Zoe Royer

Mr. Speaker, Anmore and Belcarra sit at the very edge of metropolitan Vancouver. On one side are hundreds of acres of remote forest and on the other side, over three million people. These two villages are a critical first line of defence against wildfire reaching B.C'.s urban Lower Mainland. On August 5, that risk became real when a fire broke out in Anmore. The Sasamat volunteer fire department, Port Moody Fire Rescue, metro Vancouver and the BC Wildfire Service responded quickly to contain it. I am working very closely with Anmore, Belcarra, metro Vancouver and my federal colleagues to advance the fire infrastructure these communities desperately need, because we are only as strong as our weakest link and in an emergency, seconds save lives. I thank the first responders across Canada who protect our communities from wildfire. Their service and commitment are deeply appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, over the past three weeks in Port Moody—Coquitlam, I have been truly inspired by remarkable young people. I met students at the Youth Leadership Society of B.C.'s Model UN, the HanaTV youth press corps and the Steps Together Foundation public speaking contest, young people who were debating human rights and diplomacy, learning journalism and finding the courage to use their voices. I also had the honour of meeting members of the 754 Phoenix Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and hearing the remarkable Port Moody Youth Symphony Orchestra. These opportunities do not happen by accident. They are built by founders, mentors, families and leaders in every field who pour their hearts into helping young people grow and lead. This gives me great hope for Canada.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports: the Canada-China Legislative Association 25th bilateral meeting, in Ottawa, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia, from December 1 to 3, 2025; as well as the Canada-China Legislative Association co-chairs' annual visit to China, in Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China, from March 16 to 20, 2026.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Bill C-16, because safety in Canada is not a privilege, but a fundamental right. Intimate partner violence isolates people in fear and in silence. It erodes dignity and weakens communities, and it calls on every single one of us to respond with clarity and resolve. We are also seeing a rise in harassment, including online. Too many people are experiencing it, especially women. Each of us deserves to feel safe at home, at work and in public life. Bill C-16 would move us forward. It would reinforce something fundamental, which is that in Canada, safety, dignity and respect must be upheld for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a British Columbian to express my deepest sympathy for the people of Tumbler Ridge. Innocent lives were lost in an unimaginable tragedy that has shaken a small and deeply connected community to its core. To the families, friends, classmates, teachers and first responders, I say that they carry a heavy burden of grief that is almost impossible to bear. Nothing can replace the beautiful lives that were taken. They matter, and they will never be forgotten. In this country, when tragedy strikes one community, it touches us all. Canadians do not turn away. We draw closer. We stand together. We support and love one another. That is who we are, and that is what it means to be Canadian.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of national Kindness Week and the 20th anniversary of Real Acts of Caring, founded by educator Harriette Chang. What began in 2005 as a simple idea led by young students has grown into a lasting movement rooted in Canadian values and a belief that kindness, practised with intention, can strengthen entire communities. Today, Real Acts of Caring has expanded beyond School District No. 43 and across B.C., Canada and the world. Each year, students and families take part through genuine acts of caring, supporting food banks, helping neighbours, sharing books and showing up for others without expecting anything in return. I invite everyone to take part in national Kindness Week and keep the spirit of caring alive.

Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 is about building a stronger, more resilient Canada with an economy by Canadians and for Canadians. As we look at the world around us, it is clear that we are at a hinge moment. Global uncertainty is rising, supply chains are shifting, technology is accelerating and countries everywhere are choosing whether to retreat or to step forward. Canada chooses to step forward. Budget 2025 would strengthen our sovereignty, accelerate interprovincial trade and position Canada to become its own best customer, making our supply chains, our industries and our workforce more resilient and more competitive. Today, I want to speak directly to issues that my constituents in Port Moody, Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra care about. This budget is much more than numbers on a page; it is homes, jobs, affordability and opportunity right here in my community. The first thing is housing. The housing crisis is hitting families hard in the Tri-Cities. In Coquitlam, young families are struggling to find homes they can afford. In Port Moody, seniors want to downsize without leaving the community they love. In Anmore and Belcarra, residents want to protect their communities' unique character while ensuring options for future generations. Budget 2025 sets out six major housing actions to increase affordability and supply. Key investments include $25 billion over five years to double housing construction using Canadian materials. Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency, will partner with industry and municipalities to build faster and with greater certainty, and meaningful projects are already under way. For example, in Coquitlam, the Hoy Creek Housing Co-op expansion will deliver 146 new affordable homes, including 33 fully accessible units. This means real progress for real people. The second thing is infrastructure. Our region is growing, and our roads, bridges, water systems and community spaces need to keep pace. Budget 2025 introduces build communities strong, which is a fund with $51 billion in investment over 10 years that would revitalize local infrastructure and support the essential services that Canadians rely on. This includes nearly $28 billion for local roads, bridges, water systems and community centres, and about $17 billion for housing, health care and education infrastructure through provincial and territorial channels. These investments would help cities across B.C., including Port Moody and Coquitlam, plan and deliver the infrastructure that supports the quality of life for our residents. The third thing is affordability and fairness. Families in my riding are feeling the squeeze from everyday costs. Budget 2025 would deliver a full suite of measures to directly lower monthly costs for Canadians. Some supports are universal. We would lower cellphone and Internet bills, and we would ban transfer fees and bring real transparency into banking so that people know what they are paying for. By expanding dental care to Canadians with household incomes under $90,000, we would make sure that adults, children and seniors can finally access much-needed dental care. Other measures are targeted and designed to help families with children. For us in the Tri-Cities, this really matters. Teachers and families across School District No. 43 rely on the school food program every single day, and it is making a real difference. Our government would make that program permanent. That stability would mean that children can focus on learning and not much else. We are also strengthening child care, because affordable, reliable care is what allows parents to build stability, return to work and build a future for their families. We remain committed to creating even more $10-a-day child care spaces, helping parents get back into the workforce and helping employers across the Tri-Cities fill critical labour shortages. Together, these universal and family-focused measures form part of a comprehensive affordability package that would support young families, seniors on fixed incomes and individuals and businesses right across my riding. The fourth thing is jobs and skills. Our riding is full of talent, from students attending nearby Douglas College or SFU to skilled tradespeople building our communities. Budget 2025 would invest in people with a re-skilling package for 50,000 workers, especially in construction, clean tech and digital skills. The youth employment and skills strategy opens direct pathways to higher-paying careers, and the new youth climate corps would offer paid training for young people who want to develop green skills and contribute to our climate resilience. This leads me directly to climate leadership, which is the fifth thing. Folks in Port Moody—Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra care deeply about environmental sustainability. Budget 2025's climate competitiveness strategy is both a climate plan and an economic plan for B.C. It would mobilize capital for clean energy projects and accelerate critical mineral development, which is essential for EV batteries, renewable technology and Canada's long-term economic competitiveness. The sixth thing is seniors. Seniors are the backbone of my riding. Budget 2025 would strengthen the new horizons for seniors program, funding local projects that reduce isolation and promote active living. It would also launch Canada's first national anti-fraud strategy to protect seniors from scams and financial abuse, which are a growing concern today. Budget 2025 is a plan to build Canada strong, and that starts in communities like mine, with more homes, better infrastructure, lower costs for families, good jobs for youth and workers, a cleaner, more competitive economy and support for seniors. We can give ourselves more than any foreign government can take from us. We will be our own best customer. When we build in Canada, buy in Canada and believe in Canada, we can build an economy that works for everyone across our communities and our nation. When we build Canada strong, we build Port Moody—Coquitlam strong. I hope we can count on the members opposite for their support.

Mr. Speaker, Canada currently has the highest credit rating, which is the AAA rating, and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world. I have incredible hope. There is something to be said about the speed of trust. Our Prime Minister is meeting with leaders from other countries right now. There is so much respect for our Prime Minister that, on that speed of trust, he is respected on the world stage. They know he is no stranger to balancing budgets and can lead Canada into a strong economic future.

Mr. Speaker, so far, B.C. has been the recipient of several projects from the nation-building projects office. I am very excited about the future. Those projects will bring thousands of jobs to the coast. I cannot speak to the member's question directly because the project is not yet on the table. I have not seen an agreement, so I will leave it at that.

Mr. Speaker, I completely agree with my colleague. We are coming into a very exciting time, when conversations and diplomacy, through our Prime Minister and our ministers, are happening across the globe. That gives me a lot of hope. Those relationships are precious and fragile. I look forward to further conversations with Senator Gignac on how we can move the needle forward in those sensitive conversations.

Mr. Speaker, today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, our government is clear: Violence against women must end. Too many women still live in fear and too many children grow up in homes marked by abuse. This is unacceptable In Port Moody—Coquitlam, I thank Tri-City Transitions, the Soroptimist's warm place for women and SHARE Family & Community Services. They are lifelines. They offer shelter, support and hope. To the women who bravely step forward and to those who walk beside them, we honour their courage. Our government is investing $224 million over five years to prevent gender-based violence and expand survivor supports. We will not stop until every woman can live free from violence.

Mr. Chair, I am sharing my time with the member for Nipissing—Timiskaming. Canada and the United States have shared one of the most successful trading relationships in the world. Our economies, supply chains and workers thrive when trade flows freely under CUSMA, yet even the closest of partners encounter trade challenges. From aluminum and steel to energy and critical minerals, one issue continues to stand out: The persistent and deeply frustrating softwood lumber dispute that has resurfaced too often over the past several decades. We are now in the fifth chapter of this dispute since the 1980s, and the cycle is familiar: The U.S. imposes unfair duties, Canada challenges them, and time and time again, independent panels agree with us. History shows that both countries benefit most when we reach a negotiated solution that restores stability and predictability for the sector. Today, we are again deep in active litigation. Canada is vigorously defending the interests of our workers, communities and world-class producers. This round carries an even heavier burden, as our industry faces not only anti-dumping and countervailing duties but also U.S. section 232, national security tariffs on wood products. These measures have real consequences. Softwood lumber is a cornerstone of Canada's forest sector and a vital economic anchor for many rural and northern communities. It supports thousands of well-paying jobs and contributes billions to our economy. With nearly two-thirds of our softwood lumber destined for export, and the U.S. as our largest market, unfair barriers hurt not just companies but the families and towns that rely on this industry. Our government understands these impacts. We have stood with the sector every step of the way, providing targeted support to workers and producers and mounting a coordinated legal and diplomatic response. Canada's legal strategy is strong and united. In close partnership with provinces and industry, we are pursuing 15 active challenges to U.S. duties across multiple venues, including chapter 10 of CUSMA, chapter 19 of NAFTA , the WTO and the U.S. Court of International Trade. These mechanisms have served us well before, and we remain confident that they will again affirm Canada as a fair and principled trading partner. We have already secured important wins. In 2019, a WTO panel found that the United States used improper methods to calculate anti-dumping duties. In 2020, another ruling overwhelmingly supported Canada's position on countervailing duties. More recent NAFTA panels have identified significant flaws in the U.S. approach and non-compliance with its own laws. Additional decisions, including under CUSMA, are expected in the months ahead. Some of these might result in refunds of duty deposits, offering real relief to Canadian producers. Even as litigation proceeds, Canada remains committed to constructive engagement with our American counterparts. The minister is in regular contact with Secretary Lutnick to emphasize the need for a durable, mutually beneficial outcome, and the Prime Minister has raised this directly with the President. Until a lasting agreement is reached, Canada will keep up the pressure. We will fight unfair measures through every legal and diplomatic tool; we will stand with our workers and communities, and we will continue to insist on a fair, predictable trading framework that allows our softwood lumber industry to compete and thrive. That is our government's commitment, and we will deliver it.

Mr. Chair, why has Canada not solved this yet? This dispute has existed for decades, for 40 years, under governments of different stripes. The problem persists. The U.S. system allows its industry to push for these duties, but Canada consistently wins. We win at WTO, NAFTA and CUSMA. We are pushing for the durable agreement our workers deserve.

Mr. Chair, I echo the comments of the parliamentary secretary, my colleague. We are always looking to work with other members across the aisle. We are fully open to that, and the purpose of this debate is to hear all of the great suggestions. It actually makes for better policy when we work together.

Mr. Chair, on the measures being put in place, for example, we heard the parliamentary secretary earlier talking about some of the delays in the banks around BDC and providing the funds needed to support the industry. We are working every step of the way with the sector and the banks to make sure the urgency is met and that workers in the industry feel supported across British Columbia and Canada.

Mr. Chair, I understand the emotion in this matter. Our Pacific caucus, which is 20 members strong and has members representing every part of the province of B.C., had a panel of experts from forestry speak to us. For us, we are working with them side by side, looking for solutions, what is working and the areas we need to improve.

Mr. Speaker, community foundations across Canada are the heart of our neighbourhoods, bringing people together, pooling resources and ensuring that local needs are met with care and with community-led solutions. In my community, the Coquitlam Foundation and the Port Moody Foundation continue to make a tremendous impact through support for the arts, the environment and youth scholarships and grants. This week, Matthew Sebastiani and foundation leaders from across Canada are here in Ottawa, reminding us how vital their work is nationwide. I thank all foundation volunteers, donors and community leaders for lifting people up. They strengthen families, neighbourhoods and the foundation of who we are as a country.

Mr. Speaker, the world economy is shifting, and Canada must rise to meet this unprecedented moment. Global trade is in disarray, tariffs are reshaping markets and our largest trading partner is increasingly unreliable. Budget 2025 is our chance to act. Can the Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions explain how Canada will meet this moment with a historic investment budget?

Madam Speaker, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary work of our Canadian Armed Forces, its members' courage, their sacrifice and the quiet toll that their service can take. I have seen how easily that service can be overlooked in the rhythm of our daily lives, even though Canadians feel such gratitude. Could the Minister of Veterans Affairs update the House on how the Government of Canada is commemorating and recognizing Canada's veterans for their service and dedication?

Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-China Legislative Association concerning the co-chairs' annual visit to China, which included Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, from March 17 to 21, 2025.