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 am very puzzled as to why the Conservatives are against getting guns off our streets. I am puzzled as to why AR-15s are required for hunting. I am not a hunter, but I have spoken to many hunters, and many of them will say that AR-15s do not belong on our streets, in our communities. That is what we are doing here today. With the plan that we launched today in Cape Breton, and which will be spread across Canada, we are getting serious guns off our streets, and we will make sure our communities are safer.”
“Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we were able to launch the assault-style firearms compensation program. It starts, first off, in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia with a pilot, which will last for five to seven weeks. From there we will expand it across Canada. This is what Canadians voted for on April 28. They gave us a mandate to implement the program, and we will be implementing the program. We will ensure that prohibited weapons, including AR-15s, are off our streets.”
“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify what we are doing. First and foremost, what the member opposite said is factually incorrect. I support this policy. That is why I brought it forward today at 12:30 this afternoon. I, along with several of my colleagues, as well as the police chief of Cape Breton and the deputy commissioner of the RCMP, announced the compensation program as a pilot first in Nova Scotia, and we will be expanding it across Canada. I invite the party opposite to get on board to ensure that guns are off our streets.”
“Mr. Speaker, on April 28, Canadians gave this government a mandate to do many things, including hiring 1,000 CBSA and 1,000 RCMP officers. I am sorry, but it is obvious that the Leader of the Opposition does not understand the hiring process, nor the planning and work that go into hiring these 1,000 exceptional men and women who are going to serve this country. I want to take this opportunity to welcome the leader back to the House. Maybe this is the time for him to get his security clearances so he can actually do his job properly.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. If Grandpa Joe is using AR-15s to go hunting, we have to have a much more serious conversation about hunting. What we are going forward with are 2,500 prohibited weapons, like the AR-15s that are killing people around the world, including those in mass casualty incidents in Canada. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to have a real conversation about crime, he also has to have a real conversation about guns.”
“Mr. Speaker, public safety is not about binary choices. We can do both. We can ensure that guns are off our streets by ensuring that people who turn in their firearms can get compensated for prohibited weapons. That is what we are doing with the launch of our gun buyback program today. We will continue to make smart criminal justice reforms to ensure that criminals are off our streets and that bail is tougher to get for repeat violent offenders.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me just take this opportunity to talk about the compensation program we launched today. The pilot will take place in Cape Breton. I want to thank my colleagues from Cape Breton for their support. I also want to thank the police chief, as well as those who are going to step forward and apply for the rebate. This is smart policy. We are moving forward on it. I fully believe that we will be able to implement this throughout the country over the next year.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have addressed this issue a number of times, but let me just make it very personal. In the last four months in this role as Minister of Public Safety, I have received a great deal of vitriol from the gun lobby. If we go into my social media accounts, we will see hundreds if not thousands of comments of hatred that are coming through the gun lobby. What the party opposite is doing is reinforcing that. We have a serious plan to ensure that guns are off our streets. This is why we will be going forward and implementing this program. I invite the party opposite to come on board and ensure our streets are safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, our government is working hard to secure our borders. This morning, I had the chance to meet with the president of the CBSA, who advised that border crossings are down 60%. We will strengthen our borders and invest more resources through security screenings as well as quickly identifying and removing those who are inadmissible. We will hire a thousand more RCMP and CBSA officers. We have Bill C-2 in the House right now. If the members opposite are serious about border crossings and immigration, then they should pass it swiftly.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate that it is a good thing this conversation was caught on tape. In fact, it will counter every single claim the Leader of the Opposition is making. Let me be very clear: Canadians want responsible gun control. We are in a position to do that as a government, and we committed to it during the last campaign. Canadians gave us a mandate on April 28 to ensure that we move forward on this program, and we look forward to its implementation.”
“Mr. Speaker, in order to have a real conversation about crime, we need to have a real conversation about guns. Canadians want responsible gun control. They wanted it in 1989 after a man killed 14 women at École Polytechnique. They wanted it after six people were murdered at the Quebec City mosque shooting, and they wanted it after the biggest mass shooting in our history, where a man opened fire and killed 22 people in Nova Scotia. Why are the Conservatives against keeping guns off our streets, and why has the Leader of the Opposition voted against every single gun control measure he has been in Parliament for?”
“Mr. Speaker, it is a good thing there is a recording of it so that Canadians can have a look themselves. Let me be very clear. Canadians want responsible gun control. They wanted it in 1989 after a man killed 14 women at École Polytechnique. They wanted it after six people were murdered at the Quebec City mosque shooting, and they wanted it after the biggest mass shooting in our history, where a man opened fire and killed 22 people in Nova Scotia. Why are the Conservatives against keeping guns off our streets?”
“Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, I had a conversation with an individual I have known for many years, who recorded it without my knowledge and had it leaked to a gun lobbyist. In that conversation, the subject of the assault-style firearms buyback compensation program was discussed. In trying to address this issue and the individual's frustration, my comments were misguided. Having said that, it is important to have the program in place. This is what Canadians are looking for. I want to note that the Leader of the Opposition has voted against every single gun measure—”
“Mr. Speaker, slogans are not going to resolve crime on our streets. What is important for us is that we bring forward legislation to address the issues of serious violent offenders as well as bail reform. That is exactly what the Minister of Justice is doing. He has been consulting with Canadians across Canada. I have been able to meet with a number of police chiefs, as well as police unions, to talk about smart criminal justice reform. That is exactly what we will be doing.”
“Mr. Speaker, on April 28 this year, Canadians gave this government a mandate to ensure that guns are off our streets, which included completing the gun buyback program. I respect the decision of the Ontario Provincial Police in this regard. It is important to remember that OPP represents about 26% of overall policing in Ontario. This does not mean that we cannot and will not continue with the program at collection facilities and with the municipal police. We cannot be tough on crime without being tough on guns. This is exactly what we are doing to keep Canadians safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank those in law enforcement for their diligent and hard work in ensuring that guns are off our streets. If the member is serious about protecting our borders, he will support us in passing the strong borders act, Bill C-2 . It would help us crack down on fentanyl, auto theft, money laundering, illegal firearms, irregular migration and organized crime, while upholding the privacy and charter rights of Canadians. It would give law enforcement the tools needed to dismantle increasingly sophisticated organized criminal networks. A secure Canada is a strong Canada, and we are taking action to ensure the safety and security of—”
“Mr. Speaker, on April 28, Canadians gave this government a mandate to govern this country and to bring forward new legislation that will ensure that our streets are safer. “Three strikes and you're out” laws do not work. Evidence-based decision-making tells us that “three strikes and you're out” is a complete failure in the United States. It has been a failure in every single jurisdiction where it has been applied. We will have smart criminal justice reform. We will ensure that bail is strengthened to ensure that repeat violent offenders are off our streets.”
“Mr. Speaker, I too had the opportunity to be with the Vancouver police officers and see first-hand the challenges they are facing. I was there with our fentanyl czar, Kevin Brosseau. We saw the incredible work of the Vancouver police officers in ensuring their communities are safer. In fact, just two days ago, the Mayor of Vancouver indicated that the program they put in place is working. Together with the work that we are going to be doing on bail reform and ensuring that repeat violent criminal offenders are put away, we will make our communities safer.”
“Mr. Speaker, our plan to keep communities safe will keep drugs, guns and criminals off our streets. We are partnering with police services across the country to fight organized crime. We will make it tougher for violent criminals to get bail and will impose stricter sentences on repeat violent offenders. We are hiring 1,000 CBSA and RCMP officers to add to the 10,000 frontline personnel who are already keeping our borders safe. This work will be bolstered by investing in community safety initiatives to stop crime before it starts. We will always be there to keep Canadian communities safe.”
“Bill C‑8. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill C‑8, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts . (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Toronto Police Service, Durham police, my friend who represents York Regional Police, and the OPP, for their work to dismantle an organized crime group operating in the tow truck industry. Project Yankee has resulted in the seizure of firearms and vehicles, the arrest of 20 individuals and more than 100 criminal charges, including multiple counts of conspiracy to commit murder. It is another day and another criminal organization dismantled by law enforcement. Canada's new government will always be there to protect Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, the drug crisis across Canada and North America has impacted many communities, and there is not a community that we represent that has not gone through challenges. With respect to the matter in question, it is something that was made by an independent adjudicator, and I will not be able to comment on that.”
“Mr. Speaker, allow me to thank the hon. member for Brampton Centre for her hard work. Just this morning, Peel Regional Police dealt a major blow to organized crime, arresting 18 individuals on nearly 100 charges related to auto theft, extortion and shootings. I want to thank the hard-working men and women of Peel Regional Police for the important work they have done. Through the strong borders act, we are looking to replicate the success of Peel Regional Police. We will provide law enforcement with the tools it needs to take down organized crime and keep our communities safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, first off, I had the chance to meet with the Mayor of Surrey just recently to talk with her about the concerns in her community, as well as with many of the members who represent Surrey in the House today. Extortionists must be held to account for their crimes. We will act decisively to strengthen the Criminal Code and move aggressively to protect victims by making bail laws stricter for violent and organized criminals. Extortion with a firearm carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. We will always be there to keep Canadians safe.”
“Mr. Speaker, allow me to thank my hon. colleague from Humber River—Black Creek for her question and for her hard work. Every member of the House knows someone who has been impacted by the fentanyl crisis. Earlier this week, the Ontario Provincial Police announced two operations that seized 43.5 kilograms of fentanyl, the largest ever fentanyl seizures in its history. Through the strong borders act, we would ensure that police across the country have the tools needed to replicate the success of these operations. We will always be there to keep Canadians protected.”
“Mr. Speaker, in all national security decisions, my utmost concern is that of the safety of Canadians. I will support law enforcement and national security agencies, who do their work impartially and effectively. In an abundance of caution, and to ensure that there is no perception of any conflict, I have asked the public safety officials to implement a screen on national security issues relating to the Tamil community.”
“Mr. Speaker, the strong borders act will help keep Canadians safe. The bill will go after transnational child sex offenders via information sharing with our international policing partners, give law enforcement the tools it needs, choke off organized crime's illegal profits with a crackdown on money laundering, grant our border officers provisions to search export containers and stop auto theft rings. We will do this while ensuring the charter rights of Canadians and due process to make sure that our civil liberties and privacy rights are protected.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, it is important to acknowledge the work of Peel Regional Police, as well as their colleagues in the different police services, who work together to ensure that drugs are off our streets. This matter is going through the courts, and I know that our justice system is strong. We will ensure that there will be continued work, collaborative work, within police services so that we can constructively get drugs off our streets.”
“Mr. Speaker, once again, it is important to recognize the incredible collaboration of Peel Regional Police and other police services, which had one of the greatest drug busts in Canadian history. Their work will continue with the support of the federal government and our agencies, which are working in tandem to ensure that drugs are off our streets.”
“Mr. Speaker, let me first of all thank the work of Peel Regional Police and also acknowledge the incredible work of the chief of police for the City of Toronto, who is in Ottawa today. Chief Demkiw is an incredible leader who has been working on the front lines, along with members of Peel police and law enforcement across Canada, to ensure that drugs are off our streets. This is a moment for us to ensure that we support them and continue to acknowledge the incredible work of our police services.”
“Madam Speaker, I understand this matter involves Correctional Services Canada and is subject to the release by the parole board. Of course, Bill C-2 has a number of important measures in place to protect the border, including ensuring that in regard to those who are predators, especially on the Internet, using child pornography, for example, law enforcement has the right tools to be able to do its job more adequately.”
“Madam Speaker, let me first congratulate my colleague opposite for his Adobe editing skills, for the type of trash that he is putting out on social media. Let me just address the issue of buyback. A serious plan to keep our communities safe starts with responsible action to keep guns off our streets. The buyback program will provide fair compensation to businesses and firearm owners in possession of prohibited firearms that are otherwise unusable or unsellable. The first phase allows gun stores and gun dealers now holding over 10,000 guns that are now illegal—”
“Mr. Chair, given that it has been three weeks since I was appointed to this portfolio, there are a number of issues that I will be addressing. I look forward to sitting down and meeting my friend opposite. I know we have worked together on a range of issues over the years and I look forward to the conversation. Ideally, we will be able to work together.”
“Mr. Chair, let me acknowledge that I met with Martha on a number of occasions, including in New Brunswick. I look forward to working with her and addressing some of the concerns she has brought forward.”
“Mr. Chair, we will be hiring 1,000 RCMP officers, as well as 1,000 CBSA officers. We are trying to recruit the best and the brightest. We will be training them with the adequate resources to be able to serve in this modern environment, and we will be deploying them across Canada.”
“Mr. Chair, my role is to protect all Canadians, including members of the Jewish community. That is why, as part of the community security program, we have over $95 million in investments over five years to ensure that places of worship, particularly, are secured.”
“Mr. Chair, the safety and security of the Jewish community is incredibly important. I know its members have been impacted greatly by a number of world events. My responsibility is to ensure their safety and security in Canada, and that is what I intend to do.”
“Mr. Chair, this is a bill relating to the border. The issues on fentanyl are quite serious. There are a number of provisions in the bill that do address the flow of fentanyl into Canada as well as the precursors.”
“Mr. Chair, there are resources available, including through Bill C-2 , which we introduced this week. I know that many police services are doing a great job in their local jurisdiction. They are working with the support of the RCMP in their respective regions.”
“Mr. Chair, this is a committee of the whole to address the issues around my portfolio, which is public safety. The issue is relating to health, and I suggest that this question be posed to the health minister .”
“Mr. Chair, fentanyl and other opioids impact communities across Canada, and my sympathies go to the people of Campbell River. We do need to ensure that there are strict penalties for those who commit these crimes.”
“Mr. Chair, it ought to be quite different for victims. I know there are mental health supports, supports with counsel and supports that are embedded when someone goes through trial. They are unique to survivors and victims and are quite separate from someone who is incarcerated.”
“Mr. Chair, the issues identified by my friend opposite relate to those who are incarcerated. It is essential that those who are incarcerated be reformed and have the skills they need to cope in society if and when they are released.”
“Mr. Chair, I cannot speak for former minister Virani, but I can say that the police chief of the city of Toronto has indicated that auto thefts are down by 39%, home invasions by 42%, homicides by 67% and shootings by 46%. I confirmed with him—”
“Mr. Chair, we look forward to bringing changes to the bail program, or bail reform. Of course, this is something that involves not just the federal government but also the provincial governments and municipalities as well.”
“Mr. Chair, there have been a number of seizures of firearms in different operations. There was Operation Blizzard, which was completed recently. There was an earlier seizure of a number of firearms. I do not have the exact number, but in terms of—”
“Madam Chair, I did highlight some of this in my earlier speech. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is in support, as are the Canadian Police Association, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and Leah West in The Globe and Mail, someone who writes a fair bit on national security. There are many more Canadians, organizations and parliamentarians who are supporting the bill.”
“Madam Chair, back in December we committed to $1.3 billion in new investments to secure the border. Part of that is the hiring of 1,000 new RCMP and CBSA officers. There are currently 10,000 frontline officers who protect our border, and our intention is to strengthen that not just with personnel, but also with modern technology, including drones and including Black Hawk helicopters. We have three of them that are secured across Canada. There is the training and the personnel required to manage a 9,000-kilometre border. It is one of the largest borders in the world, and it is something that has often not been defended, but we are in a moment in history when we need to strengthen the resources. That is exactly what we are doing.”
“Madam Chair, I just want to say, in terms of auto theft, that there is a key component of the legislation that would enable the CBSA to have access at ports of exit to do inspections. Currently, the legislation exists for inspections to be undertaken when goods leave Canada. However, there is no compulsion of organizations such as ports and airports, or other ports of exit, to do the inspection. This legislation would in fact compel them to do so, and we believe it is a very important step to curtail auto theft.”
“Madam Chair, let me just say at the outset that the issue of public safety, strengthening our border and the security of Canadians is something that all parliamentarians share. It is not exclusive to the government or the opposition. This is a moment where we have to work in collaboration and conjunction to strengthen our borders. Something that I think Canadians have asked us to do is work together and put partisanship aside. As many of my colleagues know, I often work across party lines, and I really do look forward to strengthening the bill before the House at the appropriate time. Canadians' vote on April 28 signalled that they want full collaboration and co-operation, not just among premiers and the Prime Minister , but also in this House.”