House of Commons Hansard #83 of the 37th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was border.
Grant Hill Canadian Alliance Macleod, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is pretty obvious that Canada's immigration and refugee board freed this man and let him out on bail, even after the adjudicator said that he might not show up for bail. That is tough for us to understand. That is exactly what happened. In the interim, the FBI believes that this man may have had a hand in last week's tragic events.
How does releasing a failed refugee claimant with this kind of history keep us safe from terrorism in Canada? I would like to know that.
Elinor Caplan LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
First, Mr. Speaker, the member is wrong in his facts. Second, it is very important that we not compromise any investigations, nor should we participate in trial by innuendo.
In Canada we believe in the rule of law. We know that terrorist activities are international in their scope. There have been arrests in France and the United States. If and when we have evidence in Canada, we move to detain. If we have evidence, the RCMP moves to arrest.
Grant Hill Canadian Alliance Macleod, AB
Mr. Speaker, the evidence was very plain. This man was apprehended with a false Canadian passport and false documents. He was turned over to Canadian authorities by the U.S. What did they do with him? They let him out on bail and in the interim he may have been involved.
Once again, and this is in the broad context now, not about this specific individual, how does releasing an individual like this help us in the war against terrorism? How?
Elinor Caplan LiberalMinister of Citizenship and Immigration
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that we can and do detain individuals who are security threats when we have that evidence. He should also know that we do not detain individuals on whispers or innuendo. We need to have that evidence. When we do, we take action and we take it immediately.
I would say to the member that in democratic countries like Canada we are governed by the rule of law.
John Reynolds Canadian Alliance West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC
Mr. Speaker, the events of last week, including the arrest in the U.S. of Mr. Al-Marabh, have underscored the pressing need for anti-terrorism legislation in the country.
Yesterday the 15 member countries of the European Union came together and adopted tough new measures that would give their police and security forces the tools they need to arrest and extradite suspected terrorists. The European Union acted quickly to ensure that it had the tools needed to fight the war against terrorism.
When will the government do the same thing?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister has said a number of times and I have said in the House, the changes that need to be made will be made to make sure that this country remains one of the safest countries in the world to live. We will make sure of that.
John Reynolds Canadian Alliance West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast, BC
Mr. Speaker, they say they will make sure but their members are walking out of committees, so we cannot have votes to bring people to committee to explain to them what is happening.
The member countries of the European Union know something about fighting terrorism. Far too many of them have faced this challenge for years and the safety and security of their citizens is a daily concern. That is why they moved quickly to adopt anti-terrorism legislation.
Last week the Prime Minister said he would follow the example of the European Union when it came to mourning the dead. Why can this government not now follow the example of the European Union in honouring those who have fallen by moving swiftly to enact antii-terrorism legislation in this country?
Stephen Owen LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we have an extensive list of criminal legislation in the country to deal with acts of terrorists, including all the major offences under the criminal code.
The Minister of Justice mentioned that we will be moving quickly to bring in legislation that will allow us to implement the two remaining of 12 anti-terrorist conventions which Canada has already signed on to. We have money laundering legislation which is being extended through Bill C-24, which will have a much broader scope to take control of the proceeds of crime and the proceeds that may go to--
Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, in his address to the nation yesterday President Bush called on each country to join the United States in defending freedom. This is central to our concerns about the establishment of a broad coalition to fight terrorism.
President Bush also said, and I quote “Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists”.
In terms of creating a vast international coalition, will the Liberals agree that choosing the American camp, the camp of freedom, does not mean giving them carte blanche?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, we have made it abundantly clear, and let me repeat what the Prime Minister and what so many others have said in this government. We stand with the United States in this campaign against international terrorism. The safety and security of our people, the people of the United States and indeed freedom loving people right around the world, depends on this coalition coming together.
No one has said that anyone would get carte blanche. We have said that we want to work together to suppress terrorism.
Gilles Duceppe Bloc Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Mr. Speaker, that is what I wanted to hear.
In his speech yesterday, President Bush did not however refer to the role of international institutions such as the UN in the developing fight against terrorism.
Will the Prime Minister use his visit to Washington to remind President Bush that the UN must play an important role in the international fight against terrorism?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council have already been engaged in this. Of course the right of a country to defend itself is set out quite clearly in article 51 of the UN charter.
We have had our neighbour under attack. This act of terrorism is a threat to them, to us and everyone. We intend to act with our United States partners in this matter, as well as the UN and the UN Security Council. NATO will also be a key part of all that.
Francine Lalonde Bloc Mercier, QC
Mr. Speaker, a growing number of voices can be heard calling for the establishment of a broad coalition to fight terrorism effectively.
Yesterday President Bush called for the leaders of the al-Qaeda to be handed over to American authorities only.
If everyone acknowledges the relevance of such a coalition to fight terrorism, will the government acknowledge that international justice must also intervene as quickly to judge the perpetrators of the crimes committed last week?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, Canada has been a strong supporter of international justice and a supporter of the international court system, which is still waiting for sufficient ratification to be put into effect. It has also done so with respect to the former Yugoslavia as well as Rwanda. We have had a very strong track record of supporting these international justice systems.
What is needed is for these people to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. The president of the United States has indicated that that needs to be done now.
Francine Lalonde Bloc Mercier, QC
Mr. Speaker, there is nothing to prevent the security council from acting quickly to create an ad hoc international criminal tribunal.
We must not forget that the call for an international coalition means for many countries and for all sorts of reasons, that justice must be of an international nature as was the case in the former Yugoslavia with Milosevic who had struck in Kosovo, Bosnia and Croatia.
Is the government prepared now to support the creation of a special international criminal tribunal?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, I think the court system in the United States, as in Canada and many other democracies that operate on the rule of law, can quite well handle this kind of case.
There is a strong body of evidence in the United States with respect to this terrorist attack. That is the country it took place in. I have confidence that in the absence of an international court system which does not exist at this point in time, that the justice system is quite adequate to deal with the matter.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, much has been made about President Bush's failure to mention Canada in his speech last night. However that is not what Canadians care about. What they care about is that President Bush and the world hear Canada's view that the first line of attack on terrorism must be a truly international one, that we work through the United Nations and that we do it on the basis of the rule of law.
Will the Prime Minister deliver that message loud and clear when he goes to Washington on Monday?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, quite clearly, Canada respects and abides by the rule of law. If there is any discussion of that matter with the president on Monday, I am sure both the president and the Prime Minister will find considerable agreement on that.
What will hopefully come out of the discussion on Monday is a way ahead in terms of our two countries moving together. Canada has made it clear that it is committed to working with the U.S. in this campaign against terrorism. We are willing to put up our assets and provide assistance in whatever way we possibly can. That is certainly the message that the Prime Minister will be delivering to the president on Monday.
Alexa McDonough NDP Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, it is up to the U.S. and Canada and all other countries to work together through the United Nations. In the 1960s the world faced a terrifying threat with the Cuban missile crisis. What did the president of the day, John F. Kennedy, do? He invoked the UN charter. He called upon the UN to call an emergency meeting of the security council and to deploy UN personnel.
Will the Prime Minister go to Washington and urge President Bush to embrace the John F. Kennedy approach?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, every circumstance of every conflict is different. What is important is that we bring together a coalition of countries from around the world to fight terrorism. It is important that the countries which harbour terrorists cease to do that. It is important that they rid their countries of the terrorist cells that exist.
The UN has a major role to play in all this. The UN has already played a major role in indicating that the United States has a right to defend itself under article 51. The UN Security Council will continue to be engaged in this matter on behalf of all UN countries.
Chuck Strahl Canadian Alliance Fraser Valley, BC
Mr. Speaker, last night during President Bush's address to the nation, Canadians could not help but get the impression that our American friends must be underwhelmed with Canadian government reaction.
While President Bush and other world leaders have outlined specific proposals, like strengthening intelligence gathering agencies, proactively building the international coalition and enacting strong, anti-terrorist measures, Canada has said the comforting words but has failed to produce a real action plan.
When can we expect the Prime Minister to address our nation to tell Canadians what part Canada is prepared to play in the war against terrorism?
Art Eggleton LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, on September 11 the first request to any foreign country from the United States came to Canada. We were asked if we would take 200 planes out of its skies and take them into our airports and deal with 33,000 people in those aircraft. We said yes to that. President Bush, in one of his first public statements, thanked Canada. How many times does the hon. member think he needs to thank Canada? He knows we are there with them.
The Americans further asked us to put CF-18s into the NORAD system. We have done that. They asked us to increase intelligence analysis. We have done it. We have done all that we have been asked.
Peter MacKay Progressive Conservative Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, NS
Mr. Speaker, following President Bush's address last night, it is obvious that Canada will be involved in a prolonged campaign against terrorism. Years of Liberal cuts to CSIS, Canada Customs, immigration and our military may have produced a surplus but there are questions regarding our internal security and our military capability.
Canadians demand leadership at this time. We know cabinet finally met on Tuesday yet no plan has emerged. Are additional resources being allotted to protect our country and meet our obligations so that we can truly stand shoulder to shoulder with our American allies?
Would the solicitor general tell us what the plan is?
Lawrence MacAulay LiberalSolicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I am sure my hon. colleague heard the Prime Minister when he said that we would be with the United States every step of the way. Every measure that needs to be taken will be taken.
What we must do is review and decide where funds need to be allocated. The Minister of Finance indicated quite clearly that financing would be available. The director of CSIS has indicated that he has the money to fulfill his mandate. We put $1.5 billion in the public safety envelope. We put $584 million toward the RCMP over the next three years. We will do more to make sure this great nation remains the safest place in the world.