Ali Ehsassi

[Automotive Industry, October 10th, 2025]

Here we go again, Mr. Speaker. I want to reiterate that Canada currently enjoys the best trade agreement with the U.S., and this is not up for debate.

However, we are not entirely pleased. Discussions are ongoing because, as the member knows, the Prime Minister has consistently emphasized that we will only accept the best agreement for Canada.

[Automotive Industry, October 10th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, Canada currently enjoys the best deal among U.S. trading partners. This is not up for debate.

However, as the member would like to see us do, our government is committed to ongoing negotiations and to securing greater tariff relief for all of our industries. We are laser-focused on protecting Canadian businesses and Canadian workers. Trade discussions are ongoing, and we will not apologize for it.

[Mid-Autumn Festival, October 7th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my diverse riding of Willowdale, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all those celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. Referred to by many as the Moon Festival, and in Korea as Chuseok, in Japan as Tsukimi and in Vietnam as Tet Trung Thu, it is considered one of the most cherished festivals by Asians around the world. It is a time for families and friends to gather and celebrate a good harvest while also enjoying delicious cuisine and one another's company under a full moon.

To the many celebrating in Canada, may the glow of the full moon illuminate their path and bring them peace and prosperity throughout the year ahead.

[Iran, June 19th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the escalating war between Iran and Israel.

For almost five decades, the Iranian regime has repressed its own citizens and exported violence beyond its borders, yet this odious Iranian regime certainly belongs to the dustbin of history. This military confrontation, however, should be constrained by the principles of international law and not be permitted to devolve into wanton destruction.

The citizens of Iran are in a particularly precarious spot. They have endured decade upon decade of brutal repression, and the overwhelming majority detest the theocratic regime in Tehran, yet they are caught in the crossfire of a war they are not responsible for and that is not of their making, nor is the Iranian regime making any provisions for their safety.

That is why Canada should call on all parties to this dispute to exercise maximum restraint and also fully embrace the recently announced diplomatic initiative—

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, June 4th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, that is a very good question. As I tried to indicate in my speech, this is a government that appreciates full well how incredibly important it is to partner with the provinces and the territories. As the member knows, earlier this week, there were some very robust discussions taking place, so we will have to wait to see what the conclusion of those discussions is. I am sure there will be some great news.

Given what we just heard, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Garneau family. I know that for all of us here who had the privilege of working with Mr. Garneau, he really embodied the best qualities and was by all means one of the most honourable people I have had the great privilege of working with.

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, June 4th, 2025]

My apologies for that, Mr. Speaker.

Just to remind everyone, as everyone is fully aware, earlier this week, the Prime Minister had robust discussions with premiers and made the pledge to remove all federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility in the coming weeks, prior to the celebration of Canada Day this summer.

We are also focused on building commercial corridors and building projects of national significance that will fortify the ties that bind us together as a country, will deepen our ties with the world and will create high-paying jobs for Canadians. We must build on a scale and at a pace like never before. Critically, we are committed to doubling the rate of homebuilding by establishing “build Canada homes” that would ensure we tap into Canadian technology, Canadian skilled workers and, of course, Canadian lumber.

Another significant portion of the Speech from the Throne was devoted to recalibrating our economic and security relationship with the U.S. and on forging stronger partnerships with other countries in the world. As the members are aware, our government is fully engaged in intensive negotiations with our neighbours to the south, but we are also focused on engaging with the rest of the world. Within days of becoming Prime Minister, the new Prime Minister visited London and Paris. It was also announced within days of the Prime Minister being sworn in that Canada was partnering with Australia on a $6-billion Arctic radar.

We are keen to join ReArm Europe, which would provide us access to new opportunities in Europe's over trillion-dollar defence marketplace. As our Minister of Defence recently declared, Canada is ready to take immediate and decisive action to boost our military preparedness. Indeed, very soon we can expect to see a tripling of military spending from 2014 levels.

All that is to say, our government fully appreciates that Canadians expect us to stand up for our interests and to do so with great energy and as expeditiously as possible, and that is exactly what our government will deliver. Rest assured, we will be ambitious and we will be bold.

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, June 4th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to commence by thanking the residents of Willowdale for having granted me the privilege of once again returning to the chamber to advocate on their behalf. I was fortunate during the election campaign to have the best campaign team anyone could possibly ask for. As always, I give eternal thanks to my spouse, Celeste, who was deeply engaged in every aspect of the campaign. My campaign team headed by Sean, Alex, Maddie and Marcus, and hundreds of volunteers did an inordinate amount of work to fully engage the residents of Willowdale. I can assure every one of them that I will be thinking of them every day as I sit in the chamber.

Like all members in the chamber, I was confronted at the doors by Canadians with a renewed sense of national pride. While the world faces unprecedented challenges and uncertainty has become the new norm, Canadians were unified during this election in demanding that we remain laser-focused on addressing challenges, on strengthening the economic foundations of our country and on creating opportunities for all Canadians. The residents of Willowdale recognized full well that our country faces a uniquely critical moment and expressed their collective desire to see our country prove resolute in charting a bold, dynamic and ambitious agenda. The Speech from the Throne, delivered by our sovereign last week, captured the essence of what Canadians expect of their elected officials and of the need for our country to seize the moment, to ensure that we are creating new opportunities that will ensure we remain the greatest country in the world.

The world today is more dangerous, erratic and uncertain than at any time since the end of the Second World War. I would be remiss if I did not mention that this year we mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The heroism and valour of Canadians at Juno Beach, at Dieppe, on the Somme and at Vimy Ridge and countless other locations around the globe will be the topic of discussion for Canadians. We should also remember that after the guns fell silent, Canadians were intimately involved in creating the institutions that acted as the pillars of a post-World War II era and proved responsible for eight decades of peace and prosperity. We owe it to the inspiring generations that preceded us, as well as those who succeed us, to be vigilant.

Previous generations of Canadians met the moment and it is now up to us to ensure that we protect Canadian interests and build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians. Our government, under Prime Minister Carney, recognizes the need to think big and act resolutely. We must build a stronger and more secure Canada. Much of such work will be accomplished by building new and enduring relationships with allies around the world, including with Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and to deepen and broaden our ties with Japan and the Republic of Korea.

As was noted in the Speech from the Throne,“Canada has what the world needs and the values the world respects.”

We can all certainly agree that to build Canada strong, our federal government must partner with the provinces, territories and indigenous peoples. As the Prime Minister emphasized throughout the federal election, the core mission of our government is to build the strongest economy in the G7 by unlocking Canada's full economic potential.

Although Canada has one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios and one of the lowest levels of inflation among the G7 countries, we have much more economic work to do. It all starts with creating one Canadian economy out of 13. As the members are well aware, earlier this week Prime Minister Carney had many robust discussions with our premiers and made the pledge—

[Committees of the House, December 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 29th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in relation to Bill C-353, an act to provide for the imposition of restrictive measures against foreign hostage takers and those who practice arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations and to make related amendments to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The committee has studied the bill and recommends not to proceed further with this bill.

[Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, November 20th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians know foreign interference poses a grave threat to our democracy. That is why many are concerned about the Leader of the Opposition's refusal to obtain his security clearance. While the RCMP has uncovered foreign criminal activity in Canada, the Conservative leader prefers to close his eyes and repeat empty slogans in the House. We should all be concerned about such blatant disregard for the safety of Canadians. Every other party leader of the House has acted with vigilance by obtaining their security clearance to stay fully informed.

I would like to suggest that rather than obsess about maintaining tight control over his caucus, as reported in today's Globe and Mail, the Leader of the Opposition expend his energy on immediately applying for a security clearance. National security has to remain every member's priority.

[Committees of the House, November 7th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the 28th report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, entitled “A New Era of Partnerships: Canada's Engagement with Africa”. I would like to thank all members of the committee for their hard work and contributions to the report.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.