House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 40% of the vote.
Hazardous Products Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-425, an act to amend the Hazardous Products Act.
Madam Speaker, this bill amends the Hazardous Products Act (definition of child), in section 2, by adding in the alphabetical order: ""child" means a person under eighteen years of age". The purpose of this bill is to harmonize the definition of "child" in the Hazardous Products Act.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Government Employees Compensation Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-424, an act to amend the Government Employees Compensation Act (definition of infant).
Madam Speaker, this bill amends the Government Employees Compensation Act (definition of infant). It amends section 2 of the Government Employees Compensation Act and all the following sections in the alphabetical order by adding the definition of "infant" as being any person who is less than eighteen years of age.
Furthermore, it ensures that the term "infant" will always be interpreted as designating any person who is less than eighteen years of age, pursuant to the definition proposed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Extradition Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-423, an act to amend the Extradition Act (definition of child).
Madam Speaker, this bill amends the Extradition Act (definition of child). It amends item 12 of schedule 1 in the Extradition Act by replacing any reference to a child in order to set some consistency and determine that a child is any person less than eighteen years of age.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Excise Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-422, an act to amend the Excise Act (definition of adult).
Madam Speaker, this bill amends the Excise Act, under the definition of adult. It also amends section 2 of the Act and section 15 is amended by addition in the alphabetical order. Finally, this bill gives a definition of adult so that this term may be interpreted in accordance with the definition of child proposed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which says that any person less than eighteen years of age is a child.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Corrections And Conditional Release Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-421, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (definition of child).
Madam Speaker, this amendment also deals with the definition of a child to ensure that its interpretation is consistent with the definition proposed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which was adopted by Canada.
We are dealing with children in the law. In 1991 about 146,000 or 22 per cent of the 670,000 federal statute charges were laid against young offenders. About 18,800 or 13 per cent of the 146,000 charges laid against them were for the perpetration of violent crimes. This represents an increase of 102 per cent, up from 9,300 cases in 1986.
The number of charges laid against young offenders for committing violent crimes has risen steadily in the last number of years, especially when compared to the number of charges laid against adults for committing similar crimes. For example, of the 2.6 million non-traffic Criminal Code offences that were reported by the police in 1990, 22 per cent were committed by young offenders.
I am not saying that an amendment to this legislation will solve the problem. It is one step in the right direction of how we deal with children in terms of our responsibilities and their rights.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Canada-United Kingdom Civil And Commercial Judgements Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-420, an act to amend the Canada-United Kingdom Civil and Commercial Judgements Act (definition of infant in matters originating in Canada).
Madam Speaker, this amendment to the Canada-United Kingdom Civil and Commercial Judgements Act provides a definition of infant as being a person under the age of 18. For Canadian matters the amendment will ensure that the Canada-United Kingdom Civil and Commercial Judgements Act is interpreted consistently with the definition of a child proposed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
With respect to United Kingdom matters, the definition is of course for the United Kingdom Parliament to deal with.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Canada Student Loans Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-419, an act to amend the Canada Student Loans Act (definition of full age).
Madam Speaker, this bill provides a proper definition of full age within the Canada Student Loans Act. Full age is defined as 18 years of age or older to ensure that this expression in the Canada Student Loans Act is interpreted consistently with the definition of child proposed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
There are many bizarre things in federal legislation and we have not yet tackled provincial legislation. For example, according to tax legislation, persons 18 years of age and under are considered to be dependent children. This provision enables parents to claim a dependent credit and to receive a child benefit allowance. Discrepancies do arise. When the income of a child reaches a level which is above the allowable limit, the child has to pay income tax.
Working teenagers between 16 and 18 years of age are required to pay taxes as adults, yet they cannot contribute to the Canada pension plan or the Quebec pension plan nor can they contribute to a registered retirement savings plan. I believe the amendment to this legislation and other legislation would pave the way for the federal, provincial and territorial governments to tackle the whole issue of the definition of a child. It will ensure we have a uniformity when we deal with issues such as those I have just mentioned.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Canada Shipping Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-418, an act to amend the Canada Shipping Act (definitions of child and infant).
This bill is aimed at amending sections 652 and 660, including section 6.1, regarding the definition of infant. The enactment defines child and infant as persons who are less than 18 years of age, so that these terms, when found in the Canada Shipping Act, be interpreted according to the definition of "child" proposed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Canada Health Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-417, an act to amend the Canada Health Act (definition of child).
Madam Speaker, this bill, aimed at amending the Canada Health Act with respect to the definition of child, defines a child as a person who is less than 18 years of age, so that the federal legislation be interpreted according to the definition of "child" proposed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)
Canada Business Corporations Act April 22nd, 1997
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-416, an act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act (definitions of infant and minor).
Madam Speaker, this bill is aimed at amending the Canada Business Corporations Act with respect to the definitions of infant and minor.
This enactment defines infant and minor as persons who are less than 18 years of age, so that the federal legislation be interpreted according to the definition of "child" proposed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)