Debates of Nov. 6th, 2009

Animal Welfare

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition signed by constituents of mine and other residents of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia who believe that there is scientific consensus and public acknowledgement that animals can feel pain, believe all efforts should be made to prevent animal cruelty, and that over one billion people around the world rely on animals for their livelihood or for companionship.

The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.

Adoptive Parents Benefits

[Jim Maloway, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I present a petition which calls for equal employment insurance benefits for adoptive parents.

Adoption is an important and essential act in a compassionate, caring and just society. Under the current EI program, adoptive parents are given 35 weeks of paid leave followed by a further 15 weeks of unpaid leave. Under the law, a biological mother is given both the first 35 weeks and the latter 15 weeks as paid leave.

Adoptions in Canada are often expensive and lengthy and they are stressful on the adoptive parents. Recent studies have shown that an additional 15 weeks of paid leave would help parents better support their adoptive children and handle many of the specific issues they must face.

The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to support Bill C-413, which would amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Labour Code to ensure that an adoptive parent is entitled to the same number of weeks of paid leave as a biological mother of a newborn child.

Animal Welfare

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present to the House today pursuant to Standing Order 36 and as certified by the clerk of petitions.

The first one has to do with support for the universal declaration on animal welfare.

These residents from Burlington, Oakville and my riding of Mississauga South draw to the attention of the House that there is a scientific consensus and public acknowledgement that animals can feel pain and suffer, and all efforts should be made to prevent animal cruelty and reduce animal suffering. They also indicate that over one billion people around the world rely on animals for their livelihood and many others rely on animals for companionship.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to support a universal declaration on animal welfare, which we will be debating later this day.

Protection of Human Life

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition concerns the protection of human life.

The petitioners who are from various points across Canada call upon Parliament to recognize that Canada is a country that respects human rights and includes in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that everyone has the right to life. They point out that it has been 40 years, since May 14, 1969, when Parliament changed the law to permit abortion, and that since January 28, 1988 Canada has had no law to protect the lives of the unborn.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to pass legislation for the protection of human life from the time of conception until natural death.

Public Safety Officers Compensation Fund

[Paul Szabo, Liberal, Mississauga South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the final petition has to do with probably one of my favourite topics, although I am not expressing an opinion of support or contrary. It has to do with public safety officers, police officers and firefighters.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to recognize that police officers and firefighters are required to place their lives at risk in the execution of their duties on a daily basis. They indicate that the employment benefits of these police officers and firefighters often provide insufficient compensation to the families of those who are killed while on duty. They point out that the public also mourns the loss of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty and wish to support in a tangible way the surviving families in their time of need.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to establish a fund known as the public safety officers compensation fund for the benefit of families of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the following question will be answered today: No. 453.

Question No. 453

[Claude Gravelle, NDP, Nickel Belt, ON]

Is the federal riding of Parry Sound—Muskoka within the jurisdicition of the Southern Ontario Development Agency or the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor)?

[Tony Clement, Conservative, Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, the entire riding of Parry Sound--Muskoka is within FedNor's jurisdiction.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 418, 419, 420, 421 and 423 could be made orders for returns, these returns would be tabled immediately.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Question No. 418

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Concerning the length of time it takes to apply for permanent residency under the immigration sponsor program with the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, what is the average wait time, in days, from the day an application is submitted until permanent residency is awarded to an applicant in each year during the period of 2005-2009?

(Return tabled)

Question No. 419

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Concerning the length of time claimants wait for a refugee claim and appellants wait for an immigration appeal to be heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board, what was: (a) the average wait time, in days, for claimants to have their refugee claims heard before the Board in each year during the period of 2005-2009; and (b) the average wait time, in days, for appellants to have their appeals heard before the Immigration Appeals Division in each year during the period of 2005-2009?

(Return tabled)

Question No. 420

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

With respect to the organizations that officially requested the attendance of the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism to an event since January 2008: (a) what were the names of the organizations, the names of the events, the organizers, the dates, times, and locations; (b) did the Minister attend the event and, if not, what is the name of the government representative who attended the event in lieu of the Minister; and (c) what were the costs of any advertisements in event publications or greetings, and the description and costs of any gifts to the event or organizers?

(Return tabled)

Question No. 421

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

With respect to contracts under $10,000 granted by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration since January 1, 2008, what are: (a) the names of the contractors; (b) the amounts of the contracts; (c) the dates of the contracts; (d) the dates of completion; and (e) the descriptions of the services provided?

(Return tabled)

Question No. 423

[Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, Brampton—Springdale, ON]

With respect to Ministerial Permits granted by the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, for each month since January 2006 and by country of origin: (a) how many requests were (i) granted, (ii) refused; and (b) how many individuals did not abide by the terms and conditions of the permit?

(Return tabled)

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Private Members' Business

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The Chair would like to take a brief moment to provide some information to the House regarding the management of private members' business.

As members know, after the Order of Precedence is replenished, the Chair reviews the new items so as to alert the House to bills which at first glance appear to impinge on the financial prerogative of the Crown. This allows members the opportunity to intervene in a timely fashion to present their views about the need for those bills to be accompanied by a royal recommendation.

Accordingly, following the November 2 replenishment of the order of precedence with 15 new items, I wish to inform the House that Bill C-343, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Employment Insurance Act (family leave), standing in the name of the member for Compton—Stanstead, gives the Chair some concern as to the spending provisions it contemplates. I would encourage hon. members who would like to make arguments regarding the need for a royal recommendation to accompany this bill, or any of the other bills now on the order of precedence, to do so at an early opportunity.

I thank the House for its attention.