Frank Baylis

[National Defence Act, October 1st, 2018]

Madam Speaker, I often find when these discussions come up that the argument that we will stand for victims is used as a battering ram against Liberals' points of view. Liberals stand up for victims, and that is why we brought forth this bill. We also believe that we try to work to avoid victimization. Obviously, we have to stand with victims, but whenever we work to avoid victimization and say let us not have victims, we run into a roadblock.

I would ask my colleague across the aisle why Conservatives are against avoiding crime. Why are they against the work we do toward avoiding crime and always come back to saying, even when we stand with victims, as in this bill, that we do not stand with victims? Clearly we do, yet we are battered by the other side.

[National Defence Act, October 1st, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, the member brought up a couple of points that I fully agree with. Number one, he said it is important to have a debate on victims rights, and I concur with him on that. He also made the point that this bill really builds on a previous bill by the previous government, Bill C-71, which did not make it through debate, but takes a number of the points on victims rights and puts them into this new bill. I think about the rights to privacy and security for victims of special types of heinous crimes, such as sexual crimes. I think about the ban on publication for minors, people under 18, and I fully agree with all of that.

The member also brought up the point that this bill would add a couple of new positions, things to consider, specifically sentencing when it comes to aboriginals and gender identity. Does he see the opportunity to expand on that and if so, how would he like us to address specifically aboriginals and gender identity?

[Multiculturalism Act, September 26th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I have a hard time imagining myself in the Quebec described by my colleague.

First off, the Quebec I know welcomes all kinds of cultures. Quebec is home to francophones from the Caribbean, Haiti, Africa and, of course, France. I have always thought of my province, Quebec, as a welcoming place for everyone. Newcomers not only integrate, they become an integral part of Quebec's economic, cultural and artistic society.

I am having a really hard time understanding why my colleague does not see all these people as an asset for Quebec as a whole. Could he explain why?

[Philippine Independence Day, June 12th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, June is an important month in the history of the Philippines. Today, June 12, is the anniversary of Philippine independence from Spain.

The Filipino community is an integral part of Canada's multicultural society.

In the West Island of Montreal, we are very lucky to have two great Canadian Filipino associations: FCAWI and SWIS.

I applaud FCAWI, its president Ador Bolusan, and its executive committee for the wonderful activities that they put on in our community, including basketball, dancing, and more. I also applaud Roger Ajero and the officers and advisers of the SWIS organization for their social engagement with seniors in our community. I thank both of these societies because they make their activities inclusive and they welcome everyone.

I wish all Canadian Filipino associations and communities of Canada a happy national Independence Day.

[Business of Supply, June 11th, 2018]

Madam Speaker, I enjoyed two points made by my colleague. First, he did a very good job of stating the difference between the regime and the people of Iran. I congratulate him in saying that the regime is responsible for the activity that is happening. We all know the regime has intolerable behaviour toward Jewish people and disseminate hate. However, he also touched on another religious minority, the Baha’í . I would like him to expand on what the regime is doing toward Baha’í and how that is unacceptable behaviour as well.

[Petitions, June 11th, 2018]

Madam Speaker, I have here a petition from the Seniors of the West Island and Suburbs. It is a Filipino association, commonly known as SWIS, run by Mr. Roger Ajero. It provides all kinds of senior activities, line dancing, bingo, excursions, and they are not just for Filipino seniors. They also invite all kinds of people. My good friend, Benny Bote, is always there with a smile to welcome them. They prepared this petition asking for the Government of Canada to recognize the month of June as Filipino heritage month. I am very proud to present this petition to the House on their behalf.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, June 11th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the report of the Canadian delegation of the Canada-United Kingdom Interparliamentary Association respecting its bilateral visit to London, England, and Belfast, Northern Island, United Kingdom, and Dublin, Ireland, from March 5 to March 9, 2018.

[Business of Supply, June 4th, 2018]

Madam Speaker, the member has insinuated that our government and our Prime Minister does not care about indigenous people or has, in fact, used the word “lied”. Our government has made that a top priority, and I think for anybody who has listened to the Prime Minister speak, he has been very clear on that.

My question for the member is this. We live in a democracy with many first nations, and we use the term “first nations” because there is more than one nation. Many first nations support the government. Many first nations support the pipeline. It is true that some do not support it. However, we live in a democracy. When he speaks of first nations as one nation, saying they are against it or they are for it, that is incorrect. That is misleading.

Therefore, if in our democracy most first nations were for something, but not all, because we cannot expect unanimity, where should we lie? Should we lie with the majority or the minority? How does the hon. member see that?

[Federal Sustainable Development Act, May 29th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, it is a bit of a funny situation when one party puts forward something, the government agrees with it, and then suddenly they have an about face to change it and go against what was put forward.

The only thing I can think is that it is about politics. That said, let them play politics. The important thing is that this bill is going to bring good, sustainable development to our Canadian resources. That is the important thing. Whatever politics happen, that is okay. The government is moving forward in the right way.

[Federal Sustainable Development Act, May 29th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, sustainability in all of our natural resources, including oil and gas, is critical.

As I said in my previous answer, natural resources is an important sector of the Canadian economy. Anything the federal government can do to support that industry and to do it in a durable and sustainable manner, I fully support. The fact that we do it in a more transparent manner is also something to be celebrated.

The ensemble of all of those things in support of our natural resources is good news for Canadians.