Debates of Sept. 30th, 1994

Privilege

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I leave this to you to decide, having pointed out what I see as a breach of my colleague, the opposition leader's privilege. It is from that angle that the Prime Minister's answer should be considered and absolutely not within the context outlined by the government whip.

With all due respect, I would like to rise again on a question of privilege and repeat my argument that the Official Opposition's work has been undermined by an answer which was clearly inaccurate.

[The Speaker]

The seriousness of this point of privilege cannot be lost on anyone in the House. I want to be absolutely sure in my own mind and I want to take some time. I want to review everything that has been said and I want to reflect on it. I take it all of the submissions have been made.

I would ask the indulgence of the House. I will consider all matters that were brought forward and I will return to the House, if necessary or when necessary, and give my judgment on this request.

Government Response To Petitions

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

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

Committees Of The House

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 35th and 36th reports of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Both are regarding membership of committees.

The 35th report is a comprehensive report dealing with membership in the committees. The 36th report is one that deals with the appointment of associate members to the committees.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in both these reports.

I move that the 35th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House this day, be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to.)

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I move, with the unanimous consent of the House, that the 36th Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs tabled today be adopted.

(Motion agreed to.)

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

moved:

That the following changes be made to the membership of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs: Mr. Silye for Mrs. Ablonczy; Mrs. Catterall for Mr. Gagliano; Mr. Plamondon for Mr. Gauthier (Roberval); Mrs. Parrish for Mr. Patry; Mr. Harper (Calgary West) for Mr. White (Fraser Valley West), and that the list of associate members be as follows: Mr. Axworthy (Saskatoon-Clark's Crossing; Mr. Bellehumeur; Mr. Gauthier (Roberval); Mr. Harper (Simcoe Centre); Mr. Leroux (Richmond-Wolfe); Mr. Patry; and Mr. White (Fraser Valley West).

This may sound odd but the procedure and House affairs committee cannot, by reporting changes, change its own membership. It is being done by motion since it was established by motion for the duration of the Parliament. I just want to explain that.

(Motion agreed to.)

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada]

moved:

That a subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized to travel to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories during the month of October 1994 to undertake a study of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation and that the necessary staff accompany the subcommittee.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Would all those members who are opposed to the motion please rise.

And more than 25 members having risen:

[The Deputy Speaker]

Pursuant to Standing Order 56.1(3), the motion is deemed to have been withdrawn.

(Motion deemed withdrawn.)

Petitions

[Sue Barnes, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have today the honour of presenting a petition from a very hard working constituent of mine who over the summer gathered 6,120 signatures.

The subject of this petition is the matter of MPs pensions. It calls upon Parliament to amend the pension plan as it stands right now. While I am not in full agreement with every phrase of this petition I feel it is the right of my constituent to give me this petition and I will present it. I feel confident that during the term of this Parliament the pension plan will be reviewed and changed.

[Andy Mitchell, Liberal, Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition from 400 of my constituents dealing with the rights of those individuals in this country who were willing to give it all for Canada, our veterans.

This petition calls for the establishment of a basic service pension for all of our veterans who fought in World War II and in other conflicts and for their surviving spouses.

[Val Meredith, Reform, Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present six petitions to the House this morning.

In two of the petitions the petitioners pray that Parliament will ensure the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no change in the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.

[Val Meredith, Reform, Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in two petitions the petitioners pray and 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 that undefined phrase sexual orientation.

[Val Meredith, Reform, Surrey—White Rock—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in the last two petitions the petitioners pray that Parliament will 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.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present two petitions today. The first one is a petition on behalf of the constituents of Simcoe Centre on the issue of euthanasia.

The petitioners request that current laws regarding active euthanasia be enforced.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is requesting that the Government of Canada not amend the Human Rights Act to include the phrase sexual orientation. The petitioners are concerned about the undefined phrase sexual orientation. There is a legitimate concern that such a broad term could include all kinds of sexual behaviour.

[Colleen Beaumier, Liberal, Brampton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition submitted by one of my constituents, Miss Carole Horan, which calls for the government to enact legislation which will enforce the long term incarceration of child sex offenders.

In the short span of six months Miss Horan collected 6,176 signatures from concerned individuals across this country. These Canadians are concerned with the safety and well-being of their children. I join them in expressing their desire to ensure that all children in Canada are protected from sex offenders.

[John Finlay, Liberal, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present this morning.

The first petition calls on Parliament to ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously 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. That petition is signed by 215 constituents.

[John Finlay, Liberal, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is signed by 649 constituents. It urges the Government of Canada to ban lap dancing as understood and thereby stop offensive and repugnant entertainment, control the spread of sexism and check and/or help prevent the spread of the deadly HIV-AIDS pandemic.

[Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 36 I am pleased to present a petition from constituents in and around the area of Bowden, Alberta in my riding.

The petitioners pray and request that Parliament not amend the human rights code or change 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 prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase sexual orientation.

Questions On The Order Paper

[Peter Milliken, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Shall all questions stand?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-52, an act to establish the Department of Public Works and Government Services and to amend and repeal certain acts, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Department Of Public Works And Government Services Act

[The Deputy Speaker]

The member for Québec-Est now has the floor. I believe he still has about 30 minutes left. I am not sure. If the member would begin, I will find out.