Canada's Contribution to the Effort to Combat ISIL  Mr. Speaker, it is actually quite interesting, the number of people I meet who were born at the St. Boniface Hospital. As I previously stated, one of the things we are immediately doing is increasing the number of soldiers in the area by 200. We are tripling the size of the train, advise, and assist mission to train local Iraqi soldiers to actually fight the wars in their homeland.

Canada's Contribution to the Effort to Combat ISIL  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, I am honoured to rise today to speak on the motion calling for the refocusing of our Canadian mission against ISIL. I am very pleased to take part in this debate that is very important to our government, our country, and our closest allies.

Canada's Contribution to the Effort to Combat ISIL  Mr. Speaker, I heard the term “cut and run” several times during the member's presentation. Is the member aware that we are increasing our military personnel by 200 members during the upcoming mission and we are tripling the size of our train, advise, and assist mission? As well, we will be spending $145 million over the next three years to counter terrorism.

Canada Labour Code  Madam Speaker, the hon. member was the third opposition member who stated that grassroots union members absolutely support the two bills in question, when my experience has been the complete opposite. The previous two bills, Bill C-377 and Bill C-525, I understand, were extremely unpopular across the country.

Canada Labour Code  Madam Speaker, I congratulate the hon. member on her very intelligent and passionate speech. It is obvious to me that Bill C-377 and Bill C-525 were direct attacks on unions, in the same way that the former government liked to attack environmental groups and indigenous peoples.

Canada Labour Code  Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the hon. member for Winnipeg North for a very passionate, balanced speech. It is clear to me that Bill C-377 and Bill C-525 were clear attacks on the labour movement. I am proud to stand with the hon. member to support Bill C-4, but I come back to the point that has been made many times this morning and the last time we debated this bill, that the previous bills were a solution to a problem that did not exist.

Canada Labour Code  Madam Speaker, I congratulate the hon. member on her speech. I, like her, am proud to rise and support Bill C-4. In my estimation, the previous bills, Bill C-525 and Bill C-377, were clearly attacks on the labour movement. I have heard a lot of speeches here this morning and this afternoon, and it is clear that the opposition members are coming from a place of extremism.

Festival du Voyageur  Mr. Speaker, everyone is invited to the Festival du Voyageur being held in St. Boniface from February 12 to 21. For 10 days, we will celebrate our joie de vivre as only we know how. The 47th edition of the festival will continue the tradition of bringing together the French, Métis, aboriginal, English and Scottish cultures to pay tribute to our heritage.

Canada Labour Code  Mr. Speaker, quite clearly, Bill C-377 is counterproductive to a positive working relationship between employers and employees. It creates unnecessary red tape for labour organizations and labour trusts. Legislation is already in place to ensure that unions are financially accountable to their members.

Business of the House  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his passionate and intelligent speech. It is obvious that the Conservative Party left a financial mess after the election. One of our strategies is to make strategic investments in public infrastructure. Can the hon. member tell us what he thinks of our goal of making major investments in public infrastructure?

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the speech of the hon. parliamentary secretary was very intelligent and well reasoned. There is a provision in the motion for a special committee to hold hearings across the country. Could the member speak a little on the benefit of such a committee and does she have ideas on where it should visit?

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, it is certainly not up to me as an individual to define who is middle class and who is not. However, I can give the member some facts. Canadians who earn between $45,000 and $90,000 in 2016 would receive a 7% reduction on the taxes they pay. Their tax rate would fall from 22.5% to 20.5%, a 7% reduction.

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, the member is absolutely right that the range of people who would benefit from the doubling of the TFSA contribution limit was simply not wide enough. We proposed a plan based on a middle-income tax cut; we proposed a plan based on a more generous, enhanced, and tax-free Canada child benefit; and we proposed a plan that included a 10% increase to the guaranteed income supplement, which would benefit a million older Canadians.

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, that is quite interesting coming from a member of a government that ran seven consecutive operating deficits in a row. The Liberal government ran on a plan to help our middle class. This is the first step of that plan, a middle-class income tax cut. The plan includes an enhanced, more generous, and tax-free Canada child benefit, which would raise 300,000 children out of poverty, which is excellent.

Income Tax Act  Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to add my voice to today's discussion on the government's middle-income tax cut, which we introduced in December 2015. Before I touch on the legislation, I will begin by taking a few moments to extend my congratulations to the Minister of Finance and his parliamentary secretary for pursuing one of the most comprehensive pre-budget consultations in recent history.