Mental Health  Madam Chair, to my colleague, who I have had the honour of knowing since 2015 and working with him, let me clarify. Health care and specifically mental health is a multi-jurisdictional issue. It is the responsibility of the federal government as well as the provincial government.

Mental Health  Madam Chair, as the founder of the all-parliamentary mental health caucus, we have been advocating, and I am glad to see so many of my colleagues from the class of 2015 participating in this debate. I am so proud to be serving with them. We have been advocating for mental health services since 2015.

Mental Health  Madam Chair, I thank the hon. member for her acknowledgement. Indeed, we need to do everything in our power to make sure that we not only focus on parity between mental health and physical health, but also resolve the issue of the disparity that exists specifically for the indigenous community.

Mental Health  Madam Chair, it is a great honour for me to stand tonight to take part in the take-note debate on mental health, addressing the gap. This topic is close to my heart. I do not think five minutes will do it justice, but in the short time that I have been allotted, I would like to talk about the disparity between the non-indigenous and indigenous people who live in Canada.

Small Businesses  Madam Speaker, small businesses are at the heart of our communities and their owners are the dreamers and the doers that keep our economy strong. Whether it be the local café that brews that perfect cup of coffee or the family store downtown, small businesses create an invaluable sense of community.

Richmond Hill  Mr. Speaker, recently Richmond Hill has been through many ups and downs. We lost our beloved former mayor on September 22 and, today, his memorial is taking place in the city of Richmond Hill. With a heavy heart, I extend my condolences on the passing of our longest-serving mayor and my dear friend, Dave Barrow.

Human Rights in Iran  Madam Speaker, watching the growing protests in my home country in demand of justice for 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, I ask myself how I would have coped if this tragedy and murder had occurred to my own daughter. The heart-wrenching murder of this young woman at the hands of Iran’s morality police is yet another demonstration of the unconscionable atrocities and continued violence inflicted by Iran's oppressive regime.

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2  Madam Speaker, naturally we do. That is why we have introduced the bill and have taken leadership on ensuring that the areas where gaps exist in our health care delivery are addressed.

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2  Madam Speaker, I had the pleasure of working with my colleague at the health committee for a short period of time. During that time, we heard from a number of witnesses, who stated that Canada, for the funds it transfers to provinces, places second in OECD countries. However, for health care delivery, we are 27th.

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2  Madam Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that I also have the pleasure of working with the member at the health committee. As we said, this is progressive legislation and we look forward to it going to committee and studying it, ensuring that all the areas are addressed. As it relates to the provinces, the provinces are doing their job of providing service delivery, especially in health care, to a lot of their constituents.

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2  Madam Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Skeena—Bulkley Valley. Today, as I rise to speak to Bill C-31, an act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing, I feel proud. I am delighted. More important, as indicated in the name of the act itself, I feel relief, relief from the fact this legislation lays out the groundwork, complements programs and through its two main elements, serves to address some of the most prominent affordability concerns in Canada, more specifically in my riding of Richmond Hill.

Community Leadership  Mr. Speaker, it is always a privilege for me to speak about the ongoing community initiatives in my riding of Richmond Hill. I am thrilled to see the continued valuable impact of the Canada summer jobs program on our passionate and ambitious youth. This summer, I had the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of over 200 Canada summer job students in my riding.

Canada Disability Benefit Act  Madam Speaker, I have had the pleasure of working with my hon. colleague at the health committee, and I am particularly looking forward to receiving this bill at that committee. As I have repeatedly said, and as many of my colleagues in the House have said, we are putting in place a framework.

Canada Disability Benefit Act  Madam Speaker, what this bill provides, as I indicated in my speech, is a framework. If I wanted to draw a parallel, I would say to think of a railroad, laying out the groundwork for all of the rails to be drawn for the locomotive to come. As we go through the 13 provinces and territories, and as we work with all of the organizations and the individuals who are impacted, we will work with those territories and provinces to make sure that it is not only inclusive but also does not have any unintended consequences.

Canada Disability Benefit Act  Madam Speaker, first of all, I thank the member for supporting this bill. It is important because it lays down the groundwork. As you said, let us expedite this. Let us get it to the committee, and let us work with all provinces and territories. I am sure a member from the Bloc will be there.