Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from residents of Manitoba from various communities. The petitioners are asking the Parliament of Canada to enshrine in the Criminal Code the protection of conscience for physicians and health care institutions from coercion or intimidation to provide or refer for physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Fairness in Charitable Gifts Act  Madam Speaker, I want to thank all the members for their consideration of my private member's bill, Bill C-239, the fairness in charitable gifts act. I know I have support in all the parties. I do not know how much support, but I know that all the parties have members who have indicated that they will support the bill, and for that I thank them.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I am not sure what I am responding to, but I also want to make reference to my colleague from Mount Royal. He chairs the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and he does a very admirable job. He serves us and this country well. He seeks to maintain a neutral and unbiased position, and gives us all an opportunity to present our concerns.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for that question because she is absolutely correct. There were no meaningful amendments directed toward the core of the bill that were accepted. The amendments that were accepted were minor in nature, or technical. The only substantive amendment of any sort, which is weak, is that there will be a palliative care review conducted every five years, along with a review of physician-assisted suicide legislation.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, that is a great question, because the Liberals did make a commitment to provide funding for palliative care. The doctors and nurses I have spoken to have said that when proper palliative care is available, the need for physician-assisted suicide just about falls down to nil.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I want to start by saying that I will be splitting my time with the member for Selkirk—Interlake. I want to say right from the outset that I am conceptually opposed to Bill C-14. I believe in the sanctity of life, and I believe that all life, from conception right through to natural death, has value, has worth, and has purpose.

Charities  Mr. Speaker, many residents will eventually return to Fort McMurray, only to find that they have lost everything to the ravages of the devastating wildfire. We can only imagine what they must be going through as their lives have been turned completely upside down, but through all the devastation, the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the local churches, and many other charitable groups have been there to help.

Manitoba  Mr. Speaker, I wear this blue rose and take this opportunity to congratulate Brian Pallister and the Progressive Conservative Party for their election victory in Manitoba. This morning the great people of Manitoba woke up to bluer skies, maybe not literally, but they tell me the clouds are already breaking, but certainly, as our new premier put it, a bluer Manitoba rich in hope and optimism.

Fairness in Charitable Gifts Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Sherbrooke for that question and the opportunity to further clarify what this bill would do and how it is somewhat different from political donations to a party or individual. When a Canadian makes a political donation, there is a cap placed on that donation, and I think it is for good reason.

Fairness in Charitable Gifts Act  Mr. Speaker, I believe the work that charities do right across Canada is very important. I think all Canadians do put their money into a single organization that they expect to do a certain amount of charitable work, and that is the Government of Canada. When we do that, certain agencies and programs are set up to deal with a lot of the issues I have talked about, such as medical issues, education, and social services support, but there are gaps in that system.

Fairness in Charitable Gifts Act  moved that Bill C-239, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (charitable gifts), be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House today to speak to Canadians about my private member's bill, a bill that I believe is fair, would benefit all Canadians, and that will foster a culture of generosity from coast to coast.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Mount Royal for his excellent speech and defence of Bill C-2; however, I would like to focus on the tax-free savings accounts, TFSAs. In my riding and right across Canada, the most prolific users of tax-free savings accounts were our seniors.

Fairness in Charitable Gifts Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-239, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (charitable gifts). Mr. Speaker, my private member's bill is short-titled “fairness in charitable gifts act”. I am very honoured to have the seconder contribute to this. My seconder is the member for Perth—Wellington, and I thank him for that.

Canada's Contribution to the Effort to Combat ISIL  Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to comment on the speech from the hon. member for Elmwood—Transcona. I listened carefully to what the member said. Certainly the government has indicated there are going to be sunnier days and ways, and we are going to be more open and transparent.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Kitchener—Conestoga on his re-election. Further to the member opposite talking about agriculture, I come from a very agriculture-minded riding. Certainly agriculture is a very high priority for me and the folks back home who supported me and want me to represent them here.