House of Commons Hansard #7 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was communities.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply Members respond to the Speech from the Throne, discussing government priorities and opposition criticisms. Liberals highlight plans for affordability through tax cuts and social programs, building a stronger economy by reducing trade barriers and investing in nation-building projects, and enhancing public safety. Conservatives criticize the lack of a plan, rising crime, the opioid crisis, and policies impacting industries, advocating for lower spending and taxes. Bloc Québécois members raise concerns about budget transparency, climate change, and provincial jurisdiction. NDP members point to social program achievements and call for action on housing, workers' rights, and environmental protection. 60700 words, 7 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Members debate wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which have forced thousands of evacuations, particularly from northern and Indigenous communities. The NDP and Bloc criticize the federal government's response, consultation, and lack of permanent infrastructure. Conservatives question preparedness, funding, and forest management practices, while noting human-caused fires. Liberals highlight their swift response, coordination with provinces and Indigenous partners, and efforts to provide support. All thank first responders and volunteers, emphasizing the need to work together, address the increasing frequency of disasters linked to climate change, and improve preparedness and resilience. 45000 words, 5 hours.
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-2, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
Pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, or APF. The first concerns its participation in the commemoration of the the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 6 and 7, 2024. The second concerns its participation in meetings of the APF presidency in Paris, France, and Luxembourg from April 22 to 26, 2024. The third concerns its participation in meetings of the APF Political Committee and Working Group on Reforming the APF Constitution in Luxembourg from April 27 to 30, 2024. The fourth concerns its participation in the 30th Assembly of the Africa Region of the APF in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on May 28 and 29, 2024. The fifth concerns its participation in the 36th Regional Assembly of Europe in Pristina, Kosovo, from November 11 to 13, 2024. The sixth concerns its participation in the meeting of the APF Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs Committee and the Economic Parliamentary Symposium in Budapest, Hungary, from April 2 to 4, 2025.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker. I am presenting a petition that I suppose could have been from petitioners in almost any electoral district across Canada.
Petitioners from Saanich—Gulf Islands have asked me to present this petition, which points to the crisis across Canada regarding access to primary health care and having a regular family doctor. In my community, in the Sidney and Victoria area of British Columbia, the average wait time for a walk-in clinic is two to four hours, depending on the community.
The number of physicians in Canada is growing, but the number of Canadians without a regular doctor remains stable. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to work with all the provinces and territories to come to a holistic and fair solution that addresses the critical shortage of family doctors across Canada.
John Zerucelli LiberalSecretary of State (Labour)
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
The House resumed from June 2 consideration of the motion, as amended, for an address to His Majesty the King in reply to his speech at the opening of the session.
Braedon Clark Liberal Sackville—Bedford—Preston, NS
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Brampton South.
It is with a profound sense of gratitude and humility that I rise for the first time as a member of Parliament in the House of Commons. I want to start by thanking the good people of Sackville—Bedford—Preston, who have placed their trust in me. From my hometown of Bedford to Sackville to Fall River, Waverley, Wellington, Beaver Bank, Preston and beyond, these communities have bestowed an honour on me that I can never truly repay.
My family, without whom I would not be here today, also deserve everlasting thanks. I thank my wife Caitie, who is the best person I have ever known, for everything. I thank Caitie for taking a chance on the skinny kid from down the hall that first year at Dalhousie University. It has been the ride of a lifetime, and there is so much more to come. To my kids Beau and Heidi, Dad loves them. I cannot stand missing so many soccer games and play dates at the Barbie Dreamhouse, but I will make it up to them.
I thank my mom, my dad and my siblings, Deirdre and Travis, for always believing in me, and I thank my predecessor, Darrell Samson, who was a great MP for the past 10 years and whose advice and counsel to me have always been wise.
As we all know, a political campaign is the sum of countless tiny acts of political courage: that first timid knock on a stranger's door, that first phone call with an uncertain conclusion, the sometimes, or maybe always, inexplicable decision to put one's name on the ballot. To my amazing campaign team, who knocked on thousands of doors and suffered through far too many days of damp maritime weather, the kind of weather that seeps into our bones, our victory belongs more to them than it does to me.
Speaking on the second-to-last day of the address in reply gives me an advantage compared to some of my colleagues who preceded me: the advantage of perspective and time. It has now been one week since King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne, and in a mere seven days, the threads of that speech have begun to stitch together into a concrete vision of what our government plans to do.
We will make life more affordable by cutting taxes for over 22 million Canadians from coast to coast to coast. That means that, for each one of us in this chamber, thousands and thousands of our constituents will have more money in their pockets. This will save the average two-income family $840 per year. That is enough for swim lessons, dance lessons, soccer or a well-deserved night out for tired and busy parents.
We will eliminate the GST on homes under $1 million for first-time buyers, saving people up to $50,000. Through “build Canada homes”, we will embark on the most ambitious homebuilding plan since the Second World War and deliver 500,000 new homes a year. We will cut development charges in half, support modular and prefabricated housing, and simply make it easier and faster for people to have a safe and affordable place to live.
In partnership with the provinces and territories, we will break down trade barriers and create true free trade in this country. This will unlock up to $200 billion in economic activity and reduce our dependence on trade with the United States. Coming out of the meeting with the premiers in Saskatoon yesterday, it is clear that there is consensus on this issue. Progressive Conservative premiers, NDP premiers and Liberal premiers alike all agree that one Canadian economy is much stronger than 13. We will identify projects of national significance that will break down the silos of narrow political self-interest and generate growth across this country. These projects will create jobs, diversify trade and create a self-sufficient national economy that can weather the storms of an uncertain and changing world.
As laid out in the communiqué from yesterday's first ministers' meeting, we will identify “Nation-building infrastructure and corridors, such as highways, railways, ports, airports, pipelines, nuclear projects, clean and conventional energy projects, and electricity transmission systems [that] are crucial for driving Canadian productivity growth, energy security, and economic competitiveness.” Under this plan, approvals that once took five years will now take two.
In a word, we will build, and as we build, we will prove that government can do big things and do them well. Many people will be skeptical of that, and I can understand why. Far too often and for too long, government has asked why instead of why not. Instead of solving problems, government has thrown up roadblocks in front of good ideas, but this is not inevitable or unchangeable. If we look to the past, we are overwhelmed with examples of government, often in partnership with the private sector, building the foundations of our country, foundations that still support us to this day.
When the last spike was driven to complete the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was the culmination of a dream that was, to borrow the Prime Minister's phrase, Canada's first project of national significance. During the Second World War, the Bedford Basin, in my own riding, was the gathering point for dozens of ships and convoys that would cross the ocean and liberate a continent. In 1955, a ribbon of steel, rising gracefully above the water below, connected Halifax to Dartmouth for the first time: the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge. In 1981, the Canadarm entered the final frontier of space with the logo of the Government of Canada on its side. It is an extraterrestrial example of what government can achieve.
In the years to come, I know more examples will emerge. My hope is that this government, a government that builds, will restore Canadians' faith that big things are not beyond our reach. Government can be and must be a catalyst for growth, not a drag on innovation and productivity. I also hope that this Parliament, the 45th, can be one defined by productivity instead of partisanship, that MPs can work collaboratively and across party lines in a minority government to get things done.
As we all know, there is no more direct, insightful and humbling experience than going door to door during a campaign. We have all knocked on thousands and thousands of doors, I am sure. As I have reflected on my own campaign over the past several weeks, I have been struck most of all by what I did not hear when I met people at their doorsteps.
Nobody asked me to be angrier. Nobody asked me to double down on cynicism and pettiness. Nobody asked me to heckle more and heckle louder. Nobody asked me to do those things, because most people, thankfully, are lucky enough to live their lives outside of the political bubble. They live in the real world, where the scoreboard is not measured in seat counts or vote totals, but in the feeling someone gets when they wake up in the morning with a sense of purpose and hope, or the feeling someone gets when they know their kids will be better off than they are.
This place, this chamber, exists in the real world, but sometimes it feels like stepping into the twilight zone. Being in politics can sometimes feel like being a racehorse with blinders on. Our field of vision is so narrow that all we see and all we care about is what is in front of us. We lose sight of the big world around us and become obsessed with narrow wins and small goals. I do not pretend to be perfect, and I am sure my blinders will come on from time to time. However, I will do my very best to remember what the people at the doors expect from me, and I would ask my colleagues to do the same.
Many of us in this chamber want to see politics as black and white, but the truth is that it is almost always drawn in endless shades of grey. We should accept and embrace complexity, not toss it away in favour of a cheap sound bite or easy-to-remember slogan.
This is not the first legislative body I have had the honour of serving in. I am a former member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, the oldest legislature in the country and the birthplace of responsible government in Canada. On the grounds of the House of Assembly on Hollis Street in a quiet corner, there is a statue of who I would say is the patron saint of Nova Scotia politics, Joseph Howe.
Like all who have been politicians, Howe struggled to find what the true purpose of the job was, but I think he found it. I will finish today with his words, which will guide me and I hope guide my colleagues as well. Howe said, “when I sit down in solitude to the labours of my profession, the only questions I ask myself are, What is right? What is just? What is for the public good?” I, for one, think that is a pretty good place to start.
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Speaker, it has been a week, and our hon. colleague talked a lot about the Speech from the Throne and how the words that were spoken by His Majesty have woven a clear and concrete plan forward for our nation. He also talked about what he did not hear on the doorsteps.
I want to tell our hon. colleague what I did not hear in the Speech from the Throne. I did not hear mention of our opioid crisis. Over 51,000 Canadians have passed away from overdose since 2016. What is the government's concrete plan for the opioid crisis?
Braedon Clark Liberal Sackville—Bedford—Preston, NS
Mr. Speaker, there is no question that whether one is in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan or any part of this country, the opioid crisis has taken tens of thousands of lives needlessly, many young lives and many lives that otherwise would have been full of hope and productivity. This is something the government certainly is aware of and wants to fix. It wants to make sure that the lives that have tragically been ruined by the scourge of opioids can be healed over time.
I take the member's point. However, this is something that goes to my point about non-partisan issues, and it is one I think we can all agree we need to solve, and solve very quickly.
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Speaker, in his speech, my colleague touched on an issue that is also concerning to me, and that is the need for us to be less partisan and more collaborative.
He talked about the minority government, so he seems to realize that this is a minority government, that this is the mandate that voters gave us here in the House of Commons.
Will his party take note of the amendment that was adopted yesterday by a vote of 166 to 164? Will the Liberals decide to table a budget and recognize the need to shed light on the state of our public finances?
Braedon Clark Liberal Sackville—Bedford—Preston, NS
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to transparency and finances, this is something that, again, I think our government is working quickly on. This is the second-fastest return to Parliament in the history of our country, which is a testament to the urgency of the Prime Minister and the government.
We are here in the House. I have been in opposition before; now I am on the government side. I know that the job of opposition is to ask questions and hold government to account, and I appreciate that role. That is what we are here to do. There are plenty of details and things to discuss in the House, and that is what we are here to do.
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Mr. Speaker, I welcome my colleague to the House. Of course, I will miss the deep and powerful voice of Darrell Samson, the member my colleague is replacing. However, I am sure that my colleague's voice will be just as strong in defending his constituents.
My colleague said that he knocked on a lot of doors and met a lot of people during the election campaign. Can he tell us which of the measures proposed in the Speech from the Throne will help his riding and constituents?
Braedon Clark Liberal Sackville—Bedford—Preston, NS
Mr. Speaker, one thing that is really important to my riding, and all ridings across the country, is housing. When I was in the provincial legislature, I also served as the housing critic, so it is an issue that has been very important to me for a number of years, particularly for people my age and younger, I would say, who are extremely worried about how they are going to pay rent or afford a mortgage.
It is particularly important for seniors as well who want to downsize but cannot afford to because rents are too expensive where they live. Therefore, there might be one person living in a house where ideally there would be four or five, a young family. That is a problem as well.
In our throne speech and in our platform during the campaign, we laid out a plan to get the government involved in housing. Again, this speaks to what I was talking about: The government can and must do big things. Housing is an area where it has done great work in the past. I expect we will do it again through “build Canada homes” and other programs.
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to the Speech from the Throne delivered by His Majesty King Charles III. Before I begin, I would like to extend my appreciation to the residents of Brampton South for once again placing their trust in me to represent them in the 45th Parliament. This continued trust gives me the honour of being their voice in the chamber, standing up for their priorities and working to make our community stronger, safer and more inclusive for everyone.
I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to my family, staff, volunteers and residents for their continued support. As we begin this new parliamentary session, we are setting a course for a bold and forward-looking Canada, one that reflects the hopes and aspirations of Canadians across the country.
At the doors in Brampton South, I heard directly from our community members on priorities that matter to them the most. More than that, people told me they want to see real solutions, not slogans, action that meets the moment and sets us on the best path forward. That is exactly what the throne speech delivers: a clear, ambitious agenda to tackle the challenges head-on and build a more secure, more affordable and more prosperous future for generations to come, where Canadians can afford a home, find a good-paying job and feel safe in their neighbourhood.
First, our Liberal government is delivering a middle-class tax cut. Residents in Brampton South work hard every day to support their family, and they deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money. That is why one of the first actions of the current government is to deliver meaningful tax relief for the middle class. Starting July 1, we plan to reduce the lowest personal income tax rate from 15% to 14%. This tax cut will benefit nearly 22 million Canadians and save two-income families up to $840 a year by 2026. For families in Brampton South, that is money that can go toward groceries, kids' activities or saving for the future.
Over the next five years, this tax cut will return more than $27 billion to Canadians, dollars that remain in our communities and support local economies like ours in Brampton South. Our message is clear: We are cutting taxes and delivering changes so all Canadians can get ahead.
Second, our government will continue to invest in health care and affordability measures. The government is building on progress that is already making life more affordable for families in Brampton South, like $10-a-day child care, the national school food program and the Canadian dental care plan. Thanks to our $10-a-day child care program, parents in Ontario are saving over $10,000 per year per child.
In Brampton, we are seeing new child care spaces opening. For example, there is the SimplySmart Child Care Centre and Montessori school. I have spoken with parents first-hand, especially mothers, who are now able to return to work or take on more hours, knowing their children are in safe, affordable care. This is more than good social policy; it is also smart economic policy. It gives our children the best possible start and supports parents as they build their career.
We are also making progress with the national school food program, an ambitious step in strengthening our social safety net. With over $1 million in federal funding over five years, the program will provide nutritious meals to more than 400,000 students in Ontario alone, helping our students focus, learn and thrive.
Through the Canadian dental care plan, we are delivering real savings, up to $750 a year on essential dental care. This historic program has already helped over 3.6 million Canadians, including 1.8 million who have received care to date. Now all uninsured eligible Canadians can apply, with the goal of reaching up to nine million Canadians.
These are not just numbers; they are life-changing supports. I have spoken with single mothers in Brampton South who are now able to work full-time thanks to access to affordable child care. I have heard from seniors who can finally get the dental care they need without the burden of high costs. These are the people we are fighting for, and we will keep working every day to deliver for them.
Third, our Liberal government remains committed to building more homes for Canadians. In Brampton, housing demand has increased. That is why I welcome our government's ambitious plan to double the rate of homebuilding in Canada and support a new wave of affordable housing construction. We are launching the new “build Canada homes” initiative to unlock new projects for prefabricated housing and to make it easier for builders to get shovels in the ground. By cutting development charges and offering significant financing to non-profit and affordable housing providers, we are addressing the root causes of unaffordability.
This work is already happening in Brampton. Through the housing accelerator fund, the federal government is investing $114 million to fast-track the construction of more than 3,150 new homes in the city of Brampton. This funding is helping Brampton officials cut red tape, speed up zoning changes and support higher-density development near transit and essential services.
We are also taking action to make home ownership more affordable for first-time buyers by eliminating the GST on new homes valued up to $1 million, saving them up to $50,000, and reducing the GST on homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million. These are concrete steps that are making a difference right now so more families in Brampton South can find an affordable place to call home.
Fourth, our Liberal government will continue to make our communities safer and more inclusive for everyone. Safety is a top priority for our communities, and when it comes to keeping our streets and neighbourhoods safe, all levels of government must work together. That is why the Liberal government is taking concrete action with respect to supporting local municipalities, law enforcement and the Province of Ontario to combat and prevent organized crime and auto theft, and to keep assault-style weapons off the street.
In the Region of Peel, theft of motor vehicles has declined significantly, with a 16% drop in 2024 and a further 45% decline in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. These are not just statistics; the numbers represent real change that our partners can bring with the support of the federal government. That is why we are investing in stronger bail enforcement and tougher laws to keep repeat violent offenders off our streets, 1,000 new RCMP officers to strengthen law enforcement capacity across Canada, federal funding and intelligence coordination to disrupt organized auto theft rings, and technologies like drones, scanners and K-9 units to intercept stolen vehicles and illicit goods.
Our message is clear: We are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe, and our investments are working. Together, with local, provincial and federal collaboration, we are making our streets safer for everyone.
Fifth, our Liberal government will build one Canadian economy and safeguard Canadian values and sovereignty. We are living in a time of deep uncertainty around the world. In recent months, we have heard alarming rhetoric from south of the border, but let us be clear: Canada is not for sale, and the true north is indeed strong and free. As outlined in the Speech from the Throne, our government is responding with confidence, conviction and vision.
Our Liberal government will continue to diversify our trading partners. Canada has 15 free trade agreements cover 61% of the world's GDP and open markets to 1.5 billion consumers worldwide. Most important, we are building one Canadian economy, removing internal trade barriers, strengthening supply chains and empowering our industries with the local tools required to lead and compete in a rapidly changing world. We will create one Canadian economy, not 13 Canadian economies. This will lower prices up to 50%, increase productivity up to 7% and add $2 billion to the economy.
Together, we are building a Canada that is united, resilient and ready to lead, not just today but for generations to come.
Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Mr. Speaker, to the member, I say that I think it is pretty obvious to everyone that fear was a major motivating factor for the Liberals winning the election, and specifically Donald Trump's bizarre threats of annexation, which appealed to a significant number of people. We heard, during the election, the Liberals constantly talking about Trump, “elbows up” and retaliatory tariffs, but it has been revealed that the Prime Minister dropped these retaliatory tariffs during the election without informing Canadians. There was doublespeak, and I would suggest that this was dishonest.
Can the member recognize that actions like these undermine confidence in the government and the Prime Minister?
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, as I said in my speech, together we are building a Canada that is united, resilient and ready to lead, not just today but for generations to come.
Yes, unjustified tariffs are here from south of the border, but our Liberal government will continue to deliver. That is why the Prime Minister had a meeting with the premiers yesterday. It was so that we can build a resilient economy, one economy, to make Canada strong. Our Liberal government will continue to diversify our trading partners. Canada is the only G7 economy with comprehensive free trade access to the entire G7 and European Union, totalling 50 countries. Canada is the only country that has 15 free trade agreements, covering 61% of the world's GDP—
Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech from the Throne
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Mr. Speaker, my colleague and I had the opportunity to spend some time together, particularly at the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, and I know that we are both committed to this issue.
However, I want to make the following observation. Apart from announcements on firearms, there is nothing specific in this throne speech to address violence against women. There is nothing, even though we have learned that there may have been a fourth femicide in the Eastern Townships, in my region of Sherbrooke, and that we may even have reached the tenth femicide in Quebec this year.
What will we do to help these victims of domestic violence? How are we going to fight the scourge, the epidemic of femicide? Is there any money? I have not seen anything about any kind of action plan to address violence against women.
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, I shared sitting on the status of women committee with the member from 2019 until the last Parliament. We did a lot of work in the status of women committee together on betterment for women. Our Liberal government is committed to working for betterment for women. As members know, child care is also there, even $10 day care. When I was door knocking, I heard very positive feedback from women, single mothers, and it is a big help. In this 45th Parliament, let us work together to do more on betterment for women.
Salma Zahid Liberal Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for the work she has done for all Canadians in the last decade. We all knocked on doors and heard the concerns of our constituents, so I would like to ask my colleague a question.
Canadians are finding it difficult to make ends meet in these difficult times. Can the member shed light on how our tax breaks will help Canadians get through these difficult times?
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, as members know, we got a clear mandate, and we have an ambitious plan with the tax cut. I was just talking about the 15% to 14%. We have an ambitious plan, and I want to talk about three more things. We are helping Canadians with dental care. As members know, in Scarborough, in that member's riding, seniors and everyone got a good benefit. There is child care and the school food program. We have a lot of good plans—
Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech from the Throne
Fred Davies Conservative Niagara South, ON
Mr. Speaker, before I begin to speak about the Speech from the Throne, I hope members will indulge me in a bit of reflection and a few personal comments.
First, I am honoured and humbled to be here. It is a very special privilege to be a member of the House of Commons. Indeed, I recall that even this space, when I was a young staffer here in 1979, was a courtyard. I remember having my lunch on the picnic table somewhere around here. Boy, has this place changed.
I was brought here by my predecessor in 1979, Mr. Girve Fretz, who represented the riding of Erie, now my riding of Niagara South. I was then mentored by a member of Parliament from Prince George—Bulkley Valley, Lorne McCuish. I spent many years with this gentleman, and he was indeed a huge influence on my life and one of the reasons I am here today.
Getting here was no easy task, with a campaign of hundreds of volunteers. I want to thank a few key members of my team: Marisa, who is here today, Hunter, Jason and Donna. A special thanks goes to Teresa, also a former staffer of Girve, who encouraged me over four decades in this journey.
A special thanks also goes to Chris van Kralingen at Barber Hymac in Port Colborne, who hosted our leader at his plant and is a strong champion of our effort in Niagara South. I appreciate his support and counsel.
I give a very special thanks to my wife, Monica, for the love and support, which carried me through a year and a half of door knocking, sometimes in pretty incredible weather, along the shores of Lake Erie. I am forever grateful for that, as well as the support from our kids and our family and friends from coast to coast.
I also want to thank my predecessor, Vance Badawey, who was a member opposite, for his 10 years of service in the old riding of Niagara Centre.
The new riding of Niagara South includes Thorold, Welland, Port Colborne and Fort Erie. It has a rich history of industrial excellence and strength, with companies that helped build Canada.
In a post-World War II Canada, Niagara was the epicentre of industrial growth and middle-class prosperity. Back then, Niagara was the new frontier, and I believe now that it is the last frontier that can lead Canada again in the years ahead, provided we are focused on key economic priorities through the strength of our residents and our workforce.
Niagara South is also a border riding. The Peace Bridge in Fort Erie sees over $40 billion of economic activity crossing back and forth between Canada and the United States, the second-busiest border crossing in Canada.
Our beautiful Lake Erie shoreline leads us to the Welland Canal, the backbone of the Great Lakes economy. Around 80% of the St. Lawrence Seaway's economic activity passes through the Welland Canal, starting in Port Colborne and intersecting three communities in my riding. When I was growing up, I was often frustrated when the bridge was up in downtown Port Colborne. Watching one of those huge lakers slowly pass through the locks as a kid was a bit frustrating, but today I am grateful to see that site going through the middle of our downtown and the middle of the Niagara region, because it is such an economic performer and job creator in our region.
As we focus on lowering internal trade barriers, we need to understand that Canada's marine sector is the key driver of economic growth, with a strong potential to enhance internal trade, support nation-building projects and strengthen national supply chains. I know this because in my community in Niagara, we have one of Canada's key marine hubs, supported by companies such as Algoma and Allied Marine. The role of short sea shipping in the Great Lakes and our coastal regions underscores the importance of reducing regulatory barriers to fully develop our Canadian marine potential. All the leaders in my riding recognize this as well.
This may be my maiden speech, but I offered mayors in my riding an opportunity to put their views on the record today as I speak here for the first time.
Port Colborne mayor Bill Steele describes our city as a “close-knit community with a proud marine heritage celebrated through our signature Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival. As part of the new Niagara South riding, Port Colborne is poised for transformational growth.”
Thorold mayor Terry Ugulini states, “The Welland Canal Corridor mayors are committed to developing Niagara Ports into something special. On an international scale, the Thorold Multimodal Hub is an excellent example of that success.”
Welland mayor Frank Campion says, “Welland is a city built on resilience, diversity and opportunity, situated along the recreational Welland Canal that winds through the heart of our community. From our rich industrial heritage and ongoing industrial renaissance to a vibrant cultural scene rooted in deep history, Welland is a place where past and future come together.”
Finally, Fort Erie mayor Wayne Redekop highlights our history: “Fort Erie is the site of the first British fort built on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes, a quickly growing community with a rich history and diverse population including indigenous peoples and newcomers from around the world. Many battles of the War of 1812 were fought on the farms and fields of Niagara South. It is indeed true that Canada may not exist today had we not defended our territory in Niagara. The history is all around us. We must celebrate it and preserve it. Sir Isaac Brock, lost at the Battle of Queenston Heights, would be proud of Niagara today.”
This brings me to the Speech from the Throne. I have listened to many of my colleagues' perspectives and reflections on the lack of a real plan to build energy security, national security, sovereignty security, economic security and a safe country where our streets are secure from rampant crime and where our children can actually afford to purchase a home. The promise of Canadian citizenship should not be out of reach for an entire generation.
The Speech from the Throne, to me, should be like a blank canvas, transformed into a bold vision for Canada, but I am left feeling that the canvas remains mostly blank. There is no bold plan, just more of the same: massive increases in spending and no specifics on what that money will buy.
I have spent the better part of my life working in the innovation sector, helping and mentoring start-ups and early-stage companies. The word “innovation” appears in the Speech from the Throne once but with no connection to the real innovation gap in Canada, which is bridging capital to Canadian entrepreneurs, the real backbone of our economy. There is nothing in the Speech from the Throne about small businesses and developing Canada's smartest minds.
The driving force of Canada's economy is our business sector. That was left off the canvas. Our venture capital ecosystem, the lifeblood of innovation, faces systemic challenges that demand urgent, evidence-based intervention.
The data before us reveals a troubling paradox: Companies have record dry financial powder, capital reserves, but this exists alongside cash-starved start-ups, funding gaps widening at critical stages and a hemorrhage of talent and intellectual property to foreign buyers.
I have seen and worked with the best and the brightest grown here in Canada, enthusiastic and brilliant young Canadians who are leaving here to go where investment capital is readily available. I have seen it first-hand, and the trends continue to go in the wrong direction. The government's response is simply to spend more money to see what will stick.
I know that, over the past 10 years, the regulatory hurdles faced by the innovation sector remained massive and restrictive. I will give a very important example. The process of SHRED reconciliation for innovation, research and development is often too much for businesses to bear because it simply takes too long. It is bogged down in paperwork and bureaucracy. We are losing companies to more hospitable jurisdictions where capital is more readily available and governments provide support, not complicated regulation.
There were programs that were highly successful that have been drastically downsized by the Liberal government. For example, the Harper government funded the creation of angel investor groups across Canada in response to the 2008 financial crisis. This was innovative and highly successful, and it brought investors across Canada together, aggregating capital to new Canadian companies. The Liberals effectively ended that support for the ecosystem. It is at the point where these groups are disappearing, just as the companies they supported are going south to where capital is more available.
We need to tap the creativity of our young entrepreneurs, help them bring good ideas to market and provide the economic platform that they need to succeed. We need to provide hope. Conservatives understand this, and we will fight to nourish the support of our entrepreneurial spirit to keep our best and brightest here in Canada. Only then will that canvas be painted with a bold plan for Canada.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member on his first speech.
One thing that comes to my mind is foreign investment. I believe the last record I saw said that in 2023 Canada had more foreign investment per capita than any of the other G7 countries. In fact, if we look at countries around the world, I believe we placed third on foreign investment. When foreigners look at Canada as a place to invest, which was clearly demonstrated in 2023, would that not counter a lot of the arguments that the member was putting forward? When he says that the Harper government had x, often it is replaced by something bigger and better through the years. I believe the economy and the number of jobs that have been created demonstrate that.
I am wondering if the member wants to comment on foreign investment.
