Ron McKinnon

Mr. Speaker, when Christine and I sent Katherine and Sarah off on school trips, we waved goodbye and could not wait to hear about their adventures when they returned home. That was the expectation for the parents of Minnekhada Middle School students in Port Coquitlam yesterday. Ten students and two adults on an end-of-year excursion to Cultus Lake Waterpark sustained serious electrical injuries. They were rushed to hospital by ground and air ambulance. They are now in stable condition. To the kids, I say get better soon. They have an entire community pulling for them. To the parents, I say I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety in those moments. No parent expects a call like the one they received yesterday. I want to assure the parents, the children and all those impacted that the whole Tri-Cities community stands with them.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the House that on Friday, April 24, I was arrested by the Coquitlam RCMP. The crime was drinking too much coffee while on House duty. I pleaded guilty. I was cuffed for a cure. Cuffed for a Cure is the lighter side of Cops for Cancer. The harder side is the cycling. Each year, officers across Canada cycle hundreds of kilometres raising funds for life-saving childhood cancer research and supporting families facing the unimaginable. Their commitment reflects the very best of our community: compassion, resilience and a deep sense of service. I encourage all Canadians to support Cops for Cancer and to help ensure that no child faces cancer alone.

Mr. Speaker, next week, residents of Port Coquitlam will celebrate one of our community's most beloved traditions, May Days. Now in its 103rd year, this long-standing celebration of spring brings together neighbours, families and visitors for festivities that reflect the very best of community spirit. From the opening ceremonies this Sunday to the Rotary May Day Parade the following Saturday, May 9, May Days is a reminder of the strong volunteerism and local pride that define our community. I encourage everyone to take part and to enjoy the live music, delicious food and many family-friendly activities that make May Days so special. I encourage everyone to join in celebrating what makes Port Coquitlam such a vibrant place to call home.

Mr. Speaker, Tuesday's tragic events at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School have left a community devastated. My heart is with the families grieving unimaginable loss. I am wishing love and strength to the people who were injured and to the students, staff and residents who are now trying to process what happened. No community should have to experience this kind of violence. I want to acknowledge the courage and professionalism of all first responders, educators and local officials who acted swiftly to protect others and to respond in a moment of crisis. On behalf of Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, I extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected. We stand with the people of Tumbler Ridge, all British Columbians and indeed all Canadians at this heartbreaking time.

Mr. Speaker, Iranian Canadians' hearts ache every day. It is the silence after an email that never delivers, the fear when a loved one cannot be reached and the worry that a simple act of courage will be met with violence. In our communities across B.C.'s Lower Mainland, many are living this reality right now, as they have relatives and friends in Iran facing repression, detention and worse. To them, I want to say clearly, I hear them and they are not alone. We mourn those who have been lost, including the victims of flight PS752, and we stand with families still seeking truth, justice and accountability. I will keep listening to Iranian Canadians, and I will keep pressing the Government of Canada to work with partners to defend human rights and protect our communities here from intimidation and foreign interference.

Mr. Speaker, let me start by acknowledging that Canada's Parliament is located on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people, whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. I am honoured to rise in the House today to speak in support of Bill C-10, an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation. This legislation represents a vital step forward, one that would strengthen accountability, enhance transparency and build trust with modern treaty partners across the country. It would also reinforce our shared commitment to reconciliation and to ensuring that Canada keeps its promises. For too long, there has been a gap between the commitments made in modern treaties and the reality of their implementation. This bill would take a significant step toward closing that gap. By establishing an independent agent of Parliament, the commissioner for modern treaty implementation, Canada would ensure that progress on modern treaty obligations is transparent, measurable and accountable. This is not a symbolic gesture. It is a concrete, practical reform that would support real progress in implementing the rights and relationships enshrined in modern treaties. Our government has made significant policy changes that enable us to conclude treaty negotiations faster and more effectively. As a result, Liberal governments over the past decade have signed or initialled five modern treaties, including, most recently, with the Manitoba Métis Federation in 2024. Right now, Canada's new government is nearing the initialling of six new modern treaties, and we will continue to advance this important work alongside indigenous partners. This bill and the commissioner it would create would build trust, enhance transparency and deliver the results that modern treaty partners have been advocating for. When it comes to modern treaties, we intend to listen to indigenous partners. The commissioner would provide independent oversight of federal activities related to modern treaty implementation, ensuring that progress is visible and its shortcomings are addressed transparently. Through regular reporting and public accountability, Canadians and modern treaty partners alike would have a clear picture of how Canada is meeting its obligations. Accountability is at the heart of this legislation. The commissioner would join a distinguished group of agents of Parliament, officers who safeguard the principles of our democracy, like the Auditor General, who ensures public funds are used effectively; the Privacy Commissioner, who protects Canadians' personal information; the Information Commissioner, who upholds the right to know; and the Commissioner of Official Languages, who defends linguistic rights across federal institutions. Each plays a vital role in strengthening public trust, yet until now, there has been no independent oversight to ensure that Canada fulfills its constitutional obligations under modern treaties. That is the gap this legislation would fill. The commissioner would have full and direct access to the information required to evaluate federal performance, a level of independence on par with other oversight officers such as the Auditor General and Privacy Commissioner. This is the benchmark of openness and accountability, essential to maintaining public confidence and ensuring credible, evidence-based oversight. Transparency is not about blame. It is about clarity, openness and shared progress. When modern treaty partners, Parliament and Canadians can see how modern treaty implementation is progressing, trust grows. Imagine a future where all Canadians can access clear information on where treaty commitments are being fulfilled and where more work is needed. That is what this bill would deliver. Transparency empowers communities, strengthens governance and builds the foundation for a better relationship between Canada and indigenous peoples. Transparency and trust make good governance stronger. They turn promises into measurable progress and ensure that reconciliation is grounded in evidence and results. Reconciliation takes shape through the everyday work of implementing commitments, resolving gaps and fostering trust. This legislation would move reconciliation from aspiration to administration, ensuring that the work of partnership is measured and maintained. Modern treaties are at the core of this journey. They affirm indigenous rights and outline shared responsibilities for the future. However, treaties are only as strong as their implementation. The bill would ensure that implementation will be guided by independent oversight, clear reporting and mutual accountability. By embedding transparency and accountability into our systems, we are advancing reconciliation not just with words but with action. The commissioner's work would complement Canada's commitments under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. These frameworks remind us that oversight and accountability are not obstacles to reconciliation; they are its foundation. What is great about the legislation is that it was co-developed with modern treaty partners. Over 130 indigenous governments and organizations were engaged in shaping this proposal, ensuring the design reflects their experience and priorities. That process has already built trust, and that trust will continue once the commissioner begins their work. As the Tli?cho Government stated, “The Commissioner for Modern Treaty has been decades in the making. This is an exciting moment that our hard work together has paid off, and this important mechanism for accountability and oversight will be established.” Through ongoing engagement and dialogue, the commissioner would ensure that the perspectives of modern treaty partners are reflected in the reviews and recommendations. This is how partnership becomes policy and how reconciliation becomes reality. Modern treaties are much more than legal instruments. They are blueprints for opportunity. They provide a framework for governance, education, infrastructure and economic development. When implemented effectively, they enable indigenous governments to plan long-term, attract investment and create jobs. By improving implementation and accountability, the bill would strengthen those outcomes, not only for indigenous peoples but for all Canadians. Modern treaties contribute to stronger local economies, better infrastructure and sustainable growth. When indigenous communities thrive, Canada thrives. As an agent of Parliament, the commissioner would report directly to Parliament, ensuring independence from political influence. These reports would highlight successes, identify challenges and recommend systemic improvements to ensure better outcomes. This accountability mechanism would serve both Parliament and modern treaty partners, providing transparent information and supporting continuous progress. Accountability is not about perfection. It is about persistence, learning and the courage to adapt. It shows modern treaty partners that Canada is prepared to hold itself to the same standard of responsibility it asks of others. The bill is about accountability, trust and reconciliation in action. It ensures that Canada fulfills not only the letter of its modern treaty obligations but also the spirit, grounded in partnership, respect and shared responsibility. The commissioner for modern treaty implementation would bring independent oversight, greater transparency and meaningful accountability. This is not a cost but a tool that would prevent disputes, strengthen relationships and deliver lasting results. We have made progress, but we know there is more to do. Let us seize upon this opportunity to make reconciliation real, not only with words but with measurable results. The bill strengthens the institutions that uphold reconciliation, not by rewriting the past but by ensuring accountability for the future. By supporting the act, we affirm that transparency and trust are the cornerstones of our shared journey forward. Meegwetch. Qujannamiik. Marsi.

Mr. Speaker, while it is true that existing committees can undertake studies of this kind, many committees do a lot of work on many different things. What is important about this approach is that it is a focus mechanism that is deeply integrated in our relationship with indigenous people and would allow this new agent of Parliament to focus very directly, on an ongoing basis, on matters that are of concern to indigenous partners.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's support for the bill. In terms of what we call it, that is really up to the legislation. I have no objection to his suggestion, but I would suggest that once it, hopefully, passes second reading, this is something that could be addressed in committee.

Mr. Speaker, I have a list here of dozens of indigenous partners that were consulted. In my speech, I mentioned there were 130 organizations and indigenous governments that were consulted. This position of an independent agent of Parliament has been requested by indigenous partners and peoples for at least 20 years. It is critical in being able to focus on the deficiencies in the processes and to make sure that we achieve effective progress going forward.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly agree with my hon. colleague about how important this bill is for all of us, each and every person in this country who benefits from a long-time establishment on former indigenous lands, unceded and unreconciled. We all have a stake in the outcome, and we all have something to offer going forward.

Mr. Speaker, the member mentioned that Parliament's remit is not only legislation but also holding government to account. He mentioned many times the Auditor General. I would remind the member that the role of this new commissioner is exactly in parallel with that of the Auditor General. Its job is to inform Parliament, to make Parliament more able to hold ministers to account and to hold government to account.

Mr. Speaker, the member is concerned that there is no enforcement capability in this agency, while at the same time he is bewailing what he considers the creation of a bureaucracy. I would suggest that if enforcement were incorporated, that would mandate an enormous bureaucracy. In truth, there would be no bureaucracy around the position. This is all about using the bureaucracy of the House of Commons to hold the government to account. The role of the agency would be to be a tool of Parliament so Parliament can be kept informed on an ongoing, live basis of situations that need action and so the House can hold the government to account.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Beauport—Limoilou for sharing his time with me. It is my pleasure to take part in this debate today on Bill C-19, the Canada groceries and essentials benefits act. As we all know, advanced economies around the world are facing complex economic challenges, and Canada is no different. Rising protectionism in the form of tariffs, supply chain disruptions and climate change are all posing significant challenges to the Canadian economy, and Canadians are feeling the impact in their daily lives. In response, our new government is moving Canada's economy from reliance to resilience, but we understand that some of the biggest long-term payoffs in this transformation will take time to be felt. To ensure Canadians have the support they need right now, we have introduced a series of new measures to limit pressures on costs, including making groceries and other essentials more affordable. The bill I am here to talk about today will help more than 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians afford day-to-day essentials. The support will be indexed to inflation and builds on the goods and services tax credit to provide $11.7 billion in additional financial assistance over six years. To help address affordability challenges, the benefit will provide a one-time top-up payment equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST credit. This support will be paid out as early as possible this spring. It will deliver $3.1 billion in immediate assistance to individuals and families who are already getting the GST credit. There is more. In addition, the value of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit will increase by 25% for five years starting in July 2026. This expansion will deliver another $8.6 billion in support over the 2026-27 to 2030-31 period and will ensure the benefit goes to 500,000 new individuals and families. Taken together, these measures will provide up to an additional $402 to a single individual without children, $527 to a couple and $805 to a couple with two children. At these levels, our government will be offsetting grocery cost increases beyond the overall inflation rate since the pandemic. Let me provide a couple of examples of what this assistance would look like. A single senior with $25,000 in net income would receive a one-time top-up of $267 plus a longer-term increase of $136 for the 2026-27 benefit year, for a total increase of $402. In total, this senior would receive $950 for the 2026-27 benefit year, including the top-up. A couple with two children with $40,000 in net income would receive a one-time top-up of $533 plus an increase of $272 for the 2026-27 benefit year, for a total increase of $805. In total, they would receive $1,890 for the 2026-27 benefit year, including the top-up. After the one-time payment is made in the spring of 2026, eligible families and individuals will receive the enriched regular payments under the Canada groceries and essentials benefit as of July 2026. The benefit payments will arrive quarterly to ensure families can use the funds to help with their day-to-day expenses. To simplify this benefit for Canadians, recipients will not need to apply for the additional payments, but will be required to file their 2024 tax return to be able to receive the top-up. Recipients will need to file their 2025 tax return to receive the increased Canada groceries and essentials benefit payments as of July 2026. As we know, this benefit is one example of the many ways we are supporting Canadians during these unprecedented times. It will be in addition to existing benefits, such as the Canada child benefit, the Canada disability benefit and the guaranteed income supplement, which are already providing relief to millions of Canadians. The government is committed to limiting pressure on everyday costs for Canadians. Budget 2025 outlined how we will spend less on government operations and cut waste so we can invest more in growing our economy and protecting essential programs and initiatives that make life more affordable. There are programs and initiatives like the national school food program, which we are making permanent so that it can continue providing meals for up to 400,000 children every year. We are renewing the Canada Strong pass to help families and young people travel and explore Canada for less, and we are launching automated federal benefits that will reach up to 5.5 million low-income Canadians for the 2028 tax year. Bill C-19 also builds on measures we have introduced to lower costs for Canadians and protect essential programs like cutting taxes for 22 million middle-class Canadians, eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes under $1 million, lowering the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million, and cancelling the federal consumer carbon tax. Affordability measures, especially those related to food, require immediate support for Canadians. As previously mentioned, it is estimated that 12.6 million individuals and families would benefit from the new Canada groceries and essentials benefit, representing a material support to Canadians who need it the most while the government's plan to build the strongest economy in the G7 takes effect. The government is focused on building a stronger economy to create more career opportunities and higher wages. In parallel, we are limiting cost pressures to make life more affordable. That is how we will empower more Canadians with greater certainty, security and prosperity, now and into the future. I urge all hon. members to pass Bill C-19 without delay, so that we can ensure Canadians get this much-needed relief as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I would not agree with the causes of the high price for food that the hon. member mentioned. It is more realistic to understand that the high prices for food at this time are due more to tariffs, climate change and things like that. This program is not intended to be a magic bullet that will solve all the problems. This is a program that will help people to weather the storm while our other major undertakings take root and prosper.

Mr. Speaker, I will refer to my predecessor, who answered the question about whether payments are monthly or quarterly. It is a practical matter of getting things out in an efficient and effective manner. In terms of the overall budget that we presented before Christmas, it still has to be passed. It still has to go through all the steps it needs to go through. This is faster. This will allow us to deal with some of the intermediate problems that we are going to face over the coming months in a much quicker way.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that my constituents are very happy with the results that we are producing. I have heard very solid and promising comments from people. They are very excited to see the outcome of the budget when it happens, and certainly, in the interim, to see measures like this take effect.

Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time. I rise today with a profound sense of solidarity and optimism to speak for the tens of thousands of Canadians whose lives and livelihoods are entwined with our nation's softwood lumber sector. These men and women, from the forests to the mills to the communities they support, embody the spirit of Canadian resilience, enterprise and hope. Canada's softwood lumber industry is a foundation for prosperity. It drives rural economies, sustains urban development and represents the best of our collective ingenuity. When the U.S. imposes duties and tariffs that harm this sector, as it has done periodically over the last four decades, it is not just about numbers on a ledger; it is families, futures and dreams that are put at risk. As for my home province of British Columbia, we heard first-hand at the natural resources committee from Kim Haakstad of the British Columbia Council of Forest Industries. We also heard from Andy Rielly of the Independent Wood Processors Association of British Columbia. Both Kim and Andy spoke of the importance of forestry to the economy of our province. In fact, Ms. Haakstad said, “In many towns, forestry isn't just an industry; it really is the community”. This past summer, the United States doubled existing duties and then applied an additional tariff last month. This unprecedented burden is impacting our businesses and communities. It is impacting workers and their families. It is putting Canadians' livelihoods at risk. However, in every region, Canadians have shown their strength and unity, finding ways to support one another, reimagining opportunities and never losing sight of what we can build together. As parliamentarians we are entrusted with the responsibility to defend Canadian workers and ensure our industries have the tools and support required to thrive both in the face of challenge and in times of transition. This government has recently introduced $1.25 billion in programs and measures to help businesses and workers adapt to the impact of these unfair U.S. duties. Funding for innovation, product and market diversification, training, and retraining is aimed at creating new jobs, strengthening local economies and developing skills for the jobs of the future. Our actions are guided by a single principle: no Canadian is left behind. We know that our workers are among the most skilled and dedicated in the world. From forestry professionals to truck drivers and from engineers to entrepreneurs, Canadians in the lumber sector contribute not just to our economy, but to our national identity. Their ingenuity and grit ensure that our forests are managed sustainably, our products meet the highest standards and our communities remain vibrant. Indigenous communities are vital participants and leaders in the forest sector as well. Their stewardship has shaped how we view our environment and our responsibilities as caretakers of the land. This government continues to work alongside indigenous partners, including through joint ventures, resource management initiatives and employment programs, to build inclusive, thriving futures for all. The impact of unwarranted U.S. duties and tariffs on our lumber has been felt far beyond any Canadian sawmill's gates. When a mill closes or downsizes, the effects ripple through local schools, hospitals, businesses and service providers. Every job loss touches lives in ways that cannot be measured in statistics alone. Still, Canadians persevere, standing together, supporting one another and finding new ways to move forward in unity, despite deep frustration and even anger brought on by the United States's decision to impose unjust tariffs and duties on Canadian softwood lumber and additional forest products. This government's response to these unjustified duties and tariffs is not limited to domestic assistance. Canada is vigorously contesting and has vigorously contested the unfair U.S. duties through established mechanisms, challenging them under CUSMA and engaging in legal action in U.S. courts. We remain confident in our legal and diplomatic efforts. At every step, we are guided by our values and by the resolve of the workers and communities we represent. The government is also working to diversify markets, encourage value-added production and promote sustainable forest practices that give Canadian products an edge around the globe. This strategy is anchored in our core values of collaboration, innovation and optimism for the future. The Canadian spirit shines brightest through times of challenge in small towns and big cities—

Mr. Chair, the extraordinary and unjust tariffs that we are facing right now were not actually present during the election. The Prime Minister did negotiate with the United States and, in fact, 85% of our products, in general, are tariff-free. They are covered under CUSMA. Our fundamental problem with the United States and the softwood lumber arrangement is that the United States administration believes that it does not need our lumber. As long as it thinks it does not need our lumber, it puts us in a very bad negotiating position to try to negotiate. The fact is that it is wrong. The U.S. does need our lumber. When it realizes that it does need our lumber, it will sit down with us and talk in good faith. When it is ready to sit down and talk with us in good faith, we will be more than willing and able to do so.

Mr. Chair, I certainly would love to see this resolved under the new version of CUSMA. The fundamental problem, as I mentioned before, is that at the moment the United States administration does not believe it needs our lumber. The President said so back in September. He said, “We don't need their lumber, because we have our own forests.” The United States is wrong. It does need our lumber. Once it starts to realize that, once that percolates into the American economy, the U.S. administration will be able to sit down with us in good faith, and we will be able to negotiate a deal that is good for Canada. We have to be in a good negotiating position in order to make a deal that is good for Canada, and the United States has to make sure the deal is good for them as well. A good business deal is good for both parties.