Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member because she was my mentor. I am very thankful to her for spending a lot of time in my riding in previous years. When it comes to Internet exploitation, I touched on the fact earlier that I am on the access to information committee.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member for Calgary Northeast mentioned, I am not on the justice committee,. When it comes to the issue of marriage, I would have to read more about it and get back to him. I certainly will get back to him once I have gone through that particular clause.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member for Wild Rose standing up in the House and saying a few words. This hon. member is going back 15 years. I would like to remind the member that if we go back just a month, I am sure he was present in the House at the time when the House leader of the official opposition brought in a motion to expedite seven out of the nine legislative bills on the justice agenda.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member from the Bloc for bringing this forward. In fact, I cannot agree more with him that strengthening the criminal justice bills is not the only way; preventing the crime is another way of doing it. We have to be stronger when it comes to social programs.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, first, I congratulate you formally on getting second reading on your Bill C-343, to amend the Criminal Code, motor vehicle theft. I was very proud to support that. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak in support of Bill C-22 today. The bill amends the Criminal Code to raise the age from 14 to 16 at which a person can consent to non-exploitive sexual activity.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to debate Bill C-207, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (tax credit for new graduates working in designated regions). Let me begin by saying that I believe hot spots in our economy, mostly in urban centres, tend to draw young Canadians away from the less populated regions when they begin to look for work after college or university.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member spoke in the House before me. Again, when it comes to the Conservatives, all they want to do is electioneer with taxpayer dollars and they are not serious enough to deal with the situation at a deep level. I go to the people of Newton—North Delta and my constituents come to me.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I reiterate that serious crime should carry serious penalties. On the other hand, when it comes to the gun registry, if we go to any police officer across the country, every one of them is for the gun registry. That is a step toward—

Criminal Code  The hon. member can ask the question when I am given the opportunity to answer him. This is one question I want to ask the Prime Minister on behalf of my constituents. When will he stop the empty electioneering and get serious about moving forward on protecting our children, our seniors and our communities?

Criminal Code  The Liberals are very serious about dealing with the situation. That is why I am standing in the House today, and it is my time. I hope, Mr. Speaker, you will acknowledge that it is my time to address the House. When the time comes to ask questions, I will be glad to have hon. members ask me questions and I will answer them.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Burlington is a good friend of mine. In fact, I am sure the hon. member listened to my speech when I said that a serious crime should carry serious penalties. I do not disagree with that. On the other hand, I would like the hon. member for Burlington to help me to talk about those vulnerable people in our society who need help the most.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, crime prevention and personal safety hit at the very core of daily life for citizens across this country. When I sit down with concerned citizens from my own riding of Newton—North Delta in their living rooms, in the coffee shops, or when I visit our high schools, I hear the same concerns I have as a father and as a local businessman.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Scarborough—Guildwood would like to take my spot. Can we switch?

Spousal Abuse  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay homage to a woman whose courage is a model for victims of spousal abuse across this country. It was not that long ago when Ms. Ghuman, the victim of two gunshot wounds, was fighting for her life. Now she is getting her life back together and speaking out for young South Asian women who may not be ready to break their own silence on this hidden poison in our communities.

House debate  Mr. Speaker, in fact when I look at my Canada, it is based on one centrepiece, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. My riding of Newton—North Delta is very diverse when it comes to economics and socio-cultural structure. Does the member agree that by taking away the court challenges program, the government is undermining the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and hence, is also undermining basic Canadian values that we all see as our new Canada?