Debates of April 11th, 2008

Tom Lukiwski Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to three petitions.

Gerald Keddy Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and to the Minister of International Trade

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

In accordance with its order of reference of Tuesday, March 11, 2008, your committee has considered Bill S-215, An Act to protect heritage lighthouses and agreed on Thursday, April 10 to report it with amendment.

Yasmin Ratansi Don Valley East, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women in relation to gender analysis.

Gender analysis is critical if we as a country are to address the problems of poverty and social injustice.

Gender analysis that was introduced and recommended in 2004 according to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women states that we would like that to be legislated.

Francis Scarpaleggia Lac-Saint-Louis, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-535, An Act respecting the preservation of Canada’s water resources.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with great pride and pleasure to table this bill. The object of the bill is to prevent transfers of bulk water from one major drainage basin in Canada to another, thereby protecting the environment, which is damaged by such transfers, and thereby at the same time also preventing the transfer of freshwater outside of Canada.

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

Irwin Cotler Mount Royal, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-536, An Act to encourage accountability by Canada and the international community with respect to Sudan.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce the Sudan accountability act, a bill that aims at enhancing the role of Canada and the international community in combating the genocide in Darfur.

In a week beginning with the commemoration of the Rwandan genocide, in which the world failed to act, it is only appropriate that in the same week legislation be introduced to combat the first genocide of the 21st century through targeted divestment and international initiatives.

We know that more than 400,000 have died in this genocide by attrition and at least 4 million are on a life support system. As the student posters at Darfur rallies ask, “If not us, who?” and “If not now, when?”

While this legislation alone will not end the genocide, it is a vital and necessary step to be taken and the time to act is now.

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

Mario Silva Davenport, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by many people in my city of Toronto, as well as by my constituents of Davenport, who are asking that the Government of Canada to remove Canadian soldiers from Afghanistan immediately.

Myron Thompson Wild Rose, AB

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the residents of Wild Rose, I have two petitions to present today.

The first petition comes from the great and beautiful city of Airdrie and surrounding area. The petitioners are calling upon the members of Parliament to enact stronger laws and harsher penalties for sexual assault offenders, suggesting: first, that offenders should receive a minimum of 10 years jail time, with no parole; second, that offenders must attend rehabilitation; and third, that the public be notified upon the release of a sexual offender.

Myron Thompson Wild Rose, AB

Mr. Speaker, the second petition comes from two great communities, my home town of Sundre, Alberta, and the area close by of Caroline.

The petitioners request that Parliament continue to investigate the location and possible allocation of the $40 million of taxpayer money which mysteriously went missing and vanished under the Liberal Party of Canada during the sponsorship scandal.

Dawn Black New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present two petitions signed by hundreds of Canadians from all regions of our country.

The first petition calls upon the government to support a new law to eliminate the use of cluster bombs. Cluster bombs cause untold harm, mainly to civilians. Canada must work with the international community to prevent this suffering.

The petitioners strongly believe the Canadian government should show international leadership and support a law to end the use of cluster munitions.

This petition was circulated by an organization called Mines Action Canada. It plays a vital role in the battle to end the use of cluster bombs. It is a great organization. I am proud to support the petition and the work the organization does.

Dawn Black New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting the second petition on behalf of hundreds of people in New Westminster, Coquitlam and Port Moody.

I am a proud founding member of the Greater Vancouver Gogos. “Gogo” means “grandmother” in the Zulu language. The Gogo network across Canada supports grandmothers in Africa who are raising their grandchildren who have been orphaned by HIV-AIDS.

The Gogos want to see Canada live up to its decade old pledges to increase aid from 0.7% of--

The Acting Speaker Royal Galipeau

Presenting petitions.

Questions on the order paper. The hon. the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

The Acting Speaker Royal Galipeau

Is that agreed?