the House were laid upon the Table as follows: |
— by Mr. Alexander (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) — Revised report on the Operation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the year 2013, pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, sbs. 94(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-800-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration)
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— by Mr. Blaney (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness) — Report of the Correctional Investigator for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, pursuant to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, S.C. 1992, c. 20, s. 192. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-72-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security)
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— by Mr. Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food) — Report of the Canadian Dairy Commission, together with the Auditor General's Report, for the year ended December 31, 2013, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 150(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-90-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food)
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— by Mr. Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food) — Summaries of the Corporate Plan for the period 2013-2014 to 2017-2018 and of the Operating and Capital Budgets of the Canadian Dairy Commission for the dairy year ending July 31, 2014, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). — Sessional Paper No. 8562-412-836-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food)
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| Adjournment Proceedings |
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At 6:57 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 38(1), the question “That this House do now adjourn” was deemed to have been proposed. |
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After debate, the question was deemed to have been adopted. |
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Accordingly, at 7:07 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). |