Mr. Bezan (Selkirk—Interlake), from the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, presented the Second Report of the Committee (extension of time, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, to consider Bill C-311, An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-137.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 30) was tabled.

Pursuant to Standing Order 97.1(3), the motion to concur in the Report was deemed moved, the question deemed put and a recorded division was deemed requested and deferred until Wednesday, October 21, 2009, immediately before the time provided for Private Members' Business. (Concurrence in Committee Reports No. 10)

Mr. Fast (Abbotsford), from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, presented the 11th Report of the Committee (Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (identity theft and related misconduct), without amendment). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-138.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 33, 34, 36 and 37) was tabled.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior), seconded by Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), Bill C-459, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (goods and services tax on school authorities), 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. Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing), seconded by Mr. Rafferty (Thunder Bay—Rainy River), Bill C-460, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Defence of Canada Medal (1946-1989), 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 Ms. Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona), seconded by Ms. Leslie (Halifax), Bill C-461, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (use of hand-held telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), seconded by Mr. Hyer (Thunder Bay—Superior North), moved, — That it be an instruction to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development that it have the power to divide Bill C-311, An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change, into two bills: Bill C-311A, An Act to set targets and timelines to prevent dangerous climate change, and Bill C-311B, An Act to ensure the Government of Canada is held accountable for meeting its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change; that Bill C-311A be composed of clause 6 of Bill C-311; that Bill C-311B be composed of all remaining parts of Bill C-311; that the House order the printing of Bills C-311A and C-311B; that the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be authorized to make such technical changes or corrections as may be necessary to give effect to this motion; and that, if Bill C-311A has not been reported back to the House by the tenth sitting day after October 19, 2009, it shall be deemed to have been reported back without amendment.

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Warawa (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment), seconded by Mr. Richardson (Calgary Centre), moved, — That the House do now proceed to the Orders of the Day.

The question was put on the motion and it was tied on the following division:

The votes being equally divided, the Speaker gave his casting vote in the negative on the procedural grounds that debate should continue.

Accordingly, the motion was negatived.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), seconded by Mr. Hyer (Thunder Bay—Superior North), — That it be an instruction to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development that it have the power to divide Bill C-311, An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change, into two bills: Bill C-311A, An Act to set targets and timelines to prevent dangerous climate change, and Bill C-311B, An Act to ensure the Government of Canada is held accountable for meeting its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change; that Bill C-311A be composed of clause 6 of Bill C-311; that Bill C-311B be composed of all remaining parts of Bill C-311; that the House order the printing of Bills C-311A and C-311B; that the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be authorized to make such technical changes or corrections as may be necessary to give effect to this motion; and that, if Bill C-311A has not been reported back to the House by the tenth sitting day after October 19, 2009, it shall be deemed to have been reported back without amendment.

The debate continued.

A message was received informing the Commons that on October 8, 2009, at 11:51 a.m., Her Excellency the Governor General signified Royal Assent by written declaration to the following Bill:

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), seconded by Mr. Hyer (Thunder Bay—Superior North), — That it be an instruction to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development that it have the power to divide Bill C-311, An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change, into two bills: Bill C-311A, An Act to set targets and timelines to prevent dangerous climate change, and Bill C-311B, An Act to ensure the Government of Canada is held accountable for meeting its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change; that Bill C-311A be composed of clause 6 of Bill C-311; that Bill C-311B be composed of all remaining parts of Bill C-311; that the House order the printing of Bills C-311A and C-311B; that the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel be authorized to make such technical changes or corrections as may be necessary to give effect to this motion; and that, if Bill C-311A has not been reported back to the House by the tenth sitting day after October 19, 2009, it shall be deemed to have been reported back without amendment.

The debate continued.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

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

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food), seconded by Mr. Goodyear (Minister of State (Science and Technology)), — That Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Canada Grain Act, chapter 22 of the Statutes of Canada, 1998 and chapter 25 of the Statutes of Canada, 2004, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food;

The debate continued.

At 5:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

Ms. Foote (Random—Burin—St. George's), seconded by Mrs. Mendes (Brossard—La Prairie), moved, — That, in the opinion of the House, it is imperative the government move expeditiously to allocate the necessary resources to put in place a full-time dedicated helicopter fully equipped to search and rescue standards at the airport nearest to offshore oil activity and that it be available on a 24-hour basis with a crew trained in all aspects of search and rescue. (Private Members' Business M-346)

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the Order was dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper.

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).