Christmas Bells  Mr. Speaker, it is wonderful to stand in the House again on behalf of the wonderful folks of the Long Range Mountains. I want to thank them and all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for doing their part to control the spread of COVID-19 in our province. As my colleague has said, the light is at the end of the tunnel.

Telecommunications  Madam Speaker, I have some words for Jim through the hon. member across the way. Just this September, the member opposite's own community benefited from our investments in the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology project, which ensured that construction of up to $16.6 million in broadband infrastructure in Dufferin County and the Town of Caledon is now moving forward.

Telecommunications  Madam Speaker, I am very happy to respond to the hon. member for Dufferin—Caledon about the need for Canadians in rural communities to have access to reliable and affordable telecommunications services. Our government recognizes the importance of broadband and mobile services for all Canadians to fully participate in the digital economy.

Telecommunications  Madam Speaker, I too understand the importance of connectivity. We understand that Canada's economic recovery depends on broadband connectivity in every household and every business across the country. Federally funded projects are supporting connections of a million households across 900 communities, including 190 indigenous communities.

Women and Gender Equality  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for the question. No form of gender-based violence is tolerated in our country, and we are going to continue to work with Canadians to end it in every form. Our government has made progress with the first-ever federal strategy to prevent gender-based violence that will support survivors and families.

Telecommunications  Madam Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for reliable communication networks to navigate everyday life for every person. Our connectivity investments will be an important part of Canada's recovery. Through projects and programs approved by our government, we will connect an estimated 1.4 million households.

Telecommunications  Madam Speaker, I am delighted to respond to the member for Battlefords—Lloydminster about the need for Canadians in rural communities to have access to reliable and affordable telecommunications services. Our government recognizes the vital importance of broadband and mobile services so all Canadians can fully participate in digital economy.

Women and Gender Equality  Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague 100%. There should be no violence against women in Canada. Everybody deserves to be safe. We know that all Canadians are feeling the impact of COVID, but we know it is clear that women are feeling it more and more to a greater extent. However, we have taken measures to support them.

Telecommunications  Mr. Speaker, I live in a rural area and I understand that Internet access is not a luxury; it is essential. In the last seven months, many more people are working from home. They are accessing goods and services online. The kids are doing their classes from the kitchen table. More than ever, it is important that all Canadians have access to the Internet.

Telecommunications  Mr. Speaker, I would like to echo my comments to my colleague across the way. I, too, understand the importance of connectivity and how we need to move forward. I am delighted that we connected just over one million homes with our last program, and we are looking forward to the new universal broadband fund.

Telecommunications  Mr. Speaker, I live in a rural area, and I really understand that Internet is no longer a luxury. It is essential. In the last six months, many people have worked from home. They have done their classes from the kitchen table, visited their doctors online and accessed government services remotely, so it is important, more than ever, that all Canadians have access to the Internet.

Tourism Industry  Madam Speaker, COVID-19 impacted every industry. However, it really hit the tourism travel industries and the hospitality economy hard. Many operations did not open this season, some destinations adjusted to the new normal and were successful, other groups and clusters worked together and discovered a new way forward just to survive.

Government Business No. 8  Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to listen to my friend and colleague from Saanich—Gulf Islands. I am on one coast of this country and she is on the other. I have been in Ottawa the last couple of days with another colleague on FEWO, the status of women meetings. We heard very clearly the impact that COVID-19 has had on women from coast to coast to coast: indigenous women, women of colour, women in the new work force and women in the old work force.

Infrastructure  Madam Speaker, as I mentioned, we are investing $33 billion through the bilateral agreements with each of the provinces and territories. The funding is available now for them to start their projects immediately. We have made important investments in infrastructure in every region.

Infrastructure  Madam Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to congratulate my colleague from Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry for his recent election and passionately representing his constituents in the House. I too am from a very large rural riding. I love to say the land-mass of my riding is bigger than Switzerland.