Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House for the first time, deeply honoured by the trust the people of Mississauga Centre have placed in me. I thank my family, friends, team, volunteers and dear constituents. I also want to acknowledge the Hon. Omar Alghabra for serving our beautiful riding for over 19 years, whether as MP or community member.
I pledge to serve Mississauga Centre with purpose and humility, knowing we must never lose sight of those among us who struggle.
If one Canadian is struggling, we are all struggling.
As the first Palestinian Canadian elected to this House since Pierre De Bané, I understand the weight of the responsibility I hold and want to remind every member to put humanity above politics, always and in any context.
As Canadians, we know that solutions can only begin when we come together with the courage to name injustice for what it is: unacceptable, undeniable and unequivocal. I take pride in elevating the voices of marginalized communities, the oppressed and others whose stories deserve to be heard, as well as youth across the country.
I thank Mississauga Centre for that privilege.