Parliamentary Speeches

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, 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 understand the question fully. I would like to point out to my colleague that the International Monetary Fund is a very important organization. Practically 90% of countries across the world belong to the fund. It plays an important role in comparing economies across the world. What it states, with respect to Canada, is very important. Basically, in April, it stated that Canada, among the G7, is the most fiscally responsible country. It takes a very important position. It speaks strongly about Canada. There are so many other indicators that we could point to, and that is why I encourage all the citizens from my colleague's riding to read the spring economic update and to see and take good note of the many positive economic indicators.

Mr. Speaker, I have two comments. The International Monetary Fund speaks of Canada and its economy as being strong. It truly is the aggregate of the many organizations that work in the economic field. Canada's Infrastructure Bank is an excellent example of that. As I said, there are many other indicators that are in support of all of the various investment actions and tools that the government is taking. With respect to the wealth fund, the sovereign fund that we have discussed, I do want to point out that it is very important that the design of the funds has not been publicly announced yet. There are consultations that are under way. Just to conclude, there are a hundred different funds across the world. Basically, the government is looking at all of these various funds as it structures what is best for Canada and for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I always find my colleague's comments very informed and knowledgeable, and I do feel that they elevate the quality of the debate in this House, so I thank him for that. This morning I was at a meeting with the Parliamentary Budget Officer, and she spoke about the spring update. She described Canada's economy as being resilient, and she also spoke about how a number of economic indicators had surpassed what had been forecasted. I just wanted to add those comments in support of those that were made by my colleagues. Could my colleague expand on his knowledge and experience of the sovereign wealth fund from a Quebec perspective?

Mr. Speaker, today we are joined in Ottawa by veterans; representatives from Valour in the Presence of the Enemy, True Patriot Love, the Royal Canadian Legion; retired general Rick Hillier; and the family of Private Larochelle. They are calling for an independent review of Afghanistan-era acts of valour, where new evidence suggests that the criteria for the Victoria Cross may have been met. The issue matters to over 20 million Canadians, as is reflected in motions of unanimous support from the Senate and three provincial legislatures, with two more on their way. Canada created its own Victoria Cross in 1993, yet it has never been awarded, despite more than 40,000 Canadians having served in Afghanistan. Our closest allies recognize such acts. Canada has not. That absence continues to weigh on veterans and many other Canadians. The case of Jess Larochelle has come to symbolize this concern. I am honoured to be presenting a petition on this matter later today, and I urge all members of the House to support this important request.

Mr. Speaker, e-petition 6661, tabled today, calls for an independent review of military decorations from the Afghanistan mission. This is not about reopening the past. It is about ensuring that when new evidence emerges, our system allows us to look again. Canada established its own Victoria Cross in 1993. It has never been awarded, despite more than 40,000 Canadians serving in Afghanistan. Our allies have conferred their highest honours, but Canada has not. That reality weighs on many veterans. In my riding, Afghanistan veterans tell me their service is not fully reflected in our national remembrance. The case of Private Jess Larochelle of Nipissing—Timiskaming has come to symbolize this concern, and senior officers involved have since indicated that new information warrants a review. An independent process would strengthen confidence in our honours system and not weaken it. This petition comes forward at a time when recent remarks by Donald Trump risk distorting the records of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. In turn, it provides the opportunity to show with equal clarity how Canada honours its own and recognizes courage and sacrifice at the highest level.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition signed by Nipissing—Timiskaming residents who wish to draw the attention of the House to Bill C-218. The petitioners express concern regarding proposed amendments that may affect eligibility criteria and existing safeguards as they relate to the protection of vulnerable persons, particularly those suffering from mental illnesses. Accordingly, the petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to uphold strong safeguards, ensure continued parliamentary review and approach any legislative changes to medical assistance in dying with caution, transparency and respect for charter principles as they address matters involving end-of-life decision-making.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to follow in the footsteps of my hon. colleague from Ottawa Centre. I rise today to speak to Bill C-9, the combatting hate act, and on the notice given to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights this morning. I would like to start by addressing specific concerns with Bill C-9 that have been raised in my riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming. I would then like to explain why I am supporting Bill C-9 and why it is important for the bill to come before the House of Commons at this time. In recent months, many citizens from my riding have contacted my office with letters, telephone calls and emails claiming that reading, teaching or discussing religious texts or beliefs would become hate speech under Bill C-9. They even claimed that pastors would no longer be able to read certain sections of the Bible out loud and that religious images would not be allowed in the schools their children attend. I would like to thank the residents of Nipissing—Timiskaming for reaching out and expressing themselves. I would also like to thank those who took the time to meet with me to explain their views. Fortunately for all concerned, Bill C-9 is not about limiting our ability to peacefully pray, preach, interpret scripture or gather in the community to express our religious beliefs. It is not about preventing a pastor from reading out certain sections of the Bible. In fact, following the passage of Bill C-9, religious services and ceremonies in my riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming would continue just as they are proceeding now. That is because the right to express our faith is fully protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Under our charter, the expression of sincerely held religious beliefs will never be a crime. What I think has made religious leaders and people in our communities a bit nervous is that there is a clause, the good-faith clause, present in the Criminal Code that would be removed as part of the amendments proposed to the bill. The clause was enacted in 1974, and in the 55 years it has been active, it has never been successfully used because courts have said the defence is redundant. Sincerely held religious beliefs communicated accurately and in good faith will never constitute the promotion of hate. This good-faith clause was further rendered unnecessary, or as I say, obsolete, when in 1982, Canada approved the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That is why the good-faith clause would be removed as part of a revision process for the Criminal Code. It is in section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that our freedom of conscience and religion is guaranteed. It protects our right to hold, openly declare and manifest beliefs through worship, practice and teaching. The Supreme Court of Canada, in its interpretation of the charter, has long made clear that expressing sincerely held religious beliefs, even when those beliefs are very controversial, does not constitute the promotion of hatred. Nonetheless, people are worried, and it is important to know that. That is why I thank the many residents of Nipissing—Timiskaming who have expressed their concerns, and in turn, I am very happy to advise that they have been heard. After listening to feedback from religious leaders and parishioners, people from across Canada, an amendment has been proposed to the legislation that adds a certainty clause clarifying that peaceful religious expression is not captured by the legislation. This amendment would further reassure people what Canadian courts have consistently recognized, which is that peaceful practice and expression of religion are fully protected under the charter. This is what good governance is all about. It is about listening to citizens, consultations and improved legislation. That is why I fully support Bill C-9. In a nutshell, for me, it is all about tackling that ugly, hate-motivated intimidation or unacceptable, hate-motivated violence that we are seeing in certain Canadian communities. To do that, the legislation would introduce three measures. First, the legislation would create a new hate crime offence to be added to existing criminal acts when an act has been committed because of hatred. Moving forward, when a criminal act, such as an assault or vandalism, is committed, it would allow further prosecution if it was done because of hatred. It would also make the offence more serious. I should point out that, as my colleague has said, hatred has been defined by the Supreme Court of Canada, and it is being codified in the proposed Criminal Code amendment. The second aspect of the legislation is that it targets the deliberate promotion of hatred through extremist symbols that are used to spread violence and violent ideas. At the same time, it includes clear exceptions for legitimate use, such as education or historical discussion. The intention is not to censor discussion, but to prevent the deliberate promotion of hatred. Third, it would strengthen protections for places of worship, churches, schools and community centres by making it a criminal offence to intimidate or obstruct people from entering those places. Finally, as mentioned, it would add a “greater certainty” clause that would clarify that peaceful religious expression is not captured by the legislation. For me, this is good legislation that is required, and I will say why. In recent years, hate crimes have more than doubled across Canada. Police services across our country are sounding the alarm, but police departments alone cannot solve the problem. They need a Criminal Code that has their back, a Criminal Code that provides clarity about what a hate crime is, a Criminal Code that would enable them to pursue charges and ensure that it would lead to prosecution. In my province of Ontario, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police is calling for clarity and consistency in how hate crimes are defined and classified. In other words, they want Bill C-9, as do legal experts and prosecutors. That is why I tell my colleagues that as a government, we have an obligation to give the professionals who are protecting our communities the tools they need to do their job, but more so, as a government, we have an obligation to ensure that Canadians right across the land are protected from intimidation and violence because of their religious beliefs, ethnicity, sexual orientation or simply who they are. While I realize this is a sensitive piece of legislation, at the same time, I think it is a grave error to be obstructing this legislation or distorting the facts about Bill C-9. That is why I supported this very important motion this morning. This will provide further opportunities for us, as a government, to examine the legislation, propose amendments and, hopefully, see it go to the Senate where it will again be further examined and debated. I will close by thanking the 30 expert witnesses who came before the justice committee and provided expert opinions. I also thank the priests, parishioners and the citizens of Nipissing—Timiskaming who provided their comments. I stated that I will be voting in favour of the bill because I believe it would ensure the very thing that Nipissing—Timiskaming residents want, which is to live, worship, learn and gather in our communities, as they are doing now and can continue to do, free of fear, intimidation and violence motivated by hate.

Mr. Speaker, I sense that my colleague would like to draw me into debate. While I agree that debate in Parliament is essential, for me, in the spirit of the motion that was passed this morning, what is most important today is to reflect on our duties as parliamentarians. As I look around my riding, what I believe is most important is for parliamentarians to do their job. The question that has been posed has been answered at committee. It has been discussed. For me, it is about moving forward. That is what the citizens in my colleague's riding expect, and that is what the citizens in my riding expect.

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my colleague's question. It is a very good one. I am wondering the same thing. This is critical in our communities, in his as in mine. Legal experts, prosecutors and police officers are saying that they need these changes to the Criminal Code to combat hate in our communities. We have before us a bill that brings balance. It strikes a balance between respecting the freedoms guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and protecting Canadians from hate-motivated intimidation and violence. Like my colleague, I do not understand why some members would not support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, I was surprised by the amount of disinformation, or distortion of the facts, which I think is probably a better term, that came forward from my riding and that has circulated in our community and in our country. For me, the real issue is that communities across Canada are experiencing hate incidents, and they are asking Parliament to act, which I think is our job. We need to remember that Bill C-9 would strengthen protections for Canadians, and it is respecting the rights guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is truly striking an incredible balance. I encourage everyone to support Bill C-9.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the vital role Canada's independent automotive repair sector plays in my riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming. Independent service technicians and repair shops help keep vehicles safe, reliable and on the road. For households already working hard to make ends meet, a vehicle out of service for days can mean missed shifts and lost income. Local, highly skilled repair businesses, including those serving rural and northern communities like Nipissing—Timiskaming, help Canadians get back behind the wheel quickly and affordably. I had the opportunity to meet with members of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, who spoke about the importance of fair access to vehicle repair information and tools. Strong progress on the right to repair helps ensure consumers continue to have choice, affordability and timely repairs, especially as vehicles become more complex. We welcome them to Ottawa.

Mr. Chair, I am thankful for the opportunity to rise tonight to speak in support of Canada's forestry sector. This important sector, as we know, employs nearly 200,000 Canadians. It relies on efficient, reliable and cost-effective transportation supply chains, from trucks and railways to ports, to move its products to domestic and global markets. The Forest Products Association of Canada reports that the last five years have, unfortunately, highlighted the fragility of Canada's freight transportation network, which has been affected by bottlenecks, accidents and frequent labour disruptions. Tonight, I would like to address the matter of the fragility of our transportation network, particularly as it relates to the forestry sector, the softwood lumber dispute and trucks transporting forest products that rely on dangerous sections of the Trans-Canada Highway in Ontario. First, I will give a bit of contextual information. The average overland distance travelled by a forest product shipment is roughly 1,200 kilometres, with most sawmills and paper mills being in, as all my colleagues know, remote, rural and northern regions. About half of this is by rail to the United States and to seaports for offshore exports, and the other half is by truck. When rail service falters due to congestion, crew shortages or strikes, trucking can only partially backstop the gap. It takes approximately three trucks to replace every boxcar of pulp and paper or four trucks for every centre beam of lumber and wood products. If rail service were to cease entirely, as it did briefly in 2024 due to simultaneous work stoppages at CN and CPKC, the sector would require additional trucks far beyond its trucking capacity to supply. Nonetheless, this did happen in 2024, and it highlighted the importance of trucks and our roads to bring forest products to market. In northern Ontario, that would be along the more than 3,000 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway, which includes Highway 11 and Highway 17. Unfortunately, these segments of the Trans-Canada Highway are just about the only remaining sections of the highway that are two-lane highways, and so all trucks travelling from east to west, from southern Ontario to eastern Canada or western Canada as they connect from Quebec to Manitoba or from Manitoba to Quebec, must do so along dangerous two-lane highways. This creates serious national-level vulnerabilities. I will explain why, specifically for the forestry sector. Between January and September 2025, just to give an example in my area, the North Bay to Cochrane section of the Trans-Canada in northeastern Ontario experienced the equivalent of 32 days without any movement of people or goods. If we extrapolate that to the year's end, that is 40 days when no trucks, no people and no cars could move along the highways. Basically, the MTO in Ontario is projecting that by 2030, trucks will represent almost 50% of the traffic along the roads. These are not regional numbers; these are national supply chain numbers. Basically, that is why, in Ontario, all of the municipal associations in northern Ontario are calling for widening the highways in northern Ontario in support of the forestry sector. Although the safety and reliability of highways in Ontario falls partly under provincial jurisdiction, I nevertheless wanted to raise this issue here tonight, because it is an important factor affecting the competitiveness and resilience of our national forestry sector. Furthermore, the safety and reliability of supply chains in northern Ontario and across Canada and the softwood lumber dispute are not separate issues. I conclude that they are one and the same issue that ensures the strength of the Canadian economy. In closing, I would like to commend our government on its work to defend forestry businesses and workers that are affected by U.S. tariffs. I am very proud to be part of a government that will always defend the interests and do what is best for Canadians and the Canadian economy.

Mr. Chair, I am very happy to know my colleague is a member of the transportation committee, so he would know that since World War II, most of our Trans-Canada Highway routes have been supported by our federal government. Actually, in 2023, in Newfoundland, our government announced shared funding of the Trans-Canada Highway widening with the province. There are multiple examples. This is simply to say that this weekend I travelled 200 kilometres from my home community of North Bay to New Liskeard. I saw three major accidents with major trucks, one lumber truck, along that particular route. It is a significant problem in my section of Canada that I think is very important to bring forward.

Mr. Chair, I understand the gist of my colleague's question, and I am glad he mentioned historical amnesia. The other day, one of my colleagues used the term “historical amnesia”. It is also true that the softwood lumber dispute dates back some years. However, I want to point out that when the dispute was resolved in 2007, American and Canadian manufacturers agreed to create a $5-million fund in Canada to be used for market development. Market development is very important. In the future, perhaps that fund could be used to help fix the infrastructure and transportation issues that I mentioned this evening.

Mr. Chair, there is one thing I did recently that I would like to mention. I went to Kapuskasing to represent the government and confirm the announcement of the funding that FedNor is providing to Kap Paper. I was able to meet with all the workers in that industry. This is certainly not an easy time, but these people and this company greatly appreciate the work being done by our government. They understand the importance of this work. I saw and heard this for myself during my visit.

Mr. Speaker, this morning in the media, there was an article entitled “‘Quiet buzz’ on Bay Street about Carney's ‘nation-building’ major projects”. It said, “There is a strong response within the finance community, within the engineering community, within the construction community. People are awake, people are aware”. People are interested in knowing about the timelines on these projects as they seek to participate. What are my colleague's views on major projects? Does he support fast-tracking major projects in Canada, as the people in my riding do? That is what I have heard people in my riding say.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on her excellent remarks. At the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said that separating operating and capital expenditures is, in fact, a best practice. It is a best practice in government and it is a best practice in private industry. He said it allows us to track investments from both a budget perspective and a reporting perspective. Today, I was delighted to hear my colleague speak to the importance of investments. I welcome her views on where she will see further investments in her riding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the residents of Nipissing—Timiskaming in support of the 2025 budget and our plan to build Canada strong and Nipissing—Timiskaming strong. The budget is of critical importance to the 90,000 residents across the 35 communities that make up our riding. In the weeks leading up to the budget, I met with constituents to understand their situation. I also spoke with members of community organizations, such as the Rotary Club of North Bay, the Canadian Federation of University Women and the Temiskaming Municipal Services Association. Overall, I would say that my riding is not so different from others that I have heard about in this chamber. There are issues regarding housing and homelessness. Families are facing financial pressures. Tariffs are disrupting business supply chains, and municipalities are facing infrastructure gaps. At the same time, I found that people understood that Canada is facing economic challenges. While they would like things to be different, they understand that we need to redefine Canada's trade and security relationships. I will be splitting my time with the member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. Many constituents have also told me that they feel reassured to have a stable, calm and economically credible Prime Minister leading our country in these turbulent times. A resident pointed out to me that, at the recent United Nations meeting in New York, more than 700 requests for meetings with our Prime Minister poured in from foreign leaders, CEOs and business representatives from around the world. It was explained to me that this is a historic number of requests for a Canadian leader at such an event, which is a testament to the confidence that other countries have in Canada. Our Prime Minister explains it best when he says that Canada “has what the world wants”. As the member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming, I am proud to say that my riding also has many products and services that the world needs. Businesses in Nipissing—Timiskaming in sectors such as mining, forestry, aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture ship across Canada and around the world. That is why, in only the few days since the budget was presented, I have received calls from representatives from a few companies seeking information about the new productivity superdeduction. They quickly understood, and one replied, “This will help my business grow as I can now deduct significant capital investments.” I know of other companies that have already taken advantage of the regional tariff response initiative delivered by FedNor, Export Development Canada's trade diversification program. There are company officials in the mining sector in my community who are looking at the $2-billion sovereign fund for critical minerals and how this may tie into their business operations. The budget contains many measures to stimulate business growth. It includes support for important economic development organizations, such as the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance. It also contains funds for Wood WORKS! and Innovation Initiatives Ontario North. I have encouraged all businesses and organizations in my riding to read the budget and to understand how it is positioning Canada, and this is very important as the most competitive jurisdiction in the world for new business investment. Therefore, I think everyone will agree that this budget would support investment and is progrowth. However, ultimately, the budget is truly pro-Canadian and pro-Nipissing—Timiskaming residents. It is a budget that would encourage Canada's growth, yes, but in doing so, it would create well-paying jobs, reduce the cost of living and, most important, protect our Canadian way of life. Prior to the budget, at our constituency offices in Temiskaming Shores and North Bay, we received calls from residents who were concerned about cuts to the dental care program, which has become so essential to families in our riding. We received calls from seniors who were panicked about misinformation that was circulating about cuts to old age security benefits. Today, I am pleased to confirm to residents of Nipissing—Timiskaming that budget 2025 would protect the vital social programs that matter to the citizens of our riding, and I will name them. They are the Canada child benefit, the national school food program, the Canada disability benefit, the old age security program, Canadian student loans and grants, $10-a-day child care, the Canada workers benefit, the Canadian dental care plan and pharmacare. It is difficult to summarize everything budget 2025 holds for the citizens of Nipissing—Timiskaming, but I would like to focus on a few points. As a former mayor, I know there are significant infrastructure gaps that communities have simply not been able to tackle. For example, in my riding, the town of Powassan and the township of Nipissing have had to close a rural bridge they shared because it was simply too expensive to repair. Unfortunately, this had consequences for local farmers who have to take a roundabout route. These municipalities will now be able to apply to the build communities strong fund. This $115-billion fund over five years will work to meet the needs of communities in Nipissing—Timiskaming from up north in Englehart to Trout Creek in the south, to Temagami First Nation in the west and to the town of Mattawan the east, and every community in between. Equally important to mention is that these public funds will come with a requirement to buy Canadian. Canada is moving from a best-efforts approach to a clear requirement to buy Canadian. This will apply to our two excellent district social services boards, which are striving to ensure that everyone has a roof over their head. I know they are already working on projects that will bring housing solutions for those who are homeless, those who are in need of supportive housing and those in need of affordable housing. Nipissing—Timiskaming is also home to six first nation communities, and budget 2025 recognizes their acute needs for housing. They have worked with our government to ensure that the budget addresses urban and on-reserve indigenous housing. It is important to note that the $25 billion the government has directed to housing is Canada's most confident housing plan since World War II. It is significant. The budget also continues to address things like Internet services in Marten River, Temagami, communities around Lake Nosbonsing and the Mattawa River. I know that young people in my community are excited about the new youth climate corps and the Canada summer jobs program. Nipissing—Timiskaming has a large francophone population, so support for Radio-Canada is welcome. I also want to highlight action on fraud through the national anti-fraud strategy. North Bay is home to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and we welcome this attention to protecting people from fraud. I should also mention the organizations that work so hard in our riding to promote our environment, such as the Canadian Ecological Centre. I would like to conclude by touching on a final area of the budget that is important to my riding and that is defence. North Bay likes to boast that no other community in Canada loves its military as much as its residents do. Since 1951, it has been home to the Royal Canadian Air Force and has protected North America's air sovereignty. With a junior A hockey team called the North Bay Battalion and a mascot named Sarge, North Bay understands the importance of Canada's significant investments in personnel, equipment, training and infrastructure to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces can protect our country. There is much more I could say about budget 2025. I will simply say I am proud to support a budget that invests in the residents, organizations and communities of Nipissing—Timiskaming and ensures a prosperous future for the children of the riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming.

Mr. Speaker, my colleague asks a very good question, but I would like to reply with the many good things that our budget includes and focus on the real relief it would bring to Canadians. I would like to speak about personal support workers in my community. It is an excellent example of how this budget is different and why it is important to Canadians. For example, I have a 95-year-old father, and personal support workers are very important in his life and the life of my family. We were absolutely delighted when the government came forward with the first-ever pension plan and tax deduction in support of personal support workers. In fact, in my community lives the chief union steward for the Service Employees International Union, representing nearly 60 personal support workers in Nipissing. She said that they are delighted with these important initiatives and investments, and that this is how to invest in Canada and support Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell my colleague about the Union culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes, a group of women who are actively involved in the communities of New Liskeard, Earlton and Belle Vallée in my riding. They sent me a petition signed by nearly 100 people. What is important for them is that the budget does not make any cuts to the program offered by the Department for Women and Gender Equality. This is an example of how our government listens and responds to needs. Today, I am pleased to be able to say that the government is listening and that the budget confirms $600 million over five years to ensure services for women in our country.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to live in a community in northeastern Ontario where nearly one-third of the population is francophone or speaks French. Federal government support is very important for us. It greatly improves things for minority communities outside Quebec. The federal government plays a key role, and this budget ensures important services for our community. I mentioned services that are offered by Radio-Canada. Our community's cultural life is important. That is just one example of what our government is doing for the French-speaking population outside Quebec.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of budget 2025. In preparation for the budget, I had the pleasure of meeting with many different organizations and, certainly, people of all ages, including young people in my riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming. One such group was the Embers, an inspiring group of young Girl Guides. In relation to the budget, they shared what matters most to them: helping communities grow, caring for the planet, supporting those in need and showing kindness to others. I was pleased to see that budget 2025 delivers on these values, as it invests $660 million in women’s equality and leadership. It also includes many other strategic investments that ensure a secure future for young people in Canada. I conclude by saying that the Embers remind us that real leadership begins with care and compassion. On their behalf, I thank the government for creating a future where every young girl knows her voice matters, and I encourage all colleagues in the House to support—

Mr. Speaker, this week, the House of Commons welcomes the Canadian Airports Council to Ottawa. Included are representatives from my community's Jack Garland Airport in North Bay. From Jack Garland Airport, citizens in need of specialized medical services fly to Toronto. There are firefighters who jump on an airplane at a moment's notice to assist communities facing natural disasters. From North Bay, mining executives travel the globe to share leading-edge products and services. Airports are essential, so I give a very special thanks on behalf of all of us to the airport personnel who work to ensure this sector is thriving for the betterment of North Bay and similar communities across our vast country. We thank them. Meegwetch.