Debates of Oct. 7th, 2005

Economic Development

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, it is quite surprising to have a Bloc Québécois member who voted against Bill C-9, which gave complete autonomy to the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, now ask my colleague to intervene in a situation taking place in a specific region.

I can assure the Bloc Québécois and all hon. members that, anytime a problem arises in one of the regions of Quebec, Economic Development Canada and my colleague are there to assess the situation and implement solutions with the local community.

Social Development

[Mario Silva, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Social Development. Both in the budget and in subsequent announcements the minister demonstrated the government's ongoing commitment to ensuring that all Canadians have access to affordable child care.

Could the minister tell us what action the government has taken to honour the commitment made in the throne speech and in budget 2005?

[Ken Dryden, Liberal, Minister of Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, as the House knows, last week we signed an agreement with the province of British Columbia, the seventh provincial agreement we have signed.

Money is already flowing to all of the provinces and all of the territories under a trust fund this year. That money represents, even at this particular moment, a 40% increase in what all levels of government are spending on child care within the country. It gives the opportunity for much more affordable child care, a much higher quality child care, and the ability to deliver child care--

[The Speaker]

I know there are a lot of other members who would like to ask questions, but the time has expired. We have had a good 45 minutes.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker]

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Honourable David Alward, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, from New Brunswick, and the Honourable Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries from Nova Scotia.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Committees of the House

[Gary Carr, Liberal, Halton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the 48th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership and associate membership of the standing committees of the House be deemed tabled and concurred in.

[The Speaker]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

Oral Question Period

[The Speaker]

Before we proceed, I want to indicate one reservation the Chair had about proceedings in question period today. There were questions concerning what appear to be transfers of funds from campaigns to other places. I know that the deputy government House leader jumped up to answer these questions. In my view, questions concerning election expenses and election moneys are not within the administrative purview of the government.

I am sorry that I did not jump on the question when it was asked. I did not and I realized as I sat here thinking of it afterward that I had failed to do so. I want to make sure members know that such questions are out of order. Questions in question period must deal with the administrative responsibilities of the government, and the administration of the election law is not part of the administrative responsibility of the government. Accordingly, questions on that score are out of order.

Business of the House

[The Speaker]

I want to inform the House that, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1(2), I am designating Tuesday, October 18, 2005, as the day fixed for consideration of the concurrence motion on the twentieth report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

There is a recommendation in the report not to proceed with consideration of Bill C-277, An Act to amend the Auditor General Act (audit of accounts).

The debate on the motion will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., after which the House will proceed with the adjournment proceedings pursuant to Standing Order 38.

I would also like to inform the House that under the provisions of Standing Order 30, I am designating Thursday, October 20, as the day fixed for the consideration of private member's Motion No. 153 standing in the order of precedence in the name of the hon. member for Burnaby—New Westminster.

This additional private members' hour will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., after which the House will proceed to the adjournment proceedings pursuant to Standing Order 38.

National Child Benefit

[Ken Dryden, Liberal, Minister of Social Development]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the National Child Benefit Progress Report: 2003, in response to a recommendation contained in the November 1999 first report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Human Resources Development Canada.

Order in Council Appointments

[Robert Thibault, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

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

Unanticipated Surpluses Act

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Minister of Finance]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-67, An Act respecting the allocation of unanticipated surpluses and to amend the Income Tax Act.

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

Criminal Code

[Randy White, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-427, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (failure to stop at scene of accident).

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to have this bill seconded by my friend and colleague from Okanagan—Shuswap. The bill is the second opportunity for the House of Commons to make productive changes to hit and run driving laws.

Today I am laying Carley's law on the table of the House of Commons. Carley's law has become representative of the desperate need to repair the injustices of the courtrooms throughout this nation that have failed victims of hit and run driving.

I first wrote Carley's law in 2003. Hundreds of hit and run driving situations have occurred in Canada, and since it was first defeated at second reading in the House in June, over 15 more incidents have occurred.

It is well known that both lawyers and judges are settling for minimum sentences for those guilty of hit and run crimes. Carley's law seeks to rectify the failure of the courtroom to deal with the seriousness of the problem, by giving a minimum sentence of seven years for hit and run driving causing death and a minimum sentence of four years for a hit and run crime causing injury.

Carley Regan was just 13 years old when the crime of hit and run—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Abbotsford has had considerable experience. He knows that he is to give a brief summary of the bill at this stage, which sounds as though we have heard and then some. A speech he can save for the second reading debate, which I know we all anticipate with enthusiasm. In the circumstances, I think he has done his summary of the bill.

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

An Act to Protect and Maintain Orders, Decorations and Medals for Future Generations

[Betty Hinton, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-428, An Act to protect and maintain orders, decorations and medals for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce my private member's bill that is intended to ensure that the Government of Canada has the right of first refusal to purchase, at fair market value, significant military medals or medal sets awarded to Canadians and thereby preserve them for generations to come.

We can no longer rely on the benevolence of men like Arthur Lee who bought Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae's medals and then donated them to the McCrae Museum or the fundraising abilities of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion that saved the Topham Victoria Cross from the auction block.

We must, as a nation, step up to the plate and buy these pieces of history, install them in museums and give future generations the opportunity to see them and reflect on the courage and valour of the recipients.

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

Appointment of Clerk

[Tony Valeri, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

moved:

That the House approve the appointment of Audrey Elizabeth O'Brien as Clerk of the House of Commons.

[The Speaker]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

[The Speaker]

I pass on the compliments of all members of the House to the Clerk, thank her for her appointment and congratulate her.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Honorary Officer of the House of Commons

[Tony Valeri, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and I think you would find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That this House, desiring to record its deep appreciation of the distinguished and faithful service of William Corbett, Esq., as Clerk of the House of Commons, designate him as an Honorary Officer of the House of Commons with an entrée to the Chamber and a seat at the Table.

[The Speaker]

Does the hon. government House leader have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.