Debates of May 18th, 2007

Derek Lee Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-447, An Act to establish the National Security Committee of Parliamentarians.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to introduce this bill which would establish a committee of parliamentarians to oversee and scrutinize national security within our Canadian parliamentary precincts. The committee would be a joint committee of senators and members of the House.

This bill is similar in format to that which had all party agreement in the last Parliament and which was introduced and died on the order paper at the time of dissolution of the last Parliament. I am hoping this bill will also have all party agreement in this Parliament. I am looking forward to the response of the government to this policy initiative.

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

Penny Priddy Surrey North, BC

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions and I believe if you seek it you would find unanimous consent for the following motion, “That this House officially apologize for the injustice of the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, and that this House further call on the Government of Canada to honour this apology by creating a permanent memorial in British Columbia to remember this incident”.

The Speaker Peter Milliken

Does the hon. member for Surrey North have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

The Speaker Peter Milliken

There is no consent.

Bruce Stanton Simcoe North, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of the grade five students of James Keating Elementary School in the great town of Penetanguishene in my riding.

The petitioners of course are actually the parents of these well-informed students. They draw the attention of the House to their concern about our continued dependence on fossil fuels and its impact on the quality of our air and on climate change. Of particular concern are the effects of climate change on polar bears' habitat in Canada's Arctic and how it is contributing to their depleting population.

They therefore call on the House to encourage the development of alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and that all research and measures necessary to assure the survival of Canada's wildlife population which are impacted by climate change be conducted on a timely and urgent basis.

Peter Julian Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Speaker, today I am presenting three petitions.

The first is from several dozen community members in Burnaby—New Westminster and other locations in the Lower Mainland of B.C. who call on the government to condemn the Chinese government's persecution against Falun Gong practitioners.

Peter Julian Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls upon the government to amend the Canada Health Act and corresponding regulations to include IBI and ABA therapy as a medically necessary treatment for children with autism. The petition is signed by residents of Burnaby—New Westminster and other areas in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

Peter Julian Burnaby—New Westminster, BC

Mr. Speaker, the final petition is signed by a number of constituents in Burnaby—New Westminster and other parts of the Lower Mainland. They call upon Parliament to accept the larger number of refugees and to lift barriers that prevent refugees from reaching Canada.

Mike Wallace Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions today that I would like to present to the House. The first petition deals with the victims of human trafficking which we have talked about here.

The petitioners, all from Burlington, request the government continues to work to combat trafficking of persons worldwide.

Mike Wallace Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, my second petition is signed by a large number of members from the Polish National Union Branch 17 in Burlington, Ontario. They are asking in the petition that the visitor visa requirements for the Republic of Poland that are now in existence be removed.

Mike Wallace Burlington, ON

Mr. Speaker, my final petition requests that the Government of Canada consider bowling to be considered an eligible sport under the children's fitness tax credit.

Bill Siksay Burnaby—Douglas, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table a petition signed by over 100 residents in my constituency of Burnaby—Douglas and some from neighbouring ridings who call on the government to extend generous financial support to the 2009 World Police and Fire Games by, at a minimum, matching the support extended to the last Canadian host city of these games.

They further point out that the World Police and Fire Games provide an important opportunity to support law enforcement and fire personnel who provide such important services to our communities, often at risk to their personal safety and lives. They also note that the World Police and Fire Games will have a significant and positive economic impact for the many communities hosting the event on the lower mainland of British Columbia.