Adjournment Proceedings
Madam Speaker, I will answer that question in detail. Every year, internal barriers to trade and labour mobility cost our country nearly $200 billion each year. That is a staggering figure for people here and at home. That represents lost opportunities, lost investments and lost growth. Now imagine what we could do with that $200 billion. We could have stronger communities, thriving communities an…
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Madam Speaker, I think we can all agree that Canadians are putting in the work. They are building businesses, supporting their families and contributing to their communities. The least we can do is get out of the way, cut the red tape and become more lean in our regulatory processes. Improving internal trade is not just a policy goal. It is not esoteric. It is a practical and pragmatic step in imp…
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Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Transportation Act requires that before passengers can submit a complaint to the Canadian Transportation Agency, or CTA, they must first submit their complaint to the airline directly. If the airline does not resolve the passenger’s complaint, the passenger can then choose to submit it to the CTA, which processes complaints and settles disputes between travellers and airl…
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As well, Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Air Transport”, done at Ottawa on March 5 and at Abuja on May 21.
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between Canada and the European Union Amending Annex B of the Agreement on Civil Aviation Safety between Canada and the European Community”, done at Washington on June 12, 2024.
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Mr. Speaker, I share the opposition's concern regarding the procurement practices across all levels of government, especially at a time when Canadian workers are battered by tariffs from China and the United States. Now, more than ever, we must support Canadian workers and industries, while also working in close partnership with our allies and trading partners. Of note, this particular project was…
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Mr. Speaker, we have important legislation, the one Canadian economy act, that is focusing on creating one economy out of 13, which means Canadian goods, Canadian services, mobility, people working across the country with very little restrictions, and reducing trade barriers. When it comes to this government, it is Canada first, always.
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Mr. Speaker, I share the concern and I share the outrage. The reality is that this particular project is under provincial procurement standards, regulations and oversight, but when it comes to this federal government and to everyone in this chamber, it is going to be Canadian first, always.
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Mr. Speaker, today, June 11, we observe Davis Day, a solemn occasion of remembrance and reflection in Nova Scotia. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Davis Day, making it an especially significant moment to honour the sacrifices of coal miners who lost their lives in the struggle for safer working conditions and fairer treatment. Davis Day commemorates the tragic death of William Davis, a mi…
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Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a vibrant celebration in the heart of my riding: the annual Club Day hosted by the Boys and Girls Club in Whitney Pier. This year's celebration holds a special significance, as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada marks its 125th anniversary. That is a remarkable milestone in its legacy of supporting children and youth across this country. For generations, th…
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Mr. Speaker, for years the Conservative leader has lectured Canadians about the virtue of tax cuts, yet when our government introduced a GST tax break to help Canadians, what did the Conservatives do? They voted against a tax break. It is like having a doctor who would not accept their own medical advice. The Conservative leader calls himself a champion for affordability, but when the time comes, …
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Madam Speaker, it is so refreshing today to hear an actual question presented to the government. I want to thank the member for doing so. When it comes to small craft harbours, they are the lifeblood of every community in terms of economic development and in terms of social development. I want to learn more about the particular question at hand, and I am committed to meeting the member, as we all …
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Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for her incredible work and her leadership. Last week, the House voted to give Canadians a real break by eliminating GST on essential goods. This means that ready-to-eat meals, children's clothing, toys, books and Christmas trees will not be taxed this holiday season. Canadians across this country will benefit from real relief at the checkout. Unfortu…
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Mr. Speaker, let me take the opportunity today to talk about something that will make a real difference in the lives of my constituents. Starting December 14, we are giving a tax break to all Canadians along with a new working Canadians rebate, which will be delivered starting in early spring 2025. With new tax relief on groceries and seasonal expenses, and a rebate for working Canadians, we are r…
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Mr. Speaker, members will not be surprised that I have the opposite view on that. In fact, if we look at coastal communities in British Columbia, we are putting forward a transition for farmed salmon in B.C. We are taking things seriously. We are not pontificating on what is wrong and making judgments. We are curious about what British Columbians need. What they need are good paying jobs. They nee…
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Madam Speaker, the passage of Bill C-49 sends a powerful message to all Atlantic Canadians that the future of Canada is green. I was shocked when the Conservative leader directed his party to oppose Bill C-49 and the amendments to the Atlantic accords. In doing so, Conservatives were positioned to rob Atlantic Canada's economy of investments of millions upon millions of dollars. They stood in the …
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Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite knows, there is a federal responsibility but there is also a provincial responsibility. There is a responsibility to collaborate on every piece of what the member opposite talked about. We are going to continue to uphold our end on the DFO side. We ask the province to do the same.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend for his advocacy for protecting owner-operator policies in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Our government remains firmly committed to strengthening Canada's owner-operator rules as part of the mandatory review of the Fisheries Act. This week, the Conservatives struck at this review and left us wondering whether they have a secret plan for gutting owner-oper…
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Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise in the House today to talk about the Canadian dental care plan, which has helped over 7,000 constituents in my riding of Cape Breton—Canso. The Conservative leader says the program does not even exist, but he should tell that to the more than 750,000 Canadians and close to 69,000 Nova Scotians who have already received dental care. Our government knows that investin…
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Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the cultural and historical significance of the lighthouses along the West Coast Trail. After an engineering investigation and assessment this year, the Canadian Coast Guard determined that the locations were no longer suitable for the Canadian Coast Guard personnel to operate safely. The safety and well-being of Canadian Coast Guard personnel is our top priority, and …
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Madam Speaker, our government is committed to protecting wild Pacific salmon and will implement a ban on open-net pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia by 2029. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is working to ensure that the draft transition plan for salmon aquaculture is measured and indeed responsible. It is important to take the time necessary to get the draft transition plan right, given its im…
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Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise in the House today to recognize a constituent of mine who has received the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. Margaret Burke began her career as an early childhood educator in 1978 and has been caring for little ones in her community ever since. Margaret trail-blazed to create accessible and accommodating learning spaces for children of all abili…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to stand here in full support of Motion No. 111, which calls for the designation of the first day of October every year as national Canadian seafood day. First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the hon. member for Malpeque, in Prince Edward Island, for introducing this very important motion. The motion represents more than just a symbolic gesture. …
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Mr. Speaker, I am excited to rise today to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Since 1987, ACOA has been a real game-changer for our local economies here in Atlantic Canada. Whether it is creating jobs, supporting small businesses, or funding innovative projects, ACOA has been there every step of the way. In my riding of Cape Breton—Canso, ACOA has helped ki…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member. It is never a chore to address questions that come from that member. I want to say a couple of things. More work needs to be done. We realize that. Also, we are now using the information, and I think this is important, gathered under the fund to inform our actions for the future, including the development of regulatory tools, policies, and a ghost gear action plan.…
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Mr. Speaker, good morning and happy birthday. I have gotten to see, first-hand, the member's work on behalf of his constituents. They are very lucky to have him, in my opinion. Canada is a proud maritime nation that relies on its oceans as a source of food, jobs, energy, raw materials, maritime trade, tourism and recreation. Fisheries in Canada play a critical role in indigenous and non-indigenous…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to congratulate members of the Cape Breton Chorale, who are celebrating 50 years of music across the globe. In that time, the chorale has given over 200 performances at home and overseas in places like England, Wales, Ireland, and many more. During their travels, they have shared the stage with the likes of Rita MacNeil and Celine Dion, and also performed bef…
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Mr. Speaker, we have all been closely following the proceedings of the public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's democratic institutions. As members of the House will recall, in fact, our government convened the inquiry with the support of every party leader in this very House, and we all recognize how important it is to maintain the integrity of our democratic institutions. This week w…
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada recognizes that safe recycling processes are vital to ensure the careful and secure handling of environmental hazardous substances such as asbestos, heavy metals, hydrocarbons and ozone-depleting substances. Canada aims to ensure that ships are recycled safely at the end of their operational lives without posing unnecessary risks to human health and the enviro…
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Mr. Speaker, continuing on the theme of indigenous-led project development, I would like to highlight some of the many exciting projects that are taking place across this country. In Ontario, the Six Nations is developing one of the largest battery storage projects, called Oneida Energy Storage. In New Brunswick, the Tobique first nation is delivering the Burchill wind project near Saint John, one…
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Mr. Speaker, ship recycling is a complex multinational industry. It has been a growing area of focus for the International Marine Organization, which has been working over the course of the last two decades to support safe and environmentally sound ship recycling worldwide. Canada maintains some of the strongest rules for global ship recycling. As a member of state to the International Marine Orga…
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Mr. Speaker, I will note his original question with regard to working with first nations on accessing and developing economic opportunities in the resource and energy sector, addressing the systemic barriers that have excluded indigenous peoples, including first nations, from prosperity and decision-making for too long, must be addressed. That is why budget 2024 announced the investment in the ind…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to reiterate the seriousness with which the government is addressing the threat of foreign interference. We have great confidence in the work of the government agencies and departments charged with protecting our democratic institutions. Their intelligence and the information they collect and share have enabled us to have a good understanding of the challenges foreign interfere…
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Mr. Speaker, just a couple of weeks ago, I was in B.C. talking to a lot of first nation communities on a whole host of topics that are important to them and to their communities. I know that this one is equally important in terms of recreational fishing from a food and ceremonial perspective, cultural perspective and an economic perspective. I will set some time aside to discuss the item with the …
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Mr. Speaker, while lobster is Canada's most valuable seafood export, the industry is more than just numbers. It is about people: hard-working men and women who brave the seas to provide for their families and support their communities. Atlantic Canadians understand the importance of supporting the sector and promoting it on the world stage. That is why initiatives like the Minister of Agriculture'…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today as my riding of Cape Breton—Canso recovers from one of the heaviest snowfalls in recorded history. I remain very concerned for those in my riding who still require assistance, in particular, our seniors and other populations in need. I want to be clear on this: The snowfall is an ongoing challenge for Cape Breton and northeastern Nova Scotia, and our governme…
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Madam Speaker, as we bring 2023 to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to wish my colleagues, constituents and, indeed, all Canadians a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Looking back on how we have been finishing the year, I am delighted to share that, in the last two months alone, our government has invested over $155 million in my riding of Cape Breton—Canso. This federal funding …
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Mr. Speaker, despite some travel disruptions, I was delighted to make it back home last weekend for Glace Bay's annual Christmas parade. It was a wonderful experience to see my constituents spreading holiday cheer as we indulged in the Christmas spirit all across my riding of Cape Breton—Canso. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department for its role in br…
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Mr. Speaker, ensuring the health and safety of Canadians at sea is a top priority for our government. The Coast Guard is working around the clock to modernize and replace the radio detection system with a more robust and accurate network. While this work continues, there are a wide variety of other systems in place, including a radar installation and on-board ship detection finding system on Coast…
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Mr. Speaker, on this past November 11, I attended a Remembrance Day ceremony in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, within my riding of Cape Breton—Canso and my hometown. Each year, this annual ceremony at the Savoy Theatre is a solemn and meaningful event, but this year we had the privilege of welcoming a few special guests. My constituents were thrilled to welcome the crew of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Gla…
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Mr. Speaker, our government tabled Bill C-49 to unlock massive green energy investments in places like my riding of Cape Breton—Canso. The private sector is positioned to invest $1 trillion in offshore wind and green hydrogen and, yes, that is trillion with a “t”. Our government believes that Atlantic Canadians deserve their fair share, so why are the Conservatives voting against the Atlantic acco…
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Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Coast Guard is aware of an incident involving abandoned vessels at Union Bay, British Columbia. The Coast Guard is working with the Government of B.C. and is ready to assist with the situation as required. Furthermore, the Canadian Coast Guard has reminded the parties involved of their obligations under the Canada Shipping Act. We will continue to monitor the situation, a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, this vote would change the regulatory framework to make renewable opportunities not just words on paper but a reality. For a long time, we have been looking at opportunities to green the grid in Atlantic Canada. This would provide a spoke on the wheel to do that. It would also provide an opportunity for us to become energy resilient as a region and look to offshore wind and green hy…
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Madam Speaker, when we look at this particular bill, it is focused on establishing a regulatory framework and is basically amending the existing act to include offshore wind, hydrogen and renewables. However, I think any economic development opportunity in Atlantic Canada absolutely needs to be tied to set-asides for jobs and working with first nations communities in the Atlantic region.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Madam Speaker, the member across asked if we read. I can tell him that in Cape Breton, they do teach reading and writing and we are quite good at it. I will also say this. When we look at this particular bill, it is looking at focusing on greater collaborations. I think the premier and the governing party in Newfoundland and Labrador understand the importance of collaboration and understand workin…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House on a matter of great importance for Atlantic Canadians, in particular constituents of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Today, I am going to speak to Bill C-49, an act to amend the Atlantic accord acts. Introduced by our government this spring, this is a piece of legislation that intends to bring Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador into the green ene…
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Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise in the House today to pay tribute to Cape Breton's own Bruce Guthro. Whether at home in Cape Breton or across the Atlantic with the Scottish band Runrig, Bruce was a shining star whose musical talent brought so much joy and comfort to so many. While some folks at home certainly knew of Bruce's health challenges, his recent passing nevertheless se…
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Mr. Speaker, indeed this past year, from September 2022 to September 2023, it has been a tough time in Nova Scotia. We have had three natural disasters. We have had floods, hurricanes and fires. That has impacted us financially with three billion dollars' worth of costs. It has impacted lives and it has cost lives. We have a plan to address that. However, what I hear in the chamber time and time a…
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Mr. Speaker, from January 1 to June 8, fishery officers in Nova Scotia have conducted patrols of known elver harvesting sites across the province that resulted in 68 arrests and the seizure of 122 fyke nets, 104 dip nets and six vehicles. During this time, the abovementioned arrests and seizures were related to fishing without an authorization from Fisheries and Oceans Canada or for fishing contra…
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, I rise to present a petition to the House on social affairs and equality. My constituents have petitioned in support of including seniors aged 65 to 74 in the 10% increase to old age security payments, which was provided to seniors 75 and older in July 2022. Furthermore, if such a policy were to be implemented, my constituents also call herein for retroa…
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