Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I know you have talked about decorum in this place. I may not agree with his policies, but the member for Chilliwack—Hope asked a straight question of the government. My friend, the Secretary of State for Sport, whom I call a friend because I consider him that, responded with “Get a grip”. I think there is a point to be made here. There has to be respect on…
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With regard to the Canada Dental Care Plan, since the program’s inception: (a) what is the total number of approved applications; (b) how many seniors, persons with disabilities and children have benefited from the program; (c) what information is the government collecting regarding co-payments and denial of claims, preauthorization submissions and post-determination submissions; (d) how many clai…
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With regard to federal funding and the communities which comprise the federal electoral district of Courtenay—Alberni, between the 2005-06 and current fiscal year: (a) what are the federal funding and capital investments related to infrastructure, including direct transfers to the municipalities and First Nations, for the communities of (i) Tofino, (ii) Ucluelet, (iii) Port Alberni, (iv) Parksvill…
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With regard to federal funding for ferries, broken down by fiscal year since 2015-16: what are the details of all federal grants, contributions and loans related to capital or operating costs for ferries, including the (i) name of the recipient, (ii) province or territory in which the recipient is located, (iii) date the funding was received, (iv) amount received, (v) department or agency that pro…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary courage and resilience shown in my riding during the devastating Wesley Ridge and Mount Underwood wildfires that struck our communities this summer. At the heart of the response were career and volunteer firefighters, men and women who put their lives on the line, working around the clock with bravery and determination on the front lines. Th…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to table e-petition 6530. This petition was signed by 781 Canadians who are deeply concerned about the future of our forestry sector. These petitioners point out that forestry has long provided good jobs in both rural and urban communities but now faces devastating challenges ranging from wildfires and insect infestations to the ongoing softwood lumber di…
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With regard to the Canadian Armed Forces: (a) since 1914, how many Regular Force members and Reserve Force members have lost their lives in non-combat roles during peacetime in Canada; and (b) since 2013, how many Regular Force members and Reserve Force members have died by suicide?
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Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotia is ready to negotiate a pharmacare deal, but it is still waiting on an invitation from Health Canada. The Prime Minister has not committed to expanding pharmacare for all Canadians. Access to essential medications should not depend on where one lives or one's private coverage. With the job losses from Trump's trade war, the need for public medication coverage is clear. Wil…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-215, An Act to amend the Marine Liability Act (national strategy respecting pollution caused by shipping container spills). Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a bill today that would amend the Marine Liability Act to require the development and implementation of a national strategy to address pollution caused by shipping container spills. In 2016, when 35 sh…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life of Moonaquin mit Stephen Charleson, a proud member of the Hesquiaht First Nation and the House of Kinquashtakumtlth. Stephen was a lifelong fisher, learning traditional fishing and navigation skills from his father and brothers and living his entire life on the lands and waters around Hesquiaht Harbour, except for the painful years he spent in residenti…
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Mr. Speaker, I am rising regarding the establishment of a national strategy on brain injuries in Bill C-206. There have been discussions between parties, and I am hoping, if you seek it, that we find agreement to adopt the following motion by unanimous consent: That notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, Bill C-206, an act—
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-211, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Canada Pension Plan (deeming provision). Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today to introduce an act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Canada pension plan, deeming provision. The goal of this bill is to make it easier for people with disabilities to obtain the benefits they are entitled to and to reduce the pape…
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Mr. Speaker, in the petition I am tabling, the petitioners highlight that under common article 1 of the Geneva Convention, Canada is required to respect international humanitarian law, and that under article 59 of the fourth Geneva Convention, Israel is an occupying power that must allow and facilitate humanitarian aid by impartial organizations. They highlight that Canada's own Official Developme…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, one thing I agree with my colleague on is that, when incentives are on the table, they should be honoured. That is certainly something we agree on. I am going to talk a bit about Norway, where 88.9% of all new vehicle sales are EVs. It is a cold country and a lot of it is very rural. It is going to be at 100% by the end of this year. Through you to my colleague, why do Conservatives c…
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Mr. Speaker, thank you for reminding the member that we cannot identify who is here and who is not. However, I can say that I am here from the NDP and I am happy to take her question.
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Mr. Speaker, we just heard from the grand chief of the Anishinabek Nation and the Ontario regional chief, Abram Benedict. They cited the potential infringement of their Constitutional rights and the obligations around free, prior and informed consent. This violates the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They are asking that time be given for the bill to be studied prop…
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Mr. Speaker, it is a huge honour to table this petition, which was signed by mill workers at the Domtar Catalyst mill in Port Alberni. The petitioners highlight that Canada's forestry industry has historically been a source of good jobs for rural communities. The forestry industry has faced multiple challenges in recent years that have led to significant job losses, including wildfires, infestatio…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-206, An Act to establish a national strategy on brain injuries. Mr. Speaker, June is Brain Injury Awareness Month, so I am pleased to introduce a bill today that calls on the Minister of Health to develop a national strategy on brain injuries. The theme of this year's campaign is “Beyond the Injury”, which aims to raise awareness about the impacts brain injuries…
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Madam Speaker, I know my colleague cares deeply about what is happening when it comes to our environment and to taking action on protecting the environment and lowering emissions. Right now, there is a forest fire raging in my riding in Nuu-chah-nulth territory, in the Nahmint Valley. I want to hear from my colleague about solutions, especially when it comes to carbon pricing and the role it plays…
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Mr. Speaker, we have watched corporate taxes decrease from 28% under the Mulroney government to 15% today. We have seen record profits in big groceries, an 8% increase, which is double that from pre-COVID. In terms of big oil and gas, there has been a $192-billion profit over the last four years, more than in the 2010s altogether. Is the minister considering increasing corporate taxes or an excess…
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Mr. Speaker, in 2023, big grocery stores saw record profits of $6 billion, an 8% increase in profit, double what it was pre-COVID. However, this place is starting to look like a corporate boardroom. We will never hear Liberals or Conservatives talk about corporate greed. Does my colleague agree that big grocery needs to pay an excess profit tax?
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Bloc for talking about small businesses. We know small businesses are facing an availability and affordability crisis when it comes to commercial insurance, and it can be quite hard to find an insurer at a price that a small firm can afford. In a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we learned that half of Canadian business owners “have…
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Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, in fairness to the interpreters, somebody's phone is ringing in the chamber. I am seeing more and more of this behaviour. People are not turning off their phones, and I encourage you to speak to all members to remind them to turn their phones off. It is not fair to the interpretation staff.
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Mr. Speaker, we may not agree on the causation of inflation, but in the spirit of solidarity, we know that Canadian retaliatory tariffs are having a significant impact on small business. In fact, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has cited that 49% of small businesses are feeling the impact either on their bottom line or throughout their supply chain. My colleague talked about transp…
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Mr. Speaker, it is a huge honour and privilege to table this petition, signed by members of the Port Alberni Friendship Center. They highlight that friendship centres across Canada serve as vital community hubs for indigenous people, offering culturally appropriate services in areas such as health, education, housing, employment and youth programming. The petitioners also highlight that government…
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Madam Speaker, as my colleague knows, the federal Liberals pulled out of the national housing strategy in 1992. We know that Canada and Quebec only have 3.4% non-market housing. We also know that non-market housing has to be a critical piece for tackling affordability when it comes to housing. At 3.4%, we have one of the lowest rates in the OECD, and there is nothing in the bill for co-op housing,…
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Madam Speaker, Trump's tariffs are just the latest blow for B.C.'s forestry sector. The industry needs a lifeline so it can provide good jobs in rural communities. Retrofitting mills to generate electricity from biomass could protect jobs and power grids with sustainable energy. The Domtar paper mill in Port Alberni made the switch, and now 88% of its emissions come from biomass. In 2023, the Libe…
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Madam Speaker, this petition was signed by members of the Tseshaht First Nation. They highlight that an essential part of reconciliation is addressing the harms first nations have experienced, including the devastating loss of language and culture. They also highlight that there is a growing number of indigenous language learners, but the number of remaining fluent speakers is falling. The petitio…
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Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague on his election and on his speech. Right now we know that a big chunk of our country is on fire. We are over 2,000 kilometres away from the fires that are happening in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, and here in Ottawa, the health index says the air quality is at nine. There is nothing in the budget to fund greener homes, to re-establish that …
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Mr. Chair, I talked to the minister this week about the cuts to guards in Ahousaht. They have been reinstated. I want to thank him for doing that. However, the guards in Tofino have not been reinstated. Now Tla‑o‑qui‑aht elected Chief Elmer Frank has cited that obviously they are Nuu‑chah‑nulth and they have declared a state of emergency for the safety of their members and communities. They are as…
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Mr. Chair, it is the fifth anniversary of the tragic killing of Chantel Moore who was killed at the hands of police in Edmundston, New Brunswick during a wellness check. Her mother Martha Martin has been advocating that police not do wellness checks. She has met with the minister. My heart goes out to her and her whole family. Has the minister taken any action on any of the recommendations that ha…
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Mr. Chair, there is still no IIO representing the BIPOC community despite the fact that its members are disproportionately killed at the hands of police. Is the minister going to address that?
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her excellent speech. She highlighted that there are many concerns in this bill and that it will trample on people's civil liberties, privacy, due process and procedural fairness. The powers that are granted in this bill to different authorities include cabinet. They are sweeping, and few details are provided. In addition, it is effectively an omnibus bill. Do…
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Mr. Speaker, we have heard that the government has announced a fentanyl czar, and it has had an auto theft summit. I am not saying those are not important, but the Liberals still have not named a czar to help support people living with addiction. They still have not announced a plan on how they are going to create treatment-on-demand. They still have not had a summit on the toxic drug crisis, desp…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-204, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer tax credit). Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to table the volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer tax credit bill, which calls on the government to increase the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue responders. Members may be surpri…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, we know that these wildfires are happening year over year over year, and there is a lack of coordination. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs is asking that the federal government establish a national fire administration to ensure that there is sufficient subject matter expertise and coordination in these predictable and precedented crises, but they also want it to serve as a nucl…
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Mr. Speaker, I think it is pretty rich that the Conservatives try to make the claim that my colleague from Saanich—Gulf Islands is playing politics. I will take people back two years ago, when the former MP for Kelowna—Lake Country, Tracy Gray, tweeted about the carbon tax instead of calling for help while her community was being evacuated because of forest fires. All night, my colleagues have hea…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague talked about the forestry industry, and I appreciate that. The sustainable harvest of biomass has been proven to reduce wildfire risk, and the Liberal government promised the biomass tax credit in the fall economic statement, as the member recalls, in 2023. However, the Liberals still have not implemented it. The forestry sector has been calling for quick implementation o…
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Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned. It is June 3, and we have never seen raging wildfires this early in June, especially in the Prairies. I think about my Uncle Keith, who has respiratory illness and lives in Manitoba. The fires are a challenge to people's health, not just the evacuees but people right across the Prairies. I am more concerned about the urgency and about getting organized. We know …
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Mr. Speaker, over the last decade, we have never seen raging wildfires like we are seeing right now. Unlike the Liberals, who want to blame provinces and territories for maybe not having the equipment to tackle these incredible fires that are taking place, I think about my home province, which is loaning resources and supporting three neighbouring provinces with helicopters, water bombers and equi…
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Mr. Speaker, I am also tabling a petition on behalf of the peace trainers from my riding, from Parksville, Denman Island, Courtenay, Port Alberni and Bamfield. The petitioners cite that the lack of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the underlying cause of violent conflict. They highlight that an open society and an informed public and Parliament are e…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, one thing I want to touch on is small business. We are not talking enough about the small businesses that are creating jobs right now in our local economies. We heard in the campaign that there was a call to action from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business asking that we reduce the small business tax rate from 9% to 8%, provide small businesses with additional liquidity to …
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Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from British Columbia. The member talked about training and employment readiness, and it is so important. I will give the Liberals credit; the federal government did increase transfers to B.C. from 2016 to 2024, but then it cut them. We are short $74 million now for programs that support organizations like INEO in my riding—
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Mr. Speaker, first, I want to congratulate my colleague on his re-election. We heard the Bloc talk about climate today, and it is great to hear members of Parliament talk about it because it was not talked about enough in the Speech from the Throne. Does my colleague believe that when it comes to Canada and Quebec, nation building is climate action?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I tabled the first private member's bill in this Parliament, Bill C-201, which aims to bring mental health, addictions and substance use services into our universal public health care system. The last Liberal government promised to ensure that mental health was treated as a full and equal part of Canada's public health care system, but it failed to deliver. Untreated mental…
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Mr. Speaker, although this petition is dated, it is timely. The petitioners say that they are personally moved by the heartbreaking violence that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people in Gaza and Palestine due to the Israel-Hamas war between October 23 and December 24, 2024. They say that across Gaza, more than 40,000 souls were lost, with approximately 70% of those being women and…
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Mr. Speaker, I think we can all agree in the House that a tragedy is playing out in Saskatchewan and Manitoba due to the wildfire exacerbated by climate change. I think we can all say that we share in sending our condolences and prayers to the people on the ground who are being impacted, and certainly the first responders. One thing we heard in the election campaign in April is that the Canadian A…
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Mr. Speaker, as a rural MP like me, my colleague knows that local governments are responsible for about 60% of infrastructure costs, yet they only collect about 10% of overall revenue. I know this as a former municipal councillor from Tofino. I will give an example. The Village of Cumberland, in my riding, is dealing with cost overruns due to supply chain inflation, and they see the federal govern…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech and congratulate him on his election. The member talked about the protection of languages and how important that is. An essential part of reconciliation is addressing the harms indigenous peoples have experienced, including the devastating loss of language and culture. In British Columbia, the First Peoples' Cultural Council has been highlighting to…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-201, An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (mental, addictions and substance use health services). Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to introduce the mental health parity act, which aims to address the disparity between physical and mental health in our public health care system. This is the first private member's bill tabled in the 45th Parliament. It …
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