LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

Tuesday 3 June 2008

Polygamy

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is to the Premier. Yesterday, just before British Columbia launched a criminal probe into the illegal polygamist marriages taking place there, I demanded the same in this chamber for Ontario’s well-documented polygamy problem. Last night, I sent the Premier an urgent letter to heed him to heed B.C.’s action and initiate a criminal probe here, too. Will the Premier send a strong message of support to Canada’s laws, and immediately launch a criminal investigation into these illegal polygamist marriages taking place in Toronto?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

L052-1135-3 follows

(Ms. MacLeod)

laws and immediately launch a criminal investigation into these illegal polygamist marriages taking place in Toronto?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

Hon. Ted McMeekin: I’ll respond to the honourable member’s question by reminding her of what the Attorney General said in this House yesterday. He said, “In Ontario, where there are allegations of criminal activity, the police are responsible for investigating—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I ask the member for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke to withdraw the comment.

Mr. John Yakabuski: Withdraw.Hon. Ted McMeekin: “ ... and determining whether or not there are grounds for charges to be laid.”

I want to further highlight his point that political interference is not something that this government is desirous of getting into. In fact, it’s not something that’s proper. If in the course of an investigation the police can seek legal advice from crown—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: .. didn’t care about breaking the law either. This government is passing this issue around the cabinet table like a political hot potato. The Minister of Government and Consumer Services’ responses often contradict federal law. The men and women’s issues minister won’t stand up for gender equality. Now, you have the Attorney General, and apparently this minister, wanting to sweep this dirtily little secret under the carpet.

So I ask, will they do the right thing? Will they do what it took 20 years for British Columbia to do and launch a criminal investigation, or will they continue to pass the buck around for another 20 years at the expense of the rule of law in this country and gender equality rights in this province?

Hon. Ted McMeekin: It’s not my place to comment on criminal law. It is entirely my place to express in this House today that we have full confidence in the ability of the police to carry out their investigative responsibilities.

Repeated calls for interference in police investigations are not helpful. It unfairly discredits police, diminishes public respect for the work that they do every single day, and unfairly jeopardizes public safety. In the event that charges are laid by the police, they will in fact be prosecuted by the crown in the normal course of events.