House of Commons Hansard #59 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was nation.

Topics

Oral QuestionsPoints of OrderOral Questions

12:05 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

I do not think that is a point of order.

Missing and Murdered WomenRoutine Proceedings

12:05 p.m.

Central Nova Nova Scotia

Conservative

Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I committed to tabling documents in this House. I now have those documents in both official languages.

I am pleased to table the list of initiatives on missing and murdered aboriginal women that my department has taken since 2010.

These reports, as numerous as they are, now number 41, with another being tabled today. They include such recent reports as “Forsaken: the report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry” by the hon. Wally T. Oppal.

At the same time, I am tabling a list of some 40 studies dealing with the tragic situation, as well as 30 government bills that we have introduced dealing with public safety issues.

As far as programs are concerned in this list of 64, the detailed information setting out those programs and dollar amounts is also available on the website contained in this list.

While I am on my feet, I want to take this opportunity to apologize to the Speaker and members present for impertinence yesterday on my part here in the House of Commons. I have great respect, after 17 years, for the dignity of this chamber and I want to take this opportunity to apologize.

Foreign AffairsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Calgary East Alberta

Conservative

Deepak Obhrai ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2012-13 progress report on Canada's action plan for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions on women, peace, and security.

Violence Against Indigenous WomenCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women entitled, “Invisible Women: A Call to Action, A Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Violence Against Indigenous WomenCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

NDP

Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that we have to stand and talk about the lack of consensus on the special committee studying violence against indigenous women.

The testimony we heard from family members and witnesses who knew some of the women who went missing or were confirmed murdered was heartfelt and full of pleas to the government to take extraordinary action to recognize that this is a public emergency and that it should be treated as such. Instead, the final report basically said that the status quo was fine, and most recommendations suggested that things should continue as they were.

New Democrats fundamentally disagree. We believe that a national action plan to address violence against indigenous women and girls needs to be agreed upon and implemented as soon as possible, and that a national public inquiry into the cases of missing and murdered aboriginal women should be one of its first undertakings.

We understand the depth of the problem and the ways that sexism and racism intersect in Canada, and how that makes indigenous women and girls more vulnerable to violence. We heard from police officers, front-line workers, and national organizations that the current levels of funding are not adequate to deal with this crisis. As parliamentarians, we choose the priorities for funding, and it is Canada's shame that indigenous women and girls have never been made a priority by any government.

Canada PostPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I rise today to table three petitions.

The first petition is with respect to the devastating cuts to service and the huge price increases at Canada Post.

Mining IndustryPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls upon the government to create a mining ombudsman to ensure responsible mineral exploitation.

Democratic ReformPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Liberal

David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON

Mr. Speaker, the third petition, prepared by Fair Vote Canada, calls upon the government to ensure Canadians have a fair electoral system.

I am pleased to table these petitions on behalf of hundreds of Canadians. I look forward to the government's response.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

March 7th, 2014 / 12:10 p.m.

NDP

Annick Papillon NDP Québec, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present two petitions concerning the protection of Gatineau Park. This issue is very important to the petitioners since there are parts of Gatineau Park that might be severed off or sold without Parliament's review or approval. That is why it is important. I have many signatures.

Impaired DrivingPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:10 p.m.

Conservative

Maurice Vellacott Conservative Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, SK

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition. These petitioners from British Columbia indicate that the current impaired driving laws are too lenient. They want to see that changed and toughened up so that we have some new mandatory minimum sentences for persons convicted of impaired driving causing death. They want the Criminal Code to be changed to redefine the offence of impaired driving causing death to vehicular manslaughter. They have some other good suggestions in this proposal as well.

It is my privilege to present this good petition from citizens of British Columbia, where I did spend some earlier years of my working life.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present this petition signed by people from Ontario and Quebec. They are calling on the government to provide legal protection to ensure the integrity and the future of Gatineau Park. It is necessary to continue protecting the environment for future generations.

Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International AirportPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present two petitions.

The first is signed by 1,133 residents of the Montreal area who are calling on the federal government and Aéroports de Montréal to take measures to reduce the noise from planes taking off from and landing at Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

An MP does more than just present petitions. My colleague from Saint-Laurent—Cartierville took steps to strengthen dialogue between Aéroports de Montréal and the citizens' group Les pollués de Montréal-Trudeau. He found both parties showed goodwill toward serving the common interest.

SyriaPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a second petition signed by many Quebeckers who are calling on the Government of Canada to act swiftly and effectively in response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and to increase the number of government sponsored refugees, as well as providing the necessary resources to support these actions.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Jean Rousseau NDP Compton—Stanstead, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by hundreds of people in the Gatineau area who are calling for protections for Gatineau Park, since it is home to rich biodiversity unique to the region, including 90 endangered plant and 50 endangered animal species. They are simply requesting that we examine the issue in order to protect the environment and strengthen the laws concerning the protection of Gatineau Park.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present two petitions.

The first petition is with respect to the protection of Gatineau Park, as many of my colleagues have already mentioned. It is an important issue for all Canadians, particularly those in the region. It is in support of my colleague's bill on the protection of Gatineau Park.

SyriaPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls upon the government to do more to help support the people of Syria, particularly by helping refugees and providing support to refugees so they are able to settle here in Canada.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

NDP

François Pilon NDP Laval—Les Îles, QC

Mr. Speaker, I want to present a petition regarding Gatineau Park. The petitioners are calling on the House of Commons to adopt legislation giving Gatineau Park the necessary legal protection to ensure its preservation for future generations.

I have visited this park many times, and I truly hope that the government will take this seriously.

Mining IndustryPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition signed by people from the Montreal area who are calling on the government to create a legal ombudsman mechanism for Canadian mining companies operating abroad. The goal is to ensure that their operations are conducted responsibly and that they respect human rights and the environment and demonstrate social responsibility with respect to labour.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

NDP

José Nunez-Melo NDP Laval, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour and privilege to present a petition signed by 100 people who are very concerned about Gatineau Park.

Much like my colleagues here, I think that this petition is very important. It calls on the House of Commons to adopt legislation to protect this massive park in the Gatineau area.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

NDP

Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition calling for greater protection for Parc Gatineau.

The signatories to the petition point out that there are more than 90 plants and 50 species of animals at risk contained within the park.

The very fact that so many are rising today shows the concern Canadians have for the protection of Parc Gatineau.

House of CommonsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:15 p.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, I present a petition signed by many members of my community who are concerned about the Government of Canada increasing the size of the House of Commons. They feel we do not need more members of Parliament.

They are suggesting that the money should instead be spent on issues such as seniors' pensions, bedside nurses, and so forth.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

NDP

Ruth Ellen Brosseau NDP Berthier—Maskinongé, QC

Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I am presenting a petition that calls on the government to take action to protect Gatineau Park.

As some may already know, Gatineau Park is one of the most visited parks in Canada and one that I am very familiar with. There is no question that this park is very important. Bill C-565, which proposes protections for this park, will be debated this afternoon.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

NDP

Jonathan Genest-Jourdain NDP Manicouagan, QC

Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit to the House a petition that attests to the need to give special status to Gatineau Park to preserve it for future generations.

Gatineau ParkPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

NDP

Alain Giguère NDP Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a certified petition to protect Gatineau Park.

It is very unfortunate that, even today, we have to present petitions and private members' bills to preserve this great resource, our parks, for future generations. We need to preserve and protect them. Unfortunately, we have to keep doing it over and over again.

SeniorsPetitionsRoutine Proceedings

12:20 p.m.

NDP

Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC

Mr. Speaker, you know how proud I am to represent the riding of Trois-Rivières, which is largely made up of seniors.

Hundreds of these individuals signed a petition proposed to them by the leaders of the Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées. They are calling on the government to do more about old age security and the guaranteed income supplement so that seniors, who contributed to the development of this country, no longer have to live below the poverty line.

I am pleased to join with them and support their petition.