Discussion · Government Orders
Dan Albas Conservative
“The law requires the government to explain how this bill affects people's Charter rights. The government has not shared that explanation with the public or the committee studying the bill. It needs to follow the law and release it.”
“Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for talking about how the government tries to distract from core issues. The member spoke a lot about workers’ rights and the fact that in Bill C-39, the government has proposed a number of changes that seem to be running roughshod over many workers’ concerns. Under section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act, the Minister of Justice is legally required to table a Charter of Rights and Freedoms statement for every single government bill. This means the Department of Justice should weigh in and tell Parliament and the Canadian people exactly what its legal opinion is of the measures that are in Bill C-39. We have not seen that published on the government’s website. The special committee that is organizing very soon to study this legislation has not received it. Does the member believe the government needs to start being transparent with Canadians as to what its plans are in regard to the Charter of Rights and fulfilling its responsibilities under the law to Parliament?”
Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for talking about how the government tries to distract from core issues. The member spoke a lot about workers’ rights and the fact that in Bill C-39, the government has proposed a number of changes that seem to be running roughshod over many workers’ concerns. Under section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act, the Minister of Justice is legally required to table a Charter of Rights and Freedoms statement for every single government bill. This means the Department of Justice should weigh in and tell Parliament and the Canadian people exactly what its legal opinion is of the measures that are in Bill C-39. We have not seen that published on the government’s website. The special committee that is organizing very soon to study this legislation has not received it. Does the member believe the government needs to start being transparent with Canadians as to what its plans are in regard to the Charter of Rights and fulfilling its responsibilities under the law to Parliament?