SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Heather McPherson

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 21, 2022
Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, NDP)
  • 03:35:28 p.m.
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Point of order, Mr. Chair. Can I just interrupt for one second?
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 03:35:32 p.m.
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Thank you. I would just like a bit of clarity from you, if I could, because this meeting was not what I understood the committee was doing, and we didn't get the notice of meeting until Sunday night. We've never received the list of witnesses—which witness was brought forward from which party—and it makes it very difficult for us to do our work when we don't have that information. I'm wondering if you could provide some clarity on why that was the case and if there are ways we can avoid that in the future.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 03:36:45 p.m.
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Receiving the list is what I would like. Usually we receive the list of witnesses.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 03:37:08 p.m.
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Could we get the list of the parties that have submitted witnesses, then?
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 03:37:14 p.m.
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Thank you.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 04:22:49 p.m.
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Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to all the witnesses for being here today to talk about this very important legislation. It's very interesting to me. My concerns stem from the difference between asking for reporting and for companies to do the reporting due diligence versus action being taken. I definitely hear what our friends from NCCM have been saying, that we need to act with the urgency that this requires. I also have concerns about how we are operationalizing this, because this is a concern we have with regard to other things, such as the sanctions regime and whatnot. I might start by asking you how many shipments CBSA has seized. How is Canada doing compared with other countries? Perhaps that can illustrate a bit the urgency with which this legislation needs to brought forward.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 04:24:11 p.m.
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Yes. Thank you. One thing I'm interested in is how we can make this legislation stronger and make sure that it is not just giving businesses or companies an opportunity to report on forced labour within their supply chains but actually making them responsible for ensuring that it is not there. What countries have been doing that best? Which countries do you think have been models for us? We have heard that other countries have moved faster. Is it the French? Is it the Germans? I'm wondering who has moved furthest, because that's where I would like us to go.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 04:25:25 p.m.
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Thank you. I'm not sure if Mr. Thomas is able to finish his thoughts. We were having some struggles with his mike. If he can, though, I would like him to comment.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 04:25:39 p.m.
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Perhaps I could give him the last little bit of time.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 04:27:59 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I'm wondering if we could let him finish. We did invite him to come and I'm prepared to give him my time, but I—
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 04:28:05 p.m.
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We would have normally given him the time to speak, though, I think.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 04:38:21 p.m.
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Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Mr. Thomas, you spoke about how you would strengthen this bill. I'd like to give you a moment to tell us about any amendments that you would be interested in having brought forward and what those might look like.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 04:39:52 p.m.
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Thanks very much.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 05:18:02 p.m.
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Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you very much for your testimony. I am moved by the fact that we had earlier testimony talking about the urgent need for this legislation to be put in place. We have seen other countries, like Germany and France, move on this. However, I also recognize, when the witnesses say that if we don't get this right it could cause more harm than good, that, in fact, it is imperative that we get this right. Because of that, I'm going to take a moment, as well, to give notice of a motion: That pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, the committee request an extension of thirty sitting days to consider Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff. I will tell you that I would like to have the minister join us here. I'd like to hear from the government. I would like to give all parties, particularly parties that have not yet put any witnesses on the witness list, the opportunity to do that. I would also like to hear the words.... You talked, Ms. Dwyer, about the need to listen to impacted communities. I would like to take a moment to ask Ms. Akter if she would like to share the impact that this has had on her and her community.
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 05:29:32 p.m.
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I will direct this last minute to you, Ms. Dwyer. We know that Bill C-262, which was brought forward by MP Julian, is strong legislation. It's available. We'd be happy to have the Liberals adopt that. What do you see in that bill that you don't see in this bill? You have a very short time, but what's the last word you would like to share with us?
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Context: Bill S-211 (FAAE) - Nov/21/22
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • 05:30:22 p.m.
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Thank you very much.
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