Brad Vis
Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, British Columbia · Conservative · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, the third petition I would like to present today is on nicotine pouches. This petition is being presented on behalf of small businesses, including convenience stores.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a number of petitions to present today. The first is petition e-7198, which has 5,746 signatures. It calls upon the Minister of Fisheries to not remove the recreational access to chinook and coho salmon in the allotment of salmon allocation.”
“Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I asked a Liberal member a very simple question: Could he confirm or deny the rumours in British Columbia that, under the new security partnership between Canada and China and the government's desire to sell federal airport assets, Chinese companies would be able to buy those assets?”
“Mr. Speaker, the second petition I would like to present today is with regard to the elimination of the federal apprenticeship incentive. The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to reinstate the apprenticeship incentive grant for Red Seal trades, index it to inflation, link it to the successful completion of technical training…”
“Mr. Speaker, Bill C-30 contains proposed new provisions under the Privacy Act and the Canada Transportation Act to assess the full value of our publicly owned airports. Rumours in British Columbia dictate that part of the new security agreement with China would allow Chinese companies to buy airports in Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life of Mel Zajac, a remarkable British Columbian whose compassion and generosity left an enduring imprint. Mel's life was marked by a profound tragedy that ultimately inspired a legacy of extraordinary philanthropy. In July 1986, he lost his son Mel Jr.”
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“When small businesses fall behind on their tax obligations, the consequences are immediate and visible. Payment plans are negotiated, interest accrues, and enforcement measures are well understood. What has been far less visible, however, is when very large corporate debts, sometimes involving millions of dollars, are forgiven by the federal government. Even when such decisions are justified, the lack of transparency creates a perception of unequal treatment. Bill C-230 would address that gap directly. By making large-scale debt forgiveness transparent, it would reassure small businesses that there is no separate, hidden system for the biggest players in the economy. It would send a clear message that extraordinary relief must be accompanied by extraordinary accountability. Importantly, the bill is carefully designed.”
“They do so because they believe in our country and believe in a system that is fair, predictable and applied equally. Bill C-230 is about reinforcing that core belief for businesses in Canada. The bill would require the President of the Treasury Board to establish and maintain a public, online, searchable registry to disclose information about large debts or obligations, those valued at $1 million or more, owed to the Crown by corporations, trust companies or partnerships where those debts have been waived, written off or forgiven. The registry would include the name of the entity, the amount forgiven, the period to which it relates and the statutory authority under which the debt arose. This is not an exercise in blame or punishment. It is an exercise in accountability.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in good faith and in the spirit of collaboration to get things done, to move Canada forward, and I believe that Bill C-230 can help us do that. Bill C-230 is an act to amend the Financial Administration Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts by establishing a public registry of large debts and obligations that have been waived, written off or forgiven. At its heart, this bill is about tax fairness, transparency and respect for the small businesses that form the backbone of our economy. Across Canada, small business owners open their doors every morning knowing that success is never guaranteed. They manage payroll, remit taxes and comply with complex regulatory requirements, often at significant risk.”
“Madam Speaker, the last petition I would like to present today is on behalf of citizens of Abbotsford, in honour of Darshan Sahsi, who lost his life a few months ago. These residents are calling upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how federal, provincial and local governments are working together to prevent further increases in violent and organized crime. It is always a pleasure to rise and to present petitions constructively.”
“Madam Speaker, the third petition I would like to present today is about GST and HST in the context of physical education, specifically dance education, which provides significant physical, mental and emotional health benefits, including improved fitness, self-confidence and resilience, contributing to the overall well-being of Canadians. The petitioning Canadians are calling on the Government of Canada to remove GST from instructional dance classes that meet formal educational criteria and align with the existing GST exemption for music instruction.”
“Madam Speaker, the second petition I would like to present today is on behalf of residents of Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford who are deeply concerned about the proposed expansion of medical assistance in dying to individuals whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness. My constituents fear that expanding MAID in this way risks normalizing suicide as a response to mental illness. They believe that Canada should instead prioritize and strengthen mental health supports.”
“Madam Speaker, on behalf of Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, I would like to present a petition about Bill C-9 . The Liberal-Bloc amendment to Bill C-9, passed at the justice committee, would remove the good-faith religious defence clause from the Criminal Code of Canada. Bill C-9 would allow the state to prosecute people who express deeply held religious beliefs the government finds offensive. Therefore the petitioners are asking the Government of Canada to withdraw Bill C-9 , protect religious freedom, uphold the right to read and share sacred texts, and prevent government intrusion into faith.”
“When will the government take seriously the issues affecting the Sumas Prairie, Abbotsford and the flood infrastructure needed to protect Canadian exports and Canadian agriculture, and provide some semblance of security for the farmers and the people who call this place home?”
“Madam Speaker, the member opposite, the parliamentary secretary, said that the Conservatives do not talk about climate change. A government scientist said that the disaster that happened in my riding in December was related to climate change. I have been in the House for many years, beating my head against the table, asking the government for a response in order to protect the breadbasket of British Columbia, the critical supply chains that run through my riding, the second-largest airport, and a border crossing. All I have received from the government is crickets with respect to an area that is completed related to Canada's ability to export to foreign markets.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present petition e-6753, which was signed by 7,175 Canadians who want the GST and HST removed from massage therapy services. Registered massage therapy is recognized as a medical service by health care professionals, and registered massage therapists are licensed and regulated like other health professionals but still not exempt from GST and HST under the Excise Tax Act. Failure to remove the GST creates double standards and inequity in the professions regulated by the colleges. It may also contribute to financial barriers for some patients. These Canadians are calling on the Government of Canada to add registered massage therapy to the GST and HST exemption within the Excise Tax Act and remove the GST and HST from registered massage therapy services in Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, the second petition I present today is calling for an alternate location to a supportive housing project planned for Martens Street across from the Abbotsford Traditional School. Throughout the process, there has been a lack of transparency, public input and considerations of alternate locations, nor has a disclosure of plans been provided by BC Housing. The petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to cease all funding to BC Housing until it finds a more appropriate location, not beside a school.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise on behalf of Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford to table two petitions. The first is in memory of Mr. Darshan Sahsi. Daylight shootings, murders and violence underscore a broader public safety crisis in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland. Residents are calling on the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how federal, provincial and local governments are working together to prevent further increases in violent and organized crime.”
“Mr. Speaker, extortion cases are exploding and it is a full-on crisis. In Surrey alone, police are responding to more than one case a day. Families and small businesses are terrified, truckers are feeling the heat and people feel abandoned by Justice Canada. After years of Liberal promises, the results speak for themselves. Crime is up and criminals walk free. Bill C-5 and Bill C-75 strip mandatory minimums and entrench catch-and-release policies. When will the government work in good faith with the Conservatives to eliminate mandatory minimums for extortionists and repeal the catch-and-release laws that are hurting our country?”
“British Columbians deserve a plan that protects them, not just for today but for the future. I implore the Minister of Infrastructure to act on the requests from Abbotsford and other vulnerable communities. We must prioritize investment in flood protection to safeguard our food supply and national supply chains. British Columbians matter. We need action.”
“Mr. Speaker, communities across the Fraser Valley and the interior are under evacuation orders as rising waters threaten homes, farms and critical infrastructure. The border is shut, highways are closed and supply chains are disrupted. The 2021 floods taught us hard lessons, yet today we find ourselves confronting the same vulnerabilities. Our roads, dikes and drainage systems remain inadequate to withstand the realities of changing weather patterns. These failures put lives and our economy at risk. I call upon the government to take immediate and decisive action. We must invest in modern, resilient infrastructure, strengthen emergency preparedness and ensure that rural and agricultural communities are not left behind. The cost of inaction will far exceed the cost of prevention.”
“Mr. Speaker, the second petition I present today is on behalf of angered parents who are concerned about the actions of BC Housing and its attempt to install a safe consumption site, or drug den, across the street from the school track at Abbotsford Traditional School. Angered parents are calling upon the Government of Canada to cease all federal funding to BC Housing until it comes to its senses and finds a more suitable location to provide such services, and to protect the innocence of children, first and foremost, as a key policy priority.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to table a petition on behalf of residents of Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford who are frightened by the ever-increasing levels of organized violence, extortion, shootings and intimidation across the Lower Mainland. Daylight shootings, murders and violence underscore a broader public safety crisis. These residents call upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how federal, provincial and local governments are working together to prevent further increases in violent and organized crime. The petitioners note that this petition is in honour of Darshan Sahsi, who was tragically murdered outside his home in my riding.”
“Mr. Speaker, that member should be ashamed of outlining fiction and fantasy in respect to the challenges of British Columbians in feeding their families. The 2026 food price report says grocery prices will keep climbing to $1,000 more next year, forcing families to compromise on healthy food and to rely more on food banks. Farmers in my riding, the breadbasket of British Columbia, tell me they are drowning in costs. Fertilizer, fuel and transportation costs have all skyrocketed nationally. Producers are taking on more debt than at any time since 1981. Instead of raising taxes to grow, ship and sell our food, when will the government face reality and lower food prices?”
“Mr. Speaker, nearly one in four British Columbians is food insecure and food bank usage is soaring. The Prime Minister told Canadians to judge him by grocery prices. Well, the verdict is in. Under the current Liberal government, food banks are not just for emergencies anymore. They are now an entrenched lifeline of support. When will these Liberals stop their inflationary spending and cut the hidden taxes on food so Canadians can afford to eat?”
“Mr. Speaker, one reason we are in such a quagmire as a country is that, for nine years under Justin Trudeau, the Government of Canada ignored every opportunity to build additional resource infrastructure. In fact, when the German chancellor came to Canada, the Prime Minister said no. The Japanese president came to Canada, and the Liberal government said no. The Dutch government came to Canada. They were all looking for our natural gas and other resources, and the Liberal government said no. Would the member agree that because of the disastrous energy policies and antiresource policies of the Liberal government, Canada is behind and what is at stake now is our sovereignty?”
“Madam Speaker, I am scared. I am scared for the future of my children, because the Government of Canada is not doing good enough. As the member mentioned in her remarks, we turned down three major natural resource deals, which would have lifted children out of poverty and lowered global emissions, yet the Liberals said no. When I was a staffer, the Liberals put forward the most divisive and burdensome regulatory approach, which still exists today. Then they come around to say that they are going to build a pipeline and fix our economy. They are not. What they are doing is playing a game of tightrope with the future of Canadians by not moving forward on natural resource projects, not removing the barriers to building and not giving Canada the foundation of success it needs. Would the member comment on those points?”
“Madam Speaker, I think my colleague missed the amendment that we put forward to the motion today, which talks about the Conservative commitment to indigenous ownership, partnerships and benefits, and engaging with British Columbia in a trilateral discussion. There has never been a prime minister in the history of Canada who has had a more favourable social climate to build projects than the Prime Minister today. The Prime Minister could have used the emergency powers. He did not even need Bill C-5 . He could have moved forward with a pipeline right away because Canadians are concerned about sovereignty. When the government accuses the Conservatives of playing games, the Prime Minister did not even do what he said he was going to do during the election, and that is getting projects built. Why is the government so slow to do anything?”
“Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I believe it is under the Standing Orders. This is a misrepresentation of the way Conservatives feel about Canadians. We do not, in fact, believe Canadians are stupid—”
“I hope the member from the Bloc Québécois can understand that British Columbia is very different from Quebec and that his comments did not properly reflect the way British Columbians truly feel.”
“Madam Speaker, I appreciate the discourse from the member from the Bloc Québécois, but unfortunately I do not think he really understands British Columbia and what British Columbians want. British Columbians are the most environmentally conscious people in the entire country. That is a statistical fact. We love our rainforests. We love our natural environment. However, the majority of British Columbians also understand that we can have natural resource development and protect our environment. We also believe strongly in protecting the sovereignty of Canada, and a pipeline to the coast of British Columbia will allow the country of Canada to export more oil and gas, which will lead to better social services in Canada and will also diversify our economy at a time when we are suffering.”
“Madam Speaker, forgive my cynicism today, but my riding of Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford is one of the most trade-exposed regions in all of Canada. We are the breadbasket of British Columbia. We have one of the most diverse economies. Four years ago, we suffered the most disastrous natural disaster caused by climate change in the history of Canada. Where has the Government of Canada been on securing our supply chains so goods can go through to the port of metro Vancouver? We have three rail lines. Where was the Government of Canada instead of working collaboratively with the first nations that have been calling it to the table to sit on the transboundary committees on the Nooksack River? Where has the federal government been in our time of crisis because of climate change? It has been absent.”
“Madam Speaker, I have a few points to discuss on the MOU regarding collaboration. The MOU states that the Government of Canada is going to collaborate with British Columbia. Under Bill C-5 , the government has granted itself powers to exempt the federal government from following other existing legislation. How is the Minister of Natural Resources going to square that with the anti-energy, anti-private property Premier of British Columbia, who does not believe in pipelines or the development of further natural resources?”
“Mr. Speaker, third, I would like to present a petition today on extortion. Petitioners are concerned about daylight shootings, murders and violence, which underscore a broader public safety issue. The residents are calling upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how federal, provincial and local governments are working together to prevent further increases in violent organized crime. Petitioners raise this in honour of Darshan Sahsi, who was murdered outside his home in my riding.”
“Mr. Speaker, the second petition I would like to present is on behalf angered parents who are again calling upon the Government of Canada to enforce its agreement with British Columbia and not allow for a safe consumption site across the street from a school track. Parents are calling for the Government of Canada to cease all funding to BC Housing until it comes to its senses and finds a more suitable location for supportive housing.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to present three petitions. The first is on behalf of residents in Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford regarding the gun confiscation program that will cost Canadian taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. They feel it unfairly targets law-abiding firearms owners, and the petitioners note the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates the cost to compensate firearm owners alone will exceed $750 million. Even the public safety minister , petitioners mention, has serious doubts as to the effectiveness and validity of the program. The residents call upon the Government of Canada to rescind the program and to prioritize public safety with change to our bail laws.”
“[ Translation ] For David, his friends and the thousands of young Canadians whose lives are at risk, let us make this change. Every day we delay is a day that more families will experience the pain that the member for Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière experienced and so courageously shared with us today.”
“Bill C-231 is not the final answer, but it is a step in the right direction, a step toward a justice system that heals instead of harms and that recognizes addiction as an illness rather than a crime. By passing the bill, we will affirm that Canada will not abandon youth in despair. In fact, we will improve our laws for youth. We can affirm that prevention and treatment are not luxuries but a necessity in our public health system. Every day we delay, another family grieves and another David is lost. Another group of friends wonder what they could have done. Supporting the bill means telling David's friends across Canada that we see them, that we care, and that we will make a level step forward to improve the system in our country.”
“Addiction is not a complete moral failure. It is a health issue, and when a young person is arrested for a drug-related offence, that moment can be a turning point, a chance to intervene, to connect them with care and to prevent another obituary. As a society, we have a moral imperative to do more than speak words of compassion. We must turn those words into action. It is not enough to express concern while young lives are lost. We must offer real solutions, and I really do truly believe that we are doing that today. We must develop those programs that match the urgency of our rhetoric, programs that meet young people where they are and give them a path forward.”
“It gives judges and police the ability to open a door instead of closing one, to offer treatment instead of punishment. Every time we fail to act, another David is lost, another family grieves, and another group of friends wonder what they could have done. Supporting the bill, and I am so encouraged by the remarks so far this morning, means telling David's friends across Canada that we see them, that we care and that we will fight for their future. Bill C-231 offers a practical solution. It does not reinvent the wheel. It simply extends to youth what already exists for adults, the ability to defer sentencing while a person completes an addiction treatment program. This approach saves lives. It gives young people a chance to heal before they become entrenched in criminal activity or fall victim to the toxic drug supply. Let us be clear.”
“For some, that first puff is not harmless. It can be the first step toward dependency and, tragically, toward fentanyl-laced substances. When the member from Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière speaks of David's friends, he is not referring to a small circle of acquaintances. He is speaking about thousands of young Canadians, boys and girls who are walking the same dangerous path. These are teenagers who turn to substances, not out of rebellion but out of pain. For them, drugs become the doctor they never met, the therapy they never accessed and the solution society failed to provide. David's friends are not criminals at heart. They are patients who do not know they are sick, yet under the current system, if they refuse help and deny their problem, we often abandon them to their fate. Bill C-231 changes that.”
“(1140) [ English ] In British Columbia, we are living through a public health emergency that shows no sign of slowing down. Since the province declared the overdose crisis in 2016, more than 14,000 British Columbians have died from toxic, unregulated drugs. This year alone, B.C. is on track to surpass 2,000 deaths, the highest ever recorded. That means that six people die every day in one province. That's six lives, six families shattered. These are not just adults. Youth are increasingly at risk. According to the BC Coroners Service, about 10% of overdose deaths involve individuals under 29, and many start using substances in their early teens. The Canadian Student Alcohol and Drugs Survey shows that the average age of first cannabis use is 14, and nearly half of students say cannabis is easy to obtain.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to respond to my colleague's deeply moving remarks about Bill C-231, the friends of David act. First, I commend him for having the courage to share such a personal story in the House. My colleague's words remind us that behind the statistics are families, communities and broken dreams. The story of the member's son David is not only heartbreaking, it is a call to action. This bill seeks to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act so that judges and law enforcement can send youths struggling with addiction to treatment programs rather than strictly imposing punitive measures. The aim is not to excuse crimes, but to recognize that addiction is a health issue and that early intervention is needed to turn lives around before it is too late.”
“Mr. Speaker, the second petition I would like to present today is on behalf of angered parents who send their kids to Abbotsford Traditional School. The parents are calling upon the Government of Canada to cease all funding to BC Housing until it comes to its senses and stops its plan to put a safe consumption site across the street from the school track. Parents are worried about their children's being exposed to drug paraphernalia and drugs writ large.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table a petition on behalf of residents of Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, who are frightened by the ever-increasing levels of organized violence, extortion, shootings and intimidation across the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland. Daylight shootings, murders and violence underscore a broader public safety crisis. These residents call upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how federal, provincial and local authorities are working together to prevent further increases in violent and organized crime. Petitioners also outline that their call to action is in memory of Mr. Darshan Sahsi.”
“Mr. Speaker, there are eight million kids in Canada, and last I counted, the national food program is not even feeding two million of them. While families struggle with soaring grocery bills, small businesses are also being crushed by those same inflationary policies and the loss of the purchasing power of Canadian families. Canada has 100,000 fewer entrepreneurs today than it did in the year 2000. That is 100,000 fewer businesses able to support families and communities. Rising costs, higher taxes and endless red tape are driving people out of business. When will the Liberals admit their taxes and red tape are crushing—”
“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister told Canadians he should be judged by the prices at the grocery store. Perhaps he should be careful what he wishes for. Grocery prices are climbing, families cannot afford the basics and 85% of Canadians say food costs are their top concern. “Canada's Food Price Report” says that, next year, families will pay $1,000 more for groceries. When will the Liberals cut their inflationary spending, the industrial carbon tax and their new fuel tax, so that Canadians can simply afford to eat?”
“Mr. Speaker, we are here today because we put forward a motion to travel and discuss Bill C-9 . At the heart of the request to travel is the agreement between the Liberal Party and the Bloc Québécois on paragraph 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code, which provides an exemption, “if, in good faith, the person expressed or attempted to establish by an argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text”. My question to the member is very simple: Does he believe that Bill C-9 will be strengthened by the elimination of this clause from the Criminal Code, or will it be weakened, yes or no?”
“It is hard to stand here today, but this is why I am here. The Liberals challenged us on why we are here. I am here to stand up for people of all faiths in my nation, so they have freedom of expression under the Charter of Rights. Will the member clarify? Do the Liberals want to remove that section from the Criminal Code?”
“Madam Speaker, the reason we are here this morning is that the justice committee is asking for the opportunity to hear from Canadians, and to travel to do so. A travel motion before the House of Commons is, in fact, very rare. At the heart of why we need this travel motion is section 319 of the Criminal Code. I would like to ask the member for Winnipeg North if he could clarify, in good faith, the position of the government and whether it does in fact want to remove paragraph 319(3)(b) of the Criminal Code, which states, “if, in good faith, the person expressed or attempted to establish by an argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text”. As a person of faith, I never thought I would have this argument in this chamber, in this country.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise, again, on behalf of angered parents who are concerned about the horrible actions of BC Housing, which is proposing a safe consumption site across from the high school track at Abbotsford Traditional School. The petitioners are calling upon the Government of Canada to enforce its agreement with the Province of British Columbia, which does not allow for hard drugs to be done in the vicinity of a school. They are calling on the federal government to cease all funding to BC Housing until this situation is rectified.”
“Once we removed any form of deterrence in our society, crime went rampant. It is what happened. I just implore the member opposite and I implore the government—”
“Madam Speaker, Conservatives have been very clear in the House that we are generally in support of many of the measures in Bill C-12 and Bill C-14 . In respect of Bill C-2 and the Liberal government now tying it to extortion, the reality is that we are in a minority Parliament and the Liberals never work with us. They never addressed some of the charter challenges that will inevitably come from that legislation. If the Liberals would have acted in good faith, they would have seen more co-operation from the Conservatives, as we have done on many major policy initiatives that we initiated in the first place and that have been passed by this Parliament. The reality is that extortion can be correlated directly to the changes to the Criminal Code that the Liberals brought forward.”
“Indeed, I sponsored the bill to put in force mandatory jail time for extortion with a firearm and to remove house arrest as an option for these violent crimes. The Liberals did not vote for it. They voted against it. Since then, thousands of new extortion cases have expanded across Canada. The government's refusal to act until recently has only emboldened criminals and left victims without justice. When will the government make the change, bring forward the legislation that is going to have a real impact and stop this crisis, which is ruining the reputation of Canada, ruining businesses and ruining families?”
“Bills like Bill C-5 and Bill C-75 in previous parliaments have allowed dangerous offenders to be released repeatedly, eroding public confidence and enabling crime to spread. The result is that extortion threats in British Columbia have surged 481% since 2015. Firearms-related offences are up 130%, and homicides have risen 29%. These trends show that soft-on-crime laws are directly correlated with escalating violence and intimidation. Canada's extortion crisis is not isolated. It is the product of systemic weaknesses in immigration enforcement, criminal justice philosophy and bail-sentencing laws. Businesses and families are paying the price for policies that have prioritized criminals over communities. A year ago, Conservatives put forward a plan to tackle this head-on.”
“This creates an environment where organized crime thrives, enabling intimidation and extortion schemes targeting vulnerable businesses, especially in sectors like transportation and retail. Strengthening immigration enforcement and closing loopholes are essential to prevent criminal infiltration and protect Canadians. Second, the government treating perpetrators as victims is an erosion of deterrence. Policies that prioritize offenders over public safety weaken accountability. When violent criminals are portrayed as victims, sentencing becomes lenient and consequences diminish. This emboldens repeat offenders, undermines deterrence and signals to criminal networks that Canada is a low-risk environment for extortion-related crimes. Third, loosening bail conditions and reducing sentences increases violent crimes.”