House of Commons Hansard #34 of the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
Today we grieve with the people of Portapique in Nova Scotia and with the families of those who lost their lives so tragically through an act of senseless violence.
These are difficult times for us all, but, today, our thoughts go out to the families who have suffered the cruelest of losses. May they find comfort in the sadness shared by all Canadians.
I ask all members to rise for a moment of silence.
[A moment of silence observed]
Justin Trudeau LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I rise on this day in this chamber as all of us and all Canadians are heartbroken. We are heartbroken for the 18 people confirmed killed in a senseless act of violence in Nova Scotia, heartbroken because the people whose lives were taken away will never be with us again.
Among them was Constable Heidi Stevenson, who died in the line of duty. She was kind and she was gifted. She was great police and she was a great mom. She embodied the values that built this country, values like integrity, honesty, compassion. For her community, she paid the ultimate price, and her service will never be forgotten.
Like Constable Stevenson, many of the victims were also serving their community in the best way they knew how: a teacher, a nurse, a child's grandparent, a parent's child. Who has the words to ease our sorrow? There are no words for the pain their families and loved ones feel today. I want them to know that all Canadians are with them, that this senseless, evil act will not define Nova Scotia, that today all Canadians are Nova Scotians. We share their grief. We are mourning their loss and we will be there for them in the difficult days, weeks and months ahead.
We have 11 colleagues in this House who represent the people of Nova Scotia. They are where they need to be today, with their communities across the province, grieving and supporting them. We stand with them today and every day.
It is hard for people to believe that such a tragedy could have happened in communities such as Portapique, Truro or Enfield, in places where people know and trust each other, the kind of place where people do not lock their doors. As Senator Kutcher said this morning, in Nova Scotia, there are not six degrees of separation between people; there are two. Everyone knows each other. Everyone is in shock. As shock gives way to grief, many will be as angry as the families and friends who are mourning the loss of their loved ones, angry that they will not be able to gather together to celebrate the lives of those taken from us.
This has been a heartbreaking year for Canadians. From January onwards, it felt as if every time we turned on the news, we would see reports of violence that could not be stopped, of lives that could not be saved. This horrific tragedy happened at a time when Canadians from coast to coast to coast are making sacrifices to keep each other safe, at a time when they are making the right choices every single day to prevent more heartbreak and more tragedy, so when we awoke yesterday to horrific reports coming out of Nova Scotia, many of us probably asked ourselves, “Just how much more can we take?”
In our darkest hour, what drives us forward is our shared pursuit of a better future. Our country’s very recent history is not without its obstacles or sadness. Three years ago, we mourned the loss of six innocent people who were murdered while they were praying in Sainte-Foy. We did not let that act of hatred prevent us from seeking a better future.
Two years ago, we mourned a young woman, a little girl and the many injured on Toronto's Danforth Avenue while they were simply enjoying a summer evening in the neighbourhood. We did not let that stop us from a common pursuit of a better tomorrow. Over this past year, we have seen far too many communities shattered, far too many families torn apart by violence and by acts of hate. We will not let that stop us from our common pursuit of a better tomorrow.
In our darkest hours, we have always answered hate with hope. We have chosen unity over division, because no one man's actions, no matter how cruel, how destructive or how evil, can build a wall of despair between us and that better tomorrow.
Today is a heartbreaking day for all Canadians, but while we are united in our grief, we must also be united in our resolve to uphold our values, to live by the example of those who left us too soon, to let hope, love and compassion guide us during the difficult days, weeks and months ahead, because our better tomorrow will come. It might not be this week or even this month, but it will come.
Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of all those who have lost their lives in the senseless attack over the weekend in Nova Scotia.
My thoughts and prayers and those of the entire official opposition are with their families and loved ones.
These are just a few of the Canadians killed during this most atrocious shooting in Canadian history: Constable Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran of the RCMP, a mother of two and a loving wife, killed in the line of duty; Aaron Tuck, Jolene Oliver and Emily Tuck, a family of three; Heather O'Brien, a licensed practical nurse; Kristen Beaton, a continuing care assistant; Lisa McCully, a teacher at Debert elementary school; Sean McLeod, a corrections officer at Springhill Institution; Alanna Jenkins, a corrections officer at the Nova Institution for Women; Tom Bagley, a neighbour who reportedly died trying to help.
My thoughts, my heart and my prayers are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this unspeakable attack.
I would also like to wish a speedy recovery to Constable Chad Morrison, who was injured.
What has unfolded is incomprehensible. Nova Scotians, and indeed all Canadians, have not only lost incredible members of their communities, but they have lost a sense of security.
In the face of this immoral and vicious crime, one question we ask ourselves is why. How could this have happened? Why did it happen?
This tragedy is a painful reminder of the risks that all of our first responders take to keep Canadians safe. As they put on their uniforms and brave the unknown, Canadians rest easy knowing that they are protected in their communities.
Every day, our brave law enforcement officers put their lives on the line, and their families bear the burden. I would like to take a moment to thank all of the first responders who are dealing with this difficult situation with professionalism, and my thoughts are with those who have lost colleagues.
I would like to thank them for putting their lives on the line in service for all of us.
All Nova Scotians reeling from this attack should know that our nation stands with them in this moment of darkness. Our hearts are with them, and we will be here to support them in the difficult days, weeks and months ahead. Even though we cannot gather in person during these difficult times, they should know that they are never alone.
It is a wonderful truth that Nova Scotians are great storytellers. I know that this will be not only a story of great loss, but a story of love and strength. Canadians are known for their resilience and for their love of country, family and community.
Let us rely on that community now and in the weeks ahead to celebrate the beautiful lives lost and give each other much-needed strength to carry on. Let us honour the memory of those lost by sharing their stories and remembering their names.
Yves-François Blanchet Bloc Beloeil—Chambly, QC
Mr. Speaker, we are living in times often marked by sadness, but the tragedy unfolding in Nova Scotia is fraught with anger and disbelief.
We experienced this with the Dawson College shooting, the École polytechnique massacre and the Quebec City mosque shooting, all acts associated with a time when there was heightened fear of terrorist activities. We even experienced this right here, on Parliament Hill, and in several places across Canada. One thousand violent acts are committed every day. A more violent person assaults another person and, all too often, commits murder.
We have to move beyond the rhetoric about the exception, the isolated gesture and madness. No matter the reason for murdering another, it is a definitely an act of madness. Each individual, each incident, is one too many. I believe that we must change our relationship with violence. We will definitely come back to that. We have to change our relationship with instruments of violence.
In the meantime, this does not change the tragedy that has befallen the entire population of Nova Scotia and anyone who is compassionate. All I can do is extend our most heartfelt expression of support and encouragement to all those people and to all whose fear is heightened by every tragedy.
Jagmeet Singh NDP Burnaby South, BC
Mr. Speaker, I want to express the sadness we all feel with respect to the senseless violence that took place yesterday in Nova Scotia. Every victim is a tremendous loss for their family and community.
We remember RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson, who lost her life protecting others. Many were also injured, including a member of the RCMP. The families are going through tough times, which are made more difficult because they may not be able to visit their loved ones in hospital because of COVID-19.
In the past several weeks, we have seen the courage of first responders in the face of COVID-19, those who are running to harm's way to keep us safe. Now we have an example of an RCMP constable who did exactly that. She ran toward the fire, ran toward harm, to save the lives of others, and in saving the lives of others, she lost hers.
She was a 23-year veteran of the RCMP, a mother of two young children. When we think about her sacrifice and we think about this senseless violent act and how it has hurt an entire province, I want to send a message on behalf of all of us here and all New Democrats that though Nova Scotians are grieving, they are not grieving alone. An entire nation grieves with them.
While we often look to the south and think of mass shootings as a reality for the States but not something that happens here in Canada, we have to acknowledge that it happens here as well. École Polytechnique was an example of a mass shooting that targeted women, violence against women. Now, we do not know the details, but there is clearly a problem with violence, and we have to do something about it.
I agree with my colleague who raised the point that it is no longer enough to have rhetoric about the senseless violence. We have to do something about violence. We have to get at the root cause. We have to understand where the gaps occurred that allowed this to happen and what we can do to prevent this from ever happening again in our country.
While today we mourn with our brothers and sisters from Nova Scotia, while we mourn as a nation, tomorrow we also have to talk about how we can move forward together to prevent this type of harm from ever happening again. The only way to truly remember and honour the lives that were lost is to commit to changing the future so this never happens again.
Paul Manly Green Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Green Party of Canada, I would like to extend our deepest condolences. Our hearts go out to each and every Nova Scotian and to all those across Canada affected by this horrific tragedy.
Premier Stephen McNeil has said, “We will not be defined by this tragedy, we will be defined by how we deal with it.” Provincial interim Green Party leader Jo-Ann Roberts added that, “As Nova Scotians, as Canadians, we will reach out to each other, we will support the families of those who died. We will make muffins, sing and say prayers, we will provide counselling, we will love, and we will remember.”
Nova Scotia is a province where there are close connections. Everyone will be affected. My colleague from Saanich—Gulf Islands, a former Nova Scotia resident and proud Cape Bretoner, knows a family member of one of the victims. Nova Scotians have had their sense of security and safety shattered, but they are strong and resilient and will support each other through this.
In our mourning, we are united. Our hope for a brighter tomorrow is rooted in knowing that we are greater than this tragedy. Our love and prayers go to the loved ones of the 18 Nova Scotians who have died.
I am impressed with the way Nova Scotians are responding to this tragedy, showing love and support even in this time of COVID-19 physical distancing. As a musician myself, I am feeling the comfort from shared music on the virtual Nova Scotia kitchen party. Citizens are lining the highway, while staying two metres apart, leading to the local RCMP station. A virtual vigil is being planned for Friday, art is being shared and friends and loved ones are calling each other and supporting each other in so many ways.
The names of the deceased so far are Lisa McCully, a teacher; Heather O'Brien, a care aide; Kristen Beaton, a care aide; Sean McLeod and Alanna Jenkins, both corrections officers; Tom Bagley, a volunteer firefighter; Constable Heidi Stevenson of the RCMP; Emily Tuck and her parents, Jolene Oliver and Aaron Tuck; and Greg and Jamie Blair.
This is a poem that was written by Sheree Fitch, who lives in the area of the tragedy:
Because We Love, We Cry
Sometimes there is no sense to things my child
Sometimes there is no answer to the questions why
Sometimes things beyond all understanding
Sometimes, people die.
When it hurts like this my child
When you are scared, suffering, confused
Even if we are not together
Together, let us cry
Remember there is so much love
Because we love, we cry.
Sometimes the sadness takes away your breath
Sometimes the pain seems endless, deep
Sometimes you cannot find the sun
Sometimes you wish you were asleep.
When it hurts like this, my child
When you are scared, suffering, confused
Even if we are not together,
Together, let us cry.
Remember there is still so much love
Because we love, we cry.
Pray that I had answers, child
Pray this wasn't so
There are impossible things, child
I cannot bear for you to know.
When it hurts like this, my child
When you are scared, suffering, confused
Even if we are not together
Together, let us cry
Yes, there is still so SO So much love
Because we love, we cry.
This will be one of the hardest days for so many. I think of the children, but we are all children. I think of how all of us are traumatized and shocked. I think of West Grey and Fredericton. Let us go gentle into this day as we learn more, and learn more names of loved ones and realize who we know, but we are each other.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Salaberry—Suroît, QC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (illness, injury or quarantine).
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to table the bill to amend the Employment Insurance Act with regard to illness, injury or quarantine.
On February 19, the House of Commons unanimously voted in favour of a motion calling on the government to increase the special employment insurance sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 50 weeks in order to support people with serious illnesses, such as cancer.
In light of the current crisis, I fervently hope that the government will support the amendment proposed by the Bloc Québécois and the member for Salaberry—Suroît to help sick workers suffering from serious illnesses.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Steven MacKinnon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
The House resumed consideration of the motion and of the amendment.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I understand we have had some changes. I wish to inform the House that, because of the ministerial statements, Government Orders will be extended by another 22 minutes.
The question is on the amendment. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the amendment?
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
In my opinion the yeas have it.
And five or more members having risen:
Call in the members.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?