Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we are making life more affordable, not just in big cities but across northern and indigenous communities. We have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians so northern families can keep more on their table. The permanent national school food program is saving families around $800 a year, and we are tackling food costs by building an all-season infrastructure road through the Arctic. We are …
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians living across the country are going to be benefiting from our new Canada groceries and essentials benefit. This includes people in northern and Arctic Canada. This means a family of four will receive $1,890 this year. This is significant in the north. This is in addition to increases in the child tax benefit, the national school food program and $10-a-day day care. We are ta…
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Mr. Speaker, yes, the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba is a huge opportunity for Manitoba and Canada to support our efforts to diversify our economy, but also to support national security. Churchill was previously a military site, so there is already established infrastructure there. We know it as the gateway to the north. Last week, there was an MOU signed between AGG, which is the Arctic G…
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Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, there are already established regulatory requirements, which include environmental assessments. These are things we cannot override. It is really important that we understand the jurisdiction of the north, where 80% of the land mass is covered by modern treaties or settlement agreements. Those rules around regulations and environmental assessments are baked in. We w…
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Mr. Speaker, when we look at the reality in northern Canada, specifically Nunavut, the Nunavut agreement clearly states that it is a tripartite agreement between the federal government, the Government of Nunavut and NTI. We cannot change those processes. The Nunavut agreement clearly outlines the steps that have to be taken, in sequence, to move projects along, whether for resources or land. We ca…
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Burlington North—Milton West. Hello. Tansi. Aaniin. Boozhoo. Kwe kwe. Ullukkut. The Conservatives propose a Canada sovereignty act, which calls for a sweeping repeal of federal measures, including the Impact Assessment Act, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, carbon pricing for industry, the oil and gas emissions cap and other regulations, all …
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Mr. Speaker, for the first time in generations, we are making historic investments in housing and infrastructure across the north, building homes, roads and community facilities. We are investing in clean energy, better Internet and stronger transportation links, all in partnership with indigenous communities. Bill C-4 would deliver tax cuts, GST housing credits and enhanced benefits so families c…
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is from Manitoba. If he were listening to Manitobans, he would hear that Manitobans are happy with what our government is doing. We are seeing $10-a-day child care for northern Arctic communities. We are also seeing the national school food program. We are seeing investments in housing and infrastructure like never before. We are seeing the child tax benefits suppo…
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Mr. Speaker, this week, the Assembly of First Nations met in Ottawa, and many of us here were at the table with it. That shows we are moving along together with first nations. We are backing indigenous-led growth and solutions. That is why more than half of CanNor's economic activity is indigenous-led. We are creating hundreds of jobs right now, like those at First Kaska Construction in Yukon. Our…
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Mr. Speaker, that member opposite is from my home community. If he was talking to Manitobans, he would know that they want $10-a-day day care. They want the school food program. They want investments in housing and infrastructure. If he was talking to Manitobans, he would know that Manitobans support our budget, so he should be supporting our budget as well. These are generational investments like…
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Mr. Speaker, our new government is delivering on its commitments. We are dedicating $2.3 billion to urban, rural and northern homes. We are also partnering to deliver over 700 new homes and fast-tracking them. We are also building on 450 additional homes that will start in the next few years. In the Northwest Territories, we are funding 150 social homes, and in Whitehorse, we are funding 100 new a…
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Mr. Speaker, the member is from Manitoba and we need to recognize that Manitobans want to vote for this budget. They want to for the port of Churchill. They want us to build, protect and empower the north. This is the first time we are seeing these types of investments in generations. I encourage the member to get on board and vote for them to ensure we make the national school food program perman…
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Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 makes historic investments with the new $1 billion Arctic infrastructure fund. This is designed to strengthen airports, seaports and all-season roads, which are critical lifelines for search and rescue. By improving northern transportation and communications infrastructure, the budget directly enhances the safety of the north. It is ensuring faster response times and bette…
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Mr. Speaker, we are focused on securing our sovereignty in the north and the Arctic, with a $1-billion infrastructure fund for airports, seaports and all-season roads in the north and in northern Manitoba. We are focused on $2.3 billion for clean water in indigenous communities. The Conservatives are voting against having an Inuit Nunangat university to build skills and hopes for northern youth. W…
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Mr. Speaker, northerners asked for transformative change, and our new government answered with generational plans to build, protect and empower. This means skills, homes and hope for northern youth. Our budget delivers year-round routes to ports across the Arctic corridor and the Churchill gateway to keep Canada strong and free. Through the Major Projects Office, projects will move faster with ind…
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Mr. Speaker, the world views Canada as an Arctic nation and is watching how we lead. As climate and geopolitical risks emerge, our government is taking action. We are building partnerships with nordic countries, like the ICE Pact, for which Polar Max icebreakers will be built right here in Canada and in Finland. We have new Arctic radar stations to boost our defence and enhance early earning syste…
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Mr. Speaker, our new government is strengthening Arctic security by investing in people, infrastructure and partnerships that protect Canada's sovereignty and support resilient communities. We are working with indigenous governments and territorial partners to ensure Canada's presence in the north is secure, visible and enduring. That means investments in dual-use infrastructure like ports, airstr…
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Mr. Speaker, through Build Canada Homes, the new government is working with Nunavut Housing Corporation to deliver hundreds of new homes, including factory-built units to build more homes faster. We are working with indigenous partners. The homes are safe, culturally appropriate and not overcrowded. We are supporting Nunavut's goal of 3,000 homes by 2030. We are also applying this indigenous-led, …
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Mr. Speaker, no project will move forward without honouring section 35. As the Prime Minister has said, meaningful consultation and co-operation are at the heart of our new government approach to nation building. The indigenous advisory council brings first nations, Métis and Inuit, from day one, to strengthen treaty and constitutional duties, not replace them. With capacity funding and the double…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member of Parliament, Ben Carr—
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Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about our success stories on this side of the stage. Our new government has focused on empowering northern and Arctic communities with indigenous-led solutions that work in the north. For example, an Inuvialuit country food plant is distributing harvested musk ox, reindeer, fish and berries so families can count on country food year-round. Also, the harvesters support p…
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Mr. Speaker, nutrition north is showing real progress, with results that are reaching more northerners every year. In its first year, more than 15,000 harvesters were supported, with hundreds of hunts and over 700 food-sharing initiatives, from Nain, Nunatsiavut, to Old Crow, Yukon, showing the program's reach across the north. In Nunavut, the price of flour in Rankin Inlet has dropped by more tha…
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Mr. Speaker, our new government is supporting indigenous-led transitions from diesel to dependable, clean power. In Yukon, Kluane First Nation's wind and battery project provides about half the community's power and saves over 300,000 litres of diesel a year. In Nunavut, the Inuit-led Sanikiluaq wind project will replace up to 70% of local diesel use. Project by project, we are delivering cleaner,…
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Mr. Speaker, our new government is making life more affordable in the north through practical action that reaches families, strengthens communities and reflects northerners and what they have told us. We are supporting indigenous-led housing solutions and building more homes right across the three territories. In Inuit Nunangat, we are making sure that 14,500 families can afford essential food thr…
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Mr. Speaker, as a First Nations rights holder as well, I want to acknowledge the concerns raised by indigenous leaders across this country. Their voices matter. That is why we are investing in real consultation, with $40 million to support indigenous engagement, in addition to establishing an indigenous advisory council. This legislation would be an economic game-changer for indigenous people like…
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Mr. Speaker, it is public knowledge that nutrition north is undergoing an external review, and we also have an internal review under way. We are committed to building on the positive steps already taken, like the food harvesters program and the community kitchen program, to ensure that northern communities benefit fully from these types of initiatives.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the concerns raised by indigenous leaders across the country. Their voices matter. That is why we are investing in real consultation, with $40 million to support indigenous engagement, in addition to establishing an indigenous advisory council. This legislation would be an economic game-changer for indigenous peoples.
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Mr. Speaker, we are committed to ensuring that full retail-subsidy benefits reach northerners. To enhance accountability, we formed the nutrition north compliance and audit review committee with indigenous and regional representatives. We recognize that food is more than nutrition; it is also cultural identity and sovereignty. We are committed to ensuring that the subsidy goes directly to northern…
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Mr. Speaker, I beg to differ with what was just stated. I have actually spoken to Chief Larson from Pimicikamak myself, checking in to ensure his community members are receiving the support they rightfully deserve. We will continue to keep providing that same support to all community members and their leadership.
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Mr. Speaker, it is important to know that our indigenous caucus has been working around the clock with the rest of our colleagues here at the federal level, and we are doing that in partnership with the provincial government and local leadership. We know supports have already been provided to people on the ground, and those supports will continue. I will continue to work with Minister Gull-Masty o…
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Mr. Speaker, tansi, aniin, bonjour, ullukkut. I rise today from a place of urgency and responsibility, and I begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I honour their stewardship and offer my respect to their ancestors and knowledge-keepers, past and present. I speak today not only as a minister in the House, but as th…
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite's party continues to shift the blame of the wildfires onto individuals, ignoring the overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is intensifying these disasters. By refusing to implement meaningful climate policies, are you not actively undermining efforts to prevent and manage wildfires? This is making it harder for the government to protect Canadians fr…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to talk a bit about the Churchill—Keewatinook Aski riding and the work we have to do to support people throughout it. This riding is three-quarters of Manitoba. It has 68 communities, 40 of which are first nations communities. There are also 20 remote isolated communities, meaning we can only get into these communities by winter road or by fly-in. The efforts being made have to…
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Mr. Speaker, my heart is with everyone across the country who is affected by the devastating wildfires, especially the people of my riding, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski. The fear and uncertainty are overwhelming, but the people are not alone. I remain in constant contact with my federal colleagues and provincial, local and indigenous leaders, including Councillor Debbie Dumas, to ensure that every p…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a deep sense of responsibility, gratitude and humility. I stand here as a proud Anishinabe, Ininew and Métis woman representing the Churchill—Keewatinook Aski riding. Ensuring a Canada that is strong and free in defending the Arctic and the people living there is a top priority for the new government. We will strengthen the presence of the Canadian Armed Forces, dete…
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