Michel Bellehumeur

[Telecommunications, February 1st, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of National Defence.

Yesterday, it was reported that since 1989, the Communications Security Establishment had awarded three contracts worth $1.1 million for developing devices capable of intercepting conversations originating from telephones and fax machines.

Could the minister tell us whether the government is still funding the development and production of this so-called top secret equipment and whether the federal government intends to use these devices to monitor the private lives of Canadians and Quebecers?

[Cigarette Smuggling, January 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in view of the fact that it has been going on long enough, will the Solicitor General be forthright and tell the House why the media are able to compile such evidence and show it live on our TV screens, while the RCMP, with the tools at its disposal, is unable to gather evidence of this kind, and go after the real criminals?

[Cigarette Smuggling, January 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Solicitor General. Yesterday, the Prime Minister, justifying the reluctance of the RCMP to lay charges against cigarette smugglers, claimed that it did not have enough evidence to take action, and I quote: "-when it has compiled valid evidence, it takes quick action, as it must."

How is it that the RCMP does not yet have enough evidence to lay charges when, every night, we see smugglers strutting their stuff on TV?

[Cruise Missile Testing, January 26th, 1994]

I listened carefully to the speech by my colleague, the member for Vancouver Quadra. He gave a partial answer to my question but I still do not know if he is for or against those tests. Since he is from the Vancouver region, I would like him to tell us if his constituents gave him their opinion on that issue. Did he speak with them, did he get any information, can he tell us if yes or no his constituents agree with such testing?

[Speech From The Throne, January 24th, 1994]

First off I would like to congratulate the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata who reminded this House of the first objective Bloc Quebecois members have set for themselves during the last campaign.

Listening to her speech, one or two questions came to my mind. However, given the question of the last speaker I will rephrase it, to make it clearer to the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata, and to the House. As a member of this House, how does she interpret the mandate she received on October 25?

[Cigarette Smuggling, January 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, in that case, could the minister also tell me what he intends to do to enforce the law everywhere, including eight kilometres away from Saint-Eustache, where offenders sell cigarettes illegally and very openly?

[Cigarette Smuggling, January 20th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Solicitor General of Canada.

I was stunned to hear yesterday on the news that corner store owners in Saint-Eustache had their backs to the wall and were openly going to violate the law by selling contraband cigarettes. This clearly shows that Canadians are getting more and more frustrated by the government's lack of action regarding this contraband problem.

My question is: Does the minister intend to call on the RCMP to enforce the law in Saint-Eustache?