House of Commons Debate - May 14, 2010
"Strengthening the Pardon System"

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Transcript:

"Mr. Speaker, it is certainly a very great pleasure to rise today in support of the motion from the Hon. Member for Surrey North who I know for many years has been a strong advocate for victims' rights and has been deeply committed to strengthening the justice system while helping young people who are at risk of becoming involved with gangs or the criminal justice system to lead better lives. I am confident that her motion will receive the support it so richly deserves.

I would ask the House to take a long and hard look at the Criminal Records Act with an eye to strengthening it in order to ensure that the National Parole Board puts the public's safety first in all its decisions. None of us perhaps needs to be reminded about why this is so important in today's world.

Putting safety first, of course, is something that our government has committed to do ever since we were first elected in 2006. We have done it in a number of ways. We have given police and law enforcement officials the tools and resources they need to do the job. We have done it by getting tough with crime and offenders. We passed legislation to stiffen sentences for people convicted of drive-by shootings and murderers connected to organized crime. We passed the Tacking Violent Crime Act better protecting 14 to 16 year olds for the first time from sexual predators. We recently introduces measures to further protect our children and help victims by strengthening the national sex offender registry and the national DNA databank.

We will also be pressing onward over the coming months with other important initiatives including ending house arrest for serious crimes and repealing the faint hope clause to spare victims from having to relive their terrible experiences. We have also introduced legislation to keep violent and repeat young offenders off the streets while awaiting trial and ensure the courts consider appropriate sentences for youth convicted of the most serious and violent crimes.

All these measures are designed to do one thing and that is to ensure that Canadians are safe in their own homes and in their own communities. As our recent Speech from the Throne notes: For many Canadians there can be no greater accomplishment than to provide for their children to contribute to the local community and to live in a safe and a secure country.

Our government shares and supports these aspirations which is one reason why this motion is before us today and as parliamentarians it should be for all of our attention.

The way the pardon system currently works means that the majority of applicants are granted one after a certain waiting period provided they are not convicted of another crime and in the cases of indictable offences or serious offences can demonstrate to the National Parole Board that they are of good conduct.
The idea behind the waiting period and the need for an offender to remain conviction free, or show they are of good conduct, is sound enough, but we want to make sure that each offender who applies for a pardon has committed to living in society as a law-abiding citizen. That is one safeguard in the present system which plays a role in protecting public safety.

The question we have to ask ourselves though is, is it enough? Hon. members would know that another key safeguard within the present system originated with the hon. member for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon back in 1997. He introduced a private member's bill stipulating that the records of sex offenders should be flagged in the justice system so that an organization working with children, seniors or other vulnerable members of our society would be able to tell that an individual who might have applied for a job with them had a sex offender background.

It took a lot to get this measure passed, including the cooperation of the government of the day which saw the value in my colleague's bill and introduced its own legislation to implement this important safeguard. This measure came into force in August 2000, thanks in large part to the commitment of the hon. member for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon to enhancing public safety.

In 2006, our government implemented a review of the pardon system and put in place further safeguards with regard to sex offenders based on what was known at that time. In particular, the National Parole Board enacted new measures calling on two board members instead of one to approve or reject applications from sex offenders. In addition, measures were put in place to ensure that the board undertook more rigorous consultations with police in the cases of sex offenders in order to determine if there is any recent and relevant information available on the offender.

Our government has therefore always been committed to putting public safety considerations at the centre of the pardon system in the country, but we can and will do more based on what we know today. This is not a case of simply responding to sensational headlines. It is a case of looking at the present system, evaluating it and asking ourselves whether it responds to the needs of Canadians, given that a serial sex offender can apparently receive a pardon under the same legislative rules and as readily as anyone who has committed a less serious offence.

Is that right? Obviously, we believe not. All of us need to ask ourselves what more we can do to ensure that public safety considerations are front and centre in decisions made by the National Parole Board, as they should be for all aspects of our criminal justice system. The way the current system is set up means that we can and do differentiate in a limited way. Offenders convicted of a life or indeterminate sentence, for example, cannot apply for a pardon while other offenders serving shorter sentences can.

What we perhaps also need to look at is whether, in the interest of public safety, we should also differentiate between offenders who commit certain crimes over an extended period of time and those who may have committed an offence only once. There is quite a difference. That is one thing that we need to look at.

We need to ask whether the National Parole Board needs more discretion to look at the pattern of conduct or to look at the offences themselves, if there was more than one, as well as the potential impact on victims. We need to ask whether these and many other safeguards are sufficient. Are these all important issues to address over the coming weeks? I would certainly hope so.

I therefore look forward to working with all Hon. Members and especially the mover of this bill to strengthen the system of pardons in this country. I urge all members to support the motion put before us today by the hon. member, who has demonstrated quite clearly that this is a motion that is not only true to the heart and soul, but also true to the essence of fairness and safety in this country."

Question Period - November 19th, 2009
"We are leading the global recovery"

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Transcript:

"Mr. Speaker, during the current global downturn, one thing has become crystal clear: Canada's economy is holding up better than most and we are leading the global recovery.

Today's OECD economic report confirms that. Now while the global recovery is fragile and tentative, Canada is among the strongest in the G7 in terms of GDP growth for next year, and we will lead the G7 in growth in 2011. The OECD also notes that our Conservative government's action plan, especially our infrastructure and home renovation tax benefit, is helping fuel the recovery.

We cannot be distracted. We need to stay the course. We need to focus on the economy and fully implement Canada's action plan. That is what the OECD is recommending and that is precisely what this Conservative government is doing.

We are fighting the recession, while the Liberal leader and his party vote time and time again against the recovery and for an election. This shows clearly and sadly that they are not in it for Canadians; they are in it for themselves."

Statement in the House of Commons, November 5, 2009
"Thank you Prince Edward District Masons & MasoniCHIP and Congratulations Kenzo Dozono"

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Transcript:

" Mr. Speaker, service organizations in Prince Edward-Hastings like the Rotary, Legion, Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Kiwanis, Shriners, Elks, Kinsmen, among many others, have been responsible for bettering our communities and helping thousands of people.

One particular organization in my riding currently involved in a very worthy initiative is the Prince Edward-Hastings District Masons, who are volunteers in the Masonic child identification program. This program is one of the most comprehensive child recovery, identification and abduction awareness programs in use today. With individually tailored child ID kits, it provides all parents with a tool for helping to keep their children safe. Thanks to the masons of Prince Edward district. We appreciate its effort to protect the ones we love.

I would also like to take a moment to congratulate a very special constituent who truly is an inspiration to one and all. While standing only 4 feet 9 inches, 114 pounds and 65 years young, Kenzo Dozono, an eighth-degree black belt, recently took home three gold medals from the World Karate Open Championships in Athens, Greece. Congratulations, Kenzo."

Transcript of Mr. Kramp's statements re debate on Bill C-306
(June 1, 2009 and October 19, 2009)

Statement in the House of Commons, April 28, 2009
"Bancroft's Rock Hound Gemboree"

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Transcript:

"Mr. Speaker, each year Festivals & Events Ontario recognizes and celebrates the many excellent festivals and events that Ontario currently enjoys through its annual top 100 Ontario festivals program.

Today I would like to formally congratulate Bancroft's Chamber of Commerce, vendors and volunteers as the Bancroft Rockhound Gemboree earns the distinction for the fifth year in a row of making the top 100 Ontario festivals. The Rockhound Gemboree, Canada's largest gem and mineral show, has been going on for 44 years. It takes place every August and draws thousands of collectors, rockhounds and geologists.

Again, my heartiest congratulations to the Bancroft Chamber of Commerce. Also, I invite everyone to visit Bancroft, the winner of the most talented town in Ontario, to come this August to enjoy the amazing Rockhound Gemboree.

Rock on."

Statement in the House of Commons, April 3, 2009
"All You Need Is Love"

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Transcript:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate a special musical group that is very close to the hearts of many people in their hometown of Belleville, Ontario and as far away as Liverpool, England. The groups name is All You Need is Love.

This tremendously talented group compromised of members, Andy Forgie, Mark Rashotte, Steve Smith, Vitas Slapkauskas, Al Haring, Francis Rose and Wayne McFaul, celebrate the ageless music of the Beatles, and for the third consecutive year in 2008 were again invited to perform in Liverpool, England during the extremely popular Beatle Week.

Not only do they thrill audiences in Liverpool, they are the star performers and organizers at a Beatles festival held annually in Belleville. These musicians also believe in giving back to their community and have, with their music, raised over $100,000 for women's shelters, locally and across Canada, and have also raised funds for the tsunami relief effort.

For their great achievements in music, for sharing some of the world's most beloved music with all of us, and for their dedication to helping those less fortunate, on behalf of the good citizens of Prince Edward-Hastings I wish to convey my sincerest congratulations and thanks."

Debate in House of Commons - April 1, 2009
Re: Private member's Bill C-268, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under eighteen years.)

Transcript:

Daryl Kramp, MP: "Madam Speaker, I rise today to join in the second reading debate on private member's bill C-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years). I am so very pleased to be able to speak to this bill today and I sincerely thank the member for Kildonan-St. Paul for her many years of tireless work on this, her passion for protecting the young and vulnerable people in this country and around the world and her dedicated effort to combat human trafficking, not just in Canada but internationally.
Bill C-268 proposes to...."

Want to read full speech? Download it here (.doc format).

Statement in the House of Commons - March 3, 2009

"Canada's Cement Industry"

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Transcript:

"Mr. Speaker, today, the presidents and CEOs representing Canada's cement industry, including from my riding the Essroc Cement plant in Picton, are visiting Parliament.
The cement industry wishes to pass along to the House its congratulations to the Government of Canada for this government's swift action to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure investment and getting shovel-ready projects under way.
The cement industry will play a very important role in the infrastructure investments detailed in Canada's economic action plan. Cement is the critical ingredient in concrete and is an essential construction material designed for building sustainable infrastructure across Canada.
As cement is used in concrete to lay a rock-solid foundation to buildings, bridges and highways, so has this Government of Canada laid a solid foundation with its infrastructure investments in the economic action plan; a foundation that will protect the prosperity and lives of Canadians from coast to coast to coast."

Statement in the House of Commons - February 10, 2009:

"Delivering Accountability and Transparency"

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Transcript:

"Mr. Speaker, as we pass through this difficult period of economic uncertainty, Canadians want to be assured their government is accountable and responsible in its actions.

Last week, in the public accounts committee, we heard testimony from representatives from the Auditor General's Office, where they stated:

We commend the government for producing financial statements that are fairly stated in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. In our view, Canada continues to demonstrate leadership in financial reporting by a national government.

The committee chair also stated: As has been said by colleagues, this is a clean report. It's been 10 consecutive years now where we've had a clean report, unqualified, from the Auditor General, with a high level of transparency, consistency of accuracy, and I think we, and all Canadians, should be very proud of that fact.

Question in the House of Commons - January 28, 2009:

"Rural Broadband"

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Transcript:

Member of Parliament, Daryl Kramp: "Canada is a world leader in providing Internet access to its citizens", said Mr. Kramp. "However in rural communities like mine across Canada, gaps in access to broadband remain. We believe gaining access to broadband is critical for these communities, not only for the ability of rural Canadians to communicate but for our local businesses to compete in the global economy. Could the minister today please inform this House what Canada's economic action plan does to help promote broadband access to rural and remote communities?"

Minister of Industry, the Honourable Tony Clement: "Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for the question and congratulate him on his boundless advocacy and great work on this particular file. He really has been an excellent MP working for his constituents. I am a representative of a large rural riding myself and I can tell the House that I know the necessity of expanding broadband access for jobs, hope and opportunity in the future. Budget 2009 is meeting that call. It is providing $225 million over three years to extend broadband coverage to all unserved areas. This is important for rural and remote communities, but most importantly, this is nation-building. This is important for the future of Canada."

Statement in the House of Commons - November 25, 2008:

"Troops in Tweed"

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Transcript:

"Congratulations, Madam Speaker, and to all my esteemed colleagues.
Please allow me to take the opportunity today to thank the good citizens of Prince Edward--Hastings for once again electing me for the third time to represent them in this Parliament.

Today I wish to formally commend the passion and support exhibited by the municipality and the citizens of Tweed toward our Canadian soldiers.
Buses loaded with Canadian troops bound for Afghanistan have been passing through Tweed from Petawawa on their way to Trenton for departure, and each time they have received a huge farewell from the residents.

I was honoured to join the hundreds of school children, moms, dads, grandparents, families, legion members and municipal officials who came out to pay their respects and wish them well.

It was an extremely moving event to see such overwhelming and heartfelt support for our young military men and women.

Tweed residents, legion members, and the town's municipal leaders deserve our respect and congratulations for illustrating just what it means to be a proud and grateful Canadian."

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