Sean Fraser

[Justice, September 16th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important that we come to understand the process by which we nominate judges benefits from the independent advice of those who are experts in assessing the quality of those who are elevated to the bench.

It is extremely important that we maintain the independence of the judiciary if we are going to count on our democracy to serve future generations of Canadians. To characterize those who have been appointed as “enemies of the state” is dangerous.

I would encourage my colleagues on all sides of the House to advocate for an independent judiciary to defend our democracy for years to come.

[Justice, September 16th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, we acknowledge that there is a legal challenge surrounding the appointment of this judge to the Quebec Superior Court. The Canadian judicial appointment process is among the most thorough and independent in the world, and we remain committed to preserving it.

Judicial independence is one of the cornerstones of our democracy and it is essential to protecting the rule of law. Any suggestion to the contrary undermines these very principles, but we will always defend the independence of our courts.

[Questions on the Order Paper, September 15th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and its funding allocations from January 1, 2020, to June 18, 2025, the agency does not track this information by riding. Producing a comprehensive response would require manual collection and validation of information, which is not possible in the time allotted and could lead to the disclosure of incomplete and misleading information.

Information on the agency’s grants and contributions can be found on the Open Government Portal at the following link: https://search.open.canada.ca/grants/.

[Public Safety, September 15th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, it is encouraging to see there is alignment between the Conservative opposition and the Liberal government when it comes to improving public safety, including through the adoption of stronger laws to help build safer communities. I have good news for my colleague. We will be introducing legislation during this parliamentary session to strengthen bail reform in this country, to have harsher sentences for repeat violent offenders and to make sure that we have support to help keep communities safe with direct investment in law enforcement. I look forward to working with my hon. colleague and members on both sides of the aisle to advance public safety in this country.

[Public Safety, September 15th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, obviously these circumstances my hon. colleague raises constitute an entire tragedy that should shock the conscience of every Canadian. However, when the hon. member poses a question about repealing Bill C-75, I would suggest it is a good idea to read it first. He does not seem to understand that that bill actually makes it harder for people who are charged with intimate partner violence to receive bail.

I am willing to work in good faith with members of any party to help strengthen the bail system, have harsher penalties for serious crimes and, most importantly, keep Canada safe. The only question remains whether the Conservatives will join us in that effort.

[Public Safety, June 19th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives talk a big game when it comes to a tough-on-crime agenda, but they fail to point out that one of their members, earlier this week, put a motion before the justice committee that would make it easier for those charged with intimate partner violence to be released on bail.

We were elected on a campaign commitment to put forward rules that would strengthen the bail system, including, specifically, for offences tied to auto theft, home invasion, human trafficking and organized crime, and to stiffen sentences for violent repeat offenders.

If we could take the politics out of this issue, we would be happy to work together to advance the public safety of this country. That is what Canadians demand, and with or without the Conservatives, the Liberal government will deliver.

[Public Safety, June 19th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague that extortion is illegal in Canada, and those who perpetrate it should be apprehended and punished to the full extent of the law.

Specifically, if the hon. member examines this section of the Criminal Code, he will see that there are mandatory minimums when it comes to certain offences committed with a firearm relating to extortion. Moreover, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for life. The rules reflect the seriousness with which the government takes extortion.

We look forward to working with law enforcement to give them the tools they need to investigate these crimes and prevent them from taking place in the first instance.

[Public Safety, June 19th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, when dangerous people who pose a threat to the public commit serious offences, they should be treated with the concomitant sentencing and bail decisions from the courts.

We are going to be advancing reforms that we campaigned on in the fall. We intend, specifically, to change the bail rules as they pertain to home invasions, auto theft and organized crime. We will also advance new sentences when it comes to violent repeat offenders and, again, those participating in organized crime.

I hope rather than just resorting to rhetoric in the House of Commons, they will actually work across partisan lines to advance the kinds of reforms Canadians are calling for so we can help—

[Public Safety, June 19th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I have good news to report. Canadians elected a new Liberal government, in part on the promise to advance reforms that will stiffen bail proceedings and adopt more serious sentences for violent repeat offenders. In addition to the changes to the Criminal Code that the member should expect to see later this calendar year, we are making investments to give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent crimes in the first place.

I am willing to work with members on all sides of the aisle to advance these important reforms to help keep communities safe.

[Public Safety, June 18th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, first, let me acknowledge and thank my hon. colleague for his years of service to promote public safety in this country.

We are working alongside police forces and federations representing frontline members to understand the needs of frontline officers to ensure they have the resources to help keep communities safe. In addition, we are moving forward with a series of reforms that are going to strengthen sentencing regimes for violent repeat offenders, as well as addressing the needs of the bail system, particularly targeting home invasions, human trafficking, auto theft and other offences related to organized crime.

I am happy to work with the hon. member and benefit from his experience as we advance these important reforms.