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

Whereupon, Mr. d'Entremont (West Nova), Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole, took the chair, pursuant to subsection 43(1) of the Parliament of Canada Act.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance), seconded by Mrs. Fortier (President of the Treasury Board), — That Bill C-8, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic and fiscal update tabled in Parliament on December 14, 2021 and other measures, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

The debate continued.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, members made statements.

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That a take-note debate on the opioid crisis in Canada be held on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, pursuant to Standing Order 53.1, and that, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House: (a) members rising to speak during the debate may indicate to the Chair that they will be dividing their time with another member; (b) the time provided for the debate be extended beyond four hours, as needed, to include a minimum of 12 periods of 20 minutes each; and (c) no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair.

Mrs. Zahid (Scarborough Centre), from the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, presented the first report of the committee, "Safe Haven in Canada: Special Immigration and Refugee Measures are Urgently Needed for the People of Hong Kong". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-10.

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. 2) was tabled.

Mrs. Zahid (Scarborough Centre), from the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, presented the second report of the committee, "Immigration in the Time of COVID-19: Issues and Challenges". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-11.

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. 2) was tabled.

Ms. Sgro (Humber River—Black Creek), from the Liaison Committee, presented the first report of the committee, "Committee Activities and Expenditures - April 1, 2021 - August 15, 2021". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-12.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 1) was tabled.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mrs. Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek), seconded by Mrs. Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville), Bill C-230, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (intimidation of health care professionals), 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. Masse (Windsor West), seconded by Mr. Angus (Timmins—James Bay), Bill C-231, An Act to amend the Competition Act (vehicle repair), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

By unanimous consent, it was resolved, — That the House express its gratitude to all parliamentary staff who continue to do the indispensable work needed for Parliament to function efficiently and safely through these difficult circumstances.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance), seconded by Mrs. Fortier (President of the Treasury Board), — That Bill C-8, An Act to implement certain provisions of the economic and fiscal update tabled in Parliament on December 14, 2021 and other measures, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

The debate continued.

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

— by Mrs. Fortier (President of the Treasury Board) — Actuarial Report on the Pension Plan for the Public Service of Canada, as at March 31, 2020, and certification of assets of the Pension Plan, pursuant to the Public Pension Reporting Act, R.S. 1985, c. 13 (2nd Supp.), sbs. 9(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-221-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)

— by Mrs. Fortier (President of the Treasury Board) — Actuarial Report (including certification of assets) on the Public Service Death Benefit Account as at March 31, 2020, pursuant to the Public Service Superannuation Act, R.S. 1985, c. P-36, sbs. 59(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-222-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)

— by Mr. Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) — Amendments to the Management Plan for Grasslands National Park of Canada, pursuant to the Canada National Parks Act, S.C. 2000, c. 32, sbs. 11(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-566-06. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

— by Mr. Guilbeault (Minister of Environment and Climate Change) — Report on the administration of the Species at Risk Act for the year 2020, pursuant to the Species at Risk Act, S.C. 2002, c. 29, s. 126. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-885-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

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

— P.C. 2021‑1013 and P.C. 2021‑1014. — Sessional Paper No. 8540‑441‑2‑02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food)

— P.C. 2021-1024 and P.C. 2021-1025. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-3-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage)

— P.C. 2021-988, P.C. 2021-1015, P.C. 2021-1016, P.C. 2021-1017, P.C. 2021-1018, P.C. 2021-1019, P.C. 2021-1020, P.C. 2021-1021 and P.C. 2021-1022. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-14-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration)

— P.C. 2021-968. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-7-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)

— P.C. 2021-986. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-8-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development)

— P.C. 2021-980, P.C. 2021-981, P.C. 2021-982, P.C. 2021-983, P.C. 2021-984, P.C. 2021-985, P.C. 2021-990 and P.C. 2021-991. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-16-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities)

— P.C. 2021-1023. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-28-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on International Trade)

— P.C. 2021-972, P.C. 2021-973, P.C. 2021-974, P.C. 2021-975, P.C. 2021-976, P.C. 2021-977, P.C. 2021-978 and P.C. 2021-979. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-13-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights)

— P.C. 2021-965. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-17-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on National Defence)

— P.C. 2021-992. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-5-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs)

— P.C. 2021-994. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-30-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security)

— P.C. 2021-969, P.C. 2021-970, P.C. 2021-971 and P.C. 2021-989. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-441-24-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities)

— by Ms. Khera (Minister of Seniors) — Actuarial Report supplementing the Actuarial Report on the Old Age Security Program as at December 31, 2018, pursuant to the Public Pensions Reporting Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-13 (2nd Supp.), sbs. 9(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-596-01. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities)

At 2:30 p.m., the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until Monday at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).