Lost his last election, in 1997, with 30% of the vote.
The Criminal Code October 3rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate that I did not say that everybody can be rehabilitated. I said some can be rehabilitated with treatment programs. I still believe some people need to be kept in jail because they are going to be violent criminals for the rest of their lives. I believe that is true as well.
Reformers do not agree that they say this. They say in very subtle ways that with these people they would throw the key away. I do not believe that is the case.
The Criminal Code October 3rd, 1996
I never said that, no.
The Criminal Code October 3rd, 1996
I am sure it is there.
About the review after 15 years, I spent 30 years in psychiatry and mental health. I have always believed there is the possibility that people can change. If that possibility is there, then we can look at a review of a criminal after 15 years. If that person has not appeared to have any change of heart, has not appeared to have any treatment programs who has not looked like he can change, then we keep him in jail.
However, do we have to keep everybody in jail who has a sentence of 25 years and the opportunity for parole? We as a Liberal government believe that at times criminals can change. Their behaviour can change and they can come back into society to contribute.
The Criminal Code October 3rd, 1996
You say it all the time.
The Criminal Code October 3rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the member asked about the throwing away of the key.
I do not ever hear Reform Party members talking about rehabilitation and treatment. Instead I hear them say, as I perceive it and hear them day after day in this House, that they would prefer that people who commit crimes should be in jail.
The Criminal Code October 3rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today and speak in support of Bill C-55.
Since our government took office in 1993, improving public safety has been a major priority and we have passed a series of important legislative initiatives in this regard.
This bill is an important step in our efforts to keep our streets and our homes safe from violence. Members will recall in the 1996 speech from the throne our government pledged to "focus resources on high risk offenders while developing innovative alternatives for low risk offenders". This legislation will ensure that we will meet this commitment.
Let us look for example at the provisions in this bill dealing with high risk offenders. The bill includes a new long term offender designation that targets sex offenders and adds a period of long term supervision of up to 10 years following the release from prison. This designation will apply to people such as sex offenders who are less violent and brutal than dangerous offenders but are found to pose a considerable risk in reoffending.
Now undoubtedly members from the third party will say: "Why not keep these people in jail, lock them up and throw the key away". That seems to be their one and only solution on the issue of crime and justice they put forward.
The reality is that eventually prison sentences will come to an end. For a person who falls under this category, no matter how long they serve, they will some day be released. A long term offender designation will however ensure that offenders are closely monitored beyond the completion of their sentence. Rather than locking people up and throwing away the key, our government is working to find responsible, workable solutions to serious public safety issues.
I believe the best hope for rehabilitation is to gradually reintegrate an offender back into the community. By imposing on the offender an additional period of supervision in the community after the end of his regular sentence, we are giving the offender an opportunity to reintegrate into society. In doing so, we are not putting public safety at risk.
The second component of the bill includes strengthening the dangerous offender provision in the Criminal Code. Again, we have listened to Canadians who have expressed concerns about public safety and we have responded in a forceful yet reasonable manner.
Under the new provisions, anyone who is classified as a dangerous offender will be kept in prison indefinitely. The judge will no longer have the discretion to sentence a dangerous offender to a fixed term. As well, presently the dangerous offender application must be made at trial. Under Bill C-55, the crown will now be able to bring an application forward within six months after conviction.
While members of the third party grandstand day after day posing as defenders of the public's safety, our government is working to ensure that such measures are put in place, measures that will genuinely improve public safety in our communities.
The legislation also includes a new judicial restraint provision. This provision will permit controls, including electronic monitoring, to individuals who pose a high risk of committing a serious personal injury offence. Under these provisions, a judge will have the power to impose general conditions such as keeping the peace, specific conditions appropriate to the kind of threats posed by the individual such as staying away from places where children congregate.
As one of the conditions for example, a judge could order that the program of electronic monitoring be applied in provinces where this option is available. A breach of conditions would constitute a separate criminal offence which could lead to a jail sentence.
The tough new measures we are bringing forward in the bill will address many of the concerns we as members of Parliament hear from our constituents. Over the summer months I held a series of town hall meetings in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants. At these meetings the issue of crime and public safety was brought forward on numerous occasions. People are concerned. They want to know that they can walk safely through their communities. They want to know that the violent and sexual offenders will not be free to walk the streets because our justice system has been too lenient on them. They want to know that the punishment will fit the crime.
I would like to read a brief quote from a letter from one of my constituents on this issue. The constituent writes: "I do not want to see a big brother society, but I feel strongly that peaceful citizens have a right to safety on the highway and in their homes". I could not agree more. I believe that the tough new measures included in the bill will address the concerns that we members of Parliament are hearing.
Another important component of Bill C-55 is our approach to low risk non-violent offenders. I am referring to those offenders who have not committed a crime involving personal violence and whose risk of reoffending is assessed to be low. Unlike members of the third party, our government recognizes that not all offenders need to be imprisoned in order to improve public safety.
The experience of American states which have used such an approach should be a lesson to us that incarceration of all non-violent offenders does not necessarily lead to lower levels of crime. Our government recognizes that low risk non-violent offenders can be best dealt with by serving their sentences in the community with appropriate control and supervision. I strongly believe that in such instances our community is best served by promoting rehabilitation and community responsibility rather than just simply locking people up in jails.
Crime is certainly not a simple issue. Our government's approach avoids the kind of simplistic solutions we keep hearing from the third party. Flogging petty criminals and throwing more and more non-violent offenders in prison for long periods of time is not the answer.
Instead, we are taking serious measures to clamp down on violent, sexual or dangerous offenders in our society. At the same time we are promoting community oriented rehabilitation and treatment of non-violent offenders who are not considered a threat to our communities. This is the type of balanced and reasonable approach that will truly make a difference on issues of public safety and crime prevention. That is why I support Bill C-55.
Port Williams Elementary School September 25th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, Port Williams Elementary School in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants was recently named one of the country's five greatest schools by Today's Parent magazine.
This recognition is indeed a great accomplishment. Clearly it is proof that our public education system is a model of excellence. In communities all across this country our public schools are staffed by dedicated professionals and volunteers truly working to make a positive difference in the lives of our young people.
I would ask all members of this House to join me in congratulating Port Williams Elementary School principal Sandi Carmichael, all of her staff, the community, the volunteers and of course the students who help make this school so special. They are truly deserving of this national recognition.
Acadia University September 19th, 1996
I am pleased to rise today to make my colleagues aware of the Acadia advantage.
As of September, Acadia University is the first fully wired campus in Canada.
The use of IBM ThinkPad computers is now an integral part of first year courses in business administration and computer science. By the end of year 2000 a high end lap top will be a standard part of every student's admission package. Acadia University recognizes that computers are no longer the wave of the future. They are the way the world communicates now.
With the help of their partners in this project, IBM Canada Limited, MT&T, Mariott Corporation of Canada Ltd. and American Express special teams, students will be equipped to learn the skills they need to compete successfully in a demanding world.
Acadia University is truly taking a leadership role in innovation among Canadian universities.
Aboriginal Day June 20th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 21, Canadians for the first time will be celebrating national aboriginal day. This occasion will allow all Canadians to gain a greater appreciation for aboriginal cultures and the important role aboriginal people have played and continue to play in our society.
National aboriginal day offers us an opportunity to understand our collective history and renew our efforts to build a better future.
I am proud to represent members of the Mi'kmaq community living in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants. Together I believe we have taken steps to improve local economic opportunities while ensuring the preservation of the Mi'kmaq culture.
I ask all members of the House to reflect on the importance of this and, in so doing, we can embrace all cultures by sharing our collective wisdom and experience.
Bill Parker June 18th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, Acadia University in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants is truly losing one of its biggest assets. On July 1, Mr. Acadia, Bill Parker, is retiring from his position as vice-president of external relations after 33 years of service to that university.
Bill's relationship with Acadia was developed during his time as a student 40 years ago. Over the years, his commitment to the university has never wavered. Through Bill's leadership and participation, fundraising drives have brought the university over $50 million from the private sector since 1963.
As well as helping serve and bringing new buildings to the university and developing new programs and scholarships, Bill is quite simply known as Mr. Acadia.
I have had the honour of knowing him very well over these last number of years and can say honestly that his presence will be greatly missed and his legacy will not be forgotten.