John Maloney

[Young Offenders, October 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we have introduced the bill. The justice committee had extensive consultations on the youth justice system. It came in with a wonderful report called “Renewing Youth Justice”. As a result of that report, we have new legislation which will be dealt with expeditiously by the government. We are moving forward on this issue.

[Young Offenders, October 18th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member should know, we have already introduced the criminal youth justice bill again. It is to be considered by the committee in the very near future and dealt with accordingly.

[Kosovo, June 10th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, peace in the Balkans, here at last, thank God.

All members of the House and Canadians everywhere most enthusiastically welcome the signing of a peace accord in Kosovo and its approval by the United Nations security council. The pathway of peace will lead to the safe return to their homes of nearly one million Kosovar Albanians.

The international community now faces the formidable challenge of reconstruction of a war-scarred, devastated land; of ensuring a secure, democratic and self-governing Kosovo; and of stabilizing the entire situation in southeast Europe. It will be the most complex peace implementation operation in modern times.

We acknowledge, with pride, the contributions of our Canadian Armed Forces in this theatre of war and wish them well as they enter into a perilous peacekeeping deployment.

Peace in the Balkans is here at last, thank God.

[Supply, June 8th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to share my time tonight with the member for Thornhill.

I am very happy and pleased to be able to rise tonight on this debate. The hon. member for Calgary Centre has put forth a motion for the consideration of the House that the institution of marriage is and should remain the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others and that parliament will take all necessary steps to preserve this definition of marriage.

Let me clearly state to the House, to the people of Canada and most especially to the people of my riding of Erie—Lincoln that I support the motion without hesitation.

The institution of marriage is clearly and unequivocally the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. This definition has been appropriate and has served us well in the past. It is appropriate and serves us well now. It will continue to be appropriate and serve us well in the future. There are no exceptions, no qualifications and no limitations. The statement is clear and concise. It is the union of two persons of the opposite sex.

Indeed, this position of the federal common law goes back to the 1866 British case of Hyde and Hyde v Woodmansee. This case has been consistently applied in Canada. This long-standing case simply states that no marriage can exist between two persons of the same sex or between multiple wives or husbands. This is the definition that has been acknowledged and accepted by the citizens of the country and by the courts. Yes, Mr. Speaker, by the courts.

Let us consider the Ontario case of Layland and Beaulne where the applicants sought to use section 15 of the charter of rights to bring a change in the commonly accepted definition of marriage. The court soundly and firmly rejected their arguments and reaffirmed the long-standing definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

The government has no intention now or ever of changing the legal and long-standing definition of marriage, or of legislating same sex marriages. Those who would suggest otherwise only serve to foment unwarranted fear and divisiveness.

Canada faces no social problem more important than the strengthening of a family, reducing the number of births outside marriage, cutting the rates of divorce and coming to the aid of children disadvantaged by broken homes. Every measure must be taken to reinforce and revitalize the institution of marriage, real marriage between men and women, mothers and fathers, lasting for life. The hon. member's motion is one step in this process and he has my support.

Same sex marriages do nothing to advance the position of family. Same sex marriages are the antithesis of family. The same sex marriage issue has come before the House previously and I and the House have unequivocally rejected the concept. It is unacceptable and will not and cannot be tolerated.

Hopefully the motion before the House today will clarify the position of the House once and for all. I encourage all members to support it.

[Committees Of The House, June 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the 23rd report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

In accordance with Standing Order 108, your committee has considered proposals for a miscellaneous statute law amendment act, 1998 as well as changes by the Department of Justice. It agreed on Tuesday, June 1, 1999 to report the same without amendment.

[Committees Of The House, May 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 22nd report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, April 20, 1999, your committee has considered Bill C-79, an act to amend the Criminal Code (victims of crime) and another act in consequence, and has agreed to report it without amendment.

[Committees Of The House, May 25th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present in both official languages the 21st report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

In accordance with Standing Order 68(4)(a) and its order of reference dated Thursday, October 30, 1997, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights was instructed to prepare and bring in a bill to amend those sections of the Criminal Code that dealt with impaired driving in order to enhance deterrence and ensure that the penalties reflect the seriousness of the offence.

The committee held hearings in Ottawa where witnesses and participants were broadly representative of those affected by, interested in and involved with the criminal justice system. These witnesses came from all parts of Canada.

Your committee adopted the report with 17 recommendations and also submits in accordance with Standing Order 68(5) the recommendations regarding legislative wording in the form of a draft bill.

Further, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests a comprehensive response to this report within 150 days.

[Committees Of The House, May 12th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Wednesday April 21, 1999, your committee has considered Bill C-69, an act to amend the Criminal Records Act and to amend another act in consequence, and has agreed on Thursday, May 6, 1999 to report it with the following amendments listed thereon.

I also have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Tuesday, October 6, 1998, your committee has considered Bill C-284, an act to amend the Criminal Records Act and the Canadian Human Rights Act (offences against children) and has agreed on Thursday, May 6, 1999 that Bill C-284 be not further proceeded with as the subject matter of the bill has been captured under Bill C-69, an act to amend the Criminal Records Act and to amend another act in consequence.

[Public Transit, April 26th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, supporting public transit is an admirable goal and an essential goal.

Increased transit use leads to decreased traffic congestion, decreased pollution and related health care costs, decreased need for infrastructure to support car use, increased transit revenues. It starts a positive cycle where all transit users, including seniors, students and low income families, benefit from better transit service. All taxpayers benefit from the cost savings associated with less single occupancy vehicle use.

Last week in this House we were presented with the opportunity to accept the motion of our NDP colleague to consider making employer provided transit passes an income tax exempt benefit. The proposal would be an excellent step in the federal government's battle to meet our Kyoto commitment. It is one of the few incentives available to support public transit use. I would urge this government and the Minister of Finance to seriously consider this initiative.

[Committees Of The House, April 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Pursuant to the order of reference of Thursday, October 22, 1998, your committee has considered Bill C-251, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act on cumulative sentences, and agreed on Wednesday, March 24, 1999, to delete the clauses and the title of the bill.