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Mr. Chair, my hon. friend from St. Albert—Edmonton spoke of the clear lack of trust of indigenous people in the criminal justice system. The member for Timmins—James Bay spoke of the question of racism within police forces.

We know that a lot of women who are in danger in communities do not go to the RCMP for help because they do not believe they are safe there. I take my friend from St. Albert’s point that it might be unwise to comment on the verdict and what the jury did, but I have no hesitation in commenting on the horrific way the RCMP treated Colten Boushie’s family in the immediate aftermath of his killing. Admittedly, it is a difficult topic to raise here, but what can we do to ensure that the immediate interface between the RCMP and indigenous peoples is not one where I suspect there is deep systemic racism within those police forces?

Michael Cooper Member for St. Albert-Edmonton

Mr. Chair, in response to the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, I cannot speak to the interactions the Boushie family had with the RCMP following Colten Boushie being shot and killed. Obviously, some of the allegations that are coming forward about some of those interactions are deeply concerning. However, I will say that the men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe do a very good service for communities across this country. I have a lot of respect for the law enforcement community. I believe the vast majority of police officers do their very best to treat all the individuals they encounter, including indigenous peoples, with respect. However, there is obviously still work to do regarding further education and further awareness. What we have to do if we are going to move forward is take an approach of trying to work together to move forward and be better rather than pointing fingers at one another.

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“I first organized in my community for Earth Day 1970 — 43 years ago. I was in Grade 10 and it was also the very first Earth Day,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

“Issues have of course changed over time, they are probably more complex than ever, but the core principles we were fighting for then have not changed: ecological wisdom, non-violence, social justice, sustainability, participatory democracy and respect for diversity,” said May.

“The waves of environmental concern come and go, but the good news is that each wave leaves a stronger and larger core of committed people. And the better news is that as the popular movement ebbs and flows, the Green Party keeps on steadily building,” said May.

Notes:

• Earth Day Canada’s events listing.
• Elizabeth May’s Earth Day events this weekend.

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“Over the past decade we have seen the centralization of power in government and large corporations, the rapidly growing disparity between the rich and the poor, while, at the same time, the middle class continues to be economically squeezed. More and more cases are being observed of migrant abuse while Canadian labour suffers,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

In his 2013 World Day of Social Justice message, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared “We see far too many places where there are increasing opportunities for a few and only rising inequality for the many.”

“It is time for all Canadians to reread our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and ask ourselves if we are making real progress both economically and socially. Are we promoting these Canadian values abroad? If not, as citizens, we must demand more of our Government or begin preparing now for the change we need in 2015,” said Joe Foster, Human Rights Critic for the Green Party.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly.

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