Jacques Ramsay
La Prairie—Atateken, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I was heartbroken to learn about Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who was killed in the line of duty yesterday. My heart is with his family and loved ones. With an 18-year stellar record, Marc was known as someone who was courageous and respected, and a man who put others before himself.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Constable Pinizzotto, as well as officers of the Toronto Police Service. Constable Pinizzotto was killed while participating in an investigation relating to multiple shootings in Toronto, including the shooting of the U.S. consulate.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his question. The government has taken all necessary measures. We are taking this situation very seriously. We have reviewed 18,000 Iranian visas. All men of military age have been screened and scrutinized.”
“Mr. Speaker, the government is aware of the challenges facing SMEs, particularly the issue of hiring well-trained employees. With the team Canada strong initiative, we want to address these challenges by offering grants to apprentices in Red Seal skilled trades and to the SMEs that hire them.”
“Mr. Speaker, I found it interesting that the hon. member raised that subject, since the government, within one year, has done more than any government before it: Bill C-8 on cyberthreat, Bill C-9 on heinous crimes, Bill C-12 on border security, Bill C-14 on bail reform and more severe sentences, Bill C-16 on protecting victims and acceler…”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the House that the government has made massive investments to strengthen the services provided by the RCMP and the CBSA. We are taking action to crack down on gang-related violence and hate crimes. Bill C-14 will soon come into force to reform—”
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“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to scouting week 2026, which is taking place across Canada from February 16 to 22. The francophone scouting movement includes over 10,000 youths and 3,700 adult volunteers. Becoming a scout means embracing the values of service to others, leadership, solidarity and respect for nature. Simply put, scouting means patiently helping 10,000 young people learn to be responsible citizens and get involved in their communities. I would like to send a special shout-out to the 33rd Candiac-La Prairie scout group in my riding of La Prairie—Mackenzie—Atateken. These enthusiastic young people and their mentor, François De l'Étoile, worked hard raising funds at Christmas markets for their trip this summer to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Saint-Jean, a riding that borders mine. Bill C-14 needs to do three things. It needs to protect Canadian communities and protect victims, which it does. It also needs to protect the independence and impartiality of judges, which it does. The third thing it needs to do is ensure that Canadians have confidence in the justice system. This is about ensuring that the administration of justice is not brought into disrepute. I would argue that it fulfills these three objectives. It was important that it did so. I would like my colleague to comment on that.”
“Madam Speaker, I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on the recent agreement reached with the Chinese government to allow 49,000 electric vehicles to enter the Canadian market. Does he think that is a good idea? Does he think Canada will be able to derive economic and environmental benefits from that agreement?”
“Madam Speaker, did I mention earlier that my ears were ringing? Among other things, the opposition motion seeks to remove the federal ban on plastic manufacturing. There is that eternal fascination with oil again. However, Canada is internationally recognized for its commitment to fighting plastic pollution, and we are seeing that microplastics are now everywhere in our environment, even in the food we eat. I would like to hear my hon. colleague's opinion on this part of the opposition motion. I want to know what he thinks.”
“Madam Speaker, my ears are burning. The opposition's motion seeks, among other things, to repeal the Impact Assessment Act. We are going back to the 19th century. Companies are being told they can do what they want and that Canadians will foot the environmental bill and pay the billion-dollar invoice. What does the member for Winnipeg North think about our vision, the vision of the Liberal Party of Canada, which, in my view, is based on reason and common sense? Does he not agree that Bill C‑5 does not diminish the importance of the environment and that, in fact, with its commitment to “one project, one review”, it streamlines assessments and projects? That is what the industry wants. The rules are clear and the message is clear. We are providing a boost to the industry and protecting the environment at the same time.”
“Mr. Speaker, what everyone needs to understand is that the processes of both crime reduction and immigration reform are dynamic. They must evolve in response to global changes and organized crime, which is constantly using increasingly sophisticated methods to transport illegal drugs and launder money. The government must constantly improve and refocus its measures to effectively combat organized crime. Our government has demonstrated that it is listening to law enforcement and public safety agencies in order to effectively combat crime and protect Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, this time of year is indeed a good time to seek everyone's co-operation in adopting measures that the majority of members want to adopt. These include tougher penalties, bail reform, tougher measures for sex offenders and measures to protect victims. I hope we can implement this set of measures early next year.”
“Mr. Speaker, the work to determine where these officers will be stationed is already complete. The budgets were recently approved and arrangements have been made with schools in Rigaud for the Canada Border Services Agency, the CBSA, and at the Depot Division in Saskatchewan for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the RCMP. The president of the CBSA and the RCMP commissioner both estimate that, three years from now, these 1,000 additional officers combined will be on the job.”
“It provides for enactment of the supporting authorized access to information act, expands the inspection authority of Canada Post and imposes new restrictions on third party deposits and large cash transfers. The government listened to the concerns of stakeholders and parliamentarians, and we drafted Bill C-12, which will advance essential measures while giving us more time to study Bill C-2. In conclusion, Bill C-12 grants the necessary powers to take decisive action to protect Canadians. I am therefore counting on my colleagues in Parliament to quickly pass this bill so that we can implement these essential measures as soon as possible.”
“This partnership strengthens our ability to develop and use financial intelligence to fight fentanyl trafficking and other crimes. Bill C-12 complements other measures, such as the fentanyl czar, who ensures coordination between the Canadian and U.S. governments, or the listing of eight transnational organized crime groups as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. Of course, everyone knows that transnational organized crime groups pose a serious threat to our allies and to our own security. It serves the common good that we use every means available to neutralize them. Bill C-12 goes hand in hand with another bill previously introduced, Bill C-2 , the strong borders act. Bill C-2 also advances measures that give law enforcement access to basic information essential to police investigations.”
“They will enable the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC, to share supervisory information on federally regulated financial institutions with the Financial Institutions Supervisory Committee, thus improving co-operation and communication. All of the measures set out in Bill C-12 will strengthen current efforts to protect our border from coast to coast to coast. These measures include the creation of the joint operational intelligence cell, which builds on existing co-operation mechanisms between law enforcement partners and security agencies to better leverage information sharing to target transnational organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking. (1015) The government has also established the integrated money laundering intelligence partnership with Canada's big banks.”
“In addition to border security measures, the bill also contains measures that will strengthen our response to transnational organized crime, particularly when it comes to money laundering. Transnational organized crime groups cannot operate without access to funds. By making it more difficult for them to obtain additional funds, we are undermining their illegal activities. Bill C-12 will thus make it possible to impose tougher, higher penalties to combat money laundering. In fact, the monetary penalties have been multiplied by 40 to ensure that they have a major impact on the finances of businesses that may be tempted to tolerate money laundering operations. The measures proposed in the bill will also enhance supervisory collaboration and support high standards of regulatory compliance.”
“Regarding auto theft, owners and operators of certain ports of entry and exit will be required to provide and equip facilities to enable the administration and enforcement of the CBSA's mandate, including examining and detaining goods for export. This will go a long way toward curbing the illegal export of stolen vehicles. The bill would also amend the Oceans Act to add security activities to the range of services already provided by the Canadian Coast Guard. This will allow the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and share information and intelligence for security purposes. With respect to information sharing, the bill proposes to strengthen the RCMP's ability to share information about registered sex offenders with domestic and international law enforcement partners.”
“However, our methods need to evolve all the time, just as the methods used by criminals and transnational organized crime groups are evolving. That is why Bill C‑12 is important. It amends our laws so that law enforcement finally has the tools and powers it needs to address the threats to our border. There are three main thrusts to the bill: strengthening border security; combatting transnational organized crime, illicit fentanyl and illicit financing; and modernizing how we process immigration applications, including for asylum seekers. To strengthen our border security, Bill C‑12 would amend the Customs Act to protect our borders from illicit drug trafficking, firearms smuggling and auto theft.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise in the House today to speak to Bill C‑12, strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act. I want to begin by thanking the members of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security for their thorough study of the bill and the seriousness with which they approached their work. I also want to thank the many witnesses who shared their comments and suggestions about Bill C‑12. Our border with the United States is the longest in the world. Every day last year, nearly $3.6 billion in goods and about 400,000 people crossed the border. Our RCMP and CBSA officers work hard, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, to ensure that our border remains one of the most secure in the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague on her bill. This is a very important issue that needs to be debated and that requires our full attention. All 343 of us here share the horror of these crimes committed by sexual predators. We all want these crimes to be severely punished in a way that acts as a deterrent. However, the government has an obligation to act responsibly. It has an obligation to ensure that legislation is constitutional and that it will not be a waste of time. There is no point in wasting time. Considering—”
“Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague will certainly have the opportunity to ask a question afterward. The member for Calgary Nose Hill is asking what is in this budget for her constituents. I will keep the debate very simple. I will ask the member what she thinks of the productivity superdeduction, which will essentially enable Canadian businesses, businesses in her riding of Calgary Nose Hill, to quickly write off their capital investment costs for capital expenditures, process transformation, automation, renewable energy, research, experimental development and so on. I think it is an incredible economic stimulus that is going to kick-start our economy—”
“Mr. Chair, I would very much like my hon. colleague from Marc-Aurèle-Fortin to give us his analysis of why some companies perform better than others, namely American companies in Detroit. If it is the tariff situation that is at issue, I would like him to clarify this difference for us.”
“Mr. Chair, I know that my hon. colleague travels throughout his riding and knows his fellow citizens very well. I would like him to tell us what he has been hearing. What are his constituents saying about the measures our government is taking?”
“Mr. Chair, we often hear that the main obstacle to Canadians choosing electric vehicles on a large scale is the lack of charging stations. I would like the parliamentary secretary to explain what exactly would be needed in terms of charging station infrastructure to make it easier for Canadians to buy electric vehicles.”
“Mr. Chair, my colleague is outlining the Conservative strategy. Its relevance remains to be seen. However, there was no mention in his speech of a certain president, south of here, who is imposing tariffs. My colleague's leader has called for an accelerated renegotiation of CUSMA and indicated that he would be able to reach an agreement with the United States. Could my colleague share some words of wisdom on his strategy for negotiating with the United States?”
“Madam Speaker, the hon. member just illustrated very clearly the difference between our party and his. We believe that the current economic cycle is harsh and that it will not correct itself. We need to bring in concrete, meaningful measures and take definitive action on the economy. We will do this through substantial investments that will ultimately enable the economy to recover. My hon. colleague is suggesting that there are no measures in this budget. I will simply mention the productivity superdeduction, which will allow businesses, starting this year, to deduct all their capital expenditures, industrial processing, research, testing and market development expenses. That is huge. I see that the government is moving in the right direction. I am confident, and I invite us to—”
“For example, the GST/HST credit provides up to $700 for a couple this year, plus an additional $184 for each child under the age of 19. The Canada child benefit amounts to $8,000 this year for every child under the age of six, and $6,700 for children between the ages of six and 17. All of these amounts will keep pace with the cost of living. Another measure involves renewing the Canada strong pass, and the list goes on. We will also protect the vital social programs that Canadians rely on, whether it is child care, dental care or pharmacare. These are concrete measures that make life more affordable for Canadians.”
“This budget is a plan to transform our economy, one that currently depends on a single trading partner, into one that is stronger, more resilient, and more diversified. It is a plan that will empower Canadians and reduce the cost of living in this country. For example, the budget makes the national school food program permanent. That means an additional 400,000 children will receive healthy meals every day, and participating families with two children will be able to save about $800 annually on groceries. The budget also proposes to automatically deliver federal benefits to low-income Canadians. The CRA will ensure that they receive the federal benefits to which they are entitled, including those that they may not even be aware of. The budget confirms a number of benefits.”
“That is why we introduced many measures in the 2025 budget to help Canadians live a more dignified life. We cannot control what other countries do, but we can decide how we respond to what we can control. As the member opposite may recall, on our first day in office, we cancelled the divisive consumer carbon tax, which lowered gas prices by 18¢ per litre in most provinces and territories, except mine. We are now cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians, saving a two-income family up to $840 a year. We are also eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million. That means savings of up to $50,000 for many young families. That should also spur new home construction across the country. We tabled budget 2025, entitled “Canada Strong”.”
“Madam Speaker, the hon. member for Langley Township—Fraser Heights argues that our government is responsible for a never-ending cycle of inflationary spending and deficits. I would argue exactly the opposite. I believe we are taking action specifically to prevent this inflationary cycle. We live in an uncertain and rapidly changing world. Around the world, the trade relationships that help ensure good jobs and affordable products are being disrupted. Here at home, rising tariffs are posing significant challenges for Canadians, as we know, particularly those who work in trade-exposed sectors such as manufacturing. The Government of Canada also recognizes that the cost of living is putting financial pressure on Canadian families and small businesses.”
“Madam Speaker, our government is proud of the work it has undertaken to protect Canadians from extortion and other violent crimes. We are proud of the work we have accomplished on the ground. Since February 2024, for example, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has established a national coordination and support team, forming a national alliance to coordinate and advance extortion investigations across Canada. Through this national team, the RCMP works with police services across Canada and internationally to address extortion crimes and violent incidents. In addition, a B.C. extortion expert group was created last September and so far has already identified 96 individuals—”
“We are taking the necessary steps to make our communities even safer. If the Conservatives are serious about addressing extortion, they should support Bill C‑2, Bill C‑12 and Bill C‑14.”
“These reforms prioritize the Government of Canada's response to deter serious organized criminal activity, including extortion, and protect the public safety of Canadians. These commitments build on the Government of Canada's ongoing efforts to protect Canadians from extortion and other violent crimes. In 2023, Public Safety Canada renewed the initiative to take action against gun and gang violence, which provides $400 million over five years to provinces and territories. Our government also launched the building safer communities fund in 2022, which provides $250 million directly to municipalities and indigenous communities to strengthen gang prevention programs and address the social conditions that give rise to crime. In conclusion, we know that there is more work to do.”
“However, the Conservatives oppose them. I hope they will change their vote when we discuss this further next week. Bill C-12 seeks to secure our borders and strengthen our immigration system by giving new powers to the Canada Border Services Agency and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This will improve Canada's response to the rise in extortion by strengthening border enforcement and administration and improving information sharing. Bill C‑14 establishes stricter bail and sentencing requirements by making it harder to get bail for violent and repeat offences as well as for organized crime. It also proposes consecutive sentences for serious and violent crimes.”
“In the Government of Canada's budget 2025, we announced an investment to hire 1,000 new RCMP members to increase federal policing capacity across Canada and combat organized criminal networks that threaten Canada's economic and national security, as well as 1,000 new CBSA officers to help crack down on illegal arms trafficking. The Government of Canada also introduced bills C-2 , C-12 and C-14 , which seek to strengthen immigration and border security, combat transnational organized crime, tighten bail laws, and increase penalties to protect Canadians and strengthen the security of our communities. Bill C-2 proposes modernized tools to facilitate law enforcement's lawful access to basic information and data. These measures are crucial to disrupting sophisticated organized crime networks that use modern extortion schemes.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about extortion in Canada, particularly in British Columbia. I can assure the House that the Government of Canada is actively working on this file and that it is more committed than ever to protecting Canadians, regardless of where they come from or where they live. All Canadians and Canadian interests must be protected from all criminal threats, including extortion and related acts of violence. This is not a soft-on-crime policy at all. It is quite the opposite. Serious organized crime is complex, so a multi-pronged response to these criminal networks is essential. Incidents of extortion are alarming, and support is in place for those affected. Anyone who feels threatened online or in person should report the situation to local police.”
“Madam Speaker, budget 2025 is about fiscal responsibility. We are determined to make responsible choices to reduce government operating expenses and wasteful spending, so Canadians can invest more in the workers, businesses and infrastructure that will build Canada strong, and so we can strengthen our health care system in collaboration with the provinces and territories.”
“We are taking a collaborative approach with all the provinces and territories. Canadians deserve timely access to health care services wherever and whenever they need them.”
“At the same time, we were very clear in the Speech from the Throne. Even though the government will be spending less, transfers to provinces and territories will be maintained. This includes the Canada health transfer, which provides provinces and territories with predictable funding for health care. As the hon. member may know, this transfer will increase by at least 5% per year until 2027-28. In addition, the 2025 budget announced the creation of a $5-billion health infrastructure fund. This fund will complement the support already being provided to provinces and territories in the area of health care. It will help them ensure that their health care infrastructure, such as hospitals, emergency services, urgent care centres and medical schools, can meet the health care needs of Canadians.”
“Our ambitious savings plan means Canadians can count on their government to be more efficient in delivering essential services while reducing operational costs. In fact, we are slowing growth in direct program spending from 8% to 1%. We are also introducing a capital budgeting framework that clearly distinguishes day-to-day operational spending from capital investments. That will strengthen our economy and make it grow for Canadians. The result is that more public funds will go to the infrastructure needed to build the country, clean energy, innovation and productivity, and fewer public funds will go to day-to-day operating expenses. Sound fiscal management is a vital part of reallocating resources and enabling the intergenerational investments that will secure Canada's future.”
“Madam Speaker, the question that was submitted had to do with spending on the backs of future generations. There were concerns about whether the Prime Minister realizes that his spending is lining the pockets of his banker and bondholder friends, instead of funding our doctors and nurses. Budget 2025 makes generational investments while maintaining Canada's strong fiscal advantage. This foundation allows us to make ambitious and responsible investments and build a Canadian economy that is the strongest in the G7. We are changing how government works, spending less on operations so we can invest more in Canada's future: creating high-paying careers, building our country and growing our economy. Budget 2025 introduces a new approach to fiscal discipline and strategic investment.”
“That is why I am proud to say that the government supports Bill C-241 . Although we support the bill, some provisions will need to be amended. We will encourage the committee to carefully review the provisions of the bill to ensure that the strategy does not duplicate measures that are already in place and to make the bill more effective in achieving its objectives. Nevertheless, I am very pleased to announce that the government will support Bill C-241.”
“These gaps include the lack of public awareness of flood risk data, the lack of information to identify and mitigate flood risks, and the potential lack of intergovernmental coordination on flood and drought forecasting. Within five years of the strategy being tabled, the minister responsible must table a report on the strategy's effectiveness. This work will be done in collaboration with other relevant departments and in consultation with the provinces, municipalities, indigenous governing bodies, experts and stakeholders. The global climate is changing and will continue to change, and Canada will be no exception. Extreme weather events will continue to occur, resulting in growing costs for our society. The need for a national strategy for flood and drought forecasting has never been greater.”
“The department also produces critical geospatial data used to urgently create maps and other near real-time data that are shared with Public Safety Canada and responders during ice jams or floods. Public Safety Canada plays a central role in coordinating the flood management efforts of federal departments and agencies during emergencies. Despite all of the federal programs and initiatives, we know that flood and drought forecasting could be better coordinated across the country. An effective national strategy would build on programs that work well, such as those at Environment and Climate Change Canada. It would also identify ways to address existing gaps. We are already aware of some of them.”
“While flood forecasting and warnings are the responsibility of provinces and territories, Environment and Climate Change Canada works daily with provinces and territories to provide integrated briefings on weather-related conditions that may cause a threat to Canadians. Moreover, federal government departments and agencies work together in delivering critical services to Canadians in relation to flood and drought forecasting. (1735) [ Translation ] For example, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the department responsible for drought monitoring, uses Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather forecasts to issue drought forecasts. Natural Resources Canada leads flood mapping efforts to provide Canadians with critical information about their flood risks.”
“These are shared with provincial and territorial governments to support them in their responsibilities related to hydrologic forecasting, transboundary water-sharing agreements and water regulation planning. In budget 2025, the government proposes to invest $2.7 billion over nine years to modernize the Meteorological Service of Canada's high-performance computing capacity. This system runs the model required to produce accurate weather forecasts, alerts, warnings and climate projections, as well as the Meteorological Service's environmental data reanalyses and hydrologic prediction models. Timely and accurate weather prediction is essential to key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, transport and marine shipping, and helps Canadians make decisions to protect against adverse impacts of extreme weather, such as flooding.”
“This provides an integrated view of surface water in Canada to all governments, as well as the academic and scientific communities, industry and the Canadian public, to support flood and drought forecasting, water management and emergency response across the country. These hydrometric data, along with weather and other environmental data and analysis products generated using Environment and Climate Change weather and environmental modelling and high-performance computing systems, are essential to provincial and territorial forecasting programs. The data are also used to feed hydrologic prediction models that generate water quantity information and flow predictions products.”
“For example, National Hydrological Services, under Environment and Climate Change's Meteorological Service of Canada, is the federal authority responsible for the collection, interpretation and dissemination of standardized water quantity data and information in Canada. The service administers a national hydrometric program by way of a collaborative cost-sharing partnership with provinces and territories. Through this partnership, National Hydrological Services operates 2,300 water quantity monitoring stations on lakes and rivers across Canada. This represents 77% of the national program, with the remainder being operated by provincial and territorial partners. The data provided by this network of monitoring stations is made publicly available on the web in near real time.”
“As the bill states, damages caused by flood and drought have risen in Canada and are expected to rise further due to extreme weather and water events related to climate change. Access to comprehensive, high-quality data and information is essential to support water quantity forecasting, particularly as more and more Canadians are exposed to extreme weather and water events. A national strategy on drought and flood forecasting would ensure that Canadians can better respond to severe weather events and reduce the impact of climate change by accessing information required to make, in some cases, life-saving decisions. The Government of Canada is already carrying out key activities in relation to flood and drought forecasting.”
“In the past decade, floods cost nearly $800 million per year on average in insured losses. Similarly, droughts affect the economic viability of water-dependent sectors such as agriculture and lead to increased risk of destructive, costly wildfires. Across Canada, 2025 was a significant drought year, with dry conditions deepening and spreading across much of the country. The lack of rainfall and the intense heat helped drive one of Canada's worst wildfire seasons on record, especially in the Prairies and British Columbia. In Manitoba and other provinces, farmers faced parched fields and stressed crops, as prolonged dryness threatened yields and strained water supplies.”
“Madam Speaker, it is my honour today to speak to the private member's bill, Bill C-241, an act to establish a national strategy respecting flood and drought forecasting , put forward by the MP for Terrebonne . [ Translation ] As always, I am pleased to rise on behalf of the people of La Prairie—Atateken. [ English ] Bill C-241 proposes the development of a national strategy to ensure that partners and stakeholders have access to the information they need to forecast floods and droughts. Canadians are on the front lines of climate change. They are increasingly experiencing its devastating impacts in the form of extreme weather events such as heat waves, drought, wildfires, heavy rainfall, floods and powerful storms from coast to coast to coast. Flooding is the most common and costly disaster in Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, just last week, I met with the people that the member for York—Durham alluded to. He is not telling us anything new today. We are taking responsibility. We have acknowledged the situation. We are taking steps to identify any defects in these new software programs. We fully expect the situation to be rectified in the short term. We recognize the importance of having a border system in good working order. In fact, the system in question has proven its worth to date. Right now, certain things need to be fixed, and we are fixing them. That is our promise and our strongest wish.”
“That is what the president of the Canada Border Services Agency is doing. She is taking responsibility and communicating with us. This is a team effort that we are currently undertaking. We hope to be able to rectify the situation that the member for York—Durham was alluding to. We are aware of it, we recognize it, and we are determined to act quickly to ensure that the situation is corrected promptly.”
“We have invested unprecedented amounts of money, specifically $1.3 billion to strengthen the border, with more staff, advanced AI technology, new drones, helicopters, canine units, and more effective coordination and information sharing between partners. The government takes its responsibilities seriously. As proof, we have invested more than $350 million to help the CBSA strengthen its frontline workforce and equip its staff with the latest tools. The border security legislation represents another major step forward in border security. It is clear, therefore, that there are two important responsibilities. The first is to facilitate trade, which is particularly important. The other, of course, is to ensure our security at the border, stem the flow of drugs, and improve the integrity of our immigration system.”