Deepak Obhrai

[Samuel Ian Seright, May 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this moment to reflect on the life of one of my fine constituents who recently passed away after a life well lived.

Mr. Samuel Ian Seright was a man who lived to set an example for all of us. He cared a great deal for his community, his province and his country. He was often referred to as the unofficial mayor of Calgary East.

I had the privilege of presenting Ian with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal not long ago, a small reward for his countless years of service to others. Ian loved life and enjoyed the simple things. Ian took pride in attending community events even after his wife died. Ian did not just stand by and watch his community change; he celebrated the change and embraced new people.

I remember Ian saying in response to the growing demographic change in his community, “It changed, but all of us here mix really well. It's the spirit of the area”.

We will miss him but can take a great lesson from his life.

[Foreign Affairs, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am appalled to read that two Canadian companies are helping China to colonize Tibet. Nortel and Bombardier will assist in building a railway line in Tibet, a railway line designed to strengthen China's illegal occupation of Tibet. These companies are giving the same excuses that were given when South Africa was fighting for independence.

Why will the government not tell these companies their actions are against Canadian values? Why?

[Tibet, April 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, one year ago this week Canadians were blessed with a visit by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Just two weeks ago I had the distinct honour of representing the Canadian Parliamentary Friends of Tibet during a visit to Dharamsala in India, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile. There I met with Tibetan leaders and discussed many issues of mutual interest.

It became clear to me during those discussions that China cannot stop the self-determination aspirations of the Tibetan people. Tibetans have a distinct identity and China's attempt to force Tibet into assimilation will not be accepted by the freedom loving people of the world.

While we welcome the new openness of China, we also hold it accountable for its human rights violations, especially in Tibet. We call on China to immediately begin dialogue with His Holiness to resolve the Tibet issue. Nothing short of this is acceptable to the world community.

[Air-India, April 13th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, last night the House spoke for the victims of the Air-India disaster and demanded that the government hold a public inquiry into the worst act of terrorism in Canadian history.

Since the B.C. Supreme Court verdict on March 16, I, along with my leader in the Conservative caucus, have been demanding that the government hold a public inquiry. The families have waited in anguish for 20 years and have watched the investigation drag on and on. They endured the horror of reliving the moment year after year with no visible progress to a conclusion.

In the end the families are left with nothing, no sense of closure and more importantly, no answers. The Deputy Prime Minister's eminent person approach is not what the families and Canadians want. It is a sham and a cover-up.

To honour the memory of 329 people who died on Air-India flight 182, this House spoke last night and now it is time for the government to act.

[Air-India, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, there was a police investigation.

The current Liberal health minister, Liberal Indo-Canadian MPs, former senior Liberal ministers Herb Dhaliwal, Brian Tobin, Sergio Marchi and Herb Gray have all called for an inquiry. Why is the Deputy Prime Minister not getting the message? Is there a hidden agenda here?

If an inquiry is not held, the victims' families and Canadians in general will point their fingers at the government and say that it has something to hide. What does it have to hide?

[Air-India, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, what an oddity. The Liberals were the ones calling for an inquiry into the Air-India disaster when they were in the opposition. It was none other than the former Liberal leader, John Turner, who called for a royal commission into this tragedy. Now the Deputy Prime Minister's stalling tactics are another example of what Liberals are becoming famous for: promises made, promises broken.

Three hundred and thirty-one lives have been lost. For their sake and memory, an inquiry is a must. Will the government call an inquiry if an appeal is not lodged?

[Air-India, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell the Deputy Prime Minister that she is giving the impression that this government does not care for the lives lost in the Air-India disaster. If this government does not want to shed tears over this tragedy then it does not have to, but for God's sake and for the sake of victims, I say please have a public inquiry. Yes or no?

[Air-India, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, for 20 years Canadians have lived with sadness, anger and disgust at the way the biggest terrorist act in Canadian history has been handled.

Increasing numbers of Canadians are outraged at the way this whole affair has been handled by all involved, including this Liberal government. The Liberal government needs to stop appeasing the fundamentalists. The need to get to the truth is a must. The government must call for a public inquiry if an appeal is not forthcoming. Yes or no?

[Racial Discrimination, March 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racism. Canadians can be proud of their achievements in fighting racism.

When I first came to Canada in 1977, I encountered racism in every aspect of our society. It was tough going. We can tell numerous stories about racism.

Over the years tremendous progress has been achieved thanks to efforts by all Canadians. However, a new national study states that one in six Canadian adults have become victims of racism. This study shows that a lot of distance still needs to be covered to make this a truly just society. It is incumbent upon all Canadians to join in this fight against racism.

The Conservative Party, at its convention this weekend, strongly endorsed the multicultural nature of our nation. Together with all Canadians, we will stand strongly against racism and bigotry.

[Supply, March 10th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am joining my colleague from Fundy Royal in extending my congratulations and appreciation to my colleague from the Bloc and to the justice critic from my party and from the NDP for bringing this issue to the forefront.

Before I start, I would like to pay tribute to the four RCMP officers who lost their lives fighting crime in our country and whose memorial service is being held today. Our sympathies go to the families of the officers.

The motion is before us in Parliament today because there is a strong concern among Canadians that criminal elements feel that crime pays. They feel they can get away with crime because of the lenient sentences and existing laws. Because they feel crime pays, we have seen an escalation of gang wars and drug related incidents, especially among young Canadians.

Only 10 days ago in the city of Calgary a young individual was gunned down in a bar, and the incident was drug and gang related. Prior to that, a young gentleman lost his life as he walked out of a gym. He was shot dead because he was involved in gang related crime.

It became so bad that the chief of police in Calgary said last week that it was time to fight. During the incident with the young fellow who lost his life 10 days ago, it was miraculous that innocent bystanders were not killed. Bullets were fired on the streets and cars were hit. It has become so bad now that the lives of innocent Canadians, who are walking on the streets of Calgary, are at risk. The city council and everyone are now saying it is time to fight. However, police officers need the tools to fight this growing crime.

Gang wars in Vancouver are reaching high proportions. Young Canadians are dying from gang related vengeance. In Edmonton the same thing is happening.

About two months ago a young fellow lost his life in a gang related incident. What happened? The young fellow was shot dead when he walked out of the gym. He was a known drug dealer. Everybody new he lived a high life. He had a penthouse, flashy cars, et cetera, and he is only a young kid. The message gets out that crime pays. There is an attitude that if they get caught, so what. They will go to jail, be back out on the street soon and their proceeds from crime and drugs will still be there. It is a small price for them to pay.

We have a problem with pot growing in my riding of Calgary East. In residential areas, marijuana is being grown and it is becoming a major concern for the community. Residents have approached us and have asked what we can do to help them. They has asked us about what kinds of laws we can put in place to fight this.

Drug crimes and other crimes are moving into communities, threatening law-abiding Canadians across the country. These incidents are coming forward, and they are causing concerns.

That is why I am happy to see that the three opposition parties are asking the government to bring forward something. This motion talks about taking away the illegitimate gains. It is a good motion. This will send a strong message to the people involved that crime does not pay. Canada will not tolerate crime being a profitable business.

I must say in passing that I have a private member's bill to fight break and enter in home invasions. Criminals feel that crime pays for them. Will they or will they not go to jail? If they get a suspended sentence, then they are out and they just made an easy buck. This is the essence of this whole motion here.

I am happy to hear that the Minister of Justice has just indicated that he will bring a bill forward. However, there is always the issue of charter rights. Yes, there are charter rights. I am a visible minority myself and I look at the charter as one of those strong pillars of protection in society. We must maintain charter rights. At the same time, however, we need to have a balance to ensure that the rights of Canadians are not threatened. This is fundamentally important.

We see time after time when we open the newspapers anywhere in the country, that it is becoming evident that Canadians generally are now not safe on the streets and are becoming concerned. This is a very timely motion.

Let me go back for one minute to these four RCMP officers who lost their lives a few days ago fighting crime. Yesterday, on a CBC documentary on the RCMP, which was very sad to see, we learned that many RCMP officers have lost their lives fighting crime. It is only then that we put in procedures and laws to ensure that it does not happen again.

My question is, why do we have to wait until someone loses their life before we put in something that everyone knows is required and is a common sense law? This motion that has been brought forward by the Bloc is asking the government to look at it. It is our duty. Our constituents are telling us to take this issue in hand and fight.

When the bill comes forward, the motion says it should be without delay. We need it. The issue of gang warfare in Quebec has prompted the Bloc to bring forward this motion. It is because of the huge concern of Quebeckers concerning the Hell's Angels and other groups. The profits are so huge that criminal groups ignore the safety of other Canadians.

I say to my colleagues in the House that we should put pressure on the government to bring forward a bill, so that we can support it and ensure that we send a strong message from this Parliament that crime does not pay in Canada.