Debates of March 12th, 2012

Denis Lebel Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, I think the complexity of this issue is completely beyond the member's grasp. It is a very serious issue, and Supreme Court rulings have defined the jurisdictions and the approach in this area. No one is talking about an agreement signed between the municipality of Neuville and the developer. It was signed by mutual agreement. I was not the one who signed it. We have a protocol signed by the mayor and the developers. How does she explain the fact that no one is saying that?

Louis Plamondon Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC

Mr. Speaker, first we had Davos, where the Prime Minister thought it was a good idea to reveal his government's priorities to our international partners before informing us here in the House or telling Canadians. Now, this past weekend, certain ministers treated some Conservative supporters to excerpts from the federal budget, which is not supposed to be presented until March 29. Such privileged information could be considered an unfair advantage, similar to insider trading.

Will it take an RCMP investigation, like the one conducted in 2005 on the leaks regarding the income trust policy, for the Conservatives to respect all voters and protect this privileged information?

Ted Menzies Minister of State (Finance)

Mr. Speaker, I will assure the hon. member that no such thing has happened. We are in the process of working on the budget.

My hon. colleague from the NDP very inappropriately pointed out that the Minister of Finance is not here with us today. I would ask him to stand in his place and apologize because we actually know what the finance minister is doing.

Dany Morin Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a point of order. In the past few days, I have been accused twice by Conservative members of filibustering at the Standing Committee on Health, last Thursday in particular. That is not true. It is not my fault if the chair of the Standing Committee on Health did a bad job of planning the 11 minutes provided for discussing the motion on—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order, please. This is not a point of order, but rather a matter of debate. If the member has something else to add, he may do so during the next question period.

The hon. member for Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup on a point of order.

François Lapointe Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC

Mr. Speaker, on a number of occasions the Minister of Transport has taken the liberty of stating that my colleague from Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier is incapable of understanding an issue. Based on the number of evasive answers from those opposite, which might reflect an inability to understand an issue, we would—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order. That is not a valid point of order.

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to 13 petitions.

Lisa Raitt Minister of Labour

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-33, An Act to provide for the continuation and resumption of air service operations.

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

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), this report is deemed concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

Dave MacKenzie Oxford, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in relation to Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (citizen's arrest and the defences of property and persons).

The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Rob Merrifield Yellowhead, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on International Trade in relation to the study of the comprehensive economic trade agreement with the European Union.

This agreement would allow us to capitalize on a population of 500 million, a third of the world's GDP. This would be the most comprehensive free trade agreement, if passed, in both of our respective jurisdictions. It is much more comprehensive than NAFTA. A witness told committee that this agreement would add $1,000 per year to the average Canadian household.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Merv Tweed Brandon—Souris, MB

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition from people from western Manitoba.

The petitioners note that Canada is the only nation in the western world, in the company of China and North Korea, without any laws restricting abortion. Therefore, they call upon the House of Commons and Parliament to assemble and speedily enact legislation that restricts abortion to the greatest extent possible.