House of Commons Hansard #72 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was border.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
National Framework on Sickle Cell Disease Act First reading of Bill S-201. The bill establishes a national framework on sickle cell disease to improve awareness, research, screening, diagnosis, and care standards, particularly for disproportionately affected racialized communities. 200 words.
Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act Report stage of Bill C-12. The bill strengthens Canada's immigration system and borders by amending the Customs Act and Oceans Act to enhance border security and combat transnational organized crime and money laundering. While the Liberal government emphasizes its commitment to hiring 1,000 CBSA officers and modernizing immigration, Conservatives argue the bill is incomplete and fails to address staffing shortages, bail reform, and the chaotic immigration system. The NDP strongly opposes the bill, particularly its one-year bar on refugee claims and what it calls sweeping, unprecedented powers to cancel applications, which they deem a "Trump-style agenda." 15100 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Business of the House Members debate the passage of Bill C-14, which Conservatives link to "fixing Liberal bail". The Liberal House leader offers to pass C-14 and moves to expedite Bills C-4, C-13, and C-12, and adjourn the House. 700 words.
Living Donor Recognition Medal Act Second reading of Bill C-234. The bill establishes a national medal to recognize living organ donors in Canada. Members from various parties support the initiative, highlighting the importance of acknowledging these heroes for their courage, generosity and profound humanity. Proponents believe this recognition will raise awareness and encourage more people to give, ultimately saving lives and reducing transplant waitlists. 3100 words, 25 minutes.
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and in accordance with the enhanced transparency requirement set out in the amended policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the immense honour of tabling, in both official languages, the economic impact assessment for the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour of tabling, in both official languages, the government's responses to three petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
Bill C-18 Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation ActRoutine Proceedings
Brampton East Ontario
Liberal
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-18, An Act to implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Canada and Indonesia.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Foreign Affairs and International DevelopmentCommittees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
Liberal
Ahmed Hussen Liberal York South—Weston—Etobicoke, ON
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development: the fourth report, entitled “Haiti's Multi Faceted Crisis and Canada's Response”; and the fifth report, regarding the statement of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights, entitled “Attacks on Christians and Wider Violence in Nigeria”.
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to each of these two reports.
Michael Coteau Liberal Scarborough—Woburn, ON
moved that Bill S-201, An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease be read the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise to introduce Bill S-201, the national framework on sickle cell disease act.
Sickle cell disease is one of the most common genetic conditions in the world, yet it remains largely invisible in our health care system. Here in Canada, thousands of people, disproportionately from Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South Asia, the Mediterranean and other racialized communities, live with daily pain, frequent hospitalizations and systemic barriers to care.
This bill would require the federal government to work with patients, health care professionals, provinces and territories, and community organizations to develop a comprehensive national framework. It would improve awareness and training in our health system, support research and a national registry, promote universal newborn screening and timely diagnosis, and establish a national standard of care. It would also require public awareness, family supports and equitable access to essential treatments, including blood products and emerging therapies.
I want to thank all the advocates from across Canada, especially the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada, for their advocacy on this specific bill. It has taken a long time to get here.
(Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)
Élisabeth Brière Liberal Sherbrooke, QC
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents in Sherbrooke and the Eastern Townships more broadly, I am pleased to present a petition that deals with an important environmental issue and that complements Motion No. 15, which was moved by my colleague from Brome—Missisquoi.
Canada is already protecting a large portion of its ecologically sensitive land through the natural heritage conservation program and land trusts in particular.
This petition calls on the Government of Canada to extend the natural heritage conservation program, to invest to help land trusts and to create an endowment fund to care for natural spaces in perpetuity.
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
Mr. Speaker, I rise for the third time on behalf of the people of Dauphin, Manitoba, to present a petition on the rising rate of crime.
Residents of Dauphin and the Parkland region are demanding that the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies, which have fuelled a surge in crime throughout their communities. Since 2015, there has been a 54% increase in violent crime and a 75% increase in sexual assaults across Canada. Petitioners are deeply concerned about what they read in the local newspapers, including a November report that Dauphin RCMP are searching for a wanted man with three separate arrest warrants.
The people of Dauphin and the Parkland region demand that the Liberal government repeal its soft-on-crime policies, which directly threaten their livelihoods and their community.
I support the good people of Dauphin.
Gabriel Hardy Conservative Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a petition signed by concerned citizens in Montmorency—Charlevoix and throughout Quebec. They are concerned because there is an ecological imbalance in the St. Lawrence River. For nearly 14 years now, the striped bass has been considered a protected species, but now these fish are too plentiful and are threatening other species and the river's entire ecological balance. Our fishers see this every day. The petition is not asking for much. It is just asking the government to have experts survey the damage and work with our fishers. The petitioners would also like the government to allow recreational fishing of this species to help get its population under control.
Let us work together to protect aquatic fauna and the fishers whose livelihoods depend on this resource.
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table a petition, for a second time, from Canadians alarmed by the Liberal government's manipulation of our national books. They are calling for honesty and integrity in fiscal reporting, and demanding an end to the Liberal practice of redefining “capital investments” just to shrink the deficit on paper. Under this scheme, subsidies, tax breaks and corporate handouts are magically rebranded as investments, even though they build nothing the government actually owns.
The petitioners warn—
Fiscal ReportingPetitionsRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Is the hon. member reading from the petition or from prepared comments?
When we present petitions, we cannot move into debate. I would ask the member to stay focused on the wording of the petition as opposed to making comments about government policy, because then we veer into debate, and we cannot do that in petitions.
I know the hon. member is a new member. I probably would have done the same thing.
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Speaker, I take that as a compliment.
I rise today to table a petition from Canadians who are alarmed by the Liberal government's manipulation of our national books. They are calling for honesty and integrity in fiscal reporting, and demanding an end to the practice of redefining “capital investments” to shrink the deficit on paper. Under this practice, subsidies, tax breaks and corporate handouts are rebranded as investments, even though the government will actually own nothing.
The petitioners warn that changing accounting rules when deficits are ballooning, the economy is slowing and fiscal anchors have already been abandoned is reckless and dangerous, because redefining the numbers does not build confidence and does not build our economy. A government that cannot live within its means will never be able to make life affordable for those who must live within theirs.
I thank the citizens who brought this forward.
Sukhman Gill Conservative Abbotsford—South Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table a petition on behalf of the people of Abbotsford—South Langley; 374 residents have signed off on it.
Those who struggle with mental health challenges and seek help are brave. This petition recognizes that every person deserves to live in safety and dignity. Abusing medical assistance in dying for those who want to live is a sad scar on Canadian health care history.
The petitioners look forward to hearing the government's response.
Sukhman Gill Conservative Abbotsford—South Langley, BC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition, which I rise to present for the fourth time, is on behalf of the residents of Abbotsford—South Langley who are deeply concerned about the increasing prevalence of organized crime, extortion, shootings and intimidation in our community. Recent daylight shootings, homicides and other violent incidents underscore a broader systemic public safety crisis in our country.
The petitioners mourn the tragic death of Darshan Singh Sahsi.
These residents call upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how federal, provincial and local municipalities are working together to further prevent increases in violent and organized crime.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand at this time.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
[For text of questions and responses, see Written Questions website]
The House resumed from December 10 consideration of Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, as reported (with amendments) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
La Prairie—Atateken Québec
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise in the House today to speak to Bill C‑12, strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act.
I want to begin by thanking the members of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security for their thorough study of the bill and the seriousness with which they approached their work. I also want to thank the many witnesses who shared their comments and suggestions about Bill C‑12.
Our border with the United States is the longest in the world. Every day last year, nearly $3.6 billion in goods and about 400,000 people crossed the border. Our RCMP and CBSA officers work hard, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, to ensure that our border remains one of the most secure in the world. However, our methods need to evolve all the time, just as the methods used by criminals and transnational organized crime groups are evolving. That is why Bill C‑12 is important. It amends our laws so that law enforcement finally has the tools and powers it needs to address the threats to our border.
There are three main thrusts to the bill: strengthening border security; combatting transnational organized crime, illicit fentanyl and illicit financing; and modernizing how we process immigration applications, including for asylum seekers.
To strengthen our border security, Bill C‑12 would amend the Customs Act to protect our borders from illicit drug trafficking, firearms smuggling and auto theft. Regarding auto theft, owners and operators of certain ports of entry and exit will be required to provide and equip facilities to enable the administration and enforcement of the CBSA's mandate, including examining and detaining goods for export. This will go a long way toward curbing the illegal export of stolen vehicles.
The bill would also amend the Oceans Act to add security activities to the range of services already provided by the Canadian Coast Guard. This will allow the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and share information and intelligence for security purposes. With respect to information sharing, the bill proposes to strengthen the RCMP's ability to share information about registered sex offenders with domestic and international law enforcement partners.
In addition to border security measures, the bill also contains measures that will strengthen our response to transnational organized crime, particularly when it comes to money laundering. Transnational organized crime groups cannot operate without access to funds. By making it more difficult for them to obtain additional funds, we are undermining their illegal activities. Bill C-12 will thus make it possible to impose tougher, higher penalties to combat money laundering. In fact, the monetary penalties have been multiplied by 40 to ensure that they have a major impact on the finances of businesses that may be tempted to tolerate money laundering operations.
The measures proposed in the bill will also enhance supervisory collaboration and support high standards of regulatory compliance. They will enable the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC, to share supervisory information on federally regulated financial institutions with the Financial Institutions Supervisory Committee, thus improving co-operation and communication.
All of the measures set out in Bill C-12 will strengthen current efforts to protect our border from coast to coast to coast. These measures include the creation of the joint operational intelligence cell, which builds on existing co-operation mechanisms between law enforcement partners and security agencies to better leverage information sharing to target transnational organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking.
The government has also established the integrated money laundering intelligence partnership with Canada's big banks. This partnership strengthens our ability to develop and use financial intelligence to fight fentanyl trafficking and other crimes. Bill C-12 complements other measures, such as the fentanyl czar, who ensures coordination between the Canadian and U.S. governments, or the listing of eight transnational organized crime groups as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. Of course, everyone knows that transnational organized crime groups pose a serious threat to our allies and to our own security. It serves the common good that we use every means available to neutralize them.
Bill C-12 goes hand in hand with another bill previously introduced, Bill C-2, the strong borders act. Bill C-2 also advances measures that give law enforcement access to basic information essential to police investigations. It provides for enactment of the supporting authorized access to information act, expands the inspection authority of Canada Post and imposes new restrictions on third party deposits and large cash transfers.
The government listened to the concerns of stakeholders and parliamentarians, and we drafted Bill C-12, which will advance essential measures while giving us more time to study Bill C-2.
In conclusion, Bill C-12 grants the necessary powers to take decisive action to protect Canadians. I am therefore counting on my colleagues in Parliament to quickly pass this bill so that we can implement these essential measures as soon as possible.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Conservative
Jeremy Patzer Conservative Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK
Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to rise in the House to engage in debate and to ask some questions.
We have seen over time that the issue of the border is a big one. I am wondering if the member has any thoughts as to when the government is going to start the process of getting the 1,000 CBSA guards it promised in the election.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
Mr. Speaker, the work to determine where these officers will be stationed is already complete. The budgets were recently approved and arrangements have been made with schools in Rigaud for the Canada Border Services Agency, the CBSA, and at the Depot Division in Saskatchewan for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the RCMP.
The president of the CBSA and the RCMP commissioner both estimate that, three years from now, these 1,000 additional officers combined will be on the job.
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Winnipeg North Manitoba
Liberal
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I will add to that. The member asks about the 1,000 new border control CBSA officers' being added, which the Prime Minister committed to. There has been a substantial commitment to Canadians to deal with the issue of border security, along with crime. There are a number of pieces of legislation before the House dealing with things such as bail reform and securing the border.
Yes, it is nice that we are making some progress with legislation the opposition has allowed to pass, but would the member not agree, given the election commitment and platform, and the general feeling Canadians have of wanting things like bail reform to pass, that it would be nice if the Conservative Party would relax its stubbornness and allow us to pass other legislation like bail reform—
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Bill C-12 Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders ActGovernment Orders
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
Mr. Speaker, this time of year is indeed a good time to seek everyone's co-operation in adopting measures that the majority of members want to adopt. These include tougher penalties, bail reform, tougher measures for sex offenders and measures to protect victims.
I hope we can implement this set of measures early next year.
