DailyWatch

In today's edition:
  • second reading on Agricutural Growth Act (C-18) set to conclude today
  • afternoon's debates to focus on supervised injection sites and drug-free prisons
  • pushing for clarity on compensation for dairy producers affected by CETA
  • PROC briefing on next steps in matter of "inappropriate expenditures" by official opposition
  • Senate committee's deliberations on budget bill nearing end

TODAY IN THE HOUSE

Government bills

AGRICULTURAL POLICY. When the Chamber's doors open, Bill C-18 will once again be the focus of debate as members conclude the one hour remaining at second reading stage.
Bill C-18, An Act to amend certain Acts relating to agriculture and agri-food Short title: Agricultural Growth Act Among the changes proposed in C-18 are amendments to the current Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Act to bring Canada into conformity with the 1991 convention of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties (UPOV ’91). Through amendments to the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Seeds Act, the Health of Animals Act, Plant Protection Act and Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, this bill proposes measures such as: providing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with the authority to consider foreign reviews, data and analyses during the approval or registration of new agricultural products in Canada, including a new licensing and registration regime for animal feed and fertilizer operators and establishments, increasing monetary penalties for violations and others.  It would also amend the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act (AMPA) to update the requirements of the advance payments program, and the Farm Debt Mediation Act (FDMA) to facilitate the participation of the Minister in the mediation process relating to a farmer’s debt. Status: introduced on December 9, 2013.  Second reading: March 3, May 26, June 12, June 13, June 16 Note: A time allocation motion was passed on June 4, 2014 limiting debate on this bill to 5 hours at the current stage – 1 hour and 4 minutes remain.
  Several other bills have been placed on the agenda for possible debate before question period, all of which face possible time allocation.
Bill C-3 (Safeguarding Canada's Seas and Skies Act).  Last debated on May 8.  Currently sits at third reading stage. Notice of time allocation given on May 28, 2014.
 
Bill C-8 (Combating Counterfeit Products Act).  Last debated on January 31, 2014.  Currently sits at third reading stage. Notice of time allocation given on April 1, 2014.
 
Bill C-32 (Victims Bill of Rights Act).  Last debated on June 13, 2014.  Currently sits at second reading stage. Notice of time allocation given on June 13, 2014.
  As part of government orders following question period, the following bills have been placed on the agenda for possible debate.
Bill C-2, Respect for Communities Act.  Last debated on January 30, 2014.  Currently sits at second reading stage. Notice of time allocation given on March 25, 2014.
 
Bill C-12, Drug-Free Prisons Act.  Last debated on November 25, 2013. Currently sits at second reading stage.
 

Today's scheduled votes

  1.  immediately following question period, members will vote on Bill C-6 (Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act) at report stage.
 

Private members' business

DAIRY INDUSTRY COMPENSATION.  This evening, members will have one last hour to debate the motion standing in the name of NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau on compensation for dairy and cheese producers affected by Canada’s trade agreement with the EU.
Full text of motion: That, in the opinion of the House, the government should respect its promise to dairy and cheese producers of Quebec and Canada who will be affected by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union, by: (a) revealing details without delay related to the compensation that will be paid; (b) providing for an implementation period for the agreement that is as long as possible; (c) putting an end to the circumvention of tariff quotas and the misclassification of products at the border; (d) maintaining high quality standards by imposing the same production and processing requirements on imported products; and (e) committing to provide support for commercialization.
 

COMMITTEE WATCH

Today's House committees

  • Transport committee members will focus on the aviation sector once again as they meet with representatives of the Northern Air Transport Association and the Canadian Airports Council for their review of Canada's transportation safety regime.
  • Conservative members of the procedure and house affairs committee have requested a meeting to  consider the matter of the use of House of Commons resources by the official opposition and to invite the House of Commons law clerk to provide a briefing on the options available to the board of internal economy to recover “inappropriate expenditures.”

Today's Senate committees

  • Over at the aboriginal peoples committee meeting, senators will first conduct clause by clause consideration of Bill C-25, Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Act and will then meet with officials from CMHC and the department of Aboriginal Affairs to discuss challenges relating to First Nations infrastructure on reserves.
  • Senators at the national finance committee are scheduled  to undertake clause by clause analysis of the budget implementation bill (C-31).
 

IN THE COMING DAYS

Wednesday June 18, 2014
  • Government business Bill C-6 (Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act) is expected to be called for third reading debate.
  • Private members’ businessBill C-590, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (blood alcohol content) (first time debated, second reading).  Sponsor: Randy Hoback (MP for Prince Albert)
Thursday June 19, 2014
  • Private members’ business – Bill C-486, Conflict Minerals Act (resuming debate, second reading).  Sponsor: Paul Dewar (MP for Ottawa Centre)
Friday June 20, 2014
  • Private members’ businessBill C-570, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mandatory minimum sentences for rape) (first time debated, second reading).  Sponsor: Rob Anders (MP for Calgary West)
Please note that information contained in this publication is subject to daily change based on events in Parliament, including government business, private members’ business and committee business.  

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