Debates of April 2nd, 2008

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Order, please. I think we are getting a little beyond points of order here.

I will hear the hon. member for Halton and then the matter will end.

Garth Turner Halton, ON

Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to respond.

Just so the member is not under any false impressions, the invitation that I laid on his desk, hoping he would come to my event, was paid for by me, and I have the receipt. The envelopes in question were purchased from the House of Commons. It cost me $8.95 to buy that box. Again, I really regret the member did not come--

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Order. He can go and see the member and look at the receipt in his office. We are not getting into that.

Garth Turner Halton, ON

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services on another point of order.

James Moore Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics

Mr. Speaker, in my answer to the supplementary question from the member for Beauséjour, I gave my colleague from Calgary Northeast an unexpected promotion in his career. He was actually a detective, not the chief of the Calgary police. I wanted to make sure that was clear.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

I am sure that the member for Calgary Northeast will appreciate the correction.

Tom Lukiwski Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to three petitions.

Deepak Obhrai Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, a treaty entitled “The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Statutes” as amended. An explanatory memorandum is enclosed with this treaty.

Peter Goldring Edmonton East, AB

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 delegation of the OSCE Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association respecting its participation in the election observation mission held in Kiev, Ukraine, on September 30, 2007.

Leon Benoit Vegreville—Wainwright, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have two reports from interparliamentary delegations.

Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the delegation of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association respecting its participation in the joint meeting of the defence and security, economics and security, and the political committees held in Brussels, Belgium, and the European Commission on February 17 to 19, 2008.

As well, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the delegation of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association respecting its participation at the defence and security committee held in Berlin, Germany, on November 5 and 6, 2007.

Dean Allison Niagara West—Glanbrook, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled, “Employability in Canada: Preparing for the Future”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Paul Szabo Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in relation to the study of the Mulroney Airbus settlement entitled, “The Mulroney-Schreiber Affair--Our Case for a Full Public Inquiry”.

The report contains only one recommendation as follows:

That the Government appoint a commissioner of inquiry pursuant to Part 1 of the Inquiries Act at the earliest possible date and that the commissioner be granted a broad mandate to inquire into the Mulroney-Schreiber Affair.

The report also includes two supplementary opinions and one minority report.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 the committee also requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

As the chair of the ethics committee, I want to thank the permanent members of the committee and other members of Parliament who participated in the hearings for their support and efforts in discharging our collective responsibilities.

As well, no parliamentary committee can function properly without the experience and support of House of Commons and Library of Parliament personnel. Our clerks, legal advisors, research analysts, translators, and other technical and support personnel were invaluable in helping us to organize and present our hearings directly to the people of Canada. I am extremely grateful for their exceptional efforts under some of the most challenging and historic circumstances ever experienced in the Parliament of Canada.