DEBATES OF THE SENATE 2nd SESSION • 43rd PARLIAMENT • VOLUME 152 • NUMBER 17 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, December 8, 2020 The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates Services: Josée Boisvert, National Press Building, Room 831, Tel. 613-219-3775 Publications Centre: Kim Laughren, National Press Building, Room 926, Tel. 343-550-5002 Published by the Senate Available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 564 THE SENATE Tuesday, December 8, 2020 The Senate met at 2 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. scientists and other agri-business owners — experts such as the “godfather of soil health,” Don Lobb and academics like his son Prayers. Dr. David Lobb and his colleagues at the University of Manitoba. Today, I am pleased to share that I recently communicated my SENATORS’ STATEMENTS intention to introduce a proposal for a new, updated soil health study at the Agriculture and Forestry Committee. WORLD SOIL DAY As honourable senators know, it has been 36 years since the Senate last completed a study on soil health, and in the decades Hon. Robert Black: Honourable senators, I have risen on a that have passed since that report came out the agricultural number of occasions in the chamber and in the Committee on landscape has changed and grown. Soil is not a renewable Agriculture and Forestry to speak on the importance of soil resource, and in 2016 only 7% of Canada’s soil was deemed health. Today I would like to highlight the United Nations’ suitable for agriculture. Although some farmers have transitioned World Soil Day, which took place last Saturday, December 5. to more soil-friendly practices, such as no-till farming and crop This year’s campaign — “Keep soil alive, protect soil rotations, a concerning amount of Canadian soil has already been biodiversity” — urges us to focus our attention on the workers eroded. below ground, from tiny bacteria to agile millipedes and slimy earthworms. I am hopeful, if the committee chooses to undertake a soil health study when we next meet to discuss possible topics, that As a long-standing member of Ontario’s agricultural this study will connect Canadians from all walks of life by community, I know how important the health of soils is. In fact, introducing soil health through a variety of lenses, including that since becoming a senator in 2018, I have been consistently of food security; environmental conservation; the link between meeting with soil health stakeholders, including farmers, air, water quality and soil health; and the role of soil in carbon scientists and other agri-business owners — experts such as the markets and climate change. History has shown healthy soil to be godfather of soil health, Don Lobb, and academics like his son essential to social, economic and political stability. Dr. David Lobb and his colleagues at the University of Manitoba. Honourable colleagues, we don’t have much time left to save The Hon. the Speaker: I apologize for interrupting you, our soil — some say less than 50 years. The future of this Senator Black, but it appears that some senators who are country, and inevitably of the world, is intrinsically linked to the participating virtually may not have their microphones muted. health of its ecosystem, which itself hinges upon soil health. Honourable senators, it seems the issue is a bit more complex, While World Soil Day has passed, I hope you will all get out so we will suspend until the matter is under control. Anyone any time you can, get your hands dirty in some soil and celebrate opposed to suspending will please say “no.” Canadian biodiversity. (The sitting of the Senate was suspended.) Thank you. Meegwetch. (The sitting of the Senate was resumed.) REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN • (1410) The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, we will restart FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY the clock for Senator R. Black’s statement. Hon. Donna Dasko: Honourable senators, on February 16, Senator R. Black: Honourable senators, I have risen on a 1967, Prime Minister Lester Pearson announced the number of occasions in this chamber and in the Committee on establishment of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women Agriculture and Forestry to speak on the importance of soil in Canada. The report of that royal commission was tabled on health. Today I would like to highlight the United Nations World December 7, 1970; exactly 50 years ago. It was a milestone in the Soil Day that took place last Saturday, December 5. This year’s struggle to advance equality rights for women in this country. campaign, “Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity,” urges us to focus our attention on the workers underground, from tiny The government of the day did not want this royal bacteria to agile millipedes and slimy earthworms. commission. They thought it would cause a lot of trouble, but a coalition of 32 women’s groups, led by legendary feminist Laura As a long-standing member of Ontario’s agricultural Sabia joined with their Quebec sisters to demand an inquiry and community, I know just how important the health of soils is. In threatened a march on Ottawa if it did not happen. They found a fact, since becoming a senator in 2018, I have consistently been strong ally in Judy LaMarsh, the only woman in cabinet, and the meeting with soil-health stakeholders, including farmers, commission came into being. December 8, 2020 SENATE DEBATES 565 As a royal commission, it broke new ground: it was the first to I walk for my wife, Ellen, an ovarian cancer survivor; I walk be led by a woman, it reached out to the public, ordinary citizens for my daughter-in-law, Lisa; I walk for my granddaughter, Ellie; could make submissions, it dropped the legalistic and formal and I walk for all the women in my life and for all the women in style of previous commissions and the CBC covered its public your lives. We will find a cure for this horrible disease. hearings. Additionally, 900 people testified at its hearings, and 469 submissions and 1,000 letters of opinion were received. With your continued assistance, I hope to continue to support Most important, the report documented the stereotypes, all those researchers and medical professionals across Canada discrimination and huge obstacles faced by women in this and the world to help make this happen. country. Its 167 recommendations offered sweeping proposals and policies for change, including pay equity, employment equity, pensions, education reform, abortion rights, birth control, maternity leave, family law reform, female advancement, Thank you, honourable senators. equality for Indigenous women under the Indian Act, and, yes, it recommended child care and more. Hon. Senators: Hear, hear. The royal commission led to vast legislative changes. As just one of many examples, the Statute Law (Status of Women) Amendment Act, 1974, amended 10 different federal statutes dealing with unemployment insurance, immigration, pensions, PUSLINCH, ONTARIO—RENAMING OF STREET elections and more. Status of women ministries and advisory councils were established at the federal level and in most provinces. Hon. Linda Frum: Honourable senators, you may be A creation of the women’s movement, the commission was a surprised to learn that in the community of Puslinch, Ontario, rallying point for further action and further activism on the part there is a street by the name of Swastika Trail. I imagine to your of women to achieve gender equality. ears, as to mine, the street name is offensive. This Thursday, all parliamentarians are invited to a panel discussion I am hosting with the Honourable Hedy Fry to explore The swastika is obviously associated with Hitler’s murderous this chapter in our history and “her story.” We will look at its Nazi regime responsible for World War II and the death of successes, its limitations and its unfinished business. The young 45,000 Canadian soldiers and 85 million souls worldwide, Monique Bégin, who ran the commission as its executive including 6 million murdered Jews. secretary and went on to become the first Quebec woman elected to Parliament, is among our distinguished panellists this Thursday. From the world we had, to the world we want, I hope to see you there. It is true that before the Nazis adopted it, the swastika was culturally associated with South Asia, where it was revered for Thank you. Meegwetch. millennia as a sign of good fortune and well-being. But unfortunately, this once benign symbol was appropriated by the Nazis and it is undeniable that today, because of its association OVARIAN CANCER CANADA with Hitler’s heinous regime, the swastika is a potent and enduring symbol of murderous anti-Semitism, hate and nihilism. WALK OF HOPE Hon. Terry M. Mercer: Honourable senators, the Ovarian Swastika Trail in Puslinch, Ontario, was named as such in Cancer Canada Walk of Hope was again held this past 1922. If that was not prior to the Nazi adoption of the symbol, it September in over 34 communities nationwide, although it was a was prior to it being associated with their heinous crimes. While bit different this year because of the pandemic. Since we could we can conclude there was not necessarily any ill intent when the not all gather in large groups, we each did our own small walks name was originally chosen, that it has endured to this day is to ensure proper social distancing. My family and I walked in our deeply insensitive and disrespectful. It is especially unpleasant neighbourhood to show our support for this important cause. for those living on Swastika Trail, many of whom have tried for decades to have the name changed, including through the courts.