Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, by now we all know that Conservatives prefer to ignore the truth and spread fear, so it should come as no surprise to any of us that the Conservative leader continues to refuse to get top secret security clearance and a briefing by intelligence officials. He prefers to speculate on what could be true and claims that learning the truth would prevent him from speaking on the topic. Is i…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, what concerns me is the increasing number of Conservative caucus members who oppose abortion. We have heard it from Conservatives who are still in caucus and we have heard it from caucus members who are no longer there because they have values. On this side, we will always fight for women's rights, like abortion.
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Mr. Speaker, I absolutely agree that abortion is health care and that we should have equal access across the country. What concerns me is the growing anti-abortion caucus on the Conservative side. We have heard evidence of this, and its power on the Conservative leader is growing. We have heard it from the member for Peace River—Westlock and the former Conservative from Richmond—Arthabaska. He was…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I listened very carefully to my friend's speech. I wonder if he saw the letter from the RCMP. I saw it for the first time today. As someone who covered criminal court for many years as a journalist, I have a lot of sympathy for the RCMP, which is saying even that if it gets these documents, which it does not want, it would not be able to use them in a court of law because it does not …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Mr. Speaker, I have to say that I also regularly speak to the member for Foothills' constituents because my sister lives in his riding. I know for my family one thing that is really important in Canada is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. What the Conservatives are asking for is the right to violate the charter. I know the Leader of the Opposition has talked about using the notwithstanding claus…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Women's History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Canadian women, and since this year's theme is about women at work, I want to highlight the integral role that women play in shaping our economy. I regularly meet with women entrepreneurs in my riding of Hamilton Mountain, like Brigitte Soares of Apostrophe Accounting, Julie Bobiak of the Lukaya Café, Julie…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, the Government of Canada is firm in its stand against hate and against terrorism. As a government, we are deeply concerned by the issue of hate against Jewish communities. Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or hate in any form is unacceptable and has no place in this country. The government encourages all those affected by hate propaganda to contact law enforcement, as well as local electe…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, the hon. member for Spadina—Fort York has raised some concerns around Samidoun, so I will take this opportunity to state that the Government of Canada is deeply concerned by the issue of hate against Jewish communities. Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or hate in any form is unacceptable. Hate propaganda and hate crimes are taken very seriously by all orders of government in Canada. The …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the hard work that CRA employees do every day, day in and day out. We will get back to the member on the specifics of his question.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as Gender Equality Week wraps up, I want to highlight why we have so much to be proud of here in Canada. Our feminist government has maintained gender parity in cabinet, passed the Pay Equity Act and created a department dedicated to women and gender equality. It is boosting women's economic power with programs like the national child care plan, the menstrual equity fund and the women…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I want to take the opportunity here to point out that tomorrow is International Safe Abortion Day, and to reaffirm that, on this side of the House, we always stand up for a woman's right to choose. We are investing in reproductive health across this country, unlike the Conservatives, who are, to this day, still green-lighting candidates who want to make abortion illegal in this countr…
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Mr. Speaker, gender-based violence has always been a problem. Many women in the House know this viscerally. When the Conservatives were in power, many sexual assaults were considered unfounded. They were not even counted, and that has changed. We listen to women now, and on this side of the House, for the first time ever, we have a government finally doing something about it. We have got a nationa…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, I attended several Canadian pride celebrations this summer as part of my role as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and I heard appreciation for the government's initiatives to advance equality, such as the first 2SLGBTQI+ action plan and the entrepreneurship fund. Also, I heard people are terrified of losing the progress that has be…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I very much appreciate my colleague from the Bloc Québécois, who works with me at the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. Yes, I think that it is very important for victims to have choices. I also find this situation to be surprising. I am not sure, I am not a legal expert, but I think that we should have a system for everyone and that everyone should use it.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to explain why I heartily support Bill C-66, the military justice system modernization act. The legislation now before us aims to advance culture change within the Canadian Armed Forces, the CAF, and the Department of National Defence, or DND. In particular, the legislation aims to foster a culture free from sexual misconduct, sexual abuse and misog…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I appreciate how the member opposite noted that the previous federal government did not do anything on this. In my speech, I outlined several improvements that have already been made to help improve the culture at CAF and DND. This is not the first step we have taken. This is not the only thing we have done. It has taken some time. We heard from Louise Arbour that it was going to ta…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, that is a very smart question. Absolutely, the focus should be getting this study to committee as soon as possible so that it can become legislation as soon as possible. I am a little concerned about any delays that may happen. I do not want to see any overextension. I want to see a committee look at this study, make any improvements that are possible and necessary, and get it passe…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I had the great honour of travelling to Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It was a very moving experience. There I met a dozen veterans who helped liberate Europe and give us the freedom we enjoy today. I was especially proud to see so many Hamilton connections in Normandy for D-Day. Major-General Richard Rohmer, honorary lieutenant general of the Canadian Armed F…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Madam Speaker, “cowabunga” is a word that is used to express delight. Fittingly, it is also the name of a pizzeria in my riding of Hamilton Mountain that recently won the title “world's best cheese slice” at the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas. Owners Andy Huynh and Justin Tanda had entered the competition several times in years past, and they always did well, but this year was differen…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the commendable work of the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, CCRW, and to recognize the significance of National AccessAbility Week, taking place from May 26 to June 1. CCRW has been a beacon of support and empowerment for persons with disabilities in Canada's workforce, fostering meaningful and equitable employment through national partnerships…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the member has particular issues in his constituency, but we cannot deny the devastating impacts of climate change, and doing nothing is not an option. Climate-related impacts are costing average Canadian households $720 a year. That is going to rise up to $2,000 a year by 2050. Climate change is costing people's lives. It is affecting physical and mental health. Doi…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, youth employment and skills strategy has been hugely popular this year across the country. So many programs are looking for this funding to support our youth, to get them back into the workforce. Absolutely, I support these organizations getting the funding they need to continue.
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, this is a tragic public health crisis, and it is impacting people deeply across this country. My heart goes out to those people who have been impacted by this public health crisis. Our government remains fully committed to addressing this public health crisis, using every tool at our disposal to save lives and keep communities safe. We have taken unprecedented action since 2017, actio…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, our carbon pricing approach reduces emissions. Environment and climate change modelling shows that Canada's emissions in 2021, the second year that the national minimum price on carbon pollution was in effect in Canada, would have been about 18 million tonnes higher in the absence of Canada's carbon pricing plan. Canada recently released the national inventory report, which tracks and…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, despite the hyperbole and fake outrage, I will reiterate that transparency and accountability are priorities for the government. We expect that procurement processes will be properly followed and that anyone accused of wrongdoing will face the appropriate consequences. This has been and always will be the case. The gaps found by the Auditor General of Canada and the procurement ombud …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
As I said, Mr. Speaker, no one measure will work. We must do everything we can to prevent overdoses, save lives and help people find their way to appropriate treatment and pathways to recovery, while at the same time keeping our communities safe and addressing drug trafficking and organized crime. Our government is focused on supporting a full range of services and supports to address the diverse …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, taxpayer money needs to be treated with the utmost respect. Departments and agencies must follow contracting rules and handle all procurement processes in a fair, open and transparent manner, in accordance with all policies, guidelines, regulations and trade agreements. The gaps in management processes, roles and controls that the Auditor General of Canada and the procurement ombud ha…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, the Hamilton Reads title for 2024 is Chrysalis, the first book by Hamilton Mountain's own Anuja Varghese. It won a Governor General's Literary Award, a Writers' Trust Award and several other honours. The dedication reads, “This book is for all the girls and women who don’t see themselves in most stories. You are worthy of reflection, despite what you have been told.” It is a really …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, I agree with my friend from across the way that we need to protect abortion rights in our country. I saw her this morning with people on Parliament Hill who are fighting for choice, who are fighting against the people who are there to take our rights away. I agree there is more to do. It is not perfect yet. We will get there. On this side of the House, we are committed to it.
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, today on Parliament Hill, the anti-choice lobby is marching to demand control over women’s reproductive rights. Conservatives are standing with them, propping up their insidious claims, celebrating the demise of Roe v. Wade and vilifying the achievements of Henry Morgentaler. They do not want us to have access to abortion, and they voted against providing Canadians with contraceptive …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, a woman is an adult female human being. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that its policies, programs and initiatives are inclusive of all individuals, and reflect the diversity of experiences of the Canadian population.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I congratulate the member opposite for getting his constituents' names into Hansard today. That was well done. I note that one of the constituents he mentioned is involved in a food program. I would remind the member that one of the things the government has accomplished and that, hopefully, everyone will support is a national school food program, because we absolutely agree that we…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate this opportunity and all opportunities to speak in the House on behalf of the residents of Hamilton Mountain, particularly with respect to this very important piece of legislation, which is necessary to help millions of Canadians who are struggling to pay for their prescription medications. We have heard lots about access to and the affordability of prescription dr…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I must tell the House how much I appreciate my NDP colleague and her work on the status of women committee. She is a true champion for women. I have appreciated in the debate this evening how she keeps bringing up the word “abortion”, because in this country, we have to worry about the rights women have over our bodies, our right to choose, being taken away from us. We constantly se…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I think I heard the member opposite say that the people in his riding do not want this pharmacare plan. They do not want their diabetes medication or pharmacare for reproductive health to be covered. It sounds to me as though he is more concerned about the insurance companies and how well they are going to make out after the legislation goes through. Is that the case?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, I agree with the fact that everything we do as a federal government has to be done in collaboration with the provinces and territories. We must communicate with Quebec. We must learn from Quebec and will continue to collaborate. It is not something we are going to do alone. We cannot. The provinces cannot do it alone either. We need to work together. I thank the Bloc for everything …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we know there is always more to do. I really appreciate the member opposite and the work that she does on the status of women committee. She is a true advocate for women. I will point to the fact that this budget does cover contraceptives for women, and nine million Canadians will be able to make choices about their bodies because of this investment. We have investments against workpl…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, last week, for Oral Health Month, I went to the Gleam Smile Centre in my riding of Hamilton Mountain. I met with owner Julie DiNardo and her daughter Victoria, who operate the clinic as independent dental hygienists. Treatments at Gleam help patients manage mouth bacteria and avoid trips to the dentist for expensive fillings, replacement crowns, implants and gum surgery. Less harmful …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, in response to parts (a) and (b), the national action plan to end gender-based violence, or NAP to End GBV, is supported by a budget 2022 investment of $593.3 million over five years, which includes $525 million over four years to support provinces and territories in their implementation of the NAP to End GBV, through bilateral funding agreements. The bilateral agreement for each prov…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's responses to 80 petitions. These returns will be tabled in an electronic format.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 2265, 2267, 2269, 2272, 2273 and 2278.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, furthermore, if the government's responses to Questions Nos. 2266, 2268, 2270, 2271 and 2274 to 2277 could be made orders for return, these returns would be tabled immediately in an electronic format.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, finally, I ask that the remaining questions be allowed to stand.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time today with the member for Lac-Saint-Louis. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to speak in this House today in support of Bill C-62, particularly after listening to some of the debate this morning and hearing some of the language used in this House today. For example, the member for Abbotsford, throughout his speech today continually used the words “the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I would like to, first of all, say that we cannot equate suicide with medical assistance in dying. They are two completely different issues. Second, I would say that yes, we absolutely need to take the time to make sure we get this right. That is why this legislation is so important. We need these three years to get our medical system up to the level where we can make sure that everyo…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I, too, enjoy working with my colleague at the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. To be clear, conversations with the Province of Quebec are very important. We need to pass Bill C‑62 now to ensure that we have a program in place. This is not the end. We will keep talking with the Government of Quebec. We will keep learning from the Government of Quebec. I very much appreciate …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I do not think consultation is simply checking boxes. It is extremely important, particularly when we are talking about our vulnerable and about our medical system. As I mentioned, I have personally consulted with psychiatrists in Hamilton. These people study and work at some of the best institutions in Canada. They are the experts. They have told me that, while the idea behind MAID f…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, under our government, women have options. They have more options, in fact. That is essential. Thanks to the Liberals' strategies, women like the ones in my riding, Hamilton Mountain, can choose to grow their family because they know they have access to our support measures such as maternity leave. They can also choose to return to work thanks to our affordable child care benefit polic…
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