CANADA VOLUME 136 S NUMBER 124 S 2nd SESSION S 36th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, September 28, 2000 Speaker: The Honourable Gilbert Parent 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 8765 HOUSE OF COMMONS Thursday, September 28, 2000 The House met at 10 a.m. MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS ACT _______________ Mr. David Chatters (Athabasca, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, if you were to seek consent of the House I think you would Prayers find, as a result of all party consultations, there is agreement to the following motion: _______________ That all report stage motions standing in the name of the member for Dauphin— Swan River be changed to stand in the name of the member for Edmonton North. D (1000) The Deputy Speaker: Perhaps the hon. member for Athabasca [English] could enlighten the Chair on which bill this motion concerns. That The Speaker: Before we begin the daily routine of business I would be helpful. address myself directly to the Minister of Human Resources Mr. David Chatters: Mr. Speaker, it is Bill C-8. Development. Yesterday there was a question of privilege introduced by the The Deputy Speaker: The House has heard the proposal of the hon. member for Acadie—Bathurst with regard to an alleged hon. member for Athabasca. Is there unanimous consent for the leaking of a document, specifically the bill. Is the minister motion? prepared to address that at this point, or will she do it after question Some hon. members: Agreed. period? (Motion agreed to) D (1005) Hon. Jane Stewart: Mr. Speaker, it was my intention to do it * * * after question period, if that is acceptable to the House. PETITIONS The Speaker: It would be acceptable to the House for you to do it then. We will expect your response. GASOLINE ADDITIVES _____________________________________________ Mrs. Rose-Marie Ur (Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I wish to present a ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS petition on behalf of citizens in the Grand Bend, Thedford and London area. [English] They urge the government to eliminate the gas additive MMT as it has a negative impact both on people’s health and our ecosystem GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PETITIONS at large. Mr. Derek Lee (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the [Translation] Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in GASOLINE PRICING both official languages, the government’s response to three peti- tions. Mr. Gérard Asselin (Charlevoix, BQ): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition bearing the * * * signatures of a number of constituents in the riding of Charlevoix. EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT This is just one more in a series of petitions presented in this Hon. Jane Stewart (Minister of Human Resources Develop- House relating to rapidly escalating gasoline prices. ment, Lib.) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-44, an act to The petitioners call upon the government to act to lower the amend the Employment Insurance Act. excessive price of crude oil and to devote sufficient funding to (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed) alternative energy research. 8766 COMMONS DEBATES September 28, 2000 Government Orders [English] living expenses incurred during temporary relocation and are generally in line with those available under the treasury board CHILD PORNOGRAPHY integrated relocation policy. Mr. Werner Schmidt (Kelowna, Canadian Alliance): Mr. [English] Speaker, I present three petitions on behalf of my colleague, the Mr. Derek Lee: I ask, Mr. Speaker, that the remaining questions member for Okanagan—Shuswap. be allowed to stand. The first petition is signed by 47 constituents in that riding. The Deputy Speaker: Is that agreed? These Canadians ask parliament to take all measures necessary to ensure that possession of child pornography remains a serious Some hon. members: Agreed. criminal offence. _____________________________________________ MARRIAGE Mr. Werner Schmidt (Kelowna, Canadian Alliance): Mr. GOVERNMENT ORDERS Speaker, the second and third petitions are signed by a total of 103 residents. [English] They ask that parliament withdraw Bill C-23 and affirm the opposite sex definition of marriage in legislation and ensure MARINE CONSERVATION AREAS ACT marriage is recognized as a unique institution. The House resumed from September 27 consideration of Bill D (1010) C-8, an act respecting marine conservation areas, as reported (with amendment) from the committee. [Translation] Hon. Don Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House IMPORTATION OF PLUTONIUM of Commons, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I apologize if the request I made was not properly put on paper, Ms. Jocelyne Girard-Bujold (Jonquière, BQ): Mr. Speaker, although the House was aware that pursuant to consultations pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present a petition yesterday the first order to be called today would be the motion for signed by 350 constituents in the riding of Jonquière. the appointment of the privacy commissioner, not Bill C-8. The petitioners are calling upon parliament to take all of the I understood that debate would be rather brief but it was to be the steps necessary to ensure that the public and its representatives are first order called today. consulted on the principle of importing MOX plutonium. The Deputy Speaker: I am sorry the Chair was not aware of the * * * order that had been agreed but I will put the question to the House. [Translation] [English] Mr. Stéphane Bergeron (Verchères—Les-Patriotes, BQ): Mr. QUESTIONS ON THE ORDER PAPER Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Have you taken for granted that Mr. Derek Lee (Parliamentary Secretary to Leader of the the House had given its consent that this motion would be the first Government in the House of Commons, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, item discussed today? Question No. 92 will be answered today. The Deputy Speaker: It is not a matter of consent. The [Text] government is entitled to change the designated order for anything under government orders. I do not believe that it is a matter of the Question No. 92—Mr. John Williams: consent of the House because we did not begin with the item the Do any of the following agencies provide governor in council appointees with tax clerk read at the table. I believe it is completely normal for the free allowances and if so (i) what is the amount of the individual allowances and (ii) government to determine the order in which we will deal with the reason for the allowances, for example, second residences and/or transportation: items under government orders. (a) Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages; (b) National Film Board of Canada: (c) Canada Industrial Relations Board; (d) Canadian Dairy Commission; (e) Atomic Energy Control Board; (f) Canadian Space Agency; (g) Immigration and * * * Refugee Board; and (h) Privy Council Office? PRIVACY COMMISSIONER Mr. Joe Jordan (Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister, Lib.): No ‘‘tax free’’ allowances are provided to governor in Hon. Don Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House council appointees, however, some of these appointees do receive of Commons, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I move: allowances which are specified as being ‘‘net after tax’’. They are That, in accordance with subsection 53(1) of the Act to extend the present laws of not tax free. These types of allowances normally cover travel and Canada that protect the privacy of individuals and that provide individuals with a right September 28, 2000 COMMONS DEBATES 8767 Government Orders of access to personal information about themselves, Chapter P-21 of the Revised During his journalism career and indeed his professional activi- Statutes of Canada, 1985, this House approve the appointment of George Radwanski of Toronto, Ontario, as Privacy Commissioner for a term of seven years. ties following his departure from the journalism field, George Radwanski has demonstrated a commitment to Canadian values D and to serving the Canadian public. His long and distinguished (1015) career will hold him in good stead in this future position. First, I want to thank Bruce Phillips whose mandate ended on With his background he will bring to the position both knowl- August 30 and who carried out his duties with integrity and edge and experience with the delicate and difficult problems of professionalism. balancing the public’s right to know and the individual’s right to privacy. He will also bring to the position of privacy commissioner An eminent journalist, Mr. Phillips served as deputy privacy the independence of mind of a journalist, which I am sure all hon. commissioner from February 1990 to April 1991. He then assumed members will agree is an extremely important qualification for the the position of privacy commissioner from April 1991 to quite job of privacy commissioner. recently, namely August 30. [Translation] With the ongoing responsibilities and the extremely delicate nature of the position of privacy commissioner, it should be filled In conclusion, I encourage all members of this House to support quickly. the motion to have the House approve the appointment of George Radwanski as the privacy commissioner. Therefore, pursuant to subsection 53(4) of the Privacy Act, the governor in council may give any qualified individual the powers [English] and functions of the incumbent of this position. George Radwanski has therefore been appointed acting commissioner. Mr. Werner Schmidt (Kelowna, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, the official opposition certainly supports the appointment I hope that all members of this House will support the appoint- of Mr. Radwanski as the privacy commissioner. ment of Mr. Radwanski as the next privacy commissioner.