House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 71% of the vote.
Justice November 21st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, maybe he could tell the people who were gunned down by gunmen in downtown Toronto that the gun registry is working.
The government has spent almost $1 billion on a gun registry that simply does not work and it continues to spend over $100 million a year simply because it is too embarrassed to admit that the system does not work.
Not for my sake, but for the sake of the victims of violent crime, why will this minister not redirect the money to programs and police services that work?
Justice November 21st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, in Canada criminals are out of jail before victims are out of the hospital.
Although the Department of Justice spent $136 million last year on a gun registry that has failed to keep guns out of the hands of real criminals, it allocates only $2.7 million to the victims of crime.
Why is the plight of victims such a low priority for the government? Why are victims only worth 2%?
Parliamentary Reform November 21st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, just because I will not comment specifically on the comments made, does not mean that I dismiss them.
The member's suggestions are interesting but there are essentially two fundamental problems with our system. First is the method in which people are appointed to the other place, the Senate, where there is no real opposition to the government agenda on a regional basis or otherwise. Second, the House is standing on its head in that the executive controls the private members instead of the private members holding the executive to account.
I noted the member's comments on an elected Senate. Where does he stand on an elected Senate and are his suggestions helpful in respect of holding the executive more accountable to private members?
Criminal Code November 20th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, unless pedophiles are a culture now in Canada, why will the minister not give an answer to that question? He continues to hide behind this cultural slander to do nothing on the issue.
Why will the minister not specify what cultural group would voice objection to this, other than pedophiles?
Criminal Code November 20th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, on November 5, 2002, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice said in this House, with respect to the age of sexual consent, “There are many social and cultural differences that have to be reflected in the law”. Yesterday the minister inaccurately suggested this had not been said in the House.
I repeat, what cultures in Canada would voice concern about raising the age of sexual consent from 14 to 16 years of age?
Age of Consent November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the comments of the parliamentary secretary are an insult to all cultural groups in Canada. Canadians of all ethnic origins know that culture is never an excuse for the sexual abuse of children by adult sexual predators.
Why does the minister prefer to insult Canadians instead of taking important steps to protect children?
Age of Consent November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice said that cultural considerations prevent the minister from raising the age of sexual consent from 14 to 16 years of age.
Can the minister tell the House which culture he is referring to? Which culture in Canada says it is okay for an adult to sexually abuse a child?
Correctional Service Canada October 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I stand by my words that it was a disgraceful decision. Prisoners in penitentiaries choose to commit horrible crimes against their fellow citizens. Providing convicted murderers with the right to vote undermines the legitimacy of government and the rule of law.
Will the Minister of Justice immediately table a constitutional amendment to overturn the effect of this perverse ruling?
Correctional Service Canada October 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, today the Supreme Court moved from the law courts to the theatre of the absurd. It gave a motorcycle gang member and a prisoner convicted of first degree murder the right to vote in federal elections. In so doing it debased the value of our democratic system and the franchise of every Canadian citizen.
Will the Minister of Justice stand up for Canada and condemn this disgraceful decision?
Firearms Registry October 29th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, violent crime continues to rise. The murder rate is down only because of timely medical intervention. In Toronto, in 1998, 23% of the murders involved firearms. By last year, the number of murders caused by firearms in Toronto had more than doubled to 52%.
Why does the government continue to strip police of resources, while pumping money into an ineffective gun registry that does not reduce violent crime or keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals?