Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the hon. member mentioned that there was 40 people arrested 6,000 times. I googled it. According to the Vancouver Sun, it was actually 40 people who had 6,300 incidents, and most of these people are people with mental health and substance abuse challenges. These are not arrests. These are incidents. Could the member please correct the record?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, during the hon. member's speech, she actually said that the penalties would decrease for gun runners. She referred to them as traffickers or smugglers. However, it was clear in the proposed legislation that the maximum penalty would be extended from 10 years to 14 years. Could the hon. member clarify that point?
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for the advocacy that she has taken on gun violence. In question period, I often hear her speak on the issues that are impacting communities in different parts of the country, and I just want to say thanks for her advocacy. Going back to my point, we all have different opinions on how we should do things around here. I think this bill is a well-balance…
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Mr. Speaker, if we are going to be factual and we are going to resort to truths here, the member should read the bill. The bill is very clear about gun ownership. It says that if people have rifles, certain types of hunting rifles are still available. There is a clause in there that would allow people with handguns to continue to have their handguns; they just cannot be traded or resold. I would j…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity. I will be sharing my time with the member for Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam. I want to start by expressing my gratitude to the good people of Don Valley East for giving me the privilege to be in this House and to speak on this issue. All of us are fortunate to have the opportunity to come into this esteemed House and speak on behalf of our communities to bring…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, health care workers are the backbone of our health care system in Canada, and members of the Service Employees International Union play a crucial role in delivering quality care to patients across this country. From PSWs and nurses to support staff and caregivers, these dedicated individuals work tirelessly to ensure that Canadians receive the best possible care. Through their hard wo…
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Madam Speaker, putting a price on pollution can ensure that, at the end of the day, we keep this country clean. Based on the fact that, at the previous Conservative convention, the Conservatives actually voted against a resolution and denied that climate change was real, does the member's party actually believe in climate change today?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I am honoured to speak about the importance of the Ontario Science Centre, a beacon of knowledge and innovation in my community. Established in 1969, the centre not only has fostered a love for science, but it has inspired generations of young people and young minds in the pursuit of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We are so proud in Don Valley East …
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Mr. Speaker, the hon. member and I share a border. Our ridings are next to each other. I am always aware of the great work that she is doing with young people in her community, with her youth council and with the local schools. In the budget and past initiatives, we have seen $10-a-day child care and dental relief. We have seen relief on interest rates, as well as many programs, such as the child …
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Mr. Speaker, I agree 100% that the role of any opposition member is to critique anything this government brings forward. That was exactly the point of my speech. The Conservatives, the loyal opposition, are in a position of power where they can look for ways to critique and make suggestions for improvement to help Canadians. However, the number one piece, which is important when we are looking for…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in the House today. I will be sharing my time with the member for Vancouver Granville. It is always a great honour for me to stand in the House to speak on behalf of the great people of Don Valley East, representing communities such as Wynford, Flemingdon Park, Don Mills, Fenside and Victoria Village. It is really a true honour to represent these …
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Mr. Speaker, it is so interesting that when the only Black person on this side stands up to talk, the member brings up blackface. I think it is ridiculous. They are a joke on that side. They bring up issues in the House on economic policy, but a Black person stands up and he brings up this issue—
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Mr. Speaker, I got to spend some time with the member and, like me, he has had many different jobs. I have worked in restaurants where I had to clean the bathrooms. I have worked so many jobs in my life just to try to get ahead, and I think work experience is a really important thing. As to the Leader of the Opposition, I think the member is quite right that this is the only job he has ever had. H…
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Mr. Speaker, when the Conservatives were in power, I was in the Ontario government, and I can remember that in their budget, they actually made cuts to refugees when it came to health care. It is a perfect example of the approach and style of the Conservatives when they get into power. It is about cuts. Imagine a Conservative government cutting refugee services in health care. It is unbelievable, …
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Mr. Speaker, while I listened to the member's speech, I was thinking a lot about many of the benefits we put forward to help young people in this country, specifically children and youth, when it comes to the dental program, interest relief on student debt, the child benefit and child care in general. These are huge programs that help young people. If the member was in charge, what would he do dif…
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Mr. Speaker, I got involved in politics so we could put in place better programs for young people. In this budget, we have talked a lot about dental care, removing interest rates on student loans and investing in young people through child care. Why is it, from the member's perspective, so important for us to invest in the next generation in this budget?
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the eight report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities entitled “Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative”.
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to rise in the House to speak about an extraordinary Canadian during Black History Month. Eva Smith was a tireless advocate in my community of Don Valley East and worked so hard to fight for the rights of young people who are homeless. She advocated, and continued to advocate, until, in 1989, she was able to get a homeless shelter built in our communit…
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Mr. Speaker, the member said that the best the government could do sometimes was to get out of the way. Imagine if government got out of the way when we looked at public education in provinces and in the country. What if government got out of the way during nationalizing universal health care or got out of the way during the pandemic? Does the member not believe that sometimes government has to co…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, last Friday, in partnership with the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto, the federal government announced a combined investment of $1.5 billion for the TTC's Bloor-Yonge station expansion and rehabilitation project. Can the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities please update this House on the improvements we will see at the station and the impo…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand here today on behalf of the residents of Don Valley East to join my colleague in supporting Bill S-203. I was very proud to be asked to join this coalition of great parliamentarians who are working hard in the Senate and in the House of Commons to really move an issue forward that is long overdue. This bill is a great example of parliamentarians coming together t…
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Madam Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Don Valley East for providing me with the privilege of speaking in the House. My riding is a remarkable community. It is very diverse culturally, in education and in professions. There are so many differences in my community, but despite all of these differences, we have the same set of values. We believe in values that unite us…
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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be part of a government that is prepared to invest in indigenous communities and to work as partners to build a better country. In fact, I would suggest that we should probably spend more money supporting indigenous communities, rather than looking at ways to make cuts like the Conservatives have done in the past.
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Madam Chair, it is a real privilege to be here today. I want to thank the member for Cariboo—Prince George for getting us on the right track with this discussion. For people at home, we call this a debate, but really it has been a wonderful discussion around a serious issue. I think the fact that partisanship has been removed from this conversation, and we can actually sink our teeth into a very s…
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Madam Chair, the member and I do work on the committee together. I know his question is sincere, and he has a sincere approach to looking for solutions, so I want to thank him for the work he is doing. The member has really spoken to an issue that is widespread. Not only in Ontario, across this country or in America, but also around the world, there is a stigma that has been traditionally attached…
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Madam Chair, if I heard the question correctly, and the member is asking if it is a matter of my applying pressure to the government to ensure more long-term stable funding, the answer is absolutely yes.
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Madam Chair, this issue of mental health is such a complex issue. The layers of complexity go from very simple solutions to very complex solutions. I will not stand here as a member of Parliament and give the member medical advice on what someone should be doing. That is up to doctors. What we need to do in the House is debate legislation that either allows people to legally do something or not, a…
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Madam Chair, what can we do as federal members working with municipalities, provincial bodies and organizations to better coordinate our efforts? That is one of the biggest challenges that we have, I believe, as parliamentarians: provincial, territorial and federal government coordination. Does the member have any advice for the House on what we could be doing differently?
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Madam Speaker, I am assuming the member opposite was at the Conservative convention back in March 2021 when the party itself voted against admitting that climate change was real, so I want to ask a very simple question of the member. Does the member believe that climate change is real?
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Madam Speaker, I recently did a survey in my community, and affordability and climate change were the two top issues in Don Valley East. People there are very supportive of the initiatives we are taking. I want to ask the member this. Why is there such a misalignment between the Conservatives and Canadians on this issue?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we know that EI sickness benefits are an important support for Canadians who need to leave work because of illness or injury. We also know that many workers face stressful income gaps between when they exhaust their benefits and when they are healthy enough to go back to work. That is why in budget 2021 our government extended EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks. Can the mi…
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Madam Speaker, I am a big supporter of Bill C-31. We are talking about $1,200 for dental care and $500 for rent subsidies. The member opposite, on one hand, is saying that the government is spending way too much. I think he said it was $900 million on the $500 subsidy. At the same time, he is saying that $500 is not enough. Does the member opposite not think anyone in his community could use $500 …
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Mr. Speaker, does the member believe that there are initiatives being proposed by the government that will help mitigate the rising daily costs for people in his community and for Canadians as a whole? What types of initiatives can we offer Canadians to help mitigate some of those costs?
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Mr. Speaker, there were some very compelling points in the member's statement around the challenges that people are going through. I know that in my riding of Don Valley East people are going through a very challenging time. The member did speak about bringing voices into the House and standing up for affordability. My question to the member is this. Will she be supporting a $1,300 dental care pla…
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Mr. Speaker, the member knows that the House and the federation we have created as Canadians are sometimes complex. I am learning, after spending almost a year here, that it is a very complex House and there is a very complex relationship between the provinces and the federal government. However, I do know that the $10-a-day child care initiative, which I believe created 37,000 new spaces in Quebe…
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Mr. Speaker, the member spoke about our responsibility. We do have a responsibility in the House. The question that will be posed to members of this legislature, to members of the House, is whether to invest in young people. I throw the question back to the member. Will he be supporting children here in Canada and in his home province to make sure they have very simple dental care? Will he take on…
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Humber River—Black Creek. I am honoured to be here today to speak to Bill C-31. This bill means a lot to the community that I represent, and I know that it means a lot to many members in this House. I grew up in a community where many people struggled to pay the bills. This is not a new phenomenon in my community, but something that occurs…
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Mr. Speaker, the nice thing about the House is that we have the ability to work together. It does not matter what party we are from. It does not matter what part of the country we are from. We have the ability to work together. I am very proud of the relationship we have been able to build in the House so that like-minded people can come together to actually get something done. I think it is a hug…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Don Valley East, many people are struggling with increased rent and housing costs, especially families, working individuals and the most vulnerable. There is no question that more help is needed and that our government must continue to act. Could the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion please tell the House—
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Don Valley East, many people are struggling with increased rent and housing costs, especially families, working individuals and the most vulnerable. There is no question that help is needed and that our government must continue to act. Could the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion please tell the House what new measures our government is putting in place to…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize a great Canadian who was just inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The platinum record-selling artist Deborah Cox is the first Black Canadian woman and the first from my neighbourhood, Flemingdon Park, to be honoured with this award. Although Deborah is recognized and embraced today, back when she first started, she was passed over by …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, two years ago, the world witnessed a horrific crime. Committed in broad daylight in front of dozens of witnesses, police officers murdered George Floyd. In the United States, more than one Black man dies each day by police officers, and because of this, I am sad to say that I was not shocked when I first heard of Mr. Floyd's death. However, this case was different. It was captured c…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I address this House to remember a dear friend and an active member in the Toronto Liberal community: Carole Wardell, who suddenly passed away earlier this month. Carole was the type of person who radiated warmth and friendliness the moment one met her. She was an admired teacher and vice-principal for many years, and someone who always had a welcoming smile on her face. As an a…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak from the beautiful riding of Don Valley East. I want to first thank the member for Richmond Centre for bringing forward Bill C-244. It is very timely. The right to repair, as all the speakers have said in the past few speeches, is something that Canadians are looking for. It makes complete sense. Often lawmakers do not keep up with technology chan…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Madam Speaker, we often do not get to witness politicians who are not afraid to challenge the status quo and who think beyond the four-year election cycle. I had the distinct honour of serving with the 25th premier of Ontario, the Hon. Kathleen Wynne. The first woman and openly gay premier of Ontario, Kathleen was a trailblazer. Her policies were embraced by governments across this country. She in…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to highlight the outstanding work of the Afghan Women’s Organization Refugee and Immigrant Services in my riding of Don Valley East. Adeena Niazi, the executive director, and her entire team continue to empower women, their families and Afghan Canadians in my community, and more broadly throughout the GTA. From settlement services, to advocacy, to human…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, I am so proud to stand here in the House of Commons today during Black History Month to recognize Canada's first Black parliamentarian. Mr. Leonard Braithwaite passed away in March 2012, but his legacy lives on, and I am personally grateful for the path he paved for me and many others. Mr. Braithwaite's career and commitment to this country were extraordinary. He served in World War…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Chair, the Conservatives botched the Phoenix pay system from the start by choosing a high-risk cost-cutting route, causing real suffering for tens of thousands of public servants. Over 100,000 public servants suffered personal or financial hardship because of Phoenix, including some financial costs. While the government has put in place compensation for current public servants, when will for…
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Madam Speaker, can you explain what the problem is? I can hear him perfectly.
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I do not know if the member knows about my history, but I came from the Ontario legislature. I resigned and put my name forward to run federally. Ontario does not have a deal yet because Ontario Conservatives are blocking it. As a representative from Ontario, I hope we can put this plan in place. It has happened in most of the country, but the Conservatives are blocking it in Ontari…
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