So the 1st session started off a bit rough. A couple failed bills, then an economic update that did not suit the Opposition very well. A coalition was threatened, a prorogation was put forth and then billions in deficit spending. In January 2009 the Harper regime tried again at this Parliament thing. Let's see what they did.C-2
An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the States of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Republic of Iceland, the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Kingdom of Norway and the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Swiss Confederation (Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act) – The Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
“Free trade” with Europe. This time the bill passed.
C-3
An Act to amend the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Redefines the term “arctic waters” to expand the territory and protect it from those evil Ruskies.
C-4
An Act respecting not-for-profit corporations and certain other corporations (Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act) – The Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
Some changes here and there for not-for-profit corporations. Like all corporations, their very existence depends on State privileges.
C-5
An Act to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Energy is regulated on native reserves. Instead of ending this, the Tories just amended some rules.
C-6
An Act respecting the safety of consumer products (Canada Consumer Product Safety Act) – The Minister of Health
Why exactly is the State in the consumer protection business? This is definitely a sector better left to private individuals who have incentive to provide quality service. Here's some of the language from the bill; ask yourself if this really is the proper role of government:
“prohibits the sale, manufacture, import and advertisement of certain listed products ,” “makes it mandatory for manufacturers, importers, and sellers,” “obliges manufacturers, importers and sellers,” “requires manufacturers, importers and sellers,” “seizure of consumer products for the purpose of verifying compliance or non-compliance with the bill’s provisions,” “empowers the federal government,” “ establishes both criminal and administrative penalties for those who violate the CCPSA or orders made under it.”
I like that last one. Anyone not obeying the bureaucracy is a criminal.
C-7
An Act to amend the Marine Liability Act and the Federal Courts Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Amendments here and there. More powers for the Minister of Transport.
C-8
An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves (Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act) – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Some federal laws concerning First Nations. Fortunately for them, they can opt-out of these federal boondoggles.
This bill did not become law.
C-9
An Act to amend the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
More regulation, more force, more violence, less freedom. All in the name of safety and security.
C-10
An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and related fiscal measures (Budget Implementation Act, 2009) – The Minister of Finance
Related fiscal measures can be summed up as: fuel the housing boom.
C-11
An Act to promote safety and security with respect to human pathogens and toxins
(Human Pathogens and Toxins Act) – The Minister of Health
Again, the State is (for whatever reason) in the business of promoting “security and safety” with respect to whatever arbitrary definition they apply to pathogens and toxins. Is raw milk a toxin? What about sodium fluoride?
C-12
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009 (Appropriation Act No. 4, 2008-2009) – The President of the Treasury Board
More money please! (who are the 80 or so MP's that routinely vote against this? Anyone know?)
C-13
An Act to amend the Canada Grain Act, chapter 22 of the Statutes of Canada, 1998 and chapter 25 of the Statutes of Canada, 2004 – The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
An attempt to “modernize” the Canadian Grain Commission. Here's a simple solution: privatization.
This bill did not become law.
C-14
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (organized crime and protection of justice system participants) – The Minister of Justice
A tough-on-crime approach to organized crime. First things first, government must recognize itself as an organization based on the violation of private property rights... Of course, that's not in the bill. This waste of paper just consists of amendments to the Criminal Code.
C-15
An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts – The Minister of Justice
Let's make it even tougher for marijuana smokers and growers! Mandatory sentences will surely solve the problem!
C-16
An Act to amend certain Acts that relate to the environment and to enact provisions respecting the enforcement of certain Acts that relate to the environment (Environmental Enforcement Act) – The Minister of the Environment
Establishes penalties for environmental offenses. Now that all sounds good until one ponders to what an “environmental offense” may be. Is driving a car and releasing Co2 offensive? Will I be fined? Or taxed? I don't like these environmental schemes, they're too open ended and subject to abuse. Plus, environmentalism today is much like the eugenics of old. Replace scapegoating minorities with the entire human race.
C-17
An Act to recognize Beechwood Cemetery as the national cemetery of Canada (National Cemetery of Canada Act) – The Minister of the Environment
Yep. They actually wasted time and money debating this issue.
C-18
An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act, to validate certain calculations and to amend other Acts – The Minister of Public Safety
Amendments here and there, some of them have to do with RCMP pensions.
C-19
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (investigative hearing and recognizance with conditions) – The Minister of Justice
Anti-terrorism bullshit. Newsflash for Canadians: we're the terrorists. This is just another gigantic leap down the road to serfdom... Perhaps serfdom is too timid of a word. With bills like this (putting anti-terrorist provisions into the Criminal Code) we are heading down the road to a bureaucratized police state. Ever seen Brazil?
This bill did not become law.
C-20
An Act respecting civil liability and compensation for damage in case of a nuclear incident (Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act) – The Minister of Natural Resources
As the title suggests, nuclear incident victims can be compensated accordingly.
C-21
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009 (Appropriation Act No. 5, 2008-2009) – The President of the Treasury Board
Money money money money... MONEY! ... 82 “nays”
C-22
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2010 (Appropriation Act No. 1, 2009-2010) – The President of the Treasury Board
See above.
C-23
An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Colombia, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Colombia and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Colombia (Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act) – The Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Free-trade with Colombia... I wonder if that includes cocaine? Bright side – if this had passed – coffee might have been cheaper.
This bill did not become law.
C-24
An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Peru, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Peru and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Peru (Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act) – The Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Free-trade with Peru.... why Peru and not Colombia?
C-25
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (limiting credit for time spent in pre-sentencing custody) (Truth in Sentencing Act) – The Minister of Justice
Like the title implies, this is an amendment to change some of the rules pertaining to pre-sentencing custody... you know, I prefer private defense, law and order. Anyway I can opt-out of this “government service”?
C-26
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (auto theft and trafficking in property obtained by crime) – The Minister of Justice
More tough-on-crime bullshit. In this bill we find mandatory prison sentence of 10 years for tampering with your vehicle identification number (or rather, you're tax-farm bar-code). Also, the Canada Border Service Agency (Canada's version of the TSA) is granted more power.
C-27
An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act (Electronic Commerce Protection Act) – The Minister of Industry
Reread the first bit of this title “An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities.” That, in itself, is an oxymoron. A major oxymoron.
What's in the bill? More power to above mentioned for stupid-ass reasons such as “spam.” Junk mail makes up (apparently) 80% of all e-mail and instead of the private sector coming up with a way to satisfy millions of e-mail users, the State has stepped in with its compulsion and coercion and stamped out any prospects of a peaceful solution.
Thanks a lot assholes.
C-28
An Act to amend the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Some First Nations related garbage. It is – probably – in the best interests of all aboriginals to end their relationship with the State. Wherever the State oversteps its bounds, civil disobedience will suffice. Just look at the Caledonia situation.
C-29
An Act to increase the availability of agricultural loans and to repeal the Farm Improvement Loans Act (Canadian Agricultural Loans Act) – The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Just as the title implies, this makes loans easier to get for farmers. As this money probably came from fractional reserve banking, it's possible that these funds will eventually dry up and farmers will be in a deeper hole than they were before they took out this loan. As Hazlitt put it simply and beautifully in his masterpiece – all credit is debt. This bill guarantees more debt for farmers.
C-30
An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Senate Ethics Act) – The Minister of State (Democratic Reform)
Hey! Finally! A decent bill. This was an attempt to elimnate the position of the “Senate Ethics Officer.” As I always maintain: any talk of ethics in politics is futile as the very basis of government is unethical.
This bill did not become law.
C-31
An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and the Identification of Criminals Act and to make a consequential amendment to another Act – The Minister of Justice
Prize fights are illegal. Of course, there's more to this bill but this section really stands out:
““Boxing contests” are excluded from the definition of “prize fight” if the amateur contestants are wearing gloves of at least 140 grams each or if the contest is held with the permission or under the authority of the appropriate provincial body.”
Really? The State gets this detailed into the private interaction of individuals?
This bill did not become law.
C-32
An Act to amend the Tobacco Act – The Minister of Health
Deals with tobacco advertising (this has got a long history in Canada that involves rulings by the Supreme Court). But more so, this bill aims to “protect the health of young persons by restricting access to tobacco products.” Because, obviously, young people don't have any civil liberties and restricting access will solve everything. The black market is just a hoax. No cigarettes here, keep moving.
C-33
An Act to amend the War Veterans Allowance Act – The Minister of Veterans Affairs
Extends benefits for seniors that once-upon-a-time were brainwashed into abandoning their youth to conduct mass murder for the State.
C-34
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts (Protecting Victims From Sex Offenders Act) – The Minister of Public Safety
In order to protect victims, the State feels its necessary to violate the rights of sex offenders. Yes, I know. They're sick twisted individuals who should probably be put to death, but nevertheless, they are human beings with rights. Here's a brief summary of the bill: “when persons are found guilty of a sexual offence they are automatically registered in the national registry and samples of their DNA are taken for forensic analysis.”
Sex offender or not, forcing a DNA sample on someone is unethical. Where's that Senate Officer?
C-35
An Act to deter terrorism, and to amend the State Immunity Act (Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act) – The Minister of Public Safety
We can sue terrorists now! Let's start with the biggest terrorist of them all – that's right, you guessed it: the State.
C-36
An Act to amend the Criminal Code – The Minister of Justice
Also called the “Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act” (seriously). In short, you know how in Canada you can murder someone and get paroled on good behavior after a few years or so? This bill makes that harder. There's now a 15-year minimum.
C-37
An Act to amend the National Capital Act and other Acts (An Action Plan for the National Capital Commission) – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Also known as “An Action Plan for the National Capital Commission.” Replace the phrase “action plan” with “arbitrary rules and regulations” and we're much closer to the truth.
C-38
An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act to enlarge Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada (An Act Creating One of the World's Largest National Park Reserves) – The Minister of the Environment
Just as the title implies.
C-39
An Act to amend the Judges Act – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
More judges, more money, less freedom.
C-40
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act – The Minister of State (Democratic Reform)
Makes it easier to vote... I guess we'll find out soon whether or not this works. I don't think low voter turnout is a consequence of complex voting procedures; I believe it reflects a deeper issue in society. That issue being: the State does not represent us. Regardless of what they might say, things never change for the good. Despite whatever political party may be in charge, we're still heading down that same road: serfdom.
C-41
An Act to give effect to the Maanulth First Nations Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Maanulth First Nations Final Agreement Act) – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
More First Nations stuff.
C-42
An Act to amend the Criminal Code – The Minister of Justice
Tough on crime – soft on freedom.
C-43
An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the Criminal Code (Strengthening Canada's Corrections System Act) – The Minister of Public Safety
More police powers.
C-44
An Act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Unless it is the privatization of this bureaucracy, I don't want to hear about it... The other day my brother got a letter in the mail with a “damaged” sticker on the envelope. Damaged my ass – there was money in the envelope and some bureaucrat stole it.
C-45
An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act – The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
More power for Immigration Officers.
C-46
An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Competition Act and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (Investigative Powers for the 21st Century Act) – The Minister of Justice
Tough on crime in the computer world. Things like creating viruses, promoting “hate” and “harassing messages” have become criminal offenses.
C-47
An Act regulating telecommunications facilities to support investigations (Technical Assistance for Law Enforcement in the 21st Century Act) – The Minister of Public Safety
Wire-tapping... yep, they do up here too. Phones, e-mails, pretty much any form of communication.
C-48 & C-49
Those bills that legitimize the mass plunder of the populace.
C-50
An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and to increase benefits – The Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
Just as the title implies.
C-51
An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on January 27, 2009 and to implement other measures (Economic Recovery Act (stimulus)) – The Minister of Finance
Deficit spending, a misallocation of resources, the robbing of future generations in broad daylight. Whatever you want to call it, this bill does not promote economic recovery. This bill does not “stimulate” the economy... One day future generations will look back at this time period and laugh (or feel pity). We were really duped into believing this Orwellian bullshit about stimulating the economy via debasing the dollar.
C-52
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing for fraud) (Retribution on Behalf of Victims of White Collar Crime Act) – The Minister of Justice
This bill is intended to “help crack down on white-collar crime and increase justice for victims.” Is forced payment considered a white-collar crime? What kind of justice can we get for forced payment? If Wal-Mart did something like that, people would jump all over that shit. But when government does it... well, we call it “taxation” and it's part of our “social contract.”
C-53
An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (accelerated parole review) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Protecting Canadians by Ending Early Release for Criminals Act) – The Minister of Public Safety
Changes some rules for parole and early releases.
C-54
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to the National Defence Act (Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act) – The Minister of Justice
Another one about parole, and being “tough on crime.” Appealing to the Tory base, pretty much. I still prefer private security, law and defense.
C-55
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Response to the Supreme Court of Canada Decision in R. v. Shoker Act) – The Minister of Justice
This one is scary. Here's a sample:
“This enactment amends the Criminal Code to allow a court to require that an offender or defendant provide a sample of a bodily substance on the demand of peace officers, probation officers, supervisors or designated persons, or at regular intervals, in order to enforce compliance with a prohibition on consuming drugs or alcohol imposed in a probation order,”
C-56
An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Fairness for the Self-Employed Act) – The Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
More recession related bills. Classic examples of focusing on one group in the short-run instead of everyone in the long run.
C-57
An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Canada-Jordan Free Trade Act) – The Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
Free trade with Jordan.
This bill did not become law.
C-58
An Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service (Child Protection Act (Online Sexual Exploitation)) – The Minister of Justice
Child porn is disgusting, but this bill requires ISPs to snitch on their customers who may be viewing, or running a child porn site. Some major problems with this, however I'll give the State the benefit of the doubt as this is a tricky issue. However, the State decides who is a child and this is a problem.
So now if some 16 or 17 year old teenager decides to post topless pictures of herself online, and I look at them and my ISP doesn't report me – all three of us are criminals.
C-59
An Act to amend the International Transfer of Offenders Act (Keeping Canadians Safe (International Transfer of Offenders)) – The Minister of Public Safety
More tough-on-crime legislation. Canadians who believe this kind of justice works are stupid, stupid people. A brief look at our American neighbours should indicate that harsher penalties wastes billions every year and don't work.
C-60
An Act to implement the Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America (Keeping Canadians Safe (Protecting Borders) Act) – The Minister of Public Safety
More secure borders? More bureaucratized borders is more like it. If we accept the police state at borders and airports it won't be long until it starts creeping into all aspects of society.
C-61
An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of railway operations (Railway Continuation Act, 2009) – The Minister of Labour
Just as the title implies. Of course, no talk of privatization. Might as well have the NDP in power.
This bill did not become law.
C-62
An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act) – The Minister of Finance
It's got to do with the HST in Ontario and BC. Yes, it's a federal issue. Hence the popular terms such as, “Harper Sales Tax” or “Harper's Stupid Tax,” or my favourite “Harper's Subtle Theft.”
C-63
An Act to amend the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act and another Act in consequence thereof (First Nations Certainty of Land Title Act) – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
You gotta hand it to the Tories, they're not the free market, limited government guys the Left makes them out to be, and everything First Nations related they've done is a step in the wrong direction - but at least they've addressed the issues a few times this session.
This bill did not become law.
C-64
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2010 (Appropriation Act No. 4, 2009-2010) – The President of the Treasury Board
One more cash grab. For old times sake.
And that's the parliamentary actions of the Conservative government. Everyday they look more and more like Liberals. I don't understand the opposition, in both politics and the media – the Tories are on the same side of the spectrum as the Grits and Socialists. Where's the choice? No wonder voter turn-out is low.
herk a derk
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