House of Commons Hansard #67 of the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was health.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Does the hon. member for Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord have the unanimous consent of the House to table this document?
Stockwell Day ConservativeMinister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, a report entitled “Canada's Engagement in Afghanistan”.
Stockwell Day ConservativeMinister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, a report entitled “Canada's State of Trade: Trade and Investment Update--2009”.
Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary 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 72 petitions.
Louis Plamondon Bloc Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC
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 branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie respecting its participation in the meeting of the APF's Commission de la coopération et du développement, held in Cotonou from April 28 to 30, 2009.
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I too have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association respecting its bilateral visits to Algeria and Tunisia from February 15 to 20 of this year.
Joe Preston Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(a)(viii) I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding matters related to the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in this report later this day.
Also, if the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, which was presented in the House on May 15, regarding the review of Standing Orders 153, on list of reports, and 156, editorial corrections, later this day.
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-401, An Act to establish a national literacy policy.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to have this opportunity to reintroduce my private member's bill, calling for a national literacy policy.
A national literacy program would help to ensure that educational initiatives would be undertaken to assist Canada's young people with literacy issues. The bedrock of any education is the ability to read and write effectively, and a lifetime of learning requires a solid foundation. This would be assisted by the creation of a national literacy program.
Illiteracy in our country costs the economy an estimated $10 billion annually, not to mention the ongoing daily struggles of those who must contend with limited skills in reading and writing. Ultimately, there is no short or long-term benefit to shortchanging the future of Canada by failing to adequately invest in the education of young Canadians.
I urge the government to consider the important national initiative and recognize that by ensuring our young people receive the best possible education, we are also ensuring that our society thrives, grows and prospers.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-402, An Act to provide for the harmonization of environmental standards throughout Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to reintroduce my private member's bill, calling for the harmonization of environmental standards through Canada.
Current environmental practices are well-intentioned, but in many cases they simply work in an ineffective and uncoordinated way. If there is one thing we must know about an effective response to serious environmental degradation, it is that a coordination of efforts and resources are needed to make a lasting and serious difference.
I therefore urge the government and all present to untie the hands of existing environmental protection efforts and to co-operate toward a greener future and a cleaner future.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-403, An Act to amend the Alternative Fuels Act and the Excise Tax Act (motor vehicles operating on alternative fuels).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a bill that addresses the urgent need to promote vehicles that operate on alternative fuels. The bill would amend the Alternative Fuels Act by creating an obligation for the federal government to ensure that no less than 10% of motor vehicles acquired by all federal agencies and crown corporations use alternative fuels.
The bill would also amend the Excise Tax Act to encourage the purchase of or conversion to a vehicle that operates on alternative fuels. This would be accomplished by providing a rebate on goods and services tax paid by the purchaser.
It is vital that we encourage Canadians to think environmentally and to take action by moving to alternative fuels. It is also vital that the government lead the way by providing an appropriate example.
I encourage the support of all members in this place on this important initiative.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-404, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (failure to prevent access to child pornography).
Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a bill today that would amend the Criminal Code to ensure that anyone who would permit another person to access child pornography or who would fail to take reasonable steps to prevent access to such material be penalized under the law.
The bill is dedicated to Holly Jones, a young girl who was murdered on May 12, 2003, in my riding of Davenport. We need to protect all children from exploitation, and the key to this is cutting off access.
I strongly encourage all my colleagues to support the bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-405, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (firefighters).
Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to introduce a bill today that would hold fully accountable those who would deliberately contribute to the dangers firefighters have to contend with each day by virtue of criminal behaviour. The vital service provided by firefighters is something for which we should always be grateful. In times of emergency, these men and women demonstrate incredible courage and unwavering bravery in service to their communities.
It is for this reason that we are called upon to act to protect them under the Criminal Code from those who would willingly and purposely add to the dangers faced by firefighters when they act in the course of their duty.
I implore all colleagues to support the bill and, in so doing, to continue to honour the hard work and dedication demonstrated each day by firefighters across Canada.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-406, An Act to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada's first officially commissioned letter carrier.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in the House to introduce a bill to recognize Pedro da Silva as Canada's first officially commissioned letter carrier.
Keeping in mind the enormous contributions by the Portuguese Canadian community to Canada, it is important that we recognize the enduring legacy of Pedro da Silva, a trapper and carter living in New France. He was first commissioned to transport a packet of letters from Quebec to Montreal in 1693, and he was Canada's first official commissioned letter carrier by virtue of his appointment as first courier in 1705.
I urge all of my colleagues in the House to assist in recognizing this important cultural milestone in Canada's history.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Michael Savage Liberal Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS
moved that Bill S-217, An Act respecting a National Philanthropy Day, be read the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring the bill, which passed in the other place, into this place. I want to thank my colleague from Nipissing—Timiskaming, a wonderful philanthropist.
It is important that we recognize the work of philanthropy. As somebody who has spent a lot of time working for not-for-profit organizations, like a lot of members in the House, I recognize the importance of those who give of their money as well as other resources to make Canada a better place.
I want to thank Senator Grafstein, who is a great philanthropist and who has raised a lot of money for worthy causes, and my good friend Senator Mercer, who has been a long-time champion of philanthropy.
We look forward to making November 15 national philanthropy day.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Joe Preston Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House earlier this day be concurred in. The report concerns gifts under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin
Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?
Marcel Proulx Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We refuse consent for the simple reason that there has been no consultation on our side of the House. If we could have consultation, we could probably do this very quickly afterwards.
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I appreciate the remarks of the previous speaker, but these rules will govern all members of the House. I have personally not had a chance to read them. I think all members should have a chance to read the rules that govern them.
I know the member is doing what he has been told to do, but this member is saying that all members should have an opportunity to read the rules that we govern ourselves by. A quick concurrence does not do the job for me. Therefore, I am going to withhold consent for that reason. I respect the hon. member's attempt to get the rules passed quickly.
Joe Preston Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, I also move that the House give its consent that the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House on May 15 be concurred in.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin
Does the hon. member have unanimous consent of the House?
Ralph Goodale Liberal Wascana, SK
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It may well be that what the hon. gentleman is asking for in terms of unanimous consent can be given and the matter can be proceeded with. However, in the absence of the normal type of consultation, it cannot be sprung on the House without notice. We are happy to look at it. We are happy to give consent. Maybe that can be done later today. However, the normal consultation needs to take place.