Government Orders
Madam Chair, I would like to remind the House that during question period today, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said that additional assistance for the softwood lumber industry would be announced this week. I just wanted to point that out. My question for the parliamentary secretary is this. At the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, the CEO of Domtar said that one of the measur…
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Madam Chair, I have a comment and a question for the Leader of the Opposition. My comment is that it sounds to me as though there is selective amnesia from the Leader of the Opposition and the Conservatives, because this has been going on for 40 years. He just reminded us of one time under Prime Minister Harper, but it has really happened five times over 40 years, and this is the fifth time. There…
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Madam Chair, I just want to correct the hon. member. I may seem to have been here for only a minute in the House, as I have just been elected for the first time. However, I was in business for 40 years. I have done a lot of business with pulp and paper and the forestry industry during my career, so I understand the industry very well. Conservatives say they care. We have announced $1.25 million, i…
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Just let me finish. Madam Chair, if they are so smart and know better than we do what should happen, I have heard their comments and I would like to hear what they would offer. If the answer is that they would do a deal with the Americans, I would love to hear their strategy on how they would do a deal and what they would leave on the table and concede to the Americans in order to get a good deal.…
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Madam Chair, I agree with my colleague from the Bloc Québécois on the importance of this sector. He knows full well that the government is pulling out all the stops to find a way to help the industry. I also want to thank him for his proposal. I have two questions for him. It is clear that this could be seen as a subsidy for U.S. consumers, since Canada would be paying the tariffs in their place. …
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Mr. Chair, no matter how my colleague presents it, I believe that everyone in this House agrees that this is a terrible situation and that the impact it is having on the industry, families and workers is unfortunate. I would like to remind him of something. Perhaps the interpretation was not working earlier, but today the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources announced that additional assistanc…
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Mr. Chair, I would like to put a question to my colleague, who has a great deal of experience in the House and has been through these recent crises. What does he suggest as a long-term solution to this crisis?
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Mr. Chair, I hear the hon. member asking for action. The government is taking action. Is it perfect? Maybe it is not perfect. We are listening to the industry, but I did not hear the member suggest any solution to what we agree is a very difficult situation. If they do not want a handout and they want a deal, I would like to know what concessions they are prepared to give to the Americans to get a…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the member that there are plenty of examples. I have another one, the north coast transmission line, which has been referred to the Major Projects Office for further consideration, twinning existing transmission lines from Prince George to Terrace and up to Bob Quinn substation, enabling clean growth for critical minerals and LNG while also improving telecom and…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House of Commons, located on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people, land that reminds us daily of our duty to honour indigenous rights and reconciliation. We are committed to making Canada an energy superpower while protecting our environment, including the northern B.C. coast. It is important to clearly state that the federal governm…
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Mr. Speaker, I do not really understand the question from my Bloc colleague, because there are already three programs in place, and I just mentioned that we are planning new ones. There is a program to support businesses with wages and transformation, and others will follow.
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Mr. Speaker, I would note that this story has already been corrected. This is a commercial company-led decision and it is not final. Nutrien has said that a final investment decision will come in 2027, with any new terminal only online near the end of the decade. We will keep engaging with Nutrien and others so that Canadian options are as competitive as possible. Canada has the potash the world n…
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Mr. Speaker, we are already investing heavily to strengthen trade corridors and port-rail capacity across the country. We have all seen the major announcements in the last few days and in budget 2025, and they include major long-term projects through the national trade corridors fund. These investments are aimed exactly at improving reliability, reducing bottlenecks and keeping the value chain her…
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Mr. Speaker, the forestry industry is the lifeblood and is so important for many communities, particularly in rural areas. That is why we have already announced a series of measures: $700 million in liquidity, $500 million for transformation and $50 million for helping with salaries. We are listening to everyone in the industry. I would love to work with my colleague, because we plan on announcing…
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Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear on how important the softwood lumber industry is for this country and the government, and we will continue to support it while we navigate this. The member may not remember, but it has been more than 40 years of discussions, tariffs and all kinds of activities with the American side. He knows this is a long-term dispute, but we will support our workers and our …
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Mr. Speaker, there are some people in this House who have historical amnesia. It has been 40 years that we have had problems with the American market for forestry trade. We feel terribly sorry for the families that are affected by this. We will continue to do everything we can to support them. We are actively working on and hoping for a deal in the future with the Americans.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Beauport—Limoilou for his question. I was present at the announcement and I have met with the people of Nouveau Monde Graphite a number of times in the past. This project will provide significant economic benefits for Quebec, particularly in the battery industry. This project will be integrated with a battery material plant in Bécancour, which is also…
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Mr. Speaker, we have an incredible opportunity to be a world-leading energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy. This government was elected to deliver bold nation-building projects that strengthen our economy, reinforce Canadian autonomy and advance indigenous prosperity, while contributing to clean growth and Canada's climate objectives. Yes, friends from the Conservative Party, we …
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Mr. Speaker, we are having very productive conversations with Premier Eby about responsibly advancing major projects. By the way, B.C. has already seen the highest number of projects move forward of any province. Any additional energy infrastructure in B.C. that is approved will be considered with direct input from both the provincial government and the indigenous community.
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Mr. Speaker, softwood lumber is the lifeblood of Canada's small forestry communities, which are essential to our country's economy. We have been clear that the tariffs on softwood lumber are absolutely unjustified, and we are working at all levels to resolve the softwood lumber dispute. We have announced a number of programs, including $50 million to support employment, $500 million to make change…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for expressing himself on the budget, but I suggest he may want to stick to football as opposed to the economy as a topic. As it relates to the economy, let us talk a little about the future. I have been wrestling with all these Conservative comments. A portion of the budget is expenses and a portion is investment, and the biggest portion of the budget is in…
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Mr. Speaker, all municipalities in Quebec have just completed their municipal elections, and although the results are not yet official, I would like to warmly congratulate the new mayor of Montreal, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the newly elected borough mayors Nancy Blanchet, Véronique Fournier and Céline‑Audrey Beauregard, as well as all the newly elected officials in LaSalle, Verdun and Sud‑Ouest. I…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. We could not agree more. What is happening is unjustified; the tariffs are unjustified. Those of us on this side of the House hope we can work with him and with all members, including the 44 Liberal members from Quebec, to help our softwood lumber industry. As the minister said, $1.25 billion is already available, and we want to do even more for …
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Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleague on the opposite side in the future for the benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government is working hand in hand with our partners to identify new paths forward, support innovation and drive solutions tailored to the realities of our biofuels market. We are listening, acting and, above all, committed to building a future where Canadia…
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Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in this chamber on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people with confidence and conviction to address Canada's unwavering commitment to a more prosperous future, a future we are actively building together. Our collective efforts to advance the biofuel sector are not just about energy; they are about powering our country's economy, strengthening our sovere…
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Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate women this month, I would like to take a moment to recognize an exceptional woman in my life: my wife, Carol Anne, who is celebrating her birthday this week. For over 35 years of marriage, Carol Anne has been my rock and my inspiration. She has been right by my side for every one of my adventures, including this new one in politics. Her strength, kindness and compassio…
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Mr. Speaker, we have announced amazing programs to help the forest industry. We have $700 million to help them with liquidity, $500 million to help them with the transformation and $50 million to help workers in the industry. We will not rest until we help all of our industries affected by tariffs.
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Mr. Speaker, we have been clear that the U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber are absolutely unjustified, and we are working at every level to resolve the softwood lumber dispute. I have 40 years of experience in business, and never do I negotiate in public. That is what our Prime Minister is doing to support all of our workers.
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Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will appreciate a few examples of indigenous-owned and partly owned projects that our government helped fund. Let us start in Saskatchewan with the Bekevar Wind energy project. This is one of Canada's largest wind farms. The Cowessess First Nation is a majority owner, and it is backed by $50 million in federal support. There is also the Oneida Energy Storage project. A…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the chance to further answer her question. Today, I speak in strong support of the government's unwavering commitment to consulting with indigenous people and fostering genuine opportunities for indigenous equity in major projects. Canada stands at a pivotal moment in its journey to reconciliation, one that calls for true partnership and meaningful action. This …
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Mr. Speaker, we in this new government are working side by side with indigenous people, provinces, territories and proponents to build rapidly and build the right way. That is why with the Building Canada Act, we are creating a process that truly reflects what Canadians want and what Canadians value: efficiency, common sense and a commitment to building Canada strong. It is also what investors aro…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my hon. colleague that, thanks to the One Canadian Economy Act, voted for, I believe, with his support, we are getting projects off the ground faster. We are making Canada strong by strengthening our economy while protecting our land, our water and our people as we grow. The government's actions show exactly what kind of country we want to be: one that builds, w…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my opposition colleague for his question. As Canadians, we believe in our ability to build. We believe that hard work and vision can provide future opportunities for our children and grandchildren. Throughout our history, when faced with uncertainty, we have risen to the challenge. Today, we must demonstrate the same spirit, because the issue before us is not just about fuel. …
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Mr. Speaker, I would also like to remind the hon. member and the House that our government, alongside the B.C. government, approved the Ksi Lisims LNG project just last week. As the Prime Minister said, we are diversifying our trade partners, we are developing new industries, and we are strengthening economic activity across Canada to build the strongest economy in the G7. That is what visionary l…
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Mr. Speaker, we are retooling Canada's economy by advancing nation-building projects that will make it stronger and more competitive. This means shortening project reviews to two years and removing duplication while maintaining environmental standards and respecting indigenous rights.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. May we be guided by the wisdom of the indigenous peoples, especially their elders, who have cared for these lands for millennia. Canada is at a critical moment that is marked by global uncertainty, economic transformation and an urgent need for climate action. The choic…
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Mr. Speaker, our government is making Canada an energy superpower in clean and conventional energy. This includes increasing our export of Canadian LNG, with the lowest carbon footprint in the world, to allies who are asking for more of our energy and who share our values, not just our borders. We will advance LNG projects while protecting the environment and respecting indigenous rights. We know …
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question, which gives me a chance to talk about the progress that has been made. For the first time in Canadian history, emissions are going down, while our economy continues to grow. Emissions are down 9%, which is the equivalent of taking over 19 million vehicles off the road. Canada's emissions are now 41% lower than they would have been under Pierre Po…
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Mr. Speaker, those are both tremendous opportunities. We want to be a world leader in carbon capture, a sector that offers numerous opportunities for innovative companies across Canada.
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Mr. Speaker, a few weeks into the school year, many families in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun have been able to get off on the right foot thanks to a great outpouring of solidarity. With support from a number of community organizations, including the Centre d'aide à la réussite et au développement, or CARD, Mission Bon Accueil, and Bienvenue à l'immigrant, we have handed out several hundred backpacks full …
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Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of the parliamentary session and we head into summer, I invite all Canadians to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Verdun. Our community is offering exceptional programming, including exhibitions, workshops and outdoor concerts with artists such as Clay and Friends and Orchestre Métropolitain. Each event reflects the vibrant spirit of Verdun. I also have the gre…
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Mr. Chair, the development of critical minerals will be crucial to the Canadian economy. The entire world is searching for them, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the global supply. Considering the trade war with the United States, implementing critical mineral projects will increase our resilience and strengthen our sovereignty. Can the minister talk about the importance of critical mi…
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Mr. Chair, throughout the debate, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources has been clear that indigenous people must be consulted when it comes to energy projects, as well as projects of national significance. Can the minister explain how these estimates help advance reconciliation and support indigenous communities' participating in these energy projects and projects of national significance…
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Mr. Chair, the third question I have for the minister concerns what we can do to advance critical minerals projects. Getting new mines approved in Canada takes far too long. This inefficiency hinders critical mineral development. We know that we are working on a new, more efficient process for issuing mining permits. Can the minister give us more details on what the new Government of Canada plans …
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Mr. Chair, how will the projects be selected by the government?
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Mr. Chair, how are we going to select the projects?
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Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak to the main estimates at a pivotal moment in Canadian history. As a country, we have been at this crossroads before, at times that required more than political calculations, at times that called on us to build boldly together. We answered that call after the Second World War. We responded by connecting this vast country through the Trans-Canada Highway. Today, we a…
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Mr. Speaker, it is with humility and gratitude that I rise today for the very first time in this honourable House of Commons. I thank the people of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun for putting their trust in me. It is a great honour for me. I also want to thank my wife, Carol Anne, my team, our volunteers and my predecessors, the Right Hon. Paul Martin and the Hon. David Lametti, for their help and support. O…
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