Stephen Fuhr

Madam Speaker, that member knows very well that the foundations of the Canadian economy remain strong. I will give a couple of good examples of that. Foreign direct investment is at a 23–year high. Interest rates remain low. Inflation remains at the Bank of Canada window. Manufacturing numbers are up. Even productivity in Canada is trending in the right direction. Hot off the press: unemployment is down, job creation is up and 20,000 people in my riding will get the groceries and essentials benefit today. We could not be happier.

Madam Speaker, I miss that member. I am happy to see him again. As he knows, the foundations of our economy remain strong. I will repeat them. Foreign direct investment is at a 23-year high. Interest rates remain low. Inflation remains in the Bank of Canada window. Manufacturing numbers are up. Productivity, which has been the boat anchor around our economy for years, is trending in the right direction. Hot off the press is that unemployment is going down. The economy just posted 88,000 jobs. Today, in his riding, as in mine and everybody's in this room, Canadians are getting the groceries and essentials benefit.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, an agreement could not be reached under the provisions of Standing Order 78(1) or 78(2) with respect to the report stage and third reading stage of Bill C-11, an act to amend the National Defence Act and other acts. Under the provisions of Standing Order 78(3), I give notice that a minister of the Crown will propose at the next sitting a motion to allot a specific number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of the proceedings at the respective stages of said bill.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for South Shore—St. Margarets for her advocacy for Nova Scotia's manufacturers, such as Hawboldt Industries. Companies like this prove that advanced defence manufacturing is thriving in rural Canada. Our defence industrial strategy makes procurement a driver of growth. In Atlantic Canada, the sector supports 10,000 good-paying jobs. Through a defence investment agency, at least 70% of our defence spending will focus on generating jobs and investments here at home. That makes work in communities like Chester and allows faster delivery for equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces.

Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 would enable Canada to step up to meet the moment by including $82 billion for defence and security. Here is a fun fact. Stephen Harper's 2009 budget, adjusted for inflation, is actually the biggest deficit budget in Canadian history, with little to show for it. We will take no lessons from the Conservatives.

Mr. Speaker, since this is the first time on my feet in the 45th Parliament, I would like to thank the good people of Kelowna, B.C. for placing their trust and confidence in me and electing me to the House for the second time. Yesterday, the Prime Minister confirmed that Canada will meet its NATO 2% targets this fiscal year, five years ahead of schedule, with an additional investment of $9.3 billion. We are accelerating procurement, modernizing capabilities and ensuring the troops have the tools and equipment they need to protect Canada and Canadians.