Debates of June 2nd, 2025

Speaker's Ruling

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I thank the hon. member for Winnipeg Centre for her intervention.

I am prepared to grant an emergency debate concerning wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This debate will be held tomorrow at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment.

The House resumed consideration of the motion for an address to His Majesty the King in reply to his speech at the opening of the session, and of the amendment as amended.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my voice is a little weak today, but any time is a good time to speak on behalf of my constituents.

I will be sharing my time with my esteemed colleague, the member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.

I would like to begin by telling the voters of Québec Centre how proud and grateful I am that, on April 28, they voted for me for the fourth consecutive time. They have given me the opportunity to work with them in a positive, constructive and unifying manner, and I want to thank them for putting their trust in me. I look forward to representing them well here in Ottawa and in Quebec City.

The riding of Québec Centre is obviously the most beautiful riding in the country. I know other members say the same about their ridings, so let me just say that it is either the most or the second-most beautiful riding in Canada, and I will leave the final say to my own constituents. The people of my riding are proud and united. My riding is also diverse, and its people appreciate and are proud of how diverse Quebec City and the rest of Canada are.

I obviously want to thank my family for their unwavering support over the past several years. It means so much to me. Everyone in the House knows how essential the support of our families is to our work. Of course I am thinking of Marie-Chantal, Étienne, Clémence, Antoine and Jade, my daughter-in-law, and her two children, my two grandchildren. Their quiet strength gives me the energy and vision I need to do this work with integrity.

I am also thinking of my parents, to whom I owe everything. Their closeness and presence help me to this day. I am thinking of the volunteers in the Québec Centre riding, who ran a truly positive election campaign. They were connected to the people and present in our community. These are people who, for several weeks, would get up early to go door-knocking, make calls or put up signs. I remember the first night. It was windy and raining, but they came out anyway to keep our democracy alive.

I am also thinking of the other candidates in Québec Centre, namely Simon Bérubé, Tommy Bureau, Patrick Kerr and Daniel Brisson. These individuals, and their volunteers, put their hearts and souls into keeping our democracy alive with passionate, informed debates and exchanges that were always respectful and cordial. I thank them for their commitment and their sincere dedication to the people of Québec Centre.

Finally, I also want to thank the team at my Québec Centre office. Every day, Maya, Corinne, Fatima, Anie‑Ève, Steve and Nelson practise what we refer to back home as “positive people-centred politics”. That is what they are recognized and known for. Over the next few years, I will continue to work with them to advocate for a constituent-centred, positive, united and resilient approach to politics.

Speaking of unity and resilience, the past few years have put us to the test, what with the pandemic, the effects of the climate crisis, wars around the world, the increased cost of living and the recent global economic tensions and geopolitical tensions.

In response, the Speech from the Throne charts a course to a fairer, more sustainable and more prosperous future. The speech reflects this new government's desire to build a stronger Canada where no one is left behind.

The plan is clear. We must support families, young people and seniors in a demanding economic context, build more homes faster and at lower cost, and defend our interests and values in a context of trade and security tensions.

Our goal is to make Canada's economy the strongest in the G7 and to invest in a greener economy with more respect for healthy environments and healthy people. We want to create a more innovative, diversified and resilient economy that creates high-quality, high-paying jobs. Of course, we also want to promote reconciliation with indigenous peoples in Quebec and across Canada, along with respect for and affirmation of their rights.

In my riding of Québec Centre, these priorities are more than mere words. They have real meaning. They are talked about in shops in Saint‑Roch, in schools in Saint‑Sacrement, and in seniors' residences in Montcalm. They are discussed by small businesses in Old Quebec, by families in Vanier and Duberger‑Les Saules, by community organizations in Saint‑Sauveur and by the proud residents of Cap‑Blanc and the engaged residents of Saint‑Jean‑Baptiste. Their voices, our voices, our needs and our aspirations are what I bring with me here to the House.

I am particularly encouraged by the Canadian government's clear commitments on housing. Social and affordable housing need to be built more quickly. We must support co-operatives, public housing and non-profit housing organizations, and we must ensure that every Quebecker and Canadian, regardless of income or circumstances, can live, grow and be housed with dignity.

The plan we are putting forward aims not only to build more housing, but to also build better, faster and at lower cost. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the historic agreement we signed nearly two years ago with the Quebec government. Thanks to this agreement, nearly 10,000 social and affordable housing units are currently being built. This is the largest housing agreement with Quebec in the history of the country. It is in fact the largest investment in social housing that the Quebec government has ever made, with support from the Canadian government. This clearly demonstrates that when governments work together, all Quebeckers, including the people of Québec Centre, can benefit enormously.

In the Speech from the Throne, the Canadian government also promised to invest in major projects. In my riding of Québec Centre and in greater Quebec City, there are a number of these projects, which will connect Canada, deepen its ties with the world and create high-paying jobs for generations.

I will start with Quebec City's strategic transit project, the tramway system that will ensure that Quebec City is no longer the only city of its size in Canada without a modern public transit system. Quebec City is also the capital of the nation of Quebec. We need this project, because it will create tens of thousands of jobs, speed up and even enable the construction of up to 15,000 housing units along the route, and bring in public and private investments to the tune of around $50,000 per family in Quebec City.

There is also the high-frequency train between Toronto and Quebec City and additional investments in the Davie shipyard, the largest shipyard in the country. For the last two years, Davie has been included in the new national shipbuilding strategy after being excluded by the previous government.

There is the Quebec Bridge, which is certainly an engineering marvel. It has been a majestic symbol of Canada's heritage since 1919. It has also been a thorn in the side of my constituents for decades, so we will rehabilitate it, protect it and upgrade its functionality.

I will close by talking about the Canadian dental care plan, which our colleague mentioned just a few minutes ago. The plan is already helping 15,000 seniors in my riding and 1.3 million across Quebec. Now, millions more, some four million, are eligible as of last month. We are each fortunate that it is our responsibility to let people know about this over the coming weeks.

In closing, it is obviously a tremendous privilege to be the member for Québec Centre. Being a member of Parliament is an opportunity that I share with many people here in the House. Regardless of our political stripes, we have an opportunity to work together on the Canadian government's key priorities.

[John Brassard, Conservative, Barrie South—Innisfil, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if I am not mistaken, the hon. member was at one point the President of the Treasury Board, who is responsible for overall government spending and fiscal accountability. One of the areas of concern that I have and many of my colleagues and Canadians have is that the Prime Minister has announced he is not going to have a budget until the fall. This is in the backdrop of him saying during the election campaign that “a plan beats no plan”.

Would the hon. member not agree, especially given his experience as the President of the Treasury Board, that this is the case and that Canadians should be seeing a budget so they know where the money is going to be spent and where the money is coming from?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to hear my colleague, with whom I had the opportunity to work in various ways over previous years.

I agree, as he says, that we will have a budget at the appropriate time. That budget will contain all the updated information of which the hon. member is legitimately in need. He will be seeing these numbers and this budget at the appropriate time with the appropriate rigour invested in it.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech.

We are talking about fiscal responsibility. Our Conservative colleague was right to bring up the fact that we still do not have a budget, even though the government is planning expenditures.

The government is likely about to make a significant expenditure. There is talk of building pipelines across Canada. I remember Trans Mountain and the announcement the government made at the time about how it was going to buy and resell the pipeline and make money. As far as I know, that pipeline has not been sold, yet there is talk of building another one.

Does my colleague think it would be fiscally responsible for the government to spend money on buying a new pipeline when it has not yet managed to sell the first one and it has not yet tabled a budget?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows perfectly well, the Canadian government has no intention of maintaining ownership of the Trans Mountain pipeline. It is built, it is operational and it will eventually be passed on to other owners, at the appropriate time.

On the issue of trade corridors, my colleague, whom I hold in high regard, also knows that we need more trade corridors between the different regions of Canada, and between Canada and other regions outside our borders, if we want to get stronger and be more resilient in the very troubling circumstances that we have been experiencing for several months now.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by congratulating my hon. colleague on his return to the House of Commons. I had the chance to visit his riding in the last session. I saw how much his constituents support him.

I would like to ask my colleague a question. What does he think about the Canadian dental care plan, which will be expanded to many people in his riding, people who sent him here again to ensure that the government can keep working on these kinds of issues? Can he tell us a bit about what he plans to do in that regard?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from London West whom I hold in high regard. She saw that the people of my riding were happy to welcome her. She also showed the people of my riding, Québec Centre, that there are proud francophones living outside Quebec who are proud of their community, who defend and promote it.

The Canadian dental care plan is an extraordinary success story. The reason people are hardly talking about it is that it is running very smoothly in my riding. Some 98% of dentists and hygienists are participating in the program and applauding the Canadian government every day. There are 15,000 seniors benefiting from it as well. As the member said, there are now thousands of other Canadians aged 18 to 64 who are still not aware that the program exists.

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the Prime Minister has presented an exclusionary throne speech in which there is zero mention of seniors, the disability community and youth mental health and addiction, with honourable mentions of women, gender-diverse folks, workers and indigenous people, even though his whole economic plan is dependent on indigenous lands, territories and resources. He also has no budget.

During an affordability crisis, how does the Prime Minister plan to address the growing inequality in Canada that is the result—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, John Nater]

The member for Québec Centre may provide a brief response.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would need a greater amount of time to speak about the absolutely fundamental need to work on reconciliation and the affirmation of indigenous rights and freedoms. On seniors, as the hon. member knows, it is because of NDP support that we were able to—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, John Nater]

Resuming debate, the hon. member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by congratulating you on your appointment.

I also want to thank the fine people of Boisbriand, Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache and Rosemère for their support in the recent election. I am thankful to have once again been granted this privilege.

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my constituents for their support in the last election.

I am proud to stand before my constituents today following the 2025 Speech from the Throne, which lays out a path forward to a stronger, fairer and more united Canada. This speech is not simply a statement of intent; it is a commitment to the people of my riding about our shared future. While it came about at a time of global uncertainty, it offers hope. It lays out a clear path to a more just, resilient and united Canada. We need to put this vision into practice here, in our riding of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.

What caught my attention in particular, as far as Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is concerned, is defending the French language and Quebec culture. In Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, we know that the French language is much more than a communication tool. It is the beating heart of our identity, of our nation. It is not just a language; it is a memory, a culture, a world view. Our government is committed to strengthening the Official Languages Act. I will ensure that this translates into concrete measures to protect French, increased funding for francophone institutions across the country and increased support wherever it is needed.

Our Quebec culture also deserves to be protected and celebrated. This requires clear support for our artists, our production companies and our festivals. It also means standing up for CBC/Radio-Canada, our public broadcaster, which plays a vital role in disseminating our culture, identity, diversity and history, and which works to counter misinformation.

I would like to point out to all my colleagues that, in the last federal election, Quebeckers elected 44 Liberal members, or 56% of the 78 Quebec MPs. The government will be there to defend Quebeckers' interests at the decision-making table.

Protecting women's rights is another issue that I want to highlight. In a world where women's rights are still being challenged and threatened, we must remain vigilant. Canada must remain a beacon. It needs to reaffirm its commitment to protecting these rights, and that means equitable access to health care, safety, education and employment. It also means taking concrete action against domestic violence, wage gaps and all forms of discrimination.

I would like to point out that our Liberal caucus is almost at parity, with 40% of our team of parliamentarians being women.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there is still a lot of work to be done in the House of Commons, where, unfortunately, only 30% of elected members are women.

I would also like to draw the attention of the House to another point raised in the throne speech: We must not overlook the tax cut scheduled for July 1. It will have a significant impact on Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. By reducing the tax rate by 1%, this measure will provide more than 22 million Canadians, including middle-income and lower-income families, with up to $825 in annual tax relief for a two-income family. Families are struggling to cope with the cost of living, especially the cost of housing and food. This tax cut will provide financial relief to the people of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles and will boost their purchasing power.

As for housing, the government has made an ambitious but necessary promise to build 500,000 housing units a year across the country. The real estate market in Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is under a lot of pressure. Young families are struggling to buy a home. Seniors are in need of adapted housing, and tenants are paying higher and higher rents. Everyone needs affordable, accessible, well-situated housing. Everyone deserves to live with dignity.

I will ensure that Rivière-des-Mille-Îles receives its fair share of these investments. Obviously, we need to build homes, but we also need to renovate existing homes, densify cities in a smart way and protect neighbourhoods from speculation.

I also want to work on getting infrastructure grants for my riding. When I had the privilege of representing Rivière-des-Mille-Îles from 2015 to 2019, I attended our government's launch of the metropolitan Montreal light rail public transit project, known as the REM. One line of this project will connect Montreal to Deux‑Montagnes, in my riding. I hear that that line is expected to open this fall. That is great news. I invite the Speaker to come and try out our light rail. I would be pleased to ride the train with him.

Another topic in the throne speech that caught my eye was protecting supply management. Our farmers, livestock breeders and food processors depend on the supply management system. It ensures stable prices, consistent quality and food security. Supply management also shields our family farms from the uncertainties of global markets. I will oppose any attempt to dismantle it through trade agreements. Food sovereignty is also a matter of national security.

Trade relations with the United States require vigilance and resilience. Trade tensions with the United States are having a direct impact on my riding, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. Companies like Nova Bus, which manufactures electric buses, and Damotech, which designs industrial safety systems, are being affected by the tariffs and the uncertainty. Even O'Sole Mio Foods, a source of local pride, is feeling the effects of this trade war.

We need to stand up for our businesses while opening new markets with our allies, including those in the G7, Europe, Asia and Latin America. They are strategic partners for our economic future. It is also time to remove interprovincial trade barriers. Why is it harder to sell a product made in Saint‑Eustache in Ontario than in California? This economic anomaly needs to be fixed.

The Speech from the Throne also highlighted the idea of defending our Arctic sovereignty. Canada must assert its sovereignty in the Arctic. Global warming is opening up new shipping routes and fuelling foreign interest in the region. We need to be ready. That means responsibly increasing our military spending so we can modernize our equipment, support our troops and protect our territory.

Dental care is another important component of the Speech from the Throne. The new dental care program will save eight million Canadians about $800 per year. It is a concrete measure that improves health, reduces inequality and eases the financial burden on families. More than 10,000 people in my riding had benefited from it as of January 2025. I had the privilege of joining the Hon. Marie‑Claude Bibeau in meeting with the residents of Domaine Chénier in Saint‑Eustache in the spring of 2024 to talk about the program. The residents were thrilled. I know that it is making a huge difference in Rivière‑des‑Mille‑Îles.

In closing, Boisbriand, Deux‑Montagnes, Saint‑Eustache and Rosemère are four cities that form one community, a strong, resilient and proud community. Together, we can build a future where our two official languages are protected and our culture is celebrated.

We are united for the future. Together we can build a future where our rights are protected and our economy is strong. Our national anthem so powerfully says, “strong and free”, and that is how we move forward.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Mr. Speaker, one thing the King talked about in the Speech from the Throne is getting Canada to be an energy superpower. I am just wondering how the member opposite sees that and if Alberta will play a key part in that role.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as I am sure the hon. member knows, the Prime Minister is meeting with all the provincial and territorial premiers today. I hope that together, they will find a way to continue building a stronger, fairer Canada.

[Luc Thériault, Bloc, Montcalm, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this is my first time speaking in the 45th Parliament, so I just want to take a moment to thank the people of Montcalm for giving me for a fourth term. I want them to know that I will strive to meet their expectations.

My colleague talked about the dental care program. This insurance program absolutely needs to be expanded. However, I have here a unanimous motion from the National Assembly. She talked about the 44 members from Quebec in the House who will stand up for Quebec's interests. This motion was adopted unanimously by the MNAs of Quebec from all parties. They said that they wanted the right to opt out of dental insurance with full compensation so they could improve their own plan.

Are the 44 members going to represent the voice of the National Assembly here in the House?

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as I said in my speech, more than 10,000 people in my riding have benefited from the dental care plan. That is a lot of people. It is making a difference. It is making a difference for many seniors who could not afford new dentures. Dentures are quite expensive. I am pleased to see that people have been able to benefit from it.

As for the 44 members who represent Quebec, I would like to say to my hon. colleague that we are at the decision-making table. We are going to be able to advocate for Quebec. We are going to keep moving forward all the time.

[Élisabeth Brière, Liberal, Sherbrooke, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague on her speech and on her return to the House. Over the past few years, she has been there for us, day in and day out. Now, she will be able to focus on her constituents once again. I congratulate her.

In her speech, she mentioned the importance of fighting for women's rights. We see what has happened in the U.S. since Roe v. Wade was struck down. We also see how hard it is for the Conservatives to pick a side. They did everything they could to prevent one of their own from testifying before the Standing Committee on Justice.

I would like my colleague to reiterate the importance of supporting women's rights in all spheres of life.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Sherbrooke. I appreciate her kind words. Yes, I enjoyed supporting my party colleagues for five years, but I have to say that supporting my constituents in Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is what truly warms my heart.

Some issues resonate with us more than others. I would say that, for me, those issues are official languages and women's rights. They are very important to me. There is a wind blowing from south of the border. We need to counter that and ensure that we maintain and improve our rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is still a sensitive issue and things could easily change.

I will be there to continue speaking up for women's rights. I have two daughters. I have a granddaughter. I have daughters-in-law. To me, that is very important. All of this was passed down to me by my mother, who is a feminist.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, as anyone who has been in private business knows, the two things we look for the most are predictability and stability. We have a Prime Minister now who cannot even be bothered to bring in a budget. I wonder what the hon. member across the aisle thinks of that.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have to admit that I thought my time was up, so I am not sure what issue the member was talking about, but I can talk about Rivière-des-Mille-Îles and about how proud I will be to represent all of my constituents. I will continue to be a member of this House.

I hope that members across the way will work with the government to advance all of these very important issues, including tariffs and the trade war.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to rise and speak to the throne speech.

I will be splitting my time with the member for South Surrey—White Rock.

I want to address a point that was just raised across the way in regard to the budget. We have had a number of Conservatives raise the issue of why there is no federal budget. I would ask them to reflect back to when Stephen Harper became the prime minister of Canada. When he became prime minister, it was in the month of February. Months went by before he actually presented a budget. I believe he took office in February and, in May, he presented the budget.

Canadians, in a very wise fashion, made a decision to elect a prime minister who understands the importance of the economy and the budget. Canadians are not surprised that it takes time. The election occurred on April 28. To get an appreciation of the billions and billions of dollars that are being spent and come up with an actual budget takes a bit of time. With a new government, we can anticipate a budget, and the Prime Minister has taken a very keen interest in this.

After all, the Prime Minister has been very clear what the priority of the Government of Canada is. We saw that in one of the very first actions he took. We all know what he did. He gave a tax break to millions of Canadians, and it is a significant tax break. Hundreds of millions of dollars are going back into the disposable incomes of all Canadians. His first action taken was to provide a tax break to Canadians, thereby addressing one of the major concerns that was coming out of the federal election, that being affordability.

The other concern, which I have had the opportunity to raise on the floor before, is in regard to the whole issue of Canadian sovereignty and the opportunities for us to ensure we are creating the types of jobs that are critically important and preserving the jobs that are already here. There are legitimate concerns in regard to a number of industries throughout our country.

Let us take a look at what, during the election, I heard constantly at the doors: the issues of Trump, trade, tariffs and taxes. Those were the issues that were being discussed at the doors. They were contrasting Pierre Poilievre, the Conservatives and the far right to the Prime Minister and what he had to offer. We can take a look at their bios.

I mentioned something the other day. Many would argue I am somewhat of a career politician. So is Pierre Poilievre. However, Canadians wanted someone who has a greater depth of understanding of the economy. The Prime Minister was the governor of the Bank of Canada. He was chosen by Stephen Harper, the then prime minister. He was the governor of the Bank of England. He understands how an economy works, second to no other. He made a commitment to build the Canadian economy and to make Canada the strongest of the G7 countries on a per capita basis. That is the reason he is meeting with the premiers today. He recognizes that, in order to build one Canadian economy, we need to see premiers come onside.

From my perspective, this is interesting. I have a sister who lives in Ontario. I have a brother who lives in Saskatchewan. I have two sisters who live in Alberta. I have a brother who lives in British Columbia. When I talk to them collectively, they understand why it is so important that we operate as one economy. As a government, it would be nice to see this and the types of actions that have been very encouraging.

I was never really a big fan of Doug Ford, but I am really quite inspired by a number of things that he is doing in terms of working with the Premier of Manitoba, Wab Kinew, and in terms of Saskatchewan. I understand he is reaching out to Atlantic Canada also. We are seeing a much higher sense of co-operation coming from the provinces in dealing with the trade barriers. It is estimated that we could see a savings of $200 billion if we can get the provinces and the federal government working together. That is what Canadians want.

It does not matter what region. Whether they are from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, the west coast or up north, they want to see political parties working together. They want to see the different levels of government working together to deliver for Canadians. That is what we should all be pushing for.

I am concerned, as it does not seem that the Conservative Party has turned the page. They want to continue on from where they left off back in November and December. If anything, what I have witnessed, based on a few of the speeches that I have heard, is that the Conservatives have moved further to the right. It is crazy, some of the things that we hear coming from across the way.

At the end of the day, there is value. The Conservatives should read the throne speech, and they will see a great deal of value there in terms of advancing the Canadian economy but also recognizing the importance of social programs. Where are the Conservatives on some of those programs? Today I heard one of the Conservatives say, “Well, X, Y and Z is happening in health care.” He was blaming Ottawa, even though it is the provinces that administer health care.

I have good news for that particular member, because never before have we seen this level of federal dollars flowing into health care in our provinces. I would like to see some changes to the Canada Health Act, from a personal perspective, things such as more accountability and financial accountability. Maybe there are some things we can do, but let us recognize the fact that health care, from an administrative point of view, is dealt with through the provinces.

When we take a look at the potential there, we had a Bloc member stand up and be critical because, instead of having the dental program, which is actually helping thousands of people in the province of Quebec and hundreds of thousands throughout the country, the Bloc member said, “Just give us the money.” Ottawa is nothing more than an ATM machine for members of the Bloc. That is not good enough.

We all have responsibilities, and our constituents want us to be working harder, together, as more of a unified force. I believe there are many things we can work on together. First and foremost, over the next period of time, what is it going to take for us to build that one economy? The House of Commons has a role to play, and part of that role is to ensure that we get legislation through the House before we adjourn later this month.

If members want to contribute to a team Canada approach and deliver for Canadians, one of the things we have to do, and it is not an option, is to deliver on some of the legislative initiatives that are going to be proposed. Those legislative initiatives that we are talking about are a reflection of what Canadians have been telling all of us, collectively, at the door. We came out of an election just a month ago. That is what the legislative agenda, in the short term, is all about.

We expect to see support from other members of the House. In a minority situation, it is not an option. We need to have opposition members come onside. If members genuinely believe in a stronger, healthier one economy, for example, there is some legislation there. If members are concerned about the issue of what is happening at our borders, there is going to be legislation there.

These are the types of initiatives that are going to make a difference in the day-to-day lives of Canadians, and the opposition parties have a moral obligation to get behind and support some of this legislation. Maybe they could look at ways in which it could be improved. I am not saying members cannot be the opposition. By all means, they should be an opposition and be constructive in their criticism, but they should also recognize that, as a House of Commons, we need to pass legislation. I look forward to that.