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.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, on the same day as his swearing in, former minister Virani said that Canadians do not feel unsafe in their communities, that the perception of crime is largely in their heads and that an increase in crime is “empirically...unlikely”.
Does the minister agree with that statement?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I cannot speak for former minister Virani, but I can say that the police chief of the city of Toronto has indicated that auto thefts are down by 39%, home invasions by 42%, homicides by 67% and shootings by 46%. I confirmed with him—
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, the minister promised to tighten bail rules just last week, but why did he not do that in Bill C-2?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, it is a border bill, not a bail bill.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, the minister called catch-and-release a myth. How does he explain repeat violent offenders' committing more crimes while on bail?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, we look forward to working toward enhancing bail.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, if the bail system is quite sound and working, why are police chiefs, premiers and victims' families saying the opposite?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I have addressed this issue a number of times. I will reiterate that we will be bringing forward reform to our bail system.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, the minister and his crime czar are saying they are getting tough on violent crime. Why did the minister vote to eliminate mandatory jail time for gun and repeat violent offences in Bill C-5?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I do not have time to answer this question in a robust way, but I do look forward to having a conversation on this with the member.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, the government has kept in place mandatory minimum penalties for auto thefts, yet eliminated them for trafficking, production, importation and exportation of fentanyl, a deadly poison that has killed 50,000 Canadians since the minister's election. Are you proud of that?
The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater
The member must go through the Chair.
The hon. minister.
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, on April 28, Canadians gave this government a mandate to do many things, including addressing issues around the criminal justice system, as well as securing the border.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, why is the minister prioritizing property theft over deadly drugs?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, my number one priority since being appointed to this role has been to bring forward Bill C-2.
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, will the minister apologize to the victims and families who have lost loved ones for his deliberate inaction on fentanyl sentencing?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I have been in this role for three weeks.
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Mr. Chair, through you, does the minister believe our justice system puts the needs of criminals ahead of victims?
Main Estimates, 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park Ontario
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Chair, we have a well-developed justice system that balances the individual rights of those accused with the collective rights of Canadians.
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Are you saying that victims' rights and criminals' rights are balanced?
The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater
Again, the member must go through the Chair.
The hon. minister.
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, it is a balancing act. I can assure the member that the rights of victims are crucial for us.
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Does the minister think victims are adequately respected in the Canadian criminal justice system?
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Mr. Chair, we can always do better.