Debates of Sept. 28th, 2018

Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day

[Matthew Dubé, NDP, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this Sunday is Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day. This day was officially proclaimed in 1998 to recognize the ultimate sacrifice made by men and women in uniform to keep our communities safe.

The first memorial in 1978 honoured 14 officers. This year, over 870 names were engraved on the honour roll.

On this day, we also remember the women and men affected by operational stress injuries and PTSD. Too often we hear of those who have lost their lives to the impact of what they have seen and been through in the line of duty. The cost of the unspeakable horrors these officers witness while keeping us safe cannot be understated.

On the eve of this year's Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day, let us pledge our love and support to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives keeping us safe, those who battle with the consequences of this difficult work, and those who continue to patrol our streets every day. They have our eternal thanks.

Autumn

[Majid Jowhari, Liberal, Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I had the unique privilege of joining our Prime Minister at the mid-autumn moon gala, hosted by the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto.

Traditionally a celebration of the harvest and success after a long year, across Richmond Hill and the greater Toronto area, the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities came together with family and friends to give thanks for good fortune.

As the autumn leaves change before our eyes, Canadians of all cultures and backgrounds will celebrate this time of renewal and traditional harvest with a diversity of observances. Whether it is the mid-autumn festival, Jashn-e Mehregan, or a Thanksgiving dinner, let us take a moment to pause as the season shifts and take stock of the things that matter in our lives, to reconnect with our family and friends.

Hockey Summit Series Anniversary

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today we are celebrating an important anniversary in both Canadian history and hockey history.

On September 28, 1972, Canada beat the U.S.S.R. to win the hockey summit series in Moscow. With 34 seconds left in the eighth and final game of the series, Paul Henderson scored the most important goal in hockey history and Canadian history. Rarely has the country been so united.

Anyone who, like me, is 50 or older will remember exactly where they were when that goal was scored. As many will recall, there was no shortage of drama. It was the height of the Cold War, and Canada had to prove that we were the best. The Russians came and said they were there to learn. In the end, we were the ones who learned something. We learned to respect them for their outstanding abilities on the ice, and we also learned humility. That is what we need to remember.

The summit series is a milestone in Canadian and hockey history. Maybe the House of Commons is not the right place to say this, but as a Canadian and proud hockey fan, I urge the Hockey Hall of Fame to welcome Paul Henderson, the scorer of the most important goal in Canadian history.

Act of Bravery

[Rémi Massé, Liberal, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend an exceptional act of bravery performed during a successful rescue operation in the St. Lawrence River last Friday evening.

With the wind blowing at over 100 kilometres per hour, a sailboat with a couple on board ran aground in the St. Lawrence River, near Pointe-au-Père. A man and a woman are still alive today thanks to the men who took part in the rescue operation led by the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in Eastern Quebec.

I would like to commend the courage and bravery of crew members Ted Savage, Jonathan Brunet, François-Xavier Bérubé-Dufour and Philippe Charbonneau. Thanks also to all the brave first responders who participated in this dangerous operation.

Those four men put their own lives at risk in extreme weather conditions to get the couple out of a dangerous situation. During the three-and-a-half hour operation, they remained calm and never gave up. These men from our community are heroes. Please join me in commending their bravery.

Liberator Harry Crash

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, I will be at a ceremony in Saint-Donat to mark the 75th anniversary of the B-24D Liberator Harry crash.

On October 20, 1943, 24 Canadian military personnel returning home from the battlefield died on Black Mountain, which lies between my riding and Joliette. The crash site has become an important historic site in our region. It is the worst tragedy the Royal Canadian Air Force has ever experienced on Canadian soil.

I salute those who watch over the Liberator Harry, and the volunteers who have taken care of the site over the years. I congratulate André Gaudet and everyone who worked with him to organize this commemorative gathering. I am grateful to Héli-Tremblant, which volunteered to transport veterans to the mountaintop by helicopter.

I want to express my sincere respect for the families and descendants of the victims. It is our duty to remember all of the aviators and soldiers who have served our country.

Yorkton—Melville Fundraisers

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to congratulate two incredibly hard-working charitable organizations in my riding of Yorkton-Melville.

The Health Foundation of East Central Saskatchewan and the Esterhazy and District Charity Golf Classic have raised millions of dollars for local health care and have both recently held very successful events. ln July, the Health Foundation of East Central Saskatchewan raised almost $39,000 in one weekend at the second annual Rhythm 'n Ribs event. That fundraiser and others like the gala, radiothon and Farming for Health event helped purchase medical equipment for area hospitals and health care facilities.

Earlier this month, the Esterhazy and District Charity Golf Classic was held in my home town of Esterhazy, Saskatchewan. This was the 18th year for the golf tournament, which has been raising funds for a new hospital. This year's event brought in $205,000, bringing the 18-year total raised by this tournament in my community to more than $3.5 million.

Congratulations to all involved with these two great charities.

Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Mr. Speaker, September 28 is the internationally designated global day of action for access to safe and legal abortion. According to the World Health Organization, about 25 million unsafe abortions take place every year around the world. An estimated 47,000 women die of complications every year.

Our government supports women's sexual health and reproductive rights, and we are unequivocally opposed to reproductive coercion in all its forms. We adopted a feminist international assistance policy that defends the rights of women and girls and are working closely with local women's groups, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, to ensure that the world's most vulnerable are protected and treated with the dignity they deserve.

Today, I thank all of the organizations around the world that are working hard to defend and protect women's reproductive rights.

Persons with Disabilities

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a block party at its historic building in Pointe-Claire in my riding of Lac-Saint-Louis.

Sixty years ago, parents who were looking to build a better community for their children came together with vision and determination to create a network of resources for those with intellectual disabilities and autism. Today, WIAIH promotes independence, health and social skills through a variety of fitness, education and leisure programs.

The philosophy of the West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped is informed by great respect for the notion that community-based living enables people with disabilities to achieve their potential for growth and self-fulfilment.

When I think of WIAIH, I think of Jean Vanier, who said, “When we love and respect people, revealing to them their value, they can begin to come out from behind the walls that protect them.” Happy birthday to WIAIH, and congratulations for 60 years of fostering hope and inclusion.

Foreign Affairs

[Harold Albrecht, Conservative, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, recently the Government of Nigeria successfully negotiated the release of 110 girls from Boko Haram. However, one girl, 15-year-old Leah, was detained because she refused to give up her Christian faith. Boko Haram has announced that Leah will be executed by the end of the month. A 25-year-old aid worker and mother of four who was captured by the same group was executed last week. Time is running short for Leah. She desperately needs our help now. I ask all Canadians to join me in praying for Leah's protection and release.

During this week that is focused on gender equality, it is important that we stand up for women everywhere. That means upholding human rights, creating a thriving economy, promoting peace and security and ensuring a higher quality of life worldwide. I call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to step up and pressure the Nigerian government to do everything in its power to ensure that Leah is released immediately.

Athletic Coaches

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in the House to pay tribute to all of the coaches in Gatineau and across the country.

We always take time to acknowledge the athletic achievements of our athletes, children and young people, but their coaches are often forgotten.

I am sure each one of my colleagues had a coach who had a positive impact on them or on someone they know.

Coaches have an important job, both athletically and personally. They encourage our athletes to excel, through victory and defeat. These men and women are important and accessible role models in all of our communities.

I have witnessed this at the games and tournaments I attend in my role as MP. Coaches are often volunteers and do not count the hours they work, but they are always there for those early-morning and late-night practices.

The Planet Joins the Campaign

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have had the honour of representing the people of Longueuil—Saint-Hubert for seven years now. That has meant standing up for my constituents and everything that comes with the challenges facing our underprivileged families, with our transportation issues and access to the shores of the river. It has also meant developing our expertise in aerospace, agri-food, and the electrification of transportation.

Two other issues have become important to me since I was first elected to the House: reconciliation with indigenous peoples and the fact that quiet nationalism is reaching consensus in Quebec.

Every day I work on correcting this situation. These two issues have been added to the two priorities that first got me into politics in 2011, namely the fight against global warming and protecting our cultural industries. I am pleased to see that Quebec is celebrating culture days at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde in Montreal, and at the Philippe Allard exhibit at the Maison de la culture in Longueuil. There is something for everyone.

All that culture will be for naught if the planet burns up because of global warming.

I invite everyone from the greater Montreal area to come march in the Planet Joins the Campaign rally being held this Saturday at 2 p.m. The starting point is Place Émilie-Gamelin at the Berri metro station.

Government Policies

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's summer of failures is rapidly becoming his fall of failures. After months and months of failing to deliver on everything from trade to taxes to pipelines, this summer was his big opportunity to get it right, but opportunity quickly turned into disaster as his continued failures are having real consequences for Canadians: fewer jobs, less opportunity and uncertain futures.

Liberal economic policies have failed to create the growth Canada needs, as investment flees to other countries.

The Prime Minister has failed to fix the mess he created at the border, costing Canadians millions to house illegal border crossers in hotels. After spending $4.5 billion to buy a pipeline, we learned this summer that the pipeline will not even be built.

It is officially fall and we still do not have a plan to get shovels in the ground.

The Prime Minister and his ministers have kept the Ethics Commissioner busy this summer as yet another Liberal minister was found guilty of of breaking conflict of interest laws. Canadians are—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

The hon. member for Long Range Mountains.

Long Range Mountains

[Gudie Hutchings, Liberal, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, Australia, China, Austria and the U.S. are just a few of the countries that tourists come from to visit my beautiful riding of the Long Range Mountains, with over 250,000 folks visiting last year.

This growing industry employs more than 5,000 people in close to 600 of my riding's tourism businesses. The impact on all the other local businesses is incredible.

However, many tourists tell me of a problem, that they did not give themselves enough time to explore. They can start at the tip of Quirpon Island, go along the Viking Trail, the Main River Run, the Humber Valley, Bay of Islands, Port au Port, Codroy Valley, the Granite Coast, down south to the island of Ramea. Three of Destination Canada's signature experiences have homes in my riding and there are two world UNESCO heritage sites to visit: L'Anse aux Meadows and Gros Morne National Park. Moreover, do not forget Port au Choix National Historic Site.

Tourists come to explore my region all year round.

I would like to to thank people from all over the world for visiting my region, and I invite them to come visit again.

World tourism is the best.

Justice

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, when the Liberals took power in 2015, Tori Stafford's killer, Terri-Lynne McClintic, was behind bars locked up in a prison. Today, this murderer is at a scenic healing lodge surrounded by nature. Even worse, according to the commissioner of corrections, children regularly stay at this lodge. Here is a simple fact: Child killers should not be around children.

Will the Liberals take action and put this killer back behind bars?

[Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Lib.]

Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to the family of Tori Stafford for the loss they endured and have lived these last nine years. The Minister of Public Safety has asked the new commissioner of corrections to fully review the placement decision made by her predecessor in order to ensure that it followed all the policies and procedures currently in place, and that these policies remain appropriate.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the public safety minister has the ability and the authority to reverse this decision and put policies in place to ensure that this never happens again. Children are present at these healing lodges because the healing lodges are meant for offenders who are actually being reintegrated back into our society. Tori Stafford's killer is not even eligible for parole until 2031. She is not being reintegrated back into society.

Now, I know the Liberals are stuck on their talking points defending killers, but will they stand up for the rights of victims and for justice and do something to put this individual back behind bars?

[Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Lib.]

Mr. Speaker, section 28 of the corrections act says that inmate placement decisions must be made by corrections services. That act was created in 1992 by a Conservative government, and section 28 was last updated by the Harper government. As much as he might like to, the Minister of Public Safety cannot simply overrule laws, including those created by a Conservative government.

[Candice Bergen, Conservative, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, well, that is weak and that is ineffective, because there are actually precedents from our Conservative government where the Minister of Public Safety reversed decisions. However, the difference is it was Conservatives who stand up for victims, not hug-a-thug Liberals who are always defending the rights of criminals.

After the Liberals' summer of failure, most Canadians are worse off, but there are a few winners: terrorist Omar Khadr, living large on an additional $10.5 million; cop killer Chris Garnier getting veterans benefits; and now Terri-Lynne McClintic, upgraded to a healing lodge.

How come the only people doing better under the Liberal government seem to be murderers?

[Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Lib.]

Mr. Speaker, as I already mentioned, the Minister of Public Safety has asked the corrections commissioner to do a review to make sure the current policies and procedures were indeed followed, and to determine whether those policies and procedures are still appropriate. We will await the findings of the commissioner.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this sad story is about common sense. Canadians want people found guilty of murdering children to be behind bars in prison. Unfortunately, in this particular case that has outraged all Canadians, this woman was transferred from a traditional penitentiary to a healing lodge. That is not right. Just imagine. She has her own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room. This is a total failure of common sense.

The Liberals do have the power. The minister can reverse this decision. Why is he not doing so?

[Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Lib.]

Mr. Speaker, the decision to change the security classification of this particular inmate was made in 2014, under the previous government. That inmate was determined to be medium security and she remains in a medium-security institution.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the power to stop what is unacceptable does exist. In November 2001, a Liberal minister used this power when an offender who had murdered a police officer was to be transferred to another prison. The minister at the time put his foot down and prevented the transfer. He is now the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Will the current Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness follow the example set by the current Minister of Agriculture who did the right thing in 2001?

[Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Lib.]

Mr. Speaker, regarding that transfer of an inmate in 2001, and the subsequent decision to transfer the inmate to another institution, the then solicitor general told this chamber, “The decision was made by Correctional Service Canada after evaluation to transfer him to another institution”.

As Stephen Harper's former minister of public safety said, “I do not control the security classification of individual prisoners”.

Public Safety

[Matthew Dubé, NDP, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we know that CSIS spied on environmental groups just because they spoke out against petroleum industry tactics. Organizations that advocate for better environmental protection and push the government to fight climate change are now considered a threat to national security. It was happening under the Conservatives, and it is still happening under the Liberals.

How can the government justify spying on Canadian citizens, and how is wanting to save the environment a threat to national security?