Debates of March 27th, 2015

Veterans Affairs

[Linda Duncan, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of tabling a petition from Edmontonians who want to draw to the attention of the Government of Canada that the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans and their families deserve the deepest gratitude and care. Many veterans and their families cannot access adequate health care, pensions, or other vital services. They are concerned about the closure of front-line veterans offices.

The petitioners wish to call on the government to support and implement the NDP plan to end service pension clawbacks, to reopen shuttered veterans offices, and to widen access to quality home care, long-term care, and mental health care services.

Agriculture

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition referring to the right to save seeds. These citizens of Canada recognize the inherent right of farmers, derived from thousands of years of custom and tradition, to save, reuse, select, exchange, and sell seeds.

The petitioners call upon Parliament to refrain from making any changes to the Seeds Act or to the Plant Breeders' Rights Act through Bill C-18, an act to amend certain acts relating to agriculture and agri-food, which would further restrict farmers' rights or add to farmers' costs.

Furthermore, they call upon Parliament to enshrine in legislation the inalienable right of farmers and other Canadians to save, reuse, select, exchange, and sell seeds.

Multiculturalism

[Matthew Kellway, NDP, Beaches—East York, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Bangladesh celebrated the 44th anniversary of its independence. Canada was one of the first countries to recognize the existence and independence of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and we have enjoyed a great friendship ever since. Over the years, the Canadian Bangladesh diaspora here in Canada has made a tremendous contribution to Canadian society.

The signatories to this petition are calling upon the Government of Canada to designate March 26 each and every year as Canada Bangladesh Day in recognition of the partnership and ongoing friendship between our two countries.

Agriculture

[François Pilon, NDP, Laval—Les Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to present a petition signed by hundreds of my constituents. They are calling on the government to adopt international aid policies that support small farmers, so that they can preserve and freely use their seeds.

Questions on the Order Paper

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the following question will be answered today: No. 1049.

Question No. 1049

[Ryan Cleary, NDP, St. John's South—Mount Pearl, NL]

With regard to Transport Canada and the Crown corporation Marine Atlantic: (a) what security protocols are in place for the inspection of commercial and recreational vehicles, as well as drop trailers and passengers boarding ferries; and (b) what security protocols are in place for the inspection of Marine Atlantic employees and their vehicles?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Minister of Transport]

Mr. Speaker, MARSEC stands for Marine Security. MARSEC levels easily communicate preplanned responses to increased threats levels. MARSEC Level 1 is the appropriate security measure under normal operating conditions.

The protocols in place for MARSEC Level 1 stipulate that a percentage of all people, which includes passengers, employees and visitors, and a percentage of all vehicles are screened when entering and while on Marine Atlantic property. Drop trailer units must be sealed and remain sealed while on the property. Drop trailer manifests are reviewed and seals are checked regularly while on the property.

The protocols in place for MARSEC Level 1 stipulate that a percentage of all people, which includes passengers, employees and visitors, and a percentage of all vehicles are screened when entering and while on Marine Atlantic property. Drop trailer units must be sealed and remain sealed while on the property. Drop trailer manifests are reviewed and seals are checked regularly while on the property.

Questions on the Order Paper

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, if Question No. 1038 could be made an order for return, this return would be tabled immediately.

Question No. 1038

[Scott Brison, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

With regard to contracts under $10 000 granted by Western Economic Diversification Canada since June 4, 2014: what are the (a) vendors' names; (b) contracts' reference numbers; (c) dates of the contracts; (d) descriptions of the services provided; (e) delivery dates; (f) original contracts' values; and (g) final contracts' values, if different from the original contracts' values?

(Return tabled)

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Notice of Closure Motion

[Peter Van Loan, Conservative, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, with respect to the consideration of Government Business No. 17, at the next sitting, a minister of the Crown shall move, pursuant to Standing Order 57, that debate be not further adjourned.

The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, to enact the High Risk Child Sex Offender Database Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts be read a third time and passed.

Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member for Winnipeg North has two minutes left to conclude his remarks.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to conclude my remarks on Bill C-26. As I indicated, the Liberal Party supports the bill and recognizes that it would have a positive impact in our communities.

We like to think that in addressing the issue of child exploitation, it involves more than just bringing in legislation. We want to see a government that is prepared to allocate the resources necessary to work with the different governments and support our many different non-profit and other organizations in our communities and throughout our country that deal with the issue of child exploitation, especially when we look at the ways it has expanded.

I will conclude my remarks by very briefly commenting on how technology has been used to advance something that is so abhorrent and unacceptable to the vast majority of Canadians, and that is the sexual exploitation of our children. This problem is a growing concern. I understand that in the last couple of years we have seen a 6% increase in child exploitation through the Internet. I suspect it is even higher than that.

There is so much more the government could be doing and should be doing to try to resolve an issue that has such a profound negative impact on our children in all regions of our country and in all the socio-economic strata of our children. There are some children who are put in vulnerable positions more than others and we need—

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

Questions and comments, the hon. member for Vaudreuil—Soulanges.

[Jamie Nicholls, NDP, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was impressed by my colleague's speech. He mentioned an institution that I am sure does good work, but I was alarmed it is anchored in the values of the Sisters of Good Shepherd. If we look at history, in Ireland this order ran four Magdalene laundries. If we look at the history of faith based orders taking care of these problems, we can see that in Canada we had forced adoptions at many of these maternity homes, although not this one in particular.

I know the member for Winnipeg North is a man of faith. He voted for Motion No. 312. Is it the Liberal plan to increase funding to faith based agencies to deal with the problems of child sexual abuse?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, can assure the member that, for the last 100 years, Marymound has had a positive impact on hundreds of children.

I was a member of the Manitoba Legislature for just under 20 years. From what I can recall, Marymound received the unanimous support of virtually every MLA, not only during the 20 years I sat inside the Legislature but even before that.

This is an organization that has, first and foremost, put the welfare of vulnerable children first. Individuals who have been involved over the years go beyond just individuals of any particular faith. Maybe the member should become better acquainted with it.

The point I was trying to get across is that there are many non-profits and other organizations out there that deal with individuals who are in the very vulnerable position of being exploited. There are many organizations that deal with the victims and try to give them better opportunities. I think we need to look at how we can support these organizations, whether they are faith based or not. Both have a role to play in our society.

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, York West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is one thing to bring in all kinds of laws and so on to put people in jail and do all of that.

The question is how do we prevent these crimes from happening. Much of the damage that is done through child predators and bullying, and whatever is going on through Internet, is pretty horrendous for the children. Sending someone to jail for 50 years might make us feel good, but it is not helping in the prevention of that very issue.

I would like to hear more from my colleague about what we can be doing. I am hosting a forum on how to protect children on the Internet. I would like to hear more from my colleague on the issue of how we can do better at preventing this from happening.