Madam Speaker, I proudly attended the opening of the Memorial University of Newfoundland's core science building, a home for research and a laboratory teaching space that combines the faculties of science, engineering and applied science in a facility that prioritizes collaboration and co-production. This government has supported innovation, education and partnerships that are creating and delivering on greener solutions.
Strengthening and supporting access to health care is a cause close to my heart. I have worked to build a multidisciplinary primary health care team, and defined outcome metrics are critical to the evaluation of our system. I am proud of the public health supports for seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, vulnerable persons and those who have faced and continue to face discrimination. This government is committed to supporting access to and supports for mental health and addiction treatments. Senior care and long-term care are priorities. Support for health information systems that allow for the use of data for quality, safety and performance gains is a priority for “improving data collection across health systems to inform future decisions and get the best possible results.”
The most frequent requests made to my office are immigration-related, and great work is being done in this area. On October 28, more than 100 Afghan refugees arrived in St. John's, made possible through federal government support. This government continues to increase immigration levels and reduce wait times, support family reunification and deliver on a world-leading refugee resettlement program.
This government understands that safer communities require action to strengthen gun control. Simply put, assault-style weapons have no place on our streets and in our communities.
We also need to continue to invest in the empowerment of Black and racialized Canadians and indigenous peoples. All Canadians need to be safe. We must ban conversion therapy and respect and celebrate our diversity and unique cultures. Reconciliation will require a whole-of-government approach. I will requote what my colleague just stated: “Reconciliation is not a single act, nor does it have an end date. It is a lifelong journey of healing, respect and understanding.”
In closing, I echo this government's call for unity and collaboration to strengthen, rebuild and move our country forward with compassion, courage and determination.