Debates of June 8th, 2001

Genetically Modified Organisms

[Ghislain Fournier, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for export purposes, the Unibroue brewery in Quebec obtained GMO free certification from the CFIA. After publicizing this certification in Quebec, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency decided, without warning, to take back its certification. This case shows us that agricultural and agrifood producers are at the mercy of the agency.

Does the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food not realize that the agency's inability to establish reliable standards for labelling GMOs will harm farm producers—

[The Speaker]

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

[Larry McCormick, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, Unibroue Inc., the company in question, is certainly free and welcome to advertise its product as being GMO free. It certainly used the CFIA authorization for the export in the wrong way, but it is most capable and most welcome to advertise its product as GMO free as long as it is certain about the source of its product. It must also make sure its labelling is very clear and meaningful for the health of all Canadians.

Cruelty To Animals

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, critics of the government's proposed cruelty to animals legislation say that it will jeopardize the agriculturalized stock industries. Some have even suggested that farmers may no longer be able to brand their cattle.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice clarify the intent of these provisions with respect to animals and farming in particular?

[John Maloney, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, among other things, Bill C-15 enhances maximum penalties for cruelty to animals. This sends a clear message that abusing animals is a form of violence that cannot be tolerated and that must be treated seriously.

Nothing in the bill puts at risk lawful and humane activities involving animals for such purposes as agriculture. It does not affect the way that cattle branding takes place. The justice minister made changes to the bill requested by farmers to make the intent of the law clearer. The law unmistakably focuses on intentional and negligent acts against animals.

Canadian Airlines

[Jay Hill, Canadian Alliance, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday the president of Air Canada, Robert Milton, was in New York bragging to his peers that as Canada's flag carrier it has virtually unrestricted access to international routes, but this only came about because of the Canadian Airlines merger.

While Mr. Milton boasts of grabbing the routes and the aircraft, the pilots who fly them have been left on the tarmac. Instead of being recognized for their years of experience, most have been sent to the bottom of the seniority list.

Will the Minister of Transport concede that the Mitchnick Award is punitive, keep his word and ensure that the former Canadian Airlines pilots receive fair treatment?

[David Collenette, Liberal, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should know that this is a matter that is between parties. The two unions in question agreed to an arbitrator. They agreed to accept the arbitration award. As such, the Minister of Labour and myself as Minister of Transport have no direct jurisdiction. If there is dissatisfaction with the result of the arbitration award, then there is recourse for the parties to the courts.

[John Williams, Canadian Alliance, St. Albert, AB]

Mr. Speaker, during my question earlier today I made reference to a letter from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Merritt, British Columbia. I ask that you seek unanimous consent that I table this letter in the House.

[The Speaker]

Does the House give unanimous consent that the hon. member table the document?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

Committees Of The House

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the government's response to the 14th report on the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Business Of The House

[Don Boudria, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I have been asked by some members to clarify the business statement, given the time of year, and perhaps I could take a moment to give an updated business statement, particularly for the benefit of all House leaders.

Assuming that the debate on Bill C-25 is completed at third reading and Bill C-24 is completed at report stage later today, the business for Monday would be as follows: Bill S-11, respecting business corporations; Bill S-3, respecting motor vehicles; Bill S-16, respecting money laundering. I understand those three bills are perhaps briefer than others. We would follow this with the third reading stage of Bill C-24, regarding organized crime, which I know is of considerable interest to many members. If any time is left it would be taken up on Bill C-11, respecting immigration, and Bill C-6, respecting bulk water.

On Tuesday, of course, it will be a supply day. It is my intention at the present time to call any unfinished business for Wednesday and the debate on the modernization committee report.

Government Response To Petitions

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Parliamentary 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.

Regional Development Banks

[Eugène Bellemare, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for International Cooperation]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 1999 report on Canada's participation in regional development banks.

Committees Of The House

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Toronto Centre—Rosedale, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the committee considered the issue of the third summit of the Americas held in Quebec City in April 2001 and is pleased to table this report, which we believe will make a contribution to improving future summits and understanding this important process.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109 the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

In accordance with its order of reference from the House of May 30, 2001, the committee has considered votes 20 and 25 under Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canadian International Development Agency, and reports the same.

Canada Labour Code

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Laurentides, QC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-375, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Public Service Staff Relations Act (prohibited provision in a collective agreement).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to introduce once again a bill aimed at banning orphan clauses from any collective agreement which might be covered by one of the following three pieces of legislation: the Canada Labour Code, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, and the Public Service Staff Relations Act.

The purpose of the bill is to eliminate any discriminatory provision affecting new labour market entrants and to ensure that they receive the same wages as their elders.

Let me conclude with a quote that should give all my colleagues in the House some food for thought “Collective problems do not vanish because we have talked too much about them: they persist because we did not solve them”.

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

National Literacy Standards Act

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-376, an act to establish national literacy standards across Canada.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the enactment of the bill is to require a minister to consult with provincial and territorial governments, education and literacy experts, industry, labour, the media and literacy students to report on illiteracy and national literacy goals and standards, and to propose a policy by which the goals and standards might be achieved.

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

National Conference On Guaranteed Annual Income Act

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-377, an act respecting the National Conference on Guaranteed Annual Income.

Mr. Speaker, this enactment provides that a designated minister shall convene a conference for the purpose of making recommendations on creating and implementing a national program to guarantee a minimum annual income to each Canadian.

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

Income Tax Act

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-378, an act to amend the Income Tax Act, the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act, the Public Service Superannuation Act and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act (dependent beneficiaries).

Mr. Speaker, the bill seeks to eliminate the expression “illegitimate child” where it appears in all federal legislation.

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

Education Standards Act

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-379, an act to establish national standards across Canada for education provided by the provinces.

Mr. Speaker, the bill seeks to establish a process of consultation between different levels of government, industry, labour, parent groups, volunteer organizations and other sectors in order to facilitate the establishment of national education standards across Canada.

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

National Archives Of Canada Act

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-380, an act to amend the National Archives of Canada Act and the Statistics Act.

Mr. Speaker, the bill would allow the National Archives of Canada to make information available to the public for statistical and research purposes provided that 92 years have lapsed since the collection of that information.

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

Maximum Speed Control Device Act

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-381, an act to provide for the use of a maximum speed control device for use on motor vehicles and to prohibit the manufacture and sale of motor vehicles that are not equipped with a maximum speed control device.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the bill is to lower the maximum speed that might be reached by a motor vehicle by providing that devices be installed with a maximum speed control device and also to prohibit any person from removing the device rendering it inoperative or reducing its operating capacities.

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

Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-382, an act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act (school-leaving age).

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the bill is to ensure that there is a standard school leaving age of 18 across Canada by making provisions for a deduction from the Canada health and social transfer to the province if the school leaving age is not 18.

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

Divorce Act

[Mac Harb, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-383, an act to amend the Divorce Act (right of spouses' parents to access to or custody of child).

Mr. Speaker, the bill would make it easier for grandparents to have access to their grandchildren in the event of the death of a parent. Rather than having to go to court every time, the bill would make it a lot easier for grandparents to have the opportunity to meet with their grandchildren.

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