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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech.

As a Canadian, but also as a mother of two sons who are growing up in a rapidly changing world that is increasingly online, I want them to see their identity, their values and their country represented.

What is at stake if we do not pass Bill C‑11?

Mr. Speaker, there is certainly a popular discussion right now around the alcohol escalator tax. We are receiving a lot of feedback from constituents as well. I continue to bring them forward to the government.

I am wondering what would be the most important thing that the member is looking for in the budget ahead. Certainly we are facing many issues. We are looking for environmental leadership. We are looking for reconciliation in health care. What would be the biggest thing the member would be looking for next week?

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join the debate on second reading of Bill C-26, an act respecting cybersecurity.

Several of my colleagues have already spoken at length about the importance of the bill and the details therein, but it bears repeating that Bill C-26 is critical to our country's national security, our public safety and our economy.

Not only would Bill C-26 introduce the new critical cyber systems protection act or—

Madam Speaker, not only would Bill C-26 introduce the new critical cyber systems protection act, or CCSPA, to legally compel designated operators to protect their cyber systems, but it would also amend the Telecommunications Act to enshrine security as a policy objective and bring the sector in line with other critical infrastructure sectors.

Being online and connected is essential to all Canadians. Now more than ever, Canadians rely on the Internet for their daily lives, but it is about more than just conducting business and paying bills. It is also about staying in touch and connected with loved ones from coast to coast to coast and, indeed, around the world. That is also why the Government of Canada is connecting 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and 100% of Canadians by 2030.

Our critical infrastructure is becoming increasingly interconnected, interdependent and integrated with cyber systems, particularly with the emergence of new technologies such as 5G, which will operate at significantly higher speeds and will provide greater versatility, capability and complexity than previous generations. These technologies certainly create significant economic benefits and opportunities, but they also bring with them new security vulnerabilities that some may be tempted to prey on.

At this time, I want to bring the perspective of my constituents in the riding of Fredericton to this important debate today. Fredericton is home to the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity at the University of New Brunswick, with a focus on disruptive technology and groundbreaking research. The institute provides hands-on support for community and industry partners as they face emerging threats, with company-specific, cross-disciplinary research.

Led by Dr. Ali Ghorbani, Canada's research chair in cybersecurity, the institute generates datasets to help thwart malicious cyber-attacks and works in tandem with the National Research Council of Canada in an innovative hub model that will lead to discoveries and advancements in cybersecurity, including publications, patents and the commercialization of technology, as well as provide training opportunities for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

Innovative cybersecurity research is conducted with a focus on Internet security, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction and natural-language processing. I was honoured to welcome many ministers to my riding and to connect them with researchers and leaders in the industry to showcase how my community distinguishes itself in this sector. Fredericton is at the forefront of this new age and the challenges it presents, and I could not be more proud.

Even if there is enormous potential for Canadian digital innovation and expertise in cybersecurity, and I am witnessing it every day at home, we also need to face the fact that cyber-threats are growing in sophistication and magnitude. In 2021, close to 200,000 businesses across the country were affected by cybersecurity incidents, and this number continues to grow. Each of those businesses is not merely a business. It is comprises hard-working owners and employees, with families to feed and bills to pay. It is all the more maddening that many of these businesses must spend precious amounts of time and money preventing or fighting back against these incidents, many of which involve stealing money or demanding ransoms.

Canadian businesses have spent billions of dollars over the last years to detect and prevent cybersecurity incidents and, consequently, they have been experiencing downtime and a loss in revenue. Cybercrime is costly, and those who are bearing the brunt of it are Canadian businesses.

We also know that at all levels of government, we have not been immune from these kinds of attacks, even, horribly, hospitals. Earlier this year, the Toronto SickKids hospital was targeted by a ransomware attack affecting its operations. Closer to home, in Atlantic Canada, a ransomware group was behind the 2021 cyber-attack that paralyzed the Newfoundland and Labrador health care system.

Beyond the monetary implications, attacks like these have the real-life potential of impacting the health and safety of the ones we love, and we must do everything in our power as legislators to put in place effective safeguards. The effects on Canadians demonstrate beyond a doubt why we need to strengthen Canada's cybersecurity systems. As lawmakers, the least we can do is ensure that Canada and its institutions and businesses can continue to thrive in the digital economy and that our banks and telecommunications providers can continue to provide Canadians with reliable services.

Bill C-26 would modernize existing legislation to add security to the nine other policy objectives in the act, bringing telecommunications in line with other critical sectors. The bill would also add new authorities to the Telecommunications Act, which would enable the government to take action to promote the security of the Canadian telecommunications system.

As mentioned, in recent years, Canada's cybersecurity status has been tested by a variety of threat campaigns targeting critical infrastructure, businesses and individuals. The increase in digitization has led to the weaponization of digital tools and processes. This results in the disruption of critical systems and causes a lack of confidence in physical, psychological and economic well-being.

I am proud of all the work that has been done to secure Canada's critical telecommunications infrastructure, but I do not want us to lose sight of the work still to be done. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for bolstering national and international cyber-defence practices, requiring improved policies, guidance and cyber-intel.

Furthermore, given what is happening in Ukraine with the Russian invasion, we know that there are still military threats in the 21st century. However, we are also dealing with the emergence of new technologies that pose non-military threats.

With rising geopolitical tensions, government-driven hostile cyber-operations are more prevalent now than ever, posing an increased threat level to Canada's national security, economic prosperity and public safety.

In the 21st century, cybersecurity is national security, and it is our government's responsibility to protect Canadians from growing cyber-threats. That is exactly why we have developed Bill C-26.

It contains a multitude of important measures to protect Canadians and Canadian businesses. It is a carefully designed, multipronged approach. Part 2 of this act would enact the critical cyber systems protection act to provide a framework for the protection of the critical cyber systems that are vital to national security and public safety.

It also authorizes the Governor in Council to designate any service or system as a vital service or vital system, and requires designated operators to establish and implement cybersecurity programs, mitigate supply chain and third party risks, report cybersecurity incidents and comply with cybersecurity directions.

Introducing the new critical cyber systems protection act would strengthen baseline cybersecurity and provide a framework for the government to respond to emerging cyber-threats.

It is essential that we keep pace with the rapidly evolving cyber-environment by ensuring we have a robust, legislative framework in place.

In short, Bill C-26 is essential to helping keep Canadians and their data safe. In a world as connected as ours, we cannot take that for granted. Once again, cybersecurity is national security.

I am looking forward to this bill being sent to committee, and I encourage all members to join me in supporting Bill C-26 in subsequent readings.

Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague and I are part of the class of 2019.

That is why a bill works its way through the House. Hopefully this is something that could be discussed at the committee phase, once it has passed through.

It also speaks to the important role of the official opposition in questioning these kinds of powers and holding the government to account. Certainly, I think we are open to these discussions continuing. Any way we can strengthen the bill is a win for Canadians.

Madam Speaker, I do not have a technical response for the very technical question that the member asked. We have to consider the importance of protecting our electrical grids. New Brunswick relies heavily on our partners in Quebec, so it would certainly have implications for my constituents.

These are questions that we need to ask and hopefully consider during the committee stage, and hear testimony from witnesses that would be able to address those concerns.

Madam Speaker, I have a lot of concerns about how fast technologies are developing, particularly around artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology. All these moving pieces have incredible implications, especially for vulnerable people in our communities. It deserves a hard look by all members of the House, particularly in the committee that would be studying this legislation, but I think beyond that as well.

We are in a new, unpredictable time. I mentioned, in my speech, a lot about geopolitical factors and a lot of threats that are coming in. We do not know what we do not know at this point, and I think that causes a lot of fear. This is a conversation that is long overdue, and I thank the member for allowing me the opportunity to enter into that space. I really hope we have more fulsome discussions around those aspects in particular.

Madam Speaker, it speaks to the concept that we need to modernize a lot of our legislation. We need to modernize a lot of our approaches and processes. As I said about not knowing what we do not know, things are happening so fast at this point that we need to protect those who are most vulnerable. We need to protect the generations to come.

There are a lot of unknowns right now, and legislation like this allows us to bring in those experts, have those conversations and ensure we are getting ahead of these things and being proactive.

Madam Speaker, I certainly hear my hon. colleague's support for small businesses and the concerns she is raising, but I come at this from a different standpoint where I feel there are protections here for small businesses. The bill is designed to protect them from unnecessary losses when they happen to be attacked or be subjected to ransomware.

Is there a balance here, where this is also about supporting them by preventing those losses?

Mr. Speaker, I would agree that this is a very high-level discussion we have been having this afternoon. I think that it has been well placed.

He mentioned the possible impacts of, say, a nuclear facility being attacked. It got me thinking about the military capabilities of Canada. My riding of Fredericton is home to CFB Gagetown, very proudly so. We are also home to the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity, as I mentioned previously in my speech.

I am wondering if he could comment more generally on this expanding role and the necessity to have cybersecurity education and professionals in our Canadian military.

Mr. Speaker, Black History Month is a time to reflect on our country's story and renew our engagement with anti-Black racism.

Black enslavement was widespread in colonial Canada until 1834. In the next century, the residents of Africville, Nova Scotia, were denied services for decades before being forcibly removed from their homes and having their community demolished. Systemic racism continues to be entrenched in our institutions to this day.

These truths are painful and difficult to grapple with, and their harmful effects have been passed down for generations. However, remembering the true stories, acknowledging the harm done and taking collective actions are the only ways to steer our country towards a just society.

This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Ours to Tell”. To me, this speaks to the importance of elevating and celebrating Black voices in our conversations about race, history and justice.

I will leave members with the words of Thandiwe McCarthy, a Black Changemaker in my community and the former Poet Laureate for Fredericton, who made this call to action:

Activism is a career choice. A lifestyle. A best friend. It is the dream and the reality. It is both a beginning and endless You'll have nothing useful to progress Yet everything essential to build So wrap yourself tightly around. The darkness you want to change. And when you activate who you are. You'll find your sunlight.

Mr. Speaker, during the period for Statements by Members, I was delivering something that meant a lot to me, and there was a significant amount of noise in the chamber. I would ask for unanimous consent to redeliver my member's statement.

Mr. Speaker, Black History Month is a time to reflect on our country's story and renew our engagement toward anti-Black racism. Black enslavement was widespread in colonial Canada until 1834. A century later, the residents of Africville, Nova Scotia, were denied services for decades before being forcibly removed from their homes, with their community demolished.

Systemic racism continues to be entrenched in our institutions to this day. These truths are painful and difficult to grapple with, and their harmful effects have been passed down for generations, but acknowledging the harm done and taking collective actions are the only ways to steer our country toward a just society.

This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Ours to Tell”. To me, this speaks to the importance of elevating and celebrating Black voices in our conversations about race, history and justice.

I am leaving members with the words of Thandiwe McCarthy, a Black Changemaker in my community and the former poet laureate for Fredericton, who has this call to action:

Activism is a career choice. A lifestyle. A best friend. It is the dream and the reality.It is both a beginning and endless You'll have nothing useful to progress Yet everything essential to buildSo wrap yourself tightly around.The darkness you want to change.And when you activate who you are. You'll find your sunlight.

Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague mentioned the word “innovation”. I would caution him to be careful that the word not be used out of context, as they are doing with this motion. I am happy to discuss health care any time. It is actually one of the reasons I came to the House, but I am disappointed that it is not done in a constructive manner. I speak to health care workers on the ground and they offer solutions. Solutions do exist. They really speak to innovation.

Can the member speak to actual solutions that can help us deal with what we are facing in the health care crisis today? This could be things such as digitization, data collection and technology.

Madam Speaker, I also come from a province where we are seeing ERs close. People are dying while waiting to receive care. It is absolutely at crisis levels.

Do members know what is not helping them? It is the games being played in this House, which is exactly what this motion demonstrates.

I am going to allow the member to cut through a lot of the unhelpful pieces of it and maybe speak to the piece about “[enforcing] the Canada Health Act and immediately [moving] to close loopholes that allow for the growth of two-tier health care”. I would like to hear more about that specifically.