Mr. Speaker, hon. colleagues, before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation.
I am both humbled and excited to rise as the member for Thérèse-De Blainville. It is an honour to be here today, on behalf of my constituents, to deliver this speech. As I often tell my friends and family, I do not take my good fortune for granted.
I congratulate you on your new position, Mr. Speaker, and I congratulate all members of the House. I look forward to working with everyone.
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my constituents for the trust they have placed in me. I thank them for their questions, their commitment and all their suggestions. I want to sincerely thank my husband Claude, my family, and the volunteers who supported me throughout this campaign.
In my previous role as Canada's ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, I was deeply concerned about the place of democracy in the world. I am pleased to see our Canadian democracy so strong and healthy. All of our conversations have been respectful. In this chamber that embodies our country's democratic values, I rise today with a deep sense of responsibility.
As stated in the Speech from the Throne, all Canadians are experiencing major changes at this point in time. These profound changes mean incredible opportunities for our entire country: opportunities for renewal, opportunities for growth and, above all, opportunities for Canada to undertake its greatest economic transformation since the Second World War. We are going through these changes together. They are affecting our families, our communities and our workplaces. Yes, these changes will challenge us, but they will also give us the impetus to build a better future. By remaining true to its values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that works for all Canadians. Canada is ready to build a coalition with countries that share its values and believe in international co-operation, as we will demonstrate a few weeks from now, when Canada chairs the G7 summit in June.
Until recently, I served as Canada's ambassador and representative to the OECD, the International Energy Agency, the International Transport Forum, the Nuclear Energy Agency, and the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence. I can assure the House that member countries are ready for this partnership with Canada. This kind of involvement on the world stage does not detract from our national interests. On the contrary, it is a natural extension of those interests. We believe that in order to be strong at home, we have to be present, respected and engaged internationally.
No discussion of change and opportunities would be complete without considering what is going on with our neighbours in the United States. The Prime Minister and the President of the United States have begun defining a new economic and security relationship between our two countries, rooted in mutual respect and founded on the common interests of our two sovereign nations. This renewed partnership with our neighbour to the south offers us an opportunity to write a new chapter in our history of collaboration, mutual growth and shared prosperity. At the same time, our government is strengthening ties with our trading partners and allies. We already have 50 free trade agreements. Now more than ever, we need to put them to good use. Today, our economic future hinges on our ability to build strong, lasting strategic ties around the world.
The people of my riding made it abundantly clear to me that they believe the economy is only truly strong when it serves everyone and is consistent with what all Canadians want. That is why we are reducing middle-class taxes, saving two-income families up to $840 a year. We will also be reducing the GST on homes at or under $1 million for first-time homebuyers, which will save them up to $50,000. Our constituents want concrete action. These measures are concrete. They will have a direct impact on the lives of Canadians and Canadian families by improving both access and security.
Furthermore, we will protect the programs that are already helping Canadians save thousands of dollars a year, such as the child care program, pharmacare and more. What we heard from our constituents as we went door to door is that our social programs must be maintained because they have a real impact on Canadians' everyday lives. These programs enable many people to access essential services, and that is something we will never jeopardize.
Everyone knows, because we said it very clearly during the recent campaign, that our government's main goal is to build the strongest economy in the G7. That starts with creating one Canadian economy. It is an ambitious and critical plan. It is time to break down silos, overcome internal barriers, and build a true economic union among our provinces and territories. The OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, has been recommending this for years in its economic reports. Now there is a sense of urgency that is driving us to act. Internal barriers to trade and labour mobility cost Canada as much as $200 billion each year. That is unacceptable, and so we will be introducing legislation to remove all federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility by Canada Day. Numerous premiers have already taken vital steps to break down provincial and territorial barriers to trade, and we will build on that progress to create a strong economy for the whole country. Working with provincial and territorial premiers is the key to success, and everyone in the House has a role to play in this joint effort so that we can reach our full economic potential.
However, that is not all. A lot more needs to be done to reach our full potential and build Canada strong. This cannot happen without a strong commitment to collaboration. For that, we will need to work closely with provinces, territories and indigenous peoples to implement projects of national significance. Throughout my career, I have worked with the business community, unions, civil society, as well as diplomats and governments around the world. Now more than ever, our Canadian pride must deepen our ties with the world to create high-paying jobs for Canadians. We know that these projects require leadership, but also a listening ear, flexibility and respect for jurisdictions. More importantly, this plan to build Canada strong resonates with our constituents.
Given the scale of opportunities before us, speed is of the essence. The new major federal project office will reduce the time needed to approve a project from five years to two, all while upholding Canada's world-leading environmental standards and its constitutional obligations to indigenous peoples. This will enable us to strike a balance between efficiency and accountability. Our government will also strike co-operation agreements with every interested province and territory within six months to realize its goal of “one project, one review”. By removing these barriers holding back the Canadian economy, we will unleash a new era of growth in Canada that will ensure we do not just survive trade wars, but emerge from them as a stronger sovereign nation.
It is that resilience, that ability to turn adversity into opportunity, that has always characterized our country. During the election campaign, I heard from my constituents that housing was a top priority for them, as it is for all Canadians. Their message is very clear. Major changes are needed; concrete action must be taken, and quickly. That is why our government will undertake a series of measures to help double the rate of home building while creating an entirely new housing industry using Canadian technology, Canadian skilled workers and Canadian lumber. We must also be ready to innovate so that we can meet our climate challenges. We have the resources, we have the know-how and we have the will. It is time for action.
Our government will also introduce measures to deliver affordable homes by creating a mission-driven organization called build Canada homes, which will accelerate the development of new affordable housing, invest in the growth of the prefabricated and modular housing industry, and provide significant financing to affordable home builders.
Our constituents want concrete actions like these. Together with all stakeholders and regional parties involved, we will innovate and overcome challenges.
In recent months, we have also heard a lot of talk about Canada's security, especially at our borders. To that end, our government will introduce legislation to enhance security at Canada's borders. A strong country must be able to protect its borders, its citizens and its territorial integrity. New tools to stop the flow of fentanyl and its precursors will also be introduced. The Canada Border Services Agency will be given new powers to examine goods destined for export in order to prevent the transport of illegal and stolen products, including cars, which we all know has become a serious problem.
We will not stop there. Our government will protect Canada's sovereignty by rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces and will strengthen Canada's presence in the north. We will also join ReArm Europe to invest in transatlantic security.
Security also means solidarity. Ensuring that our borders are secure is one thing, but we cannot ignore the safety of our communities. Our communities are where we live, where our loved ones live, our children and our parents. We must ensure that they are safe places for everyone, at all times. To that end, we will hire 1,000 more RCMP personnel and make changes to firearms licensing. We are going to take car theft and home invasions very seriously, and we are going to toughen the Criminal Code to make bail harder to get for repeat offenders charged with committing these crimes, along with human trafficking and drug smuggling. The safety of our communities is non-negotiable.
Now I want to turn to something that is ingrained in me, something essential for building a strong Canada. I have said this many times to the constituents of Thérèse‑De Blainville: I am a proud Quebecker and a proud francophone. At the same time, I am a proud Canadian. The French language and Quebec culture are both at the heart of the Canadian identity. They define the country that Canadians and I love so much. I have promoted our country throughout my career, right across Canada and internationally. That is the kind of leadership we all need to show every day. Protecting our language, our traditions and our heritage is essential. It is also an incredible asset in our international trade. I know what I am talking about.
Canada is a country that respects and celebrates its official languages and indigenous languages. The government is determined to protect the institutions that bring these cultures and this identity to the world, like CBC/Radio‑Canada, and programs that really make a difference, such as the indigenous loan guarantee program, which will double from $5 billion to $10 billion. Our government will be a reliable partner to indigenous peoples, upholding its fundamental commitment to advancing reconciliation. We will meet that commitment with conviction.
We are also committed to protecting our farmers, who provide us with fresh, healthy, high-quality food. Protecting supply management is very important. Our food sovereignty is an essential component of our national sovereignty.
Canada's immigration system has also long been a source of pride for Canadians. That is why we are committed to rebuilding Canadians' trust in immigration by restoring balance to the system.
This responsibility will demand both structure and compassion.
With that in mind, our government will cap the number of temporary foreign workers and international students allowed to come to Canada. We will attract the best talent from around the world to build the Canadian economy.
In all of its actions, our government will be guided by a new fiscal discipline, one that involves spending less so that Canadians can invest more. This is also something the people of Thérèse-De Blainville have been calling for. We believe that every public dollar should be spent wisely in the collective interest. Our government will work hard to achieve this.
Our government will balance its operating budget over the next three years by cutting waste, capping the public service, ending duplication and deploying technology to improve public sector productivity. In parallel, we will take a series of measures to catalyze new investments and create better jobs and higher incomes for Canadians.
The scale of this government's initiative will match the challenges of our times and the ambitions of Canadians.
I want to close by telling my esteemed colleagues that we, as Canadians, are strong and free, and that we will do everything we can over the course of this mandate entrusted to us to make this great country even stronger. Doing so will require more than just programs and policies. It will require a commitment to moving our country forward despite the challenges ahead.
Canada has tremendous assets and economic leverage: our talents and ability to innovate, the private sector's expertise combined with the public sector's, our rich multicultural mosaic and our strength when it comes to inclusion and global partnerships.
Canada is also brimming with hope and opportunity. By working together with the provinces and territories, indigenous peoples and all stakeholders, we can build a strong future for all Canadians, a future where our shared values continue to be a priority.
