Debates of Feb. 10th, 2026

Opposition Motion—Serious crimes and refugee claims

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, when we came back and the House went into session after the holiday season, my Conservative colleagues made a number of statements saying that they wanted to be more collaborative, more positive and wanted to work with us. I would say, in that spirit, that I hope it is true that they want to work with us. We have important business at hand. There is important legislation before us. We are willing to work with the Conservatives and all opposition members on all sides of the House to make sure that we are incorporating any legitimate changes that we need to make. Let us get moving on this legislation. Canadians deserve no less.

[Larry Brock, Conservative, Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I ask my friend opposite how she could be so proud of her government's abysmal track record for the last 10 years when she herself voted in favour of Bill C-75, in favour of Bill C-5 and in favour of Bill C-48, which created the problems we are facing right now with extortion. It is fine to say they are taking it seriously now, but where was she 10 years ago?

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I think I was very articulate in my speech about why I was very supportive of Bill C-5 and Bill C-75.

Canadians are now looking to us to see what the issues are and what actions we need to take now. They are asking the House to work together. They are asking us to work collaboratively. They are asking us to pass the pieces of legislation that are in front of the House right now in order to make Canadians safer.

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, as always, it is an honour to rise in the House on behalf of my constituents in northeast Calgary. I want to speak today on an issue that hits very close to home and has deeply impacted members of the South Asian community across Canada. Families and small businesses are living in fear as extortion has become rampant across the country. Communities in Surrey, Brampton and northeast Calgary have become all too familiar with these threats and intimidation.

In many cases, extortion begins with a phone call from an unknown or international phone number. The perpetrator makes a demand for thousands of dollars and, in some cases, millions of dollars. They threaten to harm an individual's home, business or family. They drop details about the individual's place of residence or the names of their children and their school. They warn that going to the police will only make matters worse.

In recent months, numerous families and small business owners have come to my constituency office after receiving extortion calls. They were shaken, afraid and unsure where to turn. Some told me that they did not know whether to report the threats. The safety of my constituents is my top priority in the House, and I will continue speaking on this issue until something gets done.

In another case just last month, a father in northeast Calgary received a phone call over WhatsApp from an international number. The man on the line asked for thousands of dollars and claimed to know about his seven-year-old son and where he went to school. Like many others, this call was meant to terrify him into compliance and silence.

Crime and extortion statistics in Canada have become so bad over the last 10 years that it is truly hard to fathom how things got so out of hand. Since the Liberals took power in 2015, violent crime has risen 54%, gun crime has risen 130% and extortion has risen by 330%. In my neighbouring province of British Columbia, extortion has risen by 480% since 2015. These are truly unfathomable numbers.

Canada's extortion crisis is not an isolated issue and it did not happen overnight. It is the result of years of weakness in our criminal justice system and in the bail and sentencing laws. Liberal bills such as Bill C-5 and Bill C-75 treated perpetrators like victims and prioritized criminals' rights over public safety. These policies of lenient sentencing and reduced consequences have emboldened criminals and signalled to international crime networks, including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, that Canada is an easy target for extortion-related crime.

These Liberal policies have directly contributed to the rise in crime Canadians are now facing across the country. In my hometown of Calgary, police are currently investigating 21 extortion cases, including recent shootings in Redstone and Taradale. I want to thank the Calgary Police Service, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team and all of our first responders for their bravery and work ethic in dealing with these matters. Their work sends a clear message to scammers, thugs, criminals and terrorists that our communities will not take threats and will not be silenced.

In Surrey, British Columbia, there have been over 30 reported extortion attempts already this year. Compared to last year's total of 133, Surrey is on pace to have 500 extortion attempts by the end of this year.

Like many families across Canada, a Brampton household began the new year with hope and optimism. Within days, that hope was shattered when they received an extortion demand for half a million dollars and later had multiple shots fired at their home. Incidents like this leave families shaken and communities wondering whether their own homes could be next. This pattern is being seen in communities across Canada. It is why city councils in Brampton and Surrey have asked the Liberal government to step up its response to extortion.

I agree with the mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, who has said that the Liberals must recognize extortion as a national public safety issue and take immediate action to address it. Mayor of Surrey, Brenda Locke, has been equally vocal, stating that “our laws are simply too weak” and that “strong federal leadership” is needed to protect communities and restore public confidence. I could not agree more.

This is why, over a year ago, the Conservative member for Edmonton Gateway introduced Bill C-381, the protection against extortion act, which set out a clear plan to address this crisis. The Liberals voted it down, choosing to side with criminals instead of communities. Conservatives have also introduced Bill C-242—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I am trying to listen to my colleague, but I am having great difficulty being able to hear him because of the noise in the chamber.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, John Nater]

I thank the hon. member. There is a bit of noise in the chamber. I will ask members, if they are having side conversations, to keep them to a dull roar.

The hon. member can resume his speech.

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives have also introduced Bill C-242, the jail not bail act, brought forward by the Conservative member for Oxford. This bill would reform Canada's bail system by making public safety the primary consideration, expanding reverse onus for serious violent offences and tightening rules for repeat offenders. Conservatives will not accept a Canada where families and businesses feel unsafe in their own communities.

For 10 years, Liberal soft-on-crime policies and bail reforms have weakened sentencing, reduced consequences for violent offences and made it easier for repeat violent offenders to terrorize our streets. We will fight to pass our anti-extortion legislation, restore serious penalties for violent and gun-related crimes and repeal the Liberal laws that put criminals above public safety.

Canadians should never be forced to live in fear, to change their daily routines or to feel unsafe within the walls of their own homes. This is why we are calling on the government to adopt our Conservative plan to end extortion and protect Canadian families and businesses.

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

Mr. Speaker, I must say, I am disappointed when Conservative members stand up to talk about the issue of extortion when the Conservative Party of Canada is preventing legislation that would deal with extortion, at least in part. I am referring to not only Bill C-2, but also Bill C-14. Those two bills are about bail reform legislation and allowing Canada to have lawful access.

How can the member honestly stand up to talk about the importance of the issue, when, as a Conservative caucus, those members continue to filibuster the legislation, denying Canadians the opportunity for the government to deal specifically with the issues he is raising? How can he do that?

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives have been calling for bail reform for years now, and we have proposed numerous bills to keep repeat violent offenders behind bars. If the Liberals were really serious about keeping Canadians safe, they would support the Conservative jail not bail act.

Today, I am here to speak about extortion. It is hurting my communities. Families and small businesses are being affected. If they are ready to fix this problem, we are ready to work with them to stop it.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is true that Statistics Canada has observed a significant increase in extortion crimes in Canada.

I would like my colleague to explain the connection between that and asylum seekers.

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives recognize Canada's international humanitarian obligations and the need to protect people fleeing persecution, but those obligations require strong screening, proper enforcement and a clear focus on public safety. The safety of Canadians must always come first.

[Raquel Dancho, Conservative, Kildonan—St. Paul, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I heard the Liberal member's question. It is just very ironic, given that Bill C-5 removed mandatory prison time for people who have done extortion, who have committed this horrible crime and changed the life of an innocent individual, to hear the Liberals be up on their high horse about this, when they themselves, that member in particular, the member for Winnipeg North, voted in favour of removing mandatory prison time for people convicted of extortion.

I know the member and the Conservative caucus have done significant work to raise awareness about the Liberal soft-on-crime laws that have led to this extortion explosion in Canada. Could the member comment on our good work on that, and on what we would do if we were in government?

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Liberal bills, such as Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, are at the root of the issues we are trying to tackle here today. Conservatives have led the debate on the key issues of the cost of living and the carbon tax, which forced the Liberals to take action. I hope the Liberals take note of the concerns of my constituents that I have shared here today.

I absolutely think more needs to be done to tackle organized crime in Canada. I was glad to see that the Liberals have finally agreed to label the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, but I am still concerned about the alarming rate of extortion happening in Canada.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette—Manawan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my hon. colleague whether he thinks that political refugees who have been convicted in their country should be excluded from the motion.

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing a growing problem with the transnational criminal network, which uses fear, intimidation and violence to extort Canadian families and businesses. Conservatives take that threat seriously and believe that the response must be serious as well. We want to give our law enforcement the tools they need to disrupt organized crime and protect Canadians.

[Fred Davies, Conservative, Niagara South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because Canadians are asking simple but deeply troubling questions. They ask why our justice system seems to work harder for criminals than for victims, and why law-abiding Canadians feel increasingly vulnerable while repeat offenders appear increasingly confident.

Nowhere is that question more urgent than in the alarming rise of extortion across this country, including in my own region of Niagara. Let us begin with the facts, because facts do actually matter. Since the Liberals took office, extortion has risen by 330% in Canada. This is not a statistical anomaly or a coincidence; it is a systemic failure, one that is being felt in real ways by real people, including small business owners, families and newcomers across Niagara in my communities of Welland, Fort Erie, Thorold and Port Colborne, and throughout the region.

Extortion is not a victimless crime. It is the restaurant owner near our tourism and commercial corridors who receives threats and knows that a single incident could ruin their livelihood and indeed their lives. It is the family living in fear due to gangs that hide in the dark, shooting at houses in once-safe neighbourhoods.

Canadians are scared. Retaliation is certain if they speak out. There are newcomers who came to Canada seeking safety, opportunity and a better life, only to be targeted by organized criminal networks that exploit their fear and silence.

Niagara is a gateway region. We are home to an international border, four border crossings, major transportation routes and a vibrant but fragile tourism and industrial economy. We depend on trade and the safe movement of goods across our borders. Those strengths should be protected, but instead, criminals are exploiting them. They are doing so because they know the risks are low.

Time and time again, when Conservatives have brought forward common-sense solutions to confront this crisis, the Liberals have voted no. They voted against closing loopholes that allow false refugee claimants, including those tied to serious criminal activity, to exploit Canada's asylum system. They voted against Bill C-381, which would have imposed tougher sentences on extortionists. They continue to refuse to repeal Bills C-5 and Bill C-75, legislation that has fuelled a revolving-door justice system, where repeat offenders are released again and again, including in regions like Niagara, and police officers are forced to rearrest the same individuals, repeatedly.

Laws are not compassionate if they abandon victims. They are not humane if they embolden criminals. They are not effective if they leave communities like Niagara less safe than they were before.

The motion before the House is clear, targeted and reasonable. First, it calls on the government to bar non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from making refugee claims. Canada's refugee system exists to protect people fleeing persecution, not to shield criminals from accountability. In Niagara and elsewhere, where many of the newcomers follow the rules and contribute positively to their communities, this distinction matters deeply. When criminals abuse the refugee system, it undermines trust and unfairly stigmatizes law-abiding immigrants who are doing everything right.

Second, the motion calls on the government to bar non-citizens with active judicial proceedings related to serious crimes from making refugee claims. This loophole is being exploited, and regions and communities like Niagara feel the impact. Individuals facing serious charges use refugee claims to delay proceedings and complicate removals. They remain in Canada longer than they should. This is not fairness; this is dysfunction.

Third, the motion calls on the government to end the practice of leniency that allows non-citizens convicted of serious crimes to avoid deportation. Canadians believe in due process. People in Niagara believe in fairness, but they also believe in consequences. If someone who is not a citizen commits a serious crime, serves their sentence, and then uses legal technicalities to remain in Canada indefinitely, the system has failed the victims, the community and the public trust. Deportation in these cases is not extreme; it is responsible.

Finally, the motion calls on the government to repeal Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, legislation that has weakened sentencing, expanded bail and contributed directly to the rise in repeat violent and organized crime, including extortion. Police officers in Niagara have been clear. They are arresting the same offenders over and over again. Crown prosecutors are frustrated, victims are ignored, and small business owners feel abandoned, yet the government continues to defend policies that prioritize ideology over public safety.

Extortion thrives where consequences are uncertain and enforcement is inconsistent. Criminal organizations are rational actors. They assess risk. When sentences are lighter, bail is automatic and deportation is delayed, crime becomes a business model. It is like an episode of The Sopranos. The people who pay the price are law-abiding Canadians, including families and small business owners across Niagara, who simply want to feel safe in their own communities. Let me be clear. This motion is designed to protect Canadians and those who dream about becoming Canadian.

Niagara was built by immigrants. Niagara thrives because of newcomers, over generations. This motion protects them. It is pro-victim, pro-law and pro-common sense. Canada can be compassionate without being naive. We can welcome newcomers while still being firm with those who abuse our generosity. I ask members of the House, what message do we send to the Niagara business owner who has been extorted when an offender is released within hours? What message do we send when criminals exploit refugee processes faster than the government can close loopholes? What message do we send to Niagara police officers when their work is undone by laws that favour release over responsibility?

Leadership is about choices. The Liberals have chosen leniency over accountability. They have chosen delay over action. They have chosen ideology over evidence. Today, the House can choose differently. We can stand with victims instead of criminals. We can protect the integrity of our immigration system. We can restore confidence in our justice system. We can send a clear message that extortion, organized crime and repeat offending will not be tolerated in Niagara or anywhere else in Canada.

In 2023, a foreign national attempted to purchase sex from who he believed was an underage girl. When he arrived at the location, he was met not by a child but by an undercover police officer. He was arrested, and yet when it came time for sentencing, the court imposed a lighter sentence, not because the crime was minor but because the harsher penalty might have affected his immigration status. Canadians need to ask themselves how that makes any sense. We have seen where this kind of failure leads.

In Welland, Daniel Senecal committed one of the most horrific crimes imaginable: the sexual assault of a three-year-old child. It is a crime that shatters families and leaves lifelong scars. These are not technical violations. These are serious violent offences. I ask the House plainly, do members believe that individuals who commit crimes like these, crimes against children, should ever be rewarded with the privilege of Canadian citizenship, or do we finally draw a clear line and say that protecting the most vulnerable must come before protecting the status of criminals?

I urge all members of the House to support this motion, not for partisan reasons but for the safety of the communities we represent and the trust Canadians place in us to get this right.

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

Mr. Speaker, when I think of the whole crime package that the Conservatives continue to filibuster, I think of Bill C-2 on lawful access; I think of Bill C-9 on combatting hate; I think of Bill C-14 on bail reform; and I think of Bill C-16 on mandatory minimums being reinstated, along with leading on femicide.

These are all important pieces of legislation that Canadians are expecting the Conservatives to pass, not to mention bills like the budget implementation bill. These are the types of legislation that even Canadians in Conservative ridings want passed, but the Conservatives continue to filibuster.

When will the Conservative Party stop thinking about the interests of the Conservative Party and start thinking about the interests of Canadians, and allow legislation to pass?

[Fred Davies, Conservative, Niagara South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I have a strange sense of déjà vu, because the last time I stood up in the House, the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader asked me the same question. He is effectively saying he wants us to just roll over and pass all this legislation without adequate debate. I have a right to stand up in the House and represent the interests of my constituents, and those interests include crime, crime prevention and penalties for offenders. I take exception to this repeated question. He does this over and over, ad nauseam. He has asked the same question every day. I have a right to stand here. I will continue to do so.

Real Acts of Caring

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of national Kindness Week and the 20th anniversary of Real Acts of Caring, founded by educator Harriette Chang. What began in 2005 as a simple idea led by young students has grown into a lasting movement rooted in Canadian values and a belief that kindness, practised with intention, can strengthen entire communities.

Today, Real Acts of Caring has expanded beyond School District No. 43 and across B.C., Canada and the world. Each year, students and families take part through genuine acts of caring, supporting food banks, helping neighbours, sharing books and showing up for others without expecting anything in return.

I invite everyone to take part in national Kindness Week and keep the spirit of caring alive.

Chambre de commerce et d’industrie des Bois‑Francs et de L’Érable

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight the vital role that the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie des Bois‑Francs et de L’Érable, the CCIBFE, has played in our region's economic development for over 120 years.

As an active member of the chamber of commerce for two decades, I have first-hand experience with its energy, leadership and role in bringing the business community together. Through its networking activities, training, advocacy and concrete support for businesses, the CCIBFE is truly a regional economic driver. Its commitment to innovation, collaboration and the vitality of the business community directly contributes to the prosperity of our communities.

I am grateful to the board of directors, the team and all the members for the remarkable work they have done to serve our entrepreneurs. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the presence on the Hill today of the chamber of commerce's president, Valérie Mercier, its executive director, Anne-Marie Bédard, and board members and governors, who are true ambassadors.

Minor League Hockey

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago I was in Fort Frances attending a municipal event. When I arrived at the Super 8 hotel, the very sheepish attendant apologized profusely, telling me there was a hockey tournament on and that it might be a little bit noisy.

Yes, there was an under-13 AA tournament. Sure enough, it was noisy at times, with a bunch of raucous 12-year-olds playing floor hockey in the stairwells, while at the same time, their parents sat on the first floor pretending they were drinking ginger ale out of coffee cups. As I listened to the halls filled with the laughter of kids, and as I saw the parents having a good time with a bunch of people they previously hardly knew, all while it was 30 below outside and the wind was blowing, I realized, and this is with sincerity, what a wonderful thing minor league hockey tournaments are and how much they are a part of our identity and the Canadian culture.

Everyone who puts them on, even the refs, who I sometimes criticize, should keep up the good work. I thank them.

Fatherhood

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

Mr. Speaker, last year, I thought being elected would be the most important accomplishment of my life, but I was wrong. Just six months later, I became a father with the birth of my first daughter, Rose Mantle. This Monday is Family Day across much of Canada, and I am honoured to celebrate Family Day for the first time as a father. In fact, I am hosting a free community skate in Uxbridge all Monday afternoon.

Strong and healthy families are built on strong, committed and masculine fathers. In fact, I am seeing every day that the virtues of fatherhood belong in this place: putting others' futures ahead of one's own, choosing patience rather than exasperation, displaying strength and courage when it matters, and defending what is good and proposing what is right. Our kids need strong fathers and families, our communities need strong fathers and families, and our country needs strong fathers and families. I will be a champion for that.

Pierrette Roy

[Steeve Lavoie, Liberal, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Pierrette Roy, an artist who made a significant contribution to Quebec's musical heritage, passed away on January 24.

Ms. Roy is known for being the voice behind Carnaval, Mardi gras, Carnaval, the iconic theme song for a cherished symbol of our culture, the Quebec Winter Carnival. She also made history as the first artist in Quebec to record a Beatles song in French, which showed how much influence she had on the francophone entertainment scene.

Through her talent, her commitment and her contribution to promoting Quebec and francophone popular culture, Pierrette Roy has left an lasting mark that will continue to resonate far beyond her generation.

On behalf of the House, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to Pierrette Roy's family, her loved ones and all those who have been moved by her music.

Iran

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, for over four decades, the people of Iran have lived under a regime that promised hope but delivered repression, corruption and violence. Like a lion long restrained but never broken, the children of Cyrus the Great are rising once again. This is not simply because of economic collapse but because a people can be pushed only so far before they demand their freedom.

The regime answered that cry by shutting down the Internet and tearing families apart by mass arrests. Credible reports tell us that tens of thousands of people have been killed. This is how tyranny survives: by silencing the truth and ruling through terror. That is why I proudly support e-petition 7153, initiated by my constituent Reza Sadjadi.

Canada must stand with Iranians who are risking everything for their freedom. Their courage does not ask for our sympathy; it demands our action.