Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, ensuring the safety and security of Canadians is a top priority for our government. Indeed, it is a top priority that is shared by all members of the House. Bill C-232 proposes new rules that would require dangerous offenders and those convicted of more than one first-degree murder to spend their entire sentence in a maximum-security environment. The bill maintains that doing so would support public safety. Our government stands with victims and all Canadians who want to keep our communities safe. We understand and appreciate the intent behind the legislation. That said, we believe the approach proposed in the bill has significant shortcomings. Firstly, the bill contradicts the very purpose and principles of the federal correctional system and its mandate to effectively rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders. The vast majority of offenders re-enter society after serving their sentences. The goal is to ensure that they do so as law-abiding, productive members of our communities. Punishment alone does not make our communities safer. We must also focus on rehabilitation. The current Corrections and Conditional Release Act is carefully designed to balance punishment, public safety and the eventual reintegration of offenders. The act is designed to ensure that an offender's transfer to medium or minimum security only occurs when they no longer pose an undue risk to society and where they can be safely managed. All transfer decisions are based on comprehensive professional assessments by case management teams, psychiatrists and security professionals. Bill C-232 would undermine the expertise of our corrections professionals and tie the hands of those responsible for managing these offenders. Maximum-security institutions are, by necessity, highly restrictive environments focused primarily on containment. They offer fewer opportunities for offenders to access the programs required, such as education, domestic violence and substance abuse treatment, and job and skills training, to address their criminality. Based on years of evidence, we know that access to these programs is a proven tool for reforming criminal behaviour. Programs like these are more readily available in minimum-security institutions. By keeping offenders in maximum security longer than necessary, we are preventing offenders with determinate sentences from getting the treatment and skills training they need to re-enter society safely upon their release. In other words, by mandating that offenders remain in maximum security regardless of their behaviour, programming success or reduction in risk, we would, in fact, achieve the very opposite of the stated purpose of the bill. Keeping offenders in maximum-security prisons does not mean that they will never re-enter society. It means that we are failing in our responsibilities to ensure that offenders are effectively rehabilitated and able to safely reintegrate when they eventually re-enter the community. Under Bill C-232, we would, in effect, be less safe because individuals would go directly from maximum security to release into the community without any chance of rehabilitation. Furthermore, limiting access to the programs that offenders require to address their criminality would ultimately make our institutions less safe. It could create increased tension, anger and behavioural issues that would lead to more violence in our prisons. This would also put staff and those who work in these environments at risk. The government is also concerned that Bill C-232 would be likely to exacerbate the experience of indigenous people in maximum security. It would further limit their access to culturally appropriate interventions and programming, as well as conditional releases. Furthermore, the bill would create significant charter concerns because of its application to current inmates and its ability to negatively impact their prospects for conditional release. An offender's classification must be a dynamic process, not a static label that is assigned at the time of their sentencing. Let me be clear: Our government agrees that we need tough sentences for violent criminals. Indeed, when individuals have committed serious crimes, they must serve their time. The bill makes for catchy sound bites and clips, but our responsibility to Canadians is to pursue policies that will actually make our communities safer. Evidence has shown that effective rehabilitation and reintegration programming are an essential part of ensuring public safety. Under the existing system, an offender is placed in maximum security when they pose a threat to the public, to staff or to the security of the institution, and they remain there until their risk factors are mitigated. Objective risk assessments must first prove it is safe before any easing of restrictions can occur. Even then, they occur gradually and are closely monitored. Bill C-232 would make our communities less safe, because it puts political will ahead of evidence of what works most effectively to increase public safety. Canadians deserve better. For those reasons, I urge all members to vote against Bill C-232.

Madam Speaker, when Conservatives vote against affordability measures and then complain about affordability, Canadians see that as disingenuous. What is also disingenuous is when they talk down the Canadian economy while we are trying to find solutions. The U.S. is Canada's largest trading partner. It only stands to reason that we would have the largest impact. We are building Canadian infrastructure using Canadian labour and Canadian materials. We are building trade corridors with other countries. I ask the other party to join us in believing in Canada, in believing in Canadians and in believing in building Canada—

Madam Speaker, what has happened in the last year is that our largest trading partner has put in unfair tariffs against this country. The Conservatives try to pretend that did not happen. The largest impact would be on the largest trading partner, but we have planted the seeds of a stronger economy. We are building Canada strong and building more infrastructure in Canada using Canadian materials and Canadian labour, with more trading partners. Let us allow those seeds to bear fruit. Instead of talking down the Canadian economy, the Conservatives should join us in building Canada strong.

Mr. Speaker, as members may recall, the government made a clear commitment to Canadians to be fiscally responsible and bring discipline to the federal budget. We were also elected with the mandate to spend less on government operations so that we can invest more in workers, businesses, defence and nation-building infrastructure that will grow our economy and strengthen the country. As part of this effort, the government launched the comprehensive expenditure review to meet its commitment to responsible, cost-effective spending that delivers results for Canadians. This review required federal organizations to bring forward savings proposals, to spend less on the day-to-day running of government by targeting programs and activities that are not core to their federal mandate, that are duplicative or that are not aligned with government priorities. Organizations also considered ways to work more efficiently, leveraging existing and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, where it makes sense. Budget 2025, tabled last November, presented the results of this review, which identified savings across government of $13 billion annually by 2028-29. This will include decreasing the size of the public service by approximately 16,000 full-time equivalents. It will also look to reduce 1,000 executive positions over the next two years. The reductions are being managed with fairness and compassion, relying on attrition and voluntary departures to the greatest extent possible. That is why we have the early retirement incentive. Organizations are required to follow established workforce adjustment policies outlined in collective agreements or, in the case of executives, career transition measures. Both set out clear processes and supports for employees who may be affected. In a workforce adjustment situation, there are specific provisions governing how this is done that are co-developed or negotiated with bargaining agents. Indeed, the government is leveraging all available tools to limit involuntary departures. This includes the proposed early retirement incentive, a program that would provide an opportunity for eligible employees to retire without a penalty for early departure. These reductions are being carried out fairly and responsibly, in line with the government's obligations as an employer. They are part of a necessary and major “recalibration” in government spending that will redirect funds to investing in Canada. They are what this moment calls for and an investment in our future.

Mr. Speaker, government is well aware that affordability is the single most pressing issue for Canadians, which is why we focused on delivering targeted support where it matters most. The world is changing rapidly, and not always for the best. It is increasingly fragmented, complex and unstable, and for far too many, it is also more expensive. We cannot control the conflict in the Middle East, the war in the Ukraine or the tariffs that are transforming global trade, but what we can choose to respond to is building the strongest economy in the G7 and providing targeted supports to those who need it most. Over the past number of months, we have supported Canadians with concrete measures to make everyday life more affordable. To make essentials, such as groceries, more affordable, we introduced the Canadian groceries and essentials benefit. This measure builds on the GST credit and will provide additional support for more than 12 million Canadians, starting with a one-time top-up on June 5. Combined with a 25% increase to the benefit over five years, as of July, a family of four will receive up to $1,890 a year and a single individual will receive up to $950. To lower costs for Canadians, we have suspended the federal fuel tax on gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels until Labour Day. This measure is expected to reduce the cost of filling up at the pump by more than $5 on a 50-litre tank. Benefiting more than 25 million Canadians, it will reduce operating costs for truckers and businesses in the food, agriculture, housing and construction industries. We have also lowered the first marginal personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%, providing tax relief for 22 million Canadians. In 2026, this change means savings of up to $420 a person or $840 for a two-income family. More than 6.5 million Canadians can now access affordable dental through the Canadian dental plan. We have also made the national school food program permanent to provide meals for up to 400,000 children each year. This program saves families with two children participating in school up to $800 on groceries. First-time homebuyers are saving up to $50,000 through the removal or reduction of the goods and services tax on eligible new homes. Canadians are now paying less in banking fees as well with the changes that we have made to banking fees in this year's budget. We have also expanded access to low-cost and no-cost bank accounts for Canadians, with up to 50% more debit transactions at a cost of no more than $4 a month. These measures are making life more affordable for Canadians. In the spring economic update, we announced the intention to reduce the contribution rate to the Canadian pension plan base rate from 9.9% to 9.5%, effective January 1 of next year. This was achieved due to the co-operation of all provinces. We look forward to introducing more measures and making life more affordable for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, the opposition party can control certain things. We know what they would do if they ever formed government. They would get rid of the $10 a day child care. We know this because they voted against it. We know that they would get rid of the dental plan, increases to old age security and the school food program because they voted against them. They also voted against reducing taxes for first-time homebuyers. On this side of the House, we are working to make life more affordable for Canadians. We hear a lot of talk from the Conservative party, but we do not see action. The only action we see is voting against programs that would make life more affordable for Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, we are always prepared to look at good ideas, but we are also acting and putting in place measures that really make a difference for Canadians. We could not agree more that Canadians are looking for hope and real solutions. Preparing Canadians for good jobs is a top priority of ours, especially during these challenging times. We are renewing Canada's workforce strong, team Canada strong. It is a $6-billion promise to protect our workforce and our capacity to grow the workforce, because without skilled workers, we cannot meet the moment. That is why, under team Canada strong, we will recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new Red Seal workers in the next five years. This is critical, because within seven years there will be more than 410,000 vacant skilled trades positions across Canada. There is no time to waste. Team Canada strong will expand our union training and innovation program, so that union-run training centres can upgrade their facilities and invest in modern equipment. Small and medium-sized businesses will be supported when they hire new first-year apprentices. The build Canada apprenticeship program will help employers hire and train apprentices, providing them with up to $10,000. Once certified as a Red Seal tradesperson, they will receive a $5,000 completion bonus. The new apprenticeship training grant means that apprentices can receive an income top-up of $400 per week while they are getting technical training. This comes out of a total payment of $16,000 per apprentice. We know that there is more that needs to be done to weather the current storm. That is where the labour market development agreements and the workforce development agreements come in. These represent a $2.9-billion annual investment in training and employment assistance services to help hundreds of thousands of Canadians upgrade their skills and find employment. Our programs help workers complete their studies, build their skills and access opportunities that lead to successful careers. Since 2019, Canada summer jobs has helped more than 600,000 young people find summer employment. This summer, the program will support up to 100,000 jobs for youth between the ages of 15 and 30. All told, we are supporting over 175,000 opportunities for youth and students this year under the student work placement program, the youth employment and skills strategy, and the Canada summer jobs. In 2026-27, the student work placement program will support up to 55,000 work-integrated learning opportunities with employers for post-secondary students. Over 34,000 employers and 420 post-secondary institutions have participated in this program. We are focused on delivering the results that Canadians need and creating the opportunities that will strengthen the economy.

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to hear the member talk about people who do not listen and who are not tuned into the Canadian public and the needs of Canadians. It was the Conservative Party that voted against reducing the tax for first-time homebuyers, making it easier for young Canadians. It was the Conservative Party that voted against $10-a-day child care, making it easier for Canadians. It was the Conservative Party that voted against a reduction in income tax, helping 22 million Canadians. It was the Conservative Party that voted against the Canada child benefit. It is interesting to hear the member talk about people who do not listen. The Conservatives have not listened to the Canadian public on what Canadians need, and vote against every opportunity in this House to make life easier for young Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, you have obviously done a great deal of review on the bill. I will give the member an opportunity to elaborate. You talked about penalty increases and some concern with the size of the increases. The size of the increase, I believe, is to prevent bad intention or bad actors. If candidates, official agents or others are acting in good faith, they have no fear of an increase in the size of the penalty. I want to give you an opportunity to elaborate on your thoughts.

Mr. Speaker, I will start by saying that my riding is one of the ones that will have a name change. Cape Spear is one of the most recognized names in the country. It is a beautiful area. However, it represents part of my riding but not all of it, so the riding name is going to change to Cape Spear—Mount Pearl—Paradise, representing the riding more broadly. The legislation is designed to protect from foreign interference, to protect the privacy of information that political parties collect and to protect against interference, deepfakes and so on, protecting the integrity of our democracy. I am wondering if the member can talk a bit about—

Mr. Speaker, members will recall that the government made a clear commitment to Canadians to bring fiscal discipline to the federal budget. It will spend less on government operations so that it can invest more in areas that will grow our economy and strengthen our country at this critical juncture. As part of that effort, the government launched a comprehensive expenditure review last July to meet its commitment to responsible, cost-effective spending that delivers results for Canadians. The review required federal organizations to bring forward savings, proposals to spend less on day-to-day running of government by targeting programs and activities that are not core to the federal mandate, are duplicative or are not aligned with government priorities. Organizations also considered ways to work more efficiently, leveraging existing technologies where needed. Budget 2025, tabled last November, presented the results of the review, which identified savings across the government of $13 billion annually by 2028-29. The size of the public service grew by over 40% in the last 10 years. It is not sustainable. This will include decreasing the size of the public service by approximately 16,000 full-time equivalents. The budget also announced a commitment to reduce 1,000 executive positions over the next two years. The reductions are being managed with fairness and compassion, relying on attrition and voluntary departures to the greatest extent possible. Organizations are also required to follow established workforce adjustment processes outlined in collective agreements or, in the case of executives, through career transition measures. Both set out clear processes and supports for employees who may be impacted. Workforce adjustment is the process organizations use in the core public administration when it has been determined that a position is no longer required. In a workforce adjustment situation, there are specific provisions governing how this is done that are codeveloped or negotiated with bargaining agents. Indeed, the government is leveraging all available tools to limit involuntary departures. This includes early retirement incentives. This program would provide an opportunity for eligible employees to retire without penalty for early departure. These reductions are being carried out fairly and responsibly and in line with the government's obligations as an employer. They are part of the necessary and major recalibration within government spending that will redirect funds to be invested in Canada and Canadians. They are what the moment calls for, an investment in Canada's future.

Mr Speaker, let me underline that the government is making responsible choices to focus on core priorities that will deliver more effectively for Canadians. This is a transformational time for the public service to revisit how it works, how it can improve services for Canadians and how it can build the future for Canada. The government is committed to managing the reductions to its workforce with fairness and compassion. The workforce adjustment process is one way we are doing this. The early retirement incentive program, introduced in budget 2025, would also help further reduce involuntary departures subject to criteria that is set by Treasury Board should it be approved by Parliament. Through the comprehensive expenditure review, the government is making responsible choices for Canadians to focus on core priorities and deliver more effectively for Canadians.

Madam Speaker, this is an important bill. I know the importance of the cod fishery to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, in particular the food fishery and the commercial fishery. Balancing those two is challenging, and my colleague, the Minister of Fisheries, is doing a good job in this very challenging portfolio. The food fishery and the economy is an important balance. We have seen, because of the scientific-based management of our cod fishery, our commercial fishery reopen this past year. This was significant. There are communities in my riding with fishers who rely on this income. They rely on the commercial fishery to make a living and to sustain their families and communities. One of the biggest challenges with this bill, as I see it, is the fees that it would put on the people in our province taking part in the food fishery. I want to remind individuals that last year there was no licence requirement, no licensing fee and no reporting requirement for the food fishery. The individuals were to follow the rules, be safe and fish for food. Under this Conservative tax-on-food bill, we would see a forced mandatory licence. It is written right into the bill. Individuals would have to pay a fee to cover the cost of this bill and to report every fish they catch. We hear Conservatives talking about the boogeyman, the unseen tax on food. This would put a tax on food by the requirements outlined in the bill itself. Meanwhile, our government is providing tax relief for individuals across the country while looking to grow our economy. The commercial fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador is vital to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. I hear my constituents talk about changes in the food fishery and how they would like to see greater access. They would like to see real consultation, because this bill had no consultation. I have not heard anybody in my riding talk about wanting this bill. In fact, it is quite the opposite. People in my riding, commercial fishers, have said they are very concerned about this bill. Real consultation is what the Minister of Fisheries has done in opening up a consultation process on what the future of the food fishery looks like. She has heard from almost 10,000 people and received submissions from people in Newfoundland and Labrador, who put forward their thoughts and recommendations for what the food fishery should look like. That is consultation. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador were not consulted about this bill. Commercial fishers are very concerned about this. Instead of looking at cod as a species, this bill would treat the fishery differently and as a one-size-fits-all, which is dangerous. We finally have our commercial fishery reopened, and it is because of sound management of the fishery and of our fish stocks. We cannot go backward. We cannot risk the commercial fishery for the generations of the future.

Mr. Speaker, the hero I want to recognize today would look to most like an ordinary person with success in his professional life. He was instrumental in bringing the real estate association and the multiple listing service to St. John's. He served as president of the board and was its longest-serving member at 56 years. He also served as a director for the Canadian Real Estate Association and as a city councillor in St. John's, and he was sworn in and served as a Canadian citizenship judge. He was the recipient of an organ donation and survived cancer, although that is back. However, these things are not what makes him a hero. He has been the soulmate to his wife of 64 years and a loving father and grandfather. His cape has been wrapped around his family. He is our hero. My dad's journey with his family is meaningful, and even though he has health challenges, he has the strength and smile of a hero.

Mr. Speaker, I am presenting petition e-6492 on behalf of the over 1,000 Canadians who have signed the petition. They are asking that we ensure Canadians suffering from pancreatic cancer, especially those in smaller provinces, get the care they need. The petition was first authorized by my predecessor, Seamus O'Regan, but fell short by about 100 signatures. The focus of the petition is to ensure equity across provinces, access to molecular testing and clinical trials, and the creation of a national guideline for pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Speaker, the strategy includes incentives for Canadian automakers, and it also includes a focus on attracting other automakers to build cars in Canada. While we heard the Conservative Party saying that this will provide incentives for luxury American cars, my understanding of the strategy is that it is capped at $50,000 for imported EVs and that there is no cap for Canadian-manufactured EVs, but many of the parts for American-made EVs are made by Canadians in Canadian plants and factories. We need to support those workers in Canada as well. If we did not, I suspect that the Conservatives would criticize us if those shut down. Can you speak to that?

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian parts that are made for the EVs in the United States are vitally important to the Canadian economy. Those jobs are vitally important to the Canadian economy. Unlike what the questions put forward by the opposition imply, that we are supporting American vehicles, we are supporting Canadian jobs and Canadian automakers with what is in the strategy, and we are focused on bringing other automakers to Canada. With a world that is moving further and further toward EVs, attracting companies to come to Canada to build these vehicles will also be important. I would ask the member if she can speak to how we are protecting Canadian jobs, with the parts that are made in Canada.

Madam Speaker, first of all I would like to thank the public servants across Canada for helping us deal with the issues that Canadians and our country are dealing with in these uncertain times. I will say that the public service has grown by over 40% over the past decade. We are focused on delivering better, faster services for Canadians. Part of that is ensuring that we also bring our public service to a sustainable level so that the taxpayers across Canada get the services they require but at the price they are looking for.

Mr. Speaker, every time the government puts in place a policy or program to make life more affordable for Canadians, the Conservative Party votes against it. They voted against early learning and child care. They voted against the dental program. They voted against the school food program, which they do not support. In fact, they called it “garbage”. They voted against reducing taxes for 22 million Canadians. They voted against reducing taxes for first-time homebuyers. Instead of complaining that things are tough, why do they not join us in making things easier?

Mr. Speaker, at every opportunity the opposition members had to make life more affordable for Canadians, they failed. They voted against more affordable early learning and child care, against lower taxes and against eliminating the tax on new home purchases. They have failed Canadians at every opportunity. Where are the common-sense Conservatives? One member is here, and two members are behind the curtains.

Mr. Speaker, we live in an increasingly divided and dangerous world. We need to defend our people. We need to defend our values, our borders and our sovereignty. We need to be a strong and reliable partner for our allies. This is the largest investment in national defence in decades, and while the Conservatives voted against a pay raise for our Canadian Armed Forces and an increase in national defence spending, we supported our Canadian Armed Forces and will build them strong. We will build Canada strong because we believe in Canada.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for the accession of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the CPTPP, to include the United Kingdom. This is not a matter of just adjusting a trade framework or fine-tuning an international treaty; this is a decision with direct impacts on the people, businesses and communities of Canada, particularly in my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In supporting this agreement, I want to highlight what it truly means for my province, in particular the seafood sector, which forms the backbone of many coastal communities, the economy in those communities and our crucial identity. Newfoundland and Labrador has long drawn its strength economically, culturally and historically from the sea. Our relationship with the ocean is not just transactional, but foundational. For generations, our fishers, processors and exporters have built a reputation of delivering world-class seafood, from crab and shrimp to halibut and beyond, harvested from the cold, clean waters of the North Atlantic. These products are not just goods on a ledger; they represent the life work of thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. They support families, drive small business and sustain coastal communities that rely on fishing-related activities to survive and thrive. In 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador was Canada's third-largest fish and seafood-exporting province, with exports valued at $1.4 billion, representing 117,000 tonnes of high-quality seafood. This is why trade agreements like the CPTPP and strategic decisions like the U.K.'s accession matter so deeply to my province. Let us talk about what the agreement does in practical, tangible terms for seafood producers and the sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. Under the agreement, tariffs on key seafood exports are either immediately eliminated or significantly reduced. These tariff changes are not small adjustments, but real competitive gains for our producers. They translate to lower costs, better margins and stronger competitiveness. They help our businesses grow, hire and reinvest. They ensure that our seafood products can enter high-demand markets on an equal footing with global competitors. This is critical, because over 80% of Newfoundland and Labrador's seafood production is destined for export. Our economy depends on access to reliable, fair and open markets. This speaks directly to our government's broader commitment to expand and diversify Canada's trade footprint. The Prime Minister has made clear that our future prosperity depends on looking beyond traditional markets, and Canada must work to double our non-U.S. exports over the next decade. For our province, this means ensuring that products like crab, shrimp and halibut have a clear path to new consumers across Asia and Europe. The CPTPP is not an abstract policy or an academic exercise. For the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, it is a concrete, actionable opportunity to support sustainable industries, protect jobs and build long-term prosperity. In today's uncertain global environment, our exporters and fishers need more predictable trade conditions. This agreement provides that. It offers a rules-based system, with care obligations and fewer surprises when it comes to tariffs, regulations and market access. By operating under this agreement, our seafood exporters face less risk and enjoy greater certainty, allowing them to make better investment decisions, plan ahead and become more deeply integrated into a global supply chain. This is about more than balance sheets. It is about the future and the future prosperity of coastal communities in my province: sustainability, the stability of small business owners and the well-being of workers and families whose livelihood depends on the sea. I will turn to why the United Kingdom's accession into this agreement makes this already valuable agreement even stronger for Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as for Canada. The U.K. is not a stranger to us. It is a country with which we share deep historical, cultural and economic ties. Many of our exporters already have long-standing relationships with the U.K. Formalizing the U.K.'s place in this agreement would offer us three major strategic advantages. The first advantage is expanded market access and opportunity. With the U.K. becoming part of this agreement, businesses from the U.K. would now operate under the same high-standard trade rules as their Asia-Pacific counterparts. This means that Canadian exporters, including those in Newfoundland and Labrador, would gain dual access. On one side, we have Asia-Pacific markets, such as Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Australia; on the other side, we have enhanced access to a major European economy that links directly into the broader global economy. This dual market strategy increases opportunity while decreasing dependency on any single trade corridor. The second advantage is strengthening the rules-based system. The inclusion of the U.K. boosts the prestige, credibility and reach of this agreement. When major economies commit to a high-standard agreement, it strengthens the foundation on which all member countries operate. This is especially important for my province and the seafood exporters who rely on transparent, consistent and fair trade rules, not just to compete but to flourish in a market in which sudden tariff shifts or other barriers can have impacts. With the U.K. involved, we would not just expand the agreement's scope; we would reinforce its core values of sustainability, fairness and openness. The third major advantage is diversification of export risk. Our province is already heavily dependent on export markets, but concentration brings risk. If we rely too much on just one or two regions, any disruption can have outsized effects on our businesses and workers. The U.K.'s participation offers the enhancement of a critical pathway to spread and manage that risk. It would provide an improved channel to markets. It would reduce our vulnerability and open new doors for collaboration, investment and expansion. To put it in practical terms, for a Newfoundland crab or shrimp processor who already sells to the U.S. and Japan, with the U.K. now part of this agreement, the same business would gain another avenue to the U.K. market along with our bilateral trade continuity agreement and potentially, through the U.K., supply chains to even more markets. This is a strategic advantage, one that would strengthen our seafood industry for the long term. This approach is exactly in line with the Prime Minister's vision for a more resilient and outward-looking Canadian economy. By pursuing new partnerships and deepening existing ones, our government is laying the groundwork for a trade future that is more secure, more sustainable and more diverse than ever before. The U.K.'s accession to this agreement would be a strategic move for the next generation of Canadian trade. It would demonstrate that Canada is serious about building resilient, high-standard and inclusive trade networks to build Canada strong.

Madam Speaker, there is ongoing discussion not only in terms of the U.K. but also in terms of Asian markets, Indonesian markets and Mexican markets. There is ongoing discussion because the Prime Minister is committed to doubling the amount of export outside the U.S. and into other areas of the globe. This is important for Canadian companies, for Canadian producers, for Canadian workers and for Canada’s economy. I have great confidence in the Prime Minister and the ongoing dialogue with many countries around the world that will build Canada strong.

Mr. Speaker, what the Prime Minister, government and cabinet will be doing is building 500,000 homes across Canada, which will improve the efforts of our forestry sector and softwood lumber providers. We are building trade corridors with many other countries, which will include our softwood lumber and forestry sectors. We are working to improve Canada's economy and Canada's trade corridors so that we are less reliant on the United States.

Mr. Speaker, it is important. The Prime Minister's legacy will be building a stronger economy, one of the strongest in the G7. His goal is for us to have the strongest economy in the G7. This means becoming less reliant on the United States and building trade corridors with other countries. It means using our own materials within our country, such as building 500,000 homes for Canadians while using the materials within Canada and our own labour sources to build Canada strong.

Mr. Speaker, the new Prime Minister has taken an approach of reaching out globally. Even before agreements are reached, trade with Europe and Africa is up, exports with Central America and South America are up, and trade with Asia and the Middle East is up. Trade is down with the U.S.; there is no doubt, but that is a condition that is hard to control. Are the Conservatives the only people in Canada not seeing the news?

Mr. Speaker, today marks the seventh annual Canadian Beer Day, a day to celebrate Canadian beer and our world-class brewers, large and small, that brew from coast to coast to coast. Celebrated each year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Canadian Beer Day brings Canadians together to celebrate the economic, social and cultural contributions of brewing across this country. Canadian beer is more than just a refreshing beverage; it is part of who we are as Canadians. This day is a toast to the family farmers growing the finest barley in western Canada, to the proud breweries of my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador and to the maltsters, warehouse workers, truck drivers, retailers and bartenders who bring it from field to glass. Our brewers are at the heart of our communities, large and small, urban and rural. Together, they directly employ 24,000 Canadians and support more than 149,000 jobs across the beer value chain—

Madam Speaker, first of all, let me commend the member opposite. I actually enjoyed his comments. There are fewer than 350 of us here. When I was in the provincial legislature in Newfoundland and Labrador, I always said, as minister, if somebody asked me a real question, they would get a real answer, and if they asked me a political question, they would get a political answer. The member's speech was a real speech. The member talked about the issues. We may agree or not agree regarding the issues, but the member spoke to the issues and he spoke with heart. I wanted to commend the member on his speech. In fairness to the Prime Minister, we have to give him time. We have been here as a government for under six months. The motion of the wave of what is happening is not only happening in Canada. It is happening in other countries as well. We see inflation and the cost of living going up in several countries around the world. I have not been there since last year, but last year I was in Florida, and the price of groceries in Florida, for example, has gone up exponentially. I say to give the Prime Minister a chance. The budget is coming on November 4. Let us see what is in there.

Mr. Speaker, Main Estimates 2025-2026 includes netted revenue projections of $15.6 billion for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The “2025–26 Budgetary Expenditures by Standard Object” table, found at https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/planned-government-spending/government-expenditure-plan-main-estimates/2025-26-estimates/budgetary-expenditures-standard-objects.html, shows planned expenditures for each organization in the main estimates, broken down by type of expenditure. The table also provides projections of netted revenues for each organization. Additional information on planned expenditures and revenues is available in the 2025–26 departmental plans, found at https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/planned-government-spending/reports-plans-priorities/2025-26-departmental-plans.html.

Mr. Speaker, the people of my riding sent me here to get a job done. They sent our government here to get a job done. Let me be crystal clear: This government has been focused on getting the job done. We have delivered a middle-class tax cut that will support 22 million Canadians. Housing is another area where Canadians asked us to be decisive and act quickly, and this government delivered targeted, ambitious measures to support first-time homebuyers. We are supporting purpose-built rentals, unlocking public lands and cutting red tape to get shovels in the ground faster. When it comes to the business of Parliament, this government is showing what responsible leadership looks like. We have passed main estimates. We have passed supplementary estimates. We have funded what needed to be funded. We did it with transparency and we did it efficiently. Now, we are moving forward with one Canadian economy, which is a transformative piece of legislation to strengthen our economic union. We are streamlining interprovincial trade so we can build a more productive, more competitive economy that works for every region of Canada. We are breaking down barriers so we can build up the Canadian economy. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this means better access to markets, more efficient regulations and a more unified approach to energy development, infrastructure and workforce mobility. We are building one economy for all Canadians. It is time to get to work; this is what the public wants us to do. This is what we as parliamentarians have been sent here to do. If we respect the will of Canadians, we will put petty politics aside and focus on getting things done for Canadians. Look at what we have accomplished in a matter of just a couple of months. We are not just talking, we are acting. We are not just promising, we are delivering. I will say this with confidence and conviction: we are only just getting started.

Mr. Speaker, I will remind the member it is Newfoundland and Labrador. As I said in my previous statement, we have hit the ground running and we are not wasting a single moment in delivering for Canadians. We have cut taxes for the middle class. We have launched bold measures for first-time homebuyers. We have passed main estimates. We have passed supplementary estimates. Now, we are well on our way with the one Canadian economy act, legislation that would build a stronger, more unified economy from coast to coast to coast. Numbers speak for themselves. The Prime Minister is 65% in the polls. The only thing that has not changed in this Parliament is the petty politics of the opposition.

Madam Speaker, I am honoured to stand before this Parliament to outline the government's spending priorities for the fiscal year 2025-26. Today, I will speak to the 2025-26 main estimates and provide an overview of supplementary estimates (A), 2025-26. Together, these documents outline how government plans to invest in Canadians while meeting the challenges as well as the opportunities that lie ahead. Before getting into the details, I recognize that the process behind the government's financial reporting cycle may not be well known to all members in the chamber, especially so soon after the general election. Therefore, I will take a moment or two to provide some information to my hon. colleagues, as well as those watching at home. Each year, the government prepares detailed spending plans known as the estimates. These are a series of reports that provide details on how each department plans to spend public funds on programs and services. There are approximately 130 federal organizations that are required to undergo this process. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat gathers all of these planned expenditures into a document called the main estimates, which is tabled in the House of Commons at the start of the year by the President of the Treasury Board. When departments are in need of funds outside of the main estimates, they go through the supplementary estimates. Supplementary estimates might include funding for new programs or responses for urgent requests or an unforeseen situation, such as a natural disaster, or they could be items that were not fully developed in time to be included in the main estimates. There are three supplementary estimates tabled in the House at different times throughout the year. The supplementary estimates (A) are tabled in the spring; the supplementary estimates (B) are tabled in the fall; and the supplementary estimates (C) are tabled in the winter, as required. I will turn to some of the highlights of the 2025-26 main estimates. In these main estimates, the government is seeking approval for key investments and priorities like the Canadian Armed Forces, health services for first nations, dental care, border services and immigration, veterans benefits and housing. In total, this year's main estimates present $486.9 billion in budgetary spending. Transfer payments to provinces and territories, other organizations and individuals account for over 60% of spending, equalling $294.8 billion. These transfer payments reflect increases in benefits for the elderly, the Canada health transfer and the Canada disability benefit. Approving the main estimates would allow the government to support programs, activities and services for Canadians and Canada, from national security, defence and border security to reconciliation, housing and veterans benefits. For example, $33.9 billion in voted funding is proposed for the Department of National Defence. This includes funding to support our women and men in uniform through military procurement, building sustainable bases, improved IT systems and infrastructure. It would also be put toward recruitment efforts to encourage more Canadians to find a rewarding career in the military, so we can actually make that career rewarding. Another vital issue is Canada's relationship with its indigenous peoples, where true reconciliation requires concrete action. That is why the proposed spending for the Department of Indigenous Services and the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs includes investments in capacity building to support self-determination, as well as on-the-ground support to improve health outcomes and to support children and their families and education. I would like to take a moment to speak about the supplementary estimates (A), 2025-26, which were tabled on June 9. Canada is at a pivotal moment in its history, and we need the resources to protect our country and citizens against foreign threats. Through these supplementary estimates (A), the government will do just that. Canada's defence begins with a clear vision: to be strong at home, secure in North America and engaged throughout the world. To that end, the government is moving quickly to ensure that our military has the tools to defend our country and continent, while remaining an engaged and reliable partner to our allies. The supplementary estimates (A) propose spending of $9 billion in incremental budgetary spending for two organizations: the Department of National Defence and Communications Security Establishment Canada. This spending would provide key investments in Canada's defence and security capabilities to enhance Canadian Forces retention, recruitment and training, and equipment. It would also support our international defence partnerships and obligations. I would now like to speak to some of the specific investments. For example, for the Department of National Defence, there is $2.1 billion to allow it to accelerate the recruitment of new members in both the regular and reserve forces. This will make sure the Canadian Armed Forces has the personnel it needs to respond to threats at home while engaging meaningfully abroad. This would also allow it to increase its capacity to provide training, reinforce retention of existing members and improve health services to its members. The Department of National Defence is also requesting another $2.1 billion to improve partnership with industry. This means enhancing our Canadian industry's ability to provide critical support to the Canadian Armed Forces, focusing on both immediate needs and projects that can be advanced quickly. This would help move forward the government's efforts to strengthen Canada's defence industrial base, boost made-in-Canada production and drive new innovation in vital sectors. This means real benefits and new opportunities for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. To support these efforts, this investment would also be used to lay the groundwork for a defence industrial strategy. This is about more than just protecting our country. It is about creating good jobs, growing our economy and ensuring a secure and prosperous future for Canadians. Let me also mention the $2 billion being requested to support Canada's extended co-operation with our international partners. Global safety and security can only be possible by working together with our allies around the world. I would like to note the importance of the Arctic. Over 40% of the Canadian land mass lies within the Arctic, including 75% of our coastlines, but Canada can no longer rely on its geography and oceans for protection. Climate change is melting our glaciers, and competitors are building up their military and cyber-capabilities. Today's rapidly shifting and increasingly challenging geopolitical environment requires more lines of effort than ever before to defend Canada, more co-operation with allies and partners, and more focus on asserting our presence in the north. To that end, the Department of National Defence is seeking $1 billion to help support its strategic military capabilities, with a focus on the Arctic. Among the initiatives to be supported are joint support ships, an undersea monitoring and surveillance system, Arctic over-the-horizon radar and long-range artillery. In addition, the Department of National Defence is requesting $834 million for procurements such as defence equipment, personal gear, technology, infrastructure maintenance and essential services. This funding would also support modernization of range and training infrastructure and the expansion of ammunition infrastructure, as well as preventive and corrective maintenance on the department's real property portfolio. Finally, Communications Security Establishment Canada and National Defence are partnering on a request for $550 million. This would bolster Canada's cyber-capabilities, support greater interoperability with our allies, better equip Canada to counter the full spectrum of cyber-threats, and enhance network infrastructure, information management, connectivity and data storage. As parliamentarians, our job of exercising oversight on Government of Canada spending is one of the most important roles we play on behalf of all Canadians. It is crucial to maintaining trust in government, the proper functioning of our government and the integrity of our parliamentary democracy. The Government of Canada is committed to delivering essential services to Canadians and to helping the country meet the challenges and the opportunities that lie before us. I encourage all members to authorize the spending outlined in these estimates and to help Canada move forward, strong and free. Before I accept questions from members, I will warn them my wife is in the gallery and my parents are watching.

Madam Speaker, I think that is the best question so far tonight. We have an increase in health care spending. We have an increase in spending for seniors. There is the tax cut that the member talked about, making homes more affordable for first-time buyers and for Canadians. The one Canadian economy would tear down barriers and build up the economy across the country. We have almost 22 million Canadians who would see a benefit with the tax break. Not only are we making life more affordable, but we are creating the economic conditions to strengthen our economy.

Madam Speaker, the $2.1 billion is part of a larger spending package, as I outlined in my remarks tonight, for the Canadian Armed Forces. There are a number of areas, which I outlined in my remarks tonight, where we are investing in the Canadian Armed Forces with increased spending to ensure that they have the equipment, that they have the respect and that we actually recruit people to the Canadian Armed Forces and they see it as a rewarding career. We want to ensure that we, as parliamentarians, as a government and as a country, ensure that it is a rewarding career, and that, after service, they have the supports that they require.

Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister and our government, during the election campaign, committed to build up to 500,000 homes a year, to make homes more affordable for Canadians across the country, to bring down prices because of supply and demand, and to ensure that homes become more affordable for Canadians. We have talked about premanufactured homes as part of that. I know the government has talked about using surplus government properties to create housing. There are a number of ways that we are able to approach making housing more accessible and more affordable for Canadians.

Madam Speaker, the tax cut would provide about $800 per working couple or family, making homes more affordable for first-time homebuyers, strengthening the economy and lowering the cost of products and services by breaking down barriers across the country and making products more accessible to Canadians. It would also create jobs because of Canadian-made and Canadian-supplied products being more accessible across the country, due to having one Canadian economy as opposed to 13.

Madam Speaker, I am not ashamed to admit when I do not have an answer to a question; we can get that answer for the hon. member in due course. What I will say is that the Liberals will provide opportunities for graduating students throughout the country by increasing employment, by building the economy and making it stronger, and by providing the opportunities to keep Canadians at home in Canada to help strengthen our Canadian economy and build our populations.

Madam Speaker, the hon. member is a great orator. I enjoy listening to him. I am going to learn French, and I commit to that so that I can listen to him without an interpreter. The Conservatives say we are not going far enough with oil and gas, and the Bloc is saying we are going too far with oil and gas. We are trying to build up the Canadian economy. The hon. member just said this is a tired, old government. We have a new Prime Minister, and we have been criticized in the House for going back and changing some of the decisions the previous administration made. Does the member agree with the new decisions and new direction this government is taking? Canadians voted for it.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard a number of people on the other side today talk about how it is the “same old government”. That is not, in fact, the case. This government was judged in the court of public opinion, and we got more seats. I would say it is the same old opposition. The Conservatives lost their leader as the choice of the Canadian public. What are you doing differently to earn the confidence of the general public of this country?

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a significant milestone for North Atlantic, a proud Newfoundland and Labrador energy company, with its planned acquisition of established energy assets in France. North Atlantic has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a controlling interest in Esso SAF and full ownership of ExxonMobil Chemical France, developing a green energy hub of low-carbon fuels and renewable power. This planned investment will strengthen our province's growing connections with Europe and enhance our energy security. North Atlantic's commitment to sustainable local growth is clear through its wind-to-hydrogen project, expansion of its transportation and retail operations, and plans for a green energy hub to export green energy to Europe. These initiatives will create opportunities for our people, our communities and our economy. Newfoundland and Labrador companies are not just participating—