Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we are ready to do the work. In fact, we started clause-by-clause consideration last Tuesday, and we will continue to work hard on this file.
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to speak to Bill C-246, an act to amend the Criminal Code concerning consecutive sentences for sexual offences. It is a private member's bill brought forward by the hon. member for Lethbridge. The bill would replace the existing Criminal Code provision that requires sentencing courts to impose consecutive sentences in child sexual offences cases with one that would…
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Mr. Speaker, criminals who exploit or abuse children are among the most serious and despicable offenders in our society. It is simple: Child molesters should face the harshest penalties under Canadian law. In the coming weeks, our government will introduce a new measure from our election platform to better protect children from horrific crimes. Bill C-242 will be introduced this Friday, but there …
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Mr. Speaker, every child in Canada deserves to grow up free from fear, abuse and exploitation. Our government will always stand up for children through stricter laws, better protection and unwavering support for victims. In the coming weeks, our government will be introducing a bill to protect children. Again, Bill C‑242 is scheduled for debate this Friday, yet it makes no mention at all of mandat…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, they are heckling on the other side and I cannot hear myself speak. Would you please address this issue?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, to come back to the comments that were made by the member opposite, this is not a partisan issue and it should not be. I totally agree with him. The member also sits on the justice committee. Once this bill gets to the justice committee, I hope we will be able to work collaboratively to strengthen it by studying it and making all of the necessary recommendations and amendments to en…
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Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Mont-Saint-Bruno—L'Acadie. It is an honour to rise today as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to speak on behalf and in support of Bill C-14, the bail and sentencing reform act. It is the most significant modernization of Canada's bail and sentencing laws in a generation. This bill is a…
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Madam Speaker, once again, we have made it very clear that resources will be allocated to ensure that all provinces will be ready to do their work. Mental health criteria will be looked at, so we can ensure the jails are not overpopulated with people who do not benefit from the reverse onus—
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, this bill includes a number of reforms to the Criminal Code. In addition, the government has been very clear. We want to have more resources in our courts. Specifically, a number of judges need to be appointed. In fact, I mentioned that in my speech. It is an approach and a reform that will of course require additional resources. However, those resources are the responsibility of th…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the member opposite, who also sits on the justice committee, will have the opportunity to bring forward his recommendations for and amendments to this robust bill, so we can make it as complete as necessary to serve the interests of Canadians, ensuring—
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, last spring, Canadians made it clear they wanted change. The new government is laser-focused on transforming the ways we do business, but we will not lose sight of our commitment to deliver responsibly for Canadians. From making housing more affordable to bolstering our defence efforts, we are building Canada strong while remaining mindful of our role as stewards of public funds. We k…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, following the interventions by the member for Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, I am pleased to have the opportunity this evening to speak about the CRA's actions in response to the Auditor General's audit of its contact centres. First and foremost, let me say that the government accepts the findings of the Auditor General and thanks her for her invaluable audit published on Octobe…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, our new government is tackling some of the most pressing economic and security issues of our time as we build a strong, united Canada. We are taking bold action to transform government and build up our defence efforts. We are moving quickly, but we are doing it in a responsible and pragmatic way. As we manage some of the largest federal undertakings this country has ever seen, we will…
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Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Government of Canada will continue to closely monitor the results of this plan in the short and longer term. We will oversee the overall success of this plan, which will be assessed based on improvements in clients' experience. Given the agency's commitment when proving the accuracy of responses provided by contact centre representatives, we will be tracking the p…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it seems that the member opposite missed the news over the weekend and missed what frontline enforcement had to say about our bail and sentencing reform act, so I will bring him up to speed. The Toronto Police Association called our plan “a step in the right direction”. The Canadian Police Association, for police across the country, said, “This should be the moment of collaboration, n…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise this evening to speak about Canada's bail system and to respond to the member opposite, who asked whether the Minister of Justice had specific timelines for introducing bail and sentencing reforms, which is a commitment we were elected on and promised to Canadians with the mandate they gave us. As the member pointed out, last week, the Minister of Justice and Atto…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, Conservatives are not telling Canadians the truth about the principle of restraint. Whether it is in the Criminal Code or not, it exists in common law, so their attacks on Supreme Court precedents are nothing but political theatrics. First, we respect the rule of law and will never use the notwithstanding clause to override Supreme Court decisions. Second, we do not go online to attac…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for this opportunity to rise and debate this important issue. I also want to thank my colleague opposite for raising a concern that we actually share: the safety of Canadians and keeping violent repeat offenders off our streets. First, we must recognize the tragic murder of 29-year-old Constable Greg Pierzchala. Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues and the Haldim…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite may have missed what frontline law enforcement had to say about the Prime Minister's announcement last week on our upcoming bail and sentencing reform legislation, which will be introduced by the Minister of Justice this week. Allow me to share with him the news. The Toronto Police Association called our plan “a step in the right direction”. The Canadian Police Ass…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I rise today in response to Bill C-225, a private member's bill introduced by the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, to speak about intimate partner violence. I want to acknowledge the sponsor of the bill for bringing it forward and to note that addressing intimate partner violence is a priority for this government and a key commitment in our platform. Bill C-225 proposes three se…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address the concerns about public safety in our justice system. Canadians expect the government to act decisively to keep communities safe, and that is exactly what the Liberal government is doing. After a productive summer and after working closely with provinces, territories and frontline law enforcement, the Prime Minister announced last week that ou…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I think it is time for a quick criminal law lesson for the member opposite. As the Conservatives know, Canada follows the rules of common law, so the principle of restraint they keep citing was already law way before Bill C-75, as confirmed by the Supreme Court in the case of Antic in 2017. In our laws, it is clear that an accused person may be denied bail when detention is necessary …
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. We agree on that. Our government will crack down on repeat violent offenders with new legislation to strengthen the bail system, sentencing and the efficiency of our courts. We are working closely with the provinces and territories to reform bail and sentencing in order to give police and Crown prosecutors more substantive tools to …
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Mr. Speaker, I have risen already on the issue before, and the members opposite say to let them do the work. Should we let them do the work? The Conservatives adopted six crime bills during their time in government, and every single one of them was struck down by the Supreme Court, including the most recent one in 2023 in the Hills decision. The member opposite should do his homework and get infor…
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Mr. Speaker, we have said it time and time again: The Minister of Justice will be introducing bail reform legislation this fall. We hope that if the Conservatives are really serious about doing the work, they will support this new legislation. Let me remind the member opposite that the reality is this: In former Bill C-75, we strengthened Canada's response by defining “intimate partner violence” i…
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Mr. Speaker, we have said it time and time again: Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. Our government is cracking down on repeat violent offenders with new legislation to strengthen bail, sentencing and court efficiency. We are working closely with provinces and territories to reform bail and sentencing and address delays, giving police and prosecutors stronger tools to keep violen…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, will we let them do the work? We will take no lessons from the Conservatives' outrageous record on crime legislation. In 2008, the tackling violent crime with firearms act was struck down in the Nur case. In 2009, the Truth in Sentencing Act was struck down in the Safarzadeh-Markhali case. In 2011, the ending sentence discounts for multiple murders act was overturned in Bissonnette. T…
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Mr. Speaker, we recognize the seriousness of intimate partner violence. Addressing it requires tough laws and thoughtful laws developed with survivors, communities and all levels of government to achieve real solutions. With Bill C-75, we strengthened Canada's response to IPV by defining an intimate partner in the Criminal Code, creating a reverse onus for repeat offenders and ensuring that judges…
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Mr. Speaker, it is encouraging to see there is an alignment between the Conservative opposition and this newly elected Liberal government when it comes to improving public safety, including through the adoption of stronger laws to build safer communities. I have good news for my colleagues. The Minister of Justice will be introducing new legislation this parliamentary session to strengthen bail re…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that, in former Bill C-75, we strengthened Canada's response to intimate partner violence by defining the term “intimate partner” in the Criminal Code and creating a reverse onus for repeat offenders of intimate partner violence. Canadians deserve a debate based on facts. If the Conservatives want to repeal a bill that makes it harder for perpetrators of intimate partne…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the appointment of superior court judges is the government's responsibility, and Quebec is already involved in the process. We are holding discussions in good faith, but we are not obligated to reach an agreement. Minister Fraser is in contact with his Quebec counterpart—
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Justice is in contact with his Quebec counterpart. Judicial independence remains a cornerstone of our democracy. We cannot comment on the case of Justice Leckey.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as mentioned earlier, Canadians deserve a debate on the facts. If the Conservatives want to repeal a bill that made it harder for IPV offenders to get bail, then they should do so directly and face the backlash from Canadians with regard to that issue.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, does my colleague believe that bail reform legislation is needed?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Trois-Rivières. I am pleased to speak today on issues that continue to impact the safety of our communities and the fairness of our criminal justice system, namely the operation and reform of Canada's bail system. In recent months, communities across the country have voiced deep concerns about the ability of the criminal justice system to …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will simply say to my colleague that, over the summer, the minister and I toured the province of Quebec. The minister also went to other provinces. We held consultations with partners, law enforcement, Crown prosecutors and victims to learn more about the challenges that the new bill will need to bring forward and address, so that Canadians feel safe after this new bill is passed.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, in response to my colleague's question, I would invite her to read Bill C-75 at length. She would realize that the reality is this: Because of Canada's response by defining “intimate partner violence” in the Criminal Code and creating a reverse onus for repeat intimate partner violence offenders, judges must now consider prior intimate partner convictions. Penalties are higher for rep…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, before the hon. member poses a question about repealing Bill C-75, I would suggest it would be a good idea for him to read it in its entirety. He does not seem to understand that the bill actually makes it harder for people who are charged with intimate partner violence to receive bail. Now, we are willing to work in good faith with members of any party to strengthen the bail system, …
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives stand here and lecture us about criminal justice, but Canadians remember their record. Time and time again, they imposed unconstitutional mandatory minimums, piled on cruel punishments and tied the hands of judges, only to have the Supreme Court strike down each decision. Now they claim that we are not acting on bail reform. It is a bit rich. The truth is, since we m…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. Our government is cracking down on repeat violent offenders, with new legislation that will be forthcoming to strengthen bail, sentencing and court deficiencies. We are working closely with provinces and territories to reform bail and sentencing and address delays, giving police and prosecutors stronger tools to keep violent offende…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, before the hon. member asks about repealing Bill C-75, I strongly suggest that she take the time to read the whole thing first. She does not seem to understand that this bill actually makes it harder for people charged with intimate partner violence to get bail. We are prepared to work in good faith with members of all parties to strengthen the bail system.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we travelled around this summer meeting with Crown prosecutors and police associations to discuss the right way to implement bail reform. We do not wish to pass any old law and have it be challenged before the Supreme Court and possibly struck down. On this side of the House, we take the time we need to do things right.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Nunavut. Today, I am pleased to speak to Bill C-9, which proposes reforms to the Criminal Code to better protect access to religious and cultural sites and combat the rise of hate in Canada at a critical time. In 2014, the police recorded 1,295 hate crimes. By 2024, that number had risen sharply to 4,882. Hate crimes motivated by race or…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the Criminal Code currently contains four hate propaganda offences in sections 318 to 319. The bill proposes to create a new, fifth, hate propaganda offence that would make it a crime to wilfully promote hatred against any identifiable group by publicly displaying certain symbols, including symbols principally used by association with terrorist entities that are listed under the Cri…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, as mentioned in my speech, we have seen a rise in hate crime in the last few years, and it is time that this question be addressed and that we adopt this law to be able to protect Canadians from coast to coast to coast. This is a platform promise that we made and that this government engaged itself in, and we intend for this legislation to see the light of day.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, of course, once this bill is being studied at committee, our colleagues will have the opportunity to discuss it and hear from experts on these topics. We believe that this bill will be well received. I hope the Bloc Québécois will support it so that we can pass and implement this bill.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I do not have the Criminal Code with me, but I would tell my colleague opposite that the intent of this law is to regulate and legislate people who have the wilful intent to obstruct and intimidate people who want access to places of worship, religion, community centres and schools.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, my colleague knows full well that the federal government's intervention before the Supreme Court will not prevent any province or territory from continuing to use the notwithstanding clause. That is very clear. She knows that. If there are any concerns, I will be happy to sit down with the member and organize a presentation with the Department of Justice and myself. Our intervention s…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that I am a member from Quebec. The member opposite knows full well that our government is the party of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Again, our government protects the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and will always do so. The member opposite, all members and all the citizens who elected us in our respective ridings, all Canadians, men and w…
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Mr. Speaker, judicial appointments to the superior courts are a federal government responsibility. Quebec already participates in the appointment process. We are discussing this in good faith, with no obligation to reach an agreement. The Minister of Justice is in contact with his counterpart, and a meeting is scheduled for September. Judicial independence remains a cornerstone of our democracy.
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