Svend Robinson

[Petitions, June 12th, 1996]

Madam Speaker, the final petition is signed by a large number of residents of my constituency of Burnaby-Kingsway. It notes that gasoline prices have increased dramatically in recent days and that two committees of Parliament have recommended federal gas tax increases which should be far lower than those which have currently been proposed.

The petitioners therefore request that Parliament not proceed with the a federal excise tax on gasoline and strongly consider reallocating its current revenues to rehabilitate Canada's crumbling national highway infrastructure.

[Petitions, June 12th, 1996]

Madam Speaker, the third petition has been signed by a large number of residents of my constituency of Burnaby-Kingsway and elsewhere in British Columbia. It concerns the veterans of the merchant navy, co-ordinated by Roy Finlay of the Canadian Merchant Navy Association. It calls on Parliament to consider the advisability of extending benefits or compensation to veterans of the wartime merchant navy equal to that enjoyed by veterans of World War II armed services.

[Petitions, June 12th, 1996]

Madam Speaker, the third petition is signed by residents of my constituency in British Columbia, in particular Irene Tong and Leung Hok Sum, opposing the recently adopted changes to the Canadian Human Rights Act concerning sexual orientation.

[Petitions, June 12th, 1996]

Madam Speaker, the second petition is signed by residents of the Sunshine Coast and elsewhere in British Columbia, collected by the Sunshine Coast Peace Group.

The petition opposes the presence of nuclear powered and nuclear armed vessels in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, and calls on Parliament to end the agreement allowing nuclear powered and nuclear armed vessels to use CFMETR in the Strait of Georgia.

[Petitions, June 12th, 1996]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present a number of petitions today. The first is signed by hundreds of residents of my constituency of Burnaby-Kingsway and elsewhere in the lower mainland, in particular supported by A & A Foods, Cioffi's Meat Market & Deli, Angelo Tosi, and National Cheese Co. (Western) Ltd.

It notes that a new regulation proposed by Health Canada will result in the banning of some imported Italian Parmesan cheese as well as some other types of cheeses, that small cheese factories and specialty cheese stores will be adversely affected, that Health Canada has not adequately demonstrated the health benefits of this proposed regulation.

Therefore the petitioners call on Parliament to urge the government not to proceed with the proposed regulations concerning unpasteurized cheese. I strongly support that.

[Criminal Code, June 12th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-305, an act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children).

Madam Speaker, the purpose of the bill I am introducing today is to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code, the section that allows corporal punishment of children by parents and teachers.

Condoning corporal punishment can lead to physical and psychological injury and even ultimately to the death of children. It contributes to violence in society and is contrary to both the charter of rights and freedoms and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Section 43 allows punishment causing bruising and contusions. It allows children to be struck with belts and other objects. It is a relic of a bygone age and has no place in a democratic society that respects and values children.

Finally, I would note that several European countries have ended the legal approval of corporal punishment with very significant, positive results. I urge the government to uphold the rights of children and repeal this harmful and discriminatory section of the Criminal Code of Canada.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Criminal Code, June 12th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-304, an act to amend the Criminal Code (aiding suicide).

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to introduce a bill that would amend the Criminal Code to allow people with terminal or incurable illnesses, who are often suffering terrible pain, anguish or indignity that cannot be relieved by palliative care, to seek the assistance of a physician to end their life at the time they choose.

The current legislation, which dates back to 1892, can be extremely cruel to those who are dying and to their families and loved ones.

Sue Rodriguez and Austin Bastable are two people who lived their lives and faced their deaths with great courage and dignity. They urged the Minister of Justice in their final days to introduce this legislation.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice have both promised a free vote on this issue. I join with many Canadians in urging them to honour that promise.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[International Conference On Aids, June 12th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister. It concerns the llth international conference on AIDS, being hosted by Canada in Vancouver next month. Is the Prime Minister prepared to reconsider his decision not to attend this very important conference, particularly in view of the letter which his own colleague, the Minister of Health, sent to him on May 15 stating: "If you choose not to attend, Canadians and representatives from other countries will receive a signal that Canada is less than committed to fighting this disease"?

Will the Prime Minister listen to the Minister of Health, listen to Canadians who are fighting desperately against HIV and AIDS? Will the Prime Minister now agree to attend the conference and make a commitment to renew the national strategy on AIDS at the conference?

[Canadian Human Rights Act, May 9th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I accept what the hon. member said, that some motion went in in his name which did not reflect his position.

My question to him is a very straightforward question. If that is the case, why did he vote for an amendment which excluded single parent families? Why did he vote in favour of it?

[Canadian Human Rights Act, May 9th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his comments. I know he has personally wrestled with this issue. He spoke earlier this week at a reception hosted by EGALE. I want to signal the extraordinary contribution which has been made by EGALE, John Fisher, the late Les McAfee, and others in this long journey.

The member has shared with this House in a very personal way the fact that his son, J.R., is gay. One of the important elements of this legislation is to ensure that those who apply for jobs within the federal jurisdiction are not discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. The son of the hon. member for Edmonton Southwest could apply for a job in a bank, on a railway, in telecommunications or some other job within the federal jurisdiction and he could be turned down. The employer could say that he does not want him because he is gay and he might hurt his business, or maybe the employer would let him work at the back of the shop but not at the front.

I would plead with the hon. member. Does he not understand? Does he not recognize that if this bill does not go through his son, his own flesh and blood, would have no recourse in law other than that which is pursuant to a court decision which may be in conflict with another Alberta court decision? Does he not recognize that we need this legislation to at least prohibit that kind of discrimination, not just against his son but against all gay and lesbian people in this country?