OTTAWA, May 18 (LifeSiteNews.com) – On April 13, the House of Commons debated a Private Members’ Bill (C-214) introduced by Bloc Quebecois MP Daniel Turp which, if passed, would require the federal government to bring all international treaties to the people’s representatives in Parliament before ratifying them. Private Members’ Bills (PMBs) usually aren’t passed, but the bill is votable and appears to have the support of all the opposition parties. One more hour of debate must take place before a vote on it takes place. Specifically, the bill applies to treaties which govern areas “under the legislative authority of the legislatures of the provinces or in a field affecting an area under the legislative authority of the legislatures of the provinces.”
Currently the Canadian constitution gives the power to conclude treaties exclusively to the executive branch of the federal government. Parliament is supposed to be responsible for passing the legislation necessary to implement those treaties.
(with files from Christian News Ottawa)