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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in this chamber for the fourth Parliament that I have been participating in as the member of Parliament for Egmont.
I want to congratulate all members who are sitting in this particular Parliament who ran successful elections. I also want to reflect momentarily on all of those who contested seats in the recent election and were not successful in arriving here. We all have colleagues who were not successful in their election and who are not returning. I was reminded of that a number of years ago. I was first elected in 1982, and when I commented to an individual that I enjoyed elections very much, they remarked to me, “It is easy for you; you have never been defeated.” I think of that in each election, in each legislature I have sat in and each parliament in this House of Commons that I was successful on being re-elected to.
Our democratic system depends on men and women putting their names forward in a very public process. Elections are very public. I often advise people of different political stripes on whether they should run for office or not. I tell them that there is only one of two outcomes in an election: one either wins or one loses, but both are very public. If a person can accept either of those conclusions, then they should put their name forward and run for office.
I would ask everybody to reflect on the many candidates who put their names forward in this last election who were not successful. Only 343 people can be successful and earn the right to sit in this chamber. However, I enjoyed listening to the many speeches here over the past week, especially from new members of Parliament, new politicians, and the enthusiasm they bring forward, the dreams they have for the areas they represent and what they would like to accomplish.
None of us arrive here without an extensive team. Over the last week, I was sending notes of thanks to my many volunteers, and it dawned on me just how many participated in my election. Hundreds of people came forward to do the jobs that are important for candidates to win in elections and for those who participate. I want to reflect, which I often do, on the candidates who do not get to speak in this chamber following an election. Some of them were here before, some of them were new with ambitions to be here, but did not make it. It is important for us as parliamentarians, because we get the ultimate reward of representing the part of the country that chose us to be their representative. It is really a great honour, because we take forward the concerns and the ambitions of the people we represent.
My riding of Egmont in Prince Edward Island is similar to most rural areas across this wonderful country. There is always more to be done than we have the ability to do, but that is really what governing is all about. However, I have been so proud of our government's track record over the past number of years in the area of rural development. My colleague, who is sitting close to me today, is passionate about rural development and ensuring that rural parts of this country are treated equally with the many challenges that rural, small-town Canada faces. As parliamentarians, it is important for us to make sure we do not overlook that, and that we are constantly using every opportunity we have to advance the concerns and the issues brought forward by rural communities.
My riding is actually half urban and half rural. Over the past number of years, infrastructure has been one of the significant investments by the government that I was part of. All across the riding, each community is significantly better off today than it was 10 years ago. I am extremely proud of the record of our government in developing infrastructure, but still more has to be done. There are always a lot of needs in this country, and it is always interesting to listen to debate.
On one hand, members of the electorate were very clear in the last election. They stated that they did not want to pay more taxes, but, by the same token, they still want government to support the many safety and social programs that we have come to depend on in this country. That becomes a contradiction and the roadway that governments have to travel: living within their means, spending appropriately, while at the same time still investing across this country. That is why I was so pleased that in the throne speech, our government and the , even today in question period, referenced so much about investing and growing the economy through major projects that built this nation. It has been done before. Going back in its history, this country was built on great visions from coast to coast to coast, investing in significant infrastructure that grew the country over the years.
One of the issues that was loud and clear to me in my riding over the past election was an area that the federal government shares with provinces. That is the area of health care transfers. Today, the , in an answer in question period, referenced the fiscal statement that we will present to the House as presenting increases in health care transfers. I am going to speak to the area of health care, recognizing that it is a shared constitutional responsibility. In fact, this morning, my colleague, the member for , tabled a petition in the House on this particular subject.
The subject that I want to talk about was the number one issue raised at the doorsteps in my riding, and that is health care. Everywhere I go, I hear real frustrations about the state of health care, and I share the concerns of all those Islanders. Over the past number of years, I have spoken with thousands of people in my Egmont riding and, over the course of the last election, I spoke with many again. Again and again, I am told that access to health care is getting more and more difficult. Frankly, I have come to the conclusion that what I am hearing is correct. The province's response to a genuine health care crisis is not keeping pace with need.
Let us be clear. In 2023, the federal government joined with the province in a new funding arrangement for health care. Ottawa came to the table, with P.E.I., with $1 billion over 10 years. There was $300 million in new funding. This year, the federal government will provide $236 million to the province through the Canada health transfer. Everyone in here knows how this works. Under the Constitution, the provinces operate the health care system. In other words, the province is in charge of health care recruitment, hospitals and professional services. Our role in Ottawa is to support that work through financial transfers, and that side of the arrangement has been respected.
However, here is what I have heard at the doors: People in Ottawa may be spending money, but we residents are not getting the health care we need. In fact, I heard from many residents that they are now very weary of the province's excuses. Sadly, those provincial excuses are meant to deflect responsibility for poor service, long wait times and inadequate access. For Islanders, this is increasingly distressing and, again, I share their frustration. As a member of Parliament, my duty is to understand the day-to-day needs of the residents. The part that really hurts is that so many Islanders are enduring uncertainty every day because of poor access to health care. This has to be fixed. When I speak with young parents about their worries, it is very hard not to share that anxiety. When I speak to older Islanders concerned about loved ones and spouses, it is hard. The federal government has done its part. The money is there. The federal end of the partnership has been met and exceeded. I will say that until Islanders are confident and content with their health care system, I will continue to demand better.
We live in the greatest country in the world. We are extremely fortunate to have great financial resources and an outstanding education system. For that reason, I do believe elected representatives of the federal government should start insisting on measurable improvements. We should make our voices heard. The federal government has kept up its side, and now is the time for all of us to insist that our provincial colleagues keep up their end and focus their considerable resources on the front lines of our health care system.
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Mr. Speaker, before I get into the meat of my response, I just want to thank the 19,605 people from Terra Nova—The Peninsulas who voted to have me here today to bring their voices here to Ottawa. I am a proud Newfoundlander, with an entangled heritage with the Rock. While there are many things to be proud of, the thing that makes me the most proud is that I am part of a community that truly cares for one another.
A great example of this is when eight-year-old Adalyn Skinner went missing in the woods and the whole community banded together to make sure she came home safe. I am proud to stand here today to say that she was found safe and sound. This story does not just bring us together; it also shows who we are, because when something like this happens, politics do not matter and status does not matter. What matters is looking out for one another, no matter the cost. That is the spirit of a Newfoundlander, that is the spirit I was raised with and that is the spirit I bring to the House.
We know that success is not measured by what we accumulate for ourselves but by how we show up for the people around us. That is why I have grown to hold this motto: “Success is helping other people succeed.”
“One day the sun will shine and have-not will be no more” were the famous words of our premier, Brian Peckford. The sun did shine. Under the last Conservative government, our province was thriving. For the first time in history, we had an economy we could be proud of, but during the lost Liberal decade, our province has been spiralling into poverty.
Almost every aspect of our life has been in decay. Our hospitals are closing, and the ones that remain have closed departments with no emergency services. Patients with life-threatening issues are having to drive over deplorable roads. Just to give an idea of how deplorable the roads are, after my only 36-day campaign, I had to replace all the suspension in my pickup truck. The MHAs in my province would love nothing more than to be here and announce more hospital funding and repave every inch of our eroded roads. Unfortunately, our province is in a dire financial situation and is running major deficits due to the Liberal government's failed economic policies.
My district of Terra Nova—The Peninsulas touches five bays, and we have more small craft harbours than any other district in Canada. Whether off Point May or St. Bride's in the south, or New-Wes-Valley, Bonavista or Bay de Verde in the north, fishing needs to continue to thrive in these regions.
When I travel from wharf to wharf, it is no trouble to tell that the fishermen are at their wits' end with the Liberal government and its policies that are hurting the fishermen's industry, yet the worst is yet to come. With the government planning to allocate 30% of our ocean as marine protected areas by 2030 and 50% by 2050, these targets will once again be a major blow to Newfoundlanders' livelihoods. Can members imagine the uproar if Ottawa decided to take 30% of farmland from farmers?
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are not putting up with it. We will come here week after week and fight for our constituents and for our province.
Despite having the most small craft harbours in Canada, my district's top employer is construction. Places like Marystown, Green's Harbour and many more towns in our district have a long history of construction and boat building. On the Burin Peninsula, companies have built boats for World War II, ferries and even the top sides of oil rigs, but under the Liberal government, there are not one but two state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar shipyards sitting idle, and this is not the only thing sitting idle.
The Bull Arm Fabrication Site cost half a billion dollars to construct in the nineties and is probably worth billions of dollars today. It has built multiple oil rigs, including the Hibernia and the Hebron, which was the fifth-largest in the world. To give an idea of the magnitude and size of this facility, I wanted to inform everyone that it has the second-largest doors in the world, second only to NASA's facility.
My father, my mother and I all worked at another oil rig construction site in Argentia. It was more than a job; it was a legacy. Three members of the same family came together to build something that would stand tall in the North Atlantic, something we could be proud of, but just like so many other sites across Newfoundland and Labrador, this site too will be idle within a few months, now that the project is coming to completion. It is another facility, another opportunity, sitting idle. What is even more frustrating is that there is no plan to fill the void, just silence where there should be progress.
We have an oil refinery as well. It produces 135,000 barrels of oil a day. Oh, wait, it used to produce 135,000 barrels a day. That is the kind of capacity that built middle-class families and allowed young people to stay at home to work. Then the Liberal government invested 89 million taxpayer dollars, not to improve it and not to modernize it but to incentivize the company to reduce its throughput to 14,000 barrels of biodiesel. We should think about that; it is a 90% reduction.
This was not a market-driven decision but a politically manufactured one. Now we see the media publishing stories saying that the refinery is struggling and its future is uncertain. In fact, just yesterday it had layoffs. I ask the government what it expected. It suppressed the whole business with regulations and industrial carbon tax, poured millions of dollars into shrinking its output and now acts all surprised that it is on the brink of collapse.
Speaking of collapsing industries, Newfoundland's mining industry is hitting rock bottom. I have been in the pits, seen the blasts and stood shoulder to shoulder with the hardest-working men and women in this country. Mining is not just a job in Newfoundland; it is one of our economic foundations. That foundation is crumbling. Within six months, four mines closed on our island, one of which was in my riding. That is not a coincidence; that is a crisis. These were not exhausted sites or failed ventures; these were viable operations that had to close down rather than keep going down. They closed down due to the government's embarrassing policies, policies that are chasing investors away and eliminating our competitive edge.
Let me be clear: The prices of gold and of minerals are global prices. We do not control them. What we control is how competitive we are as a country. Now, the artificial costs, like the industrial carbon tax and the inefficient bureaucracy, eliminate our competitive edge. The minerals are still in the ground, but the wrong leaders are still in government.
The throne speech talks a lot about giving Canadians a tax break, which is great, but we cannot tax someone if they are not working. Right now, we have the highest unemployment rate in the country, at nearly 10%. That is not because our people do not want to work but because there are no jobs, and that makes me frustrated. What frustrates me the most is that we are sitting on a gold mine of oil facilities, an untapped potential that the Liberal government keeps suppressing. We have the resources, the infrastructure and the workers, but instead of building, it is blocking. Instead of digging, it is diverting.
Where shall my constituents find work? I can tell the House that they will not find work in Ottawa, since most of them have not learned French in our rural schools. It is no fault of their own but a failure of the system, a system that forgets about rural Canada until it is election time. Now young people are being disqualified from federal opportunities because of it.
I do not think they would find much work building a pipeline either. While the tells one side of the country he is building pipelines, he tells the other side a different story. Perhaps they could get a visa and work in other parts of the world where he has invested in building pipelines, but unfortunately that is not here at home.
With the production caps and emissions caps, I do not think they would have very much luck getting a job in the oil sands either. I have my doubts they would be working on the nationwide energy corridor, because I do not think the Liberal government has the guts to do what it takes to put it through Quebec into Labrador, where it could build enough hydroelectricity to make it the green energy superpower that we want it to be. The power is there and the people are ready.
Let us not forget that the topic affecting every Canadian is the high cost of living due to inflation. This inflation did not magically appear out of nowhere. No, it is as a direct result of reckless overspending and economic mismanagement. It is because the , the very one who now leads us, was advising the former prime minister to waste tax dollars, saying that budgets would balance themselves. Now he does not even have a budget at all. Not only are single mothers struggling now, but we also have double-income parents who are struggling to provide for their kids. Food bank usage is up, and there is no sign of its slowing down.
I have gone to houses in my district where seniors have the upstairs of their home tarped off and are sleeping on the couch because they cannot afford the heat. There are seniors wandering shopping malls trying to stay warm in the winter. I have even heard of seniors who are eating pet food because they cannot afford the skyrocketing grocery bills. Imagine that, Mr. Speaker. After a lifetime of paying into the system, this is the dignity we afford them. These seniors are the very people who voted for the current government. They supported it. They voted for it to fight Donald Trump with tariffs and have a plan for Canada's economy, not to drop the tariffs and have no budget.
Furthermore, the throne speech completely turns its back on seniors and offers no help to survive the economic storm these Liberals have created. “One day the sun will shine and have-not will be—
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to stand before the House for the first time as the newly elected member of Parliament for London—Fanshawe. Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to the people of London—Fanshawe for entrusting me with this great responsibility. Their voices were heard loud and clear, and it is my duty to ensure they echo strongly within these walls.
I extend my sincere thanks to my campaign manager, Al Pickard, for his tireless work and leadership, and Jason King for his dedication and long hours. I would not be here today if it was not for them and our incredible campaign team and volunteers, which includes Carrie Anne Stephenson, Dave and Veronica Heffernan, Patrick Mair, Sam Lichtman, Nick Spina, Peter Vanderley, Matthias Vanderley, Cory Bennett, Jason Morand, Adam Cull, Arun Matthew, Ian Baldock, Chris Hagelsten, Michelle Wilson and her son Chase, Tami Hoggard, Chris Seal, Jay Cosgrove, and Rodney and Louise Sheil. There are also the other countless volunteers and members of the London Fanshawe Conservative association who helped me share the Conservative vision of a better future.
I also wish to thank Grant Vezina, Paul Vezina, Rick Meyer, John Brotzel, Andrew Kaikkonen, Barbaralee Vail, David Weber, Shirley and Pete Heisz, Bonna Bryan, Chris O'Neil, Patrick O'Neil, Shawn Bender, Beatrix Enter and Paul O'Neill for their invaluable encouragement and support throughout my campaign. I thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart. Of course, I want to say a special thanks to the Hon. Pierre Poilievre for aspiring a movement to give people in London—Fanshawe, and all across Canada, hope.
I also want to thank my brother, Keith; my sister-in-law, Kavita; their children, Devan, Dhiren and Diva; my sister Krystle; my brother-in-law, Justin; their children Tyler, Evan and Krystin; and my girlfriend, Dilcia “Dee” Casilla, whose love and support mean the world to me. Most importantly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my father, Ken Holman, and to my late mother, Lucy Holman. They have been both my foundation and my greatest inspiration. Through their example of personal sacrifice for the greater good and the lively debates that we shared over the supper table, I learned to believe in myself and to never to give up, understanding that with hard work and determination, I can help make a difference. It is because of these values and lessons that I stand here today.
My election represents a historic moment for London—Fanshawe. For decades, many in our community felt their voices went unheard and their concerns overlooked. Today, as we are witnessing a new dawn, London—Fanshawe stands proudly as a beacon, a testament, to the power of democracy and the change that it brings when pursuing genuine representation. Our community will no longer be a silent observer but an active participant shaping in our country's future.
As the first Conservative member of Parliament in London—Fanshawe's history, on my first address in this sacred chamber, it is my duty to speak truth to power. The truth is that the last decade has been an unmitigated disaster. The Liberals, together with their NDP accomplices, have destroyed the middle class and cheapened the dollar while inflating the price of everything. They have trampled on Canadians' rights and freedoms, and they have caused so much division. Worst of all, they broke the Canadian promise that, up until now, has passed from generation to generation, which is the promise that hard work leads to a good life and a beautiful home on a safe street. That was not theirs to break. It is much bigger than any party, bigger than any prime minister. It is the heart of what makes Canada the best country on Earth. I will fight relentlessly to restore that promise for London—Fanshawe and for all Canadians. This is what it is all about.
On her deathbed in 2015, my mother said to me, “Kurt, live a wonderful life and be happy.” I think it is safe to say that every parent wants this for their children. We must restore Canada's promise so that all Canadians can live a wonderful life and be happy.
I am a computer analyst, raised in a small town in Forest, Ontario. I am a graduate of North Lambton Secondary School, class of 1999, and a graduate of the computer engineering technology program at Lambton College in Sarnia, Ontario, in 2002. With 27 years of information technology experience, I recently earned, from McMaster University, an MBA in digital transformation utilizing artificial intelligence.
In information technology, when a system fails, we can try rebooting, but if the issue is at the core, a system restart will not do much. Turning the Liberal government on and off, over and over again, will not fix Canada's problems.
Until recently, I would have never even thought about running for office, but I could not sit this one out. I saw too much struggle, pain and despair, and I felt compelled to do something about it, so I put disappointment and frustration into action.
The ran on change. He distanced himself from the failed experiments of the former Liberal prime minister and even borrowed a number of Conservative policies. If he is sincere, if that was more than just rhetoric, I, along with my Conservative colleagues, will gladly work together to bring real change. I echo the Hon. Pierre Poilievre in welcoming the Prime Minister to borrow many more Conservative ideas, which our country so desperately needs.
Unfortunately, with every passing day, it is becoming clearer and clearer that, when it comes to actions, not words, the new Liberal government is no different. It is not exactly a big surprise, with the same team of radicals in the cabinet, but it is very disappointing nonetheless. Canadians deserve to be treated like adults, with honesty, respect and transparency. The status quo, whether it is in silly socks or fancy banker suits, is still the status quo.
The promised change. He presented himself as the man with a plan, but as soon as he was elected, he tabled a massive, half-trillion dollar spending bill, increasing government spending by 8%, and announced that he will not give a budget any time soon. Does that look like change?
Let us talk about “elbows up”. If only Canadians could save a nickel off their taxes every time the said those two words. However, we discovered that his cabinet, behind closed doors, quietly exempted American industries from nearly every tariff they publicly championed. Does that seem like change? No wonder President Trump endorsed the Liberals.
Let us talk about the cornerstone policy of the NDP-Liberal government over the last decade: the carbon tax. After ignoring the painful economic consequences of this inflationary punishment, the government now attempts a sleight of hand, shifting the tax from consumers directly onto the producers. Are Canadians really expected to believe businesses will simply absorb these costs? Of course they will not. The costs will fall onto everyday Canadians.
Across London—Fanshawe, small and medium-sized businesses form the heartbeat of our local economy. Under these new burdens, our businesses are expected to “elbow up”, but in reality, the government is tying their elbows behind their backs. I am a firm believer that success builds success. Our businesses need the government to get out of the way so they can succeed. It is common sense that their success will build a successful economy. This carbon tax, much like the original, is not environmental stewardship. It is economic sabotage. London—Fanshawe's entrepreneurs deserve better. They deserve policies that unleash innovation, foster competition and allow our businesses to thrive, not barely survive.
Moreover, young families and students in London—Fanshawe face unprecedented challenges as housing prices skyrocket beyond reach, yet the government's new says that lowering housing prices is not even on the agenda. What kind of future are we building when home ownership becomes an unattainable dream?
Inflation under this government has pushed hard-working families to the brink. London—Fanshawe residents are seeing their paycheques shrink and their expenses surge every day. We cannot afford this directionless drift any longer.
Our economy needs clarity, not confusion. We must empower, not impede, our businesses, entrepreneurs and workers. It is time to remove the barriers holding them back and give them the freedom to drive our economy forward. The business people, entrepreneurs, and white-collar and blue-collar workers are the pillars of London—Fanshawe. They are the people who will work long hours to put food on the table. They just want to know that hard work leads to a good and happy life, both for them and one day for their children.
As a government-in-waiting, we stand ready with practical solutions. To the parents who lie awake wondering what tomorrow will bring, they can rest assured that we will fight to secure a brighter future for their children.
London—Fanshawe chose hope over division, prosperity over empty promises and leadership over empty gestures. I am committed to representing their interests vigorously in Ottawa. Together we will ensure our community's voice is strong, respected and impactful.
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Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the House that I will be sharing my time with my colleague from .
First, I want to congratulate all members of the House of Commons on their election, and congratulate you on your appointment as Assistant Deputy Speaker.
As the member for Trois‑Rivières, I rise today with a deep sense of humility. I want to thank the people of Trois‑Rivières for putting their trust in me. I will live up to this responsibility and mandate. I commit to defending their priorities and aspirations.
Success is never a solo endeavour, so I would like to take a moment to thank all the volunteers who helped during the campaign. It is a long list, but I would like to give a nod to Mathis, Marianne, Pierre, Mikailou, Steven, Catherine, Claude, Eric, Jean‑Christophe, Reem, Audrey, Johanne, Dominic, Luc, Sylvie, Mo, Ginette and all the others who provided advice, funding and knowledge.
I also want to thank my colleagues in the Quebec caucus who came to lend a hand. It is no accident that the Quebec Liberal caucus now has 44 MPs in the House of Commons representing the interests of Quebeckers.
It is a team effort, and we will be a strong voice for Quebec in the House of Commons. Lastly, I owe my deepest gratitude to my family: my husband Danny, who has been managing two teenagers on his own for several months, and my children, Brave and Maya Lin. I could not have had the privilege of serving the people of Trois‑Rivières without the unconditional support that they have given me not just over the past few months, but also throughout my career.
Trois‑Rivières is in the Mauricie region, at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Saint Maurice rivers. No, there are not three rivers in Trois‑Rivières. It is a vibrant, bustling city that is deeply rooted in its traditions while looking toward the future. It is a capital of poetry and a cultural and historical hub that contributes to Quebec's heritage.
As a proud member of the Quebec nation, I am deeply attached to the French language, and I know that together, we are stronger. That is why I am delighted with our government's commitment to support Radio‑Canada, both in Quebec and in minority communities outside Quebec. It is an essential institution for ensuring the vitality of our identity and our language. Trois‑Rivières is a city that has risen from tragedy after tragedy and, thanks to the solidarity and determination of its residents, has reinvented itself as a cradle of innovation. I am proud to represent the city, and I am determined to contribute to its development in the House.
The Speech from the Throne, delivered by His Majesty King Charles III, lays out a vision of a united, resilient, and safer Canada with the strongest economy in the G7. It is a Canada that invests in its future, has bold ambitions and is ready to take its rightful place. That vision resonates strongly with the priorities in my region. People told me so again and again during the election campaign, and they spoke loud and clear on April 28.
During the election campaign and in the Speech from the Throne, our government promised to invest in nation-building projects to grow the Canadian economy. For Trois-Rivières, that means a high-speed train that will generate significant economic benefits and increase labour mobility. It is a once-in-a-generation project that will bring Canada into the 21st century. I hope we can work hand in hand with all members who feel committed to this project.
There is also talk of investments in the Port of Trois-Rivières, a mainstay for the region and a national and international logistics hub. Its expansion will continue to support small business growth and job creation for our workers. The Port of Trois-Rivières can play a role in diversifying our export markets and helping us to reduce our dependence on U.S. markets.
We are talking about major infrastructure but also about protecting our industries and our workers from the Trump administration's unfair tariffs. Trois‑Rivières is one of the most vulnerable Canadian cities in terms of the tariff war. Companies like Solucan and Germain & frère are directly affected by the tariffs and the uncertainty they are causing. Our government is committed to protecting jobs in sectors affected by the tariffs, such as the steel, aluminum and automotive sectors. Innovation et Développement économique Trois‑Rivières, or IDETR, a driver of local economic development, has set up an oversight committee to accurately measure the impact and ensure that businesses in the region know where to get the support they need. I am committed to supporting this initiative.
This collaborative, solutions-driven attitude is what keeps our city moving forward, supported by a vibrant and innovative ecosystem. In Trois‑Rivières, we are proud to have world-class research and technology transfer centres that are recognized in Canada and around the world as leaders in their field. Take, for example, the Quebec Metallurgy Center, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and is a partner of choice to major companies such as Pratt & Whitney and Bombardier. I am also thinking of the Innergex Chair for the production of green hydrogen at the Université du Québec à Trois‑Rivières and the Centre Innofibre at the CEGEP in Trois‑Rivières, leading partners in the Vallée de la transition énergétique, an innovation zone set up by the Government of Quebec with which we work closely.
These institutions embody the spirit of collaboration between academia and industry. They are pillars of our ability to advance applied science, attract investment in leading-edge sectors and decarbonize our heavy industries. Canadians know that the commitment of our government and the to green and renewable energy is a priority, and we will not slow down our actions in this area. Canadians know that the Liberal Party is the party that has put in place meaningful measures to protect the environment and fight climate change, and that the energy transition will require innovation and ingenuity.
At a time when our sovereignty is under threat, it is more important than ever that we invest in the defence sector to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces, protect our vast land and bolster our military industry. The Mauricie region is ready to answer the call, with companies like Marmen, an industrial flagship that produces not only wind turbines, but also submarine parts and nuclear reactors. This company and many others in the region can play a leading role in defence and critical infrastructure projects. That is what it means to build a strong and sovereign Canada.
Our Liberal government knows very well that to build a prosperous future, we must ensure that no one is left behind. Providing access to affordable housing, day care and dental care and tackling homelessness are essential for reducing inequality. Some opposition members are using old-fashioned scare tactics to call that communism. We have a plan to make life more affordable for Canadians. It is a plan for right now, not promises to be fulfilled in four years. During the election campaign, I heard Canadians' concerns loud and clear, and I can say that they are pleased with our measure to lower taxes for the middle class. Around 22 million Canadians will benefit, including thousands of my constituents. Our commitment to continue investing and to redouble our efforts to address the housing crisis by building more social and affordable housing was greeted with relief by my constituents. This work must involve all levels of government.
In closing, we are at a crossroads. The rules have changed, and we need to adapt our game plan. We are committed to building the strongest economy in the G7, and we have everything we need to succeed. We will do it by promoting local businesses, local materials and homegrown labour. That is how we will build a strong Canada. We will build it by being focused, by holding firm to our convictions and by rolling up our sleeves and working together.
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Mr. Speaker, it is with great humility and determination that I rise today to deliver my maiden speech in the House of Commons.
I do so with a great sense of responsibility to the people of Compton—Stanstead, who put their trust in me and sent me here with a clear mandate. I thank them very much for that. I want to be a strong, engaged and authentic voice for them, a voice for the regions that truly deserve our consideration. I want to take a moment to thank the volunteers, my loved ones and my family who campaigned with me. It is because of their confidence, energy and commitment that I am here today.
I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the , who passionately represented Compton—Stanstead for 10 years. Everywhere I go, I hear about her presence, her thoroughness, her leadership and her ability to get things done. She has been an incredible mentor to me, and her example has also opened the doors to this place. I want to sincerely thank her on behalf of the people of Compton—Stanstead, but also, I dare say, on behalf of women, young people and the regions, who deserve to be heard.
[English]
I would also like to thank the honourable David Price, the very first member of Parliament for our riding, back in 1997. Still today, he continues to serve our community with heart, notably through his ongoing commitment to the Grace Village Care Foundation. Marie-Claude and David served Compton—Stanstead with dedication and effectiveness. I can only hope to live up to the trust they inspired in this beautiful corner of the country that I am so deeply attached to.
Compton—Stanstead is a border riding, rich in contrast and full of character, with 36 municipalities spread across nearly 5,000 square kilometres. It is francophone and anglophone, rural and urban, from cultivated farmland to high-tech labs. At the heart of all this diversity, there is a rare kind of harmony, a deep ability to coexist, to collaborate and to reinvent ourselves, especially in times of adversity. In a world that feels increasingly polarized, Compton—Stanstead is a reminder that it is possible to build together, with respect and solidarity.
I think of one powerful symbol, the Haskell Library in Stanstead, which was built quite literally on the Canada-U.S. border as a shared cultural space between two peoples. For years, Canadians could simply walk along the sidewalk to enter through the U.S. side, a tradition that ended this spring by order of the American administration. In just 30 hours, a grassroots campaign led by Canadians and Americans, French and English, raised the funds to create a new entrance on the Canadian side. That is the spirit of the Eastern Townships: solidarity, resourcefulness, openness and a deep commitment to co-operation and living together.
[Translation]
I would like to take a moment to congratulate my colleagues from and . Together we form a united team, determined to give the people of the Eastern Townships a voice at the table where decisions are made, and yes, those folks have a lot to say.
On the campaign trail, I met with and listened to people in my community, and I took the time to understand their concerns. The number one concern has to do with what is happening south of the border, with our neighbours. I really get a feeling that, beyond the concern, folks want action. They want us to roll up our sleeves and seize the opportunity to create a stronger, more resilient and more united Canada. That is exactly the energy I want to bring here.
Let us start by talking about our SMEs. Our SMEs are more than just numbers and balance sheets. They are villages, families and projects rooted in our communities. Our SMEs breathe life into our regions by creating sustainable jobs and maintaining a strong economic system. They represent an opportunity for our young people to build a future where they grew up, without having to leave. Unfortunately, they are not immune to shocks, especially when U.S. protectionism directly undermines their stability. One example that comes to mind is Waterville TG in the automotive sector. No, the auto industry is not only in Ontario.
I am also thinking about Champeau, in the forestry sector, and Confections Troy, which is part of the textile industry. Their future depends on the predictability of trade as well as the support we can offer them.
Our government is already supporting them. We have pumped the revenue from countertariffs into businesses affected by our economic war with the United States. We have reinvested in economic development agencies. We have implemented work-sharing programs to keep workers and employers connected. We have also eliminated the waiting period for EI.
We are also growing markets. First, on the domestic front, we are working to build one Canadian economy out of 13. We are working to eliminate barriers to interprovincial trade in areas that fall under federal jurisdiction. I am pleased to see Quebec taking concrete steps in this direction with the introduction of a bill last Friday.
I would be remiss if I did not mention one pillar of our regional economic development and vitality: agriculture. It is at the heart of our food self-sufficiency and our way of living on the land. For everyone, it is our food security. I am going to start by saying that supply management is simply non-negotiable, full stop. We also have to broaden the agricultural discourse and include other sectors. We need to help big businesses export and small businesses process products locally to create value in our regions. That is what the throne speech says.
Let us not forget about families and cost-of-living issues. I will start by saying: promise made, promise kept. Our government's first act was to cut taxes for millions of middle-class Canadians. We are committed to maintaining social programs, such as the Canadian dental care plan, which has been fully rolled out. Two million Canadians have already received care. We will maintain pharmacare and the Canada-wide affordable child care system.
We are also talking about access to housing and home ownership. We need to build. The “build Canada homes” initiative is an ambitious plan to accelerate construction. We will cut red tape and leverage our resources, our businesses and our expertise. We are committed to sound fiscal management, because making life more affordable must never come at the expense of intergenerational fairness.
Another important issue in rural areas is connectivity. We have accomplished a lot in terms of high-speed Internet, and we are proud of that. It is time to take another step forward in improving cell coverage by partnering with the provinces, municipalities and the private sector. It is a matter of safety, economic development and fairness. No community should be cut off from the world because of a lack of network coverage.
I know that not everything can be said in one speech. There are other issues that I feel strongly about and will continue to advocate for. These include protecting our lakes and natural environments. They are a vital part of our identity and quality of life. Another issue is border security. This is a real issue for communities like mine, because living near the border is our daily reality. There are significant exchanges between our communities on both sides of the border. I also include our minority language communities. They must be able to thrive everywhere in the country.
I would also like to say a word about the essential role of CBC/Radio‑Canada and its importance to Quebec's anglophone communities. Yes, CBC is important. In a world where disinformation is increasingly prevalent, we need the diligent and independent journalism that our public broadcaster can deliver locally. I am committed to bringing these priorities to the table with rigour, consistency and openness in all future debates.
I truly believe that, beyond party lines, the challenges facing regions like mine require not only courage, but also a genuine willingness to work together. On the ground, we do not debate in a vacuum. On the ground, we listen to each other, we help each other, we build, sometimes with little, but always with passion. It is this spirit that I want to bring to the House, the spirit of our farmers, our business owners, our families, and our young people who choose to stay in their community and make their corner of the country thrive.
I am ready to get to work.
:
Mr. Speaker, although this is not my first intervention in this Parliament, this is the first opportunity I have had to take a moment to thank the voters of Calgary Crowfoot. I am getting used to the riding name change. Many riding names have changed, but I thank the voters of Calgary Crowfoot for sending me to this place for the fourth time in nine and a half years.
I want to thank my opponents in the election for putting their names forward. Without choice and without options for people to vote for, there is no democracy, so I thank all participants in this election.
I would like to thank the volunteers in Calgary Crowfoot, the amazing group of volunteers who helped us get out to 25,000-odd doors, put up thousands of signs and make an argument to voters for a change of government.
I would also like to thank, of course, my loving family: my wife Kim, my daughters Katie, Jessica and Meaghan, and my mum Marnie Kelly. My father Duane Kelly passed away, sadly, only a few months before the election.
I would like to congratulate all members of Parliament on their election, in particular the new MPs. There are many new MPs in this Parliament, and I look forward to meeting them and getting to know who everybody is.
I also congratulate the new cabinet and the new . They have tremendous work to do. It is important to me as a Canadian and to the people who sent me here that Canada prospers and does well and that we have competent, prudent and proper public administration and stewardship of public resources. I wish the government the best in doing so.
I will also say that I am part of a government in waiting, and we are ready to step up and form a government should this government fall. We will demand accountability. We will demand competence and execution. We will be here to scrutinize the laws the Liberals propose and the administration of the government in general. That is what we are here to do. That is what all members of Parliament do. Members do not even need to be in the opposition benches to do that. I challenge the backbenches on the government side to do their jobs as legislators and demand accountability from the government and their own party. That is their job. It is not just their job to cheerlead for the front bench. I hope they will take seriously their role in holding the government to account, as all parliamentarians should.
Here we are in June 2025, and the same government has been in power for nine and a half years. It has added half a trillion dollars to the national debt and brought in a structural deficit. It has no plan for a balanced budget in sight. We are enduring a housing crisis wherein mortgage payments and rent have more than doubled on its watch. We have seen a sense of hopelessness creep in among younger people, who believe that they will never have a path to home ownership other than through inheritance or the sharing of real estate equity from their family. Crime in every category has gone up. We have a drug overdose crisis.
As for the military, the most basic core function of government is national security and protecting Canadians, and tanks are in extremely short supply and falling apart. We have ships rusting out and jets wearing out, with recruitment, retention and housing in crisis. We have gaps in domain awareness in the Arctic and a RADARSAT system that is going to reach its end of life without a replacement. Procurement is in a state of disaster. We cannot even procure, build and supply basics like artillery shells. The recently retired chief of the defence staff has said that there has not been an acute need for military preparedness since the end of the Second World War and we are not there.
We have the threat of Trump to deal with, and the tariffs and all that his administration has said it may do. However, perhaps the most important statistic that I can point to is the per-capita GDP in Canada. Over the last 10 years, its growth was the lowest in the OECD. In fact, it was not growth at all. Canadians are no better off now than they were 10 years ago. This is a lost Liberal decade.
Where were we 10 years ago? When the Liberal government came to power, it inherited a balanced budget, affordable homes that working people could buy, a northern gateway pipeline that was conditionally approved and a Trans Mountain pipeline that was going to be built with private money, not with taxpayers' money. The energy east project was ready to be proposed. The F-35 were ready for contract and ready to be procured. Crime was at the lowest on record. This was the Canada that the government came into power with, and this is where we have been taken over the last 10 years.
It is not something that just randomly happened. There were concrete actions by the government all the way along that brought us here. They brought in the culture of “no”. They brought in new regulations and laws, like Bill and Bill , that make it impossible to get energy infrastructure projects built. That was by design. This was not even just a mistake on the part of the government.
Furthermore, there is no end in sight. The Liberals have brought in, and we have seen it creeping in, a culture of corporate welfare where connected insiders benefit and where Liberal insiders benefit. We saw over that time period the Liberals cancel the F-35s. They came in and said that they were not going to procure them at all and that they were going to have a separate procurement process. They dithered and wasted time while our need for this aircraft carried on. We would already have the F-35s if they had simply procured them when they took office. These are the things that have happened over the last 10 years.
The Speech from the Throne contains no concrete plan. There is no budget that would signal a plan or even tell Canadians and be honest about where we are financially, what our fiscal plan is and what the deficit will be. The Liberals have said some things that are encouraging to many. They have taken many ideas from the Conservative benches and the Conservative campaign. If someone puts a tax cut in front of me, I will vote for it. If someone proposes to eliminate a regulation that is destroying the job opportunities in my riding, I will support it. However, what I will not support is a Speech from the Throne that gives vague promises without any type of a clear road map, while the Liberals simultaneously table a set of estimates that show ballooning public expenditures for consultants, of all things. This is all while the Liberals have allowed the public service to grow enormously during their time while service to Canadians declines.
Copying our ideas is the most sincere form of flattery, and we would be prepared to accept it as Conservatives, but the government is not a new government. It has a different , but it has the same people in the front benches, who, for the last 10 years, have criticized Conservatives. When I look at Hansard, I can see some of the things that members of the front benches said to me and other members when we proposed important ideas, like axing the tax, which is something they were all too quick to adopt in the election. As such, I have doubts about the ability of the government, with the same group of people in the front benches, to execute on improving life for Canadians.
:
Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege and an immense honour for me to represent the people of Beauce today in the House as the member for Beauce. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their extraordinary support. Beauce, the capital of entrepreneurship, has overwhelmingly chosen an entrepreneur to represent it. I am deeply humbled by their overwhelming support, and I want them to know that I will carry this responsibility with the respect, determination and pride it deserves.
This work was not done alone. I would like to thank my incredible team of volunteers for their passion, hard work and considerable involvement over the past few months. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my father, my sisters Vicky and Wendy, and the entire Roy and Groleau family for their unconditional support. I especially want to thank the love of my life, my wife Pascale, and our two daughters, Lily-Rose and Emma, for their love and support. It is for them that I embark on this great adventure, for the future of my daughters, for the future of our children.
I would also like to take a moment to pay tribute to an exceptional man, a man of principle, a man of conviction with unwavering dedication. Richard Lehoux has devoted 25 years to public service, including six years here in Ottawa. He has worked with heart, discipline and humility in the service of his constituents, whether as mayor, reeve or member of Parliament. He has always been a good listener guided by great wisdom. His involvement has never been limited to politics. He has always been in close touch with the people, attentive to the concerns of farmers, families, entrepreneurs, seniors and youth. He has been a tireless worker, a man of honour, always available, listening, and deeply committed to his community. I thank Richard. His commitment has left its mark on the Beauce region.
The people of Beauce are known throughout Quebec and Canada for their entrepreneurial spirit. They are proud, resilient, resourceful and, above all, supportive. Beauce is a region built by entrepreneurs, farmers, hard-working people and loving families who believe in creating their own opportunities. The proof is that Beauce has nearly 2,000 farms. Those farms produce a variety of foods, such as maple syrup, dairy, pork and poultry, as well as fruits, vegetables and grains. All my colleagues here will agree that the 300 dairy farmers in Beauce produce exceptional milk. Of course, everyone will agree that we are also known for the best maple syrup in the world. I invite Canadians to find out for themselves just how exceptional our products are and what beautiful scenery we have.
We also have a reputation for hospitality in Beauce, especially at our agri-tourism sites throughout the region. Beauce is a region rich in heritage with an entrepreneurial culture. People can come see us at tourist destinations like the Miller Zoo in Frampton, founded by Clifford Miller and Émilie Ferland. It is both a wildlife sanctuary and an animal rehabilitation centre that gives many wild animals a second chance.
I also invite people to visit some of our local attractions, such as Domaine Taschereau, Maison J.‑A. Vachon and the aviation museum in Sainte‑Marie; the Beauce historical village and the Marius Barbeau museum in Saint‑Joseph‑de‑Beauce; the Rapides‑du‑Diable park in Beauceville; the Sept-Chutes Regional Park and the Saint Georges church, which is a beautiful part of our religious heritage; and the Notre‑Dame‑des‑Pins covered bridge, to name a few.
This summer, people can come visit our local farms: the Goulet blueberry farm in Saint‑Frédéric; Le Verger à Ti‑Paul in Saint‑Elzéar; the Marland blueberry farm in Sainte‑Marie; the Bourque strawberry farm and Les Roy de la pomme apple orchard in Saint‑Georges‑de‑Beauce; Verger L'Argousière in Saint‑Côme Linière; the Frampton Brasse microbrewery in Frampton, with a stunning view of the mountains; the Martin Bilodeau farm in Saint‑Éphrem‑de‑Beauce; La Pralinière chocolate factory; La Miellerie de Sophie in Notre‑Dame‑des‑Pins; La Pépite d'Or cheese factory, with locations in Saint‑Georges‑de‑Beauce and in Sainte‑Marie; Fromagerie Gilbert cheese factory in Saint‑Joseph‑de‑Beauce; and Ferme JN Morin farm in Saint‑Zacharie, which makes the best barbecue sauces, spices and vinaigrettes in the world, all delicious and all maple-based. There are many other magnificent places to visit, of course.
Whether at the plant, in the fields, on construction sites or behind the counter, the people of Beauce get up every morning and go to work with determination and dedication. I will staunchly defend that attitude every day.
However, despite our entrepreneurial spirit, we are facing new challenges. Given our shared border with Maine, Beauce's economy is closely tied to the United States, one of our main partners. For decades, our trade in goods and services with our neighbours to the south has obviously been extensive. For many of our businesses, the United States accounts for 80% of their sales. The 25% tariff that has been imposed and the Trump administration's real threat of a 50% tariff on steel, for example, are having a major, severe impact on our businesses. We need to take action to ensure that our businesses are not left behind. We must protect the industries that are essential to the future of the economies of Beauce and Canada by supporting the ones that are affected. The Liberal Party needs to act now.
Our proud agricultural heritage has always been our region's strength. Agriculture remains a vital sector of our economy. Farmers across the country are working tirelessly to supply food to Canadians and contribute to our economy, but they are often left without the supports they need to succeed in a competitive global market. It is essential that we fully protect policies such as supply management, which I will defend vigorously. Supply management ensures affordable prices, stability and quality for consumers. A self-sufficient agricultural sector is crucial to Canada's long-term prosperity and security.
The housing crisis is being felt across Canada. Beauce is particularly hard hit. Some municipalities in our region have a vacancy rate of less than 2%. As a result, rents have increased significantly, which is hurting families and slowing economic development. Since 2021, some parts of the region have seen rents rise by more than 50%. We urgently need to curb rent increases, accelerate housing starts, reduce red tape and roll out quicker, more affordable and more flexible federal programs.
Economic immigration plays a crucial role in Beauce's continued growth and success. The unemployment rate in our region is extremely low, less than 3%. That is an indication of the strength of our local economy. It also means that we have to rely heavily on temporary foreign workers to fill jobs. These workers are essential to maintaining the productivity and competitiveness of our industries. The need for temporary foreign workers is very different in big cities from what it is in the regions. We need to set up a system tailored to each region in order to improve the situation and meet the growing demand for workers. Beauce and its businesses deserve better. It is time for the government to provide solutions that reflect the reality of our regions.
I want to talk about the housing cost crisis in Canada. It is time for the government to genuinely tackle a problem that is making life harder for Canadians every day. This is critical for our seniors. Many are living on fixed incomes and are feeling the pressure of increased expenses. The tax reduction measures that were announced to make life more affordable for Canadians are woefully inadequate. Canadians need much more.
We must make our streets safer by fighting violence and keeping criminals behind bars. Affordable, prosperous and safe communities are essential to the well-being of all Canadians. We must put more energy and effort into making this a reality.
Today, I am thinking of my two daughters. Every decision I make, every challenge I take on, I do it for them. I want them to grow up in a safe, economically stable, fair country where they can achieve their dreams and prosper. That is the kind of future I am fighting for, not just for my children, but for all our children. I am proud to say I am Canadian, and I am proud to say I am from Beauce. That is why, throughout my term in office, I will stand up for the people of Beauce to protect our way of life, support our businesses and ensure a prosperous future for us all.
Together, let us build a stronger, fairer and more vibrant Beauce and Canada.
:
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I will be sharing my time with my colleague from . I join my colleagues in congratulating you on your appointment. We all know that the Assistant Deputy Speaker is an important role that sets the tone in the House.
Like many of my colleagues have done today and in recent days, I rise for the very first time in this 45th Parliament. It is an honour and a privilege that comes with great responsibility. I owe my being here to the people of Hochelaga-Rosemont‑Est, whom I would like to acknowledge right off the bat. They are proud, supportive, and creative Montrealers. Hochelaga-Rosemont‑Est is where families greet each other at Place Simon‑Valois and meet at the Maisonneuve market. It is where friends get together at Morgan, Lalancette, and Louis-Riel parks to picnic and solve the world's problems. I have done it myself. It is also where hundreds of children play in the back alleys that have been a feature of the neighbourhood for decades, and where young and old alike shop in the many flea markets and bring Ontario Street to life.
I am asking the question here. I do not know if anyone has ever been to a race involving not Formula 1 cars or horses, but scooters. Yes, there is a scooter race in “Hochelag”. To experience it, one has to be there in July. It is both unique and memorable.
The people of Hochelaga-Rosemont‑Est chose to put their trust me in the last election. As this parliamentary session begins, I would like to tell them that I aspire to be as persistent, resourceful, sensitive and ambitious as they are. They were very upfront during the election campaign. I can say that their expectations of me are high but, more generally speaking, their expectations of the political class as a whole are immense.
I know that all parliamentarians in the House today did as as I did in recent weeks and laced up their most comfortable shoes to knock on hundreds of thousands of doors in an attempt to win the confidence of voters. Sometimes people made bad choices about footwear and regretted it. In my case, I am quite proud of my results: I knocked on 8,000 doors. From these discussions, I learned about the diverse realities of Hochelaga-Rosemont‑Est. The needs are many, but above all, they are varied. It is my duty to receive all of these requests, as varied as they may be. These requests, aspirations and dreams must be heard in this place.
People in the House have all sorts of resumés, all sorts of past experience. I urge everyone to see that as an asset. I am proud to say that I have a degree in dance. In a country like Canada, an artist, a child of the public education system and a renter who does not own a car can make the leap into active politics. There is something about that idea that makes me happy, reassures me and inspires me.
After a 20-plus-year career in arts and culture as an artist, dancer and producer, I had a second career. This is the beginning of my third career. I was a Radio-Canada host for over 10 years. I hosted news programs, and it is very funny seeing my former colleagues in the corridors. We are all in this dance together. Obviously, I will be a proud advocate for the long-term future of CBC/Radio-Canada.
I would like to commend the tremendous amount of work that was done by Pascale St‑Onge, a former Liberal minister. She had an insightful vision for the future of Radio-Canada. Radio-Canada is us, not just because it bears the name “Canada”, but because it tells our stories, shapes us and helps us stand out. The throne speech clearly mentions the future of CBC/Radio-Canada. Our government's position on that is unwavering.
As members know, there is a team behind every major undertaking. I would like to take this opportunity today to express my sincere gratitude to my campaign co-managers. We were very progressive in Hochelaga-Rosemont‑Est. Simon Boucher and Béatrice Lavallée encouraged and supported me.
Yianni Papadatos, Malia Chenaoui and Alexandre Devaux already know how much I value them. Still, I want to thank them again, and it is especially meaningful to do so today within these walls. My dedicated volunteers have been a strong and flexible link between the passionate, cheerful, and curious woman I am and the people of Hochelaga-Rosemont‑Est. Thanks to their political convictions and their confidence in the Liberal Party, I am here to proudly to represent more than 110,000 Montrealers, Quebeckers and Canadians from seat 150. Among them are people who voted for me, and I am touched by that.
Many people chose to place their trust in candidates from other parties. I respect their choice. However, I would like to say today that the door to my office on Pie‑IX Boulevard in Montreal will always be open to everyone. I invite people to come and see me. I want to hear the concerns of everyone, regardless of their political stripe. To me, the verb “to serve”, as in “to serve the people”, is a noble term. It is an action verb that suggests listening, empathy, and dedication.
I see politics as a team sport, but also a relay. I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the former Liberal member for Hochelaga. The riding was not called Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est at the time. She was ambitious and had a vision for the riding during her last two terms. She left many legacies, but I will name one: the creation of the Sommet de l'Est. She did not do it alone, but she did an incredible job on it. The Sommet de l'Est puts wind in the sails of business owners, organizations and people who want to use their mission to contribute to the vitality of Hochelaga—Rosemont‑Est. I will follow in her footsteps and be there to support those who want to help the area thrive.
On May 27, His Majesty King Charles III read the Speech from the Throne. It is a speech that I support. It is a speech that conveys a clear vision and a plan that is ambitious and, most of all, unifying. When I was door knocking, Canadians told me that they want greater unity. Together we are stronger. I did not write that, but I very much believe in it. That is what I heard people saying during the election campaign.
We are proposing all sorts of measures, but the ones that are most important to me for the people of Hochelaga—Rosemont‑Est are those that strengthen our social safety net. In Hochelaga—Rosemont‑Est, that is crucial. We need measures to ensure that no one is left behind. There is a major housing crisis across the country, but it is particularly bad in Hochelaga—Rosemont‑Est. My riding is intimately acquainted with the homelessness crisis. For the past several years, I have been speaking out against the comments of the Conservative Party, which is trying to equate homelessness with crime. It is hurtful and insulting, and it is no doubt the result of a lack of understanding of a very complex issue. I hope that we will move beyond partisanship to provide all Canadians with a safe and decent life, no matter where they live. That is especially true in my riding.
In closing, I would like to thank my two grandmothers, who are no longer with us. They are probably looking down on me from above. They were two women who never minced words and who probably gave me that drive without even knowing it. I would like to thank my parents, Michel Ménard and Doris Grenier, who always encouraged me by making me believe, rightly I hope, that yes, we can stand tall, have convictions, and try to make even the smallest changes to create a better future for everyone. I apologize in advance to my family, as I will often be late for dinner. I want to thank my partner, Michel, who believes in me and whom I love. I want to wish everyone a good legislative session.
:
Mr. Speaker, it is great to be back in this honourable House to serve the people of Whitby. I have been elected for the third time, and it is a great honour to be back in this chamber representing my community once again.
We have begun the 45th Parliament at a time of real challenge and great promise for our nation. Around the world, alliances are shifting, economies are evolving, and uncertainty is rising. Here at home, our economic security and sovereignty have been tested recently, but I believe Canadians remain hopeful and focused. They sent us here, I believe strongly, to find solutions and build a stronger country together.
In Whitby, families are working hard, caring for one another and trying to make ends meet. They are the reason we are all here. That is why the Speech from the Throne that was delivered by His Majesty King Charles III matters. It calls on us to meet this moment the Canadian way, by coming together to build, protect, secure and unite. This is our government's commitment to Canadians: to protect our progress, build on what we have, secure our future and move forward together.
Today, I want to speak on the priorities that must guide our work: number one, building the strongest economy in the G7; and number two, making life more affordable, keeping our communities safe, as well as uniting Canadians in a common purpose.
We begin where it all starts, with the economy. When I think about the economy, I do not think of charts and stock indexes. It is not just about numbers. Economies are, first and foremost, about people. I think of the entrepreneur in Whitby starting a small business and hiring local grads from Ontario Tech University. I think of the skilled trade student at Durham College earning his ticket, saving for a home and ready to build a life. I think of the auto worker at the General Motors plant with two kids who lives with uncertainty because of the tariffs placed on us by the U.S., the newcomer with global experience who cannot seem to find the right job or families who are wondering if and when their hard work will truly pay off. That is the real economy: people striving to reach their potential. It is up to us to shape it.
That is why the government is focused on building an economy that delivers for everyone. We are breaking down old barriers to trade between provinces. Removing these barriers could add $200 billion to our economy. That is how we grow: by working as one, one economy for all Canadians.
We are also looking outward. Canada has free trade agreements with 51 countries, covering over 60% of global GDP. By diversifying our trade, we reduce our reliance on any one partner, and we can deepen ties with trusted allies who share our values. We are fast-tracking major nation-building projects in energy, transit, trade, housing and digital infrastructure. As the has said, it is time to build; we have done it before, and we can do it again. That includes cutting red tape, streamlining approvals and driving nation-building projects forward, projects that create jobs, lower emissions, connect our regions and expand the flow of goods to markets.
We are also doubling the indigenous loan guarantee program to $10 billion, empowering more indigenous communities to be equity partners in major projects. Economic reconciliation is not a slogan; it is a path to shared prosperity.
We are also scaling up businesses and boosting productivity, starting with critical minerals and AI adoption. We are modernizing the SR&ED program, launching a patent box to help protect Canadian ideas, introducing flow-through shares for start-ups and recapitalizing the venture capital catalyst initiative with $1 billion. These are all tools to attract investment, leverage our strengths, scale innovation and lead the G7 in economic growth. When Canadians have the tools to succeed, when we invest in their potential, our economy grows for everyone.
Affordability is a key topic in my riding. In Whitby and across Canada, I hear the same message time and again. Life is getting too expensive: groceries, rent and energy. People are doing their best, but they just cannot get ahead. Now, affordability is not just about statistics; it is about dignity. It is about making sure hard work actually pays off. We are protecting the progress we made with universal child care, dental care, pharmacare and the national school food program. These are not luxuries but lifelines for some of the most vulnerable in our community, and we are going further.
We have introduced a middle-class tax cut. The average dual-income family will keep $840 more of their hard-earned dollars this year and every year after. That is a real difference. It means sports for the kids, school supplies or a few more bags of groceries at the grocery store. We are also keeping $10-a-day child care going strong. It is not just good for kids; it is great for the economy. It allows parents, especially women, to get back to work, and it saves families thousands of dollars each year.
We have expanded dental care, so no Canadian has to choose between healthy teeth and putting food on the table, and we are making bold moves on housing. For too many Canadians, we know the dream of home ownership feels out of reach. Young people, newcomers and seniors, everyone deserves a place to call home. We are removing GST from new home purchases and saving first-time homebuyers up to $50,000. This builds on existing measures for helping first-time homebuyers, like 30-year mortgages, a 25% reduction on mortgage insurance and tax-free savings accounts to save up for their first home.
We are also cutting development charges in half, with federal support to offset the cost of housing infrastructure. We are launching “build Canada homes”, a public developer that will build deeply affordable housing; investing $25 billion in innovative prefab builders and $10 billion in low-cost loans for affordable housing developers; and using public lands, standardizing design and scaling up Canadian-made modular and mass timber construction. We will build faster and better; buy Canadian steel, lumber and more; and create good jobs right here at home.
In Whitby, we have seen results, with $25 million from the housing accelerator fund, a motel transformed through the rapid housing initiative, the expansion of a local housing co-operative and over 11,000 units on our waterfront that will be unlocked through the housing infrastructure fund. These are real, tangible results in my community, and I am very proud of the Liberal record. I am certain that is why Canadians returned us to this side of the House to continue leading the country forward. Now we are committing to building 500,000 homes per year across Canada, because housing is a foundation for a good life for Canadians.
Now let us talk about security for a moment. Our country can only thrive when people feel safe, and right now, Canadians are deeply concerned. Auto theft, gun violence, drug and human trafficking and organized crime are real threats that keep my community members up at night. I want my constituents to know we are responding. The example today is the tabling of Bill , the Strong Borders Act, and we are going to do much more.
We are investing boldly to protect Canadians and defend our sovereignty, starting with our armed forces. We are giving a raise to Canadian Armed Forces members, building more housing on bases, improving access to health care and child care for military families and much, much more.
As climate change continues to impact our north, we are protecting our Arctic sovereignty, which has become more and more urgent. We will forge a new Canada-Europe Arctic security agreement to meet the moment. We are also stepping up at our southern border. We are training 1,000 new RCMP officers and 1,000 new CBSA officers, and deploying new scanners, drones, canine units and much more.
We are also cracking down on repeat and violent offenders, making bail harder for car thieves, human traffickers and home invaders. Sentences will be tougher for organized crime and sexual violence, including online abuse and deep fakes. As hate crime rises in our communities, we are acting decisively. We will make it a criminal offence to intentionally obstruct access to or intimidate those attending schools, places of worship or community centres. This is great progress. When we protect what matters, our families, our communities and our country, we give every Canadian the confidence to build a better future, together.
Lastly, let me wrap up by saying the throne speech lays the foundation for progress. It gives us the tools to build a strong economy, make life more affordable, keep our communities safe and strengthen our democracy and country. More than that, it gives us a vision we can rally around.
I believe in Whitby, in Canada and in the strength and determination of our people. Let us get to work with compassion, courage and conviction. Let us build a country our children can be proud of, a Canada that is stronger, more affordable, more secure and more united than ever before.
:
Mr. Speaker, standing here today and representing my community in the 45th Parliament is the honour of a lifetime. I want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to the people of Kitchener Centre for placing their trust in me. Their voices, their concerns and their aspirations are at the heart of everything I will do in Ottawa. I also want to take a moment to recognize the dedicated volunteers who made this journey possible. Their passion, hard work and unwavering commitment carried me to this moment. I am not standing here alone; each and every one of them is here with me.
My husband, Chris, my mom, my closest friends, my dad and my daughter, Abigail, are my strength, my motivation and my greatest supporters. Their love and belief in me have guided me every step of this path, and I am forever grateful. To my predecessor Mike, I say thanks for his service to Kitchener Centre. I will continue to be a strong advocate.
Kitchener Centre is more than a place on a map. It is where I was raised; it is where my heart belongs. I attended J F Carmichael, then Queensmount, and went off to Forest Heights, before completing my education at Conestoga, where I earned a diploma in mechanical engineering, specializing in robotics and automation. My career in management has spanned over 18 years, focusing on effective communication, fiscal responsibility and policy creation to improve efficiencies. These are principles I will carry with me into public service.
I grew up in a home where money was not plentiful, but resilience and determination were abundant. I was taught the value of hard work, ambition and the belief that, with effort, anything was possible. That was the Canada and the home that I grew up in, a place where dedication and perseverance could lead to home ownership, financial security and a good life in a safe neighbourhood. Today, those dreams feel farther out of reach for many. This reality is one that I will fight to change.
I am committed to building a future in which affordability is not an obstacle, jobs provide stability and communities are free from the devastating impacts of addiction and crime. I am here to listen. I am here to act. I am here to make sure that every person in Kitchener Centre has the opportunity to thrive.
The rising cost of living has tightened its grip on families, young professionals and seniors alike. I heard the stories at the doors: parents stretching every dollar, young people questioning whether they can afford a home or local businesses trying to stay afloat amid increasing expenses.
Affordability is not just a word; it is the difference between stability and struggle, between hope and hardship. During the campaign, I had the opportunity to tour the Waterloo regional food bank. While I was deeply impressed by its efficiency and dedication, I found myself grappling with the unsettling reality, the sheer scale at which such an operation is needed in our community.
Between 2023 and 2024, the number of new households accessing food hamper programs for the first time skyrocketed by 210%. In that same period, 29,786 hampers were distributed to families in need, for an increase of 109%. These staggering numbers are a direct consequence of the rising cost of living, which is forcing more and more people to turn to essential support services just to put food on the table. This is not just an economic issue; it is a human one. It is a call to action that demands urgent and meaningful solutions to ensure that no family in Kitchener Centre or beyond has to struggle for their basic needs. We must forge policies that ease this pressure, ensuring less taxation, affordable housing and stability for our communities across Canada.
Equally vital is my commitment to job creation. Kitchener Centre has long been a hub of innovation, with a thriving tech industry and entrepreneurial spirit. However, opportunity must be more than a promise. It must be a reality for every worker, every student choosing to stay in the region while entering the workforce and every small business daring to dream. We must invest in key technologies and industries: green technology, the arts and creative sectors, advanced manufacturing, med tech, deep tech, AI and more. We need to implement policies that empower our people and drive investment, ensuring our economy is sustainable and future-proof.
Today, our community has an opportunity to forge a new path ahead, and we are well positioned to do so. We must support the initiatives of the leaders of our industries on a federal level to ensure a prosperous future for Kitchener Centre. However, amid these ambitions, I must address the harsh reality that so many of our neighbours face: this drug crisis. It is a crisis that is not just statistical and not economic; it is profoundly human. I have listened to the voices of families who have lost loved ones; frontline business owners and workers grappling with its impact; and communities, especially in our downtown core, caught in the crossfire of addiction and crime.
One conversation that deeply resonated with me was with Cynthia, a constituent from Kitchener Centre. Not only has her business suffered because of this crisis, but she also brought to my attention a critical issue: the Alexandrian. It is a residential building in the heart of our downtown, which is not alone. This building is home to many newcomers to Canada and low-income families, including children of all ages. These children deserve to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, yet they are exposed to the harsh daily realities of downtown life.
Criminal activity unfolds right in front of them as they wait for the school bus or play in the nearby park. This is unacceptable. The safety of all of our children must never be an afterthought. It is our responsibility to ensure that they can live, learn and play in communities free from fear. The solution is not stigma; the solution is compassion and treatment. We must expand access to mental health support, strengthen rehabilitation programs and ensure that no one falls through the cracks.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with members of our outstanding Waterloo Regional Police Service, who shared with me that in 2024 alone, they responded to over 11,000 incidents in our downtown core. Since January, the WRPS has been actively collaborating with our local BIA on initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges and enhancing community well-being. To further support these efforts, we must take a firm stance on crime and repeal the soft-on-crime provisions in Bill and Bill . These policies have made it more difficult to hold repeat offenders accountable and have contributed to a revolving door in our justice system. We need to ensure that individuals who repeatedly victimize our communities are kept off our streets and that those responsible for trafficking deadly substances such as fentanyl face the most severe penalties, including life sentences for kingpins.
I did not enter public service to offer empty words. I am here to work for the single parent balancing two jobs, for those living under the poverty line, for the young graduate searching for stability, for the entrepreneur building something new and for the countless individuals wanting a second chance. Kitchener Centre is not just my riding; it is my heart, and I vow to work for it with every ounce of my dedication. To my fellow representatives in the House, I say let us move forward with courage and conviction. Let us not simply acknowledge these challenges but solve them. Let us prove through action that public service is more than governance: It is the unwavering pursuit of a better future. Together we can build it.
:
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise for the first time in the House of Commons. I would first like to express my appreciation for the people of Calgary McKnight for placing their trust in me. It is a great responsibility to be their voice, and I am both humbled and motivated by their support. I also need to thank my family, friends and relatives. Every individual who volunteered on my campaign and spread the Conservative message by knocking on doors, making phone calls and putting up signs inspired me with their commitment, which served as a reminder of the impact we can make when we come together in service of our communities.
I thank my neighbouring MPs from and for their guidance and support throughout this process. Finally, I want to thank the returning members of the House for welcoming me and all newly elected MPs with kindness and grace. I am eager to work alongside colleagues from all parties to deliver results for Canadians.
Just like this chamber, Calgary McKnight is made up of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It is a riding filled with hard-working individuals who take pride in their roots and in the journeys that brought them to Canada. People from every corner of the world are proud to call northeast Calgary home. They have started businesses, raised families and built vibrant communities. It is a place where neighbours support one another, where different traditions are celebrated side by side and where the Canadian dream is lived out every day in various languages, religions, cultures and acts of community service.
Their stories of sacrifice, determination and hope for a brighter future are what I carry with me into the chamber. Like many of my constituents, I also immigrated to northeast Calgary to live out the Canadian promise. Back then, if we worked hard and played by the rules, we could afford food and an affordable home on a safe street. Unfortunately, after 10 years of the Liberal government, that promise feels increasingly out of reach.
People in Calgary McKnight are simply tired: tired of seeing their savings eroded by inflation, tired of watching their children struggle to get ahead and tired of seeing crime destabilize the safe and welcoming communities they once knew. I ran to be a member of Parliament because I saw the issues that my neighbours in Calgary McKnight face on a daily basis. I have seen the rising cost of living make it harder and harder for members of my community to keep up.
Families are being forced to choose between affording groceries or filling up their car with gas, between heating their homes through the cold winter months or enrolling their children in sports or extracurricular activities. I see seniors stretching every last dollar of their retirement savings: The price of basic necessities continues to rise while their purchasing power declines due to the Liberal government's inflationary spending.
The youth in my community are no longer striving to get ahead financially or save for a down payment on a home. They are simply trying to keep their heads above water. New data from the Financial Resilience Institute shows that anxiety about money is now reported more than loneliness. The rise of youth unemployment to 14% has left young people hopeless and depressed.
Despite their education, skills and willingness to work, many young Canadians are unable to find meaningful employment and are forced to skip meals or move back in with mom and dad. This is not the future they were promised, and it is not the future that we should accept in the House.
A recent RBC survey found that over a quarter of Canadians have gone into debt, not to upgrade their education or buy a car but simply to cover basic living needs. Fifty-five per cent of Canadians describe themselves as being financially paralyzed. Overall unemployment is also on the rise in Canada and in my community. We have all heard stories of highly skilled and educated people unable to find work because their qualifications, earned abroad, are not recognized here. This is not only unfair; it is a missed opportunity for our public services.
I will advocate for policies like the blue seal program, which would give professionals a pathway to demonstrate their expertise and apply their skills in Canada. Through this program, tens of thousands of health care professionals already living in Canada could find employment and ease the strain on our overwhelmed health care system.
Northeast Calgary has a proud spirit of enterprise. For generations, the desire to start a business has served as the foundation of a strong Canadian middle class. Unfortunately, the past 10 years of Liberal taxation, bureaucracy and red tape have punished those who seek to innovate and build. Small business owners in Calgary McKnight have been facing increasing regulatory burdens and higher taxes that make it more difficult to sustain and grow their enterprises.
I will continue the fight for policies like cutting red tape by 25% and eliminating capital gains taxes on reinvestment, because small business owners in Calgary deserve to be rewarded for their hard work and personal investment in our communities.
My constituents are also deeply concerned about the rising wave of crime that has swept across our country. Just last month, a transit driver in my riding had to fight for his life after being brutally assaulted while driving a bus. Throughout my campaign, I met numerous constituents who had been victims of crime, people whose homes and vehicles had been vandalized or broken into, families still shaken by recent attacks and small business owners distraught after multiple armed robberies. Many shared that these incidents have become more frequent in recent years.
While Canadians are living in increasing fear, the Liberal government's soft-on-crime policies continue to enable repeat offenders to return to our streets and threaten the safety, livelihood and dignity of law-abiding citizens. This is unacceptable. We need to work together in the House to deliver practical solutions to combat violence and restore public safety across our great land.
Canadians deserve a real plan from their government. Last week's throne speech and the Liberals' decision to not present a budget unfortunately do not provide one. With summer break coming up after six months of prorogation, many are left wondering what to expect from a government that is already starting to look a lot like its predecessor.
Conservatives will continue to put forward common-sense solutions to make Canada safer and more affordable, self-reliant and united. It is time to cut taxes and red tape and to restore the dreams of home ownership and entrepreneurship. We must rein in government spending to bring down inflation and restore the value of our dollar. We need to make our communities safer by ensuring that repeat violent offenders are kept behind bars.
As our leader has previously stated, a good government should deliver effective essential services and then get out of the way so that Canadians have the freedom to work, build and pursue their dreams. It is my mission to restore that Canadian promise for the people of Calgary McKnight and for all Canadians who simply want a fair shot at a good life.
I thank the people of Calgary McKnight once again. I will serve them with integrity, passion and an open heart.
:
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to stand here in the House of Commons. Congratulations on your success in becoming the Speaker. I paid close attention to your speech, and I look forward to your leadership as you shepherd us through the 45th Parliament.
When I was first elected in 2015, people asked me how long I planned on running for. I said it would be as long as I have the sense of awe when I walk into the House of Commons. I still have that sense of awe today as we sit here in West Block. Previously, in 2015, we were in Centre Block, which is undergoing a major rebuild. I am struck that I have had the opportunity to sit in both places. It has been truly an honour.
I did not get here today to make this speech without the support and help of so many volunteers and supporters in Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma. My riding is one of the new ridings after the electoral commission went through a process of reviewing what kind of seats should be in Canada.
At the time, the commission recommended getting rid of one of the seats in Northern Ontario, and that ended up being Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, which was held by Carol Hughes, who sat as assistant deputy speaker and who served the area quite well for 18 years. My riding got all of Algoma plus parts of Sudbury. At the time, I argued against the change because northern Ontario did not need one fewer voice. However, to that matter, I knew that I could represent the area very well.
My father was born in Blind River, Ontario, in 1929, in the new riding. My family made it to Blind River via the traditional Irish story. My father's grandfather came over on a boat during the famine; my great-grandfather travelled with his mother, father and brother. Crossing the ocean during the potato famine, the mother passed and was given a burial at sea. Then the father passed and was given a burial at sea, leaving the two young boys orphaned. The Québécois adopted my great-grandfather and allowed him to keep our name. That was on a farm in the Saguenay area. That was sort of our origin story.
Eventually my great-grandfather went out west, to where his brother had been adopted on another farm, in Saskatchewan. The family lost the farm because of hail and a number of other things. This was before insurance. My great-grandfather made his way to Blind River to manage a hotel and to stay there. It was great knocking on doors in that area in particular, because I could hear about a lot of the issues in Algoma east, which were similar to the new issues that I heard in Algoma north.
To drive my riding from tip to tip takes about eight hours. That is not unusual for many members of the House. However, when the change happened, David Akin from Global TV contacted me and said that my riding probably has some of the most significant changes related to geography and population, because we had over 100,000 electors. I think it was about 114,000. I had spent a long time working in that area, in business and economic development, skill development and apprenticeships, so I felt quite at home. It was my secondary home.
I just wanted to acknowledge that great area because I represented Sault Ste. Marie before, which had part of Algoma, but not that significant area. It was absolutely fantastic. The people were really impressed with the platform and the vision of the new leader of the Liberal Party, soon to be the . I heard again and again that the new Prime Minister had people's trust because of his ability to shepherd us through the new challenge.
I could not stand here making this speech without recognizing all the great volunteers who supported me. We did not have much infrastructure in Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma, but it was amazing. We made pleas on social media, and people came through our door. Many of them had volunteered on other political campaigns before. Many of them had never, ever, voted Liberal, but they came through the door because they saw how critically important this election was. Some people who came through the door had never, ever worked on any political campaign.
I was very touched that so many people volunteered, so I want to thank all of them, including the new volunteers from all over Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma. However, I would be remiss not to thank the people who have worked on all four of my campaigns. They have been there every time. It was absolutely amazing. One of the media pointed out that it was the first time Liberals had won four times in a row in that riding. It is always a horse race among all the political parties. I would not be standing here again without those volunteers. My heartfelt thanks goes out to them and to my supporters and donors. There were so many that I cannot name them all.
Within that group, some of my best volunteers were, of course, my family. As I mentioned during question period today, I am celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary with my wife, Lisa Bradford, whom I met many years ago. I was already in politics. In November, I will celebrate 28 years of local representation, which started with the school board and city council. There is an old saying that behind every great man and woman, there is a partner. In my case, my partner is not behind me but beside me, and I say chi meegwetch to her.
Before I go too far, I would like to also acknowledge that the land I am on right now is the traditional territory of the Algonquin. My wife and kids are members of the Batchewana First Nation. In my new area, there are also the Ojibwe and Cree first nations. I thank them for sharing their land with us, and I give thanks to all indigenous people across this great nation, including the Métis, for sharing their land with us.
As I went to the door in the new riding, the number one concern for people was, of course, the threat to our sovereignty, the constant badgering by the American administration about Canada's becoming the 51st state. It was amazing: I was knocking on doors in Elliot Lake, and senior citizens had some of the strongest words of opposition. Some of them used words that I cannot use in the House. They were standing up strong and hard because they built this country to be what it is today. The 's words resonated very strongly with them about standing up to Donald Trump.
In my riding, there are two major steel operations: Algoma Steel, which is the second-largest steel producer in all of Canada, and Tenaris Algoma Tubes, which produces tubing for the oil and gas industry across Canada.
With threats of tariffs, I used to say that I had seen this movie before, but the reality of the new American administration is a movie I have never seen before. It is something that is beyond belief, beyond comprehension, with the continual up and down. We can hear another announcement from the American administration, and by the end of the day, it has changed. The reality of that unsteadiness has created a lot of angst, and rightly so. In 2018, we did have tariffs, but we stood up with countermeasures. We supported workers.
That is why I was really pleased to see in the Speech from the Throne particular sections that deal with our relationship with the United States of America, which has always been a critical partner to us. We have always been friends. We always refer to each other as cousins. There have been misunderstandings before. Sometimes, because of the great size of their country, they do not really pay attention, and not just to Canada but to the rest of the world.
I remember one time when I was at Lake State, which is a university across the way where I studied poli sci and business, we came back across the border in my car. We were waiting in line at the border and we were taking a bit of time. My friends in the back said, “Would it not be great if we were just one big, great country?” I looked at them and said, “Yes, it would be great having one prime minister” and they said, “Say what?” We began that kind of conversation.
Again, given the Speech from the Throne, dealing with the United States in particular in a multitude of fashions is important. As we renegotiate CUSMA, it is critical that we have a with great business acumen who is known around the world and can sit straight across the table and deal with that administration.
However, to deal with that administration, we also need to diversify our economy, and that is why when the talks about one economy, it resonates so much with me and the constituents across my great riding. We all know in this House that we are a Confederation of 10 provinces and three territories, and it is strange, especially for me, having worked in business, economic development and skills development, that it is difficult for people to do business with each other within Canada. Tearing down these barriers and having what was referred to today in question period as a love-in, with people like Premier Ford saying it was the best meeting he has seen in 10 years, are critically important.
The fact that we are working together sends a signal to our American friends that we can be dependent upon each other. If we tear down those barriers, $200 billion will be added to our economy. However, when I think about that, it is not just about that $200 billion. Over the last few years, I have been co-chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group. Japan is the third-greatest foreign direct investor in Canada, and when we tear down those barriers, it makes it easier for other countries to do business with us, as we can locate plants anywhere, in particular in Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma, which is really central in Canada. It could be a logistical hub. There are great opportunities.
This ambitious Speech from the Throne, which King Charles III delivered so eloquently, also identifies a mountain of opportunities related to growing our economy and working together as the sovereign state that we are. With King Charles III here, it definitely demonstrated that we are different from the United States. We are a Confederation. We are a mosaic of people. We expect people to keep their identities throughout Canada, just as my family did in Quebec. In the United States, they expect people to melt into the pot, and that is so different. The Canadian economy, that one economy, is absolutely critical. We have so much potential to deal with such important things.
As it relates to Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma, we are also a border community. A lot of trade comes across the way, so building up our infrastructure is absolutely critical. Ports, rail, roads and corridors for trade are so important because that stuff can absolutely be funnelled into the United States once we get back to our relationship. That makes so much sense, because we cannot deny that the United States is always going to be a factor as a trading partner.
I sit on the trade committee, and a lot of stuff is continually going north-south, but we have to secure our borders. We have to secure our borders in a way that makes sense.
We know for a fact that we are not the problem as it relates to the United States' issue with fentanyl. Using its own data, we know we are less than 1%. However, today we introduced the strong borders act, which is going to make Canada even stronger. That is critically important.
Being on a border town, I know for a fact that drugs are coming from the United States into Canada and illegal guns are coming through. In the Speech from the Throne, the King talked about investing in the RCMP and having 1,000 new RCMP officers. It is absolutely critical for us to make sure that we keep the bad people and the bad stuff out of this country.
This is after 10 years of cuts by the previous government. We know that almost $1 billion was cut from both the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency. We have already rehired, but we are going to go further on that. We are looking forward to that in Sault Ste. Marie, to make sure that we keep investing to keep our streets safe. The act goes further into a multitude of things.
As we are talking about safety and safety issues, the Speech from the Throne also talked about how we are going to rebuild our military. The Canadian Armed Forces is absolutely critical. My college roommate, one of my best friends, Captain Donald McFarling, served two terms in Afghanistan. He is currently a professor at the Royal Military College. We thank all the men and women who have served our country, who have protected our country from threats and who have policed areas in peacekeeping missions.
As I mentioned, I am now serving Algoma, the place where Lester B. Pearson served. He served that area so well. Everything in Elliot Lake is named after Lester B. Pearson. He was a great prime minister, always one of my favourites, and it is truly an honour to serve where he did.
We are rebuilding the military for the right reasons: so that we are less reliant on the United States. As we rebuild and refurbish our military, it will be good for Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma because Algoma Steel makes armour-grade plate. In fact, it is the only place in Canada that makes armour-grade plate of its significance. This steel will be used in the shipbuilding program and in rebuilding our armoured vehicles. It is so important because it is the right thing to do, and it is also going to help create jobs in Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma.
This is an ambitious plan that the premiers and the talked about in Saskatchewan. My grandfather worked on a farm. It is so important that we have the ability to work together. When we build, we are creating jobs upstream and downstream in the supply chains. Getting our resources to tidal waters is tremendously important for businesses like Tenaris. We and Algoma Steel also know that building bridges is good because they are going to use steel.
Our housing plan, which was referenced in the speech, is also important. Doubling our housing is going to mean using Canadian wood, which will receive some preferential treatment. There are places throughout northern Ontario with mills, including in White River, where a mill was shuttered when Stephen Harper was prime minister. It reopened recently in partnership with first nations in the area, including Pic Mobert, and is now working.
I am making the point that wood, steel and aluminum are all critically important for the most ambitious building project we have seen. How do we deal with the American administration? We fight, we protect and we build. Those are important things that we have to do. In doing so, we are not just creating jobs in steel, wood and aluminum; we are also creating jobs for our workers.
As I mentioned, I used to be the apprenticeship guy in the Algoma region. I was pleased to see that we are supporting the growth of apprenticeships by covering the costs of apprentices with an up to $8,000 grant. That is tremendously important because there are costs associated—