The Budget  Madam Speaker, I believe it will be expanded, because this situation exists everywhere, not just in urban centres. We will need to do a little more, but the investments that we have made to work with organizations on the ground will help us overcome this challenge.

The Budget  Madam Speaker, I will share with my colleague that I am no longer the parliamentary secretary for Veterans Affairs. I am the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development. However, my heart and soul are still in supporting veterans. This, of course, is a new initiative.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak on behalf of my constituents of Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook on this very important budget. The thing I want people to concentrate on is that this budget is a fairness to every generation, and it is a focused one. Before one can put a strong budget in place, one needs to have a strong economy.

National Volunteer Week  Madam Speaker, I rise in the House of Commons today to celebrate National Volunteer Week, which started on April 14. In my riding of Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, volunteers play a pivotal role in empowering their neighbours and communities and supporting those in need. This week in Cherry Brook, the Africadian Empowerment Academy is celebrating 10 years of advocacy for local African Nova Scotians.

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency  Mr. Speaker, did you know that through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, or ACOA, our government has invested more than $2.6 billion in 14,000 projects since 2015? Today I want to highlight the support to our francophone and Acadian communities. Over the past year, we have allocated more than $15 million to projects to strengthen the vitality of those communities.

Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act  Mr. Speaker, I am Canadian, and I am sure everyone is proud they are here today discussing important things for Canadians. I will quickly finish my question. I would like to acknowledge the work that has been done on this issue. I would like my colleague to talk about the importance of early child care in Canada.

Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleague for his speech and, more importantly, for his hard work on Bill C‑13. All parties in the House worked together to support francophones outside Quebec and anglophones in Quebec, and it was a great victory. I always appreciate my colleague's work.

Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to explain that it was during the nine years of the Harper government that we saw major cuts to the Translation Bureau. Court challenges that we brought—

Black History Month  Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the many contributions Black communities have made to the fabric of our country. I am extremely proud to be the member of Parliament for Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, where we have the largest multi-generational Black community in Canada and also the largest Black Cultural Centre in Canada.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023  Madam Speaker, that is a very important question because throughout the summer months and in the fall session, I had lots of opportunities to meet many constituents in my riding. I can tell the House that there are a number of areas they are really focused on. One area is seniors.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his very important question. Let us not forget that our government is the first government in Canadian history to launch a national strategy. An enormous amount of work has been done since 2015. Through our accelerator fund alone, we are seeing municipalities improving zoning.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023  Madam Speaker, that question is so important, because let us be real: If the Conservatives ever take power, they are going to be making cut after cut. I remember, as if it were yesterday, when the Conservative government in 2014 made major cuts on the backs of our veterans, our men and women who have served and continue to serve.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my Conservative colleagues who said that the information I shared about the strength and position of the Canadian economy was so great that they wanted me, like an encore in music, to come back and continue the show. I am very happy to be back here to share some of the news and information.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023  Mr. Speaker, I wish you a happy 2024. I will be sharing my time with the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge. My speech today will be on the economy, which is very important, but also on our government's position on the economy. I will talk about affordability and, of course, housing, an important topic.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for that very fiery and timely speech. I always enjoy his contributions to the House. I know he supported Bill C‑13, a piece of legislation of great importance to Canada and Quebec. It was the first time a government recognized the decline of French in Canada.