Gudie Hutchings

[Regional Economic Development, December 17th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, after decades, Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec have signed a historic agreement that will have huge benefits for all. Our government is working toward a net-zero electricity grid and provided Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with assistance on rate mitigation. That along with the investment tax credits for net-zero projects helped create the conditions for this agreement to make Newfoundland and Labrador an economic and energy powerhouse. I congratulate both premiers on this historic deal and I cannot wait to see the shovels in the ground.

[Taxation, November 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the past few years have been challenging for hard-working Canadians. They deserve a break and we are delivering on it. We are putting money back in Canadians' pockets with the GST/HST exemption for two months all across the country on groceries, kids' clothing, diapers, books and more.

We are helping folks with the cost of living while the Conservative leader opposes tax relief for workers and would cut services that folks rely on every day. The question is, will Conservative MPs stand up and support tax breaks for Canadians or will they stay muzzled by their leader?

[Regional Economic Development, October 8th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, with a strengthened Atlantic accord, Atlantic Canada is set to become a global leader in wind hydrogen. There are trillions of dollars on the table, and we should all be excited about the good jobs that will create in our region. We can think about the kids who will now get to see their folks work at home.

However, the Conservatives spent months blocking Bill C-49. How could the member for Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame fight against the best interests of his community? Because Conservatives try to stand in the way of progress, but we get it done. Atlantic Canada will produce the clean energy that the world wants.

[Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, September 24th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, because when his community was hurting, he was there to help, and the government was also there to help our region get back on its feet.

Through the hurricane Fiona recovery fund, ACOA delivered over $300 million to support shellfish producers and farmers, and we rebuilt small craft harbours, repaired damage in our national parks and set up comfort centres for communities to be ready for the next climate event.

We will always step up and have each other's back. It was true two years ago and is still true today: We are stronger than the storm.

[Housing, June 12th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, my friend from Saint John—Rothesay is right. Innovative housing solutions are all across the country, and that is why our government is investing in companies, such as Kent Homes in New Brunswick, that are doing state-of-the-art home manufacturing. Our regional development agencies, such as ACOA, are helping to turbocharge innovative construction. Through budget 2024, the agencies are investing in new building technologies, such as panelized 3-D construction modular homes.

Canadians have rejected the opposition leader's weak, do-nothing approach to housing. We are getting houses built. We have a real plan in place, and we are getting the job done.

[Telecommunications, June 6th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, my friend from the Northwest Territories knows that reliable Internet is so important for rural, remote and indigenous communities. It is a necessity.

This week in La Ronge, I announced that our government was bringing high-speed Internet to over 13,700 households in 55 communities in northern Saskatchewan, and that includes 3,200 indigenous homes, as well as cell service along 500 kilometres of roads.

We are on track to connect 98% of Canadians by 2026 and 100% by 2030. This week's investment is a game-changer for friends and folks in rural Saskatchewan.

[Carbon Pricing, June 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the member opposite that, thankfully, we all passed the FES last week. That means, in the member's riding in Manitoba, a family of four is going to receive $1,440 with the rural top-up. In my riding, in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is $1,430. In Alberta, it is $2,160.

No matter how we do the math, eight out of 10 families are better off with the carbon rebate, especially families in rural Canada. They have the top-up.

[Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, May 28th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, Atlantic Canada is just full of bright thinkers and doers. At ACOA, the past few years, we have invested $30 million in Springboard Atlantic to get ideas from the classroom to the boardroom. Springboard has turned that funding into $500 million in partnerships.

We know ACOA investments bring long-term benefits to our communities, and yet the member for New Brunswick Southwest wrote in the National Post that ACOA and the other regional economic development agencies should be shut down. I wonder, do the other seven Atlantic Conservatives agree with him? Will they stand up for our region and support the work of ACOA? Let us hope they have a backbone. We do.

[The Economy, May 27th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I will tell members what we do on this side of the House. On this side of the House, we support communities and we support businesses. I would love to hear the member opposite comment on the 181 projects that ACOA has funded in his riding that supported 64 businesses and 43 not-for-profit organizations; he voted against every single one of those.

That is supporting businesses. That is supporting communities. That is what we do.

[The Economy, May 27th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, if my hon. colleague opposite really wanted to do something for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and all Atlantic Canadians, he would vote to pass the fall economic statement, because that would mean $1,430 to families of four in his riding. It would mean $2,160 to families of four in Alberta, $1,805 to families in Saskatchewan, $1,440 to families in Manitoba, $1,300 to families in Ontario and $912 to families in New Brunswick. That is how we help Canadians.