Evidence of meeting #134 for Public Safety and National Security in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was campaign.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Glen Motz Conservative Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB
Thank you very much, Chair.
I appreciate your testimony so far, Mayor Brown.
I have some commentary first. I find it really interesting watching the Liberals make themselves dizzy by chasing their own tails. They're trying to find something that doesn't exist, with no evidence to support whatever they're trying to find. Given the serious nature of foreign interference, it's perplexing that the Liberals would politicize this issue and single you out based purely on your political affiliation. I know you don't want to be partisan. You don't have to answer that unless you wish to do so.
There is something I have seen in the media, which you deal with every single day, and that is the crime going on in your city. I can't imagine the pressure and frustration you feel as a city council and as the mayor of that city.
Can you explain to us what you deal with with the gun violence happening there, as well as the auto thefts and the affordability crisis? You're sitting here being sidelined in the political game, it appears.
Mayor of Brampton, As an Individual
I was very critical of the response to auto thefts in this country, but I'm a fan of not just criticizing, but providing solutions. In terms of auto thefts, I was asking for scanners for shipping containers. We've now received the first two scanners, so I'm hopeful about that.
I'm going to try to work with any party and any government to get results for my residents. Auto thefts are finally going down and we've made some progress by working collaboratively there.
We still need to work on the bail system, which lets too many offenders out after committing auto theft, but we are making progress, and I'm hopeful for more progress.
Conservative
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Thank you.
Mayor Brown, I want to give you the opportunity to highlight some of the primary issues of the Sikh diaspora community in Brampton. Can you outline some of those for this committee?
Mayor of Brampton, As an Individual
Today, we've spoken about one issue, which is the concern about foreign intervention and intimidation, but I think the concerns of Sikh Canadians are similar to the concerns of all Canadians. There are concerns about public safety, affordability and the cost of living.
I think the concerns that Canadians have in common are much more similar. Sometimes we can get lost in silos. What I find in Brampton is that there may be many different communities, but when it comes down to my job as mayor, they're probably all concerned with making sure we have enough police officers and that property taxes don't go up beyond the pace at which they can afford them.
Usually, their concerns, frustrations, hopes and aspirations are much more similar.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
I also have the pleasure of representing many Sikh Canadians. They're some of the hardest-working, most generous people.
I have heard from them—maybe you've heard this as well—that they came to Canada for freedom and opportunity, and they figured that Canada would be safe and secure. I'm getting the sense in that community, from what they've told me, that they no longer feel that way because of the issue we're talking about, but also because of the public safety issues broadly.
Are you getting that sense as well?
Mayor of Brampton, As an Individual
Public safety is a big issue right now. It's why in Peel we're adding the most police officers we've ever added. There are many tools in the tool kit that need to be used to address this.
One issue that I think has alarmed Canadians of Indian ancestry is extortion. That's something we've struggled with. Since we set up our extortion task force, we've had in the Peel Region 70 extortion attempts. We've made 23 arrests. There is a concern that some of the extortion is linked to foreign criminal entities as well. I think that issue has alarmed and scared the communities in Vancouver, Surrey, Edmonton and Peel Region.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Iqwinder Gaheer
Thank you, Ms. Dancho.
We'll move on to Mr. Gerretsen for five minutes.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. Brown, for being here today and talking with us and being candid.
One thing that's developed out of Parliament, perhaps since you were here, is that it seems a precedent has been set to invite people or summon people before the bar of the House of Commons for not telling the truth. It's always nice to have somebody here who's candid and who's willing to be honest and forthright.
The question I asked you when I started last time was about Pierre Poilievre or his office having any contact with you prior to today's meeting. What about the Conservative Party of Canada, anybody representing them or anybody relaying any messages to you? Was there any contact from anybody in preparation for today's meeting?
Mayor of Brampton, As an Individual
There were only two MPs I spoke to. I spoke to MP Doug Shipley, who is a personal friend, about a family matter. I also spoke to MP Iqwinder Gaheer, who is your chair, someone I have great respect for and a local Peel Region MP. In the case of both of them, it was more that—
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Yes, and I'm super surprised that Mr. Shipley is not here today. He's a member of this committee, yet he didn't even want to be here present with us.
Conservative
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I don't believe that's in order.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Iqwinder Gaheer
I corroborate what Ms. O'Connell just said. Having read the rules recently, I can say that it's a rule on the House floor, not in committee.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
You stopped my time, I imagine.
Mr. Brown, let's go back to some of the comments that were made by senior officials in your campaign. One individual said, “Supporters from the Hindu community were being told that they were not allowed to sign up members for Patrick Brown by officials of the Indian consulates.”
I know, as you've already told us, that you're unaware of that comment, but out of curiosity, would you consider that foreign interference if that had been the case? If that were proven, would you be concerned that your campaign was interfered with by a foreign government?
Mayor of Brampton, As an Individual
I think that would certainly meet the threshold of being foreign interference.
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
You think it would meet the threshold. Is that right?
Liberal
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Would you say that the people you brought into your campaign were trustworthy people? Obviously, if they were in senior positions of your campaign, you would trust them.
