Legislation Communique #5

Submitted by: Sheila Quinn

Greetings,
I am reminded of the lines  “the March wind doth blow and we shall have snow” as I look out my window at a snowy, windy March day! First of  all thank you to all six dioceses for sending in their annual reports on time.

In a recent communique from Judy Lewis, national legislation chairperson she advises the following:

Bill C-268 An act to amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking persons under the age of eighteen years. The status of  bills can be followed at www.parl.gc/ca.LEGISINFO then clicking on Projected Order of Business for listing of bills being brought forward before the House each day.

An act to Amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity). A private members’ bill to legalize assisted suicide will be introduced by MP Francine Lalonde who gave notice of this on February 11th .   Official introduction of Bills only require two days notice.  Monitoring of the introduction of this bill also the above bill is important so please inform members urging them to contact their MP’s immediately by phone, e-mail, a visit, or writing stating their concerns in contradiction of our faith beliefs.

Judy’s Legislation communique listing the various bills under the headings of House of Commons Private Members’ Bills,  House of Commons Government Bills, Senate Government, Senate Government Bills and Senate Public Bills can be accessed on the national web site www.cwl.ca and clicking on to ‘recent updates’.

Here are a few BC Government Bills – All at 1st reading to follow:
#18 – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act  -  April 3rd
#36 – Motor Vehicle – Banning Smoking While Children Present
#37 – Carbon Tax Act

Members’ Bills -
M209 – Toxic Reduction Act
M227 – Long Term Renters Protectors Act
M228 – Elimination of Homelessness Crisis Act

Two points in recent newspaper articles to note related to previous resolutions are:

1. “a gloomy picture for mining globally and that activities of exploration companies will be curtailed”. (Resolution 2007.02 Global Accountability for Canadian Registered Mining Companies)
2. “Canada slaps toxic label on widely used chemicals” (2008.03 Toxic Substances in Household Products). The article goes on to state “that the government is now required to draft a plan to manage each chemical to protect the health of Canadians”.

To chairpersons who will not be sending another communique before conventions please consider sharing the above news with members attending your convention also encouraging them to check resolutions on the national web site, follow the action plans  stressing the importance of writing letters in support of resolutions, otherwise they are only words on paper.  Letter writing allows us to show we care and are concerned about issues, that is “faith in action”   It has been said that one letter counts, it represents 50 to 100 tax-payers who didn’t bother to write!

Our provincial delegation will be presenting resolutions to the BC & Yukon Government and opposition party members on Wednesday March 25th.   Please pray for the success of this meeting.

As we continue on your Lenten journey may it be a quiet time of prayer, reflection, sharing and caring as women of peace and hope preparing to participate in Easter bringing us closer to our God.