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CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 137 Ï NUMBER 095 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 37th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, October 16, 2001 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) All parliamentary publications are available on the ``Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire´´ at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 6163 HOUSE OF COMMONS Tuesday, October 16, 2001 The House met at 10 a.m. the surrounding region who are very keen that VIA Rail service be resumed between Toronto and Peterborough. Prayers They see this as providing great environmental advantages in the reduction in greenhouse gases and helping Canada meet its Kyoto agreement. They see it as reducing congestion on the highways and ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS reducing accident rates on the highways. They see it as something Ï (1000) which will strengthen the business environment not only of Peterborough but also of the greater Toronto area. [English] ORDER IN COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS This project, the re-establishment of VIA Rail, has support in Mr. Geoff Regan (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of eight federal ridings. the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number *** of order in council appointments made recently by the government. Ï (1010) *** Ï (1005) QUESTIONS ON THE ORDER PAPER INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS Mr. Geoff Regan (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of Mrs. Sue Barnes (London West, Lib.): Madam Speaker, the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Madam pursuant to Standing Order 34 I have the honour to present to the Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand. House, in both official languages, two reports from the Canadian Branch, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association concerning the The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos): Is that agreed? 40th Canadian Regional Conference which was held in Edmonton, Alberta from July 16 to 22, 2001 and the 47th Commonwealth Some hon. members: Agreed. Parliamentary Conference, which was held in Australia from September 4 to 14, 2001. *** *** BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE PETITIONS SEXUAL PREDATORS Ms. Marlene Catterall (Ottawa WestNepean, Lib.): Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Mr. Rob Merrifield (Yellowhead, Canadian Alliance): Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table a petition on behalf of concerned citizens of Yellowhead on the protection of children from sexual Discussions have taken place between all parties and the member predators. for Davenport concerning the taking of the division on Bill C-287 scheduled for later today at the conclusion of private members' The petition calls on parliament to pass legislation requiring a business. I believe you would find consent for the following: minimum jail sentence of 20 years for violent sexual child predators. They call for legislation that would see repeat offenders jailed That at the conclusion of today's debate on Bill C-287, all questions necessary to indefinitely. dispose of the motion for second reading be deemed put, a recorded division deemed requested and deferred to Wednesday, October 17, 2001 at the expiry of the time The petition is part of the Carrie's Guardian Angel Initiative and provided for government orders. was signed by 825 of my constituents. The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos): The House has heard the VIA RAIL terms of the motion. Is there agreement? Mr. Peter Adams (Peterborough, Lib.): Madam Speaker, I rise to present two more petitions from the citizens of Peterborough and Some hon. members: Agreed. 6164 COMMONS DEBATES October 16, 2001 Government Orders (Motion agreed to) Bill C-36 is one element of the Government of Canada's comprehensive action plan on Canadian security, a plan whose objectives are to stop terrorists from getting into Canada and protect Canadian citizens from terrorist acts, to bring forward tools to GOVERNMENT ORDERS identify, prosecute, convict and punish terrorists, to keep our borders secure and to work with the international community to bring [English] terrorists to justice and address the root causes of hatred. ANTI-TERRORISM ACT Hon. Anne McLellan (Minister of Justice and Attorney In developing this legislation we have paid close attention to what General of Canada, Lib.) moved that Bill C-36, an act to amend other democratic countries are doing in their fight against terrorism. the Criminal Code, the Official Secrets Act, the Canada Evidence It is important that we act in a way that is consistent with the Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Act and other acts, approach of other democratic nations and in conformity with and to enact measures respecting the registration of charities in order international law. to combat terrorism, be read the second time and referred to a committee. The world changed on September 11 in a way that changed our She said: Madam Speaker, I want to thank members for the collective sense of safety and security. Reviewing our legal opportunity to rise in the House this morning to speak in support of framework was one component of a more thorough review Bill C-36, the Government of Canada's anti-terrorism act. undertaken by the federal government to strengthen our national security. Be assured that all democratic nations have undertaken a [Translation] similar re-examination. Before commenting on specific measures, I would like to highlight this government's commitment to the fight against Canadians have much to be proud of and much to protect. This terrorism. This bill represents an important component of the federal bill strikes a balance between our desire to maintain the values of government's comprehensive strategy to strengthen national security. freedom and individual rights and our collective determination to protect our citizens. [English] The horrific terrorist acts of September 11 created suffering, fear [Translation] and uncertainty. These events challenged Canadians' sense of safety and security and it is this that we must address as our first priority. Canadians can rest assured that we kept in mind the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the charter when drafting our proposals. Terrorism seeks to undermine the rule of law and human rights. Terrorism seeks to undermine our values and way of life. Terrorism [English] tries to turn one community against another, religion against religion, and race against race. Terrorism seeks all these things but it will achieve none of them, not here in Canada. This government has been The bill reaffirms the equal right of every citizen of whatever clear but it is worth repeating over and over again: this is not a war religion, race or ethnic origin to enjoy the security, protections and against any one group or ethnicity but a war against terrorism. liberties shared by all Canadians. Ï (1015) Amendments to the criminal code would allow the courts to order [Translation] the deletion of publicly available hate propaganda from computer systems such as an Internet site. Those who post material will be The measures contained in this bill target persons and activities provided the opportunity to convince the court that the material is that undermine the security and welfare of Canadians. Our efforts are not hate propaganda. The provision would apply to hate propaganda directed against terrorist acts, not against the members of a specific that is located on Canadian computer systems regardless of where community, ethnicity, or religion. Diversity is one of Canada's the owner of the material is located or whether he or she can be greatest strengths and we are taking measures to protect it. identified. [English] We are marshalling our resources against the forces of terror while Further, criminal code amendments would create a new offence of still maintaining our commitment to the enduring values of mischief, motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on religion, democracy. Striking the proper balance has always been the race, colour, national or ethnic origin, committed against a place of challenge of democratic governments. This has never been more religious worship or associated religious property. true than it is today. We are protecting our values and defining the threat that terrorism poses to free and civilized nations everywhere. In addition, the Canadian Human Rights Act will be amended to These values receive an important part of their legal expression in clarify that communication of hate messages using new technology, the charter of rights and freedoms. We will protect the very thing that such as the Internet, constitutes a discriminatory practice. While such terrorism seeks to disrupt, namely, maintaining the balance between communication is already interpreted to be discriminatory, these an open and just society and a safe and secure one. amendments will add certainty and clarity to the law. October 16, 2001 COMMONS DEBATES 6165 Government Orders I should like to describe the approach we have developed in Bill upon the lawful activities of legitimate political groups or lobby C-36. The proposed legislative package focuses on three elements. organizations. In addition, the legislation would permit the Bill C-36 targets terrorist activity and those who would carry out or designation of groups whose activities meet the definition of support such activity. The three main objectives of the new measures terrorist activity. are as follows: first, to suppress the very existence of terrorist groups; second, to provide new investigative tools; and, third, to I will speak now to the issue of new offences as laid out in the provide a tougher sentencing regime to incapacitate terrorists and legislation and as targeted to acts of terrorism. Comprehensive new terrorist groups. terrorism offences under the criminal code have been created. These include offences relating to participating in, facilitating or instructing The bill seeks to identify, dismantle, prosecute and punish terrorist terrorist activity and harbouring others who carry out terrorist activity. Bill C-36 includes criminal code amendments to ratify the activity.