Judy Sgro

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure the government is looking at everything possible to help us with the economic challenges we are currently facing.

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, this is a time when we all need to be united.

Earlier I asked one of my Conservative colleagues if they would support the MOU. I am talking about the MOU that the government is putting forward that I think has a team Canada approach of working together and advancing team Canada, as we do at international trade. Overall, working together to advance the issues that matter to our constituents is the best thing that we can be doing. It is time that we all did that together.

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, at the moment there is no pipeline. There will only be a pipeline when the multitude of conditions that have been put on the table as a possibility of moving forward get met. Otherwise, there will be no pipeline to have a discussion about.

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I welcome my colleague to the House. I think this is the first time we have had an opportunity to exchange a few words together. I thank him for the work that he did on establishing those protocols.

I would sincerely hope that everyone on the other side of the House would ensure, as I and I am sure all of my colleagues intend to, that the things we are committing to will happen. If the conditions that are spelled out are not met to their full extent, I would not expect anything to move forward.

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, it is always good to see you in the Chair, keeping control of all of the comments that are made here in the House.

I am pleased to rise today to speak to the issue of the recently signed Canada-Alberta memorandum of understanding and the duty to consult with indigenous peoples on its implementation.

Let me begin by saying that Canada and Alberta are committed to respecting aboriginal and treaty rights. We have heard it from the minister and we have heard from the Prime Minister continually about engaging in early, consistent and meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples. This will have to be done in a manner that promotes reconciliation and respects the rights and cultures of indigenous peoples while advancing economic opportunities through indigenous ownership and partnership.

The Building Canada Act makes sure that first nations, Inuit and Métis people participate in full partnership in building a strong, fairer economy. It is intentional that section 35 rights are embedded in the legislation, with a requirement to engage in consultation with affected section 35 rights holders at key stages: first, before a project is designated as being in the national interest; second, before the issuance of the conditions document; and, third, before any amendment to the conditions document.

I am going to repeat those three conditions. They are before a project is designated, before the issuance of the conditions document and before any amendment to the conditions document. All of that will have to happen before any progress will be made.

Free, prior and informed consent will also be a central tenet guiding the federal government's approach to implementing the Building Canada Act. Major projects will only proceed following meaningful consultation and, where appropriate, accommodation. This past summer, the government convened three distinctions-based meetings with first nations, Inuit and Métis leaders to discuss the Building Canada Act and how best to work together. There were frank exchanges, and first nations, Inuit and Métis representatives from across Canada had the opportunity to comment and to share their views.

Further, as promised by the Prime Minister, collaboration has continued with first nations leadership at all levels through regional dialogue tables. These meetings are helping shape the path forward together to advance major projects, including projects of national interest. The Major Projects Office is the single point of contact, as well as the leadership, on major projects, partnering with federal departments, provinces, territories, indigenous peoples and the private sector. Its mandate is to advance nation-building projects that connect Canada's economy, diversify trade and industries, create good jobs, protect the environment and uphold indigenous rights.

By streamlining approvals and committing to a two-year timeline for major project decisions, the Government of Canada is creating a more efficient and predictable environment to give investors and project proponents, such as Iqaluit hydro, the certainty they need. What I have heard from all of the members on the other side today are ways to move things along faster when they have the right conditions.

Advancing the interests of indigenous peoples is a vital part of advancing major projects and one of the factors considered in the designation of projects to be in the national interest. I wish to underline that meaningful consultation is key to the success of all future major projects. I do not think anyone on this side of the House is prepared or would be prepared to ram something through, which is what I am hearing on the other side of the House.

That is why Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada has been engaging with indigenous partners to improve how federal consultation happens, including during major project processes and Crown consultation coordination, and to better understand indigenous priorities for economic prosperity. We will work with the new federal Major Projects Office and other federal departments to share what we have heard about indigenous interests and economic priorities, including community-supported major projects, consultation expertise and how best to strengthen those partnerships.

This includes updating the federal guidelines on consultation, using consultation protocol agreements and resource centres to help guide and inform these processes, continuing to include consultation provisions in new modern treaty and self-government arrangements and reviewing consultation provisions in existing modern treaty and self-government arrangements to ensure they reflect the latest legal and policy developments.

The Major Projects Office's work also benefits from the leadership and guidance of an indigenous advisory council, which provides expert advice on policy, operational practices and process improvements related to the inclusion of indigenous perspectives and interests in major projects. The council will also support the Major Projects Office by championing indigenous partnerships and economic participation in all major projects in Canada. Consultation continues to be a prerequisite.

The focus of the council will be to provide insightful counsel on policies and processes related to major projects. It will provide expert advice on policy, operational practices and process improvements related to the inclusion of indigenous perspectives on, and interest in, major projects and regulatory processes, including the integration of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act principles. Doing so is reconciliation in action.

Members of the council were selected based on their expertise and knowledge of major projects, economic development, indigenous rights and of course the regulatory space. Members bring diverse perspectives and demonstrated leadership. Some of the members were also nominated by indigenous governments and organizations. The council will also shape how the Major Projects Office works with first nations, Inuit and Métis, as well as modern treaty and self-government partners.

I wish to point out that the duty to consult is a legal requirement that will be carried out by the government and not the council. The establishment of the indigenous advisory council does not replace section 35 obligations for consultations with rights holders under the modern treaties act.

To strengthen the indigenous capacity to participate in these processes, the federal government has allocated $40 million over two years in dedicated funding to support consultation and preparation for community readiness activities as they relate to major projects. When we invest in indigenous economies, we grow the entire country's economy. When indigenous partners lead major projects, things move faster and the results last longer. That is how we build trust. That is how we build prosperity.

To provide increased opportunities for first nations, Inuit and Métis to gain equity stakes in nation-building projects, we have doubled the indigenous loan guarantee program from $5 billion to $10 billion. This program helps indigenous groups get more affordable loans for major projects by having the federal government guarantee the loan. One example earlier this year is from the Canada Development Investment Corporation. Through its subsidiary, the Canada indigenous loan guarantee program issued its first loan guarantee for $400 million of a $736-million investment in 38 first nations.

I am pleased to answer questions.

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I think there is a lot of enthusiasm in the House for things to be done right.

I want to ask the member if she is going to support the government's MOU.

[Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin, December 9th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin is home to 98% of Ontarians and more than 90% of Québécois. It is a critical part of a highly integrated economy, valued at over $10 trillion and is extremely important to all of us.

Yesterday evening, a coalition of groups dedicated to fostering a prosperous and resilient Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem welcomed parliamentarians, staff and officials to a reception to learn more about this precious resource shared by both Canadians and Americans. Representatives from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Pollution Probe, AquaAction and many other groups were on hand to answer many questions. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the historic and continued investment made by the Government of Canada to protect and restore the basin and to further encourage this important work.

[Committees of the House, December 8th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I present, on behalf of the Standing Committee on International Trade, the fourth report, “Addressing Unjustified United States Tariffs on Certain Goods in the Canadian Steel, Aluminum, Automotive and Softwood Lumber Sectors”.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, November 27, the committee has agreed to report the following:

that the committee report to the House that it condemns the unjustified American tariffs on the Canadian steel, aluminum, automotive, and softwood lumber industries, and that it calls upon the government to live up to the promise it made in the election

[Canada-Taiwan Relations, November 25th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, as the chair of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group, I am honoured to rise today and welcome to the Hill the president of the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America. Delegates have come from across the continent in the spirit of new opportunities and stronger trade.

This week, I have the privilege of hosting two important events: a parliamentary discussion on Canada-Taiwan relations and the vibrant celebration of Taiwan Night 2025, celebrating the strong and growing ties between Canada and Taiwan that are rooted in shared democracy, values, mutual respect and a commitment to economic co-operation.

Like Canada, Taiwan is a dynamic and innovative partner. By expanding trade, investment and cultural exchange, we strengthen supply chains, foster prosperity and build bridges that transcend borders and oceans.

I thank our guests for this dedication and look forward to seeing everyone tonight at Taiwan Night 2025.

[Organic Food Supply Chain, November 20th, 2025]

Mr. Speaker, I recently met with Riverside Natural Foods, a proud constituent company headquartered in my riding and a leader in Canada's organic food supply chain. Known for its MadeGood brand, Riverside exemplifies the innovation and collaboration that connects farmers, processors, consumers and the power of organics to link people to the food we eat and the planet we share. Riverside is growing by 30% to 40% annually and uses 95% organic ingredients, which are ideally Canadian grown.

A new national report confirms that organic production boosts farm profitability, lowers greenhouse gas emissions and sustains soil health and biodiversity, yet the United States spends eight times more per acre on organics than Canada.

I encourage all members to support the Canadian Organic Alliance and its organic action plan, which is a national policy framework to modernize regulations and grow markets.