November 19, 2001

Mr. Bill Blaikie (Elmwood-Transcona, NDP): Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice who has argued in recent weeks, in defence of Bill C-36, that September 11 changed the world.

Unfortunately for Canadians, who are worried about Bill C-36, they might be less worried if they felt that the government's attitude toward peaceful protesters had changed. Yet that does not seem to have been the case this weekend in Ottawa.

Is the minister not concerned about the treatment of some peaceful protesters on the weekend? Will she be asking for a report from those in charge and making a statement in the House as to how this supports her position on Bill C-36?

Hon. Lawrence MacAulay (Solicitor General of Canada, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the government has always supported peaceful protest. However, what we will not support is violence.

Mr. Bill Blaikie (Elmwood-Transcona, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is a question of trust.

I want to ask the Minister of Justice: why should the government be trusted with new powers in which it may use these powers and not be able to distinguish between real terrorists and non-terrorists if at the moment it cannot distinguish between peaceful protesters and violent protesters?

Is she not concerned about the reputation the government has developed? Why should we trust her or anyone else on that side with increased powers when they cannot use the powers they already have judiciously?

Hon. Anne McLellan (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I think it is fair to say that most reasonable people would say that the police appointed themselves and conducted themselves admirably on the weekend.

The hon. member and I have engaged in this discussion before. I believe the definition of terrorist activity in Bill C-36 is clear. However I have also indicated that I am open to considering further clarifications to the definition that will deal with the concerns of the hon. member and others.