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.
Aaron Gunn Conservative North Island—Powell River, BC
Mr. Chair, this is the same question: Is someone who is high on crystal meth an issue of public safety, yes or no?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, this is a matter that should be addressed to the Minister of Health.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, we just had another election, and again foreign interference was a factor in that election. In fact, a Liberal candidate had to be dropped just before the election because of it. It has been exposed that Beijing was helping the Prime Minister, and the RCMP has linked foreign interference to organized crime in Canada. Actually, the House passed a foreign agent registry last year. Where is that registry?
Main Estimates, 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park Ontario
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Chair, I look forward to establishing the registry. As my friend is aware, it is something that requires the consent of Parliament.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, the Liberals said that this was a priority for them. Can we see the registry before the summer vacation?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I look forward to bringing it forward and will be consulting my friend on the appointment itself.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, as members are aware, for the last couple of years, we have had some very high-profile cases of extortion in Canada. Families would spend their whole life building up a business, and along would come sometimes international gangsters, or local ones, who would shoot at their house, commit arson at their home and at their business and extort these families for millions of dollars, yet the government has done nothing to protect them in the last couple of years.
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I believe that is more of a comment.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, why has the government not done anything to protect these families?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, the issue of extortion is a very important one. Many communities are impacted by it, particularly in the greater Toronto area, and in places like Edmonton, as well as—
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, the Liberals say that it is an issue, but they have not brought any solutions forward to help these families. In fact, when the police come to these families and say that their life is in danger and that they should leave and hide out, the police have also been telling the families that they do not have the resources to protect them. Why do police in our country not have the resources necessary to protect Canadians?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, we will be investing in 1,000 RCMP officers in order to keep our country safe, and this includes addressing issues of extortion.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, can the minister tell us which cities those 1,000 RCMP officers will be delegated to?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, the RCMP recruits from the best and the brightest. It is in the process of recruitment and then training. The officers will be deployed as required, based on operational needs.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, what about the city police forces? Many of the instances of extortion are happening in Canada's largest cities. What about those police forces? Why do they not have the resources necessary?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, there are resources available, including through Bill C-2, which we introduced this week. I know that many police services are doing a great job in their local jurisdiction. They are working with the support of the RCMP in their respective regions.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, why did the minister's government repeal the mandatory minimum penalty for extortion with a restricted firearm in Bill C-5?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, the issue of extortion, as members know, is critically important. We are adding additional tools for police and law enforcement to be able to tackle the issue.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, will the Liberals restore the penalty for extortion with a restricted firearm, which the Liberals repealed?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, we will be bringing forward criminal justice reform later in the fall.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, the Liberals are not committing to restoring that aspect, which they repealed. Will they make arson an aggravating factor in extortion? Arson is used as a weapon in many of these cases. Will the Liberals make arson an aggravating factor?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I believe it is already an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Chair, I introduced a bill in the last Parliament that would bring in stronger sentences for extortion, with a mandatory minimum penalty of three years, four years with a firearm, and five years if somebody is committing the offence with organized crime. Will the Liberals adopt those measures into the laws that they are bringing in, since they have taken so many other ideas from the Conservative side?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, we will be making smart criminal justice reforms.
