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Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was important.

Last in Parliament April 2025, as Liberal MP for Parkdale—High Park (Ontario)

Won his last election, in 2021, with 42% of the vote.

Statements in the House

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, by way of addressing a couple of points on extortion, what I would indicate for the benefit of the House is that we have announced an RCMP national coordination and support team to help coordinate investigations of extortion, and that extortion remains subject to a maximum life imprisonment penalty, which the Supreme Court has indicated demonstrates the seriousness of the offence.

With respect to the question about Bill C-63, I welcome this question. Keeping kids safe is everyone's responsibility in this chamber. This legislation, Bill C-63, would require a takedown within 24 hours of any material that constitutes child sex exploitative material. It would require a risk analysis and a risk reduction of material that induces a child to self-harm or bullies or intimidates a child. That is about doing right by people like Amanda Todd's mother and Rehtaeh Parsons' mother and so many kids who are being sextorted and exploited online.

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, the mandatory minimum penalty to which I am referring is actually larger than what the member just quoted. It is a seven-year mandatory minimum penalty, which is appropriate in those circumstances.

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, extortion is on the rise in Canada. We are treating extortion with the seriousness it deserves.

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, extortion with a restricted firearm—

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, I would encourage the member to read the Criminal Code. The mandatory minimum remains in place for extortion that is committed with violence with a restricted firearm.

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, violent extortion that involves a prohibited firearm attracts a mandatory minimum penalty.

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, extortion is rising. We are seized of that matter and we are addressing it.

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, there is a mandatory minimum penalty that is in place right now that was unchanged through Bill C-5. If someone does use—

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, the hon. member should know that is categorically incorrect, and I encourage him to read the Criminal Code. If someone commits an extortion with a prohibited firearm, that person is subject to a mandatory minimum.

Business of Supply May 23rd, 2024

Madam Chair, there is a mandatory minimum penalty in place for people who use a restricted or prohibited firearm. The—