Evidence of meeting #31 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was child.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Eric Couture  Researcher, Bloc Quebecois Research Bureau, As an Individual
Michel Laroche  President, Association of Families of Persons Assassinated or Disappeared
Arlène Gaudreault  President, Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes
Martin Provencher  As an Individual

10:35 a.m.

President, Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes

Arlène Gaudreault

With respect to “probably” or “probably not”, Mr. Komarnicki, the Committee could take inspiration from the way things work for compensation. For example, in order to prove gross negligence, there are police reports, expert reports and medical certificates. Quebec and Ontario both have sophisticated compensation regimes. From time to time, mistakes are made. However, subrogatory recourse is an option. Furthermore, sometimes you can live with these mistakes because they are few and far between.

So, I think you can take inspiration from the model used for compensation, in particular, since the concept of gross negligence comes from the law of compensation.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

Ed Komarnicki Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK

Thank you.

I hear what you're saying, but it doesn't say in the bill who makes that decision. “Probably” is probably as long and as wide as the size of one's shoe. It may vary from here to there. There isn't an appropriate description there, and I think it's something that needs to be addressed.

The other aspect that is somewhat concerning is that if the suicide or other of these events occurs, what's not included in the definition is accidental death not resulting from a criminal offence. I think you mentioned it somewhat, but if the spouse were to die from natural causes or die from accidental causes, this bill has excluded that. Did you do that purposely?

I'm speaking to France again.

10:40 a.m.

Bloc

France Bonsant Bloc Compton—Stanstead, QC

Well, I lost a niece in an automobile accident. She was 15 and a half. The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec paid compensation. When someone working on a building falls off a ladder, the CSST is available. I don't want to get mixed up in things already covered by other forms of insurance.

My bill is aimed at victims' families and not victims per se, because they are already entitled to a certain amount of money. Nor did I want to present a bill that would cover the entire planet. This one provides for certain amounts of money to be paid for certain things.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen

Thank you.

Mr. Laroche, very briefly, sir.

10:40 a.m.

President, Association of Families of Persons Assassinated or Disappeared

Michel Laroche

I would just like to make a comment to the member who just spoke. If compensation were to be paid out when it should not have been, that mistake could always be corrected.

Let me give you an example. When a child has been missing for more than seven years, he is presumed dead and the insurance company can pay compensation. If the child resurfaces, whoever received that compensation has to pay it back to the insurance company. We shouldn't prevent a bill such as this one from passing just because we're not sure we're doing things properly.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen

Thank you.

We actually are pretty well completed, but we have a couple of minutes left and the Liberals do have a turn. So I'll ask Madame Folco just to take maybe two minutes instead of a full five.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate this very much.

I am not speaking as a member of the Liberal Party, nor is this a political comment; however, I do want to extend my thanks to you.

There are three people I would like to thank. First of all, Ms. Bonsant, obviously. I would also like to thank the three individuals who had the courage to appear today. Mr. Provencher recounted what he has been through, but through their words, we can guess what Mr. Laroche and Ms. Gaudreault also experienced even though they make no mention of this in their presentation. It takes a great deal of courage to come and talk about these issues, and to go beyond one's own experience in order to gain some perspective.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen

Excuse me. What is that?

[Technical Difficulty—Editor]

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

It's another committee.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen

It appears there are some lines crossed. They're not able to end it right now, so I think—

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Let me just finish another sentence.

I would simply like to thank all of you for moving beyond your own personal experiences so that others could benefit and learn from what you have been through.

So, thank you all very much for being here. I do hope you will continue your work. I don't know whether Ms. Bonsant's bill will pass, but keep up the good work. Sometimes you have to knock on the door over and over again before it opens.

Again, many thanks.

10:40 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen

Thank you, Madame Folco.

I also just want to say thank you to all the witnesses for being here, and especially to you, Mr. Provencher, for coming. I think I can say on behalf of all of us that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thank you very much.

We'll adjourn the meeting.