Michael Barrett

Mr. Speaker, Brockville, Ontario, is home to outstanding businesses, organizations and community leaders. I want to congratulate the winners and recipients of the 67th Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence. I congratulate Wajahat Khaleeque, the business person of the year; Sheena Earl, the young professional of the year; Terry Wills, citizen of the year; and Dane Fellows, who received the President's Award. Congratulations also go to Rob and Kim Williams at Canadian Tire Brockville, the business of the year; Rick and Tanya Orr at the Butcher Shop, small business of the year; the folks at the Downtown Brockville BIA, which won the Tourism Award; the Brockville Rowing Club, which received the Community Excellence Award; and Jackie at Anthophile Café, who is the recipient of the Ben TeKamp Memorial Award. I want to congratulate all of the finalists, all of the nominees and everyone who took time to recognize them. I thank Pam Robertson and everyone at the chamber of commerce for helping us to highlight the excellence in Brockville that is seen across Leeds and Grenville. Congratulations to everyone.

Mr. Speaker, Northern Cables in Brockville sells about half its production in the United States, and it employs skilled Canadian workers. Trump's unjustified 50% tariffs have already cost the company new U.S. work and put future Canadian investment at risk. If Canadian countertariffs are going to drive up costs for Canadian families, they would like to know by how much. Our question for the government is simple: How much are these countertariffs going to cost Canadian families, and what are the Liberals going to do to bring down costs for Canadians to make up for it?

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians expect the government to do is two things at the same time: first and foremost, to always stand up for Canada, and second, to make sure that it is also saving money for Canadians. The countertariffs are already creating all kinds of knock-on effects in the Canadian economy. Canadians are losing jobs, including in my riding, such as at Invista, which has already closed its operation, putting more than 100 people out of work. What we want to know is which part of the Conservative plan that we have proposed to help bring down costs for Canadian families are the Liberals willing to adopt today.

Mr. Speaker, as Canada prepares to celebrate its 159th birthday, we have every reason to be proud of the country we call home. In Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, that story is written into our landscape. The Rideau Canal helped build a young nation. The Thousand Islands became one of Canada's great treasures. Our farmers have fed Canadians for generations. In every major conflict since Confederation, the men and women of our communities have answered the call to serve. Their story is Canada's story. It is a nation built with hard work by people who served when called and left a stronger country for the next generation. As we look ahead to July 1, may we celebrate the courage, service and sacrifice that built the Canada we are all proud to call home.

Mr. Speaker, in celebration of Seniors Month, I was pleased to join with MPP Steve Clark to host our first annual Seniors Expo. This week at New Hope Church in Brockville, in partnership with Senior Support Services Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, we welcomed more than 160 seniors and dozens of exhibitors. We heard from great presenters, including the Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service, the Brockville General Hospital's hospital-to-home program, the Brockville 50+ Activity Centre, the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario, Rideau Community Health Services dental programs and many others. Complete with fitness breaks and lunch, this event was open to seniors at no cost. It was a wonderful way to bring our community together, share helpful resources that support seniors and their families, and recognize the incredible contributions of our seniors. I want to take this opportunity to thank the men and women who built our country and built our community. Happy Seniors Month.