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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 135

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 25, 2022 10:00AM
  • Nov/25/22 10:59:34 a.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-20 
Mr. Speaker, I would look at Bill C-20 as progressive legislation that is bringing forward a higher sense of accountability to an area that has not really had it before, and that is the Canadian border control, with the independent commission. It will be dealing with not only the RCMP but also the border control officers at the same time. Can my colleague provide his thoughts on the importance of bringing both agencies in under one commission?
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  • Nov/25/22 12:15:55 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-20 
Mr. Speaker, we recognize that Bill C-20 is a piece of legislation that really does make a difference. We are taking a look at the RCMP and ensuring there is an independent commission to reinforce public confidence in our RCMP when we get bad apples, but it also extends out to Canada's border control. Again, a vast majority, whether they are RCMP officers or border control officers, do a fantastic job seven days a week, 24 hours a day for Canadians, but we need to recognize that there are bad apples and within that group, there is a need for this legislation and for the independent commission. Can I get the member's thoughts on the importance of enforcing public confidence in our institutions?
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  • Nov/25/22 12:17:44 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-20 
Mr. Speaker, I have been listening to this debate and I want to make a comment in response to the member for Winnipeg North, who has intervened several times to talk about bad apples among, basically, our border officers. I take exception to that, as someone who serves on the border, in view of the stress, the anxiety and the way our CBSA officers were treated during the pandemic, when there was no plan to even actually vaccinate them and it was left to be addressed border crossing by border crossing. They have had a high degree of problems related to collective agreements that were never signed on time and never negotiated in good faith with the government. I find it, quite frankly, offensive, with regard to these men and women who are on the front line every single day, under incredible stress and pressure, that the member for Winnipeg North is continually obsessed with pointing out that there are some so-called bad apples.
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  • Nov/25/22 12:18:35 p.m.
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  • Re: Bill C-20 
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Windsor West is in a bordering community, a very important border, where a large percentage of the Canada-U.S. trade crosses each day. The hon. member for Windsor West knows full well the impact that CBSA officers have and what they are dealing with every day. We agree. We need to have fluidity and resiliency in our supply chains. He raises some good points that the government should consider at committee, on reflection on this piece of legislation.
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