Monday, Feb. 13:
-The standing committee on Human Resources met in camera to discuss committee business and consider its draft report: "A Framework for Success: Practical Recommendations to Further Shorten the Foreign Qualification Recognition Process"
-Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada announced that International Trade Minister Ed Fast will lead visits to Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei as part of the Government's continued efforts to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
-Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced partnerships between Algonquin College and 22 small and medium-sized enterprises from the Ottawa area under the Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative. The program is designed to help educational institutions partner with the private sector to bring new products and innovations to market faster.
-The House voted on an opposition motion regarding the Investment Canada Act. The motion was defeated on a vote of 148 to 115. Text of the motion: "That this House condemn the decision of Caterpillar Inc to close its Electro-Motive Diesel plant in London, Ontario with a loss of 450 jobs and that of Papiers White Birch to close its Quebec City plant with a loss of 600 jobs and call on the government to table, within 90 days, draft amendments to the Investment Canada Act to ensure that foreign buyers are held to public and enforceable commitments on the ‘net benefit' to Canada and on the protection of Canadian jobs."
-The House concluded second reading of Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Copyright Act and referred the bill to committee.
-Transport and Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel announced investments to modernize the Port of Sept-Îles. The federal government will invest up to $55 million and will contribute to the construction of a new multi-user deep water dock at the Port of Sept-Îles equipped with two ship loaders, as well as two conveyor lines. The investment is designed to bring the port up to global standards for the iron ore industry.
-Minister of Public Works and Government Services Rona Ambrose announced a request for proposals to acquire equipment for the Integrated Soldier System Project. The RFP is to acquire up to 6,624 integrated suites of cutting-edge equipment under the Integrated Soldier System Project over four years. The RFP includes a requirement for up to 11 years of associated in-service support.
-Vice-chair John McCallum gave notice of the following motion during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates: "That the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates conduct a study into allegations by the Defence Employees Union regarding contracting practices at Defence Construction Canada, and that the Committee report its findings to the House."
Tuesday, Feb. 14:
-Transport Minister Denis Lebel announced that as of Feb. 15, NEXUS members flying to the United States will be able to use NEXUS cards in designated security lines for pre-board screening at airports for faster service.
-NDP MP Jamie Nicholls (Vaudreuil-Soulanges) introduced Bill C-395 An Act to Amend The Income Tax Act (Transportation Benefits). The Bill seeks to create a tax exemption for employee transportation benefits.
Wednesday, Feb. 15:
-Government whip Gordon O'Conner called a caucus meeting to discuss ways to cut MP spending and the parliamentary budget. The current parliamentary budget is $586 million. A 10 per cent cut like that being projected for other government departments would result in a $58.6 million reduction. Some speculated cuts include reducing MP office budgets, reducing the number of round trip flights to their riding MPs are allowed from 64 to 52 a year andeliminating business-class flights for MPs. MP salaries are expected to be frozen this year at $157,731.
Thursday, Feb. 16:
-Labour Minister Lisa Raitt congratulated Air Canada and CAW Local 2002 for reaching a new collective agreement.
-The Standing Committee on Finance met as part of its review of Bill C-25, Pooled Pension Plans. Witnesses include Minister of State (Finance) Ted Menzies, as well as officials from the Departments of Finance and Justice, along with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.
-Statistics Canada released manufacturing sales figures for December 2011.
Sales rose 0.6 per cent to $49.9 billion, the fifth increase in six months. The highest gains were in the transportation industry.
-Government whip and MP for Carleton-Mississippi Mills Gordon O'Connor announced the launch of the 2012 R-2000 Standard for energy efficient homes in Ottawa. The Minister was joined by Ron Olson, president of the Canadian Home Builders' Association and Matthew Sachs, general manager of Urbandale Construction. Urbandale unveiled the first home in Canada built to the standard at 80 Equestrian Dr. in Bridlewood / Kanata.
-Minister of State (Sport) Bal Gosal hosted pre-budget consultations in Brampton.
-Minister Gosal, along with International Trade Minister Ed Fast also announced the conclusion of fourth-round Canada-India trade negotiations.
A joint study estimates that a trade agreement with India could boost Canada's economy by at least $6 billion.
Friday, Feb. 17:
-Statistics Canada released Employment Insurance figures for December 2011. The number of people receiving regular EI benefits rose by 4,200 (0.8 per cent) to 544,700. The number of beneficiaries was down 109,400 (-16.7 per cent) from a year earlier.
-Consumer Price Index data up to and including January 2012 was also released today. Consumer prices rose 2.5 per cent in the 12 months ending with January 2012. Gains were led by increases in food and energy prices.
Eye on the Hill is prepared by Ottawa-based government relations and communications firm Flagship Solutions.
