Debates of Oct. 31st, 2011

Françoise Boivin Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, the government pretends to support victims, but now it is moving to scrap years worth of gun registry records. Victims of tragedies like the shooting at l'École Polytechnique want these records kept. Police chiefs want them. Provinces want them. However, the government refuses to listen.

The government is planning a $2 billion bonfire. Why is it ignoring the pleas of victims and their families? Why will it not put public safety first?

Vic Toews Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that this question is coming from a member who has voted against every public initiative that actually protects victims.

Perhaps there is something that she should know. Just because the Liberals spent $2 billion on a long gun registry does not mean it is worth anything. In fact, the only thing it does is target law-abiding Canadian citizens improperly and is obtrusive in their private affairs.

Let us make it very clear. Our government will focus on issues that deal with victims.

Françoise Boivin Gatineau, QC

Mr. Speaker, if the government were to introduce bills that made sense and were supported by a majority of Canadians, we would be happy to support them. Every day, more voices are joining the outcry in Quebec and calling for the government to keep the data from the firearms registry. The National Assembly, police chiefs, families of victims of murder and suicide, groups advocating for abused women and, more recently, a large construction union, the FTQ, have all said that the data on file must be preserved.

Why is the government going to spend money on destroying useful information instead of spending money on enhancing police protection—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

The hon. Minister of Public Safety.

Vic Toews Minister of Public Safety

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Police Association has said that it is quite satisfied with the efforts this government has made to work on behalf of front-line police officers, especially with respect to the comprehensive justice legislation, Bill C-10, which the member opposes. If she wants anything else, perhaps she could speak to her colleague from Sackville—Eastern Shore who said that the registry itself gives people a false sense of security over gun control and gun safety. He is in favour of getting rid of it. Why is she not?

Rona Ambrose Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, where it is necessary and we think it is valuable, we employ fairness monitors to be a part of procurement. In this situation, with the shipbuilding procurement strategy, it was invaluable.

Bob Rae Toronto Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, since the Minister of Public Works and Government Services feels that it was invaluable, I wonder if I could ask her colleague, the Minister of National Defence, why a similar process would not be followed with respect to the F-35s.

The prime minister of Holland, the—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order. The hon. member for Toronto Centre has the floor. Members should hold off on their comments.

Bob Rae Toronto Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, while the government figures out who is going to answer this very tricky question, if it is good enough for the ships, why is it not good enough for the planes?

James Moore Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

Mr. Speaker, the only person who had trouble—

The Speaker Andrew Scheer

Order. The hon. Minister of Canadian Heritage has the floor.