Mr. Speaker, I will respond very briefly to the motion put forward by the Reform Party.
It is interesting to note the consistent theme that runs through the amendments put forward by the Reform Party. First, the motions seek to render ineffective the guidelines that have been put forward for a very distinct and proper purpose, that is, to provide consistency to maintenance awards for children, to provide that the custodial spouse and the children will receive adequate support and the support awards will be consistent within provinces and across the country.
In addition to that theme, hearkening back to a process that is 50 years old, we also see what seems to be another consistent thread. The motions put forward would have the effect of delaying the implementation of the bill. Quite frankly if the suggestion put forward in Motion No. 13 was accepted by the federal government, the process of implementation would be delayed.
Justice delayed is justice denied. The government will do everything in its power to ensure that the guidelines and legislation will be able to go ahead on March 1, 1997.
Members of the Bloc are suggesting that somehow this deals with provincial authority in an inappropriate fashion. Once again I remind the House of my answer to similar statements made by the Bloc Quebecois.
First, this is an area of sole federal jurisdiction. Second, the guidelines which have been put in place are different from province to province, respecting and reflecting the various differences that exist within the provinces. Third, provisions within the bill state that where provincial guidelines are found to be acceptable, they would be allowed to function as the guidelines for the purposes of this bill.
The government is opposed to this motion because it would delay the implementation of the bill. It would like to see the system move ahead so that greater consistency, predictability and the enforceability of awards can all be improved as we work on a system that has been functioning for 50 years and is desperately in need of modernization and update.