House of Commons Hansard #29 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-6.

Topics

Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

3:35 p.m.

Liberal

The Speaker Liberal Geoff Regan

I declare the motion lost.

Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary 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 four petitions.

International TradeRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

LaSalle—Émard—Verdun Québec

Liberal

David Lametti LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China for the Promotion and Protection of Investments”, done at Toronto on February 10, 2016.

Public Service Labour Relations ActRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Kings—Hants Nova Scotia

Liberal

Scott Brison LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board

Procedure and House AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Larry Bagnell Liberal Yukon, YT

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to p resent, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in relation to its study of the supplementary estimates (C), for the fiscal year 2015-16.

National DefenceCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Stephen Fuhr Liberal Kelowna—Lake Country, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on National Defence in relation to its study of supplementary estimates (C), 2015-16.

Public Safety and National SecurityCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to the supplementary estimates (C) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

Veterans AffairsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:40 p.m.

Liberal

Neil Ellis Liberal Bay of Quinte, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs on supplementary estimates (C), 2015-16, votes 1c and 5c under Veterans Affairs.

Parliament of Canada ActRoutine Proceedings

March 9th, 2016 / 3:40 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-248, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and the Access to Information Act (transparency).

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to the member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley for seconding the motion for this bill.

I am proud to introduce this legislation. It would amend the Parliament of Canada Act to require the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons to open its meetings, with certain exceptions, to the public. It would allow accountability.

It would also amend the Access to Information Act by clarifying the purpose of the act to give the Information Commissioner the power to make compliance orders on request. That is very important. As well, there would be greater accountability to Canadians from all spectra of the country.

Last, I would also remind members that this was previously introduced as Bill C-613 from the member for Papineau. I am hoping it gets support from this House.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Public Health Agency of Canada ActRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-249, An Act to amend the Public Health Agency of Canada Act (National Alzheimer Office).

Mr. Speaker, this is seconded by the member for Vancouver Kingsway, and I thank him for this work.

This bill is to create a national Alzheimer office. It is very important for the Public Health Agency of Canada to have this office to produce information and develop a national plan with regard to Alzheimer's.

We need these changes because the abilities and behaviour of individuals are affected by this terrible disease and we do not have much of a response right now in a federal context. The disease ultimately erodes independence. What is more important is that we have an aging population, with roughly 70,000 persons now living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. It is very significant for our country.

The bill, if enacted, would be a positive first step in ensuring the Government of Canada is prepared to take immediate action and recognize the importance of developing an Alzheimer's and dementia strategy before this situation becomes a national crisis.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Supporting Small Brewers ActRoutine Proceedings

3:45 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-250, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (small brewery tax credit).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley. He is actually the original author of this bill and worked on it very diligently, and I have inherited it. It is complementary to some of the industry issues that we are working on.

The small brewery tax rate would be reduced for those producing less than 15,000 hectolitres of beer. These are very important businesses that are actually rehabilitating properties and communities. They contribute to the local economy by using local products and agriculture. As well, local individuals come from our universities and colleges to become brewmasters.

These microbreweries are microbusinesses that have a significant impact by making sure there is a holistic approach in the community to produce a product that is well received, but also, most importantly, is local, fresh, and Canadian.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Supporting Small Brewers ActRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise to seek unanimous consent for a motion on the order paper, Motion No. 48, that would condemn the atrocities that are currently being committed in Yemen. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Yemen is also in flames. Coalition air strikes in particular continue to strike hospitals, schools, mosques, and civilian infrastructures”. This includes the use of cluster munitions by the Saudi coalition and the use of land mines by the Houthi forces.

This motion asks Canada to consider imposing an arms embargo on such—

Supporting Small Brewers ActRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

There is a point of order by the hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle.

Supporting Small Brewers ActRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Conservative

Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK

Mr. Speaker, I understand the hon. member is seeking unanimous consent for a motion. I do not know that it is customary to have debate at this point. If the House hears the motion, we can determine whether there is unanimous consent, but it is not usually the practice to engage in debate when the member is seeking unanimous consent for a motion.

Supporting Small Brewers ActRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Liberal

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota

Does the hon. member have the unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?

Supporting Small Brewers ActRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

No.

Hazardous ProductsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present three petitions today.

The first petition is from hundreds of concerned Canadians who are raising the issue of rail tankers and crude oil. They call on the House to pass regulations that would enhance tank car standards for the transportation of hazardous goods, reverse cuts, strengthen rail safety rules and regulations, and require rail companies to carry sufficient insurance to cover the damage that may be caused by accidents, spills, or derailments.

Cycling InfrastructurePetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls on the government to work in partnership with the provinces and municipalities to create better cycling infrastructure in this country, something that not only helps the environment but would also help keep Canadians healthier and fight the epidemic of obesity in this country.

HousingPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

NDP

Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC

Mr. Speaker, my final petition is signed by many people in the riding of Vancouver Kingsway who are presenting a very real concern in British Columbia around affordable housing. They are calling on the government to develop a national housing strategy to maintain existing federal support for co-operatives, non-profits, low-cost and rental housing, and lastly, to make the investments necessary to address what can only be called a housing crisis in this country.

Electoral ReformPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:50 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present two petitions in the House of Commons today.

The first petition is from residents of my riding who are concerned about electoral reform.

This petition calls on the House of Commons to undertake public consultations to move toward a system of proportional representation in which every vote will count.

Falun GongPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:55 p.m.

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from hundreds of people across Canada, largely in the Toronto area, calling on the government to make it clear to the People's Republic of China that we wish to see respect for human rights and particularly, to respect the practitioners of Falun Gong and Falun Dafa and end the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:55 p.m.

Winnipeg North Manitoba

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 29, 30, 32, 33 and 37.

Question No. 29Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:55 p.m.

Conservative

Dianne Lynn Watts Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC

With regard to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities’ mandate letter and the government’s announcement on November 18, 2015, that municipal and provincial governments will no longer have to apply for P3 screening for infrastructure projects worth greater than $100 million: (a) how many projects were in line for P3 funding on the day the announcement was made; (b) as a result of this announcement, how many of the projects in (a) will be on hold and delayed for funding; (c) with respect to the projects in (b), what dollar amount that would have been spent by the private sector will now have to be paid for by the government, broken down by province; and (d) before this decision was made and the announcement took place, (i) which consultations were held, (ii) what data was used?

Question No. 29Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:55 p.m.

Edmonton Mill Woods Alberta

Liberal

Amarjeet Sohi LiberalMinister of Infrastructure and Communities

Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), as of January 21, 2016, the P3 screen, which is mandatory under the new Building Canada Fund, was still in place for infrastructure projects of $100 million or more in total eligible costs. As of January 21, 2016, 40 projects submitted under the new Building Canada Fund have had total eligible costs of $100 million or more, the trigger for the P3 screen. Of these, two projects were determined by PPP Canada as a result of the P3 screen to show potential for delivery as a P3.

With regard to (b), the Government of Canada has not held or delayed any of the projects mentioned in part (a).

With regard to (c), the Government of Canada has not held or delayed any of the projects mentioned in (b); therefore, no funding was displaced.

With regard to (d), the Government of Canada is committed to removing the P3 screen, as is outlined in the mandate letter for the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. In the process of making this decision, we consulted with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, who asked us in their 2016 pre-budget submission to “retire the cumbersome [P3 Screening] process, permitting municipalities to determine the best procurement model for local realities.”

The criteria used to make this decision were as follows: the service standard for PPP Canada to complete the initial P3 screen—that is, to review the proponent's completed P3 questionnaire and provide a written opinion to INFC with respect to P3 potential--is two weeks. Projects that are screened in at this stage, meaning those projects that show potential for P3, are then required to undertake a procurement options analysis, which can take up to 18 months to complete.

Question No. 30Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:55 p.m.

Conservative

Dianne Lynn Watts Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC

With regard to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities’ mandate letter and its explicit focus on new spending in green infrastructure and social infrastructure: (a) how much funding has been allocated to green infrastructure; (b) how much funding has been allocated to social infrastructure; (c) which projects will receive funding under each respective infrastructure pillar, broken down by province; and (d) what data was used to determine which projects will receive funding and in what priority?