Sean Fraser
Central Nova, Nova Scotia · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity, for the first time, to formally congratulate my recently elected colleague on her presence in the House of Commons. This institution is better for her efforts.”
“Mr. Speaker, in Canada, when the government disagrees with the decision of a court, the opportunity we have to do something about it is to appeal that decision. We made an appeal on this particular case because we disagree with the superior court's assessment.”
“Mr. Speaker, one thing that I think all members of the House will agree upon is that when a dangerous person commits a serious crime, they should face serious penalties. When that includes someone who has a temporary status, they could be rendered inadmissible in this country and should face deportation where appropriate.”
“Mr. Speaker, as we move forward with a public safety agenda that is designed to ensure that dangerous people are put behind bars, it is not lost on us that we also need to do everything we can to combat the deadly opioid crisis.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague not only for his hard work, but also for his relentless pursuit of a stronger Canada and a safer Hamilton. As a result of his advocacy, this House has adopted laws to completely renovate the bail system and to lead to stiffer sentences for violent repeat offenders.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge all the work done by my colleague, the member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, as chair of the women's caucus. Our government is working hard to prevent gender-based violence before it even happens.”
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“Mr. Speaker, this is the second time this week I have received a question about a piece of legislation that the questioner has seemingly not read. Bill C-5 , among other things, actually restricts the use of conditional sentencing orders for serious crimes, such as attempted murder and advocating genocide. We want to continue to put measures in place that will have harsher sentences for repeat violent offenders. We will also advance reforms that would make it harder to get bail for people who pose a public safety threat. I would ask that all members of the House pull the partisan rhetoric out of such a serious issue as public safety and get together to advance reforms that will protect—”
“Mr. Speaker, when it comes to good ideas, I can assure my colleague opposite that I have been taking them from law enforcement, from provincial governments and from stakeholders in the public safety space since the day of my appointment to this position. We will be introducing legislation that would strengthen Canada's bail system, making it harder for repeat violent offenders and for those who commit serious crimes with organized criminal organizations, including auto theft and home invasion. The Conservatives will have to wait a matter of weeks before this legislation comes forward. My hope is that they will support the common-sense measures that would help keep communities safe in every part of this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank my hon. colleague for raising this question on the floor of the House of Commons. Such horrific acts can be met only with condemnation from members of Parliament on both sides of the aisle. As we seek to move forward with legislation, we will be restricting conditional sentence orders when it comes to sexual crimes and sexual crimes against children. We will do what we can to make sure that we work with provinces so that they can fund their systems properly, as well as to ensure that we work together to keep Canadians safe. My hope is that crime and horrific circumstances such as these will not be used as partisan fodder. I will work sincerely with my colleague opposite to advance the kinds of changes that will keep children safe in this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my Conservative colleagues for the applause. I hope they will meet that with their votes when it comes time to support the legislation we will be advancing this fall. I have good news for my friend opposite. This legislation would include serious reforms to make stricter bail conditions for people who are repeat violent offenders. It would have harsher sentences for those people who would pose risks to the public's safety. We will do what we can to strengthen Canada's laws. We will do what we can to bring the provinces along with us. My hope is only that all members of this House will do the right thing and vote for the legislation when it comes forward.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member will appreciate that we have a different perspective. We expect the justice to make decisions independently based on the law. The rule of law in this country is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, with which we may not show compromise. We must insist that we have an independent process based on recommendations by people who can assess the validity of the nominations that come before us. We appoint judges based on their quality and on their merit, not on their partisan affiliation. I hope all members will support the independence of this essential process in a democracy.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the legal challenge to the appointment of this judge to the Quebec Superior Court. Canada has a very robust and independent judicial appointment process, and we want to keep it that way. Judicial independence is an important foundation of our democracy. It protects the rule of law. To say otherwise undermines those principles. We will always defend the independence of our courts.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important that we come to understand the process by which we nominate judges benefits from the independent advice of those who are experts in assessing the quality of those who are elevated to the bench. It is extremely important that we maintain the independence of the judiciary if we are going to count on our democracy to serve future generations of Canadians. To characterize those who have been appointed as “enemies of the state” is dangerous. I would encourage my colleagues on all sides of the House to advocate for an independent judiciary to defend our democracy for years to come.”
“Mr. Speaker, we acknowledge that there is a legal challenge surrounding the appointment of this judge to the Quebec Superior Court. The Canadian judicial appointment process is among the most thorough and independent in the world, and we remain committed to preserving it. Judicial independence is one of the cornerstones of our democracy and it is essential to protecting the rule of law. Any suggestion to the contrary undermines these very principles, but we will always defend the independence of our courts.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is encouraging to see there is alignment between the Conservative opposition and the Liberal government when it comes to improving public safety, including through the adoption of stronger laws to help build safer communities. I have good news for my colleague. We will be introducing legislation during this parliamentary session to strengthen bail reform in this country, to have harsher sentences for repeat violent offenders and to make sure that we have support to help keep communities safe with direct investment in law enforcement. I look forward to working with my hon. colleague and members on both sides of the aisle to advance public safety in this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, obviously these circumstances my hon. colleague raises constitute an entire tragedy that should shock the conscience of every Canadian. However, when the hon. member poses a question about repealing Bill C-75 , I would suggest it is a good idea to read it first. He does not seem to understand that that bill actually makes it harder for people who are charged with intimate partner violence to receive bail. I am willing to work in good faith with members of any party to help strengthen the bail system, have harsher penalties for serious crimes and, most importantly, keep Canada safe. The only question remains whether the Conservatives will join us in that effort.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives talk a big game when it comes to a tough-on-crime agenda, but they fail to point out that one of their members, earlier this week, put a motion before the justice committee that would make it easier for those charged with intimate partner violence to be released on bail. We were elected on a campaign commitment to put forward rules that would strengthen the bail system, including, specifically, for offences tied to auto theft, home invasion, human trafficking and organized crime, and to stiffen sentences for violent repeat offenders. If we could take the politics out of this issue, we would be happy to work together to advance the public safety of this country. That is what Canadians demand, and with or without the Conservatives, the Liberal government will deliver.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague that extortion is illegal in Canada, and those who perpetrate it should be apprehended and punished to the full extent of the law. Specifically, if the hon. member examines this section of the Criminal Code, he will see that there are mandatory minimums when it comes to certain offences committed with a firearm relating to extortion. Moreover, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for life. The rules reflect the seriousness with which the government takes extortion. We look forward to working with law enforcement to give them the tools they need to investigate these crimes and prevent them from taking place in the first instance.”
“Mr. Speaker, when dangerous people who pose a threat to the public commit serious offences, they should be treated with the concomitant sentencing and bail decisions from the courts. We are going to be advancing reforms that we campaigned on in the fall. We intend, specifically, to change the bail rules as they pertain to home invasions, auto theft and organized crime. We will also advance new sentences when it comes to violent repeat offenders and, again, those participating in organized crime. I hope rather than just resorting to rhetoric in the House of Commons, they will actually work across partisan lines to advance the kinds of reforms Canadians are calling for so we can help—”
“Mr. Speaker, I have good news to report. Canadians elected a new Liberal government, in part on the promise to advance reforms that will stiffen bail proceedings and adopt more serious sentences for violent repeat offenders. In addition to the changes to the Criminal Code that the member should expect to see later this calendar year, we are making investments to give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent crimes in the first place. I am willing to work with members on all sides of the aisle to advance these important reforms to help keep communities safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, first, let me acknowledge and thank my hon. colleague for his years of service to promote public safety in this country. We are working alongside police forces and federations representing frontline members to understand the needs of frontline officers to ensure they have the resources to help keep communities safe. In addition, we are moving forward with a series of reforms that are going to strengthen sentencing regimes for violent repeat offenders, as well as addressing the needs of the bail system, particularly targeting home invasions, human trafficking, auto theft and other offences related to organized crime. I am happy to work with the hon. member and benefit from his experience as we advance these important reforms.”
“Mr. Speaker, I do not know whether the member's eyes betray him, but we are here and ready to work to advance reforms to protect our communities. Yesterday at the justice committee, although the accusation is that there was an attempt to get home early for summer, what actually happened was that a Conservative member was seeking to advance reforms that would have made it easier for people who have been charged with intimate partner violence to get out on bail. I think that is a bad idea, and I am willing to stay here and work to protect the victims of intimate partner violence and to advance reforms that would punish wrongdoers. Once again, it is not about caring more about criminals than about Canadians, but it seems that the member cares more about his social media clicks than he does about advancing—”
“Mr. Speaker, it is beyond reprehensible that a member of the House would accuse another member of caring more about criminals than about Canadians. We should be able to work together to, certainly, punish wrongdoers but also to give law enforcement the tools it needs to keep their community safe. We have been giving tools to law enforcement so that we not only punish wrongdoers after a crime has been committed but also prevent it in the first instance. I want to thank the law enforcement officials who have been in the news recently for the various busts that they have been responsible for and for bringing people to justice. I hope that we can work together across partisan lines to advance important reforms to the criminal justice system later this year that would help further protect our communities.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is essential that we approach this issue with the seriousness with which it deserves, including respect for decisions that have come from courts in the country. As we move forward, we are going to work in a manner that will ensure that serious crimes will be treated seriously and that serious offenders will be punished seriously. I hope we can avoid turning something as serious as the fentanyl crisis into a partisan issue for political gain, and instead work to advance measures in a collaborative manner to help protect Canadians, their families and communities in every region of this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is clear the fentanyl crisis is responsible for the taking of innocent lives in this country. It is incumbent upon all members of the House to approach this with empathy, but also with a level of seriousness to prevent fentanyl from sweeping through the nation and causing such damage. Going forward, we are going to be implementing a series of reforms that will target violent offenders, repeat offenders and organized crime, which is responsible for the preponderance of fentanyl in this country. I hope that we can work across the aisle on this important issue to help keep Canadians safe and protect our communities.”
“Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague raises extortion with a firearm. When repeat violent criminals commit offences of this nature, they face a mandatory minimum of seven years and a maximum of life imprisonment. When we see this kind of behaviour, we need not only to reform criminal laws to punish wrongdoers on the back end of such conduct, but to invest in our frontline officers who are keeping communities safe. As part of the recent election campaign, Canadians elected a new Liberal government to make these precise investments, and I look forward to implementing them. I only hope Conservative members will join us.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is beyond reprehensible for a member of the House of Commons to suggest that one party or another puts criminals ahead of victims. We are going to advance important reforms to strengthen sentencing. We are going to take extortion seriously to ensure that people who suffer the consequences of these crimes see recourse through the criminal justice system. Importantly, it cannot only be about stiffening penalties. It also needs to be about investing in frontline officers who can help keep communities safe to prevent crime in the first place. As we advance these important reforms, I hope we can, for once, gain the support of the Conservative Party to help keep communities safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, when dangerous people commit violent crimes, it is important they face serious criminal penalties. I would point out to the hon. member that extortion is illegal in this country, and its perpetrators must be apprehended and punished in accordance with the Criminal Code. When he looks at the mandatory minimum penalties, he will see that repeat violent offences involving firearms have a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The Criminal Code is a serious document that will treat serious criminals very seriously. I look forward to working with members of the Conservative Party to give law enforcement the tools it needs not only to punish criminals but also to prevent crime in the first place.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her work advancing important criminal reforms to keep communities safe. In the recent federal election, we were elected on a mandate to help give law enforcement the tools it needs to keep communities safe and to strengthen the Criminal Code. Specifically, we will be advancing legislative reforms to strengthen the bail system when it comes to violent crimes involving home invasion, drug trafficking and auto theft, and stiffer penalties for organized crime and violent crime. I look forward to working with my colleague who represents the good people of Brampton South, and with members of Parliament from every community in this country, to help keep Canadians safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I shared a moment ago, extortion is illegal in this country. Perpetrators should be apprehended and punished. If the member does not believe that extortion is punishable by serious offences, I would point him to the fact that repeated violent extortion with a firearm is punishable by a minimum of seven years' imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. This reflects the seriousness with which this government takes this very serious crime. However, it is important that we not only punish wrongdoers on the back end but invest in law enforcement to give it the tools it needs to keep communities safe in the first place. I hope the members opposite will join us as we advance important reforms to protect Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, in case anyone is mistaken in this House, extortion is illegal in Canada. It is punishable by serious offences. Repeated extortion with a firearm is punishable by a mandatory minimum of seven years' imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The Criminal Code reflects the seriousness with which we take this crime. We will do what it takes not only to punish criminals on the back end, but to give law enforcement officers the tools they need to prevent it in the first place. I hope the Conservatives will be willing to work with us to advance the reforms that will help keep communities safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me condemn, in the harshest possible terms, sexual crimes committed against children. As a former prosecutor, I am sure my hon. colleague would know that the law on the books today actually holds a mandatory minimum penalty of one year's imprisonment for these types of heinous crimes. I hope that this does not become a bipartisan issue. We want to work together to implement reforms, not only to punish heinous crimes but to prevent these harms from becoming a lifetime problem for vulnerable children.”
“Madam Speaker, the hon. member is right to raise concern around crimes involving sexual violence, but his solution is to repeal a law that makes it tougher for people who have committed acts of intimate partner violence to escape bail and return to our communities. That is a nonsensical approach. In the months ahead, we are going to be moving forward with legislative reforms that are going to make it harder to get bail for people who commit violent acts, for people who are engaged in auto theft, home invasion and human trafficking, and tougher sentences for violent repeat offenders. We need to be smart. We need to look at the facts, and we need to make sure we understand the laws that we are putting forward or, as the member suggests, we would take off the books.”
“Madam Speaker, this case raises important questions. I think it is important for the federal government to participate. The member is talking about costs, but it is important to realize that there are a lot of expenses. For departmental employees, it is always very important to keep protecting charter rights while respecting provincial jurisdictions.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the member on rising in the House for the first time and on his recent election. There is something that we agree on: Repeat violent offenders should have a harder time getting out on bail. However, what is interesting is that when he cites a very specific instance, where he is dealing with somebody who could potentially be released for committing intimate partner violence, he then criticizes the very law that makes it harder for that person to get bail. We are going to move forward with new reforms that make a stricter bail regime for violent home invasion, for people who participate in auto theft and for people who are engaged in human trafficking. I hope the Conservatives will vote in favour of strengthening the bail regime.”
“Mr. Speaker, obviously, when we hear the details of such a horrific crime as the member has shared, we know that this is not a partisan issue. All members of the House care equally about the well-being and safety of Canadians and believe that Canadians should feel safe in their communities. What is clear, though, is that the member has not even read the legislation that he criticizes in the House, for if he did, he would know that he is advocating to make it easier for people who commit intimate partner violence to get out on bail. It is important we deal with details and facts in the House. I encourage the member to read the legislation, for once, before he forms an opinion.”
“Mr. Speaker, dangerous people who commit violent crimes should be treated with serious consequences. That is why we are putting new measures in place to strengthen the bail regime, including for auto theft, including for home invasions, including for human trafficking. We are also introducing stiffer penalties for serious repeat violent offenders. We are going to work with facts and reason. I hope that when we advance these measures to help protect the communities, we garner the support of the Conservative Party.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will take a moment to thank my constituents for returning me to the House of Commons for the fourth time. I am rising for the first time as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. When I was talking to people during the campaign back home, they said when dangerous people commit serious crimes and pose a threat to public safety, they should face serious consequences. We have listened to them and are moving forward with stronger bail provisions for auto theft, for home invasions and for drug trafficking. We are also going to advance stronger sentences for serious crimes and for repeat offenders. We are going to do what it takes to ensure that Canadians can feel safe in their communities and be safe in their communities.”