Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to be back for the fall session representing the great community of Abbotsford—South Langley, but today I come with many concerns. I present eight petitions, including hundreds of signatures, on behalf of concerned Canadians regarding the rise in organized crime, extortion, shootings and violence in the Lower Mainland and across the nation. These petitions call on the Government of Canada to reinforce both public reporting and coordination between all levels of government so that Canadians can have the confidence that actions are being taken to combat violence and organized crime.

Mr. Speaker, a man who saw his neighbour in danger did what any good neighbour would do. He jumped in to help. In responding to the break and enter, he was shot in both legs. A few weeks ago, a community member brought this heartbreaking case to my office. According to the information shared with us, the accused is a repeat offender facing 32 alleged charges, many involving weapons and violence spanning over two decades. Now the victim and the family are the ones left to pay the price. The victim faces a long and painful recovery while still trying to provide for his family and four foster children. Families in our communities deserve to feel safe in their own homes. They deserve to know that repeat violent defenders will face serious consequences. That is why my Conservative colleagues and I are fighting to end Liberal bail, house arrest and catch-and-release policies and to keep Canadians safe, because no innocent family should ever have to pay for anyone committing those crimes.

Mr. Speaker, just this past weekend, Amanda, from Abbotsford, experienced what she describes as a reoccurring incident. A homeless man broke into her building and stole nearly a thousand dollars' worth of her personal belongings. After reporting the incident to authorities, she was told that the offender would likely be back out later that day. Amanda says that they have subsequently seen the same individual return and commit further offences. When will the Liberals stand up for law-abiding Canadians and repeal their reckless, soft-on-crime policies?

Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal Prime Minister, Canada is the only G20 country in a recession. The economy has shrunk in two consecutive quarters. Per capita GDP is only up 1.5% over seven years, and labour productivity has declined for four years straight. Even the Parliamentary Budget Officer said there is a less than 1% chance that the government will meet its fiscal anchor. Will the Prime Minister tell us if we are in a recession, or are Canadians only technically doing worse after a decade of Liberal rule?

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the Liberals caused these economic headwinds. The fact is that the Liberal Prime Minister is the only prime minister who is running this country, which is in a recession. Canadian banks are now warning of economic decline, with Scotiabank forecasting just 0.8% growth for Canada compared to 1.9% in the United States, while BMO projects even weaker growth, 0.5%, in 2026. It is not only that, but the Liberals are already borrowing billions of dollars over their projected costly budget. Will the Prime Minister finally admit that Canada is technically in a real recession?

Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 112th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident. The Guru Nanak Jahaz is a monumental event for Sikh communities across our nation. ln 1914, 376 passengers, 340 Sikh, 24 Muslim and 12 Hindu, arrived in Vancouver with dreams for a better future. lnstead, they were unjustly denied entry and forced to return home after months in the harbour. We remember the hardships faced by those aboard the Guru Nanak Jahaz while also honouring the strength and resilience shown by Sikh Canadians and South Asian communities throughout generations. As a Sikh member of the Conservative caucus, it is an honour to rise in recognition of this anniversary and the lasting contributions Sikh Canadians have made to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, after 11 years of the Liberals' soft-on-crime policies, Canadians are seeing more crime and chaos on our streets. Since 2015, violent crimes have risen by 55% nationally, while extortion has surged by 330%. In Surrey alone, extortion is up 2,400%. Liberal catch-and-release policies like Bill C-5 and Bill C-75 have led to Canadians' being more vulnerable and less safe. When will the government repeal its failed soft-on-crime laws, restore mandatory minimums and make sure that criminals serve the time that they deserve?

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister claims he will defend property rights, but his Liberal government's own website still shows that litigation directive number 14, which was announced as a directive back in 2019, still remains in effect today. The directive instructs federal lawyers not to defend private property rights in court. While the Prime Minister makes promises publicly, his government policies have not changed. Will he reverse his directive today so British Columbians can have certainty of home ownership?

Mr. Speaker, everything costs more. Families are deeper in debt and home ownership is slipping away from an entire generation. Canada now stands alone as the only shrinking economy in the entire G7. The Prime Minister's legacy is unfolding right before our eyes. Every country in the G7 faces the same global pressures, but the results are worlds apart and Canadians are left to pay that price. From farmers to tradespeople to seniors and young families, the people of Abbotsford—South Langley deserve a Prime Minister who will fight for them. They are tired of the excuses, the recycled speeches and the broken promises. They simply want results. Conservatives have been fighting to end the Liberal government's wasteful spending and restore the Canadian dream once again, where hard work leads to a great life. We will never back down from that promise. It is time for the Prime Minister to get his act together, work with us and bring results for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to rise in the House. Today I am tabling a petition on behalf of residents of Abbotsford—South Langley who are deeply concerned with the proposed changes to the salmon allocation policy that would decimate regular recreational fishing opportunities for coho and chinook salmon in British Columbia. For generations, salmon has been managed as a common property resource held in trust by the government for the benefit of all Canadians. Altering this principle risks transforming a shared public resource into an exclusive privilege, which would limit access and erode public confidence in fishery management. The petitioners call on the Minister of Fisheries to maintain the current salmon allocation policy while continuing to respect and uphold the cultural rights and traditions of all British Columbians.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the residents of Abbotsford—South Langley who are concerned about the lack of adequate sports infrastructure to support local youth and athletes. The petitioners note that inefficient training facilities for the home Wolverines field hockey club are limiting athlete development, compromising safety and restricting opportunity for training and competition. They emphasize that access to proper facilities is essential to foster athletic growth, community engagement and safe participation in sports. Therefore, the petitioners are calling on the Government of Canada to provide funding and assistance through the federal sports infrastructure program and to work in partnership with the provincial and municipal governments to support construction of a new grass field hockey facility suitable for training, development and competitive play.

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition, on behalf of the residents of Abbotsford—South Langley who are concerned about the future management of accessibility in our country's salmon resources. They note that for generations, salmon in Canada has been managed by the common property resource held in trust by the federal government for the benefit of all Canadians. The current salmon allocation policy supports conservation, transparency and fair access for indigenous, recreational and commercial harvesting. However, they warn that proposed changes in the policy could remove that foundational principle, undermining public access and stewardship, weakening salmon restoration efforts and risking the concentration of access in the hands of a few. They ask that the government revise the principal salmon allocation policy, ensuring that salmon remains publicly managed and conservation efforts stay transparent and effective, while access is also preserved for all Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, the Cowichan ruling has raised very real concerns about the security of property rights in Canada. At a time of high costs and economic uncertainty, Canadians should not be questioning the ownership of their homes. The Liberals negotiated the Musqueam agreement in secret, with no transparency, leaving homeowners unable to sell and builders unwilling to invest, all during a housing crisis. Will the Liberals commit to protecting Canadian rights by ensuring no future agreements are signed without clearly stating that private properties come first and are protected?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a Conservative petition regarding the flawed amendments the Bloc and the Liberals are proposing to Bill C-9. If passed, it would put the religious freedoms of Canadians in jeopardy. My residents of Abbotsford—South Langley have voiced their concern regarding this development and how it may restrict their freedoms. As our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms clearly states in sections 2(a) and 2(b), the freedoms of expression and religion must be preserved and are crucial to Canadian society. Therefore, the petitioners call on the government to protect religious freedom, uphold the right to read and share sacred texts and prevent government overreach into matters of faith.

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition. I rise today on behalf of petitioners of Abbotsford—South Langley to highlight an important issue affecting the growth and safety of local athletes. The lack of adequate training facilities for the home Wolverines Field Hockey Club limits development, compromises safety and restricts competitive opportunities. Therefore, the petitioners call on the Government of Canada to provide funding assistance through the federal sport infrastructure grant or relief programs, and partner with provincial and municipal bodies to support the construction of a grass hockey field suitable for training, development and competitive play.

Mr. Speaker, April brings several holidays across Canada, each with its own traditions. For Christians, it is time to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope it represents. For many Canadians, Easter is also a chance to spend time with family, enjoy the arrival of spring and, for kids, maybe a bit too much chocolate from the Easter bunny. For Jewish families, Passover is a time to come together in celebration of liberation and tradition. I wish all Jewish Canadians a kosher and joyous Passover. For Sikhs, Vaisakhi is a significant and sacred day. It represents renewal and the core values of equality and selflessness. I am truly looking forward to celebrating Vaisakhi at the Surrey parade and especially here at Parliament Hill. To everyone celebrating, from my family to theirs, Vaisakhi diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan. Regardless of what people are celebrating, may April be full of family joy and moments worth remembering.

Mr. Speaker, Canada cannot control what happens abroad, but the Liberals do control the policies here at home that are making life more expensive. Under the Liberals, Canada tops the G7 in food inflation and is the only shrinking economy. The most vulnerable Canadians are the ones who are left to pay the price. One in five Canadians over 50 are now living in conditions comparable to the poverty line. After years of Liberal deficits and rising taxes, the seniors of Abbotsford—South Langley, the very people who helped build this country, are struggling to afford basic needs, yet the Prime Minister is pushing ahead with his rebranded carbon tax, the clean fuel standard, and his industrial carbon tax, passing higher prices on to those who produce our food and goods and ultimately to all Canadians. These costs are imposed here at home, not abroad. When will the Prime Minister take responsibility for the policies he controls and scrap the taxes making life more unaffordable for all Canadians, especially our seniors?

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting two petitions. First I rise in support of the Conservative petition regarding the flawed amendments the Bloc and Liberals are proposing to Bill C-9. If passed, they would put religious freedoms of Canadians in jeopardy. The residents of Abbotsford—South Langley have voiced their concerns regarding the development of how this may restrict their freedoms. Our Charter of Rights and Freedoms clearly states in sections 2(a) and 2(b) that freedom of expression and freedom of religion must be preserved and are crucial to Canadian society. Therefore, the petitioners call on the government to protect religious freedoms and uphold the right to read and share sacred texts.

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition, which I am tabling on behalf of the good citizens of Abbotsford—South Langley who are deeply concerned about the proposed changes to the salmon allocation policy that would decimate regular recreational fishing opportunities for coho and chinook in British Columbia. Constituents are calling for the Minister of Fisheries to leave the current salmon allocation policy alone to uphold the cultural rights and traditions of all British Columbians.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the people of Abbotsford—South Langley and I rise on their behalf. They have real concerns with respect to the Liberal House. During the election, the Liberals promised Canadians bold, decisive action on housing. They pledged to create Build Canada Homes, claiming it would solve the very housing crisis that they helped create in the first place; they have failed over and again. It sounded like a plan for hope for the families that are struggling to buy their first home. Today, Canadians are seeing something very different. What was promised as a solution has become more bureaucracy. What was promised as action has turned into inaction. This was meant to bring more homes and hope, but neither was delivered. Let us remember what was promised. The Liberals pledged to deliver 500,000 new homes every single year. That was a commitment made to Canadians in this country who are struggling to buy their first home. There was a promise made to youth, to the young families trying to get ahead and to the renters hoping to one day own their own home. Now we learn that housing starts have fallen to 212,000 homes per year by 2028, less than half of what was promised. This is a complete failure to achieve what was pledged to Canadians by the Liberal government. Instead of delivering homes, Bill C-20 would effectively deliver a fourth housing bureaucracy. What is most shocking about this is that there are no set targets. The housing minister confirmed during a press conference on Bill C-20 that, under the Liberals' plan, there are no top-line targets set for the number of homes to be built. It is an utter shock that there are no targets set. How are Canadians supposed to place their trust in the government? Canadians were promised 500,000 homes per year. Now they are told there are no targets at all. How can Canadians have confidence when there is no plan to measure any success? How can we solve a national housing crisis without clear benchmarks for success? It is all talk and no action. When houses start to be built, the Parliamentary Budget Office found that Build Canada Homes would likely add only around 5,000 homes per year. That is 1% of what the Liberals promised. At the same time, construction activity is projected to decline by 18.1% to well below the 10-year historical average. Let me be clear. Prices are projected to rise, construction is projected to fall, and the Liberal government's solution to this is this bill, which only creates more bureaucracy without any set targets. It is just shameful. Build Canada Homes would not solve real problems because it creates a new agency without removing the rules and the delays that make housing more expensive for Canadians. It would not change any zoning laws, settle any case-by-case rezoning fights, set firm deadlines for approvals or cut duplicate fees or environmental charges. If we do not fix delays, we do not fix costs. If we do not fix costs, we do not fix affordability. Real reform is about creating new programs. It is about removing roadblocks, setting clear timelines, cutting extra taxes and fees, improving coordination between governments and holding departments accountable. That means fixing the system that we currently have, not adding another layer of bureaucracy to it. Builders across the country are saying clearly that we need to see less government in homebuilding, not more. Developers are not asking for new federal agencies, which the government is delivering to them. They are asking for faster approval rates, lower taxes, fewer development charges and predictable rules outlined. On this side of the House, we believe that Canadians should have the opportunity to own a home and have access to affordable housing. Yes, we believe that the federal government can play a role in it, but it has to be limited. It should not obstruct; it should take out the bureaucracy. Conservatives have a plan to fight and focus on results. Conservatives oppose adding more bureaucracy and red tape to housing sectors already burdened by slow approval rates and rising costs. More government layers do not solve delays, but make them worse. Developers are clear about the challenges they are facing. We are the only party offering a real plan to address them. Under the Liberal government and this so-called new Prime Minister, Canadians are being offered the same approach we have all seen before: more programs, more announcements, more agencies and fewer real results. We have seen this all before with the housing accelerator fund, where billions were spent on studies and consultants, and many of the slow approval processes have stayed in place. Money was added, but the delays remain. What Canada needs is more supply and less red tape with less government interference. It is that simple. Construction workers are ready to build, builders are ready to build and Canadians are ready to buy. What is standing in the way is not the lack of demand, but the lack of supply caused by excessive government interference and rising costs. Private builders, people who construct the vast majority of homes in this country, are asking for something very simple. They are asking for the government to get out of the way. They want less red tape, fewer taxes, less bureaucracy and more building. This is a Conservative approach. Nearly nine out of 10 Canadians are concerned about housing affordability. This is not a niche issue or a temporary challenge. It is a matter of national stability. Housing supply is not a generational wedge issue. It is an issue that affects everyone, from young Canadians to adults to seniors. That is why the government should care, because it affects everyone and all of us together. When housing becomes scarce and unaffordable, it is more than just an individual strain. It weakens our nation's fiscal health. It reduces productivity and limits economic growth. Scarcity harms us all. For generations, home ownership has been the centre of a Canadian dream, the promise that if someone works hard, they can buy a home, raise a family and build a secure future. Today, that promise feels increasingly out of reach. Too many young Canadians believe they will never have the same opportunity as their parents did. That is just sad. We must restore the dream of home ownership for the next generation. We must give Canadians, including families in my community of Abbotsford—South Langley and communities across this nation, a real chance to buy a home, start a family and build a future, without being held back by the government's inefficiency and soaring costs. No one in Canada should feel that they will never get a fair shot at success, yet under the current Liberal government, far too many do. It is time to address the housing supply and the urgency it demands, not as a partisan issue, but as a non-partisan issue, as a national priority that secures opportunity and prosperity for all Canadians. Conservatives are ready to act and we are ready to work with anyone who is willing to put Canadians first. We have a clear plan that cuts costs, removes barriers, empowers builders and gets homes built. We would increase supply, lower prices and make home ownership achievable for families from coast to coast to coast. It is time for results, not red tape. It is time for action. That is why I urge the Liberal government to take a second look and cut out the bureaucracy and the layers. This Build Canada Homes bill is not what we need right now. We need to make sure we can cut taxes and we can fight for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague here on this side of the House that there are many problems that the current government is bringing in front of us that it is not addressing. Yes, we do need to work together. We do need to see all stages of the policies that we need to work on to make them more efficient. I think we would both agree that the last thing we need to do is add another layer of bureaucracy.

Mr. Speaker, when a Conservative government was in power, many family members of mine came to this country. They were able to come here, afford a home and build a life, and they were able to succeed because they saw the Canadian vision. They saw the Canadian promise, the North American promise. For myself today, being born in Canada, it is difficult to succeed in this current chapter, in this current year, because everything is getting more and more unaffordable. That is the same thing I hear from my peers, the same thing I hear from all the youth in my community. The member who asked me the question is correct. We need to bring change. We need to make sure that we go back to the old ways, to the things that worked, and not add more layers of bureaucracy.

Mr. Speaker, I will answer that question very simply. I am from British Columbia. The current housing minister apparently did an amazing job in Vancouver with the housing bureaucracy he created there. We do not see anything getting better currently with the Liberal government. If there is a problem, it is because of the Liberal government. If something is in the way, it is because of the Liberal government. We need to make sure that we bring change. That is what Canadians are fighting for. I urge the members across to stop supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the good people of Abbotsford—South Langley, who have put forward this petition about the troubling proposal of the Liberal and Bloc amendments to Bill C-9 that would put the religious freedoms of Canadians at risk. Petitioners are deeply troubled that the amendment would remove the good faith religious defence from the Criminal Code of Canada, which would lead to the criminalization of passages from the Bible, from the Quran, from the Guru Granth Sahib, from the Torah and from other sacred texts and expose individuals to prosecution when expressing sincerely held religious beliefs that the government may deem offensive. According to this, the Government of Canada is being called on to withdraw Bill C-9, to protect religious freedoms and to defend the right to read and share sacred texts free from the government's interference.

Mr. Speaker, I have a second petition as well. I am honoured to rise on behalf of the good people of Abbotsford—South Langley, who are deeply troubled with the proposed revisions to the salmon allocation policy, changes that would severely limit recreational fishery opportunities for the coho and chinook salmon of British Columbia. Petitioners further emphasize that such changes would have serious consequences for the tourism sector and for the millions of dollars that recreational fisheries contribute to and conserve in the area.

Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister's former chief of staff, the current justice minister and the member for York South—Weston—Etobicoke ran the immigration file, their reckless policies broke our asylum system, overwhelming it to the point that the Immigration and Refugee Board was forced to gut critical safeguards just to keep up. Nearly 25,000 individuals were admitted to Canada without a single in-person interview. Why did the Liberals dismantle our critical safeguards for our refugee system and put Canadian lives at risk?

Mr. Speaker, British Columbia is facing a public safety crisis. Extortion is now at record highs and my community members are living in constant fear. Abbotsford police have been clear. They are calling on elected officials to act urgently and work across party lines to confront these ongoing threats. Canadians' safety matters now. Will the Liberals act today and vote for our Conservative plan, supported by the NDP Premier of B.C., to ensure that those convicted of serious crimes cannot exploit our refugee system in order to stay in Canada?

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of my constituents from Abbotsford—South Langley and Canadians who are living in fear, frustration and a deepening loss of trust for the Liberal government. Many feel abandoned and that their safety and their families are being pushed aside. This Conservative motion before the House will help restore confidence in both our justice system and our immigration system. It ensures that the laws of this country protect innocent people and not those who terrorize our communities. This motion recognizes a simple truth: When laws are weakened, when consequences disappear and when loopholes are left open, organized crime does not hesitate to step in, and it is ordinary Canadians who end up paying that price. Since the Liberals were elected, extortion in Canada has risen 330%, and it is not any better in British Columbia, where I am from. In British Columbia, extortion has risen 482%. In January alone, the Surrey police tracked 36 separate extortion attacks, 36. That is more than the number of days in the month. Those are just the ones that are being reported to the police. Extortion is not a victimless crime; it is a threat made in the middle of the night, and sometimes in broad daylight. It is intimidation directed at small business owners. It is arson. It is gunfire. It is families being targeted in their own homes. It is people being forced to choose between their safety and their livelihood. I can speak personally to the impact of this violence. I know and speak to many victims and their families regularly, more regularly than I would like. These are people in our Lower Mainland communities, who live in fear every single day. Families who have reached out to me in my community choose to sleep in their basement with their children, because they are scared of bullets flying through their bedroom windows at night. People are scared to go to their own place of work, businesses they own, because they do not know if they are going to return home that night to their families. As a federal representative, I get phone calls and concerns about these shootings more than I would ever think I could. Mr. Satwinder Sharma was shot in broad daylight. His family is still grieving his loss every single day. Mr. Baljinder Garcha's death took Surrey by shock. Until this day, many questions are left unanswered. Mr. Darshan Singh Sahsi, a father, a husband, a son and a dear friend of mine, was someone who was recklessly killed in an extortion attack in front of his own home. Every statistic is a real person, a grieving family and a community left asking why more was not done to stop this reckless violence. Today, many Canadians are afraid to report crimes because they fear retaliation, and others are left wondering whether anyone in authority is truly listening to them. From Abbotsford—South Langley to Brampton, Surrey, Vancouver, Calgary, throughout the Lower Mainland and across our nation, people are continuing to live in fear. This brings us to Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, two pieces of Liberal legislation that sit at the heart of this crisis. Bill C-5 repealed mandatory jail time for serious violent offences, including extortion with a firearm, and the Liberals' catch-and release-plan under Bill C-75 is failing Canadians. Ultimately, the principle of restraint has been twisted into a policy that protects repeat violent offenders, leaving law-abiding Canadians vulnerable. Together, these bills have created a revolving-door justice system, one where an offender can be arrested, released and often released again to commit the same crime within days, if not hours. These increases did not happen by accident. They are a direct result of the deliberate Liberal policies that have weakened our sentencing and bail laws. Instead of taking decisive action, the Liberal government has repeatedly voted against common-sense Conservative proposals aimed to address these crises. The Liberals voted against Bill C-381, proposed by my Conservative colleague from Edmonton Gateway, which would bring tougher sentences for extortionists. The Conservatives are ready to pass laws and help Canadians protect themselves, their families and their homes, but the Liberals are insisting on targeting responsible gun owners and hunters with their gun-grab scam. It is shameful that they are not going after the real problems, which are extortionists. The Liberals' failures are not limited to public safety laws; they are also evident in their mismanagement of our immigration system. In the fall of 2025, the Liberals voted against an update to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, proposed by the Conservatives to bar asylum claims from being made by those who have been convicted of serious crimes in Canada. This was a common-sense change that would have prevented the abuse of Canada's asylum system and deterred non-citizens from avoiding deportation after committing serious crimes. Let me be clear: Canada's refugee system exists to protect those fleeing genuine prosecution. It is not a shield for individuals convicted of serious crimes. Do the Liberals really believe that an individual who has committed serious offences should be rewarded with Canadian citizenship? When criminals use asylum claims and delay tactics to avoid deportation, it undermines public trust and puts Canadians at risk, and Canadians face the real consequences. In British Columbia, every single one of 14 people who were charged with extortion immediately claimed asylum after being charged. They used Canada's refugee system to delay justice and avoid deportation. This shows how the refugee system, which is meant to protect people fleeing real prosecution, is being exploited by criminals, and Canadians are the ones who end up paying the price. This is why this motion truly matters. The motion would call on the Liberal government to bar non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from making refugee claims. If someone has committed a serious violent offence, Canada's asylum system should not be available to them. It is as simple as that. The motion would also put an end to the leniency that lets non-citizens convicted of serious crimes escape deportation. Deportation should be a consequence, not a choice. The motion would also bar non-citizens with active judicial proceedings related to serious crimes from making refugee claims. This is important, as it would send a message to non-citizens, who now believe they can commit serious crimes and avoid deportation by abusing Canada's asylum system. Finally, it calls on the government to repeal Bill C-5 and Bill C-75 so that repeat extortionists stay in jail and cannot terrorize our communities any longer. This motion is necessary to end the crisis. Even the NDP Premier of British Columbia called for the law to be changed. While the premier is a New Democrat and I am a Conservative member, there are some political bridges that we actually agree on. It protects genuine refugees, supports our law enforcement and restores confidence once again in our justice system. Most importantly, it puts victims first. Canadians are asking for action and for leadership. They are asking for a government that takes their safety seriously. The House has a choice: We can continue down a path of leniency, loopholes and rising crime, or we can take a stand for safer streets, stronger laws and real consequences. Conservatives are choosing safety and to put victims over criminals. I urge all members of the House to support this as well.

Mr. Speaker, if my hon. colleague is truly passionate and understands the problem that is happening in B.C. right now, he should understand that our community members, British Columbians and the Conservative Party have been asking for change, not today or yesterday, but for over a year. We have brought forward bills to make sure we can address these root problems. We have been waiting on the government to act for the past decade, but it has not acted. That is the problem.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague commented that he does not know anyone who is living in fear day by day. I urge my colleague to come to B.C. to see what we face in our Lower Mainland communities, because this issue is real, and it is alive. There were 36 extortion cases in January, just since the new year. It is insane. What we are dealing with is an extortion crisis. It needs to be dealt with now, not yesterday. That is why we are urging the government to vote for this motion, agree with us and collaborate. Let us work together.

Mr. Speaker, extortion has surged by 330% since the Liberals took office. Across our country, Canadians are under attack, and the Liberals are rejecting Conservative plans to stop this violence. Now convicted extortionists are exploiting loopholes in our justice and immigration systems by filing refugee claims to stay in Canada. Will the Liberals back our Conservative plan, also supported by B.C.'s NDP premier, to bar non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from making refugee claims, or will they continue to side with the criminals?

Mr. Speaker, Canada leads the G7 in food inflation; prices are rising twice as fast as in the United States, but yesterday the Liberals voted against the Conservative plan to lower food costs. The industrial carbon tax is driving up costs for farm machinery, fertilizers and food processors. When we tax the farmer, we tax every Canadian. When will the Liberals work with us to cut the unnecessary industrial carbon tax and the 17¢-a-litre fuel standard tax, which are driving up grocery prices?

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to present a petition on behalf of the residents of Abbotsford—South Langley, who are increasingly concerned about the severe and ongoing flood risks facing our Abbotsford community. These petitioners note that Abbotsford's low-lying geography along the Fraser River has led to repeated flooding that has caused millions of dollars in damage to homes, farms, businesses and critical infrastructure, while also disrupting vital supply chains far beyond our region. They warn against aging and inefficient flood protection infrastructure that is failing to meet today's realities, and point out that meaningful flood mitigation requires urgent investment; moderate, climate-resilient infrastructure guided by science; and community support. The petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to take a seat at the table with the province and municipality, to invest in flood mitigation and monitoring, early warning systems and emergency preparedness for Abbotsford, and to deliver clear, actionable flood mitigation measures in the next federal budget.

Mr. Speaker, since January 1, there has been a minimum of one extortion case every single day in the Lower Mainland. These are real consequences of the Liberals' failure to take crime seriously. Families and businesses across Abbotsford and Surrey are terrified, and entire communities are living in fear. It is time for the Liberals to fix their soft-on-crime laws that have failed to keep innocent Canadians safe. When will the Liberals stop delaying, finally work with us and restore mandatory minimums for extortionists and repeal their catch-and-release laws, Bill C-5 and Bill C-75?

Mr. Speaker, I rise for the fifth time to table a petition on behalf of the residents of Abbotsford—South Langley regarding extortion. Our community is deeply concerned about the increasing prevalence of organized crime, extortion, shootings and intimidation in our community. This new year has seen more extortion cases than the number of days that have passed. Recent daylight shootings, homicides and other violent incidents underscore a broader systemic public safety crisis in our country. The petitioners mourn the tragic death of Darshan Singh Sahsi. These residents call on the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how the federal and provincial governments and local municipalities are working together to prevent further increases in violent and organized crime.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table a petition on behalf of the people of Abbotsford—South Langley; 374 residents have signed off on it. Those who struggle with mental health challenges and seek help are brave. This petition recognizes that every person deserves to live in safety and dignity. Abusing medical assistance in dying for those who want to live is a sad scar on Canadian health care history. The petitioners look forward to hearing the government's response.

Mr. Speaker, the second petition, which I rise to present for the fourth time, is on behalf of the residents of Abbotsford—South Langley who are deeply concerned about the increasing prevalence of organized crime, extortion, shootings and intimidation in our community. Recent daylight shootings, homicides and other violent incidents underscore a broader systemic public safety crisis in our country. The petitioners mourn the tragic death of Darshan Singh Sahsi. These residents call upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how federal, provincial and local municipalities are working together to further prevent increases in violent and organized crime.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the good people of Abbotsford—South Langley as I rise to speak to Bill C-12, legislation that has potential to strengthen Canada but that unfortunately misses the mark once again. Conservatives, to show we are a government-in-waiting, proposed multiple constructive amendments in the immigration components of Bill C-12 in an attempt to improve the legislation and fix Canada's broken immigration system. For years, Canadians have carried the weight of an economy strained by inflation, while also enduring unacceptable wait times in our health care system. At the same time, foreign nationals who have committed heinous crimes, including sexual offences, remain in Canada without being deported. Disturbingly, even the Minister of Public Safety was unable to say where these individuals are or to provide any clarity on our immigration levels. When our country faces this degree of scarcity, it is no wonder Canadians feel jaded. The support systems they rely on are simply not there. At the core of this challenge is the overwhelming pressure placed on our infrastructure by unregulated immigration. When the Liberals accept bogus visa applications, ignore the urgent housing needs across the country and allow crime to run rampant, it is our citizens who bear the brunt of this scarcity. There are now over three million temporary residents in Canada, far more than our country can sustainably support. This rampant and unplanned growth has crowded our housing market, pushed rents and home prices beyond reach and left fewer opportunities for our next generation of Canadians who are trying to enter the workforce. Families feel the ripple effect in every corner of their lives, from longer wait times in emergency rooms to rising classroom sizes and basic challenges of finding an affordable shelter. This is not an abstract policy problem; it is a lived reality for Canadians who see their communities stretched thin while the federal government continues to operate without a plan. By refusing to regulate intake levels responsibly or to enforce existing systems with seriousness, the Liberals have allowed pressure to build to a point where our infrastructure simply cannot keep up. Canadians expect compassion in immigration, but they also expect competence. Right now they are getting neither. Prior to the challenges within Bill C-12, the strain on Canadian infrastructure would have continued unchecked. The amendments proposed by the opposition would introduce a measure of steadiness, structure and accountability into the immigration system, which has grown chaotic under the Liberal government's management. It would also ensure that criminals would be prosecuted for their crimes in Canada. These proposed changes are not radical; they are responsible steps to ensure that Canada would welcome newcomers in a way that is sustainable, fair and safe for everyone. A few of the Conservative amendments that passed with support across party lines in the Standing Committee on Public Safety, which I am proudly a part of, would instate harsher penalties for those convicted of human trafficking. Individuals convicted of human trafficking would face fines of up to $1 million or life imprisonment. Corporations would also face fines of up to $25 million for trafficking offences. The Liberals must answer why they voted down one particularly important amendment that would have denied asylum to any claimant deemed a danger to national security. Why are the Liberals so reluctant to hold people accountable for criminal behaviour? There are also immense pressures on housing, the backlog of removal orders, the surge in temporary residents, and the gaps in enforcement. These are not problems that require another year of paperwork to diagnose; they are obvious, urgent and already well understood by Canadians. Statistics Canada has revealed that the Liberals have failed to account for an astonishing 38% of temporary residents in the most recent census. This comes after reports earlier this fall showing that more than one million temporary residents hold visas that are about to expire, and the Liberals have admitted that they have no plan to ensure that non-citizens will depart after their visa expires. For months the Liberals even resisted Conservative calls to release basic entry and exit data. This raises serious concerns about the accuracy of the information they rely on. Throughout the process, our Conservative team has been working tirelessly to strengthen our immigration system and hold the Liberal government to account for its incompetence. Canadians are demanding tangible change. They are asking for the government to enforce its own laws, create efficiency in an overwhelmed system, protect public safety and ensure that immigration happens in a fair and sustainable way. These amendments create a structure for greater scrutiny, but scrutiny alone is not enough. What is needed now is political will, decisive action and real, concrete reform rather than more bureaucratic delays. Canadians deserve confidence that an individual required to leave Canada will do so. The same is true for our provinces, whose hospitals and classrooms have been placed under immense strain after a decade of Liberal mass immigration. If the Liberals actually meet their commitments to hire 1,000 new CBSA employees, there will be a vast improvement in our country's safety. However, there is a track record that keeps leaving Canadians uncertain. My community has been under constant danger with the rise of extortion and gun crime. Given that I represent a border riding, it is abundantly clear to me and my community members that the smuggling of illegal weapons is largely responsible for the spike in crime. It has taken the lives of many and fractured dozens of families across my home riding. Many members of my community no longer feel safe, as organized crime becomes increasingly prevalent. Families and young adults frequently ask me how they can protect themselves when incidents of gun violence occur in broad daylight. My heart goes out to those who have lost parents, siblings and loved ones due to extortion. Despite its concerns, the current Liberal government has not attended any vigils or community town halls on issues such as extortion, nor has it taken meaningful action to support our communities. This leaves many of us wondering why our concerns continue to go unaddressed by the current Prime Minister. The gaps in this bill are very simple, yet they are being overlooked. We must hire more border personnel. We must deport foreign nationals committing crimes in Canada. The results will mean our communities will become much safer. Conservatives are calling on Liberals to listen to Canadians and implement the reforms needed to make our immigration system fair and efficient, serving citizens and newcomers alike. When we begin to see immigration as a movement of people rather than a movement of numbers, our ability to foster communities across our country will naturally improve. Everyone in Canada deserves to live with dignity. If we start by ensuring immigration occurs in a thoughtful, responsible and sustainable manner, every person, newcomer and citizen alike, will have a better chance at succeeding. Those who are entering our country from any nation deserve to see Canada as a safe, harmonious and flourishing place. This vision is only achievable if we take care of our institutions that take care of us. Enacting high standards for our immigration system not only protects our livelihoods but places the Canadian economy in a stronger position to grow and succeed.

Mr. Speaker, photo ops are not going to bring forward policies that will make differences in Canadians' lives. Community members from our Lower Mainland are affected. The Liberals are doing these group meetings over and over again, not attending to the real root problems, actually meeting the victims and their families or understanding what is happening in our communities. This is not going to be any mystery they cannot solve. They should be able to implement change. They should have been able to implement our bill that we put forward as a Conservative team on extortion. If they really cared for Canadians, they would have adopted that a year ago.

Mr. Speaker, it is true that the government has not been taking any of these precautions seriously. We have been working very well with our Bloc colleagues to make sure that in our committee meetings, when we are going through committee, we implement and hold the government to account. We need more border personnel. Personally, I can tell members that in my community, as Abbotsford—South Langley is a border riding, we need border officials. It is something on which the government has failed us over and over again.

Mr. Speaker, it is true that we see the Liberal government, again and again at committee, filibuster and not answer the questions that Canadians want answered, whether on extortion or on religious freedoms. We need to make sure we hold the government to account. We have a couple of days left. I hope we can continue to give the questions that we need answers to, and that they can be answered by the end of this week, and hopefully, go into the new year with real, concrete movements for proper legislation, with amendments that are being brought forward by the Conservative government.

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are failing Canadians on housing. They are breaking their promise of 500,000 new homes per year, and their fourth housing bureaucracy is a mess with the independent budget watchdog confirming it will only build 5,000 homes per year. Buyers cannot buy, sellers cannot sell and builders cannot build, yet the Liberals refuse to adopt our Conservative plan to axe the GST on all new homes built under $1.3 million to boost building immediately. Why is it that when the Liberals make a promise, things get more expensive every time and things stay the same again and again?

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today on behalf of residents of Abbotsford—South Langley who are deeply concerned about the increasing prevalence of organized crime, extortion and intimidation in our community of Abbotsford. Recent daylight shootings, homicides and other violent incidents underscore a broader systemic public safety crisis within our country. The petitioners mourn the death of Darshan Singh Sahsi. Residents call upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how the federal, municipal and provincial governments work together to further prevent increases in violent and organized crime.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said he should be judged by grocery prices. Eight months later, they have only gone up. Today's 2026 food price report says things will only get worse. Grocery bills have doubled since 2015. Next year, Canadians are projected to pay $1,000 more on groceries. Instead of lowering costs, the Liberals keep spending more and raising taxes, which drives up prices, especially for food. When will the Liberals cut their inflationary spending, scrap the industrial carbon tax and cancel their new fuel tax so Canadians can afford to eat?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the residents of Abbotsford—South Langley, who are deeply concerned about the increasing prevalence of organized crime, extortion, shootings and intimidation in our community. Recent daylight shootings, homicides and other violent incidents underscore a broader, systemic public safety crisis in our country. The petitioners mourn the tragic death of Darshan Singh Sahsi. These residents call upon the Government of Canada to reinforce the process of public reporting so Canadians can clearly see how the federal and provincial governments and local municipalities are working together to further prevent increases in violent and organized crime.