Martin Cauchon

[Firearms Registry, December 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we have been talking about transparency. I made my statement this morning because I respect this parliament and as well, the notion of transparency. It is important as well to inform the Canadian population.

As I have said many times, we believe in that policy. The policy is working. The gun registry is up and running. Of course we will keep proceeding at low cost. As I said this morning, there is still funding in the program. Of course at one point we will have to proceed with the same cash management as departments are doing on a regular basis.

[Firearms Registry, December 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to refer them to the press release which has been issued regarding the question of the deadline. The deadline remains. People were aware of that deadline a long time ago.

As well, regarding the numbers, the Auditor General has stated that all the spending was approved by Parliament. That is quite clear.

[Firearms Registry, December 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have said many times, and I repeated it this morning, that the deadline of December 31 is still there and has to be respected. Canadians have known this for a long time ago. Two weeks ago we announced an amnesty for those who would act in good faith respecting the deadline.

[Firearms Program, December 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, in 1978 when the government of the day first introduced modern firearms control legislation, the goal was to establish a program that improved public safety and saved lives.

Almost 25 years later, our goal remains the same. The Government of Canada believes that the firearms program contributes to public safety by keeping guns and ammunition out of the wrong hands, by deterring their misuse, and by controlling specific types of firearms.

We know, however, that there were many obstacles along the road to success, and that this road is not an easy one to travel.

In the first five years of the program, the basic requirements were constantly changing due to political and administrative needs. This made it extremely difficult to project costs and revenues.

Let me be clear. The government has always endeavoured to report the costs of the firearms program with diligence. Departmental costs have always been reported through approved Treasury Board framework guidelines. The department has reported many times to Parliament on the program, including appearances before the finance committee in the other place and the House Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

However, the Auditor General stated, and I agree, that we need to do better. We have to get the administration of this important public safety program back on track and do it in a cost-effective manner that Canadians can support.

Last week I announced interim cost cutting measures, including an immediate freeze on major spending for the firearms program. I also announced that I am reviewing the administration of the program with a view to finding cost efficiencies. Until that review is complete, the program will be run at minimum levels.

I have already indicated that there are some limited funds left in the firearms program. We are looking within existing justice operational appropriations to manage any shortfall in program resources until my review is complete.

I will report back to the House with an accounting of how we manage any shortfalls. I will be open. I will be transparent.

We will ensure that this approach does not infringe in any way upon the department's other programs. Furthermore, this approach will have no impact on agreements with the provinces and agencies.

Let me be very clear on the last two points. First, before I make a presentation in connection with the supplementary estimates next March, I will review the administration of this program.

Second, the government remains committed to the principles of the firearms program. We are aiming to improve the administration of the program. The principles of the program and our commitment to them remain unchanged. I have said that we will fix it, and we will fix it.

I understand the concerns expressed in the Auditor General's report and in the House. I have made a commitment to the House to carefully examine the costs and the administration of the program, to make improvements and to be transparent in my efforts to do these things. I am fulfilling my commitments. We will be building a better Canadian firearms program.

The deadline for the public to register their firearms remains December 31, 2002. I recently announced a grace period for those who have applied for but have not received their registration by this date, to ensure that those who have taken steps to comply with the deadline are not prosecuted.

The policy is sound. It reflects the values of Canadians.

[Firearms Registry, December 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it was not a backdoor request. It was part of the supplementary estimates which were tabled last week.

If the hon. member would read the report of the Auditor General he would see that we were talking about numbers that were reported through Justice Canada or other departments. What the Auditor General signaled essentially is that she would like to have a single point of accountability. We are working on that and we will keep proceeding with the registry because we believe in safety.

[Justice, December 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, discussions with regard to reforms to the Criminal Code are taking place on an ongoing basis. Various committees are looking at various parts of the Criminal Code as well. We are having federal, provincial and territorial discussions each and every time.

As well, we are planning to proceed with further amendments later next year. As everyone also knows, at this point in time we are consulting in order to see if reforms should take place in the criminal laws and if that is the case, the way we should proceed in order to fulfill our duties.

[Family Law, December 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his question. It is a very important question for families and children. As hon. members know, there have been many consultations on matters of family law.

Yesterday, I was especially proud to put forward amendments to the Divorce Act. First, these amendments continue to take the best interests of children into account. And the concepts of custody and visitation rights are being changed, making it an issue of parental responsibility now. It is no longer a matter of law, but a matter of responsibility.

In addition, the Canadian government continues to invest in support programs such as mediation programs. It is going ahead with adding more judges—

[Justice, December 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as the member said, I believe that we preserved the spirit. We are talking about parental responsibility. People wanted us to remove the notion of custody and access.

We will be investing money in social programs and will go ahead with expansion of the unified family court. We will invest money on that side as well.

[Justice, December 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to tell the House that this morning I tabled a bill amending the Divorce Act. Essentially, when we look at the bill itself and the whole package, there are three pillars.

We are talking about social programs to help families facing crises. We are talking as well about legislative change. We have chosen the notion of parental responsibility and to ensure that we take into consideration at all times, and this is paramount, the best interests of the child. There is very good news. We will expand the unified family court which has been a success for the legal system.

[Firearms Registry, December 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, safety is not irrelevant to us. We believe in safety. We will proceed with the program. It is a good program. We are starting to see the benefits of the program as a society as well.

I have said that I have accepted the recommendations. We will fix the problems.