House of Commons Hansard #17 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was documents.
Documents regarding Afghan DetaineesRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, given that the opposition seemingly believes that the treatment of Taliban prisoners is a top priority for Canadians, and given the high volume of documents, we are asking for unanimous consent to table related documents untranslated and without prejudice to the procedural arguments now before the House.
The documents are mostly in English, but there are also some French documents.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Does the hon. parliamentary secretary have unanimous consent to table these documents?
Stockwell Day ConservativePresident of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, on behalf of my colleagues, part III of the estimates consisting of 95 reports on plans and priorities.
These documents will be distributed to the members of the standing committee to assist them in assessing the spending powers requested in part II of the main estimates.
Shelly Glover ConservativeParliamentary Secretary for Official Languages
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 parliamentary delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) respecting its participation at the bureau meeting of the APF, held in N’Djamena, Chad, from February 2 to 4, 2010.
Judy Sgro Liberal York West, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand today and present part of the thousands of petitions that I am receiving from Canadians and in particular from the residents of York West who are opposed to Bill C-384 that would allow any medical practitioner to assist in death.
Clearly, my constituents, as many others, have very serious concerns and issues with this and have asked that I table these many petitions, which I will continue to do at every opportunity as they are coming into my office.
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise with two petitions today. The first is a petition signed by citizens from across the country calling on the government to extend funding to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, which will expire on March 31 this year.
As the petition states, residential schools have caused incalculable physical and mental trauma to aboriginal people in this country, not only to residential school survivors themselves but to generations of first nations.
The Aboriginal Healing Foundation is fostering important healing processes through counselling and cultural programs delivered in communities from coast to coast to coast. The Healing Our Spirit BC Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Society of Vancouver is one organization delivering valuable programs, thanks to this foundation.
I am pleased to stand in the House and present this petition requesting that funding for these vital healing programs be continued until the need for healing is ended; a day that is still sadly in the future.
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Second, Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition signed by citizens from Vancouver Kingsway and across the lower mainland calling on the government to press for an urgent review of NATO's policies regarding nuclear weapons.
The petitioners note that the continued presence of 25,000 nuclear weapons around the world poses a constant threat to all life on earth. Canada has signed and ratified the non-proliferation treaty which is a legal obligation committing this country to work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons.
Accordingly, the petitioners ask the government to work to eliminate reliance on nuclear weapons from NATO's strategic defence documents and to reaffirm its commitment to the goal of total global nuclear disarmament.
Robert Bouchard Bloc Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to present two petitions calling for a continued moratorium to ensure that rural postal services are maintained. These petitions are signed by residents of Ferland-et-Boilleau and Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, in my riding.
I reiterate, on behalf of these people, the need to maintain rural postal services and to uphold the moratorium with respect to postal services in these areas.
Rural postal services are very important because, in small towns, post offices remain a place where people gather and talk to each other.
These are small communities, and I am pleased to present these two petitions on behalf of these two communities.
John Duncan Conservative Vancouver Island North, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition from approximately 100 constituents. They support Bill C-474, which is about the approval of genetically engineered seeds in Canada, which are not also approved in our export market, so this is a concern. They are also concerned about unexpected and unwanted contamination from genetically engineered crops. They are concerned with government seed regulations, and regulations of novel foods and plants with novel traits, which do not include assessment or consideration of potential impacts or harm from the release of these seeds.
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is an honour to rise in the House today to present a petition on behalf of many constituents in my riding of Ottawa South. I would like to recognize the ongoing hard work and dedication of countless members of the Riverside United Church and the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, particularly Mr. Norman McLeod, who took the time to personally meet with me on this important matter.
The petitioners express grave concern with the government's decision to cut funding to KAIROS with no warning or explanation. They call upon the government and the Minister of International Cooperation to reverse their decision, restore KAIROS' long-standing relationship with CIDA and reinstate its funding.
KAIROS is the human rights and ecological justice organization of the Canadian churches. Since 1973, KAIROS and its predecessor coalitions have helped Canada act on its overseas aid obligations by channeling matched CIDA funds to human rights and women's groups in Africa, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. It is a privilege to table this petition on behalf of my constituents.
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Mr. Speaker, in the last couple of weeks it has been my honour to visit with my constituents of Burnaby—New Westminster at public meetings. There have been hundreds and hundreds of residents out, all concerned about the HST that is being imposed by the federal government. I have in my hand a petition signed by dozens of residents of Burnaby--New Westminister and other areas of the Lower Mainland calling upon the government to rescind the HST. What they say is very clear.
The petitioners are saying to the government that they cannot afford the $500 each that would come out of pocket as a result of the HST. They believe it is an unfair tax shift and at a time when so many families in British Columbia are struggling to pay their bills, they feel it is completely inappropriate for the Conservative government to impose the HST on British Columbians. I table this petition.
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from approximately 50 of my constituents. The petition asks the Government of Canada to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.
Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to table a petition from residents who are very concerned about the fact that the Aboriginal Healing Foundation funding is going to end on March 31. They draw to our attention something that we all know and that is that the residential schools caused extensive physical and mental trauma experienced by the survivors that was also passed on to future generations.
They tell us in very clear terms that the foundation has had a mandate in encouraging and supporting aboriginal people in building and reinforcing sustainable healing processes that address the legacy of physical and sexual abuse in the residential school system.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to leave a true legacy of action to the residential school survivors through an extension of funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to present this petition from dozens of constituents. The petitioners request the Minister of Industry and the House of Commons to amend section 36 of the Investment Canada Act, in order to make public the details of undertakings made by foreign companies during Canadian acquisitions. They further request that the Minister of Industry make public the undertakings made during the acquisition of Inco and Falconbridge. They support Bill C-488, Bill C-489 and Bill C-490.
A couple of companies in my riding have been taken over by a foreign company, Vale from Brazil. It has been a net drain on my community. These petitioners want this to stop in the future.
James Rajotte Conservative Edmonton—Leduc, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to present two petitions on behalf of constituents. The first petition calls upon the Government of Canada to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.
James Rajotte Conservative Edmonton—Leduc, AB
Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls upon Parliament to change the tax laws to allow small-sized and medium-sized businesses to compete on a more level playing field with large retail co-operatives.
These petitioners specifically request that Parliament change the tax laws that allow retail co-operatives to avoid paying corporate income tax through patronage dividends paid out as non-cash shares.
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to submit a petition in support of a national housing strategy. These petitioners are calling for an increased federal role in housing, through investments in not for profit housing, housing for the homeless, access to housing for those with different needs, and sustainable and environmentally sound design, but investments that actually go beyond the one time stimulus investment in budget 2009 and 2010.
The petitioners are asking for swift passage of Bill C-304; a very timely request since this bill is soon to be reported to the House and receive third reading. So, the petitioners and I look forward very much to the minister's response.
Justin Trudeau Liberal Papineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am rising today to present a petition to support a universal declaration on animal welfare.
Jim Maloway NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present two petitions this morning.
Thousands of Canadians are calling on Parliament to adopt Canada's first air passengers' bill of rights. Bill C-310 would compensate air passengers on all Canadian carriers, including charters, anywhere they fly.
The bill would also provide compensation for overbooked flights, cancelled flights and long tarmac delays. It would also address issues such as late and misplaced baggage. It would require all-inclusive pricing by airlines in all their advertising.
The legislation has been in effect in Europe for five years. Why should an Air Canada passenger receive better treatment in Europe than in Canada?
The airlines would have to inform passengers of flight changes, either delays or cancellations. The new rules must be posted in the airport and airlines must inform passengers of their rights and the process to file for compensation. If the airlines follow the rules, it would cost them nothing.
The petitioners call on the government to support Bill C-310 that would introduce Canada's first air passengers' bill of rights.
Jim Maloway NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, the second petition, signed by many Canadians, calls on the Canadian government to match funds personally donated by the citizens of Canada for the earthquake victims in Chile. On February 27, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in southern Chile. The Chilean Canadian community has mobilized. It had fundraising events in Winnipeg, on March 6, where $10,000 was raised. This past Saturday, March 20, 1,000 people attended a social event to raise money.
The question is, when will the Prime Minister give the same treatment to the earthquake victims in Chile as he did for the earthquake victims in Haiti and match funds personally donated by Canadians to help the earthquake victims in Chile?
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
The House resumed from March 24 consideration of the motion that Bill C-2, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Colombia, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Colombia and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Colombia, be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the motion that this question be now put.