Iqra Khalid

[Canada Revenue Agency, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, we have the highest respect for whistle-blowers and support the private member's bill, Bill C-290, put forward by the member's caucus to protect whistle-blowers. Again, we also have to ensure that Canadians' data is protected. We have to make sure that tax avoidance and tax filings carry fairness within our country and within the system.

We look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen that, and I look forward to working with the member for his ideas as well.

[Canada Revenue Agency, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the CRA takes the issue of fraud very seriously.

With respect to what the member has talked about, we have supported whistle-blower rights, as shown in our support of the member's caucus bill, Bill C-290, which aims to increase protections for whistle-blowers. However, we need to find the right balance when it comes to making sure that Canadians' data is protected while also ensuring rights for whistle-blowers.

The CRA has an internal process for reporting, and we look forward to continuing to work with all members in the House and the CRA to strengthen that process.

[Taxation, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, there are over 60,000 employees with the CRA. There are massive strategies that are being worked on with international partners to ensure that tax avoidance and tax evasion are being prevented.

I look forward to working with all members in this House to make sure that we are providing the right amount of support to the CRA to ensure that we are working on this very important issue. Tax fairness is a pillar of our democracy, and we need to ensure that that continues to happen.

[International Criminal Court, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the International Criminal Court has made a historic move by issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif. This sends a clear message: No one is above the law.

As Canadians, we take pride in our commitment to human rights and the rule of law. I thank the Prime Minister for affirming that Canada will uphold the decision of the ICC. As a nation that helped establish the International Criminal Court and ratified the Rome Statute, it is our duty to uphold and abide by international law, ensuring that the people responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity are held to account.

Canada must continue to stand firmly with international law and be clear that violations of human dignity will not be tolerated, no matter where or by whom they occur. Let us always stand for justice and the rule of law.

[Canada Revenue Agency, November 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think that the challenge here is whistle-blowers. As I said earlier, there are ways within the CRA that people are able to report whatever misconduct they see. I think the question really is how we protect whistle-blowers. We have obviously supported Bill C-290 from the Bloc Québécois. I wonder if we can support the Conservative Party and its whistle-blower situation going on right now.

[Canada Revenue Agency, November 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, there are situations that must be denounced. I have to say that our minister and our government have supported Bill C-290, that party's private member's bill. However, there are situations where we are not able to talk about issues, specifically with respect to section 241 of the Income Tax Act, but there are obligations and there are ways in which we are able to have whistle-blowers report what they need to within the CRA, and we are constantly working on these issues.

[World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, November 19th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, a day that demands our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities. As a member of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights, I heard devastating testimonies from hundreds of NGOs. These organizations are working in over 190 countries and territories worldwide, and they have revealed the brutal realities that children face in conflict zones.

Today we continue working together to advocate for children facing crisis around the world, including in Sudan, Palestine, Ukraine and too many more. Since 2016, Canada has contributed millions in humanitarian funding, but financial support alone is not enough. We must strengthen international protocols, enhance legal protections and create better support systems for children at risk. Every child in Canada and across the world deserves safety, dignity and an opportunity to dream.

[Mississauga-Erin Mills Women's Council, November 1st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the statistics on human trafficking in Canada are truly alarming. About 93% of victims are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and the greatest risk factor is being a woman. Between 2010 and 2020, 65% of police-reported human trafficking incidents occurred in Ontario.

Last week, the Mississauga-Erin Mills Women's Council held a panel discussion to address this issue. It brought together key stakeholders and raised awareness about what we can do in our daily lives, including recognizing the signs of trafficking and how to support victims.

The time for action is now. I call on all members of the House to work tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable among us. I would like to thank the Mississauga-Erin Mills Women's Council for organizing this insightful event and for all the work that it does in our community.

[Foreign Interference, October 24th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I am astonished by the blatant disregard the Leader of the Opposition has shown for the well-being of Canadians. His willful ignorance of critical security threats facing our nation is deeply concerning.

Recently, RCMP investigations have shown alarming evidence of agents from the Government of India engaging in serious criminal activity in Canada, including homicides, extortion and threats to the South Asian community. Our citizens are under credible and imminent threat, yet the Leader of the Opposition continues to peddle empty slogans, refusing to do the substantive work to address these threats. His dog whistle politics are putting Canadians at risk every single day.

Will the Leader of the Opposition put aside his selfish interests, obtain the necessary security clearance and protect the integrity not just of the democratic process but of his own party and all Canadians?

[Points of Order, October 8th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate your ruling and for the whole table to have taken into account what has happened. I am sure that as you viewed the videos, you would have seen that my hand was raised not at the point that the question was called but way prior to when it was called.

What I have experienced, not just in the public accounts committee but also in the ethics committee and many others, is the consistent, constant bullying from the Conservatives, of my privilege within committees to be able to operate, ask my questions, put forth my viewpoint and give respect to the witnesses who come before our committees on a regular basis.

I do have to say that I am quite disheartened by your ruling, because ultimately what it does is that it puts people like me on the back burner, while there are Conservative games afoot on a regular basis. The Conservatives use regular rules within the Standing Orders to play their games, and we and Canadians are the ones who suffer.