Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, some of my fondest childhood memories include Jewish holiday dinners around the table with relatives, laughing, eating traditional foods and sharing a sense of collective pride in knowing that we were honouring our ancestors and building a stronger community for the future. I can still hear my father's booming voice and see his contagious smile as he eagerly greeted family entering ou…
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Mr. Speaker, on July 5, a monument was unveiled in my riding to commemorate the victims of Flight PS752. This tragedy claimed 176 lives, including eight members of Winnipeg's Iranian community. Five years later, the pain remains profound for families, loved ones and communities, who continue to bear the weight of this tremendous loss. I had the honour of visiting this memorial, titled An Open Woun…
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Madam Speaker, I know we are veering a little bit into what sounds like a conversation about bail reform, which is appropriate given the context of the legislation and what the justice minister has been talking about. I wonder whether the member may have some commentary to add in regard to, in addition to a very significant amount of work ahead of us as a federal government, the role that provinci…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have a tremendous amount of respect for my colleague. My question is in relation to indigenous rights, which the member referenced on a number of occasions. Nothing in the bill that I can see would override constitutional rights for indigenous communities. Can she elaborate on why she feels that is in jeopardy by virtue of the bill itself?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the United Church of Canada, established by an act of Parliament exactly 100 years ago today. In my riding of Winnipeg South Centre, several United Church congregations, including Young, Augustine, Fort Garry, Westminster, Harrow and Crescent Fort Rouge, gathered this past weekend for a special service of celebration and thanksg…
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Madam Speaker, over the course of the past few weeks, we have watched as devastating wildfires have ravaged through my home province of Manitoba and the neighbouring province of Saskatchewan. Entire communities have been evacuated, homes have been lost, and the air quality has been so poor that everyday activities have been rendered very difficult. Unsurprisingly, in places like Winnipeg, my homet…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about something that is on everybody's mind, and that is the Canadian dental care plan. One out of four Canadians skipped a visit to the dentist because of the cost, but thanks to the Canadian dental care plan, more than one million Canadians now receive that care, and every day that number continues to grow. Applications for the Canadian dental care plan opened f…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, my riding of Winnipeg South Centre is home to thousands of older adults. Upon being elected, one of my first steps was to establish an older adult advisory council. The council comprises nearly a dozen constituents over the age of 65, and we meet regularly to discuss issues that are pertinent to them. One topic that we have visited on several occasions is the heartbreaking damage caus…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 73rd report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 73rd report later this day.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I move that the 73rd report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I was honoured to join senior leaders from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in celebrating the 10th year that this iconic building has been open to the public. The CMHR has played a profound role in helping us understand who we are, where we have been and where the road to progress lies for the future. Through beautifully crafted exhibits and world-class educational…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
I will repeat that, Mr. Speaker, because I know the member was getting some advice. Are the national school food program and $10-a-day day care bureaucracy, in his mind? A simple yes or no would be helpful.
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest as my colleague across the way talked about respecting the will of the majority of Parliament. The majority of Parliament believes in $10-a-day day care. The majority of Parliament believes in a national school food program. The majority of Parliament believes in putting money into investments for housing to municipalities, as do 18 Conservative members of Par…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, just to clarify, the hon. member put it in quotation marks, but it was not a close, personal friend of my colleague from British Columbia but the commissioner of the RCMP who said the RCMP would be uncomfortable. There are no quotation marks needed because that is fact. I want to go back for a moment to something my colleague said in a previous response to my question. He talked about…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I would like to go back to something my hon. colleague referred to in an earlier exchange I had with another colleague. I believe that he was a medical professional prior to becoming a parliamentarian, so I presume he had many interactions with young people and their families, including a lot of talk about the social determinants of health. I am wondering whether the member believes t…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I have a tremendous amount of respect for my colleague across the way, and I know that one of the things he respects, as a former journalist, is the citation of sources. I have listened intently to him reference, as has the Leader of the Opposition during debate in this chamber over the course of the past few weeks, 36% as an increase in food inflation costs in Canada versus the Uni…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I will simply try to bring forward a bit of levity and take advantage of the comments component as opposed to a question. I have two things to say. First, I thought that the member did a good job of using his own words. I enjoyed hearing discussion that was not manufactured by Conservative staff on a variety of different things. Second, in all honesty, I heard a lot of references from…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to Murray Sinclair. Murray Sinclair strengthened the fabric of this country in ways that few others have. I had the true honour of working closely with him while at Canadian Heritage. As a young staffer, I was in awe of him. I had the true honour of seeing his kindness, how measured he was and that he was wise beyond words. He …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 70th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 104 and Standing Order 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 70th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 70th report later this day.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, over the course of the past year, I have had the privilege of representing the people of Winnipeg South Centre. One of the things I appreciate most about this job is the opportunity presented to us to receive feedback from constituents. The feedback I have received from those I represent in Winnipeg South Centre is loud and clear on the topic of climate change. They want action. I hav…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, recently I stood alongside the Premier of Manitoba, federal colleagues and health care workers as we made a major investment of $630 million in the province's health care system. After Conservatives in Manitoba decimated health care over a decade of cuts and closures, this funding was desperately needed. The redevelopment of Portage Place is a generational project aimed at revitalizin…
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday was International Wrongful Conviction Day. In grade 7, I wrote a paper on David Milgaard, a prairie kid who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The injustice of his case was appalling. Immortalized through the Tragically Hip song Wheat Kings, it captured the attention of the nation. Too many innocent people have suffered over the years. In fact, just today again in my …
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Mr. Speaker, September 30 marks one of the most important days on the Canadian calendar. For generations, indigenous peoples had to conceal their cultures, languages and true identities. The results, both past and present, led to the devastating consequences faced by families and communities and gave way to intergenerational trauma, the impacts of which are still found immensely in our country tod…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, as a former history teacher, I listened with great interest to the remarks from my colleague across the way. I actually want to shift for a moment to what is happening domestically by virtue of what is happening overseas. I wonder if my colleague can comment on some of the trends we have seen here in Canada whereby, by virtue of the way one feels about the current government of the st…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I am rising on a point of order. I would like to draw your attention, for the benefit of the House, to some language I have heard used that is unbecoming of the House and of members in the House. I have no interest in ascribing blame or pointing fingers, so I am not going to name names. However, there has been reference over the course of debate in the House, in the past few days in p…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I know that we are here because of the Conservatives' squabbling. I congratulate my colleague from Joliette, who took the time to talk about things that are actually important. I would like to thank him. He mentioned that there are issues that affect women in particular, both in Quebec and across Canada. One of the most important programs we implemented, in my opinion, is the one th…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 69th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. The committee advises that, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(2), the Subcommittee on Private Members' Business met to consider the items added to the order of precedence on Friday, June 14, as well as the orders for the second reading of private members' p…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, over the summer, I had the privilege of engaging with the vibrant, 55-plus, older adult community across my riding of Winnipeg South Centre. From visits to the Parkway, Riverbend Plaza, Fred Tipping Place, Riverwood Square, Villa Cabrini and the Thorvaldson Care Center, I witnessed first-hand the contributions of older adults to our community. One highlight was meeting the residents' …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, it is always a pleasure for me to rise in this House on behalf of those I represent in Winnipeg South Centre. I want to thank my colleague across the way, the member for Winnipeg Centre, who is also a neighbour of mine. Our constituencies border each another. I know that the member for Winnipeg Centre comes to work every day with a genuine desire to advocate for those she serves. In…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 68th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, regarding the membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I move that the 68th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be concurred in.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, recently Manitobans were shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. Grand Chief Merrick was more than a leader; she was a beacon of strength, wisdom and compassion. Her dedication to the AMC was not merely a role she undertook but also a calling she embraced with unwavering commitment. Her leadership was characterized by a dee…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 67th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 67th report later this day.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
If the House gives its consent, I move that the 67th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, as we approach National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, indigenous and non-indigenous people from across Canada will engage in meaningful celebrations. At the same time, we will undertake important reflections on our past and on the path that we are on to secure a better future. Manitoba is home to Canada's largest indigenous population. Alongside our provincial colleagues, we have…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, recently we celebrated Asian Heritage Month, a time when we honour the historic and profound contributions of Asian Canadians, who have shaped our nation. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a true Canadian hero, Art Miki, as my next-door neighbour. In 1988, Art successfully lobbied and worked alongside Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to have Canada officially apologize to and compensat…
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Mr. Speaker, Winnipeg's downtown is full of historical buildings. One of our most iconic is the old Hudson's Bay building located at the corner of Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard. It holds a storied history for Winnipeggers. A vibrant downtown is vital for a strong economy. Over the past few months, our government has been working closely in collaboration with local first nations to revitali…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I very much enjoyed working alongside my colleague on the agriculture committee. I have talked on numerous occasions in the House about my past career as an educator, both as a teacher and as a school principal. I am so proud that the government is following through on its commitment to establish a national school food program. This is going to be an immensely important policy in term…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague across the way. He was quite useful in helping bring a number of important matters to my attention and the attention of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, when I was a member. As I mentioned in my remarks, there are a variety of things that contribute to the cost of food production in this country. However, I think it is also i…
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne. It is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to rise on behalf of those I represent in Winnipeg South Centre, and it is an honour to have the opportunity to rise today, for a couple of reasons. One, of course, is that this is a very important conversation taking place in the country right now, and there have b…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, one of the things that we did hear on the study on food price stabilization that was undertaken at the agriculture and agri-food committee was that it was not entirely clear where some of the profits were being derived from. The margins on food, we heard, were not all that large, but a lot of the profits came from some non-food-related items. For example, that could be things like pha…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, that is exactly the point. When we use the word “universal”, it is to ensure we do not have this kind of hodgepodge patchwork health care system across provinces, but that any Canadian, wherever they live in the country, is able to access these medicines when they need it. I mentioned in my remarks that I worked with a lot of first nations kids in northern Manitoba in particular. Beca…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as a fellow Manitoban, it would be impolite of me to not also wish Cailey a happy birthday. To my hon. colleague's wife, I hope it is a fun day together tomorrow. There are tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of Canadians across the country who do not have access to the medication they need. I appreciate that, in some instances, there are provincial health plans or private plans …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, is it always an honour to rise in this House. I want to start on a personal level. I was always so proud to grow up with my mother as a family physician, who continues to practice medicine in Winnipeg. In the past number of years, she has moved into working with people battling addictions. Much of my understanding of the health care system and how we care for people in our society has…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, with an energy grid that is 97% clean, a strong manufacturing and agricultural sector and a diverse population, Manitoba is a key economic driver for Canada. In order to help realize our potential, we rely on the strengths of PrairiesCan, our regional development agency. Some members of the opposition have suggested that investments in PrairiesCan are not worthwhile. Could the Ministe…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Dr. Ian C. P. Smith was a tireless and passionate public servant for over 40 years. We lost this cherished member of Winnipeg's community recently. Throughout the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Smith received numerous accolades for his hard work, including the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt, the Outstanding Achievement Award of Public Service of Canada, and both the Queen…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Orders 104 and 114, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 65th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the membership of committees of the House. If the House gives its consent, I intend to move concurrence in the 65th report later this day.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, if the House gives its consent, I move that the 65th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, presented to the House earlier this day, be concurred in.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to commemorate the 140th anniversary of U.S. diplomatic presence in Winnipeg, a testament to the deep, enduring bonds between Canada and the United States. Since the appointment of the first U.S. consul in 1869, our ties have only grown stronger, underscored by the consulate's reopening in 2001. This event was marked by then U.S. ambassador Gordon Giffin and then Manitob…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I was having technical difficulties earlier this afternoon during the vote on Bill C-351. I am asking for the unanimous consent of the House for my vote on the bill to be recorded as a nay.
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