Debates of May 19th, 2016

Rail Transportation

[Kate Young, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to enhancing rail safety, and in budget 2016, we are investing $143 million for rail safety and the transportation of dangerous goods. However, it is premature for comments on funding for a rail bypass before the study is completed.

The minister was honoured to meet citizens of the town recently to hear their stories first-hand. He knows that the municipal council and residents of Lac-Mégantic have an interest in relocating the rails away from the centre of town.

Physician-Assisted Dying

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois commends the government for withdrawing Motion No. 6.

With regard to the bill on medical assistance in dying, the leader just said that he is prepared to hear from members. Is he prepared to listen to them?

The reasonably foreseeable natural death provision is not consistent with the Carter decision. Is the government prepared to support the Bloc Québécois' amendment to remove this criterion, which discriminates on the ground of age and bases eligibility on inhumane conditions such as hunger strikes?

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his substantive engagement in the discussion around Bill C-14.

We are confident that we have made and put forward a public policy decision around medical assistance in dying in this country. This is a transformative piece of legislation on which we have engaged with many Canadians and many members within this House. We look forward to the continued discussion.

We look forward to ensuring that we reach our deadline of June 6 so that we will have a legislative framework in place for medical assistance in dying that is balanced and which speaks to this transformative piece in the period of time that we are in.

Presence in Gallery

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services for the Province of Ontario.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

The House resumed consideration of the motion, and of the motion that this question be now put.

Reference to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Before question period, the member for Saskatoon—University had the floor and there are five minutes remaining in his speech. The hon. member for Saskatoon—University. No, he is finished.

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The question is on the motion that this question be now put. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

(Motion agreed to)

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Orders of the day. No. I think the hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle is rising to assist the Chair.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, far be it from me to be a backseat driver, but what we just disposed of was the motion that this question be now put. Now we will need to put the question, and I think members are ready for that.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

That is a fine idea. I thank the member for his assistance.

As I was saying, the next question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

(Motion agreed to)

The House proceeded to the consideration of Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act, as reported (without amendment) from the committee.

Income Tax Act

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

moved that the bill be concurred in.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

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

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[An hon. member]

On division.

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

(Motion agreed to)

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

When shall the bill be read the third time? By leave, now?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.