House Publications

    moved for leave to introduce Bill C-2, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures.

    Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, or APF. The first concerns its participation in the commemoration of the the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 6 and 7, 2024. The second concerns its participation in meetings of the APF presidency in Paris, France, and Luxembourg from April 22 to 26, 2024. The third concerns its participation in meetings of the APF Political Committee and Working Group on Reforming the APF Constitution in Luxembourg from April 27 to 30, 2024. The fourth concerns its participation in the 30th Assembly of the Africa Region of the APF in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on May 28 and 29, 2024. The fifth concerns its participation in the 36th Regional Assembly of Europe in Pristina, Kosovo, from November 11 to 13, 2024. The sixth concerns its participation in the meeting of the APF Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee and the Economic Parliamentary Symposium in Budapest, Hungary, from April 2 to 4, 2025.

    Mr. Speaker. I am presenting a petition that I suppose could have been from petitioners in almost any electoral district across Canada.

    Petitioners from Saanich—Gulf Islands have asked me to present this petition, which points to the crisis across Canada regarding access to primary health care and having a regular family doctor. In my community, in the Sidney and Victoria area of British Columbia, the average wait time for a walk-in clinic is two to four hours, depending on the community.

    The number of physicians in Canada is growing, but the number of Canadians without a regular doctor remains stable. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to work with all the provinces and territories to come to a holistic and fair solution that addresses the critical shortage of family doctors across Canada.

    Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.

    Is that agreed?

    Some hon. members: Agreed.

     Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Brampton South.

     It is with a profound sense of gratitude and humility that I rise for the first time as a member of Parliament in the House of Commons. I want to start by thanking the good people of Sackville—Bedford—Preston, who have placed their trust in me. From my hometown of Bedford to Sackville to Fall River, Waverley, Wellington, Beaver Bank, Preston and beyond, these communities have bestowed an honour on me that I can never truly repay.

    My family, without whom I would not be here today, also deserve everlasting thanks. I thank my wife Caitie, who is the best person I have ever known, for everything. I thank Caitie for taking a chance on the skinny kid from down the hall that first year at Dalhousie University. It has been the ride of a lifetime, and there is so much more to come. To my kids Beau and Heidi, Dad loves them. I cannot stand missing so many soccer games and play dates at the Barbie Dreamhouse, but I will make it up to them.

    I thank my mom, my dad and my siblings, Deirdre and Travis, for always believing in me, and I thank my predecessor, Darrell Samson, who was a great MP for the past 10 years and whose advice and counsel to me have always been wise.

    As we all know, a political campaign is the sum of countless tiny acts of political courage: that first timid knock on a stranger's door, that first phone call with an uncertain conclusion, the sometimes, or maybe always, inexplicable decision to put one's name on the ballot. To my amazing campaign team, who knocked on thousands of doors and suffered through far too many days of damp maritime weather, the kind of weather that seeps into our bones, our victory belongs more to them than it does to me.

    Speaking on the second-to-last day of the address in reply gives me an advantage compared to some of my colleagues who preceded me: the advantage of perspective and time. It has now been one week since King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne, and in a mere seven days, the threads of that speech have begun to stitch together into a concrete vision of what our government plans to do.

    We will make life more affordable by cutting taxes for over 22 million Canadians from coast to coast to coast. That means that, for each one of us in this chamber, thousands and thousands of our constituents will have more money in their pockets. This will save the average two-income family $840 per year. That is enough for swim lessons, dance lessons, soccer or a well-deserved night out for tired and busy parents.

    We will eliminate the GST on homes under $1 million for first-time buyers, saving people up to $50,000. Through “build Canada homes”, we will embark on the most ambitious homebuilding plan since the Second World War and deliver 500,000 new homes a year. We will cut development charges in half, support modular and prefabricated housing, and simply make it easier and faster for people to have a safe and affordable place to live.

    In partnership with the provinces and territories, we will break down trade barriers and create true free trade in this country. This will unlock up to $200 billion in economic activity and reduce our dependence on trade with the United States. Coming out of the meeting with the premiers in Saskatoon yesterday, it is clear that there is consensus on this issue. Progressive Conservative premiers, NDP premiers and Liberal premiers alike all agree that one Canadian economy is much stronger than 13. We will identify projects of national significance that will break down the silos of narrow political self-interest and generate growth across this country. These projects will create jobs, diversify trade and create a self-sufficient national economy that can weather the storms of an uncertain and changing world.

    As laid out in the communiqué from yesterday's first ministers' meeting, we will identify “Nation-building infrastructure and corridors, such as highways, railways, ports, airports, pipelines, nuclear projects, clean and conventional energy projects, and electricity transmission systems [that] are crucial for driving Canadian productivity growth, energy security, and economic competitiveness.” Under this plan, approvals that once took five years will now take two.

    In a word, we will build, and as we build, we will prove that government can do big things and do them well. Many people will be skeptical of that, and I can understand why. Far too often and for too long, government has asked why instead of why not. Instead of solving problems, government has thrown up roadblocks in front of good ideas, but this is not inevitable or unchangeable. If we look to the past, we are overwhelmed with examples of government, often in partnership with the private sector, building the foundations of our country, foundations that still support us to this day.

    When the last spike was driven to complete the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was the culmination of a dream that was, to borrow the Prime Minister's phrase, Canada's first project of national significance. During the Second World War, the Bedford Basin, in my own riding, was the gathering point for dozens of ships and convoys that would cross the ocean and liberate a continent. In 1955, a ribbon of steel, rising gracefully above the water below, connected Halifax to Dartmouth for the first time: the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge. In 1981, the Canadarm entered the final frontier of space with the logo of the Government of Canada on its side. It is an extraterrestrial example of what government can achieve.

    In the years to come, I know more examples will emerge. My hope is that this government, a government that builds, will restore Canadians' faith that big things are not beyond our reach. Government can be and must be a catalyst for growth, not a drag on innovation and productivity. I also hope that this Parliament, the 45th, can be one defined by productivity instead of partisanship, that MPs can work collaboratively and across party lines in a minority government to get things done.

    As we all know, there is no more direct, insightful and humbling experience than going door to door during a campaign. We have all knocked on thousands and thousands of doors, I am sure. As I have reflected on my own campaign over the past several weeks, I have been struck most of all by what I did not hear when I met people at their doorsteps.

    Nobody asked me to be angrier. Nobody asked me to double down on cynicism and pettiness. Nobody asked me to heckle more and heckle louder. Nobody asked me to do those things, because most people, thankfully, are lucky enough to live their lives outside of the political bubble. They live in the real world, where the scoreboard is not measured in seat counts or vote totals, but in the feeling someone gets when they wake up in the morning with a sense of purpose and hope, or the feeling someone gets when they know their kids will be better off than they are.

    This place, this chamber, exists in the real world, but sometimes it feels like stepping into the twilight zone. Being in politics can sometimes feel like being a racehorse with blinders on. Our field of vision is so narrow that all we see and all we care about is what is in front of us. We lose sight of the big world around us and become obsessed with narrow wins and small goals. I do not pretend to be perfect, and I am sure my blinders will come on from time to time. However, I will do my very best to remember what the people at the doors expect from me, and I would ask my colleagues to do the same.

    Many of us in this chamber want to see politics as black and white, but the truth is that it is almost always drawn in endless shades of grey. We should accept and embrace complexity, not toss it away in favour of a cheap sound bite or easy-to-remember slogan.

    This is not the first legislative body I have had the honour of serving in. I am a former member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, the oldest legislature in the country and the birthplace of responsible government in Canada. On the grounds of the House of Assembly on Hollis Street in a quiet corner, there is a statue of who I would say is the patron saint of Nova Scotia politics, Joseph Howe.

    Like all who have been politicians, Howe struggled to find what the true purpose of the job was, but I think he found it. I will finish today with his words, which will guide me and I hope guide my colleagues as well. Howe said, “when I sit down in solitude to the labours of my profession, the only questions I ask myself are, What is right? What is just? What is for the public good?” I, for one, think that is a pretty good place to start.

    Mr. Speaker, it has been a week, and our hon. colleague talked a lot about the Speech from the Throne and how the words that were spoken by His Majesty have woven a clear and concrete plan forward for our nation. He also talked about what he did not hear on the doorsteps.

    I want to tell our hon. colleague what I did not hear in the Speech from the Throne. I did not hear mention of our opioid crisis. Over 51,000 Canadians have passed away from overdose since 2016. What is the government's concrete plan for the opioid crisis?

    Mr. Speaker, there is no question that whether one is in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan or any part of this country, the opioid crisis has taken tens of thousands of lives needlessly, many young lives and many lives that otherwise would have been full of hope and productivity. This is something the government certainly is aware of and wants to fix. It wants to make sure that the lives that have tragically been ruined by the scourge of opioids can be healed over time.

    I take the member's point. However, this is something that goes to my point about non-partisan issues, and it is one I think we can all agree we need to solve, and solve very quickly.

    Mr. Speaker, in his speech, my colleague touched on an issue that is also concerning to me, and that is the need for us to be less partisan and more collaborative.

    He talked about the minority government, so he seems to realize that this is a minority government, that this is the mandate that voters gave us here in the House of Commons.

    Will his party take note of the amendment that was adopted yesterday by a vote of 166 to 164? Will the Liberals decide to table a budget and recognize the need to shed light on the state of our public finances?

    Mr. Speaker, when it comes to transparency and finances, this is something that, again, I think our government is working quickly on. This is the second-fastest return to Parliament in the history of our country, which is a testament to the urgency of the Prime Minister and the government.

    We are here in the House. I have been in opposition before; now I am on the government side. I know that the job of opposition is to ask questions and hold government to account, and I appreciate that role. That is what we are here to do. There are plenty of details and things to discuss in the House, and that is what we are here to do.

    Mr. Speaker, I welcome my colleague to the House. Of course, I will miss the deep and powerful voice of Darrell Samson, the member my colleague is replacing. However, I am sure that my colleague's voice will be just as strong in defending his constituents.

    My colleague said that he knocked on a lot of doors and met a lot of people during the election campaign. Can he tell us which of the measures proposed in the Speech from the Throne will help his riding and constituents?

     Mr. Speaker, one thing that is really important to my riding, and all ridings across the country, is housing. When I was in the provincial legislature, I also served as the housing critic, so it is an issue that has been very important to me for a number of years, particularly for people my age and younger, I would say, who are extremely worried about how they are going to pay rent or afford a mortgage.

    It is particularly important for seniors as well who want to downsize but cannot afford to because rents are too expensive where they live. Therefore, there might be one person living in a house where ideally there would be four or five, a young family. That is a problem as well.

    In our throne speech and in our platform during the campaign, we laid out a plan to get the government involved in housing. Again, this speaks to what I was talking about: The government can and must do big things. Housing is an area where it has done great work in the past. I expect we will do it again through “build Canada homes” and other programs.

    Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to the Speech from the Throne delivered by His Majesty King Charles III. Before I begin, I would like to extend my appreciation to the residents of Brampton South for once again placing their trust in me to represent them in the 45th Parliament. This continued trust gives me the honour of being their voice in the chamber, standing up for their priorities and working to make our community stronger, safer and more inclusive for everyone.

     I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to my family, staff, volunteers and residents for their continued support. As we begin this new parliamentary session, we are setting a course for a bold and forward-looking Canada, one that reflects the hopes and aspirations of Canadians across the country.

    At the doors in Brampton South, I heard directly from our community members on priorities that matter to them the most. More than that, people told me they want to see real solutions, not slogans, action that meets the moment and sets us on the best path forward. That is exactly what the throne speech delivers: a clear, ambitious agenda to tackle the challenges head-on and build a more secure, more affordable and more prosperous future for generations to come, where Canadians can afford a home, find a good-paying job and feel safe in their neighbourhood.

     First, our Liberal government is delivering a middle-class tax cut. Residents in Brampton South work hard every day to support their family, and they deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money. That is why one of the first actions of the current government is to deliver meaningful tax relief for the middle class. Starting July 1, we plan to reduce the lowest personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%. This tax cut will benefit nearly 22 million Canadians and save two-income families up to $840 a year by 2026. For families in Brampton South, that is money that can go toward groceries, kids' activities or saving for the future.

    Over the next five years, this tax cut will return more than $27 billion to Canadians, dollars that remain in our communities and support local economies like ours in Brampton South. Our message is clear: We are cutting taxes and delivering changes so all Canadians can get ahead.

     Second, our government will continue to invest in health care and affordability measures. The government is building on progress that is already making life more affordable for families in Brampton South, like $10-a-day child care, the national school food program and the Canadian dental care plan. Thanks to our $10-a-day child care program, parents in Ontario are saving over $10,000 per year per child.

    In Brampton, we are seeing new child care spaces opening. For example, there is the SimplySmart Child Care Centre and Montessori school. I have spoken with parents first-hand, especially mothers, who are now able to return to work or take on more hours, knowing their children are in safe, affordable care. This is more than good social policy; it is also smart economic policy. It gives our children the best possible start and supports parents as they build their career.

     We are also making progress with the national school food program, an ambitious step in strengthening our social safety net. With over $1 million in federal funding over five years, the program will provide nutritious meals to more than 400,000 students in Ontario alone, helping our students focus, learn and thrive.

    Through the Canadian dental care plan, we are delivering real savings, up to $750 a year on essential dental care. This historic program has already helped over 3.6 million Canadians, including 1.8 million who have received care to date. Now all uninsured eligible Canadians can apply, with the goal of reaching up to nine million Canadians.

    These are not just numbers; they are life-changing supports. I have spoken with single mothers in Brampton South who are now able to work full-time thanks to access to affordable child care. I have heard from seniors who can finally get the dental care they need without the burden of high costs. These are the people we are fighting for, and we will keep working every day to deliver for them.

     Third, our Liberal government remains committed to building more homes for Canadians. In Brampton, housing demand has increased. That is why I welcome our government's ambitious plan to double the rate of homebuilding in Canada and support a new wave of affordable housing construction. We are launching the new “build Canada homes” initiative to unlock new projects for prefabricated housing and to make it easier for builders to get shovels in the ground. By cutting development charges and offering significant financing to non-profit and affordable housing providers, we are addressing the root causes of unaffordability.

    This work is already happening in Brampton. Through the housing accelerator fund, the federal government is investing $114 million to fast-track the construction of more than 3,150 new homes in the city of Brampton. This funding is helping Brampton officials cut red tape, speed up zoning changes and support higher-density development near transit and essential services.

     We are also taking action to make home ownership more affordable for first-time buyers by eliminating the GST on new homes valued up to $1 million, saving them up to $50,000, and reducing the GST on homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million. These are concrete steps that are making a difference right now so more families in Brampton South can find an affordable place to call home.

     Fourth, our Liberal government will continue to make our communities safer and more inclusive for everyone. Safety is a top priority for our communities, and when it comes to keeping our streets and neighbourhoods safe, all levels of government must work together. That is why the Liberal government is taking concrete action with respect to supporting local municipalities, law enforcement and the Province of Ontario to combat and prevent organized crime and auto theft, and to keep assault-style weapons off the street.

     In the Region of Peel, theft of motor vehicles has declined significantly, with a 16% drop in 2024 and a further 45% decline in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. These are not just statistics; the numbers represent real change that our partners can bring with the support of the federal government. That is why we are investing in stronger bail enforcement and tougher laws to keep repeat violent offenders off our streets, 1,000 new RCMP officers to strengthen law enforcement capacity across Canada, federal funding and intelligence coordination to disrupt organized auto theft rings, and technologies like drones, scanners and K-9 units to intercept stolen vehicles and illicit goods.

    Our message is clear: We are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe, and our investments are working. Together, with local, provincial and federal collaboration, we are making our streets safer for everyone.

     Fifth, our Liberal government will build one Canadian economy and safeguard Canadian values and sovereignty. We are living in a time of deep uncertainty around the world. In recent months, we have heard alarming rhetoric from south of the border, but let us be clear: Canada is not for sale, and the true north is indeed strong and free. As outlined in the Speech from the Throne, our government is responding with confidence, conviction and vision.

     Our Liberal government will continue to diversify our trading partners. Canada has 15 free trade agreements cover 61% of the world's GDP and open markets to 1.5 billion consumers worldwide. Most important, we are building one Canadian economy, removing internal trade barriers, strengthening supply chains and empowering our industries with the local tools required to lead and compete in a rapidly changing world. We will create one Canadian economy, not 13 Canadian economies. This will lower prices up to 50%, increase productivity up to 7% and add $2 billion to the economy.

    Together, we are building a Canada that is united, resilient and ready to lead, not just today but for generations to come.

    Mr. Speaker, to the member, I say that I think it is pretty obvious to everyone that fear was a major motivating factor for the Liberals winning the election, and specifically Donald Trump's bizarre threats of annexation, which appealed to a significant number of people. We heard, during the election, the Liberals constantly talking about Trump, “elbows up” and retaliatory tariffs, but it has been revealed that the Prime Minister dropped these retaliatory tariffs during the election without informing Canadians. There was doublespeak, and I would suggest that this was dishonest.

     Can the member recognize that actions like these undermine confidence in the government and the Prime Minister?

    Mr. Speaker, as I said in my speech, together we are building a Canada that is united, resilient and ready to lead, not just today but for generations to come.

     Yes, unjustified tariffs are here from south of the border, but our Liberal government will continue to deliver. That is why the Prime Minister had a meeting with the premiers yesterday. It was so that we can build a resilient economy, one economy, to make Canada strong. Our Liberal government will continue to diversify our trading partners. Canada is the only G7 economy with comprehensive free trade access to the entire G7 and European Union, totalling 50 countries. Canada is the only country that has 15 free trade agreements, covering 61% of the world's GDP—

     The hon. member for Shefford.

    Mr. Speaker, my colleague and I had the opportunity to spend some time together, particularly at the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, and I know that we are both committed to this issue.

    However, I want to make the following observation. Apart from announcements on firearms, there is nothing specific in this throne speech to address violence against women. There is nothing, even though we have learned that there may have been a fourth femicide in the Eastern Townships, in my region of Sherbrooke, and that we may even have reached the tenth femicide in Quebec this year.

    What will we do to help these victims of domestic violence? How are we going to fight the scourge, the epidemic of femicide? Is there any money? I have not seen anything about any kind of action plan to address violence against women.

    Mr. Speaker, I shared sitting on the status of women committee with the member from 2019 until the last Parliament. We did a lot of work in the status of women committee together on betterment for women. Our Liberal government is committed to working for betterment for women. As members know, child care is also there, even $10 day care. When I was door knocking, I heard very positive feedback from women, single mothers, and it is a big help. In this 45th Parliament, let us work together to do more on betterment for women.

     Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for the work she has done for all Canadians in the last decade. We all knocked on doors and heard the concerns of our constituents, so I would like to ask my colleague a question.

    Canadians are finding it difficult to make ends meet in these difficult times. Can the member shed light on how our tax breaks will help Canadians get through these difficult times?

     Mr. Speaker, as members know, we got a clear mandate, and we have an ambitious plan with the tax cut. I was just talking about the 15% to 14%. We have an ambitious plan, and I want to talk about three more things. We are helping Canadians with dental care. As members know, in Scarborough, in that member's riding, seniors and everyone got a good benefit. There is child care and the school food program. We have a lot of good plans—

     Resuming debate, the hon. member for Niagara South.

    Mr. Speaker, before I begin to speak about the Speech from the Throne, I hope members will indulge me in a bit of reflection and a few personal comments.

    First, I am honoured and humbled to be here. It is a very special privilege to be a member of the House of Commons. Indeed, I recall that even this space, when I was a young staffer here in 1979, was a courtyard. I remember having my lunch on the picnic table somewhere around here. Boy, has this place changed.

    I was brought here by my predecessor in 1979, Mr. Girve Fretz, who represented the riding of Erie, now my riding of Niagara South. I was then mentored by a member of Parliament from Prince George—Bulkley Valley, Lorne McCuish. I spent many years with this gentleman, and he was indeed a huge influence on my life and one of the reasons I am here today.

     Getting here was no easy task, with a campaign of hundreds of volunteers. I want to thank a few key members of my team: Marisa, who is here today, Hunter, Jason and Donna. A special thanks goes to Teresa, also a former staffer of Girve, who encouraged me over four decades in this journey.

     A special thanks also goes to Chris van Kralingen at Barber Hymac in Port Colborne, who hosted our leader at his plant and is a strong champion of our effort in Niagara South. I appreciate his support and counsel.

     I give a very special thanks to my wife, Monica, for the love and support, which carried me through a year and a half of door knocking, sometimes in pretty incredible weather, along the shores of Lake Erie. I am forever grateful for that, as well as the support from our kids and our family and friends from coast to coast.

    I also want to thank my predecessor, Vance Badawey, who was a member opposite, for his 10 years of service in the old riding of Niagara Centre.

    The new riding of Niagara South includes Thorold, Welland, Port Colborne and Fort Erie. It has a rich history of industrial excellence and strength, with companies that helped build Canada.

    In a post-World War II Canada, Niagara was the epicentre of industrial growth and middle-class prosperity. Back then, Niagara was the new frontier, and I believe now that it is the last frontier that can lead Canada again in the years ahead, provided we are focused on key economic priorities through the strength of our residents and our workforce.

    Niagara South is also a border riding. The Peace Bridge in Fort Erie sees over $40 billion of economic activity crossing back and forth between Canada and the United States, the second-busiest border crossing in Canada.

    Our beautiful Lake Erie shoreline leads us to the Welland Canal, the backbone of the Great Lakes economy. Around 80% of the St. Lawrence Seaway's economic activity passes through the Welland Canal, starting in Port Colborne and intersecting three communities in my riding. When I was growing up, I was often frustrated when the bridge was up in downtown Port Colborne. Watching one of those huge lakers slowly pass through the locks as a kid was a bit frustrating, but today I am grateful to see that site going through the middle of our downtown and the middle of the Niagara region, because it is such an economic performer and job creator in our region.

    As we focus on lowering internal trade barriers, we need to understand that Canada's marine sector is the key driver of economic growth, with a strong potential to enhance internal trade, support nation-building projects and strengthen national supply chains. I know this because in my community in Niagara, we have one of Canada's key marine hubs, supported by companies such as Algoma and Allied Marine. The role of short sea shipping in the Great Lakes and our coastal regions underscores the importance of reducing regulatory barriers to fully develop our Canadian marine potential. All the leaders in my riding recognize this as well.

    This may be my maiden speech, but I offered mayors in my riding an opportunity to put their views on the record today as I speak here for the first time.

    Port Colborne mayor Bill Steele describes our city as a “close-knit community with a proud marine heritage celebrated through our signature Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival. As part of the new Niagara South riding, Port Colborne is poised for transformational growth.”

    Thorold mayor Terry Ugulini states, “The Welland Canal Corridor mayors are committed to developing Niagara Ports into something special. On an international scale, the Thorold Multimodal Hub is an excellent example of that success.”

    Welland mayor Frank Campion says, “Welland is a city built on resilience, diversity and opportunity, situated along the recreational Welland Canal that winds through the heart of our community. From our rich industrial heritage and ongoing industrial renaissance to a vibrant cultural scene rooted in deep history, Welland is a place where past and future come together.”

    Finally, Fort Erie mayor Wayne Redekop highlights our history: “Fort Erie is the site of the first British fort built on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes, a quickly growing community with a rich history and diverse population including indigenous peoples and newcomers from around the world. Many battles of the War of 1812 were fought on the farms and fields of Niagara South. It is indeed true that Canada may not exist today had we not defended our territory in Niagara. The history is all around us. We must celebrate it and preserve it. Sir Isaac Brock, lost at the Battle of Queenston Heights, would be proud of Niagara today.”

    This brings me to the Speech from the Throne. I have listened to many of my colleagues' perspectives and reflections on the lack of a real plan to build energy security, national security, sovereignty security, economic security and a safe country where our streets are secure from rampant crime and where our children can actually afford to purchase a home. The promise of Canadian citizenship should not be out of reach for an entire generation.

    The Speech from the Throne, to me, should be like a blank canvas, transformed into a bold vision for Canada, but I am left feeling that the canvas remains mostly blank. There is no bold plan, just more of the same: massive increases in spending and no specifics on what that money will buy.

    I have spent the better part of my life working in the innovation sector, helping and mentoring start-ups and early-stage companies. The word “innovation” appears in the Speech from the Throne once but with no connection to the real innovation gap in Canada, which is bridging capital to Canadian entrepreneurs, the real backbone of our economy. There is nothing in the Speech from the Throne about small businesses and developing Canada's smartest minds.

    The driving force of Canada's economy is our business sector. That was left off the canvas. Our venture capital ecosystem, the lifeblood of innovation, faces systemic challenges that demand urgent, evidence-based intervention.

    The data before us reveals a troubling paradox: Companies have record dry financial powder, capital reserves, but this exists alongside cash-starved start-ups, funding gaps widening at critical stages and a hemorrhage of talent and intellectual property to foreign buyers.

    I have seen and worked with the best and the brightest grown here in Canada, enthusiastic and brilliant young Canadians who are leaving here to go where investment capital is readily available. I have seen it first-hand, and the trends continue to go in the wrong direction. The government's response is simply to spend more money to see what will stick.

    I know that, over the past 10 years, the regulatory hurdles faced by the innovation sector remained massive and restrictive. I will give a very important example. The process of SHRED reconciliation for innovation, research and development is often too much for businesses to bear because it simply takes too long. It is bogged down in paperwork and bureaucracy. We are losing companies to more hospitable jurisdictions where capital is more readily available and governments provide support, not complicated regulation.

    There were programs that were highly successful that have been drastically downsized by the Liberal government. For example, the Harper government funded the creation of angel investor groups across Canada in response to the 2008 financial crisis. This was innovative and highly successful, and it brought investors across Canada together, aggregating capital to new Canadian companies. The Liberals effectively ended that support for the ecosystem. It is at the point where these groups are disappearing, just as the companies they supported are going south to where capital is more available.

    We need to tap the creativity of our young entrepreneurs, help them bring good ideas to market and provide the economic platform that they need to succeed. We need to provide hope. Conservatives understand this, and we will fight to nourish the support of our entrepreneurial spirit to keep our best and brightest here in Canada. Only then will that canvas be painted with a bold plan for Canada.

     Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member on his first speech.

    One thing that comes to my mind is foreign investment. I believe the last record I saw said that in 2023 Canada had more foreign investment per capita than any of the other G7 countries. In fact, if we look at countries around the world, I believe we placed third on foreign investment. When foreigners look at Canada as a place to invest, which was clearly demonstrated in 2023, would that not counter a lot of the arguments that the member was putting forward? When he says that the Harper government had x, often it is replaced by something bigger and better through the years. I believe the economy and the number of jobs that have been created demonstrate that.

    I am wondering if the member wants to comment on foreign investment.

     Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, if foreign investment is coming to this country and the companies that you are speaking about are rather large companies, I am interested in the innovation sector, the small companies that are the backbone of our Canadian economy. The government has failed miserably to provide the supports, the platform and the economic opportunities for companies and Canadians to invest their capital in these start-ups.

    We are not talking about billion-dollar companies that you may be referring to as coming to Canada. I am talking about the small companies that will build entrepreneurship and innovation in Canada and create long and sustainable jobs for Canadians.

    I would remind members to address their comments to the Chair.

    The hon. member for Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères.

     Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his election.

    I listened carefully to his speech, but there seemed to be one thing missing from it, and that is the issue of climate change. I was wondering if my colleague had any concerns about that.

     There was also no mention of this subject in the government’s throne speech, even though we know that unprecedented forest fires are currently raging in western Canada.

    In that context, does my colleague not agree that we need to think about the fact that we are only adding fuel to the fire by consistently proposing oil projects that will only worsen climate change?

    Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we believe in technology, not taxes, as a way to fight climate change. I have worked with many companies in Niagara in the green tech sector that are creating new technologies rather than collecting taxes that change nothing and do not reduce CO2 emissions.

    Yes, we have opportunities in this country to help grow our tech sector with these brand new companies that will change the world based on technology and not taxes.

    Mr. Speaker, I cannot tell you how excited I am that the member has joined us in the House. No offence to all the lawyers in the House, but it is great to add another business person who understands what it takes to create jobs. The member for Niagara South is very humble. He has spent a long career in Niagara helping companies grow, helping people build jobs, helping create wealth for individuals and small companies.

    I would like the member to comment on the industrial carbon tax. What does that do to our businesses in terms of competitiveness and how we trade around the world?

    Mr. Speaker, that is a great question. I have spent a lot of time talking to companies in my riding. I made mention of Chris van Kralingen at Barber Hymac in Port Colborne. He told me during the campaign that one of the most oppressive issues that faced his company was the industrial carbon tax. He did not need that to be a barrier when he is trying to compete internationally against countries in Europe and the east that heavily subsidize their sector.

    If we are going to tax our companies to death, we will never be able to compete on an international scale. I hope the government will finally decide to axe the tax.

     Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to stand in this House today to give my first speech since being elected back home in Miramichi—Grand Lake.

    I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, upon your election to office and offer you my promise to assist in maintaining decorum and order in this House.

    It is both humbling and an honour to sit in the chamber as a member of Parliament. While I am both proud and overwhelmed at the responsibility of this job, I take comfort in the fact that we would have no authority in this House whatsoever unless it had been given to us from above.

     As this is my maiden speech in the House, I respectfully ask for the opportunity to explain my purpose for being here. My grandfather, Pat, used to joke that politics was just a chance to wear out a good suit and hang around a lower class of people. Today, I think a great many Canadians share his cynicism of politics in our country. For my part, while my grandfather is no longer with us, I remind myself daily of the need to restore public confidence in the elected offices in our country.

    I am not a career politician; I am a tradesman and a contractor. My father, Mike Sr., died unexpectedly of cancer when I was in high school in 1992. I dropped out of high school and went to work, eventually building my own business in drywall and construction. I let my name stand for public office because I wanted to give back to the community and region that gave so much to me. I made only two promises to get here: that I would always be honest with my constituents and that I would always work hard on their behalf.

    Let me further say, for the record, that I will always be accountable to my constituents. I will always put the needs of my constituents ahead of my own and make best efforts to meet with them whenever they need it. I will vote with my conscience on questions of ethics. I know that at the end of the day, I only sit in this House, which is impressive and inspiring, by the will of the people and the hard work of those who supported me to get here.

    There are many individuals who deserve my thanks for helping me get here, too many to name, but I will mention just a few. To my wife Kathy, my children Mikey and Dylan, and our granddaughter Carter, without their love and encouragement, none of this would be possible.

     Frank Trevors, my campaign manager, took on an incredible challenge and saw it through to the end. Mark Donnelly is my official agent and great friend since we were kids. Tilly O'Neill Gordon, our former and much-loved member of Parliament, is a kind and sincere woman who laid the groundwork for my opportunity to sit in this chamber. Jimmy Whalen was by my side, door to door, and knows almost everyone everywhere in my riding. Andrew Dawson was a key part of my success in Fredericton and will continue to do so in Ottawa. MLAs Michelle Conroy, Kathy Bockus, Richard Ames, Daniel Allain and former New Brunswick premier Blaine Higgs, who were all my colleagues the past three and a half years in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, contributed to my success then and now as well. To all my volunteers, and the list is growing very long, their long hours and dedication were instrumental in my success.

    Please let me spend a moment explaining where my riding is and how it is a part of our great nation. Geographically, my riding begins in central New Brunswick, where the headwaters of the Miramichi River form, and it follows those waters through the communities of Boiestown, Doaktown, Blackville, Renous, Sunny Corner and Barnaby River.

    My constituency contains the entire city of Miramichi, formerly Newcastle and Chatham. It continues on to Neguac, Baie-Sainte-Anne, Tabusintac, Rogersville, Richibucto and all points in between. It also includes the municipalities and communities that surround Grand Lake, the communities formerly known as Chipman and Minto, as well as Sheffield, Noonan and Maugerville.

    There are also several first nation communities in our beautiful riding: Elsipogtog, Esgenoôpetitj, Metepenagiag and Natoaganeg, which I will have open dialogue with, and I will work on their behalf for their interests as well.

    Miramichi has a long history of contribution to our great nation, by way of both our natural resources and our people. The timber from our forests and the ore from our mines have contributed to our proud national history. Lord Beaverbrook, who served as a member of Parliament in England during the Second World War and as a part of Winston Churchill's war cabinet, was born and raised in our woods and along our shores. Former prime minister R.B. Bennett lived and worked in Miramichi. Former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna, whom I recognize, despite the best efforts of the hon. member for Beauséjour, as the greatest living New Brunswicker, is also an honorary Miramichier.

    As we have just finished an election campaign, and I have canvassed all the communities and regions that I have mentioned, please allow me to inform this House of the priorities of my constituents, which makes them my priorities.

    Of course, the economy, inflation and the cost of living are very front of mind in my constituency. Over the last decade, life has become unaffordable for the people of Miramichi—Grand Lake. It is hard to understand how the government proposed a spending bill of half a trillion dollars, which does nothing to help this very worrisome situation. The money the government proposes to spend is money it does not yet have and must steal from individuals and businesses by way of future taxes. It is troublesome, to say the least.

    This kind of reckless spending in Ottawa with numbers too large to comprehend takes hundred-dollar bills out of the pockets of the working poor and single mothers, and also from those on social assistance and retirees. It is becoming nearly impossible to find someone in these communities who is flourishing and living our great Canadian dream, if in fact the great Canadian dream still exists.

    I am surprised that the Prime Minister, during his time in England, never picked up on the lessons in economics from Margaret Thatcher: that the problem with spending other people's money is that eventually we run out of it. We are there now. Because of this, let me state in my very first speech in the House that I am a small-government, low-tax, “keep government out of our business”, free-speech, God-fearing Pierre Poilievre Conservative.

    While the government proposes to spend recklessly, my constituents in Miramichi—Grand Lake are very concerned about job security as it relates to employment at the federal payroll centre in Miramichi. During the recent campaign, PSAC, the union representing the workers at the Miramichi payroll centre, accused me and the Conservatives of planning to cut positions at the payroll centre, when it was the Liberals all along who planned to do so. For as long as I am a member of Parliament, I will fight for the workers at the Miramichi payroll centre.

    I will also fight for the federal government to address the very real concerns of our inshore fishers in New Brunswick. For many years now, the federal government has mismanaged the fishery and allowed tensions between native and non-native fishers to escalate on our waters. These issues must be addressed in real time if we are to create a safe, level playing field for all in this vital industry. For as long as I am a member of Parliament, I will fight and advocate for our small craft harbours and inshore fishers.

    The community wharves in Tabusintac and Bay du Vin are unsafe and in desperate need of attention from the federal government, whose responsibility they are. The member for Beauséjour injected millions into the wharves in Shediac and Pointe-Sapin, which were in his constituency. I hope I can get these wharves on his radar, as I know he has sincere respect and concern for our fishermen in New Brunswick, and they quite rightly respect him as well. I will advocate for much-needed improvements to the wharves in Tabusintac and Bay du Vin.

    Lastly, while on the topic of fisheries, no speech from Miramichi would be complete without mention of the Atlantic salmon. The Atlantic salmon have been in decline for two decades now. My constituents have been joking that with the job the government has done managing the Atlantic salmon population, perhaps the Liberal government could take over the responsibility for the black flies, in hopes that it could mimic these results with that most troublesome population. I will fight and advocate for the Atlantic salmon.

    This brings me to the end of my allotted time. I look forward to representing my constituents and contributing to the debate in this most esteemed chamber.

     Mr. Speaker, when we were knocking on doors, each and every resident was asking about affordability, affordable housing and the tax cut. I will request that my colleague support our Prime Minister's program for the tax cut.

     Mr. Speaker, the tax cut that the Liberals are proposing does very little for my constituents in Miramichi—Grand Lake. If the Liberals wanted to make a difference, they would cut the carbon tax completely: not just the consumer carbon tax, but the industrial carbon tax. Axe the tax completely.

    Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about my colleague's last statement that any measure limiting greenhouse gas emissions should be axed completely. On the contrary, I think it is important to have incentives to limit emissions. However, I will move on to another topic since I already asked his colleague that question and I expect he would give me the same answer.

     In his speech, the member talked about how important infrastructure is to him. I believe I heard him mention a wharf in his riding that needs investment. There is a wharf in my riding that needs investment too. The federal government has been neglecting the Verchères wharf for about 20 years now. It is a real disgrace. It is an eyesore right in the middle of our village. Unfortunately, it is all too common for the federal government to give up on its infrastructure.

    What does my colleague think of that?

    Mr. Speaker, on the question of emissions, I believe we have to work to fight emissions as well, but we also have to fight for the everyday living of Canadians. If Canadians cannot afford to live, there is no sense in worrying about emissions. The cost of living is going to be too high for people to live in Canada.

     Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. member for Miramichi—Grand Lake on his election.

    I share the concerns the member has about the fate of Atlantic salmon, as well as that of Pacific salmon. As he will know, and in Miramichi everyone knows, by the way, that I am actually bicoastal. I am from Cape Breton Island and Vancouver Island. I grew up on Cape Breton Island. The Miramichi is famous, as is the Margaree River, which is my home.

    Saving both of these salmon populations is going to be a struggle. I look forward to working with the hon. member. If he is prepared to fight for wild Atlantic salmon, I am prepared to fight for wild Pacific salmon.

    Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague on the other side. We need both Pacific salmon and Atlantic salmon to thrive. It is a major industry, and 25 years ago, it was a $40-million industry in Miramichi—Grand Lake. We need to get back to the table to work with the government, as the opposition, to make sure that we keep our industries alive and well.

    Mr. Speaker, I send my congratulations to you on your election and your appointment.

    I have a question for the member with respect to the budget. The fact is that the Liberal government has not brought forward a budget, and it does not seem to be serious about it. How does he think that bodes for the future of Canada and getting expenditures under control?

    Mr. Speaker, I do not know how the government expects to do this. If one runs a household, they do not just fill up their credit cards, empty their bank accounts, and then try to do a budget after the fact to find out how much money they have left. That is not the way people spend their paycheques. That is not the way they run their households. We should not be running the country that way either.

    Mr. Speaker, the member for Hamilton Centre asked a question about the tax break. The member opposite indicated that he does not like the tax break. Is it the Conservative Party's official position that its members are going to be voting against the tax break for Canadians? We were very surprised in 2016, when they voted against the tax break for Canadians. Is it the position of the Conservative Party to vote against the tax break?

    Mr. Speaker, I never said that we did not like the tax break. I said that it did very little for the constituents of Miramichi—Grand Lake.

    What I am saying is this: If the government wants to take care of the people of Canada, it should cut the carbon tax completely.

    Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you on your appointment. I want to mention that I will be sharing my time with the member for Hull—Aylmer. I also want to congratulate all members of the House on winning their seats.

    I am here today to support the Speech from the Throne. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters of Beauport—Limoilou for doing me the honour of choosing me as their member of Parliament. I will do everything in my power to live up to their trust.

    Next, I want to thank all the volunteers who believed in me and in my election campaign. We certainly did not have a head start, but we took the time to talk to the people. I want to thank Jacques and Louis-Philippe.

    I want to thank my family and especially my parents, Huguette and Paul-Émile, who instilled their values in me and made me the man that I am. I also wish to thank Mélanie, my partner in life, for her support. It is thanks to her that I am able to undertake this extraordinary commitment and embark on this amazing adventure.

    I also want to acknowledge the people for whom I am here today: my four children, Christopher, Léa, Tristan-Olivier and Emma-Rose, and my two grandchildren, Jayden and Mason. The reason I ran for Parliament was to work to build a more prosperous Canada for them. I love them all very much.

    I am the youngest of seven children raised on a dairy farm in a small village called Notre‑Dame‑du‑Lac in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. I spent my childhood working on the farm, helping my father and siblings with the milking. Later, as a teenager, I followed my brothers into the bush, to work as a lumberjack until I was 25 years old.

    At the age of 20, I became a father for the first time. I was plunged into a life full of challenges that I was not yet ready to face. At the banks, where I worked for two decades, I was lucky enough to be in a position to help people. I could help families, like my parents' family, become homeowners. Later, I had the opportunity to help entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams and create prosperity in our community. I fully understand the impact that uncertain times like these can have on the people in our communities.

    I helped families who could no longer afford their mortgages. I helped business owners who felt they were at the end of their rope and were just days away from filing for bankruptcy. I took the helm of Quebec City's chamber of commerce and industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many business owners in the region did not know what lay ahead for their businesses. I know the value of things. That is why I was so deeply moved by the throne speech.

    For me, the most important words in that speech were these: “the economy is only truly strong when it serves everyone”. In short, if we want to create economic value in a lasting way, we must do so in a way that respects our deeply held values. We also need to make sure no one is left behind. In short, this throne speech, which I have read, is a government road map that aligns perfectly with my personal values and with my ambitions for the Quebec City region.

    We need to invest, not just spend. The throne speech we heard last week gives me confidence that the Quebec City region will not only make it through this period of uncertainty, but will emerge stronger than ever.

    The government will quickly address an issue that is a huge problem in Beauport—Limoilou: the housing crisis. The plan is simple yet highly ambitious. The government is going to launch a massive homebuilding project in order to lower prices. The vast majority of first-time homebuyers will also save up to $50,000 in GST on homes at or under $1 million. That will help young people get onto the property ladder.

    Earlier, I quoted this phrase from the throne speech: “the economy is only truly strong when it serves everyone”. That is why I am proud of the concrete measures our government has announced to directly improve people's lives. I am thinking in particular of the tax cut, which will put money directly into the pockets of the middle class. It will allow a couple to save over $800 and will benefit more than 22 million Canadian citizens. That is not to mention the popular existing programs that will be maintained and enhanced, such as child care, pharmacare and, of course, dental care.

    With respect to economic development, the Quebec City region has been at the heart of the government's strategy for years. Thanks in particular to the work of my colleagues from Québec Centre and Louis‑Hébert, the Davie shipyard's future is secure. The Quebec bridge, a critical link and vital artery for Quebec City, is now owned by a government that sees its restoration as a priority. The government is also a key financial partner in Quebec City's strategic public transit project.

    The work will continue. The throne speech signals a new era of growth for Canadians. In my discussions with the people of Beauport—Limoilou, one thing that often came up was the idea that economic development projects should not be pitted against each other. It is not either-or. We can build by saying “and” instead.

    The same is true for the environment. The greatest challenge of our generation is to build a sustainable economy, an economy that respects our planet. Some would have us believe that we must choose between economic development and environmental protection. We can do both. There is no point in dividing people. We should work together to build for the long term.

    I strongly believe that the Quebec City region has a major role to play in Canada's future. For millennia, my region has been a dynamic and essential trade hub. Quebec has always been and will always be the gateway to America. Having come to realize that our U.S.-centric supply chains are less secure than we thought, we are going to diversify our economy. Canada will increasingly look to Europe for its supply chains. My region was a builder yesterday and continues to be a builder today. It has always been a driver of prosperity for this country in the past, and that will not change.

    In Mandarin, the word “crisis” consists of two ideograms. The first one means “danger”. We have certainly felt that over the past few months with our neighbour to the south. The second is “opportunity”. We are entering a period of opportunity. We have the opportunity to remove barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, which cost Canada as much as $200 billion each year, and the opportunity to create a major energy corridor and become an energy superpower. Let us seize every opportunity to make our country a G7 economic leader. The people in my riding of Beauport—Limoilou are proud of this and intend to work on helping our country flourish and building a strong and united Canada.

    In closing, I am proud of my professional career, proud of the values that make me who I am today, proud of our government's ambitious vision for its citizens and proud to be here with all of my colleagues to build the strong and united Canada of tomorrow. The true north is indeed strong and free.

    Mr. Speaker, allow me to congratulate you on your appointment to the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. I have had the pleasure of knowing you for almost 10 years, and I know you will do a great job.

    I would also like to congratulate my colleague from the Quebec City region on his election and on the quality of his speech. Obviously, I agree with him that we are here for our children. I have always said that we are in politics because of our parents. We inherit what our parents gave us. We are here to leave Canada in a better place for our children, our grandchildren, which I am blessed to have, and our great-grandchildren to come.

    The member was elected in the Quebec City region as someone with a background in the chamber of commerce, as a businessman and as someone who knows how to count. Could the member explain why his government refuses to table a budget?

     Let me be clear. On February 4, the former minister of finance said he was preparing a budget. The current Prime Minister and the current Minister of Finance have been in office since mid-March. During the election campaign, the Minister of Finance suspended his campaign—

    I must give the member a bit of time to answer.

    The hon. member for Beauport—Limoilou has the floor.

    Mr. Speaker, our current leader has a background in economics, and he is preparing a responsible budget for the fall.

    It is current practice to take the time to listen to everyone and then to table a budget a few months later. Yesterday, he was with the premiers, hearing what they had to say prior to tabling a budget and learning about their needs in terms of creating an energy corridor. To make the right decisions, informed decisions for the future of our country, it is responsible and wise to wait for the fall before tabling a budget.

    Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my collegue on being elected in the riding of Beauport—Limoilou. I knew his predecessor, Julie Vignola, who was an excellent MP from 2019 to 2025. She worked hard on the issues and was very interested in the Quebec City region. I think that my Liberal colleague will have some big shoes to fill in the coming years.

    How does he intend to continue the work that his predecessor, Julie Vignola, did for the Quebec City region?

    Mr. Speaker, Julie Vignola did indeed do exemplary work in the riding. We will continue that work.

    There are currently 369 social housing units under construction in my riding. We will make sure that they are completed. We are working on reducing the cost of living, which was one of the most important issues raised when I went door to door. With the tax cut and the dental care plan, we are moving in the right direction. The government's ambitious plan to accelerate construction in order to reduce the cost of housing will help us get there.

    Mr. Speaker, it is such a pleasure and honour to greet my colleague, and now my neighbour, the member for Beauport—Limoilou, for the first time.

    He touched on the importance of building social and affordable housing in his riding. How does he see the future in his riding? He mentioned 369 social housing units. Is he happy with the Government of Canada's contribution to the construction of these units?

    Mr. Speaker, my colleague's question is important, because there are two subjects that came up over and over when I went door to door during the election campaign: the cost of living and housing.

    The measures that have been taken are just the beginning. We need to move forward. The current government is working fast to implement measures and actions, and we need to continue in that vein.

    This is a simple yet extremely ambitious plan that will lower the cost of housing and improve access for our families.

    Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment to the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. I know you have been interested in the position for a long time, so it is nice to see you in the chair.

    Before I begin, I would like to point out that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people, who have lived here since time immemorial, to share, discuss and do all sorts of things. We are very grateful to be here.

    This is my first real speech in the 45th Parliament as the member for Hull—Aylmer. I sincerely thank the people of Hull—Aylmer for once again placing their trust in me to represent them in the House of Commons. As we all know, elections are an essential part of democracy. In addition to thanking my constituents, I would like to salute the courage of all the people who ran for office in this election.

    Many members here in the House already have considerable experience. Running for federal office is quite a challenge. The election campaign in Hull—Aylmer could serve as a model for the entire country. I say this because all but one of the candidates took part in debates organized by community groups. Each of these candidates did their political party proud. Yes, they were keen, and yes, they were passionate, but they were always polite. That is how we do things in Hull—Aylmer. Former Ontario premier Bill Davis often referred to Brampton, the city he represented, as a model to follow. Well, I can say that, at the federal level, Hull—Aylmer is the model riding for Canada. People there are informed and are not particularly partisan. They listen to all candidates and are demanding yet very generous.

    The profile of the riding of Hull—Aylmer has changed considerably over time. We are very proud of our Outaouais, Quebec and Canadian roots. Hull—Aylmer has also seen an increase in its population of new Quebeckers and Canadians. That is exceptional. Many of my colleagues, especially my colleagues from Quebec, live in my riding. I am convinced that many of them will recognize Hull—Aylmer as a true international crossroads, where people from around the world live in harmony.

    It is well known that Gatineau is the fourth-largest city in Quebec. It is not so well known that Gatineau is the second most popular city in Quebec for newcomers. It is true that many newcomers start out in the big city of Montreal, but 18 months later, only two-thirds of them are still living there. It is remarkable that 98% of newcomers are still living in the Outaouais 18 months after their arrival. In my opinion, that speaks to the values of generosity, openness and hospitality that define my beautiful riding, just on the other side of the river.

    Before I begin my reply to the throne speech, I first want to thank a few key individuals. I am thinking of my team of volunteers. No one runs a campaign alone, particularly one that ends in victory. Hundreds of volunteers took part, and I am truly grateful to all those who contributed to my campaign.

    No politician stands alone. I owe everything to my children and my spouse, to whom I have been married for almost 34 happy years. I thank her and I thank my two grandchildren. I am truly fortunate to have two grandchildren. Members of the House who are grandparents know what I am talking about: Grandchildren change everything. Yes, we want our children to succeed, but having grandchildren completely changes a person's perspective. We begin to think about the next century and future generations. If I am a passionate politician, it is because I want to make sure that we leave a better world and a better Canada to our grandchildren and future generations. I think we can do it.

    All this brings me to the throne speech. I am extremely pleased with many aspects of it. One I would like to mention is the idea of building new relationships with the United States and the rest of the world. That really struck me. Yes, it is easy to trade with our American friends, but I finally heard a government say that it will focus on opening new markets.

    Here is why that speaks to me. When I look at the diasporas in Hull—Aylmer, I see opportunities and the ability to create prosperity elsewhere. Many members of the diasporic communities are from Africa, and we know that, by 2050, Africans will make up half of the world's population. Africa will represent a large part of international trade and global prosperity. Canada has a golden opportunity to take advantage of our connections, of all of these wonderful people with African roots. They can help us to significantly increase trade between our countries.

    There are other things in the throne speech that I think are very important for the Outaouais and for building a stronger Canada, in particular, free trade among the provinces and territories. I represent a border community, and I can say that it is extremely important for our businesses to finally be able to sell their products and services across the river. In the Outaouais, we are very proud of our businesses, and we have exceptional products. However, because of the trade barriers between Quebec and Ontario, we were unable to benefit. Now we can. As member for the region, I am looking forward to working very hard with entrepreneurs and business owners to take advantage of this opportunity.

    Let us talk about the goal of building a united and more affordable Canada. A few years ago, a doctor in my riding told me about the importance of oral health and dental care for seniors. With the Canadian dental care plan, which is now in place, we are able to take care of seniors' health, which is very important.

    I have so many things to say, but I do not have much time left. To summarize, suffice it to say that we have a golden opportunity to work together, hand in hand. Yes, we will have our political differences, but together we can make things happen. I hope that, in this 45th Parliament, all members will be willing to work together for the well-being of Quebeckers and Canadians.

    Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Hull—Aylmer, who is my MP when I am here. I am not going to say that he's my MP half the time, because I do spend a lot of time here in Ottawa, but it is much the same. In fact, I would like to thank the member for Hull—Aylmer, because he once gave me good advice when I needed professional services in Hull.

    I also liked some aspects of the Speech from the Throne, such as where it says, "one project, one review". That is exactly what I said when I introduced Bill C-375 on February 12 of last year, but my colleague's caucus voted against it. The Liberals have finally changed their minds, which is a good thing.

    However, there is something missing from the throne speech. There has to be a budget this spring. The House made that clear yesterday, when it decided that we need a spring budget. The government has been in power for over 10 years, the Prime Minister has been in office for two and a half months, and the Minister of Finance said on February 4 that the government was preparing a budget. Why will the government not table a budget immediately? Canadians need it.

    Mr. Speaker, I have long admired my colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, but, as he well knows because he lives in Hull—Aylmer and is therefore a very reasonable man, preparing a budget takes a lot of time and consultations, and there are many things to consider.

    I am confident that this government will table a budget as soon as possible, probably early in the fall. I look forward to participating in the discussions on that budget, because I think it will send a strong signal about all of the government’s priorities.

    Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of his speech, my colleague talked about democratic values, which we share. So much the better if the election went well in his riding of Hull—Aylmer. However, that was not the case everywhere. I am thinking of Nunavik, where not all citizens were able to be heard. There were irregularities, particularly with regard to polling station hours, which were not the same everywhere. I am also thinking of Terrebonne, where ballots were accepted with only the first name of the Liberal candidate, whereas normally the rules are clear: The candidate's first and last names are required. In short, there seem to have been irregularities in some places. This is a fundamental democratic issue.

    Does my colleague not agree that everyone in Nunavik should be able to exercise their right to vote? In the case of Terrebonne, does he acknowledge that there were certain irregularities during the most recent election?

    Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member for Shefford on her re-election. It has been a pleasure working with her for three terms now.

    I have complete confidence in the work of Elections Canada. In a previous life, I was the national director of the Liberal Party. I worked very closely with Elections Canada. I have full confidence in their system.

    With regard to ballots that include only a first name, the law and Elections Canada regulations are very clear. In a judicial recount such as this, the important thing is that the judge is satisfied that the voter expressed a preference on their ballot. If it can be deciphered, the ballot will count.

    Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with and learn from my colleague from Hull—Aylmer. He is always eloquent and thoughtful. I am therefore very pleased to be part of the same team as he is and to work alongside him. I would like him to share his perspective on our ambitious plan to make life more affordable. What impact is that having on his riding?

    Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank my colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche. I was totally impressed yesterday when he asked his question with passion and clarity. I congratulate him on his election to the House of Commons.

    The dental care plan is very important for affordability. Helping first-time homebuyers is very important. Outside Quebec, it is the national child care program that is very important. In Quebec, we are used to it since we have had it for a generation, and I am pleased that the federal government is following suit.

    Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to say that I will be sharing my time with the wonderful member for Winnipeg Centre .

    Since this is my first speech, I obviously want to begin by thanking the people of Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie for once again placing their trust in me as I begin my fifth term as an NDP member here in the House of Commons. Once again, I will do whatever it takes to represent and honour them. I want to be able to defend their interests and priorities. I also want to thank my entire election team. I am thinking of all the people who helped ensure that there were telephone operators, that there were volunteers on the ground, that calls were made and that people went door to door. I want to sincerely thank everyone who made this new victory possible.

    Like many others here, I would also like to thank my family, especially my partner, Lisa Djevarhirdjian, with whom I have been sharing my life for a little over 15 years now. She is always by my side, always solidly supporting me in my political action. I thank Lisa very much. I give a shout-out to our youngest, Sevan, who was 10 months old when I was first sent to the House. This month, he will be 15 years old. For the first time in his life, he seemed to understand what was going on during an election campaign. It was very funny, because he was extremely afraid that I would lose. He put a lot of pressure on me to go to work. When he saw me at home in the late afternoon, when he came back from school, he would send me outside, telling me to knock on doors and make calls; there was no way I was going to lose, I had to win this election. I thank Sevan for that motivation.

    I would like to come back to the Speech from the Throne. I will say that I found it rather peculiar that the monarch of another country was brought in to send a message to President Trump about Canada's sovereignty. The monarchy itself is a matter that could be discussed. As members of the New Democratic Party, we are committed to democratic values. Since the monarchy is not a democratic institution, I do not believe that it is all that legitimate.

    What is in the throne speech itself? It has some good things in it, but it is missing a few things. The good things are nice because they highlight NDP achievements in the last Parliament. As progressives, we have worked to improve people's lives. I would like to remind members that, had the NDP not forced the Liberal government to move forward with the dental care program, it would never have materialized. Every other time the NDP proposed a dental care program for the middle class and the less fortunate, the Liberals voted against it. This time, the NDP forced the Liberals to do it because they needed support in the House. That was useful. Now the Liberals are bragging about it. They think it was a good idea, but the truth is, the program exists because of the NDP's work. Folks in Montreal and Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie talked to me about it during the election campaign. Some told me that they had not been to the dentist for 10 or 12 years and that, thanks to my work, thanks to the work we did in Parliament, they can now go to the dentist and and it is paid for. People are saving a substantial amount of money. One woman told me that, when she went to the dentist, her bill was $1,150 and she paid only $57 out of pocket. We helped her save over $1,000. That is a pretty big deal. I think this is one of the NDP's most significant achievements, and it has already helped more than 530,000 Quebeckers. Thanks to us, people have had all or part of their dental work paid for. I think that is a wonderful legacy. We will keep fighting to ensure that people have access to more health care services. Incidentally, health care was barely mentioned in the Speech from the Throne. That is one of the big things they left out.

    The throne speech included another of the NDP's achievements. Obviously, I am referring to the progress in terms of the universal public pharmacare program. That is near to our heart. It is also near to the heart of Quebec's civil society, particularly Quebec's union movement. The FTQ, CSN and CSQ have been demanding change for years, since Quebec's current public-private hybrid system has been unable to stabilize prescription drug prices. Prescription drug prices in Canada are among the highest in the world. It is always better to have a hybrid system than no system at all. Some people in English Canada have to go without their medications because they cannot pay for them, so they become even sicker, end up in the hospital, and fill up the emergency rooms. That is not good for anyone.

    Canada is the only country that has a universal public health care but no universal public pharmacare. It is as if we had only one leg to stand on and were unable to walk. The NDP will continue to pressure the government to implement a universal public pharmacare program. The Union des consommateurs du Québec is demanding the same, because it understands how important it is for people's lives, for providing care and avoiding illness.

    We have made progress with contraceptives and the price of diabetes medications. There are already agreements with the governments of British Columbia and Manitoba. I think there is also a letter of agreement with Prince Edward Island. We hope that Quebec will join in, because it would be a shame for Quebeckers not to have access to medications paid for by the federal government after negotiations with Quebec. I am thinking, for example, about people with diabetes.

    That is something that should be implemented everywhere, but it must be negotiated between the Government of Canada and the provincial governments, who manage their own pharmacare programs. Prescription drugs are too expensive, and every study, in particular the Hoskins report, has shown that a universal public pharmacare program is the best way of controlling prescription drug prices.

    We will now go over what was not mentioned in the throne speech.

    Though it talks about the housing crisis, it never says a word about non-profit housing, also called non-market housing. That is the one solution that will give people access to truly affordable housing. We have to be careful when we use the word “affordable”. What exactly does it mean? In recent years, we have seen that some definitions of “affordable”, like the one used by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, do not match up with what is truly affordable in the real world.

    The people we meet on the street and on the ground tell us that they love Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie and want to stay in the borough, but they cannot afford housing there anymore. That is why we need to build social housing, co-operative housing, community housing and student housing. If we keep on building nothing but condos at $2 million each, we will never get there. That is not the way to solve the housing crisis.

    We have to move away from a purely commercial mindset. Yes, housing can be a profit-generating investment or even a nest egg. That makes sense. However, it is not right that 97% of the housing stock is used in that way. The proportion of non-market, non-profit housing has to be increased. There are community groups willing to make that happen. The government needs to facilitate stable, long-term funding. That is crucial for having housing prices that are based on a family's ability to pay rather than the mindset of an investor who wants to make a profit and maximize their returns.

    Three or four per cent of our housing stock is non-market or non-profit. In Scandinavian countries in Europe, that proportion is 10%, 15%, or 20%. We will never reach 50%, but if the government increases the proportion of non-market or non-profit housing, that will also help the market's private sector. It will help stabilize prices, and it will prevent real estate speculation and stop the sector from heating up, two things that make it impossible for people to afford a house, an apartment or rent. That solution is not in the Speech from the Throne.

    There is also nothing about workers. The Liberals have been telling us for 10 years that employment insurance needs major reform, but there is no mention of EI in the throne speech. There is talk of a tariff war and perhaps a looming recession, but, once again, the majority of workers who lose their jobs do not have access to EI. It is ludicrous. This issue needs to be addressed, but there was nothing about it in the throne speech. As New Democrats, we will continue to fight for real EI reform.

    We will also support the implementation of promising and meaningful projects. For example, there was no mention in the throne speech of high-speed rail, even though it had been announced. It is a truly exciting project that meets the needs of Canadians. We have long been saying that Canada should have high-speed rail. We are talking about projects of national interest or national scope. Why, then, is this public transit project, high-speed rail, not in the throne speech? There are also other projects that could be implemented but that do not meet our commitments in terms of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

    Thus, I have mixed feelings about this throne speech, which highlights some of the good things the NDP has done but fails to address a number of issues, especially for workers.

    Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to congratulate my colleague on his re-election and on the kind words he had for his family.

    We just want to know why his party did not support our efforts to abolish the tax.

    Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question and congratulate him on his election. Are we talking about the carbon tax? I just want to be sure. The NDP supported the carbon tax for years because it was the only measure the Liberal government brought forward. We have always said that a carbon exchange would be the best solution. However, with no other possible solutions, yes, we did support the consumer carbon tax a few times.

    During the election campaign, we advocated for ambitious and strong measures to reduce our carbon footprint. This would include a substantial increase in the industrial carbon tax, which targets major polluters. We also need a real emissions cap for the oil and gas sector, which the Liberal government unfortunately still has not introduced.

    Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to congratulate my colleague from Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie on his election. It is only polite.

    Ideologically, we are worlds apart. My colleague just proved that by talking about capping production. However, there are some things we can agree on. For example, yesterday, he voted with us in favour of the motion calling on the government to table a budget.

    Could he explain to us why this government is refusing to table a budget, when it has been over a year since a budget was tabled in Canada?

    Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question, and I too congratulate him on his re-election. I cannot explain why the Liberal government refuses to table a budget. It is not my decision. We voted in favour of the amendment put forward by the official opposition. To us, this is a matter of transparency, a matter of honesty.

    We know that the Department of Finance was working on a budget in the spring, before the election. The then minister of finance told us that he was working on it. I should imagine that all that work did not disappear or fly away, that the papers did not blow away through an open window.

    Fall is a little late to find out where we are headed. There are important decisions to be made for the Canadian economy, for taxation and for social justice in our country. If the Liberals really are rigorous and transparent, they will table a budget.

    Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Rosemont—La Petite‑Patrie on his re-election. During his speech, I heard him underline something that I myself have raised several times today regarding the Speech from the Throne, and that is the absence of any serious commitment from this government regarding climate change. It is very disappointing. I would go so far as to say it is worrisome. I am pleased to see that I am not alone in thinking that. I would add that the current Liberal government also seems to be essentially copying the Conservative agenda in its ideas and policies. The Liberals are taking a hard right turn these days. This may also be worrisome, especially for a party like the NDP.

    Seeing as this Parliament is made up of a very large majority of Conservatives and Liberals who are in perfect agreement about giving up on fighting climate change and shifting this country to the right, does my colleague from Rosemont—La Petite‑Patrie still love Canada as much? Does he not think this country needs to go back to the social-democratic values advocated by progressive parties like the Bloc Québécois?

    Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his trick question. I can say that I love the people of Rosemont—La Petite‑Patrie, and I can assure my colleague that I will be here as a left-leaning politician to defend socialist values, fairness, social justice and equality.

    The people of Rosemont—La Petite‑Patrie, Montreal and Quebec will always be able to count on me and my NDP colleagues to defend workers and to make the world a better place, where everyone belongs and where everyone is able to have a good job and a good retirement with rights. We will do that together, regardless of how many Liberals or Conservatives there are here in the House. We are here to fight, we are here for the people, and we will continue to do the work.

     Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member from my caucus on his re-election. How does he feel about the Liberal government's trying to fast-track energy projects without proper environmental assessments?

    Mr. Speaker, I share the member for Winnipeg Centre's concern. It seems as though the Liberal government is willing to cut corners on energy projects without respecting the rights of first nations, without respecting science and without respecting a real public consultation process. We will be keeping a close eye on that.

    Mr. Speaker, I would like to start my maiden speech by thanking my family, my wonderful team in Winnipeg Centre, my campaign team and, of course, the wonderful constituents of Winnipeg Centre, who have blessed me with the honour of serving them in the House.

     Today I am here to make some remarks about the throne speech, a throne speech that builds the economy on the backs of people while lining the pockets of corporations, lining the pockets of developers, and cutting departments and services for communities most in need. We know that the Liberals are close allies with big corporations, and we are seeing that in real time. They plan to cut public spending: day-to-day government spending and the government's operating budget. Yes, it has been growing by 9% every year, and I know that the government is planning to introduce measures to bring it below 2%.

    I am not saying that we do not need to cut government waste, particularly the amount of waste by the Liberals' high-paid consultant class, so if those are the cuts the current Prime Minister is talking about, I am 100% in favour. However, who is going to fall victim to the cuts, especially because Canada has made a promise to increase military spending to 2%? Where is that money going to come from?

     Certainly the Prime Minister has not indicated that the money is going to come from taxing big corporations or putting in place an excess profits tax to make up for the economic deficit. Therefore my question becomes this: Where is he going to cut? The Prime Minister, in fact up until yesterday, after he was forced through a motion, refused to provide a budget prior to rising in the spring.

    That has forced some of us, including me, to make sense of it just based on observation, and this is what I have observed: Youth, seniors, women and gender equality, labour, mental health and addictions, disability, and diversity and equity are positions all cut from the Prime Minister's cabinet. There is only a Secretary of State for Seniors, and not one minister, to represent a large aging population. It is only a secretary of state, who is not privy to sitting at the cabinet table, and we know that the economic gap for seniors is in fact widening.

    This is particularly true for members of the disability community, a ministry that the government has cut, where it has failed. Time and time again, the Liberal government has failed to provide a benefit that would allow the disability community to live in dignity. Let us not forget the Prime Minister's initial cutting of the minister of women and gender equality position in the middle of a crisis of gender-based violence that some cities have called an epidemic. Only after over 400 women's organizations came forward with complaints did the Prime Minister choose to reinstate the Minister for Women and Gender Equality, which she has the onus to share as the Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism.

     It is not a priority for the current government, when gender equality is under attack.

    Let us not forget the fact that the Prime Minister cut the minister of labour position at a time when things are becoming harder and harder for workers, including workers at Canada Post. I was very honoured to attend their rally on Saturday to fight and to put pressure on the government to hold up, lift up, their rights as workers and lift up their rights of unions. Let us hope the Liberal government is not again trying to push in backdoor, back-to-work legislation, taking away the right to strike. Collective bargaining and the rights of unions and union workers are clearly not a priority for the government.

    The only thing the government has in fact been clear on is nation-building projects that will be built on the back, and off the lands, territories and resources, of indigenous people. It is looking at quickening the process, looking at getting rid of environmental assessments. The Prime Minister has stated that he will uphold Canada's world-leading environmental standards and constitutional obligations; he has said that even though he plans to fast-track and get rid of environmental assessments at a time when places in Manitoba and places in Saskatchewan are burning to the ground. Places in B.C., like Lytton, were burned to the ground.

    Even though he mentions consultations with indigenous peoples, the Prime Minister gives no details on how the government will do those. With the experiences we know, as first nations, with the government, we know this is another empty gesture from the Liberals. In fact, FSIN chief, Bobby Cameron, said, “The Prime Minister and Premiers [at the latest meetings] will be making decisions about our traditional territory without our voices at the table despite the fact Saskatchewan is First Nation ancestral and traditional lands. This continues the colonial pattern of excluding First Nations from decisions that directly affect our people and our lands.”

    AFN chief, Cindy Woodhouse, said, in regard to the fast-tracking of national projects, that it “suggests a serious threat to First Nations exercise of Treaty rights, inherent rights, title and jurisdiction.” She said, “‘free, prior and informed consent’ must be obtained before any major infrastructure and energy projects move ahead.”

    Let us not forget that in the province of Quebec with the James Bay Cree, the federal government is also bound to uphold treaties that have been made, agreements that have been made, with the James Bay Cree to uphold their rights to proper consultation.

    The Prime Minister is fast-tracking projects, with no environmental plan, leaving people who were already falling between the cracks without a voice in his government. I am glad we were able to push the government to put forward at least a budget, because I am ready, along with my NDP colleagues, to hold the government to account on its failure to women and gender-diverse people, workers, labour, seniors, the disability community, and diversity and equity initiatives that are part of the Canadian identity.

    Mr. Speaker, I think one of the reasons the NDP is falling out of favour with Canadians on a national basis is many of the policy positions it takes. Let us take a look at, for example, a very popular premier, the premier whom both of us call the premier of the province of Manitoba, and discussions with the federal government and other provincial entities, looking at the major projects and seeing that these major projects are absolutely critical at this point in time in our history.

    To make the assertion that indigenous people are not going to be consulted, worked with and part of the decision process does a disservice, I think, to our premiers, including NDP premiers, whether in B.C. or in our home province of Manitoba.

    I am wondering whether the member can provide her thoughts in regard to nation-building and the role that provincial premiers of all political stripes have to play.

    Mr. Speaker, I find that funny. It was not me who made those observations. It was Chief Bobby Cameron and National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak who made comments about the failure of the Liberal government to uphold constitutional obligations.

    “Nothing about us without us” is not about who benefits; it is about being members with obligations. We are obligated to uphold the rule of law, and that includes the rights of indigenous people in Canada to free, prior and informed consent and proper consultations, something the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favour of for first nations over 200 times because of government failures.

     Mr. Speaker, what message does it send to the friends, families and colleagues of the over 51,000 Canadians who lost their lives due to the overdose and opioid crisis since 2016 that the Liberals do not even have a minister of mental health and addictions and have done away with that portfolio? What message does it send to our first nations communities? What message does it send to all the rural and remote communities that are gripped in this overdose, addictions and mental health crisis?

    I want to ask our hon. colleague what message that sends. There is not a mention of the opioid crisis in the Speech from the Throne.

    Mr. Speaker, it is tragic that at a time when we are seeing a record number of overdoses, the Liberal government is taking a tough-on-crime approach, totally throwing people suffering from mental health and addictions to the side and making it a non-topic for the government. Certainly, in my riding of Winnipeg Centre, we have had a record number of people die from toxic drugs. The fact that so many people in the riding of Winnipeg Centre have been left out by the government shows it is turning its back on the people most in need of assistance.

    Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Winnipeg Centre, whom I had the opportunity to work with on the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

    There are many questions I could ask my colleague because, apart from a brief mention of gun control, there was nothing in the throne speech about improving women's safety. We could also discuss the fact that wanting to speed up infrastructure projects and create one economy could be detrimental to the rights of indigenous peoples.

    In the end, I would actually like to ask about something else. My colleague mentioned the widening economic gap among seniors, which prevents them from aging with dignity. Should we reintroduce the bill to eliminate the two classes of seniors and increase OAS for seniors aged 65 to 74, as was done for seniors aged 75 and over?

    Mr. Speaker, we know the poverty rate of seniors is increasing. The NDP has absolutely supported lowering the age for receiving pensions, yet the government does not even have a minister for seniors who sits around the cabinet table. Seniors are the ones who built the foundations of this country, and it is unfortunate that the government has turned its back on them.

    Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for South Surrey—White Rock.

    I rise today for the first time in this sacred institution with deep humility and gratitude as the newly elected member of Parliament for Eglinton—Lawrence. I thank the people of Eglinton—Lawrence for the profound trust they have placed in me. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I pledge to serve with integrity, energy and dedication for every corner of our vibrant, diverse and hard-working riding. From Lawrence Heights to Lawrence Park to Forest Hill North to Neptune Drive to Lytton Park to Dufferin and Lawrence to Yonge and Eglinton, I will ensure that the voices of my constituents are heard and that I fight for them in this esteemed chamber.

    None of this would have been possible without the love and support of my wife Nicola Meyer, who I promised when we got married that I would keep life interesting. Well, to my love, promise made, promise kept. With Nicola I have everything; without her I have nothing. I am so proud of my two daughters, Isabella and Alessia. Their daddy loves them very much. I would like to thank Nicola and my daughters for letting me run not only once but twice in a matter of weeks. They stood by me through two campaigns and that means more than words can express.

     I want to thank my mom and dad, Filomena and Albert Gasparro, for their love, support and guidance over the years.

    I also want to recognize my grandparents, Vince and Donna Gasparro, who originally immigrated from Calabria, Italy, via Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Canada in 1959, and Gregorio and Irma Natale, who immigrated in 1954 and 1956, respectively, also from Calabria, Italy. They came to this country with nothing. They had families to feed and they worked hard. All they wanted was the opportunity to have a better life for themselves, their kids and the future generations they would never meet. The values of grit, hard work and sheer determination were passed on to future generations, but what was also passed on was the desire to preserve and improve on this great country, the country they chose to come to almost 70 years ago.

    After an emergency room visit with my daughter Isabella highlighted deficiencies in Ontario’s health care system, I decided the best way to change and improve things was to run in Ontario’s provincial election. Even though we outperformed the Ontario Liberal Party by 19%, we still fell short by 167 votes, but as fate would have it, between Donald Trump threatening annexation and the Prime Minister becoming leader, calls from the community grew loud for me to run just weeks later.

    With grit and hard work, hundreds of volunteers came out to work, and to see us win was remarkable. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my campaign team and all the volunteers who dedicated their time, rain or shine, through freezing cold and scorching heat, over the past four months. We knocked on over 90,000 doors.

    To put it in perspective, on election day alone we had over 400 volunteers. We attracted not only Liberals but disaffected Conservatives, Greens and New Democrats who believed in our vision for Eglinton—Lawrence, one that is based on providing representation that is both fiscally responsible and socially progressive. None of our success would have been possible without each and every one of them. The support and dedication from all our volunteers have meant the world to me. It is truly the honour of a lifetime to represent them during these incredibly challenging times.

    I began my political journey right here on Parliament Hill working for then prime minister Paul Martin. I learned the value of principled leadership, sound economic management and a government that balances ambition with responsibility. I was proud to serve as a fiscally responsible Liberal then, and I am equally proud to stand here today alongside the Prime Minister's leadership as we renew our focus on building a resilient and dynamic economy to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

    Canada is being tested by rising protectionism and economic intimidation from our closest partner. President Trump’s threat of punitive tariffs seeks to undermine our unity and strength, but we are not yielding.

    We are a proud, independent nation shaped by strong values, resilience and a commitment to a fair, rules-based international order. I am proud that our government is committed to strengthening relationships with partners and allies around the world and that we will stand by the principles of international co-operation. As the world changes around us, Canada must lead with confidence as a strong democratic country and a leader in the free world.

    President Trump’s threats have also provided us with a wake-up call. For too long, Canada has failed to harness the full potential of our vast natural resources. We have created barriers that have held us back from building essential infrastructure, clean energy and new housing. Instead of one strong, united Canadian economy, we are operating like 13 separate ones. That needs to change and is changing.

    This is why it is with conviction and optimism that I rise today to offer my full support for the Speech from the Throne. The Prime Minister has presented a clear and compelling vision for the future of this country, and I am proud to stand behind his leadership in this House.

    I have spent my career financing institutional clean energy projects and infrastructure, and I know the transformative power that bold investment and smart regulation can have on our country. Our government will be taking decisive steps to deliver new investment, remove bureaucratic barriers and build a stronger economy.

    We recognize that Canada’s prosperity depends on our ability to harness our natural resources responsibly, to innovate in the face of global competition and to move at the speed of opportunity. Our government will build both clean and conventional energy to make Canada the world’s leading energy superpower.

    Our goal is clear. It is to establish Canada as a global energy powerhouse. We will invest in renewable energy, hydrogen, carbon capture and the next generation of clean technologies. At the same time, we will ensure our conventional resources are developed to the highest environmental standards. We will achieve this in close partnership with provinces, territories, indigenous peoples and the private sector. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, we are once again demonstrating that we can lead with conviction and build Canada strong.

    Our government is firmly committed to fiscal responsibility by capping spending growth, eliminating waste and boosting productivity, while continuing to support our most vulnerable. The Speech from the Throne makes it clear that we will build a stronger Canada and a more resilient Canadian economy, one that spends wisely so Canadians can invest confidently in their future.

    The Prime Minister's agenda emphasizes fiscal responsibility, but as Liberals, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the vital and comprehensive social safety net that supports Canadians. Our government will continue the expansion of dental care, will support pharmacare and child care and will make a determined push to invest in skilled trades and clean energy industries, all reflecting our belief in the potential of every Canadian. We will cut taxes for the majority of Canadians, putting $840 per year back in the pockets of people in my riding of Eglinton—Lawrence and Canadians nationwide. Additionally, by eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers, we will help make home ownership more attainable, delivering savings of up to $50,000.

    We will protect our communities' ability to worship freely by introducing security zone legislation to make it a criminal offence to intentionally and willfully obstruct access to any place of worship, school or community centre and a criminal offence to willfully intimidate or threaten those attending services at these locations. My riding is home to a vibrant Jewish community that has faced intimidation at its schools, synagogues, day cares and homes. This legislation is an important step toward protecting not just Jewish Canadians' ability to worship freely, but all religious groups that make up our diverse country. Diversity will always be our strength, and protecting minority groups' ability to worship freely against lawlessness is a basic right guaranteed in our charter.

    To truly be the true north strong and free, we must stand united, act with vision and show unwavering resilience. This throne speech marks a decisive step forward, one that will shape the future of the country not just for the next four years but for the next 40.

     Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to congratulate the member opposite for his victory and welcome him to the House. I know the member thanked his family for allowing him to run and for their sacrifices. I want to yell out a quick happy birthday to my daughter Sarah, who is 18 years old today. We do miss some events because we are in the House doing our job.

    Yesterday, we voted to have the government table a budget before the end of this session and the summer break. The Conservatives wanted to stay over the summer because we have so many issues to tend to in our country. What message does it send to the individuals in the member's riding and people across Canada that the Prime Minister will probably not follow the will of the House?

    Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the question, and I hope he gets back to his riding to see his family as well. It is challenging for all of us.

    It is absolutely imperative that we get the budget right. In a vastly changing economic environment, it is important to get it right rather than just presenting a budget for the sake of presenting a budget. We have to get it right. Canadians demand that we get it right and that it be as accurate as possible.

    Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to see you again.

    I listened carefully to my colleague's speech. He emphasized the ability to worship freely. I fully agree with him on that point. There are, however, some nuances to consider.

    My colleague may be aware that the Québécois nation has decided to pass legislation regarding religion in the public sphere in Quebec. I would like to know whether he believes his government intends to respect the will of the Québécois nation in establishing some restrictions surrounding religion in Quebec institutions.

    I would like to hear my colleague talk more about that.

     Madam Speaker, people in my riding of Eglinton—Lawrence have been under threat over the last 18 months. The global rise in anti-Semitism that we are experiencing here at home is completely unacceptable.

    The government will be bringing forward the security zone legislation that we made a commitment to passing during the federal campaign. It is an important step forward in protecting the people not only in my riding of Eglinton—Lawrence, and specifically the Jewish community, but in all communities.

    It is completely unacceptable, what is happening on our streets. All levels of government have to do a better job at protecting minority groups. In this particular instance, I am referring to the Jewish community, which is something we take seriously on this side of the House. I know others on that side of the House take it seriously. We have to stand united to combat the threat of anti-Semitism and hate more broadly.

    Madam Speaker, it is awfully good to see this particular Speaker back in her chair and with continued health.

     I want to welcome the new member for Eglinton—Lawrence to this place and ask him if he has reflected on the failure of the Speech from the Throne to pick up any of the recommendations on the report of the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which was tabled four years ago today.

    I am wondering if the hon. member has any reflections on the failure to discuss the need for a guaranteed livable income, which was one of those key recommendations. The government did say it would implement the calls for justice.

    Madam Speaker, I thank the member for the question.

     In my past life, I advised the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation on infrastructure and sustainable finance investments it made. I can tell the member that the resiliency of indigenous Canadians is one to be marvelled at.

    On this side of the House, we have a strong commitment to partnering with indigenous communities—

    We are out of time.

    Resuming debate, the hon. member for South Surrey—White Rock.

     Madam Speaker, it is with the greatest sense of honour and pride that I stand today in this chamber giving my maiden speech, where countless Canadians before me have given of themselves to help shape the landscape of this great country we all call home, which is the envy of people around the world. I congratulate all my colleagues on their election or re-election. It is truly an honour to serve alongside each of them.

     I am the first MP in this riding elected for this party in a general election in more than 70 years. I would like to begin by acknowledging that my riding of South Surrey—White Rock is situated on the traditional, unceded territories of several Coast Salish nations, including the Semiahmoo, Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations.

     I am truly fortunate to stand here, not through my efforts alone but because of the hard work, dedication and belief of many. Volunteers, friends, family and strangers who became friends, people of all backgrounds, colours, faiths, languages, abilities, sexual identities and socio-economic statuses, believed in the values and vision that this party represents. These are the friends and neighbours of South Surrey—White Rock whose voices I am privileged to represent in this House. To my husband, my children and grandchildren, and my family and friends who encouraged me at every step of what was an intense and deeply rewarding campaign, I offer my deepest thanks.

     This seat also belongs to the many who came to this country as immigrants seeking a better life. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to publicly, in front of all Canadians, thank my parents for the profound gift they gave their children, the privilege of becoming Canadians.

     My grandfather was arrested and executed for teaching his children about a god, an act considered treasonous under a regime that denied faith. My grandmother was left with eight children. As a child, I often heard how my parents survived by eating field mice and taking whatever was left in the fields after they had harvested the produce they had to give to the Communist Party. Fortunately, after the Second World War, my father, through the Red Cross, reconnected with an aunt in Canada who sponsored my parents to come to Canada. Due to a freeze of immigration policy in Canada, my grandmother, together with several unmarried children, left Ukraine for Paraguay, but ultimately also came to Canada through the efforts of my parents. Although my parents had seven children of their own, they always strove to help their family who ended up in various countries after the Second World War, from Siberia to East Germany and Paraguay.

     I thank all those who struggled so their children and future generations could prosper in freedom. To the indigenous and aboriginal peoples, the original stewards of this land, I offer my thanks, my respect and my gratitude. From them, we continue to learn the sacredness of the land we are honoured to live on.

     It was a privilege indeed to be present in Ottawa during the historic royal visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla and to witness the King deliver the Speech from the Throne in the Senate chamber. I heard a strong message of hope and renewal, a call to restore the values and dreams that define Canada. The 45th Parliament has a responsibility to identify and build on the strengths that have earned Canada admiration around the world, while also acknowledging the failures and injustices of the past and correcting our course when needed.

     While our country faces challenges, our core Canadian values that define us, democracy, freedom, the rule of law and the right to self-determination, are laid out clearly throughout the throne speech. These core values guide us nationally but also align with my personal priorities for South Surrey—White Rock. Already, our Prime Minister is renegotiating Canada's relationship with the United States, our neighbour and one of our many economic partners of the future. This relationship is vital to my riding, which is home to two of Canada's 32 land border crossings, the Peace Arch and the Pacific Highway border crossings. These crossings are more than that; they support trade, tourism and jobs. The land border duty-free shops contribute over $400 million annually to our economy and provide local employment.

    The tariffs imposed by the United States, which have put pressure on businesses, including more than 500 small businesses in my riding, are unjustified. As a small business owner for over 30 years, I understand first-hand the challenges and pressures on a business to remain open and thrive. Pivoting one's business has become the new way of modern business. I support our government's core mission to build the strongest economy by removing internal trade barriers and working closely with all the provinces and territories.

     At the doorsteps, I heard loudly and clearly that Canadians want the government to stabilize and focus on strengthening the economy for all Canadians, regardless of their political affiliations. Since occupying this chair, I see the opposition members criticizing but not bringing forward solutions. I hear them accusing us of copying and plagiarizing their platform. If indeed this is the case, is that not the greatest form of—

    I interrupt the hon. member as I have a point of order.

    The hon. member for Cariboo—Prince George.

     Madam Speaker, we all follow the various rules of Parliament, one being with respect to attire in the House that is suitable. Last night during the vote, a Conservative member's vote was not counted because the government made a point of raising an issue with respect to his attire.

    I ask you for clarification on the outfit this member is wearing. As we all know, men must wear a suit jacket and tie in order to speak. I see now that he has actually put a suit coat on. I ask for clarification.

     I thank the hon. member. Yes, I remind all members that the proper attire for men in the House is contemporary business attire. We ask everyone to be reminded of that.

    The hon. member for South Surrey—White Rock may continue.

    Madam Speaker, since occupying this chair, I see the opposition members criticizing but not bringing forward solutions. I hear them accusing us of copying and plagiarizing their platform. If indeed this is the case, is that not the greatest form of flattery? If the platforms are the same, let us work toward the common goal of achieving them for the success of all Canadians.

    We are a country with many people struggling to survive. The cost of living and affordability are top of mind for many Canadian families. Like many, my constituents are also struggling to get ahead. Our government is listening and acting by reducing middle-class taxes, saving two-income families up to $840 a year. It will cut the GST on homes at or under $1 million for first-time homebuyers and lower the GST on homes. The government will preserve essential programs like universal health care, child care programs, pharmacare and the Canadian dental care program, which is now covering eight million Canadians, saving the average person more than $800 per year.

    I have lived and operated my business in White Rock for over three decades. The vibrant and iconic city of White Rock is known for its beautiful beachfront; the famous White Rock Pier, the longest wooden pier in the country; and its cultural significance to indigenous peoples. South Surrey is the largest town centre in Surrey by land area, offering agricultural richness, industrial and urban residential neighbourhoods and historical sites.

    My riding is home to young families, newcomers and retirees, which reflects our strength as a community. To protect our neighbourhoods and ensure the safety of residents, our government will hire more RCMP officers and toughen the Criminal Code to make bail harder and to get tougher laws for repeat offenders charged with crimes, along with human trafficking and drug smuggling.

    As our Prime Minister said in his opening address, “I will make mistakes.” It is an admirable admission and, to me, the mark of a true leader, one who can recognize when the ship is off course and has the resolve to steer it back.

    I say to this House, my constituents and my colleagues that I pledge to serve with integrity, dedication and unwavering commitment to my constituents and all Canadians.

    Today, I would like to recognize one of Canada's strengths, which is inclusivity for all. As it is the beginning of Pride Month, I wish everyone a happy Pride.

     Madam Speaker, I congratulate the new member for South Surrey—White Rock and want to thank his predecessor, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, who, for many years, represented the riding in a dedicated and excellent fashion.

    The member talked about solutions. One solution that would be very much appreciated by Canadians would be the removal of the GST or the carbon tax for small businesses and industries, because they are, essentially, self-imposed tariffs on ourselves, which brings much less competition with the States.

    I wonder if the member would comment on this, as we are actually harming ourselves by maintaining the carbon tax on our businesses.

    Madam Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his election as well. I look forward to serving with all members of the House of Commons and to working collaboratively with everyone, especially when there are solutions being brought forward that we can deliver on for all Canadians for the betterment of our society and for the betterment of everyone's well-being in our country.

    As I said during my campaign many times, I believe that policies within the government are to be reviewed. I would suggest that we wait until our budget is brought forward, and it will be brought forward by very responsible and well-informed people, and that we take a look at all of the policies there to work toward improving the economic stability of our country, especially as it deals with small businesses.

    Madam Speaker, I would also like to congratulate my neighbour in the House, a fellow British Columbian, the new member for South Surrey—White Rock. I want to ask him about an issue that was almost solved with a bill that died on the Order Paper on January 6. It was Bill C-33, and it dealt with an issue.

     There is another member of the House who happens to be here, the hon. member for Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères, and we worked hard to amend Bill C-33 to have it accomplish the end of shipments of thermal coal and exports out of the port of Vancouver. These come from the U.S. They come on coal trains through his riding.

    I wonder if the member has any comments on whether we should bring that bill back.

    Madam Speaker, it is indeed a pleasure to be sitting near my colleague. I have admired her stance on all of the environmental issues she has brought to the table over many years. I look forward to working together with her on many of the issues.

    The issue of thermal coal has been brought to my attention, especially during the campaign. It has been an issue that many others who have occupied the seat before me have dealt with. At this point, we are not yet at a place where many people in my riding would like to see, which is to reroute the coal trains, if possible. Perhaps with the new tariffs the U.S. has put into place, we can look at putting tariffs on the U.S. for coal.

    Madam Speaker, my question is regarding affordable housing. All over the country, it is a big issue, including in my riding, Hamilton Centre. There is a bigger project called the Jamesville project. The housing project is still there. I will ask my hon. colleague and member of Parliament how serious the government is about housing.

     Resuming debate, the hon. member for Brandon—Souris.

    Madam Speaker, it is a real pleasure to rise today to deliver my first speech in the House of Commons. I was reflecting while debate was going on earlier, and it is such an incredible honour to be in this place on behalf of the great people of Brandon and Westman.

    Members do not get here alone. I would be remiss if I did not start by thanking, of course, my partner Ashley, who has agreed to come along on this wild political journey. She has been a trooper in making the leap into federal politics with me, so I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

    I thank my parents, Darryl and Cherilyn. As an only child, I am sure it is a bit of a strange phenomenon for them to see their only child carted off to Ottawa to represent the rural areas of south-western Manitoba. They have been supportive of me through this political journey, so I thank them for being there through thick and thin. I have not always made it easy. I am sure they would reaffirm that, but they have been there with me through it all, so I thank them for that. I thank my in-laws as well, who have allowed a political junkie into their family with open arms. I thank them for their support.

    Members get here with a team, so I would be remiss if I did not also thank the members of my campaign team. They came together very quickly after my predecessor announced a sudden departure from politics. We garnered very good results. There is no doubt about that. We broadened our voter coalition. We increased the number of Conservative votes that were received in our constituency. I thank them for their hard work, which was done in very quick fashion to get organized to get up and running.

    I also must thank my predecessor, Larry Maguire. He is a stand-up individual. He has been a great advocate for rural Manitoba, for all of Manitoba and for western Canadian agriculture over his many years in politics. He has been a great friend and mentor to me personally. I thank him for his friendship and mentorship, and I wish him well in his retirement, although I am sure we have not seen the last of him in his involvement in politics across Manitoba and the country.

    I want to thank the Conservative Party, my Conservative colleagues and our leader, Pierre Poilievre, for supporting me and putting their faith in me in my stepping into Larry's shoes and fulfilling the responsibilities of this role. I do not take that faith lightly, and I plan to work hard on behalf of this team every day.

    Most importantly, I want to thank the people of Brandon—Souris. It is such a humbling experience to be a member of Parliament and to be their voice here in Ottawa. I am so privileged to be that voice, and I am going to work hard every day to ensure that their issues, their challenges and their experiences are raised here in the House of Commons.

    When I think about Brandon—Souris or Westman, the first word that comes to mind is “home”. Like any home, sometimes the house needs a bit of work, and that is certainly what we heard at the doors during this campaign. We heard that Westman industries are struggling. Young families are having a hard time paying the bills and buying affordable homes. Crime is up, both in our urban cities and on farmyards. This is not an acceptable state of affairs, and unfortunately, it gets worse. With Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, and our oil and gas sector being suppressed by failed Liberal government policies, people are being left feeling like there is less hope than there has been in many years.

    Why are we here? The Liberal government seems focused, or have been focused, on offshore challenges. It is funding farming initiatives in Africa, but there is no support for Canadian agriculture. It is investing in the Asian Infrastructure Bank, building pipelines in Asia, but there has been zero major infrastructure, nation-building projects conducted here on Canadian soil in the last nine and a half years of the Liberals.

    That is a shame, and Westman residents have had enough. They made it clear with a decisive mandate vote for change in Ottawa. Part of this larger vote coalition was young people, people who have never voted Conservative or who have never voted at all, and they voted Conservative for the first time. They voted in favour of a Conservative plan that offers a very proud and important path forward for this country.

    Young people in Canada want very simple things. They want to be treated with respect and to be able to get a good job that earns them a good wage that allows them to buy an affordable home and start a family in a safe neighbourhood. These are not complicated requests. However, if anything, the Liberal government of the last nine and a half years has shown us that the Liberal Party's secret party trick is to complicate even the simplest of government tasks. We need to look no further than the Phoenix pay system debacle, where the Liberals could not even figure out how to pay their own civil servants, or the arrive scam issue, which complicated crossing the border with a Canadian passport as a Canadian citizen. These are just some of the smallest examples. I am not even getting into infrastructure, procurement and the other debacles of the last nine and a half years.

    Young people in this country voted for a common-sense plan, but even more than that, they voted for a plan full of hope. More young people in Canada under 40 voted Conservative than ever before because our plan inspired them with a path forward to a more hopeful future for this country. That is a credit to Pierre Poilievre and those in our leadership team, who have made this Conservative Party younger with a broader vote coalition. That bodes very well for the future of the Conservative Party of Canada. It is a plan to make life more affordable by reducing taxes; reducing government spending; cutting waste; building safer communities; targeting investments in nation-building projects, such as national energy corridors and pipelines; and having a jail, not bail, plan, which would put criminals behind bars and ensure that they remain behind bars to serve time for the crimes they committed to destroy our communities and destroy our families. This is the Conservative plan that young people across the country supported and will support again.

    To those people who bought into this vision, this path and this campaign of hope, I say this: Do not lose that hope now. We did not get across the finish line, but the team surrounding me is fighting for them. Day in and day out, we are working to implement that agenda from the opposition benches, and we will get some results. Look no further than last night, when the Liberals lost their first vote on their own throne speech, when we amended it to include the adamant statement that there be a financial update this spring, before the House rises, to ensure that there is a fiscal plan to support the challenges that are impacting them and their families.

    I know things are not good right now, but they can be better. We know they can be. With a lot of hard work, patience, persistence and determination, we can make them better. We can do big things in this country. We can make positive change so that those who come after us have a better country and more opportunity than we had when we were growing up. Without a doubt, this Conservative team, under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, is the team to get that done. I am ready to get to work, so let us get to it.

    Madam Speaker, we just came through a national election where the Liberal government received over 8.5 million votes. That is the largest number of votes ever before in a national election. I believe they came to that conclusion because they were able to compare Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative agenda to that of the Prime Minister and the Liberal Party's platform. They made a judgment on that issue. The hope is there because of the campaign making it very clear that we need to start working with premiers, indigenous leaders, territories and political parties to build a strong team Canada so that we can deliver on issues, such as the Trump tariffs and trade.

    Does the member feel any obligation whatsoever to work with the government on important projects?

    Madam Speaker, we will certainly support the government if it actually provides a plan to build national energy projects in this country, including oil and gas pipelines. We have seen nothing from the government members about that, and we look forward to seeing that plan come forward. If it does, then we will consider it at that time.

    However, the member is certainly wrong. There were more Conservative votes in my constituency this time than in many years past. People supported the Conservative Party platform in my constituency. They voted for change in Ottawa, and we are going to work hard every day to make that change happen.

    Madam Speaker, my colleague just gave a very interesting answer.

    He has probably noted, as I have, the government's desire to table legislation defining projects of national significance. Those projects might not be subject to an environmental impact assessment.

    Does my colleague agree with that approach? Does my colleague believe that an environmental impact assessment is not required when it comes to oil and gas projects? Will that be the Conservative Party's position?

    Madam Speaker, it is certainly not. Our position is that the bureaucracy has become so bloated that we cannot get anything built in this country in a timely fashion. It is taking years upon years to get these permits approved and get construction actually happening, so while we believe that the environment is very important, and that protecting our environment and our natural spaces is very important, we also need to get permitting timelines down to a modicum of a reasonable time frame so that companies and investors have the assurance that these projects are actually going to get done sometime in our lifetime. The Conservative Party's platform is to reduce the amount of time it takes to get these permits done and actually get this country built for a change.

    Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. member on his election.

     During the debate on the throne speech, we have heard from our friends on the other side that our middle-class tax cut is not big enough, but as I am sure the member knows, the Conservatives ran on a tax cut that would not have helped anyone for three years.

    Would the hon. member agree that money in the pocket of Canadians next month is better than a tax cut that would not help them for the next three years?

    Madam Speaker, I want to make it clear that our Conservative Party, while supporting tax cuts, does believe that the proposal from the Prime Minister's government does not go far enough. We think Canadians deserve more relief from the massive increases in higher taxes that they have received after the last nine and a half years of the Liberal government. The government needs to go further. That is why we are calling for a spring budget to deliver more relief for Manitobans, Westman residents and Canadian families who are struggling to put food on the table.

    Madam Speaker, I stand before this chamber for the first time, and I am humbled to represent the people of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, located on beautiful Vancouver Island, from Chemainus to Langford and from Port Renfrew to Duncan, including Thetis Island and Penelakut Island. I thank them for putting their trust in me and for supporting positive change and hope for our riding.

    To my wife, Angel, and to our children, I say thanks for their unwavering support, love and enthusiasm as I tackle this new mission in life to represent our communities.

    I would also like to pass along my utmost gratitude and appreciation to my amazing campaign team and the committed volunteers who worked tirelessly to connect with as many constituents as possible. They include Janet and Fred, our senior-citizen, door-knocking dynamic duo. We all came together, working endlessly, and they put their trust in me. I thank them.

    I say a special thanks to the many young people who volunteered and turned out in record numbers to vote for positive change and Conservative values, many for the first time. I truly believe that the work we are all doing here is for the youth and future generations of our nation, and that is the reason I am here. Their dreams of Canada, where hard work is rewarded with a good paycheque, where families can live in a safe neighbourhood and where they can one day afford a home, are the dreams I will continue to fight for.

    Our riding is as diverse as our landscape, from the fast-growing city of Langford, with bustling urban life and a vibrant sports community, to the remote, rugged fishing town of Port Renfrew on the Pacific Ocean. There are farmlands, mills, small ports, logging, mountain ranges and remote communities spread across some 4,800 square kilometres. We have an active outdoor community and endless opportunities for recreation and tourism. We have numerous rivers and many fish hatcheries. It is a truly beautiful, stunning and vibrant place, where I have lived most of my adult life, and I am proud to call it home.

    There are seven first nations that make up almost 10% of our population. I continue to learn from them while respecting their culture and traditions. There are seniors, young families, farmers, trade workers, retirees, anglers, hunters and business leaders. As well, there is a strong veteran community and many serving military members across our riding.

    However, for all of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford's beauty, resources and opportunities, I am saddened to report that, as in much of Canada, our people are struggling. During my campaign, I spoke with thousands of people across our riding, and the message was clear: This is not the nation we all once knew. People are struggling to make ends meet, pay for groceries, heat their homes, pay their bills and provide for their families.

    I met many who are losing their homes or who are now living in shelters or on the street. This needs to change. Many people live without a doctor or basic medical care, with wait-lists of many years. Some of our communities, including Port Renfrew and Lake Cowichan, have no doctors anymore. The seniors who built this country are struggling to make ends meet while feeling unsafe to go shopping in their once-safe communities. These are all signs of a failing economy, and this needs to change.

    People are worried about rapidly increasing crime, disorder, open drug use, addictions, homelessness and poverty. This should not be the norm in our communities. The so-called safe supply experiment has failed. The overdose crisis continues to ravage communities, claiming thousands of lives in British Columbia alone.

    Families are left helpless as loved ones succumb to addiction. This is exacerbated by government policies that prioritize the distribution of dangerous drugs without providing adequate rehabilitation and support systems. These are not just statistics that we hear in the news. They are our daughters, sons, mothers, fathers and loved ones. The trauma of losing family members to addiction leaves lasting scars. The absence of effective action to address this crisis continues the cycle of dysfunction and despair.

    In Duncan, the crime rate is 237% above the national average, and the violent crime rate is 153% above the national average. A few months ago, I met Norm, a retired minister whose 80-year-old sister was mugged and pushed to the ground, breaking her hip.

    In Langford, police are finding drug labs hidden in homes and pulling over cars to find fentanyl and illegal firearms. This needs to change. Crime is not just a story in the news; it is something that now touches everyone's life, my own family included. Two years ago, my daughter watched as her boyfriend, Jonny, was murdered by a stranger in downtown Victoria. He was stabbed to death by a repeat violent offender who was let out on bail for attempted murder not three weeks earlier and had a history of no fewer than five violent charges against him.

    The Liberals' soft-on-crime bills have allowed dangerous criminals to remain free, which risks public safety. Violent criminals must be held to account to prevent further tragedies and restore faith in our justice system.

    What of our veterans, the brave men and women who once stood defending our sovereignty and freedom? These heroes now face bureaucratic hurdles that strip them of the respect and the care they deserve. Too many veterans despair, hearing from their government that “they're asking for more than we are able to give right now”. We lose them not just to old age but to the despair that follows when a nation forgets its promises. This is unacceptable and must change.

    Furthermore, serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been devastated by years of neglect. They face challenges that no military personnel should endure, from inadequate resources to outdated equipment and the inability to afford housing where they are stationed. To be a strong fighting force, they need modern equipment and solid recruitment, and we need to restore their customs and traditions. We must ensure they have the tools, training and resources required to do their job effectively.

    We need to incentivize municipalities and reduce red tape and bureaucracy while unleashing our home builders so that hard-working tradespeople can build homes. They are the experts. We do not need another government agency that will fail to deliver homes.

     We need to repeal Bill C-75 and Bill C-5 to keep repeat violent offenders behind bars so that people like Jonny could still be with us. We need to repeal Bill C-21 and protect the rights of our law-abiding, licensed hunters and sport shooters while protecting our borders and keeping illegal guns from entering Canada and illegal guns off our streets.

     We need real tax cuts that will stimulate our economy and relieve pressure on so many.

     We need to unleash our industry and natural resources to build our economy. For example, we need to take immediate steps to support B.C.'s recreational fishing industry, which is nearing collapse. A simple fix of marking all hatchery salmon would allow our recreational fishing industry to return from the brink of extinction. We have renewable resources, whether forests, fish, farming or even mining. Now is the time to use them responsibly and build wealth and rebuild our economy.

     We need to spend on responsible infrastructure, such as by bringing in rapid transit and an alternative route for the dangerous Malahat Highway. Rapid transit would connect our island, bring economic prosperity, improve safety and benefit the environment.

     Unfortunately, the throne speech was light on details. Promises of change and prosperity are not matched by actions or supported with plans. Where is the Prime Minister's plan? Where is the Prime Minister's budget? We were all elected to represent our ridings and bring positive change. Parliament should be sitting through the summer, with committees working tirelessly to address these changes. Actions are not matching the promises.

     The people of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford have entrusted me with the immense responsibility of representing them in Ottawa, and I do not take this lightly. We are the government in waiting. Hope is what the House must rekindle in the heart of every Canadian. It is hope that drives parents; they work tirelessly so that their children can have a better life. We must ensure that our children inherit a Canada that embodies the values we hold dear, a Canada where hard work pays off, where families thrive and where every generation inherits a better future.

     While I may be new to this chamber, I am not new to working for the federal government. I served Canada for 28 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, defending our great nation's sovereignty, democracy and freedom. Through the skills, leadership and experience gained at sea during operational deployments and command positions, I will continue my mission to serve Canada, but now from this chamber.

     Let us rise together and restore the dignity of our seniors, respect our first nations, honour the sacrifices of our veterans, support our serving military and build a country so that our youth can once again have hope. Canada is worth it; our children are worth it, and the future we fight for begins today.

    Madam Speaker, like my esteemed colleague, I am also new to the House of Commons. For me and our community as well, the armed forces are very present. I appreciated the comments that were made by my esteemed colleague.

    Could he give his views on what is included in the throne speech, as well as the “Canada Strong” plan, related to rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in our Canadian Armed Forces?

    Madam Speaker, I congratulate my esteemed colleague on her first time in the chamber.

    Our armed forces need significant rebuilding and re-funding, and the delays have been going on for 10 years. I appreciate the government's new statements that it is planning to support our military, and I appreciate that it has stolen many of those policies from our own platform, which just indicates that our platform is going in the right direction. I will work to support any policies that will help rebuild our military, bring back pride in the work it does and support our members in the Canadian Armed Forces.

    Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his election. I welcome him to the House.

    As we all know, there are currently major forest fires burning in western Canada. We lived through forest fires in Quebec not so long ago. It was not easy. We also know that these forest fires release huge amounts of carbon. According to publicly available data, the forest fires we have experienced over the last few years have emitted even more CO2 than human activities. That is quite serious.

    In the face of this situation, we have a government that is abandoning the fight against climate change. Over the weekend, the Prime Minister chose to meet with gas companies first.

    Is my colleague not concerned that we might accelerate these forest fires and make the situation worse if we continue to bury our heads in oil?

    Madam Speaker, my heart and my sympathy go out to the families and all those affected by the forest fires. I salute, congratulate and acknowledge the hard work of the first responders, the military and other services that are fighting the devastating fires.

    As I said, I support, and our party supports, responsible use of our natural resources. We produce some of the cleanest energy in the world, and I will continue to support responsible use of our natural resources to rebuild our economy.

    Madam Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise on behalf of the people of Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola.

    Welcome back to the chair, Madam Speaker. We are all very pleased to see you, given everything. I would also like to congratulate my colleague on his maiden speech.

     As somebody who has seen a fair amount of crime and has spoken with witnesses, I was touched, as was everybody, by the member's story and first-hand knowledge through his daughter. I think that every member of the House wants to see fewer victims, but where I part company with my Liberal colleagues is that I believe Conservatives actually have a plan.

    When it comes to these types of offences, and we are not being one step removed like my colleague is, can the member tell the chamber and Canadians what it is like to be so close, and to see such a vicious crime so close, and how that relates to our work and the importance of fighting crime, as Conservatives are committed to in the chamber?

     Madam Speaker, my esteemed colleague's question is challenging.

     I share the story not just for sympathy but so people understand that these traumas affect not just me but so many people across our country. I am sharing to show I understand that we must change our laws, we must protect our victims and we must keep violent repeat offenders off our streets. I am passionate about it, but I know I am not alone, because there are so many people across our country who have faced the same trauma, the same challenges. I join with them and understand their challenges.

    Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Milton East—Halton Hills South.

    It is a great honour to rise for the first time as the elected member of Parliament for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas. I am speaking today in support of our government’s mandate as laid out by His Majesty King Charles III in the Speech from the Throne.

    I stand here with deep gratitude. I thank my wife, Dawn; and our children, Sadie and Isaac, for their love, patience and support. I thank my parents, John and Dianne; and my in-laws, Mike and Bev, for the values and work ethic that brought me here. To the people on my incredible campaign team who worked tirelessly to connect with our community, I say that this is their victory as well. I would like to sincerely thank the Hon. Filomena Tassi for her many years of dedicated service to our community and country, and for her guidance and friendship.

    I often say that I am not a politician; I am an engineer who finds himself in a political role. After nearly two terms on Hamilton city council, I am excited and deeply humbled to serve our community in this new capacity. Today I will address several important issues and opportunities in my riding of Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas: economic development, protecting our national sovereignty, U.S. tariffs on steel, affordability and housing, public safety and the need for collaboration.

    There is no question that we are at a difficult time in Canada’s history. We face external pressures and internal challenges. The Trump administration threatens not only our economy but also the principles of collaboration and international partnership that Canadians value so deeply. Tariffs and protectionist threats create uncertainty in key sectors like steel and manufacturing, which matter profoundly to Hamilton.

    Canadians are facing a real affordability crisis. The cost of housing, groceries and daily essentials has stretched household budgets past the breaking point. During the campaign, I heard these concerns again and again, but what struck me most was not just the worry; it was the determination. Homes across Hamilton are again proudly flying the Canadian flag. It is a powerful act of hope, a signal that we are proud of our shared values and that we will face these challenges together. Canadians are tired of politicians who foster division instead of delivering solutions. Now more than ever, we need leadership that is capable, collaborative and constructive.

    A strong economy is the foundation of everything we do. It is how we fund health care and housing and defend our sovereignty. It is how we give our children a future. I have two teenagers at home, Sadie and Isaac, and I want to make sure their generation has access to meaningful jobs, affordable homes and the promise that all Canadians who work hard can achieve the lifestyle they deserve. That is why our government is committed to building the strongest economy in the G7 by leveraging Canadian resources such as timber, minerals, and research and innovation, and by investing in the skilled trades.

    Hamilton is already poised to lead in economic growth. At McMaster University, where I studied engineering, the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre is developing EV technologies that do not use rare earth metals. Hamilton is also a growing hub for pharmaceutical research, biotech and life sciences, and our government is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to modernize steelmaking and drastically reduce emissions. We are also prioritizing Canadian steel, aluminum and timber in major new infrastructure projects.

    Of course, everyone in Hamilton knows someone who works in the steel industry. Hamilton’s steel industry directly employs over 10,000 workers and another in 40,000 indirect jobs. Uncertainty over U.S. tariffs on steel are causing immense stress and anxiety for Hamilton families. These tariffs are unjustified, unlawful and deeply damaging. They threaten Canadian workers, disrupt communities and undermine cross-border supply chains that have taken generations to establish.

    I have been in direct contact with the Minister of Industry and local partners in the steel industry, and I want to assure steelworkers in Hamilton that our government is fighting back with strong retaliatory measures and targeted domestic support to defend our industries and protect the thousands of Canadian jobs at stake. Our government will fight for every worker, every job and every business.

    Tariffs on steel harm workers and businesses on both sides of the border. We have an opportunity to work with the American steel industry to achieve a common goal: to grow the entire North American steel industry and protect against low-cost steel imports from overseas.

    Even with economic progress, Canadians cannot prosper if they cannot afford to live. Hamilton’s housing market is out of reach for far too many. Our government is taking immediate action. We cancelled the consumer carbon tax, reducing the cost of gas by 18¢ per litre. The new middle-class tax cut will help over 22 million Canadians save up to $840 per year. We removed the GST on new homes under $1 million for first-time homebuyers.

     We introduced affordable child care, now $10 a day, saving Canadian families thousands of dollars. On housing, our government is working collaboratively with all levels of government and our industry partners to invest billions of dollars to double the rate of homebuilding in Canada for new homes for Canadians, homes that will use Canadian lumber, Canadian steel and Canadian skilled workers.

    I was recently at the groundbreaking ceremony for a major new affordable home project in Hamilton. This project would not have been possible without the support of the federal government in collaboration with the City of Hamilton and local affordable homebuilders. Hamilton's community housing providers, including Indwell, Victoria Park, Kiwanis, Good Shepherd, Habitat for Humanity and CityHousing Hamilton are setting a national example of best practices. They are doing more than just building homes; they are redefining what sustainable, affordable housing looks like in Canada.

    These organizations are committed to high-performance building standards such as Passive House and LEED platinum to build net-zero carbon housing at scale. They are not just planning on doing this; they are doing this right now in Hamilton. By investing slightly more during construction, they are able to deliver homes where low-income tenants never have to worry about paying utility bills. They are easing the financial burden while contributing to environmental sustainability.

    Equally important, these new developments include wraparound supports like on-site health care and mental health and addiction services. This integrated approach ensures that people have not only a roof over their head but also the resources they need to stay housed, healthy and supported. The housing affordability crisis was created over decades through successive governments. Record-low interest rates, the ongoing financialization of housing, provincial rent deregulation and an unprecedented increase in material prices during the pandemic all contributed.

    In recent years, municipalities like Hamilton have been working hard to eliminate barriers to construction of market housing and reduce costs. Right now, there is 10 years of housing supply already approved and ready to be built within the city of Hamilton, but market housing builders are not building.

    There are tens of thousands of housing projects across Canada on hold due to economic uncertainty in the housing market. Our government is working collaboratively with provincial and municipal governments while investing billions of dollars across the country to get Canadian homebuilders building again. We are implementing real solutions to housing affordability so that every Canadian who works hard can afford a safe and affordable place to call home.

    Of course, none of this matters if Canadians are not safe in their own home. Gun violence, auto theft, organized crime and drug trafficking are on the rise across Canada. In fact, my own car was stolen right from my driveway while my family and I were home asleep. Our government is responding with a serious plan: bail reform to keep violent offenders in jail, tougher sentencing for drug trafficking and gun crime, cracking down on illegal firearms and fentanyl imported from the United States, and strengthening the criminal justice system.

    We also know that homelessness and addiction are public safety and public health challenges. Homeless tent encampments in city parks are not a compassionate solution. The federal government is responsible for over $200 billion a year in transfer payments to the provinces for health care. We need to hold provincial governments accountable for their investments in health care, because addictions and mental health are health care issues, and we need real action from our provincial partners to get people the help they need.

    I firmly believe that every member of the House is here to advocate for Canada and Canadians. Canadian voters have spoken; they have elected a government that is capable, collaborative and constructive. Since arriving in the House, I have noticed something: Despite our differences, we agree on much more than we disagree on. We agree that Canadians need opportunity, that they deserve safety and that they need homes, jobs and opportunities for a better future.

    The people of Canada have shown us the way in their optimism, their resolve and their determination to come together, so let us follow their example. Let us rise above division and let us work together across the aisle for the good of all Canadians. I am honoured to stand for a strong and prosperous Canada, and I invite every member of the House to stand with me to work together to keep the true north strong and free.

    Madam Speaker, it is nice to see you again.

    In his speech, my colleague talked about the steel industry and described his riding's economy. In Quebec, we could talk about aerospace, forestry and aluminum. Quebec's economy is unique. I am not the only one saying this. There is even a motion from the Quebec National Assembly that denounces the vision of one economy, which discounts all the distinct characteristics that different regions may have. In Quebec, our economy is based on SMEs, which is a different economic model.

    In light of the motion adopted by the Quebec National Assembly, how does my colleague view this idea of one economy that does not represent the will of Quebec?

    Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her question. I apologize for the quality of my French. It is not very good, but I am learning.

     So far in this chamber, I have been very impressed with the Bloc's position on a number of issues: the environment, energy, development, health care and education. I think that, except for the whole leaving-the-country thing, we actually have quite a bit in common. It makes sense, because Ontario is quite similar to Quebec in many ways. The member talked about timber resources, aerospace and lumber. We also have many of the largest and strongest vibrant municipalities in Canada.

    We share common interests, so there are three things that come to mind that Ontario and Quebec could work together on. The first is expanding the definition of the energy sector. Conservatives are fixated on legacy fossil fuels, and I think Ontario and Quebec are more interested in clean next-generation electricity, mass timber construction and climate mitigation.

     Madam Speaker, congratulations to my hon. colleague on his maiden speech.

     I think the member may be the only one who has mentioned the opioid and addictions crisis that has gripped our country. The Speech from the Throne was 2,500 words long, and there was not one mention of the opioid crisis and the fentanyl crisis that have gripped our nation.

    How does the member feel about that lack of acknowledgement from his side of the House, the government and Prime Minister, that we have this absolute crisis, in terms of overdoses and opioids?

     Madam Speaker, there is no question that there is an opioid crisis in this country. In my time on Hamilton city council, we did declare an opioid crisis. We were looking at taking positive steps to address it.

    I have had many discussions with Hamilton police on the impacts of opioids on the streets, along with crime in general. It is something that residents contact our office about daily, when they see people with addictions issues on the street openly using drugs. It is a huge problem throughout Canada. I think there is a way forward that is compassionate and would address the actual root cause of the opioid crisis, which would be to focus more on addiction supports.

     At the end of the day, we cannot arrest ourselves out of an addictions and health care crisis. We need to work collaboratively with the provinces and municipalities to get people the help they need.

    Madam Speaker, congratulations to the member on his election.

    The throne speech unilaterally announced that the government would cut development cost levies by 50%, which would impact local governments. Local governments often rely on that money to build the community infrastructure to support new development, yet the throne speech did not offer any infrastructure dollars to local governments. There was zero mention of it.

    How will local governments ensure that the necessary infrastructure is built to support the community when the government cuts that access to development cost levies?

    Madam Speaker, this is definitely a significant concern for municipalities, especially in Ontario, where they are required to cover development charges in the annual levy budget. The federal government is committed to working with municipalities collaboratively to invest directly in infrastructure as required to reduce development charges.

    Madam Speaker, I congratulate you and all of my colleagues in this House. I also want to thank the clerks, pages, interpreters and security who keep things running so smoothly here.

     If the House will indulge me, I will take the opportunity to recognize some very important people without whom I would not be here. First, of course, there are the wonderful people of Milton East—Halton Hills South, who found themselves not only in a brand new riding but also enduring a two-week-long judicial recount as they waited to learn who would represent them here in their House. It truly showed, in action, the adage that every vote counts, in some ridings even more than mine. We were in good company.

     I thank the good people of Georgetown and east Milton for their patience and for their confidence as that fascinating and mildly stressful process played out. No one saw that stress manifest more than those closest to me, my family: my four children, Thomas, Ashby, William and Andrew; my parents, Mario and Lynda; my siblings and many extended family members who sent support and kind words; but none more than my long-suffering husband of 28 years, Chris. In his typical, unwaveringly supportive style, he always reminds me that I am stronger than I think.

     I came in late to the election race and had mere weeks to organize, coordinate, recruit, fundraise and get my name out to voters before election day. In hindsight, it was a gargantuan effort, and I am under no illusions; it would not have been possible without an absolutely spectacular team of campaign managers, staff and hundreds of volunteers and supporters, all of whom came forward with their time, support, energy and great faith, and over half of whom had never been involved in a political campaign before. These volunteers have continued to engage politically and are organizing to explore ways to make their community a better place. I am so proud of them.

     I humbly rise with gratitude for my place in this Parliament and for the gift of responsibility that I have been granted and that we all share as colleagues in this House. How fortunate to have been reminded of this responsibility in person by His Majesty, when he closed the throne speech by stating, “Members of the House of Commons...May you honour the profound trust bestowed upon you by Canadians, and may God bless and guide you in all your duties.”

     Regardless of how members feel about monarchies, it is a sobering reminder, provided by His Majesty, of the tremendous responsibility we carry. How fortunate we are to be here to fulfill that work together.

    In fact, all Canadians are fortunate to be here, in this country, the best on the planet, working together to make each other's lives better and standing as an example to the entire world of the artistry that emerges from a true mosaic of cultures, beliefs and stories. With the exception of our indigenous brothers and sisters, we all come from somewhere else. I am one of those who comes from somewhere else.

     My mother's family has been in Canada for many generations, originally coming to Ontario from the New England colonies and settling in lovely Parry Sound, where my grandfather worked for Imperial Oil. He and my grandmother raised eight children. My mother attended bible college, sang in a gospel trio, was crowned Miss MacTier in 1967 and became a nurse. In stark contrast, my father was a child refugee from the Second World War. He came from Italy with his parents and brother. As an adult, he found work as a truck driver. His father, my nono, worked as a bricklayer and mason, helping construct the very town that his granddaughter would one day represent as a member of Parliament.

     Their story is similar to that of many Canadians, and many in this House, who owe their existence to Canada's history as a welcoming nation for immigrants, a point also noted by His Majesty when he referred to Canada's immigration system as a source of pride and dynamism. My parents' families left their ancestral homes and came to this country because they had faith in Canada and its promise. I am a humble and grateful beneficiary of that faith and that promise.

     I will submit, however, that this promise is not as vibrant now as it once was. For newcomers to have an opportunity to contribute to their new communities and country, they need support to get started. Right now, that support is simply not robust enough to provide what newcomers need. Many who are already here, whether indigenous peoples, long-settled Canadians or newer Canadians, are struggling and facing challenges of scarcity and unaffordability.

     This is why our government has committed to several measures to alleviate the strain. As His Majesty noted, we will cap the total number of temporary foreign workers and international students to less than 5% of our population over the next 18 months. This approach will align immigration levels to infrastructure capacity. Newcomers need to be able to integrate successfully without overwhelming public resources. Our government recognizes that it is counterproductive to invite people into a house that is not properly able to receive them.

    Our government has also made a significant commitment to francophone communities outside Quebec by increasing the target for francophone immigration. This policy will support the cultural and economic contributions of francophone communities in places like New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba.

     As an aside, I make a personal commitment today to my own French-language learning.

    I promise.

    We will return overall immigration to sustainable levels, ensuring that the best and brightest are drawn to Canada and will work with us in building the strongest economy in the G7.

    These actions also prop up our government's work to address affordability and housing. As a former municipal councillor, I know first-hand that housing and residential development are matters of great focus and great anxiety, particularly when provincial and federal partners amend the conventional use of tools, such as development charges, and particularly in Ontario. I understand the burden that falls to municipalities when other orders of government, however well meaning, download responsibilities to them without considering the financial impacts.

    Municipalities have very limited ways to raise revenue and cannot legally run budget deficits. We must ensure that municipalities are made whole when their methods of raising revenue are altered. I was heartened to hear the Prime Minister acknowledge this to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference delegates in Ottawa this past weekend.

    This responsible course correction on immigration will take some time, but we will restore balance and rebuild trust in our immigration system, a system that has contributed to nation building since Confederation and before, and will continue to do so if responsibly managed, as this government commits to do. At a time of critical consequence for the economic covalence of our country, we must support immigration that strengthens our economy while reducing stress on housing and infrastructure. In order to put action behind that commitment, our policies will prioritize those already in Canada over new entrants.

    My four children, mentioned earlier, are young adults. They are striving to launch their own lives and become settled in their own homes, but that has simply been out of reach for them so far. One reason I am so pleased to be elected as a representative in this government is the ambitious homebuilding plan we have designed. Big results require big ambitions. Yes, our plan to get the government back into the business of building homes, and to double rates of homebuilding, is ambitious, but definitely results-driven. “Build Canada homes” will deliver affordable and deeply affordable housing for people just like my kids. There is no trepidation in executing this plan.

    We all know Canada is a country of prosperity, but many Canadians do not feel prosperous right now. This problem has been stewing for decades, but now it will be dealt with. Productivity needs to grow so Canadian paycheques can grow. We will boost the revenues our country relies on to support vital services that improve Canadians' quality of life while focusing investment on capital government assets. Now is a time of opportunity. We are poised on the edge of a new era of prosperity and nation building not seen since the postwar period.

    The dark cloud blowing in from the south has stirred us to action. Amid a groundswell of patriotism, we will build a shelter and a safe haven for our country and use this opportunity not only to weather the storm but to flourish when the clouds part. This is the promise being made to Canadians now and Canadians yet to come. May God bless us all in these duties.

    Madam Speaker, I was interested in the comments of the member as I too sat on a regional council. The question of cutting development charges in half has been talked about by a lot of parties, but I would like to know this specifically.

    In older municipalities, development pays for development and taxes pay for services. How exactly does the government expect to force municipalities to cut their development charges in half, and how does it make them whole after that happens?

    Madam Speaker, I sat as a municipal councillor, and this was a source of great discussion around the council table. Incidentally, I was on a plane this morning with someone from the development community, and we had a discussion about development charges. It is going to be an ongoing conversation of great importance between federal, provincial and municipal partners.

     It is also important to keep an eye on the long-term future, because if we can increase housing supply through the incentivization of decreasing development charges, there are going to be more homes to collect property taxes from for our municipalities.

    Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Milton East—Halton Hills South for her speech, and I congratulate her on her election. She did a good job explaining the recount she went through and the stress it caused. I congratulate her. In her case, it seems to have ended well. This is a matter of democracy. She said that every vote counts.

    What does she think about the problems in other ridings, such as Nunavik? They say that every vote counts, but offices are closing before the usual time set by Elections Canada. That is what happened in Nunavik, for example. What does she think about the case of Terrebonne? Elections Canada made a mistake with the return envelope. The election depended on one vote. It is all well and good to say that every vote counts, but everyone must get a vote.

    What does she think about this democratic issue that happened in some ridings?

     Madam Speaker, it is a question that I had posed to me many times during the recount from folks of all political alignments. I have full faith in the work of Elections Canada. There were elections workers who started very early in the morning and were counting very late at night. Ultimately, it is a human process with many checks and balances. I acknowledge that there were concerns with particular ridings. However, at some point, the work of government needs to proceed. People need to have faith in the electoral process, and their elected representatives need to get to work.

     Madam Speaker, all of the riding names have changed. I want to congratulate the member from Milton on her maiden speech, and I will get her riding name correct next time.

    I want to pick up on her comments specifically about immigration. She indicated that one of her parents immigrated from Italy, as my mother did back in the 1950s. I too am a first generation Canadian. My question to her is regarding the role that immigrants have played throughout the Canadian story in terms of building our infrastructure and building our country into what it is. My grandfather, my nonno, was a mason until the age of 76. When we think about it, immigrants in particular are the exact type of people who build our communities and turn them into what they are.

    Can the member speak a bit to the importance of immigration throughout Canadian history and into the future?

    Madam Speaker, it is interesting. The more we speak to our colleagues, the more we find that we have similar histories and stories to share.

    The contribution of immigrants to this country cannot be underestimated or minimized. Canada, in many ways, is a country of immigrants. In speaking to folks at the doors, sharing these stories and finding other affinities and similarities in our histories, it has really been an eye-opening and enlightening process.

    It is pivotal to remember that when we are looking at statistics with respect to immigration numbers, these are not just numbers; these are people. These are lives. These are stories being told. These are communities being built, with country building happening before our eyes. It is important that as a federal government, we continue to support immigrants who come here and continue to contribute.

    Madam Speaker, as this is my first time rising to speak in the 45th Parliament, I want to begin by expressing my deep gratitude to the constituents of the newly redistributed riding of Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake. I thank them for placing their trust in me to be their voice in this chamber.

     It is truly an honour and a privilege to stand in this place, and I do so with a sense of deep responsibility, one that I do not take lightly. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of my family, volunteers and the many dedicated individuals who believe in our vision for a stronger Canada. I want to take a moment to thank them for standing with me. I want to especially thank my husband Adam and my children, Annabelle, William, Victoria and Eloise, for their unconditional love and their unconditional support. I also want to express my steadfast commitment to fighting for the change and hope needed to address the immediate challenges facing our country and to strengthen it for the next generation.

    During the recent election, as I spoke with constituents, I heard the same concerns time and time again. The rising cost of living is making it harder for families to make ends meet, and many no longer feel safe in their own communities. While the issue of protecting our sovereignty was at the forefront of political discourse, the overwhelming concern I heard from constituents was about protecting the livelihoods and values that define our communities.

    For a decade, the Liberal government has attacked the industries that form the backbone of our economy. The government has also threatened the values and way of life in Saskatchewan. My constituents want to know how we can chart a path forward that ensures our province has every opportunity to succeed. To unite our country and create an environment where every Canadian, regardless of where they live, can work hard and succeed requires a plan. Unfortunately, the only thing that the Liberal government's throne speech makes clear is that it does not have a plan.

     While there are some lofty ideas in this speech, there are no details on how the Liberals will accomplish these goals and no specifics to give Canadians the confidence they need in the government's direction. A budget would provide that direction, but right out of the gate, the finance minister announced that the government would not be presenting a budget this year. Rightly, that declaration was met with immense blowback and criticism, not just from Conservatives, but from Canadians, political pundits and people from all sides of the political spectrum. After all that backlash, the government has backtracked just a little, promising a fall budget. However, a fall budget is simply not good enough. Serious leadership requires a plan and a plan that should be presented this spring.

    The Prime Minister himself repeatedly said throughout the election that a “plan beats no plan”, yet here we are left wondering where that supposed plan is today. The throne speech offers nothing but vague rhetoric and lofty promises. It talks about wanting to bring down housing costs, which is a very important priority for many Canadians, especially young Canadians who have lost the dream of home ownership. However, instead of presenting a plan to cut the red tape that is driving up the cost of homes, the Liberal throne speech proposes a brand new bureaucracy. We need solutions that make housing more affordable, not more layers of red tape.

    This lack of direction might stem from the very fact that the Prime Minister appointed a housing minister who has already publicly stated that, no, housing prices do not need to come down. How can Canadians trust the government to address the housing crisis when even its own minister does not believe in bringing prices down?

    The Prime Minister also says that he wants to get big projects built, but his own ministers do not seem to agree. He has appointed many former Trudeau ministers who have actively worked to put up barriers and red tape, making it impossible to get big nation-building projects off the ground.

    The lack of sincerity in wanting to get projects built is further evidenced by the Prime Minister's refusal to repeal the very laws that are stopping these projects, laws like Bill C-69, Bill C-48, the energy cap and the industrial carbon tax. These policies are suffocating our economy and job creation.

    In fact, there is no direct mention of Canada's oil and gas sector in the throne speech, one of Canada's most important industries and the lifeblood of entire provinces. There is no mention of how we can get our energy to new markets and there is certainly no mention of how Canadian energy can displace our dependency on foreign oil from countries with lower environmental and human rights standards. There is no mention of how Canadian energy can help reduce our global energy dependence on those same countries.

    This glaring omission in the throne speech speaks volumes about the government's priorities. It is not the bold leadership needed when our sovereignty and our economy are under attack. When outside forces are threatening our industries, we need a federal government that strengthens and protects them, not one that weakens and continues to undermine them.

    Despite the talk of spending restraint, the throne speech offers no real numbers, no specific targets and certainly no credibility, especially after a decade of inflationary waste and economic decline. The tabling of the main estimates last week paints a distinctly different picture from the promise of spending restraint that was made in the throne speech. The Liberal government has tabled $486 billion in spending, and yet again, it has done this without the presentation of a budget. This is the first time in decades that this has been done, outside of the pandemic. This is not the change that Canadians wanted. This is a troubling continuation of the pattern we saw under Justin Trudeau: escalating spending with no clear plan on how the money will be spent efficiently or effectively.

    The proposal would increase government spending by 8%, with much of that increase funnelled into bureaucracy, consultants and contractors, none of which will directly benefit Canadians who are struggling to make ends meet. The bureaucracy is set to grow by 6%, which is more than double the combined rate of inflation and population growth. What is worse is that spending on consultants is set to increase by 37%, reaching an astonishing $26 billion annually. This means that the average Canadian family will now be paying an extra $1,400 a year just to fund these consultants. In just this short time, the Prime Minister is proving to be even more expensive than Justin Trudeau, whom he advised.

    At a time when Canadians are already faced with the highest inflation in decades, this reckless spending will only make life harder for everyday Canadians. The Liberals must stop burdening Canadians with debt and start implementing policies that make life more affordable. With no budget in sight and no clarity in the throne speech on how the government intends to tackle the challenges facing Canadians, it is clear that the repackaged Liberal government is not showing the leadership our country so desperately needs.

    While the throne speech fails to offer the leadership Canadians need, Conservatives remain committed to holding the government to account and bringing about changes that will make this country more affordable, safer and self-reliant. We must work together to deliver the hope that Canadians are so desperate for. The Conservatives are committed to fighting for those priorities so that together, we can build a stronger Canada where all Canadians can get ahead and contribute to the success of our great country.

     Madam Speaker, I think we need to take a holistic approach in dealing with the throne speech. It sets out a very straightforward agenda so that Canadians and parliamentarians can be very focused on what was taking place in the last federal election. People were genuinely concerned about Trump, tariffs and trade. They were issues that people wanted us to deal with. The Prime Minister received more electoral votes than any other political party in the history of Canada. We need to work as team Canada to ensure that we are able to overcome issues and build a stronger Canada, the strongest country in the G7. That is what we are hoping to achieve.

    Does the member agree that there is a time to put partisan politics to the side in order to put Canadians first? To deal with trade, tariffs and President Trump, we need to do that now.

    Madam Speaker, I am in no way being partisan. As this is my first speech in the House of Commons in the 45th Parliament, I am simply relaying the information and the concerns of my constituents in Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake.

    To address this holistic agenda, there was no plan and no details. There were many subjects missing and omitted from the throne speech. I talked about the energy sector and oil and gas, and a colleague of mine rose in this place earlier and asked about the opioid fentanyl crisis, which is missing.

    The member should take a good long look in the mirror and commit to himself to be non-partisan this session.

     Madam Speaker, we hear from the other side that the Liberals were elected on a strong mandate, that Canadians gave them a strong mandate.

    We are sitting on the eve of more tariffs being levied against our steel industry. The Prime Minister was elected because he was apparently the man with the plan, yet we are seeing he has no plan. Does my colleague think Canadians were sold a bill of goods and that, in fact, the government was elected on a lie?

    Madam Speaker, my colleague brings up a very good point. Throughout the campaign, we did not hear that the candidate who is now the Prime Minister quietly ended the retaliatory tariffs that he campaigned on, saying that the government would give the revenue to the affected businesses. We know we did not hear that.

    Also, if the Liberals are certain about supporting businesses, they would remove the industrial carbon tax. We look at our steel and aluminum manufacturers and what is coming from south of the border, the threat of doubling those tariffs. One would think that common sense would tell us that maybe we should try to remove the red tape and the extra expense of doing business, which is doing nothing for the environment, by the way, and make it easier for those producers.

    Madam Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on her election and on her speech. Although I do not agree with everything she said, the fact remains that she is here to represent her constituents. I assume that what she says is also representative of her constituents' views.

    Since we are talking about representing the voices and views of our constituents, the Prime Minister of Canada decided, when it came time to read the Speech from the Throne, to bring in King Charles III, a person to whom nine out of 10 Quebeckers feel no attachment whatsoever. We know that 87% of Quebeckers feel no attachment to the British monarchy.

    Given that nine out of 10 Quebeckers reject the monarchy, does my colleague think that the government's decision helped promote the Canadian unity we hear so much about?

    Madam Speaker, I want to go a little further. Just because we do not see eye to eye, that does not mean we cannot work together. It is important that we can have conversations and debate. Iron sharpens iron, and this is something that should be honoured in this place.

    As for how the government wanted to read the throne speech, it is baffling to me that the Governor General could not have read it on the government's behalf, as opposed to His Majesty.

     Madam Speaker, I am honoured and humbled to be representing the people of Markham—Unionville. They have entrusted me to be their representative and to speak up for issues that are important to them. I have promised to listen, understand, consult and advocate for them in the House of Commons. I sincerely appreciate and respect their support for me to be their representative.

    I would like to thank my community, my campaign team and especially my family: my wife Anna, my son Aaron and his wife Tiffany, and my daughters Samantha and Andrea. It was their love and support that gave me the energy and strength to succeed in my campaign. My family, together with my campaign team, have worked tirelessly to knock on doors in sunny, rainy, snowy and windy conditions. I deeply appreciate all their dedication and support.

    As the voice of Markham—Unionville, let me paint a brief picture of my community based on an event I attended just this past weekend in my riding. I gave the closing speech for the 2025 National AccessAbility Week hosted by the NorthStar Special Needs Society. The initiative was designed both to reduce stigma and to raise awareness about disability within Asian Canadian communities. At its root, the event was about creating new narratives for Asian Canadians in the face of long-standing cultural norms, especially around disability. I was the chair of a mental health foundation, and I know that stigma in all societies in general is still very strong, especially in Asian Canadian communities.

    What we see in Markham—Unionville is an immigrant community that is forging a new identity in our vibrant Canadian mosaic. Moreover, Markham—Unionville embodies the upwardly mobile middle-class Canadian dream that all immigrant communities aspire toward. It is a riding that has maintained a balance between industry, farmland and urban life. We have industry in the form of both locally grown talent like Novo Plastics and internationally recognized giants like Honda Canada. In the north, Markham—Unionville is filled with serene farmlands, while in the south is a bustling urban environment. Our commercial districts are filled with multi-generational small businesses like Lucullus Bakery and Congee Queen. Altogether, Markham—Unionville is the postcard city for the Canadian dream, with an enviable quality of life.

    Let me take a quick moment to define what the Canadian dream is. It is as simple as owning a house on a safe street, where children can play at ease, where seniors can go for a carefree walk and where cars do not go missing in the night. It is shocking to hear about all the car thefts emerging in my community. This is a canary in the coal mine. The Canadian dream is faltering and has been for quite some time. The fabric of our mosaic is coming undone at the seams.

    As members of the official opposition, it is not merely our duty to hold the government to account for the agenda that it outlined last week. We are not merely here as policy critics, but as a fellow pillar of governance. We provide hope to Canadians that things can and will get better. The Conservative priority for this session of Parliament is a Canada that is affordable, safe, self-reliant and united.

     When I campaigned to my community in Markham—Unionville, I repeated two core promises: One, we will restore safety on our streets by repealing Liberal laws and locking up repeat offenders. Two, we will bring down the cost of living with a budget that cuts spending, taxes and inflation.

    I had the pleasure of reading the Prime Minister's mandate letter before hearing the throne speech last week. If I did not know they were put together by the Liberals, I would have mistaken them for something produced by a centre-right party of the last few decades. Thus, one fact is clear to me for this session of Parliament: We are focused on priorities that have been universally championed by Conservatives for decades upon decades. Safe communities with an affordable quality of life are a singular battle cry for Conservatives everywhere.

    The Liberals are uniquely ill-equipped to truly deliver on the community safety file, not because of ability, but because of contradictions inherent in the coalition that forms their support base. A safe community requires that we solve both the crime and the drug issues while simultaneously dealing with overwhelmed health care, housing, job markets and immigration levels. Crime, drugs and an overwhelmed social infrastructure are all intertwined in fostering unsafe communities. In juggling all these competing priorities, some will fall by the wayside, explicitly because the coalition that forms the Liberal support base will not allow the Liberals to turn 180° on all their prior commitments.

     The prior Liberal commitment on crime is expressed in Bill C-75, the catch-and-release bill. It allows repeat offenders to be released on bail within hours of arrest, and they then often go and promptly reoffend. Only repealing these Liberal commitments can give judges the freedom to allow minimum sentencing.

     I was discussing this issue with the deputy chief of police of our great York Regional Police. We have discussed that the police force is discouraged because criminals are released before the paperwork is done. Our frontline police force and their families are fearful every day with these repeat dangerous criminals free on the streets. The throne speech commitment to increasing the RCMP force neither goes far enough, nor should be the only focus.

     The prior Liberal commitment on drugs is expressed in Bill C-5, which eliminated mandatory jail time for the production and trafficking of hard drugs like fentanyl. Is it not odd that the Liberal throne speech decreed a desire to block the flow of fentanyl, yet their previous legislation allows fentanyl traffickers to avoid jail term? Bill C-5 allows house arrest for these criminals. This means they can just walk out their own front doors and be on the street immediately, pushing hard drugs in our neighbourhoods.

     Moreover, the drug issues require not merely that we stop the drug kingpins and their drug trade, but further, that we have a robust program of treatment in place. The throne speech did not go far enough on the drug file, as it made no mention of addiction treatment programs. This is something that we Conservatives are committed to. Will the government repeal Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, which the Liberals put into place?

    I want to remind this House once more what the Canadian dream has always been. Canadians want to own a house on a safe street where children can play at ease, where seniors can go for a carefree walk and where cars do not go missing in the night. The Liberals have presented an agenda that speaks about reducing fentanyl flows and increasing the RCMP force. However, their commitment toward Bill C-5 and Bill C-75 is a threat to Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

     My colleagues across the aisle have voted for a Canada where repeat offenders are to be released on bail within hours. They have legislated into being a world where the producers and traffickers of fentanyl get house arrest instead of jail time. I cannot in my right mind consider the Liberals to be a party ready to protect the communities of hard-working Canadians, no matter what promises they have provided in their throne speech agenda.

     We Conservatives are a government in waiting. We are the hope of Canadians for a future that can and will be different from the status quo.

    Last, I urge the Liberals to provide Canada with a spring budget. Canadians want an open and accountable government with a plan for how to keep our communities safe and our cost of living under control.

     We will proceed to questions and comments in relation to the hon. member's speech after question period.

     Before we proceed to members' statements, I would just like to caution members, in relation to those statements that we are going to hear shortly, to be careful not to walk in the field of vision of the camera and not to walk into the camera frame of the member who is delivering their statement. I know many members know this and new members perhaps not. Everyone probably needs a reminder.

    Mr. Speaker, on Thursday we will solemnly mark the fourth anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack in London, Ontario, where a hateful act claimed the lives of four members of the Afzaal family and left a young boy forever changed.

     As a Canadian and as a mother, I stand with our community in grief and resolve, honouring the memory of Salman, Madiha, Yumna and Talat Afzaal. The tragedy, rooted in Islamophobia, reminds us of the urgent need to confront hate in all its forms.

    Let us renew our commitment to building a Canada where every individual, regardless of faith or background, feels safe and valued. In Canada, no one should be made to feel unsafe walking down the street. Let us renew our pledge to foster inclusion, reject division and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. Together, we will build a stronger, more united Canada.

    Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a deep sense of gratitude, humility and duty as the member of Parliament for Red Deer. As I take my seat in the hallowed House of Commons, I recognize that the seat belongs to the people of Red Deer. I will always take the responsibility of representing my community with the dignity and integrity that this seat commands.

    Elections are not won by one person alone. Without the strength and support of my family, I would not be here today. I thank my wife, Kirsten, who has stood by my side throughout this journey we call life. My children's love continues to motivate me to be the best father I can be. I thank the people on my campaign team for their tireless hours of late nights and early mornings, and for believing in me and pledging their service to our community. I thank the people of Red Deer for placing their trust in me. I vow to represent them honourably, upholding the values that define Alberta's history and mould the bright minds of tomorrow.

     Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour and remember three incredible kids whose lives have been cut short in an unimaginable tragedy: Ramone, Jace and Mya Laviña-Galve. They are victims of a drunk driver, such an inexplicably reckless and awful crime that we should do more to prevent. They will be remembered for the wonderful kids they were, all of them with such a bright future.

    Ramone, an athletic 15-year-old, loved basketball. Classmates called him kind, genuine, thoughtful, a great listener and a friend to everybody, the leader of the pack.

    Jace, 13 years old, loved basketball, too. No matter his team, he cheered for everyone on the court. The only grade 7 pupil on student council, he was a future leader who was genuinely loved by all.

    Mya, only six years old, loved purses and fashion, and she wanted to be a cheerleader. She was always smiling and dancing. She believed in everybody, lifted people up and lit up every room.

    Our community and Parliament grieve with the Laviña-Galve family, especially their mom, Jade, and remaining sibling, who are both in recovery, and we will remember Ramone, Jace and Mya.

    Mr. Speaker, it is a tremendous honour for me to rise in the House of Commons today to give my opening remarks in the 45th Parliament as the elected representative for the beautiful and iconic riding of Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake.

    I want to sincerely thank the residents of Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake for once again placing their trust and confidence in me to represent them and their local federal issues in Ottawa. I also want to thank the dedicated volunteers who supported my local campaign. What we achieved on election night was made possible only because of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. I also want to thank my entire family, including my beautiful wife, Carol, and my son, Daniel. I would not be standing here today if not for their continued love and support.

    Last, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Speaker on his recent election. I look forward to working with him and all my parliamentary colleagues in both chambers as we work to resolve the many pressing issues facing Canadians in our country today.

    Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank the people of the Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne riding. Thanks to their renewed trust, our collective voice will continue to be heard in Ottawa.

    This election was not about me. It was about their hopes, priorities and commitment to building a better future for our community. For the past 10 years, their constant support has made our progress possible. Every bit of progress we made, we made together.

    There is still much work to be done, and it is my constituents' voices that will continue to guide that work. I will always be here to listen, to act and to deliver on the issues that matter most to them.

    I want to thank my family, the incredible volunteers and the campaign team, who gave their time and energy with so much heart and dedication. This was their victory too, and I thank them again for their trust.

     Let us keep moving forward together and continue building a stronger Canada for everyone.

     Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and extend my congratulations to the Brooks Bandits on being crowned the 2025 BCHL champions.

    This remarkable achievement is a true testament to the hard work, discipline and dedication that each player, coach and staff member has poured into this season. By winning the Fred Page Cup, they have not only earned a championship but have also inspired a community and raised the bar of excellence for Junior A hockey. The Bandits once again have shown what it means to lead with heart, play with pride and represent their community with excellence both on and off the ice.

    Congratulations to the Bandits. They have earned every moment of this victory. Go, Bandits.

     Mr. Speaker, June marks Italian Heritage Month in Canada. Today we also recognize Festa della Repubblica, Italian Republic Day, a time to celebrate the rich culture, history and enduring spirit of Italy and its people.

    Almost 1.6 million Italian Canadians proudly call this country home. Many came to Canada with nothing, yet through grit and hard work helped build our cities, infrastructure and our communities. In my riding of Eglinton—Lawrence, we are proud to be home to a large Italian Canadian community, with the Columbus Centre and Villa Charities at Dufferin and Lawrence standing as the cultural and social heart of the community. Italian Canadians have not only contributed to our past but also continue to shape our future through younger generations who serve Canada with dedication and passion.

    To all those celebrating, I say buona Festa della Repubblica and happy Italian Heritage Month.

     Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister continues to talk out of both sides of his mouth when it comes to Canadian energy. He says he wants Canada to be an energy superpower, but then says it can only be done with national consensus. He says he wants to green-light projects, but then presents an approval process of a minimum of two years. He says he wants provinces to present a list of ready-to-go projects, but then he came out of yesterday's meeting with no list. How sad is it that the premiers were just happy to meet with an adult after 10 years of the last guy, but he is no more serious when it comes to taking the necessary steps to unleash our energy sector?

     If the Prime Minister is really committed to national unity and wants to make us the economic engine of the G7, he should start with repealing a decade of anti-energy laws Bill C-69 and Bill C-48, the production cap and the industrial carbon tax. He needs to get rid of them.

    Mr. Speaker, “Don't be afraid”. In my mind I can still hear the voice of my former boss, my very first real boss, say those words. My first foray into politics happened back in early November 1987, the day after René Lévesque's death, when I naively called for Jacques Parizeau's return in a letter published in Le Devoir. A few months later, I was put in charge of the Parti Québécois's youth wing. I lived through experiences at the time whose full historical impact on the very fabric of the nation only became clear much later on.

    Jacques Parizeau's life fills entire pages of Quebec's history. He was the architect of a great economy, of a great nation that finally took control of its economy barely half a century later. Following an election campaign that exploited Quebeckers' fears, “don't be afraid” takes on a meaning that not even he had anticipated.

    On the day after the 10th anniversary of his passing, I wish to express my deep admiration and gratitude for the man we knew as “Monsieur”.

    Mr. Speaker, four years ago, in London, Ontario, the Afzaal family was targeted and killed in a horrific act of Islamophobic violence. It was not only an attack on a Muslim family; it was also an attack on the very foundation of our shared democracy and our right to live, to walk and to belong without fear. In the wake of the tragedy, Londoners responded with unity. Canadians across our country demanded not just remembrance but resolve.

    Building a resilient society means embedding safety, equity and trust in our institutions. It means we ensure that public spaces are truly public and that no child ever fears walking on a sidewalk because of how they pray, how they look and how they live. Our job now is to strengthen our systems that protect our democracy through education, policy and action grounded in evidence and justice.

     Now, in the House, we have to honour the Afzaal family by building a Canada where everyone feels safe because everyone belongs. That is not just compassion; it is our national strength.

    Mr. Speaker, since 2016, over 50,000 Canadians have died from the Liberal-sponsored opioid crisis. Over 80% of accidental opioid deaths involve fentanyl, and it takes just two milligrams of fentanyl to kill someone. The Liberals legalized possession of 2,500 milligrams of fentanyl. That means possessing 1,200 lethal doses is permitted.

     This is not the public health solution the Liberals make it out to be. It is a public safety threat that is ripping up communities all across Canada. What is the Liberal response? Recently, the Prime Minister said that the fentanyl crisis is not a crisis at all and downplayed it as a mere “challenge”.

     Conservatives are calling for mandatory life imprisonment for anyone involved in the trafficking, production and distribution of over 40 milligrams of fentanyl. Let us make no mistake; mass fentanyl production is mass murder. The fentanyl kingpins should be locked up and treated as the mass murderers that they are. It is time to invest in treatment and recovery, and to bring our loved ones home drug-free.

     Mr. Speaker, in the long and storied history of the London Knights franchise, a new chapter was written just a few days ago: Memorial Cup champions. They are also champions of the Ontario Hockey League.

     This is an incredible franchise. Alumni include Darryl Sittler, Patrick Kane, one of my favourites and little talked about Kelly Cain, Chris Taylor, Mitch Marner, Matthew Tkachuk, Brendan Shanahan, Dino Ciccarelli and many more. This year's team stands on the shoulders of those giants and many more. It is a testament to their hard work and dedication, as well as their families' commitments, that they put the effort in and have the success they now enjoy.

    In London, we really hold up high the example of the Hunter brothers, Dale and Mark Hunter, owners of the team who took it over about 20 years ago in a very difficult time. What we have now is an incredible franchise, due in no small part to them.

     Mr. Speaker, in Newfoundland and Labrador, we take care of each other; that is who we are.

    Today, too many of our neighbours are being left behind. As of January, 360 people, men, women and even children, are experiencing homelessness in my province, and it gets worse. There are nearly 200 youth waiting on a list with nowhere to go, while the only emergency shelter in our capital is full every single night. They have even fewer resources in rural areas.

     That is our future, stuck in the dark. In just one year, housing prices have jumped nearly $23,500. That might not sound like a lot to a Bay Street banker, but to a young couple in Marystown, that is the difference between hope and despair. We already have the highest unemployment rate in the country, and now we have a housing crisis to match. Many people are starting to ask, when will the tents be on sale?

    Mr. Speaker, celebrated on June 2, Festa della Repubblica represents the courage, strength and hope of a people who chose freedom and democracy.

    The birth of the Italian Republic 79 years ago marked the beginning of a new era between Canada and Italy, which have forged deep ties based on respect and co-operation. The Italian flag was raised this morning on Parliament Hill to mark this national holiday and as a powerful symbol of our shared history.

    I myself am of Italian descent, which I share with nearly 20% of my constituents. This holiday symbolizes a cherished cultural heritage and pays tribute to Canada's Italian community, whose commitment, perseverance and family values continue to strengthen our society. We are united in celebration. Viva l'Italia. Viva la libertà.

     Mr. Speaker, this week, the Prime Minister introduced his first spending bill for the coming fiscal year, called the main estimates.

     He promised to spend less. Instead, he is spending more, a lot more. In fact, this bill proposes 8% more spending than in Justin Trudeau's final year in office. That means that overall government spending is set to grow nearly three times faster than inflation and population combined. Seniors, moms and small businesses all have to budget before they spend. Why can this Prime Minister not do the same?

     This is record-breaking waste. Consultant spending has ballooned to $26 billion, that is a 36% increase in one year, or $1,400 in taxes per household just for consultants. Worst of all, hours after the Prime Minister stood up in the House and promised to cap spending growth at 2%, the Liberals introduced a bill that grows it by 8%.

     Canadians deserve better than broken promises and blank cheques.

     Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the devastating wildfire crisis unfolding across Manitoba and western Canada. Over 100 fires are burning, many of them out of control. Communities like Flin Flon, Lynn Lake and Pimicikamak Cree Nation are under mandatory evacuation orders that are displacing an estimated 17,000 Manitobans.

    The scale of these fires is immense, destroying homes and infrastructure, as well as disrupting every aspect of community life.

    Let us extend our deepest gratitude to the firefighters, emergency responders and volunteers working tirelessly on the front lines to battle the flames that surround many of our northern communities. Their courage and commitment are nothing short of heroic. Finally, let us also ensure that all orders of government are working together to provide seamless support for evacuees as they wait for a safe return home when the danger has passed.

    Mr. Speaker, Parliament is demanding a budget from the Liberal government. Last night, a Conservative motion passed calling on the Prime Minister to table a budget this spring. The Liberals are asking Parliament to approve half a trillion dollars in Liberal spending with no budget. Despite promising to spend less and cap government spending at 2%, they have increased it by 8%. Single moms, seniors and small business owners must budget before they spend. Parliament wants the Liberals to do the same.

    Will the minority Liberal government listen to the majority in this House and table a budget immediately?

     Mr. Speaker, this week was a great week for the London Knights. It was a greater week for the country of Canada. Every first minister in Canada, from Quebec, from the provinces, from the territories and from the Government of Canada agreed on a plan to build Canada strong, one Canadian economy out of 13. That is what will drive our country forward.

    Mr. Speaker, I thank the Prime Minister for the update, but what about a budget? Canadians deserve real fiscal management, not excuses or fact-free talking points.

    Here are some of the facts.

    Liberal consultant spending is expected to rise 35% to $26 billion, breaking the government's promise to cut down on consultants, fact.

    Liberals promised $20 billion in elbows-up U.S. tariffs, but later dropped them with no regard to affected Canadian workers or fiscal impacts, fact.

    The majority of the chamber voted last night for a spring budget, fact.

    On what date will the Liberals face the facts and table a budget for their half a trillion dollars in new spending?

     Mr. Speaker, the first ministers agreed on a plan to build this great country and stand up to Donald Trump, fact.

    The Government of Canada is imposing tariffs that cause maximum impact on the United States and minimum impact on Canada, fact, on over $60 billion of U.S. exports to Canada, fact, which has raised over $1.7 billion already, fact.

     Mr. Speaker, with $73 billion spent while Parliament was shut down by the government and a spending package of half a trillion dollars, with a record $26 billion for Liberal-friendly consultants like McKinsey and no oversight or scrutiny from Parliament, this House has had enough.

    Last night, the House passed our Conservative motion calling on the Prime Minister to table a spring budget. Will he respect the will of Parliament and table a budget immediately so Canadians and this Parliament can have the transparency we deserve?

     Mr. Speaker, we take note of last night's motion, but what Canadians deserve and Canadian provinces deserve is a health care transfer, a transfer for child care, a transfer for dental care and a transfer to support affordability. That is what is in the main estimates, and we expect the support of the members opposite.

    Mr. Speaker, I realize the Prime Minister is new here, but all those things would be in a budget if he would table one.

    This year alone, the government is going to spend a staggering $26 billion on high-priced Liberal-friendly consultants, an eye-watering $1,400 for every Canadian family. It will present no budget, no departmental plans and zero transparency. It will not even stand in this House and tell Canadians what the deficit will be this year.

     Will the Liberals come clean and table a spring budget as this House has demanded?

     Mr. Speaker, unlike the member opposite, I know the difference between main estimates and a budget. Unlike the member opposite, I know how to grow this economy—

    Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

    Colleagues, whenever things get to the point that I cannot hear, I stand up and halt the time.

    Would the right hon. Prime Minister like to back up a bit and take another run at it?

    Mr. Speaker, I will speak softly.

    Unlike the member opposite, I know the difference between main estimates and a budget. Unlike the members opposite, we know how to grow the economy without spending money. This is why we are proposing a bill to build one Canadian economy out of 13, and all the provinces and Quebec agree.

    Mr. Speaker, our motion calling on the government to table a budget this spring was adopted yesterday. The Liberals must respect this Parliament and table a budget this spring. The Liberals want a blank cheque and they want us to approve more than half a billion dollars in spending without being presented the financial situation.

    During the election campaign, the Liberals promised to spend 2%. Spending has gone up by more than 8%. This government is already proving that it misled Canadians.

    Will the minority Liberals listen to the majority in Parliament and table a budget this spring?

    Mr. Speaker, Parliament's motion is duly noted.

    Yesterday, I was with the Premier of Quebec and we agreed that the best way to increase growth in our country is to have one Canadian economy, not 13.

    Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister likely did not understand my question. Parliament has spoken. It has asked this Liberal government to table a budget this spring. There are 18 days left.

    A good, responsible manager uses a budget to determine how much they can spend. If our families, seniors and SMEs acted like this government, they would go bankrupt. The Liberals said that they want to reduce spending, but they are increasing consulting contracts from $20 billion to $26 billion.

    The Liberals must listen to Parliament. When will they table a budget to justify their over half a trillion dollars in spending?

    Mr. Speaker, there will be a budget that increases support for seniors, children, child care centres and all of Canada.

    For now, we will increase our country's growth with a bill for a strong economy.

     Mr. Speaker, I am curious about something. There was basically a love-in yesterday in Saskatoon. However, there are stages to a love-in. I wonder what happens next.

    During that love-in, there was an interesting proposal to build a pipeline that would carry oil from Alberta, not to Saint John, New Brunswick, via Quebec, but directly to Hudson Bay.

    I wonder what the Prime Minister thinks of this odd project.

    Mr. Speaker, we discussed many projects in Saskatoon yesterday.

    Yes, it was a big love-in, because all the premiers want to keep going, want to work hard for our country and for our economy, and that includes major projects in Quebec in the critical minerals and green energy sectors.

    Mr. Speaker, the last big love-in like this took place in Quebec with a lot of people, and then we got shafted. We remember that.

    At the extremes of ideology, I never thought I would see Mr. Trudeau and Ms. Smith meet in the land of unicorns. Have we considered the cost of the icebreakers and the transport needed to go the long way around via Ungava Bay and of finding a market in Europe?

    Are there any refineries in Europe capable of refining crude oil from western Canada?

    Mr. Speaker, we have not yet made any decisions involving projects of national significance. Yes, it is true that we had a big conversation. There have to be environmental standards and there has to be a major impact on our economic growth.

    Mr. Speaker, very little was actually said, but I believe I heard about one demand that I would support.

    Will the Prime Minister make a formal commitment to respect the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement du Québec's jurisdiction if the Hudson Bay project does not work out and to respect the BAPE's timelines?

    Mr. Speaker, I spoke with the Premier of Quebec and the other premiers about the need for commitments and co-operation agreements regarding environmental standards. We will enter into such agreements in the coming months.

    Mr. Speaker, last night, this House delivered a clear verdict: The Liberal government must table a budget.

    The Prime Minister is asking Canadians to blindly approve over half a trillion dollars in spending with no plan, no transparency and no accountability. The Prime Minister promised to cap spending at 2% and then shattered that promise and jacked it up to 8%. What do Canadians get in return? They get soaring debt, higher inflation and zero economic leadership.

     Will the government stop the reckless spending, respect the will of this House and table a budget?

     Mr. Speaker, there was a vote yesterday, but there is another vote coming in the coming days. That is a vote where we will see the true colours of the Conservatives, because it is on the motion through which we would cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. Canadians who live in the member's riding will be watching at home to see whether the Conservatives will have the backs of Canadians.

     I can tell the member that we will be watching from this side and Canadians will be watching at home, and we all expect this House to say together that, yes, we have the backs of Canadians and will give them a tax break.

    Mr. Speaker, last night, our Conservative motion passed demanding a budget from the Prime Minister this spring. After a decade of Liberal delay and decline in Northwest Territories, its economy is in trouble. Since 2015, mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction are down 16%, construction is down 43% and the energy sector is down 54%. Economist Graeme Clinton said that as the mines close over the next three to eight years and nothing replaces them, “we can expect a much smaller economy than we have today.”

     The Northwest Territories cannot afford any more of the Prime Minister's empty promises. What is his plan?

     Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we understand Canada's strength when it comes to the economy of the future. We are attracting talent. We have very large industries. This is the country that builds cars and builds planes. This is the country that has critical minerals. This is the country that has renewable energy and conventional energy. This is the only country of the G7 that has a free trade agreement with all other G7 nations.

    We have what the world needs, and we will be there to build a superpower economically for this country and Canadians for generations to come.

     Mr. Speaker, Parliament is demanding a budget from the Liberal government, which sought, for example, to cap spending at 2%, but the Liberals increased it by 8%. Rather than cut spending on consultants, they increased it by 35% to a record-smashing $26 billion.

     Last night, a Conservative motion was passed calling on the Prime Minister to issue a budget this spring. The Liberals are asking Parliament to approve half a billion dollars in Liberal spending without a budget. Will the minority Liberal government listen to the majority of Parliament and issue the budget immediately?

     Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister said, we took note of the vote yesterday.

    What I can say to the member, whom I welcome to the House, is this: Let us focus on what the main estimates are doing for Canadians. They are supporting child care in this country. They are supporting pharmacare in this country. They are supporting dental care. What they are doing is supporting Canadians.

     Canadians have asked this House to work for them. Canadians have asked us to be ambitious. Canadians have asked us to build Canada strong. This is what we are going to do with the Prime Minister.

     Mr. Speaker, the House has spoken: Parliament is demanding a budget this spring. The Liberals have already broken their promise of a spending cap. A budget is more than a big book of spending. It tells us how much things are going to cost. How much are they going to raise taxes? How much are they going to borrow? The Liberals have no plan to manage the debt.

    Will the Liberal minority government listen to the majority of Parliament and table a budget this spring?

     Mr. Speaker, our government does have a plan, and that plan is what we discussed yesterday in Saskatoon with premiers from across the country. I do have to agree with the leader of the Bloc: It was a love-in. It was a love-in because the premiers, Liberals, Conservatives and NDP, agree that now is the time to build Canada, to build one Canadian economy. It will add $200 billion to our economy. All of us in this House should support that.

     Mr. Speaker, yesterday, our motion to have the government table a budget this spring was passed in this House. The Liberals wanted us to approve $486 billion of spending with no plan, and $20 billion in revenue was supposed to come from the elbows-up countertariffs. However, secretly, during the election, the Prime Minister and cabinet signed an order to cancel them while telling Canadians they were still going to fight with dollar-for-dollar tariffs.

    Will the Prime Minister listen to Parliament, table a spring budget and explain where the extra $20 billion is going to come from?

    Mr. Speaker, yesterday's meeting was a great show of national unity. It was a proud day for Canadians. In the words of Premier Ford, “When our country comes under attack from President Trump, we unite and we're a resilient country. And everyone realizes that if we don't move, we'll be left behind, and the consequences will be 10 times worse”.

    Canada's new government is acting to make Canada an energy superpower. It would be great if the Conservatives helped us in this.

    Mr. Speaker, I have good news. Last night, the Conservatives passed a motion calling on the Prime Minister to issue a budget this spring. This is as Trump is threatening to double the tariffs on steel to 50%. That would put Hamilton steel and steelworkers out of business.

    The Prime Minister promised he would collect $20 billion in tariffs from the United States. There is no $20 billion and there are no tariffs.

    Will the Prime Minister listen to Parliament, table the budget and show us how he is going to make up that $20 billion?

    Mr. Speaker, at a time when we are in a trade war and know that our steel and aluminum workers are worried, we are standing up for them. We will continue to make sure that we fight by having strong countertariffs, that we protect our workers and that we build. We will build very strong, major national projects.

    Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, President Trump will jeopardize thousands of aluminum jobs in Quebec with tariffs potentially reaching 50%, and meanwhile, the minority Liberal banker is refusing to hear the majority of the House calling for a budget this spring.

    He has no plan. He is spending half a trillion dollars without a budget. He is quietly abandoning the $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs while President Trump doubles down, and he is keeping Canadians in the dark.

    Will the Liberal Prime Minister show some respect for Parliament and for the majority of Canadians who did not vote for him and table a budget this spring?

    Yes or no?

    Mr. Speaker, one thing is clear: A majority of Canadians voted for us.

    As well, my colleague needs to understand that we are here to support aluminum workers. The Prime Minister, cabinet and I are committed to talking to the aluminum industry. The same is true for the steel industry and the unions. Since the beginning of this tariff war, we have been there to ensure that the tariff response is in place, to fight, to protect workers, and to build.

    We will build Canada.

    Mr. Speaker, yesterday, instead of talking about pipeline projects that belong in the last century, the Prime Minister would have been better off discussing aluminum with his counterparts.

    Tomorrow, we will find out whether Donald Trump is going to follow through on his threat to double tariffs. However, support for our industry was not on the agenda at the first ministers' meeting. There was not a word about it in the estimates either. The aluminum sector has been hit with tariffs since March. Those tariffs are at risk of doubling tomorrow, and the Liberals have yet to offer any help.

    We have the right to know what the plan is if tariffs go up to 50%.

    Mr. Speaker, on Sunday evening, I was at an aluminum summit in Montreal. We talked to people in the industry. I have also been in contact with Quebec's minister of the economy. Of course, what is happening in the aluminum sector is very concerning. We are here to help manufacturers, unions, and of course, workers.

    We are going to use Canadian steel and aluminum in our major infrastructure projects, we are going to build a defence industry that will also help us create jobs in steel and aluminum, and we are going to diversify our international trade.

    Mr. Speaker, when Ontario's auto industry was threatened with tariffs, Ottawa rushed in with $2 billion.

    Quebec aluminum has been subject to tariffs for three months now. Still, not a single cent has been released. Ottawa should have already offered direct assistance to the industry and shared some of the proceeds from the retaliatory tariffs. In the next 24 hours, Donald Trump could double his tariffs. However, there is still nothing for Quebec aluminum.

    The Liberals got elected on tariffs. Why are they not ready today?

    Mr. Speaker, contrary to what my colleague said, I was in Bécancour just two weeks ago to meet with Alcoa's executives and, of course, with the workers and the union. I was also in contact with Rio Tinto Alcan, because it is important in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean.

    We are working around the clock to protect investments and jobs. There is also money available through the regional economic development agencies. Canada Economic Development, in Quebec and in my colleague's riding, is supporting jobs and businesses as we speak.

    Mr. Speaker, for a decade, the Liberal government's anti-energy agenda has driven away Canadian jobs and investment. The consequences are clear. Building energy projects will boost our economy, reduce reliance on the United States and create good-paying jobs for Canadians. The only thing still standing in the way is the Liberal government.

    At a time when our economy needs strengthening, will the Liberals finally approve and build a pipeline?

     Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the Prime Minister and the premiers agreed to work together to accelerate major projects in order to build a strong, resilient and united Canada. A Conservative premier, Premier Ford, said, “This has been the best meeting...in 10 years.” Canada's new government will fast-track projects of national interest and guarantee decisions within two years, while respecting indigenous rights and the duty to consult.

     There is no question that this government will make Canada an energy superpower. I hope the member will get on board.

     Mr. Speaker, it is the Liberal government's anti-energy policies that are blocking critical energy projects in this country. Bill C-69, the no new pipelines law; Bill C-48, the shipping ban; the job-killing oil and gas cap; and the industrial carbon tax are all driving away investment and killing Canadian energy development.

    If the Prime Minister is serious about his so-called “build, baby, build”, will the Liberal government repeal its anti-energy agenda to get vital energy projects built?

    Mr. Speaker, I hope the hon. member was listening to the Premier of Alberta yesterday. She talked about a grand bargain to build our energy superpower in an environmentally responsible way and in consultation with first nations. We hope the member will get on board.

    Mr. Speaker, can the minister help me square a circle here?

    Canadians were told that the Liberal Party had changed. They heard that a new government under the current Prime Minister would bolster Canada's resource economy so that we can compete toe-to-toe with the Americans. Just one month later, Canadians see how empty those promises were. The no new pipelines law, the shipping ban, the job-killing oil and gas production cap, and the industrial carbon tax all remain in place.

     When will the Liberal government repeal its damaging anti-energy agenda so that private energy investment will reignite in Canada?

    Mr. Speaker, clearly Conservatives were not listening to the premiers yesterday. Premier Holt said that this is a critical time for unity, and I could not agree more.

    We will work with the premiers and indigenous peoples, and we will fast-track projects and guarantee them done within two years. We will support new pipelines if there is a national consensus. We will work together, and we will make Canada an energy superpower.

    Mr. Speaker, a growing number of people in Quebec are in favour of building pipelines. That is understandable. We have had pipelines in Quebec since 1942. In 2012, a pipeline was built between Lévis and Montreal that crosses 26 waterways, including the St. Lawrence River. It is so good and works so well that no one knows about it and no one talks about it.

    However, we know that building energy projects bolsters Canada's energy and economy.

    My question is for the Minister of Heritage. Will he say yes to pipeline projects in Quebec and Canada?