Kevin Lamoureux

[Judges Act, February 19th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gesture that has been made by the former leader of the Green Party. She understands and appreciates the significance of the legislation we are debating. It is always encouraging when politicians of all political stripes recognize the importance of gender training and education. We will have a better system as a direct result of this legislation.

My question for the member is similar to the question I asked other members this afternoon. It is not often that we get virtually unanimous consent for a piece of legislation. I suspect that Bill C-5 could receive the support of all 337 members of Parliament and possibly the Chair, although I do not think there will be a tie vote, so the Speaker will not have to vote.

Could the member provide his thoughts on how encouraging it is when all parties get behind legislation such as this?

[Judges Act, February 19th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, the other other day, the leader of the New Democratic Party stood up and made the suggestion that through unanimous consent we would pass this legislation all the way through. I thought it was quite encouraging to hear the leader of the New Democratic Party. We are all familiar with Rona and the fine work that she did. It was initially a Conservative private member's bill.

Could the member provide her thoughts with regard to that sense of co-operation that I made reference to when I questioned the parliamentary secretary responsible for the legislation about the overwhelming consensus to see this legislation pass through.

[Judges Act, February 19th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, my question is about the amount of consensus that we see as this piece of legislation advances, because there seems to be support from all sides of this House. I am wondering if my colleague can provide his thoughts on how encouraging it is when we see all parties coming together on such an important issue.

[Questions on the Order Paper, February 19th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time.

[Relations with Indigenous Peoples, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I would ask the minister to provide further comment on the importance of working with others. She made reference to Nathan Cullen, the provincial government and different stakeholders, and that high sense of co-operation and wanting to make sure we get this right.

[Relations with Indigenous Peoples, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, it is really interesting when we do the contrast. If we were to take the Conservative approach on this issue, I really and truly believe it would be damaging in the long run, and in the short run, for Canadians in all regions of the country.

It is really encouraging to hear that the Bloc and the New Democrats have a much better understanding of the situation. Earlier today, in a ministerial statement, we heard the Prime Minister talk about the importance of having patience on the issue.

The member spent a lot of time talking about Ottawa. Would he not agree that as a part of the bigger picture, we need to include provincial governments and stakeholders and when we talk about indigenous people, it is really important to look at the bigger picture before we jump to any quick resolution?

[Relations with Indigenous Peoples, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, we will have to agree to disagree. We have a lot riding on this.

The issue is not as simple as some might try to portray. I thought the Prime Minister was right on earlier today when he addressed the issue in a ministerial statement and appealed for people to be patient as we tried to work this thing through.

The consequences of taking an action prematurely can be very significant. It could hurt many of the individuals on all sides. The idea of coming up with a peaceful resolution is in the best interests of everyone. As I say, at times we just need to disagree.

[Relations with Indigenous Peoples, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, would the member not agree that all political parties and entities need to step up to the plate and do what they can?

[Relations with Indigenous Peoples, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, I have been a parliamentarian now for about 30 years, both at the provincial and national levels, and never before have I seen a government as committed as this government is to the issue of reconciliation and building a special relationship between first nations and the federal government to move forward on reconciliation. Many calls for action have been acted upon by the government.

What we really need is a higher sense of co-operation, as opposed to trying to lay blame. Blame could be applied to all political entities in this chamber. No political party can say it is completely pure on this issue. We could talk about the provincial government in B.C., for example. There is all sorts of blame—

[Relations with Indigenous Peoples, February 18th, 2020]

Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister has been talking a great deal about this particular issue, as have a number of ministers and members of Parliament on both sides of the House. In particular, I know many of my colleagues are very sensitive to this issue. I reflect on the Prime Minister's speech from earlier today when he talked about the importance of having patience.

I am wondering if my colleague could provide his thoughts on the idea that we need to be patient and do what we can to work through this in a co-operative fashion.