Brendan Hanley

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honour to present a petition on behalf of the Gwich'in, Na-cho Nyäk Dun, Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and Inuvialuit peoples. The petition was signed while I was present in the beautiful community of Old Crow, Yukon, during our annual Vadzaih Choo Drin, Big Caribou Days, celebration in May. The essence of this petition is to ensure that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the place the Gwich'in call Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit, the sacred place where life begins, calving grounds of the porcupine caribou herd, continues to be protected from oil and gas leasing and development. For generations, the Vuntut Gwitchin have lived alongside and cared for the herd. They understand that protecting the porcupine caribou herd means protecting the heart of who they are as Gwich'in and safeguarding the continued health, culture and sovereignty of their community. At Vadzaih Choo Drin, I heard directly from young people who spoke passionately about what the caribou mean to their future. Their message was simple and powerful: Caribou is life. Allow me to briefly refer to some clauses in the petition. Any oil and gas leasing and development within the refuge represents a direct threat to the health of the herd and the well-being of the Gwich'in and other first nations and Inuvialuit users of the herd. The caribou, along with numerous other migratory bird and fish species within the refuge, are culturally and substantially important to the people of Yukon and Northwest Territories as a whole. The petitioning citizens and residents of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to take all steps necessary to uphold the rights of the Gwich'in, Na-cho Nyäk Dun, Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and Inuvialuit, and to protect the porcupine caribou herd and its sacred calving grounds from U.S. oil and gas leasing and development, in keeping with Canada's commitments under international and Canadian law and the will of the Yukon people.

Mr. Speaker, the Yukon has recently lost a treasure in the beloved and historic Westminster Hotel. I caught a last glimpse of this famous establishment, affectionately known as “The Pit”, while attending Dawson City's Gold Show just a couple of weeks ago. Though closed after flooding during December's deep freeze, the hotel still glowed with rose-coloured pride in the evening light of Dawson's early summer. Sadly, it was just the next morning that we watched this storied pink dame of Dawson give way to a fatal fire. Built during the gold rush in 1898, The Pit weathered repeated challenges from permafrost thaw, as it witnessed over a century of Dawson's countless colourful chapters, earning its reputation as Dawson's shared living room, informal post office and obligatory gathering place. My mind floods with memories soaked in the cheeky artwork of Halin de Repentigny, and I still hear the echoes of music of all brands, festive seasonal celebrations and the quiet murmur of chatting locals. An era has ended. I bid farewell to The Pit and give a fond nostalgic embrace to all in Dawson City.

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South for speaking not only on behalf of his constituents but for all Canadians who are facing an affordability crisis. We are all seized with meeting Canadians where they are through this affordability crisis, while working on building the country up. Canadians are facing heightened affordability pressures from sources beyond our control, so it is more important that we find opportunities for improvement within our control. We know that Canadians are feeling the pressures of everyday expenses right now, especially when it comes to the cost of fuel. As a northerner, I know how much everything depends on the price of fuel. Canadians and consumers around the world are facing higher prices at the pump, creating uncertainty and pressure on household finances. That is why, on April 14, the Prime Minister announced a temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels across Canada. This suspension started April 20 and will remain in effect right up until Labour Day. This is expected to reduce Canadians' bills at the pump by up to 10¢ per litre on gasoline. Combined with our elimination of the consumer carbon tax, that amounts to 28¢ per litre. That is real and tangible, and it is in addition to the other measures we put in place to support Canadians. We introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit to make everyday essentials such groceries more affordable. This measure builds on the GST credit and will provide additional support for more than 12 million Canadians. It will start with a one-time top-up this Friday, in just four days. Combined with a 25% increase in the benefit for five years as of next month, a family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year, and a single person will receive up to $950 in 2026. We also know that a big part of taking things into our own hands is making life more affordable for Canadians. That is why Bill C-30 is proposing to extend the grace period, during which homeowners are not required to start repaying their homebuyers plan withdrawals from their RRSP, from two years to five years for participants making a first withdrawal between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2028. The homebuyers plan helps eligible homebuyers save for a down payment by allowing them to withdraw up to $60,000 from an RRSP to purchase or build their first home or a home for a specified disabled person without having to pay tax on the withdrawal. This extended grace period already applies to withdrawals made between 2022 and 2025, and it provides relief of up to $4,000 per individual per year for the three years over which they are not required to repay the amount into their RRSP. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. That is why our government is taking action to put housing and home ownership within reach of Canadians. That is in addition to all the other measures. Just the other week, in the Yukon, I was able to put some of this commitment into action with an announcement with the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure of $100 million toward housing, $82 million into infrastructure and $75 million into health infrastructure. This is about building north and building Canada strong.

Madam Speaker, I certainly appreciate the point of view the member brings up and the recognition that in these highly unusual times and in the midst of an affordability crisis, we have to adjust to meet Canadians where they are. The measures in the recent spring economic update are part of those next steps in our plan to build a stronger, more independent and resilient Canada for all. It advances our progress of building more affordable homes and the major infrastructure that needs to go with this. It helps businesses seize new opportunities and gives families the confidence to plan for their future. It builds a Canada that is not just strong but good, and not just prosperous but fair.