Debates of April 23rd, 2009

Tony Clement Minister of Industry

Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. Certainly we announced in budget 2009 that we would be increasing the credit facilities to ensure that asset-backed securities were taken off the books of some of the captive credit banks so that they could then re-lend.

We have also worked with the banks. The banks are increasing credit availability in this area. Of course, we are the government that announced that in fact warranties for GM and Chrysler products would be honoured in this period of uncertainty. I think we are there for consumers across the country.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

I wish to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Order, please. I have the honour to inform the House that a communication has been received as follows:

Rideau Hall

Ottawa

April 22, 2009

Mr. Speaker,

I have the honour to inform you that the Honourable Thomas Cromwell, Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy of the Governor General, signified royal assent by written declaration to the bill listed in the schedule to this letter on the 22nd day of April, 2009, at 4:55 p.m.

Yours sincerely,

Dorothy Grandmaitre

for Sheila-Marie Cook

The schedule indicates that royal assent was given to Bill C-17, An Act to recognize Beechwood Cemetery as the national cemetery of Canada.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

It being 3:05 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at the second reading stage of Bill C-24.

Call in the members.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on International Trade.

(Motion agreed to and bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

Marcel Proulx Hull—Aylmer, QC

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. What is the government's business plan for the next two weeks? Does he have any supply days to designate?

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

Mr. Speaker, we will continue with the debate today on an opposition motion. Tomorrow we will begin, and there is an understanding that we will conclude, debate on third reading stage of Bill C-14, the bill to address organized crime. Following Bill C-14, we will continue debate on the report stage amendments to Bill C-11, the human pathogens and toxins bill.

If time permits, we may begin debate on the second reading stage of Bill C-6 dealing with consumer product safety.

Next week, we have opposition days scheduled for Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28. On Wednesday we will return to government legislation with the continuation of business from this week. We will also give consideration to any bills that are reported back from committee or sent to us from the Senate.

Pursuant to a special order and because of the Liberal convention, the House will not sit on Friday, May 1. Mr. Speaker, as you know, it is a long-standing tradition to give up a sitting day to allow a political party to attend a convention and we are very pleased to continue on with that tradition.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Yesterday, the Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole, Ms. Savoie, heard a point of order raised by the hon. member for Avalon in relation to an answer he received to a written question. I have reviewed the member's intervention and I find that I concur in the view expressed by the Acting Speaker that this is a question of debate and not a matter of order.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

With regard to the point of order of the Bloc Québécois concerning the alleged gesture made yesterday by the member for Essex during a vote, I have reviewed the video tape and found nothing. Consequently, given that the member provided an explanation, I consider the matter closed.

However, I would like to remind members of the importance of serious and dignified behaviour at all times, but especially at the time of a recorded division.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division government orders will be extended by eight minutes.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Before the question period, the hon. member for Vancouver Centre had the floor and there are seven minutes remaining in the time allotted for her remarks. I therefore call upon the hon. member for Vancouver Centre.