House of Commons Hansard #83 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was agreements.

Topics

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:20 p.m.

NDP

The Acting Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

Order, please. I would like to ask for a little bit of order in the House. This is a period of questions and comments and I would ask members to wait until they are recognized. The hon. member for York South—Weston.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Alan Tonks Liberal York South—Weston, ON

Madam Speaker, I am sure the House has no hesitation in supporting the spirit of what the member has laid out in terms of respect for human rights and in particular, the rights of trade unionists without being victimized. There is no argument with that.

However, when I was sitting on the natural resources committee, we listened to the forestry industry that she had cited and we had all kinds of representations before the committee that talked about the advancements that had been made by the Danes, who had taken a lesser quality fibre, had used innovation and developed new markets, and developed a very vibrant forestry sector.

The objective of these kinds of relationships is to have investment where investment is needed. Was that investment not needed in the forestry industry? I am not saying that this agreement will achieve all of that, but is it not a step in the direction to the transfers of capital and investing in Canadian industries and sectors, and reciprocally in Panamanian sectors that will benefit the have nots.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON

Madam Speaker, I greatly appreciate the comments my hon. colleague has made, but let us be clear here. If we look at northern Ontario, how many people have actually lost their jobs in the forestry sector? Has this actually been beneficial? We are looking at signing an agreement where Canadian and foreign corporations, who move to Panama, flout Canadian labour laws and pay their workers in Panama an average of $2 an hour. That is about $300 a month. Let us look at that in reality: no pensions, no benefits, no sick days.

Canadian law states that workers enjoy certain minimum workplace safety laws. Corporations in Panama do not have to do that at any cost. We are seeing people die. Let us really respect human rights.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

The Acting Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

Resuming debate. Is the House ready for the question?

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Question.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I do have some points to make on this particular bill. Obviously, you saw me stand up several times asking questions--

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON

No, you didn't. You never got up.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

The Acting Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

Order, please. I had recognized the member for a number of questions and when I asked to resume debate, no one rose so I began to read the motion. I believe I must continue at this point.

The question is on the amendment. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the amendment?

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

The Acting Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

All those in favour of the amendment will please say yea.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Yea.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

The Acting Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

All those opposed will please say nay.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Nay.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

The Acting Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

In my opinion the nays have it.

And five or more members having risen:

The vote is deferred until tomorrow after government orders.

The House resumed from October 19 consideration of the motion that Bill C-39, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Ending Early Release for Criminals and Increasing Offender Accountability ActGovernment Orders

5:25 p.m.

NDP

The Acting Speaker NDP Denise Savoie

It being 5:30 p.m. the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-39.

Call in the members.

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

Vote #99

Ending Early Release for Criminals and Increasing Offender Accountability ActGovernment Orders

6:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

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

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

6:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The hon. chief government whip is rising on a point of order.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

6:15 p.m.

Conservative

Gordon O'Connor Conservative Carleton—Mississippi Mills, ON

Mr. Speaker, if you seek I believe you will find unanimous consent to proceed with the vote on the amendment on Bill C-46.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

6:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

Is there unanimous consent to proceed in this fashion?

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

6:15 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Canada-Panama Free Trade ActGovernment Orders

6:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer

The question is on the amendment.