House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 42% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs March 31st, 1998
Mr. Speaker, an investigation has been commenced in the province of Alberta. We are dealing with the AFN to deal with the broader issues.
I implore the hon. member to be an agent for the positive in this, not an agent for the negative in the interests of reconciling our communities as the minister has led since the RCAP response.
Aboriginal Affairs March 31st, 1998
Mr. Speaker, this is a very serious and tragic situation. I do not think it does getting to the truth any good by trying to wrap it in other issues, as is attempted by the hon. member.
The fact is we are working with AFN on other justice issues. We will continue to do that. It should not be confused with the issues the member is putting forward.
Aboriginal Affairs March 31st, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I think it is obvious now what the Reform's agenda is. It is to confuse the issue.
We have an investigation into a tragic shooting which we all feel badly about. It is very important that we not confuse that with other issues the Reform would like to put in play to confuse the issue, which is not in the interest of all the parties affected.
Aboriginal Affairs March 31st, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I think it would be beneficial to this process if the members of the Reform Party placed the interests of the truth ahead of their own political agenda.
We have an inquiry in Alberta. We are engaged with the AFN in this exercise on a daily basis. We are making some progress in the interest of calm and in the interest of the truth and good relations between all parties affected.
Prisons March 30th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, let me advise the House that there are no plans to privatize the operation of any federal facility of that kind. We have a strong tradition to involve non-government agencies and others in the private sector impartial to our operation. In fact some 12% of our operation is handled outside the public service.
The ethical questions relating to the kinds of powers that are enforced by the correctional service are very serious and there has been no establishment that in fact there are savings to be accomplished.
Correctional Service Canada March 30th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the member for wild guess—I am sorry, Wild Rose—is wrong again as usual.
The fact remains that many people involved in this file do not wish to come forward. In many cases they have been pardoned. They are remarried. Sometimes their partners are not aware of their past.
This is a very serious and delicate matter and I urge the hon. member to deal with it as a very serious and delicate matter.
Aboriginal Affairs March 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I am sure the Leader of the Opposition shares the grief of all the people here and I hope he will respect the expressed request on the part of the first nation to not politicize this issue. It is a tragic event. Many people are calling for calm and I ask the Leader of the Opposition to do the same.
Aboriginal Affairs March 25th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, as I informed the House yesterday, we are investigating this. A criminal investigation has started. The province of Alberta has jurisdiction in this case. I understand that even as we speak, Phil Fontaine, representatives of the local first nation and the RCMP are meeting with the attorney general's office in Alberta. I suspect there may be an announcement as early as today.
Air India Disaster March 24th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the investigation around the Air India disaster has been one of the most intensive ever conducted by the RCMP. The investigation has been ongoing and that is the reason why it would be inappropriate to conduct any other kind of investigation.
Ultimately, if and when charges are laid that will be up to the Office of the Attorney General of British Columbia.
Rcmp March 24th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I think everyone in this House feels badly about the incident that occurred in Alberta. The investigation which is currently being conducted is being conducted under the purview of the province of Alberta.