Allan Rock

[Gun Control, May 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is the intention of this government to treat all Canadians fairly in connection with this legislation. We also are very much aware that aboriginal people have both aboriginal and treaty rights to hunt, and we intend to respect them.

I learned for myself as I travelled the length and breadth of the country last year and visited aboriginal communities how firearms are often treated as a tool and how their use is very much a part of their way of life.

The way we responded to this need is through consultation. Just after the action plan was tabled in the House last November 30, some 690 letters went out with copies of the plan to the aboriginal leadership across Canada. We wrote again to those same 690 leaders of aboriginal communities early this year. We followed up, with the help of about 70 of them, in assembling one of the most comprehensive and unprecedented consultation processes known to the government. In nine regions of Canada we are meeting with representatives of rural, urban, on reserve and off reserve aboriginal persons. In the coming months we will conclude that very direct and personal discussion process to determine how this bill can be implemented in a manner that is sensitive to the reality of aboriginal lifestyles, culture, and treaty rights. We will then prepare regulations, which will be

sent in draft form for comment to those same people. We will then table them in the House for the 30-day review.

We intend to comply with our obligations and respect the rights to which the hon. member has referred.

[Election Advertising, May 18th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the position we advanced as counsel for the federal government was argued in the courtroom, where it should be argued. That judgment is now in reserve and I do not propose to comment on it until the court has had an opportunity to express its opinion.

However, I can tell the hon. member that the next time this government goes to the electorate it will do so very proud of the fact that it fulfilled its red book commitments with respect to pensions and every other matter.

[Election Advertising, May 18th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have found from my long experience arguing in courtrooms that it is very difficult to predict from newspaper reports what the result of a case will be.

I would caution the hon. member to be patient. We have made our submissions, and out of respect for the court I think we will await the judgment before making further comment.

[Gun Control, May 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is telling that the question of the day did not come from the other side of the House, because the witnesses yesterday were victims of violence with firearms and they were not in a position that could be exploited by the Reform.

The very purpose of Bill C-68 is to address the kinds of tragedies the committee heard about yesterday. The point is perhaps best made by comparing on the one hand the inconvenience of filling out a form and mailing it in with $10 over the next five years and on the other hand losing a member of your family.

I am often asked for proof that registration of firearms will achieve something for Canada. For those who ask for proof, I suggest they speak to the parents, the mother who yesterday described the tragedy of losing a child, speak to the children whose mother is dead because she was shot in her home.

This government with this bill stands with the Victims of Violence for Change. This government stands with the police chiefs and the police across this country. We shall not fail them.

[Criminal Code, May 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, as I made clear in my response to the question when it was last put, because we are signatories to international conventions and treaties we are

obligated like other civilized countries to do an audit of our laws to ensure they reflect the values and the principles to which we subscribe with other nations.

The work to which the hon. member has referred is simply part of that effort and it must be done.

[Criminal Code, May 17th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I am satisfied the section in the Criminal Code complies with our obligations. I can tell the hon. member and the House that the government has no intention to introduce any change to section 43 of the Criminal Code.

[Gun Control, May 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the very fact that those groups are now before the committee expressing their views with respect to the proposed legislation is proof positive that their perspective is being taken into account.

May I say, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. member in opposing this legislation is merely illustrating the inconsistencies in their position. This is the party of law and order that will not do as the police chiefs and the police associations want. This is the party that wants to reflect the views of the people and will not pay

attention to polls in their own province showing widespread support for this legislation.

[Gun Control, May 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, for the last 12 months the Department of Justice and in fact this minister personally have done little else except consult with respect to firearms legislation.

The fact is that there are some, perhaps including the hon. member, who define consultation as doing exactly what they think we ought to do.

The legislation we have put before the House reflects the broad and careful consultation with the wide variety of interests on this topic. The work of the committee, which is now under way and to which the member contributes as an active and hard-working member, is completing that process of listening carefully to the views of Canadians on these important matters.

[Tainted Blood, May 16th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, however one might characterize the evidence before the Krever inquiry with respect to alleged wrongdoing, in the final analysis the decision whether to proceed with criminal prosecution is up to the provincial authorities. In the circumstances, since it is not a matter for the federal government to initiate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the strength of any such suggested charges.

[Copyright, May 15th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot say. I am not sure that I know the timing of the proposals. I do know that officials in my department have been communicating with Heritage Canada and are at work in preparing proposals to improve the copyright law. As to timing, I am not able to answer the hon. member. Perhaps I will inquire of my colleague and let her know in the next day or two.