House of Commons Hansard #105 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-22.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Lawful Access Act, 2026 Second reading of Bill C-22. The bill proposes a lawful access framework meant to modernize investigative tools for law enforcement in the digital age. Liberals argue the legislation is essential for combating modern crimes, while Conservatives contend it is an improved version of the failed Bill C-2. Members across party lines debate the balance between public safety and privacy, with opposition parties specifically highlighting concerns regarding regulatory overreach, data retention, and the legal thresholds for accessing information, urging thorough committee review. 16300 words, 2 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Admissibility of Committee Amendments to Bill C-11 Liberal MP Arielle Kayabaga argues that six amendments adopted by the Standing Committee on National Defence regarding Bill C-11 are inadmissible, claiming they exceed the bill's scope or violate the parent act rule. 900 words.
National Framework on Sickle Cell Disease Act Second reading of Bill S-201. The bill proposes a framework to coordinate research, improve clinical care, and increase awareness regarding sickle cell disease. While Liberals argue the legislation addresses critical health inequities, opposition members express concerns about potential jurisdictional overreach into provincial health systems and possible program duplication. All parties agree to study the proposal further at committee to address these concerns and clarify costs. 8000 words, 1 hour.
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois finds it unacceptable that the government is granting greater powers to the police and intelligence services while slashing the budget of the body responsible for overseeing them, namely the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, or NSIRA. Its budget has been cut by 15% as a result of the Liberal government's penny-pinching.
I would like to know what my colleague thinks.
Tamara Kronis Conservative Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question.
The hon. member has pointed out one of the really difficult issues that we are grappling with, with this government, which is that the Liberals talk, saying things that people want to hear. They talk about making changes that need to be made, but somewhere behind the scenes resources are not following the matter and Canadians are not, in fact, getting what they need.
That is one of the main reasons that we really need to think about this. We need to work hard to get this right.
Roman Baber Conservative York Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, we recognize the necessity of protecting children online, especially from predators who access unlawful and criminal material.
I am wondering if my friend could tell me why she believes the Liberals refused to adopt the Conservative suggestion and, in response to the Senneville decision that struck down mandatory minimum sentencing for access and possession to materials that violate children, the Liberals decided they will have none of it.
Tamara Kronis Conservative Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for giving me the opportunity yesterday in the justice committee to ask questions about this very topic.
It is a good example of how the Liberals give with one hand and take away with the other. It is incredibly important to protect children against predation, online and off-line. I hope that the government will see reason and restore the mandatory minimums for child sexual exploitation.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I know this may offend people. There are people who think there are too many lawyers in politics, but I do not think there are enough of us. I want to thank the hon. member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, whose legal background showed through in the way she put together that critique of Bill C-22.
I am also very concerned about changing “reasonable grounds to believe” to “reasonable grounds to suspect”. I would like the member to expand on whether she found any previous example of that kind of threshold being used. I cannot find a previous example of “reasonable grounds to suspect”.
Tamara Kronis Conservative Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Mr. Speaker, I really want to thank my colleague for the generosity in her comments. It means a lot to me when one of my colleagues from Vancouver Island recognizes the value that other members bring to this House.
Like the hon. member, I have also looked for examples. The reality is, at the end of the day, suspecting and believing are two different things. The government is creating yet another change that dilutes rights in a way that is unclear, that the courts will have to grapple with, that will add to litigation, that will add to backlogs and that will add to the incredible weighty amount of legal mumbo-jumbo that exists.
I hope the government will think very hard about what we are trying to do here.
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Mr. Speaker, we have heard much from the Liberals about how we are obstructing their bills and whatnot, even though they are filibustering their own bills in committee. Usually that means that they are trying to create a narrative that we are obstructing.
Do you feel that we are obstructing or debating this bill?
Bill C-22 Lawful Access Act, 2026Government Orders
The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec
Before I let the member respond, I would like to remind members to speak through the Chair and not directly to members.
Tamara Kronis Conservative Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Mr. Speaker, the fact that this bill is coming back to the House on a second attempt to do this shows the contributions that Conservatives in opposition can make to the important work we do in this House.
I want to thank the government for listening to the things we raised the first time around. I look forward to working with them in committee to make this bill even stronger.
Kurt Holman Conservative London—Fanshawe, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to Bill C-22, an act respecting lawful access.
Before entering politics, I spent nearly three decades working in information technology, and one of the things that I learned very quickly in that field is that technology does not stand still. The systems, tools and threats of 10 years ago rarely resemble those of today. Unfortunately, criminals understand that reality just as well as anyone else. They adapt quickly. They use encrypted applications, anonymous accounts, rapidly changing digital identities and increasingly sophisticated digital tools to conceal their activities and evade law enforcement.
Meanwhile, our legal framework has often struggled to keep pace. Let me be clear at the outset. Conservatives recognize that law enforcement must have the lawful tools necessary to investigate serious crime in the digital age. When police are pursuing child predators, human traffickers, terrorists and organized criminal networks, they should not be hindered by outdated laws built for a predigital world. That is a legitimate problem, and Parliament has a responsibility to address it.
Parliament also has a responsibility to ensure that in modernizing our laws, we do not grant powers that are broader than necessary, weaker in oversight than appropriate or more intrusive than justified, because history has repeatedly shown that once a government is granted extraordinary powers, those powers rarely remain confined to their narrowest intended use unless Parliament is vigilant.
The House has been down this road before. The lawful access provisions now before us appeared in Bill C-2, where they generated substantial concern among privacy advocates, experts and parliamentarians alike. The government has now separated those provisions out and returned with Bill C-22, a narrower stand-alone version in some respects. It is an acknowledgement that the earlier approach required reconsideration, and while this version is improved in certain areas, legitimate concerns remain that warrant careful study at committee.
Part of the challenge in debating legislation like this is that many of the terms involved can sound desperately benign. Words like “subscriber information” or “metadata” may sound minor, but anyone with experience in digital systems understands otherwise. Metadata can reveal a tremendous amount about an individual. It can reveal who—
The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec
I have to interrupt the member for Standing Order 31 statements, Statements by Members.
Mike Kelloway Liberal Sydney—Glace Bay, NS
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize five outstanding young athletes from my riding of Sydney—Glace Bay who represented Nova Scotia and Cape Breton great distinction.
From March 12 to 15, five members of the Cape Breton Dorados swim team travelled to Maine to compete at the 2026 winter championships. Simryn, Bryson, Rori, Sophia and Lyla all achieved top-10 finishes in their respective events.
The Cape Breton Dorados have been a pillar of our community for over 50 years, currently supporting approximately 70 swimmers between the ages of six and 18 and providing a full pathway from entry-level to high-performance competition.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating the swimmers, the coaches and the volunteers who make the Dorados program possible. Cape Breton is very proud of them.
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate two outstanding hockey stories from Bow River.
First, I congratulate the community of Taber on being named the 2026 Kraft Hockeyville national champions. Through adversity, and with remarkable fortitude, the people of Taber came together and earned this well-deserved victory. It stands as the latest chapter in the proud culture of hockey excellence that the people of Bow River continue to build. Taber's win provides $250,000 to rebuild its arena after it was destroyed, along with the exciting opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game next fall. I look forward to attending this much-anticipated game.
Second, I would like to give a huge shout-out to the Brooks Bandits. Three more graduates signed NHL contracts this past week, providing further proof of the world-class development program the Bandits have built. We look forward to their potential NHL debuts.
Hockey is thriving in Bow River, and these stories make us all proud. Go, Taber, and go, Bandits!
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is tax season time, and this weekend we are once again supporting families in Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester through our free tax clinic, by helping them complete their income tax returns.
This is an opportunity to support people who need some help filing their tax returns, because filing a return is essential for accessing important benefits like the Canadian dental care plan, the Canada child benefit, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit and the GST/HST credit, to help with the cost of living.
I thank Lucille Collard, MPP for Ottawa—Vanier; our teams; and all the volunteers for their time and commitment during the four tax clinics that were held this month. Thanks to them, we are making it easier to access essential programs to improve quality of life.
Through this collective effort, we have helped over 160 families. Together, we are making a real difference for our community.
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON
Mr.S peaker, work is under way to celebrate the founding of Guelph in 1827. Next year marks 200 years since the city was founded at the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa rivers, in the province of Upper Canada, by Scottish poet and novelist John Galt.
The Guelph 200 community working group has already begun planning. On April 23, the city will launch its official bicentennial logo, marking the beginning of year-long celebrations, including an anniversary weekend and a summer homecoming.
Guelphites are proud of the Royal City and its 200 years of history. It has produced John McCrae of In Flanders Fields, Nobel Prize winners and so many other great Canadians.
The slogan of the bicentennial, “rooted deep, growing together”, speaks of a community proud of its past and confident in its future.
I ask all colleagues to join me in marking this historic occasion.
Natilien Joseph Liberal Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC
Mr. Speaker, today is the launch of the eighth International Haitian Diaspora Days summit, which runs until April 19 in Montreal.
This year's theme is “United in creating a strong, supportive community for a brighter future”, so the summit will highlight vital priorities such as education, hope and economic development. It is a tremendous opportunity for community leaders, business owners and members of the diaspora to rally around shared goals related to international development, co-operation and solidarity. Every day, the Haitian community makes outstanding contributions to the social, cultural and economic vitality of Quebec and Canada.
On behalf of all my colleagues, I want to thank the organizers and wish them every success during the eighth summit.
Kelly Block Conservative Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK
Mr. Speaker, the authors of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms understood the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of conscience and religion; the freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression; and the freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
Across Canada, places of worship, from churches and gurdwaras to mosques, synagogues and temples, serve as vital centres in our communities. They are gathering places that provide hope, a sense of meaning and a place of belonging for many. We owe it to Canadians and our communities to ensure the protection of our freedom to worship in our own way.
Regrettably, over the past 10 years, there has been an alarming increase in incidents of mischief committed against religious property in Canada. The burden of damage should rest not on the shoulders of the victims but instead firmly with those who break the law. By protecting our religious communities, we send a clear message that vandalizing places of worship is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I hosted a reception for new Canadian citizens in my constituency office, in Kingston and the Islands. At the event, we featured the artwork of Sergio Jaua, a Canadian who immigrated from Venezuela.
His exhibition “IN BETWiN: Stories of Immigrants” brings forward the human side that can get lost in public debate. At a moment when debate about immigration is increasingly shaped by fear instead of facts, his work offers the necessary counterstory, one rooted in dignity, resilience and shared humanity. Through thoughtful interviews and striking portraits, Sergio documented the lived experiences of new immigrants who have built their lives in Kingston.
His portraits remind us that immigration is not abstract. It is about people, families and futures. Choosing to listen is an act of community strength, and choosing to honour these stories is an act of national responsibility. May all sides of this House keep that in mind as we shape the Canada we call home.
Eric Duncan Conservative Stormont—Dundas—Glengarry, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect their government to live within its means. The Liberals' proposed $90-billion Alto rail project fails to meet that basic test.
At a time when families are struggling with the costs of groceries and housing, the Liberals are asking taxpayers to take on tens of billions of dollars of new debt for a project with unclear timelines, uncertain ridership and no credible plan to control costs. Canadians have seen this pattern before: ballooning budgets, missed deadlines and taxpayers left frustrated, holding the bill.
Conservatives support targeted infrastructure improvements that can move people and goods faster at lower cost and with less risk to taxpayers. I will also note the local concerns about what this means for the future of the Via Rail service in Cornwall and along the Highway 401 corridor where attempted cuts by Via have already been tried.
This $90-billion plan is not a nation-building project. It is a boondoggle waiting to happen.
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Mr. Speaker, as a native of the Lower North Shore, Randy Jones was bound to be born a giant. In a landscape as vast as the horizon, between rock and sea where the possibilities were endless, he did it all: from fisherman to mayor of Gros-Mécatina, from warden of the Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent RCM to candidate in Manicouagan, from husband to father, from friend to legend—
High-Speed RailStatements by Members
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Mr. Speaker, I was trying to say a few words about someone who has passed away and I could not hear myself speak, so I sat down.
High-Speed RailStatements by Members
Marilène Gill Bloc Côte-Nord—Kawawachikamach—Nitassinan, QC
Mr. Speaker, as a native of the Lower North Shore, Randy Jones was bound to be born a giant. In a landscape as vast as the horizon, between rock and sea where the possibilities were endless, he did it all: from fisherman to mayor of Gros-Mécatina, from warden of the Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent RCM to candidate in Manicouagan, from husband to father, from friend to legend.
He carried the Lower North Shore on his shoulders, not because of his stature, but because of his heart, which beat for all the coasters, his vision, which saw all the possibilities beyond the obstacles, and his voice, which said, like a promise, “Follow me wherever you want to go”.
He knew how to fight with strength and compassion for the forgotten, for dignity, and for the right to live on the land. He wanted to liberate his island. He brought cell service and the Internet to the region. He saved lives. He may not have had time to drive the 500 kilometres of coastline from Kegaska to Blanc-Sablon in his pickup truck, but the day we inaugurate “Jones Road”, many of us will be there to travel down the road with him one last time.
Farewell, Randy.