Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would like to present petition e-7172, which has been signed by no fewer than 13,198 Canadians across the country. The petitioners call upon the government to conduct a comprehensive and independent review of the structure, governance, practices, legal status, funding sources and activities of the Iranian Canadian Congress. It is an organization that has made no attempt to gauge the…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, allow me to start off by emphasizing that the global landscape is rapidly changing, leaving businesses, workers and families under a cloud of uncertainty. As a result of all these geopolitical shifts, the costs of groceries and everyday essentials in Canada have been high for way too long. We believe our economy is stronger when it serves everyone. That is why we took action to make…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, affordability is at the forefront of the government's attention. That includes, of course, food affordability, so I am very happy to provide a response. As I suggested to the previous member, the global landscape is rapidly changing, leaving economies, businesses and workers under a cloud of uncertainty. In response, our new government has focused on what we can control, such as bui…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I am not quite sure what he means when he talks about obfuscating. I listed a number of measures that have been introduced by government. If the member chooses to ignore them, then I cannot possibly be charged with obfuscating. It is interesting that the member claims to care about food, but he does not seem to find it within himself to support any of those programs that I listed fo…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I can only go by the question the member provided us with earlier. If the question is whether we are the type of country that is welcoming investment from various sources to make sure there is economic growth, the answer is absolutely. He knows full well that there are a number of Canadian institutions that are very interested in investing in infrastructure projects, and that, of co…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, once again, allow me to emphasize that we stand at the ready. For the past several months, we have been consulting with the provinces, consulting with the territories, consulting with businesses and consulting with labour leaders, so everyone is fully aware that we are doing as much as can be expected and we will be acting very strongly. The member can rest assured that we will only a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, let me assure the member that we all stand at the ready. Canada is at its strongest when governments, workers, businesses and industry are all pulling in the same direction. By strengthening our engagement, we are ensuring Canada is well-positioned. That is why, as the member is well aware, yesterday we announced the creation of the advisory committee on Canada-U.S. economic relations…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member has rightly indicated, there was a big gap in terms of making sure that our law enforcement agencies have all the necessary tools to do a thorough job when they are investigating a wide variety of crimes. We certainly live in an era when the speed and the pace at which such crimes are taking place are very different from what they were previously. It was certainly h…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, thank you for permitting me to speak to Bill C-22, an act respecting lawful access. It is always a great pleasure to speak in this chamber on behalf of the constituents of Willowdale. In this particular case, I should say that in Willowdale, we are very well served by 32 Division of the Toronto Police Service. I recently had the opportunity, once again, to visit with them and to be gu…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite is likely aware, today we are here to debate Bill C-22, which is a very significant piece of legislation. As I have indicated, this government has always benefited greatly from the views and the perspectives of individuals throughout this chamber. We are always willing to welcome any input that anyone has. This bill, as I indicated, has also benefited from that.…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite and I have had the great benefit of working closely together on the public safety committee. The point she raises is certainly a valid one, but as we know, this particular bill will be referred to committee, and that would be an exceptional opportunity for us all to weigh in and make sure this is as robust and as good a piece of legislation as possible. I have no d…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I wanted to say that I have had an opportunity to review Bill C-22. It is critical that it does pass, so I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to ask the parliamentary secretary how this came about. I recall sitting in committee, and regrettably members opposite were very much dead set against lawful access. This was despite the fact that we were hearing f…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the military situation in Iran. Once again, brinkmanship by the ayatollahs has plunged Iran into war. Innocent Iranians are caught in the crossfire of a war they are not responsible for, as it is not of their making. After the trauma of witnessing the regime butcher tens of thousands of innocent protesters, Iranians are now contending with war. Let us hope that…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Chair, I am very proud of the position our country has adopted. As the member can imagine, we have consulted very closely with our European allies, and I would say that our position is very consistent with theirs so far. We have said that we understand the concerns about Iran's nuclear facilities. We also are very much concerned about Iranians and the terrible things they have experienced at t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Chair, perhaps I did not do a good job of painting the complexities, but that is precisely my point: Iranians have tried to do everything within their power to change this thuggish regime. This is a regime that is hell-bent on brutalizing Iranians and has no respect for human rights. That is precisely why I would say that 95% of Iranian Canadians and 80% of Iranians would like nothing better t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Chair, I would like to thank all my colleagues for their remarks tonight, and I agree with a lot of what I have heard, but perhaps just to take a very different perspective on this, I want to talk about the perspective of the Iranian Canadian community. As members know, the Iranian Canadian community is approximately 500,000 strong. Many of us have watched as many protests have taken place acr…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Chair, I thank my good friend and colleague for his understanding and appreciation of the complexities of these cases. Yes, this was a central banker of the Iranian regime who arrived here in Canada. The Conservative government did zero. So, I find it rich when I am hearing all these lectures about how terrible our government is. The reality is that these are sophisticated, complex files, and …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Chair, again, it is very important to highlight that we have been very vigilant about members of the Iranian regime. We are the only country that has on our books a law that says that any individual who has served the Iranian regime since 2004 has no right to be admitted into Canada. I do not know of any other country that has such a law.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to brave Iranians and to spotlight the bloodshed that occurred in Iran after courageous Iranians took to the streets to demand dignity and freedom. The scale of the wholesale brutality unleashed on those peaceful protesters by the Iranian regime is unprecedented in the annals of modern history. Many thousands of Iranians were massacred, and many more have be…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, we are taking nothing for granted. The hon. member is absolutely correct. When we were first elected, our government appreciated full well how important infrastructure is, and I can assure him the same remains true today. We are very much focused on this challenge. As the member is aware, and I do not know if he has had the opportunity to read the budget, we are investing strategicall…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member might think nobody cares, but I would beg to differ with him. Canadians have been witnessing a government that is serious about all of our economic relationships, and the pace and scale at which our government is acting is truly unprecedented. Just to take an example, today we all heard about an announcement. The Minister of Industry has signed an MOU with the Republic…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, what I have been trying to emphasize to the member is that we are forging stronger ties with a range of trading partners, and we are building a stronger domestic economy, one economy that works for all Canadians. As I listen to the member, I would say the opposition can criticize all it likes, but Canadians expect action, not slogans. Our government is standing up for workers, defendi…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, allow me to join my colleagues in extending my condolences to the family of the Hon. Kirsty Duncan. She was a brilliant and passionate member of the chamber, and she will very much be missed. I am thankful for the opportunity to address the House on a matter of critical importance to Canada's economy. Canada's prosperity has always been tied to strong, reliable trade relationships, an…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as we bring this year to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my constituents in Willowdale the most joyful of holidays and a wonderful and exceptional year ahead. The residents of Willowdale appreciate full well that Canada stands at the cusp of a defining moment. Allow me to reassure them that our new government has been moving at an unprecedented scale. We …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, let me remind the member that we are doing very well. We woke up to tremendous news this morning. He can rest assured that our government is entirely focused on building our economy and supporting industries and workers who require our help. We were elected to build Canada, and that is exactly what we are doing.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canada currently enjoys the best deal among U.S. trading partners. This is not up for debate. However, as the member would like to see us do, our government is committed to ongoing negotiations and to securing greater tariff relief for all of our industries. We are laser-focused on protecting Canadian businesses and Canadian workers. Trade discussions are ongoing, and we will not apol…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Here we go again, Mr. Speaker. I want to reiterate that Canada currently enjoys the best trade agreement with the U.S., and this is not up for debate. However, we are not entirely pleased. Discussions are ongoing because, as the member knows, the Prime Minister has consistently emphasized that we will only accept the best agreement for Canada.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my diverse riding of Willowdale, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all those celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. Referred to by many as the Moon Festival, and in Korea as Chuseok, in Japan as Tsukimi and in Vietnam as Tet Trung Thu, it is considered one of the most cherished festivals by Asians around the world. It is a time for families and friends to gathe…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the escalating war between Iran and Israel. For almost five decades, the Iranian regime has repressed its own citizens and exported violence beyond its borders, yet this odious Iranian regime certainly belongs to the dustbin of history. This military confrontation, however, should be constrained by the principles of international law and not be permitted to dev…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
My apologies for that, Mr. Speaker. Just to remind everyone, as everyone is fully aware, earlier this week, the Prime Minister had robust discussions with premiers and made the pledge to remove all federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility in the coming weeks, prior to the celebration of Canada Day this summer. We are also focused on building commercial corridors and building projects…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, allow me to commence by thanking the residents of Willowdale for having granted me the privilege of once again returning to the chamber to advocate on their behalf. I was fortunate during the election campaign to have the best campaign team anyone could possibly ask for. As always, I give eternal thanks to my spouse, Celeste, who was deeply engaged in every aspect of the campaign. My …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, that is a very good question. As I tried to indicate in my speech, this is a government that appreciates full well how incredibly important it is to partner with the provinces and the territories. As the member knows, earlier this week, there were some very robust discussions taking place, so we will have to wait to see what the conclusion of those discussions is. I am sure there will…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 29th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in relation to Bill C-353, an act to provide for the imposition of restrictive measures against foreign hostage takers and those who practice arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations and to make related amendments to the Proceeds o…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Canadians know foreign interference poses a grave threat to our democracy. That is why many are concerned about the Leader of the Opposition's refusal to obtain his security clearance. While the RCMP has uncovered foreign criminal activity in Canada, the Conservative leader prefers to close his eyes and repeat empty slogans in the House. We should all be concerned about such blatant d…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 28th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, entitled “A New Era of Partnerships: Canada's Engagement with Africa”. I would like to thank all members of the committee for their hard work and contributions to the report. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that th…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a historic milestone, Korean Heritage Month, which we have celebrated in the last month. Willowdale proudly hosts the largest Korean community in our country, so this is profoundly significant for everyone in my riding. The unanimous support of the Senate has meant that October has become a time for our country to honour the rich contributions and enduring sp…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, allow me to thank my hon. colleague for all the inspiring work he does in committee. It has truly been an honour to work collaboratively with him on numerous issues concerning human rights and upholding legal principles around the world. On this issue of the foreign registry, what I can say is that I have always been a proud proponent of the foreign registry. That is something I hav…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, regarding the hon. member for London—Fanshawe's first point, allow me to say that we are truly blessed as a country to have dynamic Sikh communities from coast to coast to coast, so that is something that all our ridings have the good fortune of sharing with London—Fanshawe. With respect to the member's follow-up question, she has raised a very critical issue, an issue that does req…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, allow me to begin by thanking all fellow parliamentarians for facilitating and participating in tonight's important emergency debate. The activities of the Indian government, as detailed last week by the RCMP, are shocking and should represent an affront to all Canadians, irrespective of their political views. This is a time for us all to be steadfast in our pursuit of the truth. Pu…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I am truly honoured to present in both official languages the 27th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, which is entitled “Enduring and Overcoming: The Struggle of the Hazaras in Afghanistan”. Given the situation in Afghanistan and what the Hazaras are being subjected to, I would truly recommend that every member of the House take the op…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I was about to say that we owe it to the Lebanese, Palestinian and Israeli people to join our allies in the international community to secure peace and stability in the region, as well as that I am sharing my time with the hon. member for Don Valley West.
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, the minister said, “The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation.” Given the missile attacks launched by the Iranian regime today, I think we can agree that the minister's statement was prescient and accurate. The minister also went on to add, a few days ago, in the same address to the UN, “We are concern…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I want to thank all colleagues who have participated in this evening's emergency debate on the situation in Lebanon. Time and again we have witnessed crises engulfing the Middle East escalate and consume countless innocent civilians. Many Canadians, some with family ties to the region, are paying close attention to the current crisis and are rightly demanding that our government tak…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I request a recorded vote.
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, allow me to begin by thanking all the MPs who have contributed to the debate on Motion No. 110 regarding the need to adopt a national strategy to reduce food waste and combat food insecurity. Over 20% of the food produced in Canada is avoidably wasted, resulting in a direct economic impact of tens of billions of dollars on our families and communities. Avoidable waste drives up cost…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who was tragically killed by the Iranian regime two years ago. Mahsa's tragic death lit a fire of resistance across Iran and galvanized support around the world. Let me assure members that the torch of opposing gender apartheid continues to shine bright within Iran. As on other occasions in the last two …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions amongst the parties, and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion on the dire situation in Sudan. I move: That the House: (a) recognize that the conflict in Sudan has displaced over 10 million civilians, has resulted in an unprecedented level of gender-based violence, and is causing the largest man-made famine in…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion on the humanitarian situation in Sudan: That the House recognize that the conflict in Sudan has displaced over 10 million civilians, has resulted in an unprecedented—
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, it is a great honour to rise to present a petition on behalf of hundreds of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. These individuals are calling upon the House of Commons to do several things. First, they ask that we place sanctions consistently on foreign nationals who are responsible for gross violations of human rights against Rwandans, Hazaras, Tibetans and Tigrayans, and place…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart, but with much admiration, to pay tribute to a member of the medical community in Toronto. On May 26, Dr. Abbas Hadian, a remarkable physician and a distinguished leader of the Iranian Canadian community, passed away. For over 40 years, Dr. Hadian provided health care to countless patients by operating a bustling medical practice and by serving at North York …
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