House of Commons Hansard #90 of the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was crtc.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake, MB
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. The report is about tobacco producers.
Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in relation to the coordination of access to information request system.
This particular database is a central database for all requests filed with the government under the Access to Information Act, and, as we know, it has been discontinued by the government.
The committee passed a motion demanding that the government reinstate this tool, which promotes transparency and accountability, and it encourages the government to make the database available online and free of charge.
Gary Schellenberger Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in relation to the maintenance of a basic level of information services by conventional television.
Michael Savage Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
moved that Bill S-204, An Act respecting a National Philanthropy Day, be read the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to introduce into this House Bill S-204, which was recently passed in the Senate. The bill would recognize November 15 of each year as National Philanthropic Day, a special day for philanthropic organizations across the country.
I would like to thank Senator Grafstein for presenting the bill in the Senate and Senator Mercer from Nova Scotia who has dedicated much of his professional life promoting philanthropy. I have a special note of thanks to the many AFP association of fundraising professionals across the country, like Paul McNair, president of the association in Nova Scotia.
My own sister, Brigid, is an active member of AFP and is currently working as the campaign director at Mount Saint Vincent University. We are very proud of her and the great work she is doing with philanthropists like Dr. Martha Jodrey.
The bill seeks to encourage Canadians to give time, money and knowledge to help build up our communities and civic society.
National Philanthropic Day would recognize the hundreds of thousands of grassroot, non-partisan groups that give much to communities to strengthen the social cohesion in Canada. Each day the not for profit sectors are on the front lines serving in areas like social services, health care, the environment, arts and beyond.
I hope all members will support this important initiative to help build Canada.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Speaker, there have been good faith negotiations among all parties and I believe that if you were to seek it you may find unanimous consent for a motion: that the House recognize the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reconstitution of the sovereign and independent state of Israel; recognize the cultural, economic and scientific achievements of a free, democratic and blossoming society in the face of hostilities; recognize the close relationship between the Governments of Canada and Israel; reaffirm the unwavering support of Canadians to the right of Israel to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from any threat or act of force; reaffirm our commitment to the pursuit of a two-state solution and the creation of a democratic Palestinian state living in peace and security with its Israeli neighbour; reaffirm its acknowledgement and support of the efforts toward peace made by the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and commit to assisting in the peace process.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Does the hon. member for Mount Royal have the unanimous consent of the House to present this motion?
Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Speaker, I note that there has been overwhelming, if not unanimous support, for the motion.
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition with 195 signatures from Quebeckers who are calling on the Government of Canada to actively respect the Quebec nation and Bill 101.
Patrick Brown Conservative Barrie, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from 25 constituents in regard to the private member's bill put forward by the member for Edmonton—Sherwood Park, suggesting criminal consequences for the murder of an unborn child.
Patrick Brown Conservative Barrie, ON
Mr. Speaker, in addition, I have a petition from 134 constituents in regard to Bill C-14 and their concerns with regard to the deregulation of Canada Post.
Fabian Manning Conservative Avalon, NL
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions. My first petition is signed by 436 people.
The petitioners call upon Parliament to effect necessary changes to CPP policy to ensure that applicants with terminal illnesses are provided with terminal illness special procedures, including those applicants who did not contribute to private disability insurance plans, sickness insurance, employment insurance sickness benefits and other short term sickness benefits, and to exempt them from the four month mandatory waiting period.
Fabian Manning Conservative Avalon, NL
Mr. Speaker, I also have a petition signed by 2,192 people.
The petitioners call upon the House of Commons to replace the Millennium Scholarship Foundation with a national system of need based grants through the Canada student loans program for students at public universities and colleges.
Ken Boshcoff Liberal Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON
Mr. Speaker, about two months ago, there was unanimous consent of the House to pass a motion mandating Canadian content levels for public transit and to ensure that public funds were used to provide the best value to Canadians by supporting domestic supplier and labour markets. I have additional petitions coming in.
As an update, although the House has adopted this, we will be now taking this motion to the transportation committee for a more fulsome discussion and, hopefully, to see government policy enacted very soon.
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Mr. Speaker, I present this petition on behalf of a group of grade 11 students at Composite High School in Fort McMurray, Alberta, to abolish child labour in developing countries. These students have collected 355 signatures in support of the creation of a United Nations resolution to eliminate the use of child labour. I am proud to bring forward this petition.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, the following question will be answered today: No. 232.
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
With respect to the study convened on November 13 and 14, 2007, chaired by Trevor Ogden, by Health Canada on the dangers of asbestos: (a) what are the mandate or guiding principles of this study; (b) why was this study initiated; (c) who has been assigned responsibility to ensure this study is completed; (d) how much funding has been allocated to this study; (e) what resources have been made available to this study; (f) what consultations will be taken by this study; (g) who will this study consult with or be receiving contributions from; (h) what compensation will the participants in consultations for this study receive; (i) what new research will be used in this study; (k) will a review of Canadian consumer products containing asbestos be included in this study; (j) is it the intention of the government to change its policy on asbestos as a result of this study; (l) what is the expected time frame for this study; and (m) when will this study be made public?
Question No. 232Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Parry Sound—Muskoka Ontario
Conservative
Tony Clement ConservativeMinister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, in response to a) Following are the terms of reference of the expert panel on chrysotile:
Purpose
The panel will consider and report on the dose-response relationships for pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and lung cancer associated with exposure to Canadian “commercial chrysotile asbestos” fibre.
Panel members’ responsibilities
On November 13-14, 2007, panel members are to attend and share expertise at the Chrysotile Asbestos Expert Panel: Characterizing the Toxicity of Chrysotile Asbestos, in Montreal, Canada.
Panel members, working individually and collectively, are asked to determine the main areas of scientific agreement and disagreement on the toxicity of chrysotile asbestos fibres, and to assess the importance of these agreements and disagreements.
Panel members, working individually and collectively, are also asked to produce a probabilistic estimation of the dose-response relationship for chrysotile asbestos and cancers rather than a point estimate. If dose-response estimation is not possible, panel members are asked to estimate the relative dose-response between chrysotile asbestos and various amphibole asbestos.
If it is concluded that amphiboles are significantly more potent than chrysotile asbestos, the panel is asked to assess the toxicity of “uncontaminated chrysotile asbestos” and the effect of reported tremolite contamination on the toxicity of Canadian commercial chrysotile asbestos.
Considerations
Panellists are to debate constructively with peers holding opposing views, and work together to reach consensus. However, where individual views differ, these are to be reflected in the report.
In response to b) The panel was convened to provide Health Canada a perspective on scientific studies on the health effects of chrysotile that have been published since the last international peer-reviewed study of this substance which was published in 1998 by the World Health Organization.
In response to c) Dr. Michel Camus, Health Canada, had the lead scientific responsibility for ensuring that the panel fulfilled its commitment.
In response to d) Direct expenses of $101,387.96 were incurred in the preparation for, and conduct of, the panel meeting and the writing of its report.
In response to e) As part of their ongoing, normal duties, approximately nine different officials or administrative staff worked on a part time basis to help establish and support the panel.
In response to f) There were no external consultations for this report.
In response to g) There were no consultations with other parties. The costs of the panel were wholly borne by Health Canada.
In response to h) The chair and each of the panel members were reimbursed their travel expenses and were additionally paid a flat fee for their time.
In response to i) No new research was commissioned in support of the study.
In response to j) It is premature to assess how the panel might affect government policy.
In response to k) The panel did not consider Canadian consumer products in its deliberations. [See terms of reference in answer a)].
In response to l) The panel has completed its work.
In response to m) The panel report will be made available to the public once Health Canada has reviewed the findings. The time-frame for release is yet to be determined.
Questions Passed as Orders for ReturnsRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
If Question No. 225 could be made an order for return, this return would be tabled immediately.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
With respect to Canada’s contributions and commitments to international peace: (a) how much has the government budgeted for the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre; (b) how has funding for the Centre changed from year to year over the past five years; (c) does the government intend to sustain funding for the Centre; (d) how much does Canada contribute to the UN’s Standing Peacebuilding Fund; (e) how does Canada rank in terms of military personnel and police contributions to UN missions; (f) what plan does the government have to increase its military and police contributions to UN missions; (g) is Canada involved in any UN-sponsored peace initiatives or negotiations and, if so, which ones; (h) what follow-up initiatives has the government undertaken to support the Responsibility to Protect; (i) what steps has Canada undertaken to ensure compliance with Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security; (j) what initiatives is the government undertaking to support nuclear weapons non-proliferation and disarmament in the international arena; and (k) does the government endorse the principle of a nuclear-free Middle East?
(Return tabled)
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all remaining questions be allowed to stand.