Mr. Speaker, I was interested in some of the comments of my colleague relative to the issue of where there has been a rise in crime and what is going on as far as statistics are concerned. I was also interested that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice interjected by saying that there had been a decrease.
There are realities and there are perceptions. Both reality and perception do not go along with what the parliamentary secretary said. There are figures and there are statistics that can be used in many ways. The Liberals have gone out of their way to use figures, statistics and other things that do not necessarily reflect reality to their own benefit.
This is the third time I have been on my feet today. Every time I rise I ask the same question. There are 50 constituencies in Canada where people seem to find access to their members. Their members in turn come to the House and reflect the realty of what is being said in coffee shops, on street corners and around kitchen tables. I cannot believe the same concerns we in the Reform Party hear-and we do listen to the people-are not the concerns being expressed to the Liberal members of the House. I find that absolutely inconceivable and absolutely unbelievable. Liberal members for whatever reason will not reflect those realities to the House. Clearly they have not reflected those realities to the justice minister.
The Reform Party has taken a look at the issue. The number four step in how we are to put Canada back together again is that we will make the streets safe again. That has to happen.
The bill takes a step in the correct direction. We commend the justice minister in the fact that he has taken a step in the correct direction. We condemn the justice minister that it is just one of many steps that should have been taken long before now.
The Reform Party would shift the balance. We would shift the balance. We would shift the balance of the rights of criminals to the rights of victims and law-abiding citizens.
We do not understand why the justice minister, who has the ability to make the changes that are essential to make our streets safe, will simply not do that. We do not understand why he is taking mincy steps forward.
The Liberals certainly seem to be well established in the track of calling an unnecessary election. I believe the Prime Minister will be announcing it on April 26 for the vote on June 2. We do not understand and most Canadians do not understand why the Liberals would do that. They have a majority. They have the mandate to govern. We do not understand why they will be going to the people on June 2.
Because we are undoubtedly going into an election the member for Fraser Valley East will be up against some poor piece of cannon fodder who will run for the Liberals in his constituency. Does he have any idea what in the world that candidate will be able to say to defend how it is the justice minister took it to this point? The minister has had 3.5 years to get his act together and he has botched and taken mincy steps all the way along.
Does the member have any idea how in the world a Liberal candidate would possibly try to defend the justice minister?