Mr. Speaker, those comments have nothing to do with this debate. They are personal attacks that have been taken out of context and are in fact false. I would prefer that we return to the debate—
House of Commons photoWon their last election, in 2019, with 41% of the vote.
Criminal Code October 27th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, those comments have nothing to do with this debate. They are personal attacks that have been taken out of context and are in fact false. I would prefer that we return to the debate—
Criminal Code October 27th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate those comments. I just have a question.
I feel like we are not answering some of the concerns that other groups have. I am getting emails, not from religious groups but from feminist organizations and LGBT individuals. One email I got from We the Females, a feminist group, is concerned that among young girls gender dysphoria is being overdiagnosed. Young girls who may be confused about their general sense of self or who believe their current personal distress has a simple cause, being the wrong gender, are being overdiagnosed, put on drugs and put on a process that is irreversible.
Does the member have a comment for the people who are concerned about this? This is not related to animosity towards LGBTQ people, but just a concern for kids.
Could the member address this concern?
Criminal Code October 27th, 2020
Madam Speaker, I am concerned that an aspect of this issue is not being discussed. The LGBT community has many different members in it and they do not all have the same opinion.
I want to read a brief excerpt from an email I received from a constituent, a person in the LGBT community. She says, “Dear [member of Parliament for Hastings—Lennox and Addington]. As a lesbian, I'm asking you to investigate the use of “gender identity” in Bill C-6. Approximately 75% of trans-identifying youth will grow up to be gay or lesbian if not affirmed and medically transitioned. This bill, as written, ensures that these gay and lesbian youth will be medically transitioned into straight adults.”
Could the member please address the concern of this woman, that people who would otherwise grow up to be gay or lesbian would be affirmed into transitioning, using irreversible medical and pharmaceutical means? This is a real concern from people in the LGBT community. Is the member not concerned that this is a legitimate concern of these people?
Criminal Code October 26th, 2020
Madam Speaker, unfortunately my questions are slightly longer than very short, but I will try to keep it brief.
For me, the devil is in the details in all of this. I have two quick questions for the hon. minister.
In the CPA policy statement, which is linked to on the justice website, prayer is listed as being a part of conversion therapy. In the context of this definition, would the wrong type of prayers be criminalized under the legislation? I have one follow-up question on the same CPA policy statement. It only mentions—
Public Safety October 23rd, 2020
Mr. Speaker, I recently met the reeve and CEO of Stone Mills, a beautiful community in my riding. Like many municipalities, it has been inundated by the presence of organized crime groups that are running illegal cannabis operations worth many millions of dollars.
Municipalities like Stone Mills are on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in cleanup costs after police raids. All agree that the framework pertaining to legalization is broken.
Will the minister commit to hearing the concerns of these municipalities and addressing them during the upcoming review of the Cannabis Act?
Business of Supply October 22nd, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the member mentioned certain Liberal delays and other approaches to the pandemic, which have cost Canadians their livelihoods, and even their lives.
In her opinion, does the member feel that the stall and delay tactics, which may cost us even more lives, are being done solely for the purpose of protecting themselves politically?
Business of Supply October 22nd, 2020
Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague seemed to be painting a contradiction that the Conservatives do not care about fighting COVID because they are putting forward a motion to look at ways to deal with COVID better. I am wondering how that could possibly be a contradiction. In my mind, this is to help Canadians faster and better.
Relations with Indigenous Peoples February 18th, 2020
Mr. Speaker, the Tyendinaga blockade occurs in my riding of Hastings—Lennox and Addington, and I want to give the member across the aisle a sense of how the people in my riding are feeling.
People are upset and angry and want to know why the law does not apply to everyone. If anyone else blocked the railway, they would be arrested, and yet here we stand, 13 days later, and nothing has happened. There is no plan from the government. Massive layoffs are starting and will continue.
Those who want to protest may do so and those who want to petition the courts may do so, but the law must be upheld. If it is not, what will stop this from happening again and again? The law must be consistent, predictable and evenly applied. We are looking at propane shortages out east, supplies for hospitals are at risk and thousands of workers will be laid off. These protests must end.
At the end of the day, the government answers to the decisions of the police. It is day 13, and the police are not enforcing the injunction. What do I say to my constituents who feel the rule of law is selective and not being enforced? When will the police enforce this law?
Public Safety December 13th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, across Canada, concerns are rising about the Liberals' focus on legal firearm owners versus efforts to stop gangs and guns. The Liberals are proposing a gun buyback program that could cost billions of dollars, much more than they spend actually combatting gang crime.
The members of clubs like the Napanee Rod & Gun Club and the Bancroft Fish & Game Club worry that the Liberals will target them instead of actual criminals.
Could the government explain how its approach will be effective, when we know that existing laws are not even being followed by criminals?
Bay of Quinte Water Levels December 13th, 2019
Mr. Speaker, since my election as the member of Parliament for Hastings—Lennox and Addington, I have heard from constituents, mayors and chiefs about water levels in the Bay of Quinte. Many believe these historically high water levels are due in part to the International Joint Commission's Plan 2014. Since this policy was adopted by the IJC, Lake Ontario has flooded in two of the last three years, hurting countless communities and homeowners, including the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
Right now, water levels are historically high for this late in the year. Concerns are growing that without immediate action, Ontario will face a catastrophic level of flooding in the spring of 2020. It has become clear that without alterations to Plan 2014, Ontario will continue to be damaged by outflow policies being dictated by the IJC.
I call on the federal government to acknowledge the apparent issues with Plan 2014 and to initiate an immediate review of the plan to examine the risks posed to communities and homeowners on Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte.