Debates of Dec. 6th, 1994

Violence Against Women

[Guy Arseneault, Liberal, Restigouche—Chaleur, NB]

Mr. Speaker, today, December 6, is Canada's national day of remembrance and action on violence against women.

We mark this day to remember the December 6, 1989 incident in which 14 young women were tragically killed at l'École polytechnique de Montreal.

Violence against women is a sad reality that we must change. However, we cannot change it without the combined efforts of everyone in our society. Statistics Canada recently reported that 51 per cent of women in Canada had been assaulted at least once in their adult life. The problem is very serious.

We have to remember the events of December 6, 1989 and ensure that this kind of tragedy never happens again. We should strive to create a Canada in which violence against women and against all individuals will not be tolerated.

[Marlene Cowling, Liberal, Dauphin—Swan River, MB]

Mr. Speaker, today is the national day of remembrance and action to end violence against women.

We remember the 14 women who lost their lives at l'École polytechnique de Montreal. We remember all Canadian women whose lives were ended by senseless acts of violence, who were taken away from family and friends.

This year 15 women lost their lives to violence in my home province of Manitoba. These women are more than statistics; they are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and neighbours.

As a nation we mourn their loss and the tomorrows they will never see. We as legislators mourn but remember that we also must act today to educate, to support and to protect. We must make a commitment to the women of Canada, to all Canadians and to ourselves to stop violence.

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, five years ago, the murder of 14 young women at l'École polytechnique in Montreal moved and troubled all Quebecers and Canadians. Physical, psychological and sexual violence in many homes, sexual harassment in the work place, incest and genital mutilation are only some manifestations of this violence that millions of women experience daily here and in other parts of the world.

To end this cycle of despair, we must use all the available legal and financial resources, promoting awareness campaigns and education in the broadest sense.

This sad anniversary is an invitation to all governments to step up their efforts so that the events of December 6, 1989 will never happen again.

Hibernia Project

[Lee Morrison, Reform, Swift Current—Maple Creek—Assiniboia, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to deplore the fact that my native province, Saskatchewan, is not receiving its fair share of work on the Hibernia project.

With almost 3.5 per cent of Canada's population, we did not even get a shipbuilding contract. Our busy shipyards on the shore of Lake Wascana in Regina are ready to contribute. After generations of colonial exploitation by Ontario and Quebec, it is high time that they gave us our share of the gravy. We demand fairness. We must get down to work.

Banks

[John Solomon, NDP, Regina—Lumsden, SK]

Mr. Speaker, when inflation is high bank profits are high. When inflation is low bank profits are high. When interest rates are low bank profits are high. When interest rates are high bank profits are high. Banks made over $4 billion in profits last year alone. No matter what the economy does banks are consistent winners.

The finance minister is looking for new sources of revenue to pay down the deficit. Why is he not doing the obvious and asking banks to pay their fair share of the deficit? Why does he continue to burden taxpayers and small business owners with high taxes and reduced services? Why are the banks getting a free ride? Why is he asking Canadians to continue to tighten their belts with social program cutbacks while banks pay no taxes on their profits? Is it because the banks gave over $700,000 to the Liberal Party's election fund last year?

The government must investigate the banks' profits to ensure consumers and small businesses are not being gouged and to ensure banks pay their fair share of taxes.

Violence Against Women

[Peter Adams, Liberal, Peterborough, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I just returned from a ceremony at the National Research Council of Canada to remember the young women who were murdered at l'École polytechnique de Montréal five years ago.

This ceremony was particularly moving because these young women were in the forefront of women in science and technology. They were students at one of our leading national establishments of science and technology, l'École polytechnique de Montréal.

Some of them were co-op students at the National Research Council that was remembering them this lunch hour.

Let us remember the young women of Montreal and work to remove all the barriers faced by young women in the future, especially those women in science, technology and engineering.

Tragedy At L'École Polytechnique

[Anna Terrana, Liberal, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, December 6, 1989, began like any other day, but by the time it ended, 14 female students at l'École polytechnique in Montreal had been killed by a man who could not accept women invading what he considered to be an exclusive male preserve.

Fourteen young lives were sacrificed, leaving 14 families, many friends and all Canadians in dismay. Violence against women is the most despicable act society has to face because it is an act of weakness.

In Vancouver a women's monument will be inaugurated in my riding of Vancouver East in the summer of 1995. "Marker of Change" by Beth Albert is comprised of 14 benches of pink Quebec granite. Each bench will bear the name of one of the women murdered at l'École polytechnique.

This monument will be an official declaration that women's lives are precious and that violence cannot be forgiven.

Today I would like to assure the 14 families and the many friends of the women killed on December 6, 1989 that we mourn their loss and that, like them, we will not forget.

Violence Against Women

[John Murphy, Liberal, Annapolis Valley—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, today is the national day of remembrance and action to end violence against women.

It was five years ago today that 14 young women tragically lost their lives at l'École polytechnique de Montreal. Just as disturbing is that 51 per cent of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of violence by a man in their adult lives.

It is important that all Canadians reflect on what we can do to eliminate violence against women in our society. We can all make a difference in committing to a principle of zero tolerance. Whether through the support for services to victims, working with local transition houses, shelters, rape crisis centres or by raising awareness within the community we can send a message that such violence is not acceptable.

Violence against women is a reality of our society that must be changed. Let us all work together in the House to realize that change.

Referendum On Sovereignty

[Gilles Duceppe, Bloc, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this morning the Quebec Premier, Mr. Jacques Parizeau, made public the draft bill and the consultation process which will lead to the referendum on sovereignty.

What distinguishes this process is its clarity and openness. Indeed, 15 regional commissions will be set up to hold extensive consultations on Quebec's political and constitutional future.

In order to ensure that the debate is as extensive as possible, elected representatives from all political affiliations, as well as non-elected people, will sit on these commissions.

This approach will also ensure that the referendum issue is not debated only by political parties but rather by all Quebecers.

In conclusion, we hope that the Quebec members of the Liberal Party of Canada will respect this process and that they will accept the invitation of the Quebec government to participate in the consultation exercise.

Violence Against Women

[Ed Harper, Reform, Simcoe Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the fifth anniversary of the terrible massacre of 14 young women at l'École polytechnique de Montreal. Once again the families and friends of those who were murdered will suffer the pain and anguish of that tragic day.

Our hearts go out to them as we here and all Canadians pause to remember those loved ones who were so cruelly and senselessly taken from them. Although not part of this tragedy, in far too many cases the use of alcohol fuels the drive to abuse or kill.

Recently the abuse of alcohol has unfortunately been allowed as an excuse for violent action against women. We in this place must ensure that the young women we remember today have not died in vain. Something must be done and done quickly to reverse the message that violence will be tolerated if intoxicated.

Today let all members rededicate themselves to removing violence from our society in whatever form it shows its ugly face.

Tragedy At L'École Polytechnique

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Saint-Denis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is a day to remember and mourn the senseless killing, by a man, of 14 young women at l'École polytechnique. It is also a day to remember all the men, women and children who tragically lost their lives at the hands of armed people.

As parliamentarians, the memory of these innocent women reminds us that we must do everything possible to ensure that such violence does not happen again.

The new regulations on firearms tabled by the Minister of Justice are in response to the need to implement more stringent monitoring measures.

My sincere condolences to the families of the 14 Montrealers. I wish to let them know that their memory serves as a reminder to all of us that the status quo is no longer acceptable and that the government, through the Minister of Justice, has acted to protect the safety of all Canadians.

[David Berger, Liberal, Saint-Henri—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Speaker, five years ago today, Canadians were shocked and horrified to learn that 14 young women had been killed at l'École polytechnique, in Montreal.

Last week, the Minister of Justice announced a series of proposals for better control of firearms. These proposals were well received by the families of the victims, which leads me to believe that this is a step in the right direction.

Today, let us remember the victims. I ask members of this House and all Canadians to remember Hélène Colgan, Annie St-Arneault, Maryse Leclair, Geneviève Bergeron, Annie Turcotte, Maryse Laganière, Barbara-Maria Klucznick Widajewicz, Anne-Marie Lemay, Michèle Richard, Sonia Pelletier, Nathalie Croteau, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Daigneault and Anne-Marie Edward.

Gun Control

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, five years ago today, fourteen young women lost their lives at l'École polytechnique in Montreal, slain by a murderer who bore a grudge against women. This tragic occurrence sparked a strong movement in favour of increased gun controls as well as an awareness of the pervasive violence against women in our society.

Would the Minister of Justice agree that five years later, the same type of weapon used by the murderer at the polytechnique can still be easily obtained on the market, and that being said, why is he content with a mere action plan instead of tabling legislation with teeth to regulate the sale and circulation of firearms, as he and the Prime Minister promised to do?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, last week in the House, we announced what we had decided to do in connection with this government's policy on firearms. We have decided, for instance, to table a bill next February here in the House, to amend the existing legislation. We have three objectives. First, we want to make it clear that Canada does not want the gun culture that exists in the United States and that we need stricter controls on firearms for society in general. Second, we want to make changes in the Criminal Code to ensure that people who use firearms to commit crimes will go to court for appropriate sentencing, and third, we want to protect the public by introduc-

ing universal registration of all firearms and thus encourage compliance with safe storage requirements.

We announced what the government has decided to do with respect to firearms, including-

[The Speaker]

I am sorry, but the minister's time has expired. The hon. member for Roberval.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice is saying some very fine things, but will he admit that under the plan he has put forward, the owners of some 13,000 automatic weapons registered in Canada, including 4,000 AK-47s, which are military weapons, will be legally entitled to keep them until their death?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the firearm that was used by Marc Lepine in the tragic events five years ago today will, under the decisions made and announced last week by the government, be prohibited from future sale when the law is enacted and its power exercised.

We have also said that an order in council will be put in place January 1, a few weeks from now, to prohibit outright certain assault pistols and assault shotguns which will be confiscated from those who now have them.

Further, on January 1 next an order in council will be passed which will prohibit over 200 types of paramilitary and assault firearms.

It is true to say that those paramilitary firearms, as well as the prohibited handguns, will remain in the hands of those who now have them. However they may not transfer them. They may use them only until they die. They can surrender them to the police or they can disable them. That is the policy.

[Michel Gauthier, Bloc, Roberval, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister knows perfectly well there are regular instances of firearms being in circulation when owners declare they have been stolen, lost or have otherwise disappeared. His regulations will not solve that problem.

Why does the minister not understand it is important to act now, considering that a large number of women, in Quebec for instance, have been killed by firearms since the tragic events at l'École polytechnique and that his action plan will have no measurable impact before the year 2003?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

May I emphasize, Mr. Speaker, that nothing is postponed about this plan. On January 1, less than a month from now, the order in council prohibiting a wide range of firearms will come into effect. In the calendar year 1995 we shall have legislation enacted through Parliament that will introduce the strong criminal penalties that we have announced.

On January 1, 1996 the registration system will begin. Through incitements to early compliance, we expect that the vast majority of firearms and their owners will be registered in the system in the early period after the introduction of that system.

[Pierrette Venne, Bloc, Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice.

According to Canadian police and customs officers, prohibited weapons continue to flow into Canada. The vice-president of the Canadian custom officers union is of the opinion that the justice minister's plan of action contains no measure to stop gun smuggling from the United States.

Does the Minister of Justice not agree that the stricter control measures that his government announced last spring have had no effect to date and that his action plan will not be any more successful?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the hon. member. We made public last week decisions concerning stricter border control. The Minister of National Revenue, the Solicitor General and I announced last week that the Government of Canada will take steps to ensure that control is exercised at our borders.

The minister of revenue has announced specific changes in both operational policy and statutory amendments that will give us greater control, including insisting that all shipments of firearms coming to Canada will have permits issued in advance. Second, there will be enhanced supervision at the borders. Third, we will limit the points at the borders at which firearms may enter the country.

Along with universal registration, this will make a difference in cutting down smuggling.

[Pierrette Venne, Bloc, Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Justice tell us if he plans to take as long to put in place measures to stop gun smuggling from the United States as to implement the registration of firearms?

[Allan Rock, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the changes in the administrative and operational practices at the border which were outlined by the minister last week will be effective immediately. Other changes in the statutes will be affected by the bill we will put

before Parliament next February. As soon as that bill is passed those changes will be in place and will be effective.

May I encourage the hon. member opposite to join with the government in these important steps that we have taken for what I know is a common objective between us, a safer country. May I encourage her and her colleagues in that party to join with us in making these changes happen.

Province Of Quebec

[Preston Manning, Reform, Calgary Southwest, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the premier of Quebec today released a draft bill entitled an act respecting the sovereignty of Quebec.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear.