Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2005

Don Boudria Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 27th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding its December 9, 2004 order of reference in relation to Bill C-30, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and the Salaries Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

The committee reviewed Bill C-30 and tabled its report, with one amendment.

I also have the honour to present the 28th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the question of privilege concerning the usurpation of the title of member of Parliament by the Hon. Serge Marcil. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the said 28th report later this day.

Dave Chatters Westlock—St. Paul, AB

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-338, an act to amend the Nuclear Energy Act (change of responsible minister).

Mr. Speaker, this bill is a modification of a bill that I have had in the House for a good length of time in a number of Parliaments. Its intent is to split the responsibilities for Atomic Energy Canada Limited and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to report to two different ministries.

The bill proposes to split the reporting to a different ministry than the previous bill, Bill C-212. As there have been consultations with all parties in the House, I would ask if I could receive unanimous consent to withdraw Bill C-212, which this bill will replace.

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

Don Boudria Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 28th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House earlier this day be concurred in.

For the benefit of hon. members, the report is on the question of privilege that our committee recently studied.

(Motion agreed to)

Rob Nicholson Niagara Falls, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by over 100 people from the city of Niagara Falls and the greater Fort Erie area, including Stevensville, Wainfleet, Port Colborne, St. Catharines and Welland.

The petitioners state that marriage is a sacred institution that forms the basis of the family unit and that Parliament overwhelmingly affirmed its understanding of marriage as a union between a single man and a single woman to the exclusion of all others.

They call upon Parliament to reaffirm the heterosexual nature of marriage and to evoke section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Louis Plamondon Richelieu, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition calling upon the Canadian government not to participate, either partially or fully, in the United States' missile defence project.

Pat O'Brien London—Fanshawe, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition which calls on the Government of Canada to uphold the traditional definition of marriage.

The petitioners decry the fact that in a court-driven process, on what amounts to a radical experiment in social engineering, the government seems bent on changing the definition of marriage. They call upon the government to reverse this course and to reverse it right now.

Greg Thompson St. Croix—Belleisle, NB

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition from the citizens of Charlotte County, New Brunswick, who are opposed to the construction of an LNG terminal in Eastport, Maine, U.S.A.

The petitioners suggest that the Government of Canada should take the same position it took about 30 years ago when it opposed and would not allow the transport of dangerous materials through Head Harbour Passage. At that time, a U.S. firm was considering building an oil refinery in the same area as the LNG project is proposed today.

These citizens naturally have concerns about the environment. It is a very dangerous passage. As Canadians, they do not want to allow those dangerous ships through those waters, which would put at risk their fisheries, their marine life and their tourism. It would have a huge hit on the environment and their way of life in that area.

These petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to take strong action and say no to the transport of LNG tankers through Head Harbour Passage.

Marc Lemay Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of several hundred residents of my riding who are opposed to the Government of Canada's getting involved in the missile defence program the U.S. would like to put in place.

Rose-Marie Ur Middlesex—Kent—Lambton, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I wish to present two petitions. The first petitions is on behalf of the parishioners of the Dresden Community Church in my riding of Lambton--Kent--Middlesex. The second petition is from Kitchener-Waterloo region.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to use all possible legislative and administrative measures, including invoking section 33 of the charter if necessary, to preserve and promote the current definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.

Daryl Kramp Prince Edward—Hastings, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured today to table a petition on behalf of the fine people of Prince Edward--Hastings whom have signed the document. The petitioners request that Parliament redefine marriage in federal law as being a lifelong union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

Robert Thibault West Nova, NS

Mr. Speaker, it is my duty to present to Parliament a petition on behalf of the residents of West Nova, particularly in the Bridgetown area of the Annapolis Valley. The petitioners request that Parliament define marriage in federal as being the lifelong union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.