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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 259

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 30, 2023 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 259 - Nov/30/23
Mr. Sébastien Lemire (Abitibi—Témiscamingue, BQ)
  • Nov/30/23 7:03:08 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, today I rise with a mix of concern and profound disappointment, even a bit of cynicism because of this government's continued inaction toward athletes. I am talking about victims who courageously called out the heinous acts committed against them by their coaches and were received with indifference by the heads of 16 national sports organizations. That is what we have learned over the past few years. Canada even won the ignoble award for integrity in sports and, to date, the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity still refuses to launch a public and independent inquiry. The minister's predecessor, the member for Brome—Missisquoi, publicly promised to launch an inquiry into abuse and mistreatment in sports. That plan makes perfect sense because it allowed us to raise crucial issues, demand answers and call for transparency on behalf of a fair justice system in which we could trust. That is what we are talking about. We have been waiting for too long for a public inquiry to be launched, one that would shed light on all of the systemic problems that persist behind the scenes in Canadian sports. What is the reason for all of these stories of sexual misconduct against our athletes and the number of qualified coaches who have been found guilty of committing obscene and unforgivable acts? Unfortunately, the mystery surrounding the government's apparent reluctance to act raises legitimate questions about this government's real intentions and whether it is perhaps seeking to protect the interests of certain people or associations to the detriment of the common good and especially to the detriment of the interests of children. In our society, no one has the right to choose which individuals they will stand behind. The minister said the following at a press conference on May 11. I will read it in English, because that is the language that she used. She said, “I would like to reiterate my commitment and clear any doubts that may remain. I will respond to the requests from athletes and survivors for a national inquiry.” She obviously used “inquiry” in the English sense of the word. She continued, “This is a legitimate request and I’m working to be able to announce this as soon as I can.” In response to a question from reporter Émilie Bergeron, she said this is the first step. She said not to worry because she would be very happy to do something so long-awaited. Those words carry weight. I asked her about that at the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage this morning. I felt that she reiterated the commitment she made and was not personally opposed to the government acting on that. I think it is high time we made our collective voice heard and demanded answers. That takes an independent public inquiry. We must not accept the government's continued inaction. We must demand the truth. We must demand justice. We must remain vigilant in our pursuit of a society in which transparency and accountability are steadfast values. The Olympic movement should not be this way. I would add that the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity promised to participate in the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage's study on sport. We got confirmation today that she is supposed to attend on December 12. I am definitely going to ask her again about her responsibility and the commitment her predecessor made on behalf of the government. May our commitment to ethical and transparent governance guide the actions we must take to protect victims of abuse and mistreatment in sport in this country. In closing, I would ask my colleague, the hon. parliamentary secretary, when she plans to launch an independent public inquiry. The question is no longer how, but when. Urgent action is needed.
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Context: House Hansard - 259 - Nov/30/23
Mr. Sébastien Lemire
  • Nov/30/23 7:11:18 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the fact that there has been no significant movement toward launching this public inquiry raises concerns about the government's actual desire to ensure access to justice for all the survivors. We can legitimately ask ourselves whether the government is protecting its little friends at the expense of the truth and justice that we, as citizens, deserve. The number of people responsible for this mess who have resigned from sports organizations and Sport Canada is alarming. There is a crisis in the world of sport, and everyone knows it. Frankly, the survivors deserve greater consideration from people in the Liberal government who are responsible for sport. Athletes and their families are making an urgent appeal for recognition of how serious the situation in the world of sport is, especially as the 2024 Paris Olympics draw near. The Bloc Québécois is calling for immediate action and urging the minister to be humble while at the International Centre for Human Rights in Geneva next week. What is keeping her from publicly expressing outrage when new scandals come to light? What is keeping her from launching an independent public inquiry? We need answers. I will keep hounding the government about this.
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