House of Commons Hansard #126 of the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was scotia.
First Nations Water ManagementRoutine Proceedings
Calgary Centre-North Alberta
Conservative
Jim Prentice ConservativeMinister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, copies of the Plan of Action for Drinking Water in First Nations Communities—Progress Report March 22, 2007.
Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Niagara Falls Ontario
Conservative
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 109, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the Government of Canada responses to the recommendations in the second report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics.
Government Response to PetitionsRoutine Proceedings
Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre Saskatchewan
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
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.
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-48, An Act to amend the Criminal Code in order to implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-414, An Act to amend the Competition Act and the Food and Drugs Act (child protection against advertising exploitation).
Mr. Speaker, I introduce today a bill to amend the Competition Act and the Food and Drugs Act to provide child protection against advertising exploitation.
What we see with children is an overload of commercials and advertising. Essentially, the bill would ban commercial advertising or promotion of products such as fast foods, drugs, cosmetics, and devices aimed at children younger than 13.
The average Canadian child sees 350,000 commercials before graduating from high school. That is an astonishing number. This type of bill has already been in place in Quebec. We have found that the bill in Quebec has led to 3.5 million to 8.1 million fewer fast food meals being consumed by Quebec residents.
This worked in Quebec to reduce junk food consumption. I hope the House will support this bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-415, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (replacement workers).
Mr. Speaker, after months of consultation with labour groups, I am pleased to stand today to introduce my private member's bill, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code. The purpose of my bill is to ban replacement workers.
My bill would prevent federally regulated employers from employing replacement workers during strikes and lockouts.
Furthermore, my bill would ensure clarity and protect essential services for Canadians during labour disruptions because, in many instances, the nature of the services provided by federally regulated workers are essential to protect the health and safety of Canadians.
It is our responsibility to protect the interests of all Canadians and it is important to have the words “essential services” in any bill banning replacement workers.
I have been, and will continue to be, a strong advocate for Canadian workers and their rights. I encourage all members to support the bill.
As members of the House and my constituency know, from my time as a Toronto city councillor I have worked tirelessly for a fair wage policy. During my time in Ottawa, I have demonstrated my belief that elected officials have an--
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
I remind hon. members that the purpose of allowing members to make a statement is to give a brief explanation as to the purpose of the bill.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Yes he did and then I cut him off because he was going on a little long.
The brief summary is the important thing. We are always glad to hear that, but we do not need to have a second reading speech at first reading. It is not permitted.
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
Mr. Speaker, as you may or may not know, my private member's bill will be the final hour of debate tonight. It is a bill with respect to official development assistance. It is to take into account the alleviation of poverty for other citizens of this world, take into account the perspectives of the poor, and to meet our human rights obligations.
This bill has enjoyed wide support on both sides of the House. It was at one time, in fact, supported by the Prime Minister.
Over the course of this morning, 10,000 names will be deposited on the floor of this House in support of this bill and other matters.
In the petition that I am tabling, the petitioners request that Parliament enact legislation to ensure that all Canadian development assistance contributes to poverty reduction, takes into account the perspectives of the poor, and is consistent with Canada's human rights obligations.
That is exactly what Bill C-293 is all about. I am hoping for support from all sides of the House, not only in debate tonight but on the subsequent vote.
Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table four petitions today on behalf of the hard-working families of Hamilton Mountain.
These families are increasingly recognizing the existence of a prosperity gap in Canada. They do not feel that they are benefiting from the economic growth they keep hearing about. Of course, they are right as we know and the numbers are backing them up. Not only is there a growing gap between the right and the poor but there is also an alarming erosion of economic security for middle class families.
To that end, hard-working families have talked to me about the over 200 commercial bankruptcies that are happening every week in Canada, for a total of more than 10,000 bankruptcies a year. We know that this has a huge impact in Hamilton.
Many of these bankruptcies leave behind employees who are owed back wages, benefits and pension contributions. It is estimated that as much as $1.5 billion per year is left owing in back wages and benefits to employees.
These people have worked hard all their lives. They have played by the rules and all they want from their government is a little bit of fairness.
To that end, the petitioners are calling upon Parliament to ensure expeditious passage of my bill, Bill C-270, which would ensure that workers would be first in line in the case of a commercial bankruptcy.
Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, my next petition again is on behalf of these same hard-working families. We know that a decade after the major reforms to the employment insurance program were enacted, it is even more difficult now to qualify and the benefits are less generous.
EI has been repeatedly cut since its high point in the mid-1970s, most recently in the early 1990s, and today only about 4 out of every 10 unemployed workers collect regular EI benefits, down from 80% in 1990.
The NDP has introduced eight bills that target more than 12 elements of the EI Act, including the removal of the waiting period, the 66% benefit rate as well as the length of the benefit period.
To that end, hard-working families in Hamilton are asking this House to enact the legislation introduced by the NDP and reform the EI program, so that it will properly support working Canadians who are out of work.
Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, my third petition, again on behalf of families in Hamilton Mountain, addresses the housing bill of rights that was introduced by the NDP in this House.
We know that there are approximately 150,000 homeless people in Canada and that does not include the many people in my community who are living in substandard, overcrowded and temporary housing.
Canada is now one of only two developed countries--
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order, please. The hon. member seems to be making speeches about each petition. I would urge her to give a summary of what the petition is about. She can say where it is from. She can give us a summary of what the petitioners are asking, but giving a speech on general problems around the country is not permitted during the presentation of petitions.
I know she will want to comply with the rules in every respect. This seems to be a talkative day in the House.
Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am glad that you are acknowledging that homelessness is indeed a problem right across the country. I will make my comments much briefer.
The petitioners in this case were from Hamilton and all they ask is that all Canadians have access to secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing by passing the NDP housing bill of rights, Bill C-382.
Chris Charlton NDP Hamilton Mountain, ON
Mr. Speaker, my last petition, and I will be very brief on this petition, is again from families in Hamilton Mountain who have been forced to act as caregivers for their families.
The petitioners are asking this Parliament that all Canadians who provide care to a member of their family receive the financial support they need by passing the NDP's Bill C-209 and Bill C-240.
Joy Smith Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Mr. Speaker, I have with me hundreds of names on two petitions asking the government to continue its work in combating the crime of human trafficking here in Canada and abroad.
I would like to submit these petitions to the House.
Christian Ouellet Bloc Brome—Missisquoi, QC
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to table a petition from four organizations in my riding: the City of Farnham, the Brome County Agricultural Society, the Missisquoi museum and historical society, and the animal shelter. These petitions are about summer jobs for youth. The new program is now called summer work experience, or SWE. People are very concerned about the changes that have been made, such as budget cuts and how the money will be allocated.
I would note that the signatories are from all over my riding, including Dunham, Brome, Sutton, West Bolton, Abercorn, Notre-Dame de Stanbridge, Mansonville, Northon, West Brome, Pike River, Clarenceville, Stanbridge East, Frelighsburg, Saint-Armand and Bedford.
It is clear that people in communities throughout the riding are concerned about this.
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a significant number of residents in my riding, I am presenting a petition to the House based on a terrible incident that happened, a brutal murder of a young man, Shane Rolston, who was brutally attacked by five young individuals at a house party.
The petitioners ask the Government of Canada to re-evaluate the sentences handed to criminals to ensure that they are adequate in comparison to the crime, regardless of age, class or race.
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Mr. Speaker, I have another petition from residents of the riding of Yellowhead who are concerned about the safety of children.
The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to amend the Criminal Code to increase the length of sentences for dangerous offenders, especially pedophile offenders.
Sue Barnes Liberal London West, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have in my hand a petition from thousands of people across Canada, including those in my city of London, Ontario, who are petitioning Parliament to enact legislation to ensure that all Canadian development assistance contributes to poverty reduction, that it takes into account the perspectives of the poor, and is consistent with Canada's human rights obligations.
I support the petitioners and I think it is important that Parliament and all parties pay attention to the request of the petitioners.
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour today to stand in the House to present a petition to make poverty history.
The petition is signed by literally thousands of Canadians who are concerned about the government's action on reducing poverty, that we have poverty reduction, respect the poor and acknowledge the consideration of human rights.
The petitioners request that Parliament enact legislation to ensure that all Canadian development assistance that contributes to poverty reduction takes into account the perspective of the poor and is consistent with Canada's human rights obligations.
Larry Bagnell Liberal Yukon, YT
Mr. Speaker, 220,000 Canadians have added their names to 30 million people worldwide to make poverty history while demanding more and better international aid.
I have a very thick petition of approximately 2,000 names from Ontario and Quebec that asks Parliament to pass legislation to ensure that Canada's aid is targeted at poverty reduction, takes into account the perspectives of the poor, and follows Canada's human rights obligations.
I am happy to say my colleague from Scarborough—Guildwood is having the last reading of his bill tonight to do exactly that. I encourage all Canadians and all members of Parliament to support the bill.
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce two petitions.
The first petition calls upon Parliament to make poverty history. The petition has been introduced by other members of my party, the Liberal Party today, to show our concern for this issue.
The petition has about 2,000 names signed by people all across the country who are asking Parliament to ensure that all Canadian development assistance that contributes to poverty reduction takes into account the perspective of the poor and is consistent with Canada's human rights obligations.
Mario Silva Liberal Davenport, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is also my honour to present a petition on behalf of many Canadians who are asking the government to provide sanctuary to American soldiers opposing the war in Iraq.
Canada has a strong history dating back to the Vietnam War of allowing conscientious objectors refuge in our country. These soldiers are men and women of great moral courage who refuse to be complicit in a war deemed illegal in international law and a war which the majority of Canadians and the nation's government did not support. They cannot return to the United States as they would face punishment by military tribunals and a possible death penalty for desertion during wartime.
Soldiers have a moral duty to refuse to carry out illegal orders and the petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to grant sanctuary to these courageous individuals.
