Iqra Khalid

Mr. Speaker, Mississauga—Erin Mills has a massive housing problem. We have over a 10-year waiting period for subsidized housing, and women fleeing violence have a difficult time finding housing. Can the minister please help us understand how this bill will support those people in my riding of Mississauga—Erin Mills?

Mr. Speaker, I was not born in Canada, but Canada is my adopted home. It is a place that I am very loyal to and committed to. As the member of Parliament representing the beautiful riding of Mississauga—Erin Mills, which is so diverse, with over 43 languages spoken there, I can talk about Bill C-25 and the importance of not just the perception of having free and fair elections but the actuality of it and making sure that Canadians have faith within our democracy. Canadians depend on free and fair elections. They need to be confident in our electoral process, confident that they can choose leaders who will prioritize communities here in Canada, including in Mississauga—Erin Mills. This is the importance of Bill C-25, the strong and free elections act. As the member of Parliament for Mississauga—Erin Mills, I am proud to represent one of the most diverse communities in the country. One fact that unites all citizens in my riding is that democracy depends on trust. Canadians want to know that our elections are fair, that the information they receive is real, that ill-intentioned actors cannot manipulate our system and that the people who participate in public life can do so with confidence. This is why the bill matters. In Mississauga—Erin Mills, families, newcomers, students, seniors and small businesses all bring different experiences and different perspectives to our democracy, but they share a common expectation, and that is that our institutions will protect the integrity of our vote and our democracy. They expect laws that keep pace with modern threats, whether those threats come in the form of foreign interference, digital deception, dark money or intimidation aimed at political candidates. One practical problem the bill would address is the issue of unduly long ballots. In any riding with a large and busy electorate, including Mississauga—Erin Mills, a ballot that is intentionally overloaded does not strengthen our democracy. It creates confusion for voters, increases the burden on election workers and slows down the counting process. That is why Bill C-25 proposes measures to reduce unduly long ballots, including allowing voters to sign only one candidate nomination form and requiring each candidate in a riding to have their own official agent. These may sound like technical amendments, but for constituents who simply want an election process that is orderly, accessible and credible, these are important protections. The bill also responds to a newer and growing threat, which is digital impersonation and deepfakes. In many Canadian communities, and especially in Mississauga—Erin Mills, where residents are highly connected, receive information across many platforms and in many languages and often rely on digital communication to follow public affairs, the spread of false content can be especially damaging. A vital aspect of Bill C-25 is the creation of a new offence against these impersonations. It would also create a new offence against intentionally spreading false information about election processes or the voting process when someone knows it is false and intends to disrupt the conduct of an election or affect its results. This is not about limiting legitimate debate. It is about protecting the public from deliberate deception. The bill would also close important gaps by extending key election-related offences beyond the formal election period and into nomination and leadership contests. This matters because democratic integrity does not begin once a writ is dropped. In ridings like mine, where many people are politically engaged long before election day, these earlier stages of the process also deserve protection and scrutiny. Bill C-25 would extend existing offences such as undue foreign influence, offering or accepting a bribe, intimidation, impersonation, misleading publications, unauthorized computer use and broadcasting outside Canada. They also apply to nomination and leadership contests. This is a crucial reform because vulnerabilities in those contests can undermine confidence in the entire democratic process. The bill would also strengthen political financing rules, because Canadians want to know that their democracy is not being distorted by hidden or foreign money. Constituents expect transparency, accountability and fairness. They do not want anonymous or untraceable financial channels that are used to influence politics behind the scenes. Bill C-25 would prevent political parties from accepting anonymous or untraceable contributions, such as cryptocurrency, prepaid gift cards, money orders and other prepaid products. It would strengthen restrictions on third parties and foreign entities involved in regulated political activities. It would further ensure that third parties can pay for regulated political activities only with contributions from Canadian citizens and permanent residents or with their own money under limited conditions, while also barring foreign entities from contributing property or other services to those activities. That matters, because confidence in democracy is weakened when people believe money moves government illicitly. This bill also responds to the need for stronger enforcement. Canadians across the country want to know that election law is not only well written but also actually enforceable. This legislation would expand accountability to include those who are party to a violation, as well as those who conspire, attempt, advise or act as accessories after the fact. It would expand the administrative monetary penalty regime, increase maximum penalties and provide the commissioner of Canada elections with stronger tools to summon witnesses, compel evidence under oath and require the production or preservation of relevant documents. These measures are important, because a law without effective enforcement is not a real safeguard. There is another aspect of this bill that is especially relevant to public life today, and that is physical security and personal information. In an era when harassment can spread quickly online and personal information can be misused in harmful ways, many people are understandably hesitant to participate in politics. That concern is real in every part of our country. People in my riding want a democracy that is open, but they also want one that is safe. They want candidates, volunteers, election workers and community leaders to be able to take part without fearing that their home address, personal information or security will be carelessly exposed. Bill C-25 takes tangible steps in that direction. It would limit the publication of personal address information for returning officers, remove the requirement for a five-day advance notice of regulated fundraising events, limit the location details in post-event reports, increase reimbursement for eligible personal security expenses and establish stronger privacy policy requirements for federal political parties. Those privacy measures include requiring safeguards proportionate to the sensitivity of the information, appropriate steps in the event of a breach, equivalent protection when information is transferred and prohibitions on selling personal information or providing false or misleading information about why it is being collected. For citizens who care deeply about privacy, security and responsible public institutions, these are not minor administrative details; they are essential to our democratic confidence. This bill is also important because it is grounded in expert recommendations. The measures in Bill C-25 respond to recommendations from the public inquiry into foreign interference, from the Chief Electoral Officer and from the commissioner of Canada elections, and build on measures that had previously been proposed in a former bill, Bill C-65. This matters because protecting democracy should not be a partisan reflex. It should be a careful, evidence-based effort in order for us to ensure that our laws remain responsive to evolving threats, which are very real. Our constituents understand that democracy is strongest when people trust both the process and the institutions behind it. They want to know that ballots are manageable, that disinformation will be confronted, that foreign influence and foreign interference will be kept out, that personal information will be protected and that those who break election law will face meaningful consequences. Bill C-25 would advance that work. It would protect the vote, the process and participants, and it would help protect the public trust that holds our democracy together. For those reasons, I am very proud to support the strong and free elections act, Bill C-25.

Mr. Speaker, in 2018, at the justice committee, we studied the issue of coercive and controlling behaviour. From that time to now, we have been trying to make sure that women are safe in our communities. I would ask the member why he thinks we are not able to come together as a Parliament, as Canadians, as leaders in our country, to provide support to women and to make sure that their safety is paramount within our legislature and within our communities.

Mr. Speaker, while there were very heartfelt emotions that came from the member, I do question why she is conflating mandatory minimums with what victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence are facing. In 2018, when there was a study within the justice committee about coercive control behaviour as a Criminal Code charge, the chief of police for Peel Region was very much in favour of this and said we needed it. Even now, chiefs of police are standing up in support of the bill. I do not understand why the Conservatives are holding up a bill that would save lives. Every other day, a woman is murdered because of intimate partner violence. I do not understand the justification that the member has provided for voting against the bill.

Mr. Speaker, one thing I think we all need to understand is how important our sovereignty is and the fact that the government is not in the business of making money. It is in the business of facilitating and making sure each individual Canadian is well supported. The government right now has supported not only industry in these difficult times, but also individual Canadians, through things like the groceries and essentials benefit. Does the member favour supporting Canadians, or is this a gimmick for him to just get a leg up in how we operate and more of a partisan issue as opposed to supporting Canadians?

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to go and see how we can work collaboratively in Houston with our own astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The member mentioned this in his speech, but I would like it if he could comment, perhaps, as to why we need the independent capability to launch, to work on research and development and to have access to space, as well as working collaboratively with other countries across the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to a pillar of the Mississauga community, Mrs. Anjum Begum, who recently passed away. Hers was a classic immigrant success story. Arriving in the 1990s, she and her life partner, prominent journalist Latafat Ali Siddiqui, built a beautiful life with their four daughters. Together they became the heartbeat of our community, defined by philanthropy and compassion. Anjum's heart and her kitchen were always open. No one ever left her home without a hearty meal. Her values of hard work and integrity live on through her beloved daughters, Faran, Maleeha, Dania and Leena, whose successes and contributions were one of her proudest joys in life. The massive outpouring of grief at her service last week was a true testament to who she was and the impact that she made. I offer my deepest condolences to her family. May she rest in peace. [Member spoke in Arabic] [English]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin my remarks by recognizing the critical role that the Canadian Armed Forces plays. Every single member of the Canadian Armed Forces makes a commitment to serve this country. They step forward with a willingness to protect others, often at great personal cost and sacrifice. Because of that, we, as members of Parliament, have a responsibility to make sure that the systems around them, especially the justice system, work the way they are supposed to work and there is equality, fairness and justice. When these systems do not work, the consequences are very serious. They affect individuals, and they affect people's confidence in the institution. Ultimately, they affect the strength of the Canadian Armed Forces as a whole. At a time when the world is changing and we cannot always rely on the same assumptions that we used to, it is more important than ever that Canada strengthen its own defence capacity. That includes making sure that the members of the Canadian Armed Forces can rely on the systems around them to create a safe workspace for them. The strength of our Canadian Armed Forces is not just about capability; it is also about whether the people serving in it have confidence in the institution itself. That is where Bill C-11 comes in. Over the past several years, we have heard directly from survivors of sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces, and what we have heard has always been consistent: The system was not always clear; accountability was difficult to navigate; and in too many cases, people lost trust in the process. The issue has been examined closely, including through the independent review led by former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour. Her findings pointed to a clear problem with how sexual misconduct cases were being handled within the military justice system. In particular, she spoke to the impact this has had on trust and morale within the Canadian Armed Forces and the need for a more consistent and reliable approach. One of her key recommendations was that Criminal Code sexual offences should be handled in the civilian justice system. Bill C-11 follows through with that recommendation. What Bill C-11 does, in practical terms, is provide clarity. It sets out that Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada involving members of the Canadian Armed Forces are to be investigated and prosecuted within the civilian system. That clarity is important. It means that individuals are not left navigating uncertainty. It means that cases are not delayed by questions of jurisdiction. It means that there is a consistent approach to how these serious matters are handled. It is also important to recognize that this direction is already being followed in practice. Since 2021, these cases have been proceeding through the civilian system. Bill C-11 would ensure that this approach is clearly established and consistently applied moving forward. Bill C-11 also introduces stronger, practical measures to ensure that victims are not left navigating the system by themselves. For example, it would establish victim liaison officers, who will support victims throughout the process, including during the transfer of cases between military and civilian authorities. The bill would also expand access to these supports to individuals acting on the victim's behalf, ensuring continuity and guidance at every stage. It would improve access to information by strengthening obligations to inform victims and witnesses of their rights, including in relation to publication bans, and ensuring that their wishes are considered in the entire process. Importantly, it clarifies that victims can speak about their own experiences, while still protecting the identity of others when required. Another important aspect of Bill C-11 is the focus on independence. It takes steps to strengthen how key roles within the military justice system are structured and appointed, so that decisions are made free from real or perceived influence from chain of command. That really matters, because confidence in the system depends not only on outcomes, but on whether people believe the process itself is fair and independent. The opposition has put forward amendments that would reintroduce a degree of flexibility between the military and civilian systems, including allowing cases to move between jurisdictions. However, that approach, to me, raises real concerns. It would add unnecessary complexity to an already difficult process, create the potential for delays and place a greater burden on individuals at a time when clarity is most needed. It is also not a trauma-informed approach, unfortunately. It asks individuals, often in the immediate aftermath of harm and trauma, to make complex decisions about how their cases should proceed. What we have heard is clear. People are not asking for more complexity. They are asking for a system that works. Bill C-11 is one part of a broader effort to address long-standing concerns within the Canadian Armed Forces. It is about making sure that every member of our armed forces can serve with dignity in an environment that reflects the values that we expect as Canadians. I am just now coming from the Indonesian embassy, where we were celebrating Ms. Kartini's influence on equality of opportunity for women, not just in Indonesia but across the world. That is exactly it. What Bill C-11 would do for our community and the Canadian Armed Forces is make sure that women and men who have faced sexual violence and sexual misconduct have the ability to take various approaches toward justice, make sure that their harms are acknowledged and rectified, and make sure that the workplace they operate in, which is already a very high-stress one, is one they can function in, where their services are valued and contribute to the growth and progress of Canada. The Canadian Armed Forces provides a very important role within our country and across the world. We need to make sure, through all the measures and tools available to us, that the serving men and women have the ability to serve effectively. With that, I do support this legislation. I hope that all members in this House will do the same and that this bill with respect to sexual misconduct, Bill C-11, along with all the other bills we have brought forward in the past few months, such as Bill C-16 to combat coercive controlling behaviour, or bail reforms and Criminal Code reforms across our country, gets quick passage so that Canadian Armed Forces members impacted by this have the swift justice they require. I look forward to questions from members.

Mr. Speaker, one thing I am really a big fan of is efficiency. Justice Arbour put in her time and effort and made some very significant contributions to this issue. I think it is now incumbent upon us, as members of Parliament, to move forward judiciously on this bill and make sure it provides the necessary support for our Canadian Armed Forces in the most efficient and fastest way possible and contributes to the improvement of our justice system in general.

Mr. Speaker, when victims are facing sexual misconduct or violence, it is so important to have a trauma-based response because going through the justice system re-emphasizes the challenges and hurt that they have gone through. We need to make sure that our justice system not only provides support to Canadians who are trying to move forward, seek justice for themselves and end the harm they have been facing, but also provides the perception of justice being conducted so that more people who have been harmed and have faced sexual violence or misconduct are also able to come forward and trust the system to take care of their justice as well.

Mr. Speaker, we have to understand that sexual misconduct and violence, even in the Canadian Armed Forces, is not something that came within a day, and it is not something that is going to go away within a day, either. Yes, Bill C-11 is very important and there has been a lot of progress made within the Canadian Armed Forces, but there is a lot more that should be done to continue to support victims of violence and misconduct. That requires support from all across the aisle. What Justice Arbour provided is a good starting point. What Bill C-11 would do, I think, is an excellent way to move forward, but it would not be the end. We need to do significantly more.

Mr. Speaker, students in Mississauga—Erin Mills are already feeling the impact of Doug Ford's cuts to OSAP. At a time when students are struggling to afford school, they are seeing the Ontario government spend millions on private jets instead of investing in our future generation. Students are taking on more debt, working more hours and questioning whether they can even afford to continue their education. Right now, when students need support the most, they are being asked to do more with less. That is exactly why our federal Liberal government is extending enhanced Canada student grants, with a 40% increase, through the 2026-27 school year, supporting more than half a million students with larger grants in Ontario. Students deserve a fair chance to succeed, and we will keep standing by them to build Canada strong.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his great speech on Bill C-22. There are two aspects of this bill that my constituents have raised with me. One is about acknowledging that law enforcement agencies need to have these tools in order to conduct themselves effectively to protect our communities and society. The second aspect of it is about privacy and ensuring that persons like me, and the member as well, have the opportunity to just be a Canadian citizen and not be targeted based on what they look like or the religion they practise. Perhaps the member can help reinforce that this would be a fair bill and a fair opportunity, in the tools that would be presented to law enforcement, while also making sure that people's constitutional rights and their privacy would be protected.

Mr. Speaker, the story of women's rights is a story of courage and of persistence. From suffragettes who fought for our right to vote, to Olympians representing Canada and women leading in STEM, generations of women have pushed our country forward. Today, under our Prime Minister's leadership, Canada now has the largest women's caucus in our history, something we should all be proud of. We also know that the work must continue. Women around the world still face barriers to leadership. They face wage gaps and gender-based violence. Indigenous and racialized women continue to face even greater challenges. Therefore, while we recognize the progress that we have made, we must keep working until every woman and girl can live safely, lead freely and stand equal in every part of society, because no woman should have to fight for the rights that she already deserves.

Mr. Speaker, students in Mississauga—Erin Mills are clear: Doug Ford's decision to slash OSAP grants and increase student loans is devastating. This change will affect hundreds of thousands of students who rely on OSAP for post-secondary education and equality of opportunity. Yesterday, a health sciences student, not a so-called basket weaver, from my Mississauga—Erin Mills youth council shared how she now expects over $10,000 in additional debt, forcing her to delay her graduate studies and rethink her path. These policies push students deeper into debt and make it harder for them to build the skills that our economy needs. The federal government puts in 60% for OSAP loans, and that part is not impacted, but the Ontario government needs to understand that supporting youth means supporting our economy. Students deserve opportunity, not obstacles. Today, I call on Doug Ford to do the right thing and reverse the proposed measures so our youth can have that equality of opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most devastating things for us to see within our communities is the ongoing food insecurity. I just want to take a moment to thank the amazing grassroots organizations that are supporting people through food banks, making sure that food is on the table and providing supports for everyone. This benefit would absolutely help ensure that people are able to keep food on the table. I would like for the member to talk a bit about what the long-term plan is. Yes, we are in the business of supporting people, but we also want to make sure that there are long-term solutions. Can the member highlight some of those long-term plans? I would appreciate it.

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciated the member's speech. Talking about context and how we are supporting Canadians, whether it is through Bill C-19, the Canada child benefit, the dental care program, pharmacare, supporting seniors through New Horizons, Canada summer jobs, etc., it builds a safety net for Canadians. It boggles my mind that the party opposite refuses to support Canadians. Maybe the member can help us understand why the opposition does that.

Mr. Speaker, on this National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, six Canadians lost their lives simply for being Muslim and gathering for prayer. We remember them and honour the families who carry this loss. For Muslim Canadians, this day recalls the shock of seeing a place of worship turned into a site of violence, and it reminds us that Islamophobia is real and has destroyed lives in our country. While we have taken important steps by recognizing Islamophobia through Motion No. 103, developing anti-racism strategies, appointing a special representative on combatting Islamophobia, designating hate organizations as terrorists and more, there is a lot more to do. Today, I call on all Canadians to stand united against Islamophobia and all forms of hatred. I say, to Muslim Canadians, that I see them, I feel them and I have their backs.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honour Stephen Biss, a friend and a respected member of our Mississauga—Erin Mills community, who passed away suddenly and peacefully. Stephen was a dedicated community builder who believed in public service. I loved our conversations about public health, the environment and so much more. He gave more than four decades of his life to the practice of criminal law. Even in retirement, he continued to mentor, advise and advocate, always standing up for others. I was fortunate to know Stephen as a friend, and I will always value his warmth, his insight and his genuine love for his community. On behalf of Mississauga—Erin Mills, I extend my deepest condolences to his daughters Michèle and Renée, his wife Karen and the entire family. His legacy will live on forever.