Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Winnipeg North. I rise today in the chamber in support of Bill C-26, an act to authorize certain payments to be made out of the consolidated revenue fund for the purpose of improving housing supply. At its heart, this bill is intended to make it easier for Canada to build more homes and the kinds of communities where people can truly live. For many Canadians, housing is not an abstract policy issue. When we think about housing, we must consider it as the starting place for the way Canadians imagine their future, where workers can live close to their jobs; seniors can remain close to their communities and age in place; and young people can rent, own or raise a family. This is an issue that even my preteen son is thinking about, wondering how he can remain in the city he loves. It comes as no surprise that global economic pressures have reshaped the housing market. Rising construction costs, labour shortages and wages that have not kept pace with inflation have all contributed to the challenges we face today. We know that without secure housing, it is impossible to plan for the future, to build stability or to fully participate in Canada's economy. I see this clearly in my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront. Spadina—Harbourfront is one of the densest communities in this country. It is a riding of high-rises, condominiums, co-operatives, rental buildings, shelters, supportive housing, student housing and seniors housing. This is a place where people live vertically. They share public space, rely on transit, walk to work, gather in parks, hang out at STACKT market, the Waterworks Food Hall, One Love market, Sugar Beach or The Island Cafe, and build community in ways that are deeply urban and deeply Canadian. In my riding, I see the beauty and possibility of density every day. Density can mean a senior is better able to live closer to health care, groceries and neighbours who can check in. It can mean that a young person can walk to school or work. It can also mean that families can share playgrounds, libraries, community centres and waterfront spaces. Just last weekend, the waterfront was vibrating with excitement as we welcomed the world for the FIFA World Cup, with thousands cheering for Canada right from their condo balconies and watching the crowds gather in the streets. We could live in communities with less sprawl, stronger transit and more vibrant main streets. Vertical living can work when we plan for people instead of units. We see examples of this across our community. Harbour Square, for example, has long shown how vertical communities can include shared services, including shuttle services that help residents move through the city and remain connected. Across the riding, we see buildings where neighbours organize, support one another, share amenities and create a real sense of belonging. This is the kind of city building we should be learning from. We also know the best housing solutions do not come from government alone. They come from housing co-operatives that show us that affordability, stability and community ownership go hand in hand. They can also come from organizations like Eva's Initiatives, which supports young people experiencing homelessness and reminds us that housing is not only about a roof, but about safety, connection, trust and the chance to rebuild a life. The best housing solutions also come from thoughtful public planning, like the work of Waterfront Toronto, which has shown that the when we build with intention, we can create communities that include housing, transit, parks, public space, climate resilience and access to water. This is the vision that we need more of in Canada: not just buildings, but more homes where people feel they have complete communities. The housing crisis has also placed enormous pressure on the construction sector. In the greater Toronto area, new home sales fell to just over 5,300 units in 2025, which is the lowest level in more than 45 years. That slowdown has already led to job losses in the skilled trades and construction sector. These are the very workers Canada needs if we are going to build the houses people are counting on. Approximately 80,000 people are leaving the GTA because of affordability pressures. A study by Altus Group for the Building Industry and Land Development Association found that without urgent action, nearly half of all residential construction jobs in the region could be at risk and housing starts could fall by more than 60% compared to 2024 levels. We must act in order to protect housing supply and keep skilled workers on the job. We must make it easier to build, to build quickly and to build well. Through Bill C-26, our government is proposing to provide $1.7 billion to provinces and territories immediately so they can implement measures to increase Canada's housing supply. This funding is designed to help remove the barriers slowing down homebuilding, including by lowering development charges, fees, levies or sales taxes on new homes. It would also support efforts to harmonize rules, improve internal trade and increase productivity in the residential construction sector. At a time when the housing market is under real pressure, this bill would keep projects moving, maintain construction activity, protect skilled jobs and unlock the homes Canadians urgently need. Fixing Canada's housing issues will require a wide range of solutions and, above all, close collaboration. No single order of government can solve the housing crisis alone. The strongest housing systems are built when public, private, non-profit and community partners are all at the table. We are already seeing what that collaboration can look like. In March, the federal government and the Province of Ontario signed a historic partnership agreement to build homes, transit and communities, backed by $8.8 billion in joint funding over 10 years. This agreement supports housing-enabling infrastructure and helps reduce the cost of building new homes. It includes support for municipalities that reduce and maintain low development charges. This includes an HST rebate to incentivize new home construction and support for major transit projects to connect people to jobs and services. Ontario's removal of the full 13% HST for eligible buyers of new homes valued up to $1 million, for one year from April 2026 to March 2027, is one example of what this kind of partnership can make possible. Through Bill C-26, our government has agreed to cover the 5% federal portion of that HST relief. This is a practical measure because it supports near-term construction activity while longer-term work continues to lower the cost of building homes. Since that announcement, new home sales in the GTA have begun to recover. In April alone, approximately 1,100 new homes were sold, nearly triple the number sold during the same period last year. In Toronto, housing and infrastructure must be planned together. This is why investments like the waterfront east transit project are so important. This project will connect communities such as East Bayfront, the Port Lands and Ookwemin Minising. It is not only a transit investment, but a housing strategy. Good transit helps unlock new neighbourhoods and connects people to work, school, child care and community. It supports the construction of thousands of new homes in places where people can live with dignity and connection. We are also moving forward with Build Canada Homes, an ambitious initiative to accelerate homebuilding across the country, including transitional, supportive and deeply affordable housing. This program includes a $13-billion initial investment, the development of federal lands, support for factory-built housing and measures to preserve long-term affordability. It is already supporting thousands of new units and has the potential to deliver tens of thousands more. The legislation before us would give these efforts the flexibility and tools they need to accelerate delivery, take on risk responsibly and build the housing Canadians are counting on. In a city like Toronto, where affordability remains one of our greatest challenges, this kind of relief can make a meaningful difference. It helps more buyers enter the market and supports the construction of the homes we so urgently need. This why this bill is so important. It is a measure that has been called for by housing advocates, including organizations like BILD, and it represents a clear win for builders, workers and residents in my riding. Canada's housing market is going through a period of adjustment, but that does not change the reality that we are facing a structural housing supply shortage. Our government has been clear: We will build more homes faster and more boldly. Bill C-26's purpose is to support housing supply, protect Canadian jobs and maintain capacity in the construction sector. By acting now, we can keep construction activity moving, retain skilled workers and ensure that builders can continue to plan and launch new projects at a time when that continuity is critical. The housing crisis did not happen overnight and it will not be solved overnight, but the choices we make today will shape the future of housing in this country for generations to come. Our government is here today working to provide Canadians with the tools they need to build that stability. Bill C-26 is one important step toward that goal. We are taking meaningful action to address one of the most pressing challenges facing Canadians today. We are working closely with provinces, territories and municipalities, because we know that collaboration is essential in a moment like this. In Spadina—Harbourfront, I see every day that density can be beautiful, that vertical living can be full of community and that good planning can help people build real lives in the heart of a city. This is the future we should be building toward. For that reason, I urge all members to support Bill C-26.

Mr. Speaker, I think this is a really important opportunity to show that kind of collaboration between the provincial government and the federal government, and to get the communications and clarity around the policy decisions that we need. We have set targets for our housing pieces. I know that last year in Toronto we actually took back some of the funding because the city was not meeting some of the targets around multiplexes, and in Vaughan as well. There are mechanisms, and we are making sure that the housing we are investing in gives us the returns we are looking for.

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about rurality and the need for housing, we know that this is a challenge not just in downtown Toronto or in downtown Vancouver; it is a challenge across our country. However, one of the things that I have learned about, in terms of the new investments that we have been making, is an initiative in Nunavut where we will be building modular housing and building that in the north. It is a step in the right direction, and it is a step in the work of building the infrastructure we need to make Canada strong. Those efforts are really critical for this time, and I know that this is a huge part of the work that we all want to be doing as Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague here for her excellent leadership. I know I have learned a lot from her in our time together in Parliament, from the deep expertise she brings as a city councillor and her understanding of some of the mechanisms around some of this work. It is true that there is real urgency, and in terms of this funding, I know the builders and some of the developers have signalled that the pause and the challenge of the instability mean that they are looking for our government to take on some of the risks, in order for us to be able to move forward. Part of this investment in Ontario, and I spoke in particular about the waterfront east transit project in Toronto, is for housing-enabling infrastructure, including transit. This is the kind of work that I think is really going to set the country up for success.

Mr. Speaker, the eyes of the world are on Canada today as the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off. This tournament is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. My downtown Toronto riding of Spadina—Harbourfront is set to host matches, the Canadian FIFA World Cup opening celebration and the FIFA fan festival at the Bentway. Toronto is proud to welcome the world. Can the Secretary of State for Sport tell us what this historic moment means for Canadians?

Madam Speaker, last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the 14th Canadian Screen Awards right in my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront. This annual celebration recognizes the very best in Canadian film, television and digital media. The industry gathered together to cheer on Canadian legend Mike Myers, who received the show's Icon Award. The Toronto-born comedian has made us laugh for decades here at home and around the world. From North of North and Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent to Les Furies and Honey Bunch, so many of the stories that kept us glued to our screens this past year were honoured. As we kick off Pride Month, I was happy to see Heated Rivalry recognized. This powerful series has touched the hearts of so many and reminds us of something simple but important: to be ourselves, fully and proudly. This is the impact of Canada's film and TV industry. I am especially glad that our government is supporting this sector, investing $450 million over the next three years, championing the important work of this vibrant and essential part of our economy. At a time when the world wants what Canada has, we are yearning to hear our own stories. Let us celebrate our incredible talent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of Bill C‑16, the protecting victims act. I do so as a woman and as someone who has spent years listening to women, survivors and frontline advocates describe the gap between their lived realities and the protections our laws have provided. When I was 13 years old, I was given a rape whistle. It was a quiet but unmistakable signal that my presence in the world came with a risk and that my safety was ultimately my own responsibility to manage. Nearly 30 years later, much has changed: We have a deeper understanding of gender-based violence, of power, control and harm; we speak more openly about experiences that were once pushed into silence. However, for far too many women and girls, violence remains a daily part of their reality. Before I speak about statutes and sections of the Criminal Code, I want to speak about a young person whose experience illustrates exactly why the bill matters. She was 16 years old. She thought she was in a relationship, but what she did not yet have language for was that she was being controlled. Her boyfriend decided who she could speak to, where she could go, what she should wear and how quickly she was expected to respond to messages. When she resisted, he did not always hurt her directly. Instead, he was violent toward others in her life so that he could intimidate and isolate her. While there was no physical evidence she could point to, what she understood very well was the constant and escalating fear. No single incident clearly met the threshold for legal intervention, and there was not a system that could yet name what was happening to her, let alone stop it from happening. Her story is not rare; it is painfully familiar. Intimate partner violence and gender-based violence are not new problems in Canada. The government and the minister understand this reality, and the provisions in Bill C‑16 address what has been legislatively absent in our response to gender-based violence and intimate partner violence. In 2024 alone, 187 women were killed in this country, with one woman killed every two days. Behind each statistic is a life ended too soon, a family broken needlessly and a community changed forever. As the bill makes clear, violence does not begin with a punch or a final act of femicide; it begins much earlier, with fear, control, threats, isolation, humiliation and the slow erosion of a person's autonomy. For far too long, the legal system has struggled to name that reality, let alone respond to it. Survivors have told us time and time again that the law intervenes too late. By the time physical violence appears, the warning signs have long been there. The system asks them to wait for bruises, for broken bones, for tragedy. Only then, but perhaps not even then, are they offered justice. Bill C‑16 exists because waiting is no longer acceptable. The legislation recognizes that intimate partner violence and gender-based violence are systemic problems that require systemic responses from the federal government. It recognizes that technology and the digital world have changed how harm occurs, and it recognizes that justice delayed or denied retraumatizes survivors and erodes public trust in our judicial system. Criminal justice is, of course, a shared responsibility. Provinces must adequately resource courts, victim services, Crown prosecutors and the police, and the federal government has a clear responsibility to modernize and enact criminal law, which is precisely what Bill C‑16, the protecting victims act, seeks to do. Since the bill was introduced, it has been carefully studied at committee, where members have heard from survivors, advocates, legal experts and law enforcement. Bill C‑16 would be one of the most significant updates to Canada's criminal justice system in a generation. While broad in scope, its purpose is clear: to intervene earlier, respond more effectively and protect those at greatest risk. First, the bill would create a new Criminal Code offence for coercive and controlling conduct in intimate relationships. This is a critical shift. Coercive control reflects how abuse actually operates through monitoring, isolation, financial control, threats and intimidation. This would enable police and courts to intervene before violence escalates to lethal outcomes. This would save women's lives. Second, Bill C‑16 would strengthen how the law treats the most serious forms of violence against women. Murder committed in the context of coercive control, sexual violence, exploitation, trafficking or hate would be treated as first-degree murder. When a killing in those same circumstances results in a manslaughter conviction, courts would be required to consider life imprisonment with parole ineligibility, comparable to second-degree murder. Sentencing must reflect the gravity of violence rooted in power and control. Third, the bill would modernize our response to criminal harassment and stalking. Survivors would no longer be required to prove subjective fear. Courts would instead assess whether the conduct could reasonably be expected to cause someone to believe their safety is threatened. This trauma-informed shift would recognize that harassment is cumulative and that early intervention saves lives. Fourth, Bill C-16 would update sexual exploitation offences to reflect the digital world we all live in. We know technology is not neutral infrastructure. It is increasingly used as a tool to manipulate, monitor and harm women and gender-diverse people. While the non-consensual distribution of intimate images is already illegal, this bill would clarify the law and explicitly include sexual deepfakes, which would be closing a gap that offenders are already exploiting. Committee amendments would strengthen these provisions further. The bill would now explicitly capture a broader range of AI-generated images, ensuring the law keeps pace with rapidly evolving technologies and the realities of online harm. A digital violation is still a violation, and the law must say so clearly. Fifth, the bill would strengthen protections for children, both off-line and online. It would expand child-luring offences, criminalize child sextortion, address grooming tactics involving explicit material, restore and reinforce mandatory minimum penalties for serious child sexual offences with a constitutional safety valve and require online platforms to preserve evidence longer so offenders cannot escape accountability. Finally, Bill C-16 has been informed through a victim-centred and trauma-informed lens. It would strengthen the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, improve access to information and testimonial aids, clarify the right to present impact statements and modernize procedures so serious cases are less likely to collapse due to delay. Together, these reforms would bring the Criminal Code into alignment with lived experience, modern technology and the urgent need for prevention. This bill is grounded in evidence and what many advocates have called for, for years. Women's organizations across the country have welcomed the criminalization of coercive control as a long overdue step. Frontline organizations working with survivors have described this bill as historic, recognizing that patterns of control are deeply harmful and that survivors deserve stronger legal protections. Child protection advocates have warned that online sexual violence against children has reached unprecedented levels. They have welcomed the provisions in this bill that would strengthen online child protection. As this debate has unfolded, some misinformation has followed. Let me address a few of these myths directly. Criminalizing coercive control is not untested. It reflects years of research, survivor testimony and expert input. It represents the hard work that went into Bill C-332, sponsored by former NDP MP Laurel Collins, which received cross-party support at committee. This government would not only be criminalizing the distribution of intimate images; that offence already exists. Bill C-16 would clarify that it includes sexual deepfakes, which would be closing a gap that offenders are already exploiting. As well, Bill C-16 would protect children online. It would expand child-luring and sextortion offences. As a mother of two young kids, I know how important this change would be. These are not symbolic measures. They are targeted, enforceable and urgently needed. Bill C-16 is a vital pillar of our response to gender-based violence, but it is not the entire solution. Legislation alone cannot change culture. It cannot house a woman fleeing violence. It cannot staff a crisis line at three in the morning. It cannot replace the trust built by frontline workers who walk alongside survivors every day. That crucial work is done by the incredible frontline organizations across this country. This bill must be understood alongside continued federal investment in women's shelters, transitional housing, legal aid, trauma counselling and prevention programs. This work must be in concert with the national action plan to end gender-based violence with provincial and territorial partners, indigenous nations and local organizations. Ending gender-based violence requires culture change in how we understand power, entitlement, masculinity and control. Bill C-16 reflects years of advocacy, hard conversations and courage in particular from survivors who spoke when it was extremely difficult to speak up. It would recognize harm earlier so systems can intervene faster. It would treat victims with dignity while modernizing our justice system to meet the realities Canadians are living with today. These changes might have made a difference for the 13-year-old handed a whistle instead of protection and for the 16-year-old unable to name coercion. They would make a difference for the women who have lived in silence and for all children who deserve safety. I urge all members of the House to support Bill C-16, the protecting victims act, and to continue the work beyond the chamber that our country deserves and demands.

Mr. Speaker, I have just become a member of the status of women committee. I am really thrilled that we are working at a systems level to start to address some of these challenges that we are seeing in the laws and to hearing from some of the folks who are doing the work on the front lines to identify some of these challenges. I cannot speak to the question that the member brought up specifically, but I want to say that this work needs to be happening with a much more systematic approach.

Mr. Speaker, I was recently in Strasbourg as part of a parliamentary delegation, and one of the issues that we were exploring was around gender violence and the need to take more explicit actions. I am very proud to be part of a government that has recognized femicide as part of the wave of violence that women experience in our communities. What we are achieving here with this legislation, alongside a whole host of other interventions and changes to our criminal system, is a balanced approach. There are really important measures that also think about prevention and culture change. This work is happening across several pillars, and it is work that I am very proud to be speaking to.

Mr. Speaker, one of the testimonies we heard earlier this week at the status of women committee was about the concept of restorative justice and finding other approaches to respond to these challenges. We live in a patriarchal society in which there is a whole host of really challenging views around the place for women, women's safety and women's role in our society. We are thinking about other ways to respond here because of the wave of this kind of violence. I want to make sure we recognize that sometimes the justice system is not the right place for the responses we need and it is not the healing that some survivors have asked for.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to rise today to speak to Canada's refugee and humanitarian commitments, and how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's 2026-27 main estimates will support this work. Immigration is one of the great acts of nation building. It is how we meet labour shortages, reunite families and respond to persecution and displacement. It is also how people born elsewhere come to call Canada home and become our neighbours, workers, entrepreneurs, parents, volunteers and citizens. There is no question that immigrants and newcomers have contributed tremendously to Canada by driving economic growth and strengthening our communities. Immigration policy is not only about numbers, applications or fiscal lines. It is about the kind of country we are choosing to build and whether we have the discipline, the generosity and the institutional seriousness to build it well. The question before us is not whether Canada remains a welcoming country. The more difficult question is whether we can remain welcoming in a way that is credible, orderly and sustainable. I believe that we can, if we are honest about what makes that possible. That is the context for these main estimates. A system that is overwhelmed cannot service the people who need it most. People who come to Canada seeking protections are arriving at one of the most difficult times in their lives and deserve a system that treats them with dignity, gives them a fair hearing and provides them with timely decisions. We know that a system that cannot distinguish truth from fraud cannot properly protect the vulnerable. We also know that a system that is overwhelmed cannot offer timely protection to the people who need it most. While Canada cannot control when crises emerge, we can control how we prepare, how we respond and how we ensure that our response reflects both our humanitarian commitments and the capacity of our immigration system. As a proud Vietnamese Canadian, I know that Canada's humanitarian tradition is not only something we describe in policy, but something real people have lived. The story of Vietnamese refugees in Canada is part of the modern story of this country. It is the story of the families who arrived after conflict, displacement and uncertainty. Canada made it possible for those who fled Vietnam to arrive to safety, stability and a fair chance at becoming a part of the fabric of this country. This is one example of what humanitarian protection can mean at its best. It gives people an opportunity to move beyond a point of crisis to belonging, contributing and one day becoming part of the Canadian story themselves. That is the promise behind humanitarian protection. To keep that promise, compassion has to be matched with capacity. That means having the right planning, partnerships and supports in place, not only to offer protection, but to help people rebuild their lives once they are here. It also means maintaining public confidence. Canadians need to see our humanitarian commitments continue to offer protection over time. It means that when we respond to people in need, we do so through a system that can endure: one that is planned, coordinated, fair to applicants, responsible to communities and aligned with our country's capacity. These main estimates help to support that work. They support the people, programs and partnerships needed to manage immigration responsibly, including the work required to uphold Canada's humanitarian commitments. This includes targeted supports for protected persons already in Canada, helping eligible protected persons and their in-Canada dependants transition to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027. These are people who have already been found to need Canada's protection. Helping them transition to permanent residency provides stability. It allows them to continue building their lives with greater security, put down roots, work, study, raise families and contribute more fully to the communities where they have been welcomed. This is an important example of how humanitarian commitments and responsible system management can work together. Canada will continue to be there for people in need, but we also need to make sure that our humanitarian pathways are delivered through a system that can support people properly. That means considering settlement capacity, working with provinces, territories and communities, and aligning our humanitarian measures with the immigration levels plan, operational realities and the broader needs of the system. Recent years have shown how quickly humanitarian situations can evolve. Canada has responded to a range of international crises and displacement situations. Each one has been different. Each one has required careful decisions about what Canada can do, which tools are appropriate and how immigration measures fit within that broader government response. These experiences have reinforced an important lesson: Humanitarian responses must be principled, coordinated and sustainable. That is why IRCC has strengthened the way it prepares for and responds to emerging international crises. The department's crisis response framework helps guide how IRCC assesses emerging crises and considers whether immigration measures may be appropriate as part of Canada's—

Mr. Chair, I would like to ask my dear colleague, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, about these main estimates. It has been very good to have the minister come and see some of the incredible work being supported in my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront. We had a chance to see first-hand the work of Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto, where they have a legal clinic, medical services, employment supports and mental health and counselling for newcomers. Can the minister speak more on why partnerships with organizations like Centre francophone, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and Rainbow Railroad are so important and what role they play to help us deliver on our shared objectives?

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are living through a moment of real uncertainty. Families are feeling the pressure of rising costs, communities are anxious about economic instability and people want to know the government has their back and is prepared to step up and invest in the future of our country. At a time like this, we cannot afford to pull back from our cities. We need to invest in them. This is exactly what our government has been doing. Toronto's 23 Liberal members of Parliament have been strong advocates for this city because we understand how important Toronto is to Canada's economic and cultural future, and our record reflects that. We have delivered historic federal investments in transit, housing, infrastructure and waterfront revitalization, including over $40 million for Harbourfront Centre and a tri-government commitment of roughly $1 billion for each level of government to the waterfront east transit project. These are investments in how people move through the city, where they live, how communities stay connected and whether families can continue to build a future in Toronto. Through the spring economic statement and budget 2025, our government is continuing to make targeted investments that strengthen communities, support local economies and help Canadians navigate a highly competitive and uncertain global economy with great stability and opportunity. Over the last few months, I have spent a lot of time in community centres, town halls, small businesses, school gyms and on the doorsteps of Spadina—Harbourfront. No matter where the conversation starts, it almost always comes back to the same thing: People are worried about whether life in the city is becoming unaffordable for ordinary people. A few weeks ago, I spoke with a young woman in my riding who wants to build her future here. She told me she has done everything she was told to do. She has worked hard, gone to school, built a career and taken care of her family, but she cannot imagine ever owning a home in the city where she has grown up. She told me that she does not need luxury and just wants stability. That feeling resonates with a lot of Canadians right now. People are not asking for miracles. They are asking for a fair shot at opportunities to improve their lives. In a city like Toronto, that pressure shows up everywhere. It shows up in the student working two jobs while trying to finish school. It shows up in the parent deciding between child care costs and rent. It shows up in seniors stretching fixed incomes further every month. It shows up in young professionals who thought they were doing everything right but still feel like stability keeps moving further out of reach. Everyone wants to know that if they work hard, then they can afford a home, raise a family, get a good-paying job and remain in the communities they love. Strengthening our economy requires hard work and must never come at the expense of Canadians. Now more than ever, Canadians need our support. Our government is focused on building a strong and resilient economy that keeps Canadians financially secure and ensures that no one is left behind. This is why the measures in the spring economic statement matter. I also hear from small business owners across Spadina—Harbourfront who are trying to keep their doors open while navigating rising operating costs, staffing pressures and economic uncertainty. Whether it is a café like Ivy on Queens Quay or a food truck operator at Street Eats at Sugar Beach, local businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. When we invest in transit, public infrastructure, tourism, housing, arts and culture, and vibrant public spaces, we are also investing in the local economies that those businesses rely on every single day. We know solving the housing crisis requires us to build differently and to build faster. That is why investments in modular and factory-built housing are so important. Canadians do not want endless debates about housing; they want homes built. Our government will be accelerating over $7 billion in low-cost loans through the apartment construction loan program to help build up to 16,500 new rental homes. Projects could include major waterfront and downtown developments, such as Quayside, which will help unlock new housing supply where it is needed most. In a community like Spadina—Harbourfront, where density is high and 57% of residents are renters, this investment will make a meaningful difference, helping more people find a place they can afford to call home. Our government is also launching the build communities strong fund, a $51‑billion investment to strengthen infrastructure and improve quality of life in communities across Canada. We are moving beyond concrete and construction to build communities where people actually feel a sense of belonging. In my riding, we see that every day in places like Harbourfront Centre, spaces that have become gathering points for our city, where families attend festivals, young people take part in sports and recreation, artists share their work and residents reconnect with public space along Toronto's waterfront. Last week, I was pleased to join an announcement with the Secretary of State for Sport at Harbourfront Centre, recognizing it as one of the 25 community mini-pitch projects across Canada aimed at increasing sport participation among children and youth. Watching kids immediately run onto the pitch and neighbours stopping to connect with one another was a reminder that investments in community space have a real impact on people's lives every day. This project builds on the investments outlined in the spring economic statement, including $660 million over five years with ongoing funding to strengthen community sport and create more opportunities for Canadians, especially children and youth, to participate, to connect and to thrive. For many residents in downtown Toronto, public space matters deeply because not everyone has access to a backyard, access to green space or even room to gather with family and friends. That is why spaces like the Bathurst Quay Common, the Toronto Islands, Love Park, Sugar Beach, Fort York, Little Norway Park, Ireland Park, Coronation Park, Trillium Park, Canoe Landing and The Bentway are so important. These are places where people build community, where children play, where families gather, where cultural events take place and where residents reconnect with the city and waterfront around them. They are also important economic and tourism assets for Toronto. Thoughtful public infrastructure attracts visitors, supports local businesses, encourages investment and strengthens the vibrancy of our downtown core. As Toronto continues to grow, protecting and investing in these public spaces will only become more important, not only for tourism and economic development, but for quality of life and the sense of connection people feel to the communities they call home. I want to speak specifically about The Bentway, because it reflects what strong public infrastructure can look like when we invest in community space with intention. What was once underutilized space beneath the Gardiner Expressway has been transformed into a destination that draws residents and visitors year-round through public art, cultural programming, recreation and community events. Today, The Bentway is a place where people skate in the winter, check out contemporary art and connect with friends and neighbours. These kinds of spaces encourage people to stay longer, explore different parts of the waterfront, support nearby businesses and experience Toronto in a more connected and meaningful way. Transit is not a luxury. It shapes people's quality of life and whether parents can make it home in time to see their kids before bed. Transit shapes access to jobs, education, health care and opportunity. Strong public transit systems are one of the ways we make cities more affordable, more connected and more livable. This is why our government continues to invest in critical transit projects such as the Ontario line. Once it is complete, Spadina—Harbourfront will be home to five Ontario line stations: Exhibition, King West, Chinatown, Osgoode and Queen. We are also working alongside the province and the City of Toronto to jointly fund the waterfront east transit, because building transit requires collaboration across all levels of government. These projects are a critical component to connecting our community and linking residents in Spadina—Harbourfront and beyond to their jobs, families and homes. Toronto's tourism sector has welcomed more than 28 million visitors, spending $9 billion in our city. With FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, Toronto, and in particular Spadina—Harbourfront, will welcome even more visitors. In fact, all six Ontario matches will be hosted on the vibrant waterfront in Spadina—Harbourfront. Toronto has a proud record of hosting international sporting events, from the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup to the 2015 Pan Am Games. Spadina—Harbourfront is home to some of Canada's most recognizable destinations and sports and entertainment venues, like the Rogers Centre, or the SkyDome, Scotiabank Arena, the CN Tower, Union Station, our waterfront and Toronto's financial district. It is also home to the teams and events that bring millions of people into our city every year, from the Toronto Blue Jays and the Raptors to the Toronto FC, the Maple Leafs and Toronto Tempo, among others. It has become one of the great sports and cultural cities in the world, and that economic activity matters for Canada. That is why our government will be investing $755 million over five years and $118 million ongoing to support Canada's sports ecosystem and help strengthen our ability to host major international events. When we talk about growing our economy, Canada depends on strong local economies. Toronto's business improvement areas, including the Waterfront BIA, play a major role in that work. The Waterfront BIA brings together businesses, tourism partners, cultural institutions and community organizations to help strengthen Toronto's waterfront as a year-round destination for residents and visitors alike. This contributes to the economic growth across our city, and it builds on decades of sustained federal investment into Toronto's waterfront and public infrastructure. Toronto's 23 Liberal MPs have been strong advocates for this city because we understand its importance to Canada's economic future. Our record reflects that commitment: historic investments in transit, housing, arts and culture, infrastructure and waterfront revitalization. The spring economic statement is ultimately about the kind of future we want to build together. Through budget 2025 and the spring economic statement, we are continuing to make targeted investments that strengthen communities, support local economies, attract global investment and ensure that cities like Toronto continue to grow and thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the fantastic question on how we think about diversifying our economy at this really challenging time. We have a phenomenal organization in our riding called the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Its home is actually in Spadina—Harbourfront. They are doing some very important ecosystem work right now to help prepare companies and small businesses to pivot so that they are ready as we move into the conversations about CUSMA and compliance. This is part of the work that is happening in our riding to make sure that we grow the economy and support local and small businesses in Toronto.

Mr. Speaker, that is certainly a hot topic of conversation in our communities. I have recently hosted a number of town halls and had conversations with residents. Right now, I will say that I have not seen the plan, in terms of how the expansion might go forward, and I cannot speculate on something that I do not have the details on, but I do know that we are looking right now to think about how we strengthen and grow the economy. However, I truly want to talk about the incredible uses on the waterfront of a whole host of pieces, such as our institutions, and that is really critical to get that balance of uses right.

Mr. Speaker, I believe our government is stepping up in the ways that it is best suited to. We can invest the capital that is required to build these massive projects. I spoke about waterfront east transit. That is a project that I am very excited to see come online. It is years overdue. In this work, our role as a federal government is to work alongside other levels of government to ensure that we are investing in and building out the transit that we need.

Mr. Speaker, one of the pieces of the groceries and essentials benefit that I really love, in terms of a policy measure, is that we are having the conversation about a national food strategy. This means that we are not just doing the immediate piece, but we are actually thinking about how we invest in a food system that works for the country. I think that is really critical when we are addressing these pieces: the urgent needs, but also thinking about the systems.

Mr. Speaker, from food banks and employment training to health services and community support, Canada's non-profit and charitable sector supports people every single day. When families need help, when young people need opportunity and when communities need connection, this sector is the first place that Canadians turn to. Canada's non-profit and charitable sector generates $244 billion in annual economic activity, contributes 8.4% of our GDP and employs nearly three million people across this country. These organizations are not only community builders, they are major economic drivers. In Spadina—Harbourfront, we are proud to be home to organizations like FORA: Network for Change, Movember, Eva's Initiatives, the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, TakingITGlobal, the Casa Foundation and many more. These organizations deliver essential services, create jobs, build local economies and drive social resilience. When non-profits thrive, communities grow stronger, our economy grows stronger and Canada prospers. I invite all colleagues to join me this evening at Imagine Canada's reception to celebrate this vital sector. The sector's work strengthens our communities from coast to coast to coast.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the occasion of World Theatre Week, organized by the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and celebrated around the world, culminating in World Theatre Day on March 27, 2026. Spadina—Harbourfront and Toronto's downtown are home to a vibrant theatre community, including Jumblies; Factory Theatre; the Mirvish theatres, the Royal Alex and the Princess of Wales; and the soon-to-be-open Corleck building, among others. At a time when questions of identity and culture matter, telling our own stories in our own voices is essential to preserving Canada's cultural sovereignty. Canada is home to hundreds of theatres in every province and territory, from coast to coast to coast. From small community stages to major performing arts institutions, they play a critical role in our arts and culture sector. This sector contributes $131 billion to Canada's economy and supports more than one million jobs. This week, I invite all members to celebrate World Theatre Week, visit a local theatre and go see a show.

Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago for International Women's Day, 12 students from McGill University walked up to Parliament to shadow and learn from women parliamentarians. Yesterday, we welcomed 85 students from McGill, Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Ottawa to this chamber to shadow women parliamentarians across party lines. Women in House has now welcomed more than 5,000 young women to Parliament, who have moved on to careers in public service, advocacy and, yes, even politics. Women have long led efforts to advance policies that address social and economic challenges. A powerful example of this is our government's $10-a-day child care, which is reshaping how we think about economic resilience and growth. Despite this incredible progress, Canada still ranks 73rd in the world for women's political representation. Our work to continue opening doors for women must go on. Canada is better when more young women can see themselves not only in these halls but at every table where decisions are made. Happy International Women's Day.

Mr. Speaker, as we welcome the Lunar New Year, I send my warmest greetings to the Vietnamese Canadian community and to everyone celebrating across my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront. The year of the horse calls us forward with energy, renewal and perseverance. It is a time to gather with family, honour our elders and reflect values such as resilience, generosity, learning and service. In recent weeks, I have had the privilege of celebrating with Vietnamese communities, from the Vietnamese Association of Toronto and the Vietnamese Women's Association of Toronto to the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre's Lunar New Year celebrations and Small World Music's Chao Tet festival. Each gathering reflects the pride, strength and cultural richness that Vietnamese Canadians bring to our country. As a proud daughter of this community, I remain deeply grateful to the generations whose sacrifices made greater representation possible. May this new year bring happiness, health and prosperity. Chúc mung năm moi.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Bill C-227, an act to establish a national strategy on housing for young Canadians, introduced by the member for Sackville—Bedford—Preston. I represent Spadina—Harbourfront, one of the most densely populated ridings in the country and one of the youngest. In fact, I want to thank my youth council, which is meeting for the first time this evening back in the riding. According to the 2021 census, 94% of homes in my riding are in buildings with five or more storeys. Our median age is just 32 years old, nearly a decade younger than the national average. Over the past few decades, Spadina—Harbourfront has been transformed with rapid growth, bringing thousands of young people to live, work, play and build their futures in the heart of our city. We have reshaped the Toronto skyline, bringing more people closer to jobs, transit and community. We have created opportunities for young people to live near where they work, study and build their lives. This growth has not come without pressures, but it offers important lessons for the national housing conversation we have been having over the past several years. One of these lessons is the vital role that non-market housing, particularly co-operative housing, plays in keeping communities livable and inclusive, especially for young and low-income households. Co-operatives like Harbour Channel Housing Co-operative and Arcadia Housing Co-op, in my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront, are thriving waterfront communities, where residents share governance, build strong neighbour-to-neighbour support systems and access stable, below-market housing in one of the most expensive areas of our country. These homes have allowed families, seniors, newcomers and young people to remain in the downtown core for decades. They stand as powerful examples of the type of housing enabled by legislation such as this. The fact that these communities are still thriving today is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate public investment and long-term thinking. The challenge we now face is not a lack of what works, but a failure to scale it for a new generation of Canadians. A national housing strategy for young Canadians that meaningfully considers co-operative housing alongside student housing, purpose-built rentals and pathways for first-time buyers is not just sensible; it is long overdue. As serious as our government is about building homes, we must also be serious about building the right mix of homes, so young people can actually afford to live in the communities they study in, work in and help to build. Why is this overdue? It is because our young people today face a housing affordability crisis unlike any generation since the post-war period. For far too many, home ownership is out of reach. Even securing a stable, affordable rental has become a challenge. When young people cannot afford housing or cannot move for housing, the consequences extend far beyond shelter. As I knock on doors in my riding, I hear the same message again and again. Young people and young families want to stay in the communities they love. They want to build their careers here, raise their children here and remain close to the networks and supports that make urban life possible. However, the homes we build must reflect the lives people are trying to live. We cannot keep building cities as if they are only for singles and short-term renters. If we want young Canadians to put down roots, our housing supply must include family-friendly homes that make long-term life in our downtowns possible. The ripple effects are obvious: lower productivity and economic growth, and decreased well-being, both over the short and long term of one's life. The economic case is just as compelling. A 2024 report from the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis found addressing housing unaffordability could generate $24.4 billion in additional disposable income, increase our GDP by $22 billion and create 189,000 jobs, while delivering $5 billion in new tax revenue. These are real, tangible benefits for young Canadians and our entire economy. When housing instability begins to shape who can move, who can work and who can plan for their future, it stops being only an economic problem and becomes a social one with real consequences for safety, autonomy and equality. Let us be clear. Housing insecurity is not gender-neutral. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has reported that women are more likely to experience acute housing need, and those rates are higher for racialized women. For young women in particular, the shortage of accessible options, whether it is emergency shelters, transitional housing, co-operative housing or affordable units, can carry serious safety implications. Without safe and affordable alternatives, some young women cannot leave unsafe and unhealthy living situations. Some remain trapped in abusive relationships simply because they have nowhere else to go. This is why housing is about far more than affordability alone. It is about safety, it is about dignity, and it is about security. A national housing strategy for young Canadians must also reflect this reality. Housing lives at the intersection of personal autonomy and personal security, and this must find its way into our legislation. This is precisely why Bill C-227 is so important. Establishing a national housing strategy for young Canadians would ensure that federal housing policy responds not only to market pressures but to the social realities that shape young people's lives. The economic and social benefit of government action to address affordability is clear, and our government understands that. With the launch of Build Canada Homes, the federal government is taking decisive steps to accelerate the construction of affordable housing at scale through a single, streamlined agency. By financing and prioritizing non-profit housing, including transitional, supportive, co-operative and affordable housing, the federal government would be ending a decades-long retreat from building homes that Canadians can truly afford. This would create real opportunities for young Canadians, not only to find housing that meets their needs in the short term but to build the conditions for home ownership in the future. By easing the costs faced by non-market builders, Build Canada Homes would increase supply of deeply affordable housing, help cool an overheated market where these housing options have not been sufficiently built and ensure that housing policy once again works in the public interest. By establishing a national housing strategy for young Canadians, as Bill C-227 seeks to do, the purpose and impact of Build Canada Homes becomes sharper and stronger, ensuring that federal investments deliver real, generational impact for Canada's young people. Housing is foundational. When it is unstable, everything else becomes unstable too, especially for young people who are trying to establish themselves. The government is building Canada strong by recognizing housing as essential infrastructure. Bill C-227 builds on that momentum, recognizing that young Canadians face unique barriers in today's housing market and that meeting those challenges requires coordination, data and long-term planning. The evidence is clear. Addressing housing affordability strengthens our economy, boosts productivity and creates opportunities. Housing insecurity and instability carry real social costs, especially for women and those seeking safety, dignity and independence. Through Build Canada Homes, our government is acting to scale what we know works. Bill C-227 would enhance that effort by ensuring young Canadians are not an afterthought but a focus of our plan. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and vote in favour of Bill C-227.

Mr. Speaker, gender-based violence remains a serious concern in communities across Canada, including in my community of Spadina—Harbourfront. Survivors have been clear about the need for a justice system that better understands the realities of coercive control, intimidation, harassment and repeat harms. The protecting victims act, Bill C-16, responds directly to these concerns. Could the Secretary of State for Combatting Crime explain how Bill C-16, the protecting victims act, advances our efforts to address gender-based violence and better protect survivors within the criminal justice system?

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Bill C-222, the relieving grieving parents of an administrative burden act. First, l would like to acknowledge and thank the hon. member for Burnaby North—Seymour for bringing this bill forward. The loss of a child is one of the most devastating experiences a parent can face. lt is a loss that reshapes a family forever. ln those moments, parents deserve compassion, stability, space to grieve and time. What they do not deserve is confusion, paperwork and bureaucracy. As a mother of two young boys, I know how completely children shape our lives. They give us our responsibility, our purpose and our deepest vulnerabilities. Parenthood opens us up to extraordinary love, while also reminding us how fragile life can be. When that loss occurs, the role of government must be clear, to support families and not to burden them. This is something all members can agree on in this chamber. Each year in Canada, thousands of families experience this unimaginable loss. In 2023 alone, more than 3,200 child deaths were reported, over half involving infants under the age of one, with many occurring in the first month of life. Under our current rules, while EI maternity benefits continue following the loss of a child, recognizing the physical and emotional recovery from childbirth, parental benefits stop immediately when a child dies. The only alternative is to reapply for EI, a process that involves new applications, medical documentation and biweekly reporting that forces parents to repeatedly confirm their loss. No parent should have to prove their grief to the government. This is the gap that Bill C-222 addresses. The bill would amend the Employment Insurance Act so that parents receiving EI benefits to care for a newborn or an adopted child remain eligible for those benefits even if their child dies during the benefit period. It would also amend the Canada Labour Code to ensure that parents remain entitled to maternity or parental leave without interruption in the event of a child's death. This is a simple, compassionate fix. It would allow parents to grieve without administrative burden, prevent unnecessary clawbacks and streamline government processes without increasing overall costs. Most importantly, it would treat all families, birth parents, adoptive parents and same-sex parents, with dignity and respect. I have been encouraged by the broad, cross-party support for this legislation. This is not a partisan issue. This is about shared values of empathy, fairness and respect for families. It is also a reminder that Parliament can come together to fix systems when we see that they are causing harm. I do believe, though, that a broader conversation about how we can modernize employment insurance and caregiving supports is needed. However, Evan's law is about acting now, where we can, to prevent harm that is both clear and avoidable. Protecting families in moments of vulnerability is one of the most serious responsibilities we hold as legislators. When we see that rules cause harm, even unintentionally, we have a duty to change it. This bill would remove unnecessary bureaucracy. When I think of my own children, I am reminded that the decisions we make in this chamber reach into people's lives at their most fragile moments. Bill C-222 would ensure that when families face the unthinkable, our systems can respond with care and not further complication. For these reasons, I urge all members to support Bill C-222.

Mr. Speaker, last week I joined hundreds of residents from across my riding to celebrate the magic of the holiday season with the lighting of our 33-foot tree in the community square at Harbourfront Centre. Harbourfront Centre and the public spaces around it are vital gathering places. They bring people together and create a sense of belonging in vertical neighbourhoods like mine. Even in a fast-paced city, these traditions remind us that community is still at the heart of who we are in Spadina—Harbourfront. The holiday season offers a moment to pause and reflect, and to recognize the diversity and resilience of our communities, especially after a year marked by global economic shocks and challenges felt by many. As we look to the new year, let us carry forward a spirit of hope, generosity and determination. From my family to theirs, I wish all Canadians peace, joy and good health this holiday season. Happy holidays.

Mr. Speaker, today is Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity and community, an opportunity to reflect on local needs, support important causes and give through donations or volunteering. Volunteering is how we learn about ourselves and the world. It is woven into who we are as Canadians, and we are people who care. According to the “World Giving Index”, Canada ranks 11th for generosity, yet Volunteer Canada and Statistics Canada report a decades-long decline in volunteer hours and participation. This matters because organizations, such as United Way Greater Toronto, The Neighbourhood Group, Scadding Court Community Centre and Crossroads International, rely on volunteers to deliver essential supports to our most vulnerable. Volunteering strengthens belonging, reduces social isolation, builds lifelong skills and weaves together a stronger community fabric. It reminds us that we coexist and we thrive together. Even a few hours can make a real difference for the volunteers and the organizations that receive their support. On this Giving Tuesday, and throughout the holiday season, I encourage Canadians to give what they can, and even more importantly, to give their time, when possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to Bill C-225, the private member's bill sponsored by the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola. The bill aims to confront one of the most heartbreaking and pervasive crises facing families and women across this country: intimate partner violence. Addressing intimate partner violence is a shared responsibility, and today we have an opportunity to demonstrate that when lives are on the line, collaboration must prevail over division. Gender-based violence must end, and we must ensure that survivors receive the protection and justice they deserve. I want to thank the member opposite for bringing the bill forward. His efforts reflect a genuine commitment to ensuring that our justice system responds effectively when individuals, often women, face threats to their safety. I also commend the Minister of Justice for engaging closely with the sponsoring member and with provinces, territories, survivors and experts on the issue. This is exactly what Canadians expect of us: to work together, to problem-solve and to put people before politics. When Parliament addresses issues with focus, urgency and compassion, it offers not only policy solutions but also hope, not just to survivors but to all Canadians who believe in the power and potential of the House. Today our task is both clear and urgent; we must strengthen protections for people at risk, close the gaps in our justice system and ensure that violence is met with action and not silence. While Bill C-225 may appear tough, strength on paper does not always translate into protection in practice. As drafted, the bill risks punishing the very individuals it seeks to protect. Rather than its restoring trust in the justice system, there is a real danger that survivors, especially women, could lose even more confidence in our legal institutions. Any legislative response must be thoughtful, rooted in evidence and grounded in the lived experience of survivors. This means listening to experts in gender-based and intimate partner violence, working in lockstep with the provinces and territories that administer the justice system, and, most importantly, centring the lived experience of survivors. Their voices must ground our approach. As drafted, Bill C-225 would duplicate existing offences, impose automatic first-degree murder charges and significantly restrict police release discretion without regard to context, coercive control or self-defence. It may make for compelling headlines, but it does not make for sound, evidence-based policy. In fact the bill could create harmful unintended consequences, both legal and human. It would place additional burdens on an already strained provincial justice system, potentially causing delays, barriers to prosecution and the inconsistent application of justice. This strain could further erode confidence for survivors already facing fear, trauma and risk. Intimate partner violence demands careful and thoughtful treatment under the Criminal Code. Blanket measures that lack flexibility fail to recognize the realities of coercive control, the cycles of abuse and the life-threatening circumstances faced by many victims. Most concerning is the real possibility that victims, particularly women defending themselves against violence and life-threatening abuse, could be penalized rather than protected. Under the bill, a victim who kills their abuser in a desperate act of self-defence could face an automatic first-degree murder charge. That is not justice; it is traumatization. It is not protection; it is punishment. It is not what survivors deserve. We need legislation that protects survivors, holds perpetrators accountable and supports the justice system in delivering better outcomes. This is how we build trust and not erode it. Our approach is different. Criminal law must reflect the full spectrum of intimate partner violence, including coercive control, psychological manipulation, economic abuse and the pervasive cycles of fear and entrapment that survivors experience. That is why our upcoming intimate partner violence reforms would be targeted, trauma-informed and grounded in the voices of the people who experience abuse first-hand and of those who work directly on the front lines. IPV is complex. It cannot be adequately addressed through isolated or symbolic amendments but must be addressed through meaningful and modernized legal reforms that truly protect survivors and hold abusers accountable. A survivor-led approach is essential. Survivors have told us that punitive measures alone do not necessarily create safety and in some cases can create risk. Real reform must reflect lived realities and address the root causes of violence, not just its outcomes. It means building on the excellent work of organizations like Next Gen Men, which promotes emotionally supportive and positive masculinity, challenging the harmful gender norms that often drive violence. It also means addressing socio-economic conditions like poverty, financial dependence and housing insecurity that keep too many victims trapped in cycles of abuse. Experts like Julie Lalonde have told us that intimate partner violence is not limited to physical harm. Her work on coercive control, stalking and bystander intervention has helped shape national conversations about how violence often begins before it becomes visible. She reminds us that protection is not just about reacting; it is also about recognizing early warning signs, intervening sooner and ensuring that survivors know they are not alone. Another survivor, Attiya Khan, has challenged Canada to rethink how we talk about intimate partner violence, so it is centred not only on punishment but on healing, accountability, prevention and survivor empowerment. While there are many contributing factors to intimate partner violence, we know this for sure: It must end. Real progress comes through prevention, capacity building, early intervention and strong supports. There is much work ahead, but the government's commitment is unwavering. We are doing the work outside of legislative reforms. Through the national action plan to end gender-based violence, we have invested more than half a billion dollars, $539 million, which is flowing directly to provinces and territories. Importantly, at least 25% of that funding is specifically dedicated to education and prevention initiatives, because protecting survivors means not just responding to violence after it happens but also working to prevent it before it occurs. I recently participated, as part of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, in its study of gender-based violence, femicides and section 810 of the Criminal Code. Expert witnesses, such as Louise Riendeau from the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale, shared some important concerns about Bill C-225 as it is currently written. In her testimony, Madam Riendeau shared, “On the one hand, Bill C‑225 simply repeats most offences and places them in a context of intimate partner violence. That maintains the logic of isolated incidents, which wouldn't be the case if there were instead an offence of coercive control.” In other words, rather than recognizing ongoing patterns of abuse, this bill would maintain a narrow, incident-focused view of violence. That approach fails to capture the lived realities of survivors. She went on to warn of another troubling impact of the bill. Under the proposed framework, she notes, “ A victim who left marks on their attacker by biting or scratching them while they were being strangled would be charged with a crime against an intimate partner, just like a controlling and violent spouse.” This means that a victim acting in self-defence while fighting for her life could be charged in the same way as the perpetrator. These concerns show why simply duplicating offences or automatically classifying all intimate partner violence as first-degree murder fails to reflect the full spectrum of intimate partner violence, especially those rooted in coercive and controlling behaviour. Rather than protecting survivors, it risks criminalizing them. Tather than bringing justice, it risks retraumatizing them. Rather than enhancing safety, it could silence the very voices we are trying to empower. We must ensure that our reforms protect victims, not punish them. We must build laws that reflect reality and not just react to it. Collaboration across party lines on intimate partner violence is not only important; it is critical. If we are serious about reducing the violence that affects women, children, families and communities, then we must work together with determination. In that spirit, our government intends to put forward amendments that strengthen this bill, not to dismiss its intent but to ensure that it truly protects survivors and does not unintentionally criminalize them. Criminal law must reflect the full spectrum of intimate partner violence, including coercive control, ongoing patterns of abuse and physical assault. That is why our government will be proposing targeted amendments to ensure victims are not captured under the first-degree murder clause, to modernize the seized property regime and to avoid unworkable bail measures. The government can support meaningful reforms that would actually enhance protection for survivors while maintaining charter-compliant, evidence-based policy. These reforms will be grounded in evidence developed in close consultation with provinces and territories, ensuring that the law is informed by those who administer justice and by those who experience abuse first hand. Our government, with the largest women's caucus in Canadian history, is committed to making Canada safer and protecting victims of IPV. Protecting women is not a partisan issue, and we will continue to work with survivors, communities and all levels of government to ensure targeted, evidence-based reforms.

Mr. Speaker, last month, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's business data lab, commissioned by Business/Arts in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts, released a report confirming that the arts are far more than cultural expression; they are a key economic driver. In 2024, the sector generated $65 billion in GDP, nearly $130 billion in total economic impact and over $7 billion in tax revenue that helps support essential public services. We often talk about physical infrastructure, but cultural infrastructure, like the arts, is what connects us as a country. This is where identity takes shape and where Canadians are reflected. Our government recognizes this, which is why budget 2025 would make important investments in arts and culture and help Canadian creators share their stories at home and around the world. This evening, I invite all members to attend the Canada's Live Performing Arts Industries Reception reception with industry leaders and artists, and a very special performance by iconic Canadian musician Alan Doyle.

Mr. Speaker, last weekend was a defining moment for sport in Canada as the Northern Super League, our country's first professional women's soccer league, held its inaugural championship final at BMO Field in my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront. Can the Secretary of of State for Sport share with Canadians how our government is investing in women's sport, including with the recent $5.4-million commitment to the Northern Super League, to boost local economies and bring communities together?

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to Bill C-15, the budget implementation act. It is a budget for a moment of profound global change. This is not a routine budget; it is a blueprint for generational transformation, a plan that would define Canada's future for decades to come. We are laying the foundation for a modern, secure and competitive Canada in the 21st century, future-proofing our economy while protecting our people, and we are doing so by making bold, responsible choices. We will build the infrastructure, the homes and the industries that drive long-term prosperity. We will protect our communities and uphold our values, and we will empower Canadians, especially young people, with better careers, strong public services and a more affordable life. In a time of global uncertainty, Canada will not stand still. We choose to lead. We choose to build. With U.S. tariffs rising and global supply chains shifting, how we invest in Canadian infrastructure and manufacturing will shape our competitiveness and resilience for a generation. That is why the budget focuses on what we can control: building our economy here at home, stronger and faster than ever before. We are cutting waste and redirecting resources toward smart, generational investments that will grow our economy, protect communities and empower Canadians. This is our moment to build big, build bold and build now. In times of economic uncertainty, when families across Canada are facing high rents, rising food prices and mounting child care costs, Canadians need to know that their government is protecting the programs that make life possible. These are not luxuries; these are essential for all Canadians. Toronto's families know that child care costs have historically been among the highest in the country, but investing in child care has changed that. Budget 2025 would protect the national child care program, ensuring that parents in Spadina—Harbourfront and across Canada can continue to access good-quality care. This is not just social policy; it is economic policy, enabling more parents, especially women, to participate more fully in the workforce. We are also investing in our new Canadian dental care plan, one of the largest expansions of health care in a generation, and it is already transforming lives. Thousands of my constituents, including children, seniors living on a fixed income and low-income families, have been able to visit a dentist for the first time in years. Access to oral health is not a luxury. This is more than coverage; it is prevention. Untreated dental issues lead to pain, illness, ER visits, and missed work and school. By introducing the Canadian dental care plan, we are saving families money, reducing pressure on our health care system and protecting long-term health outcomes. Budget 2025 would also maintain and strengthen the Canada child benefit, a lifeline for families in Toronto, where housing and food costs are among the highest in Canada. At a time of tough fiscal choices, our government chose to protect families and the services they rely on. That is leadership Canadians deserve and expect. Many parents rely on the Canada child benefit to make life more affordable. This benefit helps cover essentials, such as groceries, clothing and school supplies, the things that make raising children possible. We know this: When we invest in children, we do not just help families; we build a stronger, more resilient economy and community. We are not stopping there. We are simplifying access through automatic benefit systems, so the families who need support most receive it without barriers. From employment insurance enhancements to the permanent national school food program, the budget would reinforce the social infrastructure that keeps Canadians secure. Protection alone is not enough. In a world of uncertainty, we cannot simply hold the line; we must move forward boldly. That is why the BIA, Bill C-15, and budget 2025 would launch the most ambitious building agenda in generations. To secure our future, we must build it, and we are building Canada strong. When I was knocking on doors just seven months ago, I heard about the same two issues again and again: affordable housing and transit. Residents have told me time and time again that we need homes we can afford and we need transit that gets us where we need to go. These are daily realities for the people of Spadina—Harbourfront. In our city, we understand what it means to grow. We know how to live close together. We know how to thrive in dense, vibrant, connected communities. Because we know how to live together, we can lead together. Toronto can be a model for urban growth and for how cities build more neighbours, not more barriers. Through the build communities strong fund, we have committed $51 billion over 10 years to infrastructure. For Toronto, that means continued and expanded investments in transit, green infrastructure and community facilities, projects that make our city more livable, sustainable and connected. The budget also responds boldly to the housing crisis, with $25 billion in housing commitments, including the launch of Build Canada Homes, backed by $13 billion to accelerate construction using modern, modular and sustainable methods. Build Canada Homes would double the pace of homebuilding, powered by Canadian technology, Canadian workers and Canadian innovation. Our focus is clear: We will build more non-market, affordable community housing to meet a range of needs. We will build for families, for seniors, for students, for workers and for those at risk of homelessness. We will work with the provinces, municipalities, indigenous communities, mission-driven housing providers, non-profits, co-operatives and organizations serving women, newcomers, people with disabilities and those needing supportive housing. The math is simple. When we build more, supply increases. When supply increases, more Canadians can find a place to call home. Budget 2025 is not just about building houses. It is about building opportunity. For many young professionals and families in Toronto, buying a first home has felt simply out of reach. We are eliminating the GST on new homes, including condos, up to $1 million, making home ownership more attainable for more younger Canadians. The budget is a generational investment strategy designed to unlock $1 trillion in private sector investment and position Canada for success in a world where resilience is economic strength. We are not just building for today. We are building for the next generation. We are building Canada strong. Budget 2025 is not only about building homes and infrastructure. It is about building the heart and soul of our country. The arts and culture sector is central to building the strongest and most resilient economy in the G7. It is how we tell our story. It is how we protect our sovereignty in a world where culture is influence. By investing in the institutions that carry Canada's diverse stories to the world, we protect our cultural sovereignty, reinforce national unity and project our values across the world. Canada's values are rooted in our shared identity and deep connection to community. We have so much to be proud of, to celebrate and to defend. That is why budget 2025 would make one of the largest investments in arts and culture in our history, with $769.3 million over four years to strengthen Canada's creative economy, support storytelling and journalism, and bring Canadians together through national celebrations and shared moments of pride. The budget would also renew the Canada Strong pass. Families and young people will have free or discounted access to national parks, museums, galleries and rail travel, giving more Canadians the chance to explore our country and experience our history. Canada's artists, musicians, filmmakers, publishers and writers are at the heart of our creative economy. They are job creators, innovators, entrepreneurs and ambassadors for Canada on the world stage. I am proud that Spadina—Harbourfront is home to the headquarters of the CBC, an institution that connects Canadians from coast to coast to coast. It protects our official languages and strengthens our cultural sovereignty. Budget 2025 would strengthen CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate and modernize its role in the digital age, ensuring that Canadian stories continue to be told by Canadians, for Canadians and to the world. The arts and culture sector is not an afterthought. It is an economic driver. It is a nation-building sector. It fuels tourism, attracts investment and showcases Canada's excellence on the world stage. From a recent report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, we know that over the past three years, the sector has grown nearly twice as fast as the broader economy; cultural exports have reached a record $25 billion, and GDP from the sector has risen almost 8%. It now supports more jobs per dollar than oil and gas, manufacturing or agriculture, and it generates $17 billion in government tax revenue. The return on public investment is extraordinary. For every dollar the federal government invests, the arts and culture sector generates $29 in economic activity. Supporting arts is not a luxury. It is a strategic investment in economic strength, national unity and Canadian sovereignty. When we invest in the creative economy, we are not only creating jobs; we are protecting our identity and strengthening Canada's voice in the world. Budget 2025 is a plan to build, protect and empower. It would protect the social programs that families rely on. It would build the homes, infrastructure and industries our communities need. It would empower Canadians and our cultural sector to tell Canada's story to the world. For Spadina—Harbourfront, for Toronto and for all Canadians, this is a budget to prepare us for a stronger, more resilient future.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague for her question. I know that the work of local democracy and local journalism is critical for storytelling and for the information ecosystem we need in this country. That is why we have committed $37 million to the local journalism fund. That kind of investment will strengthen democracy and ensure that Canadians have access to high-quality local news that will allow us to understand what is happening in our country.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague's question about what is needed in urban centres was a very thoughtful one. I certainly have a very urban and dense riding in Spadina—Harbourfront. Something I know Canadians care about and Torontonians care about deeply is how we move around the city and how we invest in transit mobility. The infrastructure investments we are making as part of the $51 billion are investments in green infrastructure and public transit, which will alleviate some of the pain points Torontonians are feeling in our communities today.

Mr. Speaker, November 15 marked National Philanthropy Day, recognizing Canadians whose generosity strengthens our communities. From food banks and shelters to arts, conservation and youth programs, philanthropy fuels essential work across this country. Spadina—Harbourfront is home to the national chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and organizations such as Eva's Initiatives, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, CAMH, West Neighbourhood House, Movember Canada and many others. Canada's 170,000 charities contribute 8.3% to our GDP and employ 2.4 million Canadians. I would also like to acknowledge an announcement last week from New Power Labs of a new fund Canada pledge. It calls on philanthropic and investment partners to direct $500 million to Black, indigenous, women-led and gender-diverse leaders and communities by 2030, showing how the sector is driving leadership changes to help accelerate community solutions. When government, philanthropy and community leaders lead, together, Canadians get the future they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, the government was elected with a decisive mandate to keep violent repeat offenders off our streets. While the Leader of the Opposition was attacking the brave men and women of the RCMP, calling them “despicable”, the Minister of Justice was working with provinces, territories and law enforcement to develop solutions-focused bail and sentencing reforms. Today, the minister has tabled Bill C-14, the bail and sentencing reform act. Can the minister explain how this bill will ensure the safety of our communities and keep dangerous offenders behind bars?

Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday, we celebrated the 96th anniversary of the Persons Case, when the Famous Five fought to have women recognized as persons in Canada. Their courage reshaped democracy in this country. Across Canada, women are transforming government, business and public life. We are delivering on the national $10-a-day child care program, a national action plan to end gender-based violence, a permanent national school food program and, soon, free contraception for more choice and control. All of these initiatives have a profoundly positive impact on all Canadians, but especially on our mothers, sisters and daughters. However, progress is not equality. In 2023, women's workforce participation lagged 6.6 points behind men's, a gap that if closed could add $150 billion to our economy. Gender-based violence still costs Canadians $7.4 billion every year. Nearly a century later, the fight for equality is far from over. It is our turn to finish what the Famous Five so bravely began.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the much-needed modernization of the Canadian military justice system and the transformation of the culture within the Canadian Armed Forces. Bill C-11 is an important step in renewing the Canadian Armed Forces and ensuring that our military institutions reflect the values of justice and dignity that Canadians and CAF members both expect and deserve. Canada's military justice system must not only reflect fairness, accountability and respect but also uphold the trust Canadians place in the institutions that serve them. Through Bill C-11, we also have a responsibility to protect them. Bill C-11 represents change at a time when Canada is making significant investments in the armed forces, but we cannot invest in our military without investing in its people, especially women, victims and survivors of sexual misconduct. Before my election to the House, I spent my career advancing systemic solutions, equity in political systems and policy reform to strengthen women's representation in public life. I worked to ensure that women and other under-represented groups have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives, particularly in spaces where their voices have traditionally been absent. Bill C-11, the military justice system modernization act, is in many ways an extension of this work. The legislation is about giving every member of the armed forces the tools, the respect and the support they need to serve in an environment that values their safety and dignity. The Canadian Armed Forces have a proud and essential role in defending our country and ensuring the safety of all Canadians. Members of our armed forces protect Canada at home and abroad, responding to natural disasters, defending our sovereignty and contributing to international peace and security efforts. Their service across Canada is a source of national pride. For too long, incidents of sexual misconduct have had deep impacts on individuals, families and entire units. Independent reviews from former Supreme Court justices Arbour and Fish made clear recommendations. Bill C-11 would respond to them, ensuring that all Canadian Armed Forces are safe from harassment and from misconduct. The legislation strengthens the system by implementing Justice Morris Fish's call to shift sexual offences to civilian jurisdiction and by building on Louise Arbour's 48 recommendations to address systemic cultural issues. First, the bill removes CAF jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual offences committed in Canada. Civilian authorities would have the exclusive responsibility to investigate and prosecute these offences. This is not a technical adjustment. It is a matter of principle. Sexual violence must be addressed with the full transparency, accountability and independence of our civilian legal system. Bill C-11 would enshrine in law that CAF would no longer have jurisdiction over such offences. Civilian police forces and authorities would have exclusive jurisdiction, ensuring greater clarity and fairness in how these cases are handled. These issues are not unique to the military, but they have been compounded by a justice system that, at times, seems ill-equipped to address the complexities of misconduct, especially in a culture with power dynamics that are deeply entrenched. This is why Bill C-11 is not only about reforming policies; it is about continuing the cultural transformation inside the CAF. It recognizes that military justice must evolve alongside the needs and values of a changing society. We are committed to ensuring that the Canadian Armed Forces become a place in which every member, regardless of gender, background or rank, feels safe, respected and empowered to serve. Another priority of the legislation is to rebuild public trust in the Canadian Armed Forces, in response to the decades of concerns raised by victims and survivors of the Canadian Armed Forces community. When victims tell us that they have been harmed, we must listen. Our government is taking decisive steps to rebuild and reinforce that trust within the Canadian Armed Forces. The reforms in the bill would strengthen the independence of key roles within the military justice system, including the provost marshal and the director of military prosecutions. These roles would be elevated to increase their independence, ensuring that decisions are made based on law and evidence and not on hierarchy or politics. To reinforce transparency, the provost marshal general would be required to submit an annual report to the minister detailing the activities of the military police and the provost marshal. This reporting requirement would reinforce accountability and ensure that Parliament and Canadians are kept informed of progress and challenges within the system. Perhaps most importantly, the bill would enhance support for victims. It would establish the right to request a victim liaison officer, whose aid would be provided to victims throughout the transfer of cases, regardless of jurisdiction. This is a meaningful acknowledgement of the trauma that victims often endure and the need for compassionate, survivor-centred approaches. The bill would help ensure that no matter where a case is handled, the victim is never left to navigate the system alone. As we debate Bill C-11 today, we must remember that while modernizing the military justice system is important, equally vital is supporting survivors of sexual misconduct. Over the past decade, the sexual misconduct support and resource centre, or SMSRC, has been an essential part of the defence team's response to sexual misconduct. Through its work, we have been able to provide survivors and those impacted by sexual misconduct the resources they need to begin healing. Let me take a moment to highlight some of the critical programs and services the SMSRC offers to survivors. For anyone who has been affected by sexual misconduct, whether as a victim, a witness or even a supporter of a victim or survivor, the SMSRC provides 24-7 access to confidential, trauma-informed services. For example, the 24-7 support line is available to any member of the defence team or their family, offering anonymous, bilingual counselling and guidance about available options for support, including referrals to community resources. Additionally, the response and support coordination program assigns a dedicated coordinator to support survivors at every stage of their journey, from initial disclosure through to legal proceedings, even helping survivors transition to civilian services if they choose. These supports are just one part of services for victims and survivors. Bill C-11 goes even further to ensure the justice system within the CAF is truly aligned with Canadian values. One of the most important provisions of the bill is the transfer of jurisdiction over criminal sexual offences to civilian authorities within Canada. This provision aligns with Justice Arbour's recommendation to ensure that such cases are handled by civilian authorities, where they can be investigated, prosecuted and adjudicated independently of the military hierarchy. This move sends a strong message, not just to the survivors but to every member of the Canadian Armed Forces, that sexual misconduct will not be tolerated and will be treated with the seriousness it deserves. This bill is not just about legal reform; it is also about ensuring that military culture evolves. Culture change is not easy, but it is possible. We have seen progress. We have heard survivors speak out. We have seen a growing recognition that the status quo is no longer acceptable. We must move beyond silence and build a culture of accountability, transparency and respect, not just within the CAF but throughout society on all of these issues. I want to acknowledge the extraordinary role of gender violence experts such as Julie Lalonde, Farrah Khan, Pamela Cross and Emma Phillips, who have courageously pushed for our institutions to change and invited us all to have a role in changing our understandings of the persistent violence in our communities. This work is especially important as we seek to recruit and retain the next generation of CAF members. Young Canadians want to join institutions that reflect their values. They want to serve in workplaces that are safe, inclusive and respectful. This bill would help us build exactly that kind of workplace, one where all members can thrive. Bill C-11 is the legislative embodiment of this progress. It is the result of years of advocacy, consultation and reflection. It represents a clear signal that this government is serious about transforming the Canadian Armed Forces and our military institutions. Bill C-11 is not the finish line. It is another step in a longer journey of institutional change. The reforms are not just about fixing a broken system, but about building a better one with a military justice system that reflects inclusion, respect and accountability. It would ensure that every member of the CAF, regardless of rank, gender or background, can serve with confidence knowing their rights will be protected and their voices heard. I want to acknowledge the survivors who have spoken out, the advocates who have pushed for reform, the experts who have provided guidance and the members of the CAF who have called for a better system. Their courage and persistence made this legislation possible. I urge all members of this House to support Bill C-11. Let us stand together in support of survivors, in support of reform and in honour of our CAF members, not only with words but through action. I am proud to support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Let us build a Canadian Armed Forces where every person can serve knowing they are safe, respected and valued.

Mr. Speaker, in June 2026, the FIFA World Cup is coming to Canada. All six Ontario matches will be hosted on the vibrant waterfront in my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront. Toronto has a proud record of hosting international sporting events, from the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup to the 2015 Pan Am Games. Time and again, we have delivered unforgettable moments on and off the field. Toronto's waterfront contributes over $13 billion annually to Canada's economy, and this next chapter will be unprecedented. Co-hosting the World Cup will support and create up to 24,000 jobs, welcome over 500,000 tourists and generate over $2 billion in investment. It will also leave a lasting legacy of stronger public spaces, cultural programming and improved connections along our waterfront. Major games demand major collaboration across sectors and all three levels of government. We have a world-class waterfront, a thriving arts and culture scene and a proven record of hosting global events, and FIFA 2026 is our moment to shine. Toronto is ready to welcome the world to our city.

Mr. Speaker, every September, the streets of downtown Toronto in my riding of Spadina—Harbourfront come alive with the magic of cinema. The Toronto International Film Festival is the world's largest public film festival, showcasing over 300 films and drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from Canada and around the globe. This year, TIFF celebrated its 50th anniversary. I was honoured to attend the premiere of John Candy: I Like Me, a moving tribute to one of Canada's most beloved comedians. I am proud that our Liberal government is supercharging TIFF's global impact with a historic $23-million federal investment in its new content market, an industry initiative where international film, series and innovation sectors converge. This industry is a proven economic engine, contributing over $60 billion to GDP and employing more than 600,000 Canadians. By investing in arts and culture, we safeguard our values, foster national unity and help strengthen a key pillar of Canada's economy. Happy “TIFF-tieth” anniversary, TIFF. Here is to the next 50 years of storytelling.

Mr. Speaker, Canadian steel and aluminum are the best in the world, and our workers in those vital industries are second to none. However, we know that these vital sectors are facing very serious threats as a result of unjustified and illegal American tariffs. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue update the House on how the government is supporting our world-class steel and aluminum producers during these turbulent times?