Mr. J. S. WOODSWORTH (Winnipeg North Centre) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 20, to amend the Immigration Act (definition of public charge).
Mr. GUTHRIE:
Explain.
Mr. WOODSWORTH:
The purpose of this amendment is simply to define public charge in order that people who to-day are forced to accept unemployment relief will be excluded from deportation proceedings.
Motion agreed to. Mr. WOODSWORTH moved that the said bill be now read the first time.
Mr. GUTHRIE:
Has this matter not already been dealt with this session? Not this paricular bill, but a similar bill introduced by another hon. member and voted upon?
Mr. BENNETT:
It is the same bill in different words.
Mr. SPEAKER:
The other bill was to amend another section of the same act. This bill seeks to amend section 2, the other was to amend section 40.
Immigration Act
Mr. WOODSWORTH:
May I point out that the bill introduced by the hon. member for North Winnipeg (Mr. Heaps) had to do with the procedure with regard to deportation proceedings; that is that the municipalities to-day are required to report to the minister those coming under unemployment relief. This bill is an entirely different one, and would exclude from the undesirable classes those who come under unemployment relief. It is a different bill altogether from the preceding one. It is in line with the bill I introduced into this house a year ago.
Mr. SPEAKER:
Mr. Woodsworth moves that the bill to amend the Immigration Act (definition of public charge) be now read a first time.
Those in favour of the motion will say " aye."
Aye.
Mr. SPEAKER:
Those opposed will say " nay." *
Nay.
Mr. SPEAKER:
In my opinion the nays have it.
(Some hon. members having arisen).
Mr. SPEAKER:
Call in the members.
(The members having been called in).
Mr. SPEAKER:
Mr. Woodsworth moves that the bill to amend the Immigration Act (definition of public charge) be now read the first time. Those in favour will kindly rise.
Mr. BEAUBIEN:
May I rise to a point of order. I understand the motion is that the hon. member have leave to introduce the bill. That was the motion put to the house.
Mr. SPEAKER:
I understood that motion to carry.
Mr. BENNETT:
Yes.
Mr. WOODSWORTH:
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I think the hon. gentleman who has just spoken is quite right. This bill has never been before this house except on one occasion.