Sadia Groguhé

[International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 13th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, as a woman who is a member of a visible minority, I know what kind of damage intolerance can cause, no matter where it originates. I strongly condemn this form of violence.

It is therefore with a great deal of emotion that I rise to draw the House's attention to the upcoming International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21. This day is an opportunity to recognize how all cultural communities and people from all walks of life help to build our country.

At a time when the government is playing on the fears of Canadians to try to win votes, I would like to remind members of the essential role that political leaders and elected officials must play in combatting racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance. The statements that we have heard recently from the other side of the House are unacceptable. Racism has no place in our speeches.

I strongly believe in the values of love, openness and freedom, which are values that all Canadians share. These values will help us to combat discrimination in our society, help everyone to feel welcome, and help us to work together to build a united Canada that better reflects who we are.

[Conservative Party of Canada, March 11th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that dinosaurs are not extinct. There are even a few specimens left in the Conservative caucus.

Recently, a Conservative member called into question the theory of evolution. Then a Conservative member said that sex education in schools would push children into the arms of pedophiles.

Then, last Friday, the member for New Brunswick Southwest said that the real problem with the temporary foreign worker program is that it brings too many “brown people” to Canada while “whities” languish on unemployment insurance.

Those remarks are so shocking that even some Conservative members were critical of their New Brunswick colleague.

The general election is fast approaching. We cannot wait for Canadians to get rid of these dinosaurs.

[Committees of the House, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, during this debate, we have talked about the importance of having and taking a holistic approach. At the core of such a holistic approach, a number of parameters were mentioned, such as the justice system, educating communities, psychological support and healing, as well as the impunity that is prevalent within many of these conflicts.

I wonder whether my colleague could talk about how important it is to address the issue of assistance to the communities themselves, to ensure that communities can get organized and become involved in providing suitable support and treatment for these women.

[Committees of the House, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the lack of education and training is definitely a factor that perpetuates the violence. In that regard, we really have to promote access to training and education for these people.

I would like my colleague to talk about that.

[Committees of the House, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech.

She spoke about crimes against humanity, which is what this is. She also talked about the need for justice for these women and the need for appropriate assistance for survivors.

These women obviously need to heal physically and psychologically, but we also need to really focus on the link between healing and justice.

How does my colleague suggest we help ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted?

[Committees of the House, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.

He readily brought up the matter of blood diamonds. I specifically recall that, with blood diamonds, the responsibility of the mining companies came up with respect to extracting the stones and perpetuating conflicts.

My colleague has taken the lead in moving his motion. Could he tell us what he thinks is the degree of responsibility of the mining companies and how, in the future, he would prevent these blood diamonds from continuing to cause and perpetuate these conflicts?

[Committees of the House, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.

He mentioned the recommendations in response to my colleague’s previous question. In that context, I wonder if he has given any thought at all to a timeline for the implementation of those recommendations. If so, could he share that timeline with us? The situation has basically been going on for nearly 20 years and it is urgent that we be able to act.

[Committees of the House, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech.

The member spoke about the importance of preventing sexual violence, and this is clearly an extremely important step in eliminating rape and rape used as a weapon of war. She also mentioned psychological support for women who are raped. However, we know how important it is and how important it would be for these women to get support and to have access to all the programs that exist in our country with respect to terminating pregnancies. Unwanted pregnancies, especially those resulting from a rape, are tragic. They have a lifelong effect on these women, and we all know the negative repercussions for the children.

Could my colleague tell us what the government plans to do with respect to support, and specifically the termination of pregnancies?

[Committees of the House, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, could my colleague tell us how members of civil society can also get involved in this issue?

When we talk about support for rape victims, how can we also get the community involved in finding solutions?

[Committees of the House, March 10th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech. He raised the issue of governance.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, this is obviously an issue of crucial importance. We really have to find deterrents that will prevent women from becoming victims of rape as a weapon of war.

I would like to know what he believes are the levers that Canada can use to enable the government in power to implement solutions that will truly prevent these rapes from being committed.