Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Issue No. 31 - Evidence - October 26, 2017
OTTAWA, Thursday, October 26, 2017
The Standing Senate committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, to which was referred Bill C-277, An Act respecting Latin American Heritage Month, and Bill C-277, An Act providing for the development of a framework on palliative care in Canada, met this day at 10:30 a.m. to give consideration to the bills.
Senator Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: Colleagues, the agenda for this meeting is to deal with clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-277, An Act providing for the development of a framework on palliative care in Canada.
I need to put it to you: Is it agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-277?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you, colleagues.
Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Shall the preamble stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Shall clause 2 carry?
Hon. Senators: Carried.
The Chair: That is carried.
Shall clause 3 carry?
Hon. Senators: Carried.
The Chair: That is carried.
Shall clause 4 carry?
Hon. Senators: Carried.
The Chair: Clause 4 is carried.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, carry?
Hon. Senators: Carried.
The Chair: That is carried.
Shall the preamble carry?
Hon. Senators: Carried.
The Chair: The preamble is carried.
Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Carried.
The Chair: The title is carried.
Shall the bill carry?
Hon. Senators: Carried.
The Chair: The bill is carried.
Does the committee wish to consider appending observations to the report?
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: I have a comment about subclause 2(1). Yesterday, in her comments, Senator Tardif talked about the importance of including people working in the field, and others, among the stakeholders involved in setting up the framework. I was very sensitive to her argument, to the importance of bringing those people together around the table. I wonder whether that should be added as an observation.
[English]
The Chair: We need a discussion to decide as a committee whether we wish to append that observation in terms of recommending the bill forward.
Senator Eggleton: I have a question. I had that same concern, and we have heard it from people who have come here. The bill says:
The Minister of Health must, in consultation with the representatives of the provincial and territorial governments responsible for health, as well as with palliative care providers . . . .
Isn’t what you want covered?
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: I do not think it covers all the stakeholders. What she said, if I understood correctly, was that it was not just palliative care providers, but also the recipients of palliative care, the organizations that work with those who receive care.
[English]
Senator Eggleton: I suppose the point you are making is that it is the people who receive the care, because the people who provide the care would be covered by this.
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: Yes.
[English]
The Chair: Those in need of the care.
Senator Cordy: First, I mentioned yesterday about putting in the observations that the government re-establish the Department of Health secretariat on palliative and end-of-life care. We can’t do it in the bill, but I think we could do it in the observations.
Second, I jotted something down but feel free to change it. We agree with the representatives of the Canadian Nurses Association who appeared as witnesses before our committee that the federal government be encouraged to provide funding for improved home care services, including palliative care, to address the needs of rural and remote indigenous communities. That is the specific responsibility of the federal government.
The Chair: I allowed you to go ahead, but we need to discuss Senator Cormier’s request. You have put it on the record, but I will bring it back to discussing Senator Cormier’s observations.
Senator Eaton: I applaud Senator Cormier bringing that up, but I don’t think it should turn into a circus. I think what is said in the bill would cover volunteer organizations. Surely volunteer organizations would know what is missing in the system and what isn’t missing in the system.
I think it could derail somewhat if you started saying to people who are receiving palliative care, “Yes, you are welcome at the table.” There is a better way of doing that than making them an absolute part of the round table. There is a better and safer way of getting their feedback.
Senator Seidman: Thank you, Senator Cormier. I wasn’t sure exactly what I heard yesterday from Ms. Tardif as far as this particular thing was concerned. I wasn’t sure whether she was saying we should include Canadians as a whole in this. Was she referring to providers and the associations that serve Canadians? I wasn’t quite sure.
Then I thought, if she was referring to the associations that serve those in need of palliative care, then they would be at the table because, as Senator Eggleton said, they are included as well as palliative care providers. That would include the associations that serve Canadians who require or need palliative care.
The other point I would make with reference to what Senator Eaton said is that I think we have to have some deference to the consultation that will happen. It is very clear in this bill that consultations will be initiated. I’m sure that all the experts in the field will be seriously engaged in that consultation. That will then be reported to Parliament. They will develop the framework. There will be people we have heard providing us with witness testimony who will be sitting at that table developing the framework.
Before, even in observations, we start demanding a whole litany of things, I would be quite prepared to let the experts sitting at the table developing the framework in this consultation period understand those issues. I have no doubt that they will.
The Chair: Are there any other comments?
Senator Eggleton: I have a specific question for both of you. You are saying “at the table,” but a consultation process is not a conference necessarily of all of the parties. A consultation process can involve separate consultations.
Senator Eaton: It can. It can go across the country.
Senator Eggleton: Why would that be a problem for people who are patients?
Senator Eaton: You go into a small town and say, “Everyone receiving palliative care here, you are welcome; just come along with the volunteers and the other organizations.”
If that is the will of the committee, that is fine, but I think putting it in the bill makes it very cumbersome. Whereas I am sure if a palliative consultation went into a small town somewhere and someone felt strongly about someone receiving palliative care in their family, they would go to the round table and express it.
Senator Eggleton: This is not going into the bill, by the way. It is an observation.
Senator Eaton: That is right. It is an observation.
Senator Omidvar: There is always a difference between the point of view of the service providers and the people who receive service. Most of the time they are aligned, but every now and then people in the social work field have heard about the terminology or the oppression of service providers.
This is an observation. The observation simply says that among professionals, along with listening to professional stakeholders, we should make sure we listen to the point of view of families and people who are in need of palliative care. It is just an observation.
The Chair: We have referred to a number of issues on this. Senator Cordy, I was going to recognize you. Do you have an additional point to make on this?
Senator Cordy: Yes. I agree. We have heard over and over again, “If only they had listened to us.” It would be wonderful if these groups would go into small towns. That usually doesn’t happen. In Atlantic Canada, we often have people just coming to Halifax, which is fine for people like me who live in Halifax, but it is not a small town.
I think what we are looking for is patient perspectives on palliative care. What do you need? I don’t think we are talking about thousands of people but about organizations that represent the patients.
This is an observation, not changing or amending the bill.
The Chair: We have a good sense of what is the request here, so I will ask the committee: Are you prepared to agree to an observation dealing with this specific aspect as recorded?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed. Thank you very much.
I had deferred Senator Cordy. I think she was about to suggest additional observations.
Senator Cordy: One is related to re-establishing the secretariat on palliative and end-of-life are. If we are to have a framework, we have to have a focus for what comes out of this framework.
The Chair: We will deal with that one. Is there any discussion on that?
Senator Eggleton: We are saying that we are encouraging or requesting the federal government.
Senator Cordy: “Evaluate” is the term I used, but I don’t care. I said, “evaluates the advisability.”
The Chair: Ensure that the issue of a secretariat is discussed with regard to implementing the framework. Is that right?
Some Hon. Senators: Yes.
The Chair: I sense the committee is supportive of language along that line.
I will put it to you specifically. Are you agreed that we develop language to encourage that?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Senator Cordy, your second one?
Senator Cordy: That we agree with the representatives of the Canadian Nurses Association who appeared as witnesses before our committee that the federal government be encouraged to provide funding for improved home care services, including palliative care, to address the needs of rural and remote indigenous communities.
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Are there other observations to be suggested?
The committee obviously wishes to append observations. Is it agreed that this bill be reported, with observations, to the Senate?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Senator Eggleton: The final wording has to be worked out by a steering committee.
The Chair: That is the next thing I’m putting forward.
Senator Eggleton: Sorry, I am jumping ahead.
The Chair: I will ask the committee: Are you prepared to agree that the wording of the observations, as directed by you today, be approved by the steering committee?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
Senator Raine: I am sorry, I might be confused. OnSenator Cordy’s observation about the health secretariat, I thought that was covered in the bill already under (g) at line 15 on page 2.
Senator Cordy: What I would prefer is that the wording in the observations be stronger than “evaluates the advisability.” I would like it stronger than that. I think it is something to consider.
The Chair: We will leave it up to steering. Senator Greene Raine has a very good point. I think Senator Cordy, you are saying that the committee encourages, in the development of the overall strategy, that the Department of Health secretariat on palliative and end-of-life care be included. Is that right?
Senator Cordy: I couldn’t have said it better.
The Chair: Thank you very much.
Has that clarified the issue?
Some Hon. Senators: Yes.
The Chair: The question I’m putting to the committee is: Are you prepared to allow the steering committee to make the final decision on the language of the observation to go along with the bill that I report to the Senate? Is that agreed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Thank you.
Is there any other issue from the committee?
I have already asked this. I want to make sure you understand that I did ask you that this bill be reported, with observations, to the Senate and then I went on.
Some Hon. Senators: Yes.
The Chair: So that is agreed.
With that, then, I once again thank the committee for the handling of the bill in this way. Clearly it was a bill that had overwhelming support by the committee in terms of an intuitive feeling for the need for this overall. Yet, during our hearings you’ve managed to bring out a number of issues and had very good discussions with witnesses that were clearly appropriate to this important issue.
I must say I’m very pleased we were able to report this bill with observations and not in any way delay the movement of this toward a final conclusion. Canadians need the discussion on this to get under way. I am very pleased with the recommendation of this committee to the Senate as a whole.
For the second session of the committee meeting this morning, we have one hour scheduled for this particular part of our discussions today. We are dealing with Bill S-218, An Act respecting Latin American Heritage Month. This enactment would designate the month of October in each and every year as Latin American Heritage Month.
We are pleased this morning to have with us as witnesses the Honourable Tobias Enverga, sponsor of the bill and long-time member of this committee, not currently but at one time. We have the Honourable Senator Rosa Galvez joining him at the table for their presentations.
I will turn to our colleague and sponsor of the bill, Senator Enverga, to start first. I am assuming that Senator Galvez will make a presentation as well. Then we will open the floor to questions.
Hon. Tobias C. Enverga, Jr., sponsor of the bill: Thank you to my honourable colleagues for allowing me to appear before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology today.
As many of you know, I am Senator Tobias Enverga and I am here today to speak on my Senate public bill, Bill S-218, An Act respecting Latin American Heritage Month. As senators know well, I came to Canada as an immigrant. I am one of many senators who has been fortunate to be welcomed here to contribute to our society.
There are few countries in the world that are as open and accepting to newcomers as our country. The Canadian policy of multiculturalism is a great success when it comes to allowing for and celebrating our various cultural backgrounds and languages.
For example, during the month of February we celebrate Black History Month, so proclaimed by the House of Commons in 1995 and by the Senate in 2008. This month provides all Canadians a significant platform around which they can celebrate, commemorate and remember achievements by Black Canadians.
In May we celebrate Asian Heritage Month in Canada after our chamber adopted a motion for our government to declare it so. During Asian Heritage Month, many non-Asian Canadians learn about the many different cultural heritages from the Asian continent, often taking place around food and entertainment.
These months also provide an important aspect of multiculturalism beyond learning about the cultural and legacy of others. They can provide a meaningful vehicle to explore about one’s own culture and history. They can provide a series of events that strengthen one’s own sense of identity. They can provide persons of immigrant background a sense of understanding and pride of one’s heritage. This is why our country is unique. We celebrate diversity rather than enforce assimilation.
A Latin American heritage month will be part of this continuous exercise in nation building that will signal greater inclusion for many Canadians, including our very own Honourable Senator Galvez, who is present here today with me.
Committee members may wonder why we should do this by bill rather than by motions, as was done for Black history Month and Asian Heritage Month. It is quite simple. Black History Mouthwash first celebrated in 1996 by the Government of Canada following a motion moved by the Honourable Jean Augustine and unanimously passed by the House of Commons in December 1995. The Senate only confirmed its support by the same motion moved by our former colleague Senator Donald Oliver in 2008. That is a delay, so to speak, of 13 years until Parliament’s three constituent parts agreed upon the measure.
Asian Heritage Month, as I mentioned earlier, comes out of Senator Vivienne Poy’s motion passed by this house and then proclaimed by the government in 2002.
By establishing a Latin American heritage month by an act of Parliament, all three constituent parts — the Queen, the Senate and the House ofCommons — unite in their support of this initiative and offer the appropriate honour to the contributions of Latin Americans, again like Senator Galvez, to our economy, our culture and our society.
Honourable senators, as you may recall from the last session, I introduced Bill S-228, An Act Respecting Hispanic Heritage Month. This was in harmony with the provincial legislation in Ontario and the City of Toronto’s declaration. On May 5, 2015, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, assented to Bill 28, An Act to proclaim the month of October as Hispanic Heritage Month. Ontario is home to almost half of the nearly 900,000 who identified Spanish as the non-official language spoken at home in the 2011 National Household Survey. The City of Toronto made a similar declaration in February 2014. In that declaration, the City of Toronto formally requested the Government of Canada to declare October Hispanic Heritage Month for the whole country.
After some public consultations and further consideration of what would be the most inclusive and neutral wording, I decided to change the focus of the bill to Latin America as a geographic/linguistic community, which would not only add lusophone and francophone communities but also that of indigenous peoples of the region. As one person stated, “It allows inclusivity of all/any multiple identities because it allows self-identification, meanwhile celebrates a land and histories that connect us all.”
This is just another example of how important it is to keep learning about our diverse backgrounds. With a Latin American heritage month, issues such as self-identification within the multicultural context of Canada will enhance our understanding of the complexities that are involved. The complexities of what it means to be Latin American may not be as evident to most Canadians. It is in this spirit that I propose this legislation.
Here in Canada, the Latin American community is large, vibrant and growing rapidly. Canadians of Latin American heritage contribute to their communities and to the economy in a positive way from coast to coast to coast. A sign of the rapidly growing Latin American Canadian community is that there are civic and cultural organizations spanning all professions and fields that claim and celebrate the common heritage and unite around this commonality to improve their ability to succeed.
Honourable senators, our former colleague, the Honourable Vivienne Poy, put it well when speaking to her motion to declare May as Asian Heritage Month in 2001. She said:
Canada is benefiting from the diversity of these new voices. Nationally, our culture is maturing, as we recognize and integrate new visions of our past, present and future into our collective story.
Declaring the month of October as Latin American heritage month will be a wonderful opportunity for us to contribute to our collective story, a uniquely Canadian story increasingly filled with symbols of multiculturalism, a shared history that has led us to the society we now live in where our rights and freedoms are protected under the principles of peace, order and good government.
I thank committee members here this morning for their attention and consideration on this important bill. Muchas gracias.
Hon. Rosa Galvez: Mr. Chair, senators and colleagues of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. I am so happy to see so many female colleagues on this committee. I do not feel lonely.
A special thanks to Senator Enverga for asking me to testify today.
As you know, I was born in Lima, Peru. I spent my childhood and teen years in a typical Latin American, overpopulated, busy city similar to other capitals such as Santiago, Mexico City or Rio de Janeiro. Also common to Latin American countries are the views of the magnificent landscapes that cross borders, such as the Andes, the Amazon jungle or the desert strip from Ecuador to Tierra del Fuego in Chile and Argentina.
I was 24 years old when I married a Canadian journalist of French and Scottish origin and immigrated to Canada. With him I have three children, 29, 27 and 17 years of age. You can see from my face that I have Spanish but also Aboriginal blood. Our children have French, Scottish, Spanish and Aboriginal origin. It is a real soup of DNA.
Thus, unlike most Latinos in Canada, I am not an economical immigrant or political refugee. I came to Canada for love, became Canadian by choice and have lived here for 37 years, longer than in my original country of Peru. I know I could have picked my country or other countries as my residence, but I didn’t. My home is Canada and my love for Canada is infinite. In Canada, having nature so close, having mighty rivers and lakes and clean air does not have a price for me.
People from Central and South America have immigrated to Canada since the 1960s by waves and in larger numbers each time. Most have immigrated due to harsh political or economical conditions in their countries. These immigrants have brought with them a rich cultural heritage, particularly in arts such as crafts, textiles, music, agriculture, fruit products and cuisine, but also perspectives in history and relationships with indigenous peoples. Anybody here who has enjoyed a Cirque du Soleil show recognizes the influence of Colombian styles, legends and music.
About 37 years ago when I arrived, Mexican or Peruvian restaurants were seldom or non-existent in our cities. Today they can be found with ease. For your information, Festival Ceviche here in Ottawa takes place once a year. It gathers cuisine from Chile, Mexico and Peru.
Latin American students make for a substantial group in graduate studies in science and engineering at many Canadian universities coast to coast. In their turn, these immigrants that could have chosen to return to their countries didn’t. They remained in Canada.
Indeed, according to the Ethnic Diversity Survey 82 per cent of citizens with Latin American origin feel a strong sense of belonging to Canada like me. They did it by choice. Some 17 per cent of Latin American adults living in Canada hold university degrees, compared to the average of 15 per cent, and 64 per cent are employed, compared to the average of 62 per cent. This indicates a high rate of integration to the economy and to the society of Latin American immigrants.
Honestly, if Latin Americans remain and love Canada, it is not for the job opportunities. It is because of the openness, the values, the hard work, the resilience and the kindness of its people.
As I recently mentioned in a statement, last August I was in Peru. I participated in a meeting convened by the president of the Congress of Peru and I represented the Speaker of the Senate. Presidents and vice-presidents of the congresses of Latin American countries — Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Spain— gathered to strongly condemn the actions of the present Venezuelan president. I reiterated Canada’s commitment to democratic values in the Americas and called for a negotiated return to democratic order in Venezuela. Our shared history, recent culture and economic ties reunite Latin American countries. Individually and together they are important allies to Canada. It was important that Canada signed the statement that reaffirms our trust of democratic values and elevates Canada as a model of a developed country to be followed.
I support and thank Senator Enverga for sponsoring this bill. A Latin American heritage month would provide Canadians with a yearly recurrent opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the cultural heritage and legacy of Latin Americans in Canada, and be a part of this continuous exercise in nation building, as it was well said by Senator Enverga in his Senate statement.
Latin American Canadians such as myself are one link between the democratic nations of the Americas. Recognizing our shared cultural heritage in Canada with Latin American heritage month will strengthen the ties between Canada and Latin American countries and celebrate the contribution of Canadians and permanent residents of Latin American origin to Canada.
I don’t need to mention to this committee the long list of multilateral agreements that Canada holds with individuals and groups of Latin American countries for political, economic, cultural and commercial reasons.
[Translation]
Last but not least, we have to take into account the fact that, in Canada, we have the Latin culture of francophone heritage. In fact, francophone communities in Canada, such as those in Quebec, Acadia, Manitoba and Ontario, benefit from the exchanges, the spirit of solidarity and the common culture with the communities from Latin America.
Thank you for your attention. I am ready to answer any questions you may have.
[English]
The Chair: Thank you both for your presentations. I will now open up the floor to questions from our colleagues, beginning with Senator Eggleton.
Senator Eggleton: I guess it’s more of a comment than a question, if I may, but I’ll try to wind it up in a question.
I appreciate the presentations both of you have made. You have made compelling arguments and I was very interested in learning about the roots of Senator Galvez. This gives us an opportunity, would you not agree, to know that in the Americas there is more than just our neighbour to the south?
Our focus has always been very substantially on our neighbour to the south, but there are other countries in the rest of the continent. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting many of them. When I was mayor of Toronto I established city-to-city relations with Lima, Peru, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, and when I was Minister of International Trade in the Chrétien government, I signed a free trade agreement with Chile. I’ve had an opportunity to get to know some of the people in these countries and know how much they value the relationship with Canada.
What you’re suggesting here is just another way of saying, yes, we care about Latin America. As well, it gives us a chance to strengthen those relationships on the basis of the people who came here from those places and had those ties.
In supporting it I would ask a question: Are the Latin American communities in Canada supportive? Are they prepared to help in celebrating the month in a real action filled way that will help to strengthen relations between Canada and Latin America?
Senator Enverga: Thank you for the question, senator. The answer is yes. I’ve talked to several organizations that celebrate multicultural events. They thought it was really an opportune way to have events. As we know, there are a lot of celebrations during the month of October already. With Latin Americans, it would be nice if there would be a recognized heritage month they could all celebrate together.
Senator Galvez: I have the same answer. They are waiting, actually. When they found out about this bill, my office received many calls. They are eager to know when this will be happening.
There are already a lot of celebrations throughout the year. This is one opportunity to put them all together. I think you’re aware there was a letter.
The Chair: Yes. It has been circulated.
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: Thank you very much for your presentations. Senator Galvez, your presentation is quite moving because, you are actually highlighting your culture and the reasons why this culture is so important to us here in Canada.
I’m going to ask you a question, but first, I’d like to make a comment, and I do not want it to be perceived as cynicism. It is true that we talk a lot about diversity and multiculturalism in Canada. It is very present in our discourse. However, sometimes I feel that we are celebrating diversity and multiculturalism in quite a superficial way — that’s my personal view — or that cultures do so among themselves, in isolation. I therefore support a bill that proposes that all Canadians celebrate the presence of Latin Americans.
In your opinion, what is or should be the impact of this bill on raising the awareness of all Canadians about the richness of the Latin American presence? What impact could this have on our education system? How could this bill be promoted in our education system? How could this bill ensure that the Latin American presence is much greater on our cultural stages and in our broadcasting, not only perceived as something exotic in our country?
[English]
Senator Enverga: I am actually a member of Asian Heritage Month and I organize some events for it. I saw the potential here for Latin American heritage month. This time all the different nationalities will be able to meet each other and to celebrate together. At the same time it will be going to the school organizations.
Everyone will be able to understand the culture and heritage of Latin Americans. This will be good for Canadians on the whole. That’s why I proposed this bill.
Senator Galvez: I’ve been going to primary and secondary schools to talk about Latin America for about 20 years because children are fascinated with their legends. With the legends of the Aztec, the Maya and the Incas, they are simply fascinated. I didn’t think I was losing my time or not being paid for spending these hours talking to these mostly Québécois children. I was so happy to see their faces. This history and the legends open their minds. It pushes their creativity buttons. It’s unbelievable.
I have also been part of commercial missions to Latin America. I remember one very well with politicians and businessmen to Chile for wine. Everyone knows a lot about agricultural products and sustainable agricultural practices. A lot of traditional Latin American knowledge transfer in agriculture is happening already.
I’m an engineer, so I can talk from my perspective. I have convinced many engineers to go and teach in South America. I have convinced many Latin American students to come and listen to courses here in Canada. We will open many more doors for many other people in fields other than the ones that I am familiar with.
Senator Omidvar: Thank you to both of you, and especially to Senator Enverga for his leadership on this bill.
I did a quick scan of heritage months. We have Black History Month, Commonwealth Month, Asian Heritage Month, National Aboriginal Day and Canadian Multiculturalism Day. Now, and we wish you well, we will have a Latin American heritage month. It’s actually quite surprising to me which communities seem to have galvanized around creating months for themselves and which are still maybe thinking about it.
My question, though, is more around the celebrations. I believe that these celebratory months and days should be used to introduce the culture, the literature, the music, the heroes and the trade possibilities to Canadians. When I go to some of these celebrations, I’m a little worried that we are focusing on the food, the culture and the music, and we are talking among ourselves, by and large.
Senator Enverga, would you envision the celebrations in Ottawa in a way that brings the Latin American communities and their cultural expressions to Canadians as opposed to bringing Latin Americans together?
Senator Enverga: I will refer to my work with Asian Heritage Month that we celebrate every year. You must have attended some of that already on Parliament Hill. This is happening all over the country indifferent cities. The Asian culture is being introduced to the mainstream communities. That is what’s happening. We even have an Asian heritage food festival where we invite everybody from all over Toronto to taste the foods and delicacies available in each and every country in Asia. This would be good, especially for something a festival that we might be able to have. All the Latin American countries can celebrate or put on some great festivities that each and every Canadian can join and enjoy.
The Chair: Senator Galvez, do you wish to add anything?
Senator Galvez: I understand the idea is that Canadians would come in contact with Latin Americans and that from this dialogue good things would happen. This is already happening at a certain level here and there. Maybe this month would provide an opportunity to take all the events here and there and put them together.
I invite you to come to my office. I have a painting by an Aboriginal artist from the North of Canada that is called “Souvenirs from Peru.” This artist already had an association. Canadian artists have already visited Peru and been impressed with what they have seen. They do these beautiful things.
[Translation]
Senator Petitclerc: My question follows on what we have just heard. I would like you to give us another perspective. We fully understand how celebrating this month can open horizons, or give the opportunity to people like me, who are not from the Latin American community, to educate themselves and to discover Latin American culture and cuisine, and so on.
I apologize in advance, because my question may seem a bit personal. As members of the Latin American community, what does Latin American Heritage Month mean to you, your children and the children of the community? Does it have an emotional and personal impact or is it just symbolic? Could there be a bigger impact than that?
[English]
Senator Galvez: That is a very good question. When I finished what I wrote, I sent it to my children. I said to them, “You are 50 per cent Latino, so what do you think?” I received the answers from my children. One said, “Great, I won’t be confused anymore as a Portuguese or as a Greek.” That is a very good thing for my children to say because their looks are Latino, but the minute they speak their Québécois. There are many children like that, by recognizing one month, who will be able to identify.
I don’t know if you heard the news yesterday, but there was a video from the Danish government saying that only children born from parents of Danish descent are considered to be Danish citizens. We are so incredibly lucky that we don’t have this. There will be a lot of positive repercussions on all immigrants in Canada.
[Translation]
Senator Mégie: I would like to make a comment to support the various remarks and to follow up on the various questions raised.
Take, for example, Black History Month. It is true that some ceremonies bring black people together with two or three people from other ethnicities, but there are also ceremonies to which many people from all cultures are invited: Quebecers and Canadians from all the provinces can partake. It depends on the organizers, so you have to target the organization, because when people other than those in the community attend, there is a good dialogue between people, both in terms of art and other dimensions of those people’s culture. I think it’s the way you choose to celebrate that makes all the difference. If we organized a small get-together for people within the same group, nothing may come of it. It’s just to say they are here. That’s what I wanted to add.
[English]
The Chair: That was just a general commentary.
Senator Raine: Thank you, Senator Enverga, for pursuing this bill. I was personally very pleased to see that you found the different title of Latin American rather than Hispanic. Tome, by doing that, it suddenly rang a bell as to why this is such a good bill. Latin America is a geographical region full of diverse people, including indigenous people. Our country is the same, with our diverse population and indigenous culture.
We can relate now, in a much better way, than had we thought of it as Hispanic which has roots to Spain. I see this as rooted in the reality of our shared continents. I congratulate you on the bill.
I wanted to ask: How did you come about making that decision? Is there anything more you wanted to add?
Senator Enverga: I would say I’m a little bit Hispanic because the conquistadors also discovered the Philippines back then. I would relate more with the Hispanic, but by talking to different people and different nationalities who asked, “How about me” or “How come I’m not included there,” I realized it was the best way to make it more inclusive.
Senator Stewart Olsen: I wanted to add to what has already been said. I will never forget when I saw my first Mayan ruin. I had not known before of the very superior cultures that existed in South America and in Latin America, before even in Europe.
It will be a great advantage to our country because our focus is our continent. We’re all here. We’re all interrelated. The more we can learn about these great civilizations, the more we can learn about ourselves. I thank you very much for that.
Senator Seidman: Thank you both very much for your presentations. I don’t have a lot to add because everybody around this table has already said so much, and I agree with them all. I’ve already learned much, just listening to your testimony. I think that’s a wonderful beginning.
I’d like to congratulate you, Senator Enverga, and you, Senator Galvez, and say thank you for bringing this to us. Indeed Latin America, as Senator Eggleton said, is part of our geography. It makes us much more aware that we don’t just have our immediate southern neighbours but that we have a lot more to learn from and to benefit from.
Senator Griffin: I don’t have a question. I basically have a comment. I really like the bill. The fact that it’s inclusive is terrific.
In Prince Edward Island we have a very small population of people who would have come from Latin America, but then we have a small population in total. This will give our people from Latin America and their descendants a much greater opportunity to make themselves more well known within the community. I think it’s great.
Senator Omidvar: I have a quick question. Can we assume there are no costs to the taxpayer as a result of this legislation?
Senator Enverga: I cannot foresee anything, but maybe the minister of culture will have some events.
The Chair: You’re not opposed to receiving some, but you’re not requesting any.
Senator Enverga: That’s right.
The Chair: I think this has been a wonderful discussion. I will invite our two colleagues to remain where they are, if they would like, as I proceed to the next phases of our study of this bill.
I am going to ask my committee: Is it agreed that the committee proceed to clause-by-clause consideration of Bill S-218, An Act respecting Latin American Heritage Month?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Shall the title stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Shall the preamble stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Shall clause 1, which contains the short title, stand postponed?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
Shall clause 2 carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: Clause 2 is carried.
Shall clause1, which contains the short title, carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is carried.
Shall the preamble carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: The preamble is carried.
Shall the title carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: The title is carried.
Shall the bill carry?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: The bill has carried.
Does the committee wish to consider appending observations to the report?
Seeing none, the answer is no.
Is it agreed that I report this bill to the Senate?
Hon. Senators: Agreed.
The Chair: That is agreed.
With that, I want to congratulate Senator Enverga. I’m starting by congratulating you who initiated this and has been very patient as it has proceeded. I congratulate Senator Galvez, who clearly has become a very important part of proceeding and supporting this bill.
On behalf of the committee, I would like to say that I think this bill is making a clear statement in recognizing cultural diversity and its strength in Canada. I’m very pleased with the committee for recommending this forward to the Senate.
Senator Eggleton: Perhaps I could have the floor for just a moment, before you bang the gavel.
This is a milestone occasion for this committee because this is the last time that our colleague Kelvin Ogilvie will chair this committee. He retires very soon, on November 6, to be precise, but next week will be his last week in the Senate. Since this committee will not be meeting next week, today is his last meeting.
He has been chair for a little over six years. We’ve done some major studies in that period of time. Many of them have drawn on the vast expertise that he personally, as a scientist, has brought to the discussions as a knowledgeable person about biotechnology, chemistry, and genetic areas of interest, areas for which he has been well recognized, most particularly at this committee. His admission into the Science Hall of Fame, for example, and the Order of Canada pin which he wears, are also recognition of the great contributions he has made. I don’t want to forget his contribution as president of one of the major institutions of the country, Acadia University.
I’ve been fortunate to have been the deputy chair all of the time he has been chair. I think it has been a terrific relationship. I very much appreciated working with him.
We have done major studies. We did a six-part study on pharmaceuticals. We did an examination of the health accord. We studied obesity and dementia. Next Tuesday, we will be filing the report on robotics, artificial intelligence and 3-D printing.
One of the things I think is extraordinary is that all of those studies were passed by this committee and by the Senate, unanimously, plus some bills. I think of Nancy Greene Raine’s bill. In fact, during Kelvin’s time, some 33 bills have passed through this committee. That’s a very significant achievement. It goes with the long tradition that this committee has had of doing excellent studies and producing some excellent public policy.
I have enjoyed the relationship I have had as part of the steering committee in those years with both of my colleagues across from me. They, together with Kelvin and I, have made a terrific team and have helped to make this committee the great success that it is.
So, Kelvin, thank you for all you have contributed and best wishes in your future endeavours.
Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!
[Translation]
Senator Cormier: Senator Ogilvie, I know that a number of senators will pay tribute to you in the Senate, but since I probably will not have the opportunity to do so, I would like to personally and sincerely thank you. As a new senator in the chamber, and as a new member of this committee, I was initially quite concerned, because I was not sure I could measure up to the way you worked. I confused what I thought was rigidity with rigour. And you lead debate in this committee with such rigour that you leave plenty of room for the expression of different ideas. It is an exceptional quality. I want to thank you for this quality and to tell you how much we will continue to benefit from your expertise in the future. You have given us a very concrete example of how the Senate can be effective in its work. Thank you very much, sir.
[English]
The Chair: Thank you all very much. This is almost out of order. I should have ruled it out of order, but I am afraid I weakened at the last moment.
I will only say briefly that I want to echo Senator Eggleton’s comments with regard to how he and I have worked together with our colleagues in the steering committee over this time. It has been a remarkable experience. We have been able to work through some very difficult bills and legislation together, to wind up coming together to recommend them to the Senate of Canada, and I think to the benefit of Canadians in terms of the work that has been done here.
I thank all those members of the committee over the time that I have had the privilege to be the chair of this committee for the way you and your predecessors have handled the issues before us. Obviously, I give great thanks to the Senate itself for conveying tome the opportunity to serve with such outstanding Canadians on this very important committee.
(The committee adjourned.)