House of Commons Hansard #9 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Business of the House Steven MacKinnon moves motion agreed to by Members to change House Standing Orders for the 45th Parliament regarding committee composition, appointment, and procedures for suspending sittings during late-night votes. 400 words.
Strong Borders Act Second reading of Bill C-2. The bill aims to strengthen border security, combat organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, money laundering, and enhance immigration system integrity. Proponents say it provides crucial new tools for law enforcement. Critics raise concerns about its omnibus nature, lack of provisions on bail and sentencing, insufficient resources, and privacy implications of new powers, including lawful access and mail inspection, arguing it requires thorough, detailed work in committee. 44700 words, 6 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Main Estimates, 2025-26 Members debate Public Safety and Transport estimates. Discussions include concerns about correctional service decisions, bail reform, gun control (including the buyback program), and border security (Bill C-2, CBSA/RCMP hiring). They also discuss efforts to strengthen the economy and create a single Canadian market by reducing internal trade barriers, investments in national transport infrastructure like ports and rail, and issues with air passenger rights. 31800 words, 4 hours.
Chris Lewis Conservative Essex, ON
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for sharing the story of her speech impediment as a child. I think that shows leadership and she should be congratulated for it.
The member referenced, particularly in maritime waters, helicopters, vessels and, of course, sailors. I wonder if she would agree with me that although maritime waters are incredibly important, the same amount of investment needs to go to our Great Lakes waters, obviously at our borders.
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON
Madam Speaker, the bottom line is that Canadians deserve to be safe. Safety is priority number one. Our water access is number one. Many of us are in border communities and have border ridings, me being one of them. Safety is paramount, always.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Speaker, the question I have for the member is in regard to the willingness of the member to see the legislation ultimately pass. Does she feel, given the very nature of what is happening in the environment around us with President Trump, tariffs and trade, that there is an obligation for us to see this thing at least go to committee?
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON
Absolutely, Madam Speaker, scrutinizing and rigorously going through legislation is why we are here. As legislators, it is our responsibility to vigorously debate. If we can push the needle forward and find some goodness, that is up for consideration. We, as legislators, always want to do our best to be prudent and go through each piece of legislation with a fine-tooth comb as much as possible where it is permitted.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech, and I would like her to comment on something she did not really say too much about. I think we can all agree that the Liberal government really is managing the entire border, including traffic and border security.
Does my colleague truly believe that border officers' powers can really be increased when we know perfectly well that recruiting and training new officers is a massive challenge, one that is actually almost impossible to meet?
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON
Madam Speaker, as it stands right now, there are very few consequences for criminals. The bail system is a revolving door. Canadians are living with the consequences of soft-on-crime-type policies.
In my comments, I spoke about Kate, who is one of hundreds of women who have endured terrible crimes. The numbers are raw and real and disturbing. Violent crime is up 50%; sexual assaults are up 74%; gang-related homicides are up 78%, and extortion is up 357% in 10 years of the Liberal government. Policies need to change. Criminals cannot have a free run. It is not okay.
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Madam Speaker, I want to correct the previous speaker, the member for Richmond East—Steveston. If we look at the public accounts and the Treasury Board's own numbers, they show that in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the Liberal government slashed the amount of full-time equivalents at the CBSA. It was not until 2019 that the numbers actually came back to the Harper-era level.
I wonder if my colleague could comment on how the Liberals, instead of actioning all these issues that are in front of the country right now, just want to stand in the House and gaslight and mislead Canadians.
Shelby Kramp-Neuman Conservative Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON
Madam Speaker, we have to acknowledge that we are in the 45th Parliament. It is a minority Parliament. It is not a majority, and the Liberals are acting like it is. We will hold them to account.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, I can assure members that the Prime Minister, or any member of the Liberal caucus, recognizes the fact that this is a minority government. We also recognize many of the discussions we had at the door and what was on the minds of Canadians from every region of our nation.
There was consensus on a couple of those issues. One of those issues was something we actually had a vote on earlier today, the ways and means motion recognizing that, on the issue of affordability, we would deliver a tax cut. It was quite encouraging that as we pushed forward on the ways and means motion, when it came time to vote, every member of the House voted in favour of it, all political entities in the House: Greens, New Democrats, Conservatives and, obviously, the Liberals, who were the ones who brought it in.
We received that sort of support because the motion is a reflection of what we heard at the door. Bill C-2 is of a very similar nature. It is on an issue that was being brought up at the door. All of us are aware of the issues.
It is interesting. The very last question was on the Liberals “misleading”, which is just not true. I have been listening throughout the day to members of the Conservative Party speak. Let me give an example of misleading. We had not one but two Conservative members of Parliament stand in their places and try to give Canadians, people who are following the debate, a false impression. The Conservatives were trying to say this legislation would enable people working in the post office to open up whatever letters they want. The impression the Conservatives were trying to give is that it would be as easy as a letter sorter going through the mail and saying, “This one looks interesting; I will open it up.”
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
That is not exactly what it says, as I get heckled. That is what I mean. The Conservatives either do not understand it, or they are unintentionally misleading Canadians. The reality is that if we take the legislation—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Edmonton Southeast is rising on a point of order.
Jagsharan Singh Mahal Conservative Edmonton Southeast, AB
Madam Speaker, I want to point out that it is not a lie. The bill would “allow Canada Post—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
Nobody said it was a lie. That is not a term that is used in the House of Commons, and that is debate.
I will let the hon. member for Winnipeg—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola is rising on a point of order.
Frank Caputo Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC
Madam Speaker, during the last Parliament, Speaker Rota drew a distinct line. In fact, I asked a question, and I believe it was Mr. Mendicino, who was Minister Mendicino at the time, who used the term “intentionally misleading”. If one is deliberately trying to obfuscate, is deliberately trying to do something, that is akin to lying. It is unparliamentary language. It has been said by the Chair. It should be repeated again, with all due respect to the Chair.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
What are we talking about? Honestly, I do not understand.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
I said they don't understand or they are unintentionally believing a lie. It is a choice.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
Okay. We are not going to debate. Nobody said anything was a lie, and that was the term that was used when the point of order was raised.
The hon. member for Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong is rising on the same point of order.
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON
Madam Speaker, I was one of the people to whom the member was alluding who asked a question about what the criteria for Canada Post would be for it to be able to open something. The member said that I was intentionally misleading Canadians, and that is not a fact.
You could consult the Hansard, Madam Speaker, and you would be convinced of that yourself, I am sure.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
I will ask the hon. member for Winnipeg North to be more prudent in the expressions he uses to describe what colleagues say or do not say. Let us proceed with his speech for the five minutes he has left.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Speaker, I will have to reread what was actually said. My understanding of what I said was that the members are either completely unaware of what they are saying, or they are unintentionally misleading the House. There is an option. I am not accusing them of intentionally misleading the House. Now—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
That is exactly what leads to the debate on this issue, the reusing of the same expressions.
The hon. member for Edmonton West.