Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his passion on this issue. It is an important one. I know that he has done a lot of work with our Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs on this. We do have to be more compassionate. Whether it is for our indigenous people or any people across the country, we need better options for palliative care.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, to be honest, I know that people struggle with how to do many things when going into the medical profession. Doctors and nurses have to struggle with care throughout their careers. There are options for referrals if people feel strongly about this, but I think it is something that will be part of the discussions with the provinces and associations that govern nurses and doctors.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to rise today to speak about Bill C-14, medical assistance in dying. Death is a word that elicits strong emotions. We celebrate life. We embrace life. We talk about living. However, we avoid talking about death. We shy away from those conversations because they make us uncomfortable.

Governor General's Award  Mr. Speaker, two of the most influential women in the Canadian art community recently received the 2016 Governor General's Award for their contribution to the arts, and they share something in common, Oakville Galleries. Like our two dynamic and creative Governor General Award winners, Marnie Fleming and Suzy Lake, Oakville Galleries strives to stimulate thought, shift perspectives and inspire engagement.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, our government has made an important commitment to invest in transportation and infrastructure. Providing Canadians with transportation choices is critical to ensuring we are moving people and goods safely and quickly. As a strong advocate for active transportation like cycling and walking, I know that investments in active transportation infrastructure are good for our economy, the environment, and our health.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, Canadians are talking about how our International Women's Day theme of women's empowerment leading to equality recognizes the need to empower women and girls as we work together to achieve gender equality. Because achieving gender equality depends on ensuring that the diversity of women's voices is heard, the Minister of Status of Women has launched a call for proposals, with two key streams: one for projects to increase women's participation, which would strengthen the voices of indigenous women on issues of importance in their communities, and the second to promote the voices of women by amplifying their voices and enhancing their civic and political participation.

Finance  Mr. Speaker, when I was a municipal councillor, I was approached by Merna Forster and was pleased to lead Oakville council calling on the Bank of Canada to include a prominent Canadian woman on one of our bank notes, which is something we have not seen in almost 150 years. Thousands of people from across the country signed a petition calling upon the government to highlight Canadian women on our money, recognizing the significant role that women have played in shaping our nation.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to have Coral McMillan shadow me as one of the young women participating in Brock University's Women in the House program. This program aims to better acknowledge and increase female participation in all levels of government. We have come a long way since Agnes Macphail was elected as the first female MP in Canada, in 1921.

Courage Polar Bear Dip  Mr. Speaker, one might think it would be difficult to get hundreds of people to jump into a frozen lake and pay for the privilege, but Oakville's Todd and Trent Courage and the polar bear dip team do it every year. Held at Coronation Park in Oakville on New Year's Day, the Courage Polar Bear Dip is Canada's largest charitable polar bear dip.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I, too, will join in congratulating you. It is wonderful to see a woman sitting in the Speaker's chair. I like to look forward; I do not like to look backwards, and I expect our government to be looking forward.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, the member is absolutely right that the auto industry is as important to his riding as it is to our area. I look forward to our government working in partnership with the auto manufacturers, the auto parts manufacturers, and others, to ensure that these industries can succeed.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I am sure the hon. member enjoyed her time on municipal council as much as I did. I am very proud to be part of this government, which is recognizing the importance of dealing with climate change and the environment. It was one of the reasons that I put my name forward to run for federal politics.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak today for the first time in the House of Commons. It is an honour and a privilege to be the very first member of Parliament for Oakville North—Burlington, and I thank my constituents for the trust they have placed in me.