Debates of March 15th, 2002

Mauril Bélanger Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Regarding the tabling of the report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, is it possible to find out which items have been selected as votable items?

Stan Dromisky Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present two petitions today.

The first petition from my constituents asks parliament to amend the Income Tax Act to include disabled people with extremely high medical expenses by a refundable medical expense supplement.

Stan Dromisky Thunder Bay—Atikokan, ON

Mr. Speaker, the second petition has more signatures to add to the tens of thousands of signatures on petitions by constituents from Winnipeg to Toronto asking the government to work and co-operate with Canadian Pacific Railway and VIA Rail to consider very seriously the reintroduction of the VIA passenger service from Toronto on the CPR tracks to Winnipeg. This was discontinued in 1990.

Mauril Bélanger Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, I can hardly believe what I read in the report, and I am talking about the fact that Bill C-407 will not be voted on.

First, I wish to express my opposition to the adoption of this report and, second, I must advise you of my intention to raise a question of privilege at the next sitting of the House, because this is totally unacceptable.

Mauril Bélanger Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, if I am not mistaken, when you were elected Speaker of this House you were entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the rules of the House would be applied appropriately.

I think you have before you a situation where the rules of this committee, or its subcommittee, have not been applied appropriately.

I intend to raise a question of privilege on this matter at the next sitting of the House after I have had the chance to look into it further.

Bryon Wilfert Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, Question No. 107 will be answered today.

Pat Martin Winnipeg Centre, MB

Following the 1999 Supreme Court ruling that businesses may deduct fines, levies or penalties as a business expense on their income tax if such penalties were incurred for activities undertaken for the purposes of earning income: ( a ) which, if any, Canadian businesses deducted fines, levies or penalties from their taxes in each of the years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000; ( b ) what were the penalties and dollar figures each of those companies claimed as a deduction for said penalties; and ( c ) which, if any, Canadian companies have deducted a fine or penalty or levy incurred for activities in another country?

Elinor Caplan Minister of National Revenue

The information requested in the hon. member’s question is exempt from disclosure as the confidentiality provisions of section 241 of the Income Tax Act preclude the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency from disclosing any information concerning the income tax affairs of specific taxpayers.

Bryon Wilfert Oak Ridges, ON

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.