Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today is the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. The UN warns that during times of geopolitical strife, facts are manipulated, victims retraumatized and violations erased. This is not abstract. Many constituents in my riding have shared that their own family members are enduring these conditions in Iran …
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Mr. Speaker, Black History Month is not only a time to look back. It is a call to build forward. As we mark 30 years of its recognition in Canada, we are reminded that celebrating Black excellence must go hand in hand with expanding opportunities. This year's theme, “From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries”, speaks to this continuum. The entrepreneurs, community leaders and advocates shapin…
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Mr. Speaker, what is important about the bill right now? The bill is timely, to put money back in the pockets of people for them to use right now. It is true that we have to tackle the root causes of food insecurity, and we are developing a national food security strategy. Strategies like that take time in terms of domestic food production and improved access to affordable, nutritious food. In the…
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Mr. Speaker, all programs cost money, and this program, at this time, is timely and needed. We need to do what we can for all Canadians, and that is what the government is doing.
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in today's debate on Bill C-19, the Canada groceries and essentials benefit act. We are at a pivotal moment in Canadian history. We are all bearing witness to a rapid change in the global landscape. Trade shocks are hitting countries around the world, and geopolitical threats are intensifying. This transformation is thrusting workers, busine…
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Mr. Speaker, the budget last fall had many things in it that lowered costs for our constituents. The Conservatives always and every day talk about food costs. We have come up with this plan to help all Canadians, and we would really like the Conservatives to help us pass this bill so we can help all Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, in Pickering—Brooklin, a large number of constituents are seniors. I got a lot of calls from members of my riding, thanking the government for such a program, because even getting $100 extra means a lot to seniors at this time. The government is doing an excellent job. Seniors whose yearly incomes are lower than $25,000 would definitely benefit from this program.
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Mr. Speaker, in January we celebrate Tamil Heritage Month. Earlier this month in India, I saw first-hand the global strength of the Tamil spirit when I spoke at the World Tamil Diaspora Day in Chennai. Tamil is the oldest spoken classical language in existence and is spoken by over 75 million people globally. Canada is now home to the largest Tamil diaspora outside of Asia. It is a community that …
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect jail time for the most serious crimes, especially those involving children.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect jail time for the most serious crimes, especially those involving children.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians also expect laws that will withstand court scrutiny and respect the charter. Can the Minister of Justice please inform the House about what the government is doing to preserve strong mandatory minimum penalties for imprisonment while ensuring laws remain constitutional and enforceable?
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Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the member that Canada is not broken. However, we are in a trade war, and we are trying to forge a path forward. We are working in collaboration with everyone to move the country forward, to create jobs and to find diverse trade opportunities that benefit all Canadians, not just some Canadians. This memorandum of agreement is a document that elaborates on co-operation…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the clean energy question. We are actually working with partners to build this right now. In my riding of Pickering—Brooklin, we have the biggest nuclear plant. We have invested a lot in nuclear energy—
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Vancouver Quadra. It is a privilege to rise in the House to speak to the motion put forward by the member for Battle River—Crowfoot on the Canada-Alberta MOU, building pipelines to Asia and the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinabe …
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Mr. Speaker, we are no longer in Justin Trudeau's government. This is a new government. We have invested in a very forward-looking budget, and we are in the process of voting on that. I hope the opposition will get on board and support us in building Canada's future. During the last election, we pledged to make Canada an energy superpower and build nation-building projects while protecting our env…
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Mr. Speaker, the federal government and Alberta are committed to and will continue engaging in early, consistent and meaningful consultation with indigenous people. We have committed to making sure that they sit at the table as equal partners. We have been extremely clear that this project should only go ahead with sustainable, substantial opportunities for indigenous co-ownership. That is our com…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise today to speak to Bill C-218, which proposes further amendments to Canada's federal legal framework for medical assistance in dying. Specifically, this bill aims to indefinitely exclude those patients whose only health condition is a mental disorder from being eligible for MAID. This is an issue which is unquestionably complex and can be deeply per…
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Mr. Speaker, the proposed reverse onus recognizes that those accused of such offending may present heightened safety risks to their victims if released on bail. The bill currently going through Parliament would also significantly strengthen sentencing, including for sexual offending. It is proposed that conditional sentence orders, also known as house arrest, be unavailable for serious sexual offe…
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Mr. Speaker, cyclone Ditwah has devastated communities across Sri Lanka, causing severe flooding and landslides that have claimed over 465 lives and left hundreds more missing. Homes, infrastructure and local economies have suffered serious damage, and communities across the country are struggling to deal with the aftermath, especially in the northeast hill regions, which are already struggling du…
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Mr. Speaker, I am speaking in response to Bill C-246, an act to amend the Criminal Code. It is private member's bill introduced by the hon. member for Lethbridge. The bill would change the Criminal Code so that, when someone is convicted of two or more sexual offences at the same time, their sentences would have to be served one after the other. If that person was later convicted of another sexual…
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Mr. Speaker, this week, as we begin the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, and with today marking Economic Abuse Awareness Day, we are reminded of the countless women, children and families whose lives have been forever changed by abuse, and we are reminded that this violence does not always leave visible scars. It is often hidden behind closed doors, taking the form of control, is…
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Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak to Bill C-236, addressing the continuing victimization of homicide victims' families act. The short title of this bill refers to the continuing victimization of homicide victims. The bill would make an offender's failure to disclose the location of victims' remains a consideration in parole decisions. I want to assure the member for Parkl…
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Mr. Speaker, November marks Hindu Heritage Month, a time to honour one of the world's oldest living traditions and recognize the profound contributions that Hindu Canadians make to our country in the field of medicine, new technologies, education, arts, finance and entrepreneurship. With nearly one million Hindu Canadians enriching our social, cultural and economic values, from philanthropists lik…
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Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. member for Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies for sponsoring this legislation. I also wish to thank all members who have contributed or will contribute to our consideration of this bill. As members know, this legislation has already been tabled by the members opposite in previous sessions. It is an important non-partisan bill that focuses on the rights of vict…
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Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to take part in today's debate on budget 2025, “Canada Strong”. As we know, advanced economies around the world are facing global economic headwinds, and Canada is no exception. With the historic rise in tariffs affecting our economy, Canadians are feeling the pressure in their day-to-day lives. Canadians do not need more talk about challenges. They need a plan, a pl…
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Mr. Speaker, we would also increase the Canada mortgage bond annual issuance limit from $60 billion to $80 billion, starting in 2026, unlocking thousands of new housing units every year and helping to finance large multi-unit projects. To help first-time homebuyers take the first step, budget 2025 introduces the first-time homebuyers GST tax credit, which would eliminate the GST on new homes price…
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Mr. Speaker, I believe that this budget clearly protects our seniors. There is the new horizons funding, for example, which takes a lot of seniors out of isolation. I am grateful the program did not get cut. We are investing in the gains and benefits seniors are receiving right now. I want to assure the member opposite that seniors are very well taken care of in the 2025 budget.
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Mr. Speaker, I spoke about the new horizons program because I worked with seniors in my past life for many years, and I understand that the program takes seniors out of isolation. I am very passionate about it. My colleague referred to a two-class system. I think that as seniors age, their needs also increase. The government has recognized that, hence the two-tiered system. I think it is needed. A…
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Mr. Speaker, I understand that it is a crisis, and I do empathize. I want to reiterate that, for some programs, health is under the jurisdiction of the provinces, and they need to pay closer attention to some of the crises happening in our communities.
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Mr. Speaker, I am particularly in support of and very thrilled about the programs and the money allocated for youth: $1.5 billion over three years, starting next year, to strengthen youth jobs programs, like Canada summer jobs, which is a 30% increase from last year; the youth employment and skills strategy to get youth ready for jobs; and the student work placement program, reaching roughly 20,00…
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Mr. Speaker, like I said, I was a youth worker for 20 years in the city of Toronto, day in and day out, dealing with youth offenders and trying to put them into programs that would rehabilitate them. Most times, we look at why they turned to crime and what is needed in the community for these rehabilitation purposes. As we see auto thefts, home invasions and jewellery heists increase and youth are…
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Mr. Speaker, definitely, the economy does impact crime in general, and youth are no different. The budget that is coming in is an austerity budget that is supposed to create a lot of jobs, and youth jobs are included in that. I hope the member opposite will vote yes for our budget this time to help alleviate crime as well.
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Mr. Speaker, on October 23, 2025, following extensive consultation, the Government of Canada introduced legislation with more than 80 provisions to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the National Defence Act. I am pleased to rise today to speak in support of Bill C-14. I would like to take some time to more specifically outline the proposed changes to the Youth Criminal Ju…
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Mr. Speaker, during the time of the election, at every home we went to, this is what we heard. Our Prime Minister, Mark Carney, promised, at that time, that we would invest into the criminal system. That is throughout the country. Quebec is also included in that. Provinces will get their share. The implementation of these changes relies on the provinces. They will have to come up with, within thei…
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Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1975, an amendment to the National Defence Act extended full membership in the royal Canadian sea, army and air cadets to girls, changing “boys” to “persons”. This year marks 50 years of female inclusion in the Canadian cadet program. Today, more than 60,000 cadets across 1,100 communities benefit from this program, which builds citizenship, leadership and fitness. Female …
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Mr. Speaker, this is why we introduce a bill. It goes through first and second readings, and then it goes to committee, which debates it and adds or takes away whatever is needed so that all Canadians can be protected. It is important to note why Bill C-12 is even here. All of this was actually part of Bill C-2. I want to ask my hon. colleague whether Conservatives will be supporting making the bi…
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Mr. Speaker, today the House is debating important legislation: Bill C-12, the strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act. Bill C-12 would strengthen our country's security by proposing changes to support border security and immigration, to fight transnational organized crime and to disrupt illicit financing. We urgently need to update many of our laws if we want to be able to addre…
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Mr. Speaker, as my colleague said, immigration is an integral part of our system. We have all been immigrants at some point in time, and Pickering—Brooklin is vastly made up of immigrants from all countries across the world. It is important that we get this right, and we have to spend time and debate the bill. I am hoping that all members of the House will understand how important it is for asylum…
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Mr. Speaker, definitely. The 1,000 RCMP officers are an important piece in this big puzzle that we are trying to solve as we mitigate our border security. The dog teams are a very important part. The reason I am saying this is that even if 1% of fentanyl is crossing Canadian borders, it is still a big deal for Canadians. Even though we are 10% of the U.S. population, that 1% represents a huge prob…
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Mr. Speaker, climate change is an important topic, and the Liberal government is very serious about it. Budget 2025 will seize the generational opportunity to transform our economy through ambitious investment and rigorous discipline, ensuring that every dollar goes further to help build the strongest economy in the G7.
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Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in today's opposition motion debate. I will be sharing my time with the member for London West. The global economy has changed, and Canada must change too. We need to build more housing and infrastructure and support industries that are essential to our economic growth. This spring, Canadians called for a serious and ambitious plan, and…
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Mr. Speaker, as the member said, this is a new technology and it is the first time they are trying it. Anything that would give Canadians work is worth trying.
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Mr. Speaker, the operating budget cuts will be for services or programs that are not relevant and are not maintained by the framework of the federal government. Each department is scrutinizing its budget and carefully making these cuts so that essential services and programs are not affected by them.
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Mr. Speaker, it is true that programs and services are the responsibility of the provincial government, and at this time, if they are able to do what they are supposed to do, they will be able to put programs in for everyday Canadians who are going to be affected by the tariffs. I urge the provincial governments to look deep and to serve Canadians well.
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Mr. Speaker, I am in support of this commissioner because the legislation marks an important step in advancing reconciliation by promoting transparency, fairness and the implementation of modern treaties. If the bill were able to move to committee, where it could be hashed out and finalized, we would see a step forward in the right direction.
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Mr. Speaker, there are over 30 organizations in support of this commissioner. Over 150 groups and communities have come together to support it. This is being done in partnership with any and all indigenous communities. I am sure this is the right step forward. Treaties strengthen and reinforce self-determination by ensuring that indigenous people lead decisions that affect them in areas like land …
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Mr. Speaker, I welcome the modern treaties that were introduced by Paul Martin and signed by Stephen Harper. Today, there are up to 27 modern treaties covering over 40% of Canada's land mass. Major development infrastructure projects depend on partnerships with indigenous modern treaty partners in—
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Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that some Conservative members in the past have delayed indigenous legislation. Seeing that there are certain modern treaty partners in Conservative ridings, like the Manitoulin Island first nations, the Tsawwassen First Nation and the Whitecap Dakota Nation, can the member opposite confirm that the relevant members have talked to or will talk to the modern tre…
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Mr. Speaker, I will continue where I left off. The draft legislation proposal for the commissioner was shared with over 130 modern treaty partners for their awareness, review and feedback. The partners consulted included groups negotiating a modern treaty, self-governing indigenous governments, sectoral agreement holders, national indigenous organizations and key partners, and provincial and terri…
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Mr. Speaker, the commissioner's job would be to check if the federal government is fulfilling its promises under modern treaties, working in good faith with indigenous partners and upholding the honour of the Crown. The commissioner would do reviews, audits and briefings to see how government programs are working and would share what they find with the minister, indigenous partners and Parliament.…
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