Mr. Speaker, as it is my first intervention with you being in the chair, I want to congratulate you and also the constituents of Perth—Wellington for electing you. I am very happy to have you in the chair.
I rise today to speak in support of Bill C-2, the strong borders act. This important bill would help keep Canadians safe by strengthening our borders, fighting organized crime and protecting the fairness of our immigration system. Our government is taking strong action to deal with serious challenges, such as drug smuggling, auto theft, money laundering, and abuse of our asylum and visa systems. We are also giving law enforcement and border officers more tools to stop these crimes.
Canada is a country that welcomes people from around the world. Immigrants and refugees have helped build our communities. As a proud immigrant myself, I know how important it is that our immigration system is fair, strong and trusted, but we also know that Canada's immigration system is under pressure. Global conflicts are bringing more people to our borders, and sometimes the system is being misused by those who are not truly in need of the protection that they claim. That is why Bill C-2 includes important changes to protect the integrity of our asylum system.
One of the key changes would be who can make a refugee claim in Canada. Going forward, international students and temporary foreign workers who have been in Canada for more than one year would not be able to claim asylum. Let me be clear. This is not a ban on asylum. People who truly need protection would still have access to a special review process before they were to be removed from Canada. If there were any risk of persecution or harm, Canada would not send them back. This change would stop people from staying in Canada for years as students or temporary workers and then trying to use the asylum system as a last option.
A refugee system must be used for those who need protection, not as a backup plan. These changes are fair, and they would help speed up the asylum process for individuals who need safety. They would also help us reduce backlogs and focus our resources on those who need it.
The bill would also improve how we share immigration information with provinces and territories so that all orders of government could better manage services and public safety. The strong borders act also targets immigration fraud and the abuse of our visa system. It would give our officers strong tools to catch fake documents and false claims. It would also help us go after criminals who take advantage of newcomers through fraud and exploitation. These actions are about fairness. They would protect the integrity of our system and the honest people who follow the rules.
Bill C-2 also includes new steps to fight crime, drugs and money laundering. We are investing $1.3 billion to help border officers stop stolen vehicles, seize illegal goods and improve inspections at rail yards and ports. This is the largest investment in border security in Canadian history. The bill would also give the Canadian Coast Guard a new role in keeping our coastlines secure in helping to stop smuggling at sea, protect our borders and work with police to fight organized crime.
We are also taking strong action to protect children by improving the way we share information about sex offenders with police in Canada and around the world. This would help stop child exploitation and trafficking.
We are cracking down on money laundering and terrorist financing. This would make it harder for criminals to hide their money and easier for police to get the financial information they need to stop crime. We are also limiting large cash deposits and banning third-party cash deposits to help prevent criminal activity.
One of the most serious threats facing Canada is the rise of lethal drugs such as fentanyl. This deadly drug is killing thousands of people across the country. That is why Bill C-2 would give new powers to law enforcement to stop the flow of chemicals used to make fentanyl. It would also allow officers to search suspicious packages in the mail, with a warrant, and shut down illegal drug operations more quickly. These actions would help save lives and make our communities safer.
As part of our effort to stop auto theft, the bill would allow border officers to access railways and shipping ports where many stolen cars are smuggled out of the country. This is a growing problem that affects many cities throughout Canada. These new powers would help us recover more stolen vehicles and break up international crime rings.
This bill is not only about stronger laws, but also about building a safer Canada, a Canada where people feel safe in their homes, in their workplaces and in their communities, a Canada where newcomers are welcomed but expected to follow the rules, a Canada where our immigration system is protected and our borders are secure. Canadians expect a strong, fair system that puts safety and honesty first.
We are keeping our doors open to people in need, but we are closing the doors to fraud, abuse and crime. Others may worry that this will hurt people who are vulnerable, but I want to be very clear. Canada's humanitarian efforts will remain strong. We will continue to protect those who are at risk, and our refugee system will continue to be fair and compassionate, but we must protect the system itself, so it can continue to serve those who truly need it.
The strong borders act is a smart, balanced and responsible plan. It would give our law enforcement and border officers the tools they need. It would protect our economy, our communities and our values. Most importantly, it would protect Canada's future.
I was talking to colleagues here in the House, and we heard support at a policing summit in B.C. in August for Bill C-2, because those are the people who are the first responders. We should be listening to the people who are there to save our lives and save our communities.
I urge all members across all political stripes in the House to join me in supporting Bill C-2. Let us stand together for safer communities, stronger borders and a fairer immigration system for all.