Churence Rogers

[Tax Relief, December 4th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, there is a Grinch impersonation contest. The time is right now; the location, the Conservative benches.

Our government is giving a tax break to all Canadians by exempting essentials such as groceries, restaurant meals, children's clothing and gifts from the GST. This includes snacks, sandwiches and other prepared foods, as well as beer and wine.

The Conservatives pretend they want lower taxes, but when push comes to shove, they vote against tax exemptions for Canadians. They want family essentials, such as car seats, diapers and children's toys, to be more expensive. We can talk about a heart that is two sizes too small.

We will not listen to these Grinches. Starting December 14, these items will be tax-free, and Canadians will be able to keep more of their money in their pockets.

[Taxation, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians just received good news to kick off the festive season. A tax break for Canadians will put more money in their pockets at a time when they need it most. Inflation and interest rates are coming down, but my constituents are not feeling that in their pocketbooks yet.

Can the minister please share with this House what this new tax break means for Canadians.

[Dental Care, November 1st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, one million Canadians are now receiving care under the Canadian dental care plan. This plan is changing the lives of Canadians and helping them get access to the dental care they need. Conservatives voted against this.

Can the minister share with the House what he is hearing from Canadians about the Canadian dental care plan and why this plan is here to stay?

[Climate Change, October 10th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking real action to tackle the most pressing issues facing Canadians, and this includes climate change. Canadians know that climate change is making life more difficult and more expensive. We are a government that understands that the realities of rural Canadians differ from those of Canadians living in larger urban areas.

Could the Minister of Indigenous Services and FedNor please tell Canadians how our government is supporting rural and remote communities right across the country?

[Regional Economic Development, October 8th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, in the 1980s, the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador came together to sign the historic Atlantic accord. This agreement created an offshore energy sector in our province, delivering economic opportunity and prosperity for generations of families and communities.

Now this government and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador have come together again to strengthen this accord and kick-start a new offshore renewable energy industry. Bill C-49 has now become law, ensuring that Newfoundland and Labradorians can lead the world in offshore wind and clean energy.

[Canadian Coast Guard, October 1st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a group of seven harvesters from my riding who went to work at sea this past July and endured a terrifying experience.

The boat, the Elite Navigator, did not arrive back home as expected. This set off a massive search effort, headed by the Canadian Coast Guard. Fifty-one hours later, and just after the crew members had used their last emergency flare, rescuers were able to locate them. I am thankful that all the men were healthy and otherwise uninjured.

Transported home by the Coast Guard, they were greeted with a hero's welcome in New-Wes-Valley by hundreds of people.

The story speaks to the importance of the Coast Guard, and I am proud of the investments our government has made to new lifeboat stations around the coastline of Newfoundland and Labrador to monitor and support mariners in distress.

I want to express my appreciation to all involved in this search and rescue mission, as well as my relief that the “lucky seven” are back home. I welcome the boys home.

[Canadian Dental Care Plan, September 23rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian dental care plan is already changing lives in many communities in Bonavista—Burin—Trinity and across Newfoundland and Labrador. Almost 42,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can now visit a dental office thanks to the Canadian dental care plan.

Dental care is health care, and we know that Canadians, including the 750,000 who have already received care, do not want their uninsured neighbours or family members to end up in the ER from infections for the simple fact that they cannot afford to go to the dentist.

As members of Parliament, we must show up for our communities and put the interests of Canadians first.

[Housing, June 14th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, for far too long, successive governments have failed to fund and protect affordable housing across Canada, but our government is changing that. Last week, we made a historic $1.5-billion investment in the new co-operative housing development program; it is the largest investment in co-op housing this country has seen in 30 years.

Can the parliamentary secretary for housing, infrastructure and communities please share with Canadians how the co-op housing development program is going to create a new generation of co-operative housing across Canada?

[Business of Supply, June 13th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the one thing I can say is that Newfoundland and Labrador is poised to be a major wind energy production province, along with Nova Scotia and others.

We see immense possibilities and a bright future for Newfoundland and Labrador, with other clean energies that we are going to build and implement as we do green hydrogen projects and so on. It is a great example of how we can invest in technology that will benefit not only the economy but also the climate.

[Business of Supply, June 13th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, actually, I do agree. It would make an immense contribution to preparing for wildfires, every season.

We saw the disasters that happened, last year in Western Canada and three summers back in my province of Newfoundland and Labrador. We see fires now that have started in Labrador West, in Newfoundland and Labrador. We have seen the effects, particularly on the island of Newfoundland and Labrador, and in Atlantic Canada, from major hurricanes and from what is happening.

I firmly believe in climate change. I want to protect the world that I live in, going forward, for my two children, for my four grandchildren and for all my family and friends. I think the member's suggestion is certainly a good one, and I thank the hon. member for that suggestion.