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| 44th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION | |
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JournalsNo. 263 Wednesday, December 6, 2023 2:00 p.m. |
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The acting clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker. |
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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. |
| Prayer |
| National Anthem |
| Statements By Members |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 31, members made statements. |
| Oral Questions |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House proceeded to Oral Questions. |
| Naming of a member |
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The Deputy Speaker named Mr. Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot) for disregarding the authority of the Chair and, pursuant to Standing Order 11(1)(a), ordered the member to withdraw from the House for the remainder of today's sitting. |
| Oral Questions |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 30(5), the House resumed Oral Questions. |
| Deferred Recorded Divisions |
Concurrence in Committee Reports |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 66(2), the House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. McCauley (Edmonton West), seconded by Mr. Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot), — That the 26th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, be concurred in; (Concurrence in Committee Reports No. 43) |
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The House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment of Mr. Calkins (Red Deer—Lacombe), seconded by Mr. Soroka (Yellowhead), — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “That” and substituting the following: |
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“the 26th report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, be not now concurred in, but that it be recommitted to the Committee with instruction that: (a) it take note of the resignation of the CEO and Chair of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) over allegations that funds were used improperly, namely that SDTC has been accused of giving grants to startups and accelerators with ties to their senior management, as well as making payments inconsistent with the requirements of their agreement with government; and (b) in keeping with the Auditor General`s observation that Treasury Board, which is responsible for the supervision of SDTC, has not provided oversight, as well as SDTC`s mission statement claiming it is “committed to full transparency”, the committee add to its recommendations an invitation to Annette Verschuren and the whistleblowers who exposed this scandal to appear before the committee.”.
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The question was put on the amendment and it was negatived on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 475 -- Vote no 475) | |
| YEAS: 111, NAYS: 202 |
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YEAS -- POUR Aboultaif Fast Lloyd Seeback Total: -- 111 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Aldag Davies Kelloway Plamondon Total: -- 202 |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Champagne Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) Guilbeault Qualtrough Total: -- 14 |
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Pursuant to order made Thursday, November 30, 2023, the question was deemed put on the main motion and it was agreed to on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 476 -- Vote no 476) | |
| YEAS: 202, NAYS: 112 |
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YEAS -- POUR Aldag Davies Kayabaga Powlowski Total: -- 202 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Aboultaif Falk (Provencher) Liepert Schmale Total: -- 112 |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Champagne Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) Guilbeault Qualtrough Total: -- 14 |
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Privilege |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable), — That the Speaker's public participation at an Ontario Liberal Party convention, as Speaker of the House of Commons, constitute a breach of the tradition and expectation of impartiality required for that high office, constituting a serious error of judgment which undermines the trust required to discharge his duties and responsibilities and, therefore, the House refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs with instruction that it recommend an appropriate remedy, provided that the committee: (a) meet within 24 hours after receiving this order of reference to consider the matter; (b) ensure this matter take priority over all other business; (c) shall have the first priority for the use of House resources for the committee meetings, subject to the special orders adopted on Monday, May 16, 2023, and Monday, December 4, 2023; and (d) be instructed to report back to the House not later than on Thursday, December 14, 2023; |
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The House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment of Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable), seconded by Mr. Tochor (Saskatoon—University), — That the motion be amended by adding the following: |
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“, provided that the committee: (a) meet within 24 hours after receiving this order of reference to consider the matter; (b) ensure this matter take priority over all other business; (c) shall have the first priority for the use of House resources for the committee meetings, subject to the special orders adopted on Monday, May 16, 2023, and Monday, December 4, 2023; and (d) be instructed to report back to the House not later than on Thursday, December 14, 2023”.
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The question was put on the amendment and it was agreed to on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 477 -- Vote no 477) | |
| YEAS: 310, NAYS: 0 |
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YEAS -- POUR Aboultaif Dhaliwal Lambropoulos Rogers Total: -- 310 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Nil--Aucun |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Champagne Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) Guilbeault Qualtrough Total: -- 14 |
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Private Members' Business |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of Mr. Cormier (Acadie—Bathurst), seconded by Mr. Rogers (Bonavista—Burin—Trinity), — That Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program, 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. |
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The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 478 -- Vote no 478) | |
| YEAS: 204, NAYS: 110 |
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YEAS -- POUR Aldag DeBellefeuille Kelloway Plamondon Total: -- 204 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Aboultaif Falk (Provencher) Liepert Seeback Total: -- 110 |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Champagne Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) Guilbeault Qualtrough Total: -- 14 |
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Accordingly, Bill C-322, An Act to develop a national framework to establish a school food program, was read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 98(4), the House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of Ms. Fry (Vancouver Centre), seconded by Mr. Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), — That Bill C-295, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (neglect of vulnerable adults), be now read a third time and do pass. |
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The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 479 -- Vote no 479) | |
| YEAS: 309, NAYS: 0 |
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YEAS -- POUR Aboultaif Dhaliwal Lake Roberts Total: -- 309 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Nil--Aucun |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Champagne Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) Guilbeault Qualtrough Total: -- 14 |
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Accordingly, the bill was read the third time and passed. |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 93(1), the House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of Mr. Cannings (South Okanagan—West Kootenay), seconded by Ms. Barron (Nanaimo—Ladysmith), — That Bill C-219, An Act to enact the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights and to make related amendments to other Acts, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. |
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The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following division: |
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| (Division No. 480 -- Vote no 480) | |
| YEAS: 54, NAYS: 257 |
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YEAS -- POUR Angus Cannings Gill Perron Total: -- 54 |
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NAYS -- CONTRE Aboultaif Duguid Lattanzio Rogers Total: -- 257 |
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PAIRED -- PAIRÉS Champagne Duncan (Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry) Guilbeault Qualtrough Total: -- 14 |
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| Daily Routine Of Business |
Tabling of Documents |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Lamoureux (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: |
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— No. 441-01794 concerning social affairs and equality; |
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— No. 441-01796 concerning justice. |
Statements by Ministers |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 33(1), Ms. Ien (Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth) made a statement. |
Presenting Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), Ms. Fry (Vancouver Centre) presented the report of the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly 30th Annual Session, Vancouver, British Columbia, from June 30 to July 4, 2023. — Sessional Paper No. 8565-441-61-08. |
Presenting Reports from Committees |
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Mr. Fonseca (Mississauga East—Cooksville), from the Standing Committee on Finance, presented the 14th report of the committee, "Canada Pension Plan". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-356. |
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A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 121) was tabled. |
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Ms. Chagger (Waterloo), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the 53rd report of the committee (items to remain votable). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-357. |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), the report was deemed concurred in. |
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Ms. Diab (Halifax West), from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, presented the 17th report of the committee (Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assaults against health care professionals and first responders), with amendments). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-358. |
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A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 80, 84 and 86) was tabled. |
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Ms. Diab (Halifax West), from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, presented the 18th report of the committee, "Mesures to protect Canadians". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-359. |
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A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 87) was tabled. |
Presenting Petitions |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 36, petitions certified by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows: |
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— by Mr. Gerretsen (Kingston and the Islands), one concerning the environment (No. 441-01970) and one concerning social affairs and equality (No. 441-01971); |
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— by Ms. Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton), one concerning health (No. 441-01972); |
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— by Mr. Morrice (Kitchener Centre), one concerning civil and human rights (No. 441-01973); |
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— by Ms. Chagger (Waterloo), two concerning foreign affairs (Nos. 441-01974 and 441-01975); |
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— by Mr. Baker (Etobicoke Centre), one concerning citizenship and immigration (No. 441-01976). |
Questions on the Order Paper |
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Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the answers to questions Q-1849, Q-1850, Q-1854, Q-1855, Q-1858 and Q-1860 on the Order Paper. |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 39(7), Mr. Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons) presented the returns to the following questions made into orders for return: |
Q-1848 — Mr. Kelly (Calgary Rocky Ridge) — With regard to Canada’s immigration system, labour shortages, and housing shortages: (a) for each year, since January 1, 2016, how many successful applicants for permanent residency were skilled tradespeople; (b) how many of the immigrants in (a) were qualified to work in residential construction in the province in which they settled; (c) what proportion of the immigrants in (a) did immigrants in (b) constitute; (d) how many of the immigrants in (b) found work in their respective trades within (i) one year, (ii) two years, (iii) three years; and (e) how many of the immigrants in (b) were employed in their respective trades as of October 1, 2023? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-1848.
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Q-1851 — Mr. Doherty (Cariboo—Prince George) — With regard to government financial forecasting: what is the projected interest rate and the range of possible interest rates that the government is using to make its forecasts, broken down by year, for each of the next five years? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-1851.
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Q-1852 — Mr. Doherty (Cariboo—Prince George) — With regard to the Benefits Delivery Modernization programme: (a) what are the total expenditures through the programme, broken down by year, since 2020; and (b) what are the details of all external contracts signed by the government as part of, or in relation to, the programme, including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) vendor, (iii) amount, (iv) description of the goods or services, including the scope of work, (v) manner in which the contract was awarded (sole-sourced, competitively bid)? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-1852.
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Q-1853 — Mr. Doherty (Cariboo—Prince George) — With regard to government contracts with Avascent, since January 1, 2016, broken down by department, agency, Crown corporation, or other government entity: (a) what was the total value of the contracts signed with Avascent, broken down by year; and (b) what are the details of each contract, including, for each, (i) the date, (ii) the vendor, (iii) the amount, (iv) a description of the goods or services, (v) the purpose of the contract and the scope of work, (vi) whether the contract was awarded through a competitive bid or sole-source process? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-1853.
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Q-1856 — Ms. Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton) — With regard to palliative care: (a) how much has the government spent on palliative care, including, but not limited to, funding for the provision of palliative care, the training of medical staff, and the development of the framework for palliative care across Canada, broken down by year, for each year from 2018 to date in 2023; and (b) what is the breakdown of (a) by item and type of expenditure? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-1856.
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Q-1857 — Mr. Hallan (Calgary Forest Lawn) — With regard to the federal carbon tax or price on carbon, since 2018, broken down by year: (a) what was the average dollar amount collected by the government from (i) individual Canadians, (ii) individual Canadian business; (b) what is the breakdown of (a)(i) and (a)(ii) by province or territory; (c) what was the per capita dollar amount collected by the government; (d) what is the breakdown of (c) by province or territory; (e) what was the average climate action incentive payment received by (i) individual Canadians, (ii) businesses; and (f) what is the breakdown of (e)(i) and (e)(ii) by province or territory? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-1857.
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Q-1859 — Mrs. Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country) — With regard to Employment and Social Development Canada’s Benefits Delivery Modernization programme: (a) what is the total number of government employees or full time equivalents who worked on this project from 2017 to present, broken down by year; (b) what are the government’s projections of how many staff will be required to complete this programme, from now until 2030, broken down by year; (c) which consulting companies have been contracted in relation to the programme, including, for each, the (i) scope of their work, (ii) contract value; (d) what was the cost of the PwC Case Study referred to in the Auditor General of Canada’s report on Modernizing Information Technology Systems, published on October 19, 2023; and (e) what is the estimated annual cost to administer the programme, in total, broken down by (i) type of cost, (ii) year from 2017 to 2030? — Sessional Paper No. 8555-441-1859.
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| Question of Privilege |
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The House resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, of Mr. Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle), seconded by Mr. Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable), — That the Speaker's public participation at an Ontario Liberal Party convention, as Speaker of the House of Commons, constitute a breach of the tradition and expectation of impartiality required for that high office, constituting a serious error of judgment which undermines the trust required to discharge his duties and responsibilities and, therefore, the House refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs with instruction that it recommend an appropriate remedy, provided that the committee: (a) meet within 24 hours after receiving this order of reference to consider the matter; (b) ensure this matter take priority over all other business; (c) shall have the first priority for the use of House resources for the committee meetings, subject to the special orders adopted on Monday, May 16, 2023, and Monday, December 4, 2023; and (d) be instructed to report back to the House not later than on Thursday, December 14, 2023. |
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The debate continued. |
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The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to. |
| Returns and Reports Deposited with the Acting Clerk of the House |
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Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), a paper deposited with the Acting Clerk of the House was laid upon the table as follows: |
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— by Ms. Joly (Minister of Foreign Affairs) — Copy of the Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (P.C. 2023-1190), pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, sbs. 7(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-495-58. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development) |
| Adjournment Proceedings |
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At 7:16 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 38(1), the question “That this House do now adjourn” was deemed to have been proposed. |
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After debate, the question was deemed to have been adopted. |
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Accordingly, at 7:42 p.m., the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). |