Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to speak in support of Bill C-15. It is a financial plan that would deliver meaningful results for Canadians and real progress for Islanders, especially those living in eastern Prince Edward Island, where my riding is located.
The budget builds on the work that our rural, Atlantic and national caucus teams have championed, with investments that strengthen rural communities, support our fishers and farmers, modernize our infrastructure and make life more affordable for families. It is a plan rooted in fairness, opportunity and resilience, values that define both the country and our island way of life.
We introduced a tax cut to lower the first bracket from 15% to 14%, to save nearly 22 million Canadians up to $840 for a two-income family. The budget also cancelled the federal consumer carbon tax, effective April 1, 2025, immediately lowering fuel costs by about 18ยข a litre. For first-time homebuyers, the budget offers GST relief on new homes. This will make it easier for young Islanders to put down roots and build their future in our communities.
I will be sharing my time with the member for Winnipeg North today.
Budget 2025 also modernizes our system of delivering support to Canadians. In 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency will start preparing prefilled tax returns for about one million low-income Canadians. Once this is fully implemented, by 2029, over 5.5 million low-income Canadians will receive federal benefits automatically. This will mean a lot to seniors, students and low-income workers in P.E.I. They will not miss out on tax benefits simply because they did not file a tax return.
For island families with school-aged children, the budget makes the national school food program permanent. The program will save families an average of $800 per year on groceries. It will ensure that no child, not in Souris, not in Montague, not in Mount Stewart, goes to school hungry. The program utilizes help from local island restaurants to deliver meals. Roughly 52% of the food is prepared by local restaurants, and 48% of the meals are produced by program hubs across the island. I commend all the volunteers who manage the nutritious food program.
The budget also recognizes the workers who hold up our communities. The new personal support worker tax credit would provide up to $1,100 per year to eligible PSWs. This is a significant show of support for those caring for others in our communities.
The budget also introduces a national anti-fraud strategy, with a particular focus on protecting seniors, who are often the most vulnerable to scams and financial abuse. From stronger enforcement to improved public awareness tools, this initiative will help protect the life savings and financial security of island seniors, who have already contributed so much to our communities.
For our youth, $1.5 billion is invested over three years to expand the Canada summer jobs and student work placement programs to 175,000 positions. This is 45,000 more than the previous year, supporting young islanders and Canadians to gain valuable work experience near their homes.
Housing affordability is one of the most defining challenges of our time, and rural Atlantic communities feel it deeply. That is why the budget launched Build Canada Homes, an $11.5-billion investment in new funding over five years. Build Canada Homes will drive the development of affordable housing, provide flexible financial tools and mobilize the construction sector. Budget 2025 also commits to indigenous housing and infrastructure for first nations.
I would like to highlight the apartment construction loan program announcement in August. The program is already supporting new builds in eastern P.E.I. I was proud to host the housing and infrastructure round table in Stratford with the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, where island builders, municipal leaders and non-profits discussed innovations, barriers and opportunities to accelerate construction in P.E.I.
To meet the growing demand for workers in construction, housing, energy and transportation, we must build stronger apprenticeship pathways. That is why budget 2025 would continue the government's work to expand skilled trades training, strengthen apprenticeship supports and help more young people enter Red Seal and construction careers. Islanders know the demand is here. Housing projects, infrastructure builds, new community facilities and clean energy initiatives all require a skilled workforce. The message is clear: Islanders want to build, and the budget would give them the support to do it.
Rural infrastructure is the foundation of strong communities. Budget 2025 would establish the build communities strong fund, with $51 billion over 10 years. This is one of the largest infrastructure investments in Canadian history. Of this, $5 billion would be dedicated to the health infrastructure fund, which is essential for modernizing hospitals and clinics across the region.
Budget 2025 lists support for one particular project in my riding: the SeaRoots Alliance wellness centre in Souris. It is a transformative community-led project that would improve the well-being of families across eastern P.E.I. and would support the next generation of community builders. Other key community projects in my riding that I hope will gain support through this program are the Stratford community campus, the TCAP Family Aquatic and Fitness Center in Montague and the replacement of the Kings County Memorial Hospital, which dates back to the 1970s.
Within this beautiful and sustainable environment of eastern P.E.I., the economy is powered by the sea and the soil. The budget recognizes our rural industries and would support them during a time of global uncertainty. Starting in the 2024-25 fiscal year, there was $463 million dedicated to repairs and maintenance of small crafts and harbours. There would be $109 million for the AgriStability program in 2025-26, and we have pledged $75 million over five years for AgriMarketing, to help island food products reach new markets.
Diversification is essential. We are actively expanding new trade corridors and markets so that island agriculture and seafood can reach global customers in Asia, Europe and beyond. Islanders produce world-class food. We are Canada's food island. Through Farm Credit Canada, the new trade disruption customer support program would provide $1 billion in new lending to help farmers and food processors weather global instability. These investments build on decisions made in July by our Prime Minister to cut Confederation Bridge tolls from over $50 to $20 and reduce the Atlantic ferry costs by 50%. Did members know that 400,000 passengers used the Wood Islands-Pictou ferry in 2025? Since fares were reduced last August, passenger volumes have increased by over 25%, providing a major boost for tourism and small businesses throughout eastern P.E.I.
Budget 2025 would invest $6.6 billion over five years to strengthen Canada's defence manufacturing base through the defence industrial strategy, creating new economic opportunities in Atlantic Canada. For those who have served, Veterans Affairs Canada, located in Charlottetown, would receive $185 million over four years plus $40 million ongoing to streamline disability benefits and modernize service delivery so that veterans receive the support they deserve.
Budget 2025 would also invest $4 million over four years to support National Acadian Day and $20 million over four years to enhance Canada Day celebrations nationwide. In a province with deep Acadian roots and proud traditions, these investments would help celebrate the culture and identity that bind us together.
None of this happened by accident. The budget reflects the relentless advocacy of our Atlantic caucus, which ensured that rural voices were not only heard but acted upon. We secured investments in housing and health care. We defended the interests of farmers and fishers. We pushed for relief for families and seniors. We championed the infrastructure for rural and coastal communities. For Islanders, especially in eastern P.E.I., this budget would mean better connectivity, stronger communities and a brighter future.
Islanders have always believed in hard work, fairness and looking out for one another. Budget 2025 reflects those same values.