Evidence of meeting #99 for Justice and Human Rights in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was online.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:50 a.m.
The Clerk
No. Now I no longer have it in front of me, but—
9:50 a.m.
The Clerk
While we're at it, Mr. Housefather, when you say “independent studies”, you're talking about the fact that these two studies will be independent, not other theoretical studies, right?
March 21st, 2024 / 9:55 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
I'm talking about the fact that we're going to have two meetings on anti-Semitism and two completely separate meetings on Islamophobia. We'll prepare a report on anti-Semitism and a separate report on Islamophobia, and then table them in the House for a response.
9:55 a.m.
The Clerk
So you're talking about the two studies that will be undertaken by the committee, and not about existing theoretical studies.
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Yes, I'm talking about the two studies mentioned here. This is just to clarify that they will be independent of one another.
9:55 a.m.
The Clerk
Okay, perfect.
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
I understand. Now we've written it down. I think everyone understands, right?
Mr. Maloney.
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
I would only add that maybe we should include the word “consecutive” so that they go one after the other. That way you don't complete one and then interrupt it with something else. They should go one after the other.
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Okay, “each study should be at least two meetings, for a total of four consecutive meetings, and that the committee report its findings on both studies to the House.” We're adding “for a total of four consecutive meetings”.
I'm receiving nods from everybody; everybody seems to be in agreement.
Ms. Gladu, you have your hand up.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Yes, Madam Chair.
I recognize that Islamophobia is certainly continuing to be an issue in the country, but I would like to just point out that there was a significant study on it after M-103. The Senate also completed a study. The Canadian government did a summit with many recommendations.
At the same time, I don't want to exclude other religions. We know there have been 80 Christian churches torched, pastors locked up without bail. The Hindu community has reached out to me to let me understand that they are receiving hate speech and death threats.
So, while all religions appear to be under attack, I don't want to dilute Mr. Housefather's original motion that talks about the crisis we're facing right now with the rise of anti-Semitism. You know, it's rising by as much as 700% in some places. There are violent crimes; people are unsafe.
I'll defer to the will of the committee, but I do think that has to be the priority.
9:55 a.m.
Conservative
Rob Moore Conservative Fundy Royal, NB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
We have a number of studies that have been proposed by members around the table, one of which—and I think it's a very important one—is the study proposed by Mr. Housefather dealing with anti-Semitism.
I'm prepared to support his study without any amendment. I think the original motion is one that was brought to us some time ago. It's kind of in the queue with other studies that have been proposed. If other people want to have other studies on other issues, they're welcome to bring those forward for consideration by the committee.
In light of Mr. Housefather's willingness to get consensus around the table, I am happy to also support his amended version. I'll note that it gives us one less day to study anti-Semitism, but I think it's a goodwill effort for us to not monopolize all the remaining time left on studies when there are others that are in the queue that are also important.
I do want to make it clear that I'm happy to support Mr. Housefather's original motion that we study anti-Semitism, but I'm also willing to support this amended and subamended motion as currently written.
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to pick up on something Mr. Mendicino said earlier.
I want to add my voice and thank Mr. Housefather for being a strong, vocal leader on the issue.
9:55 a.m.
An hon. member
Hear, hear!
9:55 a.m.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
I would add that I would also like to thank Mr. Mendicino for the same reason, because he's been right by Mr. Housefather's side, along with all of us on this issue.
I fully support the original motion proposed by Mr. Housefather. I also agree with Mr. Garrison's amendment. I think both issues need to be addressed by this committee. I think the proposed amendment—and I want to thank Mr. Housefather for his willingness to compromise on the number of meetings—is an elegant solution to address the concerns raised by all. The “four consecutive meetings” component eliminates any concern people have with respect to not being able to address both issues.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Thank you very much, Mr. Maloney.
I will just alert you all that it's 10:01. We want to conclude with this, but there are going to be three votes on this one. We have a bit of a steering committee scheduled, as well.
Mr. Fast, please go ahead.
10 a.m.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Madam Chair, as a non-permanent member of this committee, I want to add my voice in support of the motion Mr. Housefather brought forward and the very legitimate concerns he's raised. I want to commend him for his passionate, appropriate speech in the House of Commons this week, where he articulated the fears and threats that are part of Jewish life in Canada today. This is not a Canada that I grew up with. It shouldn't be the Canada we have going forward. I hope this study will allow us to identify alternatives to address this very pernicious problem within our society.
I will also be speaking at an event in support of the Jewish community this Sunday in Vancouver. I want to assure Mr. Housefather that I will be sharing his concerns at that event.
I support the elegant solution Mr. Maloney suggested, which has been presented to this committee: Conduct, effectively, two studies—one on Islamophobia and one on anti-Semitism. However, I also want to articulate my strong support for the original motion Mr. Housefather brought forward.
Thank you.
10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab
Thank you very much to all committee members. I very much appreciate the comments.
I'm now going to ask that we vote on the subamendment by Mr. Housefather.
10 a.m.
Liberal
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Can we read it, so we understand perfectly what it says now?
