Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, over one-third of Canadians are hit with NSF fees, non-sufficient funds fees, and those fees can be as high as $50. That is money Canadians could be using to put towards rent, food and other essential items. Can the Minister of Finance tell the House how we are helping Canadians with affordability by capping NSF fees and lowering banking costs?
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians elected a new government with a mandate to build Canada strong. This means investing in our workers, our industries and our supply chains by unlocking new opportunities and investing in our sovereignty. This also means investing in the brave men and women who are members of our Canadian Armed Forces. Can the Minister of National Defence provide an update on what we are doing…
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Madam Speaker, earlier we heard our colleague from British Columbia talk about the importance of approaching these types of projects with a degree of responsibility as opposed to the degree of recklessness that we have seen across the aisle. Can my colleague from Alberta, perhaps in his opinion, identify for us some of those elements that would define responsibility versus recklessness in approach…
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Mr. Chair, it is my pleasure to participate in the debate to highlight how the government is delivering on our commitment to protect not only Canada's automotive industry but also its workers. For decades, the Canadian auto industry has created good jobs for the middle class and stimulated economic growth that benefits all Canadians. It is truly a powerful economic engine. Today's Canadian auto se…
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Mr. Chair, Unifor has endorsed the budget and the actions of this government in ensuring that we are there for workers. When my colleagues talk about getting out of the way, do they understand the impact that has on workers who then feel they are essentially saying they would not be there for workers?
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Mr. Chair, I have been listening to my colleague from Oshawa. My riding is Sudbury. It is a mining town and a union town, with good union jobs and union workers. I know that the member would understand that. When I hear my colleague talk about just getting out of the way, I have to say that union members feel that means you are not supporting them. When you have Unifor that has—
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Mr. Chair, my colleague talked about some of the meetings he has had and the discussions he has had, and I am wondering if in those meetings he met with the Global Automakers of Canada, or the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, or the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, all of which have been supportive of the actions our government has taken toward protecting the jobs in this i…
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Mr. Chair, that question allows me once again to talk about the reaction we have received in the industry. The Global Automakers of Canada, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association and the Automotive Industries Association of Canada are all very supportive of the steps our government has taken.
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Mr. Chair, as a government, it is very important for us to stand up for the industry and Canadian workers. We need to have a strategic plan that addresses both priorities. We need to help not only the industry, but also the workers and to protect jobs that offer so much to a community. That is why our government's plan addresses these two very important priorities.
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Mr. Chair, I actually welcome that question because it allows me to talk about what we have done and the reaction that has received from people who are directly impacted. I will quote Unifor, the largest private sector union in Canada with over 300,000 members: “Building a resilient economy means ensuring that the commitments outlined in the federal budget translate into good, union jobs for Canad…
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Mr. Chair, earlier this evening I talked about being the MP for the riding of Sudbury, which is heavily reliant on mining as its sector, so I understand when a community is very reliant on a particular sector that creates and offers good-paying jobs and the impact it may have in that community when that industry is threatened. In this case, we have heard our Prime Minister often say that we can on…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians support our efforts to diversify Canadian trade. That is why our government is on a mission to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade and to unleash $1 trillion in new investments in Canada. Every door the Prime Minister opens means more opportunities for the businesses in my riding to reach new markets, grow their business and create jobs in Sudbury. Can the Minister …
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Mr. Speaker, northern Ontario has a proud mining legacy. We are known across the globe as a mining powerhouse, and we are ready to lead in the clean economy. The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources visited our region last week, where he saw first-hand the real opportunities that northern Ontario offers to our government's plan to grow our economy. Having major projects from northern Ontario i…
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Madam Speaker, the bill really does speak to being able to heal a community, as well as to holding offenders accountable. Restitution connects that responsibility to repair, and it turns words of accountability into real, tangible action. It is about making criminals pay for the devastation of their crimes in our communities all across Canada. It also helps rebuild trust in the justice system and …
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moved that Bill C‑238, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (restitution orders), be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to speak to my bill, Bill C‑238, an act to amend the Criminal Code with regard to restitution orders. Every day in Canada, community organizations step in to support those affected by crime. They save lives, counse…
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Madam Speaker, I am so glad my colleague asked that question. There is no question that, when it comes to compensation, priority is given to victims and families. This bill in no way changes that priority. That is very important. It simply allows judges to choose more organizations that provide services to the victims of these crimes. The process does already exist. This bill has the potential to …
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Madam Speaker, the question goes to the heart of this very bill, which is to make criminals pay for the crimes and the havoc they wreak in our communities. The bill focuses specifically on human trafficking and drugs because we can see the devastating harmful effects these have had in communities all across Canada. In our downtowns, the opioid epidemics and the numbers of deaths are very clear. We…
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Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Sudbury, mining is in our DNA, and teaching students to explore the many careers in mining has never been more important. This month, over 350 students from across Sudbury participated in the MineOpportunity Challenge, a day filled with learning about our mining industry. From geology and engineering to governance and social responsibility, students from grades 9 to 12…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-238, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (restitution orders). Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand in the House today to present my private member's bill, which is calling for amendments to the Criminal Code in crimes related to drug trafficking and human trafficking. We have all seen the devastating impacts that these crimes have had. The impacts are far-reaching …
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Mr. Speaker, it was interesting when the member talked about natural resources. Certainly, as the MP for Sudbury, the mining capital of Canada and, I would say, the world as well, I know that mining is very important. Critical minerals are of increasing importance as well. The government invested $3.9 billion in the critical minerals strategy, which the member's party voted against. I would be int…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the MP on their first address in the House. I have to tell members that both my parents and grandparents grew up on farms. They were proud farmers. I too have values similar to the ones the member stated. My father repeated to me often that my word is everything. As it relates to Bill C-4, we are offering a tax break for young families trying to buy their …
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Mr. Speaker, Sudbury, like Canada, has everything it takes to be an economic powerhouse: a skilled workforce, abundant natural resources and world-class research institutions. Throughout the campaign, I heard from researchers, innovators and business leaders who wanted to know how the federal government could help them through this period of uncertainty. Can the Minister of Industry tell the House…
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Mr. Speaker, from supporting the wildfire response here in Canada to deterring aggression through our multinational battle group in Latvia, members of our armed forces have continuously stepped up to keep Canadians safe so that we can live in a more secure and peaceful world. For our armed forces members who are separated from their families while on deployment, this can be a hard time of the year…
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Mr. Speaker, our government is introducing a tax holiday for all Canadians, effective December 14, so that they can celebrate the holidays without worrying about additional costs. That means significant savings on food, snacks, children's clothing and much more. However, the Conservative members voted against this tax cut. Can the minister explain to my constituents how this measure can ease their…
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Madam Speaker, families in my riding of Sudbury are worried about the added costs of the holiday season. They are seeing inflation and interest rates come down, but they are not really feeling that in their household budgets or at the cash register. What is the government doing to help families in Sudbury?
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Mr. Speaker, affordability is an important issue for my riding, as it is everywhere else. Workers in Sudbury were happy to hear that they will be receiving a cheque for $250 to support them. Can the Prime Minister tell Canadians what other measures have been announced to support them in the run-up to the holidays?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, last week, the Conservative leader announced that he plans to cut housing projects across the country. He is proposing reckless cuts that will have a devastating impact on the progress Canada has made on housing. Even his own MPs are going behind his back to advocate for funding for their communities. Let us be clear about what is at stake here. The Conservatives' reckless cuts to hou…
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Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is refusing to take our national security seriously. Every other party leader has received their security clearance, but not him. If the Conservative Party leader is unable to grasp the importance of obtaining his security clearance, could the government tell all the other Conservative members why protecting our democracy is important?
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Mr. Speaker, October 1 is recognized as Seniors Day in Canada and all around the world. Today, we celebrate seniors across our country and acknowledge the significant contributions they have made to our families, our communities and society at large. From fighting for our freedoms to building the railroad, highways, schools and hospitals, as well as creating vibrant community centres and gathering…
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Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Standing Committee on National Defence, I hear from experts, members and academics alike about the importance of creating a respectful and professional work environment for the brave men and women of our armed forces. Over the past two years, Canadians have watched as Supreme Court justices Arbour and Fish have put forward recommendations to modernize Canada's milit…
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Mr. Speaker, last month, I had the pleasure of joining attendees for the inaugural Rainbow Connections conference in Sudbury. The conference brought together members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, as well as seniors, older adults, elders and allies from across northern Ontario. It was a chance to celebrate, discuss and learn from each other about how we can do more to support the 2SLGBTQI+ community,…
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Mr. Speaker, today marks the fifth anniversary of the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, a reminder of the deep-seated and systemic violence faced by indigenous peoples. It is a time not only to reflect on the past but also to assess our work towards meaningful change. Can the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations provide an update on the pr…
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Mr. Speaker, when it comes to materials, anything that is not grown is mined. Canada's rich critical minerals resources are a generational economic opportunity. These minerals are the building blocks of clean technologies, from lithium in EV batteries to copper transmission lines and so much more that the world needs to build a prosperous and sustainable future. Our $100-billion mining industry su…
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives voted against the pharmacare act, which outlines our government's plan to provide free medication to Canadians. This bill is an important step in ensuring that every Canadian has access to the reproductive options they deserve and that no Canadian will ever have to ration their insulin again. Can the Minister of Health describe the positive impact this legislation wi…
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Mr. Speaker, Canada has been standing by Ukraine since the start of Putin's illegal invasion. We have provided military support and aid to Ukraine. We are working with our allies and our partners around the world, but we must not forget that this is not the first time Russia has been the aggressor against Ukraine. Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirm our long-term commitment to Ukraine?
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Madam Speaker, in a world where global co-operation and support for the most vulnerable are more critical than ever, the Leader of the Opposition has proposed cuts to what he calls wasteful foreign aid. Can the minister clarify the impact of these cuts on Canada's security, as well as on our standing as a moral leader globally?
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Madam Speaker, kwe kwe, ullukkut, tansi, hello and bonjour. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that Canada's Parliament is located on the unceded traditional lands of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I am thankful for the opportunity to say a few words today as we debate important amendments to the Indian Act, a relic of our colonial history that needs change. I would like to begin by pro…
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Mr. Speaker, as parents, the safety of our children is essential. Too often, children are affected by war. Russia's invasion of Ukraine cost thousands of people their lives and continues to jeopardize children's safety. As the second anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine approaches, can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us what Canada is doing for the children of Ukraine?
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to stand today in support of Bill C-58. On November 9, 2023, we tabled Bill C-58 to ban the use of replacement workers in federally regulated industries during a strike or a lockout. When the Minister of Labour argued his case, he clearly illustrated how resorting to strikebreakers does no good for anyone: not for employers, not for strikers and certainly not for Canadi…
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Madam Speaker, the unions in Windsor have very clearly told us that this is not the case and that the jobs are going to be offered to Canadians and the citizens of our country. This bill is important, because it ensures that these parties are focused on the negotiating table. That is how we will regain stability and certainty in our supply chains and throughout our economy.
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Madam Speaker, I certainly was in Sudbury during that strike, and I will tell members that the legacy of it still haunts Sudburians to this day, as well as people from across northern Ontario. We had colleagues in dispute with one another, and neighbours arguing with each other. We talk about a poisoned work environment; after the strike, when workers returned, the relationship with Vale was not i…
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Madam Speaker, as I mentioned in my remarks, this is probably the largest legislation that we have seen in decades. We need to make sure that we get it right. This would be, indeed, one of the most significant changes to federal collective bargaining that Canada has ever seen. We need to give all parties time to prepare. That is the reason why it would only come into force 18 months after it recei…
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Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry exists in all regions of the country and is also the second-largest employer in rural areas. Forty per cent of tourism jobs are in rural areas. Can the Prime Minister tell the House how the government is supporting the millions of workers in the tourism industry?
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Mr. Speaker, today we remember the 14 young women who were killed at École Polytechnique. On this day, we remember that we must keep working until Canada is free from gender-based violence. Could the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth talk about the work that our government has done to guarantee that a massacre like this never happens again?
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Mr. Speaker, officially titled “An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy”, at its core, Bill C-50 is about including workers in a legislative process that impacts their lives. We recently heard from witnesses during the natural resources committee's study on a fair and equitable C…
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Mr. Speaker, the vitality of rural media is of paramount importance, particularly in minority-language communities. Through its online news bill, the government has signalled its support for Canadian media. Can the Prime Minister inform the House of the progress made in implementing this bill?
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Mr. Speaker, two years ago, the community of Sudbury was stunned by the news that Laurentian University, facing a dire financial crisis, chose to pursue the CCAA process. The results were significant job losses, programming cuts and far too many students' education placed in jeopardy. These losses represent a generational impact to Sudbury. When we met with faculty, unions and members from the com…
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Mr. Speaker, a week ago, the Minister of Labour tabled legislation to ban replacement workers, which is a commitment we made to Canadians in 2021. Since tabling the bill, workers and unions have applauded this historic move, yet 11 days later, the Leader of the Opposition still has not taken a position on the legislation. He has had enough time to study it, so why is he hesitating to support worke…
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Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives offer anger to Canadians, our government offers solutions. Recognizing that rural Canadians everywhere need relief, we have doubled the pollution pricing rebate. We are also working with provinces to make heat pumps essentially free. Homeowners who switch from oil save up to $2,500 each year. This is welcome news for the almost 300,000 people in Ontario, includ…
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Mr. Speaker, this fall, five paramedics from Sudbury and Manitoulin were recognized by the Governor General for their outstanding service. I want to sincerely thank and highlight Annik Thibault-Simard, Gaetan Lagrandeur, Lyndsay Fearnley-Ungar, Shawn-Eric Poulin and Monic Rochon-Shaw. It is an honour to recognize these individuals for their extraordinary service. Paramedics play a crucial role in …
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