February 7, 1947

IMMIGRATION ACT

REPEAL OF CHINESE IMMIGRATION ACT-BONDING OF PERSONS IN TRANSIT THROUGH CANADA


Hon. J. A. GLEN (Minister of Mines and Resources) -moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 10 to amend the Immigration Act and to repeal the Chinese Immigration Act. He said: Mr. Speaker, this is a short bill of only four sections, the first of which provides for the detention and bonding of persons travelling through Canada to another country. Then, under the second section there is provision for the repeal of section 80 of the act; and this arises as a consequence of section 3 of the bill which provides for the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act. Section 4 of the bill provides for the admission to Canada of dependents of members of the Canadian armed forces who served overseas, without being subject to the provisions of the Immigration Act. This authority is to replace that now provided by order in council P.C. 858 of February 9, 1945. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.


EXPORT AND IMPORT PERMITS

PROVISION TOR REGULATIONS, PROCEDURE, ETC.


Hon. J. A. MacKINNON (Minister of Trade and Commerce) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 11, respecting Export and Import Permits. He said: Mr. Speaker, this measure, which has a proposed life of one year, is necessary, in so far as export control is concerned, to ensure that excessive quantities of materials and supplies are not exported from Canada at the expense of urgent domestic needs. Because of world conditions and, in particular, of rapidly changing supply conditions, the bill provides for a necessary degree of flexibility in the imposition and administration of the permit system. The import control provisions are necessary by reason of world shortages and the consequent international allocation of some commodities. In the case of other commodities, though not subject to international allocation, sources of supply are controlled by other governments, necessitating control in Canada to ensure that the limited supplies available are offered on an equitable basis to Canadian users and consumers. It is to be hoped that controls of this type will not be needed beyond a year from now, but, in any event, any continuation of them would, under the proposed measure, be brought again before this house for review. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.


PENITENTIARY ACT

INSPECTION OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS BY GRAND JURY, ETC.


Mr. T. L. CHURCH (Broadview) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 12, to amend t.he Penitentiary Act, 1939. He said: Mr. Speaker, the principle of the bill is to allow the grand jury to go into these institutions. One of the cardinal principles of Magna Carta is that the people should take a large share in the administration of criminal justice. Whether these institutions are rightly or wrongly managed, the fact remains that they are managed by crown officers. The bill Introduction of Bills provides that the grand jury, in its presentment, shall include these institutions, one of which exists in each of the provinces with, I believe, one exception. This recommendation is offered only to serve the public interest; in no way is it to be deemed as a criticism of the existing system of official inspection. To the contrary the object is to assist in more satisfactory administration. The late Chief Justice R. M. Meredith, who presided so ably over the assize courts in Ontario for forty years, when addressing a grand jury at the York assizes made comments along these lines, and recommended strongly that the jury system should be made to apply to these federal institutions. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.


CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT

PROVISIONS RESPECTING PISTOLS, MOTOR CARS, AND PAYMENT OF FINES


Mr. T. L. CHURCH (Broadview) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 13, to amend the Criminal Code. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time. MILITIA ACT


AMENDMENTS TO FACILITATE CANADIAN ARMY REORGANIZATION


Hon. BROOKE CLANTON (Minister of National Defence) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 14, to amend the Militia Act. He said: This bill will make a number of changes in the Militia Act. As hon. members know, the Militia Act has not been changed substantially since it was first enacted in 1868. Many of its provisions are no longer effective, and such terms as "permanent force", "nonpermanent active militia", have been replaced. The bill makes a number of changes designed to bring the Militia Act into line with developments that have occurred during the war. Motion agreed to and bjll read the first time.


POSTAL SERVICE

MAIL CONTRACTS-PROVISION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS


Hon. ERNEST BERTRAND (Postmaster General) moved that the house go into committee at the next sitting to consider the following resolution: That is it expedient to present a bill to authorize the payment of moneys under a mail contract, supplemental to the amount agreed to be paid under the contract, and for the continuance of the payment of bonuses in respect of mail contracts, presently authorized by order in council, as supplemental payments under the proposed act. He said: His Excellency the Governor General, having been made acquainted with the subject matter of this resolution, recommends it to the consideration of the house. Motion agreed to.


EMERGENCY POWERS

CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN ORDERS AND REGULATIONS


Right Hon. J. L. ILSLEY (Minister of Justice) moved that the house go into committee at the next sitting to consider the following resolution: That it is expedient to introduce a measure to provide for the continuation of certain orders and regulations of the governor in council for a limited period during the national emergency arising out of the war and to provide therein that the governor in council may appoint and fix the compensation of the officers, clerks and employees necessary for the administration of any order or regulation continued in force by the act and further to provide that certain officers, clerks and employees may continue to perform the duties for which they were previously appointed. He said: His Excellency the Governor Genera], having been made acquainted with the subject matter of this resolution, recommends it to the consideration of the house. Motion agreed to.


February 7, 1947