Martin Cauchon

[Contraventions Act, May 27th, 2003]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-38, An Act to amend the Contraventions Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Justice, May 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, yes, the bill is consistent with the government's position on sexual orientation. Having said that, there is a parliamentary process in place. The standing committee is seized with the bill, so let us see what its recommendations will be. It will report back to the House with its recommendations as well.

[Marijuana, May 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that these are somewhat irresponsible remarks, given that developing a policy like the one we will be tabling in this place within a week takes time and requires extensive consultations.

When I talk about consultations, I mean that a number of departments are involved. The policy is ready. And so is the renewal of the national drug strategy.

The money is there, and it will be with great pleasure that, along with my hon. colleagues, I will be announcing a policy to ensure that the right messages are sent here, in Canada.

[Marijuana, May 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, first, a bill cannot be introduced before it has been put on the Order Paper.

Second, I have always been clear on this. We want to go ahead as soon as possible, and we said we would go ahead before the summer recess.

Yesterday, I said very clearly that we will be bringing in the bill and the whole policy when we come back from the break week. That having been said, I will repeat that what we are doing, we are doing for the Canadian public, and we are doing it in our capacity as the Canadian government.

Moreover, we are motivated by the desire to send, with respect to the use of marijuana, the following messages: it is illegal, and it is harmful to your health. These messages—

[Marijuana, May 15th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker—

[Marijuana, May 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I just would like to mention that if we look at the report of the standing committee of the House, which was tabled last year, the party of the hon. member has supported the idea of proceeding with alternative measures and decriminalization.

Having said that, when we are talking about the national drug strategy, we are talking about investing in research. We are talking about better enforcement. The message that we want to send to all Canadians is that the use of drugs in Canada is illegal. We want to ensure that people understand it is harmful to their health. As well, we want to ensure that we proceed with much better enforcement.

[Marijuana, May 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, essentially last year the standing committee of the House of Commons tabled a report. As well, the Senate tabled a report. We have reviewed the recommendations. As we said, we are planning to proceed shortly with a national strategy with regard to the use of cannabis in the county.

When we are talking about proceeding with a strategy, we are talking about a reform of the cannabis law and, at the same time, the renewal of the national drug strategy as a package.

[Youth Criminal Justice Act, May 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I just do not know what he is talking about. When we look at the existing legislation, it is still possible for a youth to face an adult sentence under some circumstances.

Having said that, the court of appeal decided that the two presumptions were against the charter. We decided not to appeal because we believe there is a way to meet the objective of the legislation without appealing. As I have said, this fall we will proceed with amendments to the act in order to clarify the situation. In that way we will meet the objective while respecting the Canadian Charter of Rights because we believe in the Canadian Charter of Rights and--

[Youth Criminal Justice Act, May 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we decided not to appeal. That decision, first, said that the Canadian government has indeed the jurisdiction with regard to youth criminal justice. Second, it struck down the section of the bill regarding the question of the presumption in place.

The fact that we decided not to appeal does not water down the bill at all. We will be able to meet the same objectives while respecting the Canadian Charter of Rights. This is important. As I said, we will go ahead this fall with something in order to clarify the legislation.

[Justice, May 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report that we have a fantastic Supreme Court in Canada. I am proud to say that when talking to people all over the world and asking them what they think about the Canadian legal system, they believe that it is an outstanding legal system.

I am also proud that a lot of judges are going all over the world to tell people about the way we do things here, the way we are acting, and about the fantastic legal system we have in place. The member should be ashamed to start that discussion.