Herb Gray

[Correctional Service Canada, December 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, this is the same question the hon. member asked my parliamentary secretary the other day. I have asked for a report from Correctional Service Canada on the justification for it. I will be happy to bring the information to the attention of my hon. friend.

I might also say in this connection that I want to make sure my hon. friend and all his party recognize that we appreciate very much his leader's good wishes of a few minutes ago, but of course we reject the unacceptable premise to his leader's question.

[Correctional Service Canada, December 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the system for the pay of inmates is currently under review. It is the intention to make changes in the levels of pay available to prisoners, which is basically something based on the work they do and the courses they take.

I thank the hon. member for his point. I will certainly see that it is brought to the attention of the staff of Correctional Service Canada.

[The Constitution, December 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I will say nothing to impeach the good wishes that were expressed by the Reform Party. We accept them in a very positive, forthcoming and gracious spirit. I hope that in the future members of the Reform Party will join with us in our commitment to national unity and abandon what seems to have been their previous obsession with separatism.

[The Constitution, December 14th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, in the justice system there is a provision whereby a judge can order somebody to be sent for a mental examination for a period of 30 days. Mr. Speaker, I was thinking that we might give you that authority and that the leader of the Reform Party be the first candidate for that procedure.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, December 13th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, earlier today the report in question was released by the RCMP, pursuant to an access to information request.

I did say I would like to see as much of the report as possible made public, subject to the need not to undermine the fairness of the disciplinary proceedings under way against certain RCMP members, subject to the need not to prejudice security at 24 Sussex, and subject to the need not to prejudice the criminal court proceedings against the suspect arrested in the course of the incident.

This has meant that certain portions of the report have had to be exempted, pursuant to the access to information and privacy laws. However, I am confident the measures already put in place by the RCMP for enhanced security will help ensure this kind of incident never takes place again.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, December 11th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that the spokesman for the Reform Party is asking that the solicitor general involve himself directly in police investigations.

I want to reflect on the implications of the hon. member's question. I will see what information I can properly provide to the hon. member in light of the convention I have mentioned that police investigations are carried on at arm's length from ministers.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, December 11th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I have told the House on a number of occasions that it is the custom or convention that solicitors general do not get directly involved in operational matters. This is particularly the case when it comes to investigations undertaken by the RCMP.

[Business Of The House, December 7th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, today and tomorrow are opposition days. Votes arising from these days and from other business of supply will be taken at the end of business on Monday, which is when the House will also vote on Motion No. M-26 which completed debate yesterday.

Our first priority next week is to dispose of report stage and third reading stage of Bill C-110, the constitutional amendment bill, that is to say the regional veto bill.

We would also like to refer Bill C-111, the unemployment insurance bill, to committee before second reading, pursuant to Standing Order 73(1). The House should take this as notice of our intention to do this.

On Monday we will probably start with Bill C-111 in the morning and turn to Bill C-110 in the afternoon, that is to say the bill on the regional veto.

We would also like to complete before Christmas as many bills as possible that are now at report stage or third reading stage. There will be ongoing discussions between the parties in this House for this purpose.

I am told the Standing Committee on Finance will have an interim report on budget consultations presented to the House before the middle of next week. We would like to have the House consider the report of the finance committee on Thursday and Friday next week.

[Penitentiaries, December 7th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, since the hon. member obviously did not listen to my answer, I suggest he read Hansard tomorrow and consider whether he wants to ask the question again.

[Penitentiaries, December 7th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, new policies are being put in place with respect to access to telephones by prisoners in federal institutions. Work is ongoing with respect to mailing privileges as well.

Would the hon. member, since he did not give me notice of the question, confirm that the prisoner in question is in fact in a federal institution?