House of Commons Hansard #95 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was fishing.

Topics

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Reform

Deborah Grey Reform Edmonton North, AB

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by several people from Edmonton, Alberta who say that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the CRTC, on July 22, 1997 refused to license four religious television broadcasters, including one Roman Catholic service and three multidenominational services, but on the same day the CRTC licensed the pornographic Playboy channel for television service. They also say that the CRTC from its founding has systematically refused to license Christian broadcasters, but has consistently licensed sexually explicit and violent programming.

Canadians have a constitutional right to freedom of religion, conscience and expression. Therefore these petitioners pray that parliament will review the mandate of the CRTC and direct the CRTC to administer a new policy which will encourage the licensing of religious broadcasters.

I am pleased to present this petition in accordance with Standing Order 36.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of a number of Canadians, including Canadians from my riding of Mississauga South.

The petitioners would like to draw to the attention of the House that managing the family home and caring for preschool children is an honourable profession which has not been recognized for its value to our society.

Also the petitioners agree with the National Forum on Health which stated that the Income Tax Act discriminates against families who make the choice to provide care in the home for preschool children because the Income Tax Act does not take into account the cost of raising children.

The petitioners therefore call upon parliament to pursue initiatives to eliminate tax discrimination against those families who choose to provide care in the home to preschool children.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Reform

Dave Chatters Reform Athabasca, AB

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a petition this afternoon containing 50 pages and a thousand names of my constituents. The petitioners ask parliament to amend the Canadian Food and Drugs Act to define herbal products and health food products as food rather than drugs and to protect their access to these products.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present another petition, this time from 525 citizens of Peterborough and surrounding area who support the development of a bio-artificial kidney project in Canada.

They have signed their signature on behalf of 18,000 Canadians who suffer from end-stage kidney disease.

This petition was collected at the instigation of Ken Sharp, at such places of work as Rocky Ridge Drinking Water Limited; Lillico, Bazuk and Kent, barristers and solicitors; Howell, Fleming, barristers and solicitors; and Michael Davidson, a lawyers' office.

The petitioners call upon parliament to work in support of the bio-artificial kidney which will eventually eliminate the need for both dialysis or transplantation for those suffering from kidney disease.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:10 p.m.

NDP

Bill Blaikie NDP Winnipeg—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, I have many petitions to present, but all on the same theme. There are two different forms of the petition. They all have to do with the multilateral agreement on investment, the negotiations around which have broken down or have been suspended in Paris as a result of the efforts of many of the same people who have signed these petitions.

The petitioners call upon parliament to reject the current framework of MAI negotiations and instruct the government to seek an entirely different agreement by which the world might achieve a rules based global trading regime that protects workers, the environment and the ability of governments to act in the public interest.

Now that the current framework of the MAI has been rejected this petition from these particular petitioners becomes even more possible and hopeful.

The other petition I am presenting is also on the MAI. It calls on parliament to impose a moratorium on ratification of the MAI until full public hearings on the proposed treaty are held across the country so that all Canadians can have an opportunity to express their opinions about it.

One of the commitments made by ministers at the end of the negotiations in Paris was that there would be further public consultation. We also hope that this prayer on the part of the many hundreds of petitioners might also be met by the government in coming weeks and months.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

Reform

Chuck Strahl Reform Fraser Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker I have two petitions. The first one concerns the abolition of nuclear weapons.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

Reform

Chuck Strahl Reform Fraser Valley, BC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition concerns the age of consent. It is one of a series of petitions I presented to parliament on this issue.

A further 142 petitioners from British Columbia call upon parliament to amend the Criminal Code of Canada to raise the age of consent for sexual activity between a young person and an adult from 14 to 16 years of age.

They list the reasons. They are very good reasons, and I am pleased to present the petition on their behalf.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

Reform

Maurice Vellacott Reform Wanuskewin, SK

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition signed by 530 people from the Saskatoon area of the constituency of Wanuskewin.

They want the Young Offenders Act to be repealed and replaced with measures that hold young criminals accountable for their actions, public safety to be put first and amendments brought in to the Young Offenders Act.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Nelson Riis NDP Kamloops, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present a petition on behalf of a number of constituents who are in their 50s and are completely freaked out by the rumours we are hearing about the seniors benefit package.

They have a whole number of concerns which I will not read. They are simply saying “Forget it. Don't proceed with any changes without complete consultation”, which is highly doubtful.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Nelson Riis NDP Kamloops, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition on another issue. It is from a number of people from Kamloops who I suspect have been filling out their tax returns and feel they are getting gouged by the tax system.

They are calling upon parliament to undertake a fair tax reform process.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Nelson Riis NDP Kamloops, BC

Mr. Speaker, the last petition I have to present is on the issue of the MAI.

The petitioners recognize that it is on hold until October. They point out a whole number of reasons why they do not like the MAI as they understand it.

They are calling upon parliament to reject the current framework and to instruct the government to seek an entirely different agreement by which the world might achieve a rules based global trading regime that protects workers, the environment and the ability of governments to act in the public interest, something rather unusual.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

NDP

John Solomon NDP Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by many Canadians from St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Stoney Creek, Welland and a number of other communities in Ontario including Hamilton, Grimsby, and Lincoln.

These citizens are very concerned about the Liberal government negotiating the multilateral agreement on investment. They are very concerned about the Liberal government giving away the rights of Canadians, present and future.

They are calling upon the Liberal government to reject all the comments of Donald Johnston from the OECD, a former Liberal cabinet minister, who is saying the MAI may still be alive.

They are saying to the government that it must have an entirely different agreement based on a rules based global trading regime that protects workers, the environment and provides local governments with the ability to act in the public interest.

PetitionsRoutine Proceedings

3:15 p.m.

NDP

Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to present a petition under Standing Order 36 on behalf of many Canadians.

The petitioners call upon the government to reconsider its position on the multilateral agreement on investment. They raise many concerns about the impact on our health care system, on social programs, on our culture, on the environment and on the health and safety of workplaces.

Now that discussions on the MAI have been suspended it is particularly relevant that these petitioners call upon parliament to seek an entirely different agreement by which the world might achieve a rules based global trading regime that protects workers, the environment and the ability of governments to act in the public interest.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Peterborough Ontario

Liberal

Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Mr. Speaker, if Question No. 82 could be made an order for return, the return would be tabled immediately.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)

Is that agreed?

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed. .[Text]

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Reform

John Duncan Reform Vancouver Island North, BC

For each year between 1985 and 1997 (inclusive), what was the total tonnage of fish caught by foreign vessels inside Canada's 200 mile limit, including allocated quota, traditional quota given under bilateral agreements or treaties, permitted by-catch quota, and quotas based on stocks delcared surplus to Canadian needs?

Return tabled.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Progressive Conservative

Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order concerning the failure of the government to respond to Question No. 21 which was tabled in the House on October 2, 1997, seven months ago. I have regularly asked the government when it would reply.

The parliamentary secretary has constantly been vague, verging on stonewalling when asked questions about a response to this inquiry. The question concerns visits of ministers to the Drummondville-Trois Rivieres vicinity during a time that we now know—it has been confirmed—a Liberal fundraiser was engaged in criminal activity.

We keep hearing the words “timely fashion” and “in due course”. There is every reason to believe that ministers of the crown were used as props in these nefarious activities. I invite the parliamentary secretary to outline for the House what actions he has taken during the time period when we have been repeatedly asking for this very basic straightforward information.

I want to know if the parliamentary secretary is refusing to come clean on this or if we will actually get some answers. There has been an admission of criminal involvement in this matter. We want a response and we want one soon.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, with respect to Question No. 21, I looked into the matter previously and I will look into the matter again.

It is my understanding that it is a question which involves a number of departments and such questions take longer than those which involve one department.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Reform

John Cummins Reform Delta—South Richmond, BC

Mr. Speaker, this matter involves only one department. Question No. 33 was asked on October 28, 1997, with regard to the refusal of sport fishing lodges, in particular the lodges owned by the Oak Bay Marine Group, to provide catch data during the summer of 1995.

I am fully aware that the minister may be reluctant to respond to this question because it concerns the actions of Velma McColl on behalf of the sport fishing institute at that time. She is now employed as his west coast assistant.

I have been asking about this question persistently and I would like to know when I can expect the answer.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, with respect to Question No. 33, I looked into it very recently and it is my hope that the answer to this question will be presented in a timely fashion.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Reform

John Cummins Reform Delta—South Richmond, BC

Mr. Speaker, this point of order concerns Question No. 56 which was asked on December 2, 1997. The question again concerns the failure of the B.C. sport fishing institute to provide timely catch data to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

I can understand perhaps the reluctance of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to respond to the question because shortly after the minister went fishing with Randy Wright of the Oak Bay Marine Group the charges which had been laid against the company were dropped. I can understand why.

I would like to know when I can expect an answer. I have been told countless times that I could expect it in a timely fashion and so on, but I would like to know when we can expect an answer to the question.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, I note the concern regarding Question No. 56 as I did on the previous occasion when the member outlined the history of the particular question.

I will again look into the matter and do my best to see that the answer is delivered as soon as possible.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:20 p.m.

Reform

John Cummins Reform Delta—South Richmond, BC

Mr. Speaker, this point of order concerns Question No. 51 which was asked on December 1, 1997 and the aboriginal commercial fishing in British Columbia.

I have been led to believe that an answer to the question has been provided, but the minister was not happy with the reply and sent it back to his officials.

I can understand why the minister is reluctant to respond to the question. He has been constantly misinterpreting to the public the response of the Provincial Court of British Columbia on this issue and ignoring the Supreme Court of Canada. He is again reluctant to answer this very important question.

We need an answer to the question. We want it now. We are getting stonewalled on it time after time.

Questions On The Order PaperRoutine Proceedings

3:25 p.m.

Liberal

Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON

Mr. Speaker, I will also note Question No. 51 along with Questions Nos. 33 and 56.

I ask, Mr. Speaker, that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.