Pensions  Mr. Speaker, record inflation, coupled with the government's brutal GIS clawback, has financially crippled many of Canada's hard-working seniors, forced to spend their golden years in the labour market just to make ends meet. Our vulnerable seniors need to know that Ottawa is listening.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, while working Canadians struggle to make ends meet, the finance minister continues to mislead Canadians by arguing that our economy is strong. That may be the case for some, but the conversations around the kitchen tables in rural Canada tell a very different story.

Christmas Greetings  Mr. Speaker, on a starry night many years ago, there was a message of hope: “Be not afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. On this night, a saviour was born. Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth and goodwill to all people.” If there has ever been a time we needed some good news to pierce through the darkness of fear, doubt and despair, it would be the last two years.

Health  Mr. Speaker, Brian Laird left his home in Amherstview on December 1 to do some Christmas shopping in the U.S. On his way back into Canada, ArriveCAN crashed. Because of the government's refusal to accept paper or digital proof of vaccination, a position it now admits was wrong, Brian was forced into an eight-day quarantine, despite being double-vaxxed.

Seniors  Madam Speaker, elder abuse manifests itself in many forms. Financial, emotional, mental and physical abuse is rampant against Canadian seniors and it is only increasing. In the last Parliament, the House unanimously agreed to Motion No. 203. Among other things, this Conservative-led initiative called for legislation to combat seniors fraud.

Seniors  Madam Speaker, last week I rose in this place to ask the government when it was going to rectify its GIS clawback that is currently crippling vulnerable seniors. The Deputy Prime Minister, in the process of deflecting the question, touted a one-time payment of $500 as some sort of compensation.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I certainly applaud the member for the relationship and special bond he has with his daughter. Both of them are serving the public. There is no question that the importance of the coordination between different levels of government is integral. I served 15 years in municipal government.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, there is no question that seniors are the backbone for where we have come as a nation. We need to support our seniors. There needs to be a dialogue. Our seniors need to have the dignity of being comfortable and not worrying about whether they can put food on the table, support their families or have the same quality of life they were accustomed to.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, there is no question that there are scores of seniors who, as a result of the government's poor rollout of the CERB, are finding themselves in a really difficult situation. They are being stripped of their OAS and GIS. It is through no fault of their own. I would certainly agree that the government needs to reverse the decision, and we need to allow seniors to collect what they have earned.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I stand before you humbled by the enormous responsibility entrusted to me by the voters of Hastings—Lennox and Addington. In an ideal world, the people who are responsible for making this moment possible would be here with me. Though they are not here, they are certainly not forgotten.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to have been born in a small rural community in Hastings—Lennox and Addington. However, the reality is that rural living has many challenges and the policies of the government are making them even harder. Many people in my riding find it increasingly difficult to survive.

Seniors  Mr. Speaker, Canada’s aging population has been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in almost every conceivable metric. Instead of providing the compassion, empathy and support that the seniors who built our country deserve, the Liberal government has sadly penalized Canada’s seniors who took CERB by lowering their old age security payments.

Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I thank my family, the volunteers and the good people of Hastings—Lennox and Addington for granting me this great responsibility in sending me to this House. The Liberal government has presided over record inflation. Sadly, this is crippling Canadian businesses, families and farms.