The clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of the Speaker.

Whereupon, Mrs. Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing), Assistant Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole, took the chair, pursuant to Standing Order 8.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Sudds (Minister of Families, Children and Social Development), seconded by Mr. Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement), — That the amendment made by the Senate to Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada, be now read a second time and concurred in.

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 Standing Order 32(2), Mr. Naqvi (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health) laid upon the table, — Copy of the Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005), and Explanatory Memorandum, adopted at Geneva on May 28, 2022. — Sessional Paper No. 8532-441-49.

Mr. McCauley (Edmonton West), from the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, presented the 13th report of the committee, "Request to the Auditor General of Canada to Conduct a Performance Audit". — Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-387.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 102) was tabled.

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

— by Mr. Mazier (Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa), one concerning justice (No. 441-02184);

— by Mr. Dreeshen (Red Deer—Mountain View), one concerning the correctional system (No. 441-02185);

— by Mrs. Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville), five concerning justice (Nos. 441-02186, 441-02187, 441-02188, 441-02189 and 441-02190) and three concerning health (Nos. 441-02191, 441-02192 and 441-02193);

— by Ms. Bradford (Kitchener South—Hespeler), one concerning business and trade (No. 441-02194);

— by Mr. Van Popta (Langley—Aldergrove), one concerning foreign affairs (No. 441-02195);

— by Mrs. Gray (Kelowna—Lake Country), one concerning health (No. 441-02196) and one concerning taxation (No. 441-02197);

— by Mr. Lloyd (Sturgeon River—Parkland), one concerning taxation (No. 441-02198).

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Sudds (Minister of Families, Children and Social Development), seconded by Mr. Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement), — That the amendment made by the Senate to Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada, be now read a second time and concurred in.

The debate continued.

The attention of the Assistant Deputy Speaker was drawn to the lack of a quorum and, fewer than 20 members having been counted, pursuant to Standing Order 29(3), the bells were rung to call in the members.

After one minute, a quorum was found.

The House resumed consideration of the motion of Ms. Sudds (Minister of Families, Children and Social Development), seconded by Mr. Duclos (Minister of Public Services and Procurement), — That the amendment made by the Senate to Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada, be now read a second time and concurred in.

The debate continued.

At 1:30 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 30(6), the House proceeded to the consideration of Private Members' Business.

The order was read for the third reading of Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (assaults against persons who provide health services and first responders).

Mr. Doherty (Cariboo—Prince George), seconded by Mr. Majumdar (Calgary Heritage), moved, — That the bill be now read a third time and do pass.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion and, pursuant to Standing Order 98(4), the recorded division was deferred until Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

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

— by Mr. Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry) — List of Commissions issued for the year 2023, pursuant to the Public Officers Act, R.S. 1985, c. P-31, s. 4. — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-413-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology)

— by Mr. Holland (Minister of Health) — Report of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board for the year ended December 31, 2022, pursuant to the Patent Act, R.S., 1985, c. P-4, sbs. 89(4) and 100(4). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-564-03. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Health)

— by Mr. LeBlanc (Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs) — Response of the government, pursuant to Standing Order 109, to the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, "Foreign Interference and the Threats to the Integrity of Democratic Institutions, Intellectual Property and the Canadian State" (Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-325), presented to the House on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. — Sessional Paper No. 8512-441-325.

— by Mr. LeBlanc (Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs) — Proposed Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27, sbs. 5(2). — Sessional Paper No. 8560-441-790-04. (Pursuant to Standing Order 32(5), permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration)

— by Ms. Petitpas Taylor (Minister of Veterans Affairs) — Response of the government, pursuant to Standing Order 109, to the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs, "National Strategy for Veterans Employment" (Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-327), presented to the House on Thursday, October 26, 2023. — Sessional Paper No. 8512-441-327.

— by Mr. Wilkinson (Minister of Energy and Natural Resources) — Response of the government, pursuant to Standing Order 109, to the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, "Support for Clean Technologies in Canada to Reduce Domestic and International Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (Sessional Paper No. 8510-441-329), presented to the House on Monday, October 30, 2023. — Sessional Paper No. 8512-441-329.

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, a petition certified by the Clerk of Petitions was filed as follows:

— by Ms. Bradford (Kitchener South—Hespeler), one concerning the democratic process (No. 441-02199).

At 2:29 p.m., the Assistant Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until Monday, February 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., pursuant to Standing Orders 28(2) and 24(1).