Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of UBC student Kai Smart, whom I worked with on fundraising for mental health. On March 20, at the age of 23, Kai tragically lost his life in an avalanche in Japan. I would like to share some words written by Kai's parents, John and Julia, who said Kai was a mountain man, an explorer of the world and a lover of people from all walks of life. He was…
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Mr. Speaker, the newly announced Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon National Marine Conservation Area Reserve is a major step forward for marine conservation, indigenous stewardship and coastal communities in British Columbia. Can the Minister of the Environment tell the House how this initiative will help protect our oceans while creating benefits for local and indigenous communities?
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Mr. Speaker, today many of us in this chamber wear a vyshyvanka, a symbol of Ukrainian heritage and resilience that has endured through some of history’s darkest moments. For Ukrainian Canadians, these embroidered shirts carry identity and the stories of generations who held on to their culture through hardship and persecution. Canada is home to one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the worl…
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to mark one year since I was first elected as one of the youngest members of Parliament, born in the 21st century, to serve the people of New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville. This has been a year of collaboration, listening, learning and showing up for my community, and it is an honour of a lifetime. In my riding, I have had the privilege of working closely with familie…
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Mr. Speaker, premiers and MPs from all stripes agree the Sunrise expansion is a major step forward. It will create good jobs, strengthen Canada's energy security and see 38 first nations acquire equity stakes in the project, advancing economic reconciliation while helping us reach new markets. Can the minister speak to why this project is so important for Canadians?
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Mr. Speaker, today marks the opening of Canada summer jobs 2026, with 100,000 positions that will be posted on the job bank, which Canadians can visit on jobbank.gc.ca/youth. This is the largest number of summer job opportunities ever, with budget 2025 investing in 24,000 more jobs this summer. Can the Secretary of State for Children and Youth please explain what this investment means for young Ca…
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Mr. Speaker, there has been an outpouring of grief and support across this country following the Tumbler Ridge tragedy that occurred on Tuesday. The House has come together to honour the innocent lives lost. Can the Secretary of State for Combatting Crime please reflect on the mass shooting in B.C?
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Mr. Speaker, today B.C. is observing a day of mourning to honour the victims of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting. School should be a place where children learn about the world, a place where the biggest stress is a test they did not study enough for or when they are late for class and the bell is ringing, a place where they make friends and catch up with them every day at lunch. School should never…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life and passing of my grandfather, Jacob Sawatzky Sr., whose story embodies the very best of Canada. Born in Ukraine, he survived the Holodomor famine and Stalin's Great Terror, in which his father and many others in the family were killed. At 16 years old, he fled his village to find a new life. All he had was a bag of dry bread that his mother had given h…
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Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 proposes a measure that businesses across the country have been asking for: the productivity superdeduction. It gives companies the ability to grow, drive investment and stay competitive in a rapidly changing global market. Manufacturers want it. Clean-tech firms want it. Small and medium-sized businesses want it. They are ready to invest, but they need Conservatives to ge…
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Mr. Speaker, young people will build our future. We need them to. We do not have an option. Our country will be relying on them, so it is critical that they have the supports they need. I say to young Canadians that their voice matters and they are valued. I encourage them to be clear and organized about their priorities and to become leaders in areas they are passionate about. The young generatio…
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Mr. Speaker, last week, November 10, marked 50 years since the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, when a ship and all 29 of its crew members perished in Ontario's waters of Lake Superior. It was one of the biggest disasters on the Great Lakes. Although that happened long before I was alive, the story lives on to this day through Canadian artist Gordon Lightfoot's song, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzger…
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Mr. Speaker, November is Movember, a month for men's health awareness. We lose far too many men to suicide every year. I urge the boys and men hearing this today to take care of their health. It is easy to feel alone, but there are many people who care about them very much and they can talk to. Their existence as people is valuable. If they are ever considering self-harm, I ask them to please figh…
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Mr. Speaker, in politics it is easy to attack each other, but Canadians are tired of the divisions. We have seen where that road leads in other countries. Let us take a moment to focus on the topics we can agree on. There are many values that the Liberal Party shares with other parties. For the Conservatives, that is public safety, affordability and innovation. For the NDP, that is protecting work…
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Mr. Speaker, all communities have been impacted by the toxic drug and overdose crisis, and those in British Columbia are no exception. Earlier today, this government announced support for 40 projects in western Canada that will give communities more tools to help people struggling with addictions. Can the Minister of Health explain how this government is working with communities to fight the drug …
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Mr. Speaker, young Canadians are facing unprecedented challenges that are harmful to their mental health and well-being. Too often, the services they need are fragmented, hard to access and not designed specifically for youth. Can the Minister of Health tell us what the government is doing to ensure that young Canadians get the mental health care they need?
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the residents of New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville for placing their trust in me. I ran on a platform prioritizing mental health, and I am proud to bring that voice into Parliament. New Westminster is known as the recovery city, and one organization living that vision is Dan's Legacy, a local charity supporting at-risk youth through counselling, housing, food…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the people of New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville for the incredible work they do, both locally and globally. In my riding, I have seen organizations having a real impact, from small businesses such as Kozak Ukrainian Eatery to faith-based groups such as Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar. It is organizations like these that play a huge role in the community. Can the minister…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to talk more about affordability and the measures our government is proposing to help Canadians across the country. The past five years have seen difficult times. A global pandemic, wars and geopolitical instability have caused market crashes and strained relations between those who have historically been international allies, including our own relationship with our neighbours …
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