Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, my humble question back to my hon. colleague, who I know does a lot of good, important work on housing policy in this place, is about why the Conservative Party would propose to get rid of the supply-side funding that was supporting homebuilding, and has been supporting homebuilding in this country, to fund the GST tax cut. Those two things do not add up, and I know the hon. member kn…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, all parliamentarians have before us the main estimates and the supplementary (A)s that were provided in relation to what this government is planning on spending on defence. We as parliamentarians have an ability to look at the outlay of money here in this place to be able to make those decisions. The government has committed to a budget in the fall session. It is important. I did not …
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Mr. Speaker, one of the differences between the way we have handled the public policy issue versus the way the Conservatives have is that this government and this Prime Minister recognized that the policy of carbon pricing at the consumer level had become divisive and that there had to be a change. Instead of just cutting the consumer carbon price, we recognized there were rebates tied to the cons…
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Mr. Speaker, the member talked about the government living within its means, and of course, this government has committed to an operational balanced budget within three years, recognizing that there have to be major capital expenditures, particularly for our Canadian Armed Forces, which the Prime Minister highlighted today. Does the member not recognize the irony that her Conservative Party platfo…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I will keep it brief. You are more than capable of keeping time. I am here to listen to what the minister has to say, and I think the Chair can keep time. We do not need hon. members screaming “time” when the minister is trying to actually respond to the question.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, let me start by again offering my congratulations to the hon. minister. We are very proud of her in Nova Scotia, and the Nova Scotia members of Parliament who sit in the Nova Scotia caucus. I know we have not shared our time, but I wonder if she could provide a bit of reflection on her Lebanese heritage, her story and what it means to be the Minister of Immigration.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member did very well for the first five minutes in showing a level of nuance. I enjoyed the Cs he laid out. I will lay out a C, which is the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers in this country. Its statistics show that oil and gas sector production increased by 41% in the last 10 years. We never hear that from the opposition benches whatsoever. Here is another C: the …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, our colleagues have been talking about a budget. We have estimates before the House here. I had the opportunity to review some of them. I think the member for Whitby actually talked about the fact that MPs have the ability to look through the expenditures of government that are being proposed. He talked about housing. I think that is really important. We are proposing to not only remo…
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Mr. Speaker, as I was listening, I could not help but be inspired by the member's personal story of growing up in the United Kingdom. She mentioned her interaction with the Sovereign. I, too, was fortunate to have a brief interaction. I appreciate her comments, her connection and the way that Canada's constitution runs through the United Kingdom, but also that we have diversity across this country…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, as I read the report that we are studying before Parliament, a couple of things come to mind as they relate to Kings—Hants. One is that there is a significant forestry sector in our constituency. There is also the Michelin tire plant, and I think about the cross-border trade. I know there was a lot in the report about electric vehicles, but there is even the presence of Michelin tir…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, we are here today to discuss an opposition day motion from the Conservative Party in relation to housing. I welcome the opportunity to rise in this place and talk about the importance of housing, because this is a national conversation right now. I want to give some context from my own riding of Kings—Hants. I was elected in 2019. I remember going to communities, particularly in rur…
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Madam Speaker, I actually think the proposal as is would be helpful. My speech gave another level of nuance. I hope the member for Brandon—Souris can have a conversation with the leader of the official opposition to say that it is fine if we want to have this policy, but it should not be on the back of actually cutting the federal funding. The funding is helping to build the homes that would be ne…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed part of my hon. colleague's question. However, I completely agree that it is important to invest in social housing. The reason we are having this problem is that for 30 years, the federal Conservative government—but also the federal Liberal government—moved away from investing in non-profit organizations and the provinces for building social housing.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I agree. We should be concerned when there is criticism of our local mayors and the people who step up to serve our communities. The member for Carleton should actually stand in this place and start naming them. Are they my mayors? Are they the member for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford's mayors? Who is the member talking about? He likes the bogeyman, but these are people trying to serve …
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Mr. Speaker, I said we are second in overall cumulative economic growth; of course, we are second to the Americans. I would ask the member to find me an advanced economy in a western liberal democracy that has been able to keep pace with the United States. There is none. I agree, and I said in my speech, that the productivity question is an important one. I think the member opposite and I would sh…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, today, we are debating a confidence motion in the Prime Minister and the government. I think this gives members of Parliament a great opportunity to lay out a variety of issues, not only of the government but also the Conservatives, who are bringing this motion. It gives an opportunity to examine and look under the hood of where that party stands on a number of issues, including some …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member for Timmins—James Bay raises some really important questions that, frankly, I do not have the ability to answer. However, I will repeat what I said in my speech: If someone wants to become the prime minister of this country, they have to go through the security vetting process to get national security clearance. Whether there are skeletons in his closet or not, the member h…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, although the hon. member and I may share some slightly different views of the world, I like and appreciate the way he comes to this place in a respectful debate. I would say that, although he may not be satisfied with everything that has happened with the current government, I suspect there are many things he can agree with. He should continue to push the government and work with a go…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, this summer, Canadians across the country were filled with immense pride watching team Canada athletes represent us so well in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In Kennetcook, we gathered at Findley Park to celebrate Wyatt Sanford's Olympic bronze. In Rimouski, they cheered for Maude Charron and, in Victoria, for the big man, Greg Stewart. That same story can be repeated for every sin…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 21st report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food entitled “Supplementary Estimates (B), 2024-25: Votes 1b, 5b and 10b under Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food”.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, it has only been three minutes, but what I would say is that it is incumbent on all members of Parliament to ask themselves that question. Getting back to this motion, the Conservatives continue to use this as a delay tactic, not allowing other important questions to come before Parliament. When they go home tonight, I would encourage opposition members in the Bloc Québécois and the…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I was concerned when the member for Victoria, who certainly purports herself in this place to be a strong environmental champion, had very little to say when the NDP backed away from the importance of carbon pricing as a credible plan to be able to move—
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, regarding the importance of Canada's natural resources sector, the oil sector, which is primarily in western Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador, is extremely important to Canada's economy, particularly considering the money that flows to the provinces. This sector, with its investments and the revenue it generates, is extremely important for the economy in Quebec and Nova Scotia, …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, today, we are here to talk about the 10th report of the environment committee, because the Conservatives have once again moved a concurrence motion in the House. It is important for us to explain to Canadians, who may be watching the proceedings of the House of Commons and asking themselves why we are still sitting in this situation two months later. It bears repeating a little of w…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I guess what I would say is similar to the member's question. Sometimes members of Parliament, even within the same party, have different views. I am glad to know she supports a consumer carbon price and will continue to push the leader of the NDP to change and reverse his policies as the environmental critic. With respect to the point around Trans Mountain, the member will remember…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I find it interesting that the Conservative Party is moving a concurrence report on the environment. I listened to the member for Portage—Lisgar and, to some extent, the member for Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa as well. I did not hear a whole lot about what the Conservative Party actually stands for in relation to environmental plans. This government is the first in Canadian history to…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I will respond very quickly, because my hon. colleague covered a lot. First of all, the Atlantic accord is a joint jurisdiction, so while the Conservatives like to bring up the Impact Assessment Act, it does not apply in the context of the Atlantic accord. Therefore I will correct the record or certainly help educate the member on that particular point. As it relates to the Conserva…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I will take 30 seconds to respond and then I will try to move a unanimous consent motion. What I would say is the border is an important element. We have heard the Minister of Immigration talk about measures the government is taking. We will be there to help support. I do not think it is responsible for any member of Parliament to suggest we have a porous border and we are not there…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, we have some cupcakes out back for you on your birthday. I hope you will give me a few extra seconds. I think the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands said it best. When I listened in the House and the Conservatives were saying they would take a combative approach and want to use “Canada first”, I do not know what that language means. I think it is incumbent on all of us in the House to …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, the hon. member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore is a great member of Parliament and a good friend to the Canada-U.S. relationship. I would be remiss if I did not recognize the fact that it there was an election tonight in Nova Scotia. Tim Houston, who was the premier going into the election, was re-elected with a majority mandate. I would like to congratulate him on his successful election.…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I would like to comment. I have the privilege of having the Minister of Public Safety in my Atlantic caucus, and we have talked about this explicitly. When the member talks about 19,000 cases, he is talking about incidents. An individual could show up at the American border having forgotten their passport and that counts as an incident. When the member uses that number of 19,000, it…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I want to welcome my hon. colleague because I think this is our first interaction since the by-election he won. Congratulations to him. My riding in Atlantic Canada is home to the largest number of supply-managed farms east of Quebec. I fully support supply-managed farmers. It is a very important sector in Canada, not just in Quebec. It is a very important sector in Atlantic Canada,…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to be able to be here tonight to talk on a really important subject, which is the proposal that the President-elect of the United States has put out, at least publicly, the concept of a 25% tariff on Canadian products into the United States. Before I start my remarks, I would like to recognize the regrets here in the House of my hon. colleague from Etobicoke—Lakesh…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I will start by wishing you a happy birthday. I cannot think of any greater privilege than being here at the heart of democracy in this country. To my hon. colleague, yes, I am very proud of all our provincial leaders, like Zach Churchill. Claudia Chender ran a tremendous campaign; I think the world of her as well. I would like to congratulate Premier-elect Houston. On lobsters, yes…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it has widely been reported that Conservative MPs have written to the Minister of Housing, advocating that their communities should receive federal housing money, and that is exactly what MPs should do. However, what is shocking is that the Conservative leader has banned them from advocating for their communities and imposed a gag order on them for even talking about these initiatives…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it has been widely reported that Conservative MPs have written to the Minister of Housing, advocating—
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly recognize and celebrate the contribution of the Harvie family from Hants County, Nova Scotia, specifically eight brothers who served Canada during World War II. Marven, Burrell, Edmund, Victor, Garnet, Ernest, Ervin and Avard Harvie all answered the call of duty to fight for democracy and freedom. Marven and Burrell made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed i…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I should let you know that I will be sharing my time with the member for Lac-Saint-Louis. It is a privilege to rise in the House to debate the Bloc Québécois motion, which reads as follows: That the House call upon the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that a royal recommendation is granted as soon as possible to Bill C‑319, An Act to amend the Old Age Sec…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague, but the voting record is very clear: That member and the other Bloc Québécois members voted against dental care for seniors, against lowering the retirement age and against increasing the guaranteed income supplement. Although I thank the Bloc Québécois for joining the game, it is a little too late.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his speech this afternoon. My question is very simple. Does my hon. colleague support the Leader of the Opposition's attacks on CBC/Radio-Canada and media organizations like CTV and on journalists? Does my colleague support this attack on journalists and important organizations in Quebec and across the country?
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Mr. Speaker, every member of Parliament is entitled to his or her own view in this place, but I did not hear anything about the fact that Canada is expected to lead the G7 in economic growth next year. I did not hear anything about BHP's investment in her home province of Saskatchewan and how that is a good thing. I did not hear much about Canada's best deficit position in the G7 or the fact that …
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Mr. Speaker, as I said, I worry about the position of the leader of the official opposition: the way he attacks journalists, the way he attacks experts, and the way he runs down Canadian companies and does so from the floor of the House of Commons. He has an agenda. He has been a member of Parliament for 20 years without working outside this place. His record is very clear. I look forward to shari…
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Mr. Speaker, my riding of Kings—Hants includes a large number of supply-managed farms. That is very important to Nova Scotia, of course, but also to Quebec and all of Canada. I support Bill C-282 and so does the government. The Senate is independent. I think a conversation with senators on the importance of this bill is, indeed, necessary. I also have some concerns about the Conservatives' positio…
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Mr. Speaker, as it relates to carbon pricing, I have actually taken this government to task, to adjust the national program in the interest of supporting rural Canadians, but let me be very clear. I do support the government's environmental agenda. When I look across to the opposition, I do not see much of an environmental agenda whatsoever. I take notice of the hon. member opposite. Yes, he has r…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that I will be splitting my time this afternoon with the member for Winnipeg North. I look forward to his remarks as well. Today we have a motion from the opposition on non-confidence in the Prime Minister and the government. Although it is not binding, of course, the convention would be that, if a majority of members of Parliament voted in favour, it would…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, millions of Canadians tuned in to CBC and Radio-Canada to cheer on Team Canada at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Our athletes pushed limits, set new records, and brought us all together via the power of sport. In Kings—Hants, we are deeply proud of the Kennetcook kid, Wyatt Sanford, who won Canada's first Olympic bronze medal since 1996 when he took home the bronze. I even…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “Improving the Resilience of Canada's Horticultural Sector.” Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. I would like to thank all the witnesses who were involved and all…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the passing of John Murphy, the former member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, who contributed a lifetime of work to advancing the public good. After obtaining his master's degree in social work, John became the director of the Fundy Mental Health Clinic and later a psychiatric social worker at the Valley Regional Hospital. He also taught at Acadia University. Follow…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his remarks here today. I want to remind him of a couple of things. The NSICOP report was very clear. The allegations refer to MPs from multiple parties being involved, either wittingly or unwittingly. When I listened to the member's remarks, he suggested, in a way, that the members would be entirely on the Liberal benches. I would caution…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to seek unanimous consent to call this question to a vote.
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