Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, the member's question is the very thing that hunting and fishing organizations fear, because it is not clearly defined. I would like the bill sent to committee where we could hear from witnesses and get the answers so we could change the bill so it would no longer be flawed.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, the hon. member's question does not have anything to do with what we are talking about. Right now, fishing and hunting organizations are concerned about the potential for prosecution under this bill. Animal rights groups have said that they will look to this bill, once passed, to cause prosecutions against fishermen and hunters.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to speak to Bill C-50, the animal cruelty bill. Like others before it that attempted to legislate against animal cruelty, this bill as presented is flawed. It is flawed in such a way that it could attempt to make criminals out of law-abiding citizens in my riding of Leeds--Grenville.

U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative  Mr. Speaker, had we had an opportunity to debate this and get a motion on the floor a long time ago, we could have had that unanimity among parliamentarians in Canada. The reality is this goes back to the fact that the government uses Canada-U.S. relations as a pinata to be used for electoral purposes on an ongoing basis.

U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative  Mr. Speaker, before I answer that question, I want to talk about the fact that this is the first time we have had a debate in the House about this issue. The issue has gone on for a long time and now it has been brought forward. It was up to us to bring it forward. I attended a border caucus meeting back in early September and not one single member of the government was at that meeting with our U.S. counterparts.

U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative  Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening on this issue that is so very important for all of Canada but which of course has a specific interest for my riding of Leeds—Grenville, as we are so heavily dependent upon three sectors, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, all of which depend on the ability to cross the border and go back and forth with the flow of goods and people.

Justice  Mr. Speaker, yesterday Canadians heard more dithering when the justice minister dismissed calls for mandatory prison sentences from front line police groups by referring to evidence that such sentences do not work. In the next breath, he also said that Canada already has mandatory minimums and that he has told police and victims groups that he will consider more of them.

Great Lakes  Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes are a precious resource. Only 1% of the water of the Great Lakes is renewed each year. We have seen recently how easily water levels in the lakes can be unbalanced by man and nature. Currently, eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces are reviewing the terms of the implementing agreement for the Great Lakes Annex 2001.

Border Security  Mr. Speaker, in June the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence reported on the lack of security at the Canadian border. Specifically, it noted the deliberate alteration of an original independent report by the government to delete a reference to the need for an armed presence at border crossings.

Gasoline Prices  Madam Speaker, as we come back to start this session it is fitting that we are having this take note debate this evening, because this is now probably the most burning issue on Canadians' minds. In my riding of Leeds—Grenville, we have farmers who are now taking crops off the fields.

Civil Marriage Act  Mr. Speaker, first, let us talk about democracy. In 2003 the justice committee was shut down without the opportunity to report to Parliament. Liberal members were hiding in the hall and not allowing quorum. I sat on the legislative committee that dealt with Bill C-38. Witnesses were bunched four and five at a time.

Civil Marriage Act  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member for Davenport on his election a year ago today, as was I. The member asked whether I supported my leader's comment about the legislation having less legitimacy because it was not supported by a majority of federalist members of Parliament.

Civil Marriage Act  Mr. Speaker, the whole issue revolves around the rights of children. If we make marriage an adult-centred institution then we do so to the detriment of it being a children-centred institution. That is one of the many concerns I have about this legislation. I talked about the process and I would like to go back to that for a second because it is another thing that I am greatly concerned about.

Civil Marriage Act  Mr. Speaker, I would seek unanimous consent to split my time with the member for Niagara West--Glanbrook.

Civil Marriage Act  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to stand in this House today and state my unequivocal opposition to Bill C-38. I am in agreement with many of my colleagues on this issue, in that I support the traditional definition of marriage which is the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.