moved for leave to introduce Bill C-276, an act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children).
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table a bill today, the purpose of which is to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Section 43 allows corporal punishment of children by parents and teachers.
I believe that section 43 contravenes the charter of rights and freedoms and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We hear a lot about societal violence and abuse of children. This section of the Criminal Code legally sanctions corporal punishment which leads to the physical and emotional injury of children.
It is high time that this section of the Criminal Code was repealed to make it clear that this ancient law no longer has a place in a society that upholds and values the rights of children.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)