“This temporary health program only covers essential care, and its cost depends on how many people use it. We reduced the number of users by 59 percent. This will save taxpayers over $400 million a year.”

“Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, this is a temporary program for health coverage. It covers essential services. The cost is tied to volumes. The good news, which the Conservatives do not want to hear, is that we brought the volumes down by 59% because of a Liberal budget, because of a Liberal bill. As the PBO said this week, we will save taxpayers over $400 million annually.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 46 of 100

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“We believe criminals should be prosecuted and put in jail.”

“Mr. Speaker, we believe that criminals should be in jail. We believe that criminals should be prosecuted to the full— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!”

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 49 of 100

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“We believe criminals should be jailed under the law. We also believe Canada must welcome vulnerable people who are fleeing war.”

“Mr. Speaker, we believe that criminals should be prosecuted and jailed to the full extent of the law. We also believe that Canada has an obligation under international treaties to accept vulnerable people from war-torn and ravaged areas around this world. Every single Canadian I know, except perhaps that member, would give care to a vulnerable human being who arrives on Canadian shores and needs our care.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 46 of 100

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“We are managing immigration responsibly. Asylum claims are down by 59 percent. Our actions, including this bill, will save $400 million every year. We will still protect people who need our help.”

“Mr. Speaker, I know that member and I respect him, and I know he knows that I am here to manage immigration and migration responsibly to strengthen our rural communities. That is exactly what we are doing. Our asylum claims are down 59%. The PBO confirmed with us that because of the measures we have taken with co-pays and with Bill C-12, we will be reducing those costs by $400 million annually. We will continue to protect those who are in need of protection.”

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  Government answer in Question Period

  Relevance 93 of 100

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“Our laws do not let judges give lighter sentences to asylum seekers. Anyone who commits a crime in Canada will face consequences. We have introduced crime bills, but the Conservatives refuse to vote with us to pass them.”

“Mr. Speaker, the member knows that there is nothing in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that allows judges to discount any sentences. She also knows that, Canadian or not, no one can commit a crime on Canadian soil with impunity, including those who are on asylum and anyone else. We have brought in measures. We have brought in criminal bills. The Conservatives keep avoiding voting with us. We expect them to let us, in the next couple of weeks—”

“The member did nothing about this problem when she was in cabinet, even after the Supreme Court ruled on it in 2013. We are making big changes to our criminal laws. Anyone who commits a serious crime should face serious punishment, including deportation if the court decides.”

“Mr. Speaker, the issue that the member raises has been an issue in Canada for a number of years. She should know well that the Supreme Court of Canada, in 2013, actually ruled on this specific issue. What is interesting about the timeline of that decision is that she was sitting in the federal cabinet at the time and chose to do absolutely nothing about it. For our part, we are in the midst of launching the most serious set of criminal law reforms to strengthen the Criminal Code that this country has seen in generations. Regardless of one’s immigration status, if they commit a serious crime, they should be met with a serious penalty and, where a court deems appropriate, that can and should include deportation.”