Mr. Speaker, I apologize.
I would also like to thank the wonderful team of volunteers and supporters who helped us so much during the campaign. Without their efforts, I would not be in the House today. Finally, I want to thank my family. Without their support, I would not be here either, especially since this is the second time I have put them through this. I ran for provincial politics in 2014 and spent eight years in the Quebec National Assembly. I thank Marie-Hélène, André, Valérie and Claire for their support. I really appreciate it.
I also have a special word for my father, António Leitao, who would be so proud of his son today. Sadly, he passed away in 2008 after a long illness. He would have been so proud, because my father and my mother, our family, left Portugal in 1975 so that we, the children—there are five of us—could have a chance at a better life. What could be better than to see his son as a member of the federal Parliament? I would have liked him to see that, it would have been wonderful.
However, our history is not unique. Immigration happens that way all the time. Canada is immigration and immigration is Canada. When we immigrants come, we come to actively contribute to developing this country. That is what we did, the Lietao family, just like millions of immigrants when they come to Canada. Naturally, that is not to say that everything is perfect. We have to review and apply our immigration policy carefully, consistently but also and most importantly, with compassion and humanity. First and foremost, immigrants are individuals, human beings, who come here to improve their lives and contribute to the country.
To get back to the Speech from the Throne, the world has truly changed enormously in the past three, four or five months. Very briefly, here are three aspects of this change.
First of all, there has been a direct attack on the global trading system by the new administration in the United States, and this is hugely ironic because it is that new trading system that has contributed to the growth in global prosperity that small, open economies like Canada, but also an economy like the United States, benefit enormously from. It is quite ironic that the United States now intends to replace that with some hocus-pocus mercantilistic view of the world that does not really exist and is actually quite counterproductive.
Second is the unfair, abusive and totally incomprehensible tariffs that the United States' administration is imposing on Canadian exports. These tariffs may or may not remain and may or may not be extended or reinstated, but in the meantime, they create real damage and lead to a freeze in business investment. Job creation and the opening of new factories, all of that, gets delayed by the incomprehensible policy on tariffs.
Third, the United States is also rapidly sinking into what I think will become the greatest self-inflicted recession of the past 75 years. That is still important because the United States still has the world's most dynamic economy and the world's largest economy; therefore it is important for it to try to avoid that.
In conclusion, I would just like to offer the same words His Majesty said in the Speech from the Throne:
...Canada has continued to set an example to the world in her conduct and values, as a force for good.
Canadian values are a force for good, a lesson we must all keep passing on.