Ruby Sahota

In response to a question from Frank Caputo

“I want this bill passed quickly. Delaying it puts more people in danger. For example, foreign groups hired people online to shoot at synagogues. Police could have found those shooters sooner if this bill were already law.”

“Mr. Speaker, Canadians have questions, victims have questions and the police chiefs have questions as to why it has taken so long for Bill C-22, which was originally Bill C-2, to get through the legislative process. Every day that we wait, more and more victims are created in Canada. Take, for example, the shootings at the synagogues that have just happened recently. Those shooters were paid and hired by a foreign entity, in our country, online. Had we been able to find those shooters sooner, there would have been fewer victims.”

In response to a question from Alexis Deschênes

“The Conservatives say they are tough on crime, but they oppose this bill. This bill increases prison time for hate crimes. For example, prison time for hate-based assault would double from five to 10 years. I want to know if the Conservatives still care about being tough on crime.”

“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?”

In response to a question from Andrew Lawton

“This bill went through the normal process and was changed. Police will not be able to lay charges without approval from the Attorney General. The Conservatives are spreading false information about this. Our party is acting to keep Canadians safe.”

“Mr. Speaker, I mentioned that the bill has gone through all the steps of the legislative process. Through those steps, amendments have been made. Witnesses were able to come forward at committee. Members were able to give their opinions. There was an amendment made by the House. Therefore, after that amendment, the bill maintains the requirement of Attorney General consent for all offences in the bill. What is the member talking about? Police will not even be able to lay charges on their own. This is exactly the misinformation that I keep saying the Conservatives have been spreading. My message to Canadians is this. We are the government and we are the party that is here to act and to keep Canadians safe.”

In response to a question from Rhonda Kirkland

“The Conservatives are spreading false information about this bill. They claim they are tough on crime, but they voted against harsher punishments for people who kill women and harm children. Their actions do not protect Canadians.”

“Mr. Speaker, this is exactly the misinformation that I have been speaking about tonight. That is not what the bill does. I would say that I think Canadians would mistrust the current Conservative Party of Canada right now because Conservatives talk about being tough on crime and they talk about making Canada safe, but their actions have not been showing it. Just last week, they voted against making femicide a first-degree murder charge. They voted against longer sentences for child predators. They voted against minimum penalties. Who are these Conservatives and why are they against safety and protecting Canadians?”

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In response to a question from Lori Idlout

“I want the House to pass this bill. It will protect religious groups, students, and LGBTQ+ people from hate, violence, and intimidation.”

“Mr. Speaker, we have seen many incidents. We have seen 2SLGBTQI+ groups be discriminated against and an extreme rise in violence against them and the transgender community here in Canada. It is important to protect all communities. Whether it is a member of a faith group, a student on campus who wishes to go to a prayer room, or a young kid trying to attend a religious camp or a Jewish school, it is important for them to be able to live their lives. Canada is a place where all people should be free to practise their faith and to go to school without fear and intimidation. That is what the law is all about. Bill C-9 is about giving Canadians the safety they deserve while being who they are.”

In response to a question from Frank Caputo

“Police worked hard to investigate the shooting at the American consulate. They need better tools to stop hate crimes and terrorism, but the Conservatives are blocking the law that gives them those tools.”

“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?”

In response to a question from Cheryl Gallant

“I want this bill to pass. It creates a new hate crime law and makes it illegal to block or scare people going to day camps, religious schools, and places of worship. The current laws are too weak, and Canadians need to feel safe.”

“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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In response to a question from Rhéal Éloi Fortin

“We have debated this hate crimes bill enough. The Senate added the noose as a banned hate symbol to fight anti-Black racism, but the opposition is not asking about that. They are wasting time on unrelated things instead of working with us in good faith.”

“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.”

In response to a question from Warren Steinley

“People are feeling more divided and isolated, and hate has deep roots in our history. Our government is taking action to protect Canadians. The Conservatives are just blocking our work.”

“Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of reasons. Sometimes world events are a reason. Sometimes it is people’s hatred because of the polarization that has happened online over the last little while. Canadians are more isolated than they used to be. They are more staunch in their opinions. In the past, thousands of Black North Americans were lynched. There have been many acts of hate in the past as well. This government did not do that. The government is taking action. All the Conservatives have been doing is trying to obstruct. They do not want us to protect Canadians. The Conservatives reached an all-time low last week when they voted against longer sentences for child predators.”

In response to a question from Kevin Lamoureux

“I want Canadians to know that this bill protects people from intimidation while still respecting their rights to free speech and peaceful protest. The government is sure it follows the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

“Mr. Speaker, I have had many conversations in which people state and read out Conservative talking points, exact emails that were sent out by the Conservative Party of Canada. I want to reassure Canadians today that the proposed intimidation and obstruction offences in the bill have been carefully designed to target criminal conduct while respecting charter rights on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The government is confident that the legislation is consistent with the protections of the charter and, if challenged, it can be defended before the courts.”

In response to a question from Andrew Lawton

“We brought this bill forward because many Canadians feel unsafe practising their religion. It protects people from hate and protects their right to practise their faith.”

“Mr. Speaker, this bill was brought forward after listening to the concerns of Canadians. The fear, intimidation and hate that they have been facing are why we have brought forward the bill. It is in order to protect Canadians and to protect the rights of freedom of expression. There are many Canadians who do not feel that it is safe to be able to practise their faith in this country, so the bill is about protecting religion in Canada and making sure that everyone understands that people have a right to their beliefs. That is what the bill is about.”

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In response to a question from Andréanne Larouche

“This bill does not stop peaceful protests. It will only punish people who spread hate on purpose. We brought this bill forward because violent hate crimes are rising and we want to stop them.”

“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.”

In response to a question from Michael Kram

“I want the House to pass this bill to protect Canadians. It clearly defines hatred based on court rulings, and it has safeguards to make sure it is used properly.”

“Mr. Speaker, through the committee process, a lot of good ideas came forward. In this bill, we have a clear definition of what hatred means. It was taken from Supreme Court precedents and those from other levels of court as well. The definition of “hatred” has been well established in this country, so it is very clear. Considering the fact that the Attorney General’s consent would also be required in this bill, there would be an additional safeguard provided. Work has been done on the bill, and I thank all parties for contributing, but it is time to get this passed so we can protect Canadians.”

In response to a question from Tamara Kronis

“This bill has been debated and changed by both the House and the Senate. Conservatives are spreading false claims about it, so people are worried about things that are not in the bill. It is short, it follows the Charter of Rights, and it does not stop anyone from practicing their religion.”

“Mr. Speaker, this legislation has been considered in the House. It has been considered in the other place. Amendments have been made in both Houses of Parliament, and the bill has come back for genuine debate. I know the Conservative Party of Canada has been busy for many months spreading a misinformation campaign, so we have been getting a lot of calls from people thinking stuff is in the bill that is not. It is a short bill. It is very targeted, and it is in compliance of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It would not limit anyone’s ability to practise their faith in this country.”

In response to a question from John-Paul Danko

“Hate crimes against religious groups, racial minorities, and LGBTQ people are going up. I want this bill passed so people who commit hate crimes face harsher punishments.”

“Mr. Speaker, many community groups have been asking for the government to take action, as we have seen a rise in hate crimes against many people of different ethnic backgrounds, religions and races. This is important. The LGBTQ community has also faced a rise in hate in this country. This is part of a larger set of initiatives that we as a government are taking. There is the Canada community security program, which we have heavily invested in. There is Canada’s action plan on combatting hate. We are doing work to collect data. However, it is important to also deter and punish those who take part in hate crimes. Those who commit them will face harsher penalties after the bill is passed.”