Public Safety Committee on Nov. 9th, 2017

[Kellie Leitch, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

My last question has to do with your public education allocation, the $2.5 million.

If that's to educate young people, as you stated previously, why is it that in Bill C-45 we're allowing children aged 12 to 18 to actually possess? If we didn't allow them to possess in that piece of legislation, wouldn't your public education issue with respect to driving and the use of this drug be irrelevant?

Also, in Bill C-46, which contains provisions about random testing for alcohol, why are other drugs not included in that bill?

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Unfortunately, Minister, Ms. Leitch has left you no time to respond to that question.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

I would dearly love to, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

I'll bet you would.

Ms. Damoff.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister, thank you for being with us again today.

You and I have spoken in the past, as has this committee, about how sexual harassment in the workplace is simply unacceptable anywhere. We've all been troubled when we've read stories about places such as the RCMP or corrections, where it is still occurring.

Certainly, there's new legislation that the government just tabled on harassment in the workplace, and I know you have been seized with this issue as minister, so there are two aspects.

One is legislation, what we're doing about it. I also just have to comment that, as wonderful as it is to see Ms. Kelly here again, she remains the only woman at the table, and we know that changing the culture in all of the departments is critical. Having more women in leadership positions is critical to changing the culture within the whole organization. I wonder if you could speak to the legislation, as well as to what we're doing to attract and retain more women in positions of leadership in public safety.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

It's a very good point, Ms. Damoff. One of the things, though, that I immediately observed when I arrived in this portfolio two years ago is the number of women within Public Safety in very senior positions. My former associate deputy minister, for example, Gina Wilson, was, I think, the most senior indigenous woman in the public service. As you know, she's now gone on to be the deputy minister at Status of Women, and I've lost her from this table.

Two of my ADMs are women. There are very senior women in the highest ranks of the RCMP. In my home town of Regina, Brenda Lucki, the assistant commissioner, is the commanding officer at “Depot” Division, in charge of all the training for RCMP officers across the country.

My deputy reminds me that I have four ADMs who are women, not just two.

I hear your point. We really do need to continue to focus on that. I'm sure you'll see that reflected as public service promotion decisions are made in the future.

On the issue of harassment, whether it's in the RCMP, in CSIS, the Correctional Service, or any other part of my portfolio, it is abundantly clear to the entire portfolio that that behaviour is unacceptable, that we have to work together in a concerted way to demonstrate that there's just no tolerance for this sort of thing, that when incidents happen, they must be very thoroughly and professionally investigated, that there must be consequences for the behaviour that caused or contributed to the harassment, and that the victims need to be properly supported and handled in such a way that they're not discouraged or intimidated from bringing forward their complaints or concerns. Then there need to be long-term plans to make sure this behaviour is rooted out and prevented from happening in the future.

Will we ever have absolute perfection? Sadly, given human nature, I suspect we won't, but we have to make it absolutely clear throughout the portfolio, throughout the department, and indeed in every aspect of government, which I think is the purpose of the legislation that was introduced by my colleague Patty Hajdu earlier this week, that this is a priority.

We are in 2017, and people have every right to expect that their workplace will be safe, healthy, and respectful, and that has to be priority number one for all of us.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Thank you, Minister.

I think I have 30 seconds left. Do you want to make a comment on the previous question? If you don't, that's fine.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

I don't think I can do it justice in 30 seconds. I suspect it will be coming back.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

In my last 10 seconds, I want to thank Minister Wilson-Raybould and you for joining me at the recent 30th anniversary of MADD Canada's red ribbon campaign. I also want to give them a shout-out and encourage everyone to practise sober and safe driving over the holiday season.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

Thank you.

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Thank you, Minister.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

They do amazingly good work. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Mr. Van Kesteren.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Goodale.

We don't have much time, so I'm going to go through this rapidly.

On October 30, a 50-year-old woman detained by CBS orders in a maximum-security jail in Milton passed away. We learned this from the media, who learned it from a brief news release from the agency. The agency, which has the power to arrest and jail non-citizens, would not disclose the woman's identity, country of origin, or cause of death. It is our understanding that detainees are under 24-7 observation while in custody.

I have seven quick questions, sir.

When did this woman enter Canada? Where did she enter Canada? Which agency first detained her? Was this death a result of shortage of staff? Did someone drop the ball? Why the big secret? When can we expect this information?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

It is secret at the moment, Mr. Van Kesteren, simply because it's under investigation. When it has been appropriately investigated.... As you note, the agency itself announced that the incident happened. It triggered all of the appropriate investigative steps, and those steps are under way. When the investigation is completed, the appropriate public commentary will be made available.

Let me just say that immigration detention is something we've been working on very hard for the last year and a half.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Mr. Goodale, with all due respect, sir, I have some other questions, and I know that you can probably—

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

If you don't want the answer, that's fine.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Well, no. I want those answers, and if you're not able to give those to me—

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

It's being investigated, Mr. Van Kesteren. Police do this sort of thing.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Okay.

I would like to go to another question.

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

Jesus Christ.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

You opened the door, and Ms. Leitch—

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

Excuse me. I apologize.

[Dave Van Kesteren, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

—walked through, so I'm going to go through that as well.

I have in my hands here a document from Health Canada that talks about consumer information on cannabis. Amongst other things, it states that using cannabis or any cannabis product can impair your concentration, your ability to think and make decisions, and your reaction time and coordination. This may affect your motor skills, including your ability to drive. It can also increase anxiety, cause panic attacks, and in other cases, cause paranoia and hallucinations.

There's also a segment here right on the top that says the product should not be used if you're under the age of 25.

My question to you, sir, as the minister in charge of our public safety and national security, is how can you stand by and allow Bill C-45 to be passed?

[Ralph Goodale, Liberal, Regina—Wascana, SK]

Because, Mr. Van Kesteren, after the very best and careful consideration and judgment, Bill C-45 and Bill C-46 with it will give Canada a better chance to deal with the very issues you have referred to than will the existing law.

The existing law has failed. The existing law has resulted in a situation in which young Canadian people are the heaviest users of marijuana in the Western world.