The Speaker informed the House that a vacancy had occurred in the representation in the House of Commons, for the Electoral District of Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, in the Province of Nova Scotia, by reason of the resignation of Mr. Bill Casey, and that, pursuant to paragraph 25(1)(b) of the Parliament of Canada Act, today he had addressed his warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for the election of a member to fill the vacancy.

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. Bernier (Beauce), seconded by Mr. Reid (Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington), — That Standing Order 89 be amended by deleting the words “and of second reading of a private Member’s public bill originating in the Senate”; and Standing Order 86.2(2) be amended by deleting the words “a Senate public bill or”. (Private Members' Business M-277)

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, May 6, 2009, immediately before the time provided for Private Members' Business.

At 11:29 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:00 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mrs. Aglukkaq (Minister of Health), seconded by Mr. Blackburn (Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture)), — That Bill C-11, An Act to promote safety and security with respect to human pathogens and toxins, be now read a third time and do pass.

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded division was deferred until Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

The Order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, as reported by the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities without amendment.

Mr. Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs) for Mr. Baird (Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities), seconded by Mrs. Ablonczy (Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)), moved, — That the Bill be concurred in at report stage.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Accordingly, the Bill was concurred in at report stage.

Pursuant to Standing Order 76.1(11), Mr. Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs) for Mr. Baird (Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities), seconded by Mrs. Ablonczy (Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)), moved, — That the Bill be now read a third time and do pass.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

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

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:

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food), seconded by Mr. O'Connor (Minister of State), Bill C-29, An Act to increase the availability of agricultural loans and to repeal the Farm Improvement Loans Act, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Mr. Lee (Scarborough—Rouge River), from the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, presented the Second Report of the Committee (Third Report of the Committee presented to the House during the Second Session of the 39th Parliament). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-58.

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. 18) was tabled.

Ms. Fry (Vancouver Centre), from the Standing Committee on Status of Women, presented the Fourth Report of the Committee (women's rights in Afghanistan). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-59.

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

Ms. Fry (Vancouver Centre), from the Standing Committee on Status of Women, presented the Fifth Report of the Committee (women's rights in Afghanistan). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-60.

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

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

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Baird (Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities), seconded by Mrs. Ablonczy (Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)), — That Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, be now read a third time and do pass.

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Accordingly, the Bill was read the third time and passed.

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Customs Act.

Mr. Lunn (Minister of State (Sport)) for Mr. Van Loan (Minister of Public Safety), seconded by Mr. O'Connor (Minister of State), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4)(a), the following motion, standing on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. Ignatieff (Leader of the Opposition), was deemed adopted, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 81(4)(a), all Votes under FISHERIES AND OCEANS and all Votes under AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD, in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, be referred to Committees of the Whole.

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

At 6:30 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 6:49 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).