Status of Women Committee on March 8th, 2010

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Ms. McLeod.

[Cathy McLeod, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

I have just a small point. As Mr. Desnoyers said, the will of the committee is very clear, and to me consensus is clear. When we have a divided committee in which the chair has to break the tie, we certainly do not have a clear mandate. Certainly no one here or I believe in Canada will ever forget the horrific tragedy at the École Polytechnique.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We'll have Mr. Calandra and then Monsieur Desnoyers, and then, unless there is any further discussion, I'll call the vote.

[Paul Calandra, Conservative, Oak Ridges—Markham, ON]

I just want to echo what Ms. McLeod said. We rightfully acknowledge every year in the House the tragic events at École Polytechnique, and we should never stop doing that. It is extraordinarily important that we do that.

This motion doesn't do that. It speaks to something else that is in front of the House right now and that has members on all sides of the House talking. There is no unanimity on the particular issue. I think we are unanimous in how we feel about the events that happened at École Polytechnique, and I think that is what we should continue to focus on, not on things that divide us at this point. Let's see how it goes through Parliament.

I agree with you. Committees have an opportunity to do things and to express their will, but on this particular motion, let's continue to keep the focus where it belongs: on those women who were killed and who shouldn't have been. That is what people are looking for this committee to do.

I am new and perhaps I speak out of turn, but that is where I want the focus to remain. I hope that is what we can do, and perhaps there will be a better opportunity to express what Ms. Demers is saying in the future.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Monsieur Desnoyers.

[Luc Desnoyers, Bloc, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

I would simply like to add to what Ms. McLeod was saying. Earlier, I said that we all had our differing opinions. Our respective positions were clear.

When we talk about the situation of women, about firearms, about violence against women... The Committee has discussed this a number of times and has come to the conclusion that these situations are part of the family environment, in various communities. We have talked about aboriginal communities where a number of women were killed for various reasons and where a number of murders were never even solved or were never even investigated. These crimes were committed with firearms, and handguns were used in many cases.

It is important to commemorate this tragedy. Our Committee cannot allow itself to ignore such an important event. The Committee should be able to commemorate this date. This is the gist of the motion, and the reason why in December, if you recall, we supported this particular stance.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We'll hear from Sylvie, and then I will let Ms. Demers end the debate and we will call the vote.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I would just like to add that we did indeed debate the matter before Christmas, and different opinions were voiced. However, first and foremost, we need to remember that women are subjected to all kinds of acts of violence. These acts of violence are unacceptable, regardless of whether they involve firearms or physical or psychological abuse.

So what do we want? We want a commemoration for women. This is what we need to do, and it would not just be a commemoration of one specific incident, least others might be forgotten.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Sylvie.

Ms. Demers.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

In conclusion, I would simply like to note that Bill C-391, sponsored by Ms. Hoeppner, concerns long guns and therefore does not affect the firearms registry as a whole. If, by some misfortune, the firearms registry were to no longer carry records of long guns, it would still retain records of other firearms. My motion would be relevant, as it is nevertheless appropriate to remember that it is due to the pain suffered by certain people that we have drafted and tabled such an important bill.

In any case, I hope that Ms. Hoeppner's bill will not pass. This is what I hope for. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

All those in favour of Ms. Demers' motion? Opposed?

It's up to the chair to break the tie. I always try to tell you why I'm voting the way I'm voting. I am going to vote in support of Ms. Demers' motion because I think this is to go to the House and the House will decide whether they agree or believe this is important. The concept of going to the House is a flagging of something, an intent of certain people on the committee, and I don't think we should just bury it; I think we should let it out there and see what everyone else thinks. So I am voting in favour.

(Motion agreed to)

Now I would like us to move in camera, please.

[Proceedings continue in camera]