Helena Jaczek

Mr. Speaker, this summer, Markham—Stouffville lost one of its best-known residents, and our country has lost an extraordinary Canadian. For more than six decades, Lloyd Robertson was a trusted and reassuring voice through moments that shaped our nation. His career began in 1952 on Radio CJCS in his hometown of Stratford, Ontario. He would go on to become one of Canada's best-known and most highly respected television news anchors. He was voted Canada's most trusted news anchor by TV Guide readers 11 years in a row, and his outstanding work was recognized with a myriad of awards and honours, including the Order of Canada. I had the pleasure of meeting Lloyd Robertson many times, and just a few years ago, he emceed our local Markham District Veterans Association's Remembrance Day ceremony. He was a gentleman, was very kind and was clearly a patriotic Canadian. I know he will be deeply missed. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, we have lost a great Canadian. Khalid Usman was a legend for his leadership in and dedication to his community. For decades, he served in countless senior roles in organizations in Markham and York region, including 14 years as a Markham councillor. A chartered accountant by profession, he was a champion of the Pakistani and Muslim communities and of interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The first time I visited a mosque, some 20 years ago, it was at Khalid's invitation. He helped raise funds in support of hospitals in Canada and Pakistan, including for the Markham Stouffville Hospital in my riding. Always greeting people with an infectious smile, he gave in so many ways. With kindness, energy, passion and good humour, he was truly larger than life. Many of my colleagues here in this House and I are honoured to have known him and sad to have lost a friend. He will be sorely missed. I give my sincere condolences to Abida, his daughters and their families, and so many friends.

Mr. Speaker, although we call them rare diseases, cumulatively they affect over 3.2 million Canadians. They are debilitating and potentially life-threatening. One Canadian family watched their healthy 14-year-old child suddenly begin suffering from severe headaches, vision problems and exhaustion. After months of uncertainty, the child was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and deadly brain cancer. Through early intervention, surgery, treatment and extraordinary courage, that child survived and today continues to inspire others facing rare diseases. Our government has committed $1.4 billion through agreements with all provinces and territories under the national strategy for drugs for rare diseases, to improve access to affordable and life-saving treatments. The Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders is calling on Parliament to strengthen the next phase of the strategy beyond 2027 by improving access to diagnostics, treatments, research and care for all Canadians living with rare diseases. No family should lose hope because help came too late.

Mr. Speaker, May is Polish Heritage Month in Canada, and Poland's May 3, 1791, constitution is one of the most important events in Poland's history. It has inspired generations of Poles hoping to keep alive aspirations for independence and democracy. Canada's first recorded Polish immigrant arrived in 1752, and since then, waves of immigration have formed Canada's Polish community, which is now a million people strong in communities from coast to coast to coast. As chair of the Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group, and with my own Polish roots, I am proud to say Canada's polish community is as strong and vibrant as ever. Poland has become Canada's close NATO ally and our largest trading partner in central and eastern Europe, and our ties continue to grow. Join us tomorrow at 9 a.m. for the Polish flag raising on Parliament Hill. Za naszą i waszą wolność, for our freedom and yours.

Mr. Speaker, this week marks World Immunization Week. Immunizations are the most effective tool against preventable diseases such as polio that have ended or changed the lives of millions of people. In Canada, it was only a few decades ago that we were finally able to eradicate polio. Since then, through the efforts of advocates and mechanisms like the global polio eradication initiative, we are on the brink of eradicating polio globally. Nations around the world are pulling back their funding, yet polio anywhere remains a threat to people everywhere. Canada has continued to be a global leader in immunization, but we still need investments like the GPEI to stop outbreaks through surveillance and to ensure polio eradication through vaccinations. This World Immunization Week, we can be proud that Canada's continued support for immunizations and the global polio eradication initiative is helping ensure that future generations can live in a world free of polio.