Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to rise today to present a petition on behalf of residents of Burlington and citizens of Canada. Following the tragic loss of her daughter Katie Pryla, a constituent of mine noted that connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome, often go undiagnosed, despite clear clinical signs such as scoliosis, hypermobility, long limb proportions and early connective ti…
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Mr. Speaker, did members watch an NHL game last night or the House of Commons this past week? If so, they did so thanks to technology developed and built in Burlington, Ontario. For decades, Evertz has helped shape how the world sees and understands major moments. The company has enabled news and live events to reach audiences in real time, and behind that success are about 1,800 Canadian workers …
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Mr. Speaker, Canada should be the best place world to be a child and to raise a child. On National Child Day, I reflect on the many steps we have taken to make this a reality. We introduced, in the last decade, the Canada child benefit, which has lifted half a million kids out of poverty. We created a national child care program, which is setting our kids up for success and enabling parents to sta…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the story of my constituent Kerry-Anne Hall, who suffered a tragic loss. Her daughter, Kathryn Ellen Pryla, was just 28 years old, and eight months pregnant, when she died suddenly from an aortic dissection. Her baby boy, Callum James, did not survive. Only after Kathryn’s passing did genetic testing confirm she had Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. …
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Finance, in relation to Bill C-4, an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I want to add my gratitude to the hon. member for Burnaby North—Seymour for bringing the bill forward. In his speech he said that he knew this was not going to change the world, but that it would make a world of difference for the affected families. I could not agree more. For those 1,600 families who tragically experience this every year, he is making their lives a bit easier. I just…
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Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I want to take a moment to thank colleagues in this House for their incredibly thoughtful and compassionate interventions. This is a moment when Canadians can be quite proud of this chamber as we come together for our shared humanity. I really want to thank my colleague from Burnaby North—Seymour for bringing the bill forward, because it touches all of us. I rise today…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin my remarks this evening by really thanking the member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain. She has taken on this important private member's bill and taken on this important issue to protect children, to protect families and to protect parents. I cannot express my gratitude enough to her, but I think what is telling is that there are 300 women's organizations acro…
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Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if you could speak a little more about what this would mean for children, their agency and their well-being. I know you have heard from many survivors of this reunification therapy. I wonder if you could expand on that. I think that what you are doing is going to protect so many children from future abuse and that it is going to have a really meaningful impact on their …
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Burlington's mayor, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, and the Halton elected representatives group, which I am honoured to be part of, for launching the Elect Respect campaign. This initiative began as a conversation among women elected at all levels of government in Burlington, in which we recognized a shared reality of harassment and threats. From those conversatio…
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Mr. Speaker, October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The month encourages open dialogue to help break the silence surrounding a difficult experience faced by over 1,600 grieving families in Canada each year. I am proud of my colleague from Burnaby North—Seymour for introducing Evan's law, a long-overdue measure to support grieving parents while on parental leave. Evan's law was inspi…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House to celebrate the Hon. Irwin Cotler, who is in Ottawa to be honoured by the Pearson Centre tonight for his lifetime of service to Canada and his work on human rights and justice. He is a former member of Parliament and cabinet minister, an emeritus professor of law at McGill and an international human rights lawyer, and I am very proud to call him a friend. As minis…
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Mr. Speaker, as it is the first time I rise in the House in this Parliament, let me begin by thanking the good people of Burlington for electing me to a fourth consecutive term. It is a real privilege to be their voice and stand for them in this place. Speaking of the good people of Burlington, it brings me tremendous pride to highlight Keerthana Srinivasan, a grade 12 student at Aldershot School.…
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Mr. Speaker, it is such an honour to rise in this place on behalf of the constituents of Burlington. I would like to say to all of my colleagues, despite the fact that this was a rather unusual session of Parliament, it is a pleasure to be able to work with everyone on all sides of the House, mostly. I know everybody is ready to go into the holidays. On behalf of the Liberal members of Parliament,…
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Mr. Speaker, the NDP leader knows full well that we won the confidence of the House last week on multiple occasions. This government's objective is always to protect Canadians, Canadian jobs and the Canadian economy. That is what we are focusing on right now, and I can assure the House that we are managing our relationship with the United States effectively.
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Mr. Speaker, the House voted in confidence of this government just last week on multiple occasions. We have important work to do on behalf of Canadians. We have a very important relationship to manage with the United States at a pivotal time, and that is exactly what the government is focused on doing.
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Mr. Speaker, what the Conservative opposition is doing is focusing on us while we are focusing on Canadians. We are focused on ensuring that we are delivering affordability measures for Canadians at a difficult time. We are focused on ensuring that we have a strong relationship with our most important trading partner, the United States. That is what the Liberal government is squarely focused on: C…
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Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, as the government, we are looking forward to presenting the economic update later this afternoon. It contains important measures for Canadians, particularly when it comes to affordability. We are focused exclusively on Canadians. We are working to protect the Canadian economy and Canadian jobs.
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Mr. Speaker, while the Leader of the Opposition continues to play politics in this place, we look forward to presenting the fall economic statement later this afternoon that will have a series of important measures for Canadians, things that are going to help them with the affordability challenges and that are going to put Canada, Canadian jobs and the Canadian economy first.
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Mr. Speaker, our government looks forward to presenting the economic update this afternoon. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the member for University—Rosedale for everything that she has done and for everything that she will continue to do for this country. She has a long list of accomplishments that are part of this government's history. We are very proud of everything we have done…
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Mr. Speaker, this is the people's House; in it, we should be debating things that are pertinent to the administration of government. What we hear from the House leader from the Conservative Party of Canada is attacks on Canadians. The person the member is talking about is not a sitting member of Parliament and is not a cabinet minister; it is someone they are attacking simply because they do not s…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, given the events from earlier today, I would like to inform the House that, notwithstanding the special order adopted on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, there will not be a statement by the Minister of Finance at 4 p.m. today.
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Mr. Speaker, again, all we see from Conservative members of Parliament are personal attacks and mudslinging against Canadians. What we all need to be doing right now is standing united for our country, making sure that we are protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian jobs, making things a bit easier for Canadians. We look forward to presenting the fall economic statement later this afternoon.
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Mr. Speaker, another day, another attack against Canadians from the Conservative Party of Canada. Any time someone steps up who disagrees with Conservatives' vision for Canada, what do they do? They use personal attacks. Canadians deserve better than the slogans and personal attacks we get from Conservative members of Parliament.
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Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, our government looks forward to presenting the economic update later this afternoon. This economic update contains measures that are important to Canadians. While the Conservative Leader of the Opposition stays focused on us, our government is going to stay focused on the well-being of Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, as we well know, and as every member in this place knows, just because a Conservative member of Parliament wishes something does not mean that it actually happened. What happened over the past couple of weeks is that the government secured the confidence of the House. The government does enjoy the confidence of the House. That is why we will be presenting the fall economic statement l…
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Mr. Speaker, removing the GST on essentials for Canadians is important to many Canadians. In fact, I have heard many people in my riding say that this is important to them. Restaurants and other small and medium-sized businesses have said it is important. We are proud for putting it forward.
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Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, we are looking forward, today, to presenting the fall economic statement. It is going to have a series of important measures for Canadians. At a time like this, it is important that all of us band together, united as Canadians, to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect the Canadian economy, to protect Canadian jobs and to stand up for Canada.
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Mr. Speaker, I have a lot of respect for the member opposite. However, I think she is speaking from her own experience with the leader of the official opposition, when she said that she was not going to support him and then spent a year in the hinterlands. What I will say is that when it comes to actually doing things that support women, we have done that on this side of the House. Whether it is a…
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2024 fall economic statement.
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Mr. Speaker, our government looks forward to presenting the fall economic statement later this afternoon. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude for all that the member for University—Rosedale has accomplished for this country and will continue to do for this country. She has played an integral role in the government, first of all, by standing up for Canada in defending …
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Mr. Speaker, at a time when Canadians are struggling, we are happy to bring forward measures that are going to assist them, things like the GST tax cut that took place, starting this past Saturday and going until February 15. While the Conservative leader and the members of his caucus stay focused on us, we are going to stay focused on helping Canadians.
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Mr. Speaker, I did not realize that cinnamon buns were a gendered food, but what I would say is that her question says more about how that member and how Conservative members view women in this country than anything else.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank my hon. colleague for the kind wishes. Of course, I extend my merry Christmas and happy holidays to him and to all members of the House as well. This is the last Thursday question and answer for the period. It is something I look forward to every single week, and I look forward to returning to it in January 2025. In response to my hon. colleague with regard to next …
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Mr. Speaker, for many Canadians, the GST tax holiday actually makes a difference. Just because it does not make a difference for that member of Parliament, does not mean it is not meaningful for many Canadians. When I speak to constituents in my community and to small business and restaurant owners, they have told me how important this GST tax holiday is going to be for them over the next couple o…
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Mr. Speaker, I am glad to hear the member opposite talk about groceries, because I have great news for him. The House actually passed a GST tax holiday over the next couple of months to reduce the cost of groceries. I am sorry. I forgot that the member and all members of the Conservative Party voted against that, because even though they say they want a tax break for Canadians, when it comes time …
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Mr. Speaker, the nature of the questions coming from the opposition today speaks more about its opposition to feminism than it does about our commitment to feminism. That is typical, because actions speak louder than words in this case. When we brought forward things like the Canada child benefit or child care, actual policies that help women, what did the Conservatives do? They voted against them…
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Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move: That, notwithstanding any Standing Order, special order, or usual practice of the House, at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings to permit the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to make …
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Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that we are bringing forward the fall economic statement next Monday. We are very much looking forward to the finance minister presenting that to the House, and we are exceptionally proud of the record of this government, of which the finance minister has been an incredible leader. Whether it comes to the Canada child benefit, child care for Canadians, a nat…
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Mr. Speaker, again, what we see from Conservative members of Parliament is their attempt to distract from the fact that when given the opportunity to vote for a tax break for Canadians, they voted against it. They are travelling across the country saying that they are going to cut taxes, but at the very first opportunity to do that, they say “no.” This is actually a pattern of behaviour because, o…
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Mr. Speaker, what we are seeing from the Conservatives is an attempt to distract from the fact that, when they had an opportunity to support a tax reduction for Canadians, they actually voted against it. They talk out of one side of their mouths and do the absolute opposite all of the time. On this side of the House, we are absolutely united in our support for Canadians. Over the holidays, we are …
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Mr. Speaker, the only people who are engaging in bullying tactics in the House are the members of the Conservative Party. If they truly cared about supporting Canadians through these tough times, they would have voted in favour of the GST tax break over the holidays. This is par for the course with the members opposite. They cry crocodile tears, but whenever it comes to helping Canadians, they opp…
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Mr. Speaker, again, on this side of the House, we are putting Canadians first. That is what we have done for the last nine years, understanding that, when times are tough, we are there for Canadians. What we hear from Conservative members of Parliament is that, when times are tough, they look to take supports away from Canadians, not to be there for them. We will not allow that to happen. We are g…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to the member's question, which, as I think we all know, does not actually have to do with government business. However, the member opposite and in fact most of the Conservative caucus know a thing or two about saying one thing and doing the opposite. They have been talking about cutting taxes, but at the first opportunity to cut taxes for Canadians, they said no. Co…
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Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member knows something about railing against a leader, but one question she might want to ask the leader of her party is why he will not get a security clearance. I believe last week at committee we heard from another Conservative leadership contestant about alleged interference by India in the Conservative leadership race. However, the Leader of the Opposition refuse…
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Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the Conservative members of Parliament, all they do is say one thing and do another. They are pretending to support workers' rights when, in reality, it is the Leader of the Opposition who brought forward some of the most draconian anti-worker legislation in this country's history. We are going to continue to stand up for workers right across this country. It is a rec…
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Mr. Speaker, one thing we know is that the Leader of the Opposition certainly does not allow any free votes for his members of Parliament. We also know that he does not allow them to speak for themselves. What we do know is that when they try to advocate for their communities, what does he say? “No, do not do that, because I do not think it is politically expedient for me.” He muzzles his own MPs,…
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Mr. Speaker, as mentioned, there was actually no question for the government there. If the member opposite wants to talk about pensions, he could talk about the pension of the Leader of the Opposition, which, because he has been here for two decades, is estimated at being about $2 million. If he wants to talk about muzzling of members of Parliament, he should probably pose the question to the lead…
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Mr. Speaker, we completely agree with my hon. colleague from the Bloc Québécois. This matter is important for farmers and for every supply-managed sector in Quebec and across the country. We agree with this bill. We support what the Bloc Québécois has done and we support the bill in the Senate. Only the Conservatives do not. I therefore invite my hon. Bloc Québécois colleague to talk to the Conser…
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