Parliamentary Speeches

Madam Speaker, I am a little concerned. We are talking about $400 million of hard-earned taxpayer money. We need to report to the Canadian public why the government refuses to release the documents. Liberals need to be held accountable. The member can talk about everything he wants, but what about the 1,400 tent encampments? What about the lineups of over two million people at food banks? What about the 5.42 million meals served by Sai Dham Food Bank in one month? How does he explain the $400 million of hard-earned taxpayer money being wasted by the corrupt government?

Madam Speaker, I want to explain that it was very hard for me to read that letter about this six-year-old boy who witnessed the shooting of his father. He called his grandmother and said it was his fault that he could not protect his daddy. That is not the Canada my grandfather came to in 1950. Criminals have more luxuries and freedom than survivors and victims. There has been a 75% increase in violence against women and children. Why is that? I will tell the House. It is because the laws need to be changed if we are going to protect our communities. I thank my hon. colleague for her kind words, and I agree with her. This little boy is a hero.

Madam Speaker, I hear the same comments day in, day out. My phone rings continuously, and people are tired. They are fed up. They are fed up that their hard work is not bringing home the paycheques that allow them to support their families. We need a carbon tax election. Not only are the Conservatives saying it, but the country is also saying it. We need to convince the Liberal-NDP members that what they are doing is not helping the country. People are leaving this country because they cannot afford to live here anymore. We need a carbon tax election now.

Madam Speaker, I accept that challenge, and so will Stephanie. I had a long conversation with her, and she explained to me that, when her family came to this country, they could afford a home and could afford to support their families. Working hard meant that people were able to save up for a vacation. People could have their children play hockey in the streets and not worry about the crime running rampant in our country. They could make sure the government was accountable and transparent. That is not happening today. Why will the Liberals not release the documents to the RCMP so that we can explain to Stephanie and all the other constituents what the government has done with the constituents' $400 million?

Madam Speaker, I will say this: If the wasteful spending of the Liberal-NDP government had not occurred, we would have had the funds to support our seniors and to make sure they are able to go to the dentist. We are not talking about just $400 million. How many other scandals are there? There is the $60 million scandal. It totals in the billions. Let us be honest here. The money wasted because of the NDP coalition with the Liberals could have helped millions of seniors, but they refuse to stand firm.

Madam Speaker, when I grow up, I want to speak just like my hon. colleague from Lakeland. She speaks beautifully. The member mentioned crime, and I know she listened to the heartfelt story of my constituent, Stephanie, whose colleague's little boy watched as his father was shot. He felt guilty because he could not protect his father. The crime in this country has gotten out of control. Could the member speak to what Conservatives would do when we take government to ensure that all criminals are kept behind bars?

Madam Speaker, it gives me no pleasure to rise in the House today to speak yet again to the issue of Liberal corruption. This is my second time rising in the House, and I will continue to rise as long as the Liberals refuse to hand over evidence to the RCMP. The Conservatives will not allow the Prime Minister or his caucus to hide the truth that Canadians deserve. It is deeply concerning to witness the government covering up yet another scandal. According to the program's website, SDTC was a government-funded program that claimed to help Canadian companies “develop and deploy sustainable technologies by delivering critical funding support at every stage of their journey—from seed to success.” What the program's website does not tell Canadians is that SDTC became corrupt when the Liberals made changes to its board of directors in 2019 under the direction of the Liberal industry minister, whose appointments were made to the board. The website does not tell us that the companies owned by these appointed directors would soon be caught in conflicts of interest due to receiving the same funds they were responsible for handing out. The SDTC website does not tell us that Liberal insiders began to siphon funds into their own pockets and were getting rich for years, while the Prime Minister and his cabinet turned a blind eye. How do we know this happened? Extremely brave whistle-blowers came forward to call out the corruption they saw while working at Sustainable Development Technology Canada. Without their honesty, bravery and sense of morality, this scandal may have never been uncovered. Thanks to the whistle-blowers who flipped the spotlight on the corruption, the rats are now scrambling for cover. The investigations that occurred as a result revealed that SDTC's negligence was much more than just mismanagement of funds. Yes, I did say investigations, plural, because both the Ethics Commissioner and the Auditor General have reported findings that greed and corruption were allowed to thrive under the Liberal government's watch. Over the course of multiple investigations, including investigations by Conservatives at committee, it seems Parliament has only scratched the surface of the Liberal corruption. What started as tens of thousands of Canadian tax dollars being quietly directed to Liberal insiders turned into hundreds of thousands, which turned into millions, then tens of millions and finally hundreds of millions of dollars. Multiple investigations have revealed that through the green slush fund, $390 million in funding was approved for projects that had extremely disturbing conflicts. What the Auditor General found, which was frightening, was evidence that the Liberals' green slush fund handed out $58 million to projects without a promise that contribution agreement terms were met. Another $58 million went to 10 projects deemed ineligible, as they, at times, could not prove an environmental benefit or were not developing green technology. Finally, there was $334 million in over 186 cases where SDTC board members held a conflict of interest. Let that sink in. Out of the cases sampled, the Auditor General found 186 conflicts of interest, and who knows how many more she will find. Maybe that is why the Liberals will not release the documents to the RCMP. Canadians listening can draw their own conclusions. I am proud to say that upon discovering the gross negligence and potentially criminal acts, the Conservatives stood firm and demanded that a proper investigation take place. The Conservatives voted to pass an order in the House of Commons to force the Liberals to hand over documents involved in the green slush fund. We demanded that they be handed over to the RCMP so a proper investigation can take place. However, surprise, surprise, the Liberals voted against the document production and refused to release the documents to the House of Commons. This is undoubtedly a breach of parliamentary privileges, as the Speaker of the House of Commons has ruled. It is this breach of privilege that my Conservative colleagues continue to raise today. Not only were the Liberals caught giving funds to their Liberal friends, but the minister responsible was also exposed for handing out tax dollars to projects with no guarantee that the projects would have a positive environmental effect. Some SDTC fund recipients had no requirements to meet the environmental goal set out in the fund, and others were not eligible for funding. The Liberals failed to manage the program, leading to $390 million going into the bank accounts of Liberal insiders, which is precisely why the SDTC documents must be handed over to the RCMP so Canadians can understand just how corrupt the deal was and whether it was criminal. The situation proves once again that the Liberals are nothing more than fake environmentalists. We must hold the government accountable. In my previous intervention on the topic, I listed several Liberal scandals that have been uncovered in the nine years under the Prime Minister, such as the SNC-Lavalin scandal, the WE Charity scandal and the $9-million condo on Billionaire's Row in New York. There are many more to list, but I am sure the Liberals know which ones they are. All the blunders have a few things in common. They all have the fingerprints of the Prime Minister on them. They all involve Liberal negligence and the misuse of taxpayer dollars. Canadians are worse off for each and every scandal that the Liberals have created. The Prime Minister has inflicted incredible damage on Canadians' well-being. Billions of Canadian tax dollars are being mismanaged by the Liberal government, and in some cases they are going directly to the Liberals' friends, with no real commitment to get results for Canadians who foot the bill. It has become clear that instead of working to ensure that Canadians have affordable food to eat, Liberals focus on ensuring that Liberals can fill their bank accounts. Instead of building enough affordable homes for Canadians to live in, Liberals choose to build bureaucracy and red tape. Canadians deserve a government that can benefit them, not just Liberal elites. Life has become so expensive that 58% of parents are facing food-related challenges. One in four of these parents says that they personally ate less so their children and family members could eat, and 86% said that they are buying less-nutritious food for their children because it is cheaper. In my region, the King Township Food Bank has reported that food bank usage has doubled since 2019. The Vaughan Food Bank reported that 46,780 meals have been served since January. Unfortunately, this Liberal corruption does not just have financial effects on Canadians, but it also has eroded the faith that Canadians have in all politicians. I cannot help but reflect on the 2015 campaign and how the Prime Minister spoke of sunny ways, and creating the most open and transparent government ever. I would like to remind the Prime Minister that talk is cheap. I challenge him to support his words by acting on them. I ask him to prove to Canadians that he and his government will do the right thing by passing over the unredacted documents to the RCMP and let the chips fall where they may. In order to regain the trust of the electorate, politicians must be held to a higher standard of accountability with repercussions for their unethical, corrupt actions. Members of Parliament are given the title “honourable”. The Cambridge Dictionary defines “honourable” as “honest and fair”. If members do not behave honestly and fairly, I feel they should be stripped of this title. Last night I had a call with Stephanie, a bright, intelligent woman who has been following the proceedings of this scandal. She asked if I could pass on her message, so I will read her letter now in its entirety. I know Stephanie is listening right now. I have to replace names with titles in order to fit the rules of the House of Commons. I promised her I would pass on her message, and that is what I am doing tonight. The letter states, “Dear Anna, I saw your outrage regarding the shooting of a helpful neighbour during a home invasion in Nobleton last Monday evening. The helpful neighbour who got shot was my work sister's husband. What the news story failed to report was that this man was shot in front of his six-year-old son. It was the boy who FaceTimed his mother yesterday while she was at work in the office adjacent to mine saying that his father had been shot. It is her six-year-old son that told his grandmother last night that he failed his father because he could not protect him. He had surgery last night at Sunnybrook and had a bowel resection. They are waiting in a room in yet another crowded, overcapacity hospital. I am beside myself with anger and frustration. [This Prime Minister] is Canada's biggest terrorist. He is an economic vandal that has let criminals run rampant, and nothing is happening. I watch clips of what is going on in the House of Commons and in Parliament all the time, and we are going in circles.”

Mr. Speaker, after nine years, the NDP-Liberal government is not worth the cost of housing. Young Canadians say that the current economic environment is impeding their ability to purchase homes. Our common-sense Conservative plan to axe the tax on new homes sold is being praised by Canadians from coast to coast to coast. BILD GTA said that it applauds the Federal Conservative announcement: “This is a significant step forward in helping housing affordability.” Habitat for Humanity said that eliminating the GST would reduce costs. Tim Richter, founder and CEO of Canadian Alliance to End Homeless, stated, “This is smart.” The Canadian Real Estate Association said, “This proposed step is a positive move toward lowering building costs, increasing housing supply, and making homeownership more attainable for Canadians.” Our tax cut would spark 30,000 extra homes being built every year. Only common-sense Conservatives will bring home the Canada promise.

Mr. Speaker, I do agree with my hon. colleague that we have a lot of work to do. Recently, the member and I attended an event in the riding at Yellow Brick House, which is a safe home for women and children who are victims of violence. One of the things that was loud and clear after speaking to the victims and listening to their stories was that the Liberals' catch-and-release policy is not working. Why will they not listen to women and children so we can ensure their protection?

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for a wonderful speech. He has even educated me this evening. Maybe he could explain something to Canadians watching tonight. As I speak to my constituents, they are appalled by what is happening and asking why the government will not release the documents. They feel that, as shareholders of this country, they deserve answers. Could the member please explain to them that, when we have the next election, they need to make sure to vote for the Conservative Party of Canada?

With regard to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP): (a) how many individuals living abroad are currently receiving CPP payments, in total and broken down by country; (b) how much was paid out to recipients living abroad during the last fiscal year, in total and broken down by country; (c) of the countries in (a), which ones have (i) signed, (ii) not signed, a treaty with Canada concerning cooperation which would notify the government when a CPP recipient dies and allow the government to recover any payments made to a deceased person as a result of the CPP not being aware of a recipient’s death; (d) last year, how much is estimated to have been wrongfully paid to CPP recipients following a death before the CPP became aware; and (e) of the overpayments in (d), how much (i) has been recovered, (ii) has not been recovered, but is expected to be recovered, (iii) is not expected to be recovered?

Mr. Speaker, I was part of the FEWO committee when members and witnesses came forward about the abuse in Gymnastics Canada. The CEO at the time did not do his job. He did not do a proper investigation. The member opposite made a statement earlier that he believes survivors. That, to me, was a little strange. He stood up with his message and explained the protection of all athletes in safe sports. I want to ask him why he tried to intimidate one of our witnesses during committee meetings.

Madam Speaker, I rise on a point order. Earlier today, the member for Milton, the Prime Minister's most ardent defender, accused me of lying during the debate on safe sport. I am asking for unanimous consent to table the evidence that will show he threatened a witness during the Standing Committee on the Status of Women's investigation into abuse in sports and had to apologize for doing so. He said that he was writing to say he was sorry he had let his emotions surrounding the safe sport—

Mr. Speaker, through my many years of volunteering with Creating Alternatives and the Down Syndrome Foundation, I have witnessed first-hand the profound impact of inclusion and the importance of celebrating each individual's unique abilities. These experiences have deeply touched my heart and inspired me to put forward Motion No. 123, which calls on the government to recognize March 21 as national Down syndrome day. By doing so, we will align with the United Nations, but also honour and celebrate the incredible contributions that individuals with Down syndrome make to our communities. Their love, positivity and unwavering spirit enrich the lives of everyone around them. I am confident that my colleagues on both sides of the House will join me in supporting this motion. Together, we can affirm our commitment to recognizing and celebrating the abilities and contributions of all Canadians, regardless of the challenges they may face.

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal-appointed chair, who is a friend of the Prime Minister, was found to have broken ethics laws; she confirmed that she used SDTC to give a $217,000 grant to her own company. Five of the seven hand-picked Liberal directors voted to award their own companies more than $20 million of taxpayer funds. Liberal officials were present at every meeting of the SDTC, but here is the surprising part: They did nothing to stop this corruption. Whistle-blowers have alleged gross mismanagement, conflicts of interest and a toxic work environment. The Auditor General released a report detailing the gross mismanagement of public funds. On June 10, the House passed a motion requiring the government to turn over documents pertaining to Sustainable Development Technology Canada within 30 days, but can we guess what? The Liberals have not done that. On October 1, Mr. Speaker, you ruled that the Liberals violated the House's order and that they must hand over all documents for a criminal investigation into the latest scandal, yet they still refuse. What are they hiding? The lack of transparency surrounding the allocation of these funds is mind-boggling. Why will the Liberals not hand over the documents? What are the Prime Minister and his friends on that side of the House hiding? It is imperative that we get to the bottom of this. Canadians demand and deserve to know. As shadow minister for seniors, I stand here today deeply appalled by the wasteful spending that continues to plague our nation. This is not just about numbers on a balance sheet; it is about real people, particularly our most vulnerable citizens: our seniors. They rely heavily on government support programs funded by taxpayers. Seniors should not be left to wonder whether the government is prioritizing its friends' fake projects over seniors' support systems. In Canada, seniors face a variety of challenges that are often overlooked. Access to health care and long-term care remains a significant issue. Chronic diseases, such as arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illnesses, affect seniors the most and have a severe impact on their quality of life. The rising costs of essentials, such as groceries and electricity, are particularly harsh for those living on fixed incomes. We can imagine having to choose between heating our home and buying food. However, perhaps the most heartbreaking issue is loneliness and social isolation. Many seniors spend their days in solitude, with the tick-tock of the clock on the wall their only company. Studies have shown that approximately 41% of Canadians aged 50 and older are at risk of social isolation; up to 58% have experienced loneliness. This is not just a statistic. Rather, it is a silent epidemic that has severe mental and physical impacts. Given these pressing issues, it is nothing short of appalling that $400 million has been siphoned off into projects that had no oversight or accountability. We can just imagine what $400 million could do for seniors. It could have been a lifeline for so many. It could have provided the support and services they desperately need; instead, it has been used to make the friends of the Prime Minister rich, leaving our seniors to fend for themselves in an increasingly hostile economic environment. Since the NDP-Liberal government came into power nine years ago, it has been involved in controversies and scandals: bad governance, a complete lack of transparency and accountability, and absolutely no moral compass. This is the legacy the Prime Minister will leave behind. We all remember the Aga Khan vacation, when the Prime Minister accepted a family vacation to a private island of the Aga Khan, a wealthy religious leader who happened to have lobbied the government on several occasions. The Prime Minister was found guilty of ethics violations. There was the cash-for-access fundraiser where the Prime Minister held private fundraisers for wealthy donors who could pay for access to the Prime Minister and his senior ministers. These events led to allegations that the donors were effectively buying access to decision-makers, which undermines transparency and fairness in government. There was also former governor general Julie Payette's resignation. The Prime Minister changed the vetting process for the Governor General appointment, which resulted in the Julie Payette scandal. An independent review uncovered a toxic work environment in her office, including allegations of harassment and bullying, and now Canadian taxpayers are on the hook for her lifelong pension of $150,000 per year and up to $206,000 to cover her expenses. We all remember the embarrassment the Prime Minister caused while attending Queen Elizabeth's funeral. Not only did he feel the need to charge the taxpayers $6,000 a night for his hotel room, but he also embarrassed Canadians when he was caught belting out Bohemian Rhapsody in the hotel lobby when the entire United Kingdom was in mourning. Although the Prime Minister has not been successful in many things, his singing included, he continues to successfully embarrass Canada on the world stage. However, probably the most famous scandal was the SNC-Lavalin affair, in which the Prime Minister and senior officials pressured then attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to intervene in a criminal case against SNC-Lavalin. When she refused, she was kicked out of caucus. The Prime Minister was found guilty by the Ethics Commissioner. The Prime Minister is so arrogant that he still denies he did anything wrong, which is probably why he felt he could get away with siphoning $912 million to his friends at the WE Charity. The Prime Minister's family members have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees from the WE Charity. This once again raised questions about a conflict of interest. The then finance minister Bill Morneau faced scrutiny for failing to recuse himself from the decision while his daughter worked for the charity. He ultimately resigned. These are just a few of the scandals we have uncovered so far. I cannot list them all during this speech because I have only a limited amount of time. Under the government, we have witnessed the opposite of transparency and accountability. It is nothing short of arrogance for the Liberals to think that Canadians do not deserve to know where their hard-earned dollars are going. When members within the Liberal Party recommend transparency, they are silenced and expelled. The Prime Minister continues to subscribe to the theory of “Do as I say, not as I do.” The SNC-Lavalin scandal is proof of the lengths to which the Prime Minister and his caucus will go in order to be anything but transparent and accountable. Former ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott chose to speak out against the government they once served. They warned us about the dangers of government that lacks transparency and accountability. They highlighted that more secrecy in the decision-making process can lead to the misuse of funds and can ultimately undermine public trust. Here we are yet again, discussing yet another scandal involving a lack of transparency and accountability. The fate of former ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould, Jane Philpott and Bill Morneau serve as a powerful reminder that integrity, transparency and accountability have no place within the Liberal government. In 2015, the government promised Canadians a new era of transparency and accountability. In fact, that is the platform on which the Liberals ran. After nine years, there is yet more proof that the NDP-Liberals are not worth the cost or the corruption. The green slush fund scandal stands as a stark reminder of how far they have strayed from their commitments. The Speaker has ruled that the NDP-Liberals have violated a House order to turn over evidence to the police for a criminal investigation. The blatant disregard for ethical standards and the rule of law has paralyzed Parliament, making it impossible for anyone to address issues like the doubling of house costs, Liberal food inflation, and crime and chaos. The NDP-Liberals must end the cover-up and hand over the evidence to the police. This is about $400 million of wasted or stolen tax money while Canadians cannot afford to eat, to heat their home and to house themselves. Imagine a bank where fraud and theft by an employee ran rampant. An employer would not only feel compelled to report the theft and fraud; they would also voluntarily turn over all of the evidence to the police. Money that could have been invested in vital programs, especially for our seniors, has been given to line the pockets of Liberal insiders while Canadians are struggling. This is not just a political issue; this is also a personal issue. The funds that should have provided relief and support have been diverted, leaving many to face the harsh realities of poverty and hunger. The Liberals should take a walk down Rideau Street, next door to Parliament, where the faces of people with mental health struggles and homelessness are all too common. This is the Canada we live in today after nine years of Liberal corruption. The importance of transparency and accountability is about the trust and well-being of every Canadian. We must demand better for ourselves and future generations. Only common-sense Conservatives will end the corruption and get answers for Canadians. I was elected by the people of King—Vaughan. It is my responsibility to represent them and all Canadians in the House and bring their voice to Ottawa. As MPs, we have a duty to do what is best for our citizens. If we are given the honour to stand in this place, we should be held to a higher ethical standard. Words like “transparency” and “accountability” should not be thrown around as slogans or catchphrases designed to simply win votes. They should be the mantra all MPs must uphold. The Prime Minister and every member of the House who has continued to prop him up have forgotten whom they work for. They have deceived Canadians and should be ashamed of themselves. It is time to do the right thing. I encourage my colleagues on the other side of the House to take the opportunity to finally show some integrity, hand over the documents and let the chips fall where they may.

Mr. Speaker, I have been elected to the House to represent the people of King—Vaughan and the people across Canada. There is a process in place to ensure that when we put forward taxpayer dollars to an organization that continues to defraud the Canadian public, the government should be ashamed, should be responsible, should be accountable and should be transparent. The government should ensure that all the documents are presented to the House so we can examine them and can find out where the money has gone. The people of Canada demand their $400 million back.

Mr. Speaker, let us review some facts. Tom Mulcair, the previous leader of the NDP and the previous leader of the official opposition, stated that on this issue our leader is completely correct. Obtaining security clearance at this time would do nothing but hamstring our leader's ability to act on information provided. However, the Prime Minister can act. He can release the names but refuses to do so. What is he hiding? It is rich for the Prime Minister to grandstand, given that the record has shown that he and his government, with all the benefits of the government agencies, were repeatedly warned about foreign interference, including in the Liberal Party, and refused to act. If the NDP needs a statement for this question, maybe the NDP MPs should take a lesson from their previous leader and learn what the proper procedures are.

Mr. Speaker, I know one thing. In speaking to my constituents from King—Vaughan, they are disgusted and disappointed in the current affairs of the Liberal government. It is like if we see one cockroach, there are hundreds behind the wall. How many more hidden secrets is the government going to keep from Canadians in allowing them to know the truth on how their valuable, hard-earned taxpayer dollars are being squandered by the government?

Mr. Speaker, I do have a lot of experience in banking. In banking, our clients expect us to be honest, transparent and accountable. If we are not, they will move their business. The ironic part about it is that not only are we transparent and accountable in that industry, we also have auditors that we have to report to, just like the government. It had the Attorney General. It knows that it has 186 violations with $400 million of money that we cannot possibly ever know about unless it reveals those reports. How can we, as politicians, stand in this place and explain to the Canadian public where this money was squandered by the Liberals?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a matter of utmost importance: transparency and accountability. Those are two words that the NDP-Liberal government's actions have proven it knows very little about, or it simply does not care. The Cambridge Dictionary defines transparency as “A situation in which business and financial activities are done in an open way without secrets, so that people can trust that they are fair and honest.” It defines accountability as “A situation in which someone is responsible for things that happen and can give a satisfactory reason for them.” In 2015, the Liberals ran on a platform of transparency and accountability. Where is it? After nine years, Canadians are still waiting for it, proving that the NDP-Liberal government is not worth the cost. Crime and corruption, along with scandals and controversies, have plagued the government from the very beginning. We have had scandals like the SNC-Lavalin affair, the Aga Khan vacation, the India trip with Jaspal Atwal, the Jamaica vacation, the WE scandal, the blackface controversy, the Tofino controversy, cash-for-access fundraisers, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the handling of the Afghanistan crisis, “elbowgate”, Governor General Julie Payette's resignation, Queen Elizabeth's funeral, the Chinese election interference allegations, the use of the Emergencies Act, and now the corruption of the green slush fund. When will these scandals, controversies and corruptions end? They have deeply tarnished our democracy and damaged our reputation on the global stage. Only common-sense Conservatives, led by our leader, will continue to push for accountability, end the corruption and get answers for Canadians. Canadians have whiplash, and the NDP-Liberal government has been scandal after scandal, with a side of controversy and a splash of crime. It feels like just yesterday we were debating the ArriveCAN debacle, and before Canadians had the time to process that scam, they were hit with the news of a billion-dollar green slush fund that failed to reduce emissions or support green technology. Instead, those funds went into the coffers of Liberal insiders. To add insult to injury, a government official, who was handpicked by the Prime Minister, confirmed that no action was taken after gross mismanagement and conflicts of interest were uncovered. For Canadians who are not familiar with this topic, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, or SDTC, was established by the Government of Canada in 2001. It is a federal initiative aimed at funding and supporting the development and demonstration of clean technology. It has two goals: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in innovative technologies and to support projects that contribute to environmental sustainability and economic growth. This initiative is meant to help Canadian businesses bring their clean technology to market, thereby boosting the economy and creating jobs. Sustainable Development Technology Canada provides grants and funding to companies working on projects that align with these goals, aiming to make a significant impact on Canada's environmental and economic landscape. However, this fund comes under scrutiny, and for good reason. The Liberal green slush fund has been accused of giving grants to start-ups with ties to the senior management of Sustainable Development Technology Canada. The Auditor General found that Liberal appointees gave, and members should hold on to their pants now, $400 million to their own companies. The Auditor General reviewed 226 projects and concluded that of those 226 projects, 186 were conflicted. If we do the math, that is 82%. Leah Lawrence, the CEO of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, and the chair, Annette Verschuren, have both resigned following allegations that the money in the fund was used improperly. The Liberals appointed a chair who was a friend of the Prime Minister and was found to have broken ethical—

Mr. Speaker, we have studied Bill C-319 in committee, and we have heard from witness after witness about how the carbon tax has impacted their household expenses. Seniors, who have worked their entire lives to contribute to society, created a retirement plan that no longer has the ability to make ends meet. Is it not time that Canadians have their say? I am asking the hon. member across the way to call for a carbon tax election and let seniors decide.

Madam Speaker, I visited many seniors groups throughout the summer, and one of the things that they have told me is the fact that inflation has gotten out of control. The current Liberal-NDP government has spent money like it is nobody's business, yet we continue to see increases in the carbon tax, making it unaffordable for seniors. Why is the NDP-Liberal government propping them up, instead of calling for a carbon tax election?

Mr. Speaker, typically, gaslighting techniques include denying something when there is proof, projecting onto others and telling blatant lies. The actions of gaslighting do not match what they say. Why do I bring this up? On the weekend, we heard from a Liberal strategist who stated, “I don't see clearly what the political upside is ... to spend more [money] on seniors”. As such, why would we believe my colleague across the way when clearly their actions do not meet their words? Their costly carbon tax is blowing a $34-billion hole in our economy, driving up the cost of living for everyone and especially those on fixed incomes. When will this Liberal-NDP government stop gaslighting Canadians, axe the tax and call for a carbon tax election so that seniors know the true value of what they have to live with?

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal government, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up. Today is Seniors Day, and it is an honour to serve as the shadow minister for seniors. Seniors have dedicated their lives to the prosperity of our country. They have made incredible sacrifices in order to provide for their families and plan for the future. Seniors should be able to retire on their savings and enjoy their golden years in peace and financial security. Seniors' retirement income is simply not keeping up with the pace of the cost-of-living crisis. The continuous increase of the carbon tax affects the price of groceries, gas and home heating. This is the reckless record of the NDP-Liberal government on seniors. The Conservatives will promote financial securities and create policies that do not penalize seniors and that encourage meaningful connections for our valued seniors. It is time for a carbon tax election, so Canadians can decide.

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal government, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up. Across this country, we are seeing seniors lining up to get their groceries from food banks, skipping medication and living in tents. Mary, a senior in Maple, showed me her heating bill. She received 44 dollars' worth of gas but paid $46 in carbon tax. The NDP leader is keeping the Prime Minister in power so he can secure his pension. Why will the NDP-Liberal government not call a carbon tax election and let Canadians decide?

Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague across the way a question. Over two million people are using the food bank. Seniors are now living in shelters. They cannot afford to even pay their rents. What, in the budget, have the Liberals allocated to ensure that seniors are able to live? They have not done anything with a carbon tax. The Liberals planned this dental plan, which is great, but if people do not have food or a place to live, how are they supposed to support themselves?

Madam Speaker, I just want to address the situation. As shadow minister for seniors, I get hundreds of emails from seniors across the country. I am going to quote one I received recently. Paul wrote to me and said, “The new capital gains tax is robbery. We are middle class and worked hard all our lives. We managed to scrape together a house and a cottage after 40 years of work. We made modest gains and the Prime Minister wants to take a sizable chunk because he spends money like a drunken sailor.” Why will the Prime Minister not amend the budget to include that the bottom 99% of Canadians are not impacted?

Madam Speaker, my colleague made an eloquent speech. I agree that if someone is innocent, they should have the opportunity to be able to defend themselves and have a free and unbiased trial. My former colleague, a 44-year-old mother of two, was shot and killed by someone who was let out on bail and was wanted. She had the right to live, but that opportunity was not given to her. I ask my hon. colleague, how can we protect the victims if we continue with the catch-and-release system in this society?

Mr. Speaker, pasta e fagioli is an Italian meal served for centuries. Today, with the increase in the price of tomatoes by 63%, it is now a delicacy that is very expensive to make. The Parliamentary Budget Officer told Canadians that the Prime Minister had placed a gag order on his office, blocking the release of the economic impact of the carbon tax. As a result of pressure from the common-sense Conservatives, the Liberal government was finally forced to reveal the fact that the carbon tax would cost Canadians $30.5 billion by 2030. The Liberals have been hiding this report for years. It is time to come clean and release the report. Italian lovers of pasta e fagioli want to know so they can continue that tradition. Viva a tutti le italian.

Mr. Speaker, today, we celebrate the Festa della Repubblica in honour of the Italian Republic. This event symbolizes the continuing friendship and co-operation between our two nations. Canada and Italy's relationship has always been close. We are connected through over 1.6 million Italo-Canadians who mainly reside in Toronto, Vaughan and Montreal. We were honoured to have His Excellency Andrea Ferrari, the Italian ambassador to Canada, join us for our flag-raising this morning. I am proud of my grandfather, who came from Calabria for the opportunity of a better life. I am especially proud of my grandmother, who raised me to always treat people with respect and compassion. We all have the opportunity to excel in the country that gives everyone the opportunity to achieve their goals. Nonna, ti amo oggie e tutto I giorno.

Madam Speaker, we all remember the events of April 30 when the Speaker kicked out our leader. I want to quote exactly what we heard from the previous leader of the NDP when he said, on that same date, that the Speaker should step down and that, in his career, he has “never seen such blatant partisanship” from a Speaker. Does my colleague have comments on the former NDP leader agreeing with everyone else in the House? I would love to hear them.

Mr. Speaker, a D- is what the NDP-Liberal government scored in the 2024 Food Banks Canada report card. A D- is a failing grade for a failing government. Poverty and food insecurity continue to climb. The Sai Dham Food Bank, which services 26 municipalities in the GTA, reported an increase of 36% in visits by seniors. In the month of April, the food bank serviced 60,000 families, a jump from 29,000 in February. This is shameful. Seniors need help. Canadians need help, but the Prime Minister is not listening. If children came home with a D-, any parent would hold them accountable. The NDP-Liberal government needs to be held accountable. The Prime Minister is just not worth the cost. Listen to Canadians, get out of the way and let Conservatives fix what you have broken.

Mr. Speaker, after nine years and eight consecutive deficit budgets, the Prime Minister has doubled the debt, adding more to our national debt than all other prime ministers combined. Housing costs have doubled under his watch, and now two million Canadians are forced to visit their local food banks in a single month. That is twice the population of Nova Scotia. With the budget, we can see another $50 billion of inflationary spending. The budget and the Prime Minister are simply not worth the cost. I will be voting no confidence. Common-sense Conservatives have a plan to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and, yes, stop the crime. Since he became the Prime Minister, the wealthiest 0.01% of Canadians have been living lavishly, receiving major subsidies from their corporations that are bigger than ever in the history of our country and huge loan guarantees that prevent them from losing money on bad investments. Who foots the bill for the out-of-control Prime Minister? It is the hard-working taxpayers. Contractors like those from GC Strategies are among the 0.01% thanks to the generous gifts from the NDP-Liberal government. Who else is in that 0.01%? It is the Prime Minister himself. As a matter of fact, he is considered one of the world's wealthiest politicians. Yet, over the past nine years, Canada's personal income growth has fallen behind that of other G7 nations. Today, average Canadian families and seniors are forced to choose between paying their mortgage and putting food on their table. Let me make one thing clear. Conservatives are not against spending. We are against wasteful spending, which the NDP-Liberal government excels at. Conservatives will support programs that deliver proven positive outcomes. Take the government's dental care program, for instance. Whom will it really help? Is it helping seniors? No. Did the government consult with the Canadian Dental Association before announcing it? No. The result is a program rushed out the door in a desperate attempt to buy votes with no real thought or consultation behind it. I have heard from many dentists, and one thing is clear. These dentists care about their patients and have worked tirelessly to build their business, but the Canadian dental care program in its current state will not allow them the same high level of patient care they provide. The proof is in the extremely low sign-up rate by dentists. Canadians have been promised free dental care but are now upset due to the massive limitations and restrictions imposed by this ill-conceived NDP-Liberal program. Eligible treatments are insufficient for the prevention and maintenance of good oral health. Dentists should be able to make recommendations based on the individual needs of their patients and not the constraints dictated by this government and covered up by their insurance company. The public is being misled about the scope of coverage and the fees. Most patients will be surprised by out-of-pocket expenses such as copay balances and limitations of service. The burden will fall on dental teams to explain these deficiencies. After analyzing the CDCP benefit grid, most treatments will be reimbursed to the dental team at around 80%. The Liberals claim this is to avoid overburdening the taxpayers. Is that not rich? They awarded Sun Life $747 million to administer this program. Clearly, the Liberal government does not understand the cost of providing quality health care. To be a provider, dentists were told to sign an open-ended, unilateral contract. Who would sign a contract where the details are unclear and unfair? The Minister of Health has said dentists should just try it if they like it. That does not even make sense. It is an insurance plan, not a pair of gloves. Dentists cannot just try out a plan to see whether it fits. This is neither sensible nor ethical. What happens if they decide not to continue? How can they morally or ethically stop treating a patient based on insurance coverage? Let us also talk about patient privacy. Accepting the claims processing and payment agreement gives Sun Life rights and access to the entire patient chart. Client consent is obtained as part of member enrolment in the CDCP, meaning that personal health information and dental charts will be readily available to Sun Life and the government. The plan has little to no thought on how it would work. To sell it as free dental care is nothing more than false advertising and wasteful spending, not unlike the billion-dollar arrive scam app. I googled the meaning of the word “budget”, and this is what came up: “A budget is a plan you write down to decide how you will spend your money”. That part of the definition the government seems to understand, but it is the next sentence where it fails: “A budget helps you make sure you will have enough money every month. Without a budget, you might run out of money before your next paycheck.” The NDP-Liberal coalition has spent so much money that more Canadian tax dollars are used to service the debt than are spent on health care. This year, Canada will spend $54.1 billion to service the Prime Minister's debt. That is more money than the government is sending to the provinces for health care. The Governor of the Bank of Canada, Tiff Macklem, confirmed that the Prime Minister's $61 billion in new spending is not helpful in bringing inflation down and lowering interest rates. After nine years, the Prime Minister's budget is just more of the same of what got us into this mess. He did not stop the inflationary deficits that are driving up interest rates. He did not stop endangering our social programs and jobs by adding more and more debt. His government has doubled rent, mortgage payments and down payments. His record deficits have driven interest rates sky-high. Food banks received a record two million visits in a single month last year, with an additional million expected in 2024. He will not stop until common-sense Conservatives start governing with common sense for this country. The Prime Minister is not worth the cost for any generation. While life has gotten worse for Canadians, the Prime Minister is spending more than ever before. This year's budget includes over $61 billion in new inflationary spending. This would cost the average Canadian family an extra $3,687. Former Liberal Governor of the Bank of Canada David Dodge said that the current budget is the “worst since 1982.” Both the Bank of Canada and former Liberal finance minister John Manley told the Prime Minister that his spending is pressing on the inflationary gas pedal, driving up interest rates. Struggling families cannot afford higher taxes and more inflationary spending that drives up the cost of everything, keeping interest rates high. That is why common-sense Conservatives sent a letter to the Prime Minister with three demands to fix the budget. First, axe the tax on farmers and food by immediately passing Bill C-234 in its original form. Second, build the homes, not bureaucracy, by requiring cities to permit 15% more homebuilding each year as a condition of receiving federal infrastructure money. Third, cap the spending with a dollar-for-dollar rule to bring down interest rates and inflation. The government must find a dollar in savings for every new dollar of spending. The Prime Minister refuses to listen. Common-sense Conservatives will not support this budget, and the people of my constituency are just waiting for us to form government and beat the current Liberal government.

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal government, people cannot afford to live or die. Funeral costs are now out of reach for Canadians in Ontario. The increase in unclaimed bodies is 488% since 2013. The Prime Minister is not worth the cost. Seniors are already struggling with the affordability crisis. They built this country and now they cannot afford to bid their loved ones farewell. When will the Prime Minister show some compassion and stop the out-of-control spending so people can live and die with dignity?