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.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Chair, this week, we learned through media reports that the RCMP was recruiting in English only outside Quebec. We were very disheartened to learn that.
I know the minister is committed to improving his French. Does he intend to bring the RCMP into line and demand that it remedy this situation?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, I completely agree with my colleague opposite. The recruitment of officers solely in English is unacceptable. We are a bilingual country, and the RCMP is a bilingual organization. We believe in official bilingualism, and we will ensure that the RCMP improves its methods and ensures that there are bilingual processes for recruitment.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Chair, I would now like to talk about the issue of gender transitions for prisoners and inmates who have assaulted women.
There was a deplorable case in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean. A pedophile was released and was now identifying as a woman with a different first name, but the information was not shared with the victim he had raped. According to Radio-Canada reports, the victim's family only learned of the attacker's new name and gender identity when they happened to bump into the person. Correctional Service Canada responded that the law prevents it from disclosing information to victims about a sex offender's gender transition.
Does the minister agree with Correctional Service Canada's statement, and will he make the necessary changes to the law?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, Correctional Service Canada works to ensure that all offenders, including gender-diverse offenders, are in an environment that contributes to their safety, safe rehabilitation and reintegration. CSC may place or transfer a gender-diverse offender to an institution that better aligns with their gender unless there are overriding health or safety concerns that cannot be resolved.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Chair, regarding foreign interference, several measures in Bill C‑70 were adopted during the last Parliament, but the regulations still have not been implemented.
When are you going to adopt these measures?
The Deputy Chair Liberal Alexandra Mendes
I would like to remind the hon. member that I am not going to do anything, but that the hon. minister will have a chance to do something.
The hon. minister.
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, I look forward to bringing forward regulations as well as other measures to implement Bill C-70.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Chair, the minister is probably as concerned as I am about the situation of indigenous border communities. In my riding, that means Akwesasne. These communities are victims of geography and are being exploited by criminal groups from the big cities. For example, we know that guns are passing through indigenous reserves, but first nations police services are short on resources.
Will the government give more support to indigenous police services? What is it going to do?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, I was in Akwesasne about two weeks ago, and I met with the grand chief and many other chiefs. I had the opportunity to understand the complex nature of that border.
I look forward to working with not just Akwesasne but other first nations and indigenous communities to strengthen their borders.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Chair, I would like to ask the minister a question about gun control. We know there are a few months left in the amnesty period for guns that were banned on May 1, 2020.
When will phase two of the buyback program be rolled out?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, we have already implemented the first part, which is obtaining firearms from businesses. I think around 12,000 firearms have been recovered. We look forward to launching the next phase of this in short order.
We are in the process of looking at options, but I can assure the member that we will be moving forward with the second part of this.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Chair, could the minister be more specific and tell us what he means by “in short order”? How long will it take? Will it be in a month, two months or a year? Can he clarify what he means by “in short order”?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, we are targeting the fall.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Chair, we have often seen that the government does not really know who is leaving Canada. For example, following a study by CIBC economists in 2023, the government discovered that Canada was undercounting its population by one million. Unlike some other countries, Canada has no exit immigration controls, such as biometric data checks on foreign nationals. As a result, the government is losing track of the temporary immigrants on its territory.
Bill C‑2 contains a provision about reporting the departure of sex offenders from Canada. However, without tighter controls, this measure could be ineffective, since the government often has no idea who is leaving the country. It must rely solely on airlines and information shared by foreign countries.
How does the minister plan to fix this situation?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, of course, Bill C-2 is one aspect of the way we are going to fix this. If members look at the provisions relating to the sharing of information within the IRCC and among different agencies of the federal government and provincial government, it is one way to track the number of people who are here or who have left. Of course, the role of the CBSA is also to enforce removals that are put in front of it, and we look forward to ensuring that expedited removals take place.
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Madam Chair, I would like the minister to clarify his thoughts on exit controls for foreign nationals.
It is not right that there are foreign nationals in this country but we do not know where. We also do not know when they leave the country. What I really want the minister to clarify is what he is going to do to improve the situation.
Is he satisfied with the current measures? Is he not aware that he needs to implement new controls for foreign nationals to properly screen people leaving Canada? I would like him to tell me very specifically how he is going to address this gap.
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, we will be working closely with U.S. border patrol to manage both sides of the border and track those who leave Canada.
Main Estimates, 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park Ontario
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Madam Chair, I wish you and the hon. committee members a good evening. I want to thank everyone for this invitation.
It is my privilege to appear before everyone as Canada's new Minister of Public Safety. Let me thank the officials who are here today. Let me also express my deepest condolences to the late Marc Garneau. His was one of the first names I learned when I came to Canada. He is a national hero. He impacted so many people and so many generations of Canadians. He served this House and Canadians with such grace and such incredible strength and integrity. I want to thank his family for sharing him with Canada.
I am humbled and honoured by the Prime Minister's appointment. I recognize it is a role that comes with great responsibility. I am to undertake my duties to serve Canadians with the utmost dedication and commitment. Protecting the public is one of the government's foremost duties, and it is an obligation shared by all parliamentarians. As I serve in this role, I also commit to working with all members of this committee, and indeed all parliamentarians, as we aim to fulfill this fundamental obligation.
These main estimates will ensure we can deliver on our collective duty to Canadians. To fulfill our obligation, we must first ensure that we can continue to support all of Public Safety's dedicated personnel, those who work hard each and every day to keep Canadians safe from harm.
As a reflection of its importance to our country's security, the Public Safety portfolio is the largest non-military portfolio in the government. Altogether, the Public Safety portfolio includes over 60,000 personnel. Every day, each of these individuals is dedicated to keeping Canadians safe and secure while they safeguard our rights and freedoms.
One of the first things I did after being appointed Canada's Minister of Public Safety was meet with some of those 60,000 personnel. I went to Cornwall to meet with the CBSA and RCMP officers securing the border and protecting our country. I look forward to meeting with many public safety personnel over the coming months to thank them for their dedication to their communities and their country, and for all they do to keep Canadians safe. However, it is not enough just to thank them for their work. We must give them the tools and resources they need to do their jobs effectively.
On a portfolio-wide basis, the total authorities sought in the main estimates for the fiscal year will result in funding approvals of $16.2 billion for the Public Safety portfolio. That will result in a net increase of $3.1 billion, or 23.7%, over the previous year's estimates. For Public Safety Canada, the total funding sought is $2.16 billion, which is an increase of $557.7 million, or 34.7%, over the previous year. For the Canada Border Services Agency, the total funding sought is $2.99 billion, an increase of $343.4 million, or 13%, over the previous year. For the Correctional Service of Canada, the total funding sought is $3.86 billion, an increase of $691.3 million, or 21.8%, over the previous year. For the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the total funding sought is $980.1 million, an increase of $277.5 million, or 39.5%, over the previous year. Finally, for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the total funding sought is $6.08 billion, an increase of $1.23 billion, or 25.3%.
As part of these estimates, $128.7 million has been designated to the CBSA and the RCMP to further enhance the integrity of Canada's border. As hon. members are aware, earlier this week we introduced Bill C-2, the strong borders act. I want to thank members who have already lent their voices to debating this bill. The strong borders act would ensure that in addition to the increased financial support we are providing to the agencies tasked with keeping us safe, we will be, to quote the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, “modernizing legislation and equipping law enforcement with necessary tools to combat transnational organized crime in an increasingly complex threat environment.”
We need to make it harder for organized crime to move money, drugs, people and firearms that endanger our communities. We need to ensure Canada's law enforcement is equipped with the tools needed to stay ahead of organized crime and is empowered to crack down on illicit activities. This is essential to maintaining the safety and security of our country.
Bill C-2, the strong borders act, would help us achieve just that. The bill would keep Canadians safe by ensuring law enforcement has the right tools to keep our borders secure, to combat transnational organized crime, to stop the flow of illegal fentanyl and to crack down on money laundering. We will also train 1,000 new CBSA officers and 1,000 more RCMP personnel.
Finally, further action will be taken over the coming months to keep our communities even safer, to get guns off our streets and to make bail harder to get for repeat offenders charged with car thefts, home invasions, human trafficking and drug smuggling.
As the Minister of Public Safety, my top priority will always be to ensure that each and every Canadian is safe and secure in our country. As I have already mentioned, it is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. Public safety is an issue that I have been seized with for a number of years in my riding and community, and as the Minister of Public Safety, I take great pride in this position of leadership, which has a direct impact on the safety of all Canadians and their communities.
Once again, I am thankful for this invitation today. I look forward to questions.
Main Estimates, 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Winnipeg North Manitoba
Liberal
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Chair, I appreciate the comments from the minister. I want to pick up on how important it is that we advance Bill C-2.
Border control-related issues were raised extensively during the election, and when I reflect on the election, I believe this bill is something Canadians want to see. I would highlight that the Canadian Police Association, and the minister can correct me if I am wrong, is supporting Bill C-2. Bill C-2 would, in fact, give much more strength to protecting Canada's borders.
I am wondering if the minister could reflect on it being the second bill, which clearly demonstrates its priority. Can he provide his thoughts on that?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, as we were ready to table the bill, I was hoping it would be Bill C-1, but I was told that that had to be for the Speech from the Throne.
With great respect, Bill C-2 is the first formal bill this 45th Parliament is debating, and we are debating it for a very good reason. It is to ensure that the safety and security of our borders are strengthened, that Canadians feel safe at home and that guns, fentanyl and illicit drugs and money do not come over our border.
It is a very important step, but it is only a step. There is a lot more to do, including bail reform, which I look forward to coming back to the House for under the leadership of our Minister of Justice. As my friend heard and many in this House and I have heard, securing the border is a top priority for the Prime Minister and for this government.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Chair, one thing that Canadians were able to witness was a first ministers' conference in Saskatchewan, where the premiers and the Prime Minister came together to deal with the issue of President Trump, the tariffs and trade. No doubt there would have been some discussions in regard to the border issue.
What was really amazing to witness was the high sense of co-operation. I made reference in a previous question to the co-operation on the ways and means motion, which we all voted for, collectively. I wonder if the minister could provide his thoughts in regard to how we can capture the Canadian consensus, the build Canada strong consensus out there, and incorporate this legislation as a part of that Canadian consensus.
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, let me just say at the outset that the issue of public safety, strengthening our border and the security of Canadians is something that all parliamentarians share. It is not exclusive to the government or the opposition.
This is a moment where we have to work in collaboration and conjunction to strengthen our borders. Something that I think Canadians have asked us to do is work together and put partisanship aside. As many of my colleagues know, I often work across party lines, and I really do look forward to strengthening the bill before the House at the appropriate time. Canadians' vote on April 28 signalled that they want full collaboration and co-operation, not just among premiers and the Prime Minister, but also in this House.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Chair, I know that a good number of members, especially from the Brampton Liberal caucus, raised the issue of auto theft. The member will recall that we actually had a summit dealing with auto theft, bringing the different stakeholders together. I think people would be encouraged to hear that within Bill C-2, there is a really good attempt to take yet another step in dealing with that particular issue.
Could the minister provide some thoughts on the auto theft component?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Madam Chair, I just want to say, in terms of auto theft, that there is a key component of the legislation that would enable the CBSA to have access at ports of exit to do inspections. Currently, the legislation exists for inspections to be undertaken when goods leave Canada. However, there is no compulsion of organizations such as ports and airports, or other ports of exit, to do the inspection. This legislation would in fact compel them to do so, and we believe it is a very important step to curtail auto theft.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Chair, this is a substantial piece of legislation that would have a profoundly positive impact on improving border security. The minister has made reference to the hiring of 1,000 RCMP and CBSA officers, 2,000 in total, and that is going to actually give more teeth to the legislation itself.
Could the minister provide his thoughts in regard to why getting those additional resources was so critically important?