SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 68

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 10, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 68 - May/10/22
Mr. Bob Zimmer (Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, CPC)
  • May/10/22 1:31:33 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Speaker, it is a little perplexing that the Bloc sees this as a priority at a time like this. As someone who is Christian and was the chair of the National Prayer Breakfast for four years, I have deep respect for prayers in Canada, prayers in the House and the freedom to pray. The freedom of religion has been recognized in our charter. The first line in the charter says: Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law It is indeed the foundation of our society. This is a practice that was started in 1877 and later codified in the 1920s. Of all the things we are dealing with in Canada, freedom of religion and freedom of expression are sacrosanct. Why would the member choose to take steps to eliminate that for this place?
144 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 68 - May/10/22
Mr. Bob Zimmer (Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, CPC)
  • May/10/22 3:56:20 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is on this rare occasion that I agree with the member across the way from the Liberal Party. I am baffled that the Bloc would bring forward a motion to remove prayer from this chamber. Being the former chair of the National Prayer Breakfast, I understand the value of prayer. It means a lot to a lot of Canadians, to millions of us across Canada, yet the Bloc has brought forward a very divisive motion in the House. I would add that the House is already non-partisan in terms of faiths. It recognizes faiths in the prayer and also recognizes persons who do not support a faith. Why would members of the Bloc seek to remove this key aspect of freedom of religion from this place?
130 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 68 - May/10/22
Mr. Bob Zimmer (Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, CPC)
  • May/10/22 5:48:37 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Speaker, for those watching this important debate tonight, it really brings in some of our traditions that I previously spoke to, which started in 1877 in this place and were codified in 1927. It has been around in this place for a long time, and tradition matters to Canadians. I do not know if Canadians out there know that the Bloc does not come into the chamber until after the anthem is sung and after the prayers have been prayed. I think the question that is begging to be answered is, what about the national anthem, which recognizes God? Are Bloc members saying they want that struck from the national anthem? Are they saying they want it struck from our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which recognizes the supremacy of God and the rule of law? I guess the question, which was asked by a member of my party previously, is this: What is next?
156 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border