Debates of June 3rd, 2003

Sheila Copps Minister of Canadian Heritage

The Department of Canadian Heritage has not been involved in the undertaking of activities or celebrations in recognition of Commonwealth Day. Therefore no money was spent.

Rob Merrifield Yellowhead, AB

With regard to dental plastics containing bisPhenol A (BPA), also known as BisGMA: ( a ) is Health Canada aware of studies questioning the safety of this product; ( b ) is Health Canada convinced of the safety of this product; ( c ) how does Health Canada test and approve dental plastics before they are allowed on the market; ( d ) what tests were undertaken on “Conquest”, a dental plastic containing BisGMA; ( e ) how many enquiries has the minister received from alleged victims of dental plastic containing BPA; ( f ) is Health Canada considering compensation for alleged victims of BPA; and ( g ) is Health Canada aware of jurisdictions which have banned dental plastic containing BPA; if so, what are they?

Peter Stoffer Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore, NS

With respect to the control of firearms in Canada and to the 9,000 reported revocations and refusals of licenses pursuant to the provisions of the Firearms Act, and for each of the following types of license: possession-only license (POL), possession and acquisition license (PAL)(non-restricted) or possession and acquisition license (PAL)(restricted): ( a ) how many of the 9,000 revocations and refusals fell into each of these two categories;( b ) how many of those whose applications were refused were first time applicants and how many were seeking renewal of their licenses; ( c ) how many licenses were refused pursuant to section 5(1) of the Firearms Act (FA) because of: (i) concerns that applicants might harm themselves; or (ii) concerns that the applicants might harm others; ( d ) how many licenses were refused pursuant to section 5(2)(a) of the FA because of convictions or discharges under section 736 of the Criminal Code during the 5 years preceding the application; ( e ) how many licenses were refused pursuant to section 5(2)(b) of the FA because of treatment of mental illness during the 5 years preceding the application; ( f ) how many licenses were refused pursuant to section 5(2)(c) of the FA because of a history of violent behavior during the 5 years preceding the application; ( g ) how many licenses were refused pursuant to sections 3(d), 3(2), or 4(1) of the Firearms Licenses Regulations (SOR/98 – 199) because a former spouse, an ex-spouse, or a common law partner expressed concern regarding the acquisition of firearms by the applicant; ( h ) how many licenses were refused pursuant to section 6 of the FA because the applicants were under prohibition orders; (i) how many licenses were refused pursuant to section 7 of the FA because: ( i ) the applicants did not complete the non-restricted courses; or (ii) the applicants did not complete the restricted courses; ( j ) how many licenses were refused that do not belong to either of the two categories referred to in the above paragraph (i); ( k ) how many licenses were revoked pursuant to section 70(a)(i) of the FA because the applicants are no longer or never were eligible; ( l ) how many licenses were revoked pursuant to section 70(a)(ii) of the FA because the applicants contravened a condition of a license; ( m ) how many licenses were revoked pursuant to section 70(a)(iii) of the FA because the applicants were charged or discharged under section 736 of the Criminal Code or because they committed an offense listed in section 5(2)(a) of the FA; ( n ) how many licenses were revoked for reasons others than the ones referred to in the above paragraphs ( k ), ( l ) or ( m ); and ( o ) how many licenses were revoked pursuant to section 16(1) of the Firearms Licenses Regulations (SOR/98 – 199) because a chief firearms officer who issued a license becomes concerned that the holder thereof has been involved in: (i) an act of domestic violence; or (ii) stalking?

Wayne Easter Solicitor General of Canada

The answer is as follows: a) Stats are as of May 5, 2003.

There is no statistical breakdown available for questions (b) to (o).

The CFC is in the process of reviewing its statistical and other information requirements. This is part of our ongoing efforts to report on program achievements and effectiveness.

Garry Breitkreuz Yorkton—Melville, SK

With respect to reference and background checks done on each Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) applicant, what is the total number of PAL applications that have been processed since December 1, 1998, and how many of the two references per PAL application were actually called?

Wayne Easter Solicitor General of Canada

As of May 10, 2003, the total number of PAL applications that have been processed since December 1, 1998, is 659,083. Reference checks are performed during the course of an investigation, at the discretion of the investigator, based on the issue being assessed. There are no statistics available on how many of the two references per PAL application were actually called.

The CFC is in the process of reviewing its statistical and other information requirements. This is part of our ongoing efforts to report on program achievements and effectiveness.

Judy Sgro York West, ON

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

Roy H. Bailey Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

Mr. Speaker, I seek the unanimous consent of the House to allow Bill C-411, an act to establish merchant navy veterans day, to pass in all stages so that we can announce it to the merchant marine before June 6.