Peter Van Loan

[Ethics, January 30th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I read a letter yesterday from the member for Timmins—James Bay. He did not just write one letter; he seems to write a lot of letters to the CRTC, which is interesting because he—

[Ethics, January 30th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Timmins—James Bay says, “It is all right to do as I say, but not as I do”. He appears to apply a different standard. Now he says it is because he is not prepared to assume the kinds of responsibilities that one takes on when one is in government, that government members should be treated differently from him.

I know we have always said the NDP are not ready for government. It is good to hear the NDP members admit they themselves do not feel they are ready for government.

[Ethics, January 30th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was reading letters and I found another one. This one says, “I want you to know that I support this initiative and encourage you to approve AVR's application at the hearing on June 19th, 2012”.

It is signed by the hon. member for Davenport, the NDP member of Parliament.

They are critical of Conservatives writing letters like this, but apparently it is okay for NDP MPs to write these kinds of letters.

[Business of the House, January 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I believe if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion, which has been discussed among the parties. I move:

That, notwithstanding the provisions of any Standing Order, for the remainder of the 41st Parliament, when a recorded division is to be held on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, except recorded divisions deferred to the conclusion of oral questions, the bells to call in the members shall be sounded for not more than thirty minutes.

[Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, January 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order. Bill C-43, the faster removal of foreign criminals act, will put a stop to foreign criminals relying on endless appeals in order to delay their removal from Canada and during which they can commit more crimes. For that reason it is very important this law be put in place to protect Canadians.

However, I must advise that an agreement has not been reached under the provisions of Standing Order 78(1) or 78(2) concerning the proceedings at report stage and third reading of Bill C-43, an act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection 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.

[Ethics, January 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I think I have answered that clearly.

It is not unheard of for MPs to write to the CRTC. In fact, I have a letter here that says, “Freedom of speech is an essential fabric in our Canadian culture” this MP said, writing to the CRTC. “It is something we treasure and preserve”. Then, with regard to the application, he said, “I whole heartedly support this venture and urge the CRTC to approve the application”.

It is signed by the NDP MP for Timmins—James Bay. That is what he wrote to the CRTC.

[Ethics, January 29th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I think we have noted that the minister personally added a line to the letter to ensure it was clear he was writing as the member of Parliament for Whitby—Oshawa and instructed that the letter be put on MP letterhead. He fully intended the letter be sent in his capacity as a member of Parliament.

He has acknowledge the administrative oversight, and we again thank the ethics commissioner for the advice she has provided in this case.

[Business of the House, January 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to advise the House that Thursday, January 31, shall be the first allotted day.

[Ethics, January 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Ethics Commissioner offered a ruling on this and the minister accepted it.

That being said, I should enlighten the member for Timmins—James Bay. He should actually read the act. Section 64 of the Conflict of Interest Act states, “...nothing in this Act prohibits a member of the Senate or the House of Commons who is a public office holder”--as a minister--“or former public office holder from engaging in those activities that he or she would normally carry out as a member of the Senate or the House of Commons.”

That is what it says. That is what members were relying on. It is important that we now have this clarity added to it, and we appreciate that from the Ethics Commissioner.

[Ethics, January 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the Conflict of Interest Act actually permits members of Parliament to write in their capacity as members, and that was, of course, the intention of all the members in question with regard to this.

I think all Canadians expect their members of Parliament to stand up for them and their community's interests. Of course, we also want them to respect those rules, and that is why the members reached out proactively to the Ethics Commissioner on this issue for clarity.