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House of Commons Hansard #32 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was reform.
House of Commons Hansard #32 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was reform.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Opposition Motion—Passage of Bill C-242 Members debate the Conservative's proposed "Jail Not Bail Act" (Bill C-242) for criminal justice reform. Conservatives argue that violent crime is up 55% due to Liberal "catch and release" policies, advocating for immediate passage to prioritize public safety. Liberals state they are developing significant bail reform for this fall, emphasizing comprehensive, constitutionally compliant changes, and addressing root causes of crime. The Bloc Québécois expresses concern for victims and supports measures to crack down on criminal organizations, but cautions against rushing the bill and infringing on fundamental rights. 53300 words, 7 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
JusticeOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I have already turned up the volume on the speakers here, and I have one notch to go.
The hon. government House leader, from the top, please.
Steven MacKinnon Liberal Gatineau, QC
Mr. Speaker, if they want to talk about criminal experiments, let us talk about the 10-year, tattered legacy of the Harper government, which finished every single time at the Supreme Court of Canada having bills struck down. That is not helping victims.
In this session of Parliament, we are going to see the true agenda of the Conservative Party. The Conservatives can vote for Bill C-2; they can vote for bail reform, and they can vote to restrict intimate partner violence. We will see where the Conservatives stand on criminal justice in this session of Parliament.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that crime has increased by 55% over the past 10 years that this government has been in power, whereas it decreased by 25% during the 10 years of Conservative rule. That is the reality.
Unfortunately, what we are seeing today with the Liberal criminal justice system is that a woman was murdered by her former partner, who had been released on parole 16 times and never complied with the conditions of his release.
Why was this man able to go see his girlfriend and kill her? What do the Liberals have to say about that?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, obviously, there have been tragedies in Quebec and elsewhere in the country, and we must take action to respond to them. The Conservatives had 10 years to do just that. Things always ended up falling to pieces before the Supreme Court of Canada. The court struck down the Conservatives' legislation because it went against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Conservatives will have the opportunity to take action during this parliamentary session. We will see whether they want action or whether they just want to pretend that they have all the answers here in the House, when we know that they want to destroy the charter.
Pierre Paul-Hus Conservative Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would invite my colleague to go visit the family of the victim that was just murdered in Saint‑Jérôme. Does this family think that the Liberals' laws have helped in any way? No.
The truth is that the Conservatives put in place a justice system that reduced crime by 25%. What we need are laws that are fair but tough on criminals. Criminals belong in prisons, not in homes.
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, obviously, criminals belong in prison and we need to have a justice system that works, that has democratic principles and that respects everyone's rights, including the victims'.
During this parliamentary session, the Conservatives will have the chance to vote for victims' rights. They will have the chance to vote for common-sense crime laws. Will they do that?
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC
Mr. Speaker, once again, there are new tariffs affecting our forestry industry. Washington announced an additional 10% tariff on our softwood lumber, which was already subject to tariffs of 35%. This is not all. Donald Trump also announced tariffs of 25% on our wood products, like cabinets. Meanwhile, the assistance announced by Ottawa in August is still not available. It is one defeat after another for the Prime Minister, our self-proclaimed saviour.
Could the saviour start by saving our lumber industry?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, of course we are taking note of the new tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration. At the same time, we completely disagree with these tariffs. This is why we are here to help the furniture industry. We are also here to help the softwood lumber industry.
Today, we launched a program to support our SMEs through Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, or CED. I hope that I can count on my colleague's support to help businesses in his riding and across Quebec.
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC
Mr. Speaker, Trump keeps handing the Prime Minister one defeat after another.
Today, there are new tariffs on lumber. Yesterday, we learned that a new deal could allow more American milk to cross the border. Last summer, the Prime Minister decided to sacrifice the digital services tax that web giants were supposed to pay. It is one defeat after another, and Quebec's forests, milk and culture are taking the brunt of the damage.
Could the Prime Minister finally stand up for Quebec's economy?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, our government stands up for Quebec's economy every day. In fact, there was some good news in Saint‑Bruno‑de‑Montarville, because 150 new jobs were announced at Alstom. That is just one example.
I hope my colleague will be here tomorrow, as there will be good news from Boeing and CAE: more jobs in the aerospace sector.
That said, the tariffs are unjustified. We are here for the industry. I hope I can work with my colleague to help the sector in his constituency. Furthermore, supply management is not on the table, and Quebec culture will never be on the table.
Michael Guglielmin Conservative Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, Liberal bail has unleashed crime and chaos in our streets. Their weak law, Bill C-75, requires courts to release repeat violent offenders at the earliest opportunity. Recently, three suspects were arrested for a series of home invasions in Vaughan. Guess what. Surprise, surprise, two of them were out on bail.
The Prime Minister promised Liberals would flip-flop on bail, but six months after he came to power, weak Liberal laws are still on the books.
Will he do the right thing and scrap Liberal bail or get out of the way and let us do it?
Patricia Lattanzio LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, before the hon. member poses a question about repealing Bill C-75, I would suggest it would be a good idea for him to read it in its entirety. He does not seem to understand that the bill actually makes it harder for people who are charged with intimate partner violence to receive bail.
Now, we are willing to work in good faith with members of any party to strengthen the bail system, have harsher penalties for serious crimes and, most importantly, keep Canadians safe. The only question I have is whether the Conservatives will support the bill.
Michael Guglielmin Conservative Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, the only thing the Liberals seem to do with any speed around here is to manufacture excuses for their inaction. Meanwhile, in the last eight weeks, York Region has seen 914 assaults, 296 vehicle thefts and 174 break and enters.
We know what to do. Mayors, police chiefs and Canadians all across this country have been calling on the Liberal government to scrap its failed bail laws, Bill C-5 and Bill C-75.
Canadians are watching. Will the Prime Minister do the right thing and scrap Liberal bail laws or get out of the way so Conservatives can do it for them?
Patricia Lattanzio LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives stand here and lecture us about criminal justice, but Canadians remember their record. Time and time again, they imposed unconstitutional mandatory minimums, piled on cruel punishments and tied the hands of judges, only to have the Supreme Court strike down each decision. Now they claim that we are not acting on bail reform. It is a bit rich.
The truth is, since we made our commitment, the minister has been working with provinces and territories and consulting with police chiefs, police associations and frontline stakeholders to get this right. We want to—
Fred Davies Conservative Niagara South, ON
Mr. Speaker, Daniel Senecal brutally sexually assaulted, choked and nearly killed a three-year-old little girl in Niagara. This crime has mobilized my community and galvanized an effort to have the Criminal Code changed so monsters like this never see the light of day again.
The Conservative jail not bail act will restore safe streets and keep vile perpetrators like Daniel Senecal in jail. The government can act right now by supporting our legislation.
Will the Prime Minister scrap Liberal bail or get out of the way and let Conservatives do it?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Mr. Speaker, cases like this one are exactly the reason we are taking the action that we are. With Bill C-9, we made murder-motivated hate crimes a constructive first-degree offence. I want to thank the Conservatives for allowing that bill to go to committee. Bill C-9 would create more hate-related crime offences in the Criminal Code, with tougher penalties.
Bill C-2 brings tough-on-crime legislation as well. I am afraid that the Conservatives think it is too tough and have not been—
JusticeOral Questions
Colin Reynolds Conservative Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' bail has unleashed crime and chaos on our streets. One recent example was a home invasion where the perpetrator was out on bail. Their law, Bill C-75, requires courts to release violent career criminals at the earliest opportunity and under the least onerous conditions.
The Prime Minister promised the Liberals would flip-flop on bail, but it was a bait and switch, with the bail law still in place six months after he took power. Will the Prime Minister scrap Liberal bail or get out of the way and let Conservatives do it?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, we have committed to bringing forward comprehensive bail reform legislation, which we will do over the next several weeks.
I want to be clear that this issue around bail is not just the responsibility of the federal government. It also involves the provinces. It is up to the provinces to fund their courts adequately. It is up to them to ensure their justices of the peace and judges are trained. It is also important that they have facilities.
It is a comprehensive approach where the federal government is ready to do its part. We invite the provinces to do the same.
Sukhman Gill Conservative Abbotsford—South Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, Liberal bail policies have unleashed crime and chaos on our streets. Swift 1200 AM radio in Surrey was struck by gunfire on Monday night. Thankfully, no one was inside at the time, but our communities live in constant fear that next time they will not be so lucky.
No one should have to fear for their safety while simply doing their job, but after 10 years of Liberal soft-on-crime policies, this has become far too common. It is enough empty promises. The Liberals have failed to act.
Will the Prime Minister get serious on extortion and adopt our Conservative bill, or will he get out of the way and let the Conservatives do it?
Patricia Lattanzio LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. Our government is cracking down on repeat violent offenders, with new legislation that will be forthcoming to strengthen bail, sentencing and court deficiencies. We are working closely with provinces and territories to reform bail and sentencing and address delays, giving police and prosecutors stronger tools to keep violent offenders off our streets. This is what Canadians want. This is what they elected us to do, and that is exactly what we will do.
Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian dental care plan is a great success. This morning, the Minister of Health announced that more than five million Canadians are now benefiting from coverage under the program. In my riding, people have told me that this program has allowed them to see a dentist for the first time in decades, which has saved them from having to go to the emergency room for dental problems.
Could the minister tell us more about how important this program is for Canadians?
Marjorie Michel LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question.
The Canadian dental care plan is one of the most important social programs in the history of our country. I would like to remind the House that the Conservatives and the Bloc voted against it. Every day, more Canadians have access to the affordable dental care they need. This program helps them to save up to $800 a year.
I would like to close by thanking all of the dentists, denturists, hygienists and specialists who are participating in our program.