No. 8/2009

House of Assembly

Province of Newfoundland & Labrador

 

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2nd Session – 46th General Assembly

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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

 

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

(a)    Statements by Members

(b)    Statements by Ministers

(c)    Oral Questions

(d)    Presenting Reports by Standing and Select Committees

(e)    Tabling of Documents

(f)    Notices of Motion

(g)    Answers to questions for which notice has been given

(h)    Petitions

 

ORDERS OF THE DAY

 

1. C Committee of Supply

 

Second Reading Bills

 

2. C Second Reading of a Bill C AAn Act Respecting Apologies”. (Bill No. 1)

                                                                                (Justice and Attorney General)

 

3. C Second Reading of a Bill C AAn Act To Consolidate The Law Respecting Revenue Administration”. (Bill No. 4)                                                (Finance and President of Treasury Board)

 

4. C Second Reading of a Bill C AAn Act To Repeal The Labrador Transportation Initiative Fund Act”. (Bill No. 5)                                                        (Finance and President of Treasury Board)

 

5. C Second Reading of a Bill C AAn Act To Amend The Pensions Funding Act”. (Bill No. 6)

                                                                                (Finance and President of Treasury Board)

 

6. C Second Reading of a Bill C AAn Act To Amend The Workplace Health, Safety And Compensation Act”. (Bill No. 7)                                        (Human Resources, Labour and Employment)

 

MOTIONS

 

1. C THE HONOURABLE THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND PRESIDENT OF TREASURY BOARD C To Move AThat This House Approves in General the Budgetary Policy of the Government.@ (Budget Speech)

 

2. C THE HONOURABLE THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND PRESIDENT OF TREASURY BOARD C To Move that the House Resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on Supply to Consider Certain Resolutions Relating to the Granting of  Supply to Her Majesty. (Bill No. 2)

 

3. C THE HONOURABLE THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND PRESIDENT OF TREASURY BOARD C To ask leave to introduce a Bill entitled, AAn Act To Amend The Labour-Sponsored Venture Capital Tax Credit Act”. (Bill No. 3)

 

4. C THE HONOURABLE THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES  C To ask leave to introduce a Bill entitled, AAn Act Respecting Chiropractors”. (Bill No. 8)

 

5. C MR. DERRICK DALLEY (The Isles of Notre Dame) C To Move:

 

        “WHEREAS all Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly support a humane and environmentally sustainable seal harvest, and is committed to its further sustainable development;

 

        AND WHEREAS the Newfoundland and Labrador sealing industry provides direct employment for over 6,000 people, and has a significant economic, social, and cultural value for many coastal communities in Newfoundland and Labrador;

 

        AND WHEREAS the European Union is considering a proposal to ban the trade in seal products based on perceived moral arguments which are in clear violation of the WTO agreements;

 

        AND WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the Government of Canada to advance international trade and economic interests by maintaining market access for Canadian goods and services;

 

        AND Whereas the USA Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was enacted in 1972 to address conservation concerns over marine mammals, including seals; and has been used to ban the trade in Canadian seal products;

 

        AND WHEREAS the proposed EU exemption for seal harvesting by Inuit for cultural and ceremonial purposes only, offers no economic benefit to the Inuit of Labrador;

 

        AND WHEREAS the Canadian seal harvest is an environmentally sustainable industry with the Government of Canada setting sealing quota limits that ensure health and abundance of seals based on science and on internationally-recognized conservation principles;

 

        AND WHEREAS research on the modern sealing industry by international veterinary experts concluded that seals are harvested in a humane manner;

 

        AND WHEREAS the commercial harvesting of seals is an important component of ecosystem health and diversity;

 

        AND WHEREAS implementation of trade bans on seal products will have serious consequences for the commercial viability of the seal harvest, and on the livelihood of those who make their living through a legitimate harvest of a renewable marine resource;

 

        AND WHEREAS global leaders, including the EU, at the G-20 Summit in November 2008, spoke against protectionism and agreed to a Declaration calling on countries not to impose any new trade barriers in light of the current global economic crisis;

 

        THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly support the Newfoundland and Labrador sealing industry;

 

        be it FURTHER resolved that this House of Assembly urge the Government of Canada to call upon the European Union to respect the G-20 Declaration not to impose any new trade barriers during these times of global economic instability;

 

        Be it FURTHER resolved that this House of Assembly urge the Government of Canada to initiate negotiations with the Government of the United States of America calling for an amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act to permit trade in seal products from seal populations that are environmentally sustainable and managed according to international standards for conservation and animal welfare;

 

        AND BE it FURTHER Resolved that this House of Assembly urge the Government of Canada to call upon the European Union not to proceed with its proposal to ban seal imports, as such a trade restriction would be contrary to international trade rules and would do nothing to encourage either sustainable use or humane sealing practices.

 

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Published under the authority of the Speaker of the

House of Assembly by Earl G. Tucker, Queen's Printer