Bill C-320. Introduction and first reading    Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-320, An Act to amend the Textile Labelling Act (animal skin, hair and fur).

He said: Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to reintroduce this bill, an act to amend the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and Textile Labelling Act to allow for a practice that is not in Canada right now, that should be.

As a consumer, an individual should be aware when they are purchasing dog or cat fur in clothes or children’s toys. The United States and other countries have moved forward with similar legislation. This would bring us on par, at least, to have this awareness because right now over two million dogs and cats are slaughtered each year and used in products across Canada from various different sources.

This bill would bring us into compliance with the United States and other countries and, more important, would allow consumers the right to choose. If they are going to have dog or cat fur in their children’s coats or their own coat or toys for their children, they should at least have that knowledge.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Bill C-321. Introduction and first reading    Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-321, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (tax credit for gifts).

He said: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce this bill. As a New Democrat it is not often that the National Post actually endorses an NDP idea and bill, and this bill would allow tax donations for charities to be replicated, similarly to those of political parties. This way, there actually would be more giving, and there would also be more tax revenue that would go back to the individual. Charities and non-profits have had difficulties and challenges with regard to donations. This bill would at least provide some revenue stream for them to help.

I will just say that this is very important, because right now we know, with COVID-19, those organizations have been really challenged. This would allow our tax donations for charities to replicate those of political parties, and it is capped, so it would not be an endless stream of money that we can get back, so it allows for fairness for all Canadians.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Bill C-322. Introduction and first reading    Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-322, An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (community benefit).

He said: Mr. Speaker, this will complete the trifecta, and this is important, because this bill, Bill C-227, was previously in Parliament, and it was to provide community benefits for infrastructure projects.

Community benefits go to helping employment, they go to offseting environmental degradation, and so forth, on projects that are put through by public works, for example, the Gordie Howe Bridge, which I have been fighting for. My first public meeting on that was in 1998, to get that done. We finally got some community benefits to help Sandwich Town, but unfortunately it is not legislation, and as I mentioned, formerly Bill C-227 was held up in the Senate and was passed in the chamber previous to this, and I would suggest this is a good opportunity to restore that work and provide community benefits for infrastructure projects, so that we can actually help.

Often, there is money that goes toward employment for youth, for issues related to the environment and also specific regional things that are necessary for when those things take place.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

    The Speaker: Before going on to the next one, I just want to comment on the hon. member for Windsor West. I think all members should look to him and see how it is to be concise, precise, to just put the salient facts forward and to not take up a lot of time. I want to thank the hon. member.