Herb Gray

[Recognition Of Quebec As A Distinct Society, December 6th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to government business Motion No. 26, I move:

That the debate be not further adjourned.

[Recognition Of Quebec As A Distinct Society, December 5th, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I wish to give notice that with respect to the consideration of Motion No. 26 under Government Orders, Government Business, at the next sitting I shall move pursuant to Standing Order 57 that debate be not further adjourned.

[Royal Arms Of Canada, December 5th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as I understand it-I will be corrected if I am wrong-this booklet I have was distributed to all members of Parliament and to the public. It was distributed some time ago. It is hardly a secret.

I want to add that as far as I am aware, while there has been a debate and vote in the House on the Canadian flag and a debate and vote in the House on our national anthem, the matter of the armorial bearings of Canada has been something for decision of Her Majesty the Queen of Canada and not for the House of Commons. So I see nothing to criticize this government over the actions of Her Majesty the Queen.

[Royal Arms Of Canada, December 5th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has asked a serious question. Although it is on short notice I will try to present her and the House with some information I just received.

I have in my hand a booklet entitled "Symbols of Canada", published by the Department of Canadian Heritage. On page 5, under the heading "Armorial Bearings", which I understand is another term for coat of arms, it states:

Adopted: By proclamation of King George V on November 21, 1921. On the advice of the Prime Minister of Canada, Her Majesty the Queen approved, on July 12, 1994, that the Royal Arms of Canada be augmented of a ribbon with the motto of the Order of Canada, desiderantes meliorem patriam-

-they desire a better country.

I hope my hon. friend also desires a better country.

[Business Of The House, November 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, today and tomorrow the House will consider second reading of Bill C-110, the bill on the regional veto. If this is completed, we will

call Bill C-108, the housing legislation, followed by Bill C-99, the small business loans bill.

On Monday the House will deal with the motion now on notice in the name of the Minister of National Defence regarding the Bosnia peace process. Tuesday shall be an opposition day. On Wednesday we will return to the resolution concerning a distinct society. Next Thursday and Friday shall be opposition days.

[Hiv-Aids, November 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the Correctional Service of Canada has been moving for over a year to implement the recommendations of the expert committee on AIDS. This includes a greater degree of HIV testing as well as a number of other measures to control, limit and lessen the spread of AIDS.

I would think that if the hon. member is concerned, he would read the report of the committee and support us in implementing its recommendations.

[Hiv-Aids, November 30th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, a year ago there was a report of an expert committee on this matter.

The correctional service is moving to implement almost all the recommendations of the committee designed to control the spread of AIDS in federal prison institutions and have a safer atmosphere for inmates generally.

There is an increased use of testing but mandatory testing raises important legal and constitutional issues which are still being considered. We are working to deal with the issue in the spirit and light of the recommendations of the expert committee.

[Witness Protection Program Act, November 28th, 1995]

moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to.)

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, November 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, once again, according to my information, the Supreme Court ruling has no direct bearing on Staff Sergeant Délisle's case. In any event, the matter is under review as part of the RCMP's internal discipline process, and I will gladly take steps so that this process will in time provide a response to this very important matter for Staff Sergeant Délisle.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, November 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, according to the information I have, the other officers the hon. member is referring to were elected as school board trustees and not as mayors. The regulations prohibit any officer from running for mayor, for member of a provincial legislature, or for member of Parliament. It is also a matter of internal discipline. This whole matter will be reviewed thoroughly.