Madam Speaker, I am delighted to rise to speak to this bill, which, I see, is of particular interest to the government opposite. I would like to commend the member for Huron—Bruce, who seems to have put considerable weight on the government's shoulders this afternoon in the debate of an essentially simple bill, it is true, but one that warrants some comment in order to set out the position of the Bloc Quebecois.
I realize I have 40 minutes, Madam Speaker, but I can tell you right now that I will not use all my time, because we have just found a consensus in the House in support of this bill, which is an excellent bill, because it remedies something that is unfair to the members of the RCMP who took part in peacekeeping missions around the world.
In certain countries, for example Haiti, Bosnia and Uganda, the RCMP were actively involved in peacekeeping missions. This role was all the more important because in some of these countries the RCMP helped local governments set up police forces similar to those found in democratic countries such as Canada or Quebec.
Yes, there must be encouragement for this kind of mission. Yes, there must be support for RCMP members who volunteered their services, who agreed to travel to foreign countries and share their experience by giving courses and training to the inhabitants of these countries so that they could have a good police force. They must be encouraged in various ways.
It is all very fine and well to rise in the House from time to time and make ministerial statements in support of these people as they set out for other countries, but I think it would also be good if RCMP members who are leaving Canada for a short period but an important one nonetheless also felt supported economically. Bill C-12 addresses this.
It was realized that there was a certain difference between members of the RCMP who went on a peacekeeping mission and members of the armed forces who went as peacekeepers or as part of other international organizations on similar missions.
It was realized that the men and women of the RCMP were at a disadvantage on their return with respect to their pensions. This bill is very straightforward in that it corrects this particular inequality between the two groups. The bill amends the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act by finally giving peacekeeping missions by RCMP officers the same recognition as that given those by members of the Canadian armed forces.
I would like to take this opportunity to echo the sentiments expressed by all members who have already spoken and thank RCMP members for the excellent work they are doing and for their representation of our system outside Canada and Quebec. I think they should be paid tribute and be encouraged to continue.
One way to encourage them open to us is Bill C-12, which we are studying today and which shows without a doubt the esteem in which they are held by the House of Commons.
However, as an opposition party, we are going to do our work properly. I still have a few questions on this bill. These people deserve special consideration. They should be put in the same situation as members of the RCMP who did not leave the country, but we must not, conversely, penalize those who do not leave.
As I read this bill at the moment, I do not see this. Has anyone checked? Did anyone do the calculations required to find out whether we penalize those who stay in the country when we give this advantage to those who leave Canada to work outside the country for a time? Do those who remain have to pay more for those who leave? Is the government investing more? Where exactly are they going to get the budget surplus to meet the requirements of this bill?
The answer is not obvious from reading Bill C-12. We need a clear answer. Will those members of the RCMP who, for personal or family reasons, choose not to participate in peacekeeping missions end up losing? We do indeed have to provide some advantage to those who leave, but we must also think of those who stay behind. I will be looking for answers to this question, for my own reassurance and to reassure those involved in the situation.
I have another question as well. Will officers who remain in Canada have to pay twice for officers on peacekeeping missions who are injured while abroad, because this does happen? We need to know how premiums are affected, as well as what happens in the event of injuries, so that we can determine whether, in the end, they receive the same treatment.
Another question must be answered. How much does the Government of Canada pay when it must send these people to other countries? As you know, when people such as RCMP members travel abroad on duty, they are paid by the UN. Does the UN contribute proportionately to this pension fund? This is another thing we do not know. That will have to be looked into when the bill goes to committee.
At the beginning of my first term of office, in the 35th Parliament, I was the critic for the solicitor general and I had many opportunities to work with members of the RCMP. I know that those officers—I am not talking about senior officers—who do such things as going to Haïti or other countries to give training and assistance are very professional people and believe strongly in what they are doing. They are also very proud of their position.
I think that Bill C-12 meets many of these requirements and that is why, knowing these people as I do, I am pleased to say that we support Bill C-12 and will vote in favour.
The Bloc Quebecois is in favour of this bill, and we are going to try, when it is referred to committee, to verify certain things with RCMP officials, as well as with the Department of National Revenue or other government departments, so as to be sure that the money invested will go to the right place, and that all RCMP members, whether they travel to other countries or stay in Canada, are treated fairly.