Government Orders
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…
Read full speech →Government Orders
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…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague from Oshawa referenced Mr. Carrie, her predecessor, who helped, in her words, deliver an incredible amount of federal funding to the constituency of Oshawa. I remind her that of course it was our government that helped deliver that funding, whether it was the $259 million into the Oshawa plant on the auto side or the Oshawa port investments. Again, I am looking the…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I welcome my colleague to the House. His predecessor, Mr. Lehoux, was a very good member of Parliament. I will work with him to advance agricultural issues in the House. Listening to my colleague's speech, I understood how important the agricultural sector is to Beauce. However, during the election campaign, I was a bit surprised because there was no mention of the importance of suppl…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Whitby for his speech today, which had lots of passion. What needs to be noted in the Hansard of the debate here is that he is an absolute champion for sustainable finance. He has hosted a number of forums outside Parliament, bringing stakeholders together from across the country. I am interested in his thoughts on that. He mentioned regulator…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Certainly, Mr. Speaker, I would share the desire to want to focus on regulatory reform. I would like to hear more from all members on this side of the House on some of those pieces. We have heard a lot about the oil and gas sector. The government is signalling its desire to drive and build big natural energy projects across the country, whether conventional oil and gas or renewable in different ty…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the hon. member on his maiden speech in Parliament. I welcome him to this place, particularly as an Atlantic Canadian. There are a few things I want to make sure he knows, as he enters this place, in the ways the government has helped to support the good province of Newfoundland and Labrador, whether that was by changing the approval time for offshore oil and gas permit…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the hon. member to this House. Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee is a beautiful area. I have had the chance to be there myself. There are lots of good junior A hockey towns as well. I believe Salmon Arm may be close to the member's constituency, if not within it. The member talked a lot about agriculture, and I think that is important. Representing an agricultural r…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, let me start by saying congratulations to you on your election to the Chair. It is very well deserved, and I know you will keep us in good standing here in the House. Even if the hon. member for Calgary-Centre and I do not always agree, I think he does deliver his speeches here with a level of class and professionalism that should be the way in which this place operates. I listened to…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I am going to continue what the member for Courtenay—Alberni started with, which is offering congratulations and a level of gratitude to the member for his service in this place, with this of course being his resignation speech. I think about the way my former colleague Scott Brison stepped aside so Joe Clark could run for a seat as leader at that time. I have great respect for my pre…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I served as minister of agriculture and agri-food and rural economic development for a short time before Parliament was dissolved. Like my colleague, I represent a riding that is home to many supply-managed farms. In fact, my riding has the largest concentration of supply-managed farms east of Quebec. Therefore, I fully support the supply management system. The importance of any given…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, ultimately, the government is tabling estimates. That is why we have heard numbers being quoted from this side of the House today in terms of the overall aggregate. They are talking about half a trillion dollars, or a $500-billion budget, but at the end of the day, if we actually look at where the government had taken things on revenue and on spending versus the revenue collected, ess…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague from Acadie—Bathurst is a champion of rural communities, here in Parliament and of course in New Brunswick. As far as housing is concerned, it is very important to lower taxes, as the government mentioned in the Speech from the Throne when it talked about eliminating the GST. That being said, we must also build the necessary infrastructure. Our programs for the munic…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise here in this place, this being the first time I have had the opportunity to address Parliament since my re-election into this place, and this marks the third time I have had the good privilege of being able to maintain the confidence of the good people of Kings—Hants. I want to start by recognizing the Deputy Speaker's nomination to that chair, and certainly …
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, 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 …
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…
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, 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, 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 →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 →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
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 →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, 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, 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, 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, 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 →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, 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, 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 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 →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, 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 →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it has been widely reported that Conservative MPs have written to the Minister of Housing, advocating—
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 →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 →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, there are few things I agree with and a few things I might probe and maybe have a different view on. First, I would certainly agree with the fact there were successive federal governments in the past that did not properly invest in public housing. Therefore, we have been playing catch-up as a government over the last number of years that we have been involved. The member took a lot of…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, first, with regard to SNC-Lavalin, I am rather surprised that my hon. colleague did not think about the importance of protecting jobs in Quebec. It was imperative that the SNC-Lavalin executives be prosecuted, but had the former justice minister's decision been implemented, it would have directly impacted jobs in Quebec. Second, when it comes to the Prime Minister's comments regarding…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I think that public broadcasting in English-speaking Canada outside Quebec is very important. I also think that public broadcasting in Quebec and in francophone communities outside Quebec is even more important. In the Deputy Speaker's own riding of West Nova and in communities across the Maritimes, Radio‑Canada plays a vital role. If the Conservatives slash the CBC's resources, as th…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am getting a rise out of them now. It scares people in my riding because they did not like Harper. Harper was the guy who called Atlantic Canada a culture of defeat. We were not pleased with Harper at the time. Can we guess what? My constituents say the guy from Carleton is even scarier. He is further down the line, and he is trumpeting the same playbook that we are seeing more and …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is always a privilege to have the opportunity to stand in this place and bring the voice and perspective of my constituents from the beautiful riding of Kings—Hants, just next door to you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot help but remark on the point of order that was just made by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth about the importance of ensuring proper access to abortion s…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, there was a lot in that question; I appreciate the sentiment. First of all, the Minister of Canadian Heritage has committed to releasing guiding principles and the things the government would like to see in terms of coverage in rural Canada. Obviously, depending on the plan and its contents, which will be coming, it may mean an increase in funding and an examination of how we can best…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I will correct the record. The hon. member for Waterloo gave me the privilege and distinction of representing the good people of Waterloo; that is her job, and she does an excellent job of it. I am pleased to represent the good people of Kings—Hants. We are in an environment right now where there has been a decline of local journalism and where foreign state governments are trying to …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Stephen Harper referred to Atlantic Canada as “a culture of defeat”. When the Conservatives were in government—
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