Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, our colleagues have short memories, and I am not convinced they read the news. They seem to have forgotten that we announced the Contrecoeur expansion of the port of Montreal, which will create 8,000 direct and indirect jobs and attract $1.2 billion in investment. The Nouveau Monde Graphite mine in Matawinie will create 1,000 new jobs and attract $1.2 billion in investment. Did they a…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for raising that point. It is unacceptable that these documents were not provided in French. We agree that Quebeckers must be able to understand and participate in discussions on projects that could affect their communities. We have made it clear to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories that it must support engagement, discussion and consultation in both official language…
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Mr. Speaker, FCC is an independent Crown corporation and operates at arm's length. With that said, what I can say is that farmers and agriculture stakeholders around the country appreciate the good work that is done by FCC. We are working hard to grow the agriculture sector and the strongest economy in the G7, and FCC is an important part of our effort.
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Mr. Speaker, we are spending less to invest more, and we are making—
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Mr. Speaker, we are spending less to invest more. We are maintaining our presence in every single province and remain the largest agricultural researcher in the country. By streamlining research and development, we can build a strong, collaborative science system that supports producer-strengthened competitiveness and positions Canadian agriculture for long-term success. That is what we are doing.
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Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois is only capable of saying no, and it certainly cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. We can fight climate change while protecting our economy and developing our natural resources. That is what we are doing here in Canada, and we are doing so responsibly.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians want us to build a stronger, more independent and more resilient economy in partnership with the provinces, territories and indigenous peoples. The Conservatives are ignoring everything going on around the world and in geopolitics. They are disparaging Canada. We will continue to build Canada strong. Projects like Nouveau Monde Graphite, the port of Contrecoeur, the Alto tra…
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Mr. Speaker, we are in a trade war, something the Leader of the Opposition conveniently forgets or does not forget, depending on how it serves him. That is why today, with the lumber tariffs remaining unjustified and unfair to workers, businesses and communities, we have announced enhanced BDC loans, two new direct lending facilities, $400 million to regional development agencies and billions of d…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the members for the opportunity to speak to Bill C-264, an act to repeal certain restrictions on shipping. If the hon. members listen carefully to my speech, they may find answers to some of the questions they have raised today. As proposed, the bill seeks to repeal the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act even though there are no project proposals on the table that even re…
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Mr. Speaker, today, over 20 residents from my community of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun rose early, packed into a tour bus and came to our nation's capital to see their democracy at work. They have toured the Parliament, they have experienced a rich and evolving history and they will watch the important discussion that we have in this place this afternoon. Like so many others across Canada, my constituent…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to ask my colleague, the parliamentary secretary, if, when she speaks to her constituents in her riding, they fully understand the argument we constantly hear from the Conservatives about the so-called Liberal Party credit card. I get the feeling that Canadians understand that we need to invest during this difficult time. We are going through a tariff war. Now is the time to ta…
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Mr. Speaker, our friends in the Bloc Québécois do not know the difference between the words “and” and “or”. We have made it clear that we will be an energy superpower in both conventional and clean energy. That is what we are doing, and it is for all of Canada and all Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, we have been clear. Our goal is to catalyze half a trillion dollars in private sector investment. The Major Projects Office plays an important role in that. Alberta has indicated that it will submit a proposal by July 1. We will evaluate it against the criteria set out in the Building Canada Act. According to the memorandum of understanding, the federal government is willing to utiliz…
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Madam Speaker, to grow our economy and make Canada more resilient, we must diversify our exports. That is why our trade diversification strategy aims to double exports to countries other than the U.S. within 10 years. Canada's energy sector, including Alberta, has a significant role to play. The percentage of oil shipped via the Trans Mountain pipeline destined for Asia increased from 39% to 62%.
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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure who is out of touch with reality. When we have the best economic position in the G7, when we are in the midst of a tariff crisis and when we are dealing with all the issues around affordability, now is the time to invest in Canadians. It is time to help our young people get good jobs in the future and implement major projects that they can work on.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, my dear Montreal Canadiens, the second-youngest team in the National Hockey League, are competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs following an exciting season. It brings back memories of my childhood in Montreal, when I could watch the Canadiens practise at the Verdun Auditorium, standing just a few feet from the legends that lit up the Forum and our TV set. We know their names: Dryden, S…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians voted to strengthen our economy and develop our natural resources while also fighting climate change. We are supporting innovation, we are strengthening our competitiveness and we are making billions of dollars in new investments to achieve net zero. We are going to turn Canada into a clean and conventional energy superpower while reducing our emissions at the same time.
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Mr. Speaker, I found it very interesting that the member talks about benefits for the first nations when what the Conservatives would like us to do is bulldoze and ignore the constitutional rights of the first nations. I do not understand what they are saying. Should we help them, or follow the rules?
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Mr. Speaker, let me explain something to the member opposite. A strategic reserve is for importing countries. We an exporting country. Guess what. We have centuries' worth of reserve in this country.
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Mr. Speaker, I sit on the natural resources committee with the hon. member. She knows too well how complicated it is to do a project like the Ring of Fire, which is actually multiple projects. We are working with the Government of Ontario. We have already started to work with them on the road to access the Ring of Fire, because it requires major infrastructure to get to the Ring of Fire. She shoul…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, a sad incident occurred in my riding of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun on February 23. The former Saint-Paul church was destroyed in a major fire, which forced nearly 100 seniors to be evacuated from their nearby home in the middle of the night. Thanks to the bravery and professionalism of the Montreal fire department and the rapid support of the Canadian Red Cross, no lives were lost. However,…
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Mr. Chair, I would like the Minister of National Defence to convey the gratitude of all Canadians to the members of the armed forces for the work they do every day. This weekend, General Carignan said, and the Prime Minister was very clear, that it is possible that the Canadian Armed Forces may be involved at some point. However, he said that we would not be involved in any offensive strikes. Gene…
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Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Bloc Québécois talked a lot about taking care of people. We will assume that he is talking about Canadians in general. In order to do that, at a time when gas and energy prices are rising, we have major projects in Canada. For example, there is the agreement with Alberta. There are even rumours of a possible liquefied natural gas project in Quebec. I want to know the…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, as our economy pivots and modernizes, it is important to appreciate the fact that existing regulations may not fit the needs of new and emerging technologies. This can cause significant delays or even stop new products or services from entering the Canadian marketplace. Doing so can hamper Canadian entrepreneurship and innovation, reduce competition and make life less affordable for C…
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Mr. Speaker, housing affordability is the number one concern for people in my riding. Rents are too high, young people are unable to save up enough for a down payment and seniors are worried that they might be forced out of their own neighbourhoods. This is why my top priority from day one has been simple and clear, to build more homes. Last year, I announced two new social housing projects in our…
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Mr. Speaker, the government will always work with indigenous people to find the right way forward when it comes to building energy and natural resource projects. These projects can strengthen our economy, diversify our trade and build the resilience we need to face the trade war with the United States. At the same time, they can represent incredible economic opportunities for indigenous people. Th…
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Mr. Speaker, we are committed to making Canada an energy superpower, both in clean and conventional energy, while protecting our environment, including northern B.C. coasts, and respecting indigenous rights, something we did not hear in the member's elocution. So far, the government has not received a proposal for the project being referenced by the member opposite. If this pipeline is to be consi…
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Mr. Speaker, ministers could not use these provisions to exempt themselves or others from obligation under statutes such as the Conflict of Interest Act, for example. The authorities would apply it only to laws within a minister's portfolio and only for the purpose of testing and innovating under regulatory supervision. Nor is it intended to bypass important protections and lead to regulatory chan…
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Madam Speaker, the closure of a mill is difficult news for workers, their families and their communities. The federal government has come forward with supports for the sector, and we urge the provincial government to work with us, as partners, to protect these jobs. The forest sector transformation task force is right now hard at work to formulate recommendations to grow and build a new future for…
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Madam Speaker, there now seems to be a consensus in the House that we are in the middle of a trade war and that the tariffs imposed by the United States on our softwood lumber are completely unjustified. We announced $2.5 billion in support for forestry companies and workers, delivered through a single window. This includes funds for diversification and innovation, while implementing the buy Canad…
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Madam Speaker, I am a little surprised by my colleague's comments, because it is the Conservatives who are blocking the $2.5 billion in support that our government has budgeted for the forestry sector. Will the Conservatives help us pass the budget to support our forestry workers?
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Madam Speaker, we have a plan to build strong across the country, including in the forestry sector. We are going to use our wood for things like Maisons Canada and the buy Canadian policy. For that, we need to be able to implement the budget we presented. We need co-operation. When are the Conservatives going to get on board to implement the build Canada strong program?
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the mill closures are a challenge across the country, not just in British Columbia. We feel for every worker who is being impacted with that situation, as well as their families, but the reality is that we are faced with an unjustified tariff war from our neighbour to the south, which is affecting this industry and has been affecting it for many years. We have been fighting numerous t…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for making it very clear and obvious what is happening across the country, not just in his riding or in British Columbia. Resolving the trade issue is actually a challenge, just as it is in steel, in auto, in aluminum and in forestry. The challenges in forestry have been going on for many years, and we need some fundamental structural solutions to be able to strengt…
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Mr. Speaker, it is $50 million for the workers. The $500 million is actually to help companies diversify into new products and changes, which is required. The reality is that it is going to take a while to address these problems that are specific to an industry that has been affected for so long. Last but not least, we have worked with the British Columbia government, because it is also within the…
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is trying to suggest that we are not building. I would remind him that we just saw the largest private sector investment in Canada. LNG Canada shipped its first LNG to Asia. Cedar LNG is now under construction. Woodfibre LNG is now under construction. Ksi Lisims LNG is now approved, and its pipeline is now ready for construction. When Alberta's project is ready, it…
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Mr. Speaker, it is difficult news, the closure of any mill, whether it is on Vancouver Island or anywhere in the country. We have come forward with a lot of support from a financial perspective. We work with the provincial governments as partners to protect these. The Conservatives may have missed the news that we announced a forestry sector transformation task force for the industry. It has alrea…
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Mr. Speaker, the closure of a mill is difficult news, whether it is on Vancouver Island or anywhere across the country. It is difficult news for workers, their families and the community. The federal government has come forward with support for the sector. We urge the provincial governments to work with us as partners to protect these jobs—
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Madam Speaker, what happened in the member's riding is sad, but I am very confused by his position. He is the first Conservative member I have heard mention the words “climate change”. We know that the long-term strategy to fight climate change is carbon neutrality, to get to net zero, which the government is staying steadfast to meet by 2050. The proposal by the Conservatives today would be an un…
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Madam Speaker, during the last election, we made a clear promise to Canadians to make Canada an energy superpower. From day one, we have been working hard to achieve that goal, building major projects for clean and conventional energy across the country. We made that promise because Canada is a nation of builders, innovators and explorers. Whether it is the development of hydroelectric power in Qu…
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Madam Speaker, as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, I spend a lot of my time focusing on critical minerals. I therefore have the great privilege of doing most of my work with stakeholders in regions across Canada. We know that energy production and mining—
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Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleague on one point: Like him, I am a bit puzzled by the proposal before us today. However, here is where we differ a little: In my speech, I talked about clean energy and conventional energy. The government wants to do both, and we think we can do both. Naturally, however, doing both while meeting our climate change commitments will take a certain framework. My c…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as my first year in the House draws to a close, I am proud of what we have accomplished together, including presenting our first budget and supporting major projects like the Nouveau Monde Graphite mine. Now comes my first holiday as a member of Parliament. Let us just say, it is not quite what I am used to. Most years I would be home, trying and failing to get my Christmas lights to …
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Mr. Speaker, I am not going to talk about history. I am going to talk about the here and now. I would submit that the Conservative Party did not move a motion that supports the entire MOU, specifically because their caucus and even their leader, for that matter, do not support the MOU that Alberta signed, which includes strengthening industrial carbon pricing. On this side of the House, the govern…
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Mr. Speaker, Canada is in a trade war, one we did not ask for, but one which we must win. In a moment like this, we need to be united and focused on building our country up. We should not be playing partisan Conservative games. Canadians expect more from the House, and we are delivering for Canadians. That is why the federal government and Premier Smith signed and support the full memorandum of un…
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Mr. Speaker, I totally agree, and the MOU is actually to diversify our market. We totally intend to work with Alberta to give access to the Asian market. It actually is stated in the MOU. I regret to inform the member that the motion put forward does not include that portion of the MOU. We totally agree about the market, but we would like all the pieces of the MOU to be included in the motion.
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Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Humber River—Black Creek. Throughout Canada, from the far north to our urban centres and smaller communities, Canadians expect their government to show true leadership in dealing with the greatest challenge of our time, and that is climate change. Our path to prosperity, our vision for energy, the economy and security, cannot and must no…
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Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what my hon. colleague was doing during my 10-minute speech in which I talked about climate change and all the measures we included in the framework agreement we signed with Alberta. We are very proud to have persuaded Alberta to agree to diversify our conventional and clean energy sources by signing this agreement, which includes many climate change measures and related…
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Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to call attention to the last motion moved by our Conservative colleagues. This motion seeks to divide Canada. Conservative representatives from different provinces across the country support the framework agreement. We have persuaded a province that had been relatively reluctant until now to participate in our decarbonization measures and to embrace a series o…
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Mr. Speaker, I have good news for all the workers across Canada. All of the major projects we are introducing will generate good jobs for unionized workers in all trades across the country. This will move Canada forward.
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