Debates of Nov. 25th, 2009

Poverty

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, I will explain what I explained yesterday to the hon. member because he apparently did not understand, and since then has been defamatory and accusatory in a very unparliamentary way.

The facts are that, according to Statistics Canada's 2007 “Income in Canada” report, the low income rate for children in 1996, during the Liberal tenure, was 18.4%. In 2007, after our government had been in place for two years, it was 9.5%.

The Liberal member needs to withdraw his comments, apologize to Canadians, and apologize to this party as well.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of a number of people today.

We have in the gallery the winners of the 2009 Governor General's Literary Awards: Hervé Bouchard; Nicole Champeau; Kevin Loring; Jirina Marton; Julie Mazzieri; Hélène Monette; Janice Nadeau; Paule Noyart; Susan Ouriou; Caroline Pignat; Kate Pullinger; M.G. Vassanji; and David Zieroth.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I would also like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Nancy Heppner, Minister of Environment for Saskatchewan.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

I would also like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of Mary Simon, National Inuit Leader and President of the Inuit Taporiit Kanatami.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

Withdrawal of Remark

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Yesterday after question period I rose on a point of order. I was referencing an answer from the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development where she suggested incorrectly that poverty has been cut in half under her watch. I referred to her answer at that time as an absolute lie.

I know the rules of the House and I respect Parliament, and I know that I should not have used that word. I want to withdraw that remark and offer an unconditional apology to the minister and to the House.

In the spirit of conciliation, I am also prepared to table a report entitled “The 2009 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada”, which the minister can reference to have the correct information in the future.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to table this document?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

No.

[Diane Finley, Conservative, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development]

Mr. Speaker, I do accept the apology from the member opposite.

However, I do find it very unfortunate that a member of the House can make a slur against any other member of the House and then only retract the following day after damage has been done. I do find that unacceptable, especially as I was able to demonstrate to you, Mr. Speaker, and to the rest of the House today that what I did say was indeed factual.

[Joe Volpe, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the reference that has been made in the comparison between statistics in 1996 and 2009 is absolutely fraudulent. The comparison should be 2004 and 2006.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

An argument on the facts is a matter that is beyond the control of the Chair and is not the subject of a point of order. We will consider the matter closed at this time.

Business of Supply

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Pursuant to order made Friday, June 19, 2009, I have the honour to lay upon the table a proposed formula for the distribution of allotted days in each of the supply periods of 2010.

Veterans Affairs

[Greg Thompson, Conservative, Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table, in both official languages, the 2008-09 annual report of the Veterans Ombudsman.

Government Response to Petitions

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary 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 responses to 17 petitions.

Library of Parliament

[Peter Goldring, Conservative, Edmonton East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament with respect to the supplementary estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.

Citizenship and Immigration

[David Tilson, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration entitled, “Recognizing Success: A Report on Improving Foreign Credential Recognition”.

Procedure and House Affairs

[Joe Preston, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 25th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding memberships of committees of the House.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 25th report later this day.

International Trade

[Lee Richardson, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on International Trade entitled, “Promotional Funding for Beef Exports”.

Procedure and House Affairs

[Joe Preston, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 25th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier today, be concurred in.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Does the hon. member for Elgin—Middlesex—London have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

No.

Bill C-36

[Jay Hill, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I present this motion on behalf of my colleague the chief government whip. There have been discussions between all parties and I think you will find unanimous consent for the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, if the recorded division on the amendment to the third reading motion of Bill C-36, An Act to amend the Criminal Code is negatived, the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the third reading motion of Bill C-36 without further debate or amendment.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Does the hon. Leader of the Government in the House of Commons have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?