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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

During question period on immigration, Michelle Rempel Garner of the Conservatives said non-citizens who commit serious crimes are receiving light sentences that let them avoid deportation, criticized the immigration minister for voting against a Conservative proposal to close this loophole, and asked her to fix the law so such offenders can be deported. Minister Lena Metlege Diab replied that everyone who commits a crime is dealt with under the full extent of the law regardless of immigration status, that immigration law does not allow shorter sentences, and noted over 22,000 people have been removed. Sean Fraser of the Liberals added that serious crimes should bring serious penalties and that temporary residents who commit them can be found inadmissible and deported, while judges should retain discretion over sentences; he asked all members to support the government’s proposed legislation to impose harsher penalties on violent repeat offenders.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“We wanted a law to stop criminals who are not citizens from getting light sentences just to avoid deportation. The immigration minister voted against it. Why was an attacker given a light sentence to keep them in Canada?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives proposed a law that would ensure that non-citizens who commit serious crimes in Canada do not get sweetheart sentences so they can avoid deportation, but the Minister of Immigration voted against it. It is her job to maintain order in Canada’s immigration system, but the system is clearly out of control. Can the Minister of Immigration tell the victim of an assault why the non-citizen who assaulted them and then broke their no-contact order was given a lenient sentence so they would not be deported?

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Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal

Linked statement

“Anyone who commits a crime in Canada is treated under the full law, whether they are a citizen or not. Immigration law does not give criminals shorter sentences.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we all know that anyone who commits a crime in this country, regardless of their immigration status, be it Canadian or not, is treated according to the law, to the fullest extent of the law. Judges make decisions. There is absolutely nothing in the immigration law that allows for sentences to be discounted. As I stand here today, let me wish everybody a very happy Canada Day as we conclude the parliamentary session.

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Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“People convicted of serious crimes are avoiding deportation through light sentences. The minister voted against closing this loophole. I want her to fix this law now so these criminals can be deported.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, after a year, how can she put that falsehood forward in the House? People are getting sweetheart sentences in order to avoid deportation. There is a story every week. Section 34 of a law that she maintains, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, requires them to be deported, yet she voted against a law that would close a loophole that prevents people who have been convicted of serious crimes from being deported. Why will she not stand up for people? Why will she not maintain an orderly system? She should be closing this loophole now.

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Sean Fraser

Liberal
“People who commit serious crimes should face serious punishment. If they are temporary residents, they should be deported when appropriate. Judges still need the power to decide fair penalties. Our proposed law gives violent repeat offenders harsher punishments, and I want everyone to support it.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one thing that I think all members of the House will agree upon is that when a dangerous person commits a serious crime, they should face serious penalties. When that includes someone who has a temporary status, they could be rendered inadmissible in this country and should face deportation where appropriate. The Supreme Court of Canada has held that immigration consequences could be factored into decisions, but at the end of the day, the courts must maintain discretion to ensure that there is a fit penalty for the crime. With the legislation we have put on the table, violent repeat offenders would face stiffer penalties in this country, and I hope all members can agree that is a good thing.

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Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“Non-citizens who commit serious crimes are getting light sentences so they will not be deported. The Liberals are allowing this, and it is hurting public support for immigration. I want the minister to say if she will close this loophole and deport these criminals.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, non-citizens’ committing serious crimes in Canada and then getting sweetheart sentences in order to avoid deportation, which the Liberals are letting happen right now, is undermining Canadians’ desire for immigration. It is what is breaking the consensus on immigration in Canada, yet the Liberals stand up and say nothing is wrong. This is the immigration minister’s fault. I am going to give the minister one more time to answer, possibly the last time before a shuffle. Will her legacy in this role be closing this loophole, bringing these non-citizens to justice and deporting them?

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Lena Metlege Diab

Liberal
“Our immigration laws punish people who commit serious crimes. We have deported over 22,000 people to keep Canadians safe, and we will keep working with police to do that.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I do want to wish the colleague a very happy July and August, wherever she is with her family. Perhaps in the fall she will come back with a bit of a better spirit. We have continuously said that no one can commit a crime with impunity. Serious crimes deserve serious consequences. There is nothing in the immigration law that does not allow that. In fact, public safety and law enforcement have deported over 22,000 cases, and we will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that we protect Canadians.

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