David McKenzie
Calgary Signal Hill, Alberta · Conservative · Canada
“Earlier today, the government House leader told us here in the House that the government has a plan that is working, but the member for Nepean has been Prime Minister for over a year, and Canada is in a recession. It is clear to me and to Canadians that whatever the plan is, it is not working.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is always a great honour and privilege to rise in the House and speak on behalf of the citizens of Calgary Signal Hill. First, I want to recognize the hon. member and the comments he made in the House. While I did not know the hon.”
“Recession means economic contraction and shrinkage, not growth. The second suggestion has been that Canada has foreign direct investment at twice the rate of our nearest G7 peer.”
“In the face of this fact, it is not just self-defeating to maintain the west coast tanker ban but simply nonsensical. Denise Mullen, with the Business Council of British Columbia, as I mentioned, said it well.”
“Hall Findlay identified a different approach from that taken by the current Liberal government with Bill C-48 , when she said, “There are better alternatives to C-48, such as setting aside what are called Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas, which have been established in areas such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Islands.” Why d…”
“Industry will build a pipeline and fill it with oil if that oil can be loaded onto tankers on Canada's west coast for export. Therefore, our next logical step is to repeal Bill C-48 , the west coast Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, to allow for the safe and responsible ocean transport of crude oil that has been safely and responsibly produced h…”
The complete record
Every one of 123 lines we hold for David McKenzie, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 3.
“Mr. Speaker, perhaps I have the advantage here of being somebody who is not tied to the past. Quite frankly, I am looking forward. I am looking forward to what the opportunities are for our country, what things we can build and what we can achieve. I have no interest in the Liberal failures of the past. I am interested only in what we can do going forward. Trade agreements are a good thing, but we have to have our act together domestically in order to be a valuable trading partner to the world.”
“It generates billions of dollars in revenue that fund public services, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country and drives investment and innovation in communities from coast to coast to coast. Trade agreements like this one with Indonesia must be part of a broader strategy to strengthen Canada's economic position in the world, and that strategy must include all sectors of the Canadian economy, including energy. Trade with Indonesia is a good thing, but a trade agreement is not worth the paper it is written on if the Liberals see it as principally a tool for making themselves look good at home. Canada must be a leading supplier of oil and natural gas to the world. Our allies need it. We can make that happen.”
“It is not just an opportunity to boost our energy sector but also an opportunity to support our allies as they look to diversify away from dictator oil. The CBC article ended on a disturbing note. It quoted Heather Exner-Pirot, director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, who stated, “in a situation where you have this Iran conflict and you're seeing 20 per cent of global supply impacted, when push comes to shove, you'll start to see countries...importing some Russian supply”. This is not something we want to see happen. Canada's energy sector has long been one of the pillars of our national economy.”
“In Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 90 international tankers visit the Whiffen Head facility to export oil brought in by offshore shuttle tankers. There is no logical reason tanker traffic is unacceptable in Kitimat or Prince Rupert but just fine in Quebec City and Vancouver. Anyone working in the energy sector will tell us that the tanker ban represents one of the the most significant barriers to expanding Canadian crude oil exports to global markets. The CBC published an article yesterday asking this question: “With a crucial oil artery blocked near Iran,” and that would be the Strait of Hormuz, “can Canada fill the gap in global supply?” It shows just how much Canada has to contribute in today's turbulent world and just how much of an opportunity is being missed.”
“With these laws in place, no new pipelines will be built to carry Canadian crude oil to market, even though the ports of Prince Rupert and Kitimat can safely host oil tankers, and projects like the Eagle Spirit pipeline can reduce our reliance on the port of Vancouver for west coast energy exports. The foregoing is why today in the House I introduced a private member's bill that would repeal the tanker ban on the west coast of B.C. I introduced that bill because I believe Canada must confront a certain truth. If we want to become an energy superpower, we cannot simultaneously block the infrastructure necessary to export our energy. Right now, roughly 240 tankers move crude oil every year between a storage facility in Montreal, via the St. Lawrence River, and a refining facility beside Quebec City.”
“During that same international trade committee hearing, I reminded the minister of the Liberal government's decision to cancel the northern gateway pipeline roughly a decade ago. I pointed out that had that project gone ahead, Canada would today be in a far stronger position to export crude oil to Asian markets. Canada should be well positioned to supply that demand. We have vast energy resources, world-class producers, workers who are second to none anywhere in the world and some of the highest environmental standards in the world. We have just chosen to put obstacle after obstacle in our own way for no good reason. The obstacles include Bill C-69 and the tanker ban affecting the northern coast of British Columbia.”
“(1625) Maybe the reason Indonesia was not interested in discussing Canadian oil, as per the minister , is that it knew we cannot be relied upon to supply it. Yes, it is true that LNG Canada is finally up and running, but let us be honest. One project delayed by years of red tape and regulatory hurdles is not a strategy. It is a lucky break. We have managed just that one LNG facility, in Kitimat. Our competitors on the gulf coast of the United States, however, are building export terminals at a record pace, and they are not just engaging with Indonesia. They are signing contracts. They are eating our lunch because their government views energy as an asset, not a liability and not something to be phased out.”
“I am now certain, as I think we all are now, that Canada's energy industry missed what could have been a magnificent opportunity for growth. We allowed this opportunity to go to the United States. The Liberal government makes blunders like these because it fundamentally sees energy as a source of embarrassment rather than a source of power. Liberals can talk all they want about making Canada an energy superpower, but actions, as always, speak louder than words. Becoming an energy superpower requires more than rhetoric, more than speeches and more than press conferences. It requires action, infrastructure and legislative, regulatory and policy certainty. Above all, it requires a clear commitment to ensuring that Canadian energy can reach global markets.”
“As it worked out, 15 days after the minister spoke to the committee, Indonesia signed an agreement with the United States that covers, among other things, $15 billion per year in American energy exports to Indonesia, including $3.5 billion of liquefied petroleum gas and $4.5 billion of crude oil. As if that was not enough, just a few days ago it was reported that Indonesia will be increasing its crude oil imports from the United States due to the war in the Persian Gulf. I hope the irony is not lost on anyone listening today. As I said to the minister at the hearing, “It strikes me that we may have missed the boat in terms of our ability to export those products into this marketplace.” On that day, I used the word “may”.”
“Not only is the United States stepping up to meet Indonesia's demand for oil, but the minister informed the international trade committee that the conversation with the Indonesians was focused on sustainable energy. What he said was that “in Indonesia they also want to go to more sustainable energy. When they talk about sustainable, they talk about nuclear and about LNG, which is a bit lower in terms of carbon emissions when you compare it to crude.” That was on February 5 of this year. It would seem from the minister 's evidence to the committee that Indonesia is not interested in oil, would it not?”
“Energy is so central to our standard of living here at home and to that of all people around the world yet is something that the Liberal government has neglected. When the Minister of International Trade appeared at the international trade committee hearing last month to answer questions about Bill C-18 , I noted that the Asia Pacific Foundation has produced a report highlighting the growing relationship between the United States and Indonesia in the energy sector, particularly with respect to oil and liquefied natural gas. Indonesia imported roughly 322,000 barrels of crude oil per day in 2024, and it is dependent on energy imports for 40% of its national energy demand, which will only grow as the Indonesian economy expands and more Indonesians are lifted out of poverty. It seems we are missing the boat on this opportunity.”
“Canada holds some of the world's most abundant natural resources, including oil reserves that have the potential to make Canada one of the most influential and prosperous nations on earth. For too long, we have let outdated ideology and self-sabotage stand in the way of our potential. In 2026, the world is shifting under our feet, and we have no excuse not to be an export powerhouse. Indonesia is an opportunity for Canadian trade and Canadian influence. It is the fourth most populous country in the world, home to more than 270 million people. It has one of the fastest-growing economies in the Indo-Pacific region. It has a rapidly expanding middle class and increasing demand for food, technology, natural resources and energy.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in the House today on behalf of the residents of Calgary Signal Hill to speak to Bill C-18 , an act implementing the Canada-Indonesia comprehensive economic partnership agreement. Let me begin by stating clearly that Conservatives believe in trade. Canada has always been a trading nation. From the earliest days of Confederation, our prosperity has depended on our ability to reach beyond our borders and sell Canadian goods and expertise to the world. For that reason, we approach trade agreements with a constructive mindset. When agreements expand market access, reduce tariffs and create opportunities for Canadian producers, we welcome them. At a time when natural resources are more critical than ever, we are a truly fortunate nation.”
“In fact, it killed projects like the indigenous-owned Eagle Spirit pipeline and has cost our country billions of dollars. This private member's bill is about nation building. It is about leveraging our abundant resources to help our allies, our friends and our families. It is about taking action here at home so we can have success around the world. Conservatives want Canada to be an energy superpower. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)”
“moved for leave to introduce Bill C-264, An Act to repeal certain restrictions on shipping . Bill C-264. Introduction and first reading He said: Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present a private member's bill that would repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act. For almost a decade, the Liberal west coast oil tanker ban has stifled our energy industry and held back our country. In 2026, Canadian energy is more important here at home and around the world than it has ever been. Our allies and trading partners are anxious to purchase energy from a reliable and stable partner. Canada is that partner, and the world needs more Canadian energy. Hundreds of tankers safely navigate the St. Lawrence River and Vancouver Harbour every year, yet the west coast oil tanker ban was put in place to suppress the Canadian petroleum industry.”
“Mr. Speaker, the month of March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada, even though it is preventable and highly treatable when caught early. We must make a critical shift in our health care policy to lower the standard screening age from 50 years to 45 years for average-risk Canadians. The medical evidence is clear that early-onset cases are rising, and catching this disease five years sooner will save Canadian lives. My own brother is a colon cancer survivor, and eight years since a timely diagnosis and treatment, he is alive and well. Today three cancer survivors, Melissa Groff, Michael Groves and Jennifer Eppel, are here in Ottawa to advocate for policy change. Together their voices turn statistics into stories and policy changes into hope.”
“Mr. Speaker, the hon. member opposite was commenting about the need for a new Crown corporation. I want to quote some helpful information I found on the Internet, which reads, “Helping deliver the Government of Canada's commitment to make housing more affordable”. It sounds right in the neighbourhood. This organization “supports housing programs for people whose housing needs aren't being met by the market.” This is right on the button again. Under “Housing programs”, it reads, “We deliver housing programs to increase housing supply, preserve stock and...contribute to affordable housing.” That is from the website of CMHC. It seems to me that exactly what we are talking about here is another agency that would duplicate efforts already being made by this federal government agency. Perhaps the member could tell me—”
“Mr. Speaker, while Liberals talk about elbows up, average Canadians see only the price of groceries up. Food price inflation has doubled since the Prime Minister took office. The percentage of seniors using food banks is up 22% over five years, forcing seniors to choose between meals and medication. Conservatives want results. Will the Prime Minister work with us to boost competition in grocery chains, and eliminate the industrial carbon tax and the fuel standard tax to bring food prices down?”
“Mr. Speaker, Conservatives voted for Bill C-5 , but the Prime Minister 's Major Projects Office has not approved any new projects. What is worse is that the Liberal mountain of antidevelopment laws is still in place. When we build more and give Canadians jobs and opportunities, incomes and prosperity go up. I ask the Prime Minister , will his Liberal government support a Canadian sovereignty act to unleash development, protect Canadian innovation and reward Canadians for building our country?”
“Mr. Speaker, teachers can be the most important people in the life of a student: encouraging, guiding and inspiring; and providing strength, support, caring and love. Richard William Stark was such a teacher. A university basketball player and later a professional engineer, Dick Stark became a teacher in the 1970s. As a coach, particularly of basketball, and a teacher of science and math at Luther College High School in Regina, Saskatchewan, Dick Stark had an enormous impact on thousands of young people over three decades. If someone needed help or support, Coach Stark was there. He was patient and kind, and he possessed a great compassion and energy. He challenged his students to become better members of society and positive examples to others. Dick Stark inspired many, including me. Dick Stark died on October 10, 2025.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has stated that he wants to make Canada an energy superpower. Well, here is the good news. The Prime Minister has the power to approve a pipeline to the B.C. coast. Subsection 92(10) of our Constitution gives the Prime Minister jurisdiction over interprovincial projects like pipelines, not premiers. Will he stop passing the buck and approve an oil pipeline to the coast so that we can get this nation-building pipeline built?”
“Mr. Speaker, we now know the government is the most expensive in Canadian history. Every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pocket of Canadians. The more the Liberals spend, the more life costs. Every economist knows this. The Prime Minister could have scrapped the inflationary industrial carbon tax. Instead, he chose to increase the tax and increase costs for all Canadians. My question for the Prime Minister is simple: Why is he increasing the industrial carbon tax and making our food more expensive?”
“Mr. Speaker, I share a great concern with the member about the future of the negotiations that are going to take place between Canada and the United States. It is a difficult position to be in, and that is without question, but clearly we have to have firmness and strength; that is something all trading partners understand. Unfortunately, in waving through and taking this approach to Bill C-13 , approving the U.K. accession without any reciprocal concessions or rebalancing of the trade relationship with the U.K., we would be setting a terrible precedent.”
“Mr. Speaker, there is no question that diversification is a process that takes time. There is no question that the size and the immediacy of geographic access of the American market will not be readily replaced, which is why it is all the more important that we have some real leadership from the Liberal government. Promises do not put food on the table for Canadians. We have to see some real progress. Our trade commissioner service, of which I was a part more than two decades ago, is a competent group of individuals who are there to support Canadian business in those ongoing efforts, but we have to get moving, and we have to get moving now.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am terribly heartened to hear the comments of the member opposite, because clearly a single phone call will resolve the issues around the phytosanitary non-tariff trade barriers that are in place right now. I am so glad that soon the House will be able to report to Canadian beef and pork producers that the very close relationship my friend has just extolled will solve their problem with a single phone call. It is the first time in generations that this opportunity come to us. What wonderful news that is. Perhaps the member opposite will tell us when that phone call will take place.”
“It has failed to secure meaningful progress for Canadian agriculture under the TCA. It has failed to stand up for U.K. pensioners, who have been waiting decades for fairness. It is now prepared to wave through Britain's accession to the CPTPP without demanding a single concession in return. That is not leadership. That is managed decline. It is weakness disguised as diplomacy.”
“I was a foreign service officer for a number of years in some past part of my life, and I remember that, more than twenty-five years ago, under another Liberal government at the time, the slogan of the day was “trade diversification”. Nothing happened then, and I am terribly concerned that we will see the same lack of results now. At the end of the day, this is not just about tariffs or technical trade barriers. It is about trust between allies, trust between governments and trust between Parliament and the Canadians we serve. Our farmers and ranchers did not ask for special treatment. They only ask for a level playing field, science-based standards and fair market access. They do not have that right now, and this should make every member of the House deeply concerned. The Liberal government has failed to deliver.”
“The question is this: If the Liberal government cannot secure a fair deal with our oldest ally under the most favourable circumstances possible, how on earth can Canadians trust the Liberals to negotiate effectively with the United States? How can we expect the Liberals to deliver results on lumber, autos and steel, or to strike a fair agreement with India, a country with which they were practically at war earlier this very year? I sincerely hope I am wrong for the sake of Canadians, but what we are seeing in the agreement and the bill does not give me much confidence. These overall circumstances are not a good model for going forward. We will hear talk from the Liberals about trade diversification.”
“I think the Liberal government should have tried to secure some fairness for them. If there ever was a moment to use the Prime Minister 's close relationship to fight for Canadian interests, especially in a cost of living and inflation crisis, it is now. Once again, the government is asleep at the wheel. This points to a larger concern Canadians have about the government: Nothing gets done. The trade irritants I described should have been resolved years ago, but the unfair non-tariff barriers on Canadian beef and pork remain exactly where they are. If there is anyone who thinks that it is going to be easier to resolve those trade problems under the CPTPP, they are mistaken. This points to a larger concern that Canadians have about the government.”
“I would be remiss if I did not weigh in on a concern that has already been expressed in the House today and, according to other members, for months and years without resolution under the Liberal government: the more than 100,000 U.K. pensioners living here in Canada. These are retirees who worked in the U.K. and retired in Canada. They do not receive cost of living increases to their U.K. pensions, or simple indexing, something that U.K. pensioners in other countries, such as the United States, do receive. These pensioners have been very vocal about their unfair treatment, and they are right. I have spoken to U.K. pensioners in my riding who are facing this unfairness. It is a shame that the U.K. government has not done more to help these folks and correct this imbalance.”
“It means standing up for our farmers, our ranchers and our rural communities, which have been unfairly harmed by the U.K.'s actions under the TCA. What we do not have at this point in time, as the Liberal government seeks to have the House support Bill C-13 , is fairness for farmers. I note that this situation exists while the Liberal government is led by a former U.K. central banker and at a time when that same former U.K. central banker has made several visits to the current U.K. Prime Minister. They certainly appear to be quite friendly. Was there really no time between the Earl Grey tea and the cucumber sandwiches for Canada's Prime Minister to speak up for Canadian farmers or beef and pork producers in this country?”
“in 2023, 25,000 dollars' worth in 2024 and has had no beef exports in 2025. Again, according to the Library of Parliament, Britain exported 5.6 million dollars' worth of pork products to Canada in 2023, 9.1 million dollars' worth of pork products in 2024 and 3.6 million dollars' worth in pork products in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, Canada exported no pork to the U.K. in 2023, 75,000 dollars' worth of pork products in 2024 and 122,000 dollars' worth in 2025 so far. (1205) These figures illustrate one-way trade. That is not free trade or fair trade. We believe in free trade at a time when it is increasingly under attack around the world. We also believe in fair trade, which means reciprocity. It means that when one side enjoys access to our market, our producers deserve the same in return.”
“The story does not end at the technicalities. Canadian ranchers and producers say that this is a pattern of exclusion. According to the Canadian Cattle Association, exports of Canadian beef to the U.K. have been effectively zero over the last two years while British exports to Canada have sharply increased. Tyler Fulton, the President of the Canadian Cattle Association, said, “The U.K. has not made any effort to address the non-tariff barriers that are keeping Canadian beef out of the U.K. market”. Let us be clear about the scale of the imbalance. According to the Library of Parliament, Britain exported 16.6 million dollars' worth of beef to Canada in 2023, 42.4 million dollars' worth in 2024 and 28.3 million dollars' worth in the first half of 2025. I note the increase. Meanwhile, Canada exported 85,000 dollars' worth of beef to the U.K.”
“We expect that supporting the accession of the United Kingdom to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership will result in the normalization of the trade irritants that currently exist with our close friends and allies in the U.K. Let us be clear about what is at stake. The U.K. refuses to approve the carcass wash that is standard practice in Canadian slaughter plants, a measure approved by the World Health Organization and used safely around the world. The U.K. also continues to block Canadian beef and pork produced with growth promotants, again without credible scientific evidence to justify its actions. These objections have evolved over time not to protect consumers but to keep Canadian products out of the U.K. market. That is not how allies or fair traders should behave.”
“There is nothing for Canadian farmers, families and small, independent business people making their living on the land by feeding Canadians and people around the world. Also, farmers have not been treated fairly by the U.K. government under the auspices of the current trade continuity agreement. Under that agreement, the TCA, the U.K. government has not been acting in good faith toward Canadian producers. It is the sad truth that British authorities have imposed non-tariff barriers on our pork and cattle exports that are neither fair nor science-based. Conservatives have reservations about this bill precisely for these reasons.”
“I will note that it was my honour to shake hands with His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen when they were here in Ottawa on the occasion of the opening of Parliament in May of this year. It was a great honour for our country. We are united through the Commonwealth of Nations, an institution that provides common ground for positive relationships among diverse nations in different areas of the world. I say all of this to underline the fact that Conservatives favour, in general, closer and freer trade with the United Kingdom. This is a standing position of the Conservative Party. The issue with this bill is not the concept of closer trade ties with our old friends across the pond. The issue is that, in this bill, there is nothing being returned to Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House today on behalf of the citizens of Calgary Signal Hill. I wish to advise the Chair that I will be splitting my time with the member for Beauce . A Canada-U.K. trade agreement is, on the whole, a good thing. It goes without saying that the relationship between Canada and the U.K. is long in duration and extensive in nature. Our cultural ties are great, and strengthening these ties is fundamentally a good thing. We are two countries joined by a shared history and deep links. Our institutions, traditions, Parliament and legal system have all been inherited from Great Britain. We are united by our constitutional monarchy.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to extend congratulations to the Calgary Canucks, a junior hockey club in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Their determination, skill and community spirit brought home a momentous victory. On May 18, 2025, in Calgary at the Max Bell Centre, our team triumphed in the Centennial Cup with a commanding 7-2 win over the Melfort Mustangs, securing their first National Junior A Championship in 30 years. On behalf of this House, and indeed all Albertans and all Canadians, I thank the Calgary Canucks for reigniting our pride and illustrating how sport can unite, inspire and give hope. With community support, collective effort, and determination, greatness is achievable. Please join me in congratulating the 2025 Centennial Cup champions, the Calgary Canucks.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised Canadians that he would negotiate a win with Donald Trump by July 21. That was months ago, and Canadians are worse off than we were before. We have the fastest-shrinking economy and the second-highest unemployment rate in the G7. All the while, the Prime Minister has jetted around the globe. In Calgary, Imperial Oil is cutting 900 jobs. This is a direct result of 10 years of Liberal anti-energy law and policy. Canadians are losing jobs. Is it because of the Prime Minister 's failed jet-set diplomacy, or his job—”
“Mr. Speaker, undoubtedly, the prior regime in place before the Liberals broke Canada's bail system was one in which the rights of the public were considered in assessing the suitability for release of someone charged with a criminal offence. Of course we are talking about a very particular stage in our criminal justice process, a point in time when a person is charged but has not been tried and has not been found guilty. However, when we consider past criminal behaviour as an aspect of the probability of reoffending, that consideration and the protection of the public must be part of the overall consideration our courts give to the option of bail or any other form of release. Under the Harper government, we had the balance better struck. Those are the days we need to return to.”
“Mr. Speaker, we know what the statistics are, we know what the problem is and we know what the solution is. The Conservative Party has proposed it. I would note that our bill has been endorsed by the Canadian Police Association and the countless victims advocacy groups, mayors and police departments that have been on the front lines of the battle against violent crime. I made reference to attending a meeting with senior officers from the Calgary Police Service. It is disheartening to see the look in their eyes when they are defeated in the performance of their job to protect the public by weak legislation that makes their efforts irrelevant.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are talking about the Canadian Criminal Code. It is federal legislation. It is the responsibility of the House to fix the problems that have existed since Liberal bail reform caused these problems. It is time to scrap Liberal bail and bring in a responsible balancing of the rights of society. The protection of our communities needs to be given greater consideration by our courts.”
“In my own city of Calgary, over the last 10 years, we have seen a 66% increase in violent crime. We have seen a 33% increase in sexual assaults, a 326% increase in firearms crime and a 342% increase in extortion. With crime rates up and criminals being arrested but released, we have a problem in our justice system. There is a hole here that must be fixed, and Conservative Bill C-242 would plug that hole. Our constituents expect us to act responsibly. Waiting around until the Liberal Party addresses this issue and brings legislation before the House is not responsible. I will say again to my friends opposite that the work has been done. They can take the rest of the day off. We are set to go.”
“(1325) Here is a second comment on Conservative Bill C-242 : “The Jail Not Bail Act is therefore more than legislation—it is an essential corrective—a lifeline capable of disrupting the revolving door of abuse and saving innocent lives.” That is from Cait Alexander of End Violence Everywhere. Lastly, this is from Michelle Mollineaux, board member of Mend Canada, an indigenous-led organization in our country: “This is the kind of common-sense legislation Canadians have been demanding: a framework that rebalances our bail system to prioritize public safety while still upholding the Charter right to bail.” These quotations highlight exactly the circumstances on our streets, exactly what this problem is and exactly what the Conservative common-sense legislation would do to sort this matter out.”
“This is from Scott Weller, a home invasion victim: As someone who knows firsthand the trauma of a violent home invasion, I believe strongly in the need for Jail not Bail. My family was attacked in what should have been the safety of our own home. The idea that violent offenders could be released back onto our streets is terrifying—not just for us, but for every Canadian family. That night changed how we live and forced us to secure our home in ways I never imagined necessary. This will have a lasting impact on our family and our sense of safety. This legislation recognizes that public safety must come first. It sends a clear message that violent crime has real consequences, and that the rights of victims and families come before the rights of criminals.”
“Again, he was in a home unlawfully at night, with the residents of that home present. For a second time, this individual was taken before a justice of the peace and released. That might begin to shock the senses, but the fact is that this same individual was arrested for a third time within one week, again at night in a residence with the residents of that home present. He was taken before a justice of the peace for a third time and, yes, released a third time. This is a system that is broken. We must make changes, and there is no point in waiting. The work has been done. The Conservative Party has done that work in co-operation with the House, and the members opposite should take note. I wish to note the comments of some individuals with respect to incidences like the one I described, as related to me by the Calgary Police Service.”
“However, very frighteningly to the police, who traditionally see criminals break into homes for the purpose of theft and focusing on times when homes are not occupied, this brazen group had been breaking into homes at night, with no consideration for whether the homes were occupied. Indeed, they seemed to prefer to break into homes that were occupied. An individual was caught red-handed, as the expression goes, in a home at night with the residents of the home there. He was arrested, taken before a justice of the peace and released. This might not be much of a surprise or shock; the individual's criminal history and record may have been considered at that time. However, the same individual was arrested by the Calgary Police Service within a matter of days of his first arrest and released.”
“At this point in time, crime statistics are up throughout our country, from province to province, and we have to do something. In August, just two months ago, I attended a meeting in Calgary with senior members of the Calgary Police Service. At that time, a superintendent described a circumstance that had occurred in Calgary in July that illustrates well the problem we have and the problem we must fix. The superintendent described a crime wave that took place in Calgary through the month of July that was identified by the police service. They responded, they put a task force together and they commenced making arrests. A group of youths and young adults were committing home break-ins.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise, as it always is, in this House to speak on behalf of the citizens of Calgary Signal Hill. Striking a balance between competing interests is the work of this House of Commons. It is a job that is frequently challenging, but it is the responsibility that we have undertaken and it is what we owe Canadians. Today, in our criminal justice system, the consideration of the protection of the public has taken a back seat to the interests of offenders. We are talking about striking a balance in our justice system, and right now, the scales of justice are out of balance and must be corrected. The reason the Conservative Party has brought forward Bill C-242 is to help government members. Clearly, they are busy thinking about things, but they are not doing things, and Canadians require action.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House today, pursuant to Standing Order 36, to present this petition to the House. It says that the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to reject recommendation 430 of the FINA pre-budget report, reaffirm Canada's commitment to an open culture and support each citizen's freedom to promote the common good through the advancement of religion without punitive financial measures. The revocation of charitable status from religious institutions is a threat to an open society and to the right of all Canadians to pursue whatever religious path they wish. The petitioners call upon the government to act accordingly.”