Mr. Speaker, under our Constitution the administration of justice is a provincial responsibility. The federal government cannot simply walk in and tell the Ontario Provincial Police or the Quebec Provincial Police to leave and let somebody else do their job. If they feel they need assistance there are provisions in place for that assistance to be requested and, if so, it will be responded to in a quick and effective way.
We are there to help law enforcement across the country. We want to see the laws enforced in an equitable and firm way across the country, but we are not in a position to tell, like the hon. member, that we do not think the Ontario Provincial Police or the Quebec Provincial Police can do its job. I am sure he should have, as a former member of a local police force, more respect for and confidence in similar police forces across the country.