moved for leave to introduce Bill C-296 , an act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children).
Mr. Speaker, I thank members of the House for their consent to introduce the bill at this time.
The purpose of the bill is to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code allowing corporal punishment of children by parents and teachers.
Condoning corporal punishment can lead to physical and psychological injury and death of children, contributes to violence in society, and is contrary to both the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Section 43 allows punishment causing bruising and contusions. It allows children to be struck with belts and other objects. It is the relic of a bygone age and has no place in a democratic society that respects and values children.
Finally I would urge the section be repealed as part of the recodification of the general part of the Criminal Code. Several European countries have ended the legal approval of corporal punishment. I urge our government to uphold the rights of children and repeal this harmful and discriminatory section of the Criminal Code of Canada.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)