Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, foreign tech giants have been crashing on our couch in Canada without paying their fair share. Today, those subscription-based foreign streaming platforms benefit from access to Canadian markets but have zero responsibility toward Canadian artists and contributing to our creators. Passing the online streaming act and regulating these foreign web giants to pay into the system that our …
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Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of sitting on the heritage committee all through this study, and as an artist myself, I know that we, on this side of the House, are fighting for artists as hard as we can. We have met with almost every major stakeholder of arts groups in the country, and they all support this bill. The opposition is talking about free speech. I would suggest that artists are …
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, the Wellesley Township Community Health Centre will make its home in the new rec complex. The health centre will be a key component of the project, more visible and accessible to the public, and it will help provide primary care services to the people in our rural townships in Kitchener—Conestoga. I want to thank Jeff and Julie Jones from Linwood, who recently donated $500,000 to the …
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Mr. Speaker, northern and indigenous communities see and experience the harsh consequences of climate change at nearly three times the rate of the rest of Canada. From housing, airports and community services to melting permafrost, coastal erosion and thinning sea ice, these changes negatively impact traditional ways of living. Since 2015, our government has worked together with northern and indig…
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Mr. Speaker, seniors in my riding of Kitchener—Conestoga have worked very hard and helped shape this country. I am hearing from more and more seniors that they would like to stay at home and in their communities for as long as possible. Many vulnerable seniors are often forced to transition to residences and long-term care homes due to the lack of services. Can the Minister of Seniors please updat…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce two petitions signed by constituents in Kitchener—Conestoga. The first petition requests that the Government of Canada address the climate emergency by enacting just transition legislation, which would reduce emissions by 60% below 2005 levels by 2030, end fossil fuel subsidies and create good green jobs.
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Mr. Speaker, the second petition I have the pleasure to present requests that the Canadian government work to require governments to prevent adverse human rights impacts and environmental damages throughout their global operations.
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Mr. Speaker, Toronto hosted the 51st annual Juno Awards, held in person for the first time in years. Our nation came together to celebrate Canada's rich and diverse music history. With talent that shines on the global stage, we can be proud of our Canadian artists. From the Fan Choice Awards to new awards like Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year, the Junos have showcased Canadian a…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, the second petition requests that the Canadian government work to require companies to prevent adverse human rights impacts and environmental damages throughout their global operations.
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to present two petitions signed by constituents in Kitchener—Conestoga. The first petition requests that the Government of Canada address the climate emergency by enacting just transition legislation that would reduce emissions by 60% below 2005 levels by 2030, end fossil fuel subsidies and create good, green jobs and more.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is a stark reminder that there is no room for complacency and that we must work with our allies to advance the cause of global peace and security. This week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is in Germany to participate in G7 and NATO meetings. Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs inform the House about our gove…
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Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his speech and for his advocacy. We share a region and a city. I know he mentioned an organization called Indwell, which supports affordable housing. We have met with them, and we are all advocating together. I wonder if the member could explain the importance of housing programs, and the benefits of federal programs such as the rapid housing initiat…
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Madam Speaker, I sit on the agriculture committee, and all parties work together. We are doing a lot of the things that the member actually said that we were not. I would hope that he would speak to his colleagues, and he is always invited to come and speak to us. We have programs such as the natural climate solutions fund, the nature smart climate solutions fund, the agricultural climate solution…
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Mr. Speaker, on this side of the aisle, we understand that growing the economy and protecting the environment go hand in hand. We also know that Canada's automotive sector has long been a pillar of our economy, especially in southwestern Ontario. Could the Prime Minister kindly update the House on how the government is securing major strategic investments in the auto sector and positioning our cou…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the incredible work done by volunteers and health care professionals at our Wellesley vaccination clinic. Throughout the pandemic, the people at this clinic have been tirelessly administering COVID-19 vaccines, prioritizing our small communities. They also took the time to visit the homes of older adults and priority populations to administer doses where…
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Madam Speaker, my colleague and I sit on the heritage committee together and work well on protecting our cultural sovereignty. One of the things that I am proud about in Canada is that we have two official languages. I was wondering if the member opposite can share with us the importance of the bill on online streaming in protecting and supporting artists in both official languages.
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Madam Chair, my colleague mentioned a massive rally in Toronto. Smaller communities held smaller rallies, but with no less passion. In Kitchener, I attended a rally at Victoria Park, where members from the Ukrainian community, small communities and the Mennonite community were standing in solidarity. Can my colleague explain the importance of people in Ukraine seeing communities all around the wor…
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the hon. member for Nickel Belt. I rise today to speak on this important motion. The decision to invoke the Emergencies Act is being taken with much consideration. This debate is crucial and necessary. For weeks now, the unlawful occupation and illegal blockades have disrupted the lives of Canadians, harmed our economy and endangered public safety. W…
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Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend across the aisle. I am practising my French. If I was any better, I would try to answer, but I want to make sure that I can express myself clearly. We do work well together in the chamber, and I think the idea of invoking this act right now is to show the safeguards that are going to be in place and the dialogue that is going to happen. The debate we …
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, being kind, compassionate and respectful is not a checklist. Rather it is who Canadians are, and we need to do that more. Mostly, it starts by listening and having those dialogues. We need to be respectful about it. If those who disagree call my office or send me an email I can handle that, but parking a truck and blocking traffic at a bridge, or taking over a city for three weeks, …
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Mr. Speaker, the last three weeks have been extraordinarily difficult for the people of Ottawa, with major roads blocked, noise at all hours of the night and people threatened and intimidated in their own communities. Despite the severe economic impacts of the last two years, downtown businesses were forced to shut their doors yet again. This past weekend, we saw police execute a coordinated plan …
Read full speech →Orders Of The Day
Madam Speaker, I respect that question; it is fantastic. We do need to look at this. We need to look at what happened. We need to look at the biases we have in our day-to-day lives, those unconscious biases that allow us to treat people differently and not with equality and equity. Hopefully as we talk about this and report on it, we will find out how we can do better in the future and make sure t…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized to my constituents in Kitchener—Conestoga and to all Canadians how crucial it is to have access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet. Investments in broadband connectivity create jobs and improve access to online learning and health care services. Can the Minister of Rural Economic Development provide an update to this House on the govern…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the incredible generosity of a family in Kitchener—Conestoga and its contribution to our local arts sector. During the pandemic, every stage across Canada went dark. As we move forward, theatres are slowly opening. In Kitchener—Conestoga over the years, countless supporters have attended the St. Jacob's Country Playhouse. The landmark theatre still stand…
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Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and to celebrate the strength, resilience and important contributions of persons with disabilities. I am proud that we are creating Canada's first disability inclusion action plan, which includes the Canada disability benefit, a robust employment strategy, and improved processes for eligibility in disability pro…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Madam Speaker, I welcome the member across and congratulate him on his election. As this is my first time to rise in the 44th Parliament, I would also like to take this time to thank everyone in Kitchener—Conestoga who put their trust in me and elected me to be their representative. I thank the volunteers and everyone who supported me, and most of all my family: my wife, Brenda; my son, Satchel; a…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, I sit on the heritage committee, and for months I watched our Conservative colleagues side with these Internet giants and against our Canadian artists, many times bringing up that misleading narrative about censorship or concerns of free speech. Artists are fierce defenders of free speech. Could the minister explain how modernizing the Broadcasting Act will help level the playing fiel…
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Mr. Speaker, I am learning to speak French. It is important to me. I know just how important Quebec culture is to Canada. How will Bill C‑10 support artists and culture in Quebec and Canada?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to recognize two people in Waterloo region who raised money and awareness for cystic fibrosis. An amazing young man named Joseph turned four years old and used his birthday celebration to raise donations. His family arranged a drive-by parade. Joseph was dressed as a pint-sized Batman, and his front yard was transformed into Gotham City. People from the community, includ…
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for his leadership and his advocacy in the field of housing. I recently hosted a round table discussion with stakeholders in my riding of Kitchener—Conestoga, talking about the national housing strategy. One of the things that came up was, in smaller communities, seniors wanting to be able to downsize and stay in their community. Can the member discuss how w…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, I was proud to meet with Woolwich Healthy Communities, an organization in Kitchener—Conestoga that is doing outstanding work locally to help protect our environment. Woolwich Healthy Communities has several working groups that are dedicated to making a difference in our riding. I spent a beautiful sunny day in Elmira this weekend, planting over 300 trees with my daughter Brooklyn and …
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Madam Speaker, there is a big difference between having conversations with people and forcing someone to undergo so-called therapy. I am hearing in this House over and over again that the idea of forcing a practice onto people, especially children, is something that everyone opposes. It seems like everyone is on the same side in that respect. We want to make sure we are protecting our youth, prote…
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Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am joining the House from the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga, the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Neutral peoples. I also wish to reflect the historical acceptance of gender-variant peoples and diverse sexual identities within indigenous communities in pre-contact times. The last two initials that have been ad…
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Madam Speaker, I thank the minister for her advocacy and leadership on this. I happen to be the member for the riding next to hers, and we work well together as a region. I mentioned that the Waterloo region is flying the pride flag at public and Catholic schools, and the minister is leading the way on that. What is also integral are the virtual town halls. I have had 30 to 35 virtual town halls, …
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Madam Speaker, I will repeat that nothing in this law would ban those kinds of legitimate discussions about one's identity or finding one's identity. It would criminalize a practice that is harmful to Canadians and a practice that has no place in this country. I will continue to say that.
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to recognize a campaign launched by the Canadian Live Music Association and one that holds a special place in my heart. I have been a professional musician my entire adult life and understand that making a living as an artist is challenging at the best of times. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on live events, with every stage in the world going dark. The Canadi…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to recognize two local newspapers from Waterloo Region that are both celebrating their 25th anniversaries in 2021. The Kitchener Citizen provides over 60,000 Kitchener households with local news each month. I want to thank editors Carrie Debrone and Helen Hall, and all the volunteers and contributors, for their hard work over the past 25 years. Also celebrating 25 year…
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Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House and recognize the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, the world's largest maple syrup festival. The festival is a local tradition, dating back to 1965. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of guests from all around the world have visited Elmira to celebrate. This past weekend, we celebrated the 56th annual and first virtual festival, featuring an online …
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Mr. Speaker, our farmers and ranchers proudly work every day to feed Canadians and the world with their products. This past year has shown how strong our food supply chain remains and how resilient our agriculture sector is. Today, February 23, we are celebrating Canada's Agriculture Day to highlight the important work producers do to keep food on our table. Could the Minister of Agriculture and A…
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Mr. Speaker, the tradition of quilting is certainly well known here in Kitchener—Conestoga, and it has now been taken to a new level with a community art initiative created by a local University of Waterloo architecture student, Brenda Reid. She is creating From Behind the Mask, a project to help bring people together in spirit. Brenda is inviting people to share their pandemic stories on pieces o…
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Mr. Speaker, planting trees is a natural climate solution. For years, groups such as Trees for Woolwich, here in Kitchener—Conestoga, have taken up the cause to increase tree coverage locally. To help such groups, our government announced a plan that will see two billion trees planted over the next 10 years. Today I am proud to share with Canadians from coast to coast to coast One Million Trees, a…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, in Kitchener—Conestoga, we continue working hard to make sure we safely stay connected. In 2020, we learned that virtual events help keep constituents up to date on important issues and allow their voices to be heard. I am proud to say that we are coming up on our 25th virtual town hall featuring local leaders discussing important community issues. Guests have included mayors, elected…
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