Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I can assure my colleague that we are aware of the detention of Canadian citizens in the Dominican Republic. Consular officials are providing assistance and are in contact with the families of the Canadian citizens. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have recently raised the situation of the Pivot case, which the member mentioned, with their Dominican counterpart…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, this week the minister joined countries from across the hemisphere to address the challenges facing us all. She called for action in response to the human rights violations in Nicaragua and Venezuela; she pushed for solidarity with the Iranian women who are fighting for their future, and she held a discussion on the international response to the crisis in Haiti. Canada will always b…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the current policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaties entitled “Convention Concerning the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work”, adopted in Geneva on June 21, 2019, and “Amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime Organi…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, constituents in my riding of Brampton East and across Canada are celebrating the Hindu festival of Navratri. I am grateful to be able to rise in the House today to share my gratitude and appreciation to so many friends and neighbours in Brampton East who invited me to join in their festivities. Navratri is a time for dancing, prayer, reflection and celebration, all of which I had the …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am rising for the first time after our summer break, so I would like to thank my constituents for a wonderful summer of meetings, Canada Day celebrations and really just reconnecting with constituents. It felt really good to be back out and about. I also want to thank my constituency team, which worked really hard throughout the summer. We are talking about TRVs and immigration, a…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the retirement of one of my constituents, Mrs. Diana Nugara. For the past 32 years, Diana has served both her Brampton and neighbouring Toronto community as a court officer with the Toronto Police Service. As a first-generation Canadian to immigrant parents, Diana has played an important role in assisting with policing and community services acros…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2020-21 progress report on Canada's national action plan for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolution on women, peace and security.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I was intently listening to the member opposite on his speech, and he mentioned the approach we are taking. We are listening to stakeholders and content creators, and I would like to share a quote with him from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. I would say they know better than most of us here about content creation. Their CEO said this: Canadian crea…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague and fellow member of the Special Committee on Afghanistan for the opportunity to speak to this important topic. I also want to thank him for his service to Canada and say that his contributions at committee are always insightful. Canada's response to the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's seizure of power in August 2021 was one of the larg…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and consistent with the current policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Modification to Canada's Schedule of Specific Commitments”, pursuant to the World Trade Organization's General Agreement on Trade in Services, as set out in the World Trade Organization's “Refere…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I will state at the outset that on this matter our government's top priority is to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and our environment. As the member opposite knows, Canada is recognized for having one of the world's most comprehensive climate plans. We recently updated it with new details and targets to illustrate how we will reach our ambitious 2030 target, whic…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, Canada is a leading producer of uranium and a globally recognized pioneer in the safe development of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Our industry has been a catalyst for Nobel award-winning science, and with our planet facing a climate crisis, this is not a time to turn our backs on this proud industry. The fact is that to reach our targets we need to explore all options, in…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, Canada has supported and continues to support the people of Afghanistan. Through the coordinated efforts of our government, more than 1,460 Canadian permanent residents and their family members were able to safely return to Canada. Emergency consular services continue to be offered to Canadians 24-7, through the emergency watch and response centre at Global Affairs Canada. In addition…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all members of this House for taking the time to hold a debate on what our government sees as a critical priority for Canada's foreign policy: our strong support for Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO. However, I want to begin by speaking to the gravest threat to international peace today: Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It has been months since President Putin unlea…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound for his service to our country. I really do appreciate his comments and his support in terms of supporting our allies in their NATO application. It is important that we continue having these conversations so that we can ensure that Sweden and Finland are supported.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, we have a lot to learn from our allies, and the member rightly mentioned their processes and their firm commitment to gender equality and empowering women. Even when a delegation came from Sweden recently, they spoke about these things. There is a lot we can do together, collectively, as two like-minded countries. That is why it is important that we continue to support their applica…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has been dealing with and speaking to her counterparts for the NATO accession. We know that in Canada here, we are fully in support of their application. We all know that both countries are strong champions of democracy and, of course, the rule of law. Their addition to NATO would be a huge benefit to many of our alliances.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has discussed this matter with her Turkish counterparts. Sweden and Finland will undoubtedly be assets to the alliance. We encourage our allies to promptly support their membership. As I said, there is no time to waste. It is very important that we support our allies in this application.
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, in recent years, Canada has observed a dramatic decline in the human rights and fundamental freedoms enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong. Canada first raised its concerns in November 2018, when it provided a recommendation to “Ensure the right of Hong Kong people to take part in government, without distinction of any kind” as part of the universal periodic review of China conducted u…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, as I have said, Canada has never shied away from standing up for human rights in China or from urging the Chinese government to uphold international standards, norms and values. Our voice, alongside those of our partners, has been heard. A growing coalition of countries around the world has joined our calls for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Ca…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, together with our allies, we are ensuring Russia's actions do not go unpunished. We announced strong tranches of sanctions against nearly 1,000 individuals and entities from Russia and Belarus, including Putin, his inner circle, Russian banks and members of the Russian Security Council. We have ended all export permits to Russia and we are removing Russian banks from the SWIFT system.…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Kitchener—Conestoga for his excellent work. The Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the G7 meetings to discuss the Russian invasion; ongoing peace and security issues in Africa, Asia and the Middle East; and the fight against climate change. In Berlin, the minister is also meeting with our NATO allies to discuss how best to align our efforts to suppo…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, the Canada summer jobs program provides youths with great opportunities to develop their skills and gain valuable experience. This year, the CSJ program has over 140,000 federally funded summer jobs across Canada. In Brampton East, there will be more than 400 summer jobs available with organizations such as the City of Brampton, TRCA, Wet ’n’ Wild Toronto water park and many other org…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and consistent with the current policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaties entitled “Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000”, done at London on March 15, 2000; “Acts of the 24th Congress of the Postal…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and consistent with the current policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaties entitled “Acts of the Second Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union”, done at Addis Ababa on September 7, 2018; “Acts of the Third Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union”, done at Geneva o…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the hon. member for Don Valley West. I, like my colleagues on all sides of the House, stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. This past week has seen them demonstrate incredible courage and strength in the face of an unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of the Russian forces acting under the orders of President Vladimir Putin. Russia has tri…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, as we know, climate change is real and it is happening. When we look toward the future, and we see what is happening in B.C. and with floods and heatwaves across this country, we want to make sure that we are there to protect generations to come, including my own children. We will continue to stand there for the environment, but we will not stand back when Ukrainians are being attac…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the member opposite has a very important question. I hope to answer the member in French one day, but I am still learning. I think it is really important that we see the motion at hand and the importance of standing with Ukraine. Just this morning, the Minister of National Defence said we are providing additional lethal weapons to Ukraine, including up to 4,500 M72 rocket launchers,…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the Ukrainian government has approached us with many different asks, including support for lethal and non-lethal supplies, support through using sanctions against the Russian regime and supports for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada, and we have delivered. We have been there for Ukrainian people and for the country of Ukraine. I want to reiterate, in terms of working on severe c…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, in terms of the financial tools that we have given to police officers for tracking down funds from foreign interference, it is important to note that these tools were necessary so that we were able to make sure we protect our democratic institutions. They will help protect our citizens and Canada. We in this chamber represent a democracy, and when we see sinister elements at work, w…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I would like to note that I will be sharing my time with the member for Lac-Saint-Louis. I would like to start my remarks today by thanking you and the House administration staff for ensuring Parliament is able to function. I would also like to take a moment to thank all of the women and men in uniform for their service, working tirelessly to keep us safe and to restore law and orde…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, since the member mentioned the police and what they are asking us to do to remain safe, I want to quote Ottawa's Chief Bell, who said yesterday, “Without the authorities that have been provided to us through these pieces of legislation, we wouldn't be able to be doing the work we are today.” These emergency measures have helped law enforcement authorities take away commercial licenc…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I believe in transparency and oversight. As our justice minister has said, these measures are temporary, to restore confidence in our institutions and to restore law and order. We know that the Emergencies Act will help restore law and order, and it is working. We can see what is happening outside our chamber. Law enforcement is moving in full effect. I would note that they operate …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and consistent with the current policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, four treaties. The first is the “Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation”, adopted at Kuala Lumpur on February 28, 2020. The second is the “Agreement on Social Security between Cana…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, our government has put forth a national child care strategy to help families save thousands of dollars in child care costs and help grow our economy. Almost every province and territory has signed on to a child care agreement with our federal government, except for the Province of Ontario. In Brampton East, families have consistently expressed the need for affordable child care and wh…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the minister's very thoughtful remarks and I am looking forward to working with her as her parliamentary secretary. Our government was clear, in the Speech from the Throne, about the need to work on a whole-of-government engagement strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. Allow me to share a few facts about why Asia matters for Canada. It is home to 4.3 billion people, or nea…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I know that in Brampton East our frontline heroes were at the front in supporting our community, from our taxi drivers to our truck drivers, nurses and grocery store clerks. They were incredibly gracious with their time, putting their families second and the community first. I would really like the minister to talk about the importance of our frontline heroes and the value that we pla…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate a great man, the honourable Manmeet Singh Bhullar. His life was taken too soon in 2015 after stopping on the highway to help a motorist. Mr. Bhullar was committed to helping those most in need, not only here in Canada, but also around the world. Through his efforts and a collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Manmeet Singh Bhul…
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