Allan Rock

[Criminal Code, February 24th, 1995]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-72, an act to amend the Criminal Code (self-induced intoxication).

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Explosives Act, February 24th, 1995]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-71, an act to amend the Explosives Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)

[Gun Control, February 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is entirely appropriate that I should have been in the midst of answering a question about violence against women immediately before having been asked about the registration of firearms.

The hon. member need only refer to the speeches I have made in the House as recently as last week on the subject to see the direct and demonstrable link between the registration of firearms and the reduction of violence, particularly violence against women.

[Violence Against Women, February 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I fully agree with the hon. member that the drunkenness defence is only one aspect of the challenge facing government and Canadians; namely, to deal more effectively with the problem of violence by men against women.

May I say, in response to the question that has been asked, that this preoccupation affects virtually everything that the Department of Justice does in relation to the criminal justice system. Trying to assess and anticipate the impact on women of laws that we propose, trying to co-ordinate the effort with other ministries and other levels of government to provide services to victims of violence, trying through education and other proactive social means to eradicate the causes of such violent behaviour, trying to improve education for young men and boys, so that they may have a healthier view of themselves and the other gender so that-

[Firearms Registration Legislation, February 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I do confess to being an optimist by nature, something which I have discovered is an asset in this line of work.

I can assure the hon. member the government is entirely confident that the firearms legislation, once enacted, will not only be effective but will be complied with throughout the country.

[Firearms Registration Legislation, February 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the government does not need to enter into special contracts with native groups or individuals. There is one law for this country, and this applies for the gun control legislation.

[Firearms Registration, February 22nd, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we have been engaged from the outset in discussions with the aboriginal leadership and indeed the discussions continue.

I have every confidence the system of registration of firearms that will be considered and passed by the House will apply and be effective across the country in enhancing community safety in all communities, including the aboriginal communities.

[Justice, February 21st, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, first may I say how highly I regard the initiative demonstrated by the member in convening and conducting the forums to which he has referred.

May I say as well that we learn from these events. I know that the member has shared with caucus some of the points made during the forums in his riding. He has set an example for the rest of us in the House of Commons of the kind of action we can take locally to increase the awareness of people with respect to the scourge in Canadian society.

I would be more than happy to endorse that approach and to work with the member in whatever constructive way possible to ensure that kind of activity is repeated across the country.

[Gun Control, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in large part, the registration system we propose is targeted at the borders to reduce smuggling, and we are very confident that it will have that result.

[Gun Control, February 20th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the proposals we put before the house will help a great deal in reducing the smuggling of firearms. We have been through this before. Hansard is replete with detailed responses to questions that are asked daily in the House by the same members.

Let me come to the specific question the member puts. I believe, and the government believes, that its proposals will help enormously. Last week it was put to me by a provincial counterpart, the Solicitor General of Ontario, that there is much more we can do. I agreed with him. Indeed there is much more we can do and should do. With the collaboration of the provincial solicitors general, I believe we can and will do more.