Debates of March 12th, 2001

Herb Gray Deputy Prime Minister

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide a clarification of something I said in answer to a question in today's question period.

Mr. Ressam was arrested and detained on August 24, 1995, for deportation proceedings. Travel documents were not available for his removal. As a result, he was, as I have said, conditionally released from detention and was required to report monthly to CIC officials. However, in March 1997 a temporary stay of removal was imposed for deportation to Algeria.

Chuck Strahl Fraser Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Deputy Prime Minister would table the document from which he was reading. In addition, would he consider tabling other departmental information about this case, such as the exact details of who knew what and when?

Herb Gray Windsor West, ON

Mr. Speaker, it is not the practice to table briefing notes. I will take his other suggestion under advisement.

John Reynolds West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-293, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (constituency allowances).

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to introduce my private member's bill entitled an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (constituency allowances). The bill is meant to acknowledge my riding of West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast as a schedule 3 riding.

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

John Reynolds West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-294, an act to amend the Criminal Code (wearing of war decorations).

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to reintroduce my private member's bill, an act to amend the Criminal Code of Canada (wearing of war decorations). The bill would allow a family member or relative of a deceased veteran to wear any decoration or medal awarded to such veteran without facing criminal sanctions. The decoration would be worn on the right side of the chest and only on Remembrance Day.

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

Roy H. Bailey Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions. The first petition has been before the House several times. It asks that private sector workers who deliver mail in rural areas have collective bargaining rights, as do public sector workers who deliver mail for Canada Post in rural areas.

This is not a new petition and I humbly submit it at this time.

Roy H. Bailey Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

Mr. Speaker, I also have a huge petition from my constituents. It deals with a problem the farmers and ranchers are having on the prairies. They cannot purchase sufficient poison to get rid of the Richardson's ground squirrel which has cost them thousands and thousands of dollars in crops and machinery.

Because they cannot purchase poisons to kill the squirrels, the petitioners ask parliament to amend the present regulations so as to permit the sale of concentrated liquid strychnine to registered farmers until such time as an effective alternative can be found.

Michel Bellehumeur Berthier—Montcalm, QC

Mr. Speaker, I received in my riding office in Berthierville a petition from Claire Beaulieu, the director general of the Lanaudière branch of the Fédération de l'âge d'or du Québec. The petition is signed by more than 1,100 members from 23 seniors' clubs in the riding of Berthier—Montcalm.

The petitioners are calling on the government to move quickly to pass anti-gang legislation so that our streets and public places will again be safe.

I must tell the House immediately that this petition is not in the usual form. It is, however, very well written and very well prepared, and that is why I am seeking the unanimous consent of the House to present it.

I am sure that many other members from Quebec will be receiving such petitions, which are being circulated throughout Quebec.