Linda Duncan

[Citizen Consultation Preceding Natural Resource Development, November 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the member has brought forward an incredibly important motion at this point in history on how we are addressing energy projects in this country.

The member, I am sure, has noted that the Minister of Natural Resources just this week committed to engaging communities in environmental stewardship in reserve decisions, and yet it is a year almost to the day that the government commissioned a report by Douglas Eyford looking at how the government failed to consult first nations on the gateway pipeline project. Mr. Eyford delivered four or five pages of recommendations on how the government could improve and yet we have seen no progress. We are going backwards with respect to constructive consultation.

I wonder if the member would speak to that and the lack of the government's credibility in claiming to be committed to more constructive engagement.

[Petitions, November 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the other three petitions relate to Canada's approach to Gaza.

The first petition, from Albertans, calls on the Government of Canada to reinstate the development aid to Palestinians by once again contributing to UNRWA.

The second petition calls on the Government of Canada to publicly revoke its one-sided, unequivocal support for Israel and to condemn the killings of civilians on both sides of the 2014 war.

The third and final petition, from Albertans, calls on the Government of Canada to speak out to end Israel's blockade of Gaza.

[Petitions, November 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have four petitions.

The first petition calls on the Government of Canada to launch an independent national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women because of the more than 1,200 cases and the need for a deeper understanding of the magnitude and the systemic causes of this grievous condition.

[Ukraine, November 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Ukraine has marked today, the first anniversary of the commencement of the historic gatherings of Ukrainians in the Euromaidan, as Freedom and Dignity Day. It began with protesting university students and evolved into an outpouring of Ukrainians of all ages and from all walks of life, following savage beatings and later shooting of peaceful protestors.

Tens of thousands flooded the public square calling for an end to corruption and abuse of power. Many attributed this monumental event as a protest of the government's refusal to sign an association agreement with the EU, yet the major impetus for taking to the streets was far more profound. It was a revolution of dignity.

Frustrated by decades of corruption and injustice, people took a public stand for a better future. The more violent the response, the larger the demonstrations grew. These were followed by elections of a new president and a new parliament, and the end of the Soviet presence.

Many now proudly flourish Ukrainian symbols in a more public way. Many young Ukrainians have been inspired to play a more active role in governance.

At this critical juncture, it is important Canadians support their efforts to forge a strong democracy.

Slava Ukraini.

[Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act, November 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his very heart-rending speech. Obviously, personal experience is what this bill is attempting to address.

The member clearly supported the need for criminal provisions where we can deal with those who are detected. However, as I understand it, he and other colleagues mentioned the fact that we sadly have a rising rate of sexual offences against children.

I wonder if the member could expand a bit more on whether or not there is a need for the government to also bring forward a compliance strategy when we have reforms to the Criminal Code so that we can also talk about resources and new programs to prevent these kinds of offences. He seems to feel that it is equally as important as punishment after the fact.

[Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act, November 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, one of the things we need to keep front of mind when dealing with matters of a criminal nature and the rehabilitation of criminals and the protection of children is the unilateral federal responsibility for the protection of Canada's indigenous peoples.

As the member has pointed out, the government has made many cuts to programs intended to support aboriginal communities in developing social services, housing, and protection for their children. We have seen the commission on residential schools begging the government to continue funding to support the people who suffered through the abuse in the residential schools.

The member speaks of the cuts and speaks of this loss. I am wondering if she thinks the bill and the government's programs reflect its responsibilities in dealing with those important matters for the protection of indigenous Canadians.

[Petitions, November 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the third petition is from Canadians across the Prairies calling for the government to return door-to-door postal services to Canadians.

[Petitions, November 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from Albertans calling on the House of Commons to take action to recognize animals as beings that feel pain, to move animal cruelty crimes from the property section of the Criminal Code, to strengthen the language of animal cruelty laws, and to support the passing of Bill C-592, which would amend the Criminal Code to protect animals.

[Petitions, November 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have three petitions.

The first petition has more than 100 signatures from Canadians calling on Parliament to take action to oppose the systemic murdering of Falun Gong practitioners in China for forced organ harvesting. They are calling on the government to speak out to end the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

[Agricultural Growth Act, November 19th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I listened attentively to the speech, and the question I would have for the member is this.

I have also heard from a lot of farmers in Saskatchewan and Alberta. What they are deeply concerned about is the government's lack of commitment to agricultural research. The government, in its wisdom, got rid of the community pastures and shut down all the agricultural research stations.

Could the member speak to the commitment of the Conservatives to developing better seeds and crops? Why on earth would they have moved to shut down the very enterprises that support the medium-income farmers and where a lot of our very valuable research has been conducted over many decades?