Madam Speaker, I have a petition which deals with section 43 of the Criminal Code which allows schoolteachers, parents and those standing in the place of a parent to use reasonable force for the correction of pupils or children under their care. The petitioners say that reasonable force has been interpreted by the courts to include spanking, slapping, strapping, kicking, hitting with belts, sticks and extension cords and causing bruises, welts and abrasions.
The petitioners feel that this goes against the UN charter with respect to the rights of the child as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and they call upon parliament to end the legal approval of this harmful and discriminatory practice by repealing section 43 of the Criminal Code.