Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague often waxes lyrical on this iteration of the Conservative Party of Canada. The current Conservative Party of Canada seems to always want to be able to fit something on a bumper sticker. It is not big on nuance or depth. We saw an example of that not long ago, when the member for Sackville—Bedford—Preston put forward a bill to develop a national strategy for housing f…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, part of the mandate of Veterans Affairs is to honour and commemorate our veterans, not only on Remembrance Day, but also throughout the year, across the country and around the world. The wreaths for parliamentarians program distributes two wreaths to each member of Parliament for use in commemorative ceremonies on Remembrance Day. If anyone needs more than two, they simply need to con…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, there was an awful lot packed into those four minutes. The question on notice was in connection with the wreath program. I am happy to shed some light on that. As much as time will allow, I will try to get into the half a dozen questions on the budget. I want to thank the member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound for bringing to the attention of the House and of veterans their service and sacr…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I can advise the hon. member that Saskatchewan farmers are absolutely a priority for this government. That has been demonstrated by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, who has met with canola producers on several occasions, including with the Prime Minister. The Minister of Agriculture recently travelled to China to meet face to face with senior officials. They agreed to restar…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley for his submission this evening. I see he is basking in the glow of his 18th wedding anniversary and the Grey Cup victory of his favourite team, so that is a good thing. The issue the member raises is an extremely serious one. The agricultural sector is critically important for feeding not only the country but th…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge Lieutenant Colonel Skip Simpson, retired, from the member for Bay of Quinte's office, both for his service to our country and for his service to the constituents in the Bay of Quinte. Budget 2025 indeed represents generational investment in communities across Canada. It also includes $185 million to streamline services for veterans and their families. I call on a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, there is absolutely no doubt that Prince Edward Island is a hotbed for arts and culture. The anchor tenant, if you will, is one that is very familiar to the hon. member, and that is the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Right now it is undergoing an extensive expansion, thanks to investment from the Government of Canada through the green and inclusive community buildings fund. It wi…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Waterloo, who is always way more on top of her game than I am. I am going to be sharing my time with the member for Vancouver Granville. Where I left off, I mentioned that Charlottetown was the location of the national headquarters of the Department of Veterans Affairs. This budget is important in that regard because it speaks specifically to ano…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the budget includes a strategy aimed at strengthening Canada's competitiveness when it comes to fighting climate change and protecting the environment. It includes numerous investments to promote private sector participation in this area. These measures are in the budget. I see this as an important aspect, which, incidentally, was not mentioned in my colleague's question. I have eve…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, we have supported and will continue to support food producers in this country. I think specifically of the supply-managed sectors, of which we have always been ardent defenders. I have tremendous respect for the Minister of Agriculture, who has been going around the world to open up new markets to be able to respond to the pressures that have been applied from the United States. All…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, it is always an honour for me to rise in this place to speak on behalf of the good people of Charlottetown, the cradle of Confederation and the birthplace of our nation. Charlottetown is also the only riding in Canada that has both a small population and a small geography. I will come back to that a little later in my remarks. Another unique aspect of the riding that I am so proud t…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying that a nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members. As parliamentarians, we have an opportunity and an obligation to take bold action to address income inequality in Canada. Day after day, we squabble in this place over who is at fault for the state of health care, food insecurity, criminality and low productivity, but at the …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question,two legal actions were filed against Veterans Affairs Canada related to medical assistance in dying, or MAID, since January 2018. As for part (b), the Department of Justice Canada represents the Canadian government in any litigation matter, and when a settlement takes place, it is common for the terms to be confidential. With respect to part (c)…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes the growing interest in the use of service dogs to support Veterans with physical and mental health conditions as well as offering a range of mental health treatments for various conditions. At present, psychiatric service dogs are not currently recognized under Veterans Affairs Canada’s treatment benefits however Veterans Affairs Canada remains comm…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2024-25 annual report of the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman.
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating you on your much-anticipated ascension to the Speaker's chair. As a former occupant of that lucky seat, as we have talked about many times, it was absolutely bound to happen. It has, and that is a good thing. This is my first time on my feet in this Parliament. I would also like to thank the good people of Charlottetown for sending me back to Pa…
Read full speech →First Session—45th Parliament
Mr. Chair, I wish to start by acknowledging that we are on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin people, who have lived here for millennia. We recognize the enduring presence of first nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in this territory. Decorum, civility and respect for Parliament and the office of the Speaker have declined at an accelerating pace over the last decade. From 2003 to 20…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first petition is from Prince Edward Islanders who are concerned about pharmacare. They point out that health care is a human right and that age, income, pre-existing conditions, province or territory and immigration status should not determine their ability to pay. Petitioners call on Parliament to immediately pass legislation for a public, …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the second petition is on the subject of parental alienation and the use of this pseudo-theory in divorce and child custody cases. This is something that is commonly invoked when domestic violence is reported on the part of a custodial parent. It is an unfounded and dangerous theory, and it sometimes causes courts to lose sight of the best interests of the child and make decisions foc…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 23rd report of the Standing Committee on Health, entitled “Saving More Lives: Improving Guidance, Increasing Access and Achieving Better Outcomes in Breast Cancer Screening”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. In conclusion, I would lik…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on the subject of a basic income guarantee demonstration project in the province of Prince Edward Island. In November 2020, the Special Committee on Poverty in PEI recommended immediate negotiations with the Government of Canada to implement a basic income guarantee demonstration project for Prince Edward Island. This particular idea has the full sup…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am the chair of the health committee, so I can probably give the House a bit of the background on how this report came to be and the present status of the issue before the health committee. I am inclined to agree with the member for Kingston and the Islands with respect to the motivation behind bringing this motion before the House for concurrence today. I agree that it is unfortuna…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Cumberland—Colchester for that speech and his leadership on this issue before the health committee. The public may not know, but the matter that is presently under debate in the House is one that was moved at the health committee in the middle of a study on breast cancer screening guidelines. It was moved pre-emptively, before the study was complet…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, the study before the health committee included nine witnesses, 15 briefs and some heart-wrenching stories, both from witnesses and from members of Parliament, about the impact of this disease on them and their families. There is absolutely no question that this is something that merits the attention of the Parliament of Canada, and in a way that puts forward our best w…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the question may be slightly off topic for the speech and the conversation, but health care is indeed one of the major challenges facing the federal and provincial governments. When I go door to door in my riding, this is the number one issue on people's minds. As I mentioned in my speech, one complex aspect of this issue is the fact that funding for Canada's health care system is sha…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to do that. The minister was as set back and put off by the draft guidelines as just about everyone else. The minister has encouraged the committee to bring forward a recommendation that is along the lines of the pre-emptive motion we are looking at here, but something a little more robust. He is of the view that the draft guidelines should not stand and should be revisit…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 22nd report of the Standing Committee on Health in relation to Bill C‑368, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (natural health products). The committee has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first calls on the Government of Canada to create a national nutrition coupon program fund that would strengthen and grow all existing and proposed provincial farmers' market nutrition coupon programs across Canada.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the second petition emanates from my home province of Prince Edward Island. In November 2020 there was a special committee on poverty that presented its final report to the provincial legislature, calling on the Government of Prince Edward Island to begin negotiations with the Government of Canada with a view to develop and implement a basic income guarantee demonstration program for …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, although progress has been made to reduce impaired driving, it remains a scourge on Canadian society. Every year, hundreds of people are killed and thousands are injured in crashes involving alcohol, cannabis and other drugs. These tragedies are entirely preventable. That is why Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada's annual Project Red Ribbon campaign raises awareness about impaired d…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 21st report of the Standing Committee on Health in relation to Bill C-277, an act to establish a national strategy on brain injuries. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, two years ago today, my region braced as hurricane Fiona made landfall. In the aftermath, we learned that the vicious storm had destroyed homes, reshaped our coastlines and, most tragically, had taken lives. The resilience of Islanders and all Atlantic Canadians became apparent afterwards, as we all came together as neighbours to support each other. On this sombre anniversary, I would…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, over 8,000 Prince Edward Islanders have already received dental care thanks to the Canadian dental care plan and the dental professionals in P.E.I., who worked closely with our indefatigable Minister of Health to improve the program. I wish to recognize the leadership of the Dental Association of Prince Edward Island, including Dr. Mike Connolly and Dr. Matt Shaffner, who always put t…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Health, entitled “Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines.”
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. We know that people in vulnerable situations struggle to find affordable housing that meets their needs. We need to build more homes and make the housing market fairer for everyone. Can the Minister of Veterans Affairs tell us what the government is doing to ensure that Canadians can access safe, affordable housing?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, May is Lupus Awareness Month, and I am honoured to raise awareness for the one in every 1,000 Canadians living with this chronic autoimmune disease. Lupus, sometimes called “the disease of a thousand faces”, is characterized by its diverse symptoms, which makes diagnosing it a complex and lengthy process. Lupus patients struggle with physical and psychological health impediments, impa…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Health, which is in relation to Bill C-64. The committee has studied the bill and decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments. Because of the importance of this legislation and because of the programming motion that referred it to our committee, the level of effort g…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would like to hear from the member about the long-standing tradition of the Conservative Party of Canada standing against renewable energy in the Atlantic provinces. I represent Prince Edward Island. When I first ran in 2011, Stephen Harper was the prime minister. He repeatedly and steadfastly refused to invest in a third cable that would have allowed power to come from Point Lepr…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, my province of Prince Edward Island has saved more than $2 million in out-of-pocket costs since the launch of P.E.I.'s copay program last year. This federal funding for P.E.I. has improved access to prescription drugs and made them more affordable for Islanders. The success of this pilot can be replicated across the country. Could the Minister of Health describe the impact that univer…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am from Prince Edward Island, and we always welcome federal investment. I understand Quebec's concern. Her story is very different from mine. I am convinced that the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec have a good relationship. We need to have some tough conversations. I expect the conversation to be ongoing. I hope that the provincial and federal governments will al…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to the budget implementation act and how budget 2024 impacts the good people of Charlottetown, whom I am proud to represent. I would like to start by congratulating the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister for her hard work in judiciously addressing the most pressing priorities of Canadians while being mindful of spending. We have heard l…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I can assure my colleague that the health committee is more manageable in part because of his presence. With regard to his question on ghost gear, this problem has dramatically increased in our part of the world thanks to hurricane Fiona, so the short answer to his question is yes. This is not the time to be cutting funding for programs to retrieve ghost gear, certainly not on the e…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I will go back to my constituents with immense pride with the investments a confident country makes in its people and the investments a confident country makes in the most pressing challenges of the day. When I go back to my riding and talk about this budget, what people are going to want to know about is health care. That is job one. The answer to that is $200 billion, and I am pro…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports of the Standing Committee on Health. The 17th report is titled “The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board: Ensuring the Effectiveness of the Reform Process”. The 18th report is titled “Fostering Healthy Childhoods: A Foundation for Resilient Generations”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee r…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, the month of May marks MS Awareness Month. Last week, I met with representatives of MS Canada to discuss how we can work together to improve the lives of those living with MS and prevent MS before it starts. For more than 90,000 Canadians, including 1,000 islanders, affected by MS, hope for the future is found in research. It is research that will help us understand the cause, prevent…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, with federal funding and federal leadership, we are changing how cities approve housing projects. With a greater focus on higher density housing, student housing, homes near transit and affordable housing, we are going to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford. Last week, I was proud to represent the Government of Canada at an important announcement in the great …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we know that families are struggling with the cost of living. For parents of young children, the Canada-wide early learning and child care system is helping them return to the workforce while accessing affordable, quality child care. In Prince Edward Island, $10-a-day child care has been available since January 1, and we can already see its positive impacts. Can the Minister of Famili…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today on behalf of the residents of Charlottetown, the birthplace of Confederation, in support of Bill C-59, the fall economic statement implementation act, as tabled by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. These last few weeks, I have had the privilege of spending time in my constituency and having meaningful conversations with residents about the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, this confrontational approach has no place here. It has no place anywhere. It certainly has no place in intergovernmental relations. The model that was used by the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities to urge Charlottetown along to get on board with the housing accelerator fund is one that is going to bear fruit, and it is one that displays a level of respect that is me…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons I am repeatedly told as to why the zoning problem in Prince Edward Island has not been fixed is that the government is intent on a major overhaul of the entire EI system. That, for me, is frustrating, but that would give the chance to solve my problem and the problem identified by the hon. member.
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