Debates of May 9th, 2003

Privilege

[The Speaker]

I think what is clear here is the hon. member disagreed with the comments of the hon. member for Saint John, and others may very well disagree as well.

[An hon. member]

And do.

[The Speaker]

As the hon. member says “and do” and that is fine. Sometimes members disagree with one another in the House, but the fact that the hon. member for Vancouver East could get up on a question of privilege and object to this, the fact that the former leader of her party asked a question of the hon. member yesterday during the course of the debate, indicates that members are free to express their views, and stand up and express their views. The fact that the hon. member for Saint John may have suggested, to quote the hon. member for Vancouver East, to “shut up”, may be her view, but it is a view that was expressed in debate and I do not think that it obviously has had that effect on the hon. member or on other hon. members, nor should it. It is a matter of debate.

The hon. member for Saint John expressed her views, unacceptable as they may have been to some other hon. members, but I do not think the hon. member has to take to heart her suggestion that she shut up. She is entitled to speak her piece too.

The Chair is here to ensure that all hon. members enjoy the opportunity for freedom of speech in the House. That is part of the job that the Chair is here for, and I am pleased to be able to afford that opportunity to the hon. member for Vancouver East. I am sure that on another occasion she will have an opportunity to debate the whole issue with the member for Saint John, something I am sure that many hon. members will look forward to hearing.

I do not think there is a question of privilege in this case, however regretful the comments may have been from the point of view of various hon. members, but I think our opinions of one another's views is brought out by the diversity expressed in the House, which each one of us is free to do.

Government Response to Petitions

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to 27 petitions.

Petitions

[Cheryl Gallant, Canadian Alliance, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Madam Speaker, the petitioners in my riding state that marriage is the best foundation for families and raising children, that the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman is being challenged, and that this House passed a motion in June 1999 which called for marriage to continue to be defined as the union between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

Therefore the petitioners are calling upon Parliament to pass legislation to recognize the institution of marriage in federal law as being a lifelong union between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

[Cheryl Gallant, Canadian Alliance, Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON]

Madam Speaker, this petition requests that Parliament protect our children by taking all necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify pedophilia or sado-masochistic activities involving children are outlawed.

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have several petitions.

I am tabling petitions for constituents calling for the outlawing of materials which promote pedophilia or sado-masochistic activities involving children. I have been working on this issue and I am pleased to know that they support our government action on that front.

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Madam Speaker, I also have petitions from a series of constituents supporting embryonic stem cell research. They are calling upon Parliament to focus its legislative effort on adult stem cell research to find cures and therapies necessary to treat illnesses and diseases from which Canadians are suffering.

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Madam Speaker, I also have petitions from constituents who are very concerned about hate propaganda. They want Parliament to protect the rights of Canadians to share their religious beliefs without fear of persecution.

[Garry Breitkreuz, Canadian Alliance, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Madam Speaker, I have several petitions I would like to present this afternoon. The first one is with regard to child pornography.

The petition states that the creation and use of child pornography is condemned by a clear majority of Canadians but 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.

Therefore the petitioners call upon Parliament to protect our children by taking all necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify pedophilia or sado-masochistic activities involving children are outlawed.

[Garry Breitkreuz, Canadian Alliance, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Madam Speaker, the next petition that I would like to present is in regard to support for adult stem cell research.

Because thousands of Canadians suffer from debilitating diseases and illnesses, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury; and because Canadians support ethical stem cell research which has shown encouraging results; and while non-embryonic stem cells, which are also known as adult stem cells, have shown significant research progress without the immune rejection or ethical problems, the petitioners ask Parliament to focus its legislative support on adult stem cell research to find the cures and therapies necessary to treat the illnesses and diseases of suffering Canadians.

[Ghislain Fournier, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to table a petition signed by 240 of my constituents. They are asking Parliament to keep the disability tax credit and to oppose any plan to restrict access to the disability tax credit and to ensure that the government holds off on passing any measures in the House without prior discussions and consultations with disability organizations and health care professionals.

[Paddy Torsney, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I misstated what I said when I presented the petitions on stem cell research. As I did say, the petitioners are supportive of adult stem cell research. However they do not support embryonic stem cells.

It must be Friday, I am having a little difficulty. I do appreciate the spirit of the petition and the fact that they have worked so hard to get this together.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Questions Nos. 192, 193, 195 and 196.

Question No. 192

[Jim Abbott, Canadian Alliance, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

What is the total amount of money spent for television, cable and satellite television access for federal correctional institutions since 1993?

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

Please refer to the table below with respect to cablevision services expenditures incurred by CSC for fiscal years 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, and 2002-03. Data from previous years is not available due to a change in financial systems in April 1999. Note that the amounts shown do not include any cablevision services expenses for inmates or parolees, CCC, which have been recovered.

Question No. 193

[Grant Hill, Canadian Alliance, Macleod, AB]

With respect to the Canadian firearms program, what is the total amount reimbursed by the Department of Justice to each of the following departments and agencies since April 1, 1994: ( a ) Sollicitor General of Canada; ( b ) Correctional Service Canada; ( c ) Human Resources Development Canada; ( d ) Office of the Information Commissioner; ( e ) Office of the Privacy Commissioner; ( f ) National Parole Board; ( f ) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; ( g ) Public Works and Government Services Canada; ( h ) Canada Customs and Revenue Agency; ( i ) Treasury Board Secretariat; and ( j ) Indian Affairs and Northern Development?

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

The total amount reimbursed by the Department of Justice in relation to the Canadian firearms program since April 1, 1994 is as follows: a) Solicitor General, nil; b) Correctional Services, nil; c) Human Resources Development, $32.7 million, reimbursement of costs in support of provision of staff and related operating costs at central processing site in Miramichi); d) Office of the Information Commissioner, nil; e) Office of the Privacy Commissioner, nil; f) National Parole Board, nil; g) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, nil; h) Public Works and Government Services, $1.2 million, reimbursement of costs for services provided to CFC by PWGSC project team; i) Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, $13.6 million, reimbursement of costs for services provided at border crossings and systems connection; j) Treasury Board Secretariat, nil; and k) Indian Affairs and Northern Development, nil.

Question No. 195

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

What is the total of Department of Justice costs related to the Canadian Firearms Program but not charged to the firearms program?

[Wayne Easter, Liberal, Solicitor General of Canada]

The Canadian Firearms Centre is working with the Office of the Auditor General and Treasury Board Secretariat to finalize reporting requirements in response to the Auditor General’s December 2002 report. The 2002-03 departmental performance report for the Department of Justice will report firearms program expenditures accordingly.

Question No. 196

[Gerry Ritz, Canadian Alliance, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

With regard to the following Indian bands, namely, Burnt Church Band, Council, Dakota Tipi Band, Gamblers Band, Garden Hill First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Gull Bay Band, James Smith Band, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Little Black Bear Band, Long Lake No. 58 Band, M'chigeeng First Nation, Muscowpetung Band, Mushuau Innu Council, Neskantaga First Nation, Nibinamik First Nation Band, Northlands Band, Ochapowace Band, Ojibway Nation of Saugeen, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Piapot Band, Pikangikum Band, Pinaymootang First Nation Fairford, Red Earth Band, Red Sucker Lake Band, Red Pheasant Band, Roseau River Tribal Council, Sagkeeng/Fort Alexander First Nation, Saulteaux Band, Shamattawa First Nation, Sheshatshiu Innu Council, Washagamis Bay Band, Yellow Quill Band, what are the names and addresses of the third party managers for each named Indian band?

[Bob Nault, Liberal, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development]

Insofar as the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, DIAND, is concerned, the table below lists the names and addresses of third party managers for the following Indian bands:

[Rodger Cuzner, Liberal, Bras D'Or—Cape Breton, NS]

Madam Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

[The Acting Speaker (Bakopanos)]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.