Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I also heard some comment on the other side saying, “You are a disgrace,” to the member. I would ask that they also, whoever said that, retract that statement, because it is unparliamentary.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, 'Twas two weeks before Christmas. I still can't hold back the smile. Even we didn't believe we'd be back on this side of the aisle. Canada needed someone smart, a proven young steed. That ruled out a guy who blew a 22-point lead. The Conservatives were lost with the carbon tax dead, While visions of Trudeau on a yacht danced in their leader's head. The Bloc dreamed of kingmaking, of h…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am rising to present Petition e-6931, spearheaded by my constituent Emily McEwan-Fujita, regarding the Gaelic language and culture. The petition recognizes that Nova Scotia is the only region outside Scotland where the Gaelic language and culture remain everyday aspects of community life, and that Gaelic is a heritage language for 6 million Scottish Canadians. The petitioners also p…
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Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, the day that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a day that asks us to turn our attention to something entirely different. Instead of deals and discounts, Giving Tuesday encourages us to look around our community and ask, “How can I help today?” It is a day built on simple gestures that mean a lot: supporting a local charity, checking in on a neigh…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, Atlantic Canada is a culture of innovation, and my riding of Dartmouth—Cole Harbour is home to leading ocean technology and maritime defence researchers and innovators, many of whom are located strategically along the shores of beautiful Dartmouth Cove. These companies and partners are driving major advances in ocean tech and strengthening Canada's national defence and security. Can…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, what I took from my hon. colleague's speech was the focus on investment in our country versus expenses. He used mortgages as an example and how mortgages can be seen as an expense. Certainly, they are one of the largest investments in a Canadian's life. We hear on a regular basis from across the aisle about things like the CPP, the Canada pension plan, being a tax or a bill. How do …
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honour the life of a remarkable Nova Scotian, Peter Baylis, a man who poured his heart, his voice and his extraordinary talent into every stage he stepped onto. Peter's devotion to the arts began in the early teens; by 18, he was already woven into the fabric of Halifax's music scene. Through the 1980s he fronted Steps Around the House, and then he became the dynamic f…
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Mr. Speaker, last week in Nova Scotia, NHL star Brad Marchand showed us what real friendship and heart look like. In the middle of his NHL season, Brad came home to stand behind the bench for his lifelong friend JP MacCallum, head coach of Dartmouth's U18 major hockey team, who is facing every parent's worst heartbreak: the loss of his 10-year-old daughter, Selah, after a courageous battle with ca…
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Mr. Speaker, Canada has what the world wants and needs: the resources, ingenuity, technology and skills, to make us a clean energy superpower. Atlantic Canada is ready, willing and able. With budget 2025, we know that the government is making generational investments to ensure that our economy remains strong, focused and resilient. This historic budget will build on the work already started by the…
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Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 100th anniversary of Commissionaires, an extraordinary not-for-profit organization that has proudly served Canadians and supported our veterans for a full century. Founded in 1925 to provide meaningful employment for veterans returning from war, Commissionaires has grown into one of the largest private security employers in the country, offering thousands of good j…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dartmouth—Cole Harbour's Anne Ring, an extraordinary educator, athlete and community leader whose warmth and spirit touched all who knew her. Anne led with heart in everything that she did, from hatching chicks in her classroom for the students to empowering young minds as a beloved principal. She brought joy and creativity to learning and believed deeply in t…
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Mr. Speaker, now more than ever, it is critical to invest in Canadian industry as we rebuild Canada's national defence capabilities. For example, in my riding, Cove is leading the way in creating solutions and sustainable growth for Canada's marine and maritime sectors. Can the minister please expand on the government's plan to rebuild, reinvest in and rearm our Canadian Armed Forces?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I think we can all use a little chuckle today, so with that, I am proud to deliver this year's Liberal Christmas roast. 'Twas the week before Christmas, Conservative MPs were muzzled. Our investments in housing, Have old P.P. puzzled. Their party won't talk about foreign interference, For Christmas, will their leader get his security clearance? Dental care, child care, what more could…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, They tore up our deal. They started to gloat, But guess what happened on the next confidence vote. Supply management and seniors, the Bloc has lots to say— I don't really understand, Mr. Speaker, je ne parle pas français. To calm caucus rebels, we cut the GST, A small Christmas gift from the Liberals and me. Groceries are high. There's trouble with the mail, But we still have a chance…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate an incredible milestone for a small but mighty voice in Dartmouth: The North Dartmouth Echo. Twenty years ago, this non-profit newspaper was born out of a single but powerful vision: to amplify the good news in the community, news that too often went unheard. Since then, The Echo has become a beacon of positivity, staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers. The…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, the Halifax regional municipality is on the front lines when it comes to responding to the housing crisis. That is why last year we announced an $80 million federal housing investment in HRM to unlock nearly 9,000 homes over the next decade. Last week, the Conservative leader announced his plan to shut down homebuilding in HRM and across the country by making dangerous cuts to feder…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, pharmacare matters to my constituents in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, and I will never stop advocating for national pharmacare. I do not believe that anyone should have to choose between paying their rent and paying for the prescription drugs they need. That is why we have laid a strong framework and launched the first phase of our plan. Cost is one of the biggest barriers for women to acc…
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Madam Speaker, Nova Scotians are smart, passionate, hard-working people. Nova Scotians are seizing our strong winds, turning them into big revenue that will drive our economy and produce good jobs for generations to come. Unlike the Conservatives, we believe that Nova Scotians should reap the rewards of the multi-trillion dollar offshore wind and clean hydrogen industries. That is why the passage …
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Madam Speaker, the Halifax Regional Municipality is home to a thriving maritime defence industry, Fleet Week, the Halifax International Security Forum and, of course, our Atlantic navy fleet. In Dartmouth—Cole Harbour alone, we are home to a thriving defence innovation ecosystem, including the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship and hundreds of start-ups and established companies workin…
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Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives attempt to block energy jobs from Nova Scotians and stand against prosperity for Atlantic Canada, our Liberal government is working hard to reduce energy costs while ensuring good jobs for Nova Scotians today and into the future. Can the Minister of Energy inform this House of our plan to protect Nova Scotians from an expensive power rate increase?
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Mr. Speaker, Canada's border services employees deliver important services that ensure Canadians are safe, secure and have timely access to goods coming from other countries. It is no secret that Canada's public servants have seen previous Conservative governments cut their jobs and cut services instead of giving them the respect they deserve by reaching deals at the table that are fair for them a…
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Mr. Speaker, my hometown of Dartmouth rests on the shores of Halifax harbour, on beautiful Dartmouth Cove. Two years ago, a proponent applied to use Dartmouth Cove as a dump for pyritic slate from construction sites to infill nearly seven acres of this cove, a cover where important marine research and activities take place and where evidence clearly shows that fish and other species are flourishin…
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Mr. Speaker, May 12 was international myalgic encephalomyelitis awareness day. I would like to acknowledge the approximately two to three million Canadians now living with this debilitating illness. ME, formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is a devastating, chronic, complex, multi-system illness. It occurs in children, adolescents and adults of all ages and backgrounds, and three-quarters o…
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Mr. Speaker, I believe that no one in this country should ever spend their days in pain because they cannot afford to see a dentist. Oral health is health. I heard from seniors in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour that the new Canadian dental care plan is going to make a real difference in their quality of life, yet the Conservatives just do not care. The Conservatives voted against dental care for Canadians…
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Mr. Speaker, I am rising to recognize and honour my good friend and former parliamentarian from Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, the three-term Mayor of Halifax, Mike Savage. Mike is known as a leader who can work with any order of government, no matter the political stripe, to get things done. When I served with him as a municipal councillor and his deputy mayor, I appreciated how open and accessible he w…
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Mr. Speaker, “If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.” Rick Howe, Nova Scotian broadcasting legend, the voice of Nova Scotia, has passed away at the age of 69. Rick was funny, energetic, outspoken, entertaining, kind and brutally honest. It was clear that he loved the medium of radio so much. In turn, Nova Scotians loved him, tuning in for almost 50 years: same bat time, same bat chan…
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Mr. Speaker, 'Twas the week before Christmas and I must admit, Thirty hours was a long time to sit. But Liberals prevailed on behalf of the masses, While Tories stepped back and sat on their hands. On the other side we witness a continuing saga. Diefenbaker's party looks much more like MAGA. I know they have been challenged by a leader's swinging door, But they think they have struck gold with lea…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as this vote concerns funding for the new 988 suicide crisis line, I would respectfully ask for a recorded vote so that we can see which members in the House truly support 988.
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Mr. Speaker, Nova Scotia lost one of its own yesterday. Myles Goodwyn of Canada's legendary band April Wine has passed away. For decades, Myles and April Wine have ruled the airwaves in Canada. Not a day goes by that Canadian radio does not play their classics. A proud Nova Scotian and Waverley boy, Myles and his band regularly crossed Canada coast to coast to coast, playing high schools, rinks, a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Madam Speaker, on this World AIDS Day, ensuring that Canadians have access to testing and treatment for HIV is a top priority for our government. That is why we recently announced nearly $18 million in funding to make decentralized forms of HIV testing, including HIV self-test kits, more widely available across Canada. HIV self-test kits are helpful in reaching those who are undiagnosed, by offeri…
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Madam Speaker, December 1 marks World AIDS Day and the beginning of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week. During this time, we remember those we lost to HIV and show our support for those living with it by raising awareness, increasing our knowledge and working to end discrimination surrounding HIV. This year's theme, “Let communities lead”, is a reminder to listen to communities as we work to end the s…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, this week marks National Pain Awareness Week, a time to raise awareness about chronic pain, the severe impact it has on people's lives and the resources available to support those living with pain. One in five Canadians suffers from chronic pain, a health condition with major impacts on physical and mental health. When pain goes unmanaged, it can have a significant effect on a person'…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, since 2017, guided by the Canadian drugs and substances strategy, CDSS, the Government of Canada has taken a comprehensive approach to address substance use issues and the overdose crisis, supported by over $1 billion in spending. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to prevent or reduce overdose deaths; a full range of services and supports are needed. Safer supply sits within a co…
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Mr. Speaker, we are making sure that the collective bargaining process is as free and fair as it can be. We have wrapped up consultations, and we are going to take the feedback that we received from unions, employers and indigenous groups to inform legislation, to be tabled by the end of this year. This is the latest evolution in policy to protect the collective bargaining process. We need to stri…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, that is a very serious question. Since 2016, the government has had the view that we need a comprehensive, collaborative and evidence-based substance use policy with harm reduction and treatment as the key part. This is a public health issue, not a criminal one, and it must be addressed alongside well-trained, monitored and resourced public safety components. People who are struggling…
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Mr. Speaker, we want to save people money and fight climate change at the same time. We know that a price on pollution reduces emissions and puts more money in the pockets of middle-class families. We also know that many families who use home heating oil in Atlantic Canada are having trouble making the switch to a cleaner and cheaper source of heat, particularly in rural communities. It is a switc…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join the second reading debate of Bill S-205, an act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another act. I am pleased to reiterate the government's support for Bill S-205. This legislation has the important goal of better protecting victims of intimate partner violence. In light of last week's tragic instance of intimate partner violence i…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, I am rising to honour an outstanding individual from my riding, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour's Leo MacKenzie. Leo spent the past 40 years working with the non-profit Regional Residential Services Society in support of adults with intellectual disabilities, and he spent the last 14 years helping his friends on Hilton Drive live their best lives while supporting the amazing work of Better T…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for his passion on this topic. I have spoken to him several times already since I started in this role, and I can only learn from this member and continue to appreciate his passion and knowledge on this topic. This toxic drug and overdose crisis is having a tragic and unrelenting toll on Canadians, their families and communities, and the member knows this.…
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Madam Speaker, I agree, and we do know that substance abuse is an extremely complex issue. Discrimination and trauma can place individuals at an increased risk for substance use harms. We are focused on improving the availability and accessibility of a range of services and supports as a means to address the overdose crisis. This complex issue calls for a comprehensive and integrated response, as …
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Mr. Speaker, whether people are in my home riding of Dartmouth—Cole Harbour or in any town in any city across Canada, young entrepreneurs are taking their smart ideas and turning them into viable businesses. For over 25 years, Futurpreneur has assisted over 17,000 entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 launch new businesses in communities from coast to coast to coast. It has even helped launched one of Canad…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, this evening, I am pleased to speak about the procurement process in the federal government. This is a process that is run by a professional, non-partisan public service that Canadians can be proud of. Canadians can rest assured that public servants are held to the highest standards when they enter into contracts. Canadians can also be assured that public servants are guided by best…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I can assure the member that under the directive on the management of procurement, as I said, professional, non-partisan public servants must maintain the integrity of the procurement process. Departments must obtain the best value in their procurement decisions, which has been redefined by our government to allow a comprehensive assessment of socio-economic and environmental return…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, May is National Physiotherapy Month; it is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the incredible work physiotherapy professionals do to improve the health of Canadians. This year's focus is on pain management and rehabilitation. Nearly eight million people are affected by chronic pain in Canada. In recent years, the convergence of the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have in…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Chair, I want to take a moment, if I could, to ask the minister a question. First of all, I wanted to thank the minister for the rapid housing investment. We have seen great successes with the RHI in Halifax and in the Dartmouth area. I have spoken to the mayor, Mayor Mike Savage, in Halifax, and no one really and truly knows more about what to do with the housing money than the municipalities…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I first met the member when I was moving a bill through the House of Commons, Bill S-211, on sickle cell awareness. I know she cares. She is a good MP, and she cares about people. She talks about supporting seniors, yet Bloc members have voted against seniors in the House for years. They voted against taking the age of eligibility for retirement benefits from 67 to 65 years of age. Th…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to participate in the second reading debate on Bill C-319. I would like to thank the member for Shefford for sponsoring this bill. Private members' bills play an important role in focusing parliamentary attention on issues of concern to Canadians. Last spring, for instance, we had bills on mandatory immunization, employment insurance for adoptive parents, sc…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I would be pleased to offer the opportunity to chat in a sidebar with that member at any time on any type of advocacy for seniors in Canada. The Government of Canada continues to do more to support seniors, including older women. Please allow me to provide members, once again, with a snapshot of what a 76-year-old woman in British Columbia, with a maximum GIS entitlement, could now …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I think the member probably should have had some prepared comments, because everything he just spouted was basically wrong. There is no carbon tax in Nova Scotia yet and there is no price on pollution in Nova Scotia yet. How can he be speaking to constituents in Halifax and Dartmouth about the impact of something that does not exist? However, I will move along. It is hard to dot an …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, emissions are coming down. The economy and the environment do go hand in hand. Climate change is a huge issue but a massive opportunity. I will take no lessons from the member and the party across the way.
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