Debates of March 22nd, 1999

Bernard Bigras Rosemont, QC

Mr. Speaker, after last year's announcement by the British government that it would be carrying out clinical testing of marijuana on 600 patients, the American government has just made public a study by the prestigious National Academy of Sciences in which it comes out in favour of the medical use of marijuana.

When is the Minister of Health going to get moving and take all the necessary steps to legalize the medical use of marijuana, thus allowing Canada to catch up in an area where it is seriously lagging behind other countries?

Allan Rock Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that other governments followed Canada's example. As has already been announced, we intend to carry out research on the results of marijuana use for medical purposes. We shall be doing so shortly.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to table in the House today, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments which were recently 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 Adams 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 five petitions.

Don Boudria Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 56.1 I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of this House, a bill in the name of the President of the Treasury Board, entitled an act to provide for the resumption and continuation of government services, shall be disposed of as follows:

1. Commencing when the said bill is read a first time and concluding when the said bill is read a third time, the House shall not adjourn except pursuant to this Order or to a motion proposed by a Minister of the Crown, and no Private Members' Business shall be taken up;

2. The said bill shall be read twice and thrice in one sitting;

3. After being read a second time, the said bill shall be referred to a committee of the whole;

4. During consideration of the said bill, no division shall be deferred.

5. Immediately after the said bill is disposed of, the sitting shall be suspended to the call of the Chair, provided that the House shall adjourn immediately after returning from the granting of the Royal Assent to this said bill or at fifteen minutes before the scheduled time of commencement of the next sitting day, whichever comes first.

Rose-Marie Ur Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am honoured to present a petition signed by residents of Stoney Creek and St. Catharines.

They urge parliament to ban the gas additive MMT, noting that studies under way at the University of Quebec are showing adverse health effects especially on children and seniors and that car manufacturers also oppose the use of MMT.

Gerry Ritz Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today to present a petition that has been six months or more in the making.

I have 100,000 signatures from people across this great country protesting the Young Offenders Act as it stands. They talk about substantive changes they want to see come forth. They hope the amendments we put forward in the next few days will really make that happen.

Judy Wasylycia-Leis Winnipeg North Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present another petition from a large group of Canadians who are very concerned about the state of our health care system today.

The petitioners call upon the government to act as quickly as possible to ensure that the Canada Health Act is upheld, strengthened and enhanced. The petitioners also call upon the government to respect the principles of accessibility, universality, portability, comprehensive coverage and public administration.

They call upon the government to entrench those principles not only in terms of the immediate needs within our hospitals and medical system but to use those principles to expand our health care system to cover the whole range of health care needs.