Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, it is my great honour to present a petition on behalf of the Gwich'in, Na-cho Nyäk Dun, Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in and Inuvialuit peoples. The petition was signed while I was present in the beautiful community of Old Crow, Yukon, during our annual Vadzaih Choo Drin, Big Caribou Days, celebration in May. The essence of this petition is to ensure that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the pla…
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Mr. Speaker, I know that the member has been a champion not just for this bill but also for many other bills within our package of bills addressing crime, bail reform and criminal justice. Can the member speak to the importance of this with respect to his home riding?
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Mr. Speaker, the Yukon has recently lost a treasure in the beloved and historic Westminster Hotel. I caught a last glimpse of this famous establishment, affectionately known as “The Pit”, while attending Dawson City's Gold Show just a couple of weeks ago. Though closed after flooding during December's deep freeze, the hotel still glowed with rose-coloured pride in the evening light of Dawson's ear…
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Madam Speaker, I want to, first of all, thank the member for Cloverdale—Langley City for her dedication to workers in her riding. I can assure her that the Government of Canada is dedicated to building a robust and inclusive workforce that supports all Canadians. These are serious and challenging times, and they must be met with a disciplined focus to help our country meet today's challenges. It i…
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Madam Speaker, I certainly appreciate the point of view the member brings up and the recognition that in these highly unusual times and in the midst of an affordability crisis, we have to adjust to meet Canadians where they are. The measures in the recent spring economic update are part of those next steps in our plan to build a stronger, more independent and resilient Canada for all. It advances …
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Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South for speaking not only on behalf of his constituents but for all Canadians who are facing an affordability crisis. We are all seized with meeting Canadians where they are through this affordability crisis, while working on building the country up. Canadians are facing heightened affordability pressures from sources beyond our contr…
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Madam Speaker, Canada's labour market is experiencing unprecedented pressure from tariffs, skill shortages, supply chain disruptions and broader economic shifts, so it has never been more important for government and industry to come together to strengthen our economy. That is why the Government of Canada has created workforce alliances to help Canadian workers weather this tariff storm. They focu…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for South Shore—St. Margarets for her leadership and incredible advocacy, not just for her riding but for all of rural Canada. Canada's security and prosperity are rooted in the north, and the Yukon is central to how Canada builds and defends the north. Last week, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and I were in the territory to announce investments …
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Mr. Speaker, in the 2026 spring economic update, we celebrate a vision of a more inclusive future. Our “Canada Strong for All” plan reflects sound fiscal management while making responsible investments in Canadian families. Let me highlight just a few features members may have missed. The playground to podium initiative invests over $700 million in sports development and infrastructure so our yout…
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Mr. Speaker, it is a well-known fact that when someone visits the Yukon, they will come back. In fact, they may never leave. There are raw adventures, like the gruelling Arctic Ultra in 40 below, or the luxury of viewing northern lights from a fire-warmed cabin. We have it all, and we have it for anyone: hot springs, dog-sledding, kayaking, hiking, or paddling downriver to Dawson City to take in t…
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Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. We disagree with the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling. That is why we appealed it back in September. As a government, we always prefer to negotiate instead of going to court. I can tell members that in all of our negotiations, dating back to 1970, no agreement between the federal government and first nations has ever led to Canadians losing their privately owned land, not …
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Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I want to acknowledge, with respect, that we are gathered on the ancestral lands of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. These territories are unceded and unsurrendered, and they have been places of meeting and exchange for centuries. I recognize that Parliament itself has long been a place where relationships are negotiated, challenged and renewed. It is particularly time…
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Mr. Speaker, it is my honour today to rise and table a petition initiated by a constituent of my riding in the Yukon. It calls on the House of Commons and the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to take measures to address prolonged screening delays faced by permanent residency applicants. This petition reflects the lived experiences and concerns of many individuals navigating these …
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition from my constituents on international debt relief. This petition is part of a national campaign from 60,000 Canadians. It is called Turn Debt Into Hope, where petitioners, as part of the Jubilee 2025, have called on public, private and multilateral creditors, along with political leaders, to stop the debt crisis by cancelling and remedying unjust and…
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Mr. Speaker, I do want to make a distinction between a contract and a treaty. In particular, a modern treaty is a profoundly deep agreement that is often the work of years, if not decades, of putting together the right framework that is suited to that first nation and workable within the Government of Canada. Again, there have been frustrations over the years in implementing these treaties, but on…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague raises a very important point. Since the earlier version of this bill was introduced in the previous Parliament, we have worked collaboratively with first nations to draft this modern treaty implementation bill. That is a fundamental aspect of the spirit and principles of this bill.
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Mr. Speaker, based on the testimony and her experience through this process, how does the parliamentary secretary distinguish the role of an independent modern treaty commissioner versus that of the Auditor General? Certainly the most frequent objection that we hear from members of the opposition party is that the bill would just be adding another layer of bureaucracy, so I think it would be helpf…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs for her commitment to this bill. I know that my colleague had a lot to say during her speech. I would like to invite her to talk a bit more about some of the testimony we heard in committee, particularly from the members of first nations in Quebec, about the impact of modern treaties and …
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Mr. Speaker, I feel so proud, as the member of Parliament for the Yukon, to be able to talk about the progress that we have seen through modern treaties. Self-governing modern treaty nations are working toward implementation. Implementation, I know, has often been frustrating, but the progress they have made as partners in everything that happens in the Yukon has been incredible to witness.
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Mr. Speaker, I send my congratulations to Yukoners Dr. Alex Poole and Ms. Josianne Gauthier, who recently received the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of their groundbreaking work on the treatment of severe frostbite. It comes as no surprise that frostbite is one of the risks of living in the north. As a doctor, I have seen many cases of it. I remember my colleagues' fr…
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Mr. Speaker, members must check out season two of Northern Tails on YouTube, a televised puppet show that is Yukon-created and Yukon-produced, which premiered last week in Whitehorse. This season, the squirrels are definitely in charge of production. Ground squirrel Scout Perry and roving reporter Michael Jay the fox are helping kids find science on the screen and, in fact, everywhere they go outs…
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Mr. Speaker, the countdown is on. In just over a week, the Arctic Winter Games are returning to Whitehorse. For over 50 years, this event has been the premier athletic stage for circumpolar youth. With over 4,000 athletes, coaches, support staff and volunteers already gearing up, the Yukon is set to continue this proud legacy. The games are not just about medals. They are about competing together,…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for drawing that parallel with band-aids and health measures. This measure is a very important solution for the coming years, because it will work like a bridge. With all the other measures we are putting in place to strengthen Canadian sovereignty and the economy, we anticipate that things will be easier for everyone in a few years. The important part for…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Waterloo for her advocacy. This weekend, I was speaking with many of my constituents, and I think this is a moment when Canadians everywhere, in the north and across the country, are expecting us to work together. In that vein, I am hoping we can all work together in the House to have the bill pass as soon as possible.
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Pickering—Brooklin. I am thankful for this opportunity. Affordability in Canada is a challenge that Canadians face on a daily basis. In the north, daily costs like food, fuel, housing and transportation are all higher, so any effort to improve the lives of Canadians is particularly important for northern residents. That is why I am pleased…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for her frequent visits to the north and for her advocacy for the north. However, that is where we will have to part ways. What the member points out is a perceived link between industrial carbon pricing and food prices, which actually does not exist. We are looking forward to building a modern economy, and part of that is sticking with progressive …
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Mr. Speaker, I know the member was in her home riding of Pickering—Brooklin over the weekend. I wonder if she can describe a bit what this means for her own constituents in Pickering—Brooklin.
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Mr. Speaker, dance, dansez, dance is the spirit of the upcoming 13th annual Yukon African Music Festival. Who would have believed, in the cold, dark days of early February, that Yukon's wonderful African community would bring light, music, dance and pure joy to chase away the winter blues? As we observe International Development Week and Black History Month, the Yukon African Music Festival, organ…
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Mr. Speaker, this fall season brings fresh momentum, new opportunities and renewed energy to the Yukon. Just last week at Yukon's annual Geoscience meeting, the mood in the room could not have been more positive. Members may ask why. It is because budget 2025 is replete with investments in the north, like the $1-billion Arctic infrastructure fund, the $2-billion critical mineral sovereign fund and…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Courtenay—Alberni, who is a dear colleague of mine and a good friend. We have worked together on many issues we have in common. I take note of the issue he raised. I know that friendship centres are also incredibly important in my riding. I will certainly commit to finding out more about this funding and how we can go forward to resolve this problem, ens…
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Mr. Speaker, this is an important question. There are so many examples of how important the investments in the budget are for the Yukon. Let me point out just one example. It is the $1-billion Arctic infrastructure fund. It is about building and expanding transportation assets in the Arctic. It is about airstrips. It is about deepwater ports, all-season roads and sealift infrastructure that would …
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Mr. Speaker, I am very happy for the support that we are putting in this budget for Canadian culture and Canadian public media, including CBC/Radio-Canada. This is very important for Canadian heritage and Canadian identity, and I know that veterans will fully support it.
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Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to rise today to speak to the 2025 budget implementation act. It is no secret that we are facing a rapidly changing and increasingly uncertain world. In the face of global disruption and uncertainty, Canada's new government is focused on what we can control. This is our plan to transform our economy from one that is reliant on a single trade partner t…
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Mr. Speaker, that is a really important question. I could point out multiple projects, but I think that one of the key aspects is that when we are investing in infrastructure and when we are talking about national building, major projects and projects of national interest, it is all about cultivating indigenous partnership and making sure that we are working in lockstep with indigenous governments…
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Mr. Speaker, this budget is all about affordability and investing in the generations ahead of us. One feature I would just like to point out is automatic tax filing for people on lower income who are not currently accessing benefits like the Canada disability benefit. This includes people who will now be able to access benefits they may never have realized they are eligible for.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Nunavut for raising serious concerns about funding for Inuit programs and the capacity of hunters and trappers organizations to participate in environmental assessments. She provides continued and very important advocacy for Nunavut. These are valid concerns, and they deserve a clear response. Article 5.7 of the Nunavut agreement sets out the special fea…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member again for her concerns about Inuit programs and hunters and trappers organizations, and for meeting directly with these organizations. These bodies are treaty obligations under the Nunavut land claims agreement and are essential for wildlife management and environmental reviews. Inadequate funding issues did change in March 2025 when Canada signed a renewed 10-year …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands for asking about Canada's role in affirming Arctic sovereignty and appropriately citing the role of Arctic indigenous residents in protecting it. I am grateful for her sharing the article, which was also sent to me by a constituent of mine. I thank Karen. I think this is a reflection of how invested northerners are in Arctic sovereignty and …
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Mr. Speaker, I am glad to have the chance to return some of the compliments. It would obviously take much more than a minute to return much of the esteem I have for the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands and her leadership on climate action for many years, as well as on so many other parliamentary issues. Arctic security and sovereignty are matters for all parties, all levels of government and the pe…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this member's advocacy for the people of Nunavut and, indeed, for the people across the north. I reaffirm this government's commitment to address food insecurity in northern communities on a priority basis. Programs like nutrition north Canada, the harvesters support grant and the community food programs fund, as well as the Inuit child first initiative, provide essential…
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Mr. Speaker, we do indeed recognize the hardships faced by Inuit and by all residents in Nunavut and indeed across the north, where the cost of food and the cost of basic necessities continue to pose real challenges, particularly for families. In Nunavut alone, 42% of children live in poverty. That is the highest rate in Canada. I know that behind these statistics are real lives and real struggles…
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Mr. Speaker, it is with immense northern pride that I congratulate L'Aurore boréale for being named newspaper of the year at the 2025 francophone press awards of excellence in September. This tremendous honour clearly shows the heart and soul that the newspaper puts into every issue. L'Aurore boréale was also recognized for its magnificent bilingual digital project entitled "The Yukon Celebrates i…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations for his tireless work on this file, including during the last Parliament, and for his advocacy. The piece of legislation before us is an incredibly important one for Yukon first nations. I have heard repeatedly, in my four-plus years of holding the privileged position as a member of Parliame…
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Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge first of all, with respect, that we are gathered on the ancestral lands of the Algonquin Anishinabe people, and that these territories, unceded and unsurrendered, have been a place of meeting and exchange for centuries. I am pleased to speak today to the proposed legislation to establish a commissioner for modern treaty implementation and what the next steps in t…
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Mr. Speaker, that is an important question. Modern treaty partners across the country are looking forward to the passage of the bill. It is important, as it is a way to ensure that there would be accountability. They have been let down many times by many governments on the implementation of modern treaties. We all stand to be accountable for implementation of modern treaties, including the signing…
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Mr. Speaker, that is a very important question. Perhaps my colleague has overlooked the fact that the relationship with indigenous partners is part and parcel of Bill C‑5. This partnership is essential for projects in the national interest, and this government has committed to it. I hope that is something that all parties in the House will support.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her excellent speech and her commitment to seeing the legislation supported and passed. I am a little distressed by what I heard from some of my Conservative friends, who have called the bill a distraction. Perhaps they do not realize that this has been called for over many years, really going back to the beginning of modern treaty nations, and that th…
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Mr. Speaker, when former senator Ione Christensen departed this world on September 15, the Yukon lost one of its best-loved leaders. A fourth-generation Yukoner, Ione's accomplishments are legion: first woman mayor of Whitehorse, first female commissioner of the Yukon and the first Yukon woman appointed to the Senate. Beyond her political life, Ione loved the Yukon outdoors, rafting and hiking the…
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Mr. Speaker, this is certainly an issue that we will take note of. I look forward to bringing a forthright answer back to my Nunavut colleague.
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honour the exceptional achievements of all Yukon graduates from across the territory. I congratulate them. They worked incredibly hard and took on every challenge with courage and determination. They have met the challenges of troubled times. They have shown determination and readiness to contribute to our territory and to our nation. Their academic journey reflects no…
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