Highlights of Personal Initiatives
During the 35th Parliament of Canada

(Updated to April, 1997)

In addition to providing support and service to their constituents, Members of Parliament spend a substantial amount of time working on federal policy and legislation. While most legislation is proposed by the Cabinet, individual M.P.'s may introduce their own legislative initiatives through Private Member's Bills or Motions. These matters are subject to a detailed screening process to determine whether they are worthy to be voted upon in the House of Commons. This document summarizes my legislative and other personal initiatives since I became a Member of Parliament.

PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILLS INTRODUCED BY PAUL SZABO

C-256 - Act to amend the Income Tax Act to permit the splitting of income between spouses where one spouse manages the family home and provides care for pre-school children. This Bill was debated in the House of Commons and the subject matter of the Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development as part of their review of Canada's social programs. In December, 1995, the proposed Employment Insurance program recognized the value of direct parental care through the creation of training and wage subsidies for parents seeking to re-enter the workforce. This represents significant progress on the principles promoted by this Bill. Proposed tax breaks for families are also addressed in C-260, C-240, M-339 and M-30.

C-260 - Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan Act to allow the income split between spouses under Bill C-256, to qualify for Canada Pension Plan benefits. Bill C-269 received First Reading in the First Session but was not selected for debate at the time of prorogation. It was reintroduced in the Second Session as Bill C-260 and has received First Reading. During the review of the Canada Pension Plan system, the principles of Bill C-260 were raised as part of the consultation process. Changes to ensure the long-term viability of the Canada Pension Plan Program were introduced in February, 1997.

C-222- Act to amend the Food and Drug Act to require health warning labels to be placed on alcoholic beverage containers. On December 7, 1995, Bill C-337 unanimously passed Second Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Health for study and public hearings. In February 1996, the Bill was reinstated as Bill C-222 in the Second Session of Parliament and public hearings were completed in June 1996. The Bill is receiving further consideration as part of our review of Canada's National Drug Strategy. It is expected that the study will be completed in mid 1997.

C-204 - Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act to limit the number of corporate directorships that one person can hold at any one time. Bill C-345 sought to limit the risk of jeopardizing the interests of investors, the company and employees. The non-votable Bill was reintroduced in the Second Session of parliament as Bill C-204 and was debated in the House on March 28, 1996. In November 1996 in Washington D.C., a U.S. panel of experts and business executives recommended similar guidelines to U.S. legislators. I have asked the Minister of Industry to refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Industry for further review.

C-240 - Act to amend the Income Tax Act to convert the Child Care Expense Deduction to a Non-Refundable Tax Credit and to extend the equivalent benefit to parents who choose to provide care in the home for their pre-school children. The intent of the Bill is to provide more flexibility and options for families and to improve the fairness and equity in our income tax system regarding child care choices. Bill C-240 received First Reading on March 20, 1996 and is awaiting selection to be debated in the House of Commons.

C-314 - Act to establish the Public Safety Officers Compensation Act. The Act would create a Registered Charitable Foundation with a representative Board of Directors appointed by the Government of Canada. The purpose would be to receive appropriations, gifts or bequests and, if appropriate, to provide a benefit to the families of police officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty. Bill C-314 received First Reading on June 17, 1996 and is awaiting selection for debate in the House of Commons.

C-364 - Act to amend the Income Tax Act to convert the tax benefit of RRSP's from an income deduction to a non-refundable tax credit. This would promote equity and fairness by ensuring that the tax benefit of purchasing an RRSP is the same for all taxpayers regardless of their level of taxable income. The Bill C-364 received First Reading on December 12, 1996 and is awaiting selection for debate in the House of Commons.

C-389 - Act to amend the Divorce Act to require mandatory counselling prior to the legal sanction of divorce. In March, 1997, the Vanier Institute on the Family reported the Canada had a 50% divorce rate and that 46% of all children living in poverty lived in lone-parent families. The Bill received First Reading on March 18, 1997 and is awaiting selection for debate in the House of Commons. On the same day, I released a publication entitled "Divorce - The Bold Facts". This book reviews the broad impacts of family breakdown with specific emphasis on the effects on children. The book also examines the need to address post-breakup bitterness which can result in violence and other problems.

PRIVATE MEMBER'S MOTIONS INTRODUCED BY PAUL SZABO

M-382 - Motion to adopt a number of initiatives proposed to address the underground economy. On May 18, 1995, after 3 hours of debate, this votable Motion passed with the support of all parties. As a result of the support for M-382 and my report to the Minister of National Revenue, a seven point plan was implemented. In June 1996, the Minister announced in the House that over $1 billion of taxes have been assessed due to the plan and acknowledged the assistance of the Member for Mississauga South. 1997 savings are estimated to be $3 billion.

M-339 - Motion to amend the Income Tax Act to convert the Child Care Expense Deduction to a tax credit and also to make it available to those who provide child care in the home. All parties supported the motion in debate, however, since it was not a votable motion, it has been referred to the Finance Minister. See also Bill C-240 and Motion M-30 for related initiatives.

M-30 - Motion to amend the Income Tax Act to provide a "caregiver" income tax credit to those who provide care in the home for pre-school children, the disabled, the chronically ill, or the aged. The motion was introduced in the First Session as M-462 and reintroduced in the Second Session as Motion M-30. The motion was debated for 3 hours and in a recorded vote taken on November 5, 1996, the motion was adopted 129 to 63. The Finance Minister was presented a proposal on how to implement the changes primarily through refocussing existing program spending. The recommendation is under consideration by Finance Department officials. In February, 1997, the National Forum on Health issued their final report which included a strong recommendation to invest in our children particularly through tax breaks to families in recognition of the real costs of raising children.

M-306 - Motion to establish the Public Safety Officers Compensation Fund to receive appropriations gifts or bequests for the benefit of families of police officers and firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The non-votable motion was debated in the House of Commons on February 12, 1997 and received the support of all parties. See also Bill C-314.

AMENDMENT TO SENTENCING BILL C-41

Bill C-41 to amend the Criminal Code specified, among other things, that offences judged to be motivated by bias, prejudice or hate or which constituted an abuse of a position of trust or authority would be considered as aggravating circumstances to be taken into account during sentencing.

In April, 1995, I submitted a Motion at Report Stage of the Bill to make a further amendment that would recognize the need to specifically address the very serious issue of spousal and child abuse in our society.. All Members of Parliament were lobbied to seek their support. On June 15, 1995, with the overwhelming support of M.P.s from all parties, the government adopted the amendment and incorporated the motion into its legislation. Bill C-41, as amended, was passed by the House of Commons, received Royal Assent and has become law. As a result of my motion, Canada's justice system now provides for stiffer sentences for those convicted of spousal or child abuse.

SUPPORT FOR PORT CREDIT HARBOUR & LIVING ARTS CENTRE

With the introduction of the Federal Infrastructure Program, the City of Mississauga selected the Port Credit Harbour Redevelopment as its first choice. Following meetings with Mayor McCallion and City officials, I intervened with the Minster of Public Works and successfully had the property taken off the surplus list and returned to the responsibility of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. After numerous discussions with the Minister, an agreement in principle was reached to negotiate a long-term lease of the property rather than an outright sale. As a result, the City was able to proceed with the project as originally planned without any Infrastructure funding. A twenty-year lease has been signed and construction of the harbour and other public facilities should be completed by the Spring of 1997. The Living Arts Centre was then elevated to the City's first choice for Infrastructure funding and approval was received from both the Federal and Provincial Governments. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed in 1997.

PARLIAMENTARY AND GOVERNMENT COMMITTEES

· Member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health 1994 to 1997.
· Member of the Health Sub-Committee reviewing strategy on HIV / AIDS.
· Past-Chair of Health Sub-Committee studying Bill C-7 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
· Past member of the Sub-Committee of House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry reviewing Bill C-12 amendments to the Canada Business Corporations Act.
· Past-Chair, National Caucus Sub-Committee on Deficit Reduction and Fiscal Positioning.
· Member of the Liberal Caucus Social Policy and Economic Development Committees.
· Served as Regional Government Whip for the National Caucus during the First Session.
· Member of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) Caucus Executive for three years.
· Delivered over 450 speeches, statements, questions and other interventions in Parliament.
· 98% attendance record for votes in the House of Commons.
· Host of a 30-minute program for Rogers Cable TV.
· Publish a quarterly House of Commons Report which is delivered to all constituents.
· Hosted a Town Hall meeting on the review of Canada's Social Programs.
· Produced a one-hour television "Forum on the Family" on factors occurring during the formative years of infancy which can influence the future health and behavioural outcomes of children.
· Travelled to Russia on behalf of the Government of Canada as an official International Observer for the national elections held on December 17, 1995.
· Developed a national public education program called "Drink Smart Canada" to promote responsible choices related to alcohol. The Canadian Police Association and The Association of Fire Chiefs of Canada are the Honorary Patrons of the program. Over 330 Canadian cities have endorsed the initiative and over 8,000 public education posters have been circulated across Canada.
· Published a book entitled "Divorce - The Bold Facts" in March, 1997. The publication addresses the broad impacts of family breakdown with specific emphasis on the effects on children. The book also examines the urgent need to mitigate post breakup acrimony and violence.

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