Debates of Sept. 17th, 2025

Hon. John McCallum

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the NDP, I too rise to pay tribute to the late Hon. John McCallum.

It has already been said in this place that he had many accomplishments. He was a recognized and respected economist; he was a recognized academic; he was a recognized parliamentarian; and of course he was a recognized diplomat. In the face of all that work and all that effort, though, before all of it, he was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, and a friend and colleague, and that is how I knew John: as a colleague in this place, as many, like me, have cited as their experience with John.

Like them, in 2015, when I was first elected, John was also in this House. He was the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. I was the critic for the NDP, and as a newly elected member of Parliament, I was so often lost in this place. Shortly after the election, a constituent phoned me to ask for help on an immigration matter. It was actually a family who needed to come and see their dying father before they departed. In my eagerness to support them, I did not know what to do. I picked up the phone, I searched the directory and I called John's office. I left a message and I was not sure if anybody was even going to pick it up, because it was early days after the election.

Lo and behold, John McCallum called me back, and he put his office and his staff onto it, even though he did not have very much staff, as he said to me. However, he put people onto it and ensured that they would do their best to support the family, and that he did. I will never forget that moment in time when a minister picked up a call and responded to a call from an opposition MP in helping their constituent. That kindness was something that I will never forget about John McCallum, that level of responsiveness that he took to the job and that respect he has shown not only to me as a colleague but more importantly to his role as the minister of immigration in respecting the needs of Canadians.

That was the John McCallum I was reminded of when I heard about his passing.

I then thought about his work. As he cited at the time, being the minister of immigration was a significant job, because the government was working through the Syrian refugee initiative. It was an ambitious initiative and it was a tough one to accomplish, and that he did. There were some missteps here and there and everywhere, as in all things that we try to do. John McCallum, though, took to the job with a sense of humility, I would say. He was not bragging about that work and he was also open to what he could learn and what I, as the opposition critic, could offer to help him do that job better. I offered many different suggestions, and in the Syrian refugee initiative, there were many lessons learned.

One important lesson was for us to take in and utilize the knowledge of the communities of people who are new arrivals and have established themselves and have the language and cultural experience to welcome newcomers but do not really have a place in the established structure of resettlement services. I went to John and said, “Look, we should be leveraging the strength of all Canadians in this effort.” He said to me, “What do you think we should do?” I offered some suggestions, including helping these younger, newer organizations to build capacity, and for us to utilize their strength and harness their strength in the resettlement effort. That is exactly what he did.

I appreciate a parliamentarian, a minister, who brings that kind of view to this place. After all, that is why we run for office. I am absolutely sure that was the reason John ran for office as well. It was to help Canadians so that we can support each other.

The responsiveness of John as minister is something to be noted, but I also want to acknowledge something else. I remember when he left this place back on January 31, 2017, and he gave his final speech in Parliament. He looked back on what he felt was good, the things he accomplished, and he singled out two things in particular: “the nomination of Nelson Mandela to be an honorary citizen back in 2001 and, in particular, the Syrian refugees.” We should always remember that. Why it stood out is that it showed Canada's compassion and kindness, and it showed that Canada is different. In nominating Nelson Mandela, who is an icon of social justice, that is also what it stood for.

Let me close with a quote. John McCallum said the following:

what makes me really proud is not that we got the job done, although that is good, but that at a time when so many countries around the world are closing their doors to refugees, ordinary Canadians across this land have come out and have welcomed our newcomers with open hearts. That is what makes me very proud to be a Canadian.

Those were the words of John McCallum in this place on his way out as a parliamentarian. For that, I honour you. I honour your work.

I thank his family for his service to our community and for sharing him. Last but not least, I say let those words be a reminder of what we need to continue to do, especially during these very difficult times in the global community.

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

Mr. Speaker, I too am honoured to rise this afternoon to pay tribute to our colleague and dear friend, John McCallum. He was an extraordinary man, a genius. He was a lawyer, I believe, and a professor. He was an academic and a scholar.

He was not just someone who had a few degrees here and there; he was the dean of arts at a university. He was a chief economist at the Royal Bank. He did all of this and had a political career. His articles remain noted for their scholarly importance in the fields in which he practised in economics.

We knew each other through a strange circumstance, I suppose. I got to know him quite well. We became friends. I can share, as the member for Vancouver East and the member for Calgary Nose Hill have said, how kind he was to people in other parties, sharing ideas and his humour. I will not digress into the circumstances of how I got to know him too deeply, but I was on a hunger strike in front of Parliament Hill in 2003 to try to get a toxic waste site cleaned up in Cape Breton. That is when I really got to know John McCallum.

When I think back on it, I remember how often I tried to get him to stop smoking. Of course, he passed away from lung cancer. The reason I got to know him so well is that I was sitting in front of Parliament Hill for 17 days on a hunger strike, so the members of Parliament I got to know best were the ones who went out for smoke breaks the most often. When he left to become the ambassador to China, I told him it was good because my chances of getting him to stop smoking had gone downhill and that he could smoke anywhere in China as I did not think there were any rules against smoking.

He was a man of enormous kindness. There were some people who would rush by me as I sat in front of Centre Block. By the way, it was not illegal. I got a permit from the Parliament Hill people to be able to sit right in front of the members' doors to stay on this hunger strike. John, like our colleague whom I should mention, Ralph Goodale, was really worried about my health. Not that I need to mention him, but I can say his name now because he is not here. So were quite a few members of Parliament and even members of cabinet. While I was worried about John and his smoking, he was worried about me being on a hunger strike, so he kept checking on me. It meant a great deal that he would stop, talk and check on me through this period, and we became really good friends.

I appreciated his sense of humour. He would stop and we would talk about anything, because I was sitting in a good spot for stopping and having a conversation. He also tried to help to resolve the situation we were in at that point, trying to get a toxic waste site cleaned up. In the end, and that is a longer story, we did.

What I want to share is with respect to his incredible thoughtfulness and kindness when at last I was here as a member of Parliament. The friendship we forged through those unusual circumstances on his smoke breaks lasted. Just as our colleague from Vancouver East said, I would go to him as the then minister of immigration, and he would unfailingly make time to listen to specific cases. I would plead with him that he not deport the person and ask if he could see his way clear to talking to his officials, because there were things there that just did not add up in the way the department had decided to handle the matter. He was patient and kind. He was willing to listen. He would try to apply his immense brain to the very specific local concerns I brought to him.

I want Canadians to know that if they go to a Wikipedia page, everything that was ever controversial pops up. Let us forget all of that. Canada and every Canadian owe people in public life a debt of gratitude, and there are not many who serve as long as John McCallum. John McCallum served in the cabinets of the following former prime ministers: the Right Hon. Jean Chrétien, the Right Hon. Paul Martin and the Right Hon. Justin Trudeau. He did so with a generosity of spirit toward those of us in opposition that has rarely been matched. Yes, there is no doubt that there could be sparring, as I would say to my friend from Calgary Nose Hill. Those were good moments. However, that was with a good heart and nothing that could be considered mean-spirited. He was a kind and generous man of enormous intellect. He had a great, deep and abiding love for this country, which he lived out every day.

I would say to his wife, Nancy; his children; and his six grandchildren that he has gone too soon. From the bottom of my heart, I ask the Lord to receive him into his kingdom. He was a wonderful man. We will miss him. Thank you for sharing him with us.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Hon. colleagues, it is now my turn to pay tribute to our colleague, the Hon. John McCallum, a professor, an economist, a banker, a parliamentarian and a friend.

Beginning in 2000, after a career as a banker and then as dean of the faculty of arts at McGill University, he devoted himself to public service. As others have mentioned, he served as a minister in three governments, taking on a number of challenging files: national defence; veterans; revenue; and immigration, refugees and citizenship.

It was in this role that we saw his many talents put to the test for the benefit of the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who were fleeing dire circumstances in the hope of a new beginning. As many have noted, he was the mastermind behind the very complicated logistical and humanitarian challenge of bringing Syrian refugees to Canada, where they were able to start new lives.

That was one of the brighter moments of our recent history, and we have our late friend to thank for helping Canada open its doors and hearts to those in need. In a world that seems always full of thorny economic challenges, John McCallum was there to provide cogent explanations.

As a professor, he developed the patience to explain complex issues. As a member of Parliament, he again practised patience in answering tough questions, always with kindness, humour and his trademark smile. He brought his intelligence and knowledge to politics while always remaining approachable, and I have no doubt that was the key to his success here and in all aspects of his life.

We know that John was a family man and that he will be much missed. We take this time to express our deepest condolences to all who loved him. He will always be remembered for his service to Canada.

May he rest in peace.

Hon. Gail Shea

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Pursuant to order made Tuesday, September 16, I invite all hon. members to stand to observe a moment of silence in honour of our former colleague, the Hon. Gail Shea.

[A moment of silence observed]

The House will now proceed to tributes in memory of our former colleague, the Hon. Gail Shea.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, on August 21, many of us were saddened to learn of the passing of our former colleague and long-time friend Gail Shea. At four foot five, she was a little lady who packed a big punch, and she put her fight to work on behalf of farmers, fish harvesters, workers and veterans. She was proud of her roots and her commitment to the island that gave her her upbringing, her career and of course her beloved family.

In addition to being a great fighter for her people, she was a woman of incredible warmth and generosity. In fact, those who knew Gail always found out that if she learned of their presence on beloved Prince Edward Island, they would be making the obligatory and extremely enjoyable visit to her residence to enjoy seafood casserole and many other island delights.

She had a generous heart, and I often turned to her for encouragement. In times of confusion and stress, I would call her to get her counsel. In the many years after she left Parliament, she continued as a mentor and friend to me.

She always lifted the spirits of the people she knew. I think of my friends from Atlantic Canada. She visited my friend from Newfoundland and his community. My friends from New Brunswick would see her pop up in their community to bring her smile, her humour and often her razor-sharp intellect.

There are so many stories of the kindness she showed to people in the community, all the personal details that she would remember about people's lives. I remember when I first started running for leader of the Conservative Party, she anticipated my long travels away from my family and gifted me two beautiful little teddy bears that I brought home to my kids. My daughter, who has a tendency to develop a great attachment to different kinds of objects and toys, held on to that teddy bear for days and days after I left on my subsequent trip. My wife told me that little Valentina held that teddy bear close to her heart.

Gail was very proud of her Irish roots, reminding us all that there are only two types of people: those who are Irish and those who wish they were. If I walked down the hallways of the parliamentary precinct while she was preparing for question period, I could hear the beautiful sound of Gaelic music and an Irish harp echoing off the walls as she quietly prepared. Her love of music was reflected in her efforts to get the Stompin' Tom Centre inaugurated in honour of the great Canadian legend.

She was also the first female cabinet minister at the federal level from Prince Edward Island, and she was very proud of that commitment. She then went on to serve as minister of fisheries and minister of national revenue. Most importantly of all, she was the MP for Egmont. She was also a provincial member of Parliament and was elected there after defeating a Liberal in a riding that had not switched blue for 40 years prior to her election.

This often meant she was challenging the way things were. She was taking strong and principled stances. This meant there would occasionally be controversy. One day, when she was at a press conference, a lady walked up pretending she was about to fix a technical problem on her microphone and threw a pie in her face. Most people would have thought the press conference would end and the politician behind the mic would quickly run away and do so in shame. She simply took her hand, wiped off her face and said, “back to the business at hand”. It turned out the protester was angry because of Gail's principled support of the all-important seal hunt, but if that protester with her bad behaviour thought she was going to change Gail's mind, she said it only increased her “resolve to support the seal hunt and our northern and coastal communities that depend on the hunt for part of their annual income.”

She was an iron lady, never backing down and unflappable, and was determined and resolved to stand for what she knew was right. She would serve provincially and federally, and most importantly, she would continue to do the most important job she had. There were three jobs she had, actually, that she bragged about most often: mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. Gail carried in her heart her strong faith in God and her love of the people who surrounded her. She will rightly be remembered as a great Islander and a great Canadian.

I was honoured to attend the mass and funeral that Islanders put on for Gail a few weeks back. It was a celebration of life that then carried over, as all Irish funerals do, to the local Legion, where it went on into the very late hours of the night. They say of the Irish that they are the only people who cry at every wedding and laugh at every funeral, and so it was once again.

On behalf of all Conservative MPs, ministers, volunteers and others who served with Gail and experienced the wonderful warmth of her personality and her faith, I wish my condolences, thoughts and prayers to the entire Shea family and to all Islanders who cherish the memory she left behind.

On behalf of my family and our Conservative caucus, may she rest in peace, in the peace of God, and may her Irish eyes be smiling at us all from above.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay tribute, on behalf of the government caucus, to a former member of Parliament who sadly left us a few weeks ago, the Hon. Gail Shea.

Politics can be challenging and it can be tough at times, but Gail was prepared to step up and put herself forward as a candidate in numerous elections. Gail, as pointed out, was a member of Parliament for the riding of Egmont, the riding I now represent. She served as a cabinet minister in the government of former prime minister Stephen Harper, and she also served in the government of the former premier of Prince Edward Island, the Hon. Pat Binns.

On a personal note, I knew Gail for most of my life. We grew up in neighbouring communities, coastal fishing communities, a few kilometres from one another at a time when the fishery was not as valuable as it is today. We both attended the same high school, and our lives often revolved around the same community we called home, the town of Tignish, where, as the Leader of the Opposition referenced, her funeral service was held a few weeks ago. It is the furthermost community in the western part of our home province of Prince Edward Island.

Gail was very proud of her family, and there is no question that her family was very proud of Gail. She was also deeply attached to her home community of Skinners Pond. On a lighter note, when Gail became a minister of the Government of Canada, she said in conversation that there were now two famous people from Skinners Pond, a very little community. The other person was Canadian icon musician Stompin' Tom Connors, who a lot of people would remember. Gail made it a priority of hers to get Tom Connors to choose that community to be the location of a centre that would commemorate his legacy, a very deep legacy in traditional Canadian music, and house all the artifacts attached to his distinguished career as a Canadian. Make no mistake: Stompin' Tom Connors put Canada first.

Although she was not elected at the time that this particular centre came to realization, it was her vision. Since it was heavily federally funded and I had the option, I personally asked her to attend the official opening in 2017 and join me on stage to cut the ribbon to officially open the centre. She was extremely touched and appreciated the opportunity to be there.

Gail's legacy will live on, both through her various accomplishments as a public representative and through her commitment to volunteerism, because after leaving politics, she immersed herself in the community on a volunteer basis. She was very involved in the local Royal Canadian Legion. These organizations will certainly miss her presence over the years.

Her family, especially her five children, who I know well, Sally, Sandy, Kelly, Holly and Shawn, can be very proud of their mother and the contribution she made to our part of this wonderful country, the small part that I referenced in western Prince Edward Island. Family took precedence over every other aspect of her accomplished life, and I know her family members, children and grandchildren will miss her.

The most important tribute we can give to a former parliamentarian or legislator, which I say unequivocally, is this: Her community is a better place today because of her years of service. I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to say a few words here today on behalf of the government caucus about the life of Gail Shea, and pay tribute to a life well lived and filled with value and contributions that will have a long-lasting legacy.

I will leave with this. Let us not take our health for granted. Life passes by quickly. I want to thank Gail for her contribution to Prince Edward Island and to Canada, this country we all so love.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today we honour the life and contributions of Gail Shea, a former Conservative minister and, more importantly, a dedicated citizen of Prince Edward Island, who passed away on August 21 at the age of 66.

Ms. Shea came from a fishing family in western P.E.I. She had a knack for bringing people together across political lines, first by being elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in 2000 as a Conservative in a Liberal stronghold. Up until her departure in 2007, she made her mark there, notably by shouldering the heavy responsibilities of the role of minister of transportation and public works.

Then, in 2008, she was lured away from home by a new challenge: federal politics. Once again, Gail Shea won voters' trust as a blue candidate in the red stronghold of Egmont. What is more, she was given a role in Stephen Harper's cabinet straightaway as minister of fisheries and oceans, a position that is crucial for her region and mine. She was the first woman from Prince Edward Island to become a minister. She remained in the Conservative cabinet until she left politics in 2015.

Ms. Shea was known in her part of the country for standing up for the Maritimes, specifically by resisting stubborn misconceptions about the seal hunting industry.

Everyone who knew her, including her political opponents, remember her most as a woman who never forgot where she came from or the people she represented, including fishers.

On behalf of the Bloc Québécois and as my party's critic for fisheries and oceans, I offer my sincere condolences to Gail Shea's family and loved ones.

May new members like me and seasoned members alike also never forget where we come from or the people we serve.

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, I am privileged to represent Nunavut in honouring the work of the Hon. Gail Shea. I did not know Gail personally. I send my condolences to her family, her friends and, I am sure, her wide-ranging community.

One of the privileges that we gain as parliamentarians is how much we learn about Canada, Canadians and the hopes and strengths we see for our future. I have learned that Gail Shea, who died on August 21, was a trailblazer in Canadian politics and that she was a devoted public servant and a proud Islander. Gail Shea's legacy will long be remembered across Prince Edward Island, Canada and abroad.

I am told that Gail Shea's journey began in Skinners Pond, a small fishing community that shaped her values and her unwavering commitment to service, which included her serving as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 2000 to 2007 and being the member of Parliament from 2008 to 2015 for the riding of Egmont. She brought those values to the legislative assembly, where she served with distinction and shattered glass ceilings as the province's first female minister of transportation and public works. Her leadership continued on the federal stage, where she made history as the first woman from Prince Edward Island appointed to the federal cabinet. As minister of fisheries and oceans, and later as minister of national revenue, she championed rural communities, stood firm for Canadian industries and always put her constituents first.

Gail Shea was known for her strength, her warmth and her fierce dedication. She was a mother to five children, Sally, Kelly, Sandy, Holly and Shawn, a grandmother of 17, and a mentor to many more. Her colleagues across party lines remember her as someone who could “move a mountain” and who “never...forgot where she came from”.

I have learned that Gail Shea and I have a common sense of pride for the strengths of our constituents, especially in the sealing industry. During a time when the sealing industry experienced such controversy because of lobby groups, she showed great leadership. Was I ever pleased to hear what she had to say about the sealing industry: “I can tell you that this incident actually strengthens my resolve to support the seal hunt. If this is what it takes to stand up for Canadian sealing families and this industry I'm certainly very proud to do it.”

I have learned that she has remarked that this was one of the lower points in her political career, and to hear that later shows that she had great strength. This quote captures her spirit. She was unapologetically principled, deeply rooted in her community and proud to stand for what she believed in.

Gail Shea's legacy is seen in our continued work, in the policies she helped shape and in the lives she impacted. She showed us that politics can be both fierce and compassionate. She showed us that leadership means listening, serving and never forgetting where we come from.

May her children, who I mentioned earlier, continue to provide warm and welcoming gatherings with lots of great seafood and continue to welcome visitors to their beautiful island. I am aware that in her memorial, in lieu of flowers, they had requested, and I do suggest this as well, that donations be made to Children's Wish Foundation and Community Hospital O'Leary's palliative care wing.

On behalf of the NDP, we hope she rests in peace.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank all the previous speakers.

I knew Gail Shea. Of the people we have paid tribute to today, though I knew them all, it was only with Gail Shea that I served at the same time in an overlapping period. She was always a great person to visit with, to have fun with and to chat with. She was certainly formidable. It has already been noted that she was a trailblazer.

I want to mention, of course, one aspect of her political success. Coming from the Maritimes myself, I know this was the case, or I am pretty sure it was, but Prince Edward Islanders can correct me if I have this wrong. As far as I can tell, in the years that I have known Prince Edward Islanders of different parties in politics, there had never been a time when a Prince Edward Island MP got elected to Parliament, joined a federal cabinet and then survived the next election. There tended to be a bit of a tradition of defeating anybody who ended up in cabinet. I am looking over at some of my friends here, and I cannot say their names out loud, to see if I got that wrong, but I think she was the very first.

We know she was the first federal minister woman to enter any cabinet from Prince Edward Island in this country. She served at the provincial level, and she served in the cabinet of Stephen Harper. She survived to run again and get re-elected.

She was, as we know, someone of great energy, good humour and a very big heart to welcome all. I think of what it must have been like for her that, in 2021, she lost her dear husband Russell. The two of them had 45 years of marriage. I still think she died very young at 66. They had 45 years of marriage and five children. That is a rich life before we count the number of successes she experienced in politics, the number of times she was elected, and the numbers of times and the different ways in which she served.

One of my favourite memories, and I cannot remember why it was, but of course this is Canada, so we were sitting with each other on an airplane. She was Irish and both of us were Christian. I said that reminded me that I had known a friend, an Irish small child, when I was a small child. This friend had misunderstood, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”. I told Gail that this friend had thought all through her childhood that it was actually, “Surely, good Mrs. Murphy shall follow me all the days of my life”. Being that the child was Irish, it seemed to fit, and Gail loved that. There was something about Gail that one could imagine her as good Mrs. Murphy following us all the days of our lives.

She was kind-hearted, hard-working and dedicated, and someone who was an inspiration to know. She showed that life after politics as a grandmother can be a whole lot better than life in politics.

The leader of the official opposition mentioned that he was at the funeral. How many people have 29 honorary pallbearers, including a former prime minister and former colleagues? She will be missed.

It is appropriate that today we take the time to honour her memory, thank her for her service, and thank her family and Skinners Pond for sharing her with Canada.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Hon. colleagues, I would also like to take a moment to say a few words about our friend, the Hon. Gail Shea.

Gail Shea entered federal politics the way many politicians do, at the provincial level, serving in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 2000 to 2007, where she served as minister of community and cultural affairs and the minister of status of women, as well as minister of transportation and public works. Indeed, she was the first woman minister of transportation of her province. Here in this place, she represented the riding of Egmont, as we know, between 2008 and 2015.

She also served as minister of fisheries and oceans, minister of national revenue and minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Once again, she broke a glass ceiling by becoming the first woman from Prince Edward Island to be appointed to the federal cabinet.

I remember her during question period answering questions. Yes, she gave answers in her own down-to-earth and sincere manner.

She always prioritized the concerns of her constituents, especially those in rural communities who had issues related to farming and fishing. Her love for her family, her community and her country was reflected in the kindness and open-mindedness that defined her, qualities that the whole world associates with her province and her region.

Her heart and home were always open to her large family and circle of friends, which was very large indeed, as she connected with everyone she met. She was a friend and fan of the legendary folk hero Stompin' Tom Connors, who also hailed, as we know, from Skinners Pond. Both Islanders shared a love of country and an appreciation of the towns and people who make Canada unique.

Our thoughts are with the Hon. Gail Shea's family and her many friends. May she rest in peace, knowing that Canadians are grateful for her dedication to her community, her province and her country.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Pursuant to order made on Tuesday, September 16, I wish to inform the House that because of the tributes, the time provided for Government Orders will be extended by 92 minutes.

Chief Electoral Officer of Canada

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

It is my duty to lay before the House, pursuant to section 536 of the Canada Elections Act, the report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on the 2024 by-elections.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3)(a), this report is deemed permanently referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Public Safety and National Security

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, entitled “Fighting the Phenomenon of Vehicle Thefts in Canada”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Procedure and House Affairs

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I am honoured to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, regarding the membership of the committees of the House.

If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the second report later this day.

Criminal Code

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-220, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (immigration status in sentencing).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce this urgently needed bill, which seeks to remove the consideration of immigration status in sentencing and would end the two-tier practice of judges issuing more lenient sentences to non-citizens convicted of serious crime. Becoming a citizen or staying in Canada is a privilege, not a right, for non-citizens, and this bill seeks to uphold the will of Parliament and the initial spirit of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

I would like to thank Sean Phelan, Andrew Evans and my whole team, as well as my colleague who is seconding this bill. I hope that all colleagues in the House will support it.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Corrections and Conditional Release Act

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-221, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (disclosure of information to victims).

Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking my colleague from Oshawa for seconding this bill, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. The hon. member worked on it in the last Parliament when she worked with her predecessor, the former member for Oshawa, Dr. Colin Carrie, who retired after 21 years of distinguished service that included moving an identical bill to a very advanced stage with unanimous support before the last Parliament was dissolved.

This bill is relatively short, but it is meaningful in that it would make a much-needed difference in the lives and experiences of victims of crime. The proposals of this bill were inspired by Ms. Lisa Freeman, whose father was brutally murdered in 1991. Ms. Freeman's experience has compelled her to be an incredible advocate for victims' rights, and I thank her for her incredible perseverance and bravery in dealing with government systems and processes that can be unfriendly to victims of crime and must be reformed.

This bill seeks to provide victims of crime with timely and accurate information upon sentencing and prior to the potential release of an offender, to avoid ambiguity and false comfort of parole eligibility dates that can be misleading. This bill also proposes that victims of crime be provided an explanation of how dates related to parole are determined. The bill's proposals would also ensure that victims and their families are provided timely and accurate information concerning the movements of an individual within the prison system and would prevent the arbitrary denial of victims' participation at parole hearings.

As I mentioned, this bill was on track to achieving royal assent when the last Parliament was dissolved, and it deserves to be passed in this Parliament. I look forward to working with all parliamentarians to move this bill to completion.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Procedure and House Affairs

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the second report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.

Hearing none, it is agreed.

The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.

(Motion agreed to)

Public Safety

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise on behalf of the people of Swan River to present a petition on the alarming increase in violent crime, which has threatened the safety and well-being of families all across our region. The petitioners are experiencing the devastating impacts of soft-on-crime Liberal policies like Bill C-5 and Bill C-75. Bill C-5 repealed mandatory jail time for serious crimes and Bill C-75 forces judges to release repeat violent offenders right back on our streets.

The petitioners are concerned that since 2015, extortion in Canada has increased by 330% and homicides are up 29%. The petitioners in the Swan Valley want to see an end to the Liberals' catch-and-release policies so they can feel safe in their own communities. That is why the people of Swan River are demanding jail, not bail, for violent repeat offenders. I support the good people of Swan River.

World Health Organization

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to present a petition from the freedom-loving, maple-leaf-waving patriotic Canadians in my riding of Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke.

My constituents are concerned over the Liberal government's decision to arbitrarily sign on to the WHO's Pandemic Agreement and the amendments made to the international health regulations, or IHRs. These changes were never brought to a single debate nor vote in this House, leaving Canadians without a say while the Liberals negotiate away our country's sovereignty to corrupt, unelected and unaccountable UN bureaucrats, who are all under the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. The Liberals screamed “elbows up” and promised to defend Canada's independence throughout the last election, but they spared no time selling out Canada to their globalist friends right after Canadians voted.

The petitioners are calling on the Liberal government to immediately withdraw from the WHO's Pandemic Agreement, signed in May, and to unilaterally withdraw Canada from the IHR amendments.

Charitable Organizations

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

Mr. Speaker, I am rising today on behalf of the 38,942 Canadians who signed e-petition 6586. They are united against the finance committee's 2025 pre-budget report that called for the removal of advancement of religion as a recognized charitable purpose under the Income Tax Act.

Canadians from all walks of life, different faiths and different beliefs have signed this petition. They value the irreplaceable role that these faith-based charities have in serving the hungry, homeless, hurting, discouraged, depressed and lonely; those in difficult leadership positions; first responders; those in our Canadian Armed Forces; those with injuries, illnesses or disabilities; children; parents; families; young people; seniors; and newcomers. Anyone and everyone who seeks out their services are cared for.

This good work is rooted in faith-based Christian Canadian tradition. Our Canadian fabric is strong and richer because of the vital work of these faith-focused charities.

On behalf of these petitioners and in response to the fundamental rights we have and cherish as Canadians, this petition calls for recommendations 429 and 430 of the pre-budget report to be rejected and denied any part in further legislation. I am honoured to table this petition on behalf of the 38,942 Canadians who look forward to the government's timely, transparent and supportive response to their request.

Wild Pacific Salmon

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

Mr. Speaker, within my community of Saanich—Gulf Islands, concerns run deep for the fate of wild Pacific salmon.

The petitioners are calling for the Government of Canada to remove the conflict of interest within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Act, which makes it a requirement for the department to both promote aquaculture and regulate aquaculture. The petitioners are also calling for the government to fully implement the recommendations of the long-standing report commissioned under the previous government of Stephen Harper, the excellent report of the Hon. Bruce Cohen that was released in 2012. The petitioners note that we have yet to see the 75 recommendations implemented.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member has a point of order.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is in the context of the petition from the hon. member for Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke. I would love some guidance from you. I do not think our parliamentary petition process allows a petition itself to accuse UN officials of all being corrupt. I think when presenting a petition, as I understand the rules, we are merely to summarize. I found that distressing, but perhaps it was within the rules, so I raise it to you for guidance.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

I would like to thank the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands and all other members who suggested what the Speaker should do. It was very helpful.

How a member describes the content of a petition is entirely up to the member presenting it to the House, as long as it is kept short and to the point and is directly about the text in the petition. I trust all members did so when they presented theirs to the House, and that is where I am going to leave it.

The member for Saanich—Gulf Islands is rising on the same point of order.