House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2025, with 42% of the vote.
Interparliamentary Delegations December 9th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, a report of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas respecting its participation at the sixth Gathering of ParlAmericas' Parliamentary Network on Climate Change, held virtually on June 23 and July 5, 2022.
Affordability Measures November 25th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, last week, our government delivered on its promise to put more money back in the pockets of Nickel Belt residents and all Canadians.
With a tax break for everyone and a new rebate for working Canadians, we are ensuring that families can save and workers can succeed. The Conservative leader's response is to muzzle his MPs. The Conservatives are ready to cut essential services that Canadians rely on every day, such as child care and health care.
Canadians deserve better than what the Conservatives are offering. The announcement is an example of how our government is ensuring that workers and families can afford what they need and save on some of the things they want. I hope all members of the House will support our efforts to reduce costs for Nickel Belt residents and all Canadians.
Franco-Ontarian Flag September 26th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, September 25 marks the anniversary of the first raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag. It was hoisted for the first time at the University of Sudbury in 1975. This flag is a symbol of our history, our culture and our pride.
As parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, I would like to thank the many organizations that work to keep the francophone community thriving, including ACFO du grand Sudbury, the health centre, the Richelieu clubs, the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne, the friendship clubs and the Carrefour francophone de Sudbury.
Yesterday in Nickel Belt, we celebrated the construction of a new Catholic school in Val Thérèse, which will open in 2025. It will house students from École Ste-Thérèse, École Notre-Dame and École St-Joseph Hanmer. What a success story.
I invite all francophones and francophiles to celebrate our language and continue to proudly work on strengthening our legacy.
I also want to thank our anglophone and multilingual allies for their invaluable support.
I hope everyone has fun celebrating.
Carbon Pricing June 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, there is no gag order. There is no secret report. Again, that is misinformation from the member. Our emissions are down to what they were in 2005, so our plan is working. We have to do more.
That is why pollution pricing alone can deliver a third of the greenhouse gas emission reductions we need to achieve to tackle climate change. Pollution pricing is a major pillar in our plan to tackle climate change. The opposition party has no plan other than to let the planet burn.
The price on pollution returns the proceeds to Canadians directly. It is the most efficient and affordable way to fight climate change and reduce our emissions.
Carbon Pricing June 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, the member is chirping again. That is what the Parliamentary Budget Officer and the Bank of Canada said: 0.15%. It is really insulting that the member opposite continues to use carbon pricing as a way to scare Canadians who are struggling to pay their bills.
Carbon pricing is not the cause of the hike in grocery prices. The Bank of Canada confirmed this already multiple times.
There are also exemptions to support our farmers. There are also emissions, for agricultural support, that are not subject to carbon pricing. We provide exemptions for gasoline, diesel, fuel used by farmers in agricultural activities, and there is no price on emissions for livestock.
It is also partially refundable. There are a number of factors at play that the member always fails to mention. We have listened to Canadians and made adjustments for those who need it most.
I ask the member opposite to stop spreading misinformation in this House. Carbon pricing works. The member should listen to the experts. We have also heard clearly from citizen climate groups like Fridays for Future and students. We need to listen to the experts. Carbon pricing is a mechanism that reduces emissions, and Canada is benefiting from it.
Carbon Pricing June 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I have met regularly with Canadians and their families who are struggling to pay their bills. The member for Regina—Qu'Appelle never mentioned the Canada rebate to give more money to Canadians. He never referred to misleading comments that he made even today.
In budget 2024, we have taken bold actions to make life cost less, such as, for example, $10-a-day child care, dental care for uninsured Canadians and the first phase of the national universal pharmacare program, which the member and his party voted against. Budget 2024 also enables the government to lower everyday costs for Canadians. We are taking action on a lot of these measures, which include stabilizing prices for groceries, cracking down on junk fees to make prices fairer and lowering the cost of banking. We are also committed to launching a new national school food program and a new disability benefit program that the member and his party voted against.
To be clear, all proceeds from the federal pollution pricing system are returned to the province where they were collected. As we have said repeatedly in the House, the households most in need of getting money back will receive the Canada carbon rebate. More than eight out of 10 Canadians will benefit from this system.
In provinces where the federal program is in effect, including Ontario, eight out of 10 Canadians will get more money back than they spend, thanks to the Canada carbon rebate. Low-income households, which the member never mentions, will benefit the most from this rebate. They will be able to buy the things they need with this money.
Another important point to remember is this.
The Bank of Canada has already said that fuel charges contribute only a fraction of 1%. The member never mentions this. It is misleading Canadians again. It is 0.15% toward the increase. That is what the Parliamentary Budget Officer said.
Persons with Disabilities June 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, since 2015 we have cut the poverty rate in half in Canada. We have lifted more than two million Canadians out of poverty, including more than 650,000 children.
We are not slowing down. We have focused our efforts on our social safety net to support the most vulnerable, including people with disabilities. It is unacceptable that people with disabilities should be more likely to live below the poverty line than people without disabilities.
The benefit would be the first-ever federal benefit for persons with disabilities, with extra financial security to over 600,000 Canadians who need it the most. By 2028, the Canada disability benefit would lift, as the member mentioned, 25,000 working-age persons with disabilities and 15,000 of their family members out of poverty each year. This is the next step in the progression of disability rights in Canada, not a destination. Our government will continue to champion the needs and the priorities of people with disabilities as we build a fairer and more inclusive Canada for all.
Persons with Disabilities June 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, first, I want to the thank the member for Kitchener Centre for his continued advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities.
We are on track to deliver the first-ever federal disability benefit. The design and implementation work is in progress. We must get this additional support to the people who need it as quickly as possible.
The Canada disability benefit is a major milestone in a strong and unwavering commitment to create a more inclusive and fairer Canada. In budget 2024, we are committing to invest $6.1 billion over six years, beginning in 2024-25, and $1.4 billion per year ongoing. To repeat, budget 2024 has $6.1 billion, which is the single largest line item in the budget of 2024, so it is really important.
I want to thank all of those who have been relentless in their advocacy and their championing the needs and priorities of people with disabilities. In the spirit of “nothing without us”, we will continue to listen and engage with the disability community in the next phase of delivering this historical benefit as we work towards the regulatory process.
Members can rest assured that, in July, 2025, eligible Canadians will receive their first payment. It will help over 600,000 Canadians with the cost of groceries, transit and equipment.
The Canada disability benefit has a clear objective: to help reduce poverty among working-age persons with disabilities. We have said it before and I will say it again: The benefit is intended to complement, not replace, existing provincial and territorial income supports for persons with disabilities.
We need to work with the provinces to make sure there would be no clawbacks. We aspire for the benefit to grow over time in a responsible and meaningful way in collaboration with the provinces. Our goal is that all persons with disabilities would be better off because of the benefit.
As everyone can see, the process is a huge undertaking, and we must ensure that it is done right. We cannot cut corners, and we need to let the consultation play out. Broad, meaningful and barrier-free consultation with the disability community is important, not just because it is required in the new Canada Disability Benefit Act but also because it is fundamental, and we believe it is the way to go to make sure that we improve the lives of people with disabilities. The work is ongoing. It is working well. We are on track towards providing the first benefit payment in July 2025.
Climate Change June 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, the clean electricity systems we are building across the country are very concrete. They will be the backbone of Canada's net-zero economy, allowing us to be more competitive.
The United States recently released its finalized clean power rules on April 25.
We already have one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world. Approximately 84% of Canada's electricity is generated from non-emitting sources such as hydro, nuclear, solar and wind. Regulations will help decarbonize the rest of our grid across Canada.
This will be an important part of our overall contribution to reducing emissions.
Climate Change June 12th, 2024
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands for her years of advocacy on these issues.
I want to be clear: Our government has no intention to delay or weaken the clean electricity regulations. On the contrary, these are regulations of national significance. Yes, there are challenges with provinces across the country, but we understand the importance of getting it right so that the regulations can pass the test of time moving forward. Canada will need more clean electricity to achieve a net-zero economy.
Our population is growing. More and more Canadians are plugging in electric vehicles and using electrified public transit. More and more homeowners are switching to electric heat pumps. Companies are looking for ways to decarbonize their warehouses, offices and factories.
A transition to a clean electricity grid will only be successful if provinces and utilities across the country can deliver significant emission reductions while continuing to provide Canadian industries, businesses and households with reliable and affordable electricity. For that, the regulations must be flexible. That is why we conducted extensive consultation following the publication of the draft clean electricity regulations last summer. We reached out to provincial and territorial governments and to indigenous representation. We engaged with the Canada Electricity Advisory Council, utilities, industry, environmental organizations and all interested Canadians.
We have heard the concerns and criticisms from the electricity sector and from governments. We have heard about the challenges and the need for flexibility that some provinces have to face when generating electricity relies heavily on fossil fuels.
We have made improvements to ensure that provincial operators have greater flexibility.
We came to the table with more than $40 billion in federal support to help provinces and territories on their path to a cleaner grid. Right now, Environment and Climate Change Canada is analyzing the feedback we received on the proposed changes. Stakeholders had until March 15 of this year to submit their comments. Continued collaboration is crucial.
As for all regulations, we will continue to engage, to understand any remaining concerns before publishing the final regulations before the end of the year. I know the hon. member has provided some feedback, and we will continue to push our government to do more. We are working to make sure that the clean energy regulations make sense so that they deliver significant emission reductions, reliability and affordability over the long term.