House of Commons Hansard #126 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was animal.
Criminal CodeGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker
Order, please. The hon. parliamentary secretary has unlimited time in this debate. He will have an opportunity to continue his remarks following question period. We will now proceed to statements by members.
Nancy Karetak-Lindell Liberal Nunavut, NU
Mr. Speaker, December marks a great milestone in Inuit society as the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Formerly known as Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, this national organization has been instrumental in the successful signing of three land claim settlements. Also, negotiations for the Labrador Inuit land claim settlement are nearly complete.
Raising the profile of Inuit in the Canadian consciousness and the creation of Nunavut are only a glimpse of the results of the hard work of ITK.
On Sunday night at a gala celebration of the 30th anniversary of ITC, a man of vision, Tagak Curley, was honoured for having the inspiration and the courage to create the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Looking back over the achievements by Inuit over the last 30 years, Tagak Curley can be proud of what he started and what has directly occurred from his vision 30 years ago.
On behalf of all Inuit, I thank Tagak Curley for all his hard work and for being such a visionary.
Mutna.
Vic Toews Canadian Alliance Provencher, MB
Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of the 14 female engineering students who were brutally murdered in Montreal on this day in 1989. I would like to extend the condolences of the people of Provencher to the families and friends of these women.
As a father of a young woman who is also an engineering student, the Montreal massacre is a very personal reminder to me that our society must continue to condemn those who advocate hate and intolerance.
Last year in Provencher I attended a memorial service in honour of these 14 women which was sponsored by Agape House, the women's shelter in Steinbach. I would like to congratulate the dedicated staff of Agape House and the volunteers who have again organized the memorial this year. The mayor of Steinbach, Les Magnussen, and the city council should also be recognized for their steadfast support in honouring these women.
Andy Savoy Liberal Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Trans-Canada Highway from Longs Creek to Grand Falls, New Brunswick, commonly referred to as suicide alley. It is one of the few remaining sections of the highway in eastern Canada without a twinning program in place.
This region is the gateway to Atlantic Canada. In fact, one-third of Atlantic Canada's exports travel this two lane trade corridor. My riding is also a major hub for traffic entering Canada from the U.S. eastern seaboard via I-95. In addition, it claims the most trucks per capita than anywhere else in the nation.
Given the importance of this trade corridor to Atlantic Canada's tourist and commercial traffic, this region should have the same modern, efficient road network as the rest of the country. Between 1996 and 2000, 43 lives were lost on this dangerous stretch of road. Every year, on average, 9 people are killed and 84 are injured travelling suicide alley.
For the safety of the travelling public and for the economic strength of Atlantic Canada, I urge the government to make construction of this four lane highway a federal priority.
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Madam Speaker, the Halifax harbour solutions project, known to most residents simply as the Harbour cleanup, is finally progressing after years of delay. Successive city councils, provincial and federal governments have debated the merits of different approaches and cost sharing arrangements for almost my entire life.
The plan currently before city council calls for the construction of two or three treatment plants around the city. The plants would be used to turn some 180 million litres of effluent that are produced every day into water that could safely flow into the harbour. Once the flow of untreated waste stops, the clock on 250 years of abuse would slowly return back as the harbour cleans itself.
I strongly encourage the ministers responsible to give this project the consideration it deserves as they prepare for Monday's budget.
John Cannis Liberal Scarborough Centre, ON
Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to welcome the students from Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute to Ottawa today. The students have travelled to Ottawa from my riding of Scarborough Centre to visit the impressive Parliament Buildings and to see firsthand how their government functions. This trip will no doubt be an enriching experience in their lives.
I have had the opportunity to meet with the students at Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute in the past. I believe it is important for all Canadians of all ages to visit the capital and bear witness to the legislative process at work. As such, I extend an invitation to all my constituents to do as the students at Cedarbrae CI have done and visit our capital.
I welcome the students from Cedarbrae and thank them for visiting us today. I am sure that their stay will be a memorable one.
Betty Hinton Canadian Alliance Kamloops, Thompson And Highland Valleys, BC
Madam Speaker, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The Secretary of State for the Status of Women and her Liberal colleagues argue that by registering and continuing to tighten the rules on gun ownership they would be helping to eliminate violence against women.
Rather than targeting law-abiding gun owners, we need to address the source of the violence. We need to eliminate violence not only against women but against all Canadians. We must teach our children that violence is unacceptable. We need to exercise parental control and stop allowing our children to be exposed to gratuitous violence in movies and on television. Violence is a gender neutral crime.
Today I wear this button for the young women we honour, but I also wear it for all victims of violence, whether they be men or women.
Sue Barnes Liberal London West, ON
Madam Speaker, today we commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in response to the tragic events of December 6, 1989, when 14 young women were killed because of their gender.
The deaths of these women must not be in vain. Let us learn from their lives and their loss. Let us learn that all forms of abuse, which is not necessarily physical or sexual abuse but can be more subtle abuse, psychological or financial, will not be tolerated.
Global and local initiatives are necessary. Community organizations across Canada, including the London co-ordinating committee to end woman abuse, must be supported.
The promotion of gender equality must continue to play an important part of Canada's foreign aid policies and programs. At this time Canadians have expectations that Canada will make a significant contribution to positive change for women in Afghanistan. Canadians must think globally and they must act locally to ensure the tragic events like those of December--
Violence Against WomenStatements By Members
The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos)
The hon. member for Témiscamingue.
Pierre Brien Bloc Témiscamingue, QC
Madam Speaker, last week, following 28 years of devoted service to our community, the Most Reverend Jean-Guy Hamelin left his position as Bishop of the Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda.
Born in Trois-Rivières, Monsignor Hamelin was ordained as a priest in 1949. On November 29, 1973, Pope Paul VI appointed him as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda.
A man of action, he took on various responsibilities within the Assemblée des évêques du Québec and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, of which he was president from 1993 to 1995. A member of the executive committee for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, he was also a religious adviser for International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity.
On behalf of myself and the people of Témiscamingue, I would like to pay tribute to the Most Reverend Jean-Guy Hamelin for his 28 years of faithful service to our community. I wish him a happy retirement, and, in the words of his motto, “joy in hope”.
Joe McGuire Liberal Egmont, PE
Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today on a sombre note. December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. It is a day to pause and reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women.
It is difficult to understand this phenomenon and therefore it is difficult to find a solution. I applaud the efforts of the citizens of Prince Edward Island who held a series of vigils calling attention to this serious issue and the need to stop domestic violence.
It appears that this type of violence is escalating. I know of one woman in Prince Edward Island who was beaten to death with a baseball bat while her five year old child was in the next room. The man who committed this horrific crime received a sentence of manslaughter with the possibility of parole in three years. This is but one example of punishment not fitting the crime.
The current response of the police and court systems to the perpetrators of these crimes does not provide protection to women who are harassed, threatened and assaulted by their abusers. In today's so-called--
Violence Against WomenStatements By Members
The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bakopanos)
The hon. member for Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar.
Carol Skelton Canadian Alliance Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK
Madam Speaker, today marks the anniversary of an horrific act of violence against 14 young women at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique. Their killer shot them in cold blood simply because they were women. Our flags are at half mast today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of these innocent victims. We pause today to remember all innocent victims of violence.
The Canadian Alliance deplores violence against any innocent victim, whether male, female, gay or straight. We deplore violence against religious and racial groups. We especially remember those who are targeted for violence because they are women. We are asking Canadians what we can do to protect women who live under the daily threat from abusive partners.
We also want the Liberals to do more to end the threat of violence against women from criminals and sexual predators.
Carolyn Bennett Liberal St. Paul's, ON
Madam Speaker, today is the day that Canadians recognize as a day of remembrance in honour of the 14 young women who were tragically killed at Ecole Polytechnique because of their gender. However this day should also be a day of action on violence against women so that as we mourn we can work toward change.
On Tuesday evening the women's caucus held an open roundtable on international women's issues and heard firsthand the accounts of the realities of violence against women worldwide. We must start by acknowledging this sad anniversary as well as the deaths of those women that have died as victims worldwide and work toward breaking the cycle of violence.
Today in Toronto, Women's College Hospital is holding a commemorative service whereby a rose for each of the 14 women is being presented in their memory. The guest of this event is Pamela Cross, executive and legal director of Metrac, whose timely remarks will focus on violence against women in a violent world culture.
This tragedy is further evidence that more research such as that led by Dr. Heather Maclean and Dr. Robin Badgley at the centre of research in women's health at Women's College Hospital is necessary.
Let us hope that as Canadians reflect on this tragedy we can find concrete ways to work toward the--
Violence Against WomenStatements By Members
The Speaker
The hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre.
Judy Wasylycia-Leis NDP Winnipeg North Centre, MB
Mr. Speaker, I join with other members in underscoring the significance of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Flags are flying at half mast and in a few moments parliamentary business will stop to mark the occasion.
Today is a day of remembrance and action. In remembrance, let us take a moment to remember the 14 women who died at the École Polytechnique in Montreal 12 years ago, killed simply because they were women.
Let us remember these women, and all women who have suffered because of violence, or who continue to suffer because of it today.
Out of this tragedy we have been given an occasion to focus on the violence against women that still permeates our society, the violence and threat of violence that women in Canada face every day at home, at work or on the street.
It is a time to assess our response over the past year and our progress toward eliminating violence from women's lives and to plan for the future. Today is an occasion to recommit ourselves to non-violence.
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Mr. Speaker, even after 12 years, nothing can erase the memory of December 6, 1989, when 14 young women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal were killed. Their crime was having been women.
It is our duty to think about the real measures that each of us can take to prevent and eliminate violence against women. It is also our duty to ensure that these women did not die in vain, and that their tragic deaths serve to heighten our awareness that the fight against violence is one that continues.
On behalf of the Bloc Quebecois and myself, I would like to extend my support to the families of all of these young women, these young victims, for whom, every year, December 6 reminds them of the loss of a dear one and the senseless nature of this terrible crime.
As a sign of support, I invite members to wear a white ribbon, or the pin designed to commemorate this sad event.
Eleni Bakopanos Liberal Ahuntsic, QC
Mr. Speaker, following the December 6, 1989 tragedy at Montreal's École polytechnique, this day has been designated by our government as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Now, more than a decade later, we are unfortunately still living in a society where violence against women is ever present.
Today, a series of events are taking place across the country to remember all the victims of violence against women who lost their lives.
In my riding of Ahuntsic, the Centre des femmes italiennes de Montréal is showing its solidarity with all women by distributing white candles to residents of Ahuntsic. I congratulate them and I reiterate my support to organizations such as the centre that work to eliminate all forms of violence against women.
It is our responsibility as Canadian parliamentarians to regroup our efforts and to eliminate any and all types of violence against women in our society. Let us all work together to put an end to all forms of violence.
Norman E. Doyle Progressive Conservative St. John's East, NL
Mr. Speaker, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day coincides with the sad anniversary of the 1989 Montreal massacre when 14 young women were tragically killed at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal.
It is a time to pause and reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is a time to reflect upon and give serious consideration to those men, women and children all over the world who live daily with the threat of violence or who have died as a result of violence.
It is also a day for all of us as a community to speak out on this issue and to rededicate ourselves to taking concrete action in our daily lives to prevent and eliminate violence against women.
Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a special Kitchener hero. This morning the Governor General recognized Constable David Nicholson in a posthumous decoration for bravery. Senior Constable Curtis Rutt and Constable Robert Sauvé also received medals of bravery in connection with the same event.
On August 12, 1998, Constable Nicholson lost his life while attempting to rescue a 12 year old boy at the Grand River's Parkhill Dam. Constable Nicholson was trapped underwater when his scuba tank wedged in a hole. Constables Rutt and Sauvé made valiant efforts to save their colleague but sadly their efforts were unsuccessful.
The Ontario Police Memorial carries the words “Heroes in life not death”. These words were inspired by words from Constable Nicholson's own family. These words remind us that every man and woman who dons the uniform of a police officer is a living hero, deserving our respect and admiration.
I ask the House to join me in saluting Constable Nicholson and all our police heroes who go about their duties every day, proud to serve and protect.
James Moore Canadian Alliance Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, on December 20, 2000, Gary Merlin saved a six year old girl from a house fire in Surrey, B.C. Mr. Merlin was visiting friends when he was awakened by cries for help and the smell of smoke. Mr. Merlin and the friends' two older daughters exited the house. When they realized the six year old was missing, Mr. Merlin dashed back in the house and was struck by a fireball.
After running back out to extinguish the flames that had engulfed him, he re-entered the house and followed the little girl's cries through the dense smoke. He found the young victim in her bed hiding under covers. Although he wrapped the child and himself in quilts, both were seriously burned when the bedroom erupted into flames.
Disoriented, Mr. Merlin tried to retrace his steps back through the path to the front door but was blocked by fire. He rushed the girl into another room where he punched a double paned window with his forearm. Despite a deep cut on his wrist and forearm he then escaped the inferno by jumping out of the window holding the child tightly. Although severely burned, both Mr. Merlin and the child recovered.
Today, my constituent Gary Merlin was honoured with the decoration of bravery by the Governor General of Canada. I thank Gary for his amazing bravery. He is a fine Canadian.
École polytechniqueStatements By Members
The Speaker
Order, please. I believe there is an agreement that the House will observe one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the École polytechnique.
I invite hon. members to rise for a moment of silence.
Stockwell Day Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has publicly said that he is not a visionary, and we all agree with that. He has also tried to compensate by saying that he is a good money manager, and the auditor general does not agree with that. As a matter of fact she said that the Prime Minister and his colleagues were probably the worst money managers in all of Canadian history.
The Prime Minister clearly has a spending addiction problem, but there is good news: he could feed his addiction if he would increase spending in the areas of health, security and defence. The bad news is that he has to stop the stupid spending. Will he stop the stupid spending and increase health care, security and defence?
Herb Gray LiberalDeputy Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has mischaracterized the comments of the auditor general. She pointed out:
The federal government has taken steps to strengthen financial management in its departments and agencies.
I take note of the call of the Leader of the Opposition for additional spending. It is an interesting comment from the Alliance Party.
We will be having what I am sure will be an excellent budget in a few days. I am sure that the needs of Canadians will be well recognized in that budget.
Stockwell Day Canadian AllianceLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the problem is that we have the worst money managers in Canadian history sitting over there. It is interesting that at one time there was a position called comptroller of the treasury. That position was there to protect taxpayers from unauthorized spending, and the auditor general comments on the need for that kind of protection.
Will the Prime Minister stand and admit he has an addiction problem? That is a very important step to overcome addiction. One has to admit one has the problem. Then would he agree to reappoint the taxpayer protector, the position of comptroller of the treasury? Would he agree to do that?