CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 144 Ï NUMBER 025 Ï 2nd SESSION Ï 40th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Friday, March 6, 2009 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1393 HOUSE OF COMMONS Friday, March 6, 2009 The House met at 10 a.m. Some hon. members: Yes. The Speaker: The House has heard the terms of the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion? Prayers Some hon. members: Agreed. (Motion agreed to) GOVERNMENT ORDERS Mr. Mark Warawa (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, CPC) moved that Bill C-17, An Act to Ï (1005) recognize Beechwood Cemetery as the national cemetery of Canada, [English] be read the second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. NATIONAL CEMETERY OF CANADA ACT He said: Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by seeking unanimous Hon. Jay Hill (Leader of the Government in the House of consent to share my time. Commons, CPC): Mr. Speaker, momentarily, I will be proposing a motion by unanimous consent to expedite passage through the The Speaker: Does the hon. member have unanimous consent to House of an important new bill, An Act to recognize Beechwood share his time? Cemetery as the national cemetery of Canada. However, before I Some hon. members: Agreed. propose my motion, which has been agreed to in advance by all parties, I would like to take a quick moment to thank my colleagues Mr. Mark Warawa: Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to speak on and the other parties for their cooperation in expediting this behalf of the Conservative government to Bill C-17, An Act to legislation. recognize Beechwood Cemetery as the national cemetery of Canada. This is a clear demonstration of how Parliament can work when I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of we have set aside our partisan differences and work for the good of the member for Ottawa—Vanier on this file. I would also like to note the Canadian people, who have entrusted us to represent them. This the efforts of my good friend, the member for Ottawa—Orléans, who legislation was tabled just yesterday and, when passed, will establish seconded this motion and with whom I will be splitting my time. I for the first time ever a national cemetery for our country. Hereafter, would also like to specifically acknowledge the work of the Minister governors general, prime ministers and Victoria Cross winners will of the Environment, who put a lot of effort into this project to finally be able to choose to be interred and commemorated there. make it a reality. Once this important bill passes both houses and becomes law, we The recognition of Beechwood Cemetery as the national cemetery will finally have our own cemetery where Canadians can of Canada would serve as an eloquent symbol for our country. This commemorate those who have dedicated themselves to the service unique recognition would confer upon Beechwood Cemetery the of the public through high office or supreme military valour. I am honour of being a national place of tribute. very proud of this legislation and I am pleased that it will be I would like to talk a little bit about what makes Beechwood the expedited through the House. right choice for being recognized as the national cemetery. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I believe you will find unanimous consent Beechwood is a reflection of Canada's identity as a multicultural, for the following motion. I move: multi-faith society with sections reserved for the Chinese, Greek, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Polish, Lebanese and other ethnocultural That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practices of the House, a member from each recognized party may speak for not more than 10 minutes on the second communities. reading motion of Bill C-17, An Act to recognize Beechwood Cemetery as the national cemetery of Canada, after which the bill shall be deemed to have been read a Monuments to St. Charbel, Our Lady of Fatima, Élizabeth second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole, deemed considered in Bruyère, and St. Marguerite d'Youville are visible on the grounds. Committee of the Whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in Beechwood is also the home of the Chinese Cemetery of Ottawa, at report stage and deemed read a third time and passed. designed according to Chinese religious principles and distinguished The Speaker: Does the hon. government House leader have the by a pagoda to honour the community's ancestors. An aboriginal unanimous consent of the House to propose this motion? tribute garden is also in the planning stages. 1394 COMMONS DEBATES March 6, 2009 Government Orders Over the past decade the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation has Bill C-17 is an opportunity for all members of the House to work worked hard to set the foundation for its inevitable recognition as the in this spirit, and as the House can see, we are. national cemetery of Canada. First, I would like to praise the Minister of the Environment for his In 2001 Beechwood became the National Military Cemetery for hard work and dedication to this project. While this idea is not a new the Canadian Forces. In 2002 it was designated as a National one, this minister and this government have made sure to make it Historic Site of Canada. In 2004 the RCMP National Memorial happen. Cemetery was established here. Finally, in 2007 the veterans sections administered by Veterans Affairs Canada and the Commonwealth [Translation] War Graves Commission were amalgamated with the National Military Cemetery. In addition, I would like to mention the contribution of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Chief In April 2008 the multi-million dollar Beechwood National Government Whip, the members for Ottawa—Vanier, Ottawa Centre Memorial Centre was opened to serve the memorial and commem- and Gatineau, as well as Senators Keon and Munson and Bruce orative needs of all Canadians. The facility features an imposing Carson, from the Prime Minister's Office. I would also like to extend sacred space area, adjoining reception rooms, and a Hall of Colours, my appreciation to Grete Hale and her foundation. featuring the laid up colours of Canada's military regiments. The [English] sacred space area was designed after extensive consultation with leaders of major faith groups to better serve the needs of Canada's Some may ask, why does Canada need a national cemetery? In diverse faith communities. It is believed to be the first centre of its answer, I am sure that many hon. members are familiar with the kind in the world. Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C. In fact, there The national cemetery of Canada proposal arises from a are 141 national cemeteries in the United States, but they are collaborative effort between the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation generally military cemeteries containing the graves of U.S. military and the Government of Canada. The costs of interments would personnel, veterans and their spouses. The Arlington National continue to be the responsibility of various federal departments and Cemetery is an exception, as it contains the graves of outstanding agencies as appropriate: National Defence for the burial of military civilian leaders and other people of national importance in the U.S. personnel in the National Cemetery of the Canadian Forces; the National cemeteries in that country thus serve a very specific RCMP for the burial of members and their immediate families in the military purpose. National Memorial Cemetery; Veterans Affairs Canada offers a Ï (1015) program to assist the families of veterans with the burial of those who served Canada; Canadian Heritage for state funerals and the [Translation] interment of governors general and prime ministers; and the Parks Canada Agency for the maintenance of the gravesites of Canadian Other countries have established national cemeteries. The prime ministers. Pantheon in Paris is a building that serves as a repository for the remains of many illustrious French citizens. Through its 135 years of existence, Beechwood has proudly [English] evolved into a leading multicultural, multi-faith cemetery in the nation, and remains an outstanding cultural landscape, which Members of the British royal family are interred at Westminster expresses the values and beliefs of many important and distinct Abbey and at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. These models serve cultural communities in Canada. very specific purposes, and while of interest, do not meet the needs For generations to come, Beechwood Cemetery will continue to of our country. provide a symbolic venue to honour prominent Canadians, including This government believes that a made in Canada formula is former prime ministers, governors general, those who fought required for a national cemetery that extends beyond military burials valiantly to promote democratic values and to ensure world peace and that pays tribute to the contributions made by all those who and security, and the men and women who have shaped the course of came before us in shaping Canada as a nation. Canada's history. I would now like to share my time with my colleague, the member I am sure that hon. members support the need for a national for Ottawa—Orléans. cemetery in Canada. Over 75,000 Canadians from all walks of life found their final resting place at Beechwood Cemetery, including 23 Ï (1010) national historic persons who have made an outstanding and lasting Mr. Royal Galipeau (Ottawa—Orléans, CPC): Mr. Speaker, let contribution to Canadian history.