Debates of Nov. 23rd, 2005

Bank Act

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

Madam Speaker, I will speak briefly to Bill C-57.

We had some reservations when this bill was first introduced, but after it went through committee and witnesses suggested avenues for improving it, especially after hearing actuaries and their concerns, we decided to support it.

We still have a few unanswered questions regarding the confidentiality of information on bank operations. However, on the whole, I think this bill is worth passing. It is an improvement on the current situation. It is an extension of Bill S-11, which was introduced last year. We will therefore support it.

As a next step, I think it would be worthwhile to look at the issue of confidentiality of the operations of banks and their boards of directors. But for now, we are supporting the bill. More improvements can be made to it later.

In a nutshell, I am announcing to the House that we will be supporting this bill.

[David Christopherson, NDP, Hamilton Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to say a few brief words about the bill before the House. The caucus of the NDP will be supporting this bill and I will take a moment to underscore one of the main reasons why.

People know that the predecessor to the NDP was the CCF. Cooperative was part of the name of that party. One of the things that we like most about this legislation is the fact that there is now going to be an alignment of the Cooperative Credit Associations Act and the Bank Act.

That is important because the bill would allow cooperatively structured companies to receive the same treatment in terms of their share requirements as those afforded other traditionally structured organizations. As the current legislation stands, this treatment apparently does not happen because of outdated limitations.

In passing this bill we are supporting and promoting cooperatively structured corporations and companies. We believe that is a good thing. The more cooperative structured entities we have then the greater the differences in terms of the raison d'être of corporations.

On the one hand corporations are dollar driven and profit driven only. That is the be all to end all and that is the way things are structured. Often a cooperatively structured company still needs to make money and still has to profit from being in existence. Usually, with a cooperatively structured company or entity of any sort, there are other reasons why that company is active in terms of the work it does or the services it provides. Often there is a benefit that goes way beyond that of just increased profits, and that is good for the economy. It provides further diversification and a difference in the kinds of engines that are driving our economy and the results that we are getting from them.

This is an area that still needs work as far as my party is concerned. It is not complete. The bill is positive in enough areas like the one I have just mentioned that we are comfortable in giving our support to it and we will reflect that when it comes time to vote.

[The Acting Speaker (Hon. Jean Augustine)]

Pursuant to order made earlier today, the question is deemed put and the motion is deemed carried on division.

(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed)

Business of the House

[The Acting Speaker (Hon. Jean Augustine)]

I would like to inform the House that under the provisions of Standing Order 97.1(2) I am designating Wednesday, November 30, 2005, as the day fixed for the consideration of the motion to concur in the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Finance. This report contains a recommendation not to proceed further with Bill C-273, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (deduction for volunteer emergency service).

I am designating Thursday, December 1, 2005, as the day fixed for the consideration of the motion to concur in the 14th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. The report contains a recommendation not to proceed further with Bill C-283, an act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Could you seek the unanimous consent of the House to see the clock as 5:30 p.m.?

[The Acting Speaker (Hon. Jean Augustine)]

Is there unanimous consent that we see the clock as 5:30 p.m.?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

The House resumed from November 16 consideration of the motion that Bill C-248, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (trafficking in a controlled drug or substance within five hundred metres of an elementary school or a high school), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

[The Acting Speaker (Hon. Jean Augustine)]

It being 5:30 p.m. the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-248 under private members' business.

Call in the members.

Before the Clerk announced the results of the vote:

[The Deputy Speaker]

Perhaps the hon. Minister of International Cooperation could tell us which way she meant to vote.

[Aileen Carroll, Liberal, Barrie, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize for not having paid adequate attention. I wish to be registered as voting against the motion.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[The Deputy Speaker]

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

The House resumed from November 18 consideration of the motion that Bill C-301, An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (monthly guaranteed income supplement), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Old Age Security Act

[The Deputy Speaker]

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-301 under private members' business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[The Deputy Speaker]

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill is referred to the Standing Committee of Human Resources Development, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

[Brian Pallister, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. My understanding of the rules of this place is one must be in his or her chair at the time of the commencement of a vote. As much as I agree with the vote cast by the Minister of National Revenue, I cannot sit in acquiescence just because we agree on this bill. I believe if you confer with the minister you would find he entered the chamber after voting had commenced and therefore his vote should not be cast on the previous motion.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I do not keep track of the members as they come and go, but perhaps the Minister of National Revenue could tell us exactly what happened.

[John McCallum, Liberal, Markham—Unionville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is possible that the hon. member is correct. I came in when I came in, I sat down and voted when it was my turn to vote.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

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

Since all members present voted in favour of the bill at second reading, I think that we could find unanimous consent to put it to a vote at third reading immediately. This would ensure retroactivity for seniors.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Let us deal with the first point of order first. Given the uncertainty, perhaps we will correct the record on the vote from the Minister of National Revenue and consider that no vote was cast.

Dealing with the point of order of the House leader of the Bloc Québécois, he has asked for unanimous consent to proceed to third reading. Is there consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

The House resumed from November 21 consideration of the motion that Bill C-251, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (members who cross the floor), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Parliament of Canada Act

[The Deputy Speaker]

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-251 under private members' business.

Before the Clerk announced the results of the vote:

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was not registered for that vote because I was distracted. I would like to be registered as voting with the government against the motion.