House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 50% of the vote.
Finance December 10th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, when a government offers a dental care plan to seniors across the country, Canadians win. When the government offers Canadians a tax break for the next two months, Canadians win. When we are there to invest in a school food program, Canadian children and parents win.
Canadians are not winning when the Leader of the Opposition chooses to vote against all of these measures, when he refuses to help Canadians and when he cares only about his own future, not that of Canadians.
Passports December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, we are working with both sides to try to end the strike at Canada Post.
The minister is holding regular meetings with Canada Post and the union. We want the parties to have every reason to settle this dispute quickly. We know that a lot of people are feeling the pain, including small businesses.
As far as passports go, we have opened more Service Canada outlets. We know that this situation poses a big challenge for many Canadians. We are going to keep working to make sure that people get their passports in time for their winter vacation.
Sport December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, this summer we celebrated our Canadian athletes with everything we had, from coast to coast to coast. It was very exciting.
Yes, the incident with drones and Canada Soccer was extremely unfortunate. That is why there have been consequences. That is why we continue to ensure there are follow-ups on that.
As the member well knows, committees in Parliament are independent and do their work independently. However, we will continue to make sure that the extraordinary support that all Canadians, not just governments but community members and volunteers, give to our athletes every single day to make sure they shine continues unabated.
Sport December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my voice to those on this side of the House who are very excited that we have Olympians and Paralympians in Parliament today, here on Parliament Hill. Canadians celebrated them throughout this exciting summer, watching our Olympians and Paralympians succeed and inspire Canadians, and this is something we can continue to celebrate right now.
We will always support our athletes and work to make sure they can represent their country their very best. That is why we are giving more money for our athletes and supporting pregnant athletes, so they do not have to give up their careers to start a family.
These are all initiatives we are working to move forward. Unfortunately, the Conservatives continue to obstruct the House and make it more difficult.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, one of the things that have distinguished Canada from many countries around the world is that our immigration system has always been supported by Canadians, by our citizens from coast to coast to coast, because it is a strong and robust system that adjusts according to the needs of our population, of our economy, of our growth path and of our housing starts. That is exactly what we continue to do.
Where the Conservative leader is once again seeking to divide Canadians, seeking to import right-wing rhetoric from south of the border, we are going to continue to stay true to our Canadian values and deliver a strong and robust immigration system that meets Canadian values and expectations.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, Canada has always had a generous but responsible immigration system. The integrity of our immigration system has always been essential. This has created very strong growth for our economy over the past few decades, and we will continue to ensure the integrity of our system.
We have put measures in place to ensure that people return home when their visitor, work or study visas have ended, and we will continue to ensure the rigour and integrity of our system.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, after the pandemic, we answered the call of the provinces, businesses, small businesses across the country who needed to fill a labour shortage. That is why we allowed more people to come work in Canada.
The situation has changed and it is a good thing that we have a flexible immigration system because we were able to lower our immigration targets to ensure that our economy catches up to our level of growth.
It is perfectly normal for us to adjust our immigration targets based on the lived reality of people across the country.
Taxation December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Alfred-Pellan for his question. We know that the past few years have been hard for Canadians. That is why we are going to give all Canadians a GST holiday.
That means that, for two months, Canadians will not have to pay taxes on any of their groceries or on other everyday essentials. It does not make any sense that the Conservative leader and his caucus voted against the GST holiday for Canadians. While we are putting more money in Canadians' pockets, the Conservatives are opposing tax cuts.
Natural Resources December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, our oil and gas emissions cap is a cap on emissions, not on production. No sector should be allowed unlimited pollution, and it is unfortunate the Conservatives continue to defend that incredibly profitable sector that is costing Canadians so much.
The reality is that we will continue to work with the industry, which is working on reducing its emissions, because we know that is how we protect oil and gas sector jobs into the future, by innovating, by bringing on better technologies and by recognizing that no sector should have a right to pollute unlimitedly.
Natural Resources December 4th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, across the country, except on the Conservative benches, Canadians know climate change is real. Canadians are also stepping up in lots of different ways to help reduce their emissions, to grow the economy and to create a better future for their kids and grandkids. The multi-billion dollar profitable industry that is the oil and gas industry right now has an unlimited ability to emit emissions into the atmosphere.
We do not think any industry, particularly not one as wildly profitable as the oil and gas industry, should be able to have unlimited pollution. That is why we are putting a cap on emissions, not on production.