Public Safety

Question period dealt with Bill C-22, the government’s lawful access legislation, which would give police and CSIS updated tools to obtain subscriber and electronic data during investigations of serious crimes. Conservatives said they support the parts of the bill that help police catch criminals and want those passed quickly, but said the bill needs changes because, in their view, it would give the government surveillance powers without enough oversight; they asked why the government was proceeding quickly instead of working with other parties. Liberals said delays leave more victims at risk, cited police chiefs who call lawful access their top tool against extortion, organized crime and child exploitation, and pointed to the government’s other public-safety measures, including changes to bail laws. Conservatives also argued violent crime has risen and pointed to their proposals on bail and mandatory minimums.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text (opens in a new tab)

3 statements

Frank Caputo, Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola

Conservative
“The government is rushing this bill through Parliament instead of working with us. We support the first part of the bill to put criminals in jail, and we would pass it quickly. But experts and Canadians have serious questions about the second part. Why is the government forcing the second part through without answering them?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, “collaboratively” is the word used by the Minister of Public Safety as to how he would work with Conservatives on Bill C-22 amendments, and yet the government is insisting on using its manufactured majority to now ram this bill through Parliament. Make no mistake: Conservatives want to put the bad folks in jail. We would pass part 1 of the bill swiftly, but Canadians have questions and experts have questions, and we think those questions should be answered with respect to part 2. Why is the Liberal government insistent on ramming Bill C-22 and part 2 through when we would gladly pass part 1 swiftly?

Rhonda Kirkland, Oshawa

Conservative
“I support giving police the tools they need to fight crime. But this bill gives the government too much power to watch people without oversight. The government should stop rushing it through and work with other parties to fix it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives support giving law enforcement officers the effective lawful access tools they need for investigating serious crimes and pursuing criminals. However, expert after expert has been sounding the alarm. Bill C-22 risks creating a surveillance state, more government control without accountability. If this bill is as good as the government claims, why are the Liberals using their manufactured majority to silence opposition and ram this overreaching law through Parliament instead of working with opposition parties to get it right?

Dane Lloyd, Parkland

Conservative
“Violent crime has gone up, and the Liberals have been too soft on criminals. Police need tools to catch criminals, but the government should not spy on law-abiding Canadians. We want to pass the first part of this bill quickly, but it needs changes to protect people's privacy.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives will take no lessons from these Liberals on tough-on-crime policies. After 10 years of these Liberals, violent crime in this country has gone up 55%. What did the Liberal government do? It brought bail, not jail for repeat violent offenders. It gutted mandatory minimums. Canadians want to give law enforcement officers the tools they need to catch the bad guys and put them behind bars. What they do not want to see is government overreach, adding surveillance on law-abiding Canadians. Conservatives support getting part 1 of Bill C-22 passed swiftly, but we need changes to protect Canadians’ privacy. Instead of listening, these Liberals are forcing this through with no further scrutiny—

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 138

  1. Oral Questions The Economy 12 statements
  2. Oral Questions Democratic Institutions 6 statements
  3. Oral Questions Small Business 14 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 10 statements
  5. Oral Questions Agriculture and Agri-Food 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions The Economy 8 statements
  7. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions Health 7 statements
  9. Oral Questions Employment 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Public Safety 6 statements
  11. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Natural Resources 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Transportation 4 statements
  16. Private Members' Business Private Members' Business 3 statements
  17. Government Orders Government Business No. 13—Proceedings on Bill C‑22 18 statements
  18. Private Members' Business Spectrum Policy Framework for Canada Act 8 statements
  19. Government Orders Government Business No. 13—Proceedings on Bill C‑22 82 statements
  20. Government Orders Government Orders 3 statements
  21. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 5 statements