Discussion · Government Orders
Dan Albas Conservative
“This bill gives the government the power to decide what is in the national interest without defining it. The Minister of Justice is also required by law to show how this bill affects Charter rights, but has not done so. I want that report released before a committee starts studying the bill.”
“Madam Speaker, I certainly appreciate the member’s intervention here today. He has brought a perspective that is rather refreshing. The other member from Winnipeg, on the Liberal side, was talking about section 107. In particular, he was asking what Conservatives might take issue with, saying there are lots of limiting factors. In that provision, essentially, the government gets to decide what is in the national interest without actually defining what it is. The issue I wanted to bring up is under section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act. The Minister of Justice is legally required to table a charter statement for every single government bill. I have looked on the website, and it is not there. Does the member believe the government should table it before the special legislative committee begins its work on Bill C-39 so that all Canadians can see what the justice department thinks of the changes proposed in Bill C-39 when it comes to labour?”
Madam Speaker, I certainly appreciate the member’s intervention here today. He has brought a perspective that is rather refreshing. The other member from Winnipeg, on the Liberal side, was talking about section 107. In particular, he was asking what Conservatives might take issue with, saying there are lots of limiting factors. In that provision, essentially, the government gets to decide what is in the national interest without actually defining what it is. The issue I wanted to bring up is under section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act. The Minister of Justice is legally required to table a charter statement for every single government bill. I have looked on the website, and it is not there. Does the member believe the government should table it before the special legislative committee begins its work on Bill C-39 so that all Canadians can see what the justice department thinks of the changes proposed in Bill C-39 when it comes to labour?