Debates of June 12th, 2009

Jim Maloway Elmwood—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, two years ago this month Parliament held an emergency debate on the threat to Manitoba's health and environment from water dumped into the Red River system from Devils Lake, North Dakota. Members instructed the government to move as quickly as possible to stop the flow until adequate filtration was in place. There is still no filter and now North Dakota intends to double the flow.

There have been 18 months of inaction on the Chalk River reactor and two years of inaction on Devils Lake. When will we see action on this file?

Jim Prentice Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, the question of Devils Lake has previously been raised in the House.

I can assure the hon. member that we are well aware of the file. We have reviewed the circumstances of which he complains in the House. Frankly, I have had discussions and will continue to have discussions, in the upcoming meeting between Lisa Jackson, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, and me. We will be meeting in about a week's time. At that time this issue will be raised with her.

Mauril Bélanger Ottawa—Vanier, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

I want to know, when the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance in responding to questions says the answer lies, is he speaking for all of the government and all of his colleagues?

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

I do not think that is a point of order.

Jay Hill Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, you can tell it is Friday and mid-June with that interjection by my colleague from Ottawa—Vanier.

On a serious note, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I have the honour to table a notice of ways and means motion to introduce an act to give effect to the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of this motion. Later today, I will seek unanimous consent to adopt this motion.

I also have the honour to table, in both official languages, two copies of the following documents: the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement, the Harvest Agreement, and the Maa-nulth First Nations Tax Treatment Agreement.

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to table documents pursuant to Standing Order 32.

One is the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Albania. The second is the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Croatia, done at Brussels on July 9, 2008.

Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I also have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries”, adopted by the general council of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.

Steven Fletcher Minister of State (Democratic Reform)

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act.

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

Paul Szabo Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the great honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, entitled “Privacy Act: First Steps Towards Renewal”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days of its presentation.

I want to recognize the extensive and good work of all hon. committee members. We heard from the Privacy Commissioner, from many witnesses and from the minister himself.

The Privacy Act has not been amended in any meaningful way in over 25 years. This report mentions 12 significant areas where we believe the minister should give serious consideration to amending this important act on behalf of all Canadians.

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

The hon. member for Mississauga is rising on a point of order.

Paul Szabo Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, this has come up before and perhaps you will check it. When an hon. member is a sponsor of a bill from the other place, the member does have an opportunity to make brief comments to the House and maybe the member did want to say something.

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

The Chair was under the impression the member did not choose to make remarks at this time, so that is why the Chair did not call on the member.

Jay Hill Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations between all the parties. I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, the ways and means motion tabled earlier today to introduce an Act to give effect to the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to other Acts be adopted.