Debates of June 15th, 2023

Public Safety

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, he knew that this dangerous criminal was going to be placed in a prison with fewer restrictions. He must also have known that this decision would outrage and worry the victims' families.

The Minister of Public Safety has a less than stellar record, with questionable decisions, backtracking, and untruthful statements.

If there is anybody in charge in this government who sees things clearly and manages things in the interests of Canadians and of victims, have them stand up and throw this minister out.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to begin by expressing our deepest sympathies to the families of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French.

When I was informed on May 30, I took the necessary steps to have a discussion with the board. An independent review is now under way. In addition, yesterday I issued new directives to the Correctional Service of Canada to ensure that victims are informed before such decisions are made in the future.

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, let us not ask the Minister of Public Safety for details about Paul Bernardo's transfer. He knows nothing about it, even if his staff did.

Let us not ask the Prime Minister either, he too knows nothing, even if his staff knew, just like he knew nothing about Beijing's threats against a Conservative MP, although his staff did.

Let us not talk about the threats with the Minister of Emergency Preparedness, who also knew nothing, even if his staff did.

If we want to talk to someone who is aware, we need to speak to a staffer. Should we appoint the staffers as ministers?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I take this issue very seriously. That is why, when I was informed on May 30, I took the necessary steps. I had a frank conversation with the commissioner of Correctional Service Canada.

That is why I will be putting in place new directives to protect the rights of victims. We need an approach that respects that. In addition, we will work with all members of the House to protect the rights of victims and to make decisions that make sense.

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, at this point, it is a pattern. The ministers are constantly telling us that they are not aware of the briefing notes that senior public servants nevertheless confirm to have sent directly to their staff.

We can take their word for it once, maybe twice, that their staff did not see fit to inform them, but there comes a point where it is the political equivalent of saying that my dog ate my homework. These ministers lose a lot of homework.

When are we going to see real responsibility on their part? We are starting to worry about their dog's health.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, in the current context, as I have already explained, the staff was informed that this was a possibility, without any concrete details. As I have also already explained, the choice to transfer an incarcerated person is an independent choice. When the details were finalized at the end of May, at that time, staff informed the Prime Minister of the situation.

[Kristina Michaud, Bloc, Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, just because people laugh does not mean it is funny. Ministers have a responsibility to get informed and then in turn inform the public. This spring alone, if we had relied on the work of the ministers instead of the media, three members of the House would still be the target of threats from China without knowing it. Diplomat Zhao Wei would still be in office. A dozen or so ridings would still be the target of Chinese interference. That is what would have happened without the media if we had relied on the responsibility of ministers.

When will they take their ministerial responsibility?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, a minister has a responsibility to determine the problem and correct it. That is exactly what we did by giving directives to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and giving new directives to Correctional Service Canada. We did this to ensure that the information is shared effectively to protect the rights of the victims and ensure public safety for everyone.

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government put convicted murderer, kidnapper and child rapist Paul Bernardo into a medium-security prison. Meanwhile, the PM is in Ottawa. Why will he not stand up and answer the questions?

In 2013, the Conservative government took responsibility when it was faced with exactly the same issue. Paul Bernardo was to be transferred to a medium-security prison and the Conservative government of the day said no.

The public safety minister, including the Prime Minister himself, has said yes.

Will the minister resign for granting leniency to the most notorious child murderer and rapist—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. government House leader.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times, as every Canadian knows, the crimes that are in question are among the most grievous this country has ever faced. There is not a person in the House who is not impacted by them. I trust that the member cares deeply about it, as do I.

However, the assertion that this is a decision of the government is false and, in fact, it is dangerous. The decision to transfer inmates is a decision of Correctional Service Canada. The independence of our Correctional Services has been a foundation of our country for a very long time.

Having a mature conversation about how we respect that and respect victims is what I think Canadians expect.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I would point out for the hon. member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies that we have heard his comment. He does not have to repeat it over and over again. It is just not the right time. The member should talk to his whip about getting a speaking role.

The hon. member for Calgary Nose Hill.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is worth noting that the government has the authority to introduce legislation, such as bills the Conservative Party has just put forward, to ensure that offenders like Paul Bernardo, one of Canada's worst serial rapists, stay in maximum security. That is its job.

The Prime Minister's Office and the Prime Minister knew about this for three months. He has a litany of highly paid staff to tell him about these things. It is preposterous to think they did not. His public itinerary today says that he is in the national capital region. How come he has not informed the House of the public safety minister's resignation?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the member across has made clear, not just now but for a long time, her desire for her party to be successful and for it to get on this side. They have to do that through an election.

I will say, on this issue, that the decision made was independent. If we want to have a conversation about Correctional Services's decision, that is exactly what we are doing. There is a review taking place, which concludes in two weeks. We have asked it to review this decision, and I think understanding that these decisions are done independently is important. It has been an important foundation of corrections in this country.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the government has had eight years to consult, and it should not be a leap of logic to understand that revictimizing families by allowing the transfer of serial rapists out of maximum-security prison is something the government should have worked to avoid, just like it failed with the Terri-Lynne McClintic case.

If the member looks behind to his caucus, he will see his caucus cringing. The public safety minister has the worst record of failure in the government outside of the Prime Minister. How come the Prime Minister, who is in the national capital region today, has not informed this House—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. government House leader.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I think we should choose what we talk about. If we want to talk about the circumstances that are involved in these horrific crimes and how we can responsibly deal with a corrections system that is one of the best and most envied in the world—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am sorry, but I have to stop the hon. member.

The hon. government House leader, from the top, please.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about these issues, I would suggest that they require enormous sensitivity. I am concerned that the Conservatives are peppering every question with partisan commentary and trying to extract political advantage from this situation.

I have attempted, as I have talked about this, to talk about our responsibility. We have one of the greatest correctional services systems in the world. It is admired all over the world, and one of its principle tenets is to not interfere with it politically.

We all rightly feel outrage about this transfer. We have great emotion about the crimes that occurred, but we need to deal with that emotion responsibly and make—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for Vancouver East.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, international students who were victims of unscrupulous immigration agents should not be punished. They have invested everything they have to study in Canada. They have contributed to the economic, cultural and social fabric of our community. Halting the deportation and removal orders is a good first step.

The minister said that he is working on a long-term solution. However, what the students need is permanent residency status. Will the minister follow up to ensure that an alternate permanent residence pathway is made available to the victims of fraud?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her advocacy, along with members who come from all parties represented in the House of Commons, in finding a solution for innocent victims who were taken advantage of by fraudsters who allowed them to enter Canada on the basis of fraudulent letters of admission.

Yesterday we announced a new path forward, including a task force, that would give an opportunity to students to demonstrate that they were not complicit in fraud but were in fact victims of fraud. They will be given temporary status in Canada to allow them to complete their studies or to continue to work. We have also advanced new measures to ensure they can apply for permanent residency or remain in Canada without prejudice. That is the right path forward—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

The hon. member for London—Fanshawe.