Bob Saroya

[India, May 13th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, in India the second wave of COVID-19 has spread like wildfire, overwhelming the health care system and exhausting key medical supplies. The Indian government has sent over 60 million vaccines to over 75 different countries. When Canada needed vaccines and pharmaceuticals, India answered the call. Now that India faces shortages of life-saving supplies, we need to answer its call.

There is a deadly vaccine shortage in India. Canadian companies like ON2 Solutions are producing world-class oxygen plants. We need to get more oxygen plants to India as quickly as possible. For the people who want to help, I urge them to donate directly to the Canadian Red Cross. I also urge the government to match these funds dollar for dollar and show our solidarity with India.

Last, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I call on the government to join the push to drop patent protections for the life-saving COVID-19 vaccines to increase production. Lack of action will cost lives.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, May 10th, 2021]

With regard to accounts locked by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) between March 13, 2021, and March 22, 2021, over concerns that usernames and passwords may have been hacked: (a) how many accounts were locked; (b) what was the average number of days impacted accounts were locked; (c) did the CRA notify each account holder in (a) that their account would be locked, and, if so, how were they contacted; (d) on what date did the CRA become aware that usernames and passwords may have been hacked; (e) how did the CRA become aware of the hacking; (f) is any recourse or compensation available to individuals whose information has been compromised as a result of their CRA information being hacked, and, if so, how do they access such recourse or compensation; and (g) have any specific measures been taken since March 13, 2021, to ensure the future safety of information shared online with the CRA, and, if so, what are the details of each measure, including the date of implementation?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, May 10th, 2021]

With regard to the government's decision to extend the interval between certain COVID-19 vaccines by up to 105 days: (a) what assessment has the government made on the impact of this decision of those who are suffering from cancer; and (b) what is the government's response to concerns raised by a study from King's College London and the Francis Crick Institute, which found that delays in administering the second dose of more than 21 days leave cancer patients vulnerable to COVID-19?

[COVID-19 Emergency Response, April 27th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the recovery plan the Liberals put forward last week threatens Canada's future. Markham—Unionville residents are concerned that the Liberal plan will only make things worse. We need a new plan that will recover the million jobs COVID-19 destroyed, return transparency to Parliament, provide stronger consequences for corruption and tackle the mental health crisis the pandemic has created, something the Liberal plan shamefully ignores altogether.

Any recovery needs to include looking ahead. That means getting the supplies together to fight the next pandemic and getting our debt in order so that we have the resources to help Canadians in their next time of need.

The Conservative Party of Canada has a plan that does all this. It is a plan to secure jobs, accountability, mental health, the country and the economy. It is a plan that will secure the future.

[Armenia, April 23rd, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Armenian genocide perpetuated by the Ottoman Turkish empire, where one and a half million Armenian men, women and children lost their lives.

One hundred and six years have passed since the horrific crime of 1915, yet Turkey continues to this day to deny its heinous crime. Turkey's continued denial of its history has fuelled its current regime to continue on a path intent on completing the Armenian genocide, which it was not able to finish in 1915.

Today, Turkey continues to use its massive wealth and military arms to put the security of Armenia and Artsakh under constant danger. We stay committed to all Armenians in Canada and around the world and their cause, and say “Never again”.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, March 25th, 2021]

With regard to illegal firearms entering Canada: what is the government’s estimate of the number of illegal firearms that have entered the country since 2016, broken down by year and by method of entry (air cargo shipments, land passenger vehicle smuggling, etc.)?

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 22nd, 2021]

With regard to illegal firearms entering Canada: what is the government’s estimate of the number of illegal firearms that have entered the country since 2016, broken down by year and by method of entry (air cargo shipments, land passenger vehicle smuggling, etc.)?

[Anti-Asian Racism, March 22nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has unleashed a surge of anti-Asian racism across North America. From Atlanta to Vancouver and even Markham, the Asian community, especially the Chinese community, have been victimized.

It began as hurtful comments at the beginning of the pandemic and grew into physical violence. The numbers are staggering. Major cities have seen the number of hate crimes grow as much as 700% and most of the targets are women. I encourage everyone to confront racism when he or she sees it. Racists are only encouraged by silence.

Unfortunately, the federal government has not done much. A Liberal member of Parliament has admitted that the federal government has, to some extent, overlooked Asian communities in its recent anti-racism strategies. ThePrime Minister needs to acknowledge the growing anti-Asian racism and do more to tackle it.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, March 10th, 2021]

With regard to the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations: (a) how many permits have been given to Canadians to produce (i) fewer than 50 plants, (ii) 50 to 100 plants, (iii) 100 to 200 plants, (iv) 200 to 300 plants, (v) over 300 plants; (b) broken down by year since 2016, how many licenses have been revoked due to criminal activity; (c) what specific actions, if any, did the government take to address the concerns raised in a news release from the York Regional Police on October 29, 2020, that “Investigators believe that organized crime continues to exploit the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulation”; (d) did the government introduce any restrictions to prevent the creation of “cannabis farms” resulting from the pooling of grow licenses; and (e) what specific actions, if any, did the government take to address the concerns raised by the York Regional Police on October 29, 2020, that “Organized crime networks have comfortably embedded themselves in this business, capitalizing and exploiting the loopholes in the current legislation”, including which specific loopholes the government closed?

[Joseph Shenouda, March 10th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, it with a heavy heart and sadness that I announce the passing of Mr. Joseph Shenouda, who departed on Monday, March 8.

Mr. Joseph Shenouda was a beloved member of the Coptic Orthodox community of the GTA. He leaves behind his wife Nadia and children Ramzi, Gihan, George, Rania and Gina as well as his 10 beautiful grandchildren, with whom he so loved spending time.

Mr. Joseph Shenouda is known for his outstanding work with the Coptic community. He will be truly missed by the entire community.

On behalf of my colleagues in Parliament, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the entire Shenouda family. As we speak, his funeral is taking place at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Markham. May my friend rest in peace.