Skip to main content

House Publications

The Debates are the report—transcribed, edited, and corrected—of what is said in the House. The Journals are the official record of the decisions and other transactions of the House. The Order Paper and Notice Paper contains the listing of all items that may be brought forward on a particular sitting day, and notices for upcoming items.

For an advanced search, use Publication Search tool.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the accessibility of this publication, please contact us at accessible@parl.gc.ca.

Previous day publication Next day publication
41st PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

Journals

No. 32

Friday, December 6, 2013

10:00 a.m.



The Clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker.

Whereupon, Mr. Devolin (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock), Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole, took the Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 8.

Prayers
Government Orders

The Order was read for the third reading of Bill C-4, A second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures.

Mr. Duncan (Minister of State) for Mr. Flaherty (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Poilievre (Minister of State (Democratic Reform)), moved, — That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.

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), Mr. Albas (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Government responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

— No. 412-0198 concerning telecommunications. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-412-3-03;
— No. 412-0201 concerning sources of energy. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-412-64-01;
— Nos. 412-0204, 412-0252 and 412-0264 concerning genetic engineering. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-412-4-04;
— No. 412-0263 concerning immigration. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-412-15-03;
— Nos. 412-0396 and 412-0397 concerning the electoral system. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-412-12-03.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Obhrai (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights) laid upon the Table, — Copy of the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, and Explanatory Memorandum, dated September 12, 1997. — Sessional Paper No. 8532-412-12.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Obhrai (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights) laid upon the Table, — Copy of the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government the Republic of Kazakhstan for Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, and Explanatory Memorandum, dated November 13, 2013. — Sessional Paper No. 8532-412-13.

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Obhrai (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights) laid upon the Table, — Copy of the Amendments to Annex IX of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, and Explanatory Memorandum, dated April 28 to May 10, 2013. — Sessional Paper No. 8532-412-14.

Introduction of Government Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mrs. Aglukkaq (Minister of the Environment) for Ms. Ambrose (Minister of Health), seconded by Mr. Duncan (Minister of State), Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.


Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin), seconded by Mr. Van Kesteren (Chatham-Kent—Essex), Bill C-560, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (equal parenting) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, 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. Cotler (Mount Royal), seconded by Ms. Sgro (York West), Bill C-561, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking and transplanting human organs and other body parts), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.


Motions

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, in relation to its studies on the benefits for Canada in joining the Pacific Alliance as a full member and on the benefits for Canada of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), six members of the Standing Committee on International Trade be authorized to travel to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru, in the Winter-Spring of 2014, and that the necessary staff accompany the Committee.


By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, in relation to its studies on the benefits for Canada in joining the Pacific Alliance as a full member and on the benefits for Canada of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), six members of the Standing Committee on International Trade be authorized to travel to Bogota, Colombia and Mexico City, Mexico, in the Winter-Spring of 2014, and that the necessary staff accompany the Committee.


By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, in relation to its study on the Northwest Territories Devolution Act, seven members of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development be authorized to travel to travel to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, in the Winter of 2014, that the necessary staff accompany the Committee and that the Committee be authorized to televise its hearings.


Presenting Petitions

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

— by Ms. Charlton (Hamilton Mountain), one concerning the income tax system (No. 412-0616).

Questions on the Order Paper

Mr. Albas (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board) presented the answers to questions Q-65, Q-67, Q-71, Q-72, Q-81, Q-85 and Q-95 on the Order Paper.


Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Albas (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board) presented the returns to the following questions made into Orders for Return:

Q-68 — Mr. Chicoine (Châteauguay—Saint-Constant) — With regard to spending on monuments and commemorative events honouring veterans, what is the total expenditure since fiscal year 2005-2006 and what is the breakdown by (i) year, (ii) year and province, (iii) year and constituency? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-68.

Q-69 — Mr. Chicoine (Châteauguay—Saint-Constant) — With regard to the employability of veterans in departments and agencies and the public service’s priority appointment program for veterans, since the public service’s priority appointment program for veterans came into effect: (a) how many veterans (i) have registered for the priority appointment program, broken down by year, (ii) have found a job in the public service through this program, broken down by year, (iii) have been unable to find a job in the public service within the two-year time limit; and (b) how many employees who identified themselves as veterans (i) have lost their job in the public service following the 2012 Budget cutbacks, (ii) are currently working for the government, broken down by departments and agencies, (iii) have come through the priority appointment program and are currently working for the government, broken down by departments and agencies? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-69.

Q-70 — Mr. Angus (Timmins—James Bay) — With regard to the purchase of televisions for departments, agencies and crown corporations: (a) what is the amount spent per year for each department agency and crown corporation on televisions for each of the last seven years; (b) what is the proportion of those amounts spent on high definition (HD) or 3D televisions respectively; (c) what is the amount per year for televisions in the offices of ministers, deputy ministers or CEOs listed by agency and name; (d) what are the proportions of the amounts listed in (c) for HD or 3D televisions respectively? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-70.

Q-73 — Ms. Sgro (York West) — With regard to the government’s allocation of the public service budget for each fiscal year starting with 2006-2007 to present: (a) what is the total number of staff, by department, in each Executive (EX) and Deputy Minister (DM) pay category; (b) what is the total number of staff in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Canadian Forces, Canada Border Services Agency and Correctional Services Canada, receiving the maximum remuneration permitted, including bonuses? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-73.

Q-74 — Mr. Dion (Saint-Laurent—Cartierville) — With regard to the most recent Supreme Court appointment process: (a) on what dates was the Quebec Government consulted and who was consulted; (b) when was the Barreau du Quebec consulted; (c) when were judges from the Quebec Court of Appeal (QCCA) consulted; (d) concerning Justice Marc Nadon, (i) on what dates was the Quebec Government consulted regarding his nomination, (ii) when was the Barreau du Quebec consulted, (iii) when were judges from the QCCA consulted; (e) when was the issue of Justice Nadon’s eligibility first raised, (i) by whom, (ii) how, (iii) with what response; (f) concerning Justice Nadon, (i) from whom did the government seek legal opinions, (ii) on what dates, (iii) at what cost, broken down by opinion, (iv) how many lawyers from Quebec were consulted on Justice Nadon’s eligibility, (v) how many judges from Quebec were consulted, (vi) what scholars from Quebec were consulted; (g) by what measure was the litigation risk evaluated relative to Justice Nadon’s appointment, (i) by whom, (ii) on what date, (iii) what communications were sent between the Department of Justice and the Minister of Justice regarding the risk of litigation surrounding the appointment; (h) with respect to assessing Justice Nadon’s eligibility, (i) what was the role of the Department of Justice, (ii) what was the role of the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs, (iii) what was the role of the Minister of Justice, (iv) what steps did the Minister of Justice take to assure himself of Justice Nadon’s eligibility to assume a Quebec seat on the Supreme Court of Canada; (i) how much funding is allocated to any defence needed to a legal challenge to Justice Nadon’s appointment; (j) is the government aware of any instance in which a Supreme Court justice has stepped aside from his or her duties; (k) what steps is the government taking proactively (i) to ensure that Quebec is not under-represented at the Supreme Court of Canada while Justice Nadon is recused, (ii) to ensure gender parity at the Supreme Court of Canada; (l) what steps has the government taken with regard to addressing the lack of racial diversity at the Supreme Court of Canada; (m) who developed the questionnaire provided to judges in the most recent round of Supreme Court appointments, (i) what specific questions were asked of judges, (ii) what information was sought from potential justices during the process; (n) for each of the last six appointment cycles, what were the questions given to judges and what additional information was sought from candidates; and (o) what steps are being taken to modify the process of Supreme Court appointments for the next vacancy? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-74.

Q-77 — Mr. McCallum (Markham—Unionville) — With regard to removal orders, by country and for each calendar year from 2006 to 2013: (a) what are the number of issued (i) departure orders, (ii) exclusions orders, (iii) deportation orders; (b) for each category of orders under (a), what is the total number of people issued removal orders by country to which they were to be removed; and (c) for each category of orders under (a), how many of these orders were successfully executed? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-77.

Q-86 — Ms. Murray (Vancouver Quadra) — With regard to the Department of National Defence Jericho property in Vancouver, British Columbia, which has been declared surplus and identified as a “strategic disposal”: (a) when will the property be transferred to Canada Lands for disposal; (b) what are the processes, stages, and time frames for disposal; (c) what consultations will be conducted, including with the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver community, First Nations (including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations), and the general public; (d) what consultations have already taken place; and (e) are the lands of the former Kitsilano Coast Guard base implicated in the sale of the Jericho Lands and, if so, how? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-86.

Q-98 — Mr. Toone (Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine) — With regard to the commercial wharves in ridings in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces: (a) which ones are in operation today, broken down by (i) province, (ii) riding, (iii) municipality; (b) of those mentioned in (a), what are the estimated repair costs, broken down by (i) province, (ii) riding, (iii) municipality, (iv) wharf; and (c) of those mentioned in (a), what are the estimated maintenance costs, broken down by (i) province, (ii) riding, (iii) municipality, (iv) wharf? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-412-98.
Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Flaherty (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Poilievre (Minister of State (Democratic Reform)), — That Bill C-4, A second act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures, be now read a third time and do pass.

The debate continued.

At 1:15 p.m., pursuant to Order made Tuesday, December 3, 2013, under the provisions of Standing Order 78(3), the Acting Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded division was deferred until Monday, December 9, 2013, at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment.

Private Members' Business

At 1:15 p.m., by unanimous consent, the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Sgro (York West), seconded by Ms. Murray (Vancouver Quadra), — That Bill C-513, An Act to promote and strengthen the Canadian retirement income system, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Order made Tuesday, November 26, 2013, the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

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:

— by Mr. Blaney (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness) — Agreement for RCMP policing services made between Canada and the Municipality of Warman, Saskatchewan, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-475-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security)
— by Mr. Blaney (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness) — Agreements for RCMP policing services made between Canada and the Municipalities of Cornwall, Prince Edward Island and Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, pursuant to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, R.S. 1985, c. R-10, sbs. 20(5). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-412-475-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security)
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 Mr. Duncan (Vancouver Island North), one concerning genetic engineering (No. 412-0617).
Adjournment

At 2:16 p.m., the Acting Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).