Status of Women Committee on Feb. 5th, 2026

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

It is a combination of both.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Can the hammer act on its own?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

It is a combination of both.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

So the hammer can come off the shelf and kill someone.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

It is the individual who has the hammer, who can use the hammer in a way that can be very harmful.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

So it's the person.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

It is a combination of both.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

But the person wields the hammer. That's what I'm asking you about, which is what you're telling me.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I've answered that question.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Okay.

Given that the Liberal policy in response to firearm-related violence has been to ban the tool itself, by that logic, as Minister of Public Safety, will you be confiscating hammers next?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Again, I'm not here to talk about the compensation program, Ms. Cody. I'm here to talk to you in a broader sense—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

It has to do with public safety, sir.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

I believe this issue has been litigated a number of times, and I believe that this conversation, the discussion that's taking place here—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

That's not answering my question, Minister, with all due respect.

I'll continue with the next one.

Will your Liberal government admit that getting dangerous offenders off the street is a priority—instead of going after law-abiding Canadians with a gun confiscation scam—to protect not just women but all Canadians, yes or no?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

I want to thank the over 22,000 people who registered the 22,000 firearms that were registered within the first week—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

My question is for you, sir.

Are you willing to protect the women and all Canadians by going after dangerous offenders, yes or no?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

It is part of the job we have.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Okay.

Minister, a repeat offender who was convicted on child pornography was released early and rearrested for breaking his parole conditions, not once but twice. He was then arrested a few weeks ago on historic sexual assault, and then was granted bail again two days ago. This person was well known in Port Colborne. He played the organ in church. He played Santa Claus in community events, and he was a predator.

Minister, in what world does the Liberal soft-on-crime revolving-door justice system protect the public or our children? Do you believe criminals have rights when they are committing the crime?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

I appreciate the concerns you express.

Frankly, there are bills before the House that, if your party stops impeding them, can correct some of those examples.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

If I could correct you, Minister—

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Frankly, I would say that it is a bit disingenuous.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

I'm sorry. With all respect, that's the end of your time.

We now go to Madame Ménard for five minutes.

[Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Liberal, Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for being here. I also want to thank the officials who are with you.

Your presence here shows your sensitivity to the subjects we are studying. In fact, the magnificent flaw of this committee is our overwhelming enthusiasm. Sometimes we get a little off topic.

We're studying bail and sentencing here. We've heard from a number of witnesses about this effective but imperfect solution. Let's talk about your and the department's views on electronic monitoring. We've heard a lot about it from survivors of domestic violence.

Thank you for clarifying your views to the committee.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Electronic monitoring has very important utility, but it's not without its flaws. According to a number of law enforcement personnel and leaders I've spoken to, whether it concerns parole or other circumstances, it works; however, there are limitations. Sometimes the battery runs out. Sometimes it's defective. It is not a perfect solution, but it is, I think, one of a number of tools that are used.

I would say that one of the more effective tools I have seen was developed by the Toronto Police Service, and I believe it is now being expanded across Canada. It relates directly to monitoring. It's basically a bail dashboard that enables local police agencies to track those who are on bail, for example, and enables police officers to go to their houses or to do random checks, which was not possible given the volume. This, in fact, gives a really good sense of what's happening across the city. If law enforcement is in a particular area, they can go and check on two or three houses where there may be people who are on bail.

[Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Liberal, Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est, QC]

Based on your answer, it seems that this is one of the ways in which public safety officials are trying to protect people. It's not the only way, but it's part of an arsenal of tools available.