Question Period Notes
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In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
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CPTPP’s role in enhancing and diversifying trade opportunities for Canadian consumers and firms
Status of the Express Entry application system, which is used to manage a number of economic immigration programs.
• Over the last five years, hate-motivated crimes and incidents have been on the rise in Canada, taking many forms (i.e. hate crimes, organized hate groups, online hate, and hate speech).
• In Canada, the number of police-reported hate crimes has risen significantly, more than doubling since 2019. In 2024, there were 4,722 police-reported hate crimes – a 31% increase from 2022 but stable from 2023 (-1%, from 4,777).
• Hate crimes targeting a race or ethnicity made up the largest proportion of police-reported hate crimes (47%), followed by those targeting a religion (26%) and those targeting a sexual orientation (13%).
• In 2024, there was a 4% increase of hate crimes targeting a race or ethnicity. The number of hate crimes targeting the Black population (825) remained the highest (37% of race or ethnicity motivated).
• Compared to 2023, hate crimes targeting a religion slightly declined (-6%, from 1,284 incidents to 1,211). This was largely the result of slightly fewer hate crimes targeting Jewish (from 900 to 816) and Muslim (from 211 to 204) populations.
• However, both still exhibited a significant increase since 2019: 167% and 149% increases targeting the Jewish and Muslim communities, respectively.
• Despite the overall slight decline, the number of reported hate crimes is unacceptable. It is also anecdotally conveyed that many communities underreport.
• The Government committed to providing fair compensation to businesses and individual firearms owners legally required to dispose of prohibited assault-style firearms.
• The previous Government prohibited what is now over 2,500 makes and models of ASFs through three prohibitions. All of these prohibited firearms have semi-automatic action with sustained rapid-fire capability, which are not appropriate for hunting or sporting and exceed safe civilian use.
• There more than 19,000 estimated non-restricted makes and models, meaning that over 127,000 variations of firearms remain available for hunting and sport shooting in Canada.
• Gender-based violence, including family violence and intimate partner violence (IPV), has long-lasting negative effects and has been increasing. Despite a general decrease in intimate partner homicides, women remain disproportionately affected, and firearms significantly heighten the risk and lethality of IPV.
• The Government of Canada is taking significant actions to combat these heinous crimes.
Implementation of the Penitentiary Agriculture Program commenced in fiscal year 2018-19 and continues in a phased manner. In March 2021, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) updated its Penitentiary Farm Program at Joyceville and Collins Bay institutions to focus its dairy operations on the dairy cow program.
• Immigration Detention – Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Correctional Service Canada (CSC) assistance agreement: Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines facility
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) concluded the targeted blitz named Operation Blizzard to intercept contraband in all transportation modes.
Q1 – What measures is the Government of Canada taking to address the threat that the global spread of African swine fever poses to swine in Canada? Q2 – How has the Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested or validated its preparedness efforts? Q3 - What other work is being done to support Canada’s pork industry in preparing for and responding to the disease? Q4 - What is the status of an African swine fever vaccine or treatment? Q5 – What risk is posed by Canada’s invasive wild pig population and what actions are being taken?
Q1 – How will the Canadian Food Inspection Agency implement the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance and support access to veterinary products to support animal health?