House of Commons Hansard #20 of the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was post.
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, members will remember that about a week ago the Liberals were screaming for a public inquiry. When they were given a public inquiry, they first could not figure out that they got what they had asked for. Now I am not quite sure what they want.
However, we have indicated that a full public inquiry with respect to these issues is the appropriate way to go.
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, this morning the Minister of Justice tabled a bill that includes a mandatory prison sentence for criminals who profit from vulnerable drug addicts in our country. The proposed legislation also provides an exemption whereby a drug treatment court can suspend the mandatory prison sentence if the offender completes a recommended treatment program.
Could the minister explain the significance of this bill to our national anti-drug strategy?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we advocate a balanced approach. Remember when we announced the national anti-drug strategy, we said that two-thirds of the new resources would go to prevention and treatment. At the same time, we have introduced a bill that provides mandatory jail terms for serious drug dealers, importers, those who get involved with grow operations.
In summary, we want addicts in treatment and we want dealers in jail.
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, the government's refusal to ask for clemency for a Canadian on death row is immoral. By their actions, the Conservatives have sentenced a Canadian to death with no formal announcement, no notice of the new policy and no debate. Meanwhile, the government has placed the case of a Canadian in a Bulgarian prison at the top of its priority list.
Why is the minister trying to hid the government's new position on the death penalty and why is the Bulgarian case taking so much precedence over a Canadian about to be executed?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear that we are not prepared to intervene in the case of a multiple murderer and eventually ask for that individual's patriation back to Canada.
With respect to the law in our country, we are very clear. We have a busy justice agenda, but this is not part of it.
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
That was not my question, Mr. Speaker. It was about government policy. The Conservatives are changing Canada's position on the death penalty by stealth. When we contrast the government's actions in the case of Canadians on death row with its actions on behalf of a millionaire in jail, the Conservative position is perplexing and downright illogical.
Could the minister explain how he assigns priority to clemency and transfer cases and what makes the case of Mr. Kapoustin worthy of government lobbying, but not the case of a Canadian about to be killed?
Rob Nicholson ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we examine each case on its merits. As I indicated to the House, in the case of the individual who was the multiple murderer, we are not prepared to intervene. However, we take our responsibility seriously and we look into all these matters very carefully.
Mark Holland Liberal Ajax—Pickering, ON
Mr. Speaker, given the following, that reports alleging a federal inducement was offered to Ottawa mayoralty candidate Terry Kilrea in exchange for his exiting the mayor's race, that these reports included sworn OPP statements that allege Conservative Party operatives, including John Reynolds and the Minister of the Environment, were aware of this offer in the form of a Parole Board appointment and further, that the OPP have reason to suspect a meeting took place between the minister and Mr. O'Brien around the time of these events in question, would the minister like to clarify his or any of the government's past statements on this matter for the public record?
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, the public record could not be more clear. No patronage position was ever offered, none was ever considered and none will be offered. Only the Liberal Party considers it is scandal when that happens.
However, I did find it very interesting that the member, and I will not get into his understanding of jurisdiction, is up to that old Liberal habit of trying to tell the RCMP who to investigate.
Mark Holland Liberal Ajax—Pickering, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am talking about inconsistencies in statements that have been given to the OPP and statements made by the government.
The reality is Mr. O'Brien once pledged to help raise more than a half a million dollars to oust his leader, the now public safety minister, a leader who was replaced by the Prime Minister.
Later the same O'Brien wanted Kilrea out of the mayor's race to better his chances of winning. He seemed certain he could deliver a federal inducement to entice this. He made the offer again and again. Why was O'Brien so certain he could get Kilrea a federal job?
Peter Van Loan ConservativeLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
Mr. Speaker, the member for Ajax—Pickering asks a good question. Why was he so certain he could get a federal job? It is a very good question because he was president of the Laurier Club, the Liberal exclusive fundraising club.
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order, please. The hon. member for Sudbury has the floor. Perhaps these off the record discussions could take place elsewhere.
Diane Marleau Liberal Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dziekanski arrived in Vancouver around 4 p.m. on October 13 but did not clear customs until well after midnight. His mother waited and she searched for six hours but no one would help her find her son. We know he got through immigration, but we do not know how.
The airport has a Polish speaking employee who was never called to help. How did Mr. Dziekanski get through immigration? How could officials ignore a man so clearly in distress and for so long?
Stockwell Day ConservativeMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, those are some of the questions that haunt us related to this particular tragic incident. Those were among the questions which I posed long before the Liberals actually were showing any concern on this matter.
Some time this week, I am hoping within the next couple of days, we will be receiving a report from the Canada Border Services Agency. It has had the time to do a thorough analysis of the matter, including all of the camera checks, the interviews with any individuals who may have come in contact with this gentleman. I have asked that the report come out quickly with recommendations. That will happen very soon this week.
Diane Marleau Liberal Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, for hours Mr. Dziekanski was unable to communicate with anyone at the airport. Even though the Polish embassy has a 24-hour telephone answering service to help Polish-speakers who are visiting Canada, no one at the airport called that service.
How could Mr. Dziekanski have been admitted by immigration when he was unable to communicate with anyone?
Stockwell Day ConservativeMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, the situation involving Mr. Dziekanski is extremely sad and tragic. I have asked the Canada Border Services Agency for a report, because we want answers. We want to know what happened.
I have been assured that we will receive the report before the end of the week. I hope to receive it tomorrow, Thursday or Friday.
Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister claims that only one case of torture was reported. He is mistaken because he has been contradicted by Amnesty International, which has reported seven allegations of torture over the course of 32 visits, and by the defence department whose internal reports also confirm cases of torture and mistreatment.
In view of these facts, how can the Prime Minister continue to maintain that there has been only one case?
Laurie Hawn ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, we take this very seriously, as we do all allegations, but when there is nothing behind it, we have to question the motivation of the questioner.
When there have been cases brought to our intention, we have taken action immediately. We are taking action with the Afghan government and if the hon. member suggests that Canadians are over there committing war crimes, I think that she should reconsider that.
Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of National Defence has confirmed that child soldiers who are captured are dealt with separately. However, he remains silent about how they are treated subsequently.
Does the minister realize that, if these children are transferred to Afghan authorities, Canada is in contravention not only of the Geneva Convention, but also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?
Laurie Hawn ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, once again that is absolute nonsense. Canada is not contravening the Geneva convention. We handle juvenile prisoners very carefully. They are kept separately from adult prisoners in our facility. When they are transferred to the facility in Kandahar, they are kept separate from adult prisoners there as well.
Canadians are rebuilding Afghanistan with the help of Afghans. We are abiding by every arrangement that we have entered into, whether it is the Geneva convention or the May 2006 arrangement with the Afghan government. We are doing everything we can to help Afghanistan rebuild.
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, today is National Child Day and the children of Canada are not--
The Speaker Liberal Peter Milliken
Order, order. The hon. member for Brampton--Springdale now has the floor.
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is National Child Day and the children of Canada are not celebrating.
They look at the Conservative government and all they see are broken promises. They see a government that has turned its back on progress and the future. They see a government that tore up the Liberal early learning and child care agreement which would have provided quality, accessible and affordable child care. They see a government that has broken its promise to create 125,000 child care spaces.
When will the government show some leadership, take action and reach out to Canada's children?