Lost his last election, in 2011, with 36% of the vote.
Young Offenders Act June 21st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, on a supplementary, will the minister take action and change his policy to spell out in the Young Offenders Act preamble that where the rights and needs of the victims conflict or need to be balanced with those of the young offender, the
concerns of the victim will be paramount and be clearly written as a principle in law?
Young Offenders Act June 21st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice.
In the Young Offenders Act there is a preamble which has a list of things that is a guide for its operation. Some of these are that young people must be held accountable, society must be protected, young persons need guidance and assistance, a focus on offenders needs. The minister has now admitted the preamble is not sufficient.
Why is the term victims not mentioned in the preamble of the current act when victims' concerns should also be a guiding factor in the operation of the Young Offenders Act?
Young Offenders Act June 20th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, could this minister cite any cases in which there has been harm which has given rise to the necessity of the secrecy provisions of the Young Offenders Act, for in contrast on occasions I have mentioned in this House where there has been death as a direct result of the misguided Liberal idealism?
Young Offenders Act June 20th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice.
The operation of the juvenile justice system's results as seen by average Canadians seems overly protective of young offenders. The Young Offenders Act has extensive rules of non-disclosure, secrecy and the destruction of records.
Will the minister explain to Canadians why there is a need for this inequity between the juvenile system and the adult system, for surely justice must be seen to be done as well as done?
Criminal Code June 17th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice stated in this House that he is contemplating further laws on guns. The emphasis seems to be government intervention with law-abiding gun owners rather than action with gun-toting criminals.
In view of the problems with section 85 of the Criminal Code can the minister indicate what he will do to make it a priority to fight criminals who have guns before he pursues a policy that interferes with law abiding gun owners?
Criminal Code June 17th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice.
On May 9, 1994, in response to a question from my colleague, the member for Surrey-White Rock-South Langley, the minister told this House that he had urged the provincial attorneys general to more aggressively pursue the prosecution of section 85 of the Criminal Code, the extra penalty for the use of a firearm during a crime.
I wrote two letters to the minister requesting an explanation of what was said to the provinces as well as any responses received regarding section 85 but have yet to receive a reply. Will the minister advise this House in general terms about the communications he had with the provinces over section 85?
Young Offenders Act June 16th, 1994
Madam Speaker, I would like to address a question to my colleague. Does he believe that the proposed amendments to the Young Offenders Act in this bill go in the right direction? If he does not, what legislative provisions would he propose in addition to the usual request for more social programming and counselling services?
If the bill says the wrong things-and I believe he is taking that tack-what does he propose other than throwing more money at the problem with increased social services?
Young Offenders Act June 16th, 1994
Madam Speaker, can my colleague advise the House on behalf of the government if aboriginal young offenders need special attention for those likely to receive a custody sentence? Is the required denunciation of custody different for native young offenders?
Young Offenders Act June 16th, 1994
Madam Speaker, on a point of order. I wonder if I may have the unanimous consent of the House to ask just one brief question of my colleague?
Young Offenders Act June 16th, 1994
Madam Speaker, my colleague in her speech mentioned that the preamble of the amendments to the Young Offenders Act falls very short. What does my colleague from Quebec say about what should be the balance between the needs of the victim and the needs of the offender as outlined in the preamble as to the general direction the act should be administered?
I noticed the word "victim" is not mentioned at all in the preamble. I would like her views on the balance between victim's needs and offender's needs, especially as it should be outlined in the preamble of the Young Offenders Act.