Tuesday, March 21, 1995

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Tuesday, March 21, 1995 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.
Recommended publications
  • Core 1..164 Hansard (PRISM::Advent3b2 15.25)
    House of Commons Debates VOLUME 146 Ï NUMBER 206 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 41st PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, February 7, 2013 Speaker: The Honourable Andrew Scheer CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 13823 HOUSE OF COMMONS Thursday, February 7, 2013 The House met at 10 a.m. COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE PROCEDURE AND HOUSE AFFAIRS Mr. Joe Preston (Elgin—Middlesex—London, CPC): Mr. Prayers Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 40th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in relation to the report of the Federal Electoral Boundaries ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Commission for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ï (1005) *** [Translation] [Translation] CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE Mr. Pierre Lemieux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Ms. Nycole Turmel (Hull—Aylmer, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I would of Agriculture, CPC): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32 like to move the following motion: (2) and section 4 of the User Fees Act, I have the honour to table, in That, at the conclusion of today's debate on the opposition motion in the name of the both official languages, a copy of the Canadian Grain Commission's member for Parkdale—High Park, all questions necessary to dispose of the motion be deemed put and a recorded division deemed requested and deferred to Tuesday, proposal to Parliament for user fees and service standards. User fees February 12, 2013, at the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders. will be payable as soon as the proposal comes into force.
    [Show full text]
  • Hill Times, Health Policy Review, 17NOV2014
    TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR, NO. 1260 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSWEEKLY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014 $4.00 HEARD ON THE HILL BUZZ NEWS HARASSMENT Artist paints Queen, other prominent MPs like ‘kings, queens in their people, wants a national portrait gallery little domains,’ contribute to ‘culture of silence’: Clancy BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT “The combination of power and testosterone often leads, unfortu- n arm’s-length process needs nately, to poor judgment, especially Ato be established to deal in a system where there has been with allegations of misconduct no real process to date,” said Nancy or harassment—sexual and Peckford, executive director of otherwise—on Parliament Hill, Equal Voice Canada, a multi-par- say experts, as the culture on tisan organization focused on the Hill is more conducive to getting more women elected. inappropriate behaviour than the average workplace. Continued on page 14 NEWS HARASSMENT Campbell, Proctor call on two unnamed NDP harassment victims to speak up publicly BY ABBAS RANA Liberal Senator and a former A NDP MP say the two un- identifi ed NDP MPs who have You don’t say: Queen Elizabeth, oil on canvas, by artist Lorena Ziraldo. Ms. Ziraldo said she got fed up that Ottawa doesn’t have accused two now-suspended a national portrait gallery, so started her own, kind of, or at least until Nov. 22. Read HOH p. 2. Photograph courtesy of Lorena Ziraldo Liberal MPs of “serious person- al misconduct” should identify themselves publicly and share their experiences with Canadians, NEWS LEGISLATION arguing that it is not only a ques- tion of fairness, but would also be returns on Monday, as the race helpful to address the issue in a Feds to push ahead on begins to move bills through the transparent fashion.
    [Show full text]
  • By Omission and Commission : 'Race'
    National Library Bibliothbque nationale 1*1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Direction des acquisitions et Bibliographic Services Branch des services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa (Ontario) KIA ON4 KIA ON4 Your hie Votre ri2ference Our Me Notre reference The author has granted an L'auteur a accorde une licence irrevocable non-exclusive licence irriivocable et non exclusive allowing the National Library of permettant a la Bibliotheque Canada to reproduce, loan, nationale du Canada de distribute or sell copies of reproduire, prGter, distribuer ou his/her thesis by any means and vendre des copies de sa these in any form or format, making de quelque maniere et sous this thesis available to interested quelque forme que ce soit pour persons. mettre des exemplaires de cette these a la disposition des personnes interessees. The author retains ownership of L'auteur conserve la propriete du the copyright in his/her thesis. droit d'auteur qui protege sa Neither the thesis nor substantial these. Ni la these ni des extraits extracts from it may be printed or substantiels de celle-ci ne otherwise reproduced without doivent &re imprimes ou his/her permission. autrement reproduits sans son autorisation. ISBN 0-315-91241-3 BY OMISSION AND COMMISSION: 'RACE' AND REPRESENTATION IN CANADIAN TELEVISION NEWS by Yasmin Jiwani B.A., University of British Columbia, 1979 M.A., Simon Fraser University, 1984 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the Department of Communication @ Yasmin Jiwani 1993 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY July, 1993 All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Tuesday, March 27, 2001
    CANADA 1st SESSION · 37th PARLIAMENT · VOLUME 139 · NUMBER 20 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, March 27, 2001 THE HONOURABLE DAN HAYS SPEAKER CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue.) Debates and Publications: Chambers Building, Room 943, Tel. 996-0193 Published by the Senate Available from Canada Communication Group — Publishing, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa K1A 0S9, Also available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 438 THE SENATE Tuesday, March 27, 2001 The Senate met at 2 p.m., the Speaker in the Chair. champions. With one more step to climb, albeit a steep one, their dream of a world championship became a reality Saturday night Prayers. in Ogden, Utah. With Islanders in the stands and hundreds of others watching on television at the Silver Fox Curling Club in Summerside, SENATORS’ STATEMENTS these young women put on a show that was at once both inspiring and chilling. It was certainly a nervous time for everyone because those of us who have been watching all week QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE knew that the team Canada was playing in the finals was not only the defending world champion but the same team that had UNEQUAL TREATMENT OF SENATORS—NOTICE defeated Canada earlier in the week during the round robin. With steely determination, the young Canadian team overcame that The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to inform mental obstacle and earned the world championship in the you that, in accordance with rule 43(3) of the Rules of the Senate, process. the Clerk of the Senate received, at 10:52 this morning, written notice of a question of privilege by the Honourable Senator The welcome the Canadian team received last night on their Carney, P.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Core 1..186 Hansard
    CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 140 Ï NUMBER 060 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 38th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Friday, February 18, 2005 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 3683 HOUSE OF COMMONS Friday, February 18, 2005 The House met at 10 a.m. (a) the motion shall again be considered on a day designated by the Government after consultation with the House Leaders of the other parties, but in any case not later than the tenth sitting day after the interruption; Prayers (b) debate on the motion shall be resumed at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment on the day designated pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section and shall not be further interrupted or adjourned; and (c) when no Member rises to speak or after three hours of debate, whichever is GOVERNMENT ORDERS earlier, the Speaker shall put all questions necessary to dispose of the motion, provided that, if a recorded division is requested on the motion considered on a (1000) Ï day designated pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Standing Order, it shall stand [English] deferred to an appointed time on the next Wednesday, no later than the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders on that day. STANDING ORDERS (3) Not more than one motion for the concurrence in a report from a standing or Hon. Anne McLellan (for the Leader of the Government in the special committee may be moved on any sitting day.
    [Show full text]
  • 1976-77-Annual-Report.Pdf
    TheCanada Council Members Michelle Tisseyre Elizabeth Yeigh Gertrude Laing John James MacDonaId Audrey Thomas Mavor Moore (Chairman) (resigned March 21, (until September 1976) (Member of the Michel Bélanger 1977) Gilles Tremblay Council) (Vice-Chairman) Eric McLean Anna Wyman Robert Rivard Nini Baird Mavor Moore (until September 1976) (Member of the David Owen Carrigan Roland Parenteau Rudy Wiebe Council) (from May 26,1977) Paul B. Park John Wood Dorothy Corrigan John C. Parkin Advisory Academic Pane1 Guita Falardeau Christopher Pratt Milan V. Dimic Claude Lévesque John W. Grace Robert Rivard (Chairman) Robert Law McDougall Marjorie Johnston Thomas Symons Richard Salisbury Romain Paquette Douglas T. Kenny Norman Ward (Vice-Chairman) James Russell Eva Kushner Ronald J. Burke Laurent Santerre Investment Committee Jean Burnet Edward F. Sheffield Frank E. Case Allan Hockin William H. R. Charles Mary J. Wright (Chairman) Gertrude Laing J. C. Courtney Douglas T. Kenny Michel Bélanger Raymond Primeau Louise Dechêne (Member of the Gérard Dion Council) Advisory Arts Pane1 Harry C. Eastman Eva Kushner Robert Creech John Hirsch John E. Flint (Member of the (Chairman) (until September 1976) Jack Graham Council) Albert Millaire Gary Karr Renée Legris (Vice-Chairman) Jean-Pierre Lefebvre Executive Committee for the Bruno Bobak Jacqueline Lemieux- Canadian Commission for Unesco (until September 1976) Lope2 John Boyle Phyllis Mailing L. H. Cragg Napoléon LeBlanc Jacques Brault Ray Michal (Chairman) Paul B. Park Roch Carrier John Neville Vianney Décarie Lucien Perras Joe Fafard Michael Ondaatje (Vice-Chairman) John Roberts Bruce Ferguson P. K. Page Jacques Asselin Céline Saint-Pierre Suzanne Garceau Richard Rutherford Paul Bélanger Charles Lussier (until August 1976) Michael Snow Bert E.
    [Show full text]
  • Core 1..146 Hansard (PRISM::Advent3b2 8.00)
    CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 140 Ï NUMBER 098 Ï 1st SESSION Ï 38th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Friday, May 13, 2005 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 5957 HOUSE OF COMMONS Friday, May 13, 2005 The House met at 10 a.m. Parliament on February 23, 2005, and Bill C-48, an act to authorize the Minister of Finance to make certain payments, shall be disposed of as follows: 1. Any division thereon requested before the expiry of the time for consideration of Government Orders on Thursday, May 19, 2005, shall be deferred to that time; Prayers 2. At the expiry of the time for consideration of Government Orders on Thursday, May 19, 2005, all questions necessary for the disposal of the second reading stage of (1) Bill C-43 and (2) Bill C-48 shall be put and decided forthwith and successively, Ï (1000) without further debate, amendment or deferral. [English] Ï (1010) MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE The Speaker: Does the hon. government House leader have the The Speaker: I have the honour to inform the House that a unanimous consent of the House for this motion? message has been received from the Senate informing this House Some hon. members: Agreed. that the Senate has passed certain bills, to which the concurrence of this House is desired. Some hon. members: No. Mr. Jay Hill (Prince George—Peace River, CPC): Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • AB Today – Daily Report July 17, 2020
    AB Today – Daily Report July 17, 2020 Quotation of the day “Our government will not stand idly by while millions in taxpayer funds are missing or misappropriated.” Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan announces plans to shut ​ ​ down a supervised consumption site in Lethbridge, thanks to its fiscal mismanagement. Today in AB On the schedule The house reconvenes at 1:30 p.m. on Monday for its final two weeks of the summer session. Thursday’s debates and proceedings Bill 34, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, passed second reading and committee stage. ​ Bill 33, Alberta Investment Attraction Act, cleared second reading. ​ NDP MLA Thomas Dang made a statement in the chamber about Covid-related anti-Chinese ​ ​ racism. This followed a question period exchange between Dang, who is Chinese-Canadian, and Infrastructure Minister Prasad Panda where Panda said, “If the member remembers that ​ ​ there is still a pandemic, he knows fully well when and where it came from.” In the legislature Members of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta were in the gallery to be recognized for the organization’s 100th anniversary. Premier watch Premier Jason Kenney and his fellow premiers reached a deal with Ottawa on a $19-billion ​ ​ “restart” aid package for the provinces. The cash comes with strings attached. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters the funding ​ ​ will cover "things that actually really matter to Canadians" and preparations for a potential second wave of infections over the next six to eight months. That includes bailing out revenue-strapped municipalities, boosting contact-tracing capacity, shoring up the PPE arsenal, and improving elderly and child care.
    [Show full text]
  • Bibliography on Saskatchewan Uranium Inquiries and the Northern and Global Impact of the Uranium Industry
    University of Regina iNis-mf—13125 __ CA9200098 Prairie Justice Research Bibliography on Saskatchewan Uranium Inquiries and The Northern and Global Impact of the Uranium Industry :• IN THF PimhlC INTEREST BIBLIOGRAPHY ON SASKATCHEWAN URANIUM INQUIRIES AND THE NORTHERN AND GLOBAL IMPACT OF THE URANIUM INDUSTRY Jim Harding, B.A. (Hons.), M.A., Ph.D. Director, Prairie Justice Research Beryl Forgay, B.Ed., B.HE., M.A. Research Officer, Prairie Justice Research Mary Gianoli, B.Ed. Research Co-ordinator, Prairie Justice Research Cover Design: Rick Coffin Published by PRAIRIE JUSTICE RESEARCH 1988 SERIES: IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (Research Report No. 1) Published by: Prairie Justice Research Room 515 Library Building University of Regina Regina, Saskatchewan Canada S4S OA2 Cataloguing in Publication Data Harding, Jim, 1941- Bibliography on Saskatchewan uranium inquiries and the northern and global impact of the uranium industry ISBN 0-7731-0052-0 I. Uranium mines and mining - Environmental aspects - Saskatchewan - Bibliography. 2. Uranium industry - Environmental aspects - Saskatchewan - Bibliography. 3. Uranium industry - Government policy - Saskatchewan - Bibliography. I. Forgay. Beryl, 1926- II. University of Regina. Prairie Justice Research. III. Title. Z6738.U7H37 1986 016.3637'384 C86-091166-: ISBN 0-7731-0135 (Set) This is a publication of Prairie Justice Research at the University of Regina. Prairie Justice Research is funded by an operating contract with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and has the capacity to conduct socio-legal research for a diverse range of constituencies. For further informaiton contact: Dr. Jim Harding Director Prairie Justice Research Library Building University of Regina Regina, Saskatchewan Canada S4S 0A2 (306) 584-4064 NOTE: This research project was funded through "Human Context of Science and Technology" strategic grants of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Wednesday, April 24, 1996
    CANADA VOLUME 134 S NUMBER 032 S 2nd SESSION S 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, April 24, 1996 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) The House of Commons Debates are also available on the Parliamentary Internet Parlementaire at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1883 HOUSE OF COMMONS Wednesday, April 24, 1996 The House met at 2 p.m. [English] _______________ LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA Prayers Mr. Ken Epp (Elk Island, Ref.): Mr. Speaker, voters need accurate information to make wise decisions at election time. With _______________ one vote they are asked to choose their member of Parliament, select the government for the term, indirectly choose the Prime The Speaker: As is our practice on Wednesdays, we will now Minister and give their approval to a complete all or nothing list of sing O Canada, which will be led by the hon. member for agenda items. Vancouver East. During an election campaign it is not acceptable to say that the [Editor’s Note: Whereupon members sang the national anthem.] GST will be axed with pledges to resign if it is not, to write in small print that it will be harmonized, but to keep it and hide it once the _____________________________________________ election has been won. It is not acceptable to promise more free votes if all this means is that the status quo of free votes on private members’ bills will be maintained. It is not acceptable to say that STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS MPs will be given more authority to represent their constituents if it means nothing and that MPs will still be whipped into submis- [English] sion by threats and actions of expulsion.
    [Show full text]
  • Ministerial Error and the Political Process: Is There a Duty to Resign? Stuart James Whitley
    Ministerial Error and the Political Process: Is there a Duty to Resign? Stuart James Whitley, QC* In practice, it is seldom very hard to do one’s duty when one knows what it is. But it is sometimes exceedingly difficult to find this out. - Samuel Butler (1912) “First Principles” Note Books The honourable leader is engaged continuously in the searching of his (sic) duty. Because he is practicing the most powerful and most dangerous of the arts affecting, however humbly, the quality of life and the human search for meaning, he ought to have – if honourable, he has to have – an obsession with duty. What are his responsibilities? -Christopher Hodgkinson (1983) The Philosophy of Leadership Abstract: This article examines the nature of the duty to resign for error in the ministerial function. It examines the question of resignation as a democratic safeguard and a reflection of a sense of honour among those who govern. It concludes that there is a duty to resign for misleading Parliament, for serious personal misbehaviour, for a breach of collective responsibility, for serious mismanagement of the department for which they are responsible, and for violations of the rule of law. The obligation is owed generally to Parliament, and specifically to the Prime Minister, who has the constitutional authority in any event to dismiss a minister. The nature of the obligation is a constitutional convention, which can only be enforced by political action, though a breach of the rule of law is reviewable in the courts and may effectively disable a minister. There appears to be uneven historical support for the notion that ministerial responsibility includes the duty to resign for the errors of officials except in very narrow circumstances.
    [Show full text]
  • Thursday, January 20, 1994
    VOLUME 133 NUMBER 004 1st SESSION 35th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, January 20, 1994 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent HOUSE OF COMMONS Thursday, January 20, 1994 The House met at 10 a.m. (1005) [Translation] _______________ These constituents are asking for a report on what is being Prayers done about taxes. They want the injustices to be removed. [English] _______________ THE CONSTITUTION Mr. Myron Thompson (Wild Rose): Mr. Speaker, pursuant ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to table a petition on behalf of the constituents of Wild Rose, in and around the town of [Translation] Sundre, which states: ‘‘The undersigned, your petitioners, humbly pray and call upon Parliament to enact legislation INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION providing for a referendum of the people binding upon Parlia- Hon. Sheila Finestone (Secretary of State (Multicultural- ment to accept or reject two official languages, English and ism)(Status of Women)): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing French, for the government and the people of Canada; the Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both acceptance or rejection of the proposed amendments to be official languages, the report of the Canadian group of the determined by a majority vote of the total votes cast in the whole Interparliamentary Union. of Canada, together with a majority vote in a majority of provinces with the territories being given the status of one This is the report of the official delegation representing province. And as, in duty bound, your petitioners will ever Canada at the 90th Interparliamentary Conference held in pray’’.
    [Show full text]