Debates of March 3rd, 1997

Referendum Act

[Diane Ablonczy, Reform, Calgary North, AB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-377, an act to amend the Referendum Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to introduce my private member's bill, an act to amend the Referendum Act. This act would allow electors to petition for a referendum on proposed legislation or on constitutional amendment.

The act provides for any questions supported by citizens in this way to be put to the electors. It also sets up procedures for establishing committees to co-ordinate the support for and to co-ordinate the opposition to the question.

Canadian electors are educated, informed and responsible. They seek the democratic means to raise issues of broad economic, social and constitutional importance and ensure those issues most important to them are placed on the legislative agenda.

Similarly the final decision on key issues of significant impact to our future must be given to the electors. The enactment of the bill will strengthen democracy in the country.

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

Supplentary Estimates (B), 1996-97

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Infrastructure]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 81(5) and 81(6), I wish to move a motion concerning reference of supplementary estimates to standing committees of the House.

As there is a lengthy list attached to the motion, if it is agreeable to the House, I would ask that the list be printed in Hansard as if it had been read.

[The Speaker]

Is there consent?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Marcel Massé, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I move:

That the Estimates be referred to the several Standing Committees of the House as follows:

To the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Votes 1b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 15b, 35b and 36b

To the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food

Agriculture and Agri-Food, Votes 1b, 3b and 10b

To the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Canadian Heritage, Votes 1b, 5b, 10b, L21b, 25b, 40b, 55b, 65b, 75b, 105b and 135b

To the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration

Citizenship and Immigration, Votes 1b, 2b, 10b and 15b

To the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Environment, Votes 1b and 10b Privy Council, Vote 30b

To the Standing Committee on Finance

Finance, Votes 1b and 40b National Revenue, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b

To the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

Fisheries and Oceans, Votes 1b, 2b and 3b

To the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Foreign Affairs, Votes 10b, 11b, 15b, 20b and 21b

To the Standing Committee on Government Operations

Canadian Heritage, Vote 130b Governor General, Vote 1b Parliament, Vote 1b Privy Council, Votes 1b, 5b, 6b and 10b Public Works and Government Services, Votes 5b, 14b, 15b and 20b Treasury Board, Votes 1b and 10b

To the Standing Committee on Health

Health, Votes 10b, 25b and 30b

To the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development

Human Resources Development, Votes 1b, 6b, 15b, 25b and 40b

To the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Justice, Vote 21b

To the Standing Committee on Industry

Industry, Votes 1b, 2b, 21b, 25b, 26b, 40b, 50b, 70b, 90b, 100b, 105b, 110b and 120b

To the Standing Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs

Justice, Votes 1b, 5b, 15b and 20b Solicitor General, Votes 1b, 30b and 35b

To the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs

National Defence, Votes 1b, 5b and 10b Veterans Affairs, Vote 10b

To the Standing Committee on Natural Resources

Natural Resources, Votes 1b, 10b, 20b and 25b

To the Standing Committee on Transport

Transport, Votes 10b, 20b, 34b, 38b and 39b

(Motion agreed to.)

Committees Of The House

[Paul Zed, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 57th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs tabled in the House today be concurred in.

[The Speaker]

Does the parliamentary secretary have unanimous consent of the House to move the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Speaker]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to.)

Petitions

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present a petition to the House signed by dozens of my constituents from St. Catharines.

The petitioners call our attention to the devastating impact tobacco has on the health of Canadians, in particular the negative impact of tobacco on young people.

Furthermore the petitioners state their support for the federal government implementing its tobacco control legislation, Bill C-71, and urge the federal government to ensure complete passage of the bill prior to an election call.

[Anna Terrana, Liberal, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Speaker, I have three sets of petitions to present. Two of the petitions concern the state of the highways and the concern demonstrated by several people of British Columbia.

The first set of petitions asks that Parliament not increase the federal excise tax on gasoline and strongly consider reallocating its current revenues to rehabilitate Canada's crumbling national highways.

The second set of petitions calls upon Parliament to urge the federal government to join with provincial governments to make the national highway system upgrading possible.

[Anna Terrana, Liberal, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Speaker, the third petition concerns literacy.

The petitioners request that all levels of government demonstrate their support for education and literacy by eliminating the sales tax on reading materials.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley East, BC]

Madam Speaker, I rise to present several petitions today. The first one is signed by people in my riding of Fraser Valley East.

They call upon Parliament not to approve the use of the abortion drug RU-486 in Canada.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley East, BC]

Madam Speaker, the second petition is from people who are still upset about the closing of CFB Chilliwack.

They have noted a variety of logical reasons to keep some semblance of that base open.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley East, BC]

Madam Speaker, the third petition calls for the abolition of all nuclear weapons and encourages the federal government to work toward that end.

[Chuck Strahl, Reform, Fraser Valley East, BC]

Madam Speaker, this petition bears 881 names, for a total of more than 30,000 names that I have presented on the subject of personal injury crimes and sexual offences, especially involving children.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to do several things to protect our children and those most vulnerable in society, including a national registry of fingerprints, amendments to the Criminal Records Act to prohibit pardons for those convicted of sex offences, and to prohibit for life all those convicted of sex offences against children from holding positions of trust and responsibility.

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Madam Speaker, I wish to present to Parliament a petition signed by 56 of my constituents.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to urge the federal government to join with the provincial governments to make the national highway system upgrading possible beginning in 1997.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton—York—Sunbury, NB]

Madam Speaker, I wish to present three petitions.

The first petition is signed by 25 constituents who call upon Parliament to proceed immediately with amendments to the Criminal Code to ensure that a sentence given to anyone convicted of impaired driving causing death would carry a minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum of fourteen.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton—York—Sunbury, NB]

Madam Speaker, the second petition calls upon the House to support the immediate initiation and conclusion by the year 2000 of an international convention which would set out a binding timetable for the abolition of all nuclear weapons.

The petition is signed by 300 residents of Fredericton-York-Sunbury.

[Andy Scott, Liberal, Fredericton—York—Sunbury, NB]

Madam Speaker, the final petition I wish to present calls upon Parliament to legalize cannabis.

The petition is signed by over 100 constituents of Fredericton-York-Sunbury.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 it is my pleasure to present two petitions today on behalf of the constituents of Simcoe Centre.

The first group of petitioners request that the federal government join with the provincial governments to make the national highway system upgrading possible beginning in 1997.

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Madam Speaker, the second petition concerns age of consent laws.

The petitioners ask that Parliament set the age of consent at 18 years to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

[Roger Gallaway, Liberal, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Madam Speaker, I wish to present a petition signed by approximately 175 residents of my riding.

The petitioners call upon the government to make certain amendments to the Bank Act to give consumers greater rights and information with respect to the operation of Canadian banks.

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have a petition from the residents of Peterborough riding concerned about the closing of the Indian Specific Claims Commission at the end of this month.

The petitioners feel the commission is extremely important for dealing fairly with aboriginal land claims. They request that Parliament not allow the current employees of the Indian Specific Claims Commission to close down their place of employment.

As taxpayers and registered voters the petitioners feel this important entity should continue to operate.