Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.
House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2008, with 38% of the vote.
Questions On The Order Paper March 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.
Government Response To Petitions March 6th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to six petitions.
Questions On The Order Paper March 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, I suggest that all questions be allowed to stand.
Government Response To Petitions March 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 9 petitions.
Privilege March 5th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Bloc House leader, the hon. member for Laurier-Sainte-Marie, rose on a question of privilege. I would like to reply to some of the points he raised, as they referred to a document he tabled in the House yesterday.
In the course of his intervention the hon. member referred to an advertisement in a Quebec newspaper and said that it was similar to the GST advertising in 1989. By analogy he claimed that it was inappropriate, just as the advertising was in 1989, because it implied that specific legislation was in place, that it referred to specific provisions it purported were already law when the bill still was not passed. That was the reference the hon. member gave the House when he raised his question of privilege.
While I acknowledge the precedent exists, the matter before us today is in clear and stark contrast because the advertisement now in question does not refer to any provisions of any law or any proposed law.
The advertisements that were placed in the Canadian media present a number of facts about conditions that relate to the use of tobacco. The advertisements do not claim that the provisions of any bill are already enacted. Mr. Speaker, on careful reflection of both the English and the French versions you will see that is the case. The French version of the advertisements call on the readers to support la loi anti-tabac. In English it refers to anti-tobacco legislation. If one wanted to be an absolute purist one might argue that the French Translation ought to say "le projet de loi" and in English it ought to say "bill".
However, one must bear in mind that we are dealing with advertisements. It is common in such cases to use colloquialisms that may not, in the strictest sense, be precise. To the layman, however, the meaning is very clear. In French one frequently hears the phrase "le projet de loi" referred to merely as "la loi" even though it has not yet passed, just as in English one often refers to a bill as legislation, even though in the strict sense of the word it is not legislation until enacted.
There is very substantial proof that these advertisements do not in any way represent Bill C-71, which is still before the House, as having been enacted.
Clause 1 of the bill gives us some very important information on this matter of privilege. Clause 1 of the bill gives it a short title, namely the tobacco law, or in French la loi sur le tabac. The advertisements refer to anti-tobacco legislation, la loi anti-tabac, which is not the short title, the long title or in fact any title of the bill before the House.
In conclusion, the advertisements do not in any way interfere with the ability of the House to consider the legislation before it. They do not refer to the number or the title of any bill before the House and they do not describe the provisions of any bill before the House. They describe a reprehensible public problem and urge citizens to support unspecified legislation to deal with these problems. This does not in any way impair the ability of the House to do its duty. Respectfully, I would submit, it is not a breach of privilege. It does not encroach on the privileges of the members of the House.
Government Response To Petitions March 4th, 1997
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 10 petitions.
Questions Passed As Orders For Returns March 3rd, 1997
Madam Speaker, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.
Questions Passed As Orders For Returns March 3rd, 1997
Madam Speaker, if Question No. 18 could be made an Order for Return, that return would be tabled immediately.
Questions On The Order Paper March 3rd, 1997
I am informed by the Solicitor General of Canada and the Department of National Defence as follows.
ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE, RCMP
a) Following is the list of incidents where firearms have been stolen from RCMP establishments and from members of the RCMP in Canada for the period 1993 to 1997:
"A" DIVISION-95 Sep 07: An RCMP service revolver was stolen from a member's residence. The gun was properly stored. The stolen gun has not been recovered and no charges have been laid.
"B" DIVISION-97 Jan 16: An RCMP service revolver was stolen from the locked trunk of a locked unmarked police vehicle. The theft is being investigated by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the investigation is ongoing at the present time. The firearm has not been recovered.
"C" DIVISION-1993: An RCMP firearm went missing during a move in 1993. The weapon was recovered. No further details are available as the relevant file has since been destroyed.
"D" DIVISION-96 Nov 14: An RCMP gun and two clips were stolen from a duffle bag which was in a locked van in downtown Winnipeg. The theft occurred in Winnipeg Police jurisdiction and has been investigated with negative results. The items still have not been recovered. No charges have been laid.
"E" DIVISION-Apr 1993: A member reported his firearm missing from his personal effects and it still has not been recovered. No charges have been laid.
"E" DIVISION-Sep 1996: A member's service revolver was stolen from his residence. The firearm has not been recovered. charges have not been laid.
"F" DIVISION-93 Mar 27: A member's service revolver was stolen from a locked steel cabinet in his residence during the course of a Break and Enter while the member was away on leave. The revolver has not been recovered and no charges were laid.
"H" DIVISION-93 Aug 05/06: A member's service revolver was stolen from his residence while he was away on leave and has not been recovered. No charges were laid.
"H" DIVISION-93 Dec 17: A member's service revolver was stolen from his vehicle while it was parked at CFB Halifax. The gun has not been recovered and no charges were laid.
"H" DIVISION-94 Apr 21: A revolver was stolen from a briefcase which was left inside the locked trunk of a police vehicle. The revolver was recovered one month later when it was purchased by a Halifax Police Department informant and it was returned to the RCMP.
"J" DIVISION-95 Dec 23: An RCMP 9mm was stolen from a member's private residence in the city of Moncton, N.B. The theft was investigated by Moncton Police Department and the firearm has not been recovered.
"J" DIVISION-96 Nov 03: An RCMP 9mm was stolen from a member's residence in Tracadie-Sheila, N.B. The theft was investigated by the Tracadie-Sheila Police Department and the firearm was recovered and charges were laid.
"J" DIVISION-96 Nov 07: An RCMP 9mm was stolen from a member's private residence in Moncton, N.B. The theft was investigated by Moncton Police Department and the firearm has not been recovered.
"K" DIVISION-93 Jun 24: Extra firearms were required for training and stored overnight at a gun club within the City of Edmonton where the training was being conducted. The weapons were secured in a vault. When the weapons were retrieved the next day, it was discovered that one service revolver had been stolen. The weapon remains unrecovered. No charges have been laid.
"K" DIVISION-96 Aug 17: A member's service revolver was stolen from a private residence during a Break and Enter. The revolver has been recovered and investigation for unsafe storage of a firearm is currently ongoing.
"K" DIVISION-95 Sep 20: A member's RCMP revolver was reported missing. The details of this case are not available at this time as an investigation is ongoing.
"O" DIVISION-95 Jun 17: A member's revolver sank to the bottom of a lake while the member was on routine patrol on Lake Nippissing. The revolver has not been recovered. No charges have been laid.
"O" DIVISION-95 Aug 16/18: A member's service pistol was stolen from his residence during the course of a Break and Enter. The service pistol was stored properly at the time of the theft. The pistol was later returned by the thieves who threw the pistol into the member's backyard. No charges have been laid.
"DEPOT" DIVISION-An RCMP pistol was either lost or stolen approximately two years ago. Further details are unavailable.
"DEPOT" DIVISION-A recent incident involves an RCMP S&W 5946 pistol which was lost/stolen while in transit with a courier company. An investigation is being conducted with respect to this incident.
b) According to Section 3(1)d) of the Regulations pertaining to Part III of the Criminal Code, the RCMP is exempt from the storage regulations subject to subsection 3(3) of the same Regulations. Section 3(3) states that the exemption applies when firearms are stored in a dwelling house or permission is given by a supervisor.
The RCMP published clear operational directives stating that its members are responsible for the use, safety and storage of their firearms at all times. Any neglect of these directives is considered a breach of the Regulations and is an offence under Section 86(3) of the Criminal Code. When the firearm of a member of the RCMP is lost or stolen, the assessment of the situation includes a decision as to whether or not Section 86(3) of the Criminal Code of Canada has been breached.
With respect to these types of incidents as they pertain to provincial and municipal police forces or police officers, the RCMP's information is very limited. Since other police forces are not required to report to the RCMP incidents of loss or theft of their firearms, the RCMP's Operational Reporting System does not accurately provide information in this regard.
DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE, DND
a) Following is the list of incidents where firearms have been stolen from military establishments and from members of the Armed Forces in Canada for the period 1993 to 1996:
Incident DS-0040-28 Aug 93: A 32 calibre was stolen from a hotel room in which the service member was staying. Pistol was being used for an escort of a large sum of money. An investigation was conducted and the firearm was recovered.
Incident DS-0041-17 Dec 93: A 38 calibre pistol was stolen from RCMP officer's car while parked at CFB Halifax. An investigation was conducted and the firearm was not recovered.
Incident DS-0517-16 Apr 94: Two 22 calibre rifles were stolen during a Break and Enter from a Cadet Corps storage area. An investigation was conducted and the firearms were not recovered.
Incident DS-3212-24 Jul 94: Two 177 calibre air pellet rifles were stolen during a Break and Enter from a Cadet Corps weapons locker. An investigation was conducted and the firearms were not recovered.
Incident DS-1989-26 Sep 94: Two 22 calibre rifles and a 177 calibre air pellet rifle were stolen from a Cadet Corps storage area. An investigation was conducted and the firearms were recovered.
Incident DS-1400-26 Jul 95: A Luger pistol was stolen from a secure display cabinet within an Armoury. An investigation was conducted and the firearm was not recovered.
Incident DS-1164-21 May 95: A Smith and Wesson 32 calibre was recovered by Winnipeg City Police. The hand gun had been stolen from a Permanent Married Quarter at CFB Shilo without the owner's knowledge. Weapon was stored in accordance with Section 86(3) of the Criminal Code. An investigation was conducted and the firearm was recovered. No charges were laid.
Incident DS-0525-11 Feb 95: A 410 shogun and a Winchester 30-30 rifle were stolen during a Break and Enter at a Permanent Married Quarter at CFB Halifax. Weapons were stored in accordance with Section 86(3) of the Criminal Code. An investigation was conducted and the firearms were not recovered. No charges were laid.
Incident DS-1916-21 Dec 94: A 22, a 357, and a 9mm pistol were stolen from a Permanent Married Quarter at CFB Halifax during a Break and Enter. Weapons were stored in accordance with Section 86(3) of the Criminal Code. An investigation was conducted and the firearms were not recovered. No charges were laid.
b) Since the Canadian Forces are exempt from Section 86(3) of the Criminal Code of Canada, the above incidents (1) through (6) cannot be considered violations of that legislation and therefore, charges were not laid. Incidents (7), (8) and (9) were thefts from private residences in which the weapons were stored in accordance with Section 86(3) of the Criminal Code.
Question No. 92-
Questions On The Order Paper March 3rd, 1997
Madam Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 4 and 92.
Question No. 4-