House of Commons Hansard #201 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was crime.
Mark Muise Progressive Conservative West Nova, NS
Mr. Speaker, fishers throughout the Atlantic region have expressed their anxiety over the possibility of major government cutbacks within the Canadian Coast Guard budget.
With the safety of both our Sea King and Labrador helicopters in question, will the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans commit to maintaining and even enhancing coast guard services so our fishers can feel more secure in the event of an emergency?
Wayne Easter LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, the minister has stated many times in the House that regardless of budgetary commitments, safety is always a priority of the government. We will ensure that we maintain that safety through the coast guard.
Joe Jordan Liberal Leeds—Grenville, ON
Mr. Speaker, a recent report by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy has called into question the government's commitment to clean up the Great Lakes.
As today is world water day, can the Minister of the Environment tell the House what is being done to protect both the quality and quantity of Canada's water resources?
Christine Stewart LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, there are many Canadians who would say that Canada's fresh water is our most important natural resource. That is why my department expends so many resources on science and research and provides technical and funding support to tens of thousands of Canadians to protect our water systems.
We have programs in the Atlantic coastal area, the Atlantic coastal action program, St. Lawrence vision 2000, Great Lakes 2000, the northern rivers ecosystem and the Georgian basin ecosystem initiatives.
The federal government is also working with the provinces to negotiate a national accord which will prohibit the removal of bulk water and the first step toward developing a fresh water strategy.
Canadians everywhere are concerned about water and are becoming involved in this very important issue.
John Reynolds Reform West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC
Mr. Speaker, our new youth criminal justice act does not include 10 and 11 year olds. The Tony Blair government in Great Britain, a very moderate government, has just brought in a new act similar to ours but it includes 10 and 11 year olds because it cares about young children and their problems, just like we do on this side.
John Reynolds Reform West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC
Mr. Speaker, I ask the minister, is it not a fact that her justice committee asked for 10 and 11 year olds and the only reason we do not have it is that she cannot get the money out of her cabinet colleagues to help the young children of this country?
Anne McLellan LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we have heard an awful lot recently about how much the official opposition supposedly cares about young people.
Youth Criminal Justice ActOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order. The hon. Minister of Justice.
Anne McLellan Liberal Edmonton West, AB
The member for Calgary Northeast said, “I suspect flogging straightens up behaviour by jolting a young criminal into reality”. What about the member for Wild Rose who said that when he was a school principal his students performed better once they had tasted a piece of wood? This is the party that cares about young people.
Bernard Bigras Bloc Rosemont, QC
Mr. Speaker, after last year's announcement by the British government that it would be carrying out clinical testing of marijuana on 600 patients, the American government has just made public a study by the prestigious National Academy of Sciences in which it comes out in favour of the medical use of marijuana.
When is the Minister of Health going to get moving and take all the necessary steps to legalize the medical use of marijuana, thus allowing Canada to catch up in an area where it is seriously lagging behind other countries?
Allan Rock LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that other governments followed Canada's example. As has already been announced, we intend to carry out research on the results of marijuana use for medical purposes. We shall be doing so shortly.
Presence In GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of the Honourable Joseph Sempe Lejaha, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Peter Adams LiberalParliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to table in the House today, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments which were recently made by the government.
Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 110(1), these are deemed referred to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached.
Government Response To PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Peterborough Ontario
Liberal
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 five petitions.
Gurmant Grewal Reform Surrey Central, BC
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 123(1), I have the honour to present the fifth report of the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations concerning SOR/93-43, an order varying a letter decision of the Chandler Subdivison issued by the National Transportation Agency. The text of the relevant section of the regulations is contained in this report.
Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 56.1 I move:
That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of this House, a bill in the name of the President of the Treasury Board, entitled an act to provide for the resumption and continuation of government services, shall be disposed of as follows:
Commencing when the said bill is read a first time and concluding when the said bill is read a third time, the House shall not adjourn except pursuant to this Order or to a motion proposed by a Minister of the Crown, and no Private Members' Business shall be taken up;
The said bill shall be read twice and thrice in one sitting;
After being read a second time, the said bill shall be referred to a committee of the whole;
During consideration of the said bill, no division shall be deferred.
Immediately after the said bill is disposed of, the sitting shall be suspended to the call of the Chair, provided that the House shall adjourn immediately after returning from the granting of the Royal Assent to this said bill or at fifteen minutes before the scheduled time of commencement of the next sitting day, whichever comes first.
Business Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker
Will those members who object to the motion please rise in their places?
And more than 25 members having risen:
Business Of The HouseRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker
More than 25 members having risen, the motion is deemed to have been withdrawn.
(Motion withdrawn)
Rose-Marie Ur Liberal Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, ON
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am honoured to present a petition signed by residents of Stoney Creek and St. Catharines.
They urge parliament to ban the gas additive MMT, noting that studies under way at the University of Quebec are showing adverse health effects especially on children and seniors and that car manufacturers also oppose the use of MMT.
Gerry Ritz Reform Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today to present a petition that has been six months or more in the making.
I have 100,000 signatures from people across this great country protesting the Young Offenders Act as it stands. They talk about substantive changes they want to see come forth. They hope the amendments we put forward in the next few days will really make that happen.
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present another petition from a large group of Canadians who are very concerned about the state of our health care system today.
The petitioners call upon the government to act as quickly as possible to ensure that the Canada Health Act is upheld, strengthened and enhanced. The petitioners also call upon the government to respect the principles of accessibility, universality, portability, comprehensive coverage and public administration.
They call upon the government to entrench those principles not only in terms of the immediate needs within our hospitals and medical system but to use those principles to expand our health care system to cover the whole range of health care needs.