Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I would remind the House that Canada continues to have the strongest regime when it comes to arms export controls. We will continue to monitor every sale that leaves this country. We will continue to ensure that we have the best corporate social responsibility as we are engaged in peace activities around the world. We will continue to do that. We will never let our eye off that ball.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the parliamentary secretary for his thoughtful speech. This morning, I listened to the debate from the Conservative Party talking about somehow believing our government was not standing with victims of violence and crime. This bill stands with victims of violence and crime, particularly hate crime. How is it possible that Conservatives are not supporting this bill, whi…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, community organizations contribute to our lives in countless ways. At my annual New Year's levee, we celebrated 16 organizations in Don Valley West with anniversaries from five to 75 years in 2025 and 2026. Today, I want to lift up five that are celebrating this year. Flemingdon Community Support Services, which works with some of our community's most vulnerable people, and the York M…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's news of the passing of Kirsty Duncan, the former member for Etobicoke North, reverberated throughout the offices and corridors of the Canadian Parliament. We are all grieving the loss of a thoughtful, vibrant, intelligent, strong and kind person who served Canadians with grace and kindness. Kirsty Duncan stood out in our small class of new Liberal MPs in 2008. While she wa…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I want to begin by thanking my colleagues, particularly my colleague from Jonquière, who proposed this piece of legislation and exposed some of the issues that underlie it, which are very important in our world today. He has stressed the importance of international treaties, which are now as important as they have ever been. I want to reiterate the comments made by my colleagues and…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege today to rise to celebrate a great Canadian, a great leader and a good friend. For 10 years, Julia Hanigsberg has served as CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Don Valley West. Holland Bloorview has become an incredible centre of excellence, with a reputation in Canada and abroad. Holland Bloorview recently received the highest possible rating fr…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am honoured today to speak to Canada's active efforts to advance human rights; combat corruption, including through the use of sanctions; and continue to explore the possibilities of the bill. Canada is committed to upholding the legacy left by Sergei Magnitsky in establishing a global framework to combat corruption and human rights violations. Whether by holding states accountabl…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, this is where I get dangerous and ignore the remarks that have been given to me, and I simply thank the member. It is well noted that many of our allies and friends are observers. It is well noted that the conversation must continue. Canada will continue to be a leader. We put our hopes and our aspirations and our work in the NPT, but conversations with everyone engaged is absolutely …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I want to take the opportunity to both address the important question raised by the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands about Canada's long-standing commitment and leadership on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and also to thank her for continually raising what I believe personally, and I believe our government believes, to be a critically important issue for humanity. Canada's …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by commending the member for Vancouver East for her ongoing and very steadfast commitment to strengthening oversight and to bringing peace in our world. She has attempted to do that in the bill, and I believe that all members of the House agree that Canada must maintain a strong export control system to prevent the misuse of weapons anywhere and everywhere. Right now, …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I want to reassure people that Canada is on the diplomatic stage every day, both diversifying trade and defending Canadian interests. We will continue to work every day to ensure that Canadian businesses, Canadian citizens and Canadian residents are well protected in everything we do. We will continue to negotiate every trade deal we can. The United States is our biggest trading par…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union with respect to its participation in the following events: the annual parliamentary hearing at the United Nations, “Putting an end to conflicts: Prescriptions for a peaceful future”, at the United Nations,…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, let me also state that Canada supports Israel and its right to defend its people every day. Let me also be clear that Hamas is a terrorist group. It must release hostages immediately who have been held cruelly for two years. It must disarm, and it will play no role in the future governance of a Palestinian state. We will continue to defend the state of Israel and we will continue to d…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I respect the question. However, at this point, I will simply say that there is no military solution to the conflict at hand. There is only a political solution, and in the vein of Lester Pearson, this side of the House will continue to work for peaceful solutions to ensure that Israel and Palestinians have safe and secure borders for each of them so they will live in peace together. …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the member has raised several issues at the same time. Let me just say the G7 is a huge opportunity for Canada to exercise leadership on the world stage. Our sovereignty, our security and prosperity are tied to global security. At the same time, Canada is a country of the rule of law. We have cases before the RCMP. We will continue to have those investigations. We will continue to ens…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question is important on two fronts. It is important to remember, always, that Israel has the right to defend itself. Israel has the right to continue to make sure that it is safe and secure. At the same time, the government is committed to taking action against the scourge that is anti-Semitism every day in our world. We will continue to stand up and defend Jews in …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I will begin by saying Israel has the right, absolutely, to defend itself within the bounds of international law. At the very same time, we have a responsibility to de-escalate this situation. Our minister has been very clear that this escalation will not help. We have several priorities. We want to ensure hostages are released. We want to ensure humanitarian aid is delivered. We want…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, what I heard overwhelmingly at the door was that the taxpayer needs to know that his or her money is being well used. Taxpayers do not want more spending; they want more investing. They want to invest in projects that are of a national character, that will build the identity and character of this country. They want us to continue the social safety net to make sure all of these program…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate you on your appointment as Deputy Speaker. I have great confidence in you in the chair; the chair becomes you. I am really looking forward to it. The support will not be unconditional, but I offer my sincere best wishes. I also want to begin by thanking the electors of Don Valley West for their support in sending me back for the fifth time to this place. They se…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I think we need to look at all of Canada's realities. We need to learn from Quebec when it comes to things like that. I hope my words about Africa are not lost. Once again, people of the House will dismiss our need to recognize Africa. Half my speech was spent talking about Africa, yet neither of the opposition parties actually wants to engage in this discussion. It is to our benefit …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member on her recent election. I know that she brings an engineering background to the position. She brings an expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence that I think we desperately need in the House of Commons. It is the kind of capacity, the kind of intelligence and the kind of creativity that we will need. Canada's economy is changing. Not only are…
Read full speech →First Session—45th Parliament
Mr. Chair, thank you for presiding with the expertise and sense of humour we have come to know. I think you have a promising career ahead of you. I want to start by congratulating each and every member on their election, especially if it is their first win. I remember when I was first elected. I walked into the chamber, which was then in Centre Block. It was in 2008. I am a minister of the United …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as we stand on the threshold of this holy season, I want to wish all those celebrating in Don Valley West and around the world a very happy Christmas. The promise of Christmas is that love can and will break through all of the cynicism, disappointment, pain and despair that continues to this day, long after Jesus walked the dusty roads of Palestine. Christmas did not happen just once.…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, the people of Canada had their say on carbon taxes in the last election. In fact the Conservative Party, when it was in power, passed the fixed-date election bill. They keep calling. They want us to break the law. We will not break the law. You can break the law. We are not that kind of people.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the following reflects a consolidated response approved on behalf of Global Affairs Canada ministers. With regard to part (a), as of October 7, 2024, Global Affairs Canada is aware of 13 Canadians in custody in Hong Kong. This data was extracted from Global Affairs Canada's consular case management system and may be updated on a daily basis. As such, caution should be exercised when a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, it is rare for me to rise on a point of order in the House. However, as I try to keep my head down and attempt to focus on the issues being raised, I feel the need to draw your attention to the increase in name-calling during question period. Earlier today, the Leader of the Opposition referred to the member for Burnaby South by what I would consider to be an unparliamentary moniker: …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I think everyone in the House realizes that the situation in Gaza is dire and that the situation faced by men, women and children in Gaza is horrendous. We will continue to seek every possible way to find peace with justice in this situation. However, rhetoric does not help. Symbols do not help. Hard work, diplomacy and engagement will be what Canada needs to do on this every day. We …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the following reflects a consolidated response approved on behalf of Global Affairs Canada ministers. With regard to parts (a) and (b), the Canada fund for local initiatives, CFLI, is an international assistance contribution program under the authority of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with an annual operating budget of $26.89 million. Each year, the CFLI supports over 800 small-scal…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I hope I get equal time to answer that ridiculous question. In light of what has gone on this last week, Canadians are worried about our economy; we are worried about our relationship. There is no time like the present to have a strong presence in the United States of America. Our representatives will be working extremely hard to protect Canadians' interests and Canadians' jobs ever…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, as we near the end of Veterans' Week and approach Remembrance Day, I want to take this time to recognize the brave men and women across Canada, particularly in my riding of Don Valley West, who have fought for this country. Over the years, millions of Canadians have bravely fought in World War I and World War II, in the Korean War, in Iraq and in Afghanistan. More than 125,000 Canad…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, foreign interference is a danger to our country, and we all have to do everything in our power to call it out and to address it. Our government has made it a top priority. Canadians are nervous. The RCMP has evidence that agents of the Government of India are involved in serious criminal activities that undermine our democracy. There are reports of a number of other countries intimida…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Saanich—Gulf Islands for her compassion and for her concern for people around the world. It is well noted and respected. My thoughts are indeed with children who have already endured so much in this particular situation. We are well aware of the reports, and we are treating the situation with the utmost seriousness and with the sense of urgency it a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, the truth is simple. The fact is that the new residence that has been purchased will cut costs and save money. On this side of the House, we will always stand up for Canada and the best interests of Canadians. We will engage with international leaders. We will continue to do the work that we need to do internationally, diplomatically, while saving taxpayers' money.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, I think every member of the House has raised concerns about civilians in Lebanon, as we have about civilians in Israel, in Gaza and in the West Bank. We will continue to advocate for peace. The violence and destruction in Lebanon has to end. Canada has joined with its allies and has called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire. That is the only way we can get diplomacy to work. Wars kil…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, heckling aside, the Prime Minister and the foreign affairs minister are working day and night, not making speeches in this House and not giving facile answers like the Conservatives, but trying to find ways to heal broken people, to solve an intractable situation and to have the community of nations build peace for each other. We are going to do that on this side of the House. I bel…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I believe the minister has actually been very clear on this issue. She has been very clear that, when it comes to export permits, we have absolutely not given any new export permits since January 8. However, we will also always support Israel's security, and that includes permits for the Iron Dome. This is a complex situation. Again, we will make sure that there are no new permits. …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, the member for Thornhill can have her own version of the truth, but she cannot change the truth. Earlier tonight, she tweeted something that took a clip out of what the Minister of Foreign Affairs had said at a press conference and cut it off at only a few seconds. It was a shameful act of misinformation and disinformation. The minister did call for de-escalation in the situation, as …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I have been around here too long to fall into traps set by the Conservatives on this issue. The reality is that Israel has a right to defend itself, and there are international laws that they also need to follow. Israeli citizens tell me that every day. Jews in Canada tell me that every day. They understand the rule of law. Israel is a democracy. Israel will follow the rule of law. …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for Willowdale for sharing his time with me. I start out tonight by saying that there are few countries that are closer to my heart than Lebanon. There have been few people closer to my heart than the Lebanese people since my very first trip, when I spent time there in 1982, and experienced the war with people in Lebanon. The most recent outbreak of v…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, with respect to your first ruling, I am not questioning it; however, I do have a question that I would like to raise in the House with respect to it, which is on the application of the sexual harassment policy of the House of Commons with respect to the way members treat each other. We have all taken extensive training in sexual harassment. One of the key parts is that intent does not…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, the member is sharing his time. He just needs to put it in his speech.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I believe there is an understanding that, when a member withdraws their remarks, they do not do it with an explanation of why they did not want to do so. They withdraw their remarks and perhaps express remorse. As I stated earlier in the House, sexual harassment is a serious issue, and it should be taken very seriously as well. It does not matter what the intent i…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, Israel has a right to defend itself within international law.
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, our government's position has been very clear. While UNRWA is an imperfect organization, it is the best organization to provide aid and assistance to Palestinian refugees around the world. That includes education and essential services. We need to ensure the safety of every one of their employees to make sure that they can do their work. It is a UN organization. Canada is a proud me…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the member's question gives us an opportunity to recognize two Canadians who were innocent, who were killed trying to flee from violence in Lebanon. I particularly name Hussein Tabaja and Daad Tabaja. It is a tragedy that is ongoing in the whole Middle East. Canada has continually called for a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel and between Israel and Hamas. We will continue to do …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, yesterday a point of order was raised, and I am a little confused about whether it is a true point of order. The member for Edmonton Strathcona has essentially raised a new point of order but referred to yesterday's point of order. However, to be victimized once in the House is sufficient without being revictimized by someone's pretense. We all heard what was said, and it is in Hansar…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an organization close to my heart, Asthma Canada, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In 1974, patients, parents, community members and leading physicians created an organization dedicated to helping Canadians with asthma lead healthy lives. Since then, its mission has been to ensure Canadians living with asthma enjoy a symptom-free life. There are…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I want to echo the comments by the member for Courtenay—Alberni about the ridiculous nature of this debate and the cost of it to Canadian taxpayers. However, it does give us a chance to talk about some of the important elements of the government's work. I am wondering if the member for Winnipeg North could talk a bit more about the dental care plan, because it is one of those areas …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the Oceans Act and the Fisheries Act, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for the proper management and control of fisheries, and the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat. To carry out this broad mandate, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, DFO, supports its minister through co-operation in regional fishe…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the promotion and protection of human rights is a long-standing foundation of Canadian foreign policy. Human rights are essential to Canada’s identity, prosperity and security, and a key component to addressing global challenges. Canada is strongly committed to taking action to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of all, both at home and abroad. This action includes construc…
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