Peter Van Loan

[Copyright Modernization Act, May 14th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we are debating Bill C-11, the copyright modernization act, a bill that puts forward a balanced approach that would create jobs, promote innovation, and attract new investment to Canada.

Today is the 11th day that the bill has been in debate since September when it was introduced. It has also been the subject of extensive committee hearings in this and the previous Parliament. Special legislative committees have heard from almost 200 witnesses.

Despite that extensive debate and study, I must advise, Mr. Speaker, that an agreement has not been reached under the provisions of Standing Orders 78(1) or 78(2) concerning the proceedings at report stage and third reading of Bill C-11, an act to amend the Copyright Act.

Under the provisions of Standing Order 78(3), I give notice that a minister of the Crown will propose at the next sitting a motion to allot a specific number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of proceedings at those stages.

[Business of the House, May 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, while I am on my feet, pursuant to Standing Order 81(4)(a), I would like at this time to designate Tuesday, May 15, for consideration in committee of the whole of all votes under Environment in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013.

[Iran, May 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations between all parties and I believe you will find unanimous support for the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, a take-note debate on the subject of the horrific state of human rights in Iran take place pursuant to Standing Order 53.1 on Monday, May 14, 2012, and that during the debate no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair.

[The Budget, May 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we have a comprehensive economic action plan.

Our budget seeks to ensure Canada's economic success in the short and medium term, and indeed long-term prosperity. That plan includes harnessing the tremendous potential Canada has in our resources, in the most skilled workforce in the world. An important part of that plan is working to ensure we have a balanced budget so we do not go down the path of other countries that cannot manage their debt and deficits, and as a result cannot deliver social services.

We will not go down that path. We are going to stay on the path that has delivered more than 750,000 new jobs since the economic downturn. That is the path Canadians want us on. They want us here, working to make decisions. We are going to do that with this budget.

[The Budget, May 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the debate we have had on this budget is the longest budget debate of the past two decades.

With our economic action plan, we have successfully created more than 58,000 new jobs in the past month. That is a huge success.

It is thanks to the economic action plan we have been pursuing that Canada has had economic success, different from virtually every other country in the world. We have to stay on that path. That is why we are delivering on our budget.

[Government Appointments, May 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we have been making outstanding appointments to serve the public in a number of capacities.

We did attempt to establish a Public Appointments Commission Secretariat and when we went to put someone in charge, the NDP blocked that. Then the NDP went on to resist the expenditure of funds. Members on that side of the House stood frequently to complain that money was being spent on it.

We made our efforts to make sure we had a thorough and complete process on public appointments. As a result, we are now able to accede to the request, eliminate the waste of money, and ensure that Canada has outstanding public individuals serving in the public service.

[Business of the House, May 10th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government's priority is, of course, the economy. We are committed to job creation and economic growth.

As a result, this afternoon we will continue debate on Bill C-38, the jobs, growth and long-term prosperity act. This bill implements the budget, Canada's economic action plan 2012, to ensure certainty for the economy.

For the benefit of Canadians and parliamentarians, when we introduced the bill, we said we would vote on it on May 14. The second reading vote on the jobs, growth and long-term prosperity act will be on May 14.

After tomorrow, which will be the final day of debate on this bill, we will have had the longest second reading debate on a budget bill in at least the last two decades.

On Monday and Tuesday we will continue with another bill that will support the Canadian economy and job creation, especially in the digital and creative sectors.

We will have report stage and third reading debate on Bill C-11, the Copyright Modernization Act.

This bill puts forth a balanced, common sense plan to modernize our copyright laws. Committees have met for over 60 hours and heard from almost 200 witnesses. All of this is in addition to the second reading debate on Bill C-11 of 10 sitting days.

After all that debate and study, it is time for the measures to be fully implemented so Canadians can take advantage of the updated rules and create new high-quality digital jobs.

Should the opposition agree that we have already had ample debate on Bill C-11, we will debate Bill C-25, the pooled registered pension plans act; Bill C-23, the Canada–Jordan free trade act; and Bill C-15, the strengthening military justice in the defence of Canada act in the remaining time on Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday, May 16, will be the next allotted day.

On Thursday morning, May 17, we will debate the pooled registered pension plans act. This bill will help Canadians who are self-employed or who work for a small business to secure a stable retirement.

In the last election, we committed to Canadians that we would implement these plans as soon as possible. This is what Canadians voted for and this is what we will do.

If it has been reported back from committee, we will call Bill C-31, the protecting Canada's immigration system act, for report stage debate on Thursday afternoon.

[Government Appointments, May 10th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is a sad day when people who step forward to serve their country are attacked by the opposition.

Let us take the example of Mr. Valcour. He is a highly qualified individual, a graduate of Dalhousie Law School, a distinguished criminal and civil lawyer for several decades, who served as chairperson of the Oshawa Harbour Commission, was a member of the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority and was reappointed on the basis that his outstanding performance merited reappointment.

Those is the kind of people who are attacked by the opposition. Every Canadian should be afraid of a party like that, that wishes to engage in personal attacks on individuals who want to serve the Canadian public.

[Government Appointments, May 10th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we have been very pleased with the appointments process, in which has ensured that first-rate people step forward and offer to provide public service.

We have seen it made more rigorous in a number of ways. As a result, the appointments made by the government are second to none. We are very pleased with the calibre of the individuals put forward. It is a surprise that they are prepared to do that in the face of criticism from members of the opposition who stand up and attack the people who dare to put in their time and their effort to serve their country.

[Government Appointments, May 10th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we have instituted a very rigorous process for our appointments. Unfortunately, the Public Appointments Commission and the establishment of the chair were opposed by the opposition parties. Then they rose in this House frequently to decry the spending of any money on that commission. We responded to that by stopping the spending of the money on that commission to help us move toward balancing the budget.

At the same time we are pleased to report that our appointments process is rigorous. It is working and ensuring that all appointments are made based on merit. That is why we have had such outstanding people stepping forward to take part in public life.