Debates of Feb. 18th, 2021

Opposition Motion—Religious Minorities in China

[Tako Van Popta, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my question is dealing with trade with China. China is an important trading partner of Canada, and it has been suggested by some that this action by Canada's Parliament might have a negative impact on our trade with China.

What are his comments about that?

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, again, there was a bit of a technical difficulty with the connection.

China depends a lot on Canada for its economic prosperity and on Canadians buying Chinese goods. We need to use our purchasing power and our trade as a means to perhaps work with our international colleagues to ensure that China does not get away with these human rights abuses.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, would the member like to add anything about the shameful way that despotic regimes use the Olympics as propaganda to the rest of the world?

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my big concern in general is that if the Olympics are held in China and China is not held accountable for its human rights atrocities, it is going to have the opportunity to showcase a China that does not actually reflect the realities of the citizens of China and their abuse at the hands of their government.

Canada stands up for human rights. Those values are universal, and we need to ensure that we use our position internationally to work with our like-minded colleagues to ensure that the values we espouse as a country are reflected in our interactions around the world.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there is a genocide happening in the world. It is happening, it is undeniable, the evidence is there, and this House of Commons is calling it out.

There are one million people in detention camps in China. Women are being sterilized. There is forced abortion and slave labour. People are being ripped away from their families, tortured and murdered simply because of their religion.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump do not agree on much, but when they do, I think we owe it to take a look. The U.S. administration, meaning the previous Trump administration and the current Biden administration, key world leaders, have agreed and said that there is genocide happening in China, full stop.

I will start my speech today by using my political science degree, which I got a few years back, and look back in history at Brian Mulroney, former prime minister, and his leadership on apartheid in South Africa.

Back at that time, there were a lot of people who said, “Who cares? Why are we involved in a situation 15,000 kilometres away in a country where we do not have much connection?” However, Brian Mulroney stood up—contrary to other world leaders, who stood quiet—and a snowball effect started to build support and effect real, tangible change in South Africa. A lot of people today credit Brian Mulroney and Canada for getting Nelson Mandela out of prison and ending apartheid in that country. The then prime minister stood up to people who said that they were not sure, they did not care, it did not matter, they needed more research. Maybe at times people thought it was not worth the effort. Today we look back at that stance and see that it formed part of our Canadian identity.

There are a few of those moments in our history. I think of Vimy Ridge and the contributions of our brave men and women in the First World War and the Second World War. They stand as defining moments of who we are as Canadians. Our leadership stance in South Africa was tough and often ran against the current, but it effected real change, saved lives and formed our Canadian identity. We do not look back today to wonder whether it was worthwhile, if it was important or not, or if it was happening or not. It helped define us here at home and around the world.

However, for as proud as we are of the circumstance and situation in South Africa, we have to be mindful of what we did not do when it came to Rwanda. The House and our country know very well of the difficult story of Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire, a former senator and a well-known name across the country. Canada took a different approach in the mid-1990s when it came to the Rwandan genocide. We still talk about that today, but not in proud terms. We committed back then, and several times since, to say that never again will we allow that to happen. A lot of speeches, commitments and talk have been made by elected officials, Canadians, military leaders and other people around the world.

I believe that right now, we of this generation are confronted with our South Africa and our Rwanda in the Uighur situation happening in China.

Some of my constituents in Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, or perhaps somebody watching in rural Saskatchewan, a lobster fisherman off the coast of Nova Scotia, somebody in an office tower in Vancouver or a middle-class family in Mississauga might ask, “What does it matter?” To them I would say that it does matter, because it is testing our identity. It is testing our value set to do what we have done before: stand up and take a stand. It is not always easy to confront and it is not always easy to solve, but we know it is there.

The Communist Party in China is not playing by the rules, and it affects us all. The Uighur situation, the genocide happening there, is a clear and prevalent example, but it is not the only one.

We need look no further than what we see in dealing with COVID-19, the challenges with the World Health Organization, with CanSino and the issues that happened with vaccines, the horrible and unfair treatment of our two Michaels, the spying and the infiltration of our institutions. The list goes on, and it says that the Government of China—not the people of China, but the government, the Communist Party of China—is not doing right in this world.

I commend the Bloc Québécois and support the amendment that was made today to the motion. We talked earlier this week about China not deserving the right to host the 2022 Olympics, plain and simple, and there is still time to change that.

More than anything, why this should matter to every Canadian is that when people are being raped and slaughtered simply because of their religion, their skin colour or because of who they are, we have a moral obligation here at home. I do not want to stand in the House of Commons years from now feeling sorry that another 800,000 people were murdered as we stood by and were indecisive about whether it was happening, whether we should have acted or what we could have done. We have done that before and we have the scars. I do not want that to happen again. I do not want to hear speeches in which members say they wish they had acted differently back then.

We are at a fork in the road in our country. Are we going to go down the path that we followed before? Are we going to confront this as we confronted the Nazis in the Second World War and the evil that was taking place in South Africa and make a difference, or are we going to go down the road we took with Rwanda and live with regret?

Today I am thinking of the million people detained in camps that the Chinese call “re-education centres”. The research, studies and information out there are crystal clear. Reports and first-hand accounts have been devastating. I remember watching the news several months ago and seeing a man pick up someone coming out of one of these detention centres who was trembling and barely able to walk. Frankly, the image will never leave my mind. I would describe him as barely alive. It was horrific. We owe it to them to stand up for the people who cannot stand up for themselves.

I want to close my comments today with a personal story about Tursunay Ziawudun, as told in an article by the BBC in the U.K. She tells her story as an example of what happens. She stated that some of the women in the detention camp who were taken away from the cells at night were never returned, and that those who were brought back were threatened against telling others in the cell what had happened to them. “You can't tell anyone what happened, you can only lie down quietly”, she said. Women were forcibly sterilized, including a woman who was just about 20 years old. “We begged them on her behalf”, she said.”

Tursunay was released in December of 2018 and fled to the U.S. A week after she arrived in the United States, she had surgery to remove her womb, a consequence of being stamped on. She said, “I have lost the chance to become a mother.”

That is one story of many that we know are happening today. We know a genocide is being committed. We owe it to pass this motion, but more importantly, we owe it for this country to act again in the best humanitarian interests of the world.

I think of those people there, wondering if humanity will step in for them. I for one, the Conservative Party, other parties we have heard from today and numerous bipartisan colleagues have said we are ready. We are at a decision point. I agree that we have a lot of things going on in this country, but standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves needs to be one of them. The question is, will we stand up for the Uighur and Turkic Muslim people when they need us? I for one say yes, and I believe this House will say yes too.

Criminal Code

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to provide input on a decision that was asked of the Speaker earlier today. I will make my intervention short, and I thank the Speaker for the indulgence.

I rise today to provide input on a matter that was raised by the member for Kingston and the Islands this morning and further discussed by the official opposition House leader. I would like to discuss the significant and meaningful difference between Bill C-218 and Bill C-13.

First, the member for Kingston and the Islands, when he spoke in the House on Wednesday, February 17, stated:

We also proposed to engage the provinces, territories, indigenous communities and organizations that have expressed an interest in discussing how gambling is regulated. We believe Bill C-13 is substantively different from Bill C-218, as it includes a horse racing provision and achieves its objectives through different means.

I agree with this statement. The government member is correct and is stating the facts. The bills are substantially different. This was found in an analysis conducted by the subject matter experts at the Library of Parliament in a section of a research report comparing Bill C-13 and Bill C-218.

The report looks at how Bill C-218 would repeal paragraph 207(4)(b) of the Criminal Code in its entirety. The consequence would appear to be that betting on a single sport event or athlete contest would then be permitted, since those activities would no longer be excluded from the definition of “lottery scheme”, but so would be betting on other types of activities referred to in that paragraph, notably all types of races.

By way of contrast, Bill C-13 would amend paragraph 207(4)(b), rather than repealing it, so that the following activities would continue not to be permitted lottery schemes: “bookmaking, pool selling or the making or recording of bets, including bets made through the agency of a pool or pari-mutuel system, on any horse-race”.

In other words, Bill C-13 would continue to exclude betting on horse racing as a type of lottery scheme the provinces could engage in. The governmental materials issued on Bill C-13 confirm the explanation that the regulation of single event sports betting would be up to the discretion of each province and territory, with the exception of horse racing, which would remain regulated and supervised by the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency.

As the experts have pointed out, there are very significant differences in both bills.

Next I would like to discuss the process. The place to decide which of these significantly different bills merits further progress is in a relevant committee, which would examine both bills in detail, hear from stakeholders and make considered determinations. The committee would then vote on these bills and resolve which one should proceed to third reading.

I trust the legislative process of the House. The procedures, evaluations and safeguards are built-in. We should trust it and allow members to carry out their duties as legislators, which will result in the most robust and thorough bill.

It is unfortunate, Mr. Speaker, you have been put in this situation. This mismanagement of Bill C-13 has caused delays. It has been debated constantly, and taken on and off the calendar, which has created confusion and concern, and has led to these unnecessary circumstances.

Business workers and communities have been waiting long enough to have this substantial issue addressed. I have had the privilege of being a member of this chamber since 2002. During all these years, I have witnessed that the tradition of the House, when it is uncertain, is for the Speaker to allow the debate and the process to continue. I hope we can uphold this time-honoured practice.

I appreciate the indulgence of the House today in allowing me to speak to this issue. I did not want to want to intervene in the momentum of the debate today, but I had to given what the government has done.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

There are several members rising for additional points of order on this matter. Members know this is currently an open item. I am watchful of the time as well.

I see we have at least three members who wish to weigh in on this. We are also waiting for five minutes of questions and comments for the hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry.

We will first hear from the chief opposition whip, and then from others, but I ask members to please keep their comments concise.

[Blake Richards, Conservative, Banff—Airdrie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order, and I will be quite brief. I wanted to inform you that the member for Saskatoon—Grasswood would like to add to this point as well. He intends to do that tomorrow, so I ask that he be allowed to have his opportunity to comment on this prior to any ruling on it.

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on an actual point of order, there is nothing you are currently considering with relation to the intervention made today. I rose yesterday on a point of order to move a unanimous consent motion, which was not adopted. There is nothing outstanding for you to rule on that.

What I raised today was for the Speaker to address the concern in the way bills will be handled. The member is actually contributing now to a point of order that has been dispensed with, so I would encourage you to consider that when entertaining further commentary on this point of order, which really does not exist.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

I thank the hon. member for Kingston and the Islands for his additional thoughts on the matter.

We have a quick intervention by the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I will be brief.

Yesterday, when this matter came forward for unanimous consent, I did confer with the government House leader's office and the hon. member for Saskatoon—Grasswood. I was concerned that I should say no to the measure for unanimous consent. It was only after I was reassured by the hon. member for Saskatoon—Grasswood that I held my tongue.

I was originally convinced to support this bill by the hon. member for Windsor West, who explained to me the issue of sport betting and why this law was important. I am persuaded by him once again.

I would like to put forward my view about the recommended course. I take the point of the hon. member for Kingston and the Islands that this is perhaps not an open question. However, with the time available, and having regretted going along with unanimous consent, I now wish to be on the record supporting the idea that the right way to handle this is at committee.

I thank the hon. member for Windsor West for once again educating me.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

I thank the members for their additional thoughts on the matter. This does trace back to the hon. opposition House leader's comments and points of order earlier in the day. As well, I appreciate the members who reflected on earlier comments along the same lines relating to this subject.

We will now go to questions and comments. The hon. member for Trois-Rivières.

It seems the Minister of National Revenue wishes to speak. I will therefore ask the member for Trois-Rivières to wait a moment so we can figure out exactly what is happening.

It seems the interpretation is not available. Could the minister explain again the problem she is currently experiencing?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I was saying that we are hearing both the English and the French at the same time.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

I am just going to test that again. We are getting the interpretation in French now.

We have time for just one question to the hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. He will, of course, have the remaining time when we get back to debate on the question.

The hon. member for Trois-Rivières.

The House resumed consideration of the motion and of the amendment.

Opposition Motion—Religious Minorities in China

[Louise Charbonneau, Bloc, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, the Bloc Québécois will support this motion because we believe that China's measures against the Uighurs are very serious.

I would like my colleague to tell me about the relationship between this government and generous political donors. I would like to know if he thinks the donations from supporters of the Chinese Communist Party might explain the government's dithering over the decision to get involved in countering the Uighur genocide.

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this is not easy for any country to tackle. China is a growing force in the world. It is a world player, and this is economically, socially and culturally complicated. We are facing a lot of different issues.

No matter how complicated it is, this is about basic human rights and human dignity. This is about a genocide that is happening, which we must stop. Regardless of financing, regardless of how complicated it is and regardless of how big any country is, no country should get away with what is happening right now. We must always stand up for human rights.

I am proud to be a parliamentarian from a party, and, I think, a House of Commons, that will call it what it is.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to my hon. colleague. What I find really, really concerning right now is the actions of China holding Canadian citizens hostage, which is well beyond the rule of law.

The attack against democracy in Hong Kong, to me, is a line-in-the-sand moment that is very, very concerning, in addition to what is happening with the genocide of the Uighurs. We also have another issue with the Olympics coming up.

How can we work internationally with our allies to actually put limits on this ongoing abuse of human rights and democracy by the regime in China?

[Eric Duncan, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we need to work together internationally to combat this. As I mentioned, China is a powerful force. It has a lot of connections worldwide, but as I also mentioned, we have the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. There are a growing number of countries that share the same concerns. Domestically, those countries are facing the same challenges with China that we are. The member mentioned the situation in Hong Kong. That is yet another growing challenge.

My argument to Canadians is that if we do not stand up against this, against genocide, with the whole list we spoke about, what do we stand for? At some point, we have to stand up, work together with our international colleagues on sanctions, whatever they may be, and send the message that we are not going to tolerate this from China or any other country in the world. It is about leadership and values, and these are being tested right now.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry will have one minute remaining, enough time for one question and response, when the House next gets back to debate on the question.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order.

Before we begin statements by members, I would like to remind members to choose their words carefully in our proceedings at all times. Equally important are the tone and context in which the words are used, since a disruptive intervention can quickly be deemed inconsistent with our long tradition of respecting the integrity of all members of Parliament.

I thank members for their collaboration.

Airline Industry

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Saint John—Rothesay, NB]

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday I met virtually with over a dozen Air Canada employees and Unifor union leaders in my riding to discuss the impact the pandemic has had on them. On Friday I was informed by Air Canada that nearly 100 additional employees in my riding were being laid off. As a result, the number of people employed by Air Canada in our community has been cut nearly in half since the onset of the pandemic. The airline sector is a critical part of our local economy, and it is in a state of crisis due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That is why I am advocating for a federal support package that would ensure the long-term viability of the industry and the jobs it supports post-pandemic. Such a package must also ensure that Canadians whose flights were cancelled due to the pandemic receive refunds, and it must be implemented as soon as possible. I am working hard to ensure our government has the backs of both our airline workers and those who need refunds.

Black History Month

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to celebrate Black History Month and give honour and recognition to the contributions of Black Canadians, I wanted to give a special tribute to a hockey legend: New Brunswick's very own Mr. Willie O'Ree.

Originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Willie O'Ree has had a tremendous impact on the world of hockey. On January 18, 1958, he was called up to replace an injured Bruin to play against the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first player to break the Black colour barrier in hockey. After his playing career was over, Willie became a champion for diversity, serving as the NHL's diversity ambassador from 1998 to this day. In 2018 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. It was recently announced that on January 18 of next year, he would be honoured yet again by having his number, 22, retired by the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on the 64th anniversary of his historic entry into the NHL.

I congratulate Mr. O'Ree on this tremendous honour. I thank him for his contribution to Canada's beloved game, and his continued advocacy and promotion of diversity and respect for others.

Community Art Initiative

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the tradition of quilting is certainly well known here in Kitchener—Conestoga, and it has now been taken to a new level with a community art initiative created by a local University of Waterloo architecture student, Brenda Reid. She is creating From Behind the Mask, a project to help bring people together in spirit. Brenda is inviting people to share their pandemic stories on pieces of fabric. The pieces will then be tied together, showing our physical distance, while representing our social ties. From students to seniors, our community is getting involved, including support from community members, local businesses, public libraries, the Homer Watson House & Gallery, and financial support from the Region of Waterloo arts fund.

The finished quilt project will be assembled and displayed this summer, and images will be uploaded to create a digital quilt. It is art that is keeping us together while apart. I thank Brenda and everyone for adding their stories to help create a tribute to spirit and resilience in the Waterloo region and throughout Canada

Regional Environmental Organization

[Denis Trudel, Bloc, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight the 25th anniversary of Ciel et Terre, an organization founded by residents of my riding involved in environmental causes.

In 1995, the founders of the Centre de l'information sur l'environnement de Longueuil, now known as Ciel et Terre, were true pioneers because the cause had far fewer supporters then than it does now. Nevertheless, the volunteers rolled up their sleeves and organized recycling awareness workshops in Longueuil schools.

Since 2009, the organization has recruited dozens of volunteers to participate in major clean-ups of the St. Lawrence shoreline in Longueuil, which is a great idea. Ciel et Terre also participates in public debates. The organization writes reports on environmental issues, submits briefs to government authorities and holds consultations. By contributing their expertise, members of Ciel et Terre help improve policies and make them more environmentally friendly.

As the member for Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, I would like to thank everyone involved with Ciel et Terre now and in the past, as well as everyone who is committed to protecting the environment.