Evidence of meeting #153 for Health in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was medical.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Robert-Falcon Ouellette Liberal Winnipeg Centre, MB
I have one very short question.
Alisa, you mentioned that documents had been destroyed for 10 years. Are they still being destroyed today?
Lawyer, Semaganis Worme Lombard, As an Individual
I believe that will depend on the province. As far as the retention of medical records is concerned, I do know that after some time they are destroyed.
Liberal
Robert-Falcon Ouellette Liberal Winnipeg Centre, MB
I'd like to table a motion.
I looked at the next meeting we have. I noticed that the RCMP are not coming. I'm a little concerned about that.
Therefore, I move:
That, in relation to the study of forced sterilization of women in Canada, the Commissioner of the RCMP, Brenda Lucki, be invited to appear on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.
NDP
Conservative
Conservative
Len Webber Conservative Calgary Confederation, AB
I'm just curious, Robert. Why her in particular, out of all...?
Liberal
Robert-Falcon Ouellette Liberal Winnipeg Centre, MB
A number of issues have been raised concerning how we charge people and how the justice system works. She's the top police officer in this country, so I think she can offer some suggestions. Maybe she has changes or maybe she knows how the system works properly, why charges haven't been laid—if we've known since the 1970s this has been going on—and what we can do about it.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Not to repeat this, but I did write Commissioner Lucki on February 19, and she responded on March 20, so the other reason I think it would be appropriate to call her is that it's not as though she's not aware of this or is coming in cold. This issue has been drawn to her attention. I think she would be the appropriate person.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
We'll vote on the motion.
(Motion agreed to)
I allowed Mr. Ouellette an extra question. Would the Conservatives like an extra question?
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
No, it's fine. I really appreciate the testimony that's been given. It's clear that we need urgent action.
Actually, maybe there is one question. There was a recommendation from the UN that this be considered torture, and they had written a report to Canada and they were calling for specific and urgent action. What was that action?
Lawyer, Semaganis Worme Lombard, As an Individual
It was three-pronged. First was prevention, preventative measures, and specific criminalization to contemplate filling any gaps in the criminal justice system. Sorry, that would have been punishment. Then there was prevention, so taking preventative measures in whatever way the policy might enable that. Third was reparations for the victims and their families. Those were the recommendations.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Dr. Stote, I know we focus a lot on the reality of indigenous women facing this, but you brought up historical research about forced sterilization happening to perhaps women with cognitive disabilities or other factors. Do you have any sense or indication of whether or not there is forced sterilization or sterilization without proper consent still occurring in this country to women who are non-indigenous but perhaps vulnerable, with cognitive disabilities or otherwise?
Assistant Professor, Women and Gender Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, As an Individual
I believe you have somebody coming next week who may be able to speak to that more specifically, because my research really focuses on indigenous women.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
Okay, once again I'll state that we are part of the system. We can't tell the government what to do, but we've been pretty successful at influencing policy in the last three and a half years on a number of issues that are really important.
I want you to know that your message is strong and your message will be reported, and we will try to help.
On behalf of the committee, I want to thank all of you for your testimony. It's been very enlightening and disappointing, but enlightening, and hopeful. Thanks very much.
The meeting is adjourned.