Debates of Sept. 28th, 1998

Privilege

[The Speaker]

I will hear further argument after I have received the specific charge.

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

One rule for them and one for us.

[The Speaker]

To the hon. member for Elk Island, even I could not say that I did not hear that. I must ask the hon. member with all respect to you, would you please withdraw those last comments. I invite you to withdraw your final comments.

[Ken Epp, Reform, Elk Island, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am frustrated but I will withdraw it.

[The Speaker]

I accept the withdrawal.

Port Moody—Coquitlam By-Election

[The Deputy Speaker]

I have the honour to lay upon the table the report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on the administration of the Port Moody—Coquitlam by-election held on March 30, 1998. This document is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Small Business Loans Act

[Walt Lastewka, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table before this House the annual report of the Small Business Loans Act for the year 1997-98.

Government Response To Petitions

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary 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 three petitions.

Interparliamentary Delegations

[The Deputy Speaker]

I have the honour to lay upon the table the report of the Canadian parliamentary delegation to the Republic of Poland from May 18 to 23, 1998.

Petitions

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, given Canada's historic role as a supporter of peace, it would be fully appropriate for Canada to join the ranks of peace blossoms worldwide with the symbolic designation as a peace nation. There are many petitioners in my constituency and throughout the region who are calling on parliament to officially endorse Canada as a peace nation through the Sri Chinmoy peace blossoms project.

[John Duncan, Reform, Vancouver Island North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition with over 100 signatures from residents of Campbell River in my riding.

The petition asks parliament to enact Bill C-225, an act to amend the Marriage Act and the Interpretation Act to define that a marriage can only be entered into between a single male and a single female.

[Jean-Guy Chrétien, Bloc, Frontenac—Mégantic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I rise to table an important petition prepared by Nelson Guay and signed by over 800 inhabitants of the Lac-Mégantic region.

These people are calling for amendments to Bill C-68, primarily because of the costly and ineffective regulations. I support the petitioners.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The member for Frontenac—Mégantic is very experienced and knows full well that he must not offer his opinion on the subject of petitions. He may table petitions, and I invite him to continue to do so, but without any editorial comments.

[Gordon Earle, NDP, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I table a petition with over 200 names on it concerning Bill C-225, an act to amend the Marriage Act and the Interpretation Act.

[Dennis Mills, Liberal, Broadview—Greenwood, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have a petition here that is certified correct and signed by thousands of Canadians. It pledges “We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons”—

[The Deputy Speaker]

Order. The hon. member for Broadview—Greenwood also knows that it is improper to read petitions. He is invited when he presents a petition of course to give a brief summary of it to the House. I know that is what he intends to do and not to read it.

[Dennis Mills, Liberal, Broadview—Greenwood, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with respect, that is exactly where I was going.

The petition asks parliament to recognize that grandparents, as a consequence of death, separation or divorce of their children, are often denied access to their grandchildren by their guardians. This petition asks parliament to consider Bill C-340 so that this can be corrected.

[Eric C. Lowther, Reform, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I present a number of petitions today in support of making changes to the Criminal Code at section 213 to make prostitution a hybrid offence, to be either a summary offence or an indictable offence. These petitions have been presented by the constituents of my riding of Calgary Centre.

[Steve Mahoney, Liberal, Mississauga West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition to present that in essence asks parliament to amend the Divorce Act to allow for spouses, parents and grandparents proper access to or custody of the children involved in such a divorce.

Questions On The Order Paper

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, Questions Nos. 78 and 79 will be answered today. .[Text]

[Jim Pankiw, Reform, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Can the Government of Canada indicate how much was spent to send government employees to Paul A. Douglas' 25th Annual Assistants Seminar held in Banff, Alberta, November 13-16, 1997?

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

I am informed by the following departments and agencies as follows:

Canadian Heritage Canadian International Development Agency Correctional Services Canada Fisheries and Oceans Human Resources Development Canada National Defence Royal Canadian Mounted Police Statistics Canada Transport Canada Transportation Safety Board of Canada

$46,488.23

[Jim Pankiw, Reform, Saskatoon—Humboldt, SK]

Can the Government of Canada indicate how much was spent to send government employees to Paul A. Douglas' Banff Management Courses held in Banff, Alberta, in February, April and October 1997?

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

I am informed by the following Departments and Agencies as follows:

Atomic Energy Control Board Canadian Heritage Canadian International Development Agency Canadian Space Agency Canadian Transportation Agency Correctional Services Canada Fisheries and Oceans Health Canada Human Resources Development Canada Indian Affairs and Northern Development National Energy Board Royal Canadian Mounted Police Statistics Canada Transportation Safety Board of Canada

$65,975.21

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

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