House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2025, with 60% of the vote.
National Defence May 1st, 2015
Mr. Speaker, Major General Christine Whitecross was clear yesterday that they are looking at how to best implement the report's recommendations, such as providing the proper services and support to the victims to ensure that victims can come forward without fear of repercussion and that the culture within the Canadian Armed Forces changes. We are supporting the Canadian Armed Forces in this endeavour and we thank Madam Deschamps for her report.
National Defence May 1st, 2015
Mr. Speaker, this is not a partisan issue. Our thoughts are with the victims. We find this abuse completely disgusting. That is why the Chief of Defence Staff asked for this report and will be reviewing and implementing these recommendations to ensure that this culture is changed and that public education and awareness is increased, and to provide a safe vehicle for complaints to come forward.
National Defence May 1st, 2015
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to remind this member that it was the Chief of Defence Staff who ordered this independent external review by Madam Chief Justice Deschamps. I can say that they have received the report, accepted the recommendations and are now currently looking at how to implement those recommendations. The Chief of Defence Staff has stood up the strategic response team, led by Major General Christine Whitecross.
National Defence May 1st, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the Chief of the Defence Staff has been very clear. Major-General Christine Whitecross has been very clear. They are looking at how they can best implement all of the recommendations and ensure that complaints are handled and received properly in a modern system.
The Chief of the Defence Staff also said yesterday that within the Canadian Forces, there needs to be a cultural shift.
National Defence May 1st, 2015
Mr. Speaker, nobody who has chosen to stand on guard for Canada should have to put up with this disgusting behaviour.
Now, the Chief of the Defence Staff has stood up, with the strategic response team, under the leadership of Major-General Whitecross. She was clear yesterday that the Canadian Armed Forces is looking at how to best implement the report's recommendations in order to stop sexual abuse in the Canadian Armed Forces.
National Defence May 1st, 2015
Mr. Speaker, we want to thank Madame Deschamps for her report.
This is not a partisan issue. There is no place for sexual abuse and misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces. The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Tom Lawson, has accepted the report's recommendations and is acting upon them.
Since 2006 our government has continuously fought on behalf of victims and has enhanced laws in this country to combat sexual assault.
Human Rights in Iran May 1st, 2015
Mr. Speaker, this week is Iran Accountability Week, a week to address the Iranian threat.
I am proud to be a part of the Iranian political prisoner advocacy program. This year, I am advocating for Dr. Omid Kokabee, a 33-year-old Iranian experimental laser physicist. He has attended university in Iran, Spain and Texas.
During a family visit to Iran in 2011, he was arrested and has been in detention in Tehran's notorious Evin prison ever since. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of the unsubstantiated charges of communicating with a hostile government, meaning the Americans, and receiving illegitimate funds. The so-called illegitimate funds are actually the normal stipend given to doctoral students at the University of Texas.
Dr. Kokabee has publicly stated that he is being persecuted for repeatedly refusing to work on Iranian military projects and help fulfill Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Dr. Kokabee is yet another example of the travesty of justice in Iran, and his imprisonment is a flagrant abuse of human rights. I call on President Rouhani to exercise clemency, suspend his sentence and immediately release Dr. Kokabee.
National Defence April 30th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, as I have already said, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Chief of the Defence Staff have accepted all the recommendations. They have set up a strategic response team under the leadership of Major-General Christine Whitecross. They will be bringing forward an entire program on how to deal with this, such as having a sexual assault prevention office, similar to what they have done in the United States and other allied countries.
National Defence April 30th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear. The Department of National Defence has been clear. The Chief of the Defence Staff and the Canadian Armed Forces have been clear that what has happened is completely unacceptable, that these findings are deeply concerning and that we will continue to move forward to ensure that all 10 recommendations made by Madam Deschamps, a retired Supreme Court justice, are implemented. They are doing that under the leadership of Major-General Christine Whitecross to ensure that all the necessary steps are taken and that these sexual complaints can be brought forward, as well as charges laid when appropriate.
National Defence April 30th, 2015
Mr. Speaker, the Chief of the Defence Staff just acknowledged that this sexual behaviour is inappropriate and has set up a strategic response team under the leadership of Major-General Christine Whitecross. The team is going to start looking at detailed plans on how to address this problem, changing the culture and making sure that this problem is addressed effectively, and where there are problems, that there are proper ways to address them and file those complaints outside of the normal processes that are used now.