Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, February 2026 is the 30th anniversary of Black History Month. This year's theme is the legacy of generations over time. Fittingly, I wish to acknowledge the role of Althea Seaman, who was born in Dominica. She was truly a pioneering member of Laval's Black community. She belonged to one of the first families to settle in our region in the 1970s. In 1983, Ms. Seaman founded the Ville L…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the extraordinary work being done in my riding of Laval—Les Îles by Linda Delisle. Life is a river filled with many explorers and many foundering souls. Sometimes we are lucky enough to encounter someone with a pure heart, a life raft we can cling to. Ms. Delisle is one of those people. Under her leadership, the Manoir du Ruisseau has…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, to strengthen our Canadian identity, we need to help more people discover the places, stories and landscapes that define us. From national museums to parks and historic sites, these shared spaces remind us of who we are. For many families, every outing counts in the budget. Can the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages elaborate on h…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Quebec runs its own carbon pricing system that has been effective in reducing pollution. Today, the Bloc Québécois is asking the federal government for a rebate, even though Quebec decided not to participate in the federal carbon pricing system. Essentially, the Bloc Québécois wants to have it both ways. Can the Minister of Environment and Climate Change tell the Bloc Québécois the tr…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a peculiar contradiction in Canadian politics. For years, the Conservative leader and his party have been lecturing Canadians on the virtues of tax cuts. However, when this government proposes a significant GST cut to put more money in families' pockets, what do the Conservatives do? They vote against it. It is like a chef turning their nose up at their own …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, we have gathered together today to pay tribute to a man whose commitment, wisdom and determination have marked not only this institution, but also Quebec and our entire country. I thank my friend, my colleague, the member for Honoré-Mercier. He has dedicated many years of his life to serving our fellow Canadians. His career is a shining example of what the word “devotion” truly means.…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship presented the 2025-27 immigration levels plan. This plan responds directly to the changing needs of our country. We know that immigration can be a powerful tool for ensuring the vitality of francophone communities outside Quebec. Can we have an update on our government's efforts to support immigration outside Quebec?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the fight against foreign interference is a priority for our government and for Canadians. Canadians deserve leaders who will take the necessary measures to protect them. However, the Conservative leader is choosing to make excuses to avoid his responsibilities and refusing to get his top secret security clearance. Can the Prime Minister explain why it is important for the Conservativ…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, for more than eight months, I, with the government and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, appealed to all Canadian Lebanese who were in Lebanon to leave and to come back. We asked Canadian Lebanese in Canada not to go to Lebanon. For eight months, they did not listen to us. Nonetheless, now we are doing our best. We are reserving seats on commercial planes, trying to help them co…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, my colleague's question touches my heart. If we watch the news, we see that in Israel there are daily demonstrations, sometimes with hundreds of thousands of people, against the government, asking it to make a deal to free the hostages and to make peace. We see that on both sides. I can assure my colleague that Lebanese people have the same feeling. Lebanese people do not want war. …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Mount Royal. I rise in this House to talk about the situation in Lebanon. As we know, Lebanon is the country of cedars, often referred to as the “Switzerland of the Middle East”. Lebanon is a founding member of the United Nations and was represented at the time by Charles Malik within that organization. It is a country of builders and an…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Lebanon is bleeding. The entire country is currently in an intensive care unit. The population of the country appeals to the international community to intervene, put an immediate end to the hostilities and save civilian and innocent lives. Every human being has the right to live in dignity, irrespective of their corner of the globe. Killing innocent civilians is unacceptable on both …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Canada is facing an existential crisis due to climate change. Older generations are asking what we can do to preserve and maintain prosperity for the next generation, while young people everywhere are worried about their own future. Can the Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry update the House on the government's plans for harnessing the technology sector in order to create t…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, women are the driving force behind the economy. We have to give women even more tools to pursue their dreams, succeed and achieve their full potential. It is not just the right thing to do, it makes good economic sense. Can the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages tell the House what the government is doing to improve the lives of Canadian women workers…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, we are well aware that the situation in the Middle East is very dangerous. The higher the military tension, the greater the possibility of a regional and even international conflict. Canada is known as a country of peace. It was Canada that created international peacekeeping forces. What does my colleague think that the Canadian government can do to advance peace and stability in th…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim and Abou Fayssal, a Lebanese businessman who helms an association of industrialists from Zahlé and the Beqaa, are leading humanitarians in their country. These men care about the environment. They have planted 128,000 trees for the sole purpose of protecting the environment, and they will continue to do so. Philanthropists dedicated to providing humanitarian ass…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz is a prominent figure for all Lebanese people, and especially for Maronite Christians around the world. He was elected General President of the Maronite Order in July 2022. He is proficient in several languages, including Arabic, French, English, Italian, Spanish and German. He has published several books and articles on biblical interpretation. Father Had…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, during the pandemic, we reached a historic agreement with Moderna to create life-saving vaccines in Laval. Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry tell us how the work on this facility is progressing and what it means for jobs, growth and the success of Canada's biomanufacturing sector?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, since 2015, the government has made the development of the battery sector a priority and we are seeing results, with hundreds of millions in investments in thousands of well-paying jobs that have been created. Can the Prime Minister inform the House of the progress on this file?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, as Quebeckers and Canadians, we are proud of our culture, our French language and our commitment to protecting the environment for future generations. In the face of Conservative policies that would send us back to the Stone Age, can the Quebec lieutenant and Minister of Transport tell us what initiatives the government is taking to safeguard and enhance our commitments to the environ…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, my riding of Laval—Les Îles has the largest Armenian community in Canada. Many of my constituents are very concerned about the humanitarian crisis caused by Azerbaijan's most recent military operations. How can the new Canadian embassy in Yerevan, opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, help to strengthen and enhance ties between Canada and Armenia and resolve the conflict in the l…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, at a time when fighting climate change is a priority, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are calling for concrete action concerning the development of new technology. Can the Prime Minister tell the House what the government is doing to promote the growth of green industries not only in Canada, but also in Quebec?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, many people in my riding, Laval—Les Îles, have shared their concerns with me about the rising cost of living when it comes to the price of groceries and housing. Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry inform the House of the measures the government has taken to make life more affordable for Canadians?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Canada is a welcoming place where people are free to explore their unique talents and vision of the world. Fred Jalbout is the embodiment of a dreamer. His relentless work has earned him success and several Guinness world records. As co-founder and CEO of SACO, his environmentally friendly LED lighting company, he now collaborates with world-renowned performers like Céline Dion, Elton…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration relating to Bill S-245, an act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians). The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, after weeks of study, but mostly obstruction, by the Conservative Party, we have finally reached the clause-by-clause study of the budget implementation bill. This is one more step towards being able to provide the support that the people in my riding and across Canada need. Could the Prime Minister tell us more about the importance of passing the budget implementation bill as quickly…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, forests and trees purify the air that we breathe, improve water quality, promote biodiversity and help cool down our urban centres. Their ability to capture and store carbon is an effective natural way to combat climate change. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Climate Change tell the House what the government is doing to promote and support new tree planting projects…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I was born in Lebanon and I came to this country at the age of 20. I met many people, including some who came to Canada with me and did not speak a word of French. After a few months and a great deal of work and effort, they learned French. Like me, they graduated from a French-language university. Now they contribute, in every sense of the word, to our Quebec and Canadian society. …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his outstanding speech. To address the labour shortage, we need a responsible, professional, robust and ambitious immigration system. Without such a system, how can we make Canada a prosperous country with a steadily growing economy to create jobs for Canadians? How can we make this beautiful country one of the great nations of the world?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his speech. I can say that the worst thing that could happen to Canadians is a Conservative government. I would like to ask my hon. colleague, who attacked this government, why he and his party vote against every bill that is good for Canadians. Take help for seniors, for example, or reducing the retirement age from 67 to 65. Then there was the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I would ask my colleague to tell Canadians and particularly our friends on the other side about the important projects that this government has achieved for Canadians, particularly with day care, helping the middle class, fighting climate change, infrastructure projects and helping refugees. Those are things that Canadians must know this government has done for Canadians in general.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, this morning, our government tabled the budget implementation act, an essential legislative measure to support a strong working class, an affordable economy and a healthy future. Could the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance tell the House about some of the important measures this bill would introduce?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, financial assistance from the Government of Canada is available across the country. Budget 2023 proposes new investments to ensure Canadians can count on fast measures and tangible services from the federal government and receive the benefits to which they are entitled. The Government of Canada will always ensure that Canadians have that right.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I can assure my colleague that this government's approach to providing support for Canadians across the country is very clear. Let us first talk about the grocery rebate, which will help 11 million low- and modest-income individuals. For example, a couple with two children will receive up to $467, a single person without children will receive up to $234, and seniors will receive $22…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I can say that there is no deficit in Canada. Our position is that we are investing in the well-being of Canadians. Let us take the pandemic as an example. This government helped all Canadians from coast to coast to coast, so it is an investment. If we abandoned Canadians during the hard times, like the pandemic was, half the country could go bankrupt. The Canadian government did no…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the hon. member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill. We are entering an age of uncertainty, shrouded in secrecy and danger. Since 1989, some political thinkers have seen in liberal democracy the spirit of an unstoppable force that would conquer the entire world and bring prosperity, spiritual and material well-being, and safety to one and all. It was t…
Read full speech →Private Member's Business
Mr. Speaker, during the vote on Bill S‑224, I had a technical problem that lasted a few minutes and resulted in a voting error. I am requesting unanimous consent to allow me to change my vote to vote for the bill.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the French language is one of our country's treasures. It is the key to understanding the rich and diverse communities found throughout the world and here in Canada. French is spoken from Whitehorse to Laval, from Gaspé to Isle Madame, off Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Could the Minister of Official Languages tell the House about the measures our government is taking to protect French a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, this government has made significant efforts to recognize historic wrongs and the criminalization of vulnerable communities across Canada. Today, as part of those efforts, the government reaffirmed its commitment to all women and the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities by adding several offences to the list of those eligible for expungement. Can the Minister of Public Safety inform the House of th…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened by yesterday's tragedy in Sainte-Rose, Laval. St. Augustine defined the nation as a multitude of rational beings, united by the objects of their love. This is a dark time for Laval, for Quebec and for the entire country. We are here, we stood with you yesterday, we stand with you today, and we will stand with you tomorrow. I want to thank all the first responders …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, as we know, the Indo-Pacific is of critical importance to Canada, including for economic growth and resiliency. Enhancing Canada's presence in the region means creating new economic opportunities and good jobs for Canadians. For the benefit of the House and Canadians, can the Prime Minister elaborate on our government's historic investments to increase Canada's presence in the Indo-Pa…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today, Lebanon, the country of cedars, is celebrating the 79th anniversary of its independence. The difficult and fateful history of this small country, which can trace its roots to several civilizations, and the richness of its culture make Lebanon a gem of the Middle East to which I am deeply attached. Lebanon is a symbol of resilience, community and diversity. I invite colleagues t…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, darkness stumbled upon our community last week, on November 5, as we lost Mr. Dennis Marinos. Mr. Marinos worked tirelessly for 27 years to help other people as a pioneer in volunteer jobs, as congresses, councils, associations and committees no longer had secrets for him. At a time when we take democracy for granted, Mr. Marinos served as a shining example of democratic spirit, and h…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, all Canadians deserve a healthy environment and safe communities. Since the Canadian Environmental Protection Act was last reformed 20 years ago, chemicals have come to play an increasingly bigger part in our daily lives and our economy. To keep everyone safe, Canada needs an environmental protection act that addresses the problems of the 21st century with the help of modern science. …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, our colleagues on the other side are trying to blast this government by suggesting it is not helping Canadian citizens. I would like to remind all of them that once the COVID-19 pandemic started, the government took care of every single Canadian from coast to coast to coast and took care of every business in Canada to help people confront the pandemic and live in decency. Regarding th…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the G7 culture ministers concluded their first meeting to discuss issues and challenges related to culture and media. This was a very important meeting, allowing the G7 countries to work together to protect and promote our cultures and democracies. Could the Minister of Canadian Heritage tell us how Canada is a world leader on these issues?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the G7 culture ministers concluded their first meeting to discuss issues and challenges related to culture and media—
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Quebeckers want to know what the government is doing for them. Once again this week, we see that our Bloc colleagues are trying to find fault where there is none by claiming to defend the interests of Quebec. On this side, there are 35 Liberals from Quebec who are working tirelessly to get things done for Quebec and Quebeckers. Can the Prime Minister update the House on how this gover…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay tribute to a dear friend and a pillar of the Montreal community who passed away recently. François L'Heureux was a highly respected lawyer and a well-known, passionate activist in our great Quebec nation. François was a very caring husband to his beloved wife, Marie, as well as a devoted father to his sons, Philippe and Marc, who are both living with a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the situation in Afghanistan is dire. For the year 2022, the United Nations estimates that 24 million people inside Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance. This represents half of the population. The rise to power of the Taliban has made the humanitarian crisis much more important, especially for women and girls who are the primary victims of this situation. Can the Minister of I…
Read full speech →