House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2015, with 31% of the vote.
Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act March 23rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister what happens to women and children in polygamy cases or in this case, polygyny, when a man has several spouses and is deported for polygamy. Are these people also deported, or does Bill S-7 make it possible for them to stay in the country?
Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act March 23rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, free and enlightened consent is already a legal requirement in the Civil Code and in common law, in Quebec and in the other provinces. The courts have already established that the culturally defined concept of honour does not represent a valid defence under the Criminal Code. Furthermore, there is sufficient means of recourse in our laws for most cases of forced marriage.
Why would the government reproduce these measures in a new bill, when it could simply enforce the existing laws?
Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act March 23rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, first, that does not answer my question at all.
Second, does he not think that this legislation will be for naught if women in polygamous marriages dare not speak out against the criminal actions of their husband for fear of being sent back to their country of origin?
Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act March 23rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, this bill could cause some women and children to be sent back to their country of origin. If they are happy in Canada, I imagine they will not really feel like returning with their spouse or their father to their country of origin.
Would the hon. member be prepared to make amendments to the bill in order to protect these people and ensure that no victims are deported?
Zero Tolerance for Barbaric Cultural Practices Act March 23rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, if I understood my colleague's speech correctly, this is a punitive bill. It is not in any way preventive. There is no help for the people affected by this bill. It covers things that other laws already cover, and it could produce consequences such as the deportation of people who have done nothing wrong. Given all of that, what is the purpose of this bill?
Canada Post February 27th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives had taken the time to consult people and municipalities beforehand, we would not be where we are today. Deployment of community mailboxes is really being messed up, and Canada Post is not keeping its promises. Nobody is clearing snow off the boxes, they are being covered in graffiti, and papers are lying around all over the place.
People are not happy, businesses are not happy, and municipalities are not happy.
What will it take for the government to put an end to Canada Post's nonsense?
Canada Post February 27th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the end of door-to-door mail delivery and the installation of community mailboxes is a real nightmare for municipalities.
The mayor of Montreal is even getting ready to challenge Canada Post's plans in court. He is condemning the crown corporation's cavalier and ludicrous attitude and is demanding that the Conservative government impose a moratorium immediately.
Will the government finally listen to citizens and local elected representatives and restore door-to-door mail delivery?
International Women's Day February 27th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, International Women's Day is just a few days away, and it will kick off with the 2015 World March of Women. This year's theme is “Liberate our bodies, our earth and our territories”.
Like every year, this will be an opportunity to realize how far women still are from achieving full equality around the world, and even right here in Canada. This is the perfect time to remind certain Conservative members who are stuck in the stone age that it is our bodies, our choice. This is also an opportunity to add our voices to those of women who are currently mobilizing to protect Canada's failing social safety net, which we worked so hard to build in Canada. Women are too often the victims when it unravels. Yes, women have made some progress in recent years, but there is no denying that our bodies, our careers and our lives are not yet entirely our own.
Until all women are entirely free, we will march. I am proud of each and every one of us. Happy International Women's Day.
Friends of Sébastien Métivier Foundation February 23rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the name of a young boy from the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve area will be forever etched in our minds. Sébastien Métivier disappeared 30 years ago at the age of eight. The body of his friend, Wilton Lubin, who was 12, was found, as was the body of Maurice Viens, a four-year-old boy, but Sébastien was never found.
His mother and sister never gave up. They continued looking for him and they created Les amis de Sébastien Métivier, a foundation to provide support and assistance to the families of other missing or murdered children.
Thanks to the commitment and generosity of these two women and the directors of the Repos Saint-François d'Assise cemetery, these parents will now have a place, a monument, where they can gather and where those who sadly do not have the means can bury their children.
Congratulations and thank you, Christiane Sirois and Mélanie Métivier. You are extraordinary women.
Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 February 23rd, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives eliminated the position of inspector general of CSIS and left two agency positions open for months and months.
Why are the Conservatives insisting on reducing civilian oversight rather than enhancing it?