I wish to inform the House that because of the delay there will be no private members' business. Accordingly, the order will be rescheduled for another sitting.

Business of the HousePrivate Members' Business

December 12th, 2012 / 7:20 p.m.

York—Simcoe Ontario

Conservative

Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I rise with tidings of good cheer. That means no NDP carbon tax this year and that we have much else for which to be thankful.

First, I thank everyone in the precinct and back in our constituencies who have helped make 2012 such a productive year for all members of Parliament. We have had a busy but quite productive year in the House. In fact, by the end of this week I anticipate that Parliament will have seen 35 government bills complete the legislative steeplechase.

We have had some interesting days and even a couple of memorable nights in the House in 2012.

Let me thank you. Mr. Speaker, and your entire team of chair occupants, as well as the clerks at the table. You have all been very busy with lots of votes and other interesting action.

Just as important are all the other support staff who are not here in the chamber. I thank them as well for all their efforts in the past year.

I also want to thank our team of pages who are about to have a well-deserved rest from their studies and their work here. I am sure their time with us means that each one of them will be taking at least one interesting story back home for the holidays, but before that they should ensure to study hard for those remaining exams.

I have appreciated working with the two hon. members who are my opposition counterparts, as well as their own predecessors. One moved from a role as a very constructive and positive House leader to become a leader of his party and another is now seeking to repeat the same move in the Liberal Party.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank the Conservative team as well for their support in advancing our government's agenda through the House.

I hope everyone will have the chance to have a restful break over Christmas and then a fruitful month connecting with constituents in January.

I am looking forward to 2013 being another hard-working, orderly and productive year in the House of Commons.

I believe the House leaders of the other parties have a few comments to add.

Following those remarks, Mr. Speaker, I believe you would find unanimous consent to dispose of a motion which reflects the fact that the work plan we agreed to as House leaders for this week has been implemented on an expedited basis. Therefore, I do anticipate you will find unanimous support for this motion after the other House leaders speak.

I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, during the debate this day pursuant to Standing Order 66(2) on the motion to concur in the Seventh Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Chair shall not receive any quorum calls, dilatory motions, requests for unanimous consent, or amendments; and that at the end of the time remaining for the debate, or when no member rises to speak, all questions necessary to dispose of the motion be deemed put and a recorded division be deemed requested; and

And the important part of the motion reads as follows:

That when the House adjourns today, it shall stand adjourned until January 28, 2013, provided that, for the purposes of Standing Order 28, it shall be deemed to have sat on Thursday, December 13 and Friday December 14, 2012.

Business of the HousePrivate Members' Business

7:20 p.m.

NDP

Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to join in offering thanks both to yourself and all the folks who work around you for ably guiding us through these sometimes difficult waters.

We must also thank those who are not with us here, all the parliamentary precinct staff, whom without which we would not be able to do our jobs as members of Parliament.

Also, of particular note are the pages who not only have their responsibilities here at the House helping us do our work, but also must study and complete their exams. Large thanks from Canada's official opposition and all members of Parliament for their exceedingly good work and good graces at helping us out at all times.

I will keep my remarks brief because there is nothing more dangerous than standing between a group of politicians and various flights home to their families and constituencies. I would like to wish all my colleagues on both sides of the House the very best of the season and that they spend some time with friends and family and restore that energy and passion for the work we do on behalf of all Canadians.

Business of the HousePrivate Members' Business

7:25 p.m.

Liberal

Dominic LeBlanc Liberal Beauséjour, NB

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my Liberal colleagues, I would like to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a holiday season with your family that enables you to experience some moments that are perhaps a little quieter than those of the last few months.

On behalf of my colleagues in the Liberal Party, I join my two colleagues who have just spoken and wish happy holidays to the many people who support the work we do in Parliament and in the House of Commons. Some of them are visible. Madame O'Brien and the clerks who work at the table have done a terrific job.

I share the comments made regarding the professional, helpful work done by the pages who come from every region of Canada to spend a year with us in the House of Commons. I too wish them luck in exams and a peaceful, pleasant holiday season. I look forward to seeing them in the new year.

On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to send wishes for a happy holiday to all the members of the House of Commons, to all the staff who work behind the scenes and support our work, such as the interpreters who do such a remarkable job, security staff and housekeeping staff, as well as all those who do important work so that we can represent our constituents.

We look forward to seeing everyone in good health in 2013.

Business of the HousePrivate Members' Business

7:25 p.m.

Bloc

André Bellavance Bloc Richmond—Arthabaska, QC

Mr. Speaker, today you called for the House to run smoothly and for decorum. I would therefore greatly appreciate it if my colleagues would listen for a few minutes while I send out some holiday wishes.

On behalf of my colleagues in the Bloc Québécois, I would like to wish you personally, Mr. Speaker, and all the deputy speakers, a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. For the members whose parties are not recognized in the House, the work you do is very important. You give us the floor so we have an opportunity to express our views and represent our constituents.

I would also like to send best wishes to all members of Parliament. Like my colleagues in the other parties, I would like to thank all the House of Commons staff very sincerely.

Over the last few weeks and months, some of the votes have taken a long time and on a number of occasions things got rather chaotic in the House. These people helped us immeasurably, and we thank them.