Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak to this bill today. In spite of numerous questions and taking into account the answers and decisions we get regarding the amendments we will be proposing at second reading, the Bloc Quebecois supports this bill.
The bill essentially seeks to extend diplomatic immunity to people who are involved in various international organizations, but who are not covered by treaties or members of intergovernmental organizations. Our support is based on that objective.
Diplomatic immunity has recently generated a lot of questions and even resentment among the public, particularly in the Ottawa-Hull area. This feeling spread to all of Quebec and Canada when a Russian diplomat driving under the influence killed Catherine MacLean and injured her friend. We later learned that this was not the first time this diplomat had been caught while driving under the influence. However, his immunity had prevented him from having to face justice the way ordinary citizens would have had to.
It can even be said that if, at the time, a poll had been conducted on support for diplomatic immunity, the results might not have reflected the interests of the international community. At the time of this incident, the Minister of Foreign Affairs gave assurances that such a thing would not happen again. The bill makes no reference to this, but the fact is that diplomatic immunity is necessary.
Diplomatic immunity is necessary and it would be interesting to see what it entails. However, since I have little time until oral question period, I want to affirm that even, and particularly in these difficult times, diplomatic immunity is necessary to allow diplomats to do their job.
As we know, there are several countries where the rule of law is not the same as it is here. In many countries, criticizing the government is an offence. In other countries, freedom of religion is not recognized. In others still, a person can be imprisoned without being accused of anything and it may not be easy for that person to regain his or her freedom.
Without diplomatic immunity, it would be impossible for the government and its spokespersons to criticize the actions of foreign countries without putting at risk the diplomats who work in these countries.
If there were no diplomatic immunity, Canadian nationals abroad also could not benefit from the protection of Canada during a situation of upheaval or conflict.
Lastly, if there were no diplomatic immunity, it would be difficult to establish sustained relations between countries, to play an active role in conflict resolution, to maintain dialogue in the event of disagreements, and to defend the interests of Canada and Canadians abroad.
It is, therefore, necessary to the proper maintenance of international order.
Nevertheless, although the intention of this bill is to extend diplomatic immunity to diplomats working for international organizations not currently covered by treaties or on intergovernmental delegations, it raises very many questions. I will list them now, and will go into further detail after oral question period.
The new powers given to the RCMP need to be questioned. Even if the background documents from the government stipulate that this changes nothing, the standard response is “If it adds nothing, why state it, and particularly why write it down for inclusion in a law?”
Especially since the experiences of the APEC summit, and other heated discussions, there are some important questions to be raised. Questions also need to be asked about the changes to certain definitions which appear to limit these organizations, while at the same time recognizing new ones. The number of these organizations seems to have been reduced.
There is another matter that is not addressed at all, or at least we did not see it: the increasing number of parliamentary organizations, which also have a role to play.