Debates of Sept. 21st, 1995

Corrections And Conditional Release Act

[Patrick Gagnon, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Solicitor General of Canada]

Madam Speaker, regarding the motion tabled by the hon. member for Bellechasse, I wish to underline his active involvement in the committee. I think it is in everyone's interest to know how much the hon. member cares about his work. He is always striving for perfection. The government and especially the members of this House would do well to recognize what an excellent job the opposition member did, in my opinion, in this committee.

But I must stick to this text. We in this government support this motion as tabled by the hon. member for Bellechasse.

[Pierrette Venne, Bloc, Saint-Hubert, QC]

Madam Speaker, I was not here but I imagine we are still debating Group No. 2.

I wish to repeat that the Bloc Quebecois understands and shares the solicitor general's goal of reassuring the public about conditional release, given the enduring climate of public scepticism toward the federal parole system.

In particular, Motion No. 6 tabled by the government is aimed at correcting a drafting error. This provision deals with the calculation of the automatic release date of an offender sentenced to a jail term in a provincial correctional facility who is then transferred to a federal penitentiary.

As it now reads, clause 40 of the bill excludes those offenders who were serving prison sentences on or before November 1, 1992. The government's motion is aimed at correcting this oversight and we support this motion.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The question is on Motion No. 2. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion No. 2 agreed to.)

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The next question is on Motion No. 3. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion No. 3 agreed to.)

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The question is on Motion No. 6. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion No. 6 agreed to.)

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The next question is on Motion No. 8. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion No. 8 agreed to.)

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The next question is on Motion No. 12. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion No. 12 agreed to.)

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The next question is on Motion No. 13. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[Patrick Gagnon, Liberal, Bonaventure—Îles-De-La-Madeleine, QC]

Madam Speaker, could you remind us which motion we are voting on?

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The vote is on Motion No. 13.

All those in favour will please say yea.

[Some hon. members]

Yea.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

All those opposed will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

In my opinion, the nays have it.

[Some hon. members]

On division.

(Motion No. 13 negatived.)

[The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu)]

The next vote is on Motion No. 18. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?