15199 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) House of Commons Debates VOLUME 147 NUMBER 233 2nd SESSION 41st PARLIAMENT Wednesday, June 17, 2015 Speaker: The Honourable Andrew Scheer HOUSE OF COMMONS CANADA (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) COMMONS DEBATES June 17, 2015 DEBATES Edited Hansard * Table of Contents * Number 233 (Official Version) Official Report * Table of Contents * Number 233 (Official Version) Compte rendu officiel * Table des matières * Numéro 233 (Version officielle) 147 233 17 06 2015 2015/06/17 14:05:00 House of Commons Débats de la Chambre des communes House of Commons Debates 41 2 The House met at 2 p.m.

Prayers Statements by Members (1405) [ English ] The Speaker : It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem led by the hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent . [ Members sang the national anthem ] STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Statements by Members [ Translation ] Member for Richmond—Arthabaska Mr. André Bellavance (Richmond—Arthabaska, Ind.) : Mr. Speaker, summing up 11 years in one minute is impossible, but I have to take the time to thank the many people who enabled me to proudly represent the residents of Richmond—Arthabaska—which I am sure you will agree, Mr.

Speaker, is the most beautiful riding—these past 11 years. I could not have done it without my spouse, Annie, our families, my assistants, my other colleagues and the many volunteers who helped get me elected four times. I would also like to salute the members of the Bloc Québécois and the other parties with whom I worked, some of whom have become friends for life. The most challenging and satisfying part of this job is dealing with and making progress on issues that matter to the people we represent. I will never forget how we fought for supply management, student jobs and Jeffrey Mine retirees in Asbestos.

However, what really stands out for me are the people, all of the people I helped, supported or even just met at various functions we were invited to. They are the ones who made me not only the politician but also the human being I am today. A big thanks to you, Mr. Speaker.

[ English ] Quanto's Law Mr. Costas Menegakis (Richmond Hill, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, Quanto's law passed in the House on June 15 with a unanimous vote. Today, I rise to thank my colleagues on both sides of the House who voted to recognize and support the special role that law enforcement, service and military animals have in protecting our communities every day. Quanto's law will honour the memory of Edmonton Police Service dog Quanto, as well as the Toronto Police Service horse Brigadier, and many other law enforcement animals that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

It will ensure that those who choose to harm these animals will face serious consequences. This legislation is very meaningful to me. It is also meaningful to my Richmond Hill constituents, who provided the inspiration for a similar private member's bill I introduced just two years ago. It is important to the hundreds of Canadians, York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe, students from Sudbury Secondary School, the Edmonton Police Service, and many others, who wrote to me with their support for this legislation. On behalf of all of them, and myself, I thank everyone again.

The Environment Mr. Murray Rankin (Victoria, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, just off the coast of my riding is a cluster of islands in the Salish Sea that encompasses the best marine and coastal environment in urban Canada. Home to migratory birds, rare plants, orca whales and sacred sites for the Songhees First Nation, today these are under-protected and under threat. Lack of coordination and enforcement have left them vulnerable, and we must act now to prevent further damage.

The University of Victoria' s Environmental Law Centre has studied the legal designations available to protect this area and preserve the uses, rights and title of the Songhees First Nation. Many of these designations require the direct support of the federal government. Others require Ottawa to work with the Songhees First Nation, the province of British Columbia, and the municipality of Oak Bay. As our community considers the options in this new report, I hope we will find a true partner in Ottawa. We have a rare moment to save a precious environment, so let us work together.

Labour Organizations Mr. Russ Hiebert (South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, my bill, Bill C-377 , has been working its way through the legislative process for the past four years. Along the way it has been improved by amendments passed in the House. It is at third reading in the other place and could soon come to a final vote. Canadians are hoping it does. Polls tell us that well over 80% of Canadians, including union members, want public disclosure of labour organization finances.

They have seen the corruption exposed at the Charbonneau commission and the Ontario Provincial Police Association, and they know that sunlight is the best disinfectant. They also know that some labour organizations spend the money of members against their wishes on elections. Whether it is for million dollar advertising campaigns or hiring campaign workers, they spend on partisan politics. The public and union members should have the right to know how their money is being spent. Bill C-377 would give them that right.

Bravery Ms. Judy Foote (Random—Burin—St. George's, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute three men from my riding of Random—Burin—St. George's, whose bravery and quick action averted a tragedy on June 1. While driving along the Trans-Canada Highway west of Channel-Port aux Basques, Clifford Lillington of Margaree and Ernie Meade of Fox Roost came upon an accident where a pickup truck had plunged over an embankment into water. Of the two men in the truck, Clyde Chant and John Caines, John could not swim.

Clifford searched for a rope while Ernie attempted to swim to the victims, only to have to turn back because of the extremely cold water. When the truck became completely submerged, John was left in a life or death situation. Ernie again braved the waters and managed to get John close enough to shore where Clifford, joined by Roland Sheaves of Port aux Basques, who witnessed the attempted rescue, helped to get most of the water from John's lungs. Deflecting any reference to heroism, Ernie said “We are thankful the men are OK and that is all that matters”.

I ask all members to join me in recognizing the bravery of Clifford Lillington, Ernie Meade and Roland Sheaves.

Member for Northumberland—Quinte West Mr. Rick Norlock (Northumberland—Quinte West, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, as the 41st Parliament ends and this great nation prepares for the 42nd general election, it is only right and fitting that this retiring member of Parliament congratulates his riding of Northumberland—Quinte West for all we have achieved together: a billion dollars for the clean-up of low level radioactive waste in Port Hope, a new community centre in Cobourg, countless miles of road improvements, two new bridges to be built, hundreds of millions of dollars in new improvements at CFB Trenton in Quinte West.

These projects and those like them are creating jobs for the good citizens of Northumberland—Quinte West and Canada, proof that this Conservative government, working with our provincial and municipal counterparts, can achieve much together. While much has been accomplished, our work is not finished. More needs to be done, and the Prime Minister will keep his team working on behalf of my constituents and all of Canada long after October 19.

(1410) [ Translation ] Gabrielle Dufresne Ms. Paulina Ayala (Honoré-Mercier, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, the “Je suis Gabrielle” march was held last Sunday in honour of a 17-year-old student who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, who could not accept the fact that their relationship was over. Gabrielle had just finished high school and was about to begin a CEGEP program to become a nurse, because she wanted to take care of seniors and people who are sick. She had always been a very compassionate girl. As a mother and as a woman, I was really shocked by her death.

It is terrible how common violence against women is here in Canada. Just think of the young women at the École polytechnique or our missing aboriginal women and girls. However, there is hope. I was lucky enough to meet Gabrielle's mother, Marlène Dufresne. She wants to transform her suffering into hope. She wants to help our adolescents have healthier romantic relationships and help them realize that these relationships must be based on respect and caring, not violence and manipulation.

Hon. colleagues, she is calling on us, as politicians, to support all programs to raise awareness about violence— The Speaker : Order. The hon. member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound .

[ English ] Members of Parliament and Pages Mr. Larry Miller (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today as the current session of Parliament winds down to recognize and thank many of the people with whom I have had the pleasure of working over the course of this session. I would like to begin by commending the excellent work that is carried out on a daily basis by the House of Commons pages. Pages are truly the unsung heroes of this place and their work often goes unnoticed or unrecognized.

From delivering messages from our respective lobbies, serving water and the handling of important documents, pages have a great deal of responsibility in this place, and I thank each and every page for their hard work. It has indeed been a pleasure to get to know some of them on a first name basis. Finally, I want to thank all my colleagues, on both sides of the House, who will not be returning after the election in the fall. It has truly been a pleasure to work alongside all of them, and I wish them all of the best in their future endeavours.

Some of them have become very good friends, and while I will most sincerely miss them, I wish them nothing but the best, and they should not be strangers.

Graduation Ceremonies Ms. Wai Young (Vancouver South, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, this month, thousands of young Canadians will walk across a stage to receive their diplomas, celebrating their graduation from high school. As my own twins, Sam and Alex, their friends and students just like them take

part in graduation ceremonies, I reflect upon this milestone and the difficult decisions and endless sacrifices Canadian parents make to raise their children and make ends meet. However, parents know that at these challenging moments, they can count on our Conservative government to stand with them and help, whether it is through the expanded universal child care benefit, income splitting for hard-working families, the child fitness tax credit or the numerous other measures that our government has put in place.

Canadian parents can count on our government to support them to make the best decisions about how to raise their families. On this occasion, I want to congratulate students and their parents in my riding of Vancouver South and across Canada for all of their accomplishments and success. Good luck and Godspeed from our Conservative government.

Pensions Ms. Hélène LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I have some good news: Canadians are living Ionger. Is that not great? Unfortunately, though, companies and governments are not keeping their promises. They are slashing pension funds through mismanagement, such as what happened to the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry pension plan and the Nortel pension fund. Retirees in my community are negatively impacted by these cutbacks. We owe it to the workers who invested in these pension plans to provide them with a comfortable retirement. When will the government enhance the Canada pension plan to compensate for the carelessness of the private pension funds?

(1415) Taxation Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, family has always been important to me and I am thankful for the many blessings bestowed upon me and my wife. My four wonderful children, their spouses, and 12 grandchildren make me look forward to October 20 and a new

chapter in my life. Our Conservative government also values families and knows that they are the solid building block of our society. That is why we are supporting choice for parents who know best how to care for their children. Giving $160 for children under six and $60 for children up to 17 years of age makes Canada the envy of most nations, but we are also giving solid support to seniors who, together with those parents with children, can split their income for tax purposes and save up to $2,000 per year. If the Liberals or NDP were ever to be in charge, this would all disappear.

I hope that all Canadians will realize what our Prime Minister and government have done and what is at risk in the next election. I welcome some of my family to Parliament Hill today. I was elected 22 years ago because I wanted my children and grandchildren to have a better Canada to live in. May God bless Canada.

[ Translation ] Women in Non-tradional Professions Ms. Christine Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, Abitibi—Témiscamingue is a region known for its vibrant mining sector. As we speak, the fifth Symposium on Mines and the Environment is being held in Rouyn-Noranda. This event is organized by numerous partners, including the Université du Québec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. On Monday evening, Louise Grondin, the first female senior executive at Agnico Eagle, was honoured with the 2015 Frederick W. Firlotte lifetime achievement award in mining and the environment.

This award recognizes the recipient's remarkable and exemplary contribution to mining and the environment in Quebec. Ms. Grondin is originally from Abitibi-Témiscamingue and is an inspiring female engineer in Canada's mining industry. This is a very clear example of how women can also excel in traditionally male-dominated professions. In Abitibi-Témiscamingue there are many women who stand out for their excellence in traditionally male-dominated fields and our region is the better for it.

[ English ] Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Mr. Corneliu Chisu (Pickering—Scarborough East, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, being prime minister is not an entry level job. It is one that requires experience and the ability to lead a country like ours under sometimes turbulent global economic uncertainty. The leader of the Liberal Party has proven that he is not up to the task. This is the same Liberal leader who said that budgets balance themselves. He is the one who accepted 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission without even reading them.

He is the one who came up with a 32-point plan which clearly looks like it originated from the back of a napkin. Canadians want a prime minister that they can depend on to make the right decisions. That prime minister is the current Prime Minister .

Human Rights Hon. Irwin Cotler (Mount Royal, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise on behalf of four heroic political prisoners and their respective cases and causes. They are Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi; Venezuelan democratic leader Leopoldo Lopez; Iranian freedom of religion advocate Ayatollah Boroujerdi, as well as the persecuted leadership of the Baha’i community; and Mauritanian anti-slavery advocate Biram Dah Abeid. Each political prisoner is a case study of the criminalization of fundamental rights, the deprivation of liberty, and torture in detention.

Each is a looking glass into their respective oppressive regimes and their standing violation of international obligations, including obligations to us here in Canada. We say to these courageous prisoners of conscience that they are not alone. We stand in solidarity with them. Their cause is our cause and we will not relent until their liberty is secured.

Shipbuilding Industry Mr. Scott Armstrong (Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak on how our Conservative government's national shipbuilding procurement strategy is creating literally thousands of high-paying jobs for Nova Scotians. This week hundreds of prospective employees lined up at an Irving shipyards job fair in Dartmouth, looking for someone to say yes when they applied for a job. This opportunity was provided to them by our Conservative government's investments at Irving.

However, if the Liberals and the NDP have their way, these investments will stop and those thousands of jobs would disappear. High taxes lead to job cuts. Our Conservative government will never let that happen. We will continue to focus on jobs, long-term prosperity, and economic growth. Good luck to the people applying at Irving. Many more jobs are coming.

(1420) [ Translation ] 42nd General Election Mr. Matthew Dubé (Chambly—Borduas, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, as this government's last day approaches, the Conservatives are shamelessly using taxpayers' money for partisan purposes. They are wasting money on advertising, partisan polls and photo ops for infrastructure projects too long in the making. Ten years ago, the Conservatives promised to clean house after the Liberal corruption scandals; today, the Conservatives are in the same boat.

Ten years ago, the Conservatives promised to clean up the Senate; today, after having appointed 59 senators, the Conservatives are defending the status quo and Senate corruption. Ten years ago, the Conservatives came to change Ottawa; today, we see that Ottawa has changed them. Fortunately, there is a great deal of optimism in the air. The winds of change are blowing, and on October 19, Canadians will finally be able to vote for a party that will represent them and be representative of them, through good times and bad. That party is the NDP.

[ English ] Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada Mr. Bob Dechert (Mississauga—Erindale, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party wants to be the next prime minister of Canada, but Canadians know this simple truth. He is not ready for the job. There are so many examples of this to point to. He attributed Putin's aggression to a hockey game. He said that the country he most admires in the world is China. He introduced a wide scattershot 32-point plan that was clearly written on the back of a napkin somewhere. Canada is the best country in the world.

It is a country where we stand up for our beliefs, whether it be home or abroad. It is a country where we want every family to succeed and spend on their priorities by cutting taxes and creating jobs. The leader of the Liberal Party is simply not ready.

ORAL QUESTIONS Oral Questions [ Translation ] National Defence Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, General Lawson said in an interview that sexual harassment within the Canadian Armed Forces was partly due to, and I quote, “biological wiring”. Obviously that statement is completely unacceptable. What does the Prime Minister intend to do to change this culture of sexual harassment within the Canadian Armed Forces? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I found the general's comments to be completely unacceptable, inappropriate and offensive.

Sexual harassment and sexual misconduct are unacceptable in any institution. The general did immediately apologize for his comments. The Canadian Armed Forces and Lieutenant-General Whitecross are in the process of implementing all of the recommendations set out in the Deschamps report. Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister just said will not drastically change the culture that has permeated the Canadian Armed Forces.

The question was what he personally intends to do about it. [ English ] General Lawson's comments are, of course, as wrong as they are a representation of everything that is pervasive in the military. Will the Prime Minister himself commit to implementing Justice Deschamps recommendations in order to put an end to this toxic culture within our military with regard to sexual assault and sexual misconduct? That culture is wrong. It has to be changed from the top. Will the Prime Minister act? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, as I said, I found the general's comments offensive, inappropriate and completely unacceptable. Sexual misconduct, sexual harassment are unacceptable in any institution. We are all very clear on that. There is no excuse for it. The general did immediately apologize for his comments. I would point out that the men and women in the military commissioned the report on this particular issue and gave a series of recommendations. The armed forces and General Whitecross are in the process of implementing those things immediately. We should not do anything that would slur all of the men and women in uniform.

(1425) [ Translation ] Public Safety Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister said that his government, and I quote, “encouraged the RCMP to destroy documents”, even though he knew that that violated the law. The Ontario Provincial Police are even investigating this matter. Has the Prime Minister communicated with the police to indicate his own involvement in this illegal activity? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, this government made a commitment to Canadians, and especially Canadians in the regions, to abolish the long gun registry, and we passed legislation to do just that in this Parliament. The RCMP obviously complies with the law, as does the government.

[ English ] Ethics Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, does the Prime Minister still believe that all senators meet the residency requirements to sit in the Senate? If so, would he be kind enough to tell us where Senator Carolyn Stewart-Olsen lives? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Once again, Mr. Speaker, after a complete audit the leader of the NDP gets up and makes an accusation against someone who is accused of absolutely nothing. The fact of the matter is that the Senate has done an audit and the Senate is responding to its recommendations.

What has not been responded to is NDP members taking public money and putting it into their own party organization. That is what was done in the sponsorship scandal. They have done that at a level of three times all of the accusations against senators combined. It is totally unacceptable. I look forward to Canadians passing judgment on them. Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr.

Speaker, Carolyn Stewart-Olsen, the senator for Ottawa-Moncton. [ Translation ] Does the Prime Minister agree with his Conservative senator, Jean-Guy Dagenais, who thinks that his office is entitled to claim money from taxpayers for mileage on travel that he admits never took place? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General issued his report and the Senate is acting on it. The NDP leader is obviously trying to make up accusations against some individuals. The truth is that this member took $400,000 from taxpayers, as in the sponsorship scandal, for his own political party.

That is completely unacceptable, and the public will have a chance to have its say.

[ English ] National Defence Mr. Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, it is 2015. Sexual harassment in our military is— Some hon. members: Oh, oh! The Speaker : Order. The hon. member for Papineau has the floor. Mr. Justin Trudeau : Mr. Speaker, it is 2015, and sexual harassment in our military is unacceptable. Someone in a leadership role excusing it as biological wiring is unacceptable. An apology that says this was just an awkward characterization is unacceptable. The Prime Minister just said that he agrees, so why will the Prime Minister not immediately dismiss his Chief of the Defence Staff?

(1430) Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see that the leader of the Liberal Party has been briefed on the facts in terms of the year. In terms of the more serious issue, as I have said, obviously the comments made here are offensive. They are inappropriate, they are inexplicable, and the general did immediately apologize. As we have said repeatedly, sexual misconduct is unacceptable in any institution, government or non-governmental. The Canadian Armed Forces takes this issue very seriously.

They commissioned a report, with a series of comprehensive recommendations, and they are acting on them. [ Translation ] Mr. Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, sexual harassment is unacceptable. Those in leadership positions need to set an example. The Canadian Armed Forces Chief of the Defence Staff made unacceptable comments on that subject. His apology is not good enough. Once again, seriously this time, can the Prime Minister tell us why he did not immediately demand that the Chief of the Defence Staff resign? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, the general apologized immediately. As I said, his comments were inappropriate, offensive and unacceptable. The Canadian Armed Forces are acting on recommendations and taking a comprehensive approach to eliminating sexual harassment among military personnel. The Chief of the Defence Staff has already announced his retirement, his successor has been appointed, and the transition will take place soon.

Supreme Court Mr. Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, for 10 years, the Prime Minister has repeatedly attacked the Supreme Court. He changed the judicial appointment process, making it partisan and closed. The Liberal Party has a plan for real change, to make the Supreme Court appointment process inclusive, representative and transparent again, a process that will ensure that judges are bilingual. Why does the Prime Minister refuse to acknowledge the importance of having judges who understand our two official languages? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, I am pleased to see the Liberal Party leader's 32 number one recommendations. [ English ] He has 32 number one recommendations, number one policies, none of which, of course, correspond to anything here his party has ever done in the past on this or any other issue. Our institutions are bilingual. The Parliament of Canada is bilingual. The Supreme Court of Canada is bilingual. Other institutions are. We do not require every single member of them to be bilingual.

Ethics Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, Nigel Wright told the RCMP that he briefed the Prime Minister on the media lines for the Duffy deal. Wright said in an email that he had the “good to go from the PM”. Why did the Prime Minister claim that he had never given Wright any instructions regarding the Duffy scandal? “Good to go” seems like a pretty clear instruction. Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, as the leader of the NDP knows very well, he is quoting from an RCMP report that thoroughly examined this matter.

It was given access to all documents and was very clear that I knew nothing of this particular matter, unlike him, who signed all of the papers, that took the money, inappropriately and fraudulently, out of the House of Commons, for which he will have to answer. Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, the question— Some hon. members: Oh, oh! The Speaker : Order. The hon. Leader of the Opposition has the floor. Hon. Thomas Mulcair : Mr. Speaker, the question is just that: Is the Prime Minister good to go? Is he good to go to swear to these statements under oath on a witness stand?

If the Prime Minister is called to testify in the Mike Duffy trial, will he appear, or will he hide? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, once again, as those who have investigated this have said that I am neither a participant nor a witness to any of these events, there is absolutely no reason why I would be before the court. However, I would invite him to have the RCMP look at his files on the $400,000 he personally took and the $3 million his party took out of the House of Commons.

(1435) Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, now that we have heard the Prime Minister talk about the Liberal-Conservative kangaroo court, why do we not look at what real courts have had to say about the Conservative record. In 2006, convicted in court of cheating in the in-and-out scandal; 2008, convicted of cheating in the Dean Del Mastro affair; 2011, convicted in court for cheating in the robocalls scandal. The Prime Minister 's team has been convicted of cheating in every single election he has won.

What safeguards has he put in place to try to ensure that his team does not cheat this time around? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, here is a party that itself has been found guilty of inappropriate robocalls and has been forced to return union funds that it illegally raised, and knowingly did so, and of course, still, $2.7 million was taken out of the House of Commons by the NDP, not for any parliamentary purpose, for the use of its own party offices across the country. This is exactly the kind of thing that happened in the sponsorship scandal, and the NDP will be held accountable.

Public Safety Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is using Bill C-51 to attack our rights and freedoms while offering no proof that this law will actually protect Canadians. If the Prime Minister is so confident of the legality of Bill C-51 , why does he not simply refer it to the Supreme Court prior to royal assent? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, Bill C-51 gives our law enforcement and security agencies all of the powers they typically have across major western governments to deal with very real security threats, things like sharing information between departments and having the ability to use peace bonds in case of imminent threat. I could go through those. Of course, the NDP is always against these things, always against this kind of thing, votes against every single piece of security legislation ever put forward because of its extreme and ideological positions.

What would we expect from leader who thinks Osama bin Laden is still alive and there is no such thing as a terrorist attack in Canada?

Employment Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, 400,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs have been lost while this Prime Minister did absolutely nothing. Sixty percent of the jobs created over the past six years are precarious, part-time, or contract work. In Ontario, that number is a whopping 83%. Is that the Prime Minister 's plan: for middle-class families to support themselves with part-time jobs? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I say it again.

It is very clear in Statistics Canada's report: 1.2 million net new jobs since the end of the recession, overwhelmingly full-time, high-paying, in the private sector. It is the best record in the G7 by a considerable stretch. But we should not expect the leader of the NDP to know his facts, because yesterday he was out there saying businesses need to pay higher taxes. When asked, “What is the tax rate exactly?”, he did not know and stated that it was three points lower than it actually is. That is typical of the NDP. It does not know what the taxes are; it just knows everybody's taxes have to be higher. Hon.

Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, heading into a previous election, the Prime Minister handed over a $5-million cheque at Electro-Motive Diesel in London, Ontario. The only problem is the plant shut down just a while later, and the jobs were shipped to the U.S. Heading into this election, the Prime Minister included footage of the Chevy Camaro assembly line in Oshawa. The only problem is that it was shut down, and the jobs have been shipped to the U.S. Will the Prime Minister admit that his plan is not working, or at the very least, will he please stop visiting assembly lines?

(1440) Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, at least the leader of the Liberal Party knows when to stop getting up. The government's job creation record in a period of global economic uncertainty is not parallelled in major industrial countries. We have done that with a balanced budget and with lower taxes for Canadian businesses and Canadian workers and Canadian families.

Every sector—the automotive sector, the exporters and manufacturers—is strongly supportive of the government's economic action plan, and nothing is going to convince those businesses or Canadian workers to buy the snake oil that somehow high taxes and big deficits are going to bring about greater prosperity. People can see what NDP policies have done in other countries. They are not going to have them here.

Government Policies Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, that is the kind of arrogance that could mean that this is the Prime Minister 's last question period, so I hope he does not mind that we have a couple more. The Prime Minister 's plan is not working. The Prime Minister has failed. That is why Canadians want change. As families struggle to make ends meet, the Prime Minister is telling seniors they will have to wait an extra two years to retire, raising the retirement age to 67. The Prime Minister forgot to mention that in the last election campaign.

Can he please tell Canadians today what he is hiding up his sleeve for the next time around? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I remind the leader of the NDP that it will be Canadians, not him, who decide the results of the next election. Canadians understand that we are living in a global economy that is very troubled. They also understand, as they look around the world, that there is absolutely no better place to be than this country, Canada. We have a balanced budget. We have lower taxes for Canadian families, businesses, and workers.

We have more money that is going into the pockets of our senior citizens and families. I do not believe anyone is going to blow that by buying the high-tax snake oil of the NDP.

Aboriginal Affairs Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, Canadians have already decided, and they want change. Did the Prime Minister ask Pope Francis to apologize on behalf of the Catholic Church for its involvement in the horrors of residential schools? [ Translation ] I am not interested in what document was submitted. He met with the Pope. Did he ask for an apology or not? [ English ] Did he ask for an apology, yes or no? Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, this government has apologized for that.

We have brought to the attention of the Pope and the Catholic Church the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It will be up to the Catholic Church to decide how to respond to the recommendations that are pertinent to it. The kind of change Canadians are seeking is change that means more prosperity, lower taxes and greater trade. That is the kind of change they are looking for. They are not looking for the high tax, protectionist, anti-prosperity agenda of the NDP.

Veterans Affairs Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, instead of asking Canadians to give up their freedoms, the Prime Minister ought to be showing a little respect for the people who fought for our freedoms: our veterans. The Prime Minister has closed veterans service centres, ignored a rash of military suicides and let his minister literally berate those who served our country. Will the Prime Minister make a show of good faith and commit to reopening those nine veterans offices?

(1445) Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, Canadian veterans services under this government are the best in the world. We have augmented those services across all fronts and have provided more points of service to Canadian veterans than ever before. The men and women who serve in uniform and have served in uniform can witness the kind of slur made earlier on them by the leader of the NDP. They know who is on their side and it is this party.

Public Safety Hon. Wayne Easter (Malpeque, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister confirmed yesterday it was on his encouragement that the RCMP was instructed to violate the law and destroy government documents. If anyone needed any more proof that Ottawa is broken, they need look no further than a Prime Minister who puts direct pressure on the national police force to break the law. Has the Prime Minister become so out of touch that he thinks he can ask the RCMP to break the law and then write himself a nice little bill to absolve himself of responsibility?

Does the Prime Minister really believe he is above the law? [ Translation ] Hon. Steven Blaney (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I want to confirm to my hon. colleague that our government promised to get rid of the costly and ineffective firearms registry. That is what we did. One thing is clear: the Liberals would reinstate the registry and treat hunters and fishers in this country like second-class citizens. We will continue to stand up for stronger public safety laws without hindering those who hunt for sport.

[ English ] Manufacturing Industry Hon. Judy Sgro (York West, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, after 10 years, the Conservatives' complete neglect of the manufacturing sector has had a devastating toll. In Toronto, one-quarter of its manufacturing jobs have simply vanished. Kitchener, Waterloo, Quebec City, Sherbrooke each have lost one-third of their jobs and in Windsor it is nearly 40%. The Conservatives' only response is to spend millions on partisan ads while posting record trade deficits.

Instead of trying to deceive Canadians with their own money, when are the Conservatives going to produce a real manufacturing strategy? Hon. James Moore (Minister of Industry, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, we have. As my colleague may well know, the Stats Canada numbers on jobs in the month of May show that not only 60,000 new jobs were created that month, but that 22,000 new jobs were created in the manufacturing sector about which the member asks. She asks equally for a plan and for some action by our government on manufacturing.

We have done so and have put forward effective measures in our government's budget, from the capital cost allowance to the automotive supplier fund, the automotive innovation fund, the tech demo program. We are supporting manufacturers, which is why the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters endorsed our budget and attacked the Liberal leader for his saying that Canada needs to move away from manufacturing. We support our manufacturers. We deliver for them, and we will never do what the Liberal leader does.

Infrastructure Mr. Adam Vaughan (Trinity—Spadina, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, the more the government announces, the less it seems to happen. The MP for Calgary Centre found this out the hard way, because she just found out what the rest of the country has known for a couple of years now: there is no infrastructure money flowing to major cities in this country. We have now lost two full construction seasons. There are lots of promises, lots of billboards, lots of ads, but the funds, as the Conservative MP said herself, are sitting there unused.

She tried to blame the mayor of Calgary for this and he told her to go hire a fact checker. Since the Conservative government is more interested in slamming the mayor of Calgary than helping that city, let me ask the question: Is the government going to fund the green line? Is the government going to deliver transit and jobs to Calgary or is it going to tell— The Speaker : The hon. Minister of Infrastructure. Hon. Denis Lebel (Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, our Conservative government's investments in provincial and municipal infrastructure are unprecedented. Since 2006, we have invested six times more on average than was invested during the Liberal years of darkness and inaction in infrastructure. Talking about Ontario, we have invested in the Scarborough subway, Sheppard light rail transit, the Union Station revitalization, the Kitchener—Waterloo rapid transit, and the list is very long. Twice a year we are transferring the money for the gas tax fund to the provinces and municipalities. That is being done.

Aboriginal Affairs Ms. Niki Ashton (Churchill, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, four decades after the waterways around Grassy Narrows were contaminated, a new report has revealed that the mercury levels in parts of the English-Wabigoon river system are increasing. The mercury is an obvious risk to the health of the Grassy Narrows First Nation, but despite this, there has not been any adequate study of the impact of these levels on people's health. A new report calls for a comprehensive study to be concluded. Will the government support this study, yes or no?

(1450) Hon. Bernard Valcourt (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, the health and well-being of first nations is a priority for our government, and we continue to work with the Mercury Disability Board and the Province of Ontario to support their work in addressing the issue of mercury contamination. We have been working in partnership with the first nation and the Province of Ontario for a number of years, and that good co-operation and work will continue. Ms. Niki Ashton (Churchill, NDP) : Mr.

Speaker, there is yet no answer to this question for the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation. Let us move on to the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women. This Friday, the RCMP is expected to publish a report talking about this ongoing tragedy. Indigenous people have called for the full analysis and details of what numbers are out there so that all systemic factors can be addressed and analyzed. This evidence should come before an inquiry as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has also recommended.

When will the government take seriously the issue of the national epidemic that is missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada? Mrs. Cathy McLeod (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, these are terrible crimes against innocent people, and the RCMP said in its own study that the vast majority of these cases are addressed and solved through police investigations. We do not need another study. We have already had over 40 studies that have been done.

We need to move forward with the action plan that is going to improve the lives of women and children living on reserves.

Democratic Reform Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, in the dying days of the 2011 election, Elections Canada warned Canadians about a Conservative voter suppression scheme. However, Elections Canada officials are sounding the alarm bells months before the next election. They are telling people they need to act urgently to get the new voter ID requirement. Why is it so much harder to vote? Is it because the Conservative Party does not believe it can win a fair fight?

The fact is many Canadians, seniors, youth, first nations, will go to vote and will be told “Sorry, you are not allowed to vote this time”. Why is the corrupt government relying on voter suppression tactics in order to try to cling to power? Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, this is yet another example of the loony-left in the NDP, which does not even believe people should bring ID when they vote. The good news is 87% of Canadians agree that they should bring ID when they vote. That is why we passed the Fair Elections Act.

Canadians overwhelmingly agree with the Fair Elections Act, and we expect that they will agree with our overall common-sense agenda in the coming election. [ Translation ] Mr. Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, breaking election laws has become basically an automatic reflex for the Conservatives. The in and out scandal, the misleading robocalls, Dean Del Mastro and Peter Penashue, come to mind, just to name a few. They had to add another layer to their electoral “deform”, which will make it even harder to vote.

Now, with voting day four months away, Elections Canada is sounding the alarm. Voting is going to be a lot harder for some Canadians. How can the Conservatives justify their attack on this fundamental right? Why do they want to prevent people from voting? What guarantee do we have that they will not try to cheat again? Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Democratic Reform, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, this is another example of the far left, the New Democrats, believing that people should not even have to bring a piece of ID to vote.

Some 87% of Canadians agree that people should have to show ID in order to vote. That is why we included that in our fair elections act. Canadians generally agree with this approach, which is why they support us.

[ English ] Taxation Mr. Dave Van Kesteren (Chatham-Kent—Essex, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, yesterday the NDP leader reaffirmed his support for higher CPP payroll taxes. The Liberal leader has also committed to imposing the Ontario Liberals' dramatic payroll tax increases. Could the Minister of State for Finance please give the House an update on the government's position on these? Hon. Kevin Sorenson (Minister of State (Finance), CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hard-working member for Chatham-Kent—Essex for that question.

Our Conservative government understands that Canadians want low taxes and the freedom to make their own financial decisions. We are proud to be providing historic tax relief that is putting $6,600 back into the pockets of a typical two-earner family of four. We reject the Liberal leader's $1,000 tax hike on middle-class workers. Canadians know now is not the time for risky schemes and untested leadership.

(1455) [ Translation ] Canada Post Ms. Rosane Doré Lefebvre (Alfred-Pellan, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, people in Laval are outraged by Canada Post's decision to put an end to home delivery. Despite record profits, Canada Post insists on doing away with an essential service for our seniors and SMEs. Today, we learned that some neighbourhoods will be exempt while others will not. Canada Post is making things up as it goes along. This is another example of the Conservatives' mismanagement. Will the minister finally do the only reasonable thing and restore home delivery service? [ English ] Hon.

Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, let us get to the facts of the matter. Canada Post is losing a significant amount of money. As a result, it is converting to community mailboxes, which are $178 per address cheaper. This is the way it is going to be self-sufficient in the future. Let us contrast that with what the opposition wants to do, which is to reinstate some, all, part—I do not know—of door-to-door service, which will cost upwards of half a billion dollars. This is not the way to manage finances.

Canadians know exactly who can manage the finances in this place, and it is this government. Ms. Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, Canada Post made almost $200 million in profits last year. However, it is still going ahead with the plan to end door-to-door service for over five million Canadians; that is unless one lives in a certain neighbourhood. Today we found out that Canada Post is allowing some neighbourhoods special concessions. Why will the minister not admit that the Canada Post plan is flawed in all areas and tell it to go back to the drawing board to restore home delivery? Hon.

Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I think the opposition should admit that it is flawed in anything to do with economics because what it does not realize is this. There is no profit at Canada Post. It had a $1.4 billion pension payment that had to be made in 2014. That was forgiven, because we are trying to get Canada Post back on its right footing. The members of the opposition should stop talking to the members of CUPW and they should start speaking on behalf of Canadians who want to make sure their tax dollars are well looked after.

Royal Canadian Mint Mr. Murray Rankin (Victoria, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, CBC has uncovered yet another Conservative appointee wasting tax dollars. This time it is at the Canadian Mint. He okayed post-conference vacations for employees and their spouses. Do members remember back when the Conservatives attacked the Liberals for David Dingwall being “entitled to his entitlements” when he was at the Mint? Now the Conservatives' appointees are jetting off on taxpayer-funded vacations, putting even Mr. Dingwall to shame. What happened to them? When exactly did they become just like the corrupt Liberals they replaced? Hon.

Joe Oliver (Minister of Finance, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, abuse of taxpayers' dollars is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by our government. As soon as I was made aware of the expenses, I instructed the Mint to adhere to appropriate management and oversight of travel and hospitality expenses by staff and board members, consistent with Treasury Board guidelines. While the Mint manages its own expenses like other crown corporations, it has a responsibility to ensure public funds are managed properly and in the best interests of taxpayers. [ Translation ] Mr. Pierre Dionne Labelle (Rivière-du-Nord, NDP) : Mr.

Speaker, senior executives from the Royal Canadian Mint, those who manufacture our money, have been using taxpayers' money to pay for wonderful personal vacations for themselves and their spouses: five star hotels in Mexico and trips to Thailand, Australia and Vienna. Nothing is too good for the royals at the Royal Canadian Mint. They spent over $160,000 in public funds to relax with their toes in the warm sand. Can the Minister of Finance , who is responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint, explain how all this is possible? Hon. Joe Oliver (Minister of Finance, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, as I said, any abuse of taxpayers' dollars will not be tolerated by our government. As soon as I was made aware of the questionable expenses, I instructed the Royal Canadian Mint to adhere to appropriate management and oversight of expenses. Like all other crown corporations, the Royal Canadian Mint has a responsibility to ensure public funds are always managed in the best interests of taxpayers.

(1500) [ English ] Public Safety Hon. John McCallum (Markham—Unionville, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, Michael Chan has been a good friend of mine for 15 years, and I know he is a loyal, patriotic Canadian. Four years ago, CSIS told him he was no longer under investigation, and the Premier of Ontario has said the charges against him are baseless. Do Conservatives believe it is wrong to maintain strong ties with one's country of origin? Yesterday's comments by the Attorney General on operational matters were beneath the dignity of his office. Will he stand and apologize in this House? [ Translation ] Hon.

Steven Blaney (Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, it is very simple. This is a Government of Ontario matter. I have no further comment.

[ English ] Telecommunications Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, the regulations governing the installation of cell towers require companies to consult local municipalities beforehand, but there is a glaring loophole. If the antenna is to be installed on an existing structure, such as a hydro pole or telephone pole, there is no obligation to consult. Why not? Whether it is on a new or existing structure, residents like those on Taywood Drive in my riding have the same concerns about an antenna's proximity to their home, especially if children are involved.

Will the minister close this loophole as soon as possible? Hon. James Moore (Minister of Industry, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, the regulations, when applied, actually do not allow for that loophole. I am happy to talk to the member and find out exactly what is happening in his district as he describes it. The regulations that we put in place were proposed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Of course, the vastness of this country, the geographic dynamics, and the demand by all Canadians to have access to high-speed cellular connectivity is critically important for our government.

However, we want to do this in a way that coincides with the demand for communities to build their communities with an aesthetic that makes sense. I am happy to look into the matter with the member.

[ Translation ] Health Ms. Christine Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, 11 years ago, an NDP motion to regulate trans fats was adopted by Parliament. Since then, not only have the Conservatives not followed Health Canada's recommendations, which would result in health care savings of $9 billion, but even worse they decided to abandon the regulations, which were expected in 2010. The United States announced that they would abolish the use of trans fats. Why is the minister refusing to regulate the use of trans fats, which are so harmful to health? [ English ] Mrs.

Cathy McLeod (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, we have been very focused on making sure Canadians have the information they need to make healthy choices. We were the first country in the world to require mandatory labelling to decrease trans fat levels in food. This is working, and we are working with industry. The approach has actually decreased intake by 60% in the last two decades. However, we are always willing to examine further action if it is going to benefit families. Mr. Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, NDP) : Mr.

Speaker, it is not okay to put poison in our food just because it is properly labelled. Banning trans fat will save lives, full stop, period, yet 11 years after Parliament directed government to ban trans fat, we are still clogging our children's arteries with this toxic goop. The United States has taken direct action and banned trans fat in all its forms. Will Canadians have to wait until the NDP forms the next government before we can protect consumers from this public health hazard? Mrs. Cathy McLeod (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and for Western Economic Diversification, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, we have taken important and significant action on this particular issue. I would like to note that there has been a 60% decrease in the intake of trans fat. Also, I did note that we will work to see if further action will benefit families.

Justice Mr. Mark Warawa (Langley, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, we are tough on donuts, but let us talk about saving lives. Impaired driving is a very serious crime that kills and injures thousands of Canadians every year. Can the hard-working Minister of Justice please update this House on what our Conservative government is doing to crack down on impaired driving? Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, the member has been an outspoken advocate on this issue for many years. Impaired drivers pose a significant risk to Canadians.

It is the number one criminal cause of death in Canada. To make offenders more accountable for their crimes, we have introduced legislation to increase mandatory minimum penalties for many transportation offences, including impaired driving involving bodily harm or death. This would also increase efficiency for police officers to investigate impaired driving and for the prosecution to go forward with these serious cases. I encourage all members of this House to support this important bill, which targets the scourge of impaired driving that is causing carnage on Canadian highways.

(1505) [ Translation ] Citizenship and Immigration Hon. Mauril Bélanger (Ottawa—Vanier, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, the crisis and violence in Burundi are worsening with the approach of the July 15 presidential election. In my opinion, the Canadian government should expedite family reunification applications. Furthermore, at the end of May we deported a young woman who had to immediately flee Burundi because the police wanted to put her in jail. She probably would have been tortured or raped in prison. Will the government temporarily stop the 650 or so scheduled deportations of Burundian citizens? Hon.

Chris Alexander (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, we are closely following the situation in Burundi. Decisions about that country, or any country in conflict, are always carefully considered by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration . We intend to continue reuniting families and welcoming Burundians to Canada, to the extent possible. [ English ] Mr. Dan Harris (Scarborough Southwest, NDP) : Mr.

Speaker, a man with advanced cancer in my riding was nearly denied life-saving surgery all because of a mistake at Citizenship and Immigration Canada. He could not renew his health card without verification of his immigration status, but immigration lost his application and then sent it to Alberta, mixed in with someone else's paperwork. Thankfully, after two months, he finally got the life-saving surgery that he needed, but this is unacceptable. Will the minister investigate this horrendous bureaucratic blunder so that it never happens again? Hon.

Chris Alexander (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, as the member well knows, we cannot speak about individual cases in this place. The Privacy Act forbids it. Decisions are made by highly trained and highly professional public services.

However, the member would do well in this near-final question period of this Parliament not to politicize the cases of individuals, not to politicize the suffering of families, and to answer to the House why the NDP was unable to support a bill yesterday at third reading that would protect women and girls from early and forced marriage, from polygamy, and from honour-based violence. Why has the NDP done nothing to protect Canadians from abuse in our immigration system?

Taxation Mr. Wladyslaw Lizon (Mississauga East—Cooksville, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, our government believes in low taxes for employers and employees. In fact, we have been lowering taxes on job creators since we took office. Can the Minister of Finance please update the House on our government's policy on taxes for job creators? Hon. Joe Oliver (Minister of Finance, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I thank the hard-working member for Mississauga East—Cooksville for the important question. Today we saw the NDP leader's ideological position on taxes.

When asked what the business tax rate is, first he made a mistake and then he admitted that he did not know but still believed they should be higher. This is the NDP position on taxes. Even when it is clueless about fiscal policy, it is convinced that taxes need to be higher. I want to assure the House that our position on taxes is just as clear but starkly different. We understand that taxes need to remain low to create jobs and growth.

[ Translation ] Fisheries and Oceans Mr. Yvon Godin (Acadie—Bathurst, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, after several years before the courts, there is still no resolution in the case of Cyrenus Dugas, a fisherman from New Brunswick, and his snow crab licence. Fisheries and Oceans Canada would not allow him to transfer his fishing licence. However, it appears that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has authorized the licence to be transferred on the basis of incorrect information and despite the fact that the transfer is still before the Court of Appeal. Why does the minister not respect the legal process?

Why was it so urgent to transfer this fishing licence? [ English ] Hon. Gail Shea (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, this issue has been before the courts for quite some time. The court has ruled and DFO acted upon that ruling.

[ Translation ] Port Infrastructure Mr. Jean-François Fortin (Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, FD) : Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, June 20, I will attend a rally in Carleton-sur-Mer, in the Gaspé, to show my support for the community's recreational and tourism plan for its wharf. The goal is to make the wharf conducive to commercial fishing, mariculture, and leisure and tourism activities—a comprehensive plan that will have significant benefits for Carleton-sur-Mer. To move forward, the community now needs the approval of Transport Canada, which owns the wharf.

Will the Minister of Transport ensure that the development plan for the Carleton-sur-Mer wharf, an important and unifying project for the Gaspé, will be processed quickly? (1510) [ English ] Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Transport, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, we have in place a ports asset transfer program which just entered the sales phase on Monday of this week. [ Translation ] I can assure the hon. member that the divestiture program exists for this reason.

The discussions with the municipalities will continue. [ English ] However, the province has a role as well, and I expect that the municipality and the province will work with Transport Canada officials to make sure that we can transfer this into the hands of the local municipalities.

Private Members' Business Private Members' Business [ English ] Alzheimer's Disease and Other Forms of Dementia Motion The House resumed from June 11 consideration of the motion. The Speaker : Pursuant to an order made on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 575 under private members' business. Call in the members.

(1520) (The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:) (Division No. 457) YEAS Members Ablonczy Adams Adler Aglukkaq Albas Albrecht Alexander Allen (Welland) Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Ambler Anders Anderson Andrews Angus Armstrong Ashfield Ashton Aspin Atamanenko Aubin Ayala Barlow Bélanger Bellavance Bennett Benoit Benskin Bergen Bernier Bevington Bezan Blanchette Blanchette-Lamothe Blaney Block Boivin Boughen Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Brahmi Braid Breitkreuz Brison Brosseau Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Butt Byrne Calandra Calkins Cannan Carmichael Caron Carrie Casey Cash Charlton Chicoine Chisholm Chisu Chong Choquette Christopherson Clarke Cleary Clement Comartin Côté Cotler Crockatt Crowder Cullen Cuzner Daniel Davidson Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Davies (Vancouver East) Day Dechert Devolin Dewar Dion Dionne Labelle Donnelly Doré Lefebvre Dreeshen Dubé Dubourg Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Duncan (Etobicoke North) Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Dusseault Dykstra Easter Eglinski Eyking Falk Fantino Fast Findlay (Delta—Richmond East) Fletcher Foote Fortin Freeland Galipeau Gallant Garneau Garrison Genest Genest-Jourdain Giguère Gill Glover Godin Goguen Goldring Goodale Goodyear Gosal Gravelle Grewal Groguhé Harper Harris (Scarborough Southwest) Harris (St.

John's East) Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hayes Hiebert Hillyer Holder Hsu Hyer James Jones Julian Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret'

s) Kellway Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lamoureux Lapointe Latendresse Lauzon Laverdière Lebel LeBlanc (Beauséjour) LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) Leef Leitch Lemieux Leslie Leung Liu Lizon Lobb Lukiwski Lunney MacAulay MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Maguire Mai Marston Martin Masse Mathyssen Mayes McCallum McColeman McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) McLeod Menegakis Michaud Miller Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) Moore (Fundy Royal) Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot) Mourani Mulcair Murray Nantel Nash Nicholson Norlock Nunez-Melo Obhrai O'Connor Oliver O'Neill Gordon Opitz O'Toole Pacetti Papillon Paradis Payne Péclet Perkins Pilon Poilievre Preston Quach Rafferty Raitt Rajotte Rankin Rathgeber Ravignat Raynault Regan Reid Rempel Richards Rickford Ritz Rousseau Sandhu Saxton Scarpaleggia Schellenberger Scott Seeback Sellah Shea Shipley Shory Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan Smith Sopuck Sorenson Stanton St-Denis Stewart Stoffer Sullivan Sweet Tilson Toet Toone Tremblay Trost Trottier Trudeau Uppal Valcourt Valeriote Van Kesteren Van Loan Vaughan Vellacott Wallace Warawa Warkentin Watson Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wilks Williamson Wong Woodworth Yelich Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer -- 277 NAYS Nil PAIRED Nil The Speaker : Motion agreed to I declare the motion carried.

Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Motion The House resumed from June 12 consideration of the motion. The Speaker : Pursuant to an order made on Tuesday, June 16, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 574 under private member's business.

(1525) (The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:) (Division No. 458) YEAS Members Adams Allen (Welland) Andrews Angus Ashton Atamanenko Aubin Ayala Bélanger Bellavance Bennett Benskin Bevington Blanchette Blanchette-Lamothe Boivin Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Brahmi Brison Brosseau Byrne Caron Casey Cash Charlton Chicoine Chisholm Choquette Christopherson Cleary Comartin Côté Cotler Crowder Cullen Cuzner Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Davies (Vancouver East) Day Dewar Dion Dionne Labelle Donnelly Doré Lefebvre Dubé Dubourg Duncan (Etobicoke North) Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Dusseault Easter Eyking Foote Fortin Freeland Garneau Garrison Genest Genest-Jourdain Giguère Godin Goodale Gravelle Groguhé Harris (Scarborough Southwest) Harris (St.

John's East) Hsu Hyer Jones Julian Kellway Lamoureux Lapointe Latendresse Laverdière LeBlanc (Beauséjour) LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) Leslie Liu MacAulay Mai Marston Martin Masse Mathyssen McCallum McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) Michaud Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot) Mourani Mulcair Murray Nantel Nash Nunez-Melo Pacetti Papillon Péclet Pilon Quach Rafferty Rankin Ravignat Raynault Regan Rousseau Sandhu Scarpaleggia Scott Sellah Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan St-Denis Stewart Stoffer Sullivan Toone Tremblay Trudeau Valeriote Vaughan -- 127 NAYS Members Ablonczy Adler Aglukkaq Albas Albrecht Alexander Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Ambler Anders Anderson Armstrong Ashfield Aspin Barlow Benoit Bergen Bernier Bezan Blaney Block Boughen Braid Breitkreuz Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Butt Calandra Calkins Cannan Carmichael Carrie Chisu Chong Clarke Clement Crockatt Daniel Davidson Dechert Devolin Dreeshen Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Dykstra Eglinski Falk Fantino Fast Findlay (Delta—Richmond East) Fletcher Galipeau Gallant Gill Glover Goguen Goldring Goodyear Gosal Grewal Harper Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hayes Hiebert Hillyer Holder James Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St.

Margaret'

s) Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lauzon Lebel Leef Leitch Lemieux Leung Lizon Lobb Lukiwski Lunney MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Maguire Mayes McColeman McLeod Menegakis Miller Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) Moore (Fundy Royal) Nicholson Norlock Obhrai O'Connor O'Neill Gordon Opitz O'Toole Paradis Payne Perkins Poilievre Preston Raitt Rajotte Rathgeber Reid Rempel Richards Rickford Ritz Saxton Schellenberger Seeback Shea Shipley Shory Smith Sopuck Sorenson Stanton Sweet Tilson Toet Trost Trottier Uppal Valcourt Van Kesteren Van Loan Vellacott Wallace Warawa Warkentin Watson Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wilks Williamson Wong Woodworth Yelich Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer -- 149 PAIRED Nil The Speaker : Motion negatived I declare the motion defeated.

(1530) Free Votes Motion No. 590 The House resumed from June 15 consideration of the motion. The Speaker : Pursuant to an order made on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 590 under private member's business.

(1535) (The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:) (Division No. 459) YEAS Members Ablonczy Adams Adler Aglukkaq Albas Albrecht Alexander Allen (Welland) Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Ambler Anders Anderson Andrews Angus Armstrong Ashfield Ashton Aspin Atamanenko Aubin Ayala Barlow Bélanger Bellavance Bennett Benoit Benskin Bergen Bernier Bevington Bezan Blanchette Blanchette-Lamothe Blaney Block Boivin Boughen Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Brahmi Braid Breitkreuz Brison Brosseau Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Butt Byrne Calandra Calkins Cannan Carmichael Caron Carrie Casey Cash Charlton Chicoine Chisholm Chisu Chong Choquette Christopherson Clarke Cleary Clement Comartin Côté Cotler Crockatt Crowder Cullen Cuzner Daniel Davidson Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Davies (Vancouver East) Day Dechert Devolin Dewar Dion Dionne Labelle Donnelly Doré Lefebvre Dreeshen Dubé Dubourg Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Duncan (Etobicoke North) Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Dusseault Dykstra Easter Eglinski Eyking Falk Fantino Fast Findlay (Delta—Richmond East) Fletcher Foote Fortin Freeland Galipeau Gallant Garrison Genest Genest-Jourdain Giguère Gill Glover Godin Goguen Goldring Goodale Goodyear Gosal Gravelle Grewal Groguhé Harper Harris (Scarborough Southwest) Harris (St.

John's East) Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hayes Hiebert Hillyer Holder Hsu Hyer James Jones Julian Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret'

s) Kellway Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lamoureux Lapointe Latendresse Lauzon Lebel LeBlanc (Beauséjour) LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) Leef Leitch Lemieux Leslie Leung Liu Lizon Lobb Lukiwski Lunney MacAulay MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Maguire Mai Marston Masse Mathyssen May Mayes McCallum McColeman McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) McLeod Menegakis Michaud Miller Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) Moore (Fundy Royal) Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot) Mourani Mulcair Murray Nantel Nash Nicholson Norlock Nunez-Melo Obhrai O'Neill Gordon Opitz O'Toole Pacetti Papillon Paradis Payne Péclet Perkins Pilon Poilievre Preston Quach Rafferty Raitt Rajotte Rankin Rathgeber Ravignat Raynault Regan Reid Rempel Richards Rickford Ritz Rousseau Sandhu Saxton Scarpaleggia Schellenberger Scott Seeback Sellah Shea Shipley Shory Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan Smith Sopuck Sorenson Stanton St-Denis Stewart Stoffer Sullivan Sweet Tilson Toet Toone Tremblay Trost Trottier Trudeau Uppal Valcourt Valeriote Van Kesteren Van Loan Vaughan Vellacott Wallace Warawa Warkentin Watson Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wilks Williamson Wong Woodworth Yelich Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer -- 273 NAYS Members O'Connor -- 1 PAIRED Nil The Speaker : I declare the motion carried.

Motion agreed to

Missing Aboriginal Women Motion No. 411 The House resumed from June 16 consideration of the motion. The Speaker : The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 411 under private member's business.

(1545) (The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:) (Division No. 460) YEAS Members Adams Allen (Welland) Andrews Angus Ashton Atamanenko Aubin Ayala Bélanger Bellavance Bennett Benskin Bevington Blanchette Blanchette-Lamothe Boivin Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Brahmi Brison Brosseau Byrne Caron Casey Cash Charlton Chicoine Chisholm Choquette Christopherson Cleary Comartin Côté Cotler Crowder Cullen Cuzner Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Davies (Vancouver East) Day Dewar Dion Dionne Labelle Donnelly Doré Lefebvre Dubé Dubourg Duncan (Etobicoke North) Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Dusseault Easter Eyking Foote Fortin Freeland Garneau Garrison Genest Genest-Jourdain Giguère Godin Goodale Gravelle Groguhé Harris (Scarborough Southwest) Harris (St.

John's East) Hsu Hyer Jones Julian Kellway Lamoureux Lapointe Latendresse Laverdière LeBlanc (Beauséjour) LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) Leslie Liu MacAulay Mai Marston Martin Masse Mathyssen May McCallum McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) Michaud Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot) Mourani Mulcair Murray Nantel Nash Nunez-Melo Pacetti Papillon Péclet Pilon Quach Rafferty Rankin Rathgeber Ravignat Raynault Regan Rousseau Sandhu Scarpaleggia Scott Sellah Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan St-Denis Stewart Stoffer Sullivan Toone Tremblay Trudeau Valeriote Vaughan -- 129 NAYS Members Ablonczy Adler Aglukkaq Albas Albrecht Alexander Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Ambler Anders Anderson Armstrong Ashfield Aspin Barlow Benoit Bergen Bernier Bezan Blaney Block Boughen Braid Breitkreuz Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Butt Calandra Calkins Cannan Carmichael Carrie Chisu Chong Clarke Clement Crockatt Daniel Davidson Dechert Devolin Dreeshen Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Dykstra Eglinski Falk Fantino Fast Findlay (Delta—Richmond East) Fletcher Galipeau Gallant Gill Glover Goguen Goldring Goodyear Gosal Grewal Harper Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hayes Hiebert Hillyer Holder James Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St.

Margaret'

s) Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lauzon Lebel Leef Leitch Lemieux Leung Lobb Lukiwski Lunney MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Maguire Mayes McColeman McLeod Menegakis Miller Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) Moore (Fundy Royal) Nicholson Norlock Obhrai O'Connor O'Neill Gordon Opitz O'Toole Paradis Payne Perkins Poilievre Preston Raitt Rajotte Reid Rempel Richards Rickford Ritz Saxton Schellenberger Seeback Shea Shipley Shory Smith Sopuck Sorenson Stanton Sweet Tilson Toet Trost Trottier Uppal Valcourt Van Kesteren Van Loan Vellacott Wallace Warawa Warkentin Watson Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wilks Williamson Wong Woodworth Yelich Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer -- 147 PAIRED Nil The Speaker : Motion negatived I declare the motion defeated.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS Government Orders [ Translation ] Ways and Means Motion No. 25 The Speaker : Pursuant to an order made on Tuesday, June 16, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 25 under ways and means.

(1550) [ English ] (The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:) (Division No. 461) YEAS Members Ablonczy Adams Adler Aglukkaq Albas Albrecht Alexander Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Ambler Anders Anderson Andrews Armstrong Ashfield Aspin Barlow Bélanger Bellavance Bennett Benoit Bergen Bernier Bezan Blaney Block Boughen Braid Breitkreuz Brison Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Butt Calandra Calkins Cannan Carmichael Carrie Casey Chisu Chong Clarke Clement Cotler Crockatt Cuzner Daniel Davidson Dechert Devolin Dion Dreeshen Dubourg Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Duncan (Etobicoke North) Dykstra Easter Eglinski Eyking Falk Fantino Fast Findlay (Delta—Richmond East) Fletcher Foote Fortin Freeland Galipeau Gallant Garneau Gill Glover Goguen Goldring Goodale Goodyear Gosal Grewal Harper Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hayes Hiebert Hillyer Holder Hsu James Jones Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St.

Margaret'

s) Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lamoureux Lauzon Lebel LeBlanc (Beauséjour) Leef Leitch Lemieux Leung Lizon Lobb Lukiwski Lunney MacAulay MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Maguire Mayes McCallum McColeman McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) McLeod Menegakis Miller Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) Moore (Fundy Royal) Murray Nicholson Norlock Obhrai O'Connor O'Neill Gordon Opitz O'Toole Pacetti Paradis Payne Perkins Poilievre Preston Raitt Rajotte Rathgeber Regan Reid Rempel Richards Rickford Ritz Saxton Scarpaleggia Schellenberger Seeback Shea Shipley Shory Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) Smith Sopuck Sorenson Stanton St-Denis Sweet Tilson Toet Trost Trottier Trudeau Uppal Valcourt Valeriote Van Kesteren Van Loan Vaughan Vellacott Wallace Warawa Warkentin Watson Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wilks Williamson Wong Woodworth Yelich Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer -- 185 NAYS Members Allen (Welland) Angus Ashton Atamanenko Aubin Ayala Benskin Bevington Blanchette Blanchette-Lamothe Boivin Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Brahmi Brosseau Caron Cash Charlton Chicoine Chisholm Choquette Christopherson Cleary Comartin Côté Crowder Cullen Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Davies (Vancouver East) Day Dewar Dionne Labelle Donnelly Doré Lefebvre Dubé Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Dusseault Garrison Genest Genest-Jourdain Giguère Godin Gravelle Groguhé Harris (Scarborough Southwest) Harris (St.

John's East) Hyer Julian Kellway Lapointe Latendresse Laverdière LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) Leslie Liu Mai Marston Martin Masse Mathyssen May Michaud Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot) Mourani Mulcair Nantel Nash Nunez-Melo Papillon Péclet Pilon Quach Rafferty Rankin Ravignat Raynault Rousseau Sandhu Scott Sellah Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan Stewart Stoffer Sullivan Toone Tremblay -- 91 PAIRED Nil The Speaker : Motion agreed to I declare the motion carried

(1555) Motion No. 26 The Speaker : The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 26 under Ways and Means.

(1600) (The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:) (Division No. 462) YEAS Members Ablonczy Adler Aglukkaq Albas Albrecht Alexander Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Ambler Anders Anderson Armstrong Ashfield Aspin Barlow Benoit Bergen Bernier Bezan Blaney Block Boughen Braid Breitkreuz Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Butt Calandra Calkins Cannan Carmichael Carrie Chisu Chong Clarke Clement Crockatt Daniel Davidson Dechert Devolin Dreeshen Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Dykstra Eglinski Falk Fantino Fast Findlay (Delta—Richmond East) Fletcher Galipeau Gallant Gill Glover Goguen Goldring Goodyear Gosal Grewal Harper Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hayes Hiebert Hillyer Holder James Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St.

Margaret'

s) Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lauzon Leef Leitch Lemieux Leung Lizon Lobb Lukiwski Lunney MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Maguire Mayes McColeman McLeod Menegakis Miller Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) Moore (Fundy Royal) Nicholson Norlock Obhrai O'Connor O'Neill Gordon Opitz O'Toole Pacetti Paradis Payne Perkins Poilievre Preston Raitt Rajotte Rathgeber Reid Rempel Richards Rickford Ritz Saxton Schellenberger Seeback Shea Shipley Shory Smith Sopuck Sorenson Stanton Sweet Tilson Toet Trost Trottier Uppal Valcourt Van Kesteren Van Loan Vellacott Wallace Warawa Warkentin Watson Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wilks Williamson Wong Woodworth Yelich Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer -- 149 NAYS Members Adams Allen (Welland) Andrews Angus Ashton Aubin Ayala Bélanger Bellavance Bennett Benskin Bevington Blanchette Blanchette-Lamothe Boivin Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Brahmi Brison Brosseau Byrne Caron Casey Cash Charlton Chicoine Chisholm Choquette Christopherson Cleary Comartin Côté Cotler Crowder Cullen Cuzner Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Davies (Vancouver East) Day Dewar Dion Dionne Labelle Donnelly Doré Lefebvre Dubé Dubourg Duncan (Etobicoke North) Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Dusseault Easter Eyking Foote Fortin Freeland Garneau Garrison Genest Genest-Jourdain Giguère Godin Goodale Gravelle Groguhé Harris (Scarborough Southwest) Harris (St.

John's East) Hsu Hyer Jones Julian Kellway Lamoureux Lapointe Latendresse Laverdière LeBlanc (Beauséjour) LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) Leslie Liu MacAulay Mai Marston Martin Masse Mathyssen May McCallum McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) Michaud Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot) Mourani Mulcair Murray Nantel Nash Nunez-Melo Papillon Péclet Pilon Quach Rafferty Rankin Ravignat Raynault Regan Rousseau Sandhu Scarpaleggia Scott Sellah Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan St-Denis Stewart Stoffer Sullivan Toone Tremblay Trudeau Valeriote Vaughan -- 126 PAIRED Nil The Speaker : Motion agreed to I declare the motion carried.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Private Members' Business [ English ] Unemployment Rate Motion The House resumed from June 16 consideration of the motion. The Speaker : The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on Motion No. 585 under private members' business.

(1610) (The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:) (Division No. 463) YEAS Members Adams Allen (Welland) Andrews Angus Ashton Atamanenko Aubin Ayala Bélanger Bellavance Bennett Benskin Bevington Blanchette Blanchette-Lamothe Boivin Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Brahmi Brison Brosseau Byrne Caron Casey Cash Charlton Chicoine Chisholm Choquette Christopherson Comartin Côté Cotler Crowder Cullen Cuzner Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Davies (Vancouver East) Day Dewar Dion Dionne Labelle Donnelly Doré Lefebvre Dubé Dubourg Duncan (Etobicoke North) Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Dusseault Easter Eyking Foote Fortin Freeland Garneau Garrison Genest Genest-Jourdain Giguère Godin Goodale Gravelle Groguhé Harris (Scarborough Southwest) Harris (St.

John's East) Hsu Hyer Jones Julian Kellway Lamoureux Lapointe Latendresse Laverdière LeBlanc (Beauséjour) LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) Leslie Liu MacAulay Mai Marston Martin Masse Mathyssen May McCallum McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) Michaud Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot) Mourani Mulcair Murray Nantel Nash Nunez-Melo Pacetti Papillon Péclet Pilon Quach Rafferty Rankin Rathgeber Raynault Regan Rousseau Sandhu Scarpaleggia Scott Sellah Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan St-Denis Stewart Stoffer Sullivan Toone Tremblay Trudeau Valeriote Vaughan -- 127 NAYS Members Ablonczy Adler Aglukkaq Albas Albrecht Alexander Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Ambler Anders Anderson Armstrong Ashfield Aspin Barlow Benoit Bergen Bernier Bezan Blaney Block Boughen Braid Breitkreuz Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Butt Calandra Calkins Cannan Carmichael Carrie Chisu Chong Clarke Clement Crockatt Daniel Davidson Dechert Devolin Dreeshen Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Dykstra Eglinski Falk Fantino Fast Findlay (Delta—Richmond East) Fletcher Galipeau Gallant Gill Glover Goguen Goodyear Grewal Harper Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hayes Hiebert Hillyer Holder James Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St.

Margaret'

s) Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lake Lauzon Leef Leitch Lemieux Leung Lizon Lobb Lukiwski Lunney MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Maguire Mayes McColeman McLeod Menegakis Miller Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam) Moore (Fundy Royal) Nicholson Norlock Obhrai O'Connor O'Neill Gordon Opitz O'Toole Paradis Payne Perkins Poilievre Preston Raitt Rajotte Reid Rempel Richards Rickford Ritz Saxton Schellenberger Seeback Shea Shipley Shory Smith Sopuck Sorenson Stanton Sweet Tilson Toet Trost Trottier Uppal Valcourt Van Kesteren Van Loan Vellacott Wallace Warawa Warkentin Watson Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wilks Williamson Wong Woodworth Yelich Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer -- 145 PAIRED Nil The Speaker : Motion negatived I declare the motion defeated.

Routine Proceedings Routine Proceedings [ English ] Committees of the House Procedure and House Affairs Motion for concurrence The House resumed from June 16 consideration of the motion. The Speaker : The House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion to concur in the 21st report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Before the Clerk announced the results of the vote:

(1620) The Speaker : Perhaps the hon. Minister of National Defence could clarify which way he meant to vote. Hon. Jason Kenney : Mr. Speaker, as they say, “Vote early and vote often”. I intend to vote in favour of the motion.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:) (Division No. 464) YEAS Members Ablonczy Adams Adler Albrecht Alexander Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac) Allison Ambler Anders Andrews Armstrong Ashfield Aspin Barlow Bennett Benoit Bergen Bezan Blanchette Blaney Boughen Braid Breitkreuz Brison Brown (Leeds—Grenville) Brown (Newmarket—Aurora) Butt Byrne Cannan Carmichael Carrie Casey Chisu Chong Clarke Côté Cotler Crockatt Cuzner Daniel Dechert Devolin Dion Dubourg Duncan (Vancouver Island North) Duncan (Etobicoke North) Dusseault Dykstra Easter Eglinski Eyking Falk Fantino Fletcher Foote Fortin Freeland Gallant Garneau Genest-Jourdain Giguère Glover Goguen Goldring Goodale Goodyear Grewal Harper Harris (Scarborough Southwest) Harris (Cariboo—Prince George) Hayes Hiebert Hillyer Holder Hsu Jones Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission) Keddy (South Shore—St.

Margaret'

s) Kenney (Calgary Southeast) Kent Kerr Komarnicki Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings) Lamoureux Lapointe Latendresse Lauzon LeBlanc (Beauséjour) Leef Leitch Lemieux Leung Lizon Lobb Lukiwski Lunney MacAulay MacKay (Central Nova) MacKenzie Maguire May Mayes McCallum McColeman McGuinty McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood) McLeod Menegakis Miller Moore (Abitibi—Témiscamingue) Morin (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine) Morin (Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot) Mourani Murray Nicholson Norlock Nunez-Melo O'Connor O'Neill Gordon Opitz O'Toole Pacetti Payne Perkins Poilievre Preston Raitt Rajotte Rathgeber Regan Reid Rickford Saxton Scarpaleggia Schellenberger Shea Shipley Shory Simms (Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor) Smith Sopuck Sorenson Stanton St-Denis Stewart Sweet Tilson Toet Toone Tremblay Trottier Trudeau Uppal Valcourt Valeriote Van Kesteren Vaughan Vellacott Wallace Warkentin Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country) Weston (Saint John) Wong Woodworth Yelich Young (Oakville) Young (Vancouver South) Yurdiga Zimmer -- 169 NAYS Members Albas Allen (Welland) Anderson Angus Ashton Atamanenko Aubin Ayala Bélanger Bellavance Benskin Bernier Bevington Blanchette-Lamothe Block Boivin Boulerice Boutin-Sweet Brosseau Calandra Calkins Caron Cash Charlton Chicoine Chisholm Choquette Christopherson Clement Comartin Crowder Cullen Davidson Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) Davies (Vancouver East) Day Dewar Dionne Labelle Donnelly Doré Lefebvre Dreeshen Dubé Duncan (Edmonton—Strathcona) Fast Galipeau Garrison Genest Gill Godin Groguhé Harris (St.

John's East) Hyer James Julian Kellway Lake LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) Leslie Liu Mai Marston Martin Masse Mathyssen Michaud Moore (Fundy Royal) Morin (Chicoutimi—Le Fjord) Morin (Laurentides—Labelle) Mulcair Nantel Nash Obhrai Papillon Paradis Péclet Pilon Quach Rafferty Rankin Raynault Rempel Richards Ritz Sandhu Scott Seeback Sellah Sims (Newton—North Delta) Sitsabaiesan Stoffer Sullivan Trost Van Loan Warawa Watson Wilks Williamson -- 97 PAIRED Nil The Speaker : I declare the motion carried. Motion agreed to

Global Centre for Pluralism Hon. Tim Uppal (Minister of State (Multiculturalism), CPC) : Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Global Centre for Pluralism's Corporate Plan 2015. Hon. Irwin Cotler : Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of privilege related to the government's responses to two questions on the order paper, which became accessible only online yesterday. Thus, I am raising this matter at the earliest opportunity. I know that you and your predecessors— The Speaker : Order.

I would like to take this opportunity to inform the hon. member for Mount Royal that as of this moment, I have not received written notice. Standing Order 48 states that members must give the Speaker an hour's written notice before raising a question of privilege. He can do that, and 60 minutes after he does so he can raise the question of privilege in the House. I cannot hear him now because of that requirement, but no doubt he will remedy that situation.

Government Response to Petitions Mr. Tom Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to 13 petitions.

Interparliamentary Delegations Mr. Gordon Brown (Leeds—Grenville, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, two reports of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group. The first concerns the 38th annual conference of New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers, which was held in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, the United States of America, July 13 to 15, 2014. The second concerns the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance conference that was held here in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 3 to 5, 2015.

Committees of the House Public Accounts Mr. David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following reports of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts: the 20th report, on

chapter 2, Required Reporting by Federal Organizations, of the spring 2015 report of the Auditor General of Canada; the 21st report, on

chapter 3, Tax-Based Expenditures, of the spring 2015 report of the Auditor General of Canada; and the 22nd report, on

chapter 5, Information Technology Investments, Canada Border Services Agency, of the spring 2015 report of the Auditor General of Canada. Pursuant to Standing Order 109 of the House of Commons, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to these three reports.

(1625) Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Mr. Larry Miller (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the ninth report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “Updating Infrastructure in Canada: An examination of needs and investments”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109 of the House of Commons, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. Mr. Hoang Mai (Brossard—La Prairie, NDP) : Mr.

Speaker, it is an honour for me to present the NDP's dissenting opinion, in both official languages. I would like to thank and congratulate the MP for Beaches—East York , the NDP's infrastructure and urban affairs critic, who worked really hard on this matter. [ Translation ] We issued a dissenting opinion because the committee, with its Conservative majority, left some important testimony out of the final report. Unfortunately, studies on first nations infrastructure and communities were left out.

The NDP's dissenting report includes recommendations about infrastructure, such as our bridges and roads, and public transit. We need to make sure that future generations do not have to bear the financial burden for that infrastructure.

[ English ] Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Mr. Phil McColeman (Brant, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, entitled “Exploring the Potential of Social Finance in Canada”. Ms. Jinny Jogindera Sims (Newton—North Delta, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, included in the report is our dissenting report.

We feel that this is an area where there is a great deal that is not known and much further study needs to be done. We are also very concerned about the impact on social programs in our communities.

Health Mr. Ben Lobb (Huron—Bruce, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Health, entitled “Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation and the Health of Canadians”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. I would also like to mention that this is the second unanimous report this year from the health committee. There has been good work by all members.

International Trade Hon. Ron Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on International Trade, entitled “Connecting Canadian Companies to International Markets: Global Markets Action Plan and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. I also wish the chair of the standing committee, the member for Prince Albert , a speedy recovery from his surgery in hospital. Mr.

Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, it is with a sense of accomplishment that I present today, in both official languages, the official opposition's supplementary report to the trade committee's report entitled “Connecting Canadian Companies to International Markets: Global Markets Action Plan and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises”. We believe in the great potential of Canada's small and medium-sized enterprises to drive Canada's economic prosperity and contribute to the well-being of our communities.

Seeing new opportunities to promote SME success on the international stage, the NDP introduced the motion at the trade committee that launched this study. Our hope was to spur a thoughtful and meaningful conversation between SME owners, experts, and parliamentarians that would generate new and innovative ideas. I am proud to say that this study was conducted in an atmosphere of collegiality and bipartisan co-operation. We are pleased with the findings of this report.

Nevertheless, the official opposition has included this supplementary opinion to provide further insight into witness testimony and add important recommendations that were missed in the main report.

Environment and Sustainable Development Mr. Harold Albrecht (Kitchener—Conestoga, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the tenth report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, entitled “Licensed Hunting and Trapping in Canada”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

(1630) Mr. Dennis Bevington (Northwest Territories, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present the New Democratic Party's dissenting report on the report from the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development on hunting and trapping in Canada. New Democrats support and encourage Canadians to spend time enjoying Canada's outdoors. We see it as a privilege.

New Democrats recognize and salute the fact that hunters and trappers have played an important role in the conservation of wildlife habitat, which complements the vital and important role carried out by government agencies through regulation, enforcement, research, and environmental protection and monitoring. We make the following recommendations.

First, in order to ensure healthy wildlife populations and a sustainable environment that protects habitat, it is recommended that the Government of Canada initiate and provide funding for wildlife research and monitoring, particularly in the area of the impact of climate change on habitat. Second, as federal legislation has played an important role in maintaining healthy wildlife populations and a sustainable environment, it is recommended that the Government of Canada support and enhance laws to protect Canada's environment and wildlife.

Third, because of the special role that hunting and trapping play in the culture of Canada's aboriginal peoples, it is recommended that the Government of Canada take active steps to ensure that the hunting and trapping rights of Canadian aboriginal people, which were established in nation-to-nation treaties, are well protected.

Canada Shipping Act, 2001 Mr. John Weston (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, CPC) Bill C-695. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C-695,

An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (prohibition against abandonment of vessel) . He said: Mr. Speaker, it is with a sense of pride on behalf of B.C.'s coastal communities that I introduce a long-awaited private member's bill to counter the increasing problem of vessels abandoned on B.C.'s coastal waters. As of last year, Transport Canada had identified 245 boats that might be deemed abandoned off B.C., in addition to vessels abandoned on the east coast.

The bill is called a prohibition against abandonment of vessels, and it would provide jail time and fines for people who intentionally abandon a vessel. I hope that all members in this chamber will work with me to get this bill passed. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Rouge National Urban Park Act Ms. Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough—Rouge River, NDP) Bill C-696. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C-696, Act to amend the Rouge National Urban Park Act (ecological protection) . She said: Mr. Speaker, over the last year, the government has pushed through critically flawed legislation for Rouge National Urban Park, ignoring the advice of several thousand Canadians, 106 members of Parliament, the Ontario government, and several of Canada's top environmental organizations.

Even the former chief scientist for Parks Canada, Stephen Woodley, publicly stated that the Rouge National Urban Park Act “falls considerably short” of the accepted environmental standards for protected areas, whether urban or wilderness. The new park that is being created would be less than two square kilometres and would not include the currently existing Rouge Park.

The bill that I have put forward would actually fix many of the serious flaws in the existing Rouge National Urban Park Act by prioritizing and protecting the restoration of ecological integrity and watershed health; by respecting water quality agreement objectives and policies for the provincial Greenbelt, Rouge Park, the Rouge watershed, the Oak Ridges Moraine, and the Great Lakes; by requiring good public consultation and scientifically sound park management; by supporting healthy and sustainable farming in the park; and by respecting the history and heritage of the first peoples of the land.

I hope that we will be able to move forward with the bill and see a Rouge national park that is 100 square kilometres, a people's park and will continue to be the gem in everybody's backyard in the city of Toronto and the greater Toronto area. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

(1635) Recall of a Member of Parliament Act Mr. Brent Rathgeber (Edmonton—St. Albert, Ind.) Bill C-697. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C-697,

An Act to establish a process to recall members of Parliament . He said: Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise to table a private member's bill,

an act to establish a process to recall members of Parliament. This legislation, also to be known as the “recall of a member of Parliament act”, would allow the electors of an electoral district to apply to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issuance of a petition for the recall of their member of Parliament. Recall legislation would allow electors disappointed with their representative to recall or fire that member.

If the petition was signed by at least 25% of the electors who were eligible to vote for that member and still resided in that electoral district, the seat would be declared vacant and a recall election would be held on the same basis as a by-election. The recalled member could contest the by-election to determine if he still maintained the confidence of his or her constituents. A recall petition could not be issued within 12 months from the member's election or within the 12 months preceding a fixed election date.

For a representative democracy to function, government must be responsible to Parliament and parliamentarians must be accountable to their constituents. Accordingly, I encourage all members to support the recall of a member of Parliament act. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Navigation Protection Act Mr. Randall Garrison (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, NDP) Bill C-698. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C-698,

An Act to amend the Navigation Protection Act (Tod Creek) . He said: Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce a private member's bill to restore federal environmental protection for the Tod Creek watershed. This protection was removed from all rivers, lakes, and streams on Vancouver Island by the Conservative government in 2012. The Tod Creek watershed covers 23 square kilometres on the Saanich Peninsula. Its headwaters are found at Maltby Lake, but it also includes Prospect Lake, Durrance Lake, three other smaller lakes, 29 wetlands, and many small creeks as it winds it way to the Saanich Inlet.

Over the years, a wide variety of volunteer groups have undertaken efforts to preserve and enhance this watershed. In the last 15 years, there has been significant progress in restoring salmon runs by improving fish habitat and creating a fishway around the waterfalls 450 metres upstream. Today significant efforts are also under way to protect the watershed's headwaters at Maltby Lake, a jewel of a lake with near-pristine water, surrounded by 172 acres of undisturbed forest and wetland and the home of a rare freshwater jellyfish.

Restoring federal environmental protection to the Tod Creek watershed would put the federal government squarely on the side of local efforts by Friends of Maltby Lake, Friends of Tod Creek, the Peninsula Streams Society, and others to restore and protect this precious urban watershed. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

National Seal Products Day Act Mr. Ryan Leef (Yukon, CPC) Bill S-224. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill S-224,

An Act respecting National Seal Products Day . He said: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to introduce this piece of legislation recognizing that humans have depended on ocean resources, including seals and other marine animals, for nourishment for thousands of years and that Canada's aboriginal peoples and coastal communities have developed traditional knowledge of how to use these resources. Of course, the traditional, cultural, and heritage practices of Canada's aboriginal people and coastal communities respect these ocean resources, and they should be preserved and recognized.

Therefore, this legislation seeks to establish that the 20th day of May every year be known as national seal products day. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Act (On the Order: Government Orders) C-61--June 2, 2015--The Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council--Second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development of Bill C-61,

An Act to amend the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act . Mr. Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay—Superior North, GP) : Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent for the following motion. I move: Motion That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, Bill C-61,

An Act to amend the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act be deemed to have been read a second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole, deemed considered in Committee of the Whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage, and deemed read a third time and passed. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin) : Does the hon. member have unanimous consent to present the motion? Some hon. members: Agreed. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin): Members have heard the terms of the motion. Does the hon. member have the unanimous support of the House for the motion?

Some hon. members: Agreed. (Motion agreed to, bill read the second time, deemed considered in committee of the whole, reported without amendment, read the third time and passed)

(1640) [ Translation ] Petitions Agriculture Mr. Raymond Côté (Beauport—Limoilou, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present to the House a petition on respect for the rights of small family farmers to preserve, exchange and use seeds. This petition was signed by dozens, perhaps hundreds of people because this is obviously a major component of humanity's heritage, and it is under threat, as described in this petition. The people who signed this petition care about preserving this traditional practice. [ English ] Mr. Royal Galipeau (Ottawa—Orléans, CPC) : Mr.

Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am honoured to present the attached petition. [ Translation ] This is a petition presented in the House of Commons calling for respect for the rights of small family farmers to preserve, exchange and use seeds.

[ English ] Violence Against Women Ms. Yvonne Jones (Labrador, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, I rise to present this petition, on behalf of my constituents, calling for an inquiry into violence against women and girls in this country. They are asking that the government pay heed to what is going on and feel that justice is needed for many of those women and girls who have gone missing or have been murdered. They feel that a national inquiry is necessary to get to the root cause of this and are calling on the Government of Canada to do that. I support them in this petition.

Employment Mr. Andrew Cash (Davenport, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions I would like to present today. The first petition pertains to the plummeting job quality index for Canadian workers. So many workers today are working part time, on contract, or freelance or are self-employed. Many are working for free as unpaid interns. This petition, signed by people throughout my riding and across the GTA, calls for the support of a national urban workers strategy to deal with and take seriously the issue of precarious work across Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration Mr. Andrew Cash (Davenport, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition. We have many immigrants in Toronto who work hard and who are having a very difficult time with our current immigration system. They are calling on the federal government to make changes to make it simpler for them to bring their families here and to make it simpler for workers who are working hard here to have the right to stay and build a life in Canada.

Impaired Driving Mr. Harold Albrecht (Kitchener—Conestoga, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of presenting six petitions today on the same subject matter. The petitioners are asking us to implement tougher laws and new mandatory minimum sentences for persons convicted of impaired driving causing death. They also want the Criminal Code of Canada to be changed to redefine the offence of impaired driving causing death as vehicular manslaughter.

Multiple Sclerosis Ms. Kirsty Duncan (Etobicoke North, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, today I present 10 petitions on chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency. It has been five years since people began travelling overseas for this treatment for CCSVI. Canadians with multiple sclerosis are wondering when there might be an update on the government's clinical trials and MS registry. The petitioners are asking the government to proceed to phase 3 clinical trials.

[ Translation ] Canada Post Mrs. Sadia Groguhé (Saint-Lambert, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by more than 700 people from my community on Montreal's south shore. They denounce Canada Post's decision to eliminate home delivery. In four years I have not seen an issue that has drawn such a response. People back home are very angry. They think that the Conservatives are refusing to listen to them and are dismissing them.

[ English ] Agriculture Mr. Joe Preston (Elgin—Middlesex—London, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition signed by a number of people from St. Thomas and throughout the Elgin riding in respect of the rights of small-scale family farmers to preserve, exchange, and use seeds.

Rail Transportation Hon. Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul's, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, I present a petition that reflects the hard work of the Safe Rail Communities organization and the results of town hall meetings held by the members for Toronto Centre, Trinity—Spadina, and St. Paul's. The petitioners call on the government to follow through on tank car standards, to reverse the budget cuts in rail transport safety, to require the industry to invest in ways to decrease the volatility of bakken crude, and to require both railways and shippers to carry sufficient insurance to cover the true costs of an accident, spill, or derailment.

(1645) The Acting Speaker (Mr. Barry Devolin) : I would like to remind all hon. members that many members seem to have petitions, so if members could keep their explanations brief, we will make sure we get to everyone.

The Environment Mr. Dan Harris (Scarborough Southwest, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I would like to present two petitions. The first one is on fighting climate change. Petitioners say that climate change is an urgent national and international issue, and they call on the government to immediately pass Bill C-224 , the climate change accountability act.

Canada Post Mr. Dan Harris (Scarborough Southwest, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, the second petition has 4,000 signatures from residents in my riding. I would like to present them all today to counteract the position the Minister of Transport took earlier that it is only Canada Post workers who want home mail delivery saved. I have 4,000 signatures from residents to add to the 2,000 I have already submitted. That is 6,000 people from my riding who want to save home mail delivery.

Agriculture Mr. Colin Carrie (Oshawa, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today with a petition from hundreds of people from my community demanding respect for the right of small-scale family farmers to preserve, exchange, and use seeds.

Maternity Benefits Mr. Ted Hsu (Kingston and the Islands, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, I have a petition today from my constituents regarding women who work in dangerous jobs who become pregnant and whose employers cannot accommodate them. Presently the EI benefits and maternity benefits do not cover the full term. [ Translation ] In Quebec, the programme for a risk-free pregnancy provides for what is known as a preventive withdrawal. [ English ] Petitioners are asking that a federal early maternity leave program be created to reflect the change in our workforce and that the government update our policies in the area of maternal and infant care.

[ Translation ] International Development Mr. Marc-André Morin (Laurentides—Labelle, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition from my constituents, who are calling on the government to demonstrate international responsibility by recommitting Canada to contributing 0.7% of GDP to overseas development assistance.

[ English ] Tobacco Products Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, CPC) : Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from constituents in my riding of Wellington—Halton Hills who are calling on Parliament to pass legislation that would remove all flavours from all tobacco products.

The Environment Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP) : Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions from people in my riding. One petition deals with the requirement to have a climate strategy. The petitioners refer back to the targets and timelines that were included in the bill that was passed in this place, Bill C-31 , sponsored by the hon. member for Thunder Bay—Superior North .

Waste Reduction Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP) : Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls for the Government of Canada to collaborate with the provinces to put in place a national strategy for extended producer responsibility.

Health Care Mr. Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I am quite proud to present dozens of petitions from northerners asking the Government of Canada to work collaboratively with the provinces to defend and strengthen public health care for northerners, including investing in better home care, long-term care, and palliative care in northern Ontario, and to implement a strategy for mental health and suicide prevention.

Service Canada Ms. Yvonne Jones (Labrador, Lib.) : Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions about the same issue. The petitioners are asking the Government of Canada to improve the wait times at Service Canada. They are asking that the processing time to deal with many Service Canada programs be reduced. The petitioners are saying that things like guaranteed income supplements and other applications are backlogged, and sometimes the wait time can be up to six months. They are asking for that to be changed.

Public Safety Ms. Peggy Nash (Parkdale—High Park, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I want to present petitions on behalf of my constituents on three different topics. The first one is against Bill C-51 , the dangerous, vague, and likely ineffective proposed law by the Conservatives. The petitioners want to stop this attack on our civil liberties.

(1650) Housing Ms. Peggy Nash (Parkdale—High Park, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, there is a housing crisis for so many people in my city of Toronto. Petitioners are calling on this House to develop a national housing strategy to ensure safe, accessible, and affordable housing for all Canadians.

Cycling Infrastructure Ms. Peggy Nash (Parkdale—High Park, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, too many Canadian cyclists are injured and killed. Petitioners are calling on this House to work with communities across Canada to promote and create cycling infrastructure.

[ Translation ] Canada Post Mrs. Djaouida Sellah (Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition signed by my constituents in Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, who are calling on the government to stop making cuts to our postal services. My constituents are calling on the Government of Canada to not proceed with these devastating cuts to our postal services.

Housing Mrs. Maria Mourani (Ahuntsic, Ind.) : Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to present a petition signed by a number of co-operative members in my riding, who are simply calling on the government to maintain federal funding for low-income households, to maintain the $1.7 billion set out in the operating agreements and to reinvest in new or recent housing co-operatives.

Canada Post Mrs. Anne-Marie Day (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, we collected thousands of signatures. The petitioners are opposed to the elimination of home delivery and the increase in fees. In particular, seniors, people with reduced mobility and small businesses are calling for this service to be restored as an essential public service. Mr. Sylvain Chicoine (Châteauguay—Saint-Constant, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people of Châteauguay—Saint-Constant to present a petition signed by dozens of my constituents who oppose the cuts to postal services.

This is not the first time I have presented a petition like this, since this issue is very important to my constituents. The petitioners want the government to maintain home delivery and put an end to the cuts to our postal services. [ English ] Mr. Matthew Kellway (Beaches—East York, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table hundreds of signatures, adding to the many thousands already tabled, protesting the end of door-to-door delivery by Canada Post.

The signatories wish to point out that the elimination of door-to-door delivery will have a particularly hard impact on seniors and the disabled, and they call upon the government to reject Canada Post's plan to cut mail services and increase prices and to instead explore other options for modernizing our postal delivery system. [ Translation ] Mr. Tyrone Benskin (Jeanne-Le Ber, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present. The first is another petition opposing the cuts to Canada Post. People want home delivery service to be restored because it affects seniors and people with disabilities.

[ English ] Veterans Affairs Mr. Tyrone Benskin (Jeanne-Le Ber, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, the second petition, which has quite a few signatories, is to ensure the dignity of Canada's veterans. The petitioners feel that the families of veterans and veterans themselves do not have proper access to the services they were promised.

Health Mr. Tyrone Benskin (Jeanne-Le Ber, NDP) : Mr. Speaker, the third petition is signed by hundreds of individuals across the c