Ruby Sahota
Brampton North—Caledon, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, on the day of his funeral, I ask all members to join me in honouring OPP Constable Tarun Bali, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and in extending our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and fellow officers.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians have questions, victims have questions and the police chiefs have questions as to why it has taken so long for Bill C-22 , which was originally Bill C-2 , to get through the legislative process. Every day that we wait, more and more victims are created in Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, where are the Conservatives who used to care about protecting Canadians? They are not in this House. It is the government that has committed to protecting Canadians through our various bills that we have progressed through this House.”
“Madam Speaker, throughout the debate, I have heard the Conservatives make reference to, “Why do we need this bill at all? We already have existing laws.” It is really surprising to me, hearing that come from the Conservatives, considering they claim to be tough on crime and want longer sentences.”
“Mr. Speaker, this Conservative opposition is not about scrutinizing bills. We are up for scrutiny. We have amended many of our bills, including Bill C-22 .”
“Mr. Speaker, the member talks about underlying crimes that are in the code already, such as assault or mischief. This bill would take the penalties for those crimes and double them for people who would dare prevent somebody from going into their synagogue.”
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“Mr. Speaker, one of the ways that the Conservatives can be effective is they can help us pass Bill C-2 . Currently, all mail couriers, like UPS, FedEx and Purolator, can be checked for drugs. What cannot be checked are Canada Post packages under 500 grams. Two grams of fentanyl is lethal. It can kill a human being. Why are the Conservatives on the side of drug traffickers?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader always wants to bring U.S.-style politics to Canada. Let me be clear. This did not work in the U.S., and many states are already repealing that law. We are focused on real, practical, proven solutions that are constitutional and will keep criminals behind bars.”
“Madam Speaker, my comment has been mis-characterized. I am inviting all levels to co-operate, coordinate and maybe evolve. All of us need to evolve to address the current rise in crime, violent crime, that we are seeing in some of our communities. I think that is really important. That is why we are putting in place changes in upcoming legislation and in current legislation that we are debating, such as Bill C-2 , the strong borders act. I hope the member across the way will support us, because it is exactly what law enforcement has been asking for. It is important that we give law enforcement the tools they need because they do have a very difficult job on the ground. That is exactly what we intend to do. We are going to support law enforcement and our officers who work at the forefront of these issues.”
“I know the provinces could do a much better job to make sure the outcomes coming out of those courtrooms are the best outcomes for Canadians.”
“Madam Speaker, one interesting thing I learned is that in Ontario, the provincial detention facilities are holding about 80% pretrial detention prisoners. That is really interesting to learn. Obviously, those people have been denied bail. It is important for the judges to be able to make the decisions that are needed, foremost, to keep Canadians safe. In the upcoming legislation, it will be very important to, once again, guide the courts and talk about the basic principles, such as if somebody is a public safety threat or a flight risk, they should not be given bail. Also, the confidence in our judicial system is very important. While I was sitting in those courtrooms, I did not have a lot of confidence that those courtrooms were adequately supported and resourced.”
“Madam Speaker, the member raises a very interesting point. Social support groups, not-for-profits across the country, academics, everyone is trying to identify the root causes of a lot of these problems. We have seen a growth in mental health issues in Canada and across the world as well. We have seen other challenges too. Although the new Liberal government is a tough-on-crime government, we also came in with a very strong and primary mandate to make sure we continue to grow our economy and create the fastest-growing economy in the G7. Our Prime Minister is one of the world's foremost experts on economics. I have full faith that the team he has built around him will be able to ensure that Canadians facing these challenges will have hope for a better economy in the coming days.”
“Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the important work the member is doing at the status of women committee. I think those studies will be very informative and very helpful. On the issue the member is speaking of, when it comes to Jordan's principle and gender-based violence cases, sexual assault cases, she is absolutely right. These have resulted in lengthier cases and sometimes in cases being withdrawn in provincial courtrooms. We will be addressing this issue. I cannot speak to the specifics of legislation, but I can assure the member that those issues are going to be considered and addressed in upcoming legislation. I appreciate the work that she will do. It will further inform the decisions that are made for the legislation.”
“We will address these issues to the best of our federal capacity, but we need our provincial and municipal partners to join us.”
“Madam Speaker, I think that is a severe oversimplification of things. Some of the highest crime rates we saw in our country were in the nineties, and I know we are facing particular challenges today. There are many causes for these issues, but we are going to be addressing all of those issues. We have put an unprecedented emphasis on our borders to make sure the illegal drugs and guns that come into our country can be intercepted, and we have been seeing success, so we are going to continue to do the work needed to address those issues. Also, a growing issue of mental health in our communities is also causing a lot of disorder and disruption. Everywhere I have travelled, there are different issues. We have seen, since the pandemic, a rise in vulnerability and these types of issues, so I think a comprehensive approach is the best approach.”
“It is my commitment here today, and my government's, to make sure we address all of these issues in the coming time and create a safer Canada for everyone.”
“It is also very important, and many constituents of mine also talk about, how we address the root cause. How do we prevent crime from starting in the first place? How do we make sure that we continue to have some of the lowest rates of recidivism around the world? We do. It is very important that we continue to invest in our correctional facilities as well, to make sure proper programming is there so that at the end of someone's appropriate sentence, they reintegrate into society and do not reoffend and also to make sure there is good programming at the youth level so kids have an opportunity to succeed. All of these things are very important when we talk about public safety, and I think sometimes the Conservatives are missing a key component of the puzzle.”
“I think there are many ways we can improve our court data sharing to better inform ourselves as to where the issues and blind spots are, how we can address them and how the federal government can also help at the provincial level. We have heard that many judges are releasing people due to not having space in provincial holding centres. That, too, is an issue that needs to be addressed. At the end of the day, I know all of us are here for the best interest of Canadians, and we want to make sure people are safe. That is exactly my interest. I am going to work hard to make sure that we collaborate and do everything possible to make sure some of the headlines we are reading in news articles that are very upsetting do not continue to repeat themselves, but we are going to do it in the proper way.”
“I have to say that I was really sad to see the lack of resources, including the inability of Crown council at times to effectively argue a case for bail because they are overworked. They have a lot of files. We need to make sure our provinces have the appropriate number of Crown council and well-trained judges. This is really important. A lot of Canadians may not be aware, but the administration of justice, when it comes to the majority of criminal cases, happens in our provincial courtrooms, so it is really important that the provinces do their part and efficiently handle the volume of cases coming in. They can use technology.”
“Oftentimes, I hear the Conservatives talk about these ideas that may sound interesting in theory. They have done this before. They have put in place provisions that the Supreme Court has overturned and that our government then had to deal with. Therefore, it is really important that we act responsibly and come at this with the view of making sure we have comprehensive bail reform. (1110) I am looking forward to sitting down with the provinces and territories, as well, in the upcoming days because there are lots of responsibilities that are within their jurisdiction that they have to implement. I spent some time in courts in my area this summer, sitting in on bail hearings.”
“Our responsibility is to ensure that these decisions are informed by robust law enforcement capacity and strong tools to manage and prevent crime. I would like to also say that in some instances courts should be allowed to enforce strict sentences on one strike. Why stop at three? In certain cases, there should be the stiffest penalty given depending on the circumstances of that case and the seriousness of the crime committed. There are many provisions we are going to put forward that I think the House and all of its members can support. They are going to be informed by law enforcement and experts. We are going to make sure that we act responsibly, not just put forward ideas and implement things the Supreme Court would then overturn, which would end up putting us in the same spot we began in.”
“While challenges still remain, these early successes demonstrate that targeted, collaborative efforts can effectively reduce auto theft and enhance public safety as a result. These actions show that the government is not standing still, but providing law enforcement with the resources they need, modernizing technology and regulations, and strengthening partnerships at home and abroad. This is how we address the complex threats posed by serious and organized crime and ensure that Canadians are safe. The government is responding in a coordinated, thoughtful and practical way. Canada's bail system already allows for detention where there are risks to public safety. Courts can impose strict conditions where release is appropriate.”
“According to the Équité Association's “First Half of 2025: Auto Theft Trend Report”, Canada has experienced a 19.1% national decrease in the theft of private passenger vehicles compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, Ontario and Quebec, previous hot spots for vehicle crime, saw declines of 25.9% and 22.2% respectively. These improvements are attributed to a coordinated effort involving federal and provincial governments, law enforcement agencies and the insurance industry. Initiatives such as the national action plan on combatting auto theft, led by Public Safety Canada, have been instrumental in implementing comprehensive strategies to protect Canadians from the organized crime behind auto theft.”
“Supported by new detection technologies and advanced analytics, including artificial intelligence, Transport Canada is working directly with port facilities to address security vulnerabilities and update security plans. At the same time, we are partnering with the automotive industry to ensure that vehicles are harder to steal in the first place. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is working with Canadian companies to develop solutions to prevent theft and assist with vehicle recovery. We are also pursuing ways to remove devices used by organized criminals to override wireless entry systems from the Canadian marketplace. The government's decisive actions to combat auto theft are already yielding tangible results.”
“International collaboration is also key, and that is why Canada has invested in Interpol's transnational vehicle crime project, which is enhancing information sharing and investigative tactics to identify and recover stolen vehicles across borders. (1105) When speaking with those in law enforcement across the country, they mentioned the help Interpol has been able to provide to seize these vehicles and basically freeze criminal organizations from being able to successfully get proceeds from the crimes they are committing. If we are able to stop them from making money on auto theft, as a result, we see a decrease in that type of crime. The government, in addition to that, has also provided $28 million to CBSA for the investigation and examination of stolen vehicles at ports.”
“Organized crime groups that are stealing cars at an alarming rate are using new technology to do so. In response to this, in particular, the government has invested significantly in prevention, enforcement and international co-operation. I will list some of the results that came out of that auto theft summit. Public Safety Canada has committed $15 million over three years to help law enforcement combat serious and organized crime, including auto theft. This includes bilateral agreements with provincial, territorial and municipal police forces to strengthen their ability to seize stolen vehicles from the Canada Border Services Agency.”
“Bill C-2 also addresses this, and would give the capabilities that are needed to put criminals that exploit our young children behind bars. As well, the government has updated legislation in response to these troubling offences. Recent changes expanded the national sex offender registry to include serious crimes, such as sextortion and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, ensuring that police have access to critical investigative tools when responding to these offences. Turning our attention back to auto theft, which has rightly been described as a national crisis, last year, we saw the government put together an auto theft summit at which law enforcement and government at all levels came to the same table to work on how we can address this issue. Since then, we have been having a lot of success.”
“However, it has been disappointing to hear that a lot of Conservatives take issue with the bill, although the chiefs of police in their areas are all in favour of the elements that are contained within it. I hope they will reconsider and support the entirety of the bill. Turning back to extortion, the government has also responded by equipping agencies with the resources they need to combat cyber-enabled crimes. For example, Cybertip.ca is supported in its work to intervene directly with platforms, such as Instagram and Snapchat, to help protect young people in Canada in real time. The Department of Justice Canada's victim services directory is expanding access to community supports for victims of sextortion and online child exploitation, which is a rising concern for me and a rising issue for children in Canada.”
“This summer, I spoke to many extortion victims across the country. I received advice from them and from law enforcement as to the challenges they face in investigating these cases. Some of the challenges are with being able to get information on IP addresses and phone numbers across our borders, and Bill C-2 would help in that regard. I hope Conservatives will support Bill C-2 and the measures in it, because all of the measures have been guided by recommendations of law enforcement across the country, particularly with examples of cases where they have not been able to put criminals behind bars due to those challenges. This bill would give them those tools. It is our new government's second bill in the House.”
“If somebody is a public safety risk, they should not be provided bail. (1100) I hope the courts and Crown counsel are taking this under advisement, or will take it under advisement, and that we see decisions made in accordance to that in the future. It is quite concerning to me as well, and this new government is a tough-on-crime government. It takes public safety very seriously. That is why the Prime Minister has created a new rule, in particular, just to address the issue of crime in our country. Turning back to extortion, we know that extortion has increasingly moved online. Nearly half of reported cases involve cyber elements. Bill C-2 , legislation that we just debated in the House yesterday, has many measures in it that would provide law enforcement with the tools needed.”
“Courts are required to consider an accused person's history of violent convictions and to state on the record how community safety, as well as circumstances of Indigenous peoples and other overrepresented populations, have been taken into account. These reforms ensure that public safety is at the forefront of bail decisions, while they respect individual circumstances and their rights protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and provide judges with clear guidance to make informed, evidence-based decisions, but we are going to take this even further. In our new upcoming bail and sentencing legislation, we are going to make sure that the courts are committed to these basic principles. Public safety should be at the forefront for the reason for denying bail.”
“The government has taken, and continues to take, meaningful steps to strengthen the tools available to law enforcement and the justice system, ensuring that repeat and dangerous offenders are held accountable and that Canadians can feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in their businesses. Key changes to the Criminal Code's bail provisions came into effect on January 4, 2024, under the former Bill C-48 . Individuals charged with serious repeat violent offences, particularly those involving weapons such as firearms, knives or bear spray, now carry the burden of demonstrating a reverse onus, in particular demonstrating why they should be released on bail, rather than Crown counsel having to fight against the bail.”
“Such incidents highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat extortion and ensure the protection of our communities. That is why the RCMP has created a national task force to coordinate investigations and share intelligence across the country, focusing in particular on cases that have affected the South Asian communities in Brampton, Surrey, Edmonton and Abbotsford. It is expanding to other regions as well. This task force is working not only with domestic law enforcement but also with international partners to track and disrupt organized crime networks. Addressing these challenges requires more than words. It demands concrete action.”
“Extortion preys on fear and vulnerability, targets individuals and small businesses, and can destabilize entire communities. Take, for instance, a recent and deeply troubling incident in Brampton. On April 30, 2025, a local business situated near Queen Street and Kennedy Road South was targeted with gunfire. While no one was inside at the time, the owner began receiving threatening messages demanding money. This act of extortion not only endangered the victim but also instilled fear within the broader community. In response, Peel Regional Police swiftly initiated an investigation leading to the arrest of three individuals on charges of extortion: Harpal Singh, Rajnoor Singh and Eknoor Singh, all from Brampton. These arrests underscore the severity of the crime and the commitment of law enforcement to uphold public safety.”
“It is committed to doing so in a smart, evidence-informed way, drawing on empirical research and real-world experience to address repeat and dangerous offenders effectively while respecting the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The member for Battle River—Crowfoot has raised the issue of violent offending. I want to speak to two areas of particular concern for Canadians: extortion and auto theft. These are not abstract or distant problems. They involve violence, or the very real threat of violence, and they leave lasting impacts on victims and families, particularly many in my community. Auto theft and carjacking put Canadians in immediate physical danger and threaten their sense of safety in our neighbourhoods.”
“Madam Speaker. I rise in the chamber to address today's opposition day motion, which was brought forward by the hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot . The motion proposes a “three strikes and you're out” law aimed at keeping repeat serious offenders, particularly those who commit violent crimes, behind bars longer; limiting their access to bail, probation, parole and house arrest; and establishing a mandatory minimum sentence. The government is deeply troubled by violent crime and is committed to keeping Canadians safe, strengthening confidence in the justice system and ensuring that the bail system promotes public safety first.”
“Mr. Speaker, the second bill we introduced in the House was Bill C-2 , our stronger borders measure, which gives police the tools to deal with many issues, including organized crime. The next thing we are going to do is stiffen bail and make sentencing a lot stricter. We are going to partner with police services across the country to fight organized crime, make it tougher for violent offenders to get bail and impose stricter sentences. We are taking action on this front to make sure that Canadians are safe.”
“Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the member whether he asked that question in particular. I spoke all summer to law enforcement and they do like the provisions, in particular when it comes to using cash to buy luxury items like cars and luxury bags. It is money laundering, and it has been a big problem in Canada. I know the Conservatives called for action on that. Why will the hon. member not support it? I would like the member to please let me know if he asked the police that question.”
“As such, I believe that it is very misleading when the member says that this would give police access to all of the suspect's data. That is not true. It is basic information, so I would like it if the member would correct the facts.”
“Madam Speaker, something that I was pretty devastated to learn earlier as I was getting briefed on the crime issue is that child sexual exploitation, sextortion, is one of the highest reported crimes in Canada today, and it is happening with Canadian offenders. It is happening across lines as well across the world, and it is so important that we tackle this. One of the challenges that police are facing is that they have to be so far into an investigation, with reasonable grounds to believe that a suspect has committed a crime, rather than the threshold that would be changed in this legislation, which would be reasonable grounds to suspect and would allow officers to get basic information of who an IP address or a telephone number belongs to.”
“Madam Speaker, the member opposite mentioned extortion. I know extortion has increased in his community. It is a concern that I have, and I am glad the member shares it. This piece of legislation, Bill C-2 , would allow police to identify a person from their phone number by getting basic subscriber information from a telco company, meaning their name and address. This is a very important tool that law enforcement has been asking for so their investigations are not delayed or they can rule people out. Does the member not feel that being able to speed up extortion investigations is an important tool that we should give law enforcement?”
“Madam Speaker, I believe the conversation is misleading Canadians to some degree. The Canada postal act currently does not allow Canada Post to inspect parcels that are under 500 grams. There were over 2.2 billion letters sent in 2023. Many of these letters were found to contain illicit drugs, fentanyl or weapons. Does the member not think that the government, Canada Post, inspectors or police should have the authority to be able to seek a warrant if these types of substances are killing Canadians?”
“Madam Speaker, I would like to take a second to give my deepest condolences and sympathy to Abdul Aleem Farooqi's family. What happened to him and his family is outrageous. It is something that angers me as well, and it is something we are making sure does not happen to anyone else in the future. We are going to do everything possible in our upcoming justice reform legislation to make sure the changes that are recommended by our policing agencies are undertaken. When it comes to Bill C-2 , the bill we are talking about today, our stronger borders act, I would like to know if the member opposite is willing to vote in favour of the legislation, which gives police agencies the tools necessary to crack down on organized crime.”
“Mr. Speaker, I really appreciated the member's speech. It looks like the Bloc Québécois, or at least this member, is very supportive of Bill C-2 and this legislation. I think that is a good move. I understand that they are talking about delays in the process. Are there any other examples the member would like to give as to how this would help combat crime in his community?”
“Mr. Speaker, adaptation is a concern of ours, and that is why, in the legislation, we must adapt. We are finding that more and more criminals are using our mail to mail pieces that put together firearms, and also to mail fentanyl, which is mailed in such small quantities. This was a loophole that was being used by many criminals. Would the member not agree that we need to adapt and catch these criminals?”
“Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member that safety is paramount and of concern to Canadians. That is why the second bill we tabled in the current Parliament was Bill C-2 . Bail reform and sentencing reforms are also upcoming this fall. However, I would like to know whether the member is supportive of Bill C-2 , as she did not reference it too much in her speech. I would love to know whether she is supportive of the extra measures and tools that we are giving our law enforcement. The bill was created from recommendations from officers who serve on the front lines.”
“Mr. Speaker, when I met with Commissioner Carrique this summer at the summit I was talking about, he pointed out to me that today, a letter under 500 grams that could contain something like fentanyl is not subject to a search warrant. This bill would allow it to be subject to a search warrant. I would remind the member across that 200 milligrams can be deadly to humans. We need to tackle the crisis of fentanyl in our country, and we need to give police the tools necessary to do so. Would the member not agree that we need to provide our policing agencies with the tools necessary to fight fentanyl?”
“The police are not able to do anything about that IP address today, but with Bill C-2 , they would be able to take one step forward and lay charges.”
“Mr. Speaker, this summer I got the opportunity to attend the summit of the chiefs of police and was able to sit down with the president. He had rave reviews for Bill C-2 . One of the provisions of lawful access in Bill C-2 changes the requirement from “reasonable grounds to believe” and instead makes it “reasonable grounds to suspect”. This is going to help the police in so many different child exploitation investigations. I have a slew of different examples the police gave me where cases were not investigated and were thrown out. One example was of a father who caught his 12-year-old daughter speaking to someone who said they were a teenager but ended up being an adult. The father had an IP address and took it to the police.”
“Mr. Speaker, the tragedy the member refers to is one that has impacted my community greatly, and my sincere sympathy goes out to the family. We are going to make sure that repeat violent offenders are kept behind bars. This summer, I consulted with many police agencies across the country. A lot of their recommendations are going to be seen in this bill. However, provinces have to do their part to fix the broken justice system. They have to invest in Crown prosecutions, and they have to make sure that there are enough judges to hear the trials.”
“Mr. Speaker, it was in our platform. We have a mandate. We promised Canadians that we were going to keep our communities safe. This fall, we are tabling legislation to make bail tougher and have harder and stiffer sentencing for repeat violent criminals. We are going to make sure these types of criminals stay behind bars and that everyone feels safe in their homes and on their streets.”
“Mr. Speaker, foreign interference and transnational repression are serious threats to Canadians and our democratic institutions. Through the Countering Foreign Interference Act, we have the modern tools needed to protect against them. We will train 1,000 new RCMP personnel, who will help combat foreign interference and transnational repression. We will remain vigilant to protect our security, to protect our sovereignty and to protect our democracy.”
“Mr. Speaker, this new government's agenda is to be tough on crime. We are going to make it tougher for violent criminals to get bail and will impose stricter sentences for repeat offenders. The topic of bail keeps coming up. It is the job of provinces to administer the bail system. Right now, the law states that people who are a risk to public safety or are a flight risk should not be given bail. The provinces really need to take a look at what is happening in their courtrooms.”
“Mr. Speaker, fentanyl has torn through communities and ripped apart families. We are working to take down the fentanyl trade and gangs that profit from it. We have listed seven cartels as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. I am working closely with Kevin Brosseau, Canada's fentanyl czar, to put a laser-sharp focus on dismantling these drug networks. We will shut down fentanyl production and put those profiting from it behind bars.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are on the same page. Repeat violent offenders should not be released, so let me be clear again: There is nothing stopping judges and JPs from denying bail. The current law states that people who are a risk to public safety or a flight risk should not be given bail. I think it is time for the provinces to step up. What is happening? Let us make sure that Crown prosecutors are well funded and make sure there is space to hold these criminals. We are going to do our part; the provinces should do theirs.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are making it tougher for violent criminals to get out on bail and imposing stricter sentences for repeat offenders, but let me be clear: There is nothing in the law stopping judges and JPs from denying bail. The current law is that people who are a risk to public safety or a flight risk should not be given bail. What is really going on here? Reports are saying that judges are making decisions because the provinces are not providing the space needed to hold criminals. It is time for the provinces to join us and step up.”