Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My first time speaking in the House of Commons was in response to the Speech from the Throne, and it was in regard to major projects and how we have this really ambitious plan. More important to me was how skilled tradespeople will play a role in the building of these major projects.
My dad, before he passed in 2010, was a very proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. My childhood was shaped by travelling a lot of Canada to see him at his job sites. I wanted to talk a little bit about how much that and union jobs mean to me. My brother is actually in the same union, which is a story that I'm sure you hear a lot, Mr. Schumann.
I'd like to talk about not only the economic benefits of a major project, which we often focus on, but your members' experience. What is the broader impact of creating sustained, well-paying skilled trades employment in communities across Canada?