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. ( 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 prohibiting assisted Mr. Roger Gallaway (—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.

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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. (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 , 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, , 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.

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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 (—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. orders in council.

They are also calling for amendments to the Young Offenders ASSISTED SUICIDE Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and other acts that may apply to reinstitute the authority of law enforcement Mr. Lee Morrison (Swift Current—Maple Creek—Assini- officers in dealing with children or minors. boia, Ref.): Madam Speaker, the second and third petitions are identical in content. One has 53 signatures from the Swift GUN CONTROL Current and Maple Creek districts, calling upon Parliament to ensure that the provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibiting assisted suicide be enforced vigorously and that Mr. Jim Hart (Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt, Ref.): Parliament make no changes in the law which would sanction or Madam Speaker, the second petition adds again to the growing allow the aiding or abetting of suicide or active or passive number of people from Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt who euthanasia. are opposed to any additional gun legislation. With this petition there are 1,356 people who now call on Parliament to oppose any The wording of the third petition is identical, also calling further legislation for firearms acquisition and possession and upon Parliament not to sanction assisted suicide. It has 32 to provide strict guidelines and mandatory sentencing for use or signatures from the Coronach area. possession of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. HUMAN RIGHTS The people of Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt feel that we have a crime problem, not a gun problem. I agree. Mr. Cliff Breitkreuz (Yellowhead, Ref.): Madam Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 36 I rise to present The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu): I think it is time to several petitions signed by constituents of my riding of Yello- remind members that when they are presenting petitions, adding whead. to the prayer of the petition is considered debate. I would ask The first petition asks that Parliament not amend the human members to keep their interventions short. Even saying you rights code or the charter of rights and freedoms in any way agree with your petitioners is participating in debate. which would indicate societal approval of same sex relation- ships. (1015 ) RIGHTS OF THE UNBORN HUMAN RIGHTS Mr. Cliff Breitkreuz (Yellowhead, Ref.): Madam Speaker, the second petition prays that Parliament extend the same Mr. (Athabasca, Ref.): Madam Speaker, in protection to the unborn child as that enjoyed by born human accordance with Standing Order 36 I would like to present this beings. petition from the residents of my constituency of Athabasca. ASSISTED SUICIDE The petitioners request that Parliament not amend the Cana- dian Human Rights Act or the charter of rights and freedoms in Mr. Cliff Breitkreuz (Yellowhead, Ref.): Madam Speaker, any way which would tend to indicate societal approval of same the third petition asks that Parliament make no changes in the sex relationships or of homosexuality, including amending the law which would sanction or allow the aiding or abetting of Canadian Human Rights Act to include in the prohibited suicide or active or passive euthanasia.

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Government Orders I am pleased to present these petitions. am optimistic that the House will deal with this motion quickly today so that concurrence can be had. The government will then * * * move rapidly to bring in a bill with some minor adjustments possibly in language which can then be referred to the commit- QUESTIONS ON THE ORDER PAPER tee once again for a detailed study and possible report to the House and action. Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Madam The purpose of this new procedure is to strengthen the role of Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand. members of Parliament in bringing their ideas to bear on policy The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu): Shall all questions decisions affecting legislation. The Standing Committee on stand? Procedure and House Affairs had ample opportunity to hear witnesses put forward views on the bill that has been put before Some hon. members: Agreed. the House as part of the committee’s report.

______In my view the committee members worked together very well and in a very non–partisan way to come up with what in terms of our best judgment would constitute a good new set of GOVERNMENT ORDERS rules governing the redistribution of electoral boundaries in Canada. [English] I would like to thank the members of the legislative counsel COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE branch of the House of Commons, Ms. Diane McMurray and Mr. Louis–Philippe Côté, for their assistance in the drafting of the PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS bill.

Hon. David Anderson (for the Leader of the Government [Translation] in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada, Lib.) moved: I would like to thank the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, That, pursuant to Standing Order 68(4)(a), the 51st report of the Standing Jean–Pierre Kingsley, and his staff members, Jacques Girard Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented to the House on Friday, November 25, 1994 be concurred in. and Carol Lesage, who assisted the committee in its work.

Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of The committee was also assisted by witnesses from across the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Madam Canada, who came to Ottawa in July when we spent three days Speaker, I am delighted to rise today to participate in what really discussing ideas and suggestions on redistribution. I would like is a historic debate. It is historic not because the idea of to thank them because their help was invaluable. redistribution is something that is new or that there is anything particularly novel or revolutionary about the bill that is before I would like to thank more particularly the committee mem- the House, or will be before the House as a result of today’s bers who worked so hard in July and since then, reading the debate, but because this is the first time in the House we have drafts of the report and making suggestions for improvements. used a new procedure established about a year ago for dealing My special thanks to the hon. members for Bellechasse, Calgary with the business of the House in allowing committees to draft West and Kindersley—Lloydminster, who, together with gov- and bring in bills. ernment members, tried to find the most effective way to change The 51st report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and this legislation. House Affairs contains in it a draft bill to amend the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act. In fact it replaces the Electoral On this side of the House, the hon. member for , the Boundaries Readjustment Act. That bill was drafted by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works, the members of the committee who have been working on this for hon. member for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell and the hon. some considerable period of time. member for Scarborough—Rouge River also made a major contribution. (1020 ) [English] As chairman of the committee I am particularly pleased to be able to speak on behalf of the government House leader to propose this motion for concurrence to the House. Our meetings were extremely productive. We worked well together and I think the report reflects that, notwithstanding the Adoption of this motion will constitute an order to the dissent of the Reform Party on two important points. I hope to government to bring in a bill based on the committee’s report. I deal with those in my remarks.

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Government Orders How did we get to this point on this issue? People ask why to look at the recommendations of the Royal Commission on we embarked on a change in the redistribution act. I suggest Electoral Reform and Party Financing and make a series of there were several problems with the old law and those are the recommendations to this House. problems we have tried to rectify. The first issue I want to talk about is the cap or reduction in First, the proposed maps which came out last year just shortly the number of seats in the House of Commons. Members of all after Parliament first met came with no forewarning and no parties came to this issue hoping either to cap membership or to opportunity provided to members of the House for input into reduce the size of the House of Commons. After very careful what those maps might contain. Members of the House and some consideration of the matter, after hearing witnesses on this point members of the public were presented with what appeared to be and after reviewing the report of the commission I referred to, a fait accompli. It was done at the very opening of a new the majority of the members realized that a cap or reduction was Parliament immediately following an election based on those simply not feasible at this time. maps. The committee has addressed this problem. There will be consultation before the first map is produced the next time. Under the present formula, there will be a modest growth in the House from 295 members to 301 after the next election. The Second, the commissions were not required to provide any difficulty with a cap or a reduction is related to constitutional justification for their proposals, although some commissions problems, particularly the guarantee that no province will have did so in any case. It was accordingly difficult, if not impossible, fewer seats in the House than there are in the other place. for members of the public and for members of Parliament to understand the rationale for the changes that were suggested or for them to make constructive ideas as to how the maps might be The number of senators is not equal or related to population improved. The committee has made it plain in its report