Allan Rock

[Human Rights, September 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this government remains committed to exactly such an amendment and we will introduce a bill to that effect.

I should say in response to the member's question that in doing so we will not only fulfil a commitment and provide for a matter of fundamental justice, but we will also bring the federal statute into conformity with eight provincial human rights acts, some of which date back to 1977 on that topic. We will have the federal law conform with what the courts have in any event been reading into the act for many years.

In the view of this government it is about time that our federal statute reflect the reality in Canada.

[Gun Control, September 26th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the process I am following in putting together proposals for this House involves looking at the record, the statistics of crime in Canada, the effectiveness of laws already in place, and consulting broadly with Canadians interested on a wide variety of these subjects.

I fully expect the proposals we bring forward will be well grounded in fact and in experience.

[Justice, September 26th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the justice in this as in all other cases will come from a thorough, methodical and objective analysis of the facts.

It is easy to suggest, if one's only point of reference is reports in the media, that the witness who allegedly recanted her testimony should by now have been interviewed. However, an acquaintance with the facts of this case would also lead one to conclude that before any such interview is carried out the persons doing it should examine all the documents, be conversant with the entire record, and know exactly what questions to ask.

[Justice, September 26th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in the last analysis, because this is an application under section 690 of the Criminal Code, I am personally responsible for dealing with the merits of Mr. Kelly's application for the crown's mercy.

It is a responsibility I take very seriously. The process that has been in place since the day we received the application in early 1994 has been monitored on a regular basis.

The member makes reference to police records. Representatives on my behalf attended at the police headquarters in Toronto to review the entire police file. We have taken the position with counsel for Mr. Kelly that we will disclose to him all of those records that are relevant to the issues raised in the application, and that will be done.

I can tell the hon. member that day by day and week by week I am monitoring this investigation. It is being conducted thoroughly and is entirely in accordance with reasonable time limits.

[Gun Control, September 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I shall be happy to take it up with the minister. I am certain he is aware of it.

But I do not think we should conclude for a moment that the question of gun control applies uniquely to people trading in munitions or robbing the cornerstore with a handgun or hunters who perhaps might be careless on occasion with a rifle. It pertains to all of that and more and we are taking a comprehensive look at the entire subject.

I do not suggest for a moment, nor have I ever, that the question is narrow. I suggest it is broad. It involves illegal firearms in the country and we should do something about that. It involves criminals using firearms, and we must do more about that. But we cannot forget either that 1,400 people per year lose their lives in this country as a result of firearms, 1,100 by suicides and one-third of those are in the age group of 15 to 22 who perhaps act impulsively on a single episode.

Let us look at the whole question. I will take up that matter with my colleague in cabinet but I shall work away at proposals that deal with the whole question.

[Gun Control, September 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I hope it is evident from my responses earlier today that the approach we are taking will deal with just the issue the hon. member has described. We will deal with the presence of illegal firearms in the country in a comprehensive and effective way. We will toughen the response of the criminal justice system to those criminals who use firearms in the commission of offences.

However I am not one of those who believes this issue is rural or urban in its division. I believe, as I think many others do, that those persons who live in rural areas are just as concerned as the urban dwellers with their personal security and safety. The facts establish that the per capita homicide rate from firearms over 10 years based on 5,000 deaths is higher in the rural areas of this country than it is in the urban areas. So we must pay attention to both the urban and the rural setting. Ultimately the bottom line for this government is the safety of this society.

[Gun Control, September 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly the exercise in which we are now engaged.

[Gun Control, September 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice has indeed commissioned studies. It has received factual research information about the situation with firearms in this country.

We have read with interest some research information released yesterday by the Toronto police about the incidence of the use of handguns in the commission of crime in that city. We read the report recently about the defects in the present registration system for restricted firearms and the need to improve the registration system.

We have read studies about the need for change in the criminal law to send the message that if one uses a firearm in the commission of an offence, one will get a stern response from the justice system.

Our proposals will be based upon fact. They are going to be based upon research. But they are going to be based more than anything else upon the policy of this government which is to take steps that ensure the safety of our society.

[Gun Control, September 22nd, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the process in which I am engaged has taken me across the country to speak to people interested in this subject. I have consulted with my colleagues in the Liberal caucus who come from every province and territory of the country.

Rather than tell the House today what it is that is going to be done, we are developing proposals through that consultation and we are being respectful of the legitimate interests of firearms owners.

I can tell the hon. member, as I emphasize on each occasion when I am given the opportunity to do so, that our fundamental objective is a safer society, that we are going to deal with illegal firearms in this country, that we are going to toughen the criminal law in its response to those who use firearms in the commission of offences, and we are going to deal with the regulation of firearms in the hands of lawful owners in a manner consistent with safety in our society.

[Gun Control, September 22nd, 1994]

-that in complying with the Prime Minister's request of me I would assemble proposals that both take their legitimate interests into account and serve the interests of all Canadians who want a safe society.