Debates of Nov. 29th, 2022

Motions in amendment

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. parliamentary secretary for ensuring that this question is asked today, because it is an important one. It touches on the very basis of where our society goes and the purpose of public education in that journey.

We are in an age, not only of reconciliation, but of action and consequence. If we did not act in every facet of society, including our public schools, a whole new generation of Canadians would have been failed. They would have not understood more deeply the importance of residential schools and the impact they have on children. They would not have information regarding the sixties scoop. They would not have information with respect to the CFS system. It is important we continue to do work to ensure our public schools from coast to coast to coast are equipped with the tools to discuss this important history.

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora, ON]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Edmonton Griesbach for his comments. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with him on a number of files over the last year.

I want to go back to the amendment that has been proposed by the Liberals. In 2018 the government signed an accord recognizing the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples as one of the five national indigenous organizations, which is why at committee the Conservatives brought forward a motion to add a seat at the table for this organization. That passed with the support of the NDP and the Bloc Québécois members.

Given that the Liberals are now bringing forward an amendment to remove that seat, I wonder if the member for Edmonton Griesbach can clarify if the NDP members will vote, as they did at committee, in favour of reserving a seat on this board for the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Madam Speaker, I want to mention something very critical to the understanding of this place, Canada, and the government in relation to the conversation of representatives who represent indigenous people. When we say “national organizations”, what are the nations we are talking about, and who belongs to those nations? It is critical that we flip that question upside down and understand that indigenous people are truly grassroots people and that Canada must meet them where they are, not the other way around.

Therefore, to appease the member, I understand where the Conservatives are coming from. The composition of this board is seemingly and perceptively looking as though it is lacking independence, because the government is appointing members, and the Conservatives are trying to appoint members right now. The New Democrats are saying that the composition does not matter. The composition needs to be one that truly understands that indigenous people have to be met where they are, on the ground.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, I think it is worth noting, when we talk about the calls to action, that today's bill, Bill C-29, with its amendments, is a significant achievement in recognizing that there are in fact four calls that are addressed. Timing and politics aside, I think it is important for us to recognize the significance of this legislation. Would the member not agree?

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Madam Speaker, it is important that we thank the survivors, the important members of indigenous governments and the grassroots leaders, but in some ways it is also important to give a shout-out to the children who are enduring this pain every single day and relying on parliamentarians in the House to provide the kind of justice that not only indigenous children but all children deserve in this country. When we talk about not being political with respect to these issues, it is important that we also understand that there is far more to do to ensure that these children get the justice and the kind of compensation they deserve for this treatment.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The question is on Motion No. 1. If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be carried or carried on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

The hon. member for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River.

[Gary Vidal, Conservative, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK]

Madam Speaker, we request a recorded division.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The recorded division on the motion stands deferred.

The next question is on Motion No. 2.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes that the motion be carried on division or wishes to request a recorded division, I invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

Madam Speaker, I would like to request a recorded division.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The recorded division on the motion stands deferred.

The next question is on Motion No. 3.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes that the motion be carried on division or wishes to request a recorded division, I invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Madam Speaker, we would like to request a recorded division.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The recorded division on the motion stands deferred.

Normally at this time the House would proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded divisions at the report stage of the bill.

However, pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, the recorded divisions stand deferred until later this day at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Speaker, on a point of order, I suspect you would find consent to suspend until 2 p.m. when we could commence S.O. 31s.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Sitting Suspended

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The House will now suspend until 2 p.m.

(The sitting of the House was suspended at 1:55 p.m.)

(The House resumed at 2 p.m.)

Cannabis

[Kevin Vuong, Independent, Spadina—Fort York, ON]

Madam Speaker, I am rising today to commend the Toronto Police Service, specifically Sergeant Jeff Zammit and the major crimes unit at 14 Division. Yesterday, they raided an illegal cannabis store operating right across the street from two elementary schools and a community centre in Spadina—Fort York.

There were six adults arrested for selling illegal cannabis and magic mushrooms. They were charged with possession of a schedule III substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession for the purpose of selling and possession of proceeds of crime. Right across the street from two elementary schools, there was an illegal store that set up shop with dried cannabis, pre-rolled joints, oils, hash, 48 kilos of edibles and, believe it or not, psilocybin in chocolate bars.

The raid sent a message to illegal cannabis stores sprouting up throughout Toronto. They will be found. They will be closed down, and they will be arrested.

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

[Chandra Arya, Liberal, Nepean, ON]

Madam Speaker, today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. It is an occasion to remember, reflect and renew our commitment to the just cause of the Palestinian people.

On this day in 1947, the United Nations adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine, which has yet to be implemented. Millions of Palestinians have been deprived of their fundamental human rights. Millions are refugees, and a third of registered Palestinian refugees live in camps and need humanitarian assistance.

I call on Canada to stand up to its reputation as a defender of human rights and immediately take steps to implement its policies. I also call on Canada to join 138 other countries in recognizing the sovereign state of Palestine.

Leon Fontaine

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, last week, many Canadians were saddened by the unexpected passing of Leon Fontaine, pastor of Springs Church, which has campuses in Winnipeg and Calgary. He was also CEO of the Miracle Channel, Springs Christian Academy and Springs College.

Leon's motto of “love, acceptance and forgiveness” is what grew Springs Church to be among the largest churches in Canada. His faith inspired the good he did in his community and around the globe.

Leon's passion was for folks to join God's family, accept Jesus as their saviour and live a miraculous, spirit-led life. He had a heart for Winnipeg, a heart for Calgary and a heart for Canada. Every service, Leon would open by praying for our leaders, in business, as well as medical and political. He would pray that God would raise up great leaders who have a heart for people and a heart to serve people.

If Leon could have addressed Parliament today, this is what his message would have been: When it comes to matters of faith, we do not all have to agree, but we need the freedom to agree. We need leaders who would keep Canada the greatest and freest country in the world.

We join Sally, their five children and their families to celebrate a life well lived. Until we meet again.

Canadian Women and Girls in Sport

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Halifax West, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of the most decorated Canadian gymnast, 2019 Pan Am games gymnast and three-time Olympian, Ms. Ellie Black, a Haligonian, who has put Canadian athletics on the map and inspired future female athletes.

At her seventh world championship in Liverpool, Ellie anchored her team of rookies to a historic bronze medal and earned herself a silver medal on the balance beam. Despite her numerous international accolades as a two-time Pan Am Games champion, Commonwealth Games champion and a World Championship silver medallist, she distinguishes herself by placing team results first, earning landmark successes for team Canada.

Over 90% of girls decreased or stopped playing sports during the pandemic, and one in four are not committed to returning to their sport. Ellie reminds us that we must celebrate the successes of our female athletes and encourage them as we do men and boys. Let us all work to make sport safer for girls, and ensure they feel proud and supported in pursuing their athletic endeavours.

I send my congratulations to Ellie. She makes us proud.

Aveos Workers

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the determination of thousands of Aveos workers who have been fighting against Air Canada for 10 years to obtain justice. They had to take on a company that decided to run roughshod over their rights and break the law by illegally laying them off. They had to take on a federal government that was a party to this injustice.

The Bloc Québécois is very glad to hear that the Superior Court of Quebec has ruled in favour of the workers and ordered Air Canada to compensate them for years of financial stress and anxiety. I would especially like to recognize Jean Poirier, a former Aveos worker who, along with others, championed this cause and waged this long battle with purpose and conviction.

In solidarity with the workers and their families, who are still dealing with the repercussions of this saga today, we urge Air Canada to refrain from appealing this ruling and to finally bring them justice.

Canada-Italy Business Forum on AI

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada held the fourth edition of the Canada-Italy Business Forum on AI. This year's theme was cybersecurity. The forum brought together leading experts in the field to discuss both challenges and solutions.

Protecting and safeguarding critical infrastructure, such as energy, transportation, aerospace, defence, manufacturing, finance and health care is the central challenge we face in the 21st century, and cybersecurity is the key to meeting that challenge.

Forums like this one are an excellent way to discuss innovative solutions and accelerate our capacity to respond to this emerging threat, which is fuelled by new geopolitical realities and a strong acceleration of technological trajectories.

I applaud this collaboration among governments, researchers, scientists and private enterprise to address this threat.