House of Commons Hansard #101 of the 38th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
Alain Boire Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC
Mr. Speaker, the textile plants that remain continue to shut down in Huntingdon and elsewhere in Quebec. This clearly shows that, in its present form, the government's improvised rescue plan cannot solve the crisis.
In light of the mediocre results of its plan, what is the government waiting for to put forward a true plan that would include, among other measures, safeguards, a program for older workers, and a program to support the modernization of the clothing and textile sectors?
Jacques Saada LiberalMinister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for the Francophonie
Mr. Speaker, long before plants began shutting down, we had the pleasure, through the Suroît-Sud renewal committee, of meeting with municipal and local economic stakeholders. We were involved in the renewal plan. Through the Canadian apparel and textile industries program, or CATIP, and then through the Canadian textiles program, or CANtex, we offered funding to industry members, but they did not avail themselves of those funds. We are still there.
We have already said that, if there are investment opportunities in infrastructure, we will follow up on a prioritization by the Quebec government. We will always be there for the residents of Huntingdon.
Rodger Cuzner Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Mr. Speaker, on May 2 the Government of Canada announced that a full panel review would be undertaken to assess the cleanup of the Sydney tar ponds. The Minister of the Environment assured the community at that time that a stringent timeline would be followed and there would be no delay in this process.
As the first critical timeline benchmark approaches, does the Minister of the Environment remain committed to the June 2006 deadline for receiving the review panel's report?
Stéphane Dion LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, because of the $280 million that the federal government will invest in the Sydney tar ponds and the $120 million the province will invest, after fruitful discussions I may tell the House that I have no doubt that we will reach an agreement on the review process going forward in the near future. There will be no unnecessary delay in the cleanup of this area.
I will receive the review panel report. The panel will report back to me no later than June 30, 2006.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of His Excellency Dimitrij Rupel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and Chairman-in-Office for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Leon Benoit Conservative Vegreville—Wainwright, AB
Mr. Speaker, my point of order arises from question period and a question which was being asked of me as the chair of the government operations and estimates committee regarding the agenda of that committee. You yourself said that questions are allowed on the agenda of the committee. The member was asking about why the public works minister has twice agreed to come to this committee and has both times broken his word to the committee. He is showing contempt for--
Points of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. member's question did not ask about any of that sort of thing. In the preamble what I heard had nothing to do with appearances. He asked if the minister had said something to the committee about something, and it says right here, “Questions seeking information about the schedule and agenda of committees may be directed to chairs of committees”, but that is it.
I will review the blues, but this question, to my hearing, did not ask about the agenda of the committee. It asked about something the minister may have said or not said. That is what I heard and that is why I ruled it out of order. I am quite prepared to review the blues in light of the comments that have been made but I do not feel the question was in order.
Joe Preston Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would simply like to reiterate what the chair of the committee has said and ask you to please look at the blues from today's question period. The question was simply about the agenda. No testimony was mentioned in my question.
Points of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
I will certainly double-check the question but what I heard did not sound like a question about agenda, so we will leave it at that.
Ken Epp Conservative Edmonton—Sherwood Park, AB
Mr. Speaker, first of all, my apologies for not sending you a little note because this question also arises from question period.
One of the questions asked by one of the backbenchers over there in my view is a clear violation of Standing Order 18 where it states, “No Member may reflect upon any vote of the House, except for the purpose of moving that such vote be rescinded”.
That question very clearly reflected not on a vote in the House but on one which has not even been held yet. I am amazed that you considered that question to be in order.
Points of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
I remember vaguely the question to which the hon. member is referring. There were statements in the preamble to the question that appeared to deal with votes, or future votes or past votes and it was hard for the Chair to tell which, but then the question did not appear to have to do with the votes. It had to with whether the thing was a matter of confidence or something like that. That is my recollection of the question, but I will be happy to review it for the benefit of the hon. member for Edmonton--Sherwood Park and get back to the House in due course.
The preamble was risky. I thought the question was fine, but I will double-check.
Chief Electoral OfficerOral Question Period
The Speaker
I have the honour to lay upon the table the report of the Chief Electoral Officer entitled “Enhancing the Values of Redistribution: Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Following the Representation Order of 2003”.
Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Beauséjour New Brunswick
Liberal
Dominic LeBlanc LiberalParliamentary 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 three petitions.
Jean Augustine Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, which visited South Africa from March 29 to April 1 on the occasion of the third session of the pan-African Parliament held in Midrand, South Africa.
Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled, “An Examination of New Directions Governing Contribution Agreements for Selected Programs Delivered on Behalf of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada”.
I wish to thank my colleague, the NDP member for Sault Ste. Marie, for bringing forward this initiative to review the government's new directives governing contribution agreements for selected programs delivered on behalf of HSDC.
Some of the concerns we heard from witnesses included the short timeframes to respond to proposals and how the selection criteria is used at times to the disadvantage of tested and established programs.
Once again, I want to thank and congratulate all my colleagues in the government, the official opposition, the Bloc Québécois and the NDP for their contributions, openness and objectivity during our very stimulating discussions.
Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the main estimates, under Foreign Affairs and International Trade, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the ninth report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade entitled “Dispute Settlement in the NAFTA: Fixing an Agreement under Siege”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to these reports.
Paul Steckle Liberal Huron—Bruce, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. In accordance with its order of reference of Friday, February 25, 2005 the committee has considered Votes 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 under agriculture and agri-food in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006, and reports the same less the amounts granted in interim supply.
Caroline St-Hilaire Bloc Longueuil, QC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-395, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (child care expenses).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this bill which seeks to help families, where one of the spouses operates a business or is an independent worker, by allowing the spouse with the higher income to claim the child care expenses.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Caroline St-Hilaire Bloc Longueuil, QC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-396, an act to amend the Broadcasting Act and the Income Tax Act (closed-captioned programming).
Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased to reintroduce this bill, especially in the month of May, Speech and Hearing Awareness Month. The purpose of this bill is to require broadcasters to provide closed captions for their video programming. It also amends the Income Tax Act to allow a tax deduction for broadcasters for the purchase of closed-captioning technology.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Paul Steckle Liberal Huron—Bruce, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table a number of petitions which include several thousands of names of residents who draw to the attention of the House the issue that the moral good of society be protected as we elected officials make judgments in the House and as we pass laws.
The petitioners believe that the defence of traditional marriage as the bond between one man and one woman is a serious moral good. They also believe that marriage is the lasting union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of others, and cannot and should not be modified by a legislative act or court of law.
The petitioners request that Parliament take whatever action is required to maintain the current definition of marriage in law and perpetuity, and to prevent any court from overturning or amending that definition.
Russ Hiebert Conservative South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to present a petition on behalf of some Canadians concerned about type 1 juvenile diabetes. They are asking the government to consider funding research into this type of diabetes over the next five years.
Navdeep Bains Liberal Mississauga—Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by 450 individuals from the greater Vancouver area. They are asking Parliament to amend the Canada Health Act to include, as medically necessary, therapy for children suffering from autism.
The petitioners also ask Parliament to contribute to the creation of academic chairs at Canadian universities dedicated to the research and treatment of autism.
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Speaker, at the request of some of my constituents, I am tabling a petition regarding Bill C-38.
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions.
The first two petitions request that Parliament recognize the prices that exist in the entire agri-food industry in Canada, and that the Canadian Ontario BSE recovery program be extended and funded to treat fairly and equitably all those suffering as a result of a single found case of BSE.