John Cannis

[Greek Orthodox Church, October 2nd, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday, September 29, the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, His Grace Bishop Soterios was elevated to the ranking of Metropolitan by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod. In addition, I am proud to say that our Diocese of Canada will now, as a result, be recognized as a Metropolis.

It is a very proud moment for all Orthodox Canadians of Hellenic descent to have this honour bestowed on us. As the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, His Eminence Soterios has worked diligently with zeal, compassion and understanding to improve our lives spiritually within a united Canada.

Over many years of dedicated service to the Lord and to the congregations, His Eminence Soterios has worked tirelessly, initiating programs to address the needs of both young and old, such as family counselling, women's issues, senior services and youth programs.

To this end I wish to express my heartfelt congratulations, wishing His Eminence good health and longevity. May the good Lord give him strength to continue his excellent work.

[John Child, September 27th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations and praise to a constituent of my riding of Scarborough Centre for his outstanding performance in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

My constituent John Child competed in one of the new medal sports introduced this year, beach volleyball. Mr. Child along with his partner Mark Heese competed against the best players in the world and went on to win a bronze medal in the finals, proving once again that Canada is indeed a force to be reckoned with in this new and increasingly popular sport.

To follow up on their bronze medal, Mr. Child and Mr. Heese went on to win the Canadian National Beach Volleyball Championships which were held right here in Ottawa over the Labour Day weekend.

It is with great pride that I again congratulate John Child on his pursuit of excellence in his chosen sport. Well done, John.

[Petitions, September 25th, 1996]

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the honour to present two petitions signed by well over 300 constituents.

These petitioners pray that Parliament enact Bill C-205 which was introduced by the hon. member for Scarborough West, and I support that.

The passage of this bill would ensure that under Canadian law no criminal may profit from selling the details of their crimes.

[Crime Statistics, September 24th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party has released a brochure called "Do You Feel Safe". This brochure is the Reform Party's attempt to mislead Canadians with false facts and use their fear of crime to add to the party's coffers.

Reformers choose to fuel the fear of crime and ignore the fact that crime in Canada has been steadily decreasing as the 1995 crime statistics clearly show.

Fact: violent crime fell by 4 per cent, the largest drop since 1962. Fact: the homicide rate dropped 3 per cent, reaching the lowest level since 1969. Fact: homicides involving firearms dropped 10 per cent.

Reform MPs stand up in the House and repeat the details of horrific crimes and grandstand in public as tough crime fighters. At the same time they consistently vote against the government's get tough measures such as sentencing reform and gun control. The Reform Party ask: "Do you want to feel safe in your own home and community?"

Actions speak louder than words. The government wants results, not rhetoric. It will continue to focus on substance, not cheap slogans.

[Cyprus, June 17th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this most important motion, Motion No. 239, which promotes the demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus. Let me say at the outset that I fully support this motion. I want to congratulate the member for Saint-Denis for bringing it forward.

In the last several years we have witnessed the creation of new areas of tension and conflict through the unleashing of destructive forces of chauvinism and ethnic strife. At the same time, in many parts of the world we have witnessed the triumph of reason, the entrenchment of democracy and the emergence of free market economies.

In July 1994 a brutal armed force was unleashed by the Turkish government. The result was the illegal invasion of a sovereign state and member of the United Nations, the island of Cyprus. To this day 37 per cent of the island's territory is illegally occupied.

Turkish and Greek Cypriots were forcibly evicted from their homes and became refugees in their own country. Almost 50,000 Turkish Cypriots have been forced by Turkish troops to flee their homes and lose their property. Thousands of Greek Cypriots have been displaced, their properties stolen and their family members murdered. Close to 2,000 Greek Cypriots simply vanished, and to this very day are unaccounted for.

This constitutes a gross violation of basic human rights for both the missing persons and their beleaguered families.

I met the father of one of the missing. His name is John Kasapis. Mr. Kasapis is a United States citizen whose then 16-year-old son was vacationing in Cyprus in 1974. To this very day this heart-broken father has not heard of the whereabouts of his now 38-year-old son. Is he alive or is he dead? Can this father or the families of the 1,619 other missing persons, of which I would like to point out are also relatives of many Canadians, ever rest, find peace and can their wounds ever heal?

On July 20 the people of Cyprus and the rest of the civilized world will be commemorating the 22nd anniversary of this brutal and illegal invasion. I am sad to say that there seems to be no end in sight. It seems that no solution is the solution for the illegal Turkish regime.

I recently attended a meeting of NATO and the North Atlantic alliance group where one of the topics discussed was illegal immigration. I was shocked to learn that just over 20,000 illegal Turkish immigrants are seeking asylum in Germany.

Mr. Katlu Adali in the Turkish newspaper Yeniduzen describes how the Turkish Cypriot population has decreased by 60,000 to 70,000. Turkish Cypriots living in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus flee to the southern part of the free island not just for jobs, not just for a better life, but more significantly for political asylum.

It is also reported in the Ortam , another Turkish newspaper, that the Republic of Cyprus recognizes Turkish Cypriots as equal citizens of the republic as it also recognizes many other groups on the island, namely the Maronites, the Latins, the Armenians, just to

name a few. Reading this I wonder what type of regime the Turkish authorities are running.

Thousands of new Turkish settlers have been brought from mainland Turkey to the island and into the occupied areas. This is altering drastically the demographic character of Cyprus at the expense of Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

In January 1992 the Spanish parliamentarian, Mr. Cuco told the Council of Europe's committee on migration, refugees and demography that the colonization of areas of Cyprus under Turkish occupation by Turkish settlers constitutes an additional obstacle to peace and is Cyprus' most serious demographic problem since the invasion of 1974. This was based on Mr. Cuco's on the spot investigation.

Moreover, the Council of Europe has condemned the continuous human rights violations by Turkey, and according to a 1983 report released by the Council of Europe, the European commission of human rights found that Turkey's continuing occupation of Cyprus violates articles 5, 8, 14, 26 and article 1 of protocol 1 of the European convention on human rights. The aforementioned clearly condemns Turkey's violation of human rights relating to missing persons, the family and their properties.

The more people who are aware of human rights violations, the more likely they are to act on them. The more one learns, the more compassionate one becomes and less likely to harm.

Through my presentation I want people to learn to work toward an expedient, just solution for Cyprus and for the betterment of all humanity. The confidence building measures have been a step in the right direction, which is why this motion is most important and why I ask my colleagues in the House to fully support it.

Just as our American counterparts, the European Parliament, the New Zealand House of Representatives and the Australian House of Commons are working vigorously toward helping to bring a speedy and just solution to the Cyprus issue, I point out that we too as Canadian parliamentarians, through the Canada-Cyprus friendship association, are working just as vigorously for a just solution.

It is also important to mention to this hon. House that approximately two years ago the Canada-Cyprus friendship group under the direction of its chairman, the hon. member for Kent, endorsed a demilitarization proposal for Cyprus as was outlined by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Clerides, to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Therefore, I will not go into the details of the six-point demilitarization plan, as it was already outlined by my colleague so eloquently, but I would like to take this opportunity to commend President Clerides for this bold initiative.

The Commonwealth heads of government which met in Zimbabwe unanimously endorsed the resolution which reiterated its support for the independent sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and non-aligned status of Cyprus and for securing compliance with all the United Nations' resolutions on Cyprus. Moreover, it expressed full support for the proposal of the president for the demilitarization of Cyprus.

What is significant is that we as a Canadian government, members of the Commonwealth in essence have already endorsed this proposal. With the meeting in Zimbabwe there is even more reason why the House should support this motion.

One wonders for how long the people of Cyprus will wait for the invader to leave their home. For how long will the Cypriot people stand by and witness ethic cleansing?

The Turkish occupying forces to this very day continue to plunder systematically and destroy the Cypriot cultural heritage in the occupied area of the island. Religious property is a particular target. Churches continue to be converted into mosques, vandalized and turned into entertainment centres and pubs. What is happening in the occupied areas of Cyprus by the Turkish forces is a total disgrace and against all principles of human rights and freedoms.

Twenty-two years have passed, and the security council's many resolutions remain unimplemented and totally ignored by Turkey. Unless the aggressor is faced with progressively more severe consequences for its disregard of international legal order, there is not going to be, I am sad to say, any solution or justice in Cyprus and the United Nations will lose credibility in the future.

Cyprus is not looking for pity. Cyprus wants what we all want as civilized human beings. Cyprus wants what all progressive institutions are advocating and that is justice.

In conclusion, not only do I extend my support for this motion for the demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus, but I urge all hon. members of the House to do the same so that we can all be part of a process that will bring forth a just and peaceful solution to this peace loving island. Let us all work together to right the wrong. Let us mend the wound.

[Banks And Banking, June 14th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am disturbed by the big banks' insistence on gouging their customers at every turn. Industry Canada reports show that the big banks are charging fees on their credit cards that average 10.5 to 12 percentage points higher than the bank rate. Incredibly, even while prime bank rates decrease, credit card rates continue to rise.

"Not fair," cries the chairman of one of the large banks. "Caucus isn't friendly to the banks," states another representative. The banks are nickel and diming their customers to death. The next thing you know a customer will need to pay an entrance fee to have access to his or her money.

It is odd that the central bank rate goes up one day and the banks raise their rates the next day, but when the rate goes down, the banks might react in a week or never at all.

I am asking the banks on behalf of all Canadians to act as good corporate citizens, to work together with us in partnership for a better Canada today and tomorrow.

[Petitions, June 10th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I have the pleasure to table a petition from my constituents,

The petitioners ask that Parliament enact Bill C-205 which was introduced by the hon. member for Scarborough West. The bill would prohibit convicted criminals from profiting financially from their crimes. I fully support that.

[Scarborough, June 10th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents of Scarborough Centre, I wish to extend congratulations to the city of Scarborough on the occasion of its 200th birthday.

As residents of Scarborough, we are very proud of our heritage and our city. Scarborough's roots date back to the late 1700s. In 1793 Elizabeth Simcoe, wife of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, named Scarborough after the town of the same name in England. Six years later in 1799, David and Mary Thomson became the first European settlers in Scarborough. Today in 1996, we are a diverse and dynamic community of more than half a million people.

Bicentennial celebrations have been under way in Scarborough since January and will continue through to December. In fact, June 10 to June 16 has officially been declared Scarborough Week.

The city of Scarborough has made an invaluable contribution to the social, economic, political and cultural development of our country. Today Scarborough is the sum of its citizens and the fruits of a rich history spanning 200 years.

[Corrections And Conditional Release Act, June 4th, 1996]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-296, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (rehabilitation programs).

Mr. Speaker, this private members' bill will require federal inmates to complete programs that will assist in their rehabilitation and make their parole request contingent upon their successful completion of such programs.

Currently enrolment is voluntary. Inmates know that if they enrol in specific programs they will be looked upon much more favourably at their parole hearings.

Another problem that exists is availability of such programs. There is no consistency in the corrections system. The program may be available at one penitentiary but not at another.

The bill specifically seeks to make changes that would ensure that rehabilitation programs are available where needed, that inmates are counselled as to which programs they need most, and most important, that their parole request is dependent upon their successful completion of such appropriate programs.

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

[Criminal Code, May 30th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I will begin by thanking my hon. colleague from Scarborough West for giving me the opportunity to speak on this most important and timely initiative.

Bill C-205, an act to amend the Criminal Code and Copyright Act, will prevent criminals from profiting from authorship respecting a crime. This legislation is long overdue. If passed, criminals will no longer be able to make money off the backs of their victims. They will be prevented from adding to the pain and misery they have already caused their victims and their families.

To allow a person convicted of a crime, especially murder, to receive compensation for his or her story is obscene. How do we explain to the victims or their loved ones that the person who caused them so much grief is now adding to their humiliation by profiting from their crimes?

We should follow the lead of the province of Ontario. In 1994 a private member's bill was passed which gives victims the first right to any profits earned from work produced by a person convicted of a crime. Before any deal is struck by a convicted person, the Public Trustee's Office must be notified. Subsequently, all moneys generated by the work go to that office.

This is the kind of law all Canada needs and must have. The federal government must follow suit with legislation of its own so it will be right across the country and not just in one province. Bill C-205 would accomplish this. Surely if the province of Ontario sees fit to pass such legislation, I believe the federal government should do the same.

I find it hard to believe that this type of legislation has not been adopted in the House in the past. I understand that proposals of this kind have been introduced before, but all have failed to be acted on. Therefore, I urge all members of the House to act unanimously to ensure that Bill C-205 is pursued successfully.

Bill C-205 will guard against further public humiliation of victims and their families. Most important, Bill C-205 will take away the criminal's right to profit from his or her story.

There will always be television shows, movie producers or book publishers who will be willing to pay, and pay well, to get a story. That is fine. We cannot take away that right, but we can dictate where that money goes. How we can justify a person convicted of a crime making a profit from their illegal actions is beyond me. That is exactly what this bill addresses.

Unfortunately, we cannot prohibit a criminal from telling his or her story to the press or other media outlets. However, we can take away the incentive. Hopefully they will be less willing to offer their story to the media if they know they will not see a dime for their efforts.

Do we really need to hear the full story of how Clifford Olson committed his horrible and sick crimes, or how Karla Homolka assisted in the murders of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy? I do not want to see these crimes sensationalized by the media. I do not want my children and all the children of the world to have access to these horrific tales. The thought of having the authors of these stories profiting from the proceeds makes me sick.

How any responsible journalist, television or movie producer, or book publisher can possibly justify profiting from another person's pain is beyond me. These stories do nothing but glorify violence.

Some paint false pictures of the victims and their families and basically succeed in sensationalizing crime.

It is sad, but there will always be some element of the general population that is interested in hearing or reading these warped stories. That is why we see the market inundated with the so-called true story movies and biographies of infamous criminals and the even more perverse serial killer trading cards and board games. To allow these items on the market is one thing. To allow the criminals responsible for the crimes glorified in them to profit is another. This we cannot morally allow.

Take for example the story that would be told by serial killer Clifford Olson. Do we really need to hear details of how he brutally murdered those poor innocent children? No we do not. However, as I said before, there will always be someone who is willing to print, produce or buy his story. Since we cannot prevent that from happening, we must at least prevent Clifford Olson from profiting from his horrible crimes.

Bill C-205 would amend the Criminal Code to prohibit a criminal or members of his or her family from profiting by selling the story of his or her crime. By taking away any moneys he or she may have made in the future, the incentive would be totally taken away from them.

Perhaps the crown could see fit to put the moneys generated by these movies toward various victims rights groups. It is high time that criminals really paid for their crimes in the true sense of the word.

This bill will further amend the Copyright Act to provide that the copyright of any work based on a crime where the work was created by the convicted person becomes the property of the crown. What this means is that when a book, a movie or other work based primarily on a crime is produced by a person convicted of that crime, Canada would become the sole owner of that work. Any proceeds from that work would go directly to the crown. Further, any sales or distribution of the work would be at the discretion of the crown, meaning that Canada would have the right to prevent future sales and distribution which is very important.

Also, seeing as Canada is a signatory to the Berne convention, which deals with the copyright and ownership of works, this bill would not only have a national scope but an international one as well. Canada could conceivably block any sales or distribution of a work in any country which is also a participant to the convention.

If passed, this bill will go a long way to preventing the sensationalizing of crime and violence not only in Canada but indeed in other countries as well.

Some opponents of this bill would say that it would limit the right to freedom of expression as put forth in the charter. On the contrary, let me emphasize this bill does not prohibit a person from telling his or her story. An individual who wishes to share his or her story is free to do so. All this bill simply states is that the individual would not be able to profit from the sale of the story. Society is always quick to ensure the rights of the offender are upheld. It is about time that we all stood up for the rights of the victim. This bill will ensure that the victim's rights do come first.

As I stated before, many organizations support this bill. The Canadian Police Association has stated that this bill would provide much needed protection for the victims of crime and ensure that their pain and suffering is not exploited.

CAVEAT, which represents Canadians against violence, also supports this bill. It stated that the enormous financial cost incurred by Canada in enforcing the law affects all Canadians. CAVEAT goes on to say that it is only fitting that the proceeds from the exploitation of any crime should revert to the crown.

One of the biggest supporters of this bill is an individual who stands to suffer a great deal if this bill is passed. Deborah Mahaffy is a director of the victims rights group ACTION. She is also the mother of Leslie Mahaffy, one of the young school girls who was violently abused and murdered by Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. Deborah Mahaffy and her family have endured enough pain and sorrow to last a lifetime. We need to ensure that her grief is not further exploited by her daughter's killers.

In closing, I would again urge all members of the House to support Bill C-205. Let us put our political differences aside and vote in favour of this bill. We must use this opportunity to reinforce the old adage that crime does not pay.