Debates of May 14th, 1999

Peter Stoffer Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS

Mr. Speaker, I wish to remind the House that the first mandate of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is to protect fish, fish stocks and fish habitat.

Why did the DFO and the FRCC not intervene on behalf of over 2,000 lobster fishermen in Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton to stop the exploratory licence for seismic oil and gas drilling in the heart of lobster spawning grounds between those two areas? Why did the DFO not do that?

Wayne Easter Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to see that the member for Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore shares our interest in protecting fish habitat.

The fact is that the part of the sea in question will be subject to an environmental assessment under the direction of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board. DFO was on the fisheries advisory committee and will be assessing it.

The member also should be informed that the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board Fisheries Advisory Committee has requested a six month delay. That time should be used to good advantage by fishermen, DFO and others to ensure that the habitat is protected.

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 four petitions.

Maurizio Bevilacqua Vaughan—King—Aurora, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Finance. Pursuant to its order of reference of Tuesday, April 13, 1999, your committee has considered Bill C-67, an act to amend the Bank Act, the Winding-up and Restructuring Act and other acts relating to financial institutions and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

Your committee tables its report with amendments.

Maurizio Bevilacqua Vaughan—King—Aurora, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present a petition requesting that parliament amend the Divorce Act to include a provision, as supported by Bill C-340, regarding the right of spouses, parents and grandparents to have access to or custody of children.

Mac Harb Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I too have a petition signed by many constituents on behalf of grandparents who want parliament to ask the government to amend the Divorce Act so that it will allow grandparents to have access to their grandchildren without having to go to court.

Peter Adams Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition from citizens of Peterborough and the surrounding area who are concerned about drinking and driving. They point out that an average of 4.5 Canadians are killed and 125 Canadians are seriously injured every day as a result of alcohol related accidents.

The petitioners pray that parliament immediately amend the Criminal Code to streamline the judicial process and to provide sanctions which better reflect the seriousness of the crime by introducing amendments that provide for tiered penalties for driving with a blood alcohol count above .08% and by introducing mandatory assessment and needed treatment for offenders who are sentenced for impaired driving.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present another petition from citizens who are concerned about drinking and driving. The petitioners point out that 62% of fatally injured drinking drivers in Canada have a blood alcohol concentration that is over double the legal limit.

These petitioners pray that parliament immediately amend the Criminal Code to add mobile digital breath test units to the list of approved instruments under the Criminal Code and that police be authorized to use passive alcohol sensors in impaired driving enforcement.

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

I ask, Mr. Speaker, that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.