Steven Blaney

[Privacy, March 12th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect the government's left hand to know what the right hand is doing. When it comes to protecting rights and freedoms, our bill contains many provisions, including one that gives the Security Intelligence Review Committee the mandate to investigate all threat reduction activities.

For all intents and purposes, we are the only country among our allies that does not already have measures in place to effectively combat terrorism and prevent radicalization in certain cases. We look forward to hearing evidence from experts and any constructive comments that they are sure to have on our bill, which is very important for Canada.

[Public Safety, March 12th, 2015]

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I am aware of these stories. As the member knows, I do not comment on an operational matter.

We are fully aware that high-risk travellers are travelling and willing to join terrorists. That is why we are putting on the floor of this House Bill C-51, which will give better tools to our law enforcement and police officers to prevent Canadians from committing terrorist acts abroad and coming back here to be a bigger threat to our country and our safety.

[Public Safety, March 12th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question.

I am indeed aware of these stories. That being said, the member knows that I do not comment on national security activities. However, I invite her to support Bill C-51, because the bill will allow us to continue to keep Canadians safe from terrorist threats, with monitoring mechanisms to protect people's rights and provide a framework for the activities of our intelligence agencies.

[Public Safety, March 11th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, it is extremely important for those involved in law enforcement—whether police, prosecutors or judges—to have access to accurate and up-to-date criminal records information.

Why did the NDP oppose our $180 million investment in the information system to move the records from the paper era into the electronic era? We are working with police forces and the provinces. Canada is a partner, we are at the table and we will continue to ensure that this model is efficient and modern.

[Public Safety, March 11th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, access to accurate and up-to-date criminal records information is critical for law enforcement across Canada.

The real question is this. Where was the NDP when this government invested $180 million to develop a new, fully automated and electronic criminal records management system at the RCMP? Is it that the NDP is still in the dinosaur age, when we are now moving from a paper era to an electronic era?

We are working with our provinces, with courtrooms, and also with municipal police to have a successful transition—

[Public Safety, March 11th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleague to refer to the review committee's report, which indicates that the committee believes that it has both the capacity and the expertise required.

This is an independent committee that has consistently done its job and fulfils its role without any political interference. For 30 years, the committee has been issuing a security certificate that confirms and attests that the operations of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service meet Canadian requirements. The director general once again confirmed that he had all the resources necessary to fulfill his mandate.

Why are the New Democrats opposed to being better equipped to confront the terrorist threat—

[Public Safety, March 11th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, we do agree that more power requires more oversight, and that is why in Bill C-51 there is embedded not only more judicial oversight, but also more review bodies. I really wonder why New Democrats, if they are so keen on keeping an eye on our intelligence community, are not supporting Bill C-51.

However, I would argue that Canadians are keen on keeping an eye on those who are threatening us, and that is why I urge New Democrats to support Bill C-51.

[Correctional Service Canada, February 26th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I will make one correction.

With our effective policies, the inmate population in our penitentiaries is declining and we have seen a drop in the crime rate. With respect to mental health, we have put in place a five-point action plan to identify problems. Screening is done in all penitentiaries, not just facilities for people with mental health problems.

We have a strategy for studying behaviour, we have action plans and we will continue to ensure that penitentiaries can treat people with mental health issues. However, once again, we should first ensure that people with mental health issues do not go to jail.

[Correctional Service Canada, February 26th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, our government has an action plan to deal with mental health throughout the country, and I will look into this matter.

[Public Safety, February 26th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, why do the New Democrats want to stop our intelligence officers from shutting down websites that post hate propaganda, preventing high-risk travellers from boarding a plane, meeting with parents to prevent their child from falling prey to radicalization and preventing imminent attacks? Why are they opposed to information sharing within the federal government?

I urge the members of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to examine this important bill that protects Canadians against terrorism so that we can pass it.