Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on March 8, we marked International Women's Day, a time to celebrate the achievements of women and to recommit ourselves to building a country where every woman and girl can safely reach their full potential. Gender-based violence continues to affect far too many women across Canada. In my own province of Nova Scotia and in communities across my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets, in…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am rising today to present a petition on behalf not only of my constituents but of all Canadians Petitioners call upon the government to protect Canadian media from undue foreign interference and influence, by initiating a formal review of foreign media ownership, introducing stricter rules to prevent foreign entities from holding and controlling interests in Canadian media, and req…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, advancing gender equality is key to building a strong and prosperous Canada where everyone can succeed. While the Conservatives minimize coercive control as normal family behaviour and debate 2SLGBTQI+ rights at their conventions, the government is making sure that organizations across the country have the support they need. Can the Minister of Health share how we are empowering and s…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on behalf of my constituents of South Shore—St. Margarets, more narrowly the municipality of Barrington, and for the visitors and businesses of the municipality. Petitioners are calling on the government to take immediate action to improve cellular service in their community, citing that the government needs to work closely with telecommunications pr…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche for being a rural advocate for a lot of the people here in the country. I would also like to talk today about the $20 million to the local food infrastructure fund. I wonder if my colleague could speak to that a bit more and how it aims to deliver more nutritious food to families, not only in his riding and my riding but in…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is always a joy to rise on behalf of my constituents in South Shore—St. Margarets. I am very excited today to ask my fellow colleague from Nova Scotia some questions regarding agriculture. Since becoming a new member in the spring, I have talked to a lot of agricultural stakeholders in my riding. They were asking for a lot of things, which I feel budget 2025 would deliver. Budget 2…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, as a former educator from Nova Scotia, one of the provinces that was a very early adopter of the national food program, we were feeding kids every day. I wonder if the minister could talk about that program. Also, as a rural advocate from Nova Scotia, I would ask how we are going to strengthen our supply chains as a boost and a bridge within this new programming.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as we observe Black History Month, I rise today to recognize the enduring contributions, resiliency and legacy of Black communities in Nova Scotia and across Canada. In South Shore—St. Margarets, we are home to a significant chapter in Black Canadian history. The Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown preserves the stories of the Black Loyalists, men, women and children who sough…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, when I was back home in my riding, I had many conversations with people in my community about how important the school food program was to families in my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets. Can the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature please update the House on how the government will deliver real, near-term relief for Canadians facing a higher cost of living?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I rise today in complete support of Bill C-16, the protecting victims act, and to speak about why this legislation matters so much. It is profoundly important to people in Nova Scotia and in my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets. I am also going to speak today as a former educator and high school principal. Everyone in this chamber can imagine some of the things I have seen in my r…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, As the season slowly gentles on South Shore—St. Margarets land, there is a warmth across our villages that only we understand. From Lunenburg's bright storefronts to Cape Sable Island's cold sprays, our communities shine brighter than the shortest of winter days. The lobster boats are twinkling as they head out on the dawn, and the families gently gather as the holiday lights come on.…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by acknowledging my colleague, the member for Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière, for his courage in bringing forward Bill C-231, the friends of David act. His openness in sharing his family's tragic experience reminds us that every policy discussion in this House must remain centred on real people, real families and, unfortunately, sometimes real loss. I extend my heartfelt…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an exceptional young athlete from Hubbards, 13-year-old Asher Davis. Asher has been selected to represent Canada at the inaugural Panamerican Optimist Championship in Buenos Aires next month. Out of 15 youth across the country, he is the only sailor chosen from Atlantic Canada, which is an incredible achievement and a proud moment for our community. A proud m…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I commend the work that is being done within the ministry in regard to the school food program. As many members know in this House, I was an educator for almost two decades and an administrator who helped with that program in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia was actually one of the first proponents that signed on to this national program, and it has since been an exemplar for the program. I k…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible bravery of a young constituent, Ms. Elaina Shay of Lunenburg County. On August 22, as hurricane Erin passed by Nova Scotia, Elaina and her mother were visiting Hirtle's Beach to watch the waves. What began as a calm afternoon quickly turned into sudden surges, which swept a woman off of her feet and pulled her into deep, powerful water. Without…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Spadina—Harbourfront. Today I rise to talk about my strong support for Bill C-15, the budget implementation act, and to highlight what this legislation means to the hard-working tradespeople who keep Canada moving forward every single day. The trades are not just jobs; they are the backbone of our economy, the foundation of our infrastruct…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in strong support of Bill C-234, introduced by my colleague, the member for Edmonton Manning. This legislation would establish a living donor recognition medal, a meaningful and long-overdue way to honour Canadians who make one of the most selfless decisions a human can make, the decision to give life. Today, 4,044 Canadians are waiting for a life-saving or…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, this week we are joined by over 80 outstanding educators from across Canada who are taking part in the Teachers Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy, many of whom are here today. As a former educator, I know how deeply teachers shape the minds and values of the next generation. Though I now serve in the chamber, I will always see myself as a lifelong learner, a lesson taught …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, fishing is the economic engine of my community in South Shore—St. Margarets, but many of the people in my riding are concerned about the conservation of lobster and the risks to the industry posed by illegal fishing. The fisheries officers on the front lines are doing everything they can, but it appears that illegal fishing persists. Can the minister please tell me what she has been d…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, during Women's History Month, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary female athlete from my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets, Sarah Mitton of Liverpool, Queens County, Nova Scotia. Sarah is a history-maker, one throw at a time. Born and raised in Liverpool, she has become one of Canada's greatest track and field athletes. A national champion in her junior years, Sarah burst ont…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, happy World Egg Day. It is a celebration that unites people around the globe in honour of one of nature's most perfect foods, the egg. Across Canada, more than 1,200 egg farmers work every day to produce fresh, local, high-quality eggs for families to enjoy year-round. Here in South Shore—St. Margarets, incredible producers like DeLong Farms, a third-generation farm, carry on proud fa…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what I just spoke about in my speech. It is about rebuilding that culture of trust. We can talk about the last 10 years of government or the last 10 years of this, but the bill would address recommendations that have been given to us. It is about amending the NDA to address Arbour's recommendations, which will, in turn, support victims. I look forward to your voting wi…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, good morning to my colleague. When he asks that question, I reflect back to 2021 and how the military police has been asking complainants whether they wish for their cases to be investigated in the military or through civilian police. What we have been looking at, which is part of the recommendations list, is that we need to take the two apart and have it run through our civilian just…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member about the backlog, and it is unfortunate that we even have to talk about backlog when it comes to violence of a sexual nature within the military or within civilian life. I would also like to mention that as of July 29, 2024, the military police had referred 150 case files of offences in the criminal sexual offences code to civilian police, through federal, pro…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with privilege in support of Bill C-11, an important piece of legislation that strengthens the National Defence Act, modernizes our military justice system and, most importantly, centres the rights, safety and dignity of survivors of sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces. The legislation represents another critical step in our government's ongoing work to reb…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, this October as we mark Women's History Month, I rise to celebrate an extraordinary leader from Cape Sable Island, Gail Atkinson. For more than two decades, Gail worked alongside her father, purchasing her own lobster licence and her own vessel, the Nellie Row. She went on to become one of the very few women here in Canada to captain a lobster boat. In a field that has long been male-…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former senator Donald Oliver, whom we sadly lost a couple of days ago. Known to many as Donnie, he was a trailblazer for Black Canadians and a lifelong champion for equality and justice. Senator Oliver was instrumental in the creation of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia and made history as the first Black man appointed to the Senate of Canada. H…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, as this government focuses on nation-building projects that will connect our country, trade workers will be in high demand. They need to be able to move freely and have their skills recognized across provinces and territories if we are going to deliver on building a stronger, more inclusive economy. Can the Minister of Jobs and Families update the House on how our government is workin…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and humility that I rise in the House as the member of Parliament for South Shore—St. Margarets. To stand here representing the voices, the stories and the concerns of my community is both an honour and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. My riding is a place where the ocean is not simply scenery. It is livelihood, heritage and the foundation of our com…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I think one of the most important pieces here is to realize that the Coast Guard is now going to be part of the Department of National Defence. Being part of the Department of National Defence comes with those extra measures, that extra authority and those extra bodies. It is why we are putting so much money into our Department of National Defence. Those different services and resourc…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, when you are talking about the Canada Border Services Agency, a lot of this piece we have discussed already in the House. We are going to be adding 1,000 more border patrol officers and 1,000 more RCMP officers, so there is infrastructure that we are putting in place to help support the needs in even your local communities. In terms of my local community being coastal, having the Coas…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, in terms of some of those resources, for example, I live in a coastal community where the fisheries are one of our primary industries, and sometimes we have enforcement issues. I know this summer, for the first time in decades, we had to deploy the Coast Guard to take care of some of those local fisheries issues. Having the Coast Guard there and putting some members of authority, in t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, that is a wonderful question from my colleague across the aisle. In terms of firearms, we have to remember that I grew up in a very rural area. I grew up on a farm, so when we are looking at local firearms, in my case, I have been saying this all throughout, since I was named as a member of Parliament: We have to look at the purpose of having the gun. In my case, I say the wooden hand…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, last year, our government took action. Yes, we took action to strengthen workers' rights by introducing legislation to ban replacement workers during strikes and lockouts. Can the Minister of Jobs and Families update the House on this important step for workers and collective bargaining?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I do feel that my colleague's question is quite skewed. I would like to say that the housing accelerator fund is what is putting those pipes and those lines into the ground. Talking about housing starts and housing finishes, sometimes we need the infrastructure first, which is something that we know we need in order to build all of the homes we are in need of right now. I would say th…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, tonight is my maiden speech, and it is on a topic that is the heart of many Canadian lives: housing. Some of us have mentioned this quite a bit tonight. As we consider the main estimates for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, I want to reflect not only on the numbers before us, but also on the human realities that they represent, such as families striving for stability, youn…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague across the way talked a lot about affordability and planning, so thank you for that. Tonight, you talked a lot about having choice and lots of indicators for choices we should be making. What do you feel are some of the largest indicators of affordability?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong rural advocate for South Shore—St. Margarets, and as a former educator and award-winning researcher on rural youth and development, I rise today to speak about the vital importance of rural economic development in Canada. Rural communities are not just picturesque backdrops. They are the lifeblood of this country. They are where our milk is produced, where the seafood on…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, sometimes it is the investment piece. Once we put the investment in, there is going to be buy-off at the end of the day. For us—
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I also come from a rural riding, and I have been the board chair for the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia. To answer my colleague's question, I would say that the housing accelerator fund has been a staple in our community. In addition, the affordable and non-profit housing sector in our area, and I can speak from experience, is a work in progress and is getting results. It…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as I rise today with my first member's statement, I do so with deep gratitude for the fine people of South Shore—St. Margarets. I thank them for placing their trust in me in this historic election. I want to thank my partner Ken, my daughter, the thousands of students I taught for over 17 years in my career as an educator, and my family and friends for being my rock. I also want to th…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I know a lot of my colleague's speech today was talking about planning, readiness and preparedness. It makes me think about the fires that are going on right now in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. My constituency and my riding of South Shore—St. Margarets last year had some devastating impacts from fires, both in our Tantallon area and our Shelburne regions. Therefore, my question for my c…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, last month, voters in my riding of beautiful South Shore—St. Margarets voted for change, a change to address the cost of living, which has eroded Canada's quality of life. They voted for a change that puts more money in their pockets, and they voted for change that builds a more affordable Canada. As we build the strongest economy in the G7, we need to ensure that we leave no Canadian…
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