Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today on behalf of the residents of Brampton South to speak in support of Bill C-15.
Budget 2025 sets out a clear path forward, one of fiscal responsibility, of investing in Canadians, of safeguarding national security and of building safer communities. Budget 2025 is a plan for growth, inclusion and opportunity. It is a responsible, forward-looking plan that provides stability in uncertain times and delivers real, practical results for communities like in my constituency in Brampton South.
In Brampton we are growing fast in population, diversity and innovation. Bramptonians expect results: more homes, stronger transit, better health care, safer streets and good jobs with good wages. Budget 2025 delivers on those priorities. It balances fiscal responsibility with the long-term investments that support growth, fairness and opportunity.
Bill C-15 would strengthen essential programs and expand federal support in ways that would directly improve the lives of the residents of Brampton South. Budget 2025 reflects a government that listens, responds and takes action. It is not a budget of abstract promises; it is a budget of action.
Housing supply and affordability are urgent challenges in Brampton communities. Bill C-15 would speed up housing construction, strengthen incentives for rental development and expand tools that support cities in building more homes faster. For Brampton this would mean more funding for purpose-built rentals and measures supporting the city's long-term plan to build tens of thousands of homes near major transit hubs at Bramalea, City Centre, Mount Pleasant and Hurontario Street.
Transit infrastructure is equally important for Brampton. Bill C-15 would enhance federal support for zero-emission buses, fleet expansion, route enhancements and transit-priority infrastructure, which would directly assist Brampton Transit in meeting record ridership demand. Just to let members know, Brampton Transit carried more than 43 million passengers in 2024, an increase of almost 125% from 2021. That is why these investments are so important.
The investments would reduce traffic congestion, help workers commute more efficiently, and support Brampton's climate goals. When we give people a home near accessible transit, jobs and services, we reduce commute times, lower emissions and improve the quality of life of the residents of Brampton.
Health care is a growing need in Brampton. Budget 2025 responds with a dedicated $5-billion health infrastructure fund to update hospitals, emergency rooms and urgent care centres. It invests in expanding primary care teams, reducing wait times and increasing training spots for doctors and nurses.
I am particularly proud to highlight that budget 2025 provides $25 million in funding to Toronto Metropolitan University's school of medicine in Brampton, Canada's newest and Brampton's first medical school. It is the first new medical school in the GTA in 100 years. This funding of $25 million will help train the next generation of physicians right here in Brampton. We need more health care professionals in this country. That is what we are addressing in the budget.
We are investing $97 million in faster foreign credential recognition so skilled professionals can contribute faster, especially in the health care and construction fields. To support people on the front lines, budget 2025 introduces a temporary personal support workers tax credit, allowing eligible PSWs to claim a refundable tax credit of up to $1,100 per year.
Innovation and productivity are the engines of a strong economy. Budget 2025 makes bold investment to keep Canada competitive, diversify our trade and support businesses impacted by tariffs.
It is very important that we increase productivity in our country. The budget incentivizes private sector investment in research and development, strengthens tax credits for innovation and supports cutting-edge technologies that drive growth. Notably, budget 2025 commits more than $900 million to support a large-scale, sovereign, public AI infrastructure, ensuring that Canada has the computing power to lead in artificial intelligence.
More of every public dollar should go to the Canadian economy and benefit the Canadian community. The budget not only invests in fully implementing a buy Canadian policy across the federal government but also helps Canadian small and medium-sized businesses break into the federal market.
Affordability is top of mind for families in Brampton South. Our government remains committed to accessible, affordable child care. This is a proven record. Since 2021, more women with young children are working. The participation rate is now at 79%.
The Canadian dental care plan continues to expand. Now, six million Canadians of all ages are covered under the plan. Seniors in Brampton South have given me very positive feedback. I have seen first-hand many seniors who had never had dental work and now have. The plan will now benefit Canadians of all ages.
Bill C-15 would make the national school food program permanent, providing healthy meals for up to 400,000 children every year. No child can go to school hungry.
Investment in Build Canada Homes will help double the pace of affordable homebuilding over the next 10 years.
Public safety is fundamental to any vibrant community. Budget 2025 delivers by providing new funding for law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and auto theft, enhanced border security tools to intercept stolen vehicles and illegal guns, support for community safety and youth prevention programs, resources for community-driven safety initiatives and support for a national public alerting system.
Budget 2025 also introduces Canada's first-ever national anti-fraud strategy aimed to establish a new financial crime agency and a code of conduct for the prevention of economic abuse. These measures will protect Canadians, especially seniors, from financial fraud and abuse. Budget 2025 also supports the new horizons for seniors program, showing that we value the contribution of senior Canadians in communities like mine of Brampton South.
The budget commits $1.5 billion to creating jobs and opportunities for young people. It invests in re-skilling workers and training the next generation of Canadian builders.
Budget 2025 reflects a government that believes in vibrant communities and inclusive growth. It reflects the priorities of Canadians and the aspirations of the people of Brampton South. Our goal is to create good jobs, local growth and a resilient one Canada economy.
Budget 2025 is a transformative budget that builds homes and infrastructure, expands health care, strengthens public safety, supports seniors and grows our economy. It is a budget that moves Canada forward and ensures that communities like Brampton are not left behind but are leading the progress. I am proud to support Budget 2025. I look forward to seeing the positive impact the budget will deliver for all Bramptonians and Canadians.