Parliamentary Speeches

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, in 1996, four dedicated women in my community of Vaudreuil recognized the need for a songbird rehabilitation centre in Quebec, so they founded Le Nichoir in Hudson. Three decades later, what started out as a repurposed barn and a handful of volunteers has grown into a permanent, state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility, hundreds of dedicated volunteers and the rescue, rehabilitation a…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, next week, Canada will write a new chapter in our space history with the Artemis II mission. For the first time in over 50 years, humans will leave the earth's orbit and head for the moon. This is an important moment, not only for science, but for Canadians and all of humanity. For Canada, Artemis II represents the next great chapter in Canadian space exploration. Following in the foo…

Private Members' Business

Mr. Speaker, I do not have a question. I just want to make a comment that I think is necessary. I want to commend the hon. member not only for his speech on what I believe is a very important issue, and I think that I join all members in the House in saying that we look forward to voting in favour of that, but also for his steadfast work in advocating for the support of the people of Ukraine. He i…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, we know that artificial intelligence may be central to the economy of the future. Everything from health care to transportation has the potential to be revolutionized by AI. Canadians want to be confident that Canada is staying at the cutting edge of AI innovations. Can the Minister of Artificial Intelligence tell the House how our government is supporting Canada's AI ecosystem and en…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, for 158 years, Canadians have elected members of Parliament. They have travelled to Ottawa to take their seats in these chairs and make decisions that have helped build the greatest country in the world. Today it was an honour to turn that work over, if only temporarily, to bright and inspiring grade 6 students from Forest Hill Elementary in Saint-Lazare. Under the guidance of Princip…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities entitled “Putting Passengers First: Improving Via Rail's Emergency Response Effectiveness”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, over 1.1 million Canadians served in the war effort during World War II. More than 45,000 of those brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice, and another 55,000 were wounded. Among them was Chester W. Ruttle. Chester proudly served in the merchant marine. His work, and that of his fellow service members, was perilous. No one was immune from the threat below the waterline, and Ch…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that we are investing to build the economy of tomorrow and to protect jobs. The message I want to send is that we are meeting the needs of workers in my riding of Vaudreuil and workers across Canada. That is what we are doing. If the opposition parties, and I am referring to the Bloc Québécois and the Conservatives, truly want to protect Canadians, they can do so by vot…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, I have a high level of respect for my hon. colleague. Protecting salmon in B.C. and the livelihoods of those who depend on that industry is protecting the livelihoods of Canadians across the country. If the hon. member is asking for my support in ensuring that continues, he has it.

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, a critical part of protecting Canada's sovereignty is investing in the north, and that is exactly what we are doing with this budget. This is exactly why the Prime Minister, for his third visit, went to the north. It was to send a message not only to our partners around the world, but also to Arctic communities and Canadians that this is a priority for our new Liberal government and w…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Humber River—Black Creek. It is an honour for me to rise on behalf of the people of Vaudreuil on my son Anderson's 11th birthday to speak to our new Liberal government's 2025 budget. This budget meets the needs of Canadians at a crucial time for our country. It includes measures that will meet the needs of families and seniors and support …

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, it is funny to hear the Bloc Québécois talk about protecting jobs. That is exactly what we are doing with the budget. We are investing to protect workers in Canada, in Quebec, in my community of Vaudreuil. Quebeckers want that money to be invested so their jobs can be protected. I do not understand why the Bloc Québécois wants to vote against a budget that invests in protecting Quebec…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the sixth report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “State of Airline Competition in Canada”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work of the Pure Art Foundation and the group of 39 Canadian volunteers who recently returned from their annual humanitarian trip to Pucallpa, Peru. Led by Robert and Brigitte McKinnon of Hudson, this team built a new home for a family of 10 in the Manantay district. Through the foundation's CAST program, they worked alongside local tradespeopl…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to present a petition on behalf of animal rights activists and cat lovers across the country. Those who signed the petition from across the country have done so in hopes that the Government of Canada will take action to stem the tide of homelessness among the over four million homeless cats across the country and help support them. They are calling upon the Government of…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the Centre de femmes La Moisson, a women's centre in my riding that provides invaluable support to women in our community, regardless of their age or circumstances. For the past four decades, and through the efforts of its outstanding team, the centre has been providing more than just a welcoming place. It is a place for …

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, Saint‑Lazare is celebrating its 150th anniversary. This is an amazing milestone for our community. From its humble beginnings as a small agricultural village, Saint‑Lazare has grown into a vibrant city renowned for its natural beauty, equestrian traditions and community spirit. To mark this historical occasion, over the past nine months, Saint-Lazarians have been treated to parades, c…

Government Orders

Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague chose to spend his time talking about the health care system, and it is the hon. member's right to do so. He shared a story about his mother. I appreciate that, because I too have a story, with my mother recently being in the hospital for emergency surgery. My mother and I actually had a similar conversation about the state of our health care system, and I shared w…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following four reports of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities: the second report, entitled “The Erie Lake Connector: A Project in the Best Interest of the Public?”; the third report, entitled “Towards Accessible Air Transportation in Canada”; the fourth report, entitled “The Role of McKinsey …

Speech from the Throne

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his address to the House and congratulate him on being re-elected. I quite enjoyed working with him at committee and look forward to working with him moving forward. My question for the hon. member is twofold. First, will he be voting in favour of the tax cut that our government will be putting forward? Second, could he speak to some of the benefits that …

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 21st report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “Towards Accessible Air Transportation in Canada”. If I have a bit of time, I would like to thank the members of the committee for extraordinary work and the analysts, who also did extraordinary work. I would like to highlight, also…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary individual from my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges: Daniel Bissonnette. Mr. Bissonnette has been a key figure at the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges since 1981, including a remarkable 38 years as executive director. Under his visionary leadership, the museum has grown not only in size, but also in reputation, to become one of Queb…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “The Role of McKinsey & Company in the Creation and the Beginnings of the Canada Infrastructure Bank”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of La Source d'Entraide, a beacon of hope and support in Saint-Lazare. Launched in December 1993, when a small group of volunteers organized the town's first guignolée, or holiday food drive, it has since grown into a thrift store, food bank and resource centre, and serves as a vital resource for those in need. At the heart of La Source d…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the invaluable work and achievements of the Montérégie West Community Network and to congratulate it and its team as they celebrate 25 years. Founded in 1999 as the Chateauguay Focus Group and changed to MWCN in 2016, the organization has been steadfast in organizing and supporting services to the anglophone community in Quebec. Whether it is bringing people …

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges to thank and honour all those in uniform who have served Canadians and those who continue to serve us to this day. I also want to thank and honour their families, who bear the burden of the sacrifices these women and men make every day. I honour veterans from my community. There is Maxine Brett; 80 years ago, in World War …

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “The Erie Lake Connector: A Project in the Best Interest of the Public?”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, on the eve of the Spanish national holiday, I rise today to pay tribute to Canadians of Spanish descent who have contributed to building this beautiful country. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians of Spanish descent have made Canada stronger by generously and proudly sharing their history, their language and their culture. To mark the occasion, the Spanish flag was raised on Parliament…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Vaudreuil-Soulanges chamber of commerce and industry, the CCIVS, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. For three decades, this vital organization has been an important resource for our business community. It helps foster economic growth, innovation and collaboration in our region. From connecting entrepreneurs to stimulating local development, the CCI…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and honour the life of Mathieu Miljours, a man who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. As the former president and CEO of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges chamber of commerce and industry, Mathieu worked tirelessly to support local businesses and foster growth, collaboration and opportunity. His warmth and sincerity made people feel seen and appreciated, in…

Routine Proceedings

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 18th report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities entitled “Issues and Opportunities: High Frequency Rail in the Toronto to Quebec City Corridor”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Statements By Members

Mr. Speaker, any list of great Canadians should include the late Harold Thomas Herbert. Born in England in 1922, Hal served at the Royal Canadian Air Force as a fighter pilot during the Second World War, service that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1948, he moved to Canada and settled in the town of Hudson with the love of his life, Madeleine Lemieux-Herbert. He ran in the federal el…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, after a decade of chronic underfunding by the Conservatives, our government has made historic investments in housing and infrastructure for communities from coast to coast to coast. Earlier this week, our government concluded a $2.8-billion agreement with Quebec that will help the municipalities revitalize critical infrastructure and support housing projects through the Canada communi…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 17th report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “Main Estimates 2024-25”.

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, oyez, oyez! Lords, ladies, nobles and all the good folk of Vaudreuil-Dorion will gather on June 6, 7, 8 and 9 for the 32nd edition of the Seigneuriales de Vaudreuil-Dorion. At this festival honouring the history of New France, they will eat, drink, play and sing as they celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our community, Vaudreuil—Soulanges. Thanks to the extraordinary work of the …

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to speak about Hudson's St. James Anglican Church in my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges. The venerable institution, which has stood proudly since 1842, was struck by a heart-wrenching tragedy on April 14, when a fierce fire devastated the historic structure. For over 180 years, St. James Anglican Church has served proudly as a place of worship, a venue for music and art…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, Canada's skilled workers and entrepreneurs are our greatest resource. Capitalizing on their ideas, innovations and hard work is an essential way to keep our place at the forefront of the world's advanced economies. Can the Prime Minister tell the House about the new measures announced in the budget that will support not only our workers, but the Canadian economy as well?

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, it is almost that time of year once again, and thanks to an army of volunteers led by Jay de la Durantaye, Rob Dumas, Ken Bell, Mark Noonan and Eileen McAleese, and the entire team at the Soulanges Irish Society, our community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges will become Irish for a day at the 13th annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Hudson. This year, our grand marshal, renowned Canadian musici…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, with the cold and snow of winter all around us, the warm weather seems a long way off. However, I have it on good authority that spring is on the way, which means it will soon be time for that delicious symbol of warmth and joy, Quebec-made maple syrup. Yes, the time has come once again for families, friends and visitors to gather for the maple harvest, a ritual as sweet as the syrup …

Private Members' Business

Mr. Speaker, as always, it is an honour to rise in the House to speak to a bill, this time, Bill C-317, which directly affects my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges. As everyone is well aware, historic floods affected thousands of my constituents in 2017 and 2019, forcing people out of their homes. Dozens of homes were destroyed in Vaudreuil—Soulanges. The situation was so sad and so serious that th…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 16th report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in relation to BillC-33, An Act to amend the Customs Act, the Railway Safety Act, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, the Marine Transportation Security Act, the Canada Transportation Act and the Canada Marine Act and to make a c…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated individuals and organizations that support the Vaudreuil—Soulanges food banks. I want to thank them for their outstanding service to our community, especially during this holiday season. The holidays are a time of joy and celebration for many, but they can also be challenging for those experiencing economic hardship. It is …

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, 968 finger pricks, 3,178 insulin injections and 256 hours of sleep lost is what nine-year-old Paloma from my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges has already experienced since being diagnosed just 454 days ago with type 1 diabetes. People would think that would make her tired and frustrated, but not Paloma. Instead, she and her mother, Leana, have been taking action. She walked into my of…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities entitled “Building a More Climate Resilient Canada”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. I want to thank our clerk, our analysts, the interpreters and the c…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the steadfast and dedicated team at Creek 53, a conservancy trust based in my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges. Made up of landowners, trustees, academics and environmental stewards, the team at Creek 53 is working toward the environmental preservation of the Hudson escarpment and the creek 53 watershed, an area rich in biodiversity that is located in Hudson.…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, I extend my congratulations to you once again. When conversations are held in my community of Vaudreuil—Soulanges and in every corner of our beautiful country about the giants of Canadian rock, April Wine's unmistakable rhythm and sound reverberate powerfully. April Wine has woven itself into the fabric of our identity, capturing hearts across generations, with unforgettable tracks su…

Mr. Chair, right hon. Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, leader of the Bloc Québécois, leader of the NDP, leader of the Green Party, hon. colleagues, hon. candidates, dear friends, it is a privilege for me to rise in the House today as an official candidate for Speaker of the House of Commons. Colleagues, I am running for this position because I want to follow in the footsteps of the extrao…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, for anyone interested in enjoying the colours of fall, Rigaud is the place to be. Next October 7, 8 and 9, the Festival des couleurs de Rigaud is celebrating its 25th anniversary with more music, more activities and more fun than ever. All residents of Vaudreuil-Soulanges are invited to come and enjoy this outstanding event, made possible through the fantastic work of Christiane Léves…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and congratulate the Hudson Village Theatre on its 30th anniversary. Created by Heather Markgraf, a Hudson resident and theatre educator, in the summer of 1993, the Hudson Village Theatre has grown to become a staple in our community and the largest off-island English theatre in Quebec. In 2000, the community came together in support of the theatre and raised…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 14th report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities entitled “Addressing Port Infrastructure Expansion in Canada”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.