Mr. Speaker, I had hoped to have the opportunity to wish the Deputy Speaker my warmest congratulations on his new role. He is someone I worked with on the immigration committee. I am sure many people will have appreciated his work and will very much miss him on that committee. We are very proud of him, and I send him my greatest congratulations.
I would also like to thank the people of London West. I am rising for the first time in the House of Commons post my second re-election. I want to thank them for their confidence in me and for allowing me to represent them again as their member of Parliament. That being said, I also want to take the time to thank my family, my mom, whom I know is watching today, my son Noah, my brothers, my entire extended family and my cousins, who continue to support me to be the member of Parliament for London West. I also want to thank my amazing team, my volunteers and the London West Federal Liberal Association, which worked really hard to make sure that I could be here today and be a strong voice for London West and for London.
It is with gratitude that I rise today to respond to the Speech from the Throne and to reflect on what it means for the people of London West, as well as for all of southwestern Ontario.
In London West, I saw the largest vote share in the history of the riding, and for that I am very grateful. That means we are ready to go to work. London West sent me so that I can fight for them on issues like housing, fight for our families, our workers and our small businesses, and make sure that their voices are heard in the House.
Southwestern Ontario is not unique in facing intense economic disruption, housing instability and the pressures of a rapidly changing world, but we represent something uniquely Canadian. We are resilient. We are diverse. We are honest and we have hard-working people. We have innovation and a deep-rooted commitment to one another. The throne speech calls this a moment of renewal and an opportunity to build a bold, ambitious and more inclusive Canada, and I could not agree more. I believe that London West stands ready to be a leader in this national renewal.
The government's promise to build one Canadian economy by removing internal trade barriers across the country and investing in national infrastructure will directly benefit southwestern Ontario.
In London, we know how interprovincial bureaucracy can delay job-creating projects and limit labour mobility in certain sectors and trades. I can say that because I used to be a city councillor. Now, as a member of Parliament, I understand the issues that lead to these challenges for people in London and northern Ontario.
To remove those barriers, we are going to provide new opportunities for businesses and workers in my riding.
London is home to advanced manufacturing, health sciences, education and a growing agri-tech sector. These industries are eager to grow, and they need stable supply chains, regional infrastructure and policies that reflect their role in Canada's economy. The commitment to double homebuilding and invest in Canadian materials and talent aligns perfectly with the capacity and ambition of our region.
We welcome the launch of “build Canada homes” and the focus on affordable, modular and prefabricated housing. In London, housing demand continues to outpace supply. Young families, students and new Canadians struggle to find secure and more affordable places to live. Cutting the GST for first-time homebuyers and municipal development charges for multi-unit homes will have a direct impact on our families, and it will have a direct impact on affordability in our city. These initiatives build on the over $108.3 million that the government has already invested toward housing projects in London West, but success in housing also depends on speed. The promise to reduce project approval times from five years to two could be transformative in our community. London West has shovel-ready projects waiting, and we will do just that with our new government, which is ready to deliver for Canadians.
Almost 9,000 families in London West have already felt the impact of the national dental care program, and we have seen the positive impact of the child care program. These are not abstract policies. They save families thousands of dollars every single year. With the expansion of the Canadian dental care program to cover up to eight million Canadians, more of our neighbours will be able to access preventative care without sacrificing any of their essentials. That means there will be more money for parents to do more things with their children. Continuing to fund and protect these programs is not just good policy; it is building a healthier and more equitable Canada by building healthier cities.
Now I move to the big challenge. Tariffs and trade volatility have shaken southwestern Ontario's export-based industries. Agriculture, auto parts and advanced manufacturing have all felt the impact, and that is why the throne speech's commitment to strengthening trade relationships and building new ones is absolutely essential. London West needs consistent, fair access to global markets, but we also need a government that understands that when trade disruptions hit, our workers and small businesses are the ones that bear the biggest brunt. The proposed reforms and domestic investments are a welcome sign of support.
We know that building a resilient economy means that we have to invest in skilled trades. London's skilled trades programs have long been leaders in training the next generation of workers, but right now, they need support. They need continued support, especially in attracting young people and under-represented groups, and we must invest in restoring the jobs that are being lost right now in places like Fanshawe College in order to train the next generation of skilled workers.
We also welcome the commitment to make Canada a hub for innovation. Our region is home to world-class researchers and start-ups that will benefit from simplified approvals, stronger intellectual property protections and better access to capital. We need support for our small businesses, which are the backbone of London West's economy, from local shops in Byron and Hyde Park to tech start-ups and social enterprises. These entrepreneurs need access to capital, support in navigating government programs and relief from inflationary pressures.
Just as importantly, workers whose jobs are being transformed or lost right now need to be able to retrain, be protected and have new pathways into new industries. Relief for workers cannot be a footnote. It has to remain a top priority for our entire region of southwestern Ontario. As AI, automation and climate policies reshape our economy, we have to invest in people along with technology. What I am saying is that southwestern Ontario is a place that many call home, and we want to keep it that way.
Southwestern Ontario is not just a collection of ridings; it is a powerhouse of innovation, agriculture, industry and community. We need policies that reflect our strengths and challenges, not a one-size-fits-all solution. That is why I welcome the idea of deeper engagement with the region. Southwestern Ontario should be at the table when we talk about infrastructure, immigration, rural connectivity, climate adaptation and mid-sized cities.
I look forward to engaging with my colleagues on both sides of the House to get this work done.
The Speech from the Throne is more than just a plan. It is a challenge, calling on us to meet the moment with clarity, courage and ambition. That is why we are back in government today. In London West, as in all of southwestern Ontario and across Canada, we recognize both the urgency of the issues and the opportunities before us. We cannot afford to slow down progress, whether we are talking about addressing the housing challenge, growing our economy or developing new industries.
To build Canada strong, we have to stay focused. We have to be collaborative, and we have to stay connected to the people who sent us here. That is why I am excited to be back in the House of Commons, speaking for the people of London West and making sure that their voices are not left behind.