Mr. Speaker, I am here to talk about the one Canadian economy act, which seeks to build a stronger, more competitive and more resilient Canadian economy. I am also here to talk about our intention to identify, defend and complete projects of national interest for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. I will also talk about the measures to eliminate trade barriers in order to unlock our full economic potential and make Canada stronger both nationally and internationally.
These measures were at the heart of the commitment we made to Canadians during the election. We were clear and transparent. In our platform, we talked about creating one Canadian economy, not 13. To do that, we have to start by getting rid of internal trade barriers. During the election campaign, we also talked about implementing projects of national interest.
Over the past few days, I have been a little taken aback to hear opposition members express their surprise at what Bill C‑5 contains. Our intentions were clear, written down in black and white. During the election campaign and afterward, we said time and again that we wanted to strengthen and unify the Canadian economy. Over 8.5 million people across the country voted for our ambitious plan to strengthen and unify the Canadian economy. That is the most votes any political party has ever received in a Canadian federal election.
What comes as a bit of a surprise to my opposition colleagues is how quickly we are moving to meet Canadians' expectations. After only four weeks in the House, we have put in place concrete measures, through Bill C‑5, to strengthen internal trade and make it easier to carry out major national interest projects. This is on top of other measures, including a tax cut for Canadian families and historic investments in defence. I think that what surprises the opposition even more is our determination and our ability to take concrete measures to strengthen our economy and deliver on our commitment to the Canadian people.
A lot of the response to Bill C‑5 has been very positive. For example, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has stated that now is the time for bold action to ensure we stop holding up nation-building projects. I myself organized a meeting with the chambers of commerce in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, and I can say that people are very interested in the various legislative measures we have introduced over the past month here in Ottawa.
I understand their enthusiasm, because this is a hinge moment in our nation's history. The world is changing rapidly. The rules of the global economy are being rewritten, particularly because of the tariffs and disruptive trade actions coming out of the United States. We did not ask for a trade war, but one thing has become clear: We will do whatever it takes to build long-term prosperity for Canadians, and we will do it on our own terms. We can no longer take stability and access to global markets for granted. In order to secure good jobs for workers, improve our standard of living and keep life affordable, we need to quickly strengthen our economic foundations here at home. It is important to understand that the best way to make life more affordable for Canadians is to get to work building a strong Canadian economy that can sustain programs that save families thousands of dollars a year.
Building a strong economy means unlocking our country's full potential and getting past the red tape and duplication that have held us back for too long. It is time to transform the way we do business as a nation. Bill C‑5 lays out our government's clear intention to proactively identify and advance projects in the national interest that will propel Canada into the next era. These projects will stimulate economic growth, strengthen energy security and supply chains and create long-term sustainable jobs. Once we determine that a project is in the national interest, it will go ahead right away, not 10 years from now. There will be a one-and-done federal approval process. The current system of overlapping barriers and reviews will be replaced with a clear path forward.
We urgently need to do things quickly, but there is more to it than that. We also need to demonstrate clarity, confidence and Canadian leadership on the world stage. We need to send a clear signal to investors that Canada is committed to seeing projects through to completion. That is why our government will set up a new federal major projects office, which will serve as a single window for proponents and partners, consolidating work that was once done by several organizations.
The new major federal project office will act like the biggest infrastructure hub in Canada, a hub to guide every project with clarity, reliability and transparency through the federal process. Instead of getting lost in a government maze, developers will have a single point of contact tasked with reporting to Canadians on the progress made. This will make the “one project, one assessment” approach real—another commitment that was at the heart of what we promised to Canadians during the last election. That means fewer administrative formalities, more certainty and better results, not just for investors, but also for workers, communities, indigenous peoples and the environment.
The time of endless debate on determining whether projects should get built is behind us. For the projects that meet our strict criteria, the question instead will be: How are we going to build and how fast can we unlock the benefits for Canadians?
Thanks to this bill, once a project is declared in the national interest, we will provide a single, consolidated document on the federal conditions that will replace years of work on permits, reviews and regulatory uncertainty. That is what the industry, developers and the provinces asked us for. That is what this moment calls for. This will be accompanied by a clear consultation that the indigenous peoples will participate in and a commitment to always protect our natural environment.
No other G7 country is progressing as decisively as Canada. Bill C-5 marks the end of a culture of delay. We are a government that is defined by living up to expectations. As a new member, I am proud to be part of this new government led by our new Prime Minister.
Let me be clear. Our determination to build does not mean abandoning our values—quite the opposite. In fact, our vision can only succeed if it reflects those values. I am thinking of values such as partnership with indigenous peoples, respect for the environment and responsible stewardship for future generations. Every project of national interest will involve significant consultation with indigenous communities. This is the only way to build with legitimacy and unlock generational economic opportunities that are inclusive and sustainable. We have already committed—not just with words, but with tangible policies—to economic reconciliation, including doubling funding for the indigenous loan guarantee program from $5 billion to $10 billion. It supports indigenous ownership and ensures that the prosperity generated by nation-building projects can also benefit indigenous communities today and for the long term.
When it comes to protecting the environment, Bill C-5 does not undermine Canada's world-class protections. It asks a simple question: How do we build big projects responsibly? From consultation requirements to robust permit conditions to ambitious climate goals, our projects will set the new global standard for responsible development.
We are not here to manage the decline. That is not how we do things in Canada. We are here to seize opportunities. We are here to make Canada the strongest economy in the G7, thanks to this bill. My conversations with my constituents and with Canadians across the country have led me to believe there is no challenge Canadians cannot overcome if we work together, as one team, one economy, in one big, united country.
The one Canadian economy bill and its approach of developing projects of national interest are an invitation to rebuild with intention, pride and hope. Let us seize this moment. Let us rise to the expectations of this generation and leave an even better country for the next. Let us work together to build a strong Canada.