Parliamentary Speeches

Government Orders

Madam Chair, I want to thank the parliamentary secretary, especially for his engagement with this file and his hard work. He and I have spoken often about the quality-of-life framework and the need to move beyond GDP to fully measure economic growth. As Canadians, we know that we are going through an incredibly tough time. This pandemic has made it abundantly clear that our country's GDP and the a…

Government Orders

Madam Chair, I am pleased to contribute to this debate. Our government is working hard to improve the quality of life of all Canadians. As members know, part of my mandate is to work with the whole of the federal government to better incorporate quality of life measurements into government decision-making and budgeting. This important work began before the COVID-19 pandemic started disrupting our …

Government Orders

moved: That, in relation to Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, not more than one further sitting day shall be allotted to the consideration of the third reading stage of the bill; and That, 15 minutes before the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders on the day allotted to the consideration of the third reading stage of the s…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, since the beginning, we have been focusing on Canadians' quality of life because we know it is the right thing to do for Canadians. Going beyond GDP is also an approach adopted by other major economies including Scotland and New Zealand. As a recent OECD survey on Canada observed, policy-makers should consider how policy development and implementation can be improved to help Canada ac…

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I have the honour to table a notice of a ways and means motion to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 19 and other measures. Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Mississauga—Erin Mills for her hard work and leadership. Budget 2021 will ensure that families in Canada are no longer burdened by high child care costs aiming for a 50% average fee reduction by the end of 2022, and reaching $10 per day on average by 2026. This budget will invest almost $30 billion working with provincial, territorial and indigenous partner…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank my hon. colleague for his hard work in getting this budget done and also for listening to Canadians, not only in the past months but in the last years, and making sure we focus on what we really need to do on the ground to bring forward those measures. The Canada early learning and child care initiative is a transformative one. We know this will be a transformativ…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the hon. member. We know that many groups were affected deeply with this crisis, and at the beginning we brought forward the CERB to help them get through the first wave. Then we adapted our programs to make sure the Canada recovery benefit can continue to support those low-wage workers, women, racialized and indigenous communities that need support. We will continue to s…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, we have realized many things in the five years since we have formed government. We have ended many boil advisories. Yes, we still have some to get to, but we have dedicated this budget to continuing the work we have been doing to help with that initiative and the many more we have been working on. We will continue to fight the pandemic, as well as support Canadian families, businesses…

Government Orders

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to the 2021 budget, which was presented yesterday by my colleague, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. I will begin by informing you, Madam Speaker, that I have been having technical difficulties since this morning. If I lose the connection, I will rejoin quickly. Budget 2021 is an ambitious and bold budget that focuses on finishing…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, we implemented the national housing strategy in 2017, and it changed things for many communities across Canada. A few months ago, we implemented the rapid housing initiative, and many regions of Quebec will be able to benefit from it. The program changes things in communities, and it has even exceeded expectations. Our target was approximately 3,500 units. As I said in my statement, w…

Government Orders

moved: That, in relation to Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, not more than one further sitting day shall be allotted to the consideration at second reading stage of the bill; and That, 15 minutes before the expiry of the time provided for Government Orders on the day allotted to the consideration at second reading stage of the said bi…

Emergency Debate

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague for sharing her views and also the reality of what is happening in Ontario. I think at this time it is really important also to be a part of the solution. That is why our government will be working with the Government of Ontario to try to see how we will make sure that there are French-language programs and also other programs that are delivered, not …

Emergency Debate

Mr. Speaker, I am in the same situation as my hon. colleague. As I mentioned, I am calling for solidarity because it pains me to see that our French-language schools are once again having to fight to offer programs in French and English. What is more, as the member mentioned, they need to fight to support indigenous communities. We need to sit down with the Government of Ontario and see how we can…

Emergency Debate

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. I worked on the development of this reform, and I participated in the discussions regarding the options for the next official languages bill. Thanks to the modernization of the Official Languages Act, we will be able to continue to help official language communities flourish and, above all, to help the French language thrive across the count…

Emergency Debate

Mr. Speaker, we have to weigh all the options and work with the community. We know that this is not the first time Ontario's francophone community has gone through this type of situation. I remember when we were standing up for Collège La Cité, Collège Boréal and the Université de l'Ontario français. Now it is time to see what the federal government might do together with the Government of Ontario…

Emergency Debate

Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking my colleague, the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, because we are really working as a team this evening. I really appreciate her remarks and the fact that we are calling for solidarity this evening. As we have shown repeatedly, our official languages are a priority for our government. They are at the heart of who we are as Canadians.…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I ask that this motion for the production of papers be transferred for debate.

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Surrey Centre for his strong advocacy. From the beginning of this pandemic, we have been clear with Canadians that we are there for them now and we will be through our recovery. Just last week, we announced that the government intended to extend the current rate structures for the Canada emergency wage subsidy and the Canada emergency rent subsidy to June 5…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, it was a pleasure to hold a pre-budget consultation with stakeholders in Hamilton last week. Like my colleagues, I heard many views on making significant investments to support the steel industry and create good jobs for the middle class. I heard directly from Hamiltonians about their ideas to make Canadian steel the most sustainable in the world as we strive to be net zero by 2050. I…

Mr. Speaker, “budget” is the right word.

Mr. Speaker, this is on the standing order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been discussions among the parties, and I believe that, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the following motion: That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House, until Wednesday, June 23, 2021: (a) members may participate in proceedings of the House either in person or by videoconference; (b…