Debates of April 13th, 2005

Agriculture

[Andy Mitchell, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, that is an absolutely erroneous type of logic that the hon. member is using. First of all, we announced $1 billion of support to Canadian producers and $1 billion of support will be delivered to Canadian producers.

How those dollars are treated in future calculations is being done in line with other programs that we have provided. Quite frankly, we have made clear to all producers exactly the terms and conditions that are being applied to these dollars.

Canada Post

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has tried to blame virtually everyone else for the Liberal sponsorship scandal. It began with rogue bureaucrats, then it was the opposition that was to blame and even his predecessor.

He cannot blame Jean Chrétien for the mess at Canada Post. The Deloitte & Touche audit reported that Liberal porkmaster general André Ouellet paid himself $2 million in unreceipted expenses, yet the Prime Minister has taken no action to get his hands on the receipts.

It is tax time and Canadians are being asked to pay theirs. Will the Prime Minister commit to the House and the Canadian people that André Ouellet will be paying his?

[John McCallum, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, the board of directors of Canada Post is continuing to manage this issue. I am informed by Canada Post that the Canada Revenue Agency is currently auditing the expense payments coming out of the office of the president. Action is clearly being taken on this matter.

The Environment

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Environment.

For the guidance of the Conservative members, who still do not understand that a healthy environment goes along with increased growth and economic prosperity, could the minister explain to the House what the new Liberal plan to deal with climate change means for the environment, for our economy and our quality of life, and for keeping our commitments under the Kyoto protocol?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, there is no question I could take more pleasure in answering in this House.

It is a great day for Canada.

It is a great day for our role as a good citizen of the world. It is a great day for our health and our quality of life. Yes, Canada will be a champion of a sustainable economy.

I therefore have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Government of Canada document entitled “Project Green--Moving Ahead on Climate Change: A Plan for Honouring our Kyoto Commitment.”

[The Speaker]

Order. The hon. member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie wishes to say something.

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, earlier, in my statement, I used the words “And when is he lying?” with respect to the Prime Minister. I wish to withdraw them, because I know these words may not be said, at least in this House.

The House resumed from April 6 consideration of the motion that Bill C-236, an act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (student loan), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act

[The Speaker]

It being 3:09 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-236 under private members' business.

Call in the members.

Before the Clerk announced the results of the vote:

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for North Vancouver appears to have voted both yea and nay. Perhaps he could clarify his position for the Chair.

[Don Bell, Liberal, North Vancouver, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to indicate I was voting for Bill C-236.

And the Clerk having announced the result of the vote:

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

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

My apologies, Mr. Speaker. I was engaged in conversation and stood and voted no. I had already voted yes and I wish the vote yes to stand.

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

[The Speaker]

I declare the motion lost.

The House resumed from April 7 consideration of the motion that Bill C-263, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code (replacement workers), as amended, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Canada Labour Code

[The Speaker]

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-263 under private members' business.

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

[The Speaker]

I declare the motion lost.

The House resumed from April 11 consideration of the motion that Bill S-3, an act to amend the Official Languages Act (promotion of English and French), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Official Languages Act

[The Speaker]

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill S-3 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.

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

The House resumed from April 12, 2005, consideration of the motion that Bill C-280, an act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (Employment Insurance Account and premium rate setting) and another Act in consequence, be now read the second time and referred to a committee.

Employment Insurance Act

[The Deputy Speaker]

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division at second reading of Bill C-280.

And the Clerk having announced the result of the vote:

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Charlevoix—Montmorency, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Notwithstanding the outcome of the vote on Bill C-280, I would like to have struck from the list the names of three members of the Liberal Party who were recorded as voting against this bill, but had left their seats prior to the start of the fourth vote. The Minister of the Environment had even gone to the rear lobby.

Pursuant to Standing Order 45, I wish to have struck from the list of the vote the names of the member for Cardigan, the Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario) and the Minister of the Environment. After the voting had started they returned to their seats in the House of Commons. I therefore demand that their votes not be counted, pursuant to the Standing Orders.

[The Speaker]

Perhaps the chief government whip could confirm whether the members in question left as the question was being put. As the House knows, all members must remain in the chamber until voting has ended.

Can she tell me the answer to this question?

[Karen Redman, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while the hon. member is correct that these members left their seats, I believe they all remained in the chamber and, as such, would be allowed to vote.