House of Commons Hansard #10 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was air.
Phil McColeman Conservative Brant, ON
Mr. Speaker, this week marks two years since Iranians went to the polls to express their democratic will. The regime in Tehran responded with repression.
Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs please comment on this anniversary?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, we stand with our allies in condemning this regime and the crackdown that followed the election just two short years ago. It was absolutely brutal and totally uncalled for.
Two years on, the repression continues, sadly, in Iran. Next door in Syria, Iranian officials are assisting the al-Assad regime's crackdown on the vulnerable people of Syria.
We will work with the international community to increase pressure on these regimes. We stand with the people of Syria. We stand with the people of Iran who yearn to be free and to exercise their rights.
Raymond Côté NDP Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Mr. Speaker, Gilbert Rozon's recent report on the performance of Quebec's tourism industry points out the multitude of aging attractions and the shortage of new projects. The report also highlights the lack of a common vision amongst the industry's players.
Will this government commit to working closely with the Quebec government and industry stakeholders to develop a vision for the future of Quebec's tourism industry?
Maxime Bernier ConservativeMinister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his question and congratulate him on being elected.
I have just come from Vancouver, where I met with representatives of the Canadian Tourism Commission. I can tell the hon. member that we are developing a tourism strategy for Canada. It is a very important industry. Last week, I met with my colleague, the tourism minister for Quebec. We are working for the tourism industry and we will soon have an effective strategy that responds to the public's requests.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Environment and concerns oil and gas exploration.
I certainly agree with hon. members of the official opposition about risks of oil and gas in British Columbia, but on the other coast while many areas have been developed, one has never been touched.
This is the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a most biologically productive region with over 2,000 marine species including endangered blue whales. It is now threatened by a deep water oil well. This is a region that touches five provinces.
The minister has received the request for a joint panel. Could he tell this House if he agrees?
Peter Kent ConservativeMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on her first question on the environment in this House. I hope that our ongoing dialogue will continue to be based on facts and science. The government is committed to ensuring—
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Order, please. I do not think the hon. minister was finished his reply.
Peter Kent Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm for my hon. colleague that I have received a request from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board to refer the project to a review. I will consider the facts and make a decision in due course.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I wish to draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the Ladies Gallery of Mr. Rick Hansen, a celebrated athlete and a recipient of the Companion Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia.
Thomas Mulcair NDP Outremont, QC
Mr. Speaker, as you said, it is time for the usual Thursday question. However, today, we find ourselves in circumstances that are anything but ordinary. There are only four days left before the scheduled end of this session. In these four days, we will see what the priorities of this government are because two days must be allotted for supply days. The budget must be adopted to cover the expenditures required for the proper functioning of the government. Two days are reserved for the opposition. Naturally, as we just saw in question period, there are attempts to rush the usual way of handling labour relations.
It will then be a matter of determining the government's priorities. For example, the budget implementation bill provides for an increase in the guaranteed income supplement. We do not believe that it is sufficient, but it is still worth supporting. It is interesting because this is directly related to what is currently happening with pensions. People are retiring without enough money to live on, and the government must help them. At the same time, government policies are such that more people will be retiring with insufficient income.
The question is this: what is the government's priority? Does it want to help seniors in need? Does it want to follow up on the proposal by my colleague from Windsor—Tecumseh to deal with the problem of mega-trials, or will they let other Hells Angels go free? What is the government's priority? What is our priority for the next four days?
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I will give a complete answer by moving a motion. There have been consultations among the parties, and I believe that we will have unanimous consent on this motion.
That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mega-trials) be disposed of at all stages as follows:
(a) not more than 1.7 hours shall be allotted for the consideration at second reading;
(b) if the bill is not reported back by Wednesday, June 22, 2011 during routine proceedings, it shall be deemed to have been reported from the Committee without amendment;
(c) upon being reported from Committee the bill shall be deemed concurred in at report stage and deemed read a third time and passed.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Does the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, having dealt with that, I can provide a full answer to the question from my friend, the House leader of the official opposition.
We will call Bill C-2, following routine proceedings today. Pursuant to the order just adopted, we will complete the second reading stage of Bill C-2 before we rise.
As decided last week, the House will not sit tomorrow, as a courtesy to the New Democratic members, so they may attend their convention in Vancouver.
On Monday, we will continue debating back-to-work matters. Tuesday, June 21, and Wednesday, June 22, shall be allotted days. On Thursday, we will complete report stage and third reading of Bill C-3, An Act to implement certain provisions of the 2011 budget as updated on June 6, 2011.
Should developments arise relating to the current labour matters at Air Canada and Canada Post, it may be necessary to adjust the business of the House, and I will advise members accordingly when that arises.
Notice of Closure MotionContinuing Air Service for Passengers ActOral Questions
York—Simcoe Ontario
Conservative
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, with respect to the consideration of Government Business No. 2, at the next sitting, a minister of the Crown shall move, pursuant to Standing Order 57, that debate be not further adjourned.
Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have a point of order arising out of question period where the Minister of State (Finance) erroneously asserted that the federal Conservative government had nothing to do with the HST.
I would like to give the minister an opportunity to correct the information by pointing out Bill C-62, which was introduced December 2009 and brought in the HST by this federal government.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
That is not a point of order; it is a point of debate. If the member wants to expand on that, she can try to get it on the question period rotation list to do it then, but not on points of order.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I have the honour to lay upon the table a special report from the Canadian Human Rights Commission entitled, “Now a Matter of Rights: Extending Full Human Rights Protection to First Nations”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(e), this document is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I have the honour, pursuant to section 38 of the Access to Information Act, to lay upon the table the report of the Information Commissioner for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(h) this document is deemed to have been permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
Annual Report of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics CommissionerOral Questions
Conservative
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Pursuant to subsection 90(1)(b) of the Parliament of Canada Act, it is my duty to present to the House the annual report of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner in respect of the Conflict of Interest Act for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011.