Alpheus Daily Watch

In the House Today

Government Orders

Members are scheduled to resume second reading debate on Bill S-2, Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act.
Bill Status & Details (S-2) This bill seeks to ensure that people living on reserve have similar rights and protections as other Canadians with regard to matrimonial property and interests. Currently, provincial laws on the division of matrimonial property do not apply to the division of real property on reserve lands and there is an absence of any such provisions in the Indian Act. Status: Introduced on September 28, 2011 in the Senate.  The bill was adopted with two amendments by the Senate committee on Human Rights, passed third reading in the Senate on December 1, 2011 and referred to the House for consideration.  Introduced in the House on December 8, 2011 and has been debated on two days at second reading. House Sponsor: Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Note: The government gave notice on April 16, 2013 of its intent to move a time allocation motion to limit debate at the current stage.

Private Members' Business

During private members' hour the House is set to take up report stage debate on the bill standing in the name of CPC MP Parm Gill that targets gang recruitment of youth.
Bill Status & Details (C-394) C-394, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the National Defence Act (criminal organization recruitment) This bill would amend the Criminal Code to make it an offence to “recruit, solicit, encourage or invite a person to join a criminal organization” and would establish greater penalties for recruiting persons under 18 years of age. Status: Introduced on February 13, 2012.  Referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on June 20, 2012 where it was considered over two meetings in March 2013.  The bill was reported back to the House on March 28, 2013 with several amendments. Sponsor: Parm Gill (MP for Brampton-Springdale)

Today's votes

vote on the private members' motion (M-412) on the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project, standing in the name of CPC MP Jay Aspin (Nipissing—Timiskaming) and on the proposed amendment.

Committee Watch

House of Commons Committees

  • Members of the International Trade committee will convene once again to consider the benefits for Canada of joining the Pacific Alliance.  Representatives of Pulse Canada, Bombardier Inc., the Canadian Environmental Law Association and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters have been invited to make presentations.
  • Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault, will field questions from members of the Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics committee regarding her 2010-11 annual report.
  • As part of the study on the care of ill and injured canadian forces members, National Defence committee members will meet with representatives from Mental Health Commission of Canada, Canadian Psychiatric Association, the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, and the President and CEO of the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research.

Senate Committees

  • As part of the study on the economic and political developments in Turkey and the implications for Canadian interests and opportunities, Senators on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committee are set to meet with the Middle East Institute and the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey.
  • Senators on the Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee are scheduled to meet with Manitoba's Justice Minister and representatives of the Canadian Bar Association to review Bill C-37, the Increasing Offenders' Accountability for Victims Act.  CPC MP Blake Richards will appear during the second half to speak to his private members' bill (C-309) that would make it an offence to wear a mask or other disguise to conceal one’s identity while taking part in a riot or an unlawful assembly.
  • Health Canada officials will appear alongside Canadian Institutes of Health Research president Alain Beaudet as part of the continuing study of prescription pharmaceuticals at the Social Affairs, Science and Technology committee.
  • Representatives from the Native Women's Association of Canada are expected to appear at the Aboriginal Peoples committee, as Senators continue examining the federal government’s constitutional, treaty, political and legal responsibilities to First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.
  • Senators on the National Finance committee will hear submissions from officials at Canadian Heritage, the Canadian Space Agency, and the National Research Council Canada on the expenditures set out in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014.
  • CPC MP Merv Tweed is scheduled to appear before Senators on the Transport and Communications committee to make the case for his private members' bill to allow a reduction in the rate of postage for library materials (C-321).

Items of Interest in the Days Ahead

New Legislation

The government has indicated that it will introduce a bill entitled “An Act to enact the Canada Political Financing Act and to amend the Canada Elections Act and other Acts”.

Upcoming House Debates (subject to change)

Thursday April 18, 2013
  • Thursday has been designated the third opposition day.  An NDP motion is expected to be debated.
  • Private Members' Business: M-422, motion on the Last Post Fund (first time debated).  Sponsor: Judy Foote (MP for Random—Burin—St. George's)
  • Private Members' Business: C-266, Pope John Paul II Day Act (resuming second reading debate).  Sponsor: Wladyslaw Lizon (MP for Mississauga East—Cooksville)
Friday April 19, 2013
  • Friday has been designated the fourth opposition day.
  • Private Members' Business: M-230, motion on anaphylaxis (first time debated).  Sponsor: Dean Allison (MP for Niagara West—Glanbrook)
 

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