Canadian Heritage Committee on April 24th, 2013

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I think we have a couple of minutes left, if I'm not mistaken.

Mr. Lizon, let me just apologize to you for what just happened here at this committee. As you may or you may not know, this committee has business scheduled to undertake review of motions, and so on and so forth, at our next meeting. It's unfortunate that the NDP chose yet again, during a period of questioning, to take on committee business, especially when it was a private member's bill that was brought forward, and especially when you're relaying the importance of open government and the struggles that you faced under a communist dictatorship and how proud you were to actually be in front of the committee and be elected to a Parliament that actually gives voice to all members.

That right was taken away from you by the NDP. Let me apologize to you on behalf of our side that such a silly game was played with your rights as a member of Parliament. Let me congratulate you on bringing the bill forward. Let me congratulate you on representing your community so well and for bringing this forward and for helping us better understand how important it is not only to the Polish people but to hundreds of millions of people who suffered under communist dictatorship.

One of the things that really stressed me over our last break week was hearing a member of the NDP talk about the efforts of our soldiers in World War I, praising the efforts of communists and how the communist dictatorship somehow represents a style of government he would have been proud of.

I think your story—

[Andrew Cash, NDP, Davenport, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair. I think that it is incumbent on everyone to keep a respectful tone for this debate on this issue. I think that we on our side have kept a respectful debate, and I think that we need to keep on the high road here and talk about it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

That's not really a point of order.

Mr. Calandra still has the floor.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Let me again congratulate you. I think you outlined very eloquently how important this bill is, and just how increasingly—I don't want to say “annoying” but how they have lacked foresight and vision. Perhaps that particular member might have sat down with you and talked a bit about your experience of living under a communist dictatorship before he went and made the statements that he did.

Congratulations. I know we're now moving to clause-by-clause consideration, but congratulations on all of your hard work on this and for being able to finally get this bill through Parliament.

[A voice]

Hear, hear!

[Wladyslaw Lizon, Conservative, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

We have one more person on the list.

Mr. Dubé.

[Matthew Dubé, NDP, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Lizon, we are very sorry that your time was cut off. We are making comparisons with Communist regimes here.The unfortunate reality is that, when we are always going in camera like that, we sadly have no other choice but to resort to such actions. We are sorry that you, or any other witness, bore the brunt of it. If the government was insulted by the approach, it should be a little more open about these things.

With that said, I would like to ask you a question about your bill, Mr. Lizon. You brought this up briefly during your testimony.

I recognize the contribution of John Paul II to society and to the world. But if we give him this recognition, where are we going to stop? We are going to feel obliged to recognize other historical or religious figures. Is this not a slippery slope?

What are your thoughts about that?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Mr. Lizon, we'll give you just 20 seconds to answer that, and that will conclude our time for questions and answers. We're scheduled to go into clause-by-clause consideration, so just a very brief response.

[Wladyslaw Lizon, Conservative, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

As I mentioned before, in life we have to make choices and we make choices based on our best judgment. On a personal note, I personally don't see.... There are many great leaders, but none comparable to the achievements of John Paul II.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Thank you, Mr. Lizon.

You're welcome to stay—or not—while we go into clause-by-clause consideration. You can sit at the table or—

[Wladyslaw Lizon, Conservative, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Mr. Chair, if I don't have to stay, I may have to go back to my House duty.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Okay. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Thank you, Mr. Lizon.

[Wladyslaw Lizon, Conservative, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

To all the members of the committee, thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

We're now moving to clause-by-clause consideration. Does everyone have Bill C-266 in front of them?

Shall clause 2 carry?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I'd like a recorded vote.

(Clause 2 agreed to: yeas 8; nays 3)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Shall clause 3 carry?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I'd like a recorded vote, please.

(Clause 3 agreed to: yeas 8; nays 3)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Shall the short title carry?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I'd like a recorded vote.

(Clause 1 agreed to: yeas 10; nays 1)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Shall the preamble carry?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I'd like a recorded vote.

(Preamble agreed to: yeas 8; nays 3)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Shall the title carry?

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

Can I have a recorded vote?

(Title agreed to: yeas 10; nays 1)

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Shall the bill carry?