Debates of Sept. 18th, 2025

Opposition Motion—Violent Crime and Repeat Offenders

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Rivière-du-Nord asked a simple question. However, it seems that the Liberals are afraid to talk about this. Right now, there are exemptions in the Criminal Code that allow someone to stand on the street and call for violence without facing consequences as long as they are speaking in a religious context. The Bloc Québécois has an important bill on this, and we are going to introduce it again.

I would like to know what my colleague thinks about this. Will the Liberals agree? Will my colleague commit to talking to his government colleagues and asking them to support this measure, so that there are no more exemptions and no one can call for violence in the streets?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the member is asking what I personally would do, in terms of a sense of commitment. I would be more than happy to talk with any member of the Bloc party if they are prepared to explain to me what they are talking about. As I say, I think the more appropriate place for that discussion to take place is probably the justice standing committee. I do not know whether the Bloc has had the opportunity to have that discussion there, but I would suggest that could be a good starting point in itself. However, I always welcome talking to members of the Bloc.

[Tamara Kronis, Conservative, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member read from a September 9 Winnipeg editorial citing the need for more provincial prosecutors. Does the hon. member understand that it is the Liberal government's revolving door that is keeping prosecutors busy and that scrapping Bill C-75 would free those prosecutors up to focus on other cases?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, no.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to pick up on the question that my colleague from Berthier—Maskinongé asked the member for Winnipeg North earlier, because it was a simple question.

We talked about a bill that we introduced in the previous Parliament and that the member must be familiar with. It sought to eliminate the religious exemption in the Criminal Code that allows people to call for hatred and violence under the guise of religious speech. We have already had this discussion. It took place at the Standing Committee on Justice. The member for Winnipeg North already knows the ins and outs of this discussion.

What my colleague from Berthier—Maskinongé was asking, and what I too would like to know, is whether our colleague will talk to his caucus about the possibility of introducing a bill that would eliminate the religious exemption that is currently in the Criminal Code.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated, from a personal perspective, if members of the Bloc want to come talk to me about the issue, I am open to doing that, but I do stand by my earlier comment that the issue is something that, if I were a member of the Bloc, would be an excellent opportunity to set as an agenda item at the Standing Committee on Justice, and that would involve more parliamentarians. However, if the member would like to have further discussions with me with respect to it, I would be more than happy to do that.

[Andrew Lawton, Conservative, Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the member expects us to just trust him and the government that they are going to be taking all the concerns about bail seriously. He says there is going to be some bill coming this fall. Will the government, in the bill, be repealing the principle of restraint, yes or no?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, if I were to answer the specific question that the member asked, that would require me to say something indicating that I have privy information, and if I did that, then tomorrow he would stand up on a question of privilege, asking how the member for Winnipeg North knew this. Then we would get every member of the Conservative caucus talking about their privilege having been breached, and they would have another way to prevent legislation from—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The time has elapsed.

Resuming debate, the hon. member for Edmonton Gateway will have just under three minutes before being interrupted for Standing Order 31 statements.

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Edmonton Gateway, AB]

Mr. Speaker, time and again, I hear from constituents in Edmonton Gateway and from people right across the country about how deeply frustrated they are with the Liberal government's reckless bail laws. They do not know what to do anymore. After this lost Liberal decade, the results are clear. Our justice system now puts the comfort of violent criminals above the safety of everyday Canadians.

The numbers speak for themselves in Canada. Violent crime has surged by over 50%. Gun crimes have more than doubled. Gang-related homicides are up 80%. Extortion cases have exploded almost 400%. Auto theft is up over 50%. In 2022, shockingly, 256 people were charged with homicide while already out on some type of release, such as house arrest, parole or bail. With 874 homicides in total that year, these criminals have counted for nearly one-third of all murders. These are people who were out on release. That number has only grown since that time. Behind these statistics are victims with names and families, their lives cut short.

In Edmonton, we lost a 52-year-old father, a refugee from Congo who was stabbed at the LRT station. It was the attacker's fourth violent offence in Edmonton's transit system. In Welland, Ontario, a convicted sex offender serving probation after sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy was released early. He then broke into a home and brutally assaulted a three-year-old girl. In Toronto, the man accused of attempting to murder a police officer in 2024 was already out on bail despite multiple breaches and orders not to possess firearms.

What do these cases all have in common? Each victim was harmed by someone who should have been behind bars.

Northern and Arctic Affairs

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, Inuit such as Jesse Tungilik are brilliant. Jesse posted on his social media that an increased military presence in the Arctic will mean putting Inuit women at greater risk of sexual violence. He says that building a highway connecting Nunavut to the south will make human trafficking and the murdered and missing indigenous women problem worse and bring more hard drugs to vulnerable communities. He also says that increased marine traffic will mean more accidents and fuel spills.

He asks what measures will be put in place to mitigate these factors and whether these issues have been discussed at all by leadership. He wonders if anyone cares, or if these are the acceptable costs of business so a few can line their pockets.

Jesse and Inuit should keep using their voices. The world needs to hear them.

Canada Summer Jobs Program

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Whitby, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the incredible impact of the Canada summer jobs program in my community of Whitby. This summer, I had the privilege of visiting workplaces and hearing directly from youth about how these opportunities have made a real difference in their lives. Their stories were inspiring and filled with moments of growth, confidence and purpose. Thanks to the program, young people in Whitby are stepping into meaningful roles, gaining hands-on experience and discovering their full potential.

I want to acknowledge organizations like Girls Inc. of Durham, Melly's Workplace, Arnts landscaping, the Whitby Yacht Club, the Reptilia zoo and Port Whitby Marina, to name a few. These are just a few employers who are opening their doors, nurturing talent and creating inclusive environments where young people can thrive.

The Canada summer jobs program is more than just a program. It is about us believing in our young people and giving them chances to succeed. It is great to see all the youth having such a great summer.

Welland Canal

[Fred Davies, Conservative, Niagara South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Welland Canal is the lifeblood of the community in Niagara South. Connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, the Welland Canal is a major economic driver for southern Ontario, creating thousands of jobs by enabling grain, steel, critical minerals and other aggregates to be transported across our Great Lakes.

Every year, my hometown of Port Colborne celebrates its marine heritage, rich history and the economic importance of the canal. Unfortunately, several of the wharves along the canal have fallen into disrepair, restricting economic growth and new development. Transport Canada earmarked $20 million for repair, but the project remains dormant, with no work having been completed in over two years. It is not enough for the government to simply make announcements and table press releases. Sooner or later, the shovel-ready work also needs to get done.

Conservatives will continue to hold Liberals to their commitments. My community is ready to build.

Hon. Donald Oliver

[Jessica Fancy-Landry, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former senator Donald Oliver, whom we sadly lost a couple of days ago.

Known to many as Donnie, he was a trailblazer for Black Canadians and a lifelong champion for equality and justice. Senator Oliver was instrumental in the creation of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia and made history as the first Black man appointed to the Senate of Canada. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

This loss is a personal one for me, as Donnie owned a Christmas tree farm in my riding, which he cherished, and was a very close friend of my grandfather. I came to know him through his work with the south shore Christmas tree industry and when he used to pop by at the local hardware store where I worked as a kid.

On behalf of South Shore—St. Margarets and Nova Scotia, I extend heartfelt condolences to his family and deep gratitude for his lifetime of leadership, service and kindness.

Edmonton Food Drive

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Edmonton Gateway, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Edmonton's Food Bank is at a breaking point. Each month, more than 47,000 people, a 42% increase, rely on food hampers. Behind those numbers are families and children who cannot afford groceries because Liberal deficits have led to Liberal inflation, which makes everything cost more. Across the country, parents are forced to choose between rent, clothing or food for their children. More and more children arrive at school hungry every day.

Thankfully, our community is stepping up where the government has failed. One example of this is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organizing Edmonton's largest door-to-door food drive. On Saturday, September 27, volunteers will be going door to door in many neighbourhoods to collect donations. People can also donate at their local grocery store or fire station.

I give a big thanks to all the volunteers and donors. Their hard work and generosity will make a real difference in the lives of people who need it in Edmonton.

Michel Bissonnet

[Patricia Lattanzio, Liberal, Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after nearly 50 years of unwavering dedication, Mayor Michel Bissonnet has announced that he is retiring.

From his first election as mayor in 1978, to his decades as an MNA and his return as mayor in 2008, Michel has been more than a leader. He is the heart and soul of our community. His tireless dedication, openness to everyone and deep love for Saint-Léonard has touched many lives. He built more than just a borough. He built trust, hope and a true sense of belonging.

I had the honour of joining his team in 2015 as a city councillor and working alongside him. His mentorship, passion and commitment shaped me in ways that cannot be articulated.

I wish to thank Michel from the bottom of my heart. His legacy will live on in every street, every home and every heart of Saint-Léonard because he is, as I have always said, a political institution.

Canada Revenue Agency

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of Liberal governance, Canadians have lost confidence in the Canada Revenue Agency, and for good reason. Has anyone tried reaching anyone at the CRA over the phone? Barely 5% of calls are being processed.

For weeks, the CRA was unable to say how much we invested in our TFSAs. There are thousands of cases of phantom income. There are thousands of cases of interest demanded on money that has already been paid. Every day, our constituency offices receive calls from honest people who are fed up with being treated like fraudsters. The problem is not the CRA employee answering the phone. It is mismanagement.

One of the government's primary missions is to provide good service to Canadians, especially when it comes to money. The minister was so proud to announce that he is assigning the CRA a 100-day action plan. That is quite the challenge. I must remind him that the government has been in power for 10 years, that he has been minister for six months and that it took him 172 days to ask for and demand a 100-day plan—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country.

Whistler's 50th Anniversary

[Patrick Weiler, Liberal, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this month, Whistler turns 50. What started in 1975 as a gravel road, a few cabins and the bold dream of pioneers like Nancy Greene and Franz Wilhelmsen has grown into a world-class destination. From the first gondola at Creekside to the rivalry between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and partnering with the Squamish Nation and Líl̓wat Nation to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Whistler has always been a place of possibility. If we could ski it, if we could hike it, if we could bike it or if we could build it, we did.

Today, Whistler is Canada's premier year-round tourism destination and a vibrant community where visitors' energy blends with the hearts of the residents, families, workers and volunteers who make it special. Whistler has always had a special place in my heart since I started skiing there at age three, and I am confident it will meet the next 50 years' challenges like climate change, housing and reconciliation with the same spirit that made it what it is today.

Happy 50th, Whistler.

Housing

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' latest idea for housing is a fourth bureaucracy. The Liberal Prime Minister promised Canadians that he would double homebuilding and build 500,000 homes a year, yet his new housing bureaucracy is only committing to 4,000 new homes. Too many people in my riding are teetering on the verge of homelessness. Our housing crisis is most evident in my hometown of Penticton, where a growing tent city at Highway 97 and Fairview Road has become unsafe for everyone. That tent city was not there 10 years ago.

The Prime Minister promised to build homes at a record pace. Instead he is building more bureaucracy, another Liberal promise because the Prime Minister is just another Liberal.

Charles Page

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, some superheroes wear capes and fly, but the one I am honouring today wears warm clothes, a toque and boots with crampons, and he is a climber.

On August 12, while most of us were enjoying the summer sun, Charles Page from Drummondville was facing the worst weather conditions imaginable as he reached the summit of K2, the second-highest mountain in the world at 8,611 metres, and the most dangerous for the daredevils who to dare to scale it. Charles conquered Everest last year. K2 was his fifth mountain over 8,000 metres in three years.

He is the only Quebecker to have climbed both Everest and K2. He still has mountains to conquer because, believe it or not, Charles has been mountain climbing for only the past three years. The day before he left for Nepal, on June 23, Charles Page gave a fantastic patriotic speech at our national holiday celebrations in Drummondville. That is when I realized how proud he is to plant our flag, his fleur-de-lis, at some of the highest summits in the world.

We are so proud of Charles, and I thank him for that.

Mossom Creek Hatchery

[Zoe Royer, Liberal, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, for nearly 50 years, Mossom Creek Hatchery in Port Moody has been powered by outstanding volunteers dedicated to restoring salmon and educating generations of students.

After a devastating fire in 2013, the community rebuilt the hatchery stronger than ever. What began as a small hatchery is now a welcoming world-class education centre where students and community members experience the wonder of wild salmon and learn about the importance of watershed stewardship.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the extraordinary volunteers whose decades of dedication have brought salmon back to Mossom Creek and, of course, Kevin Ryan, president of the Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society, who is here in Ottawa today.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that Canadians would judge him by the cost at the grocery store. Let us judge him by the cost at the grocery store. Since March, sugar is up 20%, coffee is up 22%, canned soup is up 26% and cuts of beef are up 33%. It is no wonder food inflation is up 40% since the Liberals took office. That is why more than 25% of households now struggle to afford food.

I have heard heartbreaking stories from Canadians. Parents cannot afford to feed their kids hearty meals, seniors are skipping their meals altogether and food banks have never been busier. However, yesterday, the Liberal Prime Minister arrogantly bragged that he knows many things. Well, clearly, he does not know about the cost of food.

Canadians cannot afford higher grocery prices, and they certainly cannot afford the Liberal Prime Minister.

Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752

[Ben Carr, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on July 5, a monument was unveiled in my riding to commemorate the victims of Flight PS752. This tragedy claimed 176 lives, including eight members of Winnipeg's Iranian community. Five years later, the pain remains profound for families, loved ones and communities, who continue to bear the weight of this tremendous loss.

I had the honour of visiting this memorial, titled An Open Wound In The Sky, which is located within sight of where some of the victims lived. I was joined by Kourosh Doustshenas, who was instrumental in the creation of this monument and who lost his fiancée on that day.

It is the only permanent memorial in the world dedicated to the victims of Flight PS752, and it serves as a place for reflection, remembrance and healing. I want to recognize the dedication of those who brought this important project to life. Their work ensures that the victims of this tragedy will never be forgotten. Canada continues to stand with their families in pursuit of justice and truth.

Finance

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister proclaimed himself a fiscal and policy expert and promised Canadians that Canada would have a “declining level of debt.” However, another expert, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, instead warned Canadians that “the deficit will absolutely” increase because of “additional spending.” Now one does not have to be an expert, let alone a self-proclaimed expert, to know that more spending means more debt, and more debt means higher housing inflation, higher food inflation and harder times for Canadians. The budget watchdog went on to warn that “it's impossible...to assess the likelihood” that the government will meet any of its fiscal anchors.

Justin Trudeau's deficit was $46 billion. In the election, the Liberals promised it would only be $62 billion. Now BMO says it might be $80 billion, and the C.D. Howe Institute estimates it could be $92 billion.

Canadians deserve to know how high the deficit will go before the November 4 budget.