Parliamentary Speeches

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying that a nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members. As parliamentarians, we have an opportunity and an obligation to take bold action to address income inequality in Canada. Day after day, we squabble in this place over who is at fault for the state of health care, food insecurity, criminality and low productivity, but at the …

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, Veterans Affairs Canada recognizes the growing interest in the use of service dogs to support Veterans with physical and mental health conditions as well as offering a range of mental health treatments for various conditions. At present, psychiatric service dogs are not currently recognized under Veterans Affairs Canada’s treatment benefits however Veterans Affairs Canada remains comm…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, in response to part (a) of the question,two legal actions were filed against Veterans Affairs Canada related to medical assistance in dying, or MAID, since January 2018. As for part (b), the Department of Justice Canada represents the Canadian government in any litigation matter, and when a settlement takes place, it is common for the terms to be confidential. With respect to part (c)…

Routine Proceedings

Pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 2024-25 annual report of the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman.

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, the second petition is on the subject of parental alienation and the use of this pseudo-theory in divorce and child custody cases. This is something that is commonly invoked when domestic violence is reported on the part of a custodial parent. It is an unfounded and dangerous theory, and it sometimes causes courts to lose sight of the best interests of the child and make decisions foc…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first petition is from Prince Edward Islanders who are concerned about pharmacare. They point out that health care is a human right and that age, income, pre-existing conditions, province or territory and immigration status should not determine their ability to pay. Petitioners call on Parliament to immediately pass legislation for a public, …

Routine Proceedings

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 23rd report of the Standing Committee on Health, entitled “Saving More Lives: Improving Guidance, Increasing Access and Achieving Better Outcomes in Breast Cancer Screening”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report. In conclusion, I would lik…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition on the subject of a basic income guarantee demonstration project in the province of Prince Edward Island. In November 2020, the Special Committee on Poverty in PEI recommended immediate negotiations with the Government of Canada to implement a basic income guarantee demonstration project for Prince Edward Island. This particular idea has the full sup…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, the question may be slightly off topic for the speech and the conversation, but health care is indeed one of the major challenges facing the federal and provincial governments. When I go door to door in my riding, this is the number one issue on people's minds. As I mentioned in my speech, one complex aspect of this issue is the fact that funding for Canada's health care system is sha…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to do that. The minister was as set back and put off by the draft guidelines as just about everyone else. The minister has encouraged the committee to bring forward a recommendation that is along the lines of the pre-emptive motion we are looking at here, but something a little more robust. He is of the view that the draft guidelines should not stand and should be revisit…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Cumberland—Colchester for that speech and his leadership on this issue before the health committee. The public may not know, but the matter that is presently under debate in the House is one that was moved at the health committee in the middle of a study on breast cancer screening guidelines. It was moved pre-emptively, before the study was complet…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I am the chair of the health committee, so I can probably give the House a bit of the background on how this report came to be and the present status of the issue before the health committee. I am inclined to agree with the member for Kingston and the Islands with respect to the motivation behind bringing this motion before the House for concurrence today. I agree that it is unfortuna…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, the study before the health committee included nine witnesses, 15 briefs and some heart-wrenching stories, both from witnesses and from members of Parliament, about the impact of this disease on them and their families. There is absolutely no question that this is something that merits the attention of the Parliament of Canada, and in a way that puts forward our best w…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 22nd report of the Standing Committee on Health in relation to Bill C‑368, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (natural health products). The committee has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments.

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, the second petition emanates from my home province of Prince Edward Island. In November 2020 there was a special committee on poverty that presented its final report to the provincial legislature, calling on the Government of Prince Edward Island to begin negotiations with the Government of Canada with a view to develop and implement a basic income guarantee demonstration program for …

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today. The first calls on the Government of Canada to create a national nutrition coupon program fund that would strengthen and grow all existing and proposed provincial farmers' market nutrition coupon programs across Canada.

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, two years ago today, my region braced as hurricane Fiona made landfall. In the aftermath, we learned that the vicious storm had destroyed homes, reshaped our coastlines and, most tragically, had taken lives. The resilience of Islanders and all Atlantic Canadians became apparent afterwards, as we all came together as neighbours to support each other. On this sombre anniversary, I would…

Statements By Members

Mr. Speaker, over 8,000 Prince Edward Islanders have already received dental care thanks to the Canadian dental care plan and the dental professionals in P.E.I., who worked closely with our indefatigable Minister of Health to improve the program. I wish to recognize the leadership of the Dental Association of Prince Edward Island, including Dr. Mike Connolly and Dr. Matt Shaffner, who always put t…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 20th report of the Standing Committee on Health, entitled “Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines.”

Government Orders

Madam Speaker, I would like to hear from the member about the long-standing tradition of the Conservative Party of Canada standing against renewable energy in the Atlantic provinces. I represent Prince Edward Island. When I first ran in 2011, Stephen Harper was the prime minister. He repeatedly and steadfastly refused to invest in a third cable that would have allowed power to come from Point Lepr…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, my province of Prince Edward Island has saved more than $2 million in out-of-pocket costs since the launch of P.E.I.'s copay program last year. This federal funding for P.E.I. has improved access to prescription drugs and made them more affordable for Islanders. The success of this pilot can be replicated across the country. Could the Minister of Health describe the impact that univer…

Government Orders

Madam Speaker, I will go back to my constituents with immense pride with the investments a confident country makes in its people and the investments a confident country makes in the most pressing challenges of the day. When I go back to my riding and talk about this budget, what people are going to want to know about is health care. That is job one. The answer to that is $200 billion, and I am pro…

Government Orders

Madam Speaker, I am from Prince Edward Island, and we always welcome federal investment. I understand Quebec's concern. Her story is very different from mine. I am convinced that the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec have a good relationship. We need to have some tough conversations. I expect the conversation to be ongoing. I hope that the provincial and federal governments will al…

Government Orders

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to the budget implementation act and how budget 2024 impacts the good people of Charlottetown, whom I am proud to represent. I would like to start by congratulating the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister for her hard work in judiciously addressing the most pressing priorities of Canadians while being mindful of spending. We have heard l…

Government Orders

Madam Speaker, I can assure my colleague that the health committee is more manageable in part because of his presence. With regard to his question on ghost gear, this problem has dramatically increased in our part of the world thanks to hurricane Fiona, so the short answer to his question is yes. This is not the time to be cutting funding for programs to retrieve ghost gear, certainly not on the e…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports of the Standing Committee on Health. The 17th report is titled “The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board: Ensuring the Effectiveness of the Reform Process”. The 18th report is titled “Fostering Healthy Childhoods: A Foundation for Resilient Generations”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee r…

Statements By Members

Mr. Speaker, the month of May marks MS Awareness Month. Last week, I met with representatives of MS Canada to discuss how we can work together to improve the lives of those living with MS and prevent MS before it starts. For more than 90,000 Canadians, including 1,000 islanders, affected by MS, hope for the future is found in research. It is research that will help us understand the cause, prevent…

Private Members' Business

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to speak in favour of Bill C-347, an act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, oath of office, which was sponsored by my friend and colleague, the hon. member for Madawaska—Restigouche. I want to thank the hon. member for the work he has put into this piece of legislation. Like any experienced lawyer, he has left no stone unturned. He has antic…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, we know that families are struggling with the cost of living. For parents of young children, the Canada-wide early learning and child care system is helping them return to the workforce while accessing affordable, quality child care. In Prince Edward Island, $10-a-day child care has been available since January 1, and we can already see its positive impacts. Can the Minister of Famili…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, this confrontational approach has no place here. It has no place anywhere. It certainly has no place in intergovernmental relations. The model that was used by the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities to urge Charlottetown along to get on board with the housing accelerator fund is one that is going to bear fruit, and it is one that displays a level of respect that is me…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is right. Things are really very difficult here in the House. There is not a lot of collaboration. In the last parliamentary period, a lot of legislative acrobatics went on to delay the progress of any bill introduced by the government. I look forward to seeing this bill pass. I am sure it will benefit my constituents and Canadians as a whole. However, the pace of this wh…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons I am repeatedly told as to why the zoning problem in Prince Edward Island has not been fixed is that the government is intent on a major overhaul of the entire EI system. That, for me, is frustrating, but that would give the chance to solve my problem and the problem identified by the hon. member.

Government Orders

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today on behalf of the residents of Charlottetown, the birthplace of Confederation, in support of Bill C-59, the fall economic statement implementation act, as tabled by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. These last few weeks, I have had the privilege of spending time in my constituency and having meaningful conversations with residents about the…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, I also expect, as someone who has advocated so strongly and so successfully for the removal of HST on psychotherapy services, that the member will be supporting Bill C-59. I expect that it is in Bill C-59 because of the member's advocacy. There is no denying that we are in tough economic times. There is absolutely no denying that and that is the reason for the measures that are in Bil…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, Canadian veterans have fought for our country and deserve all the respect in the world. Our government has invested over $11 billion in new services and supports for veterans since 2016 and will always support those who have served to promote and defend Canadian values, both at home and in so-called faraway foreign lands. Can the Prime Minister update this House on what measures this …

Routine Proceedings

Madam Speaker, this monument was the result of a process that involved a jury, which chose a monument design by Daoust. At the same time, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a massive consultation that included numerous veterans groups; the overwhelming preference was for another project, put forward by Stimson. I really appreciated, during her speech, how the member cast light on the wond…

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are proud of those who have worn the Canadian Forces uniform and defended our rights and freedoms. However, the important contributions of our indigenous veterans have not always been properly recognized. On this Indigenous Veterans Day, I would like to ask the Prime Minister what the government is doing to ensure that the sacrifices of these brave men and women are given th…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, 10 days ago, the Prince Edward Island Marathon was run on a clear, cool morning in Charlottetown. More than 3,000 people from all over the world participated in multiple categories. The P.E.I. Marathon started from humble beginnings, until 19 years ago when Myrtle Jenkins-Smith saw the potential to professionalize it, make it into a Boston Marathon qualifier, draw in corporate partner…

Mr. Chair, I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin people who have lived on these lands for millennia. We recognize the enduring presence of first nations, Métis and Inuit peoples on this territory. It is with great humility that I rise to offer my candidacy as the Speaker of the House of Commons. I have been in the workforce for 34 …

Routine Proceedings

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Health, in relation to Bill C-284, an act to establish a national strategy for eye care. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments. I would like to congratulate the sponsor, the hon. member for Humber River—Black Creek, …

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, as someone who was here in the tail end of the decade of darkness and witnessed the Harper government run deficit after deficit after deficit, attempting to cut its way to economic growth and exhibiting a period of economic growth that was the worst since the Great Depression, I really am loath to buy into the idea that austerity and cuts can get us to prosperity. Those cuts were disp…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a genuine pleasure for me to be able to be here to speak to the substance of Bill C-47, the budget implementation act. I say this because so much time has been spent dealing with whether we should now adjourn the House or adjourn debate, or whether one member or another of the Conservatives should now be heard. We have spent time sitting mute during a lengthy filibuster a…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, the member is right. Canada really does have an affordable housing crisis. We have indeed invested in a lot of programs to address that. There is still a lot of work to be done because it is true, the statistics cannot be denied. We continue to work hard to develop and finance good programs to try to make a difference. I think it is very important for everyone here, the members from a…

Government Orders

Mr. Speaker, it is a difficult question. For the CERB program to have integrity, there need to be checks at the end of the day to determine eligibility. It is my firm belief that the CRA should be acting with compassion with respect to collection efforts. It is my understanding that it is. The record of this government, particularly with the onset of Bill C-22, is one where people with disabilitie…

Statements by Members

Mr. Speaker, approximately one in 400 Canadians lives with multiple sclerosis. MS can happen to anyone, without warning. Canada is home to many world-leading MS researchers. New scientific discoveries, like the research that identified the Epstein-Barr virus as the leading risk factor for developing MS, are within our grasp and can change the outcome of the disease. Canada has one of the highest r…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the following two reports of the Standing Committee on Health. The committee's 12th report concerns the main estimates 2023-24. In addition, I present the 13th report, in relation to Bill C-252, an act to amend the Food and Drugs Act, on the prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children. The committee has stud…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 11th report of the Standing Committee on Health in relation to Bill S-203, an act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House without amendment. I would like to congratulate and thank the member for Edmonton—Wetaskiwin fo…

Routine Proceedings

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Health, entitled “Addressing Canada’s Health Workforce Crisis”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

Oral Questions

Mr. Speaker, over the past 20 years, Prince Edward Island has become an important hub in the bioscience sector with 60 companies and more than 2,300 skilled workers now calling our province home. With leadership from the P.E.I. BioAlliance, and investments from the province and the Government of Canada, the sector has enjoyed dynamic growth, which has diversified the economy of P.E.I. Last week, t…

Routine Proceedings

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the ninth report of the Standing Committee on Health regarding Bill C-224, an act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with amendments. We who work in the standing committees…