Debates of Sept. 17th, 2003

Petitions

[Lynne Yelich, Canadian Alliance, Blackstrap, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on behalf of hundreds of my constituents across the riding of Blackstrap. The petitioners call upon us, the elected members of Parliament, to preserve and protect the definition of marriage that the House passed in June 1999, recognizing marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of thousands of people in my riding who signed petitions. I am presenting the following petition: we the undersigned citizens of Canada draw the attention of the House to the following; whereas--

[The Speaker]

Order, please. The hon. member knows he cannot read the petition. He is going to have to give us a brief summary. I know the hon. member is striving to do just that.

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

Mr. Speaker, the petitioners state that the institution of marriage as being between a man and a woman is being challenged. Hon. members of the House passed in June 1999 a resolution that called on Parliament to recognize marriage as the union of one man and woman to the exclusion of all others.

[Dick Proctor, NDP, Palliser, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to rise and present a petition on behalf of people from Cape Breton, folks from Sydney, North Sydney, Sydney Mines and New Waterford who are concerned about the future of Canada's health care. The petitioners specifically request Parliament to adopt the Romanow report on the future of health care in Canada. They ask that Parliament ensure that the next federal budget fully incorporates the proposals to provide adequate, stable and predictable funding so that health care and medicare will be protected for all Canadians in the future.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, I am unable to table petitions in the House as the parliamentary secretary, but I can do so as the member for my riding.

Pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the honour to table a petition from the constituents of West Nova, Nova Scotia. This petition concerns rural route postal carriers and their salaries. The petitioners are asking Parliament to amend subsection 13(5) of the Canada Post Corporation Act.

[Kevin Sorenson, Canadian Alliance, Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the privilege of presenting to the House a petition signed by concerned constituents of Crowfoot, more specifically from the community of Morrin, Alberta. The petitioners call upon Parliament to protect children by taking all necessary steps to ensure that all materials which promote or glorify pedophilia or sado-masochistic activities involving children are outlawed.

I am delighted to present this petition, which reflects the opinion of a majority of Canadians in condemning the creation and use of child pornography.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if Question No. 233 could be made an order for return, the return would be tabled immediately.

[The Speaker]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Question No. 233

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

For the fiscal years 1993-1994, 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, from all departments and agencies of the government, including crown corporations and quasi- or non-governmental agencies funded by the government, and not including research and student-related grants and loans, what is the list of grants, loans, contributions and contracts awarded in the constituency of Prince George-Peace River, including the name and address of the recipient, whether or not it was competitively awarded, the date, the amount and the type of funding, and if repayable, whether or not it has been repaid?

Return tabled

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Starred Questions Nos. 238 and 239. I ask that the answers to Question Nos. 238 and 239 be made orders for return. These returns would be tabled immediately.

[The Speaker]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

*Question No. 238

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC]

With respect to the Communication Canada Sponsorship Program administered by Public Works and Government Services, what groups, individuals or organizations received funds under the program in fiscal years 2000-2001, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 to date and, for each event sponsored, what are the names and amounts of the sponsorships, their location—including the name of the federal riding and the province or territory where the event took place—in addition to the date of confirmation of the sponsorship and the event?

Return tabled

*Question No. 239

[Guy St-Julien, Liberal, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, QC]

With respect to all government departments and agencies, including Crown corporations and quasi- and non-governmental agencies subsidized by the government and for fiscal years 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, what financial assistance, contributions and subsidies were accorded to the federal ridings of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik, Témiscamingue and Roberval and under what name, to what location and in what amount?

Return tabled

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

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

[The Speaker]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Motion for Papers

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, Notice of Motion for the Production of Papers No. P-41, in the name of the hon. member for Edmonton—Strathcona, is acceptable to the government and the papers are tabled immediately.

Motion No. P-41

That an Order of the House do issue for copies of all documents and correspondence pertaining to the decision made in 1995 by Revenue Canada to change the way in which it accounts for Goods and Services Tax input tax credit fraud.

[The Speaker]

Is it the pleasure of the House that Notice of Motion for the Production of Papers No. P-41 be deemed to have been adopted?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

(Motion agreed to)

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Notice of Motion for the Production of Papers No. P-33, in the name of the hon. member for Battlefords—Lloydminster.

Motion No. P-33

That an Order of the House do issue for copies of all memos, e-mails, letters and any documents with respect to the issue of goods and services tax fraud between the Minister of Finance, Minister of National Revenue and officials at the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

[Geoff Regan, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

I would ask that this Motion for the Production of Papers be transferred for debate. I think you would find agreement from the hon. Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to do so.

[The Speaker]

Is the minister requesting it be transferred for debate?