Protection of the Unborn Child  moved: That the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights review the current definition of “human being” in section 223(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada and report (a) whether the law needs to be amended to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child so as to provide appropriate legal protection for a child before as well as after birth; and (b) whether the law should be amended so that an unborn child is considered a human being at the point of conception, when the baby's brain waves can be detected, when the baby starts to move within the womb, or when the baby is able to survive outside the womb. Mr. Speaker, a little over a year ago on March 22, 2001 we debated my Motion No. 228 to reword the definition of a human being in the Criminal Code of Canada. One Liberal MP and one Bloc MP refused my two motions for unanimous consent.

An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Cruelty to Animals and Firearms) and the Firearms Act  Crop receipts by comparison have declined by 14%. As the CFA president pointed out, it is important to note that cash receipts do not indicate final farm income. They reflect gross revenue, not the input costs associated with farming. Expenses for farmers rose by 13% during the same period. Fuel costs alone went up 27% and were expected to rise another 10% in the next year.

An act to amend certain acts and instruments and to repeal the Fisheries Prices Support Act  The House was in a state of limbo with no business before it for a couple of hours. So far this fall the House adjourned early for the same reason on November 22, November 20, November 2, October 26, October 25, October 24, October 22 and October 19. This is why we have a bill like Bill C-43 before us. It is not necessary because we do not have time to deal with legislation in a thoughtful and thorough manner.

The Budget  We are seeing the Liberal Party shift to the right and adopt the agenda of the Reform Party in terms of fiscal conservatism, in terms of the law of the jungle and people having to make it on their own in terms of the marketplace. It does not matter where we look. Take, for example, the CBC. There was not a penny last night for the CBC. There was very little for arts in terms of a vision for our country, taking our country back and standing for Canada and our identity. There was very little for international development in terms of playing a role in the third world.

Division No. 72  I was so impressed with the amendment proposed by the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association that I thought all MPs should have the opportunity to debate it as an amendment to Bill C-4 in the House of Commons. It is known as the cash pricing option. I will guide members through it as outlined by the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association in the brief it submitted.

Proceeds Of Crime (Money Laundering) Act  In the first half we had a few choice words about the way the government proceeded to bring Bill C-22 to the House and, indeed, the debacle that we have seen in that whole procedure, to the point where we had to shut down debate yesterday. Let us now turn to the bill itself. I received a research paper from the Library of Parliament which gives a very good explanation of Bill C-22.

Agriculture  We should accelerate or advance the date for the final payments on wheat and barley to provide cash to farmers in a quicker way. If NISA is used, and I am not advocating that it be used, but if it is used it should be provided to farmers as quickly as possible without the red tape that is required to get it.

Excise Tax Act  In fact, the stores that are closing, those that are contemplating closing and the ones that would not open up are killing jobs. If the Liberals want to maintain their integrity which east coast MP is going to resign and run in a byelection? Which east coast MP will defend their failure to honour their promise by taking it back to the people at a cost of $500,000? Which MP has the integrity?

Excise Tax Act  He said that he would kill the GST and when he was questioned by a member of the audience he asked "what radio station, where did I say it, come on?" Fortunately the CBC was mad at the government at that time about the cuts to the CBC, which is another promise that was talked about by the minister of heritage. So the CBC decided to run some tape which would show the Prime Minister for what he is, a person who does not believe a verbal promise is legally binding.

Main Estimates, 1999-2000  They have a lot of senators in that caucus. They could have been there protesting this huge cash grab by the Senate of Canada. The time has come for members of parliament to reflect what their constituents are saying when it comes to the Senate. About 5% of the people support the existing Senate.

Excise Tax Act  I am sure the people in the Niagara Falls area as well as the people in northern Alberta thought: "Oh, finally, if the Liberals come into power, then we are going to see an end to this dreaded GST". For heaven's sake, what do you think happened next? Page 22 of the red book became absolutely famous. I would quote from it now, Mr. Speaker, but you know I do not have my copy any longer, but I certainly know what page 22 said. It said that the federal government was going to do away with the GST.

Department Of Health Act  The Ontario Tories have proposed a 5 per cent pay increase for themselves while slashing hospitals and social programs. At the same time, the Reform MP for Calgary Centre has proposed more than doubling MP salaries to $150,000 while his party has advocated two-tier medicare and the demolition of seniors' pensions. Our government has different priorities".

Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act  There was an article written by Robert Fife in the National Post on March 8: Roger Gallaway, a Liberal MP from Sarnia, Ontario, says he will abstain because 40%—

Members Of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act  There are also some people who would say that it is just one way of giving a raise to MPs while avoiding public scrutiny. A study that was done by Sobeco Ernst & Young talks about that. The minister went on at great length about how we are perhaps underpaid and overpensioned.

Income Tax Act  It is essentially telling people that they will have to pay taxes immediately instead of when they cash in their RRSPs. However, the government does not follow the same reasoning when it comes to capital gains in family trusts. Indeed, it may take up to 80 years before such gains are taxed.