Roxanne James

[Privacy, June 13th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I think I have answered this question half a dozen times in the House.

Let us take a look at what a protester rally is. The people who are in the protester rally are there. The spectators or the people who walk by them are aware of the situation. In fact, many times the media shows up. Of course, once the media shows up, it is across national television and it is on the Internet. Not only are the protesters, the people watching the protesters, Canadians and people all around the world aware of this protest, but suddenly someone in the government is aware of this and those members think it is a public safety concern and a privacy issue. Give me a break.

[Public Safety, June 13th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to remind the member that this is a provincial jail under provincial jurisdiction. Of course our government is working with the Quebec government on this issue, and of course we also expect that the criminals responsible for the escape and those who did escape should be found and put behind bars, where they belong.

[Public Safety, June 13th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, to let the member opposite know, the Government of Quebec did in fact receive a response, so his allegations are completely false.

Let us talk for a moment about a no-fly zone and what exactly that would do. We are talking about a helicopter that illegally landed in the middle of a prison courtyard, illegally picked up escaped convicts who were waiting to be picked up, and then removed them from that facility.

We are talking about multiple crimes here. I hardly think that a no-fly zone would stop a helicopter from landing because I do not think the operator was concerned about getting a ticket.

[Public Safety, June 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, and as I just mentioned to the House, this is a matter under provincial jurisdiction. It was a provincial jail.

Of course, as the member knows, and all Canadians know across this country, under federal penitentiaries and jurisdiction, our officers have the ability to deal with these situations.

[Public Safety, June 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, this was a provincial jail and certainly was under provincial jurisdiction.

I would like to inform the members of this House, and all Canadians across the country, that Correctional Service Canada officers, under federal jurisdiction, have the tools they need to prevent these types of incidents.

Of course, our government is always ready to assist the Province of Quebec in this matter.

[Public Safety, June 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to first thank the member for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River for that question and for his service in the RCMP.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family and friends of the three Canadian heroes who lost their lives in Moncton last week.

Today's ceremony, attended by the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, is a testament to the good work that the RCMP does to keep Canadians safe right across this country.

On behalf of the government and all Canadians, we expect the individual responsible for these horrific and brutal crimes to be held accountable to the full extent of the law.

[Petitions, June 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have a number of petitions from across Canada regarding tougher penalties for sexual predators. The petitioners are concerned that current penalties for sexual abuse do not reflect the severity of the crime and the subsequent life-altering consequences suffered by the abused. They are calling for amendments to the Criminal Code so that sexual predators receive a minimum imprisonment term of 10 years for rape.

[Public Safety, June 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Canada in fact does have a strong gun control system in place to protect Canadian families and our communities. In fact, it is this government that has taken real action despite the opposition from the parties opposite to strengthen our laws to stop violent crimes and illegal firearms.

In fact, we introduced and passed the Tackling Violent Crime Act, which actually set mandatory sentences for serious gun crime.

[Public Safety, June 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we of course respect the right of all Canadians to peaceful protest. However, Canadians also expect that local law enforcement will ensure that the laws are respected. In order to do that, the Government Operations Centre monitors any event that may pose a risk to public safety.

[Public Safety, June 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I guess I am answering the question for the sixth time. The Government Operations Centre needs to be prepared to respond to any potential event to ensure confidence in government and continuity of federal services. Canadians expect nothing less.

As I mentioned yesterday as well, peaceful protests can suddenly turn violent, just as law-abiding citizens can suddenly create a crime.