"Taking Care of Business Overlooked by the Government"

May 5, 2004

Following the unexpected vote of support in the House of Commons two weeks ago for my Private Member's Bill proposing an income tax deduction of up to $7,000 for adoption expenses, a number of constituents have asked whether I have introduced any other legislation in this Parliament.

The answer is a definite yes. In fact, I currently have six Private Member's Bills "on the books", as well as three Private Member's Motions. Aside from Bill C-246, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (child adoption expenses), I have also introduced:

C-245, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (shared parenting). This bill would ensure that courts grant custody of a child to both divorcing spouses unless there exists evidence that it would not be in the best interests of the child. The bill includes the recommendations of the Joint House of Commons-Senate Subcommittee on Custody and Access which the Liberals have essentially shelved.

C-247, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conditional sentencing). This legislation would ensure that certain offences such as murder, assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, drug trafficking, manslaughter, etc., are excluded from consideration for conditional sentencing, meaning the convict must serve jail time.

C-248, An Act to Amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (trafficking near a school). This legislation would impose minimum prison sentences of one year for a first offence and two years for a further offence for a person convicted of trafficking in a narcotic within five hundred metres of an elementary school or a high school.

C-270, An Act to amend the Witness Protection Program Act (protection of spouses whose life is in danger). This bill would expand the Witness Protection Program to include people whose lives are in danger from their spouse, former spouse, common-law spouse or former common law spouse. It would protect many women - and their children - who have nowhere to hide from a former partner intent on harming them.

C-318, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Youth Criminal Justice Act (capital punishment). This bill would impose the death penalty for all first degree murder convictions for those over the age of 18. In addition, a person convicted of second degree murder may not apply for early release or parole. The legislation also sets minimum sentences for those under 18 convicted of first and second degree murder.

M-364, "That, in the opinion of this House, the government should recognize the first Sunday preceding Thanksgiving as a national day of prayer followed by a week of prayer of thanksgiving for all the benefits God has granted us as a nation."

M-404, "That, in the opinion of this House, the government should undertake a study to examine the impacts of gambling on society."

M-545, "That, in the opinion of this House, it should be unlawful for uniforms, insignia and decorations of the Canadian Armed Forces to be worn by those not authorized to do so, or worn or displayed in a disrespectful or demeaning manner."

If you have any questions or comments about these bills or motions, please feel free to contact my office.

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