John Solomon

[Petitions, March 23rd, 1995]

Madam Speaker, my second petition is signed by a number of constituents as well as people from Quill Lake, Saskatoon, and parts of Regina, Saskatchewan. This pertains to the Senate.

The petitioners do not believe the Senate is accountable, is not elected, has become the home of patronage appointments of Liberal and Conservative Prime Ministers and it costs the taxpayers about $60 million each year. They request that Parliament abolish this institution which they feel does not provide Canadians with anything.

[Petitions, March 23rd, 1995]

Madam Speaker, I have two petitions to present today pursuant to Standing Order 36.

The first petition is from a number of residents in my constituency of Regina-Lumsden and pertains to the Criminal Code of Canada, section 241, which states "everyone who counsels a person to commit suicide or (b) aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years".

The petitioners request that Parliament not repeal or amend section 241 of the Criminal Code in any way and to uphold the Supreme Court of Canada decision of September 30, 1993 to disallow assisted suicide and euthanasia.

[Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, March 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as whip of the NDP caucus, the NDP caucus members present this afternoon vote no.

[Supply, March 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the New Democrats present in the House today will vote no on this motion.

[Taxation, March 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is for the same minister.

This has become more and more curious. The Mulroney Conservative government supported this tax break for the wealthy. The Liberal government opposite supports this tax break for the wealthy. It is a $2 billion tax break for very wealthy Canadians who have estates in the U.S.

Will the minister give Canadian taxpayers a break and cancel this deal of a lifetime for wealthy Canadians?

[Taxation, March 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance.

If the Liberal government goes ahead with its planned legislation, wealthy Canadians will be compensated for estate taxes paid in the U.S. under a new agreement signed in August. The agreement is retroactive to 1988 and will cost Canadian taxpayers over $2 billion in compensation, by giving families with estates worth over $600,000 in the U.S. a foreign tax credit in Canada.

Does the minister have the courage to say no to this outrageous legislation, or does the Liberal government plan to create a new $2 billion tax loophole for the wealthy?

[Retirement Allowances, March 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, information acquired through access to information reveals that federal deputy ministers are receiving special retirement allowances of up to $30,000 per year on top of their regular pensions.

The Treasury Board document points out this additional benefit to federal deputy ministers is equal to 2 per cent of the retiree's average salary during their six best years. This bonus is multiplied by the number of years a deputy minister works to a maximum of 10 years. The document states: "There is no minimum vesting period and no contributions are required from the deputy ministers".

The government has just cut 45,000 public servants from the payroll. There are also substantial cuts to agriculture and social programs. In view of these facts, will the finance minister and his Liberal government immediately rescind this abominable perk, this golden parachute enjoyed by richly paid deputy ministers? Or, will the highest paid civil servants continue to be protected and insulated by the Liberals from the harsh realities others in Canada with lesser incomes are now facing?

[Petitions, March 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my third and final petition this morning deals with the Senate.

The petitioners are from my constituency of Regina-Lumsden as well as from Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan. In view of the fact that the Senate costs approximately $60 million a year and in their view the purpose of the Senate is useless, they are asking the House of Commons to repeal sections 41 and 42 of the Constitution Act which would in effect abolish the Senate.

[Petitions, March 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, my second petition is signed by petitioners from the Saskatchewan communities of Kelliher, Silton, Watrous, Raymore, Punnichy, Ituna, Simpson, Foam Lake and other locations.

Under section 745 of the Criminal Code of Canada, convicted murderers sentenced to life imprisonment without chance of parole for 25 years are able to apply for a review after 15 years. They are calling for the House of Commons to repeal section 745 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

[Petitions, March 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions to present today pursuant to Standing Order 36.

The first petition pertains to Bill C-91, the drug patent legislation. The petitioners who have signed this petition are from my district of Regina-Lumsden in Saskatchewan as well as the cities and towns of Saskatoon, Borden, Hafford, Speers, Nipawin.

These petitioners are unhappy with the 12 per cent annual increase in prescription drugs since this bill was passed. They are asking that Bill C-91, which has placed financial burdens on them and health care programs across this country, be repealed. They request the House of Commons to do same.