Tuesday, March 21, 1995
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VOLUME 133 NUMBER 171 1st SESSION 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, March 21, 1995 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent HOUSE OF COMMONS Tuesday, March 21, 1995 The House met at 10 a.m. [Translation] _______________ MAINTENANCE OF RAILWAY OPERATIONS ACT, 1995 Prayers Hon. Lucienne Robillard (Minister of Labour, Lib.) moved for leave to introduce Bill C–77, an act to provide for the _______________ maintenance of railway operations and subsidiary services. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS printed.) [Translation] The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu): When shall the bill be read the second time? Later this day? COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE DEPLOYMENT OF CANADIAN FORCES IN SOMALIA Some hon. members: Agreed. Hon. David Michael Collenette (Minister of National De- Some hon. members: No. fence and Minister of Veterans Affairs, Lib.): Madam Speak- er, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and further to the The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu): At the next sitting of the commitment made in this House on November 17, 1994, I am House. pleased to table, in both official languages, an order in council establishing the commission of inquiry as to the deployment of * * * the Canadian Forces to Somalia. [English] [English] RAIL STRIKE This is an order in council establishing the commission of inquiry as to the deployment of the Canadian forces to Somalia. Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Madam * * * Speaker, I seek the unanimous consent of the House for the CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT following order. I move: That notwithstanding any standing order, immediately after the completion Hon. Allan Rock (Minister of Justice and Attorney Gener- of Private Members’ Business on this day, the House shall revert to Government al of Canada, Lib.): Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 61(3) Orders for the purpose of considering Bill C–77, an act to provide for the of the Canadian Human Rights Act and Standing Order 32(2), I maintenance of railway operations and subsidiary services at the second reading stage, in committee of the whole, at the report stage and at the third reading am pleased to table, in both official languages, le rapport annuel stage, provided that the House shall not adjourn this day except pursuant to a de la Commission des droits humains for the year 1994 for motion by a minister of the crown. referral to the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons. In light of the substantial losses being suffered in the Cana- dian economy as a result of this rail strike, it is appropriate that * * * the House deal with this motion. I seek consent to put it to the House today. (1005 ) [Translation] GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PETITIONS The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu): Does the hon. parlia- Mr. Peter Milliken (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of mentary secretary have the unanimous consent of the House to the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Madam table the motion? Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government’s response to Mr. Duceppe: Madam Speaker, I must say no. We proposed 32 petitions. amendments to the government. Had it accepted them, we would 10751 COMMONS DEBATES March 21, 1995 Routine Proceedings have had all three readings today. However, given its refusal, I and association, therefore the petitioners call on Parliament to must withhold our party’s consent. oppose any amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act or to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which would provide for The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Maheu): We therefore do not the inclusion of the phrase sexual orientation. have unanimous consent. [English] * * * Mr. Hermanson: Madam Speaker, I want to make it clear that BILL C–41 the Reform caucus is not part of the opposition’s response. We support the speedy passage of legislation to end the rail strike Mr. Peter Adams (Peterborough, Lib.): Madam Speaker, given its drastic consequences for the Canadian economy. this is the second petition on a related matter. It says whereas the majority of Canadians believe everyone * * * currently has equal status under the law and whereas Bill C–41, PETITIONS section 718.2, would give special provisions based on sexual orientation, therefore the petitioners pray and request that DANGEROUS OFFENDERS Parliament not pass Bill C–41 with section 718.2 as presently written and that in any event, it not include the undefined phrase Mrs. Diane Ablonczy (Calgary North, Ref.): Madam Speak- ‘‘sexual orientation’’, as the behaviour people engage in does er, I have the honour to present today a petition on behalf of the not warrant special consideration under Canadian law. citizens of Calgary asking that dangerous offenders be ineligible for parole until their full sentence has been served. DISCRIMINATION CANADIAN ARMED FORCES Mr. Peter Adams (Peterborough, Lib.): Madam Speaker, the last petition I have states that the undersigned residents of Mr. Jack Frazer (Saanich—Gulf Islands, Ref.): Madam Canada draw to the attention of the House of Commons that Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is my duty and honour members of Parliament have recently made hateful comments to rise in the House to present a petition duly certified by the which contribute to the climate of intolerance, fear and violence clerk of petitions on behalf of 43 individuals from Ontario. for lesbian, gay and bisexual Canadians; that more than 80 per The petitioners request that Parliament at the earliest possible cent of Canadians believe that gay men, lesbians and bisexuals time initiate a wide ranging public inquiry replacing many being are subject to discrimination and that many gay and lesbian convened piecemeal into the Canadian Armed Forces, including Canadians have been harassed, beaten or even murdered in reserves which will investigate, report and make recommenda- violent expression of this discrimination; and that the Charter of tions on all matters affecting its operations, tasking, resources, Rights and Freedoms guarantees everyone equal rights. effectiveness, morale and welfare. Therefore, the petitioners call on Parliament to amend the (1010 ) Canadian Human Rights Act to protect individuals from dis- crimination based on sexual orientation. BILL C–240 GUN CONTROL Mr. Jack Frazer (Saanich—Gulf Islands, Ref.): Madam Speaker, I have a second petition to present on behalf of 57 Mr. Bill Gilmour (Comox—Alberni, Ref.): Madam Speak- constituents of Saanich—Gulf Islands and surrounding area, er, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present the again duly certified by the clerk of petitions. following three petitions from my constituents of Comox—Al- berni. The petitioners call on Parliament to enact legislation against serious personal injury crimes being committed by high risk The first petition contains 780 signatures and calls on Parlia- offenders by permitting the use of post sentence detention ment not to enact any further firearms control legislation, orders and specifically by passing Bill C–240. regulations or orders in council. HUMAN RIGHTS The second petition comes from constituents all across Brit- ish Columbia and contains 454 signatures. It requests that Mr. Peter Adams (Peterborough, Lib.): Madam Speaker, I Parliament refuse to accept the justice minister’s anti–firearms have three sets of petitions on related matters, but the petitions proposals and insist that he bring forward legislation to convict are different. and punish criminals rather than persecute the innocent. The first one says that because of the inclusion of sexual JUSTICE orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act, it will provide certain groups with special status, rights and privileges; that Mr. Bill Gilmour (Comox—Alberni, Ref.): Madam Speak- because the inclusion will infringe on the historic rights of er, this last petition comes from across Canada and contains 550 Canadians such as freedom of religion, conscience, expression signatures. 10752 March 21, 1995 COMMONS DEBATES Supply The petitioners request that in memory of Dawn Shaw, a This motion has become necessary because of the Canadian six–year–old girl who was murdered in my riding of Comox— heritage minister’s refusal to be open and confirm the informa- Alberni, that this petition be brought to the attention of Parlia- tion his deputy minister gave the President of the CBC on the ment. day the budget was tabled in this House. According to this information, in the next three years, the CBC will have to absorb The petitioners request that Parliament enact legislation to some $350 million in cuts, despite this government’s formal and change the justice system to provide greater protection for oft–repeated commitment to stable multi–year financing for the children from sexual assault and to assure conviction of offend- CBC. ers. ASSISTED SUICIDE This lack of openness on the part of the minister and this stubborn denial of the facts show contempt for CBC employees. Mr. Mac Harb (Ottawa Centre, Lib.): Madam Speaker, it They create a climate of insecurity which can only harm our TV gives me great pleasure to present a petition to Parliament network. That is why our motion today condemns the minister calling on the House of Commons to ensure that the present for not disclosing all the cuts planned at the CBC. This course of provisions in the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide be conduct is also being denounced by the francophone press. enforced vigorously and that Parliament make no changes in the law that would sanction or would allow the aiding or abetting of For those who know how to read and listen, the government suicide or active or passive euthanasia. had made clear commitments to the CBC. On October 4, 1993, the Canadian Conference of the Arts distributed a questionnaire * * * aimed at finding out the main political parties’ respective positions on culture and communications.