Evidence of meeting #72 for Justice and Human Rights in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was dog.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON
It's just a comment, really. As you know, I'm just an associate member here, but thank you for giving me the opportunity, Mr. Chair, to say a few words.
Conservative
Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON
I thank my colleagues on both sides of this House for the attention they are giving to this particular piece of legislation, and therefore, their support in highlighting the need for it. I can't thank you enough for the support you're giving this.
To you, witnesses, I'll say a big thank you, not only for appearing here today but for all the hard work you do on a daily basis and the leadership role you play in promoting the rights of animals, particularly law enforcement animals and service animals.
I have met with you in my office, Ms. Bergeron. I was very touched by that particular meeting. I had the opportunity to meet your beautiful partner, who is with you all the time, and I want to thank you for the work you did in insisting that service animals be included as part of this legislation. I'm delighted that they are.
Of course, Staff Sergeant Carriere, we had the opportunity to meet with Constable Matt Williamson, who was Quanto's handler. I'll never forget the eyes of Constable Williamson, because we met but a few days after the incident had transpired in Edmonton. His eyes welled up in speaking about and thinking of Quanto, because Quanto was not only his partner and his friend but the family pet as well. He left the house that morning with Quanto and returned without Quanto.
As we all know, these are animals that do not really have a choice when they're put into service, yet they do it wholeheartedly, willingly, and lovingly. In the case of law enforcement animals, they're put in danger on a daily basis. In the case of service animals, they certainly have a huge responsibility for the person they take care of.
I want to thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for your leadership role and for appearing here today and speaking for this legislation.
Once again, in closing, to all my colleagues here, on all sides of the House, because this is one of those pieces of legislation that transcends partisan politics and because it is needed, I'm delighted to see the compassion and the attention it's getting. Thank you very much.
That's it.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Mike Wallace
Thank you very much for those comments, Costas.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your presentations. They were excellent today and I think really added to the value of our discussion on what's happening with Bill C-35.
Committee members, I'd like to remind you that on the fourth of May, next Monday, we are dealing with the report that we were doing on the blood alcohol study. We have the whole day set aside for it. I'm hoping that we can accomplish this that day; we'll spend the two hours at it.
If not, you need to know that on the sixth, things have changed slightly, and in regard to Bill C-590 on blood alcohol, the mover of the motion will be here and has no witnesses. He will be here for an hour, and we have no witnesses afterwards. I will allocate the second hour, if it's required, to deal with any discussion that comes out of Bill C-590 on Monday, because by Friday I have to report it back to the House. I happen to be here that Friday for the first time in about five years, so I will be able to do that if required.
In addition to that, just so folks know, I think there will be time, ladies and gentlemen, to move the clause-by-clause, all four clauses, on the sixth, which is next Wednesday. I don't think we need more than 15 minutes. I don't think there are a lot of amendments coming. I haven't heard of any. I think we would be able to deal with that—
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
Blaine Calkins Conservative Wetaskiwin, AB
All I want to say is that I want to wish you good luck next Monday, and may the fourth be with you.
Conservative
