George Chahal

[Committees of the House, December 11th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, entitled “Concerns Arising from Parliamentary Budget Officer's Report”.

[Pharmacare, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the passage of our pharmacare legislation is a huge step forward for universal health care in Canada. Millions of Canadians and Albertans living with diabetes will be able to follow their treatment plans without having to make tough financial decisions.

I am so proud that we will be able to help over 3.5 million Canadians living with diabetes so that they can focus on their health and wellness instead of the amount of money it will cost to maintain their treatment plan.

Caring for our neighbours is what Canadians do. Every Conservative member in the House voted against pharmacare because they do not want to work on solutions that will put the health of Canadians first. On this side of the House, we will always stand up for Canadians and their right to universal health care.

[RCMP Allegations of Foreign Interference by the Government of India, October 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Brampton South brings forward a very important question.

For the RCMP to make a statement to Canadians acknowledges that there are serious threats. I am concerned about the threats that were brought forward, but I am happy to see the RCMP has stepped forward to work with police agencies across Canada to deal with these threats immediately.

[RCMP Allegations of Foreign Interference by the Government of India, October 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, I support the study at the SECU committee, and I look forward to having that conversation there with committee members.

I think we need to look at foreign influence in the Conservative Party's previous leadership races. Serious allegations have arisen. As we work together at committee, whether it is SECU or another committee, we can go into a further dialogue and understanding of the issues that are brought forward today.

[RCMP Allegations of Foreign Interference by the Government of India, October 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I did not deny any request. I support the study that was recommended at the SECU committee. I participated last Friday in the Standing Order 106(4) request that was brought forward. I also support the Hogue commission set up by the Government of Canada to look into foreign interference and will continue to do so.

[RCMP Allegations of Foreign Interference by the Government of India, October 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean for the work he does at the foreign affairs committee.

I know that colleagues from across Parliament take these concerns seriously. That is why all of us have supported initiatives to protect Canadians. That is why we saw the Prime Minister stand up in the House of Commons, which is unprecedented, to show how serious the government is. It is also why the RCMP, last week, held a press conference to inform Canadians on the need for further self-care and that it is monitoring the situation appropriately.

[RCMP Allegations of Foreign Interference by the Government of India, October 21st, 2024]

moved:

That this House do now adjourn.

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Vancouver South.

Today I rise to participate in this emergency debate to discuss the urgent issue of foreign interference in the lives of Canadians by the Government of India.

I am a proud Canadian with Indian ancestry. My parents immigrated as teenagers to the United Kingdom and came to Canada in 1972. I was born in Calgary, and Canada exceeded their expectations in every way. They had the opportunity to grow their family, find financial success and have the freedom to participate in the political process.

Indians are proud of their democracy, and the Indian diaspora has had a profound impact on global affairs and business. Over the last 75 years, India has been a leading example of strong democratic institutions, civil society and economic opportunity in the developing world. India has uplifted millions of its impoverished citizens while being an important bridge in global relations.

However, as governments change in democratic societies, so do their policy objectives. Today India is stronger economically and more aggressive and muscular in its strategic foreign policy objectives. This does not justify abandoning its values of upholding justice and the rule of law.

As Canadian members of Parliament, it is our duty to protect the safety and sovereignty of Canadians. Canada is guided by the rule of law, and we adhere to the Vienna Convention at all times. We expect India to uphold these same standards.

When our law enforcement and intelligence services began pursuing credible allegations that agents of the Government of India were directly involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil, we responded quickly. Our government conveyed its concerns to the Government of India and urged them to collaborate with us in shedding light on this critical issue.

Through the national task force and other investigative efforts, the RCMP has gathered evidence that reveals four serious concerns: Violent extremists are impacting both countries; there are links tying agents of the Government of India to homicides in Canada; organized crime is being used to create the perception of unsafe environments in targeting the South Asian community in Canada; and there is interference in our democratic processes.

These are not mere allegations, but serious findings from our national law enforcement that require immediate attention.

Investigations have uncovered that Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada have leveraged their official position to engage in clandestine activities, gathering information for the Government of India either directly or through their agents and other individuals who acted voluntarily or under coercion.

Evidence has also shown that a wide range of entities in Canada and abroad have been utilized by agents of the Government of India to collect information. Some of these individuals and businesses were coerced and threatened into co-operating with the Government of India, and the information collected was then used to target members of the South Asian community.

Recently, one of my constituents was extorted and his home was shot at. He shared with me that every day he woke up scared for the safety of his wife and children. He stayed away from his home and loved ones in hopes of keeping them safe. This is not the life he envisioned when he immigrated to this great country. Fortunately, thanks to the diligent work of the Calgary Police Service, the perpetrators were apprehended, but as we have seen, this is not always the outcome.

As a member of the Sikh faith, I know there have been allegations of Indian government interference since the Golden Temple attack in 1984 and accusations by the Indian government against the Sikh community since the Air India bombing in 1985. In the anti-Sikh riots, Indian government officials were complicit in the killing of thousands of Sikhs during that time. Mothers were raped in front of their children. Some were cut into pieces and burned alive by violent mobs. In many cases, the bodies were never recovered. However, 40 years later, families are still seeking justice, and the pain and trauma continue to resonate with the community today.

All Canadians, regardless of their faith or background, are guided by our legal framework. We have the opportunity to express ourselves. The Government of India may not like what many Canadians have to say, but just like India, we are a country governed by laws. Our police and intelligence agencies speaking publicly during an ongoing investigation highlights how serious this matter is.

The police have warned at least 12 Canadians of a pending threat. A foreign government is being accused of being complicit in the murder of three others. A clear, dangerous and unprecedented red line has been crossed. As Michael Duheme, the commissioner of the RCMP, has stated, an “extraordinary situation is compelling us to speak about what we have discovered in our multiple ongoing investigations into the involvement of agents of the Government of India in serious criminal activity in Canada.”

As shown by the RCMP, this is an extremely serious issue. An emergency debate is imperative so that we can come together to find solutions and address the concerns of those who feel targeted or unsafe.

Based on the information provided to Global Affairs Canada by the RCMP, we formally requested that India waive diplomatic immunity for six individuals based in Canada and co-operate in the investigation. This request was made so that these individuals could be questioned regarding the ongoing RCMP investigation into a number of violent incidents targeting members of the South Asian community here in Canada. Regrettably, India did not agree, and given the ongoing public safety concerns for Canadians, Canada issued notices of expulsion to six diplomats and consular officials. Following those notices, India also announced it would withdraw its officials.

To be clear, we are not seeking a diplomatic confrontation with India. Still, we will not sit quietly when agents of any country are linked to efforts to threaten, harass and even kill Canadians, full stop.

I urge my colleagues to view this not just as a national security issue or as a partisan issue, but as a matter of parliamentary responsibility. Parliament must address threats to national sovereignty with the seriousness they demand. It is our duty to ensure that all Canadians feel safe from foreign influence and intimidation.

Last September, when the Prime Minister stood in the House of Commons to speak about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Conservatives sidestepped the issue, claiming there was no evidence. Well, now we have the evidence. I would encourage the leader of the Conservative Party, the member for Carleton, to obtain a top secret clearance so he can be provided with the appropriate classified information to make informed decisions in reference to any allegations against parliamentarians in his party, just as all other parties have done.

We must stand united across party lines to protect Canada's national interests and the well-being of our citizens. The safety and security of our citizens, regardless of their background or beliefs, must remain our top priority, and we will not tolerate any form of intimidation, harassment or harmful targeting of communities or individuals in Canada. All Canadians deserve to live free from fear, and we must take decisive steps to ensure that.

[Request for Emergency Debate, October 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Burnaby South for also bringing this issue forward.

As per Standing Order 52, I propose an emergency debate, as per my urgent letter sent to you this morning, Mr. Speaker, on the concerning and ongoing interference by the Government of India in the lives of Canadians, which was recently alleged by the RCMP. The RCMP has gathered clear and compelling evidence that agents of the Government of India have engaged in and continue to engage in activities that pose a significant threat to the safety of Canadians, including coercive behaviour, extortion and involvement in over a dozen threatening violent acts, including homicide, targeting Sikh and South Asian Canadians.

All Canadians deserve to live free from fear and intimidation, and many of our constituents are feeling unsafe and afraid. As parliamentarians, our foremost duty is to represent the voices and concerns of our constituents, ensuring they are the heart of everything we do in this chamber.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for approving this emergency debate on this important topic in advance.

[Petitions, October 10th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, it said, “I love Lebanon”, but that is fine.

The petitioners call for the Government of Canada to continue supporting the evacuation of Canadian citizens and their families; and that it create a temporary resident program for Lebanese citizens. Last, it calls on the Government of Canada to lead a peacekeeping mission to help maintain peace, rebuild the economy and infrastructure, and promote safety and security for the Lebanese people.

Canada was a leading voice 67 years ago in advocating for actions, in the words of Lester Pearson, “not only to end the fighting but to make peace”.

[Petitions, October 10th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition signed by Canadians. It recognizes that the conflict in the Middle East has killed and displaced thousands of innocent Palestinians, and has now expanded into Lebanon, resulting in deaths and displacement of innocent Lebanese.

The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to continue calling for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and across the region; that it to continue providing humanitarian aid through the United Nations, where Canada just committed $25 million; that it continue supporting the evacuation of Canadian citizens and their families—