House of Commons Hansard #36 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was treaty.
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, we are saying in effect that a vote on the current estimates is quite frankly illegal. It would be inappropriate for the House to vote on the estimates as they stand.
Point Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
I will take all of this into consideration in trying to make my decision. I will make a decision not based upon the pressures of time necessarily, although it is a factor, but I will base my decision on the material I can gather to make a decision for the House that I will not have to overrule or overturn some place down the road. I want to be sure of my grounds.
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments which were made by the government.
Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110(1) these are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached.
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both officials languages, the government's response to six petitions.
Robert Bertrand Liberal Pontiac—Gatineau—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table the first report of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs.
May I take this opportunity to thank the members and staff of both committees, defence and foreign affairs, who travelled to Bosnia and saw firsthand what a great job our troops were doing not only in keeping peace but also helping so many citizens to pick up the pieces and to rebuild their lives. They have made a great impression on the international community and have made Canadians everywhere proud and happy to live in such a beautiful country.
I am pleased to table the report which was adopted unanimously by all parties that were in agreement that our presence in Bosnia should be continued until June 1998.
In closing, I also wish to extend an acknowledgement of extreme gratitude to the troops, embassy staff and Canadians who greeted us with open arms and made sure that our visit was complete and all inclusive.
Bill Graham Liberal Toronto Centre—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
In order to assist the government in its decision on whether to recommend Canadian military personnel to participate in the international stabilization force currently operating in Bosnia, a delegation of four members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and four members of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, as mentioned by my colleague, the chairman of the committee, visited Bosnia two weeks ago.
The report contains our recommendations, including one to continue our participation until the end of the S-4 mandate in June 1998. These recommendations are based on this trip, a public hearing and a debate of the issue before our two committees.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who provided us with assistance during our visit and to say how impressed we were with the work being done by the Canadian military, diplomatic and NGO staff in the region.
Susan Whelan Liberal Essex, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Industry.
In accordance with its order of reference of Wednesday, October 22, 1997, our committee has considered Bill C-5, an act respecting co-operatives, and has agreed on Thursday, November 20, 1997, to report it with amendment.
Shaughnessy Cohen Liberal Windsor—St. Clair, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) your committee proceeded to review the circumstances leading up to and surrounding its consideration of Bill C-16. The report was undertaken by your committee. It addresses certain concerns we had and to which I alluded when I tabled our first report on Bill C-16, the so-called Feney bill, about 10 days ago.
Because the report relates to the ability of members of the House of Commons to function effectively, we have taken the additional step of requesting that the government provide us with a response to the report in accordance with Standing Order 109.
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding membership of some committees.
If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 12th report later this day.
Michel Bellehumeur Bloc Berthier—Montcalm, QC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-286, an act to amend the Access to Information Act and amending the National Archives of Canada Act as a consequence (destruction and falsification of documents and access to confidences of the Privy Council).
Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to introduce in this House, at first reading, a bill to amend the Access to Information Act and the National Archives of Canada Act, particularly as regards the destruction and falsification of documents. The proposed amendments are very important, given what is regularly reported by the media, since they would allow us to have access to documents of the Privy Council which are currently confidential.
The Access to Information Act does not have enough teeth, as a number of people have said, including the information commissioner in his most recent report, and it does not meet current needs.
I can assure you that my proposed amendments to these two acts reflect in every way the information commissioner's concerns and expectations. I hope that all members of this House will support my initiative, so as to give more visibility, more access and more teeth to the Access to Information Act, and particularly to include penalties for those who do their utmost to prevent its application.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 12th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.
Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker
Does the parliamentary secretary have unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?
Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker
The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I present a petition from the people of Medicine Hat calling upon parliament to affirm its commitment to a triple E Senate and immediately move to permit the election of senators by the people of the province of Alberta.
Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB
Mr. Speaker, another petition calls upon parliament to affirm the duty of parents to responsibly raise their children according to their own conscience and beliefs and to retain section 43 in Canada's Criminal Code as it is currently worded.
Monte Solberg Reform Medicine Hat, AB
Mr. Speaker, the final petition calls upon Parliament to enact legislation to wind down the Canada pension plan while protecting the pensions of current seniors and that Canadians contribute to mandatory RRSPs of their own choosing.
Jim Hart Reform Okanagan—Coquihalla, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and a privilege to rise pursuant to Standing Order 36 to present a petition from constituents of my riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla.
It contains over 1,500 signatures of people concerned that the Codex committee on nutrition and foods for dietary use has proposed legislation that will lead to drastic changes in legislation and that would have significant and very negative effects on the health and well-being of thousands of Canadians, especially the elderly and the chronically ill.
The petitioners request that parliament oppose the regulation of dietary supplements.
Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have four petitions from members of my constituency to present today.
The first one is on the issue of health foods, similar to the preceding one presented by my colleague, stating that health foods are valuable as a preventive measure for all Canadians.
Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB
Mr. Speaker, in the second petition, the petitioners ask for a binding national referendum to be held at the time of the next election, asking Canadians whether or not they are in favour of federal government funding for abortion on demand.
Grant Hill Reform Macleod, AB
Mr. Speaker, finally, I wish to present two petitions that decry the sanctioning of the act of euthanasia.
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
I suggest that all questions be allowed to stand.
Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
Agreed.