DOCSLIB.ORG

Debates of the House of Commons

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Debates of the House of Commons 43rd PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION House of Commons Debates Official Report (Hansard) Volume 150 No. 003 Friday, September 25, 2020 Speaker: The Honourable Anthony Rota CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 105 HOUSE OF COMMONS Friday, September 25, 2020 The House met at 10 a.m. Another of your predecessors, the hon. member for Regina— Qu'Appelle, who we know well, also made a similar ruling on Oc‐ tober 17, 2013, at page 66 of the Debates of the House of Com‐ mons. The same circumstances exist as in previous cases and it is Prayer appropriate to raise a prima facie question of privilege. ● (1005) If you agree, Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to move the appropriate [Translation] motion. PRIVILEGE The Speaker: I thank the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent. I will take the matter into consideration and advise the House if neces‐ ALLEGED PREMATURE DISCLOSURE OF CONTENTS OF BILL C-7 sary. Mr. Gérard Deltell (Louis-Saint-Laurent, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I [English] rise today on a question of privilege concerning the disclosure of Bill C-7, an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding medical as‐ sistance in dying, which was introduced in the previous session. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE In the interest of time, my hon. colleague, the member for Fundy Royal, raised this question of privilege on February 25. I would di‐ [Translation] rect you to the arguments presented at pages 1518 and 1519 of the Debates. RESUMPTION OF DEBATE ON ADDRESS IN REPLY Mr. Speaker, on March 10, you concluded that there was a prima The House resumed from September 24 consideration of the mo‐ facie breach of privilege, and the House adopted the member's mo‐ tion for an address to Her Excellency the Governor General in reply tion to refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Procedure to her speech at the opening of the session, of the amendment and and House Affairs. of the amendment to the amendment. On March 12, the committee agreed to suggest dates for inviting Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie (Joliette, BQ): Mr. Speaker, I would like the Clerk and the law clerk to appear so that it could begin studying to inform you that I will be sharing my time with my whip, the hon. the matter. The next day, the House adjourned because of the pan‐ member for Salaberry—Suroît, because she told me to. Of course, I demic. This meant that the committee never had a chance to get am kidding. I am pleased to be sharing my time with her. back to its order of reference because of the various Liberal mo‐ tions prohibiting virtual meetings on this subject. The Prime Minis‐ On August 18, in the midst of a pandemic, the Prime Minister ter then decided to shut down Parliament, ending the study before it decided to prorogue Parliament for five weeks even though we ur‐ had even started. gently needed to study and adopt bills to implement all the support programs and even though committees were meeting and working I am asking you to find another prima facie breach of privilege hard. He did that in the midst of the pandemic in an attempt to so that the House can once again examine the issue and, if it so de‐ make people forget his scandals. sires, send it to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. There are previous rulings in which a prima facie breach of The government sought exceptional powers and drastically re‐ privilege was found when prorogation put an end to an order of ref‐ duced the House's role in order to respond to this historic pandem‐ erence on a question of privilege before a committee was able to re‐ ic. Even as the government was managing unprecedentedly enor‐ port to the House on it. More specifically, I would refer you to the mous programs, the Prime Minister proved that he cannot be trust‐ ruling made by Mr. Speaker Milliken on February 6, 2004, at page ed. The WE scandal showed that he chose to favour his friends. The 243 of the Debates of the House of Commons, when he said that, same thing happened in a scandal involving the chief of staff's for the same reasons that he gave in a ruling he made in the previ‐ spouse. It happened again with the Canada emergency wage sub‐ ous session, the question remained a prima facie breach of privi‐ sidy: the Liberal Party chose to take advantage of the subsidy even lege. He then gave the member leave to move his motion. though the law does not say it is available to political parties. 106 COMMONS DEBATES September 25, 2020 The Address We will not stop digging and poking around, since the pandemic Ottawa, meaning this government and those that have held power has revealed the Liberal Party's true nature, which has not changed in the past 25 years, is directly responsible for our health system's since the sponsorship scandal. The Liberals' true nature is to govern precarious situation and its lack of resources to manage the pan‐ while putting their own interests and their friends' interests first, demic. which is a far cry from exemplary practices. Ethics rules appear im‐ ● (1010) material to them, as long as they can apologize after the fact. I real‐ ly think this accurately reflects the history of the federal govern‐ The Prime Minister, acting straight out of a last-century British ment since the beginning of Confederation. The more things imperialism playbook, is blaming the provinces for their manage‐ change, the more they stay the same. ment of the pandemic. He wants to run things himself, even though he knows nothing about it, and then he announces wanting to bring This brings me to the throne speech delivered two days ago by in criminal penalties. All of this, when he was the one who perpetu‐ the Queen's representative, a throwback to the Middle Ages and the ated the problem by failing to adequately fund health care. Unbe‐ rituals Canada just cannot seem to let go of. The speech included lievable. absolutely nothing that justified proroguing Parliament for over a month in the middle of a crisis. Instead, we just heard more about The Bloc Québécois wants this government, and especially the the same things that had been introduced in the spring. Prime Minister, to stop trying to lecture us. He needs to stop trying to be a know-it-all, meddling in others' jurisdictions, and has to Let us not forget the Prime Minister's decision to go on TV that start doing his job and adequately fund health care. He needs to night, taking over prime time airwaves, only to summarize what stop putting his party and his friends ahead of the public good as he was in the speech, and just to maximize his media presence. His ad‐ manages the crisis by ensuring that his government programs are dress confirmed our suspicions: It was absolutely unnecessary, but run ethically and above reproach. it did a heck of a good job on boosting his image. Basically, it was grandstanding and electioneering at its finest. Interestingly enough, La Presse pointed out on Wednesday that intergouvernementalisations has now replaced anticonstitution‐ To come back to the Speech from the Throne, the Bloc nellement as the longest word in the French language. This is a Québécois was calling for an increase in health transfers and re‐ contested topic. The adverb, meaning “unconstitutionally”, unfortu‐ spect for jurisdictions. That is what the National Assembly is call‐ nately seems to apply to the current government. I will give you an ing for and that is what suits Quebec. However, the Speech from example. The Prime Minister governed unconstitutionally by inter‐ the Throne provides the exact opposite of that. The centralist aspi‐ fering in Quebec's and the provinces' jurisdictions. rations of the Liberal government managed to garner unanimity at Now that this word has lost its status, the government should the National Assembly of Quebec, where every party is against the stop trying to emulate it and start respecting jurisdictions. Speech from the Throne, from the Coalition Avenir Québec govern‐ ment to the Parti Québécois, Québec Solidaire and even the Liberal ● (1015) Party. To get everyone on board like that takes special talent. [English] As La Presse reported, even the leader of the Liberal Party of Mr. Mark Gerretsen (Kingston and the Islands, Lib.): Mr. Speak‐ Quebec says that respecting our jurisdictions is not negotiable. She er, as we talk about the throne speech in today's debate and in de‐ talks about this speech as a missed opportunity to meet the needs of bates in the future, it is important to reflect on how the federal gov‐ Quebec. That is the QLP we are talking about and every other party ernment has performed over the past six months in terms of taking had the same reaction. Why is Ottawa systematically interfering in care of everyday Canadians. There will always be more work to be the affairs of Quebec and the provinces instead of focusing on do‐ done. There will always be people who could have been helped ing its own job? more, and we will always search for new programs to do that even better. It is part of the federal government's role to help fund health care, as Quebec and the provinces are demanding. I do not know if One thing that I can say is that, in the province of Ontario, the members are familiar with John Micklethwait, the editor-in-chief of federal government was there and the federal government continues Bloomberg News, and Adrian Wooldridge, a columnist for The to be there for Canadians.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • April 28, 2020 Honourable Catherine Mckenna Minister of Infrastructure
    April 28, 2020 Honourable Catherine McKenna Minister of Infrastructure and Communities [email protected] Dear Minister McKenna, We write as twenty (20) business organizations representing a broad cross-section of Manitoba’s economy collectively employing tens of thousands of women and men. Those industries include engineering & consulting, heavy civil and 2 vertical construction, commercial and residential development, manufacturing & exporting, retail, agriculture, commercial trucking and skilled trades. Our appeal to the federal government is that it assist in our provincial economic recovery by accelerating the approvals of and flexibility in the allocation from federal programs. Such measures would enable funding of key Manitoba projects that would immediately procure jobs, build legacy assets and be key instruments in help kick-staring Manitoba’s economy. The above is necessary to help correct the lack of confidence in the economy by all its sectors, the alarm, anxiety and fear of what lies ahead around the corner, and indeed where that corner is. That has led to private-sector projects being deferred or outright canceled. Those decision have resulted in lost jobs, supply and equipment sales, all of which reduces the collective ROI to GDP. Addressing consumer and investor confidence is critical to our recovery. In that regard, we understand the Province of Manitoba has communicated its commitment to flow its capital programs, harnessing investment in infrastructure to help Manitoba’s economy recover. We are told Manitoba has more than $6B in project submissions for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) with many being shovel ready. We urge the federal government to make the most of the current market conditions - competitive bid prices and extraordinarily low interest rates - to meet the formidable economic challenge in front of us.
    [Show full text]
  • Dealing with Crisis
    Briefing on the New Parliament December 12, 2019 CONFIDENTIAL – FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Regional Seat 8 6 ON largely Flip from NDP to Distribution static 33 36 Bloc Liberals pushed out 10 32 Minor changes in Battleground B.C. 16 Liberals lose the Maritimes Goodale 1 12 1 1 2 80 10 1 1 79 1 14 11 3 1 5 4 10 17 40 35 29 33 32 15 21 26 17 11 4 8 4 2015 2019 2015 2019 2015 2019 2015 2019 2015 2019 2015 2019 BC AB MB/SK ON QC AC Other 2 Seats in the House Other *As of December 5, 2019 3 Challenges & opportunities of minority government 4 Minority Parliament In a minority government, Trudeau and the Liberals face a unique set of challenges • Stable, for now • Campaign driven by consumer issues continues 5 Minority Parliament • Volatile and highly partisan • Scaled back agenda • The budget is key • Regulation instead of legislation • Advocacy more complicated • House committee wild cards • “Weaponized” Private Members’ Bills (PMBs) 6 Kitchen Table Issues and Other Priorities • Taxes • Affordability • Cost of Living • Healthcare Costs • Deficits • Climate Change • Indigenous Issues • Gender Equality 7 National Unity Prairies and the West Québéc 8 Federal Fiscal Outlook • Parliamentary Budget Officer’s most recent forecast has downgraded predicted growth for the economy • The Liberal platform costing projected adding $31.5 billion in new debt over the next four years 9 The Conservatives • Campaigned on cutting regulatory burden, review of “corporate welfare” • Mr. Scheer called a special caucus meeting on December 12 where he announced he was stepping
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental
    Back to normal is still a long way off Gwynne Dyer p. 12 What now of the Michael environmental Harris movement in Canada? p.11 Phil Gurski p. 11 Some MPs donating their salary increases to charities p. 4 THIRTY-FIRST YEAR, NO. 1718 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020 $5.00 News Remote caucus meetings Analysis Feds’ response Analysis: Did In the time of the pandemic, the feds flip- flop on closing Liberals holding national caucus the border or wearing meetings seven days a week masks amid The Liberals' daily Liberals meetings start with the COVID-19 are using a an update for MPs on new developments outbreak? regular daily and the government's initiatives from BY PETER MAZEREEUW conference Deputy House Leader Kirsty Duncan, he federal government says call for their left, International science and expert advice is Trade Minister Mary T caucus behind its decision to shut the Ng, and Minister border to travellers and its chang- meetings. The of Middle Class ing advice on whether Canadians Prosperity Mona should wear masks amid the CO- Conservatives Fortier. Usually, VID-19 outbreak. While Canada’s a member of the are using top health official pointed to COVID-19 cabinet new science related to using face Zoom and committee, or masks, one expert says there is another cabinet no scientific evidence that could the New minister also joins have informed Canada’s decision them in updating Democrats to close its border on March 16. caucus members. “There is no science about The Hill Times are using whether it works to restrict all photographs by travel into a country,” said Steven GoToMeeting.
    [Show full text]
  • Complete Agenda Package
    AGENDA MIDDLESEX-LONDON BOARD OF HEALTH Thursday, November 21, 2019, 7:00 p.m. 399 Ridout Street North, London, Ontario Side Entrance, (recessed door) MLHU Boardroom MISSION - MIDDLESEX-LONDON HEALTH UNIT The mission of the Middlesex-London Health Unit is to promote and protect the health of our community. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH Ms. Trish Fulton (Chair) Ms. Maureen Cassidy (Vice-Chair) Mr. John Brennan Mr. Michael Clarke Ms. Aina DeViet Ms. Kelly Elliott Ms. Tino Kasi Mr. Ian Peer Mr. Matt Reid SECRETARY-TREASURER Dr. Christopher Mackie DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST APPROVAL OF AGENDA MINUTES Approve: October 17, 2019 - Board of Health meeting Receive: October 31, 2019 – Finance & Facilities Committee meeting minutes October 17, 2019 – Relocation Advisory Committee meeting minutes 1 Item Item # Delegation Recommendation Information Link to Report Name and Number Overview and Lead Additional Information Reports and Agenda Items To provide an update on reports October 31, 2019 Finance & reviewed at the October 31, 2019 October 31, 2019 – Facilities Committee Meeting Finance & Facilities Committee Agenda 1 x x x Update meeting. Minutes (Report No. 068-19) Lead: Mr. Matt Reid, Chair, Finance & Facilities Committee To provide an update on reports reviewed at the November 21, 2019 November 21, 2019 Governance November 21, 2019 Governance Committee meeting. 2 x x x Committee Verbal Update Agenda Lead: Ms. Aina DeViet, Chair, Governance Committee To provide an update on the Launch of Updated Community Community Health Status Resource Health Status Resource 3 x x Lead: Dr. Alex Summers, Associate (Report No. 069-19) Medical Officer of Health and Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • Evidence of the Special Committee on the COVID
    43rd PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic EVIDENCE NUMBER 019 Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Chair: The Honourable Anthony Rota 1 Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic Tuesday, June 9, 2020 ● (1200) Mr. Paul Manly (Nanaimo—Ladysmith, GP): Thank you, [Translation] Madam Chair. The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès (Brossard— It's an honour to present a petition for the residents and con‐ Saint-Lambert, Lib.)): I now call this meeting to order. stituents of Nanaimo—Ladysmith. Welcome to the 19th meeting of the Special Committee on the Yesterday was World Oceans Day. This petition calls upon the COVID-19 Pandemic. House of Commons to establish a permanent ban on crude oil [English] tankers on the west coast of Canada to protect B.C.'s fisheries, tourism, coastal communities and the natural ecosystems forever. I remind all members that in order to avoid issues with sound, members participating in person should not also be connected to the Thank you. video conference. For those of you who are joining via video con‐ ference, I would like to remind you that when speaking you should The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Thank you very be on the same channel as the language you are speaking. much. [Translation] We now go to Mrs. Jansen. As usual, please address your remarks to the chair, and I will re‐ Mrs. Tamara Jansen (Cloverdale—Langley City, CPC): mind everyone that today's proceedings are televised. Thank you, Madam Chair. We will now proceed to ministerial announcements. I'm pleased to rise today to table a petition concerning con‐ [English] science rights for palliative care providers, organizations and all health care professionals.
    [Show full text]
  • Carleton Party Name Contact #’S Web Site Notes Conservative Pierre Tel: 613-992-2772 2011 – 54% Poilievre Fax: 613-992-1209 2015 – 47% (-7%)
    Ottawa Area MPs January 25, 2016 Carleton Party Name Contact #’s Web Site Notes Conservative Pierre Tel: 613-992-2772 http://pierremp.ca 2011 – 54% Poilievre Fax: 613-992-1209 2015 – 47% (-7%) Email: [email protected] Address: 1139 Mill Street (Main Office) Manotick ON K4M 1A5 Phone: 1 613 692-3331 Profile: Pierre Poilievre, PC, MP; born June 3, 1979 is a Canadian politician and was the Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister of State. He is currently a member of the Canadian House of Commons representing the suburban Ottawa riding of Carleton. First elected in 2004, Poilievre was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2015. Poilievre received the second highest vote total of any candidate in the 2008 election. Poilievre was born in Calgary, Alberta, the son of schoolteachers. Poilievre is Franco-Albertan in origin. He studied international relations at the University of Calgary, following a period of study in commerce at the same institution. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary. Poilievre has done policy work for Canadian Alliance MPs Stockwell Day and Jason Kenney, and prior to running for office himself; worked as a full-time assistant to Day. He also worked for Magna International, focusing on communications, and has done public relations work. In 1999, writing as Pierre Marcel Poilievre, he contributed an essay, "Building Canada Through Freedom" to the book @Stake—"As Prime Minister, I Would...", a collection of essays from Magna International's "As Prime Minister" awards program. In his essay he argued, among other things, for a two-term limit for all Members of Parliament.
    [Show full text]
  • March 25, 2020 Board of Health Meeting
    March 25, 2020 Board of Health Meeting BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING Algoma Community Room / Teleconference 294 Willow Avenue Sault Ste. Marie, P6B 0A9 www.algomapublichealth.com Meeting Book - March 25, 2020 Board of Health Meeting Algoma Public Health Board of Health Meeting Table of Contents 1. Call to Order a. Declaration of Conflict of Interest 2. Adoption of Agenda a. March 25, 2020 BOH Agenda Page 4 3. Adoption of Minutes a. February 26, 2020 BOH Meeting Minutes Page 7 4. Delegation/Presentations 5. Business Arising 6. Reports to Board a. Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer Report b. Finance and Audit i. Financial Statements for the period ending Page 12 January 31, 2020 c. Governance Committee 7. New Business 8. Correspondence a. News Release from [email protected] regarding Page 19 Ontario Protecting Children and Youth from Dangers of Vaping dated February 28, 2020. b. Motion from Grey Bruce Health Unit regarding The Page 21 Harms of Vaping and the Next Steps for Regulation dated March 3, 2020. c. Motions from Grey Bruce Health Unit regarding Page 24 Comprehensive Measures to Address the Rise of Vaping in Canada dated March 3, 2020. d. Letter to Peterborough Public Health regarding Page 27 Support for a Seamless Provincial Immunization Registry dated March 5, 2020. e. Communication regarding alPHa's Submission: Page 29 COVID-19 and Reconsiderations Related to Public Page 2 of 50 Health Modernization dated March 10, 2020. f. News Release from [email protected] regarding Page 32 Premier Ford Announces Job Protection for Workers during the COVID-19 Situation dated March 16, 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • Evidence of the Standing Committee on Access To
    43rd PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics EVIDENCE NUMBER 019 Friday, February 5, 2021 Chair: Mr. Chris Warkentin 1 Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Friday, February 5, 2021 ● (1300) our users and the public, we recognize that we could have done [English] more in the past and we must do more in the future. The Chair (Mr. Chris Warkentin (Grande Prairie—Mackenzie, CPC)): This is the 19th meeting of the House of Commons Stand‐ ing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. We are resuming our study today on the protection of privacy I want to be clear to every member of this honourable committee, and reputation on online video platforms such as Pornhub. and to the Canadian public, that even a single unlawful or non-con‐ sensual image on MindGeek's platforms is one too many, full stop. I'd like to remind you that our meeting today is televised. We are fathers and husbands. We have over 1,800 employees with Today we have three witnesses at our committee. From families and loved ones. We are devastated by what the victims of MindGeek, we have Feras Antoon, chief executive officer; David these heinous acts have gone through. I want to emphasize that this Tassillo, chief operating officer; and Corey Urman, vice-president, type of material has no place on our platforms and is contrary to video-sharing platform. our values and our business model. We are sickened when anyone attempts to abuse our platforms to further their violence.
    [Show full text]
  • June 2020 Newsletter
    RCMP VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION VANCOUVER DIVISION WEBSITE: http://www.rcmpveteransvancouver.com/ JUNE 2020 GENERAL MEETINGS: In normal times, we would not hold Division General Meetings in the months of July, August and September, so you could say that we are back to normal for the next three months. We are still hopeful that under the phased approach to reopening, being taken by Provincial Health Authorities, we will be able to resume our General Meetings in some form in October. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: These past few months have been a big challenge to all of us. Our whole way of life has basically changed. We now have to take huge measures to protect ourselves from a virus that could take our lives. I know when I make my weekly trip to the grocery store that I will see seniors not practicing social distancing. It concerns me when people don’t listen to the experts in doing something that is so simple. To this end I hope all of our members are taking these precautions and as our Chief Medical Officer says, “Be Safe, be careful and be kind”. To protect our members, the association has suspended our regular lunch meetings until such time as they can be done in safety. We will review this decision again in September and adhere to the advice of our Chief Medical Officer Bonnie Henry. The world itself has been turned upside down with the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. I would not have thought for a minute that an incident in the US could so profoundly affect our country.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the House of Commons
    43rd PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION House of Commons Debates Official Report (Hansard) Volume 150 No. 092 Friday, April 30, 2021 Speaker: The Honourable Anthony Rota CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) 6457 HOUSE OF COMMONS Friday, April 30, 2021 The House met at 10 a.m. Bibeau Bittle Blaikie Blair Blanchet Blanchette-Joncas Blaney (North Island—Powell River) Blois Boudrias Boulerice Prayer Bratina Brière Brunelle-Duceppe Cannings Carr Casey Chabot Chagger GOVERNMENT ORDERS Champagne Champoux Charbonneau Chen ● (1000) Cormier Dabrusin [English] Damoff Davies DeBellefeuille Desbiens WAYS AND MEANS Desilets Dhaliwal Dhillon Dong MOTION NO. 9 Drouin Dubourg Duclos Duguid Hon. Chrystia Freeland (Minister of Finance, Lib.) moved Duncan (Etobicoke North) Duvall that a ways and means motion to implement certain provisions of Dzerowicz Easter the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19, 2021 and other mea‐ Ehsassi El-Khoury sures be concurred in. Ellis Erskine-Smith Fergus Fillmore The Deputy Speaker: The question is on the motion. Finnigan Fisher Fonseca Fortier If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to Fortin Fragiskatos request either a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on Fraser Freeland division, I ask them to rise in their place and indicate it to the Chair. Fry Garneau Garrison Gaudreau The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent. Gazan Gerretsen Gill Gould [Translation] Green Guilbeault Hajdu Hardie Mr. Gérard Deltell: Mr. Speaker, we request a recorded divi‐ Harris Holland sion. Housefather Hughes The Deputy Speaker: Call in the members. Hussen Hutchings Iacono Ien ● (1045) Jaczek Johns Joly Jones [English] Jordan Jowhari (The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the Julian Kelloway Khalid Khera following division:) Koutrakis Kusmierczyk (Division No.
    [Show full text]
  • By Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette Governor General of Canada
    State Visits to Burkina Faso, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette Governor General of Canada Delegation State Visit to Burkina Faso State Visit to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire October 23 to 26, 2018 October 26 to 28, 2018 State Visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria October 28 to 30, 2018 State Visits to Burkina Faso, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the Federal Republic of Nigeria October 23 to 30, 2018 Official Delegation Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette Governor General of Canada Canada’s 29th governor general, Julie Payette, has worked as an astronaut, engineer, science broadcaster, scholar, administrator and corporate director. The first Canadian to board the International Space Station, Ms. Payette participated in two space missions, aboard the Discovery STS-96 (1999) and Endeavour STS-127 (2009) shuttles. She also served as CAPCOM (capsule communicator) at NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, and was chief astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency (2000–07). Ms. Payette worked as a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (2011) and as Québec scientific delegate to the United States in Washington, D.C. (2011– 13). She then served as chief operating officer of the Montréal Science Centre (2013–16). Ms. Payette has been active in multiple facets of society throughout her career, notably with a number of organizations dedicated to youth, culture and sport. She has produced several scientific outreach short programs on Radio-Canada and has acted as a member of McGill University’s Faculty of Engineering Advisory Board.
    [Show full text]
  • Joint Statement Calling for Sanctioning of Chinese and Hong Kong Officials and Protection for Hong Kongers at Risk of Political Persecution
    Joint statement calling for sanctioning of Chinese and Hong Kong officials and protection for Hong Kongers at risk of political persecution We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to take action in light of the mass arrests and assault on civil rights following the unilateral imposition of the new National Security Law in Hong Kong. Many in Hong Kong fear they will face the same fate as the student protestors in Tiananmen Square, defenders’ lawyers, and millions of interned Uyghurs, Tibetans, and faith groups whose rights of free expression and worship are denied. We urge the Government of Canada to offer a “Safe Harbour Program” with an expedited process to grant protection and permanent residency status to Hong Kongers at risk of political persecution under the National Security Law, including international students and expatriate workers who have been involved in protest actions in Canada. Furthermore, Canada must invoke the Sergei Magnitsky Law to sanction Chinese and Hong Kong officials who instituted the National Security Law, as well as other acts violating human rights; and to ban them and their immediate family members from Canada and freeze their Canadian assets. Canada needs to work closely with international allies with shared values to institute a strong policy toward China. It is time for Canada to take meaningful action to show leadership on the world stage. Signatories: Civil society organizations Action Free Hong Kong Montreal Canada-Hong Kong Link Canada Tibet Committee Canadian Centre for Victims of
    [Show full text]