Abdelhaq Sari
Bourassa, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, people are coming out of the woodwork every day claiming to be AI experts. Some have contacted me, others have tried to meet with me and, recently, someone insisted that I read his book. I thought to myself, “Oh no, not another one!” I decided to take his advice anyway and read his book. Well, I followed his advice.”
“Most of all, the environment and our planet will benefit, because each appliance repaired rather than discarded represents a resource conserved and one less piece of trash. Repair is an integral part of Quebec and Canadian culture.”
“That is what Bill C-267 proposes: a response that is both simple and ambitious—a national framework for sustainable and repairable electronic products and essential devices. It is not a rigid regulation; it is not an encroachment on provincial jurisdictions.”
“It makes a lot of sense because it provides that things can be repaired instead of merely replaced, that we can be informed instead of being unaware, and that we can work together instead of imposing anything. (1830) [ English ] I think of the families in Bourassa and across the country who are watching what we do here today.”
“The European Union introduced a right to repair directive in 2024. The United Kingdom passed its legislation back in 2021. In the U.S., over twenty states have taken action with bipartisan support. Apple, Samsung, LG and Whirlpool are already adapting these standards to their other markets. This means a minimal burden for Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am speaking today about Bill C-267 . Someone's refrigerator breaks down. They call a technician, who says that the part is no longer available, that the repair manual is missing or was never available and that the cost of the repair exceeds the price of a new appliance.”
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“The new powers granted by the bill will help us to proactively monitor the ever-changing landscape of cyber-threats and take quick action to stop threats and address vulnerabilities. It often seems that not a day goes by without us hearing about a cyber-incident that has occurred somewhere in the world or in Canada. Canadians hear about these incidents and are rightly concerned about the security of their personal information and the disruptions that could be caused to the systems they rely on every day, such as financial and banking systems. We need to respond to these concerns. As legislators, it is our duty to do all we can for them. Cybersecurity is not a partisan issue. That is why I invite my hon. opposition colleagues to support us in our efforts to strengthen our collective security.”
“If this bill receives royal assent, the provisions of the critical cyber systems protection act will be implemented gradually, and the consultations under way between the government and industry stakeholders regarding the development of regulations will continue in order to minimize the potential impacts on the sectors affected. By giving the government the capacity to take direct measures against cyber-threats or vulnerabilities, this bill will strengthen the cybersecurity of Canada's essential infrastructure through its regulatory framework, while enabling the Communications Security Establishment to be better informed of the cyber-threats facing that infrastructure.”
“The critical cyber systems protection act also provides the government with a new tool for taking action to fight cybersecurity threats or vulnerabilities as needed, and to protect Canadian cyber systems more effectively. This legislation will help our government fulfill its security mandate and meet its security priorities. This government is committed to fighting modern threats like foreign interference, transnational repression and cybercrime. Because these crimes are often interconnected, this bill would play a key role in this fight by enabling the government to take action to promote the safety and security of Canada's critical infrastructure. It is time to update our legislation so that it is able to address 21st-century threats and challenges.”
“The bill also enacts the critical cyber systems protection act, which requires designated operators in the finance, telecommunications, energy, and transportation sectors to protect their critical cyber systems. This obligation includes implementing a cybersecurity program and reporting cybersecurity incidents to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. (1250) Through cybersecurity incident reporting, our intelligence agencies will be better equipped to monitor trends and new methods used by bad actors. Let me say it again: Bad actors are much more agile and improve much faster. Unfortunately, they tend to find their way around systems. At times, this renders all government systems out-of-date.”
“It is unrealistic to believe that investments or investors will come if we do not demonstrate a clear commitment to protecting our critical infrastructure. To that end, this bill introduces security-related amendments to the Telecommunications Act and establishes a new cybersecurity framework aimed at strengthening the resilience of our country's critical cyber systems. The amendments to the Telecommunications Act are intended to ensure the security of Canada's telecommunications system. In particular, they are intended to protect it from threats posed by high-risk providers. These amendments will give the government clear and explicit legal authority to require telecommunications operators to take the necessary measures to protect their systems.”
“Any compromise in the telecommunications, energy, finance or transport sectors could jeopardize the security of Canadians or cause significant damage to the Canadian economy. Passing this bill represents an important step in the government's ongoing work to combat cyber-threats, address vulnerabilities and ensure the security of Canadians and Canadian private, public and quasi-public businesses. This bill aims to strengthen national security, public safety and economic prosperity by better protecting Canada's telecommunications system against threats and enhancing the cybersecurity of federally regulated critical infrastructure. Bill C‑8 will help strengthen our economic prosperity, as resilient infrastructure is precisely what global investors are looking for. Digital sovereignty is also a global objective.”
“That is why it is imperative that we update our laws in order to mount an adequate and agile response to modern-day threats. In June, our government introduced Bill C‑8 , which represents an important step in combatting cybercrime and protecting our critical infrastructures from cyber-threats. The possibility that the critical infrastructures Canadians rely on for essential services could be hit by cyber-incidents poses a threat to our public safety, national security and economic prosperity. Cyber-threats are becoming more and more frequent and sophisticated, and are increasingly sponsored or supported by states. Moreover, Canada's critical infrastructure is becoming increasingly digitized and interconnected, particularly with the emergence of new technologies such as 5G and 5G+.”
“Madam Speaker, let me begin by saying that I will be splitting my time with the member for Vancouver East . I am very pleased to rise today to speak in support of Bill C‑8 , an act respecting cyber security. This critical piece of legislation will strengthen Canada's resilience against public and private cyber-threats. I believe that all of my parliamentary colleagues would agree that cyber-threats are now a major security concern in Canada. Bad actors are going to extreme lengths to disrupt our daily lives by carrying out cyber-threats against critical infrastructure. These disruptions have very serious consequences given our day-to-day reliance on technology. Whether for banking, communications or government services, cyber-incidents can affect every aspect of our lives.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my Bloc Québécois colleague and congratulate her on the relevance of the points she made. This is hardly about centralization. I am not an expert in this area, but I think we can agree that cybercriminals act quickly and nimbly. Their crimes are evolving so fast that our laws and those of other countries cannot keep up. Does she not see that the constraints she is adding with her amendments could undermine our efforts to be as nimble as cybercriminals?”
“Madam Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. In my riding, Bourassa, like in many parts of Canada, citizens want affordable and accessible housing. Can she inform the House on the ways her department is working together with local stakeholders, particularly municipalities, non-profits, local organizations and community organizations, to offer real housing solutions?”
“Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, many programs have been mentioned. I would like to thank my colleague for giving me another opportunity to talk about the programs we want to implement. While we do need to help farmers and recognize the importance of farmers and agri-food, I think it is very important to look at the end of the supply chain. We must ensure that food produced in Canada reaches Canadian tables at an affordable price. I think this government has a much more systemic overall view, which is very important and will enable us to address this issue seriously. This will allow us to help our farmers and, at the same time, ensure that Canadians have access to food at truly affordable prices.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for that very relevant question. Am I aware of the situation? Yes, I am. In my riding, Bourassa, between 25% and 30% of the population is seniors. I think that is a very important point. Inflation has had a much bigger impact on seniors. I am sure of that, and I could not agree more with my colleague. Now, should we increase OAS or should we try to lower prices? I will let the Minister of Finance present his solid budget. I hope it will take seniors into consideration. I completely agree with my colleague.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his pertinent question, which is relevant. It is important to note that inflation has not only affected Canada. It has also affected many countries around the world. The issue of being proactive or reactive is very important in the response. I spoke about programs, which are aspects that are much more reactive. However, when we work directly with organizations and when we dedicate funding to a particular matter, it is much more proactive. In my view, the current government led by this Prime Minister is a government that is much more proactive and that can deal with this type of situation.”
“We must continue to support and invest in farmers, hunters, gatherers and processors, as they are essential to Canada's economy and food security.”
“This legislation allows the Competition Bureau to move forward with its investigations into the use of anti-competitive restrictions, known as property controls, by large retailers. Ultimately, the Competition Bureau's work will lead to healthier competition in the food retail sector. Statistics Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have also developed the food price data hub. This is a new all-in-one tool that consolidates existing data to make it easier for Canadians to get an overall snapshot of food prices and trends. It includes average retail prices, staple food items, a personal inflation rate calculator, and other tools that allow Canadians to verify the accuracy of prices at the checkout. In conclusion, food security is a concern both globally and locally.”
“Our $1‑billion investment includes over $20 million for the first-ever school food infrastructure fund. Investments made through this fund help ensure that organizations have the equipment and infrastructure they need to produce, store and distribute safe and healthy food to school children across the country. It is truly a community-based approach. Funds will go directly to nonprofit organizations. They, in turn, will direct them to local organizations that know better than anyone else what their community needs, whether it be kitchen suppliers or delivery vans to transport food to schools. This funding will help cover some of the infrastructure costs. Other measures have been taken since the beginning of this period of global economic fluctuation. At the end of last year, we passed the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act in the House.”
“We have invested nearly $63 million over three years in renewing and expanding this program to help community organizations across the country invest in local food infrastructure. The food policy for Canada also recommended a national school food program. We are investing $1 billion over five years, which should allow us to provide meals to some 400,000 children every year. The program is expected to save the average participating family with two children up to $800 per year in grocery costs, with low-income families benefiting the most. The program connects schools to local food organizations, while creating opportunities for farmers, food processors and harvesters across Canada. Most importantly, the program will allow kids to be kids and will relieve parents of some of the pressure they are under.”
“That is why Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is working closely with Environment and Climate Change Canada, in partnership with the food industry, to gain a better understanding of food packaging approaches that reduce the use of plastic while limiting the impact on the food industry or consumers. I would like to take a moment to talk about the food policy for Canada and one of our flagship initiatives: the local food infrastructure fund. Over the past five years, the fund has committed $71 million to nearly 1,200 projects to improve food security across Canada, including more than 250 projects in indigenous communities, or about 40% of total funding. These projects included community gardens, greenhouses, walk-in refrigerators and walk-in freezers, as well as refrigerated vehicles for transporting and distributing food.”
“Throughout the conference, discussions focused on ensuring that business risk management programs are sustainable and reflect the needs of producers. We are actively seeking new international opportunities while working to resolve issues around access to other key markets. It is also important to note that we are building a united Canadian economy thanks to improved domestic trade. I would add that the Government of Canada made regulatory changes that ceased the application of the fuel charge in effect since April 1, 2023. Thanks to these changes, charges on fuel destined for the agricultural sector are now fully exempt from the federal price on pollution. (1715) We also know that sustainable food packaging is a priority for consumers, along with affordable food.”
“All in all, we are working to expand and strengthen our trade relations with key markets; unlock Canada's potential by reducing red tape; and invest in technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence. We are strengthening trade with our existing customers, while opening up new opportunities in sectors with high potential. Our farmers and processors provide consumers around the world with the best agricultural and food products available, while supporting the Canadian economy. A strong and prosperous agriculture and food sector means a more resilient food system for Canadians. A few weeks ago, the federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers met to discuss the next agricultural policy framework and advance collaborative efforts in support of a resilient, sustainable and competitive agricultural sector.”
“In 2024, Canada was the world's fifth-largest exporter of agri-food and seafood products. Our food processors also play a vital role. They are our farmers' biggest customer, purchasing more than 40% of Canada's agricultural production for domestic processing, while creating more jobs than any other manufacturing sector in the country. There is incredible potential on the horizon for our world-class food and agricultural products, potential that could help support global food security. The hon. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food brings an economic and competitive perspective to agriculture and food. We want a food system that is strong, affordable and resilient for Canadians and that supports our world-class farmers and processors.”
“In fact, when we look at the agricultural and agri-food system as a whole, we see that it is an economic powerhouse. This sector employs 2.3 million people, creates one in nine jobs, generates more than $100 billion in exports, and contributes $150 billion to the GDP. A strong agriculture and food sector that puts Canada first is essential to Canadians' food security and the affordability of the prices they pay. This is the time of year when farmers are very busy. In fields and on farms across Canada, it is harvest time. Every day across our great country, nearly 200,000 farmers and their family members are out in their fields and barns well before sunrise, working hard to put fresh, nutritious food on our tables. Together, they have helped establish Canada as a global leader in sustainable food production.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Madawaska—Restigouche . [ Translation ] I thank all members of the House for their shared commitment to food security and to Canada's farmers and food processors. Our new government is committed to ensuring that prices remain affordable for Canadians. It has made this a top priority. In the face of unprecedented and unfair trade threats, we are working hard to strengthen and grow Canada's economy and jobs, for the benefit of all. As the Prime Minister said, we are working to build the strongest economy in the G7. Agriculture plays a very important role in this regard. It is time for our agriculture and agri-food sector to get the credit it deserves as an important driver of our economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, there has been a lot of talk about minority issues. There is a lot of talk about the court and the 125 MNAs in Quebec. It is also important to note that what is happening now is that this law was imposed on a minority in Quebec, and it is this minority that is turning to the courts. My question is simple. Do these people have the right to challenge the law in this way and to turn to Canada to challenge this law?”
“Mr. Speaker, I see that my remarks shocked the members on the other side of the House. That was not my intention. I simply want to say that, while they do not really have the exclusive right to speak on behalf of Quebeckers, neither do we, but we were still elected by Quebeckers who sent us here. I do, however, want to point out one thing on which we agree. There is at least one. It is that we need to debate. The problem with these laws that my colleague mentioned is that they were imposed and there was no debate. That is what is important in a free society. My question for my colleague is this. One of my constituents is a single mother with three children who wears a veil and is not allowed to teach. What should I say to her?”
“Mr. Speaker, first, our government is tackling unemployment, developing employability and creating plenty of job opportunities. It is building a very strong economy. However, I would simply like to point out that there may have been a misunderstanding with my message. The fact is that in Quebec, a woman who wears a veil cannot teach. A woman who wears a veil cannot really work in a day care. Many job opportunities are being eliminated for those people. That is what we want to defend. It is freedom of religion.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, I really do not need any lessons from the other side of the House. Mario Beaulieu: Answer the question. Abdelhaq Sari: Mr. Speaker, I will answer the question by simply saying that, for us, Quebec values include the value of diversity. When we say in the House that we represent Quebec, it is a matter of arithmetic. There are 44 Quebeckers here who will represent and defend Quebec's culture and values. There are more of us. We have more women, more diversity and more seats. We will defend Quebec values and culture tooth and nail.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is what I was saying earlier. Unfortunately, listening to the Bloc Québécois members, it is as though there are two sorts of Quebecker. He asks me where I was in 1982. I know the history of Quebec. I had the choice to go to other provinces when I immigrated, but I decided to settle in Quebec because I believe in Quebec's values, in the values of diversity and the French language. That is why I tell him here that one Quebecker is no better than another, none is more Québécois than an other. Simply put, that is my answer.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is a great quote. I think that protecting minorities is very important, especially when it comes to fundamental rights such as access to employment. I will give just one example. The people most affected by unemployment in Quebec are people of different racial backgrounds. These are people who, unfortunately, do not have access to employment because they wear a religious symbol. This includes women who wear headscarves, unfortunately. That is what we are talking about. When these people are oppressed, it undermines everyone's freedom.”
“Failure to protect these rights and freedoms undermines our democracy. Protecting these rights and freedoms strengthens our country's confidence, diversity and unity. Quebec chose 44 Liberal MPs, many of them women and men from diverse backgrounds. Quebec voters chose a significant number of women. A huge percentage of people from diverse backgrounds represent the people of Quebec. I think the Liberal Party has the right to represent Quebec culture, Quebec values and, most importantly, Quebeckers' rights and freedoms.”
“[ English ] When one group's rights are suspended, all Canadians are weakened. Democracy is not only about majority rule; it is about protecting minorities as well. [ Translation ] It is a matter of principle. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us of this in his letter from the Birmingham jail: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Our duty as legislators is to protect the charter as a whole, without picking and choosing which rights are the most convenient to defend depending on the circumstances. [ English ] Steadfast respect for charter rights, without resorting to section 33, benefits all Canadians, strengthens our democracy and upholds the rule of law. [ Translation ] Respecting charter rights and freedoms is not just an abstract principle. It is a very real responsibility toward all citizens.”
“That is Quebec's value. That is Quebec's culture. I want to come back to religion. [ English ] Freedom of religion includes the right to wear symbols of faith in public life. In Canada, multiculturalism is not an abstract principle. It is a lived reality, and religious diversity is at its core. (1705) [ Translation ] This clause raises other questions. It may affect freedom of expression and freedom of the press, which are essential for informing citizens and holding governments to account. The right to life, liberty and security, under section 7, protects against arbitrary interference by the state. The right to protection from unreasonable searches, in section 8, guarantees privacy. The right to equality, in section 15, prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, sex, sexual orientation, origin or disability.”
“[ Translation ] Religious freedom is a test of our democracy. Religious freedom, guaranteed in section 2(a), protects the right to believe or not to believe, as well as the right to express one's faith openly and without fear. It allows everyone, whether they attend a mosque, church, synagogue or temple, to express their faith with dignity. Restricting this freedom through the notwithstanding clause sends a message that religious minorities can be pushed aside based on the political choices of the majority. We need to be careful and make a clear distinction between secularism and the Bloc Québécois' idea of secularism. The Bloc wants to impose values on us. They claim to know what Quebec's values are, and they want to decide what those values are. Quebec's values include the French language, as well as Quebec's rich diversity.”
“[ English ] It is not a coincidence that other nations, such as South Africa and New Zealand, have looked to Canada's charter when drafting their own bills of rights. [ Translation ] As a Quebecker, I want to say today that the notwithstanding clause is a dangerous tool. Let me explain. Section 33 says that the notwithstanding clause allows certain fundamental rights to be suspended: freedom of religion, freedom of expression, the right to equality and the right to a fair trial. These rights are at the heart of our democracy. Suspending these protections undermines the bedrock of our society. [ English ] The notwithstanding clause may appear technical, but its impact is very real. It allows governments to bypass the courts and silence minority voices. That is why its use must remain exceptional.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a matter of crucial importance: protecting the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Since 1982, this document has been not only a legal instrument, but also a symbol of our identity and our democracy. [ English ] Canadians see the charter not only as a law, but as a living guarantee that protects everyone, regardless of their origin, faith or background. [ Translation ] The charter is a pillar of our democracy. Above all, it has become an essential bulwark against arbitrary decisions. It protects all citizens. In fact, polls show that over 80% of Canadians believe it has been good for our country. In Quebec, there is also a large majority that recognizes its importance.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my colleague, who presented a beautiful framework, a very interesting vision of the angle that the charter should take. I congratulate him on that work. My question is very simple. Can my colleague at least give us an idea of how this notwithstanding clause can also harm minority interests in Quebec, freedom of expression and freedom of religion? I want to take this opportunity to say that when I alluded to the tower of Pisa, I was mainly talking about the Bloc Québécois, not the Quebec government or Quebec's legislative assembly.”
“Mr. Speaker, far be it from me to muddy the waters. I want to be specific this time, and I would like an answer from my colleague. When I speak about minorities, I do so as a Quebecker, representing Quebec here. I was referring to minorities in the province of Quebec compared to the francophone majority in Quebec. What values are we talking about? Are they values defined solely by that majority, or values based on inclusion, diversity and the richness represented by immigrants who choose to settle in Quebec? Within the Liberal Party, there are a number of members representing the province of Quebec. The Quebec Liberals are diverse: Some are women, of course, but there are also people from different ethnic backgrounds. My question is this: How many Bloc Québécois members are from other ethnic backgrounds?”
“Mr. Speaker, I admire the Bloc Québécois member's eloquence, and I also admire the image he chose, the image of the tower of Pisa, which always leans the same way. Along the same lines, can he not see that the Bloc Québécois is also like the tower of Pisa in a way, because it always leans toward the majority? The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects minority rights above all. However, in his speech, I never heard him or his colleagues talk about minorities or what they might experience on their difficult migratory journey. It is very important to remember that today. Can he at least explain how he could also protect minority rights with these elements?”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my Bloc Québécois colleague and I heard the term “secularism”. One of the things that really motivated me to settle in Canada and choose to live in the province of Quebec as a Quebecker was its secular nature. Here, however, we have to be tread very carefully. There is a big difference between secularism and secularization. Secularization is really about imposing a certain culture on a newcomer, and that is very important. My question is this: What harm does it cause to the service you receive if someone wearing a kippah or a veil shows up when you come to see a nurse or an educator? Why would it bother you if someone wears a conspicuous religious symbol? Other people who hold religious beliefs may be wearing a cross but keep it out of sight. What is the difference, then?”
“Mr. Speaker, the NBA's Larry O'Brien trophy weighs more than 20 pounds. How do I know that? It is because the trophy was brought home to my riding of Bourassa. Luguentz Dort, who faced off against his childhood friend Bennedict Mathurin, brought the trophy home to Bourassa. We really had it back home in Bourassa. He also brought back hope. He brought back pride for young people in Bourassa. He also brought back a clear message about the need for infrastructure. It is unacceptable that over 40,000 young people in Bourassa have to train at night in another riding in order to have access to infrastructure or a sports complex. Luguentz Dort brought back hope and pride, but he also brought back a clear message: Now, more than ever, the riding of Bourassa also has the right to a sports complex.”
“These are very important things that we need to work on to improve prevention. When two people are in a intimate relationship where there is violence, unfortunately, it can only end in femicide. On that point, I completely agree that we need to do much more in terms of prevention—”
“Mr. Speaker, I really like that question. We really need to do more work on prevention. There are more indicators and warning signs that we need to work on as a government and as a society. Here are two examples. Consider youth crime. Young people need more sports infrastructure, more community centres and more access to arts and culture, which is not the case across the country. That is very important. Another very important thing to consider is femicide. I heard someone mention that earlier and I really want to talk about that today. It is very important to give the victim of violence in a couple or intimate relationship the opportunity to leave the home quickly, to have taxi chits, to have access to a storage facility for their belongings and to have access to a shelter.”
“Mr. Speaker, quite simply, I disagree with the Conservatives' comments and their proposal, which would remove judicial discretion. I agree with my Bloc Québécois colleague on this point because it is very important. He expressed it quite well earlier today. Removing this discretionary power from judges really infringes on their power. When the Crown and Crown attorneys look at the history of the criminal or the person who committed the assault, they are obviously going to share that information so that the judge has real insight into the situation. I fully agree with having this discretionary power in our judicial system.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is not a record to be proud of. Once again, and this is very important, let us not focus on lagging indicators. We agree on these points. However, when it comes to contributing factors, at no point did I hear anyone on the other side of the House talk about determinants of health, determinants of housing or social determinants. These are the determinants that create vulnerability. We cannot forget that, over the past 10 years, we have faced challenges related to COVID-19. We have faced challenges that really weakened our social fabric and led to rising crime.”
“As I said earlier, we are working in partnership with the territories, provinces, law enforcement and communities across the country to achieve that. The Conservative motion may make a good bumper sticker, but Canadians deserve policies that make their streets safer.”
“We oppose this motion because it is based on a false premise, a misrepresentation of Liberal reforms, and because it proposes a failed U.S.-style solution. The “three strikes and you're out” law is a rigid law that would undermine judicial independence, potentially result in unconstitutional outcomes and lead to costly over-incarceration without deterring people from committing crimes. Rather than adopting failed American policies, let us work together with all stakeholders, with the provinces, with the territories, with people who have experience, with evidence. That is what we need to do. Our government was elected by Canadians on a platform aimed at improving public safety, building trust in the justice system and ensuring that violent offenders face real consequences.”
“It cannot be addressed with simplistic statements like the ones we unfortunately heard today. We must provide the sense of peace and security on the streets that Canadians deserve. Women deserve to walk safely at night. Our young people have the right to play safely in the streets. We are working closely with the provinces and territories on bail reform, and that is very important. I also want to talk about community safety. We all deserve to feel safe in Canada. Unlike the members on the other side of the House, we are not playing this political game. We do not want to scare Canadians. Our country is not the wild west, so let us stop scaring Canadians. We need to work closely together. Yes, there is a problem, but trampling on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is not the way to solve this kind of problem.”
“Finally, we need to invest in prevention and community safety while protecting Canadians from emerging threats, including human trafficking, cybercrime and criminal networks, which may or may not be organized, but which are growing increasingly sophisticated. (1730) It should be noted that, although the federal government sets the rules for bail and sentencing, it is the provinces that oversee the prison system and pre-trial detention. That is why real solutions require close collaboration between the two levels of government. The provinces and territories also have tools at their disposal to toughen and enforce bail laws, and we encourage them to use them. Canadians deserve to be safe, not to be fed slogans. Today, we heard a whole slew of very simplistic slogans from the other side of the House. Community safety is not about slogans.”
“These commitments are part of the Liberal public safety platform, which promised to combat gun violence and organized crime by strengthening the fight against smuggling at the border by equipping the police with investigative tools. We hope that the members opposite will agree with us on the more thoroughly analyzed and studied aspects. We need to make bail laws stricter to keep violent repeat offenders off the streets while upholding the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We need to support victims of crime by improving services and ensuring that their voices are heard in the justice system.”
“We met with provincial and territorial officials, police chiefs, police associations, lawyers, defence attorneys and Crown prosecutors. All these stakeholders have their own experience, which is not necessarily consistent across Canada. On the contrary, the contexts vary from one place to another, from one province to another and from one region to another. For this reason, our government will introduce legislation this fall to strengthen Canada's bail system by making it harder for repeat offenders to get bail, to increase sentences for the most serious and violent repeat offences, and to reduce court delays, which will be very helpful at ensuring that serious cases, including femicide cases, are dealt with more quickly and victims are not retraumatized by court delays and procedural delays.”