44th Parliament, 1st Session
Context: Introduction of Private Members' Bills
Bill C-273. Introduction and first reading
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-273, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Corinne’s Quest and the protection of children).
He said: Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to present this important legislation today, an act to the amend the Criminal Code (Corinne's Quest and the protection of children) and I would like to give special thanks to my seconder, the dynamic member of Parliament for Nunavut.
As we well know, physical punishment of children is still legal in Canada despite the fact that dozens and dozens of countries around the world have banned the practice. This bill seeks to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code that allows for physical punishment of children.
Corinne's Quest comes from Corinne Robertshaw who was a lawyer for the federal government who saw first-hand the results of allowing physical punishment of children and the death and injury of children throughout the 1970s and 1980s. She started Corinne's Quest and it continues today. Despite her death, Corinne's Quest continues to advocate on behalf of children.
A special thanks to Kathy and John Lynn who are constituents of mine in New Westminster—Burnaby, who are really shepherding the push to ban physical punishment of children and repeal section 43. I hope that all members of Parliament will support this important legislation.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
NDP Critic for Canadian Heritage Peter Julian issued the following statement:
"It has come to our attention that a consultant for a federally funded anti-racism project has a disturbing track record of spewing hate speech online against Jewish and francophone communities. This is completely unacceptable. We call on the Minister of Heritage to take drastic action and terminate his contract.
NDP Heritage Critic Peter Julian issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement by Hockey Canada is another attempt to delay the important and urgent work to deal with the toxic culture in this organization. While a former Supreme Court Justice is a credible appointment to conduct the review into Hockey Canada, this won’t be the first time the organization undergoes this process.
NDP critic for Canadian Heritage, Peter Julian, made the following statement:
“Canadians are horrified by the incidents of sexual assault and by what they’re hearing from Hockey Canada. They are left with many questions about how this toxic culture is allowed to persist in our sports organizations and what the government is actually doing to ensure this doesn’t happen again.