House of Commons Hansard #96 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was veterans.
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill, MB
Mr. Speaker, this week, the major derailment of grain cars on the rail line up to Churchill forced VIA Rail to cancel service. The company that operates the line also wants to ship crude oil on that line and through sensitive ecosystems.
First nations and northern Manitobans are concerned that not enough is being done to protect their communities. How is the minister planning to protect the environment and ensure rail safety, given the plan to ship crude through Churchill?
Lisa Raitt ConservativeMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for the question. Indeed, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is looking into this derailment. We will wait for the authorities to determine what the cause was in this case of the derailment of the grain.
With respect to any future plans of any railway, we do expect that any operator is going to abide by the Railway Safety Act and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. This government has acted since 2006 to strengthen both of those acts, increase the number of inspections we have, and increase the number of inspectors we have, to ensure that these goods can move safely.
We believe in preventing derailments. We want to respond to them quickly, and we want to make sure the polluter pays at the end of the day.
Maria Mourani Independent Ahuntsic, QC
Mr. Speaker, women's groups across the country are urging the government to introduce a bill that will make it illegal to purchase sexual services. They are also worried that this government is not doing anything to help prostitutes.
Can the government reassure these women's groups and announce that it will invest money, in collaboration with the provinces, to help prostitutes get out of prostitution?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.
Indeed, we have a substantive and comprehensive plan. It is absolutely necessary to work with the provinces and territories to give the necessary support to the most vulnerable—the women concerned by this issue—in each region of the country. I invite my colleague to work with my colleagues on this.
The House resumed from June 3 consideration of Bill C-20, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Honduras, the Agreement on Environmental Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Honduras and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Honduras, as reported (without amendment) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.
The Speaker Conservative Andrew Scheer
Pursuant to an order made on Tuesday, May 27, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions on the motions at report stage of Bill C-20.
Call in the members.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin
I declare Motion No. 1 defeated. I therefore declare Motions Nos. 2 to 53 defeated as well.
Steven Fletcher Conservative Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB
Mr. Speaker, members may not have noticed, but I came in a tad late and, therefore, my vote should not be counted.
John Duncan Conservative Vancouver Island North, BC
Mr. Speaker, we were entertained by the member for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia's double pirouette on the floor of the House of Commons, but I would like to point out that the deputy whip, the whip, and the member for Ottawa Centre were not in their seats when you rose, Mr. Speaker. If one vote can be discarded over there, at least three votes can be discarded over there.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin
The hon. opposition House leader is rising on the same point of order?
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Yes, Mr. Speaker. The government whip raced in here kind of breaking precedence. Obviously, a few things were off on both sides. The member for Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam of course was not in his seat either, which I think raises the point: it is much better to wait for proper parliamentary process. That is what we believe, on this side of the House. We really have to wait for proper voting procedures.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin
The clock for the vote had expired and it is not a requirement that the two whips enter at the same time, even though it is common practice.
At this point, we will proceed to concurrence at report stage of Bill C-20.
Canada-Honduras Economic Growth and Prosperity ActOral Questions
Abbotsford B.C.
Conservative
Canada-Honduras Economic Growth and Prosperity ActOral Questions
Some hon. members
Agreed.
No.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin
All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin
In my opinion the yeas have it.
And five or more members having risen:
Anne-Marie Day NDP Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I apologize. You started reading out the first vote just as I was sitting down. I would like my vote to be cancelled so that it is more fair for the other members.
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 33 petitions.
