Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition in due form under House regulations which was signed by 83 citizens.
The petition reads as follows: We, the undersigned residents of Canada, would like to draw to the House's attention the following: That some hon. members recently made hateful statements which contribute to the climate of intolerance, fear and violence in which lesbians, gays and bisexuals live; that more than 80 per cent of all Canadians feel that gays, lesbians and bisexuals are the victims of discrimination and that many gays and lesbians are harassed, beaten and even killed in the violent expression of that discrimination.
The petitioners also note that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees all people the right to protection against discrimination, including, as recognized by the Government of Canada, discrimination based on sexual orientation; that the courts have ordered that we consider that the Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination founded on sexual orientation; and that this act should be amended to clearly show all Canadians that Parliament is truly in favour of equality for one and for all.
Consequently, the petitioners would have Parliament amend the Canadian Human Rights Act in order to protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation. I would like to add that this would bring the rest of Canada up to par with Quebec, which took that step back in 1978.