Speech (committee meeting)

{
    "time": "2010-03-16 11:10:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. Scott Andrews (Avalon, Lib.)",
        "fr": ""
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"1815807\" data-originallang=\"en\">Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the justice committee. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815808\" data-originallang=\"en\">First of all, let me thank the committee for advancing the discussion on my private member's bill, Bill <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)</a>. It was introduced on October 23, 2009, followed by second reading on December 4. I look forward to the discussion and your support as we move this important piece of legislation forward.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815809\" data-originallang=\"en\">All of us in Newfoundland and Labrador and many across the country heard the terrible story concerning the murder of a young, upcoming doctor in 2001. Dr. Andrew Bagby was murdered in a Pennsylvania park, and at the time, the police in the United States questioned Dr. Shirley Turner of St. John's, Newfoundland, in connection with the murder.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815810\" data-originallang=\"en\">Soon after, Dr. Turner returned to Newfoundland and made her pregnancy known, with her child of the late Dr. Bagby. Court proceedings followed, and Dr. Turner fought to stay in Canada during an extradition process.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815811\" data-originallang=\"en\">Soon after, Zachary was born to the grandparents Kate and David Bagby, and they moved to Newfoundland to file for custody of their grandson. During the court proceedings, Dr. Turner was granted bail, and Zachary remained in her custody, with the grandparents given supervised visitations.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815812\" data-originallang=\"en\">On August 18, 2003, Dr. Turner took her own life and the life of 13-month-old baby Zachary. While on bail, Dr. Turner jumped into the Atlantic Ocean in Conception Bay South with Zachary, and both died.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815813\" data-originallang=\"en\">Since that time, Kate and David Bagby have been presenting their story and seeking the reform of bail legislation in Canada. In addition, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the efforts of our friend, Kurt Kuenne. Kurt is the producer of a documentary called <em>Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father</em> that played throughout Canada and across the national media. I can assure you that this is near and dear to Kurt's heart. He used his talents to have this story told and to promote legislative reform.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815814\" data-originallang=\"en\">Just a year ago, shortly after I was elected, I received an invitation to attend a special screening of the documentary <em>Dear Zachary</em> for senators and members of Parliament in Ottawa. At that time, I had the pleasure to meet and talk with Kate and David and Kurt for the first time. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815815\" data-originallang=\"en\">Watching this documentary and listening to their personal stories had a profound impact. It was shortly after this that I knew my first ever private member's bill would try to advance the efforts of bail reform in Canada. Obviously, I had to come quickly up to speed on the procedures of private members' bills and options for amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada pertaining to bail.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815816\" data-originallang=\"en\">We have to balance the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and we need to have a court system to reflect the requirement to protect the safety of minors while those accused of serious crimes are being considered for bail.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815817\" data-originallang=\"en\">After consultation with Kate and David and discussion of my intentions with my colleagues and lawyers, and working with the legislative branch of the House of Commons, I introduced Bill <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a> on October 23.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815818\" data-originallang=\"en\">In summary, this bill when enacted will amend the Criminal Code to provide that the detention of the accused in custody may be justified where it is necessary for the protection and safety of the accused's minor children.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815819\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bill <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a> is not about me. MPs create a private member's bill for two reasons: to make a political statement, knowing it will go nowhere; and, secondly, if you believe a realistic change can be made and it's possible to make a difference, then you will have success.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815820\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bill <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a> is an accomplishment that reflects the strength and determination of David and Kate Bagby, parents and grandparents of the late Andrew and Zachary. I am delighted that Kate and David have joined us here today. These two amazing people have used their strength and determination to attract the attention of decision-makers and have had them focus upon the need to bring about change to our current bail legislation in Canada.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815821\" data-originallang=\"en\">It is in the memory of Andrew and Zachary that we move this bill forward and do everything in our power to prevent this from happening to another family.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815822\" data-originallang=\"en\">I have pledged my support to the Bagbys and to all Canadians wanting legislative reform within the Criminal Code that will hopefully strengthen bail requirements and achieve a common goal, so that no one has to witness or live through the devastation of losing loved ones in circumstances that are later determined to have been preventable.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815823\" data-originallang=\"en\">Following this tragedy, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador reviewed and investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of Zachary. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815824\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Dr. Peter Markesteyn was appointed to conduct the review and report findings to the provincial government. Dr. Markesteyn has had extensive experience in the conduct of children and adult health death reviews and has been a consultant to the Department of Justice federally. His professional experience includes many years of teaching in the faculties of medicine in several Canadian universities, including the University of Alberta, the University of Manitoba, and Memorial University in Newfoundland. He has also been trained as a consultant by the RCMP training division in Regina, the Atlantic Police Academy in Charlottetown, and the Canadian Police College here in Ontario.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815825\" data-originallang=\"en\">Dr. Markesteyn conducted an exhaustive investigation over a 15-month period, and at the end of his research there were two distinct conclusions: one, Zachary Turner's death was preventable; two, Zachary was in his mother's care when he should not have been.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815826\" data-originallang=\"en\">Although Dr. Markesteyn's mandate did not include a review of federal legislation concerning bail conditions, the provincial minister of justice at the time did bring these findings to the attention of the federal government.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815827\" data-originallang=\"en\">From a tragic ending, we bring this new beginning of bail reform so that no other family has to go through this devastation that Kate and David have gone through so far. During the past short while, we have made considerable progress with the bill. It is my hope that such progress can continue so that we can move my private member's bill through the committee stage and into the House for third reading with minimal required legislative timelines.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815828\" data-originallang=\"en\">Senator Tommy Banks has been part of the debate and the progress of Bill <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a>. He has pledged his support and is ready to sponsor this bill for approval through the Senate.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815829\" data-originallang=\"en\">Once again, I would like to thank the committee members for their timely response to Bill <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a>, and I look forward to continuing the debate on this very important piece of legislation. I'd like to thank David and Kate for their continued support and for joining me here today. I'd also like to thank the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for their interest in and support for Bill C-464.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815830\" data-originallang=\"en\">I look forward to hearing from other witnesses and to continued discussion and debate.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815831\" data-originallang=\"en\">In closing, we support the proposed amendment that was brought forward by the parliamentary secretary. It puts more clarity and defines \u201cminor children\u201d so that there will be no misunderstanding when this needs to be used in a court of law.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815832\" data-originallang=\"en\">Once again, thank you for your time. We look forward to answering your questions.</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"1815807\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bonjour, monsieur le pr\u00e9sident, et bonjour \u00e9galement aux membres du Comit\u00e9 de la justice.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815808\" data-originallang=\"en\">Premi\u00e8rement, permettez-moi de remercier le comit\u00e9 de faire avancer la discussion au sujet de mon projet de loi d'initiative parlementaire, le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"3938422\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464, Loi modifiant le Code criminel (motifs justifiant la d\u00e9tention sous garde)</a>. Il a \u00e9t\u00e9 d\u00e9pos\u00e9 le 23 octobre 2009 et pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 en deuxi\u00e8me lecture le 4 d\u00e9cembre. Je me r\u00e9jouis \u00e0 l'avance de notre discussion et de votre appui pour faire avancer cette importante mesure l\u00e9gislative. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815809\" data-originallang=\"en\">Tous les habitants de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador et bien des Canadiens de partout au pays ont entendu le terrible r\u00e9cit du meurtre, en 2001, d'un jeune m\u00e9decin prometteur. Lorsque le Dr Andrew Bagby a \u00e9t\u00e9 assassin\u00e9 dans un parc en Pennsylvanie, la police des \u00c9tats-Unis a interrog\u00e9 la Dre Shirley Turner de St. John's, Terre-Neuve, en lien avec l'homicide.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815810\" data-originallang=\"en\">Peu de temps apr\u00e8s, la Dre Turner est retourn\u00e9e \u00e0 Terre-Neuve et a annonc\u00e9 qu'elle attendait un enfant du regrett\u00e9 Dr Bagby. Des proc\u00e9dures judiciaires ont suivi, et la Dre Turner a lutt\u00e9 pour demeurer au Canada au cours d'un processus d'extradition. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815811\" data-originallang=\"en\">Peu de temps apr\u00e8s est n\u00e9 Zachary, petit-fils de Kate et David Bagby, qui ont d\u00e9m\u00e9nag\u00e9 \u00e0 Terre-Neuve pour demander la garde de leur petit-fils. Pendant les proc\u00e9dures judiciaires, on a accord\u00e9 la libert\u00e9 sous caution \u00e0 la Dre Turner, qui a eu la garde de Zachary. Les grands-parents ont, quant \u00e0 eux, eu des droits de visites supervis\u00e9es.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815812\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le 18 ao\u00fbt 2003, la Dre Turner a mis fin \u00e0 ses jours et \u00e0 ceux de Zachary, alors \u00e2g\u00e9 de 13 mois. Pendant sa libert\u00e9 sous caution, la Dre Turner s'est jet\u00e9e dans l'Atlantique avec Zachary, \u00e0 Conception Bay South, o\u00f9 ils sont morts tous les deux. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815813\" data-originallang=\"en\">Depuis ce temps, Kate et David Bagby racontent leur histoire et cherchent \u00e0 faire r\u00e9former la loi sur la libert\u00e9 sous caution au Canada. Par ailleurs, je m'en voudrais de ne pas souligner les efforts d\u00e9ploy\u00e9s par notre ami, Kurt Kuenne. Kurt a produit un documentaire intitul\u00e9 <em>Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father</em> qui a \u00e9t\u00e9 diffus\u00e9 partout au Canada et dans les m\u00e9dias nationaux. Je peux vous assurer que ce projet importe beaucoup \u00e0 Kurt. Il s'est servi de son talent pour raconter cette histoire et promouvoir une r\u00e9forme l\u00e9gislative.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815814\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il y a un an \u00e0 peine, peu apr\u00e8s mon \u00e9lection, j'ai \u00e9t\u00e9 invit\u00e9 \u00e0 une pr\u00e9sentation sp\u00e9ciale du documentaire <em>Dear Zachary</em> \u00e0 l'intention des s\u00e9nateurs et des d\u00e9put\u00e9s \u00e0 Ottawa. \u00c0 cette occasion, j'ai eu le plaisir de rencontrer Kate, David et Kurt pour la premi\u00e8re fois.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815815\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le documentaire et leur r\u00e9cit personnel ont eu un profond effet sur moi. Peu de temps apr\u00e8s, j'ai su que mon tout premier projet de loi d'initiative parlementaire tenterait de faire avancer les efforts pour r\u00e9former les mesures relatives \u00e0 la libert\u00e9 sous caution au Canada. Manifestement, j'ai d\u00fb rapidement me renseigner sur la marche \u00e0 suivre pour d\u00e9poser pareil projet de loi et les options pour apporter des modifications aux dispositions du Code criminel canadien sur la libert\u00e9 sous caution.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815816\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous devons \u00e9quilibrer la Charte des droits et libert\u00e9s et nous avons besoin d'un syst\u00e8me judiciaire qui tienne compte des exigences n\u00e9cessaires pour assurer la s\u00e9curit\u00e9 des mineurs lorsque l'on envisage d'accorder la libert\u00e9 sous caution aux personnes accus\u00e9es de crimes graves.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815817\" data-originallang=\"en\">Apr\u00e8s avoir consult\u00e9 Kate et David, discut\u00e9 de mes intentions avec des coll\u00e8gues et des avocats, et travaill\u00e9 avec les responsables du pouvoir l\u00e9gislatif \u00e0 la Chambre des communes, j'ai d\u00e9pos\u00e9 le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a> le 23 octobre.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815818\" data-originallang=\"en\">En r\u00e9sum\u00e9, une fois \u00e9dict\u00e9, ce projet de loi modifiera le Code criminel afin de justifier la d\u00e9tention d'un pr\u00e9venu sous garde lorsqu'elle est n\u00e9cessaire \u00e0 la protection ou \u00e0 la s\u00e9curit\u00e9 de ses enfants mineurs.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815819\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a> n'est pas personnel. Les d\u00e9put\u00e9s \u00e9laborent des projets de loi d'initiative parlementaire pour deux raisons, soit pour expliquer une prise de position politique en sachant fort bien que leur projet de loi n'aboutira jamais, soit pour contribuer \u00e0 am\u00e9liorer les choses lorsqu'ils croient qu'un changement positif est possible. C'est alors que leurs efforts sont couronn\u00e9s de succ\u00e8s.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815820\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a> est une r\u00e9alisation qui t\u00e9moigne de la force et de la d\u00e9termination de David et Kate Bagby, parents et grands-parents des regrett\u00e9s Andrew et Zachary. Je suis ravi que David et Kate se soient joints \u00e0 nous aujourd'hui. Par leur force et leur d\u00e9termination, ces deux personnes exceptionnelles ont attir\u00e9 l'attention des d\u00e9cideurs et les ont amen\u00e9s \u00e0 se pencher sur la n\u00e9cessit\u00e9 de modifier les dispositions l\u00e9gislatives actuelles en mati\u00e8re de libert\u00e9 sous caution au Canada.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815821\" data-originallang=\"en\">C'est en m\u00e9moire d'Andrew et de Zachary que nous promouvons ce projet de loi et faisons tout ce qui est en notre pouvoir pour emp\u00eacher qu'une autre famille soit victime de pareille trag\u00e9die.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815822\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je me suis engag\u00e9 \u00e0 appuyer les Bagby et tous les Canadiens qui veulent une r\u00e9forme l\u00e9gislative du Code criminel qui, nous l'esp\u00e9rons, renforcera les exigences relatives \u00e0 la libert\u00e9 sous caution et nous permettra d'atteindre notre objectif commun afin que personne n'ait \u00e0 subir la perte d'un \u00eatre cher dans des circonstances qui, en r\u00e9trospective, auraient pu \u00eatre \u00e9vit\u00e9es.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815823\" data-originallang=\"en\">Au lendemain de cette trag\u00e9die, le gouvernement de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador a enqu\u00eat\u00e9 sur les circonstances entourant la mort de Zachary.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815824\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le Dr Peter Markesteyn a \u00e9t\u00e9 nomm\u00e9 pour mener l'examen et rendre compte de ses observations au gouvernement provincial. Le Dr Markesteyn poss\u00e8de une exp\u00e9rience consid\u00e9rable de l'examen des d\u00e9c\u00e8s d'adultes et d'enfants, et a offert des services d'expert-conseil au minist\u00e8re de la Justice du Canada. Il a, au cours de sa carri\u00e8re, enseign\u00e9 pendant de nombreuses ann\u00e9es dans les facult\u00e9s de m\u00e9decine de plusieurs universit\u00e9s canadiennes, dont l'Universit\u00e9 de l'Alberta, l'Universit\u00e9 du Manitoba et l'Universit\u00e9 Memorial \u00e0 Terre-Neuve. Il a \u00e9galement re\u00e7u une formation d'expert-conseil au sein de la division de la formation de la GRC \u00e0 Regina, de l'Acad\u00e9mie de police de l'Atlantique \u00e0 Charlottetown et du Coll\u00e8ge canadien de police ici en Ontario. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815825\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le Dr Markesteyn a men\u00e9 une enqu\u00eate exhaustive sur une p\u00e9riode de 15 mois, \u00e0 l'issue de laquelle il en est arriv\u00e9 \u00e0 deux conclusions distinctes: premi\u00e8rement que la mort de Zachary Turner aurait pu \u00eatre \u00e9vit\u00e9e et, deuxi\u00e8mement, que Zachary avait \u00e9t\u00e9 laiss\u00e9 \u00e0 la garde de sa m\u00e8re alors qu'il n'aurait pas d\u00fb l'\u00eatre.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815826\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bien que le Dr Markesteyn n'ait pas eu pour mandat d'examiner les mesures l\u00e9gislatives f\u00e9d\u00e9rales relatives aux conditions de mise en libert\u00e9 sous caution, le ministre provincial de la Justice de l'\u00e9poque a port\u00e9 ces conclusions \u00e0 l'attention du gouvernement f\u00e9d\u00e9ral. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815827\" data-originallang=\"en\">Nous nous servons d'une fin tragique pour amorcer une nouvelle r\u00e9forme des conditions de libert\u00e9 sous caution afin qu'aucune autre famille n'ait \u00e0 vivre la p\u00e9nible \u00e9preuve que Kate et David ont eu \u00e0 traverser \u00e0 ce jour. Ces derniers temps, nous avons fait des avanc\u00e9es consid\u00e9rables avec le projet de loi. J'esp\u00e8re que ces progr\u00e8s ne s'arr\u00eateront pas l\u00e0 pour que nous puissions faire avancer mon projet de loi d'initiative parlementaire au stade du comit\u00e9 et le d\u00e9poser en troisi\u00e8me lecture \u00e0 la Chambre dans les d\u00e9lais l\u00e9gislatifs requis les plus courts. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815828\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le s\u00e9nateur Tommy Banks a particip\u00e9 au d\u00e9bat et \u00e0 l'avancement du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a>. Il a promis son appui et est dispos\u00e9 \u00e0 parrainer ce projet de loi pour qu'il soit approuv\u00e9 au S\u00e9nat.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815829\" data-originallang=\"en\">Une fois de plus, je tiens \u00e0 remercier les membres du comit\u00e9 d'avoir rapidement donn\u00e9 suite au projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"4328831\" href=\"/bills/40-3/C-464/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Criminal Code (justification for detention in custody)\">C-464</a> et je me r\u00e9jouis \u00e0 la perspective de poursuivre le d\u00e9bat sur cette mesure l\u00e9gislative tr\u00e8s importante. J'aimerais remercier David et Kate de leur appui continu et de leur pr\u00e9sence \u00e0 mes c\u00f4t\u00e9s aujourd'hui. Je veux \u00e9galement remercier les responsables du Centre canadien de ressources pour les victimes de crimes de s'int\u00e9resser au projet de loi C-464 et de l'appuyer.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815830\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je me r\u00e9jouis \u00e0 la perspective d'entendre d'autres t\u00e9moignages, et de poursuivre la discussion et le d\u00e9bat.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815831\" data-originallang=\"en\">En terminant, nous appuyons l'amendement propos\u00e9 par le secr\u00e9taire parlementaire. Il pr\u00e9cise le libell\u00e9 et d\u00e9finit \u00ab enfants mineurs \u00bb pour \u00e9viter les malentendus lorsque ce terme devra \u00eatre utilis\u00e9 devant les tribunaux.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"1815832\" data-originallang=\"en\">Une fois de plus, je vous remercie du temps que vous m'avez accord\u00e9. Nous nous ferons un plaisir de r\u00e9pondre \u00e0 vos questions.</p>"
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