Animal Welfare  Mr. Speaker, it is privilege for a member of Parliament to introduce a private member's bill and work with colleagues toward a common cause. I am honoured to soon have this opportunity. During the last federal election, the Liberal Party shared with Canadians our ideas and our visions, one of which I am now working to advance.

Sport  Mr. Speaker, we know the importance of sports for the development of children, fostering physical fitness, team work, discipline and resilience while also promoting overall health and well-being. Furthermore, our Canadian athletes contribute to our national unity, cultural diversity and pride.

Celiac Canada  Mr. Speaker, it is estimated that one in 114 Canadians, nearly 1% of our population, is affected by celiac disease, although 90% of cases remain undiagnosed. Celiac is an autoimmune disease with no cure. Unfortunately, it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, which can have long-term health consequences.

Tree Planting in Kitchener—Conestoga  Mr. Speaker, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now, or in this case, this past weekend. The rain did not dampen our spirits in Kitchener—Conestoga. We had an amazing turnout for two Earth Day tree-planting events in our community. I spent the morning with the organization Trees for Woolwich planting, staking and sheltering over 100 trees in the Elmira Nature Reserve.

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival  Mr. Speaker, I invite everyone to join us in Kitchener—Conestoga this weekend as we welcome patrons back to the 59th annual Elmira Maple Syrup Festival on Saturday, April 1. Since its start in 1965, the festival has grown to be the largest single-day maple syrup festival in the world.

Automotive Industry  Mr. Speaker, our government has been working hard to bring significant investments to Canada to create good jobs in Kitchener—Conestoga and throughout our nation to support our priority of creating a greener economy. Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry update this House on the exciting news that was announced regarding Volkswagen and how this will strengthen southwest Ontario's and Canada's electric vehicle battery ecosystem?

Regional Economic Development  Mr. Speaker, this morning, our government made a significant announcement regarding our commitment to investing in rural communities across southern Ontario, including in my riding of Kitchener—Conestoga. Our government announced an investment of $39.6 million for the Community Futures Development Corporation across southern Ontario through the community futures program.

Ukrainian Refugees in Kitchener—Conestoga  Mr. Speaker, the resilience and courage of the Ukrainians have inspired the world. Canada is unwavering in its support for Ukraine and the democratic values that our countries share. The capacity of Canadians to open their hearts and their homes is truly inspiring. We have seen an exceptional amount of goodwill coming from our community in Kitchener—Conestoga.

Gender-Based Violence  Mr. Speaker, last week was the start of commemorating 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The campaign strives to eliminate all types of gender-based violence through education and through action. Ending gender-based violence and intimate partner violence in our communities will take all of us.

Small Business  Madam Speaker, Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrates the millions of people worldwide who turn their business ideas into reality. The international event encourages entrepreneurs through a variety of activities and connects them with potential investors, support organizations, mentors and partners to help them achieve their goals.

Royal Canadian Legion Literary Contest Winner  Mr. Speaker, last week, we honoured our veterans, who served proudly to preserve those freedoms. The responsibility of remembrance falls on all of us, and we recognize and appreciate the peace that we have today. Each year the Royal Canadian Legion holds a literary contest to engage our youth in acts of remembrance.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, one of Canada's great advantages as a country is a capable workforce and the strong economic relationships that we have with the United States. When the U.S. passed the Inflation Reduction Act, we saw that Canada was successful in lobbying for a buy North America policy that protected our automotive sector.

Local Journalism  Mr. Speaker, the importance of local journalism was on full display this week as we saw the vital role it played in our Ontario municipal elections. Leading up to and on election day, our community turned to our trusted local journalists for information on local candidates, important issues and election results.

Fall Fairs in Kitchener—Conestoga  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to share that in Kitchener—Conestoga this year, our fall fairs are back. Our community has welcomed back the Wellesley Township Fall Fair, the New Hamburg Fall Fair and the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival. Events like these are not only entertaining and fun for everyone; they also showcase the important role of farmers and our agriculture sector and the effect they have in our rural communities.

Persons with Disabilities  Mr. Speaker, we know that working-age persons with disabilities in Canada are twice as likely to live in poverty as those without. That is why we have taken action to build a Canada that is disability inclusive. In 2019, we passed the groundbreaking Accessible Canada Act, legislation that aims to realize a barrier-free Canada.