44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 15, 2023 10:00AM
- Jun/15/23 2:19:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, there is cause for celebration, as ACFAS is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
ACFAS was established in 1923 by a generation of Quebec pioneers, including botanists Marie-Victorin and Jacques Rousseau and radiologist Léo Pariseau. In a powerful gesture of national affirmation, these visionaries wanted to give the Quebec nation a strong and united francophone scientific organization. They understood that the territorial, economic and national sovereignty of a people hinges on scientific sovereignty.
One hundred years later, ACFAS proudly continues its mission to promote, disseminate and value science in French in Quebec and across the Francophonie. More than ever, its work is of crucial importance to Quebec's researchers.
I invite all my colleagues to join me in saying long live French, long live science, long live ACFAS.
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- Jun/15/23 2:20:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians have come to learn that the Minister for Public Safety has a complicated relationship with the truth, and they are taking notice.
He backdated documents to mislead a federal judge, but he dated one April 31, and he was found out. He said that law enforcement asked him to trigger the Emergencies Act. He said the Liberal gun grab did not target law-abiding gun owners. He said that CSIS did not share intelligence that Canadian lawmakers were being targeted by foreign dictatorships. He said that his government had shut down the Beijing-run police stations here in Canada. The things he said are not true, and Canadians have come to learn that they just cannot believe him.
When he said he did not know that notorious serial killer and rapist Paul Bernardo was being transferred to less-restrictive conditions in medium security, the truth got in the way again.
We know the minister was informed. We know the Prime Minister was informed. The minister needs to do what is right. He needs to be responsible and accountable.
He needs to resign today.
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- Jun/15/23 2:22:04 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Armed Forces serve our country at home and abroad, promoting peace and security, responding to disasters and humanitarian crises and defending our interests.
As MP for Halifax, home to CFB Halifax, Canada’s largest military base and home to our navy’s Atlantic fleet, I have seen up close the skill and dedication of our forces. Whether responding to hurricane Fiona or departing Halifax for operations around the world, CAF members always answer the call of duty. We owe them our most enthusiastic gratitude.
That is why I am pleased to announce the inaugural Halifax international Fleet Week will be taking place this September 7 to 10. A partnership between the civilian community and the Canadian Armed Forces, Fleet Week will showcase Canada's proud maritime heritage with a wide array of activities, including ships parades and tours, interactive demonstrations and more. A number of our NATO allies will also participate, giving Fleet Week international significance as well.
I invite everyone to join me in Halifax this September for the first-ever Halifax international Fleet Week.
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- Jun/15/23 2:23:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we now know why the Prime Minister did not fire his incompetent and deceitful Minister of Public Safety. It was because the Prime Minister himself accepted Paul Barnardo's transfer to a minimum-security prison offering more freedom and comfort.
Considering that the Prime Minister is here in Ottawa today, does he have the courage to rise and explain to the victims of Paul Bernardo why he wanted to give this monster more freedom and comfort?
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- Jun/15/23 2:24:01 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the crimes in question were atrocious. Crimes like that defy description.
They affected people across the country. They traumatized not only the victims' family members, without question, but all Canadians.
First of all, the correctional system is independent. Keeping our correctional system free from political interference is imperative.
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- Jun/15/23 2:24:42 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we now know why the Prime Minister refuses to fire his incompetent and misleading public safety minister.
It is that the Prime Minister himself was the one who accepted the transfer of Paul Bernardo from a maximum-security prison to a medium-security prison where he would have access to human interaction, more freedom and more comfort. His office knew three months beforehand, and his cabinet has the power to direct the correctional authorities to keep mass murderers in maximum-security prisons.
Will the Prime Minister show the courage to stand on his feet and explain to victims of Paul Bernardo why he wanted to give this monster more freedom and comfort?
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- Jun/15/23 2:25:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, first of all, the idea that anybody in this House would have any sympathy for the monstrous acts that were committed is absolutely repugnant.
The second thing I will say is that it is unfortunate that the Leader of the Opposition mis-characterizes what happened. He knows very well that the Correctional Service of Canada makes those decisions independently. He knows very well that we have a system where we are not supposed to interfere politically with that.
It is true, in March, that staff were informed of the possibility. It was not until that possibility was confirmed that they informed the Prime Minister at the end of May.
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- Jun/15/23 2:26:07 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, based on that account, the Prime Minister knew the day of the transfer, and his office knew three months earlier.
The government has, in the past, issued directives to the Correctional Service on what should be done with various classes of prisoners, like forcing those with contraband into dry prison cells, for example. In other words, the government does have the power to direct corrections on these issues.
The Prime Minister and his office knew for three months. Given that he is here in Ottawa today, does he have the courage to explain his decision to let this monster go out of maximum-security penitentiary, yes or no?
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- Jun/15/23 2:26:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite cares as deeply about the gravity as those crimes and the impact on the families as I do. I know he cares as deeply about what we are going to do for Canadians on that. I also know that he knows the independence of our correctional services system. I know that he also knows that we are not supposed to interfere politically.
I would ask him to work collaboratively with us to find a way where we do not politicize Correctional Service of Canada, and we work together to make sure that the families who are impacted by crimes of this nature are taken care of.
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- Jun/15/23 2:27:33 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I look across at the Prime Minister's seat. I know that he is in Ottawa today, and if he had the courage, he would be standing to answer these questions directly—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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- Jun/15/23 2:27:43 p.m.
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I just want to remind hon. members that we cannot do indirectly what we cannot do directly. I will let the member continue.
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- Jun/15/23 2:27:58 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I take the government House leader up on his challenge to work with us.
We have a bill that would make sure every mass murderer stays in a maximum-security penitentiary. It is before the House. Will the government pass it with unanimous consent today?
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- Jun/15/23 2:28:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would say that I am looking directly at the leader of the official opposition for a reason. I am looking at him for a reason because when we are dealing with something as serious and as brutal as the crimes that occurred in a community that was right next to mine, that I felt viscerally, the conversation that we have has to be measured. It has to be based on co-operation and, frankly, it needs to be based on the underlying premise that every member cares equally and deeply about this, about two things, about the victims absolutely but also about not politicizing our correctional services system.
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- Jun/15/23 2:29:02 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I take the House leader at his word that he is equally horrified with this monster and that he wants to do something, but I take him at his word when he says he wants to work with us to reverse this transfer and put this monster back in a maximum-security penitentiary. The good news is that he can do that today. The Conservative member for Niagara Falls, who represents many of the family members and friends of the victims, has a bill that would ensure that every single mass murderer stays in a maximum-security penitentiary forever.
Will the government commit to passing it with unanimous consent and send Paul Bernardo back to a maximum-security penitentiary?
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- Jun/15/23 2:29:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are, in all instances, ready to have a conversation about how we do not politicize our correctional services, about how we ensure that we take care of victims and their families. There is a review of the decision that was made by the Correctional Service. It is going to be completed in two weeks. I would suggest that we take a look at that.
I would also suggest that, when we are dealing with something as major as changing our correctional services system, it deserves discussion and it deserves the ability for it to be examined by all parliamentarians and to make sure that we do not create unintended consequences.
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- Jun/15/23 2:30:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, an inquiry into Chinese interference must be launched before we rise for the summer. It takes a lot of time to investigate, and we have wasted too much time already. If we want to reassure the public, we need to shed light on the interference that occurred in the last election before another one is called. That is the only way to convince the public of the integrity of the next federal election. I am appealing to my colleagues' statesmanship. Time is of the essence.
Will they announce an independent public inquiry before we rise for the summer?
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- Jun/15/23 2:31:00 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am very encouraged by the exchanges between my hon. colleague, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Bloc and the NDP. I hope there will be other conversations with the Conservatives. Fighting foreign interference is not a partisan issue. If we work together, we can create new authorities, provide resources and strengthen them to fight foreign interference. That is the most important thing.
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- Jun/15/23 2:31:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, my colleagues must realize by now that the Bloc Québécois will not give up. Public trust in democracy is at stake. The people are calling for an independent public commission of inquiry. Its commissioner must be approved by the House. The commission will have to report on its work, not in five years, not in two years, but in the next few months. We realize that this is an immense task. That is why we are working with the government, and they know it. We have our work cut out for us. Will the government announce this commission?
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- Jun/15/23 2:32:08 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her co-operation. Yes, a public inquiry is still an option. That is exactly what my hon. colleague the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities is negotiating with the opposition. The most important thing is that we are now working with Canadians to create new authorities in order to better protect not only our democratic institutions, but Canadians as well.
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- Jun/15/23 2:32:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what do the Minister of Public Safety, the President of the Privy Council, the former minister of foreign affairs and the Prime Minister have in common? Obviously, they are unable to check their email. That can be dangerous. Is this government aware that it is retraumatizing the families of the victims of one of the most fiendish murderers in Canadian history?
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