Debates of May 25th, 2026

Second Reading

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in her speech, my colleague talked about the importance of affordability in the economic update. The economic update talks about the new initiative announced by the government, specifically Build Canada Homes. The government plans to build 26,000 new homes over the next few years, but the need is much greater. The Parliamentary Budget Officer reported that 690,000 homes need to be built.

With that in mind, I would really like my colleague to explain something. The government is not meeting even 5% of the need. In her opinion, is that what it means to take care of people when it comes to housing affordability and accessibility?

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I know the member cares, as we all do, about ensuring that we can get much more housing out there, built by working with private developers and utilizing lots of land that are owned by different municipalities and provinces, and by us all coming together.

I am very confident that we will have much more than that small amount that he referenced. The need is tremendous and we all know that. We are all doing everything possible to move things along as fast as we can.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I want to pick up on the issue of trade.

The Conservative member made reference to ports. Within the last year, with our Prime Minister, we actually have serious investments in major projects, including in the port of Montreal. It is one of the major projects.

The member also talked about something that is really important to Manitoba, and that is the port of Churchill. For the first time in generations, there is a great deal of optimism about the port of Churchill actually moving forward, which is great for the province, but also, like the port of Montreal, it is good for Canada when we look at investments of that nature.

Could the member provide her thoughts on how important it is that we continue to look at major projects and investing in Canada's infrastructure?

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see that my hon. colleague is feeling better and that he is back and standing up and down in his usual role in the House.

It is interesting that he mentions the port of Churchill. We did have a former member of the NDP who was constantly talking about the port of Churchill. That is the reason why, when the hon. member mentions it, I am so very well aware of it.

It will cost a lot of money, but there are enormous opportunities if we can develop. Through our Major Projects Office, all of those things where there are huge opportunities for us to move forward are making themselves available. I just had an opportunity, with our trade committee, to visit Brazil and Argentina and talk about the free trade agreement with the Mercosur area, which we plan to hopefully get signed by the summer. There are opportunities that are provided, with the investments we are making in major infrastructure products, to be able to move merchandise and agricultural goods through much faster. I look forward to that being successfully completed.

[Chi Nguyen, Liberal, Spadina—Harbourfront, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are living through a moment of real uncertainty. Families are feeling the pressure of rising costs, communities are anxious about economic instability and people want to know the government has their back and is prepared to step up and invest in the future of our country. At a time like this, we cannot afford to pull back from our cities. We need to invest in them. This is exactly what our government has been doing.

Toronto's 23 Liberal members of Parliament have been strong advocates for this city because we understand how important Toronto is to Canada's economic and cultural future, and our record reflects that. We have delivered historic federal investments in transit, housing, infrastructure and waterfront revitalization, including over $40 million for Harbourfront Centre and a tri-government commitment of roughly $1 billion for each level of government to the waterfront east transit project. These are investments in how people move through the city, where they live, how communities stay connected and whether families can continue to build a future in Toronto.

Through the spring economic statement and budget 2025, our government is continuing to make targeted investments that strengthen communities, support local economies and help Canadians navigate a highly competitive and uncertain global economy with great stability and opportunity. Over the last few months, I have spent a lot of time in community centres, town halls, small businesses, school gyms and on the doorsteps of Spadina—Harbourfront. No matter where the conversation starts, it almost always comes back to the same thing: People are worried about whether life in the city is becoming unaffordable for ordinary people.

A few weeks ago, I spoke with a young woman in my riding who wants to build her future here. She told me she has done everything she was told to do. She has worked hard, gone to school, built a career and taken care of her family, but she cannot imagine ever owning a home in the city where she has grown up. She told me that she does not need luxury and just wants stability. That feeling resonates with a lot of Canadians right now. People are not asking for miracles. They are asking for a fair shot at opportunities to improve their lives.

In a city like Toronto, that pressure shows up everywhere. It shows up in the student working two jobs while trying to finish school. It shows up in the parent deciding between child care costs and rent. It shows up in seniors stretching fixed incomes further every month. It shows up in young professionals who thought they were doing everything right but still feel like stability keeps moving further out of reach. Everyone wants to know that if they work hard, then they can afford a home, raise a family, get a good-paying job and remain in the communities they love.

Strengthening our economy requires hard work and must never come at the expense of Canadians. Now more than ever, Canadians need our support. Our government is focused on building a strong and resilient economy that keeps Canadians financially secure and ensures that no one is left behind. This is why the measures in the spring economic statement matter.

I also hear from small business owners across Spadina—Harbourfront who are trying to keep their doors open while navigating rising operating costs, staffing pressures and economic uncertainty. Whether it is a café like Ivy on Queens Quay or a food truck operator at Street Eats at Sugar Beach, local businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. When we invest in transit, public infrastructure, tourism, housing, arts and culture, and vibrant public spaces, we are also investing in the local economies that those businesses rely on every single day.

We know solving the housing crisis requires us to build differently and to build faster. That is why investments in modular and factory-built housing are so important. Canadians do not want endless debates about housing; they want homes built. Our government will be accelerating over $7 billion in low-cost loans through the apartment construction loan program to help build up to 16,500 new rental homes. Projects could include major waterfront and downtown developments, such as Quayside, which will help unlock new housing supply where it is needed most. In a community like Spadina—Harbourfront, where density is high and 57% of residents are renters, this investment will make a meaningful difference, helping more people find a place they can afford to call home.

Our government is also launching the build communities strong fund, a $51‑billion investment to strengthen infrastructure and improve quality of life in communities across Canada. We are moving beyond concrete and construction to build communities where people actually feel a sense of belonging. In my riding, we see that every day in places like Harbourfront Centre, spaces that have become gathering points for our city, where families attend festivals, young people take part in sports and recreation, artists share their work and residents reconnect with public space along Toronto's waterfront.

Last week, I was pleased to join an announcement with the Secretary of State for Sport at Harbourfront Centre, recognizing it as one of the 25 community mini-pitch projects across Canada aimed at increasing sport participation among children and youth. Watching kids immediately run onto the pitch and neighbours stopping to connect with one another was a reminder that investments in community space have a real impact on people's lives every day. This project builds on the investments outlined in the spring economic statement, including $660 million over five years with ongoing funding to strengthen community sport and create more opportunities for Canadians, especially children and youth, to participate, to connect and to thrive.

For many residents in downtown Toronto, public space matters deeply because not everyone has access to a backyard, access to green space or even room to gather with family and friends. That is why spaces like the Bathurst Quay Common, the Toronto Islands, Love Park, Sugar Beach, Fort York, Little Norway Park, Ireland Park, Coronation Park, Trillium Park, Canoe Landing and The Bentway are so important. These are places where people build community, where children play, where families gather, where cultural events take place and where residents reconnect with the city and waterfront around them.

They are also important economic and tourism assets for Toronto. Thoughtful public infrastructure attracts visitors, supports local businesses, encourages investment and strengthens the vibrancy of our downtown core. As Toronto continues to grow, protecting and investing in these public spaces will only become more important, not only for tourism and economic development, but for quality of life and the sense of connection people feel to the communities they call home.

I want to speak specifically about The Bentway, because it reflects what strong public infrastructure can look like when we invest in community space with intention. What was once underutilized space beneath the Gardiner Expressway has been transformed into a destination that draws residents and visitors year-round through public art, cultural programming, recreation and community events. Today, The Bentway is a place where people skate in the winter, check out contemporary art and connect with friends and neighbours. These kinds of spaces encourage people to stay longer, explore different parts of the waterfront, support nearby businesses and experience Toronto in a more connected and meaningful way.

Transit is not a luxury. It shapes people's quality of life and whether parents can make it home in time to see their kids before bed. Transit shapes access to jobs, education, health care and opportunity. Strong public transit systems are one of the ways we make cities more affordable, more connected and more livable. This is why our government continues to invest in critical transit projects such as the Ontario line. Once it is complete, Spadina—Harbourfront will be home to five Ontario line stations: Exhibition, King West, Chinatown, Osgoode and Queen. We are also working alongside the province and the City of Toronto to jointly fund the waterfront east transit, because building transit requires collaboration across all levels of government. These projects are a critical component to connecting our community and linking residents in Spadina—Harbourfront and beyond to their jobs, families and homes.

Toronto's tourism sector has welcomed more than 28 million visitors, spending $9 billion in our city. With FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, Toronto, and in particular Spadina—Harbourfront, will welcome even more visitors. In fact, all six Ontario matches will be hosted on the vibrant waterfront in Spadina—Harbourfront.

Toronto has a proud record of hosting international sporting events, from the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup to the 2015 Pan Am Games. Spadina—Harbourfront is home to some of Canada's most recognizable destinations and sports and entertainment venues, like the Rogers Centre, or the SkyDome, Scotiabank Arena, the CN Tower, Union Station, our waterfront and Toronto's financial district. It is also home to the teams and events that bring millions of people into our city every year, from the Toronto Blue Jays and the Raptors to the Toronto FC, the Maple Leafs and Toronto Tempo, among others.

It has become one of the great sports and cultural cities in the world, and that economic activity matters for Canada. That is why our government will be investing $755 million over five years and $118 million ongoing to support Canada's sports ecosystem and help strengthen our ability to host major international events.

When we talk about growing our economy, Canada depends on strong local economies. Toronto's business improvement areas, including the Waterfront BIA, play a major role in that work. The Waterfront BIA brings together businesses, tourism partners, cultural institutions and community organizations to help strengthen Toronto's waterfront as a year-round destination for residents and visitors alike. This contributes to the economic growth across our city, and it builds on decades of sustained federal investment into Toronto's waterfront and public infrastructure.

Toronto's 23 Liberal MPs have been strong advocates for this city because we understand its importance to Canada's economic future. Our record reflects that commitment: historic investments in transit, housing, arts and culture, infrastructure and waterfront revitalization.

The spring economic statement is ultimately about the kind of future we want to build together. Through budget 2025 and the spring economic statement, we are continuing to make targeted investments that strengthen communities, support local economies, attract global investment and ensure that cities like Toronto continue to grow and thrive.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate many of the comments that my colleague put on the record. There is one thing that I think is really important for us to recognize. She made reference to building a strong, healthy economy, an economy that is there for all Canadians, and that is something we want.

Earlier, there was a discussion in regard to the importance of trade. Trade is so critically important to our nation. We make up, I believe, 0.5% of the world population, yet when it comes to international trade, we contribute 2.5% of world trade. The province of Ontario has a manufacturing industry second to no other in the country.

Can the member provide her thoughts on just how important it is that we diversify our trade opportunities to help build a stronger, healthier economy?

[Chi Nguyen, Liberal, Spadina—Harbourfront, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the fantastic question on how we think about diversifying our economy at this really challenging time. We have a phenomenal organization in our riding called the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Its home is actually in Spadina—Harbourfront. They are doing some very important ecosystem work right now to help prepare companies and small businesses to pivot so that they are ready as we move into the conversations about CUSMA and compliance. This is part of the work that is happening in our riding to make sure that we grow the economy and support local and small businesses in Toronto.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I am kind of curious, with the member's location and where she lives, in regard to the privatization of airports, in particular Billy Bishop airport and the expansion of the runway. What is the Liberal Party's opinion on the expansion of the runway at Billy Bishop airport and its possible privatization?

[Chi Nguyen, Liberal, Spadina—Harbourfront, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that is certainly a hot topic of conversation in our communities. I have recently hosted a number of town halls and had conversations with residents. Right now, I will say that I have not seen the plan, in terms of how the expansion might go forward, and I cannot speculate on something that I do not have the details on, but I do know that we are looking right now to think about how we strengthen and grow the economy. However, I truly want to talk about the incredible uses on the waterfront of a whole host of pieces, such as our institutions, and that is really critical to get that balance of uses right.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague spoke to us about the importance of Toronto, which receives a large number of visitors. She mentioned $28 million per year. However, the problem in Toronto, aside from the housing crisis, is the mobility crisis.

People can no longer even afford to buy houses right downtown. They have to move to the suburbs, yet the federal government cut $5 billion from the Canada public transit fund in its latest budget. Moreover, in the most recent economic update, the $3 billion that had been allocated is no longer earmarked for the Canada public transit fund, but has instead been folded into the generalized funding pot for infrastructure.

I would like my colleague to tell us frankly, for the benefit of the people she represents, whether she truly believes her government is supporting public transit when it cuts funding and reallocates dedicated public transit funding to infrastructure in general.

[Chi Nguyen, Liberal, Spadina—Harbourfront, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I believe our government is stepping up in the ways that it is best suited to. We can invest the capital that is required to build these massive projects. I spoke about waterfront east transit. That is a project that I am very excited to see come online. It is years overdue. In this work, our role as a federal government is to work alongside other levels of government to ensure that we are investing in and building out the transit that we need.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if the member could provide her thoughts in regard to the issue of affordability, whether it is the tax break or the groceries and essentials benefit program that the government has. I would like her thoughts on affordability.

[Chi Nguyen, Liberal, Spadina—Harbourfront, ON]

Mr. Speaker, one of the pieces of the groceries and essentials benefit that I really love, in terms of a policy measure, is that we are having the conversation about a national food strategy. This means that we are not just doing the immediate piece, but we are actually thinking about how we invest in a food system that works for the country. I think that is really critical when we are addressing these pieces: the urgent needs, but also thinking about the systems.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the House that I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the hon. member for Middlesex—London.

We have reached this stage of the debate on the changes in Canada's financial situation. Let us remember that the Liberals have been in office and have been managing the public purse for over 10 years. Let us remember that most of the members on that side of the House who were elected in 2015 promised to run three small deficits and deliver a zero deficit in 2019. Obviously, that was not at all true because, in the past 11 years, the Liberal government has never kept that promise to balance the budget. It has done exactly the opposite.

When the new Prime Minister took office a year ago, no one would have thought that we would end up where we are today, seeing as how he has an international reputation in public finance, served as the governor of the national banks of two G7 countries and is widely recognized for his business acumen. With this fresh energy, we might have expected a much more rigorous approach to managing public funds than the one taken by the Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, who failed to deliver on his promise of a zero deficit in his nine years in office. With the new Prime Minister, anything seemed possible. However, after a year under this new Prime Minister, the member for Nepean, it is quite the opposite. He is doing a worse job than the drama teacher, even though he is an internationally renowned banker who promised a bright future in terms of the management of public funds.

As for the debt, it has been roughly $1 trillion for the past 10 years. Interest on the debt costs $58.7 billion. That is nearly $60 billion. For those watching at home, and even for me, when we are talking about billions of dollars, it is hard to picture what that actually means. It is important to understand that every penny we pay in GST is not going toward services from the federal government. It is not going toward having more doctors or more services. It is solely going toward paying the interest on the debt. That is right. Ten years of irresponsible Liberal governance has increased the debt by $1 trillion. Every family in Canada is spending an average of $3,400 just on interest payments.

It is worth noting that a deficit means that the government is living beyond its means. It means that it is kicking the can down the road and not facing its responsibilities. Above all, it means that the government is acting irresponsibly toward our children, our grandchildren and even our great-grandchildren. Sooner or later, that debt will have to be paid. That is what happens with the interest on debt. When we pay, we are paying for the mistakes and mismanagement of the past. The worst legacy we can leave our children and grandchildren is a massive debt, massive interest and a chronic deficit.

Speaking of deficits, it is quite extraordinary. A year and a half ago, under the former prime minister's watch, we were all outraged to learn that the deficit might be as high as $31 billion. Some people said that a $31‑billion deficit was insane. Now, a year later, it is twice as bad. The deficit now stands at $65 billion. As I was saying earlier, who would have thought the new Prime Minister could be worse than the old one? He doubled the deficit.

It is also worth noting that direct spending on services has increased by 12.4% and that, over the past 10 years, 100,000 new public servants have been hired. At the same time, there has been a massive increase in outsourcing contracts for consultants. The government cannot do both at the same time. It should either hire more public servants to deliver more services and rely less on consultants, or rely more on consultants and make less use of the public service. If it is doing both at the same time, it is because the system is being mismanaged. That is what we have seen over the past 10 years. The reality and the impact of all this is that when we have to pay interest on the debt, as I mentioned earlier, the money is not going toward improving services. It is going toward paying for expenses were not covered previously.

Who benefits most from this? The bankers do, because that is exactly how they make a living: from interest. We do not take issue with that. The issue is when interest levels are far too high and become astronomical. When taxpayers' money from the GST goes directly towards paying interest on the debt, we are propping up the banking system rather than the system we expect to support public services in Canada.

What is the reality after 10 years? We have the worst food inflation in the G7. My colleagues should talk about this with people in their ridings, with families, with friends, with people they know well. Everyone is affected by food inflation. Canada has the worst food inflation in the G7.

This is happening under the leadership of the world-renowned banker who has failed to keep his promises. We are still waiting for him to deliver on all the promises that were made and the major projects that are supposed to be carried out. Housing prices are skyrocketing across Canada, and families are the ones directly paying the price.

It is also important to keep in mind that when there are taxes to pay, people end up with less money in their pockets. That is why our proposal was clear and positive for Canadians, because everyone is affected by the oil price hikes. We proposed temporarily suspending all federal gas taxes until December 31. We agreed on that proposal because it would have left $5 billion more in Canadians' pockets. However, the government accepted only a small portion of our suggestion, which involved removing the 10¢ per litre excise tax to give people a little break. Obviously, we had no objection to that, but it was barely a third of what we had suggested.

Our approach as Conservatives is not so much to give people money as to let them keep more money in their pockets. The best way to let them keep more in their pockets is to cut taxes. However, this government has been raising taxes for 10 years. Contrary to what the Liberals are going to say in a few moments when they ask me questions, it is important to point out that we were in agreement on the tax cuts. Small as they were, we supported them. We only wished they had been larger. That was the point of our suggestion.

One of our suggestions is to leave more money in people's pockets by cutting taxes, which is what we wanted to do with the federal fuel tax, because it has a direct impact on everything. It affects people who travel, but the federal taxes on transportation and gasoline consumption also directly affect the price of goods and food that are transported.

We should also get rid of some of the measures that create too much red tape, because there is no doubt that this directly affects us and stifles economic development. We must streamline bureaucracy and reduce our reliance on outside consultants. I mentioned that over the past 10 years, we have seen an increase of up to $20 billion. We see that the government has listened to us and reduced the amounts allocated for consultants, but it needs to go even further.

We must also put an end to the tax loopholes that can arise from certain investments that are so difficult to understand that they ultimately become tax loopholes.

We also need to review some of the benefits paid to bogus refugee claimants. Unfortunately, for 10 years, we had a government that took a completely irresponsible approach to immigration. The primary victims of this irresponsible immigration policy are the immigrants themselves, particularly those who have illegally made bogus asylum claims.

We need to cut red tape, dial back the use of external consultants and leave more money in people's pockets by eliminating some taxes and lowering income tax. That is how we can deliver an economic recovery for all Canadians.

Arthur Bielfeld

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, he was a passionate advocate for social justice, a wise and thoughtful theologian, and a compassionate and caring rabbi. However, for me, Arthur Bielfeld was mostly my dear friend of 40 years, my mentor and teacher as a colleague in ministry, my supporter, and an occasional thorn in my flesh as a member of Parliament.

Arthur's life came to an end two weeks ago at a time and place of his choosing, but his legacy will continue for decades. Founder of the Leo Baeck Day School, Mazon Canada and Campaign Against Child Poverty, he served as rabbi and rabbi emeritus at Temple Emanu-El in North York for 58 years. He was awarded the Order of Canada for his extraordinary contributions to the Jewish community and decades of interfaith work on poverty, hunger and social inequality.

I will always be inspired by his work; his wit, even his bad jokes; his moral courage; his intelligence and his integrity. I just wanted one more cup of coffee with him.

Our country is richer for the life and work of Rabbi Arthur Bielfeld, but I hope heaven is ready for him.

Workers in London—Fanshawe

[Kurt Holman, Conservative, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in the most recent unemployment numbers, London has climbed to 9.2%, remaining the highest in Canada. Behind these numbers are people sending out résumés and hearing nothing back, parents trying to stretch every dollar further and young people wondering whether opportunity is moving out of reach.

Just an hour from the U.S. border, London is the canary in the coal mine. When things go wrong, Londoners are the first to feel it, and it hits our community the hardest, but this is not just a London issue. What we are seeing in our community is a warning sign for the rest of the country.

On behalf of all Londoners who are worried about their jobs, their bills and their future, I urge the Liberals to get serious and focus on creating the conditions for Canadian businesses to compete, invest, grow, and create private sector jobs. Conservatives are calling for lower taxes, less red tape and the trade deal the Liberal Prime Minister promised.

London is sounding the alarm. Londoners, especially those of London—Fanshawe, are seeing these concerns all around them. When will the Liberals finally listen?

Dental Care

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the dental care plan is having a real impact on the lives of Canadians. Across our beautiful country, 4.3 million people have received dental care since the program's launch, and over 21,000 residents in Pierrefonds—Dollard are benefiting from the plan.

This week at my constituency office, we are hosting our fourth open house to help residents renew and enrol in their dental coverage.

Oral health is a fundamental right. That is why our team is there to provide individual support.

Programs like the dental care plan show what we can achieve when we put Canadians first. Canadians no longer have to compromise on dental care.

Our government will continue to work to improve everyone's quality of life.

This week, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents of Pierrefonds—Dollard are welcome to drop by my office without an appointment to renew their dental plan.

Assiniboine College Benefactors

[Grant Jackson, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize two remarkable Manitobans who are giving back in Brandon—Souris.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the late Mrs. Edna Edwards left a $4-million contribution to the Assiniboine College School of Nursing dedicated to funding research opportunities and financial awards for students. The now Edna Edwards School of Nursing will honour her legacy as a registered psychiatric nurse who was trained at the former Brandon Mental Health Centre, a facility that now forms part of Assiniboine College's North Hill campus, a truly full-circle moment.

The gift was announced by her husband, Mr. Russ Edwards, who is no stranger to Assiniboine College or to Brandon. Just four years ago, Mr. Edwards donated $4 million to create the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment aimed at the college's vision to build the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, a project that is still waiting on federal investment, I might add.

The Edwards family's generosity is bringing enhanced educational opportunities closer to home for more Westman students, which is a remarkable legacy for two highly successful leaders in the business and health care sectors.

I thank Russ and Edna.

Brome—Missisquoi Business

[Louis Villeneuve, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable contribution made by Happy Yak, an innovative company from Cowansville, in my riding, to the Artemis II mission.

Happy Yak's expertise in sustainable and functional food was a perfect fit for the rigorous demands of space exploration, as the company has developed solutions tailored to some of the most extreme environments imaginable. Its participation in the Artemis II mission is a testament to the exceptional expertise found in our regions and the ability of our businesses to make an impact far beyond our borders. Happy Yak's commitment demonstrates that local innovation can have a global and even an extraterrestrial impact.

This is a great source of pride for Brome—Missisquoi, for Quebec and for all of Canada. I want to congratulate Guy Dubuc and his entire team on this inspiring achievement and on the example it sets for young people who dream of science, innovation and bold action.

Elliott Family

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of our community, I ask all parliamentarians to join me in honouring the memory of LouWanda, Mackayla and Nikita Elliott, whose lives were taken in a horrific act of intimate partner violence in Brockville on May 7, 2026.

We will remember LouWanda as a beloved mother, wife and sister, and Mackayla and Nikita as sisters, daughters and friends. They are deeply loved and missed by all who knew them, especially LouWanda's husband of 27 years, Andy Elliott; her brother Richard; and Andy and LouWanda's surviving daughters, Harley and Katherine.

I thank the Brockville Police Service and first responders, who responded with care and professionalism in the face of what can only be described as unimaginable tragedy for the family and for our community.

I want to recognize Leeds and Grenville Interval House and Shelter Movers for their vital work in supporting victims and survivors of intimate partner violence.

Together our community honours LouWanda, Mackayla and Nikita. I ask everyone to join us in honouring them as we stand in solidarity with all victims of intimate partner violence.

Housing Development in Vancouver Granville

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, I attended the blessing ceremony of Sen̓áḵw, a housing development in my riding of Vancouver Granville. When complete, Sen̓áḵw will bring more than 6,000 rental homes to Vancouver open to everyone, including much-needed affordable and below-market housing units for families, workers and newcomers alike.

However, Sen̓áḵw is more than a housing project. It is a homecoming. More than a century after Squamish families were forcibly removed from their ancestral village, the Squamish nation gathered once again on their land. They gathered with elders. They gathered in language, in song, in ceremony and in strength.

I was honoured to be a witness to that ceremony, that blessing, as the first tower prepares to welcome families into 333 new homes. It is high-quality housing. It is affordable housing on prime land in Vancouver. Above all else, it is reconciliation in action.

Sen̓áḵw reminds us that when we work with first nations, when first nations lead and we partner, we do more than build homes. We build trust, we restore belonging and we build the future.

Cloverdale—Langley City

[Tamara Jansen, Conservative, Cloverdale—Langley City, BC]

Mr. Speaker, 11 years ago, people invested in our community because they believed in the future. Families moved there. Builders built there. Small businesses took risks there, but now developers are facing insolvency. Businesses are being extorted. Families are worried about crime and people are starting to wonder if the rules even make sense anymore.

After years of mixed signals from the Liberals, sudden policy shifts and weak-on-crime laws, the confidence that built our community is being shaken. When people stop feeling safe, physically, financially and legally, communities start to break apart.

Our leader was in Cloverdale last week talking about crime and property rights because this is no longer some abstract political debate. This is about whether ordinary people can still build a future in Canada.

When will the Liberal government realize that central planning is, as always, a recipe for disaster?

Montreal Victoire

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I can hardly contain my excitement over the Montreal Victoire winning their very first Walter Cup.

Our champions defeated the Ottawa Charge by a score of 4 to 0. This is the first time in the short history of the Professional Women's Hockey League that the cup has been won by a team north of the U.S. border.

All Quebeckers are celebrating alongside our captain, the GOAT and playoff MVP Marie‑Philip Poulin, and Laura Stacey. All Quebeckers were on the edge of their seats, cheering on Ann-Renée Desbiens for her shutout and Catherine Dubois, Alexandra Labelle and Erin Ambrose for their hard work. All Quebeckers jumped for joy when Abby Roque scored two goals.

Fortunately, the story does not end here. We will have another chance to applaud Danièle Sauvageau's team during Saturday's victory parade for the Victoire in Montreal.

The victorious Victoire. Is there a finer or more natural role model for all those young girls who dream of taking to the ice themselves?

I want to thank the team for their dedication to their sport. Well done. Long live the Victoire.

Palestine Day on the Hill

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite everyone to join us tonight as the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians celebrate the 10th annual Palestine Day on the Hill.

This year's theme, “Root to Justice”, highlights the deep connection Palestinians have to their homeland and the importance of dignity, rights and belonging. It also reflects on the challenges of dispossession and hardship, emphasizing that the pursuit of justice must be shared by communities, allies and policy-makers working toward a meaningful and constructive engagement.

This is the first Palestine Day on the Hill since Canada recognized the state of Palestine. It is an opportunity for reflection on the progress made and the work that remains to support peace, justice and mutual understanding.

Whatever our background or our faith, we can all work together to build a world where everyone lives in peace, security and harmony.

Snowbirds

[Fraser Tolmie, Conservative, Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, on May 19, the Minister of National Defence came to Moose Jaw, home of Canada's Snowbirds. He paraded the Snowbirds team out in front of the media and used them as his backdrop. Then he announced that the team were now losing their jobs. This is one of the most un‑Canadian things the people of Canada have ever witnessed happen to our military, and Canadians are disappointed with this behaviour.

The Liberals have sat on this file for over a decade. The Tutors are being grounded after $30 million was spent to keep the jets flying until 2030. Both L3Harris and Magellan Aerospace have said the Tutors are safe to fly. Now, out of nowhere, the minister has announced a replacement aircraft that has propellers but with no timeline, no number of planes, no in-service date. The Snowbirds Alumni Association calls this profoundly disappointing. So does Moose Jaw, and so does Canada.

Canadians deserve a jet team. The Prime Minister can make this happen by reversing his decision.