Debates of June 12th, 2002

National Defence

[John McCallum, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, on the last point, there is a lot of confusion out there. All the decisions on the ordering of materials will continue to be made by the defence department, not the private company.

The other thing I would add is that in all my time in the private sector never have I seen a deal where 100% of the permanent employees are given job guarantees for seven years at 100% guarantee of their salaries. That is a great deal.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Rex Barnes, Progressive Conservative, Gander—Grand Falls, NL]

Mr. Speaker, concerns are being expressed again about the solarization and destaffing of the light station at Sargeant's Cove Head, Exploits Islands. To completely eliminate this service would have a devastating effect for boat operators in the Gander--Grand Falls riding.

Would the minister of fisheries revisit this decision so that there is a human being at the light stations for the peak boating season?

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]

Mr. Speaker, the object of our light stations is of course to ensure the safety of boaters, be they commercial or recreational boaters. We continue to take our role seriously. I would be happy to review the situation of that lighthouse.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker]

I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of Her Excellency Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[The Speaker]

I also draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Duoji Cairang, Minister of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.

[Jean Chrétien, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I think it will be of interest to the House of Commons to know that the President of the Republic of Latvia lived for many years in Montreal. She was a teacher.

She was very well known in Montreal. She was a great citizen of that city. As Canadians, we are very proud to see that she is now the president of her country.

Points of Order

[Steve Mahoney, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Crown Corporations]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to correct the record. In a speech I made in the House on May 28, during an affordable housing debate, I made a comment on a residential building known as Urban Manor in the riding of the hon. member for Edmonton Centre-East. For the record, I made a mistake but an honest mistake.

In my statement I said that the building did not get RRAP funding from CMHC because it was condemned. In fact it was not condemned but rather it did not meet the guidelines and program criteria for RRAP assistance. I want to apologize to the owners and residents of Urban Manor and to the member for Edmonton Centre-East.

Finally, by way of explanation, the Edmonton community plan on homelessness felt that replacing the shelter was a high priority for the community. As a result, I am pleased to say that the government has contributed over $3 million for a new shelter.

[Peter Goldring, Canadian Alliance, Edmonton Centre-East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituent, Mr. Terry Draginda and his Urban Manor project, I accept that the parliamentary secretary has recognized his error. I might add though that the 60 current residents and the 20 staff members of Urban Manor can now rest a little easier knowing the truth that Mr. Draginda's building Urban Manor is sound and safe.

Order in Council Appointments

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number of Order in Council appointments made recently by the government.

Government Response to Petitions

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, 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 response to six petitions.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service

[Lynn Myers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service 2001 public report.

Interparliamentary Delegations

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, two reports by the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie and the accompanying financial report.

The first report is on the APF Committee on Co-operation and Development meeting held in Monaco, from April 10 to 14, 2002.

The second report is on the APF Parliamentary Affairs Committee meeting held in Beirut, Lebanon, from May 11 to 15, 2002.

Committees of the House

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 65th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership and associate membership of some committees. If the House gives its consent I intend to move concurrence in the 65th report later this day.

I also have the honour to present the 66th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the committee's consideration of the existing procedures governing private members' business.

[Colleen Beaumier, Liberal, Brampton West—Mississauga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, entitled “Long-Term Care for Veterans: The West Coast Crisis”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 the committee requests a comprehensive response from the government. Notwithstanding the 150 day time limit prescribed in Standing Order 109, the committee requests that this comprehensive response be tabled within 120 days.

[Dennis Mills, Liberal, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

Pursuant to its order of reference dated Monday, April 15, 2002, your committee has considered Bill C-54, an act to promote physical activity and sport, and agreed on Tuesday, June 11, 2002, to report it with amendments.

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, entitled “Canada's Innovation Strategy: Peer Review and the Allocation of Federal Research Funds”.

The committee believes that the three federal granting agencies, the Natural Sciences and Engineering and Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, all have vital roles to play in improving Canada's innovation strategy. The committee believes that the 11 recommendations contained in the report will further assist the granting agencies in their work of supporting research and development.

I wish to thank the individuals and organizations who took part in our hearings, the research staff of the Library of Parliament, particularly Dr. Lalita Acharya, and the members for their invaluable contributions.

I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 11th report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

Pursuant to Standing Order 97.1 the committee is requesting an extension of 30 sitting days to consider Bill C-248, an act to amend the Competition Act, referred to the committee on February 25, 2002.

[Judi Longfield, Liberal, Whitby—Ajax, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons With Disabilities, entitled “Building on Success”.

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

The report “Building on Success” makes important recommendations to the House. The subcommittee, chaired by the hon. member for Don Valley West, urges the government to substantially change the way it administers programs for first nations families and young children living on reserves by streamlining federal funding and accountability mechanisms for early childhood development services into one envelope.

Income Tax Act

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-477, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (amateur sport fees).

Mr. Speaker, this is another great idea from the New Democratic Party. It is one of the finest pieces of legislation ever to grace the halls of Parliament Hill.

Basically what the bill would do is allow individuals and families across this great country to deduct any amateur sport fees that they are asked to pay for. For example, fees that are paid for children to be registered for soccer, volleyball, hockey or such sports, should become tax deductible, similar to that of a charitable donation.

This would encourage more people to be active in sports, because we all know that healthy children and adults lead to healthy communities and a great future for our country. We know that we will have great support throughout the--

[The Speaker]

I would remind the hon. member for Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, and indeed all hon. members, that the rules require that when members speak at this stage on a bill they give a succinct explanation of the purpose of the bill. The hon. member may have been succinct in his remarks only because the Chair cut him off.

I am not sure that all of the remarks were an explanation of the bill, but we appreciate his enthusiasm.

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

Legislative Instruments Re-enactment Act

[Martin Cauchon, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

moved that Bill S-41, An Act to re-enact legislative instruments enacted in only one official language be read the first time.

(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)

[Marlene Catterall, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, discussions have taken place between all parties with respect to the passage at all stages of Bill S-41, an act to re-enact legislative instruments enacted in only one official language.

I believe you would find consent for the following motion. I move:

That notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of this House, the House immediately consider the second reading stage of Bill S-41, and at the completion of the said stage, the said bill be deemed referred to committee of the whole, reported without amendment, concurred in at report stage and read a third time and passed.

[The Speaker]

Does the hon. chief government whip have unanimous consent of the House to propose the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.