Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2019-06-04 18:20:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. Darrell Samson (Sackville\u2014Preston\u2014Chezzetcook, Lib.)",
        "fr": "M. Darrell Samson (Sackville\u2014Preston\u2014Chezzetcook, Lib.)"
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"5964816\" data-originallang=\"en\">Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for having an opportunity to speak on the second reading debate of Bill <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a>, an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding the abuse of vulnerable persons.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964817\" data-originallang=\"en\">I would like to begin by thanking my colleague from <a data-HoCid=\"214458\" href=\"/politicians/jim-eglinski/\" title=\"Jim Eglinski\">Yellowhead</a> for giving us the opportunity to discuss this important social issue as well as for the excellent work he has done in his riding and here in the House of Commons over a number of years.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964818\" data-originallang=\"en\">From what I understand about this complex social issue, we will need a multi-faceted approach to effectively address exploitative and abusive conduct toward seniors.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964819\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bill <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a> proposes to amend paragraph 718.2(a) of the Criminal Code to list as an additional aggravating factor acts that target abuse toward seniors and vulnerable adults who depend on others for their care because of their mental or physical disabilities. The objective of the bill is to bring further protections to seniors and other vulnerable persons by imposing tougher penalties on offenders who commit crimes of abuse against these types of victims.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964820\" data-originallang=\"en\">The Criminal Code presently includes a number of offences of general application that offer equal protection to all Canadians from abusive criminal conduct. Additionally, the Criminal Code directs a sentencing court to account for all aggravating and mitigating circumstances relating to the offence or the offender. It explicitly lists a number of aggravating factors that can apply in cases involving the abuse of elderly or vulnerable persons. These aggravating factors include evidence that an offence was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on age or the mental or physical disabilities of the individual. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964821\" data-originallang=\"en\">This last aggravating factor was enacted by Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5452728\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-36/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (elder abuse)\">C-36</a>, the Protecting Canada's Seniors Act, which essentially codified common law sentencing practices, because courts were already required by case law to consider the specific impact an offence had on a particular victim, given all their circumstances.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964822\" data-originallang=\"en\">If a sentencing court is already required under the current law to consider all aggravating or mitigating factors relating to the commission of the offence and the offender, including consideration that the offence had a significant impact on the victim, having regard for his or her age or other personal circumstances, including, of course, health and financial situation, I am interested to hear from the member for <a data-HoCid=\"214458\" href=\"/politicians/jim-eglinski/\" title=\"Jim Eglinski\">Yellowhead</a> what situations he is imagining would be covered by his proposed amendment that are not currently covered under the Criminal Code.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964823\" data-originallang=\"en\">It is important to acknowledge that the investigation and prosecution of crime involving elder abuse or abuse of persons with disabilities in Canada is predominantly undertaken by the provinces. As such, it may be wise to consider the impact Bill <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a> would have on the provinces, including the potential for increased litigation relating to interpreting the scope of the proposed aggravating factor, in light of what is already in the Criminal Code.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964824\" data-originallang=\"en\">While it is important to address any gaps in the law with respect to protecting offended seniors or other vulnerable persons, non-legislative responses, such as public education campaigns about the protection offered by the law and further investments in services and programs, are also important measures for Parliament to consider. Non-legislative measures can target the socio-economic factors that increase the susceptibility of these victims to be exploited or abused.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964825\" data-originallang=\"en\">I recall the testimony of Ms. Susan Eng, a representative of the Canadian Association for Retired Persons, who testified before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5452728\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-36/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (elder abuse)\">C-36</a>, the Protecting Canada's Seniors Act, that the aggravating factors proposed in that bill, on their own, were \u201cbut one element in a comprehensive strategy needed to prevent, detect, report, investigate, and ultimately prosecute elder abuse.\u201d</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964826\" data-originallang=\"en\"> I agree with Ms. Eng. I know that there are a number of non-legislative initiatives the federal government has spearheaded to support the needs, and prevent the abuse, of the victims referred to in Bill <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964827\" data-originallang=\"en\">The federal victims strategy initiative, led by Justice Canada, aims to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. For instance, the victims fund, which is available through the federal victims strategy, is accessible to provincial and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations to support projects that address the needs of victims and survivors of crime in the criminal justice system. It is my understanding that the victims fund can support projects that meet the needs of the victims who are the focus of Bill <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964828\" data-originallang=\"en\">In 2016, Justice Canada issued a call for proposals, under the victims fund, to non-governmental organizations for projects that would help address gaps in supports and services, raise awareness or advance research to benefit victims and survivors of crime with disabilities, including seniors with disabilities. Seven projects are currently being funded.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964829\" data-originallang=\"en\"> In one project, researchers at the University of Toronto worked with three organizations, Womenatthecentre, DAWN Canada and Brain Injury Canada, to address existing gaps in supports and services for women with disabilities who are survivors of crime. The focus of the research project was women who experience intimate partner violence who have sustained disabling, permanent traumatic brain injuries. As a result of this work, a toolkit was developed to provide knowledge of intimate partner violence through educational materials for front-line staff who are supporting women survivors of intimate partner violence who have sustained traumatic brain injuries.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964830\" data-originallang=\"en\">As well, the University of Toronto worked with indigenous organizations across Canada to raise awareness with respect to women with disabilities who are survivors of crime and to expand a toolkit that is specific to the indigenous context.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964831\" data-originallang=\"en\">I am also aware that through the federal victims strategy, Justice Canada hosts knowledge-building events that are designed to provide information about elder abuse and supporting victims who are seniors.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964832\" data-originallang=\"en\">In addition to commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2018, Justice Canada hosted an information session to explore various approaches in supporting and empowering women victims and survivors with disabilities, including senior women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence. These knowledge-exchange information sessions are available to victims and survivors of crime, victims advocates, victims service providers, police officers and legal professionals.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964833\" data-originallang=\"en\">I am also aware of the Justice Canada component of the federal family violence initiative, an initiative that is led by the Public Health Agency of Canada. It provides project funding to support the development of models, strategies and tools to improve the criminal justice system's response to family violence, including elder abuse.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964834\" data-originallang=\"en\"> The family violence initiative also addresses elder abuse by providing resources for the public. One helpful tool is the booklet published by the Department of Justice on its website entitled \u201cElder Abuse is Wrong\u201d. The publication is designed for seniors who may be suffering from abuse by someone they know, such as an intimate partner, spouse, family member or caregiver.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964835\" data-originallang=\"en\">Educating these vulnerable people about the resources available, as well as making investments in the services and programs that will address these victims' needs, can have an extremely positive impact on curbing these forms of abuse and exploitation. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964836\" data-originallang=\"en\">The objective of protecting elders and other vulnerable victims is of great importance, and I look forward to hearing the views of other members as we continue to explore a full range of issues that come forward in considering Bill <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a>.</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"5964816\" data-originallang=\"en\">Monsieur le Pr\u00e9sident, je suis heureux d'avoir l'occasion d'intervenir au sujet du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">-206</a>, Loi modifiant le Code criminel concernant le mauvais traitement de personnes vuln\u00e9rables.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964817\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'aimerais d'abord remercier mon coll\u00e8gue de <a data-HoCid=\"214458\" href=\"/politicians/jim-eglinski/\" title=\"Jim Eglinski\">Yellowhead</a> de nous avoir donn\u00e9 l'occasion de discuter de cette importante question sociale ainsi que de l'excellent travail qu'il accomplit dans sa circonscription et ici, \u00e0 la Chambre des communes, depuis plusieurs ann\u00e9es.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964818\" data-originallang=\"en\">D'apr\u00e8s ce que je comprends de cette question sociale complexe, il faudra une approche multidimensionnelle pour lutter efficacement contre l'exploitation et les traitements abusifs des a\u00een\u00e9s.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964819\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a> propose de modifier l'alin\u00e9a 718.2a) du Code criminel afin d'ajouter \u00e0 la liste des circonstances aggravantes les mauvais traitements inflig\u00e9s aux personnes \u00e2g\u00e9es et aux adultes vuln\u00e9rables qui sont \u00e0 la charge d'autrui en raison d'une d\u00e9ficience mentale ou physique. L'objectif du projet de loi est de mieux prot\u00e9ger les a\u00een\u00e9s et les autres personnes vuln\u00e9rables en imposant des peines plus s\u00e9v\u00e8res aux d\u00e9linquants qui font subir des mauvais traitements \u00e0 ce genre de victimes.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964820\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u00c0 l'heure actuelle, le Code criminel comprend un certain nombre d'infractions d'application g\u00e9n\u00e9rale qui offrent une protection \u00e9gale \u00e0 tous les Canadiens contre les comportements criminels abusifs. De plus, le Code criminel oblige le tribunal qui d\u00e9termine la peine \u00e0 tenir compte de toutes les circonstances aggravantes ou att\u00e9nuantes relatives \u00e0 l'infraction ou au d\u00e9linquant. Il \u00e9num\u00e8re explicitement des facteurs aggravants pouvant s'appliquer aux cas impliquant le mauvais traitement d'un a\u00een\u00e9 ou d'une personne vuln\u00e9rable. Ces facteurs aggravants comprennent des \u00e9l\u00e9ments de preuves \u00e9tablissant que l'infraction est motiv\u00e9e par des pr\u00e9jug\u00e9s ou de la haine fond\u00e9s sur des facteurs tels que l'\u00e2ge ou la d\u00e9ficience mentale ou physique.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964821\" data-originallang=\"en\">Ce dernier facteur aggravant a \u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e9dict\u00e9 par le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5452728\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-36/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (elder abuse)\">C-36</a>, Loi sur la protection des personnes a\u00een\u00e9es qui, essentiellement, a inscrit dans la loi les pratiques de common law relatives \u00e0 la d\u00e9termination de la peine, car les tribunaux \u00e9taient d\u00e9j\u00e0 tenus, par la jurisprudence, de tenir compte de l'incidence pr\u00e9cise d'une infraction sur une victime donn\u00e9e, eu \u00e9gard \u00e0 toutes les circonstances.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964822\" data-originallang=\"en\">Puisque la loi en vigueur oblige d\u00e9j\u00e0 le tribunal qui d\u00e9termine la peine \u00e0 tenir compte de toutes les circonstances aggravantes ou att\u00e9nuantes relativement \u00e0 la commission de l'infraction et au d\u00e9linquant, y compris le fait que l'infraction a eu une incidence consid\u00e9rable sur la victime, l'\u00e2ge de la victime ou d'autres circonstances personnelles, dont, bien entendu, l'\u00e9tat de sant\u00e9 et la situation financi\u00e8re de la victime, je suis curieux de savoir \u00e0 quelles situations actuellement non pr\u00e9vues par le Code criminel le d\u00e9put\u00e9 de <a data-HoCid=\"214458\" href=\"/politicians/jim-eglinski/\" title=\"Jim Eglinski\">Yellowhead</a> s'imagine que la modification qu'il propose s'appliquerait.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964823\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il faut reconna\u00eetre que les enqu\u00eates et les poursuites en mati\u00e8re de crimes li\u00e9s au mauvais traitement des a\u00een\u00e9s ou des personnes handicap\u00e9es au Canada sont surtout men\u00e9es par les provinces. Par cons\u00e9quent, il serait peut-\u00eatre judicieux de r\u00e9fl\u00e9chir aux incidences qu'aurait le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a> sur les provinces et notamment au risque d'une augmentation des diff\u00e9rends concernant l'interpr\u00e9tation de la port\u00e9e des circonstances aggravantes face \u00e0 ce qui se trouve d\u00e9j\u00e0 dans le Code criminel. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964824\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bien qu'il soit important de corriger les lacunes de la loi concernant la protection des a\u00een\u00e9s et des autres personnes vuln\u00e9rables victimes de mauvais traitement, des solutions non l\u00e9gislatives, comme des campagnes de sensibilisation sur les protections existantes dans la loi et des investissements dans les programmes et les services, sont d'autres mesures que le Parlement peut envisager. Les mesures non l\u00e9gislatives permettent de cibler les facteurs socio\u00e9conomiques qui rendent ces personnes vuln\u00e9rables \u00e0 l'exploitation et aux mauvais traitements. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964825\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je me souviens du t\u00e9moignage de Mme Susan Eng, une repr\u00e9sentante de l'Association canadienne des individus retrait\u00e9s, qui a comparu devant le Comit\u00e9 permanent de la justice et des droits de la personne au sujet du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5452728\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-36/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (elder abuse)\">C-36</a>, Loi sur la protection des personnes a\u00een\u00e9es au Canada. Elle avait affirm\u00e9 que les facteurs aggravants propos\u00e9s dans le projet de loi constituent \u00ab simplement un aspect de la strat\u00e9gie globale visant \u00e0 pr\u00e9venir la maltraitance des a\u00een\u00e9s, \u00e0 la d\u00e9celer et \u00e0 favoriser son signalement, les enqu\u00eates et les poursuites \u00bb.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964826\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je suis d'accord avec Mme Eng. Je sais que le gouvernement f\u00e9d\u00e9ral a lanc\u00e9 un certain nombre d'initiatives non l\u00e9gislatives pour r\u00e9pondre aux besoins des victimes dont il est question dans le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a> et pr\u00e9venir leur maltraitance.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964827\" data-originallang=\"en\">La Strat\u00e9gie f\u00e9d\u00e9rale d'aide aux victimes, qui est dirig\u00e9e par Justice Canada, vise \u00e0 donner aux victimes une voix plus efficace dans le syst\u00e8me de justice p\u00e9nale. Par exemple, le Fonds d'aide aux victimes, qui est offert dans le cadre de la Strat\u00e9gie f\u00e9d\u00e9rale d'aide aux victimes, est accessible aux gouvernements provinciaux et territoriaux et aux organisations non gouvernementales pour appuyer des projets qui r\u00e9pondent aux besoins des victimes et des survivants d'actes criminels dans le syst\u00e8me de justice p\u00e9nale. Je crois comprendre que le Fonds d'aide aux victimes peut appuyer des projets qui r\u00e9pondent aux besoins des victimes vis\u00e9es par le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964828\" data-originallang=\"en\">En 2016, le minist\u00e8re de la Justice a lanc\u00e9 un appel aux organisations non gouvernementales pour qu'elles pr\u00e9sentent des projets qui pourraient \u00eatre subventionn\u00e9s par le Fonds d'aide aux victimes et devront viser trois objectifs: contribuer \u00e0 combler les insuffisances dans l'aide et les services offerts; sensibiliser la population; promouvoir la recherche qui favorise les victimes et les survivants d'actes criminels handicap\u00e9s, notamment les personnes \u00e2g\u00e9es handicap\u00e9es. \u00c0 l'heure actuelle, sept projets sont financ\u00e9s.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964829\" data-originallang=\"en\">Au cours d'un projet, des chercheurs de l'Universit\u00e9 de Toronto ont collabor\u00e9 avec trois de ces organisations, Womenatthecentre, le R\u00e9seau d'action des femmes handicap\u00e9es du Canada et L\u00e9sion C\u00e9r\u00e9brale Canada, dans le but de rem\u00e9dier aux lacunes dans les services offerts aux femmes qui ont surv\u00e9cu \u00e0 un crime et qui sont devenues handicap\u00e9es. Ce projet de recherche s'int\u00e9resse aux femmes qui ont \u00e9t\u00e9 victimes de violence inflig\u00e9e par un partenaire intime et qui ont subi des l\u00e9sions c\u00e9r\u00e9brales permanentes et invalidantes. Les travaux de ces chercheurs ont men\u00e9 \u00e0 l'\u00e9laboration d'une trousse d'outils contenant du mat\u00e9riel \u00e9ducatif sur la violence contre un partenaire intime. Cette trousse est destin\u00e9e au personnel de premi\u00e8re ligne qui vient en aide aux femmes ayant \u00e9t\u00e9 victimes de ce type de violence et ayant subi des traumatismes cr\u00e2niens. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964830\" data-originallang=\"en\">L'Universit\u00e9 de Toronto a \u00e9galement collabor\u00e9 avec des organismes autochtones partout au Canada pour sensibiliser la population au probl\u00e8me des femmes qui ont surv\u00e9cu \u00e0 un crime et qui sont devenues handicap\u00e9es ainsi que pour d\u00e9velopper une trousse d'outils adapt\u00e9s au contexte autochtone.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964831\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je sais \u00e9galement que dans le cadre de la Strat\u00e9gie f\u00e9d\u00e9rale d'aide aux victimes, le minist\u00e8re de la Justice organise des activit\u00e9s de sensibilisation pour fournir de l'information sur la maltraitance des a\u00een\u00e9s et pour soutenir les a\u00een\u00e9s qui ont subi de la violence. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964832\" data-originallang=\"en\">En plus de c\u00e9l\u00e9brer la Journ\u00e9e internationale des personnes handicap\u00e9es, le 3 d\u00e9cembre 2018, Justice Canada a organis\u00e9 une s\u00e9ance d'information pour explorer diverses approches destin\u00e9es \u00e0 soutenir et \u00e0 outiller les femmes victimes et les survivants handicap\u00e9s, y compris les femmes \u00e2g\u00e9es handicap\u00e9es victimes de violence conjugale. Ces s\u00e9ances d'information s'adressent aux victimes, aux survivants, aux d\u00e9fenseurs des victimes, aux fournisseurs de services, aux agents de police et aux professionnels du droit.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964833\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je suis \u00e9galement conscient du volet justice de l'Initiative f\u00e9d\u00e9rale de lutte contre la violence familiale, un programme qui est men\u00e9 par l'Agence de sant\u00e9 publique du Canada et qui permet de financer des projets pour appuyer le d\u00e9veloppement de mod\u00e8les, de strat\u00e9gies et d'outils pour am\u00e9liorer la r\u00e9ponse du syst\u00e8me de justice p\u00e9nale \u00e0 la violence familiale, dont celle qui est faite aux a\u00een\u00e9s.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964834\" data-originallang=\"en\">L'Initiative de lutte contre la violence familiale permet de s'atteler aux mauvais traitements que subissent les a\u00een\u00e9s en offrant des ressources au public. L'une de ces ressources est la brochure publi\u00e9e par le minist\u00e8re de la Justice sur son site Web et intitul\u00e9e \u00ab La maltraitance des a\u00een\u00e9s est inacceptable \u00bb. La publication est destin\u00e9e aux a\u00een\u00e9s qui pourraient souffrir de mauvais traitements de la part de leur entourage, que ce soit un partenaire intime, un conjoint, un membre de la famille ou un aidant naturel.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964835\" data-originallang=\"en\">La sensibilisation de ces personnes vuln\u00e9rables aux ressources disponibles de m\u00eame que les investissements effectu\u00e9s dans les services et programmes destin\u00e9s \u00e0 satisfaire leurs besoins peuvent \u00eatre extr\u00eamement utiles pour faire diminuer ces formes d'abus et d'exploitation. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5964836\" data-originallang=\"en\">L'objectif de protection des a\u00een\u00e9s et d'autres personnes vuln\u00e9rables rev\u00eat une grande importance, et j'ai h\u00e2te de conna\u00eetre le point de vue d'autres d\u00e9put\u00e9s alors que nous poursuivons l'exploration de toute la s\u00e9rie d'enjeux qui d\u00e9coulent de l'\u00e9tude du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"8060518\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-206/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (abuse of vulnerable persons)\">C-206</a>.</p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2019/6/4/darrell-samson-2/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/darrell-samson/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/4242/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "10679242",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Private Members' Business",
        "fr": "Affaires \u00c9manant Des D\u00e9put\u00e9s"
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    "h2": {
        "en": "Criminal Code",
        "fr": "Le Code criminel"
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2019/6/4/",
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}