Public Safety committee  In his appearance before this committee, the Commissioner of Corrections reported that some staff members have been dismissed from the Service as a result of their involvement in the prison drug trade. According to CSC’s Corporate Reporting System, the national average of positive random urinalysis drug results in CSC facilities has remained remarkably stable over the last decade—averaging 10.5%.

Safe Streets and Communities Act  My family has lived in that community in the centre of town for 45 years and during that time period we have seen a tremendous growth in one particular trade. That trade is obvious and seen daily on the streets of downtown Fort McMurray as the drug trade. I get many calls from constituents in relation to this activity, which carries on during the day. That is why I am so pleased today to rise to speak in support of Bill C-10, which would help those beautiful communities across Canada that have turned into places where drugs are sold openly in public at all times of the day.

Safe Streets and Communities Act  The measures contained in the bill, for example, will not make it easier for law enforcement agencies to get to the organized crime bosses who run the drug trade, who we need to bring in and incarcerate. One of the most effective ways to promote public safety is the successful rehabilitation and reintegration back into society of offenders.

National Defence committee  Our responsibility, as we look at the Afghan security forces and the support as an institution, is to make sure that they can gain a wage that allows them to live, so that they avoid a situation where their only recourse is to become involved in the drug trade because there's no employment or what they're being paid from their employment is insufficient to allow them to live. I think we've taken steps with the Afghan security forces to do that.

Afghanistan committee  They'll be able to take over behind NATO forces, and they'll be able to deal with issues like the drug trade.

Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act  In Montreal—and I believe the same thing is happening throughout Canada—street gangs in particular have started to get out of the drug trade and to concentrate solely on human trafficking and prostitution. The seizure of proceeds of crime does not apply to procuring or alleged human trafficking. It applies to drugs and under other Criminal Code sections, but paradoxically it does not apply to human trafficking, one activity of these gang members, and it does not apply to procuring in particular.

Libya  In 1980, Panama, under Noriega, was a police state with no democracy. The largest revenue was from the drug trade. After the fall of Noriega, the Panama Canal was handed over to the people by the U.S. and a new constitution was formed, but the economy also had to be restructured. I was asked to help with the reconstruction of its agriculture industry.

The Budget  Our government will also reintroduce comprehensive legislation, including: to crack down on organized drug crime; to end house arrest for serious and violent criminals; to end house arrest for serious personal injury offences, such as sexual assault; to eliminate pardons for serious criminals; to establish tougher sentences and mandatory jail time for sexual offences against our children; to strengthen the handling of violent and repeat young offenders; to give police and courts the tools they need to investigate crimes and prevent acts of terrorism; to allow victims of terrorism to sue perpetrators and supporters of terrorism in Canadian courts; and to streamline long and complex trials to ensure justice is delivered swiftly. We will also tackle the drug trade and drug use in prisons by ensuring that every federal inmate will undergo drug testing at least once a year. Prisoners in possession of illicit substances will face appropriate additional charges.

International Trade committee  Hall Findlay and Mr. Laforest have raised, is the issue of money laundering, particularly from the drug trade. There's an excellent book, which I'm sure you've read, that came out from Cornell University just a few months ago. It mentions that about 75% of all sophisticated drug trafficking operations use offshore secrecy havens, and states that it is evident to all who have studied the offshore banking business that its growth has been fueled by the phenomenal increase in cash from the U.S. drug trade.

Canada-Panama Free Trade Act  It found that Panama was tied for first in the country as a source of tax-laundered money emanating from the drug trade. It is interesting that Panama is also tied to Colombia. In 1903, Panama was formally separated from Colombia, with the blessing and military support of the United States government.

International Trade committee  I don't think paramilitarism or displacement has to do with mining or agriculture. Displacement occurs because of violence, and of course mainly because of the drug trade. Something we have not discussed in this meeting thus far is the drug trade; the drug trade is a big problem in Colombia. The biggest drug cartel in the world happens to be FARC, and this happened over the last 15 to 20 years.

International Trade committee  You referred to the drug trade and the violence caused by the drug trade in Colombia. Why do you believe that people get involved in the drug trade?

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  The Conservatives cannot stand in the House and stay that they are against the drug trade, that they are against the Colombian drug cartels when they are rewarding a regime that has very clear connections and consistently over time has had personal association with the paramilitary organizations that are part of the drug trade.

Public Safety committee  The majority of murders and crimes of violence, most robberies and break-ins, and even high-volume shoplifting and other property crimes, are now committed by persons involved in the drug trade or addicts. Organized crime now flourishes on the drug trade, and it has surpassed all others with its immense profits. Two, criminals do not obtain firearms licences and they do not register their very disposable firearms.

Finance committee  The same types of financial malfeasance or fraud that may be used or money laundering that may be used to finance the drug trade could also be used to finance terrorism. Has this been a factor? Have you seen that the post-September 11 increased efforts--and I guess multilateral efforts--on terrorism have impacted and augmented your resources on the financial side?