44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 14, 2023 02:00PM
- Jun/14/23 2:27:33 p.m.
- Watch
I am going to have to interrupt again. It is getting way out of hand. I want everyone to take a deep breath.
The hon. minister.
26 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:27:43 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, in the questions that are posed by the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Canadians know they will get a prescription for political interference. On this side of the House, we are doing it the right way.
Today, I will be issuing new ministerial instructions to the Correctional Service of Canada to make sure that it puts victims' rights at the centre of decisions to transfer and that it informs victims' families before those transfers take place. We will always stand up for their rights.
88 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:28:13 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is the legitimate power of a public safety minister to issue directives about classes of prisoners. The former public safety minister, Ralph Goodale, did that about prisoners suspected of having contraband. That is normal. That is a power that the minister has today. He could classify all mass murderers as requiring maximum-security detention. That is a decision he could make now. It is a decision he could have made on March 2, when his office became aware that this monster was being transferred out of a maximum-security prison.
Given that he has not done that, and because he has misled the House, will the Prime Minister fire him?
113 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:28:53 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, perhaps the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada did not hear my last answer. We will be issuing new directions to the Correctional Service of Canada to ensure that it puts victims' rights at the centre of these decisions, to be sure that it informs victims' families before these transfers take place and to be sure that I am directly notified on a go-forward basis.
What did they get with Conservatives the last time they were in government? They got cuts to the Correctional Service of Canada in the amount of $300 million in their last year of government. That is the difference between what Canadians get with Conservatives and what they get with our government.
120 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:29:33 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the government must launch an inquiry into Chinese interference before we rise for the summer. The government appears more open to the idea, but it is not making much headway because it refuses to clarify its intentions. This is because of a word that starts with “p”. Every time we mention an inquiry, the government talks about a public process. I looked everywhere but could not find a definition for “public process”. Potential commissioners probably do not know exactly what it means either. A public inquiry is a clear concept; it is even defined by law.
Why not just announce an independent commission of public inquiry? That is what everyone wants. This is what it comes down to.
124 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:30:13 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
I share the interest of all parliamentarians in finding the right process and, as I have said, a public inquiry has never been ruled out. However, it is a matter of finding the right way to do the work in a respectful manner, while taking into account the importance of protecting highly confidential security information, in order to rebuild Canadians' trust.
That is what we are going to do, hopefully with the support of the opposition parties.
86 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:30:54 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, they are still talking about a process. It is not easy to get the facts from the government.
It seems like the government is hemming and hawing over whether to hold a public inquiry on Chinese interference. It must do it, because this is too important. The government has a duty to launch an inquiry before the House adjourns. In order for that to happen, it must do two things. First, it must announce the format of the inquiry, which will be a commission of inquiry. Second, it must ensure that the commissioner is truly independent. No one will accept the job as long as the government keeps hiding its intentions.
Will it launch a commission of inquiry, yes or no?
123 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:31:34 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned yesterday, the letter we received from the Bloc Québécois is an important step towards building a consensus about the right way to move forward. Our colleague put forward the idea of an independent public inquiry. Perhaps he did not hear when I clearly said that it is an option the government is considering.
However, the process for this public inquiry must be properly defined. How will it protect top secret information? What will the time frame be? Who are the right people to lead this process?
95 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:32:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, what is going on in the office of the public security minister? We just found out that his office was aware of the transfer of Paul Bernardo out of maximum security three months ago, but the minister claims that he only knew about it on May 30. If the minister cannot keep his house in order, how is he going to keep the country safe?
When will the minister stop waiting beside a fax machine and start checking his emails for these serious updates?
86 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:32:44 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier in this chamber, I was notified on May 30, the day after Paul Bernardo was transferred to a medium-security institution. I have taken corrective steps to deal with the issues within my office, and going forward, I have indicated that we will be issuing new instructions to the Correctional Service of Canada to put victims' rights at the very centre of transfer decisions and make sure that victims' families are notified. This is something I will continue to be focused on every day: defending victims' rights.
93 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:33:19 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the problem does not end there.
The director of CSIS confirmed in committee that his service had indeed informed the Minister of Emergency Preparedness, when he was Minister of Public Safety, of the information involving the member for Wellington—Halton Hills.
The director said that he had shared information with the Department of Public Safety with very specific instructions to share it with the minister.
Can the minister confirm in the House that he is now able to read his emails?
84 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:33:55 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have an opportunity to clear up a misunderstanding the member opposite appears to have. The national security and intelligence adviser, the public safety officials and Director Vigneault have all been very clear in that ministers and their offices do not have direct access to top secret electronic networks. Mr. Vigneault did not send his note to me, nor did he notify me that the information had been sent. Director Vigneault had many opportunities to brief me but, unfortunately, never briefed me on the contents of his note.
93 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:34:30 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, when we learned last week that serial killer Paul Bernardo was going to leave a maximum security prison, the Minister of Public Safety acted surprised.
According to the CBC, he knew about this for three months. This minister misled Canadians. If ministerial responsibility and honour still mean anything to him, he should resign.
Will he do that?
59 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:35:01 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, as I said, I was shocked by CSC's decision to transfer Mr. Bernardo. I was informed of that decision on May 30.
I am taking corrective steps at my office. It is my responsibility and I take it very seriously.
We will continue to focus on victims' rights. I had a very good conversation with the representatives of the French and Mahaffy families. We will work together to protect victims' rights.
75 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:35:35 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we cannot imagine how much pain, anxiety and indignation the loved ones of Paul Bernardo's victims felt when they learned that the minister had known about the murderer's transfer for three months and said nothing.
It was completely insensitive and downright irresponsible. This minister has lost all credibility when it comes to protecting victims. He needs to resign, right away.
Is he going to resign?
71 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:36:05 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, my colleague is mistaken. I was informed of the transfer on May 30, as I have said many times.
Today, I am handling this by taking further action and giving new directives to the CSC. The CSC must notify victims' families before a transfer occurs. I must also be directly briefed as Minister of Public Safety.
We will always protect victims' rights.
66 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:36:37 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Public Safety told Canadians that he relied on the advice of law enforcement to implement the Emergencies Act. That was false. He told Canadians that the Beijing-run police stations in our country were closed, and that was false. Then he told Canadians that he did not know about child rapist and murderer Paul Bernardo’s transfer out of a maximum-security prison. He stood in front of the victims’ families and acted shocked.
He knew for three months; now he is throwing his staff under the bus. Which staff member did he fire?
101 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:37:12 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. I stood with the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, because I have great care for them, as do all Canadians. That is why I called the commissioner to express my concerns. That is why she is conducting a review of the decision. That is why I am issuing new instructions to the CSC.
The hon. colleague refers to the Emergencies Act. I will always defend the government's decision to invoke that act. While we were working around the clock to restore public safety, what were the Conservatives doing? What was the leader of the Conservative Party doing? He was serving up Timmy's. On this side of the House, we will always defend law and order.
126 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:37:47 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, if he claims he does not read emails, if he claims he does not get briefed by staff, if he claims he does not get briefed by his officials, if he claims he does not tell the Prime Minister anything, what does he actually do here?
He told the families of Paul Bernardo's victims that he had no knowledge of the transfer. He pretended that he had no idea. He revictimized the families of the victims, and he does not have the trust of Canadians. His own caucus cannot even look up at him.
There is only one option for the minister. It is to resign.
109 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jun/14/23 2:38:23 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the events that occurred—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
12 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
