Debates of March 21st, 1995

Commission Of Inquiry Into The Deployment Of Canadian Forces In Somalia

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of National Defence and Minister of Veterans Affairs]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and further to the commitment made in this House on November 17, 1994, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, an order in council establishing the commission of inquiry as to the deployment of the Canadian Forces to Somalia.

This is an order in council establishing the commission of inquiry as to the deployment of the Canadian forces to Somalia.

Canadian Human Rights Act

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 61(3) of the Canadian Human Rights Act and Standing Order 32(2), I am pleased to table, in both official languages, le rapport annuel de la Commission des droits humains for the year 1994 for referral to the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons.

Government Response To Petitions

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

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 32 petitions.

Maintenance Of Railway Operations Act, 1995

[Lucienne Robillard, Liberal, Minister of Labour]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-77, an act to provide for the maintenance of railway operations and subsidiary services.

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

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

When shall the bill be read the second time? Later this day?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

At the next sitting of the House.

Rail Strike

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

Madam Speaker, I seek the unanimous consent of the House for the following order. I move:

That notwithstanding any standing order, immediately after the completion of Private Members' Business on this day, the House shall revert to Government Orders for the purpose of considering Bill C-77, an act to provide for the maintenance of railway operations and subsidiary services at the second reading stage, in committee of the whole, at the report stage and at the third reading stage, provided that the House shall not adjourn this day except pursuant to a motion by a minister of the crown.

In light of the substantial losses being suffered in the Canadian economy as a result of this rail strike, it is appropriate that the House deal with this motion. I seek consent to put it to the House today.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Does the hon. parliamentary secretary have the unanimous consent of the House to table the motion?

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Madam Speaker, I must say no. We proposed amendments to the government. Had it accepted them, we would

have had all three readings today. However, given its refusal, I must withhold our party's consent.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

We therefore do not have unanimous consent.

[Elwin Hermanson, Reform, Kindersley—Lloydminster, SK]

Madam Speaker, I want to make it clear that the Reform caucus is not part of the opposition's response. We support the speedy passage of legislation to end the rail strike given its drastic consequences for the Canadian economy.

Petitions

[Diane Ablonczy, Reform, Calgary North, AB]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present today a petition on behalf of the citizens of Calgary asking that dangerous offenders be ineligible for parole until their full sentence has been served.

[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 43 individuals from Ontario.

The petitioners request that Parliament at the earliest possible time initiate a wide ranging public inquiry replacing many being convened piecemeal into the Canadian Armed Forces, including reserves which will investigate, report and make recommendations on all matters affecting its operations, tasking, resources, effectiveness, morale and welfare.

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

Madam Speaker, I have a second petition to present on behalf of 57 constituents of Saanich-Gulf Islands and surrounding area, again duly certified by the clerk of petitions.

The petitioners call on Parliament to enact legislation against serious personal injury crimes being committed by high risk offenders by permitting the use of post sentence detention orders and specifically by passing Bill C-240.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have three sets of petitions on related matters, but the petitions are different.

The first one says that because of the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act, it will provide certain groups with special status, rights and privileges; that because the inclusion will infringe on the historic rights of Canadians such as freedom of religion, conscience, expression and association, therefore the petitioners call on Parliament to oppose any amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act or to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which would provide for the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation.

Bill C-41

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Madam Speaker, this is the second petition on a related matter.

It says whereas the majority of Canadians believe everyone currently has equal status under the law and whereas Bill C-41, section 718.2, would give special provisions based on sexual orientation, therefore the petitioners pray and request that Parliament not pass Bill C-41 with section 718.2 as presently written and that in any event, it not include the undefined phrase "sexual orientation", as the behaviour people engage in does not warrant special consideration under Canadian law.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Madam Speaker, the last petition I have states that the undersigned residents of Canada draw to the attention of the House of Commons that members of Parliament have recently made hateful comments which contribute to the climate of intolerance, fear and violence for lesbian, gay and bisexual Canadians; that more than 80 per cent of Canadians believe that gay men, lesbians and bisexuals are subject to discrimination and that many gay and lesbian Canadians have been harassed, beaten or even murdered in violent expression of this discrimination; and that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees everyone equal rights.

Therefore, the petitioners call on Parliament to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

[Bill Gilmour, Reform, Comox—Alberni, BC]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present the following three petitions from my constituents of Comox-Alberni.

The first petition contains 780 signatures and calls on Parliament not to enact any further firearms control legislation, regulations or orders in council.

The second petition comes from constituents all across British Columbia and contains 454 signatures. It requests that Parliament refuse to accept the justice minister's anti-firearms proposals and insist that he bring forward legislation to convict and punish criminals rather than persecute the innocent.

[Bill Gilmour, Reform, Comox—Alberni, BC]

Madam Speaker, this last petition comes from across Canada and contains 550 signatures.

The petitioners request that in memory of Dawn Shaw, a six-year-old girl who was murdered in my riding of Comox-Alberni, that this petition be brought to the attention of Parliament.

The petitioners request that Parliament enact legislation to change the justice system to provide greater protection for children from sexual assault and to assure conviction of offenders.

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to present a petition to Parliament calling on the House of Commons to ensure that the present provisions in the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no changes in the law that would sanction or would allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia.

Questions On The Order Paper

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

Madam Speaker, I ask that all the questions be allowed to stand.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.