Martin Cauchon

[Firearms Registration, April 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as I said many times in the House of Commons, the registration process was put in place to make sure that Canadian society received better protection with regard to the use of firearms. I stand for that principle and I guess the country as a whole stands for that principle.

As we have said, the registration, licensing and mechanisms are working quite well. We are proud of it as a government.

[Age of Consent, April 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I agree that the issues surrounding child pornography and age of consent are of great importance to all Canadians. This is why the government is reviewing the matter.

Given the importance of the issue, we must be cautious, thoughtful and thorough with respect to any amendments to the present criminal code provisions. That is exactly what the leader of the opposition party said today in the National Post , as well the member for Provencher.

I agree with that statement, but it is not what today's motion says. That is why I cannot support the motion as it is currently drafted.

[Age of Consent, April 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is sad to see that with such a complex and important issue for Canada the member is trying to score cheap political points.

He should listen to his leader, who said “What Canada really needs is to immediately embark on a well thought-out, consultative approach to dealing with these issues”. We agree with that.

[Age of Consent, April 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows by far that he is not correct. That is not what the parliamentary secretary said yesterday.

He is raising a very important issue. He is raising a complex issue. We know that the government has been working in order to make sure that as a nation we will keep protecting our children. Basically all members of the House are against child pornography. As we said, we have Bill C-15A. We got involved in two cases up to the Supreme Court of Canada in order to keep defending and protecting the provisions that we have within the criminal code.

We are going to keep working. As I said last week, we are going to keep working in order to improve the tools that we have to protect the children of our nation.

[Age of Consent, April 23rd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the member has to know that the government is already engaged in discussions regarding the age of consent. As I said last week, the government is actively looking into the matter. We started some time ago in the sense that we brought it to the federal-provincial-territorial table and there were discussions. As well, there is consultation among officials to see what type of consensus we can gather around that question.

[Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2001, April 18th, 2002]

moved the second reading of, and concurrence in Amendments Nos. 1( b ) and 2 amde by the Senate to Bill C15A, and act to amend the Criminal Code and to amend other acts; and that a message be sent to the Senate acquainting Their Honours with the non-concurrence this House with the amendment numbered 1( a ) made by the Senate to Bill C-15A, an act to amend the Criminal Code and to amend other acts, because the amendment could exempt offenders from criminal liability even in cases where they knowingly transmit or make available child pornography.

[Justice, April 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we will see what will happen on the Sharpe question. Of course I cannot comment on that specific case for reasons that are obvious.

Of course the government is very committed. We are actively involved in the matter. Bill C-15A will give us another tool in order to make sure that we will keep protecting our children. As I said last week, the Department of Justice is actively looking into it with other members of parliament who are working on the file.

[Justice, April 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is referring to a very sensitive issue. We all know that the government is committed to protecting children in Canada.

Of course I cannot comment on the question of the Sharpe case since it is still before the courts at this point in time. I would like to tell the member that the charter of rights is a cornerstone in the country. The provision we have in the criminal code is being looked at in order to make sure that we find a balance, but also to make sure that we protect the children of our country. The Department of Justice is looking into the matter.

[Young Offenders, April 17th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, they talk about democracy on the other side, but they are saying I sold out. I find it unfortunate that, in a democratic country, I am described as having sold out when I try to exercise my freedom of expression and my right to speak. These are fellow Quebecers. This is a disgrace.

[Young Offenders, April 17th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, people are saying I sold out. The Bloc Quebecois refuses to work here in a constructive and positive fashion. Look at the impact of the charter—