Parliament having been convoked by Proclamation of the Governor General for the despatch of business, the Members of the House assembled.

The Speaker informed the House that Their Excellencies, the Governor General and Jean Daniel Lafond, will arrive at the Peace Tower at 2:00 p.m., and, when it has been indicated that all is in readiness, Their Excellencies will proceed to the Chamber of the Senate to formally open the Third Session of the Fortieth Parliament.

A Message was received from Her Excellency the Governor General desiring the immediate attendance of the House in the Senate.

Accordingly, the Speaker, with the Commons, proceeded to the Senate.

The Commons returned to the Chamber.

The Speaker informed the House that, in accordance with the representation made by the government under the provisions of Standing Order 55(1), he had caused to be published a special Order Paper giving notice of a government motion.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Harper (Prime Minister), seconded by Mr. Hill (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), Bill C-1, An Act respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office, was introduced and read the first time.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That Bill C-1, An Act respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office, be printed.

The Speaker reported that when the Commons was in the Senate, Her Excellency the Governor General was pleased to make a speech to both Houses of Parliament.

Mr. Harper (Prime Minister), seconded by Mr. Hill (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), moved, — That the Speech from the Throne delivered this day by Her Excellency the Governor General to both Houses of Parliament be taken into consideration later this day.

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

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Flaherty (Minister of Finance), an Order of the Day was designated for the consideration of a Ways and Means motion for a Budget presentation on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at 4:00 p.m.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding the calendar tabled by the Speaker pursuant to Standing Order 28(2)(b), the House sit during the week of March 15 to 19, 2010 and the week of April 12 to 16, 2010.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81, Mr. Day (President of the Treasury Board), seconded by Mr. Hill (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), moved, — That the Business of Supply be considered at the next sitting of the House.

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

The Speaker informed the House that, pursuant to Standing Order 81(10), four days will be allotted for the Supply period ending March 26, 2010, and nine days will be allotted for the Supply period ending June 23, 2010.

Pursuant to Standing Order 79(3), the Speaker read the following Message from Her Excellency the Governor General, presented by Mr. Day (President of the Treasury Board):

Mr. Day (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled "Supplementary Estimates (C), 2009-10". — Sessional Paper No. 8520-403-1.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(5), the Supplementary Estimates (C) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, were deemed referred to the several Standing Committees of the House as follows:

Pursuant to Standing Order 79(3), the Speaker read the following Message from Her Excellency the Governor General, presented by Mr. Day (President of the Treasury Board):

Mr. Day (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Document entitled "Main Estimates for the year 2010-11". — Sessional Paper No. 8520-403-2.

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, were deemed referred to the several Standing Committees of the House as follows:

Pursuant to Standing Order 86.1, all items of Private Members’ Business originating in the House of Commons that were listed on the Order Paper at prorogation, on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, are deemed to have been considered and approved at all stages completed at the time of prorogation and shall stand, if necessary, on the Order Paper or, as the case may be, referred to committee.

The Speaker also ruled that the items of Private Members' Business standing in the name of Ms. Dawn Black, Mr. Bill Casey and Mr. Paul Crête would not be reinstated.

Accordingly, Bill C-290, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (tax credit for loss of retirement income), was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance.

Accordingly, Bill C-300, An Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries, was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Accordingly, Bill C-304, An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians, was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Accordingly, Bill C-308, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (improvement of the employment insurance system), was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Accordingly, Bill C-309, An Act establishing the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Northern Ontario, was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

Accordingly, Bill C-310, An Act to Provide Certain Rights to Air Passengers, was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

Accordingly, Bill C-391, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of long-gun registry), was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

Accordingly, Bill C-393, An Act to amend the Patent Act (drugs for international humanitarian purposes) and to make a consequential amendment to another Act, was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

Accordingly, Bill C-395, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (labour dispute), was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Accordingly, Bill C-442, An Act to establish a National Holocaust Monument, was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

Accordingly, Bill C-464, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody), was deemed introduced, read the first time and read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Accordingly, Bill C-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years), was deemed introduced, read the first time, read the second time and referred to a committee, reported with an amendment, concurred in at report stage and read the third time and passed.

Pursuant to Standing Order 8(1), the Speaker proposed that Ms. Savoie (Victoria) be appointed Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole.

Pursuant to Standing Order 8(2), the motion “That Ms. Savoie (Victoria) be appointed Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole” was deemed to have been moved and seconded.

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

Pursuant to Standing Order 8(1), the Speaker proposed that Mr. Devolin (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock) be appointed Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole.

Pursuant to Standing Order 8(2), the motion “That Mr. Devolin (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock) be appointed Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole” was deemed to have been moved and seconded.

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

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That the membership of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be amended as follows: Mr. Hoback (Prince Albert) for Mr. Calandra (Oak Ridges—Markham); and that the list of associate Members of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be amended as follows: Mr. Calandra (Oak Ridges—Markham) for Mr. Hoback (Prince Albert).

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, after consultation with the party whips, the Clerk of the House be authorized to convene a meeting of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs later this day; that the first report of the said Committee concerning the membership and associate membership of standing and standing joint committees be deemed concurred in upon presentation; and, that, for all standing committees, routine motions in effect at the time of prorogation of the previous session be deemed to have been adopted in the current session, provided that committees be empowered to alter or rescind such motions as they deem appropriate.

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 March 3, 2010; 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); 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 evidence and documentation received by the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan during the Second Session of the 40th Parliament be referred to this committee and taken into consideration in this session; and 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; (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.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, for the remainder of the current session, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs shall have the same power with respect to the membership of special committees that it has with respect to the membership of standing committees pursuant to Standing Order 114(4).

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to welcome torchbearers carrying the Paralympic Flame; that the Speaker be permitted to preside over the Committee of Whole and make welcoming remarks on behalf of the House; and, when the proceedings of the Committee have concluded the Committee shall rise.

At 4:33 p.m., pursuant to Order made earlier today, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to welcome torchbearers carrying the Paralympic Flame.

At 4:41 p.m., pursuant to Order made earlier today, the Committee rose.

The Order for the consideration of the Speech from the Throne delivered by Her Excellency the Governor General to both Houses of Parliament was read.

Debate arose thereon.

Mr. Ignatieff (Etobicoke—Lakeshore), seconded by Mr. Cuzner (Cape Breton—Canso), moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

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

Mr. Hill (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons), seconded by Mr. O'Connor (Minister of State), moved, — That this House do now adjourn.

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

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:

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

At 5:28 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).