Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to brave Iranians and to spotlight the bloodshed that occurred in Iran after courageous Iranians took to the streets to demand dignity and freedom. The scale of the wholesale brutality unleashed on those peaceful protesters by the Iranian regime is unprecedented in the annals of modern history. Many thousands of Iranians were massacred, and many more have be…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, we are taking nothing for granted. The hon. member is absolutely correct. When we were first elected, our government appreciated full well how important infrastructure is, and I can assure him the same remains true today. We are very much focused on this challenge. As the member is aware, and I do not know if he has had the opportunity to read the budget, we are investing strategicall…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member might think nobody cares, but I would beg to differ with him. Canadians have been witnessing a government that is serious about all of our economic relationships, and the pace and scale at which our government is acting is truly unprecedented. Just to take an example, today we all heard about an announcement. The Minister of Industry has signed an MOU with the Republic…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, what I have been trying to emphasize to the member is that we are forging stronger ties with a range of trading partners, and we are building a stronger domestic economy, one economy that works for all Canadians. As I listen to the member, I would say the opposition can criticize all it likes, but Canadians expect action, not slogans. Our government is standing up for workers, defendi…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, allow me to join my colleagues in extending my condolences to the family of the Hon. Kirsty Duncan. She was a brilliant and passionate member of the chamber, and she will very much be missed. I am thankful for the opportunity to address the House on a matter of critical importance to Canada's economy. Canada's prosperity has always been tied to strong, reliable trade relationships, an…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as we bring this year to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my constituents in Willowdale the most joyful of holidays and a wonderful and exceptional year ahead. The residents of Willowdale appreciate full well that Canada stands at the cusp of a defining moment. Allow me to reassure them that our new government has been moving at an unprecedented scale. We …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, let me remind the member that we are doing very well. We woke up to tremendous news this morning. He can rest assured that our government is entirely focused on building our economy and supporting industries and workers who require our help. We were elected to build Canada, and that is exactly what we are doing.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Here we go again, Mr. Speaker. I want to reiterate that Canada currently enjoys the best trade agreement with the U.S., and this is not up for debate. However, we are not entirely pleased. Discussions are ongoing because, as the member knows, the Prime Minister has consistently emphasized that we will only accept the best agreement for Canada.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canada currently enjoys the best deal among U.S. trading partners. This is not up for debate. However, as the member would like to see us do, our government is committed to ongoing negotiations and to securing greater tariff relief for all of our industries. We are laser-focused on protecting Canadian businesses and Canadian workers. Trade discussions are ongoing, and we will not apol…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my diverse riding of Willowdale, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all those celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. Referred to by many as the Moon Festival, and in Korea as Chuseok, in Japan as Tsukimi and in Vietnam as Tet Trung Thu, it is considered one of the most cherished festivals by Asians around the world. It is a time for families and friends to gathe…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the escalating war between Iran and Israel. For almost five decades, the Iranian regime has repressed its own citizens and exported violence beyond its borders, yet this odious Iranian regime certainly belongs to the dustbin of history. This military confrontation, however, should be constrained by the principles of international law and not be permitted to dev…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, that is a very good question. As I tried to indicate in my speech, this is a government that appreciates full well how incredibly important it is to partner with the provinces and the territories. As the member knows, earlier this week, there were some very robust discussions taking place, so we will have to wait to see what the conclusion of those discussions is. I am sure there will…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
My apologies for that, Mr. Speaker. Just to remind everyone, as everyone is fully aware, earlier this week, the Prime Minister had robust discussions with premiers and made the pledge to remove all federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility in the coming weeks, prior to the celebration of Canada Day this summer. We are also focused on building commercial corridors and building projects…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, allow me to commence by thanking the residents of Willowdale for having granted me the privilege of once again returning to the chamber to advocate on their behalf. I was fortunate during the election campaign to have the best campaign team anyone could possibly ask for. As always, I give eternal thanks to my spouse, Celeste, who was deeply engaged in every aspect of the campaign. My …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 29th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in relation to Bill C-353, an act to provide for the imposition of restrictive measures against foreign hostage takers and those who practice arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations and to make related amendments to the Proceeds o…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Canadians know foreign interference poses a grave threat to our democracy. That is why many are concerned about the Leader of the Opposition's refusal to obtain his security clearance. While the RCMP has uncovered foreign criminal activity in Canada, the Conservative leader prefers to close his eyes and repeat empty slogans in the House. We should all be concerned about such blatant d…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 28th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, entitled “A New Era of Partnerships: Canada's Engagement with Africa”. I would like to thank all members of the committee for their hard work and contributions to the report. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that th…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a historic milestone, Korean Heritage Month, which we have celebrated in the last month. Willowdale proudly hosts the largest Korean community in our country, so this is profoundly significant for everyone in my riding. The unanimous support of the Senate has meant that October has become a time for our country to honour the rich contributions and enduring sp…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, regarding the hon. member for London—Fanshawe's first point, allow me to say that we are truly blessed as a country to have dynamic Sikh communities from coast to coast to coast, so that is something that all our ridings have the good fortune of sharing with London—Fanshawe. With respect to the member's follow-up question, she has raised a very critical issue, an issue that does req…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, allow me to begin by thanking all fellow parliamentarians for facilitating and participating in tonight's important emergency debate. The activities of the Indian government, as detailed last week by the RCMP, are shocking and should represent an affront to all Canadians, irrespective of their political views. This is a time for us all to be steadfast in our pursuit of the truth. Pu…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, allow me to thank my hon. colleague for all the inspiring work he does in committee. It has truly been an honour to work collaboratively with him on numerous issues concerning human rights and upholding legal principles around the world. On this issue of the foreign registry, what I can say is that I have always been a proud proponent of the foreign registry. That is something I hav…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I am truly honoured to present in both official languages the 27th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, which is entitled “Enduring and Overcoming: The Struggle of the Hazaras in Afghanistan”. Given the situation in Afghanistan and what the Hazaras are being subjected to, I would truly recommend that every member of the House take the op…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, the minister said, “The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation.” Given the missile attacks launched by the Iranian regime today, I think we can agree that the minister's statement was prescient and accurate. The minister also went on to add, a few days ago, in the same address to the UN, “We are concern…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I want to thank all colleagues who have participated in this evening's emergency debate on the situation in Lebanon. Time and again we have witnessed crises engulfing the Middle East escalate and consume countless innocent civilians. Many Canadians, some with family ties to the region, are paying close attention to the current crisis and are rightly demanding that our government tak…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I was about to say that we owe it to the Lebanese, Palestinian and Israeli people to join our allies in the international community to secure peace and stability in the region, as well as that I am sharing my time with the hon. member for Don Valley West.
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, allow me to begin by thanking all the MPs who have contributed to the debate on Motion No. 110 regarding the need to adopt a national strategy to reduce food waste and combat food insecurity. Over 20% of the food produced in Canada is avoidably wasted, resulting in a direct economic impact of tens of billions of dollars on our families and communities. Avoidable waste drives up cost…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I request a recorded vote.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who was tragically killed by the Iranian regime two years ago. Mahsa's tragic death lit a fire of resistance across Iran and galvanized support around the world. Let me assure members that the torch of opposing gender apartheid continues to shine bright within Iran. As on other occasions in the last two …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion on the humanitarian situation in Sudan: That the House recognize that the conflict in Sudan has displaced over 10 million civilians, has resulted in an unprecedented—
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions amongst the parties, and if you seek it, I think you will find unanimous consent to adopt the following motion on the dire situation in Sudan. I move: That the House: (a) recognize that the conflict in Sudan has displaced over 10 million civilians, has resulted in an unprecedented level of gender-based violence, and is causing the largest man-made famine in…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, it is a great honour to rise to present a petition on behalf of hundreds of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. These individuals are calling upon the House of Commons to do several things. First, they ask that we place sanctions consistently on foreign nationals who are responsible for gross violations of human rights against Rwandans, Hazaras, Tibetans and Tigrayans, and place…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart, but with much admiration, to pay tribute to a member of the medical community in Toronto. On May 26, Dr. Abbas Hadian, a remarkable physician and a distinguished leader of the Iranian Canadian community, passed away. For over 40 years, Dr. Hadian provided health care to countless patients by operating a bustling medical practice and by serving at North York …
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to the Hon. James Scott Peterson, my extraordinary predecessor as the member of Parliament for Willowdale, who, sadly, passed away on May 10. Jim Peterson was a distinguished lawyer, philanthropist, parliamentarian and minister who won six federal elections and served as the member of Parliament for Willowdale for 23 years. What made him so incredibly m…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, perhaps I was not as clear in identifying the fact that it is imperative for the federal government to work and to collaborate with our provinces. I do not mean to suggest for a second that the federal government should be telling the provinces what to do. Rather, I think it is important that we have a national framework and that this framework is developed in close collaboration wi…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 26th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in relation to the motion adopted on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, regarding the governance of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to th…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for that suggestion. It is great to see that various organizations in B.C. are at the forefront of innovative change. They are certainly filling in gaps that are very important in terms of ensuring that we do have food security in this country. Far be it from me to suggest how the government should prioritize these things. What I would like to underscore is…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
moved: That: (a) the House recognize that, (i) over 20% of food produced in Canada goes uneaten and wasted, costing the Canadian economy tens of billions of dollars, (ii) individuals, families, and communities across Canada face critical levels of food insecurity, (iii) surplus food unfit for human consumption may serve as animal feed, supporting farmers and reducing national methane emissions, (i…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, once again I rise today to draw the attention of the House to the horrific and wholesale abuse of justice taking place in Iran. The regime in Tehran continues to wage war on its own citizens. Several days ago, 33-year-old Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to death. An extraordinary hip-hop artist and rapper, Toomaj has simply been demanding that the civil rights of all Iranians be respected…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank you for hosting a dinner last night to warmly welcome a delegation headed by the hon. Speaker of The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and six members of the Korean Parliament. I believe all members of the House can agree that official relations between Canada and Korea have never been stronger. Our bilateral ties have experienced a renaissance in the la…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to table two petitions today. They follow on the heels of a day of action that took place here, where over 40 Afghan and Iranian women descended upon Ottawa to meet with members of Parliament and with senators to urge them to recognize the crime of gender apartheid. The first petition from Afghan women essentially demands that international institutions re…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 24th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, entitled “Including Every Child, Benefitting All: International Disability-Inclusive Education”. I can assure the House that all the members worked very hard to present this report. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today marks the spring equinox, otherwise called Nowruz, which marks the new year for Iranians, Afghans, Ismailis, Baha’is, Zoroastrians and over 300 million individuals across the world. Many around the world are excited to welcome spring and the promise of a new year. I am certain every member of the House will join me in wishing all those celebrating Nowruz across Canada a happy ne…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I want to draw the House's attention to the ongoing tragedy of gender apartheid. In states around the world, most notably Afghanistan and Iran, women and girls are oppressed by regimes that seek to segregate them from society and treat them as second-class citizens. They are violently harassed, prevented from accessing quality employment or education, and threatened with severe …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, as everyone in this House is fully aware, this weekend marked the second anniversary of Putin's unprovoked and illegal war on Ukraine. Given the unspeakable violence Putin has unleashed on Ukrainians, which I can speak to as someone who has been there three times since the war started, I am incredibly proud to present a petition today that I have received from citizens across Canada. …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 23rd report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, entitled “Canada’s Sanctions Regime: Transparency, Accountability and Effectiveness.” Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of Canada's diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea. Several days ago, the Korean national assembly adopted a special resolution celebrating this significant milestone. The resolution mentioned the immense contributions of Canadian veterans to the defence of democracy during the Korean War and acknowledged the deep economic, strategic and cultur…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 21st report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, entitled “Current Human Rights Situation in Iran”. It is in reference to an icon of the human rights movement in Iran, Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh. In addition, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 22nd report of the Sta…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, as the member is fully aware, I did make reference to three countries but the purpose of those references was to say that our regulations are to be fine-tuned every so often. The reason for that, as I tried to emphasize in my comments, is that we face a world that has a changing global threat landscape. In this particular case there are a few aspects of this bill that would require …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, yes, my hon. colleague has rightly emphasized that our regime, as a general rule, has thresholds in place that allow us to screen investments coming in. In other instances, it is sectoral because there are various sectors of the economy that are vulnerable to falling into the wrong hands, if you will. These have been ongoing changes. I made reference to changes that we made in 2021 …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to speak in support of Bill C-34, An Act to amend the Investment Canada Act. This bill would improve our ability to respond to changing circumstances that affect Canada's economic well-being and to remain vigilant in upholding our national security. More specifically, I want to focus on how our government's efforts to modernize the Investment …
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