Anne McLellan

[Correctional Service Canada, October 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I reiterate again that to the best of my—

[Correctional Service Canada, October 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, to the best of my knowledge, none of that sensitive information is available to any prison inmate within the federal correction system.

[Justice, October 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as I made plain yesterday, the purpose of our corrections system and our parole system, the transcendent and fundamental objective of that system, is public safety. I also have suggested that it is time for us to review both our Corrections and Conditional Release Act and our parole legislation. That is why I have referred both to the Standing Committee on Justice.

If the opposition does not have any views on that and want to leave it up to us to look at the reform of those legislations, then we will do that. However, in the name of democracy--

[Justice, October 19th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday, the allegations made by the chief of police were not known to me. I asked Correctional Service Canada to follow up on this, and it is investigating the matter.

Temporary releases are provided from facilities such as halfway houses. They always are provided on conditions. I have asked Correctional Service Canada to follow up on the specific allegation that the chief has made. However, I also call upon the chief and would ask the chief to provide me with any specific information or facts he has.

[Justice, October 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, obviously the first and paramount purpose of a corrections and parole system is the protection and safety of the public. That is why I have asked the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to look at our parole system.

In fact, I am open to the fact and I have said that we may need to rebalance that system. That is why I am seeking the advice of all parties in the form of a reference to the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. I would just ask that the members get to work.

[Justice, October 18th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, obviously the purpose of the parole system has to be to ensure the public safety. That is why I have asked the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to review both the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the parole system to determine whether we have the balance right.

The specific incidents which the hon. member referred to I am not aware of. I was made aware of the allegations by the Ontario Police Association just a few minutes ago. I will undertake to investigate whether or not any federal prisoners were sent to any amusement park anywhere.

[Firearms Registry, October 17th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the only people who do not get the importance of gun control in this country appear to be members of the opposition. In fact, front line police use this system over 35,000 times a week. The chiefs of police endorse this system and describe it as an ever increasingly important tool in our fight against crime.

I find it amazing that the opposition would suggest that a comprehensive approach to gun control is not absolutely key to keeping our families, streets and communities safe.

[Firearms Registry, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw that comment.

In relation to the gun control program, it is interesting that the gun control program continues to garner the support of front line law enforcement officers and the chiefs of police.

Let me read what the former president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Edgar MacLeod, stated, “There is no question that the system works and that it—

[Firearms Registry, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I wish those members would get their facts straight. Again, $2 billion is just an out and out lie.

[Canada-U.S. Border, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has it all wrong. From the moment the western hemisphere initiative was announced, this government engaged our American counterparts at the highest levels. I have discussed with my colleague, Michael Chertoff, the possible impacts of this initiative, not only on Canadians and trade in this country but on our American counterparts.

Our officials are engaged with American officials. Our ambassador is engaged with the U.S. administration. Our posts across the U.S. are engaged with U.S. and Canadian business and if all these people stop—