Roxanne James

[Public Safety, February 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to giving our front-line police officers the tools that they need to do their jobs.

We are taking steps to streamline the delivery of forensic lab services. The level of service will not be impacted. In fact, by consolidating there, we will be improving on the backlog.

The Auditor General recommended a more efficient system in her 2011 report, and despite the NDP objections, that is exactly what this Conservative government is doing.

[Black History Month, February 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in celebration of Black History Month. Over the month of February, events will be held across Canada to commemorate the exceptional contribution of black Canadians to building our great nation.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I and the 75th anniversary of the beginning of World War II. This year, through the theme “Proud of our History”, our government pays tribute to the contributions of black Canadian soldiers during these wars and other military campaigns.

The commemorations will also reflect on two historical communities, Africville in Halifax and Hogan's Alley in Vancouver. Both of these communities played significant roles in black Canadian history.

I encourage all Canadians to visit cic.gc.ca/blackhistorymonth to learn more about these communities and the many inspirational stories of heroism of those who proudly served our country, and to participate in the many celebrations throughout February in honour of Black History Month.

[Public Safety, January 31st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is committed to keeping our streets and communities safe. We have passed numerous laws to keep dangerous and violent criminals behind bars where they belong, including new penalties for child exploitation as well as ending the ability of child molesters to get criminal record suspensions.

We did all of this without a massive expansion of the prison population, contrary to the dire predictions of the NDP. How is this possible? When we lock up criminals, they are not out committing more crimes.

Contrast this with the Liberals whose leader has said that they would not rule out ending mandatory sentences for anyone.

When it comes to keeping our streets and communities safe, Canadians know that they can count on our Conservative government.

[Adjournment Proceedings, January 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, since 2006, our government has taken action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable environment through more than $10 billion in investments to support green infrastructure, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies, and the production of cleaner energy. We are seeing success, as greenhouse gas emissions have decreased while the economy continues to grow.

Canadians can also be proud of the fact that per capita emissions are at a historic low of 20.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person, their lowest level since tracking began in 1990.

Canadians can count on this government. Our approach is working. There is something else Canadian's can count on. They can count on us to continue to oppose the NDP's $20-billion carbon tax.

[Adjournment Proceedings, January 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the government takes the challenges of climate change very seriously. For this reason, we are implementing a comprehensive climate change plan, both domestically and internationally. Our government is working constructively with the international community on a new international climate change agreement, as demonstrated by our participation at the 19th Conference of the Parties, held in Warsaw, Poland.

A new international climate change agreement must take a comprehensive approach to climate change by addressing both mitigation and adaptation. Most importantly, it must include a commitment to action by all the world's major emitters of greenhouse gases.

Domestically our government is implementing a sector-by-sector regulatory approach to reducing emissions that is working. We began implementing this plan by addressing two of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in this country: the transportation and electricity sectors.

In the transportation sector, we worked with the United States to put in place harmonized emissions standards for new passenger automobiles and light trucks for up to 2016 model year vehicles and issued proposed regulations for later model years as well. With these regulations, it is projected that 2025 vehicles will produce 50% less in greenhouse gas emissions than 2008 vehicles.

We have taken the same approach to improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, such as full-sized pickups, semi-trucks, garbage trucks, and even buses. As a result of these regulations, GHG emissions from 2018 model year heavy-duty vehicles will be reduced by up to 23%.

In the electricity sector, our government's coal-fired electricity regulations further strengthen Canada's position as a world leader in clean electricity production. We introduced a tough new regulatory performance standard for coal-fired electricity generation. With these regulations, Canada became the first major coal user to ban the construction of traditional coal-fired electricity generation units.

The fact is that no other government has done as much to reduce GHGs than this government. As I mentioned, our approach is generating results, and Canadians can be proud of them.

As a result of our actions, Canada's 2020 emissions are projected to be about 120 megatonnes lower than what they would have been under the Liberals. This is the equivalent of shutting down 37 coal-fired electricity generation plants.

Our government will continue to focus on a pragmatic approach to climate change that will reduce emissions while it continues to create jobs and encourages the growth of the Canadian economy. We will achieve all of this without imposing a $20-billion tax on Canadians, as proposed by the NDP.

[Adjournment Proceedings, January 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate one point from my initial remarks. I want to make it very clear that in the interests of public safety, this information may include observed behaviours and detention under provincial mental health legislation. Therefore, my answer has been quite clear.

When it comes to border security, the NDP has voted against every single measure that this Conservative government has tried to pass and, thankfully, we have passed. For example, our government increased front-line border guards by 26%, and the NDP voted against it. Our government passed tough legislation to crack down on human smugglers, and the NDP voted against it. Our government passed legislation to ensure that foreign criminals are removed from Canada quickly, and—guess what—the NDP voted against it.

In closing, I would like to assure Canadians that they can count on this government to keep our communities safe.

[Adjournment Proceedings, January 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to respond to the member for York South—Weston regarding the access and use of Canadian Police Information Centre information by U.S. authorities. For the information of the member and those who may be watching at home, the Canadian Police Information Centre is also known as CPIC.

The CPIC system is Canadian law enforcement's primary conduit for exchanging police information. I would like to take this opportunity to assure all members of the House that personal medical information is not stored in the CPIC system. What is stored, however, is investigative and intelligence information that is important for the administration or enforcement of the law in the detention, prevention or suppression of crime generally and for national security purposes. In the interests of public safety, the information may include observed behaviours and detention under provincial mental health legislation. Knowledge of such information is intended to protect individuals from harming themselves, the general public or law enforcement members. It allows law enforcement to be better equipped to respond to immediate and future incidents.

In a law enforcement and public safety context, information sharing between Canada and the United States is needed to address border threats at the very earliest possible stages. The RCMP and the FBI have a memorandum of co-operation for the electronic exchange of information contained in the CPIC system and the U.S. national crime information system. This exchange of information, which is vital for public safety and national security reasons, is reciprocal. U.S. law enforcement agencies have access to CPIC information, as Canadian law enforcement agencies have access to the American information. It goes both ways. Under the terms of this memorandum, customs and border protection are permitted to access CPIC.

I would like to remind members of the House that entry into a foreign country is governed by that country's laws and policies, and Canada has absolutely no authority to direct the U.S. with respect to allowing individuals entry into that country.

Lastly, should any individuals have concerns with their treatment by American border officials, I would encourage them to contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

[Respect for Communities Act, January 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I keep hearing from the NDP that InSite is meant to help people get off of drugs and be no longer dependent, but I have yet to see or hear any statistics which actually show that addicts who have gone to this site have chosen to get treatment, no longer live a life of dependence and have stopped contributing to the illegal drug industry and trafficking in Canada.

Would the member have any statistics to prove that people who use needles to feed their addiction have instead sought the help, are no longer dependent, are free from drugs and are contributing to society and not contributing to supporting the illegal drug industry?

[Public Safety, December 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, first, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims of this terrible tragedy. Today is a sad reminder of the anniversary. We must continue to act to end the violence against women and girls.

In recognition of all the things we have done to end violence against women and girls, our government has taken strong action to prevent violence and illegal firearms in this country. In fact, we have implemented mandatory sentences for very serious gun crimes. Unfortunately and sadly, the opposition parties have voted against all of that legislation.

[Constable John Zivcic, December 3rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, tragically Toronto Police Constable John Zivcic lost his life. He was gravely injured in a car crash over the weekend while responding to an emergency call about an impaired driver.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his friends, as well as all of his colleagues at 22 Division. Tragic cases like this, where a young man has lost his life far too soon, are a stark reminder of the risks that our police officers subject themselves to on a daily basis in order to keep their fellow Canadians safe.

On behalf of our government and all Canadians, I would like to thank each and every police officer for all that they do each and every day.

As we all enjoy the Christmas season and embark on our holidays, I ask everyone to please not drink and drive.