David McGuinty

[National Defence, June 10th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, once again, we thank the Auditor General for her work and her recommendations. We are taking close note of them and moving to implement many of them already.

We are committed to being open and transparent. National Defence will keep Canadians updated every step of the way, without compromising operational security. I am sure the member is not implying that we should be doing that. National Defence is keeping a close eye on costs and working hand in hand with industry to make sure we get the best value for Canadians.

We remain focused on supporting our top Canadian aviators as we procure a new fleet of fighter jets.

[National Defence, June 10th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, we thank the Auditor General for her work.

In a project this big, it is normal for costs to fluctuate over time, especially with all the challenges faced during the pandemic, such as supply chain disruptions and inflation, as many F-35 participating NATO members have actually experienced.

National Defence is working hand in hand with industry to make sure we get good value for Canadians. We are making the biggest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in over 30 years. This is about giving our aviators the tools they need to keep Canada safe.

[National Defence, June 10th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, we would like to thank the Auditor General once again for her work and her recommendations.

We are committed to openness and transparency. National Defence will keep Canadians informed at every step of the process without compromising operational security. National Defence is closely monitoring costs and working closely with industry to ensure we get the best value for Canadians.

[National Defence, June 10th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, we thank the Auditor General for her work.

For a project of this magnitude, it is not unusual for costs to change over time, especially given the challenges posed by the pandemic and inflation. National Defence monitors costs closely and works hand in hand with industry. We are making the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years.

[National Defence, June 10th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday this government announced a generational $9.3 billion investment in Canada's national defence. This means we will reach NATO's 2% spending target this fiscal year.

Reaching NATO's 2% target also means rebuilding our defence industrial capacity here at home, including in Nova Scotia. There are almost 300,000 jobs across Canada in the broader defence sector, and this investment will grow that number. We will ensure Canada remains strong, sovereign and secure.

[National Defence, June 10th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, this is good news for Canada, for Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces. Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced a $9.3 billion investment in Canada's defence, which means that, in this fiscal year, we will meet NATO's 2% target. We are reinforcing Canada's role as a strong and reliable international partner in NATO while rebuilding and arming the Canadian Armed Forces.

[National Defence, June 10th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, we are proud to support Canada and to invest in Canada, in Canadians and in the Canadian Armed Forces. Reaching the 2% target set by NATO also means rebuilding our defence industry capabilities here at home. There are already close to 300,000 jobs in Canada in the broader defence sector. This investment will allow us to increase that number. We will, of course, support our Canadian Armed Forces members.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, June 19th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the six following reports of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union: the report respecting its participation at the annual parliamentary hearing at the United Nations in New York, New York, United States of America, from February 13 to 15, 2023; the report respecting its participation at the parliamentary meeting on the occasion of the 67th session of the commission on the status of women in New York, New York, United States of America, from March 7 to 8, 2023; the report respecting its participation at the 146th IPU assembly and related meetings in Manama, Bahrain, from March 11 to 15, 2023; the report respecting its participation at the parliamentary forum at the UN high-level political forum on sustainable development in New York, New York, United States of America, on July 18, 2023; the report respecting its participation at the 147th IPU assembly and related meetings in Luanda, Angola, from October 23 to 27, 2023; and the report respecting its participation at the parliamentary meeting on the occasion of the 68th session of the commission on the status of women in New York, New York, United States of America, from March 12 to 13.

[Inter-Parliamentary Union, June 17th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated every year on June 30. This year, June 30 also marks the 135th anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the IPU.

Having begun as a small group of parliamentarians in 1889, today the IPU is a thriving international organization of 180 national parliaments, open to 46,000 parliamentarians. While Canada first joined the IPU in 1912, the current Canadian group was established in 1960. As president of the Canadian group and of the IPU Standing Committee on UN Affairs, I have the privilege of experiencing first-hand the incredible work the IPU does to make the world a better place, especially in relation to peace, democracy and human rights.

On behalf of all 130 Canadian members of the Canadian group, congratulations to the IPU on its 135th anniversary.

[Ronald McDonald House Charities, May 8th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, today is McHappy Day, an annual celebration of giving to support Ronald McDonald House Charities. Across Canada, 16 Ronald McDonald houses and 18 Ronald McDonald family rooms give families a place to stay together while their child is being treated at a nearby hospital.

I was honoured to announce $9.3 million for the expansion of the Ottawa house, only 167 steps from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, through our government's green and inclusive community buildings program. This funding will more than double the size of the current Ottawa house and help with the future needs of families who have to travel from across Ontario and Nunavut to seek medical care for their children.

Today, on McHappy Day, I am proud to thank McDonald's Restaurants of Canada and Ronald McDonald House Charities for all they do to support Canadian families when they absolutely need it the most.