Human Resources Committee on Dec. 3rd, 2024

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister, illicit drug overdose is now the leading cause of death in B.C. among youth aged 10 to 18. You're the minister for children and families. We've seen the failed drug experiment in British Columbia.

It appears that during your time as an Ottawa city councillor, you supported a motion by the council asking the federal government to include a plan for, as it stated, “the decriminalization of people who use controlled substances for personal use”. You were in favour of that.

Based on the failed drug policy experiment in B.C., do you still agree that the decriminalization of people who use controlled substances for personal use should be expanded in Ontario and across Canada?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

I'm glad to see that you've dug into my time in city council, where I chaired the social committee.

I will point to some of the work under way that I'm part of through the poverty reduction council that keeps us—

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Minister, can you answer the question, please?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

—informed about some of these more pressing issues.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Minister, are you not prepared to answer that question today? You're the minister for children and families, and you've seen the statistics on how drugs are being diverted to children. You've seen the statistics on children dying from overdoses.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

As I said earlier—

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Are you standing by your previous stance?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

—there is no circumstance in which I or our government would like to see children have access to illicit drugs anywhere in this country. I know the minister for that is focused on ensuring—

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Minister, do you agree with decriminalization?

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

I have a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

There's a point of order.

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

I think the minister should be allowed to answer the questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

I give a good bit of latitude. The questioner asks the question, and the minister can answer as she chooses.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police put out a statement just last week that said, based on the experience of B.C., their board “no longer supports the decriminalization of...illicit drugs”.

As the minister for families and children, do you stand with families and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police against drug decriminalization anywhere in Canada?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

I will always stand with families. I will always meet them where they're at. I will always hear their stories and work to ensure we do right by them.

[Tracy Gray, Conservative, Kelowna—Lake Country, BC]

The minister is obviously not prepared to answer the question.

I'll cede my time to my colleague Ms. Ferreri.

[Michelle Ferreri, Conservative, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

Thank you.

Minister, earlier in our exchange, you said you met with associations of child care operators. They represent over 156,000 licensed spaces.

They have been watching this committee. They want to set the record straight: This is not true. You said it was true, so I just wanted to say that.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

I did not say that I met with them.

[Michelle Ferreri, Conservative, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

No, you said your staff did, and they didn't.

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

My staff did the day prior.

[Michelle Ferreri, Conservative, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

No, they did not. It was October 7, so you might want to get your facts straight, Minister. If you're going to go toe-to-toe here, have your facts ready. They met on October 7, not the day before.

They just want the record clear that you were—

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata—Carleton, ON]

Okay, they met.

[Michelle Ferreri, Conservative, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

Oh, okay. I'm sorry. What do details matter?

I'll go back to what I said earlier. Sergeant Lisa Harris of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary testified at status of women committee, saying, “The Public Health Agency of Canada recognizes that children who witness family violence suffer the same emotional and psychological consequences as those who are directly abused.” However, per Stats Canada, “Police-reported violence against children and youth...has increased considerably over time. The rate of family violence against children and youth reached 362 victims per 100,000 population...the highest rate since comparable data became available in 2009.”

I have article after article about women being murdered in broad daylight by offenders who are out on bail. Today we heard you skirt a lot of responsibility, which is the culture of the Liberal caucus because of your Prime Minister. You can smirk all you want. I think it's insulting to people. Have some humility is what I would ask people.

I hope the camera pans to the minister right now to show the smugness on her face.

Will you advocate for stricter bail reform so that violent repeat offenders are not murdering women in broad daylight and so children are not exposed to family violence?

[Tony Van Bynen, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair. What's the relevance?

[Michelle Ferreri, Conservative, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

Relevance? Are you serious?