Evidence of meeting #28 for Justice and Human Rights in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was work.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Myron Thompson Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Also, in regard to the comments from Mr. Ménard about what the leader of our country, the Prime Minister, said....
5:25 p.m.
Executive Directeur, Canadian Constitution Foundation
Everybody has the right under the charter to challenge a law that they think is not constitutional. Of course, that's hard for individuals, but we have freedom of association in this country. You can get together with other people who support the same cause, create an organization, raise support from people who believe it, rather than force people to contribute to something they disagree with.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Myron Thompson Conservative Wild Rose, AB
This is my last question. A few years ago, 42 years ago, I proposed to my present bride, and she said yes. What if she had said no? Would that be an infringement of my rights?
It sounds like it's getting to the point of ridiculousness. We talk about the right of marriage. Well, since when did I have a right to marriage? There has to be some common agreement there.
5:30 p.m.
Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Let me address that from a macro level. Every year, the Government of Canada spends $26 billion on grants and contributions to organizations and associations across this country. The problem is, people in this town think they have a God-given right to take tax dollars and then go out and advocate for their special cause. The government should be applauded for being able to trim some of that back, but frankly they haven't gone far enough.
No organization has the right to accept tax dollars and then go press their pet issue. If they want to go out and lobby on their issue, they should go out, find Canadians to join their cause, to donate to their cause, and then get involved politically.
The court challenges program is one component of that ongoing advocacy that flies in the face of the values of millions of Canadians.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
Myron Thompson Conservative Wild Rose, AB
In other words, taxpayers should not continually financially support ideas they do not support.
5:30 p.m.
Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
On the left or the right, yes.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Thank you, Mr. Thompson.
I'd like to thank the committee and I would like to thank all of the witnesses for appearing in front of this committee. It certainly has been a spirited debate on this issue.
I would ask the committee members to stay put--the witnesses are free to leave--as we have a motion to deal with.
We have one order of business yet to complete, and that is Mr. Ménard's motion. Does everyone have the motion in front of them?
Mr. Ménard.
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
Mr. Chair, 50 years ago, a man from the Gaspé Peninsula was executed at Bordeaux Prison. That was done in conditions that a number of observers of the legal scene characterized as unacceptable from the standpoint of the execution, the rules of procedural fairness and the conduct of the trial. It was a very well-known situation in Quebec, but I don't know whether it was in English Canada. The family filed an application for judicial review, as the Criminal Code allows.
I would like us to invite the government to analyze whether or not there are grounds for a judicial review and to do so quickly and diligently. I'm certain it will do so. The review group reports to the Department of Justice, but it is also independent.
I only want us to be supportive of this family, which has obviously suffered from a stigma. We understand that. For reasons of solidarity with the family, my colleague Raynald Blais has done a lot of work with the family. I'm convinced that all the members of this committee will understand the appropriateness of this motion.
5:30 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
I'm in favour of it. I simply find the wording kind of general. It says “recommend that the government act in the matter with diligence and speed”. It's not too clear.
Is it the intent that the government respond to the request for a judicial review? What are you asking the government to do?
5:30 p.m.
Bloc
Réal Ménard Bloc Hochelaga, QC
We simply want to send a clear message to the government, that we want it to work diligently and quickly. We're not setting a deadline. We hope the Chair will introduce this motion in the House so that everyone takes note of it. However, we're not asking for a response or a deadline because we understand that would be inappropriate.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Is there currently a judicial review? No. Is the government considering the request now?
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
Given a chance, I'll speak to it.
The criminal conviction review group is reviewing the application, so there is a legal process being followed. Thanks to our colleague for bringing this forward. We will act with speed on the process. Therefore, I've read the motion and I'm pleased to support it.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Is everyone in favour?
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Art Hanger
Colleagues, one more thing. We have a steering committee meeting directly after the vote, back in this room.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Myron Thompson Conservative Wild Rose, AB
Mr. Chairman, one thing the steering committee should do is go to all of the House leaders and see if we can't get our votes at three o'clock after question period as often as possible, so we don't have them interrupt these meetings.
