SoVote

Context: House Hansard - 158 - Feb/10/23

Feb/10/23 12:37:38 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-8

Madam Speaker, yes, the Magnitsky act sends a powerful signal to the world that Canada stands up for human rights. If we read the story about Sergei Magnitsky and how he was mistreated for doing the right thing, then I believe the world will support us as we try to do our best to support human rights around the world. It sends a good, strong signal. I am happy this is one act that, and I am assuming this, we can pass unanimously in the House, and that too would send a strong message.

94 words

All Topics

Mr. Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, CPC)

Feb/10/23 12:38:34 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-8

Madam Speaker, as mentioned, Conservatives are supportive of this legislation, but the challenge we have is the difference between words and implementation. I think of how the terrorist Omar Khadr was given $11 million, and we rolled out the carpet. He killed an American sergeant in Afghanistan. These are the problems we have. Again, with Iran, the Liberals have the right words, but not the actions with respect to the Islamic regime to bring in these actions and call the guards on these terrorist organizations. I wonder if the member could make some comments about what the Liberals say and do with respect to following through with legislation.

108 words

All Topics

Mr. Tako Van Popta

Feb/10/23 12:39:32 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-8

Madam Speaker, my colleague from Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge is absolutely right. Just because we have a good law does not mean that it is administered properly. He raised a couple of examples about citizens of this or other countries who go abroad to be involved in terrorist actions and then come home again and how they are treated. It is a problem in Canada as well. Not only are ISIS war brides coming home, but also the men who were actively involved in working with the ISIS army, and they apparently have a right to come back to Canada. How are we going to treat them? Are they going to be charged here under our criminal laws? Do we have evidence available to properly prosecute these people who have committed crimes abroad? Are we going to be able to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt? These are the real challenges that face Canada while living in a dangerous world.

161 words

All Topics

Mr. Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard, CPC)

Feb/10/23 12:40:43 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-8

Madam Speaker, the member brought up in his intervention how we would treat people who are returning from overseas who have potentially committed serious war crimes or crimes against humanity, so I wonder if he can elaborate on this matter. We have individuals who either fought for, fought with or are sympathizers of ISIS, such as Daesh, a proto-state across the Syrian-Iraqi border, which committed many war crimes and crimes against humanity. We now have families who are returning from a specific camp, which is not too far from Al-Hol, and there are about 70,000 POWs and families being held there. These Canadians are being returned to Canada and being charged with offences by the RCMP for travelling overseas to join a terrorist organization and for membership in a terrorist organization. Beyond that, it is very difficult for the Canadian government to prove crimes that were conducted overseas because the collection of evidence may not be ideal, the witnesses might be dead or we just may not know who they are, so I wonder if the member can elaborate on that, because that is part of the sanctions regime as well. Some of these individuals should be sanctioned, and others are not being sanctioned because we do not know they are members of these organizations. This is where the difficulty lies. We can only make someone inadmissible if we know what they are being made inadmissible for, and part of this legislation will need a lot of intelligence-gathering. I am just putting a lot of ideas on the table for the member to add to the discussion.

272 words

All Topics

Mr. Tako Van Popta

Feb/10/23 12:42:10 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-8

Madam Speaker, indeed, this creates a big challenge for Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled that so-called ISIS brides must be returned to Canada, and furthermore, that even men who fought for ISIS or Daesh, if Canadian citizens, have the right to come back to Canada pursuant to section 6 of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That is the section of our charter that states that we all have the right to stay in Canada, leave Canada or, if we are out of Canada, to come back to Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada has recently decided that these ISIS warriors have that right. They will be arrested as soon as they land at a Canadian airport, but as the member indicated, where does the proof come from, where does the evidence come from to convict these people under our Criminal Code? The evidence is probably overseas. The witnesses are certainly overseas, and the witnesses are not going to be co-operative. We do not have the power to subpoena witnesses from overseas. This is a challenge for the government, and we are looking forward to seeing how it is going to resolve that problem.

199 words

All Topics

Mr. Tom Kmiec

Feb/10/23 12:43:32 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-8

Madam Speaker, I will continue on a different track. Within Bill S-8 there are provisions for persons to be able to challenge being put on a sanctions list, but they are not allowed to appeal being found inadmissible to Canada if they happen to be on a sanctions list. During the debate on the sanctions for the victims and the Sergei Magnitsky act, there was a provision put in to ensure that a person who was to be listed would have the right to redress and could actually challenge the fact that they had been put on the list. In this piece of legislation, one of the provisions specifically says that one cannot appeal the fact that one has been found inadmissible, because the idea is that the process has already taken place in the sanctions regime. I wonder if the member would comment on how there would be no right of appeal if one is found inadmissible to Canada under IRPA, which would be expanded to all those who find themselves on one of the sanctions lists that Canada keeps, and that they would need to seek redress for sanctions but not for inadmissibility. Does he see this as a problem or as an opportunity to expedite the deportation of individuals who find themselves in Canada unlawfully?

219 words

All Topics

Mr. Tako Van Popta

Feb/10/23 12:44:46 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-8

Madam Speaker, my colleague's questions are becoming more challenging. Yes, indeed the intent of the legislation we are talking about today is to prohibit people who have been sanctioned from entering Canada. There are some people who have been sanctioned, maybe just because they live in a state that we have sanctioned, and they do have the right to appeal, to have their case heard and to convince Immigration Canada to allow them to come into Canada. I do not know how these cases are going to be worked out if we do not have the ability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that people are actually guilty of crimes.

111 words

All Topics

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès)

Feb/10/23 12:45:37 p.m.
Watch

Is the House ready for the question? Some hon. members: Question. The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): The question is on the motion. If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division or wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

66 words

Deputy

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux

Feb/10/23 12:46:39 p.m.
Watch

Madam Speaker, I request a recorded vote, please.

8 words

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès)

Feb/10/23 12:46:48 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-8

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the division stands deferred until Monday, February 13, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions. The hon. parliamentary secretary is rising on a point of order.

38 words

All Topics

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux

Feb/10/23 12:47:03 p.m.
Watch

Madam Speaker, I suspect if you were to canvass the House at this time, you would find unanimous consent to call it 1:30 p.m. so we could begin private members' hour.

33 words

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès)

Feb/10/23 12:47:12 p.m.
Watch

It is agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed. The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): It being 1:30 p.m., the House will now proceed to the consideration of Private Members' Business as listed on today's Order Paper.

42 words

The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès)

Feb/10/23 12:47:45 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill S-208

I wish to inform the House that following the passing of our esteemed colleague, Bill S-208 is without a sponsor. Therefore, the motion for second reading cannot be moved at this time. Pursuant to Standing Order 42(2), this item is placed at the bottom of the order of precedence on the Order Paper. If no further action is taken by the House before the bill is considered again, it will be dropped from the Order Paper, pursuant to Standing Order 94(2)(c). It being 12:48 p.m., the House stands adjourned until Monday at 11 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). (The House adjourned at 12:48 p.m.)

115 words

All Topics

Mrs. Sherry Romanado (Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, Lib.)

Feb/10/23 11:05:21 a.m.
Watch

Madam Speaker, students from Gérard-Filion and Agora high schools in my riding are hosting some great company this week. Students from Nanaimo Christian School in British Columbia are visiting as part of the YMCA's Youth Exchanges Canada program, funded by Canadian Heritage. According to Lyne Marcheterre, from Gérard-Filion School, cultural exchanges like this are important because they give young people a chance to see and understand how other people live. During their stay, the young people will visit the Quebec Winter Carnival, Montreal's Chinatown and many other places. In the spring, the Longueuil students will travel to Nanaimo to visit this beautiful part of Canada. This exchange program offers young people a unique experience that promotes teamwork and openness to others. I am sure they will take full advantage. I commend everyone participating in this exchange and wish the students from British Columbia a pleasant stay.

155 words