O Canada bill championed by Mauril Blanger, MP with ALS, advances to final vote

Feelingsran high this afternoon as Mauril Blanger, the veteran Liberal MP whose health is rapidly deteriorating from ALS, returned to the Commons to ensure his private member's bill to change the English lyrics of O Canada advanced to its final vote.

A motion to accept the bill at report stage, which required Blanger to be present, carried on a voice vote.

MPs gave a standing ovation for the veteran MP, who was seated in a wheelchair near the Speaker's chair on the floor of the Commons.

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Five MPs then spoke during its final debate at third reading. Once that concluded, the Speaker announced the bill will have its final vote next Wednesday. It's expected to pass easily and proceed to the Senate.

Many MPs stood again to applaud, some visibly emotional as they bit their lips, looked up and wiped tears.

Final vote ahead on O Canada changes

8 years ago

Duration 2:02

Mauril Blanger returned to the House of Commons to ensure his bill to change the lyrics of O Canada advanced to a final vote

Blanger's wife, Catherine, was seated in the gallery with Senator Jim Munson, a friend of the Blangers. They hugged and gave thumbs-up signs.

It's not knownhow many other senators support the change or how easily the bill may pass in the Red Chamber.

BillC-210changes the line "in all thy sons command" to "in all of us command," making the English lyrics of the national anthem genderneutral.

The legislation has become a real focus for the MP, hisfriends say, as the progression of ALS, also known as LouGehrig'sdisease,makes workmore and more difficult.

During his last appearance in the Commons a month ago to kick off debate on his bill, he used a wheelchair and deliveredhis prepared speech using a tablet software program.Blanger did not speak Friday.

5 MPs speak in final debate

Conservative Peter Van Loan has been a vocal opponent of the accelerated pace of this bill's process, arguing there has not been enough public consultation. He used his speech Fridayto give voice to the views of individualCanadians who did not want O Canada changed in any way, reading from specific messageshis party received.

"Those are views that matter, whether you agree or disagree," he said. "When it comes to national symbols, when it comes to the things that make us what we are, historically, we have taken them from the people, not given them to the people.

"At the very least, if we seek to change that which the people have given us, we deserve to hear from those people and not block them from the discussion. That is what has happened in the process with this bill," he said.

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Blaine Calkins echoed these sentiments, saying the emotional arguments about passing Blanger's bill should not be a rationale for how decisions are made in the House. His constituents, he said, overwhelmingly do not support the change.

The third Tory to speak, Brad Trost, said that he didn't think the current anthem was discriminatory. He said when the lyrics were changed around the First World War from "thou dost in us command" to "in all thy sons command,"it was for poetic value the lyrics must be seen as a Victorian-era poem.

New Democrat Jenny Kwan thanked and congratulatedBlanger for his perseverance, noting formerNDP MPs like Svend Robinson and Libby Davies had tried but failed to make the anthem more inclusive.

"That's what the symbolism of this change is all about," she said.

"The original verse of the national anthem [was]genderneutral," Kwan said. "It seems like we've come full circle."

"It is 2016," Randy Boissonault, the parliamentary secretary for heritage said. "This about the future what else could be more Canadian?"

Conservatives split

A clear majority of MPs in the House are expected to vote in favour next week. It passed 219-79 at second reading, with only Conservatives voting against.

A handful of Conservatives supported the bill, while the Bloc Qubcoisabstained on principle, because the bill concerned only the English lyrics.

Liberals, including Blanger'sfellow MPs from ridings in the Ottawa-Gatineauarea, have gone to great lengths to help things along.

"Time is of the essence," friend and fellow Liberal GregFergustold CBC News.

Belanger's O Canada bill passes major hurdle

8 years ago

Duration 1:56

Mauril Belanger's Bill will be voted on at Third Reading next Wednesday where a majority is expected to pass it and send it to the Senate

Kevin Lamoureux, the parliamentary secretary for the House leader, paid tribute Friday to thesupportof government whip Andrew Leslie, who represents a neighbouring riding.

Attempts seekingunanimous consent to fast-trackthebill, or allow it to stand in another MP's name so Blanger would not be required to be present if his illness did not allow, weredenied by Conservatives.

"Why deny him the opportunity to see the vote take place?" said NDP MP David Christopherson, another friend of Blanger's."The Conservatives have a lot to answer for here, and I'm extremely disappointed in my Conservative colleagues."

"It's not about politics now. It's about humanity. It's about decency. It's about respect. So yeah, this one's a little more emotional and personal than usual," he said.

Leslie tries to speed up debate of Belanger's O Canada Bill

8 years ago

Duration 0:50

A unidentified Conservative MP stops Chief Government Whip Andrew Leslie from speeding up the passage of Mauril Belanger's Bill

Two MPs, one Liberal and one Bloc member, agreed to give up time scheduled for their own private member's business so Blanger's bill could advance through the required stages before summer recess.

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The heritage committee dealt with its review of the bill in only one sitting last week, much to the frustration of Conservatives like Van Loan.

Tory MP Erin O'Toole was seen speaking to Blanger before Friday's debate. He told reporters thatbecause ofthe MP's "tragic situation" his party should not circumvent the proceedings.

"He has been a remarkableparliamentarian and paying respect to him is letting the debate run its course," O'Toole said.

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