MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Hon. Ruby Sahota

Liberal Secretary of State (Combatting Crime) 56 statements translated

Sahota frequently pushes for tougher penalties and expanded police powers, especially around hate crimes, child exploitation, and organized crime. She blames Conservatives for obstruction whenever a bill stalls and uses charged rhetoric to paint their opposition as enabling criminals. Her own riding comes up less than other MPs, but she ties national crime bills to investigations there.

Oral Questions

Public Safety

2026-06-18

“I want to cheer for a slain police officer. News stories are saying that the shooters were paid hitmen. Maybe they were paid by foreigners. I believe the news stories.”

Oral Questions

Public Safety

2026-06-17

“You don't care. I want to protect children. I think it is very bad the Conservatives won't pass my bill.”

“I want this bill to pass quickly. This bill would help combat crime and protect Canadians. If this bill was law already we might have less crime.”

Oral Questions

Public Safety

2026-06-16

“I don't like those people. They don't want to do what we say. They attack our bills. I want to pass this bill to fight organized crime. They won't pass our bills. They do bad things.”

Government Orders

Combatting Hate Act

2026-06-16

“We already punish crimes like assault. My bill just adds extra punishment when they believe it's a hate crime. I want everyone to know I'm being tough on hate crimes.”

“I want my party to look good by contrasting the Conservatives' stated principles with their opposition to harsher punishments for hate crimes. I'm saying it's surprising that a party claiming to be tough on crime wouldn't support longer sentences for these crimes.”

Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, throughout the debate, I have heard the Conservatives make reference to, “Why do we need this bill at all? We already have existing laws.” It is really surprising to me, hearing that come from the Conservatives, considering they claim to be tough on crime and want longer sentences. In this bill, a simple assault committed due to hate would go from five years to 10 years in prison. Sexual assault with a weapon causing bodily harm would go from 14 years to life in prison. This bill would provide for longer, appropriate sentences and appropriate punishment for those who commit crimes involving hate. I want to know what the parliamentary secretary thinks about that. Are the Conservatives even tough on crime anymore?

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Government Orders

Combatting Hate Act

2026-06-15

“Some people did something bad with a noose in Toronto. I hope that makes you look bad.”

“The bill is fine now. We made it better in committee. The Conservatives are spreading misinformation. Our party is the one that keeps Canadians safe.”

“I want to smear Conservatives as soft on crime. This bill is popular. Tories are voting no. I'll call them woman-hurting predators. That'll make'em look bad.”

“Conservatives are spreading misinformation to stop our bill. But hate crimes are up against many groups. Canada must protect everyone. Our bill gives them the safety they deserve.”

“We're already doing something about the bad thing you mentioned. Police are investigating. Our bill gives police more power and tools. I want you to pass our bill. You're helping terrorists by not passing our bill. I want to paint you as soft on crime.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative argument is so disingenuous. In the hate crime or the shooting that happened at the U.S. consulate, the RCMP and local law enforcement investigated that incident. There were actors who belonged to a terrorist organization. It has been reported and alleged that they were working out of the United States of America and were plotting events here in Canada and in Europe. Our law agencies were investigating and were on top of it, and so I give them a lot of credit for the investigation that they have done. However, they could also use more investigative tools, like those in Bill C-22 respecting lawful access, but the Conservatives have been standing in their way. How many more victims are the Conservatives going to create by their obstruction?

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“You Conservatives aren't doing anything but complain. We're the ones writing new laws to keep people safe. We're changing the Criminal Code to make sure hate crimes are punished properly. And we're creating new crimes for people who try to intimidate or obstruct others from living their lives. Canadians asked us to do this, and we're delivering. We're the party that actually cares about protecting people.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are acting. We are changing the Criminal Code of Canada. The offence of mischief that the member is talking about has very low penalties and is added at the sentencing portion of a crime. This is a stand-alone hate crime. This bill would also create a crime of intimidation and of obstruction. We have seen many Canadians not be able to go to their day camps, their religious schools or their places of worship. It is really important that we make sure that all Canadians feel safe living in Canada. This bill is essential. Canadians have asked us to make amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada, and we have done so. We have done so in this bill and in several other bills, because we are a government that believes in protecting Canadians.

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“I want you to know the Senate only added one little amendment. It's not a big deal. The other side just wants to waste time. They aren't debating in good faith.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, much time has been given to debate on this matter in the House and in the other place as well. The Senate came back with one amendment; it was the addition of a hate symbol, the noose, because of the anti-Black racism that we have seen throughout North America, and I would say throughout western countries around the world. That is the issue right now. That was the amendment that was brought forward by the Senate, but it does not seem like anyone has questions on that. I am sad to say that even when debate on this was occurring at the House of Commons committee, a lot of time was wasted talking about frivolous and irrelevant things. I do not believe the opposition party has been acting in good faith.

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“I'm not going to talk about the actual question of why hate is rising. I'll list random sad things instead. Maybe it's the internet's fault. The real problem is the Conservatives. They're obstructing us. They're against everything good. They won't even protect children.”

“I know people are reading those Conservative emails. I want Canadians to know our bill is fine. It won't violate anyone's rights. We're confident. If anyone takes us to court, we can defend it. The emails are wrong.”

“This bill protects rights and freedom of expression. Some Canadians are scared. We must protect religion in Canada. People have a right to their beliefs. That's what this bill is about.”

“I want Canadians to feel happy that the bill won't limit good protests. Only hate protests will be stopped. It's reasonable to stop rights a little if it makes Canada free. People who don't mean to do hate won't be charged. There's fake news about the bill. We talked to lots of people before we wrote it. It's a good bill!”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, protesting is a fundamental right in this country, and this bill would not limit the right of peaceful protest, but it should be recognized that under section 1 of the charter, rights and freedoms may be subject to reasonable limits if those limits are prescribed by law and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Those who are not wilfully participating in hate would not end up being charged under any provision of the bill. There has been a lot of misinformation. I want to reassure Canadians that the bill was brought forward with good intentions after lots of consultation and demand from communities, because we have seen these acts of violence increase in this country and we want to make sure that the government sets the precedent that we will not tolerate hate in our country.

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“We had a process, the courts already decided what 'hatred' means, and we put in some extra safeguards. We worked on this bill, it's fine now, just pass it so the government can protect people.”

“We've debated this bill in both houses. It's short and fits the Charter. But I want to blame others for spreading misinformation about it.”

“Many groups say hate crimes are rising. The government must act. I want to pass this bill. I want harsh penalties for hate crimes. We are also doing many other programs to stop hate.”