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Public Safety

Question period touched on public safety topics including cyber security and entry of people tied to Iran’s IRGC. A Liberal member noted Bill C-8, the cyber security act, had passed third reading in the Senate, and the government said it protects critical infrastructure like energy, banking and telecom while respecting privacy. Most questions from Conservatives concerned how many people linked to the IRGC had entered Canada, visa reviews, and deportations; Liberal ministers replied that IRGC officials are inadmissible under a ban that remains in place, and urged the Conservatives to support the government’s lawful access bill. One Liberal response referenced border security measures.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

9 statements

Sima Acan

Liberal
“Online threats are growing, and our cyber security bill is about to become law. It helps protect key systems like energy, banks, and phones. I want the minister to explain how this will keep Canadians and our vital services safe.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, with a background in public safety projects, I recognize that cyber-threats pose a growing risk to Canadians, and our government is confronting this challenge head-on. Last week, Bill C-8, the act respecting cybersecurity, passed third reading in the Senate and is now awaiting royal assent. This legislation will ensure critical infrastructure operators can prepare for, prevent and respond to cyber-incidents. Could the Minister of Public Safety explain what this means for the safety and security of Canadians and critical infrastructure in key sectors such as finance, telecommunications, energy and transportation?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“We need this bill to protect our vital systems, economy, and people from cyberattacks. It will help key services stop and handle online threats while protecting people's privacy.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 48 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Oakville West for her advocacy. Canadians must have confidence in the integrity and security of the products and services they use each and every day. This is why we are taking the necessary steps to protect Canadians, our critical infrastructure and our economy through Bill C-8. This piece of legislation will help critical infrastructure operators better prepare for, prevent and respond to cyber-incidents that threaten Canadian interests. We will continue to modernize Canada’s security tools while safeguarding privacy and keeping Canadians safe.

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Vincent Ho

Conservative
“The government let 700 people tied to the Iranian regime into Canada, and they have only deported one person. Iranian Canadians do not feel safe. I want the government to explain how they are protecting Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government’s open borders policy has let 700 IRGC regime-linked terrorists into Canada. On May 28, the failed Liberal immigration minister told the House that 17,800 applications have been reviewed for potential inadmissibility, but after all these reviews, what Canadians got was a handful of visas cancelled, some CBSA investigations under way and only one person deported. Canadians of Iranian heritage in Richmond Hill and across the country no longer feel safe in their own communities. How can the Liberals say they are protecting Canadians when they keep letting the terrorists roam freely here at home?

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Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“I spent four hours answering questions about this. I already made it clear that officials from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps cannot enter Canada.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 37 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us get the facts straight. I answered four hours of questions in committee of the whole for all Canadians to hear. I was very clear in my response that IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country. Some hon. members: Oh, oh! Hon. Lena Metlege Diab: I am not sure if the opposition wants to hear the response, because all I hear is heckling.

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Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“Our government put the ban in place, and it is still in place. We will keep protecting Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it was this government that put the ban on. The ban continues. We will continue to protect Canadians.

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Michael Chong

Conservative
“The government let a former Iranian military leader into Canada and failed to deport a supporter of Iran's regime. Dozens of senior Iranian officials are here, but only one has been removed. When will the government take foreign interference seriously and protect our Persian community?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the government granted a visa to a former IRGC commander who arrived at Toronto Pearson airport on April 28 to attend the FIFA World Cup. The government also failed to deport an Iranian regime supporter who has been convicted of sanctions violations and has been here so long that he is suing the government. The government has said for a year that dozens of senior Iranian officials are here, but exactly one has been deported, as was previously mentioned. When will the government treat foreign interference threats seriously and protect our Persian community?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“We are keeping Canadians safe and stopping people who are not allowed into the country at the border. The Conservatives should stop delaying our bill on lawful access and vote to pass it today.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 19 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the safety and security of all Canadians is critically important to this government. That is why we are taking decisive action to ensure security at the border, including ensuring that those who are inadmissible to Canada are not allowed in. If the Conservative Party wants to talk seriously about crime and law enforcement, they need to get serious on Bill C-22, which is a lawful access act before the House. Instead of stonewalling and dragging their feet on critically important legislation, they should support it today so that we can get this through the House before we rise.

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Melissa Lantsman

Conservative
“The government let people connected to Iran's military into Canada and is reviewing thousands of visas. I want the minister to tell us how many of these people are here and if more than one has been deported.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, those ministers must know that if someone is inadmissible, they are not allowed into the country. The Minister of Immigration admitted to the House that her government let people with ties to the IRGC into this country and she admitted that thousands of visas have been or needed to be reviewed since the beginning of this year, but she will not admit how many people with ties to the IRGC are actually here. Can the minister stand up now, from her seat, and finally tell the House if more than one IRGC agent has been deported from this country?

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Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“Senior officials from the Iranian government and its military are banned from entering Canada. We are not letting them in.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 47 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let us try this again. As we have repeatedly said, IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada. They are not being admitted. There is a ban; that ban continues to be in place. Any senior officials who have served in the Iranian regime since June 2003 onward are not admissible to Canada.

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