Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, Tuesday's tragic events at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School have left a community devastated. My heart is with the families grieving unimaginable loss. I am wishing love and strength to the people who were injured and to the students, staff and residents who are now trying to process what happened. No community should have to experience this kind of violence. I want to acknowledge the c…
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's support for the bill. In terms of what we call it, that is really up to the legislation. I have no objection to his suggestion, but I would suggest that once it, hopefully, passes second reading, this is something that could be addressed in committee.
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Mr. Speaker, Iranian Canadians' hearts ache every day. It is the silence after an email that never delivers, the fear when a loved one cannot be reached and the worry that a simple act of courage will be met with violence. In our communities across B.C.'s Lower Mainland, many are living this reality right now, as they have relatives and friends in Iran facing repression, detention and worse. To th…
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Mr. Speaker, let me start by acknowledging that Canada's Parliament is located on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people, whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. I am honoured to rise in the House today to speak in support of Bill C-10, an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation. This legislation represents a vital step forward…
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Mr. Speaker, while it is true that existing committees can undertake studies of this kind, many committees do a lot of work on many different things. What is important about this approach is that it is a focus mechanism that is deeply integrated in our relationship with indigenous people and would allow this new agent of Parliament to focus very directly, on an ongoing basis, on matters that are o…
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Mr. Speaker, the member is concerned that there is no enforcement capability in this agency, while at the same time he is bewailing what he considers the creation of a bureaucracy. I would suggest that if enforcement were incorporated, that would mandate an enormous bureaucracy. In truth, there would be no bureaucracy around the position. This is all about using the bureaucracy of the House of Com…
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Mr. Speaker, the member mentioned that Parliament's remit is not only legislation but also holding government to account. He mentioned many times the Auditor General. I would remind the member that the role of this new commissioner is exactly in parallel with that of the Auditor General. Its job is to inform Parliament, to make Parliament more able to hold ministers to account and to hold governme…
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Mr. Speaker, I have a list here of dozens of indigenous partners that were consulted. In my speech, I mentioned there were 130 organizations and indigenous governments that were consulted. This position of an independent agent of Parliament has been requested by indigenous partners and peoples for at least 20 years. It is critical in being able to focus on the deficiencies in the processes and to …
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Mr. Speaker, I certainly agree with my hon. colleague about how important this bill is for all of us, each and every person in this country who benefits from a long-time establishment on former indigenous lands, unceded and unreconciled. We all have a stake in the outcome, and we all have something to offer going forward.
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Mr. Speaker, I believe that my constituents are very happy with the results that we are producing. I have heard very solid and promising comments from people. They are very excited to see the outcome of the budget when it happens, and certainly, in the interim, to see measures like this take effect.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Beauport—Limoilou for sharing his time with me. It is my pleasure to take part in this debate today on Bill C-19, the Canada groceries and essentials benefits act. As we all know, advanced economies around the world are facing complex economic challenges, and Canada is no different. Rising protectionism in the form of tariffs, supply chain disrupti…
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Mr. Speaker, I would not agree with the causes of the high price for food that the hon. member mentioned. It is more realistic to understand that the high prices for food at this time are due more to tariffs, climate change and things like that. This program is not intended to be a magic bullet that will solve all the problems. This is a program that will help people to weather the storm while our…
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Mr. Speaker, I will refer to my predecessor, who answered the question about whether payments are monthly or quarterly. It is a practical matter of getting things out in an efficient and effective manner. In terms of the overall budget that we presented before Christmas, it still has to be passed. It still has to go through all the steps it needs to go through. This is faster. This will allow us t…
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Mr. Speaker, I would say that we are always open to collaboration with the opposition benches. We are looking for solutions for Canadians and moving things forward in a coherent and efficient manner.
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Mr. Chair, absolutely, we must continue to support the industry. We must continue to provide alternative directions. We must continue to build out our use of wood products domestically and to develop market diversity so that we can sell more offshore. The United States does not have to be our only external market. We can sell to the world. We have a product that is worth selling to the world, a pr…
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Mr. Chair, we certainly do need to pursue other approaches, but we are still faced with the fundamental fact that the President of the United States thinks that he does not need our lumber. He is, of course, very wrong about that. We will continue to work with him and work with the administration to let them know that they do need what we have.
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Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time. I rise today with a profound sense of solidarity and optimism to speak for the tens of thousands of Canadians whose lives and livelihoods are entwined with our nation's softwood lumber sector. These men and women, from the forests to the mills to the communities they support, embody the spirit of Canadian resilience, enterprise and hope. Canada's softwood lumb…
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Mr. Chair, the extraordinary and unjust tariffs that we are facing right now were not actually present during the election. The Prime Minister did negotiate with the United States and, in fact, 85% of our products, in general, are tariff-free. They are covered under CUSMA. Our fundamental problem with the United States and the softwood lumber arrangement is that the United States administration be…
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Mr. Chair, I certainly would love to see this resolved under the new version of CUSMA. The fundamental problem, as I mentioned before, is that at the moment the United States administration does not believe it needs our lumber. The President said so back in September. He said, “We don't need their lumber, because we have our own forests.” The United States is wrong. It does need our lumber. Once i…
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Mr. Speaker, I know that in the budget, we are making a great many adjustments. One thing we are doing going forward is adding 1,000 members to the RCMP and 1,000 members to the CBSA. As we go forward, we are also adjusting various government expenditures right across the board to make sure we are paying for the right things at the right time.
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Mr. Speaker, I am not sufficiently familiar with the Jordan principle to respond to that, but I note that in this legislation, we are emphasizing the importance of increasing the severity of sentences for violent crimes and sex offenders, and informing our judicial system that we consider these matters with great seriousness. Judges should be very careful with these kinds of crimes when granting b…
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Mr. Speaker, I think all of our systems and first responders need to be appropriately funded and supported. I am not sure what remarks the member mentioned, but I certainly support continuing the proper funding of our police services and our emergency services in general.
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Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak to Bill C-14, a bill the government has introduced to strengthen bail and sentencing laws. With over 80 clauses, it represents a major step in modernizing Canada's criminal justice system and reinforcing public safety. Today I would like to speak to the House about three of the amendments that aim to protect our communities by strengthening o…
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Mr. Speaker, that is a great question. Of course, we have consulted very broadly and very widely with first responders, with police and with legislators across the country to provide the direction we are going in and to get this direction under way. It is critically important that we pass this legislation soon so we can take the appropriate action in a timely manner. As the member mentioned, it is…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate Port Coquitlam's Patina Brewing on its success at the 2025 BC Beer Awards. On October 17, at New Westminster's Anvil Centre, Patina earned second place in the mixed-style beer category for its Italian Pilsner. This recognition reflects the skill and pride of a hometown team that keeps raising the bar for quality and community. Our region's craft beer scene is thri…
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Mr. Speaker, could the member speak a little more about how important it is for Canadians to be able to travel without putting their offsprings' citizenship at risk?
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Mr. Speaker, the member said that Parliament is supreme and we should, therefore, ignore the ruling of the court. I would suggest to her that, rather, it is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that is supreme, and it is the role of the court to advise parliamentarians when our laws exceed the capacity of the charter. I would ask the member to please comment on that.
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Madam Speaker, yes, it is indeed time to modernize. The world is a very precarious place these days; it is very volatile, and there are many people around the world who are in danger and want to come to Canada. We want to make sure we provide a safe haven, but we need to provide the appropriate checks and balances to do so.
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Madam Speaker, once again, I thank the member for her concerns. They are important things to consider and to be wary of, but I would also rely on the committee to undertake a very strong study of this matter and come forward with appropriate recommendations and, of course, its deliberations.
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Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. member that the process is important and that we do have to make sure the appropriate checks and balances are in place and people can get their story properly before the decision-makers. I believe that is the thrust of what the advance risk assessment process is about, to make sure that we put in that additional process and put in the additional checks and bala…
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Madam Speaker, I agree 100% with the thrust of the member's question. Having robust borders and robust processes around our borders ensures that our systems perform correctly, so that the people who need to be here are able to be here, the people who need to be removed are removed, and they are removed in a very effective and just manner.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered today on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I rise today to speak about how the legislative amendments proposed in Bill C-12 would continue to uphold our humanitarian tradition and due process while focusing resources on those who need them and improving confidence in our asylum system. These amend…
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Madam Speaker, I am happy to welcome a new local newsroom serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, New Westminster and Burnaby. It is called Freshet News, and its first edition went online on Sunday. Local news is not a luxury. It is how neighbours learn what councils have decided, what local sports team won the game and what small businesses recently opened. The launch follows a community e…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to Bill C-11, the military justice modernization act. The Minister of National Defence has made it clear that Canada's new government is committed to ensuring the members of the Canadian Armed Forces have a workplace where all members feel supported, respected and included. Canadians have watched over the past few years as the Canadian Armed Forces has made signi…
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Mr. Speaker, to me, what seems to underscore the very importance of the bill is the fact that certain issues could be separated from the military justice system and put into the civilian system. In some cases, for example, circumstances of sexual misconduct and other things of that sort could be directed directly to the Canadian Human Rights Commission without going through internal processes. I w…
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Mr. Speaker, these are very important considerations that we have to look at seriously right across the board. However, what we are dealing with today is the military justice system modernization act, and I think that is what we should focus on.
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Mr. Speaker, we brought this bill forward to be passed, and we count on the support of all members of the House to do so. It is clear that all members value the importance of this bill and the need for it to pass. The bill that was introduced in the previous Parliament, as mentioned, was unable to be proceeded with because of the filibuster that went on, which basically brought Parliament to its k…
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Mr. Speaker, I 100% agree. We need to allow provincial governments to operate within their jurisdictions and do what they need to do. We can certainly support them to whatever extent we can, but let us focus on what we can do with this bill in the interim.
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Mr. Speaker, while I do not dispute that those deficiencies exist, I think they are problems for another time and another bill. What we are focusing on now is the military justice system modernization act and how we deal with it in the military system. Let us focus on that. As we carry on and move into other areas, let us focus on those areas when we get to them.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians have watched over the past few years as the Canadian Armed Forces has made significant efforts to modernize and evolve as a 21st century workplace. While much has been accomplished toward this goal, there is still much more to do. Proposed Bill C-11 is another critical step towards meaningful and lasting institutional reform. Bill C-11 focuses on strengthening trust and conf…
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Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to mark Veterans' Week and Remembrance Day, young Canadians are learning about the invaluable contributions our Canadian Armed Forces have made around the world and here at home. How is the Minister of Veterans Affairs increasing youth engagement this year to help the next generation understand what it means to serve?
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians across the country are preparing to mark the day of truth and reconciliation on September 30. This is an opportunity for us all to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools and to honour survivors and their families. Can the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations share with us the importance of this day and how Canadians can do their part to address the legac…
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Mr. Speaker, our government will win the trade war thrust upon us, by making Canada an energy superpower, diversifying our exports and building the strongest economy in the G7, all while working with first nations rights holders. Selling our resources responsibly will generate revenues needed to deliver the programs Canadians rely on, while helping our allies shift away from higher-emissions fuel …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, as it is my first time rising in this Parliament, I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation and thanks to the people of Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam for electing me to a fourth term in this place. I am pleased about an important initiative in British Columbia, in the Lower Mainland, to save our local news. Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, New Westminster, Anmore a…
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Mr. Speaker, I object to the characterization of the member as a pretendian. As I mentioned in my speech, the member for Edmonton Centre's company received no funding through any indigenous stream whatsoever. He is a man of honour with a good reputation, and I have full confidence that he will be able to restore his reputation as we go forward.
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Mr. Speaker, I want first to recognize that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people. I would like to acknowledge the valuable work the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs has carried out by examining the infrastructure deficit confronting many indigenous communities. The report prepared by the committee, titled “A Path to Growth: In…
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Mr. Speaker, I have heard the member for Edmonton Centre speak on the matter. He has assured me that there is no wrongdoing behind what has gone forward. There has been some confusion in his family history; he is sorting that out, and I have full confidence in him to do the right thing and to clear his name as we go forward.
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Mr. Speaker, the member for Edmonton Centre is not responsible for allegations that amount mainly to innuendo and smear against him. In regard to water advisories, we committed to getting rid of almost all of them by 2021, and we did get rid of almost all of them by 2021. However, it is an ongoing issue that we work continuously with the various first nations communities to resolve.
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Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that these motions are a matter of an extended filibuster. I believe that the standing committees ought to maintain control of their own business. This is an end run around the notion that we cannot compel members to appear. I think it is incontestable that this is a matter of slowing down the House so the Conservatives can claim it is broken.
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 14th report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in relation to the motion adopted on Tuesday, November 5 regarding a question of privilege concerning the refusal to respond to questions by Ms. Lauren Chen.
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