House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 71% of the vote.
Public Safety February 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I think the Prime Minister made the position of the government very clear.
I find it interesting that the member is talking about improving safety for aboriginals. That member opposed matrimonial real property rights for aboriginal women, he opposed tougher sentences for sexual assault, he opposed ending house arrest for serious crimes, he opposed tougher penalties for those who sell drugs to our children and he opposed funding to keep our young people out of gangs.
Public Safety February 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, Arthur Porter submitted his resignation. It was accepted almost two years ago.
The leaders of the NDP and the Liberal Party were consulted and they consented to this appointment. Now the member stands up and says he did not have any information and so he simply consented. That is an abdication of his responsibility. If there were any concerns that he had, he could have brought them to the attention of the appropriate authorities and simply asked the question. He failed in his responsibility.
Public Safety February 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister answered that earlier in question period.
I find it interesting that the member is talking about improving safety for aboriginals, yet that member and her party oppose matrimonial real property rights for aboriginal women, tougher sentences for sexual assault, ending house arrest for serious crimes, tougher penalties for those who sell drugs to our children and funding to keep young people out of gangs.
We will take no lesson from that party.
Ethics February 27th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, Arthur Porter submitted his resignation. It was accepted almost two years ago. The leaders of the NDP and the Liberal Party were consulted prior to his appointment, and they consented to the appointment.
The allegations Mr. Porter is facing do not have anything to do with his former responsibilities.
Public Safety February 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, while policing is primarily a provincial responsibility, the federal government has long invested in first nations policing to help keep communities safe. A funding decision will be made in the near future regarding this matter. However, I can say that spending on first nations policing has increased substantially under this government, as opposed to that government when the Liberals were in power.
Public Safety February 26th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, policing is primarily a provincial responsibility. The federal government has long invested in first nations policing to help keep communities safe. In fact, I am having discussions with a number of chiefs this very afternoon on that very topic.
A funding decision itself will be made in the near future. Spending on first nations policing has increased substantially under this government, as opposed to the actions of that member when he was on municipal council, cutting policing in his own community.
Public Safety February 25th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I do not know where the member is getting his information. I have been meeting with first nation communities on this very point. If the member wants an update on what meetings I have had and with whom, I am prepared to share that with him.
Canada Border Services Agency February 14th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to removing foreign criminals who have no right to be in Canada. That is something the member voted against. He voted to keep foreign criminals in Canada.
Individuals who are in Canada illegally are removed only after officials have determined that they can be removed without undue risk. Our government has never shied away from raising human rights concerns with the Chinese government. We will continue in that vein.
Canada Border Services Agency February 14th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to removing foreign criminals who have no right to be in Canada, something that the member opposes.
Individuals who are in Canada illegally are removed only after officials have determined that they can be removed without undue risk. Our government has never shied away from raising human rights issues with China, and we will conduct ourselves lawfully in every respect.
Aboriginal Affairs February 14th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I can reply to that question, again with the same answer.
We have no information regarding these allegations, but I have asked the independent Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP to look into this matter. That member can approach that independent commission to look at this matter.
If the member has specific information in respect of any specific criminal act, he should go to the appropriate authorities.