Debates of Sept. 16th, 2025

Strong Borders Act

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we are not here to debate the fact that there is a lot of trafficking and distribution going through the mail. We will agree to that. The principle of search and seizure must still conform to the charter, and that means that unless there are exigent circumstances, unless there is urgency, unless the evidence can disappear or unless a police officer can get hurt, we have to seek judicial authorization.

That is what the member fails to understand. We agree on the need. We disagree on the fact that we need to abridge constitutional rights to accomplish that need.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know whether the member heard the question. I would ask him to listen very carefully. In principle, if there is a warrant issued so a law enforcement officer can open a letter, would the member not support that? Based on what he is saying, I would assume the answer would be yes. It is kind of like a yes or no question. If the warrant is actually issued so that the police or the law enforcement agency can open the letter, would he not agree that it would be a good thing? If he is serious about fentanyl and trafficking up north and in other areas, and the use of Canada Post as a means to get fentanyl to homes, why would he not agree to that?

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that is not what is happening in the bill. Again, I do not understand why the member fails to comprehend that this side of the House is in agreement with the fact that there is a national crisis, one that the Liberals in fact created. They can go ahead and open my mail if a justice of the peace says so. That is the only difference. There would be no warrant requirement under the legislation, and that is what we fundamentally object to.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have a quick question. We are getting into the details, which is why the Bloc Québécois supports further study of this bill in committee.

We are talking about security, and the concept of security includes the notion of theft.

If it is not feasible to search every container, how can we be sure that these new measures will actually tackle the root causes of theft and will not just be window dressing?

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, indeed, we on this side of the House want to be reasonable with the government. There are some elements of the bill we sincerely agree with, but we will not sit idly by when we believe that the Liberal government would be abridging constitutional rights without cause.

We do not need to rush, seize and search when we can hold onto the evidence, secure the evidence, not worry about the evidence being lost or damaged, put it aside, maintain the chain of custody, and go ask for judicial oversight. This is something I believe every member of the House who is sworn to preserve our democracy should agree on.

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora—Kiiwetinoong, ON]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague spoke a lot about how the government is moving forward very heavy-handedly. This is something I think we have seen as a pattern with the Liberal government, trampling on liberties and freedoms of Canadians in a number of instances.

I would like to know whether the member would like to speak about that more, as well as further about how we see a pattern of the government being soft on crime, whether it is with respect to the legislation before us or the bail system. I would like to know if the member has any other further comments.

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this morning in the City of Toronto, the city I come from and in which I am blessed to represent one of its riding in the House, a gentleman was running away from another gentleman and was eventually shot. This is a daily occurrence.

As I like to say, the Liberals turned the streets of Toronto into Grand Theft Auto, real-life edition. This is more of the same. This is disregard for the rule of law. It is not just by way of abridgement of constitutional rights; it is also failure to defend the rights of—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

I have to interrupt the member. His time has come to an end.

Before we resume debate, I have to remind the member. At the beginning of his speech, he used a word that a veteran member reminded me would be considered unparliamentary. I just caution members. It is the second day back. Sometimes we get impassioned, or we write down things that can be written but cannot be said. This is just a friendly reminder to members.

Resuming debate, the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands has about six minutes, and then she will be interrupted for question period and Standing Order 31 statements.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise here as we resume Parliament to talk to a bill tabled June 3; it is the first time I have had an opportunity to address it in this place. I will not forget this, as I used to practise law myself and practised law on behalf of refugees. I was reading a bill that I understood to be called “the strong borders act” and wondered what all these sections were about changes to the Immigration Act. Why are we making it harder for people to claim refugee status? Will this, in fact, violate our international obligations under the treaties to protect the rights of refugees?

I will back up. Given that I have roughly six minutes at this time and will be able to return to this after a number of other routine events in this place, none of which are routine anymore, I want to say that this is offensive on a number of levels for viewers and fellow parliamentarians. It has been a long time. We get tired of keeping track of Liberal election promises. Maybe the promise from 2015 never meant anything anyway; it has been abused so much. However, I find it offensive to face omnibus bills. Legitimate omnibus bills, by definition, should focus on the same legislative purpose, not multiple legislative purposes.

The bill, in short form, deals with the following separate pieces of legislation: the Customs Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Canada Post Corporation Act, the Oceans Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and a number of information-sharing pieces of legislation that appear to be aimed toward preparing Canadian law to allow U.S. security and U.S. law enforcement agencies greater access to Canadians' private information.

As I read it at the time, on June 3, I was alarmed and I began to dig into it. Since then, over 300 civil society organizations dealing with civil liberties and refugee protection, as well as basic privacy protection groups such as OpenMedia and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, have raised questions and deep concerns, calling on the government to withdraw the legislation. It is not that I think our government is anything like Donald Trump's government, but the legislation is Trumpian. Therefore, we need to stop, think, reflect and withdraw the legislation so that we can focus on its title, its alleged purpose, which is the strong borders act.

I think a lot of Canadians want strong borders dealing with the United States. We know that illegal guns come across the U.S. border into Canada. We know that illegal drugs come into Canada from the U.S. Fentanyl is not flooding into the U.S. from Canada, as the President of the United States would like at least his own citizens to believe. That is a complete fiction, at the level of being a fraud. Canada Border Services agents need their resources amplified so that they can ensure that illegal guns and dangerous drugs are not coming across the Canada-U.S. border, flowing from the U.S. into Canada.

Refugees, people who legitimately need to have a place to claim refugee status, must not be barred before they get any chance to even put forward their claim. I am someone who used to work in this area of law; claiming refugee status is a very steep hill to climb. We do not have a system within this country that tends to support refugees just because they say they are refugees; they have to prove it. They need to have substantial evidence that they have a legitimate fear of being sent back to their country of origin. The bill, if passed as is, would expedite the deportation of people without them having a chance to make their case, which they have the right to do under Canadian law, as to why they have legitimate fears of being killed if they are sent back to their country of origin.

There is a great deal that needs to be said about this. The more we can deal with it without partisanship, the better. It is an odd experience to hear the Conservatives decry that the Liberals are soft on crime. When I look at the legislation, I wonder what happened to our respect for the charter.

The Minister of Justice has released the analysis from the Department of Justice recognizing that Bill C-2 would raise many concerns about whether it is charter-compliant, and I have read it. I will address this more fully when we resume this debate after we have question period and members' statements. I do not want to risk impeding and encroaching on that time, and I know that I will get cut off anyway. The reality is that this charter statement from the Department of Justice does not assuage my concerns.

It says that the government would be able to access this information but would not be using it in ways that could result in a prosecution. The government would be taking private information for benign purposes, so we should not worry about it opening mail, with a very low threshold for when it is allowed to open mail, or accessing information about an Internet supplier or the information it may have about a citizen. We should not worry about that; the charter statement says the government will not be taking this information in ways that could hurt citizens in the course of protecting their charter rights.

I do not buy it. I do not think many MPs—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member will have four minutes and four seconds when the House resumes after question period.

Canada Labour Code

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I have had flights delayed longer than it took the Liberal government to attack the rights of workers in this country. Over and over and over again, the Liberals have used section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to have back-to-work legislation by another name. They used it against Air Canada flight attendants. They used it against postal workers, who have been asking for a fair contract for years. They used it against port workers across the country. Every time, Liberals told workers that their right to stand up for themselves did not matter to the government. Every time, employers were rewarded for refusing to bargain in good faith.

Good, free collective bargaining is a fundamental right. Section 107 is a backdoor way of kneecapping that right. It tips the scales against workers. It tips the scales against fairness and against democracy itself. Anyone who cares about workers, good jobs and safe workplaces, and who has respect for working people, will repeal—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It is a bit of a distance from here, but I think I see a button. I have been told that the member has a button that may be considered a prop, so I would ask members to avoid that in the future.

The hon. member for Humber River—Black Creek.

International Civil Aviation Organization

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on September 23, the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly will convene in Montreal, yet Taiwan, which manages the busy and strategically vital Taipei Flight Information Region, remains excluded. Taiwan's absence undermines global aviation safety and contradicts the spirit of the Chicago Convention. As tensions rise over the Taiwan Strait and concerns grow around China's use of the M503 flight path, Taiwan's participation is more critical than ever.

Taiwan has a strong record in air traffic safety and deserves a voice at ICAO. Exclusion not only risks aviation coordination but has broader geopolitical implications, including for global trade and Canada's economic interests in the Indo-Pacific. Excluding Taiwan from ICAO deliberations undermines our collective mission, because aviation safety knows no borders. Let us stand for safety—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola.

Philanthropy in Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize exceptional philanthropy in Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola. First, the Gur Singh Memorial Golf Tournament raises thousands for the Kamloops Brain Injury Association. This year, I joined Dr. Singh's wife and son, who, with the many volunteers involved, have given so much to the community.

Next, I highlight the work of Zainab Oladipo of Afrofusion in Kamloops for her cooking marathon, which broke a world record. All food prepared was donated to the community. Zainab shattered the previous record of 140 hours, 11 minutes and 11 seconds. I want to say congratulations and well done to Zainab.

Lastly, I am grateful for the work of Rotary Club of Kamloops Daybreak for putting on the annual Ribfest since 2012. Many volunteers have made immeasurable contributions, such as Danica Wilkinson, who is always helping out, or Bryce Herman, who has been present since the first Ribfest in 2012. I thank them for over a decade of service.

Vaughan Patrick Martin

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable man and a dear friend our Orléans community has lost, Vaughan Patrick Martin. A proud Canadian and a devoted public servant, Vaughan served as director of protocol at Global Affairs Canada, a role he called the best job in government. He played a key role in organizing major international events, including G7, NATO and Commonwealth summits, trade missions and state visits. Vaughan was also an active member of the Orleans Lions Club, always bringing his warmth and good humour to community events. All who knew Vaughan could count on him to share an incredible story. Having known him personally for over 10 years, I can say that he had a different story for every occasion, and he never ceased to amaze. Although Vaughan's journey has ended, his stories and adventures live on. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Audrey; his son, Patrick; his beloved grandchildren; and all his family and friends.

Community Barbecue

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie South—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is a great time to connect with the people we represent, and there was no better way to do that than the eighth annual Community Barbecue, hosted by myself and my good friend, an MPP and minister, Andrea Khanjin. It took place on August 16 in Stroud. The event saw an incredible turnout, our biggest ever, with more than 1,500 people attending.

On behalf of Andrea and myself, I want to thank our invaluable community partners, who helped make this event the biggest one yet: the Town of Innisfil, Sobeys Alcona Beach, Foodland Stroud, the South Simcoe Police Service, the Innisfil fire department, Kool FM, Rock 95, Canadian Musicians Co-operative, Georgian College, RVH's Keep Life Wild campaign, Dream Parties, Innisfil Backyard Bounce, Barrie Tent & Awning, The Flag Store, Allegra Barrie, Cyncor and Dave Chalut from Domino's Pizza.

Finally, a barbecue this large would not be possible without our incredible team of staff and volunteers. I want to thank Al Gilchrist and the team he put together. Over 75 people gave of their time on a Saturday in August to help bring our communities together, and they did so knowing the importance of connecting people.

50th Anniversary of Société du patrimoine et de l'histoire de Terrebonne

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Société du patrimoine et de l'histoire de Terrebonne, or PHT, a heritage and historical society founded in 1975 by Aimé Despatis and his associates. For decades, PHT has been stewarding Terrebonne's collective memory and heritage.

I want to thank president Raymond Paquin and executive director Cassandra Smith for their exemplary commitment. Through their efforts, PHT connects generations and celebrates our history through exhibitions, research, educational activities and publications.

I sincerely wish the entire team a happy 50th anniversary and continued success for many years to come.

Warrant Officer George Hohl

[Jeff Kibble, Conservative, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today not only as a member of Parliament from Vancouver Island, but as a veteran who understands the quiet weight of service. I stand here to honour Warrant Officer George Hohl, who tragically passed while deployed in Latvia on Operation Reassurance. His body was returned to Canadian soil on Friday. George served with distinction for nearly 20 years. His commitment to duty touched not only the Canadian Armed Forces, but all Canadians who value quiet courage.

This summer, I visited CFB Edmonton, where George served. I witnessed the honour and excellence our soldiers carry. George embodied that spirit.

To his wife Michelle, his comrades and the defence community, we stand with them, we mourn with them and we honour him. Let us remember Warrant Officer Hohl not only for his service, but for the values he lived: duty, honour and sacrifice.

I say fair winds to Warrant Officer Hohl.

Mahsa Amini

[Zoe Royer, Liberal, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the third anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in Iran. Her name became a symbol of courage and her story touched the hearts of Canadians, including the Iranian community of my riding. They carry her memory with resilience and hope.

Last year, Port Moody's Art Shuffle featured Coquitlam artist Golriz Rezvani and her Women, Life, Freedom series, Zan, Zendegi, Azadi. These powerful works gave voice to Mahsa's sacrifice and to the women who risk their lives every day.

On the anniversary of Mahsa's death, Canadians stand united for women's rights and for human rights. Mahsa's life and legacy will not be forgotten.

Food Prices

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said Canadians would judge him by the prices they see at the grocery store. The results are in, and he is getting a failing grade.

The latest figures on food inflation from Food Banks Canada do not lie. Grocery shopping is getting harder and harder for Canadians. Food prices have risen by 3.5%, which is 70% above the inflation target. Beef prices are up 33%, canned soup is up 26%, and coffee is up 22%.

For Liberal Canada, all indicators are flashing red. Food should never be a luxury for Canadian families. Since the Liberals came to power, food inflation has risen by 40% overall. Far from making life cheaper, they have made it more expensive for everyone. This is another broken Liberal promise, another Liberal bait and switch. Only the Conservatives can make groceries affordable again.

Fondation Équipe‑Québec

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, our U19 team showed off all its skills at the three-versus-three World Ball Hockey Championship final in Slovakia. Team Quebec won in the final with a score of 9–7. Can anyone guess who they beat? It was team Canada.

The work of the Fondation Équipe-Québec and its president, Stefan Allinger-Cormier, is making a huge difference in young Quebeckers' lives by giving them the opportunity to represent the Quebec nation. Like Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Greenland, Quebec should have the right to wear its own colours at international sports competitions, especially since we are often discriminated against and our athletes are not given a place on the Canadian teams.

In closing, I condemn the Future of Sport in Canada Commission for recommending that the provincial and territorial sports associations be merged with the national federations. That is yet another example of Canada's desire to interfere in the jurisdictions of the provinces and Quebec. The Bloc Québécois will fight this—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Beauport—Limoilou.

Marie-Hélène Ross

[Steeve Lavoie, Liberal, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about an inspiring woman who is having an extremely positive impact on her community. Marie‑Hélène Ross has devoted her energy to the social, cultural and economic development of Beauport for many years.

A lawyer by profession, she has always combined her expertise with a sincere desire to build a stronger and more supportive community. Through her involvement as the president of the Maison des jeunes de Beauport and TRIP Jeunesse Beauport, she has helped generations of young people by offering them a space for personal development and civic engagement.

In the same unifying spirit, she championed the idea of a public market in Old Beauport, which has now become a vibrant non-profit organization. The market promotes buying local, helping others and respecting the environment while creating a unique gathering place for local residents and producers.

She has a record of leadership guided by listening, action and vision. Through her tireless efforts, she has breathed new life into Beauport. Today, she continues to be a model of determination, generosity and perseverance. Many thanks to Marie‑Hélène.

Regional Economic Development

[Jonathan Rowe, Conservative, Terra Nova—The Peninsulas, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government promised nation-building projects, including building the green energy corridor. It has all the tools required, yet nothing has been built in the past six months, and the only projects announced are the ones already under way.

The people of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador want to see action from the Liberal government. An energy corridor would connect Labrador to the rest of the country without other provinces taking the icing and the cake and leaving my province with the crumbs. The government will not repeal Bill C-69 and Bill C-48, the production caps or the industrial carbon tax. It will not even commit to its own promise of building an energy corridor from sea to sea.

It is time for the Liberal government to get out of its own way, stop breaking its promises and use the tools it has, because it is time to get to work.