The Minister of Justice must have been very encouraged when close to 300 guns of various descriptions were voluntarily turned in recently to authorities in Ottawa-Carleton in exchange for free triple A baseball tickets.

Would the Minister of Justice consider some similar form of gun amnesty on a national scale as a way of flushing out unused and unwanted guns in our society?

Gun ControlOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Etobicoke Centre Ontario

Liberal

Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, may I first of all acknowledge the hon. member's interest in the whole area of gun amnesty. I am grateful to him for his focus on that subject.

The government is fully aware of the value a gun amnesty can provide. Unused guns for which people no longer have a purpose and indeed illegal guns could be turned in without consequence and without questions being asked. An amnesty can only make communities safer.

I can tell the hon. member that the government is considering an amnesty coincidental with the proclamation of Bill C-68 when that occurs.

Once again I am grateful to the hon. member for raising this point again.

Nuclear TestingOral Question Period

3 p.m.

NDP

Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It has to do with the fact that the Government of France has proceeded with another nuclear test in the Pacific.

Given the government's oft-stated desire to have Canada be more of a part of the Pacific rim, I wonder if the government is prepared to show solidarity with the opinions of the governments and the peoples of the Pacific rim and call in the French ambassador and tell him just how objectionable the Canadian people and the Canadian government find this continued nuclear testing.

Will the minister tell the House today not just what he is going to say but what the government is going to do about France continually flouting the opinion of the international community on this and the future of the planet?

Nuclear TestingOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Papineau—Saint-Michel Québec

Liberal

André Ouellet LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the view expressed by the hon. member.

The test is the second in a series of tests France has announced. I have expressed our regret on behalf of the Government of Canada. We hope that by 1996 all countries that have the capacity to have nuclear armament will cease these tests. In the meantime I believe our position is well known by the Canadian public, by the French authorities and by the public at large. I do not think the hon. member should be excited today since this was announced some time ago and we missed his first reactions when the first test took place.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Reform

Ken Epp Reform Elk Island, AB

Mr. Speaker, my point of order is very brief.

We have agreed in this House to stand by your rulings. You have ruled that signs and symbols are not to be worn on the lapel. I draw to your attention the fact that the member for Markham-Whitchurch-Stouffville has such a device. Today he was even on camera when he made a statement. I think it would be correct for you to censure him.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

I did not see the sign. I cannot see it from here.

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

Liberal

Jag Bhaduria Liberal Markham—Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON

Mr. Speaker, the sign I am holding reads "One Canada".

We have from time to time worn a lapel symbol which shows the unity of the country. It is not advertising something. From time to time we do display our support for good causes. This sign is a sign that we believe in a united country and-

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

3 p.m.

The Speaker

Colleagues, you usually leave these things to my discretion. Would you mind if I took time to have a look at this particular sign.

I would point out to hon. members that your Speaker would be hard pressed to have members who carry the identification of a member of Parliament on their lapels remove them. I would be hard pressed to have those members who wear them remove the Canadian flag pins. I am just saying that to say I would not in any way be able to indicate all possible things you could or could not wear on your lapels.

I have listened to the hon. member's point of order. I said that I would look at it and take it under advisement. If necessary, I will get back to the House.

[Translation]

Government Response To PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

October 2nd, 1995 / 3:05 p.m.

Kingston and the Islands Ontario

Liberal

Peter Milliken LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to two petitions.

Private Members' Motion M-4Routine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Jim Jordan Liberal Leeds—Grenville, ON

Madam Speaker, I wonder if I could have the unanimous consent of the House to withdraw my Private Members' Motion M-4 from the Order Paper. At this time the matter seems to be redundant. It has been a considerably long time since I submitted the motion.

I would ask for unanimous consent of the House to withdraw it.

Private Members' Motion M-4Routine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)

Is it agreed?

Private Members' Motion M-4Routine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

(Motion withdrawn.)

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Gordon Kirkby Liberal Prince Albert—Churchill River, SK

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources in relation to Bill C-71, an act to amend the Explosives Act, without amendments.