Debates of Nov. 22nd, 1999

Jane Stewart Minister of Human Resources Development

Mr. Speaker, all I can do is implore the hon. member to read and reread the Speech from the Throne in which we set out very clearly a plan of action in support of Canadian children.

There will be issues that come from the tax system. We will be doubling parental benefits. We will work with the provinces to build a platform of income and service supports for children in low income families. We will be looking at our laws, as I said earlier, to make sure that children's issues come first in cases of separation and divorce.

Finally, as an employer, I say again that the federal government will be looking at its workplaces and will make sure that families are respected and reflected in our workplaces here.

Peter MacKay Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the solicitor general, who has constantly reminded the House that his department has an arm's length relationship with the RCMP.

Can he advise us why a recent phone inquiry from my office to the RCMP communications branch was responded to by his political office staff?

Lawrence MacAulay Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, if my hon. colleague wanted an answer he could have informed me of the situation before question period.

Derek Lee Parliamentary 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 four petitions.

Lloyd Axworthy Minister of Foreign Affairs

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-15, an act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act.

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

Roy H. Bailey Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-329, an act to amend the Access to Information Act.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have my colleague from Yorkton—Melville second this bill.

The bill proposes to amend the Access to Information Act. Basically it would make the books and all the procedures and operations of the Canadian Wheat Board available to people who want to process the information two years after the crop year ends.

People from across western Canada have been crying for this for years.

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

Myron Thompson Wild Rose, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first is from the area of Strathmore, Alberta. The petitioners call upon the government to do something about the Young Offenders Act. There is a list of things which they are asking the government to do. They feel that the government has failed to do anything in the last six years and they want a response.

Myron Thompson Wild Rose, AB

Mr. Speaker, I also have a petition containing several hundred names of people from throughout my riding which can be added to the hundreds of thousands of names we already have calling upon this parliament to do something about the decision made in British Columbia regarding child pornography. The petitioners request that the government invoke the notwithstanding clause of the charter of rights and freedoms to put an end to this silliness.

John McKay Scarborough East, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a 36 page petition which calls the attention of the House to the following: that one in every five children lives in poverty; that on November 24, 1989 the House of Commons passed a resolution on this issue; that since 1989 the number of poor children has increased by 60%; and that the year 2000 budget be used to introduce a multi-year plan to improve the well-being of children.

Gary Lunn Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to table today from the people I represent in Saanich—Gulf Islands and, more importantly, from throughout British Columbia. This petition adds to the 10,000 signatures that have already been tabled on this subject. I also note that in an Angus Reid poll 60% of Canadians called on the government to change our Immigration Act so as to allow refugees who are not genuine to be sent home immediately, without delay.

The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to change the immigration laws so that people who are obvious abusers of the system can be sent home without delay.

We have about 11,000 signatures on this subject and I would ask the government to take note of these people, along with all of the other people of Canada who are calling for this change.

Gary Lunn Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I am honoured to present on behalf of the constituents of Saanich—Gulf Islands concerns an issue that arose last spring.

The petitioners request that parliament refrain from enacting legislation which would remove references to God or to the supremacy of God from the Canadian constitution or the charter of rights.