House of Commons Hansard #159 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was smoking.
Werner Schmidt Reform Kelowna, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Public Works and Government Services referred to an RCMP report about the shredding of documents by Golden West Document Shredding Inc. Could we ask the minister to table the report so that we could have a look at it, please?
Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as you will know, this is not a legitimate point of order. A minister is compelled to table a report from which he or she quotes, with the exception of ministerial briefing notes.
The minister did not quote from the report. He indicated that a report was being prepared. I am sure, Mr. Speaker, that you will recognize the difference, as we all do.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
The explanation is correct. There is no point of order.
Ben Serré Liberal Timiskaming—Cochrane, ON
Mr. Speaker, what I wish to raise this afternoon is more a question of privilege.
I was elected by constituents who are bilingual, francophone or anglophone, to represent them in a bilingual parliament and in a bilingual country.
Every time I rise to speak in English in this House, the Bloc Quebecois members yell “Speak French!” at me.
It is not only my right and my privilege to speak both official languages in this House. It is my duty.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
The member's point is well taken. We may address this House in either official language and I would encourage him and all other members to choose whatever language they wish to address this House.
In the course of the question period we sometimes throw words across the floor which are not always the best for us here in this House.
When members speak in the House of Commons, the question of speaking English or French should never be raised. You have that right and it is not necessary to repeat this. When an hon. member speaks in English, he should not be asked to speak in French.
The point is well taken. I reinforce the point and encourage all hon. members to please refrain from doing anything like that.
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Mr. Speaker, I would ask the government House leader to table the affidavits which were referred to in numerous exchanges in this House. He advised that he would look into that and they have yet to be tabled.
I am also asking that the letters of resignation that have also been referred to be tabled.
The Prime Minister referred numerous times to a document, again in reference to questions about APEC. I would ask for that document to be tabled.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
You might have a question that you are putting to the House leader. If he wants to answer the question I will permit it. However, I want to make it clear that this is not a point of order.
If the hon. government House leader wishes the floor I will give it to him.
Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, perhaps on one point I will acknowledge that the member may have a legitimate point of order and that is in reference to one document which was quoted by a minister late last week. The Deputy Prime Minister did quote from a document.
His point with respect to the other documents does not constitute a legitimate point of order.
However, I have endeavoured to verify and hopefully I can have that document made available to the House later today, in reference to the one document from which there was a quote, not the others which were not quoted.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
From my recollection the documents were not quoted, but we have an undertaking that the House leader will provide the information from one of the documents. We will leave it at that.
Jane Stewart LiberalMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(1), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, two reports: the 1997-98 annual report of the Nunavut Implementation Commission and the British Columbia Treaty Commission's annual report for 1998.
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 official languages, the government's response to 10 petitions.
Shaughnessy Cohen Liberal Windsor—St. Clair, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, October 20, 1998, the committee has consider Bill C-40, an act respecting extradition, to amend the Canada Evidence Act, the Criminal Code, the Immigration Act and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act and to amend and repeal other acts in consequence. Your committee has agreed to report the bill with amendments.
Brent St. Denis Liberal Algoma—Manitoulin, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the second report of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Government Operations concerning Bill C-41, an act to amend the Royal Canadian Mint Act and Currency Act. The bill is being reported with amendments.
Joe Volpe Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Health.
Pursuant to its order of reference of Tuesday, May 12, 1998, your committee has considered Bill C-247, an act to amend the Criminal Code (genetic manipulation), and agreed to report it with one amendment.
Maurizio Bevilacqua Liberal Vaughan—King—Aurora, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Finance.
Pursuant to its order of reference of Tuesday, October 27, 1998, your committee has considered Bill C-43, an act to establish the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and to amend and repeal other acts as a consequence. Your committee tables its report with amendments.
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 46th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the associate membership of the liaison committee.
If the House gives its consent I intend to move concurrence in the 46th report later this day.
Mac Harb Liberal Ottawa Centre, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-456, an act to protect personal privacy by restricting the use of social insurance numbers.
Mr. Speaker, nowadays every time a person applies to rent an apartment, to open a bank account or just about anything, the first question they are asked is “What is your social insurance number?”
There are millions and millions of unused social insurance numbers that are floating around the country. In fact, the auditor general reported recently about the alarming number of social insurance numbers that are floating around.
Not only is it immoral, but it is unfair for anyone to request the social insurance number of another person, unless they are required by law to do so.
I want to make sure it becomes illegal. To that extent, this bill would make it illegal for anyone to ask for a social insurance number unless it is required by law to ask for that number. As a result, we will be able to solve the problem. One person should not be able to require another person to give their social insurance number unless the request is specifically required by law or unless the person making the request advises the other person in writing that it is not necessary to comply with the request and that there will not be a penalty for failing to do so.
(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 46th 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 hon. parliamentary secretary have the unanimous consent of the House to propose 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?
Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings
November 25th, 1998 / 3:15 p.m.
Peterborough Ontario
Liberal
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations among all parties in the House. I believe you will find consent for the following motion.
I move that the eighth report of the Standing Committee on Finance presented to the House on Monday, November 23, 1998, be concurred in.
Committees Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker
I presume this motion is without notice. It is not on the Notice Paper. Does the hon. parliamentary secretary have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?