Evidence of meeting #67 for Public Safety and National Security in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
8:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
I think we'd better.
Let's have a recorded division. Thank you.
(Subamendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We go back now to the main amendment.
Is there any further discussion on the amendment?
Madame Michaud.
8:40 p.m.
Bloc
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Can we have a recorded division, please?
8:40 p.m.
Liberal
8:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
We will continue with the vote.
(Amendment agreed to: yeas 6; nays 5 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
The amendment passes.
That means that LIB-1 and LIB-2 cannot be moved; PV-3, PV-4, PV-5 and PV-6 cannot be moved; NDP-7, NDP-8 and NDP-9 cannot be moved; and CPC-20 cannot be moved.
That was a very efficient use of our time.
Do you wish to have a break? Absolutely.
It's been about two hours since we had a break. I'm proposing, at the suggestion of our esteemed colleagues on my left, not that you're left-leaning or anything, a 15-minute break.
We'll suspend for 15 minutes.
9 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
I call this meeting back to order.
We are, at this point, at CPC-21, carrying on with clause 36.
Who would like to move that?
Mr. Shipley.
9:05 p.m.
Conservative
Doug Shipley Conservative Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON
Thank you.
I would like to move CPC-21.
This is a very important piece. This is what we feel would define domestic violence, so I would like to read this into the record, Chair. I almost called you “your worship”.
The amendment is that Bill C-21, in clause 36, be amended by adding after line 37 on page 23 the following:
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), domestic violence means conduct, whether or not it constitutes a criminal offence, by a family member towards another family member, including conduct by or towards an intimate partner, that is violent or threatening or that is part of a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour or that causes that other family member or intimate partner to fear for their safety or the safety of another person, and includes:
(a) physical abuse, including forced confinement, but excluding the use of reasonable force to protect themselves or another person;
(b) sexual abuse;
(c) psychological abuse;
(d) financial abuse;
(e) threats to kill or cause bodily harm to any person;
(f) threats to kill or harm an animal or damage property;
(g) harassment, including stalking;
(h) the failure to provide the necessities of life; and
(i) the killing or harming of an animal or the damaging of property.
I won't say any more about this. I think this is an important amendment, and we'll see what my colleagues and roommates in here feel about this themselves.
9:05 p.m.
Liberal
9:05 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
Thank you for putting this forward. It's very similar to the amendment that we've put forward, and others. It's reflective of—
9:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
I apologize, but I forgot to mention that there are conflicts if this passes. BQ-13, LIB-3, PV-7 and NDP-10 all deal with the same subject matter.
Anyway, I'm sorry. Please go ahead.
9:05 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
That's fine, Chair, because I think it actually reflects.... I just want to note that Ms. May from the Green Party is here with us. I want to thank her for the work that she does, particularly when it comes to domestic violence and firearms. We've worked on this issue in the past.
The CPC have put forward this amendment, and so have the Bloc, the Liberals, the Green Party and the New Democratic Party, so we will be supporting this amendment. It's a good one. It's an important one, and it's nice to see all parties coming together when it comes to issues of domestic violence.
9:05 p.m.
Bloc
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My comments are to the same effect. The intent of Amendment BQ-13 was exactly the same: to define domestic violence.
This was requested by a number of individuals and groups who testified before the committee, including Louise Riendeau, from the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale and PolyRemembers.
I, too, am very happy to see unanimity around the table. All parties seem to agree and want to propose the same amendment on this important issue.
The Bloc Québécois will therefore be supporting this amendment.
9:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you.
Is there any further discussion on this amendment?
Mr. Julian.
9:05 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
I think this will be adopted unanimously, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Conservatives for bringing it forward.
9:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
Thank you.
Do we have unanimous support for this amendment?
(Amendment agreed to)
Thank you.
9:05 p.m.
Some hon. members
Hear, hear!
9:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ron McKinnon
BQ-13 is not moved, okay?
LIB-3, I understand, is being withdrawn. Is that correct?
9:10 p.m.
Liberal
9:10 p.m.
Bloc
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Amendment BQ-14 again amends clause 36 of Bill C-21.
Its purpose is to offer no other choice other than to deliver the firearm to a peace officer, and it also establishes a 24-hour deadline for delivering a firearm, except in compelling circumstances.
However, I will not be moving it, because the intent of the next amendment, LIB-4, is somewhat the same, and it is less stringent. I therefore choose the Liberal Party's amendment.
I will not be moving amendment BQ-14.