Ralph Goodale

[Public Safety, November 4th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the issue was first raised in the report of the Security Intelligence Review Committee for the 2014-15 calendar year. It relates to a period long before this government came into office. That report was tabled in Parliament on January 28. That is the time when the public was alerted to the issue.

Thereafter, CSIS worked with the Department of Justice to better inform the court. Obviously the court's decision was rendered yesterday. We are not appealing. We accept that judgment, absolutely.

[Public Safety, November 3rd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me welcome the member to his new role as critic for public safety.

The objective of our correctional system is in fact public safety, and that includes effective and successful rehabilitation. The Office of the Correctional Investigator believes that rehabilitation can be enhanced with changes to the pay system. He asked us to examine that, and I have invited Commissioner Don Head of the Correctional Service to conduct a review. I am sure that the review would welcome the input from the hon. member.

[Freedom of the Press, November 3rd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister was very clear today, as was the commissioner of the RCMP yesterday. The commissioner's answer was, very clearly and unequivocally, no.

[Freedom of the Press, November 3rd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, freedom of the press is a fundamental Canadian value. The reports about transgressions in Quebec are cause for genuine concern, and the provincial government has announced some steps in that regard.

At the federal level, I do not comment on any specific operation, but with respect to sensitive sectors like the media, we can provide the assurance that the sort of thing that is being reported in Quebec is not applicable at the federal level.

[The Environment, November 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the consequences of climate change, like droughts, fires, storms, and floods, impose billions of dollars in costs and losses on provinces like Saskatchewan and its municipalities.

As I said earlier, the Government of Canada has an investment plan to expand the economy of Saskatchewan. Over $500 million has already been announced. We are also prepared to invest in science, such as carbon capture and sequestration, which Premier Wall has advocated; the global food centre in Saskatoon; the major water facility at the University of Saskatchewan; smart power grids; and flood prevention.

Mr. Speaker—

[The Environment, November 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I have been doing that with considerable success since 1974.

This summer, I had the privilege of announcing more than half a billion dollars in federal investments in science, infrastructure, and job creation in Saskatchewan, as well as housing and a vast array of social programs.

I will continue to fight every inch of the way for the best results for Saskatchewan.

[The Environment, November 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, on the substance of the federal proposal, it provides the province with complete control over program design and also all the revenues. This would enable Saskatchewan to eliminate its personal income tax, or its property tax, or a whole variety of other taxes. It makes carbon capture and sequestration far more competitive and it makes a stronger case for building a pipeline. It also supports science in water, food, and CCS. It provides funding for a power grid announced just yesterday, and major water development projects to control flooding and expand irrigation.

It is a good plan.

[Freedom of the Press, November 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the point is very clear. The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled on this very issue. The Supreme Court has laid out explicitly the five-part test that needs to be satisfied when these issues arise. Those same values are embodied in the ministerial directive that applies to police operations at the federal level.

It is very clear that freedom of the press is something that matters to all Canadians and this government and, I expect, every member of the House will defend that freedom vigorously.

[Freedom of the Press, November 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, while this current issue is entirely within the jurisdiction of the Province of Québec, and this morning the premier of Québec made an important pronouncement in that regard, I am sure that all of us in the House believe profoundly in the freedom of the press. It is a value that is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A Supreme Court judgment has laid out the rules that must be clearly followed, and those high standards are reflected in a ministerial directive that guides the operations of police federally.

Police forces need to be assiduous in following the—

[Correctional Investigator of Canada, October 31st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to applaud my colleague the Minister of International Trade for her accomplishment but I have some documents to table as well.

I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the 2015-16 Annual Report of the Office of the Correctional Investigator of Canada as required under Section 192 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

I am also tabling the response to the three recommendations in the Public Safety Canada report and the response to the 24 recommendations regarding Correctional Service Canada.