Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2018-04-26 11:20:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. John Nater (Perth\u2014Wellington, CPC)",
        "fr": "M. John Nater (Perth\u2014Wellington, PCC)"
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"5361300\" data-originallang=\"en\">Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking our colleague, the member for <a data-HoCid=\"214386\" href=\"/politicians/cathy-mcleod/\" title=\"Cathy McLeod\">Kamloops\u2014Thompson\u2014Cariboo</a>, for her eloquent words on this matter and for sharing her personal story in connection with this important issue. I would like to thank as well the member for <a data-HoCid=\"214564\" href=\"/politicians/charlie-angus/\" title=\"Charlie Angus\">Timmins\u2014James Bay</a> for bringing forward this motion today and giving this House the opportunity to debate this important matter.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361301\" data-originallang=\"en\">As Canadians, we rightly have much to be proud of. We have a proud history and a great record of accomplishments, whether they be in the military, science, technology, sports, or medicine. However, while we celebrate our successes as a nation, we must also recognize and acknowledge the times we have failed. During our history, we have done wrong. The institutions established by past governments were responsible for great harm and great pain, and it is for this reason that I will be supporting the motion brought forward today by the hon. member for <a data-HoCid=\"214564\" href=\"/politicians/charlie-angus/\" title=\"Charlie Angus\">Timmins\u2014James Bay</a>. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361302\" data-originallang=\"en\">The residential schools were a horrific, dark mark and chapter in our Canadian history. The numbers themselves are appalling. One hundred and fifty thousand first nations, Inuit, and M\u00e9tis children were removed from their homes, removed from their communities, and forced to attend these schools, and thousands of them died.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361303\" data-originallang=\"en\"> In 2008, in this place, Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially apologized for the Government of Canada's role in the Indian residential schools. At that time, he said:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361304\" data-originallang=\"en\"> The Government of Canada built an educational system in which very young children were often forcibly removed from their homes and often taken far from their communities. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361305\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Many were inadequately fed, clothed and housed. All were deprived of the care and nurturing of their parents, grandparents and communities. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361306\" data-originallang=\"en\"> First nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis languages and cultural practices were prohibited in these schools. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361307\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Tragically, some of these children died while attending residential schools, and others never returned home [again]. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361308\" data-originallang=\"en\">I was struck by the comment about the languages. I have the privilege of serving as a member of the procedure and House affairs committee. We are currently undertaking a study of the use of indigenous languages in this place, and it was interesting to hear testimony from different witnesses about indigenous languages and their vitality in the current age. According to UNESCO, from one of the witnesses who appeared before us, of the 90 indigenous languages it surveyed, 23 were deemed to be vulnerable, five were definitely endangered, 27 were severely endangered, and 35 indigenous languages were critically endangered. Much of this endangerment to these languages stems from the fact that so many indigenous children were prohibited from using their languages after they were sent away to residential schools. This was wrong, and it was acknowledged that it was wrong in 2008 when the official apology was issued.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361309\" data-originallang=\"en\">In 2007, the former Conservative government established a truth and reconciliation process and a commission as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and it recognized that the Indian residential school system had a profound, lasting, and damaging impact on so many aspects of indigenous culture, heritage, and language.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361310\" data-originallang=\"en\">In 2015, the commission released its report, entitled \u201cWhat We Have Learned: Principles of Truth and Reconciliation\u201d. In this report, the commission outlined a number of principles of reconciliation. It is pertinent to the debate today to highlight a couple of those principles of reconciliation. The report states:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361311\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Reconciliation is a process of healing of relationships that requires public truth sharing, apology, and commemoration that acknowledge and redress past harms. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361312\" data-originallang=\"en\">The commission goes on to state, in point 10, that:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361313\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Reconciliation requires sustained public education and dialogue, including youth engagement, about the history and legacy of residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal rights, as well as the historical and contemporary contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canadian society. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361314\" data-originallang=\"en\">I hope that today's debate will contribute to that reconciliation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361315\" data-originallang=\"en\">I would note that efforts at reconciliation happen across our country. In my community of Perth\u2014Wellington last summer, Stratford Summer Music , a great cultural institution in our riding, highlighted some of the indigenous musical and cultural practices that are so important, and it was able to share that with so many in our community. I thank the organizers for taking that important step.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361316\" data-originallang=\"en\">Today's motion is divided into three key points. The first part of the motion is that the Pope be invited to participate in the journey. As we have already heard so many times this morning, this is a journey. It is not an end location but a journey and a process.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361317\" data-originallang=\"en\">Reconciliation is not easy. It requires many difficult conversations and reflections by individuals, organizations, groups, religious entities, and, indeed, government. As Conservatives, we believe that any group or institution that had a significant role in the residential school system should apologize and help ensure that Canada moves toward reconciliation. Many have already done so. This part of the motion stems from call to action 58 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which reads:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361318\" data-originallang=\"en\"> We call upon the Pope to issue an apology to Survivors, their families, and communities for the Roman Catholic Church\u2019s role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit, and M\u00e9tis children in Catholic-run residential schools. We call for that apology to be similar to the 2010 apology issued to Irish victims of abuse and to occur within one year of the issuing of this Report and to be delivered by the Pope in Canada. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361319\" data-originallang=\"en\">The second part of the motion calls on the Catholic Church to respect its \u201cmoral obligation and the spirit of the 2006 Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement and resume best efforts to raise the full amount of the agreed upon funds\u201d. Under that agreement, $25 million would be provided for programs to aid in the healing of survivors. As has been mentioned earlier and has been well reported in <em>The Globe and Mail</em>, a miscommunication between a federal government lawyer and counsel for the Catholic Church led to the church believing that it could walk away from this commitment. This is a profoundly unfortunate error. While the Church may not have a legal obligation, I believe we can all agree that there is no question that there is an urgent moral obligation. Certainly money alone will not heal the pain. Money and an apology will not fix all the problems, but it is an important acknowledgement. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361320\" data-originallang=\"en\">Indeed, last year, our colleagues on the indigenous and northern affairs committee completed a difficult study on the suicide and mental health crisis that far too many indigenous communities are facing. Many witnesses spoke of the intergenerational trauma that has overwhelmed the limited services available. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361321\" data-originallang=\"en\">The report, at page 29, states:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361322\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Substance use and mental illness were identified by witnesses as factors which contribute to mental health issues and suicide, affecting youth and their parents. Some discussed substance use as a means to cope with unresolved trauma due to residential school, experiences of abuse or violence, or to forget about difficult living conditions such [as] poor housing or hunger. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361323\" data-originallang=\"en\">This funding and these resources are still needed.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361324\" data-originallang=\"en\">The third point talks about \u201ca consistent and sustained effort to turn over relevant documents when called upon by survivors of residential schools, their families, and scholars\u201d. Again, we believe that these documents will help survivors, their families, and researchers find answers to long-unanswered questions. If it helps in some way to find closure, if it helps in some way with reconciliation, if it helps in some way with healing, we believe that this should be done.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361325\" data-originallang=\"en\">I am pleased to speak in favour of this motion today. I am pleased to vote in favour of this motion. I hope that it will, in some way, help to further reconciliation with Canada's indigenous communities.</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"5361300\" data-originallang=\"en\">Madame la Pr\u00e9sidente, je tiens tout d\u2019abord \u00e0 remercier notre coll\u00e8gue la d\u00e9put\u00e9e de <a data-HoCid=\"214386\" href=\"/politicians/cathy-mcleod/\" title=\"Cathy McLeod\">Kamloops\u2014Thompson\u2014Cariboo</a> pour son message \u00e9loquent et pour nous avoir fait part de l\u2019histoire qui la relie \u00e0 ce dossier important. Je tiens \u00e9galement \u00e0 remercier le d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"214564\" href=\"/politicians/charlie-angus/\" title=\"Charlie Angus\">Timmins\u2014Baie James</a> d\u2019avoir pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 cette motion, donnant ainsi \u00e0 la Chambre l\u2019occasion de d\u00e9battre de ce sujet important.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361301\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il y a bien des choses dont nous pouvons \u00eatre fiers en tant que Canadiens. Nous avons un long bilan de r\u00e9alisations, que ce soit dans l\u2019arm\u00e9e, les sciences, la technologie, les sports ou la m\u00e9decine. Tout en c\u00e9l\u00e9brant ces r\u00e9ussites, nous devons aussi toutefois reconna\u00eetre nos \u00e9checs. En effet, nous avons eu aussi des torts. Les institutions cr\u00e9\u00e9es par des gouvernements pr\u00e9c\u00e9dents ont \u00e9t\u00e9 la cause de grands pr\u00e9judices et de grandes souffrances, et c\u2019est pour cela que j\u2019appuierai la motion pr\u00e9sent\u00e9e aujourd\u2019hui par le d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"214564\" href=\"/politicians/charlie-angus/\" title=\"Charlie Angus\">Timmins\u2014Baie James</a>. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361302\" data-originallang=\"en\">Les pensionnats sont un chapitre horrible et sombre de notre histoire, ne serait-ce que par le nombre incroyable de personnes touch\u00e9es. En effet, 150 000 enfants des Premi\u00e8res Nations, inuits et m\u00e9tis ont \u00e9t\u00e9 enlev\u00e9s \u00e0 leur famille et \u00e0 leur communaut\u00e9 et envoy\u00e9s de force dans ces pensionnats o\u00f9 des milliers d\u2019entre eux sont morts.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361303\" data-originallang=\"en\">Ici m\u00eame en 2008, le premier ministre Stephen Harper a officiellement pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 les excuses du gouvernement du Canada pour le r\u00f4le qu\u2019il avait jou\u00e9 dans les pensionnats autochtones. Il avait affirm\u00e9 \u00e0 cette occasion:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361304\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Le gouvernement du Canada a \u00e9rig\u00e9 un syst\u00e8me d'\u00e9ducation dans le cadre duquel de tr\u00e8s jeunes enfants ont souvent \u00e9t\u00e9 arrach\u00e9s \u00e0 leur foyer et, dans bien des cas, emmen\u00e9s loin de leur communaut\u00e9. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361305\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Bon nombre d'entre eux \u00e9taient mal nourris, mal v\u00eatus et mal log\u00e9s. Tous \u00e9taient priv\u00e9s des soins et du soutien de leurs parents, de leurs grands-parents et de leur communaut\u00e9. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361306\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Les langues et les pratiques culturelles des Premi\u00e8res Nations, des Inuits et des M\u00e9tis \u00e9taient interdites dans ces \u00e9coles. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361307\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Malheureusement, certains de ces enfants sont morts en pension et d'autres ne sont jamais retourn\u00e9s chez eux. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361308\" data-originallang=\"en\">Ce qu'il a dit au sujet des langues m'a frapp\u00e9. J'ai le privil\u00e8ge de si\u00e9ger au comit\u00e9 de la proc\u00e9dure et des affaires de la Chambre. Nous menons actuellement une \u00e9tude sur l'emploi des langues autochtones dans cette enceinte, et il \u00e9tait tr\u00e8s int\u00e9ressant d'entendre les divers t\u00e9moins au sujet des langues autochtones et de leur vitalit\u00e9 encore aujourd'hui. L'un d'entre eux nous a dit que, selon l'UNESCO, des 90 langues autochtones recens\u00e9es par l'organisation, 23 \u00e9taient consid\u00e9r\u00e9es comme \u00e9tant vuln\u00e9rables, cinq \u00e9taient en danger, 27 \u00e9taient s\u00e9rieusement menac\u00e9es, et 35 \u00e9taient moribondes. Cette situation malheureuse d\u00e9coule du fait qu'on a interdit \u00e0 un grand nombre d'enfants autochtones de parler leur langue dans les pensionnats. C'\u00e9tait inacceptable, on l'a d'ailleurs reconnu en 2008 au moment o\u00f9 on leur a pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 des excuses officielles.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361309\" data-originallang=\"en\">En 2007, l'ancien gouvernement conservateur a mis sur pied la Commission de v\u00e9rit\u00e9 et r\u00e9conciliation du Canada dans le cadre de la Convention de r\u00e8glement relative aux pensionnats indiens, et il a reconnu que le syst\u00e8me de pensionnats autochtones avait eu des r\u00e9percussions profondes, durables et tr\u00e8s n\u00e9fastes sur de nombreux aspects de la culture, du patrimoine et des langues autochtones.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361310\" data-originallang=\"en\">En 2015, la Commission a publi\u00e9 un rapport, intitul\u00e9 \u00ab Ce que nous avons retenu: Les principes de la v\u00e9rit\u00e9 et de la r\u00e9conciliation \u00bb. Dans ce rapport, la Commission a \u00e9nonc\u00e9 plusieurs principes de r\u00e9conciliation, et je trouve tout \u00e0 fait pertinent d'en souligner quelques-uns dans le cadre du d\u00e9bat. Le rapport dit ceci:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361311\" data-originallang=\"en\"> La r\u00e9conciliation est un processus de gu\u00e9rison des relations qui exige un partage de la v\u00e9rit\u00e9, des excuses et une comm\u00e9moration publics qui reconnaissent et r\u00e9parent les dommages et les torts du pass\u00e9. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361312\" data-originallang=\"en\">Au point 10, la commission dit encore ceci:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361313\" data-originallang=\"en\"> La r\u00e9conciliation exige un dialogue et une \u00e9ducation du public soutenus, y compris l\u2019engagement des jeunes, au sujet de l\u2019histoire et des s\u00e9quelles des pensionnats indiens, des trait\u00e9s et des droits des Autochtones, ainsi que des contributions historiques et contemporaines des peuples autochtones \u00e0 la soci\u00e9t\u00e9 canadienne. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361314\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'esp\u00e8re que le d\u00e9bat d'aujourd'hui contribuera \u00e0 cette r\u00e9conciliation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361315\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je tiens \u00e0 souligner que des efforts de r\u00e9conciliation sont faits dans l'ensemble du pays. L'\u00e9t\u00e9 dernier, dans ma circonscription, Perth\u2014Wellington, une grande institution culturelle de notre circonscription, Stratford Summer Music, a mis en valeur des pratiques musicales et culturelles autochtones d'une grande importance et les a diffus\u00e9es parmi un grand public dans notre collectivit\u00e9. Je remercie les organisateurs d'avoir fait cette d\u00e9marche importante.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361316\" data-originallang=\"en\">La motion d'aujourd'hui comporte trois \u00e9l\u00e9ments cl\u00e9s. Le premier consiste \u00e0 inviter le pape \u00e0 participer au cheminement. Comme on l'a laiss\u00e9 entendre \u00e0 maintes reprises ce matin, il s'agit d'un cheminement. Nous ne sommes pas en train de contempler l'atteinte prochaine de l'objectif, mais le cheminement et le processus.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361317\" data-originallang=\"en\">La r\u00e9conciliation n'est pas facile. Elle n\u00e9cessite de nombreuses discussions et r\u00e9flexions entre des personnes, des organismes, des groupes, des entit\u00e9s religieuses et aussi des repr\u00e9sentants de l'\u00c9tat. Nous, les conservateurs, pensons que tout groupe ou toute institution ayant jou\u00e9 un r\u00f4le important dans le syst\u00e8me des pensionnats autochtones devrait pr\u00e9senter ses excuses et aider le Canada \u00e0 progresser vers la r\u00e9conciliation. Beaucoup l'ont d\u00e9j\u00e0 fait. Le premier \u00e9l\u00e9ment de la motion d\u00e9coule de l'appel \u00e0 l'action n<sup>o</sup> 58 de la Commission de v\u00e9rit\u00e9 et r\u00e9conciliation, dont voici le texte:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361318\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Nous demandons au pape de pr\u00e9senter, au nom de l\u2019\u00c9glise catholique romaine, des excuses aux survivants, \u00e0 leurs familles ainsi qu\u2019aux collectivit\u00e9s concern\u00e9es pour les mauvais traitements sur les plans spirituel, culturel, \u00e9motionnel, physique et sexuel que les enfants des Premi\u00e8res Nations, des Inuits et des M\u00e9tis ont subis dans les pensionnats dirig\u00e9s par l\u2019\u00c9glise catholique. Nous demandons que ces excuses soient semblables \u00e0 celles faites en 2010 aux Irlandais qui avaient \u00e9t\u00e9 victimes de mauvais traitements et \u00e0 ce qu\u2019elles soient pr\u00e9sent\u00e9es par le pape au Canada, dans un d\u00e9lai d\u2019un an suivant la publication du pr\u00e9sent rapport. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361319\" data-originallang=\"en\">La deuxi\u00e8me partie de la motion \u00ab demande \u00e0 l\u2019\u00c9glise catholique canadienne de respecter son obligation morale ainsi que l\u2019esprit de la Convention de r\u00e8glement relative aux pensionnats indiens de 2006, et de red\u00e9ployer tous les efforts possibles pour amasser le montant total des fonds convenus \u00bb. Cette entente pr\u00e9voit un investissement de 25 millions de dollars dans des programmes destin\u00e9s \u00e0 favoriser la gu\u00e9rison des survivants. Comme on l'a mentionn\u00e9 plus t\u00f4t et comme le <em>Globe and Mail</em> en a fait correctement \u00e9tat, un probl\u00e8me de communication entre un avocat du gouvernement f\u00e9d\u00e9ral et un avocat de l'\u00c9glise catholique a amen\u00e9 celle-ci \u00e0 croire qu'elle pouvait se soustraire \u00e0 cet engagement. Il s'agit d'une tr\u00e8s malencontreuse erreur. L'\u00c9glise n'a peut-\u00eatre pas l'obligation l\u00e9gale d'agir, mais je pense que nous pouvons tous convenir qu'elle a sans aucun doute l'obligation morale urgente de le faire. L'argent seul ne pourra certainement pas calmer la douleur. L'argent et les excuses ne pourront pas r\u00e9gler tous les probl\u00e8mes, mais, chose importante, ils permettront de reconna\u00eetre les faits.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361320\" data-originallang=\"en\">En effet, l'ann\u00e9e derni\u00e8re, nos coll\u00e8gues du comit\u00e9 des affaires autochtones et du Nord ont achev\u00e9 une \u00e9tude difficile sur la crise de suicides et les probl\u00e8mes de sant\u00e9 mentale qui frappent un trop grand nombre de communaut\u00e9s autochtones. Beaucoup de t\u00e9moins ont parl\u00e9 du traumatisme interg\u00e9n\u00e9rationnel qui cause un d\u00e9bordement dans les services limit\u00e9s qui sont offerts.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361321\" data-originallang=\"en\"> \u00c0 la page 31 du rapport, on peut lire ce qui suit:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361322\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Des t\u00e9moins ont pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 les troubles li\u00e9s \u00e0 l\u2019usage de substances et les troubles mentaux comme \u00e9tant des facteurs qui contribuent aux probl\u00e8mes de sant\u00e9 mentale et de suicide, et qui affectent les jeunes et leurs parents. Certains ont dit que la consommation de drogues ou d\u2019alcool \u00e9tait un moyen de composer avec les traumatismes non r\u00e9solus laiss\u00e9s par les pensionnats indiens, les mauvais traitements ou la violence, ou encore d\u2019oublier les conditions de vie difficiles, comme les pi\u00e8tres conditions de logement ou la faim. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"5361323\" data-originallang=\"en\">Ce financement et ces ressources sont encore n\u00e9cessaires.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361324\" data-originallang=\"en\">La troisi\u00e8me partie parle des \u00ab efforts coh\u00e9rents et soutenus pour remettre les documents pertinents lorsqu\u2019elles sont appel\u00e9es \u00e0 le faire par des survivants des pensionnats autochtones, par des membres de leur famille ou par des sp\u00e9cialistes \u00bb. Nous croyons que ces documents aideront les survivants, leur famille et les chercheurs \u00e0 trouver des r\u00e9ponses aux questions demeur\u00e9es longtemps sans r\u00e9ponse. Si cela permet d'une certaine mani\u00e8re de tourner la page et contribue \u00e0 la r\u00e9conciliation et \u00e0 la gu\u00e9rison, nous croyons que cela devrait \u00eatre fait.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5361325\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'ai le plaisir d'intervenir en faveur de cette motion aujourd'hui. Je suis ravi de voter en faveur de cette motion. J'esp\u00e8re que cela contribuera en quelque sorte \u00e0 la r\u00e9conciliation avec les communaut\u00e9s autochtones du Canada. </p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2018/4/26/john-nater-1/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/john-nater/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/4338/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "10083791",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Government Orders",
        "fr": "Initiatives Minist\u00e9rielles"
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "Business of Supply",
        "fr": "Travaux des subsides"
    },
    "h3": {
        "en": "Opposition Motion--Papal Apology on Residential Schools",
        "fr": "Motion de l'opposition \u2014 Les excuses papales concernant les pensionnats autochtones"
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2018/4/26/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2018%2F4%2F26%2F"
    }
}