House of Commons Hansard #107 of the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was therapy.

Topics

Small BusinessAdjournment Proceedings

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC

Mr. Speaker, I absolutely hear my colleague. I hear our entrepreneurs. This is a priority for me and our government, and I will continue to work with both the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion and the Minister of Finance to ensure that we find a solution to this issue as quickly as possible.

No, we will not wait for further waves. I hope there will not be any further waves. I hope that we are at the beginning of the end of the pandemic. Our entrepreneurs are excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

JusticeAdjournment Proceedings

6:50 p.m.

Conservative

Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak this afternoon in response to my March 26 intervention in question period.

The rights of victims to be fully heard and involved throughout the course of their proceedings in the criminal justice system were a priority for the previous Conservative government. The Conservatives have always placed a high importance on victims when it comes to defending their rights. That is why the previous Conservative government worked to implement the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, or CVBR, in 2015. The bill ensures that victims are informed about the status of the release process for offenders and are able to express their views on decisions related to parole. It also promises protections for victims from intimidation or retaliation for such participation.

However, like all legislation, the desired effect may not have aligned with its real-world application. This is the nature of comprehensive and practical legislation. It requires regular review and amendment to ensure that it achieves its desired effect.

In the case of the CVBR, victims themselves have been clear that its shortcomings warrant an overdue parliamentary review. Victims, the federal ombudsman and other stakeholders have already begun our work by highlighting consistent inefficiencies in the CVBR. These include the sporadic and inconsistent implementation of the act, limited training opportunities for criminal justice officials and no public education effort to inform citizens of their rights.

Victims, their families and their advocates are ready and willing to assist Parliament with the required five-year review of the bill, but regrettably it has not yet taken place. Victims cannot wait any longer. Thirty years ago, Lisa Freeman was victimized through the first-degree murder of her father, Roland Slingerland. For years she has been advocating for her voice to be heard in parole decisions concerning her father’s killer. Despite the implementation of the CVBR in 2015, Lisa still feels as if the rights of the man who has brought such pain upon her family are placed above her own. We can all agree that 30 years is far too long for victims to wait to feel as if the criminal justice system has truly taken their interests to heart.

To Lisa, key shortcomings of the CVBR include its proper enforcement and the fact that legislation protecting offenders’ rights often supersedes aspects of the bill. She feels that the onus is on her and other victims to constantly advocate for themselves throughout the justice process. Her concerns have been amplified by the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime's January 2021 report, which states:

The burden of asking for information and to be kept informed of developments in their case is placed upon traumatized victims and survivors at every stage along their criminal justice journey. Many victims simply do not know what to ask for or they assume officials will provide them with the entitlements in the law.

In effect, by not identifying which officials are obligated to provide information, the obligation [to inform victims] falls to no one.

In the high-profile case of Tori Stafford, who was abducted, raped and murdered by Michael Rafferty and Terri-Lynne McClintic, Tori's father Rodney has also been revictimized by faults in the criminal justice system that the CVBR has so far failed to address. In his words, “There’s a plan for the offender, but there’s no plan for the victim.... Victims don't have a lot of rights and things need to change.” This is unacceptable.

Victims have been asked to sacrifice enough, and through no fault of their own. They should not have to find out about trials after they have occurred or discover their right to submit a victim impact statement after the deadline has passed. They should not be left unaware of the right to information about their federally incarcerated offender or be traumatized by unexpected contact when their offender is released into the community without their knowledge.

More than two months have passed since I asked the minister when the required parliamentary review would take place. On behalf of victims, survivors and their families, I ask this again: On what date will the Minister of Justice initiate the required review of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights?

JusticeAdjournment Proceedings

6:50 p.m.

Pickering—Uxbridge Ontario

Liberal

Jennifer O'Connell LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the topic of victims' rights, an area of great importance to our government and our commitment to a justice system that keeps communities safe, treats victims with compassion and protects the vulnerable and holds offenders to account.

The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights came into force in 2015 and provided rights for victims of crime in four areas at the federal level, including the right to information, participation, protection and to seek restitution. Implementing the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights has taken many forms and involves all levels of government and agencies that have responsibilities in the criminal justice system.

Over the past six years since the act has come into force, federal, provincial and territorial governments have been moving forward to strengthen its implementation, much of it with federal funding and support through the federal victims strategy.

For example, through the victims fund we have made more than $28 million available to provincial and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations. Some of these initiatives have focused on training and awareness rising about victims rights. Others have increased access for victims of crime to information and services. In addition, programs have been established to help victims and witnesses participate meaningfully in the criminal justice system and have their voices heard.

Last fall, the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime released a special report on progress made to implement the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. That report concluded that there was more work to do to implement victims' rights, and we are committed to carrying on and strengthening our efforts.

A key recommendation in the federal ombudsman's report is that a parliamentary review be undertaken on the implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. This would be an important opportunity to look at the implementation of the act, take note of its strengths as well as areas where more attention is needed, and reinforce the victims' rights.

The criminal justice system should reflect the needs of those who come before it. That includes ensuring that victims are treated with dignity, compassion and respect. We will be closely following decisions taken by Parliament on the upcoming parliamentary review of the Victims Bill of Rights, and we look forward to that review beginning when initiated by Parliament.

JusticeAdjournment Proceedings

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

Cathay Wagantall Conservative Yorkton—Melville, SK

Mr. Speaker, this parliamentary review is well over a year overdue now. It is difficult to overstate the urgency of the task before us as parliamentarians. Every year, 2.2 million Canadians are victimized by crime. The severity of the crime differs from case to case, but victims’ rights can and should be universal. A review of the CVBR is a vital undertaking that will have universal and positive impacts.

I am confused as to why the Liberals, in my previous asking of this question, used the COVID-19 pandemic as cover for their failure to review the Victims Bill of Rights. Meanwhile, the pandemic has not stopped the government from poring every effort into expanding assisted death to those who live with a disability; in fact, it rushed ahead before MAID’s own five-year statutory review.

The Liberals have not given pause or second thought to targeting law-abiding firearms owners as their first step, while ignoring the real problem of gang crimes and illegal guns.

Canadians are victimized by crime every day. Why is the protection of their rights once again taking a back seat to the Prime Minister’s partisan agenda?

Why has the minister not struck the parliamentary committee yet? What date will it be struck?

JusticeAdjournment Proceedings

6:55 p.m.

Liberal

Jennifer O'Connell Liberal Pickering—Uxbridge, ON

Mr. Speaker, once again, our government has committed to keeping communities safe, respecting victims, protecting the vulnerable and holding offenders to account. This includes continued efforts on our part to support implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. This will also include the ongoing implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights at the federal, provincial and territorial levels. The eventual review of the act by Parliament will be the appropriate venue to study and determine further improvements.

We will continue to take the steps toward creating a criminal justice system that treats victims and survivors of crime with courtesy, compassion and respect.

JusticeAdjournment Proceedings

6:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Deputy Speaker Conservative Bruce Stanton

Pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), the motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been withdrawn, and the House will now resolve itself into committee of the whole for the purpose of considering all votes under Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.

(Consideration in committee of the whole of all votes under Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development in the main estimates, Mr. Bruce Stanton in the chair)

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton

Tonight's debate is a general one on all votes under the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. The first round will begin with the official opposition, followed by the government, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party. After that, we will follow the usual proportional rotation.

Pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 25, within each 15-minute period, each party may allocate time to one or more of its members for speeches or for questions and answers.

In the case of speeches, members of the party to which the period is allocated may speak one after the other, but the time allocated for speeches must not exceed 10 minutes. The Chair requests that each member who speaks indicate how that time will be used.

The order also specifies that when the time is used for questions and answers, the length of the minister's response should approximately reflect the time taken by the question. In addition, the Chair will receive no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent.

Pursuant to an order made on Friday, May 28, the time provided for the debate tonight may extend beyond the usual four hours as needed to assure there will be a minimum of 16 periods of 15-minutes each.

I also wish to indicate that in committee of the whole, comments should be addressed to the Chair. I ask for everyone's co-operation in upholding all the established standards of decorum, parliamentary language and behaviour.

Before we get going, I have one further comment. Since the ministers will be joining the debate this evening online, it may be a bit awkward for the chair occupants to assure, when they interrupt, that they guard the amount of time being used. We do not have the usual connection we have in debate in the House. As chair occupants, we will do our best this evening to try to assure that the time taken by the minister in response to a member's question will be similar and equitable to the time the member took to pose the question. We appreciate the patience of hon. members in ensuring this back and forth goes as smoothly as possible, as we have all been doing in this hybrid Parliament.

We will now begin tonight's session.

The House in committee of the whole, pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), consideration in committee of the whole of all votes under Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.

The hon. member for Wellington—Halton Hills.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, I have a question concerning Line 5. What meetings or phone calls has any minister of the government had with any secretary of the U.S. administration regarding this matter and when did those meetings or phone calls take place?

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount Québec

Liberal

Marc Garneau LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Chair, I have spoken on a couple of occasions with the Secretary of State for the United States about Line 5.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, as the minister knows, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is a binational commission overseen by the governments of Canada and the United States. The commission has become somewhat of a bilateral irritant due to insufficient funding by the Government of Canada.

Is the minister aware of a letter sent by eight U.S. senators to the Canadian government on April 21 of last month voicing their displeasure about insufficient funding by the Government of Canada?

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Mr. Chair, I am aware of that. Because the hon. colleague has spoken to me about this situation, it is something we are looking at. At the moment, it comes under Fisheries and Oceans.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, I have another brief question about this.

The funding shortfall the U.S. senators and Canadian stakeholders have been talking about is some $9 million. When one sees the government not taking care of what is a minor issue in the much larger bilateral relationship, the most important one we have, it raises questions about what other files are being neglected.

Eighteen members of the ministerial party wrote to the minister asking him to address this funding shortfall. His colleague, the member for Malpeque, tabled a finance committee report in the House recommending the government address this shortfall.

Therefore, my question is simple. When will the government address this funding shortfall?

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Mr. Chair, there are many issues on which Canada deals with the United States. It is a very vast relationship. There are always a number of issues that are in the works. We are looking at the situation that has been brought up by my hon. colleague.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, I have some questions on China for the minister, in particular about Canadians held in detention by China.

What was the most recent date government officials communicated with Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor and what was the medium of communication?

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Mr. Chair, as I understand it, consular visits within the last few days occurred in both Dandong and in Beijing, where the access is through video but with consular officials going to the prisons in question.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, I have a question about Canadian, Mr. Hussein Jalil. When was the most recent communication the government had with Mr. Jalil and what was the medium of communication?

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Mr. Chair, Mr. Jalil is obviously detained in China. We have been asking for access to him for a number of months. I will have to check with my officials on the last time we were able to contact him, but it has been quite some time.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, if the minister would also see if officials could identify the whereabouts of Mr. Jalil, I am sure that would give great comfort to his family in Burlington, Ontario.

I have a question about Mr. Robert Schellenberg. When was the most recent communication the government had with Mr. Schellenberg and what was the medium of that communication?

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Mr. Chair, I will have to get back to my colleague on the actual date of the last time we were in touch with Mr. Schellenberg. We, of course, are speaking with Chinese officials about the fact that they decided to invoke death in his case, something with which Canada does not agree.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, is there any information that the minister could shed light on about U.S. efforts to secure the release of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor?

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Mr. Chair, we are working with the United States, but I am not at liberty to provide any details.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, I have a question about the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which is part of China's belt and road initiative and part of its attempt to export its model of governance throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

The government has joined the AIIB and has already contributed $50 million in public money to this initiative, and is asking for an additional $49 million more in the estimates in front of us.

Is the minister aware that Australia recently cancelled two belt and road agreements with China because of the threats that China was presenting to Australia?

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Liberal

Marc Garneau Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Mr. Chair, as part of our commitment to promote sustainable development around the world, Canada is a member of several multilateral development banks, and that includes the AIIB as well as other banks such as the World Bank and the IMF.

As part of our partnership in the AIIB, Canada joins countries such as Australia, France, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea and the U.K. in promoting inclusive economic growth. It is something that we will continue to do.

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

7:05 p.m.

Conservative

Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON

Mr. Chair, former President Obama and former Vice-President Biden implored the government not to join the AIIB back in 2016. Their advice looks prescient in light of China's threats over the last five years to our citizens, our economy and our values.

Will the government contemplate doing as Australia has done in withdrawing from the belt and road initiative, withdrawing Canada's membership from the AIIB and halting all further payments?