moved for leave to introduce Bill C-261, an act to require a referendum on the restoration of the death penalty and to amend the Referendum Act.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to introduce a private member's bill calling for a binding national referendum on reinstatement of capital punishment.
For too long, in fact forever, Canadians have been shut out of the debate process where this issue is concerned. Through the use of a referendum this bill would allow Canadians a say on whether the Criminal Code should be amended to include the death penalty as a sentencing option for persons who are convicted of first degree murder.
Critics will note on reading the bill that it does not ask them to vote for or against reinstatement of capital punishment. Instead it asks simply that MPs allow Canadians to make the final determination in this respect.
I also want to thank my constituents of Nanaimo-Cowichan. It was they who voted overwhelmingly by a margin of 919 to 104 for this initiative to be brought before the House which it is today. I believe this sentiment to be an accurate reflection of the support in rest of Canada for the bill. As such, and in closing, I ask colleagues on both sides of the House to support the bill when it comes before them. More important, I urge members of the subcommittee-
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)