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39th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION

Journals

No. 161

Thursday, May 31, 2007

10:00 a.m.



Prayers
Daily Routine Of Business

Tabling of Documents
The Speaker laid upon the Table, — Report of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada on the application of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act for the year 2006, pursuant to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, S.C. 2000, c. 5, sbs. 25(1). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-789-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics)

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform) laid upon the Table, — Government responses, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), to the following petitions:

— No. 391-1400 concerning pornography. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-391-50-05;
— No. 391-1419 concerning the tax system. — Sessional Paper No. 8545-391-87-03.

Presenting Reports from Interparliamentary Delegations

Presenting Reports from Committees

Mr. Crête (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup), from the Standing Committee on Finance, presented the 20th Report of the Committee (Bill C-52, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2007, with amendments). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-261.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 84 to 88) was tabled.


Mr. Tweed (Brandon—Souris), from the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, presented the Sixth Report of the Committee (Canada Post Corporation). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-262.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 53) was tabled.


Mr. Tweed (Brandon—Souris), from the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, presented the Seventh Report of the Committee (Main Estimates 2007-2008 — Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75 under TRANSPORT). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-391-263.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 54) was tabled.


Introduction of Private Members' Bills

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior), seconded by Ms. Chow (Trinity—Spadina), Bill C-448, An Act to prohibit the release, sale, importation and use of seeds incorporating or altered by variety-genetic use restriction technologies (V-GURTs), also called "terminator technologies", and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, 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. Chow (Trinity—Spadina), seconded by Mr. Atamanenko (British Columbia Southern Interior), Bill C-449, An Act respecting a Canada-Portugal Day, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.


Motions

Pursuant to Standing Order 56.1(1), Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Clement (Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario), moved, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, when the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development convenes a meeting, it shall not be adjourned or suspended until it completes the committee stage of Bill C-44, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act, except pursuant to a motion by a Parliamentary Secretary, and, provided the Bill is adopted by the Committee, it agrees to report the Bill to the House within two sitting days following the completion of the committee stage.

The question was put on the motion and, less than 25 Members having risen to object, pursuant to Standing Order 56.1(3), the motion was adopted.


Mr. Cardin (Sherbrooke), seconded by Mrs. DeBellefeuille (Beauharnois—Salaberry), moved, — That the Ninth Report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, presented on Friday, May 18, 2007, be concurred in. (See Concurrence in Committee Reports No. 34)

Debate arose thereon.

Statement by the Speaker

The Speaker ruled out of order the motion moved earlier today pursuant to Standing Order 56.1.


Motions

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Cardin (Sherbrooke), seconded by Mrs. DeBellefeuille (Beauharnois—Salaberry), — That the Ninth Report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, presented on Friday, May 18, 2007, be concurred in. (See Concurrence in Committee Reports No. 34)

The debate continued.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 45, the recorded division was deferred until Monday, June 4, 2007, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Thompson (Minister of Veterans Affairs), — That Bill C-55, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (expanded voting opportunities) and to make a consequential amendment to the Referendum Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

The debate continued.

Royal Assent

A message was received informing the Commons that on May 31, 2007, at 9:05 a.m., Her Excellency the Governor General signified Royal Assent by written declaration to the following Bills:

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.

Motions

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, the debate pursuant to Standing Order 66 concerning the Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration be deemed to have taken place and all questions necessary to dispose of the motion to concur in the report be deemed put and a recorded division be deemed requested and deferred to Wednesday, June 6, 2007, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Thompson (Minister of Veterans Affairs), — That Bill C-55, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (expanded voting opportunities) and to make a consequential amendment to the Referendum Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

The debate continued.

Messages from the Senate

A message was received from the Senate informing this House that the Senate has passed the following Bill to which the concurrence of the House is desired:

Government Orders

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), seconded by Mr. Thompson (Minister of Veterans Affairs), — That Bill C-55, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (expanded voting opportunities) and to make a consequential amendment to the Referendum Act, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

The debate continued.

Private Members' Business

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

The Order was read for the consideration at report stage of Bill C-298, An Act to add perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to the Virtual Elimination List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, as reported by the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development with amendments.

Ms. Minna (Beaches—East York), seconded by Mr. Tonks (York South—Weston), moved, — That the Bill be concurred in at report stage.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 98(4), the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, June 6, 2007, immediately before the time provided for Private Members' Business.

Messages from the Senate

A message was received from the Senate as follows:

— ORDERED: That a message be sent to the House of Commons to acquaint that House that the Senate has passed Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and the Railway Safety Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, with the following amendments:

1. Clause 29, page 20:

(a) Replace lines 2 and 3 with the following:

“way, a railway company shall cause only such noise and vibration as is reasonable, taking into”;

(b) Replace lines 7 to 11 with the following:

“(b) its operational requirements; and
(c) the area where the construction or operation takes place.”; and

(c) Replace lines 32 to 34 with the following:

“that the Agency considers reasonable to ensure compliance with that section.”.

2. New clause 64, page 44:

Add after line 12 the following:

“COMING INTO FORCE
64. Section 27 comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.”.
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 Mr. Lunn (Minister of Natural Resources) — Summaries of the Corporate Plan for 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 and of the Operating Budget for 2007-2008 of the Cape Breton Development Corporation, pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-11, sbs. 125(4). — Sessional Paper No. 8562-391-827-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Natural Resources)
— by Mr. Toews (President of the Treasury Board) — Report of the President of the Treasury Board on Official Languages in Federal Institutions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, pursuant to the Official Languages Act, R.S. 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.), s. 48. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-391-570-02. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Official Languages)
— by Mr. Van Loan (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform) — Orders in Council approving certain appointments made by the Governor General in Council, pursuant to Standing Order 110(1), as follows:
— P.C. 2007-806 and P.C. 2007-807. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-25-05. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics)
— P.C. 2007-797 and P.C. 2007-798. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-2-10. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food)
— P.C. 2007-779 to P.C. 2007-782. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-3-14. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage)
— P.C. 2007-768 to P.C. 2007-771. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-14-15. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration)
— P.C. 2007-737 to P.C. 2007-739 and P.C. 2007-799. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-7-08. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development)
— P.C. 2007-795 and P.C. 2007-796. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-4-19. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates)
— P.C. 2007-740, P.C. 2007-783 to P.C. 2007-788 and P.C. 2007-790 to P.C. 2007-794. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-16-15. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities)
— P.C. 2007-772 to P.C. 2007-778. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-22-17. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology)
— P.C. 2007-767. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-28-07. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on International Trade)
— P.C. 2007-751 to P.C. 2007-766. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-30-09. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security)
— P.C. 2007-741 to P.C. 2007-745 and P.C. 2007-747 to P.C. 2007-749. — Sessional Paper No. 8540-391-24-19. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(6), referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities)
Adjournment Proceedings

By unanimous consent, at 5:33 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 5:52 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).