House of Commons Hansard #266 of the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was treaties.

Topics

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights ActGovernment Orders

1:45 p.m.

NDP

Philip Toone NDP Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Joliette for her very interesting speech. She works very hard for her riding, and I commend her on that.

As far as Bill S-2 is concerned, she raised some very interesting points. I want to come back to the comments made by the hon. member for Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, who said that under this bill, aboriginal women will have the same rights as all other women in Canada. We know full well that without the necessary means to fully exercise those rights, they will be meaningless. Aboriginal women will not have access to the same resources as other Canadian women, and the courts are not properly equipped to hear their cases. There is certainly no guarantee that aboriginal women will have the same rights. The way I see it, it is clear that this bill will not give aboriginal women the same rights that Canadian women have.

Could the hon. member elaborate on this?

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights ActGovernment Orders

1:45 p.m.

NDP

Francine Raynault NDP Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the question.

This bill will not give aboriginal women the same rights that Canadian women have because provincial laws do not apply on the reserves. Someone mentioned this earlier. How are they supposed to have their rights recognized?

There is a legal vacuum. These rights are not recognized under federal law, and provincial law does not apply on reserves. What are these women supposed to do? Should they go to their MP's office so that things might change one day?

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights ActGovernment Orders

1:45 p.m.

London North Centre Ontario

Conservative

Susan Truppe ConservativeParliamentary Secretary for Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, Bill S-2 is not only about matrimonial rights; it is also about protection orders for men, women, and children.

The member opposite mentioned that aboriginal women had been ignored for years. Does the member opposite want to ignore them for another 25 years?

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights ActGovernment Orders

1:45 p.m.

NDP

Francine Raynault NDP Joliette, QC

Mr. Speaker, these women certainly will not be ignored for another 25 years.

This is the fourth bill that the Conservative Party has introduced, but it is no good because it is missing provisions to protect the women. Maybe provincial law should apply on reserves, which is currently not the case.

My colleague can rest assured that I will see to it that these women will not have to wait another 25 years. In 2015, we will see to it.

Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights ActGovernment Orders

1:50 p.m.

NDP

Philip Toone NDP Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to debate Bill S-2, An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves.

This is not the first time this issue has come up in the House of Commons. Similar bills have been debated during previous Parliaments. This is the fourth time we have talked about this issue. Why did the government wait so long to bring this bill forward? Why, after all this time, is it still flawed?

Aboriginal women's rights advocacy groups have made it clear to me that they are against this bill. I would like to point out that they were not consulted with respect to Bill S-2. They were consulted previously about other bills on this issue.

Fortunately, parliamentary committees asked people to appear as witnesses on this subject. Of course, the Conservative government seems to be restricting parliamentary committees' freedom more and more, which means that fewer and fewer witnesses are able to appear. Still, aboriginal women's groups were able to testify before the parliamentary committee, and they expressed clear opposition to this bill.

I would like to say a few more things about that. What is the primary objective of the bill before us? Matrimonial rights are simply not covered in the Indian Act, so we have a dilemma because some areas of jurisdiction may be seen as falling under provincial legislation. How are we addressing that?

The bill before us concerns matrimonial rights and interests, primarily with respect to property rights. In Canada, there are two kinds of property: movable assets and real property. Real property means everything not attached to the ground. This bill is really about rights to housing, homes and land. The dilemma is that first nations do not own their own land. This is a real legal dilemma, and Bill S-2 makes a noble attempt to resolve it. This is a step in the right direction because we have to recognize that this is a problem we need to solve.

The problem is that not only do first nations members not own their own land, but they are also currently experiencing a housing crisis because there are not enough homes. That causes all kinds of problems. This bill addresses sociological issues that could cause families to split up or that could lead to divorce, but it also addresses cases in which there is a death. In such cases, we have to determine what happens to the family assets.

The bill tries to address these problems, but unfortunately it does not do nearly enough.

For example, if the first nations are experiencing a housing crisis, if a woman wants to separate from her husband or if a family splits up, where will these people live?

The bill skips a number of steps. The first step seems quite obvious to me: fix the housing crisis within our first nations. If there is a shortage of housing, where will people go if they want a divorce? A number of families in my riding share the same home. That makes no sense. We need to fix this problem.

This bill brings up another problem: access to justice. Legal assistance is simply not available. That is another area of shared responsibility, since provincial and federal courts are unfamiliar with the rights and traditions of the first nations. Unfortunately, this bill does nothing to address those issues.

We must absolutely talk about the courts having a knowledge of first nations traditions. Why would the first nations be subject to a provincial court if that court is not familiar with first nations traditions?

The Crown has an obligation to ensure that the courts that are affected by this bill have the information they need well in advance. The funding is simply not there. Once again, the Conservative government wants to place an obligation on the provinces without giving them the resources they need to fulfill it.

This is a rather serious problem across Canada. Every time this Conservative government suggests sharing responsibilities with the provinces, it seems to forget that this requires resources. It completely ignores the fact that the provinces do not have the means, especially when they are being forced to take on more and more roles that would normally be federal responsibilities.

In any event, since it is mostly women who would be affected by this bill, how are they supposed to exercise their new rights if they do not have the means to do so? How are they going to get to the courts in question if they do not live in the designated communities? They will be far from home.

If the bill passes, many aboriginal women will simply be incapable of exercising their rights because they will not have the means to get to the courts in question, which will quite often be far from their community. This is major flaw. Why not plan to have the courts go to them, instead of insisting that the courts, which are quite far away, be the places where matters related to this bill are resolved?

Parliament has dealt with this bill a number of times, in a number of previous parliaments, and a number of studies have been done. The problem is that the recommendations that have come out of these studies have been ignored and are not included in Bill S-2.

The Senate came out with the report, “A Hard Bed to Lie in: Matrimonial Real Property on Reserve”.

In that case, in 2003, they recommended that provincial laws apply. That was a good idea.

The Senate, still waiting in 2004, identified the lack of clarity for the rights of women on reserve as a human rights issue that was a recurring recommendation from the UN, which was a very damaging report.

In 2005, arm in arm, the parliamentary committee talks came up with five recommendations, which we see very few of in the bill in front of us today.

In 2006, again, the Status of Women report identified barriers, including insufficient funding or the implementation of it, especially for the problem of chronic housing shortages on reserves and the lack of high level consultations.

Again, the need for consultation and funding was recommended and, again in the bill, the government simply did not do its jobs. It did not consult with first nations on Bill S-2. The Conservatives asked them to come to the parliamentary committees. Thank goodness the opposition was there to insist that they show up, otherwise the government never would have consult first nations women, which is absolutely hypocritical on its part.

One of the biggest problems with this bill is that aboriginal communities have only 12 months to implement it. Most of the communities asked for three years if this bill passes. One year is absolutely not enough.

Again, there are some serious problems to address in aboriginal communities. There is a chronic lack of housing in aboriginal communities. If we do not deal with these basic problems, then how can we deal with fundamental problems such as matrimonial rights?

Matrimonial rights cannot be dealt with if a woman has nowhere else to stay. This is a simple, but fundamental problem. If we do not tackle the fundamental problems of first nations, then a bill like Bill S-2 can never be implemented fairly and in such a way as to guarantee the rights of aboriginal women in Canada.

Rotary ClubsStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

Corneliu Chisu Conservative Pickering—Scarborough East, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recent efforts of the rotary clubs of Pickering and Ajax.

Over the first weekend of June, the rotary clubs organized the sixth annual Pickering Ribfest. As it has been every year, this year's event brought together the whole community, with everyone enjoying the food, games, rides, live music and the offerings of local vendors. The event was an immense success. Nearly 70,000 people attended the event and all the proceeds will go back to the community to support those in need.

The members of the rotary clubs and the numerous volunteers are all to be commended for the time and dedication they put into the Pickering Ribfest, particularly Mr. Lon Harnish, the principal organizer. I would like to thank the City of Pickering's staff, council and especially Mayor Dave Ryan for supporting this community event. I am certain that the Ribfest will remain a staple in Pickering for years to come.

Adult Education CentreStatements By Members

2 p.m.

NDP

Jean-François Larose NDP Repentigny, QC

Mr. Speaker, today I have the honour to rise to talk about the Centre la Croisée.

In my riding of Repentigny, I had the opportunity to visit a vocational school for adults, the Centre la Croisée. I say “adult”, but when I visited, I was sad to see that most students were young people who should normally be in a regular school but had dropped out. The dropout rate is on the rise.

We are very fortunate to have a centre like this, where volunteers and teachers give much more of their time than they should and produce amazing results. These young people are doing well. The centre's program is very flexible. Business people are grateful for what the centre does because it helps them develop a workforce. It creates a future that inspires us all.

I would like to thank Mr. Correia, the director of the Centre La Croisée. We all support you.

North York General HospitalStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

Joe Daniel Conservative Don Valley East, ON

Mr. Speaker, I rise to draw attention to North York General Hospital located in my riding of Don Valley East.

Yesterday I was very happy to participate in the OrthoWalk at the North York General Hospital in support of orthopedic care and research. This was the fifth anniversary of the special event and for the first time this was held on the grounds of the hospital. Each year OrthoWalk provides an opportunity for patients and family members to thank and honour the surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and staff who provide compassionate and quality orthopedic care. The walk raised over $100,000 that will go toward education, research, orthopedic programs and the purchase of much needed equipment.

I thank all the volunteers who organized the event, including CEO Tim Rutledge, Terry Pursell, Lisa Tobias, Tess Rizan, Dr. Ted Rumble and Dr. Maurice Bent. I ask all members in the House to join me in sending our congratulations on a job well done.

West Island Community Resource CentreStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Liberal

Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this House to congratulate the West Island Community Resource Centre on 30 years of invaluable service to the community.

For the past three decades, the centre, a dynamic volunteer-driven organization, has been a vital community hub, partnering with local organizations to ensure that West Islanders in need have access to the full range of health and social services.

The CRC began as a coming together of a few social-minded individuals who recognized that there were many and various unmet needs in a community otherwise known for its enviable quality of life.

In the heart of the community were those experiencing life-changing events, ranging from job loss to sickness. Some youth faced difficult challenges that, in turn, placed pressure on families. Seniors and others were in need of information, guidance and advocacy.

Today, the CRC is evolving under the experienced leadership of its president, Georges Nydam, its dynamic board of directors and its new executive director, Katie Hadley, who together bring new energy and spirit to the centre's mission and operations.

Elana WaldmanStatements By Members

2 p.m.

Conservative

John Carmichael Conservative Don Valley West, ON

Mr. Speaker, Elana Waldman passed away last week after an eight-year battle with ovarian cancer in Toronto.

Elana was a wife, a mother, a daughter, a lawyer and a vibrant community leader. She chaired multiple community organizations, including aWEARness, a charity initiative for ovarian cancer research, One Family Fund, an organization that provides assistance to terror victims in Israel, as well as the 50th anniversary celebrations at her daughter Sydney's elementary school. Elana regularly blogged for Chatelaine about living with cancer and the importance of living each day to the fullest, inspiring Canadians from coast to coast.

Elana leaves her husband Mark, her nine-year-old daughter Sydney, a close family and many friends across Canada. She received the Women of Action award in 2007 from the Israel Cancer Research Fund and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

May God console Elana, together with all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Portugal DayStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON

Mr. Speaker, 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of Portuguese immigration to Canada. Today, Portugal Day, I would like to reflect on some of the community's great accomplishments.

Many came in those early years with very little education but a burning desire to succeed. Today, Luso Canadians have successful businesses, created peaceful and tidy neighbourhoods, and have literally built much of the Toronto skyline. Their children are now teachers and academics, professionals of all sorts, skilled tradespeople, artists, athletes and great civil society leaders.

The Portuguese community in Canada is one of our great success stories as a nation. However, there is still much work to be done to strengthen our ties, which is why today I have tabled a motion urging the government to establish an agreement with Portugal that would allow Canadian youth to experience the vibrant life and culture of Portugal and would provide Portuguese youth with the same opportunity here.

Portuguese immigrants came to Canada escaping poverty and political oppression. They came to seek a better life, and in the process they have made life better for all Canadians.

[Member spoke in Portuguese as follows:]

Parabéns e feliz dia Portugal.

Free TradeStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Rob Anders Conservative Calgary West, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 raised tariffs on over 20,000 goods. This act of protectionism and the subsequent retaliatory tariffs by trading partners turned the 1929 depression into the Great Depression. Trade decreased around the globe to record lows. That is why I believe we should pursue free trade.

In the last six years, Canada has signed new free trade agreements with nine countries and the European Free Trade Association. Canada is also exploring free trade with Thailand and has begun free trade negotiations with Japan. Advancing free trade opens new markets, creating opportunities for businesses in Canada. Recently, our government strengthened our free trade agreement with Chile because of the significant strategic value for both countries. This strong partnership is based on shared principles, such as the commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and open economies.

Free trade is bringing investment, industry and innovation into Canada. Free trade delivers results like jobs, growth and prosperity.

TRIUMFStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

Conservative

Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share a major medical breakthrough. TRIUMF, Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics, successfully met and exceeded the challenge to deliver a new way to create medical isotopes without using nuclear uranium. This discovery completely changes the production and availability of medical isotopes in Canada and around the world. In 2010, our government invested $35 million to facilitate this research, with an additional $25 million in 2012. This investment helped TRIUMF achieve this success three years earlier than its 2016 target date.

This is just one example of our government's real support for science, technology and research. We have increased funding by $8 billion, more than any other government in the history of Canada. Our government's focus and hard work on our economy and jobs makes this a Canadian success story. This one company has grown from 15 to 76 high-paying, high-quality jobs, making this story an important part of the one million net new jobs we have created since 2009.

Same-sex MarriageStatements By Members

2:05 p.m.

NDP

Philip Toone NDP Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 10th anniversary of Canada's first legally recognized gay marriage.

In 2003, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that Canadian laws denying homosexuals the right to marry violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It took nearly two years for Parliament to extend the same rights to homosexuals across the country that every other Canadian enjoys.

Same-sex marriage equality was an historic victory. The battle was led by community organizations, lawyers and especially the brave couples who fought tirelessly in the courts to ensure that same-sex couples were equal when it came to marriage rights. This was a time when many politicians were hesitant to act, leaving equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in the hands of the courts.

I am proud to be among the five NDP out MPs. We will continue to fight for LGBTT rights in Parliament and for better representation in our communities.

Leader of the Liberal Party of CanadaStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Stella Ambler Conservative Mississauga South, ON

Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party said that he is focused on the middle class, but he has yet to prove this claim. When the leader of the Liberal Party spoke to charities, he pocketed over $1.3 million. When news broke that Liberal Senator Pana Merchant was caught in an offshore tax scandal, making her the beneficiary of a $1.7 million trust, the leader of the Liberals remained quiet. When our Conservative senators introduced 11 new accountability rules to the Senate, the leader of the Liberal Party came out as the champion of the status quo, demanding that the Senate remain unelected and unaccountable because it is “an advantage for Quebec”.

It is clear that the leader of the Liberal Party is not standing up for middle-class Canadians. It is clear that the leader of the Liberal Party lacks judgment. It is clear that the leader of the Liberal Party is simply in over his head.

Quebec Blood Services AgencyStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

NDP

Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe NDP Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC

Mr. Speaker, I gave blood last Friday.

On June 7, fire station 56 in Île-Bizard hosted a blood drive to collect blood donations that will save hundreds of lives. This was possible thanks to the invaluable co-operation of the firefighters at fire station 56, the generosity of the people of the West Island, the contributions of the many volunteers and the professionalism of the staff at Héma-Québec.

Did you know that last year, in the West Island alone, 105 blood drives were held, that blood drives are organized about a year in advance and that the hardest time to collect blood is during the summer holidays, at Christmas and on New Year's Day?

Héma-Québec is doing critically important work, but it depends on the generosity of donors and community co-operation. Having access to volunteers, networks and free facilities is crucial.

That is why I wish to congratulate all the community groups that have become involved in blood drives. This includes, among others, schools such as Riverdale High School and École le savoir, places of worship such as Hindu Mandir Temple of DDO, and municipalities such as Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Île Bizard.

I thank all of them very much.

Leader of the Liberal Party of CanadaStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Conservative

Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON

Mr. Speaker, after weeks of defending the status quo in the Senate, the leader of the Liberal Party is now coming to the defence of Liberal Senator Mac Harb. Speaking to Global News yesterday, the leader of the Liberal Party said he would “absolutely” welcome the disgraced senator back to the Liberal caucus. Media reports say that Senator Harb is refusing to repay up to $200,000 in inappropriately claimed housing allowances and instead is trying to stick taxpayers with the bill.

Defending disgraced Senator Mac Harb is not the only lapse in judgment by the leader of the Liberal Party. The leader of the Liberal Party continues to allow Liberal senators to sit in the Liberal caucus despite allegations of financial impropriety. This is just more proof that the leader of the Liberal Party lacks the judgment to be prime minister and is in way over his head.

Congregation Emanu-ElStatements By Members

2:10 p.m.

Liberal

Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Speaker, I was privileged to participate in the 150th anniversary celebrations for Congregation Emanu-El, Canada's oldest, continuously operating synagogue, serving Victoria, B.C. and home to unprecedented Jewish firsts in Canada. In 1865, Victoria's Lumley Franklin became the first Jewish mayor in North America. In 1871, Henry Nathan became Canada's first Jewish MP when B.C. joined Confederation. The congregation's own vice-president, Samuel Davies, became Canada's first Jewish judge in 1914. Congregation member Samuel Schultz is believed to have pitched the first shutout game in the history of British Columbia baseball.

The history and legacy of Congregation Emanu-El and its partnership and support from Christian, Freemason and other faith and community groups, a model of a plural multicultural mosaic, are a source of pride and inspiration for us all.

To Congregation Emanu-El and the community it calls home:

[Member spoke Hebrew and provided the following translation:]

May you go from strength to strength.

New Democratic Party of CanadaStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, BC

Mr. Speaker, while our Conservative government celebrated a milestone of over one million net new jobs created since July 2009, the NDP deputy leader was in New York at Left Forum 2013, a conference committed to addressing the destructive nature of capitalism's inherent drive to growth.

Left Forum included seminars entitled: anti-capitalist strategies and imaginaries, taking socialism seriously, and discussions on Israel's deadly economy and the Palestinian right to return. Attendees were also treated to a series of anti-development seminars including one entitled, the necessity of direct action to prevent expansion of oil and gas infrastructure.

Despite the NDP leader's efforts to distance himself from the word “socialism”, his deputy leader has once again reminded Canadians of the NDP's anti-capitalist, anti-Israel and anti-development roots. While the NDP members pontificate on anti-capitalist strategies to kill jobs, Canadians can rest assured that every time our Conservative government travels abroad, it is to promote jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.

The SenateStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

NDP

Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON

Mr. Speaker, we now have postcards from the unaccountable. The SS Duffy has run aground. In January 2012, Conservative Senator Mike Duffy tried to claim expenses for Senate business while on a Caribbean cruise, expenses he repaid only after he got caught.

Instead of taking responsibility for his Senate appointment, the Prime Minister simply found the first lifeboat he could and is now rowing away from this ethical disaster as fast as he can.

Defending their cheating senators is the height of Conservative and Liberal hypocrisy. Neither the Conservatives nor the Liberals have shown an ounce of contrition for their senators' actions. While the Liberals and Conservatives continue to defend the indefensible, New Democrats will always put constituents first, fight these spending abuses and hold these undemocratic and unaccountable Conservative and Liberal senators to account.

New Democrats want this to be the last Senate scandal, so in 2015, let us send the Conservatives off packing on their own cruise on the SS Duffy.

The Member for Jeanne-Le BerStatements By Members

2:15 p.m.

Conservative

Bernard Trottier Conservative Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON

Mr. Speaker, our government is working hard to reduce the tax burden on Canadian families. We have reduced taxes more than 150 times.

Canadians are proud of this record and expect everyone to pay their fair share. In particular, they rightly expect elected representatives to lead by example.

Unfortunately, the hon. member for Jeanne-Le Ber does not seem to agree. In fact, he owes tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes to Revenue Quebec and to the Canada Revenue Agency.

How can the Leader of the Opposition tolerate such behaviour in his caucus without any consequences? How can he ask Canadians to pay more taxes when members of his own caucus are not paying their taxes?

Since he is unwilling to do so, our government will send this message to the opposition: pay your taxes.

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, was Nigel Wright, the Prime Minister's former chief of staff, authorized to sign cheques drawing from Conservative Party funds?

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Nepean—Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, all Conservative Party spending is paid out of a single account that is controlled by the Conservative Party. All of the funds are reported to Elections Canada, and they are audited annually. The fund has been public knowledge for years.

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Outremont Québec

NDP

Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the Conservative parliamentary secretary, who is responsible for this file, and not the one who just spoke, once again acknowledged that Nigel Wright did control party funds. He said, “No one is denying that”.

Let us stop playing word games. I will ask again. Did Nigel Wright have any control or signing authority of any kind over Conservative Party spending while working in the Prime Minister's Office?

EthicsOral Questions

2:15 p.m.

Nepean—Carleton Ontario

Conservative

Pierre Poilievre ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party of Canada controls the Conservative Fund of Canada. That is the message that we have delivered from the very beginning.

There is one account. It is controlled by the Conservative Party. It has been publicly known since the existence of the Conservative Party. It is reported to Elections Canada, and it is audited annually.