Anne McLellan

[Justice, February 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, let me quote the attorney general of British Columbia who has charge of the administration of the Criminal Code: “We need to let the process work itself out while assuring Canadians across the country that issues around investigations and the crown laying charges will continue as they usually do”.

The attorney general of British Columbia has made it absolutely plain that the police will continue to investigate. Charges will continue to be laid and prosecutions will be pursued.

I would ask that the Reform Party stop spreading fear in the province of British Columbia.

[Justice, February 3rd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the hon. member did not understand what I said.

I said the law is in full force and effect in nine provinces and two territories. The law is indeed in force and effect in the province of British Columbia. The decision of Mr. Justice Shaw merely binds provincial court judges in that province and no other judge.

Let me reassure the member that the attorney general of British Columbia, Ujjal Dosanjh, yesterday indicated that the law continues to be investigated by the police. Charges continue to be laid and charges will be prosecuted.

[Justice, February 2nd, 1999]

I simply want to clarify that Mr. Justice Shaw's judgment is binding only on provincial court judges in the province of British Columbia and is not binding upon any other judge, including Mr. Justice Shaw's reference to the B.C. Court of Queen's Bench.

I come back to the point. This government has acted and I would ask the official opposition to respect the rule of law.

[Justice, February 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, this government acted in relation to this matter and we acted quickly.

I do want to clarify something for the hon. member. If, for example, he suggests that the section in question, in Mr. Justice Shaw's judgment, is not in force in British Columbia or is binding on all judges in British Columbia, let me clarify that. In fact the judgment of Mr. Justice Shaw is not binding on—

[Child Pornography, February 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate yet again for the official opposition and for others who have expressed, I know, a legitimate concern here today. In fact we have acted in defence of Canada's children. We have intervened to appeal the decision of the B.C. Court of Queen's Bench. We support the attorney general of British Columbia in his seeking an expedited appeal.

I presume the hon. member when he refers to legalise is probably suggesting that we should simply ignore the rule of law and the due process of law.

[Child Pornography, February 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate yet again that this government has acted and it acted expeditiously when this particular section of the Criminal Code was struck down. We are supporting the attorney general of British Columbia.

The attorney general of British Columbia is asking that this appeal be expedited before the court of appeal. The attorney general of British Columbia continues to enforce those provisions of the law that deal with child pornography.

This government has acted.

[Child Pornography, February 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, those who are the purveyors of pornography in the country are investigated and charged every day under the existing provisions of the Criminal Code.

The production and distribution of child pornography continue to be offensive and possession is an offence in nine provinces and two territories.

I come back to the point that I resent the fact the opposition chooses to play politics with the children of the country.

[Child Pornography, February 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, indeed the protection of children is of paramount importance to everyone in the House.

What I believe is wrongheaded is the way the Reform Party chooses to politicize this important issue which involves the safety of our children. They choose to suggest, because we take a different approach to the invocation of section 33 of the charter, that we do not care about children. On behalf of everybody in the House, I resent that.

[Child Pornography, February 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I reiterate for the opposition that the government has acted quickly in defence of this law.

I also remind the hon. opposition that in nine provinces and two territories the entire section remains in full force and effect. In British Columbia the laws in relation to the production and distribution of child pornography are in full force and effect. The government has acted responsibly to defend children in the country.

[Child Pornography, February 2nd, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps by omission, to give them the benefit of the doubt, they misrepresent the situation for Canadians. For example—