Debates of April 7th, 2000

Petitions

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition from Canadians who draw to the attention of the House that Canada has the second highest incidence of breast cancer in the world, that there is no legislation for mandatory mammography quality assurance standards in Canada, that one in nine Canadian women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and that early detection remains the only weapon in the battle against the disease.

Therefore, the petitioners call upon parliament to enact legislation to establish an independent governing body to develop, implement and enforce uniform mandatory mammography quality assurance and quality control standards in Canada.

[Lorne Nystrom, NDP, Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of a number of people from the city of Regina, as well as one person from the town of Turtleford and two people from the village of Livelong, which is a fine community in Saskatchewan.

The petitioners bring to the attention of the House that the Senate of Canada costs $50 million a year, that it is undemocratic, that it is unelected, that it is unaccountable, and that, therefore, the Senate of Canada should be abolished in accordance with the wishes of the people of this country.

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the honour to present the following timely petitions signed by 26 interested constituents from my riding of Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale.

April 6 has special significance for all Canadians, especially those of Scottish descent, because the Scottish declaration of independence was signed on April 6, 1320.

Therefore, the petitioners pray and request that the Canadian federal parliament designate April 6 of each year as National Tartan Day.

[Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to table a petition from the residents of the town of Cochrane in my riding who add their names to the hundreds of thousands of names on petitions requesting that the government withdraw Bill C-23.

[John O'Reilly, Liberal, Victoria—Haliburton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the honour to present a petition from a number of people from Lindsay and the surrounding area, as well as Reaboro, who call on parliament to act immediately to request the provision of Canada's annual abortion statistics in order that more research can be done in other areas, such as infertility, sterility and post-abortion trauma.

[Maurice Vellacott, Reform, Wanuskewin, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present a petition signed by over 500 individuals who draw to the attention of the House that the value of marriage is the cornerstone of public policy. They ask that the definition of marriage remain as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of others.

The petitioners object to Bill C-23 which extends marriage-like benefits to same sex couples. They ask that parliament withdraw Bill C-23 and, instead, affirm the opposite sex definition of marriage in legislation and ensure that marriage is recognized as a unique institution.

[Maurice Vellacott, Reform, Wanuskewin, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present another petition, containing the signatures of some 700 people. The petitioners ask that the long history of recognizing the rights and freedoms of religion and conscience in Canada be recognized, especially for those in health care institutions and training centres, and that they not be obliged to violate their conscience by being involved in acts of abortion or procedures of euthanasia.

[Lee Morrison, Reform, Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition signed by 125 of my constituents, primarily residents of the city of Swift Current.

The petitioners call upon parliament to withdraw Bill C-23, affirm the opposite sex definition of marriage in legislation and ensure that marriage is recognized as a unique institution.

Questions On The Order Paper

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

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

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Business Of The House

[Bob Kilger, Liberal, Stormont—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions, which I would qualify as thorough, between the representatives of all the political parties regarding the following motion, and I believe that if you would seek it you would find unanimous consent for it. I move:

That notwithstanding any standing order, Bill C-445, an act to change the name of the electoral district of Rimouski—Mitis, be deemed to have been read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Does the chief government whip have the unanimous consent of the House to move this motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

[Bob Kilger, Liberal, Stormont—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in the same spirit of co-operation, I believe you would find consent for the following motion. I move:

That notwithstanding any standing order, the bill entitled, an act to change the names of certain electoral districts, be introduced without notice, read a first time, read a second time and referred to a committee of a whole, considered in committee of the whole, reported, concurred in at report stage, read a third time and passed this day; and that the orders for Bills Nos. 317, 397, 449, 455 and 456 be discharged and the bills withdrawn.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Does the hon. chief government whip have the unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act

[Bob Kilger, Liberal, Stormont—Dundas, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-473, an act to change the names of certain electoral districts.

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

[The Deputy Speaker]

Pursuant to order made earlier this day, the House will now proceed to second reading of this bill.

[Bob Kilger, Liberal, Stormont—Dundas, ON]

moved that Bill C-473, an act to change the name of certain electoral districts, be now read the second time and referred to a committee of the whole.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?