Denis Coderre

[Citizenship and Immigration, June 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, usually I do not comment on specific cases because of the Privacy Act but due to the extraordinary circumstances and especially because of the tragedy, I would say that compassion is in order.

I want to assure British Columbians, the Canadian people and especially the Park family that we need to look at all the options before making any decision.

I can assure my colleagues that there will be no removal action against Ms. Park on June 27. Ms. Park and her family have all of our sympathy for their situation.

[G-8 Summit, June 19th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure my colleague that we have due process. I am going to take a look, but we have some procedures to respect. It is nothing regarding any country in particular, but I am going to take a good look at it.

[Canada-United States Border, June 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, possibly the hon. member or her colleagues have had anonymous phone calls today and were asked questions.

I know most definitely, however, that the customs union and the customs workers themselves have said that the PALS system gives them access to criminal records.

If someone coming from the United States has a criminal record, then he or she goes to the second line. We have all the resources to make the checks. Security is our priority. We have to be very careful not to scare Canadian people today.

[Canada-United States Border, June 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would advise the hon. member to proceed with considerable caution.

First of all, I would indicate that, not only was the work done, but we even read in this morning's newspapers that there had been no formal complaints. At no time, therefore, was there any record of this person's actions.

We must therefore be extremely careful. We have the necessary resources. We have the necessary tools. Should the matter of the restraining order be reconsidered?

Maybe, but let us be very prudent about what kind of question is being asked today.

[Canada-United States Border, June 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to know what my colleague has against students.

Let me begin by saying that not only is the work is carried out with great professionalism, but my hon. colleague is doing a remarkable job. The work done by our colleagues and our customs officers is impeccable.

[Canada-United States Border, June 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, what I have said I said. If people have lengthy criminal records it shows. Then it passes to the second line which is CIC. Then we have other computers that we can check. We have to be very careful. Security is our priority. Not only does Canada customs do its job, but it does it with professionalism.

[Violence against Women, June 17th, 2002]

I agree, Mr. Speaker. First, I think that when individuals come from the United States with a long criminal record, we have to fall back on the second line of defence, which is Citizenship and Immigration Canada. In this case, that did not happen.

That said, the second line is being looked into. We are taking this into consideration. I would like to assure Canadians that this work is being handled with professionalism. If there have been mistakes, if there have been problems, we will take them into consideration. However, the safety of all Canadians is a priority for us.

[Violence against Women, June 17th, 2002]

First, I wish to confirm that the Niagara regional police are investigating. However, it is also—

[Violence against Women, June 17th, 2002]

I would think the Bloc Quebecois should listen. This is an important question. It involves women and domestic violence and it is important to talk about it.

[Violence against Women, June 17th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the government, and on behalf of all of parliament, we must express regret over this unspeakable act. I thank the member for her question.

I think that the public needs to know what is currently being done. First, I think that it is critical—