Jennifer O'Connell

[Business of Supply, December 10th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I really appreciate my hon. colleague's insight and experience at the justice committee during the study of this bill.

I am glad he brought up the question of the Supreme Court ruling when it came to mandatory minimums. I have often found this conversation with the Conservatives very interesting, and I wonder what he thinks. If we know that the Supreme Court would rule mandatory minimums as unconstitutional, what does he think the Conservatives plan to do? They say they are going to reinstate them. Are they just trying to fool Canadians, or do they plan to reinstate them just to waste taxpayers' money to have them challenged in court and sent back once again?

I have never understood why Conservatives pretend that there was not a Supreme Court decision. I do not know if that was discussed at committee. Could the member share his insights?

[Business of Supply, December 10th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the question because, although it is not on the topic of the opposition day motion, ensuring people have a safe home is crucial.

We also know it helps lead to better health outcomes and better socioeconomic outcomes, and it makes our communities safer. When people have access to housing, it gives them so many more opportunities. I agree with the member opposite that it is a very important debate and one we must all work together on.

Again, Conservatives keep using this as a fearmongering opportunity for their own political benefit.

[Business of Supply, December 10th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for bringing us back to this debate. In fact, any life lost to fentanyl in this drug epidemic is absolutely heartbreaking.

What we see the Conservatives doing is, frankly, an old Conservative trope, which we have seen in the U.S. as well. When they do not know how to deal with harm reduction and real solutions that save lives, they try to demonize people. They demonize people who are suffering and who need help, all of our help. It is also because by fearmongering on something as tragic as this, they hope it will benefit them politically, but they do not bring forward any ideas to address the opioid crisis in this country and they certainly do not listen to experts on the ground who know how to help save lives.

[Business of Supply, December 10th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, perhaps it is because I was not speaking in rhymes that the member opposite forgot he should have been asking a question on the subject of the Conservatives' own opposition motion. Instead, the Conservatives are taking personal shots at the Prime Minister, whom I fully support, in case they are wondering. It is funny that they did not refute any of the numbers I posed. They did not refute the fact that Conservatives made cuts. Instead, they make personal attacks. I think it was because I was not rhyming that they did not quite put two and two together.

[Business of Supply, December 10th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I can hear them heckling over there because they know I am right. They practise their rhymes and not their policies. On something as serious as our border safety, one would think they would spend a significant amount of time coming up with policies, but that does not fit into their leader's gold star program of the school of Dr. Seuss for opposition parties. While Conservatives go to that school, we are investing in the RCMP. We invested in the CBSA and the number of CBSA employees has increased.

The minister and the Prime Minister have acknowledged that if we need to do more on the border, we will. We are committed to making sure we are securing our border, but also protecting Canadians from illicit drugs, weapons and the things we have talked about, like auto theft. The member who spoke right before me talked about scanners at the border. Funnily enough, it was Stephen Harper's government that removed the scanner in Brampton dealing with auto theft, and we reinstated it. Then the Conservatives stand up and say, “We have an idea: scanners.”

The Conservatives have no plan. They come after the fact, when we have already made the investments, and then try to take these ideas for their own because, once again, they have spent a little too much time at the Dr. Seuss opposition school for rhymes.

Part of our investment has led to very real success stories as a result of the RCMP and its good work. I was on the finance committee, on one of my first budgets as a member in this place, and one of the things we heard, as we were reinstating some of these budgets and officials were coming forward, was not only that those cuts were impactful on the actual day-to-day work, but that when those sorts of specialized services are cut, as Conservatives did in dealing with organized crime, violent crime and transnational-type imports, we also lose institutional knowledge and enforcement.

One result of our investment, for example, was that over 95 million lethal doses of fentanyl and a lab were seized by the RCMP. When we invest in the police and do not make cuts, like Conservatives do, we actually get results. When we invest in the CBSA, we get more secure borders. However, when people rhyme and just talk tough, they get a leader who is all fake image and no substance.

We are going to keep making those investments because that is what is right for Canadians, and that is what is going to keep our community safe, not just talk.

[Business of Supply, December 10th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice.

I think what we have here today is a classic case of the Conservatives trying to rewrite history. Their outrage when it comes to safety at our border is as fake as their new leader's image. Canadians will not be fooled because we have seen the record of the Conservatives when they were in charge of making sure our border was secure. It is very clear, and I have said this in the House time and again, that when the Conservatives were in power, they actually cut from the CBSA and the RCMP when it came to protecting our border.

In fact, it was confirmed by the president of the CBSA at the public safety committee that in 2014, the number of CBSA employees was 13,700, and as of today, it is now 16,300. Therefore, when Conservatives say there were more CBSA employees under their watch, the math is just not “mathing” because they are wrong. They cut over 1,000 jobs from the CBSA. Then, today, they introduced this motion to try to rewrite their abysmal record and their history. They are hoping Canadians will not remember what was said about their decisions at the time, so I am here to remind them.

In April 2012, the CBC reported:

Jean-Pierre Fortin, [then] national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said 1,026 jobs will be eliminated within three years, and that represents a “direct attack to our national security and public safety.”

“These proposed budget cuts would have a direct and real impact on Canadians and our communities across the country: more child pornography entering the country, more weapons, illegal drugs, will pass through our borders, not to mention terrorists, and sexual predators and hardened criminals,” he said.

When we see the Conservatives here today, and even within their motion, saying, “more boots on the ground”, it is all for show, because when they had a chance to act, they cut those budgets. It also is quite comical when they boast about their record, saying they would take their record over ours on reducing the deficit. It is not quite the brag they think it is when they inherited a surplus and then tried to get their deficit down. They are bragging and looking back to rewrite their record. Canadians will not forget. The Conservatives did not seem to care about securing the border against, as was stated, more weapons, illegal drugs and child pornography, but now they want to talk tough. They have no action, no plan, other than to say they are going to do something. What is it? They have not come up with a rhyme yet, so I am not sure if this is a policy priority, but I am sure that eventually they will.

On our side, we are taking action. We do not spend our time playing Dr. Seuss and rhyming; we spend our time making investments in the things that Canadians want and that actually get results.

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 9th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, under the Criminal Code, financial institutions are not allowed to provide financial services to entities that meet the definition of a terrorist group, and must notify the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, CSIS, of the freeze. The RCMP federal policing national security's role is to conduct a review and determine if any enforcement actions are necessary. This requirement is not just a legal formality but a crucial part of the broader strategy to identify, disrupt and deter the financial streams that could potentially fund terrorist activities here and abroad.

The RCMP plays a central role in the terrorist listings enforcement framework, working in close collaboration with financial institutions to ensure these obligations are met effectively. This partnership is underpinned by a collaborative approach, whereby the RCMP does not merely act as an enforcer but also assists and educates financial entities on best practices for identifying and reporting suspicious activities. This includes offering guidance on compliance with the relevant laws and regulations, such as the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, and its associated regulations, which mandate the reporting of terrorist property.

To date, no financial institutions have reported the freezing of any assets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, to the RCMP.

To date, no criminal charges have been laid by the RCMP in relation to the activities of the IRGC. The RCMP is not able to confirm or speak to any ongoing investigations against people or organizations with suspected or confirmed ties to the IRGC.

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 9th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, under the Criminal Code, financial institutions are not allowed to provide financial services to entities that meet the definition of a terrorist group, and must notify the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, CSIS, of the freeze. The RCMP federal policing national security's role is to conduct a review and determine if any enforcement actions are necessary. This requirement is not just a legal formality but a crucial part of the broader strategy to identify, disrupt and deter the financial streams that could potentially fund terrorist activities here and abroad.

The RCMP plays a central role in the terrorist listings enforcement framework, working in close collaboration with financial institutions to ensure these obligations are met effectively. This partnership is underpinned by a collaborative approach, whereby the RCMP does not merely act as an enforcer but also assists and educates financial entities on best practices for identifying and reporting suspicious activities. This includes offering guidance on compliance with the relevant laws and regulations, such as the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, and its associated regulations, which mandate the reporting of terrorist property.

In accordance with this framework, the RCMP was notified by financial institutions that accounts linked to Samidoun have been frozen, with the frozen assets remaining in the possession of the respective financial institutions. At this time, due to the low amount frozen, the RCMP has not initiated forfeiture proceedings under section 83.14 of the Criminal Code.

To date, no criminal charges have been laid by the RCMP in relation to the activities of Samidoun. The RCMP is not able to confirm or speak to any ongoing investigations against people or organizations with suspected or confirmed ties to Samidoun.

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 9th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada’s Criminal Code listing regime is an important tool for countering terrorism in Canada and globally, and is part of the government’s commitment to keep people in Canada safe. The listing of terrorist entities is a rigorous process, based on evidence, intelligence and the law, as a listing carries significant consequences. Throughout this process, any decision to designate as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code is based on solid and factual considerations.

The government remains concerned with the Houthis’ ongoing attacks against commercial and naval vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, which continue to threaten the lives of innocent mariners and global trade in one of the world’s most critical waterways. Houthi attacks have also endangered the lives of the Yemeni people as ships carrying aid have been targeted. Canada will continue to support the United States-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, alongside the United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

In collaboration with allies and like-minded partners, the Government of Canada is exploring all possible measures to constrain the activities of those who would threaten the safety and security of Canadians.

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 6th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, in October 2024, Correctional Service Canada participated in the 39th Canadian Criminal Justice Association Congress, as it has done for well over a decade now through a long-standing partnership. This year's conference was on reconciliation, and the theme was “Moving Forward Together: Exploring Pathways to Reconciliation, Healing and Public Safety”. Given one of CSC’s priorities is addressing the overrepresentation of indigenous offenders, CSC deemed it was important it be actively involved to further its commitments under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

CSC leveraged this opportunity to have executive committee members, 18 in total, attend the congress as well as hold their in-person executive committee meeting, which took place the day after the conference ended, at no additional cost for a meeting room. Participants stayed in campus-like accommodations at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and, during the conference, meals were included and not claimed by participants. Considering that the event took place less than a month ago, total costs are not yet available and disclosure of information at this time could lead to incorrect information being provided.

In accordance with the Access to Information Act, CSC proactively discloses travel and hospitality expenses for senior officers. The travel and hospitality expenses related to this event will be proactively disclosed on the Open Government portal within the timelines prescribed by the act.