Debates of May 26th, 2010

Glenn Thibeault Sudbury, ON

With respect to full body scanners: (a) what is the approximate cost of each unit; (b) what is the total cost for all scanners purchased or slated to be purchased between 2009 and 2013; (c) what is the average cost of installing a full body scanner in an airport; (d) what proportion of passengers screened in Canadian airports is expected to be scanned by full body scanners; (e) how many passengers does this amount to in a year; (f) what is the average time needed to scan a single passenger using a full body scanner; (g) what is the average time needed to scan a passenger using conventional security measures; (h) how many Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) screening officers have been trained to operate the scanners since 2009; (i) how many CATSA screening officers will be trained to operate the scanners once they are fully implemented; (j) what kind of training do CATSA screening officers receive before operating the scanners; (k) what was the number of CATSA screening officers and instructors that successfully received certification and the number that were unsuccessful since 2009; (l) what internal assessments, if any, exist regarding the efficacy of full body scanners; (m) what are the conclusions or recommendations of these assessments; and (n) what is the number and nature of complaints to CATSA pertaining to the use of full body scanners since 2009?

Tom Lukiwski Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK

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

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

Is that agreed?

Tom Lukiwski Parliamentary 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.

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

Is that agreed?

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

The Chair has notice of a request for an emergency debate from the hon. member for Ajax—Pickering.

Mark Holland Ajax—Pickering, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant Standing Order 52 I am requesting an emergency debate on the closure of the prison farm program. Several irreplaceable components of the farm operation are set to be sold and dispersed by June 2010. These include a heritage dairy herd, with prize-winning genetics, at Frontenac Institution, and a prized dairy herd at Westmorland Institution. The auction date for a gold standard herd at Rockwood Institution is also imminent. Once these herds have been dispersed, they can never be re-established.

In short, if these herds are allowed to be sold, it would mean the end of the prison farm program, one of the most successful programs we have had in the country in rehabilitating inmates. I have had the occasion to visit all the nation's prisons farms to meet with correctional officers who have told their stories about how these programs transform these men. The opportunity to work with animals and animal husbandry is something that is extremely effective and the leading edge of rehabilitation, yet the current government is closing the program, a program that it says costs $4 million and yet will provide no costing for it.

At a time when prison costs are soaring and the government is spending literally billions on prisons, it seems backward, in the extreme, to be cutting or axing a program that is desperately needed to help rehabilitate those who are about to re-enter. Given the fact that over 90% of inmates will leave prison and will re-enter, how they rehabilitate is essential.

When I talk to correctional officials, they tell me that working over 30 years in the program they have never seen a single instance of violent recidivism. I have looked into the eyes of men who talk to me about how this program has transformed their lives. I think it is extremely important that the House has a debate before the Conservatives shut down a program that has been this effective for more than 100 years.

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

I thank the hon. member for his remarks and for the letter he sent to the Speaker earlier today. I regret to inform him that I do not believe his request meets the requirements of the provisions for an emergency debate, so I will decline the request at this time.

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

There are 62 motions in amendment standing on the notice paper for the report stage of Bill C-9. The motions will be grouped as follows.

Group No. 1 is Motions 1, 2 and 16 to 62; Group No. 2 is Motions 3 to 15.

The voting patterns for the motions within each group are available at the table and the Chair will remind the House of each pattern at the time of voting.

I shall now propose Motions Nos. 1, 2 and 16 to 62 in Group No. 1 to the House.

Chris Charlton Hamilton Mountain, ON

moved:

Motion No. 1

That Bill C-9 be amended by deleting Clause 96.

Motion No. 2

That Bill C-9 be amended by deleting Clause 97.