House debate  Madam Speaker, I would like to respond to some of the opposition's criticism to the government's efforts to ensure that serious crimes are adequately punished. Our government intends to ensure that serious crimes, including violent crimes, result in sentences that appropriately

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to the motion. As my previous colleagues have stated, the hon. Minister of Justice is required to inform the House of Commons of any legislation introduced that is not compliant with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I would like to

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, what we are trying to do is what we committed to do, which is stand up for law-abiding Canadians. We are the only party in the House that consistently and continually stands up for law-abiding Canadians. We are not those who speak of harming those who have already be

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his hard work on justice files and his long-term service, both now in the House and before he came to this place. Extenuating circumstances means exceptional circumstances, where there is perhaps, for an example, a very serious terrorist threa

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I understand the concerns of Canadians when it comes to privacy rights. They want to know that we are striking the right balance. That is why this government has referred the matter to committee so we can have a full and open airing of these issues and so the appropr

Justice  Mr. Speaker, Canadians gave our government a strong mandate to crack down on serious and violent criminals and that is exactly what we are doing. The safe streets and communities act is comprehensive legislation that will ensure that those who commit sexual offences against chil

Little House Society  Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to highlight good works reminiscent of the little engine that could. On Monday of this week in Tsawwassen, B.C., the Little House Society opened its doors again to take a lead in hosting abstinence-based recovery groups supporting those dea

Justice  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his work on the justice committee. First, it is ironic that the NDP members wanted to leave work early. They should know that those who do not show up for work, should not get a promotion. They should just ask the little Liberal

Justice  Mr. Speaker, once again we are taking action when it comes to fighting crime in our country, something supported by 77% of Quebeckers, by the way. I know we just passed the Safe Streets and Communities Act, but when we say we are committed to tackling crime, we mean it. Today we

House debate  Mr. Speaker, allow me to revisit the figures and clarify the important facts. The hon. member has her figures wrong, and I speak as someone who was called to the bar 32 years ago, was a past president of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association and is now the Parliamenta

House debate  Mr. Speaker, as I said, the federal judicial appointments process has incorporated several mechanisms designed to encourage greater diversity within the federal judiciary. First, efforts have been made to make the application process open and accessible to all. All law societies

Battle of Vimy Ridge  Mr. Speaker, I rise on the solemn occasion of the 95th anniversary of the World War I Battle of Vimy Ridge, a battle that showcased the exemplary valour of our Canadian soldiers. I want to particularly commemorate Captain Victor Gordon Tupper of the 16th Battalion. His father wa

Canadian Human Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, unless I have not read the bill properly, I do not believe the hon. sponsor has defined the two terms at the centre of his proposed legislation, gender identity and gender expression. It seems to me that it is rather imprudent as legislators to pass legislation witho

Canadian Human Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to contribute to the debate on Bill C-279 sponsored by the hon. member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, an opposition member from my home province of B.C., for whom I have respect. I think he knows that. We studied Bill C-279 and, up

Citizen's Arrest and Self-defence Act  Madam Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Portage—Lisgar. I am pleased to speak to Bill C-26, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (citizen's arrest and the defences of property and persons). Bill C-26 addresses a number of distinct but interrelated measures th