Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I will repeat that nothing in this law would ban those kinds of legitimate discussions about one's identity or finding one's identity. It would criminalize a practice that is harmful to Canadians and a practice that has no place in this country. I will continue to say that.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, there is a big difference between having conversations with people and forcing someone to undergo so-called therapy. I am hearing in this House over and over again that the idea of forcing a practice onto people, especially children, is something that everyone opposes.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by acknowledging that I am joining the House from the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga, the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Neutral peoples. I also wish to reflect the historical acceptance of gender-variant peoples and diverse sexual identities within indigenous communities in pre-contact times.

Canadian Live Music Association  Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to recognize a campaign launched by the Canadian Live Music Association and one that holds a special place in my heart. I have been a professional musician my entire adult life and understand that making a living as an artist is challenging at the best of times.

Waterloo Region Newspapers  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to recognize two local newspapers from Waterloo Region that are both celebrating their 25th anniversaries in 2021. The Kitchener Citizen provides over 60,000 Kitchener households with local news each month. I want to thank editors Carrie Debrone and Helen Hall, and all the volunteers and contributors, for their hard work over the past 25 years.

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House and recognize the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, the world's largest maple syrup festival. The festival is a local tradition, dating back to 1965. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of guests from all around the world have visited Elmira to celebrate.¸ This past weekend, we celebrated the 56th annual and first virtual festival, featuring an online sugarbush tour, virtual taffy demonstrations, contests and sales of pancake boxes featuring local syrup Producer of the Year, Hoover's Maple Syrup.

Agriculture and Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, our farmers and ranchers proudly work every day to feed Canadians and the world with their products. This past year has shown how strong our food supply chain remains and how resilient our agriculture sector is. Today, February 23, we are celebrating Canada's Agriculture Day to highlight the important work producers do to keep food on our table.

Community Art Initiative  Mr. Speaker, the tradition of quilting is certainly well known here in Kitchener—Conestoga, and it has now been taken to a new level with a community art initiative created by a local University of Waterloo architecture student, Brenda Reid. She is creating From Behind the Mask, a project to help bring people together in spirit.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, planting trees is a natural climate solution. For years, groups such as Trees for Woolwich, here in Kitchener—Conestoga, have taken up the cause to increase tree coverage locally. To help such groups, our government announced a plan that will see two billion trees planted over the next 10 years.

Virtual Town Halls  Mr. Speaker, in Kitchener—Conestoga, we continue working hard to make sure we safely stay connected. In 2020, we learned that virtual events help keep constituents up to date on important issues and allowed their voices to be heard. I am proud to say that we are coming up on our 25th virtual town hall featuring local leaders discussing important community issues.

The Environment  Madam Speaker, investing in nature is an essential tool the government can use to combat climate change. Canada's grasslands, wetlands and peatlands are incredibly important for their ability to absorb greenhouse gases. Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change explain how the $631-million investment in the fall economic statement will help conserve our nature?

Food Security  Mr. Speaker, from the beginning of this pandemic our government has been committed to supporting Canadians with emergency funding for businesses and families. In Kitchener—Conestoga, Food4Kids Waterloo Region received funding through the emergency fund to improve Canadian food security.

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in the House and recognize one of Waterloo region's largest arts and cultural organizations. The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Since 1945, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony has grown from a community orchestra into the third largest in Ontario.

Kitchener-Conestoga Youth Council  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the incredible work that the Kitchener-Conestoga Youth Council has done in these past few months. Every week, members of the youth council meet virtually to discuss their ideas and initiatives to help better our community. They have promoted blood donor drives, led discussions addressing climate change, reached out to and engaged with their peers and continue to work on new projects.

Halloween in Kitchener—Conestoga  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that we showed our Halloween spirit in some creative ways in Kitchener—Conestoga. It was certainly different this year, but the delight of Halloween proved that communities could still come together and find safe ways to celebrate. In Wilmot Township, I enjoyed every minute of the drive-through event in New Hamburg.