I do not think that I in fact missed the comments in the motion.
I think there is a perception perhaps by some members of our community, and some members of the Reform Party, that suggests that the house really is on fire and that we are all running from it at this very moment. That is not correct.
I have heard hon. members say that people are falling left and right every day. That is not what is happening in Canada. That might be happening in the United States and I certainly will be working to make sure that our community of Canada is never like the United States. But the house is not on fire. There is smoke in one of the rooms, maybe in two rooms, but the house is not on fire.
We have to address the right of victims. I for one believe that we have to consider victim impact statements. In Burlington CAVEAT and other groups addressed this issue and they are working on solutions with the government.
I do not buy this perception and the encouragement of this perception that we are all at risk all the time. I am probably at risk most of the time, but we have to recognize that there is a careful balance. I do not want this government to turn around and have knee-jerk reactions to everything that is going on. We need to have a very careful balance. We need to have a methodical approach. Otherwise we run the risk of making mistakes that will only further encourage crime in our communities and I do not want that.
I will be encouraging the minister, as I have on many occasions, as he will say. I think we are big enough to address crime prevention as well as some of the issues related to the Young Offenders Act and current criminals, as well as prevention and removing some of the root causes of crime. I think we can handle the job.