Situation in Indigenous Communities  Mr. Speaker, earlier in the debate, one of our colleagues apologized for showing emotion with tears. I do not think there is a need to apologize for the tears. I think the children deserve our tears. If anything, we should be apologizing to the children that we have let down in this country.

Situation in Indigenous Communities  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all members in the House for being here tonight to talk about what is really a tragedy in our history and in our time. A fiend of mine, an elder of the Tla-o-qui-aht people, Moses Martin, when we were talking about building a recreation complex in our community, said that if we can save one life, it is worth it.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I absolutely think that this is exactly the right time to help those people earning $17,000 a year. No, they are not included in this tax bill, actually, because anyone earning under $49,000 a year does not get a tax break with this bill that has been introduced. Therefore, including them is what I would like to see.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the member because we both agree that tax-free savings accounts are important. They are important to help people save for the future. We want to encourage that, but at what cost? We have to define what it will cost future generations. We know that the finance minister from the last government said that it would be the problem of future generations or a certain prime minister's granddaughter to deal with the increasing costs associated with the tax-free savings account.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, the government made a decision and put forward an idea upon which it got elected, a promise of a tax cut to the middle class. I want to ensure that the middle class get that tax cut. If the median income in our country is $31,000 a year, the people who earn $31,000 a year should get a tax break.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House to join the debate on Bill C-2. I would like to spend some of my time speaking on why definitions of the middle class are so important. In the last election the Liberals campaigned on a promise to reduce taxes for the middle class and support those working hard to enter the middle class.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, six months ago, my constituent, Alison Azer, experienced one of the worst nightmares a parent can ever face. Her four children were taken by her ex-husband. Alison has reason to believe that her children are now in Kurdistan in northern Iraq. Today she is here in Ottawa, urging the government to do everything it can to help bring her children safely home.

Canada's Contribution to the Effort to Combat ISIL  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his speech. I know him to be a proud Canadian. Given that the Liberals have gone on the record and stated that Canada should not have a combat role, how can they guarantee that Canadian troops will not face combat in their advise and assist role?

Telecommunications  Mr. Speaker, that will not bring down cell phone prices. Canadians pay some of the highest cell phone bills in the world, yet the previous government failed to make any progress, and the Liberals have shown no interest. Yesterday the CRTC denied an appeal to spark real competition in the wireless sector by allowing new small players into the market.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank the hon. member for Sarnia—Lambton for sharing her personal story. She also talked about the Conservative track record in standing up for the rights of women. The Conservatives are known for gutting the status of women in Canada in the last government.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, before I start, I want to quickly wish my eldest daughter a happy 16th birthday today. In the member's speech, I did not hear a lot about Bill C-2. He talked about consultation with Canadians and going around the country. We know that the bill benefits 40% of Canadians, those who earn over $45,000.

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, it is estimated that 17.9 million Canadians who will file income tax returns in 2016 fall within the first tax bracket of $45,282 or less. They are going to get nothing out of this tax break. What do the Liberals define as the average income for the middle class?

Canadian Coast Guard  Mr. Speaker, the Conservative decision to close the Tofina MCTS centre in Ucluelet left coastal communities without protection. My community is still reeling from the sinking of the Leviathan II and the recent loss of lives. This tragedy underlined that having local eyes and ears is essential for coastal safety.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I congratulate the hon. member for his passionate speech bringing forward the concerns of his region. Coming from a coastal community on Vancouver Island, I know that families, seniors, and small business people are having a harder and harder time making ends meet.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the hon. member from Gatineau on his election. I appreciate the member bringing forward concerns for seniors and families struggling to make ends meet. The latest Bank of Canada report shows the record low price of oil that has rocked Canada's economy has not been matched by changes to prices at the pumps.