House of Commons Hansard #104 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was children.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I also wish to draw your attention to the presence in our gallery of His Excellency Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
Since the House reconvened on September 19, you have, on a number of occasions, admonished certain members about their choice of words. Today for example, you asked a member not to use the term cover-up, but did not find fault with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for using the word bullshit.
Does the fact that you did not comment mean that the word is accepted in parliamentary language, Mr. Speaker?
Point Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
I am not sure where this is going to lead us.
I did not hear the remarks in question but I will be happy to review the blues and see in what context they were used, if indeed they were used.
Brian Tobin Liberal Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL
Point of order, Mr. Speaker. That word has never, ever, crossed my mind, let alone escaped my lips.
Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am not asking you to make assumptions as to what the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is thinking. We are only concerned with what he said and, in that respect, I think that whatever the context in which this particular word is used, it can-
Point Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
At best we are getting into uncharted waters and with that I will take my leave.
Lloyd Axworthy LiberalMinister of Human Resources Development and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Mr. Speaker, I take some pleasure and interest in tabling a document in both official languages entitled "Improving Social Security in Canada" recommended to the interest and debate of members of the House.
Motion To Extend Hours Of SittingRoutine Proceedings
Kingston and the Islands Ontario
Liberal
Peter Milliken LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I think you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:
That, on Thursday, October 6, 1994, the House shall continue to sit from 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the sole purpose of continuing its consideration of the motion of the Minister of Human Resources Development with regard to the social security review, (government business No. 15);
That, during the aforementioned period of time, the Chair shall not receive any dilatory motion or quorum call;
That, during the aforementioned period of time, if no member rises to speak, the Speaker shall declare the debate adjourned; and
That proceedings pursuant to Standing Order 38 shall be taken up on that day at 9 p.m.
(Motion agreed to.)
Jack Iyerak Anawak Liberal Nunatsiaq, NT
Mr. Speaker, a point of order. I would like to seek unanimous consent to go back to tabling of documents to table a document that I was going to table earlier.
Motion To Extend Hours Of SittingRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker
Does the parliamentary secretary have the unanimous consent of the House to return to tabling of documents?
Western Arctic Inuvialuit Claim ImplementationRoutine Proceedings
Nunatsiaq Northwest Territories
Liberal
Jack Iyerak Anawak LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the 1992-93 annual review of the Western Arctic Inuvialuit Claim Implementation.
Jim Abbott Reform Kootenay East, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first one has four pages with 105 signatures.
The petitioners are concerned that Parliament not repeal or amend section 241 of the Criminal Code in any way and uphold the Supreme Court of Canada decision of December 30, 1993 to disallow assisted suicide, euthanasia.
Jim Abbott Reform Kootenay East, BC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition has two pages with 57 signatures. The petitioners request that Parliament not amend the human rights code, the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality, including amending the human rights code to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase sexual orientation.
I present these and I concur with my petitioners.
Ian McClelland Reform Edmonton Southwest, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege to present two petitions today, the first from 135 constituents who pray that the government will not give societal approval, including the extension of societal privileges to same sex relationships if any amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act were to include the undefined phrase sexual orientation as a grounds for discrimination.
Ian McClelland Reform Edmonton Southwest, AB
Mr. Speaker, the second petition signed by 57 constituents states that the majority of Canadians believe that physicians should be working to save lives, not to end them.
Therefore these petitioners pray that Parliament ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously.
It is my pleasure to submit these petitions and to inform my constituents that I concur with both.
Beryl Gaffney Liberal Nepean, ON
Mr. Speaker, today my colleagues and I are presenting 3,000 signatures to the House.
These petitioners are asking that grandparents', and grandchildren's rights in this country be respected. Too many times children are being denied access to their grandparents and these petitioners request an amendment to the Divorce Act.
Amendments could state that in no case may a father or a mother without serious cause place obstacles between the child and the grandparents.
Rey D. Pagtakhan Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I too would like to present a petition on behalf of my constituents and beyond who pray that Parliament effect appropriate amendments to relevant Canadian law which would guarantee access by grandparents to their grandchildren unless otherwise ordered by a court judgment.
The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is healthy for the psychological health and well-being of both parties.
Jay Hill Reform Prince George—Peace River, BC
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have two petitions to present today on behalf of my constituents.
The first petition requests that current laws regarding assisted suicide be enforced and that Parliament make no changes in the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.
Jay Hill Reform Prince George—Peace River, BC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition asks Parliament to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human beings to unborn human beings.
Ted White Reform North Vancouver, BC
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have three petitions to present today on behalf of Maureen Morrison and other signatories.
The first petition signed by 52 people prays that Parliament ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no changes to the law which would
sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.
Ted White Reform North Vancouver, BC
Mr. Speaker, the two other petitions which I would like to present to the House today contain 111 signatures. Both petitions pray that Parliament act immediately to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by born human beings to unborn human beings.
Nick Discepola Liberal Vaudreuil, QC
Mr. Speaker, I too have the honour to present to this House a petition requesting that the Parliament of Canada amend the Divorce Act so that it is more in line with the Quebec legislation, that is to say Section 611 of the Quebec Civil Code, which effectively grants thousands of grandparents the privilege and right to have access to their grandchildren as well as the right to make and get an answer to inquiries regarding their health, well-being and education. I have the honour of presenting and tabling this petition on behalf of my constituents.
Eugène Bellemare Liberal Carleton—Gloucester, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour and the pleasure of presenting a petition signed by many taxpayers of my riding of Carleton-Gloucester and other ridings across Canada. These petitioners are asking Parliament to look into the issue of the Divorce Act and that amendments be made to this act so that obstacles can no longer be placed between grandchildren and grandparents where there should be none.
After all, it is only natural that grandparents have access to their grandchildren and vice versa, except in very rare cases.