Debates of Nov. 14th, 2007

Todd Russell Labrador, NL

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister admitted last Friday that he hosted Mr. Mulroney at Harrington Lake in the summer of 2006, as Mr. Schreiber's affidavit describes.

Could he tell us who else was there? Was it a table for two, a table for three, or a full banquet? Could he tell Canadians, unequivocally, that he or his representatives have never discussed issues relating to Mr. Schreiber with Mr. Mulroney?

Rob Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, the government has acted with responsibility and has put in process a scheme that I think will work in terms of an independent third party and a public inquiry. If the member has any questions, I am sure he would like to direct them to that.

Meili Faille Vaudreuil-Soulanges, QC

Mr. Speaker, the government has finally withdrawn the charges against humanitarian worker Janet Hinshaw-Thomas, who had been arrested at the Lacolle border crossing, where she was accompanying 12 asylum seekers. She was charged with human trafficking when in fact she is a humanitarian worker. Under the law, the Canada Border Services Agency cannot act on its own and must obtain the Attorney General's consent to lay such charges.

Since the agency acted without the Attorney General's authorization, can the government tell us what measures have been put in place to make sure that, in future, the agency does not resort to these illegal actions against humanitarian workers?

Dave MacKenzie Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, ensuring compliance with our law is the cornerstone of managing our borders. It is vital to the integrity of the immigration system and to those who come to the country lawfully that our laws be respected. The Government of Canada has no plans to change that current law.

Irene Mathyssen London—Fanshawe, ON

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, Siemens VDO, in London, announced the loss of 250 jobs. It is closing the plant there. Over the last 10 years, we have lost almost 2,000 jobs. This closure will have a devastating impact on workers, their families and the London area.

When will the Prime Minister start protecting Canadian jobs in the automotive industry and will he commit to cancelling the unbalanced Korean free trade agreement?

Jim Prentice Minister of Industry

Mr. Speaker, we continue to work with the automotive industry in dealing with those issues which the government can control. We are dealing with border issues. We are dealing with the harmonization of regulatory requirements with our American neighbours. We are dealing with other issues relating to fuel standards for vehicles, on a North American basis, to pursue the dominant North American fuel standard.

We are, however, clearly in a period of market restructuring, softening of demand and some change in consumer preferences. That will continue to work its way through the industrial sector.

Joe Comartin Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, in response to a question from the member for Toronto—Danforth, indicated that there were terms of reference for the independent investigation into the Mulroney-Schreiber affair.

I would ask that those terms of reference be tabled in the House.

Stephen Harper Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I think there is a rule that when documents are referred to in the House, they should be tabled, and I will endeavour to do that.

David Tilson Dufferin—Caledon, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association respecting its participation to the parliamentary mission to the country that will next hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union and the fourth part of the 2007 ordinary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia and Strasbourg, France, September 27 to October 5.

Rick Dykstra St. Catharines, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-475, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (credit for pre-sentencing custody).

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to introduce this private member's bill on behalf of my riding of St. Catharines and our country.

The proposed enactment will amend the Criminal Code to provide that a person who spends time in custody before sentencing will be credited for that time at a ratio of one day of credit for every day served. The ratio may be increased to one and one half days of credit for every day served if, and only if, the judge is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances that warrant it. However, a person who has been detained as a result of a breach of a condition of judicial interim release is not eligible to receive any extra credit for pre-sentencing custody.

Convicted criminals should do the time for the crime for which they are sentenced.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Jay Hill Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip

Mr. Speaker, discussions have taken place among all parties and I believe you would find consent for the following motion. I move:

That, when Ways and Means Motion No. 4 is called today, a recorded division be deemed requested and the vote deferred until later today at the end of government orders.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Does the chief government whip have unanimous consent to propose this motion?