House of Commons Hansard #56 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was senate.

Topics

Scotia RainbowOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker

Order, please. I am sure we all want to hear the answer.

Scotia RainbowOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Gander—Grand Falls Newfoundland & Labrador

Liberal

George Baker LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)

Mr. Speaker, speaking of opinions from the local community, yesterday's editorial in a local paper in Cape Breton said: “Now our NDP MP is condemning aid to a fish processing facility here. Many of the workers at that plant have traditionally made their living from the sea. The downturn in the fishery left them and their families destitute. When our elected representative openly condemns aid in this area, then it is time to ask that representative to step down”.

Scotia RainbowOral Question Period

2:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Scotia RainbowOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker

Order, please. The hon. member for Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough.

CidaOral Question Period

February 24th, 2000 / 2:55 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, the minister for CIDA has selective listening skills. We are looking for the full list. We hope she realizes that.

The CIDA audit that was released and ready in September was not read by her until December. A departmental memo also says “we will make our staff more aware of the role starting in January 2000”, six months before they wanted their employees to know of the audit in the first place. Where was the minister? Is she willing to take responsibility for this unreasonable delay?

CidaOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Beaches—East York Ontario

Liberal

Maria Minna LiberalMinister for International Cooperation

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the member has been the last couple of days. First, I said that I will release the whole list tomorrow. I have said it three times now. I hope he does understand it this time.

Second, the CIDA audit was done. It was reported to me that it was done in September. I was told that it was finished in December. I read it in December. I was briefed in December in my boardroom in Hull and it was released in December. I do not know how more clear than that I can be.

IranOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Bill Graham Liberal Toronto Centre—Rosedale, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

A significant shift in the Iranian political landscape has occurred as reformers supportive of President Khatami have scored an overwhelming victory in the Iranian elections. What is Canada's reaction to this election? What will our government do to encourage the reintegration of Iran into the international system?

IranOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Winnipeg South Centre Manitoba

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I think we are all encouraged by the recent political developments. Of course we will do everything we can to support the reform spirit.

I do want to point out—

IranOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Reform

Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB

Reform is sweeping the world.

IranOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Lloyd Axworthy Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, they have their own ayattolah. They have their own problems.

I would like to point out there are still very serious concerns relating to the detention of Baha'is for religious purposes and the detention of Iranian Jews for purposes that simply are unfounded. We hope the new parliament will take steps to respond to our entreaties to let those people go.

HockeyOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Independent

John Nunziata Independent York South—Weston, ON

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice regarding violence in hockey.

All Canadians were appalled by the vicious assault in an NHL game in Vancouver a few days ago.

Can the Minister of Justice explain why there is one standard of justice for NHL players and another for ordinary Canadians? Can the minister explain why the criminal code for which she is responsible is not enforced in NHL rinks?

HockeyOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, I think everyone in the House condemns violence in hockey. I would hope the hon. member knows that the enforcement of the criminal code rests with local provincial law enforcement agencies. Therefore, local police should be investigating this event. In fact it will be a decision of the provincial prosecutor as to whether or not charges are laid and a prosecution takes place. That is not within our jurisdiction.

HockeyOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Independent

John Nunziata Independent York South—Weston, ON

Mr. Speaker, the minister is responsible for the criminal law. Surely she must be concerned that the criminal code for which she is responsible is not enforced equally across Canada.

May I put this question to the minister: Will she urge provincial attorneys general to apply the criminal law equally across the country?

HockeyOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Edmonton West Alberta

Liberal

Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, there is no evidence that provincial attorneys general are not enforcing the criminal law across the country, be it in a hockey rink or on the streets.

I would ask the hon. member to direct his question to the relevant attorney general.

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

2:55 p.m.

Reform

Diane Ablonczy Reform Calgary Nose Hill, AB

Mr. Speaker, the human resources minister's words about a plan of action are laughable. CANDO got nothing from her but inaction.

Another of the minister's favourite lines is “no money is missing”. Even while she kept repeating that, she had an urgent e-mail and fax on her desk that said the complete opposite.

Why should Canadians have any faith in what this minister says?

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Brant Ontario

Liberal

Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about faith. We know that this party has faith that trickle down economics will make sure that Canadians with disabilities get opportunities in the economy. We know that this party has faith that trickle down economics will make sure that young people have the opportunity of getting that very important first job. We know that this party thinks that trickle down economics will ensure that communities in northern British Columbia somehow magically are transformed into dynamic economies. We know that is not right. We take faith in the undertakings of this government to work with communities to make sure—

Human Resources DevelopmentOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Some hon. members

Hear, hear.

Business Of The HouseOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Reform

Chuck Strahl Reform Fraser Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the House leader for the government exactly what kind of legislative plans he has for the coming week. Does he plan to continue to bring in more time allocation and closure in committees and does he plan to issue a stamp with a fountain on it for the Prime Minister?

Business Of The HouseOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell Ontario

Liberal

Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, at the risk of pouring cold water on the hon. member's question, I want to answer to him about the program of the government.

This afternoon we shall continue with Bill C-13, the health institutes bill at report stage. Tomorrow the House will consider third reading of Bill C-2, the elections bill.

Monday we shall begin consideration of Bill C-26, the airline legislation. If we do not complete Bill C-13 this afternoon and we complete Bill C-26 on Monday, perhaps we could then attempt to conclude Bill C-13 then.

In any event, at 4 p.m. on Monday the Minister of Finance shall deliver the annual budget and we will continue to debate the budget on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

Thursday of next week shall be an allotted day.

The House resumed from February 23 consideration of the motion that Bill C-229, an act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act (letter that cannot be transmitted by post), be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the amendment.

Canada Post Corporation ActPrivate Members' Business

3:05 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)

It being 3.05 p.m. the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment to the motion at the second reading stage of Bill C-229 under Private Members' Business.

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

Canada Post Corporation ActPrivate Members' Business

3:25 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)

The question is on the amendment. As is the usual practice, the division will be taken row by row. We will begin with those in favour of the amendment sitting in the back row of the side of the House on which the sponsor sits and move forward. After proceeding through the rows on my left, members sitting on my right will vote similarly.

Those opposed to the amendment will be called in the same order.

(The House divided on the amendment, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Division No. 750Private Members' Business

3:35 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)

Accordingly, the order is discharged, the bill withdrawn and the subject matter thereof referred to the Standing Committee on Industry.

(Order discharged and bill withdrawn)

Points Of OrderPrivate Members' Business

3:35 p.m.

Scarborough—Rouge River Ontario

Liberal

Derek Lee LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and on behalf of the Minister of Justice, I am tabling, in both official languages, a document containing a list of groups supporting the firearms registration system at the Supreme Court of Canada, and which was quoted from by the minister during yesterday's question period.

The House resumed consideration of Bill C-13, an act to establish the Canadian institutes of research, to repeal the Medical Research Council Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts, as reported (with amendment) from the committee, and on Group No. 1.