Debates of June 10th, 2010

Nathan Cullen Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, helping out a neighbour in need is always a good idea but when the government pitched in to help protect U.S. beaches from the BP spill, it inadvertently exposed how badly prepared it was for a disaster here in Canada.

Here are the facts. The U.S. government made available more than 1,500 kilometres of boom for the cleanup. The Canadian government says that it has a total of six kilometres of boom stockpiled. This would be pathetic if the risks were not so great.

Does the oil-loving government have any plans whatsoever to boost our dangerously low supply?

Gail Shea Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, we were very happy to help out the United States in its time of need.

As members know, we share oceans with the United States. This is a very important issue to us. We know that the United States would help us in our time of need.

Peter Braid Kitchener—Waterloo, ON

Mr. Speaker, our government has demonstrated continued leadership in science, technology and innovation. From the Canada excellence research chairs and post-doctoral fellowships, to the Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research, this government is a world leader in attracting and retaining top researchers.

Would the Minister of State please inform this House about the latest world-renowned scientist to come to Canada and to my riding of Kitchener—Waterloo.

Gary Goodyear Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario)

Mr. Speaker, it brings me great pleasure to welcome internationally accomplished physicist, Stephen Hawking, to Canada. Professor Hawking has joined the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo as a distinguished research chair.

Our government is leading the pack when it comes to developing, attracting and retaining top researchers to Canada. It is our government's historic investments in science and technology that are attracting the world's most distinguished researchers. We are proud of creating a brain gain.

Jay Hill Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague, the deputy House leader for the Official Opposition, for her questions.

When I get into addressing the issue of the upcoming government legislation that I intend to call, I will make reference to Bill C-34, which was her first additional question. The other question dealt with private member's Bill C-391 and the report that came back from the committee about that legislation. I am sure the member is well aware of the process of private members' business. It has nothing to do with the government business and therefore those negotiations and consultations will take place between yourself, Mr. Speaker, and the sponsor of that legislation.

We will continue today with the opposition motion. Tomorrow we will call Bill C-2, the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement, which is at third reading.

I would also like to designate pursuant to Standing Order 66(2) tomorrow as the day to complete the debate on the motion to concur in the third report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.

Next week we will hopefully complete all stages of Bill C-34, Creating Canada's New National Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 Act. I would like to thank the opposition parties for their support of that legislation and for allowing it to pass expeditiously when we do call it.

There may also be some interest to do something similar for Bill C-24, First Nations Certainty of Land Title Act; Bill S-5, ensuring safe vehicles; and Bill S-9, tracking auto theft and property crime act.

I would also like to complete the remaining stages of Bill C-11, Balanced Refugee Reform Act.

In addition to those bills, I would call Bill C-23, Eliminating Pardons for Serious Crimes Act; Bill S-2, Protecting Victims From Sex Offenders Act; and Bill C-22, Protecting Children from Online Sexual Exploitation Act.

I would also like to announce that on Monday we will be having a take note debate on the subject of the measures being taken to address the treatment of multiple sclerosis. I will be moving the appropriate motion at the end of my statement.

Pursuant to Standing Order 66(2) I would like to designate Tuesday, June 15, as the day to conclude debate on the motion to concur in the first report of the Standing Committee on International Trade.

Finally, I would like to designate Thursday, June 17, as the last allotted day.

At this time I will be making a number of motions and asking for the unanimous consent of the House for them, starting with the take note debate motion.

Jay Hill Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That a take note debate on the subject of the measures being taken to address the treatment of multiple sclerosis take place pursuant to Standing Order 53.1 on Monday, June 14.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

The Speaker Peter Milliken

(Motion agreed to)

Jay Hill Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development be the committee for the purposes of the Statutes of Canada, 2003, chapter 9, section 32.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Does the hon. government House leader have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?