Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, as parents, the safety of our children is essential. Too often, children are affected by war. Russia's invasion of Ukraine cost thousands of people their lives and continues to jeopardize children's safety. As the second anniversary of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine approaches, can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us what Canada is doing for the children of Ukraine?
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Madam Speaker, I certainly was in Sudbury during that strike, and I will tell members that the legacy of it still haunts Sudburians to this day, as well as people from across northern Ontario. We had colleagues in dispute with one another, and neighbours arguing with each other. We talk about a poisoned work environment; after the strike, when workers returned, the relationship with Vale was not i…
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to stand today in support of Bill C-58. On November 9, 2023, we tabled Bill C-58 to ban the use of replacement workers in federally regulated industries during a strike or a lockout. When the Minister of Labour argued his case, he clearly illustrated how resorting to strikebreakers does no good for anyone: not for employers, not for strikers and certainly not for Canadi…
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Madam Speaker, the unions in Windsor have very clearly told us that this is not the case and that the jobs are going to be offered to Canadians and the citizens of our country. This bill is important, because it ensures that these parties are focused on the negotiating table. That is how we will regain stability and certainty in our supply chains and throughout our economy.
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Madam Speaker, as I mentioned in my remarks, this is probably the largest legislation that we have seen in decades. We need to make sure that we get it right. This would be, indeed, one of the most significant changes to federal collective bargaining that Canada has ever seen. We need to give all parties time to prepare. That is the reason why it would only come into force 18 months after it recei…
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Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry exists in all regions of the country and is also the second-largest employer in rural areas. Forty per cent of tourism jobs are in rural areas. Can the Prime Minister tell the House how the government is supporting the millions of workers in the tourism industry?
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Mr. Speaker, today we remember the 14 young women who were killed at École Polytechnique. On this day, we remember that we must keep working until Canada is free from gender-based violence. Could the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth talk about the work that our government has done to guarantee that a massacre like this never happens again?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Mr. Speaker, officially titled “An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy”, at its core, Bill C-50 is about including workers in a legislative process that impacts their lives. We recently heard from witnesses during the natural resources committee's study on a fair and equitable C…
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Mr. Speaker, the vitality of rural media is of paramount importance, particularly in minority-language communities. Through its online news bill, the government has signalled its support for Canadian media. Can the Prime Minister inform the House of the progress made in implementing this bill?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, two years ago, the community of Sudbury was stunned by the news that Laurentian University, facing a dire financial crisis, chose to pursue the CCAA process. The results were significant job losses, programming cuts and far too many students' education placed in jeopardy. These losses represent a generational impact to Sudbury. When we met with faculty, unions and members from the com…
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Mr. Speaker, a week ago, the Minister of Labour tabled legislation to ban replacement workers, which is a commitment we made to Canadians in 2021. Since tabling the bill, workers and unions have applauded this historic move, yet 11 days later, the Leader of the Opposition still has not taken a position on the legislation. He has had enough time to study it, so why is he hesitating to support worke…
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Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives offer anger to Canadians, our government offers solutions. Recognizing that rural Canadians everywhere need relief, we have doubled the pollution pricing rebate. We are also working with provinces to make heat pumps essentially free. Homeowners who switch from oil save up to $2,500 each year. This is welcome news for the almost 300,000 people in Ontario, includ…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, this fall, five paramedics from Sudbury and Manitoulin were recognized by the Governor General for their outstanding service. I want to sincerely thank and highlight Annik Thibault-Simard, Gaetan Lagrandeur, Lyndsay Fearnley-Ungar, Shawn-Eric Poulin and Monic Rochon-Shaw. It is an honour to recognize these individuals for their extraordinary service. Paramedics play a crucial role in …
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Mr. Speaker, to the detriment of our economy, the Conservative Party is blocking two vital pieces of legislation that would create sustainable jobs, bring workers to the table and build important renewable energy projects. First, it blocked workers from speaking at committee. Then it cancelled debate in this chamber, and now it is filibustering the natural resources committee to stop consideration…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition on behalf of the local Sudbury chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby. It is a non-profit, non-partisan grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address the global climate crisis. The petition is in regard to the implementation of Bill S-243, an act to enact the climate-aligned finance act. The petition has 43 signatories. …
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Mr. Speaker, today is Franco-Ontarian Day, a day to celebrate francophone culture, art, tradition and people in this beautiful province. The French language is an essential part of our culture in Sudbury, Ontario, and across the country. It is our responsibility to protect it. Can the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages update the House on what our government is do…
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Mr. Speaker, advancing reconciliation means investing in indigenous-led businesses and ensuring we build a resilient economy that is inclusive and looks forward toward the future. Can the Minister of Indigenous Services update the House on what this government has done recently to strengthen and advance the economic development of first nations in northern Ontario?
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Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party would have us believe that the abortion debate is closed, but it is taking every opportunity to reopen it. The member for Yorkton—Melville introduced a bill to limit a woman's right to reproductive health services. We cannot take that right for granted. Can the minister tell us what our government is doing to protect the right to choose?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Mr. Speaker, from one end of the country to the other, forest fires are forcing people to leave their communities or else spend days under a blanket of smoke. In northern Ontario, 50 fires are burning. I want to thank all the firefighters for bravely fighting the fires, protecting the public and ensuring the safety of affected communities. We are investing in training more community firefighters, …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to stand in this House and speak on this urgent emergency. Let me begin by recognizing the incredibly hard work of firefighters and first responders across the country. They have been on the ground fighting these wildfires for days and weeks, working around the clock to keep their communities safe. Today, and every day, we are deeply grateful for their efforts. We…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, we know that the situation today has been caused greatly by global warming, which creates higher temperatures and more dry fuel available to burn, which results in more persistent hot and dry weather. That leads to fires that intensify and spread much faster. That is why it is our important that our plans and our ability to manage these situations need to evolve. We have seen the ev…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question and his comments on Sudbury. We know that the fires can have an impact on health and air quality for Canadians. That is very important. I know that we are working closely with the leaders in our health care system who are monitoring the situation and giving a lot of advice to those who are affected by the smoke.
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Madam Speaker, we are doing many things. One of the things we are doing is investing to train more community-based firefighters across the country this season. That includes 300 indigenous firefighters and 125 indigenous fire guardians. We are also receiving hundreds of firefighters from other countries to support our efforts over the coming days and weeks. It is a multipronged approach, and it is…
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Mr. Speaker, let us talk about the Conservative Party's pollution pricing flip-flop. In 2007, the Harper government proposed a $15 carbon tax. In 2008, that same government promised to introduce a cap-and-trade system. In 2011, the Conservatives ditched that idea along with every other climate measure. During the 2021 election campaign, they once again supported carbon pricing. Can the Minister of…
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize National Mining Week. Mining activity takes place across the country and creates 665,000 direct and indirect jobs. In 2021, it contributed $90 billion to Canada’s GDP. Canada is a global mining power thanks to our world-class people, deposits and environmental practices. In a net-zero economy, this industry can reach even higher. That is why we made a histori…
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Madam Speaker, today is the National Day of Mourning when we remember those who have died on the job and commit to safer and more respectful workplaces for all. A safe workplace is a fundamental right of every Canadian worker. One death in the workplace is one too many. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour tell us what our government is doing to help ensure workplaces are safe…
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Mr. Speaker, last month, La Nuit sur l'étang celebrated 50 remarkable years in our community. La Nuit sur l'étang is a Franco-Canadian music festival held every year in my riding of Sudbury. This festival has contributed to the development of the Franco-Ontarian culture and helped it thrive, especially in the north. La Nuit sur l'étang has played an important role in promoting Franco-Ontarian musi…
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Mr. Speaker, mining is one of Sudbury's economic cornerstones. With our government's commitment of $3.7 billion and the launch of the critical minerals strategy earlier this year, the Conference Board of Canada has predicted that Sudbury's economy is primed to outperform Ontario and Canada in the coming year. Our government's plan is working. The number of jobs related to critical minerals rose by…
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Mr. Speaker, semiconductors are what make our telephones, computers and vehicles work. The industry that manufactures them is vital for innovation and economic growth. Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry inform the House of our government's recent success in terms of investments in semiconductors and how these investments will help to create good jobs for the future?
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Mr. Speaker, immigration is an essential value in Canada, and it reflects the cultural mosaic that shapes our country's identity. The impact of francophone immigration is undeniable, as it contributes to the linguistic, demographic and economic wealth of francophone communities. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship update us on the work being don…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to take part in today's third reading debate on private member's bill, Bill C-234. As our government has made clear over the course of this debate, ensuring the strength of Canada's agricultural sector is of crucial importance. Canadian agriculture is a cornerstone of rural communities across the country. It feeds and sustains our urban centres and is fundamental …
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to enter this very important discussion. I appreciate the concerns raised by the member for Fundy Royal about Canada's bail system, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss how bail law operates in Canada, and in particular, how it deals with violent offences and addresses some of the concerns we are hearing from across the aisle. The bail system in Canada…
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Mr. Speaker, for the past 31 years the Elgin Street Mission has served my community of Sudbury. The mission provides two meals a day, breakfast and dinner, 365 days a year. Over the past year the number of meals has grown by 1,000 per month. With 90,000 meals being served yearly, as well as providing clothing, showers, and laundry facilities, the mission is a necessity for our community. It is a s…
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Mr. Speaker, now more than ever Canadians rely on access to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet, which keeps us connected with loved ones and allows us to learn online. It also improves access to essential services and creates opportunity for our businesses to grow. Could the Prime Minister update the House on achieving our government's goal of connecting 98% of Canadians by 2026 and 100% …
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to participate in the debate on Bill C-228. We are studying this bill at third reading in the House after it was examined by the Standing Committee on Finance. As reported back to the House by the committee, Bill C-228 would amend the treatment of pension claims in proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, or BIA, and the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act,…
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Madam Speaker, we all know that the diversification of export markets for our agricultural products is crucial for the development of the sector and that the Indo-Pacific region has high growth potential. Can the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tell the House about the most recent initiative to facilitate our agriculture exports to that region?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, today in my riding of Sudbury, education workers will be bravely standing up to the provincial Ford government to fight for their legal rights to collective bargaining guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ford government’s use of the notwithstanding clause is unconscionable. Instead of continuing to bargain with the union, the Ford government wanted to impose a four…
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Madam Speaker, yesterday's fall economic statement showed that this government has a strong and concrete plan to help Canadians by investing in workers and jobs. FedDev Ontario has been working with small businesses across southern Ontario to provide support that will help them grow. Can the minister responsible for FedDev Ontario please tell the House about the work she is doing to support Canadi…
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Mr. Speaker, October marks Women’s History Month. In honour of this, I want to highlight the important work being done by PoliticsNOW, an organization in my riding of Sudbury. PoliticsNOW empowers and supports women to become political leaders in communities across northern Ontario. In the last municipal election, PoliticsNOW supported over 46 women by providing training sessions and campaign scho…
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Mr. Speaker, this is a first step toward developing a full comprehensive dental program, but we felt it was important to take this first step as Canadians who are vulnerable require it. I want to share some statistics that have recently come out over the needs that are just so important and why we are taking steps. A campaign led by the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry suggests that…
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Mr. Speaker, we know Canadians are feeling the rising cost of living, particularly through higher food prices and rent. While inflation is a global challenge, we are helping families weather its impact by working to put more money back in the pockets of Canadians. The Liberal Party of Canada and NDP's supply and confidence agreement committed to launching a national dental care program, and the ag…
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Mr. Speaker, I too heard the same things from constituents in my riding as I was meeting with them. Making life more affordable for families across the country includes making oral health care accessible for all. Dental care, I am sure my colleague will agree, is an important part of overall health, yet in Canada one-third of the population cannot afford it. That is why our government is tabling t…
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to talk about proposed Bill C-31, an act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing. As announced by the Prime Minister on September 13, 2022, our government has committed to bringing forward measures that should make life more affordable for those who need it the most. As part of Bill C-31, and if the bil…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. We are working very closely with all of our partners, including the provinces and territories. As members know, every Canadian deserves good care, because that is key to their overall well-being. Our government is on track to keep its promise on dental care.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Madam Speaker, thanks to a $1.1-million investment from FedNor, the office of the northern Ontario Black economic empowerment program, or NOBEEP, officially opened its doors this summer in downtown Sudbury. NOBEEP develops and delivers support programs for Black entrepreneurs, which serves to address a gap in the northern Ontario entrepreneurship support system. In order to showcase Black-owned bu…
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Mr. Speaker, across Canada and around the world today, young people are taking to the streets to demand climate justice. These leaders of tomorrow are clearly expressing their hopes for the future, a future in which we all take responsibility for the damage we have done to our natural world and the climate costs we have imposed on future generations. Can the minister talk about what our government…
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Mr. Speaker, we know that the Canada-wide early learning and child care system is getting up and running from coast to coast to coast. Families in my home town of Sudbury are already seeing the benefits of the transformative investments that Canada and the provinces are making together. Can the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development update the House on the milestones Sudbury has rea…
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Madam Speaker, critical minerals are essential building blocks of the green digital economy of tomorrow. Earlier this week, the Minister of Natural Resources went to PDAC, the world's largest mining conference, to position Canada as a global leader in sustainable mineral development and green mining innovation. Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources please update th…
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Mr. Speaker, we need to ensure that Canadians have confidence in our country's privacy and data protection measures if they are going to take full advantage of the digital economy and prosper. Canadians have never been so reliant on the digital economy, but the existing privacy legislation was last updated before the advent of technologies like social media and smart phones. Could the Minister of …
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Mr. Speaker, our two official languages are part of our country's history and they are at the heart of our identity as Canadians. The Minister of Official Languages recently launched consultations for the next official languages action plan. Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages tell us what our government is doing to make sure that Canadians in minority communiti…
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