Justin Trudeau

[Liberal Party of Canada, October 23rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, while the Leader of the Opposition is focused on politics, we are focused on delivering for Canadians the things that matter most, whether it is more money in their pockets with the Canada carbon rebate, more places for $10-a-day child care right across the country or dental care for seniors and more and more Canadians of all ages. We will move forward to deliver things that are easing pressures on pocketbooks and building a strong economy for everyone.

This is the work that we are doing and that we will continue to do. While the Leader of the Opposition tosses around empty slogans and plays politics, we will stay focused on the things that matter to Canadians.

[Liberal Party of Canada, October 23rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear to all Canadians that all the Conservative leader is offering is budget cuts, austerity and empty slogans. Canadians need solutions. That is why we are moving forward with solutions, such as dental care, investments in a green economy, and investments that will attract high-tech companies from all over the world, whether in the electric vehicle, AI or quantum technologies sectors.

We are here to invest in the future of this country. We are looking toward the future, while the Conservatives want to take us back to the Stone Age.

[Liberal Party of Canada, October 23rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, while Conservatives focus on division and personal attacks, we will remain focused on the fact that we have to deliver results for Canadians, provide dental care for seniors, provide more child care spaces, and make investments in a greener economy that will create good jobs for the future.

The Conservatives are offering austerity and cuts. That is not what Canadians need. They need a government that is there to invest in their future. That is exactly what we are doing, because confident countries invest in their workers, in their citizens. That is precisely why the economy is getting so much better.

[Liberal Party of Canada, October 23rd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I have to say, the Liberal Party, as is the Liberal government, is totally united on holding the Conservative Party to account for the fact that they want to cut programs, cut services, cut initiatives that will help Canadians grow the economy, keep inflation down and make sure there is a strong, prosperous future for all Canadians. That is what we are focused on. While Conservatives focus on petty politics, we will stay focused on delivering for Canadians.

[10th Anniversary of Attack on Parliament Hill, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago today, Canada was in shock. Our capital, the centre of Canadian democracy, was the target of a cowardly and shameful terrorist attack aimed at both the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill.

Corporal Nathan Cirillo, standing sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, was killed, and several others were injured.

Unfortunately, this was not the only tragic event that happened in Canada that week. Two days earlier, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent had been killed in a separate attack in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec.

Today, I invite all members and all Canadians to join me in honouring these two devoted members of the Canadian Armed Forces. We offer our deepest condolences to their families, their loved ones and their fellow armed forces members.

Let us never forget this tragedy and the victims who were targeted because of their commitment to their country and to Canadians. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that members of the Canadian Armed Forces made and continue to make to keep all of us safe, sacrifices that are in fact symbolized by the National War Memorial. Whether during operations around the globe or while responding to natural disasters here at home or even in our very capital, service members put their lives at risk every single day so that we can all live in a peaceful, safe and democratic society.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the paramedics, police officers and those members of the Parliamentary Protective Service who rushed towards danger to protect Canadians. I am thinking notably of Constable Samearn Son, who was shot and injured while doing so, and who is with us today. I know that I am not the only one who remains inspired by the incredible courage that Sam showed that day.

When remembering these events, I also think of former sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers, who by acting decisively was then able to bring the attack to an end. I think all Canadians should be proud of their Parliamentary Protective Service.

They should also be proud of the courage of their fellow Canadians, passersby who, motivated by their compassion, acted to help and held Corporal Nathan Cirillo in their arms during his final moments.

The solidarity that Canadians showed during this tragic event is also a reminder. It is a reminder that anyone who tries to attack Canada and our democracy is doomed to fail. Canada will always respond the same way. We will come out closer, stronger and more united. We will come out even more dedicated to the principles and values that define our society: freedom, peace and openness. When the chips are down, Canadians will always choose to stand against hate and violence.

Today, let us take the time to mourn Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and remember who they were: proud, devoted, selfless and brave patriots.

As we approach Remembrance Day, let us think of all the sacrifices made by members of our Canadian Armed Forces past and present, and let us take every opportunity to thank them for all that they do for each and every one of us.

[Indigenous Affairs, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, reconciliation means walking as true partners to indigenous peoples. We of course will continue to be there to invest in supports for indigenous peoples. It means that we will continue to work with them in the ways that make sense.

I will highlight that the Chiefs of Ontario and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation are continuing to look for ways to move forward with the government to support kids who have been affected in care.

We will continue to be there to work in partnership with indigenous leadership and communities to deliver the supports so deeply needed by so many young people.

[Grocery Industry, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP is well aware that we took steps to increase competition among the major grocery chains. For example, we provided direct assistance to help families in need with their grocery costs. We are in the process of introducing a school food program that will save families across the country hundreds of dollars a year. We will continue to be there to support Canadians. We will continue to be there to invest in programs that will help them while the Conservatives keep on threatening to impose austerity measures and cuts.

[Government Priorities, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times, I completely agree that it is important to be there for seniors in need. That is why our government has taken many measures over the years to invest in seniors and to be there for our seniors. We remain open to working with everyone in the House to provide even more for seniors.

[Government Priorities, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague well knows, we will always defend supply management. We will always protect our farmers from one end of the country to the other.

With regard to seniors, he says he wants to see action and not just words, but we took action when we lowered the retirement age from 67, where the Conservatives had set it, to 65. Unfortunately, the Bloc Québécois voted against that.

We took action when we increased the GIS by 10%, but the Bloc Québécois voted against that.

We offered a dental care program to almost one million Canadians and the Bloc Québécois voted against that.

[Government Priorities, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition, like all of us in the House, knows that Canadians are facing challenging times. His solution, however, is to offer them cuts, to offer them no programs that they can rely on, and to vote against things like dental care, pharmacare and investments in a green economy, which is going to create jobs and careers long into the future. He wants to harm Canadians, where we are focusing on delivering for them. He wants cuts to programs and services, while we are busy investing in Canadians and their futures. That is the choice Canadians get to make.