Chuck Cadman

[Impaired Driving, May 11th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, one bad law plus another bad law equals an injustice.

A teenager drinks six beers before driving to school and then kills two girls when he loses control of his vehicle. The breathalyzer evidence is excluded on a technicality. The judge apparently does not think that six beers in two hours is enough evidence for impairment. The young offender gets one year in open custody.

Yes, the impaired driving laws are under review, and yes, the new youth justice act is before the House. However, will the minister assure Canadians that any new legislation will prevent a similar travesty of justice from ever occurring again?

[Surrey Police Officer Awards, May 7th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of attending Surrey's third annual police officer of the year awards. The evening, sponsored by the Surrey Chamber of Commerce, allows the community to express its gratitude to the men and women of our RCMP detachment, including regular members and civilian workers, both municipal employees and volunteers.

I congratulate the following winners: Rusty Ashworth of Associated Labels for the Police and Business Partnership Award; Duane Foley for Policing Volunteer of the Year; Simmie Grewal for Municipal Employee of the Year; and a tie for Police Officer of the Year, chosen by their peers, Constable Kevin Bracewell and Corporal Robin Stutt; and Police Officer of the Year, chosen by the community, Sergeant Gordon Friesen.

The winners were chosen from long lists of nominees who we also congratulate. Just as important, I wish to extend on behalf of the constituents of Surrey North our gratitude to all members of the Surrey RCMP and support personnel for their continuing dedication and professionalism during what we know are very difficult fiscal times.

[Youth Violence, April 30th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the determination of Mr. Paul Glover. In September 1993, two teenagers viciously assaulted him. He suffered very serious injuries from multiple kicks to the face. His facial bones were literally separated from his skull. Last Friday in Vancouver, Paul won a civil judgment in excess of $60,000 against the two who are now in their early twenties.

Paul Glover has paved the way for victims of violent young people. The criminal courts hold offenders accountable to society. The only recourse for victims is through the civil court. Paul has shown that teenagers who cause harm to others cannot escape their civil liability.

It is somewhat coincidental that at a time when parliament is considering the role of victims in the criminal justice system, Paul Glover has advanced the cause in the civil courts. Canadians owe Paul and Debbie Glover and lawyers, David Marley and Vahan Ishkanian, who worked free of charge, a debt of gratitude. Soon I hope to see more victims of young thugs follow Paul's lead in pursuing their own civil remedies.

[Young Offenders Act, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, Paul Glover at no time raised the issue of criminal proceedings. The young men raised it themselves in an attempt to escape civil liability. The minister knows that civil court is the only place where victims can seek redress for pain and suffering.

I ask the minister again: Does the Young Offenders Act apply to the civil courts? And there is no appeal pending.

[Young Offenders Act, April 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, just how far does the Young Offenders Act go in protecting identities? Last Friday in Vancouver Paul Glover was awarded civil damages against two men who assaulted him when they were teenagers. The media will not name them, fearing repercussions under the Young Offenders Act.

Will the Minister of Justice please clear the air? Does the Young Offenders Act apply to civil proceedings and can we expect the same from the new youth criminal justice act?

[Youth Criminal Justice Act, April 21st, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I know that in a former life the hon. member was a policeman. The minister has touted the whole idea of police cautioning. The government seems to think this is something new, but I know it has been going on for years. I know it has been going on in my part of the country for a long time.

I wonder if the hon. member could elaborate on his experience with police cautioning of young people to keep them out of the courts.

[Criminal Code, April 20th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Elk Island made reference in his comments to a young girl who went missing a number of years ago. It turned out that she had been murdered in Winnipeg. The young girl's name was Candace and a book was written about her. I would like to acknowledge the mother who actually wrote that book, Wilma Derksen.

Wilma has been very active in the last number of years dealing with victims of crime and in the whole restorative justice process. Coincidentally, and I know we are not supposed to use props, I received in the mail today the publication by her organization dealing with victims and reconciliation.

I would like the member's comments and thoughts on restorative justice and victim-offender reconciliation, especially in cases of less serious crimes where the offenders come face to face with their victims and get to understand who their victims are.

[Criminal Code, April 20th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for South Surrey—White Rock—Langley for her comments. I acknowledge she is one of the members I worked very closely with on these issues long before I came to this place.

There is another case in her constituency that I find quite troubling. A number of years ago a man murdered his wife, or killed his wife. We cannot call him a murderer because he was accused of manslaughter. He served part of his time. He got five years. He was trying to have his kids visit him. These kids are victims. They are his kids and he killed their mother. He was trying to force them into having visits with him. Now the word is that upon his release he is going to try to get custody.

I am sure she is aware of the case I am talking about. I wonder if she has any comments on that issue.

[Criminal Code, April 20th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I work a lot with the hon. member and I thank him for his comments. I worked a lot with him before I became a member of this place.

Would he care to elaborate on some of the more common complaints? What were the major complaints he was hearing from victims on their part in the process? Does he have any idea as to why it took so long to finally get to this day? Where was the resistance coming from if indeed there was any?

[Criminal Code, April 20th, 1999]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Since we have the originator of the original victims bill of rights here talking about it, could I seek unanimous consent that we extend questions and comments by 10 minutes?