House of Commons Hansard #5 of the 36th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was national.
Criminal Records ActRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker
The Chair is satisfied that this bill is in the same form as Bill C-69 was at the time of prorogation of the first session of the 36th Parliament. Accordingly, pursuant to order made Thursday, October 14, 1999, the bill is deemed adopted at all stages and passed by the House.
(Bill read the second time, considered in committee, reported, concurred in, read the third time and passed)
Sarkis Assadourian Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-224, an act to establish by the beginning of the 21st century an exhibit in the Canadian Museum of Civilization to recognize the crimes against humanity as defined by the United Nations that have been perpetrated during the 20th century.
Mr. Speaker, first I want to take this opportunity to join millions of Canadians to wish happy birthday to former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
Second, this bill was previously introduced in the last session of parliament as Bill C-479. I am reintroducing it in this session of parliament.
I also take this opportunity to thank the millions of Canadian who supported the bill throughout the last 10 months. I hope to have their support again in the coming months while we pursue the bill all the way through to third reading.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Sarkis Assadourian Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-225, an act to amend the Tobacco Act (substances contained in a tobacco product).
Mr. Speaker, again this is the same bill that was introduced in the previous session of parliament.
I hope to have the support of members of parliament this time around so we can introduce the bill and label it as the tobacco act. It asks parliament to add each and every substance contained in a tobacco product so smokers can see and read what poisons they are inhaling as they smoke.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Gordon Earle NDP Halifax West, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-226, parliamentarians' code of conduct.
Mr. Speaker, I am very please to introduce this bill which is essentially the same bill that was introduced in the last parliament as Bill C-488.
The purpose of this enactment is to establish a code of conduct for members of the Senate and the House of Commons and to provide for an officer of parliament to be known as the ethics counsellor to advise members, administer disclosures of interest and carry out investigations of complaints under the direction of a joint committee of the Senate and House of Commons.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Lou Sekora Liberal Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-227, an act to establish a national organ donor registry and to co-ordinate and promote organ donation throughout Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a bill to establish a national organ donor registry to co-ordinate and promote donation throughout Canada.
The bill would provide the legislative response needed to address the demand for a national co-ordinated organ donor system in Canada. The lack of available organs in the country results in unnecessary loss of lives, loss of quality of life and many needy recipients.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation And Safety Board ActRoutine Proceedings
Reform
Lee Morrison Reform Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-228, an act to amend the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the Canada Labour Code as a consequence.
Mr. Speaker, with the extreme growth that has taken place in interprovincial and international highway transport in the last few years, there is a serious gap in safety regulations with respect to very large vehicles. Any accident involving heavy interprovincial vehicles is now investigated only by the province in which the accident took place, unless the province makes a special request to the Transportation Safety Board to become involved.
The bill would require the Transportation Safety Board to have authority over any accidents occurring involving large trucks and buses in interprovincial and international service.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-229, an act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act (letter that cannot be transmitted by post).
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce a bill to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act (letter that cannot be transmitted by post).
During the last session of parliament this bill was known as Bill C-409. Bill C-409 is an important piece of legislation as it protects the Canadian consumer from telemarketing mail scams. It will ensure that the Canada Post Corporation does not deliver contests, lotteries or prize cards that require individuals to pay out before they are able to claim their prize. The bill will also regulate the use of logos that mimic federal government logos.
Before the House prorogued, Bill C-409 was about to receive its first hour of debate at second reading. This legislation has not been altered in any way since prorogation. I trust it will resume its place on the order paper.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Canada Post Corporation ActRoutine Proceedings
The Deputy Speaker
The Chair is satisfied that this bill is in the same form as Bill C-409 at the time of prorogation of the first session of the 36th Parliament. Accordingly, pursuant to Standing Order 86(1), the order for the second reading of this bill shall be added to the bottom of the list of items in the order of precedence on the order paper and shall be designated as votable.
Sarmite Bulte Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-230, an act respecting a national epidermolysis bullosa awareness week.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to introduce my private member's bill, entitled an act respecting a national epidermolysis bullosa awareness week.
The bill seeks to designate the last week in October as National Epidermolysis Bullosa week or, as it is known, EB week. By doing so it hopes to raise awareness of this very rare and debilitating genetic disease. In addition, we hope to encourage both public and private investment in research, development and treatment and to find a possible cure.
This disease is characterized by fragile skin and recurrent blisters that cause affected individuals and their families severe physical and emotional pain and suffering as well as financial hardship.
We hope that the bill will not only bring awareness to the disease but that we also learn about the disease, learn how to pronounce the disease or in short to call it EB disease.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-231, an act to prevent the use of the Internet to distribute pornographic material involving children.
Mr. Speaker, before I introduce the bill I wish to send congratulations to my hon. colleague, the Attorney General of Saskatchewan, Mr. Chris Axworthy, who originally introduced this bill but then left.
The purpose of the bill is to protect our children. The Internet is an explosive new material in terms of media. It has a very negative side in terms of attracting innocent children into the hands of pedophiles. Pedophiles are using the Internet now as a tool in order to coax our young children into very obscene acts and in many cases into death.
The purpose of the bill is to protect our children and those unsuspecting in the country from the powerful use of the Internet by incorporating the users of the Internet and governments, provincially and federally, to institute laws and legislation to protect our children from the evil effects that the Internet can have on them from the pedophiles of the nation.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-232, an act to provide for a Hepatitis Awareness Month.
Mr. Speaker, I am reintroducing a bill that I introduced last year which basically calls for the month of May to be known as Hepatitis Awareness Month.
The disease of hepatitis inflicts over 600,000 Canadians in the country. Although we have months recognizing breast cancer and other ailments which inflict our citizenry, I believe, after working with those with hepatitis in Nova Scotia, Mr. Bruce DeVenne, and Mr. Joey Haché here in Ottawa, that it is time that the Government of Canada and especially us, as legislators, recognize the month of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-233, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (medical expenses).
Mr. Speaker, I am reintroducing a bill that I introduced earlier this year. As baby boomers and people throughout Canada are looking to herbal alternatives to cure what ails them, the bill will enable any licensed physician who prescribes a herbal alternative in lieu of a prescription drug to allow that patient to claim that herbal alternative as a medical tax deduction.
When I originally introduced the bill, I had thousands and thousands of signatures supporting this initiative. I am sure that colleagues on both sides of the House will support this valuable initiative as well.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Myron Thompson Reform Wild Rose, AB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-234, an act to amend the Criminal Code (taking samples of bodily substances).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring forward this private member's bill again on the suggestion from Bev and Lloyd Bergeson of Cremona, Alberta who lost their daughter Denise to a dangerous driver.
The bill would amend the Criminal Code and would enable police to take, without delay, any samples required to determine if there is any presence of drugs or alcohol in the urine, breath or blood in the event that there is a death.
I strongly support the bill on behalf of the family. I assume that members across the House would be supportive in taking this kind of action.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-235, an act to amend the Divorce Act (marriage counselling required before divorce granted).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce this bill to require mandatory counselling prior to the sanction of divorce. The divorce rate in Canada exceeds 40% and there are over one million common-law families in Canada. Their breakdown rate is over 50% higher.
The bill is compatible with the recommendations of the Joint Commons-Senate Committee on Custody and Access which deals with issues such as shared parenting, mandatory mediation and that children are the real victims of divorce.
The bill basically hopes that we will have parenting plans in place for children of broken families and also that we address the important problem of post-divorce acrimony.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Charles Caccia Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-236, an act to amend the National Parks Act, (Stoltmann National Park).
Mr. Speaker, all over the world the forest cover is shrinking because of agricultural pressure, desertification, urbanization and clear cuts.
The forest cover in Canada, despite claims to the contrary by the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association and other groups, is also shrinking. It is also declining in value and historical significance because of changes in forest composition after the first cut.
The bill aims at preserving one of the few remaining old growth forests. It is located in the Elaho Valley and known also as Stoltmann Wilderness Area. Twice in September I visited this forest where rare Douglas fir trees, up to 1300 years of age, grow. This area is part of the mainland in the Pacific coast mountain range, an ecosystem which is not yet represented in the national parks system.
This unique heritage of ours should be protected for generations to come rather than fall victim to the chainsaw for the benefit of the short term.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
An Act For The Recognition And Protection Of Human Rights And Fundamental FreedomsRoutine Proceedings
Reform
Garry Breitkreuz Reform Yorkton—Melville, SK
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-237, an act to amend an act for the recognition and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to amend the Constitution Act, 1867.
Mr. Speaker, it is indeed unfortunate that the government has chosen to abandon the last session of parliament, forcing hundreds of private members' bills like mine to be reprinted and reintroduced at considerable expense to Canadian taxpayers.
The bill would strengthen property rights in federal law. Unfortunately, property rights were intentionally left out of the charter of rights and freedoms, leaving Canadians highly vulnerable to the arbitrary taking of property by government; legally owned property like legally acquired satellite dishes and firearms. My bill would fix this by making it more difficult for the government to override the property rights of its citizens by requiring a two-thirds majority vote of the House.
My bill also strengthen the property rights provisions of the Canadian Bill of Rights by providing protection of our right to have compensation fixed impartially, protection of our right to receive fair and timely compensation and guarantees every Canadian their right to apply to the courts when the government violates their property rights.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-238, an act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act (mail contractors).
Mr. Speaker, the bill deals with the rural route mail couriers, the people who deliver our mail in the country. Our point is these are not independent contractors as such, they are wholly dependent on Canada post for all they do. Therefore, the relationship is more that of an employer and an employee and not an independent contractor.
However, the Canada Post Corporation Act specifically bars them from bargaining collectively. They are not allowed to organize into a union or take part in free collective bargaining. We think this is wrong. They are the only group of workers in the country who are specifically barred from organizing a union.
The bill would simply eradicate one clause in the Canada Post Corporation Act and allow them to bargain collectively.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-239, an act respecting the protection of whistle blowers and to amend the Auditor General Act, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Public Service Staff Relations Act.
Mr. Speaker, the bill seeks to protect workers who may blow the whistle on some issue they find in their workplace, for instance, the misuse of funds, the employer polluting some stream or whatever. We want workers to feel comfortable and free to blow the whistle on these illegal, immoral or unethical things without worrying about losing their job.
Within the bill, the whistle blower would go to the auditor general who would then investigate and find out if it was made in good faith. If it was, he would go to the minister in charge and cause an investigation to take place.
We believe this is long overdue. Too many workers have been frightened about turning in things that they know to be wrong for fear of discipline in the workplace. The bill would look after those workers.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-240, an act to provide for the establishment of national standards for labour market training, apprenticeship and certification.
Mr. Speaker, the devolution of labour market training to the provinces has been an absolute fiasco. We now have 10 different provinces doing different training for one career. We have a carpenter trained in New Brunswick whose certification is not recognized in British Columbia. It is absolutely crazy.
The bill would introduce national standards for the entrance requirements in all the certified trades, the curriculum and the certification process. We would then have continuity. We would have a national human resources strategy for labour market training even though it has been devolved to the provinces in such a hurried mishmash that it is no good to the industry and no good to Canadians the way it stands.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-241, an act to amend the Young Offenders Act and to amend certain other acts in consequence thereof.
Mr. Speaker, the bill is being reintroduced and will bring about changes to the current young offenders act. I suggest it will have that application as well for the new Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The bill is aimed at lowering the age of accountability from the current age of 12 to the age of 10. It is not aimed at increasing the number of children before the courts but to give our current justice system a mechanism to help children who run afoul of the law, at the urging of others in many instances, and to allow the courts and our justice system to respond. The bill would lower the age of accountability from 12 to 10.
I would urge all hon. members to give the bill due consideration and support.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-242, an act to amend the Criminal Code (Order of prohibition).
Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me every time I rise to speak in the House. The bill I am introducing is very important for all Canadian children.
The bill would bring about changes to the Criminal Code, section 161 in particular, and is aimed at children who are the most vulnerable in the country right now. It would also empower judges to reduce contact between sex offenders and children. In particular, we know there is a difficulty with recidivism of pedophiles and abusers of children.
This private member's bill arose at the urging of Ms. Donna Goler of Kings—Hants, Nova Scotia. She herself was a survivor of horrendous sexual abuse and is a person who has been very much advocating this change.
On behalf of Miss Golder and all children, I would urge that all members of the House support this important change.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON
Mr. Speaker, members know that before the break I introduced a number of petitions from citizens concerned about cruelty to pets. During the summer that has been exacerbated by a horrific example of a dog being dragged by a pickup truck until it was raw and battered. This has caused an avalanche of interest in this very important matter. People have been asking for greatly increased fines, for lifetime prohibitions for people convicted of pet cruelty from owning pets, and things of that sort.
On behalf of these petitioners I once again call upon parliament to work toward swift and effective action to modernize Canada's laws dealing with crimes against animals and that the penalties for such actions be made strict enough to act as a deterrent against such behaviour.
Peter Adams Liberal Peterborough, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have another petition. I have presented similar petitions from petitioners who point out that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is the most important provider of Canadian programs that reflect Canada. Also the CBC has the unique ability to connect Canadians with each other and to help Canadians discover each other.
The petitioners call upon parliament to ensure that Canadian old time fiddle music be deemed to be heritage music and be featured on a regular weekly one hour program on our national radio, CBC.
Darrel Stinson Reform Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure today for me to table this petition containing 2,087 signatures from Okanagan Valley residents who are deeply concerned at the harm caused by young offenders. These people call upon parliament to permit publication of names of young offenders in the newspapers and also to make young offenders pay restitution for their crimes.
Werner Schmidt Reform Kelowna, BC
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present to the House of Commons.
The first one has some 500 signatures. The petitioners pray and petition parliament that parliament oppose any amendments to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or any other federal legislation which will provide for the exclusion of reference to the supremacy of God in our Constitution and laws.