House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1997, with 53% of the vote.
Petitions December 7th, 1994
I apologize, Madam Speaker. The petitioners request that Parliament refuse to accept the justice minister's anti-firearms proposal and insist that he bring forward legislation to convict and punish criminals, rather than persecute innocent law-abiding citizens. I agree with my petitioners.
Petitions December 7th, 1994
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I rise today to present 203 signatures not only of people from Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt but of like minded people from all across B.C. including North Vancouver, Langley, Surrey and Burnaby.
The petitioners are opposing the anti-firearms legislation that the justice minister is pursuing. Therefore the petitioners request that Parliament refuse to accept Mr. Rock's anti-firearms proposal and insist that he bring forth legislation-
Corrections And Conditional Release Act December 1st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Surrey-White Rock-South Langley for providing me with this opportunity to speak on her private members' bill C-240. I strongly believe in the merits of the proposed legislation and what it endeavours to address. I encourage all my colleagues on both sides of the House to support it.
There are two essential components to the proposed legislation before us today. The first deals with the application for dangerous offenders designation. The second part would eliminate the requirement of the crown to prove than an offender is likely to commit serious harm, especially as it relates to assaults of children. It is this second component on which my remarks will focus this afternoon.
Childhood is supposed to be a time of innocence, of exploring, learning and growing. For far too many kids, however, their childhood has become an unending nightmare created by those repugnant sexual predators who prey on children. It is a sad commentary on today's society that more and more frequently we read in our newspapers about cases of sexual abuse or assault where innocent children have been the victims, in some cases ending with the death of a child.
Imagine the terror in those instances where the abuse continues for years, where the child is terrified into silence by threats against themselves or their parents and family. This is a common tactic used by these monsters to control their victims. Not one of us in this Chamber can forget the atrocities of Clifford Olson. The very fact that man still breathes today is an affront to the memory of his victims, defenceless, innocent children.
This bill addresses these problems. Bill C-240 provides for indefinite incarceration of dangerous offenders who prey on our young society.
Whose rights are more significant here, the rights of a convicted sexual predator or the rights of a child? Who among us wants to condemn any child to the danger posed by these offenders? Do they pose a threat? That is the question we should ask. Cases upon cases show that upon release these predators are likely to reoffend. Research shows a very poor rate of rehabilitation in these cases. The very least we can do is make provisions for the courts and the judicial authorities to protect our children from those who are likely to turn another child's life into a nightmare, or even murder a child.
Law-abiding Canadians, and maybe that is too legalistic, or ordinary Canadians like you and me and the people who live on our main streets in our communities are absolutely fed up with hearing about offenders' rights. What about the rights of the little child? How can the House even consider any measure that puts the perpetrators' rights above those of innocent victims? If these offenders pose a risk of any sort to the public, to little children, for goodness' sake let us keep them in jail. Some would say let us keep them in jail until they rot.
Canadians will no longer tolerate the lenient Liberal justice system of the past 20 years. They are struck with disbelief of the travesties of justice about which they have read in their daily newspapers of repeat offenders who are released on parole or on work release into unsuspecting communities.
The rage that is felt by the public at these crimes demands that we in this place, their representatives, take action and take action now. The public no longer has the patience to deal with MPs who will not respect their constituents' wishes. If the members opposite have any doubt in their minds about that, they had better consult with their constituents.
This fall 16-year old Pamela Cameron of Surrey, B.C., was raped and murdered. The man charged with the murder, James Owen, is in the words of the director of the Canadian Police Association "a walking advertisement" for the dangerous offender legislation before us today. He has a record of 28 prior criminal convictions, including rape, and refused all sexual behaviour and substance abuse treatment programs that were offered to him in prison. The authorities should be able to look at this case and keep offenders like Owen in prison beyond their sentence. Perhaps, just perhaps, maybe Pamela Cameron would be alive today.
I have held a number of townhall meetings in my constituency. My constituents have voiced their concerns and outrage at this crime and many others. They have called on hon. members in this place to act.
Perhaps little eight-year old Mindy Tran of Kelowna would be alive today if the provisions before us had been enacted.
Today in my riding alone there are some eight cases of sexual assault before the courts involving children: eight lives damaged, eight kids forced to go through the hell of abuse. Recently a school principal was convicted of molesting his 15-year old foster child. There have also been two recent cases where fathers were convicted of sexually abusing their children. There is another case before the courts where a neighbour sexually assaulted a little girl for two years before it came to light, and this suspect, a known sexual offender, had been released.
Even the B.C. attorney general has recognized the need for more severe sentences in these cases and, as my local newspaper, the Penticton Herald , reported in an editorial: ``Respect for the individual rights should not take precedence over public safety''.
These crimes involving children tear into the heart of the communities where they occur. Every parent must shudder in horror at the atrocities committed on these poor children.
What of these young victims? Currently the onus is on the system to prove that an offender is likely to commit serious harm in cases that involve sexual assault on children. The actual harm to the child may not be evident for several years or even decades. It is difficult for adults, let alone children, to adequately communicate the effects of a sexual crime on them. It is our responsibility as a society and as members of this place to protect children from these vile, sexual predators.
Parents in communities across the land raise a hue and cry when such criminals are released into their communities. Why? It is because experience shows that there is a very good chance they will offend again, and this time the victim could be their own child.
Parents want to protect their children. Short of imprisoning kids at home they cannot because the judicial system does not give them a chance to do so. Even courts have ruled that convicted child molesters have the right to hang around schoolyards and playgrounds. They have that right. That is absurd. If the benighted charter of rights is causing this insanity then it had better be amended.
Many of my hon. colleagues in this place are parents or grandparents. This tragedy has to strike in their own homes before the House hears their cries of outrage. Can we as people stand by and see even one more defenceless child brutalized or murdered by a sexual predator? I think not.
I call on all members of the House to unite on Bill C-240 and protect our children. We have a chance to make a difference. Let us not throw it away. Canadian kids are counting on us.
In closing, I would like to remind everyone how this day started and each day starts in the House when the Speaker says these words: "Grant us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to preserve the blessings of this country for the benefit of all and to make good laws and wise decisions".
Bill C-240 is a good law and I pray all members make the wise decision and vote yes to Bill C-240.
Petitions November 30th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, my constituents from Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt call on Parliament to reject any proposals which might add to the existing regulatory restrictions regarding firearms; to respect the integrity of law-abiding, responsible firearms owners; to cause the Government of Canada to take such measures as are necessary to provide for strict enforcement of existing statutes governing the use of firearms in the commission of a criminal offence, with particular emphasis on the rigorous use of section 85 of the Criminal Code; and to provide strict sentencing guidelines and mandatory sentences for anyone convicted of the use or possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime in which violence is threatened or actually used.
I concur with my petitioners.
Bosnia November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister wants something the Prime Minister cannot get because the situation has escalated. There is no humanitarian aid being conducted in Bosnia.
General Rose said this morning that the situation was beyond the capabilities of a peacekeeping mission. If the troops needed to control the situation were brought in, Canadian peacekeepers would be forced into a combat situation when they have no mandate to participate in war.
Is the Prime Minister suggesting that Canadians should go to war in Bosnia or is the Prime Minister suggesting that Canadian troops should come out? What is the Canadian government's position?
Bosnia November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the Bosnian Serbs have announced that they will shell the Canadian base at Visoko. Canadian personnel are
hunkered down in bunkers at this moment. The Sarajevo airport is closed. There is no humanitarian aid getting through.
Does the Prime Minister still insist that Canadian troops have a purpose in Bosnia?
Bosnia November 28th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, media reports in Europe and Canada are saying that the American CIA has taken the side of the Bosnian Muslims in the war in the former Yugoslavia.
This U.S. position jeopardizes the UNPROFOR mission. Can the Prime Minister tell Canadians if he has communicated with the American government about these reports? What position has the Prime Minister taken with the United States?
Bosnia November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, just two months ago the minister will recall that he renewed the six month commitment. I would like to quote from page 6087 of the September 23, 1994 Hansard . The minister said: ``if the situation on the ground changes or if the political or military situation calls into question the safety of Canadian troops or the usefulness of the UNPROFOR mandate''. This is clearly happening. Will the minister show leadership today and pull our troops out of this situation?
Bosnia November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the Serbs have said: "If you hit us, this means all out war". Meanwhile 200 peacekeepers are being detained, including 55 Canadian troops. Clearly our peacekeepers are in imminent danger despite claims to the contrary. This is no longer a peacekeeping situation. Will the Minister of National Defence pull our troops out?
Petitions November 24th, 1994
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36 I rise today to present a petition from constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt. To date I have presented 898 signatures to a petition regarding further legislation on gun control.
There are legitimate reasons for people to own guns, including hunting, collecting and target shooting. Some people have actually distinguished themselves in Canada for their expertise in this particular area.
The petitioners are asking the Government of Canada to get tough on criminals and not to get tougher on law-abiding gun owners. Therefore they oppose any further legislation for firearms acquisition and possession. They call on the government to provide strict guidelines and mandatory sentencing for the use or possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime, and I agree with the petitioners.