House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 56% of the vote.
Gun Control December 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, when Canadians want advice with respect to their health they consult doctors. When we want to know how to reduce the crime rate in this country we speak to the police. The police in Canada, not in Australia, have for a dozen years been asking this government for gun registration. I suggest we take the advice of the experts and put registration in place.
Gun Control December 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in the first place the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has been asking for this measure for the last dozen years.
The other point may explain why the hon. member is receiving complaints. Last night I received a petition from a colleague of the hon. member in his party, a petition signed by people who oppose registration and other features. The petition decried government legislation that would ban rifles and shotguns, impose a $100 per gun registration fee and put limits on the amount of ammunition that will be available for sale. Those have nothing whatever to do with the proposals that we have put before this House. I would sign that petition.
I am here to say that people should be honest with the Canadian people about what these proposals are all about.
Immigration And Refugee Board December 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the premise of the hon. member's question is completely untrue. The legitimacy and the integrity of the board are not in question in these proceedings.
As to the broader question, this government has confidence in the process. In the final analysis it will be up to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to come to his own conclusion about the broader matter which has been raised here today.
Immigration And Refugee Board December 9th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will understand that the inquiry was directed under a section of the citizenship and immigration act which defines the proper ambit of the inquiry.
Under that section a judge appointed for that purpose is directed to inquire only into the allegations with respect to a particular member of the board and is confined to making recommendations with respect to what should happen as a consequence of any findings. That is by statute. The terms of reference for the judge in question were dictated by statute and were provided accordingly.
Gun Control December 7th, 1994
In concluding, Mr. Speaker, I want the hon. member to know that I have a decent respect for the opinion of my provincial and territorial counterparts but in the final analysis this is a matter for this federal government to deal with. We are showing leadership on the issue. Our decisions were announced last week.
Gun Control December 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, we do not govern by head count. We govern by what is right.
This government's assessment of what is right was demonstrated last week in writing when I tabled our decision document in the House of Commons. That is this government's assessment of what is right.
Sexual Orientation December 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will be happy to know that both this minister and the government are moving quite freely, thank you very much. We are not paralysed by anything in this connection.
I want to take this opportunity to emphasize the commitment of this government in that regard. As I have said, as the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have said, this government is committed to the introduction of amendments to the Human Rights Act to add sexual orientation as grounds on which discrimination is prohibited. I think it is not so much a question of timing. It is a question of principle and commitment and that bill will be introduced in this House.
Gun Control December 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the premise upon which the question is based is fundamentally flawed.
The introduction of a national registration system will not only enhance community safety, but it will choke off one of the important sources of supply for criminals getting hold of guns.
In terms of the cost, the provincial attorney general in Alberta is reported to have referred to the sum of $500,000. He did not indicate how he arrived at that sum.
Last week we published as a federal government our estimate of the cost. We fully expect that to be a very reliable estimate in all the circumstances.
Gun Control December 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, consultation was engaged in continuously with officials in the offices of every provincial and territorial attorneys general, every one of them.
Let me add in response to the hon. member's question that consideration of invoking the notwithstanding clause in relation to the legislation reveals nothing more than a profound misunderstanding of the nature of the clause and the Constitution.
Government Expenditures December 7th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I can respond on behalf of myself by saying that the government examined the cost implications of every element of its firearms control program.
In accordance with the ordinary parliamentary process those matters will be examined in detail before the relevant committee of the House.