Debates of May 13th, 1998

Petitions

[Jake Hoeppner, Reform, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition deals with the Canadian Wheat Board delivering its grain shipments to the port that offers the most advantageous cost to producers and the requirement for conveyers to guarantee seamless car interchange between all railways and short lines.

I support all three petitions.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The hon. member was doing so well with his presentations. They were short and succinct. Then he broke the rules by saying whether he agreed or disagreed. I know he will not want to do that again.

[Lorne Nystrom, NDP, Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased you are very diligent; we all appreciate that.

I also want to present a petition about cruelty to animals that was signed by hundreds of people across the country. It specifically refers to an incident that took place in Saskatchewan, another one in Alberta and another one in Gatineau, Quebec.

The petitioners call for tougher rules and regulations in the country so that when people commit an offence that is cruel to animals they have to actually pay for it.

I am very proud to present the petition on behalf of hundreds of Canadians all across the country.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from numerous citizens in the city and county of Peterborough who are concerned about hardship in the wake of the gulf war.

They point out that the sanctions have not personally hurt Saddam Hussein. They also point out that UN Secretary General Kofi Annand has negotiated an acceptable peace accord which also includes an oil for food agreement.

The petitioners call upon parliament to reject any military action against Iraq, to immediately withdraw Canadian forces from the gulf and to call for an end to the embargo against necessities of life for the Iraqi people.

Further, in the interests of gaining the support of the Iraqi people and relieving their terrible suffering, they ask the Government of Canada, following the lead of the United Kingdom, to join in a massive effort to provide medicine and food for sick and starving Iraqi people.

Questions On The Order Paper

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, Question No. 55 will be answered today. .[Text]

[John Reynolds, Reform, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC]

With respect to the selection of the “Van Doos”, as the honour guard at the recent APEC Conference held in Vancouver November 23 to November 26, 1997: ( a ) why was the originally selected honour guard the Seaforth Highlanders rejected and replaced by the “Van Doos” ( b ) how many individuals including the actual honour guard were included in the “Van Doos” entourage; ( c ) what was the total cost of airfare for transporting the “Van Doos” and their entourage to and from Vancouver; ( d ) what was the total cost of accommodation for the “Van Doos” and their entourage; ( e ) where did the actual “Van Doo” regiment stay in Vancouver and where did the entourage stay and for how long; ( f ) what was the total cost for food and other expenses for the “Van Doos” and their entourage; ( g ) what was the average working day, in hours, for the “Van Doo” regiment members and the remainder of the entourage?

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

I am informed by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and National Defence as follows:

(a) The Royal 22nd Regiment was selected as the arrival guard for international delegates at APEC 97 because of their ceremonial dress of red tunics and bearskin hats, most recognizable worldwide from their role on Parliament Hill.

This representation should not eclipse the participation of the B.C. regiment of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, who should be recognized for their substantial contribution to APEC 97. Regimental pipers played a ceremonial role at the Prime Minister's cultural performance and dinner; as well Seaforth Highlanders coordinated the APEC 97 tranportation effort.

Canada proudly hosted APEC 97 in Vancouver and both regiments admirably represented our country.

(b) Fifty-seven.

(c) $45,706.25

(d) $22,520.13

(e) The group stayed at the Travel Lodge Hotel for seven nights, from November 18 to 24, 1997. A two-person reconnaissance group arrived three days earlier and stayed from November 15 to 24, 1997.

(f) $23,964.14

(g) The group worked six days and averaged eight hours per day. During the last three days, the guard was on standby from 0530 hours to 0030 hours daily. The reconnaissance group worked an additional two days at eight hours per day average.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

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

[Jean Dubé, Progressive Conservative, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Speaker, I have asked the parliamentary secretary many times this week and last week about Question No. 21. We have been waiting for an answer since October 3, 1997.

Could the parliamentary secretary tell the House right now whether this question will be answered before the House breaks for the summer?

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the member is correct. He has asked me about this question each day and each day I have looked into the situation regarding the response to Question No. 21.

I think the member will have noticed that we have been cutting through the backlog. I have high hopes that Question No. 21 will be answered soon.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I am sure that is a hope shared by all hon. members. Shall the remaining questions stand?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Motion For Papers

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to 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.

[Jim Pankiw, Reform, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order concerning my Notice of Motion for the Production of Papers No. P-8 which deals with a $2 billion contract awarded to Bombardier.

Motion No. P-8 has been on the order paper for half a year. I have raised previous points of order on the matter on February 18, March 25 and April 24.

I demand to know from the parliamentary secretary on which specific date I can expect a response. Could he tell the House what is so secretive about the government doling out taxpayers' dollars to Bombardier? After all, the Liberals do it all the time.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I note the question about Notice of Motion for the Production of Papers No. P-8. I will certainly look into that matter.

As the member knows, some of these matters take longer than others. Again I have the highest hopes that he will have a response soon.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Shall the Notices of Motions for the Production of Papers stand?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

The House proceeded to the consideration of Bill C-36, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 24, 1998, as reported (without amendment) from the committee.

Budget Implementation Act, 1998

[Yvan Loubier, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Perhaps the hon. member could await the Chair's ruling on the admissibility of motions. I think I understand what he wants to do and that is quite acceptable, but first I would like to render my decision. Is it agreed?

[Yvan Loubier, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker]

There are 107 motions in amendment standing on the notice paper for the report stage of Bill C-36.

The motions will be grouped for debate as follows:

Group No. 1: Motions Nos. 1 to 67.

Group No. 2, Motions Nos. 68 to 76.

Group No. 3: Motion No. 77.

Group No. 4, Motions Nos. 78 to 81.

Group No. 5, Motions Nos. 82 and 83.

Group No. 6, Motions Nos. 84 to 87.

Group No. 7: Motions Nos. 88 to 93.

Group No. 8, Motions Nos. 94 to 96.

Group No. 9, Motions Nos. 97 to 107.

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

I will now put Motions Nos. 1 to 67 to the House.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to withdraw Motion No. 77.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Consequently, Motion No. 77 in Group No. 3 is withdrawn.

(Motion No. 77 withdrawn)

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

moved:

Motion No. 1

That Bill C-36 be amended by deleting Clause 2.