Government Orders
Madam Speaker, that is why we are doing what we are doing. We need to restore greater availability of conditional sentences. We need to give judges more flexibility to ensure fairer sentences. Criminals will still get harsh sentences, but we need to take into consideration people's personal circumstances, and that is exactly what we are trying to do with this bill.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am rising virtually this afternoon to speak to Bill C-5, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This bill is an important step forward in our ongoing work to acknowledge and address systemic racism in Canada's justice system. Our response to systemic racism must be comprehensive, and I acknowledge there will be more to do after Bill C-5 to r…
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Madam Speaker, they are failed policies that did not keep Canadians safe or make our justice system more efficient. What they did was fill our prisons with low-risk first-time offenders who needed help. Bill C-5 removes mandatory minimum penalties that target lower-risk and first-time offenders and have been shown to increase the over-incarceration of racialized and marginalized groups. Removing t…
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Madam Speaker, at the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, we heard countless calls for change from experts on the ground and in communities. I would say to my colleague that these measures are an important step forward in the fight to eradicate systemic racism and make the justice system more effective. As far as firearms are concerned, we promised to do more to get dangerous firearms …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, as I just said, these measures represent a step towards a criminal justice policy that keeps our communities safe. We know that the existing penalties do not work, which is why we introduced this bill and worked very hard in committee, where we heard from many experts. I urge my colleagues to work with us to pass this legislation and to get on board with making positive changes for …
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a wonderful group in my riding, the Beechville Walkettes, for their commitment to supporting the health and wellness of seniors and of all residents in the community. This group was started by Beechville resident Paula Blackmore to lead regular neighbourhood walks and encourage folks to get some exercise, socialize across generations, tell jokes and check up on…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a young man from Halifax West, Edward Laba, on his graduation from École secondaire du Sommet. He is an outstanding student, an accomplished athlete, and has been legally blind since birth. In March, Edward, who is the assistant captain of the See Kings hockey team, competed in the 2022 Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament in Toronto where he played a…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we know that the skilled trades are at the centre of Canada's economic recovery. That is why this government is investing nearly $1 billion annually to support apprentices. I think of smart investments like the union training and innovation program, which helps kick-start lucrative careers in well-respected trades, including for Canadians from under-represented groups. Yesterday I was…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a dedicated physician, Dr. Joseph Lawen, who recently announced his upcoming retirement. I have known Dr. Lawen and his family for a long time through his involvement in our community and through his church, Saint Antonios. During his 33 years as a urologist in Halifax, his work has had an immeasurable impact on his patients and their families across Atla…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, last week I joined the 2022 top 50 CEO awards hosted by Atlantic Business Magazine, where my son-in-law Justin was recognized for the third consecutive time as one of Atlantic Canada's top 50 CEOs. I am so proud of his success, including in leading Yellow Cab to transition its fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles and installing charging places in a number of properties to reduce the …
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, as a member of our inaugural Standing Committee on Science and Research, which just concluded its first-ever study on science in Canada, I have the privilege of hearing from many of our brilliant minds. On Tuesday, I hosted two such researchers, Dr. Lachlan MacKinnon and Dr. Stefanie Colombo, as part of Science Meets Parliament, a non-partisan initiative to strengthen the connections …
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Madam Speaker, the modernization of the Official Languages Act shows our commitment to protecting and promoting French across the country, including in Quebec, while supporting official language minority communities from coast to coast. I believe that this is extremely important and necessary.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, to begin, I would like to say that I will be sharing my time with the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie. It is a great pleasure for me, as a multilingual member of Parliament and someone who grew up speaking French and Arabic at home, to rise today to discuss Bill C-13. I think everyone can agree that it is time to modernize the Official Languages Act. I also believe that we can …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. I listened to her speech on Bill C‑13, and I was very interested in her comments. I agree with her. We must act to ensure the vitality of all official language minority communities. We do not want any of them to see their institutions, services, or protections diminish, and it is very important that corporate CEOs learn or understand at least b…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague. I very much appreciate his question. I love Quebec, the province of Quebec and all the people of Quebec. I agree that we must protect the French language, in Quebec and across Canada. I hope that all my colleagues can work together to ensure that Bill C‑13 evolves into the best legislation that it can be.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a now-iconic Canadian from my riding of Halifax West: Mattea Roach. Mattea first appeared on Jeopardy! back on April 5 and, for more than a month, she dazzled viewers with her knowledge about everything from Belgian kings to Nova Scotian duck tolling retrievers. Through her 23 winning performances, she became the first Canadian Jeopardy! super champion, but w…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, today is Red Dress Day: a day for all to remember missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ+ people. It is a national day for Canadians to reflect and recognize that we must all take action. Indigenous peoples know what their priorities are. They have been voicing their needs, and culturally appropriate approaches will best help those who need support so they can work tow…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a pillar of the community, His Excellency Wadih M. Fares. Mr. Fares is an engineer, entrepreneur, innovator and community builder who has put his time, talent and treasure into a multitude of local, national and international boards and committees. His unwavering support of and commitment to society have earned him numerous awards, accolades and honours, incl…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, on April 12, I was delighted to see an important bill introduced in the Nova Scotia legislature. The provincial MLA for Clare, Ronnie LeBlanc, introduced a bill on Acadian and francophone education, which will enact a separate and independent schools act consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As an MP and former minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, I pro…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
, seconded by the member for Edmonton Manning, moved for leave to introduce Bill C-268, An Act to designate the month of November as Lebanese Heritage Month. She said: Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House of Commons to introduce my private member's bill on behalf of Lebanese Canadians, and all Canadians, in recognition of the value and contribution the Lebanese have made to Canada's s…
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to mark the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. On April 9, 1917, soldiers from across Canada, including the two Nova Scotian battalions, the Nova Scotia Highlanders and the Nova Scotia Rifles, fought in the first battle of the Great War, in which four Canadian divisions fought side by side and accomplished something other allied forces had failed to do: captur…
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Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to rise with overwhelming pride to share news of a significant and historic celebration. The Lebanese Maronite Catholics at Our Lady of Lebanon parish will officially launch the celebrations of the opening of our new church and Cedar Event Centre in Halifax West. On the last weekend of April, the community will gather for a solemn mass and dinner banquet alongside His …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, it is always a pleasure, a great honour and a privilege to rise here in the House on behalf of the people of Halifax West. It is always a privilege, a pleasure and an honour to rise here on behalf of the residents of Halifax West. I am pleased to rise today to debate Bill C-241, an act to amend the Income Tax Act, deduction of travel expenses for tradespersons. I want to thank my co…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my colleague. I listened intently to what he said and there are a number of items we agree with. We were all elected to Parliament to represent our constituents and to work collaboratively through partnership to make lives better for Canadians. As we all know, revenue comes to government from so many different sources, and government needs revenue to provide supp…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the past two years have been hard on main streets across Atlantic Canada. Due to COVID, our community hubs have been forced to close or to be open for reduced hours. These closures have been especially hard on businesses in the arts and tourism sectors. Could the minister responsible for ACOA tell this House what the government is doing for Atlantic Canada's main streets as pandemic r…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, every March, we come together to celebrate Francophonie Month. I invite everyone to celebrate the diversity and richness of the Francophonie and to show our solidarity as an important part of the global Francophonie. In my home city of Halifax, local organizations will be hosting many activities and presentations throughout the month of March to showcase the richness of our local Fren…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, this evening I will be sharing my time with the member for Winnipeg South. It is an honour and a privilege to represent the residents of Halifax West in the House of Commons. I recall the day of my swearing-in ceremony 15 weeks ago, walking along Wellington Street, taking in the architectural, national and symbolic elements of the buildings and looking at the multitude of people and…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I have listened to my hon. colleague ask questions for the last couple of days and I really appreciate her interjections. I am part of the governing party, but I am certainly not in government. I definitely value bringing that forward, and I will take it back to my colleagues.
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, in my remarks, I specifically said that the Ottawa interim police chief concluded that without the act, the police would not have been able to do what they did. Again, former Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau said that invoking the Emergencies Act allowed them to set up a perimeter, allowed police to deny entry to those trying to join the protest, allowed for the banning of brin…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. Unfortunately, I think it was necessary to invoke this act. The specific measures set out in the Emergencies Act are limited, subject to many checks and balances, and guaranteed by Parliament, hence this debate. The measures also have to be consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The police have all said that they could not…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I proudly salute the national flag of Canada. It was 57 years ago that our beloved flag was raised on Parliament Hill for the first time. This enduring symbol represents our core national values of democracy and justice. In my life, and in my time in public service, I have seen the high regard Canadians and people around the globe have for our flag. I have had the honour of join…
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Madam Speaker, across the country, businesses are gradually reopening, and they want to improve their ability to guarantee the safest environment possible for their customers. We know that ventilation that replaces indoor air with outdoor air is an important tool for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Can the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance tell the House how Bill C‑8—
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, the third Monday in February is a statutory holiday established to celebrate the remarkable people, places and events that have contributed to making Nova Scotia what is today. To mark the 10th anniversary of the Landscape of Grand-Pré becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site, we will honour the rich, exceptional heritage of this traditional agricultural settlement, which is still in use…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Black History Month. It is an occasion to celebrate, show appreciation and recognize the accomplishments of Black Canadians throughout our history to building a better Canada. They include trailblazers of yesterday, among them boxer, activist and Nova Scotia sergeant-at-arms Buddy Daye, and civil rights pioneer and Nova Scotia businesswoman Viola Desmond; a…
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Finance delivered an economic and fiscal update that shares our plan for Canada's recovery. My constituents in Halifax West want a strong, green and inclusive recovery. At the same time, however, we are seeing a new variant that reminds us that the fight against COVID-19 is not over yet. Can the Prime Minister share with the House the measures in the economi…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, as the first woman to represent my community in the House, I recently reflected on the importance of women's participation in public life. We began this week by reflecting on the tragedy of the École Polytechnique massacre. Each year, this moment of mourning and reflection brings back hard memories and the pit I felt in my stomach when I first heard the news that day as a law student …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for welcoming me to the House. I am very pleased to be here and to be able to work collaboratively with the member and all her colleagues. That is a very good question, and it is one I heard a lot at the doors when I campaigned in my riding. I have spoken to our colleagues on this side of the House about it, and it is a matter that the minister is very much awar…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to answer that question because our country and our families depend on these investments and this is one way to get more families, men and women back into the workforce. We all know we have labour shortages. We need to get people back to work and we all know child care is very expensive. It is an investment in our children, in my case in my grandchildren, and I ver…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, welcome to the chair. It is my first opportunity to speak and see you sitting there, so it is lovely to see you sitting there. I thank my colleague. When I was a minister and a member of the provincial Nova Scotia legislature, I was so proud when the Prime Minister and the current Minister of Immigration and some members of the legislature of Nova Scotia attended my riding to make t…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Parkdale—High Park. I want to acknowledge that I am standing on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. Since this is the first real opportunity I have had to speak, I feel it is important to begin with some acknowledgements. From the bottom of my heart, I thank the voters of Halifax West for putting their trust in me. Th…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, on the doorsteps in Halifax West, I heard loud and clear that housing was a pressing issue for my constituents. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average cost of a home increased by about 20% in Nova Scotia in the past year. This is a big challenge, especially with the impressive growth in my riding. We know we need to build more housing and ensure that young peop…
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