Bill C-367 (Historical)

An Act to amend the State Immunity Act and the Criminal Code (terrorist activity)

State Immunity Act

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-394, an act to amend the State Immunity Act and the Criminal Code (terrorist activity).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill that is an improvement upon Bill C-367, otherwise known as the victims of terror compensation bill.

Like Bill C-367, this bill would remove the immunity for states that have been able to hide behind that immunity, states that sponsor terrorism, by amending the State Immunity Act, that would allow victims of terrorism to civilly sue the perpetrators of terrorist acts by amending the Criminal Code.

The bill I am introducing today makes the following important additions. First, the limitation period with respect to these offences would not run while a victim is incapable of commencing a proceeding due to physical, mental or psychological condition or is unaware of the identity of those responsible.

Second, any court of competent jurisdiction shall give full faith and credit to a judgment of any foreign court in favour of a person who has suffered loss or damage from terrorist activity which is prohibited under the Criminal Code.

I thank all those who have contributed to this particular bill, which will assist Canadians who in any way are hurt by terrorist activity.

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

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I understand there is agreement among House leaders to withdraw this bill, which was initially tabled as Bill C-367, to allow me to introduce the improved version of that. I therefore ask for unanimous consent to withdraw the bill.

Criminal Code

[Gord Brown, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-393, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

Mr. Speaker, I present today this private member's bill for which members of my constituency and people all across Canada have been asking.

This act proposes to create mandatory minimum sentences for carrying a concealed weapon and for manslaughter on an unarmed person inflicted with a knife that was previously concealed.

The act mandates a reduction in parole eligibility for both offences and creates a second or subsequent offence for carrying a concealed weapon, as well as including carrying a concealed weapon as an offence within the absolute jurisdiction of a provincial court judge.

The act would also provide direction to sentencing courts with respect to consideration and calculation of pre-trial custody.

The act provides direction to the National Parole Board with respect to supplying relevant information to crime victims, asserts the obligation of the board to not adjourn conditional release hearings without justification and creates a future conditional release eligibility consequence for offenders that waive scheduled hearings.

This bill is for Andy.

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

(Bill C-367. On the Order: Private Members' Business:)

Second reading and reference to the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Bill C-367, an act to amend the State Immunity Act and the Criminal Code (terrorist activity)--The Member for Okanagan--Coquihalla.

State Immunity Act

[Stockwell Day, Conservative, Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-367, an act to amend the State Immunity Act and the Criminal Code (terrorist activity).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce today the victims of terror compensation bill. This would amend the State Immunity Act and it would allow claims in Canada against foreign states which sponsor any of the groups that are listed as terrorist entities. By permitting this, it would allow those who have been hurt, injured or damaged in any way by acts of terrorism or suffered damages to actually pursue and take civil action for compensation.

The bill has been developed cooperatively with the Canadian Coalition Against Terror, an organization that is made up of Canadian terror victims and also community activists.

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