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Sep/20/22 10:33:01 a.m.
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Uqaqtittiji, today, we recognize and mourn the loss of the victims in James Smith Cree Nation, the tragedy that occurred on September 4, 2022. My thoughts are with the many others wounded and with the community, which has been wounded by this event. The impacts of intergenerational trauma continue to be exposed through such acts of violence. My thoughts are with the community of James Smith Cree Nation, how strong they are and how strong they are being forced to be right now. Healing is the path forward and that cannot be done without recognizing that the ongoing process of colonialism has shaped this tragedy. We need to make sure that this tragedy does not go unrecognized by the government. This shows that true reconciliation is still necessary for our communities to move forward. We must begin the conversation to discuss the prevention of intergenerational trauma going forward. The impact of the tragedy is felt throughout Canada, and as a country, we mourn the loss of those who are no longer with us. I would like to acknowledge the victims and families of the Saskatchewan stabbings who lost their lives: Thomas Burns, Carol Burns, Gregory Burns, Lydia Gloria Burns, Bonnie Burns, Earl Burns, Lana Head, Christian Head, Robert Sanderson and Wesley Petterson. We, as a country, must ask for more to be done to support these individuals and their families. They are victims of crime, and this will have an ongoing impact on the families and friends within the community. We must recognize the impact of colonialism and its aftermath, which is related to the criminal justice system's impact on these communities. The New Democrats will fight to ensure that these families get the supports they deserve. As parliamentarians, we must ensure that reconciliation is forged by investing in the well-being of indigenous peoples. We must be the parliamentarians who focus our efforts on recognizing the strengths that indigenous peoples must realize in themselves. We must be the parliamentarians who invest in reconciliation, to ensure that tragedies such as these, as what happened in James Smith Cree Nation, do not happen again. We must ensure that we honour the memory of the victims and their families so that it never happens again. We must ensure that we do our best to talk about reconciliation in terms of justice, healing and making sure that we are the ones who will ensure real reconciliation with indigenous peoples, so we can see indigenous peoples contributing to society in a positive and proud Canada, which we must see and realize is so important. We must be the parliamentarians who focus on the strengths of what we see in indigenous peoples.

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Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Sep/20/22 10:37:40 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order to request of my dear colleagues unanimous consent to allow the Green Party to put some words on the record about this dreadful tragedy.

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The Speaker

Sep/20/22 10:37:50 a.m.
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All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay. The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

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Ms. Elizabeth May

Sep/20/22 10:38:05 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge that today, as on every day in this place, we stand on the territories of the Algonquin nation and want to express our gratitude to them. Meegwetch. I also want to express gratitude to someone else. This may be somewhat unusual for starting this morning, but I cannot say another word without expressing my deep gratitude to the Conservative caucus for allowing me to speak. I then extend my congratulations to the new leader of the official opposition. Not to complain, but some who pay close attention to this place may know that it has been since the 2021 election that Greens have been allowed to speak in moments of tribute and sadness. I am deeply grateful to the hon. member for Carleton for this change in policy. I appreciate it enormously. I also want to say that we can all agree with every word that has been spoken. I want to thank the hon. member and Minister of Indigenous Services, the new leader of the official opposition, my friend from Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia for her words, and the hon. member for Nunavut. There is not one of us whose heart is not broken. I thought about taking off my black ribbon of mourning for Her Majesty the Queen this morning, but then I thought that I am still in mourning. Yes, Her Majesty the Queen has departed this earth, but so have members of the James Smith Cree Nation. Ten people, much loved in their communities and much loved by their families, are no longer with us, and they died in horrific circumstances. I will leave my ribbon of mourning on, for today at least, for the James Smith Cree Nation, the families of the victims and the families of the perpetrators, all of whom are in a period of deep suffering. There is much that has been said, and I will not trespass on the time for long, but I just want to say that there must be more than words. We speak words in this place of reconciliation, of a cry for justice and of a prayer for healing, and we say that we will do better. In this circumstance, what we must do is what I am so grateful to so many Canadians for, because in the words of so many members of James Smith Cree Nation, they express gratitude and almost surprise at how many Canadians are grieving with them. We grieve together. That is the very root of the word “compassion”, which is to suffer together. Compassion. We share it across indigenous and settler cultures. We grieve together, just as, in another horrific circumstance, we grieved with the people of Nova Scotia in Portapique. We need to look to all the calls I have heard across the room today for inquiry and for consideration. What must we do better? James Smith Cree Nation is saying maybe it would be better off if it had indigenous police services. The chiefs in Manitoba are saying the same thing. They do not feel secure in a situation like this. They have the policing that is needed to protect people. We have Gloria and others, like Bonnie, who were first responders and raced into the scene. That circumstance of dying while protecting one's family should not occur. We should have the police services that are needed and at the ready, and local, in my view, may be a solution that is better, whether it is in Portapique or James Smith Cree Nation. We need to examine policing and we need to examine, as the hon. leader of the official opposition said, release procedures when people are dangerous and should not be released into our population. I will not prescribe solutions at this point. We need to commit to listening, investigating and particularly supporting the people of James Smith Cree Nation and other places that are still wounded and suffering from events of violence. We can do better. We must do better, and to everybody touched by the tragedy at James Smith Cree Nation, we send our prayers, our love and our words, and we also say clearly that we know words are not enough. We will do more. We will do better. We are with them and their dear children as they process things that no child should ever see and no family should ever experience. I thank members for their time. Meegwetch.

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Mrs. Kelly Block (Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:43:18 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I move that the 13th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be concurred in.

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The Speaker

Sep/20/22 10:44:23 a.m.
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All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay. Hearing none, it is agreed. The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

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Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP)

Sep/20/22 10:44:49 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition from numerous constituents who are concerned about the climate emergency. They call on the government to reduce emissions to levels proposed by the international scientific body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the leading global authority. They ask that Canada's emissions reduction target be increased to at least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030 and that Canada create good green jobs that include the workforce to ensure that effective workers and communities are protected in the transition away from fossil fuels. They ask that this transition be assisted through increasing taxes on the wealthiest and corporations, as well as financing through a national public bank.

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Ms. Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:45:47 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I table a petition expressing concern that the Liberal Party of Canada promised in its 2021 platform to deny the charitable status of organizations that have different views. The signatories are concerned this could jeopardize the charitable status of hospitals, houses of worship, schools, homeless shelters and other charitable organizations that do not agree with the Liberal Party for reasons of conscience. They are calling on the House of Commons to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis, without discrimination on the basis of political or religious values or the imposition of another values test, and to affirm the right of Canadians to freedom of expression.

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Mr. Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, NDP)

Sep/20/22 10:46:41 a.m.
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Re: Bill C-22

Madam Speaker, it is great to be back in the House with my colleagues. The petition I am tabling today is quite timely, given that the House is going to debate Bill C-22. The petition, which was started by Jeff Leggat, a constituent of mine in Duncan, refers to the fact that far too many Canadians with disabilities are living below the poverty line. There are about 1.5 million Canadians who are living in a state of legislated poverty. The petitioners who have taken the time to sign this e-petition are calling upon the government to end this current practice and ensure that Canadians living with disabilities have a federal disability benefit of $2,200 per month.

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Mr. Damien Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:47:30 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, as always, it is an honour to be able to stand in this place. Today, I am presenting a petition to draw the attention of Canadians to the fact that the Liberals promised in their 2021 election platform to weaponize charitable status to discriminate against particular charities within Canada. The undersigned citizens of this petition call upon the House of Commons to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis, without discrimination on the basis of political or religious values or the imposition of another “values test”, and to affirm the rights of Canadians to freedom of expression. It is an honour to present this petition in the House today.

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Mr. Jeremy Patzer (Cypress Hills—Grasslands, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:48:26 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise today and present a petition on behalf of Canadians across this country. The petitioners are concerned about the possibility of the government imposing another values test on charitable organizations. The petitioners are asking that the government protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis without discrimination on the basis of political or religious values or the imposition of another “values test”, and that it affirm the right of Canadians to the freedom of expression.

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Hon. Ed Fast (Abbotsford, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:48:58 a.m.
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Re: Bill S-223

Madam Speaker, it is good to be back in this House after the summer recess. I am rising to present two petitions. The first petition is in support of Senate Bill S-223, which seeks to combat the practice of forced organ harvesting, which is still going around the world. It is the practice of harvesting organs from healthy, living human beings without their consent, and the bill would combat this practice. The families of the victims of forced organ harvesting and trafficking have now waited almost 15 years for Canada to pass this legislation. It is time to end the delays, and the petitioners are calling on the House and on Parliament to now get this done.

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Hon. Ed Fast (Abbotsford, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:50:54 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, my second petition calls attention to the fact that the current government, in its 2021 platform, proposes to deny charitable status to organizations that have deeply held, genuine convictions about protecting life in the womb. The Liberal Party considers these views to be dishonest, and this may jeopardize the charitable status of hospitals, houses of worship, schools, homeless shelters and other charitable organizations that do not agree with the Liberal Party of Canada. The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to do two things: to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis and to affirm the right of Canadians to freedom of expression.

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The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Carol Hughes)

Sep/20/22 10:50:54 a.m.
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I am not sure if the word “dishonest” was in that petition, but I would just ask members to make sure they are reading what is in the petition.

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Mrs. Cathay Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:51:17 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am rising to present this petition on behalf of Canadians who feel that the Liberal Party of Canada promised in its 2021 platform to deny the charitable status of organizations that have convictions about abortion that the Liberal government views as dishonest. This jeopardizes the charitable status of hospitals, places of worship, schools, homeless shelters and so many charitable organizations that do incredible work in this country and would leave a huge void under these circumstances. Canadians depend upon and benefit from these charities. The government had previously denied funding, tax dollars, to any organization that was not willing to check a box endorsing the political positions of the governing party. These petitioners believe that charities and non-profit organizations should not be discriminated against on the basis of their political views or religious values. They comment that all Canadians have a right to freedom of expression without discrimination under the Canadian Charter of Rights of Freedoms. The petitioners are calling on the government to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis and to affirm the rights of Canadians to freedom of expression.

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Mr. Arnold Viersen (Peace River—Westlock, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:52:44 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, I, too, am standing to present a petition in the House of Commons today. The petitioners are concerned about the values test that the Liberals have promised to impose on charitable status organizations across the country. The government has previously used a values test to discriminate against worthy applicants in the Canada summer jobs program, to deny funding to any organization that was not willing to check a box endorsing the political positions of the governing party. As such, the petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada and the House of Commons to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis and to affirm Canadians' freedom of expression.

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Mr. Bob Zimmer (Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, CPC)

Sep/20/22 10:53:35 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, it is good to be back in the House. I am standing with countless Canadians who oppose this Prime Minister's values test. They call upon the House of Commons to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a politically and ideologically neutral basis without discrimination on the basis of political or religious values and without the imposition of another values test. They also ask Parliament to affirm the right of Canadians to freedom of expression.

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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux

Sep/20/22 10:54:11 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, on a point of order, when members stand up on a petition, they are supposed to be capturing the essence of the petition itself and not necessarily endorsing the petition. The member stood in his place saying, “I am standing with”, implying that he is fully endorsing the petition. That is something members know they are not supposed to do.

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The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Carol Hughes)

Sep/20/22 10:54:31 a.m.
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I appreciate the hon. parliamentary secretary's point of order. I do want to remind members that they cannot endorse petitions; they can be pleased to present petitions. Therefore, I will leave it at that. I will allow the hon. member to speak to the point of order, but I do want to remind members again that they are to speak to the petition and not in support of the petition. The hon. member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies.

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Mr. Bob Zimmer

Sep/20/22 10:54:57 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, just in response to that comment, the petition actually calls for a signature of endorsement of my own to endorse this petition in this House. I would just say—

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