CATHY McLEOD -- Making sense of private member's bills

Parliament passed three private member’s bills last week initiated by Conservative MPs:

 

• Bill C-208 will make it easier for families to transfer their business or farm to their children and remove unfair tax penalties,
  
  
• Bill C-220 will give Canadians more time off after the death of a loved one (extended bereavement)
  
  
• Bill C-210 will make it easier to register as an organ donor.

 

A lot of people don’t know how private member’s bills work. While an MP can introduce a bill in the House of Commons at any time, this does not mean it will be debated at that point.

 

There is a draw at the start of each sitting of Parliament that determines when MPs can raise their piece of proposed legislation for debate.

 

Some people never get their turn. In the 12 years I have been in Parliament, there were two times I had the chance to debate my private member’s bill.

 

My three colleagues were lucky to have their bills, which become law once they are passed in the Senate, selected early in the draw.

 

All the bills introduced this sitting of Parliament, including the one I introduced three weeks ago (Bill C-284), can be found by CLICKING HERE.

 

It’s possible to quick search by bill number or title, or do an advanced search, for instance by MP.

I encourage constituents to have a look.

 

 

WORKING TOGETHER ... free outdoor guide takes hikers, bikers from Lillooet to 150 Mile House

 

Photo credit: Amy Newman (The stunning cliffs near Chasm are found in Chapter 2)

 

A couple hiked and biked a historical route from Lillooet to just south of 100 Mile House last summer to create a free online guide for hikers, bikers and even history buffs out for a drive.

 

Pathway to Gold: A Guide for Travelers to the Cariboo Waggon Road is funded by the New Pathways to Gold Society as part of its Cariboo Waggon Road Restoration Project.

 

It features historical and current photos, distances, cell coverage info, elevations, safety concerns, flora and fauna, available services, campsites, and detailed descriptions of what’s on the trail with a kilometre breakdown.

 

Users of this guide will never have to guess which direction to go when facing a fork in the road; Amy Newman and Richard Wright have it outlined in detail.

 

It’s in three segments; from Lillooet to Clinton, Clinton to 100 Mile House, and 100 Mile to 150 Mile House. The couple has explored the entire first two legs.

 

The guide is a living document, which will be updated as trail improvements are made.

 

CLICK HERE for a summer adventure.

 

Cathy McLeod ... is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo, serving with dedication and integrity since 2008. Her roles have included Shadow Minister for Indigenous and Northern Affairs (2016-2019, 2020-2021) and Forestry and Mining (2019-2020).