Debates of May 29th, 2025

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you on your appointment and also the member opposite for her election.

She mentioned the importance of innovation and technology in our great country. The previous government, the Trudeau Jr. government, introduced Bill C-27, which had the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. It is putting forth very vague rules that will cause small innovators, particularly in the AI space, to consider their options. It is hard to get venture capital in Canada, and now these vague rules will push those innovators to the United States.

Does the member understand the difficulties the previous government placed on that particular part of our economy? Will she work toward fixing it and opposing the old legislation?

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and congratulate him on his re-election.

I will always be a staunch defender of new technologies in my region. As I mentioned in my speech, the Quantum Institute and all new technologies are very important, not to mention economic drivers. Canada is a leader on this and must continue to be there, to support them so that we can continue to have good jobs in these sectors.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate you on your appointment as Deputy Speaker. I have great confidence in you in the chair; the chair becomes you. I am really looking forward to it. The support will not be unconditional, but I offer my sincere best wishes.

I also want to begin by thanking the electors of Don Valley West for their support in sending me back for the fifth time to this place. They sent me back with a really good mandate, and it is one that I take on not only with humility but also with empowerment. With the platform our party presented, confidence was expressed in our new Prime Minister, and the thought that Canada's sovereignty may be threatened, which needs strong leadership, is very real for the people in Don Valley West.

I also want to thank the people who did not vote for me. I want to thank the people I met at many doors who have concerns about this country and who expressed those concerns. When we knock on thousands of doors, it is as important to listen to those who may challenge us as it is to listen to our supporters.

I want to talk particularly about some young people who talked to me about affordability and housing costs and about how their lower incomes were not meeting the challenges they faced every day to pay their rent or get a mortgage. I listened particularly to young people in the Yonge and Eglinton area who are paying other people's mortgages and want a chance to own a home themselves. I have listened and our government has heard them, and I believe in the Speech from the Throne we heard Canada's most ambitious housing project ever. I will continue to work on that.

I also want to talk about people who have been worried about crime. Particularly in the Don Mills area, I heard regularly that people are worried and that our government needs to take stronger steps to ensure their streets and homes are safe and that they are personally safe as well. Again, we have listened, and our government will continue to take strong steps against crime to make sure appropriate punishments happen while we continue to build a safer society all around us.

I also want to talk to newcomers. Some newcomers in my riding are very concerned about the ongoing issue of professional accreditation, getting ahead without Canadian experience and making a living in their own communities. I have listened to this as well and will continue to work on that project.

I also want to speak very specifically to the Jewish community and to Jews in my riding who have great concerns about the rise of anti-Semitism and about their personal safety as they gather or even as they walk down the street. I will continue to support zero tolerance for any anti-Semitic comments and slurs or any attacks on either the Jewish community or Jews themselves in my riding, across this country and around the world.

I also want to talk about those who raised the issue of Gaza and Canada's support for the Palestinian people. I will continue to be a strong advocate for peace in the region and for the aspirations of the Palestinian people to eventually have their own state and to find a way to express their statehood in the world. Canada needs to help rebuild Gaza as we bring back a peaceful solution to an ongoing conflict.

All of these concerns were echoed by fiscal Conservatives in my riding. They are worried about our overspending. They are worried about not investing enough. I believe that our new Prime Minister and this new government will be the biggest problem the Conservative Party has. We have listened to those words and have heard them. Our Prime Minister, through the Speech from the Throne, talked about spending less and investing more, and we will continue to do that so Canadians can regain confidence in our ability to manage their money, because it is not our money.

Going to those doors has been extremely important to me. The people have given me a strong mandate, the largest mandate I have had in five elections, and I hope I will continue to earn the trust of those who did not vote for me.

One part of the throne speech I want to draw attention to today in the House is on page 8, which says:

...the Government is working to strengthen its relationships with reliable trading partners and allies around the world, recognizing that Canada has what the world needs and...the world respects.

Canada is ready to build a coalition of like-minded countries that share its values, that believe in international co-operation and the free and open exchange of goods, services, and ideas. In this new, fast-evolving world, Canada is ready to lead.

The reason I want to focus on that part of the Speech from the Throne, which the King so eloquently delivered in the Senate earlier this week, is that just before the election, in the early part of March, I was able to launch, on behalf of the government, Canada's new strategy related to Africa. It is called “Canada's Africa Strategy: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity and Security”. It was two years in the making, with over 160 consultations with groups, individuals, academics, business groups, Africans in their own continent and African Canadians here. Extensive conversation and extensive consultation have led to what I believe is a new approach to Canada's working for and working together with Africans: the whole continent, regional economic communities and individual governments.

The strategy itself is based on “The Africa We Want”, which is Agenda 2063, the strategy of the African Union. It took years to develop Africa's strategy, and Canada has listened to it and taken it to heart to say that the primary concern we need to have in our relationship with Africa is a mutually beneficial partnership. We need to absolutely have a way to look eye to eye with African partners to recognize that the future of Canada rests in a strong social, economic, cultural, trade relationship with the African continent.

Canada has an aging population. Africa has the youngest population in the world. Africa has tremendous opportunities for Canadian markets. We need to find a way to continue to invest in Africa to develop the middle class, to take the burden of having one principal trading partner, which may not be reliable for us, away and to allow ourselves to have trading relationships around the world. We can easily go to Europe. We can easily go to the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions. We can go to Latin America and the American states. We also need to go to Africa.

We need to listen, and this strategy has five principal points. It is about people-to-people ties. It will absolutely engage with the African diaspora in Canada as our cultural, linguistic, trade and economic partners to help us interpret Africa and understand it better. We will begin with a formalized mechanism to do that in our government to ensure that African Canadian voices are heard in every decision we make.

Those people-to-people ties will continue to be important as we expand our diplomatic footprint in Africa to ensure that Canadian businesses have vehicles and mechanisms to get into and understand African markets, which are there for them to engage with. We will continue to work with academics, trading groups, unions, schools and universities to ensure that we have partnerships that will continue to not only benefit Africa, but benefit Canada.

Canada's future is tied to a successful Africa, so we will be involved in peacekeeping and reconciliation of past difficulties. We are going to engage with Africa in such a way that it will say Canada is its preferred economic partner, its preferred trading partner and its preferred partner in agri-food businesses, energy, transportation and small manufacturing. That way, we can help build the African economy, not as a charitable exercise, but as an exercise that will benefit Canadians.

Young Canadians are looking for opportunities. Those opportunities may be found in engaging in business with African countries. We will continue to work with them to ensure that their voices are heard on the international stage. African voices should never be silenced. They should be encouraged.

Canada is in every club that is important: the G7, which is meeting very shortly; the G20; the United Nations; the Organization of American States; La Francophonie; and the Commonwealth. These are groups of countries that Canada needs to help welcome the African Union and African countries into so that they become our strategic partners, our key allies and those with whom Canada can engage with every day, always faithfully, to ensure that our future and their future are tied together.

[Doug Shipley, Conservative, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is nice to see you in the chair. I am sure your wealth of knowledge will serve us well. I am looking forward to that.

I congratulate the member opposite on his re-election. It is nice to see him back here again. I do have a quick question. I was listening to your words and speech, and you mentioned that at the doors, you heard concerns about overspending, Liberal overspending, over many years. We heard this morning, confirmed by your own leader, the Prime Minister, that there was going to be an increase of 8% in spending.

How do you reconcile that increase in spending with what you were hearing at the doors about what you had been currently overspending?

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, John Nater]

Before I go to the member for Don Valley West, I just encourage members to address their comments through the Chair.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, what I heard overwhelmingly at the door was that the taxpayer needs to know that his or her money is being well used. Taxpayers do not want more spending; they want more investing. They want to invest in projects that are of a national character, that will build the identity and character of this country. They want us to continue the social safety net to make sure all of these programs continue, like the Canada child benefit and the dental benefit.

To do that, we need a strong economy. We need to invest in the energy sector. We need to continue to invest in artificial intelligence. We need to invest in small manufacturing in Ontario. We need to continue to invest in all these ways, in infrastructure and housing, to make sure that we build our country.

We will never apologize for spending money when it leads to good investment.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and congratulate him on his re-election. He talked about the importance of having social programs. We know very well that the Liberal government became an expert in interfering in the jurisdictions of Quebec and the provinces. After drawing inspiration from and copying Quebec's child care programs that have been around for more than 25 years, it then came up with the dental care program. Now there is talk of the pharmacare program.

How can the federal government improve on what the Government of Quebec has mastered for about 20 years now? I would like my colleague to explain that to me.

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I think we need to look at all of Canada's realities. We need to learn from Quebec when it comes to things like that.

I hope my words about Africa are not lost. Once again, people of the House will dismiss our need to recognize Africa. Half my speech was spent talking about Africa, yet neither of the opposition parties actually wants to engage in this discussion. It is to our benefit that we all engage on it, quit the petty politics of the place and actually talk about some real topics, such as engaging with African countries and with the African diaspora in this country for the betterment of Canadians, so we can pay for the social programs that Quebeckers want us to engage with.

[Sima Acan, Liberal, Oakville West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to you and to all hon. colleagues.

The hon. member for Brampton West mentioned that the Canadian people voted for innovation, among other things, equating that to a Conservative value, while their platform stated that they would cut spending on AI.

Does my hon. colleague not think, however, that the election of the government and the Prime Minister's focus on emerging technologies show that innovation is a Liberal value and what Canadians voted for?

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member on her recent election. I know that she brings an engineering background to the position. She brings an expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence that I think we desperately need in the House of Commons. It is the kind of capacity, the kind of intelligence and the kind of creativity that we will need.

Canada's economy is changing. Not only are we under siege from a threat from the Americans, the American government, at this particular time, but we also need to retool to address the issues of the 21st century. Those sorts of programs about innovation, creativity, increasing productivity, and using and capturing artificial intelligence are critically important for the success of every Canadian.

I wish the member very well in the coming Parliament.

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few seconds to appreciate this moment, which I will remember for the rest of my life.

I rise in the House today because I have the immense privilege of being one of the 343 people chosen to represent 41 million Canadians. Ours is a weighty responsibility; we have a big job to do, and it is up to us to deliver results. This is a privilege we must earn every day.

For the past nine years, I had the privilege of serving as the member for Arthabaska-L'Érable in the Quebec National Assembly. I always said that it was a privilege to be my constituents' eyes, voice and ears in Quebec City. Today, I am making that same commitment to the people of Richmond—Arthabaska here in the House of Commons. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank them for their trust. I took on this mandate with humility and determination. I would like to remind the House that I have been the member of Parliament for all the people of the riding of Richmond—Arthabaska since the day after the election.

I won the election on April 28 because of my team, and I want to thank the key players. I am grateful to Pierre-Luc, Denis, Francis, Yannick, Isabelle, Richard, Pierre, Martin, Brigitte and Brian. I am grateful to all of the ambassadors who agreed to get out there in support of my candidacy. I am grateful to all of the volunteers. Over 100 of them went out and put up signs in the rain, wind and hail. Mother Nature was raging, but people were out there putting up signs in 39 municipalities. I am also grateful to all of the other volunteers who got involved. I want to thank my children, Laurence, Rosalie, Amora and Marie-Éden, who are experiencing both the downsides and the upsides of politics. Lastly, I want to thank my wife, Geneviève, who was by my side for the nine years I served as a member of the National Assembly and who will continue to be by my side while I serve as the federal member for the magnificent riding of Richmond—Arthabaska.

I would also like to acknowledge the political commitment of Alain Rayes, my predecessor. Alain served as mayor of Victoriaville for six years and was the member of Parliament for Richmond—Arthabaska for nearly 10 years. He has had a full political career serving his constituents. I thank Alain and wish him all the best in the future. I would like to sincerely thank my leader, Pierre Poilievre, for believing in me and for asking me to join the great Conservative family, which is committed to putting money back in the pockets of Canadians by cutting taxes, creating an energy corridor, developing our natural resources, reducing bureaucracy and shrinking the size of government.

Over the past 10 years, the Liberals have maxed out our credit card. They have maxed out our children's credit cards, and we will be there to make sure that they do not max out our great-grandchildren's credit cards. How are we going to do that? We are going to start by expecting a budget from the Liberal government. How can the Liberals govern rigorously and responsibly if they run our country blind? What are the real planned expenditures? What are the real projected revenues? What is the real projected deficit? Canadians have the right to know. It is their money, it is their country. I expect the Liberal government to defend supply management tooth and nail. I expect the Liberal government to be there for our business people affected by the tariff crisis. I hope that the Liberal government will continue to steal good Conservative ideas and put them to work for Canadians.

Now I would like to highlight a few of the attractions in my magnificent riding. Mont Gleason, in Tingwick, has a lot to offer winter sports enthusiasts, like downhill skiing, snowboarding, hiking and tubing, all at top-rated facilities on a magical site.

Marie-Victorin Park in Kingsey Falls is a garden bursting with 60,000 annuals and rare conifers, giant mosaicultures and seven themed gardens. Kingsey Falls is also where the Lemaire brothers and their family founded Cascades, a company that is a point of pride for Quebec, Canada and my riding.

I also invite members to come visit the Ulverton Wool Mill and stay for a cup of tea. There, they can learn all about Quebec's industrial past. Built in 1840, the wool mill has since been given a new lease on life as a window to a bygone manufacturing era.

The historic Windsor Powder Mill is another star attraction. A former black powder manufacturing plant, it now serves as an interpretation centre focused on explaining the history of black powder production at the plant and offering up interesting facts. For instance, back then, the more dangerous the occupation, the higher the wage. It is a little like the job of Speaker of the House. Visitors can also go for a hike any time of year. They might even want to climb 713 metres above sea level to the top of Mont-Ham, hiking along 18 kilometres of trails, surrounded by spectacular views.

Why not stop by Place de la Traversée in Val‑des‑Sources, which has an incomparable lookout point over a mine? It is one of the largest open-pit mines in the world. In the summer, there is also a farmers' market there.

Speaking of local products, I would be remiss if I did not mention the Balade gourmande, an October event that promotes food trails with stops at farms, vineyards, cheese factories, microbreweries and apiaries. It offers a chance to taste and buy local Quebec products.

I invite my colleagues to come watch the Victoriaville Tigres play in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. I was the team's trainer in the late 1990s, and the new member for Beauce, Jason Groleau, was a star player. There are, of course, many other attractions in my riding. I hope to have a chance to talk about them.

The riding of Richmond—Arthabaska is home to caring, committed, determined and passionate people spread across 39 municipalities. These people are our farmers, our health care workers, our construction workers, our teachers, our police officers, firefighters, paramedics and all other workers. These people are the lifeblood of our municipalities, the driving force behind our regions, our province and our country. I sincerely believe that together, we can make change happen.

As MPs, we must work together to help our young people achieve their dreams. We have a duty toward the founders of our society, the men and women who built our country and contributed to its development. However, we have an obligation to look ahead and be agents of change, to give our children and grandchildren a prosperous, safe and ambitious country to live in, a country that lives up to their dreams, a country that will make them proud.

Young people deserve a chance to dream of owning a home and having a job they love that makes them proud and happy. They deserve a chance to dream of living in a safe city where they can raise a family if they so desire. They deserve a chance to dream of simply being happy.

My biggest dream is to be a grandpa. I truly hope I have the opportunity and privilege to get to know my future grandchildren and to spend time with them. Today, my promise to them and to all Canadian children is that I will work tirelessly with my colleagues from all parties in the House to give them a country that lives up to their dreams and ambitions, a country they will be proud of.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, John Nater]

I would like to remind hon. members that they cannot name members and that they must use the riding name.

The hon. member for Compton—Stanstead.

[Marianne Dandurand, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from the Eastern Townships for his speech, and I congratulate him on his election.

Given his party's sometimes flexible positions on supply management, I would like to know my colleague's position on supply management for producers in the Eastern Townships.

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to make it clear that supply management will not be just for the people of the Eastern Townships. We will defend supply management for all farmers. We will ensure that supply management is not part of the negotiations with the United States.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is my turn to congratulate you on your appointment. You are doing a superb job in that chair, except maybe for that little slap on the wrist for the member for Richmond—Arthabaska, who named one of his colleagues in the House. However, he will get used to it now that he is in the House. I think he will become a seasoned parliamentarian, coming off nine years at the Quebec National Assembly.

The member for Richmond—Arthabaska is my riding neighbour. Evidently, he was not my preferred candidate in the race. I want to acknowledge my friend Daniel Lebel, who ran a great campaign in Richmond—Arthabaska. However, the voice of the people and democracy have spoken. I welcome this new colleague, but we will not be carpooling despite living so close to each other, because we have very different political opinions.

My colleague mentioned microbreweries, but I want to remind him that there are two iconic companies in his riding that he did not name: La Grange Pardue and Fromagerie du Presbytère. I want to recognize Jean Morin, an amazing man making amazing products. I invite my colleague to check them out. Maybe he will return the favour someday and promote products from Drummond.

Getting back to supply management, I would like to hear him clearly state that the Conservatives will indeed vote in favour of the bill.

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Drummond for his kind words, especially his praise for some of the small businesses in my riding. As the member said, we have a number of microbreweries, some wonderful cheese factories and many exceptional entrepreneurs in the riding of Richmond—Arthabaska. Once again, I invite everyone to visit my beautiful riding.

To answer the member for Drummond's question, supply management is definitely one of our priorities. We will take the time to read the Bloc Québécois bill.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by commending the excellent work of my colleague from Richmond—Arthabaska, who is also one of my neighbours.

I can say that his list of fun things to do in the beautiful region of central Quebec and Victoriaville could have been much longer if he had been given more time. There are so many great things to do in central Quebec that my colleague would have had to filibuster to cover everything that is going on and all the beautiful things in our region.

I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on the fact that, despite the throne speech and the plan it outlined, the government did not really identify any concrete measures in that speech. There will be no budget this spring.

Is that the right way to run a country? Does my colleague think the government should table a budget this spring?

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Mégantic—L'Érable—Lotbinière, with whom I had the privilege of sharing a riding when I was its MNA and he was its MP.

As others have said, Quebec is lucky to have a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Quebec is home to some top-notch entrepreneurs. All these entrepreneurs prepare budgets. They use budgets to find out what their revenues are, what their expenses are, what investments will be made and what they must plan for in the short, medium and long terms, on a three-year and a five-year basis. That is what an entrepreneur does.

Here, we have a Government of Canada that does not have a budget. We apologize to Canadians. We will do everything we can to get the government to present a budget as quickly as possible.

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we are seeing double digits in unemployment for youth, yet in the throne speech, there is no mention of programs such as the youth climate corps, which would ensure that a new generation of young people would get employment opportunities building Canada's infrastructure.

Will the member support a youth climate corps for Canada?

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we said that on this side of the House. The important thing is to plan ahead for future generations, so that we can have a prosperous country that our young people will be proud of.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

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.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on her speech. It is always very nice to hear colleagues express themselves so clearly and fluently in French. I would also like to congratulate her on her re-election.

There are several items on the agenda. This morning, we debated, and are still debating, the Bloc Québécois amendment to the Conservatives' amendment to the Speech from the Throne. Our amendment is quite simple. It simply asks that the areas of jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces be respected.

I have not yet heard a formal commitment to respecting the areas of jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces. I would like to know if my colleague can reassure me on this point.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulated you earlier but you missed it, so I will offer my congratulations again. I would also like to congratulate my colleague on the other side of the House on his re-election.

As we know, there are francophones all over Canada. It should come as no surprise that I can speak French. I am a proud Franco-Ontarian. Once again, as we know, there are francophones all over Canada.

In the Speech from the Throne, our government clearly said that communication in French, francophones and francophone culture across the country are very important. That was included in our plan. We will continue to ensure that we respond. As my colleague opposite just learned, there are francophones outside Quebec. We will continue to work together to increase francophone immigration to ensure that everyone in Canada can express themselves in the language of their choice.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows well, the Prime Minister was actually in the chamber earlier this morning. He highlighted the importance of the throne speech in setting the stage that all Canadians can buy into. It has a high sense of co-operation with provincial governments, territorial governments and indigenous communities, all in an attempt to send a very strong message of building one Canadian economy, estimated to potentially be somewhere in the neighbourhood of $200 billion, that could benefit from moving in that direction. The Prime Minister also highlighted the tax break; giving the tax break to Canadians was one of the very first initiatives he has taken as Prime Minister.

Could the member provide her thoughts on those two very important issues?

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome my colleague's question and want to congratulate him on being re-elected. He is one of the most precious members of the House of Commons.

As the Prime Minister laid out today, we need a tax break for families. We need to make sure we are taking care of Canadians. That is the mandate they gave us. Southwestern Ontario, like the rest of Canada, is an important part of that.

I am here to be a strong voice for young families in London West and all young families in southwestern Ontario. When there are pressures in our economy, our workers feel it most. They are the people in southwestern Ontario we are targeting with the tax break that we are talking about. It is creating opportunities for young families. It is creating a future for young people who are going to leave school and go into the workforce.

I appreciate the member's question and look forward to continuing to work with him, as he is a strong member of our team.