Debates of May 10th, 2006

Parliamentary Precinct Flags--Speaker's Ruling

[Pat Martin, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, would you be willing to seek unanimous consent of the House to put forward a motion that would see it as the exclusive jurisdiction and purview of the Speakers of the Houses of Parliament to direct and control the flying of the flag at half mast on the Peace Tower?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Peter Milliken]

The hon. member will have to get the motion drafted and seek consent in the usual way or, alternatively, move it as a motion under private members' business and see if it could be carried unanimously then.

This is a matter that will have to be done in a proper written form, with a draft motion, rather than the suggestion that I seek consent to adopt such and such a thing in the House. I know the hon. member will pursue the matter, if necessary, and come up with a draft.

Aboriginal Affairs

[Jim Prentice, Conservative, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise the House that a final Indian residential schools settlement agreement has been approved by all the parties, including the Government of Canada.

I am pleased to inform this House that a final Indian residential schools settlement agreement has been approved by all parties, including the Government of Canada.

The Hon. Frank Iacobucci, the government's representative, has very capably led these intense and complex negotiations with legal representatives, including former students, the Catholic, Anglican, United and Presbyterian Churches and the Assembly of First Nations and other aboriginal organizations. I think it important that the record of the Parliament of Canada note that Grand Chief Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations deserves special recognition in this regard. Together the parties have achieved a fair, lasting and historic agreement.

Together, the parties have reached a fair, lasting and historic agreement.

The settlement agreement must now be presented for approval by the courts in nine jurisdictions across Canada over the coming months.

I am also pleased to announce today, together with my colleague, the hon. Minister of Canadian Heritage, who is with me, the immediate launch of an advanced payment program for eligible former Indian residential school students 65 years of age or older, when the settlement agreement negotiations were initiated on May 30, 2005.

The government recognizes that many former students of residential schools are growing older and that the funds must be distributed as soon as possible. Former students eligible for the $8,000 advance payment may apply by completing the application form, which is now available.

The government recognizes the sad legacy of Indian residential schools. We hope that this settlement agreement will bring closure to this unfortunate chapter in our history and help us to move forward in a new spirit of partnership with aboriginal Canadians.

[Tina Keeper, Liberal, Churchill, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the government's decision to honour the Liberal agreement on Indian residential schools and the funding that was provided for this purpose last fall.

Working cooperatively toward the well-being of the first nations, the Métis nation and the Inuit was a high priority of the previous Liberal government. It has remained a prime concern for the opposition from the very beginning of this new Parliament.

We are pleased to see that the current government has endorsed the agreement in principle, signed in November 2005 by the then Liberal government, the Assembly of First Nations and church leaders.

By taking this step, the government ensures that the honour of the Crown can be restored.

However, there is a more important matter. By honouring the agreement, Canada continues its responsibility to help bring closure to the painful legacy of Indian residential schools. Survivors must be recognized for their courage to come forward to remember this most painful chapter of their lives, the stories of abuse they suffered while in residential schools.

Many of us in the House are familiar with the hearings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, which uncovered many such tragedies. Many of us know these stories, as they are the stories of our own families and communities.

Today residential school survivors, their families and communities have begun healing journeys to put this ugly chapter behind them. The impact of the Indian residential school system is a legacy that must and will be overcome. The honouring of this agreement will help.

The work of the previous Liberal government to reach and to fund this agreement helped develop some goodwill and a sense of optimism on all sides. Particularly helpful was the effort made by the Hon. Frank Iacobucci. We thank him dearly for helping to bring people together.

It must be said that while the government stalled, some elder survivors of the residential school passed on, forever ending their chance to find justice. However, it now appears that for many others a resolution is now at hand. The government has finally chosen to look beyond partisan barriers and implement the Liberal agreement on residential schools, along with fast track payments to the elderly. For many, this day provides recognition of their ordeal and may, I hope, become an important step in their journey toward healing. It comes not a moment too soon.

Once again, we welcome the government's decision to implement the residential schools agreement. We thank the individual survivors, who fought so hard to keep this issue alive. We also thank National Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations and all those who have participated in the work leading to this day.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to comment on the announcement made by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development concerning the final Indian residential schools settlement agreement.

This is a great day for the victims of the Indian residential schools. It is also a great day for all those who care about justice, respect and compassion.

Over 150,000 native people went through hell in the residential schools. Too many victims have already left us, and the number of survivors is estimated to be 87,000, of whom an average of 30 to 50 are dying each week without being entitled to fair compensation.

With this agreement, the Government of Canada is tackling the worst examples of human rights violations in its history, is coming to terms with its shameful past and is finally repairing the wrongs it caused to too many victims.

Let us not delude ourselves, the final Indian residential schools settlement agreement is a salve on the wounds of broken lives, and it will not make up for the ravages which many native people will never get over. Nevertheless, I am firmly convinced that the agreement is the foundation for restoring social justice and promoting reconciliation and healing.

Today's agreement is the product of the perseverance, courage and patience of native people; of first nations leadership; of the recommendations of the Erasmus-Dussault report, endorsed by the Bloc Québécois, which demanded the holding of a public inquiry into abuse in the residential schools; and of the work by members of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, which led to the signing of the agreement in principle on November 20, 2005.

Finally, the Bloc Québécois is delighted with the announcement and hopes that these long-awaited developments will meet the victims’ expectations.

I now ask the Prime Minister to seize the opportunity of this announcement to offer today, in this House, his apologies to the former residents so that they can turn this sad page in history.

[Jack Layton, NDP, Toronto—Danforth, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of all New Democrats, to acknowledge the pain and the suffering of generations of victims of Canada's Indian residential schools, an insidious institutional plague that ravaged Canada's first peoples for more than 100 years.

Today we remember the childhoods that were destroyed, the lives that have been forever changed by this intergenerational tragedy. We acknowledge the terrible burden of the Indian residential schools, the emotional scars and the economic impact being carried to this day by Canada's first nations, Métis and Inuit people.

The words of survivor Flora Merrick help us to understand the lifelong pain endured by victims. She said:

During my stay at Portage la Prairie residential school, I witnessed the injustices of beatings and abuse of other children, some whom were my siblings. We were treated worse than animals and lived in constant fear. I have carried the trauma of my experience and seeing what happened to other children all my life.

New Democrats welcome the announcement today by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. We are pleased that at long last an agreement has been reached and advance payments for aging survivors can begin to be made.

I want to salute, as well, the organizations representing first nations and the victims for their tireless and endless efforts in this regard. I also want to mention the work of our own member on this file over the years.

However, this is by no means the end of this sad chapter in our collective history.

We still have work to do. We have to begin the process of restoration and pardon, and we must make sure that all victims finally receive compensation before more individuals die while waiting. We must not forget the Métis victims, like those from the residential school of Île-à-la-Crosse, who are still struggling to be recognized.

Today survivors, their families and all Canadians look to the Prime Minister to rise in his place and offer an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada, an apology for the grave injustices, abuse and trauma inflicted by the Indian residential schools, an apology that is decades overdue.

If the Prime Minister does not apologize, this government will be showing that it is no more capable than the Liberals of assuming responsibility for past wrongs and doing what is needed to right them.

Canadian aboriginal people have waited long enough. We want no more excuses or delays. We call upon the Prime Minister to take the next step and apologize, so that we finally might repair this difficulty that has existed between our nations.

Interparliamentary Delegations

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), to present to the House reports from the Canadian branch, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, concerning a workshop on the parliamentary committee system in Trinidad and Tobago, March 20-24, 2006.

It was a great pleasure, on behalf of the House along with the member for Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, to collaborate with both houses and staff of the parliament in Trinidad and Tobago to develop statements of principle and recommendations to update procedures and resourcing for the house and committees in that sister parliament.

[Leon Benoit, Conservative, Vegreville—Wainwright, AB]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the delegation of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association respecting its participation in the 51st annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly held in Copenhagen, Denmark, November 11-15, 2005.

[Charles Hubbard, Liberal, Miramichi, NB]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the delegation to the OSCE, Canada Europe Parliamentary Association, respecting its participation in the winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly held in Vienna, Austria, February 23-24, 2006.

[Michel Guimond, Bloc, Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, which attended the meeting of the Education, Communications and Cultural Affairs Committee of the APF, held in Antananarivo, Madagascar on March 21 and 22, 2006.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the reports of the Canadian delegations of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, respecting their participation at the Bureau meeting of the APF, held in Noumea, New Caledonia, from February 2 to 4, 2006; at the Co-operation and Development Committee of the APF, held in Delémont, Jura, from March 14 to 16, 2006; and lastly at the Conference of Presidents of the Americas region, held in Augusta, Maine, from March 22 to 23, 2006.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake, MB]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present in the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group respecting its participation at the National Governors Association Healthy America Forum at its winter meeting that was held in Washington, D.C., February 25-28, 2006.

Criminal Code

[Nina Grewal, Conservative, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-271, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (personal identity theft).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise on behalf of the constituents of Fleetwood—Port Kells to introduce this bill entitled an act to amend the Criminal Code respecting personal identity theft. Identity theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in North America. A growing number of Canadians are victimized by criminals who have assumed their identities and destroyed their credit history and financial details.

With this legislation, the federal government would protect Canadians by clearly defining identity theft in the Canadian Criminal Code. It would make it illegal for anyone to unlawfully possess or transfer another person's personal information or documentation, such as a driver's licence or credit cards.

In our increasingly technological world where criminals are using ambiguous laws to avoid prosecution, I hope I can count on support from all sides of the House. I thank the hon. member for Cambridge for seconding my bill.

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

State Immunity Act

[Susan Kadis, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-272, An Act to amend the State Immunity Act and the Criminal Code (terrorist activity).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in the House to introduce this private member's bill. This bill calls for the amending of the State Immunity Act. This bill, which is long overdue in Canada, would permit any person who has suffered loss or damage as a result of terrorist activity to be legally capable of suing the person or state responsible.

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

Hazardous Products Act

[Susan Kadis, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-273, An Act to amend the Hazardous Products Act (products made with dog or cat fur).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to introduce this private member's bill. This bill calls on the government to amend the Hazardous Products Act by adding all products made in whole or in part of dog or cat fur. While banned in countries around the globe, including the United States, dog and cat fur can be imported, exported and legally sold in Canada without any identifying labels. This practice is unacceptable to Canadians.

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

Canadian Environmental Protection Act

[Susan Kadis, Liberal, Thornhill, ON]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-274, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Schedule 1).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to introduce this private member's bill. This bill calls on the government to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to add brominated flame retardants and polybrominated diphenyl ether to the list of toxic substances.

Recent studies have identified that these chemicals commonly used as flame retardants have been found in our house dust and in breast milk. Europe has already taken steps to ban these dangerous chemicals. Here in Canada, studies have been completed which highlight the high level of this chemical presently in our environment. It is time to ban these products to protect the health of Canadians.

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

Business of the House

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

Mr. Speaker, there have been consultations and I think you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:

That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of this House, following the vote on Ways and Means Motion No. 1 tonight, the House proceed to the putting of the question on Ways and Means Motion No. 5.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform]

(Motion agreed to)

Child Care

[Michael Savage, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure once again in this Parliament to present a petition from residents of Nova Scotia who are very concerned about the cancellation of the child care program.

I would like to acknowledge Cathleen Hilgenberg-Madgett from Nova Scotia who went out and collected these petitions, following up on her great concern. She suggests that 70% of women with children under the age of six are employed. A taxable $100 a month allowance amounts to a small child benefit. Child care is an everyday necessity. She calls upon the Prime Minister to honour the early learning and child care agreement in principle and to commit to fund it for a full five years. I thank Kathleen and I am pleased to present this petition.

Refugees

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present a petition containing over 700 signatures. The petitioners call on the government to establish a procedure to facilitate the granting of permanent residence to all persons who have been in Canada over three years and who come from moratorium countries.

I would like to thank the Canadian Council for Refugees, the Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées immigrantes and the Ligue des droits et libertés for collecting these signatures.

Autism

[Patricia Davidson, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in the 39th Parliament to present my first petition on behalf of my constituents of Sarnia--Lambton.

This petition calls on the House of Commons to amend the Canada Health Act and corresponding regulations to include IBI/ABA therapy for children with autism; and secondly, to contribute to the creation of academic chairs at a university in each province to teach IBI/ABA treatment at the undergraduate and doctoral level.

Child Care

[Olivia Chow, NDP, Trinity—Spadina, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to present to the House petitions from hundreds of residents across Canada regarding child care. The petitioners call upon the House to achieve multiyear funding to ensure that publicly operated child care programs are sustained in the long term, and that child care is protected by enshrining it in legislation. The petitioners also request an end to child poverty by using the $1,200 allowance to enhance the child tax benefit without tax and clawbacks.

[Anthony Rota, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in order to present several petitions. The first is on behalf of the residents of Ontario who are calling for the Prime Minister to honour the early learning and child care agreement that was reached between the Government of Canada and the provinces in November 2005.