Debates of May 28th, 2003

Tobacco Control

[Anne McLellan, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, as I have already indicated this afternoon, our government has a very aggressive approach to our tobacco control strategy. In fact, we are spending more on that strategy than ever before.

As I have already mentioned, we were instrumental in the drafting of the international framework for tobacco control and in taking action on low ignition propensity cigarettes. I wish to applaud my colleague from Scarborough East for making this an issue of importance to all of us. For the very first time information relating to anti-smoking is included within our mass media campaign denormalization messages.

Diamond Industry

[David Pratt, Liberal, Nepean—Carleton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's newest and most exciting resource industry, diamonds, was the focus of a national round table held in Edmonton last week. This round table was the first time key stakeholders were gathered together to discuss the prospects for this important emerging industry.

Could the Minister of Natural Resources give us his cut on the brilliant future that lies ahead for Canada's diamond industry?

[Herb Dhaliwal, Liberal, Minister of Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, this is of great interest to all Canadians, particularly up north. For the first time we had an historic meeting where we brought together the diamond industry, the federal and provincial governments, and the aboriginal community to see how we can become a leader in the world and shape this industry. We want to ensure that we are in the forefront and that Canadians across this country can benefit from this emerging diamond industry.

Business of the House

[The Speaker]

It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 81(14) to inform the House that the motion to be considered tomorrow during consideration of the business of supply is as follows:

That this House affirm its strong support for Norad as a viable defence organization to counter threats to North America, including the threat of ballistic missile attack; and support giving Norad responsibility for the command of any system developed to defend North America against ballistic missiles.

This motion standing in the name of the hon. member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke is votable.

Copies of the motion are available at the table.

The House resumed from May 27 consideration of the motion that Bill C-25, an act to modernize employment and labour relations in the public service and to amend the Financial Administration Act and the Canadian Centre for Management Development Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, as amended, be concurred in.

Public Service Modernization Act

[The Speaker]

It being 3:07 p.m. the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the report stage of Bill C-25.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

[The Speaker]

I declare the motion carried. When shall the bill be read the third time? Later this day?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Government Response to Petitions

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the 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 three petitions.

Committees of the House

[Raymond Bonin, Liberal, Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development and Natural Resources regarding its order of reference of Monday, October 7, 2002 in relation to Bill C-7, an act respecting leadership selection, administration and accountability of Indian bands, and to make related amendments to other acts.

The committee held a total of 61 hearings on this bill from January 27 to May 27, 2003, travelled over a period of four weeks from Prince Rupert, British Columbia to Halifax, Nova Scotia hearing from more than 531 witnesses. The committee then sat for a cumulative total of 131 hours on clause by clause alone, the longest number of hours in Canadian parliamentary history.

The committee has carefully considered Bill C-7 and reports the bill with amendments.

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, on a point of order.

[Yvan Loubier, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I ask for leave to comment on the tabling of the report of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development and Natural Resources.

[The Speaker]

I am sorry, but there is nothing in the Standing Orders that would permit such a comment. When a report is tabled, that is the end of the matter.

[Tom Wappel, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

In accordance with its order of reference from the House of Commons of February 26, 2003, the committee has considered votes 1, 5 and 10 under fisheries and oceans in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004, less the amounts voted in interim supply, and reports the same.

Older Adult Justice Act

[Diane Marleau, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-439, an act to establish the office of the Ombudsman for Older Adult Justice and the Canadian Older Adult Justice Agency and to amend the Criminal Code.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a private member's bill entitled, an act to establish the office of the ombudsman for older adult justice and the Canadian older adult justice agency and to amend the Criminal Code.

The bill seeks to set national standards for dealing with older adult abuse, neglect and exploitation. Moreover, it seeks to enshrine into law the safeguarding of the elderly and those who, due to illness or otherwise, are too often the victims of crime at the hands of certain individuals.

If passed into law, one of the key elements of the bill would see the establishment of Canada's first ever ombudsman for older adult justice responsible for the protection of older adult rights.

I encourage all members of the House to review the legislation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure its passage into law.

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

Statistics Act

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Industry]

moved for leave to introduce Bill S-13, an act to amend the Statistics Act.

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

Petitions

[John Reynolds, Canadian Alliance, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by hundreds of people from Vananda, Gillies Bay, Blubber Bay, Texada Island and Powell River in British Columbia.

The petitioners ask that Parliament request the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to prohibit the establishment of a planned fish farm located in Raven Bay, Texada in British Columbia.

[Darrel Stinson, Canadian Alliance, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition signed by over 650 of my constituents of Okanagan—Shuswap calling upon Parliament to support, preserve and protect the legal definition of marriage as the voluntary union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

[Rob Anders, Canadian Alliance, Calgary West, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition on behalf of 338 citizens.

The petitioners want to draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: that they feel badly about the $1 billion that has been wasted on the gun registry; that the gun registry is not supported by the provinces; and that the gun registry has not reduced gun crimes. They are calling upon Parliament to repeal the gun registry.

[Andy Burton, Canadian Alliance, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a number of petitions on behalf of the residents of Skeena riding.

The first petition calls upon Parliament to protect our children by outlawing materials promoting pedophilia.

[Andy Burton, Canadian Alliance, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls upon Parliament to protect the rights of Canadians to be free to share their religious beliefs without fear of prosecution.

[Andy Burton, Canadian Alliance, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the next two petitions call upon Parliament to focus legislative support on adult stem cell research to find the cures necessary to treat the illnesses and diseases of suffering Canadians.

[Andy Burton, Canadian Alliance, Skeena, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last, but certainly not least, is a petition with over 1,200 signatures expressing concern about Canada's aquaculture industry.

[John M. Cummins, Canadian Alliance, Delta—South Richmond, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present today.

The first petition notes that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is no longer providing adequate staffing and equipment to the coast guard to allow it to perform the function for which it is obligated to perform.

The petitioners request Parliament to ensure that the coast guard becomes an independent body and that the government provide a new hovercraft to enable the coast guard to perform the kinds of functions that we expect of it, including the dive operations.

[John M. Cummins, Canadian Alliance, Delta—South Richmond, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition also calls on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and draws the attention of Parliament to the matter of aquaculture.

The petitioners note that the Fisheries Act prohibits the establishment of fish farms near wild fish and their habitat. They note that the Navigable Waters Act has restrictions as well. They also note that the previous minister of fisheries said that the department would not proceed with aquaculture if it would be a problem.

They are calling on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to prohibit the establishment of a planned fish farm located in Raven Bay, Texada Island in British Columbia.