Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, Bill C-39, the building Canada strong act, is a critical piece of legislation that would make Canada's transportation system work better for Canadians and for our economy. It is about keeping Canada moving by strengthening trade corridors and ports, providing regulatory certainty, achieving red tape reduction and modernizing transportation security clearances. Canada's prosperity has always depended on our ability to move goods across vast distances and deepen trade relationships with countries near and far. However, the world has changed. The global trading system is being reshaped. Supply chains are being reorganized. Businesses are looking for reliable markets and reliable partners, while competition for investment is intensifying. For decades, Canadians benefited from a stable and increasingly integrated trading relationship with the United States, one built on growing market access and shared understanding of the rules governing our trade. Today, that environment has fundamentally changed and been replaced with a new reality, one where tariffs are being treated as leverage and supply chains are vulnerabilities. The recent tensions with Canada's largest trading partner have underscored the importance of building greater economic strength and resilience here at home, started by building Canada strong and united as one Canadian economy. Since last year, the government has been working to advance nation-building projects faster and more responsibly, diversifying our industries and trade relationships, and creating high-paying jobs for generations. Bill C-39 would unlock more of Canada's economic potential by strengthening our economy at home and expanding opportunities for Canadian businesses abroad. To achieve this priority is to deliver generational investments in our trade and transportation infrastructure. The proposed measures in Bill C-39 would strengthen our transportation supply chain by modernizing our transportation policy and strengthening our trade corridors and ports to get products to market more efficiently and affordably. Importantly, the bill also proposes measures to modernize Canada's marine governance structure. Given that 85% of Canada's non-U.S. trade moves through our marine ports, without them there is no trade diversification. The bill would also provide certainty and stability and achieve red tape reduction to get major projects built faster to help Canada's businesses save time and money, and make Canada an attractive place for investments. It would support trade digitalization. Together, the initiatives in Bill C-39 would reduce cost, improve administrative efficiency and improve the security of goods that move across our border by mitigating fraud. They would also strengthen our labour relations framework which would create more reliable supply chains and greater economic resilience. This bill is also part of a much broader economic plan. In the Speech from the Throne, the government set an overarching goal to build the strongest economy in the G7. The government is committed to removing barriers that hold back trade and investment, getting major projects built faster and strengthening Canada's relationships with reliable trading partners all around the world. The government has already moved quickly to launch a new $5-billion trade diversification corridor fund to put investments behind the ambition into action to build our infrastructure, strengthen our supply chains, attract private capital and grow Canada's economy. These are significant investments that would connect Canadian products to domestic and international markets and would support our government's goal of doubling Canada's non-U.S. exports over the next decade. Bill C-39 is the next piece of that work. However, infrastructure investment is only part of the solution. Measures in Bill C-39 would also address some of the structural issues in the transportation supply chain. The bill would modernize the regulations, policy and governance structures that determine how our transportation supply chain operates and international trade is processed. By strengthening transportation networks, the government would build more reliable supply chains and give investors and trading partners greater certainty that Canada is a stable place to do business and invest. When there is a bottleneck at a port, a shortage of rail capacity, a shipment held up by administrative or paperwork issues or a disruption anywhere along the way, the costs are ultimately borne by Canadian businesses and workers. Delays are costly for our businesses and for Canada's reputation as a reliable trading partner. When we strengthen Canada's supply chains, we are not simply moving goods more efficiently within Canada. We are helping a business in Quebec, Vancouver or Toronto reach a customer halfway around the world. That is how Bill C-39 would strengthen trade, investment, jobs and economic growth. This bill is about much more than modernizing Canada's supply chain. It is economic legislation. It is about strengthening our economy and creating the conditions for Canadian businesses to compete and grow. It is about improving the conditions for investment and growth across Canada and reducing costs by making government work better. One of the most practical things a government can do to strengthen its economy is to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden. Businesses should be focused on investing, building and creating jobs, not navigating duplicative processes and unclear timelines. That is why Bill C-39 takes practical steps that would streamline federal review and permitting processes and reduce duplication across departments. We are proposing to allow federal departments and agencies to share international trade information for imports and exports more easily and with less duplication so they can reduce information filing requirements for businesses, saving them time and money. As I mentioned, this bill supports trade digitalization and would provide opportunities to modernize regulations. Many Canadian exporters still rely on paper-based systems, which slow movements and increase costs and the time needed to get goods to global markets. The Commonwealth estimates that trading digitalization could boost Canada's trade volumes by approximately $100 billion. We would also create a new advisory group on national trade corridors to find problem areas that cause delays, suggest ways to improve the system, improve efficiency and help different players make more coordinated decisions. This bill would modernize Canada's national transportation policy to give greater recognition to supply chain efficiency. More than 525 billion dollars' worth of goods and services move between our provinces and territories every year. When we look beyond our borders, we see that Canada's transportation corridors support approximately $1.55 trillion in international merchandise trade. These transactions depend on reliable railways, ports and other infrastructure. Transportation performance and economic performance are connected, but we also need to ensure that the transportation system remains secure and resilient. Today's transportation system faces more complex and connected threats than in the past. This requires a modern, more responsive approach that can respond to evolving risks while remaining predictable for industry. Updating the Canada Transportation Act to modernize the approach to transportation security clearances would create a broader, more effective framework. These proposed changes would help partners work together, make better use of information and help us better manage risks related to people who hold trusted roles within the transportation systems. I want to pause and underline the commitment of the Government of Canada to uphold indigenous rights and collaborate with indigenous partners during the implementation phase of this bill. We undertook engagement. We heard from indigenous people, the transportation industry and Canadians to better understand how we can build more efficient, resilient and reliable supply chains while supporting economic growth and trade. Those conversations helped inform the measures before us today—

Mr. Speaker, Canada's new government is building Canada strong. From the time we took our seats in 2025, we have been acting with greater speed, certainty and predictability to bring projects and investments into Canada. Since last spring, Canada has signed over 20 new economic and security agreements and has advanced 27 nation-building initiatives that will support more than 337,000 jobs and attract nearly $200 billion in new investments.

Mr. Speaker, I understand the concerns the opposition member has about this. That is why this bill has built-in guardrails to safeguard against giving ministers the authority that he is talking about. Of course, when the bill goes to committee, members will have an opportunity to weigh in and give their suggestions on how to make this bill better, as the bill is still open for suggestions. I would reiterate that there are guardrails in it to prevent that from happening.

Mr. Speaker, union workers are at the heart of a strong economy. This bill is designed to strengthen good-faith bargaining and achieve better outcomes for everyone. It would crack down on wage theft and the misclassification of jobs. It would protect workers during business transactions and insolvencies. It would safeguard bargaining rights when contracts change hands. It would speed up grievance arbitration, in addition to always upholding the constitutionally protected right to strike. I just want to reiterate that the right to strike would always be protected under this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the global landscape is changing quickly. I am constantly reminded by my constituents in Pickering—Brooklin to act quickly to secure our country's economic sovereignty. That is why, on the first day of this fall sitting, our government introduced the building Canada strong bill. Can the Minister of Transport please explain how this legislation will help us respond to the challenges we are facing today and deliver our government's mandate to build Canada strong?

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize a constituent and disability advocate from Pickering—Brooklin, Onila Miranda. Onila, who lives with cerebral palsy, has launched an advocacy campaign called “Love is a Human Right” to raise awareness about ableism and call for greater dignity, inclusion and respect for people with disabilities. His message is clear. Accessibility is more than ramps and infrastructure. It is about ensuring that every Canadian can participate fully in their community, pursue opportunities, build relationships and live with dignity. Let us recommit to breaking down every barrier, because a truly strong Canada is one where every person can fully participate and belong. Ableism is discrimination, ableism is injustice and ableism does not belong in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, as we recognize Seniors Month, I rise today to highlight that this Saturday, June 13, marks Canada's National Long-Term Care Day. This year's theme, caring across Canada, celebrates the residents, families, staff, volunteers and advocates who make long-term care communities strong from coast to coast to coast. Long-term care is an essential part of our health care system, but above all, it is home to hundreds of thousands of Canadians. Our seniors deserve to live with dignity, respect and a strong sense of community. On behalf of the Canadian Association for Long Term Care, I thank all those whose dedication makes this care possible and invite all members to join me in celebrating the hard work of our essential workers this Seniors Month.

Madam Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to be here today to speak to Bill C-16, the protecting victims act, and to contextualize this legislation within Canada's broader efforts to confront and prevent gender-based violence. Gender-based violence is a persistent and measurable reality affecting women, girls and gender-diverse people across this country. In 2024, 187 women were killed violently in Canada. That represents one woman every two days. Women are far more likely than men to experience severe forms of intimate partner violence, sexual violence and criminal harassment. More than one-quarter, about 28%, of all victims of violent crimes in 2024 were victimized by an intimate partner. These are not isolated incidents, and our justice system has struggled to effectively address these crimes given the complex realities of gender-based violence and the patterns of coercive behaviour that often define abuse. The rate of intimate partner violence, one of the most prevalent forms of gender-based violence experienced by women and girls, is more than 3.5 times higher than it is for men and boys. Indigenous women, women with disabilities and young women face even higher risks. The Government of Canada has recognized that addressing gender-based violence requires a comprehensive and coordinated response. In 2017, the federal government released a federal gender-based violence strategy and has since invested over $800 million, about $44 million per year, to coordinate federal actions under three pillars: preventing gender-based violence, supporting survivors and their families, and promoting a responsive justice system. Since 2022, the federal government has invested in a national action plan to end gender-based violence, a 10-year framework aiming to end gender-based violence in Canada by supporting victims and survivors of crime and their families and improving their experiences with the criminal justice system. Significant efforts have been undertaken in this area. For example, the federal victims strategy works to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system and to increase their access to justice. Through the victims fund, which is part of the federal victims strategy, resources are made available to the provinces and territories for the implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, including for the development of public legal education and information material and the provision of training on the legislation for criminal justice professionals. Considerable efforts have also been made to strengthen the criminal justice system's response to gender-based violence. Canada's Criminal Code provides a broad-based response to all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse against all persons in Canada. Over the past year, legislative amendments in Bill C-51 and Bill C-75 clarified and strengthened sexual assault laws and the criminal justice system's response to intimate partner violence, and Bill C-233 imposed stricter conditions for people charged with an offence involving intimate partner violence. In addition, Bill S-205, which came into force in April 2025, created a new peace bond designed specifically to provide better protection for victims of intimate partner violence and for children, including by allowing conditions such as electronic monitoring to be imposed on the defendant. All these efforts reflect an understanding that provision, protection, accountability and survivor support must work together. Today, Bill C-16 is a critical part of that continuum. It would strengthen the criminal law in ways that respond directly to what survivors, advocates and frontline professionals have long told us about how gender-based violence actually occurs. Bill C-16 would create a new offence, criminalizing a pattern of coercive or controlling conduct in intimate partner relationships. This would address the reality that this abuse takes place over time. It would align the law with the lived reality of survivors and allow for earlier intervention before coercive or controlling conduct turns into serious physical harm or death. It would also support more accurate police and prosecutorial responses by requiring a contextual assessment of power and exploitation. Bill C-16 would also address the most extreme manifestation of gender-based violence: the killing of women because they are women. By explicitly naming and recognizing femicide in the Criminal Code, the bill would acknowledge that women and girls are disproportionately killed in specific contexts, including intimate partner violence, sexual violence, exploitation and hate-motivated attacks. Naming femicide matters. It makes visible a reality that has too often been obscured and affirmed: These killings are not random tragedies but are systemic failures that demand accountability. The bill would ensure that murders occurring in these circumstances are treated as first-degree murder. It would also require judges, when sentencing for manslaughter in the same context, to consider penalties equivalent to second-degree murder, including life imprisonment and parole ineligibility for 10 to 25 years. Importantly, Bill C-16 also recognizes that gender-based violence increasingly occurs through technology. The rise of sexually explicit deepfakes, sextortion and online harassment has created new avenues for abuse, particularly targeting women and girls. These forms of violence can destroy reputations, livelihoods and mental health, and they often silence victims through shame and fear. The bill would address these gaps by clarifying that non-consensual distribution of intimate images includes realistic deepfakes, as well as by criminalizing threats to distribute such materials and by increasing penalties for these offences. These measures would complement existing Government of Canada initiatives aimed at addressing online harms and protecting digital safety, particularly for young people. The bill would also modernize the offence of criminal harassment. Data shows that striking and harassment are common precursors to serious violence, yet the current requirement to prove a victim's subjective fear has made early intervention difficult. Further, Bill C-16 proposes reforms to the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights to better protect victims and expand access to testimonial aids for adult victims of intimate partner violence, sexual offences and criminal harassment, offences that disproportionately affect women and girls. These measures would improve justice system outcomes for victims by recognizing that court procedures themselves can be retraumatizing and that supporting meaningful participation is essential to justice. The bill would also build on recent reforms to peace bonds and firearms controls, reflecting clear evidence that access to firearms significantly increases the risk of lethal intimate partner violence. By strengthening preventative tools and closing enforcement gaps, Bill C-16 supports the Government of Canada's broader commitment to keeping victims and communities safe. Bill C-16 is a necessary step in Canada's ongoing commitment to confront gender-based violence with seriousness, clarity and resolve. It reflects the hard truths that violence is rarely a single act but often a pattern, that technology has created new tools for abuse, and that too many women and girls continue to lose their lives in preventable circumstances. By criminalizing coercive control, recognizing femicide, strengthening protections against online and intimate partner violence, and reducing barriers for victims and survivors of crime within the justice system, Bill C-16 would align our laws with lived reality and evidence. For these reasons, I urge all members to support Bill C-16. Addressing gender-based violence is not optional. Protecting victims—

Madam Speaker, the bill that is in front of the House today and that we are debating is progressive. The changes we are proposing today would progress the Criminal Code more than the changes in all other years when we added so many measures to it did. The protecting victims act would be one of the most significant updates to the criminal justice system in generations, as I said. It has a broad scope. It would give judges the right to make decisions, and the safety valve would be there so they could make those decisions appropriately.

Madam Speaker, criminal harassment is a very big and important part of the bill. The bill would remove the subjective requirement to prove a victim's fear for their safety and replace it with the requirement to prove that the harassing conduct could reasonably be expected to cause a victim to believe that their safety is threatened, thereby removing the victim's need to testify. This would allow victims to better trust our system and ensure that the proposed offence captures harassing conduct committed through modern technology.

Madam Speaker, the bill would strengthen mandatory minimums for predators who possess or access child sexual abuse and exploitation materials, restoring 12 mandatory minimums for a range of child sexual offences that were previously struck down by the court. The safety valve would be there so judges could use their own discretion and so they would have the leeway, when necessary, to make the right decisions.

Mr. Speaker, this month, during National Nursing Week, I had the privilege of being invited to a tea in Claremont to honour nurses from our community. Sitting with them and hearing their stories, I was reminded of what nursing truly is, that it is not just a profession but a calling. The nurses of Pickering—Brooklin and across this country show up every single day with skills, compassion and quiet courage. When we were hit with the SARS epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, our nurses showed up each day, working tirelessly on the front lines. They also held our hands during the most difficult moments and championed our health with tireless dedication. To every nurse in this community of Pickering—Brooklin, their work is seen, it is valued and it matters deeply. I thank them for what they do.

Mr. Speaker, May 18 is not just a date on a calendar. For Tamil Canadians, it is a wound that has never fully healed. Seventeen years ago, the Sri Lankan civil war ended in a final offensive that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians in a matter of weeks. Hundreds of thousands were displaced. The wounds, psychological, familial and cultural, persist to this day. As someone with Tamil roots, I carry this history. Tamil Canadians across the country carry it, too, in the names of relatives they never got to say goodbye to and in the trauma passed silently between generations. Tamil Canadians across the country are asking for the truth to be spoken here, in the House, where it matters. We remember on May 18, Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, because memory is resistance and because silence encourages those who would repeat these horrors elsewhere in the world. I call on the the government and all members to stand with Tamil Canadians across the nation this month.

Mr. Speaker, the seniors in our country are the very people who built the communities we live in today, who raised families, strengthened our economy and shaped the Canada we are so proud of. They deserve to age with dignity, security and peace of mind. In Pickering—Brooklin, our seniors are concerned about affordability and ensuring they receive the benefits they rely on. Can the secretary of state update Canadians on how our government is supporting seniors and protecting them from financial vulnerability?

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 today. When a government turns against its people, the first things taken are food, water, dignity and truth. This is a collective responsibility. When people cannot speak their truth, we must speak it for them, so today, learn the names, share the stories and bear witness, because the most powerful thing any of us can do is refuse to let the truth disappear.

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 shaping our economy today are laying the foundation for the next generation. This is why this Saturday in Pickering—Brooklin, we will gather for our Black entrepreneurship forum, a space dedicated not only to dialogue but to connection, capital and concrete opportunity. With the participation of the Secretary of State for Small Business, the focus will be clear: ensuring Black-owned businesses can access the tools they need to grow, scale and thrive. Together, through partnership and purposeful investment, we honour those who built before us and empower those who will lead next.

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, businesses and whole economies into a state of uncertainty. As the Prime Minister said recently at the World Economic Forum in Davos, “We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.” He argued that the rules-based order is fading, but there is still much that can be done. Canada's new government is focused on what it can control, and a big part of taking things into our own hands is building a strong economy to make life more affordable for Canadians. Of course, our plan would generate big payoffs for Canadians over time. However, we know that many Canadians are feeling the financial squeeze of everyday expenses right now. They want immediate relief, and we are delivering. Our government is proposing the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit to help more than 12 million low- and moderate-income Canadians afford day-to-day necessities right now. Alongside this benefit, we are also proposing a one-time lump sum payment based on eligibility for the goods and services tax credit. The positive impact of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit and the one-time payment would come quickly, when Canadians need it the most. If the legislation receives swift royal assent, the support would start rolling out as early as this spring. I urge all hon. members to pass Bill C-19 without delay so we can ensure that Canadians get this much-needed relief as soon as possible. I know the Canada groceries and essentials benefit would be a difference maker for so many Canadians, including Canadians in my riding of Pickering—Brooklin. The benefit would be indexed to inflation and would build on the existing GST credit. Our government has designated the benefit to provide $11.7 million in additional support over six years. To help address affordability challenges, the benefit would provide a one-time top-up payment equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 year value of the GST credit. This support would be paid out as early as possible this spring, or no later than June 2026. It would deliver $3.1 billion in immediate assistance to individuals and families already getting the GST credit. There is more. In addition, the value of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit would increase by 25% for five years, starting in July 2026. This expansion would deliver another $8.6 billion in support over the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period, and would ensure that the benefit goes to half a million new individuals and families. Combined, these measures would deliver extra support of up to $402 to a single individual without children, $527 to a couple and $805 to a couple with two children. For example, a single senior with $25,000 in net income would receive a one-time top-up of $267 plus a longer-term increase of $137 for the 2026-27 benefit year, for a total increase of $402. In total, for the 2026-27 benefit year, they would receive $950, including the top-up. Here is another example. A couple with two children and $40,000 in net income would receive a one-time top-up of $533 plus an increase of $272 for the 2026-27 benefit year, for a total increase of $805. In all, for the 2026-27 benefit year, the couple would receive $1,890, including the top-up. I want to be clear on my next point. At these levels, the government would be offsetting the rising cost of groceries beyond the overall inflation growth that we have experienced since the pandemic. After the one-time payment is made in the spring of 2026, eligible families and individuals in Canada would receive the enriched regular payment under the Canada groceries and essentials benefit as of July 2026. The benefit payment would arrive quarterly, to ensure families can use the funds to help with their day-to-day expenses. As we know, the benefit would be only one example of the many ways we are supporting Canadians. It would be in addition to existing benefits such as the Canada child benefit, the Canada disability benefit and the guaranteed income supplement. The new Canada groceries and essentials benefit would not only help Canadians at a difficult time; it would also support our drive to build the strongest economy in the G7. Canada's new government has been relentlessly focused on bringing costs down for Canadians. Above all, the government will empower Canadians by helping them get ahead and reducing their cost of living. When Canadians keep more of the money they earn, they can better support their families, invest in their communities and build the future they want. The government is committed to improving affordability in Canada, and our actions have been fulfilling this pledge. Through measures such as those outlined in budget 2025, we have taken important steps to ease the financial pressure on Canadian households. For instance, as part of Bill C-4, we are eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million and reducing the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million. We are also delivering major tax cuts. Since July 1, 2025, Canadians have been paying less tax after the government announced lowering the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%. The rate reduction, which is currently before Parliament as part of Bill C-4, would apply to taxable income of up to $58,523 in 2026. This change would ensure that nearly 22 million Canadians benefit from tax relief of up to $420 per person, saving two-income families up to $840 this year. Notably, most of the tax relief would go to Canadians with income in the two lowest tax brackets. The government has also cancelled the divisive consumer fuel charge, directly allowing Canadians in provinces and territories where the fuel charge applies to save money with the price they pay at the pump. This action has reduced gasoline prices in most provinces and territories by up to 18¢ a litre in comparison to 2024-25. It has also helped to lower headline inflation. Actions on affordability, such as those I have highlighted today, are key examples of how the government is empowering Canadians to shape their own future. In the words of the Prime Minister, we cannot control what other nations do, but we can control what we build for ourselves.

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 meantime, measures such as this do help everyday Canadians.

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 has flourished here for decades. Tamil Canadians live in every province and territory, strengthening our national fabric each day. I invite all members to join me in celebrating this vibrant heritage with Tamils in their communities. Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir. Every town is my hometown and everyone is my kin.

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 Algonquin nation, and I would like to express my gratitude for the privilege of sharing this land with them on this very day. It is important to recognize that, across Canada, the lands, waters and ice are traditional territories of the first nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Indigenous peoples have cared for these environments for thousands of years, and their knowledge and leadership remain essential. Our journey toward reconciliation continues to be a priority for me, and it is one of the reasons I am in the House today. Today I want to talk about the future, our future, and the foundation that the Government of Canada is building for a stronger, more sustainable Canada. It is a future that is not only net-zero but also full of new opportunities for clean, resilient and lasting growth, from such things as building new industries that anchor long-term jobs in every region and developing climate-smart infrastructure that saves money by avoiding costly disaster recovery. There are opportunities for workers and communities, such as thousands of skilled jobs for electricians, energy advisers, engineers and construction workers, as well as community-owned renewable energy projects that keep wealth circulating locally. There are opportunities for Canadian competitiveness through selling clean aluminum, low-carbon steel and sustainable forestry products. In other words, it will be a climate-competitive Canada. I am talking about a Canada that leads the world by leaning into its strengths. I will put that in perspective. Countries around the world are making the transition to clean, low-carbon energy industries and technology. They are competing to design the cleanest technologies, produce the cleanest fuels and operate the cleanest industries. They are competing for capital, for talent and for innovation. This transition is a revolution. It is reshaping trade, investments and jobs. It is changing pretty much everything: how we get around, with more public transit running on clean power and with more walkable, bikeable communities; how we heat and cool our homes, with heat pumps, better-insulated homes and smart thermostats that learn routines and reduce wasted energy; and how we work, build and power our country, with cleaner and more dependable electricity, solar rooftops and grids powered by wind, nuclear and storage. It is impacting how we think about our sustainable future, with green mortgages, pension funds and savings plans investing in long-term clean growth, as well as how we connect with nature, with more protected areas, more urban forests and more opportunities for outdoor recreation close to home. A net-zero future makes the cleaner choice the cheaper choice, the smarter choice and ultimately the easier choice. That is why making the foundational changes needed to build a net-zero future is economically smart and fiscally responsible. Moreover, it is essential for protecting Canadians and the places they call home. The bottom line is that addressing climate change is both a moral obligation and an economic imperative. That is why the Government of Canada released the climate competitiveness strategy in budget 2025. The strategy positions Canada to seize the opportunities presented by the global transition to clean economies, by reducing our emissions and driving investments. It creates the clarity and condition for the investment needed to build an affordable net-zero future, a future in which Canadian businesses and industries are well positioned to compete and lead in the global economy, Canadians have the security of a strong economy and good jobs, and Canada leads in the global clean energy transition. The climate competitiveness strategy is a central pillar of the government's plan to become the strongest economy in the G7. It is about building certainty for investors while continuing to take strong action to address climate change, building new infrastructure and major projects more efficiently while ensuring they contribute to a clean and competitive economy. It is about supporting clean Canadian innovation, scaling homegrown solutions and capitalizing on projects that further Canada's standing as a clean energy superpower. It is also about exploring nuclear and renewable energy; investing in low-carbon fuels and initiatives aimed at improving the emissions intensity of the oil and gas sector; expanding into emerging opportunities such as critical minerals, carbon removal, resource sufficiency and high-value manufacturing; training workers to participate in these opportunities; and engaging with indigenous partners and rights holders as appropriate. These are all investments in long-term prosperity. However, I want to be clear: Canada is not just entering this race; Canada is in this race with some of the smartest and most talented workers; some of the cleanest power, most unique energy and resource sectors, and world-class industries; and a strong domestic market in which Canadians can be their best customers. In sum, Canada's climate competitiveness strategy aims to grow our economy, to build a stronger, more sustainable and more competitive Canada and create lasting prosperity. I will close with a picture of what Canada can look like if we stay the course. It is a Canada where we have clean power in our homes and air in our cities; a Canada where jobs in our communities are future-focused and where students can look forward to working in global leading industries; a Canada where indigenous engagement is rooted in respect, reciprocity and responsibility; and a Canada where climate action is a catalyst, sparking innovation, inspiration and investment. This is the climate-competitive economy that Canada is moving towards. We are doing it by working hand in hand with indigenous governments, provinces and territories, industries and all sectors. Climate action is an opportunity for everyone. This is the Canadian way: co-operation, practical progress and determination with courage and confidence.

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 environment. I hope they will get on board.

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 commitment. This means that the indigenous communities have to agree for this pipeline to go forward, and there is no railroading that.

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 with the province, indigenous peoples and private partnership. It is something bigger so that a better future can be forged for our younger generation.

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 personal. It continues to challenge parliamentarians, health care providers, experts and people in Canada alike. It is important for us to recognize that medical assistance in dying has been allowed in Canada for close to 10 years now. It is also important to remember that it is the provinces and territories that must put in place the tools and supports that clinicians need to deliver MAID safely and appropriately. Whenever we make changes to the federal legal framework for MAID, we must be cognizant of the impact that those changes have on our partners in the provinces and territories. As the Supreme Court of Canada recognized in Carter, striking the right balance in this complex area of social policy, where competing social values are at play, is not an easy task. As legislators, we must balance respect for personal autonomy and dignity with our responsibility to those who may be vulnerable. Today, I will speak to three key elements: first, the objectives of Bill C-218; second, the findings of major expert studies on MAID where mental illness is the sole underlying condition; and third, the federal government's support for provincial and territorial work to improve access to mental health services. Bill C-218 seeks to make changes restricting eligibility for MAID indefinitely in cases where a mental disorder is the only medical condition involved. There have been concerns expressed by some stakeholders about whether there are sufficient safeguards in place, and whether health care providers have the tools and resources they need to provide MAID safely and appropriately when it comes to mental illness. These concerns are not new, nor are they trivial, and their desire for caution is laudable. At the same time, we must also recognize that Parliament has debated this question repeatedly over several years. Our legislative framework has evolved in response to court decisions, expert analysis and extensive public engagement. A special joint parliamentary committee has carefully considered the issue at length and provided advice and recommendations on whether to proceed. That committee also reinforced the importance of provincial and territorial health system readiness. Bill C-218 invites us to consider whether the appropriate balance has been struck with the upcoming lifting of the mental illness exclusion in 2027, or whether another legislative change is necessary at this time. To answer that, it is essential that we understand what the experts have already told us. Significant studies have been completed on the specific question of MAID eligibility where mental illness is the sole underlying condition, including by the Council of Canadian Academies and the expert panel on MAID and mental illness, among others. Taken together, they provide a rich body of evidence. The Council of Canadian Academies, the CCA, examined Canada's legal and clinical landscape, along with international approaches. The CCA's work highlighted the core clinical challenge: Mental illnesses can be unpredictable in their course and determining irremediability is far more complex than in many physical illnesses. The CCA was not tasked with providing recommendations for or against eligibility, and the members of the working group that dealt with mental illness had a spectrum of views on the matter. The expert panel on MAID and mental illness, which was mandated by the former Bill C-7, took this analysis further. Its mandate was not to recommend whether eligibility for MAID should be expanded to permit the provision of MAID based on mental illness alone, but rather to recommend protocols, guidance and safeguards for such cases. The panel concluded that the existing Criminal Code safeguards, when supported by the development of MAID practices standards and the implementation of other recommendations, are adequate to allow for safe provision of MAID to people whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness. Both these expert reviews, along with the testimony received through parliamentary committee work, reinforce the same overarching message: MAID in cases involving mental illness requires exceptional caution, but it is not impossible to implement safely. At the same time, clinical readiness, clear standards and comprehensive training are essential. Following these studies in 2023, a model MAID practice standard was published, and a Canadian-made curriculum was developed. In addition, the federal government is currently supporting the Canadian Psychiatric Association to develop clinical practice guidelines for assessing suicidality and irremediability. Through a federal, provincial and territorial assistant deputy minister-level committee, policy leaders are also considering a range of issues related to MAID, particularly with respect to complex cases, including mental illness. We have heard from these expert reviews and from a broad range of stakeholders on the importance of provincial and territorial health systems' being ready for the lifting of the exclusion. This includes provincial and territorial efforts to improve access to mental health services and supports across Canada. No one should ever feel that MAID is the only option available to them. The federal government remains committed to supporting provinces and territories to improve access to health care for Canadians, which includes strengthening mental health services. In 2023 the Government of Canada announced the working together to improve health care in Canada plan, a historic investment of close to $200 billion over 10 years to support provincial and territorial health systems to deliver health care to Canadians. This includes an investment of $25 billion through bilateral health agreements with the provinces and territories to support shared priority areas, including improving access to mental health and substance use services. The federal government has also expanded support for youth mental health initiatives, recognizing that early access to therapy, counselling and culturally safe care can alter the trajectory of a person's entire life. We have also funded indigenous-led mental wellness programs, which acknowledge the need for approaches that are culturally relevant, trauma-informed and community-based, rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Provinces and territories have taken significant steps to improve access to mental health services in Canada with federal supports over the past 10 years. Questions related to MAID in the context of mental illness are among the most sensitive we confront as parliamentarians. Our decisions affect people in Canada at their most vulnerable moment, and our work must reflect both humility and resolve. Bill C-218 asks us to confront difficult but deeply important questions. Deciding whether medical assistance in dying should be available when a mental illness is the sole underlying condition is not a choice that lends itself to simple answers. Reasonable people may come to different conclusions. The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized this complexity, affirming that Parliament is owed a broad margin of deference when navigating challenging social policy issues such as this. We will have the opportunity to consider next steps further and to study the state of progress during the parliamentary review that will be held in 2026. I look forward to hearing from colleagues as well as from experts, stakeholders and regular people, including those with lived experience with mental illness, as we continue this important debate.

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 due to poverty and war. Canada has always been known as a partner that we can count on in moments of hardship. Could the Secretary of State for International Development inform the House of Canada's—

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 offence, their new sentence would automatically be added on top of the sentence they are already serving for the earlier sexual offences. Sexual offending is a profound violation that leaves lasting physical, emotional and psychological harm. These are not crimes that can be minimized or treated lightly. They require our justice system to respond with clarity, strength and accountability. The grave harm caused by sexual offending is one of the reasons the government is seeking to advance important criminal law reforms, including the recent bail and sentencing reform act, or Bill C-14, which has a view to reinforce community safety and strengthen Canada's justice system. Bill C-14 represents a significant step forward in updating Canada's criminal justice framework to make bail law stricter and sentencing law tougher. The bill includes more than 80 targeted changes to the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other relevant acts, and all are directed toward delivering firm and fairer outcomes for everyone in Canada. Bill C-14 includes an amendment that would require judges to consider consecutive sentences for repeat violent offenders, including repeat sexual violent offenders. A consecutive sentence means multiple prison sentences are served one after the other, with the total length of the sentence being the sum of the individual sentences imposed for one offence. This is different from a concurrent sentence, where multiple prison terms for different offences in a single sentence can be served at the same time. If passed by Parliament, Bill C-14 would send a strong signal to the courts that longer sentences may be warranted in cases of repeat violent offending, while still allowing for individualized circumstances to be considered by the sentencing judge. Bill C-14 would capture a broad range of offenders, including anyone with a record for violent offences in the last five years, as well as a broad range of offences, such as any offence involving violence or threats of violence. It would include, but not be limited to, offences involving sexual violence. As a result of this proposal, courts would be required by law to consider consecutive sentences for repeat violent offenders, and failure to do so would be an error in law that could be appealed. Bill C-14 would also make it more difficult for those accused of serious, violent and sexual offending to be released on bail. The general rule for bail is that, when a Crown prosecutor seeks the detention of an accused person, they must demonstrate to the court that there is just cause to detain the accused. This means the Crown has the responsibility to show the accused should not be granted bail. However, in certain cases, the accused must show why they should be granted bail. This is referred to as reverse onus. In a reverse onus situation, an accused must be detained while awaiting their trial, unless they can demonstrate to the court that they should not be denied bail by showing that there is no just cause for their detention, meaning they are not a risk to public safety. A reverse onus demonstrates Parliament's intention that bail should be more difficult to obtain in cases where the accused might present heightened risk if released on bail. Right now, the Criminal Code sets out reverse onus for several criminal offences, including for offences where the allegations involve violence against an intimate partner if the accused had been previously convicted or discharged of an offence where violence was used against their intimate partner. This reverse onus recognizes the fact that violence against intimate partners unfortunately tends to happen more than once, so those who have been previously convicted of such offences may pose increased safety risks to their victims if released on bail. Building on this foundation, Bill C-14 includes a proposal to create a new reverse onus bail provision for assault and sexual assault involving choking, suffocating or strangulation. Evidence suggests this behaviour is indicative of potential escalation to homicide, particularly in the intimate partner context. The proposed reverse onus recognizes that those accused of such offending may present—

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 offences, including those against children. Protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse is a top priority for the federal government. The government has taken significant steps to strengthen laws, enhance its law enforcement tools and support victims. Canada's approach reflects the belief that every child has the right to grow up free from harm and that those who violate that trust will face the full force of the law. These amendments respond to concerns from provinces and territories, many of which have observed a troubling rise in conditional sentence orders being ordered in response to sexual offences, including child sexual offences, noting that these sentences were not sufficiently reflective of the gravity, nor sufficiently protected victims. These concerns have prompted calls to restrict conditional sentence orders for those offences and to ensure that the use of conditional sentence orders remains consistent with the principles of denunciation and deterrence and promotes public confidence in the justice system. These targeted reforms reflect the government's commitment to addressing the serious harms caused by sexual offending and its profound impact on victims. Bill C-14 also proposes adding a new aggravated factor at sentencing for repeat violent offending, which would include repeat violent sexual offending. An aggravating factor is a circumstance or detail about an offence that makes a crime more serious. Aggravating factors send a message to our courts that certain conduct justifies harsher sentences. These amendments would respond to ongoing calls to denounce and deter all repeat violent offending. Federal, provincial and territorial governments have been actively collaborating on measures to strengthen the bail and sentencing regime for many months at the ministerial, deputy ministerial and officials' levels. The proposed amendments were developed in close co-operation with the provinces and territories, and reflect a collective agreement to support safer communities. These changes are being advanced within the federal areas of responsibility and reflect commitments to bringing forward law reform in this area. However, a well-functioning criminal justice system requires action from the provinces and territories that are responsible for the administration of justice, which includes the conduct of the majority of prosecutions in Canada. Building on the bail and sentencing reform act, the Government of Canada has further committed to bringing forward additional legislative changes to address court delays, to strengthen victims' rights, to better protect people facing sexual and intimate partner violence and to keep children safe from crimes.

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, isolation and economic abuse that can trap someone in a dangerous situation. Could the Minister of Women and Gender Equality speak to how our government is working to recognize and combat economic abuse and to support those who are living through this painful and often invisible form of violence?

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 like Ramesh Chotai in Pickering to political leaders like the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Public Safety and Liberal Party leader Sachit Mehra, Hindu Canadians continue to shape the present and future of our political landscape. Canada's strength lies in our ability to learn from one another, celebrate our differences and work together for the common good. I invite my colleagues in the House to participate in the many Hindu Heritage Month events being hosted in their local communities. I wish a happy Hindu Heritage Month to everyone.

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 Parkland, and indeed all my parliamentary colleagues, that this government takes its responsibilities toward victims seriously. We know the families of homicide victims have suffered unspeakable tragedy and we stand with them. They deserve our compassion, respect and support. I am going to use my time to outline the ways victims are already supported by the government. For example, in 2015, the Government of Canada created the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, which enshrined victims' rights into law. The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights provides the statutory rights to information, to protection, to participation and seek restitution. On a practical level, this means that victims have the right to receive information about the justice system and about the services and programs available to them. Victims may also obtain specific information on the progress of a case, including information on the investigation, prosecution and sentencing, as well as the conditional release process of the person who harmed them and how the sentence is administered. Importantly, victims have the right to have their security and privacy considered at all stages of the criminal justice process. They also have the right to have reasonable and necessary protection from intimidation and retaliation. The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights gives victims the right to convey their views and have those views considered. Victims may participate in meaningful ways by attending Parole Board hearings and submitting or presenting victim statements about the physical, emotional or financial impact that offences have had on their lives for consideration at any parole review. The Parole Board of Canada can then take all of this information into account when making its decision. Victims can also propose specific conditions for consideration in the board's decision-making. For example, geographic conditions or no contact orders can be imposed if an offender is granted release. Victims can also access a photo of the person who has harmed them prior to release. If the Parole Board of Canada does not impose any conditions requested by victims, they are also eligible to obtain written reasons. Under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, victims of crime are legally entitled to receive information on progress made by inmates toward meeting the objectives of their correctional plan. They can also name a representative to receive information on their behalf. Additionally, victims have the right to have the court consider making a restitution order and have an unpaid restitution order enforced through a civil court. At sentencing, victims are allowed to submit a victim impact statement describing the losses they have suffered because of the crime committed against them. Further, courts need to consider ordering restitution for all offences. An offender's ability to pay restitution is one of the factors a court will consider, but it does not prevent a court from making the order. A court must consider restitution as part of the totality of the sentence. The factors considered when determining an appropriate sentence include the seriousness of the offence, any payments already made by the offender and the impact of the crime on the victim. There is a range of losses that can be covered by restitution, including damaged or lost property due to the crime, physical injury or psychological harm, costs related to moving out of the offender's household, costs that victims of identity theft incur to re-establish their identity and correct their credit history, and costs that victims of the non-consensual publication of an intimate image incur to have an image removed from the Internet. The Government of Canada remains committed to empowering victims of crime with resources such as the national office for victims. It is an important resource for victims that improves how they experience federal corrections and conditional release programs. The office provides a victim lens on correctional policy development as well as developing information products for disseminating to victims and the general public. These information products are aimed at increasing awareness so victims can better understand and navigate the process related to federal correctional and conditional release. It also engages with victims, their advocates and other stakeholders to ensure that their voices are heard in the development of the office's services and supports. Finally, the national office for victims considers the unique needs of victims in vulnerable communities, including indigenous peoples, in all of its work. The process around correctional and conditional release can be confusing, complicated and overwhelming for victims, but services like the national office for victims can help victims understand their rights. It is important I mention that there is a complaint mechanism. If a victim feels that their rights under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights have been infringed or denied by a federal agency or a department, they can make these complaints directly to the relevant department or agency to have issues resolved directly and in a timely manner. However, should they be unsatisfied with the outcome of the internal complaint process, they may also contact the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime. The Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime operates independently and at arm's length from the Government of Canada. While the ombudsperson does not advocate on behalf of individual victims or provide legal advice, they can make recommendations to the federal government in response to the issues raised, provide information or refer complaints to victim services. The government will continue to stand in support of victims of crime. No system is perfect, and there is always room for improvement.

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 victims of crime and their families. Our government firmly believes that victims across Canada deserve our compassion, respect and support. Under the current federal law, victims of crime are entitled to receive certain information about the person or persons who harmed them. This information includes eligibility dates and review dates applicable to the offender for temporary absences or parole. If adopted, Bill C-221 would amend the law so victims of crime would be entitled to know not only when offenders could be released, but also how officials determine these eligibility dates. Victims of crime and their families want clarity when it comes to the justice system. They also want transparency and for their voices to be heard. Bill C-221 would give victims and their families the clarity and transparency they seek. It would help victims get information about key eligibility and review dates up front. At the same time, it in no way detracts from the rights of offenders. Their privacy and legal entitlements are in no way diminished or threatened. The bill also aligns with the advancements we have made in this country to recognize and uphold the rights of victims of crime. Our understanding of those rights and our willingness to apply that knowledge is the work of many people and governments. Governments of all political stripes and members from both sides of the chamber have taken and supported action. This advancement of victims' rights began in Canada in 1988. That year, the House first endorsed the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime. This watershed development was soon followed by a federal law that gave victims of crime a voice at sentencing hearings. Since then, successive governments have affirmed the rights of victims based on our growing understanding of their needs. This progress is the result of Canada's evolving understanding of the rights of victims of crime and our willingness to apply that knowledge. Bill C-221 continues these sensible, non-partisan, multi-generational advancements. The legislation makes clear that members of this House have collectively heard victims' voices and are acting on them.

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 plan for what comes next. That is exactly what budget 2025 delivers. This is an investment budget. It is a confident Canada taking control of its future. It is a plan that invests in people, opportunity and our communities. The question I hear most often in Pickering—Brooklin from young families, new graduates and even long-term residents is simple: “Can we afford to build our future here?” We know the housing market has begun to soften and prices have started to stabilize in the last few months. This is encouraging, but for many, owning a home still feels just out of reach. For renters, affordability and stability remain real concerns. Budget 2025 delivers a real plan to build more homes faster and make them affordable again. Through Build Canada Homes, the government is investing $13 billion over five years to double the pace of homebuilding over the next decade. This initiative would help build affordable homes across the country while modernizing how we build, using new technology, partnerships and financing tools to get shovels in the ground sooner.

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 priced under $1 million and reduce it on homes up to $1.5 million. This is about restoring the dream of home ownership, about making sure that young people in Pickering—Brooklin do not have to leave the communities they love, to afford a place to live. I am proud to say that budget 2025 would deliver exactly that. Affordability is about more than mortgages and rent. It is about everyday life, including the grocery bill, the hydro bill and the cost of getting to work. Canadians want to know that when they work hard, they can get ahead, and budget 2025 answers that call. To support young Canadians entering the workforce, the government would invest $1.5 billion over three years, starting in 2026, to strengthen youth jobs programs such as Canada summer jobs, the youth employment and skills strategy and the student work placement program, which would reach roughly 175,000 young people in 2026-27 alone. We are also ensuring that no Canadian is left behind. Budget 2025 would invest $115.7 million over four years to make it easier to access the Canada disability benefit, including a one-time supplemental payment of $150 for each disability tax credit certification or recertification, while reaffirming that the benefit would be exempt from income calculations under the Income Tax Act. For millions of Canadians living on low or modest incomes, automatic federal benefits would make it easier to get the support they deserve. By 2028, the CRA would automatically file taxes for 5.5 million low-income Canadians, ensuring they receive benefits such as the GST and HST credits and the Canada child benefit, which they so rightly deserve. Finally, upcoming legislation would make the national school food program permanent, providing $216.6 million per year to ensure that every child can learn without having to think about their next meal. These measures are not abstract line items. They are about peace of mind and dignity. They are about making sure that every parent, student and senior in Pickering—Brooklin feels that their government is standing up with them. I am proud to say that the government would deliver on these exact promises. As we talk about homes and affordability, we cannot forget what makes communities thrive: the infrastructure that connects us, supports us and defines us. From a shortage of needed electrical power supply or high-speed Internet in communities such as Ashburn and Claremont to necessary road safety enhancements for the burgeoning growth of Pickering and even a much-needed new hospital to serve Brooklin residents, these are all necessary infrastructure projects that the community of Pickering—Brooklin requires to safely and effectively house the exponential growth of this region in the coming decades. Budget 2025 would deliver exactly that: a nation-building investment in infrastructure through the new build communities strong fund, a $51-billion investment over 10 years, with an ongoing annual investment of $3 billion to help local governments plan, build and grow sustainably. This fund would include three major streams: a community stream, which would provide $27.8 billion over 10 years and $3 billion per year ongoing to support local projects; a direct delivery stream, with $6 billion over 10 years for large-scale retrofits, regional projects, climate adaptation and critical community infrastructure; and a provincial and territorial stream with $17.2 billion over 10 years for housing-enabling projects, including things like roads, water and waste-water systems, hospitals and post-secondary infrastructure. Within that, $5 billion over three years would establish a dedicated health infrastructure fund, ensuring our hospitals and care facilities could meet the needs of Canadians. Infrastructure is not simply concrete and steel or brick and mortar; it is the foundation of opportunity. For Pickering—Brooklin, it is about ensuring that as we grow, we grow well, with strong roads, sustainable water systems, accessible health care, and spaces that bring people together. No plan for Canada's future is complete without supporting the small businesses that power our local economies. From the machine and tool businesses like Toromont Cat to a visit to Sugamaze for our delectable sweets, or to the tech entrepreneurs setting up in downtown Pickering, small businesses are the lifeline of our community. They create jobs, sponsor local teams and drive Canadian innovation. Budget 2025 recognizes our economic strength depends on their success, and it will deliver exactly what they need to thrive as we build Canada strong. We are creating an environment that rewards investment and innovation, especially in the industries of the future. The government is introducing and enshrining in law a suite of investment tax credits to give Canadian businesses the confidence to invest: the clean-electricity tax credit, which is soon to be legislated and will be retroactive to March 2023; the clean-technology tax credit, which is now law, providing a 30% incentive for businesses investing in clean innovation and which is also retroactive to March 2023; and the clean-technology manufacturing tax credit, offering a 30% incentive retroactive to January 2024. We are also strengthening industrial carbon pricing by developing a post-2030 trajectory that gives businesses long-term certainty to plan and invest responsibly. These measures are not only about clean growth; they are also about empowering Canadian businesses, large and small, to compete and thrive in a low-carbon global economy. For small businesses in Pickering—Brooklin, this means more support to expand, hire and lead in a world that is moving toward sustainable growth. Canada's new government is investing in our local economy and in Canadians. We will spend less on government operations so we can invest more in growing our economy and protecting the essential programs that make life more affordable. In the face of uncertainty, Canadians are going to build the future we want for ourselves. Budget 2025 is our plan to do just that: to build, to protect and to empower Canadians. This is our moment, our time to make generational investments to secure Canada's place as a leader among nations.

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. As we are able to earn more and build Canada strong, we will bring more programs to seniors in the future.

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 20,000 youth. These are—

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 their means, how they could impose these changes.

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 involved in this, I really feel the amendment to the bail system will actually alleviate these problems, because they are working with adults who are not coming in front and are using the youth to do these deeds. As such, from my experience, when the bail system gets these changes in, and I hope the opposition will help us do this when Bill C-14 comes again, we would definitely see a reduced rate of youth crimes in the community.