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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 68

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 10, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 68 - May/10/22
Mr. Richard Bragdon (Tobique—Mactaquac, CPC)
  • May/10/22 4:12:30 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House today. I would like to commend my colleague from across the way for his thoughtful remarks and comments in regard to this. I share his passion and his concern that we always value and appreciate the role that faith has played in our country's history and in our current context. I think it is so important that the House always take the time for pause and reflection, which is respective and respectful of all backgrounds. People can pray according to their faiths individually. I think what we have seen is an erosion. There is almost an attack going on towards people of faith around the world: internationally, people of various faiths are being persecuted because of it. Even within our own country, there is a growing intolerance towards people of various faiths. I hope the House will continue to maintain that wonderful tradition of honouring people's faiths and taking time to reflect and pray at the beginning of our sessions. Our country needs that.
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Context: House Hansard - 68 - May/10/22
Mr. Richard Bragdon (Tobique—Mactaquac, CPC)
  • May/10/22 5:01:40 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would be interested in getting my colleague's perspective in this regard. Obviously, this institution is founded so much on our history and background. What went into the history of this Parliament is quite incredible, and the fingerprints of faith are throughout the institutions on this very Hill. Over the windows of Parliament, we will find engraved scriptures from the past: “Without a vision, the people will perish”. We find, in the Canadian Coat of Arms, no fewer than two scriptural references, including “from sea to sea”, which is part of our national motto, and “they desire a better country”, which is based on the ancient writing of Hebrews. The vital role that faith has played in the founding of our country, and continues to play for millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast from various backgrounds, should not only be respected but recognized. Could the hon. member make some comments in that regard?
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Context: House Hansard - 68 - May/10/22
Mr. Richard Bragdon (Tobique—Mactaquac, CPC)
  • May/10/22 5:33:23 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, my question is simple: What will it be the next time? Today, we are discussing removing a custom that has taken place within this chamber for over 100 years. It has been here from the time of our founding. What is next? Is it our national anthem because it says “God keep our land”? What is next? Is it the Charter of Rights and Freedom, which talks about the “supremacy of God”? What is next? There has been an absolute rise in secular fundamentalism to the point of excluding people of faith from public discourse. Let us be respectful of one another, and in that time of reflection, those who choose not to participate need not, or they can sit in silence. Those who choose to express their faith through prayer during that moment of silence should be able to do so freely and be embraced.
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