Alpheus Daily Watch

TODAY IN THE HOUSE

Government Orders

The latest budget bill (C-60) is set to receive its first day of debate in the House at second reading stage.
Bill status & details (C-60) An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 21, 2013 and other measures Short Title:  Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1 Complete bill summary can be viewed here. Full text of the budget implementation bill can be viewed here. Status: Introduced on April 29, 2013. Sponsor: Minister of Finance

Private Members' Business

NDP MP Alexandrine Latendresse's bill on the language requirements of those appointed as officers of Parliament is set for report stage debate.
Bill status & details (C-419) Short Title: Languages Skills Act The bill would require persons appointed as officers of Parliament to be able to speak and clearly understand both official languages. Status: Introduced on May 1, 2012. Second reading debate on December 10, 2012 and February 26, 2013.  Considered and adopted by the Standing Committee on Official Languages over the course of 3 meetings and reported back to the House with amendments. Sponsor: Alexandrine Latendresse (MP for Louis-Saint-Laurent)

Today's votes

Government bills
  • third and final vote on Bill C-15, Strengthening Military Justice in the Defence of Canada Act, seeking to modernize the military justice system.
Private Members' bills
  • third and final vote on Bill C-394, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the National Defence Act (criminal organization recruitment).  Sponsored by Conservative MP Parm Gill, the bill targets gang recruitment of youth.

COMMITTEE WATCH

Today's House committees

  • International Trade committee members are scheduled to meet with representatives of the Canadian Environmental Law Association, Pulse Canada, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and Bombardier Inc. to continue hearings on the benefits for Canada in joining the Pacific Alliance.
  • In an unusual Wednesday afternoon meeting, members of the Status of Women committee will meet with the Canadian Human Rights Commission, former Tsawwassen First Nation Chief Kim Baird, and the Berens River First Nation as part of the review of Bill S-2, Family Homes situated on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act.
  • Justice and Human Rights resumes hearings on C-452, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons) – which seeks consecutive sentences for offences related to human trafficking and sexual exploitation.  Testimony is expected  from Walk With Me Canada Victim Services and other victims support groups.
  • National Defence committee will meet with health services officials at DND and the CEO of Wounded Warriors Canada to obtain more insight into the study on the care of ill and injured Canadian forces members.

Today's Senate Committees

  • Economist Jack Mintz will be joined by representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and LexSage Professional Corporation at the Senate Banking, Trade and Commerce committee where Senators will continue review of the Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 2013 (S-17) that would implement tax agreements between Canada and Namibia, Serbia, Poland, Hong Kong, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
  • Conservative MP Larry Miller is expected before Senators on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committee to speak to his private members' bill (C-383) seeking to prohibit the bulk removal of transboundary waters.  Officials from Environment Canada and DFAIT are also slated to appear.
  • Justice Minister Rob Nicholson is slated to appear before Senators on the Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee as they begin scrutiny of the Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act (S-16) which looks to create a new Criminal Code offence of trafficking in contraband tobacco and to set mandatory imprisonment penalties for repeat offenders.  Chiefs from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke will also testify.
  • Senators on the Social Affairs, Science and Technology committee will have the opportunity to question Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney on Bill C-43 (Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act).  Also appearing: Centre for Immigration Policy Reform and Canadian Council for Refugees.
  • National Finance will host officials from Agriculture Canada, Finance Canada, and the CFIA so that Senators on the committee can discuss details of the expenditures set out in the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014.
  • President and CEO of the CBC Hubert Lacroix and Director of Radio Canada International Hélène Parent are scheduled to testify before Senators on the Transport and Communications committee to discuss funding cuts of 80% to Radio Canada International services.

IN THE COMING DAYS

New Legislation

The government has given notice that it will introduce a bill entitled An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and other Acts and to provide for certain other measures.  Full text of bill will not be available until introduction.

Committee of the Whole

The 2013-14 Main Estimates under the Departments of Aboriginal Affairs and Natural Resources have been selected to be referred for consideration by Committees of the Whole.

Upcoming House debates (subject to change)

Thursday May 2, 2013
  • C-60, the budget implementation bill (Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1) is expected to be called for debate.
  • Private Members’ Business – M-430, motion on persons with disabilities (first time debated). Sponsor: Phil McColeman (MP for Brant)
Friday May 3, 2013
  • C-60, the budget implementation bill (Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1) is expected to be called for debate.
  • Private Members’ Business – Bill C-460, Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada Act (resuming second reading debate).  Sponsor: Libby Davies (MP for Vancouver East)
 

Want to read the full Daily Watch?

GovGuide is your essential resource on Canadian legislatures, including:

  • Profiles on all MPs, Senators & Ontario MPPs
  • Events Calendar (federal only)
  • Daily Watch (federal only)
  • Advanced searching & filtering
See plans & pricing