Nathalie Provost
Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, the research chair in taxation and public finance said today that Canada is still resilient in spite of everything. It is true that Quebec has been deeply affected by the trade war with the United States, but we have managed to pivot.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague raises an important issue. Lakes and rivers are indeed a valuable resource for Canadians. That is precisely why we have invested in the nature strategy, which aims to protect 30% of our land and waterways. However, it is also important to safeguard the right to navigate on lakes.”
“Mr. Speaker, climate change is a reality. We are fully cognizant of that, and we are working on it. With Canada's 2030 nature strategy, we plan to protect 30% of our lands and waters, which will help us fight climate change.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague's question gives me the opportunity to discuss an announcement made last week. We are going to invest $1 billion in food infrastructure to make food terminals and hubs more accessible to Canadians. We are also going to improve competition. We are going to do this because it matters. Canadians need support.”
“Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 5, Canadians received the first instalment of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. Millions of Canadians have received help with their grocery bills. We are very aware of the challenges Canadians are facing.”
“Mr. Speaker, an extremely interesting question is being raised today. This means of public transportation will allow everyone to travel more easily between our provinces. It is an important structural element of our economy that will boost trade and economic exchanges between Quebec and Ontario.”
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“With that in mind, we have not only strengthened measures at the border, but also provided over $214 million to the gun and gang violence action fund. We have also invested $250 million in the building safer communities fund to support local and indigenous initiatives, and we have provided $312 million to enhance Canada's firearm control framework. I am very pleased about that, and we will continue to move in that direction to support gun control. These investments are paying off. Thanks to new tools and technologies, as well as the hard work of the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency, the CBSA, we are seeing an increase in firearms seizures and arrests at our borders.”
“I would like to emphasize that while reforming the law is important, it is not enough on its own to address public safety concerns. (1700) The federal government has invested over $920 million to combat gun smuggling at the border, build law enforcement capacity and work with the provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous communities to develop gun and gang violence prevention and intervention initiatives. I will pause here for a moment to remind all my colleagues that I represent the riding of Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville. Everyone in the region is very aware of the major problem we have with firearms trafficking, unfortunately. It is therefore very important to me, as the member for this riding, that we think about strengthening border measures related to this issue.”
“In 2023, the former Bill C‑48 expanded provisions related to the reverse onus for violent repeat offenders and required courts to explicitly consider public safety when making bail decisions. This former bill also added new firearms offences to the list of offences covered by the reverse onus provisions, including unlawful possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, breaking and entering for the purpose of stealing a firearm, robbery with the intent to steal a firearm and the manufacturing of an automatic firearm. The federal government also plans to make it more difficult for individuals to get bail if they have been charged with violent car theft, break-ins and certain offences related to human trafficking and smuggling.”
“Any suggestion that only the federal government or only one level of government is responsible for this issue shows contempt for the entire justice system—ours, at the federal level, but also that of the provinces and municipalities. It is therefore important that we resume our dialogue with a view to achieving our common goal of public safety. The government must work closely with the provinces and territories, as we are currently doing, to strengthen our collective response to violent crime and organized crime networks. The federal government is also working to provide law enforcement with new and more effective tools to disrupt gang activity, stop illegal firearms trafficking, and hold violent offenders accountable for their actions. Over the last few years, the federal government has taken significant steps to reform bail laws.”
“Although the federal government enacts the laws governing bail, it is important to remember that the provinces and territories are responsible for administering the system on the ground. This includes conducting bail hearings, enforcing bail conditions, and managing remand centres. These responsibilities put provinces and territories on the front lines of our collective effort to protect communities from violent repeat offenders, gang-related activity, and gun crime. The provinces and territories are not playing a supporting role. Rather, their role is essential to ensuring that the bail system effectively responds to the threats posed by organized crime and serious violence.”
“I am aware that people are feeling increasingly unsafe in some places in Canada and that we need to take action. It is this shared concern about public safety that makes Canadians particularly alert to the threats posed by gangs, gun violence and organized crime. Recent headlines and certain high-profile incidents remind us of the challenges posed by organized crime. Criminal groups continue to adapt, exploit new technologies and increase their influence. We are very concerned, particularly for young people who get carried away by advertisements on Facebook or Instagram and get pulled into the criminal world almost without realizing it. Illegal firearms are also being smuggled across our borders and networks of extortionists are targeting families and small businesses. These are very serious threats that demand serious answers.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank the hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot for moving this motion. Public safety is definitely an issue that all people in Canada care deeply about, and it is something that I personally have cared deeply about for many, many years. I have been advocating for better gun control in Canada for over 15 years now. The main objective of my personal commitment is keeping all Canadians safe. Having the opportunity to rise in the House today for the first time to debate a motion on this subject is truly an extraordinary opportunity for me. I know that everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and in their community. There is nothing more difficult than going through every day with a constant feeling of anxiety. I personally felt that way for many years after what I experienced at École Polytechnique.”
“Mr. Speaker, I understand. I understand my colleague when she talks about how hard it is to walk down the street as a woman. I have experienced that and still experience it from time to time. However, what is being proposed today will not help make our streets safer. Common-sense laws and regulations, drafted after discussions with the community and all levels of government, are what will enable us to come up with a collective solution. Together, by passing Bill C‑2 , we will be able to do something for Canadian women.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. I am deeply moved to rise in the House on this issue. I am here with the Liberal government because, up until March of this year, the Liberal government worked tirelessly to reduce the risk of gun violence in Canada by banning assault-style weapons. We still need to make regulations. We are going to do that because we need to see this through. That is what a government that fights crime is all about.”
“Mr. Speaker, since this is my first time rising in the House, I will take a moment to thank my constituents in the beautiful riding of Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville for their trust and support. Nature is a fundamental part of the Canadian identity. It brings us together, and Canadians of every political stripe love nature. This new government will work with the provinces, territories, indigenous peoples and all stakeholders to protect nature. That is what a united Canada means.”