Martin Cauchon

[Child Pornography, April 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, based on his own experience the hon. member knows full well that I cannot comment on the case because it is still before the court.

As I said, the government has been very active. It is looking very actively into the matter. For example Bill C-15A creates a new offence. Of course we are open for discussion. We are looking very actively into the matter. We have provisions within the criminal code that strike the very delicate balance we need in order to have an effective tool in fighting child pornography.

[Child Pornography, April 11th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the member of parliament has raised a very serious question.

We all know that the government is firmly committed to protecting children in Canada. We have within the criminal code sections that have been declared valid by the Supreme Court of Canada. We are acting in a very dynamic way. For example, Bill C-15A is creating a new offence.

[Access to Information, April 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the question. As we know, the government established last summer in August a task force to look into the question of access to information.

We expect the report to be tabled later this spring. Of course we all know that the government is firmly committed to looking into the question.

[An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Cruelty to Animals and Firearms) and the Firearms Act, April 9th, 2002]

moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in at report stage with a further amendment.

[Gun Registry, March 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first of all the government is very proud of the choice it has made in terms of policy. We are proceeding with gun registration, making sure as well that to carry sidearms in this country will be seen as a privilege and not as a right, and including the framework to ensure we will continue to have a safe and secure country and communities.

Second, the gun registry system works well. Of course we did proceed with it lately and public works department will proceed with outsourcing to ensure that we keep offering the population very good services. The licence process is over and now we are proceeding with the registration.

[Youth Justice, March 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I speak for all Canadians when I say that we deplore the violence that Jonathan Wamback suffered. I admire the courage and determination that Jonathan and his family have shown in dealing with this tragedy.

Even though we know that over the past few years violent youth crime has declined, we all know that we have to keep working on it. The government has invested in crime prevention and not long ago we enacted a new legal system regarding the youth justice system. That will improve the situation. As well, we have increased the participation of families, victims and community members.

[Justice, February 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we will table child support guidelines this coming May.

With regard to the reforms, of course we have to look at the possibility of passing legislation, but as well we have to focus on the notion of services. We are working with the provinces and territories and we will make our decision known quite shortly.

[Justice, February 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we will proceed this May to issue new guidelines in regard to custody and access. As well, we are working with the provinces and territories to review the possibility of proceeding with some reform to the legislation. Our standpoint will always be in the best interests of the children.

[Gun Registry, February 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, very simply put, if the hon. member would read the budget and the Speech from the Throne, he would see that we have invested a lot of money to ensure that we protect our society. We proceeded as well lately with the enactment of new legislation to protect our society. Of course gun registration is something fantastic. We will keep working to protect Canadian society. This government has made a difference.

[Gun Registry, February 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to live in a society which is indeed very secure compared with many countries in the world. As well, we have had the courage in the past to make choices about security in our society and the firearm registration system is one good choice that we have made as Liberals on this side of the House, and for which I stand.

Lately we have proceeded with some outsourcing so we can keep offering the Canadian population very good services. We believe in what we are doing. At the end of the day, it is to ensure that we continue to protect our society.