The hon. member.
House of Commons Hansard #316 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was quebec.
House of Commons Hansard #316 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was quebec.
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
NDP
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Madam Chair, there were 6,900.
How many extortion cases were there in 2022? I would like just the number.
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, there were 7,671 charges over a period of nine years, 2012 to—
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
NDP
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Madam Chair, there were 9,700 cases of extortion in 2022. That is a 40% increase.
Have they doubled since 2012, yes or no?
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, the number that I have, as I have indicated repeatedly, is 7,671 charges completed for extortion between 2012 and—
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
NDP
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Madam Chair, the Liberal Bill C-5 made it easier for criminals to commit extortion with a gun. It makes it easier for them to get out of jail.
Have cases of extortion gone up since 2022, yes or no?
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, as I have indicated, extortion is on the rise. We have a mandatory minimum penalty for a repeat offender who uses a weapon for extortion. We are ensuring that extortion is being taken seriously because it is on the rise.
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Madam Chair, Bill C-5 took away mandatory minimums for criminals committing extortion with a gun. Why?
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, there is a mandatory minimum penalty in place for people who use a restricted or prohibited firearm. The—
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
NDP
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Minister, Bill C-5 repealed mandatory minimums for criminals committing extortion with a gun. Why?
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
NDP
The Deputy Chair NDP Carol Hughes
The member knows that he is to address questions and comments through the Chair.
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, the hon. member should know that is categorically incorrect, and I encourage him to read the Criminal Code. If someone commits an extortion with a prohibited firearm, that person is subject to a mandatory minimum.
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, there is a mandatory minimum penalty that is in place right now that was unchanged through Bill C-5. If someone does use—
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
NDP
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Madam Chair, extortion cases have doubled since 2019. Is the minister proud of that?
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, extortion is rising. We are seized of that matter and we are addressing it.
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Madam Chair, does the minister think it was wise to make it easier to commit violent extortion with a gun?
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, violent extortion that involves a prohibited firearm attracts a mandatory minimum penalty.
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Arif Virani Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Madam Chair, I would encourage the member to read the Criminal Code. The mandatory minimum remains in place for extortion that is committed with violence with a restricted firearm.
Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
8:30 p.m.
Conservative
Jasraj Singh Hallan Conservative Calgary Forest Lawn, AB
Madam Chair, what about with non-restricted guns?