Doug Shipley

Mr. Speaker, I was very fortunate about a year ago to be able to go out to this great member's area. I remember flying in on that plane and looking out the window and seeing those beautiful fields of golden canola growing. I know it is near and dear to the production of agriculture out there. I wonder if the member who just spoke could relay exactly what this motion would do if and when passed. How much would it help those great farmers out there who are helping with these great canola fields that I witnessed when I was out in his area?

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the passing of former Barrie mayor Janice Laking, a true community champion who passed away last week at the age of 96. Janice devoted her life to serving our community, first as a high school teacher and guidance councillor at Barrie North Collegiate Institute, then as a Barrie city councillor, and later as Barrie mayor from 1988 to 2000. As mayor, she led Barrie through a period of extraordinary growth. Janice spearheaded the transformation of the former Royal Victoria Hospital into Victoria Village, and played a key role in preserving the CN Rail corridor in Barrie. Janice remained deeply involved in our community long after her time as mayor. She was a steadfast supporter of the MacLaren Art Centre and the YMCA. She also served as an honorary colonel of the CFB Borden 16 Wing unit and was a citizenship court judge. While her contributions to our community will be long remembered, her most enduring legacy is the loving family she leaves behind: her seven children and 11 grandchildren. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to her family, friends and all those who had the privilege of knowing Janice Laking. Please join me in honouring the life and legacy of service of a truly great Canadian.

Mr. Speaker, thankfully, summer is here, and with its arrival comes the much anticipated opening of our local farmers' markets and the start of festival season in communities across Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte. We are very fortunate to have two major local farmers' markets operating this year. The Barrie Farmers' Market is back outdoors and open every Saturday on Collier Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In Springwater, the Elmvale Farmers' Market kicks off its season on June 11 and will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Elmvale municipal parking lot. We are also fortunate to have several fantastic festivals in our region in the coming weeks, including the Troubadour Festival, Kempenfest, Boots and Hearts and many Canada Day celebrations, including those in Elmvale, Hawkstone and Barrie. Finally, this weekend, the Barrie Airshow will feature the Snowbirds, providing one of the last chances for residents to see them perform for years. I encourage all residents to get out and attend one or all of these great markets and festivals, and I wish them all a happy summer.

moved for leave to introduce Bill C‑281, An Act to amend the Textile Labelling Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand and introduce my private member's bill today, entitled “the made in Canada flag act”. I would like to thank my friend and colleague for Saskatoon South for seconding this bill. This act would require Canadian flags sold in Canada to clearly display their country of origin. Currently, there is no requirement for Canadian flags manufactured abroad to be labelled with their country of origin. This is about honesty and fairness. Canadians deserve to know where their flags come from. If it is made in Canada, that is something to be proud of. If it is not, Canadians still have the right to make an informed choice. If Canadians want to buy Canadian-made flags, the choice should be obvious. The proposed legislation would require Canadian flags that meet minimum size requirements to display a country-of-origin label directly on the product as well as on its packaging. This act would close a loophole that allows foreign-made flags to be sold without clear origin labelling and support Canadian manufacturers facing unfair competition from mislabelled or unlabelled imports, promote transparency, inform consumer choice and protect the integrity of the Canadian flag, a national symbol central to our identity. This legislation would not ban imports or impose tariffs. It would simply ensure transparency. It is a practical measure that supports Canadian jobs and helps Canadians shop and display their national pride with confidence. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Mr. Speaker, Canada is the only G7 country currently in a recession. This made-in-Canada recession has caused food bank usage to surge. In my community, the Barrie Food Bank is now supporting 8,000 clients per month, up from just 1,000 at the beginning of 2020. According to the executive director of the Barrie Food Bank, the organization recorded more than 8,000 visits in March alone. This represents a 12% year-over-year increase, including 377 first-time visits, which is up 30% from 2025. If Canada's recession were truly driven by global energy and tariff pressures, why is no other G7—