House of Commons Hansard #249 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was anaphylaxis.
Gail Shea ConservativeMinister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Mr. Speaker, we always will work with small business and in the interests of small business. I will look into that situation and get back to the hon. member.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of two distinguished former Speakers of the House of Commons: the Hon. John Fraser and the Hon. Peter Milliken.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
I would also like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Rob Henderson, Minister of Tourism and Culture for the Province of Prince Edward Island.
Ève Péclet NDP La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Mr. Speaker, I just have one correction to make.
It was not just millions of dollars that were lost. This government lost $3 billion and failed to collect $29 billion in taxes.
Deepak Obhrai ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaties entitled “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the French Republic on Social Security” done at Ottawa on March 14, 2013; “Implementing Agreement Concerning the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the French Republic on Social Security” done at Ottawa on March 14, 2013; “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the French Republic Concerning Youth Mobility” done at Ottawa on March 14, 2013; and the “Agreement on Air Transport between Canada and the European Community and its Member States” done at Brussels on December 17, 2009 and at Ottawa on December 18, 2009. An explanatory memorandum is included with each treaty.
Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 11 petitions.
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the reports of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie respecting its participation at the bureau meeting of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, which was held in Paris, France, from February 7 to 9, 2013; and its participation in the meeting of the parliamentary affairs committee of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, which was held in Balaclava, Mauritius, from March 14 to 16, 2013.
Joe Preston Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
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 Delegation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association respecting its participation in the 61st Westminster Seminar on Practice and Procedure, held in London, United Kingdom, from March 9-12, 2012.
Bruce Hyer Independent Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
, seconded by the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, moved for leave to introduce Bill C-507, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (obstruction).
He said: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to improve government accountability in Parliament and to taxpayers regarding fiscal matters. As we have seen lately, there are currently no penalties for refusing to provide the Parliamentary Budget Officer with information needed for that officer to do her or his work. Neither are there any penalties for obstructing the Parliamentary Budget Officer's investigations or audits.
The bill I am introducing today would give our budget watchdog real teeth. This private member's bill will finally introduce consequences for failing to hand over requested information with regulatory penalties of up to $10,000 or six months in jail. I hope members from both sides of the House will support this basic accountability here in Parliament.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Bruce Hyer Independent Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
, seconded by the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, moved for leave to introduce Bill C-508, An Act to amend the Auditor General Act (obstruction).
He said: Mr. Speaker, in the same vein as my bill on the Parliamentary Budget Officer, I am pleased to introduce a bill that will also mandate fiscal accountability in the government's dealings with the Auditor General. There are currently no penalties on the books for refusing the Auditor General information needed for that officer of Parliament to do his or her job. This bill amends the Auditor General Act to bring in non-criminal penalties for failing to provide information requested by the Auditor General or for obstructing an Auditor General's audit or investigation. Consequences, again, could be a fine of up to $10,000 or six months in jail. “Accountability” should not just be a slogan used to get elected. The government must take accountability to Parliament and to the people who put us here seriously.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-509, An Act to amend the Navigable Waters Protection Act (Goldstream River).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce the bill entitled An Act to amend the Navigable Waters Protection Act (Goldstream River).
It is with some sadness, actually, that I have to do this, because all the federal environmental protection for the Goldstream River was removed last year in Bill C-38. The bill, very simply, would re-add the Goldstream River to schedule 2 of the Navigable Waters Protection Act and would take this very significant river on Vancouver Island, which is enjoyed by the public every year, in terms of education, with the salmon runs returning, and give it the protection it deserves.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I move:
That the House do now proceed to orders of the day.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
In my opinion the yeas have it.
And five or more members having risen:
Call in the members.
Bill S-8—Time allocation motionSafe Drinking Water for First Nations ActGovernment Orders
York—Simcoe Ontario
Conservative
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
moved:
That, in relation to Bill S-8, An Act respecting the safety of drinking water on First Nation lands, not more than one further sitting day shall be allotted to the consideration at second reading stage of the Bill; and
that, 15 minutes before the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders on the day allotted to the consideration at second reading stage of the said Bill, any proceedings before the House shall be interrupted, if required for the purpose of this Order, and, in turn, every question necessary for the disposal of the said stage of the Bill shall be put forthwith and successively, without further debate or amendment.
Bill S-8—Time allocation motionSafe Drinking Water for First Nations ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
We will now have a 30-minute question period.
The hon. Minister of National Defence has a point of order.