Lost her last election, in 2006, with 39% of the vote.
Taxation November 3rd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. member that the purpose of our reforms and the purpose of the reform entered into by my predecessor was to ensure that children of divorced families get more. I assure the hon. member that my department is watching very carefully the implementation and application of the guidelines. If there appear to be any problems we will be dealing with them.
Justice October 29th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times in this House, I think Canadians, quite rightly, have the highest degree of confidence in the integrity of the Canadian judiciary.
I have also indicated on a number of occasions in this House that I am willing to look at mechanisms by which I can receive greater input from interested Canadians and other interested stakeholders as it relates to the judicial process.
Airbus October 29th, 1997
That led to a decision by the RCMP to discontinue its internal investigation against the actions of Staff Sergeant Fiegenwald. I do not think it would be appropriate to say anything else about the matter at this time.
Airbus October 29th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member undoubtedly knows that Staff Sergeant Fiegenwald decided to resign voluntarily from the force today.
Justice October 28th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I cannot comment on a specific case in question. It is a matter that may be taken under appeal. That is a decision for the Attorney General of Ontario.
I would, however, remind the hon. member that my predecessor amended the Criminal Code. Section 718 makes the abuse of a position of trust or authority an aggravating circumstance in sentencing.
Therefore the principles in the code are there. They are sound. It is a matter of application of those principles.
Criminal Code October 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I take exception to the hon. member's comment in terms of his references to the Department of Transport.
What I said yesterday was that the Department of Transport is undertaking an important study in relation to blood alcohol concentration. The Department of Transport is doing this study in co-operation with the chiefs of police of the country. Of course we are waiting for the outcome of that study before we mindlessly make changes to the Criminal Code.
I want to go back to my original point. What is important here is an integrated strategy to deal with the terrible problem of drunk driving. Part of that strategy—
Criminal Code October 24th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question.
I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from MADD the day before yesterday. We spent over an hour together. On behalf of all members of the House I congratulate and thank those who act as volunteers in MADD for the fine work they have done over the past number of years to sensitize Canadians to the problems of drunk driving.
I have undertaken to raise the issue when I meet with my provincial counterparts in December. I would like to have a federal-provincial working group that presents an integrated strategy to deal with this important issue.
Violence October 22nd, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge the YWCA for the commencement last year of this very important week in Canadian society.
This government has a comprehensive family violence initiative. This initiative involves a number of departments in this government, including the Department of Health, HRDC and my own.
To give a few examples of what the Department of Justice has done in relation to violence against women, we have strengthened the peace bond provisions, we have made spousal abuse an aggravating factor in sentencing and we have strengthened—
Justice October 21st, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I think my predecessor made it plain, as I have, that those conditional sentencing provisions were not to apply to serious violent offences.
We then amended the legislation to ensure that the courts are instructed to take into account the sentencing principles of deterrence and denunciation. There have been some lower court decisions that have caused me concern as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Those cases are presently before appeal courts and we are awaiting the outcome.
Justice October 9th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the hon. member that the facts of this case are particularly troubling.
I also point out to the hon. member that this is not a case of conditional sentencing and that this is a case the attorney general of Quebec, who has responsibility for this matter, has decided to appeal.