École Polytechnique  Mr. Speaker, on this day 32 years ago, an unspeakable tragedy shook Canada to its core. A gunman walked into a classroom at Polytechnique Montréal, separated the women from the men then opened fire on the women. Fourteen women were murdered, 13 more wounded and many communities shattered.

Women and Gender Equality  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his hard work. When the world shut down from COVID-19, front-line workers did not stop. They rolled up their sleeves and they got to work; they were there. That is why our government moved quickly, we saw what was happening in real time, to support more than 1,200 women's shelters and gender-based violence organizations, including sexual assault centres.

Women and Gender Equality  Madam Speaker, I want to let the NDP critic know that we have women's backs and have had women's backs. We have seen the gaps in equity in real time. We knew that we had to act, and we did. We provided $100 million to shelter organizations because we knew that women were at risk.

Women and Gender Equality  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Toronto—Danforth for her incredible work and advocacy, and for highlighting this important date. The discrimination that fuels homophobia, biphobia and transphobia must be eliminated, and the work starts right here in the House.

Gender-Based Violence  Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, I want to thank the member for Hamilton Mountain for her work and also for her advocacy. Today, we take time to remember our mothers, our sisters and our daughters taken from us because of senseless, preventable violence. No one should face violence for who they are, yet for far too many women, youth and people of all gender identities and expressions, this is their terrifying reality.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, in the meetings that my hon. colleague has had with the community since this happened, what is he hearing from young people in particular, who no doubt see themselves in this tragedy? What are their needs? At a time when we have been going through and continue to go through COVID, the mental health of young people is at stake.

Tamil Community  Madam Speaker, the Tamil community in my riding of Toronto Centre and across Canada is excited to acknowledge the historic accomplishment of reaching $3 million in fundraising to establish a chair in Tamil studies at the University of Toronto Scarborough. It is a first in Canada.

Black Lives Matter  Mr. Speaker, he cried for his mother. He begged to breathe with a police officer's knee pressing on his neck. Minutes later he was gone, and everybody knew his name: George Floyd. There were marches around the globe. A sea of people took to the streets, chanting “Black lives matter” and demanding justice.

Francisco Portugal  Mr. Speaker, this past week, Toronto Centre lost a beloved member of the St. James Town community, Dr. Francisco Portugal. Dr. Portugal emigrated from Manila to Toronto in the 1970s where he completed his medical studies and opened his own clinic. He was known for his infectious smile and his willingness to help, a willingness that went way beyond his profession.

Canadian Heritage  Mr. Speaker, as we mark the 25th celebration of Black History Month in Canada, we honour the legacy and contributions that Black Canadians have made to our country. We know anti-Black racism still exists in Canada, and many continue to face discrimination, hate and a lack of opportunity and resources.

Black History Month  Mr. Speaker, it is the first day of Black History Month. Twenty-five years ago, the Hon. Jean Augustine introduced a motion that was carried unanimously by the House of Commons to recognize February as Black History Month in Canada. I am here, a Black female MP, because Dr. Augustine blazed a trail.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day  Mr. Speaker, today we observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which commemorates the six million Jews and 11 million others who were murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. Can the Prime Minister tell this House what our government is doing to combat anti-Semitism and honour the lives of those lost in the Holocaust?

Emancipation Day  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Motion No. 36, which seeks to designate August 1 of every year as emancipation day in Canada. Motion No. 36 acknowledges that the British Parliament abolished slavery in the British Empire as of August 1, 1834, and that slavery existed in British North America prior to its abolition.

Member for Toronto Centre  Madam Speaker, I rise today as the newly elected member for the riding of Toronto Centre to thank the people who got me here: my family, my friends and my team, who supported and guided me, but most importantly, the people of Toronto Centre. Through the by-election campaign, they told me loud and clear that they were worried about navigating life through COVID-19.

Public Safety  Mr. Speaker, gun and gang violence is a lived reality for far too many people in Canada, including residents in my riding of Toronto Centre. I have heard concerns from constituents, many of them parents mourning their own children, that we need to provide essential resources for prevention, diversion and exit programs.