DEBATES OF THE SENATE 1st SESSION • 42nd PARLIAMENT • VOLUME 150 • NUMBER 268 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Wednesday, February 27, 2019 The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates Services: D’Arcy McPherson, National Press Building, Room 906, Tel. 613-995-5756 Publications Centre: Kim Laughren, National Press Building, Room 926, Tel. 613-947-0609 Published by the Senate Available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 7480 THE SENATE Wednesday, February 27, 2019 The Senate met at 2 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. [Translation] Prayers. BLACK HISTORY MONTH SENATORS’ STATEMENTS Hon. Paul E. McIntyre: Honourable senators, as you know, this month is Black History Month, and in Nova Scotia, it’s African Heritage Month as well. What’s more, the international PINK SHIRT DAY community has proclaimed 2015 to 2024 the International Decade for People of African Descent, with the theme “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development.” Hon. Jane Cordy: Honourable senators, I rise today in recognition of Pink Shirt Day, February 27, when Canadians across the country and many here in Parliament wear pink shirts I just want to thank Senator Bernard for raising this important to work and school to create awareness about the impact of subject with her inquiry into anti-Black racism and giving us a bullying. chance to debate this issue. I also want to thank the other senators who expressed their support during this inquiry and A little more than 10 years ago, in Berwick, Nova Scotia, the contributed to the debate. duo of David Shepherd and Travis Price came together in support of a ninth-grade student teased and bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. Wanting to take a stand against bullying, David There are so many inspiring stories about the incredibly brave and Travis bought 50 pink shirts and handed them out at school heroes who have stood up to anti-Black racism in Canada, but I for all the boys to wear. Honourable senators, the pink shirt want to focus on one in particular, a woman whose name is became a symbol against bullying. Now Canadians across the familiar to us all, Viola Desmond. country wear pink shirts on February 27 to support anti-bullying efforts. She was a successful Black business woman and civil rights pioneer from Halifax, Nova Scotia, who made the courageous In this day and age with social media and modern technology, decision to defy authority and refuse to give up her seat in the people are vulnerable to bullying 24 hours a day and almost Whites-only section of a movie theatre where she was trying to anywhere they go. It is for this reason that the focus of the see the film Dark Mirror in 1946. As someone who was not only initiative’s 2019 awareness day is cyberbullying. Bullying in any a woman, but a Black woman, she carried a double burden. form can cause serious detriment to a person’s mental well-being. Sadly, this burden continues to weigh on women of colour to this It can destroy confidence and one’s sense of self. The day. She was a hero who courageously challenged racial repercussions are numerous, and it can have an impact that lasts a segregation. She is the first Canadian woman and the first woman lifetime. of colour to be featured on a regularly circulating banknote. For these reasons, I applaud people like David Shepherd and This year, New Brunswick is celebrating Black History Month Travis Price, and indeed anyone, who stands up and takes action in an extremely interesting and educational way. We can thank against bullying. With their seemingly small act, they have made the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the New Brunswick Black History it easier for people all over Canada to stand together. Society, St. Thomas University and especially an artist by the name of Ivan Crowell. Pink Shirt Day, while supporting anti-bullying efforts also makes allies visible. Honourable senators, join me in being an Ivan Crowell wove nine remarkable tapestries depicting the ally. Should you find yourself without something pink in your history of African Canadians in New Brunswick. His magnificent wardrobe, the Pink Shirt Day initiative encourages you to combat works will be on display at the gallery until March 24. They tell hate online by being kind and saying something nice to someone the story of the Black Loyalists’ arrival in the region, the on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. The hashtag #PinkItForward remarkable exploits of Thomas Peters, one of the founding can be used to encourage kindness and, by using this hashtag, fathers of Sierra Leone, who travelled to London to defend Black one dollar will be donated by Coastal Capital in support of rights and petition the government on behalf of free Blacks, and bullying prevention programs. Willie O’Ree, the hockey player who broke the National Hockey League’s colour barrier. Honourable senators, let us celebrate Pink Shirt Day and stand up to bullying together and let’s #PinkItForward. Thank you. Many more heroes have followed and continue to follow in their footsteps, fighting the many forms of injustice, inequality, Some Hon. Senators: Hear, hear. marginalization and racism that plague African Canadians. February 27, 2019 SENATE DEBATES 7481 I join my colleagues who spoke before me in strongly THE HONOURABLE LINDA FRUM supporting the inquiry launched by our colleague, Senator Bernard, and in acknowledging Black History Month, because it is high time to eradicate the scourge of racism once and for all. CONGRATULATIONS ON HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM THE Thank you. HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM Hon. Leo Housakos: Honourable colleagues, my passion for VISITORS IN THE GALLERY current affairs and political discourse dates back to when I was a child. I’ve spoken before in this chamber about how my interest The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw in civic engagement was passed to me from my father. your attention to the presence in the gallery of a group of students from Franco-Cité catholic secondary school. They are At the time I was a child, it didn’t matter where you were in the guests of the Honourable Senator Mégie. Canada; you couldn’t be interested in such things and not know who Barbara Frum was. I recall listening to her dulcet but On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the authoritative and informed tone on the radio or sitting in front of Senate of Canada. the television and being captivated by her presence. Hon. Senators: Hear, hear! Barbara Frum was a broadcasting pioneer and a trailblazer for women. But beyond her work as an award-winning journalist, [English] there are many words that can be used to describe her. She exemplified courage and tenacity. She was fearless and relentless, tough but respectful. THE LATE DAVID DOWNHAM As I’ve come to realize, much like my dad passed some of his Hon. Gwen Boniface: Honourable senators, last month our traits on to me, Barbara passed many of her traits on to her beautiful city of Orillia lost a humanitarian and philanthropist, children. I know that because, over the past decade, I’ve had the Dr. David Downham. Originally from England, Dr. Downham immense pleasure and honour of getting to know one of her immigrated to Canada and settled in Orillia where he founded the children very well. area’s first urology service. When I was summoned to this place and realized my seatmate Having retired after 25 years of practice, he and his wife Cathy was going to be Barbara’s daughter, Linda, I had to pinch myself. were travelling in Thailand and met Dr. Cynthia Maung of the Since that time, I’ve come to value Linda’s intellect and Mae Tao Clinic, which is situated on the Thai-Burma border, and thoughtful perspective on many subjects, and I often find myself were inspired to help the refugees of the region’s brutal military seeking her sage advice. regime. Ten years on, and that giddiness has been replaced with a deep, The Downhams founded Project Umbrella Burma, or PUB, an warm respect and admiration for Senator Linda Frum, for many Orillia-based charitable organization which provides financial of the same attributes that made me so admire her mother. And I support and direct aid to the clinic and its students living at a am certainly not alone. This coming June, Senator Frum will be hostel in the refugee camp. in Israel to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. They, along with Mr. Saw Kshakalu, founded and continue to support the Kaw Tha Blay Learning Centre for Ethnic Karen In announcing this honour earlier this month, the university students from Burma/Myanmar. said it awards honorary degrees to people who have distinguished themselves by academic or creative achievement, who have Over the course of 10 years, they spent six months a year in rendered outstanding service to the university, or whose activities Burma — David mentoring younger physicians, and Cathy have been of notable benefit to humanity, Israel or the Jewish teaching English to medics and children of refugees and migrant people. workers. When back in Canada, the Downhams would fundraise, educate others about the plight of the Karen people and inspire Like her mother, Linda enjoyed a successful career as an others throughout our community to join their efforts. It was a award-winning journalist. While the similarities don’t end there, great honour for me to bestow a Senate 150 commemorative Linda has carried on the Frum legacy thoughtfully and elegantly, medal to the Downhams and Project Umbrella Burma at a making her own name for herself as a dedicated public servant.