Rick in House of Commons

Transcript

Mr. Rick Norlock (Northumberland—Quinte West, CPC): Mr. Speaker, it seemed like I was listening to the member ad infinitum.

I thought we were talking about Bill C-4 for a while, but he strayed off into prison farms. What he does not realize is that very few people are finding work in the animal husbandry business. That is because, of course, as he and I both know, farmers are struggling.

My riding being home to Canada's largest federal penitentiary, I could say a lot of good things are happening with the people who are serving time there. They are learning trades. Some of them are actually getting their ticket, as sandblasters for instance. In some cases they are finding jobs before they leave prison.

They are learning a trade while they are in jail. They are getting an education so that they can get a better job to provide for themselves and their families. I could go on and on.

The member for Malpeque should avail himself of the statements of Professor Martin, who appeared before the justice committee. Professor Martin is from the University of Fraser Valley. He said that sentencing does provide a deterrence.

I wonder if the member for Malpeque could tell the House when the protection of society should be given consideration when sentencing young offenders? Further, is he of the opinion that the protection of society should be continued?

Hon. Wayne Easter: Mr. Speaker, to the last point first, the protection of society is extremely important and it should be given consideration, all of the time in fact.

However there are many ways of considering that protection of society. One of them is having governments at both federal and provincial levels work on the preventive side, providing child care and daycare which the government took away, for instance.

The other way to protect society is to do what was suggested earlier, having rehabilitation programs in place so that when people go into the prison system, they come out rehabilitated. What the government is emulating is the system in the United States where they build more jails and throw people away.

The member for Northumberland—Quinte West talked about other skills. They are important. Of course those other skills are important. However what is also important is what people learn by working on the farm.

I know we have a government over there that does not care about farm policy. I believe the member said that farmers are struggling. It is no wonder they are struggling because last year the government spent $900 million less on farm safety programs than it did the year before. The hog industry is in trouble. The potato industry is in trouble. The beef industry is in trouble. We have a government that just does not care.

It does not care about farmers any more than it cares about the people it throws it prison. It is unacceptable and sad.