Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am splitting my time with the very hon. member for Vaughan—Woodbridge. I am very pleased to rise today to speak about Bill C-59, which would deliver on key measures from the 2023 fall economic statement to advance the government's economic plan to make life more affordable, build more homes and build an economy that works for everyone. This is an economic statement that is about fai…
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Madam Speaker, as we speak, Rafah, the last place where Netanyahu's regime told Palestinians to evacuate, is being invaded and innocents suffer. Our allies have warned Netanyahu not to proceed with this invasion or they will pause military exports. My constituents have been clear that they want us to do the same. The people of Israel have the support of Canada, but that does not mean supporting Ne…
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Mr. Speaker, budget 2024 promises to deliver a vision for Canada that is fairer and more affordable for every generation. In my riding of Mississauga—Erin Mills, residents, especially younger generations, deserve a fair chance of purchasing their own homes. That is why budget 2024 proposes an ambitious plan to invest into more affordable housing initiatives to unlock 3.87 million more homes by 203…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the member's advocacy. I have a nephew who has severe disabilities. Right now, in his first five years of life, is when he needs the most support to be able to grow and live a functioning life. I completely understand the need to ensure that the disability community has the support it needs so it can continue to flourish and thrive in a community that is barrier-fr…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his brilliant advocacy and for his question on behalf of persons with disabilities. The member knows, as does everyone in this place, that protecting and helping the most vulnerable in our society is a fundamental Canadian principle, and it is a fundamental principle of our government. When it comes to people with disabilities, we have invested more money in the…
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Madam Speaker, Canada summer jobs is back, and we are ready to help young people gain the skills and work experience they need to succeed. Last year, through the Canada summer jobs program, our Liberal government invested over $285 million in organizations across the country, which created over 74,000 youth jobs. I can tell members first-hand the impact that this program is having in my riding of …
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Mr. Speaker, I have to say that we can use all the buzzwords that we want in the world, “spike the hike” or “axe the tax” or whatever fancy words that we can come up with, but that does not lead to common sense. In fact, I am really thinking about former prime minister Brian Mulroney today. He actually was a common-sense Conservative who wanted to fight climate change. He did what was necessary an…
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Mr. Speaker, I am quite pleased to answer the question from my hon. colleague, the member of Parliament for Port Moody—Coquitlam, regarding the Canada caregiver credit. From the outset, I should clarify that the Canada Revenue Agency's responsibility is to administer a tax policy once implemented, whereas the role of the Department of Finance is to actually develop that tax policy. Indeed, the CRA…
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Mr. Speaker, I offer my sincerest condolences to the member opposite for his loss, and I offer supports to the family of Jesse as they deal with this very difficult time. It is in moments like these that we really need to understand why austerity and cuts just do not do it. We need to save lives, and that is why we appointed a minister to deal with mental health and addictions. That is why we have…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her advocacy on this very important issue. The CRA administers a long list of benefits and credits intended for Canadians on behalf of the Government of Canada. Among these are not only the Canada caregiver credit, but also the Canada child benefit, the Canada workers benefit, and the GST and HST, just to name a few. Last year, the CRA also successfully administ…
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Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I joined thousands of people across Canada taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year, a family-friendly walk organized to raise funds supporting those experiencing homelessness and fleeing violence and abuse, families experiencing hunger, and the most vulnerable in our communities. Whether it was a two-kilometre or five-kilometre walk, our communities stepped up a…
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Madam Speaker, I encourage all members in this House to get with the program. That is, the community volunteer income tax program, a collaboration between local community organizations and the Canada Revenue Agency to deliver free tax clinics for Canadians. This collaboration between the CRA and dedicated volunteers across Canada allows us to give back to communities by helping residents to file t…
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Mr. Speaker, one's car is not just a way of getting around. For many in my riding, it is a part of their livelihoods and a main source of income. In 2022, nearly 6,000 vehicles were stolen around Mississauga, and auto theft rates rose by 48.3% in Ontario alone. I have been working on this issue within my community, including with Chief Nishan Duraiappah of the Peel Regional Police and with federal…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am rising today to add my voice to the second reading debate on Bill C-332, an act to amend the Criminal Code on controlling or coercive conduct. This bill seeks to strengthen Canada's legislative framework and address intimate partner violence by proposing reforms that would protect victims of coercive and controlling behaviour in intimate relationships. A lot of people may ask w…
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Mr. Speaker, seven years ago today, peaceful Muslim worshippers were gunned down in Quebec. Three years ago, when the Afzaal family were brutally murdered because of their faith, every single political party leader in the House stood on the steps of the London mosque, recognized that Islamophobia is real and vowed to protect the Muslim community in the face of hatred. Today, on the National Day of…
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Mr. Speaker, as we look to the new year, I rise in the House today to wish all the residents of my community of Mississauga—Erin Mills and all Canadians a very happy holiday season. This is a time to reflect upon and reinforce Canadian values of hope, generosity and unity for everyone, especially during what can be a very difficult time for many in our communities. I also want to thank my team, wh…
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Mr. Speaker, everyone has the right to feel safe in their communities. Today, I rise to bring awareness to the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. I know families in my riding that depend on transitional housing and that have endured the cycle of violence. I also know too many who have lost their lives to gender-based violence. Their stories inform my work and advocacy while also su…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2022-23 annual report of the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, entitled “Upholding Your Rights”.
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Mr. Speaker, for the last 30 days, I have been listening to and consoling residents in Mississauga—Erin Mills and across Canada for the deaths of thousands of innocent Palestinians and Israelis. I really join them in their pain, their grief and their calls to action in the chamber. Parents are having to explain to their kids why they are seeing death and horror in their social media feeds. There a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, everyone must contribute their fair share to financing public services. Contrary to the Conservative leader, who demonizes the income tax and wants the rich to pay less, we are trying to redouble our efforts so that they pay and do not use loopholes to avoid this responsibility. The CRA has hired experts and continues to use sophisticated tools to better detect and deal with the most …
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Madam Speaker, I want to begin by acknowledging that I am speaking today from the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I am happy to speak today to Bill C-52, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in Canada's transportation system. One essential element of this proposed legislation is the air transportation accountability act. Since the pandemic, air transporta…
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Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday we hosted an epic match of cricket at the Rideau Hall cricket grounds between the Commonwealth diplomatic corps and Canadian parliamentarians. It was a thrilling showdown between high commissions and Canadian members of Parliament. Canada won. This match of cricket not only represented an opportunity to build relationships throughout the Commonwealth, but it also highli…
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Mr. Speaker, tomorrow evening Carleton University's journalism program will launch a new scholarship in honour of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Carleton is the first university outside of the Middle East to recognize her in this way by creating the Shireen Abu Akleh Emerging Reporter Award in Social Justice Journalism. The award will grant $5,000 each year to a Carleton journalism stud…
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Mr. Speaker, we stand on the shoulders of giants as we inch towards progress. I stand today to recognize these giants, our seniors, who deserve to live with respect and dignity. Today, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, it is crucial to raise awareness about the well-being of our seniors and to provide them with the quality supports they need. Elder abuse can take many forms; it may be physical o…
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Madam Speaker, as I begin speaking about this very important topic in the motion, which, in part, asks us to stand in solidarity with and express support for all those affected by the current forest fires and to acknowledge that climate change is having a direct impact on people's quality of life and is exacerbating the frequency and scale of extreme weather and climate events, I want to extend my…
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Madam Speaker, I think it is important to transition those that are heavy emitters, but in my speech I also spoke about a company in my riding that, through research and development and by starting a lithium battery within its garage, is now able to make clear reductions to our emissions through clean tech. We invested $4.8 million in that company to ensure that it is able to thrive and provide su…
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I can hear the member speaking over me as I am trying to answer his question. It is that we need to continue. This is not a flip of a switch, and everything is fixed with one measure. It is, yes, a price on pollution; yes, it is to get to net-zero emissions; yes, it is to invest in clean technology and to make sure there is a transition to clean technology in our country. It is not partisan politi…
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Madam Speaker, as our government and I have said in the past, they really are hand in hand, the environment and the economy. I think a clean and just transition includes partnerships with our indigenous communities. It includes partnerships with all types of industries to ensure that any transition, and the important transition we have to make, happen with the community coming together and ensurin…
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Madam Speaker, I love that the member opposite feels he needs to draw a short-term transactional type of question here. What I had said in my speech—
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Mr. Speaker, today I stand to recognize and celebrate the remarkable journey of HCLTech in Canada. Over the past 14 years, HCLTech has made significant contributions to Canada's technology sector, and it has become one of the leading global technology firms operating in our country. HCLTech's mission to bring together the best of technology and people has helped it prove itself as a socially respo…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am here today to speak to the private member's bill, Bill C-325, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, on conditions of release and conditional sentences. Let me be clear from the onset. I do not support this bill. This bill would have significant negative impacts on the criminal justice system, including exacerbating the overincarcerat…
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Mr. Speaker, last weekend, in front of a sold-out crowd of over 19,000 in Toronto, women MPs from our Liberal caucus and I attended the historic first WNBA pre-season game ever played in Canada. On Saturday, Canada welcomed the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx, in what was a proud moment for Canadians and, particularly, women in sport. These talented professional athletes, including Canadian ath…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Mississauga—Erin Mills, I have heard from many constituents and small businesses about the need for urgent financial support. Can the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance please update the House on how budget 2023 is going to help Canadians in my riding of Mississauga—Erin Mills and across Canada with reduced credit card fees for small businesses, ince…
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Madam Speaker, the member is absolutely right that Canadians struggle with affordable pharmacare. I think we need to work on that with our provincial and territorial partners to ensure Canadians are well taken care of. I know that seniors have the ability to access affordable pharmacare at this time, and young people do as well. However, we need to come together and make sure we have a robust syst…
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Madam Speaker, I think the only thing that is shameful is that we do not highlight the good work the government does, regardless of which government it is. Over the past seven years, not only have we increased Canada student grants and increased our investment in the Canada summer jobs program, but just now, through budget 2023, we have ensured that no interest will be paid on student loans. I thi…
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Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to take part in this debate on Bill C-47, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023. Over the past number of years, I have heard from my constituents about how difficult life is getting to sustain. They want to take care of their families and ensure they are doing well, that they are living comfortably and that they…
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Madam Speaker, as much as the member would disagree, the government supports that were given during the most difficult time for Canadians in our history, which was COVID-19, helped them keep their lights on and put food on the table. If it means that Canadians can live and sustain themselves as our economy improves and as the global economy improves, our government should definitely be there for C…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on behalf of constituents and stakeholders in my community of Mississauga—Erin Mills and citizens across Canada. Petition e-3899 considers the ongoing humanitarian and refugee crisis in Yemen and has garnered over 1,000 signatures. As of today, more than four and a half million Yemeni people have been displaced or forced to flee their homes due to co…
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Mr. Speaker, this evening Muslims in my community of Mississauga—Erin Mills and across Canada will mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. Many of our friends, family members and neighbours will gather at their local mosques to pray, hold Iftars, break their fast and emphasize Canadian and Muslim values such as charity and compassion. This is also a time to reinforce the cultural bonds of…
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Mr. Speaker, over a year ago, this government tabled Bill C-11, the online streaming act. Still, there is so much disinformation about how this legislation helps artists in my riding of Mississauga—Erin Mills and across Canada, while also protecting the freedom of expression for Canadians. Could the Minister of Canadian Heritage please update the House on how this bill would make tech giants pay t…
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Mr. Speaker, every woman counts. On this International Women’s Day, I would like to have the women in my life be counted. I stand where I am today because of women role models and male allies: my Erin Mills Women’s Council's strong leadership toward the empowerment of women and the tackling of our most pressing social issues daily; my mother, my bebey, whose support has provided me with the opport…
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Mr. Speaker, this week, we welcome the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to Parliament Hill as it celebrates its 40-year anniversary. In a world challenged with inequality, it has played a pivotal role toward ending global food insecurity. This includes funding 106 projects in 34 countries serving over 900,000 people, providing food assistance to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, and supplying relief…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important stakeholder in my community who lost the battle against cancer. Zahid Malik was a young, dynamic and humble community worker who really represented the best qualities of our community and the people who strive to strengthen it every day. He leaves behind a legacy as an accomplished small business person, a dedicated philanthropist, a husband and …
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Mr. Speaker, in December 1995, the hon. Dr. Jean Augustine presented a motion in the House of Commons that officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada. Today I would like to highlight just a few of the many Black Canadians who have positively shaped Canada and my community of Mississauga—Erin Mills. Oscar Peterson, one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, called Erin Mill…
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Mr. Speaker, February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It is a time to recognize the critical place for women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is a time to recognize that when women succeed, including in STEM, we all succeed. I have had the honour of knowing and supporting some remarkable women in STEM. Zainab Azim, 21 years old, is Can…
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the motion brought by the hon. member of Parliament for Fundy Royal. I would like to split my time with the member for Kingston and the Islands. First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the tragic and disturbing events involving the recent deaths of several police officers in this country. It is beyond words to describe how tha…
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Madam Speaker, I think my hon. colleague's question is an important one, and it goes back to what I was saying: We really need to put the harm reduction principle at the centre of bail reform and how we administer justice in our country as it is. I agree with him. I think tackling the opioid crisis is a big step and is part of the key to resolving the whole framework of providing safer communities…
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Madam Speaker, I had a conversation with our chief of police and many other chiefs of police across the country with respect to how we are protecting our borders. I know that our government has made hundreds of millions of dollars of investments to ensure we have more restrictions at our borders with respect to how firearms are coming across. I have talked to chiefs of police who tell me exactly h…
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Madam Speaker, the whole point of this is that there is no flip of a switch. No one piece of legislation is going to fix the issue of bail reform in our country. As I was trying to say, this is a multi-faceted problem. We need to engage the provincial, territorial and regional governments, and we need to ensure they have the support they need to administer justice. Over the past seven years of our…
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Mr. Speaker, I cannot begin to describe what it was like to grow up in Mississauga with a woman like Hazel McCallion as our mayor. She won her election 45 years ago, at a time when many thought it was unthinkable for a woman to seek office. Hazel proved them wrong, and over her 36 years of service, she was a shining example of what a woman in leadership is capable of. Fearless and compassionate, s…
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