Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Guelph's newest Nobel laureate, economist Dr. Peter Howitt. Born and raised in Guelph, he earned the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics for his groundbreaking model of creative destruction, developed with Philippe Aghion. Dr. Peter Howitt's path began at Victory Public School and then Guelph CVI, amazingly the same path as Dr. Donna Strickland, 2018 Nobel laureate in ph…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, there is good news, because tomorrow, the federal budget will tell us more about investments in major projects in this country. The strategic response fund is helping to sustain important industries in Canada in the face of U.S. tariffs. We have ambitious trades and re-skilling funds, as well as the foreign credentials recognition fund. With respect to homes, I am looking forward to…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, the federal government has announced it is going to bring in automatic tax filing. It has programs for trades and significant investments for young people in trades. There is the Canada summer jobs program. We would lower the basic income tax level by 1%, and waive the GST for first-time homebuyers if we could get to the debate on Bill C-4. I wonder if my colleague wants to talk a b…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition on behalf of residents of Guelph and Wellington County, Ontario. The petitioners are concerned that Canada may fall behind in the production of affordable, Canadian-made, battery-electric light-duty vehicles. They call upon the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy to designate the mass production of affordable, Canadian-made, batt…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we have had these ongoing questions. I was a member of city council for six years before; crime in the community, as well as community safety more broadly, is clearly an issue. I quoted a member of the police association in my remarks. I do not want to take the chief out of context, but their police association welcomes the legislation.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak to the bail and sentencing reform act, one of the most comprehensive updates to Canada's bail and sentencing laws in decades. I have the privilege of representing one of Canada's safest communities, with an overall crime severity index that is the sixth-lowest among Canadian cities. It is an improvement from our ranking as eighth-lowest in 2023 and a dramatic …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, clearly, the legislation came about through extensive consultation with the provinces. They will understand what the impacts of the legislation would be. They are responsible for the administration of justice, so I think that we, and all citizens, can expect investments in courthouses, not only in the physical structures but also the staffing, detention centres and mental health facil…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would remind the House that we are here to celebrate the contribution of the provinces and the federal government. We are working together to ensure that the justice system serves communities and to improve the justice system in Canada and Quebec. I have confidence in the work of the members of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. They will be able to call on a number…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I am a new MP here. I have been here about six months. I can tell members that the Guelph Police Service does an extraordinary job in the community and in its advocacy. What is the point, really, of looking back? Here we are today, having heard the feedback of a number of speakers who are experts in this field, who have provided 80 targeted measures. Here we are today. I am happy to h…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, visiting Ottawa today are two remarkable individuals who founded the University of Guelph's serving scholars program: Dr. John Walsh and Lieutenant Darren Sargent of Guelph's 11th Field Artillery Regiment. For eight years, the serving scholars program has provided academic accommodations and experiential learning opportunities while fostering a campus culture that values military serv…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the city of Guelph is one of the most vulnerable to the U.S. tariffs that are hurting our industries. However, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been telling us for several months that countertariffs are not necessarily the best way to protect our industries, which employ all these people in my city and in my colleague's city. We need to look at the bigger picture. We have an infla…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Berthier—Maskinongé. I am very pleased to participate in today's debate. Our government is well aware of the fact that many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. They have a lot of bills to play, housing is expensive and it costs a lot to buy groceries to feed their families. However, this is something that is happening around the wo…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the fact is that there is absolutely food inflation, but what is driving some of this food inflation? There are supply chains, climate change and lobbyists for Loblaws, which was caught price fixing. We need to look at what is happening on a global scale. We need to tackle the issues we can tackle. We are doing that. We are investing in Canadians. We are investing in industry. I invit…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we have to look at Canada in a global context. Are there things that could be going better? Absolutely, but Canada has the second-largest foreign-investment-stock-to-GDP ratio among the G20 nations. In 2024, we had a record of foreign direct investment in Canada of $85.5 billion, which was up 36% from 2023. Are things rosy? No, but how about bringing back rent control in Ontario? How …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, kwe kwe, ullukkut, taanishi. I acknowledge that we are gathered today on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people, whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. I also acknowledge that I represent the riding of Guelph, which is located on the traditional territory of the Attiwonderonk and Haudenosaunee peoples and that the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we enshrined in Bill C‑5 respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and extensive consultations with first nations, who are the rights holders in these areas. The creation of this agent of Parliament position, which we are proposing today, also includes a review by indigenous peoples after five years and after seven years. This would help ensure that indigenous peoples are satisfied…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the language being used in this context, frankly, is offensive. What we are trying to do is show transparency and accountability on treaty obligations. It is long overdue. Indigenous partners have been asking for this for 20 years. The consultations have been extensive. We are going to meet our responsibilities to the United Nations and to all our treaty partners.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate my colleague's clarification. Let me be clear: The commissioner could do reviews, audits and briefings to see how government programs are working and share what they find with ministers, indigenous partners and Parliament, including members opposite. Earlier in this conversation, one of the members opposite said that we could do this in question period. How many qu…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, this summer I had the pleasure of meeting Guelph's own Navika Renganathan at the Royal City Masters chess tournament held at the University of Guelph. Navika has already accomplished what many dream of. She is the reigning Canadian youth chess champion and is already representing Canada on the international stage. Here is the remarkable part: Navika is eight years old. Her achievement…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my colleague, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry. I wonder if he wants to confirm that rising food prices are a global phenomenon driven by a number of factors like tariffs, the supply chain and especially climate change. Does it make any sense to remove environmental regulation that seeks to temper that climate change as a driver…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his acknowledgement of the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag. I am a proud Franco-Ontarian, and I can tell my colleagues that we are celebrating today in Guelph and across Ontario. I really care about the French language and culture. As members know, Guelph is also a major agricultural centre. I invite my colleagues to come visit and see the eco-pac…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, even with Canada's success in negotiating new trade deals around the world, efforts to secure a new agreement with the U.S., and the launch of major projects, the unjustified U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos are hurting businesses of all sizes, including manufacturing and agri-food in my riding of Guelph. Will the minister responsible for FedDev please outline which new progr…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on August 16, Guelph General Hospital celebrated 150 years of service to Guelph and Wellington County. What began with just 12 beds and three nurses has grown into a cornerstone of care for more than 200,000 people in our region. Through its expansions and innovations over the years, Guelph General Hospital has always shown an unwavering commitment to care for the patients and familie…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would first congratulate the member for Huron—Bruce on his re-election. I love to hear Conservatives talk about how we get to yes, including recycling not just of electric vehicles but, hopefully, of all vehicles. I want to recognize that new hybrid models would still be available for sale after 2035, and the purchase of used gas-powered vehicles is not prohibited, so we are working…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, all Canadians are going to be looking to their provinces to continue to lead on eliminating interprovincial trade barriers. Leadership does not just come from this place. We are showing leadership federally in eliminating interprovincial federal trade barriers. We are seeing leadership from the provinces on major unprecedented projects. Every Canadian should be looking to their provin…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, we are in the midst of a crisis the likes of which Canada has rarely seen in the past 50 years. Leadership means having a clear vision and moving swiftly to implement measures that will protect Canadians. The bill lays out the role of the minister who is responsible for making decisions and who is also responsible for consulting with provincial counterparts, indigenous communities and…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, for farmers and farm product processors, removing interprovincial barriers is really essential for marketing new products. One very simple example comes to mind. A product that is certified organic in Manitoba should be certified organic across Canada without having to go through the process all over again. We are trying to allow marketing and open up new markets to give our producers…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I think we saw, at the first ministers' conference just last week, the Prime Minister engaging with very enthusiastic premiers, who have presented their ideas for nation-building projects. That is where the conversation begins. How that will now be assessed based on the five criteria remains to be seen, and we are going to see that pan out in the regulation.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as a new MP in a new government with a new Prime Minister, in a very new Canadian and global context, I am very pleased to share my enthusiasm for the one Canadian economy act, an act to enact the free trade and labour mobility in Canada act and the building Canada act. The act aligns with the goals outlined in the throne speech two weeks ago, namely, to affirm our sovereignty, protec…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, last week, the government introduced the one Canadian economy legislation. The bill removes federal internal trade barriers and advances national interest projects, providing a framework to strengthen the Canadian economy. Can the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade share what she has heard from Canadians about this very important bill?
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I welcome the hon. member opposite, and congratulations on your election. I can hear in your voice the genuine concern for the people in your riding, so I am wondering this: Will you join municipal councils and other people in this province to call on the province to increase ODSP rates and Ontario Works rates, to build affordable housing, to scrap the removal of rent control, to hire…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your new role. I will be sharing my time with the member for Egmont. It is with tremendous humility and gratitude that I rise to speak for the very first time in this chamber, thanks to the confidence afforded to me by the wonderful people of the city of Guelph. I first want to thank all my volunteers, especially Guelph's own, the legendary Pat Sorbara, who served a…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the comment because it is a reflection I have had a number of times over the past few days. We want the federal government to do more to support people. We want to achieve $10-a-day child care. We want to do more on climate action, and there is going to be an expense to that. The beauty, though, is when we invest in projects, we are going to generate new …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians understand that we are functioning within a global context and that most of the issues we are facing are much more complex than a simple slogan can address. If we look at the record of the previous Liberal government, it did a lot to support families, like through the Canada child tax benefit and by lifting hundreds of thousands of seniors out of poverty by bringing …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Mr. Speaker, first of all, we have to acknowledge that it is devastating for anyone who is living through these forest fires and having to evacuate their home. My heart is with the people in all areas affected by the fires. In an emergency, people really need local, reliable information so they know where to go to get help. Can the member opposite tell us and the folks who are listening what the m…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I, my colleagues, this government, most provinces and every municipality are 100% committed to seeing more homebuilding so that we can address the housing crisis.
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, my daughter is studying environmental sciences. We are really excited about the promise of a green energy and conventional energy superpower. We are in a transition period, which means several things. We will certainly promote clean energy and study the best options available in the current context for the provinces concerned.
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