Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we have been working aggressively to put forward many pieces of legislation, a record number, over eight pieces of legislation, in the House that address these issues and that address public safety, to make more changes to the Criminal Code of Canada than any other government has made. We are strengthening bail laws and we are making sentences longer, but the provinces also have to do…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we are determined to crack down on organized crime. That is why we have invested $1.3 billion into our borders. That includes our airports. This is the most substantial investment ever made by a government to beef up our security at our borders. It includes new technology. It includes new personnel for the RCMP so that we can catch the organized crime members who are committing these …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the RCMP has investigated this matter and arrested six individuals in this case. It is a serious offence to change luggage tags. The RCMP officers are working with airport authorities and with other international partners. We are going to continue putting investments into the RCMP by increasing it by 1,000 new members so that we can continue doing the work that is needed to crack down…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, like I said, our plan is working. We are strengthening our laws. We are catching criminals, and that is shown by the results we are seeing across the country right now. We have embedded FINTRAC into our law enforcement agencies, and we are also using CBSA to remove people who are removable. This plan is working, extortions are coming down and criminals are being put behind bars.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, our plan is working, and that is what the Peel Regional Police's investigation results show. The police have arrested over 17 individuals. Unfortunately, the investigation took eight months. What could have sped up that investigation so we could have caught those criminals within a month or less? Lawful access could have, but the Conservatives have been stalling the bill ever since we…
Read full speech →Government Orders
moved that Bill C‑11, An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts, be read the third time and passed.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we outlined the second part of our plan in our spring economic update. Our plan is to build Canada strong with 80,000 to 100,000 new skilled worker jobs. These jobs will go to young people in this country. We recognize that young people need good employment. That is why we are announcing so many different projects throughout this country. That is why we have a plan to recruit them, tr…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the House that Thursday, April 30, shall be an allotted day.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-29, An Act to establish the Financial Crimes Agency and to make consequential amendments to certain Acts and regulations. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we have implemented the strongest tightening of the Criminal Code of Canada ever in the history of this Parliament. We are putting forward legislation that would provide law enforcement with the tools they need to catch drug traffickers, but the Conservatives have delayed many of these tools. Lawful access should have been passed months ago. Finally, now it is at the committee stage, …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I think the member is confused. We are the party that has delivered the jail not bail bill. The bill is currently in the Senate. It is our bail reform and sentencing bill. It makes it more difficult for repeat violent offenders to get bail, and it makes sentences longer for criminals—
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we are doing the work needed to make sure that criminals are kept behind bars, but we are also doing preventative measures. We just today announced supports for victims. We have also announced programming to make sure that we prevent children from getting into a life of violence. We are working on all fronts to make sure that Canadians are safer in Canada.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Correctional Service Canada is able to apply conditions on any offender being released. It can apply any conditions that it feels are fit. I hope that in this case, conditions will be applied that are appropriate to make sure that Canadians are kept safe.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the question is shocking. We have delivered more public safety and justice legislation than any government prior. Seven different pieces of legislation in the House, and what have the Conservatives done all along? They have delayed. They have not supported them. On Bill C-22, lawful access, I am glad to see that they were able to pass it on division to committee the other day. I hope …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it is about time that the Conservatives wake up. The second bill that we introduced in Parliament was Bill C-2, which included lawful access. However, after many, many months of Conservative delay, we have had to bring that bill back to Parliament as Bill C-22. Just yesterday, members of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police were on the Hill, and they were commending the work t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, in an increasingly and rapidly evolving digital world, law enforcement services are having to mitigate new challenges in the face of a rising tide of criminal activity using technology. Let me give some examples that we have been hearing. Cases of extortion are on the rise, including with arson and with shootings. Pedophiles are exploiting children online, which often leads to sextort…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, reasonable grounds to suspect have been used in other places in the Criminal Code. I think that is completely appropriate in this case, since these are the initial steps in an investigation. Confirmation and subscriber information provide the police the ability to eliminate or narrow down suspects, so these are the first, initial steps of an investigation. At that point, having reason…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have been really pleased with the response. Law enforcement, from the beginning of Bill C-2 to now, has been actively involved in providing recommendations and assistance on making sure that this bill is tabled so that they can see it passing. As I have said before, it has been decades in the works. Many governments and different Parliaments have brought a version of this bill forwa…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for his years of service, as well as his contributions. I know that the member cares greatly about getting this legislation right and making sure that, hopefully, it passes through the House. I think law enforcement would be in agreement for maybe even a broader scope, but that is something we can work on, with this as a first step. We need to get this passe…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the bill as it is right now does not provide for encrypted communications. I know that after the bill passes, there is a regulatory framework that is going to take place, but that, too, does not envision receiving the content of encrypted, detailed messages. What it does is connect who is sending those messages, and that is what is really important to law enforcement, so that they can…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, there are many other countries, such as in Europe, the U.K. and the United States, that limit asylum claims to a one-year time period. I think some of the member's speech generalized and said that Canada would no longer give due process to asylum claimants. That is untrue. People who enter the country and wish to claim asylum would have an ample, one-year time period to put their clai…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, control in our immigration system is very important. I agree with that. This is why the government has been taking several different measures. The Auditor General's report just came out recently. It recognizes gaps in the system. However, those are gaps that were recognized by our government, hence the introduction of Bill C-12, which was originally in Bill C-2 and tabled back in June…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we do have a plan. That is why we listed the IRGC as a terrorist entity. This provides our law enforcement and the CBSA with the tools to hold people inadmissible in our country and then remove them. The CBSA is working through the files and is removing those with links to the IRGC. This is the plan. Along with that, we are protecting our institutions. We just made an announcement for…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, there were many questions brought up by members of the committee. The discussion happened amongst all members of the committee. That is my clarification for that. Plus, it is so essential that we ban these hate symbols that are used to intimidate and promote terrorism in our country. The Conservatives are against that. Why is that?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, anything that I mentioned in my speech is a matter of public record. Nothing I have said has been false. It has all been documented, whether it is on record at the committee stage or in past statements made by Conservative members, which are well documented, either on radio airwaves or in articles. I stand by everything I have said.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, that is shameful, and we are going to put a stop to that. This would not criminalize the mere display of a symbol, but it would target situations where symbols like Nazi imagery are shown in public with the clear intention of promoting hatred against certain communities. This motion calls on the justice committee to put an end to the obstruction and delay tactics that have prevented p…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, this bill was debated at the second reading stage. For those watching, the second reading stage is before the bill even goes to committee, and even at that time, there were several Conservative members who spoke against the bill and had lots of reservations about the bill. Now they claim that the only time they had reservations was when the freedom of religion defence came up in commi…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, that was a very interesting speech. I met with several synagogues over this last week, especially the ones that were affected by the shootings in Toronto, and the Toronto Islamic Centre, which has been threatened with a mass shooting similar to what we saw in New Zealand. These are horrific incidents of hate that we are seeing across our country. It seems like the member is saying, …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle. Every Canadian should be able to walk into their place of worship, send their children to school or gather in their community without fear. They should not have to look over their shoulder or wonder whether someone outside is shouting threats, blocking the entrance or intimidating them simply because of who they a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, since we have taken government, we have implemented many changes to the Criminal Code of Canada to strengthen it. There are over 80 different changes to the code in Bill C-14 alone. It is heinous what I am hearing from the other side. The provincial courts should be handling these cases. They are tried in the provincial trial courts, which should deal with these situations adequately.…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, under the Criminal Code of Canada, people who engage in criminal activity like this should be punished. There are high penalties in place. This is a failure in the administration of justice, which is a provincial issue. If the administration of justice had worked properly, then this case and this incident would not have occurred.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it is completely the opposite. The Conservatives would like Canadians to believe that there is some policy in place. There is no policy in place. The provinces should respond for those types of actions that are happening in provincial criminal courts. It is not federal policy. If anything, we are strengthening the Criminal Code of Canada to make sure that criminals face the penalties …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, these are not our judges. These are Canadian judges appointed by provinces. Our criminal court hearings happen at the provincial level. Conservatives would like Canadians to believe that there is some type of federal policy that is making judges make these decisions. There is absolutely no such policy. If anything, we are tightening the Criminal Code of Canada. In Bill C-16 and Bill C…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, just today I was with Peel Regional Police at a human trafficking symposium. We talked about these issues with survivors. It is really important that criminals of this type, who have committed this heinous crime, get the sentences they deserve. That is why we brought in bail reform. Had the Conservatives co-operated, we could have had it passed before Christmas, but they chose to obst…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we have been getting the immigration system under control. Bill C-12 is about to pass through the Senate. This will not allow people to abuse our asylum system. If they cared so much about crime, they would have passed Bill C-14 a long time ago. We could have passed that bill back at Christmastime. There are 80 different changes to the Criminal Code of Canada. We are strengthening our…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives really cared about these issues, they would support us and the responsible legislation we are putting forward. We are bringing down asylum numbers in this country and we are reducing fraud in our system, with the leadership of the immigration minister. If the Conservatives cared, they would stop their divisive politics and hate tactics, they would join us in makin…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, throughout question period and throughout the debate in the House today, we have heard immigrants and refugee and asylum claimants linked to criminals and be told that their claims are all bogus. This is false. When someone's case is determined to be invalid, when the process is complete, their work permit is cancelled, and so is their health care. The Conservatives are just trying to…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, cases like this are exactly why we brought in Bill C-14. I am glad to report that Bill C-14 has passed on to the Senate. The Senate is doing its work. There will be bail reform in that bill. There will be harsher sentences for people who commit crimes. I am glad we will be able to tackle this issue. My role has been put in place because we are a tough-on-crime government, and we will …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, one-third of all legislation that we have brought forward has been tough-on-crime legislation, justice reform and public safety bills. Many of these measures have moved forward and progressed, but there are some measures that have not moved forward at all because the Conservatives have been obstructing those measures. We need to be able to provide law enforcement with the tools it nee…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is incredibly important and that is why we brought that bill back in June. It has been very disappointing to see that there has not been any co-operation from the opposition parties. We would have expected some from the Conservatives, in particular, who claim to be the party of law and order, yet they are not allowing police the tools they need to tackle modern-day crime. This is s…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we made a big announcement addressing this very issue because we know it is something Canadians are struggling with. Therefore, we announced the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit. This not only gives a one-time benefit to Canadian families but also helps them for the next five years. We are not only doing that. We are also looking at how to strengthen our supply chains. We a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, although I agree with some parts of the member's intervention, I also think that prevention is a very important part of solving the criminal situation we have in the country. Rehabilitation upon conviction is also very important because one day people will be released, and we want to make sure they are released with a plan and with the ability to work. Data is also a concern I have sh…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak in strong support of Bill C-14 at report stage and to urge members of the House to support the bill as it stands. This legislation is not abstract; it is grounded in what Canadians are experiencing in their communities. Over the past several years, we have heard consistent and clear calls for action from across this country. Premiers, mayors, police…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, Bill C-14 would not erode any mandatory minimums. This is an issue that has been litigated. In our democracy, we have independent institutions such as our judiciary, the Supreme Court, which has forced this Parliament to act. In a previous Parliament we had acted, but that does not mean that mandatory minimums do not still exist within the Criminal Code for specific crimes. We have ma…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member raises a very good point. Bill C-16 is legislation that is currently in the committee process, and it does reinstate mandatory minimums in cases of sexual assault. It is very important that when we talk about protecting our children, we make sure that our systems are in place in order to do so. That is just one thing that is addressed in Bill C-16. In this bill, it is so im…
Read full speech →Government Orders
moved that Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act (bail and sentencing) be read a third time and passed.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member mentioned in his speech the delays that happened at committee, and I hope he can elaborate a little more, because the Conservatives have constantly been trying to get Canadians to somehow believe that the government would table legislation and then obstruct our own legislation. It absolutely makes no sense whatsoever. Bill C-9 first went to the justice committee. Therefore,…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, does the member agree that removing conditional sentencing, allowing an offender, a repeat, violent, domestic abuser, back onto the streets, is uncalled for? The amendment would remove that provision.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, is it true? Did we just heard the member say that Bill C-9 is unnecessary? That is our hate crime legislation. Worshippers in Canada today have felt intimidated and threatened going to their place of worship. We are trying to protect Canadians from that threat, that fear for their lives. The Jewish community has been asking for this bill for a long time, and it seems like the member d…
Read full speech →Government Orders
moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in at report stage.
Read full speech →