House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 24% of the vote.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, it is important to understand that what the members opposite do not like is quite simple: after the hearings, the government decided to listen and make amendments.
The members opposite do not like reality. The fact is that the government has shown itself to be flexible. The government made over 160 amendments. Clearly they would like to continue debating the bill ad nauseam but there are people working in the field who want us to move forward, and that is what we will be doing.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as I have said, if we look at the bill as a cornerstone, even though it is not in the House, it seems clear to me that it focuses first and foremost on the rehabilitation of young offenders. We believe that principle is important. We believe as well that in proceeding with rehabilitation there is a chance for young offenders. Let us look at the way provinces have applied the legislation in past years. Some have been very successful with that principle. We are very proud of that. We are also proud to be moving forward with a bill that would put in place rehabilitation as a principle which can be found in Bill C-7.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, once again, it should be noted that it is not the bill that is before the House but rather the amendment.
On the opposition benches they say that the government is being inflexible. I think it is important for people to understand that after testimony was heard—we know that the House committee travelled across the country—the bill was amended. There were more than 160 amendments.
Some people say that the government is not listening. Has any other bill received over 160 amendments? The government's position on this demonstrates, at the very least, a great deal of flexibility. With those 160 amendments to Bill C-7, we were able to put in place reforms that will benefit all the population.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I know all parties on the other side of the House would like to re-open debate on the bill but the bill is not in the House at this point in time. We are talking about an amendment.
It is rather curious that they would want to re-open debate on the bill knowing the amount of time we have spent discussing Bill C-7. The process began back in 1995.
What I am saying today is that it is time to move forward and proceed with the full implementation of this brand new reform and vision.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the hidden goal of the actual discussion is the amendment that was sent back by the Senate to the House of Commons, an amendment that reflects a principle that already exists in Bill C-7.
I would refer the House to clause 3, the declaration of principle. The amendment is in conformity and according to the provision that we have in Bill C-7.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times today, what we have today in the House is the amendment from the Senate.
If we look at clause 3 of the bill we find a declaration of principle. It seems quite obvious that the bill focuses on rehabilitation. We believe there is a possibility for those young people. This is always very sensitive. We need to have a balanced approach. With regard to the victims, the bill gives more room for the victims than the actual legislation.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, the debate has begun.
Let us have some fun. They want to talk about the time spent on reviewing the bill, which is not up for debate today.
The process began in 1995. Hearings were held across the country, including in Quebec, by a House committee, which tabled its report in 1997. We had Bill C-68, followed by Bill C-3 and then Bill C-7.
The House of Commons committee heard 93 witnesses, while the Senate committee heard 72 witnesses. The bill was under consideration for a total of 75 hours in the House committee and 40 hours in the Senate committee, and over 160 amendments were put forward.
What we have before us, namely Bill C-7, is good legislation. People now want us to move forward so we can work together as partners to implement this legislation and the measures needed to promote the rehabilitation of young offenders.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we do not have any lessons to learn from the other side of the House. Our party has given more free votes to its members than any other party in the past.
With regard to the amendment, as I have said many times, such a provision is found in the criminal code. Essentially the amendment reflects the principle of the legislation that we find in clause 3. With regard to the possibility of the opposition parties voicing their concerns to Bill C-7, I will just mention the number of hours we have spent discussing the bill.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, what we are dealing with today is called overstatement. It should be pointed out that those members have a tendency, when they speak about Quebec, to claim that they do so in the name of all Quebecers.
I would simply tell them that I have also been elected by Quebecers, like many other members of the Liberal Party caucus. There are people on the government side who come from Quebec, who are proud to be Quebecers and who are doing a very good job of protecting the interests of the whole population of Quebec.
With regard to meetings, one only has to look at the work that was done on Bill C-7, for instance, by the Standing Committee on Justice. Ninety-three witnesses appeared before the committee on Bill C-7 and Bill C-3.
In the Senate, 72 witnesses were heard. I believe the time has come to move on and to find a way to work together to implement a bill that will serve the whole population of Canada.
Youth Criminal Justice Act February 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as I have said, the amendment is essentially based on one of the principles of Bill C-7. Clause 3 of Bill C-7 takes into consideration young aboriginals. The Senate amendment takes this into consideration as well as the sentencing. The exact same thing is found in the criminal code.
This is always a very sensitive issue. We on this side of the House do believe in rehabilitation. If we look at clauses 3 and 19 of Bill C-7 there is a place for victims which did not exist in the previous legislation.