Mr. Speaker, first off, I want to congratulate you on your new role as Deputy Speaker. I also want to congratulate the Speaker of the House. Bad habits are hard to break. Given the respect that all members have for you, I am confident that you will be able to maintain order and decorum in the House.
I will be sharing my time with the member for Don Valley West.
I would also like to congratulate all re-elected and new members, especially the members for Compton—Stanstead and Brome—Missisquoi. We form a strong Eastern Townships caucus focused on the needs of our beautiful region.
I would also like to take a moment to thank the voters in my riding of Sherbrooke. Earning their trust for a third term is a great privilege, and I can assure them that I will always represent them with the same commitment, attentiveness and tenacity.
After an election campaign in which all voices were heard, Canadians gave us a mandate that comes with certain obligations and expectations, as always, and that is demanding and deeply realistic. To fulfill this mandate, we must now present an ambitious plan.
The first part of the vast transformation we are undertaking for our economy consists of three measures.
First, we are cutting taxes for nearly 22 million Canadians, saving two-income families up to $840 a year. This middle-class tax cut will promote economic growth and help families feel financially secure. To provide them with a little more relief, we are keeping programs such as the child care program and the Canadian dental care plan, which now covers even more Canadians. These programs are having a real impact on people's lives.
Second, we are eliminating the GST on homes at or under $1 million for first-time homebuyers and lowering the GST on homes between $1 million and $1.5 million.
Third, we are getting rid of consumer carbon pricing. Carbon pricing for large industrial polluters continues to apply. It is part of our emissions reduction plan, which seeks to flatten the curve and meet Canada's greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2030.
Canadians have called for change, for a concrete plan to deal with the rising cost of living. The government is answering that call.
At a time when the entire planet is facing unprecedented challenges relating to global peace and stability, the economic situation and climate change, we are proud to look to our communities, which have all the know-how and determination needed to find solutions.
In this context, the government's role will be to act as a facilitator to attract new investment and create wealth. It must create the conditions that will enable our entrepreneurs to use their energy and ideas to drive economic growth.
Our business people have shown great resilience in the face of tariffs, both actual and potential. When I visit businesses in Sherbrooke, I am always impressed by their ability to adapt and the fact that they are constantly looking for solutions.
They are ready to diversify their markets, innovate and pursue a green transition.
We must offer them a clearer, longer-term vision. We must provide them with the tools they need to continue to grow and remain competitive. I will address three points in that regard.
First, we need to leverage our strengths and skills. In Canada and in Quebec, we have outstanding expertise in clean technologies, like Hydro-Québec, as well as substantial natural resources and unique digital technologies, including quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
With its Quantum Institute and the scientific ecosystem surrounding it, Sherbrooke is a world leader in quantum science and technology. The Quantum Institute works with internationally renowned partners such as IBM and Pasqal. C2MI in Bromont continues to expand by focusing on manufacturing superconducting quantum microchips to ensure that Quebec companies are at the forefront of this booming industry.
These are two examples from the Eastern Townships, but there are many other centres of expertise and leadership across Canada that need our support in order to maintain our position as a leader.
Let us talk about labour. Faced with the aging workforce and the labour shortage, business owners are turning to foreign workers. I hear about that a lot. Sherbrooke's business community is mobilizing and looking for solutions, particularly when it comes to temporary foreign workers.
The government is listening. It continues to monitor labour market conditions and provides employers with training programs to improve the skills of their current workers. We will take steps to build trust in our immigration system and restore balance.
We will also remove barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility. In times of crisis, such as the one we are experiencing with the United States, we need to be open to changing our approach. Change can be destabilizing, but it also presents opportunities. Working together with the provinces, territories and indigenous peoples, the government will create a nationwide free trade system by Canada Day.
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the CFIB, strengthening strategic ties and reducing trade barriers could benefit hundreds of thousands of SMEs. Currently, juggling the different rules and standards that exist from one province to the next adds costs and hinders internal trade in practically every sector. Tax measures, duplication, when it comes to inspections for example, and issues related to transportation and logistics are the primary barriers.
Eliminating interprovincial barriers by harmonizing regulations will help increase GDP, inject $200 billion into the national economy and reduce the impact of U.S. tariffs. Seizing this historic opportunity to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, the government started by abolishing 20 of the 39 federal exemptions. The provinces and territories are obviously invited to follow suit and take similar measures. Some already have, in fact.
This is a fitting time to implement an industrial strategy. Now is the time for major projects that will strengthen our national economy and create well-paying jobs. With the establishment of a major federal project office, projects will be completed more quickly. In the wake of these major changes, we are taking a series of measures to help double the rate of home building while creating a housing industry that will use Canadian technology, our skilled workers and our lumber, all while meeting our climate challenges.
With the “build Canada homes” program, we will accelerate the development of new affordable housing, invest in the prefabricated and modular housing industry and provide significant financing to affordable home builders. In fact, we have already begun work utilizing the programs put in place during our previous mandate, and projects such as La Grande Vie in Sherbrooke have been completed.
The desire to build a better and stronger Canada is at the heart of the government's agenda. Canadians are rallying with renewed national pride. This is an opportunity to think big. This is an opportunity to work together to achieve great things. Let us put aside empty slogans and fruitless debates.
The Prime Minister talks about leadership in action. That is what we are putting into practice. It is time to take action.