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Mr. Philip Lawrence (Northumberland—Peterborough South, CPC)

Jun/5/23 6:01:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the second petition is from a group of petitioners who are against the expansion of MAID to include infanticide. They believe that the lives of children are sacred and that MAID should not be extended to infants.

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Mr. Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni, NDP)

Jun/5/23 6:02:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table a petition on behalf of residents of British Columbia and visitors to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The petitioners call on the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to reinstate the surf guard tower and surf guard services, and to extend the duration of the surf guard program to accommodate the growing number of emergencies as well as visitors at Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Emergencies at Long Beach are attended by Parks Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard, Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue, B.C.'s Emergency Response Group and the RCMP. However, rescues initially fall into the hands of surfers, beachgoers and the surf schools that operate in the park. In February 2018, a man died at Lovekin Rock. In May 2018, in the same area, a woman died. In March 2016, four people were saved by the Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Armed Forces. In August 2021, another man drowned at the same spot. Basically, lifeguards watched over that beach as part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve surf guard program for 40 years, until the Conservative government cut the program in 2012. The petitioners are calling on the government to reinstate this program so that no more lives are lost.

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Mr. Warren Steinley (Regina—Lewvan, CPC)

Jun/5/23 6:03:32 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-257

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise today to put the voices of 35 Canadians on the record through a petition in support of Bill C-257. These Canadians agree that democracy is important, and they want to safeguard it. They think no one should be discriminated against based on their political beliefs. It is something we all believe in strongly on the Conservative side of the aisle. We hope that we can get this bill passed quickly so that Canadians will not face discrimination for thinking differently, which we have seen the Liberal government do time and time again. We are hoping we can get this bill passed to protect the rights of Canadians across the country.

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

Jun/5/23 6:04:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of many Canadians who are concerned about human rights protections in Turkey, Pakistan and Bahrain. The petitioners are saying that Turkish and Pakistani officials have committed gross human rights violations against thousands of Turks, including eight Turkish Canadians. They say that Turkish officials have killed hundreds, including Gokhan Acikkollu. The petitioners say that Turkish officials have wrongfully detained over 300,000 people without any reason. They say that multiple human rights violations and gross human rights violations are happening because of Turkey. The petitioners say that the Canadian government should closely monitor human rights in Turkey and sanction Turkish officials who have committed gross human rights violations against eight Canadians. They are calling on Turkey and Pakistan to end all human rights violations and wrongful detainments.

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

Jun/5/23 6:05:12 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the second petition I will present today is from Canadians across the country who want to draw the attention of the House of Commons to the Liberal Party platform of 2021, where the Liberal Party was jeopardizing the charitable status of hospitals, houses of worship, schools, homeless shelters and other charitable organizations that do not agree with the Liberal Party on the matter of abortion. Many Canadians depend on and benefit from these charitable organizations. The petitioners point to the fact that the Liberal government has previously tried to impose a values test on the Canada summer jobs program. They are calling on the House of Commons and the government to protect and preserve the application of charitable status rules on a political and ideological neutral basis without discrimination on the basis of political or religious views, and to affirm Canadians' freedom of expression.

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

Jun/5/23 6:06:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the next petition I will present is from Canadians across the country who are concerned about the comments from Louis Roy of the Collège des médecins du Québec, who recommended that euthanasia be expanded to babies from birth to one year of age when they have severe deformities or serious syndromes. This proposal to legalize the killing of infants is deeply concerning to these Canadians, and they state that infanticide is always wrong. The petitioners call on the government to block any attempts to allow the euthanization of children.

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

Jun/5/23 6:06:43 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-257

Mr. Speaker, the final petition I will present today is from Canadians across the country who want to be protected against discrimination. Canadians can and do face political discrimination, and it is a fundamental right of Canadians to be politically active and vocal. It is in the best interests of Canadian democracy to protect public debate and the exchange of ideas. The petitioners are in support of Bill C-257, which would add protection against political discrimination to the Human Rights Act. They are calling on the Government of Canada and the House to pass this bill and defend the right of Canadians to peacefully express their political opinions.

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Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, CPC)

Jun/5/23 6:07:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to present a number of petitions to the House today. The first petition is the same as the petition my colleague presented with respect to the human rights situation in Turkey, Pakistan and Bahrain. The petitioners are concerned about officials in all three of these countries committing human rights violations against thousands of Turks, including Turkish Canadians in particular. The petitioners are concerned about the killing of hundreds by Turkish officials, including the killing of Gökhan Açikkollu. Also, the petitioners say that Turkish officials have wrongly detained over 300,000 people without reason and that multiple international human rights groups have confirmed gross human rights violations in Turkey. The petitioners call on the government to closely monitor the situation in terms of human rights in Turkey, to sanction those officials who have committed these violations against these Canadians as well those involved in the killing of Gökhan Açikkollu, and to call on the governments of Turkey, Pakistan and Bahrain to end all human rights violations in their respective countries.

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Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, CPC)

Jun/5/23 6:08:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the next petition highlights the ongoing, horrific and unjust detention of Mr. Huseyin Celil. The petitioners note that they were very pleased to see the release of the two Michaels who had been detained for 1,000 days in China. They note that Mr. Celil has been detained for over 5,000 days, that he is a Canadian citizen and a person of Uyghur ethnic origin who had been vocal on advocating for the human rights of Uyghurs. Of course, Uyghurs face ongoing genocide, as has been recognized by the House and most of the parties in this place. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to take a number of steps to support the human rights of Uyghurs and to seek the release of Mr. Celil: demand that the Chinese government recognize Mr. Celil's Canadian citizenship and provide him with consular and legal services in accordance with international law; formally state that the release of Mr. Celil from Chinese detainment and his return to Canada is a priority of the Canadian government of equal concern to the unjust detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor; appoint a special envoy to work on securing Mr. Celil's release; and seek the assistance of the Biden administration and other allies around the world in obtaining Mr. Celil's release.

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Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, CPC)

Jun/5/23 6:09:55 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the next petition is one I had a number of copies of and has been in my desk for a little while. It is, in some respects, a little bit dated, but I think it is always worth a reminder. The petition calls on the Government of Canada to end all COVID-19 mandates. I am pleased to table that as well.

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Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, CPC)

Jun/5/23 6:10:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am going to table a number of petitions that relate to the human rights situation in Hong Kong. First of all, the petitioners note how recent Hong Kong graduates can apply for open work permits under a temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents. In June 2021, there were two pathways, stream A and stream B, announced to Hong Kongers who worked or studied in Canada to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Stream B required graduates to have one year of work experience in Canada and have graduated within the last five years from a Canadian or foreign equivalent post-secondary school. On February 6 of this year, Canada announced an extension and expansion of the open work permit program for eligible Hong Kong residents by extending the open work permit for an additional two years. However, this extension failed to address time constraints that stream B applicants face while pursuing eligibility for permanent residency. The 2016-17 graduates who met the five-year graduation requirement at the time of applying for the open work permit are falling out of eligibility to apply for permanent residency under stream B of this scheme by the time their work permits are received and they have fulfilled the hours of work requirement. The petitioners call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to remove the five-year restriction to include all persons who fulfill the educational credential requirements of stream B.

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Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, CPC)

Jun/5/23 6:11:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the next petition is also about the situation in Hong Kong. The petitioners note the injustices that have been inflicted against Hong Kong and how people who have been involved in the democracy movement might have faced politically motivated prosecutions and, as such, they might be considered inadmissible to Canada under the current approach being taken. The petitioners are concerned about people being asked for police certificates and so forth. It would be difficult for those who have been involved in the democracy movement and faced politically motivated prosecutions to get those certificates. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to recognize the politicization of Hong Kong's judiciary; to affirm its commitment to render all national security charges and convictions irrelevant and invalid in relation to section 36(1)(c); to create a mechanism by which Hong Kong people with pro-democracy movement related convictions provide an explanation for such convictions on the basis of which government officials can grant exceptions to Hong Kong people who would otherwise be deemed inadmissible; and to work with the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Australia, New Zealand and other democracies to waive criminal inadmissibility of Hong Kong people convicted for political purposes who otherwise do not have a criminal record. With that, I move, seconded by the member for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry: That the House do now adjourn.

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The Deputy Speaker

Jun/5/23 6:13:32 p.m.
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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.

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Mrs. Anna Roberts

Jun/5/23 6:13:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are requesting a recorded vote, please.

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The Deputy Speaker

Jun/5/23 6:14:00 p.m.
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Call in the members.

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Call

The Deputy Speaker

Jun/5/23 6:56:11 p.m.
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I declare the motion defeated.

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Mr. Mark Gerretsen (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate), Lib.)

Jun/5/23 6:57:02 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 1400, 1409, 1413, 1416 and 1418.

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Jun/5/23 6:57:14 p.m.
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Question No. 1400—

Questioner: Cheryl Gallant

With regard to the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, in reference to section 83.05 of the Criminal Code: (a) what procedure is followed by the department to determine whether a state is a state supporter of terrorism; (b) does the Russian Federation meet the criteria under the aforementioned section of the Criminal Code to be designated as a state supporter of terrorism, and what is the detailed explanation for how the determination was made; and (c) what other legislation, criteria, or factors are used by the department to designate a country as a state supporter of terrorism?

Question No. 1409—

Questioner: Lisa Marie

With regard to the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, broken down by fiscal year since 2011-12: (a) what is the total number of penalties issued to (i) individuals, (ii) corporations; (b) what is the total dollar amount collected through fines issued under the act; and (c) what is the total number of vessels (i) forfeited to the government, (ii) retained pending payment of a fine, (iii) disposed of for the purpose of payment of a fine?

Question No. 1413—

Questioner: Stephen Ellis

With regard to Marine Atlantic's decision to have its new ferry built at a shipyard in China: (a) what is the value of the contract for the new ship; (b) did Marine Atlantic study the economic impact of choosing a shipyard in China as opposed to a Canadian shipyard, and, if so, what is the impact, including the (i) number of jobs created overseas as opposed to in Canada, (ii) approximate dollar value of economic benefits, both direct and indirect, for the economy in China as opposed to the Canadian economy; (c) did Marine Atlantic invite Canadian shipbuilders to submit proposals related to the construction of these vessels, and, if so, which shipbuilders submitted proposals and why were those proposals not accepted; (d) does Marine Atlantic plan on altering its procurement processes in the future to ensure that it purchases vessels built in Canada, and, if so, what are the details of such a plan; (e) what action, if any, has the minister responsible taken to ensure that future vessel procurement involves construction at Canadian shipyards; and (f) will Marine Atlantic be required to pay import duties on the vessel, and, if so, what is the dollar value and percentage that is expected to be paid in duties?

Question No. 1416—

Questioner: Stephen Ellis

With regard to the Vaccine Injury Support Program: (a) how many applications for financial compensation were (i) received, (ii) approved, (iii) rejected; (b) how much has been paid out through the program; (c) what is the average payout for approved applicants; and (d) what types of injuries were approved for compensation, and how many claims were related to each?

Question No. 1418—

Questioner: Robert Kitchen

With regard to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): (a) what is PHAC's Management Response and Action Plan for future pandemic or epidemic events; and (b) what are the details of all emergency preparedness exercises and simulations that PHAC has been involved in, since January 1, 2020 including, for each, the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) entities and organizations involved, (iv) summary of the exercises or simulations, (v) observations and results?

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Mr. Mark Gerretsen (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate), Lib.)

Jun/5/23 6:57:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, furthermore, if the government's responses to Questions Nos. 1399, 1401 to 1408, 1410 to 1412, 1414, 1415, 1417 and 1419 could be made orders for return, these would be tabled immediately. The Deputy Speaker: Is that agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed.

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Mr. Mark Gerretsen

Jun/5/23 6:57:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, finally, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand. The Deputy Speaker: Is that agreed? Some hon. members: Agreed.

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Stand
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