Debates of May 23rd, 2024

Department of Justice—Main Estimates, 2024-25

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is so difficult for Canada's chief legal officer to be honest with Canadians, so I am going to ask the question again.

How many guns has the Government of Canada collected so far?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, what I would say, in terms of transparency, is that the member opposite's voting record includes voting against $83 million in funding through supplementary estimates (B) that would help with gun and gang violence in this country.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I will ask the question again, very slowly, because clearly the minister has great difficulty understanding the question.

What is the number? How many guns have been collected, minister?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Questions should be posed through the Chair, not directly to members.

I would also remind all members to wait for their name to be recognized before taking the time. It does cut off the time that they have to respond.

The hon. minister has 16 seconds to reply.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to Bill C-21, I would just underscore that it also includes red flag and yellow flag provisions. As a former Crown, the member opposite will appreciate that they will help keep people safe through an emergency weapons prohibition order to immediately remove a firearm for up to 30 days from an individual who may pose a danger to themselves or others, such as the member's constituents in Brantford—Brant.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, again, it is incumbent upon the opposition to provide Canadians with transparency on this particular question. The answer is zero, to no surprise.

Here is the next question: How many guns will $40 million collect off the streets?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I just want to underscore that Bill C-21, which the member voted against, actually proposed to increase maximum penalties from 10 year of imprisonments to 14 years for firearms-related offences, including firearms smuggling and trafficking, which is a pressing issue not just in his riding but everywhere around the country.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, clearly, he does not understand the question, so perhaps I will rephrase it.

For $40 million, how many guns will that collect, minister?

[Mark Gerretsen, Liberal, Kingston and the Islands, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, that was at least the fourth time that the member directed his questions directly to the minister while asking a question and saying “minister”, “you” or “your”. Perhaps the Chair could remind the member of the rules and remind him that all questions need to be asked through the Chair?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

We appreciate that. The hon. member heard the intervention.

The hon. minister still has nine seconds on the clock to respond to the member for Brantford—Brant.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, what Bill C-21 will also do is improve the ability of CBSA to manage inadmissibility to Canada when foreign nationals commit firearms-related offences upon entry into this country.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like just the number, through you.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the number of women, potentially, who are going to be safeguarded through—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Brantford—Brant.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, through you, will the minister confirm that this plan will take guns from licensed, law-abiding hunters and anglers, and not illegal guns used to commit crimes?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when I say that we are targeting things like the trafficking of guns and border controls, those are the very specific provisions that the member voted against.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, why is the minister attacking licensed, law-abiding hunters and anglers?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, when the member voted against $83 million to control the flow of illegal drugs across our border, he was not targeting licensed owners.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, does the Minister of Justice and Attorney General have a King's Counsel designation?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada]

Mr. Speaker, what I would reiterate, in terms of our previous interactions, is that the notion of my appearing in an open court process would render any—

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, there are people in my riding who are public officials, so I am not sure that really has any weight.

Does the Minister of Justice and Attorney General have a King's Counsel designation?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as a former Crown attorney, he knows that even the mere appearance of the chief law officer of the Crown could render potential suspicion of influence on a process. That is why I would not appear during a live criminal proceeding.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC]

Mr. Speaker, does he have a King's Counsel designation, yes or no?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Mr. Speaker, avoiding court appearances in criminal matters by politicians would also be—