Debates of Nov. 7th, 2003

Alexa McDonough Halifax, NS

Mr. Speaker, the government insists that the presumption of innocence remains firm under the Liberal's watch. The horrifying ordeals of Maher Arar and William Sampson indicate otherwise.

The government hides behind the RCMP review, while other Canadians languish in jail, such as Almalki, in Syria, Maati, in Egypt and who knows how many next door, in the U.S.

Why will the government not launch the comprehensive public inquiry that is needed and that Canadians want now?

Marlene Jennings Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, this Parliament created an independent agency called the Public Complaints Commission Against the RCMP. That commission, which is impartial and has authority over the RCMP, is conducting a review as we speak. I would urge the member to let the commission do its work.

If the member has information about other cases where she is alleging, or others are alleging, wrongdoing on the part of the RCMP, she should bring those allegations to the commission. If the member has allegations against SIRC, she should bring it to the SIRC--

Pat Martin Winnipeg Centre, MB

Mr. Speaker, the NDP fully supports the creation of the National Health Council as an integral aspect of health care reform. However, as Roy Romanow has now pointed out, the province of Alberta is blocking its creation.

It seems Premier Klein was happy to take the extra cash last February, but he has reneged on the rest of the deal to establish this critically important institution.

What concrete steps is the Minister of Health taking in her home province to get Premier Klein on board and what is she doing to ensure the National Health Council gets up and running without any further delay?

Marlene Jennings Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, it allows this government, through me, to again talk about the initiatives that we have taken to strengthen our law enforcement to provide new financial resources to the RCMP to create integrated investigative teams.

The sex trade is abominable and our law enforcement, the RCMP, and provincial and municipal police forces will work together and are working together to see that it is eradicated in Canada.

Betty Hinton Kamloops, Thompson And Highland Valleys, BC

Mr. Speaker, they should speed up the process. Canada should be leading the world in the fight to protect women and children. Instead, this year's trafficking in persons report states that Canada has made “uneven efforts to prosecute traffickers” and “no specific efforts to work with and rehabilitate trafficking victims”.

Traffickers need to know that Canada will not tolerate this despicable activity, but convictions are rare.

Why are victims and witnesses so often deported before justice can be served?

Martin Cauchon Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Mr. Speaker, with regard to such a crime, which is indeed an awful crime, I would like to draw the attention of the hon. member to what we are doing as a country at the international level.

For example, lately we had a meeting in Paris among G-8 colleagues and talked about the question of child pornography and protection of our children, not only in Canada but anywhere in the world.

We have Bill C-20 as well, which is before the House. At the international level we know that people are using more technology and we need more international cooperation. It works well and--

Bernard Bigras Rosemont—Petite-Patrie, QC

Mr. Speaker, the Cartagena protocol on biosafety came into effect without Canada's involvement. This proves how important it is to the federal government to control GMOs. The first meeting of the protocol signatories on the implementation of the Cartagena protocol will be held in Kuala Lumpur in February.

Does the government plan to attend this important meeting?

David Anderson Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, consultations with respect to the Cartagena protocol, which I have talked about many times in this House, have not concluded; they are ongoing. I thank the hon. member for his question as to whether or not we will be going to Kuala Lumpur; we will.

Bernard Bigras Rosemont—Petite-Patrie, QC

Mr. Speaker, the minister and his government seem to forget that the public is worried and wants its representatives to show that we too are concerned about GMOs. The minister has until November 25 to ratify the protocol if he intends to participate in this important meeting.

What is he waiting for to ratify the protocol?

David Anderson Minister of the Environment

Mr. Speaker, we are waiting for consultations to wrap up, as I have said many times in this House. I assure the hon. member that the answer is yes, because this is very important.

I remind the House that it was in Montreal, here in Canada, that the Cartagena protocol was truly finalized. It was not in South America, but here in Canada, and that is very important to us.