Debates of June 5th, 2025

Strong Borders Act

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. We have gone through this before in the House. In a previous debate I had with the member opposite, I stated the exact same thing: It is either that the numbers are lying in the public accounts, or the member is purposely misleading the House. I was told by the Chair that I could not say that because it implied the member was lying. He is using the exact same excuse to infer that we are lying. We ask that he withdraw—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

That is precisely what I just said. We all know that we cannot do indirectly what we cannot do directly. I would ask the hon. member to be prudent.

The hon. member for Winnipeg North.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Speaker, I will let you be the judge.

We had members on the Conservative benches stand in their place and say that if we allow this legislation to pass, we are allowing Canada Post personnel, like the sorters, to pick through the mail and open it up, which was just not true. What the legislation would do is enable law enforcement officers or agents to go out and get a warrant that would enable them to open an envelope.

[An hon. member]

That's not true.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Yes, that is true.

Madam Speaker, that is why I said I really do not think the Conservatives understand it. Today, if I put into a yellow envelope something that might be good or might be bad, and I put it into the mail, the police, even if they can get a warrant, cannot open that envelope unless they wait until it arrives at the destination and then they get the envelope at the destination. That is the law today. Members across the way are challenging me on that fact. They are challenging me on that fact because they believe Canada Post staff would just be able to rifle through all the correspondence, and therefore it is a threat to Canadian liberties. There would be checks in place.

I really want to see the Conservative Party get behind the legislation. It is good legislation. Let us back it up a bit. When we were knocking on doors, people were genuinely concerned about President Trump, the tariffs and trade. The previous speaker commented on why we have the legislation we have today. Yes, there is an expectation that we are going to deal with our borders and give strength to our border control officers. It is in response, at least in part, to what we have been witnessing over the last eight weeks.

Much like today, when we unanimously supported the ways and means motion, I suggest we should be looking, at the very least, at seeing this legislation go to committee stage so that all members can get a better understanding of it. If there are ways we can improve the bill, by all means make suggestions at the standing committee. We have an opportunity to deliver to Canadians what Canadians wanted us to do just weeks ago when we were knocking on doors. This is an issue that does need to be dealt with, and that is why it is Bill C-2—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

I am going to interrupt the hon. member, who will have 15 minutes and 20 seconds to complete his speech the next time this bill returns to the House.

Pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 27, the House will now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to study all votes in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

I do now leave the chair for the House to go into committee of the whole.

(Consideration in committee of the whole of all votes in the main estimates, Alexandra Mendès in the chair)

Main Estimates, 2025-26

[The Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

I would like to open this session of committee of the whole by making a short statement on the evening's proceedings.

Pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 27, the committee of the whole convenes today for the sole purpose of asking questions of the government in regard to the estimates. The first round will begin with the official opposition, followed by the government and then the Bloc Québécois. After that, we will follow the usual proportional rotation.

Each member will be allocated 15 minutes, which may be used both for debate and for posing questions. Should members wish to use this time to make a speech, it can last a maximum of 10 minutes, leaving at least five minutes for questions to the minister or the parliamentary secretary acting on behalf of the minister. When a member is recognized, he or she should indicate to the Chair how the 15-minute period will be used. In other words, what portion will be used for speeches and what portion for questions and answers. Furthermore, members who wish to split their time with one or more other members shall indicate it to the Chair.

When the time is to be used for questions and comments, the Chair will expect that the minister's or parliamentary secretary's response will reflect approximately the time taken to ask the question, since this time will count toward the time allotted to the member. As is the case in any proceeding in committee of the whole, members need not be in their own seats to be recognized. Although members may speak more than once, the Chair will generally try to ensure that all members wishing to speak are heard before inviting members to speak again, while respecting the proportional party rotations for speakers.

I also wish to indicate that, in committee of the whole, ministers and members should be referred to by their title or riding name and, of course, all remarks should be addressed through the Chair. I ask for everyone's co-operation in upholding all established standards of decorum, parliamentary language and behaviour.

At the conclusion of tonight's debate, the House will adjourn immediately until tomorrow. In addition, pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 27, no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair.

We may now begin tonight's session.

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

Madam Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Montmorency—Charlevoix and the member for Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga.

Is the minister okay with the fact that Paul Bernardo, one of Canada's worst serial killers, remains in medium security?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Madam Chair, Correctional Service Canada makes those determinations.

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

Madam Chair, that is not what I asked. I asked if the minister is okay with the fact that Bernardo is in medium security, yes or no.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Chair, this is not my decision or that of the Minister of Public Safety. These decisions are made by Correctional Service Canada and are not subject in any way to my intervention.

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

Madam Chair, the minister can order an inquiry, as was done by former minister Goodale. Will he do that, yes or no?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I have already addressed this issue. The Correctional Service of Canada contributes to the safety of our institutions and communities by ensuring that all inmates are placed in institutions that match their security level. Inmates are classified based on the necessary degree of supervision.

[Rhonda Kirkland, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Madam Chair, on a point of order, I believe the answers have to be the same amount of time as the question posed. He was given—

[The Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

Approximately, yes they do, but it is not necessarily to the second.

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola.

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

Madam Chair, the minister did not actually answer the question. Yes or no, will he order an inquiry?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I indicated that Correctional Service of Canada contributes to the safety of the institutions, and they make these determinations.

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

Madam Chair, he will not order an inquiry.

How about Terri-Lynne McClintic, who killed an eight-year-old child? She is now living in medium security next to a child through the mother-child program. Is he okay with that, yes or no?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Chair, Correctional Service Canada makes these determinations based on the security risk level that it assesses. It is an independent decision that is outside of the scope.

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

Madam Chair, the minister can have policy on this. A sex offender that killed an eight-year-old child is living next to children in jail. Is he okay with it?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Chair, I have addressed this issue a number of times. This is subject to the Correctional Service Canada's—

[The Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola.

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

Madam Chair, that is a slap in the face to Rodney Stafford, the father of Tori Stafford, who has to live with this. Will the minister say that to his face, yes or no?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON]

Madam Chair, this matter has been addressed. This is in the purview of Correctional Service Canada, and it is up to it to make that determination.