Evidence of meeting #41 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.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I have a point of order. If we're going to deal with a motion, I'd like to see it. I'm not sure if he's bringing it forward for examination or if we're just going to keep talking. I'd like to see the motion.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
I can read it again. I will provide it to the clerk, but I'd be happy to read the subamendment again. It's not a motion; it's a subamendment to the proposed amendment. It reads:
The Prime Minister shall, in the House of Commons, offer his thoughts referred to in subsection (1) on behalf of the Government of Canada and the Canadian people. These remarks should specifically comment on the wrongs committed to the Italian Canadian community at that time and be made within the context that what occurred at the time is regrettable, but consistent with the laws of the nation at that time. The Prime Minister should also thank former Prime Minister Mulroney for his understanding in ensuring that history would not repeat itself by repealing the War Measures Act.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Mr. Del Mastro, it's just been brought to my attention that that subamendment goes beyond the scope of this bill. Am I correct?
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
All right, then, I'll have to continue to address the amendment.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
Do you have any clarification of why that would be?
12:45 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Let's deal with the parts. I want to see if this amendment is in good faith or not.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
You want to deal with Prime Minister Mulroney and the War Measures Act being mentioned.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
So remove the last part of the subamendment and then it is in order.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
Okay. I'll provide that to him.
The reason for the amendment is that all apologies that have ever been issued by the Government of Canada have been consistent. They have always referenced the fact that these actions were undertaken within the context of the law at the time, though we may view it differently today. The government did not act unjustly.
Yesterday I looked at legal definitions of “unjust” and “restitution”, and I found over 2,200 precedents where the definition of these words had been established. You can't narrow that definition down to the point where you could say with any degree of certainty what the ramifications would be for the Government of Canada.
I've made it clear in the past. Nobody can doubt my sincerity. I'm certain that I'm the only Canadian of Italian descent in this Parliament whose family was actually here during this time. I've also openly admitted that my mother is of French Canadian descent. It was a mixed marriage, and my mother and father were not allowed to see each other because my father happened to be of Italian descent. He was born in Parry Sound, but of Italian descent. This was wrong.
But a formal apology without a framework opens the government to considerable liability. That's why I referenced the Apology Act earlier.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
We're down to eight minutes, so if we're serious, let's get on to this discussion.
12:50 p.m.
Bloc
12:50 p.m.
Bloc
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
12:50 p.m.
Bloc
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Mr. Angus asked for some clarification, and I'm trying to get that through my counsel.
