House of Commons Hansard #19 of the 38th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was police.
Ujjal Dosanjh LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a very serious issue that occurs as a result of prenatal exposure to alcohol. This issue causes a lot of damage across the country and has social, economic and other consequences for all Canadians. I am predisposed to looking at the issue.
The hon. member has worked on the issue very hard for a long time. I want to ensure that we deal with the issue in the very near future by doing the right thing.
Meili Faille Bloc Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC
Mr. Speaker, at the request of the federal Department of Citizenship and Immigration, the Quebec police forcibly removed Mohamed Cherfi from sanctuary. Mr. Cherfi was deported to the United States and now risks expulsion. A group of men and women from Quebec have submitted a collective sponsorship application to prevent Mohamed Cherfi from being extradited to Algeria, where his life would be in danger.
Can the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration tell us what is stopping Mohamed Cherfi from being returned to Canada?
Judy Sgro LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, as I think the hon. member is aware, we cannot talk about particular cases. However, I can assure the House that Canada's refugee determination system is a very fair and generous system and that anyone who applies has full access. Upon completion we expect the individuals to return to their homes.
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, we heard yesterday that fewer people are training to enter the forestry industry and that this could lead to a critical labour shortage. Meanwhile, the government, as part of its softwood lumber strategy, has actively encouraged workers to abandon forestry and to move into new jobs.
Workers in the forestry sector need to hear loudly and clearly from the government that their industry and work are valued.
What plans does the minister have to keep forestry workers employed and will he stop calling plans to transition workers into other industries a job strategy for the for the lumber industry?
Jim Peterson LiberalMinister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, the softwood lumber industry is so important, employing over 200,000 Canadians. Because of this, we have devoted $356 million to help the communities and the workers who have been displaced because of the dispute. We will continue to work in their best interests.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of the Hon. Stan Struthers, Minister of Conservation, and the Hon. Steve Ashton, Minister of Water Stewardship for Manitoba.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
I would also like to draw the attention of the House to the presence in our gallery of the Hon. Thomas Mulclair, Minister of the Environment in the Quebec National Assembly.
Presence in GalleryOral Question Period
The Speaker
Pursuant to order made Wednesday, October 20, 2004, the House will now go into committee of the whole to recognize Canada's athletes of the 2004 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Athens.
(House in committee of the whole to recognize Canada's 2004 Olympic Summer Games and Paralympic Games athletes, Mr. Chuck Strahl in the chair.)
Canada's Olympic and Paralympic AthletesOral Question Period
The Chair
Hon. members, it is my pleasure today to welcome to the House of Commons medallists at this year's Olympic and Paralympic summer games in Athens. I know that Canadians are extremely proud of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes. They, as we, appreciate the years of intense training and sacrifice and the determination required to become a world class athlete. Their dedication not to mention their skills are an example to us and to future athletes.
Today is also an opportunity to recognize the men and women who support Canadian athletes, from coaches to administrators, from organizations such as the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees to the families whose love and moral support sustain the athletes and spur him or her to even greater achievements.
Your Olympic and Paralympic successes put you at the pinnacle of your respective sports, earning you the respect and recognition of Canada and the rest of the world.
On behalf of all hon. members, I congratulate you, salute you and thank you.
I would now like to read the names of the Canadian medallists who are with us today.
From boccia are Paul Gauthier and Alison Kabush.
From the equestrian team is Karen Brain.
From the women's wheelchair basketball team, we welcome Chantal Benoît, Tracey Ferguson, Shira Golden, Jennifer Krempien, Arley McNeney, Danielle Peers and Karla Tritten.
From men's wheelchair basketball are David Ng, Travis Gardner, Roy Henderson.
From the wheelchair rugby team, we welcome Mike Bacon, Ian Chan, Jared Funk, Garett Hickling, Daniel Paradis, Allan Semeniuk, Patrice Simard and David Willsie.
From athletics are Chelsea Clark, Chelsea Lariviere, Jessica Matassa, Jason Dunkerley, France Gagné and Stuart McGregor.
From women's goalball are Amy Alsop, Kelley Hannett, Annette Lisabeth, Nancy Morin, Contessa Scott.
From the swimming team, we welcome Danielle Campo, Andrea Cole, Stephanie Dixon, Benoit Huot, Donovan Tildesley and Walter Wu.
From the discipline of kayaking, we welcome Adam van Koeverdan.
From the discipline of diving, we welcome Émilie Haymans.
From rowing are Tom Herschmiller and Cameron Baerg.
From sailing is Mike Wolfs.
From wrestling is Tonya Verbeek.
Canada's Olympic and Paralympic AthletesOral Question Period
Some hon. members
Hear, hear! And Canada's 2004 Paralympic and Olympic athletes having left the Chamber .]
Canada's Olympic and Paralympic AthletesOral Question Period
The Chair
Once again, congratulations and thanks to our Olympians and Paralympians.
All hon. members are invited to join the athletes at a reception immediately following in Room 237-C.
Irwin Cotler LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-16, an act to amend the Criminal Code (impaired driving) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Irwin Cotler LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-17, an act to amend the Contraventions Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Liza Frulla LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-18, an act to amend the Telefilm Canada Act and another act.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Bonnie Brown Liberal Oakville, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I have the honour to present in both official languages the first report of the Standing Committee on Health. On October 28 pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee agreed to report to the House its unanimous support for a motion on the extension of federal compensation for hepatitis C victims of tainted blood. The motion was adopted by the committee on October 21, 2004.
Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(f), the committee has reviewed the third report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages called “Impact of the Plan to Strengthen Management of Government of Canada Advertising on the Official-Language Minority Media”, which was presented to the House of Commons during the third session of the 37th Parliament.
On Thursday, October 28, 2004, the committee concurred in the findings of the report. Therefore, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Don Boudria Liberal Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership and associate membership of certain committees.
If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the report later this day.
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-251, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (members who cross the floor).
Mr. Speaker, this is now the fourth year that I have had this bill on the books.
If an elected member of Parliament wishes to cross the floor from his or her current position to another party, or as an independent to another party, that member of Parliament should be made to resign his or her seat, seek nomination for the new party he or she wishes to fly under, go back to the constituents and allow the people of the riding to determine if they wish to be represented by a different party. That is what we call democracy.
I am sure that with careful consideration the bill will have great support from all members of Parliament in the House.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-252, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (physical activity and amateur sport fees).
Mr. Speaker, it is quite fitting that today we have with us the athletes with disabilities, those who won medals for us at the Olympics. However, our government needs to concentrate on those people throughout the entire country.
This bill pertains to families and individuals who register either themselves or their children in sports or other physical activities. For example, if they spend $400 to register a child in hockey, they should be able to claim it as a tax deduction similar to a charitable donation. This would put money back into the hands of working families to become more physically active and become a much better society in terms of sports and physical activity.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-253, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (expenses incurred by caregivers).
Mr. Speaker, the expenses incurred by people who care for their loved ones or those who are infirm in their own homes or the caregiver's home should be tax deductible. We are the sandwich generation. We are an older population. Many seniors are looking after other seniors. Many family members are looking after seniors. The bill would allow the expenses that they incur to be tax deductible in order to alleviate the financial strain that they are under when it comes to caregiving.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-254, an act to prevent the use of the Internet to distribute pornographic material involving children.
Mr. Speaker, this bill was first introduced by Mr. Chris Axworthy back in 1996 when he was the member from Saskatchewan. The premise of the bill is to make the service providers partially responsible for what they provide to the Internet users in the country.
It is being done in Britain, where service providers are partially responsible for what is on their sites. We believe that should happen in Canada as well. No matter how much money the government puts toward this or the amount of resources the police forces have, they simply never have enough to protect our children from the concerns of the Internet. We believe those providers should be partially responsible as well.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-255, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (volunteers).
Mr. Speaker, the country would be unable to operate without the access to the generous support and opportunity by volunteers. In Nova Scotia alone, volunteerism puts $2 billion back into our economy.
Basically, we are asking that any person who volunteers 250 hours a year or more to a registered organization or charity should be able to claim up to $1,000 in tax deductions for their efforts in this country.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-256, an act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (compassionate care benefits for care-givers) and the Canada Labour Code.
Mr. Speaker, we introduced this bill back in 1998. It basically states that people caring for persons who are relatives, under palliative care or severe rehabilitative care, should be able to take up to six months off work, have their job protected and be able to collect employment insurance so they can care for their loved one.
We have a program for maternity or paternity leave at the beginning of someone's life, but we are just starting a program for the end of someone's life. Right now it is only six weeks. We would like to see that extended to six months.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)