Peter MacKay

[Justice, December 8th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I assure the hon. member that, in every case, legislation that is brought before this House is examined by the Department of Justice specifically for the purpose of determining its constitutionality.

In a case such as this, we have taken the opportunity to do so. The member would know that this legislation, as a private member's bill, will be examined by the House, and potentially by the committee, of which she is a member.

The hon. member may disagree, but in this particular case we believe that the constitutionality of this bill is sound.

[Status of Women, December 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her very poignant question. Certainly this week our hearts and thoughts and minds are with the families of those affected on that terrible day 25 years ago.

Our government has made it a major priority to partner actively with many across the country to address the effects of violence against women and girls. Among the many initiatives, we participated in the 16 days of activism against gender violence, released an action plan to address family violence and violent crimes against aboriginal women and girls, introduced the zero tolerance for barbaric cultural practices, and other legislative initiatives aimed specifically to hold violent offenders accountable.

[Justice, December 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this is exactly what we are doing. We are investing specifically in aboriginal justice programs. We are working across many departments to ensure that we encourage more aboriginal people to participate more fully in Canadian society and the Canadian economy.

We have tabled legislation specifically aimed at ending violence on reserve and around the country. The sad reality is that on all of those occasions when we have brought forward legislation to protect aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, giving them matrimonial property rights, for example, and putting forward legislation that holds offenders accountable, and doing more to protect streets and communities across the country, the NDP has opposed those measures.

[Justice, December 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the unique challenges that aboriginal people face in the criminal justice system. They are clearly overrepresented.

That is why it has been our priority to invest in programs such as the aboriginal justice strategy, and since 2007 we have committed to record levels of funding for the aboriginal justice strategy. This funding and these investments support community-based justice programs aimed at lowering crime rates, reducing the overrepresentation, as I mentioned, and contributing to the safety and security of on-reserve residents.

We must all continue to work together with our first nations to improve their quality of life.

[Public Safety, December 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, of course they were singled out because they were women. That was exactly the point of expressing misunderstanding among anyone out there who would possibly suggest that women and girls should ever be targeted, should ever be subject to violence. That is the emphasis. We want to bring people together around stopping and putting every effort into avoiding violence, or anything that would ever put women and girls at risk.

To try to make this a partisan issue on such a day is deeply disappointing from the member.

[Public Safety, December 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this week we remember the horrific events that took place in Montreal at École Polytechnique 25 years ago, and while we may never understand what occurred, why this happened, why these women were singled out for this horrific act of violence, we have to stand together. We have to work continually to support victims, to hold offenders accountable, and we are creating a safer and more secure country by doing so.

We are committed to continue in that effort, but it will require tremendous efforts from all sides of the House and from all Canadians.

[Public Safety, November 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the bill is clearly about protecting Canadians, first and foremost from terrorist acts, which are extremely serious and prevalent in other parts of the world, and they have arrived at our shores.

The Minister of Public Safety, in consultation with the Department of Justice, is moving forward on a number of legislative fronts. This is always standard fare. We look to constitutionality. We look to charter compliance before presenting any bill before the House of Commons.

The member will want to support this legislation which will protect Canadians.

[Justice, November 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, of course, we have always consulted our colleagues in Quebec's legal community and justice department. I have always talked with my colleagues in the legal community.

It is very important, as the member knows full well, that we have candidates coming forward that represent the merit and the characteristics that we look first and foremost to when making these appointments.

I can assure the hon. member that we are very aware of the timelines. We are very aware of the need to respect Quebec's complement on the Supreme Court of Canada.

[Justice, November 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, access to justice is a concern for all, but it is more than just the appointment of judges that will lead to a more functioning process.

With respect to these appointments, I would reiterate for the member and for this House that we continue to consult broadly to ensure we are getting the absolute best candidates, best people, to represent us on the courts. The criteria of competence, legal excellence, and merit are the overriding concerns. I assure the hon. member that we will have some appointments coming very soon.

[Justice, November 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I assure the hon. member that we are doing just that.

The hon. member would know that it is necessary to consult with the judiciary, with the elected government of the province affected by these vacancies, and with the bar associations.

We take the time to ensure that we get the best candidates, those who meet the criteria of legal excellence and competence. These are the type of judges that the member knows and would support are going to serve Canadians in that role.