Debates of March 20th, 2013

The Environment

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, second, I have a petition from residents of my constituency, specifically from Salt Spring Island, who call on the government to put forward a real climate plan to reduce greenhouse gases to 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, the levels that science demands.

Impaired Driving

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present a petition representing thousands of people from British Columbia. The petition highlights that last year, 22-year-old Kassandra Kaulius was killed by a drunk driver. The group of people who have also lost loved ones to impaired drivers, called Families for Justice, says that current impaired driving laws are too lenient. The petitioners are calling for new mandatory minimum sentencing for people who have been convicted of impaired driving causing death. They also want the Criminal Code of Canada to change to redefine the offence of “impaired driving causing death” to “vehicular manslaughter”.

Gender Identity

[David Sweet, Conservative, Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from hundreds of constituents who have serious concerns about Bill C-279. They are convinced that all Canadians are fully protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Criminal Code and a legal system that recognizes that every citizen is equal before the law. The petitioners call upon the House of Commons and Parliament to vote against Bill C-279.

Experimental Lakes Area

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I table today a petition signed by people from Winnipeg who are asking the government to reverse its decision to close the EL research station in recognition that the Experimental Lakes Area is world-renowned for what it does with regard to freshwater and education. It is with pleasure that I table the petition.

[Bruce Hyer, Independent, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have four batches of petitions today, all on the same subject. They continue to pour in on the subject of the Experimental Lakes Area. The petitioners call on Parliament to reverse the decision to close the ELA as well as to continue to support staff and have financial support for this important Canadian research institution.

The first batch is from the riding of Simcoe North. The second batch is from the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga. The third is from the Aurora area, and the fourth batch is from throughout southern Ontario.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I see the hon. member for Vegreville—Wainwright is rising for a second time. Is it all right with the House if we recognize the hon. member?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Sex Selection

[Leon Benoit, Conservative, Vegreville—Wainwright, AB]

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I am honoured to present a petition from people from Tofield, mainly from Tofield Lodge. The petitioners note that the CBC has revealed that ultrasounds are being used in Canada to determine the sex of an unborn child so that they can be used to terminate the pregnancy if the child is a girl. The petitioners note that this Parliament—all parties, in fact—have condemned sex selection in this House, and they call upon Parliament to support Motion No. 408 and condemn discrimination against females occurring through sex selection pregnancy termination.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I apologize to the House. When we were going through the earlier items of routine, I neglected to put the following motion forward, and I will do that now.

Commissioner of Official Languages

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

moved:

That, in accordance with subsection 49(1) of the Official Languages Act R.S.C., 1985, c.31, and pursuant to Standing Order 111.1, this House approve the reappointment of Graham Fraser as Commissioner of Official Languages, for a term of three years.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

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

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[An hon. member]

On division.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

(Motion agreed to)

Questions on the Order Paper

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, Question No. 1160 will be answered today.

Question No. 1160

[Mathieu Ravignat, NDP, Pontiac, QC]

With regard to advertising by the government during the broadcast of Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013: (a) what was the total cost for advertising; and (b) what was the cost for each advertisement shown?

[Rona Ambrose, Conservative, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada purchased airtime during the broadcast of Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013, for two separate Government of Canada campaigns--the better jobs campaign for Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, HRSDC, and the economic action plan campaign for Finance Canada, FC.

For the better jobs campaign, HRSDC purchased one 30-second spot on the CTV national network, one 30-second spot on the local CTV station in Winnipeg and three 30-second spots on the RDS network. Because of technical difficulties during the broadcast, the CTV network ran the ad two more times, free of charge, and RDS ran the ad one more time, free of charge.

For the economic action plan campaign, Finance Canada purchased two 30-second spots on the RDS network.

The Government of Canada does not disclose information about the specific amounts paid for individual ad placements or the amounts paid to specific media outlets. This information is considered third party business sensitive and is protected under paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Access to Information Act.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if Questions Nos. 1158 and 1159 could be made orders for returns, these returns would be tabled immediately.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Question No. 1158

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

With regard to pre-budget roundtables held since December 1, 2012: (a) what are the total travel and accommodation costs incurred in respect to each roundtable by each participating minister, parliamentary secretary, staff member or other government employee; (b) what are the details of all other costs incurred in respect to each roundtable, including (i) room rentals, (ii) catering, (iii) advertising, (iv) printing, (v) equipment rental, (vi) other costs, specifying those other costs; (c) were any individuals or organizations specifically invited to attend each roundtable and, if so, what were the criteria for issuing such invitations; (d) what was the attendance at each roundtable; and (e) were summaries or reports prepared on the discussion at each roundtable and, if so, what is the file number of each summary or report?

(Return tabled)

Question No. 1159

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

With regard to consultant contracts awarded by Public Works and Government Services Canada between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2012, broken down by date, what are the dates, amounts and contract file numbers awarded to (i) Roche Consulting Group, (ii) Louisbourg Construction, (iii) Garnier Construction, (iv) Simard-Beaudry Construction, (v) Catcan Entreprises, (vi) CIMA+, (vii) Dessau?

(Return tabled)

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Last, Mr. Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.