Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we recall that the United Nations special rapporteur warned that Canada's temporary foreign worker program can create conditions resembling modern-day slavery. Last month, the San Group, a company operating in Port Alberni, was fined $429,000 and banned for two years for serious violations involving migrant workers. My office met with those workers, and they were terrified. They feare…
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Mr. Speaker, as I highlighted earlier, a Port Alberni company was fined $429,000 for its violation in its treatment of migrant workers, and it was given a two-year ban. Clearly, two years is not enough. The company operates other companies, and the rumour is that it actually has temporary foreign workers working for them as well. It took local people to help them out, because the government failed…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to bring us back to a part of the conversation in which my colleague talked about the government's removing regulations on dangerous pesticides. Just last week, the Prime Minister announced his food security strategy, and the Liberals are removing important regulations that protect Canadians regarding pesticides. At the same time, the government is cutting public agricultural r…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all my colleagues for allowing that to happen. Today is Brain Injury Awareness Day. It is an honour to table this petition on behalf of the families impacted by 165,000 new cases annually of brain injury in our country. They highlight that brain injury survivors face a 200% increased risk of struggling with addictions after sustaining a brain injury. Despite the federa…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table this petition to modernize federal ferry funding policies and provide fair, stable, long-term federal operational support for BC Ferries as essential national transportation infrastructure.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table a petition to reverse the planned cuts of the 665 AAFC staff and the closure of the organic and regenerative research program units.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, June is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to recognize survivors, families, caregivers and first responders whose lives are forever changed by brain injury. In Courtenay—Alberni, Amelia Hayden, a retired RCMP officer, knows this impact deeply. She was on duty the day Constable Gerry Breeze was injured, and she remained a source of support to his family throughout his recovery and a…
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Mr. Speaker, as my colleague well knows, in Atlantic Canada, they receive about $125 per person in ongoing ferry subsidies for operating costs. In British Columbia, it is about $6 per person. In fact, BC Ferries receives only 3% of overall expenditures in funding from the federal government for operating costs, versus Atlantic Canada's 43%. My colleague will cite that the Liberals provided funding…
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Mr. Speaker, I asked a Liberal colleague earlier today about ferry funding. I was explaining that the federal government contributes 43% of operating costs for Atlantic ferries. In British Columbia, they contribute 3%. The government contributes $6 per capita to the average British Columbian for operating costs for ferries, but on the east coast, it is $125. The Liberals say it is because of const…
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First, Mr. Speaker, no one is arguing the importance of this bill. However, there are Senate amendments that are very good and that we support. The government rejected them. Now it is proposing closure instead of having proper debate on the bill. We want to get it right. I think that is important. I think we all want to work together in the House to make sure we have the best legislation and in mo…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour today to table a petition on behalf of constituents from my riding. It is signed by members of the Tseshaht and Hupačasath nations in Nuu-chah-nulth territory. They highlight that an essential part of reconciliation is addressing the harms first nations have experienced, including the devastating loss of language and culture; that there is a growing number of indigenou…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canada's national shipbuilding strategy focuses on building and maintaining vessels, but there is no plan for responsibly retiring them. More than 900 derelict and end-of-life vessels sit off B.C.'s coast, threatening the marine environment. While aging navy and Coast Guard vessels approach retirement, Canada lacks the capacity to safely recycle them here at home. Will the Prime Minis…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and a privilege to be able to say a couple of kind words about my good friend from Beaches—East York. I will start by saying that it is disappointing. In the last few weeks, this is the third progressive member of Parliament from the government caucus who is leaving this place, especially at a time when we need progressive politics. I cannot think of another member of …
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague made some good points. The number one project in my riding for Build Canada Homes is a project to serve some individuals with intellectual disabilities. We know that many people with intellectual disabilities are served by L'Arche Canada, L'Arche Comox Valley in my riding. I am sure it is L'Arche in Regina—Lewvan. Right now, Build Canada Homes is holding the project up. I…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak to this bill. Before I get started, I want to give a shout-out to Laurel Collins, the former MP for Victoria, who, as you might recall, was a champion in tackling gender-based violence and laid the groundwork for today. If Bill C-16 is about protecting women and children, we need to get it right. We need to listen to the experts, and many of them,…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, here I am again, tonight, at the hour of 12:14 a.m. Fair ferry funding is a critical issue to Vancouver Islanders and to coastal British Columbians. It is such a serious issue that it cannot go unanswered. I am sure that the Liberals were hoping I would not show up tonight, but here I am. I am here because ferry affordability, economic competitiveness and transportation equity matter …
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Mr. Speaker, I have a tremendous amount of respect for my colleague. The main concern that we have been having as New Democrats is that we see the Liberals right now, and they are cutting critical programs that are essential for prevention. They are also letting programs expire. Maybe my colleague can explain how the government expects to reduce violence against women and victims of intimate partn…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank my colleague for staying up late tonight to show up for this important debate. I am going to correct a couple of things. First of all, the pandemic relief that the federal government provided to BC Ferries was also provided to the east coast. It was equal in terms of per capita. Second, the loans that the member cited are repayable loans. Even with the loan inter…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Alberta is considering several routes for a new diluted bitumen pipeline and export terminals through northern British Columbia, yet the Nisga'a Nation says that neither Alberta nor the federal Liberal government has discussed any oil pipeline proposal with the Nisga'a government. Reconciliation cannot mean making decisions first and talking to first nations later. Will the government…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, five years ago, the Liberals promised to ban flavoured vaping products that appeal to youth. Health Canada drafted the regulations years ago, and evidence from Canada, Quebec and the Netherlands shows that flavour bans can reduce youth vaping without increasing smoking rates, yet shelves remain stocked with bubble gum-flavoured, cotton candy-flavoured, berry-flavoured, mango-flavour…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition on behalf of residents of my riding. They highlight that Israel's policies and actions violate the obligations set out under the Geneva Convention, which it is required to respect; that Canada is required to respect international humanitarian law; and that Israel, as an occupying power, must allow and facilitate humanitarian aid by impartial organizations. T…
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Madam Speaker, we all want to prevent discrimination and violence in this country, but fast-tracking and shutting down debate is not going to help improve this legislation. We have a lot of important questions. We do not want to wait until there are complaints, tribunals or criminal sanctions after the fact. We want to talk about what we are going to do to prevent it. We have not heard from the mi…
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Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to work with my colleague on many climate-related issues. Earlier, I raised some concerns to the justice minister on responding to those who have been victims of discrimination and violence. Certainly, we understand the important work around dealing with complaints and the criminal sanctions piece, but there is still nothing when it comes to funding and when it comes to …
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-280, An Act to enact the Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Services Act and to make consequential amendments to the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act. Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to table this bill, which aims to create parity between physical and mental health in our public health care system. The mental health parity act propo…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table this petition, which was signed by residents of my riding just this last weekend. They highlight that ferries are essential marine highways that connect coastal communities, workers, families, businesses and supply chains to the rest of Canada. Vancouver Island is approaching one million residents and BC Ferries carries more than 22 million passengers annually…
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Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to table a petition signed by many people across Vancouver Island and across Canada. The petitioners highlight that approximately 165,000 new cases of brain injury are happening annually in Canada and that health and community service providers require more education regarding the intersection of brain injury, mental health and addiction. The petitioners also highlight t…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian dental care plan is one of the most significant expansions of public health care in a generation. For too long, millions of Canadians went without dental care because they could not afford it. They delayed treatment, lived with pain and watched manageable dental problems become serious health issues because the cost was out of reach. The New Democrats fought to make this …
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Mr. Speaker, the member talked about AI, which I want to talk about. We know that Canadians right now are facing rising costs and economic uncertainty. Financial fraud is even becoming a greater threat, and it is not being talked enough about today. Organized crime is using AI-generated scams for deepfakes, spoof calls and fake investment schemes to target people already under financial pressure. …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, ferries are essential highways for coastal communities. Of course we support strong federal funding for ferry services in Atlantic Canada. However, BC Ferries receives only $1.63 per passenger in federal operational support, compared to about $291 per passenger in Atlantic Canada. Temporary relief measures and repayable loans for B.C. cannot replace fair, long-term federal operational…
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Mr. Speaker, I am glad my colleague talked about food banks, because Food Banks Canada is here on the Hill today. Food Banks Canada made it clear, and actually warned us, that our employment insurance system no longer reflects the reality of work in Canada. This is impacting people. More Canadians are working multiple part-time jobs, contract positions and gig work. Yet, they are paying into a sys…
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Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of respect for my colleague the member for Calgary Centre, despite our differences. I also have respect for my colleague the member for Calgary Confederation, who on May 27, 2025, in the House said, “We will ensure the future sustainability of programs that have already saved families thousands of dollars a year. This includes child care and pharmacare.” I am going to tal…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I truly hope the Liberals will address these issues. I have another emerging issue that I want to raise. My office has been inundated with calls from seniors, retirees, veterans and pensioners who are confused, anxious and afraid of losing the Canadian dental care plan coverage because of yesterday's June 1 renewal deadline. Many applied honestly, were approved and received care but a…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table this petition today, which is signed by residents of Parksville, British Columbia, and created by Jasmine Tomczyk of Parksville. The petitioners highlight that healthy soil, clean water and biodiversity are essential to food security, climate resilience, national sovereignty and the long-term sustainability of Canadian agriculture; that regenerative and agro-e…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, New Democrats also agree to apply the vote, and we enthusiastically support the bill.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to table this petition on behalf of people living in Port Alberni, in my riding. They highlight and want to draw the House of Commons' attention to these facts: that wealth inequality in Canada is rising, with more Canadians struggling to afford the basics of life while corporate profits continue to break records; that austerity measures often exacerbate …
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Mr. Speaker, this resignation should be of serious concern to all Canadians. It is a huge wake-up call, hopefully for everybody. What our colleague is doing today takes incredible courage. It takes courage to stand up for climate science and environmental protection for future generations when powerful interests inside government are pushing in the opposite direction. As New Democrats, we have had…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, tonight's debate is about fisheries policy on the west coast, but it is also about something bigger. It is about whether coastal communities on Vancouver Island and across British Columbia are treated with the same fairness and respect as other parts of the country. On the west coast, commercial fish harvesters, the people actually doing the fishing, are being pushed out. Corporate …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, the speech I just gave was about a growing feeling on Vancouver Island and across the west coast that our communities are too often treated like an afterthought. Talking about a survey that was done four years ago, or a new survey that the Liberals are going to do eight years after the fisheries and oceans report, just says it all. The frustration could not be more clear. Another ex…
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Mr. Speaker, the NDP agrees to apply the vote, voting no.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table a petition on behalf of constituents in my riding who are concerned about the lack of ability to get aid into Gaza. Petitioners highlight that under common article 1 of the Geneva Conventions, Canada is actually required to respect international humanitarian law. Under article 59 of the fourth Geneva Convention, Israel, as an occupying power, must allow and fa…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, 2025 was the second-worst wildfire season in Canadian history, and Canadians are bracing for another devastating summer. Despite the growing climate crisis, Canada is missing its climate targets and running out of time. While more than 50 countries gathered in Colombia to discuss the transition away from fossil fuels, the Liberals did not even send a minister. Instead they came home w…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table a petition drafted by Graham Riches from Parksville in my riding. He calls on the government to fulfill international commitments to treat food as a human right. He draws the attention of the House of Commons to the fact that the right to adequate food is a fundamental human right recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to table this petition today signed by many independent fish harvesters on Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia who are concerned about the concentration of foreign ownership of fishing quota. Only in British Columbia is this allowed. The petitioners highlight that DFO's mandate includes promoting the stability and economic viability of fishing operations; tha…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from my Liberal colleague in terms of the $6-billion plan to recruit and train 100,000 new Red Seal workers. However, the Liberal government cut international student study permits by more than 40% and restricted postgraduate work permits without consulting higher-learning institutions that rely on those students. The consequences have been hard-hitting on Va…
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Mr. Speaker, I have known my colleague for a long time. I have a lot of respect for him. The spring economic update states that the government is “assessing opportunities to unlock the...value of airports in support of investments in Canada's long-term growth, including through alternative models of ownership.” The Liberal government is looking at privatizing airports. This is not something that e…
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Mr. Speaker, first I want to congratulate my colleague on her election. She has been a strong proponent of a universal public pharmacare plan. She has long advocated and argued that a national single-payer pharmacare program would actually save money, but now she represents a riding in a province that does not have a pharmacare deal. Can New Democrats, the people of Ontario and the people of her r…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my Bloc colleague for putting this very important motion forward today. Maybe my colleague could speak about how this government has completely forgotten forestry workers and the forestry sector, and how unfair it has been, in terms of government support for sectors that are struggling due to the harm and damage that Donald Trump's tariffs are causing Canadian wo…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Eva Hilborn, who is in her 100th year and whose life has been defined by service and an unwavering commitment to nurturing a love of learning in children. Born on a Manitoba farm in 1926, Eva began teaching at just 17 years old and went on to shape generations of students across British Columbia. In Port Alberni, she helped build early childhood education progra…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to be here tonight. I would first like to begin by extending my congratulations to Louise Arbour on her appointment today to serve as Canada's next governor general. She is a human rights champion, and she has had a remarkable career. She will, no doubt, continue to serve our country well in this new role. With that, I would like to turn the topic of debate this evenin…
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Mr. Speaker, here we are. We are the last people here again. It has been four weeks in a row that I have dragged the government in here because it has not done its job to fulfill its promises when it comes to protecting our public health care system or to enhancing our system. In fact, it has failed to even protect it from the threats it is facing. This is no slight to the parliamentary secretary …
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