Debates of May 30th, 2005

Jean Crowder Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC

Mr. Speaker, in Canada greenhouse gas emissions are growing faster than our economy. We have the top industrial polluters on the continent, but nearly $1.5 billion to reduce air pollution sits idle.

Canadians deserve clean air. Health Canada says that 6,000 Canadians die each year from air pollution.

The funding announcements have been made, but where is the action? When will the Liberal government actually enforce pollution reduction?

Stéphane Dion Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, it is true that we need to do more, but the fact is that pollution is decreasing in Canada. It is not increasing. If we compare with 1998 levels, Canada actually decreased its emissions of pollution by 13%. What is quite good is that metal recycling increased by 36%.

We are going in the right direction, but it is true that we need to do more.

Rob Nicholson Niagara Falls, ON

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has claimed all along that it supports the Gomery commission and that it wants Mr. Justice Gomery to do his work. At the same time, the biggest Liberal of the last 20 years, Jean Chrétien, and Alfonso Gagliano are doing their very best to shut down the Gomery commission.

Why does the Prime Minister not get all his friends together, all the prominent Liberals, and let Mr. Justice Gomery do the work that he is commissioned to do? Why does he not get his friends together and give them that message?

Scott Brison Minister of Public Works and Government Services

Mr. Speaker, the fact is the Prime Minister has and will continue to support Justice Gomery's work. The government has been clear that it does not agree with the actions taken by Mr. Chrétien or Mr. Gagliano, but they do have rights as individuals to defend themselves and to take such actions.

If the hon. member is suggesting that the Prime Minister should engage in witness tampering and try to interfere in that regard, I can tell him that what he is suggesting is shameful. It either demonstrates a lack of understanding of the law or that the Prime Minister engage in inappropriate behaviour and this Prime Minister would not do that.

Dominic LeBlanc Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 36 petitions.

Dominic LeBlanc Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I am tabling three certificates of nomination which will be referred to the appropriate standing committees.

Dominic LeBlanc Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a number of orders in council recently made by the government.

Keith Martin Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure today to table, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), in both official languages, two copies of the document “Fiscal Year 2003-2004, the Annual Report to the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs on the quality of life in the Canadian Forces”.

Irwin Cotler Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-53, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (proceeds of crime) and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act.

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

Charlie Penson Peace River, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 11th report of the Standing Committee on Finance.

In accordance with the order of reference of Monday, January 31, 2005, your committee has considered Bill C-259, an act to amend the Excise Tax Act (elimination of excise tax on jewellery) and agreed on Thursday, May 19 to report it back with one amendment.

John Maloney Welland, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 11th report of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

Your committee adopted a motion on Thursday, May 19 in response to the recent remarks made by the chief justice of the Appeal Court of Quebec, Michel Robert, and agreed to undertake a study of the process for appointing judges within the federal judgeship nomination.

Kevin Sorenson Crowfoot, AB

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-400, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (elimination of conditional sentencing).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to reintroduce my private member's bill which, if enacted, would repeal sections 742 to 742.7 of the Criminal Code. These sections allow the courts to impose conditional sentences which are to be served in the community in respect of convictions for offences for which a minimum term of imprisonment is not prescribed.

Since the introduction of conditional sentences by the current government, numerous violent criminals, including rapists, have served no jail time for their crimes. If the guiding principle of our justice system is the protection of society, then all violent criminals should spend an appropriate period of time behind bars.

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

Kevin Sorenson Crowfoot, AB

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-401, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (sexual assault on child--dangerous offenders).

Mr. Speaker, this is another of my private members' bills from the previous Parliament which I would like to reintroduce in this Parliament. This bill, if enacted, would allow the courts to designate an offender who has been convicted of two or more sexual offences against a child as a dangerous offender.

Furthermore, it would ensure that an offender with such a designation would not be released on parole, unescorted temporary absence, or statutory release unless at least two psychiatrists determined that the offender was not likely to reoffend or pose a threat to persons under the age of 18. It is a pleasure to reintroduce this bill.

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