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43rd PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION

Journals No. 57 Thursday, February 4, 2021 10:00 a.m.

Prayer

Daily Routine Of Business

Presenting Reports from Committees

Ms. Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton), from the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, presented the second report of the committee, "National Human Trafficking Awareness Day". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-432-56.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 13) was tabled.

Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Johns (Courtenay—Alberni), seconded by Mr. Duvall (Hamilton Mountain), Bill C-264, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer services), 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. DeBellefeuille (Salaberry—Suroît), seconded by Mrs. Vignola (Beauport—Limoilou), Bill C-265, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (illness, injury or quarantine), 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 by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

— by , one concerning the environment (No. 432-00475);

— by , one concerning health (No. 432-00476);

— by , one concerning foreign affairs (No. 432-00477);

— by , one concerning business and trade (No. 432-00478);

— by , one concerning foreign affairs (No. 432-00479);

— by , one concerning education and training (No. 432-00480) and one concerning natural resources and energy (No. 432-00481);

— by , one concerning foreign affairs (No. 432-00482);

— by , one concerning foreign affairs (No. 432-00483);

— by , one concerning taxation (No. 432-00484);

— by , one concerning transportation (No. 432-00485);

— by , one concerning health (No. 432-00486);

— by , one concerning justice (No. 432-00487).

Questions on the Order Paper

Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the revised return to the following question made into an order for return:

Q-344 — — With regard to applications received by the government for a new Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or a new Restricted Possession and Acquisition Licence (RPAL), during the COVID-19 pandemic: (a) what was the exact date when new applications for PALs and RPALs (i) stopped being processed during the pandemic, (ii) began being processed again; and (b) how many new (i) PAL, (ii) RPAL applications were processed between March 15, 2020, and December 1, 2020, broken down by week? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-432-344-01.

Business of Supply

The order was read for the consideration of the business of supply.

Mrs. Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country), seconded by Mr. Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup), moved, — That, given that trade between Canada and the United States of America exceeds $1.5-billion per day, more than 300,000 people normally cross the common border monthly, the two countries have enjoyed one of the world's largest open trading blocs for the free movement of goods, services and people since 1989, the economic challenges caused by COVID-19, and the need for a serious plan for the economic recovery that recognizes the integration of the North American economy, the House appoint a special committee with the mandate to conduct hearings to examine and review all aspects of the economic relationship between Canada and the United States, including, but not limited to

(i) the expressed bilateral economic priorities of the governments of Canada and the United States,

(ii) natural resources issues, including oil and gas exports and transportation, softwood lumber exports, and related jobs,

(iii) "Buy America" procurement rules, requirements and policies,

(iv) the government's efforts with the United States' administration to ensure a stable and predictable supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses for Canada as a major border and trading partner,

provided that:

(a) the committee be composed of 12 members, of which six shall be from the government party, four shall be from the official opposition, one shall be from the Bloc Québécois, and one shall be from the New Democratic Party;

(b) the members shall be named by their respective whip by depositing with the Clerk of the House the list of their members to serve on the committee no later than Thursday, February 18, 2021;

(d) changes to the membership of the committee shall be effective immediately after notification by the relevant whip has been filed with the Clerk of the House;

(e) the Clerk of the House shall convene an organization meeting of the committee on Tuesday, February 23, 2021;

(f) the committee be chaired by a member of the government party and, notwithstanding Standing Order 106(2), there shall be one vice-chair from each of the other recognized parties;

(g) quorum of the committee be as provided for in Standing Order 118 and that the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government party;

(h) the committee be granted all of the powers of a standing committee, as provided in the Standing Orders, provided that (i) the provisions of Standing Order 106(4) shall also extend to the committee, (ii) until Sunday, April 11, 2021, the committee shall not meet on a day when the House is sitting, except for (A) the meeting required by paragraph (e), (B) the committee's subcommittee on agenda, if one is appointed;

(i) the committee have the power to authorize video and audio broadcasting of any or all of its proceedings;

(j) the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America, and other ministers and senior officials be invited to appear as witnesses from time to time as the committee sees fit;

(k) the committee be instructed to present an interim report, concerning an analysis of the importance of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline to both countries' economies and the consequences of its possible closure, including the labour market implications caused by layoffs of unionized and other workers, together with recommendations to address and safeguard Canadian interests, no later than Thursday, April 15, 2021;

(l) the committee be instructed to present a second interim report, concerning current and proposed "Buy America" procurement rules, requirements and policies, together with recommendations to address and safeguard Canadian interests, no later than Thursday, June 17, 2021; and

(m) the provisions of the order adopted on Monday, January 25, 2021, authorizing virtual and hybrid committee proceedings, shall continue to apply to the committee and any of its subcommittees until Sunday, September 19, 2021.

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.

Business of Supply

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mrs. Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country), seconded by Mr. Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup), in relation to the business of supply.

The debate continued.

At 5:15 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(16), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to order made Monday, January 25, 2021, the recorded division was deferred until Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Private Members' Business

At 5:15 p.m., by unanimous consent, the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Jeneroux (Edmonton Riverbend), seconded by Mr. Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon), — That Bill C-220, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (compassionate care leave), 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 Monday, January 25, 2021, the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, February 17, 2021, 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 the Speaker — Additional costing notes from the Parliamentary Budget Officer on the Fall Economic Statement 2020, pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, R.S. 1985, c. P-1, sbs. 79.2(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-432-1119-26. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Finance)

— by — Summary of the Amendment to the Corporate Plan for 2020-2024 and the Operating and Capital Budgets for 2020 of VIA Rail Canada Inc., pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). — Sessional Paper No. 8562-432-803-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities)

Adjournment Proceedings

At 6:18 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 38(1), the question “That this House do now adjourn” was deemed to have been proposed.

After debate, the question was deemed to have been adopted.

Accordingly, at 6:47 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).