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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 14

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 9, 2021 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 14 - Dec/9/21
Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-209, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act. She said: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to introduce this private members' bill, which seeks to eliminate mandatory minimum penalties in the Criminal Code and various other laws. I note, as members may note, that we have recently received a similar government bill, Bill C-5, that also aims to eliminate mandatory minimum penalties. However, Bill C-5 only removes some, not even all, of those that have already been found to violate the charter by the courts in Canada. I was the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands representing my constituents when mandatory minimums were increased. It was during the Parliament when Mr. Harper was the Prime Minister. It was then that we dove deeply into the evidence around mandatory minimum penalties. It became very clear that no criminologists anywhere in the world, nor any jurisdictions, had found that using mandatory minimum penalties actually reduced or addressed crime. They did have the effect, though, of increasing the number of people incarcerated, with additional financial burdens on the provinces. I am very honoured to put forward the bill this morning, and I hope that it will meet with the approval of my colleagues.
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Context: House Hansard - 14 - Dec/9/21
Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)
  • Dec/9/21 10:11:18 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present a petition this morning from constituents who are very concerned with the state of the law within Canada to protect our water. Watercourses and watersheds are inadequately protected, the petitioners assert, from certain industrial activities. They are calling on the government to update the laws in Canada to protect fresh water and the ecosystems that sustain and maintain water for human and non-human use.
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Context: House Hansard - 14 - Dec/9/21
Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)
  • Dec/9/21 4:09:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by welcoming the hon. member for Kenora here. I have had the opportunity to exchange with him in the House, and I did not have the chance to say it, but I find his approach very respectful. I really enjoy engaging with him. I want to ask whether he thinks there is a benefit, and this is not in the Conservative motion, to creating programs that encourage the building of purpose-built rental housing. It is big gap, and I wonder if he has any thoughts on that.
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Context: House Hansard - 14 - Dec/9/21
Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)
  • Dec/9/21 5:38:53 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Mirabel. I believe he is an economist. There are not too many economists here. The Conservatives' motion makes no mention of the homeless. My question for my colleague is the following: What does he think is the best way to protect the most vulnerable members of our society?
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