September 26, 2006
For Immediate Release
Bill C-279 given second reading (first hour of debate).

OTTAWA- Mike Wallace, MP for Burlington spoke in the House of Commons Tuesday presenting his Private Members Bill, C-279 ‘An Act to Amend the DNA identification Act’. The Bill was given second reading and debated for an hour in the House of Commons. The second hour of debate will take place 30 sitting days from the first hour of debate.

Bill C-279 amends the DNA Identification Act to provide for the establishment of a number of indices to help law enforcement agencies search for and identify persons reported missing. It will help families bring closure to the disappearance of their loved ones.

Mr. Wallace spoke frankly in his remarks and acknowledged that he is willing to work with all parties at committee to make C-279 a reality; “Some amendments are needed and I am willing to work with the committee of the House of Commons to make that happen. For instance, I have had feedback that we need to better identify the definition of what a missing person is and I am more than willing to work on that.”

The Bill received support from the Liberal party and the NDP. The Hon. Wayne Easter (Malpeque, Lib.) commented in the debate that “I think we on this side would be supportive to a great extent because he [Mike Wallace] is right that this should be implemented as soon as possible.” Mr. Joe Comartin (Windsor—Tecumseh) of the NDP stated that “I expect most of my caucus will be supporting this bill.”

While only about two percent of Private Members Bills become law, C-279 has garnered broad support in the House of Commons, coverage in the national media and is gaining momentum as the second hour of debate approaches.

A video of the remarks made by Mr. Wallace in the House will be available shortly at www.mikewallace.ca. The full text of the debate is available as an attachment to this e-mail message.

For further information please contact:

R J W W
Jon. W. Watson, EA LA
Mike Wallace, MP Burlington
www.mikewallace.ca

T: (613) 995 0881
T: (613) 796 9047
T: (905) 639 5757
F: (613) 995 1091

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