Dona Cadman

[Auto Theft, October 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, auto theft significantly impacts Canadians and businesses, with an estimated cost of more than $1 billion each year. This amount takes into account the cost of the theft of non-insured vehicles, policing and legal and out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles.

While Canadians suffer the financial and emotional impacts of this crime, organized crime profits. That is why our government is committed to cracking down on auto theft. We have legislation, which is currently sitting in the Senate, that would add new penalties in the area of property theft and, more specifically, the serious crime of auto theft. Our message to the Liberal leader is simple: Pass the legislation and stop playing political games.

Canadians can count on this government and this Prime Minister to stand up for the rights of victims and law-abiding Canadians.

[Justice, October 21st, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Police Association is concerned that the Liberals will side with convicted criminals and provide them with a “get out of jail free” card.

CPA President Charles Momy has urged Liberals to listen to the concerns raised by victims groups and front-line officers and to decisions made by elected representatives on the issue of credit for time served rather than protecting the interests of convicted felons.

Our four western premiers are demanding that the Senate reject the Liberal amendments that will gut Bill C-25. In blatant disregard of the pleas of police associations, western premiers and all attorneys general across Canada, Liberals voted again yesterday to gut the bill.

When will the Liberals stand up for the rights of victims and their families instead of criminals?

[Petitions, September 30th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the member for Kildonan—St. Paul, I would like to present petitions from many communities across Canada.

The petitioners call on parliamentarians to support Bill C-268. The bill will be voted on tonight, and Canada's citizens are counting on parliamentarians to support it.

[Victims of Crime, September 16th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, our government is doing what the Liberals failed to do. We are reaching out to victims and giving criminals what victims have been demanding for years: serious time that fits the crime.

In fact, during the Liberal reign, a review of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act recommended the creation of a victims ombudsman. Yet, the Liberals did nothing.

When we formed government, we made it a priority to establish the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, and we continue to support this important organization. In addition, we established a four year $52 million boost to programs, services and funding for victims.

This government is committed to ensuring that victims have a greater voice in the criminal justice system. Victims and their families expect and deserve no less.

[Justice, June 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, our government has taken real action to combat crime and to punish sex offenders. We introduced a bill earlier this month that would fix the Liberal's national sex offender registry that experts say has never solved a single crime.

There is an additional strain on the laboratories that analyze DNA. We must ensure that the strong laws we have brought forth are able to catch sex offenders and other criminals.

Could the Minister of Public Safety outline our government's plans to give these labs the funding they need?

[Justice, June 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, today our government introduced legislation to help police better investigate and apprehend organized criminals who use the Internet to facilitate their crimes. A recent report issued by the federal victims ombudsman reveals that the number of charges in relation to child pornography increased 900% between 1998 and 2003.

Could the Minister of Justice please explain how the legislation introduced today will stop the sexual exploitation and victimization of children?

[Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act, June 12th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member seems to be a bit soft on criminals. I am sure that the John Howard Society is against this too, knowing what it stands for, but someone has to start getting tough on these people.

I do not know if my colleague has ever attended a section 745 hearing, but I have, and it puts the victim right back to the beginning. Do these people need to have this done to them again and again? Very few people come up for a section 745 hearing, but when they do, it is devastating, it hurts, and it is just disgusting.

Does the member have any comments on that?

[Justice, June 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, just a few short months ago, the NDP leader played to the cameras when he told the Vancouver Police Chief:

There's probably no city in the country right now that is understanding the need for action more than Vancouver. We're not seeing this elsewhere in Canada but, believe me, we're going to if we don't see some action taken against these gangs.

All this political posturing abruptly came to an end once the camera stopped rolling and the B.C. election was over.

Yesterday, the NDP, along with the Bloc, voted against the action the government has taken to tackle organized crime and gangs. The NDP voted against mandatory minimum sentences for the serious crime of drug trafficking.

The NDP also voted against our truth in sentencing bill, and Bill C-268, which provides for mandatory minimum sentences for the serious crime of human trafficking.

I implore the NDP to help the government fight gangs and organized crime. Our communities need support now.

[Skin Cancer, June 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, last evening I had the pleasure of co-hosting, along with the Canadian Dermatology Association, the third annual Chuck Cadman memorial skin cancer clinic.

I am pleased to announce that last night's event saw its highest turnout of over 150 guests. The doctors performed over 60 full examinations and many partial.

In 2009 it is estimated that more than 75,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer, 5,000 will have melanoma, and 940 will die.

Skin cancers, including melanoma, are highly curable if detected and treated early.

I would like to thank my colleagues from all sides of this House, the Upper Chamber and staff for coming out and partaking in this important event.

This summer I will host a similar event in my riding in which I hope that together with the Canadian Dermatology Association, we can help save lives.

[Justice, May 11th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, fortunately for British Columbians, there has been somewhat of a reprieve in the last few weeks with respect to the carnage caused by organized criminals.

This does not, however, mean that anyone of us should let down our guard. We must continue to devise strategies to try to keep one step ahead of those who terrorize our communities.

As this is National Police Week, it is important to remember that we give the police the tools they need to fight crime. Can the Minister of Justice tell us what this government's doing to ensure that we continue to fight organized crime?