Debates of Feb. 18th, 2000

Points Of Order

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, also on a point of order. I know that during these multiple points of order we have witnessed some interesting exchanges. Nevertheless, my colleague from Chambly rose to ask for unanimous consent to table a document.

For reasons that I just cannot understand, you did not recognize him. Could you explain to me, Mr. Speaker, why you did not allow my colleague from Chambly to go through with his request for unanimous consent to table a document?

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)]

I think that is a fair request. After we finished our exchanges I rose again and I asked twice, not once but twice with an interval, if there were any other points of order. No one stood, so I went on then to the daily routine of business.

I understand that the hon. member for Chambly had not made his request, but when I stood and no one rose there was nothing I could do about it. We can revert, but it would require the unanimous consent of the House.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Verchères, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. With all due respect, unless I do not understand the standing orders of the House, unanimous consent is not required for a member to rise on a point of order.

A member may at any time, except during Oral Question Period, rise on a point of order. That is what the member for Chambly wishes to do now and he does not need unanimous consent to proceed.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)]

I want to make it clear that as the Assistant Deputy Speaker I am not setting a precedent. This may be reviewed by the Speaker.

The informal procedure of accepting these multiple points of order falls under the purview of the Speaker. Normally it is done during Routine Proceedings. This week it was not.

The whip of the Bloc is quite correct. A member may at any time rise on a point of order. The Chair may or may not recognize a member rising on a point of order based on the discretion of the Chair, depending upon what is going on in the House.

It is possible for the hon. member for Chambly to rise on a point of order at any time, and then it will be up to the Chair. But this Chair at this time would like to get through Routine Proceedings, and I would be happy to recognize the hon. member for Chambly on a point of order.

[Ghislain Lebel, Bloc, Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Earlier, we went around and it was my turn to ask for unanimous consent. That is when you stood up. When you did—the rule in this place is that we sit down when the Speaker stands up—I took my seat. But once you had stood up, you said that the member for Chambly was seated and had not asked for the floor, when all I was doing was complying with the standing orders.

I wish to know whether I am entitled to request unanimous consent to table something.

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)]

The hon. member for Chambly has the floor.

[Ghislain Lebel, Bloc, Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the unanimous consent of the House to table a document which will be of great interest to my friends across the way regarding the passage—

[The Acting Speaker (Mr. McClelland)]

The Chair is exercising its discretion and will put the question to the House. Does the hon. member for Chambly have the unanimous consent of the House to deposit the document?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

Criminal Code

[Leon Benoit, Reform, Lakeland, AB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-433, an act to amend the Criminal Code (search and seizure without warrant).

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to table this private member's bill on search and seizure without a warrant.

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that if during the process of a search and seizure property is damaged or lost, the people who own the property will be compensated for that loss. It makes sense. In the existing law there is a provision that the judge who issues the warrant must be presented with the date of the search and seizure, a description of what was seized and the extent of the search. This bill would add to that a report on any damage done for compensation purposes.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Petitions

[Peter Goldring, Reform, Edmonton East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today I take great pride in presenting a petition put forth by 1,551 concerned Canadians, mostly from the province of Quebec.

The petitioners ask the government to affirm that all Canadians are equal under all circumstances and without exception in the province of Quebec and throughout Canada. They wish to remind the government only to enact legislation that affirms the equality of each and every individual under the laws of Canada.

[Peter Goldring, Reform, Edmonton East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition which I would like to present. Unfortunately this petition arrived late. It is signed by many Canadians who are concerned about the plight of merchant navy veterans.

As we know, after 55 years of being ignored, this issue has finally come to fruition and has been settled. I wish to compliment and thank the government very much for bringing this sordid issue to an end.

I present this petition on behalf of merchant navy veterans.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Laurentides, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions, one seven pages long and the other ten.

These petitions concern genetically modified products and express the concern of citizens in the riding of Laurentides, many of whom signed in order to indicate their desire to see these products labelled, so that they may choose between natural products and those that are genetically modified.

[John Maloney, Liberal, Erie—Lincoln, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I wish to present a petition which draws to the attention of the House that Canadians are horrified by child pornography and are astounded by the legal determination that possession of child pornography is not a criminal offence. It is the duty of parliament, through the enactment and enforcement of the criminal code, to protect the most vulnerable members of our society from sexual abuse.

Therefore, the petitioners pray that parliament take all measures necessary to ensure that the possession of child pornography remains a serious criminal offence and that federal police forces be directed to give priority to enforcing this law for the protection of children.

[Darrel Stinson, Reform, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present two petitions today. The first petition is signed by residents of the Vernon and Armstrong areas of my riding of Okanagan—Shuswap.

These Canadians ask parliament to take all measures necessary to ensure that the possession of child pornography remains a serious criminal offence.

[Darrel Stinson, Reform, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition I will table today has been signed by 192 people from my riding of Okanagan—Shuswap.

The petitioners call upon parliament to prioritize funding for the national highway system in the 2000 budget to reduce fatalities, alleviate congestion, reduce emissions and improve Canada's overall economic prosperity.

[Pauline Picard, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table in the House a petition from people in the riding of Drummond and the area. The riding of Drummond being located in the center of Quebec, there are also people from the Montérégie who signed this petition. I am now tabling my third petition on this issue, for a total of over 2,000 signatures.

The petitioners call on parliament to quickly pass legislation to make it mandatory to label all foods that are totally or partially genetically modified.

[Yves Rocheleau, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I too would like to present a petition from people of the Mauricie region, in the ridings of Champlain, Saint-Maurice, the Prime Minister' riding, and Trois-Rivières.

This petition was signed by about 700 citizens who call on parliament to quickly pass legislation to make it mandatory to label all foods that are totally or partially genetically modified.

[Leon Benoit, Reform, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to table. The first petition deals with illegal migrants from China and illegal refugee claimants.

Because of the hardship which these individuals cause to genuine refugees, the petitioners state that the law must be changed to allow for the quick deportation of those who come to our country illegally to abuse the system.

I support this petition.

[Leon Benoit, Reform, Lakeland, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition has to do with taxation.

Because taxes have increased 30% under this government and because high taxes kill jobs, the petitioners call upon parliament to reduce taxes by 25% in the near future.

I fully support this petition.

[Suzanne Tremblay, Bloc, Rimouski—Mitis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table in the House a petition that was signed mainly by people from my riding, the beautiful region of Rimouski—Mitis.

These petitioners call on the Government of Canada to pass as soon and as quickly as possible legislation on the labelling of foods containing, partially or totally, genetically modified organisms, which would make labelling mandatory in all cases.

[Richard Marceau, Bloc, Charlesbourg, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have here a petition that I am pleased to table in this House.

The petitioners are asking that rural postal carriers, who often earn less than minimum wage, be allowed to succeed in having section 13(5) of the Canada Post Corporation Act repealed.

It is my hope that these carriers, who work in our regions and ensure that mail is delivered in areas often a little more remote, can win their case.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table a petition signed mainly by constituents of my riding of Québec, calling on parliament to quickly pass legislation making it mandatory to label all fully or partially genetically modified foods.

Questions On The Order Paper

[Carolyn Parrish, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Public Works and Government Services]

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