Herb Gray

[Gun Smuggling, November 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I will see what additional information I can obtain for the hon. member.

I also point out that this area of the smuggling of arms is one that is being examined and worked on by the Minister of Justice, the Minister of National Revenue and myself to be dealt with as part of our package for stronger gun control.

I hope the hon. member's question indicates that he and other members of the House, but especially his party, will give us strong support when we bring forward those measures.

[Gun Smuggling, November 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the national anti-smuggling program announced last February was aimed not only at cigarettes but at other forms of smuggling, like the smuggling of weapons.

The added resources both of the mounted police and of the Department of National Revenue are working to deal with the smuggling of arms as well as the smuggling of other goods. This co-operation has intensified and the objectives of the plan, therefore, are being pursued as we said they would be.

[Canadian Security Intelligence Service, November 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, responses about the CSE would have to come from the Minister of National Defence.

With regard to the matter reported in the press as being the subject matter of a book, which I have not seen yet, I have just read about it in the press, I understand the matter of Ryszard Paskowski was thoroughly examined by the Security Intelligence Review Committee. In its annual report for 1987-88 it stated: "CSIS dealt properly with Ryszard Paskowski". I think that speaks for itself.

[Canadian Security Intelligence Service, November 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this matter was reviewed by the Security Intelligence Review Committee and was reported on in its public report in 1987-88. It is my recollection that the Security Intelligence Review Committee in that report found that CSIS had acted properly, contrary to the allegations.

[Business Of The House, October 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to present the weekly business statement. When you call Orders of the Day, we will commence the second reading debate on Bill C-57 regarding the World Trade Organization.

Tomorrow we will start with Bill C-36 regarding the Split Lake agreement. This will be followed by resumption of debate on Bill C-53 regarding the Canadian heritage department reorganization, and Bill C-54 respecting technical changes in the Canada pension plan and old age security legislation.

On Monday we will commence second reading of Bill C-56, amendments to the environmental assessment legislation. We would then return to uncompleted debates such as those on Bills C-53, C-54, C-36, or Bill C-55, the Yukon surface rights bill.

On Tuesday we shall return if necessary to Bill C-57, followed by resumption of other unfinished debates.

On Wednesday we shall begin with Bill C-50, the Canadian Wheat Board amendments after which we would again return to unfinished debates.

We will assess progress on legislation early next week before announcing business for Thursday and Friday. However members opposite may want to know now that I may well designate next Thursday as an opposition day, but this will be subject obviously to confirmation.

[Penitentiaries, October 26th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, an independent investigation has been convened, headed by the retired former deputy police chief of the city of Toronto. Under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act that investigation has the status of an investigation under part II of the Inquiries Act.

If the hon. member is serious about this matter he will be happy to hear this news from me.

[Penitentiaries, October 26th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, before the transfer was carried out, the professional staff of the Correctional Service had formally upgraded Bath to medium security status, after adding additional protection measures. That is the fact, Mr. Speaker.

[Penitentiaries, October 26th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kinsella had been in a medium security institution since 1986. He was transferred to another medium security institution, Bath.

The letters of warning from Mr. Code, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, were to the effect that Mr. Kinsella should not be transferred to a minimum security institution, specifically Beaver Creek. The advice on Mr. Kinsella was followed by the Correctional Service officials because Mr. Kinsella was not transferred to Beaver Creek or any other minimum security institution.

[Legal Assistance Agreement, October 24th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the mutual legal assistance agreement signed today between Canada and India is not intended to infringe basic rights or create harassment of anyone. It is designed to intensify co-operation between law enforcement authorities in Canada and in India. It is similar to agreements we already have with a number of other countries.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, October 21st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the need for further drug investigators in Nanaimo is being reviewed by Deputy Commissioner Farrell, the head of the RCMP in British Columbia. I am advised that it is expected that he will be able to find additional resources to respond to the hon. member's concern. It is a concern that I share.

I repeat, I am informed that it is likely it will be possible very soon to have the additional resources placed in Nanaimo.