Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we all agree in the House that tuberculosis rates in Inuit Nunangat and in many first nations communities remain far too high and that this serves as a reminder of historical discrimination and the lasting effects of colonization. Can the Minister of Indigenous Services tell the House what our new government is doing to eradicate tuberculosis by 2030?
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Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are addressing, not only with the auto industry strategy but also with all the major work of the government right now: reducing our reliance on the United States and diversifying our trade partnerships across the globe. That is why we are really excited about the progress that has been made with the signing of all the new trade agreements internationally with t…
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Mr. Speaker, the electric vehicle availability standard that we were debating at the environment committee was never actually live. It was still being debated. It was not going to start until 2035, so none of that has actually happened. The global trends have been fairly consistent. What has happened right now between Canada and the United States we could not really predict. The member is right, b…
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Guelph. It is my pleasure to participate in this debate today. As we all know, times are changing. We are in uncertain times in an uncertain world, but our government is focused on what we can control. As part of Canada’s new industrial strategy, we are transforming our economy from one that is reliant on a single trade partner to one that…
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Mr. Speaker, I will not comment on the Conservative Party's priorities around oil and gas, but I will say what I said before: The research shows that incentives for electric vehicles are really important in the early adoption phase. The idea of this five-year plan with the rebates is that by the time we hit those five years, the cost of electric vehicles should have continued to decrease and will …
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Mr. Speaker, as the Olympics take off, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are cheering on our team Canada athletes. I am especially excited to support our national women's hockey team. This is a strong team made up of talented players from across the PWHL, including Blayre Turnbull, from Stellarton, Nova Scotia. I want to shout out head coach Troy Ryan, who grew up in Spryfield, which is in my…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents in New Scotland, proudly wearing the Nova Scotia tartan thoughtfully given to me by my sister-in-law at Christmas, to recognize that this past Sunday, January 25, was Robbie Burns Day. This tradition honours the bard, who was an 18th-century giant of poetry and literature. At a time when Scottish culture was on the decline, Robbie Burns reinvi…
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Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign, I knocked on thousands of doors throughout Halifax. I kept hearing the same concerns about access to health care. My voters know that the federal government can and must be at the table with solutions to improve our health care system. Can the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship tell the House how our government will contribute to this essen…
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Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and legacy of a true Nova Scotian legend. Throughout her decades-long careers in curling and journalism, Colleen Jones broke down barrier after barrier, smashing through glass ceilings. A two-time world champion, six-time national champion, and 16-time provincial champion, having played more Scotties games than any curler in Canadian history, she was a s…
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Madam Speaker, the global economy has changed, and Canada must change with it. In the face of uncertainty and the need to transition to a low-carbon economy, our government's budget is a plan to meet the moment with generational investments that will build a stronger and more resilient country. For my constituents in Halifax, these investments are not abstract promises. They include concrete oppor…
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Mr. Speaker, I actually used to work for a local government and I spent a lot of time navigating jurisdictional differences between all three levels of government. We cannot move forward as a nation unless we work really positively and have strong relationships with our provincial and territorial counterparts, our indigenous governments and our local governments. I would invite the member to point…
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Mr. Speaker, I am really excited about this budget, and people in my community are also very excited. It means great things for Halifax. As I outlined in my speech, we are a port city. We are well positioned to expand our trade to Europe and elsewhere. We have an amazing offshore wind resource. We are going full tilt on improving the health care system. I am really excited about the build communit…
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Mr. Speaker, I beg to differ. I sit in the Atlantic caucus, and we have a thriving francophone population across Atlantic Canada. In a recent meeting, I heard that our numbers are going up and passing targets. We have multiple investments in this budget to support the Francophonie across our nation, and not just in Quebec. I outlined only one that was particularly exciting for me. That $4 million …
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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Halifax-based ImmigrateAI Global for winning third place in the global business competition at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance Summit. This is the first time a Nova Scotia company has been recognized on the G20 stage. Max Medyk, the founder and CEO, had to navigate the immigration system when he came to the United States and then to Canada from Ukraine…
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Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to see that this budget includes funding to support francophone communities across the country, including Acadians. Funding for National Acadian Day festivities has been doubled and made permanent. Could my hon. colleague talk to us about the importance of supporting the francophonie, not only in her riding, but across Canada?
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Mr. Speaker, my riding of Halifax is home to a thriving defence sector with more than 10,000 Canadian Armed Forces members. I know that many of my constituents, including those in uniform, watched yesterday as the Minister of Finance tabled budget 2025. Can the Minister of National Defence speak to the new defence investments Canada is making?
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Mr. Speaker, Halifax is a hub for vibrant and talented artists. We are home to a renowned art and design school, more than 65 galleries, dynamic performing artists and an industry that supports thousands of jobs. Earlier this month, much of my community came together for Nocturne, a city-wide event celebrating Halifax's art scene. Each October, Nocturne presents its Art-at-Night Festival, a free a…
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Mr. Speaker, women's health has consistently been a blind spot in our health care system. We use data to make critical decisions. When research fails to account for gender differences, the results are biased, and women pay the price. From heart attacks to endometriosis, from menopause to cancers, there is a lack of focused research and a deficiency in critical data. Can the Parliamentary Secretary…
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Mr. Speaker, this week, 400 community leaders from across Canada, including municipal governments, indigenous communities and community organizations, are gathered in Halifax for the Livable Cities Forum. Hosted by ICLEI Canada and the Halifax Regional Municipality, the forum’s purpose is clear: to accelerate climate action in our communities by working together through creative and ambitious part…
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Mr. Speaker, we have been consulting indigenous communities across this country on Bill C-5. We have been in these conversations for months now. I disagree with that statement.
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Mr. Speaker, I 100% agree that we need this independent commissioner, who would be chosen in collaboration with our indigenous partners, with whom we have been working on this for so long.
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Mr. Speaker, it is pretty clear from some of the details in the bill that there are not teeth like there are in a court. This is more about holding the government to account, being transparent, making sure that we are what we have committed to doing in this relationship, and progressing truth and reconciliation in this country. The bill is not intended to have those teeth, but it is intended to be…
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Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Yellowhead. Kwe. Ullukkut. Taanshi. Hello. I would like to begin by honouring the Algonquin Anishinabe nation, on whose traditional, unceded and unsurrendered territory Canada’s Parliament is established. I am honoured to rise and speak today in support of Bill C-10, which would establish a commissioner for modern treaty implementation. Th…
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Mr. Speaker, the need for this commissioner comes from the relationship that we have now and are continuing to grow with our indigenous partners across this country. This bill was in the last Parliament and up for debate, but it did not get passed. We have been asked specifically to consider passing it without amendment, because it is a top priority. Part of a healthy relationship is listening to …
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Canada's skilled tradespeople, who build our homes, our infrastructure and our future. From ironworkers and welders to electricians and painters, along with all the apprentices starting their careers, tradespeople are the backbone of our economy. Through our government's focus on major projects, we are creating more opportunities for Cana…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Discovery Centre, a pillar of the Halifax community, which has evolved into a flagship Canadian export and global success. The Discovery Centre model, designed and engineered in Halifax, provides an accessible way for youth and community members to experience science and technology up close through immersive Canadian-made exhibits. Under the leadership of…
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Mr. Speaker, more than ever, Canadians are feeling a deep sense of pride in who we are. We are united by our shared history, rich cultures and breathtaking landscapes. In my riding of Halifax, we have the Citadel National Historic Site, which stands as a powerful symbol of our past. Nova Scotia has three world-renowned gems in Sable Island, Kejimkujik and Cape Breton Highlands national parks. Coul…
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Mr. Chair, to the minister, Canada's ports are vital gateways for international trade, serving as crucial links between domestic producers and global markets. Major ports like the port of Halifax in my riding, the port of Vancouver and the port of Montreal handle millions of tonnes of cargo each year, including everything from agricultural products and natural resources to manufactured goods. Thes…
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Mr. Chair, Canada is one of the largest countries in the world, stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic and up to the Arctic Ocean. This vast geography provides Canada with access to a wide range of global shipping routes and international markets, giving us a unique advantage in global trade. From the Port of Vancouver facilitating trade with Asia to the Port of Halifax opening access to Euro…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge World Environment Day and join the global community in recognizing the urgent need to end plastic pollution, which is this year's theme. In Halifax, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, we feel the impact of plastic pollution first-hand. Our marine heritage, vibrant coastal communities, fisheries and rich ecosystems depend on a healthy environment. We do not s…
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Mr. Chair, I am honoured to rise today to give my first speech in the House of Commons for the 45th Parliament. I am hugely grateful to my family, friends, colleagues and volunteers for this opportunity. We heard from Canadians, and they voted for a strong Liberal government to build and strengthen our economy under the leadership of our Prime Minister. It is a privilege to speak today about a vit…
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Mr. Chair, to the minister, why is it important for Canadians to support nation-building projects like transportation infrastructure, and how do these projects help bring us closer together as a country? Throughout Canada's history, major infrastructure undertakings like the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Trans-Canada Highway and our network of airports and ports have played a v…
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today, one month after being elected, to thank the people of Halifax for placing their trust in me. I am here in the House of Commons today because of my community's support. Halifax is a special place. Known to the Mi'kmaw, who cared for the land for millennia, as Kjipuktuk, The Great Harbour, it is one of Canada's oldest cities. It is home to Black communities predating Confe…
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