Seven hundred?
Hon. Lawrence MacAulay
Public safety is the major issue. It is an arm's length body of government that acts within itself.
Ms. Jocelyne Girard-Bujold (Jonquière, BQ)
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of the Environment plans to expand the mandate of the international joint commission to all waterways and groundwater on both sides of the Canada-US border.
Since she did not answer my question the day before yesterday, I will ask again: does the minister realize that her project could constitute a new instance of federal government interference in an area that has always belonged to the provinces?
Hon. Christine Stewart (Minister of the Environment, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday in a response, the issue of fresh water is of concern to all Canadians. As the federal Minister of the Environment I have been working with my provincial and territorial counterparts to address this very serious issue.
The International Joint Commission is a body that is under the authority of both the United States and Canada. We work together in setting out the parameters of its work. We have requested it to conduct some reviews of fresh water issues.
As I said, I speak to the International Joint Commission along with my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. We do so in collaboration with our American counterparts and the provinces and territories.
Mr. Rick Laliberte (Churchill River, NDP)
Mr. Speaker, the government has to provide leadership in our time of crisis.
The government's impotent efforts to protect our farmers from the trade wars are a national shame.
The misguided suggestion by the Reform Party and its advisers for tax relief but no new expenditures is a crying shame.
Farmers need help now. The federal government must take responsibility.
When will the minister accept advice from farmers who are asking for an immediate and long term national disaster relief program?
Hon. Lyle Vanclief (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier in this Chamber today, I have had a very good, clear and concise report from the safety net advisory committee. We are considering that at the present time. I have shared some of that, or the main gist of it, with my cabinet colleagues.
As I said yesterday and continue to say, my cabinet colleagues and I realize the severity of this situation and we will do all we possibly can as soon as we possibly can.
Mr. Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, NDP)
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Public Works and Government Services made reference to a document during question period and read from the document. I would ask him if he would be willing to table the document that he quoted from today.
Hon. Don Boudria (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, I am informed that the document referred to in fact constitutes the minister's own briefing notes from the department, and as we know those documents are not tabled in response to a question. Otherwise, we might as well table the briefing books of the entire cabinet.
Mr. Ken Epp (Elk Island, Ref.)
Mr. Speaker, on the same point of order, the standing orders clearly say that it is a requirement that if a minister is willing to quote from a document then he is obligated to table it. So his choice is either that he quote from it and table it, or that he not quote from it. The minister must be consistent.
Hon. Alfonso Gagliano (Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, what I was quoting was from the Vancouver Sun newspaper of November 25.
I think we can deal with this matter. The minister has indicated that he was quoting from a newspaper. He has given the source of the quote. If it was a state document that he was quoting from he would normally be required to table the document in accordance with the rules of the House. But since the Vancouver Sun is not a state document, and since it appears that it is a public document, I do not think there is a necessity for the minister to table the document. Therefore, I think the matter is closed.
Mr. Mauril Bélanger (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Canadian Heritage, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 22 petitions.
Ms. Shaughnessy Cohen (Windsor—St. Clair, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Pursuant to the order of reference of Thursday, October 29, 1998, your committee has considered Bill C-57, an act to amend the Nunavut Act with respect to the Nunavut court of justice and to amend other acts in consequence, and your committee has agreed to report it without amendment.
Mr. Rob Anders (Calgary West, Ref.)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-457, an act to amend the Employment Insurance Act.
Mr. Speaker, this bill would exclude the employment category for persons who are, in essence, self-employed from the application of the regulations that result in the employment of such persons being included in insurable employment. In other words, people who cannot collect EI should not have to pay EI premiums.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mr. Bill Gilmour (Nanaimo—Alberni, Ref.)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-458, an act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (trafficking in a controlled drug or substance within five hundred metres of an elementary school or a high school).
Mr. Speaker, my bill would amend the Food and Drugs Act and the Narcotic Control Act to impose minimum prison sentences of one year for a first offence and two years for a further offence in cases where a person is convicted of trafficking in a controlled or restricted drug or a narcotic within 500 metres of an elementary school or a high school.
Drug abuse is destructive to our youth and to society, and drug related crimes have been estimated as the source of 85% of all criminal activity in Canada.
My bill is in the interest of all Canadians and our youth in particular. It is my hope that this House will support it.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Mr. David Pratt
Mr. Speaker, I very much hope that you will find unanimous consent to put this motion to the House without debate:
That this House request that the government convey to the Governor of the State of Texas, the hon. George W. Bush, and to parole authorities of the state its very serious concern about the violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations in the case of Mr. Stanley Faulder, a Canadian citizen who is to be executed on December 10, 1998 at Huntsville State Prison; and further, that the government convey this House's respectful request that the execution be stayed pending a judicial review of the case to ensure that due process has been followed.
Does the hon. member have permission to put the motion?
Agreed.
No.
Mr. Mac Harb (Ottawa Centre, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by many constituents across the country who are asking that parliament amend the Divorce Act to include the provision, as supported in Bill C-340, regarding the rights of grandparents to access or to custody of the children.