Mr. Casson (Lethbridge), from the Standing Committee on National Defence, presented the First Report of the Committee (Supplementary Estimates (B), 2008-2009 — Votes 1b and 20b under NATIONAL DEFENCE). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-3.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 2) was tabled.

Mr. Fast (Abbotsford), from the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, presented the First Report of the Committee (Supplementary Estimates (B), 2008-2009 — Votes 1b, 5b and 30b under JUSTICE). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-4.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 2) was tabled.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Pacetti (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel), seconded by Mr. Rota (Nipissing—Timiskaming), Bill C-302, An Act to recognize the injustice that was done to persons of Italian origin through their “enemy alien” designation and internment during the Second World War, and to provide for restitution and promote education on Italian-Canadian history, 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. Pacetti (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel), seconded by Mr. Rota (Nipissing—Timiskaming), Bill C-303, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (travel expenses), 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. Davies (Vancouver East), seconded by Ms. Leslie (Halifax), Bill C-304, An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians, 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. Davies (Vancouver East), seconded by Ms. Leslie (Halifax), Bill C-305, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act (rights of bill holders), 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. Guay (Rivière-du-Nord), seconded by Mr. Ménard (Hochelaga), Bill C-306, An Act respecting the use of government contracts to promote economic development, 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. Paquette (Joliette), seconded by Ms. Guay (Rivière-du-Nord), Bill C-307, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act (Charter of the French Language) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, 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. Lessard (Chambly—Borduas), seconded by Mrs. Beaudin (Saint-Lambert), Bill C-308, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (improvement of the employment insurance system), 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. Rota (Nipissing—Timiskaming), seconded by Mr. Garneau (Westmount—Ville-Marie), Bill C-309, An Act to establish the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Northern Ontario, 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. Maloway (Elmwood—Transcona), seconded by Ms. Davies (Vancouver East), Bill C-310, An Act to Provide Certain Rights to Air Passengers, 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. Hyer (Thunder Bay—Superior North), seconded by Mr. Layton (Toronto—Danforth), Bill C-311, An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change, 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. Hyer (Thunder Bay—Superior North), seconded by Mr. Masse (Windsor West), Bill C-312, An Act respecting the use of government procurements and transfers to promote economic development, 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 Order 36, petitions certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Flaherty (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Toews (President of the Treasury Board), — That Bill C-10, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal 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.

Pursuant to Order made Thursday, February 5, 2009, the House proceeded to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of Mr. Brison (Kings—Hants), seconded by Mr. Dhaliwal (Newton—North Delta), — That, in view of the growing protectionism in the United States, which is reminiscent of the counterproductive behaviour that led to the great depression of the 1930s, this House calls upon the Government to intervene forthwith and persistently, with the United States Administration, and the Congress, in order to protect Canadian jobs, and urge the United States to respect its international agreements including the Canada-United States Trade Agreement (CUSTA), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding the Order adopted on Thursday, February 5, 2009, the Order for the deferred recorded division on the opposition motion in the name of the Member for Kings—Hants be discharged and the motion be deemed adopted unanimously.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Flaherty (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Toews (President of the Treasury Board), — That Bill C-10, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal measures, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance;

The debate continued.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That a special committee be appointed to consider the Canadian mission in Afghanistan consisting of 12 members which shall include six members from the government party, three members from the Official Opposition, two members from the Bloc Québécois and one member from the New Democratic Party, provided that the Chair shall be from the government party; that in addition to the Chair, there shall be one Vice-Chair; that the members to serve on the said committee be appointed by the Whip of each party depositing with the Clerk of the House a list of his or her party's members of the committee no later than February 10, 2009; that the quorum of the special committee be seven members for any proceedings, provided that at least one member of the government party and one member from the opposition be present; that membership substitutions be permitted to be made from time to time, if required, in the manner provided for in Standing Order 114(2); and that the committee have all of the powers of a Standing Committee as provided in the Standing Orders, as well as the power to travel, accompanied by the necessary staff, inside and outside of Canada, subject to the usual authorization from the House;

that the committee shall:

(a) meet regularly with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, National Defence and Public Safety and senior officials so that the special committee can make frequent recommendations on the conduct and progress of Canada's efforts in Afghanistan; and

(b) review the laws and procedures governing the use of operational and national security exceptions for the withholding of information from Parliament, the Courts and the Canadian people with those responsible for administering those laws and procedures, to ensure that Canadians are being provided with ample information on the conduct and progress of the mission.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Mr. Flaherty (Minister of Finance), seconded by Mr. Toews (President of the Treasury Board), — That Bill C-10, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal measures, be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance;

The debate continued.

Pursuant to Order made earlier today, the list of members for the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan was deposited with the Clerk of the House as follows:

A Message was received from the Senate as follows:

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(1), a paper deposited with the Clerk of the House was 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 6:59 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).