Doug Eyolfson

[Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, April 23rd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Canadians marked Earth Day, a call to action to protect the environment we all share.

In my riding, that call is already being answered. At Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, an unused plot of land is being transformed into a thriving native prairie garden thanks to a $1,500 Go Wild grant from the World Wildlife Fund Canada.

This project will restore native plants and grasses, support pollinators like bees and help bring back monarch butterflies. These are real and tangible steps to protect local biodiversity. It is being led by the school's garden club and is supported by life skills students, with plans to expand into indigenous studies programming, including traditional medicinal plants.

I want to recognize Mrs. Zinn, a dedicated teacher whose leadership turned this vision into reality. This is more than a garden. It is a living classroom and a community coming together. It is proof that protecting our environment depends on action, not words. This is how we will build a sustainable future: One community, one project and one generation at a time.

[Military Justice System Modernization Act, April 23rd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, all I can say is that I do not get the disconnect, why this was accepted by the committee two years ago and what the change of heart has been. I hear statements that it is different because military culture has changed, but what evidence do they have of this?

[Military Justice System Modernization Act, April 23rd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, again, I say sexual assault is sexual assault. We have a justice system that is outside the chain of command. It is outside any coercion and outside any influence on the career of the Canadian Armed Forces member. There is no place for grading these levels of sexual assault. Again, all cases of sexual assault need to be tried in the civilian system.

[Military Justice System Modernization Act, April 23rd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, I agree completely with the hon. member that this was Justice Arbour's core recommendation. I am rather disheartened to hear a pattern of members' trying to diminish the results of Justice Arbour by saying, “by this one justice”. It is part of a greater and very disturbing trend of demeaning and diminishing the results of experts and of using “expert” as a pejorative. Justice Arbour was a former Supreme Court justice who talked to hundreds of witnesses, hundreds of victims, and determined that the best course of action would be for these cases to be tried solely by civilian courts.

[Military Justice System Modernization Act, April 23rd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I am appalled by the member's use of the term “low-level sexual assaults”. Sexual assault is sexual assault.

With respect to numbers, no, I am not privy to the actual numbers of cases, but we do know that all these cases are being tried, as per Justice Arbour's recommendation, by the civilian courts.

[Military Justice System Modernization Act, April 23rd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill C-11 at report stage.

I know the impact that our brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces have on operations at home and abroad, and I am pleased to speak to efforts that our government is making to keep them safe.

We know that to fulfill our role as a NATO ally, we must have forces that are ready, able and agile. Just this week, we heard that the Canadian Armed Forces has reached a 30-year record high for recruitment. This is fantastic news for Canada and for the Canadian Armed Forces, but we cannot take anything for granted.

We must keep up the momentum and work hard to create a safe workplace where our forces and the next generation of forces can thrive and make meaningful contributions to Canada. This starts with making sure we provide our forces with a safe and professional work environment in which to train and to build up their skills for the difficult job we ask of them. This is why I am pleased to rise today to speak about the important work that is being done to modernize our military justice system and to restore trust in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Bill C-11, the military justice system modernization act, is a critical step toward lasting institutional reform, as well as toward strengthening trust and confidence in our military justice system. Over the past four years, Canadians, including Canadian Armed Forces members, watched as former Supreme Court justices Arbour and Fish put forward detailed recommendations on how to create meaningful and lasting cultural change in the armed forces.

Their recommendations have been compiled into a comprehensive implementation plan, which Canadians can easily access online to track the progress the CAF is making. These reviews and recommendations have helped define how the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are undertaking changes to the military justice system and cultural change. Today I would like to provide an overview of those recommendations and to speak specifically about the implementation of Justice Arbour's recommendation 5, which is at the heart of Bill C-11.

In 2022, Justice Arbour submitted her final report on sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces to the minister of national defence at the time. This report, also known as the report of the independent external comprehensive review, contains 48 recommendations focused on reforming the institutional gaps and structural barriers that have allowed the problem to persist. In her report, her fifth recommendation proposed a transformative measure to move the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences in Canada alleged against Canadian Armed Forces members to the civilian system. I want to take the time to read out the specific wording of Justice Arbour's recommendation for all members:

Criminal Code sexual offences should be removed from the jurisdiction of the [Canadian Armed Forces]. They should be prosecuted exclusively in civilian criminal courts in all cases. Where the offence takes place in Canada, it should be investigated by civilian police forces at the earliest opportunity. Where the offence takes place outside of Canada, the MP may act in the first instance to safeguard evidence and commence an investigation, but should liaise with civilian law enforcement at the earliest possible opportunity.

In short, this recommendation would codify in law that the Canadian Armed Forces no longer has jurisdiction over Criminal Code sexual misconduct offences committed in Canada. This recommendation would also codify in law that civilian authorities have exclusive jurisdiction for investigating and prosecuting these cases.

I want to note that Justice Arbour acknowledged in her report that removing concurrent jurisdiction by amending the National Defence Act would take several years to implement, given the size, scale and scope of the changes needed. In fact, she knew how critical this recommendation was, and she proposed that we adopt an interim directive in the meantime to ensure that the change would take place as quickly as possible. She stated:

As previous experience with changes to the military justice system have shown, this will take several years to implement. In the meantime, I expect the [Canadian Armed Forces] and civilian authorities to continue to abide by my interim recommendation. The [Canadian Armed Forces] should cease to investigate and prosecute sexual offences over which it presently has concurrent jurisdiction. Civilian authorities should investigate and prosecute those cases in accordance with their existing concurrent jurisdiction.

The interim directive has been in place since December 2021 and has been working well. Since then, every single new Criminal Code sexual misconduct case has been prosecuted in the civilian courts rather than in the military justice system.

While the interim directive was in place, the legislation was first introduced in the last Parliament as Bill C-66 and was one of the first bills to be introduced in the current Parliament in the fall of 2025, as Bill C-11. That is precisely because our government recognizes the importance of building a more inclusive, respectful and safe workplace for our Canadian Armed Forces members.

The bill would implement Justice Arbour's recommendation 5 and protect our forces. However, the amendments proposed by the opposition parties in the Standing Committee on National Defence run directly counter to recommendation 5. The opposition parties put forward amendments to strike down recommendation 5 and to remove Justice Arbour's recommendation from the bill. The opposition's amendments would make it even more difficult for victims to navigate the justice system, due to the complexity of the new procedures included in the bill. The lack of clarity and transparency would have a negative impact on the military justice system and on victims and survivors.

We cannot go backwards and reverse any of the important changes made on military culture change over the last five years. In fact, since December 2021, all new charges of sexual offences covered by the Criminal Code have been brought in the civilian justice system. None of these offences are tried by the military justice system. To accept the opposition's amendments would be to reverse this progress and to move backwards.

In conclusion, the bill would establish a clear framework for investigating and addressing allegations of sexual misconduct, in order to foster an environment of accountability and justice. Bill C-11, and the amendment it seeks to codify in the National Defence Act, represents a crucial step towards strengthening the forces' trust in the military justice system. This is not the case with the amendments proposed by the opposition parties to remove Justice Arbour's recommendation 5 from Bill C-11.

We are encouraged by the positive changes and cultural evolution in the Canadian Armed Forces in recent years, but we cannot stop here, and we cannot move backwards. The people who serve our country risk everything for us. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces must always answer the call to keep Canada safe, and it is our obligation to keep them safe from harassment and misconduct.

[Erin Daniels, April 15th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago, a cancer diagnosis shook a school community in Winnipeg West. It also sparked something extraordinary. At École Charleswood School, students and staff rallied around their teacher-librarian Erin Daniels. What began as a simple act of support has grown into a decade-long tradition of generosity that has raised more than $31,000 for CancerCare Manitoba, including over $7,200 this year alone.

Erin Daniels was the kind of educator who shapes an entire community. Even after her diagnosis, she returned to the school she loved, continuing to inspire students and colleagues alike. Though she is no longer with us, her presence is still felt in the halls she once walked and in the lives she touched. Each year, this campaign reflects her spirit by bringing people together through creativity, compassion and shared purpose.

This year, as the campaign marked its 10th anniversary, the school also dedicated its library in her name. It is a lasting tribute to her kindness, courage and unwavering commitment to others. Her legacy lives on, not only in the funds she raised, but also in the compassion she inspired and the community she helped build.

[Business of Supply, February 24th, 2026]

Madam Speaker, there is much talk of the phrases “bogus asylum seekers” and “fraudulent asylum seekers”. How does the hon. member respond to findings from the Immigration and Refugee Board that, at most, only a couple of dozen applications a year are actually found to be fraud?

[Financial Administration Act, February 9th, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to participate in the debate on C-230, an act to amend the Financial Administration Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts.

The Financial Administration Act is Canada's foundational statute governing public financial management. It establishes the legal framework and principles that guide financial management across all federal departments and agencies. The act provides the statutory authority for managing public funds and federal assets. It establishes the responsibility of key officials, including the Treasury Board, departmental deputy heads and the comptroller general, in ensuring that government finances are managed effectively and appropriately.

The act covers various aspects of financial administration, including the authorization and control of government spending, the management of Crown corporations, and the safeguarding of public resources. It is critical to maintaining public accountability and transparency in government operations. It requires that expenditures be authorized by Parliament through appropriations legislation, and that spending remain within those authorized limits. This ensures that public money is spent as the elected representatives of Canadians have approved.

The act establishes the Treasury Board as the central financial authority within government, giving it the power to develop policies and practices for sound financial management. It also mandates that deputy heads maintain systems of internal control and conduct regular audits to verify compliance with the act's requirements. This creates accountability throughout the government hierarchy, from senior management down to individual spending authorities. In doing so, the Financial Administration Act provides the legislative foundation for related accountability mechanisms, including requirements for financial reporting, internal audit functions and the role of the Office of the Comptroller General in promoting best practices.

The Financial Administration Act is essential to the operation of the Government of Canada by ensuring that public finances are managed responsibly, transparently and in accordance with democratic principles. The bill before us today seeks to amend the Financial Administration Act to enhance transparency and accountability regarding large debts and obligations forgiven by the federal government. In particular, the bill would require the President of the Treasury Board to establish and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable online database of debt forgiveness.

The registry would list any debt, obligation or claim of $1 million or more that has been waived, written off, or forgiven by the Crown in whole or in part, and it would apply to corporations, trust companies and partnerships. Each entry would include the legal and business name of the debtor, the amount forgiven, the time period covered, the statutory authority for the forgiveness, and any additional details deemed necessary by the President of the Treasury Board.

Certainly, any effort to increase transparency and accountability should be commended. I want to thank the member for Simcoe North for introducing this private member's bill. As my colleagues indicated in the first hour of debate on it, we look forward to working together on the bill when it reaches the committee stage.

However, as with any measure, it is important to consider any unintended consequences that may arise from its implementation. With that in mind, I believe Bill C-230 raises a few issues that would need to be examined in committee to ensure that it would not have detrimental impacts. For example, it is worth considering concerns about privacy and commercial sensitivities, and whether the publishing of company names with specific financial details regarding debt forgiveness could unfairly harm their reputation. We must also ask whether such a registry might expose a company's competitive vulnerabilities.

Those are, to be clear, exactly the types of questions committee members should be asking in their careful consideration of any legislation, and I look forward to hearing from experts and stakeholders, as well as from the bill's sponsor, with regard to these important matters.

Bill C-230 focuses on corporations, trusts and partnerships. In the case of partnerships, there is not anything in the bill that would prevent the disclosure of a partner's name if the partner is an individual. That may raise potential privacy concerns.

There is also a need to clarify the types of amounts owed to the government that the bill would apply to. For example, Bill C-230 would apply to debts or obligations owed to, and claims by, His Majesty that are owed or that arise under federal statutes. This would cover obligations that are the direct result of a statutory requirement, such as taxes and other charges or penalties imposed by statute. It is less clear the extent to which the bill would cover loans or other amounts that arise under contractual obligations between the federal government and the debtor.

There is also the issue of administrative burden. Building a secure, searchable online platform would likely involve IT infrastructure, procurement and a requirement for integration with existing financial systems. Ongoing maintenance might require staff and budget dedicated for functions such as program updates and troubleshooting.

In addition, departments would need to identify, extract and validate all relevant debt forgiveness transactions over $1 million. Each disclosure would likely need to be vetted for compliance with privacy laws and confidentiality provisions. This might increase the workload on legal staff to manage risk of litigation from companies concerned about reputational harm.

It is worth asking whether compliance monitoring or audits to verify accuracy and prevent omissions would also be necessary. In a time when the government is seeking to balance its operating costs in the next three years, we must ask ourselves whether this would be the best use of scarce taxpayer dollars. Given the administrative burden the registry would pose, the monetary threshold should perhaps be increased to focus on truly significant debts.

When I look at how the government currently handles tax breaks, fee waivers and debt forgiveness, I am heartened by the degree of accountability and transparency already baked into our system. This is not to say that better is not possible, but a brief overview of our current regime may help inform this debate. The following details of debts forgiven, written off, remitted or waived are already reported publicly in the public accounts: which department made the decision, which law allowed it, how many times it happened and how much money we are talking about. Most remission orders also get published on the Privy Council's order in council website and in the Canada Gazette.

I am thankful for the opportunity to highlight a few of the important challenges the bill raises. That said, I believe the merits of the bill outweigh the challenges, which is why I look forward to the next steps in the legislative process, where a committee can examine the bill more closely.

[Canadian Multiculturalism Act, February 2nd, 2026]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to Bill C-245, an act to amend the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. It is a bill that seeks to exempt the province of Quebec from the application of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. The debate is not merely legislative; it is a fundamental question about who we are as Canadians, how we live together and how we respect the rich tapestry of cultures that make up this great country.

Moreover, it is a question about Quebec's place within Canada's shared commitment to diversity, inclusion and unity. As Canadians, we take pride in our nation's diversity and our long-standing commitment to multiculturalism. Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as official policy, in 1971. Canada then became the first country in the world to turn the policy into law, when the Canadian Multiculturalism Act was passed in 1988.

The act is more than a legislative framework; it is a statement of our shared values and who we are as Canadians. Multiculturalism affirms the idea that all Canadians, no matter their background, are equal. Multiculturalism also affirms that every person should have the opportunity to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage. The act not only promotes diversity but also fosters understanding and respect between different cultural communities. The act encourages Canadians to learn from one another, to work through differences and to participate in civil life.

By recognizing and celebrating the contributions of various cultural heritages, multiculturalism builds trust and solidarity. It reinforces our commitment to democratic values and equal rights. It strengthens our resolve to hold together in an increasingly complicated world that threatens to divide us. Multiculturalism does not erase a province's cultural identity; on the contrary, multiculturalism enriches it.

Therefore, let me be clear: The Canadian Multiculturalism Act is indispensable to Quebec's social fabric, its linguistic and cultural vitality, and its future prosperity. It is a legal and moral cornerstone that protects the rights, dignity and contributions of all Quebeckers, whether they are indigenous peoples, long-established francophone communities or the many immigrants who call Quebec home.

Quebec's diverse population contributes greatly to the economy, civic engagement and cultural vitality of the province and indeed the country. Multiculturalism proudly recognizes Quebec's language and culture while embracing the contributions of the many generations of people from all over the world who have made Quebec their home. To exempt Quebec from the act would be to deny the fundamental truth that Quebec's distinct society is enhanced not diminished by the diversity of its people.

According to the 2021 census, nearly 94% of Quebec's population speaks French. Among newcomers to Quebec, French remains a strong and growing language. In fact, recent statistics show that the majority of newcomers to Quebec had French as their first official language spoken. These numbers demonstrate that multiculturalism and the French language can coexist. Society can be open and diverse while remaining deeply connected to its linguistic and cultural roots.

Multiculturalism represents a commitment to fairness, respect and a shared sense of belonging to this country. For it to keep working, Canadians count on all provinces and territories, including Quebec, to fulfill this commitment. The Canadian Multiculturalism Act plays a vital role in promoting a shared identity within Canada by upholding Canada's inclusive and democratic values. The act affirms that all Canadians have the right to preserve their heritage while participating fully in Canadian civic life. Allowing a province or territory to reject multiculturalism would weaken our national unity and send the message that our country's values of inclusion are regionally negotiable or optional.

Passing the bill would have adverse consequences for minorities in Canada. Communities with a long-standing presence in Quebec would be affected by the bill, and this includes people of diverse backgrounds who strongly identify with Quebec as their home. Without the Multiculturalism Act, these groups may feel pressured to reject the unifying values of multiculturalism. They might question their place in Canadian society and whether they belong. Communities that already face barriers to inclusion could feel even more marginalized.

Without multiculturalism, we lose a key tool for maintaining the trust and sense of interconnection that helps us hold our country together, especially during challenging times. As I mentioned earlier, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act does not erase a province's cultural identity; it strengthens our cultural fabric. In the case of languages, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act reinforces the belief that our official languages and multiculturalism can coexist.

There are some people who argue that the Multiculturalism Act conflicts with Quebec's language policies. This is a false dichotomy. The act supports the vitality of minority languages and cultures across Canada, including of francophone communities outside Quebec. By upholding the Multiculturalism Act, Quebec ensures the respect of its own language and culture while promoting reciprocal respect for minority languages within its borders.

In fact, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act and the Official Languages Act of 1969 both came out of the recommendations from the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism. Through these two pieces of legislation, the Government of Canada continues to recognize Quebec's distinct cultural and linguistic heritage just as strongly as it supports the French language as an integral part of Canada's cultural and linguistic identity.

This commitment is not just symbolic; the Government of Canada has made significant efforts to promote and protect the use of French across the country. Over the years, the government has updated and strengthened the Official Languages Act to ensure that the act continues to serve Canadians. Most recently, in 2023, Bill C-13, an act to amend the Official Languages Act, received royal assent. That bill introduced key changes to strengthen the French language in Canada and in Quebec.

These changes go to greater lengths to protect French in federally regulated spaces and services, ensuring that every Canadian has access to government services in French. These changes strengthened francophone immigration with the adoption of a francophone immigration policy to ensure that new Canadians who speak French can integrate into francophone communities across the country. Finally, these changes strengthened bilingual operations in the federal public service with a stronger requirement for senior leadership in the public service to be bilingual.

The adoption of the act to amend the Official Languages Act reflects the Government of Canada's unwavering commitment to the equal status of English and French. Going forward, the Official Languages Act will be reviewed every 10 years. This will ensure that the regulations and the application of the Official Languages Act align with Canadian society as it evolves.

Multiculturalism is not only a reflection of who we are but also a commitment to who we aspire to be as a nation. We must continue to embrace the full range of heritages and linguistic and cultural traditions that have shaped our society. The unity that the Canadian Multiculturalism Act fosters within Canada is especially needed in today's global political landscape. Around the world, we are witnessing rising instability, division and economic uncertainty.

Now is the time to reaffirm our common humanity; to stand together across regions, cultures and languages; and to ensure that no one is left behind, because when we are united, we are resilient in the face of challenges ahead. Multiculturalism is not simply a policy; it is assurance for every Canadian in every province and territory that they are valued and they belong. Now is the time for us to pull together as a country. In the face of global uncertainty, economic challenges and shifting political landscapes, our strength lies in our ability to find our common humanity. By standing together, we can protect what matters most: our values, our people and our future.