Parliamentary Speeches

Madam Speaker, Bill C-39, the building Canada strong act, is a crosscutting piece of legislation that would unlock Canada's maritime potential, reduce supply chain restraints at our major international trade gateways and position the Canadian maritime sector to enable our ambitious trade diversification agenda to double Canada's non-U.S. exports within a decade. Our government's trade diversification strategy is working. In 2025 alone, Canada's exports to non-U.S. markets increased by 11.1%, reaching 32.8% of total Canadian exports, the highest share in over four decades. Canada's ports are the gateways that make things happen, bringing Canadian products to markets around the world and building Canada's economic sovereignty. In order to meet our objectives and double our non-U.S. trade, it is essential that we have reliable, efficient and secure marine transportation systems to connect Canada to the foreign markets that want Canadian grain, Canadian energy or the thousands of other products that we proudly produce in this country. Let me start by discussing Canada's port authorities. Canada's port authorities are at the heart of global trade for Canada and transport networks serving as critical nodes that connect Canadian businesses, Canadian farmers and Canadian producers to key international markets. Collectively, the 17 Canada port authorities facilitate the movement of containerized bulk and energy products that underpin our economic growth. To ensure that Canada port authorities are positioned to enable trade diversification and have the flexibility to react to changing international trade patterns, the building Canada strong act would give port authorities the tools and financial flexibility to operate within an increasingly complex marine environment, while ensuring greater transparency and accountability for marine terminals, shippers and other port users. The proposed amendments in this bill would enable Canada port authorities to become commercially oriented and empower them to attract the investment capital necessary to build the next generation of Canadian marine terminals such as Roberts Bank Terminal 2 at the port of Vancouver and Contrecœur at the port of Montreal. To support these types of generational infrastructure projects, the proposed bill would facilitate corridor-level planning to better situate commodities and ensure that Canada port authorities are working together rather than competing with each other for similar business lines. The proposed legislation would also enhance the ability of Canada port authorities to act on commercial opportunities and generate revenue by allowing joint ventures with private and public entities as well as enabling increased collaboration between port authorities. Other amendments would support improvements to the borrowing processes for Canada port authorities and reduce regulatory burden to allow for one project, one review, while others would close data and information gaps. With these proposed tools and financial opportunities, it is more important now than ever to ensure that those in leadership positions at Canada port authorities have the right technical and business-oriented skill sets to set strategic direction and strengthen existing operations. This is why the bill would modernize the governance of our ports through new skill matrices for appointments. Taken together, these proposals would enhance the fiscal and governance tools available to Canada port authorities while ensuring that port authority boards are properly equipped to invest in critical port infrastructure to meet and exceed Canada's export trade goals. Ensuring that Canada port authorities have the right governance and operational tools is only part of the equation. To remain competitive and meet the growing trade demands, ports must also be able to attract and leverage investments to modernize infrastructure, expand capacity and strengthen supply chain resilience. Given the critical nature of our port facilities, these investments need to bring tangible benefits to the country and serve the best interests of Canada and Canadians. Currently, under the Canada Transportation Act, the Minister of Transport can review investments, acquisitions and mergers involving transportation undertakings that are at or above $93 million. Although the threshold captures major investment, it would not capture situations such as when a series of smaller investments cumulatively results in a large foreign investment in specific terminals or marine assets. As such, the government is proposing to broaden the scope of transactions eligible for review by reducing the notification threshold to $10 million to ensure these investments involve transportation undertakings and are in the interest and at the heart of Canadians. We must also ensure that the government is well positioned to respond to emerging threats and risk to marine transportation systems. This very important. Security events can have a significant impact on port and marine operations, which impact the efficiency and reliability of Canada's supply chains. Concerns over security issues, including a dated regime, can lead to the perception that Canada is a weak link. Such perception could adversely affect Canada's relations with other trading partners and have a significant impact on future opportunities for economic growth and development. Canada's marine system needs a modern security framework to adapt and respond to increasingly complex challenges. The proposals in this bill would provide the government with a modern suite of authorities and tools to effectively administer Canada's marine security framework and respond to emergency security threats. Information sharing would be enhanced across marine security partners and allow the Minister of Transport to enter into agreements with third parties and other departments to increase enforcement capacity and ensure critical provisions, such as cybersecurity protections, are being effectively met by the operators. Together, this would promote a more effective response to marine security threats and risks. Through this bill, we would also be seeking to equip the Government of Canada with new tools to support stable and continued operations at the St. Lawrence Seaway. These new tools would give the government needed authorities to safeguard seaway operations in exceptional circumstances to protect operational continuity for this important sector. This includes authorities aimed at reducing disruptions to navigation, such as the authority to appoint an administrator in place of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation board in certain circumstances, and requirements to terminate the operator agreements, supported by the structure and dispute resolution when needed. As we modernize and backstop the St. Lawrence Seaway, it is equally important that the Government of Canada have the tools necessary to respond quickly and effectively to emerging challenges across the marine transportation system. The building Canada strong act, therefore, complements the measures for the seaway and Canada port authorities by giving the Minister of Transport the power to respond to situations where there is an immediate, imminent and serious threat to ports, the seaway or supply chains. The ministerial order power would allow the minister to safeguard supply chains during a crisis. This could include, for example, pandemics, trade disputes, global conflicts or natural disasters. An order made under these provisions might require a port or the seaway operator to take any measure, including corrective measures, that the minister considers necessary to prevent or mitigate a threat, but would not be used in the event of a labour action or strike. These measures directly respond to the needs of Canada port authorities. Ports across the country support this plan. The Association of Canadian Port Authorities has applauded the government for focusing on the transportation system and creating the conditions for investment in the infrastructure Canada needs. This bill is a practical and forward-looking piece of legislation that recognizes the critical role Canada's marine transportation system plays in supporting economic growth, trade diversification and national supply chain resilience. By modernizing the governance and financial frameworks of Canada port authorities, strengthening oversight of transportation investments and equipping the Minister of Transport with targeted tools to respond to emerging threats, this legislation would help ensure Canada's marine gateway to remain competent, competitive, secure and efficient.

Madam Speaker, it is great to see the member, whom we spend a lot of time with in committee, here today to ask that question. I will leave it to the justice minister to talk about that, but when it comes to this particular piece of legislation, the very fact that we are looking at regional trade corridors is really important for developing growth and a systemic and integrated plan for supply chains with Canadian jobs and workers for Canadian businesses and all Canadians.

Madam Speaker, one thing that seems to be missing over the last four days is the “why”. Why are we doing this? The Prime Minister spoke to it at Davos when he talked about a rupture in the economy and how the only thing we can control is what we can control as a country. That means working with the provinces, with Canadian businesses and indeed with Canadian workers to ensure that we are evolving our economy and putting the steps in place to make sure that happens. That does not happen without Canadian workers, unionized workers. I come from Cape Breton Island. Cape Breton Island was built on unionized workers; so was Canada and so will Canada.

Madam Speaker, I will go back to Cape Breton for a second to tie this together. My father was in charge of mine rescue for about 35 years. He trained the individuals who went underground to save or recover folks, and he often talked about the idea that crisis reveals character. I see with leadership here in the House and leadership outside of the House, and I will give former prime minister Harper his due, that crisis reveals character. We are at an inflection point in this country that requires all of us to come together and work together. That does not mean we cannot be questioned, but cynicism never created a business, cynicism never built a house, cynicism never fed a hungry child and cynicism is not what is going to build this country.

Mr. Speaker, September 21 to 27 marks Rail Safety Week across Canada. Our railways connect communities, move Canadian goods to market and support jobs and growth, but as we strengthen these connections, safety must always come first. Through the railway improvement program, our government works with communities and railway companies to make crossings and rail corridors safer through investments in infrastructure, technology and education, but rail safety is a shared responsibility, so I encourage all Canadians to stay clear of tracks, use designated crossings and remain alert to the signals, the signs and the trains. I thank Operation Lifesaver Canada, the railway workers, the first responders and everyone helping to keep our communities safe. When we look out for one another, we help ensure every Canadian gets home safely.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Amendments to Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973”, as modified by the Protocol of 1978, relating thereto and adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization on June 17, 2021.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Cape Breton artists who took home honours at the 38th East Coast Music Awards last week in Sydney, Cape Breton. Goldie Boutilier, of Reserve Mines, had a historic week, winning album of the year, breakthrough artist of the year and rock/alternative release of the year. Morgan Toney, from We’koqma’q, won both the indigenous artist of the year and the fusion release of the year, and Elyse Aeryn of Glace Bay, my hometown, claimed release of the year. The Barra MacNeils received the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award. Emily Dingwall received the musician's achievement award. Nik MacDonald received artist management of the year. Joseph Parris received the Bucky Adams Memorial Award. Donnie MacNeil received the technical excellence award. The Celtic Colours International Festival won event of the year. The late Laura Mercer received the Stompin’ Tom Award. Cape Breton was not just the host for the ECMAs. We are its heart.

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Milton East—Halton Hills South. I am pleased to rise today to speak against this motion and in support of broadcasting systems that continue to invest in Canadian workers, Canadian creativity and Canadian economic growth. Despite the rhetoric we have heard today, this debate is not truly about the so-called streaming tax. In fact, it is about whether the global streaming giants, which earn substantial revenues from Canadian audiences, should contribute in a fair and reasonable way to the Canadian broadcasting and production ecosystem from which they benefit. That principle is neither radical nor new. For decades, companies participating in Canada's broadcasting system have contributed financially to the creation and presentation of the Canadian programming on which they rely. Those contributions helped build one of the most respected production sectors in the world. Today, Canada is internationally recognized as a major centre for film, television, animation and documentary production, in addition to digital and interactive media. Talented Canadians from coast to coast to coast work on productions viewed around the globe. Our studios are full, our crews are world-class, and our creators are winning international awards. This success did not happen by accident. It happened because successive governments and regulators understood that Canadian stories and Canadian production capacity matter economically, as well as culturally. The motion before the House, in my opinion, ignores that reality. It frames contributions to Canadian programming as though they are simply a burden or a penalty, but these contributions are investments. They are investments in jobs, infrastructure, intellectual property, skills development and economic activity across this country. Not only that, but expenditures on Canadian programming are not a punishment. They are not being asked to shovel money into a bottomless pit. We are asking them to invest in some of the best programming in the world. We are asking them to continue to make some of the great shows that we talked about here today: Shoresy, Heated Rivalry and North of North. We want more of that. They cannot argue that the programming being made in Canada is unworthy of their services. The screen-based production sector supports hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Canada. These are not abstract jobs. They are good-paying, highly skilled jobs held by Canadians in every region of this country. They include camera operators, lighting technicians, sound engineers, visual effects artists, editors, costume designers, set builders, location managers, caterers, truck drivers, musicians, actors, writers, producers, translators and post-production specialists. The economic impact extends well beyond the production set itself. When productions film in a community, they rent hotel rooms, use local restaurants, contract transportation companies and use facilities throughout the community they are filming in. I can attest to this. Little Lorraine, a movie that was filmed on Cape Breton Island, was a huge success at the box office, but in terms of economic development, it provided a boost to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. In cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, the production industry has become a major economic engine, but places like Cape Breton Island have been home to many movies. Again, what it contributes, not just to the economy of the country, not just to the regional economy, but to the local economy, is quite substantial. This is why the framework established under the Online Streaming Act matters. The world has changed dramatically since the original Broadcasting Act was drafted. Traditional broadcasters continue to contribute to Canadian content obligations while facing increasing competition from large foreign streaming services that dominate audience share and subscription revenues. The problem the legislation sought to address was straightforward: The regulatory system has not kept pace with technological change. Canadians are increasingly consuming programming online rather than through conventional broadcasting platforms, yet the contribution framework that historically applied primarily to Canadian broadcasters is still an item. This imbalance is not sustainable. If Canadian broadcasters are required to contribute to Canadian programming while foreign streaming platforms generating significant Canadian revenues are exempt, eventually the financial foundation supporting Canadian production begins to erode. Contributions to broadcasting systems are not new, and they are not unique to Canada. Many countries around the world require streaming services to contribute to domestic production ecosystems. Jurisdictions across Europe, for example, have adopted similar frameworks to ensure that local production sectors remain viable in the digital era. Despite these obligations, global streaming companies continue to invest heavily in these markets. Why? Companies invest where there is talent, stability, infrastructure and opportunity. Canada, our country, offers all of those things. We have world-class crews. We have globally respected creative talent. We have competitive production environments. We have advanced visual effects and post-production sectors. We have strong educational institutions producing those skilled workers. Importantly, we have a long-established production ecosystem built through decades of public and private investment. I think today we have heard some really interesting dialogue in terms of the focus here. The focus is obviously on affordability when dealing with the Americans. We are focused on that. I could go through the measures we have produced and the ones we are working on, but we also have to look at the creative arts as a major force of economic development. It is essential. I see it first-hand on Cape Breton Island. I have seen the impact it has had on the economy. I have seen the impact it has had on families and jobs. We need to look at this not as an ideological argument, but one of economic development, one where we are not just protecting the creative arts but focused on enhancing them. With that, I yield the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure I would put all that power into this one Cape Bretoner, because all the production would happen on Cape Breton Island. I will say that the main focus of this government is not just on protecting this sector and those jobs and movies that take place in Quebec, Manitoba or Cape Breton, but enhancing them. Where we are focused is how we build equity and fairness into the system to ensure that these companies, the actors and all of those skilled people I talked about recently are given a leg up. That is what we are going to be focused on.

Mr. Speaker, I think the fundamental, foundational piece here is what I just mentioned about equity and fairness. Where we need to focus is how we reinvest in our own people, our own talent and our own ability. I want to see more movies and shows in Sudbury, where I have not been, but I hope to go. I want to see more of that. What we need to do is continuously focus on this: where the equity is not there, to make sure it is there. That is what a sound government does, and that is what a responsible government will do.

Mr. Speaker, I will go back to what I said earlier. The fact of the matter is that if we just make this an argument about ideology, conspiracy theories and trickle-down economics, we are missing the point. The fact is that government does have a role to support: not to be the sage on the stage, but to be a guide on the side. That is what good governments do. They allow those production companies and those movies to know what we know here in Canada: that we have the best actors, production crews and companies in the world.

Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, I would be remiss not to say, “Go, Habs, go.” I know we are down 3-1, but I think we are going to come back, and I hope we do. The reality is that sometimes we have to pivot, not just in politics but in the economic realm. What we are not going to pivot on is supporting an industry that is so important to Canada: the fine arts, the creative arts and the film industry. We are going to be there in lockstep.

Mr. Speaker, I think the Conservatives can explain why they are anti-Nova Scotia, against green hydrogen in Nova Scotia, against Mersey River Wind in Nova Scotia and against development in Nova Scotia. They are against Nova Scotia workers and Nova Scotia ingenuity. Every single time in the last two weeks the common theme has been anti-Nova Scotia. We, on this side of the House, support Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia workers, Nova Scotia business and this project.

Mr. Speaker, another running theme in the House: conspiracy. The Conservative Party of Canada should now be the CPC, the Conspiracy Party of Canada. It loves a great conspiracy. It could not be that Nova Scotia is excelling in a new industry. It could not be that. It could not be the great workers. It could not be the Premier of Nova Scotia, a Conservative, who supports it. Everywhere we look, there is a conspiracy when it comes to the Conservative Party of Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Fred Courtney of Glace Bay, who passed away last Friday at the age of 90. Fred was a hockey legend in Cape Breton. As captain of the 1955-56 Junior Miners, he led his team to a Cape Breton and Maritime championship, earning league MVP. His talents drew interest from the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, yet Fred chose to stay home and serve his community. Beyond hockey, Fred spent 22 years teaching, 22 more years coaching bantam hockey and over 60 years serving the Salvation Army as Corps Sergeant Major. The Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association proudly presents the Fred Courtney trophy each year in his honour. I ask the House to join me in celebrating Fred's life, and what a great life it was, and extending our deepest condolences to his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an incredible group of young Cape Bretoners. In February, the Get Up & Get Organized Youth Summit brought together nearly 50 youth and community members in Sydney to tackle real issues: food security, housing, climate change and active transportation. Co-developed and led by youth aged 15 to 24, the summit gave young people a space to be heard, to lead and to build hope for our communities. I had the privilege of meeting with the youth planning committee on April 1. Its message was clear: Young people care deeply about Cape Breton's future and want decision-makers to listen. I want to recognize the youth leaders, Isaac, Lily, Jordyn and Claire, along with Nova Scotia Health, the Ecology Action Centre and every partner organization that made this possible. The voices of Cape Breton's youth matter, and we are listening.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with pride and with purpose to speak in support of Bill C-28, the Canadian space launch act. As a proud Nova Scotian, the member of Parliament for Sydney—Glace Bay and someone who has previously had the honour of representing Cape Breton—Canso, I know this project. I know the people behind it. I know the communities that have believed in it and I know exactly what is at stake, because this is not just a bill, but a decision. It is a decision about whether Canada will be a country that launches or a country that watches from the sidelines. Bill C-28 is about whether Canada becomes a sovereign, space-faring nation, one that launches from its own soil, builds its own capabilities and competes in one of the fastest-growing sectors on earth or whether we continue to rely on others. Right now, despite all of our talent, all of our innovation and all of our history, Canada is the only G7 country without domestic launch capability. This is not a position we should accept, and it is not a position Nova Scotia is willing to accept. I was proud to stand alongside the Minister of Justice and the CEO of the Maritime Launch Services when we announced the Canada-U.S. Technological Safeguards Agreement. That agreement cleared the path, and it made commercial space launch in Canada possible, but possibility is not enough. Bill C-28 would turn the possibility into reality. It would provide a legal and regulatory framework, and the certainty that allows companies to invest, to build and to launch from Canadian soil. Without it, the opportunity does not disappear, but it simply goes somewhere else. I hope colleagues across the aisle will support the bill, but if they do not, they should be prepared to explain some things to Nova Scotians. Why is it that the federal Conservatives keep opposing the very projects that the Progressive Conservative governments in Nova Scotia are proudly championing? Let us be very clear about the facts. A Progressive Conservative premier supports the project. A Progressive Conservative finance minister supports the project. A Progressive Conservative minister of economics supports this project. They have said so publicly. They have invested in it, and they are building it. However, federal Conservatives stand in this House and question it. This just does not add up. Premier Tim Houston has been clear. Nova Scotia is proud to be home to Canada's first commercial spaceport, and its government did not just say that; it backed that up with real investment, real policy and real leadership. It understands exactly what this project represents. It is jobs, growth, opportunity and a future. This is not an isolated case. Nova Scotians have seen this pattern before. Here are three examples. Offshore wind, developed in partnership with the same Progressive Conservative government, was opposed by the federal Conservatives. It was mentioned today. The Mersey River Wind project, a $206-million investment powering 50,000 homes, was opposed by the federal Conservatives. Now, a spaceport supported by a Progressive Conservative premier is questioned once again by the federal Conservatives. Nova Scotians to whom I talk are asking a very simple question: Why does the federal Conservative Party keep saying “no” to Nova Scotia? Here is the reality. This is not theoretical. It is not hypothetical. This is happening right now in Nova Scotia. On November 20, 2025, a rocket launched from Nova Scotia, from Canadian soil, for the first time in 27 years. A rocket has already launched, so let us be honest about what this debate is. This is not about whether the industry could exist; it already does. The question is whether Canada will lead it or lose it. This is about investment in Canadian industry, workers and communities that have been told too many times to wait their turn. It is about creating good-paying jobs during construction and in the long term, but it is much more than that. It is about people. It is about whether young Canadians can build careers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, robotics and innovation without having to leave Nova Scotia to do it. For far too long, the story in Atlantic Canada has been about out-migration, young people leaving for opportunities somewhere else. Bill C-28 is about changing that story. It is about building something new, something that has never existed in this country before. That requires vision, leadership and investment before the finish line, because that is how industries are built. We do not wait until an industry is complete to support it; we support it so it can exist. It is not a flaw in the policy, but that is the policy. Canada has a proud history in space. We built the Canadarm. We sent astronauts into orbit. We are part of lunar missions. Jeremy Hansen is part of the Artemis program to return to the moon. We have the talent. We have the innovation. We have the credibility. When it comes to launching from our own country, we rely on others right now, on foreign infrastructure and on foreign timelines. Strong partners matter, but so does standing on our own two feet. A country like Canada should not have to ask for permission to launch its satellites. That gap, quite frankly, needs to be closed, and Nova Scotia is where we close it. Nova Scotia is uniquely positioned for this with its geography, its coastal location and its Atlantic launch trajectory. These are not theoretical advantages. These are real competitive advantages in the global space economy. This is why Maritime Launch Services chose Canso. This is why international partners from Europe to Asia are already lining up for Nova Scotia. This is why this is not just a regional project, but a national asset rooted in my province of Nova Scotia, serving all of Canada. The project also represents partnership with the municipalities involved, in particular Guysborough County, indigenous communities engaged in this economic opportunity, workers, tradespeople, engineers and innovators across this country. This is what building a nation looks like. It is ambitious, forward-looking and grounded in real communities in Nova Scotia. Again, I ask what the alternative is. Is it to step back, to hesitate or to let other countries take the lead? This is what is at stake without Bill C-28: Investments, jobs and opportunities go elsewhere, and Canada falls behind. Nova Scotia is not asking for permission to build the future. We are already building it. A rocket has already launched. The infrastructure is being built. The partnerships are in place and the momentum is real. The only question is whether the House will match that ambition. The federal Conservatives can continue to say no to Nova Scotia, but our government and in fact the Progressive Conservative provincial government in Nova Scotia are saying yes to jobs, innovation, economic growth, Canadian sovereignty and a country that builds. Bill C-28 would make Canada a space-faring nation. It would strengthen our sovereignty. It would create real opportunity for Canadians and send a clear message to Canadians and to the world: Canada is not standing on the sidelines anymore. We are stepping forward, we are building and we are launching.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member and I do enjoy our time together on the transport committee. Let me look at this from a certain perspective. We are here today to talk about a legislative framework for processes that follow international standards and that keep security first and foremost in mind. Right now, we are putting that legislative framework to session, but we have a very talented transportation committee. I hope at some point we get a chance to study this project and offer solutions and opportunities, ones that I know that we will look to take seriously.

Mr. Speaker, the member makes some solid points. I used Nova Scotia as an example, but I could have easily used Quebec as an example, in terms of the innovation and the collective intelligence when it comes to space, aviation and things of that nature. I think this regulatory framework touches all provinces, all opportunities, the skills and abilities, and the political and collective will of the Quebec people. I think that good things will be happening in Quebec as well as a result of this regulatory framework.

Mr. Speaker, Canso meets all the standards by which it is more productive and easier to bring product to space via a variety of means, in particular, satellites and whatnot. I appreciate the member bringing it up. Many folks in the municipal district of Guysborough and adjacent communities, municipalities, first nations and the private sector support this for all the advantages that Canso brings. Time and time again, we hear from the Conservatives that it is not possible, as well as more negatives.

Mr Speaker, I am not sure when there is going to be time to do that, but I will say it is a very important issue. I was with fisheries as the parliamentary secretary. In terms of the Pacific Coast, we know that there are challenges there, but we are working and, as a member close to me says, we are laser‑focused on that. When it comes to Canada establishing sovereignty and working on space, this bill is the right way—

Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate National Volunteer Week, a time to honour those who make our communities stronger, kinder and more connected. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of recognizing outstanding volunteers and community leaders through monthly spotlights and community leadership awards, individuals like Jocelyn Hynes, Maranne Currie, Whitney Green, Steve and Gina Deveaux, Christina Lamey, Dennis Shea, Matt MacDonald, Angie MacDonald-Fraser, Heather Kerr and Faith Dillon, along with groups like the Cape Breton University hockey team and the volunteers of St. George's church. Their compassion and dedication remind us that meaningful change begins at the community level. I invite all members to join me in thanking the volunteers of Sydney—Glace Bay and volunteers across Canada for all they do.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize five outstanding young athletes from my riding of Sydney—Glace Bay who represented Nova Scotia and Cape Breton great distinction. From March 12 to 15, five members of the Cape Breton Dorados swim team travelled to Maine to compete at the 2026 winter championships. Simryn, Bryson, Rori, Sophia and Lyla all achieved top-10 finishes in their respective events. The Cape Breton Dorados have been a pillar of our community for over 50 years, currently supporting approximately 70 swimmers between the ages of six and 18 and providing a full pathway from entry-level to high-performance competition. I ask all members to join me in congratulating the swimmers, the coaches and the volunteers who make the Dorados program possible. Cape Breton is very proud of them.

Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about it, this is a transformational project initiative for Quebec and Ontario, putting thousands of people to work, using Canadian workers, Canadian companies and Canadian businesses. At the same time, in terms of this large-scale project, we take consultation very seriously. We have met with 10,000 stakeholders. We will do more because it is the right thing to do. We will work with all Canadians to make this project happen.

Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about it, when it comes to nation-building projects, the Conservatives practise fear and loathing while we practise hope and action. We do that by consultation with each and every stakeholder group in Ontario and Quebec. Why? It is the right thing to do. They are a part of the solution. In urban Canada, we think big. In rural Quebec and in rural Ontario, we are also thinking big.

Mr. Speaker, I have good news. Canada has reached the NATO 2% defence spending target half a decade ahead of schedule and with the largest year-over-year increase for our defence budget in generations. This is a proud moment, and I want to congratulate the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defence for their leadership in making it happen. This is more than a number. It is a signal to the world that Canada is serious about defending what we have built and protecting what we value. Cape Breton knows this very well, because Sydney has been selected as the preferred home for Canada's next generation of polar ice vessels. This is bringing jobs, strengthening our Arctic sovereignty and putting our community at the centre of the defence renewal. We are rebuilding and we are rearming, and in a world that is watching, Canada once again will lead the way.

Mr. Speaker, our government has been clear that we must protect our oceans, including our coastal environment. That is why we have taken steps, including working with key federal stakeholders and the private sector, to prevent spills of oil and of hazardous and noxious substances in Canadian waters. Through the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, and its regulations, the government strictly regulates air emissions and vessel discharges, as well as ship design and construction, based on international standards, and we often exceed those standards. Pollution prevention is at the heart of Canada's marine regimen. We know that spills, chemical discharges and marine debris represent real threats to the health of marine ecosystems. This regulatory and legislative framework is reinforced by a robust regimen for spills when they happen. The Canadian Coast Guard leads when spills occur and coordinates the deployment of rapid response teams and specialized equipment. The work with industry, provinces and territories, and most importantly indigenous communities because of their local and traditional knowledge, is essential in minimizing the impact of spills. They are not left to address the situation alone. This is a cross-government approach where we have sought to incorporate, utilize and learn from indigenous knowledge in our national response system and subsequent responses. Our framework is based on a simple and central principle that the polluter pays. It is enshrined in the Canada Shipping Act, which contains substantial penalties for polluters, and other relevant legislation that places the financial responsibility for cleanup and restoration on those responsible for incidents and accidents. The Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act is another example of empowering authorities to address vessels that pose a risk to navigation or the environment and to make owners responsible for the cost of removal and remediation. The framework helps to ensure that owners remain responsible for their vessels throughout the lifetime and reinforces the principle that the polluter pays. Concrete steps have been taken to strengthen marine safety and environmental protection in collaboration with indigenous people and stakeholders. The Canada Shipping Act of 2001 has been amended to strengthen marine emergency responses by enhancing Transport Canada's authorities to ensure early action by the responsible party to prevent and contain marine emergencies, expand the preparedness, respond to a regimen including spills of hazardous and noxious substances, and strengthen the compliance and enforcement regime. Transport Canada has also updated the regulations to strengthen preparedness in the event of oil spills from a vessel. Our government is taking further steps to strengthen marine environmental protection by requiring more rapid access to marine emergency services, such as firefighting resources and emergency salvage capacity, as the recent incident in Bella Bella required, and improving preparedness and response for incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances. These actions and our regimen recognize that a strong safety system is crucial for protecting our marine ecosystem and our coastal communities. It is the foundation for a growing trade and economy in a sustainable fashion.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this important debate. I will say that Canada does have a strong marine safety system in place. The system works to prevent marine incidents from happening in the first place. When an accident does happen, the Canadian authorities are prepared to respond in an effective manner that mitigates impacts on mariners, marine ecosystems, coastal communities and, indeed, our supply chains. The Canadian Coast Guard, the agency tasked with an incident response, is absolutely spot on in terms of working with first nations and indigenous communities to mitigate the impact of spills when an accident occurs. Our marine safety regimen ensures that responsible parties can be identified through the life cycle of a vessel and can be held to account for pollution incidents. I do appreciate what the member is saying, and I particularly appreciate the importance of including indigenous knowledge and first nation communities in all that we do in transport.

Mr. Speaker, indeed we live in rapidly changing times, uncertain times. Around the globe, trade relationships that help to ensure good jobs and affordable products are being disrupted. Here at home, the rise in tariffs is posing significant challenges to Canadians, and particularly to those working in trade-exposed sectors such as manufacturing. The Canadian government is also aware that the cost of living is putting financial pressures on Canadian families and small businesses. The Prime Minister recently announced new measures to make groceries and other essentials more affordable. For example, in order to bring down costs for Canadians, Canada's new government is introducing the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit. It was formerly known as the goods and services tax credit. Also, we are increasing that amount by 25% for five years beginning in July. On top of that, we are providing a one-time payment this spring equivalent to a 50% increase in the 2025-26 value of the GST credit. Combined, this means that a family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year and about $1,400 a year for the next four years. A single person will receive up to $950 this year and about $700 a year for the next four years. I am proud to say that the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit will provide additional and significant support for more than 12 million Canadians. Also, this government is setting aside $500 million for the strategic response fund, to help business owners address the cost of supply chain disruptions without passing the cost on to Canadians at the checkout line. For the same reason, we will create a $150-million food security fund under the existing regional tariff response initiative for small and medium-sized businesses and the organizations that support them. We cannot control what other nations do, but we can control how we respond. As the member opposite may remember, on our very first day in office, we cancelled the divisive consumer carbon price, bringing gasoline prices down by approximately 18¢ per litre in most provinces and territories. Now we are delivering on a tax cut that will impact 22 million Canadians, one that will save a two-income family up to $840 this year. We are also eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million. There are other things we are doing in relation to building Canada strong and building homes where they are needed. This is an important time. It is an important time to invest in Canadians. I think of the national school food program, which impacts hundreds of thousands of children, in particular when I think of my riding of Sydney—Glace Bay. I have talked to teachers and families who have talked of the essential impact of that measure and how it creates healthier kids, provides dignity and, indeed, provides hope, not just for families but for the children it is designed to help. I will conclude by saying that these are tough times. We have a government here that is compassionate and also fiscally minded when it comes to ensuring that we have the firepower to help people, and that is what Canadians do, in my opinion. Just like Cape Bretoners do back home, we help those in need, we help our brothers and sisters, and we help people we do not know. These programs are designed to help people, giving them a leg up, and boy, across this world, these are trying times, as I started off with in my speech. However, I will say that I believe in Canada. I believe, and I have seen it many times in this chamber, that when we come together, we have good debate, but at the end of the day we need to put slogans aside and focus on solutions.

Mr. Speaker, I think this is an immensely important discussion and debate we are having here tonight. When we look at the government and the measures that I spoke about in my opening speech, we see that these are measures that matter to Canadians. We are also focused on building the economy with major projects from coast to coast to coast that will put people to work and back to work and will enhance the skill sets they have. I will say this. I am entering my seventh year in the House, and particularly in the last couple of years, when we put forward ideas and solutions to help Canadians, oftentimes the opposition will bring up the problems. When it is time to vote on solutions, the opposition is not to be found. I think that lacks some credibility. I do not question the sincerity, but I do question the credibility, of being a part of the solution. What we are focused on is the solution.

Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak about the government's new electric vehicle affordability program. Canada has already made significant progress toward increased electric vehicle adoption. For example, the incentives for zero-emission vehicles, or iZEV, program, which ended last January, provided incentives for over 560,000 vehicles between 2019 and 2025. Combined with other federal, provincial and territorial measures, the iZEV program helped Canada reach a market share of 5.4% for new light-duty electric vehicles in 2024, and that is up from 3.1% in 2019. We know that there is more work to be done and that EV affordability remains one of the top barriers to greater adoption. That is why Canada's auto strategy includes a new $2.3-billion electric vehicle affordability program. This program is expected to incentivize over 840,000 new electric vehicles over the next five years. The program has already garnered significant attention and interest from Canadians as well as automakers. As of today, there are almost 20 EV models listed on Transport Canada's website that consumers can choose from, and we expect this list to grow as manufacturers and dealerships adjust their pricing in the coming years. This program will drive down EV prices across the country and bring affordability to a larger segment of the Canadian population, and Canadians can stand to benefit from these incentives right away, as they are applied directly at the dealership. To strengthen our domestic industry, Canadian-made EVs will be exempt from the price cap, supporting good jobs, Canadian workers and, indeed, Canadian innovation. The electric vehicle affordability program is an element of Canada's auto strategy, which, when coupled with plans to develop a national charging infrastructure strategy, will strengthen domestic demand by making EVs more affordable and reliable for Canadians. The strategy will also help our auto industry navigate both the challenges and opportunities stemming from the rupture and reshaping of global trade relationships, and it will position Canada well to attract new investment and diversify export markets by leveraging free trade agreements. We know Canada's EV manufacturing is in the early stages of development, and that is why this automotive strategy is focused not just on supporting EV manufacturing but also on building new strategic partnerships with global EV leaders in manufacturing, such as China. This will further diversify the trade and be a catalyst to new investment in the automotive sector. This, coupled with the announcement that we will be entering into a new joint venture with Chinese investment in Canada, will allow for Chinese EV imports into the Canadian market. I raise this to highlight how Canada is adjusting to the new realities of global trade relationships to ensure that Canada's automotive sector remains robust and competitive in years to come. In practical terms, this means that for the foreseeable future, Canada will see fewer EV imports from the United States in favour of EVs imported from other, more reliable trading partners. I will conclude with this. Canada is demonstrating to the world that it will be charting a new course on electric vehicles. We will do so by continuing to invest in the auto sector to ensure that we are building the cars of tomorrow, and we will do so in a way that reflects the new market realities while sending strong signals of where we want to go in the future.

Mr. Speaker, Canada's auto industry is undergoing a historic shift, and our government is ensuring that Canadians are ready to lead in a future that is electric. Indeed, our elbows are up and will remain up. The bottom line is that we are going to where the puck is. We are making investments in Canadians, Canadian workers, Canadian businesses and the Canadian automotive sector. We will continue to do so. The world has changed and we must with it.

Mr. Speaker, the global landscape, as we know, is rapidly changing, leaving economies, businesses and workers under a cloud of uncertainty. In response, Canada's government has focused on what we can control, which is building a stronger economy to make life more affordable for all Canadians. To that end, we are securing new trade and investment partnerships abroad and building our strength here at home to create good career opportunities with higher wages for Canadians. However, we understand that many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet and need immediate support. When we go to the grocery store, we see higher prices, and it is harder for Canadians to put food on the table for their families. With the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit, normally known as the goods and services tax, or the GST, credit, we are making groceries and other essentials more affordable. I am proud to say that the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit will provide additional support for more than 12 million Canadians, including many in my riding of Sydney—Glace Bay. We are increasing the amount of the benefit by 25% in five years, beginning in July of 2026. On top of that, we are providing a one-time payment this spring, equivalent to a 50% increase in the 2025-26 value of the HST credit. Combined, this means that a family of four will receive over $1,800 this year and about $1,400 a year for the next four years. A single person will receive up to $950 this year and about $700 a year for the next four years. The government is also setting aside $500 million for the strategic response fund to help businesses address the cost of supply chain disruptions without passing on the cost to Canadians at the checkout line. We will also, for the same reason, dedicate $150 million under the existing regional tariff response initiative to support investments in food security by small and medium-sized enterprises and the organizations that support them. As we know, thanks to budget 2025, we are doing much more to make life more affordable for Canadians. Budget 2025 builds on the many actions we have already taken to support Canadian businesses at a time of significant uncertainty and affordability challenges. When we look at things such as rate reductions, which is currently before Parliament as Bill C-4 and would apply to a taxable income of up to $550,000 in 2026, that is essential. This change would ensure that 22 million Canadians would benefit from tax relief up to $420 per person, saving two-income families up to $840 this year. We are making many initiatives happen to support Canadians. It is a tough time for Canadians, and these measures, along with other measures, focus on businesses, business support and sector support. Building Canada strong is not just a slogan. It has deep meaning in terms of building Canada and building for Canadians with Canadian workers. Together with the hub and spoke model, this is a focus on solutions over slogans.

Mr. Speaker, one of the key items to think about is that the government is focused on empowering Canadians by lowering taxes and expanding opportunity while protecting vital social programs that Canadians, including those in the member's riding opposite, need, from child care to dental care to pharmacare. We recently announced programs and highlighted one of them here: the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. The key thing is focusing on the multitude of programs that are going to lift Canadians up and help them in their time of need. That is essentially what being Canadian is all about, in my opinion. It is about helping Canadians, giving them a hand up and being there for them with programs that are going to help them, help their families, help their communities and help their industries. That is what we will continue to do.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important moment for the Canadian Coast Guard. After more than 40 years of dedicated service, Commissioner Mario Pelletier has retired. As the first graduate of the Canadian Coast Guard Academy to lead the organization, he served Canadians with distinction and helped advance the Coast Guard's critical work from coast to coast to coast. I also want to welcome Marc Mes, who will be serving as acting commissioner as the important work continues. This transition comes at an exciting time for Cape Breton, as Sydney has been named the preferred location for the future maintenance port for Canada's new polar ice vessels, strengthening Arctic operations, maritime security and, indeed, Canadian sovereignty. This is great news for Cape Breton, for Nova Scotia and for Canada. As we know, when one community benefits in Atlantic Canada, all communities in Atlantic Canada benefit. I want to thank Commissioner Pelletier for his service and, and I wish Acting Commissioner Marc Mes success as the Coast Guard builds on this momentum.

Mr. Speaker, last month, Cape Breton proudly hosted the under-18 Women's World Championship, bringing the world to our rinks and showcasing the very best of women's hockey. The tournament coincided with the grand opening of the Kehoe Forum at Cape Breton University. It is a new, state-of-the-art facility and the first of its kind in Canada, dedicated exclusively to women's hockey and serving as a lasting home for women's hockey in the region. Events like this do not happen by accident. They are built on years of grassroots leadership, including the work of the Cape Breton Blizzard team, along with dedicated volunteers, coaches, families and community partners who continue to grow girls' hockey and create opportunities for young athletes. Through world-class competition and community pride, Cape Breton showed once again that when we invest in women's sport, we build stronger communities and a stronger future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to seek the support of parliamentarians from all parties to adopt a motion that I believe we can all agree with and that would benefit our country's courageous veterans. The motion calls for the House of Commons to instruct the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates to study the use of underused and surplus federal lands and buildings to support services for our veterans. I would like to thank the member for Cumberland—Colchester for bringing the motion forward, as it clearly demonstrates a commitment to improving access to services that our veterans need. Most of us are aware of the important work that public servants do at Veterans Affairs Canada to support members who have left the Canadian Armed Forces and who have become veterans. The programs offered by Veterans Affairs do more than make a veteran's life a little easier; they are absolutely a lifeline. These programs provide critical support for veterans facing serious mental health and physical challenges. Just as importantly, they also benefit veterans' families, which play a vital role in the care and well-being of veterans. There is no greater service to our nation than military service, and our veterans therefore deserve access to the support they need, no matter where they live in this country. In fact, I believe we have an obligation to look into proposals or initiatives brought forward that could help our veterans. We owe it to them to do so, and that is what the motion is about. As many members of the House are aware, the federal government is the custodian of a large number of underused lands and buildings that have been deemed surplus to federal needs and are being considered for disposal. The intent of the motion, to be clear, is to explore how some of these properties could be repurposed to house and support programs for veterans, who have bravely served our country. For example, surplus properties could be suitable for infrastructure needed to deliver education and training, as well as health care and mental health services, for our veterans. They could also be used to provide affordable housing, which has been mentioned here today. We know that too many veterans struggle with access to affordable housing, and some are even experiencing homelessness. According to the latest data, it is estimated that approximately 2,000 veterans across Canada experience homelessness every year. Our government has made a commitment to Canadians to address the housing crisis. We have already taken action on this front, as has been talked about today. In September we launched Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency dedicated to building affordable housing at scale. It is doing that by leveraging public lands, offering financial incentives to builders, attracting private capital and supporting modern infrastructure and manufacturers in building the homes Canadians and veterans need now. Build Canada Homes will also help address homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing, while working in partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities and indigenous communities. We are also continuing to fund the veteran homelessness program, which was launched in 2023. In November 2025, the Minister of Veterans Affairs announced an additional $22.5 million in funding to support initiatives aimed at preventing and reducing veteran homelessness in communities from coast to coast to coast. With this funding, the government is partnering with 10 different organizations across Canada, enabling community organizations to deliver tailored services, including housing assistance, mental health and addiction supports, and employment services. These are important measures, but we know we must do more for our veterans. The truth is that veterans have unique needs and require services specifically tailored to them. If we have surplus buildings, or land for that matter, that could be used to help provide these services, we should endeavour to make this a reality. There are many factors that cause our veterans to seek support services that they need when they transition from military life to civilian life. The transition, as has been mentioned here today, can be challenging. As military personnel leave a structured environment and adjust to a life that is less predictable and less ordered, finding their footing in these new surroundings can take time and indeed support. There can also be a sense of loss of community when our servicemen and servicewomen leave the military. After years of working and living with tight-knit groups, to suddenly experience an absence of community can be a major adjustment. Many veterans face physical and mental challenges after leaving the forces, as was brought up here today. While most of us are familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, there are numerous other physiological and psychological conditions that can affect our veterans. By providing counselling and a range of support services through Veterans Affairs, we can help prevent some of these challenges from developing into more serious illnesses. Therefore, if we are able to leverage some of our surplus land and buildings to transform them into space where more services are available for our veterans, we should examine those possibilities. When we look ahead and seek to expand our military and increase our troop complement, as we are, we can expect that in the future there will be more veterans who will require services and programs to help them adjust to life outside the military. The member for Cumberland—Colchester is quite right that the government is making historic investments in the Canadian Armed Forces to meet our ambitious and vital NATO funding targets. Increasing the number of service members will naturally lead to a growth in the ranks of Canadian veterans over the next few decades, so we must acknowledge that providing support to our military is more than the acquisition of the tools and equipment they need to do the job. It is about ensuring that the people doing the dangerous jobs and keeping us safe, the armed forces and the veterans, are at the core of this motion. In closing, I encourage all members of the House to support this motion to initiate a study of the use of underused and surplus federal lands and buildings to support our veterans. We owe it to our veterans who are struggling now and the future veterans who are currently in the military. It is the right thing to do and the Canadian thing to do, so let us do what we all know is right and support the adoption of this motion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Terry Paul of the Membertou First Nation, who has been named a 2026 inductee into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. This is a testament to one of the most remarkable leadership stories in Canada. For over 40 years, Chief Paul has guided Membertou through economic and social transformation. Under his leadership, Membertou's became the first indigenous government in the world to achieve ISO certification. In addition, employment has climbed to nearly 80%, graduation rates are approaching 90% and the community continues to grow and evolve, strengthening its economy and expanding its opportunities. Chief Paul has also led some of the most significant indigenous business investments in our country, including the 50% acquisition of Clearwater Seafoods. His leadership has reshaped opportunity for the Membertou, the Mi'kmaq and all of Cape Breton. His induction is well earned and well deserved. I say, wela'lin to Chief Paul.

Mr. Speaker, we are unwavering in our support for victims and their families, who have been impacted by the exploitation and illegal operation within the trucking industry. The Conservatives are always looking to block things at committee. At this particular committee, they have an opportunity to focus on solutions, yet they bring up problems, like they bring up problems here. When the time comes to vote on solutions for Canadians, they bring up the problem and vote against the solution every single time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour Jim MacLellan, best known as “Big Jim”, the last original performing member of the Men of the Deeps, who has officially retired after nearly 60 remarkable years with the choir. At 91 years of age, Jim gave his final performance this past weekend at the historic Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay during a Christmas show. He shared that emotions were running high before and after the show, and the crowd's response made the moment even more meaningful. Jim was a founding member of the Men of the Deeps in 1966. Like so many Cape Bretoners of his generation, he came from the mines, starting at the age of 17 in the No. 12 colliery, before later moving into engineering. He brought that lived experience to the stage, telling stories, singing with the group and helping audiences connect to Cape Breton's proud mining heritage. His fellow members describe him as humble, hard-working and a true embodiment of what the choir represents. On behalf of our community, I want to thank Big Jim for nearly six decades of dedication. I wish him nothing but the very best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss something that many people in my riding have an immense interest in, and that is the Fisheries Act. It is an essential piece of Canadian law that regulates our fisheries. It supports fisheries science, and it is the foundation of coastal communities. Having had the privilege, and it was a privilege, to serve as the parliamentary secretary for fisheries, oceans and the Coast Guard, I can say that it is my contention that this bill is flawed and perhaps dangerous. This bill could disrupt commercial fisheries across eastern Canada as well as cost harvesters their opportunity to earn a living, and many recreational fishers would have to pay to catch their food. This bill looks to completely change how the fisheries are managed, getting rid of stock-based management and switching to a species-based management. That would threaten all Atlantic commercial fisheries by risking bycatch management, catch levels that our commercial fisheries rely on. Bycatch is based on health of the stock and can act as a backstop for a fishery. If the bycatch is cut, the season ends, regardless of how much quota remains. If this bill were passed and fisheries decisions become based on species, we could see a reduction in bycatch in many of our fisheries. This bill would impact quite a few fisheries. Let us review them. It would impact redfish, halibut, herring in southwest Nova Scotia, haddock and even the cod fishery, which was recently reopened. I think we heard it here. Fisheries management is not a one-size-fits-all system. By creating a singular season for recreational fisheries, that would mean that, in my riding of Sydney—Glace Bay, we would have to fish at the same time as those in Newfoundland and Labrador. There is a fundamental question here: Why is the Conservative member telling fishers in my community in Cape Breton when and how they should fish? Fishers in my community were not consulted as part of this bill, and they should not be told what is best for them. People in my province of Nova Scotia mainly catch haddock. It is a healthier species, so the daily limits are higher. While cod is allowed to be caught, the stocks around Nova Scotia are not as healthy as the northern cod stock. They are not as abundant, and there is a daily limit on how many can be caught. Different parts of the country have different fishery approaches because the places are different, the stock levels are different and their waters are different. We cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach in the fisheries management. I want to speak a bit to the House with respect to consultation. Consultation is absolutely the foundation for fishery management decisions. That is why advisory committees exist, and that is why we talk to them during commercial season and before it opens up. We want to make sure that the people who are most affected have a voice. They are a partner; they are a stakeholder. When I was parliamentary secretary for fisheries and oceans, there were many instances when I would meet directly with fishers and stakeholders to make sure their voices were being heard. I have seen serious concerns from recreational fishers who were not consulted on this bill. That is not how to make fishery management decisions, or any important decision. I understand that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want changes to the recreational fishery. As a Cape Bretoner, I know there is not a lot of difference between Cape Bretoners and Newfoundland and Labradorians, and I respect that, but I would be shocked if Newfoundlanders and Labradorians wanted to risk commercial fisheries, and all the jobs and economic opportunity they create, to make those changes. Quite frankly, the bill would threaten the livelihood of commercial harvesters across Atlantic Canada and risk jobs in my riding. It would tell my community in particular that we can make decisions without consulting them. If there is an underpinning here in House, and we heard it here, it is consultations. We can unpack that word. That is meaningful, organized discussions. That is focus groups. That is sitting down with people from all over the region to make a fundamental decision that could very well impact the fishery. We need to do better than that, and that is why I will be opposing this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Colten Ellis of River Denys, Cape Breton. Recently, Colten made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres, in which he turned aside 26 shots, earned his first NHL win and was named the first star of the game in Buffalo's 4-2 victory over the Red Wings. Colten's rise from Cape Breton's local rinks to the NHL speaks to his incredible determination and incredible talent, as well as the community that has been behind him from day one. He is showing young athletes across Cape Breton that anything is possible. On behalf of all Cape Breton hockey fans, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Colten and his family. We are proud of him, and we will be cheering for him every step of the way.