Bob Kilger

[Petitions, October 20th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the honour to present two petitions signed by a total of 5,398 citizens.

The petitioners are asking for confirmation that marriage is and should remain the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, and that Parliament will take all necessary steps, within the limits of its jurisdiction, to preserve this definition of marriage in Canada.

For these reasons, the petitioners call on Parliament to take all necessary steps to preserve and uphold in Canada the above-mentioned definition of marriage.

[Committees of the House, June 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Special Committee on the Modernization and Improvement of the Procedures of the House of Commons, as well as the committee's fifth report with respect to the taking of divisions by electronic means.

The task of modernizing and improving the procedures and practices of the House is never complete. We must continually review and evaluate how we do things. We hope that this report, like its predecessor in 2001, will be a contribution to improve the House and the work of its members.

The issue of electronic voting has been discussed and studied by members over the last number of years. During its work, the committee decided to table a separate report on the question of the principle of electronic voting for consideration by members of the House.

Because the committee's recommendations had to be unanimous, there were some it was unable to make. However, those it has put forward have broad support and represent attainable solutions that take into consideration diverse interests with regard to context and modern requirements.

I would like to thank my colleagues on the committee for their candour and the generous spirit of cooperation they brought to this exercise. I also want to thank their staff as well as staff in procedural services for their technical assistance.

Finally, on behalf of the committee, I especially want to recognize the contribution and grace under pressure of James Robertson, our Library of Parliament researcher, and to thank the clerks of the committee, Audrey O'Brien and Diane Diotte.

[Supply, May 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it is my duty to report an appeal to you of the decision of the chair of committee of the whole. The situation is as follows.

Having ruled that a motion of the hon. member for Crowfoot was in order, the chair called for a debate. That decision was challenged by the hon. member for Delta--South Richmond, who argued that the committee should proceed immediately to vote on the motion. I respectfully submit the matter to your adjudication in accordance with procedures described on page 776 of Marleau and Montpetit.

[Committees of the House, May 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the First Report of the Legislative Committee on Bill C-17, Public Safety Act 2002.

I would like to thank, in particular, Jean-Michel Roy, committee clerk and his administrative assistant, Nancy McKnight.

Also, I wish to thank Susan Baldwin, legislative clerk, Richard Rumas, committee clerk, and Margaret Young and David Goetz, analysts from the Library of Parliament. And, of course, all the officials and the witnesses who made our work so efficient and effective, and particularly members of Parliament from all parties who worked very hard to make this report possible at this time.

[Committees of the House, February 28th, 2003]

Madam Speaker, there have been discussions between the parties with regard to the third report of the special committee on modernization. I understand that there would be unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

First, that the hon. member for St. John's West be permitted to table today an addendum to the report.

Second, that a motion to concur in the report be deemed to have been moved and put and deemed adopted at the time the House meets on March 17.

[Committees of the House, February 28th, 2003]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Special Committee on Modernization and Improvement of the Procedures of the House of Commons. The report contains the provisional Standing Orders for Private Members' Business to come into force upon our return March 17.

[Committees of the House, February 20th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among the parties and I believe if you would seek it that you would find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move that the first report of the Special Committee on the Modernization and Improvement of the Procedures of the House of Commons, be concurred in.

[Committee of the House, February 20th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the first report of the Special Committee on the Modernization and Improvement of the Procedures of the House of Commons.

If the House grants its consent I will be seeking concurrence in the report later today. The report contains the unanimous recommendations of all parties regarding a new approach to private members' business.

[David Michael Barkway, September 20th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of Stormont--Dundas--Charlottenburgh who share an international border and a way of life with our neighbour, the United States, I express our condolences and offer our prayers to the families, friends and co-workers of the innocent victims of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

The terrorist attacks on New York City particularly hit home for us with the death of 34 year old David Michael Barkway, formerly of Cornwall and a managing director at BMO Nesbitt Burns. David was a wonderful person, devoted to his family, friends and work. He was also partial to a good cigar, a cold Guinness and a round of golf. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

To David's wife Cindy, their two year old son James, his parents Reverend Peter and Mary Barkway of Cornwall, his brother Stephen, his in-laws Ned and Georgina McLennan of Brampton, and their extended families, my sincere condolences. No words can adequately express the sorrow shared by all of us as a result of this unjustifiable act against humankind.

[Committees Of The House, June 1st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Special Committee on the Modernization and Improvement of the Procedures of the House of Commons.

Like the notion of modernization itself, the House of Commons is a work in progress. We hope that this report will be one contribution to the evolution of our procedures and practice in this 37th Parliament.

My committee colleagues decided to seek unanimity. While it was relatively easy to agree on certain issues, we had to find reasonable compromises on others. Some issues could not be solved. Therefore, it will be up to other members, within other frameworks, to continue the work that was begun here.

I would like to thank my colleagues on the committee for their candour and the generous, open-minded spirit of co-operation they brought to our work. I also want to thank their staff as well as staff in procedural services for their technical assistance. I want to recognize the contribution and the grace under pressure of our Library of Parliament researcher, James Robertson, and to thank the clerks of the committee, Audrey O'Brien and Diane Diotte.