House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 57% of the vote.
Intergovernmental Affairs April 9th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I think we can all agree that this is a very emotional, very divisive debate. It also has issues of jurisdiction that have to be considered. We know that the matter is now in fact before the courts and for that reason, as Attorney General, I will comment no further.
Justice April 8th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Kootenay—Columbia for his long-time work as a law enforcement officer as well as an advocate for victims. I know that he and many others support the new Canadian victims bill of rights, people like ex-NHLer Sheldon Kennedy, who said, “Today was a great day for creating a balance within the justice system”; or Sharon Rosenfeldt, who heads up Victims of Violence, who said, “we are pleased that the victims of crime now have a federal Victims Bill of Rights”, calling it a “major step for victims in Canada”; or Yvonne Harvey of Canadian Parents of Murdered Children, who said the victims bill of rights is taking the lead on developing a consistent, equal, and accountable framework for national standards.
These are a few examples of the widespread support for the legislation.
Aboriginal Affairs April 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, it is curious that the member just asked for action, and the questioner from his own party said we should have more talk.
The reality is we are acting. We have put more resources, more legislation, in place to provide those law enforcement officers who are tasked with tracking down and holding accountable. We have put in place a DNA databank to help with unsolved murders and missing individuals. We have put in place more programs to help women on reserve, including giving them access to matrimonial property. The member opposite and his party opposed those measures.
Aboriginal Affairs April 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, during the course of my consultations for the victims bill of rights, I met with hundreds of victims across this country.
More important than further meetings and further talk from the member opposite, we have included specific measures and specific resource commitments to victims of crime across this country. We have introduced legislation. We have put in place more programs to help and support them. We just had a recent parliamentary committee that looked into the issues.
The member opposite can talk. We act. This is a week for action. We will continue to stand up for victims of crime.
Justice April 7th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased this morning, along with the Minister of Public Safety, to mark the opening of the ninth National Victims of Crime Awareness Week here in Ottawa. It was truly an honour to meet with hockey hero Sheldon Kennedy, Rehtaeh Parsons' dad Glen Canning, and countless others, to help raise awareness for those who have fallen victim to crime. The theme for this year's victims week is “Taking Action”.
To that end, our government is supporting more than 180 events across the country. This is an opportunity for all of us to personally thank the compassionate organizers and individuals who work tirelessly, day in and day out, to meet the needs of victims. I invite all Canadians to take action and get involved in National Victims of Crime Awareness Week.
Justice April 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Langley for championing this cause. He is correct that yesterday was a historic day in Canada. For the first time ever, victims of crime will have their own rights entrenched in a single law at the federal level.
We consulted broadly. We consulted every province and territory. We certainly heard directly from many stakeholders, including victims themselves, advocacy organizations, criminal justice professionals, legal experts, and provincial and territorial officials. Many people shared touching stories of revictimization and injustice.
This is why we have informed the country that the drafting of the Canadian victims bill of rights is now complete.
I know members of the opposition parties are struggling to find fault. I encourage them to set their ideology aside and support this important initiative.
Aboriginal Affairs April 4th, 2014
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the time for talk is long past. As a government we have made significant investments, including recent investments in the budget to provide renewed funding for the aboriginal justice strategy. Millions of dollars are flowing directly to programs that assist women and girls on reserve. We made it a priority as a government to ensure that matrimonial property rights applied to women on reserve, a measure that was opposed by members of the opposition.
We will continue with community programs and with tougher justice initiatives that hold offenders accountable. This is real action, as opposed to the talk offered by the member opposite.
Justice April 2nd, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to inform the House, and in fact all Canadians, that tomorrow is the day that we will table the first Canadian victims bill of rights. In recent months, we have heard from victims and stakeholders right across the country on how our justice system can improve and respond to their needs. Tomorrow we will respond to those concerns.
This is in stark contrast to the Liberal Party, that under Pierre Trudeau gave convicted murderers more rights, with rights under the faint hope clause. The NDP voted against repealing that awful law. The fact is, the Conservative Party of Canada is the only party in the House that puts the rights of victims ahead of the rights of the convicted.
Justice April 1st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, as I just said, we are not doing that. We are in fact respecting the independence of the organization. At the same time, we are making administrative changes that bring these organizations together for efficiencies, for the purposes of saving taxpayers' money.
Again, God forbid that we take the responsible step to try to save taxpayers' money, while at the same time allowing them to continue in the tradition of independence and in the tradition of supporting the judiciary and other organizations in a manner that causes an effective result for taxpayers and all Canadians.
Justice April 1st, 2014
Mr. Speaker, as I said, administrative tribunals are arm's-length organizations. This measure is very much designed to respect the judiciary and to respect their ability to continue to provide service, while at the same time bringing them together for the sake of saving taxpayers' money. I know the NDP is a bit foreign to embracing this idea. I know this is something it is not quick to acknowledge.
The reality is this is a cost-saving measure that continues to respect the administrative independence of the courts. That is exactly why we have included it in the budget bill.