Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Davenport.
I am pleased to rise today to proudly represent the people of Beauport—Limoilou. It is the proudest and most beautiful riding in Canada, and representing it is the greatest honour I have ever been given.
Today, I will be giving my speech in two parts.
First, I want to talk about the new economic reality. For over 20 years, I worked in the banking sector, where stability and certainty were the very foundation of any business' success. Everything was built on trust, trends, certainty and continuity. Later, while serving as president and CEO of the Quebec City chamber of commerce and industry, I noticed the same instinct at work, the instinct to strive for balance, to anticipate cycles and to build on a strong, lasting foundation.
These days, however, thanks to U.S. interventionism, that logic is crumbling. A new global economic order is emerging, one marked by uncertainty, rapid change and the constant redefinition of benchmarks. When I worked in banking, we often reminded our teams that the only constant was change. We always had to innovate, adapt and be agile, but we did so by choice. The predictability we once enjoyed no longer exists. Unpredictability has become the norm. However, we continue to move forward. Retreating or simply waiting are not an option.
In a context where the economic rules are being redefined at breakneck speed, our collective responsibility is to adapt in order to protect the foundations of our prosperity: our workers, our families, our businesses and our regions. This means rethinking our business models, diversifying our markets and focusing more on local processing and value-added production. We need to strengthen our supply chains, encourage innovation and support the strategic sectors that make us self-sufficient, whether in energy, agri-food, technology or advanced manufacturing.
We are also going to restore confidence among our entrepreneurs and communities, who are the true builders of our real economy. Moving forward means refusing to give up. It means choosing creativity, collaboration and long-term vision. It means understanding that tomorrow's stability will no longer be based on repeating the past, but on our ability to leverage today's challenges into sustainable growth.
I would like to mention a highly successful book that has been translated into 40 languages and sold over 30 million copies. It is only 100 pages long. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson illustrates this transformation well. It tells the story of two mice and two little men living in a maze. Every day, they go out in search of their cheese, which symbolizes comfort, success and stability. One day, the cheese disappears. Some of them refuse to admit that it is gone, while others adapt and move on. This simple fable teaches a fundamental truth: Change is inevitable, and our survival depends on our ability to adapt.
Today, our economy is going through something similar. We have known for years where to find our “cheese”: economic stability, secure jobs, a reliable supply chain and what seemed like sustainable prosperity. That model has changed. Yesterday's benchmarks are no longer a guarantee of future security. Faced with this transformation, we have two choices: We wait or we take action. Waiting means hoping that the cheese will reappear in its usual place. Taking action means accepting reality, anticipating change and charting new pathways toward growth.
The current economic emergency demands courage, agility and innovation. Whether we are talking about the energy transition, food sovereignty or industrial modernization, we need to forge ahead unafraid through the maze of a changing world, because one thing is certain: The cheese has moved and we have to move with it.
That was the first part of my speech.
These priorities are being translated into concrete action on the ground, right here in my riding of Beauport—Limoilou. I like to say that we are going to build Beauport—Limoilou strong. Starting in 2026-27, the Government of Canada is going to implement a provincial and territorial stream that will provide $17.2 billion over 10 years to support infrastructure projects that improve the daily lives of the citizens in my riding. These investments will target housing by funding roads and water systems to improve access to our neighbourhoods, and they will also target health care by modernizing hospitals and essential infrastructure. In return, provinces and territories will be required to match federal investments, reduce development charges, and not levy other fees that hinder the housing supply. This is a meaningful and responsible partnership to build a stronger and more accessible Canada.
Building Beauport—Limoilou strong also means stimulating productivity and investment in our businesses. To help our businesses grow, innovate and create good jobs, the government is implementing a productivity superdeduction, a set of enhanced tax incentives that support new capital investments. Thanks to this measure, businesses will be able to immediately write off a larger share of the cost of their new investments, whether they are for modern equipment, digital technologies, clean energy equipment, research and innovation assets or zero-emission vehicles.
By making investments fiscally more advantageous, this initiative stimulates productivity, accelerates business growth and makes Canada more competitive on the world stage. It is an ambitious policy that makes Canada a country of innovation, investment and shared prosperity. The budget also enhances the scientific research and experimental development program and invests $925 million to create a public AI infrastructure, including a sovereign Canadian cloud.
Building Beauport—Limoilou strong also means making it easier to buy a first home. The government is taking action to make home ownership more affordable, especially for young families in my riding. As part of Bill C-4, the budget would completely eliminate the GST on the purchase of a first new home valued at up to $1 million. This measure, combined with the $13‑billion, five-year Build Canada Homes program, supports the construction of affordable housing and restores hope to those who dream of becoming homeowners.
Building Beauport—Limoilou strong means finally asserting our sovereignty and supporting the pride of our businesses. The budget introduces a $4.6‑billion, five-year defence industrial strategy to strengthen our national capacity in security, innovation and strategic technologies. This strategy will support our businesses and researchers in the development of dual-use technologies, critical minerals, space capabilities and next-generation defence solutions. At the same time, the buy Canadian policy affirms a clear principle: public money must prioritize supporting Canadian businesses and goods. Nearly $200 million will be invested to modernize federal procurement rules and encourage Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to participate in the public economy.
Budget 2025 lays out a coherent and forward-looking approach. It invests in infrastructure, supports families, encourages innovation and affirms our sovereignty. In Beauport—Limoilou and across Canada, these measures translate into jobs, opportunities and a better quality of life. This budget is about confidence and progress. It prepares Canada for tomorrow while meeting the needs of today. As mentioned earlier, we are choosing to take action. That means accepting reality, anticipating change and charting new pathways toward growth.