Debates of Feb. 12th, 2026

Public Safety

[Sukhman Gill, Conservative, Abbotsford—South Langley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, British Columbia is facing a public safety crisis. Extortion is now at record highs and my community members are living in constant fear. Abbotsford police have been clear. They are calling on elected officials to act urgently and work across party lines to confront these ongoing threats. Canadians' safety matters now.

Will the Liberals act today and vote for our Conservative plan, supported by the NDP Premier of B.C., to ensure that those convicted of serious crimes cannot exploit our refugee system in order to stay in Canada?

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Secretary of State (International Development)]

Mr. Speaker, the premier of the province, the mayor of Abbotsford and the police chief of Abbotsford have all said to please go across party lines to get Bill C-2, Bill C-12 and Bill C-14 passed.

I used to think that maybe it is obstruction that Conservatives are doing, but I really think they do not even read the bills. If they read the bills, they would know that it would be very impactful to pass them, legislate them and get the tools to the police, who need them right away.

[Brad Redekopp, Conservative, Saskatoon West, SK]

Mr. Speaker, apparently the minister was not around on Tuesday. Extortion is real, and newcomers to Canada are the ones who suffer.

Here is an example of an extortion letter from Abbotsford:

WARNING...we are Indian gang members, we want our share from your business like protection money....

We are asking only 2 million...in cash...we have links all over do not ignore us, it will efect you realy bad.... we gave you 1 month to decide....

Threats like this one are followed by arson, shootings and murder. If caught, they claim refugee status. Will the government support our motion to stop people who are charged with serious crimes from claiming refugee status in order to avoid justice?

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

Mr. Speaker, extortion is real and we are taking it very seriously. That is why, back in June, we tabled lawful access measures in Bill C-2. Those measures would make it possible for police to quickly investigate these types of crimes, as well as child predator crimes. It is important for us to give law enforcement the tools it needs to keep up with criminals.

The motion that has been brought forward by the Conservatives is basically moot. With Bill C-12, all of the asylum cases they are referring to would not be allowed.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, contrary to their claims today, everything is not fine, and the Liberals' status quo is putting lives in danger. The Liberals, if what they are saying today is true, should have no problem supporting our motion that would stop non-citizen extortionists who shoot up homes in Surrey and in Brampton from filing bogus refugee claims or getting lenient sentences to dodge removal.

Why are the Liberals so determined to keep allowing non-citizen extortionists to break the law and stay here?

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

Mr. Speaker, the same measures that I refer to on asylum in Bill C-12, which is currently in the Senate, were originally presented in the House in Bill C-2 back in June. Had the Conservatives not obstructed at that time and co-operated with us, those asylum cases that the member is referring to would not be allowed.

However, there is good news. Once Bill C-12 passes in the Senate, the claims that have been made will be cancelled.

Housing

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, there is great news. We have already seen Build Canada Homes move quickly from promise to progress, delivering real results for Canadians. A great example is Dunn House phase two, located in Toronto's Parkdale community, which will provide supportive housing for at-risk seniors.

Can the Minister of Jobs and Families, on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, update the House on how this project reflects the government's approach to accelerating affordable housing across the country?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, the member for Davenport is a tireless advocate for seniors and housing across Canada.

Our government is working to ensure seniors can age in place with dignity and the supports they need. Indeed, Dunn House provides rent-geared-to-income units for at-risk seniors in Toronto, which helps them live safely and independently. The Conservatives are asking how many. Over the past month alone, we have created 7,500 new homes in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. Why are they standing in the way of—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Foothills has the floor.

International Trade

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian farmers are worried that an announcement by Beijing today means there is no deal to reduce tariffs on canola.

On January 16, the Prime Minister said that he was engaged in a “new strategic partnership” with the People's Republic of China. He stated, “By March 1...Canada expects that China will [reduce] tariffs on Canadian canola seed to a combined rate of approximately15%.” Today Reuters said that Beijing has delayed a decision on canola tariffs until March 9. No decision means no deal.

Why did the Prime Minister mislead Canadian farmers about having a deal to reduce canola tariffs for Canadian farmers?

[Heath MacDonald, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, I am certainly glad that the opposition is now starting to talk about canola. It has been how long since we returned from China? I never heard a word about canola. The Leader of the Opposition has canola in his new riding.

We are working hard. We will continue to work hard. The lines of communication are open with China, and we will continue to work with China and with every trading partner. I met with the canola farmers last week in Ottawa, and we had a really good meeting. We will continue to work with China and the contacts we have there.

Mental Health and Addictions

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is in a mental health crisis and young people are being hit hardest, yet counselling, therapy and treatment still depend on workplace benefits or the ability to pay in a two-tier system. The PBO confirmed that bringing mental health care under the Canada Health Act and achieving parity with physical health care through Bill C-201 would cost just 1.5% of total public health spending.

Will the minister act now and bring mental health care under the Canada Health Act, yes or no?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague knows very well that I care deeply about the mental health of Canadians.

Health services, including mental health, since it is part of health, are under provincial jurisdiction. I am working closely with my provincial partners to ensure that they provide the best services to Canadians.

Democratic Institutions

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

Mr. Speaker, we know foreign interference is a threat to Canadian democracy. It was confirmed by the Hogue commission, and we have taken steps, at the federal level for federal elections, to deal with the threat of foreign interference.

Is there anything being done and what is being done now to consider the threat of foreign interference to provincial referenda that could break up this country, when we know people in the White House are encouraging separatism? What are we doing to prepare?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, foreign interference in our democracy at any level is unacceptable. The government has obviously carefully taken note of the—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We need to hear this.

The hon. government House leader, from the top.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Gatineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, foreign interference at any level and transnational repression at any level of our democracy are absolutely unacceptable. We have taken careful note of the recommendations of the Hogue commission, and I and my colleagues will be responding more fully in due course.

As the member pointed out, we have taken steps to protect Canada from our adversaries and to provide more information to the public about these threats. We will stand firm against attempts to undermine our democracy, and we will take very firm steps to prevent people from undermining our unity as well.

Oral Questions

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I believe I used unparliamentary language and I ask you to use your discretion to withdraw it, please.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

That is much appreciated. It is an honourable gesture.

I thank the hon. member.

The House resumed from February 10 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Serious Crimes and Refugee Claims

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It being 3:13 p.m., pursuant to order made on Wednesday, February 11, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Calgary Nose Hill relating to the Business of Supply.

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The question is as follows. May I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.