Debates of April 24th, 1995

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments that were made by the government.

Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110(1), these are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached.

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

Mr. Speaker, while I have the floor and pursuant to Standing Order 78, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 36 petitions.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 73rd report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the list of committee members.

With the consent of the House, I intend to propose adoption of the 73rd report later today.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the 73rd report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to.)

Jim Jordan Leeds—Grenville, ON

Mr. Speaker, I wish to seek the consent of the House to withdraw Motion No. M-5. It is my motion in Private Members' Business and it deals with the issue of excise taxes on ethanol.

In December the government introduced legislation which will handle that situation to my satisfaction. The new ethanol program that deals with the issue was put forward then and further debate is not required now.

(Order discharged and motion withdrawn.)

Shirley Maheu Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of presenting a petition from several residents in Quebec and more particularly the group Affordable Textbooks Now.

As the result of the increasing cost of textbooks which are needed for student studies, many people are forced to effectively break the law because they are photocopying in part or in whole many of the textbooks for which they are not in a position to pay.

Therefore they request that Parliament put an end to the GST on textbooks and take into account the high price of textbooks when allotting money for educational funding.

Michel Daviault Ahuntsic, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of submitting a petition signed by over 1,000 petitioners concerning the Armenian genocide. The petitioners note that our country, recognized as an active defender of democratic principles and human rights, has yet to officially

condemn the atrocities and commemorate the first genocide of the 20th century.

Accordingly, the petitioners ask Parliament to change its policy of indifference to the Armenian genocide, to take the initiative and to actively promote international efforts in order to persuade Turkey to acknowledge its crime against humanity.

Jack Frazer Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is my duty and honour to rise in the House to present a petition duly certified by the clerk of petitions on behalf of 43 constituents from the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands and more specifically from the island of Saltspring.

The petitioners call on Parliament to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Dick Harris Prince George—Bulkley Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present four petitions to the House today from my riding of Prince George-Bulkley Valley containing several hundred names and dealing with the proposals for gun control.

One petition is from Mr. Dan Varma of Prince George, B.C.; two from Mr. Jim Eisert of Fraser Lake, B.C.; and, one from the Prince George branch of the Responsible Firearms Coalition.

All these petitioners request that Parliament support laws which will severely punish all violent criminals who use weapons in the commission of a crime; that Parliament will support new Criminal Code firearms control provisions which recognize and protect the right of law-abiding citizens to own and use recreational firearms; and finally, to support legislation which will repeal and modify existing gun control laws which have not improved public safety or have proven not to be cost effective or have proven to be overly complex so as to be ineffective and/or unenforceable.