Criminal Code  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-521, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (means of communication for child luring). Mr. Speaker, this bill makes it illegal for any Canadian citizen or permanent resident to lure a child outside the borders of Canada and makes prosecution possib

Criminal Code  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-520, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (luring a child outside Canada). Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to introduce two bills that aim to protect our youth in a way that the government has yet to address. The first involves legislati

ATLANTIC SHELLFISH INDUSTRY  Mr. Chair, that is the concern I am hearing on both coasts, certainly from the leaders in area 19. They have expressed a willingness to be involved and a willingness to make the tough decisions, for instance, to take less at times when they recognize that it is for the greater go

ATLANTIC SHELLFISH INDUSTRY  Mr. Chair, in terms of calling witnesses to appear at committee, I think the committee will look at that and look at everyone we involve. We will look at all suggestions. I do not have a problem looking at all perspectives. On the west coast, which we are dealing with right now

ATLANTIC SHELLFISH INDUSTRY  Mr. Chair, I think the situation is a lack of funding. In terms of science, we can get good science if the resources are there in order to get that science. Unfortunately, that has been an issue, not only on the east coast, but on the west coast where I am from that has certainly

ATLANTIC SHELLFISH INDUSTRY  Mr. Chair, unfortunately, the situation is at the point now where such a drastic measure has been taken that it will impact many families and fishers who rely on the snow crab. That might mean that we need intervention immediately to assist those who will suffer this year due to

ATLANTIC SHELLFISH INDUSTRY  Mr. Chair, I rise today to bring light to a situation that is unfolding in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. As all hon. members are aware, the Canadian snow crab fishery represents an important part of the livelihood of many families in the Atlantic region and Quebec. Today we find o

Fishing Industry  Mr. Speaker, in a report released today, Dr. Andrew Wright states that land-based, closed containment salmon farming is economically and technically feasible and is less environmentally damaging than current open-net farming. We know the government wants to expand west coast aqu

Fisheries Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-518, An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (closed containment aquaculture). Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill that aims to strengthen the Fisheries Act by requiring fish farm operations on B.C.'s west coast to move to close containmen

Police Funding  Mr. Speaker, in 2006 the Conservative government promised funding for 2,500 new police officers. Municipalities like New Westminster, Coquitlam and Port Moody were counting on this money for their police forces. Coquitlam, for example, has one of the lowest police to population r

Fisheries  Mr. Speaker, last year Fraser River sockeye, which passed through a gauntlet of salmon farms in Georgia Strait, suffered a massive loss. However, that same year the Harrison salmon run, which did not pass by those fish farms, reported good returns. Coincidence? Possibly. Howeve

Fisheries  Mr. Speaker, sea lice is a serious problem for west coast salmon. Around the world, fish farms have been identified as a major source of sea lice infestations. The government has launched an inquiry but by the time the recommendations come out it may be too late to protect our

Canada Shipping Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-502, An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (prohibition against oil tankers in Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound). Mr. Speaker, my bill would amend the Canada Shipping Act by prohibiting the transportation of oil

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, for almost 40 years the B.C. coast has been oil tanker free. However, that is now threatened by the Enbridge pipeline proposal that promises to bring tar sand crude from Alberta to B.C.'s coast for export. All it would take is one accident to inflict serious damage o

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, this week a number of first nations, businesses and community organizations from across British Columbia came out against this pipeline proposal and the tanker traffic it would bring along. Yet the government is still working hand in glove with the Enbridge proposal