Debates of March 10th, 2026

Seniors

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

Mr. Speaker, the Cúram software has racked up cost overruns of $5 billion and it does not work.

The minister asked for cases. I would encourage her to read this morning's Radio-Canada article by Valérie Gamache. In it, Ms. Deraps from the Gaspé said, and I quote: “I called in. The gentleman told me that he was really sorry, but that he could not give me any guarantees. He said that it could take two days, two weeks, two months or six months, and that he had no idea when the files would be up to date”.

If our entrepreneurs managed their businesses the way the Liberals are managing this, they would all be bankrupt. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister does not care about this.

Who is going to take the lead on the other side?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, we are able to deliver old age security benefits to 7.7 million Canadian seniors using Cúram. According to what the Auditor General said in 2014, the old system had reached the end of its useful life. If this change had not been made, it would have jeopardized the benefits of 7.7 million Canadians.

Yes, there are cases that need to be dealt with, and they are being dealt with urgently by my colleague, the Minister of Jobs.

We want to ensure that all seniors in Canada receive their benefits on time in a secure and reliable manner.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have been asking questions about this for months. There are still 85,000 seniors waiting.

The minister asked for cases. Another case in this morning's article was that of Martial Lavoie, a constituent of mine who is listening right now. He calls Service Canada almost every day, hoping to find out whether any progress has been made on his case. Day after day, the pre-recorded message says that, because of a problem with the self-service system, information about old age security payments is not available. That is the message.

Why must seniors pay the price for this financial and IT fiasco, and why should future generations have to foot the $5‑billion bill?

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

Mr. Speaker, if the member has a Mr. Lavoie who is experiencing such difficulties, surely he knows that there is an MP hotline that he can use himself, or, as I have mentioned many times, he can also come to me and we will ensure that Mr. Lavoie gets his benefits urgently.

As the member knows, this is an ancient system that was prone to problems and difficulties. Canadians expect systems that are modern and that they can access online. This provides security for benefits that Canadians rely on in a time when security is of paramount importance. I hope the member opposite—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Shefford.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, while answering a question from the Bloc Québécois, the minister accused us of fearmongering over Cúram. Apparently, pointing out that 85,000 seniors are experiencing problems with their OAS is fearmongering.

People are not worried about the Bloc Québécois's questions, but about the costly failures of a malfunctioning computer system.

Radio-Canada wrote, “The failures of the new federal OAS pension management system are causing concern and anxiety among many Canadian seniors.” Does the minister believe Radio-Canada is fearmongering as well?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is true that what scares people the most is a system that breaks down when they need it.

They are afraid of a system that will fail them in their time of need, and let me be clear. That is exactly why we have modernized this system, because a 60-year-old system was guaranteed to fail. In fact, that is what the Auditor General said.

I think we agree that it was time to modernize, and 7.7 million Canadians are receiving payments on time, on schedule. The remaining Canadians who have applied by paper largely are getting the help they need. We urge all Canadians to apply online for—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Shefford.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, thousands of seniors are worried and anxious because of the minister's computer system. To be honest, she does not seem to be taking the situation very seriously.

The government is more willing to defend Cúram than stand up for seniors. Seniors may not be getting their OAS payments because of the issues in Cúram, but bills are still coming in. They still have to buy groceries to put food on the table, and they still have to pay rent on the first of the month.

What concrete action will the minister take to help the more than 85,000 seniors who are victims of her malfunctioning computer system?

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

In fact, Mr. Speaker, the number of seniors waiting for their first payment is going down. I will remind the member opposite that these are very specific cases that are largely paper applications.

This system is designed to provide the stability that Canadians expect, including Quebeckers, when they receive benefits from Canada. More and more people are applying online, and I will just say that it is a very important tool that Canadians expect to have available when it is their turn to apply for CPP and OAS.

Public Safety

[Tamara Jansen, Conservative, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Mr. Speaker, when the IRGC shot down flight PS752, 55 Canadians were murdered. In the days that followed, I stood with those grieving families in my riding and promised them that Canada would be a place of safety, not a place where people connected to that regime could live freely. However, yesterday at committee, officials admitted that they cannot deport the Iranian regime officials already here. They can claim asylum. They say there are no flights and that their identities must remain protected.

How is it possible that the victims' families live in fear while members of that regime live safely in our communities?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, we have taken decisive action to ensure accountability for IRGC officials. First and foremost, we listed the Iranian state as a state sponsor of terrorism. We have sanctioned over 200 individuals, we listed the IRGC in 2024, and we are expeditiously working on removing those who are inadmissible to Canada.

We will continue to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians, including Iranian Canadians.

[Tamara Jansen, Conservative, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this threat is no longer distant. It is happening right here in Canada. Last week, three synagogues were shot at. Now an Iranian activist has gone missing. Police are investigating it as a homicide while the Iranian community fears Tehran's involvement. Meanwhile, hundreds of people linked to the IRGC are living freely in our country.

I stood beside PS752 families in my riding and promised that Canada would stand up to this regime. Instead, the government has allowed its agents to operate on our soil. Why has the minister allowed Canada to become a safe haven for a terrorist regime?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, Canada is leading the fight on ensuring accountability for those impacted by PS752. We have taken action right at the International Criminal Court, and we continue to work with families and survivors to ensure that they receive the justice they seek.

Let me be very clear. Those who are members of the IRGC, who are senior members, are inadmissible to be in Canada, and they will be removed.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

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

Mr. Speaker, Liberals are allowing foreign conflicts to spill onto our streets, and Canadians are paying the price. An Iranian activist is missing, and it looks more and more like Tehran is involved. Meanwhile, hundreds of IRGC agents live in Canada, hanging out in cafés and going to the gym, yet Canadian officials say they cannot deport these terrorists because they can claim asylum, there are no flights to Iran, and their privacy must be protected.

Thoughts and prayers are not going to cut it. Why is the immigration minister still failing to protect Canadians, and why does she still have her job?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, let us be very clear. The IRGC was listed as a terrorist entity in 2024. Canada has listed Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. We have sanctioned over 200 Iranian officials. We are working to ensure that those who are inadmissible in Canada are removed, and we have already started the process. One has already been removed. We have cancelled dozens of visas for those who are ineligible to be here. We will continue to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.

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

Mr. Speaker, can I just recap what is in the public safety minister's QP binder? He just said that of the 700 Iranian regime officials and human rights abusers, one has been deported.

Why has he not asked his department officials to at least update the garbage that is in his QP binder?

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member used that term once before, and I did not quite like it. I do have a responsibility for trying to maintain some decorum. I do not think it is very parliamentary.

The hon. Minister of Public Safety.

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, let me first of all reject the notion of the 700 number the party opposite has been using. There are efforts in place, as we speak, by the Canada Border Services Agency to remove those who are inadmissible to Canada. It has reviewed over 18,000 applications for inadmissibility. It has opened over 170 investigations, and approximately 240 visas have been cancelled. We have removed individuals who are members of the IRGC. We will continue to go through the process to remove them. Let us be very clear. Those who are ineligible and inadmissible will be removed.

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

Okay, Mr. Speaker, he said he has removed one, and now he says he disputes the 700 number. Is it 1,000? Is it 2,000? What number is it?

[An hon. member]

Oh, oh!

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

No, no, this is serious.

Mr. Speaker, we have members of the Persian community who are seeing their businesses shot up. People are living in fear in the street, and the Liberal immigration minister has done nothing to change the law, nothing to keep her officials in line.

Why does she still have her job?

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear here. In 2024, the former government listed the IRGC as a terrorist entity in Canada. IRGC officials who are found in Canada have had their visas cancelled. They have lost their status, and they are being removed by CBSA. We will continue to do that. Any permit extensions have not been granted. They will be removed.

On this side of the House, we will continue to stand with the Iranian people. We will support the CBSA and do everything necessary to protect the safety of Canadians.

Mental Health and Addictions

[Matt Jeneroux, Liberal, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

Mr. Speaker, men and boys in this country are facing a mental health crisis. In this country, 75% of suicides are men. In this country, 75% of drug overdoses are in men. Men's life expectancy is 4.5 years shorter, and 65% of men delay seeking help.

Can the Minister of Health confirm that the government is committed to ending the stigma around men's mental health?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome my colleague from Edmonton Riverbend to this side of the House.

We need to end stigma around men's and boys' mental health. This is why we launched a national conversation on men's and boys' health, so we can make a real difference in the health and well-being of men and boys across the country. This will help create stronger families and thriving communities. We look forward to working with all parties to make sure everyone has a voice in this conversation.