House of Commons Hansard #128 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was labour.

Topics

Canada–Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity ActGovernment Orders

6:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

Before recognizing the hon. member for Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, I must inform him that I will have to interrupt him at 6:30 p.m., at the end of the time provided for government business.

The hon. member for Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher.

Canada–Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity ActGovernment Orders

6:25 p.m.

NDP

Pierre Nantel NDP Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC

Mr. Speaker, it is pretty funny to realize I only have only three minutes to talk about all this, but what is even funnier—and I am not a specialist in international agreements—is when I hear my Liberal colleague talk about the credibility of the people in the NDP.

I think it is hilarious and laughable that, when his former leader had his ships registered in Panama, the lakers in the Great Lakes got themselves beautiful Panamanian flags. People can see right away the kind of country it is. As this is one of the rare opportunities I have to speak about this issue, I have to say that today it is certainly the cherry on the top to talk about this agreement with a country that is none too encouraging in terms of the Canadian economy.

Once again, we see the government on the other side preparing to slip a bill through that will put CP workers up against the wall with a gun to their heads, and simultaneously presenting us with a potential free trade agreement with a country where workers at many levels are denied the right to strike. And when I suggest that the whole thing is laughable, it is because their proposal does not at first glance strike me as obviously popular; what they are putting forward is a plan for a free trade agreement with Panama, a country which, to say the very least, does not have a sterling reputation and is recognized as one of the most notorious of tax havens.

I was reading Le Devoir, which reported that Panama was one of the countries where tax shelter transactions, like those currently practised in Barbados, were most widespread. I find the whole idea pathetic.

I am not casting aspersions on the people in Panama who have products to export. But I wonder whether tomatoes will cross the border more readily than people. We are going to trade agricultural products with these people, but we do not want to see their faces, and that is very sad.

Once again, it' is a back door agreement that serves the interests of a number of specific people who have lobbied the government, which always tends to lend a friendly ear to business interests rather than ordinary people. Enough said.

Canada–Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity ActGovernment Orders

6:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

The Hon. member for Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher will have seven minutes to speak when the House resumes debate on the motion and five minutes for questions and comments.

The House resumed from May 17 consideration of Bill C-25, An Act relating to pooled registered pension plans and making related amendments to other Acts, as reported (without amendment) from the committee.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

6:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

It being 6:30 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division at the report stage of Bill C-25.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on Motion No. 1, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #225

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

I declare Motion No. 1 defeated.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

Peter Van Loan Conservative York—Simcoe, ON

moved that the bill be concurred in.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

Gordon O'Connor Conservative Carleton—Mississippi Mills, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. If you seek it, I believe you will find agreement to apply the vote for the previous motion to the current motion, with the Conservatives voting yes.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

Does the chief government whip have the consent of the House to proceed in this fashion?

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

NDP

Nycole Turmel NDP Hull—Aylmer, QC

Mr. Speaker, the NDP is willing to proceed, but will vote against.

We would also like to add two “no” votes by the hon. member for Burnaby—New Westminster and the hon. member for Scarborough—Rouge River.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Liberal

Judy Foote Liberal Random—Burin—St. George's, NL

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals agree, and we are voting yes.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Bloc

Louis Plamondon Bloc Bas-Richelieu—Nicolet—Bécancour, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc votes yes.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, the Green Party votes no.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Independent

Peter Goldring Independent Edmonton East, AB

Mr. Speaker, I will be voting yes.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Conservative

Gordon O'Connor Conservative Carleton—Mississippi Mills, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I have just been made aware that the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells is not in the vote. Discount her name for this vote.

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

Vote #226

Pooled Registered Pension Plans ActGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

I declare the motion carried.

The House resumed from May 18 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion--Komagata Maru IncidentBusiness of SupplyGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion relating to the business of supply.

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

Vote #227

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

I declare the motion defeated.

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.