42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 23, 2019e-2125e-2125 (National day)LilaPalychukMarilynGladuSarnia—LambtonConservativeONApril 24, 2019, at 4:33 p.m. (EDT)August 22, 2019, at 4:33 p.m. (EDT)August 23, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There has been an increase in violent incidents with religious hate as their motive; andThe Quebec City Mosque Massacre of January 29, 2017, is a tragedy that should never be forgotten.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to designate January 29 as a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia and other forms of religious discrimination.National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia and other forms of religious discriminationReligious discrimination42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2161e-2161 (Environmental pollution)AndreCraigJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONApril 24, 2019, at 4:32 p.m. (EDT)June 23, 2019, at 4:32 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Plastics produced as a means to package goods in Canada pose a cumulative threat to our natural and community ecosystems;Single-use plastics are prevalent in the supply of goods from domestic packaging and imported packaging; andThe amount of plastics used in packaging with no suitable alternatives provided by suppliers of packaged goods.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to adopt a motion to establish a national strategy to eliminate single-use plastics and set measurable goals to reduce plastics in the packaging of goods, and to work with all levels of government and industry leaders to establish the following measures:1. Regulations aimed at reducing by:(a) Setting a target date of 2021 for Canada to eliminate single-use plastics in consumer packaging whether produced domestically or via imports;(b) Setting interim targets for industries to achieve this via alternative environmentally sustainable options for single-use plastic alternative items (including, but not limited to, plastic bags, bottles, straws, tableware, polystyrene (foam), cigarette filters, and beverage containers); and(c) Setting targets for the reduction in consumer and industrial use of all other plastic packaging by 10% per year; and2. Permanent, dedicated, and annual funding for:(a) Communication of the targets for eliminating single-use plastics;(b) Government enforcement of targets for eliminating single-use plastics;(c) Communication of the targets for setting targets for the reduction in consumer and industrial use of all other plastic packaging; and(d) Government enforcement of targets for setting targets for the reduction in consumer and industrial use of all other plastic packaging.Packaging and labellingPlastics42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2147e-2147 (Animal transportation)JessicaKerwinAnitaVandenbeldOttawa West—NepeanLiberalONApril 25, 2019, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)August 23, 2019, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)August 26, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Food and Inspection Agency released the new rules around the transport of farm animals on their way to slaughter in February 2019;These new rules remain severely inadequate at reducing the suffering these animals must endure;We propose the following changes: 1. Mandatory temperature controlled trucks to reduce exposure to extreme cold and heat;2. Animals are not to be overcrowded (ie. all pigs must at least be allowed to lie down and stand up in their natural position); and3. Decrease travel times without food or rest to 8 hours for chickens, 24 hours for horses, 12 hours for pigs and 24 hours for cattle;These changes would reduce overall suffering and the number of deaths that occur before these animals reach the slaughter house; andThe least we can do for these animals that are going to end up on our plates, is to make their last hours as comfortable and as painless as possible.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to amend the Health of Animal Transport Regulations to ensure minimal suffering and death to the animals that are bound to the dinner plates of Canadians.Animal rights and welfareTransportation42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2166e-2166 (Parliament of Canada)BrianKerrJamieSchmaleHaliburton—Kawartha Lakes—BrockConservativeONMay 1, 2019, at 2:48 p.m. (EDT)August 29, 2019, at 2:48 p.m. (EDT)August 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:There is currently no election law at the federal level that allows elected politicians to be removed from Parliament.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to pass a bill that allows for recall referendums.Election of memberVoiding of an election42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2165e-2165 (Oil and gas)AngelaCookShannonStubbsLakelandConservativeABMay 2, 2019, at 6:13 p.m. (EDT)July 1, 2019, at 6:13 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Trans Mountain Expansion was recommended by the National Energy Board and approved by the federal Liberal government on November 29, 2016;The National Energy Board’s original evaluation between 2013 and 2016, and the Liberal initiated reconsideration that finished on February 22, 2019, both resulted in a recommendation for approval, and both confirmed through an independent, expert, evidence and science-based review that, with the recommended mitigation measures, the Trans Mountain Expansion is in the national interest of Canada;The majority of Canadians, British Columbians, and Indigenous communities directly impacted, support the completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion;The Trans Mountain Expansion will inject billions of dollars into the Canadian economy and create tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs;This project continues to face ongoing delays and threats from other levels of government and anti-energy activists, harming confidence in Canada as a place for investment and the construction of major infrastructure projects;The Liberal government spent $4.4 billion tax dollars to purchase the existing pipeline with the promise that the Trans Mountain Expansion will be built; and,The federal Liberal Cabinet will decide by June 18, 2019, whether to accept the National Energy Board’s recommendation to approve the Trans Mountain Expansion.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to approve the Trans Mountain Expansion, to officially declare the Expansion for the general advantage of Canada, and to announce a concrete plan to ensure the Trans Mountain Expansion is built.Oil and gasTrans Mountain pipeline42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2172e-2172 (Protection of the environment)LisaHallLindaDuncanEdmonton StrathconaNDPABMay 6, 2019, at 1:41 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2019, at 1:41 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019June 6, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians share a deep concern for our environment and recognize its inherent value;It is important to safeguard the rights of present and future generations to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment;It is the federal government’s public trust duty to protect the environment under its jurisdiction;Canadians should have the right of access to legal tools to hold the government accountable to protect their environment, including accessing information, standing before courts and tribunals, and enforcement of environmental laws;The ability of the government to protect the environment is enhanced when the public is constructively engaged; andEmployees deserve whistleblower protection when they take actions supporting those rights and duties.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to enact Bill C-438, the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights.Canadian Environmental Bill of RightsEnvironmental lawEnvironmental protection42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2176e-2176 (National child care program)TanyaNaylerWayneStetskiKootenay—ColumbiaNDPBCMay 6, 2019, at 1:42 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2019, at 1:42 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2019August 21, 2019June 6, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The 2019 federal budget acknowledges women’s participation in the paid workforce has stalled since the early 2000’s;Researchers cite access to affordable, high quality child care as an important factor in women’s attachment to the workforce;Women and children are more vulnerable to poverty when lack of affordable child care precludes maternal employment;There is a shortage of licensed child care spaces in Canada;The cost of child care in Canada is creating economic hardships for many low and middle income families;Workers in the predominantly female child care sector are underpaid when considering their skills, education, and critical contributions to society;Canada is under-investing in early childhood education relative to other advanced economies; andThere is strong evidence investments in early childhood education pay off with better outcomes for children, families, and the economy.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to establish an adequately funded framework to ensure affordable, licensed child care is universally available throughout Canada and child care workers are appropriately compensated.Care for childrenNational child care program42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2143e-2143 (School bus transportation safety)GaryLillicoRachaelThomasLethbridgeConservativeABMay 9, 2019, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)June 8, 2019, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)June 17, 2019June 11, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Minister of Transport to make it mandatory by law to have 3-point lap and shoulder seatbelts installed in every Canadian school bus, and that it be legally required to wear these seatbelts while riding on a school bus of any size.School busesSeat belts42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 30, 2019e-2160e-2160 (Sentences in the Criminal Code)RenaeShingooseRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBMay 9, 2019, at 5:05 p.m. (EDT)August 7, 2019, at 5:05 p.m. (EDT)August 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Aboriginal Healing Lodges are correctional institutions where we use Aboriginal values, traditions and beliefs to design services and programs for offenders;We include Aboriginal concepts of justice and reconciliation;The approach to corrections is holistic and spiritual. Programs include guidance and support from Elders and Aboriginal communities;Canada’s over-incarceration of Aboriginal people is already at crisis level and is a gross injustice; Supporting longer prison sentences where there are grossly inadequate rehabilitation and treatment programs offered to prisoners to decrease recidivism;Bill S-215 would protect Aboriginal Women from violence and homicide, however our legal system and law enforcement agents are either unable or unwilling to give Aboriginal Women the protection they deserve;By implementing mandatory rehabilitation and treatment within Bill S-215, it would be far more successful for all offenders in general; andBill S-215; An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing for violent offences against Aboriginal women), was defeated on April 10, 2019.We, the undersigned, Aboriginal women, call upon the House of Commons to appeal and revise the decision of Bill S-215 to where treatment and rehabilitation is mandatory for all violent offenders of Aboriginal women.Aboriginal peoplesSentencingViolence against women42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 12, 2019e-2132e-2132 (Brunei)BrandonDoniniSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKMay 13, 2019, at 4:45 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019, at 4:45 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Brunei are set to pass a law that will punish homosexuality by death;Canada supports the human rights of LGBTQ+ people at home and abroad; andThe prime minister claimed he "will fight for [LGBTQ+ people], and [he] will fight with [LGBTQ+ people]" when accepting an award for his LGBTQ advocacy.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to publicly condemn the persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Brunei.BruneiInternational relationsSexual minorities42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2145e-2145 (Abortion)SabrinaChapielJimEglinskiYellowheadConservativeABMay 13, 2019, at 2:02 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019, at 2:02 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2019June 12, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the rule of law;There has been no federal law governing abortion since R. v Morgentaler in 1988 when the Supreme Court struck down the criminal code prohibition of abortion;Approximately 100,000 abortions are conducted in Canada each year;One fifth (~20%) of Canadian pregnancies (excluding miscarriage) end in abortion;Abortions have negative effects on the physical, reproductive and mental health of women, as evidenced by post abortion grief support networks and women who suffer from and seek treatment for PASS (Post Abortion Stress Syndrome);Abortion is legal until birth. No restrictions exist to prevent late-term abortions;The rights of the women to choose must be gently balanced with the rights of the preborn and other stake holders such as the reproductive partner (father), or parents of young pregnant girls;Laws will prevent the use of abortion to discriminate against race, sex or other characteristics deemed to be undesirable; andSection 7 of the Charter guarantees the right to life of the person, arguably including preborn children with a heartbeat and body systems independent from the mother.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to initiate a respectful debate in the House of Commons with the intent to form an all-party committee that will draft a bill governing the conduct of abortion in Canada, and that consideration of this bill will be by a free vote in the House.AbortionLegislation42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2182e-2182 (Protection of flora and fauna)SonjaWoodFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCMay 14, 2019, at 5:21 p.m. (EDT)June 13, 2019, at 5:21 p.m. (EDT)June 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="241630" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard</Addressee>Whereas:The Avon River Causeway, Nova Scotia, was constructed in 1968 without proper fish passage and to this day it impedes migrations of fishes, including the Endangered Inner Bay of Fundy Wild Atlantic Salmon and American Eel;The Province is twinning Highway 101 and construction plans for the causeway now call for a second aboiteau to be built on the remaining channel of the river;As part of the requirements for the twinning approval, fish passage must be provided in accordance with federal DFO regulations, ie: the restoration solution on the Petitcodiac River, New Brunswick in 2010 - 'remove a portion' of the causeway, returning free tidal flow; andThe proposed Avon River aboiteau design calls for modifications which have the ability to restrict fish passage, allowing the gates to be closed at will, prioritizing water levels in the headpond. Several options for improved fish passage were rejected, and no longer appear in the proposal. The latest aboiteau design option is not the only solution; we favor a natural method of fish passage.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to require that prior to any twinning construction at the Avon River, the proponents put forth all options to restore 'proper' fish-passage for all species on a 24-hour, 365 day-basis at the Avon River Causeway, including an option to remove a portion of the barrier to allow uninhibited return of free-tidal-flow; in accordance with both Species at Risk legislation and the Precautionary Approach as recommended by DFO Science.Avon RiverFishWildlife conservation42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2184e-2184 (Cannabis)DavinRobitailleDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCMay 15, 2019, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)September 12, 2019, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Provincial and federal regulations require cannabis retailers to frost windows and doors up to five feet so that it’s impossible to see products from the street;A cannabis retail store must be located in a permanent building or structure and be enclosed by floor-to-ceiling walls that are not transparent. Non-medical cannabis, cannabis accessories and transactions involving those products must not be visible from outside the store;Non-medicinal cannabis retail stores should operate in a safe environment where they are not forced to have completely enclosed retail stores that have no visibility from the outside because it endangers our employees, customers and community and creates vulnerability and opportunity for criminals; andThis law is not imposed on liquor stores, gun stores and convenience stores.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to allow non-medicinal cannabis retail stores to operate in a safe environment where they are not forced to have completely enclosed retail stores that have no visibility from the outside.CannabisRetail tradeWorkplace health and safety42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2194e-2194 (India)ShilpaAggarwalRubySahotaBrampton NorthLiberalONMay 17, 2019, at 9:20 a.m. (EDT)June 16, 2019, at 9:20 a.m. (EDT)June 20, 2019August 21, 2019June 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has one of the largest numbers of immigrants from India;Some Indian citizens, with malafide intention, get married in India, commit continuing offenses by way of subjecting their spouse to cruelty/violence to meet unlawful demands and breaching of trust in marriage; they then come to Canada, secure their Canadian/PR citizenship and abandon their spouses;Subsequently, victims must file their complaints in the country of marriage. However, once charges are laid in India, individuals willfully avoid criminal proceedings through various measures. Victims are kept waiting for justice for years/indefinitely;Residing in Canada after marrying fraudulently and after abusing financially, physically, and/or mentally is an easy escape for criminals who obtain undue advantage of India’s and Canada’s judicial system, inciting more fraudsters to indulge in it; andVictims, mostly unsuspecting/vulnerable Indian women (sometimes men) are hit financially, psychologically, and emotionally with diminished quality of life & disrupted family life for years, sometimes their entire life. Children get affected too.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the government of Canada to provide relief and justice to us and to deter future crime by: (a) stopping renewal of work and residency permits of the accused in fraud marriages until criminal cases are brought to justice in India; (b) not granting Canadian citizenship to the accused; (c) speeding up action by CBSA/IRCC in cases where accused are criminally charged in India for fraud marriages; and (d) not granting visitor visas to the accused’s family, who, in many cases, are charged as accomplices.Immigration and immigrantsIndiaMarriages of conveniencePassports and visas42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2199e-2199 (Medical assistance in dying)AlexSchadenbergDavidAndersonCypress Hills—GrasslandsConservativeSKMay 17, 2019, at 12:33 p.m. (EDT)June 16, 2019, at 12:33 p.m. (EDT)June 19, 2019June 18, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The fundamental freedoms of conscience and religion are guaranteed to all Canadians in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms;Bill C-14 (Medical Assistance in Dying) prohibits the compelling of health care providers or institutions to provide medical assistance in dying, to refer or transfer a patient to another health care provider, or to take other actions which could impact on health care providers’ freedom of conscience or religion;Bill C-14 lacks clarity for effective enforcement;Bill C-418 aims to protect the fundamental freedom of conscience guaranteed to all Canadians; andBill C-418 makes it an offence to intimidate a health care professional for the purpose of compelling them to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Bill C-418 also makes it an offence to dismiss from employment or to refuse to employ a health care professional for the reason only that they refuse to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of medical assistance in dying.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure that the conscience rights of medical personnel are protected, by passing Bill C-418.Caregivers and health care professionalsFreedom of conscience and religionMedical assistance in dying42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 20, 2019e-2191e-2191 (International trade)LeroyNewmanJohnBarlowFoothillsConservativeABMay 21, 2019, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)August 19, 2019, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)August 20, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="224669" mp-riding-display="1">Leader of the Government in the House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian farmers produce the highest quality canola in the world;There are more than 43,000 canola producers in Canada and the industry contributes almost $27 billion to the Canadian economy each year, including more than 250,000 Canadian jobs and $11 billion in wages;Canadian farmers ship 40 per cent of their canola exports to Chinese markets;The Canada-China canola crisis is a national economic emergency;The Prime Minister has weakened Canada’s international reputation during his disastrous trip to India, his capitulation to Donald Trump during NAFTA negotiations and for his admiration of China’s basic dictatorship;China has blocked all canola shipments from Canada without scientific evidence;The Prime Minister continues mishandling the canola trade crisis with China;The anxiety within Canada’s agriculture sector regarding the possibility other commodities could be targeted including soybeans and pork; andThe Minister of Agriculture has decided it is not the right time take the matter to World Trade Organization.We, the undersigned, canola producers, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to immediately launch a formal challenge at the World Trade Organization against China’s unilateral actions towards Canadian canola producers.Canola growingChinaInternational tradeWorld Trade Organization42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2200e-2200 (Cannabis)MelissaCiracoHon.MichaelChongWellington—Halton HillsConservativeONMay 22, 2019, at 2:56 p.m. (EDT)July 21, 2019, at 2:56 p.m. (EDT)July 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:In 2018, the Federal Cannabis Act was created, classifying all phytocannabinoids as Schedule 1 substances under this Act, including Cannabidiol (CBD), derived from either Cannabis or Industrial Hemp plants;The current Industrial Hemp Regulations impose limitations to processing the whole hemp plant, allowing derivatives only to be extracted from the hemp seed, restricting CBD extracted from hemp;CBD is non-psychoactive and was addressed by the World Health Organization which stated that CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential; andCBD is currently being used by Canadians, non-recreationally, to help with symptoms of disorders such as: anxiety/mood, chronic pain/inflammation, seizures, and other conditions.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: (a) reclassify Cannabidiol (CBD) within the Federal Cannabis Act (S.C. 2018, c. 16) from Schedule I; (b) remove restrictions towards harvesting and activities with whole Industrial Hemp plants, including sprouts, leaves, flowers, or bracts of those plants within the Industrial Hemp Regulations (SOR/2018-145); (c) allow derivatives from whole/partial Industrial Hemp with less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration to be exempt for the purpose of importation, exportation, wholesale, and retail with appropriate restrictions (i) testing at a competent laboratory using a validated test method on a representative sample from each lot/batch, (ii) providing a Certificate of Analysis with each shipment, (iii) labelling products and shipping containers with “contains less than 0.3% THC”; and (d) help alleviate pain and suffering by allowing Canadians access to hemp-derived CBD products.CannabisCannabis ActIndustrial hempPackaging and labelling42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2201e-2201 (Cannabis)JaimeThibeauHon.MichaelChongWellington—Halton HillsConservativeONMay 22, 2019, at 4:57 p.m. (EDT)July 21, 2019, at 4:57 p.m. (EDT)July 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:In 2018, the Federal Cannabis Act was created, classifying Cannabis Seeds as Schedule 1 substances under this Act;The current Cannabis Act allows for the personal production of up to four cannabis plants from "licensed seed or seedlings," with the exception of Quebec and Manitoba;Licensed Cannabis seeds have been available in exceptionally short supply, creating substantial access issues for Canadians nationwide;Under the Cannabis Act, each individual Cannabis seed is equivalent to 1 gram of dried Cannabis, licensed Cannabis seeds, when available, are in four-packs, allowing Canadians to purchase up to 28 seeds at one time despite the four plant production limitation; andCurrently, there is a highly restrictive amount of chemovars (strains) of licensed Cannabis seeds available, chemovars determine which physiological effects plants will trigger. This deprives Canadians of access to preferred or beneficial strains in both a recreational and medical approach.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to (a) reclassify viable Cannabis seeds within the Federal Cannabis Act (S.C. 2018, c. 16) from Schedule I; (b) remove restrictions towards the sales of unlicensed viable Cannabis seeds; (c) reduce the burden on the criminal justice system in relation to Cannabis by focusing on eliminating illicit activities that directly affect public health and safety such as the sale of illegally produced consumable cannabis products, and not viable Cannabis seeds; and (d) allow all Canadians equal access to viable Cannabis seeds to produce their own Cannabis.CannabisCannabis ActCertified seeds42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2185e-2185 (Employment Insurance Program)JoshuaDahlingGordJohnsCourtenay—AlberniNDPBCMay 22, 2019, at 4:52 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2019, at 4:52 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Government recognizes the need to support families when a life is brought in to this world, yet it does little for support when a loved one dies;It is estimated that for every death, five people are impacted severely. Some experience (life-long) symptoms including: anxiety, chemical dependency, depression, divorce, suicide, homelessness and more;Although most people will experience the loss of a loved one in their lifetime, few have adequate long-term supports and/or resources to assist through bereavement;Currently, the Canadian Labour Code only provides three consecutive working days for bereavement leave with strict guidelines regarding pay; andDespite the mental health implications associated with loss, there is virtually no government funding designated towards bereavement care. Organizations like the Camp Kerry Society, which provides year-round services to individuals and families coping with illness, grief and loss, must fundraise for every client they serve across this country.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to (a) recognize that there are long-term implications associated with insufficient bereavement care and to take actions to help remedy this crisis; (b) increase paid bereavement leave from three days to an arrangement similar to parental leave; (c) provide funding specifically designated towards bereavement care services that can be easily accessed by organizations like the Camp Kerry Society, hospices and others who specialize in this field; and (d) amend current legislation to allow up to 104 weeks of leave if a child has died regardless of whether or not a crime has been committed.Deaths and funeralsEmployment insuranceHolidays from work42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2177e-2177 (Cannabis)Dr. SarahSilcoxNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONMay 27, 2019, at 10:22 a.m. (EDT)June 26, 2019, at 10:22 a.m. (EDT)June 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Veterinarians frequently receive questions from pet owners about the therapeutic use of cannabis for their pets to treat conditions such as pain, seizures, arthritis, and anxiety;Current provisions under the Cannabis Act and Regulations do not allow veterinarians to authorize the use of cannabis in companion pets;Since there is no legal pathway, many pet owners are resorting to using products intended for human consumption or seeking out products from the illicit market without proper guidance and oversight from their veterinarians;Without proper veterinary guidance on product selection, dosing, and monitoring, well-intentioned pet owners might inadvertently harm their pets; andWith edible and infused cannabis products being legalized this fall, the likelihood of pets ingesting potentially dangerous products intended for human use will increase significantly.We, the undersigned, concerned pet owners, veterinarians, and animal lovers, call upon the Government of Canada to (a) recognize the role veterinarians play as front-line health care workers for their patients, and work with the veterinary industry to educate pet owners on the medicinal cannabis regime and the safe use of cannabis; (b) amend Part 14 of the Cannabis Regulations to allow veterinarians to provide necessary medication to their patients while maintaining an arms-length oversight on its dispensing; and (c) amend warning labels on THC-containing products to include a warning statement (e.g. “Keep out of reach of children and animals”).CannabisCannabis ActPackaging and labellingVeterinary services42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 2, 2019e-2164e-2164 (Aboriginal affairs)ReneeHiga-BrownRomeoSaganashAbitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—EeyouNDPQCMay 29, 2019, at 11:53 a.m. (EDT)July 28, 2019, at 11:53 a.m. (EDT)August 2, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Indigenous Rights Framework does not rightfully represent the First Nation Peoples of Canada and the Treaties;The Indigenous Rights Framework does not recognize us as the First Peoples of Canada;The Indigenous Rights Framework was designed without consent of the majority of First Nation Peoples of Canada; andWe do not feel that Chief and Council, the Assembly of First Nations and Indigenous Service Canada represents the majority of us First Nations across Canada, and we did not offer or give them our consent for the implementation of the Indigenous Rights Framework.We, the undersigned, The First Nation Peoples of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to terminate the Indigenous Rights Framework and to terminate all writing and/or action associated with the Indigenous Rights Framework.Aboriginal rights42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 3, 2019e-2212e-2212 (Firearms)AmyZuccatoHon.MaximeBernierBeaucePeople's PartyQCJune 5, 2019, at 12:48 p.m. (EDT)September 3, 2019, at 12:48 p.m. (EDT)September 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The government of Canada has failed to effectively remove firearms and other lethal weapons from the hands of criminals;Bans and laws have never prevented criminal behaviour and there is no factual evidence that banning legal firearm ownership will reduce the number of firearms possessed by criminals;Firearm ownership has traditionally contributed enormously to our economy through cultural activities, sports, tourism and a host of other entirely beneficial spinoffs; andPrevious firearms legislation has proven reasonably effective at ensuring the safety of Canadians.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to (a) withdraw the repressive and counter-productive Bill C-71 in its entirety and refrain from issuing a Cabinet Directive to ban legally owned firearms; (b) acknowledge the effective contributions to peace order and responsible government of law-abiding gun owners; and (c) pass a law mandating that all future changes to the Firearms Regulations and Firearms Classifications be made only through Parliament and with the approval of Parliament.C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearmsFirearmsOwners42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2204e-2204 (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)DerekHarrisonHon.MaximeBernierBeaucePeople's PartyQCJune 6, 2019, at 9:36 a.m. (EDT)October 4, 2019, at 9:36 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:With an increasingly growing number, 64% of Canadians use Facebook and other social media as their primary form of communication;The Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that one of the fundamental freedoms Canadians possess is section 2(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; andBy not defining the terms "hate speech" and controlling who determines what hate speech is, the Prime Minister is violating the rights and freedoms of all Canadians.We, the undersigned, Canadians, call upon the Government of Canada to (a) have the people draft an internet based Constitution; (b) allow the free flow of communication, ideas and debate to flourish unabashed or oppressed from any government, religion or institution, and the protection from persecution and censorship based on ones beliefs thoughts or opinions; and (c) to entrust the people to decide what information they deem themselves suitable for publication or distribution, regardless of creed, race or ideology.Freedom of speechInternet42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2180e-2180 (Climate change)SarahSloanHon.HedyFryVancouver CentreLiberalBCJune 6, 2019, at 5:23 p.m. (EDT)October 4, 2019, at 5:23 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C clearly communicates that the future of humanity is at risk without “rapid and far-reaching” changes to mitigate a 1.5°C temperature rise in the next 11 years and to achieve zero emissions by 2050;Canada is on course to significantly overshoot our 2030 Paris Agreement target (Auditor General’s Report 2018) with oil and gas and transportation emissions continuing to rise (Government of Canada);The World Health Organization has clearly stated that “climate change is the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century”; andThe health impacts from climate change, including lung disease, heat-related illness, spread of infectious diseases, displacement, famine, drought, and mental health impacts, are being felt in Canada and abroad and are expected to accelerate across our planet at an unprecedented rate threatening “human lives and viability of the national health systems they depend on” (Lancet Countdown 2018, Lancet Countdown Briefing for Canadian Policymakers, 2018).We, the undersigned, Physician Mothers of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to (a) act upon the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment “Call to Action on Climate Change and Health” report (February 5, 2019), which has clearly outlined specific measures towards zero emissions; (b) prioritize the elimination of emissions and preservation of a healthy environment as part of every portfolio and in every decision made by our federal and provincial parties; (c) implement a nationwide carbon pricing strategy; (d) commit to the rapid elimination of fossil fuels and coal from our economy; (e) commit to rapid incorporation of green energy and net-zero infrastructure across the country; and (f) eliminate single use plastics.Canadian Association of Physicians for the EnvironmentCarbon pricingFossil fuelsGreenhouse gasesPlasticsRenewable energy and fuel42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2230e-2230 (Dental care)ZainabAl-JanabiGaganSikandMississauga—StreetsvilleLiberalONJune 11, 2019, at 11:47 a.m. (EDT)October 9, 2019, at 11:47 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The way the Canadian government has defined standards around healthcare delivery is excellent. However, dentistry regulation in Canada is one of the particular areas that are being ignored and significantly neglected;Having used $800,000 of taxpayer money to setup an equivalency process implemented by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB),that gives license for the internationally trained dentist to work in Canada does not offer internationally trained dentists with a fair and equal chance of practicing in Canada.It lacks the fairness, transparency, accountability and needs interrogation;The NDEB limits the number of trials to 3 times per exam, the released exam questions as a study resource contain no answers or explanations unlike other boards;The cost of taking the exams is rising significantly, in spite of that, financial institutions have refrained from giving loans due to the high failure rates; andThe system puts individuals and their families through very difficult times and emotional distress. This leaves many internationally trained dentists unable to live up to their potential. Instead, many end up unemployed, living on welfare and suffering from anxiety and depression.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents in Canada, call upon the House of Commons to conduct a review of the laws surrounding self-regulation for dentists (ELIZABETH II CHAP.69 assented to 18th June,1952) of Parliament and conduct an investigation into the Equivalency Process for international trained dentist witch was introduced through the coordinated work of Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation (CDRAF), NDEB and the Federal Government in 2011.CredentialsDentistry and dentistsImmigration and immigrantsSelf-policing42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2221e-2221 (Refugees)AraiaKidane RedaeRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBJune 11, 2019, at 11:53 a.m. (EDT)July 11, 2019, at 11:53 a.m. (EDT)July 15, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The security situation around the refugee camps in the Eastern border of Sudan remains to be dangerous and dreadful for escapees from the Eritrean regime because of gross abuse of human rights;The Sudanese security and other criminals extort bribes, kidnap and sell refugees to human traffickers, demand ransom, abuse, rape, discriminate, humiliate and kill them;The Shagarab refugee camp is within few kms from the Eritrean border and Eritrean security agents easily kidnap refugees, the Center lacks adequate shelter, food, water, toilets, and adequate health facilities;The host country’s policies and procedures are ignored by its own authorities, and the non-cooperation of UNHCR staff due to corruption;The Canada immigration policy Guide (IMM 6000)” Step 1, states one to be eligible, the Principal Applicant (PA), and linked family members must be referred by organization such as the (UNHCR); or a private sponsor; and must meet the definition of Convention Refugee Abroad Class or Country of Asylum Class; andThe IRCC is demanding the privately sponsored refugees to produce ProGres number, ignoring the Private Sponsors option.We, the undersigned, Eritrean-Canadian Citizens, permanent residents, call upon the Government of Canada to:(a) consider the Private Sponsor option to determine refugee status, and stop asking for UNHCR ProGres number for PSR refugees;(b) understand the Eritrean refugee situations in the Sudanese context, and consider assessing refugee status based on case history and sponsors’ ability;(c) make aware of and give time for preparation if new measures are introduced; and(d) study, review, and investigate the Eritrean refugee situation in Sudan, and COR and UNHCR corruption.EritreaRefugee statusUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1966e-1966 (Foreign policy)AndrewEden-BalfourSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKJune 11, 2019, at 12:05 p.m. (EDT)October 9, 2019, at 12:05 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229209" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:The Uighur are experiencing cultural genocide in China as over a million of their own people have been put in internment camps.The Uighur have been tortured, and in some cases outright killed by Chinese AuthoritiesUighurs who live abroad face psychological torment and harm as their relatives in China get arrested and put into camps for retaliation against themEven foreign nationals who visit China get harassed, forcibly deported by the authorities and in some cases go missing in China if Chinese officials believe they have connections to Uighur citizensThe Chinese government through consulates and embassies are collaberating with Chinese students associations across Canada to squash discussion on the debate of the Tibetans and Uighurs under Chinese rule.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to condemn the Chinese government in the strongest terms for the mistreatment of not only Uighur citizens both in China and abroad, but as well as foreign nationals visiting China in relation to the Uighur and to punish the Chinese Government and officials who are perpetrating this act of barbarity through sanctions.ChinaForeign policyUyghur42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2231e-2231 (Economy)OctavianCadabeschiBrianMasseWindsor WestNDPONJune 11, 2019, at 12:03 p.m. (EDT)July 11, 2019, at 12:03 p.m. (EDT)July 15, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214319" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development</Addressee>Whereas:Under the Investment Canada Act (ICA), the Minister approved the sale of long-term care chain, Retirement Concepts, to Beijing-based Anbang Insurance Group;Under the ICA, the Minister approved the sale of Canada’s largest hotel owner, InnVest Hotels, to Bluesky Hotels, a mysterious company fronted by a former Anbang executive;Chinese government authorities seized Anbang and transferred ownership to the state in 2018;China’s controlling stake in Anbang warrants greater scrutiny;China violates basic human rights;China recently retaliated against Canada sentencing two Canadians to death, arbitrarily detaining two Canadians in China, and blocking Canada’s canola and pork exports;Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Committee reports that China has engaged in espionage and foreign influence activities within Canada;China’s Ministry of State Security was reportedly behind the massive cyberattack against the Marriott hotel chain compromising the personal information of 500 million guests; andChina’s control of Anbang, and ties to Bluesky, may put the security and privacy of Canadians’ personal, medical and financial information belonging to seniors, employees, the travelling public and other stakeholders at risk of intelligence gathering.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development to:(a) announce how the government is protecting the privacy and security of Canadians affected by these transactions; (b) disclose what commitments Anbang, Bluesky, and their respective operating partners, agreed to under the ICA and how they remain compliant given Anbang’s new ownership; and(c) disclose what recourse Canadians have under the ICA when a foreign investor becomes a state-owned enterprise.Foreign investments in CanadaInvestment Canada ActPrivacy of personal records42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 15, 2019e-2240e-2240 (Canadian citizenship)YasirNaqviRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBJune 14, 2019, at 11:14 a.m. (EDT)July 14, 2019, at 11:14 a.m. (EDT)July 15, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of Canada is a non-partisan and urgent issue;Reconciliation is the shared responsibility of all people – existing and new Canadians alike;Updating the oath of citizenship to include respect and recognition of Indigenous treaty rights is a clear signal to incoming Canadians about the values of the country they are joining and the role they have in furthering those values;The proposed amendment to Canada’s Oath of Citizenship directly responds to Call to Action No. 94 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; andThe House of Commons has the ability to pass bills quickly with unanimous consent from all parties.We, the undersigned, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, citizens and soon-to-be citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to cooperate and Pass Bill C-99 to update Canada’s Oath of Citizenship to respect and recognize Indigenous rights before the House rises on June 21, 2019.Aboriginal rightsCitizenship and identityOath of allegiance42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2238e-2238 (Aerodromes)DavidMorganJohnBarlowFoothillsConservativeABJune 14, 2019, at 11:14 a.m. (EDT)July 14, 2019, at 11:14 a.m. (EDT)July 15, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Allan J MacEachen Port Hawkesbury Airport has been an essential piece of regional infrastructure for Cape Breton and the Strait Area since 1973;The Allan J MacEachen Port Hawkesbury Airport provides 24 hours a day, 365 days a year services for important local services like EHS LifeFlight, the Department of Lands and Forestry, and the Canadian Coast Guard;The operators of the Allan J MacEachen Port Hawkesbury Airport, Celtic Air Services, have invested over $2 million in the airport and surrounding communities since 2017, overseen a steady increase in traffic at the airport and promoted Cape Breton’s world-class tourist destinations across North America; andThe creation of a new airport in Western Cape Breton, using federal government funds would put all operations at the Allan J MacEachen Port Hawkesbury Airport at risk of closing.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to refrain from investing federal government funds in the creation of a new airport in Cape BretonAirportsCape Breton42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2239e-2239 (Parole system)RyanMcGrathStephanieKusieCalgary MidnaporeConservativeABJune 14, 2019, at 11:14 a.m. (EDT)August 13, 2019, at 11:14 a.m. (EDT)August 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Currently in Canada when a victim of crime goes through a court process and sentencing of the perpetrator they are expected to manually register in order to receive notice of parole hearings;Many victims are either unaware of this requirement or have not remembered to do so after a lengthy and emotional trial;Some victims do not want to be notified regarding parole hearings, however they are in the minority;The current notification system of manual registration puts the onus on victims thereby causing further trauma when learning outcomes from indirect sources such as the media; andThe current system does not allow for sufficient input from victims as they do not have proper time to prepare.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to adopt a change to the parole system whereby a victim will be automatically registered into a notification system and those who do not want to receive notifications can manually deregister.Conditional releaseVictims of crime42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2247e-2247 (International trade)TenzinYehshopaRandallGarrisonEsquimalt—Saanich—SookeNDPBCJune 17, 2019, at 9:17 a.m. (EDT)September 15, 2019, at 9:17 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:UN statistics confirm that areas within the Tibetan Autonomous Regions (TAR) remain the poorest in all of China;Tibetans experience ongoing and systemic discrimination in respect to economic opportunity, labour rights and gender equality;Tibetans continue to be disadvantaged by their ethnicity, lower education levels and lack of fluency in the Chinese language;Tibetans have little or no access to information about trade agreements which directly impact them and no input into those agreements; andAll states, as part of their human right obligations are expected to undertake human rights due to diligence in all areas of endeavour including the negotiation of trade agreements and other economic agreements.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the government of Canada to: (a) Ensure that international human rights standards inform Canada’s trade relations with China;(b) Incorporate human rights responsibilities for Canadian companies directly into the investment chapter of any future trade and investment agreements with China;(c) Ensure human rights concerns are integrated across all aspects of Canada’s trade policy with China; and(d) Identify how its sectoral trade priorities with China will impact specific human rights in Tibet and identify appropriate mitigation measures to address those impacts.ChinaCivil and human rightsInternational tradeTibet42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2207e-2207 (Immigration)JohanneBoivin DrapeauRobertAubinTrois-RivièresNDPQCJune 18, 2019, at 12:37 p.m. (EDT)July 18, 2019, at 12:37 p.m. (EDT)July 19, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Havana office of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been closed since May 8, 2019;People who are required to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photo) must go to a visa application centre (VAC) outside Cuba;People who are invited to an interview must now go to a Canadian embassy outside Cuba;Sponsored Cuban citizens must also have their dependent children undergo medical examinations (which means that the children must obtain a travel authorization, passport, etc.) to accompany the parent in the third country EVEN if the parent is not immigrating to Canada;Invited parents/grandparents, who often speak only Spanish, must leave the island and go to a third country alone to provide biometrics (such as Trinidad and Tobago, which does not require Cuban citizens to have a visa but does impose entry conditions); andMinors aged 14 and older invited by either their mother or father (Canadian citizens or permanent residents) must also provide biometrics in a third country.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens and permanent residents with family and friends in Cuba, call upon the House of Commons to ensure a plan is in place to help our Cuban family members, friends and clients who are sponsored or invited to Canada carry out their medical examinations, biometrics and interviews in Cuba.BiometricsCubaImmigrant sponsorshipMedical examinations42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2252e-2252 (Correctional facilities)DanisaJaraKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestConservativeABJune 18, 2019, at 12:37 p.m. (EDT)August 17, 2019, at 12:37 p.m. (EDT)August 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214300" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness</Addressee>Whereas:The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) announced it was introducing a Prison Needle Exchange Program;Prison environments are dangerous and unpredictable and deviating from a zero-tolerance policy on the use of illicit drugs in our prisons causes undue risk to inmates, staff, and the Canadian Public by undermining attempts to help inmates become law-abiding citizens;Needles can be used as weapons against staff and inmates, and lead to an increase in medical emergencies, which affect the mental well-being of correctional officers and other correctional staff; andThe safety of Correctional Officers and other staff who work within the walls of our federal institutions and who are tasked with keeping Canadians safe. Prison needle exchange programs are used to control a health epidemic in which correctional officers should have no part, as they are not health care professionals.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to recognize that this is a Health issue and stop any future roll out of the dangerous needle exchange program by keeping needles out of inmate's cells.Correctional facilitiesSafe injection sitesSyringes42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2209e-2209 (Climate change)DaveTheriaultRonLiepertCalgary Signal HillConservativeABJune 19, 2019, at 4:55 p.m. (EDT)October 17, 2019, at 4:55 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada emits 1.6% of global CO2 - even if Canada eliminates 100% of its emissions, climate change will continue;Climate change has been a phenomenon for millions of years. The science of man-made climate change is not fully accepted;A large portion of the Canadian population resides and works along the shorelines of oceans, lakes and rivers;Our governments readily, generously and quickly spend billions of dollars towards CO2 emission reduction/elimination programs;Very little funding and very slow action has been taken to adapt to climate change disasters;The types of events to consider are (but not limited to): overland flooding, sea level rise, forest and grass fires;The types of measures include (but are not limited to): dykes, berms, walls, erosion control, bank stabilization, retention ponds, regulating river and stream flows with additional dams and reservoirs, up-stream spillways, enhanced drainage systems, up-stream storage and dry dams, floodways, water diversion, preventing and clearing ice jams, ensuring existing dams are structurally reliable, under brush removal, et cetera; andCanadians are weary of governments solely concentrating their efforts and capital programs towards man-made CO2 climate change. If we continue down this path, climate change will continue and Canada will not be prepared, resulting in hardship and financial loss.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to prepare and execute programs to adapt to and mitigate the impacts from climate change extreme weather events, in order to protect human lives, residential and business properties and public infrastructure. Climate change and global warmingReal estateSafety42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2260e-2260 (Air transportation)ChristianZiadeEvaNassifVimyLiberalQCJune 19, 2019, at 4:53 p.m. (EDT)September 17, 2019, at 4:53 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There are no direct flights between Canada and Lebanon, since the Canadian government rescinded the license granted to Air Canada back in 2003;There are direct flights between Beirut and many European countries, as well as Canada and many countries with a considerable security threat which makes national security an invalid reason;It is an extreme economical benefit for both countries and for the Lebanese diaspora living in Canada to allow direct flights between Canada and Lebanon; andNational support was demonstrated for the cause during the e-721 petition.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to restore the license and remove the ban to operate direct flights from Canada to Beirut, or engage in meaningful, transparent and public discussion concerning the national security reasons prohibiting direct flights between Canada and Lebanon that allows the Lebanese diaspora to work towards a solution.AirlinesBeirutNational securityPermits and licences42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2244e-2244 (Conversion therapy)SabrinaSmithHon.KentHehrCalgary CentreLiberalABJuly 3, 2019, at 9:13 a.m. (EDT)October 1, 2019, at 9:13 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Homosexuality and gender-nonconformity have been observed as naturally occurring since the 19th century by psychologists and sexologists;Homosexuality was removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1974;Ideology and beliefs should not stand in the way of empirical data which prove that sexuality and gender cannot be changed through “therapy”;Individuals who are forcibly subjected to conversion therapy often face abuse and trauma from the “therapy” they are given;Individuals who are forcibly subjected to conversion therapy often face lifelong sexual confusion which affect their personal relationships;Mental illness and suicide is overrepresented among LGBTQ2 youth than heterosexual and cisgender youth, which is often made worse with conversion therapy; andBanning conversion therapy for minors will protect LGBTQ2 youth from abuse and trauma.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to ban conversion therapy for minors.Conversion therapySexual minorities42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2245e-2245 (National child care program)NicoleEllementHon.KentHehrCalgary CentreLiberalABJuly 3, 2019, at 9:11 a.m. (EDT)October 1, 2019, at 9:11 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:There is scientific evidence showing that experiences during the first five years of life have a material impact on economic and social success, including educational and career attainment, health and overall well-being;Early childhood education has shown beneficial in reducing education-related expenditures and promoting childhood wellbeing, improving mothers’ participation in the labour force, and reducing income inequality;Affording child care is difficult for many families across Canada and high fees exclude most families from accessing child care across the country where child care reaches only 25 percent of children outside of Quebec;The current services too often do not include the high quality early childhood education shown to benefit young childhood development; andThe analysis shows that for every dollar invested, the return ranges from roughly 1.5 to almost 3 dollars, with the benefit ratio for disadvantaged children being in the double digits.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to create and provide a national early childhood education and child care program.Care for childrenNational child care program42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2262e-2262 (Identity theft)FrédéricJacquesHon.StevenBlaneyBellechasse—Les Etchemins—LévisConservativeQCJuly 9, 2019, at 10:10 a.m. (EDT)November 6, 2019, at 10:10 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1"> Government of Canada </Addressee> Whereas:These days, Canadians are targets of many fraud and identity theft schemes; Recently, the social insurance numbers of nearly three million Canadians were stolen through Desjardins; A stolen social insurance number means fraudsters can easily steal a Canadian’s identity to fund their criminal activities and possibly fund terrorist organizations;In this digital age, there is surely an effective solution that would ensure Canadians can be clearly identified without putting them at risk of fraud by using only a number, which is the case today;This digital solution must be developed and designed to take into account the needs of Canadians, and also must prevent attacks and theft from fraudsters targeting Canadians, both now and in the future;While Desjardins has offered Equifax protection for five years, this is not enough unless the government changes its procedures, because otherwise in five years nearly three million Canadians will once again be at risk of electronic theft or attack from these fraudsters; andThe outdated social insurance number (SIN) system still in use puts the safety and security of Canadians at risk by catering to fraudsters and terrorists and exposing Canadian citizens and leaving them without protection. We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take concrete action to ensure the safety and security of Canadians by improving the identification process for citizens, which currently relies solely on a social insurance number.e-SecurityIdentity theftSocial insurance numbers42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2219e-2219 (Climate change)KaruneshSaroyaHon.MikeLakeEdmonton—WetaskiwinConservativeABJuly 10, 2019, at 1:35 p.m. (EDT)November 7, 2019, at 1:35 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Whereas the world currently is experiencing climate change which is only expected to worsen and this can lead to rising oceans, hotter weather, and the extinction of many species;Currently, this issue has caused argument and debate in Canada, which has resulted in the delay of the Trans mountain pipeline and has hurt interprovincial relations;This delay has also caused unemployment in Alberta, and a great deal of uncertainty;While this occurs, climate change worsens, and the world’s weather turns severe;A middle path solution must be created to reverse climate change as well as to continue economic growth, one that would give breathing room to allow a longer transition period to convert to alternative energy technologies while we not only reduce, but also reverse, the carbon footprint which we have left;This would allow us to make an immediate difference in the fight against climate change as well as continued economic development; andA worldwide effort would allow us to mitigate costs and be an achievable goal for other countries who struggle with being environmentally progressive while attaining economic development.We, the undersigned, residents of the province of Alberta, call upon the House of Commons to begin a worldwide initiative to use technologies to capture carbon, thus reversing climate change.Carbon capture, utilization and storageClimate change and global warmingScience and technology42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2261e-2261 (Refugees)AdilAl-SerriIqraKhalidMississauga—Erin MillsLiberalONJuly 11, 2019, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)October 9, 2019, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The media hasn’t given the conflict in Yemen its fair share of coverage, the conflict is not any less violent than the war in Iraq or Syria;The UN has declared the state of humanitarian emergency in Yemen;Around 80% of the population is in dire need of assistance: food, medical supply, fuel, and access to safe zones;Other conflicts in regions of interest to super powers have taken the spotlight and attracted world sympathy and foreign aid;Amnesty International has documented human rights violations by both fighting parties against civilians;Violations include random bombardment of residential areas, kidnapping, and sieges around highly dense cities;The Groups of Five (“G5”) program allows five (or more) Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a refugee living abroad to come to Canada, as long as the refugee is registered with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or foreign state. However, on October 19, 2012, the Government of Canada has temporarily exempted Syrians and Iraqis fleeing the current conflict from the requirement of refugee status with the UNHCR; andThe stance of our Canadian government towards refugees from Syria and Iraq is a world example of compassion and humanity. Canadians of Yemeni and Middle Eastern roots are seeking your help to grant them the same support and the ability the sponsor their families and loved ones via the G5 program along with the exemptions mentioned above.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to extend the G5 exemptions granted to Iraqi and Syrian refugees to Yemeni refugees.Refugee sponsorshipRepublic of Yemen42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2237e-2237 (Whistleblower protection)AlessandroPresenzaPaulLefebvreSudburyLiberalONJuly 23, 2019, at 3:34 p.m. (EDT)October 21, 2019, at 3:34 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Health care provider Extendicare Canada Inc. and its subsidiary, Progressive Step Corporation, agreed in the year 2014 to repay $38 million (USD) to resolve allegations of abuse and grossly deficient care provided in the United States;The basket of protections under existing statutes afforded to the Canadian government, and ultimately the taxpayer, is woefully inadequate;The False Claims Act has been the most effective legal tool in combating fraud against the public purse in the United States, with billions of dollars being recovered every year; and This legal tool has been so effective that 30 separate U.S. states have followed suit and implemented their own versions of the legislation, and Canadians deserve no less.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada and all its provinces, call upon the House of Commons to pass a Canadian False Claims Act to incentivize whistleblowers to bring credible information forward to government in order to facilitate the investigation of crimes and the recovery of lost proceeds.Allegations of fraud and fraudGovernment contracts42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2236e-2236 (Aboriginal affairs)GretaFleetPeterFragiskatosLondon North CentreLiberalONJuly 23, 2019, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)August 22, 2019, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)August 23, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:An Elder from Attawapiskat First Nation visited our school to tell us what things are like in their community;Their schools have no heat. Their homes do not have drinkable water and a lot are really old and badly in need of fixing;They deserve the same opportunities and choices as us in London, like being able to go to a great school like Lester B Pearson School for the Arts and do art and drama and music and dance like I get to do;I want to make a change about this;I want to help;Our friends in Attawapiskat need your help; andI hope you will help them.We, the undersigned, Greta Fleet and the people of London, Ontario, call upon the Government of Canada to please help the people of Attawapiskat and other Aboriginal communities and in the spirit of reconciliation adapt all 231 recommendations included in the recently released final report by the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.Aboriginal peoplesHomicideInquiries and public inquiriesMissing personsSexual minorities42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2268e-2268 (Hong Kong)Chun FungYuenHon.MichaelChongWellington—Halton HillsConservativeONAugust 12, 2019, at 9:15 a.m. (EDT)September 11, 2019, at 9:15 a.m. (EDT)September 11, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On July 17, 2019, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Hong Kong, calling for “appropriate export control mechanisms” on technologies that could be used to violate human rights;Since June 12, 2019, the Hong Kong Police has been using excessive force against protestors and journalists. Many incidents were reported regarding firing tear gas directly into the crowd, and shooting protesters and journalists in their heads;On July 21, 2019, hundreds of triad members dressed in white attacked commuters and protesters in a metro station, which leaving 45 people hospitalized. The HK police had deliberately turned a blind eye to prevent the bloodshed. Later in that evening, only two men were arrested for unlawful assembly;The safety of approximately 300,000 Canadian residing in HK is at great risk due to the escalating situation between protestors and HK government.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1) Impose appropriate export control to deny access to technologies that could be used to violate human rights.2) Urge HK government to completely withdraw the controversial extradition bill, and express serious concern on the deteriorating freedom of press, speech and rule of law.3) Ban and/or sanction key officials of HK government and police force who are responsible for human rights violation and corruption as per the Justice for the Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.Civil and human rightsDeportation, extradition and removal of foreignersEconomic sanctionsExportsForeign public officialsHong KongProtests42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2283e-2283 (Foreign policy)KarimMansouriAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCSeptember 10, 2019, at 8:50 a.m. (EDT)December 9, 2019, at 8:50 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1"> Government of Canada </Addressee> Whereas: The Algerian people have been peacefully protesting their opposition to a militarized authoritarian regime since February 22, 2019; Millions of protesters have expressed their desire to establish a system governed by the rule of law guaranteeing individual and collective freedoms, social justice and equality among citizens; This movement has been the target of many attempts to divide and manipulate, such as massive attacks and hate campaigns on social media, as well as attempts to discredit high-profile protesters and opponents of the system and to infiltrate the movement; Military and security forces are engaging in repression by attacking individual and collective freedoms. Many people have been arbitrarily arrested and beaten for carrying an Amazigh (Berber) flag, repeating a slogan or expressing an opinion; Various demonstrators have been jailed, with some receiving harsh sentences. They are being thrown in prison, where political prisoners and prisoners of conscience have already been held for many years, sentenced by special courts or military tribunals. We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: (1) officially express its support for the Algerian people who are peacefully calling for the freedom of expression, the freedom of demonstration and all other fundamental freedoms, with a goal of establishing a system under the rule of law; (2) strongly denounce systematic human rights violations by the Algerian authorities; and (3) call on Algerian authorities to put an end to these arbitrary arrests and to free prisoners of conscience and political prisoners. AlgeriaCivil and human rightsPolitical prisoners42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2035e-2035 (Health care services)TaraLeitchHon.DianeFinleyHaldimand—NorfolkConservativeONFebruary 5, 2019, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)May 6, 2019, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)May 31, 2019August 21, 2019May 6, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Physical fitness can significantly help those suffering with mental health issues, by reducing or negating the need for prescribed medications; andPeople who suffer from chronic illness, might turn to physical fitness, which can help by reducing or negating some symptoms and lessen stress and pain that could require time off work.We, the undersigned, the citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to recognize physical fitness as a form of treatment for physical injury and mental health issues. We request that physical fitness through a gym membership, personal training, and physiotherapy be made available through funding and specific programming to individuals suffering mental illness or chronic, life-altering disease or illness.8545-421-31-75 Government Response to petitions concerning health care servicesChronic diseasesMental healthPhysical activity and fitness42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 6, 2019e-2044e-2044 (Constitutional amendments)AlFeldmanSherryRomanadoLongueuil—Charles-LeMoyneLiberalQCFebruary 6, 2019, at 11:08 a.m. (EDT)June 6, 2019, at 11:08 a.m. (EDT)June 6, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms “guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society”;A fundamental purpose of constitutionally enshrined rights in a free and democratic society is to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens from being suspended at the arbitrary discretion of governments;The “notwithstanding clause” (section 33) allows Parliament or provincial legislatures to suspend fundamental freedoms, legal rights, and equality rights simply by declaring that they are doing so;The notwithstanding clause contradicts the requirement that “reasonable limits... be demonstrably justified”, which insulates Parliament and provincial legislatures from judicial oversight, and allows governments to act with impunity, defeating a basic purpose of rights and freedoms being enshrined in a constitution; andCanadians have never been directly consulted on a provision that renders their fundamental freedoms, legal rights, and equality rights (sections 2 and 7 to 15) of the Charter subject to arbitrary suspension at the sole discretion of Parliament or a provincial legislature.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to consult the citizens of Canada, in accordance with the Referendum Act, in the form of a referendum question asking electors if they would be in favour of a constitutional amendment to revoke the notwithstanding clause.Constitutional amendmentNotwithstanding clauseReferenda42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 13, 2019e-2049e-2049 (Saeed Malekpour)MaryamMalekpourHon.Judy A.SgroHumber River—Black CreekLiberalONFebruary 7, 2019, at 1:06 p.m. (EDT)April 8, 2019, at 1:06 p.m. (EDT)May 9, 2019June 13, 2019April 9, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian government has unequivocally committed itself to the protection and promotion of international human rights;The Canadian government has recognized the Iranian authorities’ egregious human rights violations against the Iranian people, including against imprisoned web-developer and permanent resident of Canada, Saeed Malekpour, whose sister, Maryam Malkepour is a Canadian Citizen;The Iranian authorities have been condemned for the arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and murder of Iranian-Canadians, including imprisoning web-developer Saeed Malekpour, in violation of international human rights law, which expressly prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention as mandated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;Saeed Malekpour was arbitrarily arrested on illegitimate charges, imprisoned after a sham trial and does not have access to his lawyer;Saeed Malekpour languishes in prison on a life sentence, based solely on a forced confession obtained through torture; andSaeed Malekpour has been recognized by international NGOs as a prisoner of conscience, and the United Nations has extensively both documented and condemned his degrading and inhumane treatment and torture.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to jointly with the Prime Minister, personally and publicly call for the release of Saeed Malekpour — permanent resident of Canada – in his 10th year of unjust imprisonment for his courage and determination to make technology more accessible and promote freedom of expression and democratic values.International relationsIranMalekpour, SaeedPolitical prisoners42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 20, 2019e-2039e-2039 (Pension system)GerryTiedeMarkWarawaLangley—AldergroveConservativeBCFebruary 8, 2019, at 12:23 p.m. (EDT)April 9, 2019, at 12:23 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2019June 20, 2019April 9, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians throughout their working years have individually contributed to their pensions, and their employers have contributed to those pensions as deferred wages;Canadians who have defined benefit pension plans should not live in fear that their earned benefits might be reduced when they are in their most vulnerable senior years; andCanadians who have worked and contributed to defined benefit pension plans should be protected from the loss of their pensions through bankruptcy or mismanagement of their pension administration and investments.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to to promote and protect earned pensions for all Canadians in the future, to withdraw Bill C-27, and to establish a national pension insurance program to ensure that seniors can live with financial security.C-27, An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Pensions and pensionersSenior citizens42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2053e-2053 (Aboriginal affairs)VivianeMichelAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCFebruary 8, 2019, at 2:37 p.m. (EDT)June 8, 2019, at 2:37 p.m. (EDT)June 19, 2019August 21, 2019June 11, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Quebec Native Women was founded in 1974 to combat gender-based discrimination in the Indian Act;Forty-five years later, the Indian Act still discriminates against Indigenous women and their descendants, despite the amendments made over the years in bills C-31, C-3 and S-3;The United Nations Human Rights Committee found that this discrimination violates the equality rights and cultural rights of Indigenous women and their descendants;The Indian Act is an archaic, patriarchal and assimilationist law that no longer serves a purpose; andThe federal government promised to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.We, the undersigned, Members and allies of Quebec Native Women, call upon the Government of Canadato:(1) Immediately end all forms of discrimination in the Indian Act;(2) Immediately comply with the United Nations Human Rights Committee decision of January 17, 2019, on the McIvor case and make reparations to all those whose equality rights and cultural rights were violated by the Indian Act’s discriminatory regime without delay;(3) Take all necessary measures to abolish the Indian Act’s racist and patriarchal regime as soon as possible; and(4) Immediately and fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, especially the right to self-determination.8545-421-65-14 Government Response to petitions concerning aboriginal affairsAboriginal peoplesDiscriminationIndian ActUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 10, 2019e-2038e-2038 (VIA Rail)YanTremblay-PoissonAnne Minh-ThuQuachSalaberry—SuroîtNDPQCFebruary 8, 2019, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)May 9, 2019, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)May 10, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Every day, thousands of people travel to Montreal or Ottawa for work or school;The riding of Salaberry-Suroît has poor transit service;The train station in Les Coteaux was open to travellers until fall 2012 and had a ticket counter;Purchasing tickets online or over the telephone is not very convenient; andIt is in the interest of everyone and the environment to promote transit.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commonsto open a dialogue with Via Rail so : The station can have opening hours for travellers;Reopen a ticket counter; and add more trains to serve local residents.Rail passenger transportationVIA Rail Canada Inc.42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 12, 2019e-2057e-2057 (Electoral system)CarsonFlettArnoldViersenPeace River—WestlockConservativeABFebruary 11, 2019, at 12:54 p.m. (EDT)June 11, 2019, at 12:54 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Young Canadians aged 16 and over need to be able to vote in all federal elections;Sixteen-year-old teenagers can be very well informed of how government works and why they should vote for someone to represent them; andTeenagers will be the most affected by the decisions the elected government will make, and they deserve to have a say in what will affect their future.We, the undersigned, CItizen of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to amend the Canada Elections Act to lower the voting age from 18 to 16.Canada Elections ActVoting age42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2025e-2025 (Access to information)AlanBarnesHon.PierrePoilievreCarletonConservativeONFebruary 11, 2019, at 12:53 p.m. (EDT)June 11, 2019, at 12:53 p.m. (EDT)June 19, 2019June 12, 2019Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214115" mp-riding-display="1"> Justin Trudeau</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada promotes values of transparency and openness through the provisions of the Access to Information Act;Current policies and practices of the Privy Council Office are impeding the proper implementation of the Access to Information Act;The Privy Council Office currently holds historical records dealing with security and intelligence matters dating back in some cases to 1942 in a facility separate from the main departmental file registry;The Privy Council Office has not transferred these records to Library and Archives Canada despite its responsibility to transfer inactive files of historical interest;These historical records are being held by the Privy Council Office in conditions that do not adequately protect them from damage or deterioration;The Privy Council Office does not have adequate archival indexes of these historical files so that they can be readily identified in response to Access to Information requests;Library and Archives Canada is the appropriate repository for these historical records, where they can be properly secured, preserved and managed by their security-cleared staff; andCanadian citizens deserve to have an understanding of the historical activities of their government which would be best facilitated by making these historical records available at Library and Archives Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon Justin Trudeau to direct his officials to review the records under the control of the Privy Council Office and transfer all historical records to Library and Archives Canada.Information archivingLibrary and Archives of CanadaPrivy Council Office42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2046e-2046 (National day)MandyFowlerTerrySheehanSault Ste. MarieLiberalONFebruary 12, 2019, at 10:39 a.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019, at 10:39 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2019August 21, 2019June 12, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (also known as DIPG) is a highly aggressive brain tumour found in the brainstem which controls vital functions (including breathing, the ability to walk or swallow) while losing no cognitive function. It is inoperable and incurable with a 100% mortality rate. It accounts for 10% of all childhood central nervous system tumours and 80% of brain tumour deaths in children. It occurs equally across gender and at any age in childhood, although typically between 5 - 10 years old;There is at present no cure for DIPG. Current research is dedicated to both finding a cure and better treatments to improve the longevity and quality of life for those children diagnosed with DIPG;Despite dedicated government funding to support research developments in targeted therapy and novel treatments, the disease itself remains largely unknown or misunderstood to the general public of Canada. Most people are unaware that DIPG is the leading cause of brain tumour death in children, often not finding out about this disease until they know someone to whom it affects; andThe declaration of May 25th as a National DIPG Day of Awareness would help to educate the public about the prevalence and severity of this disease, encourage funding to support ongoing research, increase dialogue in the professional medical community, further publicize and promote Canada's involvement in the fight against DIPG, and honour the victims of this terrible disease.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to declare May 25th as the National DIPG Day of Awareness across Canada.Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 16, 2019e-2050e-2050 (Renewable energy sources)GregMcGillisDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBFebruary 12, 2019, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)May 13, 2019, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)May 16, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>We, the undersigned, Supporters, call upon the House of Commons to:1) Stop the privatization of the National Capital Region central heating plants and related infrastructure as described in the Energy Service Acquisition Program; and2) Call on the Ministers responsible to work with the personnel who currently operate the plants, and with them, develop a plan to meet the goals while ensuring that these assets, and their maintenance and operation, stay completely in the public sector.District heating systemsEnergy Services Acquisition ProgramGovernment facilitiesPublic sector42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2058e-2058 (Criminal justice system)TrinaSchisonCherylGallantRenfrew—Nipissing—PembrokeConservativeONFebruary 12, 2019, at 3:05 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019, at 3:05 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Former SNC-Lavalin CEO Pierre Duhaime has pleaded guilty to a charge of helping a public servant commit breach of trust;SNC-Lavalin is currently facing prosecution for bribing public officials in Libya; andAllegations have been publicly leveled that Canada's Attorney General was pressured by members of the Prime Minister's Office to intervene in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately establish a Public Commission to investigate : (a) whether individuals at the highest levels of government sought to obstruct, influence, or interfere in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin; (b) whether or not those individuals received bribes to obstruct, influence, or interfere in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin; (c) to determine what knowledge any elected officials had of any efforts to obstruct, influence, or interfere in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin; and (d) to determine whether or not the recent removal of Jody Wilson-Raybould from the position of Attorney General was undertaken as punishment for refusing to participate in any effort to obstruct, influence, or interfere in the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.Criminal prosecutionsInquiries and public inquiriesPolitical influenceSNC-Lavalin Group Inc.42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2056e-2056 (National parks)MenoubaBoudermineMarcMillerVille-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-SoeursLiberalQCFebruary 18, 2019, at 4:39 p.m. (EDT)May 19, 2019, at 4:39 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2019August 21, 2019May 22, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1"> Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Regarding the land at the corner of Olier Street and du Séminaire Street in Montreal, owned by Parks Canada (leased in 2002 for 99 years to a corporate entity for $1.00), we express our total opposition to a vague project to build a luxury hotel combined with a cultural centre funded by a New York developer;We support strategies 1 and 4 in the Lachine Canal National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan 2018 for developing the Lachine Canal: 1. create a strong identity for the canal as a Montreal emblem, and 4. develop the Canal as an exceptional showcase for history; andMoreover, this same plan calls for the development of a public art policy by 2020 that could include a call for tenders for a memorial to workers.We, the undersigned responsible citizens who love the Lachine Canal, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to:1. ask Parks Canada to take action so as to comply with its Lachine Canal National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan 2018 so that Canadians can discover Parks Canada sites and learn about our history, environment and culture; and2. request that the land be taken back by Parks Canada and dedicated to a historical marking honouring the memory of the workers, mostly Irish, who made up the workforce during the building of the Canal in 1821–1825 and the two expansion projects in 1843 and 1873.Heritage sites and buildingsLachine CanalParks Canada Agency42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2037e-2037 (Animal transportation)ShelleyGraingerNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONFebruary 19, 2019, at 10:52 a.m. (EDT)June 19, 2019, at 10:52 a.m. (EDT)June 19, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Horses are air shipped from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan for human consumption;In 2018, over 7,000 horses were air shipped from Canada to Japan for slaughter for human consumption;3 to 4 horses are loaded into crates smaller than a single horse stall;Section 141.8 of the Health of Animals Regulations says horses over 14 hands (56”) must be segregated from all other animals for air transport;Many horses being air shipped to Japan are large draft types over 17 hands (68”), contravening the Health of Animals Regulations;The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets out standards for Live Animals Regulations, stipulating that horses must be shipped individually and have sufficient head clearance;IATA only allows exceptions for small polo ponies or Icelandic horses to be shipped in modified horse containers without partitions;Large draft horses can be 3 times the size of such ponies, therefore contravening IATA regulations;Videos taken at Canadian and Japanese airports show many horses in these crates don’t have sufficient head clearance, with their heads touching the roofs and ears protruding through the crates, contravening IATA regulations; andFlights are 10.5 to 13.5 hours long. Additional hours must be considered for ground transportation, loading into crates, and loading and unloading crates from planes. During this time, horses have no access to food or water.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to halt air shipments of horses exported for human consumption, due to the ongoing violation of Canadian and IATA regulations.Air transportationAnimal rights and welfareExportsHorses42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 25, 2019e-2069e-2069 (Aboriginal affairs)CarrieDyckMarcMillerVille-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-SoeursLiberalQCFebruary 20, 2019, at 9:13 a.m. (EDT)March 22, 2019, at 9:13 a.m. (EDT)March 25, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:All Indigenous languages in Canada are endangered in different ways; none are safe; and most are spoken nowhere else;We wish to affirm that section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, includes the right to speak and learn Indigenous languages;Article 13.1 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) recognizes that "Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures…"Article 13.2 of UNDRIP affirms that "States shall take effective measures to ensure that this right is protected…"In May 2016, Canada officially removed its objector status to UNDRIP, thereby affirming Indigenous peoples' linguistic rights;Bill C-91, "An Act respecting Indigenous languages" is currently before Parliament;2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages;Parliament’s good faith and efforts will work towards restoring the 'Honour of the Crown' in regards to Indigenous-Settler relations.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to expedite the passage of Bill C-91, "An Act respecting Indigenous languages", before the 42nd Canadian Parliament is dissolved.Aboriginal languages42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 23, 2019e-2055e-2055 (China)FilippoFerriRandallGarrisonEsquimalt—Saanich—SookeNDPBCFebruary 21, 2019, at 11:13 a.m. (EDT)April 22, 2019, at 11:13 a.m. (EDT)April 23, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Illegal fentanyl kills over 3,000 Canadians a year;This death rate is at crisis levels and is causing havoc within our country;China is the primary source of fentanyl or the ingredients used in making it;It is difficult to control the influx of fentanyl as its potency allows it to be easily shipped by mail or hidden in shipping containers; andThe lack of oversight in China allows this illegal fentanyl to be shipped to Canada and around the world.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to :1) Protest to the Government of China that illegal fentanyl from its country is killing Canadian Citizens;2) Pressure the Government of China to apply more stringent oversight of its pharmaceutical and chemical industries so as to stop the illegal shipment of fentanyl and its precursor ingredients from its country; and3) Direct the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) to increase measures aimed at stemming the flow of fentanyl into Canada.Canada Border Services AgencyChinaFentanylInternational relations42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2063e-2063 (Cameroon)PatrickWanko TchapdiéHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCFebruary 21, 2019, at 3:03 p.m. (EDT)March 23, 2019, at 3:03 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2019August 21, 2019March 25, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: Canada is committed to individual rights and freedoms;Given the increasing restrictions on human rights in Cameroon by President Biya’s government, now in power for more than three decades;Given the government’s violent policy of having the army and police open fire on civilians;Given the several years of deadly repression of the English-speaking populations, repeatedly condemned by organizations such as Amnesty International while the situation continues to deteriorate unabated;Given the tens of thousands of Cameroonian refugees in neighbouring countries and the hundreds of thousands of UN-recognized internally displaced persons due to the growing number of conflict zones;Given the worsening of already complex crises following the disputed presidential elections in October 2018;Given the massive and targeted extrajudicial arrest and imprisonment of peaceful, non-violent demonstrators;Given the exacerbating hate speech and calls for genocide even in private and public media by political figures, including ministers; andGiven the immense cruelty that many people around the world may have suffered as a result of the inaction or wait-and-see approach taken by policymakers.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take the appropriate action and act diligently to:1) Condemn all human rights violations against civilian populations in Cameroon; and2) Prevent any human catastrophe that may be perpetrated by the Cameroonian government.CameroonCivil and human rightsInternational relations42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2043e-2043 (Telecommunications)Marie-NoëlleLanthierFrancisDrouinGlengarry—Prescott—RussellLiberalONFebruary 22, 2019, at 9:33 a.m. (EDT)June 22, 2019, at 9:33 a.m. (EDT)June 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Rural communities play an important role in Canada’s economy;Adequate access to high-speed Internet is essential to the vitality of rural communities;The CRTC declared that high-speed Internet is an essential service;The CRTC has committed to spending $750 million to address the lack of rural broadband network coverage; andThe CRTC has set targets for download speeds of 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps for broadband services;We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:(1) Ensure that the $750 million allocated to the CRTC to achieve the set targets is properly allocated to the communities that need it most;(2) Ensure the regional distribution of funds; and (3) Allocate additional funding to provide access and improve high-speed Internet in rural areas.Broadband Internet servicesCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications CommissionRural communities42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2060e-2060 (Hazardous products)SherylFinkLenWebberCalgary ConfederationConservativeABFebruary 27, 2019, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2019, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Strychnine, Compound 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate), and sodium cyanide are widely acknowledged as inhumane methods of killing animals due to the intensity and duration of suffering they cause;The use of strychnine and Compound 1080 is considered inhumane by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and the use of strychnine as a method of euthanasia is in contravention of the Canadian Council on Animal Care guidelines, and those of the the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Society of Mammalogists; andThe indiscriminate nature of these poisons results in the death of non-target animals, including wild and endangered species, pets, and farm animals, and poses a threat to human health.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take immediate measures to end the use of strychnine, Compound 1080, and sodium cyanide for killing wolves, bears, coyotes, and other large vertebrates.AnimalsPoisons42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 1, 2019e-1996e-1996 (Pay equity)JordanMillerElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCFebruary 28, 2019, at 10:53 a.m. (EDT)March 30, 2019, at 10:53 a.m. (EDT)April 1, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="245230" mp-riding-display="1">Minister for Women and Gender Equality</Addressee>Whereas:Woman who have the same experience and qualification as a man, on average receives $7,200 less pay per year;18 billion of foregone income per year for all working women in Ontario, translates to 2.5% of Ontario’s GDP;Women with a Graduate Degree earned an average of 90 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2015;Indigenous women working full-time, full-year earn an average of 35% less than non-Indigenous men, earning 65 cents to the dollar;Racialized women working full-time, full-year earn an average of 33% less than non-racialized men, earning 67 cents to the dollar;Across Canada, women still make just 87 cents for every dollar made by men; andWomen in the executive ranks earn about 68 cents for every dollar made by men.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister for Women and Gender Equality to (a) eliminate selection bias, remove the requirement for job applicants to disclose there names on there resumes. Managers only need to see our professional experience and skills to find the best candidate (blind recruitment). Recruiters would not know the sex, religion and culture of job applicants; (b) require companies operating in Canada to publicly disclose the ratio of women, indigenous peoples, radicalized groups and members in the LGBT+ community working in executive and managerial positions in each province in Canada; (c) work with provinces to implement all recommendations from the Gender Wage Gap strategy Steering Committee (Ontario) June 2016; and (d) pass a bill in Parliament within 6 months.Employment equityEqual opportunitiesPay equity42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2072e-2072 (Health care services)BobMartinKenHardieFleetwood—Port KellsLiberalBCFebruary 28, 2019, at 2:31 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2019, at 2:31 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Laws, as they now stand, are discriminatory in not protecting, nor compensating, those Canadians or Visitors that are injured or die while receiving a vaccine while in Canada; All Canadians must take responsibility and sign this long-overdue Petition;Canada does not have a Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, except for Québec. This kind of protection is provided around the world by other countries and, more specific, 18 G20 Countries have their own Vaccine Compensation Programs. The only 2 member countries that do not are Canada and Russia. The intent is to create a (retroactive) Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to compensate and ease the burden created by any and all vaccines, sold or bought for any use in Canada, that have or will injure or take the life of any Canadian and administered to any citizen or visitor while in Canada; and We, the citizens of Canada, expect our Federal Government to make laws to protect its citizens, not deny them justice.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada and other interested supporters, call upon the Government of Canada to create a Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and amend any laws or statutes existing in order to create this program to cover all Canadians and visitors when injured or deceased from the effect of a vaccine gone bad.CompensationDeaths and funeralsImmunizationInjuries42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 3, 2019e-2083e-2083 (Immigration)NafiyaNasoHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABMarch 1, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)June 29, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Yazidi people have suffered genocide and many have only recently been released from ISIS; Many Yazidis in Iraq already have family in Canada now and have no local durable solutions; Family reunification is a key component of integration; Most Yazidis have lost members of their immediate family, especially male family members; andThe One Year Window of Opportunity Provision only allows refugees to sponsor children and spouses.We, the undersigned, Canadians, call upon the Government of Canada to expand the definition of family to include extended family members for Yazidi refugees given that they are genocide survivors and given that many of their immediate family members are deceased or missing in action and to immediately clear the backlog in the existing sponsorship cases under the One Year Window provision for children.Families and childrenImmigrant sponsorshipYazidis42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2092e-2092 (Criminal justice system)LesslieAskinPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCMarch 1, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)June 29, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:SNC-Lavalin (Inc) executives have faced numerous prosecutions and convictions for bribery, fraud and money laundering;SNC-Lavalin recently lobbied federal government officials heavily for a deferred prosecution (or "remediation") agreement regarding a multi-million dollar criminal case against the company;The Prime Minister removed Jody Wilson-Raybould as Attorney General on January 14th;Wilson-Raybould resigned as Minister of Veterans Affairs amidst allegations that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had pressured her to assist SNC-Lavalin in avoiding criminal prosecution;The Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, Gerald Butts, subsequently also resigned on February 19th;Despite the fact that constitutionally an Attorney General is the legal representative of the people of Canada, Wilson-Raybould remained subject to full solicitor-client privilege and cabinet confidentiality until OIC 2019-0105 was issued on February 25th;On February 27th Wilson-Raybould testified to the House Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights that for approximately four months she had been subjected to "political interference" by various government officials; andCanadians are entitled to substantive public disclosure concerning the legal and ethical significance of these events and allegations.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to (a) completely waive all solicitor-client privilege and cabinet confidentiality, so Jody Wilson-Raybould may speak openly about the SNC-Lavalin matter; and (b) launch a public inquiry, under the Canada Inquiries Act, into whether either the Prime Minister's Office or the Prime Minister politically interfered in the court case against SNC-Lavalin.Cabinet confidenceInquiries and public inquiriesPolitical influenceReferences to membersSNC-Lavalin Group Inc.Solicitor-client privilegeWilson-Raybould, Jody42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2091e-2091 (Sentences in the Criminal Code)BrettonMcCannDaneLloydSturgeon River—ParklandConservativeABMarch 5, 2019, at 8:03 a.m. (EDT)June 3, 2019, at 8:03 a.m. (EDT)June 12, 2019June 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:There are numerous cases in Canada where certain offenders have refused to disclose the location of their victims' remains;The ongoing refusal of these offenders to cooperate in the location of the body or remains of a victim increases the emotional trauma on family members and friends of the victim;The current law does not stipulate an offender’s refusal to disclose victims’ remains as an aggravating factor for consideration at sentencing or for being granted parole or temporary absence; andBill C-437, also known as McCanns’ Law, will assist authorities and families in the recovery of the remains of victims by creating potential consequences in sentencing and paroling for those offenders who do not cooperate.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada,, call upon the House of Commons to enact Bill C-437.C-437, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the Prisons and Reformatories ActHomicideHuman remainsSentencing42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2097e-2097 (Firearms)ClaireSmithJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONMarch 5, 2019, at 11:31 a.m. (EDT)July 3, 2019, at 11:31 a.m. (EDT)July 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The private ownership of handguns and assault style rifles, at nearly 1 million weapons, represents a clear and present risk to the Citizens of Canada;Existing laws that restrict the use, storage and transportation of handguns, have still allowed many legal handguns to end up in the hands of violent criminals as a result of illegal sales, theft and diversion from law abiding owners and retailers;Canada has the fourth highest rate of gun deaths among OECD countries while other countries have shown that strict gun control laws lead to dramatically lower gun violence;Military assault weapons such as the AR-15 are sold to civilians in Canada;Handguns account for 58% of shooting homicides;Handguns and military weapons are not used legitimately for hunting or other purposes, by farmers or indigenous people;Victims and families of the mass shooting, which took place on Danforth Avenue in Toronto, on July 22, 2018, supports this action;The medical community, expressed through the Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns, supports this action;Mayor John Tory of the City of Toronto, publicly supports this action; andA prior e-petition, put forward by Wendy Cukier of the Coalition for Gun Control, and Julie Dzerowicz, MP for Davenport, saw 20,099 signatures appear to support this action, which puts public safety first.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to implement a ban on the civilian ownership of handguns and military assault weapons.Chief Firearms OfficersHandgunsMilitary weapons42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2094e-2094 (Justin Trudeau)GlenWalleynHon.CandiceBergenPortage—LisgarConservativeMBMarch 5, 2019, at 1:52 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2019, at 1:52 p.m. (EDT)May 16, 2019May 6, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The allegations outlined in media reports and the recent testimony of the former Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould, suggest significant wrongdoing and potential obstruction of justice by the Prime Minister;The Prime Minister has misled Canadians, providing a version of events that is inconsistent with the recent testimony of the former Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould;The Prime Minister has repeatedly failed to answer questions in Parliament and refused to testify publicly at the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights; andThe Prime Minister has lost the moral authority to govern.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister of Canada to resign from office immediately.Prime MinisterReferences to membersResignationTrudeau, Justin42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2099e-2099 (Foreign policy)ElanaWrightHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCMarch 5, 2019, at 3:39 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2019, at 3:39 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament Assembled </Addressee>Whereas:Every minute, 31 people are forced to flee their homes, the majority of whom are living in the poorest countries of the world under extremely difficult conditions;There are many complex, interrelated causes of forced migration, including armed conflict, climate change, development megaprojects and persecution;Without inclusive and participatory democracies that respect human rights, forced migration will only increase; No one should be forced to flee their home.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to address the underlying causes of forced migration by:(1) ensuring that humanitarian assistance is available to all refugees and their host communities;(2) supporting grassroot organizations that promote peace, democracy and human rights;(3) investing more in diplomatic and peaceful solutions to armed conflicts.Civil and human rightsDiplomacy and diplomatsHumanitarian assistance and workersMigration and migrants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 17, 2019e-2102e-2102 (Environmental pollution)MikeCavanaughMarkGerretsenKingston and the IslandsLiberalONMarch 6, 2019, at 2:55 p.m. (EDT)May 5, 2019, at 2:55 p.m. (EDT)May 15, 2019July 17, 2019May 6, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s;Plastic is not biodegradable and could exist for hundreds or thousands of years;Nearly two million single-use plastic bags are circulated worldwide every minute, and over one billion plastic bags are distributed annually in Canada;Over 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, threatening 700 marine animal species;Around 10,000 tons of plastic enter the Great Lakes annually, and microplastics can remain in drinking water even after water treatment;Research finds that there are 1.1 million microbeads per square kilometre in Lake Ontario;Extrapolating from current trends, plastic pollution will outweigh fish by 2050;Some countries, including Kenya, Malibu, Morocco, Rwanda, South Korea, the UK, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe, have mobilized to reduce the manufacture and use of plastics;There are eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives for non-biodegradable and single-use plasticsWe must take action to combat climate change and achieve environmental sustainability; andThe involvement and initiative of Canada in reducing and eliminating plastic pollution would most definitely motivate other countries to contribute to positive change and would be the start of much-needed progress.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to enact a ban on the production and distribution of all single-use plastics.8545-421-220-03 Government Response to petitions concerning environmental pollutionBanPlastics42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2073e-2073 (Criminal justice system)RaymondWongDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCMarch 7, 2019, at 11:51 a.m. (EDT)July 5, 2019, at 11:51 a.m. (EDT)July 5, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:It has been reported by the BC Coroners Service that fentanyl overdose have killed at least 4,000 people in BC, and police reports indicate that drug traffickers have laundered $5 billion through the Vancouver real estate market since 2012;According to the Peter German report, a minimum of $100 million was laundered through BC Casinos over 10 years, in what became known as the 'Vancouver model';According to a 2016 report form anti-corruption group Transparency International, 46 of Vancouver's 100 most valuable properties have their ownership obscured, 29 are held through shell companies, 11 are held through nominees and 6 are held in trust for anonymous beneficiaries;In 2017, the Financial Transaction and Report Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) fined an unnamed bank $1.15 million for violating anti-money laundering regulations; andWith Vancouver now recognized internationally as a hub of transnational money laundering, it is imperative to discover to what extent corruption has been involved in a system that has either turned a blind eye to, or taken advantage of, criminal money laundering in large sectors of BC's economy.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of British Columbia,, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Launch a public inquiry into money laundering and corruption in regards to: (a) fentanyl trafficking; (b) the Greater Vancouver real estate market; (c) the banking system; (d) lawyers, notaries, accountants; (e) regulated casinos; (f) agricultural land reserve speculation; (g) luxury vehicles;2. Create a special task force to prosecute money laundering and corruption;3. Close the bare trust loophole; and4. Confiscate all properties and assets that were purchased with laundered money.CorruptionInquiries and public inquiriesMoney launderingSeizure of assetsTrust funds and trustees42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2101e-2101 (Health care services)TeriMcGrathRichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCMarch 15, 2019, at 10:25 a.m. (EDT)June 13, 2019, at 10:25 a.m. (EDT)June 18, 2019August 21, 2019June 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Despite the establishment of numerous patient safety association since 1990, the most recent stats indicate that 30,000 and more patients die annually due to preventable medical errors making them the third leading cause of death in Canada;The only resource patients and families have for compensation is tort law that ties up our courts, is financially and emotionally devastating and a very lengthy and prolonged legal process;This is a nonpartisan political issue because all provincial governments across the country transfer millions of taxpayer dollars to the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) - British Columbia transferred $4.9 M in 2017 - every year to finance lawyers to engage patients and families in lengthy, expensive hearings;Taxpayer dollars are being used against taxpaying patients and families to pay lawyers to defend preventable medical errors causing injuries and deaths and the most recent statistics indicate only 2 percent of 4000 lawsuits had verdicts for the victim; andSeven progressive countries successfully use no fault health care compensation to support patients who have been injured or die due to preventable medical errors.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to:Establish a mandatory reporting system to include all health care practitioners and facilities which will facilitate 'learning from our mistakes';Mandate courses on empathy and compassion as part of the education of all health care practitioners; andRequest a national public inquiry to determine fair methods of compensation for medical errors such as arbitration, mediation and a no fault health care compensation board, using the provincial transfer dollars to the CMPA.8545-421-31-75 Government Response to petitions concerning health care servicesCaregivers and health care professionalsPatientsSafetyWork-based training42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 17, 2019e-2110e-2110 (Togo)YaoKloussehHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCMarch 15, 2019, at 10:28 a.m. (EDT)June 13, 2019, at 10:28 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:On August 19, 2017, mass anti-government protests demanding the implementation of democratic reforms erupted in several cities across Togo. Since that date, security forces have responded to the growing movement, which is led by a coalition of opposition parties known as C14 and civil society, with bloody repression;On July 31, 2018, a negotiated agreement for ending the crisis was sponsored by the leaders of the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);The agreement called for the implementation of measures aimed at calming the socio-political climate and the adoption by parliament of constitutional and institutional reforms for fair, transparent and inclusive elections;On December 8, 2018, the bloody repression against protest marches organized in Togo by civil society and C14 to denounce the government’s refusal to adhere to the agreement intensified;On December 20, 2018, legislative elections were held under a state of siege without the participation of C14, despite calls for a postponement from civil society and religious leaders;We, the undersigned, citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: Demand that the repression end and that the right to protest be respected in Togo; andCall for the implementation of the reforms, which are indispensable for a truly democratic electoral process in Togo.Civil and human rightsDemocracyElectoral systemTogo42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 17, 2019e-2111e-2111 (National day)LisaKearneyHon.HedyFryVancouver CentreLiberalBCMarch 15, 2019, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)June 13, 2019, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In Canada, women make up only 10% of the cybersecurity workforce;Enrollment for women in cybersecurity in Canada is low at 11%;Women face unique challenges and barriers which are not being addressed and leading women to exit the industry;Increased diversity and inclusion for women in cybersecurity will provide women with greater financial stability and economic opportunities in the futur;.An International Women in Cyber Day will demonstrate to young girls and women in the industry that they are seen, supported and recognized for their contribution to this important industry;Research has shown, diversity of thought leads to better problem-solving and resolution;Research has shown increased diversity leads to increased revenue and profiles. More women are needed in leadership roles; andWomen from more than 50 countries are participating and petitioning their country of origin to declare International Women in Cyber Day on September 1st of every year.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:Recognize September 1st of every year as the International Women in Cyber Day;Provide grants and funding while working with stakeholders to raise awareness of the issue's women face in cybersecurity;Provide funding and scholarships for training; andFund more research to help understand why women are exiting technology and cybersecurity sectors and why enrollment rates for women are low.e-SecurityInternational Women in Cyber DayStudent fundingWomen42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 19, 2019e-2027e-2027 (Fishing industry)PhilippeDesjardinsYvesRobillardMarc-Aurèle-FortinLiberalQCMarch 18, 2019, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)July 16, 2019, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)July 19, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament Assembled </Addressee>Whereas:Section 445 of the Criminal Code stipulates that every one commits an offence who causes an animal unnecessary pain;The scientific community recognizes that fish and individuals that are victims of fish farming have the ability to feel and are sentient;The scientific community recognizes that fish and individuals that are victims of fish farming can feel pain; and A diet without animal products is recognized by the Dietitians of Canada as a viable option for humans at every stage of development. We, the undersigned, citizens of Quebec, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to recognize that there is no reason to justify inflicting pain on members of the aquatic fauna through fish farming activities.AquacultureCruelty to animalsFish42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 24, 2019e-2114e-2114 (Children's rights)YasminDocter-VachonChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONMarch 22, 2019, at 1:37 a.m. (EDT)July 20, 2019, at 1:37 a.m. (EDT)July 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There is no immediate recourse when there is a violation to a child custody or access agreement; Police do not have the authority to act unless the child is suspected to be "in danger";Victims are referred to lawyers and the only recourse is to file a motion with the court well after the transgression has been committed;The tragedy of Riya Rajkumar of February 14, 2019, highlights the glaring deficiencies in the system, namely that despite having past criminal offences, when Roopesh Rajkumar did not return his daughter on time, hours passed before an Amber Alert was sent out, and when Riya was located approximately six hours later, she had already been murdered;Changes need to be made to the Criminal Code to allow immediate support for Bill C-78, especially to allow enforcement of court custody or access orders;Children and their parents need to be protected; and As much as one would like to think that parents will put their own issues aside and do what is right for their child, unfortunately, some people put their own interests first.We, the undersigned, the citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to introduce “Riya's Law” and enact changes that will give police the authority to act immediately when there is any violation to custody agreements and ensure that there is an immediate response for child custody violations as well as stiff penalties for the violators.Child custodyPolice servicesRajkumar, Riya42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2071e-2071 (Food policy)ZoeLevecqueNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONMarch 25, 2019, at 9:58 a.m. (EDT)May 24, 2019, at 9:58 a.m. (EDT)June 3, 2019August 21, 2019May 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Statistics Canada reports that the two leading causes of death in Canada are cancer and heart disease, and the consumption of animal products are linked to both;The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer recently classified processed meat as a class one carcinogen, in the same category as tobacco smoke, plutonium, and asbestos; It is wrong that our tax dollars are used to fund food that makes us sick, destroys our planet, and exploits animals;Animal agriculture is responsible for producing more greenhouses gases than all transportation combined and is the leading cause of global warming, species extinction, deforestation, water pollution, and ocean dead zones; andIt is unethical and unnecessary to continue to exploit farmed animals in any way, whether it be for food, clothing, science, or entertainment, as they cannot be humanely exploited or slaughtered.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Stop subsidies and other biased compensations to animal agriculture by stopping the multi-billion-dollar, taxpayer-funded subsidies and handouts that go to animal agriculture;2. Make healthy food affordable by redirecting subsidies to ensure healthier, organic, plant-based food is affordable for everyone, in particular Indigenous and low-income communities and ensure that government assistance is shifted to those industries that form the major recommendations in the revised Canada Food Guide (i.e. plant-based foods); and3. Help animal agriculture farmers transition to plant-based farming by providing financial assistance to farmers wishing to make the transition to plant-based farming, and set up the necessary committees to provide guidance during that transition.8545-421-113-10 Government Response to petitions concerning food policyAgricultural policyFood and beverage manufacturing industryFood and drinkLivestock farming42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2121e-2121 (Social benefits)MélaniePerrouxNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBMarch 26, 2019, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)May 25, 2019, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)May 27, 2019Petition to <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">the House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee> Whereas:Sixty percent of caregivers work but are getting poorer because they lose $16,000 in wages each year and have additional expenses of $7,600;The criteria for Employment Insurance caregiving benefits do not cover situations where a non-critical illness requires constant care from a caregiver for the person receiving assistance;3.15 percent of caregivers received the Caregiver Tax Credit; andNon-refundable tax credits are unfair, putting low-income people at a disadvantage and offsetting only 18 percent of the costs incurred.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1. Expand the criteria for the caregiver benefit to include patients with a chronic physical or mental illness or condition who, due to a temporary or permanent change in their state of health leading to a loss of independence or a difficult life event, require the constant, extensive presence of a caregiver to maintain their quality of life or support their recovery; 2. Introduce a benefit for long-term caregivers who must drastically reduce their hours of work or permanently quit their jobs; and3. Calculate the caregiver tax credit on the caregiver’s income and convert it into a refundable tax credit.Caregiver tax creditCaregivers and health care professionalsEmployment insurance42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2126e-2126 (Sentences in the Criminal Code)TerriPriorielloJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBMarch 28, 2019, at 3:49 p.m. (EDT)May 27, 2019, at 3:49 p.m. (EDT)June 3, 2019May 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:When a murderer is convicted of abduction and sexual assault and murder of a person, the convicted individual is eligible for parole after serving only 25 years;The victims’ families are re-traumatized by reliving the horror of their loved one’s death at the parole hearing, even though these criminals are almost never granted parole;Private Members' Bill C-266 will empower the courts, at the time of sentencing, with the ability to set the parole ineligibility period up to 40 years for those convicted of abduction and sexual assault and murder;In Bill C-266, the number of years one could be ineligible for parole is not a mandatory minimum, but is based on the discretion of the presiding judge or jury, who can set a parole ineligibility period anywhere between 25 and 40 years; andThe justice system needs to put the rights of victims’ families first in order to be just, compassionate and fair.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to adopt legislation, such as Bill C-266, present in the 42nd Parliament, to give our judges and juries the ability to prescribe a parole ineligibility period between 25 and 40 years for those convicted of abduction and sexual assault and murder.AbductionC-266, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (increasing parole ineligibility)Conditional releaseHomicideLife sentencesSex offences42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 2, 2019e-2131e-2131 (Sentences in the Criminal Code)LoriRehillBlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABApril 2, 2019, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)May 2, 2019, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)May 2, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:War memorials are an important tribute and monument to the heroism and sacrifice of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces;War memorials are sites of gathering that are dedicated throughout the year, but especially on November 11th, to honouring and paying respect to those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of peace and freedom;Members of the community, veterans, and the families of those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces value the preservation and protection of war memorials;Acts of mischief and vandalism to war memorials are disrespectful and cause pain to those who visit and curate these sites; andThe current penalties for defacing war memorials, outlined in the Criminal Code (under section 4.11), lack the severity to discourage and prevent vandalism.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to increase the penalties in the Criminal Code of Canada for defacing war memorials.SentencingVandalismWar memorials42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 2, 2019e-2085e-2085 (Housing policy)MoniqueStewartHaroldAlbrechtKitchener—ConestogaConservativeONApril 2, 2019, at 10:19 a.m. (EDT)July 31, 2019, at 10:19 a.m. (EDT)August 2, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: Emotional support animals are a reasonable accommodation for a person with a psychiatric disability in regards to housing;Emotion support animals can alleviate symptoms or effect of severe emotional conditions, such as chronic anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, fear or phobias, and other emotional and psychological conditions; andThe United States of America currently has legislation for emotional support animals in their Fair Housing Act (FHC).We, the undersigned, citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to legalize and legislate emotional support animals for Canadian citizens with psychiatric disabilities so that they may live with their emotional support animal in rental housing and be free from discrimination, pet fees, deposits, or monthly charges.Mental healthRental housingService animals42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2134e-2134 (National parks)JustinMerkGordJohnsCourtenay—AlberniNDPBCApril 3, 2019, at 9:50 a.m. (EDT)May 3, 2019, at 9:50 a.m. (EDT)May 31, 2019May 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Emergencies on Long Beach are attended by Parks Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard, Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue, B.C. Emergency Response Group, and the RCMP; however, rescues initially fall in the hands of surfers and beachgoers;On February 10, 2018, doctoral candidate Nijin John died near Lovekin Rock at Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; bystander Vincent Mallaley attempted CPR but Nijin John ultimately died at the scene;On May 20, 2018, Ann Wittenberg died in an ocean accident near Lovekin Rock at Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; surfers and other bystanders pulled her from the ocean and attempted CPR, but she died on scene hours before her daughter’s (Victoria Orr) wedding;On March 26, 2019, four people spent two hours stranded on Lovekin Rock before being hoisted, unharmed, off the rock by a chopper; a concerned citizen called 9-1-1 around 4:00 p.m., and Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) Victoria proceeded to task a Royal Canadian Air Force Cormorant helicopter out of Canadian Forces Base Comox and the Canadian Coast Guard;According to Parks Canada, 1,131,418 visitors attended the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in 2017-2018; andThere has been no surf guard services and tower at Long Beach since 2012.We, the undersigned, residents of British Columbia and visitors to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to reinstate the surf guard tower and surf guard services, and extend the duration of the surf guard program to accommodate the growing number of emergencies as well as visitors at Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.LifeguardsNational, provincial and territorial parks and reservesPacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 17, 2019e-2135e-2135 (Indigenous health)JarisSwidrovichSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKApril 3, 2019, at 9:54 a.m. (EDT)May 3, 2019, at 9:54 a.m. (EDT)May 13, 2019July 17, 2019May 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="245285" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Indigenous Services</Addressee>Whereas:The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program provides eligible First Nations and Inuit with coverage for a specified range of medically necessary health-related goods and services when not covered through private insurance plans or provincial/territorial health and social programs;A benefit will be considered for coverage when an item or service is unavailable through any other federal, provincial, territorial, or private health or social program, and provided by a recognized provider;Eight of the ten provinces in Canada offer provincially/publicly funded medication assessment services by a pharmacist;Registered First Nations individuals are excluded from accessing publicly funded medication assessment services by a pharmacist in every province (except British Columbia and Ontario);The greatest gaps in health outcomes experienced by Canadians exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples; andPharmacists are the most accessible health care professionals in Canada.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Indigenous Services to recognize all provincially publicly funded professional pharmacy services (e.g. medication reviews/assessments) as eligible and reimbursable benefits under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program in all provinces and territories of Canada where the same service is otherwise offered and publicly funded for all other non-First Nations and non-recognized Inuit citizens.8545-421-237-02 Government Response to petitions concerning Indigenous healthAboriginal peoplesNon-Insured Health Benefits ProgramPharmacology42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 2, 2019e-1912e-1912 (Veterans' affairs)DarrenFrancisMurrayRankinVictoriaNDPBCApril 3, 2019, at 2:42 p.m. (EDT)August 1, 2019, at 2:42 p.m. (EDT)August 2, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has left more than $372 million unspent at Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC);Homelessness in Canadian veterans has risen over 60 percent in the last two years;Fifteen percent of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);Twenty-five percent of Canadian veterans have difficulties transitioning from military service to civilian life; andIn the past nine years, Veterans Affairs Canada has had eight different ministers.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Limit the number of unspent budget dollars from the VAC budget to be no more than 1.5 percent;2. Allocate resources to end homelessness within Canadian veterans through:a. Housing First funding for veterans who are at risk of or who are experiencing homelessness;b. New affordable housing units specifically designed to support veterans and their needs;c. Expanded eligibility of veteran benefits, including greater flexibility for local offices to distribute emergency funds;3. Create a special order to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs to study:a. The efficiency of the application process for accessing mental health benefits; b. Reducing the volume of paperwork required of Canadian veterans for accessing mental health benefits;c. Increasing the number of case managers; d. Reducing the number of veterans each case manager handles;e. Areas of the Committee's own initiative that empower veterans to access mental health benefits more effectively;f. A public enquiry from Canadian veterans to allow veterans to express their struggles with the current VAC; and4. Create a Structural Transition Program to support veterans with personal finances, budgeting, vocational rehabilitation, family counselling, mental health, substance use, housing, and paperwork.Homelessness and homelessMental healthVeteransVeterans benefits42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2136e-2136 (Health care services)YoungJoeJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCApril 4, 2019, at 9:42 a.m. (EDT)May 4, 2019, at 9:42 a.m. (EDT)May 17, 2019August 21, 2019May 6, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, the use of trained interpreters is strictly enforced by a government policy, while in Canada there is no such legislative framework and it is common to see the use of family, friends, bilingual staff, or even young children acting as interpreters, which exposes patients with limited English proficiency to increased risk of distorted communication in health care;The use of medical interpreters is considered a nuisance due to inconvenience and costs;A growing body of research (i.e. Pay Now or Pay Later [Ku & Flores 2015]) shows that the use of trained interpreters reduces the number of preventable medical errors; however, a lack of trained interpreter services lowers patient satisfaction and trust in health care, increases the cost of health care, and leads to inefficient care because clinicians are unable to elicit patient symptoms correctly and end up using redundant diagnostic resources or invasive procedures, which can also result in more emergency room and specialist visits; andCurrent practices not only constitute a short-sighted approach but also constitute a breach in the duty of care owed to the patient and could result in legal action.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Create an action plan for training and recruiting qualified medical interpreters; 2. Institute a federal-level policy enforcing the use of trained interpreters in health care settings; and 3. Ensure mandatory training for health care providers on how to effectively work with interpreters.Education and trainingHealth services accessibilityTranslation and interpretation services42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 12, 2019e-2133e-2133 (Privacy and data protection)JaniceTaylorStephenFuhrKelowna—Lake CountryLiberalBCApril 4, 2019, at 2:45 p.m. (EDT)August 2, 2019, at 2:45 p.m. (EDT)August 12, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Parents are currently unable to control what information websites can collect from their children under 13 years old, and how this information is used;Parents are not notified before online platforms collect personal information and data from their children under 13 years old;Online platforms are not required to get parents’ verifiable consent prior to collecting personal information from their children;Online platforms and apps can currently manipulate children into purchases, and show children inappropriate advertisements, such as those for gambling, alcohol and harmful behaviour; andThere are no procedures currently in place to protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of personal information collected from children under 13 years old by online platforms and apps.We, the undersigned, Citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to implement baseline federal legislation that protects the data privacy and online safety of children under 13 years old.ChildrenInternetPrivacy and data protection42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2138e-2138 (Autism)MarkChapeskieChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONApril 5, 2019, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)May 5, 2019, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)May 17, 2019August 21, 2019May 6, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects 500,000 Canadians;Supporting an individual with autism is beyond the financial means of most Canadians;Intensive, early intervention has proven effective in the treatment of ASD;The patchwork of federal and provincial programs fails to support people with ASD;Major life transitions pose one of the greatest challenges for families (i.e. from high school to adulthood), and transition supports are insufficient;Canadians with ASD are vulnerable;Schools very rarely allow health care professionals on site to support children with ASD;The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is in a conflict of interest when they determine Disability Tax Credit (DTC) eligibility; andThe Senate of Canada published “Pay now or pay later: Autism families in crisis” in 2007.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:1. Create a funded national autism and special needs strategy developed in partnership with provinces and territories, and needs-based, timely services delivered to Canadians in need, thus strengthening our commitment to human rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms;2. Seek multi-partisan support;3. Enshrine evidence-based therapies such as applied behaviour analysis, occupational therapy, speech therapy into the Canada Health Act;4. Move eligibility assessments for the DTC from the CRA to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC);5. Modify the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) to permit withdrawals without penalty for post-secondary education;6. Create an ombudsman to investigate when governments fail to honour the strategy;7. Create programs for life transitions;8. Expand the housing program for vulnerable groups;9. Create a caregiver allowance for caregivers of high needs children; and 10. Regulate providers of autism therapy services.8545-421-257-01 Government Response to petitions concerning autismAutismCaregivers and health care professionalsDisability tax creditHealth care systemRegistered Disability Savings PlanVulnerable persons42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2139e-2139 (Firearms)ShaeyaThibodeauSeanCaseyCharlottetownLiberalPEApril 8, 2019, at 4:48 p.m. (EDT)June 7, 2019, at 4:48 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2019August 21, 2019June 11, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas: Weapons are used as catalysts in many hate crimes and are used to spread intolerance within our country;Canada suffered deaths due to the use of semi-automatic weapons, which pose a threat to Canadians and are not necessary for our day-to-day lives; The number of deaths in Canada involving military style semi-automatic weapons continues to grow exponentially each year; Weapons of this calibre are too dangerous to be in the hands of citizens; Countries that have adopted new regulations, such as Japan and Australia, have seen an improvement in national security; The majority of Canadians support the need for stricter gun laws concerning military style semi-automatic rifles; and Canada should implement a buyback system that will allow for the collection of proposed banned weapons.We, the undersigned, Residents of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, call upon the House of Commons to adopt Bill C-71 and to ban military style semi-automatic weapons in Canada by limiting the use of these weapons to military personnel only.Automatic and semi-automatic weaponsBanC-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 30, 2019e-2065e-2065 (Federal-provincial agreements)JillianMontalbettiHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABApril 8, 2019, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)August 6, 2019, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)August 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Prime Minister has admitted his desire to phase out the oil sands;The government of Canada has engaged in deliberate measures which is harming Canadian province’s ability to develop natural resources and is limiting their potential for economic growth, job creation, and capacity to generate wealth;The government’s actions on the energy sector include a tanker ban, Norther Gateway pipeline cancellation, Bill C-69, a disastrous carbon tax and many other industry hurting measures;Equalization payments, using revenue generated through the taxation of Canadian citizens is paying for provincial services across the country;The government of Canada expects provinces to continue to submit to an unfair equalization formula that provides benefit to other regions of the country while blocking attempts for province’s to further their own economies and develop resources;The government of Canada discriminates against provinces that choose to develop their natural resources while rewarding those who rely on government transfers as opposed to diversifying their economies; andThe current equalization formula treats provinces that develop their non-renewable energy resources, like oil and gas, unfairly when compared to other resources like hydro generated energy.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately cancel Bill C-69 and launch a study into the economic impact of equalization, including the examination of the formula, the examination of how renewable and non-renewable resources, including energy resources that are both developed and undeveloped, are treated in the formula, and issue a report to Canadians on the fairness, effectiveness and outcomes of the equalization program.Energy and fuelEnvironmental assessmentEqualization formula42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2124e-2124 (Air transportation)WilliamMckerrowWayneStetskiKootenay—ColumbiaNDPBCApril 9, 2019, at 9:08 a.m. (EDT)May 9, 2019, at 9:08 a.m. (EDT)May 15, 2019August 21, 2019May 10, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:National air carrier connectivity between Calgary and Cranbrook has been in place since 1967 and the local economy of Kootenay—Columbia is tied to this access;The visitor economy of Kootenay—Columbia is showing growth and regional tourism marketing organizations have targeted several campaigns around the air services;Many residents of Kootenay—Columbia rely on air travel to Calgary to access healthcare and other services;Individuals and businesses will likely face a lack of seat availability with a single airline servicing this route due to the lack of total seat capacity to meet demand;In 2018, 68,926 passengers flew between Calgary and Cranbrook, the seat capacity on this route was fully utilized and this lost capacity is not being made up anywhere else in the schedule, forcing a dramatic contraction of annual passengers while demand has been proven;The past years of passenger growth allowed the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) to be reduced from $11 per passenger to $4 per passenger based on the total air carrier capacity; andThe loss of 4 daily flights may result in an increase to the AIF.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to recommend to Air Canada President and CEO, Calin Rovinescu, to maintain a minimum of one flight a day each way between the Canadian Rockies International Airport and the Calgary International Airport.Air CanadaAir transportationCalgary International AirportCranbrook42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2150e-2150 (National day)KarenRodmanAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCApril 15, 2019, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)August 13, 2019, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)August 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We recognize the significant contributions that Palestinian Canadians have made to the Canadian society, the richness of the Palestinian culture, and the importance of education; andWe reflect on the contributions of the Palestinian culture for future generations.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to name November 29, every year, Palestinian Heritage Day.Cultural heritagePalestinePalestinian Heritage Day42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2141e-2141 (Telecommunications)RichardBernierLouisPlamondonBécancour—Nicolet—SaurelBloc QuébécoisQCApril 18, 2019, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)August 16, 2019, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)August 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Wi-Fi systems and 5G technology have very harmful effects on human, animal and environmental health;Wi-Fi systems and 5G technology seem to be especially harmful to newborns, children, people who are ill and seniors;5G technology is similar to, but worse than, the problems that have already been linked to early generations of telephones because it uses pulses of waves;On January 1, 2019, 247 scientists in 42 countries recommended a moratorium on the deployment of 5G technology in the telecommunications sector;A major study by the National Toxicology Program in the United States showed that rats exposed to waves developed cancers;The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) opposes the installation of cellular towers and antennas on their firehalls for health reasons;The precautionary principle is not implemented seriously or rigorously; andSince 5G technology was deployed in New York City, a number of people and their pets have fallen ill.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to enact a moratorium, or temporary halt, on implementation of 5G communication technology across Canada until an independent House of Commons-mandated team of qualified researchers has proven that the dangers of 5G technology to human, animal and environmental health are in fact minimal and have no serious consequences.Public healthWireless communication42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2154e-2154 (Crimes of violence)Sherry AGoberdhanCathayWagantallYorkton—MelvilleConservativeSKApril 18, 2019, at 3:03 p.m. (EDT)August 16, 2019, at 3:03 p.m. (EDT)August 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The current laws of Canada provide no legal rights or legal protection to a pre-born child;Under the laws of Canada our police do not have the ability to charge an assailant for the murder or injury of a pre-born child;A pre-born child is not considered a victim at law and has no legal recourse available to them;Forcing upon a pregnant woman the death or injury of her pre-born child is a violation of a woman’s right to protect and give life to her child;On April 7, 2017, Arianna Goberdhan and her pre-born child Asaara were murdered in an act of brutal domestic violence;At the time of the murders, Arianna Goberdhan was nine months pregnant with her soon-to-be-born daughter Asaara; andAsaara and other pre-born children in similar circumstances deserve to be recognized as victims of a crime and should be entitled to justice and legal recourse.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to pass legislation that recognizes that, when an assailant in a commission of a crime attacks a pregnant woman and injures or kills her pre-born child, then the assailant may be charged with an offence on behalf of the pre-born child.Fetus and embryoOffendersVictims of crimeViolence against women42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2051e-2051 (Abortion)MeaFredricksonHaroldAlbrechtKitchener—ConestogaConservativeONApril 24, 2019, at 2:50 p.m. (EDT)August 22, 2019, at 2:50 p.m. (EDT)August 23, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:In Canada, abortion is a service covered by public health services, costing taxpayers millions for abortions at hospitals and private abortion facilities, at a cost to taxpayers of approximately 80 million dollars per year;Pregnancy is not a disease, injury or illness;An abortion is not a medical necessity and therefore should not be funded by taxpayers;The Canada Health Act requires provinces to fund "medically necessary" services; andThe practice of abortion conflicts with the Christian faith and no Canadian should be forced to violate his or her own conscience in order to abide by the tax laws and regulations that fund the killing of unborn children.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to cease providing taxpayers’ dollars for the performance of abortions by passing legislation that recognizes the fact that abortion is not a medically necessary procedure and to define abortion under the Canada Health Act as not meeting the criteria of "medically necessary", and therefore not funded by taxpayer dollars.AbortionHealth care system42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 27, 2019e-2077e-2077 (Telecommunications)GuyDAlesioPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONFebruary 25, 2019, at 4:56 p.m. (EDT)May 26, 2019, at 4:56 p.m. (EDT)May 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214319" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians pay more for wireless data plans than the majority of the developed world. Even within Canada some companies charge more for plans in different provinces, even though all plans work on the same infrastucture;Access to data is increasingly becomming an essential service as more and more aspects of our society are more easily accessed online than in brick & mortar settings;It is currently less expensive to purchase a plan from a foreign country and pay extra roaming fees than it is to buy the same plan in Canada; andReducing the cost of wireless data would allow more people access to the social and commercial activities available through cellular devices.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development to conduct a full inquiry into the market forces that have resulted in and continue to allow a situation where Canadians are paying more for wireless services than other developed countries. Furthermore we ask that the Minister and Government of Canada remediate the situation with legislation or policy changes.CellphonesConsumer price42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 27, 2019e-2048e-2048 (Canadian heritage)EricNapier StrongHon.MaryAnnMihychukKildonan—St. PaulLiberalMBFebruary 25, 2019, at 4:56 p.m. (EDT)June 25, 2019, at 4:56 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Parks Canada holds in stewardship a large collection of historical and cultural artifacts created by diverse communities across Canada;Understanding these traditions is a key part of celebrating and continuing unique cultural, regional and ethnic identities, such as the Metis;These collections have been maintained in regional centers (e.g. Winnipeg) so that they can be accessed by researchers, members of their originating communities, and local historic sites;Plans to centralize all Parks Canada collections in Gatineau will prevent local scholars and community members from accessing, studying, or understanding their own past;The removal of local history will irrevocably damage the diverse regional and cultural traditions that have created a multicultural Canada; andThe forcible removal of cultural property from the reach of Indigenous communities is an act of colonization which is wholly incompatible with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada and Kildonan-St Paul, call upon the Government of Canada to (a) commit to keeping all historical objects in their context so that they may be readily available to scholars, scientists, and the members of their originating communities; (b) cancel plans to centralize the historical artifacts and resources held by Parks Canada in one facility in Gatineau; and (c) commit to maintaining regional facilities for artifact storage and curation in Manitoba.Cultural artifactsParks Canada Agency42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 30, 2016e-1e-1 (Cruelty to animals)GwendyWilliamsKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCDecember 4, 2015, at 3:50 p.m. (EDT)April 2, 2016, at 3:50 p.m. (EDT)April 11, 2016May 30, 2016April 4, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:It is our obligation as compassionate Canadians to protect sentient beings in our care from needless cruelty and suffering, and to condone such suffering by doing nothing is immoral.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to: 1. recognize that the use of electric shocks as a teaching tool is cruel and unnecessary;2. heed credible world renowned experts and scientific evidence that affirms the use of electric shock collars is abusive and damaging to an animal's physical and emotional well-being; and3. ban the sale and use of electric shock devices on any pet ensuring in future no person, regardless of background, age, skill, or intention, can readily purchase these torture tools in Canada.Animal trainingBanCruelty to animalsElectric shock devices42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 30, 2016e-3e-3 (Tax system)CatherineSwiftHon.PeterKentThornhillConservativeONDecember 7, 2015, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)April 5, 2016, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)April 13, 2016May 30, 2016April 6, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:About half of adult Canadians currently have Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), which is a very high level of participation in a program that has only been available since 2009. Of those TFSA holders who have taken advantage of the current $10,000 limit, 60% earn $60,000 per year or less, demonstrating that the current TFSA limit is not a tool only for the "rich"; TFSAs are an excellent retirement savings tool for seniors who can no longer take advantage of Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPS), and also for young Canadians who need a tax-effective means of saving for their future; Opinion poll data has repeatedly shown that a majority of Canadians support retaining the current TFSA limit, and this support is consistent across age groups, income levels and regions of Canada; andCanadians currently pay 43% of their income in taxes - more than they pay for food, shelter and clothing combined. Many of these tax dollars go to provide very generous pensions for government employees - pensions that the 80% of Canadians who do not work for government cannot afford for themselves but to which they contribute tens of billions of dollars every year. Retaining the TFSA limit of $10,000 is the least the government can do to help the vast majority of Canadians working in the private sector to save for a decent retirement for themselves and their families.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, request (or call upon) the Minister of Finance to leave the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) limit at $10,000 annually to ensure fairness for all working Canadians.Tax Free Savings AccountTaxation42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 8, 2016e-7e-7 (Oath of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen)RobertMasonDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCDecember 9, 2015, at 4:15 p.m. (EDT)April 7, 2016, at 4:15 p.m. (EDT)April 8, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:in its current form, the oath of citizenship is causing considerable confusion due to the incorrectness of its plain meaning. This diminishes and degrades an important component of the citizenship process, and perpetuates misconceptions regarding our duties as Canadian citizens.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the House of Commons to modernise, clarify and elaborate upon the oath of citizenship to reconcile its plain meaning with its true purpose, so that it reads as follows:I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Canada, uphold its character as a free and democratic society, faithfully observe its laws, respect the rights and freedoms of others and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.Citizenship and identityOath of allegiance42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2016e-48e-48 (Electoral system)MichaelRybachaScottReidLanark—Frontenac—KingstonConservativeONDecember 11, 2015, at 10:49 a.m. (EDT)April 9, 2016, at 10:49 a.m. (EDT)May 19, 2016August 17, 2016April 11, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214316" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Democratic Institutions</Addressee>Whereas:Since the 1950s Canadian governments have consulted their people in a referendum when trying to alter their electoral system;In peer countries New Zealand (1992, 1993, and 2011) and the United Kingdom (2011), the people were similarly consulted by way of referenda;The Liberal platform did not propose an alternative method of electing Members of Parliament, but only that the current system should change.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Minister of Democratic Institutions to hold a referendum on any changes to Canada's federal electoral system so that the citizens of Canada have their direct say on any proposed changes by the government.8545-421-11-08 Government Response to petitions concerning the electoral systemElectoral reformReferenda42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 4, 2016e-54e-54 (Inadmissibility to Canada)DavidBlackKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCDecember 14, 2015, at 5:06 p.m. (EDT)April 12, 2016, at 5:06 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016November 4, 2016April 13, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is a proudly multicultural nation;Canadians embrace all people regardless of ancestry or religion;It is illegal in Canada to incite hatred against any identifiable group; Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has unfairly called for all Muslims to be banned from entering the United States.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to prohibit Donald Trump from entering Canada until he withdraws and apologizes for these remarks.8545-421-58-03 Government Response to petitions concerning inadmissibility to CanadaPersona non grataTrump, Donald42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2016e-53e-53 (Canadian Coast Guard)ScottHodgeRachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCDecember 16, 2015, at 4:50 p.m. (EDT)April 14, 2016, at 4:50 p.m. (EDT)May 6, 2016August 17, 2016April 15, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214337" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard</Addressee>Whereas:The Harper Government's closure of Coast Guard Marine Communications and Trafffic Services Centres (MCTS) in Canada was done: 1. without consultation with stakeholders; 2. without conducting a risk assessment; 3. without regard to the technical difficulties; 4. without regard for the increased threat of marine accidents that will have a negative effect on coastal communities; 5. without considering the reduction in redundancy of coverage provided by the MCTS Centres that have been closed; 6. without regard to the fact that, when the MCTS Centre in Comox is closed, the two remaining Centres in Prince Rupert and Victoria are located in Tsunami Zones leaving the entire West Coast vulnerable in the case of a major seismic event; 7. without regard to chronic staffing shortages that have plauged the MCTS Program for years due to difficulties recruiting and retaining staff; and 8. without regard to the concerns of the people and communities involved.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to: 1. stop the closure of the Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre in Comox, BC;2. review the closures of the other nine MCTS Centres that have occured since 2012; and 3. reopen Centres where practicable.8545-421-52-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the Canadian Coast GuardBritish ColumbiaCanadian Coast GuardClosure of government operations and facilitiesComoxMarine Communications and Traffic ServicesMaritime safety42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 11, 2016e-68e-68 (Tax system)WillPotterBenLobbHuron—BruceConservativeONApril 8, 2016, at 9:37 a.m. (EDT)August 6, 2016, at 9:37 a.m. (EDT)August 11, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:About half of adult Canadians currently have Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), which is a very high level of participation in a program that has only been available since 2009. Of those TFSA holders who have taken advantage of the current $10,000 limit, 60% earn $60,000 per year or less, demonstrating that the current TFSA limit is not a tool only for the "rich";TFSAs are an excellent retirement savings tool for seniors who can no longer take advantage of Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPS), and also for young Canadians who need a tax-effective means of saving for their future;Opinion poll data has repeatedly shown that a majority of Canadians support retaining the current TFSA limit, and this support is consistent across age groups, income levels and regions of Canada; andCanadians currently pay 43% of their income in taxes - more than they pay for food, shelter and clothing combined. Many of these tax dollars go to provide very generous pensions for government employees - pensions that the 80% of Canadians who do not work for government cannot afford for themselves but to which they contribute tens of billions of dollars every year. Retaining the TFSA limit of $10,000 is the least the government can do to help the vast majority of Canadians working in the private sector to save for a decent retirement for themselves and their families.We, the undersigned, People of Canada, request (or call upon) the Minister of Finance to leave the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) limit at $10,000 annually to ensure fairness for all working Canadians.Tax Free Savings AccountTaxation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 16, 2016e-70e-70 (Afghanistan)CraigScottKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCDecember 17, 2015, at 10:08 a.m. (EDT)April 15, 2016, at 10:08 a.m. (EDT)May 3, 2016June 16, 2016April 15, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:many Canadians remain ashamed by Canada's approach to Afghan detainees in relation to both treatment in Canadian custody, notably transfer to other states despite the risk of torture, and torture, other inhuman or degrading treatment, disappearance and/or extrajudicial killing to which some of them fell victim after their transfer to other states; andmany also are disappointed by the poor record of Canadian justice and parliamentary institutions in bringing the relevant facts to light and in securing proper accountability.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to establish an independent judicial commission of inquiry to: 1. investigate the facts with respect to policies, practices, legal and other opinions, decisions, and conduct of Canadian government actors, including Ministers and senior officials, concerning Afghan detainees throughout Canada's involvements in Afghanistan from 2001;2. investigate also the success and/or failure of Canada's justice and parliamentary systems in achieving transparency, democratic accountability, and compliance with applicable laws; and3. issue a thorough, comprehensive and public report on the facts as found and on the commission's assessment of those facts in order: (a) to determine whether state or governmental responsibility arose under international and/or Canadian law; (b) to assess whether any Canadian government officials engaged in misconduct in relation to respect for law, legal process, or parliamentary procedure; and (c) to recommend policy changes as well as law reform and parliamentary reform aimed at preventing violations or misconduct occurring again. 8545-421-49-01 Government Response to petitions concerning AfghanistanAfghanistanCanadian Forces mission in AfghanistanInquiries and public inquiriesPrisoners of war abuse42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2016e-111e-111 (Firearms)MarcBennettBobZimmerPrince George—Peace River—Northern RockiesConservativeBCJanuary 8, 2016, at 3:39 p.m. (EDT)May 7, 2016, at 3:39 p.m. (EDT)May 13, 2016August 17, 2016May 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214300" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness</Addressee>Whereas:The current firearm legislation classifies the semi-auto Armalite Rifle - 15 and variants as restricted when there is no inherent difference between it and that of hundreds or thousands of other firearms in Canada which have been, in due process, classified as non-restricted;The restriction on the AR-15 and its variants prohibits the use of this semi-automatic modern sporting rifle from being used for lawful purposes such as hunting;This rifle has been ultimately restricted purely because of cosmetic appearance of the rifle which does not make the rifle more dangerous. It has been assembled with modern day materials (plastic & aluminium) and that shouldn't be the merit to base a rifle for restricted classification as there are thousands of other rifles like it used on a day to day basis for legitimate purposes;This rifle is the most versatile hunting rifle in the world. The calibre can easily be changed to meet lawful provincial hunting requirements from small game to big game animals without the need to purchase multiple gaming rifles; andThe Armalite Rifle - 15 was in fact legal to hunt with before the mid 1990's firearm classification changes and we hunters would like that opportunity restored.We, the undersigned, Lawful Firearm Owners of Canada, request (or call upon) the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to Re-classify the Armalite Rifle - 15 back to non-restricted status so we can once again use this rifle to lawfully participate in the Canadian cultural practices of hunting.Restricted firearms42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2016e-29e-29 (Income tax system)bobspiersMelArnoldNorth Okanagan—ShuswapConservativeBCJanuary 8, 2016, at 3:46 p.m. (EDT)May 7, 2016, at 3:46 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2016August 17, 2016May 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The previous government instituted a tax credit for Volunteer Firemen in 2011 and a similar tax treatment for Volunteer Search and Rescue in 2014; andAn Auxiliary Constable is an unarmed, unpaid, uniformed RCMP volunteer whose activities are governed under provincial legislation.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to extend a tax credit to Auxiliary Police Officers similar to that already given to Volunteer FireFighters and Search and Rescue volunteers.Public safety officers and peace officersTax creditsVolunteering and volunteers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2016e-113e-113 (Rail transportation)RitaVogel-PostHon.LisaRaittMiltonConservativeONJanuary 8, 2016, at 3:48 p.m. (EDT)May 7, 2016, at 3:48 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2016August 17, 2016May 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:R.A.I.L. (Residents Affected By Intermodal Lines), MILTON SAYS NO, and the undersigned express our concern about the impact of the “proposed” CN major Intermodal Terminal Facility in our community and our opposition to the development of the “proposed” CN major Intermodal Terminal Facility on existing agricultural land in Milton;this intermodal terminal will have devastating long lasting impacts on the local residents, the Town of Milton and the Regional Municipality of Halton and surrounding communities;the proposed CN intermodal terminal will have severe impacts on the region in question-disappearing farm land, destruction of residential living areas, destruction of the environment, noise, vibration, light trespass, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and hazardous materials use, water depletion and contamination, destruction of water courses, wetlands, trees, wildlife, and will negatively affect our health, quality of life, safety and well being;the impact of substantial truck traffic of up to 3,000 trucks per day, affecting our environment, our health and safety, our existing infrastructure, our local roads and local road crossings which act as main commuter routes, bus routes and provide access to our local hospital, schools, fire department, police and emergency vehicles, will all suffer from further wear, congestion, toxic pollution, dust and particulates; andthe proposed development is contrary to the Halton Urban Structure Plans and the Region of Halton Official Plan and the Town of Milton’s Official Plan.We, the undersigned, residents of the Regional Municipality of Halton, draw the attention of the House to the above and; request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to stop the development of the proposed CN (Canadian National Railway Company) major Intermodal Terminal Facility in the Town of Milton or surrounding area.Canadian National Railway CompanyIntermodal freight trafficMiltonRail transportation and railways42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2016e-20e-20 (Protection of the environment)MaeMooreElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJanuary 12, 2016, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2016, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)June 14, 2016August 17, 2016May 11, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:the survival of endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) in the Salish Sea is threatened by pollution, physical and acoustic disturbance primarily from vessel traffic and the availability of Chinook salmon stocks;recent peer reviewed studies by DFO conducted on a population of about 85 SRKWs indicates a 50% chance of extinction within 100 years under "status quo" conditions;the population of SRKWs has been below 100 animals for the past four decades and below 85 animals since 2011, despite its purported protection under Canada's Species at Risk Act;calf survival is a critical component of population rebuilding and calf mortality rates are high, the birth of new calves in 2015 carries responsibility to facilitate survival;it is documented that boat presence and engine noise can disrupt communication, behavior patterns and feeding of killer whales;despite their endangered status and the known impact of vessel disturbance, approach distances for SRKWs are no different from any other Canadian marine mammal; andexisting Canadian guidelines regarding whale watching and approach distances (100m) for SRKWs are not consistent with US regulations (200 yards).We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the above and request (or call upon) the House of Commons to provide urgently needed protection for Southern Resident Killer Whales by: limiting acoustic and physical disturbance in critical habitat by increasing vessel approach distances to 200 meters, from 100 meters as is the current regulation.8545-421-3-07 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentEndangered speciesEnvironmental protectionKiller whalesSalish Sea42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 19, 2016e-33e-33 (Issuance of visas)NicholasKrawetzJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJanuary 12, 2016, at 3:21 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2016, at 3:21 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2016September 19, 2016May 11, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:125 years of subsequent waves of immigration from Ukraine has resulted in immeasurable contributions of Ukrainian-Canadians in the development of Canada, while Ukrainian culture has been woven into the multicultural fabric of Canadian society; The Minister of International Trade has been tasked with implementing the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) in the Ministerial Mandate Letter; Current Canadian temporary resident visa requirements hamper Ukrainian businesses from investing in Canada, while obstructing knowledge transfer and professional exchanges and thereby ultimately undermining the goals of CUFTA; andVisa-free business and tourism travel is central to stimulating economic growth and job creation.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to abolish temporary resident visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens and grant Ukrainian nationals visa-free travel to Canada for periods of stay up to 90 days, given Canada’s long-standing relationship with Ukraine.8545-421-16-03 Government Response to petitions concerning the issuance of visasPassports and visasUkraine42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 11, 2016e-44e-44 (Parliament of Canada)MargueriteMarlinElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJanuary 12, 2016, at 3:26 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2016, at 3:26 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:parliamentary practices relating to parliamentary discipline are known to limit legislators’ voting behaviour on a much wider array of issues than in other Westminster parliaments such as the Parliament of the UK;the denial of travel requests or refusal of membership on desired parliamentary committees are tactics which former MPs have attested are used by party whips to compel voting behaviour on all manner of questions – including “free votes”; andparliamentary experts have long called for the establishment of a federal parliamentary ombudsman.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to:1. ban formal or informal reprisals for MP voting behaviour on matters which do not pertain to questions of confidence – such as private members’ bills; and2. establish an ombudsman’s office for the federal parliament, or similar office for the purpose of receiving Members’ complaints of inappropriate reprisals in accordance with 1. Senators shall also have access to this office for the purposes of reporting incidences of undue partisan coercion in the Senate.Free votesOmbudsmanParliamentariansPolitical behaviour42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 19, 2016e-99e-99 (Protection of the environment)Jason OceanDennieElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJanuary 12, 2016, at 3:27 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2016, at 3:27 p.m. (EDT)June 13, 2016September 19, 2016May 11, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:we see the devastation of ancient old growth forest continuing unabated due to logging practices now out of step with popular opinion and common sense;we are aware of practical and prosperous alternatives to old-growth logging that minimize impacts on the land, the waterways and all its inhabitants;we know we must work with all stakeholders involved in order to determine a course of action that can be of greatest benefit to all;we understand the significance of ancient forests as carbon sinks that sequester atmospheric carbon and slow down climate change, and so we deem this benefit, among many others, to be of greater importance than that of limited financial gain;we recognize the inherent value of the wilderness simply as it is and celebrate the diversity of life it offers in abundance;we believe the time has come for decisive action in addressing extreme climate damage; andwe long for Canada to stand out on the world stage as a leader in strong environmental stewardship and to preserve what is left so future generations will remember us not for petty accomplishments but for what we left untouched for them.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to immediately establish an Ancient Forests Preservation Act that maps out all remaining old-growth forests in Canada through consultation and consensus with all stakeholders, including First Nations, to determine the boundaries of a new generation of national parks to be administered by Parks Canada.8545-421-3-08 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentForestsNature conservation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2016e-124e-124 (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)ShawnBevinsBobZimmerPrince George—Peace River—Northern RockiesConservativeBCJanuary 14, 2016, at 5:05 p.m. (EDT)May 13, 2016, at 5:05 p.m. (EDT)June 3, 2016August 17, 2016May 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Under section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms there is no codified right for the protection of property rights.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to amend Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to include property rights. We propose that Section 7 be amended to read: Everyone has the right to life, liberty, security of the person and enjoyment of property and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.Canadian Charter of Rights and FreedomsProperty rights42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 19, 2016e-127e-127 (Military medals and decorations)DavidPalmerBillCaseyCumberland—ColchesterLiberalNSJanuary 18, 2016, at 11:20 a.m. (EDT)May 17, 2016, at 11:20 a.m. (EDT)June 16, 2016September 19, 2016May 18, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:At one time the Government of Canada issued “The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal’ (CVSM), a Volunteer Service Medal to recognize Canadians who served voluntarily in the Canadian Forces;This honourable and noteworthy acknowledgment of volunteerism by our Veterans and our Troops abruptly stopped on 1 March 1947;Only one other determined period was ever recognized, that being Korea where only those Troops received a specified Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea;Veterans Affairs Canada considers any former member of the Canadian Armed Forces who releases with an honourable discharge and who successfully underwent basic training to be a Veteran; andMany Veterans and Troops, who with courage and conviction also volunteered to serve were never and have never been recognized or acknowledged by means of a volunteer service medal.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, respectfully request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to recognize by means of the creation and issuance of a new “Canadian Military Volunteer Service Medal” (CMVSM), to be designated “The Canadian Military Volunteer Service Medal", for volunteer service by Canadians in the Regular Forces and Reserve Military Forces and Cadet Corps Support Staff who have completed 365 days of uninterrupted honourable duty in the service of their country Canada, since 2 September 1945 to present day and in perpetuity.CadetsCanadian Forces ReservesCanadian Military Volunteer Service Medal42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 19, 2016e-123e-123 (Fur industry)MichaelHowieDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCJanuary 18, 2016, at 2:29 p.m. (EDT)May 17, 2016, at 2:29 p.m. (EDT)June 8, 2016September 19, 2016May 18, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Millions of dogs and cats are inhumanely raised and confined, and brutally slaughtered for consumption and the harvest of the fur; andThe United States, England, Australia and the European Union have taken steps to prohibit the importation and/or sale of these pelts.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to: 1. Recognize the cruelty and inhumane nature of the raising, confinement, and slaughter of dogs and cats;2. Recognize the special relationships Canadians hold with dogs and cats in their homes and workplaces; and3. Ban the importation of any dog and cat pelts or furs, and prohibit the sale of said products in Canada.BanCatsCruelty to animalsDogsFur trade42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 17, 2016e-126e-126 (Health care services)KatLanteigneDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCJanuary 18, 2016, at 3:05 p.m. (EDT)May 17, 2016, at 3:05 p.m. (EDT)June 16, 2016August 17, 2016May 18, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Over 30,000 Canadians were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C via tainted blood in Canada, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Canadians and harming countless families;Canada spent $17 million dollars on a publicly-funded federal inquiry which revealed that the paid-donor system was a key factor contributing to Canadians receiving tainted blood;Billions of dollars in compensation have been given to those who received tainted blood and their families due, in part, to Canada's former reliance on blood from paid donors;The Krever Inquiry recommended an end to a private, for-profit blood donor system in Canada, citing these five basic principles regarding how the blood system should be governed: 1. Blood is a public resource; 2. Donors should not be paid; 3. Sufficient blood should be collected so that importation from other countries is unnecessary; 4. Access to blood and blood products should be free and universal; and 5. Safety of the blood supply system is paramount;Our blood plasma is not meant to be a commodity that is bought and sold, we must protect our voluntary blood system in Canada and ensure we have one national operator, the Canadian Blood Services, to oversee blood collection and plasma collection in our country.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, request (or call upon) the Government of Canada to:Refuse to issue or approve any license to Canadian Plasma Resources or other private, for-profit, donor-paid blood products company to operate in Canada; andImplement legislation that ensures no for-profit, donor-paid blood donor clinics are allowed to operate in Canada.8545-421-31-06 Government Response to petitions concerning health care servicesBloodPlasma centresPrivate sector42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 19, 2016e-128e-128 (Protection of the environment)JaneThomsingKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCJanuary 27, 2016, at 10:36 a.m. (EDT)May 26, 2016, at 10:36 a.m. (EDT)May 30, 2016September 19, 2016May 26, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:It would put at risk lands, surface waters and aquifers along the route and result in more than 400 oil tankers on the southern BC coast per year;It is not a case of whether an oil spill would occur, but when;Clean-up technologies are ineffective with bitumen and the financial risk to taxpayers from the costs of spills is real;The threat is not only to our ecosystems and communities, but also to industries such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism; andThe export of diluted bitumen, whether by Kinder Morgan or Enbridge to the north, threatens the future of the planet through climate change.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to reject the Trans Mountain Expansion Project proposal.8545-421-3-08 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentEnvironmental protectionKinder Morgan CanadaPipeline transportationTrans Mountain pipeline42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 19, 2016e-150e-150 (Protection of the environment)ChristianeCrevierLucThériaultMontcalmBloc QuébécoisQCFebruary 2, 2016, at 8:52 a.m. (EDT)June 1, 2016, at 8:52 a.m. (EDT)June 14, 2016September 19, 2016June 1, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada </Addressee>Whereas: The Alberta-based company TransCanada would like to build a pipeline that would cross Quebec from west to east to transport more than 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day, or 121,500 litres per minute, and that would go through more than 80 distinct watersheds, 600 waterways and various agricultural areas; A study carried out by the École polytechnique de Montréal, commissioned by the Government of Quebec and published in late December 2015, revealed: that the pipeline’s route poses a serious landslide risk for various waterways, including around 30 rivers and the St. Lawrence River and its estuary; that the soil along the shoreline of the St. Lawrence River is too unstable to support a pipeline; that there is no such thing as zero risk, and the incidents involving pipeline crossings are usually found after many years of use; and that the only way to prevent all environmental repercussions is to not cross waterways; Quebec would be assuming all environmental risks, and the cost is not worth the risk; and Quebeckers should decide what happens within Quebec’s borders. We, the undersigned citizens of Quebec, call upon the Government of Canada to: respect the wishes of Quebeckers and the National Assembly of Quebec; refrain from turning Quebec into an oilsands superhighway; respect Quebec’s environmental jurisdiction; andput an end to TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline. 8545-421-3-08 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentBituminous sandsEnergy East Pipeline ProjectEnvironmental protectionPipeline transportationProvince of QuebecProvincial jurisdictionTransCanada PipeLines42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 15, 2017e-154e-154 (Health care services)BoediceaFrancisJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCFebruary 2, 2016, at 3:37 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2016, at 3:37 p.m. (EDT)May 16, 2017September 15, 2017June 1, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canada Health Act ensures access to emergency medical care and hospital stay;Many Canadians pay out of pocket for prescription medications;Many Canadians pay out of pocket for psychologists, and registered therapists;Many Canadians pay out of pocket for ambulance services.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend our Health Act to include as a right for all Canadians prescription medications, psychologists and registered therapists, and ambulance services regardless of ability to pay.8545-421-31-24 Government Response to petitions concerning health care servicesAmbulance servicesMental healthPrescription drugs42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 1, 2016e-164e-164 (Remembrance Day)JenniferFrezzaPeterSchiefkeVaudreuil—SoulangesLiberalQCFebruary 2, 2016, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2016, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Members of the Canadian Forces willingly sacrifice for the benefit of all Canadians;Members of the Canadian Forces are committed to personal freedoms and fulfilling missions set out by the Canadian Parliament;Members of the Canadian Forces make the ultimate commitment fighting human injustices both at home and abroad. We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to legislate that Remembrance Day, November 11, be recognized as a national legal Holiday in all Canadian provinces and territories. Public holidaysRemembrance Day42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 1, 2016e-166e-166 (Manufacturing industry)PierreDupontColinCarrieOshawaConservativeONFebruary 2, 2016, at 4:55 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2016, at 4:55 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Manufacturing is a significant contributor to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product, accounting for more than 10% of Canada’s total GDP;The current Government ignored manufacturing by failing to offer any plan to support manufacturers, specifically automotive manufacturers in their Speech from the Throne;Automotive manufacturing contributes high quality middle class jobs and economic growth in Canada;Government policies such as a price on carbon, raising pay roll taxes, and high energy costs are harming Canada’s ability to compete internationally.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately release its plan to maintain high quality, middle class manufacturing jobs and attract new automotive investment to Canada.Automotive industryLabour forceManufacturing industry42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 7, 2016e-18e-18 (Cannabis)SamVekemansElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCFebruary 10, 2016, at 3:03 p.m. (EDT)June 9, 2016, at 3:03 p.m. (EDT)October 24, 2016December 7, 2016June 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Cannabis prohibition began with no scientific, medical or social justification, and was initiated as an effort to harass, punish and deport racial minorities;The prohibition of cannabis has caused many social and economic harms, criminalized millions of Canadians for no benefit, and financed organized crime;Cannabis has the potential to provide food, medicine, fibre, fuel and building materials; andCannabis medicines are safe and effective for treating a wide variety of ailments, yet are not readily available to all who require them.We, the undersigned, Citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately:1. Repeal the prohibition on possession and personal cultivation of cannabis;2. Repeal Section 462.2 of the Criminal Code, which bans literature and harm reduction devices like waterpipes and vaporizers;3. Permit patients or their designated grower to provide medical cannabis as recommended by a physician; and4. End police raids against community medical cannabis dispensaries, and enable their municipal regulation, as per the position of the Union of BC Municipalities;and within one year:5. Allow farmers to harvest and sell the cannabinoid-rich resin from their plants, as per the recent resolution of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance;6. Completely end the prohibition of cannabis, by removing it entirely from the CDSA (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act);7. For those convicted for a cannabis offence under the CDSA, on a case-by-case basis: Grant a full pardon and amnesty for past offences, expunge criminal records and release all prisoners currently serving time; and8. Permit Provinces, Territories and First Nations to decide how they want to tax, regulate and distribute cannabis as needed.DecriminalizationMarijuanaPossession of a controlled substance42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-119e-119 (Canadian citizenship)GraemeBallNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONFebruary 12, 2016, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)June 11, 2016, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)November 18, 2016January 30, 2017June 14, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Changes to citizenship regulations have created a two-tiered citizenship system in Canada for adopted children that discriminates against children who have been granted citizenship through the direct route by not allowing them to pass on citizenship to their birth children if born outside of Canada. We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Amend the citizenship regulations for children who are adopted outside of Canada to ensure that they are treated equally regardless of whether they are granted citizenship through the direct route or the naturalization process; and 2. Request that amendments are made to protect adopted children so other governments in the future cannot strip adopted children of their inalienable rights as Canadian citizens.Citizenship and identityImmigration and immigrantsInternational adoption42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-190e-190 (Tax system)HilaryBlackLloydLongfieldGuelphLiberalONFebruary 15, 2016, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)June 14, 2016, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)December 7, 2016January 30, 2017June 16, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:Tens of thousands of Canadians have received authorizations for medical cannabis from their healthcare provider to treat a host of symptoms and medical conditions; The cost of this medication is currently subject to federal and provincial sales tax. This is inconsistent with treatment of other prescription drugs that are zero-rated by the Canada Revenue Agency;On December 16, 2012, then Minister of Health, the Hon. Leona Aglukkaq stated that her mandate was “to treat marihuana as much as possible like any other narcotic used for medical purposes”; As outlined in the Excise Tax Act, drugs that are authorized by a healthcare practitioner and which are not available “over the counter,” are zero-rated;The sales tax on medical cannabis represents an inconsistent financial burden for patients who are authorized to use cannabis; andEnsuring that medical patients pay no tax for medicine is important and could be remedied quickly and independently of any other cannabis policy reform. We, the undersigned, Medical Cannabis Patients of Canada and our supporters, call upon the Minister of Finance to: Amend tax legislation to ensure medical cannabis is treated consistently with other medical necessities and is zero-rated, exempt from sales tax;Apply this retroactively; andEnsure that policies on the taxation of medical cannabis are fair and just, and that they honour the spirit of our legislation, which clearly states medical necessities are exempt from sales tax. 8545-421-1-09 Government Response to petitions concerning the tax systemMarijuanaPharmaceuticalsSales taxesTax exemption42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 3, 2017e-186e-186 (Environmental assessment and review)KyleRoutledgePeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCFebruary 16, 2016, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)June 15, 2016, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)February 17, 2017April 3, 2017June 16, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Coal dust is a known health hazard containing toxins such as lead, sulphur and mercury;Coal has the highest carbon content of all fossil fuels and burning thermal coal is a major contributor of greenhouse gases;Fraser Surrey Docks is proposing to expand US thermal exports from BC to ship up to eight million metric tonnes of US thermal coal;Port authorities have failed to use the proper process in requiring comprehensive, independent health and environmental assessments, including climate impacts, with broad public consultations before considering new coal shipping projects; andIn following the principles of natural justice and democracy, concerned and affected communities must have a say and control over a matter of public health that could irreversibly affect their health and the quality of life of thousands of residents of Metro Vancouver.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take prompt action and conduct urgent meetings with the Port Metro Vancouver Authority to require comprehensive, independent, health and environmental impact assessments before considering new coal shipping projects; implement a credible, inclusive, broad and open consultation process; acknowledge that assisting in the transport of thermal coal will undermine efforts to cut global greenhouse gas emissions and keep temperatures from rising above an additional 2°C, as per one of the goals identified in the Paris Agreement; and ensure British Columbians have a say and control over a matter of public health that could irreversibly affect their health and quality of life.8545-421-118-02 Government Response to petitions concerning environmental assessment and reviewCoalEnvironmental assessmentFraser Surrey Docks Inc.Freight transportationPublic health42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-115e-115 (Cannabis)ChrisStewartNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONFebruary 17, 2016, at 12:48 p.m. (EDT)June 16, 2016, at 12:48 p.m. (EDT)December 2, 2016January 30, 2017June 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214321" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Justice</Addressee>Whereas:The personal production of beer, wine and other fermented alcohol is a legal activity for adults in Canada;The personal indoor and outdoor cultivation of a variety of plants is legal in Canada; andAdults who choose to consume cannabis should be granted similar production rights as those who choose alcohol.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to allow for the personal production of cannabis as part of upcoming cannabis legalization legislation.DecriminalizationDrug paraphernaliaMarijuanaPossession of a controlled substance42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2017e-189e-189 (Raif Badawi)Ensaf HaidarMohammedPierre-LucDusseaultSherbrookeNDPQCFebruary 17, 2016, at 4:24 p.m. (EDT)June 16, 2016, at 4:24 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2017August 16, 2017June 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Raif Badawi has been a prisoner of conscience since June 2012 in Saudi Arabia and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a fine of 1 million riyals (roughly $289,000 Canadian)Canada is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to the Charter of the United Nations and presents itself as a defender of human rights and individual freedoms as set out for example in the Canadian Charter of Human RightsCanada is a signatory to the International Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or PunishmentCanada must encourage universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedomsWe, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to confer on Raif Badawi the title of honorary citizen of Canada.8545-421-160-01 Government Response to petitions concerning Raif BadawiBadawi, RaifCivil and human rightsHonorary citizenInternational relationsSaudi Arabia42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 2, 2016e-193e-193 (International trade)LizNewtonAlistairMacGregorCowichan—Malahat—LangfordNDPBCFebruary 18, 2016, at 9:14 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2016, at 9:14 a.m. (EDT)September 19, 2016November 2, 2016June 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has just signed the finalised Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement (TPP), initiating a two year period for ratification.The TPP had been drafted without consultation with the Canadian electorate, yet the agreement will profoundly impact Canadian society.Our Minister of International Trade has invited Canadians to read the text of the deal. However, the document is very long and hard for the average Canadian to interpret.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Task the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) to do a thorough analysis of the TPP document, including but not restricted to the following lines of enquiry:a) Assess the impact of the TPP in terms of jobs gained versus jobs lost; and more specifically, whether cost savings (to Canadian consumers) on foreign dairy products will offset the expenses of announced payouts to dairy farmers; b) Assess the impact of increased copyright terms on the cost of medication and knock-on effects on health care; and their impacts, for students and other researchers, on the costs of accessing previously published works; c) Provide an approximate estimate of the impacts of potential Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims on Canada's finances and whether these costs would be balanced out by foreseeable gains; and, d) Estimate the likely financial cost of the TPP for Canadian society.2. Make the PBO's analysis available to all MPs and instruct the MPs to conduct constituency-wide consultations with the electorate. Members should be given ample time, within the 2 year ratification period, to canvass their electorate.Public consultationTrade agreementsTrans-Pacific Partnership42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 18, 2017e-160e-160 (Protection of the environment)GastonPaquetteAnne Minh-ThuQuachSalaberry—SuroîtNDPQCFebruary 18, 2016, at 4:31 p.m. (EDT)June 17, 2016, at 4:31 p.m. (EDT)November 15, 2016January 18, 2017June 20, 2016Petition to <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">the Government of Canada </Addressee> Whereas: The wreck of the Kathryn Spirit has been rusting in the waters of Lac St. Louis, a tributary of the St. Lawrence River, since 2011;The condition of the ship has deteriorated over the last four years and poses a real threat to the environment and to people’s health; The Canada Shipping Act (2001) and the Navigation Protection Act authorize the federal government to seize a ship if it has reason to believe it is a danger to the environment or human health or if it interferes with navigation;We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Seize the Kathryn Spirit, a shipwreck abandoned by its owner, as soon as possible; and 2. Ensure that the wreck is dismantled safely and in keeping with environmental standards.Abandoned vesselsKathryn SpiritWater quality42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-187e-187 (Rail transportation)rainerstepputatPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCFebruary 19, 2016, at 8:14 a.m. (EDT)June 18, 2016, at 8:14 a.m. (EDT)June 20, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The idling, sorting, coupling, decoupling and shunting of trains in rail yards and increasing ground vibration levels due to trains passing at high speed near residential areas, create an incredible amount of noise and disruption as well as health concerns for residents who live near the tracks; After passing in the House of Commons in 2007, Bill C-11 proposed that several amendments be made to the Railway Safety Act, which included the creation of a complaint mechanism to deal with complaints concerning noise resulting from the construction or operation of railways;By allowing for “reasonable” amounts of noise and leaving the legislation open to heavy interpretation, the Senate weakened the provisions of Bill C-11;The loophole introduced by the Senate allowed railway companies to continue to carry out and increase high noise activities in the evening, overnight, and early in the morning, seriously disrupting the quality of life and health of local residents in many areas of the country, and in some instances even damaging property;The federal government has yet to step in and properly regulate railway noise activities to allow communities to get the proper rest, sleep and the sense of security and wellbeing they require;We, the undersigned, the petitioners, call upon the Government of Canada to support Bill C-218, the Railway Noise and Vibration Control Act, which would prohibit railway companies from engaging in noisy rail yard activities in residential areas between the hours of 10:00 pm and 8:00 am, Monday to Friday, and at any time on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.C-218, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act (railway noise and vibration control)Noise and noise pollutionRailway stations and tracks42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 7, 2016e-167e-167 (Cruelty to animals)AnneliseSorgElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCFebruary 19, 2016, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2016, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)October 24, 2016December 7, 2016June 22, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Whales and dolphins are intelligent, social, and roaming creatures;Scientific evidence shows that they suffer unjustifiably when kept in display tanks; andThe practice of keeping them in display tanks is plainly cruel.We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to expeditiously pass Bill S-203, Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, tabled in the Senate by Senator Wilfred Moore, when the bill reaches the House of Commons. Please do the right thing and support this evidence-based policy.Cruelty to animalsDolphinsSenate billsWhales42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 4, 2016e-103e-103 (Rail transportation)EleniVassilakosArifViraniParkdale—High ParkLiberalONFebruary 19, 2016, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2016, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016November 4, 2016June 20, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:An alarming increase in the transportation of volatile crude oil by rail, using unsafe tank cars, has occurred since 2009;The federal budget for rail transport safety has been reduced by more than 20% over the last 5 years;Industry does not carry sufficient insurance to cover the true cost of a catastrophic derailment through a densly populated area; andRailways are required to provide first responders with historical data (not real-time data) of hazardous goods being shipped through our neighbourhoods. No information is provided to residents.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1) Set the standard (maximum vapour pressure) for volatility of crude oil and require industry to invest in technologies available in order to reduce the volatility of crude oil transported by rail;2) Increase the rail safety transport budget to strengthen government oversight of the Rail Safety Management System and increase the number of rail inspectors;3) Require unlimited liability for industry, and require industry to carry sufficient insurance to cover the true costs of a catastrophic derailment in a densely populated area;4) Require railways to share real-time data on dangerous goods with first responders and historical data with residents;5) Provide the public with railway route analyses and risk assessments;6) Require industry to implement safety technology, including; Positive Train Control (PTC), Automated Rail Car Monitoring and Automated Track Inspection Program;7) Establish effective tank car improvements;8) Implement independent risk analysis of the transportation of dangerous goods by rail; and9) Monitor and enforce train speeds.8545-421-10-06 Government Response to petitions concerning rail transportationCities and townsEmergency preparednessRail transport safetyTank cars42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 5, 2017e-179e-179 (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)Dennis RYoungJohnBarlowFoothillsConservativeABFebruary 19, 2016, at 3:49 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2016, at 3:49 p.m. (EDT)March 22, 2017May 5, 2017June 20, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Interim Report into the RCMP’s Response to the 2013 Flood in High River, Alberta was released by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP on February 12, 2015 stating, “RCMP members entered 4,666 homes, and forced entries into more than 754 of those homes...”;The RCMP Commission’s Interim Report failed to address the most serious unintended consequence of these 4,666 unwarranted entries by the RCMP, namely, a lack of trust in the RCMP’s duty of care for evacuated homes during an emergency as indicated by a scientifically valid, independent telephone poll conducted on August 6, 2014, showing that 53% of High River residents say they won't evacuate in the next emergency; andThe RCMP Commission’s Interim Report reported only 754 forced entries, RCMP documents obtained by an Access to Information Act request showed that High River residents filed 2,210 damage claims with the RCMP totalling more than $2.5 million as a result of those “forced entries”.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to:1. Debate and vote on a motion calling on the government to rebuild trust in the RCMP among High River residents by holding an independent judicial inquiry into the legal justification for the RCMP entering 4,666 High River homes;2. Determine how many of these unwarranted entries violated the privacy rights and property rights of these High River residents; and 3. Determine if these entries were contrary to any of the provisions of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.8545-421-115-02 Government Response to petitions concerning the Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceAlbertaFloodsHigh RiverJudicial inquiriesRoyal Canadian Mounted Police42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2017e-211e-211 (Social benefits)DougaldLamontRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBFebruary 29, 2016, at 3:40 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2016, at 3:40 p.m. (EDT)June 14, 2017August 16, 2017June 30, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Income inequality in Canada is reaching levels not seen in decades;The cost of administering many separate income support programs is high;Some current income supports and social assistance create a disincentive to work, by punishing recipients or clawing back benefits should they get part-time work;Income inequality and poverty have been related to countless negative outcomes, especially for children, including: mental and physical health problems, as well as lifetime educational and employment outcomes and life expectancy; The concept of a guaranteed minimum income, or "Mincome" has been proposed, with support from across the political spectrum;The idea of Mincome has been championed by former Senator Hugh Segal, and endorsed by the late Nobel-Prize winning economist Milton Friedman, who called it the "negative income tax.";A Mincome pilot project in Dauphin Manitoba was launched in the 1970s, co-funded by the Federal and Provincial governments; andThe data from this experiment showed many significant improvements, including: better school attendance, improved mental and physical health outcomes, and less use of the health care system. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to join with interested Provinces, Municipalities and Indigenous communities to fund and launch experimental pilot Mincome projects, as soon as possible, in order to determine the efficacy and viability of a Guaranteed Minimum Income in Canada, and to include funding for these projects in the 2016-2017 budget. 8545-421-165-01 Government Response to petitions concerning social benefitsBudget 2016 (March 22, 2016)Guaranteed annual incomeIncome distributionPilot projects42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 5, 2016e-214e-214 (Food policy)ChrisHamiltonKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCMarch 7, 2016, at 8:57 a.m. (EDT)July 5, 2016, at 8:57 a.m. (EDT)July 5, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:It's our responsibility as rational beings to acknowledge and honour the troves of completed research regarding fast food and its negative effects on our health, especially where children are concerned; andIt's our responsibility as parents and teachers of children to consider deeply the effects of food we feed them before doing so.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to: 1. Heed credible scientific evidence that affirms the consumption of fast food products as being exceedingly detrimental to the physical health of consumers;2. Recognize and publicly acknowledge the harmful health effects of fast food products from select major restaurant chains as being on par or close to on par with those of cigarettes;3. Implement public education programs aimed at informing Canadians, particularly youth, about the harmful health effects of fast food consumption; and4. Force fast food restaurants to label all of their food packaging (i.e. hamburger wrappers, paper bags) with accurate nutritional information and warning labels similar to those found on packages of cigarettes, including a graphic depiction of one of the many possible ailments that can result from over-consumption (i.e. a carotid artery).Fast-food restaurantsFood labellingHealth educationNutritional information42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 4, 2016e-223e-223 (Republic of Congo)SocrateBOUZINGOUPeterSchiefkeVaudreuil—SoulangesLiberalQCMarch 4, 2016, at 9:52 a.m. (EDT)July 2, 2016, at 9:52 a.m. (EDT)July 4, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214305" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs </Addressee>Whereas:Congolese democracy is in danger and is disintegrating. And for good reason, as it is led by Denis Sassou Nguesso, a general who returned to power following a civil war against the elected president;Mr. Sassou Nguesso recently amended the Constitution for the sole purpose of staying in an office he has already held for 32 years and changed the election timetable to the same end;Freedom of expression is being limited in the Republic of the Congo, to the extent that some opponents have been imprisoned while others have been hit with administrative measures that curtail their freedom;Again recently, his main challenger in the next presidential election of March 20, 2016, Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, was arrested and then released, but is still threatened by a justice system completely controlled by the regime in Brazzaville;The European Union, having found many violations of the electoral governance framework established to ensure the next presidential election is genuine and democratic, is refusing to work with the regime in Brazzaville; andOn February 26, 2016, Stephen Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, was refused entry to Brazzaville.We, the undersigned, Canadians originally from the Republic of the Congo, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to: 1) Use his international influence to force the authorities in Brazzaville to free their political opponents; and2) Call on the authorities in Brazzaville to establish a genuine electoral governance framework that guarantees regular, free and transparent elections in order to truly restore democracy.CongoDemocracyInternational relationsPolitical prisoners42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 2, 2016e-195e-195 (Inadmissibility to Canada)RomanZakaluznyJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBMarch 7, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. (EDT)July 5, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. (EDT)September 19, 2016November 2, 2016July 5, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214309" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:(Ex)-KGB Captain Mikhail Lennikov had no right to enter Canada;He had no right to remain in Canada illegally for six years after being ordered deported by the Federal Court;He lied to authorities and the Canadian public when he claimed to be a “refugee”;He has suffered no ill treatment since returning to Russia, despite many claims by him and his supporters that he would be harmed;Canadian law precludes veterans of the Cheka, SMERSH, NKVD or KGB from immigrating here; andThere are many hundreds of thousands of deserving and legitimate refugees whom this government and other Canadians should give priority to resettling.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to : 1) Refuse re-entry to Canada for (ex)-KGB Captain Mikhail Lennikov on any grounds; and2) Continue to prevent veterans of the Soviet secret police from entering or remaining in Canada.8545-421-58-02 Government Response to petitions concerning inadmissibility to CanadaKGBLennikov, MikhailPersona non grata42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 14, 2016e-229e-229 (Hunting)JacquelineGauthierKateYoungLondon WestLiberalONMarch 4, 2016, at 4:44 p.m. (EDT)July 2, 2016, at 4:44 p.m. (EDT)October 7, 2016November 14, 2016July 4, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There has been an unprecedented spike in illegal wildlife trade across the world in recent years, which is threatening to overturn decades of conservation successes, especially for key species like rhinos, elephants and tigers.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ban the importation of animal "trophies", mounted or unmounted.BanHunting and sport fishingImports42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-232e-232 (Protection of the environment)NancyPancheshanTraceyRamseyEssexNDPONMarch 9, 2016, at 3:54 p.m. (EDT)July 7, 2016, at 3:54 p.m. (EDT)July 8, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Ojibway Prairie (Windsor, Ontario) has the largest provincially protected tallgrass prairie, part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, a provincially significant wetland, ANSI, and in Canada’s most biodiverse regions; Hosting 4000 species (160 at risk), over 21 endangered/threatened (10 are bird species), and some unique to Canada. Many species listed in the Species at Risk Act and many of the 233 birds protected in the Migratory Birds Convention Act;Windsor incurs the highest smog rates, lowest natural areas (5.55%), and wetlands (0.37%) provincially. These percentages are significantly below Environment Canada’s habitat guidelines. Most natural areas and wetland restoration opportunities are located by/within Ojibway; Ojibway Park and Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve are adjacent to a commercial development and Black Oak Park adjacent to the new international bridge plaza. These ecosystems are globally ranked G1 and G2 (less than 5 and 20 occurrences). The developments will degrade Windsor’s little remaining biodiversity. Healthy communities conserve biodiversity and consider climate change; andIts heightened protection provides opportunities to assist Canada’s international and national goals: 2020 Biodiversity Goals, using gateway communities to increase eco-tourism within Parks Canada, expanding National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Make a real change, protect Canada’s biodiversity; and 2. Begin the necessary agreements (including but not limited to Ojibway Prairie, Coco Paving, and Ojibway Shores lands); and 3. Establish the Ojibway Prairie Urban National Park.Environmental protectionNational, provincial and territorial parks and reservesOjibway Prairie Remnants Area of Natural and Scientific Interest42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 14, 2016e-234e-234 (Pension system)RitaPynnYvonneJonesLabradorLiberalNLMarch 9, 2016, at 3:54 p.m. (EDT)July 7, 2016, at 3:54 p.m. (EDT)October 31, 2016December 14, 2016July 8, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Conflict exists between provincial/ federal legislation relative to required pension obligations of companies within Canada; The province of Newfoundland and Labrador grants greater protection for pension plans than federal legislation;The Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) protecting companies, to avoid obligations required to meet funding necessary to pay pensions to current and future retirees;The CCAA federal legislation is insufficient to protect employee pension plans; It is unjust that the CCAA prevails over the Provincial Pension Acts because of constitutional doctrine of federal paramountcy; and Insufficient legislation exists to protect retiree benefits (including but not limited to, medical and life insurance benefits). We, the undersigned, Residents of Newfoundland Labrador, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Change federal legislation to ensure that both federal and provincial legislation are harmonious in protecting employee pension plans;2. Ensure that legislation requires companies to make payments as per contractual obligations; 3. Implement legislation to ensure that pension plan deficiencies be a first priority creditor when companies file for CCAA protection or bankruptcy;4. Require companies to live up to commitments to provide post-retirement benefits (medical/ life insurance) that were negotiated or part of an employee contract of service, to be maintained per documentation provided in writing, by the company upon employee retirement; and5. Create legislation to hold foreign parent companies responsible for their Canadian subsidiaries employee debts and responsibilities in the event of the dissolution of the Canadian subsidiary.8545-421-98-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the pension systemCompaniesEmployment benefitsPension guaranteesPreferred creditorsRegistered pension plans42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 8, 2016e-236e-236 (Human trafficking)ManonArsenaultRhéalFortinRivière-du-NordBloc QuébécoisQCMarch 9, 2016, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)July 7, 2016, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)July 8, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Bill C-452, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons) was passed unanimously at 3rd reading in the House of Commons on November 26, 2013;The bill was introduced in the Senate and returned to the House of Commons without amendment after 3rd reading on May 12, 2015; andThe bill received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Québec and all Canadian jurisdictions call upon the Government of Canada to order the coming into force of Bill C-452, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons).Consecutive sentencesHuman trafficking42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 13, 2016e-161e-161 (Crimes against humanity)GJRancourtHaroldAlbrechtKitchener—ConestogaConservativeONMarch 14, 2016, at 1:46 p.m. (EDT)July 12, 2016, at 1:46 p.m. (EDT)July 13, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Christians are the most vulnerable and targeted victims in the world;Christians are not to be found in U.N. refugee camps because they are attacked, raped, starved of food and targeted by Islamists;Christians have been beheaded, crucified, raped, drowned and burned alive;There is a Genocide of Christians in both Africa and the Middle East;The Islamic State and other Jihadist groups are openly glorifying the mass slaughter of Christians in the media;Canada is recognized as a tolerant nation, not a naive one, and Canadians will no longer tolerate the intolerant; andThere is a precedent for such as our proposed Resolution, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a Resolution on January 27th, 2016 condemning the crimes of the “Islamic State”, and this Resolution reads: “States should act on the presumption that Daesh [ISIS] commits Genocide and should be aware that this entails action under the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide". We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to adopt a resolution condemning the crime of Genocide of Christians in Africa and Middle East.AfricaChristianity and ChristiansGenocideMiddle East42nd Parliament224ClosedMarch 16, 2016e-246e-246 (Assisted suicide)DarrellClarkeHaroldAlbrechtKitchener—ConestogaConservativeONMarch 14, 2016, at 2:33 p.m. (EDT)July 12, 2016, at 2:33 p.m. (EDT)March 16, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:In Carter v. Canada (AG), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that competent and consenting adults who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition that causes enduring and intolerable suffering should be allowed to access Physician-Assisted suicide;During testimony at the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying, expert witnesses strongly cautioned against creating an open regime with few safeguards that protect vulnerable Canadians; andThe Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying refused to act on this advice, leaving vulnerable Canadians at risk.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to invoke the notwithstanding clause which gives Parliament up to five years to conduct a comprehensive study and draft legislation that will include: adequate safeguards for vulnerable Canadians - especially those with mental health challenges, clear conscience protection for health-care workers and institutions, and protection of children and those under 18 from Physician Assisted Suicide.Assisted suicideCaregivers and health care professionalsFreedom of conscience and religionHospitalsMedical assistance in dyingMental healthNotwithstanding clauseYoung people42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 4, 2016e-263e-263 (Assisted suicide)DarrellClarkeHaroldAlbrechtKitchener—ConestogaConservativeONMarch 16, 2016, at 2:46 p.m. (EDT)July 14, 2016, at 2:46 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016November 4, 2016July 15, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In Carter v. Canada (AG), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that competent and consenting adults who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition that causes enduring and intolerable suffering should be allowed to access Physician-Assisted suicide;During testimony at the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying, expert witnesses strongly cautioned against creating an open regime with few safeguards that protect vulnerable Canadians; andThe Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying refused to act on this advice, leaving vulnerable Canadians at risk.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to draft legislation that will include: adequate safeguards for vulnerable Canadians - especially those with mental health challenges, clear conscience protection for health-care workers and institutions, and protection of children and those under 18 from Physician Assisted Suicide.8545-421-9-10 Government Response to petitions concerning assisted suicideAssisted suicideCaregivers and health care professionalsFreedom of conscience and religionHospitalsMedical assistance in dyingMental healthYoung people42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 14, 2016e-260e-260 (Venezuela)JosueRamirezTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABMarch 16, 2016, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)July 14, 2016, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)July 14, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice, Constitutional Decision Nine of March 1st, 2016, violates the Venezuelan Constitution, the rule of law and popular representation by attempting to silence the National Assembly; andThat the Canadian government should play a key role in leading the Organization of American States to support popular representation through the legitimate elected representatives of the National Assembly of Venezuela.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada,, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to ask the Government of Canada to take actions within the Organization of American States to protect the rule of law and democracy in Venezuela, such as:1. Instructing the Canadian Ambassador to the OAS to support a call for the implementation of Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, immediate convocation of the OAS Permanent Council to undertake a collective assessment of the situation and risk for democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela; and2. Instructing the Canadian Ambassador to the OAS to request the Permanent Council of the OAS to immediately convene a special session of the General Assembly to adopt the decisions it deems appropriate to protect Venezuelan democracy and its citizens in accordance with the Democratic Charter of the organization, international law, and the provisions of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.DemocracyDiplomacy and diplomatsOrganization of American States (OAS)Rule of lawVenezuela42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 4, 2016e-248e-248 (Protection of the environment)JohnSharkeyAnne Minh-ThuQuachSalaberry—SuroîtNDPQCMarch 16, 2016, at 2:42 p.m. (EDT)July 14, 2016, at 2:42 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016November 4, 2016July 14, 2016Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214115" mp-riding-display="1"> Justin Trudeau</Addressee>Whereas:Enbridge Line 9 reversal to transport tar sands and fracked Bakken shale oil between Sarnia and Montreal contributes to the largest and fastest growing source of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions;Expert opinion states the transportation of such products has a 90% likelihood of a significant Line 9 spill within the first five years of operation, posing risks to the health and well-being of Indigenous communities as well as millions of residents of Ontario and Quebec;The Line 9 reversal project was authorized with inadequate Indigenous consultation and without Indigenous consent; andDuring the recent election campaign, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau promised to revamp the regulatory process that approves Canadian pipeline projects.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: (1) Reviews Line 9 under a new pipeline regulatory process that is robust, transparent, and democratic, incorporating both the upstream and downstream carbon emissions effects of tar sands production that compromise the 1.5oC warming threshold committed to by Canada;(2) Acquires the consent of all impacted Indigenous communities in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, as detailed in Indigenous, Treaty and Constitutional rights; and (3) Creates and implements a national plan to transition the economy into a renewable energy future that provides decent green jobs and protects the environment for future generations.8545-421-3-09 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentAboriginal peoplesEnvironmental protectionLine 9 Reversal ProjectPipeline transportationPublic consultationRenewable energy and fuel42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-215e-215 (Oil and gas)JohnBaykoShannonStubbsLakelandConservativeABMarch 16, 2016, at 2:43 p.m. (EDT)July 14, 2016, at 2:43 p.m. (EDT)July 14, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Much of Canada’s economy comes from oil and gas exploration, extraction, transport, upgrading, refining and processing;Hundreds of thousands of Canadians work directly in the oil and gas sector;Millions more benefit from the jobs and profits created by oil and gas development; Canadian governments collect $17 billion dollars annually from the oil and gas industry which is used to fund essential government programs and services;Canada is a world leader in the responsible development of its oil and gas resources; andThe oil and gas industry is under attack from misinformed critics, while 100,000 workers are without jobs.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to honour the tremendous contribution of oil and gas workers and the oil and gas industry through recognizing the 70th Anniversary of the discovery of oil at Leduc #1, and by declaring February 13th 2017 as Oil and Gas Awareness Day.Leduc # 1 Historic Site of CanadaOil and gasOil and Gas Awareness Day42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 3, 2016e-216e-216 (Oil and gas)MarkScholzShannonStubbsLakelandConservativeABMarch 16, 2016, at 2:43 p.m. (EDT)July 14, 2016, at 2:43 p.m. (EDT)September 20, 2016November 3, 2016July 20, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Much of Canada’s economy comes from oil and gas exploration, extraction, transport, upgrading, refining and processing;Hundreds of thousands of Canadians work directly in the oil and gas sector;100,000 oil and gas workers are now unemployed;Millions more benefit from the jobs and profits created by oil and gas development;Canadian governments collect $17 billion dollars annually from the oil and gas industry which is used to fund essential government programs and services;Canada is a world leader in the responsible development of its oil and gas resources;Pipelines are the safest mode of transportation for oil, gas and fluids; andA lack of pipelines to new markets means Canadian producers often receive far less than market rates for their oil.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to vocally defend the oil and gas industry and the use of pipelines, and to make the building of oil, gas and diluted bitumen pipelines across Canada, to tidewater, and into the United States, a national priority.Oil and gasPipeline transportation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 18, 2017e-191e-191 (Hunting)MichaelDonovanFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCMarch 21, 2016, at 4:21 p.m. (EDT)July 19, 2016, at 4:21 p.m. (EDT)November 15, 2016January 18, 2017July 21, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:African wildlife populations are in rapid decline due in significant part to the practice of trophy hunting by fly in hunters from abroad; African wildlife is being bred in captivity , habituated to humans , and unethically hunted for trophy within fenced enclosures , also known as "Canned Hunting "; and Greed ,corruption, misinformation, and mismanagement is preventing the problem from being resolved within Africa.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada , call upon the House of Commons to enact a law or regulation within the calendar year banning the importation of all animal parts originating from Africa into Canada for the purpose of trophy (a trophy here is defined asany part of an animal’s anatomy used for the purpose of display other than for pure scientific reasons).AfricaBanHunting and sport fishingImports42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 20, 2016e-140e-140 (World peace)PedroMoraDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCMarch 21, 2016, at 4:21 p.m. (EDT)July 19, 2016, at 4:21 p.m. (EDT)July 20, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has been a conscientious signatory of many international peace accords including the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1945 Charter of the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal, 1949 four Geneva Conventions and the 1977 Protocols I and II,  several UN-General Assembly Resolutions, the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Court, and the 2010 Kampala Agreement to define the crime of aggression in the Rome Statute;Canada, as a founding member of the United Nations, is bound by the 1945 Charter of the United Nations which mandates Canada and other states to “settle their international disputes by peaceful means” and “refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force”; The UN Security Council cannot legally authorize interventions inconsistent with the UN Charter; andUntil recent years, Canadians consistently earned the appreciation of the international community for their commitment to promote peace and respect for human rights internationally through the use of diplomacy, negotiation, foreign aid and humanitarian assistance, as well as peace-keeping.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Comply with its international and domestic law obligations; 2. Honour its tradition as a peacemaker;3. Promote peace and prevent war in accordance with the UN Charter; 4. Immediately cease all combat related operations; 5. Commit increased resources to diplomacy, negotiation and humanitarian assistance; and 6. Support all United Nations - General Assembly - peace resolutions.   Diplomacy and diplomatsHumanitarian assistance and workersInternational lawPeacePeacekeepersPeacekeeping and peacemakingUnited Nations General Assembly42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-106e-106 (Anaphylaxis)DebbieBruceHon.HedyFryVancouver CentreLiberalBCMarch 22, 2016, at 8:44 a.m. (EDT)July 20, 2016, at 8:44 a.m. (EDT)July 21, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On Wednesday, May 22, 2013, Members of Parliament voted unanimously in support of Anaphylaxis Motion M-230 proposed by M.P. Dean Allison “That in the opinion of the House, anaphylaxis is a serious concern for an increasing number of Canadians and the government should take the appropriate measures necessary to ensure these Canadians are able to maintain a high quality of life.”;Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening medical condition now affecting 2.5 million Canadians for which there is no treatment or cure; Those with anaphylaxis are especially vulnerable while traveling on airlines at 35,000 feet in the air – far from emergency medical care; and Improved Transportation Safeguards – relating to airline and public transportation policies that reduce risks for food allergic passengers is a primary goal of the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative’s 5-Point Action Policy as it relates to Anaphylaxis Motion M-230.We, the undersigned, members of the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative and citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the above and , call upon the Government of Canada to enact a “Policy to Reduce the Risk for Anaphylactic Passengers” applicable to all forms of passenger transportation falling within its jurisdiction.Airline passengersAnaphylactic reactionTransportation safety42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 2, 2016e-183e-183 (Unborn children)JeffDurhamCathayWagantallYorkton—MelvilleConservativeSKMarch 22, 2016, at 3:42 p.m. (EDT)July 20, 2016, at 3:42 p.m. (EDT)September 19, 2016November 2, 2016July 21, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:In current federal law, a pre-born child is not recognized as a victim with respect to violent crimes;When a pregnant woman in Canada is assaulted or killed, because we offer no legal protection for pre-born children today, no charges can be laid in the death of the pre-born child;Forcing upon a pregnant woman the death/injury of her pre-born child is a violation of a woman's right to protect and give life to her child; andThe Kaake and Durham families of Windsor, Ontario are grieving the loss of Cassandra and her daughter Molly, who she was thirty-one weeks pregnant with when they were brutally murdered in December 2014.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to Pass legislation which would recognize pre-born children as separate victims when they are injured or killed during the commission of an offence against their mothers, allowing two charges to be laid against the offender instead of just one.8545-421-5-10 Government Response to petitions concerning unborn childrenFetus and embryoVictims of crimeViolence against women42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 20, 2016e-264e-264 (Food policy)DanBuddRandyHobackPrince AlbertConservativeSKMarch 22, 2016, at 4:49 p.m. (EDT)July 20, 2016, at 4:49 p.m. (EDT)July 20, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The cost of groceries in aboriginal fly-in communities is extremely high;In the North, business operation costs, including those for food retail operations, are very high;While direct transportation is often cited as the major element contributing to those costs, it is only one of a number of aspects contributing to those costs;Other cost drivers affecting food retail revolve around the cost of building and maintaining stores in remote communities, in part due to high cost of shipping of building materials, heating and cooling costs, human resource considerations, spoilage and much higher inventory costs; andThere are individuals willing to trade groceries in aboriginal fly-in communities for traditionally prepared aboriginal dried fish for sale in the rest of Canada.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to please direct the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to draw up the guidelines required for the inspection of traditionally prepared aboriginal dried fish in order that it can be marketed and sold across Canada.Aboriginal peoplesCanadian Food Inspection AgencyCountry foodFish and seafoodFood safety42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2016e-271e-271 (Guy-Favreau day-care centre)ClaudineDibHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCMarch 23, 2016, at 2:22 p.m. (EDT)July 21, 2016, at 2:22 p.m. (EDT)October 3, 2016November 16, 2016July 25, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214341" mp-riding-display="1">President of the Treasury Board</Addressee>Whereas:The Treasury Board has an existing policy regarding workplace day care centres;Workplace day care centres serving federal public servants are at risk and some have closed because this policy has not been respected;The grant from Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) to pay the rent for the day care centre at the Guy Favreau Complex in downtown Montréal will end January 1, 2017;The centre will be forced to close without the grant;The day care centre at the Guy Favreau Complex has been caring for the children of federal employees for 30 years; andThe Public Service Alliance opposes the cutbacks and urges that this essential service be maintained.We, the undersigned, federal public servants, parents using the Guy Favreau day care centre, former clients of the centre, grandparents, Canadians who want a government that respects its own policies , call upon the President of the Treasury Board to respect and apply the Treasury Board’s policy on workplace day care centres in order to ensure the continued operation of the centre at the Guy Favreau Complex.To urge PWGSC and the departments accommodated at the Guy Favreau Complex and nearby to continue to provide the grant that pays the rent for the day care centre at the Guy Favreau Complex.To make the work-life balance of federal employees a priority by maintaining a quality day care service that is currently operating in a federal workplace.8545-421-84-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the Guy-Favreau day-care centreCentre de la Petite Enfance du Complexe Guy-FavreauChildcare centres and workersGovernment assistanceGovernment facilitiesPublic Service and public servants42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 25, 2016e-266e-266 (Cruelty to animals)KatieBallRobertSopuckDauphin—Swan River—NeepawaConservativeMBMarch 24, 2016, at 3:42 p.m. (EDT)July 22, 2016, at 3:42 p.m. (EDT)July 25, 2016Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214185" mp-riding-display="3">Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Member of Parliament for Beaches—East York</Addressee>We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada , call upon Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Member of Parliament for Beaches—East York to Amend bill C-246.Below are the highlighted offences listed in Section 182.1 that in which an angler could be found to be breaking the law along with the associated fines: 182.1 (1) Everyone commits an offence who, wilfully or recklessly,(a) causes or, being the owner, permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal;(b) kills an animal or, being the owner, permits an animal to be killed, brutally or viciously, regardless of whether the animal dies immediately; and(e) in any manner encourages, promotes, arranges, assists at, takes part in or receives money for the fighting or baiting of animals, including breeding, training or transporting an animal to fight another animal.Fines for anglers found guilty of any of the above offences should result in $10,000 in fines and up to 18 months in jail.By signing this petition we are asking Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith to amend his bill to include the following:add an exclusion to the fisheries portions of the act to exclude legal activities from being criminalized under the Criminal Code.These activities include but are not limited to: fishing and Minnow/Bait Trapping.Cruelty to animalsHook and line fishery42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-261e-261 (Military facilities)georgemanthorneBillCaseyCumberland—ColchesterLiberalNSMarch 29, 2016, at 7:40 a.m. (EDT)July 27, 2016, at 7:40 a.m. (EDT)July 27, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214311" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of National Defence</Addressee>We, the undersigned, concerned citizens, call upon the Minister of National Defence to revisit the decision to "abandon" the Colonel James Layton Ralston Armoury in Amherst Nova Scotia in regards to its continued use by the Department of National Defense.We also request that the Department of National Defense complete the necessary repairs to the exterior and interior of the building to prevent it from decaying any further than it has in the interest of public safety.The Armoury is an intricate part of the history of both the town of Amherst and those men and women who served this great nation in its time of need and in peace time as members of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and D Company Nova Scotia Highlanders.It contains the Regimental Museum that documents that history and is open to the public.It also serves as the home of the 258 Amherst Sea Cadets, the 272 Amherst Army Cadets and the 154 Amherst Anson Air Cadet Squadron who train with in it's walls today.We also request that if the Department of National Defense declare the building surplus and that a representative of the Minister of National Defense's office be appointed to a committee consisting of members of the Amherst town council, the Municipality of Cumberland County, the 3 Cadet Corps, former members of D Company and concerned citizens to explore other options for the ownership and use of the building.AmherstArmouryHeritage sites and buildingsMilitary equipment and facilities42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 14, 2016e-270e-270 (Aquaculture)RonaldNeufeldBernadetteJordanSouth Shore—St. MargaretsLiberalNSMarch 29, 2016, at 7:40 a.m. (EDT)July 27, 2016, at 7:40 a.m. (EDT)September 22, 2016November 14, 2016July 27, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Containing Atlantic salmon in open-net cages in our oceans has serious consequences;Adding antibiotics to fish feed which is then sprayed directly into the ocean is reckless and dangerous, considering the rapid development of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the detrimental effects it is having on human health;Pesticides released into the ocean to kill sea lice on salmon are killing lobsters, and detailed studies on the effects of pesticides on the environment need to be done before allowing their use in our oceans, otherwise it could be argued that this industry and government are using a food source, the environment and consumers in an industrial experiment;Millions of caged salmon in the Maritimes are being killed by super-chill, which is inhumane and abusive, and this practice of keeping caged fish in an area where the water can freeze should be considered unacceptable;The number of wild fish destroyed to feed farmed fish and the number of farmed fish destroyed due to the growing conditions on these sites is a testament to the unsustainable nature of this industry; andThe industry's claim that escapes do not occur is unfounded, and after storms there are often buoys, nets, plastic pipes and ropes littering the shoreline adjacent to leased areas.We, the undersigned, citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Legislate the removal of caged salmon from our oceans.8545-421-74-01 Government Response to petitions concerning aquacultureAtlantic salmonOpen-pen aquacultureWater quality42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 8, 2016e-257e-257 (Immigration)SandraJoyceHon.Judy A.SgroHumber River—Black CreekLiberalONMarch 30, 2016, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)July 28, 2016, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)October 25, 2016December 8, 2016July 28, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Over 100,000 British Home Children/Child Migrants, were systemically relocated from their British homeland to Canada, in order to indenture them as farm labourers and domestics as part of an unjust immigration policy;These vulnerable British Home Children were severed from their families, many were physically and/or mentally harmed, and were stigmatized by Canadian communities meant to foster them;Many descendants are unaware of this part of their heritage or are actively searching for the family they have been deprived of;The Governments of Australia and the United Kingdom have issued formal apologies for their involvement in this child migrant scheme; andElderly yet surviving Home Children and the estimated four million Canadian descendants of Home Children deserve the same recognition in the form of a formal apology from the Canadian government.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to Issue an unequivocal, sincere and public apology to the elderly yet living British Home Children and all the descendants of Home Children. We seek this apology in order to acknowledge that this child migrant scheme is an important part of Canadian history and to recognize that it is a legacy that has roots in the harm and displacement of thousands of vulnerable children. An apology would ensure a higher profile for British Home Children, thus enabling the education of the public. An apology would help to heal the wounds of separated families and providing a chance for more people to discover their family history within the context of a proud Canadian culture.British Home ChildrenImmigration and immigrantsOfficial apology42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-218e-218 (Foreign policy)FortunatoPapaliaElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMarch 30, 2016, at 12:21 p.m. (EDT)July 28, 2016, at 12:21 p.m. (EDT)July 28, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We believe that all positions should respect international law;We believe that all parties in a conflict must be held to the same standard;We believe that violence is not a solution; andWe wish to empower Canadians of all backgrounds to promote justice, development and peace in the Middle East, and at home in Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada,, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. reconsider and reverse its stance on the boycott of Israeli goods and services (BDS) i,e.: "condemn any and all attempts by Canadian organizations, groups or individuals to promote the BDS movement, both here at home and abroad" ;2. advocate for a just and peaceful settlement that recognizes the legitimate rights and historical claims of the Palestinian people, as recognized by numerous United Nation Resolutions.Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions MovementInternational relationsInternational tradeIsraelPalestine42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-275e-275 (Iran)MaureenBasnickiHon.TonyClementParry Sound—MuskokaConservativeONApril 1, 2016, at 9:22 a.m. (EDT)July 30, 2016, at 9:22 a.m. (EDT)August 2, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Islamic Republic of Iran is widely considered the world’s pre-eminent state sponsor of terrorism, responsible for mass violence through its support of multiple terrorist entities including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Quds Force, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Taliban; Iranian-sponsored terrorist groups have murdered and injured Canadian citizens, kidnapped, tortured and murdered foreign diplomats, and committed multiple assaults on foreign embassies;Iran has been designated by Canada as a foreign State Supporter of Terrorism;Terror victims and their supporters across Canada are seeking a clear commitment from the Government of Canada that Iran will remain listed as a state supporter of terrorism for as long as the Iranian regime continues to sponsor terrorism; andDelisting Iran as a State Supporter of Terrorism would be tantamount to a Canadian declaration that Iran no longer sponsors terrorism; would leave terror victims unable to hold Iran legally accountable in Canadian courts; and would confer legitimacy on a murderous theocracy which pours billions of dollars into terrorist activity.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to maintain the listing of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a State Supporter of Terrorism, pursuant to section 6.1 of the State Immunity Act, for as long as the Iranian regime continues to sponsor terrorism.IranSupporters of terrorism42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-712e-712 (Criminal justice system)JesseFurberMichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABDecember 7, 2016, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)April 6, 2017, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)June 13, 2017September 18, 2017April 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214321" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Justice</Addressee>Whereas: Constable Wynn was shot and killed in the line of duty by an individual out on bail;Evidence of the criminal history of Constable Wynn's killer was not presented at the bail hearing;It is not required under the Criminal Code for prosecutors to lead evidence of the criminal history of bail applicants;Bill S-217, known as Wynn's Law, would close the loophole in the Criminal Code by requiring prosecutors to lead evidence of the criminal history of bail applicants;The Senate of Canada passed Wynn's Law by a wide margin;The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada said the "government does not support the bill".We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Justice to reconsider her position on Bill S-217 and encourage the Prime Minister, along with her fellow Liberal caucus members, to support this common sense legislation.8545-421-18-05 Government Response to petitions concerning the criminal justice systemCriminal CodePre-trial detentionRecidivists42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 19, 2017e-721e-721 (Air transportation)ChristianZiadeEvaNassifVimyLiberalQCDecember 12, 2016, at 2:46 p.m. (EDT)April 11, 2017, at 2:46 p.m. (EDT)May 15, 2017July 19, 2017April 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There are no direct flights between Canada and Lebanon, since the Canadian government rescinded the license granted to Air Canada back in 2003;There are direct flights between Beirut and many European countries which makes the "Security threat" an invalid reason;It is an extreme economical benefit for both countries and for the Lebanese diaspora living in Canada to allow direct flights between Canada and Lebannon.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to restore the license and remove the ban to operate direct flights from Canada to Beirut.AirlinesBeirutLebanonPermits and licences42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 11, 2017e-660e-660 (Mental health)KizitoMusabimanaRobertOliphantDon Valley WestLiberalONJanuary 11, 2017, at 10:55 a.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017, at 10:55 a.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Research shows that youth who live through wars suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that as those youth become adults, if no specific, practical care is provided to them in their development, they will grow up with challenges that make it almost impossible for them to function in normal societies; andMany victims of the Rwandan Genocide who entered Canadian society come with wounds unseen by the visible eye; these people do their best to function in our communities, but many suffer daily because of their past demons which they have yet to let go, mostly due to their busy and demanding lives, but also because many of them lack knowledge when it comes to healing the psychological effects of war. They go on for years wounded, lost to their childhood dreams, as to them the future seems unattainable. These youth (now adults), will go through depressions; at war within, which makes their worldly struggles almost impossible to overcome.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to grant Canadians of Rwandan origin with the funds and facilities necessary to build a national Centre for Rwandan Genocide Victims who suffer from the psychological wounds of war. GenocideGovernment assistanceMental healthRwandaRwandan CanadiansWar victims42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 19, 2017e-713e-713 (Tax system)bobspiersMelArnoldNorth Okanagan—ShuswapConservativeBCJanuary 4, 2017, at 1:32 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2017, at 1:32 p.m. (EDT)May 15, 2017July 19, 2017May 4, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of British Columbia instituted a carbon tax in 2008 and the federal government GST (currently at 5%) is still being charged on this carbon tax.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to eliminate the GST being charged on this or any other future carbon tax enacted by the provinces or territories.8545-421-1-16 Government Response to petitions concerning the tax systemBritish ColumbiaCarbon taxGoods and services taxProvincial and territorial governments42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 4, 2017e-714e-714 (Appointments)LoganHendersonBernadetteJordanSouth Shore—St. MargaretsLiberalNSJanuary 4, 2017, at 1:45 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2017, at 1:45 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2017Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214115" mp-riding-display="1"> Justin Trudeau</Addressee>Whereas:The Prime Minister's Youth Council currently only accepts youth aged 16-24;There is a misunderstanding related to younger youth that they aren't as engaged with the political forum, which is false; andIt is time that we allow all youth to have equal opportunity to at least apply and be considered for the Prime Ministers Youth Council.We, the undersigned, youth of Canada, call upon Justin Trudeau to lower the age of the Prime Ministers Youth Council to 13.Application processPrime Minister's Youth CouncilPublic consultationSelection processYoung people42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-734e-734 (Human diseases)NeillShewanBruceStantonSimcoe NorthConservativeONJanuary 4, 2017, at 1:50 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2017, at 1:50 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017September 18, 2017May 5, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Chronic Immunological & Neurological Diseases (CIND) affect 1.4 million Canadians and there is no cure;There is a high cost to individuals and society due to lost income and productivity due to these serious chronic long term illnesses;Virtually unknown to the general public, they are as disabling as MS and are more prevalent in Canada than breast cancer, MS and AIDS combined;Research funding from CIHR has been nominal and inequitable. Between 1999-2009, distributions by CIHR amount to: $4,500/HIV/AIDS patient; $1,000/MS patient; $12/FM patient; under $3/ME patient;For CIND illnesses, Canada lacks proper medical care, social support and treatment;The 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey revealed a high level of disability, unmet health care needs, high demand on the health care system, low food security and a weak sense of belonging to the community;Canada was a leader creating the internationally regarded 2003 ME/CFS Canadian Consensus Criteria; andCanada currently has no strategy in place to address the above concerns;We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Create a National CIND Strategy to address this urgent Global Health Crisis. We ask our Government to commit to a concerted effort to address the burden CIND diseases places on our economy, health care systems and individuals impacted by CIND illnesses.8545-421-114-02 Government Response to petitions concerning human diseasesGovernment assistanceGovernment policyHealth care systemImmunological disordersMedical researchNeurological disorders42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 14, 2017e-739e-739 (Immigration)BradFachMarwanTabbaraKitchener South—HespelerLiberalONJanuary 4, 2017, at 1:53 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2017, at 1:53 p.m. (EDT)May 16, 2017June 14, 2017May 5, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214309" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Many people have prepared a Family Reunification Application for submission in 2017 only to be surprised by a sudden change;No warnings were given which is causing family and financial hardship; andLottery system mocks a very serious family issue of reunification.We, the undersigned, citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to:1. Repeal the December 2016 change until a more comprehensive plan can be formulated and give people the opportunity to provide feedback about the coming changes;2. Phase the changes in over the course of a few years, allowing the people who have prepared for 2017 to submit as per usual; and3. Give previous lottery losers priority in the subsequent years if they do not make it in previous year lottery.8545-421-23-13 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationApplication processFamily reunificationImmigrant sponsorshipParent and Grandparent Program42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 15, 2017e-697e-697 (Health care services)KenRobertsonJulieDzerowiczDavenportLiberalONJanuary 4, 2017, at 1:24 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2017, at 1:24 p.m. (EDT)May 16, 2017September 15, 2017May 4, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214312" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:Autism spectrum disorder is a pervasive disorder, which affects one in sixty-eight people;The goal is to acquire a report of Urban Aboriginal Children with Autism and details of the wait list of care for off-reserve children;It would be helpful for the Trudeau government to work with the provinces and territories and stakeholders to develop a pan-Canadian strategy for Autism spectrum disorder, including, awareness and education campaigns, child, and adolescent and adult intervention innovative funding arrangements for financing therapy, surveillance, respite care, community initiatives, and research.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to present findings to the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.8545-421-31-24 Government Response to petitions concerning health care servicesAboriginal peoplesAutismChildrenHealth care systemNational Strategy for Autism Spectrum DisordersOff-reserveStanding Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-718e-718 (Cruelty to animals)CharleneMyersNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONJanuary 10, 2017, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)May 10, 2017, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2018March 19, 2018May 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada's animal protection legislation has not been substantively revised since 1892 and Canada is ranked below some third-world countries when it comes to its animal protection legislation;92% of Canadians surveyed by Environics Research in June 2015 support "updating the criminal code to make it easier to convict on acts of cruelty to animals";Research confirms that there is a link between animal cruelty and violence toward humans;Bill C-246, the Modernizing Animal Protections Act, was defeated by Parliament on October 5, 2016; andMinister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould stated after Bill C-246 was defeated that “We all agree animal cruelty is a significant social issue that needs to be addressed. In terms of looking at the animal cruelty provisions in the Code, that’s what I’ve always committed to do and we’re going to follow up on that.”We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Justice to address the significant social issue of animal cruelty by immediately conducting a review of the animal cruelty provisions in the Criminal Code.Crime and criminalityCruelty to animals42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 19, 2017e-742e-742 (Road transportation)NadiaDi SciulloRamezAyoubThérèse-De BlainvilleLiberalQCJanuary 10, 2017, at 4:11 p.m. (EDT)May 10, 2017, at 4:11 p.m. (EDT)May 29, 2017July 19, 2017May 11, 2017Petition to<Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1"> the Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Congestion between the northern suburbs and Laval is negatively impacting the quality of life of residents and users;Two major projects in Laval and in the northern suburbs have been anticipated for several years, namely the completion of Highway 19 with public transit lanes and the construction of reserved lanes on Highway 15;The proposed completion of Highway 19 in Laval and Bois-des-Filion has been deemed necessary and requiring urgent action by the office of public hearings on environmental issues (BAPE);These two road infrastructure projects have the support of the communities, the RCMs of Laval and Les Laurentides, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, the major political parties in Quebec and Canada, and thousands of citizens and socio economic stakeholders; andThe Government of Canada provides funding for public transit infrastructure projects under the $186 billion Public Transit Infrastructure Fund;We, the undersigned, residents of the greater Montreal area, call upon the Government of Canada to intervene with the competent authorities to ensure the completion of Highway 19 with reserved public transit lanes and the construction of reserved public transit lanes on Highway 15, in the northern suburbs of Montreal, as quickly as possible, and to provide funding for these two projects.Government assistanceHighwaysMontréalRapid transit42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-723e-723 (Impaired driving)JordanBurdenMattDeCourceyFrederictonLiberalNBJanuary 10, 2017, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)May 10, 2017, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)June 19, 2017September 18, 2017May 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Current sentencing guidelines established under section 255 of the Criminal Code of Canada do not appear to be a deterrent for repeat offenders of impaired driving;Judges have stated in court their hands are tied by sentencing guidelines;The number of victims injured or killed in an accident caused by or involving an impaired driver have no affect on the sentence;Suspending driving privileges appears not to be a deterrent for repeat offenders; andThere are established minimum sentences for impaired driving offences under section 255(1) but no established minimum sentence for impaired driving offences under sections 255(2) and 255(3).We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to:1. Increase punishments under section 255(1)(a)(i) to $2,000, (ii) $5,000 plus 120 days imprisonment, (iii) $10,000 plus 1 year imprisonment and lifetime ban on driving;2. Establish minimum sentences of 5 years for an offence under section 255(2) and 10 years under section 255(3), for each victim, to be served consecutively;3. Allow the impound of a vehicle being driven by an individual charged and subsequent seizure of said vehicle upon conviction regardless of ownership;4. Require the use of an ignition interlock for any person convicted under section 255 for a minimum period of 2 years after imprisonment;5. Any person who knowingly and willingly allows another person to operate their own vehicle while impaired be charged under section 255(1);6. Abolish suspended sentences or house arrest for anyone convicted under section 255; and 7. Victim surcharges should apply.8545-421-7-20 Government Response to petitions concerning impaired drivingImpaired drivingMandatory sentencingVehicular homicide42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-760e-760 (International sanctions)Khue-TuNguyenJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJanuary 11, 2017, at 3:03 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017, at 3:03 p.m. (EDT)May 29, 2017September 18, 2017May 12, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canada should not be used by those foreign nationals who grossly violated internationally recognized human rights, as a safe haven for themselves and their families, or to hide away the proceeds from their illicit activities;The U.S. has promulgated the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, Estonia has adopted a similar law, and Great Britain and Norway are considering actions, aiming at establishing restrictive measures towards those who violated internationally recognized human rights. It is expected that other countries which value respect for human rights will follow suit;As Canada celebrates its sesquicentennial (150th) birthday, there is no gift to those who aspire respect for human rights everywhere in the world more precious than a law passed by its Parliament to promote respect for human rights; andOfficials in the Communist regime in Vietnam systematically violate human rights by brutally suppressing political dissidents. They should also be subject to the restrictive measures called for in both Bill S-226 and Bill C-267.We, the undersigned, citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to pass Bill S-226 and Bill C-267, also known as the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law).8545-421-109-02 Government Response to petitions concerning international sanctionsCivil and human rightsForeign personsVictims of crime42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2017e-590e-590 (National historic sites)Harold E.WrightWayneLongSaint John—RothesayLiberalNBJanuary 11, 2017, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)June 7, 2017August 16, 2017May 12, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The City of Saint John is one of Canada’s most historic cities, being Canada’s First Incorporated City in 1785;The Port of Saint John has been involved with world-wide commerce since the 1630s;Our Port having been designated as “Canada’s Winter Port” in 1896, and in 1927, at the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation, having been designated a “National Port”;Partridge Island, being the site of New Brunswick’s first and Canada’s third navigational aids station (1791), Saint John’s front line of defense (1791 to 1945) and having been the site of a quarantine station from 1830 to 1942, providing services to mariners, Canadian residents/citizens and immigrants; andAs one of Canada's major ports, we recognize the importance of the founding cultures of our Country: the First Nations, French, English, and other ethnic communities from around the world.We, the undersigned, Residents of Saint John-Rothesay and of New Brunswick and other communities in Canada, call upon the Minister of Canadian Heritage to support the designation of the Port of Saint John as Canada’s first National Historic Seaport, and also the designation of Partridge Island's Navigational Aids Station and its Military Fortifications, the Guardian at the entrance of the Port of Saint John, as National Historic Sites. Such designations will recognize the significant roles the Port of Saint John and Partridge Island have played in the historical development of Canada over the past four centuries.Such recognition will provide the residents of Saint John-Rothesay, citizens of New Brunswick, and visitors to our City and Province, with an understanding of the pivotal role played by the Port of Saint John and Partridge Island in our nation’s history.Heritage sites and buildingsNavigation aidsPartridge IslandPort of Saint JohnPorts and harbours42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-707e-707 (Cameroon)DamiaMubemsembomPeterFragiskatosLondon North CentreLiberalONJanuary 11, 2017, at 3:58 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017, at 3:58 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:During October and November 2016, there have been several reports that in Cameroon, police and military are not respecting the peaceful protests which are taking place and are using unlawful force and brutality in efforts to suppress demonstrations. These reports include instances of the beating of non-violent protesters, including Common Law lawyers, teachers, and university students. There are reports that civilians have died, with many more injured and jailed without any due process. Social media is awash with images of what the so-called “security forces” are doing: lawyers have been assaulted and their wigs and gowns confiscated, university students have been beaten with batons, forced to roll in mud, and imprisoned, and citizens have been beaten in the streets.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to put diplomatic pressure on Cameroon to stop the violence used on peaceful protesters and to start negotiating in good faith, respecting the demands of the leaders to reach peaceful resolutions to the situation.CameroonCivil and human rightsForeign policyOppression42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-733e-733 (Labelling of food products)EmmaTrainDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCJanuary 11, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. (EDT)May 31, 2017September 18, 2017May 12, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:All Canadians should have the right to know how much sugar is added to their food;There is strong evidence that an intake of free sugars less than 10% of total energy intake reduces the risk of being overweight, obesity, and tooth decay;CFIA states it is unacceptable to use partial truths on food labels, as these are likely to create a false impression, whole truths about added sugar on food labels seem necessary;The food industry and lobbyists are attempting to protect profits and not public health by lobbying against added sugar on food labels; andCanadians should be provided with adequate information to follow through on WHO recommendations to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to request that you readdress the choice of not having 'added sugars' on the nutrient panel of food labels to support and empower Canadians to make better food choices.Food labellingNutritional informationPackaging and labellingSugar42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2017e-761e-761 (Myanmar)ArfanNaveedSalmaZahidScarborough CentreLiberalONJanuary 11, 2017, at 4:53 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2017, at 4:53 p.m. (EDT)May 18, 2017August 16, 2017May 12, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar have been termed by the United Nations as the most persecuted minority in the world;The Rohingya of Myanmar are victims of ethnic cleansing, rape, violence and constant persecution in their homeland;More than 100,000 Rohingyas are in camps for Internally Displaced Persons where they face poverty, violence and persecution;To escape violence and persecution, many thousands of Rohingyas have fled to neighbouring countries such as Bangledesh that are ill-equipped to care for them; andCanada is a country that stands for human rights and the protection of persecuted and endangered minorities.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to do all that is in its power to help the Rohingya Muslim community, including to put pressure on the Government of Myanmar to fulfill its moral and legal obligation to ensure the safety of its Rohingya Muslim minority, to pressure the Government of Myanmar to allow humanitarian assistance and international NGOs to reach Rakhine state and those Rohingya in camps for internally displaced persons, to arrange for a visit to Rakhine from the Canadian Ambassador to Myanmar, to view the situation first-hand and report back to the Government, to provide increased assistance and support for those countries which are housing Rohingya refugees, as well as for Rohingya in IDP camps, and to support the commission led by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan studying the situation in the Rakhine state.Civil and human rightsForeign policyHumanitarian assistance and workersMyanmarRefugee campsRohingya42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-725e-725 (Refugees)arielfrancoMoniquePauzéRepentignyBloc QuébécoisQCJanuary 13, 2017, at 10:45 a.m. (EDT)May 13, 2017, at 10:45 a.m. (EDT)June 7, 2017September 18, 2017May 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada </Addressee>Whereas The current living conditions for the Ishtai family are very difficult, especially for the three young children;Hundreds of residents, five schools and one organization that specializes in immigrant integration services have all come together to sponsor a Syrian refugee family in the Assomption RCM;Our group is ready to welcome, guide and support the Ishtai family as soon as it arrives in Canada (having raised nearly $30,000 in less than one year); andAdministrative delays are getting longer and longer, leading to disappointment and a loss of confidence not only within the community, but also within the Ishtai family.We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to expedite the processing of our sponsorship application for the Ishtai family.BacklogsRefugee sponsorshipSyria42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-122e-122 (Cannabis)SamVekemansMurrayRankinVictoriaNDPBCJanuary 16, 2017, at 10:53 a.m. (EDT)May 16, 2017, at 10:53 a.m. (EDT)May 17, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Liberal Government has committed to cannabis legalization for all purposes in 2017, and has specifically referenced, the LeDain Commission of 1979, the Senate Report of 2002, the Liberal Party Resolution #117 of 2012, the Draft Policy White Paper tabled in Ottawa January, 2013 by the Young Liberals of BC and various international UN treaties, and has notified the UN on April 19, 2016;Cannabis prohibition has been found to be a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; andThe government has failed to suspend arrests and prosecutions in the interim.We, the undersigned, Citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to establish an independent, fully-empowered Royal Commission into the health, social and economic costs associated with the legalization of Cannabis use including costs associated with prohibition, discrimination, organized crime, political favouritism and corruption.DecriminalizationInquiries and public inquiriesMarijuana42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2017e-773e-773 (Holding of referendums)GerardSevignyMichelBoudriasTerrebonneBloc QuébécoisQCJanuary 16, 2017, at 2:24 p.m. (EDT)May 16, 2017, at 2:24 p.m. (EDT)June 13, 2017August 16, 2017May 19, 2017Petition to the<Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas: On October 16, 2013, the Attorney General for Canada brought before the Supreme Court of Canada an intervention in support of the legal challenge of the Act respecting the exercise of the fundamental rights and prerogatives of the Québec people and the Québec State (CQLR c. E-20.2) “Bill 99”), which will be heard in March 2017, year of Canada 150th anniversary;On October 23, 2013, the National Assembly unanimously carried a motion “condemn[ing] the intrusion by the Government of Canada into Québec’s democracy by seeking to invalidate the impugned provisions of [Bill 99]”, and”call[ing] on the Government of Canada to refrain from interfering […]”;This Act reaffirms the inalienable right of the Québec people to self-determination and its right to determine alone the mode of exercise of its rights; andDuring a referendum, the applicable democratic rule is that of 50% of the valid votes cast plus one.We, the undersigned citizens of Québec, call upon the Government du Canada to withdraw its legal challenge of Bill 99 and reaffirm, like the Québec National Assembly, the fundamental principles set out in the Act.8545-421-163-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the holding of referendumsAct respecting the exercise of the fundamental rights and prerogatives of the Québec people and the Québec StateFederal-provincial-territorial relationsNational Assembly of QuebecProvince of QuebecSovereignty42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-752e-752 (Cruelty to animals)LindaClarke HarterMurrayRankinVictoriaNDPBCJanuary 17, 2017, at 9:07 a.m. (EDT)May 17, 2017, at 9:07 a.m. (EDT)May 17, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Criminal Code is written in such a way that makes it very difficult to hold puppy mill owners accountable;Recent attempts to modernize Canada’s animal rights laws have been unsuccessful;Canada’s current laws have remained mostly unchanged since 1892;We are concerned that puppy mill owners often face only a fine and see it as a part of doing business; andCanadian law makes it an offence to engage in animal fighting however, training animals to fight and accepting money from animal fighting is not an offence.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to update Canada’s animal cruelty legislation by creating a bill that would amend the Criminal Code to make profiting from animal fighting and training animals to fight offences. Furthermore, we ask for loopholes in the animal cruelty legislation that allow operators of puppy mills to escape penalty or to receive only fines that do not act as a proper deterrent to be closed.Animal fightingCrime and criminalityDogsSentencing42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 19, 2017e-770e-770 (Tax system)ShaneDevenishJamieSchmaleHaliburton—Kawartha Lakes—BrockConservativeONJanuary 19, 2017, at 1:58 p.m. (EDT)May 19, 2017, at 1:58 p.m. (EDT)June 9, 2017July 19, 2017May 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:Camping is a quintessentially Canadian activity that speaks to our history and identity as Canadians;Each year, over 5.8 million Canadians – and thousands of international visitors – participate in camping at over 2347 private campgrounds, making this a very popular and affordable family activity;Most of these campgrounds are small family-run, active businesses that provide recreational services to short term and seasonal guests;Campgrounds in Canada have relied on the small business tax deduction for many decades thereby allowing campgrounds to expand their businesses and contribute to economic growth and job creation; Unless the federal government acts, 75% of campgrounds in Canada are in jeopardy of closing due to the tripling of their tax rate; andThe Standing Committee on Finance has recommended that income earned by campgrounds is classfied as “active business income”.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to ensure that Canada's tax policy with respect to campgrounds is updated and announced on or before Budget 2017 so that campgrounds are recognized as “active businesses” similar to other tourism operations (e.g. hotels) in order that they may claim the small business tax deduction.CampingCorporate income taxSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTax deductions42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 23, 2017e-784e-784 (Illicit drug use)BrettSunkuJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCJanuary 23, 2017, at 9:28 a.m. (EDT)May 23, 2017, at 9:28 a.m. (EDT)May 23, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Exempted Codeine Products cause more harm than good and must be better regulated;The ability to purchase Exempted Codeine Products without physician oversight contributes to Canada's opiate problem; andCodeine has serious safety concerns and pharmacists have proven unable to prevent its non-prescription misuse.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to Repeal Section 36 from the Narcotic Control Regulations of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, resulting in the requirement of a physician's prescription for release of any codeine product.Drug use and abuseOpiates and opioidsPrescription drugs42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-786e-786 (Disabled and handicapped persons)PhoebeLarson - MikeGordonBrownLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesConservativeONJanuary 30, 2017, at 9:15 a.m. (EDT)May 30, 2017, at 9:15 a.m. (EDT)June 9, 2017September 18, 2017May 30, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:To qualify as a Thalidomide survivor, “new” individuals will need to satisfy one of the three criteria set out in 1991, which existing survivors have previously met. These criteria are verifiable information of the receipt of a settlement from the drug company, documentary proof (e.g., medical or pharmacy records) of the maternal use of Thalidomide (brand names Kevadon or Talimol) in Canada during the first trimester of pregnancy, or listing on an existing government registry of Thalidomide victims.Thalidomide survivors are uniting to show the Canadian government that there are far more Thalidomide victims than they will acknowledge. We are in search of justice, recognition and compensation.We, the undersigned, Canada's forgotten Thalidomide survivors, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to change the current criteria set for Thalidomide compensation to include assessment by a medical professional that specializes in deformities caused by Thalidomide in the event that undocumented survivors are unable to meet the current criteria.Application processGovernment compensationPersons with disabilitiesThalidomide42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 19, 2017e-798e-798 (International development and aid)OdetteHutchingsMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendConservativeABJanuary 30, 2017, at 3:07 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2017, at 3:07 p.m. (EDT)June 15, 2017July 19, 2017May 31, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has been a key contributor and global leader in the effort to end polio;These efforts have led to polio being nearly eradicated globally. In 2016, fewer children than any year in history, were paralyzed by polio, in pockets of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria;Globally, there are 15 million people walking today, who would have otherwise been paralyzed by polio;While polio exists anywhere in our globalized world, it is a threat to children everywhere and efforts must continue to immunize more than 400 million children in over 60 at-risk countries;Polio immunization efforts reach hundreds of millions of children, including the most vulnerable and those in area of conflicts who would otherwise be unable to access polio and other life-saving vaccines. In order to reach every last child and end polio forever, continued funding is essential;The world will continue to benefit from the global health infrastructure, knowledge and tools put into place by the polio program to help fight diseases, like Ebola and measles. The global effort to end polio will continue to strengthen health systems, ensuring the world is equipped to protect against future public health threats.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to pledge an additional $150 million towards the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in order for Canada to continue to play a key role in the global effort to eradicate polio, once and for all.8545-421-43-08 Government Response to petitions concerning international development and aidGlobal Polio Eradication InitiativeImmunizationInternational development and aidPoliomyelitis42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 31, 2017e-535e-535 (Canada Pension Plan)BarryConroyMarkGerretsenKingston and the IslandsLiberalONJanuary 31, 2017, at 9:08 a.m. (EDT)May 31, 2017, at 9:08 a.m. (EDT)May 31, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:We recognize the efforts our federal public servants take to provide services to Canadians;We recognize that some employees become ill and/or disabled, and must resort to long term disability, medically retire, and live on disability;The Government of Canada, through the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA), allows itself and insurance companies the right to deduct all Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefits, dollar for dollar, from the registered pensions of all Canadians, who have paid for them; andThese deductions are retroactive and leave federal employees, as well as other Canadians who have paid into registered pension plans, on the brink of financial ruin while they attempt to reimburse the insurance companies, and/or the PSSA.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to change the PSSA in order to cease the discriminatory practice of deducting the CPP Disability Benefits from disabled retired federal employees, as well as any other Canadian who pays into a employers registered pension plan, to apply the same measures to protect sources of registered income from being reduced by the disability amount and give the same considerations to disabled retired federal employees as identified during the November 2011 parliamentary debate to protect disabled members of the military and RCMP, and recommend that the government cease this deducting of CPP Disability Benefits from PSSA income immediately and retroactively, and direct the PSSA to refund past deductions.Canada Pension PlanClawbackDisability benefitsPensions and pensioners42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-800e-800 (Refugees)StevenPattersonIreneMathyssenLondon—FanshaweNDPONJanuary 31, 2017, at 9:12 a.m. (EDT)May 31, 2017, at 9:12 a.m. (EDT)June 6, 2017September 18, 2017June 1, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The President of the United States of America has signed into effect Executive Orders that prevent refugees and immigrants already accepted by the US from entering the country, with many unable to reunite with their families;The President of the United States of America has moved to adopt policies that contravene the 1984 Convention Against Torture;The above are in direct violation of Factors 1, 2, and 3 of the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement; andThe Agreement may restrict Canada's ability to accept refugees turned away by these Orders.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to revoke the designation of the United States of America as a "Safe Third Country" under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act until the United States returns to compliance with all Factors of the Agreement.8545-421-2-07 Government Response to petitions concerning refugeesCanada–U.S. Safe Third Country AgreementCanada-United States relationsRefugeesThird country42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 1, 2017e-807e-807 (Refugees)LaurinLiuKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCFebruary 1, 2017, at 7:43 a.m. (EDT)June 1, 2017, at 7:43 a.m. (EDT)June 1, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Under the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States, refugee claimants are required to request refugee protection in the first safe country they arrive in, unless they qualify for an exception to the Agreement;President Trump has approved an executive order that suspended entry of all refugees to the United States for 120 days, barred Syrian refugees indefinitely, and blocked entry into the United States for 90 days for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, as well as barring green card holders from those countries from re-entering the United States; andThe deportation and denial of entry to lawful travelers and asylum-seekers is likely to cause irreparable harm to individuals and those fleeing terror, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately rescind the “Safe Third Country Agreement”, and that immediate steps be taken to allow special consideration of humanitarian and compassionate reasons for entry to Canada as enabled by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.Agreements and contractsCanada–U.S. Safe Third Country AgreementCanada-United States relationsHumanitarian groundsRefugee claims processingThird country42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-813e-813 (Immigration)JoyGerwienKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCJanuary 31, 2017, at 4:06 p.m. (EDT)May 31, 2017, at 4:06 p.m. (EDT)June 19, 2017September 18, 2017June 1, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is a proudly multicultural nation;Canadians embrace all people regardless of ancestry or religion;It is illegal in Canada to incite hatred against any identifiable group; andPresident Donald Trump has unfairly specified Muslims to be banned from entering the United States.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to prohibit President Donald Trump from entering Canada until he withdraws his Executive Order that prohibits travel from Sudan, Syria, Lybia, Iran, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen because it violates human or international rights.8545-421-23-16 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationCanada-United States relationsImmigration and immigrantsMiddle East and North AfricaPersona non grataPresident of the United States of AmericaTrump, Donald42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 5, 2017e-828e-828 (Louis Riel)JesseDonovanElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCFebruary 3, 2017, at 12:21 p.m. (EDT)June 3, 2017, at 12:21 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The RCMP possesses items of immense cultural and spiritual significance to the Métis people;Canada has committed to reconciliation with the Métis people; andThe UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples mandates the return of artifacts to Indigenous peoples.We, the undersigned, Métis people in Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Return the following items to the Métis people: Louis Riel's crucifix, book of poetry, and knife, as well as several articles of Métis clothing which are held in the RCMP Heritage Centre.Aboriginal rightsCultural artifactsCultural heritageMétisRCMP Heritage CentreRiel, Louis42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 2, 2017e-836e-836 (Immigration)marie-claudethibeaultXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCFebruary 3, 2017, at 12:21 p.m. (EDT)June 3, 2017, at 12:21 p.m. (EDT)September 19, 2017November 2, 2017June 5, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Numerous files are delayed due to administrative errors, which have serious human and financial consequences;In many cases, files are not analyzed properly due to lack of time, training and resources, and the large number of applications;The risk of discrimination by officers is high because of the nature of the mandate entrusted to them and their fear of approving a “bad file”;In Canadian embassies abroad, procedures and codes of ethics may not be respected by officers;During the sponsorship process, if a case is appealed, the wait is unduly long and unnecessarily delays finalization of the file (30 months);The adverse consequences of delays and the resulting impact on the mental and physical health of sponsors and those sponsored results in a loss of enjoyment of life which can last several months or even several years.We, the undersigned,Citizens of Canada, call upon theHouse of Commons in Parliament assembled to establish an ombudsman function at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to relieve pressures on the system and better serve individuals in the processing of their files.8545-421-23-18 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationBacklogsDepartment of Citizenship and ImmigrationImmigration and immigrantsOmbudsman42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 29, 2017e-795e-795 (Refugees)KirstenHurworthRandallGarrisonEsquimalt—Saanich—SookeNDPBCJune 1, 2017, at 2:52 p.m. (EDT)September 29, 2017, at 2:52 p.m. (EDT)September 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The federal Cabinet and Supreme Court have failed to properly review the United States' "safe third country" status since Canada v. Canadian Council for Refugees (2008 FCA 229);The inauguration of a blatantly misogynistic, racist, anti-LGBTQ, fear-mongering government raises grave questions as to the United States' position as a "safe third country" for immigrants;Imminent changes to American policy threaten to violate immigrants' Charter rights to life, liberty and security of the person; andGiven the extreme political climate generated by the Trump administration, Canada's refusal to accept refugees at our American land border violates Article 33 of the Refugee Convention and Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture, which states that no refugee may be returned to a place where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group.We, the undersigned, the people of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to dismantle the Safe Third Country Agreement immediately, and take further steps to welcome and support refugees seeking asylum in North America, regardless of their country of origin, religion, gender, or sexuality. This accord has stood as a failure of human compassion and international humanitarian principles since its inception, and will continue to perpetrate immeasurable damage as the Trump administration puts their aggressively anti-immigrant policies into action. For our government to stand by would be nothing short of a national disgrace - but our shame, our guilt, will do nothing for the oppressed. We must stand as allies and friends, striving to uphold the principles of freedom and dignity for all.Canada–U.S. Safe Third Country AgreementCanada-United States relationsHumanitarian groundsRefugeesThird country42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 6, 2017e-829e-829 (Electoral system)MikeHenhoefferIreneMathyssenLondon—FanshaweNDPONFebruary 6, 2017, at 8:09 a.m. (EDT)June 6, 2017, at 8:09 a.m. (EDT)June 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada campaigned in 2015 on the promise that 2015 would be the last election decided by the first past the post electoral system;A new mandate letter issued to Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould has stated that the Liberals are abandoning this campaign promise; andIn the current system, everyone's vote is not equal, citizens who vote for less popular parties, generally, do not get equal representation, the green party received 3.5% of all votes in the 2015 election, yet only have 1 seat or 0.3% of seats in the house of commons, and in contrast, the liberals received 39.5% of all votes in the 2015 election, yet only have 184 seats or 54% of seats in the house.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to follow the Federal Electoral Reform Committee's recommendation and hold a national referendum asking Canadians if they'd like to continue using the first past the post election system or implement some form of proportional representation election system to better reflect all Canadian's political interests.Electoral reformFirst-past-the-post systemProportional representationReferenda42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 6, 2017e-793e-793 (International development and aid)A.H.ReaumeHon.HedyFryVancouver CentreLiberalBCFebruary 6, 2017, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2017, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The U.S. recently reinstated what's known as the Mexico City Policy or the Global Gag Rule - a rule that prevents international NGOs from receiving USAID if they provide family planning or abortion services; andAccording to Marie Stopes International, a major global family planning organization, this loss of funding will mean cause 6.5 million unintended pregnancies, 2.2 million abortions, 2.1 million unsafe abortions, and 21,700 maternal deaths from 2017 to 2020.We, the undersigned, Citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to follow the lead of the Netherlands and set aside significant additional funding to help make up for the loss of USAID to family planning NGOs to ensure that women in developing countries get access to the family planning services that they need.Developing countriesFamily planningGovernment assistanceInternational relationsWomen42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 7, 2017e-790e-790 (Electoral system)DonGibersonScottDuvallHamilton MountainNDPONFebruary 6, 2017, at 4:20 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2017, at 4:20 p.m. (EDT)June 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Liberal, NDP and Green parties all campaigned in 2015 on a promise to make 2015 the last federal election conducted under the First-Past-The-Post electoral system;Over 11 million voters (62.6% of all voters) voted for one of these three parties, including nearly 7 million Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party of Canada;An overwhelming majority (88%) of people taking part in the Special Committee on Electoral Reform consultative process expressed support for Proportional Representation;In MP town halls and throughout the Committee’s consultations Canadians expressed a clear desire for an electoral system that is simple, fair, proportional and maintains local representation;Single Member Party Proportional (SMPP) is an electoral system that is simple, fair, proportional and retains local representation;SMPP does not require redrawing electoral boundaries;SMPP can easily be implemented in time for the 2019 federal election; andA poll conducted by Environics Research for the Every Voter Counts Alliance in October 2016 found that the majority of Canadians want the Liberal government to keep its promise on electoral reform including 67% of Liberal and NDP voters, 74% of Green Party voters and 40% of Conservative voters.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to keep the Liberal Party’s campaign promise on electoral reform and to implement Single Member Party Proportional (SMPP) for the 2019 federal election and, should the government hold a national referendum on electoral reform, to include SMPP as an option on the ballot in such a referendum.Electoral reformFederal electionsReferendaWeighted voting system42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 16, 2018e-845e-845 (Bridges)MathieuGagnonAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCFebruary 7, 2017, at 11:06 a.m. (EDT)June 7, 2017, at 11:06 a.m. (EDT)March 1, 2018April 16, 2018June 7, 2017Petition to the<Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Federal bridges are built to connect communities, not just to serve motor vehicles;Individuals opting for active transportation (walking, running, biking, winter biking, skiing, snowshoeing, etc.) have the right as well as the responsibility to cross bridges on the sidewalks and paths provided;During winter, individuals can be outfitted and travel safely on the ice and snow that sometimes accumulate on sidewalks and pathways.We, the undersigned, Residents of Quebec and Canada, call upon the House of Commons to keep the sidewalks and pathways on federal bridges open year round so that active individuals can continue to travel between communities just like motorists; in particular, to keep the multi-use path on Jacques Cartier Bridge open year round, during warm and cold weather, rain and snow. Closing the only link between Montreal and eastern Canada each winter is unacceptable. Let us embrace our northern climate and encourage people to get moving!Jacques Cartier BridgeRecreational pathsSidewalks and pedestrian pathwaysUrban road maintenanceWinter42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-706e-706 (Fishing industry)BradHazledineFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCFebruary 10, 2017, at 7:55 a.m. (EDT)June 10, 2017, at 7:55 a.m. (EDT)November 20, 2017January 29, 2018June 12, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:70-100 million sharks are being killed each year for their fins;One third of all shark species are now at risk of extinction as a result;The oceans produce approximately 60 percent of the oxygen that we breathe and absorbs a similar amount of CO2;Sharks are vital to a healthy ocean ecosystem;A healthy ocean ecosystem helps mitigate the effects of climate change and provides sustenance and employment for billions of people; andBy lessening the demand for shark fins Canada can make a positive impact on the environment and show leadership.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Adopt bill C-251 as a government bill. Rob Stewart was an award winning Canadian film maker. He spent his life working to raise awareness of the importance of sharks to our oceans and of the need for us to protect them from extinction. Ultimately and tragically he ended up giving his life for this cause.Canada can honour his work and provide a lasting legacy for his efforts by adopting and supporting bill C-251.8545-421-24-14 Government Response to petitions concerning the fishing industryBanEndangered speciesFisheries and fishersImportsShark42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-852e-852 (Aerodromes)rohanpointerLucThériaultMontcalmBloc QuébécoisQCFebruary 10, 2017, at 1:40 p.m. (EDT)June 10, 2017, at 1:40 p.m. (EDT)June 13, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Despite opposition from the residents of Mascouche and Terrebonne and despite the mandate given by the Prime Minister that all decisions are to be made in the public interest, the Minister of Transport has granted a private group the right to develop a new aerodrome located partly in Mascouche and partly in Terrebonne, requiring the clearcutting of 19 hectares;The land in question, protected by Quebec legislation, is within the green belt (woodlots and wetlands) of the Montreal Metropolitan Community;The aerodrome is less than 8 km from a dump site, in violation of federal regulations;The aerodrome is not in response to any need expressed by the community;The community will bear the consequences of all the harmful environmental impacts, noise pollution, security and costs, without any significant economic benefit;The National Assembly has decided unanimously to urge the federal government to reconsider its decision to construct this aerodrome and to comply with Quebec legislation and local decisions; andSimilar situations occur repeatedly, including in St-Cuthbert and Neuville.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Quebec,, call upon the Government of Canada to comply with Quebec legislation, the choices of Quebeckers and reconsider its decision in order to prevent the construction of the aerodrome; to amend federal legislation so that any proposed aerodrome in Quebec be subject to Quebec’s environmental impact assessment and review process; and to make the consultation process transparent and independent of promoters.AirportsEnvironmental protectionLand managementProvincial governmentPublic consultation42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 16, 2017e-550e-550 (Immigration)AnNguyenSukhDhaliwalSurrey—NewtonLiberalBCFebruary 15, 2017, at 10:27 a.m. (EDT)June 15, 2017, at 10:27 a.m. (EDT)June 16, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214309" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian government had effectively enforced language proficiency requirements to all citizenship applicants between the ages of 18-54 since 2012 through the amendments to Section 14 of Citizenship Regulations, and subsequently extended it to the ages of 18-65 since the effective date of Bill C-24 in 2015;Citizenship applicants must pass knowledge tests about Canada (the bar of pass mark is set high at 15 correct answers out of 20 questions), and also oral examinations with citizenship officers in either one of two official languages before they can take oaths of citizenship. Requiring applicants to provide evidences of language proficiency is an duplicated effort;Government-funded language-training classes are already overloaded to accommodate new immigrants with language training needs, plus those only attend solely for language requirements for citizenship; andSome classes of immigrants are not assessed against language proficiency when they first come. Most are still employable and integrate without the needs to prove upfront language-proficiency. It does not make sense the government will ask them to prove their motivations to speak English or French from a language requirement for citizenship. If the person need to upgrade his employability through language skills, it should be at his own-will.We, the undersigned, citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to remove language proficiency requirements to all citizenship applicants, regardless of ages, to encourage more eligible permanent residents to apply and become Canadian citizens, by restoring the previous version of Section 14 in Citizenship Regulations.Immigration and immigrantsLanguage testingOfficial languages policy42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 16, 2017e-859e-859 (Pharmaceutical industry)LeslieChetwyndBernadetteJordanSouth Shore—St. MargaretsLiberalNSFebruary 15, 2017, at 2:55 p.m. (EDT)June 15, 2017, at 2:55 p.m. (EDT)June 16, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The reason for this petition is to ask for an investigation into the prescription drug company Merck Canada (previously known as Merck Frosst) located in Montreal, Quebec and its production of Vioxx a prescription drug for arthritis that caused thousands of heart attacks, strokes and deaths in Canada;Vioxx was wrongfully approved as being safe by Health Canada in the year 2000 and was taken off the market in 2004;It has been stated in a book written about Vioxx called "Poison Pills" by Tom Nesi that Merck knew Vioxx was dangerous and knowingly concealed the side affects to promote sales. The petitioners would like an investigation to determine if this is the truth;The many Canadian victims of the Vioxx prescription drug tragedy have been completely ignored by Health Canada and the Conservative Party even though Health Canada approved the drug as being safe;We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to investigate Merck Canada (previously known as Merck Frosst) in order to determine if these allegations are true and, if that is the case, have the company held accountable for causing the Vioxx prescription drug tragedy in Canada.Adverse drug reactionsInquiries and public inquiriesManufacturer liabilityMerck Canada Inc.Pharmaceutical industry42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 16, 2019e-860e-860 (Immigration)JeremyBarrettoDarshan SinghKangCalgary SkyviewLiberalABFebruary 16, 2017, at 10:15 a.m. (EDT)June 16, 2017, at 10:15 a.m. (EDT)November 7, 2018January 16, 2019June 16, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Under the Safe Third Country Agreement, Canada must turn away refugee claimants seeking to enter Canada from the United States (US) at land border crossings;Due to the recent US Executive Orders, there is a high level of uncertainty for refugee claimants in the US; andFearing that they will not be afforded protection in the US, an increasing number of these refugee claimants are making dangerous journeys to irregularly cross the US-Canada border in order to seek protection here.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to exercise its right to temporarily suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement so that these refugee claimants may enter Canada safely.8545-421-23-26 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationAgreements and contractsCanada–U.S. Safe Third Country AgreementCanada-United States relationsRefugeesThird country42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 19, 2017e-818e-818 (Tax system)TonyFairfieldTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABFebruary 16, 2017, at 4:07 p.m. (EDT)June 16, 2017, at 4:07 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2017July 19, 2017June 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:The Federal Government is considering taxing employer sponsored Health and Dental benefits;24 million Canadians (75%) currently have access to healthcare through private employer sponsored plans;The proposed tax on employer sponsored benefit plans will dramatically increase the tax burden on employees, and will be especially onerous for middle-class Canadians;The $2.9 billion that the government currently does not collect by not taxing employer-based health and dental plans, serves to incentivize more than $32.2 billion in health care services delivered to Canadians;The current tax exemption for employer-sponsored health and dental care plans encourages employers to offer benefit plans to employees for essential services that are excluded from Canada's public healthcare system;In 1993, Quebec reduced the tax benefits for employer-based benefit plans and almost 20% of all companies and 50% of all employers that provided plans, removed them, and many others reduced their benefit offerings to provide lower levels of benefit support for their employees; andOn February 7, 2017, every Liberal MP present in the House of Commons voted against a motion calling on the government to abandon any plans to tax dental and health benefits.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to make an immediate and public commitment that this government will not pursue the elimination of the tax exemption for employer-sponsored health and dental benefit plans at any time throughout its mandate.8545-421-1-16 Government Response to petitions concerning the tax systemDental insuranceEmployment benefitsPrivate health insuranceTaxation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-882e-882 (Tax system)GlendaLindsayJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBFebruary 16, 2017, at 4:50 p.m. (EDT)June 16, 2017, at 4:50 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2017September 18, 2017June 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:the government has removed tax relief measures to Canadian troops deployed in the fight against ISIS on Operation Impact while they were deployed abroad;This cut to danger pay affects families and loved ones of the Canadian Armed Forces that were counting on this tax relief; andThe Minister recognized that "All Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving at all Operation IMPACT Kuwait locations received Tax Relief effective 5 Oct 2014" in documents that he signed and tabled in the House of Commons on January 30, 2017.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately reinstate and retroactively pay back the tax relief measures for all troops deployed on Operation IMPACT.Canadian ForcesIncome and wagesKuwaitMilitary personnelOperation ImpactTax relief42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 25, 2017e-880e-880 (Environmental assessment and review)BeckyKostkaMichaelMcLeodNorthwest TerritoriesLiberalNTFebruary 17, 2017, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)June 17, 2017, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)September 22, 2017October 25, 2017June 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:We are concerned that the construction of the BC Hydro Site C Megaproject (Site C) will compound the far-reaching impacts experienced by the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, built in the 1960s, with cumulative impacts undermining the Slave River’s continued ability to support ecosystem services and livelihood across the Mackenzie River Basin;We believe that the Government of Canada’s approval of construction permits for Site C will impact the people and environment all the way to the Arctic Ocean;Approval of Site C without free, prior, informed consent or appropriate accommodation of Indigenous people to the Arctic Ocean would contradict Section 35 of the Constitution Act, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the UN General Assembly’s Resolution 2010, UN Convention on Biodiversity (1992), and the Paris Treaty Agreement of 2015; and Approval is also incompatible with the work conducted by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, contradicting the call to repair harm and move forward with reconciliation.We, the undersigned, Citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to strictly adhere to the direct policies listed, meaning that if free, prior, informed consent and accommodation cannot be obtained permit approval will be revoked, construction of Site C will cease, and the current impacted area will be restored to its natural state. We view accommodation as allowing all Indigenous Nations the opportunity to bring forth Indigenous knowledge, indicators, governance, and worldview and have it inform western science, governance, and decision making.8545-421-118-03 Government Response to petitions concerning environmental assessment and reviewAboriginal rightsBritish ColumbiaPeace RiverPublic consultationSite C Clean Energy Project42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 9, 2017e-575e-575 (Firearms)MateuszMagolanBradTrostSaskatoon—UniversityConservativeSKFebruary 17, 2017, at 4:16 p.m. (EDT)June 17, 2017, at 4:16 p.m. (EDT)September 29, 2017November 9, 2017June 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Highly damaging noise levels repeatedly reach the ears of firearm users despite the use of traditional hearing protection;Section 7 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognises an individual’s right to personal health and safety;Sound moderators are the only universally recognised health and safety device that has a criminal prohibition in Canada;As affirmed in Bedford v. Canada at the Supreme Court of Canada, one cannot be prevented from taking reasonable steps to improve personal safety in a hazardous situation;The majority of G7 nations and many others have recognised the health and safety benefits involved, and allow the legal use of sound moderators by hunters and sport shooters;Sound moderators reduce noise pollution and noise complaints in communities with shooting ranges, in rural and farm communities, and in areas used for recreational activities where hunting and target shooting is legal;Sound moderators facilitate significantly increased humane husbandry of game animals, livestock, and pets as hunting companions; andHearing damage is a significant quality of life and public health issue costing taxpayers millions annually.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Take a stand and empower Canadians to be responsible for their own health and safety by removing the prohibition of sound moderators from the Criminal Code of Canada;2. Allow the legal acquisition, possession, and use of sound moderators on firearms by all licensed firearms users in Canada; and3. Call upon the provinces and territories to amend provincial and territorial prohibitions and allow the use of sound moderators while engaged in all legal hunting and sport shooting activities.Gun control42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 21, 2017e-883e-883 (Alcoholic beverages)CoryAndersonJohnBarlowFoothillsConservativeABFebruary 21, 2017, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)June 21, 2017, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)June 21, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has thousands of quality craft beers from coast to coast to coast. Canadian brewers should have the right to sell their products anywhere in Canada without government interference. Consumers also deserve better and eliminating internal trade barriers will provide greater choice to all Canadians;These outdated and unnecessary laws are stifling Canada’s economic growth and hurting Canadian small business. Eliminating these unnecessary trade barriers will drastically improve Canada’s economy. Freer trade amongst the provinces and territories will grow the Canadian economy and will create jobs;Maintaining inter-provincial trade barriers is an infringement on our constitutional rights as Canadians. Section 121 of the Canadian constitution states: “All Articles of the Growth, Produce, or Manufacture of any one of the Provinces shall, from and after the Union, be admitted free into each of the other Provinces.”; andEliminating trade barriers between the provinces is good for our economy, it is good for families, and it is good for Canada.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act to remove prohibitions with respect to liquors sent, taken or transported within Canada.Alcoholic beveragesInterprovincial tradeTrade barriers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2019e-619e-619 (Governor General's Medals of Honour)NickKerrToddDohertyCariboo—Prince GeorgeConservativeBCFebruary 22, 2017, at 12:56 p.m. (EDT)June 22, 2017, at 12:56 p.m. (EDT)February 28, 2019April 11, 2019June 23, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Search and Rescue is the only major first responder organisation within Canada that is not honoured by a national service medal;The potential hazards and risks which are inherent in Search and Rescue operations are equivalent and sometimes over and above the normal service of other volunteer and paid organizations and as such deserve special recognition;There are over 300 professionally trained volunteer teams in Canada with more than 12,000 volunteers who put in 100,000 hours of training, community service and administration. More than 300,000 personal hours on more than 20,000 searches annually; andAn astounding 95% subjects were found or rescued within the first 24 hours of a volunteer SAR group being activated last year.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to recognize service within Search and Rescue by means of the creation of a “Canadian Search and Rescue Service Medal”, to be designated for volunteer service by SAR volunteers. An honour that is equivalent to what the other major first responder organisations are awarded. By doing this Canada would follow suit with Australia, another commonwealth country who has awarded the “National Medal” to volunteer search and recuse service since 1975.Awards presentationsSearch and rescueVolunteering and volunteers42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-903e-903 (Lyme disease)NicoleBottlesElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCFebruary 28, 2017, at 1:34 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2017, at 1:34 p.m. (EDT)June 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Lyme Disease patients and advocates, including the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation (CanLyme), medical practitioners, and researchers were intended to be integral in the writing of this Framework;The Conference summary was collaborative in nature and represented diverse viewpoints, as opposed to the Draft report;Public Health Agency of Canada’s 2017 Draft does not meet the mandate of "An Act respecting a Federal Framework on Lyme Disease";The Minister of Health stated in her opening remarks at the conference, "All of the information, feedback, ideas, and opinions that are generated at this conference will be fully considered as this Federal Framework for Lyme Disease is developed.”;Dr. Gregson noted in his address at the conference that, "It is a very important meeting for finding common ground…for the development of an evidence- and science-based framework to deal with this important health issue.”; andAs Dr. Taylor observed at the conference, "If we are not helping individual Canadians, if we are not making a difference in their lives, then we are not doing our job.".We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure concerned stakeholders are included in the writing of this Framework, upholding the spirit and intent of the Act. The Draft Framework must be rewritten in joint collaboration with stakeholders and government, to incorporate diverse viewpoints and relevant scientific literature to benefit all Canadians.Caregivers and health care professionalsLyme diseaseMedical researchNational Lyme Disease Strategy42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 16, 2018e-905e-905 (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)CarlKavanaghDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBFebruary 28, 2017, at 2:17 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2017, at 2:17 p.m. (EDT)March 2, 2018April 16, 2018June 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The RCMP Pay Council issued a report in January 2015 entitled "Fair Compensation for the RCMP" that recommended a wage increase for RCMP members;Sometime in 2015, the RCMP Commissioner recommended to the President of the Treasury Board that the wages of RCMP members be increased;The Minister of Public Safety nor the President of the Treasury Board have signaled whether the Government of Canada will move ahead on the recommended wage increase nor have they given any indication as to when a decision will be made with respect to that recommendation;Bill C-7 is the government's response to a January 2015 ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada that the prohibition of collective bargaining for RCMP members was a violation of their Charter Rights;On June 21, 2016 the Senate sent Bill C-7 back to the House of Commons with amendments;The President of the Treasury Board has yet to bring Bill C-7 back to the House of Commons to address the Senate amendments; andUncertainty about the timeline and final form of Bill C-7 creates needles difficulties for organizations attempting to certify a bargaining agent for RCMP members.We, the undersigned, members of the RCMP and citizens of Canada,, call upon the President of the Treasury Board to immediately implement a fair wage increase for RCMP members and bring Bill C-7 back to the House of Commons and accept the Senate amendments that expand the scope of grievance rights and remove exclusions that unduly restrict the bargaining rights of RCMP members. 8545-421-115-04 Government Response to petitions concerning the Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceCollective bargainingIncome and wagesRoyal Canadian Mounted Police42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-808e-808 (Immigration)CoreyQuinnChrisBittleSt. CatharinesLiberalONFebruary 28, 2017, at 2:28 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2017, at 2:28 p.m. (EDT)June 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:The Jones family has been issued a statement of Deportation to return to Jamaica where Mr. Jones, husband of Natasha and father of three children, was violently murdered in 2011;The family has received multiple threats and faces an imminent threat to their well being should they return to Jamaica;The family have become integrated into Canadian society through their continued employment, academic excellence, and, in the case of Sasha, marriage to a Canadian;As an academic high achiever, Jason has already gained acceptance and scholarship offers from multiple Canadian universities; andMichael requires specialized medical care that can be provided for within Canada's world class health care system.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to repeal the decision to deport Natasha, Jason-Lee, and Michael Jones to Jamaica and to grant them landed immigrant status in Canada. They are representative of what makes Canada a beacon of hope to people from all over the world who are looking for a safe place to pursue their dreams. They have worked hard, excelled in school, and are vital members of our vibrant Canadian community.Deportation, extradition and removal of foreignersJamaicaJones familyLanded immigrant status42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-910e-910 (Tax system)JacquesFarleyHon.PierrePoilievreCarletonConservativeONFebruary 28, 2017, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2017, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)September 27, 2017November 20, 2017June 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Prime Minister promised during the election to reduce taxes for “the middle class and those working to join it”;A carbon tax will cost the middle class and those working to join it;Redacted documents demonstrate that the government has done analysis of how this carbon tax will impact Canadians’ budgets, including the price increases of home heating, gas, electricity, and grocery bills; andAnalysis conducted by the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation says the carbon tax could cost $1028 per person per year, or $4112 per year for a family of four, and the government has not confirmed or denied whether this estimate is accurate.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately, completely and fully release all estimates of cost burdens of the federally mandated carbon tax on Canadian families.Carbon pricingCarbon taxCostsFinancial forecastInformation dissemination42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 8, 2017e-909e-909 (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)DerrickJamesJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBMarch 7, 2017, at 4:29 p.m. (EDT)July 5, 2017, at 4:29 p.m. (EDT)September 28, 2017November 8, 2017July 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Differential justice based on an individual’s religion is prejudicial and preferential, therefore, an amendment to the Constitution Act of 1982 would ease the minds of all Canadians and ensure equal treatment for everyone under the Criminal Code of Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to propose an amendment to the Constitution Act of 1982, under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, stating that Sharia Law or separate Sharia family courts will never have a place in the Canadian Justice System.Canadian Charter of Rights and FreedomsJustice systemSharia42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 29, 2017e-766e-766 (Agricultural industry)NedTaylorMurrayRankinVictoriaNDPBCMarch 8, 2017, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)July 6, 2017, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)October 20, 2017November 29, 2017July 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214302" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food</Addressee>Whereas:It is completely legal to confine a chicken in a cage for its entire life;Chickens in Canada's egg industry are given practically no rights;It is not necessary to provide a chicken with room to roam freely;Chickens are sentient beings and have the ability to think and feel pain; andThe Egg Farmers of Canada have committed to phasing out battery cages by 2036 while still allowing enriched cages. This is not nearly a good enough initiative to provide egg-laying hens with appropriate welfare. Not only will these chickens be tortured for another 20 years in battery cages, but they will continue to be tortured in enriched cages after 2036.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to outright ban battery cages, enriched cages and all other cages from Canada's egg industry, making it Illegal to confine a chicken in any cage of any size for any period of time and that the transition be far shorter than the 2036 timeline proposed by the Egg Farmers of Canada.Animal rights and welfareEgg industry42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 7, 2017e-925e-925 (Youth)AlexGold-ApelAnne Minh-ThuQuachSalaberry—SuroîtNDPQCMarch 8, 2017, at 2:36 p.m. (EDT)July 6, 2017, at 2:36 p.m. (EDT)July 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Prime Minister's Youth Council is a non-partisan body that advises the Prime Minister on policy and issues pertaining to young Canadians;Records from the council's meetings with members of the Government of Canada are not made publicly available; andYouth groups and young Canadians have no mechanism to review the council's suggestions, provide their own recommendations and hold the Minister for Youth accountable.We, the undersigned, Youth of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure that the records from non-partisan Prime Minister Youth Council are made publicly available and that a clear path to offer broader input is established.AccountabilityPrime Minister's Youth CouncilYoung people42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 25, 2017e-927e-927 (Land use)SimoneHengenWayneStetskiKootenay—ColumbiaNDPBCMarch 8, 2017, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)July 6, 2017, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)September 20, 2017October 25, 2017July 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Canada's old growth prairie is representative of the most endangered and least protected ecosystems on the planet (The Hohhot Declaration, July 2008; Dan Kraus, October 24, 2016) and provides a vast array of ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, species-at-risk habitat, soil and water conservation;Retaining the public ownership and ecological integrity of the former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Pastures answers Canada's obligations to our international commitments including the UN Convention on Biodiversity and Aichi Accord, Paris Accord, the Migratory Bird Convention as well as our national biodiversity strategy, Pathway to Canada Target 1; andRetaining public ownership and ecological integrity of the former PFRA Pastures aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, contributes to Canada's commitment to Indigenous peoples under the numbered Treaties and responds to Reconciliation efforts.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to work with livestock producers, First Nations and Métis organizations, local committees and conservation organizations to create a multi-use prairie conservation network on all former PFRA Community Pastures that meets ranchers' needs for grazing and protects Canada's 75-year investment in the ecological wellbeing of this important ecosystem and its biodiversity, treaty, climate change, and heritage values.Community Pasture ProgramLand managementNature conservationPublic consultation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 13, 2019e-443e-443 (Tax system)DarrenFrancisMurrayRankinVictoriaNDPBCMarch 9, 2017, at 5:38 p.m. (EDT)July 7, 2017, at 5:38 p.m. (EDT)May 1, 2019June 13, 2019July 10, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The issue of religious tax preferment is especially relevant now because of the number of Canadians living outside any religious affiliation continues to grow;According to Statistics Canada, in 2011, roughly 7,850,600 people, or nearly one-quarter of Canada's population (23.9%), have no religious affiliation;This was up from 16.5% a decade earlier, as recorded in the 2001 Census;That underscores the unfairness of taxing all Canadians to subsidize religious institutions that only some Canadians utilize.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to recognize the separation of Church and State and the unfairness of taxing all Canadians to subsidize religious institutions by taxing both property and income of all religious organizations.8545-421-1-47 Government Response to petitions concerning the tax systemReligionTax exemption42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 3, 2017e-935e-935 (Health care services)KaraWaitesIreneMathyssenLondon—FanshaweNDPONMarch 13, 2017, at 9:14 a.m. (EDT)July 11, 2017, at 9:14 a.m. (EDT)September 20, 2017November 3, 2017July 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Among heterosexual sexually active Canadians not intending to conceive, 15% use no contraception at all, and withdrawal remains the third most used contraceptive in Canada;24% of Canadians don`t have access to a subsidized drug plan, meaning they must pay out of pocket for medications like contraception; andProvision of subsidized contraceptives has shown to be cost-benecial in a number of jurisdictions including the United States and Great Britain by reducing the costs of unintended pregnancy.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to support the NDP’s Motion M-65 that calls on the federal government to work with the provinces to cover the full cost of prescribed contraceptives.8545-421-31-25 Government Response to petitions concerning health care servicesContraceptionReproductive healthWhole-of-government approach42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 2, 2017e-833e-833 (Canadians abroad)RogerClarkDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCMarch 13, 2017, at 9:28 a.m. (EDT)July 11, 2017, at 9:28 a.m. (EDT)September 21, 2017November 2, 2017July 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian citizen and academic Hassan Diab was extradited to France in 2014 in a case widely viewed as a wrongful conviction in the making;Hassan has been detained since then in France for questioning based on anonymous “intelligence” allegations, possibly gleaned from torture;Hassan was extradited based solely on a widely discredited handwriting report that the Canadian extradition judge described as “illogical”, “very problematic” and “suspect” and even though Hassan’s fingerprints, palm prints and physical description do not match those of the suspect;The extradition judge noted that the low threshold for evidence under Canada’s extradition law compelled him to order Hassan’s extradition;In 2016, a French investigative judge found “consistent evidence” supporting Hassan’s innocence, concluding that he could not have been in Paris at the time of the 1980 bombing for which he is under investigation;In May and again in October 2016, the French investigative judge ordered Hassan’s release on bail, finding no grounds for his further detention;The French Court of Appeal overturned the release orders due to the political climate in France. Hassan remains imprisoned in a special segregated unit with only two hours per day out of his cell;Hassan has been in jail or on electronic monitoring for over eight years; andHassan is supported by prominent civil liberties associations, unions, and thousands of Canadians who have called for his return to Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to work towards the immediate granting of bail to Hassan and securing his urgent return to his family and home in Canada.BailCanadians in foreign countriesDiab, HassanFrance42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 4, 2018e-959e-959 (Health care services)CatherineBell-SoodMarkGerretsenKingston and the IslandsLiberalONMarch 15, 2017, at 3:15 p.m. (EDT)July 13, 2017, at 3:15 p.m. (EDT)March 21, 2018May 4, 2018July 13, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Good health is a requirement for productive and satisfying involvement in society and the economy;Lack of good health causes excess stress in individuals and families;Access to health has become a function of place of employment, residency or wealth. Many vulnerable Canadians lack private, employer or government prescription drug coverage;One in ten Canadians is unable to fill prescriptions due to cost;People with private plans for prescription drug coverage understand that premiums would be reduced substantially if medically necessary drugs were provided under a National Universal Pharmacare Plan;Amongst OECD industrialised nations with Universal Health Plans, Canada is the only one without a Universal Pharmacare Plan;Canadian taxpayers could save billions per year if prescription drugs were procured through a National Pharmacare Plan. Drug procurement is currently managed through a multitude of Federal, Provincial and Territorial programs with differing price regimes. Inequities in service amongst citizens across the country exist; andNumerous commissions and researchers have clearly stated the economic benefits and the need for an equitable Canadian Universal Drug Plan: The Hall Commission, National Forum on Health, Romanow Commission, C.D. Howe Institute, The Council of the Federation, and Citizens’ Reference Panel on Pharmacare in Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Implement through a Federal law, a Pan-Canadian Universal Pharmacare Plan, in this 42nd Parliament; and2. Implement a National Formulary for medically necessary drugs including a drug monitoring agency providing regulations and oversight to protect Canadians.Health care systemOversight mechanismPharmacarePharmaceuticals42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 17, 2017e-938e-938 (Sexual consent)AliBaqerDavidYurdigaFort McMurray—Cold LakeConservativeABMarch 17, 2017, at 9:13 a.m. (EDT)July 15, 2017, at 9:13 a.m. (EDT)July 17, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:At present, the law for consent to sexual activities for ages 12-14 and 14-16 with exceptions gives these individuals some rights without the parent's or guardian’s consent;In the case of pregnancy from the sexual consent of this age, with few exceptions, it falls on the parents/guardian to provide support for the teenager;Teenagers are dependents themselves and they might not be able to provide for their dependents, and as such might not have the life skills older individuals do;Young individuals might not be financially capable of providing for another human being;The current law does not take into consideration the parents;This amendment would enable the parents to be held accountable in order to nurture and guide their families to a better life and future, andIt is a fact that Canadian and the Canadian Institute for Health Information's statistics indicate in 2013, that 10,255 abortions took place with individuals aged under 19 years old and 9,069 in 2014 with most counted as victims.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to change the current Federal law regarding sexual consent passed in 2008, by replacing it with the following amendment: Raise the age of consent to sexual activity from 16 years to 18 years, with no exceptions to the ages 12-14 and 14-16 years without the guardian's or parent's consent. The ages of 16 to 18 allowing sexual consent with the guardian's or parent's consent would be exempt.Age of consentChildren42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 19, 2017e-894e-894 (Working conditions)RichardPaluJamesMaloneyEtobicoke—LakeshoreLiberalONMarch 21, 2017, at 10:43 a.m. (EDT)July 19, 2017, at 10:43 a.m. (EDT)July 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:It's time for Canada to protect employees and legally allow them to ignore work emails after hours.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to act in earnest to consider “right to disconnect” employment laws that grant all Canadian employees the legal right to ignore work emails outside of typical working hours.Electronic mailHours of workLabour law42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-968e-968 (Ukraine)YuriShymkoJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBMarch 21, 2017, at 10:38 a.m. (EDT)July 19, 2017, at 10:38 a.m. (EDT)September 27, 2017November 20, 2017July 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The violence and tensions in Eastern Ukraine have continued to escalate over the past three years and show no sign of abating;The conflict in Eastern Ukraine has led to the death of nearly 10,000 individuals, displaced more than 1.6 million individuals internally, and left over 3 million in need of humanitarian aid;The Government of Canada has failed to sign the Canada-Ukraine Defence Cooperation Agreement;The Government of Canada has cut the supply of life-saving RADARSAT-2 imagery to the Ukrainian military;The Government of Canada has ignored Ukraine’s calls for lethal defensive military equipment, while providing the same support to the Kurdish military; andThe Government of Canada has failed to add Ukraine to the Automatic Firearms Country Control List.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to add Ukraine to the Automatic Firearms Country Control List, sign the Canada-Ukraine Defence Cooperation Agreement and supply the Ukrainian military with lethal defensive equipment.8545-421-177-01 Government Response to petitions concerning UkraineAgreements and contractsAutomatic and semi-automatic weaponsInternational conflict and international conflict resolutionInternational cooperationMilitary weaponsUkraine42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 20, 2017e-912e-912 (Refugees)MarcBageMichelPicardMontarvilleLiberalQCMarch 22, 2017, at 11:05 a.m. (EDT)July 20, 2017, at 11:05 a.m. (EDT)July 20, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The urgent need for international protection of refugees demands an immediate response from the Government of Canada;The political and humanitarian situation in several regions of the world, particularly the Middle East, is deteriorating rapidly;The Government of Canada has the capacity to quickly mobilize the resources necessary to take in additional refugees;Refugees’ circumstances deteriorate during lengthy processing periods;The people of Canada, and the people of Quebec in particular, have demonstrated their extraordinary ability to take in refugees; andThe collective sponsorship program makes an important contribution to supporting and assisting refugees.We, the undersigned, Citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to substantially increase as soon as possible the targets for taking in refugees to match the number of applications and the wave of generosity shown by a large number of Canadians and to work with the provinces and territories to better allocate the human and financial resources necessary to process sponsorship applications within a reasonable time.BacklogsFederal-provincial-territorial relationsRefugee sponsorship42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 20, 2017e-967e-967 (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)AnnaLarmerMattDeCourceyFrederictonLiberalNBMarch 22, 2017, at 11:05 a.m. (EDT)July 20, 2017, at 11:05 a.m. (EDT)July 20, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: Bill C-36 infringes on section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to repeal Bill C-36 and see the implementation of new legislation that allows for the autonomy of all Canadians as per the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Canadian Charter of Rights and FreedomsChief Statistician of CanadaStatisticsStatistics Canada42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-934e-934 (Omar Khadr)NathalieDrouinHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCMarch 22, 2017, at 5:02 p.m. (EDT)July 20, 2017, at 5:02 p.m. (EDT)July 21, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada abandoned Omar Khadr as a child to a decade of torture and abuse in Guantanamo where he was "charged" and "sentenced" by a corrupt military commission ruled unconstitutional (2006) by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Canadian Supreme Court ruled (2010) that Canada had violated Omar Khadr's fundamental human rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and principles of fundamental justice;Despite those Supreme Court rulings, when Omar Khadr was finally repatriated, he was subjected to incarceration in a Canadian maximum security institution and another 3 years in prison;In 2015 Lawyer’s Rights Watch Canada and International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group reviewed Canada’s obligations to Omar Khadr under the Convention against Torture. They found that Canada had contravened every aspect of our duties to Omar Khadr and our failure to prevent, investigate and punish the torture and ill treatment of Omar Khadr constitutes a continuing violation of his rights;Throughout Omar Khadr’s 13 year imprisonment, Canada failed to provide him with legal aid or any resources to ensure legal representation as required by the UN Committee against Torture; andIt will soon be 2 years since Omar Khadr was released on bail, yet Canada has not fulfilled our legal and moral obligation to remedy such a shocking dereliction of responsibility.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to act immediately to offer Omar Khadr an official apology and award him appropriate redress and compensation.Government compensationKhadr, OmarOfficial apology42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-983e-983 (Parliament of Canada)KerriFrankHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABMarch 23, 2017, at 4:33 p.m. (EDT)July 21, 2017, at 4:33 p.m. (EDT)December 1, 2017January 29, 2018July 26, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On March 10, 2017, the Government House Leader released a discussion paper regarding changes to the Standing Orders of the House of Commons;Proposed changes in this discussion paper include eliminating Friday sessions of the House of Commons, permanent limits to debate in the House of Commons and Standing Committees, and the Prime Minister being required to answer questions on only one day a week in the House of Commons; andTransparency of Government operations and the ability for all Members of Parliament to hold the Government to account are of paramount importance to the functioning of Canadian democracy.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to adhere to longstanding Parliamentary tradition and procedure and not force any changes to the Standing Orders of the House of Commons outlined in the above mentioned discussion paper without the unanimous consent of all political Parties currently represented in the House of Commons.Parliamentary reformStanding Orders of the House of Commons42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-980e-980 (Parliament of Canada)JeffreyAikenPierre-LucDusseaultSherbrookeNDPQCMarch 28, 2017, at 10:08 a.m. (EDT)July 26, 2017, at 10:08 a.m. (EDT)November 9, 2017January 29, 2018July 26, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:There is currently no election law at the federal level that allows elected politicians to be removed from parliament; andThe Liberal Party of Canada election platform in 2015 was to have electoral reform.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to pass a bill that allows for recall referendums.8545-421-104-02 Government Response to petitions concerning the Parliament of CanadaElection of memberVoiding of an election42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-1000e-1000 (Immigration)AlainJenkinsMatthewDubéBeloeil—ChamblyNDPQCMarch 28, 2017, at 2:03 p.m. (EDT)July 26, 2017, at 2:03 p.m. (EDT)September 27, 2017November 20, 2017July 26, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Nicolas Faubert, spouse of Sophie Thewys, submitted a sponsorship application for her and her son, Louis Pollack, in 2014, and that these applications were approved on January 9, 2017;On December 24, 2016, Mr. Faubert died in a tragic accident;Further to the death certificate of Mr. Faubert sent on January 12, 2017, and despite the approval of the sponsorship applications, they were rejected;Ms. Thewys and Mr. Faubert have a daughter, Zoé, a Canadian citizen who is six years old;According to Zoé’s psychologist, changing her environment following a death would be an additional trauma for her. Zoé needs to be surrounded by her family and friends in order to grow up in a stable and familiar environment and reduce the impact of the loss of her father on her development;Zoé’s memories of her father, as well as the assets he left her, are in Canada; andThe rescinding of permanent resident status under these circumstances is cruel and would require the applicants to leave Canada with Zoé, which will seriously harm her development;We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to use his discretionary power to grant permanent resident status to Sophie Thewys and Louis Pollack.8545-421-23-19 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationDiscretionary powersPermanent resident statusPollack, LouisThewys, Sophie42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 6, 2017e-957e-957 (Land use)EdmundAungerPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONMarch 31, 2017, at 3:32 p.m. (EDT)July 29, 2017, at 3:32 p.m. (EDT)November 1, 2017December 6, 2017August 1, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:In 1985, while on a five-day cycling holiday organized by the City of Calgary, Joanne Mugford, 13, Stephanie Trono, 14, and Diane Hill, 15, were struck and killed by a motor vehicle, and six other children were injured;In 1992, a traumatised witness to this horrific accident, Bill Pratt, general manager of Canada 125 and founding president of the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, inaugurated a non-motorized cross-country trail intended for hikers and cyclists of all ages and abilities, and promised that it would be built far enough from roads and highways to protect users from deadly confrontations with motor vehicles;The Trans Canada Trail now includes 8,500 km of highway and roads, and 5,000 km of trail used by off-road motor vehicles;The Trans Canada Trail now includes 7,000 km of waterway, and 3,500 km of often impassable greenway;In 2012, while on a three-week Trans Canada Trail cycling holiday in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, Elizabeth Ann Sovis, 63, was struck and killed by a motor vehicle.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to to adopt a Trans Canada Trail Act that will establish minimum standards for quality and safety, and, in particular, will ensure that this trail (The Great Trail) is a genuinely non-motorized and world-class greenway.Motor vehiclesRecreational pathsTrans Canada Trail42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 1, 2017e-896e-896 (Border crossings)DavidSlikMatthewDubéBeloeil—ChamblyNDPQCApril 3, 2017, at 3:27 p.m. (EDT)August 1, 2017, at 3:27 p.m. (EDT)August 1, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The preamble of the Preclearance Act of 1999 and Bill C-23, states, "that the administration of any provision of American law in Canada is subject to Canadian law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Bill of Rights and the Canadian Human Rights Act;"Changes in U.S. policy have resulted in multiple documented cases of Charter and other human rights violations, such as profiling based on religion, country of origin, and forced disclosure of passwords and social media accounts; andBill C-23 provides insufficient protections against, and recourse upon violations of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Bill of Rights and the Canadian Human Rights Act.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to amend Bill C-23 to include the following protections:1. To allow anyone who believes their Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian Bill of Rights and Canadian Human Rights are being violated to withdraw from the Preclearance area or perimeter with no further questioning or detention;2. To prohibit the forcible disclosure of online accounts and passwords, as these do not constitute goods or documents on the person of the traveller that is subject to the act;3. To emphasize that the Preclearance Act shall not infringe on any rights or freedoms recognized by the Royal Proclamation of October 7, 1763; rights or freedoms that now exist by way of land claims agreements or may be so acquired; and any existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada.BordersC-23, An Act respecting the preclearance of persons and goods in Canada and the United StatesCivil and human rightsElectronic data protectionPre-clearanceUnited States of America42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 29, 2017e-941e-941 (Forestry)RodneySavidgeElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJune 1, 2017, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)September 29, 2017, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)September 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214338" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Science</Addressee>Whereas:Our wild forests built Canada as a nation and in principle are renewable;Climate change is threatening survival of our forests;Canada's forests comprise numerous tree species each having distinct geographic provenances;Each tree has a unique set of survival tolerances intrinsic to the species and provenance;The physiological basis for intrinsic survival fitness remains rudimentary for all tree species and provenances;Advancing scientific knowledge about intrinsic survival fitness of our trees will ensure that Canada has a future in forestry; andContinuing existence of a life-supporting biosphere depends on survival of forests.We, the undersigned, people of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to create within the Ministry of Science a national council of tree science research, comparable in size and funding support to the National Research Council of Canada and in each of Canada's forests supporting at least one research institution, where physiologists, histologists, cell biologists, molecular biologists, biochemists, biophysicists and geneticists will be provided the wherewithal needed to elucidate the physiological basis for growth, development and survival tolerance in each of Canada’s tree species and provenances.Scientific research and scientistsTrees42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-981e-981 (Employment)CélineGermainAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCApril 5, 2017, at 4:28 p.m. (EDT)August 3, 2017, at 4:28 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214329" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of National Revenue</Addressee>Whereas:More than 200 permanent employees in the Greater Montreal Area in the CRA’s collections program will lose their current work at a still unknown point in time;More than 140 term workers in the CRA’s collections program have contracts ending on June 30, 2017, and many of them have been employed for more than three years;A significant amount of public funding has been invested over the years to train these employees and prepare them to take over;The transfer of work and expertise will not benefit the organization, as new funding will have to be spent to rebuild the current level of services offered to Canadians; andThis renewal initiative does not respect the Liberal government’s commitments to the public service and shows a clear lack of foresight, transparency, consultation, vision and respect.We, the undersigned, CRA employees and union members, call upon the Minister of National Revenue to reverse the decision that impacts many constituents and their families by seriously disrupting their lives by asking them to choose between a job and relocating.Canada Revenue AgencyLayoffs and job lossesMontréalPublic Service and public servants42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 8, 2017e-1013e-1013 (Senate)CameronLozinskiRomeoSaganashAbitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—EeyouNDPQCApril 5, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. (EDT)August 3, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Senator Lynn Beyak’s comments against the verity of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) stating that Indian Residential Schools had "kindly and well-intentioned men and women...whose remarkable work, good deeds and historical tales in the Residential Schools go unnoticed" are an affront to all the work that the TRC undertook under the leadership of Senator Murray Sinclair while he was the Chair of the TRC;Her comments epitomize the privileged position that she occupies;She has said she "suffered with them up there. I appreciate their suffering more than they'll ever know" and "The best way to heal is to move forward together. Not to blame, not to point fingers, not to live in the past." and these comments are detrimental to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Residential School Survivors, their families and all Canadians;The last Indian Residential School just closed in 1996 and families across this country are still feeling the effects from them and are very much suffering; andShe has a lack of respect for the over 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Metis children who were forcibly ripped from their homes and communities for over 150 years. Over 6000 of these children never left these schools as they died in them.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to request for the resignation or dismissal of Conservative Senator Lynn Beyak due to her lack of empathy for all Indian Residential School Survivors, their families, and all Canadians.Aboriginal residential schoolsBeyak, LynnSenate and senatorsTermination of employment42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 3, 2017e-1002e-1002 (Manufacturing industry)DanBorthwickTraceyRamseyEssexNDPONApril 6, 2017, at 10:48 a.m. (EDT)August 4, 2017, at 10:48 a.m. (EDT)September 20, 2017November 3, 2017August 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:GM CAMI Ingersoll workers have built the Chevrolet Equinox since 2005 and solely produced the GMC Terrain since 2010;CAMI workers are recognized for quality and productivity for Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain;In Fall 2016, GM forecasted productivity levels (1,400+ units per day) and staffing would remain at current levels (3,000+);GM announced in early 2017 the next generation GMC Terrain would not be built in Canada for the first time in its production history because of limited plant production capacity at GM CAMI Ingersoll;GM announced in January 2017 that 625 workers would be laid off because of current model Chevrolet Equinox production ending one year earlier than previously stated;GM CAMI will have ample capacity to build next generation GMC Terrain due to current model Chevrolet Equinox production ending;For every auto job lost, the surrounding community loses seven, negatively affecting 4,375 jobs; andCanada has seen zero new auto factories over the last five years, while Mexico has had nine new facilities.We, the undersigned, Unifor Local 88, call upon the Government of Canada to secure future production levels at GM CAMI Ingersoll by: 1. Demanding GM reverse their decision to build the next generation GMC Terrain in Mexico and bring that production back to GM CAMI Ingersoll, maintaining production and staffing levels at 2016 numbers;2. Engaging stakeholders to develop an effective National Auto Strategy, including (i) the integration of federal and provincial investment attraction, (ii) ensuring Canada's investment incentives are competitive and efficient, (iii) reversing automotive trade deficit with all countries, including Mexico.Automotive industryCompetitionForeign investments in CanadaGeneral Motors of Canada LimitedIngersollLayoffs and job lossesMexico42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 30, 2017e-1018e-1018 (Use of animals in research)RhondaZabinskyDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCApril 6, 2017, at 11:44 a.m. (EDT)August 4, 2017, at 11:44 a.m. (EDT)October 18, 2017November 30, 2017August 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), which receives the majority of its funding from the Canadian government, has an inherent conflict of interest by also receiving funding from those that they investigate;Self-governing and self-policing by the CCAC is not working sufficiently as far as it relates to animal lab testing facilities; andThe vast majority of Canadians oppose cruel and inhumane practices against animals.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Become an animal testing free Country by 2020; 2. Ensure that existing and future animals in labs be released alive and in good health instead of being euthanized until animal testing is phased out by 2020;3. Ensure that ITR Labs of Montreal is independently investigated for violation of Canada Council on Animal Care guidelines; and 4. Fully fund the CCAC to prevent conflicts of interest and make the CCAC fully accountable to the Canadian government.Animal experimentationAnimal rights and welfareCanadian Council on Animal CareConflict of interestInquiries and public inquiriesITR Laboratories Canada Inc.42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 8, 2017e-943e-943 (Pay equity)DaveLapointeMarcMillerVille-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-SoeursLiberalQCApril 7, 2017, at 1:20 p.m. (EDT)August 5, 2017, at 1:20 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:A pay gap between women and men exists in Canada. Women earn on average $0.75 for every $1.00 men make;The current Liberal government has made efforts and promises towards eliminating the wage gap but so far nothing concrete has been implemented by parliament;Iceland recently became the first country in the world to officially require equal pay for women. Their new law has made it mandatory for every company, both public and private, with 25 or more employees to obtain a certificate proving that they pay all employees equally “regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or nationality";We have the most feminist government in Canadian history, which currently holds a majority in parliament, and as such has the ability to pass legislation similar to Iceland's to require all companies to prove they pay all employees equally.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to study the recent pay equity legislation that was recently passed in Iceland and implement a similar law in Canada requiring all companies, public and private, to prove they pay all employees equally regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or nationality.Equal opportunitiesPay equity42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 8, 2017e-1005e-1005 (Air transportation)AlexMcCumberDanRuimyPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeLiberalBCApril 10, 2017, at 3:11 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2017, at 3:11 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:Transport Canada has released an Interim Order Respecting the Use of Model Aircraft and is developing new UAV regulations outlined in the Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) Unmanned Air Vehicles;There is a need to regulate airspace for public safety and all commercial UAV activities require regulation;The definition of Model Aircraft and all privileges associated with recreational model aircraft outlined in CAR 602.45 are proposed to be removed in the new regulations;The recreational model aircraft community will be negatively impacted by the proposed regulations, effectively criminalizing many activities that have a long safety record; andModel Aircraft do not pose the same associated risks as commercial UAVs.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to consider how the deletion of the definition of Model Aircraft and prescriptive regulation in the NPA UAV affects the varied pursuits of Model Aircraft hobbyists and that the regulations be adjusted to allow recreational Model Aircraft hobbyists to reasonably continue their activities in a safe manner that is not a risk to aviation safety or contrary to other federal and local laws.Air safetyRecreationRemotely piloted aircraft42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-1007e-1007 (Criminal justice system)JosephDarcelDanVandalSaint Boniface—Saint VitalLiberalMBApril 10, 2017, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2017, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)September 29, 2017November 20, 2017August 10, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Record suspensions (formerly called pardons), are an opportunity for rehabilitated offenders who have been convicted under an Act of Parliament, and have proven to be of good conduct, to move on with their lives as law-abiding citizens. Between 1970 and 2012 the program granted approximately 410,000 pardons/record suspensions. As of 2012 crime rates were the lowest since the pardon system was introduced in 1970. 96% of pardoned individuals remained pardoned.In 2012, (i) eligibility wait times were raised from 3 and 5 years for summary and indictable offenses, respectively, to 5 and 10 years, (ii) the terminology for “Pardon” in the Criminal Records Act was changed to “Record Suspension” (which is not recognized internationally), (iii) the cost of application was raised from $150 to $624; andFor those who have taken the steps to rehabilitate back into society, these changes have created a significant barrier in the search for meaningful employment. Most employers and many volunteer positions require a clean background to be considered eligible.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Amend changes made in Sections 4 (1) (a) and (b) of the Criminal Records Act (“the CRA”), which increased the wait times after which offenders are eligible to apply for a pardon from 3 and 5 years for summary and indictable offenses, respectively, to 5 and 10 years;2. Amend the terminology in Section 4.1 of the CRA, reverting terminology back to “Pardon”, in place of "Record Suspension"; and3. Revert cost of applications to be more affordable for applicants.8545-421-18-06 Government Response to petitions concerning the criminal justice systemCriminal record suspension42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 11, 2017e-936e-936 (National day)BrendanBoylanDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCApril 12, 2017, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)August 10, 2017, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)August 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Women have long been underrepresented, underpaid and treated unequally in Canada;We as Canadians recognize the importance of addressing our historical and present sexist practices; andWe need to recognize all past, present and future contributions women have made to every aspect of society.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to make International Women's Day (March 8th), a National and statutory holiday in Canada.International Women's DayPublic holidaysStatus of women42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 29, 2017e-1034e-1034 (Immigration)MarcoSotresDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCApril 13, 2017, at 11:58 a.m. (EDT)August 11, 2017, at 11:58 a.m. (EDT)October 18, 2017November 29, 2017August 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Budget 2017 by the Government of Canada does nothing to reduce the vulnerability of temporary foreign workers, contrary to recommendations in the September 2016 Temporary Foreign Worker Program Report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA);A large majority of temporary foreign workers continue to be issued closed work permits, tying the worker to one employer, creating large power imbalances and room for abuse;Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to limit pathways to permanent residency for low-skilled workers by applying high barriers in Canada`s Express Entry immigration program, creating a culture of labour exploitation and social isolation; andThere is a lack of effective enforcement regarding rules and regulations for employers and recruiters in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, forcing workers to report abuses under the risk of losing their employment or being deported.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately implement the recommendations laid out by HUMA in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Report with special attention to: recommendations (14 & 15) regarding the removal of employer-specific work permits, recommendations (16-19) regarding increased pathways to permanent residency for all Temporary Foreign Workers, and recommendations (20 & 21) regarding increased, and more effective, monitoring of employers and recruiters.8545-421-23-20 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationAbuse and exploitation of foreign workersPermanent resident statusTemporary Foreign Worker ProgramWork permits42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 11, 2017e-993e-993 (Automotive industry)TylerWilsonKenMcDonaldAvalonLiberalNLApril 13, 2017, at 12:25 p.m. (EDT)August 11, 2017, at 12:25 p.m. (EDT)August 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Transport Canada does not allow the importation of new motor vehicles manufactured for any country other than Canada and the U.S.; andA Motor Vehicle Safety Act Review discussion paper from April 2002 published by the Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate of Transport Canada, TP13930E states: "Importation from countries other than the U.S.: Individuals cannot currently import vehicles from any country other than the U.S. This arrangement has proven to be unduly restrictive; one example being the inability to import scooters with advanced safety features (e.g. seat belts, roll cage) from Europe. Transport Canada is considering the provision of a mechanism whereby regulations would allow private importation from a country other than the U.S. This would provide flexibility to allow importation where, for example, equivalency of safety certification could be determined, or where a vehicle could be brought into compliance through a process equivalent to that of the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (for vehicles being imported from the U.S.)."We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to task Transport Canada with the creation of a mechanism whereby regulations would allow private importation from a country other than the U.S. in cases where equivalency of safety and emissions certification can be determined.ImportsMotor vehiclesTransportation safety42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 16, 2017e-1015e-1015 (Immigration)ZupingHuangKarineTrudelJonquièreNDPQCApril 18, 2017, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)August 16, 2017, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)August 16, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The current proposal to amend the IRCC regulations regarding the age of dependent children for the purpose of immigration is expected to come into force in the fall of 2017. In failing to address the situation of those immigrant families negatively affected under the current IRCC regulation, the new regulation will keep many families divided;Many spouses who recently immigrated to Canada under the family sponsorship program are under a two-year probation period, in the form of a conditional PR. This probation period is expected to be repealed. However, until it is, these spouses feel as second class residents and often feel they have an inferior status in their spousal relationship;These are incompatible with our Canadian values; andCanada's 150th birthday offers an opportunity to the House of Commons to recognize the vital contribution of immigrants in the building of our country, brick by brick, by showing compassion and understanding for newly arrived immigrants.We, the undersigned, concerned residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commonsto direct Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to implement recommendation number 20 of the Standing Committee on CIMM’s Report 8, by putting in place transitional provisions that would enable dependent children who would have been eligible before the change in August 2014 to apply for permanent residence in Canada and to repeal at once the two-year period of conditional permanent residence to which many spouses immigrating under the family sponsorship program are subjected.Dependent childrenImmigrant sponsorshipPermanent resident statusSpouses42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1027e-1027 (Aboriginal affairs)AngelinaButtRomeoSaganashAbitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—EeyouNDPQCApril 18, 2017, at 11:45 a.m. (EDT)August 16, 2017, at 11:45 a.m. (EDT)August 16, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The government, Federation of Newfoundland Indians, and Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band have violated rights of applicants to Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band by creating enrolment criteria which evaluate applicants’ eligibility in an unfair manner and purposely limits the numbers accepted to the band;Newfoundland Mi’kmaq Indians have faced a history of racism/discrimination highlighted when Joey Smallwood wrongly advised the government that there were “no indians on the island of Newfoundland” causing individuals to hide their Aboriginal ancestry;Discrimination by Government of Canada continues today as evidenced by the enrollment committee decision letters sent out January 31, 2017, notifying applicants of acceptance/denial into the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band;These decisions were based upon unfair and discriminatory criteria causing concerns about family members accepted, while others denied, causing family breakdown, almost all “out of province” applicants (including military) denied despite being a “landless” band, most denial decisions were “final and not subject to appeal” prohibiting applicants to dispute, applicants were forced to “jump through hoops” by submitting vast amounts of evidence to prove themselves “Indian enough” only to still be denied; andRejected applicants feel renewed disenfranchisement, humiliation, devaluation and victimization with potential long-term mental health effects.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to acknowledge flaws of Qalipu enrollment process, rectify them by discarding criterion violating applicants rights, stop disenfranchising Qalipu applicants, and honor commitments to the recognition of Newfoundland Mi’kmaq people as First Nations under the Indian Act including the disenfranchised Qalipu applicants.Qalipu Mi'kmaq First NationStatus Indians42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 21, 2017e-1033e-1033 (International sanctions)DmitriMakienkoTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABApril 18, 2017, at 2:56 p.m. (EDT)August 16, 2017, at 2:56 p.m. (EDT)August 21, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The current government of Russia has embarked on a course of systemic violations of human rights abroad and at home;Russian government officials imprisoned and eventually caused the death of Sergei Magnitsky, a case which has been well-documented and which is reflected in parliamentary petitions E-394 and E-760 as well as in Bills C-267 (Sergei Magnitsky Law) and S-226 (Sergei Magnitsky Law);Russia has illegally detained and tortured anti-war activist Ildar Dadin, and has murdered Putin critics Boris Nemtsov, Sergei Magntisky, Alexander Litvenenko, and Anna Politkovskaya;Canada condemns the March 2017 murder of MP Denis Voronenko in Kiev by a Russian agent and the attempted murder of lawyer Nikolai Ghorkhov;Since 2014, Russia has kidnapped and detained numerous Ukrainian citizens, including Crimean Tatars;Russia has provided extensive military and political support to the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, which has committed grave human rights violations in Syria;Russia has engaged in widespread propaganda warfare against NATO countries, including Canada; andCorrupt Russian officials, individuals, and companies currently use Canada for money laundering.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to :1. To immediately pass Bill C-267 ("Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act" - Sergei Magnitsky Law) and to make related amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;2. To include under the Magnitsky Law, the names of Russian officials responsible for the torture of political activists and government critics in Russia; and3. To investigate money laundering activities in Canada by corrupt Russian officials.Civil and human rightsCorruptionEconomic sanctionsForeign personsMoney launderingRussiaVictims of crime42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-1037e-1037 (Montréal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport)JimmyYuPierrePaul-HusCharlesbourg—Haute-Saint-CharlesConservativeQCApril 20, 2017, at 1:26 p.m. (EDT)August 18, 2017, at 1:26 p.m. (EDT)September 27, 2017November 20, 2017August 21, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:According to media, on March 29, 2017, it was discovered that four employees at the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport have been under investigation by the Montreal police, and some of them with access to restricted areas were found to have showed signs of radicalization. TVA said a police investigation found the workers had watched pro-ISIS propaganda and that one possessed books on military-calibre assault weapons;The Journal de Montréal reports that of the four employees, at least two who still work at the airport have shown signs of radicalization that police investigators consider worrisome - some visited pro-ISIL websites, published propaganda on social media and consulted documents explaining how to make homemade explosives. One employee, who had access to the airport’s runways and airplanes, commented on the November 2015 Paris attacks that killed 130 people.The network reported one of the employees has since left the airport, while the other was reassigned away from secured areas.The government insists that these radicalized individuals are no longer a danger to the citizens of Montreal or travelers, yet two of these individuals are still working in the Montreal airport.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take immediate action and remove the two radicalised individuals from their jobs so they do not become a threat to the lives of Canadians. They should be placed under a peace bond and be under constant supervision of police authorities.Air safetyAirportsIslamic State of Iraq and the LevantMontréal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International AirportTerrorism and terroristsWorkers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 2, 2017e-1044e-1044 (Venezuela)JosueRamirezTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABApril 21, 2017, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)August 19, 2017, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)September 19, 2017November 2, 2017August 21, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been violated, as has been publicly acknowledged by the National Prosecutor of Venezuela, Luisa Ortega Diaz, and thus the rule of law has ceased to exist;The Nicolas Maduro regime has killed unarmed citizens peacefully exercising their constitutional right to protest;The Venezuelan government has armed lawless paramilitary gangs to crush any opposition and has used tear gas on the public and on elected officials;The Venezuelan government has imprisoned many like Leopoldo Lopez, Daniel Ceballos, and hundreds of students without due process; andThe dictatorial Maduro regime has censored media coverage of these human rights abuses as recognized by the OAS, the UN Human Rights Committee, and the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1. Freeze the financial assets of the government of Venezuela, including its commercial and refinery accounts, until the Maduro regime allows the democratic will of the people to prevail;2. Freeze the assets of the officials currently holding federal office in Venezuela and revoke their Canadian visas, until the Maduro regime releases their political prisoners.8545-421-172-01 Government Response to petitions concerning VenezuelaEconomic sanctionsInternational relationsPolitical prisonersVenezuela42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1054e-1054 (Fishing industry)DeanPentonScottSimmsCoast of Bays—Central—Notre DameLiberalNLApril 21, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. (EDT)August 19, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. (EDT)November 1, 2017January 29, 2018August 21, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Newfoundland & Labrador (NL) groundfishery is the oldest industry in Canada, our greatest renewable resource and integral to Canadian history and cultural heritage;Pursuant to Canadian Parliament (Marine Conservation Act, Multiculturalism Act, Environment Act), marine environments are fundamental to the social, cultural and economic well-being of people living in coastal communities;Pursuant to the Newfoundland Act (Terms of Union), Canada (Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)) has not adequately implemented sustainable-harvesting policies for NL fisheries or manage its long-term sustainability;Despite 25 years of a groundfishery moratorium and the largest layoff (30,000 jobs) in Canadian history, DFO has failed to establish a rebuilding strategy, management goals and targets for rebuilding;DFO continues to use unsustainable management practices, ignore scientific evidence and overfishing, as more species (crab and shrimp stocks) under its control have collapsed;DFO are uncertain as to what meaningful action to undertake to ensure the long-term viability of NL fish stocks. This threatens the future of NL and its fisheries;Bob Applebaum, former DFO director general said “NAFO reforms would hamper efforts to rebuild depleted stocks and prevent others from reaching critically low levels. The result will be more, not less, foreign overfishing outside 200 miles and greater prospects of stock depletion in the future.”;Consequently, there has been little transparency, public accountability or investigation.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the government of Canada to conduct a public inquiry to examine: 1. All aspects of NL Fisheries Management; 2. The roles of DFO and Fish Food & Allied Workers; 3. The groundfish moratorium; 4. All science and management related issues.8545-421-24-14 Government Response to petitions concerning the fishing industryDepartment of Fisheries and OceansFish, Food and Allied Workers - UniforFisheries policyGroundfishInquiries and public inquiriesMoratoriumNewfoundland and Labrador42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 24, 2017e-985e-985 (Suicide prevention)HaileyMcPhersonAnitaVandenbeldOttawa West—NepeanLiberalONApril 26, 2017, at 10:01 a.m. (EDT)August 24, 2017, at 10:01 a.m. (EDT)August 24, 2017Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214207" mp-riding-display="1"> Anita Vandenbeld</Addressee>Whereas:We are interested in seeking awareness and treatment for youths in Aboriginal Communities.We, the undersigned, students of Woodroffe High School, call upon Anita Vandenbeld to get more funding for mental health in aboriginal communities and take measures to lower the number of suicides in youth dramatically in those communities.Aboriginal peoplesMental healthSuicidesYoung people42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 29, 2017e-997e-997 (Suicide prevention)joellechevrierAnitaVandenbeldOttawa West—NepeanLiberalONApril 28, 2017, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)August 26, 2017, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)August 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Suicide rates are elevated in Aboriginal communities.We, the undersigned, citizens of Ottawa, call upon the House of Commons to send more mental health workers to aboriginal communities, so the people in these communities can receive the help and support that they need.Aboriginal peoplesMental healthSuicides42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-1051e-1051 (Air transportation)MiltIsaacsJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilConservativeONApril 28, 2017, at 3:31 p.m. (EDT)August 26, 2017, at 3:31 p.m. (EDT)September 27, 2017November 20, 2017August 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s commercial pilots play an essential role in safeguarding their passengers, crew and the public;Scientific research has established that fatigue impairs cognitive ability and performance for all – including pilots;Other jurisdictions, including the U.S., have updated pilot fatigue rules to manage the risk of fatigue;Canada’s current pilot fatigue rules are more than 20 years out of date;The government’s proposed updates to Canada’s pilot fatigue rules do not adequately align with fatigue science, especially for long-haul night flights, or with limits established in other jurisdictions; andThe proposed fatigue rules would permit air operators to bypass these fatigue limits by introducing weak Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) provisions that lack adequate regulatory oversight, pilot input, and enforcement provisions.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada,, call upon the Minister of Transport to protect the safety of passengers, flight crews and the public by amending the proposed flight crew fatigue management regulations to:1. Afford pilots and passengers of all sizes of aircraft – whether they carry passengers or cargo – the same protective fatigue limits, coming into force at the same time;2. Address pilot fatigue on long-haul flights at night by limiting duty periods that begin after 1700h to 10 hours (or 8.5 hours of flight time) – in line with NASA research findings; and 3. Ensure that any FRMS relies on science-based prescriptive limits as a foundation, requiring independently verifiable data and stringent Transport Canada approval and oversight.FatiguePilotsWorking hours, terms and conditions42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 6, 2017e-1073e-1073 (Nuclear and military exports)DavidRutledgeLarryMillerBruce—Grey—Owen SoundConservativeONMay 2, 2017, at 8:41 a.m. (EDT)August 30, 2017, at 8:41 a.m. (EDT)September 22, 2017November 6, 2017August 30, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Bill C-47 will require importers, stores, and individuals to keep records and electronic information for a period of six years to determine if they have complied with the Act;Bill C-47 will enforce stiff fines and penalties to importers, stores, and individuals that are found to not be in compliance with the Act;Bill C-47 will allow the Governor in Council to add further supplies, accessories, and other import or export goods under the classification of goods and technology, to be called a Brokering Control List, to the Export Control List or Import Control List;Bill C-47 will place liability of the information stored by the importer, store, and individual with the importer, store, and individual should the information be obtained in any way by an outside party.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Not sign onto the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, and, vote down and not allow Bill C-47 to pass into law; or2. Amend Bill C-47 to not include any of the sections and subsections for importers, stores, and individuals to keep any records of any imported or exported firearms or any article that falls into the brokering control list, and, amend Bill C-47 to not include the penalty for not keeping adequate records, “of a fine not exceeding $250,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both”.C-47, An Act to amend the Export and Import Permits Act and the Criminal Code (amendments permitting the accession to the Arms Trade Treaty and other amendments)International tradeMilitary weaponsRecords42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 26, 2018e-1064e-1064 (North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA))LindsayBailerKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestConservativeABMay 4, 2017, at 9:11 a.m. (EDT)September 1, 2017, at 9:11 a.m. (EDT)February 9, 2018March 26, 2018September 1, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229209" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) are highly skilled healthcare professionals, who work in all areas of hospitals, the home care environment, and private practice. They are indispensable members of the multidisciplinary teams caring for patients with all manners of illness or injury, from the smallest premature infant to a grandparent facing end of life. When NAFTA was drafted, RRTs were not included in the list of approved medical professions, yet other health care professions with similar training and qualifications (diploma and three years experience), such as Medical Technologist were included. As healthcare has advanced, the role has developed from Respiratory Technician to Registered Respiratory Therapist and become more integral to the process of effective medical diagnoses, treatment, and care. It is our conviction that the countries committed to NAFTA would benefit from the inclusion of RRTs. Labour shortages in both countries are in flux and the movement of skilled workers across the border will allow knowledge and skill sharing that will expand and improve medical training and patient care. As well, many RRT programs have expanded to Bachelor degrees in Canada and the USA, meaning they now meet the educational standards expected of other NAFTA professionals.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to re-evaluate labour mobility within any future bilateral or multilateral trade negotiations with the United States to include the profession of Registered Respiratory Therapist on the list of approved TN Visa Medical/Allied Professionals.8545-421-202-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)International tradeLabour force mobilityNorth American Free Trade AgreementRespiratory therapy and therapistsWork permits42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 1, 2017e-1078e-1078 (National child care program)SaraEhrhardtJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONMay 4, 2017, at 9:11 a.m. (EDT)September 1, 2017, at 9:11 a.m. (EDT)October 26, 2017December 1, 2017September 1, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which includes commitments regarding families’ rights to benefit from child care services;Child care in Canada is in crisis with insufficient licensed, high-quality spaces and prices increasing well above inflation rates and what many parents can afford;The government's Advisory Council on Economic Growth stated families should have reasonable access to affordable, high-quality, and convenient child care, and highlighted the potential of a universal, subsidized child care program to achieve this;We recognize the recent government investment and commitment to working with provinces and territories to support the establishment of a National Framework on Early Learning and Child Care; andAll children regardless of circumstance need access to adequate care and early learning opportunities to give them the best possible start in life.We, the undersigned, parents in Toronto’s East End and concerned citizens across Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to commit that by 2026, all children across Canada will have access to adequate early years programming through a licensed child care provider that is affordable for their family, a framework agreement will be in place with provinces and territories to achieve this by 2018, and that in the interim, the government should offer immediate relief for middle-income families by raising the child care expenses deduction upper limit to $28,000 per year, in line with actual child care fees in the City of Toronto.Care for childrenFamilies and childrenNational child care programTax creditsToronto42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 5, 2017e-1026e-1026 (Tax system)FionaKrettekHon.ErinO'TooleDurhamConservativeONMay 5, 2017, at 12:03 p.m. (EDT)September 2, 2017, at 12:03 p.m. (EDT)September 5, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Public transit costs are extremely high and the transit credit helps citizens to manage these costs.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to reinstate the Public Transit Tax Credit.Public transitPublic transit tax credit42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-1053e-1053 (Cannabis)TianshiYuanBradTrostSaskatoon—UniversityConservativeSKMay 8, 2017, at 9:48 a.m. (EDT)September 5, 2017, at 9:48 a.m. (EDT)September 29, 2017November 20, 2017September 5, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian youth will be particularly affected by the legalization of such a thought-impairing substance, since it will become more accessible from the hands of adults. The increased availability and the social acceptance of cannabis will increase the number of young users. In fact, it will have egregious consequences on the developing brains of our teens and young adults.Cannabis is a substance with very little benefit and an enormous potential for addiction and abuse, not to mention that it is a gateway drug. While it does have some medical properties, its' legalization for recreational use will create negative consequences that will outweigh any positives. Thus, its' status should be kept for medical use only.Another issue worth mentioning is regulation. While the government wants to keep cannabis distribution away from criminals, the 4-plant allocation it proposes will make cannabis quantities incredibly hard to control, since the substance can easily be hidden.Considering all of cannabis legalization’s negative aspects, cannabis legalization does not seem like the ideal step towards ensuring our nation’s brilliant future, especially if our youth are those who will take the hardest hit.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to revoke the Bill introduced on April 13, 2017 to legalize cannabis by July 1, 2018, which would legalize possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis by individuals 18 and over for recreational use.C-45, An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other ActsCannabisLegalization42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 6, 2017e-1084e-1084 (Boating)TravisWizniukFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCMay 8, 2017, at 5:18 p.m. (EDT)September 5, 2017, at 5:18 p.m. (EDT)September 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: Providing freely downloadable ENC and RNC charts of all Canadian waters will not only increase tourism, but enhance safety for mariners and bring us in line with many other countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the U.S.A..We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to have the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada provide free nauticle charts of all Canadian waters.42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-1076e-1076 (Immigration)BernadettePennaJatiSidhuMission—Matsqui—Fraser CanyonLiberalBCMay 9, 2017, at 9:07 a.m. (EDT)September 6, 2017, at 9:07 a.m. (EDT)September 27, 2017November 20, 2017September 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Ronel Alberts and Elsje van der Westhuizen, a married lesbian couple from South Africa, have been refused admission on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds. A removal order has been issued.Ms. Alberts has already been the victim of a brutal and near-fatal attack by three armed men in South Africa, and this lesbian couple faces danger and violence from the racially incited killings of white people (especially women) living on isolated rural properties.Since their arrival in Canada in 2014, violence in South Africa has escalated dramatically with regard to rural murders, which led them to apply for admission on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds, without returning to South Africa, where they face near-certain extreme violence.Ms. Alberts studied for a semester at University Fraser Valley in 2015 allowable by her visitor visa, but her application for an extension of the visa, to pursue an international student visa, was denied.Denied employment for lack of work permits, these intelligent, competent, loving and caring individuals have integrated the community in Abbotsford and surrounding areas through extensive volunteerism, and have formed a vast network of close friends from all sectors of Canadian society.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to repeal the decision to remove Elsje and Ronel to South Africa, and grant them landed immigrant status in Canada. They are seeking a safe place to become productive members of our open and welcoming society.8545-421-23-19 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationAlberts, RonelDeportation, extradition and removal of foreignersLanded immigrant statusSouth Africavan der Westhuizen, Elsje42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2017e-1088e-1088 (Harjit Sajjan)PaulFredenburgJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBMay 10, 2017, at 11:38 a.m. (EDT)September 7, 2017, at 11:38 a.m. (EDT)September 28, 2017November 20, 2017September 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas the Minister of National Defence, Hon. Harjit Singh Sajjan has:Admitted to exaggerating his role in Operation MEDUSA, thereby effectively stealing valor;In a 2015 interview, falsely claimed to have been the “architect” of Operation MEDUSA;In an address given in India on April 18, 2017, once again falsely claimed to have been the “architect” of Operation MEDUSA;Lost the confidence of members of the Canadian Armed Forces; and Failed to demonstrate responsibility, take responsibility for his actions, and not submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to remove Hon. Harjit Singh Sajjan as the Minister of National Defence.Minister of National DefenceResignation of MinisterSajjan, Harjit S.42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-1090e-1090 (Access to information)DennisMolinaroMurrayRankinVictoriaNDPBCMay 11, 2017, at 4:31 p.m. (EDT)September 8, 2017, at 4:31 p.m. (EDT)May 27, 2019August 21, 2019September 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On April 7, 2017, it became apparent that institutions of the government, such as the Privy Council Office, Global Affairs, and the Department of Justice, have not been turning over a substantial amount of historical material to Library and Archives Canada (LAC);The government has delayed reform of the Access to Information Act (ATI) and its reform is essential to enable transparent and timely citizen access to documents and prevent historical documents from being hidden or withheld from public archives;LAC is supposed to be Canada’s primary archival institution;Transparency with regard to information, including historical documents, is essential and important to the proper functioning of a democracy; andCitizens have a right to access their nation’s history by knowing what historical documents the government is in possession of and having open and transparent access to those documents.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately begin the process of turning over all historical documents to LAC; reform the ATI and Library and Archives Canada Act to ensure historical material does not remain hidden outside of LAC.8545-421-141-02 Government Response to petitions concerning access to informationAccess to informationFederal institutionsInformation archivingLibrary and Archives of Canada42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 11, 2017e-1072e-1072 (Rail transportation)JairStolzWayneStetskiKootenay—ColumbiaNDPBCMay 12, 2017, at 2:58 p.m. (EDT)September 9, 2017, at 2:58 p.m. (EDT)September 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:CP Rail, despite the efforts and willingness to co-operate of all parties involved, refuses to come to a compromise to allow commercial and recreational users to safely access the lower canyon of the Kicking Horse River by means of crossing the railway tracks as we have done with their knowledge for decades.We, the undersigned, recreational and commercial users of the Kicking Horse River, business owners of Golden, and concerned citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to recognize the importance of the rafting industry in the town of Golden, British Columbia (B.C.), and the benefits that this eco-tourism industry brings to our community; andHelp hold CP Rail accountable to the promises they made to the rafting industry and town of Golden, B.C., of re-opening the lower canyon access point for the rafting season of 2016 in a public press release andinterview last spring; andWork with CP Rail to re-instate safe and legal access to the Kicking Horse River lower canyon section in order to support our community and rafting industry as soon as possible; andRespect our community and its social and economic needs by opening the access immediately by whatever means necessary.CPKCKicking Horse CanyonLevel crossingsRights-of-wayWhitewater rafting42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 22, 2018e-1093e-1093 (Firearms)TraceyWilsonHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABMay 17, 2017, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)September 14, 2017, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)March 29, 2018May 22, 2018September 15, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:We, the undersigned, residents of Canada draw the attention of the House to the following: That given that the Minister of Public Safety’s unelected Canadian Firearms Advisory Committee will shape the future of firearm regulation in our country, its members must adequately understand and represent the very people affected by its recommendations, being Canada’s shooting community. Therefore, your petitioners, call upon the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to require individuals appointed to the Canadian Firearms Advisory Committee to have earned their Possession and Acquisition License (PAL), without which they lack a baseline understanding of the activities they are tasked with regulating.Canadian Firearms Advisory CommitteeFirearms permitsPublic consultation42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 15, 2017e-1113e-1113 (Sexual orientation)DenisTsarevHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABMay 18, 2017, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)September 15, 2017, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)September 15, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The authorities of Chechnya are currently carrying out violent persecution, arrests, physical torture, inciting hatred against, and encouraging assaults on the members of the LGBT community, with over hundred said people detained since last FebruaryThe authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran are also currently carrying out violent persecution, arrests, physical torture, inciting hatred against, and encouraging assaults on the members of the LGBT community, with over thirty said people arrested in recent monthsWe, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to make an explicit statement condemning said actions of Chechnya’s and Iran’s governments and to introduce a program for resettling the members of the LGBT community as refugees from the countries where they are subjected to persecution.ChechnyaCivil and human rightsForeign policyIranRefugeesSettlement of immigrantsSexual minorities42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1035e-1035 (Aboriginal affairs)JeanneCrowchildRomeoSaganashAbitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—EeyouNDPQCMay 23, 2017, at 4:43 p.m. (EDT)September 20, 2017, at 4:43 p.m. (EDT)September 20, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Treaty Indigenous Peoples have the right to Self-determination which includes the right to preside over all matters that determine the composition of their Nation's Citizenship;In 1951, the Government of Canada unilaterally imposed policy under the Indian Act with regard to determining Indian membership which included the removal of Treaty Indians over to Statutory Indians - Indian Status. Treaty Nations did not consent to this policy change;The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) outlines the minimum standard at which the Inherent, Treaty and Aboriginal Rights are to be respected and upheld as Human Rights. UNDRIP articles 18, 19, 33.1, 33.2, 37.1 and 38 outline (i) that Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decision making matters, (ii) the states shall obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent before adopting and implementing legislative measures, (iii) the right to determine our identity or membership, (iv) the right to determine the structures and to select membership; (v) the right to the recognition, observance and enforcement of Treaties, (vi) that states shall take appropriate measures to achieve the ends of the Declaration;The Declaration is an extension of standards found in Human Rights, Treaties that are widely ratified and legally binding on states; andThe rule of Law and Democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.We, the undersigned, Treaty 1-11 Indigenous Peoples, call upon the Government of Canada to Successor State, to recognize the Treaty Right to Citizenship by reinstating the Treaty Cards for Treaties 1-11 Citizens.Identity cardsStatus Indians42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 22, 2017e-992e-992 (Immigration)JeffreyBergeronJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCMay 25, 2017, at 4:24 p.m. (EDT)September 22, 2017, at 4:24 p.m. (EDT)September 22, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Over two hundred children of refugees and migrant workers are currently in detention in Canada;None of these children have committed or been accused of committing any crime; andSome children were born in detention and have never been outside of it.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to reform Canada’s use of immigration detention and bring these practices into line with international law and practice. It is vital that the best interests of a child always be considered. Children should never be detained for immigration purposes.Adults must not be detained indefinitely or arbitrarily. Please adhere to the call of the UN Human Rights Committee and ensure that:• Immigration detention is only ever used as a measure of last resort;• Canada set a reasonable time limit for those held in immigration detention; • Meaningful alternatives to detention are always provided, particularly in the case of children.Correctional facilitiesDetaineesFamilies and childrenImmigration and immigrants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 16, 2018e-1030e-1030 (Navigable waters)EdwardGeorgeElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMay 26, 2017, at 2:33 p.m. (EDT)September 23, 2017, at 2:33 p.m. (EDT)February 27, 2018April 16, 2018September 25, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:More than 35 million people directly rely on the Great Lakes every single day and political realities of any empowered government prevent direct action in protecting freshwater tributaries, streams, rivers and lakes; thus, the need for indefinite protection beyond legislation is required to ensure all Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, can enjoy the sanctity and longevity of the Great Lakes Basin for generations to come;The relationship between major industry proponents including the oil and gas industry and the Canadian Government, as well as any empowered political party of the present day, is fundamentally flawed when considering the need to protect the Great Lakes upon which all life depends; andAny well meaning government concerned with Canada’s environmental legacy and wealth cannot, without significant disruption to the operating status quo and fulfilling the directives of economic growth, make lasting change to protect Water indefinitely.We, the undersigned, Indigenous & Non Indigenous Peoples of the Great Lakes, First Nations, Metis and Inuit and Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to undertake a process by which to formerly acknowledge the Great Lakes as Living Entities, thereby assigning legal personhood to each Lake including Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario within its power as a Nation State under the British Commonwealth;Support the formation of a Multi-Interest Great Lakes Tribunal lead by Indigenous Peoples that will act as the Voice of these new Persons. This entity should be formulated by appointment via Indigenous protocols and through multi-interest groups already in existence. Reinstate the Navigable Waters Protection Act through repealing sections of the Omnibus Bill C-45.8545-421-101-17 Government Response to petitions concerning navigable watersAboriginal peoplesCivil and human rightsGreat LakesInland watersNavigation Protection Act42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 4, 2017e-1116e-1116 (Copyright)AmandaWakarukSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKMay 26, 2017, at 3:19 p.m. (EDT)September 23, 2017, at 3:19 p.m. (EDT)October 20, 2017December 4, 2017September 25, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians’ right to use works produced by the government is unduly restricted by our outdated system of Crown copyright;Access to government information and the ability to distribute and encourage its re-use is of fundamental importance to a democratic society (see SI/97-5);The government is committed to open government principles;The government states that exploitation of IP contributes to economic growth and is best achieved outside government (TBS Policy on Title to IP Arising Under Crown Procurement);Library projects to preserve and provide access to government works have been delayed or prevented due to confusion over Crown copyright;Interpretations of existing government terms of use and licences by government employees are inconsistent and confusing, especially since closure of Crown Copyright Licensing program in 2013;Objectives of copyright law do not apply to publicly disseminated government works given that they are created by the government for public benefit (SCC in Théberge v. Galerie... and CCH v. LSUC state law's objective is to balance rewarding of creators with disseminating of works in order to benefit society);The government rarely pursues infringement claims (e.g., Sess. paper 8555-412-57, Dec 4, 2013, HC);Not all government works are intended for broad dissemination;Some works published by the government are authored or prepared by third parties; andSI/97-5 is limited to federally-constituted courts and administrative tribunals.We, the undersigned, citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to to add Section 12.1 to the Copyright Act: 12.1 Works noted in section 12 are no longer protected by copyright upon being made available to the public.8545-421-183-01 Government Response to petitions concerning copyrightCrown copyrightPublic worksVideo recordings42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 30, 2017e-1067e-1067 (Canada Labour Code)WendyGaucher-BigcharlesSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKMay 26, 2017, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)September 23, 2017, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)October 20, 2017November 30, 2017September 25, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Canada Labour Code governs national employers such as the RCMP, Canada Postal Service, Canadian Military, and national telecommunications, airlines and banks;The Canada Labour Code does not expressly prohibit psychological violence in the workplace or protect workers from hazardous work environments due to psychological violence;Workplace psychological violence affects many Canadian workers, and the ones who suffer injury/illness can face limited and difficult access to recovery support and resolution. This legislation gap allows the ones operating with this violence to continue because of inadequate legal barriers; andThe Prime Minister has mandated ministerial action to “ensure that federal institutions are workplaces free from harassment and sexual violence”, and legislation is required to address workplaces that allow hazardous work environments due to condoning psychological violent behavior and practices where management accountable turns-a-blind-eye, dismisses and further intimidates, harasses and discriminates as a response to addressing any form of psychological or physical violence once it occurs; and a number of national employers have been in the media in recent years exemplifying these systemic psychological violence issues and the associated impacts on Canadians.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to urge the Government of Canada and the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour to introduce legislation amendment to the Canada Labour Code that (i) directly prohibits psychological violence in the workplace, and (ii) prohibits employees from being exposed to hazardous work environments due to workplace psychological violence, for all federally regulated employees throughout Canada.8545-421-68-06 Government Response to petitions concerning the Canada Labour CodeFederally regulated employers and employeesHarassmentIntimidationLabour code42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 4, 2017e-1120e-1120 (Republic of Congo)FabienKalalaAnitaVandenbeldOttawa West—NepeanLiberalONMay 26, 2017, at 11:07 a.m. (EDT)September 23, 2017, at 11:07 a.m. (EDT)October 20, 2017December 4, 2017September 25, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the second largest country in Africa, with immensely rich natural resources, including the mineral Coltan which is vital for the manufacture of our smartphones and electronic devices. The DRC holds between 60 and 80% of the world reserves of Coltan. Since 1998, Coltan has been at the heart of the DRC war, one of the deadliest conflicts since the Second World War, with more than 6 million deaths;The UN estimates that there are 3.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country;There are 1.9 million children suffering from malnutrition; child labour is used in mining operations and child soldiers are used in armed conflict;The use of sexual violence is widespread and used as a weapon of war;Forty mass graves have recently been discovered in the Kasai region; Moreover, after a number of protests against the government, which shook the capital Kinshasa in early 2015, a mass grave containing 421 bodies was discovered in April 2015;The postponement of the presidential elections has led to an exacerbation of political violence and instability.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to exert diplomatic pressure on the DRC to end violence and human rights abuses and to ensure timely, free, fair and transparent elections.8545-421-182-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the Republic of CongoCivil and human rightsDemocracyDemocratic Republic of the CongoElectoral systemForeign policy42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 26, 2017e-1126e-1126 (National holidays)BehnazKarimiDonRusnakThunder Bay—Rainy RiverLiberalONMay 29, 2017, at 5:33 p.m. (EDT)September 26, 2017, at 5:33 p.m. (EDT)September 26, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Stated by the Prime Minister, the Government of Canada is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and enacting all 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called on the federal government to collaborate with Indigenous peoples to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities, as per Call to Action #80.The date for such a holiday could be June 2nd, the day that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report in 2015The Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls on the government to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.The experiences of survivors and victims of residential schools should be remembered and honoured by the Canadian public.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Establish a “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation”Aboriginal residential schoolsNational Day for Truth and ReconciliationPublic holidays42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 6, 2017e-1129e-1129 (Drinking water)StephanieMillsJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONMay 30, 2017, at 4:03 p.m. (EDT)September 27, 2017, at 4:03 p.m. (EDT)October 23, 2017December 6, 2017September 27, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:There are Canadians that do not have access to clean drinking water.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to include having access to clean drinking water as a right in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to ensure that ALL Canadians have clean drinking water by 2020, without any excuses or further bureaucratic delays.Canadian Charter of Rights and FreedomsCivil and human rightsDrinking waterWater quality42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1127e-1127 (National day)SaraLauzonGuyLauzonStormont—Dundas—South GlengarryConservativeONJune 1, 2017, at 11:13 a.m. (EDT)September 29, 2017, at 11:13 a.m. (EDT)November 8, 2017January 29, 2018September 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas: In Canada, we take pride in history that empowers us. We often do not speak about history that may provide a negative image to our country. We celebrate famous and successful Canadians, but we rarely shed light on the common folk who also played an important role in creating our current nation. Asylums, Houses of Refuge, and Poor Houses sheltered Canadian citizens from every walk of life. When people hear these terms they often associate the people in these facilities as “less than” others in society. The goal in commemorating citizens who resided in “Poor House” facilities is to remind our current population that they too, were human. They might not have been the founding fathers we read about in our history books, but they did play a part in shaping our nation, no matter how big or small it may have been.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to pass a motion recognizing April 14, of every year, as Poor House Commemoration Day in Canada. This day will commemorate the lives of Canadian citizens that died or lived in an Asylum, a House of Refuge, or a Poor House facility in Canada. The suggested date for this holiday is April 14 due to the “Act respecting the Mentally Incompetent Persons and their Estates” being passed in Alberta, in 1937. This marked a growing intrusion of the state into the lives of those they deemed “mentally incompetent.” On this date citizens in asylums were no longer capable of managing their economic or reproductive affairs.8545-421-131-04 Government Response to petitions concerning a national dayCapacity of consent for careMental healthPoverty42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 29, 2019e-1133e-1133 (Fishing industry)SteveHamiltonToddDohertyCariboo—Prince GeorgeConservativeBCJune 5, 2017, at 2:49 p.m. (EDT)October 3, 2017, at 2:49 p.m. (EDT)February 28, 2019April 29, 2019October 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Trudeau Liberal government has repeatedly cut funding to the Salmonid Enhancement Program in the 2016 and 2017 federal budgets;The Salmonid Enhancement Program provides funding essential to education and conservation activities benefiting Pacific salmon fisheries;Funding cuts to the Salmonid Enhancement Program will eliminate education and conservation activities supporting Pacific salmon fisheries;We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to restore funding for the Salmonid Enhancement Program to support the promotion and conservation of Pacific salmon fisheries.8545-421-24-23 Government Response to petitions concerning the fishing industryEnvironmental protectionFisheries and fishersPacific salmonSalmonid Enhancement Program42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 6, 2017e-1137e-1137 (Radio and television programming)Anne-MarieStuartJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONJune 7, 2017, at 4:35 p.m. (EDT)October 5, 2017, at 4:35 p.m. (EDT)October 23, 2017December 6, 2017October 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214327" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Canadian Heritage</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian screen-based production sector generated $8.5 billion in economic activity and created over 140,000 middle-class jobs in 2016, including $2.9 billion producing original Canadian content;The Minister of Heritage has shown a commitment to a strong Canadian cultural sector and a thriving screen-based industry that supports made-in-Canada production of compelling, original content that stands out on the world stage;The recent decisions on broadcast licence renewals by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) stray from Canada’s broadcasting policy objectives, harm the Minister’s positive vision, and threaten the production of distinct and innovative content in both French and English;These decisions directly threaten Programs of National Interest (PNI), which promote the diverse stories of Canadians;These decisions slash the obligations of broadcasters to invest in independent English-language PNI production, and have already moved broadcasters to cancel a number of original, independently-produced French and English shows; andThe CRTC’s decisions undermine both the livelihoods and fair treatment of Canadian creators, opportunities for young and emerging talent, and the quality and diversity of Canadian content on offer to audiences at home and around the world.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to : 1. Review the CRTC’s decisions on broadcast licence renewals; and2. Fill vacancies at the CRTC with diverse individuals who will bring experience and in-depth knowledge of both the media production sector and federal policy to ensure Canada’s screen-based production sector will continue to thrive and grow.Broadcasting licencesCanadian contentCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications CommissionMoviesStaffingTelevision programs42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 6, 2017e-1105e-1105 (Health care services)MelissaScrivenerGeorginaJoliboisDesnethé—Missinippi—Churchill RiverNDPSKJune 8, 2017, at 11:56 a.m. (EDT)October 6, 2017, at 11:56 a.m. (EDT)October 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:"The Canadian healthcare system continues to critically under perform for individuals with mental illness" (Mood Disorders Society of Canada, 2015); andMany communities across the nation and in particular remote northern and indigenous communities suffer from limited access to appropriate mental health services.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Implement federal funding to improve delivery and access to mental health services across Canada's provinces and territories. Additionally we respectfully request the Government of Canada to place further pressure upon, and guidance to, provincial and territorial governments and respective health Ministries to improve funding and delivery structure of mental health services particularly in remote and rural communities where services are limited or non-existent.Federal-provincial-territorial relationsHealth care fundingHealth services accessibilityMental healthRemote communitiesRural communities42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 11, 2017e-1108e-1108 (Canadian heritage)TrevorParsonsHon.PeterKentThornhillConservativeONJune 13, 2017, at 2:32 p.m. (EDT)October 11, 2017, at 2:32 p.m. (EDT)October 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is a constitutional and parliamentary monarchy with Her Majesty the Queen as head of state;2017 is the year to celebrate Canada's monarchical past; andThe lobby of Global Affairs Canada is large enough to hang Her Majesty's portrait and Pellan's paintings.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to arrange for the portrait of Her Majesty, taken down from the lobby of Global Affairs Canada in 2015, be placed back in its original location and displayed as a symbol of Canada's loyalty to Her Majesty and commitment to the history of Canada and the Commonwealth of Nations.Constitutional monarchyCultural heritageDepartment of Foreign Affairs, Trade and DevelopmentElizabeth II, Her Majesty Queen42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1136e-1136 (Pay equity)CelineYeganiRandyBoissonnaultEdmonton CentreLiberalABJune 13, 2017, at 2:31 p.m. (EDT)October 11, 2017, at 2:31 p.m. (EDT)December 13, 2017January 29, 2018October 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:It’s 2017, and Canadian women continue to make just 73.5 cents for every dollar a man makes. These numbers are even lower for Indigenous and women of colour. On a global scale, the gender pay gap in Canada is more than twice the global average, according to research firm Catalyst Canada, the Canadian pay gap is on average $8,000, while globally it's at $4,000;Although the Government of Canada and Canadian culture as a whole has an emphasis on all aspects of diversity, Canada has been quite slow to deal with the gender pay gap. In fall of 2016, the Government of Canada promised a new pay-equity legislation, but it won’t be introduced until the end of 2018. This runs the risk of law not being passed before the next federal election; andThere have been studies that argue the gender pay gap is lower in the public sector vs. the private one, but a gap is still a gap. Pay equity is a human right under the Canadian Human Rights Act. Canada needs to close that gap immediately, and once again be a role model on a global scale in the area of human rights.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to create pro-active pay equity legislation now to close the wage gap and deliver economic equality for women.8545-421-86-04 Government Response to petitions concerning pay equityPay equitySexual discriminationStatus of women42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1155e-1155 (Organ donation)ErikaLashbrook KnutsonPeterFragiskatosLondon North CentreLiberalONJune 15, 2017, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)October 13, 2017, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)December 1, 2017January 29, 2018October 13, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Over 90% of Canadians support organ donation, yet less than 30% actively register their consent to donate;Canada has 15 donors per 1 million residents, compared to Spain at 33 and the United States at 26;278 people died waiting for organ transplant surgery in Canada in 2014; andOver 4,500 people are currently on the organ transplant waiting list.We, the undersigned, Residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to convene an expert task force or special committee to examine the legislative, educational and organizational practices of other other countries on organ donation and donor registration. This task force or committee will provide a report on findings with recommendations to the Government of Canada with the purpose of increasing organ donation awareness and donor registration across the country.Information disseminationOrgan donationTask forces42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 19, 2017e-1142e-1142 (Tax system)GregorySearsChrisWarkentinGrande Prairie—MackenzieConservativeABJune 21, 2017, at 11:17 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2017, at 11:17 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s grain farmers play an essential role in feeding our nation and forming the basis of our rural economies;Farming by its very nature is cyclical, weather dependent and subject to logistical uncertainty, resulting in varied production and delivery;The current income tax deferral available to farmers holding deferred cash purchase tickets enables farmers to more predictably and efficiently report their income;It can be demonstrated that the existing cash ticket deferral provisions do not, on long term average, provide significant preferential tax treatment and, in fact, keep grain farmers whole relative to other Canadian businesses; andThe current cash ticket deferral provisions effectively de-couple delivery and payment timing to promote efficient use of domestic value chain assets including elevator, railway and port facilities.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to maintain an effective tax environment for farmers by ensuring tax predictability and stability for farmers in their unique system of production and abandoning any plan to eliminate the income tax deferral available to farmers holding deferred cash purchase ticketsGrain and grain growingTax deferral42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1140e-1140 (Veterans' affairs)AngusCameronAndyFillmoreHalifaxLiberalNSJune 21, 2017, at 11:16 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2017, at 11:16 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2017January 29, 2018October 19, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214330" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Since the cancellation of the NDI 75 Certificate of service card Veterans have insufficient means to show proof of service to Canada in the Canadian Armed Forces;There is currently no standard identification card issued to Veterans upon an honourably release from the Canadian Armed Forces; andIn 2012, the Veterans Ombudsman released a report titled "Honouring and Connecting with Canada’s Veterans: a National Veterans Identification Card" that contained recommendations and guidance on the creation of a National Veterans Identification Card and that those recommendations have yet to be implemented.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Veterans of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to call upon the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Minister of National Defense to create and implement a National Veterans Identification Card by no later than November 10, 2018, and fully implement the recommendations made by the Veterans Ombudsman in his 2012 Report "Honouring and Connecting with Canada’s Veterans: a National Veterans Identification Card". This card should be a contact-type smart ID card containing the following features: the person’s element and the word Veteran, photo, first, middle and last name, rank, dates served, date of birth, blood type, Veterans Affairs Canada “K" number, and a signature block, and contain chip technology for the storage of key information relating to the cardholder.In doing so, the Government of Canada will help to restore the pride and dignity of those who served Canada so valiantly during their service.Identity cardsVeterans42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 25, 2017e-1157e-1157 (Appointment of justices)DannickLessardLucBertholdMégantic—L'ÉrableConservativeQCJune 27, 2017, at 10:58 a.m. (EDT)October 25, 2017, at 10:58 a.m. (EDT)October 25, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Since the Supreme Court of Canada ruling of July 8, 2016, in R. v. Jordan—known as the Jordan decision—numerous individuals accused of criminal offences have avoided the charges against them owing to stays of judicial proceedings;Many victims of crime are experiencing serious consequences without seeing justice served;One of the main roles of the Government of Canada is to provide a justice system that works for all Canadians by ensuring, among other things, an adequate number of judges is available to hear cases within reasonable time frames;The number of judges at the Superior Court of Quebec has been deemed inadequate by the Government of Quebec, which is responsible for administering the justice system in the province of Quebec;The Government of Quebec is requesting the appointment of 10 additional judges to the Superior Court of Quebec, which has jurisdiction over criminal cases in that province;The safety of Canadians should come first;Canadians’ trust in the justice system is a necessary condition for democracy.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately appoint 10 additional judges to the Superior Court of Quebec.Federal judgesPolitical appointmentsProvincial courtsSuperior Court of Québec42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 26, 2017e-1154e-1154 (Navigable waters)AlanYuBobZimmerPrince George—Peace River—Northern RockiesConservativeBCJune 27, 2017, at 12:51 p.m. (EDT)October 25, 2017, at 12:51 p.m. (EDT)October 26, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On May 12, 2017, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-48 to the House of Commons, known as the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act;Bill C-48 would ban marine transportation of crude oil along British Columbia’s North Coast;Impacted First Nations have not been appropriately consulted on Bill C-48, and demand that their sovereignty over traditional lands be respected;Industry groups have stated an oil tanker moratorium will hurt business, and ultimately Canadian workers;Tens of thousands of Canadian oil and gas workers remain unemployed, pushing families into poverty;and Resource development directly supports new jobs for nurses, teachers, electricians, insurance brokers, tourism, and construction workers and many other occupations; andThe agenda of Canadian energy sovereignty has been sacrificed to appease non-Canadian interests that have the goal of stranding Canada's energy assets.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to support appropriate consultation with First Nations, assist economic development, reject foreign interference and allow oil and gas tanker traffic on all coasts of Canada by immediately withdrawing Bill C-48 and confirming its support for expanded market access for Canada’s natural resources.Aboriginal peoplesCoastal areasEconomic developmentMarket accessOil tankersPublic consultation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 13, 2017e-1164e-1164 (International development and aid)StuartHickoxArnoldChanScarborough—AgincourtLiberalONJune 27, 2017, at 12:52 p.m. (EDT)October 25, 2017, at 12:52 p.m. (EDT)November 2, 2017December 13, 2017October 26, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:130 million girls are currently out of school around the world -- almost 4 times the population of Canada -- a tragic waste of human potential;Canada currently only contributes about 2 cents a day per Canadian on global education;Every dollar invested in education creates a return of $10 in earnings and health benefits in low-income countries;If every girl in sub-Saharan Africa completed a primary education, maternal mortality could fall by a dramatic 70%; andAn additional year of schooling for girls results in a 12% increase in wages.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to fulfill Canada’s responsibility, as established by the international Education Commission, to ensure that girls everywhere have access to quality education. Specifically, to increase Canada’s investment in global education by 2 cents per day per Canadian (an increase of USD$632 million over three years) by 2020.8545-421-43-11 Government Response to petitions concerning international development and aidEducation and trainingGirlsInternational development and aid42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1153e-1153 (Commercial development of land)AndrèeCazabonRomeoSaganashAbitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—EeyouNDPQCJune 27, 2017, at 1:57 p.m. (EDT)October 25, 2017, at 1:57 p.m. (EDT)October 26, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas: The Chaudière Falls were recorded in Champlain's journals as a place of ceremony for the Anishnabeg (Algonquins) in 1610. Champlain described in detail a sacred tobacco ceremony held at the Falls by the Algonquin, a ceremony which had been held by them for hundreds of years prior to his observation; The Anishnabeg viewed the surrounding area as an appropriate place of burial for the dead owing to the sacredness of the land and water. Algonquin Elder William Commanda continually identified the Falls as Sacred and was  informed by oral history in creating his vision for the Falls and the Islands close by; Aerial photographs reveal the shape of the sacred pipe in the cauldron of the Falls, known as Asticou the great kettle and the stream of water flowing from the cauldron.This place has been considered sacred for thousands of years by the Algonquins, yet the settlers have desecrated it in less than two hundred years as their understanding of indigenous culture and reverence of place is foreign to their consciousness, unfortunately a consciousness of colonialism; and The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples declares that indigenous people have a right to protect their sacred places. This must be done for the Sacred Falls and the Islands. We, the undersigned, the Original People and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to stop any proposed development.Aboriginal peoplesAlgonquinChaudière FallsCultural heritageLand use42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1058e-1058 (Protection of the environment)RayKowalchukNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONJune 27, 2017, at 1:55 p.m. (EDT)October 25, 2017, at 1:55 p.m. (EDT)December 4, 2017January 29, 2018October 26, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:The climatechange.gc.ca website lists the "Top 10 Things You Can Do To Help" but fails to acknowledge food choice as a critical contributor to each Canadian's environmental footprint;Eliminating most or all animal products from one's diet cannot be ignored by Canadians eager to optimize their personal carbon and water footprint;Agriculture is identified among the "Causes of Climate Change" on the website. As it is a significant part of the climate change crisis it should be part of Canada's solution;The climatechange.gc.ca website recognizes that reducing short-term forcers like methane "will quite quickly lead to reduced atmospheric levels of such substances"; andThe Dieticians of Canada have declared a fully plant-based diet not only safe but among the most healthful; therefore, animal agriculture is an emissions sector that, unlike most sectors featuring fossil fuel pollution, can be eliminated entirely from a Canadian's footprint;We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to add to the climatechange.gc.ca webpage "Top 10 Things You Can Do To Help": 1. Choose truly sustainable, plant-based food. Your carbon and water footprint is closely tied to the food you eat. When you consume animal products you are responsible for not only the resources for their husbandry, slaughter, packaging and transport, but the growing and transport of the food that they consumed. Grain-fed cows are the most resource intensive while grass-fed ones create the most greenhouse gases. On a global scale, deforestation for rangeland and feed crops contribute to the crisis, while reforestation draws carbon out of the atmosphere.8545-421-3-39 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentClimate change and global warmingEnvironmental protectionMeat and livestock industryWeb sites42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1168e-1168 (Student loans)CaseyLalondeElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJune 30, 2017, at 9:48 a.m. (EDT)October 28, 2017, at 9:48 a.m. (EDT)December 1, 2017January 29, 2018October 30, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Total student debt in Canada is currently over $28 billion;Students with $30,000 of Canada Student Loan debt will pay over $10,000 in interest;Total interest payments from all borrowers charged by Canada Student Loans in 2015-2016 was $580 Million;Debt owed to Canada Student Loans in 2015 was $19 billionOutstanding student loan interest payments reduces the borrowers ability to repay the loan principle sooner;Students graduating with large debt loads are less able to save for retirement or invest their income;The increasingly precarious nature of the labour market means less borrowers will be able to make student loan payments;We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada and Canada Student Loan borrowers, call upon the Government of Canada to eliminate the practice of charging interest on all outstanding and future Canada Student Loans.8545-421-192-01 Government Response to petitions concerning student loansCanada Student Grants and LoansGrants and loans for studentsInterest payments42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 8, 2017e-1183e-1183 (Air transportation)BillVauthrinTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABJuly 10, 2017, at 12:43 p.m. (EDT)November 7, 2017, at 12:43 p.m. (EDT)November 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:On March 16, Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced new regulations for recreational drone use;The new restrictions – specifically that which prohibits drones from being flown within 75 meters of buildings, people and animals – are excessive, and essentially make it impossible to use a drone recreationally in urban areas and extremely difficult in rural areas;The new requirement that users have their address on their drone forces individuals to unnecessarily publicize their personal information;The Government of Canada is imposing an overly difficult regulatory environment for the emerging hobby of recreational drone use;According to a report entitled, “Drones Reporting for Work,” a hundred billion dollars could be spent worldwide on recreational drones between 2016 and 2020;Flying hobby drones is a fast-growing activity for seniors, families, and children, and the majority of recreational drone users fly their drones in a safe and respectful manner;We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to amend the recently implemented regulations, to make them more effective and reasonable, and to balance safety and privacy with the freedom to use recreational drones responsibly, instead of simply regulating recreational drone use out of existence.Air safetyRecreationRemotely piloted aircraft42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1179e-1179 (Canadian heritage)MaureenHulbertNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONJuly 11, 2017, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)November 8, 2017, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)December 4, 2017January 29, 2018November 9, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada does not currently have a National Flower;A National Flower that naturally occurs in every province and territory would be a symbol of Canada that would connect us with each other and with this great land;The Master Gardeners of Ontario created an online poll to choose a National Flower that would (a) occur in every province and territory, and (b) not already be an official provincial or territorial flower; andAlmost 10,000 Canadians voted in the poll over a four-month period, and 79.5 per cent of the voters chose Cornus Canadensis (Bunchberry/Quatre-temps/Kawiscowimin (Cree)) as their preferred choice.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to designate Cornus canadensis as Canada’s Official National Flower.Cultural symbolsFlowers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 11, 2017e-1192e-1192 (Discrimination)LeslieSowiakTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABJuly 12, 2017, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)November 9, 2017, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2017December 11, 2017November 9, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In 2017, the Minister of Justice tabled Bill C-51, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Department of Justice Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act;It proposes to remove Section 176 of the Criminal Code Act which would eliminate protection for faith leaders and malicious interference with funerals, rituals, and other assemblies of any faith;In May, 2017 parliamentarians unanimously passed Bill C-305, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief), that will give extra protection to a building or structure, that is primarily used for religious worship - including a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple;While the Parliament of Canada is strengthening the protection of property through Bill C-305, by eliminating Section 176 of the Criminal Code Act it is weakening the protection for faith leaders and assemblies of people from freely practicing their religion, whatever that religion may be on those same properties;According to Statistics Canada, over a third of reported hate crimes in Canada were motivated by hatred of a religion, and thus repealing Section 176 would remove valuable protection for faith leaders and assemblies.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to abandon any attempt to repeal Section 176 of the Criminal Code Act and stand up for the rights of all Canadians to practice their religion without fear of recrimination, violence, or disturbance.C-51, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Department of Justice Act and to make consequential amendments to another ActCriminal CodeFreedom of conscience and religion42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1194e-1194 (Omar Khadr)JacquesFarleyHon.PierrePoilievreCarletonConservativeONJuly 13, 2017, at 4:01 p.m. (EDT)November 10, 2017, at 4:01 p.m. (EDT)November 14, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian government did not force Omar Khadr to fight for the Taliban and murder a U.S. medic;The Canadian government had no role in his subsequent incarceration;The people of Canada owe Omar Khadr no compensation;We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to condemn Prime Minister Trudeau's $10.5 million payment to Omar Khadr.Government compensationKhadr, Omar42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1162e-1162 (China)NamdolTenzinRandallGarrisonEsquimalt—Saanich—SookeNDPBCJuly 18, 2017, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)November 15, 2017, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)November 21, 2017January 29, 2018November 17, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In 1949, the People’s Liberation Army invaded and colonized Tibet despite strong resistance by the Tibetan people;The 1959 Tibetan National Uprising against the repressive policies of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) resulted in imprisonment and deaths of thousands of Tibetans;Over 6000 Tibetan monasteries have been destroyed while residents of the monastic dwellings are evicted and prohibited from continuing their practice. In July 2016, Chinese authorities began the demolition of the world’s largest Tibetan Buddhist academy, Larung Gar, with the goal of downsizing the institute to half its original population.On May 19, 2017, a Tibetan monk in his 20s set himself on fire marking the 150th self-immolation. The act of self-immolation is what Tibetans have resorted to in protest of heightened persecution and lack of human rights.Canada is committed to protecting and promoting human rights of Canadians as well as global citizens. Global Affairs Canada recently adopted guidelines on Supporting Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) to provide Canada’s diplomatic officials a tool for helping empower HRDs.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: Urge China to fulfill its obligations to international human rights;Create a comprehensive report, in line with the guidelines from Voices at Risk, on Tibetan HRDs within PRC that includes a database to document individual cases, information about access to fair trials, legal support, and prisoners' rights; andMake public interventions on behalf of Tibetan HRDs, particularly the 11th Panchen Lama.ChinaCivil and human rightsPanchen LamaTibet42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 17, 2018e-1165e-1165 (Pension system)LouisetteHintonMarjolaineBoutin-SweetHochelagaNDPQCJuly 21, 2017, at 9:58 a.m. (EDT)November 18, 2017, at 9:58 a.m. (EDT)December 13, 2017January 17, 2018November 20, 2017Petition to the<Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Hundreds of retirees and workers across Canada have been or will be victims of benefit cuts to their supplemental pension plan because of the bankruptcy or insolvency of their former employer,A vote on the text of this petition passed unanimously in the National Assembly of Quebec on February 14, 2012,The CLC convention on May 7, 2014, urged the Canadian Labour Congress and unions across the country to encourage the entire Canadian workforce to join together in the fight to amend Canada’s bankruptcy legislation,We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens and workers, call upon the Government of Canada to reform the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act so that supplemental pension plans are treated as priority creditors in the event of a corporate bankruptcy or restructuring.8545-421-98-04 Government Response to petitions concerning the pension systemBankruptcyCompanies Creditors Arrangement ActPension guaranteesPreferred creditors42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-982e-982 (Police officers)MarkClementsHon.DominicLeBlancBeauséjourLiberalNBJuly 27, 2017, at 9:35 a.m. (EDT)November 24, 2017, at 9:35 a.m. (EDT)December 12, 2017January 29, 2018November 24, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:On average there are 150 officers for every 100 000 citizens. Less than 70% are on the street.The rate of police strength has now declined for four consecutive years.Due to the changing context of police work and criminal activity, demands on policing is being challenged.As per No. 5, police response times are ever increasing.Criminals are on the go 24/7 and do not follow the laws. Terrorism is on the rise.The majority of officers work alone in a car or municipality with no on duty backup.Officers carry one service pistol with a shotgun or carbine locked in the police vehicle.Officers are not allowed to carry a backup firearm, nor conceal carry one when off duty.We trust the police to carry a firearm while on duty, so we should trust them to conceal carry when off duty.We trust the police to carry a firearm when employed, so we should trust them to conceal carry when retired.At any given time there are more off duty and retired officers around than the on duty officer.Allowing on duty officers to carry a backup firearm will make their lives safer and in turn the public safer.Allowing off duty and retired officers conceal carry a firearm will make them safer and the public safer.We, the undersigned, Citizen of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: Allow on duty officers to carry a backup firearm on their person. Allow off duty officers to conceal carry a firearm. Allow retired police officers to conceal carry a firearm.Carrying concealed weaponsFirearmsPolice officers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-1124e-1124 (Parental rights)Étiennevan SteenbergheSylvieBoucherBeauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d'Orléans—CharlevoixConservativeQCJuly 28, 2017, at 10:06 a.m. (EDT)November 25, 2017, at 10:06 a.m. (EDT)December 4, 2017January 29, 2018November 27, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada </Addressee>Whereas:for several decades we have been witnessing a shift in family models, with more and more families separating; children have the right to spend equal time with both of their parents who love them and whom they love; many studies show that children must spend as much time as possible with both parents to prevent relational disengagement; it’s important to recognize the key role and commitment of each parent toward their child(ren); the justice system often gives primary custody to the mother, if the parents disagree; most parental conflicts involve the child’s care and, if care is shared equally by default, the parents could focus their energy on their child(ren) instead of on the conflict; it would be necessary to rethink the situation to ensure greater balance (especially for shared parental time) between both parents, in the best interests of the child; We, the undersigned residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to update legislation dealing with divorce and parental separation so that:- if the parents are able, shared custody be the default option for children if their parents separate;- if geographic distance means that shared custody is not an option (and if the parents are able), any solution to ensure the most contact possible with the “non-guardian” parent be prioritized. Child access rightsFamily lawJoint child custodyParents42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 26, 2018e-1205e-1205 (Food policy)FéelehouillerNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONAugust 1, 2017, at 2:32 p.m. (EDT)November 29, 2017, at 2:32 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2018March 26, 2018November 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas :According to the Dietitians of Canada, “a healthy vegan diet has many benefits, including lower rates of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure / cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.”;Against the backdrop of the breaking and shining news that Canada’s New Draft Food Guide 2017 Favors Plant-Based Protein And Eliminates Dairy As A Food Group;Considering that the American Medical Association is now telling hospitals to go vegan and ban meat and dairy, and that the Institute of Research on Cancer is asking the population to cut down meat and avoid processed meat;Following a vegan diet is the best action to reduce one's ecological footprint (United Nations, Greenpeace, Forbes, Oxford Martin School's research);For a number of reasons, including the environment, animal welfare, and health, many Canadians are choosing to adopt plant-based diets and lifestyles, or have reduced their consumption of animal products;A poll commissioned by the Vancouver Humane Society in 2015 indicates that 33% of Canadians are either already vegetarian or now eat less meat; andIn Portugal, a strict vegetarian option is required to be provided in all public canteens, including schools, universities, prisons, and hospitals.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to require public canteens under federal jurisdiction to provide a vegan option, and to raise this issue and work with provincial and territorial counterparts to require the same at all levels of government.NutritionRestaurants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-1208e-1208 (Trucking and truckers)JeannetteHolman-PriceMonaFortierOttawa—VanierLiberalONAugust 1, 2017, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)November 29, 2017, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)June 7, 2019August 21, 2019November 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We have seen for decades that sideguards can play an important role in making communities safer;Over 800 Canadians die each year under the wheels of large vehicles. Sideguards have been proven to save lives in many other jurisdictions;There have been many coroners' reports recommending sideguards as remedies to these avoidable tragedies. These reports have covered fatalities in Canada dating back to 1986 with the latest published this year;The European Community has required sideguards for all heavy vehicles since 1989 and the United Kingdom for over 30 years;Large US cities such as Boston, Chicago, Washington, Portland and New York have all made the proactive decision to put sideguards on their fleets of trucks, following the available research; andMany jurisdictions across our country have already begun to require that all new purchases of heavy vehicles be pre-equipped with sideguards. Cities such as St. John's, Halifax, Westmount, Saint Laurent and Longueuil and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador have outfitted their government fleets.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to ensure that the next revision of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act includes a regulation update that ensures all trucks built in or imported to Canada are equipped with this proven lifesaving equipment by 2025 and that the Government of Canada take measures to install sideguards on all federal government vehicles where needed and is practicable within a reasonable period of time.Motor Vehicle Safety ActSide guardsTraffic accidentsTrucking and truckers42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 30, 2017e-1214e-1214 (Alcoholic beverages)AustinCaronJohnBarlowFoothillsConservativeABAugust 2, 2017, at 10:51 a.m. (EDT)November 30, 2017, at 10:51 a.m. (EDT)November 30, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has thousands of quality craft beers from coast to coast to coast. Canadian brewers should have the right to sell their products anywhere in Canada without government interference. Consumers also deserve better and eliminating internal trade barriers will provide greater choice to all Canadians;These outdated and unnecessary laws are stifling Canada’s economic growth and hurting Canadian small business. Eliminating these unnecessary trade barriers will drastically improve Canada’s economy. Freer trade amongst the provinces and territories will grow the Canadian economy and will create jobs; andEliminating trade barriers between the provinces is good for our economy, is good for business, and is good for Canada.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to work with the provinces and ensure alcohol will be added to the new Canadian Free Trade Agreement by Summer 2018.Alcoholic beveragesCanadian Free Trade AgreementInterprovincial tradeTrade barriers42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1204e-1204 (Port of Churchill)PatriciaKandiurinNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBAugust 8, 2017, at 4:23 p.m. (EDT)December 6, 2017, at 4:23 p.m. (EDT)December 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Port of Churchill and the rail line to Churchill have been shut down by Omnitrax;Freight is no longer arriving into the community by rail and food prices have increased;Local businesses and the local and regional economy have been impacted significantly; andOmnitrax refuses to fix the rail line.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to support the proposal to repair the train tracks, re-nationalize the Port and rail line, and work with Churchill and northern First Nations to take it forward.Closing of facilitiesPort authoritiesPort of Churchill42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 26, 2018e-1209e-1209 (Boating)RaynaldCollardXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCAugust 8, 2017, at 4:24 p.m. (EDT)December 6, 2017, at 4:24 p.m. (EDT)February 8, 2018March 26, 2018December 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The situation on the banks of the Richelieu is becoming increasingly alarming;The number of accidents involving watercraft and those around them that are caused by drunken boaters and festive gatherings is growing;Riverfront property owners and nearby residents are filing more and more complaints about noise pollution from boats;The erosion of the riverbanks, which continues to worsen, particularly owing to increased flooding, is causing major damage to the environment and property along the river; andThe environmental situation is becoming increasingly problematic and disastrous, directly affecting fish stocks and threatening species with extinction.We, the undersigned, citizens from the Richelieu region, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to consider establishing regulations to limit the speed of boats on the Richelieu River and to make it easier for provincial, municipal, and civilian authorities to address this issue.8545-421-201-01 Government Response to petitions concerning boatingDownload responsibilityInland watersMaritime safetySpeed limits42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 26, 2018e-1219e-1219 (Cruelty to animals)CharleneMyersNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONAugust 8, 2017, at 4:24 p.m. (EDT)December 6, 2017, at 4:24 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2018March 26, 2018December 7, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Undercover video taken in locations where chickens, turkeys, pigs, and cattle are raised, transported, and/or slaughtered have uncovered extreme animal abuse;A recent poll found that the majority of Canadians oppose animal cruelty to the extent that they are willing to pay more for food;Since spokespersons for the businesses in which such animal abuse is uncovered typically state that they were unaware the abuse was taking place, they do not appear to monitor their employees sufficiently to ensure that animals are not abused;Given the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has limited resources, video surveillance would be a cost-effective way of improving compliance with our laws, and ensure animals are treated more humanely; andIsrael and France have passed laws to require slaughterhouses to install video surveillance to improve the humane treatment of animals.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to require slaughterhouses and other industrial agri-businesses that raise, transport, or slaughter large numbers of animals to install video surveillance equipment, with a feed that can be viewed by CFIA officials and the public.AbattoirsComplianceCruelty to animalsMeat and livestock industry42nd Parliament229Not certifiedDecember 11, 2017e-1221e-1221 (Nuclear and military exports)RezaEshaghianLindaDuncanEdmonton StrathconaNDPABAugust 11, 2017, at 8:55 a.m. (EDT)December 9, 2017, at 8:55 a.m. (EDT)December 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Saudi Arabia has a long history of significant human rights violations within their borders;Saudi Arabia is participating in the Yemen civil war and is breaking conditions of the Geneva Convention by deliberately targeting civilians and civilian structures in Yemen, as documented by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Médecins Sans Frontières and the United Nations;Other governments have recognized these human rights violations and called for action: The European Parliament called on the European Union to impose an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia and Sweden cancelled its arm deal with Saudi Arabia in 2015;Canada is currently selling light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia;Weapons sold to Saudi Arabia may be used to break humanitarian law and kill innocent civilians; andCanadians take pride in Canadian principles, which include the protection of human rights.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Stand for Canadian Principles of Human Rights and stop supporting the Saudi Arabian violation of international humanitarian law by:1) Immediately halting all transfer of Canadian made weapons to Saudi Arabia2) Cancel all active and pending arms deals with Saudi Arabia3) Reject all future arms deals with Governments with human right violations, including Saudi ArabiaCivil and human rightsExportsMilitary weaponsSaudi Arabia42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2018e-1220e-1220 (Waste management)LynnJonesDavidMcGuintyOttawa SouthLiberalONAugust 11, 2017, at 10:15 a.m. (EDT)December 9, 2017, at 10:15 a.m. (EDT)February 28, 2018March 22, 2018December 11, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Three project proposals for permanent disposal of the federal government’s radioactive waste are being reviewed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012);These projects would inevitably result in long-term radioactive contamination of the Ottawa and Winnipeg Rivers;Ongoing environmental assessments of the three radioactive waste disposal projects lack legitimacy; they are hampered by serious flaws in CEAA 2012 identified in the April 2017 report of the Expert Panel to review federal environmental assessment processes. CEAA 2012: does not provide early and ongoing public participation opportunities that are open to all; does not ensure that information is easily accessible, and permanently and publicly available; and gives the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) sole authority to decide if a nuclear project would cause significant adverse environmental effects; andThe Government of Canada plans to enact new environmental assessment legislation in 2018.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1) suspend all environmental assessments of projects involving permanent disposal of radioactive waste;2) restart these projects under new environmental assessment legislation; and3) adopt the Expert Panel recommendation that a new federal impact assessment authority replace the CNSC as decision maker for nuclear projects.8545-421-35-05 Government Response to petitions concerning waste managementEnvironmental assessmentExpert panelsNuclear safety and securityNuclear wasteWaste management42nd Parliament229Not certifiedDecember 15, 2017e-1223e-1223 (Health care services)MeeraGILLKenHardieFleetwood—Port KellsLiberalBCAugust 14, 2017, at 2:56 p.m. (EDT)December 12, 2017, at 2:56 p.m. (EDT)December 15, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We have had 5 shootings in the past 7 days, and many dozens in the past three years;Lack of support and accountability in and around our schools coupled with the ineffectiveness of the social programs have left a generation without proper attention, support, guidance or direction;By end of June, drug overdoses have claimed 780 victims; andWe have 4000 homeless in Metro Vancouver and mental illness is on a drastic increase.We, the undersigned, Residents of the Lower Mainland Region, call upon the Government of Canada to initiate an emergency intervention to bring peace, order and pride to the region, looking at the evidence-based models from around the world (i.e. Portugal’s proactive and humane approach to drug users). We request a compassionate and corrective approach instead of indifference and punitive enforcement and judicial governance. We ask for the collaborative and harmonized efforts by the three levels of government to address the current deficiencies of our systems by providing: (a) a publicly funded-mental wellness care for youth and parents that involves schools, government, non-government organizations and communities as equal partners; (b) practical and employable education and learning supports for all graduating youth with the extra focus on youth at-risk; and (c) social assistance programs and policies that conclude increased social integration of the marginalized groups. We ask for a “real change”. We all will fully participate in preserving the peace and harmony of our region.British ColumbiaFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment assistanceHealth educationMental healthPublic healthSocial benefitsYouth at risk42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-1201e-1201 (Republic of Yemen)AlanLensinkKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCAugust 14, 2017, at 3:08 p.m. (EDT)December 12, 2017, at 3:08 p.m. (EDT)May 13, 2019August 21, 2019December 15, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The citizens of the Republic of Yemen are suffering from a series of humanitarian disasters, triggered by a violent war that began in 2015. The loss of life, health, and safety is heart-breaking. The situation has been called "Syria without the cameras.";Over 10,000 civilians have been killed;Over 42,000 have been injured;Over 3 million people have been internally displaced;Over 14 million people are facing famine and malnutrition;The country is being bombed by a Saudi Arabia-lead Arab coalition, which has routinely struck civilian targets; striking hospitals (such as the Haydan Hospital on October 26, 2015, the Shiara Hospital on January 10, 2016, and the Abs hospital on August 15, 2016), a funeral (on October 8, 2016, killing over 140 people), and a school (on April 7, 2015, injuring children);Over 400,000 people are suffering from cholera, a treatable disease. It is the worst cholera outbreak on record; andMeanwhile, the Saudi-lead coalition is imposing an effective blockade on the country, with life-saving supplies of food, medication and fuel often delayed for months. United Nations aid workers were prevented from entering Yemen on July 18, 2017.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: • Initiate an exceptional diplomatic effort, urging the Saudi-lead coalition to immediately cease its airstrikes;• Open all possible diplomatic channels to urge Yemeni combatants to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities;• Encourage both sides in the conflict to seek a long-term, peaceful, and democratic resolution; and • Undertake a massive increase of life-saving humanitarian aid to Yemen.Foreign policyHumanitarian assistance and workersPeacekeeping and peacemakingRepublic of Yemen42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 3, 2018e-1224e-1224 (Rail transportation)FélixGravelHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCAugust 16, 2017, at 1:48 p.m. (EDT)December 14, 2017, at 1:48 p.m. (EDT)March 20, 2018May 3, 2018December 15, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:Across Canada, people’s movements are constrained by railways in inhabited areas. The lack of safe crossings is a major barrier to residents’ mobility, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.The rail companies, such as Canadian Pacific (CP) and Canadian National (CN), can block the construction of safe crossings;In Montreal, CP has repeatedly refused to allow the crossings proposed by the City of Montreal. The City of Montreal entered into mediation with the Canadian Transportation Agency, but this effort failed;CN also makes moving between different neighbourhoods complicated, especially in Pointe St. Charles, where overpasses are too few and unsafe to promote active transportation; andIn Toronto, in British Columbia and elsewhere in the country, accessibility is seriously limited by railways and a lack of safe crossings for cyclists and pedestrians. For example, the closure of a bridge over the Kicking Horse River is hurting the local whitewater rafting industry.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to allow railways to be crossed by new, safe and well-defined level crossings and foot bridges that encourage active transportation.Level crossingsRail transport safety42nd Parliament229Not certifiedDecember 18, 2017e-1215e-1215 (Hazardous products)JanetMcNeillNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONAugust 17, 2017, at 12:35 p.m. (EDT)December 15, 2017, at 12:35 p.m. (EDT)December 18, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The nuclear regulators of Canada and the United States have approved the shipment of 23,000 litres of highly radioactive liquid – to be trucked over 2000 kilometres from Chalk River, Ontario to the Savannah River Site in South Carolina;These shipments are to utilize casks never physically tested for liquid contents;The nature of the liquid material has been mischaracterized by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) as “Uranyl Nitrate Liquid,” whereas the liquid solution contains dozens of radioactive waste materials collectively more than a thousand times more radioactive than uranyl nitrate;This project is projected to consist of between 100 and 150 truckloads over a period of several years;There is considerable opposition to this project in both countries by both citizens and elected officials;Calculations show that one litre of this liquid is sufficient, in principle, to ruin the drinking water supply for any city in North America;There is no need for these shipments, given that the highly enriched uranium can be eliminated by “downblending” at the Chalk River site; andThe radioactive liquid can also be solidified at the Chalk River site as has been done for similar radioactive liquids at Chalk River over the past 14 years.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to suspend these shipments immediately, pending an independent environmental assessment that will consider alternatives such as down-blending and solidification of the liquid, as originally planned.Environmental assessmentFreight transportationNuclear safety and securityRadioactive materials42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1228e-1228 (Canadian citizenship)MariamManaaPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONAugust 17, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT)December 15, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT)February 13, 2018March 19, 2018December 18, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is a country that was founded during the era of colonization;Policies implemented by the colonizing Nations and respective Canadian governments aimed at the assimilation of Indigenous Nations into a homogenized Canadian society;In recent history, Canada has embraced that diversity which is at the core of our national identity and strength;The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called on all Canadians to begin the process of reconciliation and the current government has reiterated that there is no more important relationship than the one between the government of Canada and Indigenous Nations; andThe current Discover Canada Study Guide and Citizenship Exam does not include any requirement to learn about the Indigenous Nations of Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to continue to work in consultation and partnership with Indigenous Nations located across Canada as well as the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to redevelop the Discover Canada Study Guide curriculum and Citizenship Exam so that it acknowledges Indigenous Treaty Rights, Requires applicants to answer a question regarding the Traditional Territories that they are currently inhabiting, and Upholds the spirit of the commitment made in the Minister of IRCC's mandate letter to educate new Canadians on residential schools and the legacy of colonialism.8545-421-89-04 Government Response to petitions concerning Canadian citizenshipAboriginal peoplesCanadian historyCitizenship and identityDiscover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of CitizenshipStudy guides42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 8, 2018e-1207e-1207 (Cannabis)WayneComeauColinFraserWest NovaLiberalNSAugust 24, 2017, at 3:08 p.m. (EDT)December 22, 2017, at 3:08 p.m. (EDT)January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:In 2016, The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, announced forthcoming legislation pertaining to cannabis while at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem;Industrial hemp is regulated by Health Canada and is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant;The Cannabis sativa plant was first grown and harvested in, what is now Canada, by European settlers in 1605;Current Industrial Hemp Regulations (IHR) impose limitations to whole plant harvesting and processing;The CBD cannabinoid is a byproduct of the Cannabis sativa plant and is considered nonpsychoactive;Recent uses of the CBD cannabinoid have increased to treat medical conditions such as anxiety and seizures; andThe CBD cannabinoid is unable to be extracted from Industrial hemp due to Industrial Hemp Regulations (IHR) limitations.We, the undersigned, Concerned citizens of Canada and Medical Cannabis Patients, call upon the Government of Canada to : (a) Reclassify Cannabis Sativa within the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 1996, c. 19) from SCHEDULE II;(b) Remove the restriction towards harvesting and activities with whole industrial hemp plants, including sprouts, or the leaves, flowers or bracts of those plants within the Industrial Hemp Regulations (SOR/98-156);(c) To permit, with appropriate license and condition, the extraction and use of the CBD cannabinoid from industrial hemp for medical purposes;(d) Enable innovation and growth; and(e) To further help relieve pain and suffering.CannabisControlled Drugs and Substances ActIndustrial hempPrescription drugs42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 22, 2018e-1239e-1239 (Tax system)NicolePerrymanHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABAugust 24, 2017, at 3:52 p.m. (EDT)December 22, 2017, at 3:52 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2018August 22, 2018January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:The Minister of Finance has released a proposal entitled “Tax Planning Using Private Corporations” which proposes to limit sharing business income with family members and raise taxes on investments (passive income) held by businesses;Small businesses are a significant source of economic diversification and economic growth in Canada;Small business owners take major risk in starting and running their businesses, and in keeping people employed through periods of economic instability;These proposed changes to the small business tax system will create instability and uncertainty for small business owners; andMany small business owners in Canada and those employed by small business feel that these changes are unfair and will hurt the Canadian economy.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to abandon his proposed changes in the “Tax Planning Using Private Corporations” proposal and to publicly commit to not raising taxes on small business owners which would adversely affect all Canadians.Corporate income taxSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTax policy42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1237e-1237 (Tobacco)SherwinEdwardsSimonMarcilMirabelBloc QuébécoisQCAugust 25, 2017, at 9:24 a.m. (EDT)December 23, 2017, at 9:24 a.m. (EDT)January 30, 2018March 19, 2018January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Scientific studies by the Royal College of Physicians in 2016 determined that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking tobacco;Scientific studies by Victoria University in 2017 backs up and substantiates findings from the Royal College of Physicians studies; andThe public and consumer have a right to a effective alternative designed to curb and break deadly tobacco addiction.We, the undersigned, constituents, call upon the Government of Canada to halt and review Bill S-5 currently making its way through the House of Common. Create a fair and logical category for vape products apart from tobacco.8545-421-153-02 Government Response to petitions concerning tobaccoElectronic cigarettesTobacco products42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 22, 2018e-1243e-1243 (Tax system)ShawnWhatleyHon.LisaRaittMiltonConservativeONAugust 25, 2017, at 9:26 a.m. (EDT)December 23, 2017, at 9:26 a.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018August 22, 2018January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada announced intentions to alter the current tax laws for small business;As small business operators, Ontario's doctors have utilized legitimate tax measures to plan for retirement and invest in health care; andThese proposed changes will jeopardize doctor's ability to invest in their small businesses and provide quality care for their community.We, the undersigned, Residents of the Province of Ontario, call upon the Minister of Finance to halt the proposed changes to the tax system that will have a detrimental effect on patient care.Corporate income taxDoctorsSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTax policy42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1244e-1244 (Protection of the environment)DonSullivanDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBAugust 25, 2017, at 2:46 p.m. (EDT)December 23, 2017, at 2:46 p.m. (EDT)January 31, 2018March 19, 2018January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229209" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:Both the Northwest Area Water Supply Project and the Red River Valley Water Supply Project in North Dakota falls within the purview of a specific provision under Article IV of the Boundary Waters Treaty Act;Both diversion projects will transfer water from the Missouri River Basin in the United States into the Hudson Bay drainage Basin and thus having the potential for adverse environmental impacts on both the Red and Souris Rivers and Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba; andThe Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Minister responsible for Boundary Waters Treaty, has the authority under Article IX of the Boundary Waters Treaty to refer these two projects to the International Joint Commission for review.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to refer these two water diversion projects in North Dakota, as per Article IX of the Boundary Waters Treaty, to the International Joint Commission for review to ensure "that the waters herein defined as boundary waters and waters flowing across the boundary shall not be polluted on either side to the injury of health or property on the other" as per the specific provision contained in Article IV of the Boundary Waters Treaty.Canada-United States relationsInternational Boundary Waters Treaty ActWater qualityWatersheds42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 1, 2018e-1235e-1235 (Employment Insurance Program)SarahCormierBlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABAugust 28, 2017, at 11:06 a.m. (EDT)December 26, 2017, at 11:06 a.m. (EDT)April 18, 2018June 1, 2018January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Employment Insurance parental benefits are revoked immediately following the death of a child under one year of age;Being forced to return to work immediately after losing a child is not always an option for grieving parents; andThe financial hardship that some parents have to go through, in addition to their grief, can be overwhelming.We, the undersigned, petitioners, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to look at ways to provide better support to parents who lose a child under the age of one.8545-421-180-04 Government Response to petitions concerning the Employment Insurance ProgramDeaths and funeralsEmployment insuranceInfantsParental leave42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 8, 2018e-1245e-1245 (Foreign policy)TAWFIQSULEVANITomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABAugust 30, 2017, at 10:24 a.m. (EDT)December 28, 2017, at 10:24 a.m. (EDT)January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is an autonomous region of Iraq with an institutionalized, functioning government;An independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is scheduled for September 25, 2017;The Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s current government is a democracy;Iraqi Kurdistan has remained committed to the respect of the rule of law and human rights;The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has consistently upheld the rights of ethnic and religious minorities;The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has accepted and is caring for 1.8 million refugees and Internally Displaced PersonsThe citizens of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have the right to vote on a proposal for self-determination;The constitution of Iraq was ratified by a referendum in 2005, thus the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s planned independence referendum reflects the same democratic principles and respect for the will of Iraqi Kurdistan’s citizens;We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to support the right of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to hold a referendum on September 25, 2017, on whether to pursue independence, and to recognize whatever outcome results from the transparent, democratic, and legitimate will of the people of Iraqi Kurdistan.IraqKurdistanReferendaSovereignty42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1252e-1252 (Pelvic floor dysfunction)DesireeNorwoodRachaelThomasLethbridgeConservativeABSeptember 5, 2017, at 9:26 a.m. (EDT)January 3, 2018, at 9:26 a.m. (EDT)February 7, 2018March 19, 2018January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Healthcare system is critically outdated when it comes to women's pelvic health;83% of college educated women do not know about the pelvic floor muscles and the role they play in pregnancy and delivery; and1 in 3 women suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to ensure all women have access to education and resources to prevent pelvic floor dysfunction in all stages of their lives.8545-421-198-01 Government Response to petitions concerning pelvic floor dysfunctionPelvic floor dysfunctionPublic healthWomen42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 22, 2018e-1249e-1249 (Tax system)JosephDevaneyHon.LisaRaittMiltonConservativeONSeptember 5, 2017, at 9:27 a.m. (EDT)January 3, 2018, at 9:27 a.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018August 22, 2018January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:On July 18, 2017, a consultation was launched regarding major proposed changes to the taxation of private corporations;These changes are proposed to ensure the “richest Canadians pay their fair share of taxes and that people in similar circumstances pay similar amounts of tax.”;Small business is vital. Most private corporations will be affected by these changes to some, if not a significant, degree. Tax burdens for some will greatly rise, retirement planning will be affected, and significant administration, complexity and uncertainty will be introduced. Such proposals will impact the core of small business, compliance and tax planning as it has been practiced since 1972;If not examined appropriately, small and medium enterprises, along with their 10.5 million employees, may suffer greatly; andGiven the importance of small business and entrepreneurial spirit to the Canadian economy, and Canada as a whole, a more in-depth and significant process is needed. We request that the consultation be given the diligence and respect its complexity, and pervasive impact on Canadian business, merits.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to: (a) extend the consultation submission period significantly beyond its scheduled 75 days; (b) make the provisions effective, at the earliest, after being passed into law; and (c) provide documentation identifying the significant concerns raised in the consultation with alternatives for amendments to the legislation or detailed explanation as to why none is merited.Corporate income taxInformation disseminationPrivate sectorPublic consultationSmall and medium-sized enterprises42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 8, 2018e-1233e-1233 (Canada Pension Plan)BarryConroyMarkGerretsenKingston and the IslandsLiberalONSeptember 6, 2017, at 1:57 p.m. (EDT)January 4, 2018, at 1:57 p.m. (EDT)January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Most Canadians work believing that if they pay into a registered pension plan, as well as health benefits, that they will be protected if they or one in their family gets ill;Very few Canadians know that if they get struck with bad health and an injury, that the current system created by the federal government allows the pension providers and insurance companies to deduct every dollar of Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit, from the pension you paid for retroactively; andVery few Canadian know that this retroactivity places them in debt to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. Many have to sell or mortagage their homes to repay the government and insurance companies. This doesn't happen to healthy people.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to pass legislation in Parliament, to review and eventually disallow the deducting of the Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits from sick Canadians registered pensions, these pensions have been paid for by Canadians by means of deductions from their pay checks, and to pass legislation in Parliament to retroactively return all monies deducted from these disabled Canadians registered income.Canada Pension PlanClawbackDisability benefitsPensions and pensioners42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1236e-1236 (Canada Post Corporation)ElaineHughesNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBSeptember 7, 2017, at 2:49 p.m. (EDT)January 5, 2018, at 2:49 p.m. (EDT)January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Over the last two decades, 1700 of Canada's rural towns, villages and some Indigenous communities, have lost access to financial services due to bank closures;Nearly 2 million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders with their crippling lending rates, hitting poor, marginalized, rural and Indigenous communities the hardest;Access to financial services is critical in keeping small communities alive and vibrant, especially with the trend to assist senior citizens, for example, to remain in their own homes as long as possible;Many Canadians do not own a vehicle or drive (especially in winter) to another town to access financial services or own a computer in order to seek access to financial services to do their financial transactions online;3,800 Canada Post outlets (60%) are in rural areas where there are fewer banks and credit unions and, as Canada Post already has the infrastructure to make a rapid transition to include postal banking, it would prove to be as viable alternative;Many global postal systems include access to banking - the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, and New Zealand – all publicly-owned and earn significant revenue without charging prohibitive fees and making the banking sector more competitive; andIt's time we had a public banking system that works for all Canadians.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to instruct Canada Post to make a rapid transition to include postal banking in its mandate.Banks and bankingCanada Post CorporationPostal services42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 8, 2018e-1255e-1255 (Syria)YoussefJeryous FaresHon.PierrePoilievreCarletonConservativeONSeptember 7, 2017, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)January 5, 2018, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Syrian population in Canada is increasing;There is no official embassy or consulate for Syrians in Canada; andSyrians need to complete their paperwork, renew their passports, bring their degrees from Syria, appoint someone to act as a deputy ship, and get a Syrian police record check.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to help Syrians open up a consulate in Canada. Embassies and consulatesSyria42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1259e-1259 (Tax system)RogerGravesHon.PierrePoilievreCarletonConservativeONSeptember 8, 2017, at 4:59 p.m. (EDT)January 6, 2018, at 4:59 p.m. (EDT)January 31, 2018March 19, 2018January 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Finance Minister announced on July 18, 2017 a public consultation on proposed tax changes affecting how private corporations operate in Canada;The Finance Minister’s proposals will increase taxes on investment income for small business people to 73%, force middle class farmers and small businesses to spend more on compliance and red tape and reduce the number of family doctors in our communities;As of December 2015, there were 1.14 million small businesses in Canada employing over 8.2 million Canadians (70.5%) of the total private labour force according to Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada; andThese proposed changes could have a significant negative impact on Canada’s economy, increase unemployment, and result in countless hard-working small business owners having to shut their doors.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to: (a) cancel these proposed tax increases; and (b) honour their election promise to lower the small business tax rate.Corporate income taxSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTax relief42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 10, 2018e-1189e-1189 (Museums)BrianBeardAlistairMacGregorCowichan—Malahat—LangfordNDPBCSeptember 12, 2017, at 8:54 a.m. (EDT)January 10, 2018, at 8:54 a.m. (EDT)January 10, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to have Canada's national museums, which are crown corporations, charge no admission to all visitors so that everyone, especially lower income families, can have the opportunity to learn about our great country.Crown corporationsFeesMuseums and galleries42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 16, 2018e-1210e-1210 (Research and development)BradleyFosterNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONSeptember 12, 2017, at 3:54 p.m. (EDT)January 10, 2018, at 3:54 p.m. (EDT)February 26, 2018April 16, 2018January 11, 2018Petition <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">to the House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Globally, and within Canada, a multitude of pilot studies and controlled clinical trials have established clear and experimentally-validated protocols for the safe use of psychedelics in clinical-therapeutic contexts;Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies have shown clear promise as breakthrough interventions for treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment resistant major depressive disorder, end-of-life anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients, and various substance addiction disorders (ranging from nicotine to alcohol to opioids) – debilitating conditions that the Parliamentary Information Service’s studies have concluded to cost the country well over $50 billion annually;Psychedelic compounds, and the plant sources they are derived from, cannot be patented, and as such, there is no incentive for pharmaceutical companies to invest in the development of these treatments despite a rapidly growing body of evidence supporting their effectiveness;As such, clinical research using psychedelics thus requires robust public funding in order to progress. Such funding would help to establish Canada as a world leader in the development of novel mental health treatments and interventions; andTherefore, given the strong precedent for the safe use of psychedelics in controlled-clinical settings,We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to request that the Minister acknowledge the potential for psychedelic research to generate novel and effective treatment options for these, and likely various other conditions, and to commit significant, multi-year, funding for major psychedelic research projects at hospitals and universities across Canada.Government assistanceHallucinogensMedical researchMedical techniques and procedures42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 3, 2018e-1247e-1247 (Tax system)GeoffreySanzDanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCSeptember 12, 2017, at 4:40 p.m. (EDT)January 10, 2018, at 4:40 p.m. (EDT)March 20, 2018May 3, 2018January 11, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:The Minister of Finance has released a proposal entitled “Tax Planning Using Private Corporations” which proposes to limit sharing business income with family members and to raise taxes on investments (passive income) held by businesses;Medical doctors (MDs) in Canada are largely self-employed and thus do not have the medical and dental benefits, paid vacation, parental leave, sick leave and pension plans enjoyed by other government employees;Medical Professional Corporations (MPCs) provide a vehicle for MDs to plan for retirement and to provide benefits for themselves and their families which are considered standard for other government employees;MPCs are small businesses with significant overhead costs;MPCs employ and provide benefits for a significant number of Canadians;Unlike other corporations, MPCs are unable to pass increasing costs (tax and otherwise) along to clients, as the fee schedule is set by the government; andObstructing the ability for MDs to plan for retirement and provide benefits and security for their families may drive some to leave Canada.We, the undersigned, the Medical Doctors of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to abandon his proposed changes in the “Tax Planning Using Private Corporations” proposal and to publicly commit to not raising taxes on small business owners which would adversely affect all Canadians. If the Minister of Finance decides to go ahead with proposed tax changes impacting Private Corporations, MDs should be offered government benefits, job security and pensions reflecting the education, training and the sacrifice necessary to enter their profession as well as the number of hours worked (overtime, evenings, nights and weekends) to serve their communities.Corporate income taxDoctorsEmployment benefitsSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTax Planning Using Private CorporationsTax policy42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 11, 2018e-1230e-1230 (National holidays)AmandaRogersMarkGerretsenKingston and the IslandsLiberalONSeptember 13, 2017, at 1:52 p.m. (EDT)January 11, 2018, at 1:52 p.m. (EDT)January 11, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:We have many statutory holidays in Canada, all represent holidays celebrated by colonizers, and are often Christian based, regardless of the many cultures and ethnicities that make up the fabric of our diverse Canadian culture;Canada has a national day to celebrate the First People on Turtle Island, set by the government to be June 21st each year, this is not a recognized holiday and is unknown by the majority of the Canadian population;As we learn from and make changes as a result of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and its recommendations, taking the action of making National Aboriginal Day a statutory holiday across the country, will create an increased awareness of Indigenous cultures in the eyes of all Canadians and make one of the many needed efforts at authentic reconciliation; andIn addition, time and opportunity for education of the diversity of Aboriginal Cultures, contributions and issues will be made possible for all our nation’s people from coast to coast to coast. Enhancing First Nations, Inuit and Metis pride, promoting a genuine sense of recognition and hope, and providing Indigenous communities with the respect and honour long deserved, will create a richer Canada. One of which we can all be proud.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to declare June 21st, National Aboriginal Day to be a statutory holiday across this country.Aboriginal peoplesNational Aboriginal DayPublic holidays42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1261e-1261 (Bankruptcy)ErinCarrScottDuvallHamilton MountainNDPONSeptember 13, 2017, at 1:54 p.m. (EDT)January 11, 2018, at 1:54 p.m. (EDT)January 11, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian workers rely on their pensions and benefits so they can live and retire with dignity;Canada’s inadequate bankruptcy laws allow failing corporations to take the money intended for their employee’s pensions and benefits, and use it to pay off CEOs, banks and investors instead; andThe Liberal party campaigned on improving retirement security for Canadians.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the government of Canada to fix our bankruptcy laws to stop corporations from putting shareholders, banks and creditors ahead of their employees when they file for bankruptcy protection.BankruptcyBankruptcy and Insolvency ActPension guaranteesPreferred creditors42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 16, 2018e-1264e-1264 (Discrimination)DougThomasMarwanTabbaraKitchener South—HespelerLiberalONSeptember 14, 2017, at 2:23 p.m. (EDT)January 12, 2018, at 2:23 p.m. (EDT)March 1, 2018April 16, 2018January 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Approximately 25% of Canada’s people are non-believers; andThe International Humanist and Ethical Union, in its December 2016 Freedom of Thought Report, has identified Canada as a nation that systemically discriminates against non-believers.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to ask the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Canadian Heritage to investigate, through the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, with specific invitations to the national leaders of the secular humanist community, the systemic discrimination against non-believers in Canadian laws and regulations, specifically, but not limited to: (a) the National Anthems Act, 1980; (b) the Criminal Code of Canada, section 319 3(b); and (c) Regulations for registered charities under the Income Tax Act.Criminal CodeIncome Tax ActNational Anthem ActReligionSecularism42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 17, 2018e-1238e-1238 (Protection of the environment)PatrickYanceySeanFraserCentral NovaLiberalNSSeptember 18, 2017, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)January 16, 2018, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)January 17, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:110 nations around the world already recognize the right to a healthy environment;Most Canadians believe that nature is essential to our survival, and 85% agree that our Charter of Rights and Freedoms should include the right to a healthy environment;Environmental pollution costs Canada billions of dollars a year, and causes thousands of premature deaths; andEvery Canadian deserves the right to a healthy environment.We, the undersigned, concerned electors of Central Nova, citizens and residents of Canada, and representatives of future generations, call upon the Government of Canada to accept the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and take further actions, including an amendment to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to ensure the right to a healthy environment for all Canadians, including the right to breathe clean air, drink fresh water, consume safe food, access nature, know about the pollutants released into the local environment and participate in government decisions that will affect the environment.Canadian Charter of Rights and FreedomsEnvironmental lawEnvironmental protection42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1270e-1270 (Cannabis)ChantalTremblayJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierConservativeQCSeptember 19, 2017, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)January 17, 2018, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)January 31, 2018March 19, 2018January 17, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The dangers of marijuana use by young people and the latest research showing that brain development continues until the age of 25;According to experts in drug dependence and criminology, marijuana causes “amotivational syndrome” resulting in a chronic decrease in energy levels, motivation and the ability to concentrate at work or school as adults;The risks of aggravating the condition of people with mental illnesses and physiological effects such as cancer and other pulmonary disorders that could be caused by repeated cannabis use;The health of Canadians as well as the security and harmony of our towns and cities are threatened;The problems that marijuana use will cause for driving;To be consistent with our anti-drug efforts in Canada; andThe values that all Canadians have fought for and that we wish to pass on to our young people are preserved.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to reject Bill C-45 introduced on April 13, 2017, respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts (legalization of cannabis).CannabisLegalization42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1272e-1272 (Missing persons)SiobhanBoyleJamieSchmaleHaliburton—Kawartha Lakes—BrockConservativeONSeptember 19, 2017, at 5:45 p.m. (EDT)January 17, 2018, at 5:45 p.m. (EDT)January 29, 2018March 19, 2018January 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:In recognition of the Government of Canada’s responsibility to promote public safety;In recognition of the need to raise awareness of Canada’s missing;In recognition of the many countries that have already declared a National Missing Persons Day; andIn recognition of providing a day of remembrance, consolation, and call to action to support the families and friends of the tens of thousands of Canadians who go missing each year.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to declare and create a National Missing Persons Day, during which communities across the country could gather in remembrance of their missing loved ones and advocate for resources to reduce the frequency of disappearances and to support those left behind.Missing personsNational Missing Persons Day42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1271e-1271 (Health care services)DarrahTeitelIreneMathyssenLondon—FanshaweNDPONSeptember 19, 2017, at 5:54 p.m. (EDT)January 17, 2018, at 5:54 p.m. (EDT)January 29, 2018March 19, 2018January 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:After a historically lengthy review process, Health Canada finally approved the abortion pill, Mifegymiso, yet too many people in Canada still can’t access it;Canada has struggled to make abortion services accessible;Each dose can cost as much as $450 — an exorbitant price that makes it out of reach for all but the most privileged among us;Beyond costs, many of Health Canada’s exceptional conditions of use for this drug are problematic and unnecessary; andMaking medical abortion more easily available is an important way to expand choice and ensure the right to health and safety.We, the undersigned, who are committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally, call upon the Government of Canada to:1.  Encourage every province and territory in Canada to ensure that the cost of Mifegymiso is universally covered under public health care;2.  Ensure that the federal government promptly implement universal cost coverage for Mifegymiso for all federal patients;3.  Ensure that universal cost coverage programs making Mifegymiso available are rolled out in the timeliest and most inclusive way possible, with respect to those people who face discrimination due to race, class, geographical location and indigeneity; and 4. Encourage Health Canada to remove the remaining unnecessary restrictions that continue to jeopardize access to Mifegymiso.AbortionHealth services accessibilityMifepristone42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2018e-1275e-1275 (Israel)ThomasWoodleyHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCSeptember 21, 2017, at 4:39 p.m. (EDT)January 19, 2018, at 4:39 p.m. (EDT)February 6, 2018March 22, 2018January 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on December 23, 2016, states that “the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace“; andAll major Canadian political parties have declared their support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to demand that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.Foreign policyInternational conflict and international conflict resolutionIsraelPalestine42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 3, 2018e-1135e-1135 (Use of animals in research)AnneBirthistleElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCSeptember 21, 2017, at 4:28 p.m. (EDT)January 19, 2018, at 4:28 p.m. (EDT)March 20, 2018May 3, 2018January 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214321" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Justice</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is the only G8 country without federal government inspectors with the power to enforce rules governing animal treatment in testing and research labs;Canada has instead the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) — a body which can only investigate complaints with the co-operation of the research labs, and has never removed certification from any facility, no matter how egregious its violations;The CCAC is also only responsible for publicly funded organizations, leaving animals held at privately held labs, suppliers and teaching facilities completely unprotected; andUntil the harmful use of animals in research and testing is eliminated, it is our responsibility to protect these animals from egregious cruelty.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Justice to protect these animals, to bring Canada in line with other industrialized nations and to require licensing and regulation of all Canadian scientific laboratories, suppliers and teaching centres where animals are held and used.Animal experimentationAnimal rights and welfarePermits and licencesSetting of standards42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 23, 2018e-1234e-1234 (Official languages)JodeneMcNarlandRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBSeptember 22, 2017, at 9:55 a.m. (EDT)January 20, 2018, at 9:55 a.m. (EDT)January 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Indigenous languages were spoken on this land prior to both English or French and continue to be spoken today;Canada has a responsibility to support the use of these languages as a right;Historically, indigenous languages have been recognized in legislative proceedings in Canada, including the formation of the province of Manitoba;The Senate of Canada currently provides interpretation and translation services in Inuktitut for Inuit senators; andThe cost of providing these services is minimal.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to provide interpretation and translation services in Nehiyawewin/Cree in the House of Commons.CreeHouse of CommonsOfficial languages policySimultaneous interpretation and sound reinforcementTranslation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1283e-1283 (Childhood cancer)WayneReilNeilEllisBay of QuinteLiberalONSeptember 22, 2017, at 9:52 a.m. (EDT)January 20, 2018, at 9:52 a.m. (EDT)February 2, 2018March 19, 2018January 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Childhood cancer is the #1 killer of our children, more than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and pediatric AIDS combined;Children are dying daily, and nowhere near enough is being done to stop this;The majority of research is put towards breast cancer research which has a 90% survival rate as is;The childhood cancer numbers are rising, yet the research and funding are not, and this needs to change; andThe current amount of funding put towards research for childhood cancer of 4% just isn't enough.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, parents of children fighting cancer and who have already passed, call upon the Government of Canada to increase the amount of funding put towards research for childhood cancer.CancerChildrenGovernment assistanceMedical research42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1269e-1269 (Protection of the environment)LaurieGourlayRachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCSeptember 25, 2017, at 10:35 a.m. (EDT)January 23, 2018, at 10:35 a.m. (EDT)February 15, 2018March 19, 2018January 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Salish Sea is an ecologically, economically, and culturally rich area which provides critical marine habitat, biodiversity and essential ecosystems that are of as much importance to nature as to the peoples, regions and nations which reside alongside this unique ocean environment;Canada has promised to meet its international commitment, to honour the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals by protecting 10% of our coastline by the year 2020;There is a growing momentum and an increasing call to action by many nations of the world to find ways to meet the challenges of climate change, to restore our oceans and to work in partnership with First Peoples everywhere; andThe Prime Minister and Government of Canada have invited applications to be submitted for places exemplifying the outstanding universal values embraced by World Heritage Sites, including the historical, cultural and natural landscapes and seascapes of significance that are the foundation of our country.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to show leadership for coastal and marine protection initiatives by supporting the application for the Salish Sea's Canadian waters to be added to our country's Tentative List, for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.8545-421-3-41 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentMarine conservationSalish SeaWorld heritage42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1282e-1282 (Myanmar)PitasannaShanmugathasNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBSeptember 25, 2017, at 11:45 a.m. (EDT)January 23, 2018, at 11:45 a.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018September 17, 2018January 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Prime Minister</Addressee>Whereas:The Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar have been termed by the United Nations as the most persecuted minority in the world;Thirty to forty percent of the Rohingya population has now been ethnically cleansed into Bangladesh and, on the current trajectory, we can expect the entire population to be ethnically cleansed by the end of the year;The Rohingya of Myanmar are victims of ethnic cleansing, rape, violence and constant persecution in their homeland;Canada is a country that claims to stand for human rights and the protection of persecuted and endangered minorities;Foreign powers can play an integral role in halting the Myanmar military’s crackdown on the Rohingya people.; andThe international community must put pressure on countries, namely, China, Russia, Israel, Ukraine, and India to stop providing arms to the Myanmar military.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister to: 1) Make a commitment to allow stateless Rohingya refugees into Canada;2) Issue a plea in Parliament that countries stop providing arms to the Myanmar military;3) Put forward a UN General Assembly resolution calling on countries to stop providing arms to the Myanmar military; and4) Revoke Aung San Suu Kyi's honorary Canadian citizenship.8545-421-159-02 Government Response to petitions concerning MyanmarAung San Suu KyiHonorary citizenInternational relationsMilitary weaponsMyanmarRefugeesRevocation and resumption of citizenshipRohingya42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 24, 2018e-1287e-1287 (Myanmar)MostafaElhoushiHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCSeptember 26, 2017, at 11:25 a.m. (EDT)January 24, 2018, at 11:25 a.m. (EDT)January 24, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Atrocities are being committed against Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority in the Rakhine State by the Myanmar military and nationalists;These atrocities are being committed under the de facto leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi;Aung San Suu Kyi has been unwilling to condemn these atrocities (of which she is fully aware);Aung San Suu Kyi’s inaction on this matter is inconsistent with Canadian values and the principles of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law —principles which were used to justify giving Aung San Suu Kyi her honorary Canadian Citizenship; andAung San Suu Kyi has recently denied entry to the international UN investigation team from visiting the Rakhine State and has hindered international humanitarian aid to the area.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to revoke the honorary Canadian citizenship given to Aung San Suu Kyi and unequivocally condemn the atrocities committed by Myanmar's military and Myanmar nationalist groups against that nation's Rohingya Muslim minority.Aung San Suu KyiForeign policyHonorary citizenMyanmarRevocation and resumption of citizenshipRohingya42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 28, 2018e-1295e-1295 (Dairy products)Marie-ChantalHoudePierre-LucDusseaultSherbrookeNDPQCSeptember 27, 2017, at 11:07 a.m. (EDT)January 25, 2018, at 11:07 a.m. (EDT)February 14, 2018March 28, 2018January 25, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: Sheep and goat dairy farming is an innovative agricultural industry that, because of a lack of Canadian sheep’s milk, does not currently meet demand from Canadian consumers increasingly looking for these products; Dairy farms contribute to land use and build Canadian wealth; Sheep and goat dairy farms are already in a precarious financial situation given the current entry of European sheep’s milk cheese; Sheep and goat dairy farms will be even more heavily impacted than other dairy farms by massive imports of sheep’s milk cheese and the importation of 17,700 tonnes of European cheese caused by the recent free trade agreement; Financial support is vital to ensure that Canadian sheep and goat dairy farms are profitable and sustainable, as well as to modernize them so they can compete with European cheese imports; European dairy companies receive financial support from their governments; and Sheep and goat dairy farms suffered enormous harm by being willfully excluded from the Government of Canada’s dairy business program.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to rectify this injustice and to create a compensation program so that our sheep and goat dairy businesses can also receive financial support just like Canadian cow dairy farms.Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade AgreementDairy industryGovernment compensationTrade agreements42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2018e-1266e-1266 (Federal public service)SylvieGewehrHon.LarryBagnellYukonLiberalYTSeptember 28, 2017, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)January 26, 2018, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)January 31, 2018March 19, 2018January 30, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Phoenix pay system is causing tens of thousands of federal government employees undue hardship, stress in the workplace and mental health issues;156,000 federal government employees are reported to be affected by Phoenix, many more have stopped reporting their issues, and numerous error reports have been lost in the system;Federal government employees are unable to review and understand their pay to ensure its accuracy and have an increase work load due to the many hours spent on these issues;The number of backlog cases in the pay system has increased in the last months to reach over 237,000; andThe failure to properly pay the federal government employees violates Article 23, Section 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take immediate and drastic measures to ensure all federal government employees be paid as per their work contracts and collective agreements. Such measures could include: hiring enough professional and fully trained compensation advisers to allow every employee to review their pay file one-on-one and be made whole again; giving these compensation advisers direct access to Phoenix and the ability to adjust incorrect data in the system as needed; getting rid of the 1-800 numbers and call centres through which no effective help can be given to employees; and providing employees with clear and easy to understand written statements of actions taken on their pay files.8545-421-79-04 Government Response to petitions concerning the federal public serviceBacklogsComputer systemsIncome and wagesPhoenixPublic Service and public servants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 26, 2018e-1293e-1293 (Israel)KarenRodmanAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCSeptember 29, 2017, at 12:04 p.m. (EDT)January 27, 2018, at 12:04 p.m. (EDT)February 14, 2018March 26, 2018January 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Balfour Declaration, November 1917 proclaimed “that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine”;Today over 7 million Palestinians continue to be denied the right to return under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 (1948) which has been reiterated annually (most recently by UN General Assembly Resolution 71/91, 2016) — a right provided to all other refugees irrespective of country since 1950;The colonization of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, continues in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 446 (1979) and 465 (1980), although these resolutions remain aligned with Canada's official foreign policy, the Canadian government has not spoken out to condemn the recent aggressive legislation and actions by the Israeli government which further contravene these resolutions as well as the recent UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016);This colonization continues 50 years later, in contravention to numerous clauses of the Fourth Geneva Convention; andCanada is a high contracting party to the Fourth Geneva Convention which obliges all parties to ensure respect for the Convention by other parties “in all circumstances.”We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to live up to its role as a peacemaker and honest broker by upholding its own international obligations related to United Nations GA 194 (1948), and UNSC 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 465 (1980) and 2334 (2016); and fulfilling its responsibilities as a UN member state and signatory of the Fourth Geneva Convention.8545-421-200-02 Government Response to petitions concerning IsraelForeign policyIsraelPalestinePeacekeeping and peacemakingUnited Nations42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 29, 2018e-1292e-1292 (Social benefits)DavidFulksLindaDuncanEdmonton StrathconaNDPABOctober 3, 2017, at 1:10 p.m. (EDT)January 31, 2018, at 1:10 p.m. (EDT)February 14, 2018March 29, 2018January 31, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>We, the undersigned, residents Of Alberta, call upon the Government of Canada to implement a guaranteed annual income of $1,500 a month or $18,000 a year for all Canadian citizens 18 years and older. The $18,000 a year is in addition to any personal income you may already have earned.8545-421-165-02 Government Response to petitions concerning social benefitsGuaranteed annual incomeIncome distribution42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 26, 2018e-1263e-1263 (Immigration)MaryamZargarzadehJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCOctober 4, 2017, at 10:29 a.m. (EDT)February 1, 2018, at 10:29 a.m. (EDT)February 9, 2018March 26, 2018February 1, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Outland Spousal Sponsorship process takes more than a year, even up to 3 years, while the application is stuck in security screening despite the absence of a criminal record;Finalization of the security screening is waiting for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reports despite being completed by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service;CBSA security screening has no time-limit: it was 8-19 months in 2011 and in 2017, CBSA Vice-President Tina Namiesniowski mentioned there is no time-limit for CBSA security screening; The United States (with intensive security screening) have a 180 days policy after which Green Cards can be issued; As young professionals, most sponsors have little vacation time to be with their spouse and are required to stay in Canada; Sponsored persons cannot come to Canada as visitor visas are rejected;The separation of newly married couples is impacting their physical and mental health, putting their family and career life in danger; and Women are either giving birth and raising kids alone in Canada or are worried to miss the opportunity.We, the undersigned, Canadian spouses, their families and friends who are Canadian citizens and residents, call upon the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to:1) Give priority to outland spousal sponsorship cases in CBSA; 2) Define a 6-month time-frame for security screening; and3) If the security screening is taking more than 6 months, together with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, issue a dual-intent visitor visa or super visa for spouse.Canada Border Services AgencyImmigrant sponsorshipPassports and visasSecurity checksSpouses42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 3, 2018e-1296e-1296 (Immigration)VadenEarleDeanAllisonNiagara WestConservativeONOctober 4, 2017, at 4:18 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2018, at 4:18 p.m. (EDT)March 19, 2018May 3, 2018February 2, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Widlene Alexis Earle is in the care and legal guardianship of Canadian citizens for more than 8 years;Legislation in Dominican Republic (country of birth) has stripped Widlene of rightful citizenship;Haiti (country of ancestry) has denied citizenship for Widlene for being born out of the country;As a stateless child of Haitian decent, Widlene is subject to violent immigration sweeps by Dominican government;As an unwelcome, stateless child in Dominican Republic, Widlene has access to none of the basic human rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;Due to the lack of access to human rights, Widlene is in imminent danger of exploitation, marginalization, racism, sexism, and deportation; and All necessary requirements to grant Widlene access to Canada have been submitted by Widlene's father, Vaden Earle, at the Visa Application Centre in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on August 21, 2017, under the reference number V318314376 / D300071408.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to please grant Widlene Alexis Earle (Unique Client Identifier number 8770-2534) immediate access to Canada via a Temporary Residence Permit after which the Earle's will proceed to complete Widlene's adoption and her path to citizenship.Earle, Widlene AlexisTemporary resident status42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 18, 2018e-1274e-1274 (Federal public service)ErinEnneddamMarkStrahlChilliwack—HopeConservativeBCOctober 4, 2017, at 4:18 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2018, at 4:18 p.m. (EDT)May 24, 2018July 18, 2018February 2, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Phoenix pay system is not properly paying public servants and has no foreseeable solution.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to abolish the Phoenix Pay System and replace it with a pay system that has been proven to work with a variety of pay levels, hours of work and collective agreements, to pay all monies that are owed to the public servants, completely and on time, and to stop wasting tax payers money.8545-421-79-05 Government Response to petitions concerning the federal public serviceBacklogsComputer systemsIncome and wagesPhoenixPublic Service and public servants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 20, 2018e-1310e-1310 (Canadian citizenship)MichaelaGlasgoHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABOctober 6, 2017, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)February 3, 2018, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)February 6, 2018March 20, 2018February 5, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The citizenship guide is a tool utilized by newcomers to Canada as a resource to learn about our country and prepare for the citizenship testCanada is a welcoming and tolerant society that promotes gender equality at home and on the world stagePerforming or assisting in female genital mutilation (FGM) is a crime in CanadaRecent reports indicate that FGM practices are affecting Canadians, both at home and abroadWe, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure that the final draft of the new citizenship guide includes the condemnation of female genital mutilation.Citizenship and identityDiscover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of CitizenshipGenital mutilationStudy guides42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 22, 2018e-1301e-1301 (Protection of the environment)NicholasStangerElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCOctober 10, 2017, at 7:50 a.m. (EDT)February 7, 2018, at 7:50 a.m. (EDT)March 29, 2018May 22, 2018February 7, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Given current ecological, social and economic crises, our collective future depends on all levels of government and Canadians to make informed and responsible decisions regarding environment and sustainability matters;We have entered an age whereby human impact is approaching many ecological system boundaries such as fresh water usage, atmospheric pollution, and extinction of species;The current state of environmental education in Canada is inadequate to address these challenges and empower citizens to understand the complexity of the issues and take effective action; andThe government of Canada should provide coherent national leadership in environmental and sustainability education and recognize the importance of Indigenous knowledges and practices in the education of Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1.Take a leadership role in enacting a Canadian strategy that supports educators, communicators, community leaders, as well as provincial and municipal governments to take actions that result in healthy, sustainable, and flourishing human and ecological communities; and 2. Recognize fresh air, clean drinking water and healthy food as being human rights for all Canadians.8545-421-3-47 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentEducation and trainingEnvironmental lawEnvironmental protection42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 16, 2018e-763e-763 (Discrimination)DavidRandMarwanTabbaraKitchener South—HespelerLiberalONOctober 17, 2017, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)February 14, 2018, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)March 1, 2018April 16, 2018February 15, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Section 319 of the Criminal Code of Canada concerning hate propaganda prohibits the incitement of hatred against an identifiable group;Section 319 also sets out exemptions and, in paragraph 319(3)(b), states that “No person shall be convicted” for having expressed “an opinion based on a belief in a religious text”;The texts of a number of the world’s major religions include passages that denigrate and advocate hate toward non-believers, women, homosexuals and other ethnic and racial groups, and that may call for violence and even lethal violence;Religions therefore constitute a significant source of hate propaganda against a number of groups; andOne group’s freedom of religion must never take precedence over the fundamental rights of others and must never, under any circumstances, threaten the bodily integrity or the life of members of the groups targeted by the hate speech in religious texts. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to repeal this religious exemption regarding hate propaganda, specifically paragraph 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada.Criminal CodeFreedom of conscience and religionHate propaganda42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 15, 2018e-1314e-1314 (Air transportation)ChrisIsaacAngeloIaconoAlfred-PellanLiberalQCOctober 18, 2017, at 10:24 a.m. (EDT)February 15, 2018, at 10:24 a.m. (EDT)February 15, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Noise pollution from air traffic above Laval has increased greatly in recent years, particularly since late 2016 and early 2017;People’s quality of life has been affected by noise from aircraft travelling at low altitude;Scientific research and recent studies show that jet aircraft are among the worst sources of noise pollution and are a risk to health, particularly cardiovascular health; andMontreal’s airport authority, the administration d’Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), has been unable to develop an acceptable solution to reduce noise pollution from air traffic over Laval.We, the undersigned, residents of Laval, call upon the Government of Canada to take action by changing regulations so that the flight paths above Laval avoid densely populated areas, that the altitude at which these aircraft fly is increased significantly to minimize noise to residents, and that ADM follow international best practices to ensure the peaceful coexistence between the activities of the infrastructure that it administers and the residents of the greater Montreal area.Aéroports de MontréalAir trafficLavalNoise and noise pollution42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 16, 2018e-1320e-1320 (Veterans' affairs)DuncanPattersonElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCOctober 18, 2017, at 4:55 p.m. (EDT)February 15, 2018, at 4:55 p.m. (EDT)February 16, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Veterans Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act states that Canada is obligated “to show just and due appreciation to members and veterans for their service to Canada”;Many veterans who suffered injuries during the course of their service have been inadequately compensated;The process by which Veterans Affairs Canada evaluates disability benefits claims exceeds reasonably expected time frames;The five year statutory limit on back-pay eligibility unjustly punishes veterans for Veterans Affairs Canada’s application processing delays; andThe Minister’s mandate letter specifically lists a dedication to the “one veteran, one standard” approach.We, the undersigned, citizens and veterans of Canada, and their families, call upon the Minister of Veterans Affairs to remove any statutory limits on back-pay eligibility for the disability allowance and work with individual veterans to achieve just and due compensations for disability allowance in a timely manner.BacklogsDisability benefitsVeteransVeterans benefits42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 16, 2018e-1289e-1289 (National day)DavidHaisellNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONOctober 18, 2017, at 4:55 p.m. (EDT)February 15, 2018, at 4:55 p.m. (EDT)February 28, 2018April 16, 2018February 16, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:2017 is the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation;This anniversary is built on significant freedoms under the law;Canada has been a leader in the fight for human rights since the Act Against Slavery in 1793; andWe are in the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent.We, the undersigned, supporters of the Royal Commonwealth Society of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to declare August 1st as Emancipation Day across Canada.Black CanadiansEmancipation DaySlavery42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 5, 2018e-1327e-1327 (Impaired driving)JesseFurberMichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABOctober 23, 2017, at 2:40 p.m. (EDT)February 20, 2018, at 2:40 p.m. (EDT)April 26, 2018June 5, 2018February 21, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214321" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Justice</Addressee>Whereas:On average between 1,200 to 1,500 people each year are killed by impaired drivers;Tens of thousands of people each year are injured by impaired drivers;Impaired driving is the leading criminal cause of death;Impaired driving is a serious criminal behaviour that has resulted in carnage on Canada's roads;Impaired driving sentences are far too lenient;Denunciation, deterrence, and the promotion of responsibility are sentencing principles under the Criminal Code;Lenient sentences routinely given to impaired drivers is fundamentally unjust to the many victims of impaired driving and does not fit the seriousness of the offence;Bill C-46 does not include meaningful minimum penalties for impaired driving offences;Minimum penalties are consistent with sentencing principles under the Criminal Code;Minimum penalties will help ensure that impaired drivers are held accountable for the seriousness of the crime of driving while impaired; andBill C-46 does not strengthen penalties for the most serious impaired driving offence; impaired driving causing death.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Justice to introduce minimum penalties for impaired driving offences, and sentences proportionate to the gravity of the offence for impaired driving causing death.Impaired drivingMandatory sentencingVehicular homicide42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 22, 2018e-1308e-1308 (Diabetes)GurpreetPablaSoniaSidhuBrampton SouthLiberalONOctober 24, 2017, at 4:07 p.m. (EDT)February 21, 2018, at 4:07 p.m. (EDT)February 22, 2018Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214161" mp-riding-display="1"> the Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The government should recognize that diabetes and prediabetes affect over 11 million Canadians as of 2017 and that if nothing is done to address this mounting public health crisis, which disproportionately affects certain communities, Canadians will bear increasingly higher costs, both personal and financial;The government should recognize the serious impacts that diabetes and prediabetes have on millions upon millions of Canadians by marking the month of November, every year, as Diabetes Awareness Month;The Standing Committee on Health should study the important issue of diabetes and prediabetes, focusing on prevention and control, and develop a plan for a National Diabetes Strategy; andThe Committee should report back to the House within 90 days of the adoption of the motion M-118.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take action on M-118.Diabetes42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 16, 2018e-1311e-1311 (Income tax system)AnneRouleauRichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCOctober 27, 2017, at 12:45 p.m. (EDT)February 24, 2018, at 12:45 p.m. (EDT)March 2, 2018April 16, 2018February 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Cancer treatment centres and major medical and recuperative centres are located in densely populated cities in Canada. Everyone living in rural areas must travel long distances for cancer treatment, surgery, or injury rehabilitation and often incur crippling travel and accommodation costs. This affects 18 to 20 million people in all provinces and territories;Travel costs are deductible from taxes payable only in the year the costs are incurred. If a patient is unable to work during the treatment period, he or she pays lower taxes and therefore cannot recover travel expenses. No taxes payable, no deduction allowable;Medical travel costs cannot be brought forward to the following years when the patient is hopefully healed, back to work and paying taxes again;Canadians living in large communities within daily reach of major medical centres do not incur medical travel expenses but rural people do; andSeniors who work part time to enhance income, seasonal workers, self-employed workers and many others who cannot continue to work while ill, fall between the cracks. This leaves some of our most vulnerable citizens without recourse. Their medical travel costs are often a direct loss and unrecoverable.We, the undersigned, Citizens, Residents and Taxpayers of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the Income Tax Act in order to allow that medical travel costs, incurred in Canada, be deductible against future taxes payable.Health care systemTax creditsTravel42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 13, 2018e-1305e-1305 (Senate)AlvinFiddlerCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONOctober 27, 2017, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)February 24, 2018, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)April 30, 2018June 13, 2018February 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On March 7, 2017, Senator Lynn Beyak defended the Indian Residential School in the Senate of Canada. She stated that an “abundance of good” has come from the Residential School system, and that the schools were “well-intentioned” and “mistakes” should not overshadow “good things” that happened;On September 1, 2017, Senator Beyak posted a letter on her website repeating her defense of the Indian Residential School System, and urged First Nation people to “Trade your status card for a Canadian citizenship” . Indigenous Peoples are Canadian Citizens; andSenator Beyak’s comments are extremely offensive to not only Residential School Survivors but to all First Nations people. In a day where First Nations people and federal, provincial and municipal governments strive to reconcile our shared history, there is no room for the narrow-minded and dangerous views for a member of the Senate of Canada to have as they approve laws governing the country.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take steps to remove Lynn Beyak from her position as Senator.8545-421-64-02 Government Response to petitions concerning the SenateAboriginal residential schoolsBeyak, LynnSenate and senatorsTermination of employment42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 5, 2018e-1334e-1334 (Sexual exploitation of minors)JacquelineSteffenRonMcKinnonCoquitlam—Port CoquitlamLiberalBCNovember 2, 2017, at 5:09 p.m. (EDT)March 2, 2018, at 5:09 p.m. (EDT)March 5, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214321" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Justice</Addressee>Whereas:Between 2015 and 2016, the rate of police-reported sexual violations against children increased 30% to 6,917 incidents;Child pornography incidents increased from 4,380 incidents in 2015 to 6,245 incidents in 2016;Federal/Provincial institutions have limited sex offender treatment programs across Canada. Currently, there is no Correctional Service of Canada program geared specifically for child pornography or child sex offenders;Most child porn offenders receiving provincial jail time must wait until their sentence is over to access outpatient treatment as part of either parole or probation conditions; andUnder the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, the federal, provincial and territorial governments share responsibility for criminal justice, however only minimal short term counselling services and/or minimal financial compensation is provided for victims in some provinces and territories.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Justice to: work with provinces and territories by updating laws and provisions in the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights for financial compensation and extensive counselling services for child sex abuse victims, commit to working with international partners to combat online child sexual exploitation and child sex trafficking, provide funding for training and education of law enforcement officers and professionals working with child sex abuse and trafficking victims and sex offenders, and monitor whether, with the increase of sex offenders, more funding will be necessary for treatment programs in federal and provincial institutions as well as whether counselling and re-integration support programs are adequate upon release.Canadian Victims Bill of RightsChild sexual abuse and exploitationSex offenders42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 6, 2018e-1332e-1332 (Conflicts of interest)MelissaMcGlashanCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONNovember 3, 2017, at 1:50 p.m. (EDT)March 3, 2018, at 1:50 p.m. (EDT)April 23, 2018June 6, 2018March 5, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Minister of Finance until recently owned millions of dollars’ worth of shares in Morneau Shepell, a company founded by his father and of which he was an executive until elected and a firm with which the federal government does millions of dollars’ worth of business;The passage of government bills introduced by the Minister of Finance, such as C-27, which targets pensions and would make workers’ retirements less secure, would enrich the shareholders and managers of firms like Morneau Shepell, including, until recently, the Minister of Finance himself;Proposed changes to the tax code introduced by the Minister of Finance would incentivize small business owners to invest in private pension plans administered by private companies, and which would enrich the shareholders and managers of firms like Morneau Shepell, including, until recently, the Minister of Finance; Morneau Shepell will be handling the close-out of the Sears pension fund after an emergency debate in the House of Commons, on the subject of the company’s bankruptcy, was refused, which will financially benefit the shareholders of Morneau Shepell, including, until recently, the Minister of Finance; and The pattern of the Minister of Finance’s non-disclosure and retention of assets that could reasonably be seen to cause a conflict of interest has caused the Minister to lose the confidence of Canadians.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to : 1) immediately withdraw Bill C-27, An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 2) disqualify Morneau Shepell from government contract work3) remove Minister Bill Morneau from his position as Minister of Finance.C-27, An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Conflict of interestMinister of FinanceMorneau ShepellMorneau, BillPensions and pensioners42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 22, 2018e-1344e-1344 (Road transportation)KimberleyNelsonGordJohnsCourtenay—AlberniNDPBCNovember 6, 2017, at 9:18 a.m. (EDT)March 6, 2018, at 9:18 a.m. (EDT)March 29, 2018May 22, 2018March 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Cycling as active transportation, as a commercial interest, as a sport and as an inclusive, healthy and sustainable activity for all ages and abilities, is gaining in popularity and should be encouraged;Current rules, regulations, education and infrastructure are inadequate to promote and securely accommodate this growth;Canada faces critical challenges in the next few years, including soaring health care and infrastructure costs, criteria air contaminants (CACs), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, traffic congestion and reaching our emission reduction targets;Research has shown that increasing the percentage of people cycling creates significant savings and positive returns unmatched by any other type of government spending, leading organizations such as Canada Bikes to recommend the creation of a Canadian national cycling strategy, in line with global best practices; andThe 2016 ParticipAction Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth shows that we are failing Canadian children in sedentary lifestyles (F), overall physical activity (D-) and active transportation (D).We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to support Bill C-312 tabled by Gord Johns on October 4th, 2016, and enact a National Cycling Strategy ActC-312, An Act to establish a national cycling strategyCycling42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 4, 2018e-1312e-1312 (Sport fishing)BlairEavisDarrellSamsonSackville—Preston—ChezzetcookLiberalNSNovember 10, 2017, at 9:17 a.m. (EDT)March 10, 2018, at 9:17 a.m. (EDT)March 21, 2018May 4, 2018March 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="223727" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has committed to renewing and modernizing the fish and fish habitat protections under the Fisheries Act, its policies and programs;These commitments include the restoration of fish habitat, as well as collaboration with Indigenous and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) who are interested in watershed planning, assessment, restoration and monitoring of fish habitat;NGOs possess expertise, a capacity to independently fund raise and the desire to build broad partnerships to restore fish habitat and increase species populations;The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program (RFCPP), which is managed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), is directed towards the preservation and restoration of freshwater fish habitats and achieves its aims by working collaboratively with like-minded NGOs from across the country;Ongoing support by DFO to the RFCPP has significantly contributed to the education, environmental awareness and stewardship of a valued sustainable natural resource;Collective participation by the Government of Canada and its citizens will ensure that fish populations and their habitats are protected for future generations; andFunding to the RFCPP is scheduled to end in 2018. We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada and watershed based organizations, call upon the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to continue funding support for existing conservation programs such as the RFCPP, and to continue to commit to being a full partner to this important initiative by providing freshwater habitat funding and expertise to this program.8545-421-205-01 Government Response to petitions concerning sport fishingHabitat conservationHunting and sport fishingRecreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 5, 2018e-1339e-1339 (Food policy)JenniferHenryNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONNovember 16, 2017, at 11:47 a.m. (EDT)March 16, 2018, at 11:47 a.m. (EDT)April 25, 2018June 5, 2018March 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Health Canada has issued draft food guidelines recommending Canadians eat a high proportion of plant-based foods, emphasizing plant-based sources of protein and eliminating dairy as its own food group;Health Canada did not meet with food business lobbyists so as to preserve the integrity of the guidelines;It has been revealed that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has been secretly lobbying Health Canada not to encourage a shift towards plant-based eating because it would "have negative implications for the meat and dairy industries"; andThe health of Canadians, not the profits of food companies, must determine the substance of our national eating recommendations.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure the food guide is based on evidence, and that this evidence is not censored to protect the economic interests of the meat and dairy industries, to prevent Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada from circumventing the rules by lobbying Health Canada on the industry's behalf, thus compromising the integrity of the food guide and to support plant-based agriculture in order to protect the health of Canadians, the environment, and animals.Canada's Food Guide to Healthy EatingHealth educationNutrition42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 4, 2018e-1360e-1360 (National parks)TonyIannellaRichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCNovember 16, 2017, at 4:54 p.m. (EDT)March 16, 2018, at 4:54 p.m. (EDT)March 21, 2018May 4, 2018March 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:We do not want areas of the Southern Okanagan turned into a national park reserve;This park would offer no additional protection to the land;This park would not be financially viable as parks are running at a deficit;This park would take the use of the lands away from the locals in the way they currently use them and would only open them to resource exploitation by special interest groups;Ranchers, hunters, recreational users and far more people will lose their rights to enjoy crown land in this area; andWe voted this down previously and it should not be pushed forward without the consent of those who will be most affected by it.We, the undersigned, residents of the Southern Okanagan, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to ask that the proposal of forming a National Park Reserve in the Southern Okanagan be ended and that there be a referendum and vote on this subject once and for all.National, provincial and territorial parks and reservesOkanagan Valley42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 19, 2018e-1373e-1373 (Sentences in the Criminal Code)WilfMulderMelArnoldNorth Okanagan—ShuswapConservativeBCNovember 17, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT)March 17, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT)March 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Theft or mischief related to firefighting equipment can cause actual danger to life;The prohibitions and penalties in Criminal Code of Canada applicable to theft of firefighting equipment causing actual danger to life are inconsistent with the prohibitions and penalties of the Code applicable to mischief of firefighting equipment causing actual danger to life;The elimination of these inconsistencies would strengthen the Criminal Code; andClear and stronger denunciation and deterrence in the Code applicable to theft or mischief of firefighting equipment that causes actual danger to life would benefit firefighters and the communities they help to protect.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to pass and implement bill C-365, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (Firefighting Equipment).C-365, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (firefighting equipment)Firefighting equipmentSentencing42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 19, 2018e-1316e-1316 (Government services)Jean-FrédéricVaudryXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCNovember 17, 2017, at 2:24 p.m. (EDT)March 17, 2018, at 2:24 p.m. (EDT)March 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas :The riding of Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle has no Service Canada office;The Service Canada office in the riding has been closed since 2015;The nearest Service Canada office is difficult for people to access because of traffic issues in that area; andThe Service Canada office should be in proximity to those using it.We, the undersigned, constituents of Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, call upon the House of Commons to ask the Minister and the Member of Parliament for Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle to open a Service Canada office in the riding as quickly as possible.Dorval—Lachine—LaSalleRegional officesService Canada42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 19, 2018e-1354e-1354 (Human rights)KerryWilsonBevShipleyLambton—Kent—MiddlesexConservativeONNovember 17, 2017, at 2:21 p.m. (EDT)March 17, 2018, at 2:21 p.m. (EDT)March 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right in Canada, a fact that reflects the value our nation places on diversity and inclusion;The Government of Canada, at all levels, should demonstrate respect for Canadians, regardless of their religion/faith;Belief in a divine creator(s) is a foundational doctrine of many faith groups found in our nation, including the Abrahamic religions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity;The Governor General of Canada, on November 1, 2017, in her official capacity made the following statement: “And we are still debating and still questioning whether life was a divine intervention or whether it was coming out of a natural process let alone, oh my goodness, a random process.”;A reasonable analysis of the semantics of this statement reveal a derogatory, even derisive, tone;As a public figure, the Governor General serves as a role model to Canadians;Statements such as the aforementioned, made by a public figure such as the Governor General, can contribute to a toxic environment for Canadians who do believe in a divine creator; andThe House of Commons is composed of Members elected to represent their constituents, many of whom believe in a divine creator;We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to request that the Governor General issue a public apology for ridiculing the faith of numerous Canadians, and thereby not upholding the values that help to define our nation.Freedom of conscience and religionGovernor GeneralOfficial apologyPayette, Julie42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 18, 2018e-1335e-1335 (Foreign policy)CarlesRoch-CunillElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCNovember 17, 2017, at 2:27 p.m. (EDT)March 17, 2018, at 2:27 p.m. (EDT)May 3, 2018June 18, 2018March 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The people of Catalonia elected in 2015 a parliamentary majority that supported the organization of a referendum to ask the Catalan people about their relationship with Spain;Millions of Catalans have pacifically demonstrated for years asking for the right to be heard;Despite the brutal repression by Spanish police, more than 2.3 million voted in the past October 1, 2017 referendum;The Spanish government has rejected any attempt of negotiation, even mediation. Instead, it wants to replace the legally elected Catalan government by a new body appointed by themselves;The Spanish government has flooded Catalonia with police, increase intimidation to citizens and jailed civic organizers, a movement denounced by Amnesty International;Politics and not repression is the key to solve the dispute; andCatalan Parliament democratically elected has declared Catalonia as a new independent state.We, the undersigned, Citizens and resident of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to condemn the violent attacks of police against defenseless civilians that were only trying to cast their ballots as unfitting to a democratic society, express its concern about any attempt of suppression of the democratically elected Catalan government, advocate that any solution needs to involve all the sides, affirm that laws should not be used as a constrain to democracy, but are the product of a democratic society, support whatever decision the Catalan people will freely choose about their future and recognize Catalonia as new State in the concert of Nations.CataloniaForeign policyOppressionSovereigntySpain42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1376e-1376 (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)KathleenHippernDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBNovember 22, 2017, at 2:25 p.m. (EDT)March 22, 2018, at 2:25 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018September 17, 2018March 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In 2012, the Harper Government took the first steps toward deeming civilian members of the RCMP into the public service;The Liberal government decided to carry out that process and announced in February of 2017 that all civilian members of the RCMP will be deemed employees appointed under the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA), effective April 26, 2018;Civilian Members of the RCMP have clearly communicated their frustration and dissatisfaction with the deeming process;Civilian Members of the RCMP do not want to be transferred from a properly working payroll system to a broken one that continues to cause hardship for thousands of civil servants; andIn response to questioning by Daniel Blaikie, M.P., at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, on November 9, 2017, the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, committed not to transition civilian RCMP members to Phoenix before its problems are resolved and stated: "We don't want to add to the burden of Phoenix at a time when we're still working through the problems and it makes sense, so I would agree with your assessment."We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the President of the Treasury Board to honour his commitment to civilian RCMP members and delay the transfer of almost 4000 sworn Civilian Members of the RCMP onto the Phoenix payroll system until the problems with the system have been fixed.8545-421-115-05 Government Response to petitions concerning the Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceCiviliansComputer systemsIncome and wagesPhoenixPublic Service and public servantsRoyal Canadian Mounted Police42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 26, 2018e-1377e-1377 (Aboriginal affairs)MathieuDesjardinsMarilèneGillManicouaganBloc QuébécoisQCNovember 23, 2017, at 9:31 a.m. (EDT)March 23, 2018, at 9:31 a.m. (EDT)March 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The year 2017 is considered the 150th anniversary of Canada;Aboriginal peoples shape and form a part of the population and culture of Canada;The regrettable history of colonization and assimilation of Aboriginal peoples, as well as the expropriation of 99.8% of their communal territory, is part of the history of Canada that is at the centre of the 2017 festivities;The conclusion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report proposes numerous measures to improve relations between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people;Too large a majority of the programs and events organized for the 150th anniversary fail to incorporate the situation of Aboriginal peoples and merely serve to promote a patriotism based on collective non-remembrance; andThis situation is unquestionably a social problem.We, the undersigned, residents of Quebec and members of the University of Sherbrooke’s Aboriginal law committee, call upon the Government of Canada to recognize and more frequently depict the genocide experienced by Aboriginal peoples since colonization, including through residential schools and the slaughter of Inuit sled dogs; and to recognize that it is beneficial to be honest with the public and raise awareness of this controversy. We also call on the government, the media and the various organizations responsible for the programming of events marking the 150th anniversary of Canada and subsequent editions of Canada Day to put more emphasis on the repression experienced by Aboriginal peoples.150th Anniversary of Canadian ConfederationAboriginal peoplesCanada DayOppression42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1379e-1379 (Protection of the environment)LynnKelmanHon.PeterVan LoanYork—SimcoeConservativeONNovember 23, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT)March 23, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT)June 18, 2018September 17, 2018March 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund was introduced in 2008 by the previous Conservative Government in an effort to restore Lake Simcoe and protect it for future generations;Over 10 years this initiative invested $60 million and supported over 140 local grassroots programs. It was successful in improving the cleanliness of Lake Simcoe’s waters and restoring the Lake’s ecosystem to a vibrant and healthy state;The Government of Canada has since cancelled the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund, putting Lake Simcoe at risk; andReinstating the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund would ensure that Lake Simcoe—which is vital in the region as a source of drinking water, recreation, tourism, and a natural habitat—will continue to be cared for and protected for future generations.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to reinstate the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund and allow it to continue its vital support of local programs.Lake SimcoeLake Simcoe South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up FundWater quality42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 13, 2018e-1364e-1364 (Protection of the environment)Niaravan GaalenRajSainiKitchener CentreLiberalONNovember 23, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)March 23, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)April 30, 2018June 13, 2018March 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Climate change, the result of global warming, now threatens to cause catastrophic harm to the biosphere;Canada has committed to keeping warming below 2°C;Canada will not be able to meet that promise unless it moves quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere;Sufficient funding is crucial for initiatives that reduce current levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and that limit ongoing emissions;The quantity, variety, and well-being of wildlife is compromised by climate change, and other factors such as pollution also lead to habitat destruction;It is urgent that Canada seek to protect all natural habitat for wild animals and plants for future generations by increasing the land and water area allocated to them, and maintaining its natural integrity. This also requires an increased financial commitment; andIt is crucial that Canada find a way to finance its ongoing commitment to the nature and wildlife that is important to its national heritage.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to create a new financial security, Nature Bonds, in order to fund the protection of 90% of Canada’s land and aquatic area as a permanent natural reserve, and a move to net-zero carbon by 2024.8545-421-3-53 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentGreen bondsGreenhouse gasesNature conservation42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1388e-1388 (National historic sites)MichaelGoldenPhilMcColemanBrantford—BrantConservativeONNovember 24, 2017, at 9:42 a.m. (EDT)March 24, 2018, at 9:42 a.m. (EDT)March 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The former HMCS Athabaskan has been decommissioned and slated for disposal;The former HMCS Athabaskan served the Royal Canadian Navy with distinction for over 44 years; andThe former HMCS Athabaskan is the last of its kind and represents an important piece of Canadian History.We, the undersigned, Current and ex Military Personnel as well as civilians who want this vessel saved, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to grant the ship status of protection to ensure preservation as a Museum Vessel, to get Athabaskan declared a National Historic Site and have her Preserved in Halifax Harbour and to Honour all the ships that bore the name and as a memorial to those that served in the Cold War and into the Space Age.Halifax HarbourHeritage sites and buildingsHMCS AthabaskanMilitary shipsNaval museums42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 26, 2018e-1359e-1359 (Health care services)HelenZachariasNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBNovember 24, 2017, at 9:45 a.m. (EDT)March 24, 2018, at 9:45 a.m. (EDT)March 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The USA is the only industrialized country not to guarantee healthcare to all their people as a right;Americans pay 16.6 per cent of their GDP for healthcare compared to our 10 per cent;At an average of $11,851 per person per year, America spends nearly two and half times the $4783 average of OECD countries such as Canada;28 million Americans don't have healthcare coverage;One third of American adults go without recommended care, do not see a doctor when sick, or fail to fill a prescription because of high costs;A CBC Television program named Tommy Douglas "The Greatest Canadian", based on a Canada-wide, viewer-supported survey,largely for introducing the continent's first universal healthcare program;The United States of America is a close friend and ally;58 per cent of Americans are in favor of a single-payer healthcare system;66 per cent of American voters (including 48 per cent of Trump voters) support all Americans getting their healthcare from one government plan;Humanity is valued by Canada; andA single-payer, universal healthcare program would negotiate payments, enable people to seek care from any participating healthcare provider, ease economic inequality and health disparities, facilitate distribution of resources based on need, encourage better primary and preventive care, reduce mental stress of the current system, reduce neglect in rural and low-income urban areas and benefit the North American economy.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to voice recognition of American efforts towards a single-payer, universal healthcare program.Health care systemUnited States of America42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 6, 2018e-1353e-1353 (Venezuela)AlanFreemanRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBNovember 27, 2017, at 9:26 a.m. (EDT)March 27, 2018, at 9:26 a.m. (EDT)September 24, 2018November 6, 2018March 27, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On September 22, 2017, the Government of Canada imposed new sanctions against Venezuela, Venezuelan officials, and other individuals under the Special Economic Measures Act in violation of the sovereignty of Venezuela;Such sanctions impede dialogue and peace-building in Venezuela and in the region more generally;These sanctions impede the normal operation of Venezuela’s duly constituted political processes including elections;The Government of Canada has supported the U.S. government’s sanctions against VenezuelaThe Government of Canada has met with, supported, and continues to echo the demands of Venezuela’s violent anti-government opposition;The Government of Canada refuses to recognize the legitimacy of Venezuela’s democratically elected government and falsely refers to it as dictatorial; andThe government of Canada seeks to promote foreign intervention in the internal affairs of Venezuela.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately lift all sanctions against Venezuela, Venezuelan officials, and other individuals, retract all statements in support of US sanctions against Venezuela, immediately cease its support for the efforts of the US and other right wing governments in the Organization of American States (OAS) that violate the sovereignty and self-determination of another member-state and immediately cease all intervention against Venezuela.8545-421-172-02 Government Response to petitions concerning VenezuelaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyVenezuela42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 5, 2018e-1385e-1385 (Food policy)Dinh HuyDuongAnne Minh-ThuQuachSalaberry—SuroîtNDPQCNovember 27, 2017, at 9:34 a.m. (EDT)March 27, 2018, at 9:34 a.m. (EDT)April 24, 2018June 5, 2018March 27, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada imports large amounts of fish and seafood from Vietnam, but only 3% to 5% is verified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA);In 2016, the Formosa steelworks dumped large amounts of toxic waste, killing a huge number of fish and damaging the Pacific marine ecosystem along the coastline of central Vietnam;The Mekong River, an aquaculture area producing 60% of Vietnam’s fish exports, is already heavily polluted and could experience further contamination if new polluting facilities are established along its banks; andDespite these ecological disasters, Vietnamese exports of fish and seafood totalled US$7 billion last year.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to pay special attention to inspections of fish, seafood and derived products from Vietnam in order to ensure they are safe for the Canadian public to consume.8545-421-113-05 Government Response to petitions concerning food policyFish and seafoodFood safetyImportsInspections and inspectorsVietnam42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 27, 2018e-1381e-1381 (Illicit drug use)JingChenMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendConservativeABNovember 27, 2017, at 9:18 a.m. (EDT)March 27, 2018, at 9:18 a.m. (EDT)March 27, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Alberta government's recent report on opioid misuse found that 85% of Edmonton and Calgary's fentanyl-related deaths in 2016 occurred outside the central urban core. This means the City and the province are re-evaluating how and where to provide treatment; andWe, the undersigned, expect safe and healthy communities in which to raise our children.We, the undersigned, electors of Edmonton, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to consider amending section 56.1(2)(e) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act pertaining to community consultations for an application for a supervised consumption site exemption by reinstating the following provision brought forward by the Respect for Communities Act, and which is in line with the requirements handed down by the Supreme Court of Canada: 56.1(3)(p) a report of the consultations held with a broad range of community groups from the municipality in which the site would be located that includes (i) a summary of the opinions of those groups on the proposed activities at the site, (ii) copies of all written submissions received, (iii) a description of the steps that will be taken to address any relevant concerns that were raised during consultations.Communities and collectivitiesPublic consultationRespect for Communities ActSafe injection sites42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 27, 2018e-1389e-1389 (Building Code)LoriRehillBlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABNovember 27, 2017, at 9:45 a.m. (EDT)March 27, 2018, at 9:45 a.m. (EDT)March 27, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Trudeau Liberal government is developing new building code regulations that will require costly mandatory energy efficiency renovations which will cause Canadians to potentially shell out tens of thousands of dollars when building, selling or renovating their homes;These changes will negatively impact Canadian homeowners and those looking to achieve the dream of home ownership;These changes will have a devastating impact on the retirement plans of Canadian seniors;These changes will have a detrimental effect on the Canadian real estate industry; andThe Liberals previously introduced new mortgage lending rules without proper consultations, another move which hurt Canadian homeownership and the real estate industry.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to ensure that any new building code regulations will not have undue costly implications on homeowners, and that no changes are introduced until Canadians are properly consulted.Building codeEnergy conservationPublic consultation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 5, 2018e-1390e-1390 (Protection of the environment)DoreenOlsonRichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCNovember 30, 2017, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)March 30, 2018, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)April 25, 2018June 5, 2018April 3, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:We thank the governments for the tri-lateral announcement on October 27, 2017, that South Okanagan Similkameen park reserve will be established;South Okanagan-Similkameen NPR will benefit local citizens, preserve endangered species and maintain ecosystems in perpetuity;Park consultation with affected communities and economic sectors has been an ongoing process since 2002;Our region is without a national park identified in Parks Canada's planning policy;This region will benefit economically, in the form of direct National Park jobs and capital expenditures, infrastructure and jobs that will achieve their mandate;An independent, professional opinion poll verified 70% local park support (McAllister Opinion Research, 2015);The Park Reserve recognizes Indigenous rights, language and cultural practices;Private land will never be expropriated for the Park, and any real estate transactions will be on a willing seller-willing buyer basis;Parks Canada field staffing levels are 4-10 times higher than Provincial field staffing;Visitors to our region will increase, as a valuable economic spin-off of the Park;Parks Canada's wildfire suppression and prescribed burning expertise will help stop catastrophic wildfires and enhance wildlife habitat;Parks Canada will improve the management of many outdoor recreation opportunities and monitor inappropriate uses; andThe Okanagan-Similkameen is a national "hot-spot" for critically endangered wildlife and need greater protection.We, the undersigned, residents of the province of British Columbia, call upon the Government of Canada to expedite the creation of the South-Okanagan Similkameen National Park Reserve.National, provincial and territorial parks and reservesNature conservationSouth Okanagan–Lower Similkameen National Park Reserve42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 10, 2018e-1405e-1405 (Navigable waters)LauraBranswellWayneStetskiKootenay—ColumbiaNDPBCDecember 11, 2017, at 9:50 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2018, at 9:50 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s lakes and rivers are an important part of our natural heritage;Lakes and rivers provide economic benefits and have an essential role in the environment;The Navigation Protection Act protects the public’s right to navigation and marine safety in navigable waters by regulating the construction of bridges, dams, etc, to ensure boaters can still travel the waterways; and by making sure those lakes and streams aren’t polluted with sewage, waste, or other noxious substances;Amendments to the Navigation Protection Act in 2008 removed most of Kootenay-Columbia’s lakes and rivers from the Act; andMP Wayne Stetski’s Bill C-385 will reinstate Kootenay-Columbia’s lakes and rivers in the Navigation Protection Act so they receive the full protection of the law.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to adopt Bill C-385 to protect our lakes and rivers.British ColumbiaC-385, An Act to amend the Navigation Protection Act (certain lakes and rivers in British Columbia)Inland watersLakesRivers42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1415e-1415 (Protection of the environment)ChloeDuboisGordJohnsCourtenay—AlberniNDPBCDecember 12, 2017, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)April 11, 2018, at 5:04 p.m. (EDT)April 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Plastics in our oceans, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water pose a dire threat to sensitive ecosystems, wildlife, communities, and individuals; andPlastics make their way into these bodies of water in a variety of ways including: storm water outfalls; global ocean tides and currents; and direct industrial and consumer waste disposal.We, the undersigned, the citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to adopt M-151, to establish a national strategy to combat plastic pollution, and to work with the provinces, municipalities, and indigenous communities to develop a national strategy to combat plastic pollution in and around aquatic environments, which would include the following measures:1. Regulations aimed at reducing:(a) Plastic debris discharge from stormwater outfalls;(b) Industrial use of micro-plastics including, but not limited to, microbeads, nurdles, fibrous microplastics and fragments; and(c) Consumer and industrial use of single-use plastics, including, but not limited to, plastic bags, bottles, straws, tableware, polystyrene (foam), cigarette filters, and beverage containers.2. Permanent, dedicated, and annual funding for:(a) Cleanup of derelict fishing gear;(b) Community led projects to clean up plastics and debris on shores, banks, beaches and other aquatic peripheries; and(c) Education and outreach campaigns on the root causes and negative environmental effects of plastic pollution in and around all bodies of water.Federal-provincial-territorial relationsPlasticsWater quality42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 16, 2018e-1413e-1413 (Whistleblower protection)MarkJackaKellyMcCauleyEdmonton WestConservativeABDecember 15, 2017, at 11:17 a.m. (EDT)April 14, 2018, at 11:17 a.m. (EDT)April 16, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The federal government committed to update and expand the provisions in the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act to better protect whistleblowers, or public servants disclosing wrongdoing, acting in the name of public interest;We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the President of the Treasury Board to immediately implement all of the recommendations proposed by the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates in the Committee’s 9th Report, entitled “Strengthening the Protection of the Public Interest within the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.”Disclosure of wrongdoing in the workplacePublic Servants Disclosure Protection ActPublic Service and public servants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 13, 2018e-1416e-1416 (Fishing industry)PoulBechFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCDecember 15, 2017, at 11:15 a.m. (EDT)April 14, 2018, at 11:15 a.m. (EDT)April 30, 2018June 13, 2018April 16, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="223727" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard</Addressee>Whereas:British Columbia’s Interior Fraser River steelhead salmon, including the internationally renowned Thompson River steelhead, are classified by the Province of British Columbia as being in a state of extreme conservation concern, with fewer than two hundred fish expected to return to spawn from a run that once numbered in the thousands;Gill net and purse seine chum salmon fisheries, sanctioned by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, occurring in the Fraser River and approach areas including Johnstone Strait, are known to intercept significant numbers of migrating Interior Fraser steelhead as by-catch during the months of September, October and November;These chum salmon fisheries, as currently prosecuted, are a major contributor to Interior Fraser steelhead mortality;The level of Interior Fraser steelhead by-catch in gill nets and purse seines is unsustainable, and alternative, truly selective fishing methods are required in order to recover Interior Fraser steelhead from the extreme conservation zone;Many angling and conservation organizations have called for an Emergency Listing Order under the Species At Risk Act for Thompson River and Chilcotin River steelhead.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to suspend henceforth all gill net and purse seine chum salmon fisheries in the Fraser River and approach areas including Johnstone Strait during the annual Interior Fraser River Steelhead migration in the months of September, October and November; and to work with gill net and purse seine fishers to establish alternative, sustainable, fully selective and fully monitored fisheries practices during the annual Interior Fraser River steelhead migration.Fisheries policyFraser RiverSteelhead salmon42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 13, 2018e-1419e-1419 (Species at risk)GregoryGordonFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCDecember 15, 2017, at 11:15 a.m. (EDT)April 14, 2018, at 11:15 a.m. (EDT)April 30, 2018June 13, 2018April 16, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:British Columbia's Interior Fraser River steelhead salmon, including the internationally renowned Thompson River steelhead, are classified by the Province of British Columbia as being in a state of extreme conservation concern, with fewer than two hundred fish expected to return to the Thompson River to spawn from a run that once numbered in the thousands;Fewer than fifty steelhead are expected to return to the Chilcotin River;Steelhead population trends are not monitored for the Nahatlach, Bridge, Seton and Stein rivers;Steelhead population declines are persistent;Steelhead are known to be intercepted in Canadian gill net and seine fisheries authorized by Fisheries and Oceans Canada;Many British Columbian angling and conservation organizations have called for an Emergency Listing Order under the Species At Risk Act for Thompson River and Chilcotin River steelhead.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to issue an Emergency Listing Order under the Species At Risk Act for Interior Fraser Steelhead.Endangered speciesFraser RiverSpecies at Risk ActSteelhead salmon42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1411e-1411 (Pakistan)AsifPanhwarTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABDecember 18, 2017, at 1:41 p.m. (EDT)April 17, 2018, at 1:41 p.m. (EDT)June 14, 2018September 17, 2018April 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Pakistan is one of the most intolerant countries in the world with regards to freedom of religion;In 1947, Hindus constituted over 27 percent of the population of Sindh, and now they constitute less than 7 percent; 75 percent of Hindus in Pakistan have been coerced to leave their ancestral home;In recent years, the violence against Sindhi Hindus has increased in ways such as extortion, attacks on places of worship, and forced conversion of Hindu girls to Islam;20 or more Hindu girls are abducted and forced to convert to Islam every month in Pakistan; and Most of the girls are under 16 years old and as young as 11, and, after the forced conversion and marriage, are prohibited from contacting their families.We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to pressure the Pakistan government to address this issue through legislation, safeguarding minority rights, and revoking discriminatory laws, and to make Canadian international aid to Pakistan conditional to Pakistan’s adherence to the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.8545-421-195-02 Government Response to petitions concerning PakistanCivil and human rightsInternational development and aidPakistan42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 11, 2018e-1408e-1408 (Food policy)KitMooreJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONDecember 18, 2017, at 4:50 p.m. (EDT)April 17, 2018, at 4:50 p.m. (EDT)April 27, 2018June 11, 2018April 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Most Canadians are not aware that Canada is the only G8 country without a comprehensive national food policy;In a 2017 UNICEF report card, Canada ranked 37th of 41 wealthy countries, on the issue of food security—access to safe, nutritious, affordable and sufficient food; This low ranking is shocking, given that Canada is one of few countries in the world that can comfortably feed its people and also export its food products;While some areas of Canada are relatively food secure, others are faced with food insecurity, particularly among low-income families, homeless youth and northern indigenous communities;The UNICEF report states that in 2012, 1.15 million Canadian children lived in households struggling to afford the food they need;Most concerning was Nunavut, where 62% of children were in food-insecure households; andFood insecurity affects learning and social functioning, and has impacts on mental and physical health, leading to increased costs for Canada’s health insurance and other social programs.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to act now to establish a Canada-wide food policy that would lead to secure access to safe, nutritious, affordable and sufficient food for all Canadians.Food supplyNational Food Strategy42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 18, 2018e-1348e-1348 (Infrastructure funding)IgorPavlovKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCDecember 19, 2017, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)April 18, 2018, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)April 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Recent climate changes result in unusually cold, snowy winters in Southwestern BC, below normal temperatures dominating across Central Canada, and significantly larger swings in temperatures in Atlantic Canada;Cold weather brings a lot of hardship to the people;With climate change more severe winters should be anticipated and preparedness is a must; andCarbon tax collection is constantly growing in Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Dedicate at least 20% of money collected in the form of carbon tax to implement government grants for better preparation to severe winters, including snow removal means and emergency relief funds, warm shelters for the homeless suffering most from severe winters and winter tires for public transport vehicles;2. Attach clear penalty mechanisms, ensuring grant money is used wisely and efficiently on related activities like snow removal from streets, sidewalks, back lanes and bicycle lanes, to ensure that commuters can reach public transport on foot and bicycle to workplaces, keeping the carbon footprint low, building and servicing warm shelters for the homeless, and installing winter tires on public transit vehicles to ensure safety and uninterrupted functioning of those, thus reducing the use of personal vehicles and the carbon footprint;3. Implement penalty mechanisms in the form of fines which grant recipients are obliged to pay in case of failure to timely remove snow and ice from the streets, sidewalks and all lanes, accommodate homeless and keep public transit functioning regardless of the weather.Carbon taxGovernment revenuesHomelessness and homelessInfrastructurePublic transitWinter42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 18, 2018e-1358e-1358 (Parliament of Canada)DarrenFrancisElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCDecember 19, 2017, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)April 18, 2018, at 11:37 a.m. (EDT)April 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas: In Canada it is the Speaker's responsibility to manage the House of Commons and supervise its staff;It is also the Speaker's duty to act as a liaison with the Senate and the Crown;The Speaker is to rule over the House, have the government answer questions during Question Period, as well as keep decorum; While the Constitution requires that the Speaker be elected by the House of Commons, traditionally this amounted to the rubber-stamp approval of a Member nominated by the Prime Minister; The Speaker is required to perform his or her office impartially, but does not resign from his or her party membership upon taking office, as is done in the United Kingdom.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Require the Speaker to resign his or her party membership to ensure impartiality as the arbiter of the House of Commons;2. Create a special order to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to study:a) the effectiveness of the appointment process of the Speaker;b) empowering the Speaker with more authority to hold Members of Parliament accountable during Question Period;c) empowering the Speaker with more authority to keep decorum in the House of Commons;d) areas of the Committee own initiative that empower the Speaker to rule over the House more effectively;3. Recognize the importance of modernizing the authority and neutrality of the Speaker to ensure a more open, accountable and transparent government.Committee studies and activitiesSpeaker and other presiding officials of the HouseStanding Committee on Procedure and House Affairs42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 19, 2018e-1427e-1427 (Tax system)FredWansleebenTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABDecember 19, 2017, at 6:02 p.m. (EDT)April 18, 2018, at 6:02 p.m. (EDT)April 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Local governments are having to reduce staffing and funding in other departments in order to increase funding to police services as in Calgary, Alberta;Recent statistics indicate health services wait times have climbed from an average of 9 weeks to a new high of 22 weeks;The Government of Canada has made a goal to increase immigration by 300,000 to 400,000 immigrants per year, or approximately 1 percent of the total population which will place additional strains on front line municipal services;The number of people seeking refugee status has increased and the number of people awaiting deportation has tripled;The necessary costs of processing these increased cases have not been provided;The federal government believes it to be beneficial to increase the national debt in order to fund initiatives such as infrastructure, the opioid crisis, gang violence, even proposing $480 million to buy voting shares in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which will finance projects overseas; andThe government has not committed funds to maintain the deteriorating social service infrastructure or to increase support for provincial and local police, fire, Emergency Medical Services and health services.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to direct a substantial portion of the incoming cannabis tax revenue to provide each noted and affected department at all levels of government with the resources to be able to cope with the increase in demand on their services due to the rapid rise of demand for front-line government services in Canada.CannabisGovernment servicesTax revenues42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1425e-1425 (Environmental assessment and review)Jeffrey OrvilleOlsonErinWeirRegina—LewvanNDPSKDecember 20, 2017, at 10:42 a.m. (EDT)April 19, 2018, at 10:42 a.m. (EDT)April 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:The Quill Lakes Watershed Association (Saskatchewan) is proposing the Common Ground Drainage Diversion Project, which would redirect saline water from Kutawagan Lake and Pel Lake into Last Mountain Lake and thereby the rest of the Qu’Appelle River chain of lakes;This is just the first phase of a multi-phase project to lower the lake levels in the Quill Lakes in Saskatchewan;The potential and cumulative impacts of the project, including downstream water quality, are not fully known to the proponent or the public, and an analysis of the short and long term accumulative environmental impacts has not been completed;The negative environmental impacts of the project are believed to be very high, including negative impacts to fish and fish habitat in Last Mountain Lake and the Qu’Appelle chain of lakes, and negative impacts to the Last Mountain Lake Wildlife Refuge and Sanctuary and endangered and threatened wildlife species; andThere is widespread concern regarding the proponent’s proposal due to a lack of transparency of the project, lack of public communication, and lack of consultation with Saskatchewan’s citizens and Indigenous Peoples.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to designate and declare that the Quill Lakes Watershed Association Common Ground Drainage Diversion Project be a physical activity requiring an Environmental Assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and, therefore, conduct an impartial full environmental impact assessment of the project, including public and Indigenous consultations.Environmental assessmentPublic consultationQuill Lakes Watershed42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 13, 2018e-1434e-1434 (Discrimination)ThomasDeGrootHon.DianeFinleyHaldimand—NorfolkConservativeONDecember 20, 2017, at 3:47 p.m. (EDT)April 19, 2018, at 3:47 p.m. (EDT)April 30, 2018June 13, 2018April 20, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The current eligibility requirements of employers seeking to apply for Government of Canada funding through the Canada Summer Jobs Program require organizations to sign an attestation stating that their organization’s core mandate respects individual human rights in Canada, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as other rights, including reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression;We believe that requiring organizations to attest that this is their organization’s “core mandate” would force many organizations to choose between their beliefs, often rooted in their religion, and being able to receive funding; andBy its nature, this requirement discriminates against organizations based on their beliefs.We, the undersigned, electors of the district of Haldimand-Norfolk, call upon the Government of Canada to remove this discriminatory requirement and allow Canadians to continue to exercise their freedom of religion and freedom of expression without facing institutionalized discrimination by the Government of Canada.8545-421-32-21 Government Response to petitions concerning discriminationCanada Summer JobsDiscriminationEmployersFreedom of conscience and religionStudent summer employment42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 11, 2018e-1422e-1422 (Medical devices)NoreenWidemanMartinShieldsBow RiverConservativeABDecember 21, 2017, at 2:28 p.m. (EDT)April 20, 2018, at 2:28 p.m. (EDT)April 26, 2018June 11, 2018April 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Inadequate regulation for synthetic surgical mesh products has exposed thousands of Canadians to unnecessary harms;All implantable medical device materials and devices can be more readily tracked, patterns of use monitored, and patients later judged to be at risk more easily identified;International Standars Organization (ISO) agreements between countries allows substantially similar products to be cleared for sale instead of approved for sale, which means that biocompatibility testing may not be required for 510k cleared implant products to be licensed;Implant mesh materials substantially the same as previously cleared mesh materials in the USA are considered to have met biocompatibility requirements, even though the approved predicate mesh may have been recalled; andNo mechanism is in place to recall 510k cleared products.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:1. Restrict the use of urogynecological surgical mesh materials to use within clinical studies with a duration follow up of no less than 5 years;2. Temporarily suspend the licensing use of polypropylene surgical meshes as used in vaginal mesh implants until an oversight committee assures benefit over risk ratios are assessed for patient quality of life, versus durability of quick mesh fixes;3. Implement a mandatory registry system for all implant materials and devices;4. Close the ISO loophole in the approval process for fast tracked class 2 and 3 permanent implant devices and materials;5. Establish a patient registry for all implantable devices to enable long term patient follow-up notification, and surveillance.8545-421-210-01 Government Response to petitions concerning medical devicesImplantsPatient registriesPlasticsSurgical procedures42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 18, 2018e-1368e-1368 (Books)LouisFortierFrançoisChoquetteDrummondNDPQCDecember 21, 2017, at 3:49 p.m. (EDT)April 20, 2018, at 3:49 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2018June 18, 2018April 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Books are essential to the vitality of a free and democratic society;We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1) exempt books from the Goods and Services Tax (GST);2) reestablish the postal preferential rate applicable to books; and3) establish a personal tax credit applicable to books bought from Accredited Booksellers.BooksGoods and services taxPostal ratesTax credits42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 4, 2018e-1423e-1423 (Health care services)AlexPatersonNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONJanuary 3, 2018, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)May 3, 2018, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The primary objective of Canadian health policy is to protect, promote, and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada, and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers;Pursuant to the Canada Health Act, the definition of insured person does not include Canadian citizens under the age of 18;The establishment of a 3 month residency requirement in certain cases creates a barrier for children with a serious illness, despite the fact that the affected children do not decide where their parents reside; andA waiting period in such circumstances negates the core purpose of the Canada Health Act.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the Canada Health Act to exclude all vulnerable Canadian citizens under the age of 18 from any residency waiting requirements.Canada Health ActHealth services accessibilityPermanent resident statusYoung people42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1402e-1402 (Nuclear weapons)BarbaraBirkettPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONJanuary 8, 2018, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)May 8, 2018, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018September 17, 2018May 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The use of any nuclear weapons would have catastrophic consequences; andNuclear weapons are the only weapons of mass destruction not yet prohibited by international agreementWe, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to sign and ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.DisarmamentNuclear weaponsUnited Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 8, 2018e-1429e-1429 (Health care services)DanielleStockleyShaunChenScarborough NorthLiberalONJanuary 8, 2018, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)May 8, 2018, at 2:09 p.m. (EDT)May 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>We, the undersigned, Diva Riding Society of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to convene a National Conversation on PSA Testing for Prostate CancerCancer screeningProstate cancerPublic consultation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1418e-1418 (Military medals and decorations)DavidPalmerIreneMathyssenLondon—FanshaweNDPONJanuary 9, 2018, at 12:06 p.m. (EDT)May 9, 2018, at 12:06 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2018September 17, 2018May 9, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:At one time the Government of Canada issued “The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal’ (CVSM), a Volunteer Service Medal to recognize Canadians who served voluntarily in the Canadian Forces;This honourable and noteworthy acknowledgment of volunteerism by our Veterans and our Troops abruptly stopped on March 1, 1947; andVeterans Affairs Canada considers any former member of the Canadian Armed Forces who releases with an honourable discharge and who successfully underwent basic training to be a Veteran.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada , call upon the Government of Canada to recognize by means of the creation and issuance of a new “Canadian Military Volunteer Service Medal” (CMVSM), to be designated “The Canadian Military Volunteer Service Medal", for volunteer service by Canadians in the Regular Forces, Reserve Military Forces, and Cadet Corps Support Staff who have completed 365 days of uninterrupted honourable duty in the service of their country Canada, since September 2, 1945, to present day and in perpetuity.CadetsCanadian Forces ReservesCanadian Military Volunteer Service Medal42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1437e-1437 (Public transit)DaveRosboroughScottDuvallHamilton MountainNDPONJanuary 9, 2018, at 12:04 p.m. (EDT)May 9, 2018, at 12:04 p.m. (EDT)May 9, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Transit buses used in North America are decades behind global design and safety standards, endangering the health, safety, and lives of operators, riders, and pedestrians;Most transit buses on the road in North America have unsafe window pillar designs and hazardously-placed mirrors, which create blind spots that have resulted in collisions in which pedestrians and others have been killed or injured;Assaults on operators often escalate to serious injury or death due to poorly-secured or unsecured workstations;Poor bus suspension and seating lead to back pain and debilitating conditions for operators as well as compromise passenger comfort; andTransit worker is already classified as the least healthy job due to primitive controls including steering, pedals and other controls cause extreme rates of occupational injury and disability.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to require that transit agencies and manufacturers make our buses safe for operators and passengers by adopting well-tested solutions, including:1. Protective barriers that can be quickly raised or lowered by an operator, that do not obscure the operator’s view, and that do not block ventilation from the driver’s workstation;2. Unobstructed views for bus operators that include open windshields, minimal A-pillars, and mirrors that don’t obscure an operator’s vision;3. Workstations that include ergonomic seating, intelligent steering, adjustable pedals, and a dashboard and steering wheel that both telescope and tilt; and4. Workstations that are free of pests.BusesPublic transitRoad safetyWorkplace health and safety42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1450e-1450 (Waste management)OleHendricksonElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJanuary 11, 2018, at 8:17 a.m. (EDT)May 11, 2018, at 8:17 a.m. (EDT)May 11, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The federal government “owns” over 2 million cubic meters of radioactive waste, none of which is securely contained in long-term management facilities;A consortium of five multinational corporations has been contracted to operate all federal nuclear sites where this waste is found;The International Atomic Energy Agency says the preferred option for managing radioactive waste is to isolate it from the biosphere; andThe consortium appears to be attempting to maximize its profits by proposing “quick and cheap” disposal options that would not keep radioactive waste isolated from the biosphere.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1) Enact strict regulations to keep radioactive waste out of the biosphere;2) Build state of the art facilities for its own radioactive waste;3) Reform the nuclear governance system to ensure that radioactive waste is managed according to best international practices and standards; and4) Take profit out of radioactive waste management.Environmental protectionNuclear safety and securityNuclear wasteWaste management42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1451e-1451 (Neurological diseases)WilliamDuffDarrellSamsonSackville—Preston—ChezzetcookLiberalNSJanuary 12, 2018, at 4:49 p.m. (EDT)May 12, 2018, at 4:49 p.m. (EDT)June 19, 2018September 17, 2018May 14, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On April 5, 2017, motion M-105 was passed, which calls upon the government to increase funding for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and to substantially increase national efforts to develop and launch a comprehensive strategy to assist with the eradication of ALS at the earliest opportunity;Currently in Canada, 3,000 Canadians are diagnosed with ALS;Every year, 1,000 of those Canadians will die from ALS, including the tragic loss of the Honourable Mauril Bélanger, former MP for Ottawa—Vanier, on August 16, 2016; In that same year another 1,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with ALS;Currently the Government of Canada gives $0 directly to ALS research; andALS is not an incurable disease, it's just grossly underfunded.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to fully back motion M-105 and contribute 50 million dollars to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research every year until ALS has been eradicated.Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisGovernment assistanceM-105Medical research42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 15, 2018e-1457e-1457 (National day)ShawnMorrisonScottReidLanark—Frontenac—KingstonConservativeONJanuary 15, 2018, at 2:45 p.m. (EDT)May 15, 2018, at 2:45 p.m. (EDT)May 15, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is open and welcoming to peaceful persons professing any or no faith or creed;Acts of violence and bigotry directed against religious believers are inimical to a free, peaceful, and plural society; andActs such as the June 23, 1985, bombing of Air India Flights 182 and 301, the September 15, 2001, firebombing of the Hindu Samaj Temple and the Hamilton Mountain Mosque, the April 5, 2004, firebombing of Montreal’s United Talmud Torah Jewish school, and the January 29, 2017, murder of Muslims at the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre are emblematic and contemptible examples of such violence.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to adopt Motion M-153 to declare January 29 of every year as National Day of Solidarity with Victims of Anti-religious Bigotry and Violence.M-153National Day of Solidarity with Victims of Anti-religious Bigotry and ViolenceReligious discriminationVictims42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 15, 2018e-1459e-1459 (Drinking water)TomPhilipRobertOliphantDon Valley WestLiberalONJanuary 15, 2018, at 3:19 p.m. (EDT)May 15, 2018, at 3:19 p.m. (EDT)May 15, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:One third of First Nations water refineries have been at high or medium risk of producing non-potable drinking water;According to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada's assessment criteria, there are numerous examples of failed water-treatment plants, water towers and other infrastructure among Canada's 600 plus reserves; andPrime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to end boil-water advisories on reserves by 2021.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1) Ensure that water treatment plants in First Nation communities have the resources they need to maintain their facilities;2) Stay committed to helping build and maintain water treatment plants in First Nations communities; and3) Support Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada so they have enough money for capital requirements for Canada’s Reserves.Aboriginal reservesDepartment of Indian Affairs and Northern DevelopmentDrinking waterWater treatment42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 22, 2018e-1452e-1452 (Building Code)VickiFecteauRobertOliphantDon Valley WestLiberalONJanuary 17, 2018, at 9:50 a.m. (EDT)May 17, 2018, at 9:50 a.m. (EDT)May 28, 2018August 22, 2018May 17, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214319" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development</Addressee>Whereas:More than 470,000 farm animals have died in barn fires in Canada between January 2015 and November 2017;It is very difficult to evacuate animals who are contained in cages and stalls from a burning barn;Barn fires are usually attended by rural fire departments whose response time is longer than those in urban areas and barns are often engulfed in flames on their arrival;The National Research Council is currently updating the National Farm Building Code; andThe current plan for the updated National Farm Building Code does not include protection for animals.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development to direct the National Research Council to revise its policy and add protection of animals from fire as an objective in the updated National Farm Building Code.Animal rights and welfareBuilding codeFarmsFire safetyNational Research Council of Canada42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1453e-1453 (Senate)CameronLozinskiJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJanuary 19, 2018, at 1:37 p.m. (EDT)May 19, 2018, at 1:37 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2018September 17, 2018May 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Senator Lynn Beyak’s comments against the verity of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) stating that Indian Residential Schools had "kindly and well-intentioned men and women...whose remarkable work, good deeds and historical tales in the Residential Schools go unnoticed" are an affront to all the work that the TRC undertook under the leadership of Senator Murray Sinclair while he was the Chair of the TRC;By posting letters she received supporting her views on Residential Schools, it contradicts Survivors experiences;Her comments epitomize the privileged position that she occupies;She has said she "suffered with them up there. I appreciate their suffering more than they'll ever know" and "The best way to heal is to move forward together. Not to blame, not to point fingers, not to live in the past." and these comments are detrimental to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Residential School Survivors, their families and all Canadians; andShe has a lack of respect for the over 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Metis children who were forcibly ripped from their homes and communities for over 110 years. Over 6000 of these children never left these schools as they died in them.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to request for the resignation or dismissal of Independent Senator Lynn Beyak due to her lack of empathy for all Indian Residential School Survivors, their families, and all Canadians.8545-421-64-03 Government Response to petitions concerning the SenateAboriginal residential schoolsBeyak, LynnSenate and senatorsTermination of employment42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 22, 2018e-1454e-1454 (Protection of the environment)Sabrina L.BussièreAnne Minh-ThuQuachSalaberry—SuroîtNDPQCJanuary 19, 2018, at 3:06 p.m. (EDT)May 19, 2018, at 3:06 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2018August 22, 2018May 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:More than 80% of Canada’s original wetlands have disappeared and global warming is increasing, the importance of protecting wetlands becomes very clear;Wetlands have great ecological value in terms of flood prevention, buffer zones, threatened and vulnerable plant species, and protecting natural biodiversity, undeveloped wetlands must remain intact; and Municipalities have no choice but to embrace ecological trends.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure compliance with the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation (1996), which aims to improve and preserve the environment so as to prevent increasing natural disasters by designating the wetlands bordering Lake Saint-François as a protected area.Lake St. FrancisNature conservationWetlands42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 23, 2018e-1472e-1472 (Correctional facilities)Keithde Silvia-LegaultPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONJanuary 23, 2018, at 11:33 a.m. (EDT)May 23, 2018, at 11:33 a.m. (EDT)May 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Administrative Segregation is known to worsen the mental health of inmates;In 2011, a United Nations committee deemed the practice of Solitary Confinement (also known as Administrative Segregation) as a form of a torture and called upon countries to ban the practice;The use of Administrative Segregation has already been in decline since 2015; andIn January of 2018, the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled indefinite Solitary Confinement (also known as Administrative Segregation) unconstitutional.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to abolish or at least reform the practice of Administrative Segregation (also known as Solitary Confinement) in federal correctional facilities across Canada.Correctional facilitiesSolitary confinement42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 25, 2018e-1442e-1442 (Foreign policy)Abdi NouhodowaHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCJanuary 25, 2018, at 8:48 a.m. (EDT)May 25, 2018, at 8:48 a.m. (EDT)May 25, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Somaliland, formed on June 26, 1960, from a British protectorate, declared independence in 1991 following a long dictatorship and an unhappy union with Somalia;Today, Somaliland is the only progressive democracy in East Africa governed for 27 years by democratically elected governments following free, fair and transparent elections hailed by international observers; In contrast to neighbouring Somalia, which has been gripped by war and terrorism for 27 years, Somaliland enjoys political stability and lasting peace; This haven of peace could at any time be disrupted by the chaos that reigns in this volatile region with the wars and terrorist groups in Somalia and Yemen; andCanada is already participating in international efforts to fight terrorism and has already distinguished itself by supporting the Somali people as home to the largest Somali diaspora in the world.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to show leadership on the international stage, to pay particular attention to this young democracy and to provide it with the political and economic support it needs to regain its place among nations and, above all, to escape the terrorism at its door.Foreign policySomaliland42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1478e-1478 (Bankruptcy)MohammedKhanScottDuvallHamilton MountainNDPONJanuary 26, 2018, at 1:39 p.m. (EDT)May 26, 2018, at 1:39 p.m. (EDT)May 28, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian workers rely on their pensions and benefits so they can live and retire with dignity;Canada’s inadequate bankruptcy laws allow failing corporations to take the money intended for their employee’s pensions and benefits, and use it to pay off CEOs, banks and investors instead; andThe Liberal party campaigned on improving retirement security for Canadians.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to fix our bankruptcy laws to stop corporations from putting shareholders, banks and creditors ahead of their employees when they file for bankruptcy protection.BankruptcyBankruptcy and Insolvency ActPension guaranteesPreferred creditors42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1465e-1465 (Parliament of Canada)LesDollWayneStetskiKootenay—ColumbiaNDPBCJanuary 29, 2018, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)May 29, 2018, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)June 11, 2018September 17, 2018May 31, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians need to have a sense of trust in our government to fulfill its promises and mandates on which it was elected.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to develop recall legislation as a means of instilling trust in our government to provide an open, ethical and transparent government to ensure that our elected officials are held accountable to the people for the promises and mandates under which the people put their trust in and voted for.Election of memberVoiding of an election42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1464e-1464 (Michel Vienneau)NicolasVienneauSergeCormierAcadie—BathurstLiberalNBJanuary 29, 2018, at 5:07 p.m. (EDT)May 29, 2018, at 5:07 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018September 17, 2018May 31, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:On January 12, 2015, Michel Vienneau was killed by a police officer from the city of Bathurst, New Brunswick;The death of Michel Vienneau was the result of a false tip sent to Crime Stoppers NB by an unknown tipster;Crime Stoppers NB received and immediately forwarded this false information to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP);The RCMP did not investigate and assigned police officer Patrick Bulger to the scene;The Bathurst City Police led a public lynching campaign against Michel Vienneau after he was killed for no reason; Crime Stoppers NB and police officers may be responsible for the death of Michel Vienneau;There is a probable link between the tipster and the questionable police operation; andThis killing affects all Canadians.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to compel all tipsters and witnesses in this case to appear before a public inquiry and to demand that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police disclose any information in its possession in relation to this case, including (i) the name and identity of the tipster who gave the false tip, (ii) any communications before, during and after the murder of Michel Vienneau related to this case, including the questionable police operation, (iii) any evidence involving any police force and any persons and agencies.8545-421-218-01 Government Response to petitions concerning Michel VienneauBathurstCrime reportingDeaths and funeralsEvidence gatheringRoyal Canadian Mounted PoliceVienneau, Michel42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1490e-1490 (Navigable waters)JamesKennedyShannonStubbsLakelandConservativeABFebruary 5, 2018, at 9:42 a.m. (EDT)June 5, 2018, at 9:42 a.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018September 17, 2018June 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The federal Liberal government’s ban on crude oil tankers on British Columbia’s coast was rushed and based on ideology, not on science or consultation;Thirty-five Indigenous communities were not consulted, and oppose the ban because it eliminates immediate and future economic and social opportunities and benefits;The government did not adequately examine the negative economic impacts of the tanker ban, particularly on major infrastructure initiatives, Indigenous-owned businesses, and opportunities for Indigenous communities in the region;The government did not undertake comprehensive assessments of environmental and marine ecological protection and opportunities for improvements, including spill prevention and response;The government did not adequately consider a national economic assessment, including diversifying oil export markets, especially in the Asia Pacific, and the equity, business, training, and employment opportunities for Indigenous and other communities throughout Canada; andThe proposed ban is an attack on one sector, unfairly targets certain vessels and products, and fails to adequately address foreign vessels that participate in the voluntary exclusion zone.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to withdraw the proposed ban on crude oil tanker traffic off BC’s north coast and begin a new process whereby the interests of all affected, especially Indigenous and other communities in the region, are considered concurrently with a robust industry and national economic assessment, which recognizes the importance of ensuring Canada’s world-leading environmentally and socially responsible oil and gas industry can reach the growing demand of global markets.British ColumbiaCoastal areasOil and gasOil tankersPublic consultation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 22, 2018e-1480e-1480 (Tax system)Étiennevan SteenbergheAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCFebruary 5, 2018, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2018, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018August 22, 2018June 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Public transit makes important contributions to the environment, greenhouse gas reductions and air quality, healthy lifestyles, and economic development;The public transit tax credit is a way to recognize and encourage people to choose an environmentally friendly mode of transportation that does not cause congestion in urban spaces;This tax credit is a fair incentive to use public transit because it is based on personal income. In some regions, users can sometimes save the equivalent of two monthly passes per year;The public transit tax credit benefits seniors, families, students and the middle class; andThe Government of Canada committed to reducing the tax burden on the middle class and the Prime Minister of Canada said, “We were elected on a promise to reduce taxes for the middle class.”We, the undersigned, Citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to restore the public transit tax credit and make it retroactive to January 1, 2018.Public transitPublic transit tax credit42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 5, 2018e-1497e-1497 (Regulation of food and drugs)PaulBraultDougEyolfsonCharleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—HeadingleyLiberalMBFebruary 5, 2018, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2018, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Methamphetamine (also known as meth, chalk, crank, jib, crystal meth and ice) is a synthetic drug manufactured from chemical ingredients;Pseudoephedrine, an over the counter decongestant, is a key chemical ingredient in Methamphetamine;Medicinal products containing Pseudoephedrine are regularly procured at pharmacies for the explicit purpose of producing Methamphetamine in makeshift labs;Methamphetamine can cause drug-induced psychosis characterized by paranoia, hallucinations and delusions that can result in irrational and aggressive behaviours and can cause significant long term mental and physical health effects;An overdose of methamphetamine can result in seizures, high body temperature, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, stroke and death;Methamphetamine abuse is a growing problem across Canada and has produced significant social and economic hardships for individuals, families and communities; andThe States of Oregon and Mississippi have passed legislation to restrict Pseudoephedrine to a prescription-drug status and successfully reduce the amount of Methamphetamine being illegally produced and the number of meth labs in their respective states;We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to work with her provincial and territorial counterparts to make pharmaceuticals containing Pseudoephedrine a prescription only medication.MethamphetaminePrescription drugsPseudoephedrine42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 18, 2018e-1484e-1484 (Discrimination)JoyceStankiewiczHaroldAlbrechtKitchener—ConestogaConservativeONFebruary 6, 2018, at 9:40 a.m. (EDT)June 6, 2018, at 9:40 a.m. (EDT)June 18, 2018July 18, 2018June 7, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The current eligibility requirements of employers seeking to apply for Government of Canada funding through the Canada Summer Jobs Program require organizations to sign an attestation stating that their organization’s core mandate respects individual human rights in Canada, including the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as other rights, including reproductive rights and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression;We believe that requiring organizations to attest that this is their organization’s “core mandate” would force many organizations to choose between their beliefs, often rooted in their religion, and being able to receive funding; and By its nature, this requirement discriminates against organizations based on their beliefs.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the government of Canada to remove this discriminatory requirement and allow Canadians to continue to exercise their freedom of religion and freedom of expression without facing institutionalized discrimination by the Government of Canada.Canada Summer JobsDiscriminationEmployersFreedom of conscience and religionStudent summer employment42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 18, 2018e-1482e-1482 (Tax system)SilvyLemayStevenMacKinnonGatineauLiberalQCFebruary 6, 2018, at 4:50 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2018, at 4:50 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018July 18, 2018June 7, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We must repair our homes following a natural disaster;Government assistance takes some time (more than 9 months);We must free up funds to pay contractors.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of National Revenue to amend the law governing RRSPs so that anyone who has experienced a natural disaster such as a tornado, fire, flood or earthquake can withdraw their RRSP without being subject to taxation, penalties or a maximum withdrawal amount, and that the repayment period shall be 15 to 20 years, retroactive to May 6, 2017.Natural disastersRegistered retirement savings plansTaxation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 17, 2018e-1455e-1455 (Canadian embassies)AdnanKapidzicBobBratinaHamilton East—Stoney CreekLiberalONFebruary 8, 2018, at 5:11 p.m. (EDT)June 8, 2018, at 5:11 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018September 17, 2018June 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229209" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:Canada closed its embassy in Sarajevo on August 1, 2009 without a sound reason, and since, has no diplomatic representation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;Many Canadians travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina annually for tourist, business or educational purposes are being highly disadvantaged;Exchanges between the two countries would be tremendously improved, considering there is an enormous brain drain of highly educated and skilled Bosnian professionals currently, being welcomed by the top EU and worldwide economies;Canada is the only member of the Executive Board of Peace Implementation Council (PIC), monitoring the democratic progress of Bosnia-Herzegovina, since the 1995 Dayton Accord, which does not have its embassy in Sarajevo;With its positive reputation in the world, Canada is missing out the opportunity to actively lead the other PIC members in contributing to the progress of democracy and strengthening the civil rights processes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, considering Canada has already invested millions of dollars in various projects in the postwar Bosnia and Herzegovina, and contributed with many Canadian solders for various peace missions; andBosnian government has been requesting the re-opening of Canadian embassy in Sarajevo on numerous occasions, even recently.We, the undersigned, Canadian Citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to seriously consider the re-opening of the Canadian Embassy in Sarajevo in the best interest of Canadian citizens needing Canadian presence while visiting the country, as well as in the best interest of Canadian diplomacy, expediently demonstrating the leadership, in light of the current political stagnation of democratic progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Bosnia-HerzegovinaEmbassies and consulates42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 12, 2018e-1500e-1500 (Refugees)JenniferMiedemaDavidTilsonDufferin—CaledonConservativeONFebruary 12, 2018, at 2:11 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2018, at 2:11 p.m. (EDT)June 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian refugee sponsorship groups have applications in process right now at the Canadian visa office in Israel to sponsor refugees;Some of them have been held by the visa office for two years without any progress or notification; and These refugees are now in imminent danger of deportation to an unnamed African country where they will likely be without legal status and in danger again.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Immediately act in response to the impending humanitarian disaster in Israel, as Israel plans to forcibly deport thousands of asylum-seekers beginning in March 2018;2. Add Canada’s voice to the growing chorus of agencies, such as Human Rights Watch and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in asking Israel not to expel these Eritrean and Sudanese people by sending a strong message to Israel that the eyes of the world are on them and urge them to do what is right; and3. Ask the Israeli government to protect asylum-seekers who have refugee sponsorships underway with the Canadian government.EritreaForeign policyIsraelRefugeesSudan42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 13, 2018e-1514e-1514 (Employment)DesireeNorwoodNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBFebruary 13, 2018, at 9:38 a.m. (EDT)June 13, 2018, at 9:38 a.m. (EDT)June 13, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:It is time to update the Employment Equity Act to include upgraded affirmative action plans that include personal advocates or sponsors, and deterrence of behaviour contrary to the spirit of our Constitution, which has as one of its fundamental values, the achievement of equality;The current employment equity reports show marginal progress and paints a bleak picture of the progress of transformation in the Canadian workplace;The continued high rate at which the majority appears to be afforded preferential treatment for recruitment, promotion and training opportunities at top management level is of concern; This trend renders it highly unlikely to achieve equitable representation at this level in the near future;The slow pace of change is due to this government’s outdated objectives and the neglect of real skills development;Aboriginal women are not only missing from their homes but from our workplaces and continue to be the most underrepresented;There are companies where official performance appraisals differ substantially from what is said informally; andExecutives are only sponsoring people like themselves.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour to amend the Act to: 1. For greater consequence management, include higher monetary penalties;2. Change the wording of the Act to include “shall” instead of “may” send a letter of direction;3. Amend Sec. 33(e) to give the most underrepresented training opportunities, mentoring or sponsors, and to impose a quota on employers; and4. Ensure training, tracking, incentives, mentoring, or sponsoring programs are implemented for all disadvantaged persons.Adult education and trainingEmployment equityEmployment Equity ActPenalties42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1509e-1509 (Oil and gas)PrasadPandaHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABFebruary 13, 2018, at 3:53 p.m. (EDT)June 13, 2018, at 3:53 p.m. (EDT)June 14, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Trans Mountain pipeline project is of national importance as it has significant economic benefits for our entire country, which in turn supports social programs across Canada;British Columbia’s NDP government has introduced regulations that could prevent the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline project, even after it has passed rigorous, independent and evidence-based decision-making on the safety of the project;Section 92 of our Constitution outlines all of the provincial powers, and specifically gives the federal government control over shipping lines, railways, canals, telegraphs and other works or undertakings that connect one province with one another;Parliament can declare that the Trans Mountain pipeline, and the products it carries, work for the “general advantage of Canada”;Parliament has a duty to ensure that local issues do not supersede the national interests of our country; andThe Prime Minister has a duty to maintain national unity.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to use Section 92.10(c) of the Constitution Act to declare, via the Parliament of Canada, that the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline project is for the general advantage of Canada.Federal-provincial-territorial relationsKinder Morgan CanadaOil and gasTrans Mountain pipeline42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 18, 2018e-1508e-1508 (Employment)JohnNicholbyHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABFebruary 15, 2018, at 2:57 p.m. (EDT)June 15, 2018, at 2:57 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The people of Canada deserve immigration policies that put the interests of Canadian workers first;The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has too often been used to undercut Canadian wages and has generated horrific stories of worker abuse; andBy modifying the program rather than scrapping it, employers faced with a genuine labour shortage can still have access to needed workers.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to change the Temporary Foreign Worker Program so that employers must pay temporary foreign workers 25% more than the local prevailing wage, as of January 1, 2019.Foreign workersIncome and wagesTemporary Foreign Worker Program42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 18, 2018e-1526e-1526 (Tax system)JonathanZaidDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCFebruary 15, 2018, at 5:22 p.m. (EDT)June 15, 2018, at 5:22 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Applying any tax to medically prescribed cannabis is inconsistent with the taxation of all other prescription medicines, which are zero-rated;Taxes applied to medical cannabis create financial barriers to health and well-being for patients, and discourage Canadians from accessing the regulated medical cannabis system;Patients already pay sales tax on medical cannabis and aren't eligible for reimbursement under most insurance plans in Canada; andThe federal government's newly announced proposal to apply excise taxes to medical cannabis, in addition to the existing sales tax, will disadvantage Canadians seeking relief from symptoms including pain, seizures, and insomnia.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to zero-rate medical cannabis tax in line with all other prescription medicines.CannabisExcise taxesPrescription drugsSales taxesTax exemption42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 10, 2018e-1524e-1524 (Foreign students)Sally Yu YangLinJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCFebruary 16, 2018, at 3:52 p.m. (EDT)June 16, 2018, at 3:52 p.m. (EDT)October 29, 2018December 10, 2018June 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:International students with Canadian university awarded degrees should have equal job prospects as their domestic counterparts;International students who hope to live and work in Canada are disadvantaged under the logistical barriers of the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry Program, and are avoided by employers due to the unpredictability around their long-term immigration status;Between 2013 and 2022, there will be 5.8 million job openings, with more than 65% requiring post-secondary training;Increasing the number of post-secondary graduates with work-integrated learning opportunities is critical to addressing any potential shortages in a competitive, high-skilled labour market; andThe removal of barriers would allow international students better opportunities, increase Canada's international student post-graduation attainment rate, and play a critical part of the solution in meeting the long-term challenges of future labour shortages.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, colleagues and friends of international students in Canadian post-secondary education, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to amend the eligibility guidelines under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry Program to allow international students to count full-time paid-experiential and work-integrated learning experiences gained while they are full-time students, as eligible work experience for Permanent Residence (PR) status.8545-421-121-02 Government Response to petitions concerning foreign studentsCanadian Experience ClassEmployment and labourForeign studentsPermanent resident status42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 20, 2018e-1513e-1513 (National day)EricBarnabéPierrePaul-HusCharlesbourg—Haute-Saint-CharlesConservativeQCFebruary 19, 2018, at 5:20 p.m. (EDT)June 19, 2018, at 5:20 p.m. (EDT)June 20, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:On October 20, 2014, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, aged 53, was fatally run down by jihadist sympathizer Martin Couture-Rouleau in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, in Montérégie;On October 22, 2014, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was gunned down without warning while on sentry duty at the National War Memorial by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who was himself shot to death in the Parliament Buildings by Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers;Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, born in Canada in 1982 and a convert to Islam, became a fundamentalist;He was considered a “high-risk traveller” by the intelligence services and had his passport confiscated in July 2014;The Canadian prime minister at the time, Stephen Harper, called the shootings terrorist attacks;Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau also condemned the shooting; andThe attacks of October 20 and 22, 2014, are the first fundamentalist terrorist attacks against soldiers on Canadian soil.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to enact legislation making October 22 National Anti-terrorism Remembrance Day in all Canadian provinces and territories.National Anti-terrorism Remembrance DayTerrorism and terrorists42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 26, 2018e-1541e-1541 (Tax system)HunterDominoPierre-LucDusseaultSherbrookeNDPQCFebruary 21, 2018, at 5:03 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2018, at 5:03 p.m. (EDT)September 26, 2018October 26, 2018June 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Patients receiving psychotherapy treatment from a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in private practice must pay the harmonized sales tax (HST) on the fee charged;Psychotherapy is a health service which, when provided within the scope of practice of members of any other Regulated Health Profession (RHP), is HST-exempt; andThe HST adds a financial barrier on top of the social and cultural stigma that can accompany mental illness.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to remove the HST on psychotherapy as a piece of the overall effort to make mental health care as accessible as possible to the citizens of Canada.8545-421-1-36 Government Response to petitions concerning the tax systemHarmonized Sales TaxMental healthPsychotherapy and psychotherapists42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1538e-1538 (Federal public service)ToddFergusonBrigitteSansoucySaint-Hyacinthe—BagotNDPQCFebruary 21, 2018, at 5:06 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2018, at 5:06 p.m. (EDT)June 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233810" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Public Services and Procurement</Addressee>Whereas:The Phoenix pay system has been operational for two years now and the federal government has been unable to get it to perform its basic task of paying federal public sector workers accurately and on-time;The Auditor General of Canada believes bringing the Phoenix pay system to a functional state will require more than $540 million in additional costs and several more years;Over 500,000 cases of missing or inaccurate pay have been reported in the last two years; andFederal public sector workers deserve to receive their pay accurately, consistently, and on-time;We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Public Services and Procurement to: 1. Commit the necessary resources and begin the development of another pay system, created internally by public sector workers, to replace the Phoenix pay system and accurately and consistently pay federal public sector workers in a timely manner; and 2. Hire as many Pay Advisors and other pay personnel as required to ensure that all federal public sector workers consistently and accurately receive their pay & benefits;BacklogsComputer systemsIncome and wagesPhoenixPublic Service and public servantsStaffing42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 25, 2018e-1512e-1512 (Funding aid)SandraBattagliniJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONFebruary 26, 2018, at 2:43 p.m. (EDT)June 26, 2018, at 2:43 p.m. (EDT)September 24, 2018October 25, 2018June 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: The Canada Council for the Arts does not recognize stand-up comedy as an artistic activity or artistic discipline, excluding stand-up comedians from arts funding; The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, Prince Edward Island Council of the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, New Brunswick Arts Board, Quebec Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Manitoba Arts Council, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, British Columbia Arts Council, NWT Arts Council, Yukon Arts Advisory Council, and the Arts Development Program in Nunavut do not consider stand-up comedy an art form; The Canada Council for the Arts funds comedy only if you define yourself as a theatre artist, yet stand-up comedy is one of the most immediate forms of artistic theatre; Stand-up comedians in Canada have no access to public arts funding to tour, develop their craft, create material, produce albums, and reach new audiences; Stand-up comedians in Canada have the same right as other artists to receive arts funding, as they relay through their artistic expression truthful, real, and lived experiences of Canadian life and Canadian identity across all cultural, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-economic lines; Canadian stand-up comedians, acclaimed throughout the world, represent one of Canada's greatest intellectual and creative resources; yet are granted no arts funding and limited opportunities for career advancement, which contributes to comedians leaving Canada in search of work; and With proper recognition, Canadian stand-up comedians can truly thrive, creating significant cultural and economic benefits across the country.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to designate stand-up comedy an art form and support Canadian comedians through arts funding.ComediansGovernment assistance42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 7, 2018e-1530e-1530 (Women's rights)christinepoulinEvaNassifVimyLiberalQCFebruary 27, 2018, at 4:26 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2018, at 4:26 p.m. (EDT)October 24, 2018December 7, 2018June 28, 2018Petition to <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">the House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas :Today women achieve the highest levels of education, but still do not have equal access to positions on Boards of Directors in business corporations;30% of large organizations did not self-impose reachable targets to increase women’s representation on their Boards of Directors; andThere still is an imbalance in the make-up of Boards of Directors that does not reflect the massive investments made by Canada in support of women’s education.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: Intervene and adopt a parity system across all firms and organizations whether private or public; and establish a deadline of 5 years for corporations to voluntarily adopt such measures;Ensure that all Canadian Crown Corporations have parity on their Boards of Directors; Ensure that a business awareness-raising campaign and a sustained campaign to promote women in corporations must be conducted by the Ministry of the Status of Women;Impose incentives and mandatory disclosure of means on all governmental organizations in order to reach an acceptable parity ranging between 40% and 60%; andEnsure that non-compliant firms be fined if the desired percentage of women’s representation is not reached within the given time frame, which should include a penalty against their Directors such as denying them of their honorarium for attendance.8545-421-130-02 Government Response to petitions concerning women's rightsEmployment opportunitiesSexual discrimination42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 28, 2018e-1536e-1536 (Electoral system)RomoChampagneHon.LarryBagnellYukonLiberalYTFebruary 27, 2018, at 4:26 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2018, at 4:26 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled </Addressee>Whereas Young Canadians aged 16 and over need to be able to vote in all federal elections; Sixteen-year-old teenagers can be very well informed of how government works and why they should vote for someone to represent them; Teenagers will be the most affected by the decisions the elected government will make, and they deserve to have a say in what will affect their future.We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to amend the Canada Elections Act to lower the voting age from 18 to 16.Electoral systemVoting age42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 8, 2018e-1540e-1540 (Employment)VladyslavPashynskyyEvaNassifVimyLiberalQCFebruary 27, 2018, at 4:26 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2018, at 4:26 p.m. (EDT)October 1, 2018November 8, 2018June 28, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We have observed a scarcity of internships and internal jobs for language professionals; We note that language professionals are often required to produce texts in their second language, despite the difficulties associated with this kind of task; We note that clients have a tendency of paying language professionals at a lower rate than they deserve, given that they usually have a university education; The important role of language professionals must be better recognized by companies, professionals and individuals; The situation language professionals are in should finally be understood. We, the undersigned members of the community of language professionals, students, colleagues and allies working in various fields, and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Ensure that the professional world is informed of the occupational realities of language professions;2. Reproach employers who force language professionals to work in more than one language;3. Encourage employers not to require a level of expertise from beginners that is found only in experienced professionals;4. Require clients to respect reasonable rates;5. Put a stop to the ongoing job cuts for language professionals;6. Either reinstate the now-defunct Traduca program, originally created by the Government of Canada and funded through the Roadmap for Official Languages, or implement other similar internship programs.Language industryWorking hours, terms and conditions42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1552e-1552 (Certain imported goods)ThomasPerryMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendConservativeABFebruary 28, 2018, at 5:40 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2018, at 5:40 p.m. (EDT)January 30, 2019March 18, 2019June 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has deemed one-hand opening knives prohibited from import.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to repeal the Canadian International Trade Tribunal’s decision to prohibit the import of one-hand opening knives.ImportsKnives42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 3, 2018e-1559e-1559 (Air transportation)AidanHupéHon.LarryBagnellYukonLiberalYTMarch 2, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT)June 30, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:The Department of Transport has created legislation on the use of drones and model aircraft, stating that they are dangerous and that they pose a risk to people and buildings;Changes to the regulations governing model aircraft used for recreational and non-commercial purposes are being proposed; andThe current regulation criminalizes model aircraft enthusiasts, as most models weigh less than two pounds and will cause no damage, even if they hit someone or something.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to delete the current regulation, section 602.45 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR), which targets model aircraft and drones.Air safetyRecreationRemotely piloted aircraft42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1535e-1535 (Post-secondary education)AnnaTölgyesiHon.LarryBagnellYukonLiberalYTMarch 2, 2018, at 12:31 p.m. (EDT)June 30, 2018, at 12:31 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s francophone minority youth need post-secondary education options in their language in order to succeed, promote the language and maintain their francophone pride;French-language post-secondary education plays an important role in minority communities and in their identities by ensuring youth from francophone communities can depend on a genuine continuum of education in French, from early childhood to the post-secondary level;Distance, the lack of courses and programs, and linguistic insecurity are barriers that can prevent students from continuing their post-secondary studies in French; andThere is no francophone university west of Manitoba.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to undertake the development of a national plan to increase the number of post-secondary institutions, programs and courses in francophone minority communities, especially in Western Canada.Colleges and universitiesFrancophones outside Quebec42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 3, 2018e-1556e-1556 (Immigration)MercedesBenitezJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCMarch 2, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT)June 30, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Section 38(1)(c) of the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) allows for the rejection of an entire family of applicants if one individual has a disability or medical condition that officials believe could put “excessive demand” on Canada’s health and/or social services;Witnesses appearing before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration confirmed that the assessment of “excessive demand” was arbitrary, inaccurate, and does not account for contributions of the individual and/or family to society and therefore changing any threshold would not bring the policy in line with Canadian values;Section 38(1)(c) has been recognized by parliamentarians, committee witnesses and the Minister of Immigration as discrimination against individuals with disabilities;Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, states that every individual has the right to equal benefit of the law without discrimination based on mental or physical disability;Canada has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which states people with disabilities, “Have the right to acquire and change a nationality and are not deprived of their nationality arbitrarily or on the basis of disability”; andApproximately one-thousand families every year are unjustly separated and suffer from this discrimination.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, families and friends of those affected by the medical inadmissibility clause, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to repeal Section 38(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.DiscriminationImmigration and immigrantsPersons with disabilities42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1542e-1542 (Employment)KerrySwansonHon.HedyFryVancouver CentreLiberalBCMarch 2, 2018, at 2:02 p.m. (EDT)June 30, 2018, at 2:02 p.m. (EDT)December 12, 2018January 28, 2019July 3, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Career colleges are post-secondary institutions, regulated by provincial governments, in existence since the early 1800s, and delivering education and training to over 150,000 students in Canada;The Post-Graduate Work Permit Program is operated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada pursuant to the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act;International students attending regulated career colleges, outside of Québec are ineligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program;International students who attend regulated career colleges are at a disadvantage, compared to other international students attending public institutions, due to their ineligibility to access the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program, which may be seen as discriminatory against these students and regulated career colleges;Giving access to the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program to international students would benefit Canada and help our country attain its objectives in attracting a qualified workforce for the future;Sections 200 and 205 of the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act provide the Minister authority to implement a Post-Graduate Work Permit Program but not authority to discriminate against regulated career colleges; andA list of designated learning institutions has been developed, with guidelines from the federal government and the provincial governments, identifying regulated colleges able to receive international students.We, the undersigned, students, instructors, managers and owners of regulated career colleges as well as employers, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to Amend Post-Graduate Work Permit Program policies and change the eligibility criteria for the program to enable international students attending regulated career colleges on the Designated Learning Institution List to apply and obtain Post Graduate Work Permits.Colleges and universitiesImmigration and immigrantsPost-Graduation Work Permit ProgramWork permits42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 3, 2018e-1551e-1551 (Housing policy)NataliaCzarneckaRomeoSaganashAbitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—EeyouNDPQCMarch 2, 2018, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)June 30, 2018, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2018Petition to <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">the Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: The Lac Simon First Nations community is facing a housing crisis that is severely affecting its members and that has serious consequences for entire families; Members of the Lac Simon Anishnabe Nation have long called for 300 homes to be built to address overcrowding and deplorable living conditions;The signatories of this petition express their support for urgent action to meet the demands of the Lac Simon community and their material and human resources needs.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately take into consideration the needs of the Lac Simon Anishnabe Nation and urgently make every effort to ensure that the 300 houses are built, making the greatest use of local human resources.Aboriginal reservesHousingLac Simon Anishnabe Nation42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 4, 2018e-1544e-1544 (Navigable waters)StevenRobertsonIreneMathyssenLondon—FanshaweNDPONMarch 5, 2018, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)July 3, 2018, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)July 4, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Conservative government stripped environmental regulations covered in the Navigable Waters Act, leaving hundreds of rivers  vulnerable;The ecological diversity of the North Thames, Middle Thames, and Thames Rivers are at risk; andThe Liberal government has failed to keep their promise to reinstate the environmental protections gutted from the original  Act.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to Support NDP Irene Mathyssen’s  Bill C-355 which commits the Government to prioritizing the protection of  the Thames River by amending the Navigable Waters Protections Act.Inland watersNavigation Protection ActThames River42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 31, 2018e-1560e-1560 (Foreign policy)HelenaPapadamLarryMillerBruce—Grey—Owen SoundConservativeONMarch 6, 2018, at 4:05 p.m. (EDT)July 4, 2018, at 4:05 p.m. (EDT)September 17, 2018October 31, 2018July 5, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has demonstrated the lack of security protocols to prevent the invitation of convicted terrorists to state dinners in other countries.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:1) Engage in an open investigation and report on all failures in the PMO related to national security and international relations of Canada abroad or other related security matters;2) Present revised security policies and procedures to address lapses in security and international relations as a result of such; and3) Complete a thorough investigation of the most recent incident involving India and to clearly delineate the failures of those responsible.8545-421-87-06 Government Response to petitions concerning foreign policyIndiaInternational relationsNational security42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1566e-1566 (Elderly)GHAZYMUJAHIDIqraKhalidMississauga—Erin MillsLiberalONMarch 6, 2018, at 4:22 p.m. (EDT)July 4, 2018, at 4:22 p.m. (EDT)July 5, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Seniors (aged 65 years and over) are the fastest growing segment of Canada’s population accounting for 16.9 per cent and for the first time have exceeded the child population aged below 15 years (Census 2016);Seniors will remain the fastest growing cohort and are projected to constitute one fourth of the population by 2036; andSeniors, despite their large and increasing numbers, remain unrepresented in the Government with no one in Cabinet exclusively mandated to consider their needs and inform cross-departmentally a coordinated approach for addressing various relevant issues and oversee that the system is working effectively for our ageing population.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to appoint a Minister or a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister for Seniors Affairs to ensure a coordinated approach towards safeguarding the interests of seniors and improving their quality of life.Cabinet ministersSenior citizens42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 19, 2018e-1568e-1568 (Working conditions)AmélieNguyenMoniquePauzéRepentignyGroupe parlementaire québécoisQCMarch 7, 2018, at 2:35 p.m. (EDT)July 5, 2018, at 2:35 p.m. (EDT)October 4, 2018November 19, 2018July 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has ratified the eight Fundamental Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;The Government of Canada, labour organizations and numerous organizations for social change played a key role in the adoption of the ILO’s Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189);The majority of ILO members voted in favour of Convention No. 189, which sets minimum standards to make domestic work more decent and fair, and recognizes domestic workers’ freedom of association;ILO Recommendation No. 201 lists non-binding measures that governments can introduce to ensure their legislation complies with Convention No. 189; andDespite domestic workers’ significant contribution to the national economy, Canada has still not ratified Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189).We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: • ratify the International Labour Organization’s Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189); and• invite provincial and territorial governments to harmonize their laws with the International Labour Organization’s Recommendation No. 201, which accompanies this Convention.8545-421-102-02 Government Response to petitions concerning working conditionsDomestic workersInternational Labour OrganizationWorking hours, terms and conditions42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 6, 2018e-1565e-1565 (Cruelty to animals)CharleneMyersNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONMarch 7, 2018, at 2:35 p.m. (EDT)July 5, 2018, at 2:35 p.m. (EDT)October 23, 2018December 6, 2018July 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Violence against animals and violence against people are not distinct and separate problems. Rather, they are part of a larger pattern of violent crimes that often co-exist. Research shows a significant correlation between animal cruelty and domestic violence, the physical and sexual abuse of children, sexual assault and other violent crimes. This relationship between violence against animals and people is commonly known as the violence link;Animal cruelty can play an important role in criminal offender threat assessment. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, and animal abuse is prominently displayed in the histories of people who are habitually violent;Many convicted animal abusers in Canada have also been convicted of other crimes, including violence toward humans. Brian Whitlock of Vancouver, who was convicted on June 12, 2013, of animal cruelty for beating his dog, Captain, with a baseball bat, was sentenced to 60 days in jail, mandatory psychological counselling and three years' probation. Whitlock was subsequently convicted for killing his mother, 61 year old Barbara Whitlock; andOur communities will be safer with early detection and intervention in cases of animal cruelty. Intervention should involve appropriate risk assessment tools, as well as treatment programs created specifically to target animal abuse. Such assessment tools and treatment programs already exist and should be incorporated into current intervention programs.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to require that everyone convicted of animal cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada be required to undergo a mandatory risk assessment, and treatment developed specifically to target animal abuse.Crime and criminalityCruelty to animalsSentencing42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 18, 2018e-1576e-1576 (Sudan)SamirOsmanMarwanTabbaraKitchener South—HespelerLiberalONMarch 12, 2018, at 3:53 p.m. (EDT)July 10, 2018, at 3:53 p.m. (EDT)September 18, 2018October 18, 2018July 11, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada does not provide visa and immigration services in Sudan, and Sudanese applicants are obliged to travel to Egypt, Ethiopia, or the UAE to have biometric fingerprints taken;The fingerprinting process itself takes less than 30 minutes, while the cost to the applicant includes taking days off from work, the cost of airline tickets, hotel accommodations, living expenses, as well as the costs of applying for entry visas to Egypt, Ethiopia, or the UAE, and, for some elderly applicants, the cost of a person to accompany them; andThis is prejudicial to Canadians of Sudanese origin who wish to have their family members join them or visit them in Canada.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens of Sudanese origin and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to provide visa and immigration services, including biometric fingerprinting, in Khartoum, Sudan, for Sudanese applicants.Immigration and immigrantsPassports and visasSudan42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 1, 2018e-1499e-1499 (Syria)OliverDoepnerElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMarch 13, 2018, at 8:11 a.m. (EDT)July 11, 2018, at 8:11 a.m. (EDT)September 20, 2018November 1, 2018July 11, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Turkey launched an air and ground operation against Afrin on Saturday, January 20th; Turkey has amassed an enormous military force on the Afrin border and President Erdogan has promised to attack the Kurdish-controlled canton with full force, annihilating a peaceful enclave, and putting thousands of civilians and refugees at risk, all in pursuit of its vendetta against the Kurds;The Kurdish people have endured the loss of thousands of young men and women who joined the YPG, and YPJ women’s force, to rid the world of ISIS; andArticle 1 of the NATO treaty demands member countries to "settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means".We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to stand behind the Kurdish people, hold Turkey accountable and stop the bombing of Afrin, a Kurdish city in Rojava with a population of 324.000, including 126,000 displaced people according to the United Nations and use all their influence and power to prevent this catastrophe and to guarantee Afrin’s stability and security and prevent further Turkish aggression from within Syria and across the Syrian border.Foreign policyKurdsMilitary operations and eventsSyriaTurkey42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 11, 2018e-1534e-1534 (Bridges)JeanHémondHon.ThomasMulcairOutremontNDPQCMarch 13, 2018, at 8:08 a.m. (EDT)July 11, 2018, at 8:08 a.m. (EDT)July 11, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The 100-year-old Quebec Bridge is rusting significantly and deformed in places and has been the subject of urgent engineering reports regarding its safety and lifespan;The public has serious doubts about adherence to safety margins and the number of years of useful life remaining;The engineers responsible are ethically obligated to inform the public about any safety risks;Owing to its isostatic construction, renovating the bridge will be impossible if its structure and piers have degraded too much;Numerous permanent deformations of the metal structure, some in critical areas, have been observed and could signify the beginning of a total failure;The concrete in the piers, which have been subject to 100 years of freeze-thaw cycles, has likely degraded; andA great deal of public investment is necessary to review its ownership status and carry out rehabilitation work.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to: (a) publish all bridge inspection and repair reports since 1993 and safety measures; (b) require the installation of barriers and traffic lights to stop vehicle traffic when the heaviest trains are crossing or ships are adrift; and (c) publish an independent technical and financial audit of its condition and the scope of work necessary to extend its lifespan.Inspections and inspectorsPont de QuébecSafetyTransportation infrastructure42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 12, 2018e-1578e-1578 (Children's rights)NaitangChiuJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCMarch 13, 2018, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)July 11, 2018, at 4:10 p.m. (EDT)July 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:As a ratified signator of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Canada has a responsibility to hold the best interest of the child as primary in any decision making process which may impact their wellbeing (United Nations,1989);There were 162 children held in Canadian immigration detention in the fiscal year 2016-2017. There is no official data on how many of these minors are Canadian born citizens accompanying a detained parent/guardian;Many children are forced to go into foster care and are separated from their families; andViolation of rights of education: education received in detention centre is not adequate.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: (a) uphold the principles set forth in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child by making the physical and emotional well-being of all children primary in all decisions regarding Immigration; (b) end immigration detention for children; and (c) implement alternatives to detention for families with children to prevent family separation.ChildrenCivil and human rightsConvention on the Rights of the ChildImmigration and immigrants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1580e-1580 (Cruelty to animals)AudreyWeissElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMarch 13, 2018, at 4:07 p.m. (EDT)July 11, 2018, at 4:07 p.m. (EDT)November 19, 2018January 28, 2019July 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Everyday organizations across the country work hard to rescue animals from suffering at the hands of their abusers;There's no system in place in communicating individuals not suitable to own animals, potentially putting more animals at risk;A public database would allow citizens and rescue shelters to verify they won't be placing an animal with an animal abuser;People who are guilty of violent crimes often have a history of animal abuse;Documented studies show there is a link between animal abuse and other violence (child abuse, murder, etc);As many offenders move, an online registry of animal abusers would be useful for tracking purposes;People involved in animal fighting rings, puppy mills, and hoarding animals (which could lead to abuse and neglect) would be easily tracked with an online registry;Canada has Child Abuse and Sex Offender Registries, but not an animal abuse registry;A database would be helpful to serve as a warning of potentially committing future crimes; andAnimal abuse happens. We need too address it, stop it and hold abusers accountable.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to legislate that anyone convicted of an animal abuse felony have their name registered on an Animal Abuse Registry (similar to what sex offenders and child abusers do).Crime and criminalityCruelty to animalsData banks and databases42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 16, 2019e-1579e-1579 (Fibromyalgia)DianaKhbeisGaganSikandMississauga—StreetsvilleLiberalONMarch 13, 2018, at 4:49 p.m. (EDT)July 11, 2018, at 4:49 p.m. (EDT)November 19, 2018January 16, 2019July 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Fibromyalgia is the second most common rheumatic disorder behind osteoarthritis and is now considered to be a lifelong central nervous system disorder, which is responsible for amplified pain that shoots through the body in those who suffer from it;Fibromyalgia was originally thought to be a rheumatologic condition because—like diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis—it is characterized by musculoskeletal pain;In 2015 World Health Organization identified Fibromyalgia as a legitimate disease and allotted an official ICD code "M797" under "Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue; Chapter XIII ICD-10-CA", which Canada adopted; andResearch has since shown that there are no abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system in people with fibromyalgia. Instead, the problem appears to lie in the pain processing pathways of our central nervous system.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to lead the way medically by officially recognizing Fibromyalgia as a long-term neurological disease rather than musculoskeletalone and properly re-locate the disease of Fibromyalgia in the ICD-10-CA from “Diseases of Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue; Chapter XIII ICD-10-CA” to “Diseases of the Nervous System; Chapter VI ICD-10-CA”, under sub-category of “G90”. In doing so, the benefits to the country will be two-fold: (a) allow a clearer treatment plan for all sufferers allowing them to maintain as good of a quality of life as possible, and (b) allow proper treatment of symptoms neurologically, rather than just administering opioids to improperly treat “muscular pain”.Fibromyalgia42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 23, 2018e-1581e-1581 (Tax system)GussNashMartinShieldsBow RiverConservativeABMarch 14, 2018, at 1:47 p.m. (EDT)July 12, 2018, at 1:47 p.m. (EDT)September 20, 2018October 23, 2018July 17, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The previous government instituted a tax credit for Volunteer Firemen in 2011 and a similar tax treatment for Volunteer Search and Rescue in 2014;Property Crime and Criminal Code Offences have spiked in Rural Alberta;Citizens on Patrol, acting as the eyes and ears of the RCMP have proven to be highly effective in reducing the incidents of crime; andA Citizen on Patrol is an unarmed, unpaid, volunteer who often requires the use of a personal vehicle.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to extend a tax credit to Citzens on Patrol similar to that already given to Volunteer FireFighters and Search and Rescue volunteers.Citizens on PatrolCrime preventionTax creditsVolunteering and volunteers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 19, 2018e-1527e-1527 (Canadian citizenship)kerrystarchukJoePeschisolidoSteveston—Richmond EastLiberalBCMarch 19, 2018, at 1:52 p.m. (EDT)July 17, 2018, at 1:52 p.m. (EDT)October 5, 2018November 19, 2018July 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:An abusive and exploitative practice known as 'Birth Tourism' now exists in Canada, whereby expectant mothers who are foreign nationals, with no status in Canada, gain automatic citizenship for their children born in Canada;The practice of 'Birth Tourism' is fundamentally debasing the value of Canadian citizenship;The practice of 'Birth Tourism' can be very costly to taxpayers, since it can be used to gain access to Canada's publicly subsidized post-secondary education system and to take advantage of Canada's public healthcare system and generous social security programs, all without having to contribute much to the funding of these systems and programs';Canadian citizens and permanent residents have been displaced by foreign nationals at local hospitals, thereby requiring Canadian citizens and permanent residents to seek medical attention at other facilities;Underground and unregulated 'for profit' businesses have developed both in Canada and 'countries of origin' to facilitate the practice of 'Birth Tourism'; andThe instances of 'Birth Tourism' are increasing in multiple cities across Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to:1. Publicly state that the government does not support 'Birth Tourism' due to the inherent unfairness of this practice and the negative consequences associated with it;2. Commit public resources to determine the full extent of this practice across Canada; and3. Expeditiously implement concrete measures to reduce and eliminate this practice.BirthsCitizenship and identityForeign persons42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1589e-1589 (Blood donations)AnnetteTothKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCMarch 19, 2018, at 1:52 p.m. (EDT)July 17, 2018, at 1:52 p.m. (EDT)December 10, 2018January 28, 2019July 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian Blood Services (CBS) will not accept blood donations from men who have sex with men, if they had a male sexual partner within a year;The ban focuses on gender and sexual identity over sexual behaviours more likely to indicate risk of sexual disease, despite the fact CBS screens all blood from all donors for a variety of factors, including HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases; The ban creates and reinforces negative stigma surrounding men who have sex with men, and prevents potentially healthy donors from donating blood; and CBS misgenders trans women as men for the purposes of blood donation and focuses on their gender affirmation surgery status, despite there not being a single documented case of a trans person donating infected blood.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens, call upon the government of Canada to act now to repeal the blood ban against men who have sex with men.8545-421-95-02 Government Response to petitions concerning blood donationsBlood servicesDiscriminationGay and lesbian personsMen42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 18, 2018e-1591e-1591 (Issuance of visas)DiegoCobianKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCMarch 19, 2018, at 1:51 p.m. (EDT)July 17, 2018, at 1:51 p.m. (EDT)July 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Canada was founded under the influence and affluence of immigrants from all parts of the world;Our Canadian Human Rights Act expresses in its purpose that it is a principle that all individuals should have an opportunity equal with other individuals to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have and to have their needs accommodated, consistent with their duties and obligations as members of society, without being hindered or prevented from doing so by discriminatory practices based on race, national or ethnic origin, among other reasons; andIt is very common in Canada to find families divided by borders, families and friends that had been apart for several years.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to evaluate and implement the following three proposed changes to the Visitor Visa Program, in order to facilitate, and in many cases to enable, the efforts of citizens to invite relatives and friends:1.  The Invitation Letter, should be considered legitimate, based on its sincere intentions, and trusted by our immigration system as a document that truly expresses the intentions of the visitor to Canada;2.  The economic conditions, political believes and country of origin of the invitee shouldn’t be considered as a deterrent factor when evaluating his/her prospect to visit Canada and the Canadian resident inviting should demonstrate and provide his/her ability to cover all the expenses of the person visiting; and3. Both parties, should sign an agreement that prohibits the visitor to stay in Canada once the visitor visa has expired.Immigration and immigrantsPassports and visas42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 27, 2018e-1558e-1558 (National day)PhilippePannetonSherryRomanadoLongueuil—Charles-LeMoyneLiberalQCMarch 19, 2018, at 3:49 p.m. (EDT)July 17, 2018, at 3:49 p.m. (EDT)October 15, 2018November 27, 2018July 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is the sudden and unexpected death of a child 12 months and older which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation is conducted. This must include; examination of the death scene, performance of a complete autopsy, and a review of the child and family's medical history. SUDC is a category of death that currently eludes our scientific understanding today;There is no known way to reduce or prevent SUDC;At this time, SUDC is both unpredictable and unpreventable;At this time, very few groups in Canada are researching the subject;Families, friends, peers, and communities are devastated each time a child is lost without cause or explanation; andRaising the awareness of both practicing professionals and the public through a national SUDC Awareness Day would inspire researcher interest, raise public awareness, encourage SUDC research funding and, in turn, potentially yield results which could lead to a significant decrease in the needless death of children.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to declare April 26 as National SUDC Awareness Day across Canada.National SUDC Awareness DaySudden unexplained death in childhood42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 25, 2018e-1590e-1590 (National day)CarionFennCelinaCaesar-ChavannesWhitbyLiberalONMarch 19, 2018, at 7:42 p.m. (EDT)July 17, 2018, at 7:42 p.m. (EDT)September 19, 2018October 25, 2018July 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:1 in 12 Canadians are affected by a Rare Disease or Disorder;Rare Diseases Impact more people than Aids and cancer combined;350 Million people globally are fighting rare diseases;50% of the people affected by rare diseases are children; andWe are honored that each year the Mayors of Ajax and Pickering along with Mayors across Canada proclaim the last day of February as Rare Disease Day.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to join others around the world in setting aside the last day of February each year as Rare Disease Day. 8545-421-131-06 Government Response to petitions concerning a national dayRare and orphan diseasesRare Disease Day42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 1, 2018e-1597e-1597 (Labelling of food products)BarbraAllen BradshawJohnAldagCloverdale—Langley CityLiberalBCMarch 20, 2018, at 2:25 p.m. (EDT)July 18, 2018, at 2:25 p.m. (EDT)September 26, 2018November 1, 2018July 18, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians are struggling under the burden of preventable nutritional disease. Health Canada recently announced proposed front of package labelling regarding salt, sugar and saturated fat. Population-wide nutritional policies must be backed by strong and consistent scientific evidence. In the case of salt and saturated fats, the data does not support these recommendations; Recent studies all concluded that a moderate amount (3-5g daily) of sodium is an optimal, population-wide recommendation. Below this amount, an increased risk of disease and death is seen. There is no data showing that reducing sodium intake below 3 g/day in entire populations is effective or safe; Saturated fats were condemned in the 1950s based on weak and unreliable data. The evidence since then has failed to support the diet-heart hypothesis. Limiting saturated fats may cause harm: the largest observational study to date found low consumption of saturated fats was associated with higher rates of mortality and stroke; andGood science is the best way to inform public health policy. The potential harm to Canadians by enacting these warning labels should be a cause for grave concern.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to:1) Abandon front of package labelling and warnings on salt and saturated fat;2) End the reliance upon the US Dietary Guidelines, deemed to “lack scientific rigour" by National Academies of Science; and3) Conduct an independent scientific review of Health Canada's 'Evidence Review for Dietary Guidance' and the proposed Guide changes by an impartial scientific committee.Dietary reference intakesFood labellingSaltSaturated fats42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 25, 2018e-1595e-1595 (National parks)LeslieDolanJimEglinskiYellowheadConservativeABMarch 21, 2018, at 1:08 p.m. (EDT)July 19, 2018, at 1:08 p.m. (EDT)September 18, 2018October 25, 2018July 20, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The current definition of 'eligible resident' as contained in the National Parks Act is outdated and limiting. It denies many people who can demonstrate connection and commitment to communities that lie within the National Parks the right to reside in places they call home; andThe limitations contained in the definition of 'eligible resident’ and the enforcement of this clause is creating hardship and heartache for Canadian citizens who live in the community of Jasper and elsewhere.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:1) Review and revise the definition of subsection (g) "eligible resident" in the National Parks of Canada Lease and License of Occupation Regulations (SOR/92-25) to include more diverse and inclusive relationships that would provide eligibility; to make a provision for people who were raised in communities within national parks to remain eligible to live in their home community regardless of their employment or relationship status; and to provide more clear definitions to reduce ambiguity in understanding and application of the criteria as found in ‘Interpretation 2 (1)’; and2) Establish an appeal panel (comprised of representatives from Parks Canada Agency, Municipal government, and community members) and a process for considering appeals when eligible resident status has been denied to a person.National, provincial and territorial parks and reservesPopulation and migration42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 7, 2018e-1599e-1599 (Issuance of visas)PouyanTabasinejadJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCMarch 21, 2018, at 2:27 p.m. (EDT)July 19, 2018, at 2:27 p.m. (EDT)October 29, 2018December 7, 2018July 20, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:The imposition of biometric requirements in 2013 requires Iranians aged 14 to 70 to attend Visa Application Centres (VACs) to submit temporary resident visa applications for which they are one of the leading source countries of applicants around the world;The lack of a VAC in Iran forces Iran-based relatives of Iranian-Canadians to travel to third countries such as Turkey to submit their applications to visit or to join Canadian relatives;This hardship is experienced by thousands of Iranians who are presently the 5th source country globally for visitor visa applications and 7th source country globally for student visa applications;The Government of Canada announced on Feb 23, 2018, its plan to expand its VAC network to 149 locations in 99 countries by 2019; andThe Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced on several occasions that the current Government of Canada is committed to re-establishing relations with Iran and the opening of a VAC can serve as a constructive step towards such efforts.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to open Visa Application Centre(s) in Iran as a matter of utmost importance.IranPassports and visas42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 25, 2018e-1593e-1593 (Electoral system)AdeOlumideNathanCullenSkeena—Bulkley ValleyNDPBCMarch 26, 2018, at 9:51 a.m. (EDT)July 24, 2018, at 9:51 a.m. (EDT)July 25, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:S. 67(4)(c) of the Canada Elections Act empowers individuals authorized by a political party to endorse (or withhold endorsement) of a prospective candidate without providing a reason;The UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states: “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions ... without unreasonable restrictions: (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives, (b) … to be elected...”;The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly” and “No one shall be subjected…to attacks upon his honour and reputation.”;S. 4 of the Quebec Charter states: “Every person has a right to the safeguard of his dignity, honour and reputation;S. 91 of the Canada Elections Act states: “No person shall … knowingly make or publish any false statement of fact in relation to the personal character or conduct of a …prospective candidate.”; andA duty to give reasons for endorsing or not endorsing a prospective candidate does not remove a party’s power to not endorse a prospective candidate, as per s. 67(4)(c) of the Canada Elections Act.We, the undersigned, electors of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to amend s. 67(4)(c) of the Canada Elections Act by adding at the end, after the word “party”, “with reasons for their endorsement of the candidate or prospective candidate or nomination contestant”.Electoral candidates and nominationsElectoral system42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 18, 2018e-1554e-1554 (Refugees)JoanWenmanElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMarch 26, 2018, at 2:13 p.m. (EDT)July 24, 2018, at 2:13 p.m. (EDT)September 17, 2018October 18, 2018July 25, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Many citizen sponsors, in line with Canadian citizenship values, responded to the federal government's call in 2015-2016 for Syrian refugees to come to Canada;Many private sponsorship groups raised money, undertook training, secured housing, and prepared to welcome refugee families and individuals;Many of those groups welcomed and received families and individuals whom they had agreed to sponsor through an expedited process;Because of subsequent cuts in federal government support of visa staff, some of those private sponsorship groups are still waiting for refugee families and individuals; andExperience shows that private sponsorship is a proven way of integrating refugees, of involving community members, and of engaging financial resources that are community raised.We, the undersigned, Victoria Advocates for Refugees, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to1) Eliminate the backlog of private sponsorship applications by the end of 2018;2) Commit to accept at least 20,000 new UN Convention refugees for each of the next five years;3) Lift annual, numerical caps on refugee acceptance through particular visa offices around the globe; and 4) Accept the principle of "additionality" for private sponsorships such that IRCC gives approval whenever refugees deemed admissible are linked to sponsorship groups with capacity and resources to settle them.BacklogsImmigration and immigrantsRefugee sponsorship42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 26, 2018e-1604e-1604 (Housing policy)CourtenayKeenanT.J.HarveyTobique—MactaquacLiberalNBMarch 27, 2018, at 10:01 a.m. (EDT)July 25, 2018, at 10:01 a.m. (EDT)July 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The over 65 population is numbered 6,195,544 in Canada (2012, Stats Can);It is estimated that 1,437,670 Canadians (33%) were living with a disability (2012, Stats Can);There is very little accessible or visitable housing stock available in Canada;Persons with a disability and seniors continue to voice their desires to live as independently as possible and age in place;Visitable housing offers a convenient, age-friendly home for residents and a welcoming environment for visitors of all ages;Visitable housing benefits everyone – seniors, persons with a disability, parents, children, and families; andMotion M-157 states: "That the House recognize the importance that Visitability can have for Canadians of all ages and abilities, and particularly persons with a physical disability, aging individuals, seniors and their families, in Canada, by: a) emphasizing the efforts of companies, contractors and builders who are already applying the principles of Visitability in their new constructions; b) encouraging the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities to address the topic of Visitability in the accessibility legislation to be introduced in the House; and c) inviting the federal government to address the subject of Visitability with its provincial and territorial partners in upcoming Federal, Provincial and Territorial."We, the undersigned, Canadians of all ages and abilities and Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to adopt motion M-157.HousingPersons with disabilitiesQuality of lifeSenior citizens42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1586e-1586 (Regulation of food and drugs)JOHNHEDICANGordJohnsCourtenay—AlberniNDPBCMarch 27, 2018, at 5:10 p.m. (EDT)July 25, 2018, at 5:10 p.m. (EDT)December 3, 2018January 28, 2019July 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Over 4000 Canadians died in 2017 and over 2,800 in 2016 due to preventable opioid overdose resulting from fentanyl-poisoned sources;The current war on drugs has been costly and grossly ineffective and resulted in widespread stigma towards addiction and against those who use illicit drugs;Regulating to ensure safe sources, with proper measures and bylaws, will reduce the criminal element associated with street drugs; andProblematic substance use is a health issue and is not resolved through criminalizing personal possession and consumption.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Declare the current opioid overdose and fentanyl poisoning crisis a National Public Health Emergency under the Emergencies Act, in order to manage and resource it, with the aim to reduce and eliminate preventable deaths;2. Reform current drug policy to decriminalize personal possession; and3. Create with urgency and immediacy a system to provide safe unadulterated access to substances so that people who use substances, experimentally, recreationally, or chronically, are not at imminent risk of overdose due to a contaminated source.DecriminalizationDrug use and abusePublic health42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 1, 2019e-1588e-1588 (Elderly)SophiaAggelonitisBobBratinaHamilton East—Stoney CreekLiberalONMarch 27, 2018, at 5:10 p.m. (EDT)July 25, 2018, at 5:10 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2019April 1, 2019July 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There are over 550,000 Canadians living with dementia and this number will double by 2030;60% of people with Alzheimer's will wander at least once during their disease. Wandering is common as the disease progresses;Silver Alert is a public notification system to quickly help find seniors who wander because of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias;A Silver Alert would provide information to media outlets and activate an emergency alert system through law enforcement agencies; andThe Provinces of Alberta and Manitoba have established a Silver Alert, through an amendment to their Missing Persons Amendment Act.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to develop a National Silver Alert strategy for all Canadian provinces and territories.DementiaSenior citizensSilver Alert Program42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 26, 2018e-1486e-1486 (Sports)CraigLeBlancDarrenFisherDartmouth—Cole HarbourLiberalNSMarch 27, 2018, at 5:09 p.m. (EDT)July 25, 2018, at 5:09 p.m. (EDT)July 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Play On! Canada street hockey tournament has been cancelled this coming summer, and potentially in future years;Past and future participants have potentially lost the opportunity to take part in this iconic event;This tournament has provided Canadians with a great organized competitive experience over the past 15 years and has provided Canadian youth and adults the chance to participate in a competitive and fun atmosphere; and It has also given its millions of participants the opportunity to build friendships and bonds unlike any other annual event this country has hosted this century.We, the undersigned, Participants of the Play On! tournament, call upon the Government of Canada to provide funds to reinstate the Play On! Canada street hockey tournament, as it has been a very important event in Canada during its 15-year tenure.Ball hockeyEventsGovernment assistancePlay On42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 19, 2018e-1601e-1601 (Navigable waters)MarilynSlettNathanCullenSkeena—Bulkley ValleyNDPBCMarch 27, 2018, at 5:11 p.m. (EDT)July 25, 2018, at 5:11 p.m. (EDT)October 5, 2018November 19, 2018July 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The ecosystems, economy and culture of communities and Indigenous Nations along the Pacific north coast and Haida Gwaii are inextricably tied to the health of the oceans;For almost 50 years residents have told the federal government that these coastal waters are no place for oil tankers because of the inherent navigation risks and the unacceptable consequences of a catastrophic oil spill;The nine members of Coastal First Nations uphold a ban on crude oil tankers in their territories, which include north coast waters, and along with other First Nations and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs they have called for federal legislation to ban oil tankers in the region;The Union of BC Municipalities has passed a resolution urging the federal government to legislate an oil tanker ban on the north coast, and local governments in the north coast region have supported the proposed oil tanker prohibition in Bill C-48 (the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act), including the City of Prince Rupert, the District of Kitimat and the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District; andIt is time to permanently protect these coastal waters from the risk of oil tankers.We, the undersigned, members of Indigenous Nations, residents of British Columbia and supporting citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to enact a legislated ban on oil tankers in coastal waters including Hecate Strait, Dixon Entrance and Queen Charlotte Sound.BanBritish ColumbiaCoastal areasOil tankers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 5, 2018e-1605e-1605 (Firearms)Dennis RYoungPierrePaul-HusCharlesbourg—Haute-Saint-CharlesConservativeQCMarch 28, 2018, at 10:04 a.m. (EDT)July 26, 2018, at 10:04 a.m. (EDT)September 21, 2018November 5, 2018July 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:More than two million licenced gun owners in Canada, individuals who have never done anything wrong but are tracked daily on CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) are required to report any change of address to the government within 30 days or face criminal charges with a maximum penalty of two years in jail;In his 2016 report to Parliament the RCMP Firearms Commissioner noted that between 2012 and 2016 there were 422,887 convicted criminals prohibited from owning firearms by the courts (Chart #4);These 422,887 convicted criminals, prohibited from owning firearms are not required to report their change of address to the government or police unless such an order was specifically stated as a part of their sentence by the courts;On November 24, 2004, Firearms Commissioner Bill Baker testified before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights: “On the change of address, if someone is prohibited from having a firearm in the country they are no longer effectively covered by the Firearms Act”; andThose 422,887 persons prohibited from owning firearms are the biggest threat to police and public safety; and are the ones most likely to acquire firearms illegally and reoffend.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to enact legislation requiring those convicted criminals who have been prohibited from owning firearms by the courts to report any change of address and this information be made available to police in a database on CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre).Data banks and databasesFirearms permitsOffendersPolice services42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 2, 2018e-1608e-1608 (Firearms)RyanSlingerlandRachaelThomasLethbridgeConservativeABMarch 28, 2018, at 10:55 a.m. (EDT)July 26, 2018, at 10:55 a.m. (EDT)September 19, 2018November 2, 2018September 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms, does nothing to tackle firearms violence, but rather adds further red-tape on law abiding firearms owners;This legislation brings back the useless and ineffective long-gun registry; andThis legislation does not provide the resources to frontline police forces to tackle the true source of firearms violence : gangs and organized criminal enterprises.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to scrap Bill C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearms, and to instead devote greater resources to policing in Canada.C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearmsFirearmsPolice services42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 1, 2018e-1614e-1614 (Income tax system)SandraHughesTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABMarch 29, 2018, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)July 27, 2018, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)August 1, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The purpose of the disability tax credit (DTC) is to provide for greater tax equity by allowing some relief for disability costs, since these are unavoidable additional expenses that other taxpayers don’t have to face;Only 40 per cent of the more than 1.8 million people who live with severe disability in Canada use the federal DTC, meaning that most Canadians with qualifying disabilities are not accessing the credit;In 2017, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) began restricting access to the DTC that affected hundreds of Canadians living with diabetes and other rare diseases by changing the interpretation of the rules around life-sustaining therapy and associated requirements for these diseases; andIn the case of life-sustaining therapy that requires a regular dosage, considerable time is spent on activities directly related to the determination of that dosage of medical food and medical formula.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-399, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (disability tax credit), to protect diabetics and patients with rare diseases from having their DTC rejected, and to ensure that they receive the benefits they deserve and are entitled to.C-399, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (disability tax credit)DiabetesDisability tax creditRare and orphan diseases42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 23, 2018e-1557e-1557 (Environmental pollution)StacyTaylorDanRuimyPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeLiberalBCMarch 29, 2018, at 3:21 p.m. (EDT)July 27, 2018, at 3:21 p.m. (EDT)September 24, 2018October 23, 2018August 1, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Over 550 million plastic straws are used every day;Most plastic straws are not recycled nor can they be;Plastic waste poses an enormous threat to wildlife, is a danger to human health and costs millions to the Canadian economy;Every piece of plastic ever produced still exists today;Most single-use plastic straws are discarded, after an average use of 30 seconds;Straws are a big contributor of the 8 million tons of plastic entering the sea each year; In this day and age there are so many alternatives, such as paper, bamboo, or reusable straws made of stainless steel of glass; The effect that our love affair with plastic has on the environment become more clear each day. Plastic straws and utensils account for a large percentage of waste collected during beach cleanups each year; There are biodegradable and reusable options available; andThere are currently similar petitions in the UK and EU, with several other countries proposing bans and surcharges on single use plastic items. Canada should not be behind on this global trend.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to enact a ban on plastic straws.8545-421-220-01 Government Response to petitions concerning environmental pollutionBanPlastics42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1615e-1615 (Appointment of justices)ScottHamiltonHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABMarch 29, 2018, at 3:53 p.m. (EDT)July 27, 2018, at 3:53 p.m. (EDT)August 1, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214321" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Justice</Addressee>Whereas:There are significant Court backlogs across Canada;The backlogs have been made significantly worse by the failure of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to fill judicial vacancies;As a result of the Minister of Justice and Attorney Generals of Canada's inaction, accused individuals are having their charges stayed or even dismissed as a result of long delays;One such matter at risk of being stayed or dismissed is the alleged double murder case involving victims Taliyah Marsman and Sara Baillie, and the accused Edward Downey; andWithout immediate action by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, criminal cases will continue to be dismissed from our Court system.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Justice to immediately fulfill her responsibilities and fill judicial vacancies without delay.Federal judgesPolitical appointments42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 1, 2018e-1494e-1494 (Canadian heritage)LucRenaudJoëlLightboundLouis-HébertLiberalQCApril 3, 2018, at 11:49 a.m. (EDT)August 1, 2018, at 11:49 a.m. (EDT)August 1, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas :Parks Canada must keep all of its local artifacts in Quebec City and the Trudeau government must abandon its plan to move the extensive collection to Gatineau, keeping only selected objects in the Quebec capital for public display;The federal government must commit to keeping all historical objects in their context (in Quebec City or elsewhere) so that scientists do not have to travel to Gatineau to study, analyze, document and restore these objects;Plans to open an archeological centre at the Séminaire de Québec must go ahead in order to retain all local artifacts and end the government’s cultural deportation.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Support the proposed storage facility at the Séminaire de Québec, where Quebec City, Laval University and Quebec’s Ministry of Culture and Communications want to house their collections together.2. Provide resources to maintain and restore artifacts so that future generations can benefit.3. Support groups or institutions that want to repatriate their artifacts (e.g., the Mi’kmaq of Restigouche, the families of people expropriated from Forillon, Musée de Gaspé, etc.).City of QuébecCultural artifacts42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 31, 2018e-1620e-1620 (Electoral system)NicholasKrawetzJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBApril 3, 2018, at 2:33 p.m. (EDT)August 1, 2018, at 2:33 p.m. (EDT)September 18, 2018October 31, 2018August 1, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has a proud tradition of international leadership and providing real and valuable contributions to Election Observation Missions (EOMs) throughout the world;Canadian participation in bilateral and multilateral EOMs demonstrates Canadian values and promotes respect for fundamental freedoms, equality, universality, and political pluralism as well as confidence, transparency, and accountability in democratic electoral processes;According to Freedom House, 2017 marked the 12th consecutive year in which democracy has declined around the world;Global Affairs Canada no longer has a mandate to support the deployment of Canadian observers in bilateral and multilateral EOMs;We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to restore Global Affairs Canada's mandate by allocating long-term, predictable funding to ensure Canadian participation in bilateral and multilateral Election Observation Missions and support for the democratic electoral process around the world.8545-421-11-28 Government Response to petitions concerning the electoral systemElectoral observation missionsInternational development and aid42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 22, 2018e-1626e-1626 (Health care services)SamaaKazerouniIreneMathyssenLondon—FanshaweNDPONApril 10, 2018, at 9:43 a.m. (EDT)August 8, 2018, at 9:43 a.m. (EDT)September 20, 2018October 22, 2018August 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There are approximately 235,000 homeless people in Canada on any given night and 77,550 are women (33%);Despite elimination of the “tampon tax” in 2015, menstrual hygiene management products remain unaffordable for this population;Currently, there are no national policies subsidizing the cost of sanitary products;Shelters rely predominantly on donations for these items, which is unsustainable in the long term;At minimum, menstrual hygiene management costs $64 per year and can go up to $200 per year;The United Nations has declared reproductive health rights, including access to proper menstrual hygiene management, a universal human right;Canada must not fall behind as a global leader and must learn from initiatives made by other countries to make sanitary products free to girls and women from low-income families by distributing them to food banks and shelters (ie. Scotland);Improper menstrual hygiene management can result in reproductive health implications including toxic shock syndrome; andA lack of menstrual hygiene adds to the overarching lack of dignity felt by homeless women.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to subsidize menstrual hygiene management products (tampons and pads) by distributing them to food banks and shelters, to be given free-of-charge to homeless individuals experiencing their period.8545-421-31-46 Government Response to petitions concerning health care servicesFeminine hygiene productsHomelessness and homelessWomen42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 8, 2018e-1572e-1572 (Sri Lanka)MohamedShukryRobertOliphantDon Valley WestLiberalONApril 10, 2018, at 9:44 a.m. (EDT)August 8, 2018, at 9:44 a.m. (EDT)August 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229209" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:Canada and Sri Lanka have maintained strong bilateral relationships finding common grounds in Commonwealth and Colombo Plan;Both countries do also share a common vision for upholding human rights;The recent riots and the inaction by government authorities, including the law enforcement authorities, left many minorities homeless and economically crippled;These coordinated attacks targeted businesses and worship locations of minorities, in particular the Muslim minorities in Sri Lanka;This is not the first riot against a minority community;This has been a regular occurrence across many parts of the country;Every single time the sequence of events is the same, such as no action from law enforcement and the policy makers turning a blind eye; andWe strongly believe these are not the values Canada was hoping to share in common with Sri Lanka.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to contact her counterpart in Sri Lanka, Minister Tilak Marapana, regarding the coordinated attacks by the Sinhalese mobs on the Muslim minority in Sri Lanka, and advise to take strong action against all the perpetrators, conduct a transparent investigation, compensate all the victims and uphold highest standards of human rights.Civil and human rightsForeign policySri Lanka42nd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 8, 2018e-1618e-1618 (Pay equity)PaulSmithSheilaMalcolmsonNanaimo—LadysmithNDPBCApril 10, 2018, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2018, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:"We know when we invest in women we strengthen our economy" as mentioned by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau;Women and men are currently not paid equally;Canada does not currently have pay equity legislation;Pay equity has been promised over 40 years ago, again in 2016 and again in February 2018;Work of equal value should receive equal pay;When compensating employees, certain aspects of work typically done by women are not often recognized; andMost recent Canadian numbers showing "women on average earn 87 cents for every dollar made by a man" as reported by the Financial Post on February 22, 2018.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to : 1) Legislate pay equity for work of equal value for all persons. (Women, men, and transgendered); and2) Further resolve to eradicate the gender pay gap by 2022, the same date set by Iceland who was the first country to pass pay equality legislation.Pay equitySexual discrimination42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 7, 2018e-1633e-1633 (Cruelty to animals)CamilleLabchukHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABApril 10, 2018, at 2:13 p.m. (EDT)August 8, 2018, at 2:13 p.m. (EDT)October 29, 2018December 7, 2018August 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Animals are vulnerable beings who deserve strong legal protections;Animal protection is a serious issue of moral concern, and Canadians care deeply about protecting animals from cruelty, including sexual abuse;Canada's anti-bestiality laws are so outdated that the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2016 that most sexual abuse of animals is not illegal under existing laws; andParliament's failure to update Canadian laws in response to the Supreme Court ruling has left animals vulnerable to sickening sexual abuse.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to update the Criminal Code anti-bestiality provisions to ensure animals are protected from all forms of sexual abuse.BestialityCruelty to animals42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 31, 2018e-1636e-1636 (Russia)DmitriMakienkoJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBApril 17, 2018, at 2:29 p.m. (EDT)August 15, 2018, at 2:29 p.m. (EDT)September 18, 2018October 31, 2018August 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Russian president Putin is personally responsible for an authoritarian regime in Russia, criminal system of kleptocratic feudalism, suppression of political and civic opposition and independent media;Putin enabled theft of Russian assets in collaboration with corrupt officials and oligarchs, which destroyed Russian economy, health care and education systems, resulting in tragic events - such as mass deaths during a fire in Kemerovo;Putin orchestrated cruel aggression against Georgia and Ukraine and supported Assad regime in Syria - resulting in deaths of tens of thousands of people, causing unforgettable traumas to Georgians, Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars and Syrians;Putin sabotaged western democratic systems via interference in US presidential election and parliamentary elections in Europe;Putin challenged safety and security of Europe with destruction of Flight MH17 in 2014 and use of chemical weapons against United Kingdom in 2018;Putin's regime used Western financial systems for money laundering of illegally obtained assets.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to - Investigate and deport individuals collaborating with Russian secret services, including diplomats, Rossotrudnichestvo agents and Russia Today channel;- Investigate the actions of certain organizations of Russian diaspora such as "Immortal Regiment" to ensure they are in compliance with Canadian law and Canada's national security interests;- Expand Magnitsky Law to ensure that corrupt Russian officials could not hide their illegally obtained assets in Canada and cannot use Canada as a shelter for their family members;- Review visa policies for family members of corrupt Russian officials and businessmen that fall under Magnitsky Law.8545-421-222-01 Government Response to petitions concerning RussiaCivil and human rightsForeign policyNational securityRussia42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 25, 2018e-1643e-1643 (Canadian heritage)LubomyrLuciukJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBApril 17, 2018, at 4:57 p.m. (EDT)August 15, 2018, at 4:57 p.m. (EDT)September 18, 2018October 25, 2018August 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada needlessly categorized many Ukrainians and other Europeans as “enemy aliens” during Canada’s first national internment operations of 1914-1920;An internment camp was set up at Spirit Lake, Quebec, one of 24 across Canada;At least 16 internee burials took place at the Spirit Lake cemetery;The Department of Agriculture sold these lands to Quebec in 1936 and the province sold them to a farmer in 1988;Attempts to restore and re-consecrate the Spirit Lake internee cemetery have been rejected by the property owner and the cemetery is all but lost to the boreal forest;Federal officials, repeatedly informed about the deterioration of the cemetery, claim this is Quebec’s problem, abrogating all legal and moral responsibility for a cemetery established under federal authority and for the remains of the unfortunates buried there.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to use whatever measures necessary to provide for the archaeological examination, restoration, re-consecration and limited ongoing site visits for commemorative and religious services to the Spirit Lake internee cemetery, working in collaboration with the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund, Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Ukrainian Canadian Congress, so hallowing the victims of Canada's first national internment operations8545-421-88-07 Government Response to petitions concerning Canadian heritageCemeteriesFirst World WarSpirit Lake internment campUkrainian Canadians42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 28, 2018e-1635e-1635 (Health care services)KiraPalmerTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABApril 23, 2018, at 4:44 p.m. (EDT)August 21, 2018, at 4:44 p.m. (EDT)October 17, 2018November 28, 2018August 28, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:15 other countries, including the United States, France, Germany, Sweden and Italy, have already approved Spinraza as a treatment for patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA);Health Canada has already approved Spinraza for the treatment of SMA;Through clinical evidence, Spinraza has shown to reduce the risk of death and improve motor and respiratory functions;Long-term monetary and social costs to the provinces without the use of Spinraza will be higher due to eventual invasive and costly procedures that otherwise could potentially be avoided;Treatment of SMA of any type should be started as early as possible to prevent disease progression and ultimately save life as well as improve quality of life.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to overturn the decision of CADTH and ensure Spinraza is approved for all types of SMA so that provincial governments can negotiate for a price for all Canadians with SMA.Health care systemPharmaceuticalsSpinal muscular atrophy42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 8, 2018e-1646e-1646 (Canadians abroad)LindaPellerinLucThériaultMontcalmGroupe parlementaire québécoisQCApril 23, 2018, at 4:43 p.m. (EDT)August 21, 2018, at 4:43 p.m. (EDT)September 25, 2018November 8, 2018August 28, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229209" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:Mr. Toufik Benhamiche, a Canadian citizen and resident of Mascouche, was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for manslaughter;It is alleged that conflict of interest and the bias of the Cuban justice system came into play in this case;The Canadian government’s support is required to ensure that Mr. Benhamiche receives impartial, fair and equitable treatment.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to take the necessary steps to ensure that Mr. Benhamiche receives impartial, fair and equitable treatment;return Mr. Benhamiche to Canada as soon as possible;and provide all the necessary support to the family of Jennifer Ann Marie Innis, who died in this tragic accident.Benhamiche, ToufikCanadians in foreign countriesCubaImprisonment and prisoners42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 30, 2018e-1596e-1596 (Diabetes)JoshGoldsteinDougEyolfsonCharleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—HeadingleyLiberalMBApril 25, 2018, at 12:28 p.m. (EDT)August 23, 2018, at 12:28 p.m. (EDT)September 17, 2018October 30, 2018August 28, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:The cost of insulin and an insulin pump can present significant economic hardships for uninsured individuals;The World Health Organization includes insulins and other medicines for diabetes in the Model Lists of Essential Medicines;Preventative measures can most effectively be taken with the insulin pump to reduce the chances of experiencing diabetic complications such as: kidney failure, nerve loss and limb loss, diabetic retinopathy as well as other complications;Coverage for insulin pumps varies from province to province based on age;Age should not be a factor in determining coverage;Individuals who have been using an insulin pump for the majority of their life will be forced to switch to multiple daily injections if they cannot afford an insulin pump.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to: (1) Work with her provincial and territorial colleagues to eliminate the age restriction on insurance for insulin pumps; and(2) Introduce a National Pharmacare Program that would include insulin and other essential medicines for diabetics in its formulary.DiabetesInsulin medicationPharmacare42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 22, 2018e-1563e-1563 (Adoption)LindseySallowayTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABMay 2, 2018, at 2:50 p.m. (EDT)August 30, 2018, at 2:50 p.m. (EDT)October 17, 2018November 22, 2018September 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Biological mothers are able to receive up to 15 weeks of Maternity benefits and an additional 35 weeks of Parental benefits, or up to 61 weeks of extended Parental benefits;Adoptive parents are excluded from receiving maternity benefits and are only able to receive 35 weeks of Parental benefits, or 61 of Extended Parental Benefits;The need to bond with a newborn or adopted child is the same for biological or adoptive parents; andAll parents in Canada should have equal time to spend with their newborn or adopted children.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to allow adoptive parents to be eligible for an equivalent amount of maternity benefits and leave to bond with their children.AdoptionParental leave42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 6, 2018e-1653e-1653 (National holidays)LouiseWhetterChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONMay 4, 2018, at 3:26 p.m. (EDT)September 1, 2018, at 3:26 p.m. (EDT)September 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Federal Holidays Act states: 2 (1) July 1, not being a Sunday, is a legal holiday and shall be kept and observed as such throughout Canada under the name of "Canada Day";The Federal Holidays Act states: (2) When July 1 is a Sunday, July 2 is a legal holiday and shall be kept and observed as such throughout Canada under the name of "Canada Day";As a result, businesses must close on the Monday; andAs many provinces now have Sunday shopping, this means that their employees must work on Sunday, July 1, for regular pay.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Canadian Heritage to Amend the Holidays Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-5), concerning "Canada Day" (R.S., c. H-7, s. 2; 1980-81-82-83, c. 124, s.)1 to read:July 1 is a legal holiday and shall be kept and observed as such throughout Canada under the name of "Canada Day".Canada DayHolidays from workVacation pay42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 30, 2019e-1657e-1657 (Myanmar)ImranTariqPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONMay 7, 2018, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)September 4, 2018, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)March 18, 2019April 30, 2019September 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Rohingya crisis is currently the most pressing humanitarian issue;Close to 800,000 members of the predominantly Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar have been forced to flee to Bangladesh to escape persecution;Eighty per cent of these refugees are women and children, who have been subjected to murder, sexual violence including gang rape, arson and constant, overwhelming, oppression inflicted by the Myanmar military on top of long-lasting and systematic discrimination including loss of citizenship by the Government of Myanmar; andCanada, as a global humanitarian leader has a responsibility to stop genocide and protect persecuted and endangered minorities.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:- Hold an emergency debate in the House of Commons on the Bob Rae report;- Invoke the Genocide Convention, to which both Canada and Myanmar are States Parties, necessitating international action;- Impose and enforce full sanctions against the Myanmar regime and military;- Immediately evacuate the Rohingya refugees from the Bangladesh refugee camps at risk for cyclones and mudslides;- Urgent transfer by helicopters and rescue boats to safer lands is required;- Insist on the establishment of a Task Force to document evidence of international crimes (including genocide) and hold the Government of Myanmar accountable; and- Facilitate the resettlement of at least 10,000 Rohingya refugees in Canada.8545-421-159-03 Government Response to petitions concerning MyanmarCivil and human rightsForeign policyMyanmarRefugeesRohingya42nd Parliament223Government response tabledOctober 31, 2018e-1627e-1627 (Transportation)PierreGeoffroyAngeloIaconoAlfred-PellanLiberalQCMay 8, 2018, at 11:31 a.m. (EDT)September 5, 2018, at 11:31 a.m. (EDT)September 19, 2018October 31, 2018September 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:For a number of years now, limited-speed motorcycles powered by electric motors and equipped with a pedal and gear mechanism that bear the label of a power-assisted bicycle as defined in section 2 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1038) have been appearing on the market;These vehicles are in every respect akin to motorcycles and were not designed to be propelled by the user’s muscular power but rather solely by the electric motor;These vehicles are equipped with removable pedals that are practically unusable given their positioning and the length of the cranks;Their size, weight and ability to reach 32 km/h make these vehicles a real danger to the safety of other bicycle path users; andThe term “power-assisted bicycle” should be reserved for vehicles that were designed to be propelled essentially by muscular power and to which an assistance system has been added.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada and bicycle path users, call upon the Minister of Transport to amend the definition of power-assisted bicycle in section 2 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations so that limited-speed motorcycles and other similar vehicles to which pedals have been added cannot be considered power-assisted bicycles within the meaning of the Regulations.Bicycles and cyclistsMotorcycles and motorcyclists42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 7, 2018e-1668e-1668 (Refugees)EmmaJoyalElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMay 9, 2018, at 4:11 p.m. (EDT)September 6, 2018, at 4:11 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Since 2012 the Australian government has been forcing asylum seekers and refugees arriving to the country by boat to remain on the island of Nauru as well as on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea;These centres are meant to be used to process the refugee claims of the individuals arriving to Australia by boat, however, numerous humanitarian organizations and media sources have reported inadequate conditions, cases of physical and sexual abuse as well as violent attacks by those in positions of authority who have not been held accountable or faced any repercussions;These events and conditions have a detrimental effect on the mental and physical health of refugees, however, no medical treatment or support is provided to them; andMany have spent up to 469 days in these centres and although up to 80% have had their claims assessed and found to be legitimate refugees, the Australian government continues to deny them entry into the country.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to ask the Australian government to begin taking in refugees from the Nauru and Manus centres into Australia and have all refugees admitted by the end of 2018. In the alternative, we call upon Canada’s Parliament to welcome these refugees and asylum seekers into Canada where they can live with adequate services amongst a nation of diverse individuals who wish to maintain a nurturing and accepting environment for all people.AustraliaRefugees42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 19, 2018e-1659e-1659 (Environmental pollution)KerryMuellerDeborahSchulteKing—VaughanLiberalONMay 10, 2018, at 1:05 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2018, at 1:05 p.m. (EDT)October 2, 2018November 19, 2018September 7, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) is Canada’s main law governing pollution prevention and the management of toxic chemicals;Scientific understanding of environmental and health risks of exposure to toxics and pollution has evolved since CEPA was passed in 1999, and CEPA is largely failing to address today’s sources of toxic exposure;The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development completed a year-long study of CEPA in June 2017. The Committee’s report, entitled, “Healthy Environment, Healthy Canadians, Healthy Economy: Strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 ”, made 87 recommendations to strengthen and modernize the Act; andIn February 2018, more than 500 Canadian scientists and public health professionals wrote to the Prime Minister in support of the Standing Committee’s recommendations, stating: “Canada has a serious pollution problem that is a threat to both human health and the quality of our environment.”We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to pass legislation to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) without delay, including (i) stronger protections from toxic exposures, (ii) enforceable national air quality standards, (iii) recognition of the basic human right to a healthy environment, as well as adequate protection for vulnerable populations.8545-421-220-02 Government Response to petitions concerning environmental pollutionAir qualityCivil and human rightsEnvironmental protectionPublic healthToxic substances42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1673e-1673 (Human trafficking)HélèneTremblayMoniquePauzéRepentignyGroupe parlementaire québécoisQCMay 15, 2018, at 1:49 p.m. (EDT)September 12, 2018, at 1:49 p.m. (EDT)November 20, 2018January 28, 2019September 17, 2018Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214115" mp-riding-display="1">Justin Trudeau</Addressee>Whereas:Bill C-452, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons), is an important asset in the fight against child prostitution and sexual exploitation;The Act to amend the Criminal Code provides for consecutive sentences for offences related to trafficking in persons and a presumption regarding the exploitation of one person by another;The Act to amend the Criminal Code adds the offence of trafficking in persons to the list of offences to which the forfeiture of proceeds of crime applies;The Act to amend the Criminal Code was passed unanimously by the House of Commons on November 26, 2013, and the Senate on May 12, 2015, and received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015; andYou yourself voted for Bill C-452.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Member of Parliament Justin Trudeau to sign, as Prime Minister of Canada, the order to bring Bill C-452, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, into force as soon as possible and therefore give effect to its provisions.Coming-into-force provisionsHuman traffickingLegislation42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 17, 2018e-1675e-1675 (Political parties)JuliaSzwarcElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMay 16, 2018, at 9:57 a.m. (EDT)September 13, 2018, at 9:57 a.m. (EDT)September 17, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229218" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Democratic Institutions</Addressee>Whereas:A private predicted trait is defined as a piece of undisclosed information that is predicted using other data collected about someone;Predicted private traits can be used to generate psychological profiles of voters and micro-target political messages to citizens based on personality;When the uses of data collected about citizens is not made explicit and clear to them it undermines their privacy and is in contravention of Canada’s privacy laws;Information gathered without the free and informed consent of citizens does not conform to the legal and ethical standards that our leaders and political parties should be held to;The prediction of private traits of voters undermines citizen’s rights to privacy and to make free and informed political decisions; andPolitical messaging based on personality undermines political deliberation and may lead to messaging that prioritizes convincing potential voters based on their individual traits, rather than the merit of the representatives or policies.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Democratic Institutions to bring political parties under the jurisdiction of existing privacy laws, allowing citizens to file complaints with an independent body regarding the use of their data by political parties. A code of conduct should be implemented before the upcoming Federal election that applies to political parties and registered third parties that prohibits the use of predicted private traits. Before gaining access to voter registration lists, registered political parties must agree to not predict the private traits of Canadian citizens for the purposes of political messaging.Political partiesPrivacy and data protectionVoters lists42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 26, 2018e-1674e-1674 (Hassan Diab)RogerClarkMurrayRankinVictoriaNDPBCMay 16, 2018, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)September 13, 2018, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)October 29, 2018November 26, 2018September 17, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian citizen Dr. Hassan Diab was wrongfully extradited from Canada based on unreliable and false evidence;Hassan was extradited solely for the purpose of continuing an incomplete foreign investigation; not for trial as required;Hassan spent almost ten years under draconian bail conditions in Canada or imprisoned, including over three years in solitary confinement in France;French investigative judges repeatedly stated that there is “consistent evidence” of Hassan’s innocence. In January 2018, the judges dismissed all allegations against Hassan, allowing him to return to his home in Canada;Hassan has never been charged;Hassan’s ten-year ordeal was the direct consequence of actions of senior officials of the Canadian Department of Justice;When the case was falling apart, Department of Justice officials intervened to direct French authorities on how to patch up the case to ensure Hassan’s extradition;Department of Justice officials repeatedly delayed the extradition hearing and told the Canadian court that they had no knowledge of French authorities’ plans despite having directed those plans; andDepartment of Justice officials requested fingerprint analysis as the results could be very powerful if not conclusive to get Hassan extradited; yet when the RCMP analysis results excluded Hassan, Department of Justice officials deliberately withheld this evidence from the court and the defence.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to appoint an independent commissioner to conduct a thorough public inquiry into Hassan Diab’s case, ensuring that the person appointed has full access to, and powers to compel disclosure of, any and all relevant information.8545-421-227-01 Government Response to petitions concerning Hassan DiabDeportation, extradition and removal of foreignersDiab, HassanFranceInquiries and public inquiriesLaw of Evidence42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 5, 2019e-1651e-1651 (Abortion)BrianKroekerBradTrostSaskatoon—UniversityConservativeSKMay 17, 2018, at 4:27 p.m. (EDT)September 14, 2018, at 4:27 p.m. (EDT)February 27, 2019April 5, 2019September 17, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the rule of law;There has been no law governing abortion since the then current law was struck down by the Supreme Court in R. v Morgentaler in 1988;There are approximately 100,000 abortions conducted in Canada each year;These abortions have proven negative effects on the physical, reproductive and mental health of women who choose to have abortions;The unfettered rights of the women to choose must be balanced against the rights of the unborn and other stake holders such as the father as well as parents of young pregnant girls;Laws will help limit the use of abortion to control race, sex or other characteristics deemed to be undesirable; andSection 7 of the Charter guarantees the right to life of the person.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to initiate a respectful debate in the House of Commons with the intent to form an all-party committee that will draft a bill governing the conduct of abortion in Canada, and that consideration of this bill will be by a free vote in the House.Abortion42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 21, 2018e-1678e-1678 (Environmental pollution)CaitlinO BrienChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONMay 23, 2018, at 9:28 a.m. (EDT)September 20, 2018, at 9:28 a.m. (EDT)September 21, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Worldwide, we use 1 billion plastic bags and 500 million straws per day. All this plastic finds its way to our oceans and kills animals;Single-use plastics (plastic bags, pop and water bottles, Q-tips, coffee stirrers and straws) take hundreds of years to biodegrade; andAll that plastic breaks up into little parts (called microplastics) and we end up drinking the water and eating the animals that have accumulated these plastics.We, the undersigned, Grade 5 citizens of Canada at Knoxdale Public School, call upon the Government of Canada to to ban single-use plastics, in whole or in part, in Canada.BanPlastics42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 19, 2018e-1667e-1667 (Commercial development of land)LindaColletteMarcMillerVille-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-SoeursLiberalQCMay 23, 2018, at 9:27 a.m. (EDT)September 20, 2018, at 9:27 a.m. (EDT)October 5, 2018November 19, 2018September 21, 2018Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214115" mp-riding-display="1">Justin Trudeau</Addressee>Whereas:The Canada Lands Company (CLC) presented a “Preliminary Master Plan for the Revitalization of the Old Port of Montreal”;This plan profoundly changes the use of Clock Tower Quay, which runs along the river and is home to the Clock Tower, a historic and iconic monument of Old Montreal;This plan provides for the construction of a number of buildings that would block one of the rare views of the river and increase the amount of concrete and create heat islands;This plan involves handing over a large portion of Clock Tower Quay to the private sector for businesses, restaurants, a hotel and a multi-level parking garage, which will create serious traffic and safety problems.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon Member of Parliament Justin Trudeau to order:1) That CLC not be allowed to privatize the use of the Clock Tower Quay area;2) That CLC revise its plan to better integrate it with the City of Montreal, particularly as regards planning and safety;3) That CLC showcase the Clock Tower historic monument;4) That the Clock Tower Quay area become a harbourfront pedestrian park that maximizes views of the river and green spaces while giving priority to public transit; and5) That any redevelopment be done according to sustainable development principles.8545-421-225-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the commercial development of landCanada Lands Company LimitedCity of MontréalWaterfrontWharves42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 21, 2018e-1688e-1688 (Cannabis)RebeccaHeinLarryMaguireBrandon—SourisConservativeMBMay 23, 2018, at 2:07 p.m. (EDT)September 20, 2018, at 2:07 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The long-term dangers, costs and health risks of cannabis legalization have not been adequately considered within this legislation;The average human brain does not fully develop until the age of 25, and making cannabis legal for youth, puts them at risk of severe, lifelong brain damage;Allowing 12 year olds to possess five grams of cannabis, encourages teen usage instead of discouraging it;Growing cannabis in the home would enable children to access cannabis at any age, regardless of the legal age;The quantity, product safety and quality of home-grown cannabis could not be fully regulated or ensured;Legalization will not protect public health and safety, but would put the public in danger of intoxication from second-hand smoke; andLaw enforcement officials are asking for more time to establish essential safeguards to protect Canadians from drug-impaired driving.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to refrain from passing Bill C-45CannabisHealthSafety42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 24, 2018e-1693e-1693 (Correctional facilities)KyliePhillipsPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONMay 25, 2018, at 8:05 a.m. (EDT)September 22, 2018, at 8:05 a.m. (EDT)September 24, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214300" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness</Addressee>Whereas:Prisoners who identify as female follow different pathways into criminal behaviour than those who identify as male;The assessment of a female prisoner’s risk should not be conflated with the needs of the prisoner;Women’s needs in federal prison, often expressed through self-injury and reactions to trauma, are constructed as an institutional risk, leading to punitive interventions, such as increased security levels;The voices and standpoints of female prisoners are largely ignored;The Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women produced a report, Creating Choices (1990), which enabled a gendered knowledge of punishment and offending; andThe Prime Minister mandated the Minister of Status of Women to ensure government policy, legislation, and regulations are sensitive to the different impacts that decisions can have on men and women.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to conduct a thorough study on the need for a restructured classification system for female-identifying offenders in Correctional Service of Canada institutions, with the goal of creating a feminist policy for risk assessment and security concerns, which recognizes the voices of female prisoners and creates an individualized approach to prisoner intervention, rehabilitation and reintegration.Correctional facilitiesImprisonment and prisonersWomen42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 24, 2018e-1694e-1694 (Blood donations)MichaelaRutherford-BlouinRobertOliphantDon Valley WestLiberalONMay 25, 2018, at 12:01 p.m. (EDT)September 22, 2018, at 12:01 p.m. (EDT)September 24, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The 2015 Liberal Party of Canada’s platform states, “the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and Héma-Québec (HM-QC) ban men who have been sexually active with men at any point in the previous five years from donating blood, even if it has been entirely safe and monogamous. This policy ignores scientific evidence and must end.”Thanks to efforts by the Liberal Government this ban has recently been reduced from five years to one year, an important step forward.It is time to end the stigmatizing donor-screening policy and adopt one that is non-discriminatory and based on science.There is an urgent need for blood due to Canada’s blood shortage. Several blood groups remain at critically low levels.This ban is discriminatory, unfair, and has no place in Canadian society.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to continue to put forth a concerted effort to end the discriminatory MSM blood ban.Blood servicesDiscriminationGay and lesbian personsMen42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 26, 2018e-1702e-1702 (Criminal justice system)HanaKazmiPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONMay 28, 2018, at 9:34 a.m. (EDT)September 25, 2018, at 9:34 a.m. (EDT)September 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Approximately 3.8 million Canadians have a criminal record and only 11% of those eligible apply for a record suspension, largely due to the fact that the fee of $631 is too high for many vulnerable and low-income Canadians; The current structure of the Record Suspension Program victimizes low-income Canadians and creates roadblocks on their way to being reintegrated into society and the workforce; and As a society, Canadians should help those who deserve second chances continue to be productive members of society. To ensure second chances we must identify and remove the current barriers limiting the functionality of the Record Suspension Program.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada,, call upon the House of Commons to support Private Members’ Motion M-161, “Instruction to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (Record Suspension Program)”, and allow Canadians who deserve a second chance to reintegrate into the Canadian workforce and participate in society at large.Criminal record suspensionMotion of instructionStanding Committee on Public Safety and National Security42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1703e-1703 (Oil and gas)NicoleWappleShannonStubbsLakelandConservativeABMay 28, 2018, at 10:40 a.m. (EDT)September 25, 2018, at 10:40 a.m. (EDT)September 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain expansion project was approved by the National Energy Board and the federal government on November 29, 2016;The project is in the national interest of Canada;The project will inject billions of dollars into the Canadian economy, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Canadians, and will generate billions of dollars in additional taxes and royalties to the federal, provincial, and municipal governments;The project continues to face ongoing roadblocks, delays, and threats from other levels of government and anti-energy activists;Kinder Morgan set a deadline of May 31, 2018, for the federal government to provide certainty for a path forward for the Trans Mountain Expansion;The federal government promised to propose legislation to reassert that the project is under federal jurisdiction;As of May 24, 2018, one week before the deadline, the federal government has failed to propose their promised legislation or a plan of any kind;We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada,, call upon the Government of Canada to work with the opposition to expedite the debate, study, and vote on Bill S-245, the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project Act, to officially declare the Expansion in the general advantage of Canada, and it to enact it promptly.Federal jurisdictionOil and gasTrans Mountain pipeline42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1696e-1696 (Renewable energy sources)ColleenDunbarPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCMay 28, 2018, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)September 25, 2018, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)June 10, 2019September 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Having access to water and food that is free of contaminants is a basic human right. To provide this, we need to take proactive measures to protect our soil, rivers, lakes and oceans;Canada’s economy is not solely dependent on the oil and gas industry. We are, however, solely responsible for cleaning up the oil spills on our land and in our water;The Government of Canada found approximately 26% of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions, which are known to cause climate change, came from the oil and gas sector; andClimate change has a further detrimental impact on Canada’s food and water systems, as well as on the economy and human health.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to increase commitment and investment, financially and otherwise, to the development of renewable resources and a clean energy future for current Canadians and for generations to come.Environmental protectionRenewable energy and fuel42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 28, 2018e-1689e-1689 (Use of animals in research)AnneBirthistleElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMay 28, 2018, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)September 25, 2018, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)October 22, 2018November 28, 2018September 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Ever increasing scientific studies reveal that the widespread claimed ability of animals to predict human responses to drugs and disease is demonstrably false;Over 90% of drugs which test well in animals harm or otherwise fail humans;By ignoring this fact cures have been delayed, including penicillin;Using animals to model humans contradicts currently-accepted science, including evolutionary biology and genetics, which supports personalised medical care; andThe majority of tax-payers' money is still directed towards outdated animal-based research, diverting valuable funds away from cutting edge human-based research which has a track record of success.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to organize a rigorous, public scientific debate - judged by independent experts from the relevant fields of science - on the now widely acknowledged costs to society of claiming that animals can be used to study humans, in the search for treatments and cures.Animal experimentationMedical research42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 26, 2018e-1654e-1654 (National parks)AndrewLoveridgeElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMay 28, 2018, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)September 25, 2018, at 1:44 p.m. (EDT)September 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has made a commitment to protect at least 17 per cent of land areas and 10 per cent of marine areas by 2020;Canada has less than two years to increase the amount of land and inland waters it protects by 60 per cent to meet its commitment under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity;The North shore of Cable Bay on Galiano Island is for sale; andThis valuable piece of shoreline will be lost if sold to a developer.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to call upon the Government of Canada to acquire Cable Bay North on Galiano Island and add Galiano to the Gulf Islands National Park framework.Galiano IslandGulf Islands National Park ReserveNational, provincial and territorial parks and reserves42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 26, 2018e-1698e-1698 (Myanmar)SaffiyaLulatYasminRatansiDon Valley EastLiberalONMay 28, 2018, at 5:02 p.m. (EDT)September 25, 2018, at 5:02 p.m. (EDT)September 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The UN Special Rapporteur to Myanmar has stated that for decades, the Rohingya have been a target of violent campaigns and systemic discrimination due to their ethnicity and religious beliefs;That the 1982 Citizenship Law of Myanmar denies Rohingya their basic civil and political rights and has rendered the Rohingya stateless;That due to their status as non-citizens, the Rohingya are restricted from attending universities, worshipping in mosques, accessing healthcare, and acquiring stable employment;That since August 2017, more than 670,000 Rohingya fled from their homes in Rakhine State due to Myanmar’s military violence;That sexual violence as reported by The United Nations, Human Rights Watch, and Médecins Sans Frontières, among numerous organizations is used as a weapon of war against the Rohingya; andThat the UN Special Rapporteur to Myanmar, Bob Rae, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have both stated that the events in Rakhine State bear the hallmarks of genocide and have called for accountability.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take into consideration the allegations of genocide as defined in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to work with the international community to initiate and fund an investigation into these allegations of genocide against the Rohingya in accordance with Bob Rae’s recommendation in “Tell Them We’re Human”, and to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted under international law.Civil and human rightsInquiries and public inquiriesMyanmarRohingya42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 3, 2018e-1709e-1709 (Drinking water)MadeleineCaseDeborahSchulteKing—VaughanLiberalONMay 31, 2018, at 8:34 a.m. (EDT)September 28, 2018, at 8:34 a.m. (EDT)October 3, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The distribution of bottled water is a known detriment to the environment and also encourages and fosters a lack of consciousness and respect for the environment;If bottled water was to be banned from being provided in Canadian government buildings, it would encourage those who frequent these buildings to adopt a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach;It also would place the government in a position of leadership when it comes to the environment which would potentially lead as an example for outside companies and organizations to follow in the footsteps of the government;Many institutions such as Queen’s University and the University of Ottawa have already adopted this approach and have provided alternatives such as the installation of more water fountains and bottle refill stations; Government buildings should engage in the practice of installing more water fountains as well as the sale of reusable water bottles; and It cannot be ignored that there are some locations where local water sources are not safe for human consumption, which is why this petition provides that distribution of bottled water in government building only be prohibited where the local water source is safe to consume.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to stop providing bottled water in government buildings where local drinking water is safe for consumption.Bottled water and water bottlesGovernment facilities42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 3, 2018e-1684e-1684 (Aboriginal affairs)Hibagh - AnastasiaAhmed - MilutinovicCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONMay 31, 2018, at 8:33 a.m. (EDT)September 28, 2018, at 8:33 a.m. (EDT)October 3, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s Indigenous schools are receiving thirty percent less funding than non-Indigenous schools, as reported by the CBC in 2016;Students are not provided the proper conditions in order to thrive. These would include school supplies, but most importantly proper schooling infrastructure;Many Indigenous students take their classes in portables, rather than in a school. In the winter, these portables lack heating. Due to the absence of heating systems, students are forced to wear jackets inside their classrooms, and most of their classrooms are filled with asbestos and mold;Graduation rates are at a mere forty percent, as reported by the National Post in 2014 article; andThese conditions are not conducive to learning and stunt the growth and creativity of these students.We, the undersigned, students of Ontario, call upon the Government of Canada to allocate more money to and provide proper education for Canada’s Indigenous schools.Aboriginal peoplesSchool management and funding42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2019e-1722e-1722 (Oil and gas)haraldHommelElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMay 31, 2018, at 4:22 p.m. (EDT)September 28, 2018, at 4:22 p.m. (EDT)February 5, 2019March 22, 2019October 4, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Trudeau administration has announced it will spend $4.5 billion of public funds on acquiring the existing Trans Mountain pipeline from Kinder Morgan;This $4.5 billion is not inclusive of construction costs for the expansion, projected to increase the cost of the deal to over $11 billion;The pipeline was valued at $550 million by Kinder Morgan in 2007;The expansion still has to pass the National Energy Board's 157 conditions and over a dozen court challenges before it can be built;During the election, Trudeau promised to overhaul the Harper administration’s deeply flawed pipeline approval process, respect Indigenous rights, and end fossil fuel subsidies;A diluted bitumen spill would devastate local ecosystems and economies on the West Coast, or any area surrounding the 800 bodies of water its path crosses;There is no proven way to clean up a diluted bitumen spill in a marine environment;Shipping out unprocessed diluted bitumen to refineries in other countries ships out Canadian jobs; andThe Trans Mountain expansion will: lock in oil-sands production growth that cannot be reconciled with Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitments, increase the risk of a diluted bitumen spill, violate the rights of Indigenous communities along the pipeline route, threaten Indigenous communities reliant on the marine environment for their livelihood and cultural practices.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately halt any plans to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline or otherwise support its expansion.8545-421-67-12 Government Response to petitions concerning oil and gasOil and gasTrans Mountain pipeline42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1631e-1631 (Telecommunications)MartinBérubéHon.MaximeBernierBeauceConservativeQCJune 6, 2018, at 9:33 a.m. (EDT)October 4, 2018, at 9:33 a.m. (EDT)January 30, 2019March 18, 2019October 9, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled </Addressee> Whereas:The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is responsible for enforcing the regulations on the use of radio frequencies; An individual with malicious intentions is threatening the security of emergency radio communications in Quebec;Canada has more than 50,000 radio communications stations run by amateur radio operators with licences issued by the Canadian government; Quebec has hundreds of active amateur radio stations, and many of these stations are prepared to help authorities when natural disasters or major incidents occur that break down traditional lines of communication;For two years a Nicolet resident, near Trois-Rivières, illegally set up a transmitting radio station and is generating interference on purpose; Amateur radio operators in Quebec have identified the illegal radio station and brought it to the attention of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and its inspectors seized the individual’s radio equipment; and The individual acquired new equipment right away and returned to jamming the airwaves. The man is known to police in Nicolet and Trois-Rivières. He has regular encounters with the law. We are calling on the government to provide more support to the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada so that it can intervene more decisively in this matter.We, the undersigned amateur radio operators of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take action to ensure the security of high frequency (HF) radio communications.Province of QuebecRadio frequencies42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1679e-1679 (Tax system)RogerGravesHon.PierrePoilievreCarletonConservativeONJune 14, 2018, at 7:07 p.m. (EDT)October 12, 2018, at 7:07 p.m. (EDT)October 17, 2018Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214115" mp-riding-display="1"> Justin Trudeau</Addressee>Whereas:The Trudeau government has asked Parliament for permission to impose a carbon tax that will raise the price of gasoline, home heating, groceries and other consumer goods; andThe Trudeau government has calculated how much the tax will cost the average Canadian family, but has refused to reveal that cost, in what is being called the “carbon tax cover up”.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately end the carbon tax cover up and reveal the true cost of this new tax to the average Canadian family.Access to informationCarbon pricingCarbon taxConsumer price42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 9, 2018e-1700e-1700 (Environmental pollution)RimmyJhajjKamalKheraBrampton WestLiberalONJune 8, 2018, at 10:40 a.m. (EDT)October 6, 2018, at 10:40 a.m. (EDT)October 9, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Plastic waste is an immense threat to our environment and wildlife, and costs our economy tens of millions of dollars;Takeout food containers add 25,000 tonnes to landfills annually (Metro Vancouver);While reusable takeout containers are currently the most sustainable takeout packaging option, implementing them requires the reorganization of restaurant infrastructure (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation). Thus, the most feasible strategy to protect the environment is to focus on implementing compostable or bioplastic takeout containers which require less restructuring;Biodegradable plastics can help contribute to sustainability and reduction in the environmental impact associated with the disposal of oil-based polymers;100% Certified Compostable containers are both recyclable (if cleaned), and compostable; andThere are a plethora of practical, cost-efficient ways for businesses to transition to sustainable takeout packaging.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to require food retailers to implement compostable and/or biodegradable plastic and/or bioplastic food storage/takeout containers in order to increase environmental stability and decrease plastic pollution.CompostingContainers, packages and parcelsEnvironmentally friendly productsPlastics42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1736e-1736 (National day)CarolToddRonMcKinnonCoquitlam—Port CoquitlamLiberalBCJune 11, 2018, at 11:16 a.m. (EDT)October 9, 2018, at 11:16 a.m. (EDT)November 21, 2018January 28, 2019October 10, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Mental health affects all Canadians at some time through their lives, through a family member, or friend;In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental health illness or addiction problem and by the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have - or have had - a mental illness;Almost one in 10 adults will have gone through a major depression at some point in their lives and the total number of 12-19 year olds in Canada at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million;Canadian youth who experience early adversity such as childhood trauma are more likely to develop mental health problems of all severity;Estimated 1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental illness and 75% of all mental disorders have their first onset before the age of 25;Among Canadians aged 15 to 24 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of death. Within indigenous communities, the suicide rate is 5 to 7 times higher than the Canadian average; andWorld Mental Health Day is observed on October 10th each year to raise awareness of mental health issues, advocate to end the social stigma of mental health and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to designate October 10 every year as World Mental Health Day in Canada.8545-421-131-08 Government Response to petitions concerning a national dayMental healthWorld Mental Health Day42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 10, 2018e-1711e-1711 (Environmental pollution)Jean-VictorSimoneauWilliamAmosPontiacLiberalQCJune 11, 2018, at 11:16 a.m. (EDT)October 9, 2018, at 11:16 a.m. (EDT)October 10, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There are scientific facts proving that the use of plastic bags causes damage to wildlife and natural habitats. Human population is also affected by the damages wrought by plastic bags found almost everywhere. Indeed, discarded plastic bags are easily transferred into wildlife habitats, such as oceans, since they are widely used and can travel great distances. The environmental impacts of plastic bags affect both the current and future generations. For example, humans are at risk of ingesting an escalating amount of plastic chemicals found in fish, the latter consuming more and more plastic residues. More than one million wild animals die each year due to the ingestion of harmful plastic residues, which many originate from plastic bags; andThe aim of this petition is twofold. First, we call upon the government to create rules in order to regulate the use of plastic bags in government buildings, thus respecting the sustainable development goals set by both the international community and the government. Canada must lead the way for the achievement of sustainable development goals, which can be, in part, reached with measures such as limiting the distribution of plastic bags where the government has the authority to do so. Second, Canada must have a cohesive way of enforcing environmental regulations regarding the use of plastic bags.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to create rules regulating the use of plastic bags in government buildings and implement a standardized national plan regarding the use of plastic bags.BagsGovernment facilitiesPlastics42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 16, 2019e-1739e-1739 (Public transit)NicholasThompsonArifViraniParkdale—High ParkLiberalONJune 13, 2018, at 9:58 a.m. (EDT)October 11, 2018, at 9:58 a.m. (EDT)November 26, 2018January 16, 2019October 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Affordable public transit is essential to the livelihoods of many Canadians, especially those on low or fixed incomes like students and seniors;Increased use of public transit reduces the number of cars on the roads, thereby reducing air pollution and traffic congestion; andFostering the regular use of public transit among youth will lead to its further use in the future.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to implement effective ways and means to promote and facilitate the use of public transit for Canadians under the age of 24, Canadians enrolled in post-secondary education, and Canadians above the age of 65.8545-421-40-03 Government Response to petitions concerning public transitPublic transitSenior citizensYoung people42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1699e-1699 (Animal transportation)ShelleyGraingerMarkHollandAjaxLiberalONJune 13, 2018, at 3:06 p.m. (EDT)October 11, 2018, at 3:06 p.m. (EDT)October 12, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Horses are air shipped from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan for human consumption;In 2017, over 4,800 horses were air shipped from Canada to Japan for slaughter for human consumption;3 to 4 horses are loaded into crates smaller than a single horse stall;Section 141.8 of the Health of Animals Regulations says horses over 14 hands (56”) must be segregated from all other animals for air transport;Many horses being air shipped to Japan are large draft types over 17 hands (68”), contravening the Health of Animals Regulations;The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets out standards for Live Animals Regulations, stipulating that horses must be shipped individually and have sufficient head clearance;IATA only allows exceptions for small polo ponies or Icelandic horses to be shipped in modified horse containers without partitions;Large draft horses can be 3 times the size of such ponies, therefore contravening IATA regulations;Videos taken at Canadian and Japanese airports show many horses in these crates don’t have sufficient head clearance, with their heads touching the roofs and ears protruding through the crates, contravening IATA regulations; andFlights are 10.5 to 13.5 hours long. Additional hours must be considered for ground transportation, loading into crates, and loading and unloading crates from planes. During this time, horses have no access to food or water.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to halt air shipments of horses exported for human consumption, due to the ongoing violation of Canadian and IATA regulations.Air transportationAnimal rights and welfareExportsHorses42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 19, 2018e-1725e-1725 (Trucking and truckers)AbbeyThompsonSeanFraserCentral NovaLiberalNSJune 19, 2018, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)October 17, 2018, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: Ontario has established mandatory training for trucking;Maritime trucking associations have lobbied their respective governments for three years; Ontario and Quebec have legislation requiring all heavy trucks to have speed limiters activated, restricting the maximum travel speed to 105 km/h;Fatigue accounts for 30% of fatal crashes in heavy truck accidents;The Government of Canada is legislated through the Motor Vehicle Transportation Act to be responsible for interprovincial truck and bus operations and road safety; and Trucking plays a major role in global supply chains and in relation to movement of goods across provinces. While provinces control the regulations of the companies in their regions, trucks make cross-provincial journeys that impact citizens of every province.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to task Transport Canada and/or the Standing Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities to create a harmonized federal regulatory framework for the trucking industry to ensure the safety of truck drivers and all Canadians across all provinces. This framework must include minimum training standards and should address issues of fatigue, speed, decision errors, and any other factors affecting road safety.Setting of standardsTransportation safetyTrucking and truckers42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 19, 2018e-1747e-1747 (Refugees)EricLorenzenHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABJune 19, 2018, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)October 17, 2018, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:LGBT people face extreme persecution and violence in many countries, for example in Iran;The number of LGBT refugees resettled in Canada has decreased since 2015; andThe situation is urgent because it is unsafe for LGBT people to remain in many refugee camps or to seek asylum in neighbouring countries.We, the undersigned, Canadians, call upon the Government of Canada to significantly reduce processing times for refugees and internally displaced LGBT persons, to make the Rainbow Refugee Assistance program a regular on-going program with multi-year funding, and to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure that LGBT refugees receive adequate services in a non-discriminatory environment.Humanitarian groundsRainbow Refugee Assistance ProjectRefugeesSexual minorities42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1528e-1528 (Cannabis)HeatherTaylerDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCJune 19, 2018, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)October 17, 2018, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)April 11, 2019May 27, 2019October 19, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Applying any tax to medically prescribed cannabis is inconsistent with the taxation of all other prescription medicines, which are tax exempt;Taxes applied to medical cannabis create financial barriers to health and well-being for patients, and discourage Canadians from accessing the regulated medical cannabis system;Patients already pay sales tax on medical cannabis and aren't eligible for reimbursement under most insurance plans in Canada; andThe federal government's newly announced proposal to apply excise taxes to medical cannabis, in addition to the existing sales tax, will disadvantage Canadians seeking relief from symptoms including side effects from cancer treatments, pain, seizures, anxiety and insomnia.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to make medical cannabis tax exempt in line with all other prescription medicines.CannabisPrescription drugsTax exemption42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 19, 2019e-1750e-1750 (Waste management)MaryGormanElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJune 21, 2018, at 11:17 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018, at 11:17 a.m. (EDT)February 6, 2019March 19, 2019October 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Kraft pulp mill in Abercrombie, Nova Scotia has a fifty year history of environmental negligence in Pictou County and has a plan for an effluent pipe that puts at risk the delicate ecosystem of the Gulf of St. Lawrence;Discharging 70 – 90 million liters of bleached Kraft pulp effluent daily into the Gulf of St. Lawrence will have a significant negative impact on the sensitive spawning, nursery and migratory habitat of lobster, herring, mackerel and many other interdependent species;The pipe threatens tourism and fishing industries in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Quebec which support a global food supply and generate billions of dollars in economic activity; andThousands of commercial fishers in the Northumberland Strait and the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence depend on these sustainable fisheries to support their families, and coastal communities in which they live.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to call upon the Government of Canada to authorize a full environmental assessment report under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency regarding this proposed pipe.8545-421-35-08 Government Response to petitions concerning waste managementEffluentsEnvironmental assessmentWater quality42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1738e-1738 (Environmental pollution)AverySchwarzElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJune 21, 2018, at 11:04 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018, at 11:04 a.m. (EDT)October 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Many countries around the world have taken action to reduce or halt the manufacturing and distribution of single use plastic items;A few progressive cities across Canada including Montreal and Victoria have banned plastic bags;The Canadian government has not yet instituted any anti-plastic measures, thereby falling behind in its global commitment to ocean health;The majority of plastics are manufactured using significant amounts of fossil fuels, a major source of greenhouse gases;The build-up of plastics, from the 8 million tons of plastic waste that enter our oceans annually has detrimental consequences for marine life;It is estimated that ocean plastic pollution is responsible for the death of over 1 million sea birds and over 100,000 mammals annually as well as the poisoning of countless other marine animals;In addition, rather than fully biodegrading, plastic breaks down into microplastics, poisoning humans through the food we eat and water we drink;Single use plastics all have more environmentally friendly options cheaply and readily available; andDue to the recent Chinese restrictions on Canadian waste, and our inability to process the large backlog of recycling, it is currently more important than ever to curb our use of unnecessary plastics.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to call upon the Government of Canada to ban all unnecessary single-use plastics nationwide, including: single-use plastic bags, straws, beverage rings, plates, cutlery and drink stirrers.BanPlastics42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1743e-1743 (Tibet)KhandoLangriRandallGarrisonEsquimalt—Saanich—SookeNDPBCJune 21, 2018, at 11:10 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018, at 11:10 a.m. (EDT)December 3, 2018January 28, 2019October 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that 2018 marks the Canada-China Year of Tourism to encourage stronger “people to people ties” between both countries;While 700,000 Chinese tourists visited Canada in 2017 without any restrictions, Canadian tourists seeking to visit Tibet continue to require special authorizations and permits in addition to their Chinese visa;Since 2012 the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) authorities have ordered the confiscation of all ordinary passports held by registered residents of the TAR and no replacements have been issued as of 2018. Denial of travel documents means that Tibetans who are Chinese citizens are unable to participate in the Canada-China Year of Tourism; andIn Tibetan areas of China that are outside of the TAR, tourism has been used as the rationale to convert sacred religious sites into tourist attractions, a violation of the right to freedom of religion and belief. The displacement of 5000 monastic residents at Larung Gar, one of the largest Buddhist centres in the world, was the direct consequence of state-sponsored efforts to encourage tourism in the region.We, the undersigned, citizens and or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to request that the Chinese government grant Canadian journalists entry to Tibet in order to report on the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism and its effect on Tibet’s social fabric, secure Canadian tourists unfettered access to Tibet, open a visa office in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, and request that the government of China safeguard respect for religion and traditions in the context of expanding the tourism sector in Tibet.ChinaMedia and the pressTibetTourism42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1759e-1759 (National day)TeriTownerRonMcKinnonCoquitlam—Port CoquitlamLiberalBCJune 21, 2018, at 3:58 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018, at 3:58 p.m. (EDT)December 7, 2018January 28, 2019October 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Search and rescue personnel are unpaid volunteers who drop whatever they are doing any time of day or night to search for and provide aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger;The contribution these volunteers make toward the safety of all Canadians is immeasurable;There are more than 12,000 search and rescue volunteers throughout Canada who train thousands of hours to provide search and rescue services in the air, on land and waters with hundreds of established search and rescue teams;Canada acknowledges National Volunteer Week recognizing Canadians who selflessly improve the lives of others and build better communities;The possibility for danger and inherent risks at play in search and rescue operations are over and above the typical service of other volunteers and volunteer organizations;Search and rescue volunteers are unsung heroes who assist citizens in distress and are credited with saving lives;These volunteers are deserving of distinctive recognition;One way to acknowledge the gratitude we have for their dedication and service is to proclaim a National Search and Rescue Day for all SAR volunteers from coast-to-coast; andIn British Columbia, March 2 is proclaimed SAR Volunteer Memorial Day to honour those volunteers who have lost their lives while on a quest to save others.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to recognize the valued service within search and rescue communities by establishing March 1 as “National Search and Rescue Day” to honour the living, past and present search and rescue volunteers to whom Canadians owe an immense debt of gratitude.Search and rescueVolunteering and volunteers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 12, 2018e-1740e-1740 (Human rights)AllanTapiaYasminRatansiDon Valley EastLiberalONJune 21, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. (EDT)October 30, 2018December 12, 2018October 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229209" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:Nicaragua is under political violence and repression by Daniel Ortega's regime;The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) visit in May of 2018 provided testimonials, audiovisual and documented evidence of human rights violations during peaceful protests;The IACHR documented patterns of massive and arbitrary arrests that occurred especially during the first days of the protests;The IACHR visited different hospitals in Nicaragua and also interviewed several volunteer doctors who reported a pattern of gunshot wounds on injured and deceased protesters;Amnesty International attended the Mother’s day march on May 30, 2018, and witnessed the chaos and violence caused by riot police who open fired on protesters, killing15 protesters and injuring 199;Amnesty International verifies that the attacks against demonstrators were led by police and pro-government armed groups;Amnesty International denounces the lethal policy of state repression and demands that the regime of Daniel Ortega put an immediate end to the violence;There are more than 131 deaths recorded, mostly university students requesting Ortega's resignation; andAs concerned citizens we remain optimistic that the Canadian government will be a key player in restoring democracy and peace in Nicaragua.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to:1. Consider sanctions against Ortega's regime for the continuous and undemocratic violation of human rights;2. Consider diplomatic pressure to Ortega's regime to end the political repressions and violence against innocent civilians and protesters;3. Encourage a call for early democratic elections in Nicaragua.This petition is in memory of all the university students assassinated by the Ortega regime.Civil and human rightsNicaraguaOrtega, Daniel42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 22, 2018e-1731e-1731 (Criminal justice system)NomaSaraiYasminRatansiDon Valley EastLiberalONJune 21, 2018, at 4:01 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018, at 4:01 p.m. (EDT)October 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Mandatory minimums set obligatory sentences for specified crimes without recognition for various unique elements of each case;Mandatory minimums are inextricably linked with discriminatory foundations that targets specific marginalized populations, particularly the indigenous community;Mandatory Minimum’s one-size-fits-all approach have detrimental effects on individuals, families, and the society at large; andSome mandatory minimums have been ruled as unconstitutional across Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to make it a priority to abolish mandatory minimums so the courts can operate in a fair criminal justice system, where sentences are customized, fair,and appropriate to the severity of each case.Justice systemMandatory sentencing42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 22, 2018e-1754e-1754 (United States of America)marjorie griffincohenKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCJune 21, 2018, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2018, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)October 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which specifically states “parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will” (Article 9);Canada has a duty to speak out internationally on this;Many, perhaps most people in the United States, abhor this inhumane practice and they need the support of the international community to have it changed; andCanada must use its diplomatic power to end this international human rights abuse.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to be vocal and visible in its opposition to the United States’ cruel and dangerous policy of separating asylum-seeking children from their families and to do the following:1. Exercise all diplomatic channels to express Canadian opposition to the policy of separating refugee children from their families;2. Urge the Prime Minister to directly contact the U.S. President to condemn this practice;3. Contact allies to exert similar international pressure on President Trump.Civil and human rightsDiplomacy and diplomatsFamilies and childrenRefugeesUnited States of America42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 16, 2019e-1755e-1755 (Immigration)TrishMacNeilJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCJune 22, 2018, at 1:09 p.m. (EDT)October 20, 2018, at 1:09 p.m. (EDT)November 20, 2018January 16, 2019October 23, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Safe Third Country Agreement states that only countries that respect human rights and offer a high degree of protection to asylum seekers may be designated as safe third countries;The President of the United States, has purposely and pre-meditatively adopted practices including a ‘Muslim travel ban’, and forcibly separating children from their parents seeking asylum;The United States no longer recognizes domestic violence or gang violence as legitimate reasons for asylum;The United States has adopted a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy designating all irregular border crossers claiming asylum as having committed a criminal act subject to prosecution;Under Donald Trump as President, the United States has demonstrated it will continue to ignore international human rights and refugee laws; andRemaining in the Safe Third Country Agreement infers that Canada views those policies to be acceptable treatment of asylum seekers and children.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to immediately suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement, by invoking Article 10 of the Agreement, until the United States complies with all factors of the Agreement, the policies and practices of the United States have consistently demonstrated a clear respect for human rights, they provide a high degree of protection to asylum seekers and the Government of Canada is certain the United States will continue to do so.8545-421-23-26 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationAgreements and contractsCanada–U.S. Safe Third Country AgreementCanada-United States relationsRefugeesThird country42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 25, 2018e-1765e-1765 (Immigration)DeziraeDaCostaNathanCullenSkeena—Bulkley ValleyNDPBCJune 26, 2018, at 1:25 p.m. (EDT)October 24, 2018, at 1:25 p.m. (EDT)October 25, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Safe Third Country agreement states that "Only countries that respect human rights and offer a high degree of protection to asylum seekers may be designated as safe third countries"; andThe United States of America has demonstrably not met those requirements as evidenced through systemic lack of due process for claimants, the use of detention (which is in violation of international norms on the treatment of refugees as per the 1951 Convention on Refugees, which Canda was a party to), and to major concerns about the health and welfare of refugees in detention within the United States.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to no longer recognize the United States of America as a Safe Third Country for the purposes of the agreement.Agreements and contractsCanada–U.S. Safe Third Country AgreementCanada-United States relationsRefugeesThird country42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 13, 2018e-1637e-1637 (Warships)PatrickWhiteKellyBlockCarlton Trail—Eagle CreekConservativeSKJune 26, 2018, at 3:32 p.m. (EDT)October 24, 2018, at 3:32 p.m. (EDT)November 5, 2018December 13, 2018October 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The remains of Canada's fallen soldiers, sailors, and aviators deserve equal respect and protection from desecration and disturbance;A Canadian Ocean War Grave is the wreck of a Canadian registered ship or Royal Canadian Navy warship lost during military service that contains the remains of Canadian sailors or merchant mariners; andUnder Canadian law, there are currently no protections for the remains of up to 1,200 Canadian sailors and merchant mariners resting in Ocean War Graves.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1) Affirm the Government of Canada's intention to provide legal protection for Canada's Ocean War Graves in Canadian, international, and foreign waters and, in so doing, make a formal request to the Government of the United Kingdom to protect Canadian Ocean War Graves in UK waters under the UK Protection of Military Remains Act, 1986;2) Use any available legislative and executive powers to provide immediate protection for Canada's Ocean War Graves, as an intermediate measure until stand-alone legislation can be enacted; and3) Enact expedited, stand-alone legislation to provide legal protection for Canada's Ocean War Graves, ensuring the punishment for desecration is in line with the punishment for desecration of land-based War Graves.Foreign policyOceansWar graves42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1746e-1746 (Cambodia)SophanSengRonMcKinnonCoquitlam—Port CoquitlamLiberalBCJune 26, 2018, at 5:25 p.m. (EDT)October 24, 2018, at 5:25 p.m. (EDT)December 7, 2018January 28, 2019October 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Charter of Rights and Freedoms has not solely served Canadians but people around the world. Canada has been known for its leading roles in supporting the Paris Peace Agreement in 1991 to settle down civil wars and conflicts in Cambodia, to conduct a first general election in 1993 sponsored by the UN, and to continue support of democratic and economic development;The legacy of democracy, political pluralism, rule of law, free and fair election from the UN in 1993, has completely cracked down by government-led party Cambodia’s People Party led by Prime Minister Hun Sen prior to the national election on July 29, 2018;Within his whole triumph to clinging to everlasting power, national Constitution and institution are used to legitimize his power and to influence the Cambodian voters and the international community;The largest opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved, its leader and activists were put in jail, 55 seats of law-maker and 2007 posts of commune councillors elected by the people were disenfranchised; andThe UN, the US, the EU and Australia have expressed their grave concern over this state of democracy.We, the undersigned, citizens and permanent residents of Canada,, call upon the Government of Canada to:1) Express serious concern over the upcoming election in Cambodia;2) Reconvene or to join with other nation-states to fully implement the Paris Peace Agreement to organize a free and fair election in Cambodia; and3) Ban and/or sanction individuals for their involvement in cracking down on democracy and human rights violation in Cambodia.CambodiaCivil and human rightsFederal electionsForeign policy42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 29, 2018e-1767e-1767 (Foreign policy)Khue-TuNguyenTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABJune 29, 2018, at 12:09 p.m. (EDT)October 27, 2018, at 12:09 p.m. (EDT)October 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Persecution of religious minorities in Vietnam is a state policy;Religious and political persecution of Montagnards, highlanders who practice De Ga Protestantism and Ha Mon Catholicism is rampant;At least 60 Montagnards are currently serving prison sentences of up to 17 years for simply exercising their rights to peaceful dissent and independent worship;At least 25 Montagnards have died in prison or detention as a result of torture and mistreatment;Thousands of Montagnard Christians were forced to renounce their faith;The Vietnamese government continues to arrest, torture and jail Montagnard Christians for their religious and political beliefs;Colonel Vu Van Lau and Senior Lt. Colonel Pham Huu Truong, directors of Public Security Department of Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, have been accused of being responsible for serious human rights abuses, and to be leaders of an entity that has engaged in serious human rights abuses; andSanctions against them would protect an entire class of persecuted Montagnard Christians in Vietnam from future abuse.We, the undersigned, citizens, and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1) Demand that the Vietnamese government put an end to its abusive policies and practices by issuing legislation that would safeguard minority rights, and revoking existing discriminatory policies; 2) Make Canadian economic cooperation as part of the Comprehensive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership conditional on Vietnam’s adherence to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and3) Apply sanctions against Colonel Vu Van Lau and Senior Lt. Colonel Pham Huu Truong under the Sergei Magnitsky Act..Civil and human rightsComprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific PartnershipEconomic sanctionsForeign policyLau, Vu VanTrade agreementsTruong, Pham HuuVietnam42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 29, 2018e-1706e-1706 (Mental health)AndreaSzafranMajidJowhariRichmond HillLiberalONJune 29, 2018, at 12:09 p.m. (EDT)October 27, 2018, at 12:09 p.m. (EDT)October 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canada Health Act states: “that future improvement in health will require the cooperative partnership of governments, health professionals, voluntary organizations and individual Canadians”; and“the Parliament of Canada wishes to encourage the development of health services throughout Canada by assisting the provinces in meeting the costs thereof”.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to provide better mental health training for public servants by: a) providing intervention training (Mental Health First Aid) through the Mental Health Commission of Canada; and b) providing crisis training.Mental healthPublic Service and public servantsWork-based training42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 29, 2018e-1753e-1753 (Violence in society)CorilunzPierre-LucDusseaultSherbrookeNDPQCJune 29, 2018, at 12:09 p.m. (EDT)October 27, 2018, at 12:09 p.m. (EDT)October 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The laws need to be changed regarding mental, emotional and verbal abuse;Physical and sexual abuse are against the law, and the laws need to be changed in order to make mental, emotional, and verbal abuse also against the law;If we can change the laws for distracted driving, and to legalize weed, the issue of mental, emotional and verbal abuse has to be taken as seriously;Just because you can’t see the marks that mental, emotional, and verbal abuse leave on the victim doesn’t mean it isn’t as important;A bruise, a broken arm, and a cut heal after weeks, however the scars that emotional, mental, and verbal abuse leave may never heal, especially when we keep the stigma that the only abuse that holds the abuser accountable is physical and sexual abuse.We, the undersigned, citizens Of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to change the laws in order to make emotional, mental and verbal abuse the same as physical abuse within our laws and to name the changes ‘’Daniel Justin’s Law’’.HarassmentIntimidationVictims of violence42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 29, 2018e-1749e-1749 (Social policies)MichaelNunanGengTanDon Valley NorthLiberalONJune 29, 2018, at 1:32 p.m. (EDT)October 27, 2018, at 1:32 p.m. (EDT)October 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Statistics Canada predicts that, by 2031, nearly one in four Canadians will be over 65;A 2015 report by Conference Board of Canada estimates that 2.4 million Canadians over 65 will require continuing care support, both paid and unpaid, by 2026. By 2046, that number will reach nearly 3.3 million;The total number of volunteers in Canada was lower in 2013 than in 2010. This is a 4.0% decline in the number of Canadian volunteers, while the population aged 15 years and older increased by about one million;Time banks run on time, not money. They typically offer services needed by people who are older or who have disabilities, including friendly visits, telephone companionship, shopping, transportation, minor home repairs, computer help, relief for family caregivers, and peer counseling;A time bank would encourage many more Canadians to volunteer their time and have a direct impact on the lives of seniors and persons with disabilities, by valuing and rewarding the time they commit;A “time bank” would help address additional social needs faced by many of our seniors. The time bank would enable seniors and persons with disabilities to access the help they otherwise would have had to do without.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to foster the creation of Time Bank Canada systems that will encourage more Canadians to contribute their time to the needy, seniors, and persons with disabilities in Canada.Care for the disabledCare for the elderlyTime bankVolunteering and volunteers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1757e-1757 (Russia)RomanHrubyJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJuly 3, 2018, at 9:47 a.m. (EDT)October 31, 2018, at 9:47 a.m. (EDT)December 11, 2018January 28, 2019October 31, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin, has unleashed wars of military aggression against Georgia, Ukraine and exacerbated the violent conflict in Syria and the brutal suppression of the people of Chechnya;In 2008, Putin unleashed military aggression against Georgia resulting in the continuing occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia;Putin abetted the cruel bombing of civilians in Syria, including use of chemical weapons, causing hundreds of thousands deaths, massive destruction and millions of refugees;In 2014, Putin invaded and illegally annexed Crimea, covertly invaded Ukraine's Donbas region - which caused more than 10,000 deaths, more than 20,000 injuries, millions of displaced people and tremendous destruction;Putin has covertly sponsored assassinations and terrorism activities to destabilize Ukraine;Armed groups under Putin's covert command shot down MH-17, over eastern Ukraine, which resulted in 298 civilian deaths;Putin regime has killed Russian dissidents, journalists, human rights advocates some even living abroad, and severely repressed Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians, killing a number of them and imprisoning many.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to declare Putin a War Criminal and refer him to the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague for crimes of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity and for sponsoring terrorism.8545-421-222-02 Government Response to petitions concerning RussiaPutin, VladimirRussiaSupporters of terrorismTribunals and courts of lawWar crimes42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 16, 2019e-1764e-1764 (Organ donation)TristanLeblancRamezAyoubThérèse-De BlainvilleLiberalQCJuly 3, 2018, at 3:37 p.m. (EDT)October 31, 2018, at 3:37 p.m. (EDT)November 22, 2018January 16, 2019November 2, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Organ donation is supported by 90% of Canadians, but only 20% have made arrangements to donate;In 10% to 15% of cases, families withdraw consent following a donor’s death because they were not previously informed of the donor’s plans;Currently, only 2% of hospital deaths meet the criteria for organ donation;Motion M-189 states, as follows: "That the House: (a) reiterate its commitment to facilitate collaboration on an organ and tissue donation and transplantation system that gives Canadians timely and effective access to care, since every year more than 250 people, out of the 4,500 on waiting lists, die without receiving a transplant; and (b) urge the government to support national efforts with provincial and territorial authorities and stakeholders to increase organ and tissue donation rates in Canada through public education and awareness campaigns, ongoing communication and the exchange of information, including best practices."We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to adopt Motion M-189 introduced in the House of Commons by Ramez Ayoub, Member of Parliament for Thérèse-De Blainville.8545-421-134-12 Government Response to petitions concerning organ donationFederal-provincial-territorial relationsNational organ donor registryOrgan donation42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 1, 2018e-1762e-1762 (Bees)GabrielleLandryDavidLamettiLaSalle—Émard—VerdunLiberalQCJuly 4, 2018, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)November 1, 2018, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)November 1, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Bees are the world's most important pollinator of food crops: it is estimated that one third of the food that Canadians consume daily each day relies on pollination mainly by bees, but also by other insects, such as birds and bats;The Government of Canada’s Bee Incident Reports 2012-2016 suggests that the Canadian bee population is gravely deteriorating by 25% yearly due to insecticides and pesticides used in agriculture;The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) investigation and analysis of pesticide residues suggested that exposure to neonicotinoids in dust generated during the planting of treated corn or soybean seed with vacuum planters contributed to observed mortalities of bees; andHealth Canada's PMRA ongoing assessments of neonicotinoid insecticides are planning to reduce them.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to instruct the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development to study the protection of the bees in order to:1) Enact comprehensive legislation to protect the bees in collaboration with the provinces and territories;2) Accelerate the further reduction of the use of neonicotinoid insecticides; and3) Create a National Bee Protection day in order to raise awareness about the importance of bees for a healthy ecosystem.BanBeesFederal-provincial-territorial relationsInformation disseminationNeonicotinoidsStanding Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1768e-1768 (Housing policy)KateChungJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONJuly 4, 2018, at 1:29 p.m. (EDT)November 1, 2018, at 1:29 p.m. (EDT)November 28, 2018January 28, 2019November 2, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:20% of Canadians are reported to have a disability, including 200,000 Canadian children;This is predicted to rise to 25% by 2031;People of all ages have disabilities of many types;There is no building code in Canada mandating that housing be made accessible to people with disabilities;Universal design will accommodate anyone of any age or ability, going beyond mere accessibility, and demonstrating an underlying commitment to including as wide a range of users as possible; andThe Canadian Human Rights Code and Charter of Rights and Freedoms forbid discrimination on the basis of disability.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:1) Immediately amend the National Building Code of Canada, making it mandatory that all housing in any way under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada be universal design;2) Ensure that the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and CMHC collaborate on defining in the Building Code what is visitable, adaptable, accessible, barrier-free, and universal design;3) Ensure that specifications for visitable, adaptable, accessible, barrier-free and universal design for the residential sector be clearly illustrated in the National Building Code,4) Comply with United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities on accessibility of housing;5) Disaggregate Statistics Canada data on disability; and6) Require that any federal funds transferred to provinces, territories, or any other organization for housing fund only universally designed housing.8545-421-6-17 Government Response to petitions concerning housing policyAccess for disabled peopleBuilding codeCanada Mortgage and Housing CorporationConvention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesFederal-provincial-territorial relationsGovernment facilitiesHousingPersons with disabilities42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2019e-1769e-1769 (National Capital Commission)JohnMcDonnellWayneStetskiKootenay—ColumbiaNDPBCJuly 9, 2018, at 9:17 a.m. (EDT)November 6, 2018, at 9:17 a.m. (EDT)February 21, 2019March 22, 2019November 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Gatineau Park is one of the most visited parks in Canada;Gatineau Park is home to about 90 endangered plant species and 50 endangered animal species;Gatineau Park is a major economic driver for the National Capital Region. According to the National Capital Commission, 2.7 million annual visits are made to the park, contributing $241.5 million to the local economy while supporting 4728 full-time jobs;The boundaries of Gatineau Park are not recognized in Canadian law;Sections of Gatineau Park can be removed from the park and sold without parliamentary review or approval; andUnlike Canada's National Parks and many provincial parks, Gatineau Park is not protected by legislation mandating that it be managed to ensure its ecological integrity.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to amend the National Capital Act to give Gatineau Park the necessary legal protection to ensure its preservation for future generations.Gatineau ParkNational Capital Commission42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1774e-1774 (Correctional facilities)CalvinNeufeldElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJuly 9, 2018, at 2:26 p.m. (EDT)November 6, 2018, at 2:26 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2019March 18, 2019November 7, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Correctional Service Canada has a mandate to provide effective rehabilitation and reintegration programming for prisoners;Prisoner rehabilitation should not involve sexual or physical violence;Joyceville Institution is establishing a dairy operation which will involve prisoners inseminating animals and assisting in the slaughter process;Violence towards animals will put prisoners at risk of trauma and emotional dissonance;Prisoners at Joyceville Institution have voted against a dairy program and in favour of plant-based agriculture and a sanctuary model of animal therapy;Animal agriculture is not a model of animal therapy;Prison programs should not be used to advance commercial interests;Milk from the prison program will reportedly go to the Feihe International infant formula factory where it will be processed and shipped to China;The government is committed to implementing evidence-based practices and policies;Research finds that even the lowest impact meat and dairy products cause much more environmental harm than the least sustainable plant products; andPrison farms should uphold justice in relation to prisoners, animals, and the environment.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1) overturn the decision to establish prison dairy operations;2) establish prison farms that prioritize ecological sensitivity and climate change solutions; and3) prevent use of animals in rehabilitation programs except under sanctuary or animal therapy models.8545-421-155-04 Government Response to petitions concerning correctional facilitiesAnimalsCriminal rehabilitationJoyceville InstitutionPrison farms42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1776e-1776 (Road transportation)MarkusMuhsMattJenerouxEdmonton RiverbendConservativeABJuly 10, 2018, at 4:08 p.m. (EDT)November 7, 2018, at 4:08 p.m. (EDT)January 30, 2019March 18, 2019November 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Terwillegar Drive, one of Edmonton’s busiest roads, is in need of upgrades to make it a freeway;This road is consistently clogged with commuter traffic because primary access between southwest Edmonton and the rest of the city is through Whitemud and Terwillegar Drives;The area of Edmonton served by Terwillegar Drive between Whitemud and Anthony Henday has a population of approximately 50,000 and only two other access points to the rest of the city via 23rd Ave NW or 53rd Ave NW;There have been many attempts over the past two decades to develop solutions to the growing traffic problem, but nothing beyond reports has materialized;The federal government recently pledged almost $40 million to expand the industrial 50 Street, which does not see as much traffic as Terwillegar Drive; andSouthwest Edmonton is one of the fastest growing areas of the city, completely lacks LRT, and needs better infrastructure for its residents.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to make this infrastructure project an immediate priority.EdmontonHighways42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 16, 2019e-1778e-1778 (National historic sites)NatalieBullJohnAldagCloverdale—Langley CityLiberalBCJuly 11, 2018, at 9:31 a.m. (EDT)November 8, 2018, at 9:31 a.m. (EDT)November 19, 2018January 16, 2019November 8, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s collective story is told through its historic places, and thousands of sites have been formally recognized by public authorities;Canada has committed to protecting and preserving cultural heritage by being party to the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage;Investing in the rehabilitation of historic places contributes to economic growth through job creation, revitalization of traditional downtowns, and tourism;The retention and reuse of historic places contributes to the fight against climate change, reducing construction and demolition waste and avoiding the environmental impacts of new development;Reconciliation requires investment in historic places of significance to Canada’s Indigenous peoples;The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development in its report Preserving Canada’s Heritage: the Foundation for Tomorrow identified the need for federal leadership, including funding and incentives for historic places not owned by the federal government; andFederal action is needed without delay, since estimates indicate that more than 20% of Canada’s historic places were lost between 1970 and 2000 – and losses continue due to lack of funding;We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to demonstrate federal leadership for historic places by working with the Minister of Finance to create a multi-million dollar fund in Budget 2019 that would support the efforts of Indigenous peoples, charities and not for profits to save and renew historic places, and encourage private sector investment and heritage philanthropy.Government assistanceHeritage sites and buildings42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2019e-1781e-1781 (Social benefits)SarahCormierBlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABJuly 18, 2018, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)November 15, 2018, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)February 7, 2019March 22, 2019November 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Motion M-110, requesting that the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) undertake a study on the impact on parents who have suffered the loss of an infant child, unanimously passed the House with all party support on June 8, 2018;The HUMA Committee will study ways to ensure that grieving parents do not suffer any undue financial or emotional hardship as a result of the design of government programming, including from Employment Insurance Parental Benefits.We, the undersigned, Petitioners, call upon the Government of Canada to bring legislation forward immediately following the report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources (HUMA) to provide better compassion and support for parents of pregnancy and infant loss and ensure they do not suffer any undue hardship as a result of federal government programming.8545-421-165-08 Government Response to petitions concerning social benefitsDeaths and funeralsInfantsParents42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 16, 2019e-1793e-1793 (Certain imported goods)VictoriaAlexanderFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCJuly 25, 2018, at 11:51 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2018, at 11:51 a.m. (EDT)November 30, 2018January 16, 2019November 22, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Shark populations have decreased by 60-90% in the last 15 years due to the shark fin industry;Shark populations take a long time to recover from being hunted as it takes a shark 7-20 years to mature, this leaves ecosystems devastated;Shark finning directly violates the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s Code of Conduct, yet it is still being practiced all over and as a nation we are supporting that practice by allowing imports;Sharks are an apex predator making their role vital to ecosystems by eating the sick and weak fish and controlling populations of other predators keeping biodiversity in aquatic species;Sharks shift their preys spacial habitat, thus altering their feeding habits of other species, and by doing so preserve our reef and keep certain species thriving; The decline in our coral reef can be associated with the loss of sharks; andWith the last bill being passed in the 1990’s to ban shark finning in Canada, we need to stay current with the threat to our ecosystems and aquatic wellbeing and stop supporting the shark fin industry by banning imports of fins.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to adopt Bill C-251 as an official government bill and end the import of shark fins.8545-421-146-02 Government Response to petitions concerning certain imported goodsImportsShark42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1795e-1795 (Fishing industry)KevinEstradaFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCJuly 27, 2018, at 9:06 a.m. (EDT)November 24, 2018, at 9:06 a.m. (EDT)December 7, 2018January 28, 2019November 26, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: Gill nets are the most widely used and implemented salmon harvesting tool on the Fraser River by First Nations and commercial fishermen; Sturgeon are frequently and negatively impacted by the non selective nature of gill nets, succumbing to significant physical damage and regular mortality; Fully attended nets provide effective and expeditious release, unharmed, of salmon stocks of concern and sturgeon; and The Department of Fisheries and Oceans promotes gill net use for salmon harvesting and does not provide nor endorse any alternative salmon harvesting techniques, when at this time, environmentally acceptable and sustainable fish harvesting technologies are a necessity for mixed stock salmon fisheries and to reduce sturgeon encounters and subsequent mortalities.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Encourage, implement and promote alternative sustainable salmon harvesting techniques that will reduce impact on salmon stocks of concern, and reduce and eliminate sturgeon by-catch and their subsequent physical damage and mortality;2. Provide funding to research and implement sustainable fish harvesting technologies, such as fish wheels, fish traps, and fish-safe seines;3. Adopt policies and regulations that require gill nets to be fully attended and monitored during entire gill net soak time, while this transition phase of implementation will take time; and4. Ban all night-time gill net use.Fisheries policyFraser RiverSalmonSturgeon42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1794e-1794 (Issuance of visas)JosueRamirezHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABAugust 1, 2018, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)November 29, 2018, at 10:05 a.m. (EDT)November 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada must assess Temporary Resident Visa applications equally, using the established criteria, including the purpose of the person’s trip, their economic situation, and their links to their country of origin;Applications must be processed on a case-by-case basis, given the opportunity to applicants to present their cases by providing documentary evidence and any other relevant information to support it; andThe monthly number of rejected Temporary Resident Visa applications from Venezuela has increased exponentially since the political and economic crisis started deepening, resulting in the refusal of 216 applications in November 2016; 634 in June 2017; 468 in March 2018. The increase seems to continue in an exponential manner.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Goverment of Canada to enforce fairness and transparency within Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for Venezuelan citizens who are Temporary Resident Visa applicants and to request the Minister of Citizenship, Refugees and Immigration to instruct Visa officers to abide by the applicable norms when Venezuelan citizens apply for Temporary Resident Visa and stop discriminating against applicants.Passports and visasTemporary resident statusVenezuela42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 29, 2018e-1772e-1772 (Income tax system)MarcoVaniPeterSchiefkeVaudreuil—SoulangesLiberalQCAugust 1, 2018, at 10:09 a.m. (EDT)November 29, 2018, at 10:09 a.m. (EDT)November 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The current Income tax rules (line 305) state a child cannot be considered a dependant if you are paying child support even if you have shared custody;However, if you have shared custody and do not help the other parent with financial support, then your child can be considered a dependant. So essentially, you can get a tax credit for a dependant child if you spend less on that child; andAccording to StatCan, in 2011, payments of child support were also reported by 19% of parents whose child spent equal amounts of time with them and the other parent.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to request the Canadian Revenue agency remove the exclusion for line 305 of the Income tax Act for eligible dependants for those who, on top of paying to care for their children, also have to pay child support to the other parent. Current tax rules discriminate against the parent with the higher income and need to be updated to reflect current family dynamics where many families have joint responsibility of their children.Personal income taxSingle parentsTax credit for dependants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 14, 2019e-1787e-1787 (Sexual misconduct)CraigRoweHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABAugust 1, 2018, at 10:08 a.m. (EDT)November 29, 2018, at 10:08 a.m. (EDT)May 1, 2019June 14, 2019November 29, 2018Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214115" mp-riding-display="1"> Justin Trudeau</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is committed to protecting the rights of women from any forms of sexual abuse, harassment or discrimination;Our current government is committed to promoting a "feminist" agenda, in both policy and budget, and has adopted a clear zero-tolerance approach in dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct against Members of Parliament;On the Prime Minister of Canada's official website, it is made clear that any form of sexual misconduct against women is "unacceptable";Four Liberal Party of Canada's Members of Parliament have resigned or been removed from caucus over alleged sexual misconduct since Justin Trudeau became the party leader in 2013;The office and position of the Prime Minister of Canada should be held to an even higher standard than other Members of Parliament or caucus members;In televised statements, Justin Trudeau has stated that women who make such allegations should be supported and believed, and that the rules of appropriate conduct applied to him as well as to other politicians;Allegations of sexual misconduct against Justin Trudeau and his dismissive attitude toward them are both unacceptable and have resulted in a loss of confidence in him by the citizens of Canada; andFailure of elected members of the current government to condemn the aforementioned alleged sexual misconduct will result in a loss of confidence in them by the citizens of Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon Justin Trudeau to be held to the same standards as he has set for his caucus.8545-421-249-01 Government Response to petitions concerning sexual misconductPrime MinisterSexual harassmentTrudeau, Justin42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 28, 2019e-1796e-1796 (Alcoholic beverages)ShawnLAMONTAGNEAngeloIaconoAlfred-PellanLiberalQCAugust 1, 2018, at 1:13 p.m. (EDT)November 29, 2018, at 1:13 p.m. (EDT)December 7, 2018January 28, 2019November 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Society increasingly recognizes the harms caused by excessive alcohol consumption;The sale of all alcohol products, particularly beverages with high sugar and alcohol content, must be better regulated;More and more alcoholic beverages are being sold in non-reclosable cans that encourage rapid consumption of the product; andLimiting sugar and alcohol content is not enough by itself to better limit consumption of these beverages;We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to impose a new regulatory standard through Health Canada that requires all types of alcohol products in all categories that are sold in cans containing more than 500 mL and 7% alcohol to be reclosable. The health and safety of Canadians depends on it.Alcoholic beverages industryPackaging and labelling42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1804e-1804 (Foreign policy)M. ZulemaLópez de NealeZiadAboultaifEdmonton ManningConservativeABAugust 1, 2018, at 1:13 p.m. (EDT)November 29, 2018, at 1:13 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2019March 18, 2019November 29, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Ortega regime has continued repressing and killing civilians in Nicaragua as reported by journalists and condemned by various international organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the United Nations (UN), and the “Asociacion Nicaraguense Pro Derechos Humanos” (ANPDH);Canada condemned the violence at a recent meeting of the OAS; andThe United States of America has recently applied sanctions to several Ortega Officials using the Magnitsky Law.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take concrete steps against Ortega regime officials implicated in severe human rights violations and corruption by applying sanctions through Canada’s own Magnitsky Law.Civil and human rightsEconomic sanctionsNicaraguaOrtega, Daniel42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1805e-1805 (Immigration)NargesMahmoudiHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABAugust 1, 2018, at 1:14 p.m. (EDT)November 29, 2018, at 1:14 p.m. (EDT)November 30, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Many members of the Iranian-Canadian community have seen their visa, permanent residency, and citizenship applications take significantly longer than the average processing times made available by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada;The government has admitted that there have been delays in processing the permanent residency applications for Iranians;The government has been unfair and unreasonable in the allocation of resources to process legal immigration applications, including moving department staff; andThe government has not been transparent with the Iranian-Canadian community regarding the process for the selection of additional security screening.We, the undersigned, the Iranian-Canadian community, call upon the Government of Canada to 1) resolve the existing prolonged delays in the process of visa, permanent residency (QSW, PNP, and EE streams), and citizenship applications; 2) release data regarding the delays and be transparent with the Iranian-Canadian community regarding their applications; and 3) provide clear timelines for all steps including security checks for all applicants.Application processImmigration and immigrantsIran42nd Parliament229Not certifiedDecember 6, 2018e-1801e-1801 (Colombia)SofiaRamirezSeanCaseyCharlottetownLiberalPEAugust 7, 2018, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)December 5, 2018, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)December 6, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Since the signing of the final Peace Accords on November 24, 2016, more than 300 indigenous, union, community, student, Afro-Colombian and political activist leaders have been assassinated. These crimes are being perpetrated against those who demand the return of their lands, promote the voluntary eradication of illicit crops, and represent opposition political parties. Eighty-four former FARC combatants and their relatives have also been killed;It is well noted that President-Elect Ivan Duque opposes the peace agreements and their implementation, even though it is known that a failure of the peace accords would mean a return to war. This is not in the interest of the Colombian people;We appeal to the Government of Canada to continue the monitoring of transitional justice mechanisms and contribute to the reaffirmation of the rule of law so that all people in Colombia can enjoy a fair society; andBehind every murdered leader is a family and the aspirations of thousands of people who dream of living in a more just country.We, the undersigned, a coalition of Canadian citizens and residents, and Colombian Citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to :1. Demand that the Colombian state, and its new president, protect these leaders.2. Denounce the killings and adding the Canadian voice to other international leaders who have already stepped forward publicly.3. Follow through on the Canadian Government's commitment to support the implementation of the peace agreements.Civil and human rightsColombiaMilitants and activistsPeacekeeping and peacemaking42nd Parliament229Not certifiedDecember 11, 2018e-1813e-1813 (Immigration)QIUMINTANJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCAugust 13, 2018, at 1:58 p.m. (EDT)December 11, 2018, at 1:58 p.m. (EDT)December 11, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229219" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Section 38(1)(c) of the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) allows rejection of a permanent or temporary residency applicant and their entire family if the applicant has a disability or medical condition that causes an “excessive demand on health or social services”;The assessment of “excessive demand” is a cost assessment of the disability but not the individual. It ignores contributions of the individual and family to Canadian society;Section 38(1)(c) violates Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by discriminating people with mental and physical disabilities;Section 38(1)(c) also violates the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;Every year, one thousand people are ruled “inadmissible” to Canada due to “excessive demand”, including four hundred children with intellectual disability. As such, the excessive demand provision impedes family reunion and integration of newcomers;The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship acknowledged that Section 38(1)(c) was “out of step” with Canadian values and subsequently increased the cost threshold for excessive demand from $6,604 to $19,812 in June 2018; andBy the Minister’s own account, the changes made will only reduce the structural discrimination of this policy by 75%.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, families and friends of those affected by the medial inadmissibility clause, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to repeal Section 38(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and completely end this discrimination against individuals and families with mental and physical disabilities.DiscriminationImmigration and immigrantsPersons with disabilities42nd Parliament229Not certifiedDecember 14, 2018e-1800e-1800 (Nicaragua)RenItoAlexanderNuttallBarrie—Springwater—Oro-MedonteConservativeONAugust 16, 2018, at 9:41 a.m. (EDT)December 14, 2018, at 9:41 a.m. (EDT)December 14, 2018Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Nicaraguan government, under President Daniel Ortega, has responded to peaceful protests calling for his resignation with widespread, lethal violence;Since April 18, 2018, over 260 protestors have been killed by Nicaraguan police and paramilitary groups, over 1000 have been injured, and countless others have been captured or tortured, gone missing, or been denied essential supplies; andThis violent repression is having a disastrous effect on Nicaragua’s infrastructure and the wellbeing of its people.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to (a) clearly and unequivocally condemn the violence being committed against the Nicaraguan people; (b) strongly urge the Nicaraguan government to cease its violence and respect the democratic and human rights of the people; and (c) encourage the investigation of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Organisation of American States into the violence that has occurred in Nicaragua since April 18, 2018.Civil and human rightsForeign policyNicaragua42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1819e-1819 (Hypothyroidism)PatElliottHon.DianeFinleyHaldimand—NorfolkConservativeONAugust 27, 2018, at 3:13 p.m. (EDT)December 25, 2018, at 3:13 p.m. (EDT)January 28, 2019March 18, 2019January 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The government needs to protect equitable access, supply and a fair marketplace for the full range of thyroid hormone pharmaceuticals, not only the synthetic T4 and T3 used since the 1950s, but also animal-derived hormone extract in medical use since the 1800s and approved by Health Canada; In monitoring, our patients’ health depends on moving beyond a single test, the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Unsatisfactory responses to thyroid medication have often been dismissed as unrelated to thyroid parameters whenever the TSH is in normal range, but we now know that under a normal TSH can hide suboptimal levels of T3, the form of thyroid hormone that has genomic activity in every cell. Subtle reductions in T3 thyroid hormone can worsen conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, mental illness, obesity and osteoporosis; andDoctors require more education on various medication options and professional freedom to choose tests and treatments for an individual patient’s needs. It is also time to review the product monographs for all thyroid medications in Canada to reflect recent research.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to protect the health of citizens on lifelong therapy for hypothyroidism by protecting equitable access to all thyroid drugs approved by Health Canada and by ensuring that doctors receive more education on various medication options and professional freedom to choose tests and treatments for an individual patient’s needs.DoctorsPharmaceuticalsThyroid gland42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1825e-1825 (Russia)LiannaMakuchLindaDuncanEdmonton StrathconaNDPABSeptember 4, 2018, at 9:36 a.m. (EDT)January 2, 2019, at 9:36 a.m. (EDT)January 29, 2019March 18, 2019January 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian government has publicly committed itself to the defence of human rights internationally;A federal law (the Justice for Victims of Foreign Corrupt Officials Act or Magnitsky Act) was passed a year ago which allows for restrictive measures to be taken against “foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights”;To date, the Canadian government has taken no action against Russian authorities responsible for the unlawful imprisonment and brutal ill treatment of three Ukrainian hunger strikers (Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Shumko and Volodymyr Balukh) and approximately 60 other Ukrainian political prisoners; andThe Magnitsky Act has not been invoked to sanction Russian officials responsible for the violation of the human rights of these Ukrainian citizens.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to demand the release of Ukrainian political prisoners Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Shumko, Volodymyr Balukh and the dozens of others detained illegally by the Russian government and to employ all possible sanctions, including measures outlined in the Magnitsky Act, to secure their freedom.Economic sanctionsForeign policyPolitical prisonersUkraine42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 3, 2019e-1797e-1797 (Minimum wage)LeilaHoganPierre-LucDusseaultSherbrookeNDPQCSeptember 4, 2018, at 9:36 a.m. (EDT)January 2, 2019, at 9:36 a.m. (EDT)January 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The increase in wage inequality;The degradation of basic living standards for youth and seniors alike; andThe inhibition of The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, "Section 7: right to life, liberty, and security of the person" as affected by an unliveable wage.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to implement a national minimum wage of $18.00 (Eighteen-Dollars and Zero Cents) to maintain the dignity, mental and physical health of minimum wage earners in Canada and to implement a program, whereby the national minimum wage will be subsequently increased every three years to reflect actual inflation. This proposed minimum wage of $18.00 will not be adjustable by the Provinces or Territories except in cases where a Province or Territory may increase the national minimum wage to reflect local economies.Minimum wage42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 3, 2019e-1811e-1811 (Discrimination)ChristopherWebbPeterSchiefkeVaudreuil—SoulangesLiberalQCSeptember 5, 2018, at 1:24 p.m. (EDT)January 3, 2019, at 1:24 p.m. (EDT)January 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Fathers are parents;Access to changing facilities for fathers is not equal to that of mothers; andWashrooms should be accessible to all.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to make it a legal requirement for any public washroom to provide equal access to changing facilities for both men and women, where space allows. In addition, all publicly accessible washrooms should provide changing facilities for babies, and accessible facilities for toddlers.Families and childrenPublic toiletsSexual discrimination42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 4, 2016e-281e-281 (Foreign ownership)RaymondWongKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCApril 8, 2016, at 12:48 p.m. (EDT)August 6, 2016, at 12:48 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016November 4, 2016August 11, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:According to the latest data released by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, the average price for single detached homes has skyrocketed over the past 10 years;As priced continued to soar, families are unable to afford to live in and being driven away from Greater Vancouver as many school in Vancouver are in danger of being shut-down;Many seniors on fixed incomes will be 'Taxed Out' of their homes due to increase in their property taxes;Young professionals will be driven out seeking better opportunities in other cities; andRental units have also become unaffordable for families even with a household median income in Greater Vancouver of $74k.We, the undersigned, Residents of Greater Vancouver, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1) Collect data on off-shore investment on Canada's real estate market and the extent of which housing vacancies, flipping and speculation are driving up homes prices;2) Investigate financial transactions flagged as suspicious by the Financial Transactions and Report Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and determine if any of them are linked to real estate purchases; and3) If appropriate, require potential buyers to register with the government in order to buy a home and consider restricting foreign ownership to those who reside in the city for a certain period of time;4) Demand real estate council and lawyers to disclose information of buyers and sources of incomes; and5) Study the restrictions place on off-shore investment by Australia, USA, Hong Kong, England, Singapore and New Zealand.Foreign investments in CanadaReal estateVancouver42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 3, 2016e-289e-289 (Dairy products)CoryHarrisLarryMillerBruce—Grey—Owen SoundConservativeONApril 13, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. (EDT)August 11, 2016, at 12:00 p.m. (EDT)September 20, 2016November 3, 2016August 12, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Humans have been consuming locally produced raw milk for thousands of years and have enjoyed the health benefits included therein, and raw milk contains enzymes and beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that are destroyed during the pasteurization process;Large scale industrially-produced dairy products present greater health risks which must be managed through pasteurization; milk produced on a small scale through local farms is subject to significantly lower risk levels;Health Canada’s existing policy and regulatory framework fails to differentiate between these risk levels and prohibiting the sale and distribution of raw milk is not a reasonable approach and the risk profile for raw milk is lower than other foods available to consumers; andCanada is the only G8 country that prohibits the sale of raw milk to consumers, any health risks associated with locally produced milk are being managed effectively in other jurisdictions through the use of appropriate evidence based standards and certification programs.The Government of Canada can learn from these successes, and Canadians should have the freedom to choose to purchase pasteurized or raw milk.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to Modernize and amend the Food and Drugs Act and the corresponding Food and Drug Regulations, to permit the legal sale of, and/or access to, raw (i.e. unpasteurized) milk and milk products through small scale certified herd share programs, or other such suitable arrangements, capable of managing any associated health risks in a responsible and reasonable manner.Dairy industryMilk and dairy productsSmall and medium-sized enterprises42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 14, 2016e-303e-303 (Natural gas)DavidMcDougallBobZimmerPrince George—Peace River—Northern RockiesConservativeBCApril 13, 2016, at 1:05 p.m. (EDT)August 11, 2016, at 1:05 p.m. (EDT)September 26, 2016November 14, 2016August 12, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:With reduced spending from the oil and gas industries due to slumping oil prices, an estimated 185,000 workers will have an impact on their employment from 2015 and beyond;$30 billion deficit announced by the federal government in March 2016, a $20 billion increase over what was originally estimated by the Liberal Party of Canada;Lack of pipelines to new markets has had an impact on Canadian producers of oil and gas, often receiving far less than market rates for our resource products;The current economic environment resulting from dragging oil prices has also had a negative effect on industries that are seemingly far removed from the oil and gas sector (e.g. travel, retail, finance, etc.); andRising concerns regarding greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) on a global scale and the pledge of G20 nations to address this concern.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Support the residents, families, communities and businesses of Canada by saying YES to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and approve BC LNG projects such as the Pacific NorthWest LNG project;2. Establish Canada as a clean energy global leader by providing access to much needed LNG resources to markets in areas such as Asia, assisting in the reduction of global GHG emissions;3. Reduce the federal deficit through significant contributions of federal, provincial, municipal governments via taxes and royalties related to LNG; and4. Help stimulate the economy and put Canadians back to work in rural communities such as the ones in NorthEast British Columbia with the approval of BC LNG projects.8545-421-28-03 Government Response to petitions concerning natural gasBritish ColumbiaNatural gasPacific NorthWest LNG42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 14, 2016e-220e-220 (Health care services)CatherineGrandRobertOliphantDon Valley WestLiberalONApril 14, 2016, at 2:57 p.m. (EDT)August 12, 2016, at 2:57 p.m. (EDT)September 22, 2016November 14, 2016August 12, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:There is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias; The projections of the number of Canadians living with dementia are staggering, with over 750,000 individuals affected today, a doubling by 2030 — and with health-care costs of $293 billion by 2040;Three out of four Canadians know someone with dementia. In 2011 alone, caregivers spent 444 million unpaid hours providing care. That’s the equivalent of $11 billion in lost income or 230,000 full-time jobs;Alzheimer's and dementia are heartbreaking diseases that negatively impacts sufferers, caregivers and family in every way imaginable. It also negatively impacts our health care system and our economy; andCanada currently has no strategy in place to address the above concerns. We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Create a National Dementia Strategy. It is imperative that Canada prioritize the creation of a Strategy so that our country no longer remains without a plan to face this Global Health Crisis. Our Government must commit to a concerted effort from the federal and provincial governments to address the burden dementia places on our economy, individuals with the disease, their families, and our health-care system.Alzheimer diseaseDementiaNational Strategy for Dementia42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-305e-305 (Illicit drug use)MeredithMacKenzieRonMcKinnonCoquitlam—Port CoquitlamLiberalBCApril 15, 2016, at 5:09 p.m. (EDT)August 13, 2016, at 5:09 p.m. (EDT)August 15, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is the world leader in per-capita prescription opioid consumption. Deaths related to opioid overdose are a public health crisis;Naloxone is a medication that has been used in Canada for over 40 years to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, has virtually no side effects and has no abuse potential;Most accidental overdose emergencies involving illicit substance use occurs in the presence of another witness;A study in Ontario has identified that only 46% of those involved in an emergency overdose would call 911. This compare with over 90% who would call for a cardiac arres; andA primary barrier to calling 911 in an overdose has been identified as being fear of police presence and the potential for criminal charges. We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act ("Good Samaritan Law") to exempt from charges for possession a person who seeks emergency medical or law enforcement assistance for themselves or another person following an overdose on a controlled substance.Drug use and abuseDuty to provide assistancePossession of a controlled substance42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 19, 2017e-291e-291 (Poverty)RandyHatfieldWayneLongSaint John—RothesayLiberalNBApril 18, 2016, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)August 16, 2016, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)June 7, 2017July 19, 2017August 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214330" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Families, Children and Social Development</Addressee>Whereas: The City of Saint John, according to 2013 taxfiler data, has a child poverty rate of 31%; The Government of Canada has committed to make significant new investments in social infrastructure; and The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development has been mandated to lead the development of a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy that would set targets to reduce poverty and measure and publicly report on progress.We, the undersigned, residents of Saint John – Rothesay, call upon the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to designate Saint John, New Brunswick, as a demonstration site for the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy for testing and evaluating new and promising poverty reduction initiatives, which would include investments in affordable housing, skills training, literacy, neighbourhood revitalization, early childhood education and youth mental health.8545-421-12-09 Government Response to petitions concerning povertyNational Poverty Reduction Strategy in CanadaPovertySaint John42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 1, 2017e-311e-311 (Genetic engineering)TrevorCharlesKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCApril 19, 2016, at 2:20 p.m. (EDT)August 17, 2016, at 2:20 p.m. (EDT)March 9, 2017May 1, 2017August 18, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is a society that values policy based on best scientific evidence;With current rate of population growth, the world will require double current food production in 50 years;Crops have been genetically manipulated for over 10,000 years, resulting in the current variety of foods;Transgenic technology has facilitated farming practices that significantly increase yield while reducing inputs;Modern plant breeding techniques, including transgenic and genome editing, has the potential to produce crops that can be grown with reduced environmental impact, increased disease resistance and improved nutritional qualities, at a lower cost to the consumer;Food produced through modern plant breeding techniques is approved for human and animal consumption following rigorous and science-based regulatory system;Every major scientific and medical organization worldwide that has reviewed this subject has proclaimed modern plant breeding techniques to be as safe as other types of crop development;In Canada, there is already mandatory labeling of food for nutrition and safety purposes;Mandatory labeling of foods produced from crops developed using modern plant breeding techniques would provide no information about nutritional quality, safety, or impact on health or the environment; andThere is already a voluntary labeling system, the National Standard of Canada Voluntary Labelling and Advertising of Foods That Are and Are Not Products of Genetic Engineering.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to fully support continued investments in plant biotechnology, and reject any call for mandatory labeling of foods produced using ingredients that result from modern plant breeding techniques.8545-421-26-10 Government Response to petitions concerning genetic engineeringAgricultural researchBiotechnologyFood labellingFood supplyHorticulture42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 18, 2017e-313e-313 (Labelling of food products)AlanDickinsonHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABApril 20, 2016, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)August 18, 2016, at 11:27 a.m. (EDT)November 14, 2016January 18, 2017August 19, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In 1994 the Canadian government enacted an 'interim' guideline which allowed wines produced from grapes not grown in Canada to be labelled as "Cellared in Canada" (CIC), to help transition the industry through a major replanting program;Today, over two decades later, the Canadian wine industry has grown to have a nearly $7B annual impact on the Canadian economy, with many international accolades;Despite this growth and maturity, the practice of Canadian producers making wine from grapes not grown in Canada and labelling this product as "Cellared in Canada" persists, mainly via a select few large scale mass wine producers, as the 1994 interim designation is still in force;Numerous credible articles on the subject express that this practice is detrimental to the Canadian wine industry as a whole and misleading for consumers. The majority of Canadian wine producers and industry professionals agree with this characterization; andNumerous Canadian wine industry professionals feel the 1994 interim CIC exemption should be reviewed by the government, with a focus on rescinding it to be consistent with international standards for labeling.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to remove the decades old “interim” Cellared in Canada exemption from Canadian Food Inspection Agency requirements for country of origin statement for wines blended in Canada, and ensure that the origin of grape products in Canadian wine are listed on the label of the wine in a manner consistent with international standards for identifying the content of blended wines by their national origin in descending order of their percentage of the blend.8545-421-105-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the labelling of food productsCountry of originPackaging and labellingWineWine industry42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-318e-318 (Dairy products)SamuelBrousseau-OuelletteSimonMarcilMirabelBloc QuébécoisQCApril 22, 2016, at 9:13 a.m. (EDT)August 20, 2016, at 9:13 a.m. (EDT)August 23, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In the weeks following the election of the Liberal government, it promised to act quickly to protect Quebec dairy farmers. Unfortunately, the dairy industry has been left to fend for itself, and it has yet to receive a clear response from the federal Minister of Agriculture; In 2015, it was estimated that a farmer could have lost an average of $1,000 a week due to diafiltered milk imports. It is very clear that dairy farmers are losing money due to the Minister’s inaction; The National Assembly of Quebec has adopted a unanimous motion calling on the federal government to require the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to enforce its cheese composition regulations using the same definition for diafiltered milk as the Canada Border Services Agency, that is, a protein concentrate; and The wait has been long enough. The Minister must immediately stop the financial hemorrhaging caused by the importation of this milk protein.We, the undersigned, electors of the Mirabel constituency, call upon the Government of Canada to support the work of thousands of Quebeckers in the dairy industry working to build Quebec’s economic prosperity, and to ensure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency enforces its cheese composition regulations using the same definition for diafiltered milk as the Canada Border Services Agency, that is, a protein concentrate.Dairy industryMilk and dairy productsMilk protein42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-312e-312 (Immigration)LoriOschefskiHon.Judy A.SgroHumber River—Black CreekLiberalONJuly 28, 2016, at 1:55 p.m. (EDT)November 25, 2016, at 1:55 p.m. (EDT)December 7, 2016January 30, 2017November 25, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Many Home Children /Child Migrants and their descendents have been victimized by an immigration policy that unfairly and systematically uprooted families and sought to sever essential yet basic extended family ties;Many Home Children /Child Migrants were thrust into difficult and inappropriate personal living circumstances exacerbated by a belief that they were unwanted by parents and, as a result, denied access to siblings and/or other relatives;Many Home Children /Child Migrants and their descendants have protected, preserved and advanced Canadian society through public, military and civic service despite the abuses, maltreatment, stigmatization and ostracization that many Home Children suffered from the general public in Canada;Official apologies have already been extended to Home Children /Child Migrants by the governments of Britain and Australia; andHome Children /Child Migrants and their descendants are deserving of a similar apology from the Government of Canada.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to offer an unequivocal, sincere and public apology to those Home Children /Child Migrants who died while being ashamed of their history and deprived of their family; to the living yet elderly Home Children /Child Migrants who continue to bear the weight of that past; and to the descendants of Home Children /Child Migrants who continue to feel the void passed down through the generations while continuing to search out relatives lost as a result of a system that victimized them under the guise of protection.British Home ChildrenImmigration and immigrantsOfficial apology42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 14, 2016e-325e-325 (Asbestos)MaryAnnWilhelmSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKApril 28, 2016, at 12:32 p.m. (EDT)August 26, 2016, at 12:32 p.m. (EDT)September 26, 2016November 14, 2016August 29, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Asbestos exposure is Canada’s leading cause of workplace death, related deaths continue to rise and show no signs of slowing down, as stated by updated figures from Statistics Canada;On April 1, 2016, Asbestos is banned for use in new construction and renovation projects at buildings the government operates; A registry is being added to place all existing government held properties on an accessible list;Asbestos is not registered on the Annex list of hazardous substances with the Rotterdam Convention;Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as lung cancer;The country imported $4.9-million in raw asbestos and products containing asbestos, according to Statistics Canada;Citizens and groups are calling for a full ban on use of asbestos; andAsbestos has been banned in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, Austria, Poland and Saudi Arabia.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada and residents of Turtle Island, call upon the Government of Canada to: -Make it clear that Canada bans the importation and exportation of asbestos and asbestos products from Canada; -Ensure that the registry list of all government properties is easily accessible to the public;-Stop promoting safe use of asbestos on all government websites;-Get asbestos Annex listed on the Rotterdam Convention;-Work with Health Canada to promote Mesothelioma as a cause of expose to asbestos and to encourage doctors to determine first whether a patient may in fact be suffering from Mesothelioma;-Increase funding to support advanced medicine for Mesothelioma; and-Provide a better public registry of the number of cases of patients who are affected by Asbestos related disease.AsbestosBanGovernment facilitiesInternational tradeMesotheliomaWorkplace health and safety42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-244e-244 (Fishing industry)AddisonHermanElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCApril 28, 2016, at 12:38 p.m. (EDT)August 26, 2016, at 12:38 p.m. (EDT)November 14, 2016January 30, 2017August 29, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:It is our obligation as Canadians to lead a global example to protect our ocean's ecological systems; andThe populations of many shark species are in rapid decline and government intervention is needed.We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Recognize that the importation and fishing of endangered sharks has a drastic negative impact on the shark populations;2. Consider the International Union for Conservation of Nature's list concerning the status of shark species that illustrates the decline of numerous populations;3. Ban the importation and sale of species listed as endangered or critically endangered on the aforementioned list; and4. Place a responsible limit on the amount of sharks that may be imported into Canada.8545-421-24-07 Government Response to petitions concerning the fishing industryEndangered speciesFisheries and fishersImportsShark42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 10, 2017e-317e-317 (National child care program)BabakKarimianKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCMay 3, 2016, at 10:44 a.m. (EDT)August 31, 2016, at 10:44 a.m. (EDT)February 8, 2017March 10, 2017August 31, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214330" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Families, Children and Social Development</Addressee>Whereas:Rising costs of child care in Canada are becoming unaffordable for low income and middle class Canadians and subsidized and low fee child care will ease the burden on low income families and help lift children out of poverty;Universal child care can be fiscally beneficial to the economy; the program will encourage mothers/fathers to return to the labour force, or to continue their education without having to worry about the costs associated with child care;Savings associated from affordable child care will help increase disposable incomes for families and this will permit them to spend on other household necessities or invest in other parts of the economy;Public childcare would help improve accessibility for families by increasing the number of daycare spaces in Canada; andThe Liberal government in 2005 had the framework setup for a national daycare program, but was dismantled shorty after by the Conservative government in 2006.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development to provide a national daycare program in Canada, based on the Quebec universal child care model. This national daycare program will provide affordable and accessible child care spaces to all Canadian families.Care for childrenNational child care program42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-324e-324 (Environmental assessment and review)HelenKnottNathanCullenSkeena—Bulkley ValleyNDPBCMay 3, 2016, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)August 31, 2016, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)November 28, 2016January 30, 2017August 31, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:A joint federal-provincial environmental impact assessment concluded that the Site C dam project in British Columbia would “severely undermine” the rights of Indigenous peoples – rights that are protected by Treaty 8, section 35 (1) of the Canadian Constitution Act and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;The Site C dam would impact over 330 archaeological sites, including sacred grounds and numerous burial sites by creating a reservoir 83 kilometres long; Treaty 8 has had to address these impacts through court challenges while permits continue to be issued by the Federal Government to allow construction to continue even while Treaty 8’s constitutional rights are being reviewed by the courts; andWest Moberly First Nation Chief Roland Willson said the Site C dam will not pass the Sparrow test, a legal litmus test for determining if a government justifiably violates First Nations rights, because there is no demonstrable need for the Site C power. The Chair of the Joint Review Panel agrees that “the case that we need this power by 2024 was not made then and is in even worse shape now”.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to to suspend all federal Site C project approvals and issuance of any further permits until an expedited, open and transparent review of the infringement of the project on Treaty 8 rights is concluded.8545-421-118-01 Government Response to petitions concerning environmental assessment and reviewAboriginal rightsBritish ColumbiaGovernment accountabilityPeace RiverSite C Clean Energy Project42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 9, 2016e-333e-333 (Use of animals in research)Laura-LeahShawDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCMay 4, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)September 1, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)October 26, 2016December 9, 2016September 2, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We are deeply concerned at the extent of animal use in both private and publicly funded scientific research in Canada;We are shocked and saddened to learn that many of the animals involved are made to endure severe pain that is near, at, or above, the pain tolerance threshold of unanesthetized, conscious animals; andThe studies may be of long duration, after which the animal may be killed or 'recycled' for use in further experiments.We, the undersigned, Citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to implement an immediate ban on any scientific research on animals that falls under Canadian Council on Animal Care Categories of Invasiveness D & E. These experiments involve the highest levels of pain and distress to the animal. We further urge Parliamentarians to call for a re-evaluation of the use of animals given the availability and superiority of modern technological alternatives. Please make Canada a North American leader in the use of human-based approaches that are proving more effective, cost-efficient and humane.Animal experimentationAnimal rights and welfare42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 2, 2016e-334e-334 (National day)RysaKronebuschKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCMay 4, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)September 1, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT)September 2, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The citizens of Canada should have a better understanding of the issues women face;The citizens of Canada should have a better understanding of the great achievements women have made;Our youth, male and female, need to have a greater respect and understanding of these issues and achievements;The road women have paved for our future still needs work, to ensure we all walk side by side;Women are the caregivers of our future and the caretakers of our history;Women are the pillars of our community, they are the economic stability with limited resources;We have a responsibility to our young women to ensure they mature into proud Canadian women; andWomen go to war and fight for our rights and privilege.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to recognize and acknowledge the issues women have overcome, and celebrate these accomplishments by creating a statutory holiday in respect of the International Women's Day on March 8th.International Women's DayPublic holidaysStatus of women42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-338e-338 (Canadians abroad)AlisonAzerGordJohnsCourtenay—AlberniNDPBCMay 9, 2016, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)September 6, 2016, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Sharvahn, Rojevahn, Dersim and Meitan Azer are Canadian Citizens abducted from Canada on August 15, 2015;Sharvahn, Rojevahn, Dersim and Meitan, four young children, have been taken to unstable, dangerous and war-ridden territories; andThe Government of Canada has known the exact whereabouts of these four Canadian children since October 2015.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to exercise all diplomatic, political, and military channels to secure the immediate release and return of Sharvahn, Rojevahn, Dersim and Meitan Azer to Canada.Azer, AlisonChild abductionInternational relationsKurdistan42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 5, 2016e-344e-344 (Post-secondary education)BilanArteCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONMay 10, 2016, at 12:55 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2016, at 12:55 p.m. (EDT)October 20, 2016December 5, 2016September 7, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Post-Secondary Student Support Program provides financial support to First Nations and Inuit college and university students;Annual funding increases to the PSSSP have been capped at 2% since 1996;Indigenous youth are the fastest growing demographic in Canada;Thousands of Indigenous learners are denied support every year due to a funding shortfall;In August 2015, Justin Trudeau made a promise to invest $50 million per year in the PSSSP;The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms post-secondary education as a right of Indigenous people;Canada endorsed the UNDRIP in 2012;The TRC calls on the federal government to “provide adequate funding to end the backlog of First Nations students seeking a post-secondary education”;In December 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau promised to take immediate action on all TRC recommendations;In April 2016, the Supreme Court ruled the federal government has a constitutional responsibility to Métis and First Nations people without registered Indian status, including the delivery of social programs and services;Educational attainment levels among Indigenous peoples remain significantly lower than non-Indigenous peoples;The failure of successive federal governments in upholding its responsibility for Indigenous peoples’ education has left a gap in quality of life; andIn the 2016 federal budget, Prime Minister Trudeau failed to deliver on his commitment to invest $50 million per year in the PSSSP and instead invested no new funding in the PSSSP.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Immediately invest $50 million in the PSSSP and fully fund access to post-secondary education for all Indigenous learners.8545-421-91-01 Government Response to petitions concerning post-secondary educationAboriginal peoplesColleges and universitiesPost-Secondary Student Support Program42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 7, 2016e-298e-298 (Foreign policy)YASMINEMEHDIGregFergusHull—AylmerLiberalQCMay 10, 2016, at 12:56 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2016, at 12:56 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2016Petition to <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214305" mp-riding-display="1"> the Minister of Foreign Affairs </Addressee> Whereas: There are an estimated 100,000 Canadians of Moroccan origin, and that the Moroccan claim to Western Sahara is an intrinsic value shared by each of them, regardless of age, religion or political views; The Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic is not a state recognized by the international community or by Canada, and its flag is not included in any United Nations document; and The 2007 Western Sahara Autonomy Proposal by Morocco is a serious and credible plan, recognized as such not only by all the permanent members of the UN Security Council, but also by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and by a number of countries in the international community. We, the undersigned Canadian citizens of Moroccan origin , call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to take down the flag of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic from Canada’s Global Affairs website, because leaving it up could be interpreted as an implicit recognition of an entity that is not officially recognized by the UN or by Canada, and to support the Moroccan autonomy proposal as outlined in the document entitled “Moroccan Initiative in the Western Sahara,” presented to the United Nations Security Council in 2007, and which has since been described as serious and credible in all the annual resolutions of said Council. Foreign policyMoroccoSahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicSovereignty42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 29, 2017e-331e-331 (Immigration)SandraJoyceHon.Judy A.SgroHumber River—Black CreekLiberalONNovember 29, 2016, at 8:51 a.m. (EDT)March 29, 2017, at 8:51 a.m. (EDT)March 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Over 100,000 British Home Children/Child Migrants, were systemically relocated from their British homeland to Canada, in order to indenture them as farm labourers and domestics as part of an unjust immigration policy;These vulnerable British Home Children were severed from their families, many were physically and/or mentally harmed, and were stigmatized by Canadian communities meant to foster them;Many descendants are unaware of this part of their heritage or are actively searching for the family they have been deprived of;The Governments of Australia and the United Kingdom have issued formal apologies for their involvement in this child migrant scheme; andElderly yet surviving Home Children and the estimated four million Canadian descendants of Home Children deserve the same recognition in the form of a formal apology from the Canadian government.We, the undersigned, Canadians and Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to issue an unequivocal, sincere and public apology to the elderly yet living British Home Children and all the descendants of Home Children. We seek this apology in order to acknowledge that this child migrant scheme is an important part of Canadian history and to recognize that it is a legacy that has roots in the harm and displacement of thousands of vulnerable children. An apology would ensure a higher profile for British Home Children, thus enabling the education of the public. An apology would help to heal the wounds of separated families and providing a chance for more people to discover their family history within the context of a proud Canadian culture.British Home ChildrenImmigration and immigrantsOfficial apology42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 7, 2016e-241e-241 (Protection of the environment)DemianTrudeauElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMay 10, 2016, at 12:55 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2016, at 12:55 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Gas-powered lawn care equipment such as: lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chain saws, line trimmers and hedge trimmers are releasing more carbon emissions than automobiles;The use of gas-powered lawn care equipment creates unnecessary water, soil and noise pollution; andEmissions produced by gas and oil burning engines contribute to various types of illnesses and health problems in Canada.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to to implement a program that will eventually eliminate the use of gas powered lawn care equipment in Canada. Gas powered lawn care equipment produces eight times the emissions than a car engine. Lawn maintenance can be performed with electric, battery powered equipment, especially for residential use. This equipment does not create emissions, gas spills or excessive noise pollution. We call upon the Government of Canada, to offer incentives and financial support, to transition homeowners and lawn care providers from gas to emission free equipment. Emission free lawn care companies are already using these methods throughout Canada, and have proven it is more than feasible on a large scale. A program of this nature could greatly reduce emission production in Canada. Environmental protectionGreenhouse gasesMachinery and equipment42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-332e-332 (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)TravisMacDonaldDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBMay 10, 2016, at 3:48 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2016, at 3:48 p.m. (EDT)November 23, 2016January 30, 2017September 8, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214341" mp-riding-display="1">President of the Treasury Board</Addressee>Whereas:On March 9, 2016, Bill C-7 was tabled to the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board;Bill C-7 amends the Public Service Labour Relations Act to provide labour relations for members of the RCMP;Bill C-7, in its original form, removes the exclusion of RCMP members from workers' compensation schemes under the Government Employees Compensation Act;Bill C-7 fails to include Civilian Members of the RCMP in it, allowing them the ability to negotiate and remain members of the RCMP; andBill C-7 severely limits the ability of RCMP members to negotiate in broad terms outside of wages, benefits and pension.We, the undersigned, members of the RCMP, our spouses, family members and citizens of Canada, call upon the President of the Treasury Board to modify Bill C-7 to ensure it establishes a fair collective bargaining framework for RCMP members. Specifically, we request that the President of the Treasury Board sustain the decision of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to remove those elements of Bill C-7 that modify RCMP members' current status under the Government Employees Compensation Act and would devolve their care to provincial workers' compensation schemes without negotiation or consultation. We, the undersigned, also call upon the President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Scott Brison and the Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, to meet with and consult members of the RCMP who are directly affected by Bill C-7, it's conditions and amendments with the objective to allow members and it's chosen bargaining unit the ability to negotiate enhanced working conditions, training, equipment, pay, benefits and pension.8545-421-115-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceCollective bargainingLabour relationsRoyal Canadian Mounted Police42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 18, 2017e-345e-345 (Protection of the environment)PaulMagnusFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCMay 10, 2016, at 3:50 p.m. (EDT)September 7, 2016, at 3:50 p.m. (EDT)November 15, 2016January 18, 2017September 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Massey Tunnel Replacement Bridge puts at risk the ecology of the Fraser River estuary, impacting wild life in the region, as the Fraser is a designated Canadian Heritage River and the Fraser River Delta is a Ramsar protected international wetland site under the responsibility of the Federal Government;The Massey Tunnel Replacement Bridge puts at risk fisheries, especially salmon juveniles in the mouth of the Fraser River and mature fish on their return due to climate impacts and local, general, cumulative industrial/marine stress;Removal of the Massey Tunnel would increase the salinity of the Delta impacting agricultural irrigation for farms along the river;The Massey Tunnel Replacement Bridge would cause the loss of farmland to industrialization and urbanization facilitated by highway expansion sprawl and would directly impact farmland due to construction of the bridge and new highway infrastructure;The Massey Tunnel Replacement Bridge would have health impacts for the City of Richmond and region due to degraded air quality as a result of traffic congestion at Vancouver crossings and future increased traffic volumes, and also due to increased tanker traffic and their berthing;The Massey Tunnel Replacement Bridge would increase British Columbia’s and Canada’s Green House Gas (GHG) emissions over the bridge’s life span and facilitate larger downstream emissions due to larger capacity coal and LNG tankers; andThe Massey Tunnel Replacement Bridge would have safety implications related to large dangerous goods marine traffic, such as LNG and Jet Fuel tankers, in the vicinity of local communities and in proximity of the crossing itself.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to order a Federal Environmental Review of the Massey Tunnel Replacement proposal.8545-421-3-15 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentBridgesEnvironmental assessmentFraser RiverTransportation infrastructureTunnels42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-297e-297 (Protection of the environment)CaterinaLindmanNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONMay 11, 2016, at 8:23 a.m. (EDT)September 8, 2016, at 8:23 a.m. (EDT)December 12, 2016January 30, 2017September 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Nine years ago, when her third daughter was born, Cathy Orlando vowed that she would do all she could to ensure that her children would grow up in a world safe from climate change. Orlando, who has a master’s degree in science, did her homework. She found that many of the world’s top climate scientists, including Dr. James Hansen, the NASA scientist who first told the U.S. Congress about the dangers of climate change in the late 1980s, agree that a critical step to control climate change would also be one of the simplest – putting a steadily rising price on carbon dioxide through a tax or fee on fossil fuels. The fee would make alternatives to fossil fuels cost-competitive, and spur investment and innovation in clean technology;All the money collected would then go back to everyone as dividends to help them shoulder rising costs and stimulate the economy. The process is called carbon fee-and-dividend, and is supported by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), an international organization with more than 300 chapters in the U.S., Canada and world-wide, building the political will for this progressive carbon pricing mechanism; andCathy Orlando, now the national manager of CCL Canada, leads a diverse range of citizens from coast to coast calling for effective government action that will leave our children a livable planet.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to implement carbon fee-and-dividend on a nationwide basis, integrating with provincial carbon pricing systems, at the earliest possible time.8545-421-3-16 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentCarbon offsetsCarbon taxClimate change and global warming42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 14, 2016e-308e-308 (Anti-terrorism Act, 2015)MatthewCurrieArifViraniParkdale—High ParkLiberalONMay 12, 2016, at 8:48 a.m. (EDT)September 9, 2016, at 8:48 a.m. (EDT)September 23, 2016November 14, 2016September 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015 (Bill C-51) was passed through the House despite a large outcry of public concern and protest;The Act's vagueness will chill criticism of government and free expression; andThe Act further expands CSIS's powers without corresponding judicial or parliamentary oversight.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: first, engage in comprehensive review of the the Act in its entirety through detailed and diligent consultation with a broad cross section of experts and authorities on the Act and its effects.Second, remove from the Act those provisions which, through expert testimony, are found to stand in conflict with or to be in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Third, create, empower, and fund the office of Ombudsperson for Privacy and empower and fund the office of the Privacy Commissioner and civilian review boards, such as SIRC, to oversee and evaluate the secret activities of Canada's security services; CSIS, CSE, and the RCMP.Fourth, and finally, to ensure and commit in law that any subsequent amendment to the Act or such new legislation, as may be in future brought forth by any government, not impinge upon the privacy of citizens and be structured within a framework that is consistent with the historic continuity of Canadian Charter rights and with international human rights law.8545-421-75-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015Civil and human rightsLegislative reviewNational securityPrivacy and data protectionTerrorism and terrorists42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-350e-350 (Public safety)DaveLanglandsSukhDhaliwalSurrey—NewtonLiberalBCMay 18, 2016, at 3:13 p.m. (EDT)September 15, 2016, at 3:13 p.m. (EDT)November 17, 2016January 30, 2017September 15, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214300" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness</Addressee>Whereas:Auxiliary Constables have provided hundreds of thousands of hours of community policing support to communities throughout Canada;Auxiliary Constables have provided hundreds of thousands of hours of support to Regular Members on patrol duties with limited injuries;The RCMP Auxiliary Constable program has been in service in Canada for over 50 years with one incident of an Auxiliary being injured by gunfire;Citizens volunteering as Auxiliary Constables know and accept the risks involved in being a police volunteer;Auxiliary Constables provide a tremendous trained resource to Canadian communities in case of emergencies;The benefits of having trained Auxiliary Constables throughout the country surpass the costs of training and outfitting Auxiliaries; andAuxiliaries are the bridge between local communities and the Detachments they serve.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to:1) Immediately halt the RCMP’s plans to terminate the Auxiliary Constable Program in Canada that would introduce a less effective Community Corps model;2) Immediately restore Auxiliary patrol and community policing operations, in uniform, to the pre January 2016 policy timeframe;3) Introduce a national training curriculum similar to the model used in British Columbia today;4) Introduce a tiered Auxiliary Constable Program that increases an Auxiliary Constable’s responsibilities as higher levels of training and experience are completed;5) Introduce national hiring standards closely resembling those used to hire Regular Members to reinforce the serious nature of the volunteer position Auxiliaries partake in; and6) Introduce a national Auxiliary Advisory Committee comprised of Auxiliaries in each Division elected by peers.Public safety officers and peace officers42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 21, 2016e-228e-228 (Drinking water)MichaelDallaireStephenFuhrKelowna—Lake CountryLiberalBCMay 24, 2016, at 3:25 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016, at 3:25 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians human right to water should be recognized with a legal binding charter right declaration; The obligation to respect means the Government of Canada can’t take action or make a policy that interferes with its citizens’ right to water. For example, no one can be denied water for drinking and sanitation because they cannot afford water fees or taxes;The obligation to protect means that the Government of Canada must ensure no one else interferes with the water rights of their citizens; andThe obligation to fulfill means that the Government of Canada will take any additional steps necessary to meet their citizens’ need for water.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, respectfully call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to help elevate, develop and execute a legal binding declaration recognizing clean water as a Canadian human right. It’s time for us to recognize the right we take for granted is not secured for future generations. We ask the Government of Canada to harmonize its political actions with its moral values, with a declaration recognizing clean water as a charter right.Drinking waterWater quality42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 14, 2016e-355e-355 (Animal transportation)AnneGriffinAlexandraMendèsBrossard—Saint-LambertLiberalQCMay 24, 2016, at 3:24 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016, at 3:24 p.m. (EDT)September 29, 2016November 14, 2016September 21, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214302" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food</Addressee>Whereas:Virtually all farmed animals are transported at least once in their lifetime;Canadian cattle, sheep and goats may be legally transported 52 hours without water, food or rest, and pigs, poultry and horses, 36 hours, under similar circumstances;These times far exceed other jurisdictional standards, including the EU where animals may be transported only 8 hours if vehicles lack watering facilities, automatic fans, temperature monitors and alarms; andMillions of Canadian farm animals suffer and die due to long journeys, illness, injuries, extreme temperatures and overcrowding.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to Publish amended transport regulations under the Health of Animals Act to:1. Ensure journeys do not exceed 8 hours unless vehicles are equipped with amenities, as above. Longer times would be permitted with this equipment, linked to an alarm;2. Require all new vehicles be fitted with species-specific watering, mechanical ventilation, and navigational GPS to record travel times, speeds and distances;3. Ensure animals are not transported during extreme temperatures, as defined by the Codes of Practice for farm animals;4. Require animals be transported to the nearest slaughter plant;5. Require drivers to receive formal training and certification in animal welfare;6. End electric prod use and ensure sick or injured animals are not transported unless for medical help;7. Establish loading densities so animals can stand and lie comfortably; and8. Provide sufficient funding to CFIA for on-road inspections and enforcement of transport regulations.8545-421-80-01 Government Response to petitions concerning animal transportationAnimal rights and welfareTransportation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 14, 2016e-364e-364 (Species at risk)SonjaWoodFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCMay 24, 2016, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)September 21, 2016, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)October 31, 2016December 14, 2016September 21, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Avon River Causeway, in Windsor, Nove Scotia, was constructed in 1968 without proper fish passageway, and to this day impedes the migrations of fishes, including 'Species At Risk' the Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon and the American Eel;Upcoming construction plans by the Nova Scotia, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR) call for a new bridge to span the remaining channel through which this river now flows, and where restoration of 'proper' fish passage could most readily be accomplished; andConsidering the precedent for restoring fish passage, one that is well demonstrated and proven on the Petitcodiac River, New Brunswick, we consider the opening of such barriers to free-tidal-flow for fish migrations as the right thing to do.We, the undersigned, the Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to Save the Endangered Wild Atlantic Salmon of the Avon River, Nova Scotia.Therefore, prior to any construction of the # 101 Highway Bridge over the Avon River, we ask the Minister of Fisheries to please call for the restoration of 'proper' fish passageway at the Avon River causeway (Windsor, Nova Scotia), which in turn will allow recovery to our Endangered Wild Atlantic Salmon, the COSWIC listed American Eel, other species and their critical habitats.8545-421-50-02 Government Response to petitions concerning species at riskAtlantic salmonAvon RiverEndangered speciesNova ScotiaTransportation infrastructure42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 14, 2016e-370e-370 (Canada Labour Code)DonnaDavisBevShipleyLambton—Kent—MiddlesexConservativeONMay 25, 2016, at 9:23 a.m. (EDT)September 22, 2016, at 9:23 a.m. (EDT)September 28, 2016November 14, 2016September 22, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Arva Flour Mill located in the County of Middlesex in the Municipality of Middlesex Centre has operated a safe milling operation for 197 years;The Arva Flour Mill is an important historical and tourist destination;The future of the Arva Flour Mill has been put into question following a Canada Labour Code Inspection, resulting in certain compliance orders, the cost of which to mitigate are prohibitive to the owners; andWorkplace safety is important to all Canadians.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Recognize the Arva Flour Mill as an important historical and tourism destination; and2. Exempt the Arva Flour Mill from the Canadian Labour Code.8545-421-68-04 Government Response to petitions concerning the Canada Labour CodeArva Flour MillHeritage sites and buildingsLabour codeTourism42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 22, 2016e-133e-133 (Sentences in the Criminal Code)DanielCainDaveMacKenzieOxfordConservativeONMay 25, 2016, at 4:06 p.m. (EDT)September 22, 2016, at 4:06 p.m. (EDT)September 22, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:A convicted murderer who does not disclose the whereabouts of the victim will as a consequence be ineligible for parole and for any other type of release back into the community, and that the amendment will continue in effect for the remainder of the life sentence;A convicted murderer who demonstrates a genuine value for rehabilitation and remorse by disclosing the whereabouts of the victim will have the incentive for parole eligibility dates; andFamilies of murder victims deserve the right to victim-centred closure, in addition support, recovery and bereavement.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, so that any convicted murderer who does not disclose the whereabouts of the victim to the proper authorities, will as a consequence, be ineligible for parole as well as for any other type of release back into the community. The "no body, no parole" amendment will continue in effect for the entire life sentence of those duly convicted murderers who do not demonstrate a genuine value for rehabilitation and remorse through disclosure regarding the whereabouts of the victim. When a convicted murderer discloses the whereabouts of the victim to the proper authorities, the offender will be granted the privilege of having parole eligibility dates and consideration for other types of community release. Every family of a murder victim ought to have victim-centred closure with respect to justice and bereavement.Conditional releaseHomicideSentencingVictims of crime42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-380e-380 (Veterans' affairs)JanelleWithersRobertOliphantDon Valley WestLiberalONMay 27, 2016, at 1:03 p.m. (EDT)September 24, 2016, at 1:03 p.m. (EDT)November 14, 2016January 30, 2017September 26, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Under current legislation, Sunnybrook Veterans Centre will cease to exist as a veteran's facility after the last WW2 and Korean veterans pass away. There is a great need to maintain Sunnybrook as a Centre of Excellence for our "New Veterans", those who have bravely served Canada since the Korean War;Mental health issues are very prevalent, both with military personnel and first responders, and research and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other accompanying issues is critically needed; andThe existing Veterans Centre at Sunnybrook should be transformed into such a Centre of Excellence to treat these disorders and meet the physical and mental health needs of our "New Veterans", members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and First Responders.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to create within the existing Sunnybrook Veteran's Facility, a Centre of Excellence for Veterans' Care, including specialization in both physical and mental health; the latter including research and treatment for traumatic stress disorder and related issues for Canadian Veterans, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and First Responders.8545-421-111-01 Government Response to petitions concerning veterans' affairsMental healthPost-traumatic stress syndromeSunnybrook Veterans CentreVeterans42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-288e-288 (Diabetes)ChristineHannahPeterFragiskatosLondon North CentreLiberalONMay 27, 2016, at 3:42 p.m. (EDT)September 24, 2016, at 3:42 p.m. (EDT)December 6, 2016January 30, 2017September 26, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There is no policy to cover Type 1 Diabetes care while in school. Children are being denied education and proper health care due to this. Some children have been removed from school. There have been three laws created after a child's death at school;Parents of Type 1 children have quit their jobs to provide proper medical care during school hours. This puts enormous stress on the whole family, on top of dealing with a life threatening disease; andEach school board is making their own policies, if any, and these do not promise any care, or response in a Diabetic emergency. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and Ophea have submitted suggestions to Government over the years that would help our children greatly. We need a policy before we need another law with a child's name attached to it.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to put into place a standard Type 1 Diabetes care policy, for all schools, by following suggestions made by CDA, JDRF, and Ophea.ChildrenDiabetesSchools42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 29, 2016e-378e-378 (Parole system)LisaFreemanColinCarrieOshawaConservativeONMay 30, 2016, at 4:51 p.m. (EDT)September 27, 2016, at 4:51 p.m. (EDT)September 29, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Certificates of Conviction are improperly worded and misleading to the general public and victims of crime;The reality is that certain forms of parole eligibility start at the 21 year mark of a life sentence, not at the 25 year mark;A sentence of life in prison without parole is generally understood to mean that the offender will not be eligible for any form of release for 25 years;A proper understanding of parole eligibility should be the right of both victim(s) and offenders.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the the Honourable Minister of Justice and the Government of Canadato Amend the wording of Certificates of Conviction to include clarification of eligibility for all forms of parole; and mandate inclusion of an information package outlining the various forms of parole. Truth in sentencing should begin with these certificates.Certificate of convictionConditional releaseSentencing42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-337e-337 (Bank of Canada)TrevorMillarElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCMay 31, 2016, at 5:10 p.m. (EDT)September 28, 2016, at 5:10 p.m. (EDT)November 2, 2016January 30, 2017September 29, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Since 1974 Canadians have been paying billions in needless interest to international financiers called the Bank of International Settlements;Before this, the publicly-owned Bank of Canada had a mandate and practice of lending interest-free money to federal, provincial, and municipal governments for infrastructure and healthcare spending;Since this switch Canadian taxpayers have been needlessly paying anywhere from $20 billion to $60 billion a year in compounded interest; andThis is money that could have been used to better the lives of every single Canadian, and instead we have been needlessly paying large sums of money with no gain and massive losses for Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to restore the use of the Bank of Canada to its original purpose, by exercising its public statutory duty and responsibility. That purpose includes making interest free loans to the municipal, provincial, and federal governments for ‘human capital’ expenditures (education, health, other social services) and/or infrastructure expenditures.8545-421-107-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the Bank of CanadaBank of CanadaGovernment borrowingInterest rates42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2016e-362e-362 (Day-care centre)CeciliaLeiChristineMooreAbitibi—TémiscamingueNDPQCJune 1, 2016, at 8:07 a.m. (EDT)September 29, 2016, at 8:07 a.m. (EDT)October 3, 2016November 16, 2016September 29, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214341" mp-riding-display="1">President of the Treasury Board</Addressee>Whereas:The Treasury Board has an existing policy that supports workplace daycare centres;Workplace daycare centres located in federal government buildings are at risk and some have closed because the objective of this policy has not been respected;Statistics Canada and Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) ceased supporting Garderie Tunney’s Daycare in the Statistics Canada building at the Tunney’s Pasture complex in Ottawa on September 1, 2014;PWGSC will impose an exorbitant “market rate” rent on Garderie Tunney's Daycare beginning on July 1, 2016;Garderie Tunney’s Daycare is a registered charity that has been caring for the children of federal employees for 28 years;As a result of the steep rental fees imposed by PWGSC, the daycare centre will be forced to close; 49 children will no longer have care; 15 full-time and 3 part-time employees, predominantly women, will lose their jobs; andPublic Service Alliance of Canada opposes the cutbacks and urges that this essential service be maintained.We, the undersigned, federal public servants, parents of the Garderie Tunney’s Daycare, grandparents, former families of the daycare centre, neighbours in the community, and Canadians concerned about the government respecting its policies, call upon the President of the Treasury Board to : 1) Respect and apply the Treasury Board’s policy on workplace daycare centres in order to ensure the continued operation of the Garderie Tunney’s Daycare; 2) Impose a moratorium on rent increases for Garderie Tunney's Daycare;3) Seek commitment from PWGSC, Statistics Canada, and other departments housed in the building and in the neighbourhood to support Garderie Tunney’s Daycare; and4) Make the work-life balance of federal employees a priority by maintaining a quality daycare service at the federal workplace.8545-421-85-01 Government Response to petitions concerning a day-care centreChildcare centres and workersGarderie Tunney's DaycareGovernment assistanceGovernment facilitiesPublic Service and public servants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 2, 2016e-389e-389 (Tax system)RObertaMArtinKevinWaughSaskatoon—GrasswoodConservativeSKJune 1, 2016, at 8:11 a.m. (EDT)September 29, 2016, at 8:11 a.m. (EDT)October 7, 2016November 2, 2016September 29, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:School authorities are funded through taxpayer dollars;The Government of Canada collects GST on goods and services purchased by school authorities, then refunds 68 percent; andThe remaining 32 percent is a tax on tax.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-241 which seeks to have the full 100 percent of GST collected by the Canada Revenue Agency refunded to Canadian school authorities.Feebates initiativesGoods and services taxSchool management and funding42nd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 29, 2016e-387e-387 (Waste recycling)CharlesScholeyJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONJune 1, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. (EDT)September 29, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. (EDT)September 29, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Lots of recyclable packages are put into landfills each year;Some packaging has recycling information that is hard to see or it is not present; andConsumers don't always understand or follow those signs.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canadato modify the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act to force all packaging on consumer products to be clearly labeled as either recyclable or non-recyclable, and for more education to be given to Canadians on what plastic recycling signs mean.Consumer Packaging and Labelling ActPackaging and labellingPlasticsWaste recycling42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-394e-394 (International sanctions)YuriShymkoJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJune 2, 2016, at 4:15 p.m. (EDT)September 30, 2016, at 4:15 p.m. (EDT)November 4, 2016January 30, 2017October 3, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Prior to Canada’s 2015 general election, all parties in the House of Commons unanimously promised to support legislation modeled on the Magnitsky Act, which seeks to freeze assets and ban Russian human-rights violators from entering Canada;A similar sanctions list has already passed in the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament;A Canadian version of the legislation, Bill C-267 -The Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), has been introduced in the Canadian House of Commons;Blocking the proposed Sergei Magnitsky Law would send the international community a signal that we are abandoning our Canadian principles and convictions by rewarding Russian human-rights abusers and corrupt officials;Canadians do not wish to have foreign human-rights violators use Canada as a safe haven by abusing our banks, businesses, and visa system;Canadians expect their Members of Parliament to support and never surrender the core values that all Canadians share – democracy, the rule of law, and basic human rights.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to pass Bill C-267, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), to provide for the taking of restrictive measures in respect of foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, thereby joining our international partners who have taken similar action in the U.S. Congress and European Parliament.8545-421-109-01 Government Response to petitions concerning international sanctionsCivil and human rightsForeign personsVictims of crime42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 3, 2016e-366e-366 (Medical assistance in dying)LoriGoodwinDanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCJune 3, 2016, at 12:47 p.m. (EDT)October 1, 2016, at 12:47 p.m. (EDT)October 3, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In Carter v. Canada (AG), the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that competent and consenting adults who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition that causes enduring and intolerable suffering should be allowed to access Physician-Assisted Death (PAD); The not-for-profit Canadian organization 'Dying With Dignity' has determined through extensive research and polling of the Canadian public that the vast majority support choice in end-of-life for dying with dignity, including the legalization of Advance Directives and Physician-Assisted Death; End-of-life experts, professionals and sufferers concur with the findings of 'Dying With Dignity' and the majority of Canadians; andDying with dignity and compassionate end of life through physician-assisted death are not suicide and should not be labelled as such as it creates a biased and derogatory reference; Bill C-14 does not honour Advance Directives; nor the Carter v Canada Supreme Court of Canada Ruling to allow competent and consenting adults who have grievous and irremediable conditions, to self-determine through an Advance Directive, a physician-assisted death.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to legally enable and support competent persons the right to determine their end of life choices should they become grievously and irremediably debilitated, and honour their Advance Directive, including physician-assisted death.C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying)Caregivers and health care professionalsEnd-of-life careHealth care systemLegal rights of a personMedical assistance in dying42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 3, 2016e-400e-400 (Health care facility)LauraTupperHon.PierrePoilievreCarletonConservativeONJune 3, 2016, at 1:56 p.m. (EDT)October 1, 2016, at 1:56 p.m. (EDT)October 3, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The current Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus is 92 years-old and in need of a new location;For seven years an expert panel conducted a thorough and methodical search of feasible sites for the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus;The federal land directly across the street from the current Civic Campus scored highest in this expert panel's analysis;The Honourable John Baird made the right decision in approving this location; andThe provinical government can only provide so much funding for health care infrastructure in a given year, therefore delaying this new hospital means it will become a lower priority to the provincial government.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to stop delaying the construction of the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus.Government landsHospitalsThe Ottawa Hospital42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 5, 2016e-388e-388 (Electoral system)JayFallisBruceStantonSimcoe NorthConservativeONJune 7, 2016, at 9:29 a.m. (EDT)October 5, 2016, at 9:29 a.m. (EDT)October 5, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214316" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Democratic Institutions</Addressee>Whereas:The Alternative Borda Count (ABC) Electoral system uses an ordinal/ranked ballot, whereby voters are able to make up to 3 selections on the ballot: a first, second, and third choice;If voters wish, they can choose to select only a first and second choice, or only a first choice. Each first choice selection is worth four points, each second choice selection worth two points, and each third choice selection worth one point. Once the points are added up in each riding, the local candidate with the most points wins; and The number of electoral ridings in Canada and the size of each riding would not need to be altered under this system.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Democratic Institutions to implement Alternative Borda Count (ABC) as the electoral system used in Canada's Federal Elections, as opposed to Alternative Vote. BallotsElectoral reform42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-411e-411 (Islam)SamerMajzoubFrankBaylisPierrefonds—DollardLiberalQCJune 8, 2016, at 5:45 p.m. (EDT)October 6, 2016, at 5:45 p.m. (EDT)December 5, 2016January 30, 2017October 13, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas: Islam is a religion of over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Since its founding more than 1400 years ago, Muslims have contributed, and continue to contribute, to the positive development of human civilization. This encompasses all areas of human endeavors including the arts, culture, science, medicine, literature, and much more; Recently an infinitesimally small number of extremist individuals have conducted terrorist activities while claiming to speak for the religion of Islam. Their actions have been used as a pretext for a notable rise of anti-Muslim sentiments in Canada; and These violent individuals do not reflect in any way the values or the teachings of the religion of Islam. In fact, they misrepresent the religion. We categorically reject all their activities. They in no way represent the religion, the beliefs and the desire of Muslims to co-exist in peace with all peoples of the world.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to join us in recognizing that extremist individuals do not represent the religion of Islam, and in condemning all forms of Islamophobia.ExtremismIslam and MuslimsReligious discrimination42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 23, 2017e-415e-415 (Chief Science Officer)MargritEichlerKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCJune 14, 2016, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)October 12, 2016, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2017March 23, 2017October 13, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214338" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Science</Addressee>Whereas:The Liberal government has committed to appointing a Chief Science Officer who will ensure government science is fully available to the public, that scientists are able to speak freely about this work, and that scientific analyses are considered when the government makes decisions;The principle of independence is fundamental to scientific integrity;International best practices demonstrate Canada’s new science advisor should have a mandate to provide objective, impartial and apolitical scientific information;Tenure of a position is necessary to provide objective and impartial advice to policy-makers; andFirst created in 2004, the former Office of National Science Advisor was not established through legislation, lacked institutional independence, and was consequently easily eliminated in 2008 following a change in government;We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to establish the position of Chief Science Officer through an act of legislation in order to ensure that its independence and mandate are protected by law.8545-421-136-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the Chief Science OfficerChief Science AdvisorLegislationOfficers of ParliamentPublic Service and public servantsScientific research and scientists42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 2, 2016e-412e-412 (Honduras)JenniferMooreElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJune 14, 2016, at 3:24 p.m. (EDT)October 12, 2016, at 3:24 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2016December 2, 2016October 13, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On March 3, 2016, Honduran Indigenous leader Berta Cáceres was murdered and Mexican activist Gustavo Castro Soto shot and wounded;Several people were detained for this crime, but there is little confidence that the investigation – plagued with irregularities – will lead to convictions or that the authors of the crime have been identified;Ms. Cáceres' high profile murder means no activist is safe in Honduras;The Cáceres family and the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Peoples of Honduras (COPINH) have faced escalating repression, violence and harassment;Since the 2009 military-backed coup in Honduras, well over 100 Indigenous and environmental activists have been murdered; andDespite the climate of violence and impunity, the Canadian government entered into a free trade agreement with Honduras, while lobbying for a mining code that favours companies and puts people and the environment at risk.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to publicly, and using other channels, urge Honduran authorities to: 1. Agree to an investigation by a group of independent experts under the auspices of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) into the material and intellectual authors of Ms. Cáceres’ murder; 2. Fully implement IACHR precautionary measures for the Cáceres family and COPINH;3. Demilitarize Lenca territory;4. Cancel the Energy Development Company’s (DESA) Agua Zarca hydroelectric project granted without the Lenca peoples' free, prior and informed consent; and5. Finally, we urge that an investigation take place into the Canadian government’s role in Honduras during and since the 2009 coup.8545-421-90-01 Government Response to petitions concerning HondurasAboriginal rightsCáceres, BertaDamsEnvironmentalistsForeign policyHomicideHondurasInquiries and public inquiriesOppression42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-406e-406 (Smart meters)HugoMorandJeanRiouxSaint-JeanLiberalQCJune 17, 2016, at 9:27 a.m. (EDT)October 15, 2016, at 9:27 a.m. (EDT)November 4, 2016January 30, 2017October 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The smart meter is placed in the same category by the World Health Organization as cellular telephones and Wi-Fi, which are classed in Group 2B, the possibly carcinogenic to humans category. Lead and DDT are also in that category; andHealth Canada stated that provinces and school boards can and have the authority to establish their own regulations governing exposure to radiofrequencies.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to: 1. Send precautionary notice to all power utilities in Canada regarding their reliance on Safety Code 6; and2. Establish their own safety protocols and encourage power utilities to consider less harmful distribution methods in some regions of Canada, which may include, but are not limited to, the use of analog meters.Electricity supplyLimits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHzPublic healthRadio frequenciesSmart meters42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 2, 2016e-397e-397 (Canadian citizenship)kerrystarchukHon.AliceWongRichmond CentreConservativeBCJune 16, 2016, at 10:40 a.m. (EDT)October 14, 2016, at 10:40 a.m. (EDT)October 19, 2016December 2, 2016October 14, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Jus soli, or birthright citizenship, law of Canada enables an abusive and exploitative practice often called 'Birth Tourism', which permits expectant mothers who are foreign nationals, with no status in Canada, to gain automatic citizenship for their children born within Canada;All but one other developed country in the world has eliminated provision for birthright citizenship because of the widespread abuse it is open to; andThe practice of 'Birth Tourism' can be very costly to taxpayers since it is used to ensure that after the child reaches 18 years of age Canada's education system can be used at a publicly subsidised cost, and he/she can sponsor his/her parents and many other family members, thus taking advantage of Canada's public health system and social security programmes such as OAS and the GIS.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Enact legislation which will fully eliminate birthright citizenship in Canada unless one of the parents of the child born in Canada is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;2. Ensure the new legislation is thorough and complete, and does not allow any 'loopholes' which permit birthright citizenship;3. Consult with the Supreme Court before enacting the legislation in order to best ensure that the new legislation will not be challenged in court; and4. Immediately invoke the Notwithstanding Clause in support of the legislation, if it is overturned in the Supreme Court, and that it immediately re-write the law in a form which will better withstand future court challenges.BirthsChildrenCitizenship and identityForeign persons42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 9, 2016e-404e-404 (Cell phone towers)KristinMorrisonDavidTilsonDufferin—CaledonConservativeONJune 17, 2016, at 9:10 a.m. (EDT)October 15, 2016, at 9:10 a.m. (EDT)October 26, 2016December 9, 2016October 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Cell towers emit radiofrequency / microwave radiation which has been classified by the World Health Organization as a class 2b possible human carcinogen;Unlike other possible carcinogens in this category such as chloroform, the emissions from cell towers radiate humans continuously;Studies in Brazil, Israel and Germany show cancer rate increases up to over 40 times higher within 400 meters of a cell tower than beyond 1000 metres;It has been proven by the scientific community that children are more vulnerable to the effects of exposure to radiofrequency/microwave radiation due to their thin skulls and developing brains. No laws currently prevent the installation of cell towers near schools;A Nanos poll indicated that 60% of Canadians are concerned or somewhat concerned about possible health effects related to electromagnetic frequencies. Cell phones and cell towers were the top two sources of electromagnetic frequencies that Canadians were concerned about; andIndustry Canada does not monitor emissions once cell towers / antennas are approved, i.e, no one measures the amount of radiation emitted when additional antennas are added.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Enact the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Possible) when it comes to radiofrequency/ microwave radiation exposure allowances;2. Ensure that cellular antennas /towers are kept away from schools and other sensitive areas; and3. Enforce continuous monitoring during and after the installation of cellular antennas /towers for minimum achievable radiofrequency / microwave radiation levels.8545-421-96-01 Government Response to petitions concerning cellphone towersCellphone towersElectromagnetic radiationHealthRadio frequenciesSchools42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 7, 2016e-399e-399 (E-Commerce)KyleMacDonaldSoniaSidhuBrampton SouthLiberalONJune 16, 2016, at 6:04 p.m. (EDT)October 14, 2016, at 6:04 p.m. (EDT)October 24, 2016December 7, 2016October 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s current de minimis level of $20 is grossly below that of other industrialized countries;Canadians who spend more than $20 shopping online outside of Canada are paying the government up to 30% duty and tax penalties on their purchases;Canadians who are able to cross the border to shop in person are permitted up to $800 in purchases without incurring duty and tax penalties while those who rely on online shopping are unfairly penalized for purchases as low as $20;Raising the de minimis threshold to $200 CAD would bring direct economic benefits to Canadian consumers and businesses and bring Canada in line with the online economies of other industrialized countries; andOn March 11, 2016, the United States increased their own de minimis level to $800;We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to increase Canada’s de minimis level from $20 to $200 which will help middle class Canadians by lowering prices on goods, increasing product options for Canadians, and will lead to a more innovative and accessible product market for Canadians.8545-421-94-01 Government Response to petitions concerning e-CommerceConsumers and consumer protectionCustoms tariff and customs dutiesElectronic commerceImports42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 9, 2016e-423e-423 (Blood donations)Shayne DouglasWardDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCJune 17, 2016, at 9:46 a.m. (EDT)October 15, 2016, at 9:46 a.m. (EDT)October 26, 2016December 9, 2016October 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Men who have sex with men (MSM) are eligible to donate blood if they have not had sexual contact with a man for at least five years;Current tests can detect most strains of HIV as long as the donor hasn't contracted the virus within 16 days of donation;Every blood donation has several blood samples taken to test for infectious diseases, blood groups and compatibility;Studies have recognized that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) are transmittable across all genders and sexualities; andIn countries such as South Africa, home to one of the world’s higher rates of HIV infection, the country’s blood donor agency recently enacted a screening policy that ignores gender and sexual orientation completely.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to 1. Adopt a science-based screening process for blood donors using a behaviour-based model that does not discriminate against a specific group of people based on their gender or sexual identity; and2. Immediately eliminate Canada’s deferral policy for men who have had sex with men (MSM) who wish to donate red blood cells, blood plasma and platelets.8545-421-95-01 Government Response to petitions concerning blood donationsBlood servicesDiscriminationGay and lesbian personsMen42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-339e-339 (Protection of the environment)HarrisonPhillipsTerryBeechBurnaby North—SeymourLiberalBCJune 20, 2016, at 2:46 p.m. (EDT)October 18, 2016, at 2:46 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline will cause more harm than any possible benefits it could bring to the British Columbia region, with potential damages throughout the Metro Vancouver region and around the province.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to do all it can to prevent the expansion of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline, and support the municipal and provincial governments by rejecting the proposal for the expansion project.Environmental protectionKinder Morgan CanadaPetroleumPipeline transportationTrans Mountain pipeline42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 19, 2016e-418e-418 (Mental health)EdJanesIreneMathyssenLondon—FanshaweNDPONJune 20, 2016, at 2:35 p.m. (EDT)October 18, 2016, at 2:35 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Recent Veterans have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than the general Canadian population, earlier-era Veterans, and the serving population;First responders are twice as likely than the average Canadian to suffer from PTSD; andVeterans, first responders and their families currently lack adequate resources and services to address mental health issues.We, the undersigned, the citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to support Irene Mathyssen’s motion M-61 which commits the Government to prioritizing and supporting the mental health of military service men and women, veterans, first responders, retired and volunteer first responders, and their families.Emergency response and emergency respondersMental healthMilitary personnelVeterans42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 14, 2016e-431e-431 (Tibet)TsewangRinzinRandallGarrisonEsquimalt—Saanich—SookeNDPBCJune 20, 2016, at 2:20 p.m. (EDT)October 18, 2016, at 2:20 p.m. (EDT)October 31, 2016December 14, 2016October 19, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Panchen Lama is a highly revered religious figures in Tibet and the highest ranking lama after the Dalai Lama within the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism;The Dalai Lama recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama on May 14, 1995;The Government of China rejected the Dalai Lama’s statement of recognition as “illegal and invalid” and on May 17th 1995 abducted Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family;Neither Gedhun Choekyi Nyima nor his family have been seen or heard from since May 17, 1995;No charges against Gedhun Choekyi Nyima or his family have been disclosed and no trial has been held;The Government of China has acknowledged holding Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, but continues to deny permission for visits by international observers including UN observers;Since 1995, the Government of Canada has previously been consistent in its efforts to ascertain the whereabouts and wellbeing of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima; andIn 1995, Amnesty International named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the ‘World’s Youngest Political Prisoner’ and 21 years have now passed since his detention.We, the undersigned, citizens and/or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:• Secure permission from the Government of China for a delegation of Canadian Parliamentarians and/or diplomats to visit Gedhun Choekyi Nyima at the earliest opportunity to ascertain his whereabouts and wellbeing.; and• Urge the Government of China to release the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and his family immediately and without conditions.ChinaForeign policyPanchen LamaTibet42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 19, 2016e-420e-420 (Genocide of Crimean Tatars)DmitriMakienkoJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJune 21, 2016, at 2:24 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2016, at 2:24 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The forcible expulsion of Crimean Tatars from their villages, towns and cities took place on May 18, 1944;238 500 Crimean Tatars were deported from Crimea in sealed trains to Central Asia and Siberia;Nearly 8 000 died during the transportation, another 30,000 in the first year after deportation;Soviet government engaged in a propaganda campaign aimed at dehumanizing them during and after deportation;Soviet government prevented surviving Crimean Tatars from returning to their homeland until 1989;Nearly 46% of Crimean Tatar population lost their lives as a result of deportations;On November 12, 2015, Ukrainian Parliament passed a resolution recognizing the destruction of the Crimean Tatar nation as genocide;After Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014, representatives of Crimean Tatar community faced persecution, detention and "disappearances" from Russian occupation government authorities; andIn 2016, Russian government had banned Mejlis, a national governing body of Crimean Tatars.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:1. Recognize deportations of Crimean Tatars by the Soviet government in 1944 as genocide; and2. Condemn the ongoing Russian government human rights violations and oppression of Crimean Tatars.Civil and human rightsCrimean TatarsGenocideRussia42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-381e-381 (Rights of pregnant women)JoyceArthurSheilaMalcolmsonNanaimo—LadysmithNDPBCJune 22, 2016, at 8:27 a.m. (EDT)October 20, 2016, at 8:27 a.m. (EDT)October 20, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Bill C-225, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (injuring or causing the death of a preborn child while committing an offence), also known as “Cassie and Molly’s Law”, would create a new Criminal Code offence: injuring or causing the death of a “preborn child” while committing a criminal offence against a pregnant woman;The proposed “Cassie and Molly’s Law” conflicts with the Criminal Code, because it grants a type of legal personhood to fetuses, which are non-persons under the law;Giving any legal recognition to fetuses would compromise women’s established rights, and violate Supreme Court precedent that says a woman and her fetus are “physically one”;Pregnant women being assaulted or killed is largely a domestic violence issue and “fetal homicide” laws elsewhere have done nothing to reduce domestic violence against pregnant women or their fetuses;The proposed bill has no exemptions for pregnant women or those helping them in good faith, while in the U.S., hundreds of arrests of pregnant women have occurred under state fetal homicide laws, including some that make exemptions for the pregnant woman;The proposed “Cassie and Molly’s Law” is supported mostly by the anti-abortion movement, which would leverage it to re-criminalize abortion or pass restrictions; andThe best way to protect fetuses is to provide pregnant women the supports and resources they need for a good pregnancy outcome, including protection from intimate partner violence.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to oppose the passage of Bill C-225 (“Cassie and Molly’s Law”).Fetus and embryoVictims of crimeViolence against women42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-433e-433 (Disabled and handicapped persons)SusanDixonBryanMayCambridgeLiberalONJune 22, 2016, at 8:28 a.m. (EDT)October 20, 2016, at 8:28 a.m. (EDT)December 7, 2016January 30, 2017October 20, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Many people suffer from disabilities such as cerebral palsy and can't get into or out of a vehicle without an assistive device.GST tax rebate B-086 is meant to help people dealing with disabilities who need to modify vehicles in order to transport family members.Many people are denied from receiving the tax rebate because B-086 only applies to vehicles modified for an “individual using a wheelchair”.Many people would benefit if B-086 was amended to be inclusive for all disabled people who need to modify vehicles for accessibility reasons.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the wording of B-086 -- Rebate for specially-equipped vehicles for persons with disabilities to be inclusive to all who can't get into or out of a vehicle without an assistive device, that the person be using a wheelchair or not.Access for disabled peopleGoods and services taxGST/HST New Housing Rebate ProgramMotor vehiclesPersons with disabilities42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-382e-382 (Blasphemous libel)GregOliverAliEhsassiWillowdaleLiberalONJune 22, 2016, at 4:11 p.m. (EDT)October 20, 2016, at 4:11 p.m. (EDT)December 9, 2016January 30, 2017October 24, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:It has been eight decades since the last conviction under Section 296, and thirty-five years since the last charge of blasphemous libel was laid;Blasphemous libel serves no purpose in Canadian law or modern-day society, and would likely be found to contravene section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects freedom of expression;In Canada and elsewhere, blasphemy laws have been abused to suppress minorities and stifle inconvenient speech;Authoritarian states point to Canada’s blasphemous libel law to defend their own laws criminalizing blasphemy;Repealing Canada’s blasphemy law would demonstrate, at home and abroad, Canada’s commitment to the value of free speech for all; andFreedom of expression is the foundational human right in our society. Many others, including freedom of assembly and freedom of conscience, are derived from freedom of expression.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to repeal Section 296 (Blasphemous Libel) of the Canadian Criminal Code.8545-421-127-01 Government Response to petitions concerning blasphemous libelCriminal CodeCriminal lawFreedom of speechProfane language42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 21, 2016e-430e-430 (Immigration)JenniferCaneKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCJune 23, 2016, at 12:44 p.m. (EDT)October 21, 2016, at 12:44 p.m. (EDT)October 21, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The previous Conservative government decreased the maximum age of dependent immigrant and refugee children to under 19 years of age;This change undermines family reunification, which is highlighted in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and includes the following: "to support the self-sufficiency and the social and economic well-being of refugees by facilitating reunification with their family members in Canada";The current Liberal government campaigned upon a promise to repeal this age to under 22.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to honour the commitment to restore the maximum age of dependent immigrant and refugee children to under 22 years of age.Dependent childrenImmigration and immigrantsRefugees42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 14, 2016e-440e-440 (Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma )AngelinaSimmonsStephenFuhrKelowna—Lake CountryLiberalBCJune 23, 2016, at 12:46 p.m. (EDT)October 21, 2016, at 12:46 p.m. (EDT)October 31, 2016December 14, 2016October 24, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (D.I.P.G.) is an aggressive, inoperable brainstem tumour with a 0% survival rate;D.I.P.G. is usually diagnosed in normal, healthy children between 5-10 years of age after a sudden onset of symptoms;Children with D.I.P.G. are fully aware of what is happening to their body as they lose their ability to see, walk, chew, swallow, talk, hear, and breathe until their heart finally stops beating;The median survival rate from a D.I.P.G. diagnosis is only 9 months, and 90% of children diagnosed with D.I.P.G. will die within 2 years of diagnosis;80% of brain tumour deaths in children are from D.I.P.G. tumours;There have been no new advances in treatment options for D.I.P.G. in 50 years;Families, friends, peers, and communities are devastated each year with the loss of more children to D.I.P.G. because there is NO cure; andRaising the awareness of both practicing professionals and the public through a national D.I.P.G. Awareness Day would inspire researcher interest, raise public awareness, encourage D.I.P.G. research funding and, in turn, result in viable treatment options and a cure for D.I.P.G. to save the lives of D.I.P.G. children around the world.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to declare May 15th as National D.I.P.G. Awareness Day across Canada.Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomaNational D.I.P.G. Awareness Day42nd Parliament229Not certifiedOctober 25, 2016e-442e-442 (Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board )StacyPardyGudieHutchingsLong Range MountainsLiberalNLJune 27, 2016, at 9:21 a.m. (EDT)October 25, 2016, at 9:21 a.m. (EDT)October 25, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Atlantic Accord set regulations for the development of oil and gas resources offshore Newfoundland and Labrador for the benefit of Canada as a whole and Newfoundland and Labrador in particular;It is understood that it is the right of Newfoundland and Labrador to be the principal beneficiary of oil and gas resources as determined in the Atlantic Accord;The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board appointed by both provincial and federal governments is in place to carry out regulations laid out by the Atlantic Accord; andThe lack of enforcement of rules and guidelines by the CNLOPB puts Newfoundland and Labrador owned and operated companies in a disadvantageous position to bid on contracts in the oil and gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to pass new legislation compelling the CNLOPB to: 1. Ensure Newfoundland and Labrador businesses receive equitable treatment when bidding on opportunities; 2. Create a clear definition of requirements for companies to meet in order to be considered as a Newfoundland and Labrador company other than a “storefront”;3. Provide a mechanism to enforce regulations, so Newfoundland and Labrador owned and operated companies have fair and equal opportunities to compete for any contracts in the oil and gas industry; and4. Demonstrate all justifiable measures have been taken to guarantee that Newfoundland and Labrador local suppliers have been granted a chance to participate in the contracting opportunity.Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum BoardCompaniesInvitation to tenderNewfoundland and LabradorOil and gas42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 18, 2017e-450e-450 (Aerodromes)RichardLauzonRuth EllenBrosseauBerthier—MaskinongéNDPQCJune 28, 2016, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)October 26, 2016, at 10:37 a.m. (EDT)November 21, 2016January 18, 2017October 26, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:a proponent can easily develop an aerodrome without having to worry about the environment or the laws and regulations that apply to most citizens;it is necessary to implement rules for the establishment of an aerodrome to prevent any form of irreparable damage to the environment; it is also necessary to establish rules to avoid harm to owners and residents whose properties are located adjacent to or in the vicinity of an aerodrome;We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to: 1. use his authority under the Aeronautics Act to impose a moratorium on the development or expansion of aerodromes;2. proceed with the establishment of measures to ensure the protection of the environment by obliging proponents to comply with environmental legislation when developing or expanding an aerodrome;3. proceed with the establishment of rules obliging the proponents of aerodromes to respect municipal by laws and provincial legislation governing the use or development of land to develop or expand an aerodrome; 4. take social acceptability into consideration and consult closely with groups and citizens affected by the development or expansion of an aerodrome; and to require public consultations to be held by a neutral and independent third party.8545-421-106-01 Government Response to petitions concerning aerodromesAirportsEnvironmental protectionLand managementMoratoriumMunicipal governmentProvincial governmentPublic consultation42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 1, 2016e-459e-459 (Dental care)NoorSharanaSoniaSidhuBrampton SouthLiberalONJuly 4, 2016, at 1:04 p.m. (EDT)November 1, 2016, at 1:04 p.m. (EDT)November 1, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Many Canadians lack the means to access dental care as they can only afford dental care through third-party employer insurance;Young people in Canada have a difficult time readily finding full time work with benefits upon graduation as they are either unemployed, in part-time positions, or in contractual roles;Many Canadians live in pain and endure daily suffering as they are unable to visit a dentist, greatly reducing their quality of life;Dental health issues can cause just as much pain and grievances, if not more, than medical issues currently covered under Canada’s healthcare system;Dental health issues can worsen over time and can cause tax-payers more money in the long run as issues go untreated and negatively impact nutritional, mental, and cardiovascular health;A significant amount of money is spent to cover emergency room visits related to dental care, with visits only providing acute treatment and not addressing root causes. Emergency room wait times could be reduced and money could be saved in the long-run by covering basic dental care and treatment; andNo Canadian should ever have to ask themselves if they can afford medical treatment.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1. Have the Health Committee review and assess on how to best implement national dental coverage for Canadians engaging both the public and stakeholders with a focus on preventative care and alleviating pain and suffering; and2. Establish a public system in cooperation with provinces and territories that helps Canadians get dental coverage and helps Canada be one step closer to having true universal health care.Dental insuranceHealth care systemOral and dental health42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 2, 2016e-461e-461 (Pay equity)RaminaGhassemiMarwanTabbaraKitchener South—HespelerLiberalONJuly 5, 2016, at 8:02 a.m. (EDT)November 2, 2016, at 8:02 a.m. (EDT)November 2, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Today, women in the federal public service earn an average of $69,992, about 91% of the $77,300 that men earn (fiscal year 2015-2016);The House of Commons Special Committee on Pay Equity is recommending a new proactive federal law for public and private sector workers;Pay equity is a fundamental human right. Equal pay for work of equal value should be the law for all Canadians; andThis issue has been studied for many years. There is no need to wait to introduce new legislation.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to enact pay equity legislation to protect all of its employees and those of federally regulated industries.Federal governmentPay equityPublic Service and public servantsSexual discriminationStatus of women42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 2, 2016e-327e-327 (Food supply)KenBillingsTraceyRamseyEssexNDPONJuly 5, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. (EDT)November 2, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. (EDT)November 2, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:the Government of Canada's website states that (i) protecting the health and safety of Canadians is of the utmost priority for the Government of Canada, (ii) all food products imported into Canada must meet robust health and safety regulations to ensure maximum protection for Canadian consumers, (iii) the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) protects Canada’s right to mainain and implement measures to ensure food safety for consumers as well as to protect animal or plant life or health, (iv) food product imports will only be accepted if they meet Canada’s rigorous health and safety requirements, which have been fully protected, (v) nothing in any of Canada’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) exempts foreign investors from having to comply with Canadian laws or regulations, (vi) the TPP will not impair the ability of Canada or its partners to regulate or legislate in areas such as the environment, culture, safety, health and conservation;experience shows that these statements by the Government are untrue, exemplified by rBGH-induced milk, which is forbidden to be imported into Canada, but which will be allowed back into this country under the TPP; and rBGH-induced milk is unsafe for human consumption and claiming it to be safe is false, as rBGH administered to dairy cows generates much increased incidence of mastitis, pus in the milk, and a secondary hormone, IGF - 1, which is incriminated as causing cancer.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to protect the safety and sovereignty of Canada's food supply by rejecting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. .Food safetyFood sovereigntyFood supplyInternational tradeMilk and dairy productsTrans-Pacific Partnership42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-447e-447 (Foreign students)AllisonLiGengTanDon Valley NorthLiberalONJuly 6, 2016, at 8:23 a.m. (EDT)November 3, 2016, at 8:23 a.m. (EDT)December 5, 2016January 30, 2017November 3, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:International students in Canada have made a significant contribution to Canada’s economy, job base and government revenues;In 2010, the total expenditure by international students in Canada was approximately $8 billion, which translated to estimates of almost $4.9 billion worth of contribution to GDP, over 86,000 jobs and $455 million of government tax revenue. More than 50% of the international students are from Asian countries whose mother tongue is neither English nor French; primarily China, South Korea, India and Japan;While the Government of Canada recognizes the substantial economic benefits generated by international students, there is a lack of sufficient resources and support for those international students who intend to stay in Canada to find a job after graduation.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to conduct a study on:1. equal access to both official language training services for international students and graduates; and2. co-operative program policies that encourages and allows more qualified international students to gain work experience in the public sector; through which to maximize the benefits of a culturally diverse workforce and contribute to a multicultural society.8545-421-121-01 Government Response to petitions concerning foreign studentsCooperative educationForeign studentsLanguage trainingPublic Service and public servants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-458e-458 (Hepatitis C)Jennifervan GennipDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCJuly 6, 2016, at 9:43 a.m. (EDT)November 3, 2016, at 9:43 a.m. (EDT)December 7, 2016January 30, 2017November 3, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Access to healthcare is a right that all Canadians share, regardless of their social, racial, economic, or geographic differences;Hepatitis C is the single most burdensome infectious disease in Canada, affecting at least 250,000 Canadians;Hepatitis C now has a cure; andThe Government of Canada has signed on to a World Health Organization Global Viral Hepatitis Strategy to end viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to show leadership and offer guidance through a resourced national strategy, to enable each of our provinces and territories to implement their own effective action plans framed around the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.Hepatitis CNational strategy on viral hepatitisViral hepatitis42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-456e-456 (Curling)ScottMorphetTerrySheehanSault Ste. MarieLiberalONJuly 6, 2016, at 9:43 a.m. (EDT)November 3, 2016, at 9:43 a.m. (EDT)December 12, 2016January 30, 2017November 3, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The sport of curling has been played in Canada for over 200 years and the Montreal Curling Club, founded on January 22, 1807 remains the oldest established sports club in all of North America;Curling brings together people from all walks of life and there are competitive and recreational curlers of all ages, genders, and ethnicities from coast to coast to coast;Canada has the most Men's and Women's world championships, most olympic medals in the sport, and more curlers than any other country in the world; andCurling has been a Canadian staple since confederation and has grown alongside Canada, and curlers today continue to inspire future generations of Canadians in pursing greatness both on and off the ice.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to Recognize the sport of Curling as a national sport of Canada, in addition to Hockey and Lacrosse, by amending the National Sports of Canada Act (S.C. 1994, c.14).CurlingNational Sports of Canada Act42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 18, 2017e-463e-463 (Fishing industry)AlexandraMortonFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCJuly 6, 2016, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)November 3, 2016, at 3:23 p.m. (EDT)December 2, 2016January 18, 2017November 3, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:West Coast wild salmon are under threat from disease, pollutants, and sea lice originating from open net-cage fish farms;In 2015, the Federal Court of Canada ordered Fisheries & Oceans Canada to stop granting licenses that allow transfer of disease-carrying farmed salmon into ocean net pens without Ministerial oversight;Over 80% of B.C. farmed salmon appear infected with the highly contagious piscine reovirus associated with heart disease in salmon;West Coast wild salmon support over 9,000 coastal community jobs, cultural traditions, and complex ecosystems, including contributing to coastal forests, which produce the oxygen we breathe;Canada can become a world leader in safe and reliable closed containment fish farming on the West Coast; andFin Donnelly, MP Port Moody-Coquitlam, introduced Bill C-228 to protect West Coast wild salmon, an Act to amend the Fisheries Act (closed containment aquaculture), requiring West Coast finfish aquaculture to transition rapidly from harmful open net-cage fish farms to safe and reliable closed containment facilities.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to to protect West Coast Wild Salmon by supporting Bill C-228.8545-421-24-06 Government Response to petitions concerning the fishing industryClosed containment aquacultureEnvironmental protectionWild salmon42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-470e-470 (Electoral system)CharleneFarrellDavidSweetFlamborough—GlanbrookConservativeONJuly 7, 2016, at 11:40 a.m. (EDT)November 4, 2016, at 11:40 a.m. (EDT)December 14, 2016January 30, 2017November 4, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:citizens of Canada demand that a referendum be held regarding any changes that might be proposed to our federal electoral system, as voting via a referendum is the only truly democratic way in which the citizens of Canada can express their opinions on electoral reform.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Democratic Institutions to hold a referendum regarding any changes that might be proposed to Canada’s federal electoral system so that we, the citizens of Canada, can have a direct say on this matter.8545-421-11-14 Government Response to petitions concerning the electoral systemElectoral reformReferenda42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 4, 2016e-446e-446 (National day)JoshuaLindnerTerryBeechBurnaby North—SeymourLiberalBCJuly 7, 2016, at 11:42 a.m. (EDT)November 4, 2016, at 11:42 a.m. (EDT)November 4, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is a country made great by the strength of its farmers and agricultural producers;The Government of Canada has a responsibility to promote public health wherever possible and appropriate;The objectives of Health Canada include promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing risks to the overall environment;Farmers Markets promote public health through healthy eating and living; Farmers Markets promote local businesses and local sustainable lifestyles;Farmers Markets help cut down global gas emissions by limiting the demand for foreign produce; Local producers reduce the cost and environmental consequences of global shipping and emissions; and Farmers Markets cultivate a stronger community by connecting local consumers with local producers.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to declare and create a National Farmers Market Day where communities across the country can gather to celebrate the dedicated farmers of this country, to enjoy the exceptional produce of this great land, and to participate in their local community through supporting their local farmer's market.Farmers markets42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 9, 2016e-409e-409 (Homicides)Mary-AnneFentonRonLiepertCalgary Signal HillConservativeABJuly 12, 2016, at 3:25 p.m. (EDT)November 9, 2016, at 3:25 p.m. (EDT)November 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:there were 2,728 known homicides in Canada from 2010-2014;nearly two thirds of accused were convicted of a previous offence;more than one in five solved homicides in 2014 were committed by an intimate partner;there were 239 known homicide victims 17 and under between 2010-2014;there are over 4800 active missing persons cases in Canada and it is unknown how many of these cases involve homicide; andHouse arrest for non-violent criminals leaves more space for violent criminals to develop.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to support a mandatory Life until Death with no parole sentencing, for all killers in Canada, taking into account that killers who have a mental illness, should be kept in a facility until death, that there should be no release under any circumstances, and that self-defence should be excluded from sentencing.Conditional releaseHomicideLife sentences42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-425e-425 (Health care services)AndrewEsserMarilynGladuSarnia—LambtonConservativeONJuly 12, 2016, at 11:56 a.m. (EDT)November 9, 2016, at 11:56 a.m. (EDT)November 18, 2016January 30, 2017November 9, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:the 2011 Report from the Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care outlined the importance of quality palliative care, which must be available to all Canadians in order for there to be a real choice at end of life;upwards of 70% of Canadians do not have access to quality palliative care; andCanadians deserve to be treated with care and compassion during their last days to live as well as they can for as long they can.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to help ensure that all Canadians have access to quality palliative care as an end-of-life choice by endorsing Palliative Care options such as those contained within Bill C-277, an Act providing for the Development of a Framework on Palliative Care in Canada.C-277, An Act providing for the development of a framework on palliative care in CanadaEnd-of-life carePalliative care42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 17, 2016e-428e-428 (Medical assistance in dying)DavidFowlerElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCJuly 19, 2016, at 5:03 p.m. (EDT)November 16, 2016, at 5:03 p.m. (EDT)November 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214321" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Justice</Addressee>Whereas:Bill C-14 does not embrace the spirit of the Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous ruling on February 6, 2015 in Carter v. Canada nor does it provide equality to every Canadian;The issue of advance declaration of a person's desire for end-of-life treatment when said person is mentally capable has already been taken up by a number of interested parties; One circumstance that has not been addressed is that in which a person suffers a catastrophic trauma from which there is no hope of survival even though clinical brain death cannot be declared;In all such instances of this scenario at under current legislation there is only one option - palliative care where opioids and sedatives are administered to keep the patient pain-free and "comfortable" until the body poisons itself causing organ failure; andThe viability of organs for donation is lost and the catatonic patient languishes unnecessarily.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Justice to the following: Any mentally competent person who officially avows in advance the end-of-life treatment wanted in conjunction with a stated desire to donate all viable organs upon their demise should be eligible for physician assisted death in the event that said person suffers an irremediable and irreversible trauma where, in the unanimous opinion of three attending qualified physicians, there is absolutely no hope for survival and a natural death would be imminent. In instances such as these it should be considered both legally and ethically acceptable to maintain organ viability through standard life supporting procedures while accelerating brain death through appropriate intravenous medication.C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying)Living willsMedical assistance in dyingOrgan donationTerminal illnesses42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 17, 2016e-358e-358 (Crimes of violence)CindyCranfordScottSimmsCoast of Bays—Central—Notre DameLiberalNLJuly 19, 2016, at 4:56 p.m. (EDT)November 16, 2016, at 4:56 p.m. (EDT)November 17, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We feel there isn't adequate protection for victims of domestic violence during the crucial time between reporting the crime and when it is heard in court;The penalties of those convicted of domestic violence are too lenient; andEducation of police when handling domestic violence is lacking.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador, call upon the Government of Canada to the following: - We ask that a network of support be in place for victims during the wait for a court date and those dates be held in higher priority;- We request that you consider stronger penalties for those convicted of domestic violence;- We call for education for police and government agencies that they understand and hold a more sympathetic approach when dealing with victims;- We request a registry for those convicted; and- We request counselling on court proceedure and closed court proceedings for victims.Domestic violenceJudiciarySentencingVictims of violence42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-466e-466 (Canadian Human Rights Act)ShelbyLeBlancColinFraserWest NovaLiberalNSJuly 25, 2016, at 9:40 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2016, at 9:40 a.m. (EDT)November 28, 2016January 30, 2017November 22, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:To this day, it is legal to refuse or fire someone from their job solely due to the fact that they are transgender; It is legal to refuse or kick someone out of residency solely due to the fact that they are transgender;It is legal to discriminate against someone solely due to the fact that they are transgender; We need to help put a stop to the discrimination transgender individuals face;We call upon the House of Commons to take this petition into consideration in helping pass Bill C-16, to help make the world a safer place for the transgender community; This is not only a transgender right, it is a human right. This is a significant step in creating the awareness necessary to counter the widespread discrimination transgender people faced everywhere from the workplace to the health care system; andWe call upon the House of Commons to help make this important step. Anti discrimination laws covering gender identity and expression are an important part of the solution because they can aide in stopping the discrimination before it happens. We call upon the House of Commons to pass Bill C-16 to help make our world a better place.We, the undersigned, Transgender Identifying and/or Transgender Supporting Canadian Citizens, call upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code.8545-421-117-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the Canadian Human Rights ActDiscriminationGender identity and gender expressionTransgender persons42nd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 22, 2016e-471e-471 (Canadian national anthem)ChrisMorrealDavidSweetFlamborough—GlanbrookConservativeONJuly 25, 2016, at 9:41 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2016, at 9:41 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:"O Canada" has served as a national anthem since 1939, officially becoming Canada's national anthem in 1980;Our children and their children should have the same anthem as their parents and grandparents. Passing our anthem from one generation to the next keeps our roots strong and honours our history; andOur national anthem should not be altered in any way whatsoever, as it is part of our history and our heritage.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to not allow any changes to be made to Canada’s national anthem.National Anthem42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 1, 2017e-413e-413 (Agricultural industry)SantanuMitraFinDonnellyPort Moody—CoquitlamNDPBCJuly 25, 2016, at 9:40 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2016, at 9:40 a.m. (EDT)March 8, 2017May 1, 2017November 22, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Glyphosate is among the most used herbicidal chemical in Canadian Agriculture;Safety test records and data on Glyphosate, based on which the ministry is supposed to have approved it for Canadian Agriculture, have not been made public; andPublic release of a product without releasing its safety test records may be illegal.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to put in the public domain all safety test records, including all raw data, that is supposed to prove that the chemical Glyphosate is safe to be used in Canadian agriculture.8545-421-144-01 Government Response to petitions concerning the agricultural industryAccess to informationFarming and farmersGlyphosateSafety testing42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-486e-486 (Gender identity and expression)VictoriaDempsterHon.GinettePetitpas TaylorMoncton—Riverview—DieppeLiberalNBJuly 25, 2016, at 9:43 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2016, at 9:43 a.m. (EDT)November 22, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Transgender rights have come a long way throughout the history of Canada, but there are still issues which must be solved, including that of language;Currently, all English government policy documents use the pronouns “he” and “she,” and French use “Il” and “Elle.” “He” and “she,” “Il” and “Elle,” is not completely inclusive towards all Canadians;Gender fluid language concerns the respect and dignity shown to all Canadians, making it a human rights issue; andThe singular “they/them” in English and “la personne” in French is gender inclusive language which recognizes all people based on their gender identity and expression.We, the undersigned, citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to replace “he” and “she”, “Il” and “Elle” in all future government policy documents with the singular “they/them” or “la personne” respectively in order for it to be gender inclusive and respectful of all people in government based upon their gender identity and expression.Gender identity and gender expression42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-492e-492 (Transportation)Collin Bryce TheoKennedyRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBJuly 27, 2016, at 8:29 a.m. (EDT)November 24, 2016, at 8:29 a.m. (EDT)December 5, 2016January 30, 2017November 24, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Virtually all Canadian citizens require access to essential medical services within their lifetime;Most essential medical service locations have or require those seeking these services to pay for parking near or around the facility;According to multiple medical professionals this financial burden causes stress; is detrimental to a patients mental and physical well-being and increases recovery times for patients; andAccording to Patients’ Bill of Rights Law, Government Division 4th February 2002 b. Canada Health Act.(8) From the federal perspective, the primary objective of Canadian health care policy – to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers. Under accessibility.(9); Where “Accessibility” means that the insured health services should be provided on uniform terms and conditions and on a basis that does not impede or preclude reasonable access to those services. Passed by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario 38:1 Bill 22, Tommy Douglas Act (Patients’ Bill of Rights), 2003.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to and Minister of Transportation to request enforcement of the Canada Health Act to:1. Ensure there is adequate cost-free parking for patients and caregivers in and around medical facilities; and2. Where metered parking is not to be removed, that there is a means to identify those who are utilizing the parking space in order to gain access to medical facilities without cost to the patient; their family or caregivers regardless of the duration.8545-421-120-01 Government Response to petitions concerning transportationCanada Health ActHealth and social servicesRoads and road transportation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 20, 2017e-490e-490 (Health care services)MarcoCattalaniKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCJuly 28, 2016, at 8:53 a.m. (EDT)November 25, 2016, at 8:53 a.m. (EDT)February 7, 2017March 20, 2017November 25, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Canada Health Act states: “It is hereby declared that the primary objective of Canadian health care policy is to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers”; andThe Government of British Columbia violates the spirit of the Canada Health Act by requiring payment of Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums as high as $75/month from residents of British Columbia.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Intervene, and through all means at its disposal, require the Government of British Columbia to abide by the principles of the Canada Health Act and abolish MSP premiums in their entirety; and2. Enforce the Canada Health Act across all Canadian Provinces and Territories.British ColumbiaCanada Health ActFeesHealth care system42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-464e-464 (World peace)SaulArbessBorysWrzesnewskyjEtobicoke CentreLiberalONJuly 28, 2016, at 2:19 p.m. (EDT)November 25, 2016, at 2:19 p.m. (EDT)November 25, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There are proven methodologies for the non-violent resolution of conflict, as well as proactive domestic and foreign actions which can reduce the likelihood of violent conflict;It is in the interests of all peoples to reduce violent conflict on the planet. It’s in our interest ethically and morally, but also for the sake of self-preservation. No citizen of this world is immune to threats of war and terrorism; andThe Government of Canada has the opportunity to increase its resources and structures to support peacekeeping, peacebuilding and peace diplomacy. A Minister of Peace, with a fully resourced Department of Peace, could provide leadership in offering critical knowledge and methodologies, ensuring Canada’s commitment to the promotion of peace at home and abroad.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to establish a Federal Department of Peace during the 42nd Parliament.Department of PeacePeacePeacekeeping and peacemaking42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-499e-499 (Mental health)NicktaJowhariKamalKheraBrampton WestLiberalONJuly 29, 2016, at 9:19 a.m. (EDT)November 26, 2016, at 9:19 a.m. (EDT)November 28, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Suicide still remains the second highest cause of death for young people in our country;MOBYSS (Mobile York South Simcoe) is Ontario’s first mobile health clinic for youth who are 12 to 25 years of age;Mobile units can assist with hospital diversions, providing just in time access to services and supports, and pre-empting crisis situations;Mobile units provide immediate primary and mental health services: the team includes health care from a Nurse Practitioner, specialized youth mental health worker, and peer support specialist;Mobile units provide early intervention to prevent the loss of young lives to mental illness, addiction and suicide, they support at risk and homeless youth, they remove barriers to access: geographic, financial & stigma;Mobile units are innovative: virtual line up & utilizes Ontario Telemedicine Network;Mobile units improve partnerships: provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous Canadians, community organizations equipped with the appropriate resources; and Mobile units are safe.We, the undersigned, Citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to investigate and create a national framework in which Mobile Mental Health Units (i.e MOBYSS), can be implemented in every region across Canada and ensure that the units are customized to fit the unique needs of a particular region.Health services accessibilityMental healthYoung people42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-503e-503 (Income tax system)SabrinaBaskeyPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONAugust 2, 2016, at 11:28 a.m. (EDT)November 30, 2016, at 11:28 a.m. (EDT)December 13, 2016January 30, 2017November 30, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The current regulations in regard to access to the Disability Tax Credit for people with hearing loss are overly restrictive and do not accurately reflect the challenges that these Canadians face; andThe requirements for the Disability Tax Credit need to be more inline with the lived reality of persons with hearing loss and provide more equitable access to this important credit.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the Income Tax Act to change the requirements for a person with a hearing loss to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit; specifically:1. Amend “quiet setting” to “normal/typical setting”, as this is where most communication takes place;2. Change the requirement that a person be unable to understand “a person familiar to them” to “another person”, because people with hearing loss communicate with people unfamiliar to them every day; and3. Remove the requirement that a person be wearing an “assistive listening device”, because these technologies do not remove or reverse the hearing loss, are subject to malfunction, and cannot be worn in some situations.Disability tax creditHearing impaired42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-482e-482 (Women's rights)KimPateGaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONAugust 2, 2016, at 1:16 p.m. (EDT)November 30, 2016, at 1:16 p.m. (EDT)December 13, 2016January 30, 2017November 30, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Ms. Terry Baker, born July 14, 1985, was pronounced dead on July 6, 2016, when doctors removed the life support that allowed them to retrieve the organs she wished to donate. Terry had significant, well-documented mental health issues and spent much of her 14 years in prison in segregation. She died in the same segregation unit where Ashley Smith died in 2007, more than 30 months after the jury in the Ashley Smith inquest condemned the use of segregation for women with mental health issues;Indigenous women and those with disabling mental health issues are amongst the fastest growing prison populations in Canada, and at the greatest risk of being harmed by or dying in segregation;The Honourable Louise Arbour recently called for an end to the use of segregation and a review and remediation of the cases of those whose sentences have been made harsher due to their conditions of confinement;The United Nations, Ontario and Canadian Human Rights Commissions, Supreme Court of Canada, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have variously urged Canada to remedy the inequalities, isolation and over-incarceration of Indigenous Peoples, those with mental health issues, and women; andThe Prime Minister mandated the Ministers of Justice and Public Safety to implement the recommendations from the Ashley Smith Inquest and reduce incarceration.We, the undersigned, Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, call upon the Government of Canadato review and remedy the cases of all women prisoners placed in segregation in federal prisons for women over the past five years.8545-421-130-01 Government Response to petitions concerning women's rightsSolitary confinementWomen42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-504e-504 (Port of Churchill)PatriciaKandiurinNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBAugust 2, 2016, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)November 30, 2016, at 3:38 p.m. (EDT)November 30, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Port of Churchill is an important strategic asset for Canada;The federal Liberal government privatized the port in 1997;The Harper government dismantled the Canadian Wheat Board, cutting off critical grain supply to the port;The current owners of the port, OmniTRAX, have unilaterally, without notice, shut down the port laying off dozens of workers and putting the future of the port in jeopardy; andIt is vital to ensure the long-term operation and viability of the Port of Churchill.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens for the Port of Churchill, call upon the Government of Canada to take immediate action to demand the reopening of the port and that the federal government act immediately to work with the Town of Churchill, Province of Manitoba, and First Nations to bring the Port of Churchill back under Canadian public ownership.Closing of facilitiesPort authoritiesPort of Churchill42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 30, 2017e-500e-500 (Cannabis)PhilippeLucasSheilaMalcolmsonNanaimo—LadysmithNDPBCAugust 4, 2016, at 1:50 p.m. (EDT)December 2, 2016, at 1:50 p.m. (EDT)December 13, 2016January 30, 2017December 2, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The government through Veterans Affairs Canada has committed to support the care, treatment or re-establishment in civil life of Canadian veterans, including by covering the cost of certain medications and medical treatments for veterans;Veterans throughout Canada are legally accessing medical cannabis through the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations for the treatment of PTSD, chronic pain and other health issues;Health Canada currently discourages smoking medical cannabis as a method of use;Oral ingestion of cannabis poses certain advantages over ingestion through the lungs, including ease of use and a reduction in bronchial irritation associated with smoking;Veterans Affairs Canada currently covers the cost of raw cannabis flower but not cannabis extracts for veterans, thereby precluding many veterans from accessing cannabis extracts for medical purposes.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to cover the cost of cannabis extracts obtained under the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations in order to increase therapeutic options for Canadian veterans, and to continue to support the care, treatment or re-establishment in civil life of Canadian veterans, including by covering the cost of certain medications and medical treatments for veterans.CannabisMarihuana for Medical Purposes RegulationsVeteransVeterans benefits42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 3, 2017e-485e-485 (Public protests)KatherineCavanaghCelinaCaesar-ChavannesWhitbyLiberalONAugust 15, 2016, at 8:07 a.m. (EDT)December 13, 2016, at 8:07 a.m. (EDT)February 9, 2017April 3, 2017December 13, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Groups have been gathering in peaceful protest against abortion showing graphic imagery;The sight of such imagery is being exposed to nonconsenting individuals and children;Imagery may be triggering for persons who have suffered trauma and loss involving pregnancy, infancy, childbirth, etc.., including but not limited to: miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, abortion, domestic violence, and fleeing a country involved in war.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to please intervene and create law setting out the limitations as to what imagery and content can be used in a protest or similar demonstration that is subject to public viewing.AbortionProtestsSigns42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 7, 2017e-501e-501 (Rail transportation)DawneCunninghamCarolHughesAlgoma—Manitoulin—KapuskasingNDPONAugust 16, 2016, at 9:04 a.m. (EDT)December 14, 2016, at 9:04 a.m. (EDT)February 22, 2017March 7, 2017December 14, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:The Algoma passenger train has not been operating for a year and has resulted in substantial hardships for residents, businesses, and other passengers;75% of properties in proximity to the rail line are inaccessible except by rail service;Alternate ways of access are not reliable, safe, year round, or nonexistent;The few industrial roads are only maintained when and if industries need them, and are not for public use;Due to further economic downturns in Algoma district, we cannot afford this loss of train-related employment, economic impact and lack of safe, reliable access to continue;Passenger train service is necessary for First Nations to access remote regions of their traditional territories;The cancellation infringes on the federal government’s obligation of consultation with First Nations; andThe Algoma passenger train has been the only safe, affordable, all-season access into the Algoma wilderness rail corridor for over 100 years.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to put the Algoma passenger train back in service in order to ensure the mission of Transport Canada to “serve the public interest through promotion of a safe and secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system in Canada” is fulfilled.Algoma Central RailwayRail transportation and railwaysRemote communities42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 24, 2017e-512e-512 (Ovarian cancer)KellyGroverJohnOliverOakvilleLiberalONAugust 17, 2016, at 8:20 a.m. (EDT)December 15, 2016, at 8:20 a.m. (EDT)February 24, 2017March 24, 2017December 16, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Ovarian cancer is the most fatal women’s cancer in Canada; and this year, 2,800 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 1,750 will die from the disease;Outcomes for ovarian cancer have not changed in 50 years, treatments have not advanced significantly since the 1990s;Despite these facts, investment in ovarian cancer research lags well behind that of other cancers;In 2013, only $13.8M was invested in ovarian cancer research in Canada, while $74 million was spent on breast cancer research and $36.5 million on prostate cancer research;Cancers such as breast and prostate cancer have seen great advances in prognosis and treatment and these gains are largely attributed to the significant investments in research; andUnfortunately, insufficient research funding for ovarian cancer continues to stall scientific progress, leading to the loss of far too many lives.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to make an immediate additional investment of $10 million in ovarian cancer research to help save the lives of thousands of Canadian women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.Government assistanceMedical researchOvarian cancer42nd Parliament229Not certifiedDecember 15, 2016e-514e-514 (Aboriginal women)SuzanneDunnCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONAugust 17, 2016, at 8:20 a.m. (EDT)December 15, 2016, at 8:20 a.m. (EDT)December 15, 2016Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214115" mp-riding-display="1"> Justin Trudeau</Addressee>Whereas:The federal Indian Act discriminates against Indian women based on sex and marital status by denying Band membership to Indian women who married into other Bands, along with the first and second-generation children of these women;This legal barrier prevents 10,000 Indian women, their 40,000 children, and their 60,000 grandchildren from returning to their community, family, culture, tradition and languages; andBy delegating Band membership control to Chiefs and Councils, Canada delegated sex and marriage discrimination to one of its creatures, contrary to human rights legislation.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeauto act now to remove all forms of discrimination against Indian women from the federal Indian Act particularly as it discriminates against Indian women who married other Indian men of other Indian Bands other than their own, and to restore them to their original Indian Bands into which they were born with no restriction on their Band, and to extend the same right to children and grandchildren with no restriction on their Band Membership rights.Canada is also asked to implement fully the decision in McIvor v Canada that all Indians whose names were removed from the Indian Act, 1971 and earlier versions be restored to their s. 6(1) (a) Indian status and Membership in their birth Bands without restriction on time and the same be accorded to their children and grandchildren. The application of Bill C-31 and Bill-3 must be amended to remove the year 1951 and make the sex equality law effective back to all versions of the Indian Act.Aboriginal rightsMcIvor v. CanadaWomen42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 4, 2018e-116e-116 (Horsemeat)ShelleyGraingerMarkHollandAjaxLiberalONAugust 23, 2016, at 7:55 a.m. (EDT)December 21, 2016, at 7:55 a.m. (EDT)April 19, 2018June 4, 2018January 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:That horses are ordinarily kept and treated as sport and companion animals; That horses are not raised primarily as food-producing animals;That horses are commonly administered drugs that are strictly prohibited from being used at any time in all other food-producing animals destined for the human food supply; andThat Canadian horsemeat products that are currently being sold for human consumption in domestic and international markets are likely to contain prohibited substances.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act, thus prohibiting the importation or exportation of horses for slaughter for human consumption, as well as horsemeat products for human consumption.8545-421-208-01 Government Response to petitions concerning horsemeatFood safetyHorsesInternational tradeMeatMeat and livestock industry42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-509e-509 (Cruelty to animals)PeggySaudinoNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONAugust 23, 2016, at 7:56 a.m. (EDT)December 21, 2016, at 7:56 a.m. (EDT)January 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s animal cruelty legislation falls far behind most developed countries;Cruelty laws in Canada remain largely unchanged since 1892, having only minor amendments. They continue to contain loopholes that prevent the successful prosecution of many animal abuse/cruelty cases;In Canada it is an offence to engage in animal fighting, but not to train animals to fight, or accept money from animal fighting. The requirement to catch perpetrators in the act makes it very difficult to prosecute cases;Current laws offer little punishment for puppy mill owners; many simply pay their fine and continue to operate;Less than 10% of cases warranting prosecution are successfully prosecuted; andBill C-246's inclusion of section 182.4 makes it explicit that sections 8(3) and 429(2) of the Criminal Code continue to apply, giving assurances to hunters, farmers, fishermen, and researchers that all existing legal justifications and excuses continue to apply so that traditionally accepted practices are not endangered. It instead targets criminal animal abuse by closing loopholes in regards to animal fighting, creating new offences for individuals who cause unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal through gross negligence of the animal’s welfare, and amending terminology, improving chances for successful prosecution of offenders.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to update Canada’s animal cruelty legislation by supporting Bill C-246 (The Modernizing Animal Protections Act).Animal rights and welfareC-246, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Fisheries Act, the Textile Labelling Act, the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act and the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (animal protection)Cruelty to animals42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-517e-517 (Canadian citizenship)JamesEmeryJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCAugust 23, 2016, at 7:57 a.m. (EDT)December 21, 2016, at 7:57 a.m. (EDT)June 1, 2017September 18, 2017January 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214309" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian government has effectively revoked the citizenship of thousands of Canadian children born abroad since the "after first generation" exclusion to the right to citizenship came into force in 2009;Canadians living abroad advance billions of dollars in trade, contribute to scientific discoveries, aid the world's most vulnerable persons, and serve as Canada's unofficial ambassadors;This citizenship disentitlement greatly concerns Canadians who have lived, do live, or are considering opportunities abroad;The Charter of Rights and Freedoms embodies our most cherished values, including mobility rights, equality rights, and respect for multicultural heritage;Notwithstanding the Charter, this disentitlement established a class of Canadians that cannot leave Canada, have children, and return with a guarantee to bring their children home;The Prime Minister campaigned on a promise to respect the Charter, and during the debate on September 28th, 2015 said, "A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian, and you devalue the citizenship of every Canadian... when you break down and make it conditional for anyone;" andThe Minister said, as reported on March 3rd, 2016, "If one believes that a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian, and there is only one class of Canadian, those principles must be applied universally."We, the undersigned, citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to welcome Canadians home and encourage Canadians to embrace global opportunities by repealing retroactively the "after first generation" right to citizenship exclusion contained in subsections 3(3) to (5) of the Citizenship Act, thereby continuing the universal application that there is only one class of Canadian, with full Charter rights.Canadians in foreign countriesChildrenCitizenship ActCitizenship and identityRevocation and resumption of citizenship42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 3, 2017e-524e-524 (Tunisia)JamelJaniLouisPlamondonBécancour—Nicolet—SaurelBloc QuébécoisQCAugust 25, 2016, at 1:12 p.m. (EDT)December 23, 2016, at 1:12 p.m. (EDT)January 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Since January 2011, Tunisia has been moving confidently toward democracy and seems to be succeeding, as its new constitution demonstrates. However, its economic challenges are real and are making the democratic transition difficult. The youth unemployment rate is very high, a large portion of the country (the south, inland regions) continues to be economically marginalized and security threats are hurting tourism and the entire economy. Given these serious problems, Tunisia’s efforts may fail. It needs help; and Tunisia needs Canada’s support on the economic front, particularly in its marginalized regions, in order to sustain its democratic transition. The current priorities are fighting terrorism, combatting corruption and fostering balanced economic development that creates jobs.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to add Tunisia to the Canadian international development program’s countries of focus.International development and aidTunisia42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 3, 2017e-527e-527 (Internet rates)patrickjensenKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCSeptember 1, 2016, at 11:57 a.m. (EDT)December 30, 2016, at 11:57 a.m. (EDT)January 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We are increasingly being directed to conduct our business via the internet,  including by the Canada Revenue Agency; The internet has become an essential utility and access to it is a prerequisite for just about every task necessary to being a functioning member of society these days;In 2011 the United Nations declared that internet access is a human right; It is closely linked to the right of freedom of speech and freedom of expression;Internet rates in Canada have increased substantially (approximately 65% for basic service) in the last 3 years and continue to go up; Internet providers invariably cite 'infrastucture costs' as the reason; There have been substantial rate increases in the last few years and there is an apparent lack of accountability.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to consider placing Internet providers under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission so that Internet rate increases must be requested and justified as with other essential utilities.Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications CommissionConsumers and consumer protectionInternetInternet service providersPrice determination42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 29, 2017e-513e-513 (Trucking and truckers)SuzanSidwellRuth EllenBrosseauBerthier—MaskinongéNDPQCSeptember 1, 2016, at 2:21 p.m. (EDT)December 30, 2016, at 2:21 p.m. (EDT)April 7, 2017May 29, 2017January 3, 2017Petition to <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">the Minister of Transport </Addressee>Whereas: there are many problems associated with training, credentials recognition, safety and licences for newcomers; working conditions are unsuitable: base salary, overtime only after 60 hours, statutory holiday calculations, unhealthy lifestyle, lack of job security and health issues; the provincial ministers have refused quasi-systematically to recognize military licences versus civilian licences; selection programs and training programs vary from one province to another, preventing wider access (scholarships, grants); there is an increasing shortage of drivers since professionals have left to seek better living conditions, even if it means a pay cut; the trucking industry is largely under federal jurisdiction, and enforcing provincial road safety legislation and legally recognizing that this occupation is a profession would help reverse this shortage; we provide a service that is essential to the Canadian economy; there is a chance the American administration will overstep its bounds and tax cross-border truckers; We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to recognize all truckers, regardless of company or province, as road professionals. We also call for standards to apply from sea to sea, taking into account economic disparities, as regards salary, protection from American taxation, benefits, health and safety, and the quality of life for drivers and owner-operators.Harmonization of standardsIncome and wagesSkilled workers and skilled tradesTrucking and truckersWorking hours, terms and conditions42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 20, 2017e-551e-551 (National parks)ChristinaVietinghoffKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCSeptember 7, 2016, at 8:38 a.m. (EDT)January 5, 2017, at 8:38 a.m. (EDT)February 7, 2017March 20, 2017January 5, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Canada should promote hiking and biking as a means of travel because of the health benefits and the reduced environmental impact relative to other forms of transportation;The mandate letter of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change commits to promoting ecotourism industries and reducing Canada’s emissions;Cycle tourism is an increasingly lucrative global industry and Canada’s tourism industry could benefit greatly from an increase in cycle tourists;Current fee structures for camping at national parks may be prohibitive for some cycle tourists leading them to camp illegally without paying or choose another country to travel;Other jurisdictions like the states of California and Oregon have created “hiker-biker sites” at state parks which consist of a campsite set aside for people arriving by bike or backpackers arriving by foot that do not require advance booking and cost only a small fee.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to create hiker-biker sites at all national parks and encourage the provinces to implement hiker-biker sites at all provincial parks.Bicycles and cyclistsCampingEcotourismNational, provincial and territorial parks and reserves42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-553e-553 (Iran)BijanAhmadiMajidJowhariRichmond HillLiberalONSeptember 7, 2016, at 1:39 p.m. (EDT)January 5, 2017, at 1:39 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2019August 21, 2019January 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The former Government of Canada, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, ceased all diplomatic relations with Iran, closed its embassy in Tehran, and expelled all Iranian diplomats from Ottawa in 2012;Consular services provided through the Iranian embassy – including power of attorney, passport renewal, and the acquiring of birth and death certificates – have not been available in Ottawa since 2012 for thousands of Iranian Canadians requiring such services;Lack of access to a Canadian embassy in Tehran disrupted the visa processes of many Iran-based relatives of Iranian Canadians who must travel to third countries such as Turkey to obtain their visa in order to visit their family here in Canada;The lack of a diplomatic presence in Iran has left Canadian citizens traveling to Iran vulnerable and without access to consular services in times of need;Canada’s European allies including the U.K. have re-engaged with Iran following the international agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action;The continuation of the status quo vis-a-vis Canada-Iran relations goes against Canada’s legacy of advancing peace through diplomacy and constructive engagement;The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs have announced on several occasions that the current Government of Canada is committed to re-establishing diplomatic relations with Iran.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran, including re-opening embassies in both countries, as a matter of utmost importance.Embassies and consulatesForeign policyIran42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 9, 2017e-554e-554 (Passports)IainStephenCarolHughesAlgoma—Manitoulin—KapuskasingNDPONSeptember 9, 2016, at 10:58 a.m. (EDT)January 7, 2017, at 10:58 a.m. (EDT)January 9, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214309" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:People of Northeastern Ontario have need of special services available at Passport Offices;The only Passport Office in Northern Ontario is in Thunder Bay, a 10-12 hour drive from much of Northeastern Ontario; andSouthern Ontario has at least 6 separate Passport Offices to choose from.We, the undersigned, the residents and citizens of Northeastern Ontario, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to establish at least one full-service Passport Office in Northeastern Ontario, either in the city of Sudbury or Sault Ste. Marie.Northeastern OntarioPassports and visasRegional offices42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 7, 2017e-548e-548 (Governor General's Medals of Honour)HaroldDavisHon.PeterVan LoanYork—SimcoeConservativeONSeptember 9, 2016, at 3:07 p.m. (EDT)January 7, 2017, at 3:07 p.m. (EDT)February 13, 2017March 7, 2017January 9, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The 150th Anniversary of Confederation is approaching in 2017, providing an opportunity to recognize and honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians;Medals have been issued previously in 1867, 1927, 1967, and 1992 and awarded to deserving Canadians to commemorate Confederation and the 60th, 100th, and 125th anniversaries of Confederation;The Government of Canada has indicated it does not intend to proceed with plans to issue a commemorative medal as part of the celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of Confederation; andIssuing a commemorative medal to mark the 150th Anniversary of Confederation would recognize the significant contributions and service of Canadians to their country in accordance with an important and established Canadian tradition.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to issue a commemorative medal as part of the celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of Confederation.150th Anniversary of Canadian ConfederationAwards presentations42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 20, 2017e-562e-562 (Medical assistance in dying)GaryBauslaughMurrayRankinVictoriaNDPBCSeptember 14, 2016, at 4:29 p.m. (EDT)January 12, 2017, at 4:29 p.m. (EDT)February 6, 2017March 20, 2017January 12, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On February 6, 2015, in Carter v. Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled that competent and consenting adults who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition that causes them enduring and intolerable suffering should have access to assisted death;The clear implication of this unanimous ruling is that, according to our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, *all* those competent and consenting adults who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition that causes them enduring and intolerable suffering should have access to assisted death;Bill C-14, passed by Parliament on June 17, 2016, entailed changes in the Criminal Code of Canada that included the new clause 241.2(2)(d), adding a further restriction on eligibility for assisted death, namely that natural death must be “reasonably foreseeable,” thereby arbitrarily limiting access to assisted death to those already dying; andCorrection of this legislative misstep (which constitutional experts have deemed as inevitable) through another Court challenge will be costly and will not come soon enough to help many Canadians who legitimately seek the relief of suffering, through assistance in dying, as already prescribed by the Supreme Court of Canada.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to pass an amendment to the Criminal Code which removes the clause 241.2(2)(d) from Bill C-14.Caregivers and health care professionalsHealth care systemMedical assistance in dying42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 3, 2017e-563e-563 (Iran)SamiraMohyeddinHon.PeterKentThornhillConservativeONSeptember 15, 2016, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)January 13, 2017, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)February 16, 2017April 3, 2017January 13, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Iran is detaining and imprisoning Canadian citizen Homa Hoodfar and Canadian resident Saeed Malekpour;Iran continues to execute minors in contravention of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Iran has ratified;The Parliament of Canada unanimously adopted a motion recognizing the mass murder of thousands of political prisoners in Iran in the summer of 1988 as constituting crimes against humanity under international law, and whereas many of the figures alleged to have carried out such crimes remain active in various branches of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including its current Minister of Justice, Mostafa Pourmohammadi;Iran systemically persecutes and denies education and basic rights to the Baha'i population;Iran funds terrorist groups and calls for the destruction of Israel; andIran is selective in compliance with the Geneva Convention on Diplomacy which would put at risk the security and protection of Canadian Foreign Service employees.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Call for the immediate release and return to Canada of Dr. Homa Hoodfar and Saeed Malekpour;2. Not consider re-opening the consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ottawa without these assurances; and3. Make human rights the bench mark from which to consider re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Iran.8545-421-48-05 Government Response to petitions concerning IranEmbassies and consulatesInternational relationsIranPolitical prisoners42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-572e-572 (Foreign students)VIDANGDavidChristophersonHamilton CentreNDPONSeptember 22, 2016, at 8:59 a.m. (EDT)January 20, 2017, at 8:59 a.m. (EDT)January 20, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214309" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada previously had an immigration selection system for international PhD students; andThe Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has stated that taking away the 50 percent credit for international students was inadvisable “because if there is any group in this country who would be good Canadians — they’re educated, they know about this country, they speak English or French — it’s them.”We, the undersigned, Citizens, Permanent Residents and Temporary Residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to take measures to give priority to international graduate students in the application process for permanent residency, such as adjusting the comprehensive ranking system to award more points to international students who study inside Canada and/or allowing work experience under a study permit to count towards work experience in Canada.Citizenship and identityForeign studentsPermanent resident status42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2017e-585e-585 (Tax system)N. BernardHancockShannonStubbsLakelandConservativeABSeptember 22, 2016, at 1:13 p.m. (EDT)January 20, 2017, at 1:13 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2017August 16, 2017January 20, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada, through the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, unilaterally declared there will be a national carbon price, before the Premiers and Prime Minister met;Canadian governments already collect $17 billion dollars annually from the oil and gas industry to fund essential government programs and services;There is no guarantee that a national carbon tax would be revenue-neutral and earmarked for initiatives aimed at environmental stewardship and management and innovation, rather than being collected as a general revenue tool;A national carbon tax would make life more expensive for every Canadian, disproportionately affecting the poor by increasing already high prices on everything from gasoline for their cars to the food they put on their tables;Canadians are already facing challenging economic conditions;The energy sector is experiencing an historic downturn, and resource-dependent communities, businesses and workers are already struggling and do not need an added tax; andThe Government of Canada should focus efforts on policy approaches that achieve real results while minimizing the economic impact on Canadians, not on increasing government revenues through additional taxation.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to not unilaterally impose any national carbon tax or pricing mechanism that would duplicate existing provincial programs and harm Canada's economic competitiveness domestically, in North America, or internationally.8545-421-1-17 Government Response to petitions concerning the tax systemCarbon taxCorporate income taxEconomic impact42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 18, 2017e-565e-565 (Canadian Armed Forces)Marie-ClaudeMichaudJoëlGodinPortneuf—Jacques-CartierConservativeQCSeptember 22, 2016, at 4:19 p.m. (EDT)January 20, 2017, at 4:19 p.m. (EDT)April 4, 2017May 18, 2017January 23, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214311" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of National Defence</Addressee>Whereas: Canadian military families have clearly shown their significant contribution through the past twenty-five years of military operations. They make a direct contribution to operational efficiency and for this reason must be recognized in the evolving policies of defence as an integral and vital part of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and must be supported by all levels of government through the Military Family Resource Centres (MFRC), governed by and for families;In the past twenty-five years, that military and veterans’ families have been on duty 24/7 for months, if not for years, considering the significant sacrifices made by military families both personally and professionally and that military families have made the supreme sacrifice and that thousands live with a member who is psychologically injured; 3. Considering the twenty-five years of direct experience of the MFRCs with military families in an intensive operational context, the expertise acquired in matters of essential services for military families and that they have been created by and for military families;The MFRCs have 25 years of direct experience with military families in intense operational circumstances, the expertise acquired in matters of essential services for military families and that they have been created by and for military families.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of National Defence to include military families in the next Defence policy as an integral and essential part of the mission of the CAF and officially recognize the MFRCs as being the official service providers for military families and to attribute to them as clients, with the resources required, veterans and their families.Families and childrenMilitary family resource centresMilitary operations and eventsMilitary personnel42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 1, 2017e-566e-566 (National day)YuanzhengOmarAlghabraMississauga CentreLiberalONSeptember 26, 2016, at 12:44 p.m. (EDT)January 24, 2017, at 12:44 p.m. (EDT)March 6, 2017May 1, 2017January 24, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The loss of one’s freedom due to a wrongful conviction has far reaching effects. It not only negatively affects the innocent individual’s quality of life and their loved ones, but also has a harmful effect on society as a whole; andWrongful convictions question the integrity and fairness of the criminal justice system, unless recognized and corrected, undermine society’s trust in the criminal justice system.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to proclaim October 2 as WRONGFUL CONVICTION DAY in Canada.Criminal justice systemWrongful convictions42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 24, 2017e-568e-568 (Canada Pension Plan)BarryConroyMarkGerretsenKingston and the IslandsLiberalONSeptember 26, 2016, at 3:32 p.m. (EDT)January 24, 2017, at 3:32 p.m. (EDT)January 24, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:We recognize and appreciate the efforts our federal public servants take to provide services to Canadians, which we comfortably take for granted;We recognize that in the course of their work life, some employees become ill and/or disabled, and must resort to medical retirement and disability to survive;The Government of Canada, through its application of the Public Service Superannuation Act (PSSA), deducts the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit, dollar for dollar, from the pensions these people have paid into for decades;These deductions are retroactive and leave these people, who have provided us with services, on the brink of financial ruin while they attempt to reimburse the insurance companies, and/or the PSSA; andThis draconian practice does not happen to healthy employees, but only to those who have lost their health, and eliminating the practice of "clawing back" benefits will ease the burden of those who have enough to worry about, being unfortunately ill.We, the undersigned, citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1. Pass legislation, or change the PSSA in order to cease the draconian and discriminatory practice of "clawing back", or deducting the CPP Disability Benefits awarded to disabled retired federal employees; 2. Apply the same measures to other sources of registered income, and give the same considerations to these disabled retired federal employees, as has been granted to the disabled members of the military and RCMP; and3. Recommend that the Government of Canada cease this deducting of the CPP Disability Benefits from PSSA income immediately and retroactively, and directs the PSSA to refund the monies deducted.Canada Pension PlanClawbackDisability benefitsPensions and pensioners42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 27, 2017e-531e-531 (Price labelling)DaleGormanMarkGerretsenKingston and the IslandsLiberalONSeptember 27, 2016, at 12:38 p.m. (EDT)January 25, 2017, at 12:38 p.m. (EDT)January 27, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Sales Tax amount should be included in the tag on retail items; andThe Sales Tax is automatically included in products such as gas, alcohol and others.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to enact legislation to include the Sales Tax in all retail pricing, so that the price on a sales tag would be the price the consumer pays.Consumer priceConsumer productsRetail sales tax42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 5, 2017e-597e-597 (Advertising)Jean-SimonBuiJoëlLightboundLouis-HébertLiberalQCSeptember 29, 2016, at 4:56 p.m. (EDT)January 27, 2017, at 4:56 p.m. (EDT)March 24, 2017May 5, 2017January 31, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The characters associated with cereal boxes and other consumer products are part of our collective imagination;These characters are part of our folklore and embedded in our childhood memories;The presence of these characters on cereal boxes does not hamper parents’ freedom of choice; andParents are responsible enough to make informed choices regarding the products they serve their children.We, the undersigned, Canadian consumers, call upon the House of Commons to block the Senate bill that would ban characters and toys from consumer products and to respect citizens’ freedom of choice.AdvertisingChildrenFood and beverage manufacturing industry42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 31, 2017e-594e-594 (Tax system)JocelynBissonnetteHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCSeptember 30, 2016, at 11:12 a.m. (EDT)January 28, 2017, at 11:12 a.m. (EDT)January 31, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The ever shorter consumption cycle of goods produces large amounts of waste;Local businesses and crafts are valuable to any society, even in the context of global trade;Canada wants to reduce its carbon footprint in the near future;Fixing a fault, sewing back something together or giving a second life to an item that would otherwise be thrown away would cost less and the consumer would be incentivised to consider a repair; Local businesses would benefit from the demand for their services and specific crafts could be preserved as they would become relevant again; and The fact of caring for what one owns and respecting the value of hard work done by a neighbour would translate directly to a reduction in pollution, be it by reducing the amount waste produced by thrown away depleted goods or by decreasing the distance traveled by the sum of goods bought in one’s lifetime of consumption.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to Adopt a law to abolish taxes for repairs of broken or worn out goods. Consumer productsGoods and services taxMaintenance, repair and renovation services42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2017e-547e-547 (Refugees)ScottFenwickJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCSeptember 30, 2016, at 1:51 p.m. (EDT)January 28, 2017, at 1:51 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2017August 16, 2017January 31, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214309" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians value helping others in their hour of need, whether they are near or afar;Among those being welcomed to Canada as refugees at any given time, a significant number may be fleeing genocide or ethnically targeted violence;The Government of Canada requires refugees and their dependants admitted into Canada to repay the costs of their transportation through the Immigration Loan Program (ILP);Canada is the only country in the world that charges interest on its loans to refugees;The Immigration Loan Program hurts the quality of life and livelihood of people who have already been victims of genocide;Canada should help reduce the burden placed on refugees and not add to it, as the Immigration Loan Program does;Refugees should be welcomed and not re-victimized;Ignoring special challenges faced by survivors seriously harms their prospects for psychological recovery and life in Canada; andRemoving these loans would significantly improve refugees’ quality of life and allow the opportunity to truly experience life as Canadians and realize their true value in this country.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to: 1. Waive travel loans for all refugees admitted into Canada;2. View all refugees of any nationality fleeing conflict equally with regards to how they are assisted via the ILP or other government assisted programs; and3. Increase funding for mental health, language, child care and other integration supports for all refugees who arrive in Canada going forward.8545-421-2-06 Government Response to petitions concerning refugeesGovernment loansRefugeesSettlement of immigrants42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 3, 2017e-41e-41 (Disabled and handicapped persons)AlexanderPeelerBernadetteJordanSouth Shore—St. MargaretsLiberalNSOctober 4, 2016, at 12:29 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2017, at 12:29 p.m. (EDT)February 15, 2017April 3, 2017February 1, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada lacks a universal system of services for persons with disabilities;The Government of Canada provides no financial or other support for life-sustaining medical equipment and other essential services;The Government of Canada has not met all of its obligations as outlined by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD); andThe Government of Canada has committed itself to the passing of a Canadians with Disabilities Act which will provide a framework for addressing the needs of Canadians with disabilities.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to implement a National Disability Assistance Program for Canadians with chronic disabilities to fund life-sustaining medical equipment and to provide access to the necessary services to allow them to optimize their functionality over the course of their lifetime.Government assistanceHealth services accessibilityPersons with disabilities42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 3, 2017e-555e-555 (International trade)SophieQinTraceyRamseyEssexNDPONOctober 5, 2016, at 3:08 p.m. (EDT)February 2, 2017, at 3:08 p.m. (EDT)February 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Recent international trade deals, particularly the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) among other Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FIPAs), have carried an increasingly alarming trend of granting foreign investors and corporations the right to file lawsuits against our country for policies that they regard as detrimental to their profits;What Investor-State-Dispute-Settlement (ISDS) systems will force Canada to agree to will gravely jeopardize our nation's ability to legally protect its citizens and environment to the extent that they threaten our nation's sovereignty and democracy. A nation that is not able to freely decide what occurs within its borders, without approval from a foreign entity, is not sovereign. Thus, by giving foreign corporate entities the right to lay charges against our government for any of its decisions, these ISDS systems essentially rob us of the right to call ourselves a sovereign nation;Corporations should never be granted privileges that are unavailable to the Canadian people. Instead of granting them rights to contest our government, we must demand that they carry the burden of proof and justification for their activities within our borders, to maintain independence and control over the decision-making processes of our country; andOur nation's unique needs should never be outweighed by the need for profit.We, the undersigned, people of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to dismiss the ISDS systems included in these trade deals, particularly the TPP and CETA. Anything less is unacceptable and poses a threat to both the health and safety of Canadian citizens and our environment.Investor-state dispute settlementLawsuitsTrade agreements42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 3, 2017e-591e-591 (International development and aid)MelissaMatlowRobertOliphantDon Valley WestLiberalONOctober 6, 2016, at 10:55 a.m. (EDT)February 3, 2017, at 10:55 a.m. (EDT)February 24, 2017April 3, 2017February 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214322" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of International Development and La Francophonie</Addressee>Whereas:800 million livestock keepers live on less than $2 a day and are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and disasters which injure and kill their animals;Two-thirds of poor livestock keepers are women;Livestock are an important source of income that women can access to support their children’s health and education;Post-disaster, livestock provide economic and food security vastly improving families’ ability to recover and attain self-sufficiency;Livestock plays a critical role in sustainable agriculture and reducing the impact of disasters yet they are not explicitly included in Canada’s international assistance policies or funding criteria;Canadian aid for agriculture has fallen by 25% since 2011, less than 1% is spent on disaster preparedness and prevention and little to no funding is directed towards protecting livestock during disasters;Research demonstrates that investing in livestock protection generates significant economic benefits for the community; andIt would also strengthen food security, nutrition, gender equality, livelihoods and sustainable economic growth. This would help Canada fulfill its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie to support the lives and livelihoods of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by investing in the protection of livestock before and after disasters.8545-421-43-03 Government Response to petitions concerning international development and aidGovernment assistanceHumanitarian assistance and workersLivestock farming42nd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 30, 2017e-587e-587 (Pension system)BenjaminGalipeauMarilèneGillManicouaganBloc QuébécoisQCOctober 6, 2016, at 10:54 a.m. (EDT)February 3, 2017, at 10:54 a.m. (EDT)October 17, 2017November 30, 2017February 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) does not consider the contributors and beneficiaries of pension funds to be priority creditors; The CCAA does not adequately protect employee pension plans and retirees’ benefits; The CCAA protects companies by exempting them from the requirement to have money to pay for the pensions and benefits of retirees and future retirees’; Quebec provides better protection than the CCAA, but this legislation overrides provincial legislation on pensions. We, the undersigned, citizens of the North Shore, Quebec and Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Amend the CCAA and align it with provincial legislation to better protect employee pension plans; 2. Implement legislative provisions under which pension fund deficits would be considered priority creditors when a company is placed under the protection of the CCAA or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA); 3. Require companies to respect their contractual commitments with employees and retirees as per the written documentation provided by the company to these employees and retirees; and4. Require, under the Act, foreign parent companies to assume responsibility for debts and other obligations affecting employees of their Canadian subsidiaries in the event of the dissolution of one of these subsidiaries. 8545-421-98-03 Government Response to petitions concerning the pension systemBankruptcyBankruptcy and Insolvency ActCompanies Creditors Arrangement ActPension guaranteesPreferred creditors42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 3, 2017e-608e-608 (Access to information)CraigScottRandallGarrisonEsquimalt—Saanich—SookeNDPBCOctober 11, 2016, at 12:31 p.m. (EDT)February 8, 2017, at 12:31 p.m. (EDT)February 15, 2017April 3, 2017February 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Section 38 of the Canada Evidence Act governs access to documents concerning international relations, national security and/or national defence;Sub-section 38.01(8) empowers Cabinet to authorize entities to seek and receive documents in uncensored form in a schedule to the Canada Evidence Act;Scheduled entities currently include the Privacy, Public Sector Integrity, and Information Commissioners; the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP; military boards of inquiry under the National Defence Act; and the Security Intelligence Review Committee under the CSIS Act – to name only some;The Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) is not included in this schedule despite MPCC commissioners and lawyers having high-level security clearance no different from personnel of these other entities;Like these other entities, the role of the MPCC is crucial for democratic accountability and the rule of law; andIn previous Parliaments, the government refused to provide the MPCC with some uncensored documents relevant to proceedings on the treatment of Afghan detainees and the Cabinet declined to exercise its authority under s.38.01(8) to allow the MPCC full access to information.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to reject the approach of previous governments and, accordingly, to exercise its authority under section 38.01(8) of the Canada Evidence Act to designate the Military Police Complaints Commission as one of the bodies permitted unfettered access to documents.8545-421-141-01 Government Response to petitions concerning access to informationAccess to informationCanada Evidence ActClassified documentsMilitary Police Complaints CommissionRights of Parliament42nd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 7, 2017e-600e-600 (Electoral system)FrançoisGirardDanVandalSaint Boniface—Saint VitalLiberalMBOctober 11, 2016, at 12:34 p.m. (EDT)February 8, 2017, at 12:34 p.m. (EDT)October 31, 2017December 7, 2017February 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The best guarantee of future voter turnout is past voter turnout;Youth at age 16 go to school, where they can take civics courses, discuss elections in a facilitated environment and learn how to make an informed choice;A voting age of 16 would give youth a voice, restore a certain degree of balance and encourage politicians and political parties to take their concerns into account; andThe voting age is already 16 in other parts of the world, including Austria, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador.We, the undersigned, Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Amend section 3 of the Canada Elections Act, which sets the minimum age to qualify as an elector at 18, to make 16 the minimum age to qualify as an elector; and2. Increase the Government of Canada’s collaboration with its provincial and territorial partners to implement measures to enhance civics education among secondary students in order to facilitate their first federal voting experience.8545-421-11-23 Government Response to petitions concerning the electoral systemElectoral systemFederal-provincial-territorial relationsStudentsVoting age42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 1, 2017e-605e-605 (Youth)IsabelSzollosyPeterSchiefkeVaudreuil—SoulangesLiberalQCOctober 12, 2016, at 1:42 p.m. (EDT)February 9, 2017, at 1:42 p.m. (EDT)March 10, 2017May 1, 2017February 9, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Youth under the age of 18 are not legally permitted to be members of the board of directors of a Not-for-profit Corporation as per the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, s.126 (1);The voices of Canadian youth, aged 14 to 18 are not legally acknowledged;We believe that youth, from age 14, would be inclined to engage in humanitarian projects if their contribution was recognized to the same extent as that of an adult;Young Canadians aged 15 to 24 were more likely to volunteer than Canadians in most other age groups, according to Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 11008X, Volunteering in Canada by Mireille Vézina and Susan Crompton; andEngagement of Canadian youth in volunteerism and philanthropy requires the structures and legal standing to permit their membership on Not-for-profit boards.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to create a capacity in which Canadian youth, aged 14 to 18, are permitted and encouraged to become legal members of a Not-for-profit Corporation board of directors.8545-421-145-01 Government Response to petitions concerning youthAssociations, institutions and organizationsBoard of directorsYoung people42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-609e-609 (Syria)Salah-EddinAliIqraKhalidMississauga—Erin MillsLiberalONOctober 13, 2016, at 9:05 a.m. (EDT)February 10, 2017, at 9:05 a.m. (EDT)February 10, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is defined by its compassion and heroism around the world. Throughout history, Canada has led the stand against horror and barbarism;The Syrian conflict has killed over 300,000 people, 40,000 of which were children in the past 5 years. The conflict has left millions of Syrians displaced as refugees and continues to kill and maim hundreds of civilians every day;Aleppo, once Syria’s second largest city, has been decimated. September 23, 2016 marked a surge in regime attacks which resulted in 80 children and 600 civilians killed in the span of a week;382 medical facilities in Syria have been attacked and 757 medical workers killed in the past 5 years without repercussion. This is a violation of International Humanitarian Law and constitutes a war crime; andInternationally banned weapons such as chlorine gas, cluster bombs, barrel bombs, phosphorous and other horrific weapons are frequently used against civilians without repercussion. These violations constitute war crimes under international law.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Global Affairs, the Prime Minister of Canada and Government of Canada to: 1. Take action within the United Nations and independently protect citizens of Syria;2. Commit increased resources for humanitarian efforts, especially in the medical sector, which is facing severe shortages of supplies/ medicines/ staff;3. Call for the immediate stop of attacks on hospitals/ aid workers and the immediate investigation into war crimes violations; and4. Ensure every step necessary to protect aid workers and civilians is taken including humanitarian corridors and consideration for no fly zones over Aleppo and other populous cities on humanitarian grounds.Foreign policyHumanitarian assistance and workersSyriaWar crimes42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 10, 2017e-611e-611 (Hazardous products)HélèneLapointeLucThériaultMontcalmBloc QuébécoisQCOctober 13, 2016, at 12:13 p.m. (EDT)February 10, 2017, at 12:13 p.m. (EDT)February 10, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:No Canadian law requires manufacturers to provide the complete list of ingredients in household cleaning products;Household cleaning products are used by Canadians on a frequent or everyday basis;Standardized labelling of the ingredients in household cleaning products would enable consumers to make informed choices; andAppropriate labelling of household cleaning products would protect public health (an objective of the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act (S.C. 2010, c. 21) ) and the environment.We, the undersigned, residents of Quebec, call upon the Government of Canada to require that a list of ingredients be included on all household cleaning products, drawing on the regulations governing the labelling of cosmetics.Cleaning productsConsumers and consumer protectionPackaging and labelling42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-599e-599 (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)PatriciaYendrysKenHardieFleetwood—Port KellsLiberalBCOctober 18, 2016, at 8:51 a.m. (EDT)February 15, 2017, at 8:51 a.m. (EDT)May 12, 2017September 18, 2017February 15, 2017Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="214405" mp-riding-display="1">the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness</Addressee>Whereas:In January 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada granted all non-commissioned RCMP regular and civilian members the right to collectively bargain. Restrictions found in Bill C-7, as adopted by the House of Commons are, given their extent and nature, inconsistent with s. 2(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and may be unconstitutional. Problems with Bill C-7, as adopted by the House of Commons, include amongst others (i) undue restrictions on the scope of bargaining in various areas, such as staffing levels, equipment, and harassment, (ii) broader restrictions than any other legislation governing police collective bargaining in Canada, (iii) that RCMP bargaining agent will be precluded from negotiating collective agreement provisions governing key areas affecting the safety and security of their members; and The Senate amendments to Bill C-7 rectify some of the collective bargaining issues identified above.We, the undersigned, Members of the RCMP and citizens of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister of Canada and the House of Commons to accept the Senate's amendments, leaving out secret balloting, and adopt Bill C-7 forthwith.8545-421-115-03 Government Response to petitions concerning the Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceCollective bargainingRoyal Canadian Mounted Police42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-607e-607 (National holidays)JeffWardRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBOctober 18, 2016, at 10:10 a.m. (EDT)February 15, 2017, at 10:10 a.m. (EDT)May 18, 2017September 18, 2017February 15, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:June 21 is recognized as the Summer Solstice and holds cultural significance for many Canadian Indigenous cultures;In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day to be celebrated on June 21;In 1990, Québec recognized June 21 as a day to celebrate the achievements and cultures of Canadian Indigenous peoples;In 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended that a National First Peoples Day be designated;In 1996, the Governor General of Canada proclaimed June 21 as National Aboriginal Day in response to these calls;In 2001, Northwest Territories became the first province or territory to recognize June 21 as a statutory holiday; andIn 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called on the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to designate June 21 of each year as a legal holiday to be kept and observed throughout Canada. This day should serve to create and strengthen opportunities for Reconciliation and cultural exchange among Canadians. The day should facilitate connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians in positive and meaningful ways. This day should solidify the original intent of National Aboriginal Day as a day for Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.8545-421-166-01 Government Response to petitions concerning national holidaysAboriginal peoplesNational Aboriginal DayPublic holidays42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 21, 2017e-596e-596 (Health care services)EmilyKalbunNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONOctober 18, 2016, at 11:05 a.m. (EDT)February 15, 2017, at 11:05 a.m. (EDT)May 8, 2017June 21, 2017February 15, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to make autism treatment and therapy in canada free, thus making it an essential service.AutismHealth care fundingTherapy42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 16, 2017e-613e-613 (Electoral system)MyrtleGreenPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONOctober 19, 2016, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)February 16, 2017, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)February 16, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:More than half of the population of Canada is female, but only 26% of its representatives in the House of Commons are female;A record number of female MPs have been elected but as it has in the past, that number will ebb and flow; andA better representation of women in the House of Commons would guarantee that at all times the voters of our country would have the benefit of both female and male perspectives on the issues facing our nation.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to reform the electoral laws of Canada to guarantee that half of all MPs elected to the House of Commons will be female, reflecting the proportional make up of our population. This reform should (i) reduce our 338 constituencies by half to 169 ridings but require there be two seats in each riding one for a female MP and one for a male MP, (ii) require each political party to put forward a male and female candidate to run for male and female seats for each riding, (iii) ensure that independents could also enter to run for the gender seat they identify with, (iv) establish a system in which constituents would vote for one male and one female representative for their riding.Electoral candidates and nominationsElectoral reformEqual opportunitiesMembers of Parliament42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 29, 2018e-560e-560 (National historic sites)PatrickWhiteChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONOctober 25, 2016, at 4:58 p.m. (EDT)February 22, 2017, at 4:58 p.m. (EDT)December 13, 2017January 29, 2018February 23, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation is an important milestone, during the celebrations of which all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces should be properly recognized;Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) HAIDA, the 'fightingest ship' in the Royal Canadian Navy, sank more enemy tonnage than any other vessel throughout Canada's entire naval history;In addition to being the last remaining Tribal-class Destroyer in the world, HMCS HAIDA is proudly acknowledged as the ‘Vimy Ridge’ and ‘Billy Bishop’ of the Royal Canadian Navy;HMCS HAIDA served with distinction during the Second World War, the Korean War and the Cold War, all throughout demonstrating Canadian excellence at sea;HMCS HAIDA was named in honour of the spirit of cooperation which has always existed between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians during times of global conflict;The Canadian War Museum educates nearly 500,000 visitors every year, equating to more than 32 times the number of visitors to HMCS HAIDA in 2014-15;We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada and proud supporters of all branches of our Canadian Armed Forces, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Re-commission HMCS HAIDA as the flagship of the Royal Canadian Navy, giving the ‘fightingest ship’ in Canada the level of recognition it deserves;2. Examine the feasibility of including HMCS HAIDA as a permanent part of the Canadian War Museum, thereby greatly increasing its ability to connect with more Canadians and strengthening its long-term financial sustainability; and3. Task the Royal Canadian Mint to commission a commemorative coin for the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, featuring the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Billy Bishop and HMCS HAIDA, thereby representing all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces.150th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation8545-421-161-02 Government Response to petitions concerning national historic sitesCanadian ForcesCanadian historyCanadian War MuseumCoins and banknotesHMCS Haida National Historic Site of CanadaMilitary ships42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-626e-626 (Ethiopia)AstatkeBelayPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCOctober 27, 2016, at 10:12 a.m. (EDT)February 24, 2017, at 10:12 a.m. (EDT)February 24, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:According to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, State security forces in Ethiopia have used excessive and lethal force against largely peaceful protests, which has resulted in hundreds of protesters killed and thousands injured across the country;According to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, Members and leaders of opposition parties as well as protesters summarily rounded up and executed;According to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, thousands of innocent Ethiopians, men women and youth, mainly from the Amhara and Oromia regions, are continuously subject to violent persecution, torture, arbitrary deportation or detention in concentration camps;In response to the on-going crackdown, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, has called for access for independent observers to the country to assess the human rights situation with Ethiopia’s government rejecting this call; andThis crisis left unchecked, is escalating to a humanitarian catastrophe.We, the undersigned, Citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to • Condemn atrocities being committed by the Ethiopian government on peaceful protesters;• urgently pressure the Ethiopian government to stop the use of excessive and lethal force on peaceful protesters;• pressure the Ethiopian government to allow access for independent UN observers;• pressure the Ethiopian government to engage with all opposition groups in peaceful, inclusive dialogue; and• Suspend economic and diplomatic support to the government in Ethiopia until it stops its lethal repression and advise the Canadian diplomatic mission in Ethiopia to set diplomatic priorities accordingly.EthiopiaForeign policyFreedom of assemblyOppression42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 14, 2017e-628e-628 (Crimes against humanity)DanielaChivuHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABOctober 27, 2016, at 10:12 a.m. (EDT)February 24, 2017, at 10:12 a.m. (EDT)May 2, 2017June 14, 2017February 24, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The United Nations has recognized that the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) [also known as ISIL and Da'esh] is committing genocide against Yazidis;The atrocities of rape and sexual violence committed by ISIS members against Yazidi women and girls, have been reported by many organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International;ISIS is in violation of the United Nations Resolution 1820 and the United Nations Resolution 1325, due to their treatment of Yazidi women and girls; andMembers of ISIS must be held accountable for their atrocities against Yazidi women and girls.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to recognize the atrocities committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) [also known as ISIL and Da'esh] of Sexual Slavery, Pedophilia, Human Trafficking and Rape Used as a Weapon of War against Yazidi women and girls.8545-421-156-01 Government Response to petitions concerning crimes against humanityCrimes against humanityGirlsIslamic State of Iraq and the LevantKurdsSexual abuse and exploitationWomen42nd Parliament224ClosedNovember 2, 2016e-631e-631 (Organ transplants)ShaunaRivaitTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABOctober 28, 2016, at 8:11 a.m. (EDT)February 25, 2017, at 8:11 a.m. (EDT)November 2, 2016Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:At any given time, well over 4,500 Canadians are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant and sadly about 250 will die each year waiting;More than 90% of Canadians support organ and tissue donation however less than 25% have formally expressed their intent to donate through their provincial organ donor registry programs;Each Canadian resident over the age of majority is already compelled to complete an annual tax return, being legally-binding and the disclosure significant personal information;A simple question on a tax return will effectively inform provincial organ donor registries of an individual's intent to donate thereby increasing organ and tissue donation awareness and donor rates across Canada; andNotwithstanding that Bill C-223, "An Act to establish the Canadian Organ Donor Registry and to coordinate as well as promote organ and tissue donation throughout Canada" was voted down, a national initiative is still required to raise organ and tissue donation awareness and donor rates for Canadians.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-316, "An Act to amend the Canada Revenue Agency (organ donors)", and give Canadians the opportunity on their annual tax return to affirm, if they desire, their intent to be added to their province's or territory's organ donor registry.Canada Revenue AgencyData sharingFederal-provincial-territorial relationsOrgan donation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 3, 2017e-616e-616 (Electoral system)JonathanCasselsNathanCullenSkeena—Bulkley ValleyNDPBCNovember 2, 2016, at 11:20 a.m. (EDT)March 2, 2017, at 11:20 a.m. (EDT)March 23, 2017April 3, 2017March 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Electoral reform was a cornerstone of the current government's electoral campaign;Canadians have waited patiently for the government to give a clear proposal as to how electoral reform will work;No progress towards electoral reform has been publicly apparent during the year since the government first sat in session; andRecent public information indicates the government may be backing off campaign promises to ensure electoral reform.We, the undersigned, supporters of electoral reform, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Immediately, declare its on-going commitment to ensuring the 2015 election be the last Federal Canadian election under the First Past The Post system.2. In the coming weeks, clearly outline one or more proposals for how Canadian elections could operate once electoral reform is complete.3. In the coming weeks, outline a firm timeline for public consultation regarding the proposals mentioned above, detailing the proposed timeline until introduction before the house of commons.4. In the coming months, outline a proposed timeline for the introduction of an electoral reform bill before the House of Commons, detailing the proposed timeline until passage into law.Electoral reformGovernment billsPublic consultation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 23, 2017e-642e-642 (Organ transplants)ShaunaRivaitTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABNovember 2, 2016, at 11:50 a.m. (EDT)March 2, 2017, at 11:50 a.m. (EDT)March 8, 2017March 23, 2017March 2, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:At any given time, well over 4,500 Canadians are awaiting a life-saving organ transplant and sadly about 250 will die each year waiting;More than 90% of Canadians support organ and tissue donation however less than 25% have formally expressed their intent to donate through their provincial organ donor registry programs;Each Canadian resident over the age of majority is already compelled to complete a legally-binding annual tax return; andA simple question on a tax return will effectively inform provincial organ donor registries of an individual's intent to donate thereby increasing organ and tissue donation awareness and donor rates across Canada.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-316, "An Act to amend the Canada Revenue Agency (organ donors)", and give Canadians the opportunity on their annual tax return to indicate their desire to be added to their province or territory's organ donor registry in a convenient, effective and efficient manner.C-316, An Act to amend the Canada Revenue Agency Act (organ donors)Canada Revenue AgencyData sharingIncome tax returnsOrgan donation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-640e-640 (Immigration)HeshamMostafaShannonStubbsLakelandConservativeABNovember 3, 2016, at 10:38 a.m. (EDT)March 3, 2017, at 10:38 a.m. (EDT)June 21, 2017September 18, 2017March 3, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The closure of the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville (CPC) will have such a negative impact on the town;The town has a total population of less than 6000 people;About 280 people work at CPC;The closure will affect all the businesses in town as many families will move to Edmonton;This will negatively affect the development of Vegreville as a rural area;All businesses depend on the town's population and may leave Vegreville, causing even more residents to lose their jobs;Residents will have to pay more property taxes to the town, which is already very high;CPC is offering a great work experience to high school students, who can work causal in the summer time;This CPC closure will affect all the town services including schools, which will have less students;Less population will affect the Hospital and health services which may also cause the lay-off of more health workers;All the investments that are/were spent on the development of the town will be affected;Many people that may get laid-off will turn to the government for financial support; andResidents want to keep all government services/businesses to stay in Vegreville.We, the undersigned, residents of Vegreville, call upon the House of Commons to identify other solutions to fix whatever problems are occurring at the CPC Vegreville, as it is one of the main employer in our town.8545-421-23-16 Government Response to petitions concerning immigrationClosure of government operations and facilitiesDepartment of Citizenship and ImmigrationLayoffs and job lossesVegreville42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 8, 2017e-641e-641 (Infertility)ElizabethPowersSeanCaseyCharlottetownLiberalPENovember 8, 2016, at 3:21 p.m. (EDT)March 8, 2017, at 3:21 p.m. (EDT)March 8, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The condition of barrenness, which is the inability of women and men to conceive their children or to successfully produce them, affects approximately 100 million couples worldwide. It has numerous emotional and psychological consequences, particularly for women who often experience strong feelings of guilt, profound sadness, and decreased value as a woman and as a spouse or partner; For many, the appalling treatment from others in their communities heightens their anguish;In 2016, barren women in several countries continue to be written off as “useless”, viewed as “burdens” to their communities, referred to as being cursed by “evil spirits”, and dreadfully abused, psychologically and emotionally; andWith the World Health Organization prediction that infertility and sterility (i.e. barrenness) will be the third-most serious disease worldwide in the 21st century, after cancer and cardiovascular diseases, it is paramount that social advancement of barrenness is initiated.We, the undersigned, Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Assume the lead role in raising awareness about the social and health issue of barrenness in Canada and internationally by creating educative programs that clarify what it is and its life-altering impacts on those affected by it. 2. Take the steps necessary for ‘Being Human as One’, a ground-breaking ethic specific to human reproduction and that fosters treating the barren with the equality, dignity, and consideration they deserve, to be added to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Civil and human rightsInfertilityInformation disseminationReproductive healthUniversal Declaration of Human Rights42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 29, 2017e-627e-627 (Childhood cancer)WayneReilNeilEllisBay of QuinteLiberalONNovember 9, 2016, at 9:59 a.m. (EDT)March 9, 2017, at 9:59 a.m. (EDT)April 13, 2017May 29, 2017March 9, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Childhood cancer is the #1 killer of our children, more than from asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and pediatric AIDS combined.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to increase the amount of funding put towards research for childhood cancer. The current amount of 4% just isn't enough. The childhood cancer numbers are rising, yet the research and funding are not, and this needs to change.CancerChildrenGovernment assistanceMedical research42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 10, 2017e-624e-624 (Sex offenders)DonGreenMarkStrahlChilliwack—HopeConservativeBCNovember 14, 2016, at 12:24 p.m. (EDT)March 14, 2017, at 12:24 p.m. (EDT)April 6, 2017May 10, 2017March 14, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Reported sexual crimes against children have increased by 6% since 2013;An estimated 94% of sexual crimes go unreported;Persons convicted of sexual offences against children are often eligible for parole in a matter of months after their sentencing; andSerial sex offenders are able to serve concurrent sentences for multiple offencesWe, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to amend the Criminal Code of Canada to:Automatically designate persons convicted of multiple sexual crimes against a child or children as dangerous offenders;Increase mandatory minimum sentences for sexual crimes against children;Increase the period of parole ineligibility for persons convicted of sexual crimes against children; andEnsure that criminals convicted of multiple sexual offences against a child or children serve their sentences consecutively.8545-421-148-01 Government Response to petitions concerning sex offendersChild sexual abuse and exploitationConditional releaseConsecutive sentencesCriminal CodeMandatory sentencingSex offenders42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 17, 2017e-674e-674 (Neurological diseases)LindaHume-SastreElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCNovember 21, 2016, at 10:19 a.m. (EDT)March 21, 2017, at 10:19 a.m. (EDT)April 3, 2017May 17, 2017March 21, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214328" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:The cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and other neurovascular/neurological conditions, is unknown;Recent research has shown that the covering around the brain (meninges) has a lymphatic system intended to protect it and to drain and cleanse it of impurities and that this system contains immune cells so the immune system, activated by impurities behaves as it should; andThe proper working of this lymphatic system depends on drainage through lymphatic vessels in the meninges and the draining veins (the jugular veins, the vertebral veins running down the back of the neck and the azygos vein in the chest) which must be open and draining properly.We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to urge provincial and territorial health ministers to provide1. Access to testing of the jugular, vertebral and azygos veins for people with Multiple Sclerosis and with neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and Dementia generally;2. Access to interventional radiologists to perform angioplasty (commonly used now for venous obstructions) on these veins if the testing indicates abnormalities that impede blood flow to and from the brain;3. Collection of data from patients before treatment to establish baselines and follow-up and collection of data after treatment; 4. Data collected to Health Canada for dissemination; and5. Research funding into the vascular connection to all neurological diseases.8545-421-149-01 Government Response to petitions concerning neurological diseasesAngioplastyExperimental methodsHealth screeningInformation collectionMedical researchMultiple sclerosisNeurological disorders42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 29, 2017e-687e-687 (Veterans' affairs)KristinCourtneyJohnOliverOakvilleLiberalONNovember 22, 2016, at 11:23 a.m. (EDT)March 22, 2017, at 11:23 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2017May 29, 2017March 22, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:It seems it is not customary to spell Veteran with a capital V when referring to Veterans, who went through their military service, have made and continue to make tremendous sacrifices for our country; we believe this title should be distinguished by always being spelled with a capital "V", Veteran.We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to spell Veteran with a capital V in official government communications when referring to those who went through their military service, have made and continue to make tremendous sacrifices for our country, in order to distinguish them from individuals with much experience in a particular field.8545-421-111-02 Government Response to petitions concerning veterans' affairsFederal governmentInformation disseminationVeteransWritten language42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 16, 2017e-678e-678 (Electoral system)DanJennesonKennedyStewartBurnaby SouthNDPBCNovember 24, 2016, at 9:26 a.m. (EDT)March 24, 2017, at 9:26 a.m. (EDT)June 19, 2017August 16, 2017March 27, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada campaigned in 2015 on the promise that 2015 would be the last election decided by the first past the post electoral system;Justin Trudeau campaigned in 2015 on a promise of electoral reform in order to make every vote count; andThe majority of Canadians in 2015 voted for a party which campaigned on electoral reform (the Liberal Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Green Party).We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to implement an open list mixed-member proportional representation electoral system in time to be used for the next federal election, without the use of a referendum on the matter.Electoral reformMixed-member proportional representation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 14, 2017e-673e-673 (Health care services)NancysimmsCathyMcLeodKamloops—Thompson—CaribooConservativeBCNovember 28, 2016, at 3:18 p.m. (EDT)March 28, 2017, at 3:18 p.m. (EDT)May 1, 2017June 14, 2017March 28, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canada Health Act recognizes home care as an “extended health service” not an “insured health service” to which the principles of the Act apply;Insured health services are fully funded by government and delivered based on the patient’s need, not their ability to pay;Through its legislative role, the federal government can facilitate national approaches and standards that must be satisfied by provincial and territorial health care insurance plans.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to amend the Canada Health Act to include home care as an insured health service.Canada Health ActHealth care systemHome care services42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 28, 2017e-663e-663 (Remembrance Day)RudyNormanScottSimmsCoast of Bays—Central—Notre DameLiberalNLNovember 28, 2016, at 3:17 p.m. (EDT)March 28, 2017, at 3:17 p.m. (EDT)March 28, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Our rich history as a country unfortunately contains the tragedy of war and the immense loss of life;As a nation we recognize, respect, and hold sacred those sacrifices and the freedoms and privileges afforded to us as a result of them;We, as a nation, recognize November 11 of each year as a national day of Remembrance;We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to enact legislation requiring all non-essential businesses, organizations, and establishments to take part in a mandatory national 'morning of silence,' and thus preventing all such operations from being open to the general public for any such service duly offered until at least 12:00 p.m., local time in the operation's respective jurisdiction.Hours of workRemembrance Day42nd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 18, 2017e-696e-696 (Foreign policy)LoisEatonGordJohnsCourtenay—AlberniNDPBCNovember 29, 2016, at 10:55 a.m. (EDT)March 29, 2017, at 10:55 a.m. (EDT)June 13, 2017September 18, 2017March 29, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Our government’s stated goal to Canadians regarding citizens kidnapped for ransom is that no ransom will be paid by the Canadian government so as to take the mark off Canadians so international, criminal kidnappers will not kidnap Canadians;Kidnappings give two coinages - money and terrifying people which increases likelihood ransoms are paid;When ransoms are off the table, the lives of kidnapped Canadians only have one coinage – terror. In these cases, the kidnappers do not need to keep the victim safe and abuse and often brutal, public murders for international viewing become the coinage;Kidnappers only stop when they are stopped; andTwo Canadians were kidnapped, tortured and murdered in 2015 -2016 in the Philippines and 6 Canadians are currently held hostage.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take the following measures in order to reach its goals:Increase Consular Services for kidnapped or abducted citizens;Involve international experts in the creation of a permanent Canadian cadre dedicated to this specialized arena. These are the international experts previously successful in dealing with organizations engaged in kidnapping around the world. They know who to talk with and how to talk with them to get action; andKeep the families of the kidnapped victim informed about government actions to rescue citizens because families who feel that little effective government action is being taken may feel the need to raise the ransom to free their family member. 8545-421-87-02 Government Response to petitions concerning foreign policyAbductionEmbassies and consulatesExpertsForeign policyNegotiations and negotiators42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 19, 2017e-693e-693 (Canada Pension Plan)LesMillsKellyBlockCarlton Trail—Eagle CreekConservativeSKNovember 30, 2016, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)March 30, 2017, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)May 19, 2017July 19, 2017March 30, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:there is a need to reform the Canada Pension PlanWe, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Finance to reform the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to allow anyone diagnosed with a terminal illness who has contributed to CPP through their life time for 20 or more years to claim disability benefits regardless of the date of their last CPP contribution.8545-421-152-02 Government Response to petitions concerning the Canada Pension PlanCanada Pension PlanDisability benefitsPensions and pensionersTerminal illnesses42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 30, 2017e-702e-702 (Health care facility)LauraTupperHon.PierrePoilievreCarletonConservativeONNovember 30, 2016, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)March 30, 2017, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)March 30, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The current Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus is 92 years-old and in need of a new location;Starting in 2007, an expert panel conducted a thorough and methodical search of 12 possible sites for the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus, and the federal land directly acroos the street from the current Civic Campus scored the highest in this analysis;Tunney's Pasture scored sixth in this same analysis;Tunney's Pasture scored lower in two separate analyses on essential criteria like land area use, land access, proximity to Highway 417, future expansion prospects, and land preparation;The City of Ottawa is expanding west and south, and therefore it does not make sense to move the Civic Campus, which is the trauma centre for eastern Ontario, further north;Locating a hospital at Tunney's Pasture will displace thousands of public servants, require the demolition of at least six buildings at substantial cost, and delay the opening of the new hospital for up to 20 years; andOttawa residents deserve a modern hospital that is accessible, centrally-located, and free from federal government interference;We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to stop interfering in the selection of the best location for the new Civic Campus and allow it to be built on the federal land across the street from the existing Civic CampusGovernment landsHospitalsThe Ottawa Hospital42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 29, 2017e-695e-695 (Pension system)RobertNewtonLindaDuncanEdmonton StrathconaNDPABDecember 1, 2016, at 10:23 a.m. (EDT)March 31, 2017, at 10:23 a.m. (EDT)April 13, 2017May 29, 2017March 31, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214320" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Finance</Addressee>Whereas:The government should honour its pledge to help Canadians realize their goal of a secure retirement.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to withdraw all support for Bill C-27, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, that the Minister of Finance has tabled in order to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985, and remind the current Liberal government of their promise to help Canadians realize their goal of a secure retirement.C-27, An Act to amend the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985Pension Benefits Standards ActPensions and pensioners42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 4, 2017e-701e-701 (Protection of the environment)Jessica AusselAusselCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONDecember 5, 2016, at 11:31 a.m. (EDT)April 4, 2017, at 11:31 a.m. (EDT)April 4, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Trans Mountain pipeline will not only perpetuate the on-going social issues that First Nations and Métis are forced to struggle with, but will be detrimental to our landscape and environment.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, residents of Canada, and First Nations and Métis people, call upon the Government of Canada to not extend the Trans Mountain pipeline in Canada.Aboriginal peoplesBritish ColumbiaEnvironmental protectionKinder Morgan CanadaOil and gasTrans Mountain pipeline42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 29, 2017e-516e-516 (Correctional facilities)AnneCattralMatthewDubéBeloeil—ChamblyNDPQCDecember 6, 2016, at 4:14 p.m. (EDT)April 5, 2017, at 4:14 p.m. (EDT)April 13, 2017May 29, 2017April 6, 2017Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214300" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness</Addressee>Whereas:The Ion Mobility Spectrometry device (ion scanners) is a drug-detection system used by Correctional Service Canada (CSC) in federal prisons. CSC has admitted ‘false positives’ occur frequently because the scanners are extremely sensitive, searching for the presence of drugs down to the nanogram. Individuals may unknowingly pick up trace amounts of prohibited substances by touching items like money or credit cards, or using certain household and hygiene products;Ion scanners are improperly maintained due to lack of training and improper cleaning, increasing the frequency of false positives. This contradicts CSC’s Commissioner’s Directive 566-8-1 ensuring that “searching tools are routinely maintained and calibrated”;The risk of a false positive adds an additional layer of stress for individuals visiting their loved ones. A positive hit on the ion scanner may result in their visit being denied. Visitors are powerless to dispute the results of their screening;False positives may have serious consequences for inmates. Records of false positives go onto an inmate’s file and may affect future decisions regarding private family visits, transfers, and parole;CSC guiding policy (Corrections and Conditional Release Act, 1992) recognizes the important role families play in the rehabilitation of inmates, yet the ion scanner is serving as a barrier to essential family support.We, the undersigned, MOMS (Mothers Offering Mutual Support) Ottawa on behalf of all friends and family members who visit loved ones in Federal Institutions, call upon the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to conduct a full review of the alarming rate of "false positives" associated with the Ion Mobility Spectrometry, with the goal of exploring more effective alternatives for keeping drugs out of prison, while encouraging effective rehabilitation of inmates.8545-421-155-01 Government Response to petitions concerning correctional facilitiesCorrectional facilitiesDrug trafficking and drug seizureImprisonment and prisonersInquiries and public inquiriesIon mobility spectrometry42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-1837e-1837 (Crimes against humanity)RamicEmirBrianMasseWindsor WestNDPONSeptember 12, 2018, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)January 10, 2019, at 2:34 p.m. (EDT)May 29, 2019August 21, 2019January 14, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In July 1995, more than 8,372 Bosniaks in Srebrenica, mainly men and boys, were murdered in cold blood by the Army and Police Forces of Republika Srpska;The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) ruled that the Srebrenica massacre was genocide, which was not just limited to men, but also included women and children, with the youngest victim being a newborn baby;Motion M-416, passed in the House of Commons on October 19, 2010, recognized July 11 annually as Srebrenica Remembrance Day in Canada;Motion M-587, passed in the House of Commons on April 24, 2015, included the Srebrenica genocide, and Srebrenica Remembrance Day as part of “Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Awareness Month" every April;Being mindful of the above-mentioned legal rulings, and out of respect for the memory of the victims, it should be illegal to deny the Srebrenica genocide; andIn spite of the international legal judgments, as well as the commemorations in Canada and around the world, there are those who continue to deny the Srebrenica genocide, thereby insulting the memory of the victims, inflicting pain and suffering on the survivors of the genocide, and encouraging the perpetrators.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to recognize the act of denial of the Srebrenica genocide as cruel, inhumane and illegal, and to enact legislation that prohibits the denial of the Srebrenica genocide.Bosnia-HerzegovinaGenocideSrebrenica42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-1834e-1834 (Environmental pollution)ChélieElsomElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCSeptember 12, 2018, at 2:32 p.m. (EDT)January 10, 2019, at 2:32 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2019August 21, 2019January 10, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians use 1 billion single-use plastic bags each year;Canadians discard approximately 57 million single-use plastic straws everyday;Only 11% of plastics are currently recycled in Canada;Manufacturing of single-use plastics is a significant waste of resources, dollars and energy;Globally, plastic pollution poses a serious and significant environmental threat; andPlastic pollution is a multifaceted problem, therefore, solutions should include a plan for education and public awareness, as well as for the responsible production, consumption, collection, processing and re-using of all plastic packaging.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to commit to a National Plastic Strategy which includes:1. An education and public awareness campaign highlighting the scope and impact of global plastic pollution;2. A ban on the manufacturing, distribution and use of all plastics that cannot be recycled;3. A ban on all single-use plastics that are hard to recycle and most often end up in landfills or waterways;4. A commitment to encourage a circular plastics economy by keeping recyclable plastics out of landfills and instead reusing them in a closed-loop system effectively saving billions in manufacturing costs while producing less waste;5. A commitment to invest in the infrastructure, on a municipal, provincial and federal level, to collect, sort, process, recycle and re-use all plastic packaging;6. A Zero Plastic Waste Canada by 2030, by ensuring all plastic packaging is 100% recyclable, re-usable or compostable.8545-421-220-04 Government Response to petitions concerning environmental pollutionBanPackaging and labellingPlasticsWaste recycling42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 17, 2019e-1809e-1809 (National day)SarahNolanDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBSeptember 12, 2018, at 3:12 p.m. (EDT)January 10, 2019, at 3:12 p.m. (EDT)May 31, 2019July 17, 2019January 14, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Lineworkers work hard to build and maintain Canada's powerline infrastructure to ensure Canadians have access to secure and reliable energy;Lineworkers work with thousands of volts of electricity 365 days a year, often under dangerous and harsh conditions, to maintain the safety and welfare of fellow Canadians;Lineworkers put their lives and safety on the line every day with little awareness from the community regarding the potential dangers of their occupation; andLineworkers are often the first responders during storms and other catastrophic events that cause power interruption and infrastructure damage, and work all hours to restore power while ensuring communities are safe for residents, volunteers and other first responders.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to honour these brave men and women by recognizing July 10th of every year as National Lineworker Appreciation Day.Electricity supplyNational Lineworker Appreciation Day42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 17, 2019e-1838e-1838 (Steel industry)DouglasHamreHon.MikeLakeEdmonton—WetaskiwinConservativeABSeptember 17, 2018, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)January 15, 2019, at 10:16 a.m. (EDT)January 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Steel products manufactured in the United States are subject to a 25% surtax imposed by the Government of Canada in response to the U.S. tariff of 25% on imported steel;The list of Tariff Items (from the Harmonized System) subjected to the 25% surtax is very broad and includes many types of steel that are not manufactured in Canada;Due to investment and infrastructure decisions made by steel companies, many forms and grades of steel required for manufacturers are not made in Canada;End use customers specify the grade of steel, not the manufacturer.Some patented specialty grades can only legally be made the U.S.;The process for remission of surtaxes is very extensive and time consuming, with no guarantee that any of the surtax paid can be recovered;Canadian manufacturing companies are being made non-competitive internationally due to the 25% surtax imposed by the Canadian Government;Value added manufacturing in Canada provides many high paying jobs and contributes significantly to the Canadian economy; andSurtaxes on goods not otherwise available in Canada only hold back the Canadian economy.We, the undersigned, Canadian Manufacturing Company Owners and Employees, call upon the House of Commons to immediately remove all steel products from the countermeasure surtax list (by Tariff Item number) for products that are not manufactured in Canada, specifically bars of stainless and/or alloy steels, or, if removal of the surtax is not feasible, provide a mechanism for exclusion of the 25% surtax on steel and articles of steel that are not manufactured in Canada that is simple, rather than the complicated remission process.Duty exemptionsImportsStainless steel42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1840e-1840 (Children's rights)ShawnBayesPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCSeptember 17, 2018, at 3:10 p.m. (EDT)January 15, 2019, at 3:10 p.m. (EDT)January 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas: the Government of Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and has responsibilities for the care of children as outlined in the National Child Agenda and the Social Union Framework Agreement and these responsibilities further extend to initiatives with provinces and territories that set out programs such as the National Child Benefit, the Early Childhood Development Initiative and the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework;the degree of flexibility afforded provincial and territorial governments has led to significant variances in services and programs across the country, in direct violation of Canada’s obligations as a signatory of the UNCRC, resulting in certain subpopulations of children systematically deriving no benefit from the above-mentioned programs; and the potential of children is being lost due to relative invisibility and the lack of standards requiring they be considered and addressed.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to :1. Recognize children living in material deprivation, who are homeless, affected by parental addiction, parental incarceration, or government care experience;2. Remedy the barriers within its own direct payments to families and systems like the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Disability Tax Credit Certificate, and Registered Education Savings Plans;3. Increase supports for these children at particular high risk of adverse life events and suffering the highest level of exclusion, and4. Set standards to reduce inter-provincial and territorial disparities that exclude children living in circumstances not considered under current eligibility rules.Benefits for childrenBureaucracyProvinces, territories, states42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 2, 2019e-1842e-1842 (National day)SOTHIVANNANRETNASABAPATHYChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONSeptember 17, 2018, at 4:03 p.m. (EDT)January 15, 2019, at 4:03 p.m. (EDT)March 19, 2019May 2, 2019January 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:In today’s world, we see disturbances, chaos and unrest due to the neglect of human values at the individual, family, community, national and international levels. By creating greater awareness to human values, we can raise people’s characters and bring harmony in our homes and communities, order in the nation and peace in the world;Sathya Sai School, Canada organized the first “Walk for Values” in 2003 to raise awareness of the importance of practising universal human values of truth, right conduct, peace, love and nonviolence. It is now an annual event in cities across Canada and around the world;Participants of all ages and backgrounds have pledged to practice a human value that will enrich their lives and help make the world a better place. In doing so, they have the opportunity to reflect on our blessings as a nation and the values we hold dear: peace, freedom, respect, compassion and diversity; andFive provinces and 107 cities and towns declared April 24th as Human Values Day in 2017 and 2018.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to declare April 24 annual National Human Values Day. This day will be dedicated to raising awareness of Canada’s commitment to human values by encouraging citizens to foster a climate that promotes, supports and celebrate “excellence in character” in their schools, businesses, homes and community-based organizations to strengthen families and communities in Canada and around the world.National Human Values DaySocial values42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-540e-540 (Health Canada)WaynePhillipsDavidChristophersonHamilton CentreNDPONSeptember 19, 2018, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)January 17, 2019, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)January 18, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Health Canada has not honoured court orders in a reasonable, timely, and unfettered manner; Health Canada’s regulatory provisions (the ACMPR) establish significant barriers to access and disparities within the program; andHealth Canada is thereby placing a substantial burden on a number of Canadians in serious legal and medical jeopardy.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to request that Parliament require the Attorney General, in conjunction with the RCMP, to conduct a forensic examination of Health Canada’s medical cannabis program, the ACMPR, and the Licensed Producer (LP) sector for improprieties including, ethics and conflicts of interest, cruel and unusual treatment, misfeasance in a public office, influence peddling, political corruption, price-fixing, and profiteering.CannabisDepartment of HealthForensic audits42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1833e-1833 (Conversion therapy)DevonHargreavesSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKSeptember 20, 2018, at 9:16 a.m. (EDT)January 18, 2019, at 9:16 a.m. (EDT)February 1, 2019March 18, 2019January 18, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada is strongly committed to supporting the equality and human rights of the LGBTQ2+ community and all residents;“Sex”, “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” are prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code;The practice of “conversion therapy” or “reparative therapy”, is seriously harmful to individuals and is opposed by the Canadian Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association and others; andThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child indicates that children should not be discriminated against based on what gender they identify with.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to :(a) enact legislation banning conversion therapy to minors in Canada;(b) enact legislation prohibiting transporting minors outside of the country for such purposes; and(c) have conversion therapy included in the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, to protect children from abuse.8545-421-236-01 Government Response to petitions concerning Conversion TherapyConversion therapyLegislationSexual minorities42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 24, 2019e-1852e-1852 (Suicide prevention)CourtneyTaylorCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONSeptember 24, 2018, at 11:10 a.m. (EDT)January 22, 2019, at 11:10 a.m. (EDT)January 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Suicide is within the top 10 leading causes of death in Canada. It is also the second leading cause of death in young people;Canada is one of the few developed countries not to have a national action plan for suicide prevention;The Government of Canada’s Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention is not a national strategy. It does not include funding, goals, time lines, or activities that would reduce suicide, and does not assign responsibility for jurisdictional action;Quebec has cut its overall suicide rate by a third since launching a multifaceted provincial suicide prevention strategy in 1999, with the rate of youth suicide falling by more than 50%; andM-174 would direct the Government of Canada to establish a much-needed National Suicide Prevention Action Plan.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to support M-174 when it comes to a vote.M-174Suicides42nd Parliament229Not certifiedJanuary 24, 2019e-491e-491 (Foreign policy)MartyGobinHon.MaximeBernierBeaucePeople's PartyQCSeptember 25, 2018, at 9:22 a.m. (EDT)January 23, 2019, at 9:22 a.m. (EDT)January 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (hereinafter “Rome Statute”) was ratified by Canada in 2002;The Rome Statute provides for the prosecution in the International Criminal Court of serious violations of the law of nations, including crimes against humanity and war crimes;The ratification of the Rome Statute ensures that domestic political or other considerations of any given party to the Rome Statute do not prevent the prosecution of violations of the law of nations;The oversight of the International Criminal Court is increasingly important in a world where a state-sanctioned kidnapping is an “extraordinary rendition,” state-sanctioned torture is an “enhanced interrogation technique,” and a state-sanctioned secret kill list is a “Disposition Matrix”; andCanada should refrain from rendering military aid or intelligence to any nations which refuse to allow their citizens or residents to be prosecuted in the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, or other violations of the law of nations, as it cannot be assured that such assistance will not aid, directly or indirectly, in violations of the law of nations which may not be punished.We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to enact a statute prohibiting the use of the Canadian Armed Forces, Communications Security Establishment, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and any other organization within the executive branch of the Canadian state from rendering assistance to any foreign nations which refuse to ratify the Rome Statute or attorn to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.Foreign policyInternational Criminal CourtInternational lawRome Statute42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 18, 2019e-1858e-1858 (Tobacco)VINCENTALBANESEAngeloIaconoAlfred-PellanLiberalQCSeptember 26, 2018, at 1:57 p.m. (EDT)January 24, 2019, at 1:57 p.m. (EDT)January 31, 2019March 18, 2019January 25, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The cigar industry does not target young consumers;Artisanal cigar packaging is not designed to mislead consumers of the health hazards of using tobacco products;Many small Canadian businesses that depend on premium cigar sales would be at risk of closing; andMost European countries who have adopted Plain and Standardized Packaging have exempted cigars from their regulation such as the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Norway.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to exclude cigars from tobacco plain packaging legislation (Bill S-5).8545-421-153-04 Government Response to petitions concerning tobaccoPackaging and labellingTobacco products42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-1848e-1848 (Egypt)AhmedAbdelkader ElpannannGaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONSeptember 27, 2018, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)January 25, 2019, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019August 21, 2019January 29, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Egyptian government has engaged in a wide-ranging effort to crackdown against civil society and independent media;has arrested at least 60,000 political prisoners including the former democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi;has tried 7,400 civilians under military courts between 2014 and 2016 alone;has executed at least 97 people since 2014 and sentenced 75 persons to death in September 2018;has had 118 deaths, 347 cases of individual torture and 212 cases of collective torture in its prisons in 2017;is fostering an environment of discrimination and violence against minority groups;has denied the requests of UN Special Rapporteurs to visit the country; andhas rejected the request of the UK parliament for an independent body to investigate the treatment and health condition of President Mohamed Morsi and other political detainees.We, the undersigned, CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF CANADA, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. express support for human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law in Egypt;2. support the rights of Egyptians to fair and credible elections without fear of intimidation;3. urge that domestic and international civil society organizations, and particularly human rights organizations, can operate freely;4. call on the Canadian government, foreign governments and parliaments to speak out in support of human rights and freedoms of the Egyptian people;5. call on Egypt to allow UN Special Rapporteurs to visit the country; and6. urge the Government of Egypt to end emergency law, abolish military trials, and release persons arbitrarily detained.Civil and human rightsEgypt42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1854e-1854 (Medical assistance in dying)DanaLivingstoneRandallGarrisonEsquimalt—Saanich—SookeNDPBCOctober 2, 2018, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)January 30, 2019, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019May 27, 2019January 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Supreme Court of Canada’s 2015 ruling in Carter v. Canada (Attorney General) established medical assistance in dying as a right for all competent adults who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition that causes intolerable and enduring suffering and who clearly consent to the termination of life;Bill C-14, passed on June 17, 2016, prohibits advance requests for medical assistance in dying, which would allow eligible individuals to consent to an assisted death through a binding directive that could be honoured after the person loses capacity;The ban on advance requests unfairly discriminates against individuals with degenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's or other causes of dementia that erode a person’s capacity, forcing many Canadians to suffer unnecessarily against their will;Denying a person fair access to medical assistance in dying on the basis of their medical condition violates their section 7 Charter right to life, liberty and security of the person and their section 15 Charter right to equal treatment under the law; andAmending 242.1(3) of the Criminal Code to allow advance requests for assisted dying would be consistent with principles of equality and personal autonomy that are enshrined in the Charter and reflected in the Supreme Court’s decision in Carter v. Canada (Attorney General).We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to make amendments to 242.1(3) of the Criminal Code that would allow Canadians to make advance requests for medical assistance in dying.Criminal CodeMedical assistance in dying42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 5, 2019e-1870e-1870 (Plain language labelling)EricLamoureuxDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBOctober 3, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. (EDT)January 31, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. (EDT)February 20, 2019April 5, 2019January 31, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Consumers may be harmed when they do not understand the non-prescription drugs and natural health products they take;In 2016, 1 in 143 Canadian seniors was hospitalized due to harmful effects of medication;Without benefit of recommendation and guidance from healthcare providers, it is important that consumers receive clear and consistent information on non-prescription drugs and natural health products prior to purchase; andPlain Language Labelling improves the safety of non-prescription drugs by providing consumers with important information on outer packaging, in a standardized format.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to ensure that regulations related to Plain Language Labelling require manufacturers of non-prescription drugs and natural health products to include a Canadian Drug Facts Table or Product Facts Table on the outer label, and that labelling requirements require:1. That information is present to consumers in a standardized format; 2. Readability through a required minimum font size of six points; and3. The use of plain language.Natural health productsOver the counter drugsPackaging and labellingWritten language42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1864e-1864 (Cannabis)JamesOHaraPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCOctober 3, 2018, at 2:27 p.m. (EDT)January 31, 2019, at 2:27 p.m. (EDT)April 9, 2019May 27, 2019January 31, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Health care is a human right and no Canadian should be denied access to prescription medicine they need to be healthy;A “medical cannabis product” is a cannabis product sold for medical purposes pursuant to a licence for the sale of cannabis for medical purposes granted in accordance with the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act or the Cannabis Act;Although medical cannabis does not have a Drug Identification Number (DIN), it is produced and sold in a highly regulated regime;Patients who are legally authorized/prescribed cannabis for medical purposes can legally purchase quality-controlled cannabis for medical purposes from a Health Canada licensed producer;The Canada Revenue Agency considers cannabis for medical purposes a tax-deductible medical expense; andThe Government of Canada allows for reasonable access to medical cannabis for all Canadians who have been authorized to use it by a health-care practitioner.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:1. Support Motion M-198 and reverse its decision to apply an excise duty to cannabis sold for medical purposes;2. Recognize that cannabis for medical purposes should be exempt from any taxes, including the new excise tax, after the passage of Bill C-74;3. Zero-rate the medical cannabis tax in line with all other prescription medicines; and4. Exempt medical cannabis products from any additional taxes in order to allow for reasonable access to medical cannabis for all Canadians authorized to use it by a health-care practitioner.CannabisTax exemption42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 1, 2019e-1744e-1744 (Corporal punishment)JaniceSpenceRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBOctober 4, 2018, at 3:28 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2019, at 3:28 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The long-standing history of Residential Schools in Canada created harm to children;The Truth and Reconciliation's 94 Calls to Action to be delivered, specifically Call to Action No. 6 under “Education”; andCanada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child article 19, which mandates the protection of children from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada: "Every school teacher, parent, or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under their care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances."Child abuseCorporal punishmentCriminal Code42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2019e-1886e-1886 (Terri-Lynne McClintic)KarriWilliamsDavidAndersonCypress Hills—GrasslandsConservativeSKOctober 5, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. (EDT)February 2, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. (EDT)February 28, 2019April 11, 2019February 4, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Terri-Lynne McClintic was convicted of first-degree murderer in the horrific abduction, rape and murder of eight-year-old Tori Stafford;Terri-Lynne McClintic was moved from a secure facility to a healing lodge without fences, and where the government has confirmed the presence of children;Terri-Lynne McClintic is not eligible for parole until 2031; andThe Okimaw Ochi Healing Lodge lacks the necessary security measures to ensure the safety of local citizens in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, or the surrounding areas.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to exercise its moral, legal and political authority to ensure this decision is reversed and cannot be allowed to happen again in other cases.Healing lodgesHomicideImprisonment and prisonersMcClintic, Terri-Lynne42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 2, 2019e-1868e-1868 (Honduras)JanetSpringAlexanderNuttallBarrie—Springwater—Oro-MedonteConservativeONOctober 10, 2018, at 3:47 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2019, at 3:47 p.m. (EDT)February 20, 2019April 2, 2019February 8, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The November 26, 2017, election in Honduras has been recognized as having many irregularities;The election was condemned by the Organization of American States, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the European Union Electoral Observation Missions, which reported voting irregularities, errors and systemic problems in the electoral process;The Juan Orlando Hernandez government responded with a massive crackdown and the abolition of human rights as Hondurans protested the election;The Hernandez government has denied all political prisoners due legal process;The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that Honduran security forces used excessive, lethal force and extra-judicial killings to control and disperse protests;Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, has called upon Honduran authorities to reinstate constitutional rights and guarantees, and uphold democratic principles, human rights and rule of law; andThe United Nations and Amnesty Canada has called upon Honduran government to release and drop all trumped-up charges against Edwin Espinal.We, the undersigned, Simcoe County Honduras Rights Monitor and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Stand by its stated position supporting human rights and rule of law in Honduras;2. Urgently intervene in the case of Edwin Espinal, spouse of Karen Spring of Elmvale, arrested January 19, 2018, on trumped-up charges in the wake of popular protests; and3. Immediately ensure that the Hernandez government release Espinal and four other political prisoners (Raul Alvarez, Jose Godinez, Edy Gonzalo, Gustavo Caceres) still held in inhumane maximum-security military prisons in Honduras, and drop all charges against 22 political prisoners detained (17 released, 5 remain in prison).Civil and human rightsEspinal, EdwinHondurasImprisonment and prisoners42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1887e-1887 (Firearms)CaseyPhillipsMelArnoldNorth Okanagan—ShuswapConservativeBCOctober 10, 2018, at 3:54 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2019, at 3:54 p.m. (EDT)February 8, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has entered an agreement with the United Nations that all firearms imported into Canada are required to be marked with a unique identifier;Current Canadian law does not require a serial number on newly imported firearms;The current Firearms Marking Regulations do not satisfy the agreement for a unique identifier such as a serial number;The Firearms Marking Regulations would degrade and devalue firearms; andThe Firearms Marking Regulations would hamper legal trade and cause hardship for licenced firearms businesses in Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to cancel implementation of the current Firearms Marking Regulations and replace them with new regulations that require a serial number to be present on newly manufactured imported firearms.Firearms markingsLegislation42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2019e-1883e-1883 (Firearms)AlexEcclestoneHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABOctober 11, 2018, at 8:26 a.m. (EDT)February 8, 2019, at 8:26 a.m. (EDT)February 27, 2019April 12, 2019February 8, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="241632" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction</Addressee>Whereas:Justin Trudeau has instructed his Border Security and Organized Crime Minister to examine a potential handgun and assault weapon ban;The safety of Canadians should be the highest responsibility of government;Whenever Liberal governments attempt to crackdown on gun violence, they usually end up targeting law-abiding firearms owners;Canadian firearms owners are highly vetted in our country;The government is focusing its efforts on law-abiding firearm owners while ignoring data on gun-related crimes being correlated with gang activity and illegal weapon smuggling;The government’s firearms legislation, Bill C-71, does nothing to address actual problems related to gun crime;Bill C-71 contains no mention of the words “gang” or “organized” crime anywhere; andThe government refuses to admit that most guns used to commit crimes are from illegal sources.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction to: 1. Respect law-abiding Canadians who own firearms;2. Immediately scrap Bill C-71 and introduce legislation that actually targets criminals while protecting Canadians and respecting law-abiding firearms owners; and3. Abandon the idea of a blanket firearms ban on law-abiding and highly vetted Canadians.C-71, An Act to amend certain Acts and Regulations in relation to firearmsFirearmsOwners42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 14, 2019e-1866e-1866 (Firearms)RenateSchulzRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBOctober 11, 2018, at 8:32 a.m. (EDT)February 8, 2019, at 8:32 a.m. (EDT)May 7, 2019June 14, 2019February 8, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Escalating gun violence and death by firearms in Canada are of grave concern;Japan, a country of more than 127 million people with very strict gun controls, has one of the lowest rates of gun crimes in the world and rarely sees more than 10 gun deaths per year;In Australia, Germany, and Britain, the number of deaths by firearms fell sharply after strict gun controls and bans were introduced, and these countries now have a much lower rate of gun crimes and firearm deaths than Canada;Banning hand guns and military-style assault weapons saves lives and promotes peace and order; andThe role of the federal government is to enact laws for the peace, order and good government of Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to draft legislation immediately in order to ban handguns and military-style assault weapons in Canada.FirearmsGun controlHandguns42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 5, 2019e-1879e-1879 (Canadian heritage)MichelMasseHon.StevenBlaneyBellechasse—Les Etchemins—LévisConservativeQCOctober 11, 2018, at 8:39 a.m. (EDT)February 8, 2019, at 8:39 a.m. (EDT)February 20, 2019April 5, 2019February 8, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas: The Department of National Defence will restore a section of the Quebec City Citadel walls with a stone from the United States; Against all odds, the lowest bidder won the contract to restore the King’s Bastion with its proposal to use a stone from the United States; The Pennsylvania Bluestone from the United States will replace the original Sillery sandstone to restore the Quebec City Citadel;The Bluestone does not meet the standards and requirements for the type of restoration material to be used under UNESCO’s World Heritage Site status for Old Quebec and, in particular, its fortifications; The original stone, which was used to build the Citadel, is still available in a quarry in Lévis; Major renovations to the Citadel walls have been completed in recent years using only the original Sillery sandstone; and Many independent experts have concluded that the Bluestone does not meet specifications and that its use could cause future problems with regard to durability and aesthetic uniformity.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to end this attack on the heritage integrity of Quebec City and use the original stone to restore the Quebec City Citadel.8545-421-88-09 Government Response to petitions concerning Canadian heritageCitadelle of QuébecCultural heritageGovernment contractsMasonry42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1888e-1888 (Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy)TamzinJeffsJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONOctober 15, 2018, at 10:07 a.m. (EDT)February 12, 2019, at 10:07 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019May 27, 2019February 13, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is when a person with epilepsy dies suddenly and prematurely, and no cause of death is found; SUDEP is a serious concern to our approximately 300,000 (or 1 in 100) Canadians living with epilepsy;Studies estimate a loss of 1 in 1000 people with epilepsy per year, with the rate approaching 1 in 100 per year in people with frequent seizures that are poorly controlled with medications;Main barriers to collating accurate statistics for Canada include a lack of awareness about SUDEP and variances in the investigation and recording of SUDEP deaths across the different provinces;SUDEPs most often occur during sleep and are unwitnessed, so researchers rely heavily on death certificate content (for case identification) and depth of autopsy/medical notes (for case investigation);With no consistent reporting requirement across Canada, or national SUDEP database, the completeness of the data is uncertain; andDiagnosis of ‘definite SUDEP’ requires the exclusion of other causes of death by autopsy, yet neither conducting an autopsy nor enquiring about possible epilepsy history (even in the absence of seizure evidence) is a mandatory requirement in epilepsy-related sudden death investigations across all provinces.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to implement:1. The development, and overseeing, of a standardized approach to the measurement, investigation and reporting of sudden deaths involving epilepsy across Canada; and2. The collation of Canadian epilepsy-related death data in a centralized repository to assist SUDEP researchers and help prevent further loss.Deaths and funeralsEpilepsy42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 19, 2019e-1891e-1891 (Road transportation)AudreyDepaultPeterSchiefkeVaudreuil—SoulangesLiberalQCOctober 17, 2018, at 2:15 p.m. (EDT)February 14, 2019, at 2:15 p.m. (EDT)May 6, 2019June 19, 2019February 14, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:The Ministry of Transport is currently developing a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Strategy, to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles;Electric-vehicle deployment targets are essential signals to the market that a government is committed to a transition to ZEVs;In 2016, 14 countries already had electric car targets in place: Austria, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States (eight states);ZEV mandates are key to ensuring consumers have access to electric vehicles to test drive and to purchase when they visit a car dealer;ZEV mandates have been implemented in 10 states across the U.S., and in Quebec;The ZEV program has been successful in California, where ZEVs accounted for 3.5% of all vehicle sales in that state, which is significantly higher than electric vehicle sales in any other state;All countries that have achieved an electric car market share above 1% of their total passenger light-duty vehicle sales have offered financial and non-financial incentives to encourage consumers to purchase electric vehicles; andFinancial incentives are essential to the deployment of the emerging ZEV market.We, the undersigned, Canadian residents, call upon the Minister of Transport to:1. Set an ambitious electric-vehicle deployment target;2. Adopt a national zero-emission vehicle mandate; and3. Offer financial incentives for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. 8545-421-34-13 Government Response to petitions concerning road transportationElectric vehiclesVehicle emissionsZero emission vehicles42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 15, 2019e-1884e-1884 (Military medals and decorations)RichardBoudreauDarrenFisherDartmouth—Cole HarbourLiberalNSOctober 18, 2018, at 11:01 a.m. (EDT)February 15, 2019, at 11:01 a.m. (EDT)February 15, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:An act respecting the establishment and award of a special service medal for domestic operations would recognize the contribution of women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces who participate in rescue and salvage operations during national emergencies in Canada (e.g. Swissair Flight 111, Manitoba Red River Flood of 1997, Quebec Ice Storms of 1998 and any other natural emergency in the country of Canada; andThis medal was first brought to the House of Commons by Alexa McDonough in 2004, and was known as Bill C-514, Special Service Medal for Domestic Operations (SSM-DO).We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to create a medal for domestic operations in the country of Canada.Awards presentationsCanadian ForcesEmergencies42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 19, 2019e-1896e-1896 (Arundhati Roy)GurpreetSinghRandeepSaraiSurrey CentreLiberalBCOctober 19, 2018, at 2:29 p.m. (EDT)February 16, 2019, at 2:29 p.m. (EDT)February 19, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has a long tradition of recognizing the work of individuals who stand up for democracy and human rights across the world, and giving them honorary citizenship in appreciation of their contribution to the humanity;Canada has a responsibility to stand up for these values, which are enshrined in its own charter of rights;Arundhati Roy is an author of international fame and a Booker Prize winner who is vocal against atrocities on the poor and marginalized, not only in India but elsewhere in the world;Arundhati Roy has the ability to question power at personal risk in what is largely known as the world's largest democracy; and Arundhati Roy has been facing threats and intimidation for speaking out against the persecution of religious minorities and oppressed communities by the Indian state.We, the undersigned, Indians Abroad for Pluralist India and citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to give Honorary Citizenship of Canada to the world-renowned author and social justice activist Arundhati Roy.Honorary citizenRoy, Arundhati42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 10, 2019e-1846e-1846 (Regulation of food and drugs)Anne-MarieMorelAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCOctober 19, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. (EDT)February 16, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. (EDT)February 28, 2019April 10, 2019February 19, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Cardiovascular diseases are the second-leading cause of death and the leading cause of hospitalization in Canada;Industrially produced trans fats damage cardiovascular health at any dose;Adding partially hydrogenated oil (PHO), the main source of industrially produced trans fats, to foods has been prohibited in Canada since September 17, 2018, by regulation;The adoption of the regulation was preceded by public consultations and a decade of voluntary measures encouraging the industry to reduce industrially produced trans fats in its recipes;After the regulation prohibiting PHOs was adopted, the industry benefitted from a one-year reprieve to adapt and to remove PHOs from its food products;Despite the delays previously granted, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency chose to phase in the regulation over two years, allowing the industry to continue selling PHO-containing products manufactured before September 17, 2018, to Canadians until September 2020; andThe health of Canadians must take precedence over economic interests.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to require the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to reverse its decision and enforce the prohibition on the sale of products containing PHOs no later than December 31, 2018, and, if necessary, to recall the products in question.BanCanadian Food Inspection AgencyPartially hydrogenated oil42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1771e-1771 (Protection of the environment)DeniseMarkhameWilliamAmosPontiacLiberalQCOctober 22, 2018, at 11:51 a.m. (EDT)February 19, 2019, at 11:51 a.m. (EDT)February 19, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:An estimated 10 to 20 million tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans each year, as well as 10,000 tons annually into Canada’s Great Lakes;As of 2014, about 342 million tons of plastic are produced annually, a twenty-fold increase since 1964; At current rates, production is expected to double in the next 20 years and practically quadruple by 2050;A team of international scientists have estimated that there are some 5.25 trillion pieces of “floating” plastic in our oceans (270,000 tons), and another study estimates 15 to 51 trillion particles of plastic pollute our oceans because plastic can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down completely;In addition to leaching toxic chemicals into our eco-system and the oceans that help control our greenhouse gas-emissions, this plastic waste has now worked its way into the food chain;Tawain, Kenya, Rwanda, China, Italy, Great Britain, Scotland, Montreal, New Delhi, Paris, Vancouver and over 1,060 groups globally have mobilized to reduce single-use plastics; andIn advance of the “zero plastics waste charter”, an immediate ban on single-use plastic bags would be an appropriate initiative, given their sheer quantity and dispensable nature, and that more economical and eco-friendly options are already offered by most businesses today.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to create a ban on the production and distribution of all single-use, disposable plastic bags across Canada.BagsBanPlastics42nd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2019e-1902e-1902 (Health care workers)LindaSilasDougEyolfsonCharleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—HeadingleyLiberalMBOctober 23, 2018, at 10:18 a.m. (EDT)February 20, 2019, at 10:18 a.m. (EDT)March 1, 2019April 12, 2019February 20, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:National data shows that the number of violence-related accepted lost-time injuries for frontline health care workers increased by close to 66% between 2006 and 2015;National data shows that 61% of nurses experienced a “serious” problem with some form of violence over a recent 12 month period;Recent survey data in Ontario found that up to 68% of nurses and personal support workers experienced violence on the job in 2016-2017;Violence in our health care system undermines the quality of care received by patients and affects all Canadians; and Health care workers are employed to provide care for patients, not to be subjected to violence;We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to develop a pan-Canadian prevention strategy to address growing incidents of violence against health care workers, and that this strategy draw upon international and domestic best practices to ensure all health care settings across the country are safe.Caregivers and health care professionalsWorkplace violence42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1906e-1906 (Immigration)GeorgeBrowneHon.MaximeBernierBeaucePeople's PartyQCOctober 24, 2018, at 5:01 p.m. (EDT)February 21, 2019, at 5:01 p.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019May 27, 2019February 22, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has a duty to ensure the rights and wellbeing of Canadians;The maintenance of our borders and limited merit-based immigration are essential to our rights and wellbeing;Polls consistently have shown the majority of Canadians reject illegal border crossing and subordination of our citizens' needs to those of illegal aliens; andSeveral of our allies notably the United States of America, Poland, Hungary and Austria have withdrawn from the United Nations' global migration pact citing its threats to their sovereignty, peace, order and good governance.We, the undersigned, Canadians, call upon the Government of Canada to likewise withdraw from the Global Compact For Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.Global Compact For Safe, Orderly and Regular MigrationImmigration and immigrants42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 22, 2019e-1911e-1911 (Foreign policy)NathalyDufourXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCOctober 25, 2018, at 11:09 a.m. (EDT)February 22, 2019, at 11:09 a.m. (EDT)February 22, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has business relationships with Saudi Arabia;Saudi Arabia is a totalitarian state whose brutality and disregard for human rights has been demonstrated on many occasions;The sordid and obviously premeditated murder of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi Arabia requires Canada to cut all ties with that country; andRaïf Badawi is still imprisoned, despite all the representations made.We, the undersigned, residents of Quebec, call upon the Government of Canada to end all business relationships with Saudi Arabia, including, but not limited to, cancelling the armoured vehicle sales contract with Saudi Arabia.Foreign policyInternational tradeSaudi Arabia42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1905e-1905 (International trade)AlexandraCournoyerLouisPlamondonBécancour—Nicolet—SaurelBloc QuébécoisQCOctober 25, 2018, at 11:11 a.m. (EDT)February 22, 2019, at 11:11 a.m. (EDT)April 9, 2019May 27, 2019February 22, 2019 Petition to <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Quebec’s agricultural model is based on small family farms occupying our land; There is a very broad consensus among Quebeckers (85%) in favour of supply management;Quebec’s 5,500 dairy farms are the foundation of an agri-food sector generating 82,000 jobs;The breaches in the last three trade agreements are causing major damage and raising concerns about the future, both of which are obstacles to farm succession;Consumers and processors greatly benefit from a local supply of high quality, hormone-free dairy products that meet the highest global standards;The U.S. model of low-quality, industrial-scale dairy production is not suitable for Quebeckers or for ensuring the prosperity of our rural communities; andConsumers need to know where the milk in the dairy products they buy comes from so they can choose the best local product available.We, the undersigned, residents of Quebec, call upon the Government of Canada to: • Acknowledge the dissatisfaction across Quebec with the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), the Transpacific Partnership and the trade agreement with Europe;• Reject the USMCA if it does not come with support measures offsetting farmers’ losses, in order to ensure the stability and prosperity of supply-managed sectors; and• Bring in mandatory labelling standards to inform consumers about the source of the milk in the dairy products they buy.42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1914e-1914 (Employment Insurance Program)VéroniqueMartineauBrigitteSansoucySaint-Hyacinthe—BagotNDPQCOctober 30, 2018, at 9:56 a.m. (EDT)February 27, 2019, at 9:56 a.m. (EDT)February 27, 2019 Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1"> Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Employment Insurance unfairly penalizes women in terms of their access to benefits; and Only 35.2% of unemployed women are eligible for regular EI benefits, compared to 52.5% of unemployed men.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to enhance the current Employment Insurance system to ensure universal access to it:– By lowering the eligibility threshold to 350 hours or 13 weeks (instead of 420 to 700 hours);– By establishing a minimum threshold of 35 weeks of benefits (instead of 14 weeks);– By increasing the benefit rate to 70% of salary based on the best 12 weeks of salary (instead of 55%);– By annually indexing the levels of the family supplement (including a retroactive readjustment as of 1997), calculated based on individual income rather than family income;– By eliminating total exclusions resulting from resignation or misconduct; and– By amending the Employment Insurance Act so that any absence related to pregnancy, maternity or parental responsibilities does not prevent access to regular Employment Insurance benefits.Employment insuranceEmployment Insurance ActWomen42nd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 27, 2019e-1855e-1855 (Discrimination)EoinGrantJulieDzerowiczDavenportLiberalONOctober 30, 2018, at 9:55 a.m. (EDT)February 27, 2019, at 9:55 a.m. (EDT)February 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There is a lack of baby change facilities made available to parents in public restrooms; andThere is a specific lack of baby change tables made available in men's restrooms;We, the undersigned, Parents and guardians of infants and young childern, call upon the Government of Canada to enact legislation to make it a legal requirement to have baby change faciltities be made available to all parents and guardians (all genders) at all fixed public locations where food is served (including restaurants, pubs, etc, but excluding food trucks and temporary food stands) and in all public restrooms (all genders) across Canada.Families and childrenPublic toilets42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 17, 2019e-1894e-1894 (Hatoon Al-Fassi)RachealBarkerGaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONOctober 31, 2018, at 3:21 p.m. (EDT)February 28, 2019, at 3:21 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019July 17, 2019February 28, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Dr Hatoon Al-Fassi, a prominent human rights activist in Saudi Arabia and a professor at King Saud University, was detained by Saudi Arabian authorities sometime between June 22 and June 24 2018 after publicly announcing her plans to celebrate the removal of the ban on women’s right to drive;Dr. Al-Fassi has reportedly been denied access to her family and legal counsel;Public information regarding Dr. Al-Fassi’s situation, including where she is being held and when she may be released or appear in court, is still unavailable;The Prime Minister identifies as a proud feminist; andThe Government of Canada identifies as a feminist government and has committed to pursuing an international feminist assistance policy.We, the undersigned, Students of LAWS 4903A at Carleton University, call upon the Government of Canada to call for the release and full acquittal of Professor Hatoon Al-Fassi from Saudi Arabian custody.Al-Fassi, HatoonImprisonment and prisonersSaudi Arabia42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1920e-1920 (Privacy and data protection)GabeBakosHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABNovember 1, 2018, at 12:33 p.m. (EDT)March 1, 2019, at 12:33 p.m. (EDT)March 5, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The government plans to allow Statistics Canada to gather transactional level personal banking information of 500,000 Canadians without their knowledge or consent;Canadians’ personal financial and banking information belongs to them, not to the government;Canadians have a right to privacy and to know and consent to when their financial and banking information is being accessed and for what purpose;Media reports highlight that this banking information is being collected for the purposes of developing “a new institutional personal information bank”; andThis is a gross intrusion into Canadians’ personal and private lives.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately cancel this initiative which amounts of a gross invasion of privacy, and ensure such requests for personal data never happen again.Bank accountsPrivacy and data protectionStatistics Canada42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1924e-1924 (Privacy and data protection)ColleenFentonLarryMillerBruce—Grey—Owen SoundConservativeONNovember 2, 2018, at 8:25 a.m. (EDT)March 2, 2019, at 8:25 a.m. (EDT)April 9, 2019May 27, 2019March 5, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has broken the laws that cover our right to Privacy (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), by authorizing Statistics Canada to collect the personal financial and banking information and history from Canadian Banks and Credit Bureaus for 500,000 citizens and residents;The Government has no right to our private financial information and this act is both illegal and immoral; andThe Government of Canada and Statistics Canada do not have the right to this information without our signed authorization per the Privacy Act.We, the undersigned, Taxpayers of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to cease and desist collection of information of Canadian Citizens’ private financial affairs, and demand that the Government of Canada put an immediate end to Statistics Canada compelling Canadian financial institutions and credit bureaus from transferring any financial information from any taxpayer (detailed or otherwise) to Statistics Canada.Bank accountsPrivacy and data protectionStatistics Canada42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 16, 2019e-1923e-1923 (Firearms)WendyCukierJulieDzerowiczDavenportLiberalONNovember 2, 2018, at 2:26 p.m. (EDT)March 2, 2019, at 2:26 p.m. (EDT)April 11, 2019May 16, 2019March 5, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Handguns account for 58% of shooting homicides;Military assault weapons such as the AR-15 used in the Parkland Florida massacre are sold to civilians in Canada;There are now nearly 1 million legally owned handguns in Canada;Many legal handguns end up in the hands of violent criminals as a result of illegal sales, theft and diversion;More crime guns that are traced come from Canadian sources;Handguns and military weapons are not used for hunting, by farmers or indigenous people for legitimate purposes and United States style arming for “self- protection” is rising;The Supreme Court of Canada has said there is no “right” to own guns, like the United States Second Amendment, in Canada;Easy access to handguns and other restricted and prohibited weapons fuels gang violence, domestic violence, suicide and undermines community safety;Canada has the fourth highest rate of gun deaths among OECD countries and is one of few developed countries to have loosened its gun laws in past decades;Countries like the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan have shown that strict gun control laws lead to dramatically lower gun homicide, crime and death rates;The majority of Canadians support stronger gun laws; andReducing easy access to handguns and military assault weapons will increase safety in both urban and rural Canada.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to implement a ban on the civilian ownership of handguns and military assault weapons.Gun controlHandgunsMilitary weapons42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1925e-1925 (Disabled and handicapped persons)WendyAtto DoranPeterSchiefkeVaudreuil—SoulangesLiberalQCNovember 6, 2018, at 5:24 p.m. (EDT)March 6, 2019, at 5:24 p.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019May 27, 2019March 7, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There are thousands of older Canadians and senior citizens aged 65+ currently caring for adult children with severe autism and/or other physical and mental disabilities;These Canadians are becoming less and less able to handle such challenges, both physical and emotional, as they age while at the same time having to face and care for their own health challenges;The future care of their disabled children is a continual source of worry to their aging parents; andThis is a problem that occurs in every province and territory in Canada and reflects a very large gap in the support network for Canadians, especially seniors.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to work with parents and caregivers to provide targeted funding opportunities made available to facilitate the setting up of affordable group homes and residences that provide appropriate and continued care to aging Canadians coping with severe autism and/or other physical and mental disabilities.8545-421-124-04 Government Response to petitions concerning disabled and handicapped personsAutismGovernment assistanceMental health42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 7, 2019e-1872e-1872 (Banks)JamesMallovNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBNovember 6, 2018, at 5:25 p.m. (EDT)March 6, 2019, at 5:25 p.m. (EDT)March 7, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229214" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian banks and financial institutions have created an employment environment of bullying and fear.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to give the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) the power to levy a fine on banks or other financial institutions of $200 million to $500 million for the first of the following serious offenses, rising to a maximum of $1 billion if there are 2 such offenses committed within a 5-year period (all figures adjusted for inflation and rounded to the nearest $10 million):(a) Having as a common practice the display of sales figures (may be in dollars or number of additional services sold of any type) of each employee who is engaged in sales of financial services in a place visible to other employees;(b) Having as a common practice impossible sales quotas or other requirements, defined as ones that fewer than 40% of the staff of that company in a given town have reached or exceeded in 3 consecutive months within a calendar year; and(c) Requiring employees to push the sale of unsuitable financial products, such as an investing account with high fees for someone with little available money.A common practice is defined as a practice present in more than 2 offices out of 6 that are randomly chosen for investigation by a designated computer program upon the OSFI receiving written or verbal reports of offenses (a), (b) or (c).Banks and bankingOffice of the Superintendent of Financial InstitutionsWorking hours, terms and conditions42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 7, 2019e-1835e-1835 (Hazardous products)BrianDiasAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCNovember 7, 2018, at 8:58 a.m. (EDT)March 7, 2019, at 8:58 a.m. (EDT)March 7, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians, who live along rail corridors, assume serious risks associated with the transport of crude oil and other dangerous goods by rail;Railway cars, carrying petroleum and other hazardous cargo, pass through urban areas, by residences, schools and hospitals;We value the lives of our First Responders, and recognize the need to provide them with reliable real-time information regarding the transportation of dangerous goods by rail; andRail corporations, with profit seeking mandates, in the event of an incident involving the accidental release of dangerous cargo into the environment, cannot be expected to conduct themselves strictly in the interests of the public or the affected environment.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Require all railway corporations, by legislation, to provide a copy of its train consists to Transport Canada prior to departure when transporting dangerous goods, in order to ensure that this information is immediately available to First Responders so that, in the event of a serious incident, they may protect themselves, and the affected community, with the appropriate safety equipment and containment methods;2. Conduct an Environmental Assessment at the site of all incidents involving the release of dangerous cargo, in order to properly assess damages to the environment, mitigate the damages, and oversee environmental restoration to the affected area.Environmental assessmentFreight transportationHazardous substances and hazardous productsRail transportation and railways42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1919e-1919 (Cruelty to animals)TrevorLaforetElizabethMaySaanich—Gulf IslandsGreen PartyBCNovember 7, 2018, at 8:59 a.m. (EDT)March 7, 2019, at 8:59 a.m. (EDT)March 7, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Whales and dolphins are highly complex, intelligent, and social beings that roam vast distances in the ocean;Scientific evidence shows that keeping them in display tanks causes them undue suffering; andThe practice of keeping them in display tanks is unjustifiably cruel.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to expeditiously pass Bill S-203, Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, tabled in the Senate by Senator Wilfred Moore.Cruelty to animalsDolphinsS-203, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins)Senate billsWhales42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 25, 2019e-1903e-1903 (Nuclear and military exports)MichaelCarragherLindaDuncanEdmonton StrathconaNDPABNovember 22, 2018, at 2:39 p.m. (EDT)March 22, 2019, at 2:39 p.m. (EDT)March 25, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has approved the sale of General Dynamic Land Systems LAV's to Saudi Arabia;Many of these LAV's are equipped with 105 mm cannons;There are credible reports these offensive weapons systems are being used in Saudi Arabia's war of aggression against Yemen;Saudi Arabia's actions in Yemen are classified as war crimes (by credible human rights NGO's), and include the use of cluster munitions and the targeting of civilians, schools and places of worship;Saudi Arabia has illegally arrested and imprisoned human rights activists (such as Samara Badawi, Israa al-Ghomgham, and Nassima al-Sada); andSaudi Arabia has been accused of the horrific detention and murder of the U.S. resident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately halt the export of LAV's to Saudi Arabia, to cancel the contract outright and, additionally, to apply suitable restrictions against Saudi Arabia's leaders as per the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law).ExportsForeign policyMilitary armoured vehiclesSaudi Arabia42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 25, 2019e-1926e-1926 (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria)Tylervan VlietTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABNovember 23, 2018, at 3:50 p.m. (EDT)March 23, 2019, at 3:50 p.m. (EDT)March 25, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:A high-profile Canadian member of the ISIS terrorist group, 28 year old Abu Turaab Al-Kanadi, has been captured by Kurdish security forces;Several other former Canadian residents who have fought with ISIS are detained by Kurdish forces in Syria;Kurdish officials wish to transfer Ali, along with other terrorist suspects they have captured, back to Canada to face justice and prosecution for their crimes, including war crimes;Public reports indicate the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is having difficulty charging returning ISIS fighters with criminal offenses, raising concern that they may not be detained, and face justice, upon their return to Canada; andCanadian ISIS recruits who return to Canada pose an overwhelming threat to public safety and our communities if they are not arrested and prosecuted for their crimes overseas.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure that any former Canadian residents recruited to ISIS, who traveled overseas to fight on behalf of this foreign entity and who is caught and returned to Canada, face immediate arrest, prosecution without delay and charges for treason.Canadians in foreign countriesIslamic State of Iraq and the LevantTerrorism and terrorists42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1947e-1947 (Public safety)MikeColleHon.Judy A.SgroHumber River—Black CreekLiberalONNovember 27, 2018, at 1:14 p.m. (EDT)March 27, 2019, at 1:14 p.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019May 27, 2019March 28, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The tragic and horrific events in Pittsburgh have brought to light the need for enhanced security so Canadians can worship and children can attend religious schools without fear of violence;The rising cost of security weigh heavily on religious places of worship given the other normal costs associated with operating a place of worship or religious school;Local police forces are strained and cannot be expected to offer comprehensive security to the hundreds of synagogues and religious schools that exist in Toronto alone; andAll Canadians have the right to worship without fear of violent attack while exercising their right to practice their religion.We, the undersigned, residents of the City of Toronto, call upon the House of Commons to create a fully funded robust program that provides funding to offset the growing high cost of providing safety and security at places of worship and religious education institutions.8545-421-76-05 Government Response to petitions concerning public safetyGovernment assistanceReligious buildingsSafety42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 28, 2019e-1944e-1944 (Media organisations)JillianMontalbettiHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABNovember 28, 2018, at 3:29 p.m. (EDT)March 28, 2019, at 3:29 p.m. (EDT)March 28, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:A free and open media is an important part of our democracy;Canadians must have confidence that the media is accurate, transparent, free from bias or agenda other than reporting the news; andAny compensation from the government, financial or otherwise, to media organisations risks undermining Canadians’ confidence in the integrity and neutrality of the media at large.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately reverse their decision to financially compensate media organisations and reverse the decision to allow them to issue tax incentives to Canadians.Government assistanceMedia and the pressTax credits42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1940e-1940 (Public safety)TamaralynnCoulombeHaroldAlbrechtKitchener—ConestogaConservativeONNovember 29, 2018, at 8:08 a.m. (EDT)March 29, 2019, at 8:08 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019May 27, 2019March 29, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Christine Candice Allen was convicted of administering anxious substance with intent to cause bodily harm, in the horrific act of poisoning of Mia Coulombe-Elms with Visine causing her permanent brain damage for life, she is at the 5th percentile;Christine Candice Allen is considered extremely high risk to the public and innocent children with a great risk to re-offend;Christine Candice Allen is noted by psychologist to indicate her lack insight for her offences is problematic as she is unable to articulate the specific psychological motivations for her violence perpetrated;Christine Candice Allen is noted that a much greater understanding of her violent offending, attitudes towards children, maladaptive coping and mental health needs is needed for the development of an effective relapse prevention plan;Christine Candice Allen is such a risk to the public that Peel Regional Police issued a public safety advisory to the Brampton community she moved into; andChristine Candice Allen will be off Parole on March 14, 2019 and Mia Coulombe-Elms and siblings safety will be at risk as well as innocent children in the presence of Christine Allen being she will have no stipulations to follow once parole ends. nothing to keep children safe.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to exercise its moral, legal and political authority to ensure the safety of the public and innocent children by making a registry for high risk child crime offenders, and allowing life time criminal restraining orders for offenders to stay away from their child victims and victims' family.8545-421-76-05 Government Response to petitions concerning public safetyChildrenCrime and criminalitySafety42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 14, 2019e-1955e-1955 (Space exploration)KeelanGreenBryanMayCambridgeLiberalONDecember 3, 2018, at 12:16 p.m. (EDT)April 2, 2019, at 12:16 p.m. (EDT)May 3, 2019June 14, 2019April 3, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada, as the third country into space, has a competitive advantage to maintain and is an industry leader and innovator in the space sector; Canada’s space sector includes some of our most innovative companies, universities and research institutions and employs our brightest minds: in 2016, our space sector achieved $5.5 billion in revenue, employed 10,000 Canadians, and supported close to 22,000 jobs;The global space market is worth over USD $383.5B today; analysts forecast it will grow to be a multi-trillion-dollar market in coming decades; Canada is very well positioned to take advantage of the growth in the global space sector;However, Canada has been facing declining investments in space for several years, and has had no long-term space plan for decades;Without a fully funded space strategy, Canada’s space program will continue to wither and our place as a leader in the sector will slip to other countries; andCanada needs a Federal Government funded space strategy to keep our space sector competitive and ensure Canada’s place in space for generations to come.We, the undersigned, members of Canada's space sector, call upon the Government of Canada to develop a new space strategy that will secure Canada’s place in space and fully fund that strategy in Budget 2019.8545-421-250-01 Government Response to petitions concerning space explorationSpace42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 14, 2019e-1957e-1957 (Food policy)DebbieFieldJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONDecember 4, 2018, at 11:47 a.m. (EDT)April 3, 2019, at 11:47 a.m. (EDT)May 7, 2019June 14, 2019April 4, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:The Government’s Healthy Eating Strategy “aims to improve the food environment in Canada to make it easier for Canadians to make the healthier choice”;The “What we heard report; A Food Policy for Canada” calls for “increasing access to affordable, nutritious and safe food among vulnerable groups such as children”, and communicates that “during consultations, many specific calls for the implementation of school food programming were made”;In 2015, the preventable cost of nutrition-related disease in Canada was estimated at $13.8 billion annually, putting the health of children unnecessarily at risk;UNICEF’s 2017 Report Card ranked Canada 37th of 41 rich countries with regards to children’s food access;School food programs improve children’s nutrition, long-term health, school performance, attendance, social cohesion and contribute to local economies, as recognized by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (1997);Grassroots organizations, charities, and provincial funding enable one in five children in Canada to access a school food program; and A federal investment would leverage these efforts to expand their impact and improve all children’s health and educational outcomes, lowering future healthcare costs while supporting farmers and local economies.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to implement an adequately-funded national cost-shared universal healthy school food program, enabling children to develop the food and nutrition habits they need to lead healthy lives and succeed at school. This aligns with Senator Eggleton’s Senate Motion No. 358 in June 2018, so that Canada joins the G7 and many countries with a national school food program.ChildrenNutritionSchool meal programsSchool meals42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1959e-1959 (Protection of the environment)Jeffrey OrvilleOlsonSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKDecember 4, 2018, at 11:47 a.m. (EDT)April 3, 2019, at 11:47 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019May 27, 2019April 4, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:The Minister of the Environment and Climate Change has statutory responsibilities concerning water and wetlands;The construction and operation of agricultural drainage network projects in Saskatchewan include an accumulated diversion of 10 000 000 m3/year or more;The network projects will affect changes to the environment affecting Indigenous peoples and their inherent rights; andThe Province of Saskatchewan is presently licencing agricultural network drainage works that eliminate wetlands and those network projects divert water interprovincially and internationally, causing billions of dollars in downstream flooding and has negative environmental impacts to groundwater recharge, water quality and storage of carbon, native flora and fauna including rare, endangered and threatened species and their habitats.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to:1. Designate that the following Saskatchewan network drainage projects be physical activities requiring an Environmental Assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and, therefore order an impartial full environmental impact assessment of the projects, including meaningful public and Indigenous consultations:(a) Blackbird Creek;(b) 600 Creek;(c) Saline Lake;(d) Brooksby;(e) Atwater;(f) Vipond;(g) Wascana Block A;(h) Lang West; and(i) Dry Lake;2. Designate that the New Approach to Agricultural Water Management in Saskatchewan be a physical activity requiring an Environmental Assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and therefore order an impartial full environmental impact assessment including meaningful public and Indigenous consultations.8545-421-3-75 Government Response to petitions concerning the protection of the environmentAboriginal peoplesEnvironmental assessmentInland watersPublic consultationSaskatchewan42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-1962e-1962 (Medical devices)JudithCoatesBruceStantonSimcoe NorthConservativeONDecember 4, 2018, at 11:48 a.m. (EDT)April 3, 2019, at 11:48 a.m. (EDT)April 11, 2019May 27, 2019April 4, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="233811" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Breast implants are causing illness and harm to thousands of Canadian women;Despite innovations in implant manufacturing, women today are experiencing the same symptoms as were described three decades ago, such as autoimmune disorders, extreme fatigue, anxiety, joint pain, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, rash and skin disorders, and are being misdiagnosed and mistreated for diseases that have similar symptoms, and have been repeatedly told their breast implants are not causing their symptoms; Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an emerging cancer, with textured implants causing a higher risk of this disease; and A high percentage of those affected show improvement in health once the implants are removed.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Instruct Health Canada to form an independent, non-biased committee to conduct a hearing to examine the correlation between breast implants, autoimmune diseases and BIA-ALCL, and ensure adequate BIA-ALCL patient representation on this committee, to equalize the influence of patient safety and risk assessment;2. Require transparency from manufacturers with regards to the chemicals utilized to create these devices, which are being implanting for a long duration;3. Hold Plastic Surgeons to a higher level of accountability, requiring that they provide full disclosure of health risks of implants, and collect informed, written consent from their patients before implant surgery is performed;4. Require mandatory testing of all Textured Breast Implant recipients, for BIA-ALCL;5. Implement mandatory reporting of confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL, rather than relying on a voluntary process.8545-421-210-03 Government Response to petitions concerning medical devicesAutoimmune diseasesBreast implantsConsumers and consumer protection42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 19, 2019e-1961e-1961 (Canadian heritage)RandolphShrofelRobert-FalconOuelletteWinnipeg CentreLiberalMBDecember 5, 2018, at 10:10 a.m. (EDT)April 4, 2019, at 10:10 a.m. (EDT)May 7, 2019June 19, 2019April 4, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Coat of Arms of Canada is found on all official Government of Canada buildings and documents;The Coat of Arms represents the founding peoples of Canada; andThe Coat of Arms of Canada does not reflect the contributions of the Indigenous People of Canada as co-founders.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to revise the Coat of Arms of Canada to include representation of the Indigenous peoples of Canada (First Nations, Inuit and Metis) as co-founders of Canada.8545-421-88-13 Government Response to petitions concerning Canadian heritageAboriginal peoplesCanadian historyCultural symbols42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 13, 2019e-1950e-1950 (Labour unions)JohnFeldstedJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBDecember 6, 2018, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)April 5, 2019, at 2:47 p.m. (EDT)May 1, 2019June 13, 2019April 8, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="229214" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour</Addressee>Whereas:A free press is vital to a free democracy;Journalistic integrity is vital to a free press; andUnifor has announced it will infringe on the journalistic integrity of its media members for political purposes.We, the undersigned, citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour to:(a) de-register Unifor; and(b) allow the Media sector of Unifor to register as an independent union or choose another union that will not infringe on its members' professional integrity.Labour unionsMedia and the pressUnifor42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 8, 2019e-1954e-1954 (Housing policy)EricMulhollandPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCDecember 7, 2018, at 12:37 p.m. (EDT)April 6, 2019, at 12:37 p.m. (EDT)April 8, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Historic cold records have been beaten ten days in a row in Ottawa in November 2018 and other weather records have been set in various places of Canada as well;Over 235 000 Canadians continue to experience homelessness every year;At the same time, a lack of adequate and affordable housing is unacceptable in a country as wealthy as Canada;The mini-budget presented by the finance minister on November 21, 2018, gave nearly five billion dollars next year and fourteen billion dollars overall in Christmas gifts to the corporate sector and not a dime to address the urgent housing crisis; andThe government should put three billion dollars immediately into building affordable housing and announce an emergency housing plan right across the country to make sure that all Canadians have a roof over their heads as soon as possible.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1) Allocate money now for affordable housing to address the housing crisis, aggravated by the current cold wave, linked to climate change, instead of giving billions of dollars to the corporate sector through tax breaks; and2) Immediately accelerate funding for affordable housing and announce an emergency housing plan right across the country to ensure that all Canadians have a safe, affordable place to call home, and that no-one is left out in the cold.Social housing42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 10, 2019e-1963e-1963 (Iran)AliciaRacineGaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONDecember 11, 2018, at 11:59 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019, at 11:59 a.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:On the 15th of April 2018, British-Iranian professor of mathematics and computer science at Imperial College London, Dr. Abbas Edalat, was apprehended by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) while attending an academic workshop in the country’s capital, Tehran;Dr. Edalat remains within the confines of Evin prison, infamous for its innumerable human rights violations, following unfounded charges involving matters of espionage and national security, the details of which Iranian authorities have yet to disclose publicly;The unlawful nature of the arrest and the complete disregard of due process are but a few of the elements that make this case of great concern to us; andFurthermore, trials are being tried often without provision of legal representation, where guilty verdicts are handed down with no avenue for recourse which is in direct contravention of Article 34 of Iran’s own constitution.We, the undersigned, Students of the City of Ottawa, Ontario, and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take heed of this breach of human rights and freedom of expression and association, all of which are rights deeply entrenched in international convention, and to call for the unconditional release of Abbas Edalat.Army of the Guardians of the Islamic RevolutionCivil and human rightsEdalat, AbbasIran42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 12, 2019e-1974e-1974 (Bridges)MathieuMurphy-PerronAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCDecember 12, 2018, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)April 11, 2019, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)April 12, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214310" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:Parks Canada posted a tender notice for the rehabilitation of the Atwater pedestrian bridge (5P201-18-0208/A);The rehabilitation of the Atwater pedestrian bridge will result in it being closed for a period of up to 12 weeks;The Atwater pedestrian bridge is often used by pedestrians and cyclists;The proposed detour requires pedestrians and cyclists to take the Charlevoix bridge;The sidewalks on the Charlevoix bridge are approximately 109 centimetres wide;The standard width of sidewalks should be at least 122 centimetres; andThe metal sidewalks of the Charlevoix bridge are extremely slippery in winter.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to immediately direct Parks Canada management to cancel the tender notice for the rehabilitation of the Atwater pedestrian bridge (5P201-18-0208/A) until a safer detour can be offered to pedestrians and cyclists.BridgesMontréalParks Canada AgencySidewalks and pedestrian pathways42nd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 23, 2019e-1972e-1972 (Discrimination)LynneMazurHon.MichelleRempelCalgary Nose HillConservativeABDecember 20, 2018, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)April 19, 2019, at 3:57 p.m. (EDT)April 23, 2019Petition to <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="213994" mp-riding-display="1"> Michelle Rempel</Addressee>Whereas:Painting men who are construction workers with the brush of an aggressor, is to paint ALL Canadian men from all walks of life, as the same;Many of these men leave their families for weeks on end, to provide for them;They are devoted fathers, husbands, sons;They miss holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, births of their children, and deaths of loved ones- all for the love of their families and success of our country;Local men working in their own community must walk amongst peers feeling they are being condemned due to the Prime Minister’s judgement of them;The fact that their children will carry the stigma that their fathers are dangerous people is unacceptable;As wives, mothers and daughters of these men we are deeply insulted by the Prime Minister’s insensitive statement;The Prime Minister’s generalization mentions "…we cannot succeed as a society if we are holding back half of it". Yet, the impact of his statement has bound these men to condemnation from society and struck fear into women whose futures could have been working alongside them;When these men and women alike, are working in remote areas, they benefit the community economically and socially. They contribute financially to the success of hospitality industry, hotels, and entertainment to name a few. They instill hope to residents that their town will thrive.We, the undersigned, women of Canada, call upon Michelle Rempel to request a public apology from Prime Minister Trudeau for his reckless comments regarding construction workers, implicating that these hardworking men negatively affect rural areas by posing a threat to women.Building and construction industryDiscriminationMenRural communities42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-1987e-1987 (Employment Insurance Program)SarahCormierBlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABJanuary 2, 2019, at 3:12 p.m. (EDT)May 2, 2019, at 3:12 p.m. (EDT)June 13, 2019August 21, 2019May 2, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Motion 110 was a nonpartisan effort put forward by Member of Parliament Blake Richards, passed unanimously in the House of Commons in June 2018, to bring the issue of child loss, its impact on parents, and the shortcomings with current government programming forward for committee study;The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) has heard powerful witness testimony from parents who have been affected by pregnancy and infant loss on what the government can do to ensure parents no longer suffer any undue financial or emotional hardship as a result of the design of government programming;The Liberal members of the HUMA Committee moved to shut down debate on a motion that would have had the Committee finish its study and table its report and recommendations on Motion 110 prior to the House of Commons' winter break;Every single party except the Liberal Party voted for a proposed amendment to the Budget Implementation Act No. 2 that would have created a new 12-week bereavement leave for parents dealing with the death of a child; andGrieving parents will no longer accept excuses from this government and expect action to be taken immediately to provide better support and compassion for those who have suffered as a result of pregnancy and infant loss.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to create a new 12-week bereavement leave for parents grieving the death of a child, prior to the 2019 federal election.8545-421-180-15 Government Response to petitions concerning the Employment Insurance ProgramDeaths and funeralsEmployment insuranceInfantsParental leave42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1984e-1984 (Protection of the environment)RaquelFeroeLindaDuncanEdmonton StrathconaNDPABJanuary 2, 2019, at 3:13 p.m. (EDT)May 2, 2019, at 3:13 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2019May 2, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians share a deep concern for our environment and recognize its inherent value;It is important to safeguard the rights of present and future generations to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment;It is the federal government’s public trust duty to protect the environment under its jurisdiction;Canadians should have the right of access to legal tools to hold the government accountable to protect their environment, including accessing information, standing before courts and tribunals, and enforcement of environmental laws;The ability of the government to protect the environment is enhanced when the public is constructively engaged; andEmployees deserve whistleblower protection when they take actions supporting those rights and duties.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to enact a Canadian environmental bill of rights.Canadian Environmental Bill of RightsEnvironmental lawEnvironmental protection42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1975e-1975 (Federal government contracts)PierreDrapeauMichelBoudriasTerrebonneBloc QuébécoisQCJanuary 9, 2019, at 11:53 a.m. (EDT)May 9, 2019, at 11:53 a.m. (EDT)May 10, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Davie shipyard alone accounts for more than 50% of Canada’s shipbuilding production capacity;Quebec has so far received less than 3% of the $100 billion in contracts to renew the federal fleet, while Quebec taxpayers account for more than 23% of federal taxpayers;The Davie shipyard lost 1,400 workers due to the federal government’s refusal to award its fair share of federal contracts;More than 1,000 jobs were cut because of the drop in subcontracts awarded to Quebec companies making up the Davie shipyard supply chain;The Halifax and Vancouver shipyards have still not delivered a single ship despite more than $75 billion in contracts since 2011.We, the undersigned, business leaders, citizens and residents of Quebec, call upon the Government of Canada to grant Quebec its fair share of the $23 billion in contracts by October 2019. We also call for the opening of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to shed light on potential irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the National Shipbuilding Strategy.Government contractsInquiries and public inquiriesProvince of QuebecShipbuilding industry42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 17, 2019e-1999e-1999 (Income tax system)DavidMivasairPierre-LucDusseaultSherbrookeNDPQCJanuary 9, 2019, at 11:53 a.m. (EDT)May 9, 2019, at 11:53 a.m. (EDT)May 15, 2019July 17, 2019May 10, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214329" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of National Revenue</Addressee>Whereas:The Jewish National Fund (JNF)—whose branch, JNF Canada, is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency—engages in discriminatory practices as its landholdings are chartered for exclusively Jewish ownership, lease, and benefit, as noted by the United Nations, the US State Department, a former attorney general of Israel, and the JNF itself;Evidence strongly indicates that JNF Canada violates the Income Tax Act, common law, and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) policy guidance CG-002 as it supports a foreign army through the building of roads, training facilities, and other infrastructure that is either entirely or primarily for the benefit of the Israel Defence Forces;JNF Canada violates Canadian and international law by enabling physical changes within Occupied Territory, thereby helping Israel effectively annex land within Occupied Territory, and in the case of East Jerusalem, deepen control over land already annexed illegally. Notably, the JNF Canada-funded Canada Park was built on the lands of three Palestinian villages destroyed following the 1967 war in direct violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention;JNF Canada materials depict the Occupied Territory as part of Israel, a representation that runs contrary to Canadian foreign policy and international law.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of National Revenue to revoke JNF Canada’s charitable status if found to be in violation of the Income Tax Act and CRA guidelines and policies.Charitable organizationsIncome taxJewish National Fund of Canada42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2000e-2000 (Rail transportation)RobertBellefleurMoniquePauzéRepentignyBloc QuébécoisQCJanuary 14, 2019, at 12:34 p.m. (EDT)May 14, 2019, at 12:34 p.m. (EDT)June 10, 2019May 17, 2019Petition to <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">the House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The rail tragedy of July 6, 2013, in Lac-Mégantic is one of the most serious human and environmental disasters in Canada in modern times;The federal government has already held commissions of enquiry into the derailments in Mississauga, Ontario (Grange Commission, 1980) and in Hinton, Alberta, killing 23 people and injuring 95 others (Foisy Commission, 1986); Coroner Martin Clavet concluded that the 47 deaths from the Lac-Mégantic tragedy were preventable; The number of rail incidents/accidents has not decreased in Canada since the Lac-Mégantic tragedy and the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has deplored a significant 21% increase in the number of rail incidents/accidents in Canada in 2017 compared with 2016; The steady increase in the transport of oil and hazardous materials on rail that is in disrepair also endangers the lives of rail workers; The National Assembly of Quebec, the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and the Green Party have called on the federal government to promptly launch a public inquiry into the circumstances of the Lac-Mégantic rail tragedy; and An independent commission of inquiry would shed light on the tragedy by identifying gaps in rail safety regulations that currently allow private companies to manage rail safety on their own.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to promptly establish a public commission of inquiry into the Lac-Mégantic tragedy in order to do justice to the residents of Lac-Mégantic and to prevent such a tragedy from happening again elsewhere in Canada.Inquiries and public inquiriesLac-MéganticRail transport safety42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2005e-2005 (Trucking and truckers)PattieFairKellyBlockCarlton Trail—Eagle CreekConservativeSKJanuary 14, 2019, at 12:57 p.m. (EDT)May 14, 2019, at 12:57 p.m. (EDT)May 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Class 1 licensing system does not ensure that Class 1 licence holders are adequately educated or trained to safely operate a commercial truck or commercial truck/trailer unit on public roadways;As it is today, in some provinces and territories in Canada, a Class 1 licence holder can pass a Class 1 licensing test without mandatory education or training;A Class 1 test can be taken with a day cab and flat deck trailer with little or no weight (depending on the provincial regulations), and the following day a newly licensed driver can take that licence and haul a load weighing over 63,000 kg across Canada on some of the most treacherous roads in the world; and Professional truck driving is a very dangerous occupation and should be considered a skilled trade.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to:1. Regulate the Class 1 commercial licensing process to be considered a nation wide skilled trade of professional drivers;2. Modify the National Occupational Classification Code (NOC) to give individuals the opportunity to qualify for funding to support their training;3. Develop and implement a common mandatory entry-level training curriculum and a graduated licensing system for Class 1 licence candidates; and4. Require licensing bodies to collect and store information on the training provider and duration of training to be associated with the record of each commercial driver.Driving permitsIndustrial trainingSkilled workers and skilled tradesTrucking and truckers42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2008e-2008 (Health care services)DavidPeraltyMonaFortierOttawa—VanierLiberalONJanuary 16, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. (EDT)May 16, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. (EDT)June 7, 2019August 21, 2019May 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The College of Midwives of Ontario deserves funding through operational grants;The College should continue to be funded within reason as it continues towards its goal of financial independence;Midwifery should be considered a critical healthcare service; andAn oversight college needs to be funded to monitor quality healthcare outcomes.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Ontario, call upon the Government of Canada to denounce the decision of the Ontario Government's Ministry of Health to cut operational grants to the College of Midwives of Ontario, and to highlight how the retroactive nature of the cut is especially egregious to the Government of Ontario.Health care systemMidwifery and midwives42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2010e-2010 (St. Lawrence River)MichelineLagardeXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCJanuary 16, 2019, at 2:02 p.m. (EDT)May 16, 2019, at 2:02 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019May 17, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Seaway is an increasingly important economic engine for the entire country;The new Montréal-Est jet fuel storage terminal will increase marine traffic;The tonnage of vessels on the St. Lawrence River has increased considerably over the years;The federal government has carried out dredging operations;The federal government cancelled the river protection program in 1997;The federal government, by its lack of action for more than 21 years, has abandoned its responsibility to maintain the riverbank protection works it put in place; andThe extent of bank erosion along the St. Lawrence River, particularly in the Montreal—Lac Saint Pierre section, is an alarming and growing threat to the environment and the safety and well-being of citizens, as well as the integrity of their property.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to implement a program to protect the banks of the St. Lawrence River and to adopt adequate measures to mitigate this phenomenon and ensure a safe environment, such as regulations imposing maximum speed limits according to the type of vessel and the construction and maintenance of riverbank protection works to build trust and invaluable co-operation between the federal government, the users of the Seaway and those living on its shores.Shoreline erosion and protectionSt. Lawrence RiverVessel traffic42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 22, 2019e-1960e-1960 (Health care services)JustinTsangHon.MaryAnnMihychukKildonan—St. PaulLiberalMBJanuary 18, 2019, at 2:42 p.m. (EDT)May 18, 2019, at 2:42 p.m. (EDT)May 22, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The only two emergency wards primarily serving the residents of north Winnipeg, West St Paul and East St Paul are being closed in 1 year;The aim of the Canada Health Act is to ensure that all eligible residents of Canada have reasonable access to insured health services;The distance to an emergency room is critical for essential life-saving medical services and the decision to close all emergency services in the north half of the city will likely result in the loss of life;The closures will result in families and seniors in north Winnipeg having to travel 20 minutes or more to other hospitals in the city with emergency rooms for immediate care;The Government of Canada agreed to provide an additional $5 million in health care funding to Manitoba in 2017-18 to assist the Government of Manitoba's pursuit of health care improvements in specific areas the province has identified as critical.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada and Kildonan-St Paul, call upon the Government of Canada to:1) Ensure fair access to healthcare for the north Winnipeg capital region; and2) Urge the provincial government to reverse their decision to close the emergency rooms in North Winnipeg.Closing of facilitiesEmergency roomsHealth services accessibilityWinnipeg42nd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 17, 2019e-2015e-2015 (Credit and debit cards)AnthonyCastilloRachaelThomasLethbridgeConservativeABJanuary 23, 2019, at 4:27 p.m. (EDT)May 23, 2019, at 4:27 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2019July 17, 2019May 23, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Life is getting more expensive and many Canadians who are working hard and playing by the rules are finding it nearly impossible to get ahead;Canadians are concerned about fairness and transparency from banks when it comes to credit card use;In this day and age it is nearly impossible to function without a credit card, but banks aren’t treating clients with the respect they deserve; andCanadians are carrying more household debt than ever before, and with interest rates rising, people are struggling to make ends meet.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-419, the Credit Card Fairness Act, as it will empower credit card holders to make informed decisions, pay off debt faster, and achieve greater financial freedom.8545-421-255-01 Government Response to petitions concerning credit and debit cardsCredit cards42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-2014e-2014 (Women's rights)Alicede CloedtSheriBensonSaskatoon WestNDPSKJanuary 24, 2019, at 2:14 p.m. (EDT)May 24, 2019, at 2:14 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2019August 21, 2019May 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Feminist women’s organizations have been struggling for decades to keep the lights on and doors open due to a lack of federal core operations funding;Feminist women’s organizations are the most underfunded in Canada’s non-profit sector, yet they are the single most effective means to building better lives for women;Feminist women’s organizations need reliable, long-term, stable operational funding and direct investment to help women;The Government of Canada’s program funding is insecure, competitive, and takes workers’ time away from helping more women;Direct federal funding to women’s organizations represents less than 0.01% of total federal program spending; only about $1 for every woman in Canada; andThe Government of Canada needs to dedicate the political and financial support, resources, and funding to meet Canada’s long-standing international and constitutional commitments on women’s equality;We, the undersigned, Women’s March Canada - Saskatoon, call upon the Government of Canada to immediately provide secure, multi-year core operational funding to feminist women’s organizations and set national standards to ensure equality of access to services and protection for all women.8545-421-130-07 Government Response to petitions concerning women's rightsAssociations, institutions and organizationsEqual opportunitiesWomen42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 24, 2019e-1988e-1988 (Renewable energy sources)HarmanDhillonRandeepSaraiSurrey CentreLiberalBCJanuary 24, 2019, at 2:16 p.m. (EDT)May 24, 2019, at 2:16 p.m. (EDT)May 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The act of using non renewable energy ruins our environment;If the average citizen should be keeping our carbon foot print small; the government should step up and lead by example; andIf we want to switch over to renewable energy the time is now.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to Get all federal buildings at a level of using renewable energy to start a change that will phase out fossil fuels in our federal buildings.Government facilitiesRenewable energy and fuel42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 24, 2019e-2020e-2020 (Syria)MariamHamouPeterFragiskatosLondon North CentreLiberalONJanuary 24, 2019, at 4:12 p.m. (EDT)May 24, 2019, at 4:12 p.m. (EDT)May 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:We are very concerned for the 220,000 Syrians who are currently detained in prisons in Syria; According to Amnesty International and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, 80,000 detainees (m en, women, and children) are unknown or classified as missing;Over 13,000 of these detainees have been declared dead or have been tortured to death; The families of those who died are given notification of death of their loved ones without proof or the ability to bury the bodies; andPolitical prisoners in Syria endure horrific torture including sexual abuse and rape.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to urge:1. that Canada demands and works through all its channels to pressure the Syrian government and its allies, including Russia and Iran, to immediately release all political detainees as well as the bodies of those murdered in detention;2. that the Canadian government bring this issue forward as a top priority in any international negotiations to help mitigate the Syrian crisis.Please help us save the surviving political prisoners in Syria.HomicideInternational relationsPolitical prisonersSyria42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-1907e-1907 (National day)russellpetiotTomKmiecCalgary ShepardConservativeABJanuary 24, 2019, at 4:11 p.m. (EDT)May 24, 2019, at 4:11 p.m. (EDT)May 24, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:1 in 5 Canadians will experience neuropathy in their lifetime;Neuropathy has over one hundred causes including diabetes, chemotherapy treatment and hypothyroidism;As of right now there is no cure for neuropathy and for a large number of people it is a chronic, debilitating condition with unpredictable pain leading to reduced mobility and independence;Many people diagnosed with neuropathy find that the insurmountable pain and loss of identity result in serious mental health conditions that, in some cases, has led to loss of life; andA Neuropathy Awareness Day will bring recognition to the impact this condition has on Canadian neuropathy sufferers and their families. There is no National Neuropathy Awareness Day in Canada currently.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, Neuropathy Sufferers of Canada, and friends, families, and allies of Neuropathy Sufferer, call upon the Government of Canada to ratify a National Neuropathy Awareness Day within Canada.National Neuropathy Awareness DayNeurological disorders42nd Parliament223Government response tabledAugust 21, 2019e-1992e-1992 (Sudan)HalaEltomChrisBittleSt. CatharinesLiberalONJanuary 28, 2019, at 3:33 p.m. (EDT)May 28, 2019, at 3:33 p.m. (EDT)June 10, 2019August 21, 2019May 28, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Sudanese government is using live ammunition, excessive force, and tear gas against protesters in demonstrations;The Sudanese government is engaged in a wide-ranging efforts to crackdown against civil society and protests that erupted as of Wednesday December 19, 2018;The Sudanese government has blocked off internet services throughout the country to restrict access of information and use of social media;The Sudanese government is in violation of the ICCPR (1986) and UN treaties by suppressing freedom of speech and freedom to assemble, association, and expression; andThe Sudanese government has executed at least 37 protesters in the recent clashes and has detained and tortured at least 800 others without charge since September 2013.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to : Pressure the Sudanese government to refrain from using militia groups, live ammunition, and excessive use of force against peaceful protestors; andSupport the rights of people of Sudan to assembly, expression, and the right to protest the government’s political and economic policies without fear of intimidation.Foreign policyFreedom of assemblyOppressionSudan42nd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2019e-2026e-2026 (National parks)MirandaRosinBlakeRichardsBanff—AirdrieConservativeABJanuary 28, 2019, at 4:22 p.m. (EDT)February 27, 2019, at 4:22 p.m. (EDT)April 10, 2019May 27, 2019February 28, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Current lease renewal practices of Parks Canada are the source of much concern in Banff National Park;Parks Canada failed to give any consideration to the comments received during the consultation process from primary stakeholders involved with the Sunshine Village site guidelines;Parks Canada has created a situation that has forced the acceptance of new site guidelines for Sunshine Village without ample opportunity for the leaseholder to respond;Should these lease renewal practices continue it will cause a chilling effect on leasehold improvements during the latter half of lease terms causing a negative economic impact on the Bow Valley Region; andThis could also potentially affect the quality of experiences for visitors to our National Parks.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to revisit the lease renewal provisions for leaseholds in our National Parks to ensure greater certainty for tourism operators so that they can continue to offer world-class visitor experiences to National Park visitors.Government leasesNational, provincial and territorial parks and reservesTourism42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 28, 2019e-1948e-1948 (Qatar)YasserDhouibHélèneLaverdièreLaurier—Sainte-MarieNDPQCJanuary 28, 2019, at 4:19 p.m. (EDT)May 28, 2019, at 4:19 p.m. (EDT)May 28, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Denouncing the Inhumane blockade imposed on the State of Qatar by the blockading countries, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain on the 5th of June 2017;The blockading countries have maintained the closures of sea, land and air routes, therefore restricting the freedom of movement of goods and people of the region;They disregarded all human rights and humanitarian standards and principles and their legal obligations; andThe blockading countries have ignored the great interrelation and connection among the region's people and nations.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: Express support for the Qatari people and residents, urgent actions are needed to lift the blockade on the state of Qatar;Intensify efforts by carrying out awareness campaigns to alleviate the sufferings of civilians;Taking further steps to force the countries of the blockading countries to reverse from the unilateral arbitrary decision they have taken;Call on the Canadian Government, foreign governments and parliaments to speak out in support of the victims and compensate them for the physical and psychological damage caused to them by the blockading countries;Call on the governments of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kingdom of Bahrain to allow OHCHR UN rapporteurs to visit their countries; andUrging the bolckading countries to stop the human right violation caused by the inhumane blockade on the state on the people of the state of Qatar.BlockadesCivil and human rightsForeign policyQatar42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 30, 2019e-117e-117 (Old Age Security benefits)Carolyn AnnVaughanDarrenFisherDartmouth—Cole HarbourLiberalNSJanuary 30, 2019, at 4:14 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019, at 4:14 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Government of Canada printed cheques sent to eligible seniors have the words "old age" security printed on the face of the cheque.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada in receipt of monthly printed "old age" security paper cheques and those who support this concern, or call upon the Government of Canada to change the printed words "old age" security to senior's security.Old Age SecuritySenior citizens42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 30, 2019e-2016e-2016 (Oil and gas)MichaelSmithRonLiepertCalgary Signal HillConservativeABJanuary 30, 2019, at 4:12 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019, at 4:12 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:All Canadians require oil and gas products in order to heat their homes, drive their cars, and operate their lives;Countries such as Saudi Arabia have questionable human rights records and questionable environmental standards for producing oil and gas products;Alberta produces high quality oil and gas products in a manner that minimizes environmental impact; andAlberta's energy industry provides substantial economic benefits to all Canadians.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to phase out the import of oil and gas products from other countries, particularly those with questionable ethical, environmental and human rights records, and make the necessary changes to enable all Canadians to obtain their oil and gas products from Canadian sources.ImportsOil and gas42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 30, 2019e-1986e-1986 (International agreements)BenjaminSharmaHon.KevinSorensonBattle River—CrowfootConservativeABJanuary 30, 2019, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The United Kingdom will be leaving the European Union on 29 March 2019;Canada has already expressed its desire to re-establish deeper relations with its old friend and related country;Australia and New Zealand have expressed similar wishes; andA citizens' movement for closer relations between our nations has formed, using the acronym CANZUK.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Initiate formal talks with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the accession of Canada and the United Kingdom to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement (1973).Subject to strict criminal and healthcare checks, this would allow freedom of movement, reciprocal healthcare and visa-free labour for citizens including retirement re-location amongst the four nations. This would include residency requirements for benefits claims (two years is the current norm within the TTTA).All four governments have expressed a desire to re-establish their deep ties which were broken with the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community in 1973. Super-majorities of citizens in all four countries support re-establishing the free movement of citizens amongst our countries that existed until the 1960s.The simplest, easiest way to do this is to add Canada and the UK to the existing NZ-OZ agreement.Agreements and contractsAustraliaFreedom of movementNew ZealandUnited Kingdom42nd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 30, 2019e-2006e-2006 (Income tax system)patrickbouletLucBertholdMégantic—L'ÉrableConservativeQCJanuary 30, 2019, at 3:58 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019, at 3:58 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>We, the undersigned, workers in the province of Quebec, call upon the Government of Canada to exempt overtime from income and payroll taxes (exempt from income tax, exempt from employer contributions).OvertimeProvince of QuebecTaxation42nd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2019e-2019 (Discrimination)BenjaminManionPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONJanuary 30, 2019, at 3:59 p.m. (EDT)May 30, 2019, at 3:59 p.m. (EDT)May 31, 2019May 30, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Statistics Canada reported a 47% increase in hate crimes committed between 2016-2017, and Canada should be no place to hate.In sections 318 and 319 of the Criminal Code of Canada the government has criminalized the acts of advocating genocide, public incitement of hatred, and willful promotion of hatred; but only when made in a public place, allowing white nationalist groups to meet, recruit, and share hate propaganda within Canada privately; andOf the more than one hundred white nationalist groups in Canada, none are listed on the Government of Canada’s Terrorist Entities List.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents across Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Reintroduce the anti-hate provision of the Canadian Human Rights Act, repealed in 2013;2. Amend S. 319(7) of the Criminal Code to define a public place and to include publicly available digital content;3. Amend the definition of terrorist activity in S. 83.01(1) of the Criminal Code to be definitive and to include advocating genocide or harm as outlined in S.318 of the Code;4. Empower law enforcement to use S. 83.01(1) of the Criminal Code without consent from the Attorney General by removing the consent clause S 83.01(3); and5. Conduct reviews of the Terrorist Entity List to immediately consider including domestic terrorist’s entities on the list, specifically white nationalist organizations that meet the definitions currently outlined in S. 83.01 of the Criminal Code and to do so immediately after amending the definition of terrorist activity as proposed by this petition.Criminal CodeHate crimesHate propagandaTerrorist entities watch lists42nd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionSeptember 11, 2019e-2012e-2012 (United Nations)GeorgeBrowneHon.MaximeBernierBeaucePeople's PartyQCFebruary 25, 2019, at 5:13 p.m. (EDT)June 25, 2019, at 5:13 p.m. (EDT)June 27, 2019Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canada Constitution Act 1867 to 1982 proclaims the right of Canadian Citizens to benefit from, and the duty of the Government of Canada to provide, “Peace, Order and Good Government” and makes no provision for abdication of that duty to supra-national bodies;The UN has consistently failed in its prime mandate to achieve world peace, despite much time and many resources made available to meet those responsabilities, but has elected Syria's notorious Assad regime to chair the UN disarmament forum;The UN has been shown to be unsuccessful, in the 70th year of its Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of respecting its own protocols by electing some of the worst human rights abusers to the Human Rights Council;Canadians have objected to numerous UN objectives which are inconsistent with our rights and freedoms;Canadian Citizens already benefit from Democratic representation; andThe Canada Constitution Act 1982 states “The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law of Canada, and any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is, to the extent of the inconsistency, of no force or effect.”We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to re-evaluate for consistency with Canadian Rights and Values any past UN agreements, pacts, initiatives and endorsements it may have adopted which have ceded Canadian sovereignty and undertake to refrain from adopting any further, such as the UN Parliamentary Assembly, without a constitutional amendment and a national referendum on the issue.Constitutional lawReferendaUnited Nations43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021432-00460432-00460 (Foreign affairs)ZiadAboultaifEdmonton ManningConservativeABJanuary 29, 2021March 22, 2021October 13, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3503e-3503 (Health)YuenMorrisseyZiadAboultaifEdmonton ManningConservativeABJune 28, 2021, at 2:08 p.m. (EDT)August 27, 2021, at 2:08 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The recently introduced vaccine injury support program is only open to individuals who have experienced a serious and permanent injury as a result of receiving a Health Canada authorized vaccine, administered in Canada on or after December 8, 2020;I was a completely healthy individual until I received the flu vaccine in October 2019; A few days later, I developed symptoms so severe that I was hospitalized for 10 days and was diagnosed with a rare syndrome called Steven’s Johnson’s syndrome (a syndrome where 1/3 people do not survive);It appears the side effects of this syndrome will be permanent, my vision was the most affected, my eyes are extremely dry and sensitive to light;To keep my eyes open and be able to see, I have to put in eye drops every 15 minutes; The majority of my medical bills are out of pocket expenses;Not only has my physical health declined, the stress of dealing with the consequences of this syndrome has taken a significant toll on my mental health; andAlthough the vaccine I received was administered less than two years ago, I am not eligible for the vaccine injury support compensation.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to make an exemption and allow cases such as my case to be eligible for the Vaccine Injury compensation program so that we can pursue treatments that can help improve our vision and overall quality of life.Government compensationImmunizationInjuriesVaccine Injury Support Program43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 23, 2021432-00640432-00640 (Foreign affairs)ZiadAboultaifEdmonton ManningConservativeABMarch 10, 2021April 23, 2021March 4, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, Ethiopia has experienced alarming bouts of unrest and violence in the last year.Whereas, conflict has engulfed the Tigray region of Ethiopia leading to egregious human rights abuses and a humanitarian crisis.Whereas, humanitarian actors and independent journalists and researchers have almost no access to the effected regions.Whereas, Ethiopian and Eritrean federal armed forces, forces affiliated with the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), and Ethiopian regional and militia forces, have all taken part in the conflict.Whereas, credible reports indicate that war crimes, such as the indiscriminate shelling of civilian towns and villages, extrajudicial killings, at least one largescale massacre, looting, and sexual violence, have all occurred in Tigray.Whereas, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with increasing reports of rising hunger, limited access to food and other life-saving assistance, and a collapsed healthcare system in the Tigray region.Whereas, Ethiopia is one of the largest recipients of Canada's international assistance.Whereas, elections are scheduled to take place in Ethiopia later this year.Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the Government of Canada to take the following actions:1. Immediately call for an end to violence and for restraint from all sides/parties involved in the Tigray conflict.2. Immediately call for humanitarian access to the region and for independent monitoring to be allowed.3. Immediately call for international investigations into credible reports of war crimes and gross violations of human rights law.4. Engage directly and consistently with the Ethiopian and Eritrean Governments on this conflict.5. Promote short, medium, and long-term elections monitoring in Ethiopia.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and fundamental freedoms, as well as protection of civilians are all integral elements of Canada’s foreign policy. Canada is committed to standing up for human rights and to striving for a world where the well-being, rights and freedoms of all people are protected and respected.Canada, along with G7 partners and other members of the international community, are strongly concerned about recent reports on human rights violations and abuses, violations of international humanitarian law and international refugee law in Tigray, and appalled by widespread evidence of ongoing sexual violence. We condemn the killing of civilians, sexual and gender based violence, indiscriminate shelling and the forced displacement of residents of Tigray and Eritrean refugees. All parties must exercise utmost restraint, ensure the protection of civilians and respect human rights and international law. Canada urges parties to the conflict to provide immediate, unhindered humanitarian access. We are concerned about worsening food insecurity, with emergency conditions prevailing across extensive areas of central and eastern Tigray. We welcome the announcement made by Prime Minister Abiy that Eritrean forces will withdraw from Tigray. This process must be swift, unconditional and verifiable.  We call for the end of violence and the establishment of a clear inclusive political process that is acceptable to all Ethiopians, including the citizens of Tigray, and which leads to credible elections and a wider national reconciliation process.Canadian officials are engaging with the Ethiopian authorities and partners, including multilaterally, to convey Canadian views and concerns, to support efforts in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, to work toward a prompt resolution to the conflict and to promote lasting peace in Ethiopia. On February 25, Prime Minister of Canada held a call with Prime Minister Abiy wherein he reiterated the importance of unimpeded access, and renewed Canada’s support in responding to the crisis. On March 8, the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke with Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to convey Canada’s concerns regarding allegations of human rights violations and reports of sexual and gender-based violence, restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, and the need for foreign fighters to leave Ethiopia. During the 46th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Canada joined a statement with 41 other countries, calling on Ethiopia to grant unhindered humanitarian access and assistance to the people in need in the Tigray region, to hold perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses to account, and for the withdrawal of all Eritrean troops from the country.Canada is deeply concerned by the devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of the millions of people affected by the crisis in Tigray. The Canadian government is working closely with its humanitarian partners, including United Nations agencies, the Red Cross Movement, and non-governmental organizations, to help address the immediate life-saving needs in Tigray and those of refugees who have sought safety in Sudan. In November 2020, Canada announced $3 million in new support for humanitarian operations in Ethiopia and Sudan to address the growing impact of the conflict. In 2021, Canada has further approved $34 million to support humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia. Canada is closely monitoring the situation in Tigray and surrounding regions and will consider additional humanitarian support as needed. Officials have been engaging with Eritrean authorities and raised Canada’s concerns regarding the presence of Eritrean forces in the Tigray area of Ethiopia and the need to respect international law on refugees.Canada also supports efforts underway in Ethiopia to implement democratic and economic reforms, and is working with the Government of Ethiopia to strengthen its capacity to uphold fundamental freedoms and foster inclusive dialogue. To this end, Canada calls for the end of violence and the establishment of a clear inclusive political process that is acceptable to all Ethiopians, including the citizens of Tigray, and which leads to credible elections and a wider national reconciliation process. Specifically, the Government of Canada funds programs which seek to strengthen Ethiopia’s democratic institutions and the conduct of free and fair elections, with a special focus on ensuring the participation of women, youth and ethnic groups, in the electoral process. In February 2020, the Government of Canada contributed $1 million to help strengthen the capacity of the National Election Board of Ethiopia to conduct credible, inclusive and peaceful elections.As a long-standing partner of Ethiopia, Canada is committed to supporting Ethiopians in achieving progress toward their political, social and economic development goals. We will continue to uphold these values in line with our foreign policy priorities, including as part of our ongoing engagement with the Government of Ethiopia. Canada will continue to monitor the political and humanitarian situation in Ethiopia closely.
Civil and human rightsElectoral observation missionsEthiopiaForeign policyHumanitarian assistance and workers
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 10, 2021432-00757432-00757 (Foreign affairs)ZiadAboultaifEdmonton ManningConservativeABMarch 26, 2021May 10, 2021March 17, 2021PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas the Canadian Parliament has unanimously passed the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, also known as the Sergei Magnitsky Act, to sanction corrupt foreign officials who, among others, are responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights;Whereas since 1999, the Former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin and his cohorts personally ordered, launched, orchestrated and executed the eradication campaign against Falun Gong using its state apparatus, including the extrajudicial torture and killing of Falun Gong practitioners in large numbers with impunity for their beliefs in "truthfulness, compassion and tolerance"; and whereas Falun Gong practitioners have been killed for their organs in China on a massive scale, which has been well documented and widely reported;Whereas Canadian Citizen Ms. Sun Qian has been sentenced to 8 years in prison and another eight Falun Gong practitioners with Canadian ties are suffering imprisonment in China, with sentences of up to 16 years, for their belief; andWhereas extensive evidence points to fourteen key officials and former officials of the Chinese Communist Regime who demonstrate prime culpability in the human rights atrocities committed against Falun Gong practitioners in China.Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions, including the freezing of assets, and barring of entry to Canada, against these perpetrators under the Sergei Magnitsky Act.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, as well as Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits; public statements; representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums; interventions and advocacy by the Embassy of Canada; as well as outreach to civil society.The promotion of human rights is a core component of Canada's constructive engagement in the world and our government is committed to do more. Canadian human rights efforts focus on advancing the rights of women and children, LGBTI persons, Indigenous peoples and human rights defenders; freedom of expression, including Internet freedom and civil society space; freedom of religion or belief; the abolition of the death penalty; as well as country-specific issues in countries where human rights violations and abuses are particularly egregious.To this end, the Government of Canada regularly engages with a diverse range of civil society organisations, diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.The Government of Canada has presented concerns regarding human rights practices directly to Chinese authorities on numerous occasions. These concerns are raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Canada in September 2016, the Prime Minister’s visits to China in August 2016 and in December 2017, the Governor General’s visit to China in July 2017, and during a visit of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister to China in August 2017. The Prime Minister and Premier Li also had a frank and open discussion on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in November 2018. At the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Japan in November 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting. And most recently in August 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the human rights concerns with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting in Rome.On November 6, 2018, Canada made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. At that time, Canada called on China to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.In July 2019, Canada signed a joint statement, at the U.S. Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. This meeting is U.S.-led initiative where issues of religious freedom violations worldwide are addressed and that brings together foreign ministers and government representatives, civil society, as well as victims of religious persecution and discrimination. The joint statement emphasized concern about the significant restrictions on religious freedom in China and called on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of all individuals. The text stated that many members of religious minority groups in China face severe repression and discrimination because of their beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners. On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children which promotes cooperation to more effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including for the purposes of organ removal. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010.The promotion, protection and respect of human rights are core priorities in our foreign policy. Canada will continue to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in China and we will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 10, 2021432-00758432-00758 (Foreign affairs)ZiadAboultaifEdmonton ManningConservativeABMarch 26, 2021May 10, 2021March 16, 2021PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWHEREAS:
  • The Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (the Magnitsky Law), sanctions foreign officials responsible for gross human rights violations or acts of corruption;
  • For over 21 years, China's communist party officials have orchestrated the torture and killing of large numbers of people who practice Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline promoting the principles of "Truth, Compassion and Tolerance," including the killing of practitioners on a mass scale for their vital organs to fuel the communist regime's organ transplant trade.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions, including the freezing of assets, and barring of entry to Canada, against, but not limited to these perpetrators: Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Li lanqing, Wu Guanzheng, Li Dongsheng, Qiang Wei, Huang Jiefu, Zheng Shusen, Wang lijun, Zhang Chaoying, and Jia Chunwang.We also call upon the Government of Canada to refuse immigration/visitor visa to those who persecuted Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco MendicinoAs part of the immigration application process, all visa applications are carefully assessed for eligibility and admissibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. For example, a foreign national may be inadmissible to Canada if they have engaged in criminality or human or international rights violations (including being subject to sanctions), or are a family member of an inadmissible person. In 2017, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) came into force. It added two new inadmissibility provisions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning sanctioned government officials or individuals acting on behalf of a foreign state who are responsible for corruption, extrajudicial killings, torture or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. A foreign national listed in an order or regulation made by the Governor in Council under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act would be inadmissible.If an applicant is determined to be inadmissible on any ground, they may be refused a visa, electronic travel authorization or entry to Canada. Inadmissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by Immigration Officers and are based on evidence, which may consist of police or intelligence reports, statutory declarations or other documents—such as media articles, scholarly journals or publicly-available information.In addition, if a foreign national who is at the border, or is in Canada, is found to be inadmissible, they may be denied entry or ordered to leave Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for immigration enforcement at the border and in Canada.For privacy reasons, individual cases cannot be discussed.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, as well as Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits; public statements; representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums; interventions and advocacy by the Embassy of Canada; as well as outreach to civil society.The promotion of human rights is a core component of Canada's constructive engagement in the world and our government is committed to do more. Canadian human rights efforts focus on advancing the rights of women and children, LGBTI persons, Indigenous peoples and human rights defenders; freedom of expression, including Internet freedom and civil society space; freedom of religion or belief; the abolition of the death penalty; as well as country-specific issues in countries where human rights violations and abuses are particularly egregious.To this end, the Government of Canada regularly engages with a diverse range of civil society organisations, diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.The Government of Canada has presented concerns regarding human rights practices directly to Chinese authorities on numerous occasions. These concerns are raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Canada in September 2016, the Prime Minister’s visits to China in August 2016 and in December 2017, the Governor General’s visit to China in July 2017, and during a visit of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister to China in August 2017. The Prime Minister and Premier Li also had a frank and open discussion on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in November 2018. At the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Japan in November 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting. And most recently in August 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the human rights concerns with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting in Rome.On November 6, 2018, Canada made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. At that time, Canada called on China to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.In July 2019, Canada signed a joint statement, at the U.S. Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. This meeting is U.S.-led initiative where issues of religious freedom violations worldwide are addressed and that brings together foreign ministers and government representatives, civil society, as well as victims of religious persecution and discrimination. The joint statement emphasized concern about the significant restrictions on religious freedom in China and called on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of all individuals. The text stated that many members of religious minority groups in China face severe repression and discrimination because of their beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners. On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children which promotes cooperation to more effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including for the purposes of organ removal. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010.The promotion, protection and respect of human rights are core priorities in our foreign policy. Canada will continue to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in China and we will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policy
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 19, 2021e-3190e-3190 (Foreign affairs)MichelleWilliamsZiadAboultaifEdmonton ManningConservativeABMarch 19, 2021, at 11:58 a.m. (EDT)April 18, 2021, at 11:58 a.m. (EDT)April 19, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is a nation that believes in standing up for human rights, the right to practice one's own religion without persecution;"No one shall be held in slavery or servitude" and "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment", as stated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China, are facing a cultural genocide as a result of the Chinese Government's 're-education policy', and are being violently assimilated, repressed and abused;Coercive labor is being done by detainees of Uyghur and Turkic Muslim decent, and there is evidence of population control through forced sterilization of Uyghur women;We have learned much from our nation's abuses of Indigenous peoples, and strives to be better and do better locally and abroad; andThe Government of China has yet to face consequences for its actions.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Support the findings of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights;2. Push for greater sanctions where possible and ask for stronger regulation around supply chains where Uyghurs are being forced to work in factories;3. Raise concerns with appropriate persons regarding China hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, due to ongoing human rights abuses; and4. Pursue the Magnitsky Law: take restrictive measures in respect of foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and to make related amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.ChinaCivil and human rightsEconomic sanctionsForeign policyUyghur43rd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 11, 2020432-00173432-00173 (Foreign affairs)ScottAitchisonParry Sound—MuskokaConservativeONOctober 28, 2020December 11, 2020September 16, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021432-00459432-00459 (Foreign affairs)DanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCJanuary 29, 2021March 22, 2021September 16, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020432-00027432-00027 (Foreign affairs)DanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCSeptember 28, 2020November 16, 2020September 11, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00292432-00292 (Foreign affairs)DanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCNovember 25, 2020January 25, 2021October 21, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00111431-00111 (Justice)DanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCFebruary 25, 2020April 11, 2020December 10, 2018PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas increasing concerns about international trafficking in human organs removed from victims without consent have not yet led to a legal prohibition on Canadians travelling abroad to acquire or receive such organs; andWhereas there are currently two bills before Parliament proposing to impede the trafficking of human organs obtained without consent or as a result of a financial transaction: Bill C-350 in the House of Commons and Bill S-240 in the Senate;Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Parliament of Canada to move quickly on the proposed legislation so as to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prohibit Canadians from travelling abroad to acquire human organs removed without consent or as a result of a financial transaction and to render inadmissible to Canada any and all permanent residents or foreign nationals who have participated in this abhorrent trade in human organs.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Parliamentary Secretary Arif ViraniOur government was proud to support former Private Member’s Bill C-350, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking and transplanting human organs and other body parts), and former Senate Public Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), in the previous Parliament. We look forward to working with all parties on similar legislative proposals, including Senate Public Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs),which was introduced in the Senate on December 10, 2019.Combatting human organ trafficking is a complex issue that involves both legislative and policy responses. In Canada, organ transplantation and donation is governed by a comprehensive legislative framework at both the federal and provincial/territorial level, encompassing health and criminal law.
Human organs and other body parts traffickingMedical tourismMedical transplantationOrgans
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3410e-3410 (Media and telecommunications)KatherinePowellDanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCMay 11, 2021, at 3:10 p.m. (EDT)July 10, 2021, at 3:10 p.m. (EDT)July 12, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="6" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Prime Minister</Addressee>Whereas:Section 2(b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms assures "Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media communication"; andBill C-10 gives control to the government to censor what Canadians see, read, watch, post and listen to.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister to withdraw Bill C-10 and respect Canadians Constitutional right to free speech.BroadcastingC-10, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other ActsFreedom of speechInternet43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3044e-3044 (Business and trade)RonKubekDanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCDecember 16, 2020, at 2:08 p.m. (EDT)February 14, 2021, at 2:08 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2021February 15, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Many Canadians are often unable to order Canadian wine, craft beer and spirits from outside of their home province; and Canadians want more consumer choice and to support Canadian producers by being able to order their products.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to support and pass Bill C-260 entitled ‘An Act to Amend the Canada Post Corporation Act’, introduced by Mr. Albas, the Member of Parliament for Central Okanagan–Similkameen–Nicola, so that Canadians can order the wine, craft beer and spirits they wish from Canadian producers, and be able to have those products shipped directly to them by Canada Post and support this important industry at a time when they need us the most.Alcoholic beveragesInterprovincial tradePostal services43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-00950432-00950 (Animals)DanAlbasCentral Okanagan—Similkameen—NicolaConservativeBCMay 11, 2021February 4, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONSWe, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:THAT animal testing is unnecessary to prove the safety of cosmetic products and alternative safety tests tend to be faster, more accurate and cheaper to perform than tests conducted using animals;WHEREAS a ban on cosmetic animal testing would not impact current cosmetic products for sale in Canada;WHEREAS the European Union (EU), one of the largest cosmetic markets in the world, banned cosmetic animal testing in 2013, and their cosmetic industry continues to grow;WHEREAS with the completion of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), it makes sense to harmonize cosmetic safety regulations with the EU to encourage trade;WHEREAS numerous countries have already successfully made the switch to using alternative safety tests, including: India, Turkey, Israel, Guatemala, Norway, Iceland, Serbia, New Zealand and Switzerland;WHEREAS Canadians overwhelmingly support a ban on cosmetic animal testing, with over half a million residents signing a petition calling for a global ban;THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the House of Commons to support Bill S-214 and ban the sale and/or manufacture of animal tested cosmetics and their ingredients in Canada moving forward.Animal experimentationAnimal rights and welfareCosmetic products and toiletries43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3061e-3061 (Justice)DarleneDevenyiDeanAllisonNiagara WestConservativeONDecember 24, 2020, at 9:19 a.m. (EDT)April 23, 2021, at 9:19 a.m. (EDT)June 1, 2021April 23, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Trespassing and theft are crimes;Individuals committing these crimes run the risk of being interrupted by a homeowner; andThese interruptions present the risk for the homeowner of being injured or killed, and as trespassing and theft are premeditated crimes, they should receive proportionate punishment.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to review the laws related to trespassing and theft in order to include more severe punishments to further deter individuals from committing these crimes.Burglary and theftLegislative review43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3527e-3527 (Health)StevenPelechDeanAllisonNiagara WestConservativeONJune 30, 2021, at 2:35 p.m. (EDT)July 30, 2021, at 2:35 p.m. (EDT)August 3, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized under Interim Order for use in Canadians as young as 12 years;Biodistribution studies show spread of injected vaccine surrogate nanoparticles throughout the body, including accumulation in reproductive and other diverse organs, and the peak levels of these nanoparticles in the organs, and resulting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, have not been established;The World Health Organization recently confirmed that children and adolescents tend to have milder disease, and there is not yet enough evidence to make recommendations for children to be vaccinated;The reproductive and endocrine organs are sensitive to injuries from infections and inflammation, which may cause infertility and other health issues;The vaccine nanoparticles enveloping the mRNA can induce inflammation;The spike protein, which causes damage to various organs, can circulate in the blood as late as 28 days after vaccination;The American Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System has received submissions of tens of thousands of events involving blood disorders, and various organs, including ovaries; andCurrently, vaccine safety trials do not have the duration or numbers of participants required to rule out many short-term and more importantly long-term adverse reactions including autoimmunity and infertility.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to suspend the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women, children, youth, and adults of child-bearing age, until adequate short and long-term safety trials are completed and published in peer-reviewed journals.COVID-19ImmunizationPandemic43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3351e-3351 (Health)StevenSoosDeanAllisonNiagara WestConservativeONApril 29, 2021, at 5:12 p.m. (EDT)August 27, 2021, at 5:12 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Several provinces have declared emergencies on various circumstances over time;Canada is allowed to declare national emergencies under the Emergencies Act, 1985;Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness;The economic burden of mental illness in Canada is estimated at 51 billion dollars per year (including healthcare costs, lost productivity, and reductions in health-related quality of life) (CAMH);Not addressing mental health issues/illness is costly in the long-term to Canada's economy; andAccording to a recent Morneau Shephard poll, 50% of Canadians reported that their mental health has worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic, with mental health related hospitalizations, crisis-line use, and addiction rates skyrocketing.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to launch a study in the Standing Committee on Health (HESA) on the merits of declaring a national emergency on mental health.Health emergenciesMental health43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3265e-3265 (Health)KanjiNakatsuDeanAllisonNiagara WestConservativeONMarch 25, 2021, at 3:52 p.m. (EDT)April 24, 2021, at 3:52 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2021April 26, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Many Canadians will not be offered COVID-19 vaccinations for many months and in the meantime many will get sick or die from SARS CoV-2;Protection by a vaccine takes weeks to develop;New variants may be resistant to current vaccines;The Government of Canada has not articulated a plan for protection of our children against COVID-19;Ivermectin has been determined to be remarkably effective in prophylaxis (~86% fewer cases) and treatment (-68% fewer deaths) for COVID-19 prophylaxis by the British Ivermectin Recommendation Development panel;Ivermectin has proven to be very safe, as one-third of the world’s population (~7,850,000,000) has taken ivermectin as part of mass community treatment to prevent many different parasite (worm) infections and where only 16 deaths and 4673 adverse events have been reported through World Health Organization and Uppsala University VigiAccess database for pharmacovigilance from 1992 to 2021;Several countries, including Japan, Slovakia, Bulgaria, India, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, have made ivermectin readily available to their citizens (often over-the-counter purchase or free);Ivermectin is already approved in Canada for anti-parasitic use and is now generic and inexpensive; andIvermectin would be a candidate to provide protection and prevention against COVID-19.We, the undersigned, physicians, scientists, and other concerned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to urgently examine the evidence in favour of ivermection and give due consideration to making ivermectin available immediately to Canadians as a schedule II medication, which can be obtained directly from a pharmacist.COVID-19IvermectinPandemic43rd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 2, 2021e-3141e-3141 (Government services and administration)RichardDacostaDeanAllisonNiagara WestConservativeONFebruary 2, 2021, at 11:15 a.m. (EDT)June 2, 2021, at 11:15 a.m. (EDT)June 2, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="6" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Prime Minister</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is in imminent need of a Governor General; andSuch person should embody values at the core of Canadian democracy through their public service and demonstrated ability to live and guide others in developing and practising those values.We, the undersigned, all citizens of Canada, caring that we bequeath a better nation to our succeeding generations, and respectfully, call upon the Prime Minister to appoint Justice Murray Sinclair to the Viceregal position of Governor General of Canada, forthwith.Governor GeneralPolitical appointmentsSinclair, Murray43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3264e-3264 (Government services and administration)MarcelChartrandWilliamAmosPontiacLiberalQCMarch 23, 2021, at 11:25 a.m. (EDT)May 22, 2021, at 11:25 a.m. (EDT)May 25, 2021May 25, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Public Services and Procurement</Addressee>Whereas:On February 20, 2021, the Dispute Advisory Panel (DAP) established under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act (PILT) advised Tobi Nussbaum, CEO of the National Capital Commission (NCC), of their recommendation to increase the NCC payment to the Municipality of Chelsea and comply with the rules under the PILT Act;In December 2019, a separate DAP made similar recommendations to the NCC regarding outstanding payments to the City of Gatineau; Now, the NCC is using the DAP process to delay payments to the Municipality of Pontiac;Tax rates and valuations for PILT have been litigated all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2010 (Montreal vs the CBC and the Montreal Port Authority, the Court ruled that the Crown cannot set the rate of taxation), and in 2012 (Halifax vs Canada PWGSC, the Court established that the Crown cannot unreasonably set the value of the land); andBy failing to accept these recommendations and fully pay the amounts owing to the three municipalities the NCC is unfairly burdening the taxpayers of Chelsea, Gatineau and Pontiac with the cost of maintaining essential infrastructure serving NCC properties.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Public Services and Procurement to:1. Direct the NCC to accept the two DAP reports; and2. Promptly pay all outstanding amounts to the municipalities of Chelsea, Gatineau and Pontiac.Cities and townsNational Capital CommissionPayments in lieu of taxes43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3131e-3131 (Media and telecommunications)GillesRathierWilliamAmosPontiacLiberalQCMarch 10, 2021, at 1:12 p.m. (EDT)May 9, 2021, at 1:12 p.m. (EDT)May 25, 2021May 11, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="252653" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Municipality of Denholm, Quebec, is located in the Ottawa Valley, just 55 kilometres north of the National Capital;About 30% of our municipality is covered by a satellite Internet system that is totally inadequate and very expensive;Most of the time, we have trouble connecting and staying connected;Many of us would like to be able to work, study, be entertained, etc., from home;It is completely unacceptable that, as 2021 dawns, we cannot, for example, complete online transactions, telework or even communicate virtually with our loved ones during the pandemic;All this hampers the development of our community;Some years ago, the government announced subsidies to connect communities that were not connected or to improve services for others;Most of these subsidies were provided to the major industry player, but the results have fallen short;Likewise, cellular coverage is wholly deficient;Barely 20% of our area receives a signal;It is imperative that the providers of this service meet our needs; andIn addition, the current conventional telephone system is outdated, costly and constantly down.We, the undersigned, residents of Denholm, Quebec, and the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau RCM, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Take concrete action and provide the same Internet and cellular services available in urban centres; and2. Implement tangible measures immediately, with no further delay.Broadband Internet servicesRural communitiesWireless communication43rd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 28, 2020e-2358e-2358 (Culture and heritage)DavidDaigleWilliamAmosPontiacLiberalQCDecember 30, 2019, at 9:01 a.m. (EDT)April 28, 2020, at 9:01 a.m. (EDT)April 28, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian museums and galleries charge some significant admission fees to access and visit them, even if some allow free admission on specific days e.g. Thursday;Since December 1, 2001, the UK Government passed legislation to make many of Britain's best museums and galleries free admission for everyone all the time;Washington, DC also has a free admission model including the National Museum of Natural History, National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of African American History and Culture, etc.;Could the Canadian government consider a similar approach as the UK Government or Washington, DC?;Even if it is free for kids at a certain age range, it is not free for family members, friends, teachers or guardians;If eliminating the fees is impossible, would the Canadian government consider other ways to consolidate fees to reduce them to a more reasonable fee to access all?;Alternatively, would the Canadian government consider making all National Capital Region (NCR) museums and galleries free admission as part of a "freedom vision" for Canada's capital?; andOne year family access membership fees combined for museums and galleries in the NCR alone run north of $500.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to strongly consider reviewing the costing model for citizens to access Canadian museums and galleries and, in turn, propose either free access to all model or a more affordable admission model.FeesMuseums and galleries43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 15, 2020431-00131431-00131 (Environment)WilliamAmosPontiacLiberalQCMarch 9, 2020April 15, 2020February 24, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONSWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:WHEREAS, Climate change has escalated into a global climate emergency; the world is on pace to warm nearly 4 degrees Celsius by 2100 and extreme weather events are growing with increasingly severe impacts, including floods, forest fires, rising temperatures, killer heat-waves, massive storms, sea level rise and disruption to marine and land ecosystems;WHEREAS, in order to act to avert further catastrophic climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) states that the scientific consensus is that we need to immediately move to reduce net human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to 45 per cent below 2010 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2050;WHEREAS, Canada must address this climatic emergency with the ambition and urgency required, on behalf of present and future generations;WHEREAS, Canadians are living through unprecedented, catastrophic climate events and at the same time, our society is suffering from worsening socio-economic inequalities, with almost half of Canada's population reporting they are $200 away from insolvency at the end of each month;WHEREAS, climate change impacts threaten physical & mental health (particularly young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities), surrounding environments by affecting the food we eat, the world's water supply, the air we breathe, the weather we experience, and how well local communities can adapt to climate change;WHEREAS, the impacts of climate emergency are far more severe for those living through the immediate consequences of climate change; Indigenous Peoples, frontline and vulnerable communities, like people seeking refugee status or asylum and those displaced by climate change, are disproportionality affected, resulting in the increased risks to their health;WHEREAS, it has never been more urgent that Canada reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy to meet the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, while ensuring that all Indigenous Peoples and Canadians benefit from the substantial public investments a low-carbon economy requires, like energy efficiency retrofits, affordable housing, renewable energy, infrastructure, public transit, pharmacare, dental care, childcare and eliminating student debt and tuition fees;WHEREAS, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the recognition of inherent rights, title and treaty rights, while fully implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), must be at the heart of Canada's approach to addressing the climate emergency;THEREFORE, your petitioners call on the Government of Canada to support Motion M-1, a made-in-Canada Green New Deal, the first initiative before the House of Commons, which calls on Canada to take bold & rapid action to adopt socially equitable climate action to tackle the climate emergency and address worsening socio-economic & racial inequalities at the same time; while ending fossil fuel subsidies, closing offshore tax havens, and supporting workers impacted by the transition and creating well-paying, unionized jobs in the shift to a clean and renewable energy economy.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONTo contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
To support the participation of youth in the clean growth economy, in August 2017, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced that it would invest more than $14 million to support almost 1,000 green jobs for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates across the country through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Similarly, Natural Resources Canada announced that it is investing more than $16 million to create 1,200 green STEM jobs for Canadian youth in the natural resources sector, via the Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program. The abovementioned funding is part of Budget 2017’s additional $395.5 million investment over three years, starting in 2017-2018, for the Youth Employment Strategy, in which 11 federal departments committed to providing opportunities for Canada’s youth.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s 2019 GHG emissions projections show a widespread decline in projected emissions across the economy, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. In fact, the policies and measures now in place, including those introduced in 2019, are projected to reduce emissions by 227 million tonnes in 2030, the greatest drop in Canadian history. However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable populations to a rapidly changing environment and is committed to renewing the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation on a nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government basis. This includes collaborating with Indigenous partners on climate change action through structured, collaborative approaches, based on robust, ongoing and meaningful engagement based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including free, prior and informed consent.In taking action on climate change and in moving forward on the implementation of Canada’s climate plan, the Prime Minister issued joint statements with each of the National Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the President of the Métis National Council. These joint statements committed to establishing three senior bilateral distinctions-based tables between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation. These partnerships seek to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are full and effective partners in advancing clean growth and achieving climate change goals to mitigate and reduce emissions as a necessary precursor to the mitigation of climate impacts.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why Minister Wilkinson supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Pan-Canadian Framework was established to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions in line with these goals and our commitments under the Paris Agreement. The Government of Canada is committed to implementing all of the measures in our climate action plan and we’re making good progress in doing so, as described in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change annual report (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/pan-canadian-framework.html   
Climate change and global warmingGreen economy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020432-00052432-00052 (Foreign affairs)GaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONOctober 2, 2020November 16, 2020September 30, 2020Petition to the Government of CanadaWHEREAS,
  • Canada has played and continues to play an important role in advocating for accountability, sustainable peace, and human rights in Sri Lanka and all over the world;
  • Canada is home to the second largest Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora population and many of their relatives have disappeared while in the custody of the Sri Lankan Government (Enforced Disappearances);
  • Sri Lanka has the second (the first being Iraq) largest number of disappearance cases communicated by the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances to the government for action. Amnesty places the number of disappeared between 60,000 and 100,000;
  • According to the investigation of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for human rights (OISL) many of the victims are in the Northern and Eastern part of Sri Lanka where many Sri Lankan Tamils reside.
  • Even though Sri Lanka ratified the UN Convention on Enforced Disappearance it made reservation to Article 31 of the Convention which allows the Committee established under the Convention to receive communication from the victims or on behalf of the victims.
  • In most countries the international crimes are committed by states themselves or by employing state apparatus. For instance according to the Report of the Expert Panel appointed by the UN Secretary General in Sri Lanka, the crimes were committed by the state. Thus a mechanism should be created to hold states accountable for these heinous crimes.
  • On August 30th, 2020, the International Day of the Disappeared, a dedicated group of Tamil-Canadians began a long Walk for Justice for victims of enforced disappearances, with the full support of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam, community members and various other Tamil organizations;
  • Mr. Mahajayam Mahalingam, Mr. Vijitharan Varatharajah, Mr. David Thomas, and Mr. Yogendran Vaiseegamagapathy walked from Brampton City Hall to Parliament Hill, a total of 434 km while Mr. Yogeswaran Nadesu, Mr. Kulenthirasigamany Veluchsamy, and Mr. Vijayakumar Namasivayam walked from Mont-Royal, Québec to Parliament Hill, a total of 227 km;
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF CANADA, CALL UPON PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO: (1) Support a legislative effort to remove sovereign immunity as a defense by states for international crimes: namely genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and enforced disappearances, and; (2) Refer Sri Lanka to the Committee established under the Convention Against Enforced Disappearances pursuant to Article 32 of the Convention.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe promotion and protection of human rights around the world is an integral part of Canada’s foreign policy. Enforced disappearances are inhumane, and they have a devastating effect on victims, their families, their communities and society as a whole. This despicable practice violates human rights and causes terrible suffering. Canada will continue to work to end enforced disappearances and end impunity.Canada urges States to investigate all cases of alleged enforced disappearances, disclose the whereabouts of the disappeared or their mortal remains, respect the right of families to know the fate of victims of serious human rights violations, and fight impunity.In 2016, the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances issued a report on its mission to Sri Lanka which noted that Sri Lanka had the second highest number of enforced disappearance cases before the Working Group. This legacy of enforced disappearances, dating back to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s and through the civil conflict between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) well into the 2000s, has created deep and lasting trauma in communities across Sri Lanka and the world. To date, there has been no accountability, justice or closure for the disappeared or their families.Canada, alongside the international community, has consistently pushed for the Government of Sri Lanka to respect human rights and, in the post war years, to deliver on reconciliation, accountability and transitional justice. These efforts are critical to bring closure to families and communities and deliver real peace and prosperity for all Sri Lankans.In December 2015, the Government of Sri Lanka signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (CED). It was ratified without reservations in May 2016 and the Government of Sri Lanka declared, per Article 32, that it recognized the importance and the competence of the Committee to receive and consider communications in which a State Party claims that another State Party is not fulfilling its obligations under this Convention. A Bill for Protection against Enforced Disappearances was passed in March 2018.These successes were the result of strong advocacy by the international community in the context of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). It was in resolution 30/1, “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka”, (co-sponsored in 2015 and extended in 2017) that the Government of Sri Lanka committed to sign and ratify the CED and establish an Office of Missing Persons and an Office of Reparations. Fulfillment of the mandates of these offices would bring hope to those left behind following tens of thousands of cases of enforced disappearances over many years. Recognizing the importance of coordinated advocacy in multilateral forums, Canada joined the core group for the resolution on Sri Lanka alongside the UK, Germany, North Macedonia and Montenegro and contributed to the negotiation of resolution 40/1 in March 2019.Alongside the other members of the core group, Canada expressed deep disappointment and concern when the Government of Sri Lanka announced plans to withdraw from the UNHRC resolution at the 43rd HRC session in February 2020. At the session, Canada shared its disappointment and noted that those who were directly affected by the conflict, including the families of the disappeared, require closure and answers in order to build sustainable peace.At the same time, Sri Lanka announced its intent to proceed with a domestic reconciliation process. Eight months later, the international community is still waiting to hear what that process will entail. At the 45th session of the UNHRC in September 2020, the core group noted previous such domestic processes have, regrettably, proved insufficient to tackle impunity and deliver real reconciliation in Sri Lanka. The core group urged the council to pay particular attention to how the new approach will differ from these previous attempts and put the victims of conflict at its heart. The future of the Independent Commissions including the Office for Missing Persons and Office for Reparations will be particularly important.Canada has consistently called for a clear timetable and strategy for implementing a process of accountability that has the trust and confidence of the victims, including the families of the disappeared. The importance of sustaining and accelerating reconciliation efforts has been repeatedly emphasized by Canada both multilaterally and bilaterally.With respect to the request that the government support a legislative effort to remove sovereign immunity as a defense by states for international crimes, it must first be noted that only individuals can have criminal responsibility, not states. In this respect, Canada is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which was established to hold to account those responsible for the most serious international crimes in instances when states are unwilling or unable to do so. The Rome Statute applies equally to all persons, regardless of official capacity, including if a person is a Head of State or Government, or other government official or representative.Canada is committed to the universalization of the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, and consistently urges all states to cooperate with the Court. Canada was also the first state to introduce comprehensive national legislation to implement the Rome Statute, namely the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. Under this Act, it is a criminal offence within Canada to commit the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, regardless of where in the world these crimes are committed.Further to the request that Canada refer Sri Lanka to the Committee established under the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, it must be noted that Canada is not party to the CED. Only State Parties can refer another State Party to the Committee established under the Convention under Article 32; accordingly, Canada is unable to refer Sri Lanka to the Committee. Other State Parties to the Convention may refer Sri Lanka, if they so choose.Canada will closely monitor the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, and continue to follow the government’s plans for a domestic reconciliation process.   Canada will continue to urge the Government of Sri Lanka to address past human rights violations, including abductions and enforced disappearances, and end impunity. Canada will continue to support the work of activists in Sri Lanka to resolve outstanding questions related to disappearances. 
Crimes against humanityForeign policySri Lanka
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2722e-2722 (Holidays and observances)CamilleKerrGaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONJuly 17, 2020, at 1:32 p.m. (EDT)November 14, 2020, at 1:32 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2021November 16, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada is home to a large and vibrant Caribbean-Canadian community in excess of 800,000, a diverse group representing 43 Caribbean nations, regions and territories, and a uniquely wide range of ancestries, such as Indigenous, European, South American, African and Asian, and a multitude of languages including the six official languages (English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Creole and Papiamento);October is an important month for Caribbean-Canadians, since Caribbean immigration and settlement within Canada significantly increased after improvements were made to the immigration regulations in October 1967;The Government of Canada recognizes the significant, long-standing contributions that Caribbean-Canadians have made, dating back to the eighteenth century, to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric; andBy designating the month of October as Caribbean Heritage Month, the Government of Canada would provide an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Caribbean-Canadians and the important and inspirational role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Canada.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to proclaim the month of October as “Caribbean Heritage Month”.Caribbean CanadiansCaribbean Heritage MonthCultural heritage43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2756e-2756 (Health)ShaniquaWrightGaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONAugust 25, 2020, at 3:13 p.m. (EDT)November 23, 2020, at 3:13 p.m. (EDT)November 24, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Black Toronto residents are 20 times more likely to be shot and killed by police than white residents;Most Canadian residents killed by police since 2000 struggled with their mental health or abused substances;Toronto trains their officers over 24 weeks - mental health and anti-discrimination training is not included;One in three Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime;In Ontario, wait times for counselling can be anywhere from 6 months to a year; andMobile Crisis Intervention Teams cannot be called directly and to access them, you must call either 9-1-1 or the non-emergency police number. This can cause misinformation/miscommunication.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to establish an emergency crisis line (ECL). We are asking that this line have a national number (ex. 808) that people in crisis and/or people concerned for someone in crisis can call to get support. This number will operate similar to 9-1-1, but instead of calling 9-1-1, folks will call ECL and a dispatcher will arrange for a first responder to be on scene as soon as possible. With an existing emergency crisis line we ask for the immediate defunding and abolishment of the Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams in Toronto and identical/similar services all over Canada. We ask that ECL members have full control and jurisdiction of all crisis and/or mentally ill driven situations and that police have none. Establishing an emergency crisis line will also create jobs but above all and most importantly ECL will save lives.Emergency servicesMental healthSafety43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01221432-01221 (Foreign affairs)GaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONJune 22, 2021June 22, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS the war on the Tigray region of Ethiopia has led to more than 63,110 refugees fleeing to camps in neighboring Sudan, 2.2 million civilians internally displaced, and over 5.2 million people in need.WHEREAS the war on Tigray has resulted in a man-made famine. The World Food Program estimates that 5.2 million people, 91% of Tigray's population, need emergency food assistance.WHEREAS Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is systematically used as a weapon of war in Tigray by Eritrean troops and nonregional military forces.WHEREAS Journalists in Ethiopia are being threatened or killed for reporting on the atrocities in Tigray.WHEREAS since November 2020, Canada has provided $37 million in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia for the crisis in Tigray. However, it is unclear whether this assistance will be used to address the humanitarian needs in Tigray.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Immediately call to establish an UN-Ied inquiry commission to verify the withdrawal of Eritrean and non-regional forces from the Tigray region.
  • Immediately call for unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray. Call for humanitarian discussion under Resolution 2417 (2018).
  • Immediately withhold all non-life-saving funding from Canada to Ethiopia until the cessation of violence is achieved.
  • Provide an update on how funds for humanitarian assistance Canada has given to Ethiopia support the people affected in the Tigray region.
  • Immediately call for Canada to investigate whether the crimes committed in Tigray amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Civil and human rightsEthiopiaForeign policyHumanitarian assistance and workers
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3192e-3192 (Foreign affairs)KumananKunaratnamGaryAnandasangareeScarborough—Rouge ParkLiberalONFebruary 18, 2021, at 6:23 p.m. (EDT)March 20, 2021, at 6:23 p.m. (EDT)March 23, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Sri Lanka has accessed Independence on February 4, 1948, from British rule through the amalgamation of two distinct nations, one being the Tamil nation;Sri Lanka has accessed, and Canada has signed, the United Nations' Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide;Sri Lanka has numerous documented cases of genocidal activities as outlined in Article II of the aforementioned convention;The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and its forces have avoided prosecution of those who committed acts of genocide; andThe GoSL continues to oppress the basic human rights of Tamils to this present day, continuing to perpetuate the structural genocide of the Indigenous Tamil people of Eelam.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1) Refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC);2) Submit for trial to the ICC members of the GoSL and its forces who are significant contributors to the genocidal activities as outlined in Articles III and IV of the Convention;3) Sanction travel bans and asset freezes on the identified war criminals in Sri Lanka to advance accountability and justice in following suit with the United States' Department of State’s travel ban on Shavendra Silva;4) Impose economic sanctions on Sri Lanka;5) Petition the United Nations to conduct an international, impartial and independent mechanism into the conduct of the GoSL and its forces; and6) Ensure the new resolution mandates stopping the ongoing genocide against Tamils and proposes a referendum with international monitors and victims’ participation, to ensure Tamils’ rights to self-determination.Crimes against humanityEconomic sanctionsForeign policyReferendaSri LankaTamils43rd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 21, 2021e-3173e-3173 (Health)Monique JeanDonohueCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONFebruary 18, 2021, at 6:34 p.m. (EDT)June 18, 2021, at 6:34 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="6" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Prime Minister</Addressee>Whereas:Ontario is facing a health care crisis which has resulted in the spread of the COVID-19 virus through many long term care homes and a devastating loss of life;Many facilities are overcome with infection; Staffing shortages mean residents are left to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions and workers are exposed to dangerous working conditions;Families need to know their loves ones are safe and getting the very best care possible;The Premier of Ontario has refused the military assistance offered by the Prime Minister and the federal government; andThe Premier of Ontario has failed to mandate necessary measures to protect these vulnerable citizens, both the residents and the staff;We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister to supersede the authority of the Premier of Ontario and command the military to enter and provide assistance to staff and care to the residents of these facilities.Canadian ForcesCOVID-19Long-term careOntarioPandemic43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 10, 2021432-00732432-00732 (Health)CharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONMarch 25, 2021May 10, 2021February 26, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas opioid crisis is one of the most deadly public health emergencies of our lifetime, with a death taking place on average about every two hours and a death toll of almost 15,400 in the past four years alone (January 2016 to December 2019);Whereas the overdose crisis rages;We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency and:
  • Take steps to end overdose deaths and overdose injuries
  • Immediately collaborate with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian overdose action plan
  • Ensure that any plan considers reforms that other countries have used, such as legal regulation of drugs to ensure safe, supply, decriminalization for personal use, and changes to flawed drug policy and policing.
  • Ensure this emergency is taken seriously with adequately funded programming and supports.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Jennifer O'ConnellThe Government of Canada is deeply concerned about problematic substance use in Canada, including the ongoing opioid overdose crisis and the devastating impact it is having on the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Tragically, there were more than 19,355 apparent opioid-related deaths between January 2016 and September 2020.The Government recognizes that the complexity of this crisis has only increased due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Public health guidance around physical distancing and self-isolation presents a unique challenge for people who use drugs. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have been working with provinces and territories and other partners, including researchers, advocates and people with lived and living experience, to help make sure that people who use drugs can continue to access treatment, harm reduction and other services during the pandemic.Since taking office, our government has taken strong action to address the opioid crisis. The comprehensive federal response has included legislative and regulatory enabling measures, new prescription guidelines, marketing restrictions, awareness campaigns, improvements to the knowledge base, and emergency funding to provinces and territories. We will continue this important work to help save lives and keep Canadians safe.The Government of Canada remains committed to taking a public health approach to substance use through the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy. The Strategy includes four pillars – prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement – and is designed to be comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate and evidence-based. The Government is placing particular focus on:
  • ensuring that life-saving harm reduction measures are available to Canadians who need it;
  • working with stakeholders to reduce stigma directed at people who use drugs, which acts as a barrier to accessing critical health and social services and often leads to social isolation;
  • working with provinces and territories to improve access to evidence-based treatment options; and,
  • implementing additional surveillance and research activities that will further build the evidence base and allow us to pursue innovative solutions to this public health crisis.
The Government of Canada recognizes that the overwhelming majority of deaths caused by the opioid overdose crisis are due to a toxic illegal drug supply that is contaminated with highly toxic substances, such as fentanyl. The situation is now such that anyone who uses illegal drugs for any reason in Canada is at risk of a potentially fatal opioid-related overdose every time they use drugs due to the contaminated illegal supply.The Government of Canada has taken actions to reduce barriers to providing people who use drugs with a safer, pharmaceutical alternative to the toxic illegal drug supply. For example, Health Canada has issued class exemptions to pharmacists and eased restrictions on the transportation of controlled substances to make it easier for people to access the medications they need during the COVID-19 pandemic while following public health advice, such as physical distancing. In addition, through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), the Government of Canada is providing $44.2 million for projects providing a safer supply of pharmaceutical medications for people with substance use disorder in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. These investments will help provide pathways to care and treatment. Examples of funded projects include:
  • The Vancouver Island Health Authority was provided approximately $2 million over 48 months for an innovative project that will provide pharmaceutical medication as an alternative to the toxic illegal drug supply for people in Cowichan Valley who have not responded to other forms of treatment for opioid use disorder.
  • The London InterCommunity Health Centre (London, Ontario) was provided more than $6.5 million over 50 months to deliver a safer supply program that will help reduce harms related to the toxic illegal drug supply by providing prescribed opioids to patients with opioid use disorder during the pandemic and beyond.
Findings from these initiatives will contribute to the evidence base to support the scaling up of effective models. In addition, to bolster further these efforts, on August 24, 2020, the Minister of Health sent a letter to Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health and regulatory colleges to encourage them to provide people who use drugs with a full spectrum of care options, including access to a safer supply of drugs.The Government of Canada has also taken a number of steps to provide options for those seeking treatment for severe substance use disorder. On April 25, 2019, the Minister of Health added diacetylmorphine to the List of Drugs for an Urgent Public Health Need. This makes it possible for provinces and territories to import this drug for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Amendments to federal regulations have also allowed health care practitioners to provide diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment outside of a hospital setting, if permitted by their province or territory. In addition, on May 1, 2019, Health Canada approved the use of injectable hydromorphone by qualified healthcare professionals as a treatment for adults with severe opioid use disorder. This is the first approval of injectable hydromorphone for this purpose in the world.The Government of Canada is also providing guidance and leadership on the prescribing, dispensing, and delivery of opioids and other narcotics during the pandemic. For instance, through funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM) developed a series of national guidance documents related to substance use in the context of COVID-19. Health Canada has also assembled a toolkit to provide clarity on prescribing for the treatment of substance use disorder and/or to provide a safer supply. Furthermore, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health published a Rapid Review of clinical and cost-effectiveness of injectable opioid agonist treatment for patients with opioid dependence.The Government of Canada continues to make substantial investments to address the overdose crisis. Recent examples of key federal investments in this area include:
  • investing an additional $66 million over two years to support community-based organizations responding to substance use issues, including to help them provide frontline services in a COVID-19 context;
  • investing $76.2 million to take action to protect Canadians and prevent overdose deaths. This investment will be used to scale-up key lifesaving measures and increase access to a safer drug supply as an alternative to the contaminated supply. These measures build on the Budget 2019 investment of $30.5 million over five years, with $1 million ongoing, to expand access to safer alternatives to the illegal drug supply and support better access to opioid overdose response training and naloxone in underserved communities;
  • providing $1.7 million to the University of Saskatchewan to increase access to chronic pain services, and providing Alberta Health Services $1.2 million to implement and evaluate pathways to care for people living with pain and opioid use disorder, both funded through the Substance Use and Addictions Program;
  • providing $231.4 million over five years through Budget 2018 for additional measures to help address the opioid overdose crisis, including a one-time $150 million emergency treatment fund for provinces and territories to improve access to evidence-based treatment services;
  • providing an additional $200 million, with $40 million per year ongoing, to enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate addictions treatment and prevention services in First Nations communities; and,
  • allocating $13 million over five years to launch a new national, multi-year public education campaign to help reshape Canadians’ attitudes and perceptions about people who use drugs.
Building on the $66 million invested in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, Budget 2021 proposes to provide an additional $116 million over two years for the Substance Use and Addictions Program to support a range of innovative approaches to harm reduction, treatment, and prevention at the community level.In order to prevent and reduce the harms of problematic substance use, including to enable access to evidence-based treatment and support recovery, the Government has undertaken a broad range of policy, legislative and regulatory actions, such as:
  • approving supervised consumption sites (with 39 currently in operation across Canada), and providing class exemptions to facilitate the establishment of overdose prevention sites;
  • supporting the passage of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which encourages people to call for emergency help at the scene of an overdose by providing protection against simple drug possession charges;
  • establishing effective Federal, Provincial and Territorial public health emergency governance, including the Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Assistant Deputy Minister Committee on Problematic Substance Use & Harms;
  • collaborating with provinces and territories to better understand the evolving crisis, and undertaking timely monitoring and reporting of opioid-related deaths and harms in Canada;
  • deploying public health officers from the Public Health Agency of Canada to support public health surveillance systems in provinces and territories; and,
  • supporting the development and dissemination of national clinical practice guidelines to treat opioid use disorder, as well as the injectable opioid agonist treatment clinical and operational guidelines through the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse.
The Government of Canada continues to encourage the use of diversion programs that create pathways away from the criminal justice system toward appropriate health services and social supports for people who use drugs. For example, on August 18, 2020, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada issued guidance to prosecutors stating that alternatives to prosecution should be considered for simple possession offences, except when there are serious aggravating circumstances. In addition, Health Canada is currently funding a three-year project in Peterborough, Ontario, to develop a multi-sector response to direct people who use drugs away from the justice system and into care. In addition, on February 18, 2021, the Department of Justice introduced Bill C-22 in Parliament to help address systemic racism and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples as well as Black and marginalized Canadians in Canada’s criminal justice system. Among other measures, this Bill would repeal mandatory minimum penalties for drug related-offences, and would also require police and prosecutors to consider other responses to laying charges for simple possession of drugs, such as diversion to treatment programs.It is recognized that there are a growing number of calls for drug decriminalization, in acknowledgement that criminalizing personal drug possession results in stigma and discrimination, creates barriers to accessing health and social services, and increases the risks of overdose and other harms. The City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia have written to the Minister of Health requesting exemptions to decriminalize simple possession of small amounts of controlled substances for personal use in their jurisdictions. We will continue working with them on options to address the overdose crisis that respond to their local and regional needs.We will also continue to take a comprehensive and collaborative approach, working with all partners. No single organization or level of government alone can solve the opioid overdose crisis. All levels of government, a wide range of stakeholders, especially people with lived and living experience, and all Canadians who are impacted by opioid use must work together to reduce opioid-related overdoses and deaths, and improve the health and well-being of Canadians who use drugs.
Drug use and abuseHealth emergenciesOpiates and opioidsPublic health
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01126432-01126 (Health)CharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONJune 16, 2021June 5, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas opioid crisis is one of the most deadly public health emergencies of our lifetime, with a death taking place on average about every two hours and a death toll of almost 15,400 in the past four years alone (January 2016 to December 2019);Whereas the overdose crisis rages;We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency and:
  • Take steps to end overdose deaths and overdose injuries
  • Immediately collaborate with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian overdose action plan
  • Ensure that any plan considers reforms that other countries have used, such as legal regulation of drugs to ensure safe, supply, decriminalization for personal use, and changes to flawed drug policy and policing.
  • Ensure this emergency is taken seriously with adequately funded programming and supports.
Drug use and abuseHealth emergenciesOpiates and opioidsPublic health
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3500e-3500 (Information and privacy)MurrayFallisCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONJuly 12, 2021, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)September 10, 2021, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Democracy is strengthened when information is publicly accessible;Presently, Correctional Services Canada (CSC) requires ATIPs be submitted using paper, an envelope, a cheque and a stamp;In contrast, many federal departments already have an online system for filing ATIP requests;CSC previously stated on their website that an electronic system for filing ATIPs would be in place by 2021;Paper-based ATIPs cause delays, as individuals must wait for their ATIPs to be received, acknowledged and responded to by CSC;After using an online My Account system, the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada reduced the number of outstanding requests and improved timeline compliance from 64% to 75%;Prisoners in CSC's care and control are often illiterate and therefore require the assistance of outside support to file an ATIP request;CSC's paper-based ATIP process likely disproportionately harms Indigenous prisoners who are often far from home and do not have extensive local external supports;CSC's paper-based ATIP process has a negative environmental impact as it requires excessive amounts of paper; andPrisoners in CSC's care and control have died before having their ATIP completed by CSC, at which point CSC declares their ATIP moot.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to add an online option to the CSC’s ATIP request process which allows an ATIP requester to file the request and pay for it online.Access to information requestsCorrectional Service of Canadae-Government43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3473e-3473 (Health)JeremySmithCharlieAngusTimmins—James BayNDPONJuly 15, 2021, at 2:17 p.m. (EDT)September 13, 2021, at 2:17 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="6" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:There are limited legislation and regulations in regards to the commercial use of cannabis within the food and beverage industry;The $8.16 billion dollar cannabis industry could expand and create entirely new job opportunities across Canada, growing the economy;Making it possible to provide a safe environment for those who wish to enjoy a vast variety of cannabis consumables;Allowing the government to regulate this new industry by regulating the quality of products, ensuring the best possible safety regulations and standards are in place, benefiting consumers;Allowing those struggling with medical health issues that use cannabis to assist with their conditions in a broader market spectrum, and keep the financial gains out of the pockets of criminals, from the illegal sales of edible cannabis; The regulation of a public cannabis consumption market in restaurants and cafés would make it more difficult for youth to obtain illegal infused cannabis consumables, potentially containing higher or dangerous levels of cannabis;Helping those that consume cannabis for medical (Crohn's, cancer, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, Parkinson's, chronic pain, MS, AIDS, and many more) and recreational purposes to do so as safely as possible; andThere are overall health benefits.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1) Amend legislation to permit the cooking, sale and consumption of cannabis infused consumables at restaurants and cafés;2) Regulate safety protocols and steps into operating a cannabis infused business, including chefs that have attended a cannabis culinary school and implementing limitations of CBD and THC used per consumable item sold; and3) Educate the public in regards to the consumption of edible cannabis.CannabisFood and drink servicesTrading standards43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01240432-01240 (Ethical issues)MelArnoldNorth Okanagan—ShuswapConservativeBCJune 23, 2021June 2, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas the government of Canada no longer represents the best interests of Canadians and serves only to benefit partisan allies; we, the citizens of Canada, are thereby required to act to return integrity to our country and exercise our civil rights, granted to us under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
  • Task the RCMP to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the Trudeau, WE, and SNC-Lavalin scandals.
  • Investigate the role of the Prime Minister and his Privy Council in the obstruction of justice in the aforementioned WE and SNC-Lavalin scandals.
  • Investigate the monetary connections between the Trudeau family and the WE "Charity"
Conflict of interestGovernment contractsInquiries and public inquiriesPrime MinisterSNC-Lavalin Group Inc.Trudeau, JustinWE Charity
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedJuly 22, 2021e-3334e-3334 (Transportation)ToddKylloMelArnoldNorth Okanagan—ShuswapConservativeBCApril 22, 2021, at 4:29 p.m. (EDT)July 21, 2021, at 4:29 p.m. (EDT)July 22, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="271245" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:Recreation boating is an activity valued by families across Canada;On an annual basis, 12.4 million Canadians enjoy recreational boating and this activity contributes $5.6 billion to our economy and employs over 75000 Canadians;Transport Canada has proposed to eliminate the Rental Boat Safety Checklist (RBSC) as a form of proof of competency for Canadians wishing to rent a pleasure craft;The RBSC is a proven and effective method for providing renters safety training and information specific to the pleasure craft being rented and the body of water it is operated on;Neither the Minister of Transport nor his Department have provided Canadians with any data or statistics supporting the proposed elimination of the RBSC;Elimination of the RBSC will prevent some Canadians from participating in recreational boating;Elimination of the RBSC will make recreational boating more expensive and less accessible for Canadian families renting pleasure craft;Many Canadian families, especially those recently arrived in Canada, rent pleasure craft before becoming pleasure craft owners themselves; andThe government should promote and increase access to outdoor activities like recreational boating for Canadian families.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to amend the Department of Transport's proposed changes to the Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Program to ensure Canadian families can continue to use the Rental Boat Safety Checklist to access recreational boating experiences unless the Minister or the Department are able to provide data or statistics clearly demonstrating that the proposed changes are necessary to increase public safety.CredentialsMaritime safetyPleasure craftRental services43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021e-2725e-2725 (Fisheries)WilliamBraidwoodMelArnoldNorth Okanagan—ShuswapConservativeBCJuly 7, 2020, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)November 4, 2020, at 3:04 p.m. (EDT)December 4, 2020January 25, 2021November 4, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253373" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard</Addressee>Whereas:The public fishery in British Columbia depends on predictable access to marine and aquatic resources;The public fishery in British Columbia is a source of benefits, including food security, cultural traditions, recreation, mental health, employment and economic opportunity for hundreds of thousands of British Columbians;The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard and the Government of Canada have chosen to ignore viable and sustainable proposals from British Columbians for managing fisheries that may encounter Fraser River Chinook;The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard and the Government of Canada have failed to implement a coordinated, properly funded, comprehensive, ecosystem-based recovery plan and strategy to rebuild stocks and habitat for Fraser River Chinook; andThe Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard and the Government of Canada have failed to acknowledge the presence of other abundant Chinook stocks.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to amend the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ 2020 Fraser River Chinook salmon management measures to acknowledge the existence of abundant Chinook stocks elsewhere on the coast and allow avoidance zones and mark selective fisheries that have been proposed for times and places where endangered Fraser River Chinook are absent or unlikely to be present, and provide details to Canadians for the immediate development of a comprehensive recovery strategy and plan for Fraser River stocks of concern to be implemented as soon as possible.
Response by the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast GuardSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Bernadette JordanA broad pattern of decline has affected many Chinook populations in southern British Columbia (BC). Many southern BC Chinook populations, particularly in the Fraser River face a number of challenges, including declining numbers returning to spawn, reduced survival and productivity, habitat pressures and a changing climate. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has been increasing measures to conserve southern BC Chinook stocks for many years, with harvest restrictions increasing over time.In November 2018, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed seven Fraser Chinook populations as endangered, four as threatened and one as special concern. We urgently need to address these declines, as well as the changes to marine life and ecosystems that are directly affecting salmon and our coastal communities.In 2019 and 2020 DFO implemented significant new management measures designed to support the recovery of at-risk Fraser River Chinook populations, provide access for culturally important First Nations fisheries consistent with allocation priorities, and provide access for commercial and recreational fisheries to harvest healthy Chinook populations in times and areas where stocks of concern can be avoided. These measures were developed following consultation with Indigenous communities, recreational and commercial fishing organizations, and environmental organizations.DFO recognizes the challenges faced by all who depend on Pacific salmon for their sustenance, livelihood and recreation. While conservation is the highest priority in management of these populations, the Department is continuing to consider pilot recreational fishery opportunities to selectively target hatchery origin Chinook (i.e. using mark selective fisheries) or other healthy Chinook stocks in areas where at-risk Fraser Chinook can be avoided and where other conservation issues are not expected. In 2020, a limited number of these proposals were approved as pilots subject to requirements for catch monitoring/sampling to address effects of regulations and consultation with First Nations. DFO is currently compiling information to support a post-season review of all salmon fisheries and work is in progress to consider potential additional marked selective fishery opportunities in Spring 2021.It is important that we make decisions that will ultimately lead to strengthened salmon populations, so that we have healthy and abundant salmon runs in the future that will support Indigenous, commercial and recreational fisheries. Fishery management measures are only one component of a larger strategy intended to place at-risk Pacific salmon populations on a path towards sustainability. One element of this work is to evaluate the utility of mass marking (adipose fin clipping) of Canadian hatchery Chinook production and mark selective fisheries as conservation tools to enable harvest opportunities for identifiable marked hatchery fish while minimizing fishing mortality on wild stocks and maintaining reliable stock assessment information. Though mark selective fisheries are meant to allow harvest of relatively abundance hatchery fish, all selective fisheries have an associated mortality on unmarked (wild) fish and in cases where a mark selective fishery is not properly designed, implemented and monitored, this mortality can exceed that of a non-selective fishery. The Department is also conducting a pilot project to mass mark (adipose fin clip) Conuma Hatchery Chinook in conjunction with genetic-based tagging to establish whether genetic techniques, combined with enhanced catch monitoring, will provide the assessment information currently derived from the coded wire tag indicator stock program and determine whether this approach mitigates the impacts of mark selective fisheries.In addition, the Government of Canada is  devoting significant resources to broadly support recovery of Pacific salmon, including Chinook, through a variety of initiatives to address threats facing Chinook populations, including:
  • Habitat protection: Bringing in a new Fisheries Act to restore protections for fish habitat, and working closely with the BC government on land and water use policies that can impact critical habitat.
  • Habitat restoration: In partnership with the Province of BC, DFO created a BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, contributing more than $142 million over five years, enabling salmon and habitat restoration projects in communities across the province.
  • Climate adaptation: DFO is researching how warming waters affect salmon through all life stages, and the implications for ecosystems and released our first State of Pacific Salmon report in 2019.
  • Improved stock assessment: In the 2018 Economic Statement DFO committed an additional $107 million to support the implementation of the Fish Stocks provisions of the renewed Fisheries Act. These resources will help improve Pacific salmon stock assessments and contribute to a better managed fishery.
  • Enhanced science and collaboration: To gain a better understanding of what is happening in the North Pacific and how salmon returns are being affected, DFO recently co-sponsored a second research expedition to the North Pacific with scientists drawn from five countries (Russia, United States, Japan, South Korea and Canada).
  • Big Bar landslide:  an investment of $176 million to install a permanent fishway through the site of the Big Bar landslide on the Fraser River
The Department is developing science advice on threats and limiting factors for at-risk Chinook populations and this information and science advice will inform the development of rebuilding plans for Chinook stocks of concern. The Department has also engaged with First Nations, the Province of BC, and stakeholders to support planning the development of these plans.
Chinook salmonFisheries and fishersFraser River
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021432-00454432-00454 (Foreign affairs)MelArnoldNorth Okanagan—ShuswapConservativeBCJanuary 28, 2021March 22, 2021October 13, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 9, 2020e-2829e-2829 (Foreign affairs)SiarheiMazgavoiChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONSeptember 15, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT)October 15, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT)October 26, 2020December 9, 2020October 15, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The August 9, 2020, Presidential election in Belarus became one of the dirtiest rigged elections;Dictator Lukashenko’s regime brutally suppressed the ensuing nationwide peaceful protests with rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons, and stun grenades; andThe repression resulted in over 7,000 unlawful detentions, four confirmed deaths (one caused by use of fire arms), and 89 cases of missing people.We, the undersigned, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Demand that Belarusian officials free all political prisoners;2. Demand that dictator Lukashenko resign immediately; 3. Demand that a proper investigation be conducted into the atrocities committed in the streets and in Belarusian detention centres (violent beatings, torture, rape, denial of medical care);4. Demand that Belarusian officials immediately stop repression against any individuals and organizations that started industrial action, and against any citizens opposed to the Lukashenko regime; 5. Adopt the Magnitsky Act for Belarus that would include all persons involved in the repression, abductions, torture, murders, dismissals, threats of removal of children from families, as well as the persons involved in falsifying the 2020 election results;6. Appeal to the UN Security Council to refer Lukashenko and his regime to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity; 7. Support the democratic movement and its activists within Belarus by all acceptable means, and support the democratic initiatives of Belarusians abroad; and8. Prevent Russia’s interference in the conflict between Belarusian society and the Lukashenko regime.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe Government of Canada is a longstanding advocate for the promotion and protection of human rights and this is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy. The systematic nature and scale of violations by the Belarusian authorities following the August 9, 2020, presidential elections are deeply disturbing and troubling. Canada does not recognize the results of the fraudulent elections and declared that Alexander Lukashenko lacks the legitimacy to be the leader of Belarus. The Government of Canada continues to be alarmed by the Government of Belarus’ blatant disregard for basic democratic principles and fundamental human rights, including credible allegations of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), torture and cruel treatment perpetrated against individuals who have been arbitrarily detained. The violent crackdown on peaceful protestors, expulsion of opposition members, and targeting of independent journalists are an affront to the freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression, and opinion. These actions by the Government of Belarus are not only highly reprehensible but they are inconsistent with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and UN Convention on Torture.Canada has been strongly engaged in response to events in Belarus since the beginning of the crisis and has repeatedly sent firm messages to the Government of Belarus that its actions are unacceptable. The Government of Canada worked with likeminded partners including the EU, U.K., and the U.S, to address the situation.Canada engages partners on steps aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the political impasse in Belarus. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has coordinated with his counterparts, had multiple calls with opposition leader Ms. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as well as registered Canada’s concerns directly with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Vladimir Makei. On October 16, 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Vilnius to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia to reinforce common support for the people of Belarus. While there, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with Ms. Tsikhanouskaya.Canada has also been active in multilateral bodies and has made several statements on the human rights situation in Belarus, which has included urging the Government of Belarus to release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained.For example, on August 18, 2020, Canada co-sponsored a UN Security Council (UNSC) Arria-formula meeting on human rights in Belarus with nine other Member States. In his intervention to the UNSC and other invited participants, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN called for dialogue between the Belarusian authorities and members of the opposition movement. On October 26, 2020, in an Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus during the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, Canada raised serious concerns about the use of SGBV, torture and impunity in the country.At the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in September 2020, Canada’s Permanent Mission to the UN presented a Canadian-led joint statement alongside 30 signatories to condemn internet shutdowns. In November 2020, as part of Belarus’ Universal Periodic Review at the UNHRC, Canada also made public strong recommendations to Belarus on human rights, one of which specifically called on the Government of Belarus to investigate promptly and impartially all allegations of torture and other cruel treatment.Furthermore, Canada continues its human rights advocacy at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), where as a participating State, Belarus has made commitments to human rights and democracy. In September 2020, Canada with 16 other participating States pressed to invoke the Moscow Mechanism to establish a fact-finding mission to investigate allegations of human rights violations. The resulting report, made public on November 5, 2020, confirmed serious violations under Lukashenko’s regime. Canada called on Belarus to take heed of the report’s recommendations and again called for a cessation of violence against peaceful protestors and opponents. Canada also advocates for dialogue mediation through the OSCE, offered by current and incoming Chairs, Albania and Sweden.Canada strongly believes that media freedom remains an important part of democratic societies. On September 24, 2020, Canada and the U.K. co-led a joint statement from the Media Freedom Coalition’s Executive Group, expressing alarm over the crackdown on journalists and other media workers in Belarus. Collectively, the Executive Group called on Belarus to guarantee media freedom and for accountability on those responsible for limiting the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The current situation of media freedom in Belarus was also addressed at the Global Conference for Media Freedom, which Canada hosted on November 16, 2020.On September 29, 2020, Canada and the U.K. were the first countries to sanction Alexander Lukashenko, following his holding of a secret inauguration for himself. All together, the Government of Canada has announced three rounds of sanctions against 55 Belarusian officials under the Special Economic Measures Act for gross and systematic human rights violations. These actions have been taking in close coordination with the EU, U.K., and the U.S. The imposition of sanctions demonstrates Canada’s strong commitment to human rights and democracy in Belarus and to the dignity of its people. This coordinated action with partner countries reinforces the assertion that violence and acts which undermine democracy will not be tolerated by the international community.Canada stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and supports their democratic aspirations. On September 23, 2020, Canada announced $600,000 of funding to support Belarusian civil society, with a focus on bolstering independent media and women’s leadership. The Government of Canada continues to engage with potential programming partners on how Canada’s assistance can best support democratic governance and democratic actors.Canada recognizes the future of Belarus should reflect the will of its citizens. To this end, the Government of Canada will continue to closely consult with the Belarusian opposition and civil society in order to support their work, engage with the diaspora in Canada and abroad, and call on all countries, including Russia, to refrain from foreign interference in Belarus.The Government of Canada will continue to closely monitor developments in Belarus, raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation, and pursue diplomatic efforts with its partners to bring about positive change in Belarus.
BelarusDemocracyForeign policyOppression
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3224e-3224 (Veterans' affairs)DavidPalmerChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONMarch 2, 2021, at 5:02 p.m. (EDT)May 31, 2021, at 5:02 p.m. (EDT)June 3, 2021June 1, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) recognized veterans serving 547 consecutive days from September 3rd, 1939, to March 1st, 1947; After March 1st, 1947, no service medal exists for inclusive recognition for service of Canada's veterans since the end of World War II;A service medal for Cold War veterans and all veterans serving 547 consecutive days does not exist;The Canadian Forces' Decoration is “a long service medal” for 12 years of service and does not cover veterans of the Cold War or veterans serving honourably for periods of 547 days or longer;The creation of a military service medal would bring “Recognition, Inclusiveness and Remembrance” for all our veterans;Since cessation of the CVSM, there no longer exists a medal where possible future bars of notable service could be affixed; A new Canadian military service medal would serve this purpose; andHonouring these veterans, by a new Canadian Forces service medal, would re-establish an inclusive and sincere act of remembrance and kindness by embracing all veterans, becoming embedded in Canadian history, a lasting legacy of Canada’s traditions and heritage for our nation and for those Canadians that have served yet to this day remain unacknowledged.We, the undersigned, Canadians, call upon the Government of Canada to create a new medal to honour and include Canadian veterans, which honourably served our nation, completing 547 days of uninterrupted honourable duty from September 2nd, 1945, to the present by the issuing of a new and inclusive Canadian military service medal to recognize their service.Awards presentationsVeterans43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01180432-01180 (Social affairs and equality)ChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONJune 21, 2021June 18, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas:
  • a hidden disability symbol should be free, accessible, and used voluntarily;
  • a hidden disability symbol's design should be effective as a self-advocacy and awareness tool, and relevant to and inclusive of all hidden and episodic disabilities without detracting from detectable disabilities;
  • hidden, including episodic, disabilities affect more people than do detectable disabilities, yet are less represented and understood;
  • the hidden disability community (HDC) is growing as COVID-19 survivors are expected to experience permanent impairments;
  • 82% of surveyed HDC members report avoidance of events, places and situations at least once or twice a week;
  • women with hidden disabilities are overrepresented in human trafficking, prison, and homeless populations;
  • the HDC is overrepresented in violent police interactions;
  • the International Symbol of Access (ISA, aka wheelchair symbol) excludes the HDC, resulting in many reports of permit-holding members of the HDC are being accosted at accessible parking spots;
  • a Hidden Disability Symbol is a tool for self-advocacy, increasing social awareness and support, improving information and best practices, recruitment of disabled employees, identification of accommodation needs while respecting individual rights to privacy, and preventing negative police and other public interactions;
  • hidden disability icons, symbols, and memes are in use in various countries and available through differing models;
  • currently a petition is asking the UK government to adopt a hidden disabilities scheme;
  • there is, therefore, a proven and timely need for a hidden disability symbol in Canada, and internationally;
We, the undersigned citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to adopt and promote a national Hidden Disability Symbol, and lead or participate in actions toward its international adoption.
Graphic symbolsPersons with disabilities
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01065432-01065 (Business and trade)ChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONJune 8, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 24,000 Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions;
  • These Travel Advisors are being asked by Canadian Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies to repay commissions earned at the end of 2019 & beginning of 2020 on their clients' trips that were cancelled due to said Travel Restrictions, known as "commission recalls" or "Commission claw-backs".
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Ensure that any financial assistance to Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies, will be conditional on the protection of Travel Advisor commissions;
  • Ensure that commissions already clawed back by the Airlines & their subsidiary Travel Companies will be repaid to Travel Advisors in a timely manner.
AirlinesCOVID-19PandemicReimbursementTravel agencies
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01064432-01064 (Business and trade)ChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONJune 8, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors.
  • 100% of Travel Advisors' income comes from commissions earned from their Travel Suppliers, and because of their delayed revenue stream, it takes between 5 and 11 months for Travel Advisors to be paid for work done on the booking of clients' trips.
  • The CRB has been the sole source of assistance for most Independent Travel Advisors, who are still actively working in their businesses, but unable to earn revenue.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Extend the CRB for 6 months past the lifting of all Travel Advisories, for Travel Advisors
  • Maintain the CRB at the current amount ($2,000/ month) for sectors hardest hit by COVID, including Travel Advisors
Canada Recovery BenefitCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3505e-3505 (Business and trade)LuxiMathiyaparanamChandraAryaNepeanLiberalONJune 14, 2021, at 5:14 p.m. (EDT)August 13, 2021, at 5:14 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The fashion industry is diminishing, and is crucial to our national identity and our diverse population;In 2020, the commencement of COVID-19 and the critical shortage of personal protective equipment proved that the need for “Made in Canada” fashion and production is essential;Canada is one of the world’s largest apparel markets, however the market is predominately from imports, with retail sales in 2019, totalling US $28.04B. Canada has a significant market opportunity for fashion brands, retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers;The Government of Canada must identify fashion as a form of art—Canadians have the fundamental right to exercise the freedom of expression;The ongoing unaddressed issues include: cultural awareness and appropriation, carbon emissions, financial aid, inadequate education curriculum, inclusivity, international development, lack of a community unifying efforts across Canada, media coverage, legal representation, promotion abroad, safety, sustainability, technology, trust and available research preventing and limiting the development of industry;Looking at the successes of dominant global allies in the industry, the opportunities for Canada are exponential, both nationally and internationally, and will further advance the nation’s social and economic infrastructure; andIt is time to bring this issue to the forefront of Canadian industries, develop opportunities for a better future, participate with other leading countries, and support the fashion industry for generations to come.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Pass legislation to promote Canadian fashion in the national interest;2. Add Canada Fashion Network to the list of organizations that make up the Canadian Heritage Portfolio.Canada Fashion NetworkFashion industry43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3046e-3046 (Foreign affairs)ChristopherAlessandriniNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBDecember 21, 2020, at 9:27 a.m. (EDT)January 20, 2021, at 9:27 a.m. (EDT)January 26, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Amar Fayaz, a Progressive Youth Alliance activist in Pakistan, was taken into custody by Pakistani security services on November 8, 2020, outside Liaqat Medical University in Jamshoro, and still has not reappeared;Amar Fayaz’s family, wife and daughter have not been made aware of his location;No charges have been brought against Amar Fayaz in a public court;Amnesty International and other organisations haved reported that enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, violence against women, media censorship and the harassment of ethnic and religious minorities continue to take place in Pakistan; andGuaranteeing the political and democratic rights of all people, regardless of where they live, is of fundamental importance in upholding human dignity and the inalienable nature of human rights.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: - condemn the disappearances of activists in Pakistan and the abduction of Amar Fayaz;- send representatives to address the Pakistani Government and to demand that Amar Fayaz be released or formally bring charges against him; and- demand that the Pakistani government uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Civil and human rightsForeign policyOppressionPakistan43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021e-3024e-3024 (Justice)DonAshleyNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBDecember 3, 2020, at 4:08 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2021, at 4:08 p.m. (EDT)February 4, 2021March 22, 2021February 2, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The derailment of Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) Train 301, that cost the lives of Andy Dockrell, Dylan Paradis and Daniel Waldenberger-Bulmer on February 4, 2019, should and could have been avoided;The CP investigation has led to deeply concerning allegations and a call for an independent criminal investigation;The handling of the investigation has raised major concerns about the ongoing role of the railway police forces;The government of Canada through the department of Transport and the department of Public Safety have failed to ask the RCMP to launch a full and independent investigation on the accident; andThe safety of rail workers, who are essential workers, is at stake and the families of those who perished deserve answers.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to launch a full and independent criminal investigation into the deadly derailment of CP Train 301.
Response by the Minister of TransportSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Omar AlghabraTransport Canada’s legislative framework, including the Railway Safety Act, does not include the mandate to launch a criminal investigation. Rather, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or the relevant police service has the mandate to investigate any criminal conduct if they have jurisdiction over the area where the accident occurred or where an alleged criminal behavior has occurred. These police services have the discretion and independence to determine when an investigation is warranted, to conduct investigations into alleged criminal conduct, and, depending on the findings, to recommend that criminal prosecution be commenced.The RCMP has completed a preliminary review of this derailment, and an investigation is now underway.
CPKCCriminal investigations and hearingsFieldRailway accidents
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3235e-3235 (Transportation)TavengwaRunyowaNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBMarch 4, 2021, at 4:27 p.m. (EDT)June 2, 2021, at 4:27 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2021June 2, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Sections 44 and 44.1 of the Railway Safety Act effectively authorize Canada’s private railway corporations to own and control police forces that exercise full criminal law enforcement powers;These railway corporations’ police officers are both public servants and private corporate employees who report and answer to company management in operational matters and criminal investigations;Apart from one ad hoc criminal investigation that the RCMP launched in December 2020, private railway police forces have invariably asserted exclusive criminal jurisdiction over railway disasters, including cases where the railway police forces’ corporate owners were implicated;In a democratic Canada, criminal investigations of fatalities and serious injuries must be entrusted to independent police forces, not the private corporations that may be responsible;Systematically enabling private corporations to criminally investigate themselves violates the rule of law, police independence, and the integrity of Canada’s criminal justice system;The Government of Canada has the duty to determine why, for over a century, and despite the primacy of police independence, the RCMP and Canada’s public police forces have invariably allowed private railway corporations to criminally investigate themselves through their company police forces; andPrivate railway companies’ self-investigation model has deprived thousands of Canadians of their right to independent and accountable criminal investigations of railway tragedies.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to establish a national inquiry under the Inquiries Act to determine the causes and consequences of Canada’s private railway self-investigation model on the criminal investigation of thousands of railway fatalities, serious injuries, explosions, and environmental disasters.Inquiries and public inquiriesRail transport safetySecurity services43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3401e-3401 (Environment)Jeffrey OrvilleOlsonNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBMay 14, 2021, at 4:07 p.m. (EDT)September 11, 2021, at 4:07 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253376" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:The $4 billion Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion was proposed by the Government of Saskatchewan and supported by the Government of Canada in the summer of 2020;There are very real and important environmental impacts of this type of activity including the increased use of agricultural inputs, and water availability in Lake Diefenbaker; andThe Canada Impact Assessment Agency has not received any information needed to start the environmental assessment process.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to: 1- Immediately order that the proponent(s) of the Saskatchewan Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion proposal submit a description of the project including information prescribed by regulations made under paragraph 112(1)(a) of the Impact Assessment Act;2- Provide free access to that and any future information provided to the Impact Assessment Agency; and3- Commence meaningful consultation with the concerned public, environmental organizations, First Nations and Metis communities.Environmental assessmentIrrigationLake DiefenbakerPublic consultation43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3456e-3456 (Foreign affairs)IsaacSaneyNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBMay 28, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT)September 25, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The government of the United States has imposed economic sanctions, amounting to an economic war, against Cuba for more than 60 years, constituting the principal obstacle to Cuba’s social and economic development, having cost in excess of $100 billion;The Government of the United States has pressured and coerced other countries to participate in its regime of economic sanctions against Cuba;The United States economic sanctions and the campaign of subversion against Cuba are a violation of international law, the right of self-determination and the human rights of the people of Cuba; andSince 1992, the international community, including Canada, has rejected United States economic sanctions against Cuba through overwhelming votes in the United Nations General Assembly.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Call on the Government of the United States to end all economic sanctions against Cuba;2. Call on the Government of the United States to cease its campaign of subversion and policy of hostility and aggression against Cuba;3. Call on the Government of the United States to remove Cuba from the United States Department of State’s List of State Sponsors of Terror;4. Take immediate steps and actions through the implementation and enforcement of, among others, the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act, in order to preserve Canadian sovereignty and ensure that Canadian companies and other entities do not participate in United States economic sanctions against Cuba; and5. Ensure that its relations with Cuba be based on equality and the respect of sovereignty, independence and the right of self-determination.CubaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyUnited States of America43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3240e-3240 (Employment and labour)PamelaFraserNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBMarch 8, 2021, at 3:24 p.m. (EDT)June 6, 2021, at 3:24 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2021June 7, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:All Canadians must be free to report any wrongdoing they discover in the course of their work without fear of retaliation;Confidence in public institutions is enhanced by establishing effective procedures for the disclosure of wrongdoing and the protection of public servants who make such disclosures;The Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act (CTAISBA) prohibits the Transport Safety Board of Canada’s (TSB) investigators from finding fault and making criminal referrals to law enforcement, including cases where the TSB investigators find evidence of potential criminal conduct by the transport companies they are investigating;The TSB demoted its incident investigator, Mr. Don Crawford, for disclosing potential criminality to the media regarding the fatal derailment of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s train 301 near Field, British Columbia, on February 4, 2019;To date, TSB has effectively deprived TSB investigators of whistleblower protections and a safe environment to report potential criminal wrongdoing that the investigators have uncovered during their investigations; andPublic servants, such as Mr. Crawford, should be lauded, rather than punished, for directing public attention to potential criminal conduct that endangers workers and the public.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Add a section 33.1 to the CTAISBA that authorizes TSB investigators to make referrals of potential criminal violations to the RCMP, independent police of jurisdiction, and Canada’s attorneys general; and2. Amend the CTAISBA to expressly include TSB investigators and personnel as “public servants” who are eligible for whistleblower protection under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act.Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety BoardDisclosure of wrongdoing in the workplacePublic Service and public servantsTransportation safety43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2857e-2857 (Foreign affairs)HenryEvans-TenbrinkeNikiAshtonChurchill—Keewatinook AskiNDPMBSeptember 29, 2020, at 9:14 a.m. (EDT)January 27, 2021, at 9:14 a.m. (EDT)January 27, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Meng Wanzhou, Huawei Corporation CFO, committed no crime in Canada;Realizing her arrest was politically motivated because President Trump declared he might release Meng if he secured a favourable trade deal with China and because he told John Bolton that Meng was “a bargaining chip” in his negotiations;Noting that before her arrest in Vancouver on December 1, 2018, Meng travelled through many countries all of which refused US requests to extradite her;Observing that, in their letter of October 11, 2018, US senators Rubio and Wagner of the Select Intelligence Committee advised PM Trudeau to exclude Huwaei Corporation from the deployment of 5G technology in Canada;Understanding that the US is illegally trying to exercise extraterritoriality in prosecuting Meng to enforce its unilateral and illegal sanctions against Iran;Alarmed that Meng’s arrest caused a major deterioration in Canada-China relations with serious negative consequences for many Canadians, while providing no benefit for Canada and instead contributing to a new cold war with China; andRecognizing that it is entirely within the discretion of Immigration Minister Mendicino and in accordance with the rule of law for him to end extradition proceedings against Meng.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1) Cease extradition proceedings against Meng and release her immediately;2) Protect Canadian jobs by permitting Huawei Canada to participate in the Canadian deployment of a 5G internet network; and3) Initiate a long-overdue foreign policy review to develop an independent foreign policy for Canada.ChinaForeign policyHuawei Technologies Co., Ltd.Imprisonment and prisonersTelecommunications networksWanzhou, Meng43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021e-2827e-2827 (Environment)AmitaKuttnerJenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBSeptember 2, 2020, at 12:03 p.m. (EDT)October 2, 2020, at 12:03 p.m. (EDT)November 19, 2020January 25, 2021October 2, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The climate crisis and destruction of ecosystems (ecocide) are the result of many years of harmful industrial activities permitted by law, with many of the risks having been known for decades by the companies choosing to continue these practices and the governments who subsidize those activities;Canadian citizens and residents can and must take some responsibility for what is consumed, but it is industry, finance and government who make high-level investment and policy decisions;The international community lacks a legal framework ensuring shared-nation responsibility for financing humanitarian and environmental aid and assistance to ecocide territories despite numerous treaties, agreements and civil lawsuits;As a UN Member state Canada shares a collective legal duty "to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom" in terms of the Preamble to the UN Charter 1945; andAmending the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to include ecocide as a crime, alongside genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression, could provide a simple, effective deterrent for those in positions of corporate and financial responsibility and mandate a duty to protect for government officials, enforceable within existing criminal justice systems.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to declare its support for an amendment to the Rome Statute and advocate its adoption internationally in the knowledge that many countries must stand together for the long-term protection of all life on Earth.
Response by the Minister of International Development Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Karina GouldThe Government of Canada has made environment and climate change a top priority, both in terms of working with the provinces and territories to develop a domestic action plan, as well as contributing meaningfully to international efforts to transition towards a low-carbon economy. The Government of Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to the goal of exceeding its Paris Agreement target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Canada is also committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.Responsible business conduct is at the nexus of many priorities for Canada such as the respect for human rights and rights of Indigenous communities, the global fight against climate change, and inclusive trade. To this end, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad to respect human rights, to operate transparently and in consultation with host governments and local communities, and to work in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, while respecting applicable laws.At the global level, the Government of Canada recognizes that many countries cannot implement the measures required to face the global climate crisis without help. The Government of Canada therefore remains firmly committed to the collective goal of mobilizing US$100 billion in climate finance annually in 2020 and beyond. The Government of Canada will also continue to play a leadership role in supporting developing countries to address climate change and encouraging innovative approaches and partnerships to financing sustainable development to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries.Canada is committed to be a world leader for climate, both in terms of environmental action and peace promotion, and will continue to follow closely the discussions on ecocide at the international level.
Environmental protectionForeign policyInternational lawRome Statute
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 23, 2020e-2447e-2447 (Science and technology)NicholasTracyJenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBFebruary 24, 2020, at 3:41 p.m. (EDT)June 23, 2020, at 3:41 p.m. (EDT)June 23, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) was created by the Government of Canada in 1977 to provide financial support for research by qualified scholars;Until 1992, the SSHRC administered its research grants directly, and it was possible for self-employed scholars and scholars between academic employments to obtain research funding;In 1992, the SSHRC decided it would cease to administer its own grants and co-opted universities for that purpose;When universities took on responsibility for administration of SSHRC research grants, they restricted access to funding to scholars with university affiliation;Ad hoc honorary academic appointments were used to provide continued access to funding, but these were patronage positions;When universities enforce regulations limiting academic appointments to those scholars needed for teaching purposes, the original intentions of the SSHRC can not be fully realized; andIn June 2019, the SSHRC gave consideration to finding a process by which qualified but unaffiliated scholars could access funding, but voted not to create a sub-committee for that purpose.We, the undersigned, the scholarly community of Canada, call upon the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry to require the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada to honour and facilitate its original mandate to provide open competition for research funding for all qualified Canadian scholars regardless of university affiliation.Research and researchersSocial Sciences and Humanities Research Council43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 25, 2020431-00156431-00156 (Indigenous affairs)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBMarch 11, 2020May 25, 2020February 28, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWhereas:
  • Canadian constitutional law is accountable to the human rights obligations outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP);
  • Provincial and federal governments must follow the legal principles established by the Supreme Court and the constitution, which requires them to engage in good faith negotiations with the Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs;
  • Canada has also committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report "Calls to Action";
  • The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has called on Canada to: immediately suspend work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline until free, prior, and informed consent is obtained from Indigenous Peoples; immediately cease the forced eviction of Wet'suwet'en Peoples; prohibit the use of lethal weapons against Indigenous peoples and guarantee no force will be used against them; withdraw the RCMP and associated security and policing services from traditional lands;
  • Hereditary Chiefs have the right to grant consent, or not, for activities on their territories; and
  • The Coastal GasLink project has the potential to release massive amounts of methane through the extraction, transport, liquefaction and regasification processes.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to commit to upholding the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action by immediately:
  • Halt all existing and planned construction of the Coastal GasLink project on Wet'suwet'en territory;
  • Order the RCMP to dismantle their exclusion zone and stand down;
  • Schedule nation-to-nation talks between the Wet'suwet'en Nation and federal and provincial governments; and
  • Prioritize the real implementation of the UNDRIP.
Response by the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): GARY ANANDASANGAREEThe Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations would like to thank the petitioners for expressing their interest in the Wet’suwet’en Nation and the Coastal Gaslink pipeline project. The Government remains committed to reconciliation with all Indigenous peoples, including the hereditary leadership of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Since 2015, our focus has been on the renewal of relationships based on the affirmation of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. The Government also endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples without qualification in 2016, and has committed to its full implementation with Indigenous peoples and in accordance with the Canadian constitution.The Government is working with Indigenous partners to explore new ways of working together and advancing their visions of self-determination, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Since 2017, the Government has been engaged in productive work with the hereditary leadership of the Wet’suwet’en Nation regarding child and family wellness. This has taken place through the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self Determination process, which is an alternative to the treaty process, for addressing the interests of Indigenous groups. It encourages exploratory discussions and the co-development of measures, thereby renewing and strengthening nation-to-nation relationships between Canada and Indigenous peoples. Over the past several weeks the governments of Canada and British Columbia have been in ongoing communication with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs to find a path forward to deal with these issues in a positive and substantive way.While policing decisions are made independently and free from political influence, we were pleased that the RCMP in BC worked with the Wet’suwet’en Nation to make operational changes to de-escalate the situation and make room for talks between the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, and the federal and provincial governments. We were also encouraged that the project proponent independently agreed to pause work on the Coastal GasLink project during in-person discussions to help make them possible.The federal Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations and the British Columbia Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation met in Smithers with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs between February 27-29th and had frank and substantive discussions, guided by respect, on issues around Wet’suwet’en rights and title. These talks focused on two separate topics –the recognition of Wet’suwet’en Indigenous rights and title throughout their territory and the issues arising out of the Coastal GasLink project. These topics were discussed separately.With respect to rights and title, the parties focused intensely on commitments to an expedited process to implement Wet’suwet’en rights and title. The result of these discussions was a draft arrangement that is being reviewed by the Wet’suwet’en clan members through Wet’suwet’en governance protocols for approval. Canada acknowledges that additional time will be required for the approval process to be completed given the challenging and unprecedented circumstances relating to the pandemic response and the social distancing measures being asked of all Canadians. We look forward to the results of their approval process.Renewing the nation-to-nation, government-to-government and Crown to Inuit relationships between Canada and Indigenous peoples, towards self-determination, continues.
Coastal GasLink Pipeline ProjectIndigenous rightsWet'suwet'en First Nation
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 25, 2020431-00155431-00155 (Social affairs and equality)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBMarch 11, 2020May 25, 2020February 5, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsTHEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS call upon the House of Commons to adopt a national poverty elimination strategy, thereby ensuring Canadians a suitable quality of life and opportunity to succeed.
Response by the Minister of Families, Children and Social DevelopmentSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): ADAM VAUGHANThe Government of Canada is committed to fighting poverty and helping Canadians working hard to join the middle class. That is why we released Canada’s first ever Poverty Reduction Strategy, which has the goal of reducing poverty in Canada by 50% by 2030, in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. We have made historic investments to reduce poverty in Canada. Since 2015, over one million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty, including over 334,000 children.On February 13, 2017, the Government of Canada launched a nationwide consultation process to support the development of the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. This process is part of the Government's desire to reach out to Canadians and to understand the needs and challenges faced by those most at risk of living with low income. Since then, ministerial and community roundtables with local organizations, national Indigenous organizations and people with lived experience have taken place across the country. Online public submissions have also been received through a portal dedicated to the Poverty Reduction Strategy. The Government also hosted a National Poverty Conference on September 27 and 28, 2017, which brought together academics, Canadians with lived experience of poverty, winners of a national youth contest who shared their innovative ideas on reducing poverty, and other key stakeholders to discuss the results of the national engagement.On September 22, 2017, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development announced the members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty, which brings together a diverse group of 17 leaders, academic experts and practitioners working in the field of poverty reduction, and individuals who have experienced poverty first-hand. The committee has held several conference calls and meetings throughout the fall.On August 21, 2018, the Government of Canada released Opportunity for All – Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy The Strategy offers a bold vision for Canada as a world leader in the eradication of poverty and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of ending poverty. It establishes, for the first time in Canada’s history, an official measure of poverty: Canada’s Official Poverty Line, based on the cost of a basket of goods and services that individuals and families require to meet their basic needs and achieve a modest standard of living in communities across the country.Opportunity for All sets ambitious and concrete poverty reduction targets based on Canada’s Official Poverty Line: a 20 percent reduction in poverty by 2020 and a 50 percent reduction in poverty by 2030, which, relative to 2015 levels, will lead to the lowest poverty rate in Canada’s history.The Poverty Reduction Act received Royal Assent in June 2019. The Act entrenches the poverty reduction targets, Canada’s Official Poverty Line, and the National Advisory Council on Poverty into law.The Strategy brings together new investments of $22 billion that the Government has made since 2015 to support the social and economic well-being of all Canadians. The Government has committed to new investments of over $12 billion for 2019–2020. This funding supports key poverty reduction initiatives, such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), the increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up, and the National Housing Strategy.As committed to in Opportunity for All, the Government of Canada is working with National Indigenous Organizations and others to identify and co-develop indicators of poverty and well-being, including non-income-based measures of poverty, that reflect the multiple dimensions of poverty and well-being experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis.In Budget 2018, recognizing the importance of poverty data in evidence-based decision-making by all levels of government, the federal government announced an investment of $12.1 million over five years, and $1.5 million per year thereafter, to address key gaps in poverty measurement in Canada. This includes ensuring that poverty data is inclusive of all Canadians, that data on various dimensions of poverty is captured, and that the data is both robust and timely.The Government’s poverty reduction efforts are already showing positive effects. Results from the 2018 Canadian Income Survey, released on February 24, 2020, show that between 2015 and 2018, over 1 million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty, including 334,000 children and 73,000 seniors. This underscores the progress being made on the Government’s goal to cut poverty in half by 2030, as the poverty rate in Canada continues its downward trend.In August 2019, the National Advisory Council on Poverty was established to advise the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development on poverty reduction and to publicly report annually on the progress of poverty reduction in Canada. The Council’s first in-person meeting took place on November 14-15, 2019 and its first annual report is expected in the fall of 2020.Supporting families and ensuring that every child gets the best possible start in life is a priority for the Government of Canada. The Government is therefore committed to giving families more money to help with the high costs of raising their children and to making a real difference in the lives of children in Canada. To this end, it introduced the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) in July 2016.Because the CCB is tax-free and based on income, it provides more support to families who need help the most. The CCB helps almost 3.7 million families and about 6.5 million children, putting nearly $24 billion, tax free, in the hands of Canadian families each year. Close to 65 percent of families receiving the maximum CCB amounts are single-parent families, more than 90 percent of which are led by single mothers.The CCB has resulted in higher incomes for families with children. Couples with children saw their median child benefits increase by $1,500, and single-parent families received an extra $1,700 in 2018 compared to 2015, contributing to a positive start for Canadian children. Based on 2018 Canadian Income Survey data, the poverty rate for children decreased to 8.2 percent in 2018 from 9 percent in 2017. The CCB is having a significant positive impact on families.Since July 2018, the CCB has been indexed to keep pace with the cost of living, ensuring that the CCB continues to help Canadian families over the long term. Indexing the CCB will provide an additional $5.6 billion in support to Canadian families over the 2018–2019 to 2022–2023 period. That means Canadian families will have more money to help keep up with rising costs for things like healthy food, sports programs and music lessons. With this increase, in the 2019–20 benefit year, the maximum annual benefit will be $6,639 per child under 6 years of age, and $5,602 per child aged 6 through 17. Families with less than $31,120 in adjusted family net income receive the maximum benefit.In addition, the mandate letter of the Minister of Children, Families, and Social Development includes commitments to increase the CCB by 15 percent for children under the age of one.Furthermore, the Government is working to increase take up of the CCB with Indigenous families, including those living on-reserve. To support this work, in Budget 2018 the Government provided $17.3 million over three years, starting in 2018–2019, to improve access to the CCB and other benefits, to expand outreach efforts to Indigenous communities, and to conduct pilot outreach activities for urban Indigenous communities.Early learning and childcare is also critical to childhood development and creates a foundation for a child’s future success. To help children get the best start in life, the Government announced $7.5 billion over 11 years for more high quality, affordable childcare spaces across the country through the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework. As part of this investment, the federal government has entered into three year bilateral agreements with each province and territory providing $1.2 billion from 2017-18 to 2019-20 for early learning and childcare programs. Governments are reporting annually on progress made in relation to the Framework and bilateral agreements, and in August 2019, the Government of Canada released the first National Progress Report on Early Learning and Child Care.Investments with provinces and territories are supporting the creation of up to 40,000 more affordable childcare spaces and results to date suggest that this target has been largely achieved. As a result, thousands of parents are more likely to enter the labour force once childcare is made more affordable.As part of this work, ESDC in partnership with Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Status of Women Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous organizations developed a distinct Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, reflecting the unique cultures and needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children. Starting in 2018-19, $1.7 billion over 10 years will be invested to strengthen culturally appropriate early learning and childcare for Indigenous children.The Government also recognizes that the provision of safe, stable housing and related supports is an important element of addressing poverty and helping individuals achieve an improved quality of life.  This is why the Government launched the National Housing Strategy (NHS), which will not only reduce or eliminate housing need for 530,000 households and reduce chronic homelessness by 50% by 2028, but will also focus on meeting the needs of our most vulnerable populations. The government is taking affordability to heart, setting ambitious targets over 10 years. Specifically, the NHS will create 125,000 new housing units, repair another 300,000 units, and will remove or reduce housing need for as many as 530,000 households. Additionally, we will protect 385,000 community housing units, expand our stock by another 55,000 units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50% by 2028. In the spring of 2019, the Government passed the National Housing Strategy Act (NHS Act) into law. The NHS Act binds future governments to developing a national housing strategy and works towards progressively advancing the right to adequate housing. The introduction of the NHS Act is a big step forward, as it also provides important opportunities for persons in housing need or homelessness and communities affected by systemic housing issues to have their voices heard through the Federal Housing Advocate and the National Housing Council. Launching in 2020, the $4-billion Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) is designed to meet local needs and provide affordability support directly to families and individuals in need. It is estimated to grow to significantly reduce or eliminate housing affordability challenges for over 300,000 of the most vulnerable households.To provide tax relief for low-income families and encourage Canadians to stay in the workforce, the federal government introduced the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) in 2007. As part of Budget 2018, the Government introduced the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), a strengthened version of the Working Income Tax Benefit, to help low-income workers take home more money while they work and to encourage more people to join and stay in the workforce. The CWB is a refundable tax credit that supplements the earnings of low-income workers. More than 2 million working Canadians are expected to benefit from the CWB for the tax year 2019.Through Budget 2018, the Government has increased the maximum CWB annual benefit, as well as the income level at which the benefit is phased out. As a result of these enhancements, a low-income worker earning $15,000 a year could receive close to $500 more under the program for the 2019 tax year than they received for 2018. Overall, for the 2019 tax year, unattached workers are able to receive up to $1,355 from the enhanced CWB, and couples and single parents up to $2,335.The Government has also increased the maximum benefit provided through the CWB disability supplement to offer greater support to Canadians with disabilities who face financial barriers to entering the workforce. The disability supplement can represent an additional $700 for both individuals and families.The government also recognizes that some low-income workers are not receiving the benefits to which they are entitled, because some lower-income workers do not claim the benefit on their tax return. To address this issue, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is now automatically determining whether tax filers are eligible for the benefit, even if they do not claim it, to ensure that everyone entitled to the CWB receives it. Automatic enrollment is expected to benefit an estimated 300,000 additional low-income workers for the 2019 tax year as a result of these changes. This represents a major step forward in fulfilling the Government’s commitment of making sure that all Canadians receive the tax benefits and credits to which they are entitled.CWB enhancements, combined with new investments to make sure that every worker who qualifies actually receives the benefit, will mean that the Government is investing almost $1 billion of new funding for the benefit in 2019, relative to 2018. The Government estimates that enhancements and improved take-up in 2019 will directly benefit more than 2 million working Canadians, many of whom were not benefitting from the WITB. Enhancements to the CWB for 2019 are estimated to lift approximately 74,000 persons out of poverty.The Government has taken further action to improve access to the CWB. The CWB is generally paid once a year as part of the annual tax refund. However, eligible recipients have the option to apply for and receive up to four advance payments, totalling up to a maximum of 50 percent of the benefit, including, if applicable, the disability supplement. In Budget 2019, the Government provided the CRA with $4 million over two years, starting in 2019–2020, to conduct targeted outreach, give low-income workers improved access to the CWB throughout the year and increase awareness of the CWB, including the advance payment provision. This new funding will also allow low-income workers to apply for the CWB’s advance payment online, through CRA’s My Account.Investments in the social and economic well-being of all Canadians has positioned the Government to develop a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy that will best ensure all Canadians have the opportunity to reach their full potential. 
Poverty
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00118431-00118 (Social affairs and equality)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBFebruary 26, 2020April 11, 2020February 5, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsTHEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS call on the House of Commons to recognize that violence against women remains a critical problem in Canada, and disproportionately impacts indigenous women, as reflected in the crisis of missing and murdered Aboriginal women; that striving for pay equity and equal participation for women in leadership roles must be political priorities for all Members of Parliament; and that shifting cultural attitudes towards women and gender minorities in our society requires structural changes to education and socialization.
Response by the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): GARY ANANDASANGAREEThe Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations would like to thank the petitioners for drawing attention to the critical issues of gender discrimination and violence against women, specifically Indigenous women. Striving for pay equity and equal participation for women in leadership roles is crucial to shifting cultural attitudes in Canada.Violence against women and girls has devastating health and social impacts on the lives of individuals, families, communities, and Canadian society as a whole. We are addressing this tragic violence through a whole-of-government approach involving multiple jurisdictions. Through the National Strategy to Address Gender-Based Violence, we will ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to live in safe, supportive, and inclusive communities.As noted in your petition, Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately impacted by violence. This is why we have and will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories to bring an end to the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people.Since September 2016, the Government has invested $92 million to launch the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and to further reconciliation with Indigenous peoples by responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #41.The Inquiry conducted an in-depth study and analysis on missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people between September 2016 and December 2018 by collecting information from community and institutional hearings; reviewing past and current research; collaborating with Elders and Knowledge Keepers; and  examining forensic analysis of police records. The Inquiry also gathered evidence from over 1,400 witnesses, including survivors of violence, the families of victims, and subject-matter experts.To date, the Government of Canada has taken a family-first approach to proactively address the National Inquiry’s interim recommendations, recognizing the significant strength and courage of the family members of murdered or missing Indigenous women and girls that contributed to the Inquiry. This included allocating $50 million in funding to:
  • provide health and support services to survivors and their families;
  • support a national investigative body at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
  • support a review of police policies and practices; and,
  • commemorate the lives and legacies of Indigenous women and girls.
On June 3, 2019, the National Inquiry released its Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place, during a special closing ceremony in Gatineau, Quebec. The Inquiry’s Final Report is far-reaching and complex and deals with several underlying systemic issues, which will require thorough review and analysis. The Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice are directed towards all levels of government and various stakeholders. The recommendations outlined within the Final Report will guide all Canadians, levels of governments, Indigenous communities, and civil society in terms of how to prevent the systemic violence that has resulted in this national tragedy.Following the release of the Final Report, our Government reiterated its commitment to ending the ongoing national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people, and to help prevent and eliminate violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit People in future generations.Our Government is currently working with Indigenous partners, provincial and territorial governments, and other partners to develop a National Action Plan to respond to the Final Report’s Calls for Justice. We have provided funding to a number of Indigenous organizations to lead engagement with their members and communities to inform co-development of a National Action Plan.By mobilizing Canada as a whole, we will foster the progressive change necessary to empower Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people, putting an end to the systemic violence that has victimized them for so long.
Response by the Minister of LabourSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Anthony HousefatherOur government is unequivocal that harassment and violence of any kind is completely unacceptable and recognizes that violence against women is a critical problem in our country. That is why our government tabled legislation to modernize the Canada Labour Code, including a new Leave for Victims of Family Violence. This new leave, which came into force on September 1, 2019, offers important support to employees who are themselves victims of family violence, or who are the parents of a minor child who is a victim of such violence.  The new leave of up to ten days per calendar year, with the first five days of leave paid, will allow those who take it to engage in activities such as seeking medical attention for themselves or their child in respect of a physical or psychological injury or disability; obtaining services from an organization which provides services to victims of family violence; obtaining psychological or other professional counselling; relocating temporarily or permanently; seeking legal or law enforcement assistance or preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding; or taking any measures prescribed by regulation. This new leave, as well as a new Personal Leave of up to five days per calendar year, with the first three days of leave paid, are among a range of measures that came into force on September 1, 2019 to provide federally regulated employees with more flexibility to balance the demands of paid work and their personal and family responsibilities. To this end, employees may take the new Personal Leave to, among other things, treat their illness or injury, carry out responsibilities related to the health or care of any of their family members, and address any urgent matter concerning themselves or their family                         members.  Furthermore, our government is committed to addressing workplace violence and harassment. On October 25, 2018, Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1, received Royal Assent. This historic piece of legislation demonstrates to Canadians that their government will not tolerate harassment and violence in federally regulated workplaces by creating a more robust and integrated regime to better protect employees.  Under this regime, employers are required to take steps to prevent, protect against, and respond to occurrences of harassment and violence in the workplace, which includes a spectrum of behaviours, ranging from teasing/bullying to sexual harassment and physical violence. Regulations are currently being developed to support the implementation of the Bill.On the issue of pay equity, our government supports equal pay for work of equal value and the fair treatment of all workers in the workplace, regardless of gender. Pay equity isn’t just to right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do. When Canadian women can count on equal pay for work of equal value, our economy grows stronger. To achieve this our government is committed to move beyond the current complaints-based approach to pay equity. On October 29, 2018, new proactive pay equity legislation was tabled in Parliament, as part of Bill C-86 – Budget Implementation Act, 2018 No. 2. It received Royal Assent on December 13, 2018 and will come into force once necessary regulations are in place. The new legislation will bring about a dramatic shift in how the right to pay equity is protected in federally regulated workplaces. It will direct employers to take proactive steps to ensure that they are providing equal pay for work of equal value because we know that a strong middle class depends on a job market where both women and men have a real and fair chance at success. Proactive pay equity is particularly likely to benefit women who are also part of other vulnerable groups. Proactive pay equity legislation is an important tool among a broad array of policy tools aimed at reducing the gender wage gap. Our government is also maintaining its commitment to addressing wage gaps through the introduction of pay transparency measures. Budget 2019 introduced changes to the way salary information can be collected and reported through a technical amendment to the Employment Equity Act; and, proposed amendments to the Employment Equity Regulations were published in Canada Gazette Part 1, in August 2019. Recognized internationally as a key step towards reducing wage gaps, pay transparency will provide Canadians with accessible, comparable online information on the wage gaps of these employers, raising awareness of wage gaps that affect women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. This transparency will prompt employers to take action to examine their practices and show leadership in reducing wage gaps. 
Response by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic DevelopmentSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Ms. Gudie HutchingsReply INTRODUCTIONThe Government of Canada would like to thank the petitioners for expressing their concerns on violence against women, especially as it impacts Indigenous women. The Government is deeply committed to advancing gender equality, including through preventing and addressing gender-based violence, promoting women’s leadership and democratic participation, improving women’s economic security and prosperity, and challenging negative attitudes towards women and gender diversity.After 42 years of serving Canadian women, Status of Women Canada became the Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) in December 2018. WAGE continues the work of advancing more equitable economic, political, and social outcomes for Canadian women, and, working with the Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Youth and the LGBTQ2 Secretariat, has an expanded mandate for gender equality that includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. WAGE is also maintaining and forging new connections to grassroots organizations advancing equality in Canada, while coordinating gender equality issues within the federal government.CANADA’S STRATEGY TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCEThe #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, as well as the global Women’s Marches, have brought issues of sexism, misogyny, and gender-based violence (GBV) to the forefront. The Government of Canada is committed to preventing and addressing GBV against women, girls, LGBTQ and two-spirit people.Launched in 2017, It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (the Strategy) advances efforts in three areas: preventing GBV; supporting survivors and their families; and promoting responsive legal and justice systems. The Strategy helps to address gaps in support for diverse populations, including Indigenous women and girls, women living in northern, rural, and remote communities, women living with disabilities, newcomers, children and youth, seniors, LGBTQ2 and gender non-binary people.The Strategy is a whole-of-government approach that brings together GBV-related efforts of all federal departments and agencies, builds on existing federal initiatives and programs, and lays the foundation for greater action on GBV. The Strategy also provides funding for six departments/agencies: WAGE; Public Health Agency of Canada; Public Safety Canada; the Department of National Defence; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.Building on the foundation laid by the Strategy, the Government of Canada is moving forward to develop a National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence with a focus on ensuring that anyone facing gender-based violence has reliable and timely access to services, with the support of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.GBV Knowledge CentreThe GBV Knowledge Centre (KC) is the focal point of the Strategy and is responsible for governance and coordination, reporting and evaluation, data and research, and knowledge mobilization. The KC shares existing resources on gender-based violence from across government. It supports the development and sharing of research and data to enable more coordinated, evidence-based action on GBV. In December 2018, the KC launched an online platform, with a searchable database, which compiles existing information, data, and evidence on GBV.GBV ProgramLaunched through the Strategy, WAGE’s GBV Program, which is population-specific, aims to support organizations working in the sector in developing and implementing promising practices to address gaps in supports for Indigenous women and their communities, and other underserved groups of survivors in Canada.As part of the GBV Program, WAGE is co-funding a project with the Nova Scotia Government to develop effective and culturally-sensitive supports to the cycles of violence that affect women and children in Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities. This important co-investment between Nova Scotia and Canada will be a signal initiative under Standing Together, Nova Scotia’s plan to prevent domestic violence, and aligns with Canada’s GBV Strategy.Some of the expected outcomes of the GBV program include developing or adapting a service model to better support sexual violence survivors, a community-healing approach for Indigenous women and their families, and a peer support model for women with disabilities and deaf survivors of gender-based violence.On March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada announced a new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy and help Canadians affected by the impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak.  Among these measures, the Government is  supporting women and children fleeing violence by providing up to $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres, including facilities in Indigenous communities, to help with their capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities.GBV at Post-Secondary Institutions (PSIs)Also through the Strategy, WAGE is engaging provinces, territories, and stakeholders to develop a Framework to Prevent and Address GBV at Post-Secondary Institutions (the Framework) in order to ensure federal actions complement existing efforts. An Advisory Committee on the Framework and over 300 key stakeholders were engaged by a WAGE-funded organization to develop Courage to Act: Developing a National Framework to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence at Post-Secondary Institutions. Funds have been committed to address resource gaps for PSIs in Canada. VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMENThe Government of Canada is committed to ending the ongoing national crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Indigenous women and girls are overrepresented among Canada’s missing and murdered; in 2018, police-reported data show that the homicide rate for Indigenous women and girls was nearly seven times higher than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts.In response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ (the National Inquiry) interim report, WAGE established a Commemoration Fund to support Indigenous organizations, governments, and communities to commemorate and honour the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ2 people.Following the release of the National Inquiry’s Final Report in June 2019, the Government is working with Indigenous partners, and provinces and territories to co-develop and implement a National Action Plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is currently supporting National Indigenous Organizations to engage members and communities on how Indigenous people and organizations would like to be involved in co-developing the NAP.CULTURAL SHIFTS IN ATTITUDES TOWARDS WOMEN AND GENDER DIVERSITY Challenging and changing harmful gender norms and attitudes is essential to achieve equality for people of all genders. Everyone has a role to play in addressing the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate exclusion, inequity and violence.The Government of Canada has been engaging men and boys as allies and advocates in the women's and gender equality movements. Eleven roundtables were hosted across the country in 2018, including regional and thematic tables (Indigenous people, LGBTQ2 people, racialized communities, youth, and corporate). Additional engagement included religious leaders. Some key issues that emerged include recognizing that men and boys are not a homogenous group, and that efforts to engage men and boys must be accountable to the efforts of the women's and LGBTQ2 movements.In summer 2019, a What We Heard Report was released and four new projects were announced to address key gaps identified throughout the 2018 roundtable discussions. For example, the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters will receive funding to increase awareness of gender-based violence and healthy masculinity; and FOXY will engage Indigenous youth, particularly young men and boys, on gender equality in the North.The Government has also been engaging with young Canadians to expand and amplify youth-led dialogue about behaviours and attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality. As a part of this work, the Government has provided funding to five Indigenous organizations to work with young Indigenous people across the country and engage them on gender equality.WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AND DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATIONThe Government is committed to increasing the representation of women in positions of leadership in both the public and private sectors and is taking various measures to achieve this.In February 2016, the Government established an open and transparent process for selecting Governor in Council (GIC) appointees. This has led to an increase in the representation of women serving as GIC appointees. The current GIC population is made up of over 50% women and 6% Indigenous Peoples.As well, measures have been taken to change the culture of politics in order to attract and retain women as Parliamentarians. Some of these measures are described below:
  • The Government has passed legislation that enables the House of Commons and the Senate to provide maternity and parental leave for Parliamentarians;
  • The Canada Labour Code was amended to help prevent and respond to violence and harassment in the federally-regulated sector and to offer support to affected employees, including those in federally-regulated workplaces, the federal public service, parliamentary workplaces, and political staff; and,
  • Following on this, the House of Commons introduced a code of conduct on sexual harassment that includes an official complaint resolution process to prevent and deal with cases of sexual harassment.
To encourage corporate transparency and advance gender equality and diversity in Canada's boardrooms, changes to the Canada Business Corporations Act now require federally-regulated, publicly-traded corporations to have and disclose a diversity policy, highlighting their approach to improving overall diversity amongst board directors and members of senior management.Finally, WAGE, through its Women's Program, supports projects to promote and enhance women's participation in civic and political life by addressing barriers; strengthening the voices of Indigenous women in their communities; empowering the next generation of women leaders; and increasing women's participation in politics with a view to creating more gender-balanced governments.WOMEN’S ECONOMIC SECURITY AND PROSPERITY Women continue to experience challenges to their full and equal participation in the economy and are still less likely than men to participate in the labour force.The Government is supporting efforts to advance economic security and prosperity for women. For example, the Government recently launched the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a comprehensive, whole-of-government plan to help women grow their businesses through access to financing, talent, networks and expertise. As well, WAGE is supporting the Association Nikawi Inc. to mobilize local Indigenous women to foster partnerships and develop a local strategy on the use, marketing, and distribution of available non-timber forest resources through a professional farm supply network. The project will expand community understanding by ensuring band councils recognize the importance of harvest and traditional practices for Indigenous women’s economic empowerment and land management.CONCLUSIONCanada has a long history of advancing gender equality. From the early suffragettes who fought for women to receive the right to vote to the activists of the #MeToo movement, feminist action has played— and continues to play—a pivotal role in shaping our history and our future.The Government of Canada will continue to take action to increase women’s economic security and prosperity; advance women’s leadership and democratic participation; end violence against women; and counter discriminatory attitudes towards women and gender-diverse people. 
Sexual discriminationStatus of womenViolence against women
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3221e-3221 (Environment)GailWylieJenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBMarch 12, 2021, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2021, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The goal is to limit global warming to below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, as established through the Paris Agreement;The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2018 special report warns of extreme weather and dire living conditions if global warming exceeds 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels;The Government of Canada’s current targets for reducing green house gas emissions fall far short of its commitment under the Paris Agreement, including the absence of a target for the year 2025 and by allowing continued emissions through offset mechanisms in its 2050 target to reach ''net zero'';Government targets are not based on objective, scientific information; andThe federal government emissions-reporting plan fails to address unreservedly the urgency of the climate crisis by delaying the accountability period to 2030.We, the undersigned, your petitioners, call upon the Government of Canada to increase emissions reductions ensuring that our country will meet the Paris Agreement targets and to make sure that the advisory body created to provide the Minister of Environment with advice with respect to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 be comprised exclusively of scientific experts.Advisory bodiesGreenhouse gases43rd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 22, 2021e-3353e-3353 (Natural resources and energy)RodneySavidgeJenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBApril 22, 2021, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)June 21, 2021, at 4:47 p.m. (EDT)June 22, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Our wild forests built Canada as a nation and in principle are renewable;Canada's forests comprise numerous tree species each fit to survive in particular geographic provenances;Understanding of the physiological basis for intrinsic survival fitness remains rudimentary for all of Canada's tree species and provenances;Rapid climate change is underway and threatens ongoing survival of our forests;Scientific research to understand tree survival fitness is no more long term and no less important than the activities of Canada Space Agency;Advancing scientific knowledge about intrinsic survival fitness of our trees will ensure that Canada's forests can be sustained in perpetuity; andUnder the Department of the Environment Act, Environment and Climate Change Canada has responsibility to preserve and enhance Canada's native flora.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Create and fund the National Council of Tree Science Research within the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada;2. Provide funding and infrastructure support comparable to that presently provided to the Canada Space Agency; and3. Emphasize fundamental research to understand and ensure ongoing survival fitness in each of Canada's tree species and its native geographic provenances, and support the research of physiologists, histologists, cell biologists, molecular biologists, biochemists, biophysicists, and geneticists, in each research institution.Scientific research and scientistsTrees43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 17, 2021432-00980432-00980 (Environment)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBMay 26, 2021June 17, 2021May 3, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADAWhereas:
  • Indigenous peoples have rights and title to their traditional territories and have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial;
  • the climate crisis requires action by all levels of government and industry;
  • old-growth forests provide immeasurable benefits, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity, culture, recreation, education, food and more;
  • valley-bottom high productivity old-growth ecosystems in British Columbia are endangered;
  • of the remaining 2.7% of original high productivity old-growth forests in British Columbia, 75% are still slated to be logged;
  • only 9% of the original 360,000 hectares of valley-bottom high productivity old-growth on Vancouver Island remain today; only 2.6% of those forests are protected in parks;
  • the last unprotected intact old-growth valley on Southern Vancouver Island, Fairy Creek, is slated for logging, along with the upper Walbran Valley and other remaining pockets of old growth;
  • most Canadians support sustainable harvesting of second and third growth forests, but do not support logging old-growth trees or destroying their surrounding ecosystems.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Work with the provinces and First Nations to immediately halt logging of endangered old-growth ecosystems; 2. Fund the long-term protection of old-growth ecosystems as a priority for Canada's climate action plan and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples;3. Support value-added forestry initiatives in partnership with First Nations to ensure Canada's forestry industry is sustainable, and based on the harvesting of second and third growth forests;4. Ban the export of raw logs and maximize resource use for local jobs;5. Ban the use of whole trees for wood pellet biofuel production.
Response by the Minister of Natural ResourcesSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Mr. Marc G. SerréThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for expressing their views regarding British Columbia’s forests.Canada’s 347 million hectares of forest make up nine percent of the world’s forests. According to the latest statistics, dating back to December of 2020, Canada is maintaining roughly 164 million hectares of forests that are certified as sustainably-managed by independent groups. That represents 36 percent of all certified sustainable forests in the world. No nation matches Canada’s record in this area. Furthermore, less than one percent of Canada's forest lands is harvested annually. That is significantly smaller than the roughly 5.5 percent of forest land burned by wildfires or affected by insects.Additionally, the forest sector provided 205,000 jobs for Canadians in 2019, including about 12,000 jobs for Indigenous people. It was the primary source of economic well-being for 300 communities across Canada. As highlighted by the pandemic, forest sector services and products are essential to Canadians, helping to produce personal protective equipment from facemasks to hospital gowns.Forests preserve soils, cycle nutrients, support biodiversity and act as natural cleansers, filtering pollutants from the air and water. Active and sustainable harvest and management of forests also provide critical long-term climate benefits. Protecting older forests allows for greater amounts of carbon to be stored, though it should be noted that mature trees can eventually begin to decay and become carbon emissions sources. Meanwhile, replanting allows for the removal of carbon from the atmosphere as new trees grow. Changes in forest management and the use of harvested wood products can therefore contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change. The Government of Canada is also supporting the increased use of carbon-storing wood products as a substitution for emissions-intensive construction materials.About 90 percent of Canada’s forests are located on provincial and territorial Crown lands, and provincial and territorial governments manage these forests in accordance with the Constitution. In British Columbia, the province owns about 96 percent of the forested land. Provinces and territories have exclusive powers to develop and enforce their legislation, standards and programs to ensure the development, conservation and management of forest resources. Although rules, regulations, and policies that guide forest management vary between provinces and territories, they are all based on the principles of sustainable forest management. By provincial law, the forest industry must renew and maintain all harvested areas to provide for the sustainability of Crown forests. British Columbia’sforest management regime requires licensees operating on Crown lands to meet consultation obligations. This includes the requirement that forest stewardship plans be shared and discussed with affected First Nations.The Government of Canada works closely with provinces and territories to provide science that support sustainable forest management. The federal government is responsible for international trade in forest products and forest management on federal lands, and works closely with First Nations communities to ensure that they secure the economic benefits of Canada’s sustainable forestry industry.Over 1.1 million Indigenous people in Canada live in or near forests and, in British Columbia, the more than 5,000 Indigenous employees in the forest sector represent approximately 10 percent of the labour force, according to the 2016 Census. Increasingly, Government of Canada scientists are carrying out collaborative research with Indigenous communities centred on knowledge co-creation. This means that forest science research and tools developed to support sustainable forest management practices are informed by western and Indigenous science, and reflect local cultures as well as community values and priorities. This approach is important to the government’s reconciliation efforts, as forests provide significant economic benefits to these communities. Forests are also essential to spiritual and cultural traditions for many Indigenous Peoples. Those traditions include hunting, trapping, and the harvesting of medicines and culturally significant plants.In 2019, British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to introduce legislation to fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The legislation mandates that the provincial government bring its laws and policies into harmony with the UN Declaration’s objectives. It also mandated that future legislative amendments be required to enable joint and consent-based decision-making.The Government of Canada has made significant commitments in its Strengthened Climate Plan to advance Indigenous climate leadership, making Indigenous environmental management a cornerstone of the Plan. Supporting self-determined climate action and providing inclusive decision-making guidance is critical to moving forward on reconciliation. This also includes guidance on working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to co-develop decision-making processes and forestry management regimes that will ensure all of Canada’s future climate actions help promote Indigenous self-determination. Through programs such as the Indigenous Forestry Initiative, the Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous peoples to ensure that their communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from the forest sector through these value-adding opportunities. Log production is integral for the domestic manufacturing industry, as well as international markets, for a wide range of forest products, including softwood lumber. The forest industry depends on getting sustainably produced products to these markets in a balanced approach between sustainable forest management and economic growth. The Government of Canada’s Notice to Exporters No. 102, regarding theexports of logs from British Columbia, form an important part of the federal government’s efforts to ensure the right balance between log exports and sustainable forest management. Companies exporting forest products from British Columbia must first undergo a surplus testing procedure in consultation with the provincial government to determine whether adequate supply remains in Canada. This helps to ensure sustainability.Like all forest industries in Canada, the wood pellet industry is governed by comprehensive provincial legislation, regulations, and policies that enable sustainable forest management. Strict monitoring and enforcement measures bolster provincial forest management, ensuring that Canada’s forests are harvested legally and sustainably. The majority of Canadian pellets, for instance, come from forests that have been certified for sustainable forest management. All Canadian industrial pellet exports are certified sustainable by the Sustainable Biomass Program—a third-party certification system demonstrating compliance with forest management regulations.Canada has 47 pellet plants across the country, with an annual capacity of about 4.6 million metric tonnes. Canadian wood pellets are made from sawmill and harvesting scrap, created by other industrial processes such as lumber production. In some cases, pellets are made from damaged or low-quality logs not suitable for milling into lumber or other forest products. Reusing forest industry waste to produce pellets improves harvesting efficiency by ensuring no part of the tree is wasted. This also reduces the costs of managing residue removal from forests, and in turn, reduces forest fuel load and forest fire risk.Canada’s strong system of forest laws, monitoring, and enforcement ensures that sustainable forest management is practiced in British Columbia and across the country in consultation and partnership with Indigenous peoples.
Environmental protectionForest policyIndigenous policy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 17, 2021432-01021432-01021 (Environment)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBJune 1, 2021June 17, 2021May 17, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADAWhereas:
  • Indigenous peoples have rights and title to their traditional territories and have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial;
  • the climate crisis requires action by all levels of government and industry;
  • old-growth forests provide immeasurable benefits, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity, culture, recreation, education, food and more;
  • valley-bottom high productivity old-growth ecosystems in British Columbia are endangered;
  • of the remaining 2.7% of original high productivity old-growth forests in British Columbia, 75% are still slated to be logged;
  • only 9% of the original 360,000 hectares of valley-bottom high productivity old-growth on Vancouver Island remain today; only 2.6% of those forests are protected in parks;
  • the last unprotected intact old-growth valley on Southern Vancouver Island, Fairy Creek, is slated for logging, along with the upper Walbran Valley and other remaining pockets of old growth;
  • most Canadians support sustainable harvesting of second and third growth forests, but do not support logging old-growth trees or destroying their surrounding ecosystems.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Work with the provinces and First Nations to immediately halt logging of endangered old-growth ecosystems; 2. Fund the long-term protection of old-growth ecosystems as a priority for Canada's climate action plan and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples;3. Support value-added forestry initiatives in partnership with First Nations to ensure Canada's forestry industry is sustainable, and based on the harvesting of second and third growth forests;4. Ban the export of raw logs and maximize resource use for local jobs;5. Ban the use of whole trees for wood pellet biofuel production.
Response by the Minister of Natural ResourcesSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Mr. Marc G. SerréThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for expressing their views regarding British Columbia’s forests.Canada’s 347 million hectares of forest make up nine percent of the world’s forests. According to the latest statistics, dating back to December of 2020, Canada is maintaining roughly 164 million hectares of forests that are certified as sustainably-managed by independent groups. That represents 36 percent of all certified sustainable forests in the world. No nation matches Canada’s record in this area. Furthermore, less than one percent of Canada's forest lands is harvested annually. That is significantly smaller than the roughly 5.5 percent of forest land burned by wildfires or affected by insects.Additionally, the forest sector provided 205,000 jobs for Canadians in 2019, including about 12,000 jobs for Indigenous people. It was the primary source of economic well-being for 300 communities across Canada. As highlighted by the pandemic, forest sector services and products are essential to Canadians, helping to produce personal protective equipment from facemasks to hospital gowns.Forests preserve soils, cycle nutrients, support biodiversity and act as natural cleansers, filtering pollutants from the air and water. Active and sustainable harvest and management of forests also provide critical long-term climate benefits. Protecting older forests allows for greater amounts of carbon to be stored, though it should be noted that mature trees can eventually begin to decay and become carbon emissions sources. Meanwhile, replanting allows for the removal of carbon from the atmosphere as new trees grow. Changes in forest management and the use of harvested wood products can therefore contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change. The Government of Canada is also supporting the increased use of carbon-storing wood products as a substitution for emissions-intensive construction materials.About 90 percent of Canada’s forests are located on provincial and territorial Crown lands, and provincial and territorial governments manage these forests in accordance with the Constitution. In British Columbia, the province owns about 96 percent of the forested land. Provinces and territories have exclusive powers to develop and enforce their legislation, standards and programs to ensure the development, conservation and management of forest resources. Although rules, regulations, and policies that guide forest management vary between provinces and territories, they are all based on the principles of sustainable forest management. By provincial law, the forest industry must renew and maintain all harvested areas to provide for the sustainability of Crown forests. British Columbia’sforest management regime requires licensees operating on Crown lands to meet consultation obligations. This includes the requirement that forest stewardship plans be shared and discussed with affected First Nations.The Government of Canada works closely with provinces and territories to provide science that support sustainable forest management. The federal government is responsible for international trade in forest products and forest management on federal lands, and works closely with First Nations communities to ensure that they secure the economic benefits of Canada’s sustainable forestry industry.Over 1.1 million Indigenous people in Canada live in or near forests and, in British Columbia, the more than 5,000 Indigenous employees in the forest sector represent approximately 10 percent of the labour force, according to the 2016 Census. Increasingly, Government of Canada scientists are carrying out collaborative research with Indigenous communities centred on knowledge co-creation. This means that forest science research and tools developed to support sustainable forest management practices are informed by western and Indigenous science, and reflect local cultures as well as community values and priorities. This approach is important to the government’s reconciliation efforts, as forests provide significant economic benefits to these communities. Forests are also essential to spiritual and cultural traditions for many Indigenous Peoples. Those traditions include hunting, trapping, and the harvesting of medicines and culturally significant plants.In 2019, British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to introduce legislation to fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The legislation mandates that the provincial government bring its laws and policies into harmony with the UN Declaration’s objectives. It also mandated that future legislative amendments be required to enable joint and consent-based decision-making.The Government of Canada has made significant commitments in its Strengthened Climate Plan to advance Indigenous climate leadership, making Indigenous environmental management a cornerstone of the Plan. Supporting self-determined climate action and providing inclusive decision-making guidance is critical to moving forward on reconciliation. This also includes guidance on working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to co-develop decision-making processes and forestry management regimes that will ensure all of Canada’s future climate actions help promote Indigenous self-determination. Through programs such as the Indigenous Forestry Initiative, the Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous peoples to ensure that their communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from the forest sector through these value-adding opportunities. Log production is integral for the domestic manufacturing industry, as well as international markets, for a wide range of forest products, including softwood lumber. The forest industry depends on getting sustainably produced products to these markets in a balanced approach between sustainable forest management and economic growth. The Government of Canada’s Notice to Exporters No. 102, regarding theexports of logs from British Columbia, form an important part of the federal government’s efforts to ensure the right balance between log exports and sustainable forest management. Companies exporting forest products from British Columbia must first undergo a surplus testing procedure in consultation with the provincial government to determine whether adequate supply remains in Canada. This helps to ensure sustainability.Like all forest industries in Canada, the wood pellet industry is governed by comprehensive provincial legislation, regulations, and policies that enable sustainable forest management. Strict monitoring and enforcement measures bolster provincial forest management, ensuring that Canada’s forests are harvested legally and sustainably. The majority of Canadian pellets, for instance, come from forests that have been certified for sustainable forest management. All Canadian industrial pellet exports are certified sustainable by the Sustainable Biomass Program—a third-party certification system demonstrating compliance with forest management regulations.Canada has 47 pellet plants across the country, with an annual capacity of about 4.6 million metric tonnes. Canadian wood pellets are made from sawmill and harvesting scrap, created by other industrial processes such as lumber production. In some cases, pellets are made from damaged or low-quality logs not suitable for milling into lumber or other forest products. Reusing forest industry waste to produce pellets improves harvesting efficiency by ensuring no part of the tree is wasted. This also reduces the costs of managing residue removal from forests, and in turn, reduces forest fuel load and forest fire risk.Canada’s strong system of forest laws, monitoring, and enforcement ensures that sustainable forest management is practiced in British Columbia and across the country in consultation and partnership with Indigenous peoples.
Environmental protectionForest policyIndigenous policy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 17, 2021432-01038432-01038 (Environment)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBJune 3, 2021June 17, 2021May 17, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADAWhereas:
  • Indigenous peoples have rights and title to their traditional territories and have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial;
  • the climate crisis requires action by all levels of government and industry;
  • old-growth forests provide immeasurable benefits, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity, culture, recreation, education, food and more;
  • valley-bottom high productivity old-growth ecosystems in British Columbia are endangered;
  • of the remaining 2.7% of original high productivity old-growth forests in British Columbia, 75% are still slated to be logged;
  • only 9% of the original 360,000 hectares of valley-bottom high productivity old-growth on Vancouver Island remain today; only 2.6% of those forests are protected in parks;
  • the last unprotected intact old-growth valley on Southern Vancouver Island, Fairy Creek, is slated for logging, along with the upper Walbran Valley and other remaining pockets of old growth;
  • most Canadians support sustainable harvesting of second and third growth forests, but do not support logging old-growth trees or destroying their surrounding ecosystems.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Work with the provinces and First Nations to immediately halt logging of endangered old-growth ecosystems; 2. Fund the long-term protection of old-growth ecosystems as a priority for Canada's climate action plan and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples;3. Support value-added forestry initiatives in partnership with First Nations to ensure Canada's forestry industry is sustainable, and based on the harvesting of second and third growth forests;4. Ban the export of raw logs and maximize resource use for local jobs;5. Ban the use of whole trees for wood pellet biofuel production.
Response by the Minister of Natural ResourcesSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Mr. Marc G. SerréThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for expressing their views regarding British Columbia’s forests.Canada’s 347 million hectares of forest make up nine percent of the world’s forests. According to the latest statistics, dating back to December of 2020, Canada is maintaining roughly 164 million hectares of forests that are certified as sustainably-managed by independent groups. That represents 36 percent of all certified sustainable forests in the world. No nation matches Canada’s record in this area. Furthermore, less than one percent of Canada's forest lands is harvested annually. That is significantly smaller than the roughly 5.5 percent of forest land burned by wildfires or affected by insects.Additionally, the forest sector provided 205,000 jobs for Canadians in 2019, including about 12,000 jobs for Indigenous people. It was the primary source of economic well-being for 300 communities across Canada. As highlighted by the pandemic, forest sector services and products are essential to Canadians, helping to produce personal protective equipment from facemasks to hospital gowns.Forests preserve soils, cycle nutrients, support biodiversity and act as natural cleansers, filtering pollutants from the air and water. Active and sustainable harvest and management of forests also provide critical long-term climate benefits. Protecting older forests allows for greater amounts of carbon to be stored, though it should be noted that mature trees can eventually begin to decay and become carbon emissions sources. Meanwhile, replanting allows for the removal of carbon from the atmosphere as new trees grow. Changes in forest management and the use of harvested wood products can therefore contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change. The Government of Canada is also supporting the increased use of carbon-storing wood products as a substitution for emissions-intensive construction materials.About 90 percent of Canada’s forests are located on provincial and territorial Crown lands, and provincial and territorial governments manage these forests in accordance with the Constitution. In British Columbia, the province owns about 96 percent of the forested land. Provinces and territories have exclusive powers to develop and enforce their legislation, standards and programs to ensure the development, conservation and management of forest resources. Although rules, regulations, and policies that guide forest management vary between provinces and territories, they are all based on the principles of sustainable forest management. By provincial law, the forest industry must renew and maintain all harvested areas to provide for the sustainability of Crown forests. British Columbia’sforest management regime requires licensees operating on Crown lands to meet consultation obligations. This includes the requirement that forest stewardship plans be shared and discussed with affected First Nations.The Government of Canada works closely with provinces and territories to provide science that support sustainable forest management. The federal government is responsible for international trade in forest products and forest management on federal lands, and works closely with First Nations communities to ensure that they secure the economic benefits of Canada’s sustainable forestry industry.Over 1.1 million Indigenous people in Canada live in or near forests and, in British Columbia, the more than 5,000 Indigenous employees in the forest sector represent approximately 10 percent of the labour force, according to the 2016 Census. Increasingly, Government of Canada scientists are carrying out collaborative research with Indigenous communities centred on knowledge co-creation. This means that forest science research and tools developed to support sustainable forest management practices are informed by western and Indigenous science, and reflect local cultures as well as community values and priorities. This approach is important to the government’s reconciliation efforts, as forests provide significant economic benefits to these communities. Forests are also essential to spiritual and cultural traditions for many Indigenous Peoples. Those traditions include hunting, trapping, and the harvesting of medicines and culturally significant plants.In 2019, British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to introduce legislation to fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The legislation mandates that the provincial government bring its laws and policies into harmony with the UN Declaration’s objectives. It also mandated that future legislative amendments be required to enable joint and consent-based decision-making.The Government of Canada has made significant commitments in its Strengthened Climate Plan to advance Indigenous climate leadership, making Indigenous environmental management a cornerstone of the Plan. Supporting self-determined climate action and providing inclusive decision-making guidance is critical to moving forward on reconciliation. This also includes guidance on working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to co-develop decision-making processes and forestry management regimes that will ensure all of Canada’s future climate actions help promote Indigenous self-determination. Through programs such as the Indigenous Forestry Initiative, the Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous peoples to ensure that their communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from the forest sector through these value-adding opportunities. Log production is integral for the domestic manufacturing industry, as well as international markets, for a wide range of forest products, including softwood lumber. The forest industry depends on getting sustainably produced products to these markets in a balanced approach between sustainable forest management and economic growth. The Government of Canada’s Notice to Exporters No. 102, regarding theexports of logs from British Columbia, form an important part of the federal government’s efforts to ensure the right balance between log exports and sustainable forest management. Companies exporting forest products from British Columbia must first undergo a surplus testing procedure in consultation with the provincial government to determine whether adequate supply remains in Canada. This helps to ensure sustainability.Like all forest industries in Canada, the wood pellet industry is governed by comprehensive provincial legislation, regulations, and policies that enable sustainable forest management. Strict monitoring and enforcement measures bolster provincial forest management, ensuring that Canada’s forests are harvested legally and sustainably. The majority of Canadian pellets, for instance, come from forests that have been certified for sustainable forest management. All Canadian industrial pellet exports are certified sustainable by the Sustainable Biomass Program—a third-party certification system demonstrating compliance with forest management regulations.Canada has 47 pellet plants across the country, with an annual capacity of about 4.6 million metric tonnes. Canadian wood pellets are made from sawmill and harvesting scrap, created by other industrial processes such as lumber production. In some cases, pellets are made from damaged or low-quality logs not suitable for milling into lumber or other forest products. Reusing forest industry waste to produce pellets improves harvesting efficiency by ensuring no part of the tree is wasted. This also reduces the costs of managing residue removal from forests, and in turn, reduces forest fuel load and forest fire risk.Canada’s strong system of forest laws, monitoring, and enforcement ensures that sustainable forest management is practiced in British Columbia and across the country in consultation and partnership with Indigenous peoples.
Environmental protectionForest policyIndigenous policy
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3075e-3075 (Foreign affairs)AliManjiJenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBJanuary 27, 2021, at 7:03 p.m. (EDT)May 27, 2021, at 7:03 p.m. (EDT)May 28, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There have been many petitions centring around the illegal offensive in Yemen that has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, including but not limited to: e-2786, e-2742, e-2442, e-1201, e-1903, e-1221;Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen breaks the conditions of the Geneva Convention by deliberately targeting civilians and civilian structures, schools and places of worship in Yemen, as documented by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Médecins Sans Frontières and the United Nations;The Saudi-lead coalition is imposing a blockade on Yemen, with life-saving supplies of food, medication and fuel often delayed for months; and United Nations aid workers were prevented from entering Yemen on July 18, 2017.We, the undersigned, citizens & residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Immediately halt all transfer of Canadian made weapons to Saudi Arabia; 2. Cancel all active and pending arms deals with Saudi Arabia; 3. Immediately halt the export of LAV's to Saudi Arabia, to cancel the contract outright; 4. Demand the Saudi-lead coalition immediately end its airstrikes and illegal military offensive; 5. Bring the Saudi government to The Hague for war crimes against humanity; 6. Apply restrictions against Saudi Arabia's leaders as per the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Magnitsky Law); 7. Undertake a massive increase of life-saving humanitarian aid to Yemen; and 8. Extend the G5 exemptions granted to Iraqi and Syrian refugees to Yemeni refugees.Foreign policyInternational development and aidMilitary armoured vehiclesMilitary weaponsRepublic of YemenSaudi Arabia43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3014e-3014 (Justice)Étiennevan SteenbergheJenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBJanuary 7, 2021, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)May 7, 2021, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)May 11, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Judicial Council was created by Parliament so that Canadians could express their concerns about the conduct of federally appointed judges;The exclusive presence of judges in the complaints review process makes it difficult to view ethical misconduct on the part of a colleague through a totally impartial lens;Studies have raised doubts about whether it is possible to provide a completely independent review of complaints because of professional ties;Certain behaviours exhibited by a judge require interpretation under the code of ethics, and it would be important to seek multiple opinions in order to adequately consider the admissibility of a complaint;There is no citizen participation in the process for handling public complaints about federally appointed judges; andThe decision cannot be appealed to an independent body.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to modernize the complaints review panel of the Canadian Judicial Council by:1. Instituting a joint committee consisting of citizen representatives and judicial representatives to consider the admissibility of complaints and follow up;2. Making the process for citizens to apply and be appointed to various Canadian Judicial Council panels transparent; and3. Creating an appeal procedure for the complaints review panel.Canadian Judicial CouncilFederal judges43rd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 4, 2020e-2327e-2327 (National defence and military operations)JoleneBigger HarttJenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBDecember 13, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT)April 11, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT)October 21, 2020December 4, 2020April 14, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:People living in Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown and its surrounding communities were victims of the application of pesticides in the area; andAn independent public inquiry would help to uncover the answers these people have been seeking in relation to the pesticides on military and civilians in the Oromocto area.We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens and residents, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to convene a fully independent public inquiry, that will make recommendations, in relation to the application of pesticides at CFB Gagetown and its surrounding communities from the 1950s to the present day.
Response by the Minister of National DefenceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Harjit S. SajjanNational Defence is taking concrete steps to advance whole of Government efforts towards creating a clean environment. With the responsibility to manage more than two million hectares of land, thousands of buildings, jetties, and training areas, National Defence is central to the Government’s commitment to be a responsible steward of the environment. This includes remediating sites formerly impacted by military activities, and proactively mitigating the environmental impacts of its current military activities.  National Defence has conducted extensive research since the 1980s into the use and testing of herbicides, including Agent Orange, to better understand the impact of their use at 5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown (CFB Gagetown). This includes detailed investigations in 2005 and 2018 into the disposal of barrels of Agent Orange at CFB Gagetown. Both investigations confirmed that no barrels of Agent Orange have been found.                                                 Additionally, in 2005, National Defence, along with Veterans Affairs Canada, Health Canada, and various other departments and agencies, undertook a comprehensive fact-finding investigation to understand the health and environmental risks associated with the past use of registered and unregistered herbicides at CFB Gagetown. This comprehensive investigation included, among other tasks, conducting health risk assessments, tissue sampling of fish and clams from CFB Gagetown to test for dioxin concentrations, and compiling lists of individuals and units present when herbicides were tested in 1966 and 1967. Research for this investigation was conducted by highly-qualified, non-government experts, and was peer-reviewed by independent specialists in the field.  This investigation concluded that, aside from the two instances of testing Agent Orange, Agent Purple, Agent White, and other herbicides by the U.S. military in 1966 and 1967, all herbicides used at CFB Gagetown were regulated and used in accordance with all federal and provincial regulations and scientific policies at the time.  Furthermore, human health risk assessments conducted as a part of the 2005 investigation concluded that most people who lived and worked at or near CFB Gagetown were not at risk of exposure to herbicides. Potential long-term health risks were identified as a possibility only for those individuals directly involved with the application of the herbicides or brush clearings soon after application. As compensation for possible exposure to unregistered U.S. herbicides between 1966 and 1967, in 2007 the Government of Canada provided eligible individuals with a one-time, tax-free ex gratia payment of $20,000.    As part of its vegetation management program, CFB Gagetown continues to use herbicides for the purposes of maintaining visibility of targets, access to roads, protecting against wildland fires, and the clearance of unexploded ordinance. This program is critical to ensuring that training areas remain safe and available for military training and related activities.  National Defence has implemented rigorous controls and regularly reviewed oversight of its vegetation management program. To ensure compliance with the most effective and environmentally responsible practices, National Defence will continue to work closely with relevant authorities, including the New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government, the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, the Canadian Forest Service, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. National Defence will continue to be a responsible steward of federal lands by protecting land and complying with environmental practices. Given the extensive research and investigations National Defence has already conducted on the use and testing of herbicides at CFB Gagetown, National Defence does not have any plans to conduct further inquiries at this time.
Canadian Forces Base GagetownEnvironmental contaminationInquiries and public inquiriesPesticides
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00071431-00071 (Environment)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBFebruary 5, 2020April 11, 2020February 4, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONSWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:WHEREAS, Climate change has escalated into a global climate emergency; the world is on pace to warm nearly 4 degrees Celsius by 2100 and extreme weather events are growing with increasingly severe impacts, including floods, forest fires, rising temperatures, killer heat-waves, massive storms, sea level rise and disruption to marine and land ecosystems;WHEREAS, in order to act to avert further catastrophic climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) states that the scientific consensus is that we need to immediately move to reduce net human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to 45 per cent below 2010 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2050;WHEREAS, Canada must address this climatic emergency with the ambition and urgency required, on behalf of present and future generations;WHEREAS, Canadians are living through unprecedented, catastrophic climate events and at the same time, our society is suffering from worsening socio-economic inequalities, with almost half of Canada's population reporting they are $200 away from insolvency at the end of each month;WHEREAS, climate change impacts threaten physical & mental health (particularly young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities), surrounding environments by affecting the food we eat, the world's water supply, the air we breathe, the weather we experience, and how well local communities can adapt to climate change;WHEREAS, the impacts of climate emergency are far more severe for those living through the immediate consequences of climate change; Indigenous Peoples, frontline and vulnerable communities, like people seeking refugee status or asylum and those displaced by climate change, are disproportionality affected, resulting in the increased risks to their health;WHEREAS, it has never been more urgent that Canada reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy to meet the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, while ensuring that all Indigenous Peoples and Canadians benefit from the substantial public investments a low-carbon economy requires, like energy efficiency retrofits, affordable housing, renewable energy, infrastructure, public transit, pharmacare, dental care, childcare and eliminating student debt and tuition fees;WHEREAS, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the recognition of inherent rights, title and treaty rights, while fully implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), must be at the heart of Canada's approach to addressing the climate emergency;THEREFORE, your petitioners call on the Government of Canada to support Motion M-1, a made-in-Canada Green New Deal, the first initiative before the House of Commons, which calls on Canada to take bold & rapid action to adopt socially equitable climate action to tackle the climate emergency and address worsening socio-economic & racial inequalities at the same time; while ending fossil fuel subsidies, closing offshore tax havens, and supporting workers impacted by the transition and creating well-paying, unionized jobs in the shift to a clean and renewable energy economy.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONTo contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
To support the participation of youth in the clean growth economy, in August 2017, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced that it would invest more than $14 million to support almost 1,000 green jobs for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates across the country through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Similarly, Natural Resources Canada announced that it is investing more than $16 million to create 1,200 green STEM jobs for Canadian youth in the natural resources sector, via the Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program. The abovementioned funding is part of Budget 2017’s additional $395.5 million investment over three years, starting in 2017-2018, for the Youth Employment Strategy, in which 11 federal departments committed to providing opportunities for Canada’s youth.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s 2019 GHG emissions projections show a widespread decline in projected emissions across the economy, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. In fact, the policies and measures now in place, including those introduced in 2019, are projected to reduce emissions by 227 million tonnes in 2030, the greatest drop in Canadian history. However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable populations to a rapidly changing environment and is committed to renewing the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation on a nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government basis. This includes collaborating with Indigenous partners on climate change action through structured, collaborative approaches, based on robust, ongoing and meaningful engagement based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including free, prior and informed consent.In taking action on climate change and in moving forward on the implementation of Canada’s climate plan, the Prime Minister issued joint statements with each of the National Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the President of the Métis National Council. These joint statements committed to establishing three senior bilateral distinctions-based tables between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation. These partnerships seek to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are full and effective partners in advancing clean growth and achieving climate change goals to mitigate and reduce emissions as a necessary precursor to the mitigation of climate impacts.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why Minister Wilkinson supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Pan-Canadian Framework was established to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions in line with these goals and our commitments under the Paris Agreement. The Government of Canada is committed to implementing all of the measures in our climate action plan and we’re making good progress in doing so, as described in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change annual report (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/pan-canadian-framework.html    
Climate change and global warmingGreen economyM-1
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 13, 2020431-00044431-00044 (Animals)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBJanuary 29, 2020March 13, 2020Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament AssembledWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada draw to the attention of the House the following:THAT, WHEREAS animals are sentient beings, capable of feeling pain, and are not property,WHEREAS stray and wild animals are not sufficiently protected by animal cruelty laws under the property section of the Criminal Code,WHEREAS it is imperative that those who abuse animals face conviction and significant penalty, and WHEREAS loopholes in existing legislation too often allow those who abuse animals toe escape penalty, THEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS call upon the House of Commons to recognize animals as beings that can feel pain and move animal cruelty crimes from the property section of the Criminal Code, and to strengthen the language of federal animal cruelty in order to close loopholes that allow abusers to escape penalty.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiCruelty to animals is a serious issue, and our Government was proud to introduce Bill C-84, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (bestiality and animal fighting) in October 2018, which came into force on June 21, 2019. This Bill amended the Criminal Code to ensure that engaging in any sexual activity with an animal or compelling someone else to engage in such activities, especially a child, is a serious criminal offence. It also expanded the animal fighting provisions to afford equal protection to all animals forced to engage in animal fighting, and broadened the scope of prohibited activities associated with animal fighting. The targeted amendments from this Bill received support from all key stakeholders in the matter, including both animal protection groups and agricultural groups. The Government remains committed to reviewing the need for further amendments to the Criminal Code in order to protect animals better.
Cruelty to animalsSentencing
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 27, 2020431-00002431-00002 (Social affairs and equality)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBDecember 6, 2019January 27, 2020February 4, 2019Petition to the House of CommonsTHEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS call on the House of Commons to recognize that violence against women remains a critical problem in Canada, and disproportionately impacts indigenous women, as reflected in the crisis of missing and murdered Aboriginal women; that striving for pay equity and equal participation for women in leadership roles must be political priorities for all Members of Parliament; and that shifting cultural attitudes towards women and gender minorities in our society requires structural changes to education and socialization.
Response by the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): GARY ANANDASANGAREEThe Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations would like to thank the petitioners for drawing attention to the critical issues of gender discrimination and violence against women, specifically Indigenous women. Striving for pay equity and equal participation for women in leadership roles is crucial to shifting cultural attitudes in Canada.Violence against women and girls has devastating health and social impacts on the lives of individuals, families, communities and Canadian society as a whole. We are addressing this tragic violence through a whole-of-government approach involving multiple jurisdictions. Through the National Strategy to Address Gender-Based Violence, we will ensure that all Canadians have the opportunity to live in safe, supportive and inclusive communities.As noted in your petition, Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately impacted by violence. This is why we have and will work in partnership with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories to bring an end to the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people. Since September 2016, the Government invested $92 million to launch the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and to further reconciliation with Indigenous peoples by responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #41.The Inquiry conducted an in-depth study and analysis on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls between September 2016 and December 2018 by collecting information from community and institutional hearings; reviewing past and current research; collaborating with Elders and Knowledge Keepers; and, examining forensic analysis of police records. The Inquiry also gathered evidence from over 1,400 witnesses, including survivors of violence, the families of victims, and subject-matter experts.To date, the Government of Canada has taken a family-first approach to proactively address the National Inquiry’s interim recommendations, recognizing the significant strength and courage of the family members of murdered or missing Indigenous women and girls that contributed to the Inquiry. This included allocating $50 million in funding to:
  • provide health and support services to survivors and their families;
  • support a national investigative body at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
  • support a review of police policies and practices; and,
  • commemorate the lives and legacies of Indigenous women and girls.
On June 3, 2019, the National Inquiry released its Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place, during a special closing ceremony in Gatineau, Quebec. The Inquiry’s Final Report is far-reaching and complex and deals with several underlying systemic issues, which will require thorough review and analysis. The Inquiry’s recommendations are directed towards multiple levels of government and various stakeholders. The recommendations outlined within the Final Report will guide all levels of governments, Indigenous communities, and civil society in terms of how to prevent the systemic violence that has resulted in this national tragedy.Following the release of the final report, our Government reiterated its commitment to ending the ongoing national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and to help prevent and eliminate violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit People in future generations.Our Government is currently working with Indigenous partners, provincial and territorial governments, and other partners to develop a National Action Plan to respond to the Final Report’s Calls for Justice. By mobilizing Canada as a whole, we will foster the progressive change necessary to empower Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people, putting an end to the systemic violence that has victimized them for so long.
Response by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic DevelopmentSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Maryam MonsefINTRODUCTIONThe Government of Canada would like to thank the petitioners for expressing their concerns on violence against women, especially as it impacts Indigenous women. The Government is deeply committed to advancing gender equality, including through preventing and addressing gender-based violence, promoting women’s leadership and democratic participation, improving women’s economic security and prosperity, and challenging negative attitudes towards women and gender diversity. After 42 years of serving Canadian women, Status of Women Canada became the Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) in December 2018. WAGE continues the work of advancing more equitable economic, political, and social outcomes for Canadian women, and, working with the Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Youth and the LGBTQ2 Secretariat, has an expanded mandate for gender equality that includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. WAGE is also maintaining and forging new connections to grassroots organizations advancing equality in Canada, while coordinating gender equality issues within the federal government.CANADA’S STRATEGY TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCEThe #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, as well as the global Women’s Marches, have brought issues of sexism, misogyny, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to the forefront. The Government of Canada is committed to preventing and addressing GBV against women, girls, LGBTQ2 and two-spirit people.Launched in 2017, It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (the Strategy) advances efforts in three areas: preventing GBV; supporting survivors and their families; and promoting responsive legal and justice systems. The Strategy helps to address gaps in support for diverse populations, including Indigenous women and girls, women living in northern, rural, and remote communities, women living with disabilities, newcomers, children and youth, seniors, LGBTQ2 and gender non-binary people.The Strategy is a whole-of-government approach that brings together GBV-related efforts of all federal departments and agencies, builds on existing federal initiatives and programs, and lays the foundation for greater action on GBV. The Strategy also provides funding for six departments/agencies: WAGE; Public Health Agency of Canada; Public Safety Canada; the Department of National Defence; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.GBV Knowledge CentreThe GBV Knowledge Centre (KC) is the focal point of the Strategy and is responsible for governance and coordination, reporting and evaluation, data and research, and knowledge mobilization. The KC aligns existing resources across government and supports the development and sharing of research and data to enable more coordinated, evidence-based action on GBV. In December 2018, the KC launched an online platform, with a searchable database, which compiles existing information, data, and evidence on GBV.GBV ProgramLaunched through the Strategy, WAGE’s GBV Program, which is population-specific, aims to support organizations working in the sector in developing and implementing promising practices to address gaps in supports for Indigenous women and their communities, and other underserved groups of survivors in Canada.As part of the GBV Program, WAGE is co-funding a project with the Nova Scotia Government to develop effective and culturally-sensitive supports to the cycles of violence that affect women and children in Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities. This important co-investment between Nova Scotia and Canada will be a signal initiative under Standing Together, Nova Scotia’s plan to prevent domestic violence, and aligns with Canada’s GBV Strategy.Some of the expected outcomes of the GBV program overall include developing or adapting a service model to better support sexual violence survivors, a community-healing approach for Indigenous women and their families, and a peer support model for women with disabilities and deaf survivors of gender-based violence.GBV at Post-Secondary Institutions (PSIs)Also through the Strategy, WAGE is engaging provinces, territories, and stakeholders to develop a Framework to Prevent and Address GBV at Post-Secondary Institutions (the Framework) in order to ensure federal actions complement existing efforts. An Advisory Committee on the Framework and over 300 key stakeholders were engaged by a WAGE-funded organization to develop Courage to Act: Developing a National Framework to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence at Post-Secondary Institutions. Funds have been committed to address resource gaps for PSIs in Canada. VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMENThe Government of Canada is committed to ending the ongoing national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Indigenous women and girls are overrepresented among Canada’s missing and murdered; in 2018, police-reported data show that the homicide rate for Indigenous women and girls was nearly seven times higher than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts.In response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ (the National Inquiry) interim report, WAGE established a Commemoration Fund to support Indigenous organizations, governments, and communities to commemorate and honour the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ2 people.Following the release of the National Inquiry’s Final Report in June 2019, the Government is working with Indigenous partners, and provinces and territories to develop and implement a National Action Plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.CULTURAL SHIFTS IN ATTITUDES TOWARDS WOMEN AND GENDER DIVERSITY Challenging and changing harmful gender norms and attitudes is essential to achieve equality for people of all genders. Everyone has a role to play in addressing the attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate exclusion, inequity and violence.The Government of Canada has also been engaging men and boys as allies and advocates in the women's and gender equality movements. Eleven roundtables were hosted across the country in 2018, including regional and thematic tables (Indigenous people, LGBTQ2 people, racialized communities, youth, and corporate). Additional engagement included religious leaders. Some key issues that emerged include recognizing that men and boys are not a homogenous group, and that efforts to engage men and boys must be accountable to the efforts of the women's and LGBTQ2 movements.In summer 2019, a What We Heard Report was released and four new projects were announced to address key gaps identified throughout the 2018 roundtable discussions. For example, the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters will receive funding to increase awareness of gender-based violence and healthy masculinity; and FOXY will engage Indigenous youth, particularly young men and boys, on gender equality in the North.WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AND DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATIONThe Government is committed to increasing the representation of women in positions of leadership in both the public and private sectors and is taking various measures to achieve this.In February 2016, the Government established an open and transparent process for selecting Governor in Council appointees. This has led to an increase of 15 percentage points in the representation of women serving as Governor in Council appointees, which is now at 49%.As well, measures have been taken to change the culture of politics in order to attract and retain women as Parliamentarians. Some of these include:
  • The Government has passed legislation that enables the House of Commons and the Senate to provide maternity and parental leave for Parliamentarians;
  • The Canada Labour Code was amended to help prevent and respond to violence and harassment in the federally-regulated sector and to offer support to affected employees, including those in federally-regulated workplaces, the federal public service, parliamentary workplaces, and political staff; and,
  • Following on this, the House of Commons introduced a code of conduct on sexual harassment that includes an official complaint resolution process to prevent and deal with cases of sexual harassment.
To encourage corporate transparency and advance gender equality and diversity in Canada's boardrooms, changes to the Canada Business Corporations Act now require federally-regulated, publicly-traded corporations to have and disclose a diversity policy, highlighting their approach to improving overall diversity amongst board directors and members of senior management.Finally, WAGE, through its Women's Program, supports projects to promote and enhance women's participation in civic and political life by addressing barriers; strengthening the voices of Indigenous women in their communities; empowering the next generation of women leaders; and increasing women's participation in politics with a view to creating more gender-balanced governments.WOMEN’S ECONOMIC SECURITY AND PROSPERITY Women continue to experience challenges to their full and equal participation in the economy and are still less likely than men to participate in the labour force.The Government is also supporting efforts to advance economic security and prosperity for women. For example, the Government recently launched the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a comprehensive, whole-of-government plan to help women grow their businesses through access to financing, talent, networks and expertise. As well, WAGE is supporting the Association Nikawi Inc. to mobilize local Indigenous women to foster partnerships and develop a local strategy on the use, marketing, and distribution of available non-timber forest resources through a professional farm supply network. The project will expand community understanding by ensuring band councils recognize the importance of harvest and traditional practices for Indigenous women’s economic empowerment and land management.CONCLUSIONCanada has a long history of advancing gender equality. From the early suffragettes who fought for women to receive the right to vote to the activists of the #MeToo movement, feminist action has played— and continues to play—a pivotal role in shaping our history and our future.The Government of Canada will continue to take action to increase women’s economic security and prosperity; advance women’s leadership and democratic participation; end violence against women; and counter discriminatory attitudes towards women and gender-diverse people.
Response by the Minister of LabourSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Anthony HousefatherOur government is unequivocal that harassment and violence of any kind is completely unacceptable and recognizes that violence against women is a critical problem in our country. That is why our government tabled legislation to modernize the Canada Labour Code, including a new Leave for Victims of Family Violence. This new leave, which came into force on September 1, 2019, offers important support to employees who are themselves victims of family violence, or who are the parents of a minor child who is a victim of such violence.  The new leave of up to ten days per calendar year, with the first five days of leave paid, will allow those who take it to engage in activities such as seeking medical attention for themselves or their child in respect of a physical or psychological injury or disability; obtaining services from an organization which provides services to victims of family violence; obtaining psychological or other professional counselling; relocating temporarily or permanently; seeking legal or law enforcement assistance or preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding; or taking any measures prescribed by regulation. This new leave, as well as a new Personal Leave of up to five days per calendar year, with the first three days of leave paid, are among a range of measures that came into force on September 1, 2019 to provide federally regulated employees with more flexibility to balance the demands of paid work and their personal and family responsibilities. To this end, employees may take the new Personal Leave to, among other things, treat their illness or injury, carry out responsibilities related to the health or care of any of their family members, and address any urgent matter concerning themselves or their family members.Furthermore, our government is committed to addressing workplace violence and harassment. On October 25, 2018, Bill C-65, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence), the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1, received Royal Assent. This historic piece of legislation demonstrates to Canadians that their government will not tolerate harassment and violence in federally regulated workplaces by creating a more robust and integrated regime to better protect employees.  Under this regime, employers are required to take steps to prevent, protect against, and respond to occurrences of harassment and violence in the workplace, which includes a spectrum of behaviours, ranging from teasing/bullying to sexual harassment and physical violence. Regulations are currently being developed to support the implementation of the Bill. These regulations are targeted to come into force in 2020.On the issue of pay equity, our government supports equal pay for work of equal value and the fair treatment of all workers in the workplace, regardless of gender. Pay equity isn’t just to right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do. When Canadian women can count on equal pay for work of equal value, our economy grows stronger. To achieve this our government is committed to move beyond the current complaints-based approach to pay equity. On October 29, 2018, new proactive pay equity legislation was tabled in Parliament, as part of Bill C-86 – Budget Implementation Act, 2018 No. 2. It received Royal Assent on December 13, 2018 and is expected to come into force in 2020. The new legislation will bring about a dramatic shift in how the right to pay equity is protected in federally regulated workplaces. It will direct employers to take proactive steps to ensure that they are providing equal pay for work of equal value because we know that a strong middle class depends on a job market where both women and men have a real and fair chance at success. Proactive pay equity is particularly likely to benefit women who are also part of other vulnerable groups.Proactive pay equity legislation is an important tool among a broad array of policy tools aimed at reducing the gender wage gap. Our government is also maintaining its commitment to addressing wage gaps through the introduction of pay transparency measures. Budget 2019 introduced changes to the way salary information can be collected and reported through a technical amendment to the Employment Equity Act; and, proposed amendments to the Employment Equity Regulations were published in Canada Gazette Part 1, in August 2019. Recognized internationally as a key step towards reducing wage gaps, pay transparency will provide Canadians with accessible, comparable online information on the wage gaps of these employers, raising awareness of wage gaps that affect women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. This transparency will prompt employers to take action to examine their practices and show leadership in reducing wage gaps.
Sexual discriminationStatus of womenViolence against women
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01022432-01022 (Taxation)TaylorBachrachSkeena—Bulkley ValleyNDPBCJune 1, 2021May 3, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned residents of Canada draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:1. The residents of Haida Gwaii experience high costs of living due to the remote archipelago's isolated geography; 2. The Northern Residents Deductions were established to provide tax relief to residents of northern and isolated communities, thereby offsetting the higher cost of living and accessing services in these areas; 3. The Northern Residents Deductions were also intended to help employers recruit and retain workers in northern and isolated areas, such as Haida Gwaii; 4. Haida Gwaii residents previously received the maximum allowable Northern Residents Deductions before their benefit was cut in half in 1993.THEREFORE, we call upon the House of Commons to:1. Immediately restore the eligibility of Haida Gwaii residents to claim the full amount of the Northern Residents Deductions in recognition of their high cost of living.Haida GwaiiNorthern residents deduction43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021e-2306e-2306 (Justice)DanielaSiggiaVanceBadaweyNiagara CentreLiberalONNovember 29, 2019, at 9:17 a.m. (EDT)March 28, 2020, at 9:17 a.m. (EDT)February 16, 2021April 12, 2021April 2, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:It is common knowledge that there are a multitude of survivors of childhood sexual abuse by hundreds of pedophile priests in the Catholic Church over many decades;The Catholic Church has not released the names of pedophiles within its ranks and moved sexual predators around enabling ongoing abuse and evasion of criminal prosecution;The social ripple effect this systemic sexual predation of children has cost Canada in silent suffering of victims leading to health, mental health, criminal and addiction costs to society;We believe a public inquiry would send a message to survivors suffering in silence that it is safe to come forward to name their abusers to prevent further predation, but to also to facilitate survivors accessing the help they need. It would inform the public on systemic abuse of children and inform on establishing new policies that hold guilty priests accountable under the law, and prevent these acts of criminality to be repeated; andWe know that the majority of Catholics are innocent victims, as these priests predated among their most vulnerable members. An inquiry would help protect Catholics from further victimization and would lay the groundwork for truth and reconciliation for the Church as an integral member of Canada’s diverse and beautiful tapestry of faith.We, the undersigned, #ChurchToo movement: comprised of Canadian residents, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to instigate a public inquiry compelling Catholic church leadership to testify under oath with a comprehensive investigation with the aim of not only identifying pedophile priests, but also the logistics operation established by leadership that helped facilitate the continued sexual predation of children
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiThe Government of Canada is committed to protecting children from sexual harm, including by investigating and prosecuting those involved in abuse of children. The Canadian Criminal Code comprehensively prohibits all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, including through child-specific sexual offences (sections 151 to 153), as well as sexual assault offences (sections 271 to 273) that protect all Canadians.The Government of Canada has various programs to assist in investigating prior sexual abuse and preventing future child sexual abuse. In furtherance of this goal, the Government of Canada has invested in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) various programs related to child sexual abuse.For instance, the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC) is a part of the RCMP’s National Police Services, which provide services to the entire law enforcement community. The NCECC is a key partner and the national law enforcement arm of the National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet. The NCECC works to reduce the vulnerability of children to online child sexual exploitation by identifying victimized children; investigating and assisting in the prosecution of sexual offenders; and strengthening the capacity of municipal, territorial, provincial, federal, and international police agencies through training, operational research and investigative support. The NCECC also engages with international partners to combat online child sexual exploitation and other forms of transnational offending worldwide and is the current Chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT). The VGT is an international police alliance dedicated to the protection of children from online sexual exploitation and other transnational child sexual offences.Recent or historical situations involving child sexual abuse or exploitation can be reported to the local police force of jurisdiction or the RCMP.
Child sexual abuse and exploitationInquiries and public inquiriesRoman Catholic ChurchSex offenders
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021e-3027e-3027 (Business and trade)WilliamMorrisonTonyBaldinelliNiagara FallsConservativeONDecember 9, 2020, at 5:07 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2021, at 5:07 p.m. (EDT)February 26, 2021April 12, 2021February 8, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada’s travel and tourism industry was hit first by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been hit hardest, and it will take the longest to recover;Policies implemented by the Government of Canada in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are forcing many businesses to temporarily and permanently close through no fault of their own;These current policies are creating a serious unemployment issue in Canada that would otherwise not exist, if these decisions were based on evidence, science, and facts;The Government of Canada has delayed too long in providing sector-specific support and relief to those hardest hit travel and tourism sectors; andPublic confidence and demand for travel domestically and internationally has plummeted to an all-time low since March 2020.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Present a sector-specific tourism recovery plan on or before the date of the 2021 Federal Budget;2. Ensure this tourism recovery plan addresses the specific needs of the many travel and tourism sectors across Canada; 3. Ensure this tourism recovery plan supports the urgent and complete development, implementation, and deployment of Health Canada approved vaccines and rapid testing devices; 4. Ensure this tourism recovery plan includes sector-specific health guidelines, which enable sectors to resume work operations in a safe and responsible manner; and5. Use this tourism recovery plan as a tool to begin restoring public confidence in travel and tourism.
Response by the Minister of Innovation, Science and IndustrySigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P.The health and safety of Canadians is the Government of Canda’s top priority. The Government of Canada continues to work with provinces and territories to take the measures that are necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and its variants in Canada. To date, the Government of Canada has invested over $1 billion to secure access to promising vaccine candidates. This includes up-front payments that companies require to support vaccine development, testing and at-risk manufacturing. Subsequent payments are contingent on vaccines passing clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval.The Government of Canada recognizes that pandemic restrictions have taken a very heavy toll on jobs, businesses, and communities. The tourism sector was the first hit by COVID-19, the hardest hit, and will be among those that take the longest to recover.From the start of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has introduced broad-based measures to support the Canadian economy, many of which have helped the tourism sector. This includes financial support for employees who cannot work because of COVID-19, subsidies for wages and rent, and loans to provide liquidity relief. Approximately $9.7 billion was  estimated in the Fall Economic Update to have flowed to tourism businesses through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, Canada Emergency Business Account and the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance.In addition, the Government of Canada has introduced measures targeting the tourism sector. For example, in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government of Canada announced the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program –  a new credit facility that provides government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million for businesses in the hardest hit sectors, like tourism and hospitality. This program was launched on February 1, 2021.The Government of Canada also earmarked 25 percent of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to tourism businesses, representing $500 million. The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund provides assistance to businesses to allow them to continue their operations, including paying their employees, and supports projects by businesses, organizations and communities to prepare now for a successful recovery.The Government of Canada will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to identify effective ways to support the recovery of this important sector.
COVID-19Economic recoveryPandemicTourismWorkplace health and safety
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01083432-01083 (Business and trade)TonyBaldinelliNiagara FallsConservativeONJune 11, 2021June 5, 2021Petition to the House of Commons WHEREAS
  • More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors;
  • Federal Assistance Programs like CEBA, CERS, CEWS & RRRF exclude the majority of these Small Business Owners, leaving them to slip through the cracks and forcing them into bankruptcy.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Provide Sector specific funding for Independent Travel Advisors;
  • Extend the qualifications of the RRRF in Urban areas to include Sole Proprietors.
Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response PlanCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01082432-01082 (Business and trade)TonyBaldinelliNiagara FallsConservativeONJune 11, 2021June 5, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 24,000 Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions;
  • These Travel Advisors are being asked by Canadian Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies to repay commissions earned at the end of 2019 & beginning of 2020 on their clients' trips that were cancelled due to said Travel Restrictions, known as "commission recalls" or "Commission claw-backs".
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Ensure that any financial assistance to Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies, will be conditional on the protection of Travel Advisor commissions;
  • Ensure that commissions already clawed back by the Airlines & their subsidiary Travel Companies will be repaid to Travel Advisors in a timely manner.
AirlinesCOVID-19PandemicReimbursementTravel agencies
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3439e-3439 (Justice)MeaganHallJohnBarlowFoothillsConservativeABMay 21, 2021, at 9:04 a.m. (EDT)September 18, 2021, at 9:04 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>We, the undersigned, residents of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1- Re-examine the sections of SOR/98-462 that criminalizes the carrying of vital defence tools such as mace or tasers, specifically: Part 1 No. 3 Section 1, Part 3 No. 1 Section 1, Part 3 No. 2 Section 5, Part 3 No. 3 Section 6, Part 3 No. 8 Section 15; 2- Re-examine the sections of Bill C-26 that criminalizes the carrying of vital defence tools such as mace or tasers, specifically Section 34(2)(d);3- Re-examine grey areas in this legislation that suggest tools such as kitty key chains would fall under categorization of 'weapons' as well; and4- Provide clear provisions in these bills for the use of weapons in self-defence manners.Self-defenceWeapons43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3074e-3074 (Culture and heritage)RobertMcLeodJohnBarlowFoothillsConservativeABFebruary 2, 2021, at 8:48 a.m. (EDT)June 2, 2021, at 8:48 a.m. (EDT)June 2, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253376" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:More than 114,000 of our fallen, in war and conflicts serving Canada, are buried overseas or have no known grave;Many descendants, and relatives are unable to visit the final resting places of those fallen, or the monuments to their sacrifice, because of cost or travel restrictions;With encouragement from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation (NFNMF) developed a vision for a fitting monument at Green Cove, in Cape Breton National Park, on its eastern shore, to those Canadians who died helping preserve our freedoms;It depicts Mother Canada welcoming home to Canada, the souls of these 114,000 fallen;Being in Canada, this will be an accessible memorial that descendants and relatives of the fallen can visit;A Parks Canada License of Occupation is needed by NFNMF for a fundraising campaign to construct this monument; Parks Canada conditions, before this license could be issued, were the agreement of the Confederation of Mi’kmaq, (completed May 2015), a detailed impact analysis, (completed February 2016), and proof of $30 million Phase 1 funding, with 5% for the maintenance for the first year (this was being negotiated, as NFNMF would not do public fundraising without a license to build); andParks Canada didn’t issue the license, and withdrew from the negotiating table, so NFNMF was blocked from raising the funds for the monument.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the minister of Environment and Climate Change to return to the bargaining table and issue a License of Occupation by year end 2021 to allow fundraising to begin the Never Forgotten National Memorial.Building permitsNational, provincial and territorial parks and reservesNever Forgotten National Memorial43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2855e-2855 (Parliament and politics)RichardGuerraMichaelBarrettLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesConservativeONNovember 4, 2020, at 9:42 a.m. (EDT)December 4, 2020, at 9:42 a.m. (EDT)December 7, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canada's Conflict of Interest Act does not provide any sanctions for breaches found by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner other than an administrative penalty of $500;There appears to be no shame for having been found guilty of breaching the Conflict of Interest Act;Increasing the amount of the fine would be effectively irrelevant to most Members of the House of Commons of Canada; andRemoval of the honorific "Honourable" from those Members of Parliament found guilty of violating the Conflict of Interest Act would serve as a greater deterrent;We, the undersigned, the citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to amend the Standing Orders of the House of Commons to prohibit Members of Parliament from using the honorific "Honourable Member" to address a fellow Member of Parliament that has been convicted of violating the Conflict of Interest Act.Conflict of interestMembers of ParliamentProtocol and etiquetteStanding Orders of the House of Commons43rd Parliament229Not certifiedMarch 9, 2020e-2321e-2321 (Infrastructure)JillSturdyMichaelBarrettLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesConservativeONDecember 5, 2019, at 3:56 p.m. (EDT)March 4, 2020, at 3:56 p.m. (EDT)March 9, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="5" affiliationId="253366" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Infrastructure and Communities</Addressee>Whereas:The Municipality of North Grenville and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville jointly applied for funding of the CR43 Expansion Project through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), a cost-shared infrastructure funding program between the federal government, province, county and municipality for a total of $9,999,924;The federal government must sign off on its cost share of $4,999,962 in order for this phase of the CR43 expansion project to proceed. Significant funding has already been committed by all other levels of government, including municipal, county and provincial; andThis phase of the CR43 Expansion Project would expand approximately 1.15 km of County Road 43 (CR43) to four lanes with the addition of roundabouts and pedestrian crossings through the main part of Kemptville, ON, and rehabilitate the existing bridge across Kemptville Creek.We, the undersigned, residents and business leaders of the municipality of North Grenville and Eastern Ontario, call upon the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities to approve the federal funding required so that many of the crucial upgrades to County Road 43 identified in the CR43 Expansion Project through the town of Kemptville, Ontario, can proceed.KemptvilleRoads and road transportationTransportation infrastructure43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021432-00476432-00476 (Health)MichaelBarrettLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesConservativeONFebruary 4, 2021March 22, 2021November 16, 2020Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas opioid crisis is one of the most deadly public health emergencies of our lifetime, with a death taking place on average about every two hours and a death toll of almost 15,400 in the past four years alone (January 2016 to December 2019);Whereas the overdose crisis rages;We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency and:
  • Take steps to end overdose deaths and overdose injuries
  • Immediately collaborate with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian overdose action plan
  • Ensure that any plan considers reforms that other countries have used, such as legal regulation of drugs to ensure safe, supply, decriminalization for personal use, and changes to flawed drug policy and policing.
  • Ensure this emergency is taken seriously with adequately funded programming and supports.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Patty HajduThe Government of Canada is deeply concerned about problematic substance use in Canada, including the ongoing opioid overdose crisis and the devastating impact it is having on the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Tragically, there were more than 17,602 apparent opioid-related deaths between January 2016 and June 2020.The Government recognizes that the complexity of this crisis has only increased due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Public health guidance around physical distancing and self-isolation presents a unique challenge for people who use drugs. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have been working with provinces and territories and other partners, including researchers, advocates and people with lived and living experience, to help make sure that people who use drugs can continue to access treatment, harm reduction and other services during the pandemic.Since taking office, our government has taken strong action to address the opioid crisis. The comprehensive federal response has included legislative and regulatory enabling measures, new prescription guidelines, marketing restrictions, awareness campaigns, improvements to the knowledge base, and emergency funding to provinces and territories. We will continue this important work to help save lives and keep Canadians safe.The Government of Canada remains committed to taking a public health approach to substance use through the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy. The Strategy includes four pillars – prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement – and is designed to be comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate and evidence-based. The Government is placing particular focus on:
  • ensuring that life-saving harm reduction measures are available to Canadians who need it;
  • working with stakeholders to reduce stigma directed at people who use drugs, which acts as a barrier to accessing critical health and social services and often leads to social isolation;
  • working with provinces and territories to improve access to evidence-based treatment options; and,
  • implementing additional surveillance and research activities that will further build the evidence base and allow us to pursue innovative solutions to this public health crisis.
The Government of Canada recognizes that the overwhelming majority of deaths caused by the opioid overdose crisis are due to a toxic illegal drug supply that is contaminated with highly toxic substances, such as fentanyl. The situation is now such that anyone who uses illegal drugs for any reason in Canada is at risk of a potentially fatal opioid-related overdose every time they use drugs due to the contaminated illegal supply.The Government of Canada has taken actions to reduce barriers to providing people who use drugs with a safer, pharmaceutical alternative to the toxic illegal drug supply. For example, Health Canada has issued class exemptions to pharmacists and eased restrictions on the transportation of controlled substances to make it easier for people to access the medications they need during the COVID-19 pandemic while following public health advice, such as physical distancing. In addition, through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), the Government of Canada is providing $44.2 million for projects providing a safer supply of pharmaceutical medications for people with substance use disorder in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. These investments will help provide pathways to care and treatment. Examples of funded projects include:
  • The Vancouver Island Health Authority was provided approximately $2 million over 48 months for an innovative project that will provide pharmaceutical medication as an alternative to the toxic illegal drug supply for people in Cowichan Valley who have not responded to other forms of treatment for opioid use disorder.
  • The London InterCommunity Health Centre (London, Ontario) was provided more than $6.5 million over 50 months to deliver a safer supply program that will help reduce harms related to the toxic illegal drug supply by providing prescribed opioids to patients with opioid use disorder during the pandemic and beyond.
Findings from these initiatives will contribute to the evidence base to support the scaling up of effective models. In addition, to bolster further these efforts, on August 24, 2020, the Minister of Health sent a letter to Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health and regulatory colleges to encourage them to provide people who use drugs with a full spectrum of care options, including access to a safer supply of drugs.The Government of Canada has also taken a number of steps to provide options for those seeking treatment for severe substance use disorder. On April 25, 2019, the Minister of Health added diacetylmorphine to the List of Drugs for an Urgent Public Health Need. This makes it possible for provinces and territories to import this drug for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Amendments to federal regulations have also allowed health care practitioners to provide diacetylmorphine-assisted treatment outside of a hospital setting, if permitted by their province or territory. In addition, on May 1, 2019, Health Canada approved the use of injectable hydromorphone by qualified healthcare professionals as a treatment for adults with severe opioid use disorder. This is the first approval of injectable hydromorphone for this purpose in the world.The Government of Canada is also providing guidance and leadership on the prescribing, dispensing, and delivery of opioids and other narcotics during the pandemic. For instance, through funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM) developed a series of national guidance documents related to substance use in the context of COVID-19. The guidance documents can be found here. Health Canada has also assembled a toolkit to provide clarity on prescribing for the treatment of substance use disorder and/or to provide a safer supply. The toolkit can be found here. Furthermore, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health published a Rapid Review of clinical and cost-effectiveness of injectable opioid agonist treatment for patients with opioid dependence. The report can be found here.The Government of Canada continues to make substantial investments to address the overdose crisis. Recent examples of key federal investments in this area include:
  • investing an additional $66 million over two years to support community-based organizations responding to substance use issues, including to help them provide frontline services in a COVID-19 context;
  • investing $76.2 million to take action to protect Canadians and prevent overdose deaths. This investment will be used to scale-up key lifesaving measures and increase access to a safer drug supply as an alternative to the contaminated supply. These measures build on the Budget 2019 investment of $30.5 million over five years, with $1 million ongoing, to expand access to safer alternatives to the illegal drug supply and support better access to opioid overdose response training and naloxone in underserved communities;
  • providing $1.7 million to the University of Saskatchewan to increase access to chronic pain services, and providing Alberta Health Services $1.2 million to implement and evaluate pathways to care for people living with pain and opioid use disorder, both funded through the Substance Use and Addictions Program;
  • providing $231.4 million over five years through Budget 2018 for additional measures to help address the opioid overdose crisis, including a one-time $150 million emergency treatment fund for provinces and territories to improve access to evidence-based treatment services;
  • providing an additional $200 million, with $40 million per year ongoing, to enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate addictions treatment and prevention services in First Nations communities; and,
  • allocating $13 million over five years to launch a new national, multi-year public education campaign to help reshape Canadians’ attitudes and perceptions about people who use drugs.
In order to prevent and reduce the harms of problematic substance use, including to enable access to evidence-based treatment and support recovery, the Government has undertaken a broad range of policy, legislative and regulatory actions, such as:
  • approving supervised consumption sites (with 39 currently in operation across Canada), and providing class exemptions to facilitate the establishment of overdose prevention sites;
  • supporting the passage of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which encourages people to call for emergency help at the scene of an overdose by providing protection against simple drug possession charges;
  • establishing effective Federal, Provincial and Territorial public health emergency governance, including the Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Assistant Deputy Minister Committee on Problematic Substance Use & Harms;
  • collaborating with provinces and territories to better understand the evolving crisis, and undertaking timely monitoring and reporting of opioid-related deaths and harms in Canada;
  • deploying public health officers from the Public Health Agency of Canada to support public health surveillance systems in provinces and territories; and,
  • supporting the development and dissemination of national clinical practice guidelines to treat opioid use disorder, as well as the injectable opioid agonist treatment clinical and operational guidelines through the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse. The guidelines can be found here.
The Government of Canada continues to encourage the use of diversion programs that create pathways away from the criminal justice system toward appropriate health services and social supports for people who use drugs. For example, on August 18, 2020, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada issued guidance to prosecutors stating that alternatives to prosecution should be considered for simple possession offences, except when there are serious aggravating circumstances. In addition, Health Canada is currently funding a three-year project in Peterborough, Ontario, to develop a multi-sector response to direct people who use drugs away from the justice system and into care. In addition, on February 18, 2021, the Department of Justice introduced Bill C-22 in Parliament to help address systemic racism and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples as well as Black and marginalized Canadians in Canada’s criminal justice system. Among other measures, this Bill would repeal mandatory minimum penalties for drug related-offences, and would also require police and prosecutors to consider other responses to laying charges for simple possession of drugs, such as diversion to treatment programs.It is recognized that there are a growing number of calls for drug decriminalization, in acknowledgement that criminalizing personal drug possession results in stigma and discrimination, creates barriers to accessing health and social services, and increases the risks of overdose and other harms. The City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia have written to the Minister of Health requesting exemptions to decriminalize simple possession of small amounts of controlled substances for personal use in their jurisdictions. We will continue working with them on options to address the overdose crisis that respond to their local and regional needs.We will also continue to take a comprehensive and collaborative approach, working with all partners. No single organization or level of government alone can solve the opioid overdose crisis. All levels of government, a wide range of stakeholders and all Canadians who are impacted by opioid use must work together to reduce opioid-related overdoses and deaths, and improve the health and well-being of Canadians who use drugs.
Drug use and abuseHealth emergenciesOpiates and opioidsPublic health
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 20, 2020431-00207431-00207 (Justice)MichaelBarrettLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesConservativeONMay 20, 2020July 20, 2020November 29, 2018PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas increasing concerns about international trafficking in human organs removed from victims without consent have not yet led to a legal prohibition on Canadians travelling abroad to acquire or receive such organs; andWhereas there are currently two bills before Parliament proposing to impede the trafficking of human organs obtained without consent or as a result of a financial transaction: Bill C-350 in the House of Commons and Bill S-240 in the Senate;Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Parliament of Canada to move quickly on the proposed legislation so as to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prohibit Canadians from travelling abroad to acquire human organs removed without consent or as a result of a financial transaction and to render inadmissible to Canada any and all permanent residents or foreign nationals who have participated in this abhorrent trade in human organs.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiOur government was proud to support former Private Member’s Bill C-350, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking and transplanting human organs and other body parts), and former Senate Public Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), in the previous Parliament. We look forward to working with all parties on similar legislative proposals, including Senate Public Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs),which was introduced in the Senate on December 10, 2019.Combatting human organ trafficking is a complex issue that involves both legislative and policy responses. In Canada, organ transplantation and donation is governed by a comprehensive legislative framework at both the federal and provincial/territorial level, encompassing health and criminal law.
Human organs and other body parts traffickingMedical tourismMedical transplantationOrgans
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00328432-00328 (Foreign affairs)MichaelBarrettLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesConservativeONDecember 2, 2020January 25, 2021September 16, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 24, 2020431-00298431-00298 (Justice)MichaelBarrettLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesConservativeONJuly 20, 2020September 24, 2020October 10, 2018PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas increasing concerns about international trafficking in human organs removed from victims without consent have not yet led to a legal prohibition on Canadians travelling abroad to acquire or receive such organs; andWhereas there are currently two bills before Parliament proposing to impede the trafficking of human organs obtained without consent or as a result of a financial transaction: Bill C-350 in the House of Commons and Bill S-240 in the Senate;Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Parliament of Canada to move quickly on the proposed legislation so as to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prohibit Canadians from travelling abroad to acquire human organs removed without consent or as a result of a financial transaction and to render inadmissible to Canada any and all permanent residents or foreign nationals who have participated in this abhorrent trade in human organs.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiOur government was proud to support former Private Member’s Bill C-350, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking and transplanting human organs and other body parts), and former Senate Public Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), in the previous Parliament. We look forward to working with all parties on similar legislative proposals.Combatting human organ trafficking is a complex issue that involves both legislative and policy responses. In Canada, organ transplantation and donation is governed by a comprehensive legislative framework at both the federal and provincial/territorial level, encompassing health and criminal law.
Human organs and other body parts traffickingMedical tourismMedical transplantationOrgans
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2744e-2744 (Parliament and politics)Danah-LeeKriegerMichaelBarrettLeeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau LakesConservativeONJuly 21, 2020, at 2:44 p.m. (EDT)August 20, 2020, at 2:44 p.m. (EDT)August 24, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="6" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Prime Minister</Addressee>Whereas:After several serious breaches of Canadian ethical laws (fully admitted by the Prime Minister), we propose that Justin Trudeau step down to keep the integrity of the Prime Minister's office; A full investigation must take place; Laws must be followed by all Canadians, including elected officials who work for the Canadian people; andThe standard must be higher and completely transparent when working for the public and receiving your pay cheque from the public purse.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister to step down while a full investigation takes place regarding his ethical breach with the WE organization.Canada Student Service GrantCharitable organizationsConflict of interestConflict of Interest and Ethics CommissionerCOVID-19Full-time studentsGovernment contractsInquiries and public inquiriesPandemicPrime MinisterTrudeau, JustinVolunteering and volunteersWE Charity43rd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 2, 2020e-2604e-2604 (Transportation)Marie-EveDumontXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCMay 15, 2020, at 12:09 p.m. (EDT)August 13, 2020, at 12:09 p.m. (EDT)October 19, 2020December 2, 2020August 13, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Thousands of Canadian consumers have had their trips cancelled because of border closures and the lockdowns put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19;Thousands of these consumers are being given travel credits instead of refunds by air carriers and tour operators;Many consumers are currently experiencing financial hardship as a result of reduced income or job loss due to the pandemic;These travel credits come with restrictive terms and conditions, including that they must be used within 24 months, that they are non-transferable or that they do not provide any price guarantee;Many consumers will not be able to use these credits within the time limits imposed by air carriers due to financial or health problems or the fact that the risks related to COVID-19 have not yet been eliminated; andForcing consumers to accept these travel credits contravenes both the Civil Code of Québec with respect to the restitution of prestations in case of superior force and Quebec’ Consumer Protection Act with respect to prepaid payment instruments.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to require airlines and other carriers under federal jurisdiction to allow customers whose trips have been cancelled due to the current pandemic to obtain a refund.
Response by the Minister of TransportSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marc GarneauOn July 15, 2019, Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) came into effect.  The APPR impose minimum standards and requirements if a flight is delayed or cancelled.  These vary depending on whether the reason is within the airline's control, outside of the airline’s control, or within the airline’s control but required for safety reasons. The APPR include limited provisions for flights delayed or cancelled for reasons outside of the carrier's control.Air carriers are facing significant revenue losses that are placing them in a highly precarious financial position as a result of the pandemic and resulting travel bans and low travel demand. Air carriers have indicated that their industry is at risk due to the COVID-19 air travel downturn. Although carriers have provided refunds for some types of tickets, they have predominantly issued vouchers for tickets cancelled due to COVID-19. This has led to concerns among passengers who seek cash refunds. The Government is very sympathetic toward passengers being issued vouchers who want a cash refund. Canadians may be facing financial difficulties and could thus benefit from a refund for their cancelled trip due to the pandemic.On November 9, 2020, the Minister of Transport announced a willingness to enter into negotiations with airlines on potential assistance, but made it clear the provision of refunds would be a condition of such support.
AirlinesCancellationCOVID-19PandemicReimbursement
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00087431-00087 (Environment)XavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCFebruary 19, 2020April 11, 2020February 10, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWhereas:
  • the seaway is an increasingly important economic driver for all of Canada;
  • the upcoming opening of an aviation fuel terminal in Montreal East will increase shipping traffic;
  • the tonnage of ships on the St. Lawrence River has increased considerably over the years;
  • dredging work has been done by the federal government;
  • the federal government terminated the Shoreline Protection Program in 1997;
  • the government, by failing to act for more than 21 years, abdicated its responsibility for maintaining the shore protection works it constructed;
  • erosion of the shores of the St. Lawrence, particularly in the Montreal–Lake Saint-Pierre segment, is worsening to an increasingly troubling degree as regards the environment, public safety and well-being, and property integrity.
We, the undersigned, call upon the House of Commons to direct the federal government to implement a program to protect the shores of the St. Lawrence River and take appropriate measures to stop their erosion and ensure a safe environment, including the following: regulations imposing a speed limit on vessels, depending on their type, and the construction and maintenance of shore protection works; the goal is to foster trust and cooperation between the federal government, seaway users and shoreline residents.
Response by the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast GuardSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Bernadette JordanThe Government of Canada is aware of the concerns brought forward by the Seaway users and shoreline residents.Shoreline erosion is not uniquely caused by passing ships. It is a complex phenomenon caused by many natural factors including ice, waves caused by wind, currents and tides.The Government of Canada is supporting initiatives aimed at preventing shoreline erosion. The Government of Canada is working closely with the commercial shipping industry on the St. Lawrence River to monitor and promote voluntary speed-reductions for vessels operating in erosion-sensitive zones.
Shoreline erosion and protectionSt. Lawrence RiverVessel traffic
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 20, 2020e-2429e-2429 (Citizenship and immigration)JohanneBoivin DrapeauXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCFebruary 18, 2020, at 11:56 p.m. (EDT)April 18, 2020, at 11:56 p.m. (EDT)May 20, 2020July 20, 2020April 21, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253396" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship </Addressee>Whereas: Our immigration system needs a federal ombudsman who would help improve quality and who would bring transparency to the services provided to citizens; Action is required in many situations to prevent and address the errors and injustices experienced by Canadian citizens and permanent residents who use the services of Immigration Canada; Citizens have the right to be protected if they believe that one of their rights has not been respected and if they believe the Department of Immigration made an error or committed an injustice; Discussion and settlement by mutual agreement must be the preferred methods when parties interact with each other; Citizens have the right to obtain services and responses in a reasonable time frame; Citizens have the right be treated with respect, objectivity and fairness by government employees; andSponsors have the right to be heard. We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens and permanent residents with family members abroad, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to ensure that an office of a federal ombudsman is created to address the many shortcomings of the immigration system and to ensure (i) that the ombudsman works to improve the quality of citizenship and immigration services provided to public by providing individual assistance and recommendations to improve how immigration benefits are managed, (ii) that it also be possible to make recommendations to both the federal and provincial governments, (iii) that the federal ombudsman be given the authority to receive complaints and conduct investigations to address errors and injustices.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco MendicinoThe Government’s ability to provide quality, timely and efficient service is central to ensuring a high-performing immigration system that maintains the confidence of Canadians and is reflective of the Government’s goal to continue welcoming those who want to contribute to the future of Canada.Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a service-focused Department that operates a vast service delivery network, interacting with millions of clients in Canada and across the globe every year, including applicants for electronic travel authorizations, visas, permanent residence, asylum and resettlement, citizenship and passports, as well as Canadian sponsors, employers and schools, amongst others.IRCC staff must abide by our Departmental Code of Conduct, including all elements of the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector. Values and ethics are at the heart of IRCC decisions. Officers abide by high ethical standards and have the delegated authority to assess and make positive and negative decisions which take into account legislative and regulatory provisions related to eligibility and admissibility. Functioning within the legislative framework of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the Department is bound to principles of procedural fairness.In addition to training in the processing of applications in various categories, such as the Family Class, officers also receive broader training in legal and other principles applicable to all cases. This training includes, but is not limited to, cross-cultural sensitivity; interviews; working with interpreters; values and ethics; code of conduct; exceptional circumstances: use of humanitarian and compassionate consideration (the discretionary provision of section 25 of IRPA permitting exemptions justified on humanitarian and compassionate considerations); and temporary resident permits. An example is the training module on Procedural Fairness and the Act which outlines the requirements of administrative law principles of procedural fairness and the Government’s human rights obligations. Where an application is refused, the Department issues refusal letters which identify which legislative or regulatory requirement(s) have not been met. There are mechanisms in place for applicants who disagree with a decision. Applicants for temporary residence may opt to reapply if they have new information to provide or if their situation has changed such that it would address the issue with their initial application. In permanent residence streams, sponsors in the Family Class may generally appeal a refusal of their relative’s permanent residence application to the Immigration Appeal Division at the Immigration and Refugee Board. In addition, under Canadian immigration, citizenship and passport law, applicants have recourse to the Federal Court to seek judicial review or judicial review with leave and writ of mandamus to compel the Department to render a decision. Applicants may also file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.Different mechanisms are in place to monitor work performance and quality of decisions, including periodic employee performance evaluations and quality assurance exercises. Performance audits may also be conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada to assess how well activities, responsibilities and resources are being managed.In recent years, coordinated efforts to increase levels space through the Multi-Year Levels Plan, invest in technology, take on a transformation agenda, and re-engineer existing processes have resulted in: the Express Entry application system for economic immigration; reduced inventories and faster processing times for spousal and citizenship grant applications; and, increased availability of electronic application forms and online tools to check application processing times and access case status information. The Department’s transformation work is modernizing and optimizing the way work is done with a more nimble, digital and client-focused system – this is done by transforming the Department’s services, information management and information technology infrastructure and how work is done. This includes careful reviews of internal processes, including implementing Agile project management methodology and Lean business processes which contribute to positive client service outcomes, for example by reducing time required to process applications. The modernization of IRCC’s technology would also bring client service improvements, security enhancements and strengthen program integrity.As immigration is a shared federal, provincial and territorial responsibility, the Department has strong relationships with provincial and territorial governments on immigration and settlement, including on matters of processing and client engagement.The Department is also working to implement the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, where its Act received Royal Assent as part of Bill C-97 in spring 2019. The anticipated College will regulate immigration and citizenship consultants in the public interest and protect the public, including by establishing and administering qualification standards and standards of practice for consultants, ensuring compliance with the code of professional conduct, and undertaking public awareness activities.Even with these significant modernization gains, the Government acknowledges that clients are also concerned about how we engage with them over the course of their wait time. The Department’s services touch on very important decisions and milestones in people’s lives, and it is imperative they are delivered in a way that reflects the very best of what Canada has to offer.In 2017, the Government mandated the Department to work on reducing processing times and to improve its service to clients. Service excellence is a key tenet of the new client service approach implemented at the Client Support Centre in January 2017. The Client Support Centre provides personalized client support for clients seeking immigration information, case status, technical support and other services. Since 2017, the Department has focused on improving client service through a better understanding of client needs. Application and admission volumes have increased in recent years, and so have the number of client support enquiries received at the Client Support Centre. The Department has hired more Client Support Centre staff through Budget 2019 investments to meet commitments made to the Office of the Auditor General’s May 2019 report on call centres and the Department’s public service standards, published in December 2019.
Government servicesImmigration and immigrantsOmbudsman
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedApril 21, 2020e-2438e-2438 (Culture and heritage)FrançoisDesmaraisXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCFebruary 19, 2020, at 4:59 p.m. (EDT)April 19, 2020, at 4:59 p.m. (EDT)April 21, 2020Petition to <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">the House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The contest to name a Canadian to appear on the new $5 bill will end on 11 March 2020;Seigneur Pierre Boucher (1622-1717), the first Canadian ambassador to the King of France (1661), who brought the Filles du Roy and the Carignan-Salières Regiment to New France, and great hero to the First Nations during the Battle of Fort Trois-Rivières (1653), meets the qualification criteria for this national contest;It is recommended that support be given to the nomination of Pierre Boucher (1622-1717) to appear on the next $5 bill;Jeanne Crevier (circa 1636-1727), wife of Pierre Boucher and mother of 15 children, was an exceptional woman through her involvement in establishing the seigneury of Boucherville, particularly during her husband’s absences, and should appear with Pierre Boucher on the next $5 bill, if two figures can be featured.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada and electors of Pierre-Boucher–Les Patriotes–Verchères, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to support the nomination of Pierre Boucher (1622-1717) along with, if possible, his wife Jeanne Crevier, to appear on the next Canadian $5 bill, soon to be produced by the Bank of Canada.Boucher, PierreCrevier, JeanneFive dollar bill43rd Parliament229Not certifiedFebruary 8, 2021e-3087e-3087 (Taxation)LouisCoutureXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCJanuary 7, 2021, at 4:57 p.m. (EDT)February 6, 2021, at 4:57 p.m. (EDT)February 8, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada has asked Canadians not to travel outside the country;The COVID-19 pandemic continues to put an enormous burden on our hospitals and health workers; andA few people have decided to ignore the emphatic and repeated calls of the federal government to avoid travel outside the country.We, the undersigned, citizens of Quebec and Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to deny payments to those who travelled outside the country for pleasure and require them to quarantine at their expense.Canada Recovery Sickness BenefitCOVID-19PandemicQuarantine of personsTravel restrictions43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3270e-3270 (Business and trade)XavierPallaresXavierBarsalou-DuvalPierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—VerchèresBloc QuébécoisQCMarch 18, 2021, at 12:16 p.m. (EDT)April 17, 2021, at 12:16 p.m. (EDT)June 8, 2021April 19, 2021 Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Air Canada receives hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance from the Government of Canada;Air Canada contributes to creating aircraft maintenance and repair jobs outside the country; andAir Canada laid off 20,000 employees in 2020.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Ensure that Air Canada (and Air Canada Rouge) aircraft maintenance and repair done abroad or by subcontractors is brought back to Canada and done here by Air Canada employees; and2. Ensure that these jobs are brought back and kept in Canada in exchange for government financial support to Air Canada.Air CanadaAircraft maintenance and repairsJob creation43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021e-3057e-3057 (Transportation)KathleenYurchesynJaimeBattisteSydney—VictoriaLiberalNSDecember 21, 2020, at 11:13 a.m. (EDT)January 20, 2021, at 11:13 a.m. (EDT)February 18, 2021April 12, 2021January 26, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions have had a devastating impact on air service across Canada;This has caused airlines to suspend routes and reduced capacity at airports all across the country;Due to these suspensions, the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, has lost all commercial air service indefinitely, which has resulted in job loss and has severed air accessibility to our island;This loss of air service has direct catastrophic consequences to our post-secondary institution, tourism sector, business community, rotational workers, etc., by preventing us from sustaining our current economy and achieving any level of economic growth in our region as every aspect of our economy depends on air service connectivity;This situation is unprecedented, and the entire economy of our region is at stake; andWithout immediate government action and intervention, it will take years, if not decades, to rebuild this lost air access and debilitate our ability to grow economically as a region.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to provide financial support to our air industry so that the national air carriers can then re-establish commercial air service to airports including the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Response by the Minister of TransportSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Omar AlghabraThe Government of Canada understands the needs and deep challenges faced by Canadian airports and the air transport industry in general right now, including J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport located in Sydney, Nova Scotia.Transport Canada has been working with a range of air industry participants, the organizations that represent them, and other government departments to analyze the current situation and develop appropriate options to support Canada’s air transport sector generally, and ensure that Canadians have the services they need at a reasonable cost.Through the Fall Economic Statement, the Government announced $1.1 billion in financial support for the air sector through a series of targeted measures designed to support regional connectivity, critical infrastructure investments, and the continued operation of Canada’s airports.The Government of Canada is engaging with Canada’s major air carriers regarding potential options for financial assistance. Any assistance the Government of Canada provides will come with strict conditions to protect Canadians and the public interest.The Government will also ensure Canadians and regional communities retain air connections to the rest of Canada, as we recognize that regional connectivity is important to Canadians travelling now and in the future.In addition, as stated in the Speech from the Throne, the Government will work to support regional routes for airlines to ensure that Canadians have reliable and affordable regional air services to support equity, jobs and economic development.The Government understands that financial supports need to align with plans for a safe restart and recovery and will continue engagement with stakeholders to ensure alignment of our efforts.
AirportsCOVID-19Government assistancePandemic
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 28, 2021e-2448e-2448 (Foreign affairs)TurenneJosephMarioBeaulieuLa Pointe-de-l'ÎleBloc QuébécoisQCFebruary 28, 2020, at 1:27 p.m. (EDT)March 29, 2020, at 1:27 p.m. (EDT)March 22, 2021April 28, 2021April 2, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:On January 9, 2020, Radio-Canada’s flagship news program, “Enquête,” reported on the “Ottawa Initiative on Haiti,” held at the Meech Lake government complex on January 31 and February 1, 2003;No Haitian official was apparently invited to the private meeting. Officials from the United States, France, Canada and the Organization of American States in attendance allegedly discussed replacing Haiti’s elected government, having the UN intervene and re-establishing the Haitian army, which corresponds to the events that unfolded 13 months later;“Enquête” suggested that the “Ottawa Initiative on Haiti” led to the creation of the “Core Group,” an alliance of foreign ambassadors in Port-au-Prince that many Haitians believe to be the real power behind President Jovenel Moïse; andTen years after the earthquake, accountability is needed regarding the allegations of misuse of relief funds during the period that Haiti is said to have been effectively ruled by the “Core Group” that allegedly brought to power the governments of Martelly and Moïse, who have been accused of corruption and repression.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Quebec and Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:1. Publish all documents relating to the “Ottawa Initiative on Haiti”; and2. Hold a hearing of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development to learn everything there is to know about the “Ottawa Initiative on Haiti,” including its link to the “Core Group.”
Response by the Minister of International Development Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Karina GouldGlobal Affairs Canada has a standardized process to receive and review formal requests made under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act which can be found on the following website: https://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/publications/atip-aiprp/index.aspx?lang=eng. The website provides specific information on submitting an online or by mail request.Canadian parliamentarians enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression within Canada. Parliament is an independent institution and the Government of Canada is not involved in parliamentary matters, including recommendations for topics of studies for standing or special committees.
Access to informationForeign policyHaiti
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01237432-01237 (Business and trade)Hon.CandiceBergenPortage—LisgarConservativeMBJune 23, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 24,000 Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions;
  • These Travel Advisors are being asked by Canadian Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies to repay commissions earned at the end of 2019 & beginning of 2020 on their clients' trips that were cancelled due to said Travel Restrictions, known as "commission recalls" or "Commission claw-backs".
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Ensure that any financial assistance to Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies, will be conditional on the protection of Travel Advisor commissions;
  • Ensure that commissions already clawed back by the Airlines & their subsidiary Travel Companies will be repaid to Travel Advisors in a timely manner.
AirlinesCOVID-19PandemicReimbursementTravel agencies
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01238432-01238 (Business and trade)Hon.CandiceBergenPortage—LisgarConservativeMBJune 23, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of Commons WHEREAS
  • More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors;
  • Federal Assistance Programs like CEBA, CERS, CEWS & RRRF exclude the majority of these Small Business Owners, leaving them to slip through the cracks and forcing them into bankruptcy.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Provide Sector specific funding for Independent Travel Advisors;
  • Extend the qualifications of the RRRF in Urban areas to include Sole Proprietors.
Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response PlanCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01239432-01239 (Business and trade)Hon.CandiceBergenPortage—LisgarConservativeMBJune 23, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors.
  • 100% of Travel Advisors' income comes from commissions earned from their Travel Suppliers, and because of their delayed revenue stream, it takes between 5 and 11 months for Travel Advisors to be paid for work done on the booking of clients' trips.
  • The CRB has been the sole source of assistance for most Independent Travel Advisors, who are still actively working in their businesses, but unable to earn revenue.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Extend the CRB for 6 months past the lifting of all Travel Advisories, for Travel Advisors
  • Maintain the CRB at the current amount ($2,000/ month) for sectors hardest hit by COVID, including Travel Advisors
Canada Recovery BenefitCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 24, 2020e-2351e-2351 (Transportation)SoniaSimardStéphaneBergeronMontarvilleBloc QuébécoisQCDecember 30, 2019, at 9:01 a.m. (EDT)March 29, 2020, at 9:01 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2020September 24, 2020April 2, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Air traffic from Saint-Hubert airport operations flies over densely populated residential areas;Quality of life (noise pollution and public safety) is greatly affected by the high frequency of daytime and night flights of small private planes and flight schools, helicopters and heavy aircraft;The excessive noise that aircraft generate does serious damage to human health;Air pollution contributes to climate change; andThere is a lack of cooperation on the part of the airport and the City of Longueuil.We, the undersigned, residents of Longueuil and neighbouring cities, call upon the Government of Canada to take the concrete steps necessary to ensure that: the airspace, flight paths, and aircraft arrivals and departures are limited above residential areas for all aircraft types; the Saint-Hubert airport regulates all its operations to protect public health and safety (curfew, schedule, frequency, flight altitudes, noise mitigation measures); the airport authority is subject to comprehensive impact studies and public hearings on all changes that could affect the quality of life, health and safety of residents; an independent and accountable committee of agents of the cities concerned, non-partisan residents and invited experts is created to manage the nuisances caused by airport operations; and jurisdiction over the airport is returned to the City of Longueuil, and the latter takes control of the airport by appointing a majority of its board of directors.
Response by the Minister of TransportSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marc GarneauNAV CANADA has a mandate to establish the current routes and procedures for entry and exit points for aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) from the Saint-Hubert airport. Noise management is a complex issue that airport authorities and communities must manage while ensuring that aviation safety is not compromised. Thus, the airports are important players in this issue. Transport Canada’s role is as a regulator. Airports and NAV CANADA are responsible for day-to-day operations at the local level.For more information on aircraft noise management issues, please consult the following Transport Canada web pages:https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation/operating-airports-aerodromes/managing-noise/expressing-concerns.htmlhttps://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation/operating-airports-aerodromes/managing-noise.htmlAdditionally, please contact DASH-L and the Sound Climate Management Committee for any questions or concerns regarding aircraft noise from CYHU at the following coordinates:•         Press releases from DASH-L : https://dashl.ca/category/comite-consultatif-du-climat-sonore/ •         Telephone: 450-678-6030•         Online Noise Complaint Form: https://dashl.ca/en/complain-form-v2/
Aéroport Montréal Saint-Hubert LongueuilAir trafficLongueuilNoise and noise pollution
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 3, 2020e-2508e-2508 (National defence and military operations)JEREMIEDUPUIS-ROYStéphaneBergeronMontarvilleBloc QuébécoisQCApril 2, 2020, at 3:53 p.m. (EDT)July 1, 2020, at 3:53 p.m. (EDT)October 20, 2020December 3, 2020July 2, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="246263" mp-riding-display="1">Associate Minister of National Defence</Addressee>Whereas:The Saint-Bruno firing range is a National Defence site measuring 4.5 square kilometres and located 30 minutes from Montreal. It has not been used by the department for some time and is in the process of being transferred. The site is locked and monitored by National Defence, and all recreational activities have been suspended;The site currently features mountain bike, cross-country and snowshoe trails that are established and groomed by volunteers;The South Shore of Montreal has very few mountain bike trails in relation to the number of mountain bikers (close to 151,000 in Montreal according to Vélo Québec);The site also has soccer fields, which the municipality of Saint-Basile-le-Grand is negotiating to acquire;The trails were redeveloped to comply with the ministerial order concerning the Western Chorus Frog (SOR/2018-169); andThe site features reception facilities and offers tremendous recreational and tourism potential for the region.We, the undersigned, residents of Quebec, call upon the Associate Minister of National Defence to act quickly to transfer the site to an appropriate provincial (SEPAQ), regional or municipal agency, protect it from real estate development and, in particular, restore access to citizens so that they can use it for recreational purposes while still respecting areas that have been reserved for protected species. More specifically, we call for the trails (bike, ski, snowshoe) to be reopened as soon as possible and for the municipality to be able to continue using the soccer fields.
Response by the Minister of National DefenceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Harjit S. SajjanNational Defence is taking concrete steps to advance whole of Government efforts towards creating a clean environment. With the responsibility to manage more than two million hectares of land, thousands of buildings, jetties and training areas, National Defence is central to the Government’s commitment to be a responsible steward of the environment. This includes doing our part to protect the habitat of at risk species found on Canadian Forces Bases and wings across Canada.National Defence is currently divesting the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas from its portfolio as it has identified the area as surplus real estate. As part of this process, National Defence completed necessary environmental decontamination work, consulted with Indigenous groups, and consulted with representatives of neighbouring communities.In accordance with the Treasury Board Directive on the Sale or Transfer of Surplus Real Property, National Defence has offered federal departments and agencies the opportunity to acquire for public use the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas. As such, discussions are currently underway with other federal departments and agencies.In July 2018, National Defence completely closed public access to the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas. This was done to ensure compliance with the new Federal Ministerial Order, Critical Habitat of the Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) Great Lakes / St. Lawrence – Canadian Shield Population Order, issued by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Canada. This Order states that subsection 58 (1) of the Species at Risk Act applies to the habitat of the Western Chorus Frog, which includes the majority of the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas. As such, managers of federal land identified as critical habitat of the Western Chorus Frog must ensure all activities comply with the habitat protection requirements of the Species at Risks Act. The St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas will remain closed to public access during the remainder of the divestment process. This will ensure continued compliance with the Species at Risk Act and avoid having to re-start decontamination activities following potential environmental incidents caused by public users.As the majority of the St-Bruno Ranges and Training Areas is habitat for the Western Chorus Frog, National Defence is not currently considering selling the land for real estate development.
Department of National DefenceLand useMilitary facilitiesRecreational paths
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 7, 2020e-2586e-2586 (Foreign affairs)GuyRoyStéphaneBergeronMontarvilleBloc QuébécoisQCMay 7, 2020, at 3:27 p.m. (EDT)September 4, 2020, at 3:27 p.m. (EDT)October 22, 2020December 7, 2020September 8, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The blockade of Cuba has lasted 60 years, and Canada is opposed to it;The United States’s threat of military intervention against Venezuela persists today, and the Lima Group, of which Canada is a member, is opposed to such intervention;President Trump prohibited exports of medical supplies to South America from the United States;The United States’s position poses a serious threat to the residents of these countries, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic; andCuba sent doctors to several countries around the world to help fight the pandemic.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to reiterate to the United States, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, its opposition to any military intervention in Venezuela, in accordance with its position in the Lima Group, and to call for the lifting of the blockade of Cuba and the restrictions on shipments of medical supplies from the United States to South America, as it did for itself.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe Government of Canada is deeply concerned by the political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and by the suffering of the Venezuelan people, which has led to a massive outflow of millions of Venezuelans to countries in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic is greatly exacerbating the situation. Canada continues to support the humanitarian and development response to the crisis and calls for full and unhindered access inside Venezuela to allow for the provision of much-needed humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable and crisis-affected populations, in line with international humanitarian principles.  Since February 2019, Canada has contributed over $82 million to support those affected by the Venezuela crisis, including support for experienced humanitarian organizations that provide urgent life-saving assistance—such as food, health care, and water and sanitation—to vulnerable and crisis-affected populations across the region.Canada and other Lima Group members continue to advocate for a peaceful transition to democracy led by Venezuelans themselves.  The Lima Group expressed its views most recently on October 13, 2020, including a firm rejection of the continuing illegitimate regime of Nicolas Maduro in holding parliamentary elections without minimum democratic guarantees. Canada believes that a peaceful political solution is needed more than ever and we remain fully committed to continuing to support efforts to that end.Canada is also committed to cooperating with partners across the hemisphere to face the pandemic and its consequences. As part of its COVID-19 response, Canada is providing $9.5 million to help 23 countries in the region to manage the impacts of the pandemic, and support their recovery and resilience moving forward. Canada is also ensuring that international assistance initiatives in our partner countries in the region continue to support longer-term development objectives, while also responding to the immediate needs of vulnerable populations affected by COVID-19. We continue to deliver projects focused on gender equality, climate change, health, education, food security, governance, and human rights.Canada has made significant investments to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics are affordable and equitably distributed globally. Canada has been consistent in standing with like-minded international partners to support global trade and investment and maintain open supply chains during this health crisis, to ensure a flow of vital medical supplies and essential goods to those in need. Canada will continue advocate internationally for all countries to have access to the necessary medical supplies needed to help fight COVID-19.In the midst of the global crisis, the embargo on Cuba has become an additional impediment to purchasing medical supplies to deal with the pandemic, as well as to receiving international aid. In this regard, Canada has also adopted measures to mitigate the extraterritorial effects of the U.S. embargo against Cuba through the enactment of the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (1985) and subsequent orders.
CubaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyMedical and assistive devicesVenezuela
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2020432-00087432-00087 (Health)LucBertholdMégantic—L'ÉrableConservativeQCOctober 7, 2020November 20, 2020September 4, 2019Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas the World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity";Whereas our national concept of healthcare should include disease prevention and health promotion, not merely the management of disease once it occurs;Whereas investments made by Canadians in their own health through spending on self-care options - including natural health products; over-the-counter medicines; and wellness services - provide significant benefits and reduce costs to the system; andWhereas the Government of Canada should make an effort to make healthcare more accessible to Canadians, particularly the most vulnerable populations;Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Parliament of Canada to instruct the Standing Committee on Health to undertake a comprehensive study of the impact of uninsured self-care products and wellness services, and of the barriers which exist for those wishing to access it.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Darren FisherThe Government of Canada is committed to upholding the principles of the Canada Health Act, which underpin Canada’s universal health care system.  The Act requires provincial and territorial health insurance plans to provide access to hospital and physician services on uniform terms and conditions.  This universal coverage aims to ensure that Canadians have access to health care services based on medical need, and not on the ability or willingness to pay. The Government of Canada continues to take an active leadership role and to engage with the provinces and territories to support them in strengthening health care in Canada, which contribute to eliminating barriers for those accessing health care in Canada. The 2020 Speech from the Throne committed to advancing health care priorities, including:
  • working with the provinces and territories to set new, national standards for long-term care for seniors, and taking additional action to help people stay in their homes longer;
  • ensuring that everyone – including in rural and remote areas – has access to a family doctor or primary care team and continuing to expand capacity to deliver virtual health care;
  • further increasing access to mental health resources; and
  • accelerating steps to achieve national, universal pharmacare.
 Natural health products are used and marketed for a number of health reasons, like the prevention or treatment of an illness or condition, the reduction of health risks, or the maintenance of good health. They must be safe to be used as over-the-counter products. Health Canada regulates natural health products and assures that all Canadians have ready access to a wide range of natural health products that are safe, effective and of high quality. Health Canada assesses all natural health products before they are sold in Canada and assures that they are properly manufactured without contamination or incorrect ingredients. The Department also conducts post-market monitoring to ensure that Natural Health Products Regulations are being followed. Canada continues to face increasingly complex health challenges, including chronic disease, injuries and obesity. Addressing these issues requires multi-sectoral action from governments, non-governmental organizations, private industry, individuals, Indigenous partners and communities. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of helping Canadians lead healthier lives. Healthy eating and active living leads to good health for all. Under the notion of parliamentary privilege, which is enshrined in the Constitution, the House of Commons enjoys the exclusive right to control its debates and proceedings. It also manages its internal affairs and determines its own agenda without interference. Should the House of Commons instruct the Standing Committee on Health to conduct a study on access and barriers to uninsured self-care products and wellness services, or should the members of the Committee decide to conduct such a study, the Government of Canada would be available if called upon to participate. 
Health care systemNatural health productsOver the counter drugs
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3314e-3314 (Parliament and politics)ClaudeCarignanLucBertholdMégantic—L'ÉrableConservativeQCApril 9, 2021, at 11:59 a.m. (EDT)June 8, 2021, at 11:59 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2021June 8, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Right Honourable Julie Payette was appointed Governor General on July 13, 2017;She resigned on January 21, 2021;She did not complete the usual five-year term, serving only three years and six months in office;Although she held her position for a very short time, since resigning Ms. Payette automatically receives an annual pension of $150,000 and a hospitality budget of $206,040 for the rest of her life;The circumstances under which she left office are deeply disturbing;80% of Canadians support ending her financial benefits; and Ms. Payette, by her behaviors, has brought the institution of the Governor General into disrepute.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Immediately amend the Governor General’s Act so that only governors general who have held office for a minimum of five years are eligible for a pension and financial benefits; and2. Withdraw the lifetime pension and hospitality budget of any former governor general who has not held office for at least five consecutive years, as proposed in Senator Claude Carignan’s bill, effective immediately upon the coming into force of the bill.Government expendituresGovernor GeneralPensions and pensionersPolitical appointments43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021432-00512432-00512 (Foreign affairs)JamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBFebruary 17, 2021April 12, 2021February 4, 2021Petition to the Government of Canada WHEREAS:
  • The Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (the Magnitsky Law) sanctions foreign officials responsible for gross human rights violations or acts of corruption;
  • For over 21 years, China's communist party corrupt officials have orchestrated the torture and killing of large numbers of people who practice Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline promoting the principles of "Truth, Compassion and Tolerance," including the killing of practitioners on a mass scale for their vital organs to fuel the communist regime's organ transplant trade.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions, including freezing of assets, and barring of entry to Canada, against, but not limited to these perpetrators: Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Li lanqing, Wu Guanzheng, Li Dongsheng, Qiang Wei, Huang Jiefu, Zheng Shusen, Wang lijun, Zhang Chaoying, and Jia Chunwang.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, as well as Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits; public statements; representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums; interventions and advocacy by the Embassy of Canada; as well as outreach to civil society.To ensure the protection of all human rights, including freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), Canada addresses rights comprehensively through the Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion (OHRFI), encouraging a climate of inclusion and respect for diversity to advance the rights of those too often marginalized in society. To this end, the OHRFI regularly engages with a diverse range of diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.The Government of Canada has presented concerns regarding human rights practices directly to Chinese authorities on numerous occasions. These concerns are raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Canada in September 2016, the Prime Minister’s visits to China in August 2016 and in December 2017, the Governor General’s visit to China in July 2017, and during a visit of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister to China in August 2017. The Prime Minister and Premier Li also had a frank and open discussion on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in November 2018. At the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Japan in November 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting. And most recently in August 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the human rights concerns with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting in Rome.On November 6, 2018, Canada made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. At that time, Canada called on China to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.In July 2019, Canada signed a joint statement, at the U.S. Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. This meeting is U.S.-led initiative where issues of religious freedom violations worldwide are addressed and that brings together foreign ministers and government representatives, civil society, as well as victims of religious persecution and discrimination. The joint statement emphasized concern about the significant restrictions on religious freedom in China and called on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of all individuals. The text stated that many members of religious minority groups in China face severe repression and discrimination because of their beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners. On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children which promotes cooperation to more effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including for the purposes of organ removal. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010. The promotion, protection and respect of human rights are core priorities in our foreign policy. Canada will continue to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in China and we will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligation.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021e-3003e-3003 (Transportation)KarenMcKenzieJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBNovember 26, 2020, at 4:15 p.m. (EDT)January 25, 2021, at 4:15 p.m. (EDT)February 4, 2021March 22, 2021January 27, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada transferred ownership of St. Andrews Airport to the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, Manitoba, in 1999;The Airport is operated by St. Andrews Airport Inc., a not-for-profit corporation controlled by the Rural Municipality;In 2020, MPR Raceway (privately owned) constructed and operated a racetrack/dragstrip on a decommissioned runway under a five-year lease with St. Andrews Airport Inc.;A racetrack is neither a permitted nor a conditional use on airport lands under the Rural Municipality's Zoning By-Law No. 4066;St. Andrews Airport Inc. has stated that the Rural Municipality has no jurisdiction over land use on airport lands and By-Law No. 4066 does not apply;Transport Canada regulations govern airport operations integral to aeronautics;A racetrack is not integral to aeronautics;The racetrack is in close proximity to residential neighbourhoods and property owners have been negatively impacted by noise, vibrations and odours;There was no public consultation before the racetrack/dragstrip was constructed;St. Andrews citizens petitioned the Rural Municipality Council to stop the racetrack operation as it contravenes the Zoning By-Law; and,The Rural Municipality Council has taken no action.We, the undersigned, citizens or residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to request that the Minister of Transport provide clarification to the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews and St. Andrews Airport Inc. on what activities are allowable inside the airport's property, as it applies to operations of an aerodrome according to federal law, and whether activities falling outside federal jurisdiction are required to meet provincial regulations and municipal by-laws.
Response by the Minister of TransportSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Omar AlghabraThe Government of Canada has exclusive jurisdiction over aeronautics and has established a legal framework through the Aeronautics Act. This means that only the Government of Canada can directly regulate matters related to aeronautics.The Aeronautics Act establishes a legal framework for the regulation and supervision of all matters connected to aeronautics including the location, design, certification, registration, licensing and operation of aerodromes and airports, whether they are located on public lands (federal, provincial, or municipal) or privately owned lands.An otherwise valid provincial or municipal law of general application affecting an airport could be a valid exercise of provincial/municipal jurisdiction, provided that it is not concerned with aeronautics. However, such a law cannot be applied in a manner where it would “impair the core” of the federal power. For example, because the location of airports is an essential part of the federal aeronautics power, municipal laws cannot apply in a way that would restrict where airports can be built.Where there is a conflict between an otherwise valid provincial or municipal law and federal one, the federal law will prevail to the extent of the conflict. A conflict occurs if it is impossible to comply with both federal and provincial laws at once, for example where a province forbids something required by a federal law. A conflict will also be found to exist if the operation of the provincial law would frustrate the purpose of the federal law.In the case of the St. Andrews’ Airport, the runway in question is closed for aviation purposes and is marked as such. It is not uncommon for airport operators to lease their land for non-aviation-related purposes. The issue regarding racing at the airport is not an aviation activity that falls to the Minister of Transport to administer. As such, provided the racing activities are not being conducted in a manner that negatively impacts aviation safety or security, it could coexist with the aeronautical activities at the airport.Transport Canada developed Land Use Planning in the Vicinity of Aerodromes (TP 1247) to assist planners and legislators at all levels of government in becoming familiar with issues related to land use in the vicinity of aerodromes, which can be found at: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/aviation-land-use-vicinity-aerodromes-tp-1247. .
AirportsLand managementSt. Andrews
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01066432-01066 (Business and trade)JamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJune 8, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 24,000 Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions;
  • These Travel Advisors are being asked by Canadian Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies to repay commissions earned at the end of 2019 & beginning of 2020 on their clients' trips that were cancelled due to said Travel Restrictions, known as "commission recalls" or "Commission claw-backs".
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Ensure that any financial assistance to Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies, will be conditional on the protection of Travel Advisor commissions;
  • Ensure that commissions already clawed back by the Airlines & their subsidiary Travel Companies will be repaid to Travel Advisors in a timely manner.
AirlinesCOVID-19PandemicReimbursementTravel agencies
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01067432-01067 (Business and trade)JamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJune 8, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors.
  • 100% of Travel Advisors' income comes from commissions earned from their Travel Suppliers, and because of their delayed revenue stream, it takes between 5 and 11 months for Travel Advisors to be paid for work done on the booking of clients' trips.
  • The CRB has been the sole source of assistance for most Independent Travel Advisors, who are still actively working in their businesses, but unable to earn revenue.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Extend the CRB for 6 months past the lifting of all Travel Advisories, for Travel Advisors
  • Maintain the CRB at the current amount ($2,000/ month) for sectors hardest hit by COVID, including Travel Advisors
Canada Recovery BenefitCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 22, 2020431-00023431-00023 (Foreign affairs)JamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBDecember 11, 2019January 22, 2020November 12, 2019Petition to the Government of Canada and the House of CommonsWE, the undersigned, residents of Canada, wish to draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: THAT every minute, 31 people are forced to leave their homes. The majority of them live in the poorest countries in the world under extremely difficult conditions. Armed conflict, climate change, development megaprojects, persecution... The causes of forced displacement are multiple, interwoven and complex. THAT without inclusive and participatory democracies that respect human rights, forced migration will only increase.THEREFORE, your petitioners respectfully ask that the Government of Canada and the House of Commons do more to address the root causes of forced migration. In addition to providing humanitarian aid for refugees and their host countries, we are asking you to:
  • Support grassroots organizations working for peace, democracy and human rights.
  • Invest more in diplomatic and peaceful solutions to armed conflicts.
No one should be forced to flee their home.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe Government of Canada remains deeply concerned about the situation of forcibly displaced persons, and is actively contributing to international refugee responses, as well as working to improve the ways the international community works collectively to address these situations. With record-setting numbers of people worldwide forced from their homes, displacement is one of the most pressing global issues of our time.Through Canada’s international humanitarian assistance, we are supporting United Nations (UN) agencies and non-governmental organizations to provide protection assistance to the forcibly displaced. For example, Canada has provided direct support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to work with national authorities, and other organizations to assist, protect and find solutions for refugees and internally-displaced persons.In addition, Canada is actively engaged in international fora and processes focused on improving responses to refugee situations. Canada, alongside an overwhelming majority of UN member states, voted to endorse the Global Compact on Refugees, a document which aims to improve how the international community responds to immediate needs and fosters long-term solutions for refugees, and to improve the level of support for communities hosting large numbers of refugees.Canada also played an active role in the process to develop the Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and worked closely and constructively with traditional and non-traditional partners to reach agreement on these important and complex issues. The successful negotiation of the GCM underscores the value of multilateral dialogue on critical global issues and the role the UN can play in supporting a rules-based international system.Canada is strongly committed to diplomatic and peaceful solutions in fragile and conflict affected states (FCAS) that support stability. Canadian efforts have focused on enhancing peace and security, protecting human rights, promoting stability, and helping those most in need around the world. In August 2016, the Government of Canada established the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) to provide a whole-of-government platform for preventing, mitigating and resolving violent conflict, and crises abroad. Through PSOPs, Canada is working with allies and partners to prevent and respond to emerging and on-going situations of violent conflict and state fragility, and in a coordinated, whole-of-government manner.
Human rights organizationsHumanitarian assistance and workersRefugees
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 19, 2020e-2814e-2814 (Foreign affairs)DianaDingJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBAugust 27, 2020, at 11:17 a.m. (EDT)September 26, 2020, at 11:17 a.m. (EDT)October 6, 2020November 19, 2020September 28, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (the Magnitsky Law) sanctions foreign officials responsible for gross human rights violations or acts of corruption;Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline that includes five peaceful slow-moving exercises. Its core teaching is centred on the principles of “Truth, Compassion and Tolerance”. People who practise Falun Gong conduct their life and behaviour in accordance with these principles;For over 21 years, China’s corrupt communist party officials have been orchestrating the torture and killing of large numbers of people who practise Falun Gong, especially for their vital organs for the profitable transplant industry in China on a massive scale;Canadian Citizen Ms. Sun Qian has been sentenced to eight years in prison and another eight Falun Gong practitioners with Canadian ties are suffering imprisonment in China with sentences of up to 16 years for their belief; andExtensive evidence points to fourteen key corrupt officials and former corrupt officials of the Chinese Communist Regime who demonstrate prime culpability in the human rights atrocities committed against Falun Gong practitioners in China.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions, including the freezing of assets and the barring of entry to Canada, against, but not limited to these perpetrating corrupt officials: Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Li Lanqing, Wu Guanzheng, Li Dongsheng, Qiang Wei, Huang Jiefu, Zheng Shusen, Wang lijun, Zhang Chaoying, and Jia Chunwang.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, as well as Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits; public statements; representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums; interventions and advocacy by the Embassy of Canada; as well as outreach to civil society.To ensure the protection of all human rights, including freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), Canada addresses rights comprehensively through the Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion (OHRFI), encouraging a climate of inclusion and respect for diversity to advance the rights of those too often marginalized in society. To this end, the OHRFI regularly engages with a diverse range of diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.The Government of Canada has presented concerns regarding human rights practices directly to Chinese authorities on numerous occasions. These concerns are raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Canada in September 2016, the Prime Minister’s visits to China in August 2016 and in December 2017, the Governor General’s visit to China in July 2017, and during a visit of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister to China in August 2017. The Prime Minister and Premier Li also had a frank and open discussion on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in November 2018. At the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Japan in November 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting. And most recently in August 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the human rights concerns with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting in Rome.On November 6, 2018, Canada made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. At that time, Canada called on China to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.In July 2019, Canada signed a joint statement, at the U.S. Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. This meeting is U.S.-led initiative where issues of religious freedom violations worldwide are addressed and that brings together foreign ministers and government representatives, civil society, as well as victims of religious persecution and discrimination. The joint statement emphasized concern about the significant restrictions on religious freedom in China and called on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of all individuals. The text stated that many members of religious minority groups in China face severe repression and discrimination because of their beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners. On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children which promotes cooperation to more effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including for the purposes of organ removal. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010.The promotion, protection and respect of human rights are core priorities in our foreign policy. Canada will continue to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in China and we will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligation.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policy
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 1, 2020e-2638e-2638 (Veterans' affairs)JohnGreigsonJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJune 3, 2020, at 11:20 a.m. (EDT)September 1, 2020, at 11:20 a.m. (EDT)September 1, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="246259" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Veterans Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:There is currently a backlog of approximately 24 months for the adjudication of benefits through Veterans Affairs Canada for members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP;There are currently claims in process for approximately 44,000 men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP;These claims are related to injuries or trauma accumulated in service to Canada;Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the #1 cause of disability claims currently in process;Claims due to PTSD are virtually all supported during the claims process; andThis backlog is adversely affecting the mental and physical well-being of all veterans and their families.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Veterans Affairs to:1. Expeditiously eliminate the excessive wait times for benefits resulting from an overburdened administrative process;2. Immediately provide disability benefits for claims of PTSD for active and retired service members from the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP;3. Provide additional resources to Veterans Affairs Canada to streamline the administrative processes involved in the disability benefits program;4. Provide the funding necessary to support the well-being of our veterans and their families.BacklogsDepartment of Veterans AffairsPost-traumatic stress syndromeVeterans benefits43rd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 6, 2020e-2537e-2537 (Justice)BobbieBeesJamesBezanSelkirk—Interlake—EastmanConservativeMBJune 3, 2020, at 11:26 a.m. (EDT)August 2, 2020, at 11:26 a.m. (EDT)August 6, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Throughout the existence of the Canadian Armed Forces children have resided on the bases in housing provided by the Department of National Defence;Just as in civilian society, these children were sometimes subjected to sexual abuse; andThis sexual abuse was often committed by persons subject to the Code of Service Discipline, the military disciplinary system would often claim jurisdiction.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1. Call an immediate inquiry, independent of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, to review child sexual abuse that occurred on the bases in Canada and to make meaningful changes based upon the findings of the inquiry;2. Pass legislation that nullifies the 3-year time bar which existed prior to 1998 when the matter being investigated involves child sexual abuse committed by a person subject to the Code of Service Discipline;3. Pass legislation that retroactively nullifies any decision made prior to 1998 by a commanding officer to dismiss any charge amounting to child sexual abuse that had been brought their subordinate; 4. Pass legislation mandating that the Canadian Forces Military Police and CFNIS be barred from participating in child sexual abuse investigations and prosecutions;5. Amend the National Defence Act so that crimes amounting to child sexual abuse are no longer considered "Service Offences" triable by military tribunal.Canadian ForcesChild sexual abuse and exploitationInquiries and public inquiriesNational Defence ActSex offenders43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01224432-01224 (Foreign affairs)ChrisBittleSt. CatharinesLiberalONJune 22, 2021March 4, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWHEREAS
  • Canada and Cameroon, both officially English-French bilingual countries, have nearly 60 years of direct diplomatic relations, along with years of cooperation on military training;
  • Since 2016, rights groups in Canada and Cameroon have documented over 3,000 deaths, more than 200 villages burned, and hundreds of serious human rights abuses, including crimes against humanity, during the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon's English-speaking regions;
  • Members of the Cameroonian government and military have been implicated, directly or through command responsibility, in serious human rights abuses, including atrocity crimes as defined by International Humanitarian Law and documented by impartial, international human rights organizations;
  • Canada's Military Assistance Steering Committee (MASC) oversees the Military Training and Cooperation Programme (MTCP), and is responsible for recommending to the Ministers of National Defence and Foreign Affairs which countries should be suspended or added to the MTCP list;
  • Cameroon does not appear to meet the eligibility criterion of MTCP which states that member countries are non-oppressive and adhere to human rights standards."
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada, to:
  • Suspend or remove Cameroon from the eligible list of MTCP countries.
CameroonCivil and human rightsDefenceInternational relationsMilitary Training and Cooperation Programme
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3172e-3172 (Health)ChandraPasmaDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBFebruary 18, 2021, at 5:44 p.m. (EDT)April 19, 2021, at 5:44 p.m. (EDT)June 11, 2021April 20, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Thousands of Canadians are experiencing Long COVID, lengthy illnesses and symptoms of COVID-19 that persist for many months after initial infection;Long COVID significantly impacts patients' physical and mental well-being, their employment, and their ability to care for themselves and their families;These COVID long haulers are in urgent need of recognition, research and medical therapies, and income supports; andOur current social safety net is allowing Long COVID patients to fall through the cracks.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Immediately extend Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits to 50 weeks;2. Expand eligibility for the Canada Recovery Benefit to Canadians who are unable to seek employment who provide a medical certificate similar to the one required for EI sickness benefits;3. Invest urgent funding into research on Long COVID through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, including its cause(s), manifestation, long-term consequences and potential therapies; and 4. Convene a cross-committee study of the nature and impacts of Long COVID, including the parliamentary committees on Health, Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs.Canada Recovery BenefitCommittee studies and activitiesCOVID-19Employment insurance benefits period extensionEmployment insurance sickness benefitsMedical researchPandemic43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 4, 2021e-3181e-3181 (Health)AngellaMacEwenDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBFebruary 24, 2021, at 11:20 a.m. (EDT)March 26, 2021, at 11:20 a.m. (EDT)April 21, 2021June 4, 2021March 30, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:India and South Africa have brought a motion forward at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily waive certain parts of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement around COVID-19 medical technologies;If the member countries of the WTO approve this temporary waiver, it would help ensure production of sufficient quantities of affordable COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines, which would increase the global supply of these goods, benefiting the global pandemic effort;Without the waiver, low- and middle-income countries don't have the ability to manufacture vaccines, and any countries will have to rely on pharmaceutical companies and wealthy countries for charity, or go without access to lifesaving medicines and technology;Pharmaceutical companies have received unprecedented taxpayer funding to help develop COVID-19 vaccines; andMany countries are now facing new and more contagious variants of COVID-19, making the global deployment of vaccines even more urgent.We, the undersigned, people of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to support the proposal from India and South Africa for a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19 at the WTO TRIPS Council without delay.
Response by the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International TradeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rachel BendayanThe Government of Canada continues to actively work with all international partners to reach a rapid and just end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our government recognizes the integral role that industry has played in innovating to develop and deliver life-saving COVID-19 vaccines, and firmly believes in the importance of protecting intellectual property (IP). Canada remains committed to finding solutions and reaching an agreement that accelerates global vaccine production and does not negatively impact public health, including being ready to discuss proposals on a waiver for IP protection, in particular for COVID-19 vaccines, under the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Canada will continue working closely with all WTO Members, including engaging on new proposals from any Member or group, in seeking a consensus-based outcome to address any IP challenges created by COVID-19. Since the introduction of the IP waiver proposal, Canada has actively worked with partners to identify barriers to vaccine access—many of which are unrelated to IP, such as supply chain constraints. For instance, Canada is actively engaged in the work of the Trade and Health Initiative at the WTO, which aims to strengthen global supply chains and support the delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies, including vaccines, around the world. Canada has also encouraged the WTO Director General’s efforts to enhance the WTO’s role in global dialogue with the pharmaceutical sector towards accelerating the production and distribution of affordable, safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines and other medical products in coordination with the World Health Organization and other relevant organizations. Canada has always been, and remains, a strong advocate for equitable access to vaccines and medical supplies around the world through our support for the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and the COVAX Facility. To date, we have announced $1.3 billion to support low- and middle-income countries to access COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments because we understand that the pandemic is not over anywhere, until it is over everywhere. The Government of Canada continues to support a robust, multifaceted, and global effort to address the pandemic, one that draws upon all of the necessary resources and tools available in the international rules-based trading framework, as well as new mechanisms for global cooperation on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and other medical products. As equitable, timely and affordable access to testing, treatments, and vaccines will be critical for controlling and ending this pandemic, Canada remains committed to continued engagement with all members of the international community to find solutions to these global challenges.
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property RightsCOVID-19Intellectual propertyPandemicPharmaceuticals
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 2, 2021e-3111e-3111 (Employment and labour)VéroniqueMartineauDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBFebruary 1, 2021, at 5:24 p.m. (EDT)June 1, 2021, at 5:24 p.m. (EDT)June 2, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:In 2015, the government signalled its intention to “[undertake] a broad review of the EI system with the goal of modernizing [the] system of income support for unemployed workers, [as the current system] leaves too many workers with no unemployment insurance safety net”;The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the limitations of the current EI system, which barely provides any protection when unemployment strikes, forcing the federal government to put in place temporary emergency measures to ensure the financial security of millions of unemployed workers who would otherwise fall through the cracks; andThe pandemic has also highlighted the need for major — and especially permanent — changes to the EI system.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1) Put in place, as soon as possible, a broad consultation process with the goal of fundamentally reforming the system to make it simpler and fairer;2) Establish a single eligibility threshold of 350 hours or 13 weeks of work;3) Increase the benefit rate to 70% of earnings based on the 12 best weeks of earnings;4) Introduce a minimum threshold of 35 weeks of benefits; and5) Immediately bring in certain improvements, including the return of an independent tripartite tribunal and access to regular EI benefits for women who have been absent from work for pregnancy, maternity and parental responsibilities.Application processEmployment insuranceWomen43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3288e-3288 (Social affairs and equality)ClaudiaCalabroDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBMarch 24, 2021, at 4:04 p.m. (EDT)April 23, 2021, at 4:04 p.m. (EDT)June 11, 2021April 26, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The economic shutdown in response to COVID-19 disproportionately impacted Indigenous, racialized, gendered, disabled, young people and people living on low incomes;The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) design and communication flaws led to confusion for applicants and agency staff; Many recipients were advised by government and social services staff to apply for CERB but are now being deemed ineligible;The Government of Canada has already committed to a repayment amnesty for self-employed workers;The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) acknowledges undue hardship warrants relief from tax obligations;Marginalized people living in poverty will experience undue hardship resulting from CERB repayments, further entrenching poverty in Canada; andIn some cases, repayment of CERB debt by people living on low incomes who have been deemed ineligible to receive it may only be possible by withholding regular government benefits, causing undue hardship.We, the undersigned, people of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Implement a repayment amnesty for all people who received CERB whose incomes are below or just above the poverty line (as measured by the Census Family Low Income Measure After Tax thresholds according to family size) and for all youth transitioning out of care; 2. Develop reduced repayment plans for those whose annual income is less than 15% above the poverty line (as measured by the Census Family Low Income Measure After Tax thresholds); and3. Cease treating CERB as taxable income for individuals if their 2020 income falls below the poverty line (as measured by the Census Family Low Income Measure After Tax thresholds).Canada Emergency Response BenefitCOVID-19Low incomePandemic43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3391e-3391 (Health)AndreaMartellDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBMay 13, 2021, at 10:22 a.m. (EDT)September 10, 2021, at 10:22 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:There are 580,000 Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in Canada;ME/CFS has double the disease burden of HIV (Mirin et al, 2020);ME/CFS has lower quality of life than congestive heart failure (Komaroff, 1996);ME/CFS has no diagnostic test, and no approved treatment;ME/CFS is only funded $280,000 a year;ME/CFS is developing in a subset of Long-Haul COVID-19 patients;Statistics Canada has not collected objective data on the economic impact of ME/CFS patients;The Economic Impact of ME/CFS is $51 Billion Dollars a year in the US (Jason et al, 2020);80% of ME/CFS patients are women; andMore Black, Indigenous, People of Colour will develop ME/CFS from long-haul COVID-19 because these populations have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Set Aside $50 Million Dollars for ME/CFS biomedical research;2. Commission the Chief Statistician of Canada, Anil Arora, to study the economic impact of ME/CFS according to the Canadian Consensus Criteria; and3. Work with the provinces to set aside funding to rapidly accelerate a diagnostic test for ME/CFS so that patients can be rapidly diagnosed.Economic impactHealth screeningMedical researchMyalgic encephalomyelitis43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 26, 2021e-2928e-2928 (Education and training)PattyFacyDanielBlaikieElmwood—TransconaNDPMBNovember 3, 2020, at 2:27 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2021, at 2:27 p.m. (EDT)March 12, 2021April 26, 2021February 1, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Government introduced a freeze on federal student loan payments and interest from March 30 toSeptember 30 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;This payment freeze overlapped with the pre-existing six-month non-repayment period ofApril 30 to October 30 for Spring 2020 graduates, offering no additional benefit to postsecondary students graduating during the pandemic;More than one in three postsecondary students had a work placement cancelled or delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (Reynolds, 2020);The unemployment rate for youth in Canada rose from 10.3% in February 2020 to a historical high of 29.4% in May 2020 (Frenette et al., 2020);This year’s class of high school and post-secondary degree graduates are projected to lose $25,000 or more over the next five years as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian economy (Frenette et al., 2020);More than half of postsecondary students graduated this year with an average of $28,000 in student loan debt (McKenzie-Sutter, 2020);We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to extend the federal student loan non-repayment period for students graduating in 2020 by an additional six months, so that students graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic may benefit from the same six-month freeze on federal student loans and interest offered to other Canadian student loan borrowers earlier this year.
Response by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability InclusionSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Irek KusmierczykThe Government of Canada recognizes the challenges students face in accessing post-secondary education and is committed to ensuring that post-secondary education remains affordable and student debt manageable. The Government also recognizes that challenges have been compounded and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.The Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) provides needs-based and targeted Canada Student Grants (CSG) and Canada Student Loans (CSL) to help students’ access post-secondary education, and offers the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.Over the last year, in recognition that post-secondary students and their families may be facing financial hardship during the pandemic, the Government of Canada brought forward a number of enhancements to the CSLP. First, from March 30, 2020 to September 30, 2020, no interest was charged on CSLs and Canada Apprentice Loans (CAL), and no payments were required. This relief measure was automatically applied and benefited approximately 1.1 million students in repayment. The Government has also taken steps to ensure that borrowers who continue to face financial challenges following the end of the repayment freeze are aware that if they apply for RAP, no payments would be required if they are making less than $25,000 per year.Furthermore, the Government introduced:
  • The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which provided financial support from May to August 2020 to students and recent graduates who were unable to work or could not find work due to COVID-19, or were working but did not expect to make more than $1,000 (before taxes) over the four-week period for which they were applying. Eligible students received $1,250 per month, and students with dependants or a disability received an additional $750 per month, for a total of $2,000 per month. More than 700,000 students received close to $3 billion in financial support through the CESB.
  • Increased grants and loans supports for the 2020-2021 school year, so that students facing financial difficulties could access and afford post-secondary education. The value of CSGs was doubled for all eligible full-time students (up to $6,000 per year), and part-time students (up to $3,600 per year). CSGs for students with permanent disabilities and dependants were also doubled. The weekly cap on CSLs was increased from $210 to $350. The expected contribution from students and their spouses in determining the amount of financial aid a student can receive was removed. Taken together, it is expected that these measures will benefit approximately 765,000 returning and prospective students.
Finally, in the November 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government announced the temporary elimination of interest on CSLs and CALs, in order to ease the financial burden of student loan repayment during the economic recovery. Pending parliamentary approvals and at a cost of$329.4 million, this measure would take effect on April 1, 2021, and be in place for one year, bringing much needed relief to 1.4 million Canadians who are in repayment of their federal student loans.These historic investments, combined with other investments made in recent years, signify the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to ensure that post-secondary education is affordable and that student debt is manageable during these challenging times.
Canada Student Grants and LoansCOVID-19FeesGrants and loans for studentsPandemic
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 13, 2020e-2511e-2511 (Health)JoséeSoulièresYves-FrançoisBlanchetBeloeil—ChamblyBloc QuébécoisQCApril 15, 2020, at 2:21 p.m. (EDT)August 13, 2020, at 2:21 p.m. (EDT)August 13, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="6" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Prime Minister</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian foundations and organizations working to secure funding in order to deliver health care services to Canadians and to fund various research programs provide an essential service;Funding for these foundations and organizations has been stopped and suspended indefinitely due to citizens and sponsors staying at home, engaging in social distancing and experiencing economic hardship;Donations are the primary source of funding for these foundations and organizations;The diseases covered by these foundations and organizations cause a greater number of deaths than does COVID-19;The budgets of some of these foundations and organizations go mainly toward research projects that will help save many lives;Diseases are not contained and continue to reach Canadians;The 75% wage subsidy for organizations covers only a small part of the budget of these foundations and organizations; andMany employees of these foundations and organizations are currently unemployed, and resuming fundraising activities will be difficult and time consuming.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister to:1) Support Canadian foundations and organizations so that the research projects and services delivered can continue, and subsidize these foundations and organizations in order to cover a portion of the research or services, and that this grant be other than the 75% wage subsidy; and2) Provide tax credits for the entire amount given for these foundations and organizations.Charitable organizationsGovernment assistanceMedical researchTax credits43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 7, 2021e-3106e-3106 (Social affairs and equality)RichardDaigleMaximeBlanchette-JoncasRimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les BasquesBloc QuébécoisQCJanuary 19, 2021, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)March 20, 2021, at 3:55 p.m. (EDT)March 24, 2021May 7, 2021March 22, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted activities since March 2020;A large proportion of the population has received federal support; Seniors have received only a maximum of $500 in assistance since March 2020;The pandemic has created an increase in inflation for seniors; Seniors are often de facto locked down in care facilities, and, as such, this situation particularly affects them;An increasing number of these isolated seniors are experiencing distress;A significant number of them are not digitally literate, and the Lower St. Lawrence region has the lowest rate of Internet connectivity in Quebec; Seniors make up 25% of the Lower St. Lawrence’s population; and The pandemic has affected the financial situation and activities of seniors’ organizations and of those benefitting from their volunteer efforts.We, the undersigned, citizens of Quebec, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Immediately increase Old Age Security by at least 10%;2. Implement programs to address seniors’ isolation, particularly in regions with poor Internet services; 3. Index health transfer payments by 6% and factor the aging population into the formula; 4. Recognize high-speed Internet as an essential service and expedite connectivity as a result; and5. Help seniors’ groups make up for losses associated with lower membership, fixed costs and appealing to professionals to promote volunteerism.
Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia FreelandDepartment of Finance CanadaPart 3. Canada Health TransferThe Government thanks the petitioners for expressing their views about Indexing health transfer payments by 6% and factoring the aging population into the formula.As the Government announced on April 19th, Budget 2021 proposes to meet the immediate needs of this group of seniors by providing a one-time payment of $500 in August 2021 to OAS pensioners who will be 75 or over as of June 2022. In addition, Budget 2021 then proposes to introduce legislation to increase regular OAS payments for pensioners 75 and over by 10 per cent on an ongoing basis as of July 2022. This would increase the benefits for approximately 3.3 million seniors, providing additional benefits of $766 to full pensioners in the first year, and indexed to inflation going forward. This would give seniors more financial security later in life, particularly at the time when they face increased care expenses and greater risk of running out of savings.During the pandemic, many seniors have faced economic challenges as they took on extra costs to stay safe. Additionally, many seniors are living longer and relying on monthly benefits to afford retirement. After a lifetime of hard work, they deserve a secure and dignified retirement. That is why the government is committed to increasing Old Age Security (OAS) benefits for seniors age 75 and older.This builds on the support from the federal government for provinces and territories in the fight against COVID-19. In the short-term, federal health spending will continue to focus on pandemic support (e.g., vaccine delivery, border measures, contingency fund) and acute areas of need exposed by the pandemic, such as long-term care. Unprecedented levels of federal pandemic support has been provided to the provinces and territories to date, including:
  • $500 million for critical health care system needs and to support response efforts to COVID-19;
  • $72.6 million for supplemental funding for territorial health and social services pandemic needs;
  • $240 million for virtual care funds to develop, expand and launch virtual care and mental health initiatives;
  • approximately $13 billion in direct transfers under the nearly $20 billion Safe Restart Agreement to support health care capacity, vulnerable populations, personal protective equipment, testing, contact tracing and data management; and
  • up to $1 billion for a Safe Long-term Care Fund to help provinces and territories protect people in long-term care and support infection prevention and control.
On March 25, 2021, the federal government tabled legislation in the House of Commons in order to provide a one-time payment of up to $1 billion to the provinces and territories, on an equal per capita basis, to support COVID-19 vaccine rollout campaigns to help get shots into arms as quickly as possible.In addition to the significant funding provided in response to the pandemic, $41.9 billion was transferred to provinces and territories through the Canada Health Transfer in 2020-21 and $43.1 billion will be transferred in 2021-22.Over the longer-term, the federal government will also be there to ensure that health care systems meet the needs of Canadians. While discussions with provinces and territories on what Canada’s health care systems and economies are facing in the coming years are ongoing, the federal government is committed to continuing to lead the Team Canada effort as Canada continues to fight this virus.As more of the country is vaccinated, Canadians will and should expect that the health care systems they rely on will recover and return to normalcy. The federal government will be there to help provinces and territories meet these expectations. The government has committed to providing provinces and territories with $4 billion in 2021-22 through a one-time top-up to the Canada Health Transfer to support clearing the health care system backlogs caused by waves one and two of the pandemic.
Response by the Minister of SeniorsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Deb Schulte1. Immediately increase Old Age Security by at least 10%The Old Age Security (OAS) program is the first pillar of Canada’s retirement income system. The benefits under the OAS program include the OAS pension, which is paid to all persons aged 65 or over who meet the residence requirements, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for low-income seniors, and the Allowances for low-income Canadians aged 60 to 64 who are the spouses or common-law partners of GIS recipients, or who are widows or widowers.The OAS program provides a base upon which individuals can add income from the second pillar of the retirement income system, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Québec Pension Plan, and the third pillar, which is comprised of employer-sponsored pension plans, personal registered retirement savings plans, tax-free savings accounts, and other personal savings and investments, to address their particular financial circumstances.To ensure that they retain their value over time, OAS benefits are reviewed four times per year (in January, April, July and October) in accordance with changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI measures the price of a typical “basket” of goods and services, such as food, shelter, gas and clothing, commonly purchased by Canadian households. The quarterly indexation provides benefit increases to recipients when prices go up. In addition, the Old Age Security Act contains a guarantee ensuring that benefits can never go down, even in the event of a decline in the CPI.The Government of Canada remains committed to improving the income security of seniors and continues to seek ways to strengthen the OAS program, as demonstrated by a broad range of measures taken since 2015:
  • Budget 2016 restored the age of eligibility for the OAS pension and the GIS to 65 from 67, putting thousands of dollars back in the pockets of future Canadian seniors and preventing an estimated 100,000 future 65 and 66 year olds from falling into poverty.
  • In July 2016, the GIS was increased by up to $947 per year for the lowest-income single seniors, benefiting close to 900,000 vulnerable seniors across Canada, and lifting an estimated 57,000 seniors out of poverty.
  • In Budget 2019, the Government enhanced the GIS earnings exemption so that low-income seniors who work are able to keep more of what they earn. As of July 2020, the enhanced exemption applies to both employment and self-employment income, and provides a full exemption on up to $5,000 of annual earnings, as well as a 50% exemption on the next $10,000 of earnings. This means that low-income seniors who work can keep more of their benefits.
  • Through these investments, the Government has lowered seniors poverty by 11% since 2015 according to the latest data from Statistics Canada.
  • Budget 2021 proposed new investments for seniors: issuing a one-time $500 payment this August to OAS pensioners aged 75 and older as of June 2022 and delivering on the Government’s promise to increase Old Age Security for Canadians aged 75 and older by 10 per cent in July 2022. This will strengthen the financial security of 3.3 million seniors, and lift 60,700 seniors out of poverty, 65% of whom are women.
The Government has also introduced several new measures to protect seniors’ financial security during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes taking measures to ensure that the OAS and CPP benefits seniors rely on will continue to be paid without delay, and that new applications for these benefits will also be processed in a timely fashion.The Government invested $1.3 billion in a one-time special payment through the GST credit in April 2020. More than 4 million low-and modest income seniors benefited from this top-up, which provided an average of $375 for low and modest-income single seniors and an average of $510 for low-and modest-income senior couples. Eligible individuals, including seniors, did not have to apply for this benefit.In July 2020, the Government issued an automatic one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the OAS pension, with an additional tax-free payment of $200 for seniors eligible for the GIS. This measure provided a total of $500 to low income seniors who receive both the OAS pension and the GIS. Allowance recipients also received $500. This $2.5 billion investment in financial support helped Canadian seniors cover increased costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Through these measures, the Government invested $3.8 billion to provide over $900 more for low-income single seniors and more than $1,500 for low-income senior couples, on top of their existing benefits, to help with their extra costs during the pandemic.The Government also put additional measures in place to ensure GIS payments would continue without interruption even if a person's 2019 income information had not been received. This guaranteed the most vulnerable seniors would continue to receive their benefits when they needed them most.2. Implement programs to address seniors’ isolation, particularly in regions with poor Internet servicesThe Government of Canada supports the implementation of programs that address seniors’ isolation through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The NHSP is the single largest funder of programming to combat social isolation among seniors in Canada. This funding improves the ability of organizations to address cultural diversity and the needs of vulnerable groups, including seniors in rural and remote areas.The Government made additional investments and implemented new flexibilities for the NHSP to help meet seniors’ needs early in the pandemic. Flexibilities allowed organizations across the country to use approximately $50 million in previously approved project funding for essential services to seniors affected by COVID-19, such as telephone wellness check-ins for seniors. New investments included:
  • An additional $20 million for the NHSP to support organizations that offer community-based projects aimed at reducing isolation, improving the quality of life of seniors, and helping them maintain a social support network; and;
  • $9 million to United Way Centraide Canada to fund community organizations to help isolated, vulnerable seniors in all regions across Canada cope with the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the 2020-2021 Call For Proposals, NHSP funding targeted promotion and outreach on geographic areas and among targeted populations where intake and funded applications have been low in the last few years. It launched over 3,000 community projects across the country. Through increased funding and improvements, it had the highest number of applications ever, almost double the number of projects serving rural seniors, and a greater share of funded projects serving vulnerable seniors.The number of projects serving rural seniors approved for NHSP funding in 2020-2021 increased by 35%, almost double the number of projects funded in 2019-2020 to serve rural seniors. In addition, the amount of funding approved for projects serving rural seniors in 2020-2021 was over $22 million, nearly double the amount of funding provided to projects serving rural seniors in 2019-2020. Overall, funding for all vulnerable seniors, including those in rural regions is 86% of total funding in 2020-2021 compared to 74% in 2019-2020.The Government will continue to invest $70 million annually into NHSP local and pan-Canadian projects to help increase social inclusion among seniors across the country.To support internet access in Quebec, the Government recently provided $826.3 million in funding to ensure the province could launch Operation High Speed, connecting nearly 150,000 Quebecers to high-speed internet. Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada will invest an additional $1 billion over six years for the Universal Broadband Fund, to support access to high-speed internet for Canadians in rural and remote communities. In total, including proposed Budget 2021 funding, $2.75 billion will be made available through the Universal Broadband Fund to support Canadians in rural and remote communities. This builds on the $6.2 billion the federal government and federal agencies have made available for universal broadband since 2015. This puts Canada on track to achieve 98% high-speed coverage initiative by 2026 and 100% by 2030.5. Help seniors’ groups make up for losses associated with lower membership, fixed costs and appealing to professionals to promote volunteerism.Community-based projects funded under the NHSP involve and are led by volunteers. For example, about 43,000 volunteers—more than half of them seniors—were engaged to plan and organize the 2,669 NHSP-funded projects that were implemented in hundreds of communities across the country in 2019-20. There is no defined set of models for these projects or how volunteers are involved. Their approaches to volunteer involvement are as diverse as the seniors and communities they serve.To-date, the Government has announced a number of initiatives that support charitable and non-profit organizations in addressing COVID-19 related issues, including an investment of $350 million to support vulnerable Canadians through charities and non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to those in need, including seniors.The Emergency Community Support Fund, launched in May 19, 2020, worked with three national intermediaries—the United Way Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and Community Foundations of Canada—to channel funds through their regional and local partners to local community organizations who support a wide range of vulnerable populations. Examples of activities of funded organizations included:
  • Increased volunteer-based home deliveries or transportation services (e.g. delivery of medications or accompanying/driving seniors or persons with disabilities to appointments);
  • Scaled up help-lines that provide information and support (e.g. increasing access to the 211 service of the United Way);
  • Provided training, supplies and other supports required so that volunteers can continue to make their invaluable contribution to the COVID-19 response; and
  • Replaced in-person one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through means like phone calls, texts, teleconferences or the internet.
Many New Horizons Seniors Programs are community-based projects led by volunteers. They also promote volunteerism among seniors and engage seniors in the community through mentoring of others. Projects are seniors-centred and focus on providing essential services, supports and capital assistance to increase social participation among seniors, including addressing social isolation. . Other projects combat elder abuse and increase connections between seniors-serving organizations. The latest NHSP annual community-based Call for Proposals held in fall 2020 was designed to account for the challenges facing seniors-serving community organizations during the pandemic.  Over 5,000 community support projects were funded to support seniors staying active and socially connected during the pandemic through the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The Government of Canada’s increased funding and improvements to New Horizons for Seniors Program this year resulted in the highest number of applications ever, almost double the number of projects serving rural seniors, and a greater share of funded projects serving vulnerable seniors. 
Response by the Minister of Innovation, Science and IndustrySigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Parliamentary Secretary Gudie HutchingsThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for sharing their views on the importance of broadband connectivity in rural and remote regions.The Government of Canada recognizes that now more than ever, Canadians rely on high-quality broadband Internet services to stay informed, work from home, study, manage their finances, access government services, and stay connected with friends and family.The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the necessity of these services. Since the pandemic began, the government has engaged with Canada’s telecommunications service providers to ensure that our networks are able to manage the increased demand to ensure the continued provision of critical telecommunications services at this time. We have taken several steps to assist telecom service providers, such as extending the payment date for spectrum licence fees to provide cash-flow relief, allowing unused spectrum to be shared to increase capacity for wireless services, and accelerating the process to get licences. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is similarly engaged with providers regarding COVID-19 issues.The government is also moving forward on a number of ambitious initiatives to improve broadband access in rural areas more broadly. In recognition of the importance of this issue, the Prime Minister appointed Canada’s first Minister of Rural Economic Development, with a mandate to lead the government’s work to increase high-speed broadband coverage in rural Canada. In June 2019, the government released High Speed Access for All: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy, a historic commitment to connect every Canadian to affordable, high-speed Internet and to improve mobile cellular access from coast to coast to coast. The Strategy outlines Canada's action plan to leverage new and existing investments and technologies, as well as to collaborate with partners to ensure high-speed Internet access for all Canadians at speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 10 Mbps upload, regardless of where they live or work.Central to the strategy is substantial funding to support network expansion. Building on the $6.2 billion the federal government has made available for broadband since 2015, Budget 2021 proposed an additional $1 billion over six years, starting in 2021-22, to the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) to support a more rapid rollout of broadband projects in collaboration with funding partners. In total, the government is making $2.75 billion available through the UBF to support access in rural and remote communities. These continuing investments will help Canada accelerate work to reach its goal of 98 per cent of the country having high-speed broadband by 2026 and 100 per cent by 2030. The UBF will include up to $150 million for a Rapid Response Stream with an accelerated application process to allow shovel-ready projects to get started right away, up to $750 million available for large impact projects, and up to $50 million available to support mobile projects that primarily benefit Indigenous peoples. The Prime Minister also announced an agreement of $600 million with Canadian satellite company Telesat to secure low-earth orbit satellite capacity, which will improve connectivity and expand high-speed Internet coverage to the far north, rural, and remote regions across Canada. Recently, the UBF provided funding to ensure Quebec could launch Operation High Speed, connecting nearly 150,000 Quebecers to high-speed Internet by September 2022 through joint equal investments totalling $826.3 million. Announcements for other selected projects via the UBF are ongoing.In addition to these investments, the government is delivering on additional funding allocated in Budget 2019, including a top-up for the successful Connect to Innovate program, and data gathering initiatives to measure household and business Internet access and use. Under Connect to Innovate, over 200 projects are already underway. Once completed, these projects will bring new or improved high-speed Internet access to over 975 rural and remote communities, including 190 Indigenous communities. These projects also have the potential to benefit up to 390,000 households across Canada. The new UBF will build on this success and is being designed with the needs of rural and remote Canadians in mind.The CRTC, Canada’s independent telecommunications regulator, also has a $750 million Broadband Fund in place to help expand universal broadband Internet and mobile access. The fund is supported by a levy on industry. The CRTC’s first call for applications closed in October 2019 and focused on projects targeting broadband and mobile connectivity in the three territories, as well as satellite dependent communities across Canada. The CRTC has announced a series of projects under the first call for proposals that will connect over 10,000 households in 51 communities, the majority of which are Indigenous. A second call for applications closed in June 2020 and focused on all eligible areas in Canada. To date, the CRTC has announced an additional 11 successful projects under the second call, with more expected over the coming months, that will connect approximately 14,500 households across Canada. Two of these projects will connect an estimated 2,000 households in five remote communities in Nunavik to high-speed Internet. This follows the CRTC declaring broadband Internet and mobile wireless as basic telecommunications services under the Telecommunications Act in 2016. This designation confirmed that these services can be funded via the CRTC’s industry levy.These investments are complemented by other initiatives including the Accelerated Investment Incentive - an accelerated capital cost allowance designed to encourage businesses to invest, general infrastructure programs administered by Infrastructure Canada, increased investments through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and funding for broadband from local levels of government including the provinces and territories.The CRTC has public proceedings underway that are examining access to passive infrastructure and support structures. In December 2019, the CRTC launched a proceeding on barriers to broadband deployment and possible regulatory solutions within its jurisdiction. A broad range of stakeholders participated in the proceeding. Furthermore, the CRTC also launched a proceeding in October 2020 focused on access to poles. The CRTC has indicated that through the proceeding, it will identify and implement regulatory measures that will make access to poles more efficient. Both of these proceedings have now closed and the CRTC is examining the interventions received, with decisions anticipated later this year. Other complementary actions to promote broadband access include reviewing policy and regulatory frameworks on antenna towers and support structures, raising awareness among stakeholders of the importance of access to passive infrastructure assets needed for network expansion, and the ongoing review of Canada’s communications legislation.The government looks forward to continuing to engage with Canadians and key stakeholders including the private sector, provinces and territories, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit organizations in promoting access to high-quality, robust, and affordable broadband networks in all regions of the country.
Broadband Internet servicesCanada Health TransferOld Age SecuritySenior citizens
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedDecember 24, 2020e-2919e-2919 (Government services and administration)LouiseLabontéMaximeBlanchette-JoncasRimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les BasquesBloc QuébécoisQCOctober 20, 2020, at 10:48 a.m. (EDT)December 19, 2020, at 10:48 a.m. (EDT)December 24, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of all Service Canada offices;The government ordered some Service Canada offices to reopen;The Service Canada outreach site in the Pohénégamook town hall was not reopened and there seems to be no plan to do so;In the past, Service Canada has closed other offices in the region without notice, for example in Dégelis and Mont-Joli; andIn our opinion, this is a critical, frontline service for our communities, given the vast distances separating us from central service points in Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup and La Pocatière.We, the undersigned, citizens of Quebec, call upon the House of Commons to ensure the immediate reopening of the Service Canada outreach site in the Pohénégamook town hall.PohénégamookRegional officesService Canada43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 18, 2020432-00064432-00064 (Environment)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCOctober 5, 2020November 18, 2020September 22, 2020Petition to the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health WHEREAS We do not consent to and are strongly opposed to:
  • The use and application of herbicides and surfactants by the forestry industry, which is detrimental to the environment, local flora and fauna, and water sources;
  • Herbicides being used by the forestry industry to prevent the natural return of the forest's biodiversity, increasing the risk to forest fires and in turn accelerating climate change, risking a loss of economic value, and threatening communities and the overall health of Canadians.
We, the electors of Canada, call upon the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health to:
  • Ban the commercial use of herbicides in the forestry industry in Canada, with the exception of addressing invasive species that are well documented.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Darren FisherThe Government is committed to the health and safety of Canadians, their environment and their food supply.  Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) continues to diligently ensure that only pest control products meeting our stringent health and environmental standards are approved for use in Canada. Pesticides are regulated under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA), which is administered by Health Canada, to protect Canadians and their environment from risks associated with the use of pesticides.  If the use of a pesticide poses unacceptable risks to human health or the environment, it is not registered or otherwise authorized for use in Canada.Federal, provincial/territorial and municipal governments have shared responsibilities for regulating pesticides. While Health Canada registers pesticides, it does not decide whether those products will be used for forestry or any other purpose. Permitting or restricting the use of federally approved pesticides falls under the authority of the province, for both provincial crown land and privately held land within the province.  The  use of a herbicide in forestry operations is subject to the relevant provincial requirements. For example, in some provinces, such as Ontario,  forest management plans must include the pesticides that are expected to be used in forestry operations. While there are some differences from province to province, the approval of plans generally fall under the jurisdiction of a provincial natural resources department. Provincial responsibilities for pesticides also include, but are not limited to, regulating the sale, use, transportation, storage and disposal of pesticides. Provinces also conduct compliance monitoring that complements federal compliance programs, and issue spray licences and/or permits to pesticide applicators, operators and vendors. For example, the use of herbicides in forestry management may require the use of aerial application.  Pesticide regulators, generally located within provincial environment departments, issue site specific permits when any pesticide is applied by air. These provincial approvals are designed to complement the federal pesticide regulatory system.
Forest products industryHerbicides
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 16, 2020e-2782e-2782 (Foreign affairs)RileyEvadRachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCAugust 17, 2020, at 1:18 p.m. (EDT)November 15, 2020, at 1:18 p.m. (EDT)November 16, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:A catastrophic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, has occurred and so far caused at least 78 deaths and thousands of injuries;A great deal of the infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed in Beirut, medical centers are overwhelmed, and the costs of rebuilding will be severe; andThis humanitarian crisis is compounded by the existing pandemic, economic hardship, and other aggravating factors in Lebanon.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to allocate a considerable amount of financial aid to help in the aftermath of the explosion in Lebanon and encourage other countries to do the same.BeirutExplosionsInternational development and aidLebanon43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 31, 2021e-2738e-2738 (Environment)SherylMcCumseyRachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCJuly 16, 2020, at 8:14 a.m. (EDT)November 13, 2020, at 8:14 a.m. (EDT)April 16, 2021May 31, 2021November 13, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253395" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Health</Addressee>Whereas:We do not consent to and strongly oppose the use of herbicides as well as surfactants applied by the forestry industry which is detrimental to the environment, local flora and fauna, and water sources; andHerbicides are being used by the forestry industry to prevent the natural return of the forest’s biodiversity, increasing the risk to forest fires and in turn accelerating climate change, risking a loss of economic value, threatening communities and the overall health of Canadians.We, the undersigned, the electors of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to ban the commercial use of herbicides in the forestry industry in Canada, with the exception of addressing invasive species that are well documented.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Jennifer O'ConnellThe Government of Canada is committed to the health and safety of Canadians, their environment and their food supply. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) will continue diligently ensuring that only pest control products meeting our stringent health and environmental standards will be approved for use in Canada. Pesticides are regulated under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA), which is administered by Health Canada, to protect Canadians and their environment from risks associated with the use of pesticides. If the use of a pesticide poses unacceptable risks to human health or the environment, it is not registered or otherwise authorized for use in Canada.Before a pesticide is allowed to be used or sold in Canada, it must undergo a rigorous scientific assessment process that provides reasonable certainty that no harm, including negative impacts to forestry biodiversity, will occur when pesticides are used according to label directions. Results from more than 200 types of scientific studies must be submitted to determine whether the pesticide would have any negative effect on people, animals (including birds, mammals, beneficial insects and other wildlife), or plants, including organisms in the soil and water.The application of herbicides by provincial authorities for the management of their forests can only be done in accordance with the approved label. For example, it is only permitted to use glyphosate within the first 5 years after harvest, either prior to planting new trees (site preparation) or after seedlings have been planted (conifer release, stand thinning). As such, a forest cultivation site would receive one, or at most, two treatments early on in a 50 to 80 year cultivation cycle.Federal, provincial/territorial and municipal governments have shared responsibilities in regulating pesticides. While Health Canada authorizes pesticides, it does not determine whether a product should or will be used (for example, for forestry management or any other purpose). Permitting or restricting the use of federally-approved pesticides falls under the authority of the province, for both provincial crown land and privately held land within the province. The decision to use an herbicide in forestry operations would be included as part of a forest management plan. While there are some differences from province to province, the approval of plans generally fall under the jurisdiction of a provincial natural resources department.Provincial responsibilities for pesticides generally also include regulating the sale, use, transportation, storage and disposal of pesticides. Provinces also conduct compliance monitoring that complements federal compliance programs, and issue spray licences and/or permits to pesticide applicators, operators and vendors. For example, the use of herbicides in forestry management may require the use of aerial application. Pesticide regulators, generally located within provincial environment departments, issue site specific permits when any pesticide is applied by air. These provincial approvals are designed to complement the federal pesticide regulatory system.
Forest products industryHerbicides
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 18, 2020432-00065432-00065 (Environment)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCOctober 5, 2020November 18, 2020February 5, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONSWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:WHEREAS, Climate change has escalated into a global climate emergency; the world is on pace to warm nearly 4 degrees Celsius by 2100 and extreme weather events are growing with increasingly severe impacts, including floods, forest fires, rising temperatures, killer heat-waves, massive storms, sea level rise and disruption to marine and land ecosystems;WHEREAS, in order to act to avert further catastrophic climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) states that the scientific consensus is that we need to immediately move to reduce net human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to 45 per cent below 2010 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2050;WHEREAS, Canada must address this climatic emergency with the ambition and urgency required, on behalf of present and future generations;WHEREAS, Canadians are living through unprecedented, catastrophic climate events and at the same time, our society is suffering from worsening socio-economic inequalities, with almost half of Canada's population reporting they are $200 away from insolvency at the end of each month;WHEREAS, climate change impacts threaten physical & mental health (particularly young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities), surrounding environments by affecting the food we eat, the world's water supply, the air we breathe, the weather we experience, and how well local communities can adapt to climate change;WHEREAS, the impacts of climate emergency are far more severe for those living through the immediate consequences of climate change; Indigenous Peoples, frontline and vulnerable communities, like people seeking refugee status or asylum and those displaced by climate change, are disproportionality affected, resulting in the increased risks to their health;WHEREAS, it has never been more urgent that Canada reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy to meet the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, while ensuring that all Indigenous Peoples and Canadians benefit from the substantial public investments a low-carbon economy requires, like energy efficiency retrofits, affordable housing, renewable energy, infrastructure, public transit, pharmacare, dental care, childcare and eliminating student debt and tuition fees;WHEREAS, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the recognition of inherent rights, title and treaty rights, while fully implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), must be at the heart of Canada's approach to addressing the climate emergency;THEREFORE, your petitioners call on the Government of Canada to support Motion M-1, a made-in-Canada Green New Deal, the first initiative before the House of Commons, which calls on Canada to take bold & rapid action to adopt socially equitable climate action to tackle the climate emergency and address worsening socio-economic & racial inequalities at the same time; while ending fossil fuel subsidies, closing offshore tax havens, and supporting workers impacted by the transition and creating well-paying, unionized jobs in the shift to a clean and renewable energy economy.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONTo contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • Regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • Accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • Developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • Establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • Increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • Adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • Establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
To support the participation of youth in the clean growth economy, in August 2017, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced that it would invest more than $14 million to support almost 1,000 green jobs for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates across the country through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Similarly, Natural Resources Canada announced that it is investing more than $16 million to create 1,200 green STEM jobs for Canadian youth in the natural resources sector, via the Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program. The abovementioned funding is part of Budget 2017’s additional $395.5 million investment over three years, starting in 2017-2018, for the Youth Employment Strategy, in which 11 federal departments committed to providing opportunities for Canada’s youth.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s 2019 GHG emissions projections show a widespread decline in projected emissions across the economy, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. In fact, the policies and measures now in place, including those introduced in 2019, are projected to reduce emissions by 227 million tonnes in 2030, the greatest drop in Canadian history. However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable populations to a rapidly changing environment and is committed to renewing the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation on a nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government basis. This includes collaborating with Indigenous partners on climate change action through structured, collaborative approaches, based on robust, ongoing and meaningful engagement based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including free, prior and informed consent.In taking action on climate change and in moving forward on the implementation of Canada’s climate plan, the Prime Minister issued joint statements with each of the National Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the President of the Métis National Council. These joint statements committed to establishing three senior bilateral distinctions-based tables between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation. These partnerships seek to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are full and effective partners in advancing clean growth and achieving climate change goals to mitigate and reduce emissions as a necessary precursor to the mitigation of climate impacts.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why Minister Wilkinson supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Pan-Canadian Framework was established to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions in line with these goals and our commitments under the Paris Agreement. The Government of Canada is committed to implementing all of the measures in our climate action plan and we’re making good progress in doing so, as described in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change annual report (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/pan-canadian-framework.html  
Climate change and global warmingGreen economyM-1
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 25, 2020431-00133431-00133 (Environment)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCMarch 9, 2020May 25, 2020February 25, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned residents of Canada, request the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Carla Qualtrough, to:Adopt the Delivering Community Power vision and turn post offices into the infrastructure of a green and socially just economy. Canada Post is the country's largest logistics network and we own it. It's time for it to lead a just transition off fossil fuels by:
  • Transitioning to 100% renewable energy
  • Expanding services for seniors
  • Introducing postal banking
  • Converting its fleet to electric vehicles
  • Installing public charging stations
  • Delivering medicines & groceries
  • Installing solar panels & retrofitting post offices
  • And more!
Join us in calling on the Minister of Public Services to transform post offices into hubs of a clean economy that works for everyone. Our post office can deliver it.
Response by the Minister of Public Services and ProcurementSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Steven MacKinnonIn January 2018, our Government announced a new forward-looking vision for Canada Post focused on providing Canadians with high-quality, accessible and affordable service, no matter where they live. As part of the review of Canada Post, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates and an independent task force conducted extensive analysis and consultations on Canada Post during which the postal unions and their allies presented their ideas for a community-based model for Canada Post and the delivery of its services.Following a rigorous analysis of the information, the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates recommended that: “Canada Post focus on its core competencies to help Canada meet the challenges of the 21st century.”To create the foundation needed for renewal, the announcement of our new vision included leadership renewal at Canada Post, including the Corporation’s Board of Directors, to build more collaborative and constructive relations with communities, employees, labour and other stakeholders.We have taken immediate actions to support this new service-first vision including:
  • Terminating the community mailbox box conversion program;
  • Enhancing the accessible delivery program;
  • Removing the obligation to pay a dividend to the government so Canada Post can invest more in services and innovations.
  • Promoting Canada Post’s remittance services; and
  • Renewing Canada Post’s leadership.
In addition, the Government has asked Canada Post to explore innovative projects and partnerships to leverage its post offices, benefitting Canadians everywhere, including rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities.As part of our renewed vision, Canada Post’s leadership and its employees will work together to adapt and take advantage of new opportunities and new ideas to meet the changing needs of its customers and the communities it serves.
Canada Post CorporationGreen economyPostal servicesRenewable energy and fuel
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 25, 2020431-00145431-00145 (Consumer protection)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCMarch 11, 2020May 25, 2020February 28, 2020Petition to the Honorable Navdeep Bains, Minister for Innovation, Science and IndustryWHEREAS
  • The price of 87 octane gasoline in the community of Powell River was stagnant at $1.599/litre from June to November 2019;
  • All seven vendors of gasoline maintained the exact same price throughout that period;
  • During the same period price for the same product fluctuated, sometimes dramatically, in the nearby regions of Northern Vancouver Island and the Greater Vancouver Area;
  • Following significant media attention on this same issue the price of the same product dropped to $1.499/litre or less; and
  • The price of the same product has remained stagnant at $1.499/litre since the drop, while prices in nearby regions continue to fluctuate.
We, the electors of the qathet Regional District, call upon the Honorable Navdeep Bains to:
  • Order an investigation of collusion and price-fixing through the Competition Bureau Canada of gasoline vendors in the community of Powell River, British Columbia.
Response by the Minister of Innovation, Science and IndustrySigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Navdeep BainsThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for raising their concerns regarding fuel pricing in British Columbia, specifically in the Powell River area. This petition has been forwarded to the Competition Bureau, Canada’s independent enforcement agency in competition matters, for their awareness.As a law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, the Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) investigates alleged anticompetitive conduct. The Competition Act includes provisions against, price-fixing competitor collaborations, price maintenance and abuse of dominant position. All of these provisions can apply to the gasoline market and to other petroleum product markets.The Commissioner of Competition may commence an investigation based on information obtained from a variety of sources, including when a formal complaint is lodged. The Commissioner has the power to initiate investigations on his own authority, based on market observations or in response to formal complaints. Any member of the public may submit a complaint to the Bureau, using the form found at the following address:https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/frm-eng/GH%C3%89T-7TDNA5Upon receiving a complaint, the Bureau examines the relevant information to determine whether a formal inquiry should be commenced. If so, it may contact other customers or competitors to obtain more information. The Bureau may make use of tools at its disposal, such as seeking court authorization to compel information. If violation of the law can be identified, the Bureau will not hesitate to seek action before the courts in appropriate cases.Once again, the Government thanks you for bringing these concerns forward.
GasolineInquiries and public inquiriesPowell RiverPrice determination
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3441e-3441 (Veterans' affairs)KevinSewellRachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCMay 19, 2021, at 9:23 a.m. (EDT)August 17, 2021, at 9:23 a.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="246259" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Veterans Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:The 1901 Militia Pensions Act contained a clause, known as the ‘gold-digger clause’ that disallowed pensions to survivors of veterans who married after the age of 60;Spouses of veterans, including common-law partners, who marry after the age of 60 are not entitled to the automatic survivor pensions under the Canadians Forces Superannuation Act;The National Council of Veterans' Associations, the RCMP Veterans Association, and the Armed Forces Pensioner’s/Annuitants’ Association of Canada have advocated for the elimination of the “marriage after 60” clause;The Prime Minister’s 2015 and 2017 mandate letters to his Minister of Veterans Affairs directed the elimination of the “marriage after 60” clause;The “Veterans Survivors Fund” in the 2019 Budget has not been successfully rolled out to survivors of Veterans;The Lifespan of Canadians is much longer now than in the early 20th century;We should not punish Veterans for finding love after the age of 60; andVeterans are choosing to live in poverty now, halving their pension, in order to give their survivor a portion of their pension after their death;We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Veterans Affairs to immediately act to eliminate the “marriage after 60” clause and ensure that the spouse, or common-law partner, of a Veteran who married after age 60 automatically receives the superannuation benefit.SpousesSurvivor pensionsVeteransVeterans benefits43rd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 29, 2021e-3367e-3367 (Government services and administration)CopperStrenjaRachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCApril 29, 2021, at 7:06 p.m. (EDT)June 28, 2021, at 7:06 p.m. (EDT)June 29, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Savary Island in British Columbia had a Canada Post office between 1913-1980;More than 100 full time residents of Savary Island do not receive mail at their primary address;Canada Post is mandated to provide free mail service to all Canadians at their primary address; andThe residents of Savary Island have a right to be included in the free mail service to all Canadians.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure residents of Savary Island in the Province of British Columbia are serviced by a corporate run post office in their community.Canada Post CorporationPost offices and outletsSavary Island43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 14, 2021e-3281e-3281 (Indigenous affairs)VivianHermansenRachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCMarch 26, 2021, at 2:45 p.m. (EDT)April 25, 2021, at 2:45 p.m. (EDT)April 30, 2021June 14, 2021April 26, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Government of Canada's website says the processing time for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) is sixteen weeks for complete applications, when in fact wait times are between six months and two years; It takes ten business days for a Canadian passport when applying in person, and twenty business days by mail; These are both secure federal government documents and should have the same standards for processing time;The Government of Canada has made a statement of commitment to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples of Canada based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership as the foundation for transformative change; The current process for obtaining a SCIS does not reflect the spirit of reconciliation; andThe current wait times are an example of systemic racism being perpetrated by the Government of Canada.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Explore all options including alternative solutions such as the hiring of additional staff dedicated to processing applications for a SCIS; and2. Take no longer than the equivalent time needed to process a Canadian passport, namely, twenty business days.
Response by the Minister of Indigenous ServicesSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Pam DamoffThe Minister of Indigenous Services Canada would like to thank the Member from North Island-Powell River and the petitioner for raising the issue of processing times for the Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS).  The department is committed to processing applications for the SCIS in an efficient and timely manner. It is important to note that the issuance of a SCIS is separate than the application processing for Indian Status.The SCIS, also known as the secure status card, was introduced in 2009 to reduce instances of fraud and identity theft by including security features and a photo. It has further evolved to provide other client service features, including a machine-readable zone to facilitate Canada–U.S. border crossing. The SCIS is issued by the Department to confirm registration of Indian Status and facilitate access to associated programs, rights, services and benefits. An individual must be registered and provide proof of registration with their application to receive a secure status card.The Department’s service standard is sixteen weeks for issuing an SCIS. The current processing time is eight weeks to receive the SCIS once Indian Status has been confirmed. Over the last three fiscal years, the Department has consistently met its service standard above 90% of the time. There is no cost to the applicant. In addition to the SCIS, there are two other options for those registered under the Indian Act to confirm their status. First Nations issue the paper laminate Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) at band offices across the country. This service is offered on demand with little or no wait time. An individual seeking confirmation of Indian Status may also request a Temporary Certificate of Registration Document, normally issued within 24 hours by one of the departmental points of service.Difference Between Indian Status Application and the Secure Certificate of Indian StatusIt is important to note that there is a difference between Indian Status and the SCIS, which provides proof of Indian Status. If an SCIS applicant is already registered under the Indian Act, the SCIS will be issued within the 16-week service standard or faster. Individuals applying to be newly registered for Status may submit a registration application and a SCIS application at the same time. A SCIS will be issued upon registration as a status Indian under the Indian Act.Processing time for applications for registration under the Indian Act is generally between six months and two years, depending on the complexity of the file and the completeness of the application. While some applications can be processed quickly (e.g. registration of a child with two parents already registered), others require more genealogical research and further information from the applicant. The six month to two-year wait time is associated with the registration portion of the application and establishing entitlement to Indian Status under the Indian Act, not the SCIS card issuance itself. As noted, if an SCIS applicant is already registered under the Indian Act, the SCIS will be issued within the 16-week service standard or faster.   Status cards, either the SCIS or CIS, are optional. A third of all registered individuals with Indian Status have chosen to apply and receive the SCIS. The CIS issued at band offices remains more popular. As of April 2021, out of approximately 1,026,000 registered Status Indians, 328,400 had a valid SCIS. In comparison, there are nearly 560,000 paper-laminated CIS in circulation.Secure Certificate of Indian Status Service Offering and ImprovementsLike many Government of Canada services, the processing of applications for the SCIS was impacted by COVID-19 related health restrictions for several months. The Department is now back to normal processing times that existed prior to COVID-19 and is on track to increase the number of applications processed per month in the months ahead.The application process for the SCIS has been streamlined and, in modernizing the Department’s service offering, we are investing in digital solutions to increase efficiency and improve client service.The development and launch of a mobile photo app in 2019 was designed to simplify the application process for the SCIS. The photo app, now in its third release, allows applicants to take the requisite passport quality photo – for free and from anywhere- with a smartphone and submit it online as part of their SCIS application. In addition, applicants who present in person at the departmental service kiosk in Gatineau, QC can now submit an application for the SCIS electronically (on line) as an alternative to a paper application.  In the coming months, this service will be expanded to all 16 departmental service kiosks and over time, this option will be made accessible to the public access through the internet. This initiative will result in efficiencies by making the application process faster and help reduce the rate of error.The Department is also increasing the number of partnerships it has with First Nation organizations, in order to make its services, including the SCIS application process, more accessible and client focused.  The Issuance of the SCIS Compared to a Passport The petition seeks a commitment to the same processing time for the SCIS as the issuance of the Canadian Passport.It is difficult to compare the SCIS and passport processes, as Passport Canada is one of the few Government of Canada programs operating on a full cost-recovery basis. Passport Program operations are funded and service standards are maintained from fees charged for travel document services.Both the passport and SCIS are issued after confirmation of entitlement. The SCIS is currently delivered in 40 business days following registration under the Indian Act, while service standards for the issuance of a passport in Canada after entitlement is confirmed is 20 days. The modernization and client service agenda of the Department is expected to further reduce the wait time for the SCIS as we are committed to processing applications for the Secure Certificate of Status in an efficient and timely manner. In addition, our Government has been clear - during this time, service providers should accept Status Cards, with identification, even if the renewal date has passed. Our Government will continue to take steps to update and improve the processing times of Status Card administration and renewals.
BacklogsRegistration of peopleStatus Indians
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-00989432-00989 (Health)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCMay 28, 2021April 12, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas the opioid crisis is one of the largest public health emergencies of our lifetime, with a death approximately every two hours (on average) and a death toll of almost 15,400 in a mere four years (January 2016 to December 2019).Whereas the overdose crisis rages, showing few signs of abating.We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada:
  • 1) to declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency so that is taken seriously and funded appropriately.
  • 2) to immediately work with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian action plan, which includes full consideration of reforms that other countries have used to significantly reduce drug-related fatalities and stigma, such as legal regulation and decriminalization for simple possession of illicit drugs.
DecriminalizationDrug use and abuseOpiates and opioidsPublic health
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01080432-01080 (Environment)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCJune 11, 2021March 29, 2021Petition to the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health WHEREAS We do not consent to and are strongly opposed to:
  • The use and application of herbicides and surfactants by the forestry industry, which is detrimental to the environment, local flora and fauna, and water sources;
  • Herbicides being used by the forestry industry to prevent the natural return of the forest's biodiversity, increasing the risk to forest fires and in turn accelerating climate change, risking a loss of economic value, and threatening communities and the overall health of Canadians.
We, the electors of Canada, call upon the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health to:
  • Ban the commercial use of herbicides in the forestry industry in Canada, with the exception of addressing invasive species that are well documented.
Forest products industryHerbicides
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-00988432-00988 (Health)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCMay 28, 2021March 29, 2021PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled to the following:Whereas over 4000 Canadians died in 2017 and over 2,800 in 2016 due to preventable opioid overdose resulting from fentanyl-poisoned sources. The number of preventable deaths has surpassed the total number of deaths of all other Public Health Emergencies in the last 20 years including SARS, H1N1, and Ebola. Those who have died as a result of a preventable opioid overdose from fentanyl-poisoned sources were valued citizens of this country; our children, siblings, spouses, parents, family members, clients, friends. And whereas Substance use is a normal part of human experience; documented across centuries and all over the world. The current war on drugs has been costly and grossly ineffective and resulted in widespread stigma towards addiction and against those who use illicit drugs. Criminalization of particular substances has resulted in the establishment of a drug trade that now traffics dangerous and lethal products, such as fentanyl. Regulating to ensure safe sources, with proper measures and bylaws, will reduce the criminal element associated with street drugs. Problematic substance use is a health issue and is not resolved through criminalizing personal possession and consumption. Decriminalization of personal possession is associated with dramatically reducing overdose deaths in the countries that have modernized their drug policy.Therefore, We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to:
  1. Declare the current opioid overdose and fentanyl poisoning crisis a National Public Health Emergency under the Emergencies Act in order to manage and resource it with the aim to reduce and eliminate preventable deaths.
  2. Reform current drug policy to decriminalize personal possession.
  3. Create with urgency and immediacy a system to provide safe unadulterated access to substances so that people who use substances, experimentally, recreationally or chronically, are not at imminent risk of overdose due to a contaminated source.
DecriminalizationDrug use and abuseOpiates and opioidsPublic health
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3343e-3343 (Fisheries)EmilyOrrRachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCApril 20, 2021, at 12:28 p.m. (EDT)June 19, 2021, at 12:28 p.m. (EDT)June 23, 2021June 21, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253373" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard</Addressee>Whereas:The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) mandate includes promoting the stability and economic viability of fishing operations;DFO has recently re-interpreted the existing fishery regulations to assert that a tub of frozen-at-sea spot prawn tails no longer meets their requirement that fish are ‘readily determined’ for inspection purposes;No clear reason has been provided for the re-interpretation, and no means for compliance for tubs of prawn frozen at sea has been provided;The practice of freezing-at-sea spot prawn tails in tubs has been ongoing for 50 years without incident or concern;Prawn size limits are a market issue, not a conservation issue, and there is no minimum prawn size regulations for recreational or for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) harvest;The commercial prawn fishery in British Columbia (BC) has been consistently recognized, both internally by DFO and externally by third party assessment, as a sustainable fishery;By preventing fishermen from the practice of freezing-at-sea prawn tails, which is the primary format for domestic sales, the DFO is effectively forcing the freezing vessels to create an export-only product;This sudden change will decrease the stability and economic viability of prawn fishing operations, fishing families, coastal economies and restaurants; andThis reinterpretation will increase the export of BC prawns and weaken local food security.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada,, call upon the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to require the Pacific Region enforcement and management personnel to develop a process or procedure that will permit the continued practice of freezing-at-sea prawn tails in tubs.Fisheries policyFrozen foodsSpot prawn43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 15, 2020431-00132431-00132 (Environment)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCMarch 9, 2020April 15, 2020January 24, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONSWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:WHEREAS, Climate change has escalated into a global climate emergency; the world is on pace to warm nearly 4 degrees Celsius by 2100 and extreme weather events are growing with increasingly severe impacts, including floods, forest fires, rising temperatures, killer heat-waves, massive storms, sea level rise and disruption to marine and land ecosystems;WHEREAS, in order to act to avert further catastrophic climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) states that the scientific consensus is that we need to immediately move to reduce net human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to 45 per cent below 2010 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2050;WHEREAS, Canada must address this climatic emergency with the ambition and urgency required, on behalf of present and future generations;WHEREAS, Canadians are living through unprecedented, catastrophic climate events and at the same time, our society is suffering from worsening socio-economic inequalities, with almost half of Canada's population reporting they are $200 away from insolvency at the end of each month;WHEREAS, climate change impacts threaten physical & mental health (particularly young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities), surrounding environments by affecting the food we eat, the world's water supply, the air we breathe, the weather we experience, and how well local communities can adapt to climate change;WHEREAS, the impacts of climate emergency are far more severe for those living through the immediate consequences of climate change; Indigenous Peoples, frontline and vulnerable communities, like people seeking refugee status or asylum and those displaced by climate change, are disproportionality affected, resulting in the increased risks to their health;WHEREAS, it has never been more urgent that Canada reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy to meet the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, while ensuring that all Indigenous Peoples and Canadians benefit from the substantial public investments a low-carbon economy requires, like energy efficiency retrofits, affordable housing, renewable energy, infrastructure, public transit, pharmacare, dental care, childcare and eliminating student debt and tuition fees;WHEREAS, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the recognition of inherent rights, title and treaty rights, while fully implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), must be at the heart of Canada's approach to addressing the climate emergency;THEREFORE, your petitioners call on the Government of Canada to support Motion M-1, a made-in-Canada Green New Deal, the first initiative before the House of Commons, which calls on Canada to take bold & rapid action to adopt socially equitable climate action to tackle the climate emergency and address worsening socio-economic & racial inequalities at the same time; while ending fossil fuel subsidies, closing offshore tax havens, and supporting workers impacted by the transition and creating well-paying, unionized jobs in the shift to a clean and renewable energy economy.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONTo contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
To support the participation of youth in the clean growth economy, in August 2017, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced that it would invest more than $14 million to support almost 1,000 green jobs for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates across the country through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Similarly, Natural Resources Canada announced that it is investing more than $16 million to create 1,200 green STEM jobs for Canadian youth in the natural resources sector, via the Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program. The abovementioned funding is part of Budget 2017’s additional $395.5 million investment over three years, starting in 2017-2018, for the Youth Employment Strategy, in which 11 federal departments committed to providing opportunities for Canada’s youth.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s 2019 GHG emissions projections show a widespread decline in projected emissions across the economy, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. In fact, the policies and measures now in place, including those introduced in 2019, are projected to reduce emissions by 227 million tonnes in 2030, the greatest drop in Canadian history. However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable populations to a rapidly changing environment and is committed to renewing the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation on a nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government basis. This includes collaborating with Indigenous partners on climate change action through structured, collaborative approaches, based on robust, ongoing and meaningful engagement based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including free, prior and informed consent.In taking action on climate change and in moving forward on the implementation of Canada’s climate plan, the Prime Minister issued joint statements with each of the National Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the President of the Métis National Council. These joint statements committed to establishing three senior bilateral distinctions-based tables between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation. These partnerships seek to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are full and effective partners in advancing clean growth and achieving climate change goals to mitigate and reduce emissions as a necessary precursor to the mitigation of climate impacts.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why Minister Wilkinson supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Pan-Canadian Framework was established to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions in line with these goals and our commitments under the Paris Agreement. The Government of Canada is committed to implementing all of the measures in our climate action plan and we’re making good progress in doing so, as described in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change annual report (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/pan-canadian-framework.html
Climate change and global warmingGreen economy
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01242432-01242 (Environment)RachelBlaneyNorth Island—Powell RiverNDPBCJune 23, 2021June 10, 2021Petition to the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeWhereas:
  • The Qualicum Institute submitted an environmental petition to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on May 27, 2017 (No. 408) and the Minister's response was unsatisfactory;
  • We continue to be deeply concerned that the Canadian government is ignoring the overwhelming scientific evidence on the principal drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss; and
  • With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our health, economy, and environment, we cannot return to what was normal as continuous economic growth can not be reconciled with a healthy environment; this crisis presents an opportunity to implement true science-based policies to address the current climate and biodiversity crises.
We, the undersigned scientists, concerned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to:1. Recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to address the errors resulting from policy decisions of the past, specifically those related to the climate and biodiversity crises;2. Ensure that all future federal government economic initiatives are founded on a scientific understanding of the limits of economic and population growth;3.Align the national economy with Canadians' well-being and within the carrying capacity of the environment-not wealth generation or economic growth;4. Ensure the health and welfare of all Canadians by moving to a low-carbon-emission, steady state economy with a stable population; and5. Prevent further biodiversity loss, and restore our degraded life-supporting ecosystems.
Environmental protectionSustainable development
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 2, 2020432-00121432-00121 (Foreign affairs)KellyBlockCarlton Trail—Eagle CreekConservativeSKOctober 19, 2020December 2, 2020September 16, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021432-00471432-00471 (Foreign affairs)KellyBlockCarlton Trail—Eagle CreekConservativeSKFebruary 1, 2021March 22, 2021September 16, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01129432-01129 (Environment)KodyBloisKings—HantsLiberalNSJune 16, 2021June 10, 2021Petition to Minister Bernadette Jordan WHEREAS , On March 19th, 2021, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans ordered a full drain of lake pisiquid at every low tide and subsequent ingress of salt water for 10 minutes (min) beginning March 19th and continuing to this day, the following effects have occurred:
  • The environmental effects of accelerated stream bank erosion, vegetation loss and silt buildup at lakefront and along shoreline; Loss of freshwater habitat and damage to ecosystem
  • Impending potential for fish kill due to silt and shallow waters.
  • The social impact of the end to the pisiquid canoe club and its importance to 150 plus youth and their families for seasonal sport AND outdoor childcare
  • Financial impacts felt by homeowners as they seek alternative options to water supply.
  • Potential end of business for Ski Martock (an employer of 200 people) as there may be no replacement of their fresh water source.
  • Potential risk to community due to lack of emergency backup water supply for firefighting (dry hydrant unusable and lakefront unusable in major fire situation)
  • Agricultural, financial and food security impact as 2021 crop planning and 2021 livestock watering are in jeopardy as well as future years of productivity.
  • Health impacts as the community is complaining of respiratory concerns due to exposed mud flats, and resulting dust "storms"
  • Business concerns (unsightly premises, air quality etc)
  • Potential decline in property value and interest in development due to the decline in overall waterfront conditions from Windsor to the lake areas of Vaughans (if water adjustments are required upstream)
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of West Hants, Nova Scotia, electors of the riding of Kings Hants, residents of the Province of Nova Scotia, call upon Minister Bernadette Jordan to exercise discretion as provided in 34.1 (1)(h) of the Fisheries Act in issuing ministerial orders and commit to a solution that considers the outcomes for the entire community of West Hants.
Avon RiverCausewaysReservoirs
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020e-2305e-2305 (Foreign affairs)KarimMansouriAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCNovember 19, 2019, at 10:15 a.m. (EDT)January 18, 2020, at 10:15 a.m. (EDT)February 19, 2020April 11, 2020January 27, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Since February 22, 2019, the Algerian people have been peacefully demonstrating their opposition to a militarized, authoritarian system;Millions of demonstrators are expressing their desire to establish a state governed by the rule of law that guarantees individual and collective rights, social justice and equality among citizens;Many attempts have been made to divide and manipulate this movement and restrict its rights of expression and assembly, including widespread attacks and hate campaigns on social media, the muzzling and closure of media outlets, and the intimidation of demonstrators, public figures and opponents of the system;The military-security regime is exercising repression and has been making arbitrary arrests since the beginning of summer, detaining more than 100 individuals for carrying an Amazigh (Berber) flag, chanting slogans or expressing an opinion;Many of these detainees are being held without trial and others have been given harsh sentences; andDetainees are thrown into prisons where prisoners of conscience and political prisoners convicted by special or military courts have been languishing for years.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to strongly condemn the Algerian government’s policy of systematic human rights violation and urge the Algerian government to halt these arbitrary arrests and free prisoners of conscience and political prisoners.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneCanada maintains close ties with Algeria and strongly supports democracy, stability and prosperity in the country. Canada has been closely following the situation in Algeria since the beginning of the popular protest movement in February 2019. In March 2019, Global Affairs Canada issued a statement affirming Canada's support for democratic, free and fair elections in Algeria. Canada remains concerned about reports published by human rights organizations detailing the arrest or detention of individuals who have participated in demonstrations or expressed political views. Canada recognizes the rights of Algerians to freedom of peaceful assembly, opinion and expression, as guaranteed by the Algerian constitution. Canada has taken note of the expression of openness by the new Algerian government since the presidential election in December 2019 and the formation of the new government in January 2020. Canada encourages constructive dialogue among Algerians, with a view to a secure and prosperous future, and reinforces this message in its discussions with the Algerian government. The promotion and protection of human rights and democratic values has always been at the forefront of Canadian foreign policy. Through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives managed by the Embassy of Canada to Algeria, Canada supports projects and organizations that promote democracy, respect for human rights and inclusive and responsible governance.
AlgeriaCivil and human rightsForeign policy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 24, 2020e-2520e-2520 (Social affairs and equality)ChristelMarchandAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCApril 9, 2020, at 9:34 a.m. (EDT)June 8, 2020, at 9:34 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2020September 24, 2020June 8, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Artists are the driving force behind the cultural industry and the goods it produces, one of the largest industries in the country, with direct and indirect impacts on many industries, whose profits depend on this cultural content, which is essential to the well-being of all communities;Artists and the cultural industry, already subject to precarious conditions, will greatly suffer from the impacts of COVID-19;The production of cultural goods must continue or even expand during and after the crisis;A number of universal basic income (UBI) projects, including those of Canadian organizations and the Finnish government, have shown increases in resilience, socio-economic development factors, job quality and business creation, as well as decreases in poverty indicators;Current social support measures are outdated and costly, and a UBI would replace them at no cost, helping reduce social unrest and effectively stimulate the economy; andWhile productivity is increasing, the labour market is constantly changing and remains unstable, and the ever-worsening concentration of wealth is undermining the development and survival of the cultural industry.We, the undersigned, artists and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to implement a UBI that would be at least equivalent to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit of $2,000 per month for all Canadian artists, using existing institutions (for example, the Canada Council for the Arts (which can identify artists) and Employment Insurance), and to eventually extend the UBI to all Canadians.
Response by the Minister of SeniorsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): IREK KUSMIERCZYKThis is a challenging time for Canadians, and the Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant, and decisive actions to help people facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The Government has invested billions in targeted income support to individuals, business, key sectors, and community organizations on the frontlines of serving Canadians. In addition to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which is providing $500 per week to eligible individuals impacted by the forced shutdown of the economy, and measures to help companies pay rent and keep their employees working, the Government announced measures that provided financial support to vulnerable Canadians that helped limit income inequality and promote opportunity during this challenging time.
  • For lower income Canadians, the one-time Goods and Services Tax Credit payment delivered to eligible recipients in April 2020 effectively doubled the maximum annual amounts for the 2019-20 benefit year, benefiting over 12million individuals and families. The average additional benefit is close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. The Government delivered $5.5B through this measure.
  • For families with children, the Government’s one-time $300 increase to Canada Child Benefit payments in May 2020 provided additional support to 3.7 million families to help pay for groceries, children’s at-home learning activities, and other necessities during this time. The overall increase for families receiving the child benefit was around $550 on average. The Government delivered almost $2B through this measure.
  • For seniors, the one-time boost of $300 to Old Age Security (OAS), additional payment of $200 for Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) recipients, and $500 to Allowance recipients provided increased support to help offset costs that seniors face right now, such as grocery delivery and medications. As of April 2020, 6.5M seniors receive OAS payments and were eligible for the enhancement. Of those, 2.1 million seniors are also receiving the GIS increase. The Government has delivered $2.5B through these measures.
These are just a few examples of the supports the Government has provided to Canadians during this difficult time. As of July 3, 2020, the Government had invested almost $232 billion in direct federal measures as part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.With regard to basic income, the Government of Canada continually undertakes research and analysis on a range of policies and programs that could positively impact Canada’s economy and society as part of its efforts to ensure that all Canadians have a real and fair opportunity to succeed.The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of working with provinces and territories to find solutions to common challenges. However, it is important to acknowledge that it is up to the provincial and territorial governments to make decisions around the design of social assistance systems and policies in their own jurisdictions.The Government of Canada already has programs with many of the features of a basic income, such as the Canada Child Benefit for families with children, the Old Age Security program and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors. In addition, existing programs such as the Canada Workers Benefit and Employment Insurance provide income supports for low-income individuals with labour market attachment or those with insurable employment. That being said, the Government is aware of views regarding the existing Employment Insurance benefits and leave system and that the changing nature of work presents challenges in providing support to all Canadians in their unique circumstances.At the same time, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the arts and the significant contributions of different kinds of artists to our country’s identity. As public opinion research has shown, most Canadians agree that arts and culture make communities better places to live and are important for individual well-being.Moreover, arts and culture are important to Canada’s economy: Canada’s cultural sector accounts for approximately $53 billion of Gross Domestic Product and provides employment for more than 666,000 Canadians.  For every public-sector dollar invested in the arts, another dollar is stimulated from the private sector and generates additional positive returns including earned revenues, tickets sales, increased tourism, and organizational and employee spending.While the majority of arts organizations’ revenues are self-generated, accounting for 73 percent of the typical non-profit performing arts organization’s revenues, the Government of Canada provides significant support for arts organizations with investments focused on professional, not-for-profit activity. This benefits arts organizations as well as individual artists and the wider public. Direct federal support is provided for activities of the National Arts Centre, and grants and contributions programs delivered by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage.Federal investments in the not-for-profit arts complement one another and the Government’s investment in the for-profit cultural industries. Legislative and taxation measures, such as the Copyright Act, the Income Tax Act, and the Status of the Artist Act, also provide support to the cultural industry, and individual artists.As we continue to move towards economic recovery, the Government of Canada is continuing to explore a variety of potential shorter and longer-term policy responses that could address the ongoing needs of Canadians.
ArtistsGuaranteed annual income
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2021e-3019e-3019 (Citizenship and immigration)RoxaneHatemAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCDecember 3, 2020, at 4:05 p.m. (EDT)February 1, 2021, at 4:05 p.m. (EDT)April 13, 2021May 27, 2021February 1, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:We are a group of immigration applicants who have been living in Quebec for years;We have been forced to prepare this petition because wait times have become extremely long, exceeding 30 months in some cases;This situation is putting most of us at risk of losing our status and jobs; andOur request is simple: we are asking to have our status regularized and to be compensated for the delay in processing times which are in no way consistent with the times that were announced.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Common: 1. To grant a bridging open work permit (BOWP) to persons who have applied for permanent residence in Quebec until a final decision has been made;2. To give us a realistic completion date and make a commitment to meet it;3. Extend the validity of the medical evaluation for persons whose evaluation has expired. If that is not possible, the second medical evaluation is to be paid for by the Canadian government;4. To include the delay in wait times in the citizenship calculation and propose reasonable compensation;5. To issue an acknowledgement of receipt for applications submitted in 2019 and 2020.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco MendicinoThe pandemic has significantly impacted Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada’s processing capacity and the processing times for many permanent residence applicants have lengthened.Quebec is the only province that has the authority to set its own immigration target levels, within the parameters of the Canada-Quebec Accord (i.e., in categories for which it has selection authority). When establishing the total number of immigrants to the country as a whole, the federal government takes Quebec’s advice into consideration on the number of immigrants that it wishes to receive in all categories (including in categories under federal authority). Quebec’s immigration plan is established annually and incorporated in the federal immigration levels plan.The processing of permanent residence applications is dependent on admissions space. IRCC finalizes the number of applications for permanent residence based on the parameters set by Quebec in its immigration plan. In situations where there are more Certificats de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) issued than available spaces, inventories develop and processing times grow. IRCC will continue to finalize Quebec-destined permanent resident applications as expeditiously as possible, within the parameters imposed by Quebec immigration levels.The Department is committed to advancing Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) files through the intake process in order to issue acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letters. Modified AOR letters are sent to clients that have not yet reached this stage to ensure that clients have at least a file number as an indication from IRCC that their file has been received. Using the first in - first out principal, as one file is completed and AOR is sent, a different file will be received into the inventory with a modified AOR sent. This allows IRCC to maintain a balanced inventory of files, ensuring the proper number of files are moving in and out of each stage. IRCC has made significant changes to the intake process to reduce the number of rejections based on incompleteness for these files. As opposed to rejecting incomplete applications, applicants are now contacted to complete their files. The applications will then be put back in the processing system, without effect to the CSQ expiry date. However, current IRCC operational priorities and capacity limits due to COVID are further impacting the ability to advance these files in the short term, as we concentrate on in-Canada applicants and inventories that can be finalized towards the federal and Quebec provincial admissions target.  The Department is in constant discussion with the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration and internal stakeholders to identify solutions for those waiting at the pre-intake stage of the process, especially for QSW, which can be implemented in the near future. The option of a bridging open work permit (BOWP) is provided to certain federal economic class applicants currently in Canada to bridge the gap between the expiry of their current work permit and the final decision on their application for permanent residence. Under the bridging provisions, skilled worker permanent residence applicants who are in Quebec and have a Quebec Selection Certificate are eligible for an employer-specific work permit without having to obtain a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada. However, as these work permits are employer-specific, the applicant needs to obtain an offer of employment to be eligible to apply and does not benefit from the flexibility that an open work permit provides.
BacklogsBridging open work permitMedical examinationsPermanent resident statusProvince of Quebec
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2021e-3030e-3030 (Citizenship and immigration)ValérieBeauchampAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCDecember 9, 2020, at 4:53 p.m. (EDT)February 7, 2021, at 4:53 p.m. (EDT)April 13, 2021May 27, 2021February 8, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253396" mp-riding-display="1"> Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship</Addressee>Whereas:Mr. Mamadou Konaté arrived in Quebec in 2016 to escape threats in his country, the Ivory Coast, and was recognized as a refugee by the Red Cross and the United Nations after suffering the consequences of the war; He took literacy and French courses so he could become proficient in French and build his life here in our community while fully integrating into Quebec society; He courageously answered the Quebec government’s call to work in housekeeping, risking his life in the hot zones of three CHSLDs during the pandemic; He contracted COVID-19 while working with vulnerable seniors and immediately returned to work in CHSLDs after his recovery; It goes against our values to deport those who came to support our citizens during a historic health crisis and who demonstrated courage and solidarity in such circumstances;The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has the authority to grant Mr. Mamadou Konaté status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to lift the deportation order against Mamadou Konaté and to grant him a work permit as well as a temporary resident permit pending the granting of permanent residence.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco MendicinoCanada offers protection to those with a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group, as well as those at risk of torture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.  Canada upholds fair and efficient procedures that will maintain the integrity of the Canadian refugee protection system, while protecting the health and safety of Canadians and maintaining the security of Canadian society.While the decision to remove someone from Canada is not taken lightly, the Government of Canada is unwavering in its commitment to protect Canadians and to fulfill our international legal obligations with respect to refugees and persons deserving protection.Everyone ordered removed from Canada is entitled to due process before the law, and all removal orders are subject to various levels of appeal.  Individuals may seek leave for judicial review, as well as administrative review procedures that assess the potential risk to the person of returning to the country of origin.Once a person has exhausted all available recourses, they must respect our legislations and leave the country.  For any questions on removals, please communicate with the Canada Border Services Agency at questions@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.Detailed information on Canada’s inland asylum claim system can be found on the Claiming asylum in Canada – what happens? page of IRCC’s Website.Due to privacy laws, IRCC cannot comment on specific cases without consent.
Deportation, extradition and removal of foreignersKonaté, MamadouPermanent resident statusWork permits
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3253e-3253 (Business and trade)MaximeNicoleAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCMarch 11, 2021, at 2:49 p.m. (EDT)April 10, 2021, at 2:49 p.m. (EDT)June 8, 2021April 12, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Air Canada is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance from the Government of Canada; Air Canada helps create jobs outside the country using Canadian taxpayer dollars; and 20,000 employees have been laid off by Air Canada in 2020. We, the undersigned, citizens, call upon the Government of Canada to ensure that Air Canada planes parked outside of Canada are brought back to Canadian soil so that maintenance is done by Air Canada employees in Canada.Air CanadaAircraft maintenance and repairs43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 7, 2021e-3147e-3147 (Employment and labour)EmmanuelKiyandaAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCFebruary 2, 2021, at 11:48 a.m. (EDT)April 3, 2021, at 11:48 a.m. (EDT)April 23, 2021June 7, 2021April 7, 2021Petition to <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="253379" mp-riding-display="1">the Minister of Labour </Addressee>Whereas: The purpose of the Employment Equity Act, passed in 1986, is to achieve equality in the workplace and to correct the conditions of disadvantage experienced by designated groups, identified as women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities; Today, the situation for Black people is problematic and the Act does not collect information to understand how dire the situation is and how it can be fixed; Black communities in Canada have doubled in size in the last 25 years to reach 1.2 million people; The experiences and the diversity of Black communities are often lumped into the “visible minority” category and neglected; Even when Black people find jobs, the systemic racism they experience in the workplace may mean they hit a glass ceiling; According to Statistics Canada; Being Black in Canada means having a salary that is 26% lower on average, having a much higher unemployment rate and being the victim of workplace discrimination more often; A Black man, in 2015, earned approximately $15,000 less than other men. In 2000, this gap was $11,869; and In 2016, a Black woman was nearly twice as likely as other women (19.6% compared with 10.9%) to be the victim of unfair treatment or discrimination in the workplace. We, the undersigned, citizens (or residents) of Canada, call upon the Minister of Labour to consider the Black population as a separate designated group in the Act.
Response by the Minister of LabourSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Anthony HousefatherThank you for your petition regarding the experience of Black Canadians and requesting that the Black population be recognized as a separate designated group under the Employment Equity Act (EEA).The Government of Canada believes that Canada’s strength lies in its diversity. Creating equitable, diverse and inclusive workplaces will help grow our middle class and build a country where every Canadian has a real and fair chance to succeed. One of the ways the Government of Canada promotes equality is through the EEA, which seeks to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment experienced by four designated groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities in federally regulated workplaces. These groups were identified by the 1984 Equality in Employment: A Royal Commission Report as having lower salaries, higher unemployment rates and greater concentration in lower-paying occupational groups.Since 1984, we have learned more about these barriers and the communities that comprise the designated groups. The category of visible minorities, for example, encompasses different populations with different labour market experiences. This is why, in 2021, a review of the EEA is necessary and is a priority for our government.In the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, our Government announced an investment of $6.6 million to support a Task Force on modernizing the EEA. The Minister of Labour’s supplementary mandate letter (January 2021) includes the commitment to launch a review of the EEA  in alignment with the aim of advancing work on equity, diversity and inclusion for women, LGBTQ2 Canadians, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized Canadians, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.The Task Force will undertake a comprehensive review of the EEA and its supporting programs, consult with a wide range of stakeholders and provide recommendations on how to modernize the EEA. Among the issues the Task Force will be considering is determining what changes are required to the designated groups covered by the Act, how the EEA can lead to better representation, retention, and promotion of equity-deserving groups, and what data employers should be required to collect.The Government of Canada has taken steps to advance equity over the years, but we know that more work needs to be done to create a level playing field for all Canadians. The Government of Canada continues to be committed to supporting equity-deserving groups, including Black people, and building a society where everyone has equal rights and opportunities to be their true, authentic selves.
Black CanadiansEmployment equityRacial equality
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 27, 2021e-2742e-2742 (Foreign affairs)MohamadOukarAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCJuly 21, 2020, at 12:10 p.m. (EDT)November 18, 2020, at 12:10 p.m. (EDT)April 13, 2021May 27, 2021November 20, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The citizens of the Republic of Yemen have been suffering from a humanitarian crisis since war began in 2015, and this has resulted in the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, with 20.1 million (approximately two thirds of the entire population) at risk for famine, 14 million of which require immediate assistance to survive;There has been a previous petition from 2017 that was presented to the House of Commons in May of 2019, and the government responded with an allocation of $46.7 million to support the crisis;However, the current COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly worsened the situation in Yemen and has the potential to cause more deaths than those from the past five years of devastating war, and additional restrictions are being imposed to the humanitarian aid being provided by the UN’s World Food Programme, causing significant delays to the 8.2 million people receiving that aid; andThe UN's World Food Programme urgently needs an additional US$ 737 million to ensure operations can continue unimpeded over the next six months.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:- Continue to encourage both sides in the conflict to seek a long-term, peaceful, and democratic resolution; and- Provide another life-saving allocation to support the humanitarian response in Yemen, in light of the new circumstances and challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Response by the Minister of International Development Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Karina GouldThe Government of Canada is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has caused civilian deaths, displaced families, threatened security and disrupted essential services.For too long now, the people of Yemen, particularly women and children, have been bearing the brunt of the crisis. The ongoing conflict is fueling widespread instability and exacerbating what continues to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated the humanitarian needs in Yemen.That is why on March 1, 2021, Canada announced $69.9 million to respond to the humanitarian needs of people in Yemen, building on the $225 million that Canada has provided since 2015. This funding is supporting the efforts of United Nations (UN) agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and non governmental organizations in providing urgent assistance, such as food, medicine and clean water, for the most vulnerable communities in Yemen.Canada is also constantly working to improve the effectiveness and quality of programming in humanitarian situations. In Yemen, Canada is doing this in part by providing predictable multi-year funding and unearmarked contributions. This includes through our support to joint donor mechanisms such as the Yemen Humanitarian Fund (a Country-Based Pooled Fund) and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). On March 1, 2021, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs approved an allocation of $40 million from the CERF to enable the scale-up of the life-saving humanitarian response in Yemen.In addition to humanitarian support, Canada is investing in peace and stability in Yemen. Since December 2018, Canada has provided over $22 million in peace and security assistance in Yemen to support the UN-led peace process. Canada supports an inclusive peace process in Yemen, with a focus on increasing women’s participation.Canada supports a political solution as the only way to end this conflict and remains fully supportive of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, adopted under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. Canada firmly supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen, Mr. Martin Griffiths, to achieve a lasting ceasefire and inclusive and sustainable peace. Canada also strongly supported the UN sponsored peace consultations on Yemen, which took place in December 2018. Canada urges all parties in Yemen to show restraint, de escalate hostilities and halt the tragic loss of life. In addition, Canada urges all parties to commit to a political dialogue and to work together toward the holding of subsequent rounds of peace consultations.In September 2017, Canada worked closely with the Netherlands and a core group of partner countries at the UN Human Rights Council to call for the creation of a new mechanism to investigate human rights abuses and violations in Yemen. This led to the creation of a high level independent group of experts. In September 2019, Canada worked diligently with other countries at the Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen.Please be assured that the Government of Canada will continue to closely monitor the situation in Yemen, fully support efforts to resume talks toward a permanent and peaceful end to the conflict in that country, and encourage all parties to work toward that goal.
COVID-19Foreign policyInternational development and aidPandemicRepublic of Yemen
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021e-2892e-2892 (Foreign affairs)StéphaneHandfieldAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCOctober 22, 2020, at 3:29 p.m. (EDT)November 21, 2020, at 3:29 p.m. (EDT)February 4, 2021March 22, 2021November 23, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:26 Canadian children born in the Islamic State are currently being detained in Kurdish camps in northeast Syria; Most are under the age of six; Canadian families have urged the Government of Canada to recognize their citizenship and repatriate them, but nothing has been done;For close to two years, these Canadian children have been living in overcrowded camps and facing inhumane conditions such as unsafe water, malnutrition and violence;This is an emergency;The Government of Canada claims that the situation in Syria is too dangerous to go there;The documentary film team behind "Les poussières de Daech" entered Syria and visited the camps;They met with the Kurdish administration in Syria, who offered to help the Government of Canada;On October 5, 2020, a young girl who had been detained in the camps was repatriated; This precedent shows that, contrary to what it says, the Government of Canada can take action in Syria; andIn failing to act, the Government of Canada (i) reneges on its promise to citizens to provide effective consular services and emergency assistance at all times, (ii) violates the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, which it ratified in 1961, (iii) violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which it ratified in 1989, (iv) does not properly represent the progressive country that Canada is.We, the undersigned citizens of Canada , call upon the Government of Canada to immediately repatriate the 25 innocent Canadian children living in inhumane conditions in the camps of northeast Syria.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe Government of Canada is aware of Canadian citizens being detained by Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria and is particularly concerned with cases of Canadian children.Global Affairs Canada actively engages Syrian Kurdish authorities to seek information on Canadians in their custody and continues to monitor the situation very closely. Consular officials communicate with Syrian Kurdish authorities to advocate, on an ongoing basis, for the well-being of Canadians in their custody The department also maintains contact with extended family members. When issues regarding the well-being of Canadians are brought to the attention of consular officials, the Government of Canada raises these with the Syrian Kurdish authorities and requests appropriate intervention. Global Affairs Canada is cognizant of the sensitivities surrounding consular cases involving children and is providing consular assistance to the extent possible. However, given the security situation on the ground, the Government of Canada's ability to provide consular assistance in Syria is extremely limited. Canada's embassy in Syria closed in 2012 and Canada has no diplomatic representation in the country at this time.The security environment in northeastern Syria is highly complex and unpredictable. Intermittent combat operations between various armed actors remain ongoing. There is also an active terrorist threat from several violent extremist organizations. In the absence of diplomatic presence, and given the important security risks, Government of Canada officials do not travel to northeastern Syria and are limited in the assistance they can provide to Canadians. In October 2020, the Government of Canada did provide assistance to a Canadian orphan living in northeastern Syria to bring the child safely to Canada to be united with their extended family. This case involved a unique set of circumstances which called for an exceptional response.The Canadian Consular Services Charter outlines the consular services the Government of Canada may provide to Canadians. Each consular case has unique facts and circumstances. There will be circumstances in which Canada’s ability to provide consular support may be limited. In certain locations, such as countries without permanent consular staff, Canada’s ability to provide even basic consular services could be severely limited. This is currently the case in Syria.Canada remains committed to helping partners address humanitarian needs in Syria. As part of Canada’s strategy in the Middle East, Canada has committed over $497 million in humanitarian assistance funding in Syria since 2016. This includes support to partners delivering assistance to displaced persons in northeast Syria, including through international NGOs and UN partners.
Canadians in foreign countriesChildrenCOVID-19PandemicRepatriationSyria
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedJune 15, 2020e-2287e-2287 (Transportation)BrianDiasAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCFebruary 14, 2020, at 10:33 a.m. (EDT)June 13, 2020, at 10:33 a.m. (EDT)June 15, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canadians, who live along rail corridors, assume serious risks associated with the transport of crude oil and other dangerous goods by rail;Railway cars, carrying petroleum and other hazardous cargo, pass through urban areas, by residences, schools and hospitals;We value the lives of our first responders, and recognize the need to provide them with reliable real-time information regarding the transportation of dangerous goods by rail; andRail corporations, with profit seeking mandates, in the event of an incident involving the accidental release of dangerous cargo into the environment, cannot be expected to conduct themselves strictly in the interests of the public or the affected environment.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Require all railway corporations, by legislation, to provide a copy of its train consists to Transport Canada prior to departure when transporting dangerous goods, in order to ensure that this information is immediately available to First Responders so that, in the event of a serious incident, they may protect themselves, and the affected community, with the appropriate safety equipment and containment methods;2. Conduct an Environmental Assessment at the site of all incidents involving the release of dangerous cargo, in order to properly assess damages to the environment, mitigate the damages, and oversee environmental restoration to the affected area.Environmental assessmentFreight transportationHazardous substances and hazardous productsRail transport safety43rd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 24, 2020e-2600e-2600 (Citizenship and immigration)ArcelleAppolonAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCMay 12, 2020, at 5:23 p.m. (EDT)June 11, 2020, at 5:23 p.m. (EDT)June 17, 2020September 24, 2020June 15, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="6" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Prime Minister</Addressee>Whereas:The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented situation for all residents of Canada and requires a war-level effort to face down this merciless enemy;We are fighting to protect ourselves and, above all, the most vulnerable, namely, seniors, people with a chronic illness and less fortunate neighbourhoods;Despite the chronic insecurity of their precarious status in Canada, asylum seekers play a key role in essential services and, more specifically, in Quebec’s Long Term Care Homes (CHSLD) and seniors’ homes hit hard by COVID-19;In exceptional circumstances, these individuals are contributing their skills, dedication and dignity to help us fight this pandemic while risking their own health and that of their family; andExpelling these guardian angels from the country as soon as the battle is won would run counter to our values as Quebeckers and Canadians.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada and members of the Concertation haïtienne pour les migrant.es, call upon the Prime Minister to show leadership by implementing a special program to regularize the status of asylum seekers working to fight COVID-19, and therefore supporting the health and safety of all Canadians, for humanitarian reasons.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco MendicinoThe Government of Canada is aware of calls to provide a pathway to Permanent Residency for asylum claimants across the country who work in the health care sector in recognition of their exceptional service during the COVID-19 pandemic.Front-line healthcare workers play a critical role in keeping Canadians healthy. We are all deeply grateful for their dedication, commitment and bravery.We recognize that this is a unique situation and are currently examining how we can recognize those who are working hard on the front-lines to keep Canadians safe and healthy.Asylum claimants in Canada continue to have access to the Interim Federal Health Program and temporary work permits. In addition they have access to interim housing, social assistance, education and legal aid through the provincial and territorial governments.
AsylumCaregivers and health care professionalsCOVID-19Immigration and immigrantsPandemic
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3217e-3217 (Veterans' affairs)HaroldDavisJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilConservativeONMarch 2, 2021, at 11:25 a.m. (EDT)May 1, 2021, at 11:25 a.m. (EDT)June 3, 2021May 3, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada classifies veteran injuries during active service into two distinct classifications of "Wartime Service" or "Special Duty Service" in Veterans Affairs Canada's “Disability Benefits in Respect of Wartime and Special Duty Service – The Insurance Principle” policy;The 34th Parliament ordered Canadians on active service for a globally mandated war against Iraq to liberate Kuwait (United Nations Security Council Resolution 665); This war was not immediately classified as "wartime" as Canada did not declare war, as was true for the Korean War;Korean War veterans, including civilian merchant mariners, were successfully reclassified to "Wartime Service" following a similar policy challenge spanning 30 years;World War II civilians from The Legion, The Lions Club and the Red Cross are classified as ‘Wartime’, as are Allied veterans who immigrate;Canadians were under threat from ballistic missiles and chemical warfare nightly; performed integral combat related duties; captured and processed prisoners of war; provided combat air patrols and performed a disproportionate number of naval interventions; without current Treasury Board benefits, tax free status or vacation; andThe Kuwaiti ambassador has formally acknowledged Canada’s contribution in the liberation of her country, and, along with Minister MacAulay, has thanked veterans for their wartime contributions both personally and through media.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to reclassify “Persian Gulf War - The Liberation of Kuwait” from "Special Duty Area" to "Wartime Service" within all Canadian policy on this, the 30th anniversary of the Liberation of Kuwait, to provide equality for "Persian Gulf War – The Liberation of Kuwait" as wartime veterans.Persian Gulf WarVeterans43rd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 4, 2021e-3207e-3207 (Foreign affairs)LILLIANENAMUKASAJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilConservativeONMarch 5, 2021, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2021, at 2:41 p.m. (EDT)May 4, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="271244" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Foreign Affairs</Addressee>Whereas:General elections were held in Uganda on January 14, 2021, to elect the President and the Parliament;Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986, won his sixth term amid election violence and allegations of fraud;Since the election, abductions, kidnappings and killings have taken place;There is extensive evidence of election tampering and pre-marked ballots for General Museveni and coercion of voters;There has been a lack of voter privacy and illegal casting of votes before voters arrived at polling stations;There has been a shutdown of all communications, including social media prior to the election;The arrest of campaign staff, candidates and supporters has taken place;Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine and the leader of the People Power, Our Power and Opposition Leader to President Museveni, has been assaulted, attacked, hit by tear gas and hospitalized because of his injuries; andThe military occupied Mr. Kyagulanyi's home from January 15 to 26, 2021.We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Canada to: 1. Action and condemn the Military Government of Uganda;2. Support the call for new elections to be held under international supervision as soon as possible; and3. Use all the tools it has available to hold the worst human rights offenders in Uganda accountable for their actions, including, but not limited to, Magnitsky Act sanctions, to punish those involved in the acts of violence.Civil and human rightsForeign policyUganda43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3407e-3407 (Business and trade)JudithCoatesJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilConservativeONMay 11, 2021, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)June 10, 2021, at 3:20 p.m. (EDT)June 11, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for more than one year due to Government imposed COVID-19 Travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors; andFederal Assistance Programs like Canada Emergency Business Account, Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) exclude the majority of these Small Business Owners, leaving them to slip through the cracks and forcing them into bankruptcy.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1- Provide sector specific funding for Independent Travel Advisors; and2- Extend the qualifications of the RRRF in Urban areas to include Sole Proprietors.Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response PlanCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3423e-3423 (Business and trade)NancyWilsonJohnBrassardBarrie—InnisfilConservativeONMay 18, 2021, at 10:59 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2021, at 10:59 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="263831" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID-19 travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors;100% of Travel Advisors’ income comes from commissions earned from their Travel Suppliers, and because of their delayed revenue stream, it takes between 5 and 11 months for Travel Advisors to be paid for work done on the booking of clients’ trips; andThe Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) has been the sole source of assistance for most Independent Travel Advisors, who are still actively working in their businesses, but unable to earn revenue.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to extend the CRB for six months past the lifting of all Travel Advisories, for Travel Advisors, and maintain the CRB at the current amount ($2,000/ month) for the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19, including Travel Advisors.Canada Recovery BenefitCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 31, 2021e-3205e-3205 (Transportation)MatthewFrancisBobBratinaHamilton East—Stoney CreekLiberalONFebruary 24, 2021, at 11:04 a.m. (EDT)March 26, 2021, at 11:04 a.m. (EDT)April 16, 2021May 31, 2021March 30, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The federal government is planning to restrict public access to the Hamilton and Burlington piers through the use of physical barriers;These piers are an important part of our community;The area has been open for public use for decades; andThe area is a unifying space for the Hamilton and Burlington communities.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, in association with SAVE OUR PIER Hamilton Beach Community, call upon the Government of Canada to maintain responsible public access to the Hamilton and Burlington piers without the use of barriers in a similar manner to the accessibility found in comparable municipal public spaces.
Response by the Minister of TransportSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Omar AlghabraThe Burlington Canal Piers support essential commercial marine traffic entering and exiting Hamilton Harbour. The identification of safety risks applicable to the operation of commercial marine facilities is an ongoing function for the department. The Burlington Canal Piers were not designed for recreational use, and their open design could pose safety risks due to high wave action and ice build-up.Transport Canada takes the concerns voiced by the Burlington and Hamilton community seriously. Transport Canada continues to work with key stakeholders such as the Cities of Burlington and Hamilton in evaluating options that will allow for the possible recreational use of the Piers.  An approach is currently being discussed with the City of Hamilton and the City of Burlington that would enable recreational use to continue, and Transport Canada looks forward to continue working together to explore this option. 
BurlingtonHamiltonLand useWharves
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01125432-01125 (Justice)AlexisBrunelle-DuceppeLac-Saint-JeanBloc QuébécoisQCJune 16, 2021June 16, 2021PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas increasing concerns about international trafficking in human organs removed from victims without consent have not yet led to a legal prohibition on Canadians travelling abroad to acquire or receive such organs; andWhereas there is currently a bill before Parliament proposing to impede the trafficking of human organs obtained without consent or as a result of a financial transaction: Bill S-204 passed in the Senate;Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Parliament of Canada to move quickly on the proposed legislation so as to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prohibit Canadians from travelling abroad to acquire human organs removed without consent or as a result of a financial transaction and to render inadmissible to Canada any and all permanent residents or foreign nationals who have participated in this abhorrent trade in human organs.Human organs and other body parts traffickingMedical tourismMedical transplantationOrgans43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01138432-01138 (Business and trade)BlaineCalkinsRed Deer—LacombeConservativeABJune 17, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors.
  • 100% of Travel Advisors' income comes from commissions earned from their Travel Suppliers, and because of their delayed revenue stream, it takes between 5 and 11 months for Travel Advisors to be paid for work done on the booking of clients' trips.
  • The CRB has been the sole source of assistance for most Independent Travel Advisors, who are still actively working in their businesses, but unable to earn revenue.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Extend the CRB for 6 months past the lifting of all Travel Advisories, for Travel Advisors
  • Maintain the CRB at the current amount ($2,000/ month) for sectors hardest hit by COVID, including Travel Advisors
Canada Recovery BenefitCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01139432-01139 (Business and trade)BlaineCalkinsRed Deer—LacombeConservativeABJune 17, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of Commons WHEREAS
  • More than 12,000 Independent Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions, and these Small Business owners are Sole Proprietors;
  • Federal Assistance Programs like CEBA, CERS, CEWS & RRRF exclude the majority of these Small Business Owners, leaving them to slip through the cracks and forcing them into bankruptcy.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Provide Sector specific funding for Independent Travel Advisors;
  • Extend the qualifications of the RRRF in Urban areas to include Sole Proprietors.
Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response PlanCOVID-19PandemicTravel agencies
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01140432-01140 (Business and trade)BlaineCalkinsRed Deer—LacombeConservativeABJune 17, 2021June 6, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS
  • More than 24,000 Travel Advisors in Canada have been without income for one year due to Government imposed COVID Travel restrictions;
  • These Travel Advisors are being asked by Canadian Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies to repay commissions earned at the end of 2019 & beginning of 2020 on their clients' trips that were cancelled due to said Travel Restrictions, known as "commission recalls" or "Commission claw-backs".
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
  • Ensure that any financial assistance to Airlines and their subsidiary Travel Companies, will be conditional on the protection of Travel Advisor commissions;
  • Ensure that commissions already clawed back by the Airlines & their subsidiary Travel Companies will be repaid to Travel Advisors in a timely manner.
AirlinesCOVID-19PandemicReimbursementTravel agencies
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021432-00557432-00557 (Economy and finance)BlaineCalkinsRed Deer—LacombeConservativeABFebruary 25, 2021April 12, 2021February 15, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, Alberta has historically been the economic driver of Canada, contributing over $200 billion in the last ten years despite unprecedented economic issues;Whereas, anti-energy and resource development policy by the current Liberal government has significantly contributed to these unprecedented economic issues that continue to impact Alberta;Whereas, in 2019 the Liberal government locked in the unfair equalization formula until 2024 without consultation or negotiations;Whereas, the changes made to the Government of Canada's Fiscal Stabilization Program did not properly account for the hundreds of billions of dollars Alberta has contributed to Federal Revenues, amounting to a slap in the face of Albertans;Whereas, the unemployment rate in Alberta continues to be amongst the highest in Canada;Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the Government of Canada to immediately take action by:1. Acknowledging the oversized economic contribution Alberta has made to Canada and the significant economic hardship the province is currently facing. 2. Immediately re-opening the negotiations for the equalization formula with the provinces.
Response by the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Kevin LamoureuxThe Government recognizes that Alberta is indispensable to the social and economic fabric of Canada and it is committed to supporting Alberta families, workers and businesses. The Government provides significant financial support to all provinces and territories to support social programs. In 2021-22, Alberta will receive $6.8 billion through major transfers to help pay for health care, education and other social services.  The Government of Canada is committed to fostering productive relationships with all provinces and territories, including Alberta.The Government recognizes that Albertans have faced economic challenges in recent years due to declines in commodity prices and limited capacity to export products, including oil.Equalization is the Government of Canada’s transfer program used to reduce fiscal disparities among provinces. The principle of Equalization is set out in the Constitution, namely “to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.” Equalization is funded entirely by the federal government from general revenues; provincial governments make no contributions to the Equalization program. Alberta does not receive Equalization because it has a higher-than-average ability to raise revenues, despite its recent economic challenges. Equalization reduces, but does not eliminate fiscal disparities; the fiscal capacities of non-receiving provinces remain above the national average. The current Equalization formula was introduced in 2007 by the previous Conservative government. In 2018, the federal government renewed the equalization program without changes. The Government of Canada will continue to work collaboratively with all provinces on Equalization in the  lead-up to the next renewal of the program, which must take place before March 31, 2024.  
AlbertaEconomic slowdownEqualization formula
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3388e-3388 (Justice)RobAlexanderBlaineCalkinsRed Deer—LacombeConservativeABMay 7, 2021, at 3:05 p.m. (EDT)August 5, 2021, at 3:05 p.m. (EDT)August 9, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Ending the Long-gun Registry Act received royal assent on April 5, 2012, ordering the deletion of the wasteful and ineffective Long-gun Registry;The Long-gun registry did nothing to enhance public safety in Canada; andIt has come to light that the RCMP have unlawfully retained a copy of the personal data that was ordered deleted by Parliament and continues to use said data.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Ensure that the Ending the Long-gun Registry Act is fully upheld and that all personal data associated with the Long-gun Registry, including copies retained by the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies, is fully and permanently deleted;2. Ensure the deletion is independently verified;3. Launch an arm’s length public commission under the Inquiries Act to investigate the disregard for the rule of law exhibited by the parties that retained the Long-gun Registry data, that commissioners be appointed, that the commission be authorized to engage the services of the necessary experts, including legal counsel, to assist them in the inquiry, and that the results of the commission be made public.Document shredding and destructionFirearms registryRoyal Canadian Mounted Police43rd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 25, 2021e-3277e-3277 (Health)StewartStaudingerBlaineCalkinsRed Deer—LacombeConservativeABMarch 23, 2021, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)May 22, 2021, at 11:34 a.m. (EDT)May 25, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The COVID-19 response recommended by the federal government has resulted in economic devastation across the country;Public health measures have contributed to increased levels of depression, anxiety, abuse and suicide;The negative effects of public health measures have disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable Canadians;Canada’s debt levels and fiscal situation makes further lockdowns economically unviable; andThe rollout of vaccines in Canada is unpredictable and far behind other countries.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Recognize that the COVID-19 response is not only a public health emergency, but a public emergency that affects every aspect of daily life;2. Ensure that the most vulnerable, particularly long-term care home residents, seniors, and people with underlying health issues, are the recipients of focused protection and support;3. Accelerate the approval of therapeutic drugs already been approved elsewhere in the world and proven to significantly lessen the impact of COVID-19;4. Launch a public health campaign highlighting the diet and lifestyle contributions to metabolic and autoimmune diseases, the leading co-morbidities causing negative COVID-19 outcomes;5. Give greater consideration to the public harms resulting from public health measures as a part of a holistic approach to infectious disease response; 6, Acknowledge that the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians have been infringed upon since the onset of the COVID-19, and release all documents used to determine the constitutionality of the public health restrictions employed across the country; and7. Reject the further restriction of fundamental rights and freedoms without explicit, publicly available, external peer reviewed scientific evidence justifying action under section 1 of the Canadian Charter.COVID-19PandemicPublic health43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01157432-01157 (Health)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCJune 18, 2021June 3, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas opioid crisis is one of the most deadly public health emergencies of our lifetime, with a death taking place on average about every two hours and a death toll of almost 15,400 in the past four years alone (January 2016 to December 2019);Whereas the overdose crisis rages;We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency and:
  • Take steps to end overdose deaths and overdose injuries
  • Immediately collaborate with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian overdose action plan
  • Ensure that any plan considers reforms that other countries have used, such as legal regulation of drugs to ensure safe, supply, decriminalization for personal use, and changes to flawed drug policy and policing.
  • Ensure this emergency is taken seriously with adequately funded programming and supports.
Drug use and abuseHealth emergenciesOpiates and opioidsPublic health
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00053431-00053 (Animals)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCFebruary 3, 2020April 11, 2020November 29, 2019PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONSWe, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:THAT animal testing is unnecessary to prove the safety of cosmetic products and alternative safety tests tend to be faster, more accurate and cheaper to perform than tests conducted using animals;WHEREAS a ban on cosmetic animal testing would not impact current cosmetic products for sale in Canada;WHEREAS the European Union (EU), one of the largest cosmetic markets in the world, banned cosmetic animal testing in 2013, and their cosmetic industry continues to grow;WHEREAS with the completion of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), it makes sense to harmonize cosmetic safety regulations with the EU to encourage trade;WHEREAS numerous countries have already successfully made the switch to using alternative safety tests, including: India, Turkey, Israel, Guatemala, Norway, Iceland, Serbia, New Zealand and Switzerland;WHEREAS Canadians overwhelmingly support a ban on cosmetic animal testing, with over half a million residents signing a petition calling for a global ban;THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the House of Commons to support Bill S-214 and ban the sale and/or manufacture of animal tested cosmetics and their ingredients in Canada moving forward.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Darren FisherWe recognize that Canadians are concerned about the well-being of animals and the potential harm caused by testing cosmetic products or their ingredients on animals.Health Canada supports the elimination of animal testing for cosmetics. We are committed to the responsible and ethical use of animals in research and support the development and use of alternatives to animal testing through its participation on national and international scientific committees. The Department works with its international counterparts from the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) to promote alternatives to animal testing, and to expedite their international acceptance through participation in the International Cooperation on Alternative Test Methods (ICATM) framework and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development‘s Test Guidelines Program. Departmental officials are also collaborating with the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM) at the University of Windsor.Fortunately, animal testing – for demonstrating cosmetic safety – has significantly declined worldwide as alternative test methods are developed and accepted. As of 2009, an estimated 99% of cosmetic safety assessments in the European Union and the United States did not involve animal testing.However, Health Canada continues to promote alternative test methods, domestically and globally, to reduce and ultimately eliminate animal testing for cosmetics. That’s why the Government was supportive of Bill S-214 and sought to align the legislation with the approach taken by the European Union. Unfortunately, with the dissolution of the 42nd Parliament, Bill S-214 died on the Order Paper in September 2019.As you indicated, the European Union currently bans testing on animals specifically for meeting the requirements of their Cosmetics Regulation. That being said, animal testing data can still be used to support the safety of a cosmetic sold in the EU if performed in order to meet the requirements of other non-cosmetic regulations.
Animal experimentationAnimal rights and welfareCosmetic products and toiletries
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00054431-00054 (Health)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCFebruary 3, 2020April 11, 2020February 3, 2020Petition to the Government of CanadaWe the undersigned residents of the province of British Columbia draw to the attention to the Government of Canada the following: Whereas: the cost of prescription medications and necessary medical supplies are excessive and vary greatly between provinces and territories; the cost of prescriptions and medical supplies continue to rise every year, and many Canadians cannot afford to buy their medications and/or medical supplies and also provide for their food and shelter. Therefore, your petitioners request the Government of Canada develop a comprehensive Pan-Canada single payer and Universal Program that ensures that all Canadians are able to access prescribed and necessary medications and medical supplies regardless of their ability to pay.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Darren FisherWe are committed to strengthening Canada’s health care system and to supporting the health of Canadians. No Canadian should have to choose between paying for prescription drugs and putting food on the table, yet many are still forced to make this impossible decision.That is why we are committed to working with provinces, territories and stakeholders to continue to implement national universal pharmacare so that Canadians have the drug coverage they need. As part of Budget 2019, the Government of Canada announced the next critical steps towards the implementation of national pharmacare. This includes the establishment of a Canada Drug Agency, a national formulary and a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases.Additionally, as a foundational step towards national pharmacare, the Government of Canada recently modernized the way patented drug prices are regulated in Canada by amending the Patented Medicines Regulations. Implementation of this modernized regulatory framework will enable the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board to better protect Canadian consumers from excessive prices of patented medicines. These amendments are expected to lower drug prices in Canada, which are approximately 25% higher than international peers, and save Canadians $13.2 billion over the next 10 years. The amendments were published in Canada Gazette, Part II on August 21, 2019 and are available at:  http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2019/2019-08-21/html/sor-dors298-eng.html         The federal government is also working with the provinces and territories as an active member of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA). The pCPA combines governments’ collective buying power to negotiate lower prices on brand name drugs for all public plans, and sets the price point for many generic drugs. As of December 31, 2019, the pCPA has completed more than 343 joint brand drug negotiations and achieved price reductions on nearly 70 of the most commonly prescribed generic drugs. As of April 1, 2019 the pCPA was estimated to have achieved approximately $2.26 billion in annual cost savings for public drug plans.Through these actions, we continue to work with provincial and territorial governments and other key partners to improve the affordability and accessibility of needed prescription drugs. 
Health care systemPharmacarePharmaceuticals
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00055431-00055 (Health)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCFebruary 3, 2020April 11, 2020February 3, 2020Petition to the Government of CanadaWe the undersigned residents of the province of British Columbia draw to the attention to the Government of Canada the following: Whereas: the cost of prescription medications and necessary medical supplies are excessive and vary greatly between provinces and territories; the cost of prescriptions and medical supplies continue to rise every year, and many Canadians cannot afford to buy their medications and/or medical supplies and also provide for their food and shelter. Therefore, your petitioners request the Government of Canada develop a comprehensive Pan-Canada single payer and Universal Program that ensures that all Canadians are able to access prescribed and necessary medications and medical supplies regardless of their ability to pay.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Darren FisherWe are committed to strengthening Canada’s health care system and to supporting the health of Canadians. No Canadian should have to choose between paying for prescription drugs and putting food on the table, yet many are still forced to make this impossible decision.That is why we are committed to working with provinces, territories and stakeholders to continue to implement national universal pharmacare so that Canadians have the drug coverage they need. As part of Budget 2019, the Government of Canada announced the next critical steps towards the implementation of national pharmacare. This includes the establishment of a Canada Drug Agency, a national formulary and a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases.Additionally, as a foundational step towards national pharmacare, the Government of Canada recently modernized the way patented drug prices are regulated in Canada by amending the Patented Medicines Regulations. Implementation of this modernized regulatory framework will enable the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board to better protect Canadian consumers from excessive prices of patented medicines. These amendments are expected to lower drug prices in Canada, which are approximately 25% higher than international peers, and save Canadians $13.2 billion over the next 10 years. The amendments were published in Canada Gazette, Part II on August 21, 2019 and are available at:  http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2019/2019-08-21/html/sor-dors298-eng.html         The federal government is also working with the provinces and territories as an active member of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA). The pCPA combines governments’ collective buying power to negotiate lower prices on brand name drugs for all public plans, and sets the price point for many generic drugs. As of December 31, 2019, the pCPA has completed more than 343 joint brand drug negotiations and achieved price reductions on nearly 70 of the most commonly prescribed generic drugs. As of April 1, 2019 the pCPA was estimated to have achieved approximately $2.26 billion in annual cost savings for public drug plans.Through these actions, we continue to work with provincial and territorial governments and other key partners to improve the affordability and accessibility of needed prescription drugs. 
Health care systemPharmacarePharmaceuticals
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00073431-00073 (Indigenous affairs)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCFebruary 6, 2020April 11, 2020February 4, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada who support the Truth and Reconciliation of Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, draw the attention of the House to the following: THAT, the Canadian government declared the Sinixt Tribal group extinct in 1956; THAT, prior to this declaration the Sinixt had existed and were long recognized as an autonomous tribal group; THAT, the Sinixt Peoples (also known as the Lakes Tribe, Lakes Salish, Arrow Lakes Indians and/or Arrow Lakes(s) Band in Canada and the United States of America) have never in fact ceased to exist as a tribal group; THAT, the traditional/ancestral territory of the Sinixt in the Columbia Mountains, as surveyed and mapped repeatedly, lies from the peak of the Monashee Range in the west to the peak of the Purcell Range in the east, including the entire Selkirk Range; and from north of Revelstoke, BC., south to Kettle Falls, Washington, USA; THAT, the Sinixt Territory remains unceded; THAT, the Sinixt continue to uphold their cultural laws and protect the spiritual integrity of the land, the water and the environment for continued renewal of all life throughout the ancestral territory they have never abandoned; THAT, the Sinixt Peoples assert that they are an aboriginal people of Canada within the meaning of Section 35 of the Constitutional Act, 1982; THAT, the Truth and Reconciliation Report acknowledges that the aim of Canadian government policy was to "cause Aboriginal peoples to cease to exist as distinct legal, social, cultural, religious, and racial entities in Canada"; THAT, past wrongs conducted against aboriginal people of Canada, which includes the Sinixt, must be reconciled; THAT, the government is engaged in a treaty process that recognizes other tribal groups which are claiming Sinixt territory but excludes all the Sinixt Peoples. THEREFORE, your Petitioners call upon Parliament to reverse the wrongful Declaration of Extinction of Sinixt (Sngaytskstx) Tribal Group and take immediate steps to recognize the Sinixt as an autonomous tribal group within their traditional/ancestral Canadian Territory.
Response by the Minister of Indigenous ServicesSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): PAM DAMOFFThe Minister of Indigenous Services would like to thank the petitioners for their petition regarding the Sinixt Peoples.The Government of Canada is committed to a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, based on the recognition and implementation of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.The Arrow Lakes Indian Band was a recognized Indian Band in Canada until 1953, when the last registered member passed away. Although research was undertaken by the Department at the time, no remaining registered members were found. Given the result of the search, the Band essentially ceased to exist.In order to be recognized as a band under the Indian Act,  the Group must submit an application that meets the requirements of the Department’s New Band/Band Amalgamation Policy. At this time, there is no application with the Department for the recognition of the Sinixt Peoples.A copy of the Department’s New Band/Band Amalgamation Policy and further information are available by contacting the Department’s Regional Office in British Columbia by telephone at 604-775-5100 (local) or 1-800-567-9604 (toll-free), by e-mail: aadnc.infopubs.aandc@canada.ca or by postal mail:Indigenous Services CanadaBritish Columbia Region1138 Melville Street, Suite 600Vancouver, BC  V6E 4S3
Indigenous peoplesSinixt
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 11, 2020431-00098431-00098 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCFebruary 21, 2020April 11, 2020February 11, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms and wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health and well-being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy and the natural environment. Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions need to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 to meet this goal.  To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC’s latest scientific assessment.Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • Regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • Accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • Developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • Establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • Encreasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • Adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • Establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation – to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have
  1. a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada’s 30 percent reduction target; and
  2. a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada’s GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada’s emissions in 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. However, the Government of Canada recognize that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Developing a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • A continued commitment to ensuring a price on carbon pollution is in place everywhere in Canada, as well as prioritization of measures including green buildings and communities, support for zero-emission vehicles, and clean electricity.
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow a clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years, as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada’s oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project’s potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to your concern on subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. We have already made significant progress in the last couple of years, including:
  • Modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • Removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.
The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why the Minister supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Government of Canada is committed to support global efforts and continue implementing the Pan-Canadian Framework while strengthening existing and introducing new GHG reducing measures to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal, and beginning work so that Canada can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.   
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 24, 2020431-00247431-00247 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCJune 10, 2020September 24, 2020January 22, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONSWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:WHEREAS, Climate change has escalated into a global climate emergency; the world is on pace to warm nearly 4 degrees Celsius by 2100 and extreme weather events are growing with increasingly severe impacts, including floods, forest fires, rising temperatures, killer heat-waves, massive storms, sea level rise and disruption to marine and land ecosystems;WHEREAS, in order to act to avert further catastrophic climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) states that the scientific consensus is that we need to immediately move to reduce net human-caused greenhouse gas emissions to 45 per cent below 2010 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2050;WHEREAS, Canada must address this climatic emergency with the ambition and urgency required, on behalf of present and future generations;WHEREAS, Canadians are living through unprecedented, catastrophic climate events and at the same time, our society is suffering from worsening socio-economic inequalities, with almost half of Canada's population reporting they are $200 away from insolvency at the end of each month;WHEREAS, climate change impacts threaten physical & mental health (particularly young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities), surrounding environments by affecting the food we eat, the world's water supply, the air we breathe, the weather we experience, and how well local communities can adapt to climate change;WHEREAS, the impacts of climate emergency are far more severe for those living through the immediate consequences of climate change; Indigenous Peoples, frontline and vulnerable communities, like people seeking refugee status or asylum and those displaced by climate change, are disproportionality affected, resulting in the increased risks to their health;WHEREAS, it has never been more urgent that Canada reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy to meet the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, while ensuring that all Indigenous Peoples and Canadians benefit from the substantial public investments a low-carbon economy requires, like energy efficiency retrofits, affordable housing, renewable energy, infrastructure, public transit, pharmacare, dental care, childcare and eliminating student debt and tuition fees;WHEREAS, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the recognition of inherent rights, title and treaty rights, while fully implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), must be at the heart of Canada's approach to addressing the climate emergency;THEREFORE, your petitioners call on the Government of Canada to support Motion M-1, a made-in-Canada Green New Deal, the first initiative before the House of Commons, which calls on Canada to take bold & rapid action to adopt socially equitable climate action to tackle the climate emergency and address worsening socio-economic & racial inequalities at the same time; while ending fossil fuel subsidies, closing offshore tax havens, and supporting workers impacted by the transition and creating well-paying, unionized jobs in the shift to a clean and renewable energy economy.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Jonathan WilkinsonTo contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • Regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • Accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • Developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • Establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • Increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • Adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • Establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
To support the participation of youth in the clean growth economy, in August 2017, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced that it would invest more than $14 million to support almost 1,000 green jobs for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates across the country through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Similarly, Natural Resources Canada announced that it is investing more than $16 million to create 1,200 green STEM jobs for Canadian youth in the natural resources sector, via the Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program. The abovementioned funding is part of Budget 2017’s additional $395.5 million investment over three years, starting in 2017-2018, for the Youth Employment Strategy, in which 11 federal departments committed to providing opportunities for Canada’s youth.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s 2019 GHG emissions projections show a widespread decline in projected emissions across the economy, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. In fact, the policies and measures now in place, including those introduced in 2019, are projected to reduce emissions by 227 million tonnes in 2030, the greatest drop in Canadian history. However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
The Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable populations to a rapidly changing environment and is committed to renewing the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation on a nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government basis. This includes collaborating with Indigenous partners on climate change action through structured, collaborative approaches, based on robust, ongoing and meaningful engagement based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including free, prior and informed consent.In taking action on climate change and in moving forward on the implementation of Canada’s climate plan, the Prime Minister issued joint statements with each of the National Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations, the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the President of the Métis National Council. These joint statements committed to establishing three senior bilateral distinctions-based tables between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation. These partnerships seek to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are full and effective partners in advancing clean growth and achieving climate change goals to mitigate and reduce emissions as a necessary precursor to the mitigation of climate impacts.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why Minister Wilkinson supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Pan-Canadian Framework was established to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions in line with these goals and our commitments under the Paris Agreement. The Government of Canada is committed to implementing all of the measures in our climate action plan and we’re making good progress in doing so, as described in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change annual report (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/pan-canadian-framework.html)
Climate change and global warmingGreen economy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021e-2890e-2890 (Justice)TeriMcGrathRichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCOctober 8, 2020, at 11:23 a.m. (EDT)February 5, 2021, at 11:23 a.m. (EDT)February 17, 2021April 12, 2021February 5, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Medical Protective Association, founded in 1901, was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1913, and Canada remains after 120 years, worldwide, the only country with a medical protective association;The Canadian Medical Protective Association states it is a not-for-profit association and yet has $5,400,000,000 in assets that increase annually;The Canadian Medical Protective Association uses taxpayer dollars ($520,000,000+) that is transferred and increases annually in a rebate program to subsidize the association;The Canadian Medical Protective Association does not have public oversight, instead is governed by by-laws developed by membership and is therefore self-regulated/self-policed; andThe Canadian Medical Protective Association hires top tier lawyers who use scorched earth tactics to defend doctors accused of medical errors and these court cases can last from five to eight years, with only two percent of cases settled in favour of the patient/family.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to:1. Require the Attorney General of Canada to conduct a forensic examination of the Canadian Medical Protective Association program for improprieties, including misappropriation of taxpayer dollars that are being used for actions outside the realm of reasonable behaviors, ethics and conflicts of interest enabling negligence in patient care, profiteering as evident in their lavish work environment and breach of trust when denying culpability in patient related harm;2. Defund the Canadian Medical Protective Association by eliminating the rebate program and return taxpayer dollars to taxpayer patients who experience medical errors; and3. Repeal the Act of Parliament that incorporated the Canadian Medical Protective Association diminishing the hierarchical culture and restoring public trust.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Jennifer O'ConnellThe quality and safety of health service delivery is the responsibility of provinces and territories. However, the Government of Canada recognizes the need to improve patient safety within our healthcare system in collaboration with provinces, territories and other key partners. As a result, the federal government focuses its efforts, through its funding for Healthcare Excellence Canada (formerly the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement), on collaborative work with all jurisdictions and system stakeholders to support the different legal, regulatory, and care delivery processes that can be used to reduce the occurrence of unintentional harm.  Healthcare Excellence Canada has developed world-class programs to help individuals and organizations ensure that patients are not harmed by the health care system, and makes those programs and related tools and resources widely available. The organization also seeks out innovative solutions for improving health care, and supports them so that they can spread and scale.In addition, Health Canada plays a role in regulating the quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals and as such plays a role in ensuring their safe use. Health Canada funds the Canadian Medication Incident Reporting and Prevention System (CMIRPS). Under CMIRPS, hospitals report medication errors to the National System for Incident Reporting (NSIR); community pharmacies report medication errors to the National Incident Data Repository for Community Pharmacies; and individual practitioners and consumers can report medication errors to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada (ISMP Canada). Reports of medication errors, as well as near misses and other reports of concern, are collected and analyzed for shared learning in an effort to prevent medication errors. Further, recent amendments to the Food and Drug Act through the Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act (also known as Vanessa’s Law) will strengthen the regulation of therapeutic products and improve the reporting of adverse reactions by healthcare institutions. New regulations also came into force in December 2019 to mandate reporting on adverse drug reactions and medical device incidents at hospitals within 30 days of the event.Although created by a Special Act of Parliament, the Government of Canada does not enjoy any special status or obligations with respect to the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). As a special act corporation, the CMPA is subject to Part 19 of the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, which requires the corporation to hold annual meetings and to file annual returns with Corporations Canada. The Act does not provide the federal government with authority to conduct a forensic examination of the CMPA program of the sort requested in this petition, in the absence of actions suspected to be criminal in nature. Petitioners are consequently encouraged to raise any concerns with respect to the CPMA with the voting members of the corporation and/or to its Council.Provincial/territorial governments provide funding to offset CMPA membership fees for physicians practicing in that province or territory as part of the compensation packages negotiated with physicians. As the delivery of health care services are a provincial/territorial responsibility in Canada, including management of the oversight and regulation of health care delivery, provinces and territories have the jurisdiction to decide how and how much they will fund insurance and medical liability coverage as part of the bargaining process with their physicians. Consequently, any changes to funding proposed by the petitioners should be directed to provincial/territorial governments.
Canadian Medical Protective AssociationDoctorsForensic auditsHealth care funding
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 20, 2020432-00084432-00084 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCOctober 7, 2020November 20, 2020July 22, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms and wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health and well-being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions need to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 to meet this goal.  To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC’s latest scientific assessment.Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation – to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada’s 30 percent reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada’s GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada’s emissions in 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. However, the Government of Canada recognize that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Developing a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • A continued commitment to ensuring a price on carbon pollution is in place everywhere in Canada, as well as prioritization of measures including green buildings and communities, support for zero-emission vehicles, and clean electricity.
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow a clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years, as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada’s oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project’s potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to your concern on subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. We have already made significant progress in the last couple of years, including:
  • Modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • Removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why the government supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Government of Canada is committed to support global efforts and continue implementing the Pan-Canadian Framework while strengthening existing and introducing new GHG reducing measures to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal, and beginning work so that Canada can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.     
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledDecember 11, 2020432-00175432-00175 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCOctober 28, 2020December 11, 2020July 22, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms, wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health and well­being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic carbon dioxide  emissions need to reach 'net zero' by around 2050 to meet this goal.To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC's latest scientific assessment.Canada's climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing "net-zero energy ready" building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • more than $28 billion to support public transit including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and health and communities including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation — to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20 per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada's 30 percent reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada's climate plan is working. Canada's most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada's GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada's emissions in 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework.However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government committed in the 2020 Speech From The Throne to immediately bring forward a plan to exceed Canada’s 2030 climate goal.As a down payment on this plan, the Government of Canada announced key climate action measures in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020) including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties.In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act that delivers on the government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050.At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from Environment and Climate Change Canada participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to your concern on subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years, including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead.
   
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020432-00039432-00039 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCSeptember 30, 2020November 16, 2020July 22, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms and wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health and well-being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions need to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 to meet this goal.  To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC’s latest scientific assessment.Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation – to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada’s 30 percent reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada’s GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada’s emissions in 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. However, the Government of Canada recognize that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Developing a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • A continued commitment to ensuring a price on carbon pollution is in place everywhere in Canada, as well as prioritization of measures including green buildings and communities, support for zero-emission vehicles, and clean electricity.
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow a clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years, as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada’s oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project’s potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to your concern on subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. We have already made significant progress in the last couple of years, including:
  • Modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • Removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why the government supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Government of Canada is committed to support global efforts and continue implementing the Pan-Canadian Framework while strengthening existing and introducing new GHG reducing measures to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal, and beginning work so that Canada can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.     
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020432-00019432-00019 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCSeptember 28, 2020November 16, 2020July 22, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms and wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health and well-being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions need to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 to meet this goal.  To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC’s latest scientific assessment.Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation – to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada’s 30 percent reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada’s GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada’s emissions in 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. However, the Government of Canada recognize that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Developing a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • A continued commitment to ensuring a price on carbon pollution is in place everywhere in Canada, as well as prioritization of measures including green buildings and communities, support for zero-emission vehicles, and clean electricity.
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow a clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years, as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada’s oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project’s potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to your concern on subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. We have already made significant progress in the last couple of years, including:
  • Modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • Removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why the government supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Government of Canada is committed to support global efforts and continue implementing the Pan-Canadian Framework while strengthening existing and introducing new GHG reducing measures to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal, and beginning work so that Canada can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.   
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00239432-00239 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCNovember 18, 2020January 25, 2021July 9, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms and wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health and well-being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions need to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 to meet this goal.  To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC’s latest scientific assessment.Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation – to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada’s 30 percent reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada’s GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada’s emissions in 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework.However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government continues to work with partners and stakeholders in continuing to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and has also introduced new federal climate measures including:
  • A strengthened climate plan, launched on December 11, 2020. This plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, outlines federal policies, programs, and billions in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. It is based on five strategic priorities:o   making the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste;o   making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community;o   continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households can get more money back;o   building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; ando   embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities. 
  • Once fully implemented, this plan would enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
  • This plan builds on key climate action measures announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020), including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties.
In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which delivers on the Government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government of Canada to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government of Canada on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050.At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to concerns about subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.
The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth, and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead.
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 23, 2021432-00637432-00637 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCMarch 10, 2021April 23, 2021July 9, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms, wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost, and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health, and well­being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy, and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions need to reach 'net zero' by around 2050 to meet this goal.To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC's latest scientific assessment.Canada's climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial, and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society, and Canadians across the country.The PCF outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing "net-zero energy ready" building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine, and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services giving Canadians better access to climate science and information. 
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • more than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption, and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • over $64 million to help rural, remote, and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful, and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and health and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North). 
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements). This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth, and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation — to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target. 
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20 per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada's 30% reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year. 
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022. Canada's climate plan is working. Canada's most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada's GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada's emissionsin 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government continues to work with partners and stakeholders in continuing to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and has also introduced new federal climate measures including:
  • A strengthened climate plan, launched on December 11, 2020. This plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, outlines federal policies, programs, and billions in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. It is based on five strategic priorities:
    • making the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste; 
    • making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community;
    • continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households can get more money back;
    • building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; ando  
    • embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities.
  • Once fully implemented, this plan would enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
  • This plan builds on key climate action measures announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020), including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties. 
In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which delivers on the Government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government of Canada to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government of Canada on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050. On February 25, 2021, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced the launch of the Net-Zero Advisory Body. This independent group of experts will provide advice on how Canada can reach its target of net-zero emissions by 2050. Reaching net-zero emissions will require support from all parts of society and there is no one way to achieve this goal. That is why the Advisory Body will follow a transparent and inclusive process to engage with and hear from provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous Peoples, youth, businesses, environmental groups, and interested Canadians. Its ongoing role will be to ensure its advice remains aligned with and adapts to the best available analysis, research, technological changes, scientific developments, and public perspectives. The Advisory Body’s independent public reports and recommendations will inform the development of the emission-reduction milestone plans required by the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples. With respect to concerns about subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time. 
The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth, and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead.
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00376432-00376 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCDecember 8, 2020January 25, 2021July 9, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms, wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost, and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health, and well­being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy, and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions need to reach 'net zero' by around 2050 to meet this goal.To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC's latest scientific assessment.Canada's climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial, and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society, and Canadians across the country.The PCF outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing "net-zero energy ready" building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine, and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • more than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption, and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • over $64 million to help rural, remote, and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful, and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and health and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth, and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation — to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20 per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada's 30% reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada's climate plan is working. Canada's most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada's GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada's emissionsin 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework.However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government continues to work with partners and stakeholders in continuing to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and has also introduced new federal climate measures including:
  • A strengthened climate plan, launched on December 11, 2020. This plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, outlines federal policies, programs, and billions in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. It is based on five strategic priorities:o   making the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste;o   making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community;o   continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households can get more money back;o   building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; ando   embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities. 
  • Once fully implemented, this plan would enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
  • This plan builds on key climate action measures announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020), including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties.
In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which delivers on the Government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government of Canada to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government of Canada on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050. At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to concerns about subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.
The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth, and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead. 
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00370432-00370 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCDecember 7, 2020January 25, 2021July 9, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms, wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost, and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health, and well­being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy, and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions need to reach 'net zero' by around 2050 to meet this goal.To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC's latest scientific assessment.Canada's climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial, and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society, and Canadians across the country.The PCF outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing "net-zero energy ready" building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine, and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • more than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption, and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • over $64 million to help rural, remote, and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful, and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and health and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth, and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation — to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20 per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada's 30% reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada's climate plan is working. Canada's most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada's GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada's emissionsin 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework.However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government continues to work with partners and stakeholders in continuing to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and has also introduced new federal climate measures including:
  • A strengthened climate plan, launched on December 11, 2020. This plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, outlines federal policies, programs, and billions in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. It is based on five strategic priorities:o   making the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste;o   making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community;o   continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households can get more money back;o   building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; ando   embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities. 
  • Once fully implemented, this plan would enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
  • This plan builds on key climate action measures announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020), including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties.
In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which delivers on the Government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government of Canada to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government of Canada on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050.At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to concerns about subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.
The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth, and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead. 
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00336432-00336 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCDecember 4, 2020January 25, 2021July 9, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms, wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost, and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health, and well­being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy, and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions need to reach 'net zero' by around 2050 to meet this goal.To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC's latest scientific assessment.Canada's climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial, and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society, and Canadians across the country.The PCF outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing "net-zero energy ready" building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine, and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • more than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption, and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • over $64 million to help rural, remote, and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful, and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and health and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth, and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation — to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20 per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada's 30% reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada's climate plan is working. Canada's most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada's GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada's emissionsin 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework.However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government continues to work with partners and stakeholders in continuing to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and has also introduced new federal climate measures including:
  • A strengthened climate plan, launched on December 11, 2020. This plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, outlines federal policies, programs, and billions in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. It is based on five strategic priorities:o   making the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste;o   making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community;o   continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households can get more money back;o   building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; ando   embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities. 
  • Once fully implemented, this plan would enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
  • This plan builds on key climate action measures announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020), including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties.
In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which delivers on the Government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government of Canada to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government of Canada on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050.At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to concerns about subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.
The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth, and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead.     
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00324432-00324 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCDecember 2, 2020January 25, 2021July 9, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms, wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost, and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health, and well­being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy, and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions need to reach 'net zero' by around 2050 to meet this goal.To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC's latest scientific assessment.Canada's climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial, and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society, and Canadians across the country.The PCF outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing "net-zero energy ready" building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine, and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • more than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption, and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • over $64 million to help rural, remote, and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful, and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and health and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth, and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation — to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20 per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada's 30% reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada's climate plan is working. Canada's most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada's GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada's emissionsin 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework.However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government continues to work with partners and stakeholders in continuing to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and has also introduced new federal climate measures including:
  • A strengthened climate plan, launched on December 11, 2020. This plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, outlines federal policies, programs, and billions in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. It is based on five strategic priorities:o   making the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste;o   making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community;o   continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households can get more money back;o   building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; ando   embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities. 
  • Once fully implemented, this plan would enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
  • This plan builds on key climate action measures announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020), including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties.
In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which delivers on the Government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government of Canada to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government of Canada on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050.At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to concerns about subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.
The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth, and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead. 
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00322432-00322 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCDecember 1, 2020January 25, 2021July 9, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms, wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost, and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health, and well­being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy, and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions need to reach 'net zero' by around 2050 to meet this goal.To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC's latest scientific assessment.Canada's climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial, and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society, and Canadians across the country.The PCF outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing "net-zero energy ready" building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine, and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • more than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption, and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • over $64 million to help rural, remote, and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful, and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and health and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth, and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation — to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20 per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada's 30% reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada's climate plan is working. Canada's most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada's GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada's emissionsin 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework.However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government continues to work with partners and stakeholders in continuing to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and has also introduced new federal climate measures including:
  • A strengthened climate plan, launched on December 11, 2020. This plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, outlines federal policies, programs, and billions in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. It is based on five strategic priorities:o   making the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste;o   making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community;o   continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households can get more money back;o   building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; ando   embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities. 
  • Once fully implemented, this plan would enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
  • This plan builds on key climate action measures announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020), including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties.
In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which delivers on the Government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government of Canada to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government of Canada on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050.At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to concerns about subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.
The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth, and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead.  
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00291432-00291 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCNovember 25, 2020January 25, 2021July 9, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms, wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost, and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health, and well­being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy, and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions need to reach 'net zero' by around 2050 to meet this goal.To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada's 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC's latest scientific assessment.Canada's climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial, and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society, and Canadians across the country.The PCF outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030 as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing "net-zero energy ready" building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine, and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • more than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption, and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • over $64 million to help rural, remote, and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful, and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and health and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth, and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation — to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20 per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada's 30% reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada's climate plan is working. Canada's most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada's GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada's emissionsin 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework.However, the Government of Canada recognizes that more action is needed. This is why the Government continues to work with partners and stakeholders in continuing to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and has also introduced new federal climate measures including:
  • A strengthened climate plan, launched on December 11, 2020. This plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, outlines federal policies, programs, and billions in investments to build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient, and inclusive economy. It is based on five strategic priorities:o   making the places we live and gather more affordable by cutting energy waste;o   making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community;o   continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households can get more money back;o   building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; ando   embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities. 
  • Once fully implemented, this plan would enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target under the Paris Agreement.
  • This plan builds on key climate action measures announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement (November 30, 2020), including investments in home energy retrofits, zero emission vehicle infrastructure, nature-based climate solutions (e.g. planting 2 billion trees, climate smart ecosystems, support for commercial tree planting), and strategic interties.
In addition, the Government of Canada also recently tabled the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which delivers on the Government’s commitment to legislate Canada’s target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once the bill becomes law, it will establish a legally binding process for the Government of Canada to set five-year emissions reduction targets based on the advice of experts and Canadians to ensure transparency and accountability as Canada charts a path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The Act also requires emissions reduction plans for each target and the publication of interim and final reports on implementation of the plans and the emissions reductions they achieve, as well as periodic examination and reporting by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on the implementation of these mitigation measures. The Act will also establish a Net-Zero Advisory Body to provide independent advice to the Government of Canada on the best pathways to reach its targets, and also enshrine greater accountability and public transparency into Canada’s plan for meeting net-zero emissions by 2050. At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada's oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project's potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to concerns about subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. The Government of Canada has already made significant progress in the last couple of years including:
  • modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.
The Government of Canada understands that in these extraordinary times it must take the lessons learned from 2020 and invest in efforts that will address the country’s immediate challenges of jobs, economic growth, and inequality. These actions will help set the foundation for longer-term economic and environmental sustainability. Taking climate action now means seizing an opportunity that will help create new jobs in Canada, make the economy stronger and more competitive in the emerging clean global marketplace, and prepare Canada for the climate change risks ahead. 
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 15, 2020431-00126431-00126 (Environment)RichardCanningsSouth Okanagan—West KootenayNDPBCMarch 9, 2020April 15, 2020February 28, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe the undersigned Canadian youth respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change are accelerating in Canada and around the world, leading to Canada declaring a Climate Emergency, Canadian youth are anxious that they are being left with an uncertain future in which we can grow, survive, and thrive. THAT, Canada has endorsed the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 °C in order to avoid the most disastrous effects of climate change, yet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have failed to decline in Canada; THAT, Canada's current GHG reduction targets are not consistent with doing our fair share to meet the global goals agreed upon in Paris to mitigate climate change; THAT, subsidizing fossil fuel production, export and expansion, including new pipelines, are NOT compatible with the stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; THAT, the government's continued support of the fossil fuel industry, in spite of scientific evidence of the cumulative damage of emissions, puts our future in danger; THAT, youth want jobs that are sustainable and not for short-term gain at the expense of future generations. THEREFORE, your youth petitioners, and those who care deeply about youth, call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps to support the future of young Canadians and fulfill Canada's obligations under the Paris Agreement by adopting a detailed climate action strategy that includes legislated science-based targets for greenhouse gas reduction with a plan to meet them, including but not limited to: implementing a comprehensive and steadily rising national carbon price beyond 2022 that rises to at least $150/t by 2030; eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those investments into renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, low-carbon transportation, and job training.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONCanadians are already feeling the impacts of climate change and extreme weather, such as the changing intensity and frequency of flooding, storms and wildfires, coastal erosion, extreme heat events, thawing permafrost and sea level rise. These impacts pose significant risks to the safety, security, health and well-being of all Canadians, our communities, the economy and the natural environment.Following adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to prepare a Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 degrees and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways. Released in October 2018, the report found that globally, net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions need to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 to meet this goal.  To contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, and in pursuit of efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the Government of Canada is committed to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and working to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 also responds to the IPCC’s latest scientific assessment.Canada’s climate plan, the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, adopted on December 9, 2016, is a comprehensive plan which includes both individual and joint federal, provincial and territorial climate actions to reduce emissions, accelerate clean economic growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. This plan was developed in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous Peoples, businesses, civil society and Canadians across the country.The Pan-Canadian Framework outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, foster clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. Key measures include:
  • regulating methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, which will reduce carbon pollution by about 16.5 million tonnes in 2030;
  • accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation by 2030, as part of our efforts to have 90% of electricity from non-emitting sources, and supporting workers and communities transition to a low-carbon economy;
  • developing “net-zero energy ready” building codes to be adopted by 2030 for new buildings;
  • establishing mandatory labeling of building energy use to provide businesses and consumers with information on energy performance, and setting new standards to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment;
  • increasing the stringency of emissions standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and taking steps to improve efficiency and support fuel switching in the rail, aviation, marine and off-road sectors;
  • adopting a Climate Lens to ensure that future climate impacts are considered and addressed in all federally funded infrastructure projects; and,
  • establishing a new Canadian Centre for Climate Services, giving Canadians better access to climate science and information.
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of tackling climate change while growing the economy as a means of creating jobs and ensuring competitiveness. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed about $60 billion to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and support clean technology innovation and the transition to a clean growth economy. Commitments include:
  • More than $28 billion to support public transit, including over 1,211 transit projects approved;
  • $26.9 billion to support green infrastructure, including support for renewable energy, electric vehicle charging, natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations, clean energy in rural and remote communities, and climate adaptation and resiliency initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation under the $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund);
  • $3 billion to support the development, adoption and scale-up of clean technologies;
  • Over $2 billion to help cities and towns adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (e.g., $75 million for the Municipal Climate Innovation Program, $50 million for the Municipal Asset Management Program, and over $1 billion in support for building energy efficiency investments);
  • $2 billion to generate clean growth and reduce carbon pollution from buildings, industries, forestry, and agriculture, by leveraging investment in projects through the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
  • The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, to improve marine safety and responsible shipping;
  • $1.3 billion for nature conservation;
  • $300 million to provide Canadian drivers and businesses with purchase incentives for zero-emission vehicles;
  • Over $64 million to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities transition off diesel fuel;
  • $108 million to establish the Canadian Centre for Climate Services, which is improving access to trusted, useful and timely climate information and data to support adaptation decision-making; and
  • Over $100 million in targeted federal funding to support specific economic sectors (such as transportation, agriculture, and health) and communities, including Indigenous and Northern communities (e.g., $52 million for the First Nations Adapt Program and $47 million for Climate Change Preparedness in the North).
The PCF identified carbon pollution pricing as an important and cross-cutting mitigation measure. It is an area that has benefited from substantial leadership from several provinces. In October 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Pan-Canadian Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution (federal stringency requirements).This pan-Canadian approach to carbon pricing is a practical and cost-effective way to address climate change and will contribute to substantial emissions reductions, stimulate innovation, clean growth and jobs for the middle class. By putting a price on carbon pollution, the Government of Canada is fulfilling our commitment to address climate change in the most effective and economical way possible. The stringency of the carbon pricing system needs to increase over time and this should be based in legislation – to provide certainty to businesses and consumers and contribute to our national GHG emission reduction target.
  • For jurisdictions implementing an explicit price-based system, the carbon price started at $20per tonne in 2019, and will rise by $10 per year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
  • Provinces with a cap-and-trade system need to have (i) a 2030 emissions reduction target equal to or greater than Canada’s 30 percent reduction target; and (ii) a cap-and-trade system with declining (more stringent) emission caps (to at least 2022) that correspond, at a minimum, to the projected emissions reductions that would have resulted from applying the direct carbon price that year.
The Framework also committed to the federal, provincial and territorial governments to complete a series of reviews by 2022 in order to provide certainty on the path forward after 2022.Canada’s climate plan is working. Canada’s most recent GHG emissions projections estimate that Canada’s GHG emissions in 2030 will be 227 million tonnes lower than projected prior to the Pan-Canadian Framework or 19% below 2005 levels. This improvement, equivalent to approximately a third of Canada’s emissions in 2005, is widespread across all economic sectors, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Pan-Canadian Framework. However, the Government of Canada recognize that more action is needed. This is why the Government will be implementing new climate measures including:
  • Developing a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and setting legally-binding, five-year emissions reduction milestones based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians;
  • Appointing a group of scientists, economists and experts to recommend pathways to net-zero;
  • A continued commitment to ensuring a price on carbon pollution is in place everywhere in Canada, as well as prioritization of measures including green buildings and communities, support for zero-emission vehicles, and clean electricity.
  • Working with businesses to make Canada the best place to start and grow a clean technology companies;
  • Completing all flood maps in Canada;
  • Planting two billion incremental trees over the next 10 years, as part of a broader commitment to nature-based solutions that also encompasses wetlands and urban forests; and
  • Introducing a new ambitious plan to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s land and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent of each by 2030. This plan will be grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.
At the same time, we also recognize that oil and gas will remain important global commodities and that we cannot make a transition to a low-carbon economy overnight. Canada is committed to supporting the responsible development of Canada’s oil and gas sector as a source of good jobs. Pipelines are an efficient mode of transportation for oil and gas products and are required to undergo a robust and rigorous environmental assessment. Officials from my department participate in these assessments by providing scientific and regulatory expertise to determine the project’s potential effects on air quality and GHG emissions, water quality, species at risk, and migratory birds. The assessment process also allows decisions to be informed by consultation with, and input from, the public and Indigenous Peoples.With respect to your concern on subsidies for oil companies, Canada is committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment to rationalize and phase-out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies over the medium-term. We have already made significant progress in the last couple of years, including:
  • Modifying the tax treatment of successful oil and gas exploratory drilling. Consistent with the usual treatment of enduring assets, expenses associated with oil and gas discovery wells will be treated as Canadian development expenses, which are deducted gradually over time, rather than as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses, unless and until they are deemed unsuccessful.
  • Removing the tax preference that allows small oil and gas companies to reclassify Canadian development expenses as immediately deductible Canadian exploration expenses when they are renounced to flow-through share investors. This will ensure that these development expenses, which create an asset of enduring value, are deducted gradually over time.The Government of Canada understands the importance of limiting temperature increases to as little as possible, and that Canada must do its part. That is why the government supports the goal of the Paris Agreement to ensure that global average temperature rise does not exceed 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit temperature rise to below 1.5°C. The Government of Canada is committed to support global efforts and continue implementing the Pan-Canadian Framework while strengthening existing and introducing new GHG reducing measures to exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal, and beginning work so that Canada can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. 
Environmental protectionParis Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2285e-2285 (Animals)AudreyWeissSeanCaseyCharlottetownLiberalPEJanuary 2, 2020, at 10:17 a.m. (EDT)May 1, 2020, at 10:17 a.m. (EDT)May 1, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) certified institutions used 4,308,921 animals for research in 2016, an increase of 20.7% over 2015;The CCAC is responsible for 'maintaining high standards' of animal care and they assess institutions who research on animals and certify those who meet their standards;Certified institutions have committees that are responsible for overseeing all aspects of animal care;In 2016, an undercover investigation released footage at ITR lab which is graphic, self explanatory and can be viewed online, and in 2017, W5 revealed what went on inside an animal research lab;There's no transparency to the number of research facilities who had similar alleged incidents nor how many facilities were denied certification; andMillions of innocent animals have no choice but to unwillingly give their lives to so-called research, and until animal research no longer exists, research animals need our voice.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to amend the Criminal Code to ensure disciplinary consequences for all animal research labs and the CCAC when they breach their responsibilities; to avoid 'conflict of interest', ensure there is no CCAC Board of Director who is also responsible for overseeing an animal research facility in any capacity; conduct independent reviews of animal research labs and the CCAC; have mandatory surveillance cameras in all animal areas before facilities are awarded certification (have the videos 'spot checked' by independent parties); and mandate the CCAC do random assessments rather than the current scheduled visits.Animal experimentationCanadian Council on Animal CareCompliancePermits and licencesRegulation43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 22, 2020431-00026431-00026 (Animals)SeanCaseyCharlottetownLiberalPEDecember 12, 2019January 22, 2020September 18, 2019PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONSWe, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:THAT animal testing is unnecessary to prove the safety of cosmetic products and alternative safety tests tend to be faster, more accurate and cheaper to perform than tests conducted using animals;WHEREAS a ban on cosmetic animal testing would not impact current cosmetic products for sale in Canada;WHEREAS the European Union (EU), one of the largest cosmetic markets in the world, banned cosmetic animal testing in 2013, and their cosmetic industry continues to grow;WHEREAS with the completion of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), it makes sense to harmonize cosmetic safety regulations with the EU to encourage trade;WHEREAS numerous countries have already successfully made the switch to using alternative safety tests, including: India, Turkey, Israel, Guatemala, Norway, Iceland, Serbia, New Zealand and Switzerland;WHEREAS Canadians overwhelmingly support a ban on cosmetic animal testing, with over half a million residents signing a petition calling for a global ban;THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the House of Commons to support Bill S-214 and ban the sale and/or manufacture of animal tested cosmetics and their ingredients in Canada moving forward.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Darren FisherThe Government recognizes that Canadians remain concerned about the well-being of animals and the potential harm caused by testing cosmetic products or their ingredients on animals. As you indicated, Senate Public Bill S-214 – An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (cruelty-free cosmetics), sought to ban the testing of cosmetic products or their ingredients on animals in Canada and the sale of any cosmetic product or ingredient in a cosmetic product that has been tested on animals. On June 19th 2018, Bill S-214 was read for a third time in the Senate and passed. Debate on the Bill in the House of Commons began on June 3rd 2019. The Government supported Bill S-214 with proposed amendments that sought to align the legislation with the approach taken by the European Union. With the dissolution of the 42nd Parliament, Bill S-214 died on the Order Paper in September 2019.Health Canada does not require animal testing for cosmetics and supports the objective of eliminating animal testing for cosmetics. Health Canada is committed to the responsible and ethical use of animals in research and supports the development and use of alternatives to animal testing through its participation on national and international scientific committees. The Department works with its international counterparts from the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) to promote alternatives to animal testing, and to expedite their international acceptance through participation in the International Cooperation on Alternative Test Methods (ICATM) framework and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development‘s Test Guidelines Program. Departmental officials are also engaged with the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM) at the University of Windsor.The importance of Health Canada’s international work to promote alternative test methods is reinforced by the import-oriented nature of the cosmetics market; the majority of cosmetics available in the Canadian marketplace are not manufactured or developed in Canada. Moreover, it is important to underscore that in the contemporary context, imported cosmetics are not likely to have been tested on animals. This is because animal testing for the purpose of demonstrating cosmetic safety has been in significant decline worldwide as alternative test methods have been developed, validated, and accepted. For example, as early as 2009 it was estimated that 99% of cosmetic safety assessments in the European Union and the United States did not involve animal testing.As you indicated, the European Union currently bans testing on animals specifically for meeting the requirements of their Cosmetics Regulation. That being said, animal testing data can still be used to support the safety of a cosmetic sold in the EU if performed in order to meet the requirements of other non-cosmetic regulations.
Animal experimentationAnimal rights and welfareCosmetic products and toiletries
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020432-00040432-00040 (Foreign affairs)KennyChiuSteveston—Richmond EastConservativeBCSeptember 30, 2020November 16, 2020September 11, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020e-2640e-2640 (Foreign affairs)CarloPucheKennyChiuSteveston—Richmond EastConservativeBCJune 15, 2020, at 2:15 p.m. (EDT)July 15, 2020, at 2:15 p.m. (EDT)September 24, 2020November 16, 2020July 15, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Hong Kong National Security Law authorized by the People’s National Congress of the People’s Republic of China (a.k.a. “The decision to establish and improve a legal framework and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”) is a direct breach against Hong Kong’s ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework;The Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) is an Act “to provide for the taking of restrictive measures in respect of foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights”; andA statement made by an international coalition led by former Governor of Hong Kong, Lord Patten, and former UK Foreign Secretary, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, decrying the PRC’s National Security Law as “flagrant breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration” has been signed by over 700 parliamentarians and policymakers from over 30 countries.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to join the international coalition and impose appropriate sanctions against China's passing of the controversial National Security Law for Hong Kong given that it is an infringement of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe Sino British Joint Declaration guarantees Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and that rights and freedoms, including those of the person, of the press, of assembly, of association and others, will be ensured by law. Canada joins the international community in reiterating its serious concern at the imposition of national security legislation for Hong Kong by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. The legislation was enacted in a secretive process, without the participation of Hong Kong’s legislature, judiciary or people, and in violation of international obligations.Canada has stated on several occasions, through public declarations and private conversations with the Chinese government, that the imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong lies in direct conflict with China’s international obligations under the principles of the legally binding, UN registered Sino British Joint Declaration. The national security law also raises the prospect of prosecution in Hong Kong for political crimes, and undermines the “One Country, Two Systems” framework and existing commitments to protect the rights of the people of Hong Kong. Canada believes this new legislation will only exacerbate tensions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and undermine the confidence of the people of Hong Kong and of the international community. With an estimated 300,000 Canadians living in Hong Kong, Canada has a vested interest in Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity—the foundation of which is Hong Kong’s relative autonomy and basic freedoms. Regarding the political unrest and demonstrations, Canada continues to urge all sides to exercise restraint, refrain from violence and engage in peaceful dialogue. The right to peaceful protest is protected by Hong Kong law and international rules and norms.Canada has been working diligently with close allies and has urged Chinese leaders not to unilaterally impose the national security law on the people of Hong Kong. On May 22, 2020, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom released a joint statement to express common concerns over the national security law planned by Beijing. On May 28, 2020, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States released another statement, reiterating their concerns. On June 17, 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs joined the foreign ministers of the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union to release a joint statement urging the Government of China to reconsider its decision. It is critical that the international community stands together to condemn this unprecedented move by the central government.In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. During the 45th session of the HRC (September 2020), Canada co-hosted a side event on Rights and Freedoms in Hong Kong with the UK and Australia. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. China’s decision to impose the national security law on Hong Kong, fundamentally shifted the foundation of Canada’s existing arrangements. As of July 3, 2020, Canada will treat exports of sensitive goods to Hong Kong in the same way as those destined for China. Canada will not permit the export of sensitive military items to Hong Kong. Canada has also suspended the Canada-Hong Kong extradition treaty. Finally, Canada has updated the travel advice for Hong Kong in order to advise Canadians of the potential impacts of the new national security legislation.Canada has also raised concerns over Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s decision on July 31, 2020 to postpone Legislative Council elections for a year. On August 9, 2020, Canada jointly released a statement of concern alongside its Five Eyes counterparts, calling on the Hong Kong authorities to reinstate disqualified candidates so that the elections can take place in an environment conducive to the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms, as enshrined in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.Canada is judicious in its approach regarding when to deploy sanctions and/or draw on other courses of action in our diplomatic toolkit based on foreign policy priorities. The regulations enacted under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act allow the Government of Canada to target individuals who are, in the opinion of the government, responsible for, or complicit in, gross violations of internationally recognized human rights or acts of significant corruption. Canada takes the matter of listing individuals under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act very seriously. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. The Government of Canada tailors its responses to the specifics of each unique situation.As populations around the world stand together to defeat the COVID 19 virus, the international community must also stand together to ensure that the free, stable and prosperous nature of Hong Kong is maintained. Be assured that Canada will continue to closely monitor the situation in Hong Kong and raises concerns publicly and privately with officials as needed.
ChinaCivil and human rightsForeign policyHong Kong
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2418e-2418 (Media and telecommunications)MarkJeftovicHon.MichaelChongWellington—Halton HillsConservativeONFebruary 6, 2020, at 4:13 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2020, at 4:13 p.m. (EDT)June 5, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication, are fundamental freedoms guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the foundation of a free and democratic society;On January 29, 2020, the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel (BTLR) submitted its final Report, Canada’s communications future: Time to act, to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, and the Minister of Heritage, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, that contains 97 recommendations “on modernizing the legislation governing Canada’s communications sector”;Many of the recommendations propose that the Government of Canada regulate free speech, free expression and the free press on the internet;Many of the recommendations propose that the Government of Canada regulate all media content on the internet, both domestic and foreign, including audio, audiovisual and news content; broadcasters and streaming services such as Netflix, Spotify and Amazon Prime; content aggregators such as Yahoo News; and sharing platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and others; andThese recommendations, if adopted by the Government of Canada, could lead to the largest regulation, and restriction, of free speech, free expression and the free press in Canadian history.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to Reject the recommendations regarding the legislation and regulation of free speech, free expression and the free press made by the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel’s final Report, Canada’s communications future: Time to act.Freedom of speechFreedom of the pressMedia and the press43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2958e-2958 (Environment)MichaelPrideHon.MichaelChongWellington—Halton HillsConservativeONNovember 5, 2020, at 4:19 p.m. (EDT)March 5, 2021, at 4:19 p.m. (EDT)March 8, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Liberal Government campaigned on a promise to ban some single use plastics; By declaring plastic as a toxic substance, they have taken a bold step in the fight against our addiction to plastic; We applaud these measures; however, they do not go far enough;The energy needed to make bottled water is up to 2000 times the energy needed for the equivalent volume of tap water; It takes more water to create the plastic bottle than the water bottle will actually hold. (Gleick, P.H. and Cooley, H.S. “Energy implications of bottled water.” (Environmental Research Letters 4 (2009)) ;Water bottlers have zero responsibility when it comes to the waste their bottles create;Every human is ingesting nearly 2000 particles of plastic a week, five grams of plastics, the equivalent of one plastic credit card; More than half the plastic on Earth has been created since 2002, and it’s on pace to double by 2030 (Planet Plastic, Rolling Stone, March 3,2020); A landmark study in the journal Science Advances found that 91% of the 6.3 trillion kilograms of plastic waste has never been recycled, not even once; Unlike aluminum, which can be recycled again and again, plastic degrades in reprocessing; Recycling has a limited value and we cannot rely on it as a solution; andIn Ontario alone, one billion plastic water bottles are sent to landfill every year (Environmental Defence).We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to include plastic water bottles on the list of single use plastics that need to be phased out permanently in 2021.BanBottled water and water bottlesPlastics43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2986e-2986 (Education and training)Brandon RhéalAmyotLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCNovember 18, 2020, at 4:33 p.m. (EDT)January 17, 2021, at 4:33 p.m. (EDT)February 4, 2021March 22, 2021January 18, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada's post-secondary education system requires students to take on unprecedented debt to obtain an education that is increasingly a necessity;As of 2016, student debt in Canada exceeds $36 billion with $18 billion owed federally and is the cause of one in six bankruptcies;39% of students are struggling with food insecurity due to the rising and unaffordable cost of food, tuition fees, and housing;Canada's youth unemployment rate reached an all-time high of 29.4% in May and is still at crisis levels (18.8% as of October) while further deterioration remains a strong possibility due to the second wave; andBold national leadership is required to transform the current piecemeal funded post-secondary system into a high-quality, well-resourced system that will benefit students and Canada as a whole.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, students studying in Canada, and post-secondary education stakeholders, call upon the Government of Canada to implement a plan for pandemic relief and stimulus for Canada’s post-secondary sector and students that:1. Utilizes the funds originally allocated for the CSSG and remaining funds from the $9 billion allocated for post-secondary students in April to extend the CESB while also including International students;2. Includes newly graduating students and recent graduates (retroactive to Fall 2019) in Employment Insurance and the new CRB program;3. Extends the moratorium on student debt loan interest and payments until May 1, 2021, with consideration of further extensions based on the public health and economic situation, and commits to significant student debt relief;4. Expands the Canada Student Grant, returns to 50-50 cost-sharing with provinces and territories, and increases funding for post-secondary institutions.
Response by the Minister of SeniorsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Irek KusmierczykThe Government of Canada recognizes the challenges that students face in accessing post-secondary education and remains committed to ensuring that post-secondary education is affordable and student debt is manageable, even as the cost of education continues to rise.Over the course of the last few years, the Government of Canada has invested significantly to support post-secondary education students. Starting in Budget 2016, the Government of Canada increased Canada Student Grants by 50% and expanded eligibility to more students, especially benefiting students from low-income families. As a result, over 478,000 students from low- and middle-income families are receiving up to $3,000 per year in support they do not need to repay, and students with disabilities and those with children receive even more through targeted grants. Thanks to these enhancements, almost one third of a student’s total federal financial assistance comes from grants that do not need to be repaid, and this contributes to lowering their overall debt load in the long-run.In Budget 2016, the Government of Canada also expanded eligibility for the Repayment Assistance Program, which provides support to borrowers who have difficulty repaying their Canada Student Loans. Canada Student Loan borrowers using Repayment Assistance Program do not have to make a payment until they earn at least $25,000, an increase over the previous level of $20,210. Repayment Assistance Program also makes it easier for student loan borrowers to manage their debt by paying back what they can reasonably afford, and ensures that borrowers who qualify will have an affordable monthly payment. In 2018-2019, more than 330,000 borrowers benefited from Repayment Assistance Program, of which 85% were not required to make any payments on their loans. Announced in Budget 2019 and beginning November 1, 2019, the Government lowered the interest rate on Canada Student Loans and made the six-month non-repayment period interest-free. The floating interest rate, the rate chosen by approximately 99% of Canada Student Loan borrowers, was lowered to prime, from its previous rate of prime plus 2.5%. The fixed rate was also reduced from prime plus 5% to prime plus 2%. Together, these measures will help over 1.1 million borrowers and provide the average borrower with savings of approximately $2,000 over the life of their loan.Taken together, these measures have benefited students such that the three-year default rate on direct loans has fallen to an all time low of 9% and Canada Student Loan debt has, in real terms, plateaued over the last decade.The Government of Canada also provides targeted supports for Indigenous students, through an investment of $327.5 million over five years in the Post-Secondary Student Support Program for First Nations learners, $125.5 million over 10 years for Inuit student access to post-secondary education, and $362 million over 10 years for Métis student access to post-secondary education. In addition, the Government of Canada is investing over $11.8 million annually from 2019-20 to 2021-22 (and then $3.8 million ongoing) in Indspire, an Indigenous-led registered charity that supports the education of Indigenous people. Indspire provides mentoring, learning supports as well as scholarships and bursaries to First Nation and Inuit students to pursue post-secondary education. In 2018-19, Indspire provided $16.3 million through 5,553 scholarships and bursaries to First Nation, Métis and Inuit students.The Government of Canada recognizes that student are facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the pandemic, including disruptions in their studies and internship opportunities, the transition to new forms of learning, a lack of summer and student employment, a reduced ability to save for school, and greater overall uncertainty about the future. These barriers are occurring at a time when access to post-secondary education is more important than ever for economic success in Canada’s modern and evolving labour market.In order to maintain and expand access to post-secondary education during the pandemic, the Government of Canada, announced a series of measures as part of its COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan that will help Canadian students and recent graduates overcome these challenges and support their future success. For example, the Government of Canada has adopted the following measures:
  • From March 30, 2020, to September 30, 2020, interest accrual was paused on all Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans, and no payments were required. This relief measure was automatically applied and is estimated to have benefited approximately 1.1 million students in repayment. This measure expired at the same time as the introduction of interest- and payment-free leave for a maximum of 18 months for borrowers taking temporary leave from their studies for medical or parental reasons (expected to benefit 5,300 students annually). The Government has also taken steps to ensure that borrowers are aware of Repayment Assistance Program if they continue to face financial challenges following the end of the repayment freeze, and eligible borrowers are encouraged to apply.
  • The Government of Canada introduced the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, which provided financial support from May to August 2020 to students who could not find summer employment due to COVID-19, or were working but did not expect to make more than $1,000 (before taxes) over the four-week period for which they were applying. Eligible students received $1,250 per month, and students with dependants or a disability received an additional $750 per month, for a total of $2,000 per month. More than 700,000 unique students (over 2 million total applications) received close to $3 billion in financial support through the Canada Emergency Student Benefit. The benefit ended on September 30, 2020, and authorities for the funding expired thereafter.
  • The Government of Canada also increased supports available through the Canada Student Loans Program for the 2020-2021 school year, so that students facing financial difficulties could access and afford post-secondary education.
    • The value of Canada Student Grants was doubled for all eligible full-time students (up to $6,000 per year), and part-time students (up to $3,600 per year). Canada Student Service Grant for students with permanent disabilities and dependants were also doubled.
    • The weekly cap on Canada Student Loans was increased from $210 to $350.
    • The expected contribution from students and their spouses in determining the amount of financial aid a student can receive was removed.
Taken together, it is expected that Canada Student Loan measures will benefit approximately 765,000 returning and prospective students.Most recently, in the November 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government of Canada announced the temporary elimination of interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans, in order to ease the financial burden of student debt during the economic recovery. Pending parliamentary approvals and at a cost of $329.4 million, this measure will take effect on April 1, 2021, and be in place for one year, bringing much needed relief to 1.4 million Canadians who are looking for work or are otherwise in the early stages of their careers.The Government also recognizes the unique situation faced by international students. A strong quality of life and world-class educational institutions means that Canada attracts a significant number of international students each year. In 2019, there were more than 825,000 international students in Canada. These students not only benefit from the education provided by Canadian post-secondary institutions but also provide tremendous social, cultural and economic benefits to campuses and communities across Canada.The pandemic has changed the calculus for many international students as COVID-19 mitigation measures have limited international and domestic mobility and shifted post-secondary learning from an in-person experience to an approach where learning is delivered almost exclusively online. To help minimize the impacts of the ongoing pandemic on international students, the Government of Canada has implemented a number of facilitation measures, which include the following:
  • Since October 20, 2020, international students attending a designated learning institution, determined by their provincial and territorial government as having a COVID-19 readiness plan in place, have been allowed to travel to Canada.
  • Throughout the pandemic, temporary policy changes have been made to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to encourage students to continue pursuing their Canadian programs of study. These changes ensure that students can study online in Canada or abroad and remain eligible for the program, thus maintaining the opportunity to work in Canada after they graduate and potentially qualify for permanent residency in the future.
  • In addition, former students in Canada with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits have been given the opportunity to apply for an additional open work permit with a duration of 18 months between January 27, 2021, and July 27, 2021. This will provide former students with additional time to acquire the work experience needed to qualify for permanent residence programs, the ability to support themselves in Canada, and the opportunity to help fill labour market needs.
The Government of Canada also took steps during the pandemic to provide additional assistance to support employment opportunities for students and youth.  Following the cessation of the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, the Government of Canada new income supports included enhanced Employment Insurance benefits and a suite of three recovery benefits, namely the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit. Students and recently graduates may receive these benefits provided that meet the eligibility requirements.EI provides regular benefits to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and are available for and able to work, but cannot find a job. Under the eligibility requirements for Employment Insurance, workers receive Employment Insurance only if they have contributed to the program by paying premiums in the past year, and if they meet qualifying and entitlement conditions. As of September 27, 2020, the Government introduced temporary changes to the EI program to facilitate access to Employment Insurance regular and special benefits. These measures result in a one-time Employment Insurance eligibility requirement of 120 insurable hours across Canada, with a minimum regular benefit rate of $500 per week for at least 26 weeks.The Canada Recovery Benefit is available to those who are not employed or self-employed for reasons related to COVID-19 and are not eligible for Employment Insurance, or are working and have had a reduction of at least 50% in their employment/self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19. Among other eligibility criteria, individuals applying for the Canada Recovery Benefit must be available and looking for work, and must accept work where it is reasonable to do so. The eligibility criteria for the Canada Recovery Benefit also includes earning at least $5,000 in 2019, 2020, or in the 12 months before the date of application.The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit gives income support to be employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care. This applies if their school, regular program or facility is closed or unavailable to them due to COVID-19, or because they are sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19.The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit gives income support to be employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.In addition to the above-mentioned income support programs, the Government of Canada also made investments in a number of programs to support job opportunities for youth, including students and recent graduates. For example, the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, Canada Summer Jobs, and the Student Work Placement Programs are key instruments to help youth and students access much needed skills development and support to find employment.The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy aims to ensure that young people (aged 15-30), gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market. In the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government announced investments of $575.3 million over the next two years in the Strategy to provide approximately 45,300 job placements for young Canadians, including students and recent graduates. This is in addition to the investment of $187.7 million in the Strategy announced in Spring 2020 to provide employment placements and skills development supports to up to 9,500  Canadian youth in high-demand and critical sectors such as health, community services, and information technology.The Canada Summer Jobs initiative provides wage subsidies to not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality work experiences for young people, including students and recent graduates. As announced in the Fall Economic Statement, the Government is investing $447.5 million in the Canada Summer Jobs program next year and supporting up to 120,000 job placements, an increase of 40,000 from 2020-21 levels. This investment will also be used to extend, by one year, program flexibilities introduced in 2020-21, including the ability to hire youth outside of the summer months to allow youth to access employment for a longer period of time. This is in addition to additional investments of more than $60 million provided last June in the Canada Summer Jobs program to expand the work placement target from 70,000 to 80,000, creating 10,000 more placements for young people in 2020-2021.The Student Work Placement program is a wage subsidy program that works with delivery partners and post-secondary institutions to provide post-secondary students with quality work-integrated learning opportunities across Canada. At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, it is estimated that over 50% of employers were looking to cancel their planned summer student placements. In light of this, a number of program flexibilities were introduced to facilitate participation, including allowing remote placements, flexible dates, and allowing post-secondary institutions to be the employer of record to offer meaningful placements to students. In April and June 2020, the Government announced a total of $266.1 million in additional emergency COVID-19 funding for the Student Work Placement Program to support the creation of up to 40,000 additional paid placements for post-secondary students in 2020-21. Two temporary measures, effective until May 31, 2021, were also introduced to increase the creation of placements: 
  • An increase of the wage subsidy to up to 75% of the cost of wages across all work-integrated learning placements, up to a maximum of $7,500 per placement. This is an increase from 50% for regular placements and 70% for placements for under-represented students (up to a maximum of $5,000 and 7,000, respectively).
  • Waiving the "net new" criteria requiring employers to create more placements than in the past year to be eligible for funding.
Taken together, investments in the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) and Canada Student Loans announced in the Fall Economic Statement 2020 eclipse the amount previously allocated for the Canada Student Service Grant. Those funds will continue to support Canada’s youth and students.Despite the recent investments, the Government of Canada recognizes that more can be done to support access to post-secondary education and job opportunities for youth, especially those most at risk of academic and labour market disengagement. The Government of Canada will continue to seek advice from partners and stakeholders to find additional ways to support youth and students, including international students, and work collaboratively with provincial and territorial governments and others to ensure that post-secondary education in Canada is accessible and affordable and that youth are able to fully participate in economic opportunities.
Canada Student Grants and LoansFederal-provincial-territorial cost sharingGrants and loans for studentsInterest paymentsSocial benefitsStudents
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3565e-3565 (Public safety)laviniarojasLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCAugust 12, 2021, at 1:50 p.m. (EDT)November 10, 2021, at 1:50 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Wildfires are a growing concern across Canada; Municipalties and provinces are unable to control the sales of fireworks;Firefighters in Ottawa were called to put out eight fires caused by fireworks on Victoria Day;Health infobase Canada reports that the most common type of injuries related to fireworks are burns (71 cases);The BC SPCA considers fireworks to be a serious animal welfare issue for pets, farm animals and wildlife in our communities;The animals that remain unharmed can also be disturbed by fireworks, leading to a reduction in their natural feeding and breeding behaviours, as well as abandonment of their young in nests; andThe Victoria Police stated that between October 1 and November 5, 2020, they received at least 60 reports from the public that relates to the actual or suspected use of fireworks and that they are actively looking for ways to reduce the number of calls for service so that their officers can focus on the most serious public safety priorities.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to support the exploration of legislative changes around the use of fireworks that would result in improved community safety and well being.FireworksSafety43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01231432-01231 (Natural resources and energy)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJune 22, 2021June 15, 2021Petition to the Government of Canada WHEREAS:
  • COVID-19 has caused a prolonged downturn in oil markets. Forecasting agencies are predicting the end of growth in oil demand as countriesshift to clean energy, and major global oil complies are writing off their oil sands investments.
  • The cost of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX) has more than doubled to $12.6 billion. Given construction delays, the overall price tag could be much higher, and Canadian taxpayers are on the hook.
  • More than 100 Canadian economists and energy policy experts have written a letter to the federal government questioning the economic viability of TMX, and calling on the Finance Minister to delay further spending that puts additional Canadian tax dollars at risk.
  • The federal government bought the Trans Mountain pipeline after the private sector walked away from the project due to financial risk.
  • As of September 2020, only 5.25 per cent of pipe has been laid on the TMX rout, while billions of dollars have yet to be spend and could be reallocated. Other pipeline projects already under development in Canada will meet the future need for the federally subsidized TMX.
  • Ambitious investments in the clean economy is required to meet Canada's Paris climate commitments and will create much needed jobs in sectors hard hit by the pandemic and by the downturn in the oil industry.
  • There is no place for Trans Mountain in the green recovery from COVID-19 that the government has espoused. Instead, public investments must build a resilient low-carbon economy, to address the twin economic and climate crises.
THEREFORE, we the undersigned residents of Canada, call on the Government of Canada to delay further spending on Trans Mountain until an independent cost-benefit analysis that considers economic and market changes since COVID-19 has been completed and to prioritize investments in clean energy now.
COVID-19Government expendituresOil and gasPandemicTrans Mountain pipeline
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01226432-01226 (Environment)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJune 22, 2021June 16, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWHEREAS:The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) is Canada's main law governing pollution prevention and the management of toxic chemicals;Scientific understanding of environmental and health risks of exposure to toxics and pollution has evolved over the past two decades and CEPA 1999 needs to be updated to address today's sources of toxic exposure;Too often, vulnerable and marginalized populations bear a disproportionate burden of environmental harm, yet CEPA 1999 lacks provisions to protect vulnerable populations and safeguard against environmental injustice;The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development reviewed CEPA 1999 and made 87 recommendations to strengthen and modernize the act; andThe Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Health are jointly mandated to "better protect people and the environment from toxins and other pollution, including by strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999."We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to pass legislation to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 without delay, to ensure (i) better control of toxic substances - notably, banning highly hazardous substances like carcinogens and reproductive toxicants, addressing cumulative effects and requiring substitution with safer alternatives, and disclosure of chemicals in products through better labelling, (ii) enforceable national air and water quality standards, (iii) protection for vulnerable populations, and (iv) recognition of the human right to a healthy environment.Civil and human rightsEnvironmental protectionPublic healthToxic substances43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01229432-01229 (Health)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJune 22, 2021June 8, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas opioid crisis is one of the most deadly public health emergencies of our lifetime, with a death taking place on average about every two hours and a death toll of almost 15,400 in the past four years alone (January 2016 to December 2019);Whereas the overdose crisis rages;We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency and:
  • Take steps to end overdose deaths and overdose injuries
  • Immediately collaborate with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian overdose action plan
  • Ensure that any plan considers reforms that other countries have used, such as legal regulation of drugs to ensure safe, supply, decriminalization for personal use, and changes to flawed drug policy and policing.
  • Ensure this emergency is taken seriously with adequately funded programming and supports.
Drug use and abuseHealth emergenciesOpiates and opioidsPublic health
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01230432-01230 (Health)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJune 22, 2021June 8, 2021Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas opioid crisis is one of the most deadly public health emergencies of our lifetime, with a death taking place on average about every two hours and a death toll of almost 15,400 in the past four years alone (January 2016 to December 2019);Whereas the overdose crisis rages;We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency and:
  • Take steps to end overdose deaths and overdose injuries
  • Immediately collaborate with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian overdose action plan
  • Ensure that any plan considers reforms that other countries have used, such as legal regulation of drugs to ensure safe, supply, decriminalization for personal use, and changes to flawed drug policy and policing.
  • Ensure this emergency is taken seriously with adequately funded programming and supports.
Drug use and abuseHealth emergenciesOpiates and opioidsPublic health
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021432-00481432-00481 (Natural resources and energy)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCFebruary 4, 2021March 22, 2021January 28, 2021Petition to the Government of Canada WHEREAS:
  • COVID-19 has caused a prolonged downturn in oil markets. Forecasting agencies are predicting the end of growth in oil demand as countriesshift to clean energy, and major global oil complies are writing off their oil sands investments.
  • The cost of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX) has more than doubled to $12.6 billion. Given construction delays, the overall price tag could be much higher, and Canadian taxpayers are on the hook.
  • More than 100 Canadian economists and energy policy experts have written a letter to the federal government questioning the economic viability of TMX, and calling on the Finance Minister to delay further spending that puts additional Canadian tax dollars at risk.
  • The federal government bought the Trans Mountain pipeline after the private sector walked away from the project due to financial risk.
  • As of September 2020, only 5.25 per cent of pipe has been laid on the TMX rout, while billions of dollars have yet to be spend and could be reallocated. Other pipeline projects already under development in Canada will meet the future need for the federally subsidized TMX.
  • Ambitious investments in the clean economy is required to meet Canada's Paris climate commitments and will create much needed jobs in sectors hard hit by the pandemic and by the downturn in the oil industry.
  • There is no place for Trans Mountain in the green recovery from COVID-19 that the government has espoused. Instead, public investments must build a resilient low-carbon economy, to address the twin economic and climate crises.
THEREFORE, we the undersigned residents of Canada, call on the Government of Canada to delay further spending on Trans Mountain until an independent cost-benefit analysis that considers economic and market changes since COVID-19 has been completed and to prioritize investments in clean energy now.
Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia FreelandThe Government thanks the petitioners for expressing their views about Canada making additional investments in the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP).The environment and the economy go hand-in-hand. When we create prosperity today, we can invest in the clean jobs, technologies, and infrastructure of the future — and help Canadians benefit from opportunities presented by a rapidly changing economy.The key to creating prosperity is finding new markets for our businesses to sell their products and services. Nowhere is the need to diversify greater than for our energy sector, where 99 per cent of our conventional resources are sold to one market — and often at large discounts.Canadians understand that we need to open up new international markets, in order to get a full and fair price, support workers and their families, and foster competitiveness.The Government’s approval of TMEP was based on the confidence that:
  • strong environmental protections have been and continue to be put in place, and that the effects of TMEP can be mitigated through conditions and recommendations outlined by the National Energy Board, as well as measures including the historic $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan and the national climate plan.
  • consultations with Indigenous peoples involved meaningful, two-way dialogue, which fulfilled the legal duty to consult and helped identify new accommodation measures and conditions to appropriately address potential impacts on Indigenous rights and concerns expressed by Indigenous communities.
On February 7, 2020, TMC announced that its Board of Directors had approved a total cost estimate of $12.6 billion to bring TMEP into service by the end of 2022.Once TMEP enters into service, TMC expects to earn tolls that more than cover the cost of constructing the TMEP. These tolls are underwritten by long-term agreements with shippers for 80 per cent of TMEP’s capacity for 15 and 20 years. The final toll charged to shippers will be determined only after the TMEP enters into service based on the final construction cost.Trans Mountain’s experience with the current pipeline system also demonstrates the robust demand for export capacity to tidewater. Since the onset of the global pandemic in March 2020 and a corresponding collapse in oil demand, the Trans Mountain pipeline continued to be fully utilized while other pipelines struggle with demand.In addition, the Government launched the second step of its engagement process with Indigenous groups on June 9, 2020, to explore the possibility of Indigenous economic participation in the Project. In this step of the engagement process, the Government is focused on building consensus on the form of economic participation in the Project preferred by participating Indigenous groups: equity and/or revenue sharing; and identifying or supporting the formation of one or more entities to represent participating Indigenous groups in negotiations with Canada.By moving forward with TMEP, the Government is creating jobs, diversifying markets, accelerating Canada’s clean energy transition, and opening up new avenues for Indigenous economic prosperity.
COVID-19Government expendituresOil and gasPandemicTrans Mountain pipeline
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3404e-3404 (Transportation)AnnaBarfordLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCMay 18, 2021, at 10:53 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2021, at 10:53 a.m. (EDT)June 22, 2021June 17, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Vessel traffic in Canadian waters has increased significantly in the past decades putting greater strain on coastal communities and ecosystems;Rather than using cleaner low-sulfur fuels, many vessels in Canadian waters employ Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) in order to continue to use heavy fuel oils;EGCS use is more harmful to the environment than switching to a low-sulfur fuel. While decreasing the sulfur content of the exhaust plume, EGCS increase other air pollutants of concern, such as particulate matter, and black carbon as well as greenhouse gases; The washwater produced by EGCS contains known carcinogens and heavy metals, and is highly thermal and acidic;Section 111(4) of Canada’s Vessel Pollution & Dangerous Chemicals Regulations (VPDC Regulations) permits vessels to use EGCS in Canadian waters;The use of EGCS results in the annual discharge of billions of litres of washwater off the coast of British Columbia alone; andMany countries around the world have restricted or prohibited the use of EGCS and required vessels to use cleaner low-sulfur fuels instead.We, the undersigned, concerned Canadians, call upon the Government of Canada to repeal section 111(4) of VPDC Regulations, or otherwise legally prohibit vessels operating in waters under Canadian jurisdiction from using EGCS.PollutionShips and boatsSulphur dioxideVessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3311e-3311 (Environment)SYDNEYMORGANLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCMay 18, 2021, at 10:33 a.m. (EDT)July 17, 2021, at 10:33 a.m. (EDT)July 20, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Inspired by House Bill 418 that passed unanimously in Illinois in March, going into effect in 2022 once it gets approved; banning the release of balloons and sky lanterns into the sky is needed in Canada as it is detrimental to the environment and our wildlife;Often found in waterways, more than 18,000 balloon pieces were found in the Great Lakes between 2016 and 2018 according to the Detroit Free Press; Wildlife may mistake it for food and accidentally ingest it;Sky lanterns are known for causing fires and injuring livestock; The Krefeld Zoo fire in Germany was caused by sky lanterns;Like Canada’s upcoming single-use plastic ban, this would be a great step in the right direction towards eliminating litter and microplastics in waterways;Some Canadian townships have already banned lanterns due to concern over starting fires (Muskoka Lakes, Dysart et al, Trent Lakes);Several states in the United States such as California, Florida and cities across the globe have banned the release of balloons; andWhile some people may argue that these actions help them let go of things, celebrate events or remember a loved one, there are many alternatives to do these things without harming the planet such as blowing bubbles, plant native trees or flowers, or use lights or candles. We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to ban the release of helium balloons and sky lanterns to protect Canada’s environment, wildlife and to avoid fires, and fine those who disobey the ban and choose to disrespect nature.BalloonsFiresPollution43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01227432-01227 (Foreign affairs)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJune 22, 2021May 26, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsDespite repeated appeal by the international community for the peaceful resolution of the war declared on Tigray and the recent demand by the United States and world governments for the withdrawal of Eritrean, Amhara and other Ethiopian army allied forces from Tigray, there are disturbing reports that PM Abiy Ahmed and Isaias Afwerki have mobilized additional forces and launched waves of new attacks to subdue Tigray and its people.The aggression by these invading forces is increasingly exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in Tigray. The US government has publicly stated that ethnic cleansing is taking place in Tigray, and many reputable international media such as the NY Times, CNN, BBC and others as well as International organizations such as Amnesty have described the situation as war crimes, crime against humanity leading to genocide. How can democratic governments like Canada fail to take concrete action 5 months into the war, while the people of Tigray suffer from massacres, rape of children and women, and government-induced starvation?The threat posed by PM Abiy Ahmed and his mentor Isaias Afwerki is an act of extermination and genocide on the people of Tigray and is causing major destabilization in Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East at large. The world knows how many citizens Rwanda lost between the 7th of April and the 15th of July 1994. In Tigray, it has been 5 months since PM Abiy Ahmed and President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea waged an all-out war, blocked all necessities, and have passed collective punishment on the people of Tigray through mass starvation. Tigray has no access to water, food, banking, electricity, transportation, telecommunications, medical supplies, and independent media. Reports show that people are already dying of government-induced hunger in Tigray. Once again, the world is witnessing genocide in the making in Tigray.We ask for an immediate UNSC enforcement of the call for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean and the brutal Amhara forces.Contrary to the founding principles of the UNSC, the world is witnessing a genocide in Tigray never seen before. According to some estimates close to 60,000 people have been killed, and millions are displaced. As Canadians stading for peace and justice, we would like to draw your utmost attention to the following summary of facts that constitute war crimes and genocide on the ground in Tigray and thus call for the immediate and strong collective action by Canada, and the international community,More than 4.5 million Tigrayans need emergency humanitarian aid as famine has started and people are dying of starvation due to Ethiopia's criminal action that contravenes UN Res. 2417 (2018). i. Thousands have died by blanket bombing of villages in rural areas for quick military victory by the Eritrean and Ethiopian fighter jets using Soviet era cluster bombs; satellite images show that villages are completely erased and building structures destroyed.ii. Massacre of innocent civilians in rural and urban areas, has continued unabated with more than 60,000 Ethnic Tigrayans killed due to the genocidal war.iii. Tens of thousands of women and underage girls are being raped and as a result committing suicide.iv. Ethnic Tigrayans throughout Ethiopia have been profiled, fired from their jobs (about 100,000 people including more than 17,000 military personnel including those who served in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa) and indiscriminately arrested and jailed for months.v. More than 75 % of hospitals, health facilities and schools in Tigray have been looted and destroyed. vi. Almost 100 % of crops in the fields in Tigray burnt to the ground as the timing of the war was preplanned to occur during harvest season; food items and house utensils were looted from households by Eritrean forces supported with caravans of camels to reach inaccessible rural areas.vii. More than 80 % of livestock in Tigray were killed and/or looted (Tigray's traditional farmers still use oxen to plough their fields and may take at least 10 years to recover).viii. Private and public factories and enterprises in Tigray have been looted and transferred to Eritrea and Amhara region including thousands of private and public passengers and commercial vehicles.ix. Villages and small towns were and are still being bombarded with artilleries.x. Magnificent world heritages in Tigray like Al-Nejashi Mosque, Debredamo and other monasteries were destroyed, and their valuable religious artifacts and manuscripts looted.xi. More than two and half million people in Tigray are internally displaced; 4.5 million are in urgent need of humanitarian aid while more than 65,000 refugees fled to the Sudan.
  • We ask for an immediate UNSC enforcement of the call for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean and the brutal Amhara forces.
  • The unfettered access to all humanitarian organizations for the distribution of aid to avoid famine in Tigray.
  • The immediate cessation of hostilities and commitment to finding peaceful political solutions with the participation of all political parties.
  • Unimpeded full access to international media, lift internet blackout and restoration of all communications.
  • The independent investigation of war crimes committed in Tigray by independent organizations that doesn't include the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.
  • The immediate imposition of travel bans on Eritrean and Ethiopian government authorities and military leaders suspected of committing war crimes and genocide on the people of Tigray. That includes freezing their financial bank accounts abroad.
  • The immediate imposition of an arms embargo on both Eritrea and Ethiopia for committing human rights violations, war crimes and genocide on Tigray and its people.
  • Immediate suspension of the millions of Canadian tax payers' money given to Ethiopia on annual basis until the war stops and the crimes are investigated independently.
Civil and human rightsEthiopiaForeign policyHumanitarian assistance and workersInternational conflict and international conflict resolution
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01228432-01228 (Foreign affairs)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJune 22, 2021May 26, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsDespite repeated appeal by the international community for the peaceful resolution of the war declared on Tigray and the recent demand by the United States and world governments for the withdrawal of Eritrean, Amhara and other Ethiopian army allied forces from Tigray, there are disturbing reports that PM Abiy Ahmed and Isaias Afwerki have mobilized additional forces and launched waves of new attacks to subdue Tigray and its people.The aggression by these invading forces is increasingly exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in Tigray. The US government has publicly stated that ethnic cleansing is taking place in Tigray, and many reputable international media such as the NY Times, CNN, BBC and others as well as International organizations such as Amnesty have described the situation as war crimes, crime against humanity leading to genocide. How can democratic governments like Canada fail to take concrete action 5 months into the war, while the people of Tigray suffer from massacres, rape of children and women, and government-induced starvation?The threat posed by PM Abiy Ahmed and his mentor Isaias Afwerki is an act of extermination and genocide on the people of Tigray and is causing major destabilization in Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East at large. The world knows how many citizens Rwanda lost between the 7th of April and the 15th of July 1994. In Tigray, it has been 5 months since PM Abiy Ahmed and President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea waged an all-out war, blocked all necessities, and have passed collective punishment on the people of Tigray through mass starvation. Tigray has no access to water, food, banking, electricity, transportation, telecommunications, medical supplies, and independent media. Reports show that people are already dying of government-induced hunger in Tigray. Once again, the world is witnessing genocide in the making in Tigray.We ask for an immediate UNSC enforcement of the call for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean and the brutal Amhara forces.Contrary to the founding principles of the UNSC, the world is witnessing a genocide in Tigray never seen before. According to some estimates close to 60,000 people have been killed, and millions are displaced. As Canadians stading for peace and justice, we would like to draw your utmost attention to the following summary of facts that constitute war crimes and genocide on the ground in Tigray and thus call for the immediate and strong collective action by Canada, and the international community,More than 4.5 million Tigrayans need emergency humanitarian aid as famine has started and people are dying of starvation due to Ethiopia's criminal action that contravenes UN Res. 2417 (2018). i. Thousands have died by blanket bombing of villages in rural areas for quick military victory by the Eritrean and Ethiopian fighter jets using Soviet era cluster bombs; satellite images show that villages are completely erased and building structures destroyed.ii. Massacre of innocent civilians in rural and urban areas, has continued unabated with more than 60,000 Ethnic Tigrayans killed due to the genocidal war.iii. Tens of thousands of women and underage girls are being raped and as a result committing suicide.iv. Ethnic Tigrayans throughout Ethiopia have been profiled, fired from their jobs (about 100,000 people including more than 17,000 military personnel including those who served in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa) and indiscriminately arrested and jailed for months.v. More than 75 % of hospitals, health facilities and schools in Tigray have been looted and destroyed. vi. Almost 100 % of crops in the fields in Tigray burnt to the ground as the timing of the war was preplanned to occur during harvest season; food items and house utensils were looted from households by Eritrean forces supported with caravans of camels to reach inaccessible rural areas.vii. More than 80 % of livestock in Tigray were killed and/or looted (Tigray's traditional farmers still use oxen to plough their fields and may take at least 10 years to recover).viii. Private and public factories and enterprises in Tigray have been looted and transferred to Eritrea and Amhara region including thousands of private and public passengers and commercial vehicles.ix. Villages and small towns were and are still being bombarded with artilleries.x. Magnificent world heritages in Tigray like Al-Nejashi Mosque, Debredamo and other monasteries were destroyed, and their valuable religious artifacts and manuscripts looted.xi. More than two and half million people in Tigray are internally displaced; 4.5 million are in urgent need of humanitarian aid while more than 65,000 refugees fled to the Sudan.
  • We ask for an immediate UNSC enforcement of the call for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean and the brutal Amhara forces.
  • The unfettered access to all humanitarian organizations for the distribution of aid to avoid famine in Tigray.
  • The immediate cessation of hostilities and commitment to finding peaceful political solutions with the participation of all political parties.
  • Unimpeded full access to international media, lift internet blackout and restoration of all communications.
  • The independent investigation of war crimes committed in Tigray by independent organizations that doesn't include the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.
  • The immediate imposition of travel bans on Eritrean and Ethiopian government authorities and military leaders suspected of committing war crimes and genocide on the people of Tigray. That includes freezing their financial bank accounts abroad.
  • The immediate imposition of an arms embargo on both Eritrea and Ethiopia for committing human rights violations, war crimes and genocide on Tigray and its people.
  • Immediate suspension of the millions of Canadian tax payers' money given to Ethiopia on annual basis until the war stops and the crimes are investigated independently.
Civil and human rightsEthiopiaForeign policyHumanitarian assistance and workersInternational conflict and international conflict resolution
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3259e-3259 (Health)MarilynBanfieldLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCMarch 25, 2021, at 2:07 p.m. (EDT)July 23, 2021, at 2:07 p.m. (EDT)July 23, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The opioid crisis is one of the largest public health emergencies with a death toll of over 17,629 people in Canada of an opioid overdose between January 2016 to June 2020;Other countries have reduced drug deaths with reforms such as legal regulation of illicit drugs, developed safe supply and decriminalization for personal use;The federal government indicated it is premature to discuss these measures until there are comprehensive supports for people to recover;Measures that save lives are essential if people are to survive and access supports;The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police suggests “decriminalization for simple possession” to reduce the public health and safety harms associated with “substance use”;The government states it is “deliberating” over decriminalization; andThe overdose crisis rages, no signs of abating.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency;2. Involve people affected by this crisis and meet with the provinces to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian action plan, comprehensive supports and reforms other countries have adopted to reduce drug-related fatalities and stigma;3. Create and fund a national safe supply program that extends beyond the COVID-19 pandemic to regulate illicit drugs and ensure the safe supply of pharmaceutical alternatives to toxic drugs;4. Decriminalize all drugs, people who possess drugs for their own use;5. Expand the legal protection in the Good Samaritan Act to all drug-related charges, and protect those with warrants for their arrest and without citizenship status; and6. Expand federal funding for Overdose Prevention Sites (OPS) and Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS).DecriminalizationDrug use and abuseOpiates and opioidsPublic health43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 6, 2021432-00701432-00701 (Economy and finance)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCMarch 23, 2021May 6, 2021March 9, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned, RESIDENTS OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, draw the attention of the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to the following that:The current CERS legislation does not allow rent subsidy for non-arm's length tenants. We have been in tourist retail business for 22 years, leasing 4 retail units from a Landlord who is a family member. We have 4 legal lease agreements and both the Landlord and tenant have their own corporations. The tenant pays market rent, has never missed a payment and has never received a concession on rent. We conduct our business relationship in a 100% arm's length manner. Both corporations pay corporate tax independent of one another. The tourist industry has been affected more than most businesses. 90% of our revenue comes from international travellers. Our business is falling through the cracks and we may fail to make it through the pandemic without the rent subsidy. Rent is our largest business expense.Therefore, your petitioners request the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to please change this legislation so that businesses like ours qualify for the CERS rent subsidy.
Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia FreelandThe Government thanks the petitioners for expressing their views about changes to the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy legislation. As the Government announced on April 19th in Budget 2021, the government in proposing to extend the rent subsidy until September 25, 2021. This is a program that provides simple and easy-to-access rent support directly to small businesses. Businesses currently benefit from the up 65% rent subsidy. Combined with the lockdown support, a business can have up to 90% of their rent covered.The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, including the Lockdown Support, was created to help organizations pay their commercial rent while facing the economic and health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rent subsidy delivers direct, targeted, and accessible rent support to qualifying organizations affected by the pandemic without the need to work through their landlords, and further extends this support to include property owners. This means that the rent subsidy generally not only covers commercial rent expenses, but also property taxes, property insurance, and interest on commercial mortgages. As of April 18, 2021, 162,470 organizations have received support from the CERS and Lockdown Support, representing $2.97 billion paid out since the launch of the programs.To ensure that the rent subsidy is focused on providing relief to organizations in need of support, specific requirements apply to the expenses that qualify for the program. In particular, only expenses paid or payable to an arm’s-length party are eligible under the program - for example, this could include rent to an arm’s-length landlord, or property ownership costs such as mortgage interest. This rule supports the integrity of the program by preventing subsidies from being paid in circumstances where there may be no outflow of funds from a group of non-arm’s length parties. For example, where one company owns a building that is rented to another company and both companies are wholly owned by the same entity, such companies are considered to be not at arm’s length. In such cases, the “rent” is simply a transfer of funds from one entity in the group to another and does not represent a real economic cost. However, the actual costs borne by the group of non-arm’s length parties, including mortgage interest, property taxes and real property insurance paid by the corporation that owns the building could be eligible expenses for the rent subsidy.Overall, the government has made sure that the rent subsidy is helping as many businesses as possible, while ensuring program integrity and targeted support.The government has taken other actions to help businesses that have been highly impacted by the pandemic, including those that may not be able to access certain support programs. Through the regional development agencies and the Community Futures Network of Canada, the $2 billion Regional Relief and Recovery Fund provides loans to eligible businesses unable to access emergency liquidity programs, including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the rent subsidy, and the Canada Emergency Business Account. The government has directed the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to provide $500 million in support for businesses. As of March 4, 2021, the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund had helped protect more than 126,000 jobs and supported over 20,800 businesses.
Canada Emergency Rent SubsidyCOVID-19PandemicRentSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTourism
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 10, 2021432-00749432-00749 (Economy and finance)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCMarch 26, 2021May 10, 2021March 9, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned, RESIDENTS OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, draw the attention of the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to the following that:The current CERS legislation does not allow rent subsidy for non-arm's length tenants. We have been in tourist retail business for 22 years, leasing 4 retail units from a Landlord who is a family member. We have 4 legal lease agreements and both the Landlord and tenant have their own corporations. The tenant pays market rent, has never missed a payment and has never received a concession on rent. We conduct our business relationship in a 100% arm's length manner. Both corporations pay corporate tax independent of one another. The tourist industry has been affected more than most businesses. 90% of our revenue comes from international travellers. Our business is falling through the cracks and we may fail to make it through the pandemic without the rent subsidy. Rent is our largest business expense.Therefore, your petitioners request the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to please change this legislation so that businesses like ours qualify for the CERS rent subsidy.
Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia FreelandThe Government thanks the petitioners for expressing their views about changes to the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy legislation so that more businesses qualify. As the Government announced on April 19th in Budget 2021, the government in proposing to extend the rent subsidy until September 25, 2021. This is a program that provides simple and easy-to-access rent support directly to small businesses. Businesses currently benefit from the up 65% rent subsidy. Combined with the lockdown support, a business can have up to 90% of their rent covered.The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, including the Lockdown Support, was created to help organizations pay their commercial rent while facing the economic and health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rent subsidy delivers direct, targeted, and accessible rent support to qualifying organizations affected by the pandemic without the need to work through their landlords, and further extends this support to include property owners. This means that the rent subsidy generally not only covers commercial rent expenses, but also property taxes, property insurance, and interest on commercial mortgages. As of April 18, 2021, 162,470 organizations have received support from the CERS and Lockdown Support, representing $2.97 billion paid out since the launch of the programs.To ensure that the rent subsidy is focused on providing relief to organizations in need of support, specific requirements apply to the expenses that qualify for the program. In particular, only expenses paid or payable to an arm’s-length party are eligible under the program. This rule supports the integrity of the program by preventing subsidies from being paid in circumstances where there may be no outflow of funds from a group of non-arm’s length parties. For example, where one company owns a building that is rented to another company and both companies are wholly owned by the same entity, such companies are considered to be not at arm’s length. In such cases, the “rent” is simply a transfer of funds from one entity in the group to another and does not represent a real economic cost. However, the actual costs borne by the group, including mortgage interest, property taxes and real property insurance paid by the corporation that owns the building could be eligible expenses for the rent subsidy.Overall, the government has made sure that the rent subsidy is helping as many businesses as possible, while striking the right balance to help ensure that businesses that are in need are the ones entitled to support under this program.The government has taken other actions to help businesses that have been highly impacted by the pandemic, including those that may not be able to access certain support programs. Through the regional development agencies and the Community Futures Network of Canada, the $2 billion Regional Relief and Recovery Fund provides loans to eligible businesses unable to access emergency liquidity programs, including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the rent subsidy, and the Canada Emergency Business Account. The government has directed the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to provide $500 million in support of the tourism sector. As of March 4, 2021, the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund had helped protect more than 126,000 jobs and supported over 20,800 businesses, including more than 4,000 tourism businesses.
Canada Emergency Rent SubsidyCOVID-19PandemicRentSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTourism
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 10, 2021e-3125e-3125 (Environment)SonjaWoodLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJanuary 28, 2021, at 3:56 p.m. (EDT)February 27, 2021, at 3:56 p.m. (EDT)March 26, 2021May 10, 2021March 2, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Environment and Climate Change</Addressee>Whereas:The Windsor Causeway in Nova Scotia was constructed in 1968 without proper fish passage; to this day it impedes the migrations of many fishes, but most importantly the Endangered Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon and the impacts on fish habitat;The Province of Nova Scotia is currently twinning Hwy. 101 at the causeway site, and construction plans call for a 'test' aboiteau to be built near the remaining channel of the Avon River;The EA study, prepared in 2017 by N.S. Transportation, Infrastructure and Renewal (TIR) for crossing the Avon River, inadequately explores or explains all the relevant options for fish passage and flood control, or options for bridges and free-tidal-flow;Options for dykes and a 'partial opening' at the causeway, with bridges and actual costs/benefits need to be clearly outlined in the EA study; andThe lack of comprehensiveness in the aforementioned EA extends to the limits placed on the study area – decidedly only concerned with the lands, waters and stakeholders immediately upstream of the causeway, while impacts to the adjacent marine-side of the causeway are not given consideration.We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to deny the approval of the request of the Province of Nova Scotia to build an aboiteau at the Avon River until a full and proper EA study has been completed and addresses all of these shortfalls.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONThe Highway 101 Twinning Three Mile Plains to Falmouth Project (the Project), which included an upgrade of the aboiteau on the Avon River, was subject to a Nova Scotia provincial environmental assessment.  On June 27, 2017, the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment approved the Project, subject to conditions. Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act,2012 (CEAA 2012), the Project was not described in the Regulations Designating Physical Activities, as such, it did not require a federal environmental assessment.In August 2019, the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) came into force repealing CEAA 2012. The Project is not a designated project listed in the Physical Activities Regulations under the new act. While the IAA allows the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to designate a project that is not prescribed by regulations, it prevents him from designating a project that has substantially begun or where a federal authority has already issued an authorization related to the project.Having spoken with the Province of Nova Scotia as well as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), who participated in the provincial assessment, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has indicated that construction of this Project is well advanced. DFO has already issued an authorization for the Project which included the infilling of the salt marsh up to the existing Avon River. Since the Project has already begun and since DFO has already issued an authorization, the project cannot be designated for a federal impact assessment. However, the provincial approval included conditions requiring the proponent to provide DFO with a detailed design of the aboiteau structure to enable fish passage together with an analysis of any other options for fish passage at the Avon River causeway. The information provided must be to DFO’s satisfaction. DFO is currently reviewing information related to this condition.We are confident that both the Province of Nova Scotia and DFO are ensuring elements of the Project related to fish and fish passage are assessed and mitigated adequately.
Avon RiverCausewaysNova Scotia
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 26, 2021432-00766432-00766 (Economy and finance)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCApril 12, 2021May 26, 2021March 4, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned, RESIDENTS OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, draw the attention of the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to the following that:The current CERS legislation does not allow rent subsidy for non-arm's length tenants. We have been in tourist retail business for 22 years, leasing 4 retail units from a Landlord who is a family member. We have 4 legal lease agreements and both the Landlord and tenant have their own corporations. The tenant pays market rent, has never missed a payment and has never received a concession on rent. We conduct our business relationship in a 100% arm's length manner. Both corporations pay corporate tax independent of one another. The tourist industry has been affected more than most businesses. 90% of our revenue comes from international travellers. Our business is falling through the cracks and we may fail to make it through the pandemic without the rent subsidy. Rent is our largest business expense.Therefore, your petitioners request the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to please change this legislation so that businesses like ours qualify for the CERS rent subsidy.
Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia FreelandThe Government thanks the petitioners for expressing their views about changes to the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy legislation so that more businesses qualify. As the Government announced on April 19th in Budget 2021, the government in proposing to extend the rent subsidy until September 25, 2021. This is a program that provides simple and easy-to-access rent support directly to small businesses. Businesses currently benefit from the up 65% rent subsidy. Combined with the lockdown support, a business can have up to 90% of their rent covered.The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, including the Lockdown Support, was created to help organizations pay their commercial rent while facing the economic and health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rent subsidy delivers direct, targeted, and accessible rent support to qualifying organizations affected by the pandemic without the need to work through their landlords, and further extends this support to include property owners. This means that the rent subsidy generally not only covers commercial rent expenses, but also property taxes, property insurance, and interest on commercial mortgages. As of April 18, 2021, 162,470 organizations have received support from the CERS and Lockdown Support, representing $2.97 billion paid out since the launch of the programs.To ensure that the rent subsidy is focused on providing relief to organizations in need of support, specific requirements apply to the expenses that qualify for the program. In particular, only expenses paid or payable to an arm’s-length party are eligible under the program. This rule supports the integrity of the program by preventing subsidies from being paid in circumstances where there may be no outflow of funds from a group of non-arm’s length parties. For example, where one company owns a building that is rented to another company and both companies are wholly owned by the same entity, such companies are considered to be not at arm’s length. In such cases, the “rent” is simply a transfer of funds from one entity in the group to another and does not represent a real economic cost. However, the actual costs borne by the group, including mortgage interest, property taxes and real property insurance paid by the corporation that owns the building could be eligible expenses for the rent subsidy.Overall, the government has made sure that the rent subsidy is helping as many businesses as possible, while striking the right balance to help ensure that businesses that are in need are the ones entitled to support under this program.The government has taken other actions to help businesses that have been highly impacted by the pandemic, including those that may not be able to access certain support programs. Through the regional development agencies and the Community Futures Network of Canada, the $2 billion Regional Relief and Recovery Fund provides loans to eligible businesses unable to access emergency liquidity programs, including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the rent subsidy, and the Canada Emergency Business Account. The government has directed the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to provide $500 million in support of the tourism sector. As of March 4, 2021, the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund had helped protect more than 126,000 jobs and supported over 20,800 businesses, including more than 4,000 tourism businesses.
Canada Emergency Rent SubsidyCOVID-19PandemicRentSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTourism
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01225432-01225 (Economy and finance)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJune 22, 2021March 5, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned, RESIDENTS OF THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, draw the attention of the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to the following that:The current CERS legislation does not allow rent subsidy for non-arm's length tenants. We have been in tourist retail business for 22 years, leasing 4 retail units from a Landlord who is a family member. We have 4 legal lease agreements and both the Landlord and tenant have their own corporations. The tenant pays market rent, has never missed a payment and has never received a concession on rent. We conduct our business relationship in a 100% arm's length manner. Both corporations pay corporate tax independent of one another. The tourist industry has been affected more than most businesses. 90% of our revenue comes from international travellers. Our business is falling through the cracks and we may fail to make it through the pandemic without the rent subsidy. Rent is our largest business expense.Therefore, your petitioners request the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to please change this legislation so that businesses like ours qualify for the CERS rent subsidy.Canada Emergency Rent SubsidyCOVID-19PandemicRentSmall and medium-sized enterprisesTourism43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 6, 2021e-3158e-3158 (Foreign affairs)Si ThuNaingLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCFebruary 9, 2021, at 8:45 a.m. (EDT)March 11, 2021, at 8:45 a.m. (EDT)March 23, 2021May 6, 2021March 12, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Myanmar military staged a coup d’etat on February 1, 2021, ignoring the will of the people of Myanmar and the outcome of the election in November 2020;President Win Myint, vice president Henry Van Thio, state councillor Aung San Suu Kyi and elected members of parliament were illegally detained;Public figures, political activists and Buddhist monks who are critical of the military were also detained and their status and whereabouts are unknown; andThe international community including Canada must act firmly to reject the coup and put pressure on our allies and Asian partners to stop providing arms to the Myanmar military.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1) Condemn the military coup in the strongest terms;2) Call for the immediate and unconditional release of all the elected officials as well as political activists;3) Take measurable actions against the Myanmar military junta and call for the repeal of the unlawfully declared state of emergency, and respect the outcome of November 2020 election;4) Immediately draft a law barring Canadian businesses from exporting arms and technologies to the Myanmar military that can be used against the general public; 5) Put forward a UN General Assembly resolution calling member states to address the long term threat to peace and stability of Myanmar;6) Bar members of Myanmar military, their families and associates from pursuing education or business opportunities in Canada; and 7) Draft a motion to refer this matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantCanada unequivocally condemns the Myanmar military’s seizure of power, the overthrow of the democratically-elected civilian government, and the detention of politicians, civil society leaders, journalists, peaceful protestors and human rights defenders. Canada further condemns the use of force by Myanmar security forces on peaceful protestors, as well as the deliberate efforts to suppress dissent through disruption of communications, acts of intimidation, and the introduction of new and unacceptable laws. These actions constitute a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the democratic process, hard-fought civil and political rights, and the will of the people of Myanmar. Canada rejects claims made by coup leadership of large-scale election fraud in the 2020 general elections, as they have no basis in fact, and have been refuted by international, diplomatic and domestic elections observers.Canada has made its position clear both bilaterally and in conjunction with its international partners. On February 1, 2021, Canada issued a Ministerial statement calling for the immediate release of those detained and the restoration of the democratically-elected civilian government. These demands were reiterated in a subsequent G7 Foreign Ministers statement issued on February 3, 2021. On February 23, 2021, Canada joined a second G7 statement condemning the unacceptable attacks perpetrated by Myanmar security forces against peaceful demonstrators, and calling for restraint and full humanitarian access. Canada has also registered its condemnation in an intervention at a UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Myanmar, an opening statement at World Trade Organization’s Trade Policy Review of Myanmar, an intervention at the UN General Assembly and a joint Canada-UK statement at the International Labour Organization Governing Body meeting. In response to the deplorable violence committed by the Myanmar military on the country’s Armed Forces Day, Canada released a Ministerial Statement, and joined a Chief of Defence Statement with Australia, Greece Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.Officials at Global Affairs Canada also briefed the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) on March 24, 2021 on the situation in Myanmar in the wake of the military coup, and, on April 15, 2021, the FAAE met for a second time to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on displaced persons from Myanmar.On February 18, 2021, Canada announced targeted sanctions against the military leaders of the coup, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, his Deputy Soe Win, and 7 others. These sanctions were developed and imposed in coordination with the United Kingdom, following similar measures by the United States. Importantly, these listing were in addition to a robust sanctions regime under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) that has been in place since 2007, and is the most comprehensive among Canada’s likeminded allies. Currently, there are 44 Myanmar entities and 54 individuals listed under SEMA. These sanctions encompass several measures, including:
  • a freeze on assets in Canada of any designated Myanmar nationals connected with the Myanmar State, as well as prohibitions on several categories of transactions, services and dealings involving property of designated persons, wherever situated; and
  • an arms embargo, including prohibitions on exporting and importing arms and related material to and from Myanmar, on communicating technical data related to military activities or arms and related material, and on financial services related to military activities or arms and related material.
Canada continues to work in close coordination with its international partners in pursuit of a range of additional measures to bring pressure to bear on the military junta. These measures include advocating for the adoption of international arms embargos on Myanmar, efforts to target the financial foundations of the Tatmadaw and constrict its grip on information in Myanmar, and continued support to pro-democracy and human rights forces on the ground.Canada will also continue to work with international partners to ensure that vulnerable and conflict-afflicted populations in Myanmar, including the Rohingya, live in safety and with dignity. Canada has reviewed its international assistance to Myanmar, and does not and will not provide direct funding to the Tatmadaw regime. Canada will, however, continue to support poverty alleviation among vulnerable and conflict-affected populations, particularly women and ethnic groups, through civil society organizations. As the prospects for sustainable and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar are further diminished by the coup, Canada continues to work with international partners to mobilize support for the Rohingya people. We continue to help meet the immediate and longer-term needs of Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh, through programming on health, critical protection services, learning, livelihood opportunities, environmental rehabilitation, and social cohesion.Canada continues to provide development assistance for vulnerable populations in Myanmar, particularly women and ethnic minority groups, working mainly through support to civil society organizations, champions of democratization, and human rights defenders.The military coup has also reaffirmed the critical need for accountability for the crimes committed by the Tatmadaw. Canada continues to pursue a joint intervention with the Netherlands in support of The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, and supports the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. We continue to work with our international partners to ensure justice for the victims, and accountability for the perpetrators, of gross violations and abuses of human rights.Building an international constituency to urge the immediate cessation of violence and release of detainees, and to advance peace, democracy, accountability and human rights remains a priority for the Government of Canada.
Coup d'etatCriminal investigations and hearingsEconomic sanctionsExportsFederal electionsImprisonment and prisonersInternational conflict and international conflict resolutionMilitary weaponsMyanmar
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedNovember 6, 2020e-2460e-2460 (Environment)MichaelWegnerLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJuly 8, 2020, at 5:39 p.m. (EDT)November 5, 2020, at 5:39 p.m. (EDT)November 6, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Canada sells twenty-seven billion cigarettes annually;Tobacco pollution is the number one form of litter contaminating our eco-systems; Cigarette butts are a plastic product that significantly contributes to pollution in soil, waterways and beaches, and impacts the health of fish and other wildlife, as well as the safety of the food supply for humans;Plastic cigar tips, commonly sold and used with cigarillos and small cigars, are also among the most littered objects;We have Deposit/Return and Environmental Handling Fee models already in practice;There is already a processor that is recycling cigarette butts and cigar tips;An Environmental Handling Fee on tobacco products will create jobs and generate one billion dollars of revenue; andEfforts to prevent litter of cigarette filters by educating consumers have failed.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: 1. Ban the sale of cigarettes, cigars, cigarette tubes and other tobacco products that contain single use plastics.2. Apply a minimum Environment Handling Fee of $.05 per cigarette, cigar, cigarette tube and other tobacco products to be used for supporting the infrastructure for cigarette butt, vape pod and cigar tip recycling;3. Apply a minimum fee of $.05 per cigarette or cigar or cigarette tube to be used as a Refundable Deposit on vape pods, cigarette filters and cigar tips.PlasticsPollutionTobacco products43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021e-2758e-2758 (Environment)FrannyLadell YakelashekLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCJuly 23, 2020, at 10:49 a.m. (EDT)November 20, 2020, at 10:49 a.m. (EDT)December 4, 2020January 25, 2021November 20, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) is Canada’s main law governing pollution prevention and the management of toxic chemicals;Scientific understanding of environmental and health risks of exposure to toxics and pollution has evolved over the past two decades and CEPA 1999 needs to be updated to address today’s sources of toxic exposure;Too often, vulnerable and marginalized populations bear a disproportionate burden of environmental harm, yet CEPA 1999 lacks provisions to protect vulnerable populations and safeguard against environmental injustice;The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development reviewed CEPA 1999 and made 87 recommendations to strengthen and modernize the act; andThe Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Health are jointly mandated to “better protect people and the environment from toxins and other pollution, including by strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.”We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to pass legislation to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 without delay, to ensure (i) better control of toxic substances — notably, banning highly hazardous substances like carcinogens and reproductive toxicants, addressing cumulative effects and requiring substitution with safer alternatives, and disclosure of chemicals in products through better labelling, (ii) enforceable national air and water quality standards, (iii) protection for vulnerable populations, and (iv) recognition of the human right to a healthy environment.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONThe Government of Canada is committed to modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) as set out in the December 2019 mandate letters from the Prime Minister to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Health. This commitment was reaffirmed in theSeptember 2020 Speech from the Throne.The Government is considering amendments to CEPA to address issues raised by stakeholders, and during the most recent review of CEPA by the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI). The Committee offered 87 recommendations in its 2017 report, “Healthy Environment, Healthy Canadians, Healthy Economy: Strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999”, to improve and modernize the Act.  In its June 2018 Follow-Up Report, the Government responded to all of the ENVI’s recommendations and committed to working towards legislative amendments in future parliamentary sessions.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Darren FisherThe Government of Canada is committed to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) as set out in the December 2019 mandate letters from the Prime Minister to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Health. This commitment was reaffirmed in the September 2020 Speech from the Throne.The Government is considering amendments to CEPA to address issues raised by stakeholders and during the most recent review of CEPA by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI). The Committee offered 87 recommendations in its 2017 report, “Healthy Environment, Healthy Canadians, Healthy Economy: Strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999”, to improve and modernize the Act. In its June 2018 Follow-Up Report, the Government responded to all of the ENVI Committee’s recommendations and committed to working towards legislative amendments in future parliamentary sessions.
Air qualityCivil and human rightsEnvironmental protectionPublic healthToxic substances
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021e-2818e-2818 (Culture and heritage)BuddHallLaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCSeptember 1, 2020, at 11:14 a.m. (EDT)October 31, 2020, at 11:14 a.m. (EDT)November 20, 2020January 25, 2021November 2, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Many of Canada’s musicians face extinction;Canada’s musicians, their sound and technical support workers and the Canadian live music industry will be one of the last sectors of the economy to recover from the pandemic;Without income from performances, many of our established musicians will be forced to leave music as a career, and young musicians will never get a start;Canadian professional musicians perform on average 96 times a year, but according to a national survey by Music Canada, the average number of bookings for the rest of 2020 is only eight with more than half of the musicians having zero performances booked, and bookings so far for 2021 are already lower than usual;Digital streaming is not a substitute for live performances, and research from Abacus Data shows that most Canadians want to get back to enjoying live music, including 89% of Canadians who attend live music events regularly; andWhile there are several targeted economic supports to the parts of the music industry from FACTOR, Canada Council for the Arts, and provincial bodies, they are a patchwork of support for the Canadian music ecosystem and there are few programs that assist musicians directly.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to: 1. Guarantee CERB funding or its equivalent for musicians and technical supporters until the summer of 2021;2. Fund and extend the music ecosystem support models such as SoundON from British Colombia across the country; and3. Create project funds that go directly to musicians for developing music content through virtual platforms.
Response by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability InclusionSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): IREK KUSMIERCZYKThe Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was an important and necessary temporary response to support Canadians who stopped working because ofCOVID-19.The CERB provided $500 per week for up to 28 weeks, for eligible workers, including the self-employed, who stopped working or lost their income due to COVID-19.  While many Canadians have returned to work since the start of the pandemic, the Government of Canada recognizes that many workers continue to need support, including those in the arts and culture sector.As part of the Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Government has transitioned from the CERB to a simplified Employment Insurance (EI) program, effective September 27, 2020, to provide income support to eligible workers who remain unable to work. Recognizing that many workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will have lost their jobs or worked reduced hours, a set of temporary measures have been introduced to facilitate access to EI benefits.The Government of Canada also introduced a suite of three new benefits to support economic recovery and help Canadians who remain unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19.Among these new supports, the Canada Recovery Benefit supports individuals who are not employed or self-employed due to the COVID-19 pandemic or are working and have had a reduction of at least 50 percent in their employment/self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19 and are not eligible for EI. The Canada Recovery Benefit is available for up to 26 weeks between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021. Canadians receiving this Benefit need to be available and looking for work and accept work where it is reasonable to do so. Workers who receive the Canada Recovery Benefit and have an annual net income greater than $38,000 will be required to repay some or all of the benefit through the tax filing process.Additional information on other recovery benefits is available at this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2020/10/backgrounder.html 
Response by the Minister of Canadian Heritage Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Julie DabrusinThe Government would like to thank the petitioners for expressing their concerns regarding the financial and artistic impact of COVID-19 on Canadian musicians and technical support workers.The pandemic immediately halted the live music sector and caused significant financial losses across the value network. Live music had become the largest economic driver for the music industry and its absence has created further challenges to develop and promote Canadian artists, much of which relies on building audiences through live performances in Canada and abroad. A return to pre-COVID-19 activity levels is not expected for the next few years.On September 9, 2020, the Minister of Canadian Heritage led a town hall on the music industry to better understand the financial pressures facing cultural organizations and artists. Participants discussed new models to improve artist remuneration and proposed recovery measures to support the sector’s recovery.  The Government of Canada continues to provide financial support to Canadian artists and the music industry during the COVID-19 crisis through various mechanisms, described below.Canada Music Fund and Emergency Support FundCanada Music FundThe Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH), through the Canada Music Fund (CMF), provides direct financial support to Canadian music artists and entrepreneurs for the production and marketing of commercial music recordings, touring, showcasing, conferences, award shows and other events that enhance the visibility of Canadian artists. The CMF is administered by FACTOR for the English-language market and Musicaction for the French-language market.The CMF supports different gender and identity groups of Canadian artists and entrepreneurs in both English and French-language markets, including Canadian artists of all racialized backgrounds and in different musical genres.The CMF’s current reference level is $24.75 million. In Budget 2019, the CMF received $20 million over two fiscal years (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) to support a program modernization that opened funding to a wider spectrum of recipients who develop and promote Canadian artists. The 2020 Fall Economic Statement extended that additional funding for 2021-22. In a typical year, the CMF supports:
  • The production of over 500 albums by Canadian artists from a wide variety of genres.
  • Over 2,500 artist marketing, touring and showcasing projects allowing Canadian artists to expand their fan base at home and abroad.
  • Some 800 performances of artists from official language minority communities.
  • Bootcamps to support the development of artists’ business and artistic skills to reflect the changes in monetization streams and support new digital skills required for livestreams.
  • Around 300 collective promotional projects including:
    • Events showcasing hundreds of Canadian artists to international audiences and talent buyers.
    • Projects promoting Canadian music on a multitude of digital platforms.
    • Numerous conferences, award shows and other industry events.
On April 1, 2020, the CMF was modernized with a reformulated objective to increase the focus on artist promotion and to foster an environment where a diversity of Canadian music artists connect with audiences everywhere. The Program was also restructured according to new business models, opening flexible comprehensive envelope funding to a wide range of entrepreneurs who are integral to building audiences for Canadian artists.The modernized Canada Music Fund is well-positioned to directly assist Canadian artists and music entrepreneurs amidst this unprecedented industry upheaval. The funding flexibility offered through the modernization’s expanded comprehensive envelope will support recipients’ key activities, with incentives to invest in new artists, indigenous artists, visible minorities, and artists from official language minority communities. In addition, the modernized CMF will continue to emphasize the development of artists' business and artistic skills, more critical than ever in the face of constant change.Emergency Support FundOn May 8, 2020, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced a $500M Emergency Support Fund (ESF) for temporary relief to the culture and sports sector.For culture, the fund was distributed through departmental programs and portfolio agencies such as: Canada Periodical Fund, Canada Book Fund, Canada Music Fund (via FACTOR and Musicaction), Canada Arts Training Fund, Canada Arts Presentation Fund, Harbourfront Centre Funding Program, Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program, Canada Council for the Arts and Telefilm Canada. A two-phased approach was taken in order to accelerate the distribution of funds. Through Phases 1 and 2, the CMF delivered a total of $32.9 million in emergency support to 879 recipients who are key to artist development career. Phase 2 of CMF ESF funding included support for Canadian music entrepreneurs and organizations in the live music sector that do not normally receive funding from the CMF, including music venues, booking agents, concert promoters and for-profit festivals, to maintain jobs and stay in business.Recipients had to demonstrate that their main activities are central to the career development of Canadian artists, the promotion of Canadian music content and audience development.The CMF ESF funds were used to support the Canadian portion of eligible music activities related to Canadian artists, including payments to artists and freelance workers, administrative expenses, and fixed operational costs. Funding must not have been used to cover expenses already supported by other COVID-19 government emergency measures. Note that some recipients used a portion of their funding to present virtual live performances.Coordinated Response The Government’s financial support to the music industry and artists is multifaceted. Complementary to the commercial focus of the CMF as described above, the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) provides direct financial assistance to Canadian artists and supports the development of experimental, non-mainstream music. Further, the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) supports music festivals and performing arts series in communities all across Canada. PCH undertook a rapid, coordinated response to provide urgent relief to the music industry, arts and cultural organizations through ESF support delivered via the CMF, CAPF, and the CCA.Building on the ESF, the 2020 Fall Economic Statement included $181.5M to support the planning and presentation of COVID-19 safe events and the arts in 2021-22 – including both live and digital - and to provide work opportunities to artists and workers in these sectors. This amount includes a one-year renewal of additional funding for the CAPF and the CMF originally provided in Budget 2019.
Canada Emergency Response BenefitCOVID-19FundsMusic and musiciansPandemic
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 25, 2020431-00150431-00150 (Taxation)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCMarch 11, 2020May 25, 2020March 10, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We the undersigned citizens of Canada respectfully request that the House of Commons give serious consideration to the following: WHEREAS, Canada has a national price on carbon, uniting all provinces with a minimum and rising fee. This is an important step to help Canada in its transition to clean energy. THAT, Canada has committed to increasing the fee for only five years which makes planning difficult for Canadian businesses; THAT, A five year commitment and a price of $50 per carbon tonne are not enough to meet Canada's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030; THAT, Some sectors of the economy are exempt from the full price of the carbon tax. A comprehensive fee applied at the wellhead and point of entry for import in all provinces will most effectively reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions while providing powerful incentives to invest in the clean energy economy; THAT, Canada should be incentivizing non-carbon-taxing jurisdictions to price carbon while helping our economy establish an equal footing in the global market; THAT, Low and middle income Canadians are already overburdened with taxes.THEREFORE, we petitioners call upon the House of Commons to take meaningful steps so that Canada can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become a world leader in the clean energy economy. Extending the carbon fee to rise incrementally to at least $150 by 2030, ensuring comprehensive coverage and imposing border tax adjustments on carbon pollution will help ensure a strong, diverse and competitive economy inspiring other countries to take Canada's lead. Protecting low and middle-income Canadians from a rising carbon price by recirculating 100% of the revenue equitably to citizens in dividend cheques will ensure transparency and citizens will understand where their carbon fees go.
Response by the Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Mr. Sean FraserThe Government of Canada has been working with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples, to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. This plan outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, spur clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change provides a foundation and positions Canada on a path to meet its 2030 targets and achieve net zero by 2050.Pricing carbon pollution is an essential part of this plan. It is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate investments in clean innovation. A price on carbon pollution creates incentives for individuals, households, and businesses to choose cleaner options.The federal carbon pollution pricing system is not about raising revenues. It is about recognizing that pollution has a cost, empowering Canadians, and encouraging cleaner growth and a more sustainable future. All direct proceeds from carbon pollution pricing under the federal system will be returned to the jurisdiction in which they were generated.Provincial and territorial governments that have committed to addressing climate change by voluntarily adopting the federal system will receive these proceeds directly from the federal government and can decide on how to use them.For provinces that have not committed to pricing carbon pollution (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta), the federal government will return the bulk of direct proceeds from the fuel charge directly to individuals and families in the form of tax-free Climate Action Incentive payments. Most households in those provinces will receive more in Climate Action Incentive payments than the increased costs they incur from the federal carbon pollution pricing system. Returning proceeds from carbon pollution pricing mitigates the financial impact on families while maintaining the incentive to pollute less.In the Pan-Canadian Framework, the Government committed to work with provinces and territories to review the path forward on carbon pollution pricing in 2022. The review will inform the path forward, and help ensure that carbon pollution pricing is fair and effective across Canada.
Carbon pricingCarbon taxClimate change and global warmingTax refunds
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 25, 2020431-00151431-00151 (Environment)LaurelCollinsVictoriaNDPBCMarch 11, 2020May 25, 2020March 10, 2020PETITION TO THE CANADIAN HOUSE OF COMMONS AND ALL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTSWHEREASThe Federal and Provincial governments are directly supporting the Canadian fossil fuel industry by between $7.7 billion and $15 billion which includes the purchase of a $4.5 billion pipeline.The objective of the federal Clean Fuel Standard legislation is to achieve 30 million tonnes of annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 which is only a small portion of the nearly 200 million tonnes Canada has to erase to meet its commitment under the Paris climate change accord.Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2017 were 716 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Canada ranks ninth in the world as a nation for per capita greenhouse gas emissions.Science has shown that Canada is warming at twice the global average.Canada has recently declared a climate emergency. Canadian Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies in Canada.These subsidies encourage the fossil fuel industry in Canada to extract and sell more oil and natural gas for consumption.THEREFORE Be it resolved that the Federal and Provincial governments eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies in Canada.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate ChangeSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSONIn 2009, Canada and other G20 members committed to “rationalize and phase out over the medium term inefficient fossil fuel subsidies while providing targeted support for the poorest”. At the 2016 North American Leaders’ Summit, Canada, the United States, and Mexico reaffirmed this commitment by agreeing to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. This commitment applies to federal measures only.Canada remains committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment. The Minister of Finance and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change are working together to identify and phase out or rationalize inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Canada has already taken significant actions to phase out or rationalize eight tax measures providing preferential tax treatment to the fossil fuel sector.To make sure we hear from Canadians, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change held a public consultation on the Government’s draft framework to review non-tax measures, which concluded in June 2019. The consultation invited comments from all Canadians. At the same time, targeted consultations with key stakeholders were undertaken. The results of the public and targeted consultations will inform Canada’s future work on this issue.In June 2018, Canada and Argentina committed to undergo peer reviews of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies under the G20 process. Peer reviews of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies can increase transparency, encourage international dialogue, and help develop best practices while moving toward a low-carbon economy. Canada’s peer review is currently underway; the reports resulting from this process will be made public once the peer review is completed.Canada supports clean energy deployment at home and abroad. For example, internationally, we are delivering $2.65 billion by 2020 to support developing countries in transitioning towards low-carbon and climate resilient economies, including by increasing access to renewable energy. Domestically, Canada is investing $21.9 billion in green infrastructure, including $5 billion for green infrastructure projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, which may include projects that promote renewable power.These initiatives highlight the commitment of the Government to align the economy and the environment in order to support a low-carbon economy and green growth.     
Fossil fuelsGovernment assistance
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021e-2664e-2664 (Justice)RobertArmstrongMichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABJune 18, 2020, at 4:28 p.m. (EDT)October 16, 2020, at 4:28 p.m. (EDT)November 18, 2020January 25, 2021October 20, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The Federal Child Support Guidelines have not been significantly modified since their adoption in 1997;The guidelines do not reflect the necessary and true costs of raising a child using data from Canadian families and instead use an arbitrary formula and ratio;The guidelines do not consider the child rearing costs for both parents when one parent has less access;The guidelines do not consider the many government programs and benefits in the development of the tables;The guidelines do not consider parents with children from two or more divorces; andThe guidelines include costs such as daycare and extra curricular activities even though these costs are doubly accounted for as Section 7 expenses.We, the undersigned, Canadian parents, call upon the Government of Canada to form a committee to update the Federal Child Support Guidelines based on the true costs of raising children in Canada.The committee must examine data from Canadian families, engage economists to interpret the data, and make recommendations to update the Federal Child Support Guidelines accordingly.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiChild support is the right of the child. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that children and families get the support they are entitled to receive by law.The guiding principle of the Federal Child Support Guidelines (Federal Guidelines), which are a set of rules and tables used as a basis to determine child support amounts in divorce cases, is that both parents share the responsibility to support their children financially based on their ability to do so. This responsibility continues even if parents remarry or have another relationship. Children should continue to benefit from both parents’ financial means after separation or divorce, just as they would if the family were still together.The child support amounts included in the Federal Child Support Tables (Federal Tables) under the Federal Guidelines are based on a federal child support formula that takes into account income as well as federal/provincial/territorial tax rules to produce child support amounts that reflect parents’ capacity to pay as opposed to the cost associated with raising a child. This is because in intact families, spending on children is directly related to family income, that is, the means of both parents. Spending on children is not fixed; it changes as the income of either parent changes. Benefits and credits related to children are generally not included in the calculation of the Federal tables, as they may vary depending on each family’s specific circumstances. These amounts are deemed to be government’s contribution to children.The Federal Guidelines provide that an amount for special or extraordinary expenses may be added to the amount set out under the applicable Federal Tables to form the final child support amount. These expenses could be added if they are found to be necessary because they are in the child's best interests, and reasonable given the means of the parents and the child and in light of the family's spending patterns before the separation.The Federal Guidelines recognize that in some cases, an amount of child support, combined with other circumstances, could create undue hardship for a parent. When there are significant access costs or the obligation to support children from another relationship, there might be undue hardship for a parent. If a claim for undue hardship is successful, a court may order a different child support amount.The Federal Tables are monitored on an ongoing basis and updated approximately every five years to take into account more recent tax rules and to ensure that they reflect parents’ capacity to pay. The Government of Canada works closely with provincial and territorial governments on an ongoing basis to monitor the application of the Federal Guidelines.     
Family lawSupport of children
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020432-00023432-00023 (Foreign affairs)MichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABSeptember 28, 2020November 16, 2020September 11, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00242432-00242 (Foreign affairs)MichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABNovember 18, 2020January 25, 2021October 16, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021432-00524432-00524 (Justice)MichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABFebruary 17, 2021April 12, 2021November 29, 2018PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas increasing concerns about international trafficking in human organs removed from victims without consent have not yet led to a legal prohibition on Canadians travelling abroad to acquire or receive such organs; andWhereas there are currently two bills before Parliament proposing to impede the trafficking of human organs obtained without consent or as a result of a financial transaction: Bill C-350 in the House of Commons and Bill S-240 in the Senate;Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Parliament of Canada to move quickly on the proposed legislation so as to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prohibit Canadians from travelling abroad to acquire human organs removed without consent or as a result of a financial transaction and to render inadmissible to Canada any and all permanent residents or foreign nationals who have participated in this abhorrent trade in human organs.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiOur government was proud to support former Private Member’s Bill C-350, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking and transplanting human organs and other body parts), and former Senate Public Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), in the previous Parliament. We look forward to working with all parties on similar legislative proposals, including Senate Public Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), which was introduced in the Senate on September 30, 2020.Combatting human organ trafficking is a complex issue that involves both legislative and policy responses. In Canada, organ transplantation and donation is governed by a comprehensive legislative framework at both the federal and provincial/territorial level, encompassing health and criminal law.
Human organs and other body parts traffickingMedical tourismMedical transplantationOrgans
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 10, 2021432-00759432-00759 (Foreign affairs)MichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABMarch 26, 2021May 10, 2021March 9, 2021PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas the Canadian Parliament has unanimously passed the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, also known as the Sergei Magnitsky Act, to sanction corrupt foreign officials who, among others, are responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights;Whereas the Former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin and his cohorts personally ordered, launched, orchestrated and executed the eradication campaign against Falun Gong using state apparatus, including the extrajudicial torture and killing of Falun Gong practitioners in large numbers with impunity for the past 19 years for their beliefs in "truthfulness, compassion and tolerance”; and whereas Falun Gong practitioners have been killed for their organs in China on a massive scale, which has been well documented and widely reported;Whereas extensive evidence points to fourteen key officials and former officials of the Chinese communist regime who demonstrate prime culpability in the human rights atrocities committed against Falun Gong practitioners in China.Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions, including the freezing of assets, and barring of entry to Canada, against these perpetrators under the Sergei Magnitsky Act.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, as well as Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits; public statements; representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums; interventions and advocacy by the Embassy of Canada; as well as outreach to civil society.The promotion of human rights is a core component of Canada's constructive engagement in the world and our government is committed to do more. Canadian human rights efforts focus on advancing the rights of women and children, LGBTI persons, Indigenous peoples and human rights defenders; freedom of expression, including Internet freedom and civil society space; freedom of religion or belief; the abolition of the death penalty; as well as country-specific issues in countries where human rights violations and abuses are particularly egregious.To this end, the Government of Canada regularly engages with a diverse range of civil society organisations, diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.The Government of Canada has presented concerns regarding human rights practices directly to Chinese authorities on numerous occasions. These concerns are raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Canada in September 2016, the Prime Minister’s visits to China in August 2016 and in December 2017, the Governor General’s visit to China in July 2017, and during a visit of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister to China in August 2017. The Prime Minister and Premier Li also had a frank and open discussion on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in November 2018. At the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Japan in November 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting. And most recently in August 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the human rights concerns with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting in Rome.On November 6, 2018, Canada made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. At that time, Canada called on China to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.In July 2019, Canada signed a joint statement, at the U.S. Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. This meeting is U.S.-led initiative where issues of religious freedom violations worldwide are addressed and that brings together foreign ministers and government representatives, civil society, as well as victims of religious persecution and discrimination. The joint statement emphasized concern about the significant restrictions on religious freedom in China and called on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of all individuals. The text stated that many members of religious minority groups in China face severe repression and discrimination because of their beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners. On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children which promotes cooperation to more effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including for the purposes of organ removal. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010.The promotion, protection and respect of human rights are core priorities in our foreign policy. Canada will continue to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in China and we will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 10, 2021432-00760432-00760 (Foreign affairs)MichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABMarch 26, 2021May 10, 2021March 9, 2021PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWHEREAS:
  • The Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (the Magnitsky Law), sanctions foreign officials responsible for gross human rights violations or acts of corruption;
  • For over 21 years, China's communist party officials have orchestrated the torture and killing of large numbers of people who practice Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline promoting the principles of "Truth, Compassion and Tolerance," including the killing of practitioners on a mass scale for their vital organs to fuel the communist regime's organ transplant trade.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions, including the freezing of assets, and barring of entry to Canada, against, but not limited to these perpetrators: Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Li lanqing, Wu Guanzheng, Li Dongsheng, Qiang Wei, Huang Jiefu, Zheng Shusen, Wang lijun, Zhang Chaoying, and Jia Chunwang.We also call upon the Government of Canada to refuse immigration/visitor visa to those who persecuted Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco MendicinoAs part of the immigration application process, all visa applications are carefully assessed for eligibility and admissibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. For example, a foreign national may be inadmissible to Canada if they have engaged in criminality or human or international rights violations (including being subject to sanctions), or are a family member of an inadmissible person.  In 2017, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) came into force. It added two new inadmissibility provisions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning sanctioned government officials or individuals acting on behalf of a foreign state who are responsible for corruption, extrajudicial killings, torture or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. A foreign national listed in an order or regulation made by the Governor in Council under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act would be inadmissible.If an applicant is determined to be inadmissible on any ground, they may be refused a visa, electronic travel authorization or entry to Canada. Inadmissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by Immigration Officers and are based on evidence, which may consist of police or intelligence reports, statutory declarations or other documents—such as media articles, scholarly journals or publicly-available information.In addition, if a foreign national who is at the border, or is in Canada, is found to be inadmissible, they may be denied entry or ordered to leave Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for immigration enforcement at the border and in Canada.For privacy reasons, individual cases cannot be discussed.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, as well as Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits; public statements; representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums; interventions and advocacy by the Embassy of Canada; as well as outreach to civil society.The promotion of human rights is a core component of Canada's constructive engagement in the world and our government is committed to do more. Canadian human rights efforts focus on advancing the rights of women and children, LGBTI persons, Indigenous peoples and human rights defenders; freedom of expression, including Internet freedom and civil society space; freedom of religion or belief; the abolition of the death penalty; as well as country-specific issues in countries where human rights violations and abuses are particularly egregious.To this end, the Government of Canada regularly engages with a diverse range of civil society organisations, diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.The Government of Canada has presented concerns regarding human rights practices directly to Chinese authorities on numerous occasions. These concerns are raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Canada in September 2016, the Prime Minister’s visits to China in August 2016 and in December 2017, the Governor General’s visit to China in July 2017, and during a visit of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister to China in August 2017. The Prime Minister and Premier Li also had a frank and open discussion on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in November 2018. At the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Japan in November 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting. And most recently in August 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the human rights concerns with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting in Rome.On November 6, 2018, Canada made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. At that time, Canada called on China to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.In July 2019, Canada signed a joint statement, at the U.S. Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. This meeting is U.S.-led initiative where issues of religious freedom violations worldwide are addressed and that brings together foreign ministers and government representatives, civil society, as well as victims of religious persecution and discrimination. The joint statement emphasized concern about the significant restrictions on religious freedom in China and called on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of all individuals. The text stated that many members of religious minority groups in China face severe repression and discrimination because of their beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners. On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children which promotes cooperation to more effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including for the purposes of organ removal. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010.The promotion, protection and respect of human rights are core priorities in our foreign policy. Canada will continue to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in China and we will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policy
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-01183432-01183 (Health)MichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABJune 21, 2021June 4, 2021Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, in Alberta, the unemployment rate for 25 to 29-year-old men who are actively seeking work, is twice that of similarly aged women, the second-largest gender gap in all the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries;Whereas, men are three times more likely to commit suicide with suicide being the second leading cause of death for men aged 15 to 34;Whereas, in a 2017 discussion paper, the Mental Health Commission described the connection between mental health and work stating, "Employment not only provides a paycheck, but also a sense of purpose, opportunities to learn and a chance to work with others";Whereas, unemployment rates in Alberta have exceeded 10%, with the province having one of the highest unemployment rates in Canada; andWhereas, unemployment, increased drug use, high suicide rates and economic instability have each negatively contributed to the well being and mental health of Albertan families.Therefore we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1. Work with businesses, communities and the government of Alberta to help lower the unemployment rate;2. Encourage and support community organizations, churches and families who help connect, support, and inspire men; and;3. Quickly create the 988 national suicide hotline, which was unanimously adopted by the House of Commons on December 11, 2020.Help line servicesJob creationMenMental health43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00241432-00241 (Justice)MichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABNovember 18, 2020January 25, 2021November 29, 2018PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas increasing concerns about international trafficking in human organs removed from victims without consent have not yet led to a legal prohibition on Canadians travelling abroad to acquire or receive such organs; andWhereas there are currently two bills before Parliament proposing to impede the trafficking of human organs obtained without consent or as a result of a financial transaction: Bill C-350 in the House of Commons and Bill S-240 in the Senate;Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Parliament of Canada to move quickly on the proposed legislation so as to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prohibit Canadians from travelling abroad to acquire human organs removed without consent or as a result of a financial transaction and to render inadmissible to Canada any and all permanent residents or foreign nationals who have participated in this abhorrent trade in human organs.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiOur government was proud to support former Private Member’s Bill C-350, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking and transplanting human organs and other body parts), and former Senate Public Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), in the previous Parliament. We look forward to working with all parties on similar legislative proposals, including Senate Public Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), which was introduced in the Senate on September 30, 2020.Combatting human organ trafficking is a complex issue that involves both legislative and policy responses. In Canada, organ transplantation and donation is governed by a comprehensive legislative framework at both the federal and provincial/territorial level, encompassing health and criminal law.
Human organs and other body parts traffickingMedical tourismMedical transplantationOrgans
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021432-00401432-00401 (Foreign affairs)MichaelCooperSt. Albert—EdmontonConservativeABDecember 9, 2020January 25, 2021November 3, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3320e-3320 (Information and privacy)AdamYahnJamesCummingEdmonton CentreConservativeABMay 11, 2021, at 10:03 a.m. (EDT)July 10, 2021, at 10:03 a.m. (EDT)July 12, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Today’s cars are gathering enormous amounts of data about the vehicle and its driver, including important maintenance and repair information;By 2022, 70 to 95 percent of new cars in Canada will be equipped with wireless technology that transmits this data in real time;Data transmitted wirelessly goes only to the automakers, giving them full control over how it is used and who to share it with;Without direct access to and control of this data, vehicle owners may face higher costs and have fewer options when it comes to who maintains and repairs their vehicles, restricting their ability to choose more affordable repair options;Vehicle owners deserve the right to direct where their vehicle data goes, so they have a choice in where they repair their vehicle; andThe government has introduced Bill C-11, which enshrines principles including data control and consent, portability, and transparency into law.We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Protect Canadian vehicle owners by giving them access and control of the data generated from their own vehicle;2. Pass legislation which acknowledges the importance of data ownership and portability; and3. Take steps to ensure that data control and consent, transparency, and portability remain core principles of the federal government's data and privacy agenda.Automotive industryConsumers and consumer protectionPrivacy and data protection43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 18, 2021432-00967432-00967 (Foreign affairs)JamesCummingEdmonton CentreConservativeABMay 14, 2021June 18, 2021March 10, 2021PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWHEREAS:
  • The Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (the Magnitsky Law), sanctions foreign officials responsible for gross human rights violations or acts of corruption;
  • For over 21 years, China's communist party officials have orchestrated the torture and killing of large numbers of people who practice Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline promoting the principles of "Truth, Compassion and Tolerance," including the killing of practitioners on a mass scale for their vital organs to fuel the communist regime's organ transplant trade.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions, including the freezing of assets, and barring of entry to Canada, against, but not limited to these perpetrators: Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Li lanqing, Wu Guanzheng, Li Dongsheng, Qiang Wei, Huang Jiefu, Zheng Shusen, Wang lijun, Zhang Chaoying, and Jia Chunwang.We also call upon the Government of Canada to refuse immigration/visitor visa to those who persecuted Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, as well as Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits; public statements; representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums; interventions and advocacy by the Embassy of Canada; as well as outreach to civil society.The promotion of human rights is a core component of Canada's constructive engagement in the world and our government is committed to do more. Canadian human rights efforts focus on advancing the rights of women and children, LGBTI persons, Indigenous peoples and human rights defenders; freedom of expression, including Internet freedom and civil society space; freedom of religion or belief; the abolition of the death penalty; as well as country-specific issues in countries where human rights violations and abuses are particularly egregious.To this end, the Government of Canada regularly engages with a diverse range of civil society organisations, diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.The Government of Canada has presented concerns regarding human rights practices directly to Chinese authorities on numerous occasions. These concerns are raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Canada in September 2016, the Prime Minister’s visits to China in August 2016 and in December 2017, the Governor General’s visit to China in July 2017, and during a visit of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister to China in August 2017. The Prime Minister and Premier Li also had a frank and open discussion on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in November 2018. At the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Japan in November 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting. And most recently in August 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the human rights concerns with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting in Rome.On November 6, 2018, Canada made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. At that time, Canada called on China to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.In July 2019, Canada signed a joint statement, at the U.S. Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. This meeting is U.S.-led initiative where issues of religious freedom violations worldwide are addressed and that brings together foreign ministers and government representatives, civil society, as well as victims of religious persecution and discrimination. The joint statement emphasized concern about the significant restrictions on religious freedom in China and called on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of all individuals. The text stated that many members of religious minority groups in China face severe repression and discrimination because of their beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners. On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children which promotes cooperation to more effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including for the purposes of organ removal. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010.The promotion, protection and respect of human rights are core priorities in our foreign policy. Canada will continue to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in China and we will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco MendicinoAs part of the immigration application process, all visa applications are carefully assessed for eligibility and admissibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. For example, a foreign national may be inadmissible to Canada if they have engaged in criminality or human or international rights violations (including being subject to sanctions), or are a family member of an inadmissible person.In 2017, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) came into force. It added two new inadmissibility provisions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning sanctioned government officials or individuals acting on behalf of a foreign state who are responsible for corruption, extrajudicial killings, torture or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. A foreign national listed in an order or regulation made by the Governor in Council under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act would be inadmissible.If an applicant is determined to be inadmissible on any ground, they may be refused a visa, electronic travel authorization or entry to Canada. Inadmissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by Immigration Officers and are based on evidence, which may consist of police or intelligence reports, statutory declarations or other documents—such as media articles, scholarly journals or publicly-available information.In addition, if a foreign national who is at the border, or is in Canada, is found to be inadmissible, they may be denied entry or ordered to leave Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for immigration enforcement at the border and in Canada.For privacy reasons, individual cases cannot be discussed.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policy
43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021432-00966432-00966 (Health)JamesCummingEdmonton CentreConservativeABMay 14, 2021March 15, 2021Petition to the Honorable Patricia Hajdu, Minister of Health, Government of CanadaWHEREAS
  • Orthodontic cranial growth stunting is a long-time used practice that began in the Victorian-era as means to align teeth based on the cultural belief that the face could over-grow;
  • The practice is employed via appliances such as cervical headgears;
  • The use of such appliances has been clinically demonstrated to be prejudicial to the health of a child, such that they stunt cranial, facial and pharyngeal growth of children, resulting in stunted and narrower than normal airways, predisposing them to life-long and life threatening conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea;
  • Alternatives to such appliances to align teeth that do not rely on stunting cranial, facial and pharyngeal growth are abundant;
  • The 1959 UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child states in Principle 2: The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration; and
  • The 1989 International Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Canada is a binding party states in Article 24.3: States Parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures with a view to abolishing traditional practices prejudicial to the health of children.
We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Honorable Patricia Hajdu, Minister of Health to:
  • Abolish orthodontic practices that stunt the natural growth of a child's skull, including the use of cervical headgears.
ChildrenOral and dental healthOrthodontics
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3338e-3338 (Social affairs and equality)ZahraDhananiJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONApril 20, 2021, at 11:59 a.m. (EDT)July 19, 2021, at 11:59 a.m. (EDT)July 20, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Throughout 2020-21, nooses, racial slurs and other expressions of hatred against Black people have been reported at various construction sites within Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia;Black workers have reported being harassed, assaulted, and have felt unsafe while working on site;In response, a number of community forums have occurred involving representatives from all levels of government, as well as representatives from the construction industry, and labour organizations;Communities have protested to call for lasting changes and appropriate consequences for perpetrators to deter others from carrying out these hateful acts;Representatives from within the industry have acknowledged that anti-Black racism is commonplace; andAll of these reported incidents are in contravention of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Labour Code, Criminal Code, Human Rights Act, and applicable provincial health and safety legislation.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Create a National Task Force on Racial Violence in Construction to lead an investigation into the conditions on commercial construction sites, with a report on recommendations; this, in order to create a culture shift towards a safe and healthy environment for all workers, especially Black workers; and2. Require recipients of any federal construction contract to conduct anti-racism training, with a focus on anti-Black racism, for all workers, supervisors, managers and executives, including any subcontractors, and to provide a project-specific anti-racism strategy and incident response plan, with an emphasis on ensuring contractor evaluation and compliance.Black CanadiansBuilding and construction industryRacial equality43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3426e-3426 (Health)MichalBorkowskiJulieDabrusinToronto—DanforthLiberalONMay 13, 2021, at 2:06 p.m. (EDT)September 10, 2021, at 2:06 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is an aggressive brain tumour found in the brainstem; It slowly takes away all vital functions while cognitive functions remain intact, making the child a prisoner in their own body; It is inoperable and incurable with 0% survival rate; DIPG is the second most common malignant brain tumor in children and the leading cause of brain tumour deaths in children; It occurs equally across gender and affects children typically between 5 - 7 years old; The prognosis and treatments have not improved in more than 40 years;The current strategic plan of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) identifies High Fatality Cancers as high priority and supports innovative research targeting these cancers; the CIHR has allocated only an average of $154k annually to DIPG;Due to limited funding to support research in DIPG, it remains largely unknown or misunderstood to the general public; Most people are unaware that DIPG is the leading cause of brain tumour deaths in children, often not finding out about this disease until they know someone whom it affects; andThis declaration would help to educate the public about this disease, encourage funding to support ongoing research, increase dialogue in the professional medical community, further publicize and promote Canada's involvement in the fight against DIPG, and honour the victims of this terrible disease.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to declare May 17 of every year as the National DIPG Day of Awareness across Canada.Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomaNational DIPG Day of Awareness43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 28, 2021432-00799432-00799 (Public safety)MarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservativeBCApril 14, 2021May 28, 2021March 25, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADAWHEREAS
  • The Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms), which includes sections that would prohibit the overwhelming majority of Airsoft guns from sale in Canada and many Paintball markers;
  • Panther Paintball and Airsoft Sports Park is a business in Surrey, British Columbia, that relies on the business of Airsoft and Paintball activities;
  • Bill C-21 would directly and negatively impact the ability for Panther to operate as a business; and
  • Bill C-21 would directly and negatively impact Canadians in British Columbia from being able to participate in a safe and responsible sporting activity.
Therefore, we, the undersigned resident and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1) Reject Bill C-21 to save the business of Panther Paintball and Airsoft Park and the jobs of the employees who work there;2) Recognize that Bill C-21 would not increase public safety by targeting Airsoft and Paintball activities;3) Recognize that removing a safe sport that is responsible and compliant with social distancing guidelines during a Global Pandemic will actually reduce public safety; and4) Fully legalize Airsoft and Paintball in law.
Response by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency PreparednessSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): JOËL LIGHTBOUND, M.P.Whereas Conservative members of Parliament have made many promises to the gun lobby weaken gun control in Canada, our Government will continue to listen to law enforcement, survivors of gun violence and public health experts to keep our communities safe.Replica firearms that are indistinguishable from legitimate ones are prohibited because they pose a threat to public safety and can be used to commit criminal offences. For twenty years the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) have called on the government to close the loophole on the sale and importation of indistinguishable replica firearms. In their opinion, these can either be mistaken for, or converted into deadly weapons, and have been used in crimes which compromise the safety of the Canadian public. In response to Bill C-21, the CACP’s statement read that “We also agree with implementing initiatives that target the criminal use and diversion of firearms to the illicit market by prohibiting the importation, exportation and sale of ‘replica’ firearms, something the CACP urged the government to do in a resolution passed by our membership back in 2000.”The Government has heard concerns from municipal police chiefs about these dangers as well, and support for the measures we hope to achieve. The Police Chief for Winnipeg declared that “In 2020 Winnipeg Police Services seized 215 replica guns that were used to commit crimes. Maybe Bill C-21 is onto something”. The President of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police declared that “We do support this legislative package moving forward”, acknowledging that “In terms of replica firearms, those have been a challenge for quite some time. They look so real now that it's really difficult to distinguish”. Over the past six months, concerns have also been raised by police in Langford, Kelowna, Canmore, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Gatineau and Ottawa about these firearms.These are not new concerns. In 2019, a Manitoba judge urged new rules governing replica firearms to reduce the risk of fatal shootings involving police and suicides-by-cop. Already this year, there have been too many cases of fatal shootings involving police who believed that a person was brandishing a legitimate firearm. In 2015, the Edmonton Police Service launched a comprehensive public awareness campaign to discourage people from wielding their replicas in public after they reported that imitation guns were involved in approximately 1,598 files. Back in 2009, CBC Marketplace ran a segment about the threat posed by replica firearms which prompted the following response from then Justice Minister Rob Nicholson’s office: “Because they often look almost exactly like bullet-firing firearms, replicas can be used in crime to intimidate victims and are often, mistaken for bullet-firing firearms by law enforcement.”The Government has also seen the dangers posed by these firearms in British Columbia. Late last year a teenager was arrested after brandishing a replica firearm at a school. According to Const. Nancy Saggar, “police educated the youth on the dangers of possessing and displaying a replica, especially near a school.”Bill C-21 simply proposes to close a gap with respect to replica firearms. The current definition of “replica firearm” in the Criminal Code, in force since 1998, only applies to low-velocity firearms (approximately 366 feet per second (fps) or less), such as pellet guns. These low-velocity firearms may not be imported, exported, transferred or sold in Canada, with limited exceptions for some businesses that have the necessary authorizations to sell replicas to other businesses (e.g., in the movie industry).The definition does not include mid-velocity firearms, such as airguns, that have a velocity of approximately 366-500 fps. A replica firearm exactly resembles (or with near precision) a regulated firearm (with a velocity that exceeds 500 fps). Bill C-21 would address the gap by ensuring that mid-velocity airguns that exactly resemble (or with near precision) a regulated firearm are subject to the same rules as replica firearms. Specifically, Bill C-21 would prohibit the importation, exportation, transfer and sale of an airgun that exactly resembles (or with near precision) a conventional regulated firearm.Canadians will continue to be able to safely enjoy airguns should Bill C-21 become law. As with existing replica firearms, it would not be an offence to possess a “replica airgun.” Airgun users in Canada could continue to possess and use their existing replica airguns if Bill C-21 becomes law. They could continue to acquire new airguns, paintball guns, pellet guns and BB guns, but not those that exactly resemble (or with near precision), a regulated firearm. Business owners would still be able to sell airguns that do not exactly resemble (or with near precision) a regulated firearm. The Government is confident that manufacturers will respond to these provisions by adjusting designs, and that airgun users will continue to have access to new models with full functionality. As with replica firearms, limited exceptions would permit businesses, with authorization, to sell airguns that exactly resemble(or with near precision) a regulated firearm, to other businesses in specific circumstances.This approach to the control of replica firearms and airguns is not unique to Canada. A number of other jurisdictions such as the UK, Australia, Japan and Germany have taken similar approaches to these devices.The Government recognizes the need to continue to work collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders to enhance public safety and reduce gun crime by focusing on prevention, effective law enforcement, and strong community partnerships.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiThe Government does not intend to ban all airguns. Bill C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments(firearms) proposes to close a gap with respect to replica firearms. Currently the definition of “replica firearm” in the Criminal Code, which is any device that is designed or intended to exactly resemble or to resemble with near precision a regulated firearm, only applies to low-velocity guns (approximately 366 feet per second (fps) or less), such as pellet guns. The Bill would ensure that mid-velocity guns (approximately 366-500 fps), such as airguns, that also exactly resemble or resemble with near precision a regulated firearm, are treated the same legally as replica firearms. All other mid-power guns, including airguns, would not be captured by these amendments.Replica firearms have been prohibited in Canada since 1998 for the purposes of importation, exportation, transfer or sale. It is not, however, an offence to possess a replica firearm. There are limited exceptions for some businesses that have the necessary authorizations to sell replicas to other businesses (e.g., in the movie industry). Replica firearms are prohibited for the above purposes because they pose a threat to public safety as they are indistinguishable from regulated firearms and can be used to commit criminal offences. Similarly, it can be difficult for law enforcement to differentiate between a replica firearm and an actual firearm.Mid-velocity airguns that also exactly resemble (or with near precision) a regulated firearm pose the same public safety risk as replica firearms. Despite this, currently these devices can be easily acquired and no licence or background checks are required. Bill C-21 would ensure that they could no longer be imported into or sold in Canada.Law enforcement stakeholders, such as the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, have called for the government to address the gap in the law with respect to replica firearms since 2000, and have expressed public support for the proposed amendments in Bill C-21.Should Bill C-21 come into force, business owners would still be able to sell mid-velocity firearms, such as airguns, that do not exactly resemble (or with near precision) a regulated firearm. Manufacturers of affected airguns may alter their appearance to ensure that they no longer exactly (or with near precision) resemble a regulated firearm. Airgun users in Canada could continue to possess and use their existing replica airguns. They could continue to acquire new airguns, paintball guns, pellet guns and BB guns, but not those that exactly resemble (or with near precision), a regulated firearm.
Air gunsC-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms)Safety
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMay 5, 2021432-00691432-00691 (Health)MarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservativeBCMarch 22, 2021May 5, 2021March 4, 2021PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADAWHEREAS:Licences for the production of medical cannabis are often abused, with production in excess of personal use amounts diverted for commercial sale on the black market;The amount of cannabis individuals are authorized to possess for medical purposes is impossible for an individual to personally consume;Grow-ops in residential neighbourhoods have negative impacts on nearby residents' health and well-being, such as excessive smells, frequent traffic, and reduced property values;Municipal enforcement agencies have little to no power over cannabis grow-ops in their own jurisdictions;The federal government has failed to subject personal registered medical cannabis production to examination and inspection, allowing grey and black-market cannabis growing operations to flourish under this program.THEREFORE: We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to reform the licensing and oversight of the production of cannabis for personal medical use, and to grant resources and authority to the provinces in regulating and enforcing the production of cannabis for personal medical use, in turn empowering municipal regulation and enforcement..
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Jennifer O'ConnellSuccessive court decisions established the right of individuals to have reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes and have emphasized repeatedly that the government may only restrict an individual’s access to cannabis for medical purposes when such action is justified and consistent with the objective of protecting public health and safety. In response to these court decisions, a legal framework was established under the Cannabis Regulations that allows individuals with a signed medical document from their health care practitioner to access cannabis for medical purposes by:
  • purchasing quality-controlled cannabis from a wide variety of federally licensed sellers inspected by Health Canada;
  • producing a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes, as authorized by their health care practitioner (“personal production”); or,
  • designating someone to produce it for them (“designated production”).
Subject to the legal age limit in their province or territory, they are also able to buy cannabis:
  • at provincial or territorial authorized retail outlets; and/or,
  • through provincial or territorial authorized online sales platforms.
The majority of individuals (approximately 375,000) who access cannabis for medical purposes obtain cannabis from a seller licensed and inspected by Health Canada. A smaller number of individuals (approximately 43,000) produce a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes, or designate someone to produce it for them.Health Canada is committed to protecting patients’ rights to reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes and recognizes that most patients are using the program for its intended purposes. Abuse of the medical framework undermines the integrity of the system that many patients rely on to access cannabis to address their medical needs.All persons authorized to produce cannabis for medical purposes must abide by the law and operate at all times within the limits set out when they were registered by Health Canada, including respecting their plant limits. Individuals are only authorized to produce and possess cannabis for their own medical purposes (or the individual they are designated to produce for), and it is illegal for them to distribute or sell cannabis to anyone else. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in revocation of their registration and/or criminal charges and prosecution.The Cannabis Regulations require patients to obtain an authorization from their health care practitioner to access cannabis for medical purposes. Health Canada does not play a role in determining whether cannabis is appropriate for a patient. The health care practitioner makes this decision through a discussion with their patient; the health care practitioner will also identify the daily amount needed for the patient’s medical condition. Health Canada expects health care practitioners to make these decisions based on the condition for which the patient is receiving treatment and supporting evidence.Over the last years, Health Canada has increased engagement with the health care practitioner community and the provincial and territorial licensing bodies in order to encourage health care practitioners to authorize appropriate amounts of cannabis for medical purposes, in line with established standards of practice and the best available evidence. Health Canada has published a document entitled Information for Health Care Professionals to help patients and health care practitioners make informed decisions about the benefits and risks of using cannabis for medical purposes, including dosage amounts. The Department continues to review the latest developments in the peer-reviewed scientific literature on dosing and will continue to publish further updates to this document.Regulatory oversight of health care practitioners and the practice of medicine is the responsibility of provinces and territories and professional colleges. Most provincial and territorial licensing bodies have their own set of standards and guidelines for their members, which may include standards of practice on authorizing cannabis for medical purposes. To support provincial and territorial licensing bodies in their oversight of their members, Health Canada has been proactively sharing data on the authorization of cannabis for medical purposes since the spring 2019. This data sharing includes providing specific information on the small number of health care practitioners who are responsible for authorizing large daily amounts of cannabis. In an effort to increase transparency, in December 2020, Health Canada began publishing data on its website on the average daily amounts authorized by health care practitioners.Health Canada actively works within the current regulatory framework to address risks associated with the personal and designated production of cannabis for medical purposes by:
  • conducting additional verifications when warranted (for example, contacting the health care practitioner to confirm the validity of the medical document and to confirm the daily dosage amount);
  • verifying that there are no more than four registrations at any given production site—the maximum allowed in the regulations—to reduce the risk of large-scale production sites;
  • refusing or revoking a registration, if it is determined that an applicant has submitted false or misleading information as part of their application, such as a forged medical document, or where the registration is likely to create a risk to public health or public safety, including the risk of cannabis being diverted to an illicit market or activity; and,
  • conducting inspections of personal registration and designated production sites to further verify compliance with the regulations.
Most recently, on March 8, 2021, Health Canada launched a public consultation on a draft guidance document for the personal and designated production of cannabis for medical purposes. The draft guidance provides proposed factors that may be considered in refusing or revoking a registration. The public consultation is open until May 7, 2021. It is important to note that different levels of government and law enforcement have roles in maintaining public safety with respect to cannabis. It is the responsibility of municipalities to enforce their bylaws with respect to cannabis production, and law enforcement has the authority to take action against illegal cannabis activity under the Cannabis Act and against those who operate outside of the legal framework.With each registration issued, Health Canada reminds registered individuals and designated producers that they need to comply with all relevant provincial/territorial and municipal laws, including local by-laws about zoning, noise, odour, electrical and fire safety, as well as all related inspection and remediation requirements.Health Canada encourages all provinces, territories, and municipalities to use the tools at their disposal to confirm that individuals meet all standards and by-laws. This includes implementing any limitations on zoning, location and nuisances, such as odour, that they feel are appropriate in their jurisdictions. Municipalities could, for example, require building permits and inspections of electrical work at personal production sites.Health Canada supports law enforcement representatives by providing a dedicated service 24 hours a day and seven days a week to confirm, when necessary, that specific individuals are authorized to possess or produce a limited amount of cannabis for medical purposes. The Cannabis Regulations authorize Health Canada to share information that is protected under the Privacy Act in the context of an active law enforcement investigation. In the context of an investigation, law enforcement also has the ability to enter residences and any production sites.The Cannabis Act requires that the Minister initiate a review of the Cannabis Act three years following the coming into force (i.e., by October 17, 2021), and that a report of the review’s findings be tabled before both Houses of Parliament within 18 months of the start of the review. The Government of Canada has also committed to actively monitoring and evaluating patients’ access to cannabis for medical purposes through the implementation of the Cannabis Act, and to undertake an evaluation of the existing medical access framework within five years (i.e., by October 17, 2023), as recommended by the expert Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation. These two exercises will be an opportunity to address some of the challenges associated with the cannabis for medical purposes program.Health Canada is committed to ongoing engagement with stakeholders on the administration and operation of the Cannabis Act. Departmental officials regularly engage with stakeholders on all aspects of the cannabis framework to advance public health and safety objectives.
CannabisCrop productionFederal-provincial-territorial relationsRegulation
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 12, 2021432-00572432-00572 (Foreign affairs)MarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservativeBCFebruary 25, 2021April 12, 2021February 3, 2021Petition to the Government of Canada WHEREAS:
  • The Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (the Magnitsky Law) sanctions foreign officials responsible for gross human rights violations or acts of corruption;
  • For over 21 years, China's communist party corrupt officials have orchestrated the torture and killing of large numbers of people who practice Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline promoting the principles of "Truth, Compassion and Tolerance," including the killing of practitioners on a mass scale for their vital organs to fuel the communist regime's organ transplant trade.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to deploy all legal sanctions, including freezing of assets, and barring of entry to Canada, against, but not limited to these perpetrators: Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Li lanqing, Wu Guanzheng, Li Dongsheng, Qiang Wei, Huang Jiefu, Zheng Shusen, Wang lijun, Zhang Chaoying, and Jia Chunwang.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in our government’s engagement with China. Canada has consistently called on China to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, assembly and association, and religion or belief for all.Canada has publicly voiced concerns about the intimidation and repression of ethnic minority and religious groups, as well as Falun Gong practitioners, and will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.Canadian engagement on human rights encompasses high level visits; public statements; representations on specific issues and cases of concern bilaterally as well as in multilateral forums; interventions and advocacy by the Embassy of Canada; as well as outreach to civil society.To ensure the protection of all human rights, including freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), Canada addresses rights comprehensively through the Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion (OHRFI), encouraging a climate of inclusion and respect for diversity to advance the rights of those too often marginalized in society. To this end, the OHRFI regularly engages with a diverse range of diaspora and faith and belief communities, and the broader international community to inform its approach in advocating for human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.The Government of Canada has presented concerns regarding human rights practices directly to Chinese authorities on numerous occasions. These concerns are raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Canada in September 2016, the Prime Minister’s visits to China in August 2016 and in December 2017, the Governor General’s visit to China in July 2017, and during a visit of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister to China in August 2017. The Prime Minister and Premier Li also had a frank and open discussion on human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion as part of the third Canada-China Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in November 2018. At the G20 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Japan in November 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting. And most recently in August 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised the human rights concerns with his Chinese counterpart during a bilateral meeting in Rome.On November 6, 2018, Canada made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. At that time, Canada called on China to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Falun Gong practitioners. Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.In July 2019, Canada signed a joint statement, at the U.S. Ministerial Meeting to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington. This meeting is U.S.-led initiative where issues of religious freedom violations worldwide are addressed and that brings together foreign ministers and government representatives, civil society, as well as victims of religious persecution and discrimination. The joint statement emphasized concern about the significant restrictions on religious freedom in China and called on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of all individuals. The text stated that many members of religious minority groups in China face severe repression and discrimination because of their beliefs, including Falun Gong practitioners. On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Falun Gong practitioners.The Government of Canada remains committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purposes of organ removal. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with other states, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children which promotes cooperation to more effectively prevent and combat trafficking in persons, including for the purposes of organ removal. Addressing the illegal organ trade is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the development of the revised World Health Organization’s Guiding Principles on Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation, which Member States, including China, adopted in 2010. The promotion, protection and respect of human rights are core priorities in our foreign policy. Canada will continue to raise its concerns about the human rights situation in China and we will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligation.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policy
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021e-3029e-3029 (Business and trade)JudithCoatesMarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservativeBCDecember 30, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT)January 29, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT)February 4, 2021March 22, 2021February 1, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="4" affiliationId="214333" mp-riding-display="1">Minister of Transport</Addressee>Whereas:Canadian travel advisors render services to Airlines and Tour operators to benefit their mutual customers;Airlines in Canada need funding to survive;The Minister of Transport has announced that bailout agreements will be conditional on consumers receiving refunds for trips cancelled due to COVID-19, and Canadian travel advisors support consumer refunds;Canadian travel advisors support the option of Consumer refunds;Canadian travel agencies and advisors operate as small businesses and rely on commissions paid by Airline and Tour operators for services rendered, as their main source of revenue;While occurring very rarely, the standing policy of Airlines and their Tour company subsidiaries in Canada has been, to date, to claw back commissions paid for services previously rendered by Travel Advisors, if the Client chooses to cancel;Refunds to consumers are estimated by the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies to be $8 billion, which will translate to $200 Million in commission recalls; andThe travel advisor community has been working on behalf of their clients since mid-March, but with zero revenue. Many Travel advisors will personally be required to repay in excess of $10,000 in commissions for trips cancelled due to COVID-19, and will find this impossible, due to zero income since March, 2020, forcing many Travel agencies and Independent travel advisors into bankruptcy.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Transport to ensure that bailout subsidies and loans to Airlines will be conditional upon the protection of Travel advisor commissions paid for services rendered to Airlines and their subsidiary Tour companies.
Response by the Minister of TransportSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Omar AlghabraThe Government of Canada is working to support Canada’s air transportation network. Air transport has faced difficulty during the pandemic.  The government has encouraged Canadians to avoid non-essential international travel and has also implemented strong measures including travel restrictions and quarantine policies, in order to protect Canadians from COVID-19 and the spread of the virus.Transport Canada’s objective is to ensure Canadians continue to have access to air services that connect them to other parts of Canada and the rest of the world, and obtain refunds for flights cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 8, 2020, the Government of Canada announced it would develop a package of assistance to Canadian airlines. This was further reiterated in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, which also included details regarding support for airports. Strict conditions will be applied to any federal assistance to ensure that public policy objectives are met, including requiring air carriers to offer refunds to passengers whose tickets were cancelled due to the pandemic.On December 21, 2020, a Ministerial Direction was issued to provide the Canadian Transportation Agency with the authority to develop a new regulation on the issue of refunds to passengers.  This new regulation will apply to future flights that are cancelled for reasons outside an air carrier’s control, such as a pandemic, and where it is not possible for the carrier to complete the passenger’s itinerary within a reasonable timeframe. The new regulation will also ensure that a similar situation does not occur again in the future.Travel agencies and their agents play a vital role in the air travel system, both in terms of assisting Canadians wanting to explore the world beyond Canada’s borders and welcoming tourists to Canada, and by virtue of the latter, they also play an important part in supporting jobs and businesses dependent on tourism.The approximately 24,000 travel agents across the country showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of women and small business in Canada. The Government recognizes the work undertaken by many to repatriate Canadians during the onset of the pandemic. The Government also understands the unique business model of travel agents, the impact of COVID-19, and the importance of commissions as a means of fair compensation for services rendered.Currently, the Government is engaged in active discussions with air carriers and related conditions as they pertain to a sectorial recovery package. Transport Canada recognizes that travel agencies may be affected by these measures, and the Government will give close consideration to this situation as the department finalizes any potential financial assistance to air carriers.      
AirlinesCOVID-19PandemicReimbursementTravel agencies
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 22, 2020431-00013431-00013 (Justice)MarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservativeBCDecember 9, 2019January 22, 2020November 29, 2018PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED We, the undersigned residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas increasing concerns about international trafficking in human organs removed from victims without consent have not yet led to a legal prohibition on Canadians travelling abroad to acquire or receive such organs; andWhereas there are currently two bills before Parliament proposing to impede the trafficking of human organs obtained without consent or as a result of a financial transaction: Bill C-350 in the House of Commons and Bill S-240 in the Senate;Therefore, we, the undersigned, urge the Parliament of Canada to move quickly on the proposed legislation so as to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prohibit Canadians from travelling abroad to acquire human organs removed without consent or as a result of a financial transaction and to render inadmissible to Canada any and all permanent residents or foreign nationals who have participated in this abhorrent trade in human organs.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiOur government was proud to support former Private Member’s Bill C-350, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking and transplanting human organs and other body parts), and former Senate Public Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), in the previous Parliament. We look forward to working with all parties on similar legislative proposals, including Senate Public Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs),which was introduced in the Senate on December 10, 2019.Combatting human organ trafficking is a complex issue that involves both legislative and policy responses. In Canada, organ transplantation and donation is governed by a comprehensive legislative framework at both the federal and provincial/territorial level, encompassing health and criminal law.
Human organs and other body parts traffickingMedical tourismMedical transplantationOrgans
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021432-00491432-00491 (Foreign affairs)MarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservativeBCFebruary 5, 2021March 22, 2021October 13, 2020Petition to the House of CommonsWe, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:Whereas, a new report published by the Associated Press has revealed that there has been an ongoing campaign of Uyghur birth suppression by the Chinese Communist Party which includes methods such as forced sterilization and abortion; and, Whereas, in addition to the recent news of coordinated Uyghur birth suppression, there is also a body of mounting evidence showing that Uyghurs are being subject to political and anti-religious indoctrination, arbitrary detention, separation of children from families, invasive surveillance, destruction of cultural sites, forced labor, and even forced organ harvesting; moreover, it is estimated that up to three million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in what have been described as concentration camps; and, Whereas, evidence now makes clear that the Chinese Government's treatment of the Uyghurs meets most, if not all, of the criteria for genocide as outlined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; and, Whereas, Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the House of Commons to take the following actions to address the situation:1. Formally recognize that Uyghurs in China have been and are being subject to genocide. 2. Use the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act ("Magnitsky Act") and sanction those that are responsible for the heinous crimes being committed against the Uyghur people.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob OliphantThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and is a priority in the Government of Canada’s engagement with China. The nature and scale of the violations by Chinese authorities, under the pretext of countering extremism, are deeply disturbing. The Government is gravely concerned about the existence of a large network of ‘political re-education’ camps where credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained. There are severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and the freedoms of movement, association, and expression as well as on Uyghur culture. Widespread surveillance disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and other minorities and more reports are emerging of forced labour and forced birth control, including sterilization. The actions by the Chinese government are contrary to its own constitution, are in violation of international human rights obligations and are inconsistent with the United Nations’ Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.These concerns were raised with the Government of China at the highest levels, including at the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting in Japan in November 2019, at the Munich Security Conference in February 2020, and in Italy in August 2020, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada raised the human rights situation in China directly with his Chinese counterpart during bilateral meetings.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada also raised this issue directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in August 2020.Canada has made several statements on the human rights situation in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, including specific statements regarding Uyghurs in Xinjiang (March 2018, September 2018, March 2019; September 2020). Canada also made public recommendations to China on human rights as part of China’s Universal Periodic Review at the HRC in November 2018. Canada called on China to release Uyghurs and other Muslims who have been detained arbitrarily and without due process because of their ethnicity or religions, and to end the prosecution and persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including for Muslims, Christians, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong. Canada also co-sponsored side events addressing human rights in Xinjiang on the margins of the HRC’s 40th session in Geneva (March 2019) and on the margins of the UN General Assembly 74th session in New York (September 2019). Canada co-signed, along with 22 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang during the Third Committee dialogue of the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place in New York in October 2019. In June 2020, during the 44th session of the HRC, Canada and 27 other countries signed a joint statement on the human rights situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. At the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee (October 6, 2020), Canada co-signed, along with 38 other countries, a joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As part of joint communications, Canada and other countries have called on China to allow unfettered access to Xinjiang to the UN and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.The Trade Commissioner Service has updated its guidance for businesses on the risks of doing business in China, including risks related to human rights abuses.  Ensuring companies adhere to responsible business practices is essential to manage social, reputational, legal and economic risks. The Government of Canada expects Canadian companies active abroad, in any market or country, to respect human rights, operate lawfully and conduct their activities in a responsible manner consistent with international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Among other things, the Government of Canada expects Canadian companies to adopt global best practices with respect to supply chain due diligence in order to eliminate the direct or indirect risk of involvement in any forced labour or other human rights abuses.Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. We will continue to work in close collaboration with our allies to push for these to be investigated through an international independent body and for impartial experts to access the region so that they can see the situation firsthand and report back. Regardless of the legal term applied, it is clear that egregious human rights violations and abuses targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities from and in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region continue to be led by the Chinese Communist Party.When it comes to sanctions, Canada has always been clear that the promotion and protection of human rights are integral parts of our foreign policy. A rigorous due diligence process has been established to consider and evaluate possible cases of human rights violations or corruption anywhere in the world against the criteria set out in the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, within the context of other ongoing efforts to promote human rights and combat corruption. We believe the smart way to impose sanctions is to go with a core group of countries to have the maximum impact, not alone.Please be assured that the promotion and protection of human rights are core priorities of Canada’s foreign policy. The Government of Canada will continue to raise its concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang and all of China, and will continue to call on China to live up to its international obligations.
ChinaEconomic sanctionsForeign policyGenocideUyghur
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedAugust 14, 2020e-2717e-2717 (Business and trade)JamesMcDevittMarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservativeBCJuly 15, 2020, at 3:02 p.m. (EDT)August 14, 2020, at 3:02 p.m. (EDT)August 14, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Sushi Ebenezer represents one of many restaurants who is owned by a business owner ineligible for the Canadian Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CERCA) merely due to the fact that the place of business is a government building (City of Maple Ridge Business Center) and the landlord falls under the jurisdiction of the government (City of Maple Ridge) thus disqualifying a hard-working taxpayer of government assistance; and This has resulted in a great loss of wages as the business owner, Sally Kang, who has stopped all business operations on good faith due to COVID-19 and due to the fact that the government of Canada wanted people to self-isolate to flatten the curve. Her story is in the newspaper article “Maple Ridge Business Owner Ineligible for Emergency Rent Assistance Because of Location” published by Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News on June 22, 2020.We, the undersigned, Commercial Business Owners of Canada and our customers, call upon the Government of Canada to change the requirements of the CERCA to allow more flexibility to the number of business owners who are currently ineligible to receive assistance, especially when it comes to Government landlords who lease commercial property to nongovernment commercial establishments.Canada Emergency Commercial Rent AssistanceCOVID-19PandemicRentSmall and medium-sized enterprises43rd Parliament229Not certifiedSeptember 3, 2020e-2623e-2623 (Government services and administration)AmandeepPanagMarcDaltonPitt Meadows—Maple RidgeConservativeBCJune 5, 2020, at 9:55 a.m. (EDT)September 3, 2020, at 9:55 a.m. (EDT)September 3, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:We as Canadians are thankful to the Canadian government who coordinated the extraordinary task of the repatriation operation to bring Canadians home from the many countries in which they were and in some cases continue to be stranded;The purpose of this petition is to grieve the cost of the repatriation flights which have created financial hardship for thousands of Canadians;The World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic announcement caused governments across the world to react and in some instances entire countries were placed under government-ordered lockdowns;The lockdowns resulted in thousands of Canadians being stranded across the world while on their spring break holidays;Canadians paid 4-6 times more than they should have, for one-way repatriation flights to return to Canada;Most Canadians were travelling abroad with families so the cost of paying for multiple flights was substantial and extremely difficult;The unforeseen and unreasonable cost of these repatriation flights has put thousands of Canadians in thousands of dollars of debt; andThis debt is no fault of their own and it has come at a time when many Canadians are already facing financial hardship due to job losses, closure of businesses, etc due to the COVID-19 pandemic.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to help us, who have had to pay the extreme, unforeseen and unfair costs of these repatriation flights, seek financial relief.We are proud Canadians and we petition with high hopes that the Government of Canada will keep in the spirit of taking care of their people and will not let us down.COVID-19Debt reliefPandemicRepatriation43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 22, 2021e-3005e-3005 (Culture and heritage)TonyGabrielPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONDecember 3, 2020, at 4:06 p.m. (EDT)January 2, 2021, at 4:06 p.m. (EDT)January 28, 2021March 22, 2021January 4, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Terry Fox has become a national symbol and is a true hero, universally admired for his ability to remind us of the power of hope and the possibility of dreams;His example of grit, determination and selflessness have formed the embodiment of the modern Canadian identity;After following extensive consultation, the Bank of Canada has submitted an eight-person short list to the Minister of Finance to select the next Canadian to be featured on the five dollars bank note; andTerry Fox is one of the eight on the shortlist.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to select Terry Fox as the finalist for the next great Canadian to be honoured and featured on the back of the newly proposed five dollars bank note.
Response by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Chrystia FreelandThe accomplishments of distinguished Canadians are an integral part of our history and culture.  Their representation on our bank notes is an important means to reflect our shared character and values.  The Bank of Canada, on behalf of the Government, has taken an open and transparent approach on the selection of the portrait for the new $5 bank note. The Bank launched official public consultations in 2020, receiving about 53,000 submissions from about        45, 000 Canadians which resulted in over 600 qualifying nominees. All eligible nominations were reviewed by an independent Advisory Council composed of eminent individuals from the academia, cultural sector, and civil society.With the help of public opinion research and additional historical research, the Advisory Council established a short list of eight candidates from which the Government will select the iconic Canadian who will be the portrait subject of the $5 bank note. As mentioned in your petition, Terry Fox is one of the eight iconic Canadians on the shortlist. Each of these people deserve recognition for their remarkable contributions to Canada. They all overcame barriers, fought for their ideals, and have inspired generations.The Government is pleased that thousands of Canadians engaged in this process and took time to reflect on the many remarkable Canadians worth celebrating.  The Government will take this petition under careful consideration as we deliberate on the overall design of the $5 bank note. The Government will continue to invite all Canadians to learn about the stories of these incredible people, regardless of which candidate is selected.
Five dollar billFox, Terry
43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3545e-3545 (Holidays and observances)DeanCorreiaPamDamoffOakville North—BurlingtonLiberalONJuly 8, 2021, at 2:31 p.m. (EDT)October 6, 2021, at 2:31 p.m. (EDT)Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:It is incumbent upon all Canadians to never forget the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families;Leaving a legacy of promoting remembrance for future generations of Canadians is becoming more critical as the years go by;There is a need for increased education and awareness initiatives to ensure that the memory of the sacrifices made by veterans and their families are never forgotten, and that the values that they fought for live on in all of us;We need more than one day, November 11, to properly mark the contributions made by Canadian veterans and their families; andCelebrating veterans and their families will only strengthen communities and positively impact society.We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to designate November as Veterans Month. Lest We Forget, Lest We Forget.VeteransVeterans Month43rd Parliament289Closed upon dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-3130e-3130 (Citizenship and immigration)DavidPoonRaquelDanchoKildonan—St. PaulConservativeMBJanuary 28, 2021, at 11:40 a.m. (EDT)February 27, 2021, at 11:40 a.m. (EDT)March 2, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Adequate protections are in place to prevent domestic COVID-19 acquisition from contact with a traveller, shown by current statistics;The COVID-19 travel restrictions are likely long term, and must respect mobility rights protected by the charter;Compassionate frameworks for family reunification must be maintained and protected;Safe family reunification must be accessible to all Canadians, permanent and temporary residents;COVID-19 testing is an internationally proven scientific means used to mitigate quarantine lengths safely; andThe current immigration system requires additional resources and cultural change to face post COVID-19 immigration needs.We, the undersigned, Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:1) Protect the status of immediate/extended family and compassionate travel exemptions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including any changes to current travel restrictions;2) Allow pre-arrival and arrival COVID-19 testing to shorten quarantine safely;3) Clarify family reunification rules for temporary residents to be in line with permanent residents;4) Maintain expedient processing of spousal sponsorship, student, work, COPR, compassionate, and extended family applications in a safe, responsible, and humane manner, by improving the available resources to IRCC, changing the system for a post pandemic world. COVID-19Family reunificationHealth screeningImmigrant sponsorshipPandemicTravel restrictions