Evidence of meeting #110 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was work.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
We agreed at the beginning that we would have 10 or 15 minutes at the end.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
Well, I didn't hear unanimous consent for that.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
No, that was to do committee business at the end.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Mike Kelloway Liberal Cape Breton—Canso, NS
Thank you.
It's always interesting that they can give it, but they can't take it.
My Conservative colleagues can vote in favour of this motion and send a clear signal to their leadership that treating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms like a menu is totally unacceptable, or they can vote against it or filibuster the motion and show Canadians which side of fundamental rights and freedoms they're truly on.
In conclusion, I believe it's critically important that this committee adopt this motion and make its voice heard on an issue that aims at the heart of some fundamental rights in Canada.
Thank you.
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Have you guys ever read the charter, section 33?
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
We have a motion on the floor to adjourn.
(Motion negatived: nays 7; yeas 4)
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
Is there a speaking list? What time are we going until?
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
5:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
I'm not going until midnight. I didn't even go to midnight last night.
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Rick Perkins Conservative South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
Let's have a debate on this. What are you afraid of?
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
5:35 p.m.
Conservative
Damien Kurek Conservative Battle River—Crowfoot, AB
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I'm glad to have the opportunity to enter into the discussion on this. It's fascinating that the government, in its reading of PMO talking points specifically meant to divide, distract and misrepresent what the Leader of the Opposition has said, misrepresents some of the fundamental constitutional principles of our federation. What's very interesting, Mr. Chair, is that while Mr. Kelloway was reading his remarks, the context that Canadians are missing is that he and members of the Liberal Party don't want to actually talk about what the Leader of the Opposition said to police chiefs last week.
What did he say? Let's review that.
I would remind my honourable colleagues—I hope they're honourable colleagues—across the way that what the Leader of the Opposition said was very simple and very clear. It was that the most heinous criminals in the history of our country, like serial killers and the Quebec City mosque shooter, should never leave maximum security, and that he would make sure.... He was very transparent on this.
While my Liberal colleagues are quick to have this tinfoil hat-informed discussion about conspiracies, the reality is—and the Leader of the Opposition made it very clear—that the most heinous predators and criminals should never see the light of day.
I think if the Liberals really want to have this discussion, they can go to their constituents and defend to their constituents how they support serial killers being out on day parole and how they support heinous killers like the Quebec City mosque shooter being allowed out, free, on our streets. That's the argument they're making. Mr. Chair. That's the context.
While they try to score cheap political points to fearmonger and scare Canadians, the Leader of the Opposition has been very clear and is providing the leadership that the Prime Minister has refused to provide.
When it comes to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, freedom is a sword that slices both ways. I think that's something my Liberal friends and colleagues forget about, because freedom means also those who disagree with you. I would remind everyone of two things.
First, I encourage members of the Liberal Party to read section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Do you know what's included in section 33? Does anybody know? Interesting.
