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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 146

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 12, 2022 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 146 - Dec/12/22
Mr. Mark Gerretsen (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate), Lib.)
  • Dec/12/22 1:51:04 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, I heard the member talk about openness, transparency and accountability with respect to how such individuals would be identified. I wonder if she can explain how she sees that happening and why she considers that to be so important when it comes to something like this.
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Ms. Heather McPherson
  • Dec/12/22 1:51:25 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, one of the ways we could do it is by having a parliamentary group, which would be made up of all parties, that would have the ability to scrutinize how these names are put on our list. If we had members from all parties, we would have the ability to work collaboratively and bring in experts. There are people in the world who know this work very well. Bill Browder is a perfect example. Another thing that we need to do is work with our allies, ensuring we are working with like-minded democracies, and that our lists align with those of our allies.
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Mr. Arnold Viersen (Peace River—Westlock, CPC)
  • Dec/12/22 1:52:11 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, back in 2018, the House called for the government to recognize the IRGC as a terrorist organization. I am wondering what the hon. member has to say about the fact that it has not done that and why the NDP continues to support the government in the face of its disregarding of the actions of this place.
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Ms. Heather McPherson
  • Dec/12/22 1:52:39 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, as I said in my comments today, we got appalling news from Iran just this morning that more protesters are being killed by the horrific IRGC regime. Everything must be done. Every possible thing must be done to hold those committing these human rights atrocities accountable. Everything also must be done to ensure that no innocent person is harmed, that innocent people are not being put at risk. I would absolutely support using every tool we can for holding those at the top of the IRGC accountable for their terrorist, murderous actions and the horrific things they are doing against the people of Iran.
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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Dec/12/22 1:53:31 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, the member made reference to the foreign affairs committee meeting back in 2017. I did not catch if she was a member at that time, but that committee sent a report to the House. When the member talks about the process in the House of Commons, it is important for us to note the principle of the issue was sent to a standing committee and has also now been thoroughly debated in the other chamber. I am wondering if the member could provide her thoughts on why we could perhaps be reasonably hopeful, or a little optimistic, that there is a chance we could pass it before the end of the week.
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Ms. Heather McPherson
  • Dec/12/22 1:54:19 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I was not a member in 2017, so I was not part of the foreign affairs committee at that time. I was not elected until 2019. However, my colleague Hélène Laverdière, who sat on the committee at the time, was an extremely vocal advocate for the sanction regime. She did an awful lot of work bringing forward the recommendations. While I am happy that debate happened in the House, one of the recommendations was that there would be a five-year review, and we are almost at the end of five years. While the parliamentary secretary is interested in getting this bill passed by the end of this week, just as we all are, by the end of this week we also lose the opportunity for the five-year review for the sanction regime, something that has not happened. I hope at the very beginning of 2023, when we all come back refreshed and full of energy, we will be looking at our sanction regime.
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Mr. Arnold Viersen
  • Dec/12/22 1:55:14 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to the hon. member that the NDP actually voted against listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization back in 2018. Has her party's position changed on that?
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Ms. Heather McPherson
  • Dec/12/22 1:55:32 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, I will repeat myself, as I have said it many times already, but it is very important that the members of the IRGC who are responsible for the human rights abuses against their citizens be held accountable and that they be sanctioned. It is also important that we do everything we can to ensure they cannot come to Canada, that their assets are seized and that they be expelled from Canada. I am very concerned as well about the potential for innocent people to be harmed by sanctions. We have seen that happen in Iran before and I, for one, will do everything I can to ensure those who are guilty are held accountable and those who are innocent do not have to pay that price.
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Ms. Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, CPC)
  • Dec/12/22 1:56:17 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite wanted a few things for Christmas. She wanted pharmacare; 10 sick days, which has not happened; and dental care for everybody who does not have it, which has not really happened either. However, she is forced to support a government that is raising the price of gas, groceries and home heating. For Christmas, does the member want Santa to give her a way out?
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Ms. Heather McPherson
  • Dec/12/22 1:56:46 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, the member perhaps did not listen to my speech and does not know that we were debating Bill S-8 today, which is about sanctions, our sanction regime and how to strengthen our sanction regime. It is not really about my Christmas wish list, although I will say that dental care, pharmacare and sick days for workers are super important to me, and I am glad that she brought them up.
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Mr. Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, NDP)
  • Dec/12/22 1:57:23 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague from Edmonton Strathcona, who has done incredible work on this file. Throughout the debate today, I have heard issues raised about the lack of clarity in this bill and the fact that there is not enough parliamentary oversight into the sanctions regime. I am just wondering if my hon. colleague could tell the House if that would inform her committee strategy. Does she see that there might be opportunities amongst the government and opposition sides to reach a compromise to make sure that the important aspect of parliamentary oversight is there? I have noticed that, in public safety bills introduced earlier in this session, notably in Bill C-20 and in Bill C-26, there was a clear lack of parliamentary oversight specified. That will inform our strategy going forward. I am just wondering if the member could add some further comments on that.
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Ms. Heather McPherson
  • Dec/12/22 1:58:16 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill S-8 
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for the important work he has been doing in the committee on public safety as well. Realistically, one of the key ways we ensure the legislation we pass in the House is as strong as possible is by hearing from experts, by inviting experts who know more about the topics we are legislating upon than perhaps some of us may know. The idea that this has to come forward, that we need to take that time and do that due diligence, is very important. It will, of course, inform my strategy.
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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux
  • Dec/12/22 1:59:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I do not know how appropriate this is, but I would ask my colleagues if we could have a moment of silence. Our colleague Jim Carr just passed away. I think it would be an appropriate thing if we could just have a moment of silence and a prayer.
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The Deputy Speaker
  • Dec/12/22 2:00:43 p.m.
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We will stand for a moment of silence for the passing of the Hon. Jim Carr. [A moment of silence observed]
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The Deputy Speaker
  • Dec/12/22 2:00:43 p.m.
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If people want to speak quickly to this, maybe we will allow that for a few moments, just to pass on our deepest condolences to the constituents of Winnipeg South Centre and, of course, to Mr. Carr's family and friends on his passing. He was in here last week passing his bill. It just shows how quickly things can changes in our lives, and then we lose friends and family in that way. Does the hon. member for Winnipeg North have something to quickly add before we move on?
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Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Dec/12/22 2:01:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I realize it is a very sensitive time and there are no doubt other members who would like to be able to contribute at a more appropriate time in giving our condolences to the family and friends. We all know Jim's passion for his country. We saw that in the speech he delivered just last week. For now, with the support of the House, we could take a two-minute recess and then get back into S.O. 31s at that point, if it is deemed appropriate by you as Speaker.
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The Deputy Speaker
  • Dec/12/22 2:02:01 p.m.
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The House will suspend for two minutes.
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Hon. Mark Holland (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)
  • Dec/12/22 2:12:27 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, this is a very sad day for our parliamentary family. As has been announced to the House, our dear friend and colleague, the Hon. Jim Carr, has died. Given that news, I move: That the House do now adjourn.
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The Speaker
  • Dec/12/22 2:12:47 p.m.
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By unanimous consent, the House adjourns out of respect for the late Hon. Jim Carr, member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre. The House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). (The House adjourned at 2:12 p.m.)
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