Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would that all questions be allowed to stand.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to make it very clear, when we talk about these industries, that we have a Prime Minister who has been in the chair for a year. We understand the impact on these industries. That is the why we want to make sure that, for the workers in those industries that are so vulnerable, the Prime Minister, the government and all Liberal members of Parliament are going to …
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Mr. Speaker, I really appreciated my colleague's comment that Canada needs to get the best deal, the best trade agreement, with the United States. At times the Conservatives and the Bloc say they want this deal. Gee whiz, we all want a deal. The issue is getting the best deal for Canadians. That is why I appreciated the member's comments. Could the member expand on why it is important that we get …
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Mr. Speaker, it is really clear that since the last federal election, the Prime Minister has been on top of the whole Trump, trade and tariff issue, recognizing that there are going to be serious impacts, and that is the reason that, from day one, the government has had the backs of workers, businesses and industries that have been and are going to be severely impacted. There has been a litany of …
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that we have this particular motion before us. I plan to provide a number of thoughts on it, but if I may, just before I do that, I want to recognize that tomorrow, May 6, is a very special day in Canada, as Ronald McDonald House has a major fundraiser, McHappy Day, which last year made $11 million going toward Ronald McDonald House. Those who are familiar with Ronald McD…
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Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member and friend opposite that the government has not forgotten about the many different industries in the country, and the very backbone of those industries is the people who put in the work to realize those projects. One of the biggest things I constantly talk about, and Hansard will clearly show that, is the expansion of the port of Montreal. I see the benefit of …
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Mr. Speaker, I was not necessarily going to bring it up, but I think I will. The member's colleague from Oshawa, as members will remember, travelled to the United States. On behalf of the Conservative Party of Canada, he went to the United States and met with the vice-president and President. What did he say to Canadians when he came back? He said that he believed Canadians were having a “hissy fi…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague and friend from Winnipeg South Centre is inspirational in regard to leadership on economic matters and he is able to encapsulate something really important. We are talking about the Business Development Bank of Canada, along with our regional development agencies. I believe the total is about $1.5 billion. Using those funds and supports shows, in a very tangible way, that…
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Mr. Speaker, I think the government has clearly demonstrated an interest in supporting the workers. That is one of the reasons why we developed the work-sharing program. With respect to other ways we can support workers, I am sure the department has been looking at whatever options might be there. I do not have the details with me right now, but I am sure they would be viable and ultimately assist…
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Mr. Speaker, it is one of the reasons why this whole buy Canada program is absolutely essential and would benefit our lumber industry as a whole. When I think of our lumber industry, most people do not realize the magnitude of it, not only the direct jobs but the many indirect jobs and how we put that all together, everything from the person cutting down a tree to the person planting a tree, all t…
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Mr. Speaker, it is truly a holistic approach with respect to dealing with Canada's economy and our very social fabric. If we continue to move forward, as we have been, at the end of the day I believe we will be able to continue to say that Canada is the best country in the world to call home.
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Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my opening comments on the opposition motion, I actually do appreciate the debate that is happening today with regard to such a very important issue. All government members are very much concerned about the tariff issue. I would not want those who might be following the debate to be under the impression that the government has not been taking actions to date. Since t…
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Mr. Speaker, to be very clear, the government, and particularly the Prime Minister, has been listening very closely. We have been working collaboratively with different unions, businesses and workers in general, understanding the issues surrounding the tariffed industries that are being so profoundly affected, whether steel, copper or aluminum and others. The lumber industry is another area of con…
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Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if my colleague could provide some additions to her comments about getting a good deal with the United States, with a “good deal” being defined as what is in the best interest of Canadians. Whatever time it takes, it is absolutely critical that the government focus its attention on getting the best deal possible and that it is consistent with what has taken place over t…
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Mr. Speaker, as a government, we have witnessed a great deal of support, as recently as just the other day when government members talked about the importance of the Business Development Bank of Canada, with $1 billion going toward that. We talked about Canada's regional development agencies and the role they are going to be playing, with $500 million for that. Whether it is steelworkers, copper w…
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Mr. Speaker, as we wind down the discussion on the opposition day motion, I must say that I appreciate the motion. I have enjoyed the debate today. We are trying to support businesses and workers. It is one of the reasons I have tried to highlight the number of actions the government has taken, and not only the recent ones. I highlighted the Business Development Bank and the regional development a…
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Mr. Speaker, I suspect that if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to see the clock at 5:52 p.m so we could begin private members' hour.
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Mr. Speaker, I suspect if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to call it 7:12 p.m. so we can get into the late show.
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I ask that it be carried on division. (Motion agreed to)
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, before I get started, I want to briefly make mention of the significance of tomorrow, which is Red Dress Day. Across our great nation, individuals will be recognizing the tragedy that occurred with the murdered and missing women. For me, it is important not only to highlight it but also to recognize that even today we still see young girls and women, particularly from the indigenous c…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate many of the words the member has put on the record with respect to such an important issue. I would like to highlight in my question and comment the bravery and the courage this would have taken for survivors, individuals who have gone through this experience and who have continued to raise the profile of the issue to such a degree that we actually have legislation before…
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Mr. Speaker, it is really important for us to recognize that former Supreme Court Justice Arbour put in a great deal of effort. She consulted and listened to hundreds, if not thousands, of direct or indirect opinions on the issue. The core of the issue is the transfer of cases from the military courts to the civilian courts. This has been in the works now for a while. There have been all sorts of …
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Mr. Speaker, it is important to recognize how we have enhanced our military, whether it is increasing their budget to 2% of GDP or providing support for CAF members. Just recently the minister made an announcement of 7,000-plus new applications to join the forces. It is all about credibility. The minister sees the value of bringing forward this legislation. I am disappointed that the Conservative …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
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Mr. Speaker, it is disappointing that the Conservative Party of Canada is determined to fight this legislation, and not recognize the phenomenal work that former Chief Justice Arbour did. It is only over the last couple of weeks that the Conservative Party has come out against the legislation as much as it has. At the end of the day, we have a government that is pushing forward a number of agenda …
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite appeals to members of the Canadian Forces. I, too, would appeal to the members of the Canadian Forces who are following this debate. This has been a long time coming. Earlier this morning, one of the members commented on the bill, asking what was taking so long and why the government has taken so long to bring forward legislation on the issue. We were being critici…
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Mr. Speaker, I think in terms of the background of former chief justice Arbour and the work that she conducted. We are not talking hundreds but likely going to 1,000-plus consultations, both direct and indirect. She is an incredible woman who is recognized for human rights beyond Canadian borders and who ultimately came up with this recommendation. I suspect that in all the consultation with forme…
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Mr. Speaker, again, I would emphasize that, with the collective opposition we are seeing today on Bill C-11, it was important that we advance and move forward with the legislation, given that the government, in particular this new Prime Minister, was elected last year by Canadians and we made a commitment to the Canadian Forces, the CAF members, whether it was hitting 2% of the GDP or reinforcing …
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Mr. Speaker, I believe there have been significant gains over the last year, when I think of the Canadian Forces, as we try to build up that trust, faith and support for members of the forces. We have seen some very encouraging signs. One of the best ones was the fact that well over 7,000 people actually applied to join the Canadian Forces. That is a 30-year high. Part of that is making sure that …
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Mr. Speaker, as the member was reflecting on the majority issue, I remembered very clearly the day we acquired the majority of membership on the floor of the House of Commons. One of the very first actions that took place that day was a collaboration where we saw an opposition Conservative bill actually pass, and that was with the majority. I think collaboration has been, and will continue to be, …
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Mr. Speaker, former justice Arbour was an incredible Canadian. Whether as a jurist, a prosecutor or a human rights advocate, she did a lot of fine work. She even went beyond Canadian borders, which is all somewhat related, directly or indirectly, to the issue. There are 48 recommendations that came out in that report. If we take a look at recommendation 40, it states, “transfer the jurisdiction to…
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Mr. Speaker, part of what I have been raising today is the holistic approach the Liberal government and our new Prime Minister have put into play. We have seen significant improvements in our Canadian Armed Forces, which include 2% of GDP, the military industry and the growth of that industry here in Canada, and the record number of people applying to become part of CAF. We also have Bill C-11 bef…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments from my colleague in regard to the significance of the legislation. In Justice Arbour's report, there were 48 recommendations. I believe we have implemented 36 of those recommendations, or possibly more. The essence of this legislation would be to implement the core of what Justice Arbour was asking us to do: transfer jurisdiction to the civilian process. She…
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Mr. Speaker, the member made reference to the federal government wanting to punt its responsibility off to the provinces. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that the motivating factor behind us doing this in the first place was to deal with the harassment, in all forms, and sexual violence that was taking place in the Canadian Armed Forces. That is the reason why former Justic…
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Mr. Speaker, the first thing that happened last week when the majority of seats came to the Liberal Party was that, in collaboration, we passed a Conservative motion. Today we have before us a very important piece of legislation that would transfer files from the military justice system into the civilian justice system, which is a reflection of a report that was provided to the government a while …
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Mr. Speaker, I do not have a problem saying that is the standard the government has been hoping to achieve. It was not just one recommendation from the former chief justice. There were 48 recommendations to deal with a very serious issue. I believe over three dozen have been implemented, and this is one that is absolutely critical. I reflect on the fact that an incredible Canadian presented a repo…
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Mr. Speaker, Madam Justice Arbour did an extensive consultation with victims, with members of CAF, with many other stakeholders, and came up with an incredible report with 48 recommendations in order to deal with the complexities of the issue. Thirty-six of those have already been implemented. The Government of Canada has been listening and has taken action. This very piece of legislation is an en…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise and address the member for Kitchener Centre's private member's bill. We could see around the chamber when the member was speaking that a great deal of attention was given. I do believe the member should be given full credit for having the courage to share her personal story. Over the years as a parliamentarian, what I have found, especially when it comes to …
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Madam Speaker, yesterday the member had some time to talk about the sovereign wealth fund. That is a major aspect of the spring budget update. I think it makes a very powerful message to Canadians that the government and the Prime Minister are committed to get the funds that are necessary to build Canada strong, which is great for all Canadians. I wonder if the member could just provide his though…
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Madam Speaker, talk about being completely out of touch with reality and with what is happening around the world and a lack of understanding. The member even made reference to the port of Montreal, that we need to invest in Montreal. Of all the major projects, maybe that one escaped him. The government is investing in expanding the port of Montreal. We have expansion and growth taking place in eve…
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Madam Speaker, the Conservative Party has adopted a new-found “Get out of the way; I do not care” attitude. I reference the member's opening comments, when he was talking about young people and doing things for youth. Within the spring update, there is a serious commitment to increase skilled trades Red Seal holders by between 80,000 and 100,000 over the next five years. The Conservative Party is …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of good news in the spring economic update, which is something we should all be talking a lot about. One of the biggest initiatives the Conservative Party is really offside about, and talk about being insensitive, concerns the young people of Canada, the youth who want to get the jobs of the future. Within the spring economic budget, we are building up the Red Seal prog…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, how depressing it must be to be a Conservative member of Parliament. Let me give members some good advice. Canada is not broken. There are a lot of good things that are taking place. All they need to do is open their eyes and open their mind. If we believe in Canada, we need to invest in Canada. That means building on infrastructure. It means investing in Canadians. The Conservative…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, our standing committees of Parliament play a very important role. I think it is important that we encourage collaboration as much as we can. Many would argue that what happens in standing committees is very beneficial for the entire House. Let us look forward to seeing more collaboration at standing committees.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
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Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge the member is extending his hand in collaboration. I think some standing committees can be very effective. I find that a lot depends on the different personalities and subject matters. The member raised the issue of agri-food. It was not that long ago I was in the Philippines. We were talking about an expansion where an office could be established to look at dozens of co…
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Mr. Speaker, I am rising to respond to the question of privilege raised on April 29 by the member for Peace River—Westlock respecting the tabling of annual reports pursuant to an order in council. I submit that this matter is a question of statutory law upon which the Speaker is not empowered to make determinations. In the ruling referenced by my colleague, I would like to draw the attention of me…
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Mr. Speaker, I will stand by my word, and I look forward to the member coming back to the House and sharing with me which pipeline his leader actually built that went to the west coast. Yes, they did have pipelines that went down to the United States, but let us remember what the argument is.
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Mr. Speaker, the member is actually imputing my motives. He is indicating that I am intentionally misleading—
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
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