Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve to live in communities that are safe, secure and free from gun violence. Our government made a clear commitment to remove assault-style firearms from our communities. Firearms like the AR-15, that are designed to kill people, have no place in Canada. With the March 31 deadline for submitting claims approaching, can the government provide an update on the assault-styl…
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, after weeks of Conservative delays, the justice committee finally resumed its work on the combatting hate act, and we will continue that work on Thursday. Will the Conservatives make sure bail reform is passed before Christmas? Could the minister speak to the importance of keeping this work moving so Canadians can have these important justice reforms take place?
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Mr. Speaker, Canada recently hosted our G7 partners in Toronto to advance the G7 alliance. Can the minister explain how the alliance will help stabilize critical mineral prices, protect us from forced supply disruptions and translate into good jobs and cleaner, more affordable, climate-competitive energy technologies for Canadians and Quebeckers?
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to present a petition regarding animals. Canadian families are dealing with trauma and heartache as they are forced to abandon their pets due to the high cost of basic veterinary care. Elderly Canadians suffer undue stress concerning health costs and care of their beloved pets, sometimes their only companions. Thousands of domesticated animals, including pregnant …
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Mr. Speaker, 52 students and three teachers from Collège Sainte-Anne, in Lachine, are visiting Parliament today. Founded in 1861 by the Sisters of Sainte-Anne, this institution is one of the oldest schools in Quebec. For nearly 165 years, Collège Sainte-Anne has trained students who have contributed to—among many other things—innovation, entrepreneurship and remarkable scientific achievements that…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians gave the government a clear mandate to build an economy that stands up for our workers and industries and to make life more affordable. We reduced taxes for 22 million Canadians, eliminated GST for first-time homebuyers, removed the consumer carbon tax, fought for our steel and aluminum sectors, and created one strong economy instead of 13. Could the Minister of Finance plea…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's deep question, and this is what I was talking about in my speech: the pride we have as Canadians in serving other nations, in our humanity toward others, and in expressing that humanity and bringing, or trying to bring, justice and peace to those regions afflicted by conflicts. There are people who work on an international level, and it could be multi-gener…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for that significant question. As I cited in my speech as an example, if a parent was born outside of Canada and has lived in Canada for three years cumulatively, this would be one of those scenarios where we can provide that kind of citizenship to a future generation with a parental affiliation.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition signed by Canadians who want to draw the House's attention to the following issue. The petition states: Whereas our economic and financial systems depend on a stable climate and the Bank of Canada recognizes that climate change poses significant risks to the financial system and the economy and whereas continued financial support for emissions-intens…
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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this 45th Parliament to speak about Bill C-3 and the transformative power of Canadian citizenship. At its heart, this bill is about people, real families, their histories, their sacrifices and their deep and abiding connection to Canada, no matter where their careers or lives may take them. Many Canadians live and work abroad, in international development, arts…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague is entirely accurate in saying that IRCC does treat these cases case by case and not through blanket approval. Everything will be looked at. As to the number, I know the members across the way are trying to insinuate that hundreds of thousands of people are going to come and flood Canada. I have repeated that this is very specific legislation. In the eight-year gap betwee…
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Mr. Speaker, to my colleague who wants numbers, I am sure the Conservatives will come up with some, but I will give him some numbers. In 2009 and 2015, approximately 20,000 people known as lost Canadians were able to acquire citizenship. That is 2009 and 2015. In seven years, there were 20,000 people who obtained it, not hundreds of thousands as the colleagues across the way keep trying to insinua…
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Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned many, many times, in eight years only 20,000 people applied. It is for people who have applied. Not everybody is going to apply. That is what we need to look at. We do not know what people's intentions are or what they plan on doing. We just know that for people who apply, it will be looked at case by case.
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Mr. Speaker, I do not agree with the premise of my colleague's words or his question. What I said in my speech is a matter of pride. I am showcasing what Canada is, what Canada stands for and who we are as a people. No, it was not an EPCOT reel, and I do not have a number.
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Mr. Speaker, this is a work in progress. Something needs to come up, and it will. I hope we will get some numbers. However, as I mentioned, in seven or eight years, it was only 20,000. There is just a small group left, and we hope to cover those people as well.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for mentioning that little Claire Bell was found. We are so glad. We thank the police for working tirelessly for this outcome. Fortunately, all is well. I also thank my colleague for her question. Fighting transnational organized crime and preventing fentanyl imports are extremely important. Inspections must be done. As we mentioned, we are going to hire an additi…
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Mr. Speaker, it is always an incredible moment for me to answer my colleague's questions. He is often in the House. To answer his question, extortion has become a plague in Canada. It is very disconcerting to see the amount of extortion that is occurring and these strong measures would help in combatting that. Right now, we see the increase of such situations and so we are going to fight against t…
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has stated that the top seven priorities for the government include “Attracting the best talent in the world to help build our economy, while returning our overall immigration rates to sustainable levels.” Bill C-2 proposes important changes to address gaps in immigration authorities, provide a more adaptive system to the rapidly changing global migration patterns a…
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Mr. Speaker, our government takes very seriously and emphasizes that small businesses are the backbone of our country's economy. It is very important that we keep those businesses in mind. However, when illicit financing occurs, this limit can help crack down on money laundering and terrorist financing. It is essential that we keep track of reporting, present stronger penalties, prohibit crimes an…
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Mr. Speaker, our government believes that working Canadians need meaningful support to help them manage the rising cost of living. Last week, we announced the new working Canadians rebate, which will provide direct, tax-free assistance to millions of Canadians. Can the minister explain how this rebate will make a real difference in workers' lives?
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Mr. Speaker, this week, we announced major investments to speed up housing construction in Quebec. The Conservative leader has had a rough couple of weeks because of the outrage caused by his plan to scrap this agreement with Quebec. Can the minister tell us more about our government's initiatives to build more housing for Quebeckers?
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Mr. Speaker, the public inquiry into foreign interference has made clear that every member of the House has a responsibility to fight against foreign interference in Canada. This is especially true of party leaders. It is imperative that all leaders be equipped with the necessary security clearances and information so that they can make responsible decisions to protect our precious democracy. The …
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians work hard all year so they can take a vacation and visit their families. They want quality service from airlines. Last week, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of our government's approach to protecting Canadian air passengers. Can the Minister of Transport share this wonderful news with us?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago, June 1984 was seared on the Sikh psyche. The Indian army stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar, as well as countless other gurdwaras. A religious holiday, when thousands of pilgrims would be visiting, this day was chosen to maximize damage to Sikh lives. The result of the carnage was such that the bullet-riddled bodies of pilgrims, men whose hands were still tied behind …
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Mr. Speaker, this week we are celebrating the 100th birthday of my grandfather, a man who is imbued with audacity, unwavering positivity and spirituality. Sardaar Kundan Singh was born in 1924, at a time when equality for women was non-existent; however, this did not deter him. Not only did he educate his sons, but he was also one of the first people in his city to put all four of his daughters th…
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Mr. Speaker, eight out of 10 Canadians support a woman's right to choose. Yet, it seems the Conservative leader is unwilling to assure Canadians that he and his party will defend this fundamental right. Could the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth remind the House of our government's position on a woman's right to choose?
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Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to my colleague's speech. I would like to ask the member about how something as simple as monitoring diabetes and testing sugar levels, which can prevent hospitalization and the additional costs that can occur due to hospitalization when people do not have this equipment to be able to take care of themselves at home. I would also like to ask, if he has a…
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Madam Speaker, it would be surprising to most Canadians to learn that there is a huge under-insurance problem in this country. Many people, we could say, slip through the cracks. As I mentioned in my speech, for those who are part-time workers, who end up getting phased out of their parents' health insurance plans and for those who are taking social assistance, there is always a gap between the tw…
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Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity today to speak to Bill C‑64, an act respecting pharmacare. This bill represents the next phase of our government's commitment to a national universal pharmacare program. It proposes the foundational principles of national universal pharmacare and our intent to work with provinces and territories to provide universal single-payer coverage for many cont…
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Madam Speaker, indeed, I am a proud Quebecker. Our program is going to help millions of women, people from various backgrounds and people with diabetes. It is going to help everyone, all Canadians and all Quebeckers.
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Madam Speaker, we have been talking a lot throughout our speeches, as have all our colleagues, about how we are investing in Canadians, and this is an investment. There is a saying that it is better to prevent than to cure. This is one of those times when we could prevent, for example, botched procedures or when women have to go out of their way to do things to protect themselves and to make sure …
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Mr. Speaker, Red Dress Day is coming up. It is recognized for being an important way to raise awareness of the alarming rates of violence. There are growing calls for the introduction of a red dress alert system. This system would be crucial in promptly informing the public whenever an indigenous woman, girl or two-spirited person goes missing. Can the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations share …
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Mr. Speaker, since 2015, the government has been committed to promoting shared Canadian values such as diversity, respect and equality for all Canadians. We all learned last week that the Leader of the Opposition had visited a convoy camp set up by—
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Mr. Speaker, can the Prime Minister tell the House how the government will protect Canadians from extremist groups and what responsibilities all political leaders have?
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Madam Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's question. As he knows, many programs have been put in place to combat tax evasion. We will continue to work to prevent tax evasion so that everyone pays their fair share when it comes to paying taxes and contributing to Canadian society.
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Madam Speaker, I am honoured to speak today about the 2024 budget, our plan to ensure fairness for every generation. Our government firmly believes that everyone deserves to get ahead, including our young people. Unfortunately, we find that too many young Canadians are struggling to be as successful as their parents. It is clear that young people are not being rewarded for their hard work the way …
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Madam Speaker, as I mentioned in my speech, budget 2024 is proposing a new Canada disability benefit to supplement provincial and territorial benefits in order to increase the financial well-being of over 600,000 working-age persons with disabilities. This is just the start. We will continue to put more programs in place so we can help workers in this situation, as well as people with disabilities…
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Madam Speaker, our government is investing in Canadians. We are investing in our youth. We are investing in the future for everybody. Part of this investment is also to fight against drug overdoses. Our government has invested significant funds to help fight this scourge on our society. We will continue to fight and to provide for Canadians, going as far and giving as much as we can.
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Mr. Speaker, protecting children is a priority for our government. On Monday, we introduced the online harms act. Before the House even had the opportunity to look at the bill, the Conservatives indicated that they would oppose this protection. Even more shocking is the fact that they want to make Canadians share their personal information with dubious websites. Can the Prime Minister tell Canadia…
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Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week, it is important to remember that, in recent years, and in many countries, women's right to make their own choices has been threatened, ground down or taken away entirely. Feeling safe, free to choose and self-fulfilled should be a given. In 2024, women and girls continue to be victims of sexual and other forms of violen…
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Mr. Speaker, Telefilm Canada has always played an essential role in the creation of films and television shows. Its productions reflect our cultural diversity and put Canadian talent on the world stage. Recent years have brought major challenges. Can the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell the House about measures in place to support the sector, promote Canadian French-language content and support …
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Mr. Speaker, the agriculture and agri-food sector is a powerful economic force in Canada. It is a growing industry that employs 2.3 million people and single-handedly generates approximately 7% of our GDP. Aliments Ouimet-Cordon Bleu is a Montreal-based company celebrating its 99th year in operation this year. The company uses its investments to support product development. Cordon Bleu's success h…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the bill's sponsor in the House, the member for Elgin—Middlesex—London, for bringing this important issue to the floor. The bill we are discussing today is closely linked to the government's ongoing work to ensure a safer online experience for all Canadians, particularly children and youth. It is also worth noting that we need to work together to en…
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Mr. Speaker, today's artists and creators work in a cultural reality that is very different from the past in terms of how films, TV shows and music are consumed. A major transformation has occurred. Households are cutting the cord on their cable subscriptions and watching shows online. One thing that has not changed, however, is the importance of telling our own stories. Can the minister tell us a…
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Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of our homegrown creators in Quebec and Canada. Last week, Montrealers once again welcomed people from around the world to Cinemania, a festival that has enjoyed nearly three decades of success and that shines a spotlight on some of the amazing francophone voices and creations that Canada has to offer. Can the minister tell us about the important agreement she signed o…
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Mr. Speaker, our seniors are feeling the effects of inflation. Whereas the opposition is trying to cut all the services they depend on after making their lives a constant hardship during its time in power, can the Prime Minister explain to the seniors of my riding and across Canada how we have supported them and will continue to support them?
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Mr. Speaker, many businesses in communities across Quebec and Canada and in my riding of Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle are having trouble finding the workers they need. Can the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship inform the House of our government's plan to bring in newcomers with high-demand skills in order to spur innovation and economic growth?
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Mr. Speaker, over the summer, many people in my riding of Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle expressed their concerns about the rising cost of living. I share those concerns. Could the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry please inform the House of the steps our government is taking to make life more affordable?
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Mr. Chair, my colleague always fights for justice and human rights. We work together on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. I was deeply interested in his speech. He mentioned that members of the diaspora are truly worried about what is happening. These people often have to flee violence in their country of origin. What more does he think we can do to help members of the diaspora f…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, was in Montreal yesterday to announce a significant contribution to social finance, not only for Quebec, but also for the rest of Canada. Can the minister tell us more about how the social finance fund will help increase the positive impact that social purpose organizations have on our society?
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