Pauline Rochefort

Mr. Speaker, on this September 25, the green and white flag flies proudly over Nipissing—Timiskaming, from Earlton to Temiskaming Shores, from North Bay to Astorville. Franco-Ontarian Day invites us to celebrate the contributions of francophones to our province. Today I would like to acknowledge my parents, who have kept the French language alive in our family. I am thinking of my 96-year old father, who is still with us and who taught me to love our language and our roots. Today, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren carry that heritage with pride. I wish my father, my family and all my constituents a happy Franco-Ontarian Day.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to wish my colleague a happy Franco-Ontarian Day. In answer to his question, I would also like to make two points. This week, our government introduced two very important bills that go hand in hand. We introduced Bill C-38, which comprehensively addresses affordability issues, and I could name others, considering the numerous initiatives introduced over the past few months. We also introduced Bill C-39, which is going to create good jobs and strengthen our economy. That is what Canadians in our ridings want.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Bill C-38, the Canadian fuel affordability act. This legislation is a focused and practical response to very a real pressure facing Canadian families and businesses: the sharp increase in fuel costs caused by global conflict and disruptions in international energy markets. Canadians did not create these circumstances, but they are paying the price. Bill C-38 would extend the full suspension of the federal fuel excise tax introduced earlier this year until January 31, 2027. It would then restore the tax at half its regular rate for February and March, before returning to the regular rate on April 1. In the case of gasoline, the full suspension represents a savings of 10¢ per litre, compared to four cents per litre for diesel and aviation fuel and 10¢ per litre for unleaded aviation gasoline. These savings are significant across Canada, but they are particularly significant in rural and northern communities, including the one I represent, the riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming. In my riding, driving is not a choice. It is often the only realistic way to get to work, attend a medical appointment or bring a child to a hockey practice. Residents from Mattawa to Englehart and throughout our many rural communities regularly travel significant distances to obtain services that residents in large urban centres may find only a few blocks away. For many of our residents, there is no subway, commuter train or bus waiting around the corner. Distances do not become shorter when fuel prices rise, and medical appointments cannot be postponed until prices fall. That is why any national affordability policy must understand the realities of rural and northern Canada, and Bill C-38 does exactly that. Fuel costs also affect the businesses and workers sustaining our regional economy. In the little clay belt, one of northern Ontario's most productive agricultural regions, our farmers use diesel to operate tractors and other machinery to transport livestock and deliver food to market. In a region with a shorter growing season, that work must often be completed within a very narrow window. A farmer cannot simply park the tractor because diesel has become more expensive. Fuel is not a discretionary expense in agriculture. It is part of the cost of producing the food Canadians depend on. The same is true in forestry. Harvesting equipment requires fuel. Trucks travel into the forest, carry logs to mills and move finished products to customers. At a time when northern Ontario's forestry sector is already facing tariffs, market uncertainty and difficult operating conditions, reducing diesel costs provides meaningful relief to workers and businesses. The benefit extends well beyond into manufacturing as well. Gincor Werx is a company in Mattawa that manufactures specialty trucks. Throughout the riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming, there are manufacturing companies and mining industry suppliers shipping equipment and parts to northern Ontario, Quebec, and other parts of Canada. These products do not transport themselves. A drop in diesel prices has ripple effects well beyond gas stations. It helps the truck driver transporting food products north, the construction company hauling aggregate and building materials, the logging contractor transporting equipment, and the courier service delivering supplies to a small business. Ultimately, a drop in diesel prices helps reduce costs throughout the entire supply chain. Bill C-38 would also extend relief for aviation fuel, and that is especially important in northern Ontario, where aviation is not simply about holidays and business travel. It connects rural and remote communities and supports medical transportation, emergency response, firefighting, search and rescue, workforce movement and the delivery of essential services. No single measure will solve every affordability challenge. Bill C-38 is not presented as a permanent answer to global energy volatility. It provides immediate, time-limited relief in response to an extraordinary external pressure, full stop. Some will argue that this bill does not go far enough and that the excise tax should be abolished permanently. I would respond that being a responsible government means addressing the immediate pressure while preserving the fiscal capacity required to fund health care, infrastructure, national defence and other essential services that are important to all of us in this chamber. Bill C-38 takes a measured approach, with full relief through January, followed by a two-month transition at half the regular rate. We can provide immediate affordability relief without abandoning the longer-term work of making our economy more competitive. Long-term ambition and immediate affordability are not competing objectives. A responsible government must be able to advance both at the same time, and that broader approach is reflected in our government's current legislative agenda. Alongside Bill C-38, the government has introduced Bill C-39, the building Canada strong act. That legislation is intended to bring greater speed, certainty and predictability to federal project reviews, to strengthen trade corridors and supply chains, and to support the workers who are building our next generation of Canadian infrastructure. We saw the evidence of Canada's economic potential at last week's Canada investment summit in Toronto, which resulted in nearly $500 billion in investment commitments and financing for Canadian infrastructure, businesses and our strategic industries. We are also seeing progress in Canada's economic performance. Today, our Minister of Finance spoke to us about results. According to the OECD, Canada's real GDP grew by 0.8% in the second quarter, and that is the strongest quarterly growth among G7 countries. That is important. By comparison, the economies of the United States and the United Kingdom grew by 0.4%, Japan's by 0.3%, and those of France, Germany and Italy by 0.2%. I recognize, however, that these figures do not mean that every household feels economically secure. Economic growth does not erase the pressure on Canadians, including the residents in my riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming. It does not erase the pressure that they face when buying groceries, homes or fuel, but these figures demonstrate that Canada has important strengths on which to build. Across the G7 and G20, countries are confronting higher costs arising from war, tariffs, trade disruptions and volatility in global energy markets. It is happening in other countries. What distinguishes governments is how they respond. Our response is to provide immediate relief. That is what we are doing in Canada: protecting workers and businesses, attracting investment, diversifying our trade and accelerating the projects that will make Canada more productive and resilient while creating good-paying jobs. This is something we all want in this chamber. Bill C-38 would put money back into the pockets of Canadians. It would support the businesses that move our economy and recognizes that the transportation realities of rural and northern communities are important. For those reasons, I want to tell the citizens of Nipissing—Timiskaming watching this presentation that I will be supporting Bill C-38, as it is so important to our riding.

Mr. Speaker, certainly, the savings is about five dollars on a typical 50-litre fill-up. However, savings add up quickly when we recognize that this impacts truckers and so many different types of vehicles that travel on the road. It helps to support our economy. In other words, the impact extends beyond the pump. It is broader. For our government, and for all of us in the House of Commons, it is important. This particular relief is costing our government $5.3 billion if we take what was originally provided earlier in the year with this additional relief. It is a considerable amount. As I pointed out, as we look at balancing so many elements in our economy, in our society and in our country, it is important that we ensure we have the fiscal capacity to balance all of these different measures. A final point is that this is the second time our country is acting, because we recognize that the conflict in the Middle East is continuing. We will all work together and continue to have an eye on this particular situation.

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my colleague's question. I know how hard he works in his riding. It is indeed very important to listen to our constituents. That is why I am very pleased to see that our government is meeting his constituents' needs. This evening, several of my colleagues have talked about our measures. A suite of measures has been implemented to help address the cost-of-living issue for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, that is a fair question. Certainly, I can appreciate that some would say it is not enough and some would say it is too much. Basically, as I have pointed out, it cost our government $5.3 billion. I think there may be an answer in that as well.

Mr. Speaker, I really enjoyed my colleague's comments related to honey. In my own family, we do, as a hobby, produce honey and maple syrup so his comments were very relevant to me. I do appreciate the need for labelling to say that things come from Canada, so well said. Tonight we heard many comments from our colleagues across the aisle about the fact that it would be great if the relief were more permanent or if it could be extended. For me, the question is around the uncertainty. We did not know six months ago where we would be today and we do not know where we will be in six months. I would like to hear the member's comments about how we can fix things in the longer term when there is so much uncertainty.

Mr. Speaker, I want to come back to a point that I think is important. My colleague commented on our Prime Minister being an adviser to a former government. I simply want to point out that he was named the governor of the Bank of Canada by a Conservative prime minister. The same Conservative prime minister, at the recent investor summit, praised our current Prime Minister in the House of Commons. I simply want to hear my colleague comment on how the citizens in his riding feel about our current Prime Minister.

Madam Speaker, after more than five decades in business, Laura Landers of Laura's Art Shoppe in Cobalt has retired, closing the doors on a remarkable career that helped shape the artistic and cultural life of the Timiskaming region. For 45 years, her shop has been a destination for artists, collectors, tourists and residents alike. Laura promoted the work of countless northern Ontario creators, helped to showcase the beauty of Lake Timiskaming through her support of the Tour du lac Témiscamingue programming and celebrated Cobalt's rich mining heritage through her own artwork. Laura's Art Shoppe became one of Cobalt's top-rated attractions, with visitors praising her knowledge and dedication to sharing local history and culture. I would like to wish Laura Landers congratulations on an exceptional career. Her legacy as an entrepreneur, an artist and an ambassador for Cobalt will continue to inspire many for many years.

Madam Speaker, this week is a good week for northern Ontario. Well-paid jobs are important. In the north, there are more than 900 companies operating in the mining supply and services sector. Premier Mining Products, a company in my riding, just announced that it is using the regional tariff response fund to modernize and expand its operations. Electra Battery Materials in Cobalt recently made significant investments. Furthermore, we welcomed the action plan to transform the forestry sector that was announced this week. We need to focus on what we can build together—

Madam Speaker, there is a lot of good news today. It is important to mention that the first Canada groceries and essentials benefit payments were deposited today. In my riding, they went out to 28,000 residents of Nipissing—Timiskaming. A single person will receive $950 and a family of four will receive up to $1,890. As we know, this measure is one of the government's many initiatives to help Canadians with affordability. Let us celebrate this important day.

Madam Speaker, I would remind my colleague that the Bank of Canada and leading economists, including today, the C.D. Howe Institute, have cautioned against spreading fear and uncertainty when Canadians are looking for solutions. I am proud to be part of a government that is focused on supporting good-paying jobs and growing our economy. A moment ago, I mentioned Electra Battery Materials in Cobalt. It is investing $100 million to support Canada's critical mineral supply chain and create local jobs. Responsible government supports Canadians when they need it, while managing public finances prudently.

Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Winnipeg North. I would also like to thank my colleague across the aisle who moved that we have this debate this morning, as I do feel that there are still a few words to be said regarding the matter of an independent military honours review board. On April 15, the day e-petition 6661 was presented to the House of Commons, I was pleased to welcome to Ottawa veterans of the Afghanistan war along with parliamentarians from the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, my colleague across the aisle, the Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party. Representatives of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Senate of Canada were also present. Together we heard from David Mack, a leader with the organization Valour in the Presence of the Enemy. David reflected that resolving an important matter often takes a village, as the expression goes. He went on to say that in the case of the Victoria Cross cause, at the heart of the village has been a fire that has burned hot for six years, enduring setbacks and disappointments, surviving the moments when progress seemed to move two steps forward and one step back. That fire has been Bruce Moncur, whose name we have heard mentioned here this morning, a veteran whom many people describe as unrelenting and unyielding in his pursuit of justice. On April 15, Bruce recounted how he had woken after being thrown by a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. The first thing he did was check his legs, then his arms. Relieved, he cupped his hands to his face, only to see them filled with blood. Bruce had lost part of his skull and brain. Back in Canada, he had to relearn how to walk and speak. Through determination and perseverance, he rebuilt his life and eventually returned to the classroom as a teacher. To this day, he is a great teacher, in Manitoba, I believe. Bruce is a man who has given everything to the Victoria Cross cause to ensure that acts of extraordinary courage are properly recognized and that the stories of Afghanistan veterans are never forgotten. Bruce recently wrote: I gave this cause my soul. Not a piece of it. Not the part that was left over after everything else was done. All of it. The hours no one counted. The calls made at midnight. The letters rewritten and rewritten. The years when no one was listening.... I bled for this country once on a mountainside in Afghanistan and thought that was the end. It was not the end. It was the beginning of something I [simply at that point] did not yet have words for. Six years ago I found the words. I found them in the story of a boy from Restoule who lay broken in the Afghan dust and kept fighting. I found them in the oral histories of Haudenosaunee warriors who carried eleven men to safety across a mile of Belgian mud. I found them in the grave inscriptions of Métis snipers whose comrades wrote in the dirt above them that it must have been a damn good sniper that finally got him. I found them in the eyes of mothers who outlived their sons [and daughters]. In the silence of families who kept the letters. Who kept the medals. Who kept the faith.... These soldiers carried their countries across impossible ground. Today, on behalf of the House, I think it is fair to say that we thank Bruce Moncur for his words and for every hour he devoted to this cause: every post; every letter; every sleepless night, I assume; and every morning when he got up and did it all again. I still remember when he said that he took on this cause: not because I was asked. but because someone had to. Because a boy from Restoule lay alone in the Afghan dust with a broken back and kept fighting. If he could do that I could do this. Those words remind us that perseverance is not measured in comfort but in commitment. They remind us that remembrance is not passive; it requires action. I really like that. They remind us that the stories of courage, sacrifice and service entrusted to us by Canada's veterans must never be forgotten, just like the unknown soldier's eternal flame. I hope we can all draw inspiration from Bruce's own story and from David's own words as we embark on the important work of establishing the independent review board, which includes setting the assessment criteria, selecting the right members and establishing a decision‑making process. Moving forward, strict accountability and transparency will be what measures that the job gets done and gets done properly.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for all his work and effort on this matter. The Department of National Defence has already reached out to members of Valour in the Presence of the Enemy, and it is preparing the next steps. It will be a matter of looking at other models. For example, in NATO there are such committees, independent boards, so it will be a matter of looking at how they are formed. There will be a process of examining what the different options before us are and then determining how we move forward. From my own point of view, I think what is critically important is that we ensure that, ultimately, it is a process Canadians will feel confident in, and that they have trust that the right outcomes emerge.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate my colleague and his question. I was very pleased that certain members of the Bloc Québécois and other parties took part in this process. On April 15, there were representatives from the province of Quebec. I was very pleased to see that people from all over Canada had come to Ottawa. I think that is an answer in itself. There was involvement from all corners of the country this time, which is essential. Obviously, I was not here during the last Parliament, but I truly appreciate what was accomplished. On behalf of veterans and myself, I would like to add that this collaboration between all parties and the government is wonderful.

Madam Speaker, I am not sure if this is a recommendation, but I will give my own personal point of view. In life, I have always believed that we must never put all our eggs in one basket. I always believe that outcomes are best when there is a mix of different viewpoints. That is simply my own point of view that I would put forward, that there is value in a diversity of points of view. At the same time, there needs to be independence. With all of that, I think we will find our way forward to ensure that it is a process in which Canadians can believe and that veterans will have trust in the outcomes.

Mr. Speaker, on April 15, I had the honour of presenting petition e-6661 to the House of Commons. Since then, nearly 65,000 letters of support have been received, adding to the tremendous backing reflected in the petition. In addition, unanimous motions of support have been adopted by the provincial governments of Alberta and New Brunswick, joining similar motions previously passed in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Together, these provinces represent nearly 60% of Canada's population. I would like to thank all those who have expressed their support, including the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Senate of Canada. In this context, it was encouraging to hear the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence state on Friday that the government supports “the establishment of an independent military honours review board”. This board will re-examine the files of deserving Afghanistan veterans when new evidence suggests they meet the criteria for the Victoria Cross. I would like to thank everyone who supported this petition.

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague from La Prairie—Atateken. I rise today to speak to the spring economic statement and to confirm that I will be voting in support of Bill C-30, an act to implement certain provisions of the spring economic update that was tabled in the House of Commons on April 28. There are many important elements within both the bill and the statement, but today I would like to focus on two central themes. First is the proposed Canada Strong fund and what it represents for the people of Nipissing—Timiskaming in providing an opportunity to be all in for Canada. Secondly, I would like to speak to the many ways that Canada is supporting the residents of Nipissing—Timiskaming, demonstrating that Canada is also all in for its citizens. I am glad that today in the House, there are members from my riding. On that note, I spent the last two weeks in my riding meeting with residents and attending community events and local functions. What I sensed in general was a growing feeling that this is a moment for Canadians to come together. I believe it is much like being part of a team, and I am sure fans of the Montreal Canadiens understand the analogy well, especially today. When the stakes are high, it is not the time to sit back on the bench. It is time to ask ourselves, how can we contribute to the success of the team? The same is true for Canada today. We may have different views on strategy, but once the game has started, our success depends on our ability to work together toward a common goal. In many ways, the times we are living in now remind me of the period following the Second World War. I was not alive then, but according to history books, Canada was facing the enormous task of rebuilding and strengthening the country. At that time, Canadians were able to directly participate in building the nation through Canada savings bonds. As part of the spring economic statement, the Prime Minister announced the Canada Strong fund, the country's first national sovereign wealth fund. This proposed fund would allow individual Canadians to co-invest alongside institutional partners in large-scale, nation-building infrastructure projects. While we have discussed it here today, the final design of the fund has not yet been announced, as it will be shaped through consultations that will begin shortly. However, even at this early stage, the spirit behind the initiative reminds me of the era of Canada savings bonds, established in 1945 under former prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. For generations, Canada savings bonds provided Canadians with a trusted and accessible way to support the growth and transformation of the economy, while building wealth for themselves and their families. They were promoted not merely as financial instruments but as tools of nation building, fostering a culture of shared economic purpose during a period when millions of Canadians were emerging from uncertainty and insecurity. One constituent in my riding recently shared with me how much pride his father had. His father worked for a small township in Timiskaming, and he earned a modest income. His son spoke of how his father was proud when he purchased his first Canada savings bond because for him, it meant that he was contributing to Canada, to its growth, to the country he loved and to something that was larger than himself. I can actually relate to that personally because when I started to work, I purchased my own Canada savings bonds. I was in my 20s. I am somewhat embarrassed to say that my motivation was not about savings at that age, but it was about contributing to Canada. It was about supporting my country and feeling connected to something bigger than myself. Although the program ended almost a decade ago, for almost 70 years it meant Canadians had the opportunity to contribute directly to our country's success. Because of my own experience, and what I continue to hear from residents across Nipissing—Timiskaming, I strongly support both the concept of and the rationale behind the proposed Canada Strong fund. A strong economy is not built by government and industry alone. It is built when citizens feel connected to the opportunities ahead and confident they have a role to play in shaping the future. The Canada Strong fund is about building Canada together. From energy to infrastructure to mining, the fund will invest across key sectors while delivering market rate returns for Canadians who choose to participate. I particularly appreciate the Prime Minister's emphasis on making the fund accessible to all Canadians, regardless of their economic situation. In my view, that is important because it strengthens Canadians' connection to their country and to the values that define us. In many ways, the Canada Strong fund reflects the same spirit that was once behind the Canada savings bonds. As Prime Minister Mackenzie King said, our duty is to give all of our citizens a greater measure of security. Today, Canada continues to pursue that same goal: to provide Canadians with greater security and greater certainty at a time that is marked by economic and geopolitical uncertainty, as many in the House have mentioned. I am proud to live in a country that has the backs of its citizens in practical and meaningful ways. Canada is supporting families, workers, seniors, businesses and communities, including the residents of my riding, Nipissing—Timiskaming. While time permits only a few examples, these measures demonstrate how federal investments are making a tangible difference in the lives of the people in my riding. Last week, I was pleased to announce funding through the regional tariff response initiative to support five prominent mining sector companies in my riding as they modernize and expand their operations in the face of unfair and unjust tariffs. These investments will protect jobs and create better-paying jobs throughout our riding. Through the strategic response fund, we also saw approval for Electra Battery Materials Corporation's $100-million project to produce battery-grade cobalt sulphate in Timiskaming. For our country, domestic cobalt sulphate production will reduce the reliance on imports and strengthen key sectors such as electric vehicles, defence manufacturing, semiconductors and medical technologies. For Nipissing—Timiskaming, that represents 60 direct jobs and, during the construction, 100 skilled trade workers who will be working on the construction site. Last week, I was pleased to confirm an investment through the Canada-Ontario community housing initiative to support the construction of 60 affordable homes in North Bay. Affordable housing remains one of the most—

Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to point out that I was surprised to see the numbers. In my riding, approximately 28,000 residents will begin benefiting from the new groceries and essentials benefit in July. There are more than 14,000 residents in Nipissing—Timiskaming who qualify for dental care support, more than 12,000 elementary school students benefit from healthy meal programs, and over 10,000 families are receiving the Canada child benefit. Then there is the very strong support in Nipissing—Timiskaming for the recently announced 13% HST relief on new homes. This measure will help make home ownership more attainable for young people and families seeking to enter the housing market. At the same time, the federal government and the Province of Ontario have announced an $8.8-billion cost-shared infrastructure program over 10 years to support municipalities. This funding will help lower development costs for contractors and home builders while ensuring continued investment in roads, water systems and other housing-enabling infrastructure. These are precisely the kinds of measures that municipalities, builders and organizations, such as the Northern Ontario Home Builders' Association, have been calling for. I believe I am coming to the end of my speech. I could give several more examples, but I would like to talk about 22 Wing in North Bay and the Northern Ontario Road to Defence. Residents are also seeing that new investments are strengthening Canada's ability to maintain its sovereignty, such as the over-the-horizon radar, which is very important for the town of North Bay. Taken together, these measures demonstrate how Canada is supporting the residents of Nipissing—Timiskaming and showing that our country is all in for its residents. That matters because the federal government has important responsibilities to protect national security and public safety, to provide support through programs such as the Canada pension plan and old age security, and to provide support to indigenous communities to promote economic stability—

Mr. Speaker, I share my colleague's concern. It is very important to have local media. In my riding, CBC/Radio-Canada plays a very important role. The support given to local journalists is also important. This program plays an important role in our community with media outlets, such as Le Voyageur. I agree with my colleague's comment. He can count on my support in that regard.