Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, dozens of constituents from the riding of Waterloo have signed the petition I am presenting, and many of these applicants have lived in Canada for several years, maintaining lawful status, contributing to the economy and the research sector, and repeatedly passing previous security verifications. Many of these constituents are actually Iranian nationals holding Canadian masters degree…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I would ask for you to review some of the exchanges that have taken place during question period today. As per the Standing Orders, you will recognize that unparliamentary language, when it becomes personal, is not welcome in this chamber. I can understand it when we are referring to legislation and to policies, but when we are referring to hon. members with certain terminology, which…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, there is a long-standing tradition that members are all honourable members in this chamber, and if something was to take place, members have the ability to rise and withdraw or retract. It is not for any member in this chamber to police what happens in here. Mr. Speaker, I think you are doing a good job and that you should have confidence in the job that you do.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member's comments, and I appreciate him acknowledging that Canadians need to pay attention to this debate. It is interesting, because Canadians should know that the debate we are currently having in the House is on the removal of a short title. Constituents within the riding of Waterloo would want to know what was so appalling about the short title that the Conservati…
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Mr. Speaker, the member had a point of order earlier. He was concerned about the same old members asking questions, and he really wanted a question from the MP for Waterloo, so here I am asking a question on behalf of constituents from the riding of Waterloo, who think this is important legislation. I agree. We have received many emails regarding this legislation from all sides. It is a true diver…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Maybe it would be suitable for us to be reminded of what the debate taking place right now is on. Clearly, that—
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, similar issues have come up within the riding of Waterloo, where people recognize that having a federally funded or publicly funded health care system is important. People are also noticing that provinces are oftentimes dabbling with the idea of a two-tier health care system. There seems to be much recognition that asylum claimants are a different group of people in that they are usua…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, a bill could only be amended or broadened at committee, so that is where the work would be done. What I am presenting through this bill is the value and importance of having a discussion around a potential framework. I did refer to unprotected and offshore sites, so that is where the federal government probably does have some responsibilities. We know that the intention was to give pr…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
moved that Bill S-211, An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to second reading of Bill S-211, an act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising. I would like to begin by thanking Senator Marty Deacon for her dedication in crafting the bill, alongside her collea…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
That is right. Mr. Speaker, I understand the intent in 2021, when Parliament legalized single-game sports betting in Canada. This was achieved with the objective of bringing gambling activity out of the illegal market and into safe, regulated frameworks. The legislation granted provinces and territories authority to regulate their own sports betting markets to promote responsible gambling practice…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I will be very honest. What we are bringing forward with this Senate public bill that is now in the House is that we need to talk about this issue. We need to make sure the framework works, and that is a concern that I have also heard. What has concerned me even more is that the first time somebody is gambling online, they are being given an amount of money, so it is not going to cost…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, acknowledging that there is a diversity of opinions, there are a lot of organizations that have been contacting me and Senator Marty Deacon. As well, I know the member chairs the heritage committee. We just legalized sports betting in Canada five years ago. We are starting to see some of the concerns and impacts coming from it. My concern is that the federal government did legalize sp…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased with the question and the opportunity to have this discussion. I think some provinces have a model that works very well, but others have some issues. I think we need to look at whether this falls within the jurisdiction of the provinces and territories or whether it falls within the federal government's jurisdiction and whether it has a responsibility. That is why I think…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, constituents within the riding of Waterloo have asked me to present this petition on behalf of Falun Gong practitioners. The petitioners share that Falun Gong practitioners follow the principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance. They recognize the importance of relations between different countries, but they also value the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They would…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, since the member entered this place, I have found him oftentimes to be reasonable. The words he shared today really demonstrate that, at least to constituents in the riding of Waterloo, who often ask if this House can be functional. Today, seeing the deputy leader of the Conservatives move a motion for this legislation to advance so Canadians can receive the supports they need is a de…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member for Yukon's sharing his insights. As someone who has visited Yukon Territory, I know it is a very different experience in the Yukon than it is for constituents within the riding of Waterloo. The constituents within the riding of Waterloo want members to work together. I know that the Conservatives had their convention this weekend and are coming with a new appr…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I listened intently to the words of the parliamentary secretary, and it was pretty impressive to hear because I believe we can be very thoughtful in this place. It is interesting because the leader of the official opposition sent the Prime Minister a letter to say that we could co-operate, but it seems the Conservatives' approach remains exactly the way it has always been. It is the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I also want to send some friendly new year's wishes, and I hope the 2026 season treats the member and her loved ones, and all constituents and Canadians, well. I listened intently to the member's comments, and I think today's debate has been an interesting one. I know that we use references to the government under the leadership of former prime minister Stephen Harper when it is con…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, Carmen Tam, a constituent of the riding of Waterloo, created Petition e-6695. Today I rise to present it on behalf of 14,921 petitioners. Petitioners need the House and all Canadians to know that in 2025, online video game storefronts like Steam and Itch.io removed numerous games featuring adult sexual content because Mastercard, Visa and other payment platforms changed their policies…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the motion before the House today was moved by the Conservatives, who picked out a few parts of the agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta. In my opinion, the full agreement is a document that gives the federal government, the provinces and indigenous communities a way of working together. Does the member agree that it is important for all levels of…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, constituents within the riding of Waterloo have been talking about this MOU. It has definitely been gaining a lot of traction. They are noticing that it is a comprehensive document, which provides some certainty for investors and provides certainty for Canadians for the economy. They were pleased to see that the federal government is wanting to work with provinces and with indigenou…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the comments shared by the member are quite refreshing. It was impressive that the Conservatives chose to amend their own motion but still came up short. What is even more interesting is that constituents within the riding of Waterloo recognize that the Conservatives actually never have a plan for the environment. Today, we see that when the Conservatives bring something forward, th…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, petitioners raise an issue of equity and dignity, as well as of basic autonomy, for people with disabilities and their families. The RDSP is meant to secure a person's long-term financial future, yet petitioners raise that the current rules create unnecessary barriers that prevent many people from even opening a plan. When qualifying members lose their ability to act after 2026, and w…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour and privilege to represent the good people in my riding of Waterloo. It has been interesting because in my inbox, I am receiving several emails. I am receiving emails in regard to some of the challenging times Canadians are facing, and they see that in budget 2025, there is opportunity. They see some ability and some hope. They appreciate the national school foo…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
I know the members opposite want to call time because I am talking about our armed forces and the important work they do, and the Conservatives have a history of chopping them. I would like to hear from the member why it is important we pass this legislation. Why can Conservatives not grasp that we are here to fight for Canadians? We have to leave some of our political stripes aside so we can ensu…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I met with a few constituents from the riding of Waterloo and also from ridings across the country, and today I present a petition that over 600 individuals have signed in regard to families in Canada that have wrongfully been separated due to what they suggest are flawed child abuse assessments by child abuse pediatricians. Petitioners note there is no legal requirement for a second,…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I really appreciated the comments that were shared by the member and the contribution she makes in so many different ways. I really appreciated her opportunity to also talk about IP, intellectual property, which is really important in the riding of Waterloo. The University of Waterloo is notorious for ensuring that research academics actually own their IP so that they have a vested in…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I really appreciated the member's speech and the fact that he has actually paid attention to the debate going on today. What really struck me were the comments in regard to Canada's being a trading nation and the importance of opening up opportunities for Canadians and Canadian businesses. I know that Canadians within the region of Waterloo want access to global markets. They not only…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Barbara Robinson is a professional engineer in the riding of Waterloo. She and dozens of other petitioners have signed a petition calling on the Government of Canada to update, to change, the National Building Code. The petitioners acknowledge that the National Building Code, part 3, makes no provision for menstruating women's needs in public toilet stalls. They raise the point that unless somethi…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the debate we are having today on this important legislation. Constituents in the riding of Waterloo have been sharing many comments and many concerns, so I was pleased to see that there were no report stage amendments and that we would go to debating the bill at third reading. We would like to see this bill passed so that Canadians can benefit from its impacts. Another t…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, within the Waterloo region are five ridings, and I am pleased to represent the good people of the riding of Waterloo. Dozens of constituents within the region of Waterloo have signed a petition calling on the Government of Canada to work with Prince Edward Island's special committee on poverty. They are talking about the guaranteed basic income program. A pilot within P.E.I. was sugge…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I did not want to ruin the member's clip, because I know it is really important to the Conservative Party of Canada, and it is important for constituents to hear their position, but the member should be speaking through the Chair.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member was duly elected to the provincial legislative assembly, but this party, federally, does not reflect progressive values. Premier Ford, at that time, called the member's comments “irresponsible”. He said, “By spreading misinformation he is undermining the tireless efforts of our frontline health-care workers at this critical time”. Premier Ford also said, “I will not jeopard…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
moved for leave to introduce Bill S-211, An Act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Bill S-211, which was swiftly passed by colleagues in the other place. I believe we can agree it would be responsible to see the same happen here in the House. Sports betting is legalized in Canada, yet constituents in Waterloo have shared, and every MP…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I was just going to say that, in the spirit of maintaining decorum and following the rules, at the beginning of the member's comments he referenced the presence and absence of a member in the chamber, including who is in the chair. I think that we should refrain from doing that.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, this is an interesting debate we are having regarding citizenship. Within the riding of Waterloo, I have had constituents tell me about their experiences. These are hard-working Canadians who have had opportunities to be abroad. I think global citizenship has some value to it. They have shared the importance of this legislation. There is also frustration within the riding of Waterloo …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, this is definitely legislation that, in the riding of Waterloo, has garnered some fruitful conversation. There are examples constituents have shared with me of hard-working, tax-paying Canadians, who often speak both official languages. In one case in my office, the parents worked for an international company abroad. They were born abroad but had been in Canada for decades. Then the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member's comments and I would like to ask him a question. One of my constituents in my riding of Waterloo was born abroad. She has a family who is proudly Canadian, who speak both official languages and who contribute to our community and our country. She attended a conference abroad and could not return to Canada without putting her unborn child at risk, so the child…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Earlier, a Conservative colleague stood on a point of order. I agreed with that point and I think the member also agreed with it. Even though he was not in the previous Parliament, he is an experienced member. I think he should retract those comments and apologize.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the only comment I was going to make is—
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, this is a debate that constituents in the riding of Waterloo have been actively participating in, and there is definitely a range of views and perspectives. I hear the member's comments in regard to having a commitment to advancing the prosperity of the country and being a great Canadian. In the riding of Waterloo, I have a couple of circumstances or situations. One includes a Canad…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I appreciated the perspective the member shared. Even within the riding of Waterloo, there is a diversity of views and perspectives. Constituents recognize that the government is trying to take measures to advance the country and ensure that Canadians do well, but they are frustrated by the official opposition refusing to move forward even in inches and take concrete measures or help …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I did not want to ruin the member's clip, but I think being accurate in this place is important. Applications are made to Health Canada, which can approve or deny them, but Health Canada does not pick the location. Conservatives should stop misleading Canadians.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I also want to offer my sincere condolences on the passing of the member's mother. I do believe it is important, when we are having debates on such important topics, that we get to hear what can make legislation better. We are at second reading. The legislation will go to committee. I think that was a little of a reaction to the comments made by the member suggesting that wearing a …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, it is important, when it is a serious topic such as this, that we represent members accordingly. He said what I said, then he said what I said again, and they do not match. I would just ask the member to stay focused on the topic and have a debate, and sometimes—
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, it is always a pleasure to be in the House and to be able to represent the good people of the riding of Waterloo. I agree with the hon. member that we need to represent the people on the ground. We need to know that Canadians are watching. We need to represent the very people who sent us here. The constituents within the riding of Waterloo have diverse views. Several are asking how …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member made some really interesting comments, especially when it comes to the recommendations of Justice Arbour and the fact that this Parliament could achieve advancing all 48 of them. I find that interesting because we come here to work and to represent our constituents. The constituents of the riding of Waterloo expect me to show up to work, and it seems that the Conservatives …
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