Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 30th anniversary of an organization in the community of Vaudreuil that is particularly important to me. Since 1996, Hébergement La Passerelle has been providing confidential and anonymous support to women and children experiencing domestic violence, while working tirelessly to prevent it. The outstanding team led by Véronique Girard plays an essential role in our community, making a difference for so many families. The safe place that La Passerelle provides for women and their children escaping conjugal violence in my community of Vaudreuil serves not only as an immediate refuge, but as a space to breathe, plan next steps and find a more permanent, safer place to call home. On behalf of our community of Vaudreuil, I want to thank the entire team at Hébergement La Passerelle for their three decades of service. Their work is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful to them.

Mr. Speaker, when the craft safely returned to earth on April 10, an exciting new chapter began in space exploration. For the first time in over 50 years, humans left Earth's orbit and journeyed toward the moon, on the Artemis II mission, a mission that marked not only a major milestone in science and space exploration but also a proud moment for Canada. As the first Canadian to participate in a lunar mission, Colonel Jeremy Hansen joins the ranks of great explorers who have pushed the boundaries of what is possible. He and his fellow astronauts demonstrated the courage, dedication and excellence that define humanity's greatest achievements. For Canadians, Colonel Hansen's example is a source of pride and inspiration. On behalf of my community, Vaudreuil, all members of the House, and all Canadians, I would like to congratulate Colonel Hansen and the entire Artemis II crew on their historic mission. I thank them for inspiring a new generation to push the boundaries of what is possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 40th anniversary of Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges, a pillar of economic development in our region. For four decades, it has been staunchly and passionately supporting the entrepreneurs, municipalities and organizations that help make Vaudreuil-Soulanges a vibrant, innovative and prosperous region. Thanks to its leadership, hundreds of projects have been launched, businesses have grown and our community has flourished, while remaining close-knit and continuing to provide a high quality of life. I want to acknowledge the remarkable work of the entire team at Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges, its partners and all those who have contributed to this collective success over the past 40 years. On behalf of the people of Vaudreuil, I wish this organization many more years of success.

Mr. Speaker, Seems the opposition leader finds himself in a jam When yesterday he referred to “green eggs and ham”. Now, over on this side, we don't think it's a crime To talk about politics in the form of a rhyme. And to tell you the truth, we were starting to fret Since the leadership review, he's been missing the net. After his brilliant appearance on air with Joe Rogan He's been unable to land even one catchy slogan. He's often accused of being a Trumper Cuz his policy depth fits on a car bumper. He scores well with bots, the streamers and trolls But his numbers are like Trump's when it comes to the polls. So in a gesture of kindness, we'll try to be nice We'd like to keep him as leader, so here's some advice: Don't try to talk tough, or be awkwardly formal Surrender yourself, and just try to act normal.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a pillar of the community of Vaudreuil, Elwood Quinn, who sadly passed away at the beginning of the year. Elwood was a fifth-generation farmer who was deeply passionate about helping people to understand the importance of agriculture and where their food comes from. Over 40 years ago, Elwood purchased a 130-acre plot of land in Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot and transformed it into a thriving farm and homestead. Since then, hundreds of thousands of families have experienced agricultural life, with pumpkin, apple and strawberry picking becoming an annual tradition for countless families, including my own. He was a tireless advocate for protecting the rich farmlands that sustain us, convinced that genetic diversity is essential to Canada's food sustainability. He was involved in raising awareness around the well-being and safety of farm families. Thanks to his children, including his son Phil, the farm continues to welcome thousands of visitors a year. As a tribute to his remarkable legacy, a celebration will be held this May to honour his extraordinary life. May our friend Elwood rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his impassioned speech about this important piece of legislation and about our future in space. Presently, Canada has to rely on other countries to launch our military satellites into space, to launch our communication satellites into space and to launch some of the finest trained astronauts in the world, our Canadian astronauts, into space. I wonder if my hon. colleague can speak to the importance of Canada finally taking the future of space exploration into our own hands and giving us the capacity to do so.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today in the House of Commons to speak in support of Bill C-25, the strong and free elections act. This legislation represents an important step in protecting Canada's electoral process in a variety of ways, including from emerging challenges posed, as my colleague across the way just mentioned, by the efforts of the longest ballot committee to make things more difficult and more challenging for Elections Canada. The bill deals with the challenges posed by an official agent being able to serve as an official agent for more than one candidate. It also deals with the challenges that are posed by emerging technological threats, such as the misuse of artificial intelligence. For the sake of my remarks here in the House today, I would like to focus on the latter. Modern technology has transformed how we communicate and access information. It connects us, informs us and strengthens participation in our democracy, but it can be misused. Bill C-25 recognizes this emerging challenge and includes a clear and necessary response to a particularly challenging application of artificial intelligence. Of course, I am referring to deepfake technology. Deepfakes are artificially generated or manipulated images, videos or audio recordings that make it appear as though someone has said or done something, even if they never did. These fabrications can be highly convincing, and a reasonable person could be tricked into believing that they are real. Under the Canada Elections Act, it is already illegal to impersonate certain electoral actors, including, of course, the candidates and the chief electoral officer, with the intent of misleading voters. However, these provisions were developed before the rapid rise of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and they do not fully capture the risk posed by deepfake technology. Bill C-25 would modernize this framework. It explicitly extends the existing impersonation offences to include the creation and distribution of realistic and misleading images, videos and audio of electoral actors intended to deceive Canadians. We have seen cases around the world where audio and video deepfakes of political figures have been used to spread disinformation. Canada is not immune to these challenges. Canadian cybersecurity experts made that clear in their recent assessment of threats to the democratic process. For example, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security issued a warning that AI is already reshaping the way that elections are being targeted. In just two years, we went from a few isolated incidents to more than 100 cases of AI being used to interfere with over 25% of global elections held between 2023 and 2024. This is no hypothetical risk, but a real and growing trend. Furthermore, the tools behind this trend are getting cheaper, faster and more readily available by the day. What once required sophisticated resources can now be accomplished using widely available, inexpensive software. Democracy is built on trust. Voters must be able to make decisions based on reliable information. If we do not take action, and take action now, what we will inevitably see in the years ahead is the erosion of trust in our democratic process. That is precisely the malicious objective of those who deploy these tools. It is because of our robust election laws and the general health of our democratic system that our cybersecurity experts have assessed that it is unlikely that disinformation from artificial intelligence would, on its own, undermine the integrity of our elections. It will not happen yet, and that is reassuring, but it is not a reason to delay action. The same experts emphasize that technology is improving and access to it is expanding rapidly. In short, we know the threat is growing and we need to take action. As Parliament has responded to evolving challenges to our elections on a regular basis in the past, we must act again. Through Bill C-25, we are doing exactly that. We are being proactive, as we should be, in addressing this rapidly emerging issue. By expanding the existing ban on impersonation to capture deepfakes, we are sending a powerful message that Canada will not allow technological mischief to undermine the integrity of our elections. Let me also emphasize that this addition reflects an appropriate balance between protecting free speech and combatting malicious interference. This bill would not restrict legitimate political expression, nor would it limit political debate or target opinion, criticism or satire. In fact, the Canada Elections Act explicitly permits parody and other forms of lawful expression that are an important part of our democratic discourse. Bill C-25 would not change that. Instead, what Bill C-25 targets is intentional deception, specifically the use of synthetic media to mislead voters about real people or events. To be clear, the Canada Elections Act already prohibits fraud and false statements during elections. Deepfakes are nothing more than a sophisticated version of the same practices, using technology to manipulate voices and images, rather than enlisting a person to pose as someone else. These examples are not expressions of opinion. They are tools for manipulation, and there must be clear consequences for using them. That is an important part of this piece of legislation that finds that balance to allow the electorate freedom of speech, especially during elections. Every single one of us in this room is here because we ran in an election. We debated. We perhaps had town halls and invited our citizens to challenge our ideas. Every one of us here has had somebody disagree with some of what we have put forward personally or with what perhaps our party or our leader has put forward as an idea or a policy. That is protected, and will always be protected. This piece of legislation would not change that. Bill C-25 proposes targeted priority amendments to the Canada Elections Act that would further protect and secure our elections. It aims to ensure that, when Canadians participate in an election, they can do so based on reliable information from trusted sources. This is about preserving the integrity of our democratic processes in the face of rapidly changing technology. Throughout our history, Canada has adapted its institutions to meet new challenges, and this would be no different. We have strengthened safeguards in response to evolving threats in the past, and we have done so while upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms that define us as a proud nation. The Canada Elections Act is renowned for its election safeguards, robust political financing rules and transparency requirements as a result of continual, gradual updates and improvements put forward by members on all sides of this House, from all political parties, on both sides of the aisle. Bill C-25 would add reasonable guardrails. It is measured and targeted to the challenges we face. It reflects the reality that the nature of electoral interference is changing and that our laws must change with it. I invite all members to support this legislation and, when it goes to committee, to add ways we can improve upon it.

Mr. Speaker, something I feel really strongly about is that this piece of legislation is for the next generation of Canadians. It is for our children. One of the big fears I have is not taking action on the emerging threats we are seeing and, when my son, who is currently 11, goes to vote for the first time seven years from now, he is living in a Canada that has not addressed the issue of deepfakes, so he is living in a Canada where it is difficult to know what is real and what is not real. I am very happy to see there might be bipartisan support for this piece of legislation, because I do feel this is incredibly important, not just for us, but for future generations, in safeguarding our electoral process.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible students being honoured at this year's Montérégie West Community Network youth gala, an annual event that celebrates anglophone students in my community of Vaudreuil who demonstrate perseverance, excellence and leadership in their schools and in their community. These young people have worked hard to overcome challenges and stay focused on their goals. Their determination and commitment set a strong example for their peers and remind us of the important role youth play in shaping our collective future. I want to thank the organizers, teachers, principals, parents, mentors and caregivers who support these students each and every day and help create opportunities for them to succeed. Without their guidance and love, these students simply could not reach their full potential. I am proud of the students being honoured, and our community of Vaudreuil is proud of them too. They have worked hard, and in their own way, they have made their mark. Their dedication inspires us all, and I wish them every success in the years ahead. I have no doubt this is just the beginning of wonderful things to come.

Mr. Speaker, Canada has long been a proud and active member of the international francophone community. Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs inform the House of the government's efforts and priorities in advancing Canada's bid to host the Sommet de la Francophonie and explain how this initiative will strengthen our cultural ties, our economic partnerships and our leadership within the global francophone community?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my dear friend, the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, for her question. I would simply say that my view of this piece of legislation is that it is intended to deal with imminent threats and challenges facing Canada's electoral system. I do not feel at this time that the suggestion by my hon. colleague with regard to the way in which parties are financed would fall under the scope of this piece of legislation but, perhaps, under a future piece of legislation. In this particular case, I do not feel that it is relevant at this time.

Mr. Speaker, as we recognize Daffodil Month, I rise to highlight the leadership of the Canadian Cancer Society and the many volunteers, patients and caregivers who have come to Parliament Hill for their annual day of advocacy. Nearly half of the people in Canada are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and the Canadian Cancer Society is focused on saving lives, improving lives and driving collective action against cancer. As part of their actions, volunteer advocates from across Canada are sharing their stories, highlighting the critical role clinical trials play in bringing new life-saving treatments to people with cancer and how important it is to remove barriers in accessing these trials. The Canadian Cancer Society continues to call for a stronger and more effective clinical trials system that puts patients first and accelerates innovation while strengthening Canada's health care system and economy. I would like to thank these individuals for their dedication and hard work, which is helping to shape a future where Canadians will have quicker access to better cancer care.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, April 13, during autism awareness and acceptance month, a month dedicated to highlighting the need for greater inclusion, understanding and support for people on the autism spectrum. In Canada, 2% or roughly one in 50 children and youth is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The prevalence of autism among adults is estimated to be around the same, at 1.8%, but no matter what the age, living with autism spectrum disorder can bring about significant life challenges. That is why I want to highlight the incredible work of the physicians, researchers and organizations that have made so much progress in helping to better identify and diagnose autism spectrum disorder, as well as teachers, employers and organizations like Autism Canada and the Canadian autism network, which, in their own way, work tirelessly to support Canadians living with autism. Canada is a better, stronger and fairer place because of their hard work. On behalf of all members of my community in Vaudreuil and all members of this House, I thank them.

Mr. Speaker, in 1996, four dedicated women in my community of Vaudreuil recognized the need for a songbird rehabilitation centre in Quebec, so they founded Le Nichoir in Hudson. Three decades later, what started out as a repurposed barn and a handful of volunteers has grown into a permanent, state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility, hundreds of dedicated volunteers and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of thousands of wild birds back into their natural habitats. To the incredible staff and volunteers who give their time so generously, the students who come to learn and grow through this work, the supporters who stand behind them year after year, director Sue Wylie, chairman Peter McBride, president Wendy Dollinger and the dedicated members of the board, I thank them for their leadership. This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of the entire Le Nichoir team. On behalf of the residents of Vaudreuil, I want to express our gratitude for these 30 years of service, compassion and care for our community and environment. I wish the centre many more years of success.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities: the eighth report entitled “Strengthening the Regulation of Recreational Boating” and the ninth report entitled “ Northern, Rural and Remote Air Travel: A Critical Lifeline”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to each of these two reports.

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to believe, but it is that time of year once again. Thanks to an army of volunteers, led by Jay de la Durantaye, Ken Bell, Eileen McAleese, Lea Durocher and the entire team at the Soulanges Irish Society, our community of Vaudreuil will become Irish for the day at the 15th annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Hudson. This year, our grand marshal, renowned Canadian comedian Derek Seguin, will lead the parade, which will feature our Irish person of the year, Geoffrey Kelley; parade queen Addie Derouin; princesses Caeleigh McDonald and Lisa Wilson; and reviewing officer, Rigaud's mayor, Charles Meunier. As always, this is an event not to be missed. On Saturday, March 21 at 1 p.m., we are all invited to Main Street to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. May the 15th annual St. Patrick's Day parade be an event to remember. Sláinte!

Mr. Speaker, next week, Canada will write a new chapter in our space history with the Artemis II mission. For the first time in over 50 years, humans will leave the earth's orbit and head for the moon. This is an important moment, not only for science, but for Canadians and all of humanity. For Canada, Artemis II represents the next great chapter in Canadian space exploration. Following in the footsteps of great Canadians like the late Marc Garneau, Roberta Bondar, Chris Hadfield, David Saint-Jacques and so many more, and built on the unprecedented collaboration between NASA and Canadian space engineers and scientists, Colonel Jeremy Hansen will break barriers by becoming the first Canadian, and the first non-American, to travel around our moon. On behalf of all members of the House and all Canadians, I wish Colonel Hansen and the Artemis II crew a safe journey and a successful mission. They carry the pride of everyone in the House and all Canadians with them. Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I do not have a question. I just want to make a comment that I think is necessary. I want to commend the hon. member not only for his speech on what I believe is a very important issue, and I think that I join all members in the House in saying that we look forward to voting in favour of that, but also for his steadfast work in advocating for the support of the people of Ukraine. He is among a select few members of the House who have been steadfast and who have never stopped advocating and fighting to bring the voices of the people of Ukraine here to the House. I want to thank him for that, not only as the member of Parliament for Vaudreuil but on behalf of all members of the House.

Mr. Speaker, we know that artificial intelligence may be central to the economy of the future. Everything from health care to transportation has the potential to be revolutionized by AI. Canadians want to be confident that Canada is staying at the cutting edge of AI innovations. Can the Minister of Artificial Intelligence tell the House how our government is supporting Canada's AI ecosystem and ensuring that Canadian researchers and companies continue to lead globally?

Mr. Speaker, for 158 years, Canadians have elected members of Parliament. They have travelled to Ottawa to take their seats in these chairs and make decisions that have helped build the greatest country in the world. Today it was an honour to turn that work over, if only temporarily, to bright and inspiring grade 6 students from Forest Hill Elementary in Saint-Lazare. Under the guidance of Principal Larente, dedicated teachers and volunteer parents, 106 students took their seats to become MPs for the day. They shared what Canada meant to them and what issues were most important, and they were proud to share ideas on how to build an even better Canada in the years ahead. The discussion was insightful, and it served as a reminder of our true purpose in this place: to leave a better Canada for our children than the one we inherited. I want to sincerely thank the Forest Hill teachers and students who joined me today. This is their House; their ideas, energy and thoughtfulness are always welcome here.

Mr. Speaker, over 1.1 million Canadians served in the war effort during World War II. More than 45,000 of those brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice, and another 55,000 were wounded. Among them was Chester W. Ruttle. Chester proudly served in the merchant marine. His work, and that of his fellow service members, was perilous. No one was immune from the threat below the waterline, and Chester was no exception. Both vessels he served on were torpedoed, and both times, he found himself at the mercy of the frigid waters. He was pulled to safety, but not before he suffered nerve damage and lost partial circulation in his legs. If his service had any silver lining, it came in the form of a nurse who cared for him named Marion. They fell in love, married and had five children, including my father-in-law, Darrell Ruttle, and seven grandchildren, including my wife Paula Ruttle. On behalf of the Ruttle family and all grateful Canadians, I am honoured to thank Chester for his service and his sacrifice. He was indeed part of the greatest generation.

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Humber River—Black Creek. It is an honour for me to rise on behalf of the people of Vaudreuil on my son Anderson's 11th birthday to speak to our new Liberal government's 2025 budget. This budget meets the needs of Canadians at a crucial time for our country. It includes measures that will meet the needs of families and seniors and support young people. It is about making life more affordable and building a stronger country. This budget is about building a more prosperous and resilient economy at a time when we can no longer rely on trade with our largest trading partner and when global economic uncertainty is on the rise. Affordability remains of utmost importance to Canadians. That is why, in our 2025 budget, we are cutting taxes for the middle class, which will save two-earner families $840 a year. That means more money in people's pockets at a time when they need it the most. It is also why we are continuing to invest in expanding the Canadian dental care plan, which is expected to save families an average of $800 a year. The most recent expansion of the program, which is now available to those with a net family income of up to $90,000, will benefit more than five million Canadians who have registered for it. We are making dental care a right, not a privilege. No one should have to choose between eating well and taking care of their teeth. Budget 2025 also includes an investment to develop the national school food program brought in by our Liberal government. It will save families even more money and prevent tens of thousands of Canadian children from going to school hungry. Making life more affordable is also about housing. Any young person trying to find their first home these days knows how hard it is, and it is not just young people. Across the country, adult children are living with their parents much longer not by choice, but because they cannot afford to pay rent, let alone buy a house. That is why in budget 2025, our government is eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million, which represents tens of thousands of dollars in savings for those hoping to take this important first step. We are also taking action on the supply side, because we know that affordability also depends on how quickly we can build more housing. That is why we are committed to doubling the pace of residential construction in Canada. To achieve this, in budget 2025, we launched Build Canada Homes, an ambitious plan to get the government back into the business of homebuilding and ramp up housing construction by leveraging Canadian technology, Canadian lumber and Canadian labour. By supporting innovative approaches such as modular and prefabricated homes, we are reducing timelines, cutting costs and creating jobs along the way. For anyone looking to buy their first home, rent an affordable home or help their children find a place to live, the Liberal government is listening and taking action, because all Canadians deserve a safe and affordable place to call home. Another pillar of budget 2025 I would like to speak to is our plan to build Canada's economy of tomorrow, an economy that is more resilient, an economy that is more diversified and an economy that is less dependent on trade with the United States and that includes strong measures to protect Canadian jobs, Canadian workers and Canadian families from the unfair and unjustified tariffs put in place by President Trump. Our plan is thoughtful and multi-faceted. First, for far too long, provincial trade barriers have fragmented our economy and slowed our growth. That is why we are harmonizing regulations, eliminating barriers to internal trade and investing in infrastructure that connects communities across provinces. We envision one country, one economy, more unified, more efficient and, yes, more competitive. This matters to small businesses in my community of Vaudreuil looking to grow beyond Quebec. It matters to farmers in my community who need to get their products to market. It matters to every Canadian who wants to see our federation work as one team, not as 13 teams creating unnecessary barriers to prosperity. Second, budget 2025 would invest in infrastructure, both physical infrastructure and the policy to support it, to foster a united economy, from high-speed rail to expanded port capacity, so that Canada's goods move faster and our economy becomes stronger. We are rich in natural resources, we are rich in innovation and we are rich in skilled labour. With budget 2025, we would build the infrastructure to forge the new agreements needed to bring those assets to the world on our terms. One of those terms is to continue to build a Canada that we want and need in a sustainable way, a way that leaves a stronger, more resilient and healthy future for our children and our grandchildren. Budget 2025 reaffirms our commitment not to just build a stronger economy but to do so while taking decisive action against climate change. That means finding new and innovative ways to keep emissions down, and it means looking at ways in which we can get our country's energy, minerals and products to market while meeting our climate obligations to future generations. Budget 2025 includes our Liberal government's climate competitiveness strategy. Indeed, as I have said many times in this House, climate action must continue to be intricately incorporated into Canada's economic strategy. While some would still have us believe that we have to choose between the environment and the economy, our government knows that the path to prosperity is the path to sustainability. Having served as the chair of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities for the last four years, I can attest to the benefits these investments and policies would bring from coast to coast to coast. Third, our plan would diversify the Canadian economy by reducing our dependency on the American market while simultaneously strengthening partnerships with our allies in the G7 and the European Union and forging new trade opportunities in global markets. This approach was reflected in the choice the Prime Minister made to make France and the United Kingdom his first two international visits upon taking office, reinforcing ties with our two close friends, allies and G7 partners. The last pillar of budget 2025 that I would like to touch on is our plan to protect Canada and Canadians. This means protecting economic sovereignty, our territorial integrity and our shared prosperity in a world that is increasingly unstable. That is why the Prime Minister's third visit was not to another capital, but to Canada's Arctic. This is no coincidence. As climate change opens new navigation routes and great powers compete for influence in the north, Canada is acting to defend our Arctic sovereignty, protect our natural environment and secure the economic future of northern communities. We are modernizing NORAD, strengthening partnerships with Australia to deploy advanced radar systems and making historic investments in the Canadian Armed Forces to face 21st-century threats head-on. In a world marked by rising authoritarianism and global instability, Canadians deserve a Canada that has the resources, the know-how and the capacity to defend Canadian values, defend our sovereignty, support our allies and meet the moment with strength and unity. That is why budget 2025 would make generational investments in the Canadian Armed Forces and our border security. It includes investments that would see the hiring of 1,000 new border agents to strengthen our borders, who would be trained right in my community of Vaudreuil, in the town of Rigaud. It includes investments that would see the hiring of 1,000 new RCMP officers to help keep our communities safer and combat organized crime. Budget 2025 would increase pay and benefits for our brave men and women in uniform and would make historic investments that would help equip the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment necessary to meet the needs of Canadians here at home and meet challenges and threats abroad. This budget lays out a clear vision and a clear plan. I am proud to support it. I am proud to be a part of this Liberal government, and above all, I am proud to serve the people of Vaudreuil, who sent me to this chamber for the fourth time this past April. I am proud to work on their behalf to try to build a better Canada for them and their families. Budget 2025 would do just that, and I invite all hon. members of this House to support it.

Mr. Speaker, a critical part of protecting Canada's sovereignty is investing in the north, and that is exactly what we are doing with this budget. This is exactly why the Prime Minister, for his third visit, went to the north. It was to send a message not only to our partners around the world, but also to Arctic communities and Canadians that this is a priority for our new Liberal government and will be a priority moving forward.

Mr. Speaker, it is funny to hear the Bloc Québécois talk about protecting jobs. That is exactly what we are doing with the budget. We are investing to protect workers in Canada, in Quebec, in my community of Vaudreuil. Quebeckers want that money to be invested so their jobs can be protected. I do not understand why the Bloc Québécois wants to vote against a budget that invests in protecting Quebeckers. I encourage my hon. colleague to vote in favour of the budget so we can work together to protect our economy at this challenging and pivotal time for our country, particularly in response to the Donald Trump administration.

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that we are investing to build the economy of tomorrow and to protect jobs. The message I want to send is that we are meeting the needs of workers in my riding of Vaudreuil and workers across Canada. That is what we are doing. If the opposition parties, and I am referring to the Bloc Québécois and the Conservatives, truly want to protect Canadians, they can do so by voting for our 2025 budget to support Canadians during this pivotal time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work of the Pure Art Foundation and the group of 39 Canadian volunteers who recently returned from their annual humanitarian trip to Pucallpa, Peru. Led by Robert and Brigitte McKinnon of Hudson, this team built a new home for a family of 10 in the Manantay district. Through the foundation's CAST program, they worked alongside local tradespeople to lay bricks, install windows and build a home that will keep a family safe and dry during the rainy season. They even furnished it with new mattresses, pillows and sheets, a true gift of both comfort and dignity. Since building its first home in 2007, the Pure Art Foundation has supported the creation of more than 40 homes, a medical clinic, a day care, a community centre and a sustainable sewing initiative that empowers women to support their families. I thank every volunteer who participated in this year's trip to Peru for showing what true compassion looks like. The volunteers remind us that when we come together as a community, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of animal rights activists and cat lovers across the country. Those who signed the petition from across the country have done so in hopes that the Government of Canada will take action to stem the tide of homelessness among the over four million homeless cats across the country and help support them. They are calling upon the Government of Canada to put in place free sterilization nationwide, and the reason behind this is very simple. They say that sterilization would prevent unwanted litters and thus reduce the number of abandoned cats, would have positive effects on cats' behaviour, would reduce fights and the risk of communicable diseases, and, of course, would decrease the chance of cats being abandoned. I support this 100%, and I thank all those who signed it from across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the Centre de femmes La Moisson, a women's centre in my riding that provides invaluable support to women in our community, regardless of their age or circumstances. For the past four decades, and through the efforts of its outstanding team, the centre has been providing more than just a welcoming place. It is a place for solidarity, education and personal development. Workshops, community activities and mentorship programs all contribute to the well-being of the community in Vaudreuil. It is with great respect and much enthusiasm that we celebrate 40 years of the Centre de femmes La Moisson. May the coming years bring much success.

Mr. Speaker, Saint‑Lazare is celebrating its 150th anniversary. This is an amazing milestone for our community. From its humble beginnings as a small agricultural village, Saint‑Lazare has grown into a vibrant city renowned for its natural beauty, equestrian traditions and community spirit. To mark this historical occasion, over the past nine months, Saint-Lazarians have been treated to parades, celebrations of founding families, barbecues, music, local food, a hockey game featuring former Montreal Canadiens players and even a Cirque du Soleil show. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and vision of Paul Lavigne and the members of the 150th anniversary organizing committee, Mayor Geneviève Lachance, the municipal councillors of the City of Saint‑Lazare and hundreds of volunteers. These celebrations truly captured the spirit and heart of Saint-Lazare, a community where both long-term and new residents come together to share traditions, create memories and look forward to a future with optimism and pride. Happy 150th, Saint-Lazare. Cheers to the next—

Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague chose to spend his time talking about the health care system, and it is the hon. member's right to do so. He shared a story about his mother. I appreciate that, because I too have a story, with my mother recently being in the hospital for emergency surgery. My mother and I actually had a similar conversation about the state of our health care system, and I shared with her that I was very proud of the fact that I voted in favour of providing even more money for transfers to the provinces, record funding of $200 billion, which we know is going to have a very positive impact on the health care system. I am wondering if my hon. colleague can say the same.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following four reports of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities: the second report, entitled “The Erie Lake Connector: A Project in the Best Interest of the Public?”; the third report, entitled “Towards Accessible Air Transportation in Canada”; the fourth report, entitled “The Role of McKinsey & Company in the Creation and the Beginnings of the Canada Infrastructure Bank”; and the fifth report, entitled “Issues and Opportunities: High Frequency Rail in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to each of these reports.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his address to the House and congratulate him on being re-elected. I quite enjoyed working with him at committee and look forward to working with him moving forward. My question for the hon. member is twofold. First, will he be voting in favour of the tax cut that our government will be putting forward? Second, could he speak to some of the benefits that his constituents will benefit from with the tax cut that we will be putting forward?

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 21st report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “Towards Accessible Air Transportation in Canada”. If I have a bit of time, I would like to thank the members of the committee for extraordinary work and the analysts, who also did extraordinary work. I would like to highlight, also, our clerk, Carine, who will be clerking her last meeting today for transport, and thank her for her fine work over the last couple of years. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary individual from my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges: Daniel Bissonnette. Mr. Bissonnette has been a key figure at the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges since 1981, including a remarkable 38 years as executive director. Under his visionary leadership, the museum has grown not only in size, but also in reputation, to become one of Quebec's most respected historical institutions. For over 40 years, Mr. Bissonnette has been working tirelessly to preserve and share our region's rich heritage. As Mr. Bissonnette gets ready to go on a well-deserved retirement this December, I would like to thank him for his important contribution to the culture of Vaudreuil—Soulanges and of Quebec as a whole. I thank Daniel for everything that he has done. On behalf of everyone for whom he has made a difference, we wish him a happy retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of La Source d'Entraide, a beacon of hope and support in Saint-Lazare. Launched in December 1993, when a small group of volunteers organized the town's first guignolée, or holiday food drive, it has since grown into a thrift store, food bank and resource centre, and serves as a vital resource for those in need. At the heart of La Source d'Entraide's impact is an exceptional team. Led by Andrée-Anne Lavigne and fuelled by a remarkable team of over 150 volunteers, La Source d'Entraide embodies the very best of our community's values, and its contributions have touched countless lives over three decades. One of these extraordinary volunteers is Monique Gravel, who has volunteered three days a week, every week, for the past 30 years. On behalf of the community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges and all members of the House, I sincerely thank La Source d'Entraide and its inspiring team. I wish them success as they continue their inspiring work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the invaluable work and achievements of the Montérégie West Community Network and to congratulate it and its team as they celebrate 25 years. Founded in 1999 as the Chateauguay Focus Group and changed to MWCN in 2016, the organization has been steadfast in organizing and supporting services to the anglophone community in Quebec. Whether it is bringing people together over coffee or dinner, celebrating the next generation of anglophone youth through awards and scholarships, mounting important educational campaigns, or being a strong voice when it is needed most, for a quarter century, its dedication and commitment have enriched Vaudreuil—Soulanges and the entire Montérégie region. To Pauline, Matt, Tonya, Patricia, Joanne, Elizabeth, Lorie, Clement, Bryanna, Alexa, Kim, Nora, Tina and, of course, Nadya, I send my thanks for all they do, and I congratulate the Montérégie West Community Network on 25 years of exceptional service. Here is to the next 25 years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges to thank and honour all those in uniform who have served Canadians and those who continue to serve us to this day. I also want to thank and honour their families, who bear the burden of the sacrifices these women and men make every day. I honour veterans from my community. There is Maxine Brett; 80 years ago, in World War II, she served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a nurse. There is Lieutenant Edward Duckworth; 25 years ago, in Bosnia, he served as an armoured crewman as part of Operation Palladium. There is Lieutenant Lynn Murdoch-Feingold, who left port just 15 days ago on the HMCS Ottawa for the Indo-Pacific region. She and 240 fellow armed forces members will join regional partners and allies to promote a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and help enforce UN sanctions imposed on North Korea. I wish Lieutenant Murdoch-Feingold, and all those who are actively serving Canada around the world, a successful mission and a safe return home. I thank them for their service.

Mr. Speaker, on the eve of the Spanish national holiday, I rise today to pay tribute to Canadians of Spanish descent who have contributed to building this beautiful country. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians of Spanish descent have made Canada stronger by generously and proudly sharing their history, their language and their culture. To mark the occasion, the Spanish flag was raised on Parliament Hill today for the first time. This was done in the presence of the Spanish ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Alfredo Martínez Serrano; his wife, Rosa; State Secretary Olmedo; members of the House; and prominent members of Canada's Spanish community. The ceremony served to reinforce the strong ties between Canada and Spain and honour those, like my own grandparents and great-grandparents, who came to our shores following a long journey across the Atlantic. May the strong ties between Canada and Spain only continue to grow. May Spain and Canada see peace and prosperity in our time. Gracias.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Vaudreuil-Soulanges chamber of commerce and industry, the CCIVS, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. For three decades, this vital organization has been an important resource for our business community. It helps foster economic growth, innovation and collaboration in our region. From connecting entrepreneurs to stimulating local development, the CCIVS has been instrumental in transforming the economic landscape of Vaudreuil-Soulanges. Its dedication and hard work have created many opportunities that have allowed our small businesses to grow. As we celebrate this milestone, I would like to recognize the exceptional leadership of the CCIVS's staff, members and partners. May the coming years bring them prosperity and success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and honour the life of Mathieu Miljours, a man who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. As the former president and CEO of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges chamber of commerce and industry, Mathieu worked tirelessly to support local businesses and foster growth, collaboration and opportunity. His warmth and sincerity made people feel seen and appreciated, in both his personal and professional lives. His love for our community was second only to his love for his friends and family, especially his children. Although his time with us was too short, he had an enormous impact. Let us remember him for the joy, kindness and passion he brought to the world. May our friend Mathieu rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, after a decade of chronic underfunding by the Conservatives, our government has made historic investments in housing and infrastructure for communities from coast to coast to coast. Earlier this week, our government concluded a $2.8-billion agreement with Quebec that will help the municipalities revitalize critical infrastructure and support housing projects through the Canada community-building fund. Can the minister explain how this funding will help communities in Quebec to build more housing more quickly?