Debates of March 1st, 2002

National Defence

[Art Eggleton, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, none with respect to the use of Canadian territory. We have not been asked in that regard. Nothing is really new from the last time the member and other members asked the question.

The United States has indicated determination to put such a system in place. The architecture of the system is yet to be determined. What role Canada would play, if it wanted to play any, has yet to be determined. We have not been asked. We have not made any decision with respect to the matter.

[Svend Robinson, NDP, Burnaby—Douglas, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is for the Minister of Foreign Affairs who knows that Canadians do not want our country to participate in this U.S. star wars scheme that will lead to a dangerous escalation of the nuclear arms race.

Will our government finally get off the fence, stop saying that missile defence is hypothetical, even though the ABM treaty has been torn up, and tell Americans that not one inch of Canadian territory will be made available to them for this dangerous new NMD system? If Greenland can say no, why can Canada not say no?

[Bill Graham, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, in this as in other matters, the government will ensure that the security of Canadians comes first in our consideration. We will ensure that we discuss with our American allies ways in which we guarantee our security and our interests. We will not enter into an arrangement that is for them. We will enter into arrangements that are good for us.

As the minister of defence has said, we have not been asked, but when we are, we will study it from our perspective, our requirements, our needs and our interests.

Immigration

[Jay Hill, Canadian Alliance, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in response to a question by the member for Fraser Valley, the immigration minister stated that the fraudulent use of immigration forms was under investigation by the RCMP.

Legitimate immigrants who respect the process deserve to know if the government is taking this issue seriously.

We know the police are investigating the illegal use of stolen blank immigration forms but are they also investigating the fraudulent use of recycled or previously used IMM 1000 forms?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for this pertinent question.

First of all, when theft was involved, we assumed our responsibilities. An investigation is under way.

As for recycled forms, we implemented a pilot project which has now become permanent and which makes it possible to cancel these forms so that they cannot be used again.

Increased vigilance is also important. Accordingly, we have beefed up the Integrated Border Enforcement Team, which means that each time people pass through customs, we are able to do the necessary checks.

[Jay Hill, Canadian Alliance, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I wonder how many illegal immigrants are in the country having used those forms that should have been cancelled long ago.

In the aftermath of September 11, it is increasingly important that we reassure the Americans that our immigration system is not being abused. We have heard conflicting reports as to which police are investigating the illegal use of these immigration forms.

Could the solicitor general assure Canadians that the RCMP remains in control of this file and that the investigation has not been handed off to police in Cornwall?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, we may not comment when RCMP investigations are under way.

That having been said, we have also put in place other means of assuming our responsibilities. The immigration control officers we have hired since 1995 have arrested more than 33,000 smugglers.

Following negotiations with the Americans—over 60% of people coming to Canada as refugees come through the United States—we concluded a 30 point agreement, signed by our colleague, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Tom Ridge. We are in negotiations and we are working together.

Parole Board

[Vic Toews, Canadian Alliance, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, a 29 year old police officer was tragically shot and killed in Montreal yesterday adding to a growing string of violent attacks on police officers, including two recent attacks in my home province of Manitoba. In some of these attacks the suspects were wanted for parole violation.

Why does our solicitor general continue to put our police at risk by accelerating the process of early parole that will see even more dangerous offenders released from his club fed style prisons?

[Lynn Myers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the government is very sorry for the families involved in any of these tragedies because it is very sad for them and for all Canadians who feel very strongly about the great work that our police do and how we have to stand behind them in a very meaningful way.

What I do know is that our police, wherever they are in Canada, do a tremendous job on a daily basis. We should always be grateful that we as a government have the tools in place to ensure that they have the kind of capabilities that are necessary.

[Vic Toews, Canadian Alliance, Provencher, MB]

Mr. Speaker, every member in the House is sorry but we are in a position to do something about it and Canadians expect us to do something about it.

Since the Liberal government has been in power all it has been doing is handcuffing our police forces in terms of resources. Now police must contend with a parole quota system that puts hardened criminals back on the street early and present a danger to our police officers.

Why will the solicitor general not commit to ending early parole instead of giving us those kinds of platitudes?

[Lynn Myers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, there are two things wrong with that question. The first is that there are absolutely no quotas in the country. To keep repeating that is doing a great disservice not only to Correctional Service Canada but to Canadians wherever they are.

The second is that we do as a government provide the resources and tools necessary. I do not think anything is served by the fearmongering of the people opposite. I believe what we should do is get down to the task at hand, which is to ensure that there is security in this country, which is precisely what the government does.

Air Transport

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance, stubborn as ever, stated yesterday in this House that it is normal for users to pay his air transport tax.

What the minister seems not to realize is that, in the long run, it is entire regions that are going to pay the devastating consequences of this rash decision.

Is the Minister of Finance so blind as not to realize that, in the long run, it is not just the users who will be paying for the disastrous consequences his policies will have on the regions, but everyone?

[John McCallum, Liberal, Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, as we have explained several times in the House, users pay perhaps $2.2 billion, but the total cost of the security program is $7.5 billion. We therefore feel it is reasonable for users to pay a portion of these costs, but not all of them.

In addition, as we have also said on several occasions, in the fall we will be reviewing the program. We can change the situation and there can be a reduction, if conditions allow.

[Bernard Bigras, Bloc, Rosemont—Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, if the secretary of state is that convinced, let him visit the regions. Let him tell that to all the regions of Quebec, and he will see that the reality is something else.

The Minister of Finance plans to carry out a thorough review this fall. Does the Minister of Transport not find it paradoxical for his colleague to implement a measure that relates to air travel and then to carry out an impact analysis of that measure six months after its adoption?

[John McCallum, Liberal, Secretary of State (International Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, it is reasonable for there to be a set fee, when the cost of security is not a function of the distance flown.

As we have said, we are flexible and, in the fall, we will hear representations from those concerned. It is possible that the charge will be reduced, perhaps even the structure could be changed. We shall see.

Terrorism

[Randy White, Canadian Alliance, Langley—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Samir Mohamed is a terrorist. Six months ago the United States sought his extradition from Canada so he could face trial there.

I have been at the Canadian court proceedings, which have been stalled several times already, but the latest insult to the United States came recently when it was decided to put the extradition hearing off until next September.

Why is it that so many obstacles are put in place to prevent a terrorist from being extradited from Canada to the United States?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, as you know, because of the Privacy Act, I am not able to comment on personal or specific cases.

That having been said, with respect to Bill C-11 and the new regulations, additional powers allow us to fight terrorism even more effectively.

I would like to reassure my colleague that the safety and well-being of Canadians are a priority for this government.

[Randy White, Canadian Alliance, Langley—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is one thing to have laws in the country but it is another thing to carry them out.

Prior to coming to Canada, Samir Mohamed tried to gain refugee status in England and was deported. He then tried Germany and was turned away. Mohamed then tried Canada in 1997 but application was denied and he was ordered deported. However he stayed in Canada, raised money for terrorist activities and has again applied for refugee status under appeal.

Why is it when Germany and England say no they mean it but when Canada says no it seems to mean that the person can stay, carry on terrorist activities and reapply again?

[Denis Coderre, Liberal, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, it is easy and very dangerous to constantly associate all immigration related activity in Canada with terrorism. Therefore, I think we must be very careful when talking about this.

That being said, the Immigration Act contains provisions for the extradition of permanent residents who are found guilty of serious crimes, and we can conduct the related investigations.

However, I agree with him that it is not enough to simply pass a law; its provisions must be enforced, and I believe that this is what the government does best.

Strategic Infrastructure Fund

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the Supplementary Estimates tabled yesterday, no amount appeared for the Strategic Infrastructure Fund. But we know that the government will be announcing surpluses in the billions. Until March 31, this money remains available. After that deadline, the money will be used to pay down the debt.

Since there are only 31 days left till the end of the fiscal year, does the Deputy Prime Minister intend to ask for part of the surplus in order to implement the Strategic Infrastructure Fund immediately, since the money is now on the table?

[John Manley, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Crown Corporations]

Mr. Speaker, the money for the Strategic Infrastructure Program is not tied to this year's surplus. This is a program which is proposed and which is in the budget implementation bill, a bill I hope the Bloc Quebecois will support.

[Jocelyne Girard-Bujold, Bloc, Jonquière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, by not releasing all the money promised by his colleagues during the last election campaign for Quebec's highways, some $3.4 billion, the Deputy Prime Minister is showing that he too thinks nothing of promises made to the public.

The money is available until March 31. Will he finally release the money promised for highways 175, 185, 30, 20 and 50? The memoranda of agreement are there. Will he sign them? For promises and hopes will not build a road; that takes money.

[John Manley, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Crown Corporations]

Mr. Speaker, if I understood the member correctly, she is proposing that between today, March 1, and March 31, we build all the roads in the Province of Quebec.

That is a bit difficult, and it must also be recognized that highways come under the jurisdiction of the Province of Quebec. They are a provincial responsibility. I know that a provincial election is looming, but today is not the day to try to build all the roads for the Quebec government before March 31.

Justice

[Chuck Cadman, Canadian Alliance, Surrey North, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in 1998 the justice committee recommended that victims of crime be permitted to give oral impact statements at parole hearings. The solicitor general has dragged his feet and finally implemented this policy only recently.

Now an internal audit has found that only about one-third of court delivered victim impact statements actually make it into the inmate files. Those who do the audit found that most are ignored. Is this what the solicitor general calls giving victims a role in the system?

[Lynn Myers, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Solicitor General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, the government takes the statements of victims very seriously because we believe in the rights of victims to do the kinds of things that are necessary.

We as a government and all who are involved in this very important area want to ensure that victims are heard because that is fundamental to the very justice system which we instill and we want to maintain.