Debates of Oct. 23rd, 2025

Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act

[Sandra Cobena, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we hear from the Liberal government that it takes fentanyl so seriously that it is willing go as far as looking into people's mail and violating their privacy, yet under the bill, there would be no mandatory prison time for fentanyl traffickers.

I would love for my colleague to please comment on that.

[Cathay Wagantall, Conservative, Yorkton—Melville, SK]

Mr. Speaker, giving a sentence that is worthy of the crime is something the government just does not understand. The reason for the growth in extreme violent crime is that criminals see the opportunities and are quite happy to go to jail and be let out again immediately. Again, the government is not meeting the—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Resuming debate, the hon. member for Calgary McKnight.

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to rise in the House on behalf of the people of Calgary McKnight. I want to make it clear that today I am rising to speak to the bill because of my constituents. I have received countless emails in my inbox about the concerns they have about Bill C-12 and Bill C-2. Many of my constituents shared their concerns about provisions in these bills that would needlessly violate individual freedoms and Canadians' rights to privacy, and I want to address that.

Bill C-2 seeks to give the Liberal government broad surveillance powers. It would permit warrantless access to Canadians' mail and to their personal data from service providers. Alarmingly, these overarching measures were proposed by the Liberals without prior consultation with the Privacy Commissioner.

In some ways, Bill C-2 reminds me of Bill C-11 from a couple of years ago, which would have given powers to government bureaucrats to censor what Canadians can say or see on the Internet. It also reminds me of the Online News Act from 2023, which banned news from social media platforms and put local new groups at a disadvantage.

What we see, once again, with Bill C-2 is a government that believes it knows better than Canadians, a government that continues to seek control of the information Canadians can access online and to diminish their personal freedoms. Over 300 civil society groups expressed their concerns about Bill C-2, and Conservatives are proud to stand with them to fight against the legislation.

After backing down from Bill C-2, the Liberals have now introduced Bill C-12. Conservatives are examining the bill thoroughly to ensure that the Liberals do not try to sneak in measures that would breach law-abiding Canadians' privacy rights, as they tried to do in Bill C-2.

Before I dive deeper into Bill C-12, I want to highlight two important topics of concern to the people of Calgary McKnight: the rising wave of crime in our country and the drug epidemic, which has claimed over 50,000 lives since 2016.

Since 2015, crime in my hometown of Calgary has gone up by 58%. Firearm offences have gone up by 371%, and extortion has gone up by 353%. As I mentioned previously, the countrywide opioid epidemic has claimed tens of thousands of lives and represents a 200% annual increase since the government began its radical liberalisation of hard drugs. I heard one of my colleagues mention previously that the number of lives lost to drug overdoses in the last 10 year is higher than the number of Canadians who tragically lost their lives in the Second World War.

Conservatives have been calling on the government for years to get serious about crime and to secure our borders. We have urged it to strengthen bail laws, crack down on the flow of dangerous drugs and stop illegal firearms from pouring into our communities. It is deeply disappointing that the Liberals acted on border security only after being told to do so by another country's president. It should not take pressure from a foreign leader for the Liberals to finally do what Canadians have been pleading for all along.

Even in the Liberals' second attempt, Bill C-12 still fails to address several critical issues. It does not include meaningful bail reform but allows the catch-and-release of individuals trafficking fentanyl and firearms. It would not introduce mandatory prison sentences for fentanyl traffickers who are fuelling the deadly opioid crisis. It would not implement new mandatory prison terms for gang members who use illegal firearms to commit violent crimes.

Despite the Liberals' tough rhetoric, it still seems that their priority is going after the guns of law-abiding hunters and intercepting the mail of ordinary Canadians.

Canadians deserve a justice system that protects victims and communities, not repeat violent offenders, but after a decade of the Liberal government's soft-on-crime approach, we now live in a country where violent criminals are released within hours of arrest, thanks to the Liberals' Bill C-5 and Bill C-75. The Liberals repealed mandatory prison sentences for some of the most serious offences, like extortion with a firearm, weapons trafficking and importing illegal guns.

These are not small mistakes; these are deliberate policy choices that have emboldened criminals and eroded my constituents' confidence in the justice system. Conservatives believe in real consequences for repeat violent criminals and in sentencing that prioritizes the safety of Canadians over the comfort of offenders.

The product of the government's soft-on-crime legislation extends far beyond the courtroom. The fentanyl crisis reaches our streets, homes, hospitals and even children's playgrounds. The Liberal government's reckless policies have fuelled a nationwide drug crisis that has overwhelmed communities and left our brave first responders and health workers to clean up the mess. Meanwhile, the Liberal health minister refuses to rule out approving more drug injection sites next to schools and day cares, despite admitting that they are hot spots for fentanyl usage.

Some of the provisions in Bill C-12 appear to be well intentioned. On paper, the legislation seeks to strengthen border security, crack down on gun smuggling and target organized crime networks and trafficking across our country. These are causes that all Canadians can support and that Conservatives have long been calling for.

The measures to inspect more cross-border cargo to tighten tracking of money laundering and to intercept the flow of fentanyl and hard drugs are steps in the right direction. If implemented correctly, these measures could help protect our communities from the violence and drug addiction that have taken root under the Liberal government's watch.

I look forward to the bill's being thoroughly scrutinized to ensure that it can deliver positive results without trampling on Canadians' rights.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and the government were elected just a number of months ago. During the election campaign, there was a commitment made by the Prime Minister, saying that we are going to secure Canada's borders and we are going to look at stabilizing our immigration. Bill C-12 would do just that. It is a significant step.

There are also other measures, such as increasing the number of RCMP and border control officers. Collectively, the bill would make a huge difference, and I am glad to hear that the Conservatives are open to allowing the bill to go to committee so we can at least make it go through a process.

I believe that Canadians expect the politicians here in Ottawa to work co-operatively to make things of this nature happen. I wonder whether the member could provide his comments on working co-operatively.

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, under the previous Conservative government, the CBSA budget was increased by 45%, and staffing levels rose by 26%, strengthening Canada's front line of defence. We invested in the tools, personnel and technology needed to keep Canadians safe and to stop illegal smuggling.

We will never apologize for our strong Conservative record with respect to securing Canada's borders. Conservatives stand should to shoulder with the men and women in law enforcement who protect our borders and our communities every day. We will always support the people in uniform who risk their safety to keep Canadians safe.

I call on the Liberals to finally deliver on their promise to hire 1,000 new RCMP and CBSA officers instead of leaving our front lines understaffed and overworked.

[Claude DeBellefeuille, Bloc, Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as the public safety critic for the Bloc Québécois, I can say that we have studied Bill C-12 at length. We have also heard from a lot of witnesses. I am an MP who is capable of weighing the pros and cons. Bill C‑12 contains some good measures, such as the one that gives the Minister of Health the power to identify precursor chemicals to fight the opioid crisis.

Does my colleague think that giving the Minister of Health the power to quickly identify precursor chemicals is a good idea?

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in June, the Liberals tabled Bill C-2 without even consulting the Privacy Commissioner or considering its impact on Canadians' rights. Frankly, this is unacceptable. People's lives are at stake, and Liberals are introducing bills through trial and error. I hope we can work together to form a productive outcome for Canadians.

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his wonderful speech pointing out the frailties and shortcomings in this bill that still need to be talked about. My question is quite simple. The Liberals still seem to be pushing for safe consumption sites, including by schools, day cares and play zones, as you said in your remarks.

How do you feel about this disconnect—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

I will interrupt the member. Members have to speak through the Chair; they cannot use the word “you”. I invite the member to continue but to refer to “member”, “colleague” or any other terminology.

The member can continue and finish his question.

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, how does my colleague feel about this disconnect when, on one hand, the Liberals say they want to work hard on fentanyl and its consumption, but at the same time, they are not willing to stop safe consumption sites close to schools and day cares?

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal approach of expanding safe injection sites and safe supply programs has only fuelled addiction, crime and overdoses, leaving first responders and health care workers to clean up the mess. We believe in investing in treatment, recovery and enforcement, so Canadians can rebuild their lives.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we are here to talk about Bill C-12. I am going to focus my speech. As many of my colleagues in the House know, I do a lot of work with our first responders and our veterans. I do a lot of work dealing with mental health throughout our country, so I will be spending a majority of my time talking about fentanyl and how it has had just an incredible, devastating impact on our country.

I would be remiss if I did not do this first. We have first responders all across our country who put their uniforms on every day to run into burning buildings, to run toward danger. Whether it is a nurse, a paramedic, a firefighter or a police officer, they are there to serve us and our families. They are there to make our communities safe.

One of my very good friends, somebody I deeply respect, Mr. Paul Hills, is in Ottawa today and has been here for the last week. I have worked tirelessly, shoulder to shoulder, with him to stand up for our first responders, who face threats of violence and violent acts each and every day. I am just honoured to call him a friend. I know that we are not allowed to acknowledge people in the gallery, so I will not look up to the gallery, but perhaps my colleagues could do me a favour and just provide a round of applause.

He has worked tirelessly to get Bill C-321 passed. The bill would change the Criminal Code to recognize, at the time of sentencing, that if the victim of violence is a health care worker, a nurse or a paramedic, that would be an aggravating factor in sentencing. He has been here working tirelessly with our Senate and with all of our colleagues on all sides. I send my heartfelt thanks to him.

Furthermore, I cannot speak to Bill C-12, about strengthening our borders, if I do not recognize and talk about Brianna MacDonald, whom I have talked about in this House before. At 13 years of age, she lost her life in a homeless encampment due to an overdose. She turned 13 on my son's birthday last year, on July 15, and she was found deceased on my daughter's birthday, a month later, August 23, in Abbotsford in a homeless encampment. Her parents did everything to try to get her off the drug and get her off the streets. She was 13.

We cannot talk about this bill or any bills when we are talking about strengthening our borders or making our communities safe without mentioning Brianna or Tyler Dunlap, or the nephew of our colleague, who mentioned her nephew passed away from an overdose. I lost my brother-in-law to an overdose. I lost my uncle to drugs. I have a brother on the streets now who is gripped with this crisis. I cannot leave that at the feet of the government because he has been on the streets for a long period of time.

However, I ask those who are watching and those who are in the House today to take a look around our communities. Do they look the same as they did 10 years ago? The answer is no. There has been an increase in crime.

Fentanyl flows across our porous border. We are absolutely powerless to stop this drug from flowing across our border. That is why we are standing here to compel our colleagues, to plead with our colleagues across the way in the government, to protect our youth, strengthen our borders and ensure that law enforcement has the tools it needs to stop illicit drugs from reaching our communities. Right now, whatever we are doing, it is not working.

Over 50,000 Canadians have lost their lives since 2016. Those are just the numbers that we know. In my home province of British Columbia, overdose is the leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 18. I say it in every speech because it bears repeating time and time again. Do members want to know what the second leading cause of death is? It is suicide.

Our country is gripped in a mental health crisis and all we look at are band-aid solutions. That is not blaming the current government or previous governments; it is blaming us collectively as leaders, whether provincial, federal or municipal. We are failing Canadians. Bill C-12 does nothing to affect that.

I was elected 10 years ago on Sunday. One of the first debates I undertook in the House was on the suicide epidemic in Attawapiskat First Nation. I remember listening to the debate and hearing some of our colleagues who had been in the House a lot longer than I had at that point say that their first debate, years earlier, was on the suicide crisis we had in Canada. We have done nothing; they are band-aid solutions.

Collectively, as a Parliament, we passed my motion to bring a three-digit national suicide hotline to Canada: 988. We did that in the last session. However, there is so much more we need to do. When we see Bill C-12 and bills like Bill C-2, an omnibus bill with much ado about nothing, we question why.

Those who are new in the House, I remember being in the same seats as some of them in the back rows of both sides. I came here with great intentions and had great hopes for all, but we are failing. I cannot remember who said it, but one of our colleagues said that the time for talk is done; we need action.

Over seven and a half million Canadians are without a doctor. Our borders are broken and we are going to bring more immigrants into Canada, but they are not going to be able to get a doctor. They are not going to be able to afford food. They are not going to be able to afford a house or a roof over their heads. Where is the compassion in that?

Our police officers and first responders are taxed. How far are we falling when it is okay to firebomb an ambulance, to stab a paramedic or to knock a nurse out when they are just trying to help us, heal our broken bones or hold our hand as we take our last breath?

I challenge all of our colleagues here. We get heated during question period, but when we talk about things that matter, like the mental health of Canadians, the health and wellness of Canadians, I think we could all agree that there is no health without mental health and that our addiction crisis is real. Bill C-12 does nothing to stop the scourge of fentanyl, drugs or guns coming over our borders.

We can do better. The government needs to do better. The provinces are calling for it. The attorneys general are calling for it. The municipalities are calling for it. The police agencies are calling for it. I challenge all of us, but I challenge the government, because that is its legacy after 10 years. It says it is new, but it is the same old, same old. I know there are good people on that side, so I challenge them to speak up, those members, those colleagues, and to challenge the guy in the front desk to do better and be better.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, Justice; the hon. member for Northumberland—Clarke, Housing; and the hon. member for Lanark—Frontenac, Public Safety.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague across the way for his speech. We have had the great pleasure of working together over the last 10 years on multiple files, one of which he mentioned in his speech.

He referenced somebody who may or may not be on the Hill and in the chamber today. While this is not about Bill C-12, I did want to flag to him, which I think he will be happy to hear, that in the legislation tabled this morning, Bill C-14, on page 19, in proposed subclause 39(1), injury to first responders was added. That was in a private member's bill he brought forward in the last Parliament. I just wanted to let him know that.

As he is very passionate about this, would he be willing to work with our government to make sure that when we hopefully get Bill C-12 to committee, we have some amendments—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

We have to give a chance to the hon. member for Cariboo—Prince George to respond.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I just read the notice that the government has taken up excerpts of our bill, Bill C-321, but I have not had a chance to look at whether they go far enough. We know the Senate just passed Bill S-233 last night. It is back in this House as we speak. My understanding is that Bill S-233 is complementary to the new bail reform bill. We also know that Bill C-321 passed at all levels in the last Parliament, and only due to the election call did it fail to get through. Time and time again, we need to send a message to our first responders and those who wear uniforms that we care for them and that we will protect them through thick and thin.

I look forward to working with our colleague across the way.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague spoke at length about fentanyl. I extend my condolences to all who have lost loved ones to the fentanyl crisis.

What are my Conservative colleague's thoughts on the federal government strengthening co-operation with the Government of Quebec and the United States in order to effectively tackle this crisis and end cross-border smuggling of these synthetic drugs?

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, that is the only way to get anything done. We have to have a multi-tiered plan to work on this. Because we have a nation filled with different jurisdictions, like the provincial jurisdictions, regional jurisdictions and others, we have to work with these groups and each province to make sure we are doing something.

Moreover, we need leadership at the top. Somebody has to take the reins and say, “This is how we are going to do it”, and convene meetings to get this going. What we are doing right now and what we have done to this point are not working.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad my colleague brought up the issue of youth death and its major causes. He named overdoses as number one, and the second is suicide. In many cases, youth suicide is caused by addiction issues.

Does the member mean that the number of deaths related to drugs is bigger than the overdose numbers?

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in Canada, we have a black hole when it comes to statistics. We know that those numbers are likely much higher. The numbers we have are only the ones that are reported. Due to the stigma surrounding addiction and suicide, many cases are unreported. I believe those numbers are actually higher.

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I heard my colleague talk about an important point that affects me personally as a father. He asked us to speak frankly, objectively and with leadership.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister spoke frankly with some young university students and told them where the country is headed, where we are headed.

Would my colleague be prepared to broach this type of subject with our government frankly and truthfully, in an upfront way, and support our government in this process?

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague is new here, so I will forgive him if he is not aware of my record. I am who I am. My stripes have never changed, and he can ask any of his long-standing Liberal colleagues that. My record stands for itself.

[Abdelhaq Sari, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Mr. Speaker, when we consider any bill, we need to ask a fundamental question: Who will this bill benefit? Will this measure that the government or the House is proposing make our programs more effective, make our services more compassionate and make our country fairer? When we look at Bill C‑12, a bill that aims to strengthen our immigration system and our country's borders, I think that the answer is clear. It is a resounding yes.

This bill strikes a critical balance between a compassionate and a rigorous approach. It also strikes a balance between openness and security. It seeks to improve the way the government serves Canadians, newcomers and those seeking protection in our country, in Canada. It strengthens our security, supports our prosperity and enhances co-operation between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. In short, this reform is necessary. It is a compassionate and responsible reform.

Now I want to talk about the benefits for asylum seekers. The proposed measures will fundamentally modernize our immigration and refugee system. The aim is to better meet the country's needs while protecting the most vulnerable, those who seek refuge in Canada, often risking their lives to do so. These measures reflect a clear commitment to a sustainable immigration system, one that is rooted in compassion but that reflects our country's actual capacity to welcome, house and integrate newcomers. Canadians want our asylum system to remain a symbol of hope. They want a fair system that protects those fleeing war, persecution, hardship or climate hazards elsewhere in the world but that remains firm toward those who seek to abuse it.

Bill C‑12 creates a single online application process that is simpler, faster, more transparent and integrated. Thanks to better coordination between departments, cases will now be “decision-ready” when they are referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. The result will be fewer delays, less confusion and, above all, greater fairness.

The bill also changes how late or irregular claims are handled, especially those filed more than a year after someone arrives in Canada. Asylum seekers will now have 14 days to submit their claim and will not be automatically sent back to the United States. These claims will be referred to a fair removal process that includes a pre-removal risk assessment. This will ease the pressure on our system while ensuring fairness and dignity in every case. By simplifying the process, we are making the system more compassionate, but we are also making it more efficient and effective. Behind every asylum claim, there is a face, a human being, a story, and, above all, hope.

I will now address the issue of integration with the territories and provinces. An effective system also relies on collaboration, coordination and communication. Bill C‑12 promotes a closer partnership between the federal government, the provinces and the territories. It modernizes the communications framework to enable the rapid and secure exchange of information on immigration, citizenship and passport services.

Every day in my riding, Bourassa, I see how newcomers enrich our neighbourhoods. They contribute to our economy, our culture and our community vitality, including through their sporting achievements. I have spoken about this often here in the House.

By improving information sharing between Ottawa, the provinces and local organizations, we are sure to succeed. This strengthened partnership will make our system more effective, fairer and more compassionate, as I said earlier.

I will now talk about the public safety benefits. The safety of Canadians remains a top priority. We have seen human smugglers and criminal groups take advantage of irregular crossings to get around our system.

Bill C-12 sends a clear message: Canada is still a welcoming country, but it is not naive. People who enter irregularly will have their cases dealt with through a fair removal process rather than by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. This measure protects the integrity of the system and strengthens public confidence. In short, these reforms ensure that our system remains both fair and secure.

I would like to conclude by saying that I believe in this bill and hope that everyone in the House shares the same view. If there is one thing I can say about this bill, it would be that the government is acting responsibly and trying to strike a balance. The most difficult part of making these decision is maintaining a balance between openness and constant vigilance. I would also say that this bill is a major step forward and that it makes our immigration system more modern, more consistent and more compassionate, while maintaining that balance. It strengthens public safety while maintaining the humanitarian tradition that Canada is so proud of.

This bill reflects the vision of a Canada that is open, yet orderly; welcoming, yet vigilant; caring, yet responsible. That is the balance I was talking about. I am convinced that this bill will make our immigration system stronger and more deserving of Canadians' trust. I therefore ask my colleagues to support this important, balance-oriented legislation, and I thank them for their attention.

[Jagsharan Singh Mahal, Conservative, Edmonton Southeast, AB]

Mr. Speaker, would the member opposite agree with me that there is a clear duality in the intent of the Liberal government and that it is failing to walk the talk by leaving out minimum mandatory jail time for fentanyl traffickers and for gangsters?