Debates of June 4th, 2008

Copyright

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if this were the analog age, he would be sounding like a broken record. We cannot have balance unless we have had consultations. This minister has been led around by the nose by the U.S. lobbyists and he has ignored the Canadian input.

What we are having in these negotiations in Geneva right now is the mandatory snooping of individual Internet use, the attempt to personally seize computers at the border to search and seize, and the use of lawsuits against individuals.

The difference is, though, average citizens that he is trying to criminalize can vote while the U.S. ambassador cannot. Does he think he is going to get away with this without consultations?

[Jim Prentice, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, there is a fair bit of shrill rhetoric in there.

The government will deal with the balancing of the rights of consumers, on the one hand, and creators, on the other. It is a difficult job. It is well in hand. The bill will be introduced in due course. In the meantime, if the NDP wishes to lead its members along by their own noses, it can do so.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, we need to know more about the apology to be made to survivors of residential schools taking place one week from today. This will be a significant day for all Canadians.

Have arrangements been made to have the aboriginal leadership and elders on the floor of the House to receive this apology?

Will aboriginal organizations be consulted on the content?

Will leaders of all parties have an opportunity to make a statement?

Because of the fiduciary relationship between aboriginal people and the Crown, will the Governor General be included?

[Chuck Strahl, Conservative, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians]

Mr. Speaker, in the throne speech, the government has promised, and the Prime Minister will be making, an apology, a meaningful and respectful apology, to first nations. Some of them have been waiting for generations.

That was in the throne speech. It was passed. It will be done on June 11. Details are being discussed with survivors and with national aboriginal organizations. An announcement is due shortly.

Organized Sports

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, a recent Statistics Canada study found that under the former Liberal government, children's participation in organized sports activities declined. Our government believes that an active lifestyle is important for the health of all Canadians, especially children.

Could the Minister of Health update the House on what actions our government has taken to get kids more active?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, the government does recognize that we must improve on the record of the previous government for sure. That is why we invested and recreated ParticipACTION. That is why we increased Sport Canada's annual participation budget by $5 million to encourage young girls and aboriginal youth to be more active. That is why we introduced, through budget 2006, the new children's fitness tax credit.

We are acting. Our predecessors did nothing, but we are ensuring that our kids remain active.

Afghanistan

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order, please. Following discussions with representatives of all parties in the House, I invite hon. members to rise and observe a moment of silence in memory of the Canadian soldier who was killed recently in Afghanistan.

[A moment of silence observed]

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I also have an announcement to make to the House.

Gordon Slater began as Dominion Carillonneur in 1977 and has become, not only the voice of the Peace Tower but an integral part of Parliament's daily routine.

Over the last three decades, his daily carillon concerts have been a tangible, enduring and delightful expression of his love of Canada and its history, and his passion for music.

I know that he has on occasion felt somewhat ignored by his audience, but I would like him to know that his music has been greatly appreciated and that his unique talents will be missed when he leaves the Hill at the end of June.

I invite all honourable members to recognize the presence in the gallery of Mr. Gordon Slater, the Dominion Carillonneur.

Mr. Slater, congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. On behalf of all members, I thank you for your devoted service to the Parliament of Canada.

Congratulations and thank you, Gordon Slater.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

The House resumed from May 28 consideration of the motion that Bill C-393, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (punishment and hearing), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Criminal Code

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Order, please. It being 3:10 p.m., pursuant to order made Tuesday, June 3, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-393, under private member's business.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #123

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I declare the motion carried.

Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

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

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, in the recording of the vote that was just taken, the clerk referred to me as the member for Palliser rather than as Mr. Bezan. I would like to make sure that I am noted as voting in favour of this bill.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

We will double-check and if there is any error in name calling, I am sure the record will be corrected to show it was the hon. member, because of course he was caught on film.

The House resumed from May 29 consideration of Bill C-377, An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change, as reported (with amendment) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.

Climate Change Accountability Act

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Pursuant to order made on Tuesday, June 3, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the motions at report stage of Bill C-377 under private members' business.

The question is on Motion No. 1.

(The House divided on Motion No. 1, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #124

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I declare Motion No. 1 carried.

The next question is on Motion No. 2.

[Jay Hill, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I know it is highly unusual, but I think if you were to seek it, and with the approval of the sponsor of this legislation, you might find unanimous consent from the members in the chamber to apply the results of the vote just taken to the next three amendments and the concurrence motion on Bill C-377.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Is there unanimous consent to proceed in this way?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(The House divided on Motion No. 2, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #125

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I declare the motion carried. The next question is on Motion No. 3.

(The House divided on Motion No. 3, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #126