Vince Gasparro
Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I listened to the parliamentary secretary's remarks very closely. I was hoping she could touch on some of the experts who have helped advise the government on our law and order agenda, from police to members of our national security apparatus and transit workers, and everyone in between.”
“Madam Speaker, I find it really amazing that the member gets up and is more concerned about debating the price of paper clips than actually trying to help Canadians. She has voted against every affordability measure that has been brought forward.”
“Mr. Speaker, as a recovering banker, you will forgive me if I relapse for a moment. I want to recognize the Canadian ETF Association and the profound impact exchange-traded funds have had on investors globally. Canada gave the world one of its most important financial innovations: the exchange-traded fund.”
“Mr. Speaker, first of all, I listened to the hon. member's remarks very closely. He knows I have a great deal of respect for him. However, to be quite frank, is this just a cheap political trick to try to score some points? Our new government made an announcement.”
“Through lawful access, there would be no access to an individual's browsing history or search history and no authority to monitor people indiscriminately or in real time. The legislation is deliberately narrow.”
“Outside of an outdated licensing regime dating back to the 1990s, co-operation between police services, CSIS and electronic service providers has relied largely on voluntary arrangements. These are slow and no longer relevant in a dangerous and fractious world.”
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“Mr. Speaker, I listened to the parliamentary secretary's remarks very closely. I was hoping she could touch on some of the experts who have helped advise the government on our law and order agenda, from police to members of our national security apparatus and transit workers, and everyone in between. Maybe the member could talk about some of the experts advising us.”
“Madam Speaker, I find it really amazing that the member gets up and is more concerned about debating the price of paper clips than actually trying to help Canadians. She has voted against every affordability measure that has been brought forward. In my riding of Eglinton—Lawrence, 37,000 people are going to benefit from this groceries benefit, so are you telling them they do not deserve it? Shame on you.”
“Mr. Speaker, first of all, I listened to the hon. member's remarks very closely. He knows I have a great deal of respect for him. However, to be quite frank, is this just a cheap political trick to try to score some points? Our new government made an announcement. We are removing the excise tax from fuel, which is providing a great deal of relief for Canadians. We took the carbon tax off gasoline as well, reducing fuel prices by over 24¢ a litre. Is this not just a cheap political trick to try to save a failing Conservative Party?”
“Mr. Speaker, as a recovering banker, you will forgive me if I relapse for a moment. I want to recognize the Canadian ETF Association and the profound impact exchange-traded funds have had on investors globally. Canada gave the world one of its most important financial innovations: the exchange-traded fund. Born on the Toronto Stock Exchange, ETFs have fundamentally transformed how investors access capital markets by making investing more transparent, efficient and affordable. Today, ETFs employ 15,500 Canadians and manage more than $802 billion in assets. ETFs direct capital into Canadian businesses and infrastructure. They strengthen our capital markets and ensure that Canadians can build wealth with confidence. If we want to remain a global leader in financial innovation, we must continue to stay ahead of the Americans and others.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for the work she does on committee. That question is a testament to all the great work she has done. The fact of the matter is that we would not be expanding any police rules here. This is about modernizing a process to ensure that police and our national security apparatus can move at the speed of the 21st century. We cannot be held up by cumbersome rules that have been in place since the 1990s.”
“Mr. Speaker, there had to be reasonable time provided to the service providers to provide our police and national security apparatus with the necessary information. The member is absolutely right. The current system is incredibly cumbersome, where warrants are needed to get a yes-or-no answer on whether an ISP is providing services to a specific national security threat or potential national security threat. We had to give the companies the necessary time to get back to us, and it was through some consultation with police and our national security apparatus, which were saying that this was an appropriate amount of time. Again, we took instruction from our police and public safety officials on the timing.”
“Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that we were unable to get the support from the necessary opposition parties in order to pass Bill C-2 . After further consultation with law enforcement and our national security apparatus, we chose specific pieces of the bill that they said were absolutely critical and needed to combat crime in the 21st century, so we took the advice of the professionals. That is why we chose specific pieces from Bill C-2 and placed them into Bill C-22 .”
“Sovereignty requires that law enforcement and our national security apparatus be able to do their jobs effectively and operate on a level playing field with our allies on the world stage. Bill C-22 is a necessary and measured step toward ensuring that Canada remains secure, resilient and fully engaged in protecting its citizens in the 21st century.”
“Outside of an outdated licensing regime dating back to the 1990s, co-operation between police services, CSIS and electronic service providers has relied largely on voluntary arrangements. These are slow and no longer relevant in a dangerous and fractious world. Bill C-22 would change that and finally align Canada with our Five Eyes allies and closest partners, including New Zealand, the U.K., Australia and France, by establishing a clear, lawful and accountable framework for access to essential digital information. Without these tools, Canadian investigators have at times been excluded from international investigations simply because it takes too long for us to obtain critical information. If we are serious about strengthening our sovereignty, we must also strengthen our national security.”
“Our law enforcement and national security agencies must be equipped to keep pace with these 21st-century developments. This legislation has the support of law enforcement and stakeholders from across the country, such as the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police president Mark Campbell, who said, “Technology has changed the way criminals operate. We need 21st-century tools to investigate 21st century crimes—always with strong judicial oversight and respect for Canadians’ privacy rights.” Similarly, CSIS indicated publicly in October that the absence of modern lawful access legislation is placing national security investigations at risk. Canada remains the only western democracy without a comprehensive legal framework governing lawful access.”
“That approach was slower, more expensive and carried a greater risk to the investigator and the public. Valuable time was lost, not because the law was missing, but because the system was not built to respond when it needed to. Bill C-22 has robust guardrails to protect Canadians' rights and privacy. These safeguards include independent approval by the intelligence commissioner, enhanced oversight mechanisms and mandatory annual public reporting. In addition, Bill C-22 contains a statutory parliamentary review clause that would require the act to be reviewed during the third year after all of its provisions were put in force. As technology continues to advance, so too do the methods used by organized crime, hostile state actors and individuals who wish to do our country harm.”
“This legislation would allow for a ministerial order during a serious national security event at the request of CSIS and other law enforcement agencies. It would require providers to have the basic technical capabilities to co-operate with law enforcement on demand. Let me give another real-world example of why this matters. CSIS was investigating a suspected terrorist network and had received a court-approved warrant to track the cellphone of a person of interest. Even when the legal authorization was in place, the service provider did not have the technical ability to support the request because it was not required to maintain that capability. As a result, CSIS could not track the device digitally and had to rely on human intelligence and surveillance instead.”
“When a threat to life is unfolding, time is the difference between life and death. Here is the reality we are dealing with. When there is a serious threat to national security like a terrorist attack, our police and security agencies need to move fast. Every minute counts, but right now, even when the law says police can get information, there is a big problem. (1600) Online service providers do not always have the basic technical tools to actually deliver the information. Sometimes the company does not have a secure way to send it. Sometimes they cannot retrieve it quickly enough, and sometimes they cannot guarantee it is accurate or complete. Because of that, police work is delayed or never even started. That is not acceptable when Canadian safety is on the line.”
“Through lawful access, there would be no access to an individual's browsing history or search history and no authority to monitor people indiscriminately or in real time. The legislation is deliberately narrow. It would be limited to confirming whether a service exists, identifying the type of service being provided and obtaining the technical identifiers necessary to link activity to a specific service provider in the context of lawful investigation. This is about modernizing a process to make it timely in the 21st century. Before this legislation, whenever police needed information to stop a serious threat like a child abduction, police had to go telecom provider by telecom provider and ask each one individually, with a warrant, in order to obtain basic information. That process takes way too long in a globalized world.”
“During time-sensitive investigations that involve child exploitation, organized crime, terrorism or imminent threats to life, delays in accessing basic technical information can mean the difference between prevention and tragedy. Bill C-22 would not give police new investigative powers. It would update how powers that already exist under Canadian law are used so they work in today's digital world. The same legal standards would apply and the same court oversight would remain firmly in place. This means there would be no additional access to the content of Canadians' communications without proper judicial authorization. Law enforcement could not read emails or text messages, listen to phone calls, view photos or access personal files without a warrant issued by a court.”
“To be abundantly clear, there is nothing in this bill that would grant the capability or authority to conduct mass tracking or generalized surveillance of Canadians. As part of their normal operations, telecommunications providers already maintain technical information that shows which cellphones connect to which network or tower. Bill C-22 would not expand that technical capability. It would simply establish a clear and lawful process to ensure that in the context of an imminent threat and/or legally authorized investigation, service providers could share specific information with law enforcement promptly and responsibly.”
“Together, these initiatives respond to evolving public safety threats while reinforcing the rule of law. It is clear that public safety is a priority for our government, and we will continue to do everything we can at the federal level to keep Canadians safe. Bill C-22 was developed through extensive round tables and consultations with law enforcement, telecommunications providers and privacy experts. Importantly, the scope of the bill has been carefully narrowed to strategically target telecommunication service providers while retaining the long-standing and well-understood legal threshold of reasonable grounds to suspect. This ensures that investigators could act swiftly when necessary while maintaining appropriate limits.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to speak in support of our new government's latest piece of legislation designed to keep Canadians safe and to ensure that our law enforcement and national security apparatus have modern lawful tools they need to carry out their vital responsibilities. Bill C-22 , an act respecting lawful access, is our new government's seventh piece of legislation dedicated to enhancing our country's public safety and protecting Canadians. It builds on the broader suite of measures that include legislative action to combat hate and extremism, meaningful reforms to the bail system, stronger protections to address intimate partner violence, and steps to strengthen the integrity and effectiveness of Canada's immigration system.”
“Mr. Chair, there is a great deal of complexity around deporting people from this country, and it spans across governments. What I am referring to specifically in this case is a former central banker of Iran, Mahmmoud Reza Khavari, who came to this country when Stephen Harper and the Conservative government were in power. Can you speak to how difficult it is to deport people and how it spans across political parties?”
“Mr. Speaker, it is great to hear the hon. member talk about pieces of legislation that are required to catch criminals and put them away. The fact of the matter is that we have had significant pieces of legislation in front of this House for almost a year. The strong borders act, the combatting hate act, bail reform and intimate partner violence are significant pieces of legislation that the Conservatives have obstructed and prevented from getting passed. Why do you not come over here and join us in catching the criminals?”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the students from Lawrence Heights Middle School who are joining us in Ottawa from my riding of Eglinton—Lawrence. At a time when our country needs engaged young people more than ever, it is inspiring to see students who are civically engaged and eager to learn about our democratic institutions. I thank Principal Stewart for her leadership and for fostering a strong culture of civic education. For the students visiting from Lawrence Heights, I hope this experience inspires many of them to one day serve our community. The students will be celebrating Black History Month with the Children's Breakfast Club. Members are welcome to attend at 4 p.m. in room 330 of the Wellington Building.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for the hon. member's service, but is the hon. member trying to save his failing leadership by attacking the most vulnerable in our society and by appealing to the radical right in his party?”
“Mr. Speaker, in a world full of noise, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply talk to one another. I recently met with Pete Bombaci, a constituent of mine in Eglinton—Lawrence and an advocate for Genwell, Canada's human connection movement. Genwell champions social health, the idea that our relationships, connections and interconnections with one another are essential not only to our mental and physical well-being but also to the health of our society. This week is talk to a stranger week, and I want to encourage Canadians to take a moment to look up from their phones and start a conversation with someone new. We never know the difference a simple hello can make.”
“Mr. Speaker, having private sector influence and experience, and bringing it to government, adds a great perspective in terms of what we are seeing in this budget: the investments that are being made, the reduction in operating expenses and the fact that we are focusing on dealing with the challenges of the 21st century. If the only thing I had done in my life was get elected, I would have been doing the residents and citizens in my riding of Eglinton—Lawrence a huge disservice. To meet the challenges of the 21st century, we need that private sector experience.”
“Mr. Speaker, I only heard part of the question, but I will try to answer it as best I can. What I can say to the hon. member is that this budget takes, first of all, a pan-Canadian approach. Secondly, it tries to address the challenges that Canadians are facing as a whole. The seniors who helped build this country deserve the utmost respect and care for their hard work and the sacrifices they have made over decades in this country. I respect the hon. member's question in regard to what this budget does, but when we are creating jobs and we are investing in assets—”
“Mr. Speaker, the biggest change is that we have a new Prime Minister and new members of Parliament who come from the private sector. Our new government has laid out a plan that is focused on rebuilding our economy to deal with the challenges of the 21st century. I listed in my speech a series of investments our new government is making. A lot of it is built around improving and increasing the productivity of our country. Investing in productive assets that generate revenue and that improve the productivity of the nation is very different from spending money on operating expenses.”
“Budget 2025 is a blueprint for a stronger, more resilient Canada, a Canada better positioned to manage the challenges of this new age of instability. We do not choose the times we live in, but we do choose how we respond. Budget 2025 is a part of our answer. We will build big. We will act fast, and we will build a Canada that stands strong, sovereign and united because we believe in Canada.”
“Build Canada Homes will catalyze the creation of an entirely new Canadian housing industry that uses modern methods of construction to boost productivity and at scale, which will help add more housing and a diversity of housing for more Canadians. Our government is also protecting the programs that matter most to Canadians, programs such as pharmacare, dental care and child care. Canada's social safety net is the envy of the world and we will protect the programs Canadians rely on. This is a nation-building moment. Just as in C.D. Howe's time we built the railways, the seaway and the transcontinental highway, our new government is building the digital, energy and transportation networks that will power Canada into the 21st century. These investments will connect Canadians, strengthen our economy and protect our sovereignty.”
“To support this initiative we are hiring 1,000 new RCMP personnel and 1,000 new CBSA officers to enforce these laws and keep our country safe, while stricter bail and sentencing laws will ensure that repeat violent offenders are behind bars. Finally, budget 2025 will make life more affordable by spending less on government operations so we can refocus investment to grow our economy and protect the programs that make life more affordable for Canadians. We have already cut income taxes for 22 million Canadians and launched automatic federal benefits for the 2026 tax year, which will reach up to 5.5 million low-income Canadians to ensure they receive the critical government benefits they qualify for. We have removed the HST for first-time homebuyers, helping more young Canadians achieve the dream of home ownership.”
“Our defence industrial strategy will strengthen our industrial capabilities, will give us the tools we need to meet our defence requirements and will confront the crises of the 21st century. (1710) To this end, our new government has created the Defence Investment Agency, which will overhaul and streamline Canada's defence procurement. This new agency will build domestic manufacturing and supply chains so the Canadian Armed Forces have the world-class equipment they need and deserve. These investments will help Canada realize its NATO commitments and enhance our collective security. Our new government is also taking measures to protect Canadians here at home through the toughest anti-trafficking and border protection laws in Canadian history, protecting our communities from gun trafficking and illegal drugs like fentanyl.”
“Budget 2025 also invests in the technology of the future, with dedicated funding for advanced robotics, quantum computing and AI infrastructure that will firmly establish Canada's place as a global leader. These technologies will power the next generation of Canadian industry, from clean energy to precision agriculture, and will turn growth into jobs for Canadians. However, to build prosperity, we must protect what we have. As foreign conflicts and economic instability increase the risks we face, we must enhance our existing strengths and build new ones. Our new government is investing $81.1 billion in national defence, which represents the largest increase in defence spending in generations.”
“We are cutting red tape that slows private investment, and our government has already passed the One Canadian Economy Act, which removes federal trade barriers. Our buy Canadian policy will catalyze our vast natural resources so that we can be our own best customer. When we build, we will do so first with Canadian goods and suppliers. We will build our country with Canadian steel, Canadian aluminum, Canadian lumber and Canadian workers. I have a background in climate finance, and the importance of building a low-carbon economy in the face of mounting climate risks cannot be overstated. By leveraging strategic tax credits to spur private investment in clean technology and carbon capture, we will position Canada at the forefront of clean energy and advanced manufacturing, turning innovation into sustainable growth.”
“The era of relying solely on deeply integrated trade with the United States is over. Our country cannot be subject to the whims of any foreign leader, and we must build infrastructure, industry and sustainable development projects at speeds that we have not seen in generations. We are investing over $60 billion in capital investment for the infrastructure of the future, including nuclear power, carbon capture, critical minerals, offshore wind and high-speed rail. The new Major Projects Office will fast-track these nation-building projects and coordinate financing to help build projects faster. These projects will connect our country, attract needed capital and create high-paying jobs. Beyond the Major Projects Office, we are making investments in research and development to foster innovation and increase productivity.”
“Lawrence Seaway and modernized Canada's largest cities. At the time, we created the department of defence production to streamline procurement, turning Canada into the fourth-largest producer of war materials in the allied forces even though we had one of the smallest populations. Howe understood that transforming Canada's economy required significant investment to jump-start factories and to modernize Canada's infrastructure. We do not have to look abroad when our own history offers a clear blueprint to build Canada strong. Just as Howe responded to the existential threat of global war with industrial might, we must respond to today's economic threats with the same ingenuity, resolve and conviction. He knew then, as we know now, that we cannot cut our way to growth; we must invest.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Bay of Quinte . We are facing the greatest threat to our sovereignty in generations. Unjustified tariffs are hurting Canadian businesses, workers and families, while global instability is disrupting our supply chains and driving uncertainty to levels we have not seen in decades. We are being confronted with a new and evolving set of challenges. The fact is, the world has changed and Canada must change with it. Budget 2025 is a call to action to protect what we have, build the Canada of the future and empower Canadians to drive this change. History shows us the way. In a time of global crisis, C.D. Howe transformed Canada from an agricultural economy into a modern industrial powerhouse. Under Howe's tenure, Canada quadrupled our national industrial production, built the St.”
“At a time when we need to build not only more housing, but also a greater diversity of housing, I would like to thank the Intentional Community Consortium for the important work it does to build stronger communities where everyone can live with dignity and care. I hope members will join me and hon. colleagues from the Conservative Party and Bloc Québécois at a reception this evening from five to seven in the Speaker's lounge.”
“Mr. Speaker, this week, members of the Intentional Community Consortium are in Ottawa for their annual day on the Hill. Representing more than 60 agencies across Canada, the consortium advocates for affordable and supportive housing solutions for individuals with developmental disabilities across Canada. Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to visit one of its member projects, the Frankfort Family Reena Residence, located in my riding of Eglinton—Lawrence, with chair Gary Gladstone. This project will provide homes for an estimated 168 individuals and will include specialized units for complex health care needs, along with options for independent and shared living.”
“Mr. Speaker, the hon. member and the hon. member for York Centre know I have a great deal of respect for both of them. I have been to Bathurst and Sheppard, as they well know. I have seen those individuals waving Hezbollah flags intentionally to intimidate the members of their Jewish community and my Jewish community who go to those rallies. I know for a fact that Canadian Women Against Antisemitism supports some of the measures in this bill. The Toronto Police Service has told me it supports some of the measures in this bill. The hon. member talks about enforcement. That is a provincial issue, not a federal issue. Does she agree that, for the federal government to combat hate, this legislation does go a long way with a lot of the stakeholder groups?”
“Mr. Speaker, I did not hear an answer from the hon. member as to whether he was going to support our tough-on-crime legislation. That is part one. I guess the canned answer he had prepared beforehand did not prepare him for that, so that is okay. Here is the good news: We have the strong borders act that would hire 1,000 new CBSA officers and 1,000 new RCMP officers to go after the bad guys and put them away.”
“Mr. Speaker, everyone in the House has a great deal of empathy, and nobody wants to see animals like that on our streets. This is why this government, our new government, has three initiatives in front of us. The first is the strong borders act. The second is bail reform. The third is safe zone, hate zone legislation. These three initiatives have one objective: to go after the bad guys and put them away. The question is, will the Conservatives back us in being tough on crime?”
“Mr. Speaker, I have listened to the hon. member, and I appreciate her concern. We know that there has been a loophole in the code for decades, and the bad guys have been exploiting this within Canada Post. They have been shipping fentanyl and other illicit materials through Canada Post. With regard to the rules that our national security apparatus and police force have in terms of pulling packages off UPS and FedEx, they have not been able to do the same with Canada Post. We have to close that loophole. What would you like us to do?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is a designated terrorist organization. If there are people here who are connected to that terrorist regime, they are here illegally, which means we are going to find them, we are going to arrest them and we are going to deport them.”
“Mr. Speaker, first I want to convey my condolences to the hon. member for the people lost in his community. As I mentioned earlier, the fact is that the global rise of fentanyl has ripped through our communities and our families, and it is completely unacceptable. We have listed seven cartels as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. To combat it, we are hiring 1,000 new RCMP officers and 1,000 new CBSA officers to go after the bad guys and put them away.”
“Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has asked about this before. The fact is that fentanyl has torn through our communities and ripped through our families. It is an incredibly serious issue, and I empathize with the people who have been lost. The fact is, we take this incredibly seriously. We are hiring 1,000 new RCMP officers and hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers to go after the bad guys and put them away.”
“First, Mr. Speaker, I do want to go back to a quote from the National Police Federation, which says it is clear that “public safety is a top priority for this new government.” Therefore, I want to thank the organization for its support and all the other police organizations that are supporting us. In terms of protecting civil liberties, we are doing a lot of work in committee, and this legislation continues to uphold the utmost standards to ensure that our charter rights and Canadian charter rights are being protected.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member's question was very thoughtful. The fact of the matter is, we are taking action now. The piece of legislation before us has the support of all the largest law enforcement organizations in the country. When the Canadian Police Association, which is the voice of 60,000 frontline officers, and our national security agencies all commend the tools that are in the bill, we know we are on the right path. We are taking action, and I am very proud of the tools it would give our law enforcement agencies and our national security agencies to go after the bad guys.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for the hon. member. The fact is, I know there is no world in which he would want there to be a loophole between collecting data from UPS and FedEx and collecting it from Canada Post.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is not necessarily just in that particular section. I am actually a little surprised, because the hon. member wrote a great book about a politician who got blown out in his seat, and he is quite smart. I have a lot of respect for you. I am a little surprised that you would allow and be okay with a loophole with UPS and FedEx—”
“Mr. Speaker, I think we can all agree that there is no more important priority for us as lawmakers than to keep Canadian communities and everyone who lives in them as safe as possible from crime. Every Canadian deserves to live on a safe street and with a strong and secure border. That is why I call on my hon. colleagues on both sides of the House to join me in supporting the strong borders act and getting it passed as quickly as possible. I look forward to their support.”
“By cracking down on illicit financing and money laundering, we will be tough on crime by making it more difficult for groups to fund their criminal enterprises, including the trade in illegal fentanyl, drugs, firearms and other forms of smuggling and trafficking. (1700) It is just one of the many ways that the new government is taking the fight to the bad guys to keep our communities safe. I think we can all agree that there is no more important priority for us as—”