Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on ensuring that everyday essentials are more affordable for Canadians. That is why our government introduced the first-ever national food security strategy. This is our $3-billion plan to make sure that we are increasing competition and making more food here at home. This is going to help Canadian producers, farmers and independent grocers, while bringing th…
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Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that we are experiencing global headwinds in this country, Canada is functioning from a position of strength. Our economy continues to outperform many different G7 countries, from Germany to Japan and Italy. We have secured 20 new economic partnerships. We have already heard today, thanks to the Prime Minister, that we have 13 new economic partnerships. This is going …
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Mr. Speaker, small business investment is up by 10%. The first thing our government did in terms of action was to bring down federal trade barriers across provinces and territories so small business goods could flow across the country. We are also diversifying trade, making sure that we are able to secure investment. We heard many references today. Do colleagues know who is going to benefit from t…
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Mr. Speaker, contrary to what we are hearing from the other side, we recognize that we are in a trade war. Despite this, Canada is in a position of strength. We heard today that Canada posted a $2.7-billion trade surplus, the highest in 15 months. Our economy is growing nearly twice as fast as that of Germany and Japan and nearly three times as fast as that of Italy. We are going to be there to su…
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Mr. Speaker, at the centre of everything we are working on as a government is affordability. In my riding of Mississauga—Streetsville, it is a worker who can keep more of their money in their pocket since we are cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We have also provided Canadians with the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. We are providing Canadians with that type of support. It is even t…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his incredible advocacy. Canada is at its best when everyone can fully participate in society, free from fear, discrimination and hate. As we mark the beginning of Pride season, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that we are protecting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for all Canadians, regardless of who they are or whom they love. Through budget 20…
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Madam Speaker, in the face of global uncertainty and U.S. tariffs, our country remains strong. I do want to cite that in the face of this, Canada has created over 147,000 jobs. We have already heard today youth unemployment is going down, wage growth is outpacing inflation by 4.7% and Canadians are working. In fact, who is leading the way? Women are leading. They are working in this country. They …
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Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the unique challenges that women and other victims face in this country, and this bill is truly important. Bill C-16 would protect those victims. I have already touched on a few things in my speech today, but really the key is addressing and criminalizing coercive control and all the precursors to an ultimate end for women, in terms of severe issues that are …
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Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I want to thank the members of the justice committee and the witnesses who contributed to the study of this bill. Their work highlighted the urgent need to strengthen protections for victims and survivors. It is an honour to rise in Parliament to support Bill C-16, the protecting victims act, and above all to stand in support of the victims and survivors of gender-base…
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Mr. Speaker, gender-based violence has no place in our country. As I said in my speech, by recognizing femicide as a serious offence, tightening bail conditions for repeat offenders and investing over half a million dollars to support survivors and their families, we are strengthening protections for victims of domestic violence.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. secretary of state for sharing her perspectives, and I completely agree. The Conservatives opposite have an opportunity right now. If they really want to end gender-based violence, and if they really want to help victims and survivors, they can help move Bill C-16, the protecting victims act, forward. I just want to share, as I already said in my speech earlier, that …
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians are facing the impacts of change and global uncertainty driven by U.S. tariffs. That is why our government has a clear plan. We are diversifying trade, creating good jobs in this country, building faster and investing in workers while making life more affordable. This plan is working. Canada is projected to have the fastest growing economy in the G7. We are going to take car…
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Mr. Speaker, we recognize that Canadians are facing challenging times. That is why our government is providing real relief for Canadians. Through the national school food program, we are feeding 400,000 kids healthy meals at school. I have good news. On Friday, Canadians are going to get the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. An average family of four will receive $1,900. This is real relief…
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Mr. Speaker, I will point out that the member is from the province of Ontario and continues to vote against supports and affordability to help Canadians. Let us talk about Ontario. More than four million people have received the GST rebate, delivering $2.2 billion to Ontarians. We are also helping first-time homebuyers. In the province of Ontario, there is an average of savings of up to $200,000 f…
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Mr. Speaker, building the strongest economy in the G7 means full and equal participation of women and gender-diverse Canadians. This is why I announced $77 million in funding to extend projects to nearly 400 organizations for women and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across Canada. These are organizations on the front lines, such as Victim Services of Peel, that are helping women thrive in the workforce an…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member from Sarnia for her small business advocacy. I have good news. We have not just one but two new trade agreements that have been made law, with the United Kingdom and Indonesia. Together these agreements are going to boost our trade ties and give Canadian businesses access to markets and more than 340 million people. That means new customers for our exporters, new op…
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Mr. Speaker, with our spring economic update, what we are doing is supporting workers and young Canadians. We are making sure that life is more affordable for Canadians. We are building strong and safer communities, and again, introducing a sovereign wealth fund to make sure that Canadians can have direct access to the success of Canada. That member is from Ontario. I do not know what she has agai…
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Mr. Speaker, despite the headwinds we are experiencing here in Canada, Canada has a strong fiscal position. Let us take a look at the facts. Wages are up by 4.7%, outpacing inflation. We have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We are creating pathways for young Canadians, making sure they have skilled jobs, specifically 100,000 Red Seal skilled jobs. We are doing that while bringing Canadians…
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Mr. Speaker, we recognize that families are still having challenges. Families are now going to the pumps. They are saving 10¢ per litre thanks to our government. We are also ensuring that when they are buying groceries and essentials, through the Canada groceries and essentials benefit they are receiving an average of $1,900 per year to ensure that we can help Canadians. They are also going to sav…
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Mr. Speaker, when it comes to affordability, that member voted against every measure we have put forward for Ontarians. Here are the facts. Parents are saving $10,000 per child for affordable child care; kids have received 99.8 million meals through a national school food program, and by the way, we are making it permanent; and we have delivered income support for over 300,000 Ontarians. These are…
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Mr. Speaker, this is not business as usual for our economy, so let us stick to the facts. Since September, Canada has created over 94,000 jobs and strong growth right across the country. Canada now has the highest employment rate compared to the United States. This is driven predominantly by women entering the force and joining because of our strong policies. Wages are up by 4.7%, faster than infl…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians need real relief right now, and we are delivering. I have great news. The very first Canada groceries and essentials benefit is going to Canadians right across the country this June. That means an additional $1,900 for a family of four to help them with support on everyday essentials. From grocery support to child care and dental care, we are there. Of course, members alread…
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Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition owes Canadians an explanation, because when he goofed up and lost his seat, Canadians spent $2.3 million of taxpayer money. What we are doing on this side of the House to support women is through the national school food program. We are feeding 400,000—
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of women and the Leader of the Opposition, let us not forget that he embedded misogynistic hashtags in his YouTube channel, promoting men who hate women. On this side of the House, we are promoting the national school food program, which is feeding 400,000 kids across the country. We have made this program permanent.
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Mr. Speaker, starting today, as mentioned, we are suspending the federal fuel tax on gasoline and diesel. If we combine this with the elimination of the consumer carbon tax, Canadians are saving 28¢ per litre at the pumps. What this means is $2.4 billion back into the pockets of Canadians. With respect to the province of Ontario alone, over four million people received the GST rebate. That is $2.2…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his support of our tourism industry, which hit a record $60 billion last summer thanks to the help of the Canada Strong pass. Last week I announced $15 million through the international convention attraction fund to bring international events here to Canadian cities. To date, ICAF has secured 116 events, with over 324,000 attendees, and has generated $803…
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Mr. Speaker, small businesses have shown incredible resilience as we continue to face this trade war. We are cutting red tape for small businesses, improving access for financing for them and helping SMEs pivot to new markets while the Prime Minister secures trade agreements with other countries. Our buy Canadian policy is giving Canadian businesses those opportunities to secure procurement opport…
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Mr. Speaker, unlike the “Canada is broken” narrative from the Conservatives, we believe in our small businesses. Reports show that Canada is attracting the highest level of foreign direct investment. In fact, we are now in second place in the G7. The world trusts Canada, with our strong economy and our resilience. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, we are securing trade agreements, creati…
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Mr. Speaker, we are delivering relief for Canadians, whether at the grocery store or on everyday essentials like gas. We have delivered the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. The member gave the perfect example of a family of four; there is $1,900 additional for that family. We have also cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. Premiers across the country, including Conservative premiers, agree w…
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Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on delivering results, which includes increasing business confidence. In fact, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported very recently that small business optimism is at the highest level in two years. That is because, on this side of the House, we are ensuring that we are cutting red tape for small and medium-sized enterprises. We are investin…
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of young people, young people in this country are ready to work, and we are making sure that the opportunities are there for them. Through Canada summer jobs, we have tens of thousands of young people who are getting a job for the first time, and they are getting experience right in their communities. We are investing $635 million in student work placements, so that post-seco…
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Mr. Speaker, we owe it to survivors and to the people we have lost to act and to prevent gender-based violence. As we advance these major projects, we are working with communities to protect women, girls and gender-diverse people. Through our national action plan, we are strengthening prevention and ensuring that survivors can access those supports. This is how we ensure that progress never comes …
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Mr. Speaker, the budget will deliver generational investments for the province of Ontario, and the member, who is from Ontario, voted against these measures in our budget implementation act. Through the Build Canada Homes program, we are creating thousands of affordable homes, including the Arbo Downsview project. Again, the member opposed 40% affordable homes being developed. We will use Canadian…
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Mr. Speaker, this member is also from Ontario and voted against our budget, which will make generational investments. We are making investments in our economy. We are protecting our communities and empowering Canadians, and the members opposite continue to obstruct this progress. We are creating jobs in clean energy through the Darlington nuclear project, which is going to help support 1.2 million…
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Madam Speaker, in stark contrast with the Leader of the Opposition, our Prime Minister is doing what he did in Davos, showing what real leadership looks like. In Davos, the Prime Minister said, “Middle powers must act together because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu.” Thanks to our Prime Minister, Canada is at the table. We are securing multi-billion dollar deals with many different c…
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of affordability, I know how it felt to pay over $2,000 a month for child care when I was raising my two young kids. The good news is that, today, families are saving over $16,000 per year thanks to the affordable child care that our government put in place. Our national early learning child care is also about giving families more choice. This is empowering parents, especiall…
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Mr. Speaker, Canada's commitment to inclusion and equality is embedded in our charter, a commitment we reaffirm as we celebrate and mark Black History Month. Through the Black entrepreneurship program, the government is giving Black entrepreneurs the tools they need to scale and grow their businesses. To date, we have supported over 24,000 Black entrepreneurs across this country, who are creating …
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Mr. Speaker, let us break down affordability for an average young family of four in a year. The Canada groceries and essentials benefit would deliver nearly $1,900. That same family can receive the Canada child benefit, which provides $7,000. It is also saving $16,000 for affordable child care, $730 for dental care and $800 for the national school food program, and it will get $840 because we cut …
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Mr. Speaker, we are delivering relief for Canadians when they need it the most. According to the Canadian Labour Congress, “Strengthening the GST credit, now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit...will help many Canadians trying to make ends meet.” For 12 million people, this support will mean more breathing room when deciding between groceries, rent, medicine and other everyday essentials.…
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Mr. Speaker, the member speaks about relief, and we would deliver that through the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. A family of four would receive $1,900 a year, but to address the root causes of food insecurity, we are strengthening Canada's food supply by supporting Canadian producers and local greenhouses that are small businesses. We are building the national food security strategy so …
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Mr. Speaker, we are on a mission to build the strongest economy in the G7, and small businesses are at the heart of that. While Conservatives talk down Canada, the Prime Minister delivers, securing multi-billion dollar trade deals so that small and medium-sized enterprises can grow and scale their businesses and have opportunities not just here in Canada but around the world. Our buy Canadian poli…
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Mr. Speaker, while members opposite minimize our affordability plan, let us take an example of a young family of four this year. With supports like the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, the Canada child benefit, affordable child care, dental care, the national school food program and the fact that we cut taxes for millions of Canadians, this family will save over $50,000 a year. This is rea…
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Mr. Speaker, I do not understand how the Conservatives can look their constituents in the eye when all they do in the House is obstruct what we are doing and the progress we are making. We cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are making the national school food program permanent. This is going to help 400,000 kids eat healthy meals at school. We are saving families $16,000 per year through affor…
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of food banks, Food Banks Canada welcomes the introduction of the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, calling it “an important step to help people facing rising affordability pressures." While the members opposite obstruct real progress, we understand the affordability that is top of mind for Canadians. This is going to help 12 million Canadians. That is incredible. It i…
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Mr. Speaker, our government is taking real action on affordability, on protecting women's economic security and on empowering women across the country. We are introducing a middle-class tax cut that is going to benefit 22 million Canadians across the country, and we are making the national school food program permanent. This is going to feed kids at school, while putting more money back into Canad…
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Mr. Speaker, my heart goes out to parents facing challenges, and we care about families. While Conservatives amplify panic instead of offering a single solution, the evidence is clear. Research from the C.D. Howe Institute confirms that the Canada child benefit is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce child poverty and help families afford essentials. Let us be honest: Conservatives vo…
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Mr. Speaker, 36 years ago our country was irrevocably shaken by a horrific act of gender-based violence. On December 6, 1989, a gunman entered École Polytechnique in Montreal, forced women and men apart, and then launched a violent shooting, murdering 14 young women and injuring 13 others, solely because they were women. As we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Wom…
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Mr. Speaker, as we mark the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, we recognize the women who built this movement and the work that lies ahead. On Economic Abuse Awareness Day, we recognize that gender-based violence can be physical, emotional and psychological. That is why in our budget, we committed to working with financial institutions on a code of conduct to prevent economic abuse…
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Mr. Speaker, in budget 2025, we are making generational investments to build Canada strong. Again, we have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. This is making sure we put more money back into their pockets. We are also supporting our young people. We have created new pathways to support them. This is 175,000 jobs for young people through the Canada summer jobs and student work placement programs. W…
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Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes that in order to build a strong economy, we need to ensure that women and girls are safe and have the tools they need to be supported and to thrive. That is why our government is investing $660.5 million over five years, with $131 million ongoing. This includes stable funding to prevent gender-based violence, strengthen women's economic security and support e…
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