Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we will circle back to that question, but today we need to start with the good news for Canadians and for Canada. Today, the NATO secretary general confirmed that Canada has met NATO's 2% spending—
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Mr. Speaker, this historic investment confirms that we are doing our fair share here at home, on the continent and in the alliance, investing in Canada's women and men in uniform. Today and every day, NATO allies know they can count on Canada.
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moved that Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places), be read the third time and passed.
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has a plan to build Canada. He has laid it out, and we are taking action to advance that. Individuals in British Columbia want to see the investments that we are making. They want to see the major projects move forward. They want to see the new housing, and they want to see us grow this economy to be the strongest economy in the G7. We are moving forward with this p…
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Mr. Speaker, I am confused by and concerned about the member's question. I am confused over the question not being about last week's important announcement. I am concerned that the Conservatives are missing the details of Canada's groceries and essentials benefit. It is a 25% increase to the GST tax credit for five years, with a one-time payment equivalent to 50% this year. It is $500 million to a…
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Mr. Speaker, the rise in extortion-related threats, shootings and intimidation across Ontario and the Lower Mainland is a grave concern. I know how much fear it is causing for families, businesses and our communities. Our government is advancing expanded legislative powers so that law enforcement has the tools it needs to effectively combat extortion and organized criminal networks. Political oppo…
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Mr. Speaker, when NATO invoked article 5 after 9/11, we fought the Taliban alongside our allies in Afghanistan. There were 40,000 Canadians deployed, and 158 CAF soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. Thirty Canadian soldiers received the U.S. Bronze Star for their bravery. The Canadian Armed Forces have made and continue to make invaluable contributions around the world. As a nation, Canada will a…
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Mr. Speaker, opposition MPs are too comfortable with fiction and fantasies. British Columbians demand facts, and the respect that they can tell the difference. Here are the facts: We are delivering a middle-class tax cut to put savings in the pockets of 22 million Canadians. We have made the national school food program permanent to save families up to $800 a year, and we are investing in 175,000 …
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Mr. Speaker, I know the people in British Columbia are concerned about prices, and we are too. We are taking care of them. They want a government that is going to stand with them. That is why we are investing in the national school food program to support 400,000 families. That is why we are investing in supports for seniors, and it is why we are investing in supports for families to take care of …
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Mr. Speaker, the softwood lumber industry is incredibly important to British Columbia, and we stand with the workers, the 375 individuals. We are here to stand with them. British Columbia knows the importance of this industry, and the federal government is going to invest in it to support it.
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Mr. Speaker, this is a generational budget that will increase Canada's competitiveness and prosperity. That is good news for our small, medium and large business owners. The president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Candace Laing, said that “the government has heard business’ call to focus on the economy and has made some tough choices to attract investment.” This is about building th…
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Madam Speaker and colleagues, as Veterans' Week approaches, I rise to share a heartfelt message with Canada's veterans and their families. To every veteran, past, present and future, and to the families who stand with them, we see them, we thank them and we honour them. In the week ahead, leading to Remembrance Day on November 11, Canadians from coast to coast to coast will gather in communities l…
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Madam Speaker, I note the presence on the Hill today of my colleague, the member for Port Moody—Coquitlam's spouse, Gaetan, a 22-year Canadian air force veteran. I also thank the member for Kitchener—Conestoga for leading the first poppy flag raising on Parliament Hill this morning. The poppy is an enduring symbol of leadership, of loss and of the responsibility to remember those who have served a…
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Mr. Speaker, Veterans Affairs Canada takes the mental health of our veterans and the supports for them very seriously, and it will continue to advance the opportunities that we have available to support them. That included bringing in access to mental health supports, which was available for a two-year period with no waiting period, so that we could ensure that veterans got the help and support th…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague brings up an important point. As was referenced in both his question and previous remarks, there is an opportunity, through the passage of Bill C-11, to be able to advance one of the recommendations, which then puts us on track to have all of the recommendations implemented by the end of this year. I think that is an incredibly important accomplishment that will move our …
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Mr. Speaker, many things happened in the previous 10-year period, and I would concur that there is still more work to be done. Our government has accepted all of Justice Arbour's recommendations and intends to implement them. In December 2022, the former minister of national defence presented a report to Parliament outlining the steps the government would take in response to each of the 48 recomme…
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Rivière-du-Nord. I am still learning French, so I will give my comments in English. I wish to acknowledge my colleague for his service and thank him for his service to Canada. On June 13, as the newly appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, I had the profound honour of meeting a delegation of rema…
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Mr. Speaker, last week, I unveiled the 2025 Veterans' Week poster at Pinewood Elementary in Delta, B.C., joined by members of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group and the 39 Canadian Brigade Group. This year's theme, “Canadian Armed Forces in the Americas”, recognizes the CAF's military supports across continents, from national security to disaster relief to humanitarian aid. By helping young peop…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his service. I remain committed to ensuring that all those who have served and continue to serve are honoured meaningfully and respectfully. Proposed changes for the wreaths for parliamentarians program were made with the understanding that MPs would work directly with the Royal Canadian Legion, with proceeds supporting their local branches. I am learning the ch…
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Mr. Speaker, as I said, today is a great day for Canada. Our allies and our partners around the world are watching. I find it surprising that the Conservatives want to talk about supporting and equipping forces when they are the ones who cut Canada's defence spending to below 1%. On this side of the House, Canada's new government is investing now to re-equip, rebuild and bolster our armed forces a…
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Mr. Speaker, today is a good day for Canada. This morning, the Prime Minister announced a $9.3-billion investment in Canada's defence, which means we would achieve NATO's 2% target this fiscal year. This is the largest investment in defence since the end of the Second World War. On this side of the House, we are thankful to those who serve, past and present.
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Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Veterans Affairs, I am honoured to answer my first question here in the House. The national veterans employment strategy focuses on connecting veterans to good jobs, expanding access to skills training and supporting entrepreneurship. It also recognizes veteran-ready employers and strengthens hiring in the public service. I am proud to build more opportunities for o…
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