Debates of Nov. 24th, 1997

Shaughnessy Cohen Windsor—St. Clair, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) your committee proceeded to review the circumstances leading up to and surrounding its consideration of Bill C-16. The report was undertaken by your committee. It addresses certain concerns we had and to which I alluded when I tabled our first report on Bill C-16, the so-called Feney bill, about 10 days ago.

Because the report relates to the ability of members of the House of Commons to function effectively, we have taken the additional step of requesting that the government provide us with a response to the report in accordance with Standing Order 109.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding membership of some committees.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 12th report later this day.

Michel Bellehumeur Berthier—Montcalm, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-286, an act to amend the Access to Information Act and amending the National Archives of Canada Act as a consequence (destruction and falsification of documents and access to confidences of the Privy Council).

Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to introduce in this House, at first reading, a bill to amend the Access to Information Act and the National Archives of Canada Act, particularly as regards the destruction and falsification of documents. The proposed amendments are very important, given what is regularly reported by the media, since they would allow us to have access to documents of the Privy Council which are currently confidential.

The Access to Information Act does not have enough teeth, as a number of people have said, including the information commissioner in his most recent report, and it does not meet current needs.

I can assure you that my proposed amendments to these two acts reflect in every way the information commissioner's concerns and expectations. I hope that all members of this House will support my initiative, so as to give more visibility, more access and more teeth to the Access to Information Act, and particularly to include penalties for those who do their utmost to prevent its application.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.

Monte Solberg Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, another petition calls upon parliament to affirm the duty of parents to responsibly raise their children according to their own conscience and beliefs and to retain section 43 in Canada's Criminal Code as it is currently worded.

Monte Solberg Medicine Hat, AB

Mr. Speaker, the final petition calls upon Parliament to enact legislation to wind down the Canada pension plan while protecting the pensions of current seniors and that Canadians contribute to mandatory RRSPs of their own choosing.

Jim Hart Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and a privilege to rise pursuant to Standing Order 36 to present a petition from constituents of my riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla.

It contains over 1,500 signatures of people concerned that the Codex committee on nutrition and foods for dietary use has proposed legislation that will lead to drastic changes in legislation and that would have significant and very negative effects on the health and well-being of thousands of Canadians, especially the elderly and the chronically ill.

The petitioners request that parliament oppose the regulation of dietary supplements.

Grant Hill Macleod, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have four petitions from members of my constituency to present today.

The first one is on the issue of health foods, similar to the preceding one presented by my colleague, stating that health foods are valuable as a preventive measure for all Canadians.