Amarjeet Gill · TranslatePolitics.ca

Government Orders

Combatting Hate Act

2026-06-16

“The government is taking away a religious freedom defense. Faith leaders are worried their teachings could be investigated criminally. Why do the Liberals want to weaken religious protections?”

Statements by Members

Tarun Bali

2026-06-10

“That makes me sad. A brave man from my community died while protecting others. We should remember him and his sacrifice.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in the chamber with a broken heart. Our community is mourning the loss of brave OPP constable Tarun Bali, a Brampton West resident who was killed in the line of duty while serving and protecting the people of Ontario. Constable Bali was more than a courageous police officer; he was a a son, a husband and a proud member of our Brampton community. Every day, police officers run toward danger so others can be safe. Constable Bali made the ultimate sacrifice in that service. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his loved ones, his colleagues at the Ontario Provincial Police, and all those grieving this profound loss. May his courage, dedication and service never be forgotten. He will be remembered. His family will miss him. We will miss him. May God bless his soul. May he rest in peace.

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Oral Questions

The Economy

2026-06-08

“The economy is bad under the Liberals. Canada is the only G20 country in a recession. Businesses and families are struggling. Young people can't get jobs or housing. I want the Prime Minister to admit we're in a recession. I'll mock him if he says Canadians are 'technically' struggling.”

Government Orders

Protecting Victims Act

2026-06-04

“There is a crime problem in Brampton. I mentioned extortion because Brampton families are living through an extortion crisis. Businesses are being threatened. Houses are being shot at. Conservatives tried to strengthen penalties for extortion involving firearms. Liberals rejected that.”

“I'm talking a lot about how people in my riding are afraid of rising crime. The bill has some good measures, but I still say it falls short. Conservatives tried to amend the bill to make it tougher on crime. The government voted those amendments down. That's disappointing. Conservatives will keep fighting for laws that put public safety first and support victims.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise in the chamber on behalf of the great people of Brampton West. I rise today to speak to Bill C-16, the protecting victims act, an act to amend certain acts in relation to criminal and correctional matters. As my constituents' member of Parliament, I have a responsibility to listen, to bring their concerns to the House and to fight for safer communities. When I speak with residents in Brampton West, one issue comes up again and again: extortion. Not once in a while but every single week, business owners come to my office, families send emails, and community leaders call. They are afraid and feel threatened. Extortion is up 330% across Canada, and it has become a national crisis. Criminals are targeting hard-working families and small businesses. Homes and businesses are being shot at, and threatening videos are being sent, demanding money. Families are living in fear. Some people have even left Canada because they no longer feel safe. Think about that. People came here to build a better life, but instead they are being terrorized by criminals. Recently, Peel Regional Police arrested 17 individuals connected to a major extortion network targeting South Asian businesses throughout Peel Region. I commend the officers involved. Their work was outstanding. The investigation revealed a coordinated campaign of intimidation, violence, threats, arson attempts and shootings. There were more than two dozen shootings, hundreds of rounds were fired, and businesses were attacked simply because owners refused to pay criminals. However, those arrests are only one step. The problem and threat remain. Gangs are now sending letters to police, boasting that they have thousands of extortionists ready to commit crimes. That should alarm every member of the House. Criminal organizations are becoming bolder, more organized and more violent, and Canadians are paying the price. This is exactly why Conservatives proposed amendments to strengthen the bill. We wanted stronger consequences, greater protection for victims and to send a message that extortion will not be tolerated in Canada. One amendment would have extended mandatory minimum penalties for extortion committed with a firearm. Another would have ensured that extortion-related mandatory minimums could not be weakened through the Liberal safety valve provisions. The Liberals have voted down all these community safety amendments. They were reasonable amendments that reflected the reality that extortion today often involves guns. Criminals fire bullets into homes and businesses, record it, then send the videos to victims and post the videos online. They use fear as a weapon, yet Liberal members rejected our proposals. When Conservatives tried to strengthen penalties against violent extortionists, Liberals said no. When Conservatives tried to stand with victims, Liberals voted no. That is disappointing because Parliament created mandatory minimum penalties for a reason: to clearly denounce the most serious crimes, establish consequences, protect society and provide certainty in sentencing. Canadians understand that principle. When someone commits murder or kidnaps another person, there are consequences. When someone commits sexual assault, there must be consequences. Let us discuss another major concern with Bill C-16. Conservatives proposed amendments to protect mandatory minimum penalties for some of the most horrific sexual offences in the Criminal Code. One amendment would have preserved mandatory minimum penalties for sexual assault involving a weapon, and particularly in cases involving firearms and involving children. These are not minor offences, and they are not mistakes. They are among the most serious crimes imaginable. When someone sexually assaults a child while using a weapon, society has a duty to respond firmly. The rights of victims matter, and the safety of children matters, yet the Liberals rejected that amendment. Conservatives also proposed protecting mandatory minimum penalties for aggravated sexual assault. These are the worst cases. Cases involving severe violence and devastating harms permanently change the lives of victims. Canadians expect Parliament to speak clearly when it comes to these crimes. They expect us to stand with victims and denounce offenders. Instead, the government voted against those amendments. That sends the wrong message, especially in a bill that claims to strengthen protection for victims. If we truly support victims, we must ensure meaningful consequences for the worst offenders. Words alone are not enough. Victims deserve action. Another important amendment came from my Conservative colleagues at committee, an amendment dealing with reasonable hypotheticals. The principle was simple: The court should focus on facts, not on speculation or hypothetical possibilities. The justice system must rely on facts, evidence and reality. Justice must be based on what actually happened, not on the circumstances that may never occur, yet Bill C-16 would continue to allow courts to consider reasonably foreseeable circumstances. That language is vague. It is subjective and invites inconsistency. Two offenders could commit the same crime under the same circumstances but receive different outcomes because of speculation that undermines confidence, fairness and public trust. Canadians expect equal justice. They expect sentencing decisions based on evidence, not imagination. Conservatives proposed an amendment that would have restored clarity. It would have ensured that courts focus on the actual circumstances of the offender, the actual facts before them, nothing more and nothing less. Again, the Liberals rejected the amendment. That is unfortunate. People must believe that similar crimes receive similar consequences. That principle should not be controversial; it should be common sense. I want to be fair, so let me say that Bill C-16 is not entirely without merit. There are provisions that Conservatives support. Making the justice system more responsive to victims is positive. Reducing unnecessary delays is positive. Addressing coercive and controlling behaviour is positive. Addressing harmful deepfake images is positive. Those measures have value, but good measures alone do not make a complete bill. A justice bill must also prioritize accountability, protect victims, deter crime and ensure that serious offenders face consequences. That is where Bill C-16 falls short. The government had opportunities to improve it by strengthening protections against extortion and sexual violence, by improving consistency in sentencing, and by restoring public confidence. Those opportunities were presented at committee. Conservatives brought forward constructive, practical and reasonable amendments, yet the Liberal government used its majority to reject them. That is disappointing. Canadians are increasingly concerned about crime. They see violence rising and repeat offenders returning to the streets. They want Parliament to act. They want laws that put public safety first and support victims. They want laws that ensure that jail means jail for the worst offenders. Conservatives will continue fighting for those principles. We will continue fighting organized crime and extortion, and we will work to restore confidence in Canada's justice system. Canadians deserves safe communities. They deserve a justice system that puts victims first. Conservatives stand with victims and law-abiding Canadians. Conservatives stand with the families who simply want to live in peace. Conservatives will continue fighting to ensure that Canada's justice system puts victims first, protects our communities and keeps dangerous criminals exactly where they belong: behind bars.

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Oral Questions

Justice

2026-06-01

“The Prime Minister is too weak on crime. My community is being threatened and shot at by gangs. I don't care about the arrests last week. Half of them are out on bail already. I want people to be locked up.”

Government Orders

Business of Supply

2026-05-28

“The Liberals should stop hurting businesses and creators with their streaming tax. I want the government to help businesses and innovators succeed.”

“I want to compliment you so my attack sounds more convincing. The government is already spending too much. Now they want a new tax on streaming. That's bad. I don't like that. The government shouldn't make things more expensive for families.”

Government Orders

Business of Supply

2026-05-05

“Thank you for that speech. We agree there's no deal on tariffs coming. I want to blame the government. I say they're making Canada worse for business. Why do the Liberals make it harder to do things here? You should say how higher taxes and regulation hurt industries, and say the government has no plan.”

“You keep talking around the problem without solving it. The U.S. keeps imposing new tariffs. We need actual solutions and leverage. The government is failing to stand up for our key industries and workers.”

Government Orders

Government Business No. 9—Changes to the Standing Orders

2026-04-27

“I say we should all be nice. Then I talk about a different subject. I want more debate and fewer ways for the government to shut it down.”

“I think my friend made good points. I don't want to make it easier for the government to avoid questions. The Liberals are talking a lot at the ethics committee to avoid questions today. Can you explain how these changes will affect Parliament? I want to make sure Parliament works for people, not just for the current government.”