Parliamentary Speeches
108 speeches by Caroline Desrochers — Page 2 of 3
Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, let me start by saying that the facts are clear: Housing starts are up, not down. Housing starts are up 10% year over year. In Montreal, it is 32%; in Vancouver, it is 46%. With that said, I will reiterate that the Government of Canada is committed to solving the housing crisis. We have put forward the most ambitious housing plan in our country's history, and we are creating positive …
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for her dedication and engagement on this important issue. The Government of Canada remains firmly committed to promoting responsible business conduct by Canadian companies operating abroad. Strong RBC practices not only drive business success, but also foster a better world for everyone, and Canada has been a strong global leader in that space for deca…
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Mr. Speaker, contrary to what the opposition continues to say, as it continues to put forward slogans, we are actually taking action. We were elected to take action, and we have taken action. We will continue to take action to protect Canadians, to protect our streets and to protect against gender-based violence. We are doing that.
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Party is the party that listens to people, that listens to consensus, and is not afraid of going back to a project and making sure it is as strong as possible. That is why we are moving forward with Bill C-12 and removing the part that members across the aisle have asked us to study further, which is what we are doing, and we are moving forward with the project that brough…
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Mr. Speaker, perhaps my colleague could have taken the time to read Bill C‑12. We understand the situation very well, and we have been listening to Canadians. We took certain things out of the bill for the moment, things that require further consideration and study. This will result in a better thought-out and more thorough bill. However, there are some things that Canadians expect us to put in pl…
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Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I rise today to speak to how the legislative changes proposed in Bill C‑12 will continue to uphold our humanitarian tradition and due process, while focusing resources on those in need and improving confidence in our asylum system. Canadians expect …
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Mr. Speaker, once again the opposition is showing how they just want to divide Canadians. We are standing by Canadian workers. We are standing by Canadian industry. We are investing. We launched Build Canada Homes in order to build affordable homes in Canada. The last time Conservatives were in power, they lost 800,000 affordable homes, so please do not give us a lesson about affordability. You lo…
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Mr. Speaker, we have expressed our disappointment with how this process went. This is a Crown corporation. We were not part of it. However, I will tell the member what we did. We did set a policy to buy Canadian. We are encouraging all Canadian procurement to buy Canadian. We have also launched a defence procurement agency to encourage our companies. We are building Canada with Canadian workers an…
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Mr. Speaker, I believe that Canadians made a clear choice this spring on which party they trust the most to manage the real issues we are confronted with. We were very clear during the campaign about our commitments. There is nothing in what we have proposed that comes as a surprise. We said that we would invest in infrastructure and that is what we are doing. We said that we would invest to build…
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Mr. Speaker, it is sad that the opposition is continuing to spread a divisive message at a time when pride and grit should really unite all Canadians around the challenges we are facing. She said, “These are not stats”, and she is right. These are slogans. The real stats are the following: We have the strongest credit rating in the world, AAA. We have the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to take part in today's debate and to provide a few facts that are grounded in reality. This debate is taking place at a time of unprecedented upheaval and readjustment in the global trading system, and it is irresponsible for an opposition political party to try to ignore this and bury its head in the sand. We know that the world is changing. Accordingly…
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Mr. Speaker, I am really happy to work with my colleague in the committee. Absolutely, youth unemployment is a really important issue, and I am glad we are able to work together on that. I would like to bring back the issue of promises of what we are going to do. They are not promises; they are actions. We have launched the major projects office. We passed the one economy bill, and I thank the Con…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question. Build Canada Homes was really set up to address the current housing crisis. Canadians and Quebeckers need more housing, more affordable housing, housing that meets their needs and fits their budget. We have committed to building up to 500,000 homes a year. We are making a $13-billion capital investment in Build Canada Homes. We are real…
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Mr. Speaker, those are discussions that we are prepared to have in the context of Bill C-2. Today we are talking about the motion to adopt Bill C-242, which was introduced by our opposition colleagues. Crime is a problem. We know that and we acknowledge it. We want to get to work and that is why we are holding consultations with police forces, municipalities and provincial and territorial premiers…
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Mr. Speaker, prevention is a very important aspect in the fight against crime. We know that high crime rates and recidivism are linked to other problems. We know that crime is not just a matter of being released and being given bail, and that is why we are proposing a comprehensive plan. We really need to address all the factors that contribute to a person's situation and the reasons why they comm…
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Mr. Speaker, I will again tell my colleague that the opposition MP's motion is too narrow. It completely ignores the fact that this issue requires a much broader approach. We know that prevention is paramount, and that is why we are putting forward a plan that addresses prevention. It is important, and that is why our plan is more comprehensive.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are worried about crime in their communities, and let me be clear at the outset: The concerns are valid. When Canadians see stories of violent incidents in their neighbourhoods and when they hear about repeat offenders cycling in and out of the system, it shakes their confidence. It makes families wonder whether their kids are safe walking home from school, whether seniors a…
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Mr. Speaker, I think it is clear that Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. That is why we are introducing a bill that will make bail and sentencing rules stricter and make the courts more efficient. I would like my colleague to speak to the importance of dialogue and of consulting with those who are on the front lines of implementing the laws we vote on here in the House.
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Mr. Speaker, what I will say is that we committed to that in 2023 and we have already imposed stricter bail conditions. Right now, we are engaged in exhaustive consultations. My colleagues are welcome to share their points of view and present their opinions to us. We are conducting exhaustive consultations with the people on the front lines who implement the laws that we pass. These are not slogan…
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Mr. Speaker, our government is using every tool at our disposal and taking coordinated action to help increase supply and ensure it is adapted to the needs and budget of Canadian families, change the way Canada builds housing and make housing more affordable for Canadians. We all know that right now a lot of affordable housing is not really affordable, including all of the condo market that the me…
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Mr. Speaker, I think we all agree on this. Everyone in this country should have access to an affordable, safe and healthy place to live. Let me assure members that this government is focused on making housing more affordable and attainable. This is why we are taking action on affordable housing across the range of the affordability continuum. We are talking about co-ops, social housing and deeply …
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing a housing crisis that demands bold action. That is why the Government of Canada has introduced the most ambitious housing plan in our country's history. This is a team Canada moment, when we must all come together and focus on what matters most for Canadians: housing, affordability and a resilient economy. We are working closely with all levels of government, indigeno…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are facing a housing crisis that touches every corner of this country. That is why our government has launched a comprehensive housing plan, which is the most ambitious in our history, the most ambitious since the Second World War. We are working in partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities, indigenous communities and the private sector. We spent all summer tal…
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Mr. Speaker, my ancestors came to Canada in the 17th century, and my children were born abroad when I was outside the country serving my country. The United States is where my children were born. We have since returned from the United States and we live here. My children go to school here. They are going to university next year. They will graduate. They plan on spending their lives here. In the ev…
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Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleague to read the Liberal platform. We have made major commitments with respect to transforming government operations. We got to work as soon as we returned. The “build Canada homes” initiative will help make it easier to get housing built faster. That is what Canadians need now.
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Mr. Speaker, as my colleague noted earlier, we have a national housing strategy that is second to none. We will double the construction of new homes. We concluded an historic agreement with Quebec on the housing accelerator fund. We have invested $900 million. Quebec has also invested $900 million. Real housing units are being built. People are actually living in them now. We are getting things go…
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Mr. Speaker, contrary to everything we hear from the other side of the House, we are doing our jobs. There is an action plan, and affordability is central to the mandate of “build Canada homes”. We will build more affordable and social housing to support low- and middle-income families. We have the most ambitious plan in decades. We are committed to building twice as many homes. We will do so usin…
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Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous pride, and thanks to the initiative and vision of mayor Jean Lamarche, that Trois‑Rivières will be hosting the 59th Quebec Games this summer, from July 25 to August 2. This event will bring together more than 3,500 young athletes, aged 12 to 17, from 19 regions of Quebec. It will feature 18 sports and celebrate excellence, passion and commitment. The success of t…
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Mr. Speaker, I think we all agree that there is a housing crisis. This is why the government is getting back into the business of building. This is why we will power innovation with modular and prefabricated homes. We will do it by reducing red tape, increasing efficiency and streamlining operations. We will do it at a very fast speed. This is what we promised Canadians and this is what we will de…
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Mr. Speaker, the government is going to make housing more affordable. We will increase the housing supply to lower costs. Together, we will build Canada strong.
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Mr. Speaker, I would just like my colleague to provide me with more information about the proposal to security screen Canadian citizens, because I am trying to understand what she is saying. For example, in my riding of Trois-Rivières, there is a Canadian citizen whose child was born prematurely while he was travelling abroad. This citizen came to Canada at the age of five to escape an oppressive …
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Mr. Speaker, I want to start by saying that I will be sharing my time with the member for Spadina—Harbourfront. I acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people. I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill C‑3 and the transformative power of Canadian citizenship. Fundamentally, this bill is about people, real families, as well as their hist…
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Mr. Speaker, those are excellent questions that should be addressed at committee, which is the next step for this bill. I see no reason to continue down the path of division. I think that enough Canadians have come forward. We have seen people here. As a newly elected member, I was not here during the last Parliament, but I know that this bill has been under discussion for a very long time and tha…
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Mr. Speaker, earlier I shared the story of one of my constituents whose child was born prematurely while he was travelling. Now the child is three months old and needs medical care. Unfortunately, he cannot get his Canadian citizenship because his parents were born abroad. This means he cannot receive medical care because the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec, or RAMQ, refuses to issue him a …
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Mr. Speaker, yes, I believe the Conservatives are continuing a tradition of relying on divisive slogans and rhetoric. As my colleagues and the minister herself pointed out this morning, we are open to amendments, as long as they are constructive and in the spirit of what we are trying to do, which is to fix the legislation that was passed in 2009.
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Mr. Speaker, we have been trying for a long time to get this through so we can right the wrongs of the past and fix what was put in place. I think it is important that we do this as quickly as possible.
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Mr. Speaker, I am a little confused, because I heard my colleague speaking earlier and it sounded like he agrees with the bill that was introduced. I would say that we are continuing our efforts in that direction. As a newly elected member, I am looking ahead to the future with our new government.
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Mr. Speaker, there is a housing crisis in Canada. We agree on that. Too many Canadians are seeing their dream of owning their own home drift further and further out of reach. Families are struggling with the rising cost, and young people are being priced out of the housing market. Communities across the country are being squeezed by a housing system that is simply not working as it should. I thank…
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Mr. Speaker, young Canadians can wait no longer to get the same home ownership opportunities that previous generations have had. Making Canada affordable for first-time homebuyers is one of our top priorities. We have been saying this since Parliament resumed. We said it during the election campaign. We released plans during the election campaign. We are committed to making this happen and we are …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question and his speech. As I said earlier, we agree that Canada is experiencing a housing crisis. That is why the Government of Canada has developed the most ambitious housing plan ever. We pledged to double the rate of home construction to nearly 500,000 homes per year. We are taking decisive action to cut red tape, stimulate private investment and lower…
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Mr. Speaker, as usual, my colleagues keep focusing on just a few parts of the Auditor General's report to cause a media stir. The Government of Canada has committed to doubling the pace of housing construction over the next decade to 500,000 housing units a year. I invite my colleagues to reread the Auditor General's report properly, in its entirety. To meet the needs of a growing Canada, we must …
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Mr. Speaker, I heard my colleague talk about how we all need to work together to build a strong Canada. I think that is what I heard. The points he raised about affordability and housing are strong commitments that we made in our platform. It is because of these commitments that we were elected with a strong mandate. My question for my colleague is this. Does he think his party could stop repeatin…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question. I am disappointed that people keep repeating the same slogans about the closure motion. Bill C-5 very clearly indicates that for all projects, there will be consultations with the provinces and indigenous peoples, that we will work together to build consensus and that it is projects of national interest that will be implemented. I think…
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Mr. Speaker, as my colleague said, we are truly at a crossroads. Canadians made their wishes clear, and they deserve better than the kind of debate that is going on here today, which is purely aimed at providing sound bites for social media. Canadians deserve a real conversation. I would like my colleague to tell me how the criteria in the bill ensure that consensus and the fulfillment of our envi…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I will be sharing my time with my colleague from Beauport—Limoilou. I am a little confused today. I am a new MP, and I naively thought that the debates in the House were meant to advance better policies for all Quebeckers and Canadians. I have come to realize that, unfortunately, they are instead being used as an opportunity to doggedly criticize e…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question. Consensus is at the heart of the criteria being put forward in this bill. I could go over the criteria, but I do not want to take up all my time. The bill recognizes that meaningful partnership and consultation with indigenous peoples are essential to creating projects of national interest while maintaining strong environmental protecti…
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Mr. Speaker, I would really encourage my colleague to go back and read the project. Consensus is at the heart of the criteria that have been put forward. The premiers of all the provinces and territories have met. There has never been, in recent history, such collaboration among provinces and territories on this, and consensus on what needs to be put forward. The premiers are representing the citi…
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Mr. Speaker, in her last report, the Auditor General noted that we had the right processes in place to ensure transparency and accountability in procurement processes. She did not make any additional recommendations for those processes beyond the recommendations that were made in 2024 and that we have already implemented.
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Yes, Mr. Speaker, on April 28, Canadians made it clear they want change. They are not just looking for a new direction. They elected this government. The change they want to see is all of us working together to make progress on the real issues. We are at a crossroads, a critical time for the Canadian economy, for economic health, for workers, for Canadians and Quebeckers. People expect us to work …
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians want us to move forward. They want this Parliament to get to work and deliver on our commitments. They made that very clear on April 28. That is what Canadians expect. As we have said repeatedly, we are grateful to the Auditor General for her report and the recommendations it contains. Legal action is also being taken against GC Strategies. We are doing everything in our pow…
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