Debates of March 26th, 2010

House of Commons Hansard #18 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was quebec}.

Topics

Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act
Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Bloc

Mario Laframboise Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak to Bill C-3, An Act to promote gender equity in Indian registration by responding to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia decision in McIvor v. Canada (Registrar of Indian and Northern Affairs).

The Bloc Québécois supports the principle of this bill designed to allow those who suffered discrimination because of Bill C-31 passed in 1985 to reconnect with their origins.

Indian registration is indeed the first step in gaining not only Indian status, but also peer recognition in the community.

Membership is a very important concept, as it entitles individuals to live on reserve, participate in political processes such as the election of band chiefs, own property on reserve and share band resources. It permits recognition of one's origins and the practice of one's culture.

In 1996, many questions were already being raised about the impact of Bill C-31. There were concerns about possible adverse effects on the debate about whether or not someone is a band member, an issue that is not only complex, but also an integral part of a person's identity. To illustrate this complexity, I will read two excerpts from a report prepared by the Library of Parliament in February 1996 and revised in 2003.

The debate over membership is complex and multifaceted. A consideration of the issue leads to questions about what it means to belong to a community, about who has the right to define community membership, and about the changing nature of the Indian population. For many years, externally imposed rules for status and membership have produced internal divisions within Indian communities. The impacts of Bill C-31 have further emphasized political, social and financial concerns and introduced new problems.

The growth in the number of status Indians living off reserve as a result of Bill C-31 has also increased the need to clarify the responsibilities of federal and provincial governments in providing and funding the services required. Problems have arisen, moreover, because many of the programs and funds for status Indians are available only to those who live on reserve. Some of those who wished to live on reserve could not, however, because of a lack of services, such as housing. Furthermore, despite the increase in services, many off-reserve Bill C-31 registrants did not know how to access them and thus did not take advantage of them. INAC has been criticized for not making this information more readily available.

These quotes show just how complex recognition is.

Does the implementation of Bill C-3 raise new questions about the implementation of Bill C-31? The Bloc Québécois thinks it does.

The McIvor decision forced the government to close the loophole created by the 1951 act and the unacceptable amendment to the 1985 act, which was itself trying to close the enormous loophole created by the enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The 1876 Indian Act stated that a woman marrying a non-Indian would lose her status and stop being an Indian in the eyes of Canadian law. The act and all of the legislation succeeding it marginalized women in aboriginal society and considerably diminished their social and political role in community life. Indian women were subject to a law that discriminated against them on the basis of their race, gender and marital status.

In 1951, the Indian Act was amended, but still marginalized women marrying non-Indians. Such women could not be registered on the new federal register of status Indians.

In 1985, after new provisions were added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Bill C-31 attempted to close the loophole in the Indian Act, but women's children still did not have the same rights as men's children.

The federal government waited 25 years to introduce a bill recognizing the Indian status of individuals who had been discriminated against in the past. This issue is not just about First Nations and women. It is about equality and human rights. The Indian Act discriminated against women because it denied Indian status to the grandchildren of aboriginal women, but not to those of aboriginal men. Bill C-3, which was introduced today, will correct part of the problem.

If not for Sharon McIvor's hard work and perseverance, if not for the 2007 British Columbia Supreme Court ruling, which was confirmed by the British Columbia Court of Appeal on April 6, 2009, the federal government would never have introduced this bill.

The bill must go to committee so that various stakeholders can have an opportunity to express their opinions about the effect that Bill C-3 will have on their communities. The committee will also have to come up with a better plan for implementing the bill so as to avoid making the same mistakes that were made in 1985 with Bill C-31.

Count on us to help make that happen. The Bloc Québécois' excellent critic for this file, the member for Abitibi—Témiscamingue, will do everything in his power to ensure that the committee hears what everyone has to say.

At December 31, 2000, more than 114,000 individuals had acquired Indian status.

I will be speaking about Sharon McIvor's struggle, which is the basis for our debate.

In 1985, the federal government amended the Indian Act through Bill C-31, which gave Indian status to women married to non-Indians. However, in many cases, these women could not pass this status to their children.

In 1985, Sharon McIvor, a law student from British Columbia and descendant of the Lower Nicola Indian Band—her mother was a status Indian woman and her father a non-status Indian man—applied to regain her status. She obtained her Indian status but was told her children were not eligible.

In 1987, Ms. McIvor wrote a letter requesting a review of the decision. In 1989, she received a reply upholding the denial of Indian status to her children. She launched a court case challenging the Indian Act.

Shortly before Ms. McIvor's case was heard in court in 2006, the federal government agreed to restore status to her children. Ms. McIvor continued with the court case. In 2006, Ms. McIvor's case was first heard in court.

In October 2006, the federal government abolished the court challenges program, which had helped Ms. McIvor defend her case. It was the Conservative government that made this decision. With the elimination of the program, Ms. McIvor found it difficult to fund the defence of her case. The government's decision came just after Ms. McIvor won her case in the British Columbia Supreme Court.

In June 2007, Justice Ross of the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled in favour of Ms. McIvor. She maintained that the law “implies that one’s female ancestors are deficient or less Indian than their male contemporaries. The implication is that one’s lineage is inferior.”

In July 2007, the federal government announced that it would appeal the decision. In 2008, the case was heard by the British Columbia Court of Appeal. On April 6, 2009, a decision was made in favour of Ms. McIvor. I—

Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act
Government Orders

10:55 a.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Andrew Scheer

I must interrupt the honourable member. He will have another 12 minutes after question period.

Women's Gala
Statements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

Bruce Stanton Simcoe North, ON

Mr. Speaker, every two years, an organization in my riding, La Clé d'la Baie, presents the Gala de la Femme. The sixth edition of the gala will take place this Saturday evening at the Gryphon Theatre in Barrie.

This celebration honours women from Barrie and Simcoe County for their commitment to our francophone communities, including Penetanguishene and Lafontaine. Our finest francophone artists will provide music, comedy and dance throughout the evening.

Awards will be presented to the women for their work in five areas of community leadership: volunteer, career, youth, health/environment and mother.

I would like to thank La Clé d'la Baie for the extraordinary services it provides for the 15,000 people in Simcoe County's francophone communities, as well as for celebrating the involvement of women in our region.

Iraq
Statements By Members

11 a.m.

Liberal

Judy Sgro York West, ON

Mr. Speaker, during Saddam Hussein's reign, the Kurdish people in northern Iraq suffered horrific atrocities. Today much has changed for the people of Kurdistan, but for many Iraqi Christians, there is still change needed in that emerging democracy.

Dangerous living conditions, terrorist attacks and forced immigration are still taking a toll. Discrimination against certain groups, such as Iraqi Christians, continues to prevent children from attending their classes and their parents from fully engaging in society. A shameful history of human rights suppression in the region has still not ended.

I call upon the government to use every diplomatic tool available to work with the Iraqi government to ensure that basic ideals of religious freedom are respected and protected. The people of Ninawa and all Iraqi Christians deserve our support and our protection. I believe that by speaking out and by constructive engagement we can help make this a reality.

Agriculture
Statements By Members

11 a.m.

Bloc

Guy André Berthier—Maskinongé, QC

Mr. Speaker, like many regions in Quebec, my riding of Berthier—Maskinongé is very well known for its vibrant agriculture sector, a key factor in how our land has been settled.

Yet every week, Quebec loses another farm. In order to preserve Quebec's agricultural model, which is often characterized by family farms on a more human scale, the Bloc Québécois believes it is important to encourage the next generation of farmers and the passing on of these family farms from one generation to the next.

So I was appalled to hear the Minister of State for Agriculture tell the Fédération de la relève agricole du Québec that the prospect of Chinese investors purchasing farmland in Quebec is good news. I think the minister should instead read up on the negative consequences this phenomenon has had around the world and consider the Bloc Québécois' proposals to encourage the next generation of farmers.

When will the Conservative government do something?

Canadian Olympian
Statements By Members

11 a.m.

NDP

Jim Maloway Elmwood—Transcona, MB

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring attention to a great Canadian Olympian, Clara Hughes.

Clara Hughes was born and raised in the federal riding of Elmwood—Transcona and graduated from Elmwood High School. I have known her mother, Maureen Hughes, and grandmother, Dodie Lester, for many years as I also represented them provincially as their MLA.

It was an honour to work with Clara as we, along with other citizens, fought to save Kelvin Community Club, which was Clara's childhood community club, from closing due to municipal budget cuts.

Clara Hughes has a strong heart which she has proven not just being the only person to have won multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics in cycling and speed skating, and not just from her recent medal win at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games at the age of 37, but also by her dedication of her time and her abilities and the use of her own money to support organizations such as Right to Play to help disadvantaged youth through sport in Canada and throughout the world. Clara Hughes has shown her heart.

I would like to bring attention to a great Canadian Olympian, Clara Hughes.

Retirement Congratulations
Statements By Members

11 a.m.

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre Nepean—Carleton, ON

Mr. Speaker, this evening will be the last official newscast by Max Keeping, the legendary newsman who has served at CTV for almost four decades.

Max started his career as a 14-year-old St. John's Evening Telegram sports director. He served as a parliamentary correspondent for CFRA and then he moved to CTV almost four decades ago.

In his position he has helped to raise funds for causes as varied as CHEO, the Food Bank, the United Way, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and of course, the community-wide famous Max Keeping Foundation. He has not only been a news anchor, but an anchor for our entire community. He is a legend in our neighbourhood. Right across the Ottawa Valley he will be missed. We look forward to his exciting work during his retirement as an ambassador for CTV Ottawa.

Way to go, Max. We are proud of him.

Youth Employment
Statements By Members

March 26th, 2010 / 11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Gurbax Malhi Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON

Mr. Speaker, the current unemployment rate among young Canadians is 16%, double the national average.

The real needs of youth living in Bramalea—Gore—Malton and across the country are not being addressed. The youth are worried about finding full-time and summer jobs, and about gaining the work experience needed to ensure their future employment. They are worried about being able to pay their tuition fees and achieve their dream of completing higher education.

The government can create jobs by giving employers greater incentives to hire our country's future workforce. This government needs to act now and show real progress in reducing the worst youth unemployment rate in a generation.

Persons with Disabilities
Statements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Alice Wong Richmond, BC

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honour two extraordinary individuals from my riding, Mr. James Armstrong and Mr. Darryl Neighbour.

Both gentlemen are phenomenal wheelchair curlers and were an integral part of Canada's wheelchair curling team that won the gold medal in the Paralympic Games in Vancouver last Saturday.

I congratulate Jim and Darryl on their incredible performance. They have made all Canadians proud.

On that note, I would also like to bring attention to the launch of the Rick Hansen Institute and applaud our government and the Government of B.C. for making a total pledge of $38.5 million toward the project which aims to raise $200 million for spinal injury research by 2012. Rick is Richmond's own Man In Motion.

This is only one of the many measures that our government has introduced in year two of Canada's economic action plan to help people with disabilities and their families participate more fully in our country's social and economic life.

Haiti
Statements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Bloc

Robert Carrier Alfred-Pellan, QC

Mr. Speaker, operation “10,000 hats for Haiti”, which my office contributed to by soliciting nearly 200 agencies, exceeded its goal by collecting 12,000 hats in all.

This operation is an initiative by the Fondation d'aide aux enfants orphelins du sida in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul district of my riding.

The foundation operates Rainbow House in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince. Rainbow House is a shelter for AIDS orphans and it also provides help to many families.

The hats will help protect many partially or completely blind children and adults from the sun.

This operation was launched before the terrible January 12 earthquake. Its original purpose was to help children who have to walk for kilometres to get to school. Under the circumstances, it has become an even more essential relief initiative.

Many thanks to the Fondation d'aide aux enfants orphelins du sida.

Project Hero
Statements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Conservative

Tom Lukiwski Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK

Mr. Speaker, Project Hero is a great program which provides scholarships to the children of our Canadian heroes who have sacrificed their lives while serving our country.

I would like to thank honorary Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Reed, along with retired General Rick Hillier who started this program which will benefit the families of our fallen heroes.

Needless to say, I was shocked earlier this week when a group of radical professors from the University of Regina signed a letter opposing this program. Shockingly, this group of 16 even includes a former provincial NDP candidate.

On this side of the House, we honour our men and women in uniform and we welcome programs that benefit the lives of their families.

I call upon these 16 so-called academics who are currently enjoying their comfort and security thanks to the work of the same people whom they are now opposing to reconsider their outrageous insensitive position, to join their fellow Canadians by showing their true patriot love and support Project Hero.

Don Anderson
Statements By Members

11:05 a.m.

Liberal

Lawrence MacAulay Cardigan, PE

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of my colleagues and myself to pay tribute to Don Anderson.

Don ran the family farm in St. Peter's Bay. It grew to become a 500-acre mixed farming operation.

Don was very active in the farming community. Throughout his life he served as director of the P.E.I. potato marketing board. He was a member of the Canadian Dairy Commission. He was chairman of the P.E.I. potato committee. He played a major role in the P.E.I. Rural Beautification Society. He was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1998.

His warm greetings and firm handshakes were well known among fellow Island producers, and he was a strong supporter of the Prince Edward Island potato industry.

Don Anderson's name became synonymous with the Island spuds in many countries around the world. No matter what Don Anderson was involved in, whether it was his church, his community or the agricultural community, he gave it his all.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Anderson family in St. Peter's Bay today.

Maureen Vodrey
Statements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Royal Galipeau Ottawa—Orléans, ON

Mr. Speaker, today we wish to thank and pay homage to someone who has truly etched the fabric of Canada's democracy. Maureen Vodrey, who we spoke of yesterday, the longest-serving interpreter in Canadian history, will retire today after 37 consecutive years of serving Parliament and Canadians.

Ms. Vodrey began her interpretation career on Parliament Hill in 1973. She has worked for nine governments, eight prime ministers, eight governors general and eight Speakers of the House of Commons and for yours truly as well.

Ms. Vodrey specializes in parliamentary procedure. She has taught at the University of Ottawa and has received numerous awards, including the award of excellence in teaching in 2007 and the Translation Bureau quality service award in 2009.

Today we pay tribute to her, to her husband Robert, a corporal in the RCMP, and to their son Simon.

Ms. Vodrey's contribution to democracy will be felt for years to come. We pay tribute to her today.

Maureen Vodrey
Statements By Members

11:10 a.m.

NDP

Peter Stoffer Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the New Democrats and all parliamentarians, we also join in congratulating and thanking Maureen Vodrey after 39 years of service to the House of Commons, 37 years as the House of Commons' longest-serving interpreter, even interpreting me, and that is a remarkable achievement in itself.

She was known as the female English voice of René Lévesque during the debates of the Meech Lake accord. She has been here for an incredible, wonderfully long time, and it is because of her service to this country and to all of us that our work has been much easier to do.

We want to pay special tribute to her husband, Robert, and her son, Simon. We thank them very much for sharing Maureen with all of us. She has done a tremendous job. She will be greatly missed.

On behalf of all of us in the House of Commons, we salute Maureen Vodrey for her great service and wish her the very best in her future endeavours. God bless her.

Bloc Québécois
Statements By Members

11:10 a.m.

Conservative

Jacques Gourde Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, QC

Mr. Speaker, our government wants to protect families and ensure that Canadians can sleep well at night.

Honest citizens are already paying enough to rehabilitate criminals who are serving sentences in prison.

I cannot believe that the leader of the Bloc thinks that Clifford Olson should keep receiving his federal government pension in addition to the guaranteed income supplement.

We already knew that the Bloc Québécois was in favour of lenient sentences for criminals who traffic in young children, but Quebeckers cannot believe this.

Now Quebeckers know that the Bloc and its leader have only one goal: to block the Conservative government's initiatives to fight crime and protect victims.