Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to Bill C-15, the budget implementation act. It is a budget for a moment of profound global change. This is not a routine budget; it is a blueprint for generational transformation, a plan that would define Canada's future for decades to come. We are laying the foundation for a modern, secure and competitive Canada in the 21st century, future-proofing our economy while protecting our people, and we are doing so by making bold, responsible choices.
We will build the infrastructure, the homes and the industries that drive long-term prosperity. We will protect our communities and uphold our values, and we will empower Canadians, especially young people, with better careers, strong public services and a more affordable life. In a time of global uncertainty, Canada will not stand still. We choose to lead. We choose to build. With U.S. tariffs rising and global supply chains shifting, how we invest in Canadian infrastructure and manufacturing will shape our competitiveness and resilience for a generation. That is why the budget focuses on what we can control: building our economy here at home, stronger and faster than ever before. We are cutting waste and redirecting resources toward smart, generational investments that will grow our economy, protect communities and empower Canadians. This is our moment to build big, build bold and build now.
In times of economic uncertainty, when families across Canada are facing high rents, rising food prices and mounting child care costs, Canadians need to know that their government is protecting the programs that make life possible. These are not luxuries; these are essential for all Canadians. Toronto's families know that child care costs have historically been among the highest in the country, but investing in child care has changed that. Budget 2025 would protect the national child care program, ensuring that parents in Spadina—Harbourfront and across Canada can continue to access good-quality care. This is not just social policy; it is economic policy, enabling more parents, especially women, to participate more fully in the workforce.
We are also investing in our new Canadian dental care plan, one of the largest expansions of health care in a generation, and it is already transforming lives. Thousands of my constituents, including children, seniors living on a fixed income and low-income families, have been able to visit a dentist for the first time in years. Access to oral health is not a luxury. This is more than coverage; it is prevention. Untreated dental issues lead to pain, illness, ER visits, and missed work and school. By introducing the Canadian dental care plan, we are saving families money, reducing pressure on our health care system and protecting long-term health outcomes.
Budget 2025 would also maintain and strengthen the Canada child benefit, a lifeline for families in Toronto, where housing and food costs are among the highest in Canada. At a time of tough fiscal choices, our government chose to protect families and the services they rely on. That is leadership Canadians deserve and expect. Many parents rely on the Canada child benefit to make life more affordable. This benefit helps cover essentials, such as groceries, clothing and school supplies, the things that make raising children possible. We know this: When we invest in children, we do not just help families; we build a stronger, more resilient economy and community. We are not stopping there. We are simplifying access through automatic benefit systems, so the families who need support most receive it without barriers. From employment insurance enhancements to the permanent national school food program, the budget would reinforce the social infrastructure that keeps Canadians secure.
Protection alone is not enough. In a world of uncertainty, we cannot simply hold the line; we must move forward boldly. That is why the BIA, Bill C-15, and budget 2025 would launch the most ambitious building agenda in generations. To secure our future, we must build it, and we are building Canada strong.
When I was knocking on doors just seven months ago, I heard about the same two issues again and again: affordable housing and transit. Residents have told me time and time again that we need homes we can afford and we need transit that gets us where we need to go. These are daily realities for the people of Spadina—Harbourfront. In our city, we understand what it means to grow. We know how to live close together. We know how to thrive in dense, vibrant, connected communities. Because we know how to live together, we can lead together. Toronto can be a model for urban growth and for how cities build more neighbours, not more barriers. Through the build communities strong fund, we have committed $51 billion over 10 years to infrastructure. For Toronto, that means continued and expanded investments in transit, green infrastructure and community facilities, projects that make our city more livable, sustainable and connected.
The budget also responds boldly to the housing crisis, with $25 billion in housing commitments, including the launch of Build Canada Homes, backed by $13 billion to accelerate construction using modern, modular and sustainable methods. Build Canada Homes would double the pace of homebuilding, powered by Canadian technology, Canadian workers and Canadian innovation.
Our focus is clear: We will build more non-market, affordable community housing to meet a range of needs. We will build for families, for seniors, for students, for workers and for those at risk of homelessness. We will work with the provinces, municipalities, indigenous communities, mission-driven housing providers, non-profits, co-operatives and organizations serving women, newcomers, people with disabilities and those needing supportive housing.
The math is simple. When we build more, supply increases. When supply increases, more Canadians can find a place to call home.
Budget 2025 is not just about building houses. It is about building opportunity. For many young professionals and families in Toronto, buying a first home has felt simply out of reach. We are eliminating the GST on new homes, including condos, up to $1 million, making home ownership more attainable for more younger Canadians.
The budget is a generational investment strategy designed to unlock $1 trillion in private sector investment and position Canada for success in a world where resilience is economic strength. We are not just building for today. We are building for the next generation. We are building Canada strong. Budget 2025 is not only about building homes and infrastructure. It is about building the heart and soul of our country. The arts and culture sector is central to building the strongest and most resilient economy in the G7. It is how we tell our story. It is how we protect our sovereignty in a world where culture is influence.
By investing in the institutions that carry Canada's diverse stories to the world, we protect our cultural sovereignty, reinforce national unity and project our values across the world. Canada's values are rooted in our shared identity and deep connection to community. We have so much to be proud of, to celebrate and to defend.
That is why budget 2025 would make one of the largest investments in arts and culture in our history, with $769.3 million over four years to strengthen Canada's creative economy, support storytelling and journalism, and bring Canadians together through national celebrations and shared moments of pride.
The budget would also renew the Canada Strong pass. Families and young people will have free or discounted access to national parks, museums, galleries and rail travel, giving more Canadians the chance to explore our country and experience our history. Canada's artists, musicians, filmmakers, publishers and writers are at the heart of our creative economy. They are job creators, innovators, entrepreneurs and ambassadors for Canada on the world stage.
I am proud that Spadina—Harbourfront is home to the headquarters of the CBC, an institution that connects Canadians from coast to coast to coast. It protects our official languages and strengthens our cultural sovereignty. Budget 2025 would strengthen CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate and modernize its role in the digital age, ensuring that Canadian stories continue to be told by Canadians, for Canadians and to the world.
The arts and culture sector is not an afterthought. It is an economic driver. It is a nation-building sector. It fuels tourism, attracts investment and showcases Canada's excellence on the world stage. From a recent report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, we know that over the past three years, the sector has grown nearly twice as fast as the broader economy; cultural exports have reached a record $25 billion, and GDP from the sector has risen almost 8%. It now supports more jobs per dollar than oil and gas, manufacturing or agriculture, and it generates $17 billion in government tax revenue. The return on public investment is extraordinary. For every dollar the federal government invests, the arts and culture sector generates $29 in economic activity.
Supporting arts is not a luxury. It is a strategic investment in economic strength, national unity and Canadian sovereignty. When we invest in the creative economy, we are not only creating jobs; we are protecting our identity and strengthening Canada's voice in the world.
Budget 2025 is a plan to build, protect and empower. It would protect the social programs that families rely on. It would build the homes, infrastructure and industries our communities need. It would empower Canadians and our cultural sector to tell Canada's story to the world. For Spadina—Harbourfront, for Toronto and for all Canadians, this is a budget to prepare us for a stronger, more resilient future.
