I've made my concerns about this known, but I would like to reiterate them. This case, this offender, whose name I don't even want to mention in this place.... It's a painful thing for the people of Niagara. I remember living through this when I was growing up. It's deeply painful for all the residents, especially the families. The wishes of the families are top of mind for me. I know they are top of mind for my constituents, as well.
I was concerned when members, last week, were saying, “We're speaking on behalf of the families.” I interrupted and asked for clarification last week. I said, “I'm curious if it could be answered for us—and it would shed some light on things—whether anyone has spoken to Mr. Danson or the victims' families.” The answer back from the opposition was, and I'm quoting from Hansard, “Yes, they have.” I asked that member, who said she had letters, if she could provide me with those letters. I didn't hear anything back. As I'm concerned about the thoughts of the families, I reached out to Mr. Danson, who—Ms. Rempel Garner is right—is interested in appearing, but no one had reached out to him. We've had multiple meetings of filibustering, with people saying, “We are here for the rights of the families” and using their names, using these tragic circumstances, without even having the courtesy to reach out.
I support Ms. O'Connell's motion. I believe Mr. Danson should be here.
When I look at the difference between the amendment and the motion, in this amendment there's actually less time for victims' representatives to appear. If it's a three-meeting study and two of the meetings are members of Parliament coming to testify—which this committee knows it cannot compel—that leaves a two-hour study for this.
I believe wholeheartedly in Ms. Rempel Garner's advocacy for victims. She has been consistent in my eight years here. She mentioned correctional services and said they've been removed from the conversation. She spoke eloquently about how they should be included, but she brought forward an amendment that didn't include them. It was in her control to do it. It was top of mind. It was one of the first points she spoke to. She told us to give our heads a shake. I direct that back to the Conservative Party, Mr. Chair. This is painful.
There is consensus among the members at this table to hear from Mr. Danson, the representative of the French and Mahaffy families. There is consensus to hear from correctional services and to have meetings about this, but not to let the filibuster block this. We have, conservatively, 20 government officials sitting here, waiting to help us out on legislation. Conservatives say this is important legislation, but the lengthy filibuster, using this horrendous act, doesn't show that.
The point was made clear to me, Mr. Chair—when I walked into this room and a member of the Conservative Party was putting together what I assume is a fundraising video and smiling as he was showing his assistant the video, as he had his mic set up and was ready to go, ready to post it to social media—that this is a game for the Conservatives. It's truly unfortunate.
I really do want to hear from Mr. Danson. I believe the families....
Maybe we're getting an original clip of that video from the back of the room. I guess they are taking a look at that to see. I guess we got a brief introduction to that.
This committee does need to hear from the family members, through their representative, Mr. Danson. It's unfortunate that the Conservatives choose not to reach out to that family but to make statements and use them as props. It is deeply insulting to this place and to the people of Niagara to use this tragedy as torque for political gain.
This amendment doesn't give the victims' families more opportunity to speak, so I can't support it and I will be voting against it.
I hope we can get through to the areas where we do have consensus and move on so we can hear about an important piece of legislation and get through that, so we can then get to the case at hand and hear from these families. We've agreed on this point, but delay after delay, filibuster after filibuster, the Conservatives are delaying that opportunity for the victims' families to speak. It's almost as if they don't want it and would rather just torque and continue to fundraise off it, which is just absolutely disgusting.