Harold Albrecht

[Youth Criminal Justice Act, November 21st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the previous speaker is an expert in legal matters, and I do not profess to be one, but many times throughout his speech he attempted, in my opinion, to polarize this very important issue. I believe that is very unfortunate.

He gives the impression that the only thing our government is doing to address youth crime is to put in these two measures. He did acknowledge that youth crime is on the rise, so it is pretty obvious to all of us in this House and it is certainly obvious to people in my riding that something needs to be done.

Our government has invested over $22 million in programs that address prevention and rehabilitation measures, and we are not discontinuing restorative justice programs. In fact, I had the privilege in my riding of meeting with people who are working on restorative justice initiatives and they are doing great work. However, even those people recognize that restorative justice systems do not work in every case.

Why would we take away one of the tools, which will have an impact on reducing crime, and simply place it in a total toolbox of resources that will be helpful in addressing this issue, when over 12,000 of my constituents, one on one, through emails, through forums I have conducted or even on-line forums, have asked for some significant change to the Youth Criminal Justice Act? Why could we not use all of these methods and really address the issue?

[Youth Criminal Justice Act, November 21st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I listened as well with interest to the member's speech. He seems to have some disagreement with the principle of pretrial detention. I am wondering if he would agree that it would be reasonable for a person who has been charged with and is guilty of committing a violent crime which may have resulted in the death of another person to be held in custody prior to trial.

[Afghanistan, November 14th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, in May of this year, our government signed an agreement with Afghanistan regarding the transfer of detained Taliban prisoners and insurgents. This arrangement improved on that of our Liberal predecessors and since its signing, there has been real progress in Canada's monitoring and tracking of detainees.

Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs comment on the results of recent visits to detention facilities in Afghanistan?

[Labour, November 1st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the Prime Minister visited Latin America in order to establish new partnerships and enhance our relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean. He demonstrated our government's commitment to playing a bigger role in our hemisphere and highlighted the need to re-engage in these countries.

Would the Minister of Labour inform the House what he is doing to make sure that labour policy is part of this re-engagement?

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 24th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I listened intently to the member's comments and there were a few items that concerned me greatly.

First of all, she commented that more of the funding needs to go to the grassroots level. I am sure she must be aware of the efforts of CIDA and the NGOs that are working there. For example, Mennonite Economic Development Associates does micro-credit work in this area and provides loans as small as $200 to allow women and others to purchase equipment such as sewing machines for example. It often ends up that entire families are employed.

Another statement the member made was that Canada needs to fulfill its international obligations. I am sure she is aware that the Afghan compact extends until 2011.

Finally, I had the privilege of meeting with a number of parents of reservists and others who have returned from Afghanistan, and not one of them has asked for us to discontinue our mission there. In fact, they want us to continue. The reservists and other people whom I have spoken to are willing and ready to return.

I am wondering if the member has had the privilege of speaking with any of the people who have served there, to get their input and personal observations.

[Resumption of debate on Address in Reply, October 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the member's speech. She indicated that she was not happy with the throne speech. That did not create any surprise for me. What did create surprise was the fact that she said that we did not have enough information on Afghanistan. It seems as if she is relying on the newspapers for her information and is disappointed that they have not supplied her with adequate information. I suggest the member take some time to spend with those who have served in Afghanistan and listen to their stories.

Recently I hosted a town hall meeting in my riding at which I invited one such person to share his experiences and to outline the plans and priorities of the Afghan compact. With that information, the residents in my riding have been informed about what is happening there.

Rather than relying on newspapers for her information, has she taken the time to speak to some of the reservists and those who have returned to share their experiences?

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I noted with interest the comments made by the former speaker regarding the Youth Criminal Justice Act. I also noted his comment in the S.O. 31 that he gave today.

I can assure my colleague that in my riding well over 11,000 people have signed a petition asking for changes to this act. Parents who contact me, even parents whose own children have been in trouble with the law, are asking for changes.

I would like the member to clarify whether or not he agrees that as the throne speech outlines, our government is intent upon bringing some changes to this act that would denounce criminal behaviour on the part of young people and deter future young people from getting into those kinds of difficult circumstances.

[Health, October 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it is widely known that Canadians are experiencing a problem with obesity and that the programs that were formerly in place to combat this problem were allowed to lapse by the previous government.

Could the Secretary of State (Sport) inform the House on what our government is doing to help Canadians get and maintain their activity?

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, October 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it does not surprise me that you have peripheral vision to your left, but I hope you will also have it to your right.

I listened with interest as my colleague articulated some of the advancements that we have been able to see in Afghanistan. This summer I had the privilege of hosting a town hall meeting in my riding, where Lieutenant-Commander Albert Wong presented some of the advancements that have been made in Afghanistan. Indeed, I have heard some personal stories of what has happened there.

The best part of this for me this fall was to participate in a Thanksgiving Day parade on King Street in Kitchener as we were supporting the efforts of our troops in Afghanistan. Sometimes our colleagues on that side of the House would make us believe that Canadians want us to get out. I want to tell our minister that the kind of support I experienced as we supported our troops that day was incredible. As we approached, people inevitably would stand and applaud. I wonder if the minister has experienced that same kind of response in her riding of Durham.

[Waterloo Regional Police Chief, October 18th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay respect to one of the most honourable men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

For the past 15 years, the residents of Waterloo region have enjoyed safe streets and a safe community, thanks in large part to the leadership of Waterloo Regional Police Chief, Larry Gravill.

Chief Gravill is Canada's longest serving police chief and he has served as the president of both the Ontario and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

Having met Larry as a fellow student at Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School many years ago, I have always known him as a man of exceptional character. Larry has served his community as a leader, as a public servant, as a man of character, integrity and honesty. Sadly, for all of us, he has announced his retirement from the Waterloo Regional Police force effective December 12 of this year.

It has been an honour to know Larry and to work with him. I thank him for his dedication and public service. As the sun sets on this chapter of his life, I am confident that it will rise and shine brightly on what lies ahead for Larry, Debbie and their family.