Bill C-509. Introduction and first reading

Mr. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-509, An Act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act (library materials).

He said: Mr. Speaker, this bill is a reincarnate of Bill C-458 and Bill C-322, due to some technical changes we had to make and reintroduce, but I want to assure the thousands of Canadians who have signed the petitions that the bill remains intact.

The amendment does two things. It would preserve a reduced rate for postage on books between libraries in Canada and would expand the library book rate program to include magazines, records, CDs, CD-ROMS, audio cassettes, video cassettes, DVDs and other audio-visual materials.

This is something that Canadian libraries and indeed all Canadians have been asking for since 1967.

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