Justin Trudeau

[Special Olympics World Summer Games, June 23rd, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the Special Olympics World Summer Games begin on June 25. Some 151 Canadian athletes and coaches will be in Athens to represent our country. They will do so with dignity and in the Olympic spirit.

Dignity, acceptance and a chance to reach one's potential, these are human rights that will drive our young Canadians through this competition.

For more than four decades, the Special Olympics has been bringing one message to the world: people with intellectual disabilities can and will succeed if given the opportunity.

I would like to congratulate our athletes for making it to Athens and I wish them great success at the games, but most of all I thank them for representing us well and making us so very proud. Go Canada go.

[Health, June 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the agreement with the provinces on health will come to an end in barely three years. For quite some time now, the premiers of Quebec and Ontario, among others, have been calling on this government to convene a meeting with all the premiers, but to no avail. In fact, in his six years on the job, the Prime Minister has never held any formal meetings with his provincial counterparts on any topic.

When will he take his responsibility as Prime Minister seriously and initiate dialogue to plan the future of our health care system?

[The Budget, June 7th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the people of Papineau for once again placing their trust in me. I would also like to congratulate the Leader of the Opposition on his new role.

I am concerned because in this budget, there is almost no mention of youth, apart from talking about young offenders, of course. Furthermore, the speech just given by the opposition leader also made no mention of the challenges facing our post-secondary students.

New numbers show that the cumulative student debt in this country has reached more than $1 billion. The Leader of the Opposition waxed eloquent about workers, seniors, small businesses and families, which are all extremely important.

However, particularly given the youthful caucus that he has around him, would the hon. member please let us know how he is going to ensure that the government invests properly in our young Canadians, our future.

[Election of Speaker, June 2nd, 2011]

Irrespective of my written efforts to decline the opportunity to become speaker, fate has decreed, with a little help from Canada Post, that I must consider it. Therefore, consider it I have.

Despite my desire to have what may be a better seat in the House, I am making the difficult decision to decline. I would have liked to see a francophone included on this list. However, I must withdraw my candidacy for the honour of being Speaker of the House.

[The Budget, March 24th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Papineau there are desperate needs. Seniors, single mothers, youth and immigrant families have great difficulty finding a little bit of stability. They were stunned to learn that there is not one cent in the budget for affordable housing: nothing for low income housing; nothing to establish housing stability for people in need. I would like to ask the hon. member to comment on the irresponsible omission of affordable housing from the budget.

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, March 21st, 2011]

With regard to Recreational Infrastructure Canada projects in New Brunswick: (a) in which federal riding is each project located; (b) what is the description of each project; (c) what is the expected cost of each project; and (d) what is the expected completion date of each project?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, March 21st, 2011]

With regard to Building Canada Fund projects in Prince Edward Island: (a) in which federal riding is each project located; (b) what is the description of each project; (c) what is the expected cost of each project; and (d) what is the expected completion date of each project?

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 21st, 2011]

With regard to Recreational Infrastructure Canada projects in British Columbia: (a) in which federal riding is each project located; (b) what is the description of each project; (c) what is the expected cost of each project; and (d) what is the expected completion date of each project?

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 21st, 2011]

With regard to Recreational Infrastructure Canada projects in Alberta: (a) in which federal riding is each project located; (b) what is the description of each project; (c) what is the expected cost of each project; and (d) what is the expected completion date of each project?

[Genie Awards, March 11th, 2011]

Mr. Speaker, the 31st annual Genie Awards paid tribute to artists in the Canadian film industry, and it was certainly one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year. Artists and fans alike came to the national capital for a spectacular evening.

Leading with 11 nominations was Barney's Version, Mordecai Richler's beloved story set in Montreal. It took seven Genies, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Paul Giamatti's depiction of Barney, and Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design for Claude Paré and Élise De Blois.

But the winner of this glamorous evening, broadcast live on CBC, was Montreal's own Denis Villeneuve. His acclaimed film Incendies won eight awards, including Achievement in Direction for Villeneuve and the prestigious prize of Best Motion Picture.

This has clearly been a spectacular year of achievement in French and English Canadian film.

On behalf of the Liberal Party and my cherished city of Montreal, we congratulate all of the Canadian filmmakers who have created some real masterpieces for the Canadian film industry.