House of Commons Hansard #35 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was devco.

Topics

Points Of OrderOral Question Period

12:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

I do not think this is a point of order. Hon. members are free to stand, or sit in their seats, as they wish. There is no obligation on members to stand or do whatever. I think the matter is closed. The guest is here and I do not believe there is any point of order arising out of it.

Government Response To PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Simcoe North Ontario

Liberal

Paul Devillers LiberalParliamentary Secretary to President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 36.8 I have the honour of tabling in both official languages the government's response to 10 petitions.

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Liberal

Maurizio Bevilacqua Liberal Vaughan—King—Aurora, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the report of the Standing Committee on Finance, pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday, October 8, 1977.

The committee examined Bill C-2, an act to establish the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and to amend the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. On Thursday, November 20, 1997 it decided to report the bill with amendments.

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

The hon. member for Calgary West on a point of privilege.

PrivilegeRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Reform

Rob Anders Reform Calgary West, AB

Mr. Speaker, is it not an insult and a degradation to the decorum of the House to rise for a man who is the butcher of Tiananmen Square?

PrivilegeRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

There is no question of privilege.

Divorce ActRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Reform

Jay Hill Reform Prince George—Peace River, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-285, an act to amend the Divorce Act (joint custody).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to introduce this bill and thank my hon. colleague from Skeena for seconding it.

Sadly, all too often marriages in Canada end in divorce. Unfortunately, children are frequently the casualty of these breaks-ups and they are further hurt when custody is awarded to only one parent. This bill would provide for automatic joint custody unless there is proven neglect or abuse.

Joint custody does not mean children are shuffled back and forth between two homes. It means there is a joint responsibility for decisions made in the best interest of the child and access cannot be denied arbitrarily by one of the parents. Children need the love and support of both parents and our laws should reflect that.

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

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

Bob Kilger Liberal Stormont—Dundas, ON

moved:

That 10 members of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans be authorized to extend their travel throughout Newfoundland from November 30, 1997 to December 2, 1997, and that the necessary staff do accompany the members of the committee.

I would like to say to my colleagues on both sides of the House that consultations have been held with all parties and agreement has been reached.

(Motion agreed to)

Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

Marlene Catterall Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That the following member be added to the list of associate members of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs: Mr. Garry Breitkreuz.

(Motion agreed to)

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Reform

Jack Ramsay Reform Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a number of petitions to the House today.

The first three petitions call for the Prime Minister to declare Canada indivisible. The 82 petitioners ask that federal boundaries be modified only by a free, nationwide vote, or through the amending formula process as stipulated in the Constitution.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Reform

Jack Ramsay Reform Crowfoot, AB

Mr. Speaker, the fourth petition requests that Parliament amend the Criminal Code, the Bail Reform Act of 1972 and the Parole Act to reflect society's abhorrence of violence.

The petitioners ask that the sentencing of violent offenders adequately protect the victims of crime and society as a whole by removing the offender from society without early release.

They also request that agents of the crown be held accountable for their actions in allowing dangerous criminals to walk free and that the criminal justice system finally recognize the rights of victims over those of the criminal.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

Hec Clouthier Liberal Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of the proud citizens of the great riding of Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke.

This petition calls upon the Parliament of Canada to adopt an official pledge of allegiance to the Canadian flag after consulting with Canadians on its wording.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

NDP

Michelle Dockrill NDP Bras D'Or, NS

Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to table a petition requesting this Parliament to support the opening of Donkin Mine as part of the crown-owned, free mine operation under the jurisdiction of the Cape Breton Development Corporation.

This petition consists of over 550 names from various communities on Cape Breton Island, such as Glace Bay, Gabarouse, Sydney River, New Waterford and the community of Donkin.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

Rose-Marie Ur Liberal Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of the residents of Strathroy and Grand Bend.

My constituents call upon Parliament to amend section 7 of the charter of rights and freedoms to recognize the rights of individuals to pursue family life free from state interference and recognize the rights of parents to direct the upbringing of their children.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

November 21st, 1997 / 12:10 p.m.

Simcoe North Ontario

Liberal

Paul Devillers LiberalParliamentary Secretary to President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Mr. Speaker, today we will answer Question No. 12. .[Text]

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Reform

Ted White Reform North Vancouver, BC

With regard to phase 3 of the Pacific Rim national Park, which was to have been proclaimed a national park in or around 1975, (a) what is the reason or reasons phase 3 has never been proclaimed a national park; and (b) what is the target date now for proclaiming phase 3 of the national park a national park?

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Parry Sound—Muskoka Ontario

Liberal

Andy Mitchell LiberalSecretary of State (Parks)

(a) The proposed Pacific Rim national park lies within areas currently subject to comprehensive land claim, or treaty settlement, negotiations. Where proposed national parks are affected by aboriginal claims, government policy precludes proclamation of these parks until the claims are settled. Pending settlement of these claims, however, such parks may be proclaimed as national park reserves. This allows the proposed park area to be administered in the interim pursuant to the National Parks Act.

(b) The treaty claims affecting Pacific Rim are currently in negotiation and have no specific timeframe for conclusion. When settlements have been reached, the goverment will move expeditiously to proclaim all three components of the proposed Pacific Rim national park, not just phase 3, as a national park.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Devillers Liberal Simcoe North, ON

Mr. Speaker, I move that the other questions stand.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

Is that agreed?

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

The House resumed consideration of Bill C-7, an act to establish the Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park and to make a consequential amendment to another act, as reported (without amendment) from the committee.

Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

When the House broke for question period the hon. member for Calgary East had some moments left in his remarks.

Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Reform

Deepak Obhrai Reform Calgary East, AB

Thank you, Mr. Speaker—

Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park ActGovernment Orders

12:10 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Scott Brison Progressive Conservative Kings—Hants, NS

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Earlier today I asked the Minister of Finance a question and he responded to that question, saying that I had misquoted the auditor general. I would like to give the Minister of Finance an opportunity to clarify his position as quickly as possible—

Saguenay—St. Lawrence Marine Park ActGovernment Orders

12:15 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker

I think we are getting into a debate here. If the hon. member feels that the Minister of Finance misquoted the auditor general I suggest he send him a copy of the text. But I do not think it is useful to the House to get into a debate now, especially when question period has been over for some 15 minutes, raising this issue at this point in time.

I invite him to raise the matter with the minister. If he is unable to resolve it satisfactorily he may come back. But it sounds to me like a point of debate and I invite him to consider it in that light before he comes back to the House with the matter.

The hon. member for Calgary East on debate.