Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 30th, 2024

Evidence of meeting #135 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was artistic.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Protection of Freedom of Expression

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Yipeng Ge Family Doctor, As an Individual

Christine Van Geyn Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Pierre Rainville Co-Chair, Chaire de recherche France-Québec sur les enjeux contemporains de la liberté d'expression

Mathilde Barraband Co-Chair, Chaire de recherche France-Québec sur les enjeux contemporains de la liberté d'expression

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

Do you believe in a women's right to choose?

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

Of course I do.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

Do you think...? Is it of concern...?

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

Do you mean to choose how to act with health care?

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

To choose whether or not she can get an abortion.

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

Yes. That's my personal viewpoint.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

Fantastic.

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

I believe in that right.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

Does it concern you that members of the Conservative Party are seeking to legislate eliminating or taking away a woman's right to choose?

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

I'm not sure what you're referring to.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

I'm asking you specifically, if a Conservative—

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

[Inaudible—Editor] talking about abortion right now.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

I'm asking if you believe in that freedom.

October 30th, 2024 / 5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

I'm just not positive what the connection is.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

I'm asking if you believe in that freedom.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Speaker, I have a point of order. What's the relevance to this?

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

It's freedom of expression. Expression takes different forms.

I've asked the question, and as you well know—

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Yes, but you're hounding her now. That's the point.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

Now you're concerned. Okay. That's great.

Let's—

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

I don't feel hounded. I just don't understand—

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

Okay. Let me ask the question differently—

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

I believe people have the right to express their views on abortion.

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

Okay. Do you believe people have the right to legislate whether or not a woman has the right to choose?

5:30 p.m.

Litigation Director, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Christine Van Geyn

Now you're talking about parliamentary sovereignty issues, which are well beyond the scope of.... Parliament can legislate all kinds of things, and then they're put in check by the Supreme Court.

I really don't view legislation as.... I mean, Parliament is sovereign—

5:30 p.m.

Liberal

Taleeb Noormohamed Liberal Vancouver Granville, BC

If Parliament decided to do certain things and pass certain laws, that would be sovereign. That would be the law. That's what we should all adhere to, and there should be no opposition to that. Is that what you're saying?