Debates of May 23rd, 2024

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister have a King's Counsel designation, yes or no?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to sub judice, the purpose is to protect parties in a case awaiting or undergoing a trial—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, does the minister have a King's Counsel designation, yes or no?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to my appearance in court—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I will presume the minister does have a King's Counsel designation. Did he give one to himself?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite is aware, what I had indicated is that I have not been—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, will the minister just answer the question? Does he have a King's Counsel designation?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my job is to be addressing the safety of Canadians and that is—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, would Constable Pierzchala's alleged killer have been detained on the bail law that the minister has lauded so many times today?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Constable Pierzchala's death was a tragedy, and it motivated us to act, and act quickly. I am thankful for the support of that member in terms of the quick passage of that bill.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, without the minister looking at his cheat sheets, what are the tertiary grounds of detention?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is important always to be looking at confidence in the administration of justice.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Order. I am going to invite members, if they would like to have a conversation, to please do so outside. The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo has the floor to ask questions. It is important that the minister be able to hear that question and to be able to respond.

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister of Justice have a King's Counsel designation, yes or no?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I do not have a King's Counsel designation.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, what was the minimum sentence for robbery with a firearm prior to Bill C-5?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is governed by section 457 of the code.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it was section 344, but what was the mandatory minimum sentence for robbery with a firearm prior to Bill C-5?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is four years for non-restricted or five or seven for a restricted.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, did Bill C-5 eliminate the non-restricted mandatory minimum penalty, yes or no?