Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his hard work over the years on this issue. We have spoken extensively on the need to ensure that coercive behaviour and controlling behaviour is addressed. I would ask the member's opinion on Bill C-233, which passed the House, in terms of how the bill would assist us in addressing coercive and controlling behaviour.

Anton Philip Sinnarasa  Madam Speaker, I rise to honour the life of Anton Philip Sinnarasa, whose passing last week has devastated the Eelam Tamil nation. In 1981, he documented the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, which housed ancient texts and a rare collection of Tamil literature. He was a political prisoner at the Welikada prison during Black July, where thugs were sent to kill Tamil inmates.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, let me begin by acknowledging that we are gathered here on the traditional lands of the Algonquin people. I am pleased to join this debate on Bill C-289, an act that would amend the Criminal Code regarding identity verification, which was introduced by the member for Simcoe North on June 16, 2022.

Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2020-21 annual report of the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.

Public Safety  Mr. Speaker, I can assure my colleague that our government has been working on very smart criminal justice reforms that are meant to keep our communities safe. We brought forward Bill C-5, which will essentially address issues with systemic racism within the criminal justice system.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I am not really posing a question. I just have a comment. My friend from Scarborough—Guildwood is a dear friend and someone I have looked up to for many years. I want to thank him for sharing his very personal experience with us. I know it is something that he has shared on a number of occasions and in a very public way.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I am quite concerned about the way my colleague has framed this issue. The issue of MAID for mental health as the sole underlying condition was resolved two years ago. An expert panel reported in the middle of last year with some recommendations. There has also been extensive work by the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying, which that was tabled today, and I think all of the evidence suggests that we are ready to move forward on MAID for mental health as the sole underlying condition, however there is a need to ensure that additional safeguards are in place.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I note there are a number of inconsistencies in what my colleague is saying about MAID for people with a mental health issue as the sole underlying condition. The expert panel reported on MAID and has made a number of recommendations. I know the extension we are seeking today is about ensuring that all of our systems can be in place, so I am wondering if my friend could reflect on what the expert panel has said in clearly outlining what is required and the safeguards in place for MAID to be extended to those with a mental health issue as the sole underlying condition.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend from Saanich—Gulf Islands regarding her relationship with Sue Rodriguez and the first battle toward medical assistance in dying that took place decades ago, which has brought us here. The expert panel that was convened reported in the summer and outlined a number of different areas in which the systems are ready.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I agree with my friend from Kitchener Centre that there is obviously a need to invest more heavily in mental health supports. Looking at how medical assistance in dying has evolved in the last seven years, as well at the way that Bill C-7 brought forward the issue of mental health as a sole underlying condition and where we are at today, can my colleague reflect on whether we are moving at the right pace or moving too fast?

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Montcalm for his speech. I have to say that it has been a pleasure working with him over the last several months at the AMAD committee. He is an exceptionally thoughtful individual and I have learned a great deal from him. Based on his numerous years of experience with MAID, and this particular issue of mental health as the sole underlying condition, could he outline for us, in a very short way, why he thinks there is a need to extend the deadline for the implementation of this provision?

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, at the outset, let me say how fundamentally different a view I have of the committee hearings and of the many experts who came forward and testified at the special joint committee, which is set to release its report on Friday. I note that the member mentioned the expert panel.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, some have opined that the extension sought today is potentially for re-debating the issue of mental health as a sole and underlying condition for MAID. I am wondering if the minister could outline why that is not the case.

Public Safety  Madam Speaker, Canadians deserve to feel safe and to be safe. The laws are clear. If an accused poses a risk to public safety, they should be denied bail. At the Minister of Justice's direction, federal officials have been working for months with their provincial and territorial counterparts to develop ways to best keep Canadians safe.

Justice  Madam Speaker, all Canadians deserve to be safe and to feel safe. The laws on bail are clear. If an accused person poses a serious risk to public safety, they should be denied bail. At the Minister of Justice's direction, federal officials have been working for months with their provincial and territorial counterparts.