Jenna Sudds

Mr. Speaker, it is an absolute honour to be back in the House representing the amazing people of Kanata, Stittsville, Carp and Bells Corners. This summer was filled with moments that highlighted the absolute best in our community, from the Bells Corners Summer Bash to celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Kanata Seniors Council to visiting residents on Canada Day at Tweedsmuir on the Park to the groundbreaking of the new Hindu temple to visiting with families at the Kanata multicultural festival. The warmth and strength of our community inspire everything I do. I return to Parliament this week focused and energized by our government's work to build a strong and resilient Canada. I thank my amazing community for a wonderful summer. I am ready to bring their voices back to Parliament Hill and keep working hard alongside our government to build a stronger Canada for all.

Mr. Speaker, graduation season is under way, and right now, students across Kanata, Carp, Bells Corners and Stittsville are crossing stages, celebrating one of the biggest milestones in their lives. The class of 2026 has earned this. Years of hard work, perseverance, late nights and the friendships they built along the way have all led to this moment. Whether they are heading to university or college, learning a skilled trade or doing something entirely new, the path forward is theirs to shape. The future is full of possibilities, and I have no doubt that each one of them will make a meaningful contribution to their community and their country. I also want to thank the families, teachers, mentors and school staff whose support has helped make this achievement possible. Congratulations, class of 2026. Be proud of all that you have accomplished. The future is bright, and I look forward to all they will accomplish.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present petition e-6893, signed by over 3,100 Canadians, calling on the House to designate May as Buddhist heritage month. Buddhism is a growing faith in Canada. Over 300,000 Canadians practice Buddhism, with communities in every province and territory. Buddhist Canadians make real contributions to our country every day, through mindfulness programs in schools and hospitals, through interfaith dialogue and through supporting vulnerable people in our communities. Each May, Buddhists around the world celebrate Vesak, marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha. It is the holiest observance for 500 million people worldwide. Designating May as a natural and meaningful choice moving forward, Buddhist heritage month would complement Asian Heritage Month, Black History Month and Women's History Month, reflecting who we are as a country. Canada is built on inclusion, religious freedom and multiculturalism. This petition asks us to live by those values.

Mr. Speaker, this week Canada staked its claim in the global photonics and semiconductor race. Our government announced the spinoff of the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre, North America's only end-to-end pure-play compound semiconductor facility, which is built on a legacy stretching from Bell Northern Research and Nortel to the globally competitive companies thriving in Canada today. Now it has what it needs to reach its full potential, attracting private investment and growing innovative Canadian SMEs and fabrication capacity right here in Canada to meet the soaring global demand in AI, quantum and advanced defence systems. It will remain what it has always been, a proudly sovereign Canadian asset. I am grateful to the Kanata North Business Association, the National Research Council and every industry champion who helped make this vision possible. Canada has the talent and the companies. Now it is our place to take the lead.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to the fact that there is no government in history that has done more to support families across this country. Whether that is introducing $10-a-day, affordable, high-quality child care for almost a million families in this country or introducing the national school food program, we have been there for families and we will continue to be.