Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, the member did mention just fighting hate, and he mentioned anti-hate legislation. A proposed change came through the Senate to include the noose as a hate symbol, which the Conservatives have voted against. Can you tell the House why it is important for us to put in place hate legislation and, more specifically, to fight against these hate symbols here in Canada?
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Mr. Speaker, I ask that it pass on division.
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of the people of Scarborough—Woburn and on behalf of families and patients across this country, people who have suffered from sickle cell. It is a great honour to channel their voice here in this great chamber. We have heard a lot about paperwork. We have heard a lot about transparency. We have heard a lot about the mechanics of how gove…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-277, an Act to provide for the regulation of the online use of deepfakes and for related transparency measures. Mr. Speaker, AI is advancing quickly, and more risks are emerging for Canadians. Deepfakes can now create highly realistic images, videos and audio that falsely represent a person without their knowledge or consent. These tools can be used for fraud, i…
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “Science in Canadian Agriculture and the Closure of Research Centres”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I am so proud to rise to congratulate the newest inductees to the Scarborough Walk of Fame. This year's honourees are Trevor Godinho for arts and culture, Jesse Asido for business, Geetha Moorthy and John and Cathy Phillips for their community work, Andre De Grasse for his sports efforts, Stan Farrow and Dr. Malloy for education, and Fefe Dobson for entertainment. Each of these …
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “Structural Challenges in Canada's Beef and Pork Supply Chains: Toward Greater Food Sovereignty”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
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Mr. Speaker, obviously the member has done his homework, and I appreciate that. This is a disease that has often been neglected. My father tells me that back in Grenada, 40 or 50 years ago, they were using, and this is not a joke, leeches and blood sucking in order to try to figure out what was going on. The disease has had a short history in medicine when it comes to main medicine practices. We a…
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moved that Bill S-201, An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to rise in this House to speak on behalf of constituents of Scarborough—Woburn. Today I am also speaking on behalf of the many families and individuals who are impacted by sickle cell disease right across this country, and re…
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Mr. Speaker, we had a recent town hall in Scarborough at Markham Road and the 401 at Global Kingdom Ministries. We held a community forum there, and we had many people, 100-plus people, come in from the region to talk about this. People told us stories about what they go through in their lives. My friend refers to them as warriors, folks who tell their personal stories. Members can imagine being a…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for recognizing the seriousness of this disease. The fact is that some provinces and territories are doing great things and some are not doing as much as they possibly could. There is a huge opportunity to build a national network that would not only do the research, but collectively collect the data. As they say, if there is no data, there is no probl…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to add to what the Liberal member on this side was asking. What ideas does the member have? What amendments would you bring forward? We hear a lot of criticism from the Conservatives constantly. We want to hear what amendments and ideas they would bring forward.
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Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if the member has spoken to anyone in the agricultural sector about this enhanced trade deal with the U.K., and if so, what opportunities they have identified and what their position is on this overall.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life of Donald Rickerd, a distinguished Canadian whose contributions to law education and public service left a lasting impact on our country. Don Rickerd studied at Queen's, Oxford and Osgoode Hall. He practised law and served as a faculty member and administrator at York University. He later served as president of the William H. Donner Foundation and the D…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in the House today to mark Black History Month, to honour Black excellence, resilience and brilliance across our great country. This year, 2026, marks 30 years since Black History Month was formally recognized in the House. However, we know that Black history goes back centuries here in what we call Canada. From early settlers to abolitionists, commu…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, as members of Parliament we have a responsibility to help build an economy where everyone has the opportunity to find success. While some Conservatives continue to dismiss diversity, equity and inclusion, the government knows that empowering under-represented entrepreneurs strengthens communities and helps build a stronger Canada. As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, can t…
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Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “Protecting Canada's poultry industry: for a better control of spent fowl imports into Canada”.
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Mr. Speaker, there is no question that if we speak to Canadians, to folks in Scarborough—Woburn, that they will tell us violence and crime are changing constantly. Bill C-16 is about realigning our realities today to take on the challenges that we have when it comes to crime and violence. For some reason, it seems the Conservatives want to delay and hold up these types of bills that I would say th…
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Mr. Speaker, there is no question that crime and violence are changing all the time with the introduction of technology. We know that this bill embeds pieces around deepfakes and different online protections. Has the member had conversations with people in her community about any of the provisions within this bill, and what were those conversations like?
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moved that Bill S-201, An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease be read the first time. Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise to introduce Bill S-201, the national framework on sickle cell disease act. Sickle cell disease is one of the most common genetic conditions in the world, yet it remains largely invisible in our health care system. Here in Canada, thousands of people, disp…
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Mr. Speaker, I support the MOU. I believe we need to build partnerships in order to move forward on major projects. With regard to indigenous communities, do you think they should have a say when it comes to the future of pipelines in this country?
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Mr. Speaker, I have the distinct honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “Unleashing the Potential of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector through Regulatory Reform”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. We know that …
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Mr. Speaker, the member did mention health care workers, and the tax credit's being applied to personal support workers. It is something I have advocated for. I would like to just find out from the member why he thought this was important and what kind of changes it will bring. I know the Conservatives brought this up as an issue. Why would they vote against something like this?
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians and the great people of Scarborough—Woburn voted for a government to build more homes, and they are looking to their new federal government to lead with real solutions. Could the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure update the House on what concrete steps the government is taking to accelerate the building of affordable homes here in Ontario?
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the hon. member for Davenport, a great member of Parliament. It is an honour to stand in the House of Commons today on behalf of the people of Scarborough—Woburn to talk about this important issue, Bill C-3, an act to amend the Citizenship Act. To me, this is a very simple piece of legislation that would extend automatic citizenship to anyone who was bor…
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Mr. Speaker, that was a very informative speech. Can the member speak a bit more about the consequences of implementing a new law and the impact the Ontario Superior Court ruling would have on that decision if the law was not implemented?
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Madam Speaker, the hon. member talked a lot about Canadian values and what our Canadian identity is. I am a big supporter of diversity in this country. I am a big supporter of equality and, of course, building an inclusive society. Does the member agree that those three elements are part of the Canadian identity, and are they things he personally supports?
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Mr. Speaker, the member opposite must be reading something he was given by his whip, because I never talked about somebody being deployed and then coming back here. What I did talk about was that the bill would extend automatic citizenship to anyone who was born abroad to Canadian parents before the legislation came into force.
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Mr. Speaker, I was not at the committee when these issues were being deliberated on, but I am happy to hear that the Bloc Québécois is participating in the democratic process and making suggestions in the committee process for consideration. Some amendments will be passed and some will not, but I thank the member for his contribution to the strengthening of this bill.
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Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member's grandchild was not afforded Canadian citizenship after he has contributed so much to Parliament, it would be a real shame.
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Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, the member has to go back and check the notes he was provided. It sounds like his question was not very precise and to the point and does not reflect the proposed legislation.
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Madam Speaker, listening to Conservatives in the House today is like going back in time to the 1990s, when Republicans were talking about “three strikes and you're out”, which does not work. What Conservatives are proposing does not work. That is why we have come up with a piece of legislation that is right for this moment. It is interesting that the Conservatives say this bill copies Conservative…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the member opposite if he will be supporting this bill that really would reform the justice act to put in place harsher sentences when it comes to bail reform. I also want to know if the Conservatives will help pass the legislation.
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, Bill C-238 looks at putting first responders, victims and communities at the forefront of justice and repair. I would like to ask the member to take a minute to explain the balance between justice and punishment, and repair.
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Mr. Speaker, near the end of the minister's speech, she talked a lot about families she is connected to and has spoken to personally. Maybe she could share some of those stories of the families that would benefit from this change in legislation with the House.
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Mr. Speaker, we are here talking about how to make Canada, our country, safer. We are talking about issues that matter to Canadians. Canadians are watching. There are many people in this room watching today, and people are watching online. It is important for MPs to set a tone in the House to ensure that, at the end of the day, we move forward in the right direction. The Leader of the Opposition h…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, there is some big news coming from Scarborough. Our government is investing billions into Scarborough transit. The Scarborough subway station will extend line 2 from Kennedy Station to Sheppard Avenue, stopping at McCowan Road and the Scarborough Town Centre. This will cut travel times and connect residents to jobs, schools and services. This is one of the largest transit investments …
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Mr. Speaker, this morning when I turned on the television, there were a bunch of Conservatives coming into the building, and everyone was moving so quickly. I thought, “Is a race going on, a marathon?” No, the Conservatives were trying to avoid the media, because their leader has doubled down on the statement that he does not have confidence in the RCMP's leadership. To me, that sends a very negat…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present, in both official languages, one report of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association for the following activity: the bilateral mission to the Republic of Senegal and the Republic of Cabo Verde, held in Dakar, Senegal, and Cabo Verde from March 16 to 21, 2025.
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Madam Speaker, maybe they were busy this morning, and they could not stop because they had to get into the House. Does the member believe it is important for us to have a strong and respectful relationship with the RCMP, and does he agree with the Conservative leader's comments?
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Madam Speaker, the very foundation of the protective services at our borders in this country is based on our relationship with the men and women at the front line who are providing the service to protect Canadians. The Leader of the Opposition recently showed massive disrespect toward the RCMP as an institution. I want to give the member opposite the opportunity to clarify his party's position on …
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Madam Speaker, this morning I was watching the news; a bunch of reporters were asking Conservatives, as they were coming into the House, what they thought about the Conservative leader's comments on the RCMP. If we are going to build strong borders, we need to make sure that we have good relationships with our top officials in law enforcement.
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Mr. Speaker, the member spoke about Conservatives not being fooled and then went on to talk about how the Leader of the Opposition is the right person to take leadership in this country and move it in the right direction. However, the Leader of the Opposition clearly stated that he had no trust in the RCMP, and he basically insulted our protective services across this country, which do a lot of wo…
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Mr. Speaker, in my community of Scarborough—Woburn, border protection is an important aspect. I am quite happy that the government has looked for ways to enhance our border security. Has the hon. member had conversations in his community about border security? What does the bill mean for the people he represents in his riding?
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Mr. Speaker, the immigration system is an important aspect of building a strong country. I am an immigrant. I came here from the U.K. when I was four years old, almost five years old. I would like to ask the member, why is building a strong immigration system so essential in this country?
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Mr. Speaker, I know there are going to be some enhancements to border security and additional RCMP officers. For the member's province, I am sure this would have a very positive impact. I know that, for Ontario, it would be quite good. Could the hon. member talk about some of those enhancements, like the new police officers, and how he thinks they would impact border security in Canada?
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Mr. Speaker, this country has been built by immigrants. Outside the indigenous community, we are all from immigrants at some point in time. Immigration is part of our past; it is part of who we are today, and it will be a big part of who we are in the future. I know that constituents in Pickering—Brooklin share many different immigration stories. How important is it to get the immigration file rig…
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Mr. Speaker, the member brought up several concerns about asylum seekers. Some pretty substantial changes are being proposed in this bill in order to strengthen our asylum processing system. Is the member prepared to join Canadians in supporting a bill that would bring more integrity to the asylum system here in Canada, yes or no?
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Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government takes our borders quite seriously, especially strategic borders like Niagara and others in Ontario. There is the largest infrastructure project to build a great bridge out in Windsor. There is investment in these regions because we know it is part of our economic trade and development, and it connects us to our largest trade partner. However, I want to talk abou…
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