Debates of May 29th, 2012

Pat Martin Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates in relation to its study of the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the unanimous consent of the House for the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, the remainder of the debate, pursuant to Standing Order 66, on the motion to concur in the First Report of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, presented on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, be deemed to have taken place and the motion be deemed agreed to on division.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

On a point of order, the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.

Elizabeth May Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to block this motion and I wish to give my consent, but I want to register that I am very unhappy that although I tried to speak to this issue, there just was not time in debate. However, I do not want to hold up the House, so I will consent.

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Does the hon. minister have the unanimous consent of the House for this motion?

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

(Motion agreed to)

Pat Martin Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by hundreds of Winnipeg residents who call upon the House of Commons to take note that as Canadians they are appalled by reports that Canadian mining, gas and oil companies are involved in human rights and environmental violations around the world. They are particularly embarrassed by the Canadian government's lack of action against such violations in the eastern Congo.

The petitioners argue that the standards for Canadian extractive companies are much less stringent outside of Canada than in Canada, which is a policy that disadvantages people who are already poor and under-represented with their own governments.

Therefore, the petitioners request that the House of Commons legislate that the standards for Canadian mining companies operating outside of Canada be the same as the standards they much reach when operating inside of Canada, which would include requiring the corporate social responsibility review process to be mandatory, not voluntary, and that Bill C-300 be reinvigorated to hold Canadian extractive companies to the standards of decency that Canadians expect of their government and of companies carrying the Canadian flag.

I am proud to table this petition on behalf of the constituents in my riding.

David Tilson Dufferin—Caledon, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by people from all over Canada who are concerned with the proposed megaquarry in Melancthon Township in Dufferin County. At over 2,300 acres, this quarry would be the largest open-pit quarry in Canada.

The petitioners are concerned with a great number of things. I will not list them all, but they are concerned that the megaquarry would delve more than 60 metres deep, which is more than 200 feet. It is well below the water table.

The petitioners ask that the Government of Canada conduct an environmental assessment under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act on the proposed Highland Companies' megaquarry development.

Ted Hsu Kingston and the Islands, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present two petitions on behalf of my constituents in Kingston and the Islands.

The first petition calls on Parliament to amend section 223 of the Criminal Code so as to reflect 21st century medical evidence.

Ted Hsu Kingston and the Islands, ON

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls upon the government to withdraw Bill C-31 because it is not fair to all refugees. It restricts appeals and gives too much discretion to the minister.

Mylène Freeman Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC

Madam Speaker, it is my honour to present this petition signed by my constituents, specifically those from Morin Heights.

The petition calls upon the government to declare May the month of awareness and education on environmental sensitivities and May 12 the environmental sensitivity day in Canada.