Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, to strengthen our Canadian identity, we need to help more people discover the places, stories and landscapes that define us. From national museums to parks and historic sites, these shared spaces remind us of who we are. For many families, every outing counts in the budget. Can the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages elaborate on h…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a peculiar contradiction in Canadian politics. For years, the Conservative leader and his party have been lecturing Canadians on the virtues of tax cuts. However, when this government proposes a significant GST cut to put more money in families' pockets, what do the Conservatives do? They vote against it. It is like a chef turning their nose up at their own …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, we have gathered together today to pay tribute to a man whose commitment, wisdom and determination have marked not only this institution, but also Quebec and our entire country. I thank my friend, my colleague, the member for Honoré-Mercier. He has dedicated many years of his life to serving our fellow Canadians. His career is a shining example of what the word “devotion” truly means.…
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Mr. Speaker, Lebanon is bleeding. The entire country is currently in an intensive care unit. The population of the country appeals to the international community to intervene, put an immediate end to the hostilities and save civilian and innocent lives. Every human being has the right to live in dignity, irrespective of their corner of the globe. Killing innocent civilians is unacceptable on both …
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing an existential crisis due to climate change. Older generations are asking what we can do to preserve and maintain prosperity for the next generation, while young people everywhere are worried about their own future. Can the Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry update the House on the government's plans for harnessing the technology sector in order to create t…
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Mr. Speaker, women are the driving force behind the economy. We have to give women even more tools to pursue their dreams, succeed and achieve their full potential. It is not just the right thing to do, it makes good economic sense. Can the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages tell the House what the government is doing to improve the lives of Canadian women workers…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, we are well aware that the situation in the Middle East is very dangerous. The higher the military tension, the greater the possibility of a regional and even international conflict. Canada is known as a country of peace. It was Canada that created international peacekeeping forces. What does my colleague think that the Canadian government can do to advance peace and stability in th…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim and Abou Fayssal, a Lebanese businessman who helms an association of industrialists from Zahlé and the Beqaa, are leading humanitarians in their country. These men care about the environment. They have planted 128,000 trees for the sole purpose of protecting the environment, and they will continue to do so. Philanthropists dedicated to providing humanitarian ass…
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Mr. Speaker, Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz is a prominent figure for all Lebanese people, and especially for Maronite Christians around the world. He was elected General President of the Maronite Order in July 2022. He is proficient in several languages, including Arabic, French, English, Italian, Spanish and German. He has published several books and articles on biblical interpretation. Father Had…
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Mr. Speaker, during the pandemic, we reached a historic agreement with Moderna to create life-saving vaccines in Laval. Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry tell us how the work on this facility is progressing and what it means for jobs, growth and the success of Canada's biomanufacturing sector?
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Mr. Speaker, since 2015, the government has made the development of the battery sector a priority and we are seeing results, with hundreds of millions in investments in thousands of well-paying jobs that have been created. Can the Prime Minister inform the House of the progress on this file?
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Mr. Speaker, as Quebeckers and Canadians, we are proud of our culture, our French language and our commitment to protecting the environment for future generations. In the face of Conservative policies that would send us back to the Stone Age, can the Quebec lieutenant and Minister of Transport tell us what initiatives the government is taking to safeguard and enhance our commitments to the environ…
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Mr. Speaker, my riding of Laval—Les Îles has the largest Armenian community in Canada. Many of my constituents are very concerned about the humanitarian crisis caused by Azerbaijan's most recent military operations. How can the new Canadian embassy in Yerevan, opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, help to strengthen and enhance ties between Canada and Armenia and resolve the conflict in the l…
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Mr. Speaker, at a time when fighting climate change is a priority, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are calling for concrete action concerning the development of new technology. Can the Prime Minister tell the House what the government is doing to promote the growth of green industries not only in Canada, but also in Quebec?
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Mr. Speaker, many people in my riding, Laval—Les Îles, have shared their concerns with me about the rising cost of living when it comes to the price of groceries and housing. Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry inform the House of the measures the government has taken to make life more affordable for Canadians?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Canada is a welcoming place where people are free to explore their unique talents and vision of the world. Fred Jalbout is the embodiment of a dreamer. His relentless work has earned him success and several Guinness world records. As co-founder and CEO of SACO, his environmentally friendly LED lighting company, he now collaborates with world-renowned performers like Céline Dion, Elton…
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Mr. Speaker, forests and trees purify the air that we breathe, improve water quality, promote biodiversity and help cool down our urban centres. Their ability to capture and store carbon is an effective natural way to combat climate change. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Climate Change tell the House what the government is doing to promote and support new tree planting projects…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his speech. I can say that the worst thing that could happen to Canadians is a Conservative government. I would like to ask my hon. colleague, who attacked this government, why he and his party vote against every bill that is good for Canadians. Take help for seniors, for example, or reducing the retirement age from 67 to 65. Then there was the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his outstanding speech. To address the labour shortage, we need a responsible, professional, robust and ambitious immigration system. Without such a system, how can we make Canada a prosperous country with a steadily growing economy to create jobs for Canadians? How can we make this beautiful country one of the great nations of the world?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I was born in Lebanon and I came to this country at the age of 20. I met many people, including some who came to Canada with me and did not speak a word of French. After a few months and a great deal of work and effort, they learned French. Like me, they graduated from a French-language university. Now they contribute, in every sense of the word, to our Quebec and Canadian society. …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would ask my colleague to tell Canadians and particularly our friends on the other side about the important projects that this government has achieved for Canadians, particularly with day care, helping the middle class, fighting climate change, infrastructure projects and helping refugees. Those are things that Canadians must know this government has done for Canadians in general.
Read full speech →Private Member's Business
Mr. Speaker, during the vote on Bill S‑224, I had a technical problem that lasted a few minutes and resulted in a voting error. I am requesting unanimous consent to allow me to change my vote to vote for the bill.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the French language is one of our country's treasures. It is the key to understanding the rich and diverse communities found throughout the world and here in Canada. French is spoken from Whitehorse to Laval, from Gaspé to Isle Madame, off Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Could the Minister of Official Languages tell the House about the measures our government is taking to protect French a…
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Mr. Speaker, this government has made significant efforts to recognize historic wrongs and the criminalization of vulnerable communities across Canada. Today, as part of those efforts, the government reaffirmed its commitment to all women and the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities by adding several offences to the list of those eligible for expungement. Can the Minister of Public Safety inform the House of th…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened by yesterday's tragedy in Sainte-Rose, Laval. St. Augustine defined the nation as a multitude of rational beings, united by the objects of their love. This is a dark time for Laval, for Quebec and for the entire country. We are here, we stood with you yesterday, we stand with you today, and we will stand with you tomorrow. I want to thank all the first responders …
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Mr. Speaker, as we know, the Indo-Pacific is of critical importance to Canada, including for economic growth and resiliency. Enhancing Canada's presence in the region means creating new economic opportunities and good jobs for Canadians. For the benefit of the House and Canadians, can the Prime Minister elaborate on our government's historic investments to increase Canada's presence in the Indo-Pa…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today, Lebanon, the country of cedars, is celebrating the 79th anniversary of its independence. The difficult and fateful history of this small country, which can trace its roots to several civilizations, and the richness of its culture make Lebanon a gem of the Middle East to which I am deeply attached. Lebanon is a symbol of resilience, community and diversity. I invite colleagues t…
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Mr. Speaker, darkness stumbled upon our community last week, on November 5, as we lost Mr. Dennis Marinos. Mr. Marinos worked tirelessly for 27 years to help other people as a pioneer in volunteer jobs, as congresses, councils, associations and committees no longer had secrets for him. At a time when we take democracy for granted, Mr. Marinos served as a shining example of democratic spirit, and h…
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Mr. Speaker, all Canadians deserve a healthy environment and safe communities. Since the Canadian Environmental Protection Act was last reformed 20 years ago, chemicals have come to play an increasingly bigger part in our daily lives and our economy. To keep everyone safe, Canada needs an environmental protection act that addresses the problems of the 21st century with the help of modern science. …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, our colleagues on the other side are trying to blast this government by suggesting it is not helping Canadian citizens. I would like to remind all of them that once the COVID-19 pandemic started, the government took care of every single Canadian from coast to coast to coast and took care of every business in Canada to help people confront the pandemic and live in decency. Regarding th…
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Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the G7 culture ministers concluded their first meeting to discuss issues and challenges related to culture and media. This was a very important meeting, allowing the G7 countries to work together to protect and promote our cultures and democracies. Could the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell us how Canada is a world leader on these issues?
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Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the G7 culture ministers concluded their first meeting to discuss issues and challenges related to culture and media—
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Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers want to know what the government is doing for them. Once again this week, we see that our Bloc colleagues are trying to find fault where there is none by claiming to defend the interests of Quebec. On this side, there are 35 Liberals from Quebec who are working tirelessly to get things done for Quebec and Quebeckers. Can the Prime Minister update the House on how this gover…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay tribute to a dear friend and a pillar of the Montreal community who passed away recently. François L'Heureux was a highly respected lawyer and a well-known, passionate activist in our great Quebec nation. François was a very caring husband to his beloved wife, Marie, as well as a devoted father to his sons, Philippe and Marc, who are both living with a…
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Mr. Speaker, the situation in Afghanistan is dire. For the year 2022, the United Nations estimates that 24 million people inside Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance. This represents half of the population. The rise to power of the Taliban has made the humanitarian crisis much more important, especially for women and girls who are the primary victims of this situation. Can the Minister of I…
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Mr. Speaker, the new bill to modernize the Official Languages Act would not have been possible without the participation and passion of a great many Canadians. From individual meetings to national symposia, to hearings in the House of Commons or other places, to the countless letters and phone calls, we are deeply grateful for this incredible participation. Can the President of the Treasury Board …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague if he owns a business in the downtown Ottawa area. What would he think if, for three weeks, he could not open, he could not pay his rent and he had to tell his employees that they would lose their jobs? In addition, what does he think about closing bridges that are a vital path for the commercial trade between us and the United States? What does he t…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 34th anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom, which took place in February, 1988, when a large number of Armenians were subjected to mass killings and persecution by Azerbaijani forces as a result of their aspiration to live freely and with dignity. Many residents of Laval—Les Îles remember these horrific acts and are disheartened that the same politics of hate…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Sri Lanka's 74th Independence Day, a day filled with enormous pain and anguish for Tamil people on the island. Victims of history, the Tamil people hailing from the north and east of the island have lived as second-class citizens. They have been denied education, employment and even the freedom to practise their faith. Although Sri Lanka is currently experiencing …
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my family, my team, all of the volunteers and the people of Laval—Les Îles, who entrusted me to represent them in the House of Commons for a third time. I thank them for putting their faith in me. I also want to congratulate my colleagues who were re‑elected and those who were elected for the first time. I am very happy to be here in person to work with my peers …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her speech, and I would like to wish the other member a happy birthday. We all know that COVID‑19 is a very contagious disease. All the peer-reviewed scientific studies show that the risk of death in vaccinated individuals is practically 0%. My question for my colleague is this: If a person decides not to get vaccinated and risk their own life, that may be t…
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