Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Mr. Prentice (Minister of the Environment), seconded by Mr. O'Connor (Minister of State), Bill C-17, An Act to recognize Beechwood Cemetery as the national cemetery of Canada, was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

Mr. Preston (Elgin—Middlesex—London), from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented the Eighth Report of the Committee (webcasting and reproduction of the proceedings of the House and its committees). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-30.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 3 and 6) was tabled.

Mr. Sorenson (Crowfoot), from the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, presented the Fourth Report of the Committee (Bahá'i community in Iran). — Sessional Paper No. 8510-402-31.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 7) was tabled.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 68(2) and 69(1), on motion of Ms. Black (New Westminster—Coquitlam), seconded by Ms. Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North), Bill C-334, An Act prohibiting the commission, abetting or exploitation of torture by Canadian officials and ensuring freedom from torture for all Canadians at home and abroad and making 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. Rafferty (Thunder Bay—Rainy River), seconded by Ms. Charlton (Hamilton Mountain), Bill C-335, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (illness or injury), was introduced, read the first time, ordered to be printed and ordered for a second reading at the next sitting of the House.

By unanimous consent, it was resolved, — That the Eighth Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented earlier today, be concurred in.

By unanimous consent, it was ordered, — That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, at the conclusion of today's debate on the opposition motion in the name of the Member from Hamilton Mountain, all questions necessary to dispose of this motion be deemed put and a recorded division be deemed requested and deferred until Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, petitions certified correct by the Clerk of Petitions were presented as follows:

The Order was read for the consideration of the Business of Supply.

Ms. Charlton (Hamilton Mountain), seconded by Mr. Godin (Acadie—Bathurst), moved, — That, in the opinion of this House, the government must address the alarming growth in the number of unemployed Canadians and the increasing number of Employment Insurance claimants; confirm its commitment to a social safety net to help regular Canadians through tough times and bring forward reforms to Employment Insurance rules to expand eligibility and improve benefits, including:

Debate arose thereon.

Pursuant to Standing Order 31, Members made statements.

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

Mr. Toews (President of the Treasury Board) laid upon the Table, — Notice of a Ways and Means motion to amend the Income Tax Act. (Ways and Means No. 7) — Sessional Paper No. 8570-402-12.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), at the request of Mr. Toews (President of the Treasury Board), an Order of the Day was designated for the consideration of this Ways and Means motion.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Charlton (Hamilton Mountain), seconded by Mr. Godin (Acadie—Bathurst), in relation to the Business of Supply.

The debate continued.

At 5:17 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(16), the Speaker interrupted the proceedings.

Pursuant to Order made earlier today, the question was deemed put on the motion and the recorded division was deemed requested and deferred until Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders.

At 5:17 p.m., by unanimous consent, the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The Order was read for the second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities of Bill C-310, An Act to Provide Certain Rights to Air Passengers.

Mr. Maloway (Elmwood—Transcona), seconded by Mr. Thibeault (Sudbury), moved, — That the Bill be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

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.

At 6:17 p.m., by unanimous consent, 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 6:26 p.m., the Speaker adjourned the House until tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).