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.
Andrew Lawton Conservative Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON
Mr. Chair, will the minister commit to taking the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, so he will know what he is talking about?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I do not intend to purchase a firearm or use a firearm.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, in my home of Campbell River, 3,500 tablets of a deadly and addictive opioid that were being trafficked were seized by the RCMP.
Does the minister believe in strong sentences for distributing, funding and profiting off these deadly and addictive drugs?
Main Estimates, 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park Ontario
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Chair, fentanyl and other opioids impact communities across Canada, and my sympathies go to the people of Campbell River. We do need to ensure that there are strict penalties for those who commit these crimes.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
That sounded good, Mr. Chair. Unfortunately, these deadly and addictive opioids are actually part of the government's very own so-called safe supply program. The drugs are actually being distributed and funded by the minister's own government.
If the minister is claiming that he is going to have stiff sentences, that the Liberals are going to crack down on the sources of these addictive drugs, who exactly is the minister planning to crack down on? Is it the Liberals themselves?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I understand this is a program that was administered by the Province of British Columbia.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, does the minister deny that the federal government helped fund this program?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, as Canadians and as governments, we need to do everything in our power to ensure that people are—
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, the fact of the matter is that the federal government funded this so-called safe supply program that has now ended up in the hands of drug dealers and drug traffickers, resulting in the seizure that I just mentioned.
Does the minister regret and apologize for funding these programs?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, in the three weeks since I was appointed, I have been working on a bill, Bill C-2, that would ensure that we continue to fight fentanyl at our borders.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, does the Minister of Public Safety believe the Liberal government's experiment to decriminalize hard drugs, including fentanyl, crack cocaine and crystal meth, has been a success in my home province of British Columbia?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, that is factually incorrect. This government decriminalized cannabis and did not go beyond that.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, can I just get some clarification from the minister? Is he saying that the government did not decriminalize fentanyl, crystal meth and crack cocaine in my home province of British Columbia?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
No, Mr. Chair. It happened as part of a request by the British Columbia government for a short period of time.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, the minister must know that the policy of decriminalizing these hard drugs still exists. It is set to expire in January 2026. Will the minister commit to ending this failed policy once and for all?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, we look forward to working with our provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure that there are no hard drugs available within their respective jurisdictions.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, under the Liberal drug decriminalization policy, which actually exists right now for fentanyl, crystal meth and crack cocaine, drug dealers are allowed to store more than 1,000 lethal doses of fentanyl in their homes.
Does the minister believe that this policy makes Canadians safer?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, this is a question that should be addressed to the Minister of Health.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, the minister says to address it to the Minister of Health. Frontline RCMP officers have told me decriminalization ties their hands behind their backs and makes it easier for drug dealers and drug traffickers to push their illegal and addictive substances.
Does he not agree with these frontline RCMP officers?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, this is a question that should be posed to the police of jurisdiction in British Columbia.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, ultimately, does the minister agree that this is a matter of federal jurisdiction? This is the Criminal Code, therefore it is the government's decision and the government's responsibility.
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, this is a committee of the whole to address the issues around my portfolio, which is public safety. The issue is relating to health, and I suggest that this question be posed to the health minister.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, does the minister believe that someone who is high on crystal meth, wandering the streets of downtown Vancouver or Toronto, poses a risk to public safety?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, again, this is something that should be addressed to the Minister of Health.
