Vic Toews

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I think the member is somewhat unclear about what the process is.

In fact, when there are allegations made against a police force such as the RCMP, there is an independent civilian commission that handles it. It is the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP. I have asked them to look into this.

If that member has any specific information in respect of any particular case, that information should either go to the police or the member should go to his provincial prosecutors.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, while we have no information regarding these allegations, I have asked the independent Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP to look into this matter.

If that member has specific information on these allegations, he should contact the appropriate authorities, including the provincial prosecutors who would be responsible for that type of prosecution.

[Public Safety, February 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned about reports of an individual convicted of very serious crimes returning to the same area where his victim lives. Our Conservative government will be bringing forward a victims' bill of rights as part of our plan for safe streets and communities, which is one of the four priorities recently set by the Prime Minister. Our government has taken strong action, despite the opposition of Bloc members, despite the opposition of the NDP and the Liberals. We would simply ask them to help us help the victims in cases like this so we can get the job done.

[Public Safety, February 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I find it very interesting, coming from those members, that they keep saying let us pay more for police, but when the police actually catch the criminals, they say let them out onto the street. It is a lot like trying to move water with a sieve. That is the criminal philosophy of the NDP.

[Public Safety, February 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I find it interesting that the member's party opposed that fund when we first proposed it.

Policing is a provincial and municipal matter. We will continue to work with the police to give them the tools they need in order to fight crime in their jurisdictions.

I might remind that member that when he was a member of the municipal council he talked about slashing $2 million from the budget of Esquimalt for the police directly.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, I have asked the Commissioner for Public Complaints Against the RCMP to follow up on some allegations that have been made. In fact, I would encourage anyone with information that bears on these matters to pass it along to the appropriate authorities.

This is precisely why we have introduced legislation to deal with some issues inside the RCMP, and it is shocking to see that the NDP continues to stall these measures.

[Aboriginal Affairs, February 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the government has asked the independent commission for public complaints against the RCMP to follow up on some allegations that have been made. There is no question that the deaths of these women are a tragedy that has caused deep pain for many families. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families.

We will continue to move forward with a vigorous criminal justice agenda to address the concerns of victims. We call upon the NDP to help us in that respect.

[Public Safety, February 7th, 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 ahead of his appointment and had no objections to that appointment. The allegations that Mr. Porter is facing do not have anything to do with his former responsibilities.

[Public Safety, February 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, Arthur Porter submitted his resignation from his position as chair of the Security and Intelligence Review Committee. We accepted this resignation. The allegations Mr. Porter is facing do not have anything to do with his former responsibilities.

[Public Safety, February 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, policing is a matter of provincial and municipal jurisdiction. What the federal government does do is provide the laws that allow the officers to arrest dangerous individuals and put them into custody. Unfortunately, we have not received support from the NDP to do that. At every turn they have opposed measures to keep violent, dangerous criminals off the street.