House of Commons Hansard #196 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was wildlife.
Sarmite Bulte LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her question because it is a very timely question. The whole issue of community channels and community networks is currently being studied by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
We have undertaken a review of the Broadcasting Act to see how it can best serve Canadians, all provinces, but most important all communities, and how we can ensure that we reserve a green space for all channels throughout Canada.
Pat Martin NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, if we are ever to get to the bottom of these sponsorship scandals, we need public servants to feel comfortable coming forward with whatever information they have. They are not likely to do that with the Prime Minister threatening them from the front page of the newspaper. Anyone with information, as of today, has gone to ground.
The Liberals have promised whistleblowing legislation since 1993, yet they have blocked six private members' bills to that effect and have now put a weak substitute in place. Even the integrity officer is worried that he does not have the teeth to really protect whistleblowers.
Will they grant a general amnesty to any public servant--
Alex Shepherd LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
Mr. Speaker, as the member suggested, a public service integrity officer has been appointed by the government for the very purpose of protecting those civil servants.
Look at what the member is saying. He is saying grant a general amnesty for anyone involved with this. That is exactly what we do not want to do. The government wants to get to the bottom of this mess and it will not do that by giving people a general amnesty.
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans does not understand the problems facing Canso, Nova Scotia, or perhaps he has chosen to ignore them.
The Canso Seafreez plant does not have access to reasonable quantities of enterprise allocations. The minister's assertions regarding the 45 tonnes is wrong and uninformed. If he would take the time to read a letter from the president, Bill Barry, he would realize this.
The minister has in his hands the ability to change this inequity. When will the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans commit to finding a long term sustainable solution for Canso? Will he do something quick?
Georges Farrah LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, we agree that the situation in Canso is a complicated one. As the minister has indicated on a number of occasions—he has moreover gone to Canso to meet with the people there—we cannot, obviously, provide them with fish that is not there.
Consequently, this is why we are working along with the minister responsible for ACOA to ensure that solutions are found, which will diversify the economy of Canso and ensure that economic development will ensue within the very near future.
Ultimately, while we cannot produce fish that is not there, we are aware of the situation in that area.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I draw the attention of hon. members to the presence in the gallery of His Excellency M. Morshed Khan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
Sarmite Bulte LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to two petitions.
Nuclear Safety and Control ActRoutine Proceedings
Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe New Brunswick
Liberal
Claudette Bradshaw Liberalfor the Minister of Natural Resources
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-57, an act to amend the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Brent St. Denis Liberal Algoma—Manitoulin, ON
Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the ninth report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on the main estimates 2002-03.
The committee reports the same, less the amounts voted in interim supply.
Jay Hill Canadian Alliance Prince George—Peace River, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-469, an act to amend the Divorce Act (shared parenting).
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague from Fraser Valley for seconding this important bill.
The purpose of the bill is to amend the Divorce Act so that in the event of separation or divorce the court will grant child custody to both parents, except in cases of proof of abuse, neglect, mistreatment or if it is not in the best interests of the child.
All too often children are used as pawns during emotional divorce proceedings. The bill would stop that by putting both parents on an equal footing. Automatic joint custody would increase the probability of support payment compliance, reduce court appearances by one parent trying to gain access to their child and reduce the likelihood of one parent denying the right of the other to see their children.
Four years ago a special joint committee on child custody and access recommended that shared parenting be included in new legislation. It is yet to be introduced. Children are still waiting for this government to act.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Kevin Sorenson Canadian Alliance Crowfoot, AB
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-470, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Cypress Hills--Grasslands for seconding my private member's bill.
I rise to introduce my private member's bill which, if enacted, will amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to provide that any person who receives a sentence as a result of being convicted of an indictable offence while on conditional release is obliged to serve the remainder of the original sentence and at least two-thirds of the new sentence.
In addition, the bill provides that if a person has been convicted on more than one occasion of an indictable offence committed while on conditional release, that person is not eligible for conditional release in respect of any new sentences.
This private member's bill is introduced out of respect and to honour the hard work of the Canadian Police Association, representing some 26,000 police officers. The Canadian Police Association diligently endeavours to make this country a safer place.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Jim Abbott Canadian Alliance Kootenay—Columbia, BC
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition on behalf of constituents in the Canyon and Creston area of my riding. The petitioners note that the creation and use of child pornography is condemned by the clear majority of Canadians and that the courts have not applied the current child pornography law in a way which makes it clear that such exploitation of children will always be met with swift punishment.
They call upon parliament to protect our children by taking all necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify pedophilia and sadomasochistic activities involving children are outlawed.
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have the pleasure and the honour to present a petition on behalf of constituents in northern Nova Scotia, particularly in Guysborough county, from areas such as Guysborough Town, Canso, Halfway Cove, Cooks Cove, and Seal Harbour, The petitioners call upon the government to revisit its approach, and the minister of fisheries in particular, towards Canso and the way in which enterprise allocation has been treated.
The people in this part of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada do not want to be dependent. They certainly do not want to be defeatist in their attitude. They want an opportunity to be full participants in the economy. They want a chance to work. Saving the Seafreez Canso plant will save the town. I hope the minister of fisheries will respond appropriately.
Dale Johnston Canadian Alliance Wetaskiwin, AB
Madam Speaker, I have a petition signed by about 82 people from the city of Wetaskiwin and the surrounding area. They have a concern that the courts have not applied the current child pornography law in a way which makes it clear that such exploitation of children will always be met with swift punishment.
The petitioners call upon the Parliament of Canada to protect our children by taking all necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify pedophilia or sadomasochistic activities involving children are outlawed.
Kevin Sorenson Canadian Alliance Crowfoot, AB
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I have the privilege to present to the House two petitions signed by concerned constituents of my riding of Crowfoot. More specifically, these two petitions come from the area of Camrose, a city in my riding, and also from the community of Three Hills.
Both petitions call upon parliament to protect children by taking all necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify pedophilia or sadomasochist activities involving children are absolutely outlawed. I fully support these petitions which reflect the opinion of a majority of Canadians in condemning the creation and use of child pornography.
Sarmite Bulte LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Madam Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos)
Is that agreed?
The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill S-34, an act respecting royal assent to bills passed by the Houses of Parliament, be read the third time and passed.
Royal Assent ActGovernment Orders
The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos)
Is the House ready for the question?
Royal Assent ActGovernment Orders
The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos)
The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?