Mr. Speaker, I congratulate members of the House who have successfully won their ridings after an election. It is an exhausting experience. To those who were elected for the first time, I say congratulations. To those who were re-elected, I welcome them back.
It is an honour for anyone to serve in this place. In my case, it is for a community of over 100,000 people. I am here with the tremendous responsibility and weight of being their voice in Canada's Parliament. The people of Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, like all Canadians, want to have a government, a Parliament and a country that works for them.
While we have differing views across the aisle and throughout the House on the best way Canada can serve its citizens and the role we play in the world, I believe that everyone shares in the belief that this is the greatest country in the world and that our best days are ahead of us.
I look forward to finding opportunities where we can work together to achieve the things that are so important for members in all of our communities: affordability, homes that are within reach for young people, safety and security in the streets, and shorter lines at food banks. When I have met with the good people who work at food banks in my community, I always tell them that I admire their work and their passion so much. There are very few people who want to work in a field in which they will be put out of a job, but the people who help those who have the least among us, who need a hand up, are always committed to doing that so they will see a community where their services are no longer needed. I thank them. I know we all want to help the folks who are using those services, help the folks who cannot afford a home, help grow the power of paycheques in Canada and help unleash our potential on the world stage.
I would not be here following my fourth election victory without support from the most important people in my life: my wife Amanda, and my children, Luke, Ama, Michaela, James and Nathan. When I started this journey in 2018, James was a very new addition to the Barrett household. We could not have dreamed or prayed for Nathan to join us, but by the second time I was returned here, Nathan was with us. I appreciate their love and support so much.
It has been a long time. We have been working long and hard over these last few years. This is the first election during which my wife did not have a baby on her hip and was able to come knocking on doors with me to meet the people in our community to hear what the issues are, what the challenges are, and what the dreams and hopes are for the people in our community. They are just like what our family wants. They want that hope. They know that we cannot turn things around on a dime, but we have to have a plan. That is what Canadians are expecting.
During the election, the right hon. Prime Minister was elected on a promise to be the man with the plan and not the man with slogans. He did offer slogans. We got those, but we have yet to see his plan.
We had a Speech from the Throne delivered by His Majesty. It was a great day. I think it is so important to remind Canadians of the enduring connection between Parliament and the Crown, the strength of our democracy, the foundations of it and the history of our system. It was great to have our Parliament opened that way.
I had the opportunity to meet His Majesty. In an exchange, he expressed his hope that we would return to Centre Block. He hoped that it would not be terribly delayed.
In what I am sure would be a break from protocol, I invited His Majesty to return to open Parliament when we return to Centre Block. He liked that idea very much. I look forward very much to that day. We are here in the people's House, and they do want to see that plan.
The Speech from the Throne delivered by the King contained many of the elements in the platform that was offered by the Prime Minister during the election. Following that, we expected to see the framework. What does it look like? How are the Liberals going to pay for their promises? What specific measures are they going to take? How will they pay for building homes that Canadians can afford or reducing the burden on Canadians who are paying taxes?
How are the Liberals going to pay for the increased supports that our Canadian Armed Forces need, the kit that the brave men and women who serve our country need? We need new troops, more troops, and to take care of the ones we have. Of course, how are we going to take care of those who have served? How are we going to take care of our veterans? What does that look like in a budget?
We need new CBSA officers to protect our borders and to protect Canadians from threats on the other side of our borders. We need frontline police officers. How are the Liberals going to fund those programs? What are they going to do to keep Canadians safe in their communities by keeping repeat violent offenders off the streets? We need to see those details in a budget.
The Conservatives have put forward an amendment, and that amendment is absolute common sense. It states:
...we urge Your Majesty’s advisors to include a firm commitment to present to Parliament an economic update or budget this spring, before the House adjourns for the summer, that incorporates measures aimed at unleashing Canada’s economic potential, including full accountability of Canada’s finances, with respect for the areas of jurisdiction and the institutions of Quebec and the provinces.
That is what Canadians are expecting. That is not a new amendment, but this is what Conservatives are expecting. We want to work in collaboration to get these things done for Canadians. We want to cut taxes. We want to build homes. We want safer streets. We want to eliminate those lines at the food banks. We want Canadians to have spending power. When they are working one and two jobs, they are building our country up. We want them to have that spending power and to have the freedom that is the result of the hard work that they have put into building our country.
It is an awesome responsibility that we have, but we, as a Parliament, need to demonstrate that there is a plan. Our role, as His Majesty's loyal opposition, is to hold the government accountable. What we want from the government is a plan so we can scrutinize it and give the best results possible to Canadians. It is why I take the time away from my family. It is why I want to serve my community.
I would be remiss if I did not mention someone. He was not able to join for my swearing-in this time, because of his health. My 96-and-a-half-year-old grandfather, Francis Barrett, is a proud Canadian. He served with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and he loves this country. He has taught me so much about why it is important to deliver for future generations, just as his generation did for us.
I love this country. I am so proud to be back representing the people of my community. I am going to work incredibly hard for them, just as I know members will in this place. We are looking forward to seeing a plan from the government and are calling on them to deliver that today. I thank all Canadians.