Dave MacKenzie

[April 1st, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I would like to remind the member opposite that this government has taken real action to keep Canadians safe. The action we have taken regarding the Auditor General's report and other key pieces of legislation demonstrates that unequivocally.

We will continue to work productively with all stakeholders and federal departments involved in order to keep our safety and security regimes at the high level they are today. We are working to ensure that they are even improved. We are working to ensure that we can respond to the ever-evolving security needs. We are working to keep Canadians safe

Canada's Ministers of Transport and Public Safety are facilitating productive discussions between their two respective departments and a decision is imminent. This government is getting the job done.

[April 1st, 2009]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the question posed by the member for Bramalea—Gore—Malton in February regarding airport funding in Canada. I thank the member for his question and for the opportunity to respond here again. It gives me a chance to remind the member opposite and his party that our government is committed to maintaining a safe and secure transportation system from coast to coast to coast in order to keep Canadians safe.

Yesterday, in her most recent report, the Auditor General highlighted some issues with regard to intelligence and information sharing in air travel. This government, our Prime Minister and Canada's transport minister support the Auditor General's recommendations and agree that we need better tools to help ensure safety and security of air travel. We are concerned that anything might undermine our efforts on that front and we are acting.

In December the Minister of Transport, together with the Minister of Public Safety, announced a five-point plan to give the RCMP the tools it needs to keep Canadian travellers safe.

It stated that we are, first, strengthening the information sharing agreement between Transport Canada and the RCMP; second, exploring legislative initiatives to enhance search and seizure methods; third, reviewing existing security clearances and examining new clearance levels; fourth, revoking any security clearance when the RCMP has provided evidence that a person may post a security risk; and finally, working toward strengthening legal provisions for organized crime, ensuring that serious offences are meet with serious penalties.

I am pleased to report that Transport Canada and the RCMP are working together to strengthen communications and information sharing between them.

The current discussions are very productive. We are very close to concluding a renewed agreement. We can expect an announcement very shortly. Canada's transport minister said yesterday, “If we don't have one within 10 days, I'm going to get our two teams together in my boardroom and am not going to allow them to go out until it is successfully concluded”.

Our government is clearly committed to maintaining and enhancing our already high safety and security standards. It is just another example of how this government is getting things done and keeping Canadians safe.

[Royal Canadian Mounted Police, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2007-08 annual report of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pension Plan. Section 31 of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superannuation Act requires an annual report of the administration of the force's pension plan, including a statement of the amounts paid into and out of the superannuation account, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police pension fund and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police superannuation investment fund.

[RCMP, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, taser use by the RCMP is an issue that is taken seriously by the government. At the government's request, the RCMP's review and complaints body has examined and made recommendations on the RCMP's use of tasers.

It is interesting that the analysis of the conducted energy weapon reports that the RCMP's usage of the taser in the year 2008 was down 30%.

[Government Assistance, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as a matter of fact, the Government of Canada is closely monitoring the situation in Manitoba and is working with provincial colleagues to determine if any assistance is required.

As a matter of fact, as we are sitting here today, the President of the Treasury Board and the hon. member for Selkirk—Interlake are in Manitoba monitoring and assisting.

Since the record flood of 1997, $139 million of mitigation measures have been put in place. We are continuing to work with the Province of Manitoba and we will continue in the future.

[Public Safety, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, nothing is more important to the government than the safety and well-being of our children. I am pleased to advise the House of the results of Canada's largest ever investigation into child sexual victimization on the Internet.

Led by the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre, Project Salvo has resulted in the arrest of more than 50 individuals. I would like to thank all of those officers and individuals for their tireless efforts to combat child victimization and track down online predators.

I want to reiterate the government's commitment to end the horrific abuse and to protect our nation's children.

[Committees of the House, March 12th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, with all due respect, I think I have already indicated that it is not within the area of the ministry that I represent. I do not know what has gone on with respect to those discussions. I simply cannot answer the member's question.

[Committees of the House, March 12th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, we respect the international law with respect to torture. We also respect the law of foreign countries such as the United States where Mr. Khadr man is.

Those issues the member has raised will be dealt with by the court authorities in that foreign jurisdiction.

[Committees of the House, March 12th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, as I have already indicated, the matter is being dealt with by the proper authorities. At this point it is the U.S. government. He is in that country's custody.

There are a multitude of issues that others in particular on the other side have raised. Courts have looked at those issues, including the American courts. They continue to look at them.

I believe the American system of justice is purely that. It is a system of justice. It is appropriate. At this point it is the system that Mr. Khadr faces.

[Committees of the House, March 12th, 2009]

Madam Speaker, it is somewhat typical of my friend to call the American system a kangaroo court. I think most Canadians would be offended by that suggestion. We have taken a great deal of effort to make certain that Mr. Khadr does receive due process of law.

He is in a foreign country. He is not in Canada. I think that we have done yeoman's duty to ensure those things since we took power only three years ago. Mr. Khadr has been in American custody since 2002, as has been mentioned several times.

With all due respect to my hon. colleague, he needs to respect the justice system in other countries, particularly that of our neighbours to the south.