Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, it always astounds me when members stand up in the House and have absolutely no clue about what they are talking about on the ground. The member opposite talked about past housing projects. Through the housing accelerator fund, $93.5 million went to the City of Hamilton. That was used to build nearly 3,000 additional homes and housing units and for building growth-related infrastructu…
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite quoted some lyrics from The Offspring, which I really appreciated. It is also a band from my youth. I am going to quote some lyrics from another band, a hometown band from Hamilton called the Arkells, and its song about cynical people. It goes: If you're the kind with nothing to say, You heard about this party, But you're praying for rain. Now, if you want me to bo…
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Mr. Speaker, once again, I appreciate the comments from the member for Newmarket—Aurora. I genuinely appreciate the experience that she brings to the House. The member spoke about productivity, competitiveness and the need for economic growth, which we are very much aligned on, and also the need to work together and the importance of our Canadian democratic institutions. My question to the member …
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Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate the general acknowledgement that high-speed rail is a positive thing for Canada as a nation-building exercise, as a transportation corridor and as an economic building opportunity to use Canadian steel, Canadian labour and Canadian skilled trades. I really take to heart his comments about the impacts on the communities he represents. I have worked in construction f…
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Mr. Speaker, for a moment there, I thought I was back on Hamilton city council on the planning committee. Every single time a project comes forward, we hear the exact same rhetoric from retail politicians who want to stand in the way because it is politically expedient. Every single industrialized economy in the world, except for maybe the U.S., whether it is Europe, China or Japan, has a high-spe…
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Mr. Speaker, I think if Canadians wanted to understand exactly why the Conservative Party lost a 25-point lead in the last election, they could look at the member's speech here this afternoon. Even in Alberta, recent polling is showing a tightening and Liberals being competitive in ridings such as the riding of the member opposite. I do not know if there is anything that they will bring to the tab…
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Madam Speaker, it is very good this morning to hear the comments from the members opposite and their new-found respect for treaties and also for reconciliation. I am just wondering how the member opposite would reconcile that with the comments from her leader that the federal government should override indigenous rights in order to get pipelines built, regardless of the objection of those rights h…
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Madam Speaker, I appreciate that the member opposite raised the need for Canada to engage in nation-to-nation consultation, or duty to consult with indigenous nations. She spoke about pipelines and other projects. The Prime Minister and our government have been clear that we need consultation and a better relationship with indigenous nations. Her leader has stood in the House and said that the fed…
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague made a key point here: that this legislation was co-developed with treaty partners and indigenous rights holders in order to ensure accountability, oversight and transparency and to build trust. I wonder if the member could elaborate on what the input was from rights holders and how it was included in the legislation that is before us.
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Mr. Speaker, the United States government has started a trade war against Canada. In response, the Prime Minister has committed to doubling non-U.S. trade, with direct measures to help Canadian businesses adapt and grow. Can the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources tell the House what our government is doing to support Canadian businesses impacted by unjustified American tariffs?
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Mr. Speaker, the United States government has unilaterally started a trade war against Canada. In response—
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the United States government has unilaterally started a trade war against Canada—
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Mr. Speaker, the United States government has unilaterally started a trade war against Canada. In response, the Prime Minister has committed to doubling non-U.S. trade, with direct measures to help Canadian businesses adapt and grow. Can the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources tell the—
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Madam Speaker, with respect to projects of national interest, we heard over and again from the many witnesses at the natural resources committee that the path forward for Canada is working in reconciliation with indigenous rights holders to get projects built and to share that economic prosperity. Can the member opposite comment on his leader's opinion that the federal government should override t…
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Madam Speaker, there were a lot of interesting points made by the member opposite. In particular, I take her point about property rights and economic stability. She noted, at the beginning of her comments, that the bill on the commissioner for modern treaties was built and developed with the support of, and in consultation with, indigenous rights holders and indigenous communities across Canada. I…
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Mr. Speaker, listening to multiple speeches today, it seems like the main objection is that this creates an additional bureaucracy, but that is ignoring the fact that this is actually built in consultation and collaboration with indigenous leaders and indigenous rights holders. What would the member say to those indigenous rights holders who are asking for this legislation?
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, that is a difficult question, because what is a lie is very subjective, and I think the last thing we want to have is the Speaker being a fact-checker. We need to have robust debates. We are going to have different political opinions on things, and statistics or certain facts may be interpreted differently. However, what I would like to see, when it is a blatant lie or an attack aga…
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Madam Speaker, question period is its own thing. As others have mentioned, such as my colleague from Calgary, when we have students here observing question period, it is a bit of a shock. Personally, I would like to see a more forceful intervention from the Speaker in question period. My experience, again working at the municipal level, is that questions have to be on specific topics. I think that…
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Madam Speaker, as Monica said, “Rules help control the fun.” As someone who has chaired hundreds, if not thousands, of meetings, of course I very much value the rules that control and direct debate to ensure that everybody has a fair opportunity to contribute. With respect to taking photos or selfies in the chambers or the standing committees, as I said in my speech, I do not believe there is actu…
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Mr. Speaker, the debate is on the Standing Orders, but we are also discussing parliamentary procedure in general, which I am doing. As I was saying, Hamilton is a rough place to be an elected representative, and I am rather used to some rough treatment. I am very proud to say I have served two terms. Before that, I worked for 20 years in heavy civil construction as a structural engineer. In total,…
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I appreciate the reminder, Mr. Speaker. That is actually an important point among the points that I am making this afternoon. As I was saying, some of the biggest risks that we are facing as a country are extremist movements, extremist ideologies and the politics of division, anger, resentment and hatred being directly imported from the United States. That is not on one side of the spectrum; that …
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Mr. Speaker, to start my remarks, I want to thank my family: my wife Dawn, daughter Sadie and son Isaac; our three cats, Tinkerbell, Luna and Max; and our dog Duke. One of the interesting parliamentary rules of order is that if my daughter Sadie happened to be in the gallery today, I would not be able to acknowledge her and say, “Hi, sweetie. Thanks for coming and seeing Dad at work.” I am just go…
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Madam Speaker, for the record, I was on the receiving end of multiple code of conduct complaints by my political enemies, who used those as a way of retaliation. As I said, Hamilton is a rough place to be an elected official. However, broadly, we could all use a little bit more respect for the House, the institution and our Canadian democratic values.
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member opposite's mentioning the RCMP. My father-in-law, Mike Renchko, is a very proud retired RCMP member. Of course, the protecting victims act we are debating today is about protecting people against gender-based violence and intimate partner violence, protecting children from predators, strengthening victims' rights and addressing court delays. If there is anythin…
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Mr. Speaker, the member for Newmarket—Aurora gave a thoughtful speech. She has genuine concern for the families, parents and seniors who are facing affordability issues in their communities. In the city of Hamilton, the average family income is significantly lower than other parts of the province, so this issue is particularly acute in the areas that I represent. A credit of $7,500 over five years…
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember Private Mark Anthony Graham and to honour the 40,000 Canadians who fought with NATO in Afghanistan. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the United States of America invoked NATO's article 5 for the first time in history, calling America's allies to their collective defence. Canada answered that call. Private Mark Anthony Graham was a Canadian soldier…
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Mr. Speaker, I think we all agree it is a priority for Canada to diversify our economy and increase trade. It was good to hear that tacit support and offer of collaboration from the member opposite. Having greater Canadian access to the eighth-largest economy in the world, certainly on agriculture, seafood and lumber, is great news for Canadians. Focusing in on Ontario, looking at opportunities fo…
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Mr. Speaker, there are a number of areas on which the member and I largely agree, which is really good to hear. I really appreciated his discussion of the need for investment in ports, trade corridors and infrastructure, which is, of course, an important part of budget 2025. In particular, the port of Hamilton has direct access to the Atlantic through the St. Lawrence Seaway, a key export hub for …
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Madam Speaker, following the member's speech, I am trying to understand what it is that the Conservative Party actually stands for. In her speech, she started with anti-immigration conspiracy theories, which undoubtedly will be used to grift and fundraise. Then she blamed immigrants for destroying Canada's social fabric, which frankly is straight-up racist. Then she went into some MAGA-theory talk…
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Madam Speaker, it is good to get the member opposite's perspective. He has been an environmental leader for many years. There are a couple of important things that he mentioned. The first was that becoming an energy superpower includes all forms of energy and that we need to invest in clean energy and invest in jobs in clean energy, because that is where the jobs of the future are. Thinking about …
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Madam Speaker, my colleague is a strong advocate for P.E.I. and Atlantic Canada. When I was raising my family, I would very much have appreciated the government's programs, especially the national child care program, which is a huge support for young families. I want to draw on the member's experience at the provincial level and ask how important it is to have a federal government that is fully en…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member for working Justin Trudeau and Fidel Castro into his speech. I am sure his “freedom convoy” supporters absolutely love that kind of nonsense. I should be shocked, but am not, by the continuing lack of integrity and by the cowardice shown by the Conservative members opposite. We are inside the House, where they are protected by parliamentary pr…
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Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The member is continuing to make false and defamatory statements against an identifiable member.
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Mr. Speaker, our new government has taken immediate action to improve public safety, to stop crime and to hold criminals responsible. We have added much stricter penalties for gun crime, gang crime and violent crime. We are strengthening bail to ensure that criminals are not released from jail. We are strengthening anti-hate laws to protect vulnerable populations from targeted harassment. We are p…
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Madam Speaker, the member opposite is no Doug Ford with his folksy witticisms. I am continually amazed that members are conveniently confusing capital investment and operational expenses. Businesses, municipalities, families and farmers understand the difference, but there is no acknowledgement of the reality of the trade war that we are currently facing with the United States. The whole point of …
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Mr. Speaker, the people of Hamilton know that Canadian steel is an integral part of building a secure, sovereign Canada. Everything from homes to defence requires a strong—
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Mr. Speaker, the people of Hamilton know that Canadian steel is an integral part of building a secure, sovereign Canada. Everything from homes to defence requires a strong industrial steel sector. With the announcement yesterday, it is clear that our government is focused on building Canada strong, with Canadian steel to build Canadian products, building the strongest economy in the G7. Can the Mi…
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Mr. Speaker, the people of Hamilton know that Canadian steel is an integral part of building a secure, sovereign Canada. Everything from homes to defence requires a strong industrial steel sector. With the announcement yesterday, it is clear that our government is focused on building Canada strong, with Canadian steel to build Canadian products, building the strongest economy in the G7. Can the Mi…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his ongoing advocacy and his tax credits for firefighters, for advocating for corporate responsibility and for advocating for the basic needs of everyday Canadians. However, I also want to address a growing concern for Canadians, and that is the influence of Donald Trump's White House over the Canadian Conservative Party, which is importing trends from the U.S. …
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Mr. Speaker, the people of Hamilton know that Canadian steel is an integral part of building a secure, sovereign Canada. Everything from homes to defence requires a strong industrial steel sector. With the announcement yesterday, it is clear that our government is focused on building Canada strong, with Canadian steel to build Canadian products, building the strongest economy in the G7. Can the Mi…
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Mr. Speaker, as I said, this budget would strengthen the systems that families, seniors and people rely on, such as providing affordable child care, helping families enter the workforce, saving families money, making school food programs permanent, making sure that all students have the ability to learn on a full stomach and increasing old age security. My kids happen to be 17 and 19. I am very co…
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Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise today as the federal representative for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas to speak in support of the implementation of a new budget for Canada, a pivotal investment in the future of our great country. We are living through a fundamental shift in global trade, global alliances and the global economy. For decades, Canada and our democratic allies around the world rel…
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Mr. Speaker, certainly, there are programs in the budget that specifically address the needs of seniors. One of the issues facing seniors, especially those on a fixed income, is increasing municipal property taxes. When they are in their home and on a fixed income, they cannot afford year-over-year property tax increases. This budget would address that by directly funding municipal infrastructure,…
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Mr. Speaker, affordability for seniors and families is central to this budget. This budget meets a specific moment in time when we are redefining the entire Canadian economy for the next century. Those investments are critical in making sure that seniors, families and young people have the opportunities they deserve in their communities. This requires focus and investment from the federal governme…
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Mr. Speaker, the member formerly served at a municipal level, and I am wondering what he sees in the budget, specifically, that benefits municipalities in Ontario and across Canada.
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague's speech in support of the budget was excellent. I represent an urban riding in Hamilton, and there is some really exciting funding in the budget specifically for municipalities and large urban centres, with $51 billion for infrastructure and $13 billion for housing. Of course municipalities in Ontario have deliberately been chronically underfunded by the provincial gover…
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Mr. Speaker, I have heard the member opposite speak a few times. He is an excellent speaker, and I think he would make an excellent leader of the opposition. The member opposite has spoken about streamlining evaluation across jurisdictions. I think that is a very important point. He was at a Green Building event recently, speaking very highly of and advocating for green building standards. Of cour…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his support of the budget here in the House. The member spoke about his private sector experience and I think we see in this budget, repeatedly, the influence that extensive private sector experience brings to the government. Would the member like to expand on the difference in perspectives between the private sector and the government?
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Mr. Speaker, a report from this summer says that Prince George saw a significant drop in crime severity, down 13.87%, the lowest point since 2020. I will note that Prince George, as well as Saskatchewan, is actually policed by the RCMP. The Leader of the Opposition has referred to the RCMP as “despicable”. Will the member opposite disavow those comments from his leader and stand up for the men and…
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Mr. Speaker, last week, Hamilton welcomed the Minister of Public Safety and the Secretary of State for Sport to announce federal funding for the amazing new Hamilton YWCA. Then the Secretary of State for Combatting Crime joined the mayor's community safety round table to discuss federal action to stop crime. We hosted the Minister of Industry to advance our government's buy Canadian policy, meetin…
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