Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, young people want to know that there is a real future waiting for them, whether the future is in a classroom, a workplace or the skilled trades. That is why our government is acting, not with talk but with concrete support. Budget 2025 proposes $75 million to expand the union training and innovation program, strengthening union-based apprenticeship training in Red Seal trades and open…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I too would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to the family of my dear colleague, Kirsty Duncan, who was a great source of inspiration and comfort for me when my mom passed away five short months after my first election in 2019. Young people across the country are asking the same question: How do we make sure opportunity keeps pace with a changing economy? …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a very positive moment of spiritual and diplomatic significance that took place last week in the ancient city of Nicaea in the Republic of Turkey. Pope Leo and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew marked 1700 years since the first ecumenical council, held in 325. That council helped shape Christianity and our basic values and beliefs, including respect, harmony, solida…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, the member opposite says he cares about youth employment, but when it mattered, he and his party voted against a budget that delivers real opportunities for young Canadians. Budget 2025 invests $1.5 billion over three years in youth programs; creates 100,000 Canada summer jobs, which is 24,000 more than last year; funds 55,000 student work placements; and launches a youth climate co…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan for raising this important issue. We share his concerns for Canadians, especially young Canadians who are looking for good jobs and a strong future. Our government is making generational investments with youth at the forefront. We know that a strong economy starts with a strong workforce, and that means creating opportunities fo…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the government is on a mission to build Canada's economic strength. We are building big, building bold and building right now. The cornerstone of our plan is to build 500,000 homes and other major projects using Canadian steel and Canadian lumber. We will upgrade our grid, expand transmission lines and modernize energy infrastructure to power AI. To move our critical minerals and ener…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the vital importance that marine transportation has to our economy. Our government is focused on building Canada strong and supporting Canadian jobs here at home. That is why we have announced the national shipbuilding strategy, through which we are investing in new ships. While we focus on building new ships, we must take into consideration at the same time …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member for Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay for giving me the opportunity to talk about the Government of Canada's steadfast commitment to building Canada's economic strength. It is a commitment we take very seriously. We are focused on preparing Canadians for the future. We have great programs in place to make sure that Canadians feel secure about their …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, for many reasons, we need to access more ship recycling, which must protect workers and the environment. Canada remains engaged in discussions with other countries on the global regulatory framework for ship recycling and any implications for ship recycling here in Canada. Canada has not yet decided to join the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe Environmentally Sound Recy…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan that students need jobs to pay for their education and to gain vital experience and skills. Young Canadians are the workforce of the future. Anything we invest in them today will reap rewards for Canada in the years ahead. We are investing in them. Take the student work placement program, for example. In budget 2024, the Gove…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight Women's History Month, a time when we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women. Every October, we honour the women who inspire us and whose courage, creativity and leadership strengthen our communities and enrich us all. Today, I want to pay tribute to Dr. Lucy Gilbert, a leading medical researcher and physician whose world-leading work with the …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, we are investing in young people. We are investing in young people through the student work placement program, the youth employment and skills strategy and the Canada summer jobs. The labour market today looks very different for young people than it did for past generations. New and emerging technologies, a rise in gig work, an aging workforce and globalization are profoundly changing…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, our plan is to invest in training, because that is the key to a prosperous economic future. This plan is working. Canada is adapting to a changing world and building stronger, more resilient communities. Young Canadians who want to work should know that their employment aspirations will be met. There are jobs.
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I am quite happy the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan repeatedly asks questions about our plans to get Canadians into good jobs. It gives us the opportunity to talk about our great array of programs supporting our boundless ambition to create a skilled workforce for the future. Canada summer jobs is not just about eight weeks. Everywhere in my riding, when I go to visit th…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, governments, businesses and workers are navigating new challenges because labour is changing at a dizzying pace. We are looking at a whole new kind of labour market. Many workers are retiring from important sectors, which will lead to critical labour shortages. Some 600,000 skilled trades workers will retire by 2031. That means 600,000 new job opportunities are opening up. On top of…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Ecuador”, done at Quito on June 24, 2024.
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan for his dedication to the Canadian workforce. The Government of Canada shares this dedication. The world of work is rapidly changing, so we are committed to protecting and supporting workers in this time of labour market uncertainty. We are transitioning to a one economy agenda. We are making significant investments …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, in the words of our Prime Minister, “It’s time to build big, build bold, and build now.” If young Canadians want to work, there will be jobs, but they will need to develop new skills first, perhaps. This is why we need to attract, hire and train thousands of new skilled tradespeople right away. This is why we are making targeted investments under the Canadian apprenticeship strategy t…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I want to assure the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan that we have an array of great programs supporting our boundless ambition to create a skilled workforce for the future. Youth are the drivers of future economic growth. By supporting 6,000 additional summer jobs for youth, we are equipping them with the skills and experience needed to thrive. From April 21 to July 21, y…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan knows that for the country to succeed, it is crucial that young people secure a solid footing in the job market. I appreciate his ongoing interest in youth employment. We need young people to keep Canada's economy strong and vibrant. The Canada summer jobs program, or CSJ, is one way we are preparing them for this generational opportuni…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question, for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the cost of ESDC activities relating to the direct administration, which excludes internal services in support of the Temporary Foreign Worker, or TFW, Program totaled $139,004,775. This includes operating expenditures of $105,099,587, transfer payments of $18,750,934 for the Migrant Worker Support Program, or MWSP,…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), regarding the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario’s target of rendering a decision on applications within 80 working days of the receipt of a complete application and to issue payment on eligible claim submissions within 35 working days, this target was not met 15% of the time due to increased demand from rural and Indigenous communities and de…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), Community Futures Ontario, as an eligible applicant, receives funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario to administer services to Community Future Development Corporations in Northern Ontario; no funds are directly re-allocated by Community Futures Ontario to individual Community Future Development Corporations in Northern Ontario. W…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, with regard to the Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario in 2024–25, the metrics used to determine whether funding has achieved the initiative’s objectives and expected results are drawn from the horizontal performance measurement strategy led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The Economic Development Initiative supports the sustainable economic gr…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question, the Canada student loan, or CSL, forgiveness benefit is currently available to family doctors, family medicine residents in training, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, registered practical nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners who work in an eligible underserved rural or remote community. As announced in bud…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr.; Speaker, with regard to the departmental result indicator for the amount leveraged per dollar invested by Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, or FedNor, projects, this agency proactively publishes this information on GC Infobase. As such, the result explanation can be found at https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/ems-sgd/edb-bdd/index-eng.html#infographic/dept/561/results/.-.-(…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, individuals are able to continue to contribute and defer the start of their Canada Pension Plan, or CPP, retirement pension in exchange for a higher monthly pension based on age of claim-related adjustments and this has been the case since 1987 when flexible retirement provisions were introduced to the CPP. Under flexible retirement, while the standard age of eligibility for the retir…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Lebanese Heritage Month, a time to honour Lebanese culture and its incredible contributions to Canada through its varied traditions, delicious food, remarkable economic contribution and so much more. Lebanese Canadians began enriching our society over 140 years ago. It all started in Montreal. Canada is now home to over 200,000 Lebanese Canadians, including 8…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, thanks to our government, the Canadian dental care plan is helping Canadians across the country, including in Quebec. More than 713,000 Quebeckers—including 12,000 in my riding of Vimy—are eligible for care under the Canadian dental care plan. If that is not enough to convince my colleagues that this program is successful, just ask the 750,000 Canadians who have already received care.…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question, in the third quarter of 2023, approximately $27.5 billion in economic activity was generated by Canadian residents travelling domestically, according to the Statistics Canada National Travel Survey. With regard to part (b), Destination Canada does not have access to data on domestic travel by mode of transport. However, data specifically on dom…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the Government of Canada to purchase the National Field of Honour military cemetery in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, where 22,500 Canadians and allied veterans are laid to rest. It is Canada's largest military cemetery, a national historic site, and it is under the care and responsibility of the non-profit Last Post Fund, which is quickly running out of funds. Temporary …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on May 19, we commemorated the Pontian genocide. On this day of remembrance, we pay tribute to the 350,000 lives lost and hundreds of thousands of others deported due to a tragedy systematically imposed by Turkey between 1914 and 1923. Some 700,000 people disappeared, Pontic families were massacred, a community that had been established for 2,600 years was eliminated. Pontic children,…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to solemnly mark the 15th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, a day that also signifies the second Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day recognized by the Canadian Parliament. As we remember the horrific atrocities inflicted upon the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, we honour the memory of the thousands of lives lost and the families forever impacted by this tr…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on March 21, the Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine, or TCLCF, celebrated its 35th anniversary. Ever since the TCLCF was founded in our riding, Vimy, it has worked for the collective defence of women's rights and for improvements to our quality of life, while representing more than 30,000 Laval women. Over the years, its focus has broadened in response to political, …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, this weekend in Canada, we will be celebrating the anniversary of Greek independence with a very special guest, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. On March 25, 1821, after great struggle and sacrifice on the part of those who fought and died for their freedom, Greece put an end to 400 years of Ottoman occupation. It is time now to also celebrate Greece's recent renaissance after a de…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity today to participate in the debate on Bill C-365, an act respecting the implementation of a consumer-led banking system for Canadians. This is a private member's bill. Bill C-365 would require the Minister of Finance to table in each House of Parliament, within 30 days of the bill's passage, a plan to implement an open banking system in Canada and …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, two years ago, Russia massively expanded its illegal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Two years on, we remember those who have died defending their homeland. These brave and fearless Ukrainians are fighting for their identity, their democracy, their history and their language. Canada will always stand with Ukraine. Besides taking in 200,000 refugees, we have provided $13 billion of m…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions is increasing the productivity and competitiveness of Quebec businesses. Although the Conservatives voted against funding for programs that support Quebec businesses, our government is helping to grow Biodextris, a Vimy-based company advancing innovative drug research; BOSK Bioproducts, a manufacturer of compostable bioproducts; and Cinte…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important, in this country, that we speak from a place of empathy, sympathy, understanding and mutual respect. We cannot paint all situations with the same brush. Obviously, we have a Charter of Rights, and through the Charter of Rights, every person has equal rights. Personally, and I can only speak for myself, I believe that someone who has long-standing suffering…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform you that I will be sharing my time with the member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex. I am pleased to rise in the House today in support of Bill C‑62. The bill proposes to extend the temporary exclusion of mental illness as an eligibility criteria for medical assistance in dying for three years, until March 17, 2027. Today, I will speak to the importance of allowing so…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I think it is irresponsible and untrue, honestly, to claim that MAID has anything to do with suicide. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance for all Canadians to have access to critical mental health resources and suicide prevention services. I am a member of the special MAID committee, and not one witness I heard when I was there said that this is suicidal.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, that is an important question. The Criminal Code applies across Canada. We cannot start adapting the law for every region of the country. We have to understand that it would be irresponsible to amend the Criminal Code to allow Quebec to change its own legislation. That is my opinion.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I do not believe in flipping a coin. However, the mere fact that in this country we are still having this conversation, this debate and not having consensus, then I think a three-year pause is the way to go about it. It would let the provinces and territories, together with all the professionals, get together and make sure that when this does become whatever the next step would be, we…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 251, proudly celebrated on January 27. I congratulate them. They make us proud, and we are honoured to count on the strength and service the legion offers to our constituents. For 60 years, the members of branch 251, in the riding of Vimy, have nurtured the values of dedication, sacrifice and communit…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, our government has cut poverty in Canada nearly in half thanks to measures such as increasing child care spaces and introducing the Canada child benefit and dental care. These initiatives have lifted thousands of families out of poverty. It is also important to note that investment in child care has a positive impact on the economy, especially during a labour shortage, because it enab…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, in these difficult times and as Remembrance Day approaches, I would like to take this opportunity to mark October 28, 1940, and commemorate the incredible sacrifices made by Greece, a long-time ally of Canada, during the Second World War. Starting on October 28, 1940, with the Greek rejection of Mussolini's ultimatum to occupy Greece with a loud no, or όχι, the entire Greek population…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, the agriculture and agri-food sector is a major economic driver in Canada, employing 2.3 million people. This growing sector alone represents 7% of our GDP. Aliments Ouimet‑Cordon Bleu, a Montreal company known for its Clark and Paris Pâté brands, is a major player in this industry. This year, Cordon Bleu is celebrating its 90th anniversary, while also expanding into the U.S. market a…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, it is an honour to have the opportunity to rise to speak to Bill C-290, an act to amend the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. Whistle-blowers are the unsung heroes of our institutions. They are the courageous individuals who put their careers, their reputations and sometimes even their lives on the line to expose wrongdoing. They are the guardians of our democracy and the c…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight an important organization. Pink in the City has been supporting breast cancer awareness for over 17 years. On October 27, Pink in the City will be hosting its annual magic of hope gala in my riding of Vimy. To date, it has raised over $2 million for cancer research, state-of-the-art medica…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your new position. On October 1, Cyprus celebrated the 63rd anniversary of its independence. It was indeed an occasion worth celebrating, because despite all the tragedies and all the challenges that Cyprus has faced, it has transformed into a model democracy with a high standard of living. Cyprus gained independence in 1960 after a lengthy battle. Only 14 years lat…
Read full speech →