Debates of Feb. 10th, 2026

Opposition Motion—Serious crimes and refugee claims

[Dean Allison, Conservative, Niagara West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, once again it is an honour to rise in the House. As I like to do every chance I get, I want to thank the voters who voted for me in Niagara West. I never want to take that vote for granted. I want to make sure they understand, every time I stand up, that I appreciate the support I have been given over the last 21 and a half years.

When I look at what has gone on and why we have the opposition motion today, one of the things that concerns me is the fact that I continue to see crime on the rise, and it is evident all around me. I will give the example of what happened during my campaign.

My campaign office last year was in Grimsby, Ontario, just a few doors down from a jewellery store. In daylight hours, I think it was actually around noontime, a truck backed up and smashed into the store in an attempt to rob it. It shows how organized the thieves were that not only did they smash into the store with a pickup truck, but when they got out of the truck, they also had another car waiting, and from that car they drove to another car. We think about this as organized crime because it was not just a couple of random people doing a smash-and-grab; it was actually something organized at a much higher level.

This has been happening in major cities around the country. I have not seen a lot of it in rural parts like Niagara, and certainly not in a town like Grimsby. However, what was so troubling to me was the fact that this was the third time this happened in three months. Think about that for a second. We were campaigning in April, and within three to four months, the same jewellery store was hit for the third time.

Think about that. This is a local jeweller who gives back to the community and does a bunch of stuff. As a matter of fact, there were people in the store who were actually doing repair work from the previous break-in. When we talk about jail not bail, and things like that, this is why we need to look at what is going on.

A number of other incidents happened in my riding, which is very troubling. The store I was talking about is Harmony Jewellers. The robberies were absolutely horrible to see happen. In the middle of the day, on a busy street, that was happening. People could have been hurt, not only by being attacked as the truck drove into the back of the store, but during the getaway as well.

I look at some of the other things that are happening, and the member for Niagara South has done a great job talking about a repeat violent offender in Welland. He has been talking about the issue non-stop. These are small towns where we are not used to seeing this type or level of violence. It is not first-time violence; the troubling thing is that it is a repeat violent offenders.

When I look at these things, I realize that our communities are not much safer. I look at violent crime statistics since 2015 when we were last in government, and I see that a number of violent crimes are up by over 55%. Firearms crimes are up 130%. Extortion has skyrocketed 330% across Canada. Sexual assaults are up 76%, and homicides are up 29%. Other members have mentioned this today, but I think we need to continually reaffirm these numbers and let people know that they are not safer than they were when the Conservative government was last in power in 2015.

The challenge is that what the Liberals are great at doing is talking in a very fanciful way about things they are going to do. They say, “This is what we are going to do. This is what we hope to accomplish. We are going to have some meetings, and we are going to set up some round tables.” However, what they fail to ever do is deliver on results.

At the end of the day, when we look at today's opposition motion, it makes a whole lot of sense that the people who are repeat violent offenders should be getting jail and not bail. The other thing these reports do not address is the fact that most people have given up on the system. They do not even want to report, because they are worried and they are concerned.

A number of my colleagues have been talking about extortion. We have seen it out west in a variety of places, with some places just outside Vancouver. We have not seen that level of activity in my riding, and I am grateful for that, but those kinds of things still happen in Ontario in places like Brampton.

As we continue to look at what has gone on, we need to look at the numbers. We need to look at the facts. We need to understand that what is going on right now is not getting better; it is getting worse. The words that we are getting from these guys are nothing more than that: They are just words.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

It being 5:15 p.m., it is my duty to interrupt the proceedings and put forthwith every question necessary to dispose of the business of supply.

The question is on the motion.

If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we would request a recorded division.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, February 11, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I suspect if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent to call it 5:30 p.m., so we could begin private members' hour.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

The House resumed from December 10, 2025, consideration of the motion that Bill S-227, An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Arab Heritage Month Act

[Kathy Borrelli, Conservative, Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in support of Bill S-227, a bill that would recognize April as Arab heritage month in Canada. This matters to Arab Canadians, especially in a city like mine, Windsor. Windsor has always been a working city, a city built by people who showed up ready to work, people who believed that, if one put in the effort, they could build something better for their family. Arab Canadians are part of that story.

Families came here from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and across the Arab world. Some arrived decades ago; others arrived more recently. They came looking for stability, for opportunity, for a future their kids could count on. They did not come expecting an easy road, and they did not get one, but they worked, adapted and built lives here in Canada.

Today, Arabic is the third most spoken language in my home city of Windsor, Ontario, after English and French. That tells us something important. It tells us that Arab Canadians are not on the margins of our city, but woven into everyday life, at work, at school, in business and in our neighbourhoods. We can see that clearly along Wyandotte Street, in what many of us call the Arabic village.

If we walk down that street, we do not just see businesses; we feel community. We smell fresh bread coming out of the bakeries early in the morning. We see families gathered in restaurants late in the evening. We hear Arabic music drifting out of cafes, sometimes traditional, sometimes modern and sometimes mixed with North American sounds.

All of this did not happen by accident or because of a government plan; it happened because people took risks. They opened restaurants serving shawarma, falafel, manakish, kebabs and hummus, food that is meant to be shared and that brings people together.

In Arab culture, food is not only about eating, but also about hospitality. It is about generosity. It is about making room for others. We do not rush a meal. We invite people in. We make sure everyone is welcome. That spirit shows up in Windsor. We will see people from every background sitting side by side in these restaurants. Students, workers and families are all welcome and all treated the same. That is what real integration looks like.

Beyond food, there is music, cafes and community life, where people gather to talk, debate, laugh and stay connected, places where elders pass down stories and where young people blend cultures naturally. At community events and festivals, we will see traditional dance, live music and celebrations that are open to the whole city. They are not closed off or exclusive. They are shared. That matters, because culture is not preserved by locking it away; it is preserved by living it and by inviting others to experience it.

That is exactly what the Arab Canadians in Windsor and Tecumseh have done. Many came here with strong education and skills. There were engineers, doctors, teachers, tradespeople and entrepreneurs, but when they arrived, it was not easy. Credentials did not always transfer. Language barriers existed. Some had to take jobs below their training just to get started. Some had to start over completely. Still, they pushed forward. They went back to school. They retrained. They worked nights and weekends. They opened small businesses with family support and worked long hours. They did what Windsor families have always done. They made sacrifices so their kids would not have to.

We should also be honest about this: Not everyone came here by choice. Some were fleeing war, conflict or instability. They arrived carrying loss: the loss of homes, the loss of careers and sometimes the loss of loved ones. Still, they believed in Canada. They believed that if they worked hard, this country would give them a fair shot, and Canada did just that.

Today, Arab Canadians are raising families in Windsor and across Canada. They volunteer, coach sports teams, support local charities and run businesses that keep our neighbourhoods alive. Their kids go to school with our kids. They argue about hockey like everyone else. They speak English with a Windsor accent, sometimes mixed with Arabic, at home. They are not separate from the community. They are the community. That is why Bill S-227 matters. The bill is not about division or special treatment; it is about recognition. It is about saying that this community matters, that its contributions matter and that its story belongs in the Canadian story.

For young Arab Canadians growing up in Canada, that recognition counts. It tells them they do not have to choose between who they are and where they live. They can be proud of their heritage and proud to be Canadian. For everyone else, it is a reminder of what makes this country work: hard work, family, community and responsibility.

I have seen this first-hand as an entrepreneur in the hospitality business. I hired Adel, a talented chef from Egypt with skills in Italian cooking. Through hard work, he built a life here, marrying a Canadian teacher and raising a wonderful family. I also hired Hassan at one of my venues, a large nightclub. He started young, worked hard and quickly became head of security. He built and owns a multi-million dollar company, proof of what dedication and effort can achieve.

Then there is my friend Tony, whose parents opened a pita bread bakery many years ago. They worked tirelessly to provide a life for their family. Tony is now an electrical engineer; he is deeply involved in Windsor, volunteering on boards and with charitable and political organizations. He is a pillar of our community. I cannot leave out the Chaldean community, leaders like Adel, Salman and Dr. George, who dedicate themselves to strengthening their community. Another friend, Khassan Saka, founded an organization that helps Iraqi and other immigrants settle in Windsor.

Every person I have mentioned is a hard worker. Everyone has excelled and everyone has enriched our city through their efforts, generosity and commitment. Many more names could be mentioned as examples of how our society has benefited from these hard-working new Arab Canadians. This bill would not create new bureaucracy, cost taxpayers money or tell anyone how to live. It would simply acknowledge a reality that already exists.

Windsor knows what happens when people are given the freedom to succeed. Arab Canadians have helped build my city and this country, one business, one family, one meal and one neighbourhood at a time. For that reason, I am proud to support Bill S-227, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today to speak to Bill S-227, an act respecting Arab heritage month. I know there is suspense in the air again, and I know you are on the edge of your seat, because I can see you. I do not want you to fall, Madam Speaker. I want to tell you right away that the Bloc Québécois will vote in favour of this bill.

I see my friend from Bourassa reacting. First of all, this should not come as a surprise, because this bill is a repeat of Bill C‑232 from the previous Parliament. That bill passed many stages, was worked on in committee and was supported by the Bloc Québécois. It really reiterated our support for recognizing the cultural heritage of Quebeckers of Arab origin. As members know, Quebec's integration model is different. Our model is interculturalism. It is always important to remind everyone of that. Obviously, we recognize the outstanding contributions that Quebeckers of Arab origin have made to Quebec society.

When we talk about Canadians and Quebeckers of Arab origin, it is important to clarify what we are talking about, because this is literally an entire civilization. Quebec has very close ties with the Maghreb, particularly with Tunisia, Algeria, where my wife is from, and Morocco, where my colleague from Bourassa is from. He, too, appears to be on the edge of his seat. I did not know he was so emotional. We have really important cultural ties. We speak with people of North African origin every day in our ridings. They are part of our communities. They are part of us. They contribute to our culinary art, architecture, literature, science and engineering. When we talk about heritage, it is about a lot more than simply where people come from. We are talking about a Arabic-speaking civilization that originated on the Arabian peninsula but that extends into the Middle East and even into places where Persian is spoken. I believe we need to acknowledge the importance of that civilization and learn from it, and I say that very sincerely. I think we need to celebrate this success.

One of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a member of Parliament has been meeting people in my riding who belong to that culture. I see the member for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles is here. She is involved in this too. I am talking about the Centre communautaire des Basses‑Laurentides in Sainte‑Marthe‑sur‑le‑Lac, a community centre that serves the entire Lower Laurentians region. I remember the day when Hicham El Gournadi, the then chair of the board of directors who later became a friend, came to meet me at my office. He told me that it was not easy to get charitable status. We sat down and started helping each other. Over the course of our meetings, we got to know each other, and eventually I started visiting the centre, spending time there and meeting with the community.

I would like to point out that the Centre communautaire des Basses‑Laurentides is a pillar of our community. In Sainte‑Marthe‑sur‑le‑Lac, these people volunteer for organizations and keep the community alive. They are not all of Arab origin, but because it is a Muslim community centre, they are well represented there. This is another example of interculturalism, of blending communities in a way that enriches our society. This community centre is amazing. It offers activities like weekend Quran classes, which I attended. People can think what they will about secularism and its role—though I think it is a debate that needs to happen in Quebec, not in Ottawa—but for many people, including Christians, Muslims and members of other religions, faith is important, and they view it as an integral part of their culture.

What I also found extraordinary were the math lessons, because we know that, in the Arab world, there is great respect for science and scientific culture. There is much we could learn from this. They also have an absolutely incredible scientific history. An example of this is the Arabic numerals that we use on a daily basis, which are actually of Indian origin, having first been used in Indian payroll calculations—I hear some disagreement—before making their way into science thanks to Arab mathematicians, one of the most important of whom was al‑Khwarizmi. I had actually read about him in a wonderful novel, The Parrot's Theorem, which is a fictional exploration of the history of mathematics. We can see just how much this civilization has contributed to the world of science.

When members hear his name, al-Khwarizmi, it will be obvious where the word “algorithm” comes from. It is a word we use every day these days, and it comes from the Latinized version of his name. Today, it has become so much a part of our common scientific culture that we do not even realize it anymore.

Obviously, he was a great astronomer who worked on Ptolemy's writings, but he also invented the word “algebra”. I am an economist. I studied economic theory, and one day, I realized that the word “algebra” comes from the word al-jabr. All this is to say that different cultures are all around us in our daily lives, and we do not even always realize it. The same is true in our communities. I am an economist, and I was drawn to the mathematical aspect, but the same goes for architects. This influence goes far beyond individuals.

The Lower Laurentians cultural centre teaches math to young children. I find that extraordinary. I wish I had gone to math classes on Saturdays and Sundays when I was a little boy. I may have been forced to take them, but I think I would have been thankful for that later on in life. I might not have had to go to night school to finish my high school math.

They also offer Arabic classes. We speak French in Quebec. Our fellow Quebeckers from the Maghreb region are also members of La Francophonie, but that does not mean that they should forget where they come from or their culture. I know that these people care deeply about family. I know they often call home. They call their home countries often. It is also important to them to speak more than one language, to speak two, three or four languages and to carry on this legacy. I believe they are doing so. I think that, in many ways, we should be inspired by immigrants who come here and who can have conversations in multiple languages. I think that is a great thing.

I keep coming back to the issue of interculturalism and living together as a community. It is a matter of accepting that we share common ground, that we share a lot of things and that it is a give and take. As a host society, we want to take in what those who arrive here have to offer us. It is through this type of sharing back and forth that we find common ground, that our identity slowly evolves and that we are able to talk to each other and debate ideas. Often, these conversations are not easy, but they are civilized, open and intelligent. In some cultures, debate is a national sport, just as it is in kitchens across Quebec on New Year's Day. I can bear witness to that.

For all of these reasons, I think it is a great idea to recognize the contributions of all these people, which we know date back over more than a century. In our history, all of these people have contributed to our society and continue to do so. I think it is worth pointing out all this heritage that can help to enrich us all.

I repeat that the Bloc Québécois is pleased to support this bill.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for York South—Weston—Etobicoke for his right of reply.

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston—Etobicoke, ON]

Madam Speaker, good evening to you, my colleagues and Canadians who are joining us to witness this important moment of parliamentary collaboration.

I rise this evening with a deep sense of honour to speak to Bill S-227, an act respecting Arab heritage month. It is a moment when Parliament once again has the opportunity to rise above partisanship and move forward in celebration of our shared values of inclusion, recognition and belonging. I know that sometimes there are moments when the House truly comes together, and I believe this is one of those moments.

This is not the first time that this bill has reached this place. In the last Parliament, my colleague, the hon. member for Ottawa South, introduced Bill C-232, a forerunner of this very bill. That legislation passed this House unanimously, with the support of every party and every member in this chamber. It was a rare moment of unity that reminded us what Parliament is capable of when we come together in the spirit of national recognition. Before I go any further, I want to thank the member for Ottawa South for all the work that he has done and his leadership in championing this bill in its earlier form in the last Parliament.

Today I am proud to sponsor Bill S-227. I want to sincerely thank Senator Mohammad Al Zaibak for his leadership in reintroducing this legislation in the other place and guiding it all the way through the upper chamber with determination and grace. I also want to recognize the valuable contributions of colleagues from all sides of the House in support of this bill. I would like to thank the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry for sharing his personal background, the tremendous highlighting of the economic contributions of Arab Canadians and their role in shaping Canadian prosperity. The words of the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader on the importance of education and cultural awareness were timely and very important to that first hour of debate. The reflections of the hon. member for Edmonton Manning, my good friend, on the vibrant Arab community from coast to coast to coast, in Alberta but also across the country, have really brought warmth and insight to this important debate.

I thank the member for Jonquière for his perspective on North African and Arab migration to Quebec. I also thank him for highlighting the importance of student mobility, civic inclusion and mutual understanding.

I thank the hon. member for Windsor for his remarks on cross-border connections between Arab Canadians and Arab Americans and the unique contributions that Arab Canadians have made and continue to make, not just to his community but right across the country. I share that sense of pride and of the importance of recognizing this Canadian community. Each of those members built the foundation for today's debate, and I want to thank them.

Thank you, everyone.

This bill proposes that every year the month of April be designated as Arab heritage month in Canada. It is a month that will allow Canadians to learn, reflect and celebrate the contributions of Arab Canadians, their history, culture and heritage. It is an opportunity to recognize the diversity within the Arab Canadian community and to highlight the stories of perseverance, innovation, creativity and resilience.

At its core, this bill is about community and what it means to be part of the Canadian family, to be recognized, to be valued, and to be woven into the larger story of who we are together. Arab heritage month is not only about celebration, though there is much to celebrate. It is also about belonging, to be recognized officially by one's country, to have space in the national calendar that says, “Your story matters, and your identity is part of our collective story.” That is no small thing.

This bill is about more than recognition. It is about education, representation and healing. It is about confronting stereotypes. It is about replacing fear with familiarity. It is about making space for stories long left untold. It is about telling young Arab Canadians, “Your heritage matters, your identity belongs, and your contributions are valued.” As the hon. member for Ottawa South said so eloquently in 2022, “It is high time to move beyond the notion of tolerating anyone. It is now entirely a question of celebrating each other”.

In closing, I want to thank the Speaker for giving me the opportunity to talk about this bill. I ask all members of the House to support the bill and send a message to Arab Canadians that this Parliament sees them, hears them and celebrates them.

Shukran.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The question is on the motion.

If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Madam Speaker, I request that it be passed on division.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

I declare the motion carried on division. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

(Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

A motion to adjourn the House under Standing Order 38 deemed to have been moved.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Madam Speaker, tonight I am here on behalf of Pacific salmon. The Pacific salmon strategy initiative, the main federal program supporting wild salmon restoration, habitat protection, science and rebuilding on the west coast, sunsets at the end of March. It was not renewed in the budget, and there is still no confirmation of renewal. This puts the single-largest federal investment in wild salmon recovery at risk.

First nations, hatcheries and community restoration groups cannot plan projects or keep workers on the ground without certainty. Habitat restoration is not something we can turn on and off; salmon recovery takes years of steady work. Time is of the essence. If the government is serious about protecting wild salmon and supporting coastal economies, it must renew the Pacific salmon strategy initiative now.

On the west coast, wild salmon are not an abstract policy issue. They are food security, culture, ecosystem health, local livelihoods and local economies. Organizations like the Redd Fish Restoration Society, working with Nuu-chah-nulth nations, have spent decades restoring watersheds, rebuilding salmon habitat and training local workers. This is reconciliation in action.

We also know, from programs like the watershed security fund, that restoration works. Dozens of projects have been supported, hundreds of jobs created and millions leveraged in community investment. Demand far exceeds available funding. Communities are lining up to do the work. If something works, we scale it up. We do not pull the rug out from underneath the people rebuilding wild salmon and protecting watersheds.

There is also a separate policy discussion under way about the salmon allocation policy. That review is long overdue and tied to court decisions and conservation realities. There has also been a lot of fear stirred up around the salmon allocation policy review. People are being told they will lose their right to fish, that salmon will stop being a public resource or that the Constitution is being rewritten. None of that is true. No one is being shut out of the water. Recreational fishing is not being eliminated. Families will still be able to fish.

Some Conservatives have chosen to stir fear instead of engaging honestly with the law, the science and the reality facing wild salmon. At the same time, the Liberal government has failed to clearly explain what this review is and what it is not, which is allowing misinformation to spread. What is actually happening is long overdue. Courts have ruled that indigenous fishing rights must be meaningfully accommodated. Outdated policy from 1999 has failed to reflect that reality, and at the same time, many wild salmon stocks are still in decline.

Conservation and rebuilding must come first, because without healthy wild salmon, there is no fishery for anyone. What is most troubling is the double standard we are hearing from some Conservatives. They show up at rallies and town halls and tell fishers one story, and then they come back to Ottawa, sit at the fisheries and oceans committee with the minister and her officials for two hours and do not raise these concerns at all. They have not once raised the sunsetting of the Pacific salmon strategy initiative, the most critical salmon funding we have, nor the concerns they claim to have heard about the salmon allocation policy, either at committee or here in the House of Commons.

As New Democrats, we are clear about where we stand. Our positions are evidence-based and expert-led. We stand for conservation first because without wild salmon, there is no fishery. We stand for rebuilding salmon so there is a future for all fishers, good jobs in coastal communities and strong local economies. We stand for respecting the law on indigenous rights, and we stand for stable, long-term funding so restoration does not collapse every few years.

The government must now move quickly on these decisions related to both the Pacific salmon strategy initiative and the salmon allocation policy review. Organizations, communities and businesses need transparency and certainty. Delays create real costs on the ground. Coastal communities are running out of time, and the government must act now. Time is of the essence.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Madam Speaker, the member opposite listed a lot of the things he stood for. I was honoured to sit with that member when we were on the fisheries committee together many years ago. I know him to be a genuine leader and a friend of reconciliation in the House.

I am really happy to be here on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries. I would like to talk a bit about how Pacific salmon populations are experiencing long-term and historic declines due to the impacts of climate change, pollutants and changes in land and water use. To address these challenges, the government has invested $686 million since 2021 to implement decisive actions under the Pacific salmon strategy initiative. We have restored over 18.5 million square metres of Pacific salmon habitat and advanced watershed-scale salmon rebuilding planning with partners, including for west coast Vancouver Island chinook salmon.

During the summer of 2024, Fisheries and Oceans worked with 60 partners in 75 areas across British Columbia to respond to immediate drought-related issues, fund emergency projects and support fish passage to spawning areas with critical restoration projects. We have provided a further $90 million for 73 projects through phase two of the British Columbia salmon restoration and innovation fund to protect and restore Pacific salmon habitat and other priority wild fish stocks.

Under the salmon enhancement pillar of the Pacific salmon strategy initiative, we are expanding our hatchery infrastructure and upgrading 47 hatcheries to boost at-risk salmon in priority areas. We are developing new hatchery management tools to optimize sustainable harvest and rebuilding outcomes for more than 250 Pacific salmon stocks.

Through the harvest transformation pillar of the Pacific salmon strategy initiative, we have retired 473 commercial Pacific salmon licences, reducing the total number of eligible salmon licence-holders by 35.7%. In terms of indigenous fisheries, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has collaborated with more than 40 first nations and indigenous fisheries organizations on over 60 indigenous harvest transformation partnership projects to transition fisheries to more selective fishery methods and improved monitoring while reducing impacts on vulnerable salmon stocks. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has also piloted six mark-selective fisheries.

We have heard in committees and we have heard across the country that the salmon mean so much more to first nations all across Canada, especially in B.C. It is not just about fishing; it is about their culture, lessons and their stories. Therefore, in June 2024, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, first nations in British Columbia and the Province of British Columbia signed a new trilateral accord to coordinate and align conservation and restoration efforts to improve outcomes for salmon over the long term. We are advancing targeted efforts in the Yukon, including investments in first nations salmon fisheries transition, stewardship and monitoring activities, and integrated rebuilding planning.

Pacific salmon holds a deep social and cultural significance for the people of the west coast of Canada. The government remains committed to the long-term health and sustainability of these vital fishery resources. Through Fisheries and Oceans Canada's work under the Pacific salmon strategy initiative, including our continued collaboration with first nations harvesters, stakeholders and the governments of British Columbia and Yukon, meaningful progress is being made to address conservation challenges and support sustainable salmon harvesting over the long term.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate my colleague talking about the record amount of funding invested in wild salmon and its success. I have a lot of respect for him, but now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. The answer tonight does not give coastal communities what they need, which is certainty. The Pacific salmon strategy initiative is set to expire in just over a month, and we still do not have a clear commitment on its renewal. That puts restoration work, good jobs and real progress on wild salmon recovery at risk. First nations, hatcheries and community restoration groups cannot plan without stable long-term funding. Habitat restoration is not something we turn on and off. Time is of the essence.

There is also a separate review under way of the salmon allocation policy. People deserve honest communication about what that review is and what it is not. No one is losing their right to fish. Recreation fishing is not being eliminated, but conservation and rebuilding must come first. Without healthy salmon, there is no fishery for anyone. Coastal communities are waiting.

The Liberal government needs to move quickly, provide transparency and commit now to renewing wild salmon restoration funding.

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish, NS]

Madam Speaker, I hear the urgency in my colleague's voice. I just want him to know that we are urgently discussing this.

We are making sure that our processes with our partners are collaborative, and we are going to ensure that the government continues to move forward with the investment of $686 million over five years to implement decisive actions under the Pacific salmon strategy initiative to meet these challenges. We recognize the importance of long-term measures for the sustainability of Pacific salmon of the west coast.

We have accomplished many targeted initiatives to date, including restoring more than 18.5 million square metres of salmon habitat, retiring more than 400 commercial licences, upgrading Fisheries and Oceans Canada and community hatchery infrastructure, and supporting sustainable fishing opportunities while reducing their impact on valuable stocks.

We recognize the social, economic and cultural importance of Pacific salmon for Canadians. The government is committed to the long-term health and sustainability of our vital fisheries resources and is confident that the department's progress—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Oxford.

The Economy

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Madam Speaker, in the last election, the Prime Minister said Canadians should judge him by the prices at the grocery store. Those were his words, but since then, he has actually failed. The stats are in; the facts are in. We have the highest food inflation in the G7, higher than in the U.S., actually double that of the U.S. There are 2.5 million food bank visits in a single month. A quarter of them are for children. There is a 10% increase in homelessness encampments in Ontario. There is a crisis that is unfolding.

Every time someone goes to the grocery store to buy some nutritious food for their family, they go to the check-out lane, look at the food they are buying and look at the price being rung in. They cannot believe their eyes. Seniors are putting items back on the shelf just because they cannot afford them. Working-class folks who have decent jobs are now relying on food banks for the first time. The demand for food banks is actually at one of its highest levels. One of the food banks in my riding said that people who once used to once donate to the food bank are the ones actually using it now.

Just last week I received one of the toughest, worst emails I think I have ever received in my three years as the member of Parliament for Oxford. I woke up and looked at an email from a senior. She asked how she can apply for MAID. She wanted to end her life. In that email, she talked about the reason why. She said she cannot afford to eat. She does not feel like being a burden to her own family, to her kids. That is a story from my riding. This is happening in Canada. I could give members lots of examples of food insecurity in our communities.

The government, instead of going after the root cause of fixing this crisis, is bringing forward temporary relief. I always say that any relief is good relief. I always believe we should be giving taxpayers their money back, but we have to look at the larger context.

How is it that our food inflation is double that of the U.S.? I know the Liberal government blames the U.S. for everything, but this is a domestic problem. It is a homegrown problem. Our farmers are being punished with rising input costs and taxes on fertilizer. Our shippers are seeing their costs go up. Truckers are feeling the pain. Food processors are dealing with regulatory burdens and more red tape than anywhere else in the world. In Oxford, a senior came up to me and said that it is cheaper to buy produce that is grown in Mexico, 3,400 kilometres away, than it is to buy Oxford-grown produce.

My question is this: Why will the government not scrap these hidden types of—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Madam Speaker, first of all, I know the member, not terribly well, but well enough to say that I respect him very much. I know how hard he has worked to become a member of Parliament, and I know the riding he represents, which is very close to my community of London.

I would simply say a few things. I acknowledge what he is saying, at least on the individual side. For constituents in his riding, in mine and throughout the country, there is anxiety and suffering. We should acknowledge that, and we need to be attentive to that, but at the same time, if we are serious about our work as parliamentarians, we ought to put solutions on the table.

I can go on about the solutions of the government and what we are doing now and what we want to do in the future, but I would be more interested, for the purposes of tonight's adjournment debate, to hear what the hon. member has by way of solutions. I heard many problems identified, but I did not hear solutions. I turn it back to the member to address that.

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Madam Speaker, we have the best farmers and the best land in the world, yet our farmers are being punished with these extra taxes. We have brought forward motions in this chamber to take off the hidden food taxes, which include the industrial carbon tax. We have talked about removing the food packaging tax and making sure we could bring more competition to our grocery chains. We are bringing solutions. We have also said to the government, “Let us work in collaboration. Let us work together and pass our motions.”

As the member rightly pointed out, this is affecting Canadians right across the board, so we have been putting forward solutions. Let us scrap the tariffs on fertilizer that are driving up cost for our farmers. It is an easy fix. It is why we even supported the Liberals' temporary measure to give relief to families. We are at the table, ready to work. We are proposing solutions.

I always say that, if we tax the farmer who grows the food, tax the shipper who ships the food and tax the processor who processes the food, everyone pays—