Lost his last election, in 2000, with 6% of the vote.
Gun Control October 24th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I have in my office a package containing a number of letters addressed to the minister from the city of Gloucester, the city of Nepean and so on.
These letters were sent along with a covering letter signed by Wendy Cuckier of the gun coalition to all Ontario MPPs.
Would the minister explain as soon as possible how the Canadian Gun Coalition obtained these letters which were addressed to the minister?
Gun Control October 24th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the justice minister.
The justice minister recently accused the Ontario solicitor general of pandering to the gun lobby. I have evidence which strongly suggests that the minister is pandering to the Canadian Gun Coalition.
Did the minister provide the Canadian Gun Coalition with copies of letters addressed to him supporting Bill C-68 without the consent of the authors?
Bill C-72 October 17th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, as it seems there is some question as to whether Bill C-72 has been effective in preventing the use of extreme intoxication as a defence, what will the justice minister do to ensure that extreme drunkenness is not used as a defence in these cases?
Bill C-72 October 17th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, this entire House declared its opposition to drunkenness as a defence with the swift passage of Bill C-72.
The decision of the Supreme Court to hear the case of convicted child murderer Alton Royer shows clearly that the unelected Supreme Court has ignored the views of the elected members of Parliament and millions of Canadians.
We were told yesterday that the justice minister is seeking intervenor status in this case. Could the justice minister tell the House what his objective is in doing so?
National Defence October 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, this is another incident of preferential treatment under the law for certain Canadians. The destruction of evidence by Colonel Kenward is clearly a violation of the law. His exoneration by military brass rather than through due process places our rule of law in disrepute.
Could the Prime Minister explain to the House why this senior military officer was promoted rather than held accountable for his actions? Why do we not all stand equal before the law?
National Defence October 4th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the destruction of the two videotapes by Colonel Kenward is clear evidence of a violation or an obstruction of justice.
Colonel Kenward's promotion is an exoneration of wrongdoing determined by the most senior members of our military and viewed by many as a cover-up. Clearly an external inquiry into the operation of the entire military apparatus beyond the mandate of the present hearings is justified to reassure Canadians that the integrity of our military is beyond question and functioning within the confines of law.
Will the Prime Minister authorize such a broad and all encompassing inquiry?
Parole And Sentencing September 26th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, of course that was no answer to my question.
The Canadian Police Association has said that crime prevention includes the reduction of opportunities to commit crimes. It has also said that easy parole requirements provide violent offenders a golden opportunity to reoffend.
Will the Minister of Justice amend the law to allow for the assessment of violent offenders prior to release to determine their likelihood of reoffending and allow them to be declared a dangerous offender at the end of their sentence rather than at the beginning, as is the case now?
Parole And Sentencing September 26th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Melanie Carpenter was viciously raped and murdered by a violent offender released by way of statutory requirement after serving only two-thirds of his sentence. This means that government legislation contributed to her death.
Will the Minister of Justice introduce legislation to amend the law that allows criminals to be released after serving only two-thirds of their sentence, as was the case in the Melanie Carpenter situation?
Petitions September 25th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I am pleased to present today 26 petitions containing over 6,500 signatures. Despite the fact that Bill C-68 has passed the House of Commons petitions keep coming into my office. The people who have signed these petitions are reluctant to give up home that the law will be amended or scrapped all together.
The petitioners believe the costs of the measures proposed within Bill C-68 have been severely understated and they feel the already strained resources of law enforcement agencies will be taxed beyond reasonable limits. They are therefore asking Parliament to carefully reconsider the problem of violence in Canadian society and enact legislation to deal with that problem without further burdening those of us as citizens.
Gun Control September 25th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, three of the attorneys general named in my earlier question appeared before the standing committee and said that they were not consulted. The aboriginal groups, as well, said that they were not consulted.
Through clause 103 of Bill C-68 the Minister of Justice has granted the federal government the power to initiate proceedings under the Criminal Code, which is clearly an incursion into provincial jurisdiction as guaranteed under section 92 of the Constitution. Did the minister gain the consent of the provinces before expanding the federal government's criminal law powers into traditional provincial jurisdiction?