Debates of Sept. 17th, 2025

Wild Pacific Salmon

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

Mr. Speaker, I never intended to direct you in what to do. I merely thought that unparliamentary language was raised in the context of a petition and was seeking guidance on that.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

International organizations and their behaviour are matters of debate for members of the House to undertake in the future if they so choose. The ruling has been made.

Questions on the Order Paper

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

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand at the stage.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

Motions for Papers

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

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all notices of motions for the production of papers also be allowed to stand.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Is that agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Order. Pursuant to Standing Order 38, it is my duty to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, Agriculture and Agri-Food; the hon. member for Calgary Centre, Finance; the hon. member for Riding Mountain, Health.

The House resumed from September 16 consideration of the motion that Bill C‑2, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures, be read the second time and referred to committee.

Strong Borders Act

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to speak to Bill C-2, a major legislative initiative to both strengthen our asylum system and secure our borders. These two objectives go hand in hand, because we need an effective and humane immigration system that protects vulnerable people, while ensuring the safety of all Canadians.

Every year, thousands of people choose Canada to build a better life, to find refuge and to contribute to our society. However, global migration realities are changing quickly. In 2022, we processed more than 92,000 claims for asylum. That number climbed to more than 171,000 in 2024, which means it nearly doubled in two years. The rapid increase in asylum claims is straining our system. Processing times are getting longer, claimants are living in uncertainty, and our public services are grappling with a heavier workload.

Bill C‑2 proposes concrete, well-thought-out solutions to improve this situation while keeping our system fair and compassionate. One of the measures we are proposing is a single online form for all applications, whether they are submitted at an airport, at a land border or outside the country. This will simplify the process, reduce administrative errors and allow for better coordination between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Furthermore, cases will be pre-screened and scheduling powers will be transferred directly to the board to allow hearings to be held faster and to facilitate planning. This will reduce unnecessary delays and ensure timely decisions. Lastly, we are proposing a simplified process for withdrawing incomplete applications while preserving the applicant's right to explain their situation and present arguments. Together, these measures will speed up decision-making and ensure that asylum continues to be accessible to those who truly need it.

Bill C-2 also introduces clear rules to protect the integrity of the system. For example, a claim for asylum must be filed within one year of the person's arrival in Canada. This time limit will deter people from using the asylum system to circumvent the regular immigration channels or to unduly prolong their temporary stay. The number of irregular border crossings has already diminished since the expansion of the safe third country agreement, but, under this bill, a person who crosses the border illegally and files a claim more than 14 days after their entry into Canada will no longer have their claim referred to the board. These provisions do not close the door on protection, however. Anyone facing persecution will still have the right to a pre-removal risk assessment, so our humanitarian commitment remains intact. In short, we are striking a balance between efficiency, security and compassion, which is essential to the credibility and legitimacy of our asylum system.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed us that we need to be able to respond quickly and effectively in exceptional circumstances. The current laws do not allow a large volume of immigration documents to be suspended, varied or cancelled in response to a widespread crisis. That limits the government's ability to protect Canadians in times of crisis. Bill C‑2 addresses that gap by enabling the government to temporarily suspend certain visas or travel authorizations in the event of a major crisis, whether it be a pandemic, an international conflict or a natural disaster. These temporary powers will enable the government to react quickly to protect the health, safety and well-being of Canadians while ensuring the continuity of essential services.

The second major mission of Bill C-2 is to strengthen border security and combat transnational organized crime. The bill builts on the historic $1.3‑billion investment and is structured around three pillars. The first pillar is to secure the border by modernizing the Customs Act, by improving the efficiency of export inspections, including inspections of rail and marine shipping containers, and by adding security-related activities to the Canadian Coast Guard's mandate. The second pillar is to combat fentanyl and organized crime by facilitating the seizure of mail for criminal investigations, by creating an accelerated scheduling pathway for precursor chemicals, and by providing legal access to electronic data in order to disrupt trafficking networks. The third pillar is to crack down on money laundering by introducing stiffer penalties, a ban on certain cash deposits over $10,000, and better information sharing between banks, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC, and law enforcement.

All of these measures come with robust, transparent oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and protect Canadians' privacy. This gives law enforcement the tools it needs while safeguarding the public trust.

Those are not abstract issues. They are having a direct impact on Laval and the riding of Alfred-Pellan. Laval is a strategic economic and logistical hub, being close to the port of Montreal, the international airport, Highway 15 and major railway routes. Those attributes foster innovation and prosperity, but they also attract the attention of criminal networks. In 2024, Laval recorded more than 3,300 crimes and offences, including more than 800 auto thefts. More and more luxury cars are being stolen for export, threatening the safety of local residents and businesses. Thanks to the new export inspection powers, we will be able to intercept those vehicles before they leave the country, enabling us to protect property and strengthen public trust.

The fight against fentanyl is also crucial for our community. Our police services and community organizations are grappling with an overdose crisis that is affecting too many families in Laval. Bill C‑2 provides meaningful federal support to combat this scourge by coordinating the efforts of local, provincial, and national agencies. By protecting the integrity of cross-border trade, we are also protecting innovative Laval businesses in the logistics, pharmaceutical and international trade sectors, as well as the thousands of jobs they generate. This bill helps create a safe and prosperous environment for families, workers and entrepreneurs in my riding.

Like all Canadians, the people of Alfred-Pellan want safe communities, a fair and efficient immigration system, and an economy protected from the threat of crime. Bill C‑2 equips our border, police and justice services with tools for the 21st century. It protects our youth from the scourge of fentanyl, our businesses from financial crime, and our families from auto theft and fraud. It strengthens trust in our asylum system and enables us to respond effectively to global crises. We are reinforcing the system to reflect today's realities, protect Canadians and prepare for tomorrow's challenges. We are also sending a clear message—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The member's time is up.

The member for Lac-Saint-Jean.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech.

Not everyone takes long vacations, and all summer long, I met with groups that will be affected by Bill C‑2. For these meetings, I was joined by my colleagues from Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon and Rivière-du-Nord, because we will all be sharing the task of studying Bill C‑2 if it goes to committee, as we hope it will.

My question is quite simple. All of the groups we met with raised serious doubts about the validity of certain clauses that would not even stand up in court. Some provisions do raise legal questions. For example, it will not be possible to compel the minister and his staff to appear before the Refugee Protection Division. There is no explanation as to why or how that will be done in court.

Is my colleague aware of the problems with certain clauses in this bill?

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I simply want to tell my colleague that a safe Canada is a strong Canada. We are taking steps to keep Canadians across the country safe. We are taking steps to prevent the crime that is threatening our communities and to give police the tools they need to fight it and to hold criminals accountable for their actions.

[Rhonda Kirkland, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the member could indicate something to this side of the House. We spoke to many police associations over the summer, and they indicated that the number one issue they are facing in terms of crime and safety with the current reformed bail we have is that it needs to be reformed so that repeat offenders are kept behind bars.

Can the member indicate why none of this was added to this particular bill?

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party claims that Bill C‑2 threatens national security and access to asylum. However Bill C‑2 strengthens border security and makes cargo inspections more efficient. It makes it possible to intercept drugs, weapons and stolen vehicles. It also expedites the processing of asylum claims and ensures humane access to risk assessment. It respects the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and protects Canadians' privacy.

[Sima Acan, Liberal, Oakville West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, like all colleagues, we were busy this summer, visiting our local law enforcement. I had multiple meetings with the police chief, deputy chief and officers, and one common thing that I heard from them was that they were in favour of the bill. I would like to ask my hon. colleague this: Could he please explain the importance of the bill to all Canadians?

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear: Bill C‑2 will strengthen our borders by allowing officers to conduct more effective inspections of goods, drugs, weapons and stolen vehicles. The Canadian Coast Guard has a clear mandate to protect our waters. In Laval, these measures will help recover stolen vehicles and make our neighbourhoods safer.

We listened to Canadians, as my colleague has done, to find out what they need and what they want us to do to better protect our borders. This is exactly what we are doing. We are taking action.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate what is in the bill and how it would actually move things forward as far as safety goes, particularly on the border. I hear from my colleagues on the other side that they listened to police officers over the summer.

My question is this: What took you so long? All of these things make so much sense. Were you not listening for the past 10 years, or four years in particular? What took you so long to get to what are the most commonsensical security changes we need to make in Canada?

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Before giving the floor to the hon. member for Alfred‑Pellan, I would like to remind members that they must address other members through the Chair.

The hon. member for Alfred‑Pellan.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is funny to hear this question from my opposition colleague. He should perhaps reflect on what his party has done during its 10 years in government.

This problem is not something that popped up this morning or yesterday. It has been going on for a long time. The Conservatives failed to act on this matter when they were in government 10 years ago. They did not do very much. This is why we have to deal with this problem today.

[Doug Shipley, Conservative, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the great people of Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, I am pleased to rise today to speak to this important piece of legislation.

Since this is my first full speech in the 45th Parliament, I would be a little remiss if I did not take a moment to thank a few people who helped send me back here. First of all, I would like to mention my EDA president and sign guru, Shawn Scott. A few of my key campaign team members were Erin, also referred to as “Peaches”, the other Errin, Lauren, Harry, Sharbell, Hale and, of course, Kelly, who held the fort. Many other volunteers and supporters also helped with this. It takes an army, as everybody on all sides knows, to get a successful campaign done.

I would also like to thank my family: my wife, Lisa, for always supporting me; my son, Wyatt, and his girlfriend, Grayson; my other son, Luke; and, just to get some brownie points from my wife, I would also like to mention my dog, Ollie, for always posing for pictures on all the brochures and winning everyone's hearts. I am sure my wife will be very happy to hear that part; I think the dog is a little higher on the pecking order at home than I am.

Conservatives have been calling on the Liberal government to introduce many of these measures for years. Under the Liberal government, Canada has turned a blind eye to enforcement on illegal migration, gun trafficking, money laundering and the cross-border trafficking of fentanyl. Unfortunately, the Liberals felt inclined to make real progress on these issues only when they were called out and threatened with tariffs by the United States. They scrambled, and we must ask ourselves why it took so long to act.

Conservatives believe in protecting Canadians from transnational crime, illegal trafficking and abuse of our immigration system, but Bill C-2 contains many troubling provisions related to privacy and civil liberties of Canadians that will be difficult to support without significant amendments. Bill C-2 is a sweeping omnibus bill into which the Liberal government decided to throw a laundry list of measures that are completely unrelated to border security and immigration reform.

I will discuss three main issues touched upon in Bill C-2 that the Liberal government has allowed to spiral out of control: fentanyl, our immigration system and border security.

Let us begin with the fentanyl crisis. Canada faces an opioid crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 50,000 Canadians since 2016. This is a national crisis that has wreaked havoc on our communities in our cities, in our towns and in rural Canada from coast to coast.

Many members must wonder how the Liberal government has responded to this crisis. The Liberal government introduced Bill C-5. This disastrous bill eliminated mandatory prison time for drug traffickers, drug producers and drug importers. Many of the people responsible for killing over 50,000 people and causing unbelievable mayhem and destruction in our communities no longer have mandatory prison times. It has been repeated over and over again, even by Liberals themselves, that Bill C-5's specific goal was for fewer people to go to prison.

As a result of legislation like this, we see that people involved in this deadly fentanyl trade are getting back out on the streets more quickly than ever. It is extremely disappointing to see that there are no new sentencing provisions included in this massive omnibus bill. Individuals who threaten our communities will continue to walk free because of Bill C-5, even if the current bill is passed.

I will remind the members of the House that, in December, Conservatives put forward an opposition day motion calling for many measures related to fentanyl trafficking. Our motion called on the Liberal government to reverse Bill C-5, reinstate longer sentences for drug kingpins, ban the importation of fentanyl precursors, buy high-powered scanners, put more boots on the ground at the ports and stop buying unsafe supply of opioids. Shockingly, the Liberal government, the Bloc and the NDP all voted against this motion.

Now I will turn to our immigration system and border security, issues that the Liberal government has quickly allowed to spiral out of control during its past decade in power. The Prime Minister promised to fix our broken immigration system and broken borders, but recently released numbers show that he has blown past his immigration targets, with some on track to be the highest on record. He supports the same out-of-control Liberal immigration policies that delivered a triple-header crisis in housing, health care and youth unemployment. Conservatives believe we must reduce the numbers so that health care, housing and job creation can catch up.

The Canadian public deserves a trustworthy immigration system that operates in the national interest. We used to have the best immigration system in the world, and we were the envy of all other nations.

Our immigration system must put Canada first. That means inviting the right people in the right numbers to absorb them into housing, health care and jobs. It means having a system that allows newcomers to succeed as part of the Canadian family. It also means restoring the value of citizenship so that everyone who calls our country home, regardless of where they came from, is Canadian above all else. We must also end the abuse of the temporary foreign worker program and the international student program and end fraudulent refugee claims.

With respect to border security, Conservatives will support any measure that invests in our border and provides greater resources to CBSA personnel to prevent the flow of illegal guns, drugs and other listed goods over our border and into Canada. Conservatives are committed to strengthening Canada's border security through practical effective measures. We support deploying thousands of additional border agents, expanding the operational reach of the Canada Border Services Agency across the entire border and installing advanced surveillance towers to monitor high-risk areas. We also advocate for the use of high-powered scanners at land crossings and shipping ports to detect illicit drugs, firearms and stolen vehicles. These tools are essential in disrupting organized crime and protecting Canadian communities.

Above all, we stand firmly behind the dedicated men and women serving on the front lines of our border. These professionals are often under-resourced, but they work tirelessly to safeguard our country. Their efforts in intercepting dangerous substances and weapons are critical to national security, and they deserve our full support and sincere gratitude.

Now I would like to touch briefly upon how the Liberal government's soft-on-crime agenda is having an impact on my own community. After 10 years under the Liberal government, I walk around the downtown core of my riding and do not recognize it. Ten years ago, my community did not have tent encampments, and it did not have widespread homelessness; it did not have individuals smoking and shooting up illegal drugs on sidewalks and in children's playgrounds. Lawlessness has become the norm in my community and in cities across Canada. The sad part is that our young people think this is normal. They think this is the way Canada has always been. To young people across Canada, I say that it was not like this before the Liberal government came into power; it will not be like this once it is gone.

In the city of Barrie, Mayor Alex Nuttall was recently forced to declare a state of emergency to address the growing number and size of encampments, which pose significant risks to the community, our first responders and the individuals living in these encampments. Our first responders and community organizations are stretched thin by the scale of disorder caused by the encampments. Children are exposed to open drug use and must navigate dangerous areas on their way to school. Small businesses and local retailers face ongoing challenges related to vandalism, theft, loitering and public intoxication. It is clear that this is a symptom of the Liberal government's reckless experiment of flooding our streets with taxpayer-funded hard drugs. Our once-safe neighbourhoods are now plagued by crime, chaos, death and disorder.

The justice minister recently tweeted, “This isn't the Wild West.” I would like him to say that to residents in downtown Barrie. A resident recently wrote a letter to my office to express his concern, stating, “This situation is unacceptable. My children should be able to walk safely down the street without encountering garbage, needles, makeshift encampments or open drug use. Allowing this to continue is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of the residents who work hard to maintain their homes, pay their taxes and raise their families here. A clear line must be drawn. People cannot simply set up tents wherever they choose, and open drug use cannot be ignored. This is not only a public health and safety crisis but also a direct threat to law and order. By tolerating it, we send the message that community standards and laws no longer matter.”

At the federal level, the Liberal government must face reality and take immediate action to protect Canadians. The Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to amend the Criminal Code to include a much-needed stand-on-guard principle, fix Canada's broken bail system, reverse the reckless drug policy and repeal soft-on-crime legislation so that dangerous criminals receive jail time, not bail.

To conclude, I would like to reiterate that Conservatives are supportive of some measures in Bill C-2. However, we are deeply concerned about others. I am extremely concerned that there are no new sentencing provisions, there are no new mandatory jail sentencing provisions, there are no mandatory jail terms for fentanyl traffickers who terrorize our communities and there are no new mandatory jail terms for criminals who terrorize our communities with guns. This is the reality of Canada. Criminals, including those charged with trafficking fentanyl, smuggling firearms or committing violent assaults, are being routinely released on bail, often within hours. The bill would not address that reality in any way, shape or form. Conservatives believe that Canadians deserve to feel safe in their homes, in their streets and in their communities.

As of today, Bill C-2 is a bad bill. In its current form, it will be difficult for Conservatives to support the bill. What is the solution? We recommend that Liberals copy our ideas. Our leader has said time and time again, “Please use our ideas.”

Conservatives have brought forward serious proposals in the form of private members' bills and otherwise to fix our broken—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The member's time has elapsed.

Questions and comments, the hon. member for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas.

[John-Paul Danko, Liberal, Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON]

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to the member opposite on his first speech in the House of Commons.

It is good to hear that the Conservatives and the Liberal Party largely agree on the need to be tougher on crime to secure our border, in particular by securing the border against illegal drugs and guns. However, it is also fascinating that the Conservatives want to position themselves to be tough on crime at the same time that their freedom convoy friends are inventing all kinds of conspiracy theories about this bill.

Will the Conservatives listen to the needs of Canada and Canadian residents or to Pierre Poilievre's freedom convoy friends—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

I have to interrupt the member. You cannot use the name of the leader of the official opposition. There has been a change. There was a by-election, and that name can no longer be used in the House.

The member was coming to his conclusion. I think the substance of the question has been asked.

The hon. member for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte.