Critic Responsibilities

The Chair (Mr. Jason Kenney, MP -- Calgary Southeast, Alberta): We'll now move to committee business. There is a motion before the committee in the name of Mr. Marston.

Mr. Marston.

This relates to the call for an apology regarding the imperial Japanese army's practice of comfort women. Mr. Marston, would you like to speak to your motion.

Mr. Wayne Marston: I'd like to start by highlighting the fact that Monday's apology by the prime minister of Japan was not an official apology, in many eyes, as it did not acknowledge the government's responsibility for the use of comfort women at the time. What we're looking for in this motion is for the Government of Japan to accept full responsibility for the crimes against comfort women; provide full reparations for survivors in accordance with international standards; provide direct compensation to the comfort women or their immediate relatives. This came about because people, across this country, have approached our caucus--Chinese, South Korean, and Filipino--who were greatly affected by this haineous set of events that took place. I think it's very important.

Mr. Wayne Marston: Thank you for the comprehensive testimony today. I believe, Canada, when we speak out we are at our best.

I come from a labour background. Dialogue and negotiations are something that I've seen day to day that have been very effective. When you talk revolution though and you think of Lek Walesa and solidair noche and the fact that they controlled the economy and it was how they were successful, I have trepidation about Iran at that level.

I was in Saudi Arabia in 1979. When I heard you refer to accidents and payments for injury, at the time I worked for the telephone company. If we ran over a Saudi by accident we paid $30,000. If they ran over one of us it was one riel which was 30¢. Of course the Canadian dollar was worth more then.

HOUSE OF COMMONS HANSARD

Response to Ministerial Statement to mark the Bi-centenary of the Aboliton of the Slave Trade

Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of humility that I rise on behalf of the NDP caucus to speak on this occasion of marking the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, one of the most evil enterprises in our history.

Millions of men, women and children in Africa were forcibly abducted and relocated across an ocean. Countless lost their lives in the journey and those who survived were subjected to some of the most heinous and reprehensible treatment imaginable.

STATEMENT BY WAYNE MARSTON ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACISM

Ottawa – Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) is the NDP Critic for Multiculturalism and Human Rights.

“Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racism which is observed annually on March 21st as it was on this day in 1960 that police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid in Sharpeville, South Africa.

Shortly after the events of 9/11, a Hindu temple was destroyed by arson in my community of Hamilton. The police said it was a hate crime. The community responded: with a show of solidarity and support to eliminate racism in our neighbourhoods.

CONSERVATIVES MUST END SECRECY ON CANADA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA: NDP
Marston’s motion demands Parliamentarians have full access to Burton Report

OTTAWA – At a meeting of the sub-committee on International Human Rights, the NDP’s Critic on Human Rights Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) put forward a motion that passed unanimously calling on DFAIT officials to explain why they are blocking parliamentarians access to a report on Canada’s bi-lateral human rights dialogue with China.

“Professor Burton has prepared what by all accounts is an important document outlining Canada’s bi-lateral human rights dialogue with China. First we were allowed copies of the report with sections blacked out,” said Marston. “Then we were told we could see the whole report, but only for 15 minutes and we couldn’t take notes, keep a copy or discuss amongst ourselves or with DFAIT officials present the contents of the report.”

From Subcommittee on International Human Rights

Mr. Wayne Marston: In 1996 I led the largest civil demonstration in the history of this country, and during that we had 105,000 people, which was a significant amount on the streets of Hamilton. During that time, often we talked and thought about what happened in Tiananmen Square and the difference of how we could protest here, and the penalties and the cost. I have to say I have a great respect for the people who lived through that time. I want you to know that others were thinking of you.

Listening today, when you talked so eloquently about the needs of others and in China, and other people could have come here and talked about their personal pasts and their personal trials. I respect you greatly for doing that in the manner that you had today.

HAMILTON – NDP MP Wayne Marston is urging the Conservative government to heed the warning signs contained in a CBC investigation into the air quality in Canadian rinks.

“It would be irresponsible for the Conservative government to ignore this new potential health risk,” said Marston. “I am calling on Secretary of State for Sport Helena Guergis to prepare a full report on the air quality in Canadian rinks and what this Conservative government intends to do about improving it.”

The number of Canadians that are potentially exposed to this risk is staggering. According to Skate Canada more than 6 million people lace up skates every year. Hockey Canada’s website says the sport is the activity of choice for over 2 million Canadians. There are also 25,000 registered ringette players, with over 6500 coaches and over 1600 officials; as well as 950,000 participants registered with the Canadian Curling Association.

Tax credits: They don’t replace programs and services, but if they’re there don’t forget to claim them!

Tax season is upon us again. Politicians will continue to debate the meaning of tax credits but we will all still have to file our income taxes before April 30th. The debate will continue about the meaning of tax credits in the absence of infrastructure. Take for example the Conservative childcare benefit is essentially a tax credit, but there has been minimal investment in childcare spaces. So although all Canadians with children have a little more money, no more Canadians have access to quality, affordable childcare.

CANADA CLOSER TO ELIMINATING TORTURE
NDP Critic gets motion passed to examine UN Optional Protocol against Torture

OTTAWA – Today, the sub-committee on International Human Rights unanimously passed a motion by NDP Human Rights Critic Wayne Marston to have hearings on the question of Canada signing the UN Optional Protocol Against Torture (OPCAT).

“Four years after its adoption by the UN General Assembly and several election promises later, we finally have agreement to examine whether Canada should adhere to the protocol. It’s hard to understand why a democratic government wouldn’t want to do everything it can to prevent and eliminate torture. There is no reason we should have waited this long to look at this matter,” said Marston (Hamilton-Stoney Creek).

PUBLICATION: The Hamilton Spectator
PAGE: A10
BYLINE: Dana Borcea
COPYRIGHT: ╘ 2007 Torstar Corporation
WORD COUNT: 414

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Terrifying parallels; Man executed in China belonged to same minority group as Burlington detainee

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The wife of a Burlington man imprisoned in China is reeling after hearing that another man, detained for similar reasons, has been executed.

Kamila Telendibaeva sat in the living room of her Burlington home and wept Wednesday as she listened to the choked words of the man's widow on Radio Free Asia.