House of Commons Hansard #107 of the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was vaccine.

Topics

Holiday Harmonization ActRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

NDP

Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-477, An Act respecting the harmonization of holidays.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure today to introduce a bill respecting the harmonization of holidays. This enactment would entitle employees under federal jurisdiction to all the general holidays observed in the province in which they work.

I know that I only have 30 seconds to explain the intent of the bill, so let me try to put it as succinctly as possible by way of an example.

Two years ago, the Ontario government created a new holiday known as Family Day. Employees in federally regulated workplaces in Ontario, however, are not currently entitled to that provincial holiday. As a result, we find ourselves in the curious situation where a worker in the federally regulated courier sector, for example, is forced to try to deliver packages to retail businesses that are closed because of the provincial holiday. Moreover, these workers are unable to share the holiday with their family and friends despite the fact that they too work in Ontario.

My bill would end this unintended disconnect between federal and provincial laws by entitling employees in federally regulated workplaces to all the general holidays that are recognized in the province in which they work.

I want to conclude by thanking Shaun Flannery from my riding of Hamilton Mountain for first bringing this issue to my attention. I met him over two years ago when I was canvassing in his neighbourhood and I started working on the bill right away. To get the bill to the House has been an unbelievably circuitous process and I really appreciate his patience.

I am delighted to finally be able to table the bill for Mr. Flannery and for all the workers under federal jurisdiction, who like him, would benefit from this enactment.

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

Statements by MinistersRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan

Conservative

Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations with the other parties and in order to have the traditional Remembrance Day statement made at 3 p.m. tomorrow instead of 10 a.m., I believe you would find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, on Thursday, November 5, Statements by Ministers, pursuant to Standing Order 33, shall be taken up at 3 p.m.

Statements by MinistersRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

Does the hon. parliamentary secretary have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

Statements by MinistersRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Statements by MinistersRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Statements by MinistersRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Statements by MinistersRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

(Motion agreed to)

Animal WelfarePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Newton—North Delta, BC

Mr. Speaker, unlike human rights, there is a void when it comes to global recognition of animal rights. As the owner of a black lab, I am proud to present this petition.

The petitioners say that the time has finally come for an international agreement to recognize that animals are conscious and can suffer pain. They call upon the government to support such a declaration at the United Nations.

My constituents and neighbours in Newton—North Delta support animal rights through initiatives like Paws for a Cause and Don't Forget About Fido. We believe that Canada's support for the recognition of animal welfare will encourage governments to establish or improve animal welfare legislation.

Fraser River ChannelsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Newton—North Delta, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is my duty to once again present a petition on the dangerous silt build-up in the Ladner channels of the Fraser River. The build-up is creating a safety hazard, impairing marine access and reducing people's enjoyment of the river.

The Ladner Sediment Group has collected signatures from an additional 115 people who call on the federal government to work in conjunction with local stakeholders and fund the dredging of the Ladner channels to remove the silt.

Canada Post CorporationPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Bloc

Jean-Yves Roy Bloc Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of some of my constituents in Sainte-Angèle-de-Mérici, who want the Canada Post Corporation to continue observing the moratorium proposed in 1994. Of course, they want public post offices in rural municipalities to remain open.

Assisted SuicidePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Glengarry—Prescott—Russell Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Lemieux ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to present two petitions on behalf of some of my constituents from Alexandria, L'Orignal and the surrounding area.

These people are completely against Bill C-384, and the legislation on euthanasia and assisted suicide. They respect human life and expect our Parliament to defend the intrinsic value of human life. They are calling on us to protect and defend our most vulnerable citizens.

They have asked me to formally declare their opposition to the euthanasia and assisted suicide legislation here in the House of Commons. I am pleased to do so on their behalf, and I would like to point out that I will vote against any attempts to legislate euthanasia and assisted suicide.

EmploymentPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

NDP

Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a certified petition today that is signed by more than 15,000 Canadians supporting the Telecommunications Workers Union which urges the government to take action to stop the outsourcing of Canadian jobs offshore and to protect good Canadian jobs.

Canadians can get more information from www.keepjobsincanada.ca. These signers target TELUS, which is leading the trend of outsourcing knowledge and service sector jobs in Canada. Companies like TELUS are making huge profits by exploiting low-wage countries such as India and China to the detriment of more than 1.7 million unemployed Canadians.

The federal government must commit to ensuring companies like TELUS, which are making their profits in the Canadian market, are required to maintain Canadian jobs in proportion to the profits they extract from Canadian consumers.

More than 15,000 Canadians from Alberta, British Columbia, Montreal and Toronto are saying “protect Canadian jobs”.

Animal WelfarePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Eyking Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS

Mr. Speaker, more than 70,000 Canadians have signed petitions asking the government to support the campaign for the universal declaration on animal welfare, including many people in my riding of Sydney—Victoria.

Today I present this petition on behalf of my constituents, as well as a half a million Canadians who support animal welfare organizations.

Canada Post CorporationPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Bloc

Carole Freeman Bloc Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition here today on behalf of my constituents in the municipalities of Delson, Saint-Mathieu, Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Constant, Saint-Isidore, Mercier and Kahnawake.

For several weeks now, the mayors, municipal counsellors, postmasters and citizens of those municipalities have been worried about the future of postal service. Despite the fact that the Canadian Postal Service Charter of September 12, 2009, announced that the moratorium on post office closures in rural areas and municipalities with under 10,000 residents will be maintained, I nevertheless seriously question what these promises are worth. Considering that the document says they will remain open, and then goes on to explain the procedure for closing them, the citizens have serious doubts about the government's sincerity.

The government must understand that the closure of rural post offices will create a division between people who live in the city and people who live in rural areas, and will contribute to the isolation of people with reduced mobility. It will also make things very difficult for our seniors. Maintaining this universal and affordable public service is essential to the economic viability and social identity of our communities.

I therefore present a petition containing 1,892 signatures.

Fraser River ChannelsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

John Cummins Conservative Delta—Richmond East, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present day. The first petition is from the folks from the Ladner Sediment Group.

These people are concerned about the silting up of the Lower Fraser River. The buildup of silt in the secondary channels causes serious navigational hazards, prevents fishermen from delivering their catch to the buyers in the Ladner Slough, and causes great upset to folks living in float homes along the Fraser River.

At low tide, these float homes and the walkways between them go aground. I was down there just a year ago in the wintertime, and it was treacherous walking out to the homes because these walkways had gone aground and were tilted at precarious angles.

The petitioners are calling on the government to make some funding available to address the issue of dredging.

Animal WelfarePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

John Cummins Conservative Delta—Richmond East, BC

Mr. Speaker, my second petition recognizes that efforts should be made to prevent animal cruelty and reduce animal suffering.

The petitioners call on the government to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.

Air Passenger Bill of RightsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

NDP

Jim Maloway NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition that calls for the adoption of Canada's first air passenger bill of rights. Bill C-310 will provide compensation to air passengers flying with all Canadian airlines including charters anywhere they fly. The bill includes measures on compensation for overbooked flights, cancelled flights and unreasonable tarmac delays.

The bill deals with late and misplaced baggage. The bill requires airline companies to use all-inclusive pricing in their advertising.

The legislation is inspired by European Union law which has been in place for four years now. Since Air Canada is already operating under European laws for its flights in Europe, why should an Air Canada customer receive better treatment in Europe than in Canada?

The bill will ensure that passengers be kept informed of flight changes whether they are delays or cancellations. The new rules must be posted in the airports, and airlines must inform passengers of their rights and the process to file for compensation.

The bill is not meant to punish the airlines. If the airlines follow the rules, they will not have to pay $1 in compensation to passengers.

The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to support Bill C-310 which would introduce Canada's first air passenger bill of rights.

Canada PostPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on behalf of constituents in my riding, this time from Grand Bank and Baine Harbour.

A number of petitions have been received about the issue of post offices.

The petitioners are calling on the federal government not to consider ending the current moratorium on post office closures.

Those of us who are familiar with rural communities recognize how important post offices are to rural residents.

The petitioners are also concerned about legalizing the activities of remailers, which will erode the revenues of Canada Post Corporation needed to maintain its current universal service obligations.

On behalf of the people of Grand Bank and Baine Harbour who have signed the petition, I am asking for the government's consideration.

Fraser River ChannelsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

Conservative

Dick Harris Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Speaker, like my colleague from Delta, I also have a petition from people in the Ladner Delta area in the great Fraser Valley of British Columbia who are concerned about the sediment levels in the Fraser River.

They are supportive of the Ladner Sediment Group who are calling for more attention to be paid to the dredging of the Fraser River in a number of places to enable safe shipping through that area and also to make the area safe for houseboats and access to them.

There are a number of supporters and they call on the Minister of Finance to recognize the needs of the Ladner Sediment Group.

Animal WelfarePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

Michelle Simson Liberal Scarborough Southwest, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition signed by a number of constituents in my riding of Scarborough Southwest.

The petitioners are calling upon the House of Commons to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.

They are urging Canada to join the growing number of nations worldwide that now have a UDAW.

Animal WelfarePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition signed by 203 people from my constituency who are calling on the Government of Canada to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan

Conservative

Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

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

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken

Is that agreed?

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Motions for PapersRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan

Conservative

Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all notices of motions for the production of papers be allowed to stand.