Debates of June 5th, 2025

Strong Borders Act

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Madam Speaker, I do not believe that this bill is anti-refugee and anti-immigrant.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his enlightening speech.

Does my colleague think that Bill C‑2 will improve refugee claim processing times?

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Madam Speaker, do I have 30 minutes to answer that?

I hope that the answer to my colleague's question is yes; sadly, however, I do not know exactly how that will happen. Is improving processing times really a government objective? I am not convinced that it is.

The fact remains that it is not right for a G7 country to take four, five, six or seven years to process a refugee claim filed in-country. One of them took 12 years to process, which is crazy.

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade]

Madam Speaker, it is wonderful to see you in the chair, and I just want to let you know that I will be sharing my time with the member for Mississauga East—Cooksville.

It is with deep gratitude that I rise today on behalf of the people of Kitchener—Conestoga and give my first speech in the 45th Parliament. Standing and speaking in the chamber reinforces the responsibility that I carry as a parliamentarian and as a steward of the trust constituents have placed in me.

I want to begin by thanking everyone who helped me get here today, particularly my family. My wife Brenda, my son Satchel and my daughter Brooklyn have been supportive every step of the way.

This is the third time I have been elected to serve, and it remains an honour. I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of all the constituents of Kitchener—Conestoga.

We are at a pivotal moment. Our communities are facing challenges in affordability, housing, climate change and global instability, but I believe, as I know my constituents do, that Canada is ready to meet this moment with courage, with compassion and with clarity of purpose.

Kitchener—Conestoga is a riding that reflects the diversity and dynamism of Canada itself. The geography of this riding includes the west end of the vibrant city of Kitchener and the three beautiful townships of Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich.

The urban-rural blend brings both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and a sense of strong community. On the other, it requires thoughtful policy that bridges the needs of urban centres, such as transit and housing, with the priorities of rural communities, such as agriculture, infrastructure and access to services.

Representing such a diverse riding means listening closely, building consensus and ensuring that no voice is left behind. The people of Kitchener—Conestoga know the power of working together. Whether it is in farmers innovating to feed our country, small businesses adapting in a changing economy or newcomers building new lives and enriching our communities, we see every day that progress is possible when we support one another. Whether we are looking forward with innovation or reflecting on the values passed down to us that shaped us, one thing remains constant: the strength of our communities.

In Kitchener—Conestoga, that strength is rooted in a barn-raising mentality inspired by our Mennonite heritage, a spirit of co-operation, selflessness and shared purpose. I experienced that as recently as this past weekend when I attended the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. This event is a shining example of the spirit of collaboration, where over 2,000 volunteers come together in a remarkable display of generosity and teamwork, raising funds to support relief, development and peace efforts both locally and around the world, through the Mennonite Central Committee.

It is a reminder that when we come together, we can build more than structures. We build trust, resilience and a future that reflects the best of who we are. I am encouraged by the government's commitment to building a stronger, fairer economy, one that works for everyone. Cutting taxes for the middle class, expanding dental care and protecting child care and pharmacare are not just policies. These are lifelines for families working to get ahead.

On the issue of housing, we need bold action. The creation of the “build Canada homes” program and the goal of doubling home construction are steps in the right direction, but we must work together to ensure that these homes are truly affordable and accessible to those who need them the most. That means working together with provinces, municipalities and the private sector, including skilled trades, to get shovels in the ground and roofs over heads.

I welcome the renewed focus on internal trade and labour mobility. Breaking down barriers between provinces will unlock opportunity and help us build one Canadian economy that is stronger together.

We cannot talk about strength without addressing security, because true strength means that our communities feel safe and feel supported. That is why I stand behind measures that enhance public safety, uphold the rule of law and ensure that every resident can live without fear. A strong Canada begins with secure borders. That is why our government has introduced the strong borders act, Bill C-2, legislation designed to give law enforcement the tools they need to keep Canadians safe.

This includes cracking down on transnational organized crime, stopping the flow of illegal fentanyl and strengthening our ability to combat money laundering and human trafficking. The act would enhance the powers of the Canada Border Service Agency, the RCMP and the Canadian Coast Guard to better detect and disrupt criminal activity. It would also improve the integrity of our immigration and asylum systems, ensuring that they remain fair, responsive and resilient in the face of rising global pressures.

This legislation is a key part of our broader plan to build a safer, more secure Canada, one where our communities are protected, our borders are respected and our laws keep pace with evolving threats. At the same time, we must also invest in prevention, mental health supports, youth programs and community initiatives that build trust.

Looking beyond our nation's borders, Canada must lead with the values that define us: equity, compassion, inclusion and co-operation. Hosting the G7 summit this month is a chance to show the world that Canada does not just talk about leadership; we live it. Whether it is providing good governance, addressing climate change or building fair trade relationships, we must lead with integrity.

I am encouraged by our government's renewed dedication to protecting our environment, our parks, waters, wildlife and farmland. It is not just about conservation; it is about identity. It is about ensuring that our children and grandchildren inherit a country as beautiful and bountiful as the one we were blessed with. We have a vision before us, but it is up to us, every member of this House, to turn that vision into reality, to listen to our constituents, to work in a non-partisan way and to never lose sight of why we are here: to serve.

Canadians have entrusted this new government with a clear and urgent mandate to build a strong economy and meet the challenges of our time with purpose and resolve. We are facing a generational moment. Rising global instability, economic uncertainty and the rapid pace of technological change demand a new approach, one that is focused, collaborative and bold.

In the short term, we must act decisively to bring down costs for Canadians, including making housing more affordable. At the same time, we must lay the foundations for long-term prosperity. That means building transformative infrastructure, modernizing our economy and ensuring Canadians have the skills and training to thrive in a rapidly changing world. It means strengthening our partnerships across provinces, with indigenous peoples and with our allies abroad.

We must proactively address global disruption caused by rising protectionism, including the recent waves of U.S. tariffs. These measures threaten Canadian businesses, workers and the very trade relationships that have underpinned our prosperity for decades. We must respond with resilience and strategy by diversifying our trade, investing in domestic capacity and standing firm in defence of fair and open markets.

In every challenge lies an opportunity. As the world navigates uncertainty, Canada has a chance to lead, not just by example but by action. We can be a beacon of stability, innovation and co-operation. Canada has the talent and the vision to shape a better world, not only for us but for everyone.

I am committed to continue being the strong voice for Kitchener—Conestoga, to serving my community with integrity and to standing up for Canada not just in words but through meaningful action every day. With humility, determination and optimism, I will continue to serve the people of Kitchener—Conestoga and work with all members of this House to build a Canada that is more just, more inclusive and more united for the future we all share.

I look forward to questions.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is good to see you in the chair.

As this is my first time rising in this chamber, I thank the constituents of Chatham-Kent—Leamington for allowing me this opportunity.

As someone of Mennonite faith and heritage, I want to thank the member across the way for his references to the New Hamburg sale, the community and the community spirit. In fact, if someone in my community wanted a ride, I would be more than happy to give them a ride, but I, my immediate family and my extended family have joined the legions of Canadians who have experienced auto theft. In fact, we have had three vehicles stolen in the last eight months from our immediate family. My charitable spirit, I will admit, does not go quite that far.

The member referenced bold action in his speech. It has been 10 years of the Liberal government. There are promises of border enhancement and security. From where do we get the faith for that? We brought an opposition motion last fall for enhanced scanners and enhanced personnel, as was referenced in a Bloc Québécois speech. From where should Canadians get the comfort that these promises are actually serious and going to be carried out?

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for Chatham–Kent—Leamington. We have worked well together on the agriculture committee for years. He is just down the road from me. I appreciate the question and that he cares about the security of Canadians.

A secure Canada starts with secure borders. As far as moving fast on this bill, Bill C-2, other than the ways and means committee motion, which is Bill C-1, this is as fast as we can move. We heard a clear mandate from Canadians to make sure that we are secure and safe, and Bill C-2 is doing that.

As far as auto theft, this is going to give CBSA more of the tools it needs to combat auto theft, specifically at our ports, so I look forward to that conversation.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Madam Speaker, Bill C‑2 gives CBSA officers more power to deal with fentanyl and, notably, vehicle theft. However, without additional staff, this will only solve part of the problem. On April 10, the Prime Minister promised to hire 1,000 additional officers.

When will he finally keep his promise and follow through?

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his questions, but I am not yet able to respond in French.

On the legislation, we need to work together to have that passed. We do know we need to support, both in legislation and in funding, our security, like the CBSA and RCMP. That will be in the legislation. I look forward to having that conversation. The short answer is as soon as possible, I hope.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, this is my first opportunity to get in on this debate.

While Canadians, obviously, are looking to the government for a policy that addresses borders, there are a lot of details in this bill. It is an omnibus bill and changes 14 different laws. I am particularly concerned about the sections that would make it impossible for people who might have had refugee status to apply for it now if they have been in Canada sometime for other, legitimate purposes. This bill would need amendments before I can vote for it.

My friend from Kitchener—Conestoga may not know the answer, but given that it is an omnibus bill, is the government prepared to split this bill so that the relevant sections are studied by committees with expertise in immigration and refugee law, and other committees that look at it from the Oceans Act perspective and so on?

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for that question. I would also thank her for all her service in the House.

In addressing the idea about splitting the bill, I would have to talk with the House leaders and have that conversation. I am not sure.

The bill is extensive because we need to protect Canadians. We need to make sure we are doing it in a way that gives law enforcement the tools it needs and, at the same time, protects Canadians' privacy. In the early days, we are going to have more discussions about this and more readings, and I look forward to the discussion.

[Doug Shipley, Conservative, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON]

Madam Speaker, we have heard from many police services, police associations and chiefs of police. The number one thing that Canada needs is bail reform. This bill is talking about trying to make Canada safer, but there is nothing in here about bail reform.

Can the member comment on why we are not giving the police associations and the police chiefs what they are really asking for?

[Tim Louis, Liberal, Kitchener—Conestoga, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is difficult to say the bill is too big and not big enough at the same time. The Liberals are trying to strike that balance. I believe we need to work on legislation that addresses what we said we would do, which is sentence reform as well as bail reform.

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Madam Speaker, it is with deep humility, great hope and unwavering dedication that I rise today as the voice of the residents of Mississauga East—Cooksville. I wish to begin by offering my sincere congratulations to you, Madam Speaker; it is great to see you in the chair again.

I congratulate all members in the House on their election and re-election. Each of us brings a distinct voice and unique experiences here. While we may sit on different sides of the aisle, we are united by a shared commitment to serve the people who entrusted us to be here and to do all we can to make their lives that much better.

Above all, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the people of Mississauga East—Cooksville for placing their trust in me to be their representative here in the House. I thank them for opening their doors, sharing their stories and touching me deeply. It is their ideas, their concerns, their dreams for a better future that shape everything I do in this chamber.

I thank my family, my loving wife Christina and our twin boys Sebastien and Alexander, for their unconditional support and love. I thank the volunteers who gave their time, energy and hearts to our campaign. They made this possible, and this moment belongs to them as much as it does to me. I am thankful to my office team for providing the constituents of Mississauga East—Cooksville with great care, respect and service that is second to none.

The world we live in today feels more uncertain than ever. It is fast-moving, more fragile and at times deeply unsettling. Families are feeling the weight of rising prices, struggling to keep up with the cost of living, while at the same time worrying about the safety of their neighbourhoods and the stability of our country. From unpredictable global conflicts and inflationary pressures to U.S. tariffs and threats on our national security, these challenges are not abstract. They are real. They touch the lives of everyday Canadians.

In moments like this, people need to know their leaders are listening, that we understand their fears, that we are working every day to protect their future. With every challenge comes an opportunity, an opportunity to lead with clarity, to act with compassion, to build a future where no one is left behind. Mississauga East—Cooksville, like many communities across Canada, is feeling the weight of these challenges.

A safe Canada is a strong Canada, and that strength starts with ensuring that those who would do harm are stopped in their tracks. From cracking down on organized crime and money laundering to protecting our borders and modernizing our law enforcement tools, we are defending the integrity of our communities and our economy alike, because national security and economic security go hand in hand. When Canadians feel safe, businesses thrive, investments grow and opportunity flourishes. That is why our plan to build a more prosperous Canada begins with a clear-eyed commitment to the safety and security of our communities.

Earlier this week we had the opportunity to witness a moment that reminded me why I believe so deeply in our great country. This week in Saskatchewan, the Prime Minister and premiers from across Canada came together to focus on building and protecting our nation together. They gathered not just to talk but to act, to move forward on nation-building projects that will use the best of what Canada has to offer.

From the steel forged in Hamilton to clean energy solutions from Alberta and advanced manufacturing right in my community of Mississauga East—Cooksville, Ontario, this is a plan that harnesses our full potential as a country. It is about connecting regions, strengthening our economy and creating good jobs in every province and territory. It is about making sure that when Canada builds, we build together.

Even as this important work took place, Saskatchewan was battling devastating wildfires. Families were displaced, communities were under threat, and what we saw was solidarity among our country. We saw our first responders there to help, putting themselves on the line, protecting the lives and livelihoods of so many.

What I saw in Saskatchewan was the very best of our federation: leaders setting aside differences to serve Canadians, a commitment to co-operation that transcends partisanship and a belief that a stronger Canada is not built in isolation but by bringing people and provinces together. When we look out for one another, when we invest in each other, when we build not just for today but for generations to come, Canada is at its strongest.

We will eliminate internal trade barriers that stifle innovation and cost our economy billions each year. In doing so, we will create one strong Canadian economy from 13, driving prosperity in every corner of this great nation.

For this economic prosperity to take root, people must not only feel safe in their local communities, but also feel confident that their country is secure from external threats. Local safety encourages investment, job creation and community development, while national security protects our borders, critical infrastructure and trade routes. When both internal and external threats are effectively addressed, it creates a stable environment where businesses can thrive and families can plan for the future.

In this way, safety and security at home and across our borders are essential pillars of a strong and resilient economy. Security begins at home, and today, Canadians are feeling a growing unease. In our neighbourhoods, families are increasingly concerned about rising crime, particularly auto thefts, home invasions, drug trafficking and repeat violent offences.

In Mississauga East—Cooksville and across the country, we have heard these concerns loud and clear. This is not just about numbers in a report; it is about really investing in our communities and making sure we can provide peace of mind to our citizens.

That is why our new government is taking bold, concrete action to strengthen community safety from every angle.

We will hire 1,000 additional RCMP officers and 1,000 additional Canada Border Services Agency officers. We are going to reform the Criminal Code to make it more difficult for repeat violent offenders to be released on bail, ensuring that dangerous individuals are not returned to our streets prematurely.

At our ports and borders, we are expanding the tools available to the Canada Border Services Agency to intercept illegal goods before they reach our communities, especially the deadly flow of fentanyl precursors and the increasing number of stolen vehicles linked to crime and smuggling rings.

We are going further. Through the strong borders act, we are targeting transnational crime and money laundering, modernizing our immigration system to prevent fraud, and empowering our Coast Guard to protect Canadian sovereignty and disrupt criminal activity at sea.

Before I speak about the importance of safety and security, I must first speak from the heart about something that shook me and those around me to the core: the arson attack on my constituency office. This was not just an attack on a building; it was an attack on the very spirit of democracy, on the belief that we settle our differences through dialogue, not violence and destruction.

I want to sincerely thank our first responders for their quick and courageous actions. I am also deeply grateful to the people of Mississauga East—Cooksville, who reached out with compassion, stood in solidarity and reminded me of the strength and kindness that define our community.

I want to thank my staff, who experienced this trauma first-hand, for their unwavering commitment to public service, their grace and their strength, even in the face of this senseless and malicious act.

Safety and security in our communities and for our country are paramount. Let us be clear: Safety is not a partisan issue. Safety is about ensuring that all of us are able to live safe and secure at home, in the workplace, on the streets and in our democratic institutions. We are all stronger for it. We are Canada strong.

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

Madam Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise on behalf of the people of Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola.

First, I wish to denounce what happened at my colleague's office, which he referred to. That is unacceptable for anyone in Canada to experience.

Where I take issue with my colleague's speech is that it is straight out of the Liberal playbook of saying, “We're going to, we're going to, we're going to.” Like me, my colleague was here for that, and he may have even been here before I got here. The Liberals say they are going to do all these things on crime. They mocked us for all of these proposals and now are flip-flopping.

How can we have any faith whatsoever that the Liberals are going to take action when they have said that they will not and in fact had ideological opposition? It is largely the same group of Liberals over there.

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague and all those in the House, because just earlier today, we saw every member united in the vote on the ways and means motion. I cannot recall the last time that happened, but the Liberals, the Conservatives, the Bloc, the NDP and the Greens, everybody, got up, and that is how we have to approach this.

This transcends all political stripes. It is about keeping our communities safe. The member brings up different points, but I hope the member will be supporting this legislation. He should know, and I believe does know and understand, how important it is to law enforcement and how important it is to his citizens and my citizens to make sure they feel safe in their communities and homes and that we have a safer country.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Madam Speaker, the bill gives new powers to border services officers, but those already on the ground are overwhelmed. The union even says that they are short 2,000 to 3,000 officers.

Let us start with the Prime Minister's promise. On April 10 during the election campaign, he promised 1,000.

Can my colleague tell me how many new officers have been hired since then? If the answer is zero, when will they start hiring to secure our borders?

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for the opportunity to thank our Canada Border Services Agency and all of the officers. They do a commendable job. That is why our government has committed to 1,000 more Canada Border Services Agency agents, even though we already added 1,000 to our border prior to this. This is a historic investment of $1.3 billion, which has never been done before in Canada. We already have a strong border, but this will strengthen and reinforce it. It is the right thing to do.

I hope the member will vote in favour of this legislation, because it will do exactly what he is asking for.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Madam Speaker, I would like to pass on my compliments for your appointment as Assistant Deputy Speaker. It is wonderful to see you in the chair.

I cannot speak without referencing the departmental plans. If I look back as far as 2019, when Ralph Goodale was in this place, and the plans from 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, every single one of them mentions cracking down on fentanyl. One of them, from about four years ago, actually talks about bringing in legislation to ban precursors.

Since the 2019 departmental plan came out, 41,000 Canadians have died from the fentanyl scourge, yet every year we hear the same thing: “We're going to do something, we're going to do something, we're going to do something.” However, nothing has been done.

Why would Canadians believe the government is actually going to do something when its own plans and papers for five or six years have been saying it is going to do something but it has done nothing?

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Madam Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for the hon. colleague across the aisle, but he would know that when his party was in government, it was cutting services at our borders. It was looking at trimming everywhere, taking away those opportunities. The precursors change regularly. That is why we need to stay on top of them.

I know my colleague will look for what is in the best interest of his residents and his constituents. What is in their best interest is to vote in favour of this legislation to make sure that it passes through this House so we can bring in more measures to keep our communities safe and secure.

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Madam Speaker, I echo the comments that have been made welcoming you back to the chair.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to rise to speak to this important piece of legislation, Bill C-2, an act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures. Finally, after a decade of inaction and repeated failures, the Liberals have tabled a so-called strong borders act, which gives the appearance of taking border security more seriously. However, the fact is that this legislation is packed with measures that Canadians did not ask for. It is a travesty that the government has allowed so many problems to fester for so long and cause so much damage to Canadians.

This sweeping piece of legislation, which the government claims will strengthen our border, protect Canada's sovereignty and keep Canadians safe, amends the following acts: the Customs Act; the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, to add fentanyl to schedule V; the Canada Post Corporation Act; the Oceans Act; the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act; the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act; the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act; and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. It also introduces the supporting authorized access to information act, which is one to pay attention to.

For years, the Liberals, knowing we had severe problems at our border with the United States, dragged their feet on addressing any of the issues. In fact, they even lashed out at law-abiding Canadians when they raised concerns about the rise in gun crimes under the Liberal government in the hopes that the Liberals would crack down on criminals and illegal firearms. Instead, the government started targeting law-abiding firearms owners and treated them as if they were dangerous criminals who needed to be dealt with. We all knew that illegal firearms being smuggled across the border to be used by street gangs were what needed to be dealt with. The government needed to stop illegal firearms from crossing the border so they could not be used to rob, injure or kill Canadians.

What did the Liberals do instead? Old habits die hard. The government doubled down on hunters and sport shooters. Sport shooters are now often turned around at the border, and even if they go through the exhaustive paperwork, jumping through all the hoops, they often have equipment wrongfully seized, which takes them months to get back. In the meantime, illegal firearms stream across the border, where CBSA agents, already understaffed, are stretched thin trying to slow the flow.

After a decade of Liberal governance, gun-related crime is up 116%, and 85% of gun offences are committed using illegal firearms from the United States. Canadian security services have also identified 350 organized crime rings operating within our borders, 63 of which have international connections to China, Mexico and other nations.

The Conservatives would like to see the Liberals scrap their failed gun buyback program, which, over four years and $67 million later, has failed to get a single gun off the streets, and redirect this money into stopping illegal firearms from entering the country. That way, the government can target criminals rather than law-abiding Canadians.

After years of the CBSA and Conservatives calling for more resources at the border to combat the multitude of trafficking that occurs, the government had another bright idea: It purchased two Black Hawk helicopters to patrol the border and stop smugglers. On the surface, the purchase of new equipment seems good, but in practical terms, it was another Liberal nothingburger. Our border with the United States is just under 8,900 kilometres. Having two helicopters to cover that large of a distance, even if they are both working at the same time, is a ludicrous proposition. Instead of hiring more CBSA agents to help staunch the flow of illegal firearms and drugs, the Liberals have spent millions of dollars to lease these helicopter for a few months.

The work of our border agents has been continually hampered by the Liberal government, as it has refused to recognize where and what the problems are. The government has been asked repeatedly by border agents, their unions and other Canadians with common sense to give more resources to the CBSA so it can properly staff border crossings and deal with the crime at the border.

While the Liberals would have us believe that there is finally some movement on addressing the serious issues at the border, we must remember that most of the issues were created or exacerbated by 10 years of Liberal incompetence and inaction. The reality is that the Liberals, with the help of their NDP partner, lost control of the border and scrambled to act only when warnings from another country came calling for them to fix their disastrous broken border policy.

As I mentioned earlier, the bill is sweeping legislation. I note that the Liberals have adopted some of the Conservative stance to strengthen border security and crack down on criminals. The government has promised that it will invest $300 million in border investigation and scanners; this is welcome news. Conservatives have been calling, for years, for more resources for our agents at the border to stem the flow of illegal firearms and drugs.

Only 1% of shipping containers are inspected coming into our country, allowing drugs and guns to sneak through in the other 99%. However, true to form, the government has offered no timeline for when the investment would be made and the resources would reach the border. The Liberal track record of making funding announcements and then sitting back and assuming someone else is going to do the job has shown a lack of transparency and trustworthiness. This brings into question the government’s ability to execute on this promise.

Additionally, the past 10 years have shown that the Liberals always find a way to make funding commitments work best for their friends and Liberal insiders. We only need to look back at what happened during COVID, when the Liberal government handed a $237-million contract to its former MP, colleague, and future leadership candidate, Frank Baylis. While that was an obvious conflict of interest, the Liberals pressed on with the contract for ventilators, claiming they were necessary. Then, just a few years later, it quietly came to light that the government had sold the ventilators for pennies on the dollar for scrap. However, it did not matter, because yet another Liberal insider got to pad his pockets.

Another example is the arrive scam scandal. The Liberals seized the opportunity of a crisis to spend at least $60 million on a simple app. After a study at committee and reviews by the procurement ombudsman and the Auditor General, it was clear that the government had funnelled money to fraudulent consultants with no care as to how much it was spending. Last, I want to point to the example of McKinsey, a company that got special access to government contracts because its managing partner at the time, Dominic Barton, was personal friends with Justin Trudeau. McKinsey made $100 million from that relationship, which, again, was found by the Auditor General to be improper. This is why it is so difficult to take the government at its word.

Each one of these procurements was justified as necessary by the government at the time, and each one was plagued by corruption and incompetence.

If we fast-forward to today, the government is promising to spend $300 million on a large procurement project in the midst of a crisis, and I have huge reservations about trusting its judgment when it comes to who those millions of dollars will go to. Will it be another former Liberal MP? Will it be another friend of the prime minister? We have seen the reports that Brookfield firms reached out to the Prime Minister just days after he took office. Will one of these firms receive contracts for the new border initiative?

Another issue with large procurements is that we know that the Prime Minister has financial holdings in companies that he has failed to disclose to Canadians, so it is possible that when these initiatives cross his desk, there may be certain companies that will be looked upon more favourably. Without knowing which companies the Prime Minister has a financial interest in, it is difficult to scrutinize the government spending that he approves. That is why I hope the Prime Minister will disclose his assets sooner rather than later so Canadians can hold his government to account for any favouritism that may be shown in the procurement process.

Along with the bill, we need to see movement on bail and sentencing reform. Many of the issues at the border originate in our cities. Over the past 10 years, there has been a drastic increase in crime across the country. The fentanyl crisis has found a home here in Canada under the Liberal government. Fentanyl superlabs are being set up to ship the deadly drug across Canada and abroad. These superlabs have flourished under the Liberals' watch.

Over the past nine years, over 49,000 Canadians have died from opioid overdose. Despite this number, the Prime Minister has claimed that it is not a crisis but just a challenge. This crisis needs to be addressed, both at the border and in our cities, to combat the flow of fentanyl and its ingredients, which are coming primarily from China and Mexico. By stemming the flow of the ingredients at the border, we can alleviate some of the pressure on our police forces across the country, which are dealing with this crisis.

While measures for the border are needed to crack down on the smuggling of illegal firearms and drugs, we also need to address the issue that is stretching our police forces thin: easy-to-get-bail laws. In 2022, 256 people were killed by someone out on bail. This constitutes 29% of all homicides committed that year. Liberal catch-and-release policies have devastated communities across Canada. We are in desperate need of bail reform, which Conservatives have been calling for for years.

Recently, the Liberals finally admitted their mistake and have agreed that the Conservative push for bail reform is the only way forward. In the throne speech, the Liberals stated, “The Government will bring a renewed focus on car theft and home invasions by toughening the Criminal Code to make bail harder to get for repeat offenders charged with committing these crimes, along with human trafficking and drug smuggling.”

While we have numerous examples of the Liberals' plagiarizing the Conservative platform, one measure that we would encourage them to undertake is adopting our position on bail reform. The past 10 years of soft-on-crime policies and easy bail for violent repeat offenders has caused untold misery across Canada. While it cannot undo the past 10 years of tragedies, the government can alleviate some of the pressure on our police forces by making bail more difficult to get for repeat violent offenders. By keeping these criminals in jail rather than letting them back out onto the street within hours of their arrest, our police would be able to better serve their communities since they would not keep getting calls to deal with the same offenders.

Repeat violent offenders deserve jail, not bail. It is time the Liberals put victims first instead of the criminals who victimized them. I look forward to the day when the government adopts and implements more Conservative policies regarding crime so Canadians can once again live on safe streets and in safe communities.

There are already concerns around privacy being raised regarding the bill. It is always a concern for Canadians when the government asks for sweeping new powers in a large omnibus bill, particularly powers that deal with their privacy and appear to infringe on it. One area that has raised concerns is the section of the bill which would amend the Canada Post Corporation Act.

By planning to broaden the ability of the government to open mail, outside the current restrictions held within the Canada Post Corporation Act, the Customs Act, and the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, the government is causing deep concern and anxiety among Canadians about their privacy. The government must ensure that strict rules remain in place and must provide a more comprehensive response as to when this would be justifiable. As my colleague asked earlier today, is this charter-compliant?

Additionally, part 14 of the bill, which would amend the Criminal Code to allow access to basic information from public service providers, would permit peace officers to access certain data without a warrant, and it would relax warrant requirements and streamline data collection. This has come under serious scrutiny as experts have raised concerns about the impact on the privacy of Canadians that it would have. The government must continue its consultations on privacy issues that are being raised with the bill to ensure that innocent Canadians do not have their privacy breached.

I look forward to more robust debate on the bill and to the committee study that will follow. We all know that Canadians are counting on us in this place to make the changes needed to secure our border. After 10 years of mismanagement and a porous border, it is time for the government to reverse its disastrous policies. It is time for it to take border security seriously. Conservatives ran on a promise to secure the border, and we are prepared to support tougher measures, especially those that address the myriad issues created by the past decade of Liberal failures.

As I said, I do look forward to the rest of the debate on the bill, and I look forward to when the bill is referred to committee and the committee undertakes a comprehensive review of the study to see what amendments may come forward in order to address the gaps that often accompany a bill introduced by the government.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)]

Madam Speaker, I know that the member cares deeply about this issue. I hope she will support the piece of legislation, as it has been endorsed by many of our policing agencies as being important legislation.

One organization I would like to mention in particular is the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. It has stated that the “proposed changes by the federal government...would reduce barriers Canadian police face when investigating the growing number of online crimes against children”. We have the full support of that organization, which has stated, and as we know today, that cybercrimes have evolved at a pace that government has not been able to keep up with.

I wonder whether the member would agree with that, whether she finds that subscriber information and data privacy issues are really important, and whether it is really important to make these changes so we can keep up with the criminals.

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Madam Speaker, while I do not live in a border community, I know that the issues that stem from not having a secure border are far-reaching across our country. There are myriad issues that need to be addressed. As I stated in my speech, the bill would amend nine acts and introduce a new one. It is a large omnibus bill with many different aspects that would have knock-on effects. As always, the devil is in the details.

It is important that we have a robust debate and study the bill intensely at the proper committee. Concerns have been raised about the bill, and I am sure will continue to be raised as more people are consulted and review the legislation. I look forward to hearing what the results of those consultations are.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Madam Speaker, I salute my colleague and congratulate her on her re-election.

Under the Harper government, there were plans to cut the number of officers at the border. That is what it says in CBSA's 2015 report on plans and priorities. Now that the Conservative Party is in opposition, it seems to have taken the opposite position. They agree that we need more staff to have more security at the borders.

I would like my colleague to simply explain to me why it was a priority to reduce staff when the Conservative Party was in government, but now that they are in opposition, they agree with increasing staff.

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Madam Speaker, I disagree with the premise of that question. Conservatives have always been concerned with security at our border. We have long been calling for decisive action to protect Canada's borders, and we continue to do so.

The government has been in government for 10 years, and it took 10 years for it to introduce this piece of legislation. We know that it is coming at the eleventh hour and that time is of the essence in order to get the legislation through the House and potentially passed.

I do understand that the Liberals would like this to happen quickly, but we are not going to rush this. We are going to take the time to look at the legislation to make sure that it addresses all the issues that need to be addressed. It will get the scrutiny it deserves.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, the election was on April 28. We have a new Prime Minister and a new government. This is bill number two, the very first piece of legislation.

Now, if the member wants to reflect on past governments, I remember that it was Stephen Harper who actually cut hundreds of millions of dollars for border control, not to mention the border control officers who were cut from the system. She was a part of that government. The bill before us would do the absolute opposite of what Stephen Harper did, and she knows that.

My question is very simple: Will the member join with the Canadian Police Association, which represents thousands of law enforcement officers on the street today who are in support of the legislation? Will the Conservative Party support the legislation today and see it go to committee sooner as opposed to later?