VOLUME 133 NUMBER 149 1st SESSION 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, February 9, 1995 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent HOUSE OF COMMONS Thursday, February 9, 1995 The House met at 10 a.m. He said: Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce this bill to amend the Broadcasting Act. _______________ In recent weeks Canadians have made it clear that they dislike Prayers intensely the policy of the CRTC in allowing cable companies to _______________ demand payment for channels which they have not ordered or authorized. The CRTC in return has said that this is a necessary evil of introducing new channels. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS The bill that I have introduced today will amend the broadcast [English] policy section of the Broadcasting Act to ensure that the CRTC no longer has any discretion in terms of necessary evils such as FINANCE negative option billing. This will limit the control of cable Hon. Douglas Peters (Secretary of State (International companies over their customers, something about which Cana- Financial Institutions), Lib.): Madam Speaker, pursuant to dians have expressed strong opinions. Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and languages, a white paper entitled ‘‘Enhancing the Safety and printed.) Soundness of the Canadian Financial System’’. * * * * * * [Translation] PETITIONS ORDER IN COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS VIOLENT OFFENDERS Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Madam Mrs. Jan Brown (Calgary Southeast, Ref.): Madam Speak- Speaker, I am pleased to table in the House today, in both official er, I rise before this House on day four to present petition languages, a number of order in council appointments made number four. These petitions are being presented on behalf of recently by the government. constituents who wish to halt the early release from prison of Robert Paul Thompson. April 11, 1995 is the date set for the Pursuant to Standing Order 110(1), these are deemed referred parole hearing. to the appropriate standing committees, a list of which is attached. The petitioners I represent are concerned about making our streets safer for our citizens. They are opposed to the current * * * practice of early release of violent offenders prior to serving the [English] full extent of their sentences. The petitioners pray that our streets will be made safer for our GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PETITIONS law–abiding citizens and the families of the victims of con- Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of victed murderers. the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): While I am on my feet I am pleased to table, pursuant to Standing Order ASSISTED SUICIDE 36(8), the government’s response to 12 petitions. Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, Ref.): Madam * * * Speaker, I have several petitions that I would like to present to the House. (1005 ) The first petition asks that Parliament ensure that the present BROADCASTING ACT provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted Mr. Roger Gallaway (Sarnia—Lambton, Lib.) moved for suicide be enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no leave to introduce Bill C–300, an act to amend the Broadcasting changes in the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or Act (broadcasting policy). abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia. 9377 COMMONS DEBATES February 9, 1995 Routine Proceedings CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, Ref.): Madam Mr. Allan Kerpan (Moose Jaw—Lake Centre, Ref.): Mad- Speaker, the second petition requests that Parliament consider am Speaker, I would like to table the concerns of 28 people who that a very vocal minority of citizens are requesting Parliament support and request that Parliament continue to give the Cana- to institute a dual marketing system for wheat and barley for dian Wheat Board monopoly powers in marketing wheat and export. barley for export. Therefore, the petitioners request that Parliament continue to HUMAN RIGHTS give the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly power in marketing wheat and barley for export. Mr. Tom Wappel (Scarborough West, Lib.): Madam Speak- er, I have three petitions to present this morning. The third petition is from a similarly small but very vocal group of citizens requesting Parliament to put in place a dual The first is signed by over 100 citizens of Brownsburg, marketing system for the sale of wheat and barley. They also call Arundel and Lachute, Quebec. They pray that Parliament not on Parliament to continue to grant monopoly powers to the amend the Human Rights Act or the Charter of Rights and Canadian Wheat Board. Freedoms in any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same sex relationships or of homosexuality, includ- GUN CONTROL ing amending the Human Rights Act to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase sexual orienta- Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, Ref.): Madam tion. Speaker, the last petition I have requests that Parliament support laws which will severely punish all violent criminals who use ASSISTED SUICIDE weapons in the commission of a crime and support new Criminal Code firearms control provisions which recognize and protect Mr. Tom Wappel (Scarborough West, Lib.): Madam Speak- the right of law–abiding citizens to own and use recreational er, from the Etobicoke region of metropolitan Toronto, 110 firearms, and support legislation which will repeal and modify citizens have asked that I present a petition praying that Parlia- existing gun control laws which have not improved public safety ment ensure that the present provisions of the Criminal Code of or have proven not to be cost effective or have proven to be Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and overly complex so as to be ineffective and/or unenforceable. that Parliament make no changes in the law which would The number of names on this one is quite extensive. sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia. ASSISTED SUICIDE YOUNG OFFENDERS Mr. Allan Kerpan (Moose Jaw—Lake Centre, Ref.): Mad- am Speaker, I am privileged to table in this House today four Mr. Tom Wappel (Scarborough West, Lib.): Madam Speak- duly certified petitions on behalf of my constituents of Moose er, over 200 citizens have asked me to present a petition with Jaw—Lake Centre. respect to the Young Offenders Act, praying that Parliament recognize and address the concerns they have, in particular to (1010 ) amend the Criminal Code of Canada and the Young Offenders Act to provide for heavier penalties for those convicted of The first petition is signed by 70 people and asks this violent crimes. Parliament to enforce the present provisions of the Criminal Code respecting assisted suicides and that no changes in the law ASSISTED SUICIDE be contemplated by this Parliament. Mr. Len Taylor (The Battlefords—Meadow Lake, NDP): HUMAN RIGHTS Madam Speaker, I have the duty and privilege today of present- ing a petition pursuant to Standing Order 36, sent to me by Val Mr. Allan Kerpan (Moose Jaw—Lake Centre, Ref.): Mad- Lozier of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, signed by residents of am Speaker, I would like table the wishes of 30 people who Meadow Lake, Green Lake, Loon Lake, Makwa, Dorintosh and humbly pray that this Parliament not amend the human rights Rapid View, all communities in the Battlefords—Meadow Lake code to include in the prohibited grounds of discrimination the constituency. undefined phrase sexual orientation. The petitioners note that the majority of Canadians believe RIGHTS OF THE UNBORN that physicians in Canada should be working to save lives, not end them. Therefore, the petitioners pray that Parliament ensure Mr. Allan Kerpan (Moose Jaw—Lake Centre, Ref.): Mad- that present provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibit- am Speaker, I table the concerns of 30 people who ask that this ing assisted suicide be enforced and that Parliament make no Parliament immediately amend the Criminal Code to extend changes in the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or protection to the unborn child. abetting of suicide or active or passive euthanasia. 9378 February 9, 1995 COMMONS DEBATES Routine Proceedings YOUTH grounds of discrimination the undefined phrase ‘‘sexual orientation’’. Mr. Jim Hart (Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt, Ref.): Madam Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first Mr. Peter Milliken (Kingston and the Islands, Lib.): Mad- has 830 signatures from constituents in my riding of Okana- am Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to present a petition gan—Similkameen—Merritt. pursuant to Standing Order 36. The petitioners call upon Parlia- ment to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to protect The petitioners would like to draw to the attention of the individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation. House that the rights and authority of parents over their children have been eroded by legislation and other acts of the Govern- GUN CONTROL ment of Canada, as well as the interpretation of these laws by the Mr. Lee Morrison (Swift Current—Maple Creek—Assini- courts and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. boia, Ref.): Madam Speaker, it is my honour pursuant to Therefore the petitioners call upon Parliament to return to Standing Order 36 to table three duly certified petitions from parents, teachers and people in authority the right to exercise constituents of mine. judicious control over the actions of children and protect the The first one is signed by 61 residents primarily of the rights of people in authority to use reasonable force to modify Assiniboia and Rockglen districts. It calls upon Parliament not the behaviour of children as currently set out in the Criminal to enact any further firearms control legislation, regulations or Code of Canada, section 43.