Evidence of meeting #38 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was apology.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
I want to go to anyone of you who wants to answer. The program that exists now, the CHRP program, what did Mr. Kenney tell you was his rationale for establishing it? Has he ever given you a specific answer about why that was established?
12:45 p.m.
Former President, National Congress of Italian Canadians
The CHRP program was announced in Parliament in June 2006. Immediately after the election of the Conservative government, I wrote to the prime minister, asking about his position with respect to honouring the agreement, and also asking for an apology. He had promised an apology to the Chinese community during the election campaign. In June 2006, without our knowledge, in the House, the announcement of the CHRP came on its own. We were not advised or consulted.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
12:45 p.m.
Former President, National Congress of Italian Canadians
No, there was no reason given.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
I just wanted to make that clear.
It's important to note that the Italian-Canadian community is represented by organizations. I was a member of an organization called COSTI.
Given that you're all here and you are all in agreement, what would be the immediate next step that you want to see for this committee and for the government to do?
12:45 p.m.
President, Quebec Region, National Congress of Italian Canadians
The immediate thing would be an apology. Restitution is not the most important thing. Two weeks ago, our community foundation organized an activity, a ball, and we raised $1.4 million. So money is not the issue.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
Nonetheless, Mr. Sciascia, my assumption would be that there should be a fund to address the situation with respect to—
12:45 p.m.
President, Quebec Region, National Congress of Italian Canadians
Yes, there should be--
12:45 p.m.
Former President, National Congress of Italian Canadians
We want the committee, the House, to approve the bill and then proceed. The foundation is already in place. In fact, a resolution has been passed as to who is going to sit on that NCIC foundation. There are members—
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
12:45 p.m.
Former President, National Congress of Italian Canadians
The infrastructure is in place.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Pomerleau Bloc Drummond, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Personally, I have no problem recognizing that you are the true representatives of the Italian community. I think that the people who came here did in fact represent some kangaroo committee more or less set up by the government for their own reasons that I do not wish to know about for the moment. The National Congress of Italian Canadians, Casa D'Italia, we have heard about these for 50 years. That is the Italian community.
However, I find one thing surprising when I see you all sitting here. Do you also represent women? There is not a single woman among you. If one exists, she should also be sitting here.
12:45 p.m.
Immediate Past President, Order Sons of Italy of Canada
Sons of Italy president is a lady, Ms. Josie Cumbo.
12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Pomerleau Bloc Drummond, QC
Very well. She should have come along. It seems a little strange. All of the other groups have at least one woman in them.
12:45 p.m.
Former President, National Congress of Italian Canadians
Just to mention this, there were also four women who were interned, and we do have women on our committee at the National Congress of Italian Canadians.
12:45 p.m.
President, Quebec Region, National Congress of Italian Canadians
There are four women on our board of directors.
12:45 p.m.
Former President, National Congress of Italian Canadians
We represent the past.
