Rob Clarke

[Committees of the House, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the previous question is totally false. I come from an RCMP background. I utilize Veterans Affairs services all the time. I have PTSD, so I know what is available, but I hear individuals up here trying to talk as though they know something about what people experience with PTSD and the services available through Veterans Affairs.

We are seeing an amalgamation of services whereby Veterans Affairs is now available over the entire country. I come from northern Saskatchewan, and the nearest Veterans Affairs office was in Saskatoon. Now we have availability in northern Saskatchewan, either in La Ronge or in Meadow Lake.

When I make a phone call to Veterans Affairs, someone picks up the phone and asks if I am okay. Then the person asks what service I need. At times I ask for someone for counselling, and that is available. I just wonder if my colleague across the aisle realizes how easy it is to pick up the phone and dial the number for Veterans Affairs. Has he ever tried picking up the phone and phoning Veterans Affairs himself?

[Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, October 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, with the shocking events of last week, the safety of security staff, MPs, senators, and visitors to Parliament Hill has become a real concern. It is apparent to all that there must be some changes in the way we do business on the Hill. Most important, it is crucial that our first responders have the resources they need to be safe in order to do their jobs.

It is also important, in the aftermath of these incidents that brought terror into the lives of so many of my colleagues and friends, that the signs and symptoms of PTSD be recognized and treated. As a former RCMP member who deals with PTSD every day, I can say that it is manageable when one understands that it exists, and there is no shame in seeking help to deal with it.

I encourage anyone who is suffering from the after-effects of these events to get help. I am always available to talk to people and help them find the assistance they need.

I urge hon. members to learn the signs and make sure that they do whatever is necessary to relieve the anxiety and emotional pain of PTSD.

[Public Safety, October 27th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, last week, Canadians mourned the loss of two brave Canadian heroes. The motorcade carrying Corporal Cirillo made its way down the Highway of Heroes, bringing him home to his final resting place.

Can the Minister of Veterans Affairs please update this House on the response by Canadians to these despicable terrorist attacks last week?

[Canadian Armed Forces, October 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to see that this House remains unshaken and steadfast through the recent attack on our institution. This resolve, strength, and perseverance is what makes our Canadian Forces who they are. It is seen in their complete dedication to duty and to defending the values we as Canadians hold dear.

Despite the recent attacks on our men and women in uniform, Canadians across this country stand in solidarity with the Canadian Forces. As the Prime Minister said, we will not be intimidated by the actions of cowards. This is not the Canadian way.

I thank these brave men and women on bases across Canada and abroad for their tremendous efforts, and for their commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

While our Canadian Armed Forces are standing up for Canada, I am certain that we will all be standing right behind them.

[Public Safety, June 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, three RCMP officers were killed, and two others were wounded in Moncton. Having personally experienced the loss of two members of the RCMP at Spiritwood detachment, I have seen a community's pain.

This tragic loss has shown the true resiliency of the people of Moncton and New Brunswick. I have seen and heard countless stories of the bravery of ordinary citizens helping one another stay safe, and the incredible courage in the face of imminent danger of front-line police officers from across the region, in apprehending the suspect in the early hours of Friday morning.

As Canada lays these three heroes to rest today, can the parliamentary secretary please update the House on this situation?

[Public Safety, June 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, three RCMP officers were killed, and two others were wounded in Moncton—

[Public Safety, May 12th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Kashechewan First Nation has declared a state of emergency due to flooding on the Albany River. As of last night, there is an imminent risk of overbank flooding because of ice jams located upstream.

While dealing with local emergencies is primarily a matter of provincial responsibility, our government has always stood ready to help those in need. Would the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness please update this House on what our government is doing to help those in northern Ontario?

[Business of Supply, May 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of any myself.

One of the questions I have is for the member for Terrebonne—Blainville.

She mentioned that the NDP had been pushing for these measures, that she was happy to see them introduced and that overall these are good steps.

This is about the legislation that this government has introduced. Why would that member want to support our legislation in the first place, when we hear the NDP opposition across the floor saying no? It is either yes or no. What are they trying to prove?

[Business of Supply, May 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I think that maybe the member from across the floor should make an access to information request, which is obtainable. With five dollars to make that request, he can get that information.

First of all, as an RCMP member, I also had to make requests for information, to the local SaskTel, asking for information on an individual to assist in an investigation. I did that hundreds of times throughout my career, and it was never a problem. Once I obtained the information on the caller who had that phone number, I then proceeded to do a search warrant, which sometimes took hours. It can even take days or weeks to formulate a proper search warrant.

This is about trying to protect Canadians, and also, as a police officer, having to justify ourselves in a court of law that we have obtained these in a lawful manner.

[Business of Supply, May 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am not going to listen to the opposition member lecture me about irrelevancy. Coming from a law enforcement background, for a mayor that is irrelevant. From someone who has never had to do an investigation on Criminal Code offences or investigate serious Criminal Code offences such as Internet luring, it is most hypocritical. My colleague does not agree with that for Internet luring either; watching the sex offenders out there trying to attack the most vulnerable, our youth.

I want to give some quick facts here.

From the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Chantal Bernier: “...I welcome proposals in this bill. This bill contains “very positive developments for the privacy rights of Canadians... I am pleased that the government has...addressed issues such as breach notifications..”.

This has to happen. This is about protecting Canadians across the country, from coast to coast to coast. What this also does is to assist police officers such as myself, when we had to do investigations for Internet luring, in being able to identify those offenders and justifying ourselves in the court of law on why we obtained the warrant in the first place. This is about protecting Canadians.