Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2019-02-05 18:25:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Lib.)",
        "fr": "M. Kevin Lamoureux (secr\u00e9taire parlementaire de la leader du gouvernement \u00e0 la Chambre des communes, Lib.)"
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"5761954\" data-originallang=\"en\">Madam Speaker, as I have indicated in the past, it is always a privilege to share some thoughts on important pieces of legislation and motions that come before the House.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761955\" data-originallang=\"en\">I listened very closely to my colleague across the way as he introduced his proposed legislation. He talked a great deal about the issue of parole hearings.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761956\" data-originallang=\"en\">I could not help but reflect on another initiative the government brought in. I believe it was Bill <a data-HoCid=\"10078426\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-83/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and another Act\">C-83</a>. Through this bill, the government made some changes regarding audio recordings in parole hearings. In the past, if a criminal was up for parole and a victim of sexual assault, for example, wanted to listen to the parole hearing in person, that individual would not be allowed an audio copy of what took place at the parole hearing. Through this legislation, the government recognized that as a problem and made the necessary correction.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761957\" data-originallang=\"en\">I mention this because I believe that if members take a look at the issues in justice and at the legislation we have brought forward in the last three years, they will see that there is much legislation that takes victims into consideration, and that is just one example. Today, as a result of that legislation, the victim of a sexual assault would be able to go to a parole hearing and listen and also request an audio recording of it so that nothing would be missed because of the atmosphere the victim might have been placed in when listening at the parole hearing.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761958\" data-originallang=\"en\">That is one piece of legislation. We had another piece of legislation dealing with victims. We reformed the way our military laws were being dealt with to ensure that they conformed with the Criminal Code. A Victims Bill of Rights was incorporated into the legislation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761959\" data-originallang=\"en\">I use these cases as examples because I have found, when in opposition and even in listening to the current Conservative opposition, that at times the Conservatives seem to want to use our justice system and the law as a way to create wedges and to look tough on crime. It is that sort of mentality.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761960\" data-originallang=\"en\">A good example of this was referenced earlier today. In his speech, my colleague talked about first degree murder. It is a crime that the criminal courts recognize for what it is: When people are convicted of first degree murder, they are going away for a long time. However, he is right in his assertion that this does not mean that all murders are equal. Some are far more horrendous than others.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761961\" data-originallang=\"en\">Let us stop and think about this. Members will recall that we had a huge debate not that long ago about Tori Stafford. She was the focal point of debate in the House for a great period of time. The government of the day was being criticized because Tori Stafford's murderer was transferred to a medium-security prison facility, and there was outrage from the opposition.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761962\" data-originallang=\"en\">I raise this issue because on the surface, the legislation that is being proposed is fairly compelling in terms of support, but there are a couple of things that come to my mind.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761963\" data-originallang=\"en\">First, the member who brought forward the bill was a fairly influential member of the Harper government as a parliamentary secretary. He was fairly well known among the Conservative benches. No doubt that was one of the reasons why he was elevated to parliamentary secretary. That bill did not proceed. In response to the questions posed to the member, he said that it was a timing issue, that there was not enough time. The bill sat for a lot more time than what he has given this government to deal with it.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761964\" data-originallang=\"en\">One could question why the member feels the urgency is greater today. Was he told something that did not allow the Harper government to proceed with it? I would be very much interested in hearing the ongoing debate on this. Is that a part of what is often the case with the Conservative Party, that it likes to take a tough line? </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761965\" data-originallang=\"en\">That is the reason why I am giving the second example, which is the Tori Stafford case. Day after day, opposition members gave the false impression that this Liberal government was going about it in the wrong way. We were asked how we could do that. I heard the same thing at the local restaurant I go to on a weekly basis. People were starting to listen to what the official opposition was saying.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761966\" data-originallang=\"en\">The <a data-HoCid=\"214300\" href=\"/politicians/ralph-goodale/\" title=\"Ralph Goodale\">Minister of Public Safety</a> did great service to the issue when he had an internal investigation conducted and we came up with the right answer.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761967\" data-originallang=\"en\">While some of the research was being done on the Stafford file, we found that under former prime minister Stephen Harper, other murderers had been transferred from high-security to medium-security prisons. These murderers committed not only first degree murders, but some of them committed multiple murders. After the Conservatives realized the double standard, it then became a marginal issue. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761968\" data-originallang=\"en\">The Government of Canada did what it was supposed to do. The minister said that he would look into the matter and come back to the House, and he did. We were able to rectify the problem.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761969\" data-originallang=\"en\">This Liberal government has been very sensitive to victims of crime with respect to the legislation we have brought forward. We have been progressive in our way of dealing with individuals in our jails. Unlike the Conservatives, we recognize that a good number of those who are in jails today will be back in our communities. Many of the reforms we have made will ensure that we have fewer victims in the future.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761970\" data-originallang=\"en\">Our government has treated the public safety file seriously. We have not reacted to the degree the opposition has at times, which has not been in the best interests of public safety.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761971\" data-originallang=\"en\">I listened to what the member said about this legislation. I am interested in hearing further debate on it, as this is only our first hour of debate. I would like to hear particularly from some Conservative members as to why they believe Stephen Harper did not recognize the value of the legislation, as it sat on the Order Paper for a few years.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761972\" data-originallang=\"en\">I would also like to hear a response as to why the minister responsible at the time did not incorporate this in some of the judicial legislation that the Conservatives brought to the House. Why did the Conservative public safety minister not see fit to address this? Maybe we are missing something. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761973\" data-originallang=\"en\">I can assure the House that the government is listening, will continue to listen to the debate, and will ultimately make a determination as time goes on.</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"5761954\" data-originallang=\"en\">Madame la Pr\u00e9sidente, j'estime \u2014 et je l'ai d\u00e9j\u00e0 dit auparavant \u2014 que c'est toujours un privil\u00e8ge de pouvoir exprimer son point de vue sur les importantes mesures l\u00e9gislatives et motions qui sont pr\u00e9sent\u00e9es \u00e0 la Chambre.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761955\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'ai \u00e9cout\u00e9 attentivement mon coll\u00e8gue d'en face lorsqu'il a pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 son projet de loi. Il a beaucoup parl\u00e9 de la question des audiences de lib\u00e9ration conditionnelle.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761956\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je n'ai pas pu m'emp\u00eacher de penser \u00e0 une mesure pr\u00e9sent\u00e9e par le gouvernement. Il s'agit du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"10078426\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-83/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and another Act\">C-83</a>, je crois. Celui-ci pr\u00e9voit des changements concernant les enregistrements sonores de ces audiences. Auparavant, lorsqu'un criminel \u00e9tait admissible \u00e0 la lib\u00e9ration conditionnelle et que la victime \u2014 d'une agression sexuelle, par exemple \u2014 voulait assister \u00e0 l'audience en personne, elle ne pouvait pas obtenir une copie de l'enregistrement sonore par la suite. Le gouvernement a reconnu que cela pr\u00e9sentait un probl\u00e8me et il rem\u00e9die \u00e0 ce probl\u00e8me dans le projet de loi. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761957\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je le mentionne, car, selon moi, si les d\u00e9put\u00e9s se penchaient sur les questions d'ordre judiciaire et les mesures l\u00e9gislatives que nous avons adopt\u00e9es au cours des trois derni\u00e8res ann\u00e9es, ils se rendraient compte que plusieurs d'entre elles tiennent compte des souhaits des victimes, et ce n'est l\u00e0 qu'un exemple. Aujourd'hui, gr\u00e2ce aux lois qui ont \u00e9t\u00e9 mises en oeuvre, une victime d'agression sexuelle pourrait se pr\u00e9senter \u00e0 une audience de lib\u00e9ration conditionnelle en plus de demander un enregistrement de l'audience. Ainsi, la victime ne risque plus de perdre des \u00e9l\u00e9ments des \u00e9changes en raison de l'\u00e9tat d'esprit dans lequel elle risque de se trouver durant l'audience. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761958\" data-originallang=\"en\">Voil\u00e0 une des mesures l\u00e9gislatives. Une autre d'entre elles portait sur les victimes. Nous avons apport\u00e9 des modifications \u00e0 l'interpr\u00e9tation de la loi au sein du syst\u00e8me de justice militaire afin qu'elle soit conforme au Code criminel. Une d\u00e9claration des droits des victimes a \u00e9t\u00e9 ins\u00e9r\u00e9e dans la l\u00e9gislation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761959\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je me sers de ces exemples parce que j'avais l'impression, du temps o\u00f9 j'\u00e9tais un d\u00e9put\u00e9 de l'opposition, que les conservateurs tendaient \u00e0 utiliser le syst\u00e8me de justice et la loi pour susciter des discordes et montrer qu'ils s\u00e9vissent contre la criminalit\u00e9 \u2014 et j'ai encore cette impression aujourd'hui. C'est leur mentalit\u00e9. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761960\" data-originallang=\"en\">On a donn\u00e9 un bon exemple de cette tendance tout \u00e0 l'heure. Dans son discours, mon coll\u00e8gue a parl\u00e9 de meurtre au premier degr\u00e9. Les tribunaux p\u00e9naux reconnaissent la nature de ce crime: quand une personne est reconnue coupable de meurtre au premier degr\u00e9, elle est incarc\u00e9r\u00e9e pendant longtemps. Toutefois, le d\u00e9put\u00e9 a raison de dire que cela ne signifie pas que tous les meurtres sont \u00e9gaux. Certains sont beaucoup plus horribles que d'autres.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761961\" data-originallang=\"en\">Pensons-y un instant. Les d\u00e9put\u00e9s se rappelleront que, il n'y a pas si longtemps, nous avons tenu un grand d\u00e9bat au sujet de Tori Stafford. Pendant longtemps, elle a \u00e9t\u00e9 au coeur des d\u00e9bats \u00e0 la Chambre. On reprochait au gouvernement le transf\u00e8rement du meurtrier de Tori Stafford dans une prison \u00e0 s\u00e9curit\u00e9 moyenne, ce qui avait suscit\u00e9 l'indignation de l'opposition.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761962\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je soul\u00e8ve ce point parce que, \u00e0 premi\u00e8re vue, il existe des raisons convaincantes d'appuyer la mesure l\u00e9gislative, mais un certain nombre de choses me viennent \u00e0 l'esprit.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761963\" data-originallang=\"en\">D'abord, le d\u00e9put\u00e9 qui a pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 le projet de loi \u00e9tait secr\u00e9taire parlementaire, il \u00e9tait donc un membre assez influent du gouvernement Harper. Il \u00e9tait plut\u00f4t bien connu dans les rangs des conservateurs. C'est sans doute l'une des raisons pour lesquelles il a \u00e9t\u00e9 nomm\u00e9 secr\u00e9taire parlementaire. Ce projet de loi n'a pas \u00e9t\u00e9 adopt\u00e9. En r\u00e9ponse aux questions qu'on lui a pos\u00e9es, le d\u00e9put\u00e9 a r\u00e9pondu que c'\u00e9tait uniquement par manque de temps. Le projet de loi est demeur\u00e9 au Feuilleton pendant bien plus longtemps que le temps que le d\u00e9put\u00e9 donne au gouvernement pour l'\u00e9tudier.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761964\" data-originallang=\"en\">On peut se demander pourquoi le d\u00e9put\u00e9 estime que le temps presse plus aujourd'hui. Lui a-t-on dit quelque chose qui n'a pas permis au gouvernement Harper d'aller de l'avant? J'aimerais beaucoup entendre ce qui se dit \u00e0 ce sujet. Est-ce, comme aime souvent le faire le Parti conservateur, une fa\u00e7on d'adopter une ligne dure? </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761965\" data-originallang=\"en\">Voil\u00e0 pourquoi je donne le deuxi\u00e8me exemple, soit l'affaire Tori Stafford. Jour apr\u00e8s jour, les d\u00e9put\u00e9s de l'opposition ont donn\u00e9 la fausse impression que le gouvernement lib\u00e9ral ne faisait pas la bonne chose. On nous a demand\u00e9 comment nous pouvions faire cela. J'ai entendu la m\u00eame chose au restaurant o\u00f9 je vais chaque semaine. Les gens commen\u00e7aient \u00e0 \u00e9couter ce que l'opposition officielle disait.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761966\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le <a data-HoCid=\"214300\" href=\"/politicians/ralph-goodale/\" title=\"Ralph Goodale\">ministre de la S\u00e9curit\u00e9 publique</a> a grandement fait progresser ce dossier lorsqu'il a demand\u00e9 une enqu\u00eate interne et que nous avons d\u00e9couvert la bonne r\u00e9ponse.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761967\" data-originallang=\"en\">Dans le cadre des recherches sur le dossier Stafford, nous avons d\u00e9couvert qu'\u00e0 l'\u00e9poque du gouvernement Harper, d'autres meurtriers avaient \u00e9t\u00e9 transf\u00e9r\u00e9s d'un \u00e9tablissement \u00e0 s\u00e9curit\u00e9 maximale \u00e0 un \u00e9tablissement \u00e0 s\u00e9curit\u00e9 moyenne. Ces d\u00e9tenus avaient commis des meurtres au premier degr\u00e9, et certains avaient m\u00eame commis plusieurs meurtres. Lorsque les conservateurs ont constat\u00e9 qu'ils reprochaient au gouvernement actuel ce qui se faisait sous l'ancien gouvernement conservateur, l'enjeu a perdu de son importance. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761968\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le gouvernement du Canada a agi comme il devait le faire. Le ministre a dit qu'il examinerait la question et ferait part de ses conclusions \u00e0 la Chambre, ce qu'il a fait. Nous avons \u00e9t\u00e9 en mesure de corriger le probl\u00e8me.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761969\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le gouvernement est tr\u00e8s sensible aux droits des victimes et en tient compte dans ses projets de loi. Nous avons adopt\u00e9 une approche progressiste \u00e0 l'\u00e9gard des personnes incarc\u00e9r\u00e9es. Contrairement aux conservateurs, nous reconnaissons qu'une bonne partie des personnes qui sont actuellement en prison retourneront un jour dans les collectivit\u00e9s canadiennes. Bon nombre des r\u00e9formes que nous avons instaur\u00e9es permettront de r\u00e9duire le nombre de futures victimes.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761970\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le gouvernement prend le dossier de la s\u00e9curit\u00e9 publique tr\u00e8s au s\u00e9rieux. Nous n'avons pas r\u00e9agi comme l'a fait l'opposition, par moments, d'une mani\u00e8re qui n'a pas \u00e9t\u00e9 dans l'int\u00e9r\u00eat de la s\u00e9curit\u00e9 publique.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761971\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'ai \u00e9cout\u00e9 ce que le d\u00e9put\u00e9 a dit au sujet de la pr\u00e9sente mesure l\u00e9gislative. Je suis curieux d'entendre la suite du d\u00e9bat puisque nous n'en sommes qu'\u00e0 sa premi\u00e8re heure. J'aimerais surtout entendre des d\u00e9put\u00e9s conservateurs nous dire pourquoi Stephen Harper n'a pas reconnu la valeur de cette mesure l\u00e9gislative, qui est rest\u00e9e inscrite au Feuilleton plusieurs ann\u00e9es.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761972\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'aimerais qu'on me dise pourquoi le ministre responsable \u00e0 l'\u00e9poque n'a pas int\u00e9gr\u00e9 cette mesure \u00e0 l'une des mesures l\u00e9gislatives judiciaires pr\u00e9sent\u00e9es par les conservateurs \u00e0 la Chambre. Pourquoi le ministre conservateur de la S\u00e9curit\u00e9 publique n'a-t-il pas jug\u00e9 indiqu\u00e9 de s'attaquer \u00e0 cette question? Il y a peut-\u00eatre quelque chose qui nous \u00e9chappe.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5761973\" data-originallang=\"en\">La Chambre peut \u00eatre certaine que le gouvernement est \u00e0 l'\u00e9coute. Il continuera de suivre le d\u00e9bat et prendra \u00e9ventuellement une d\u00e9cision.</p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2019/2/5/kevin-lamoureux-6/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/kevin-lamoureux/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/4032/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "10476605",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Private Members' Business",
        "fr": "Affaires \u00e9manant des d\u00e9put\u00e9s"
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "Respecting Families of Murdered and Brutalized Persons Act",
        "fr": "Loi sur le respect d\u00fb aux familles des personnes assassin\u00e9es et brutalis\u00e9es"
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2019/2/5/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2019%2F2%2F5%2F"
    }
}