Debates of Sept. 21st, 1994

Petitions

[Herb Grubel, Reform, Capilano—Howe Sound, BC]

Madam Speaker, the second petition calls on Parliament to act immediately to extend protection to the unborn child.

[Herb Grubel, Reform, Capilano—Howe Sound, BC]

Madam Speaker, the third petition calls on Parliament to prohibit assisted suicide 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.

[Audrey McLaughlin, NDP, Yukon, YT]

Madam Speaker, I am presenting petitions today on behalf of members of the Kaska Dena Council of Yukon and B.C. These members are from diverse points, Watson Lake, Fort Nelson, including Good Hope.

The Kaska Dena Council requests that Parliament ensure that its fiduciary rights as related to the federal government are respected, particularly in relation to land claims issues in Yukon and B.C. in which its territory spans both that province and territory.

The Kaska Dena Council seeks the support of the minister of Indian affairs to ensure that he carries out this responsibility and former agreements with the Kaska Dena Council.

[Pat O'Brien, Liberal, London—Middlesex, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure today to present a petition to the House signed by a number of my constituents as well as Canadians throughout southwestern Ontario.

These petitioners call on Parliament to vigorously enforce the Criminal Code of Canada to prohibit assisted suicide and they further call on Parliament to make no changes in the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.

I present this and most heartily concur with these petitioners.

[Allan Kerpan, Reform, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre, SK]

Madam Speaker, I am privileged to table in the House today duly certified petitions on behalf of the constituents of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre.

The first two petitions ask Parliament to enforce the present provisions of the Criminal Code respecting assisted suicides and that no changes in the law be contemplated by Parliament.

[Allan Kerpan, Reform, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre, SK]

Madam Speaker, I table the wishes of persons in Moose Jaw-Lake Centre who humbly pray that Parliament not amend the human rights code concerning the undefined phrase sexual orientation.

I concur wholeheartedly with each of these petitions of my constituents.

[Svend Robinson, NDP, Burnaby—Kingsway, BC]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to table a petition which is signed by residents across Canada, including from the cities of Calgary, Moose Jaw and Mill Bay.

These petitioners draw to the attention of the House the fact that the current Criminal Code denies people who are suffering from terminal or irreversible and debilitating illness the right to choose freely and voluntarily to end their lives with the assistance of a physician.

Therefore the petitions call upon Parliament to amend the Criminal Code to ensure the right of all Canadians to die with dignity by allowing people with terminal or irreversible and debilitating illnesses the right to the assistance of a physician in ending their lives at a time of their choice subject to strict safeguards to prevent abuse and to ensure that the decision is free, informed, competent and voluntary.

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden, SK]

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure on behalf of constituents and other Canadians in Saskatchewan to present a petition pursuant to Standing Order 36. The petition is signed by people from Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Pangman, Ogema, Minton, Oungre, Kenora and Nipawin, all in Saskatchewan.

The petitioners are extremely worried about the impact of Bill C-91 which was passed in the last Parliament extending the patent on some prescription drugs for up to 20 years and guaranteeing drug manufacturers monopoly prices and substantial profits at Canadians' expense.

Prescription drug prices in Canada are the most expensive in the world as a result of the bill. The petitioners are calling for the repeal of Bill C-91. The Liberals in opposition supported the repealing of Bill C-91. The petitioners are asking the government to repeal the bill as quickly as possible to reduce the pressure on drug plans and health care plans across the country.

[Randy White, Reform, Fraser Valley West, BC]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to provide a petition to the House today from constituents in Fraser Valley West and Langley, Aldergrove and Matsqui.

The petitioners request that Parliament not amend the human right 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.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have a petition from more than 60 people in the riding of Peterborough. These are people concerned about child abuse. They point out that babies and young children lack the ability to defend themselves and they fall victim to sexual abuse and serious physical and psychological abuse each year.

They urge that Parliament amend the Criminal Code to ensure stiffer sentences and mandatory treatment for all child abusers.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

I have a second petition, Madam Speaker, prompted by the recent death of Debra Redhead and it is presented by people from the Native Friendship Centre in Peterborough. They point out that the existing judicial system continues to fail and in some cases participates in the deaths of incarcerated First Nations peoples. The group Cries to the Spirits is urging the federal government to recognize and act on this.

They petition Parliament to accept and respect First Nations people's right to reintroduce their traditional judicial system which promotes healing as opposed to punishment.

[Grant Hill, Reform, Macleod, AB]

Madam Speaker, I have four petitions to present today, two that relate to opposition to same sex couples, homosexuality and sexual orientation.

[Grant Hill, Reform, Macleod, AB]

The second petition asks Parliament not to change any legislation relating to euthanasia.

[Grant Hill, Reform, Macleod, AB]

The final petition asks for protection of the unborn child.

[Daphne Jennings, Reform, Mission—Coquitlam, BC]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I would like to present petitions on behalf of my constituents to request Parliament not to amend the human rights code, the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to include the undefined phrase sexual orientation.

[Daphne Jennings, Reform, Mission—Coquitlam, BC]

The second petition is presented on behalf of Canadian grandparents asking Parliament to amend the Divorce Act to assure grandparents of continuous access to grandchildren and to inquire as to the health, education and welfare of their grandchildren.

It is the hope of this member that all members of the House will support our grandparents and realize the needs of our grandchildren have got to be addressed. By addressing their needs we also address the needs of grandparents.

[John Finlay, Liberal, Oxford, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is my duty to present two petitions today pursuant to Standing Order 36, the first signed by 238 constituents of Oxford County who pray that Parliament act immediately to extend protection to the unborn child by amending the Criminal Code to extend the same protection enjoyed by human beings to unborn human beings.

[John Finlay, Liberal, Oxford, ON]

The second petition requests 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.

[Jack Frazer, Reform, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 it is my duty and honour to rise in the House to present a petition duly certified by the clerk of petitions on behalf of constituents of Saanich-Gulf Islands, Victoria and Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca.

The petitioners humbly pray and call upon Parliament to enact legislation providing for a referendum of the people, binding upon Parliament, to accept or reject two official languages, English and French, for the government and the people of Canada.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have three petitions I would like to present today on behalf of my constituents in Simcoe Centre.

The first deals with euthanasia. The petitioners request that the current laws regarding active euthanasia be enforced.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, the second petition deals with abortion. The petitioners request that Parliament reconsider amendments to the Criminal Code.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, the third petition deals with sexual orientation.

I wish to present a petition requesting that the Government of Canada not amend the Human Rights Act to include the phrase sexual orientation. The petitioners fear that such an inclusion would lead to homosexuals receiving the same benefits and societal privileges as married people.

[Dale Johnston, Reform, Wetaskiwin, AB]

Madam Speaker, under Standing Order 36 it is my pleasure to present a petition duly signed by constituents of Wetaskiwin who humbly pray that Parliament not amend the human rights code, the 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 on the grounds that this could include discrimination.

I present the petition on behalf of the constituents of Wetaskiwin.

Private Members' Bills

[Ted White, Reform, North Vancouver, BC]

Madam Speaker, unfortunately during introduction of my private members' bills the seconders of the two bills were rotated. I would like to correct that for the records of the House.

The seconder for the bill entitled an act to amend the Canada Elections Act was Grant Hill. The seconder for the act to promote the use of plain language in federal statutes and regulations was Bob Ringma.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

That is fine. I will make sure the corrections are made.