Legislation Communique #8

Submitted by: Sheila Quinn

Greetings as we move into the month of March!

It almost feels like legislation chairs have been on a sabbatical with Parliament being prorogued for the second time during the last two years, however with the opening of the 3rd session of the 40th Parliament on March 3rd it is time to ‘tune in’‘ look closely for previous Bills, especially those which died on the order of paper.

We need to monitor Bills requiring immediate action that are being re-introduced coming before the House and this can be done by forwarding info to parish counter parts by e-mail if you have already sent a communiqué.

One of these is Bill C-384 (right to die with dignity) has surfaced again and has passed the first reading on March 16th. Definite date for the second hour of debate has not as yet been scheduled but could possibly be May.

Another is Bill C-205 (an Act respecting labeling of food products) passed 1st reading on March 3rd. You may recall our resolutions passed on food labeling:

• 1997.06 Genetically Engineered Foods
• 2002.06 Labeling on Prepackaged Foods
• 2008.04 Accurate Food Labeling

In relation to Resolution 2000.8 – Peter Julian, MP from Burnaby-New Minster re-introduced Bill C-463 An Act to Prohibit Sweatshop Labour Goods to the House of Commons on March 3rd. This Bill is asking goods that fail to meet international labour standards be put on a prohibited list. Encourage councils to act on these Bills.

Check the resolutions listed on the National web site under legislation and make a suggestion to parish council legislation chairs to focus on at least one of them at a council meeting emphasizing that unless the action plan is followed in order for legislation to hopefully happen.

Have you read over March 2nd – budget in our own BC Provincial Parliament and how it affects people living in our Province?

My thanks to those of you who forwarded your annual reports, your comments/suggestions have been included in my annual report to national and noted for the provincial council.  Keep up the good work!  Thank you for your prayers and support during my recent bereavement and please accept my apologies for the lateness of this communiqué.

We are halfway through Lent, may it continue to be a time of prayer and devotion as we journey through the Stations of the Cross with Jesus and may Easter be a time of hope and joy.