Debates of Dec. 6th, 2013

Organ Donations

[Colin Mayes, Conservative, Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the Minister of Health launched a new social media program and website to help promote organ and tissue donations.

Today, in Canada more than 4,500 people are waiting for organ transplants. Oftentimes the needs of these patients will not be met as too few Canadians are registered donors. Being a registered organ donor is one of the most important things one can do in life. We all have the ability to give the gift of life to others. I urge all members of the House to please visit healthycanadians.gc.ca and spread the word that anywhere in Canada people can register to become a donor and give the gift of life.

During this Christmas season, we celebrate the greatest gift of life that was freely given. The donor gave us a new heart. I would encourage all Canadians to get on Twitter and voice their support by using hashtag giftoflife to help promote this lifesaving campaign this holiday season.

Violence Against Women

[Jinny Sims, NDP, Newton—North Delta, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today we mark the 24th anniversary of one of the darkest days in Canadian history. On December 6, 1989, unspeakable horror unfolded on a Montreal campus. In an act of unimaginable cruelty, 14 brilliant young women, in the prime of their lives, were shot dead. They were killed because they were women.

As a mother and grandmother, I want to say for the families of the women who lost their lives that day that we do not forget, we will not forget and we dare not imagine their pain.

Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz, Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte. We remember and we owe these 14 women nothing less.

The Economy

[Corneliu Chisu, Conservative, Pickering—Scarborough East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to supporting Canadian jobs and economic growth, our Conservative government is on the right track.

Last week, Statistics Canada announced that the Canadian economy grew 2.7% in the third quarter in 2013, the ninth consecutive quarter of economic growth for Canada. What is more, today we learn that almost 22,000 new jobs, largely in the private sector, were created in the month of November. With over one million net new jobs created since the depth of the global economic recession, Canada has the best job growth record in the G7.

However, despite this positive news, the global economy remains fragile and too many Canadians are still out of work. That is why our Conservative government remains focused on the economy and job creation.

This is in sharp contrast to the NDP, which wants to introduce a $20 billion carbon tax and impose a crippling tax hike on the job creators or the Liberals, whose leader has no plan for the economy.

Nelson Mandela

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today we are a country and a world united in mourning the loss of Nelson Mandela. If ever proof were needed that one person could change the world, Nelson Mandela was that proof.

He was a giant of humanity, one of the great people of our time. Around the world, his name means “freedom”. His commitment to peace and justice embodied those very concepts. He inspired a movement, transformed a nation and allowed us all to believe that a better world was possible.

I grew up following Nelson Mandela. He lost his freedom around the same time I was born. I was one of the countless people inspired by his leadership and by his example. Madiba restored our faith, not only in the power of a just cause, but in politics itself.

Today, let us once again find inspiration in his words, “I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended”. Madiba's walk is done. He is going home, but we must not linger. Our walk continues.

[Peter Braid, Conservative, Kitchener—Waterloo, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the world learned that it had lost one of its most influential, respected and loved leaders. Nelson Mandela ended apartheid and in doing so chose the way of reconciliation and understanding.

Canada is proud to have hosted Nelson Mandela three times through the years. He addressed our Parliament and became the first living person to receive honorary Canadian citizenship in recognition of his moral leadership. We were honoured to present him with a number of accolades, including two Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medals.

Canadians join the people of South Africa, and indeed the world, in mourning and celebrating Nelson Mandela's life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all citizens of South Africa.

Nelson Mandela was a great testament to his country and to humanity. It is up to all of us to ensure his great legacy lives on. May he rest in peace.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

[Claude Patry, Bloc, Jonquière—Alma, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to rise today to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Twenty-four years after the Polytechnique massacre, now more than ever, we must remember the 14 students who were targeted because they were women. Today is an opportunity for each and every one of us to denounce all forms of violence against women loudly and clearly.

December 6 gives us a chance to measure our progress, but more importantly, to look at how much still needs to be done. Let us take a moment to reflect and to remember the 14 victims. Let us also think of those women who have suffered and continue to suffer from all kinds of violence, and let us hope they find the support they need. We must be ever vigilant and always take action to put an end to violence against women.

Violence Against Women

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today we remember 14 young smart women who had bright futures ahead, their families and all those who knew them. Each of us in the House hopes their families feel the loving arms of the nation around them.

Those young women were killed that terrible day simply because they were women. That night, all parents held their girls just little bit tighter in their arms. Today, the scars remain.

Let us honour these young women's memories by being strong women who fight hard for other women and by ending violence here in Canada and around the world.

To the families, we would like them to know that their daughters are not forgotten. They instill courage, they inspire and they remind us all to fight tirelessly to end violence. We profoundly thank these families for sharing their daughters with us and we keep them in our prayers.

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today we remember the 14 women who were killed in cold blood 24 years ago just because they were women. We will never forget them.

Today we remember with grief the murder of 14 young women, killed because they wanted to live their lives fully. As we remember them, we also commit ourselves to fight against all forms of violence against women and bring justice for those who have fallen, including hundreds of missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada.

It is not enough to commemorate them. On behalf of these 14 women, it is our duty to continue to fight against all forms of violence and discrimination against women by standing up for rights and gun control, the fight against poverty and justice for missing and murdered aboriginal women.

In memory of all these innocent women, we can do more. We must do more.

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, London North Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Parliament established this day to remember the tragic deaths of 14 young women at École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989. These victims were targeted simply because they were women. Today also serves to remind Canadians that violence and the threat of violence are daily realities for so many women and girls, and that gender-based violence is not just a woman's issue. It affects all of us and we must all be part of the solution.

I urge all Canadians to take action, observe a minute of silence, wear a white ribbon or attend one of the many vigils being held across our country. Let us all work together so women and girls can live free of violence.

[The Acting Speaker, Conservative, Barry Devolin]

I invite hon. members to rise and observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the tragic events that took place 24 years ago at the École polytechnique de Montréal.

Status of Women

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the tragedy of l'École Polytechnique shocked us at the time and 24 years later continues to affect us. Today our thoughts are with the families of the women who lost their lives on December 6,1989, but we also remember that women continue to face violence in their workplaces and in their homes.

Can the minister tell the House what the government's plan is to eradicate violence against women in our communities?

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the 14 women.

Our government recognizes that violence against women and girls is a sad reality and takes a heavy toll on individuals and communities. That is why we are taking action across the country to combat violence against women through measures such as greater resources to support victims of crime and protecting aboriginal women, and launching a national action plan to combat human trafficking, just to name a few.

This was already an atrocious act, but even more so when one considers the motivation that was behind it.

This government will always stand up for women and girls.

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, December 6 is a day of remembrance and action, and words must be backed up with a resolve to act.

Women continue to be victimized, facing violence at home, work and in their communities. We are still not doing enough to support safe environments for women escaping violence. The tragedy of the missing and murdered indigenous women has affected generations.

Will the minister listen to the victims, listen to their families and agree today to convene a national inquiry?

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, the government is committed to women and girls across Canada and we are reminded that violence and the threat of violence remain daily realities for so many women and girls. That is why we are committed to preventing all forms of violence against women and girls throughout Canada. Let us all work together so women and girls can live free of violence.

Our government has done more for women and girls across Canada than any other government.

[Libby Davies, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the sad reality is that while rates of violent crimes are dropping, the rates of violence against women are not. Being tough on crime must also mean making a priority of protecting women and girls from violence.

Will the minister demonstrate her commitment to ending violence against women and support the motion from the member for Churchill for a national action plan to end violence against women?

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, again, our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the 14 women.

Our government is committed to preventing all forms of violence against women and girls. Since 2007, we have invested over $62 million in funding for over 300 projects to end violence against women and girls. This is the highest level of funding ever in the history of our government.

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, 24 years ago, 14 women were brutally murdered simply because they were women. In the days after this tragedy, we swore to put an end to violence against women, but this violence is unfortunately still a daily reality for far too many Canadian women.

When will the government create a real national strategy to combat violence against women?

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, today also serves to remind Canadians that violence and the threat of violence are daily realities for so many women and girls, and that gender-based violence is not just a women's issue. It affects all of us and we must all be part of the solution.

Our government is committed to preventing all forms of violence against women and girls and we will continue to do so.

Public Safety

[Hélène Laverdière, NDP, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the December 6 tragedy taught us that public safety—not politics—should be the priority when it comes to gun control.

Instead of listening to victims, the police or experts, the Conservatives listen to the gun lobby. I should point out that they just delayed the adoption of firearms marking regulations, which are important in identifying illegal firearms.

When will the Conservatives put public safety before the interests of lobbyists?

[Roxanne James, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]

Mr. Speaker, first, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy. Today is a sad reminder of the anniversary. We must continue to act to end the violence against women and girls.

In recognition of all the things we have done to end violence against women and girls, our government has taken strong action to prevent violence and illegal firearms in this country. In fact, we have implemented mandatory sentences for very serious gun crimes. Unfortunately and sadly, the opposition parties have voted against all of that legislation.

International Development

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Wascana, SK]

Mr. Speaker, from Diefenbaker to Clark and Mulroney, Canadian governments stood with the people of South Africa, especially Nelson Mandela, in the fight against apartheid. Mr. Chrétien made him an honorary citizen of Canada.

In his final days, Mandela expressed just one regret, that he had not won the battle against HIV/AIDS, which claimed the life of his own son.

As a fitting memorial to this global icon, will the Canadian government establish an ever more robust initiative in Mandela's name to battle the scourge of AIDS in Africa, just as Canadians helped Mandela battle apartheid?

[Lois Brown, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development]

Mr. Speaker, as I said before, our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Mandela's family, and we thank him for his great service to the world in doing the things he did to fight apartheid.

We have been a stronger supporter of the global fund, which is the fund that is fighting AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

I was privileged to be in Washington on Monday and Tuesday at the replenishment conference, where Canada pledged $650 million. We are one of the highest supporters of the global fund, and we will continue to do our part to help eradicate these terrible diseases from the world.

Status of Women

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Westmount—Ville-Marie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on this sad anniversary of the tragedy at École Polytechnique, we remember the 14 young women and their families.

As we come together today, we invite the government to lead the way in putting an end to violence against women and girls in Canada.

Can we all come together and—with the help of our partners, the provinces and territories, the first nations, women's groups, victims' groups and law enforcement—develop a national strategy and put an end to this tragic violence?

[Susan Truppe, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women]

Mr. Speaker, we are taking action across the country to combat violence against women through measures such as greater resources to support victims of crime and protecting aboriginal women, launching a national action plan to combat human trafficking, increasing penalties for violent crimes and supporting child advocacy centres to better serve young victims and witnesses of crime.

In our economic action plan of 2013, our government also committed $24 million over two years for the family violence prevention program. This government sticks up for women and girls.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on this sad anniversary, we remember 14 young women and their families. As we draw together, we invite the government to take the lead to end violence against women and girls in Canada.

Working with our partners across the country, the provinces and territories, first nations, women's groups, victims' groups and law enforcement, can we all come together to develop a national action plan to end the tragedy of violence in our country?