Gary Anandasangaree
Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, our government has always been committed to the safety and security of all Canadians. Any form of violence, intimidation or transnational repression targeting individuals and communities in Canada is unacceptable and punishable under Canadian law. We are taking action to protect Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is not how legislation works. We have put forward a comprehensive piece of legislation. We have consulted with a range of stakeholders, including law enforcement. Parts 1 and 2 go hand in hand. We cannot cherry-pick which parts of the act go into effect.”
“Mr. Speaker, the misinformation on firearms continues. Over 140,000 individual firearms have been declared by owners, as well as businesses. We are in the process of collecting them. We have invested in law enforcement. We are hiring 1,000 new RCMP personnel and 1,000 new CBSA officers.”
“Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago, this House, as well as the Senate, passed a motion declaring Anton Boegman as the commissioner for the transparency registry. We are working toward the establishment of the regulations, and the commission will be up and running in the upcoming weeks.”
“Mr. Speaker, the misinformation, sadly, continues on firearms. As members are aware, over 140,000 firearms have been declared by individual Canadians as well as businesses. We are in the process of collecting those firearms. What I will— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”
“Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated before, we are deeply heartbroken that Constable Marc Pinizzotto of the Toronto Police Service and Constable Tarun Bali of the Ontario police service were killed in the line of duty last week.”
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“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Compton—Stanstead for her incredible work at the SECU committee, and I want to thank the members of the SECU committee for making sure that Bill C-12 passes report stage at committee. Bill C-12 would give law enforcement the tools to keep our borders secure and to combat organized crime, auto theft, extortion, money laundering and the trafficking of illegal weapons and drugs. The bill would enhance the integrity of our immigration system by creating robust screening standards, as well as ensuring fair and transparent enforcement. Keeping Canada strong means keeping Canadians secure.”
“Mr. Speaker, what needs to happen is that the rhetoric from across the aisle needs to stop. What we need to do is right in front of the House. We have Bill C-2 , which has lawful access as a very important principle of criminal law. We have Bill C-12 , the strong borders act, and we have Bill C-14 , which speaks to the need for bail reform as well as sentencing. These are smart criminal justice reforms that are meant to keep Canadians safe, including Canadians who are experiencing extortion. It is time to get serious and time for the Conservative Party to come forward and pass the legislation.”
“Mr. Speaker, what we have to say to Canadians is that we have a bill in front of the House, Bill C-2 , that has a very important provision called lawful access, which would ensure that crimes such as extortion are dealt with in an efficient and speedy manner. This is what law enforcement across Canada, from Abbotsford to every part of the country I have visited over the last six months, has been asking for. It is a component of the bill that is so essential. However, the party opposite has continuously refused to bring forward and accept lawful access as a very basic principle of Canadian criminal law.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank the men and women of CSIS for the work they do each and every day to protect Canadians. I also want to once again assure my colleague opposite that we will be bringing forward a name in short order and that we will ensure that adequate consultation comes before the House.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me thank the member for Brampton Centre for her incredible hard work and advocacy. Our government is taking real action to stop people who commit extortion. The Conservatives, however, have failed to support measures, like lawful access, that law enforcement across Canada have been asking us to implement. They will not support Bill C-2 . They will not support Bill C-12 . They will not support Bill C-14 . They will not support hiring 1,000 new RCMP personnel and 1,000 new CBSA officers. Canadians expect their opposition to work together with their government. Let us stop the rhetoric—”
“Mr. Speaker, our government is taking real action to stop those who commit extortion. The Conservatives, on the other hand, have failed to support these measures, such as lawful access, a measure that every single law enforcement agency and every single police association have been asking for. They have been asking the Conservative Party to step up to ensure that Bill C-2 , with lawful access, is passed. I urge the member opposite, who is my critic, to step forward today to ensure that lawful access becomes law.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada has a robust system of removals and inadmissibility that enables us to take action. I will commit to the member opposite to looking into it and will get back to her. The circumstances behind the incident she refers to are abhorrent, and I condemn it wholeheartedly.”
“Mr. Speaker, our government is doing everything we can to ensure that guns are off our streets. This includes Bill C-12 , and this includes a $1.3-billion investment at our border, 1,000 new RCMP and 1,000 new CBSA officers. We have Bill C-14 , which will address the issues around bail. We also have a compensation program that will ensure that law-abiding Canadians can get compensation for prohibited weapons, which we hope will be expanded across Canada. This is our approach to a range of issues involving crime. I invite the party opposite to support these initiatives.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I announced several weeks ago, there is a pilot project taking place in Cape Breton, which will be expanded to across Canada over the coming weeks. We look forward to law-abiding Canadians' abiding by the law. We have brought in many measures to ensure that criminals are off our streets, including Bill C-14 , which I hope the party opposite supports. It is part of a comprehensive plan to attack crime in this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to answer this very important question. I look forward to bringing forth the names to the leaders of the opposition parties so that we can have consensus on the commissioner. I assure the member opposite that we will have the commission up and running by the end of the year.”
“Mr. Speaker, the safety and security of Canadians is the first and most primary responsibility of the government. This is why we have taken very important measures in order to ensure the safety and security of Canadians, including having the highest level of removals in a decade. Over 20,000 people will be removed from Canada for being here improperly. This is why we have introduced bail reform and sentencing reform just this afternoon. This is why we have Bill C-12 , which is going through the House. I encourage the party opposite to support these measures in order to keep Canadians even more safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition has made some irresponsible statements relating to the RCMP. The RCMP plays an integral role in the safety and security of Canadians. It is an independent organization that abides by the rule of law. For the Leader of the Opposition to impugn the integrity of the RCMP is beyond the seat he holds. I demand that he unequivocally retract those statements. We seek an apology for the RCMP, the men and women who serve this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader's dangerous rhetoric is irresponsible. [ English ] The words of the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the RCMP are completely unacceptable. The RCMP is an independent organization, one that enhances the rule of law in Canada and that ensures the safety and security of Canadians. Day in and day out, the RCMP officers on the ground work to save and secure this country. I demand that the Leader of the Opposition retract the statement and apologize to the members of the RCMP.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Oakville West for the hard work she does with the Halton Regional Police Service. I had the opportunity to visit her last week. From January 1 to September 19, CBSA seized close to 2,600 grams of fentanyl, 77,000 grams of other opioids, 662 firearms and over 11,000 prohibited weapons. Bill C-12 would enhance law enforcement's ability to do its work, as would the additional thousand CBSA and RCMP officers we will be hiring, to keep Canadians safe—”
“Madam Speaker, concerning the new RCMP officers who would be onboarded, the commitment we have is that those RCMP officers would be mandated to do federal policing. They would receive training that is consistent and that is customized for federalized policing; it is something that Commissioner Duheme and his senior team have been working on with the depot to ensure that the officers have the right training to do their work more effectively.”
“Madam Speaker, let me confirm that the Coast Guard plays an integral role in protecting Canadians. The measures we are taking will enhance its role with respect to surveillance, making sure, particularly in northern Canada, that information is shared with law enforcement agencies as well as the Department of National Defence. As members are aware, we are investing 2% of our GDP in defence starting this year, something previous governments have been unable to do. I am very proud to say that the Coast Guard will play an integral role in that work.”
“Madam Speaker, that is a very important question. The RCMP is an organization that is sacrosanct in Canada. It has defended Canadians for over 150 years. It is an internationally recognized leader in policing. In Canada, we have separation of the executive branch from police functions and judicial functions. The RCMP is an independent body that is accountable within its system. It is not accountable to a minister or prime minister, and it is not biased in any way. For anyone in the House to suggest that the RCMP is acting in a partial way is outrageous and shameful. I call upon the Leader of the Opposition to retract those statements and ensure the public's trust is restored in the RCMP.”
“These are substantial elements to ensure that we have proper retention and training of CBSA officers, and we look forward to the new men and women joining the CBSA over the coming years.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his speech and his work. [ English ] I want to acknowledge the work my colleague has done for many years on a number of issues, including medical assistance in dying. I thank him for that. I want to talk about the 1,000 new CBSA officers announced last Friday in Niagara Falls with my good colleague from St. Catharines , and the hiring, training and deploying of the new officers. We were delighted to be able to do that. It is a promise we made during the campaign, and it is a promise that we intend to execute. I want to note that, as part of the work we have done, there is a retention component at CBSA that includes enabling CBSA officers to retire with as little as 25 years of service, along with increasing their stipend from $125 a week to $525 a week.”
“Madam Speaker, Bill C-12 is being introduced with three major elements that were left out of Bill C-2 , which are lawful access, postal services and the $10,000 amount as part of money laundering. These elements are quite important to law enforcement. I have heard from law enforcement across Canada as to the need to ensure that there is a lawful-access regime. Canada remains the only country where lawful access is not entrenched in law. I had a meeting with Grand Chief Fiddler this morning. He talked about the need for inspection of mail coming into first nations communities. In some cases, we know that fentanyl and other illicit drugs go through. Quite to the contrary, what we are trying to do here is ensure that Bill C-12 passes, with the expectation that we can work together on passing the elements of Bill C-2 that were left behind.”
“[ Translation ] As a final point, I would like to thank the RCMP and CBSA officers who work so hard every day to keep us safe. [ English ] I was able to visit several Canadian ports of entry this summer, and I saw first-hand the crucial work that our frontline men and women of the RCMP and CBSA do each and every day. This is integral legislation. I hope that my hon. colleagues will support Bill C-12 today and ensure that we can provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to keep Canadians and our communities safe.”
“With our current focus on the border and our plans to introduce further measures to strengthen the criminal justice system in the future, Canadians can be confident that Canada has a strong border and that we continue to build an even stronger one. We will always ensure that the actions we take will have appropriate safeguards in place to ensure due process for all. We will continue to work with our U.S. partners to ensure that our border remains secure while we also continue to manage the fast and efficient movement of people and goods between our respective countries. These additional measures we are taking to further strengthen Canada’s border will help sustain this partnership and friendship for many years to come.”
“To increase our fentanyl-detection abilities, we have trained and are deploying border detector dog teams that specialize in fentanyl detection. With respect to immigration, under the border plan, we have already strengthened our visa screening and integrity to keep those who seek to remain in Canada illegally, or to cross into the United States illegally, out of Canada. We have increased our ability to remove bad actors from Canada. As well, the CBSA removed over 18,000 inadmissible people in 2024-25, the highest in a decade and an increase from approximately 16,000 the year before. The border plan provides $55.5 million to support immigration and asylum processing and to increase CBSA’s capacity to reach 20,000 removals over the next two years, including this year.”
“Through our border plan, we are building our information and intelligence-sharing capacity among federal, provincial and territorial authorities as well as with the United States and other international partners, including our Five Eyes partners. Enhanced information sharing allows authorities to identify, monitor and collaborate with partners to intercept high-risk individuals and goods attempting to travel between countries. Meanwhile, as too many families know, illegal fentanyl has a devastating impact on both sides of our border. While less than 1% of illegal fentanyl seized in the United States is linked to Canada, we are working to ensure fewer drugs and their precursor chemicals cross our shared border.”
“(1215) [ Translation ] This equipment includes state-of-the-art technology, drones, surveillance equipment, canine teams and helicopters. [ English ] All of this important work takes place every single day at border crossings right across this great country. I would like to note that, while illegal crossings from Canada to the U.S. are already down by 99% since the peak in June 2024, we have also deployed new drones and helicopters to the border. [ Translation ] These tools are enabling us to stop more illegal cross-border activity. [ English ] The border plan makes investments in both agencies, allowing them to procure tools for better detection and to build even stronger collaborative relationships between the CBSA and the RCMP, and between law enforcement across the country and in the United States.”
“[ English ] Additionally, we have listed seven transnational organized crime groups as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code and are constantly monitoring whether more should be added. Listing is an important tool that supports criminal investigations and strengthens the RCMP’s ability to prevent and disrupt criminal activities. [ Translation ] Canada has also committed to providing surveillance at the border 24 hours a day, seven days a week. [ English ] Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are working on our border. As we announced just last week, we will be hiring 1,000 new RCMP personnel and 1,000 CBSA officers to bolster these protection efforts. We will mobilize law enforcement officers with new and modernized equipment to make them even more effective for our communities.”
“This includes the creation of the joint operational intelligence cell, which builds on existing co-operation mechanisms between law enforcement partners and security agencies to better leverage information sharing to target transnational organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking and improve border security. The integrated money laundering intelligence partnership was established with Canada's largest banks. It is enhancing our capacity to develop and use financial intelligence to combat fentanyl trafficking and other organized crime. (1210) [ Translation ] Canada has also appointed its first fentanyl czar, who serves as the primary liaison between the Canadian and U.S. governments to strengthen our collaboration in the fight against fentanyl.”
“As a result of our strong partnership with the United States, last year, nearly $3.6 billion in trade and about 400,000 people crossed the Canada-U.S. border every single day. We want to make sure that this continues. Following both the former prime minister's and current Prime Minister 's discussions with President Trump, Canada committed to a set of measures that would further strengthen security at the border and expand on our $1.3-billion border plan. In support of the plan, in February, a new intelligence directive on organized crime and illegal fentanyl was signed, and it will be backed by a $200-million investment.”
“I am happy to say that these proposed measures would complement ongoing efforts to secure our border from coast to coast to coast, including the $1.3-billion investment made in December last year to increase resources dedicated to border security. Meanwhile, Bill C-2 will continue, with further study, to advance the elements that would facilitate law enforcement’s access to basic and subscriber information, introduce the supporting authorized access to information act, expand the inspection authority of Canada Post, introduce new restrictions on third party deposits and large cash transfers, and clarify public-to-private information-sharing provisions to help better detect and deter money laundering. We heard the concern that it is important that we get this right.”
“This would allow law and border enforcement agencies to take swift action to prevent the illegal importation and use of precursor chemicals, and it would ensure strict federal oversight over any legitimate use of these chemicals. Second, the proposed measures would strengthen Canada's anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regime, including through stronger anti-money laundering penalties. Third, the measures contained in the bill would enhance supervisory collaboration and support high standards of regulatory compliance by adding the director of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC, to the Financial Institutions Supervisory Committee. FINTRAC would also be enabled to exchange supervisory information on federally regulated financial institutions with FISC.”
“The bill also proposes to strengthen authorities to cancel, suspend or change immigration documents and to cancel, suspend or stop accepting new applications. This would give us the ability to respond to potential crises in the event that a large number of immigration documents are affected by the same issue. Finally, the proposed measures would improve how client information is shared within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC, and with federal, provincial and territorial partners. The components related to the second theme include, first, amending the accelerated scheduling pathway to allow precursor chemicals that can be used to produce illicit drugs to be rapidly controlled by the Minister of Health.”
“Second, Bill C-12 would amend the Oceans Act to add security-related activities to the Coast Guard's services. This would allow the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and dismantle information and intelligence for security purposes. Third, we are proposing amendments that would enhance the ability of the RCMP to share information collected on registered sex offenders with domestic and international law enforcement partners. Fourth, related to immigration, the bill introduces measures to protect the asylum system against sudden increases in claims by introducing new ineligibility rules, as well as to improve how asylum claims are received, processed and decided.”
“The first is securing the border. The second is combatting transnational organized crime, illegal fentanyl and illicit financing. Under the first theme, securing the border, we are proposing to amend the Customs Act to secure our borders against illicit drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and auto theft. We would obligate owners and operators of certain ports of exit and entry to “provide, equip and maintain” facilities for “any purpose related to the administration or enforcement of” the Canada Border Services Agency's mandate. [ Translation ] This includes examining and seizing goods destined for export. [ English ] This change would allow the CBSA to access premises under the control of transporters and warehouse operators to perform examinations in places where goods destined for export are reported, loaded, unloaded or stored.”
“Addressing it will further strengthen our relationship with the United States. [ Translation ] We can always do more, and we are doing more, but I want to assure members that the border is secure. Our law enforcement and border agencies identify, neutralize and mitigate threats on a daily basis, and we are building on those operational outcomes. [ English ] Last December, Canada launched several key measures as part of a comprehensive border plan. This plan is bringing meaningful operational and policy changes, but we need legislative change to advance the plan and further strengthen border security to keep our communities safe. The amendments contained in Bill C-12 would help law enforcement by giving them the tools to respond more effectively to the evolving security challenges. There are two main themes to Bill C-12 .”
“These include stopping the flow of illegal fentanyl, cracking down on money laundering, bolstering our response to increasingly sophisticated criminal networks and enhancing the integrity and fairness of our immigration system. [ Translation ] It is essential that we take urgent action on this issue. [ English ] That is why Bill C-12 was introduced. It would enable Parliament to quickly advance legislative priorities where we see the most agreement, while taking the time necessary to debate the provisions remaining in Bill C-2 that we have raised concerns about. Responding to these changes and cracking down on transnational organized crime groups and their illegal activities are essential to maintaining the safety and security of our country. Border security is a priority that we share with our neighbours to the south.”
“[ English ] This is true when it comes to transnational organized crime groups that seek to facilitate illegal border crossings and smuggle fentanyl, precursor chemicals, other harmful drugs and illegal firearms into our communities. [ Translation ] Our government is committed to ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the right tools to keep our borders safe. (1205) [ English ] We have listened to the concerns raised by stakeholders and by my colleagues during debate here in the House. This new bill, Bill C-12 , would strike the right balance between the need to protect our borders and the concerns about Canadians' privacy. Bill C-12 draws on the elements of Bill C-2 that were designed to combat transnational organized crime and those who seek to exploit our immigration system.”
“moved that Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures , be read the second time and referred to a committee. Bill C-12. Second reading He said: Madam Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak today to Bill C-12 , the strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act. Bill C-12 is important legislation that would keep Canadians safe by strengthening immigration and border security. [ Translation ] Security risks and the danger they pose to our national and economic security are constantly evolving.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Bay of Quinte for his very hard work. The strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act would strengthen our border and keep Canadians safe. It would ensure guns and fentanyl are off our streets, and it would assist law enforcement with the required tools to do its job properly. I want to take this moment to thank the frontline RCMP, CBSA, CSC and CSIS staff, who work on the front lines each and every day. I want to wish them a happy Thanksgiving.”
“Bill C-12. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures . (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)”
“Mr. Speaker, let me just remind the party opposite that the Mass Casualty Commission in Nova Scotia recommended that governments take decisive action to take assault-style firearms off our streets. It is a critical part of the work of ensuring the safety and security of our communities. I want to thank the people of Cape Breton for the pilot program. I know that the police chief and men and women in uniform are very much engaged in this process. The pilot is working. I look forward to reporting back to the House on its progress. I also look forward to the expansion of the program nationwide.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me thank the hon. member for Sackville—Bedford—Preston for this very important question. Let me advise him that on October 1, we launched the firearms compensation program in Cape Breton. We already have people signing up and registering to ensure they are eligible for compensation. We look forward to the expansion of this program across Canada. In addition, we are working to secure the border, including with Bill C-2 and a $1.2-billion investment in border security. We will have comprehensive bail, as well as other reforms coming forward. We will keep Canadians—”
“Mr. Speaker, we have government legislation in front of the House, Bill C-2 , which the party opposite could support and pass. These are very important items that law enforcement has asked for. Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to meet with police chiefs, police associations and others in law enforcement who have asked for very important tools so they can do their job better and make sure criminals are off their streets. If the party opposite is serious about criminal justice reform, it will start by supporting Bill C-2 .”
“Mr. Speaker, if the party opposite wants to be serious on crime, it needs to support legislation in front of the House that will advance criminal justice reform. We have Bill C-2 before the House, which the opposition is unwilling to support. This is a measure that was asked for by law enforcement. It will strengthen our border to make sure our country is safe. There is no doublespeak here because, on this side of the aisle, we will bring forward bail reform, and we will ensure it is safe and charter-compliant.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada has a robust system of determining who is admissible and who is not admissible to Canada. I would like to confirm that the Canada Border Services Agency is working to remove the largest number of people in Canadian history. Over 20,000 people are targeted to be removed and are inadmissible to Canada. We are doing it as we speak. We will continue to work with law enforcement and the CBSA to ensure our borders are safe and that those who are undesirable in Canada will not be permitted to come here.”
“Mr. Speaker, we have committed to bringing forward comprehensive bail reform legislation, which we will do over the next several weeks. I want to be clear that this issue around bail is not just the responsibility of the federal government. It also involves the provinces. It is up to the provinces to fund their courts adequately. It is up to them to ensure their justices of the peace and judges are trained. It is also important that they have facilities. It is a comprehensive approach where the federal government is ready to do its part. We invite the provinces to do the same.”
“Mr. Speaker, we will be bringing forward bail reform in very short order. Let me take this opportunity to talk about other legislation that is in the House that the party opposite could pass today. That is Bill C-2 , which would give law enforcement officers additional tools to do their job more effectively in order to make sure that guns do not come through our border. That is the type of commitment that we have on this side of the House, and we invite the party opposite to support us.”
“Mr. Speaker, since taking office on April 28, this new government has been working on bail reform. We have been consulting with law enforcement agencies across the country. We have been speaking to mayors. We have been speaking to provincial leaders. We will continue to consult, and we will continue to bring forward the most comprehensive bail reform this country has ever seen.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to announce that the assault-style firearms compensation program launched this morning in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. It is a pilot that will expand across Canada. I am also pleased to announce that a number of individuals who are law-abiding gun owners have registered and are looking forward to the compensation they will receive. Canadians are law-abiding people. Gun owners are also law-abiding, and they will be seeking compensation from this program. We look forward to its implementation across Canada.”
“Madam Speaker, in addition to the compensation program pilot that we launched this week in Nova Scotia, we have invested $1.3 billion in our borders. We brought forward Bill C-2 , which is in front of the House right now. With the support of the opposition, we could pass it today to ensure that our borders are stronger so we can keep illegal firearms off our streets. We will also be hiring 1,000 new CBSA and RCMP officers, and we will be making criminal justice reforms. It is a combination of efforts on this side of the House that will ensure the safety and security of Canadians.”
“Madam Speaker, it is probably a good thing that the member opposite is not a translator. Let me be very clear. We brought forward a pilot program in Nova Scotia to ensure that the systems we have put in place as part of the compensation program work. The program will last for about five to seven weeks. We will expand it nationwide, across Canada, so that all law-abiding Canadians can seek compensation for prohibited firearms. That is a very responsible way to ensure that lethal weapons are off our streets.”