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House
of Commons Debate - May 14, 2010
"Strengthening the Pardon System"
(Audio
and Video coming soon.)
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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video
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Audio
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"
Watch
Video
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Audio
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"
Watch
Video
Hear
Audio
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"
Watch
Video
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Audio
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"
Watch
Video
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Audio
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"
Watch
Video
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Audio
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.
I
could not
agree
more. Canadians want an accountable government. The government is
delivering."
Question
in the House of Commons - January 28, 2009:
"Rural
Broadband"
Watch
Video
Hear
Audio
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"
Watch
video
Hear audio
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."
For House
of Commons video and audio archives, click
here.

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