The House is adjourned for the summer until September 19.

Muslims in the House June 13 - 17

Genocide in the Middle East

Following the release of an independent report by the UN commission that concluded that genocide was committed by ISIL against the Yazidis, on June 16 the Minister of Foreign Affairs Stéphane Dion stated for the first time that the government believes that genocide against the Yazidis is currently ongoing by ISIL.As a result, MP Pierre Poilievre (Conservative) called on the government to reinstate the air bombing campaign to stop the ongoing genocide. Minister Dion disagreed and responded by stating that the government has tripled efforts for training and are improving their programs for development to rescue the affected populations. The Minister also stated that the Canadian government wants the UN to carry out more investigations to ensure that these crimes are addressed.

Ramadan

On June 14, MP Kamal Khera (Liberal) addressed the house to wish Ramadan Mubarak to Muslims in Brampton West, Canada and around the world and to recognize the Brampton Islamic Centre in Brampton West. This week the leader of the opposition, MP Rona Ambrose (Conservative) held an iftaar at Stornoway (house of the leader of the opposition). Additionally, various Muslim MP’s held an iftaar in Ottawa.

Rohingya Muslim community in Burma

MP Garnett Genuis (Conservative) raised the crisis facing the Rohingya Muslim community in Burma asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs what the government is doing with respect to leadership on human rights in Burma. As the government builds relations with Burma and invests money in its democratic development, MP Genuis called for the government to lead and advocate for the rights of the Rohingya by taking strong public action and public identification of these issues. MP Omar Alghabra (Liberal) responded by saying the government recognizes the mistreatment of minorities in Burma and is committed to the promotion of human rights and that their objective is to make a tangible difference on the ground through investments that will promote an inclusive society. He stated that alongside the creation of the Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion last month, all missions abroad are now mandated to make sure the promotion of human rights is an integral part of the approach to engaging governments abroad.

National Defense - Afghan detainee file

MP Hélène Laverdière (NDP) called on the Prime Minister to undertake to launch an independent public inquiry into the treatment of Afghan detainees following report of new allegations. The Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan stated that they will be looking into these allegations and that there are a number of institutions in the Canadian Armed Forces that are independent and have the ability to look into the allegations.

Syrian Refugees

MP Jenny Kwan (NDP) brought up the issue of applications to privately sponsor at least 100 Syrian refugee families in northern Iraq being held up due to Canada’s lack of capacity to process them. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship John McCallum responded by saying the government is aware of the situation, that some parts of the world are more difficult to get to, and is working on it.

Recently Active Bills

• C-23 - Preclearance Act, 2016
• C-229 - Life Means Life
• C-6 - Amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another
• C-14 - Amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying)
• S-206 - Amend the Criminal Code (protection of children against standard child-rearing violence)
• S-1001 - Authorize La Capitale Financial Security Insurance Company to apply to be continued as a body corporate under the laws of the Province of Quebec
• C-2 - Amend the Income Tax
• C-221 - Safe and Regulated Sports Betting
• C-22 - Establish the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and to make consequential amendments to certain Acts
• S-225 - Amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (substances used in the production of fentanyl)
• S-217 - Amend the Criminal Code (detention in custody)
• C-11 - Amend the Copyright Act (access to copyrighted works or other subject-matter for persons with perceptual disabilities)