Allan Rock

[Young Offenders Act, October 26th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to comment on the facts of the case. I will speak to the point generally.

Let me say that the member is himself participating in the work of the justice committee of the House of Commons, which has been engaged for many weeks in hearings with respect to Bill C-37, proposals to amend the Young Offenders Act.

In that capacity the member has heard witnesses who have been before the committee saying that in their view the Young Offenders Act as it exists at present is more than sufficient, if properly administered, to deal with juvenile justice in the country.

The changes in Bill C-37 represent the amendments that the government thinks are appropriate at this time. The member knows we have asked the standing committee to commence, as soon as it finishes with Bill C-37, a comprehensive review of the statute as a whole, crossing the country, listening to experts, speaking to police, principals, parents, and hearing views about other changes that may be appropriate to the act.

The member knows that process is going to be undertaken. Indeed he is going to be part of it. I trust he will come back to the House with responsible recommendations at the end of it.

[Justice, October 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I made my position clear some months ago.

The government's position on section 745 is crystal clear. We introduced an amendment to section 745 to provide plainly that whenever an application is brought under that section that the court is obligated to hear from the families of the victims.

That is the change we propose in section 745. It is contained in Bill C-41 and that is the policy of this government.

[Justice, October 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in the year that we have been here and in connection with the justice agenda we have not only introduced specific changes to the Young Offenders Act which are now before the committee on which he makes a very constructive contribution, we have also asked that committee to undertake a complete review of the Young Offenders Act to ensure that we still have the best model of juvenile justice in this country.

In addition to that we have introduced comprehensive changes, improvements to the sentencing provisions of the Criminal Code and we have passed through this House of Commons an omnibus amendment to the Criminal Code with over 100 changes to modernize and make criminal law more effective.

Beyond that response through legislation with my colleague, the Solicitor General, this government has also created the national crime prevention council recognizing that crime prevention is a very important part of making our communities safer. That balanced approach is succeeding and is going to succeed further in making our communities safer.

[Firearms, October 25th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member will know, there are already sections in the code that create offences in relation to illegal firearms, some of which provide for extended maximum sentences. The member will also know that the whole firearms policy has been under review by this government intensively in recent weeks.

I will be introducing proposals in the coming weeks before the House of Commons that will deal among other things with illegal firearms entering Canada and the sanctions in the criminal justice system for those persons who use firearms in the commission of crimes.

[Criminal Code, October 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, may I first emphasize that I share the hon. member's concern and sense of urgency, but I want to emphasize that it is not a situation in which nothing is being done.

The issue gained prominence in the spring primarily by virtue of the report by Dr. Glenda Simms and the national committee which she chairs. When I inquired about it, I found that the provincial attorneys general in the provinces where this practice is an issue are hard at work with task forces, with police and enforcement efforts and they continue.

The advice I received from those active in the field was that a Criminal Code amendment was not the answer. What is needed

is to get into the communities, spread the word, gather evidence and prosecute when it is appropriate.

One of the problems is getting people to come forward to testify. That is one of the problems. I do not think a change in the Criminal Code will get at that.

[Criminal Code, October 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I am unable to answer that factual question today. However I will be happy to inquire and let the hon. member know when I am certain of the facts.

Speaking to her point more generally I can say that in the spring when this matter was raised in the House I undertook to take several weeks to inform myself and respond to the suggestion that we need a separate provision in the Criminal Code to forbid this deplorable practice. I made those inquiries, including conversations with colleagues and other ministries that share the responsibility, particularly with provincial and territorial attorneys general. After doing that I concluded and informed the House that the better view is there are provisions in the code at present which already make it clear that this is criminal conduct. I said at the time that what we need is not only vigilant enforcement of those Criminal Code provisions but also a program of information to educate immigrants and others that this is impermissible and will be prosecuted.

We are continuing to monitor that. In fact, as recently as last week I asked to be briefed with respect to the present state of the practices in Canada with respect to education and enforcement.

I assure the hon. member, if I may conclude, and I will just take a moment to say it, that if the practice is continuing notwithstanding the efforts on education and enforcement of the present provisions, I do not rule out a separate section of the code if I believe it is necessary to bring this deplorable practice to an end.

[Gun Control, October 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I will admit no such thing. The Liberal caucus, like the country as a whole, wants to discuss every aspect of the issue to make sure we get it right.

There are varying points of view. We are not embarrassed by it; we are proud of it. It reflects the diverse nature of the population. In caucus, in cabinet, we will discuss every aspect of the issue and then we will bring forward proposals that are well thought out and for which we have prepared the country through the kind of consultation in which I am personally engaged.

[Gun Control, October 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is quite right in saying that the tragic and troubling events in Toronto yesterday merely serve to remind us of the importance and the urgency of this challenge. Far from holding back proposals in this regard, the Department of Justice is busy preparing them in detail.

I returned this week from a trip to Alberta and the Northwest Territories; before that to British Columbia and Yukon; before that to the maritimes and Quebec; and before that to Ontario and the central part of the country. Everywhere I have gone I have spoken with interested groups, putting together a package of proposals that will be introduced in the House in the near future which will deal not only with illegal firearms but also with the criminal penalties for the misuse of firearms, and which will add further sensible and needed regulation to the control of firearms in private ownership. That is our proposal.

[Criminal Code, October 7th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, without agreeing to the interpretation put on that judgment by the hon. member I can tell him and the House that I am concerned about the implications of the judgment. I share some of the concerns that have been expressed during the week in the wake of its release.

The whole general part of the Criminal Code has been under study for some decades actually. However in the coming weeks we are going to be releasing a discussion paper with respect to it. It includes the question of defences, including self-intoxication. We are going to make proposals for public discussion including the possibility that we can avoid this controversy by creating a criminal offence of criminal intoxication leading to misconduct.

That approach which was discussed by the Law Reform Commission as long as eight years ago has its merits. It has disadvantages as well. We will hear during the discussion period how people feel about that approach and we will learn from it.

In any event, I want to tell the hon. member that we are aware of the concerns arising from the judgment last week. We are examining alternative ways to ensure public safety.

[Department Of Public Works And Government Services Act, September 30th, 1994]

moved that Bill C-52, an act to establish the Department of Public Works and Government Services and to amend and repeal certain acts, be read the second time and referred to a committee.