Debates of Sept. 21st, 1995

Keith Martin Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-348, an act to amend the Criminal Code (mines).

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to introduce this bill that will ban the production, export and import of land mines and anti-personnel devices within Canada.

There are over 100 million land mines and anti-personnel devices seeded throughout the world. The world produces over a million of these land mines and anti-personnel devices every year and over 100,000 people are maimed or killed by these devices every year, 40 per cent of whom are innocent women and children.

The purpose of this bill is to have Canada take a leadership role in banning these devices which have no place in modern warfare.

If we can pass this private member's bill which I know has a lot of support from across this floor, we will be able to send a clear message to other countries that it is unacceptable for these devices to continue to be produced, wreaking havoc in so many areas of the world and rendering millions of acres uninhabitable for decades.

I hope we will be able to have some cross-party support for this private member's bill so that Canada can take a leadership role on this very important issue.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

Clifford Lincoln Lachine—Lac-Saint-Louis, QC

Madam Speaker, I would like to withdraw private member's Bill C-310, which relates to resumption of work by certain workers at the ADM mill in Montreal.

The reason for the withdrawal of this bill is that the matter has now been settled. Therefore, the bill, for all intents and purposes, is now not necessary.

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

I ask, Madam Speaker, that all questions be allowed to stand.