House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 50% of the vote.
Justice September 27th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, once again, I will let Canadians determine who is playing word games with talks of condos.
The facts of the matter are clear. In 2014, under those Conservatives, the offender in question was moved from maximum security to medium security, and that individual remains in medium security to this very day.
Justice September 27th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, once again, to be absolutely clear, the offender in question was moved from maximum security to medium security in 2014 under the Conservatives and she remains in medium security now.
The Conservatives should know that the minister does not control the security classification of individual prisoners because that is exactly what the member for Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis confirmed in the past. The minister has asked the commissioner to review this decision.
As the Conservative member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo once said, “We need to let the many steps of an—”
Justice September 27th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, as I have said, our hearts go out to the family members of Tori Stafford for the lost they endured.
The offender in question was moved from maximum security to medium security in 2014 under the Conservatives. She remains in medium security now.
As the Conservative member for Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis said in his capacity as public safety minister, “I do not control the security classification of individual prisoners.”
However, the minister has asked that the commissioner of Correctional Service of Canada review this decision to ensure that it was taken properly and in accordance with long-standing policy.
International Trade September 27th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, as we have said from the outset, our objective in these talks is to update and modernize NAFTA in a way that is good for Canada and for Canadians.
We are constructive at the negotiating table negotiating in an ongoing fashion to make sure that the deal is right for Canada. It is our job to get the right deal for Canada and for Canadians, and that is exactly what we are going to do.
The Conservatives want to sign any old deal quickly at any time. We will not agree to a deal that is not in the best interests of Canadians.
International Trade September 27th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, as we have said from the outset, our objective is to update and modernize NAFTA in a way that is good for Canada. We are constructive at the negotiating table. Our negotiators are tough because they are doing their job. It is our responsibility to get a good deal for Canada, and that is exactly what we are going to do.
Rail Transportation September 26th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, I was in Lac-Mégantic to mark the fifth anniversary of the tragedy. With me was the Minister of Transport, who from day one on the job has pledged to improve rail safety.
We know we have a lot of work to do, and we are doing it. We never want to see another community or another family suffer because of a tragedy like the one that took place that terrible night in Lac-Mégantic.
Justice September 26th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to thank the New Democratic Party of Canada for choosing to make gender equity and gender opportunities the centre of their questions throughout this entire question period. I think it goes to the challenges we are all facing as a country moving forward.
Second, on the member opposite's question, the previous government transferred the individual to a medium-security facility in 2014 and the individual in question is still in a medium-security facility today.
Health September 26th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam for his tireless work in his community.
Earlier this month, we announced a bilateral agreement between our government and the Government of British Columbia. Our investment of $34 million is part of the $150 million for a cost-shared emergency treatment fund announced in budget 2018. This funding has been designated to enhance or increase access to quality treatment services for substance use disorders, including specific initiatives for youth.
We are working with the Government of British Columbia to reverse the trend of the national overdose epidemic.
Child Care September 26th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, we agree on the need for child care. That is why we are moving forward with a $7-billion investment in child care right across the country. We recognize provincial jurisdiction in this area, but we also know that the federal government has a role to play, and that is one we are happy to play.
On top of that, we moved forward with the Canada child benefit that is putting more money in the pockets of nine out of 10 Canadian families and lifting hundreds of thousands of kids out of poverty.
This is something we will continue to work on because we recognize how investing in children's future now makes life better for families and for communities.
Justice September 26th, 2018
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that Canadians are frustrated with the out-of-court settlement that was made. I agree. We should all be frustrated with that, because no government going forward should ever think it is okay to violate the fundamental rights of anyone, regardless of how heinous his or her crime was. That is a principle Canadians can understand and hopefully governments today and in the future will heed this lesson carefully.