Matt DeCourcey

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, December 11th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his speech.

I do take issue with a lot of what he had to say in his speech, but that is okay. It is important that we all sit here in the chamber and listen intently as members across the aisle speak their minds and represent their constituents. I am glad to see many of my hon. colleagues here doing the same with the respect that should be accorded in this place.

I was reminded last weekend in my community of Fredericton, at the Boyce farmers market, just how hopeful and positive people are with the tone of inclusive leadership, of collaboration, and of goodwill demonstrated on this side of the House toward Canadians and toward others in the chamber.

Does my colleague not also think that a tone of civility, collaboration, working together, and listening intently to the wisdom that is delivered when others are speaking is important, and will he commit to acting in such a way to make sure that we can be constructive and develop positive policies for Canadians?

[Fredericton, December 11th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to rise in the House today as the representative for the good people of Fredericton, Oromocto, New Maryland and the Grand Lake area. I will work hard to earn the trust of my constituents every day.

The opportunity to be in such a privileged position as to help direct the course of our great nation and to be a strong voice for my region is not just a veritable honour, but also a dream come true for this young lad from Freddy Beach.

I would also like to thank all the people who worked hard on my election campaign. Their intelligence and vision were major factors in my election win. As all members in this place know, it takes the determination and incredible passion of a team to win an election.

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2015]

Mr. Chair, the member spoke about the unmuzzling of scientists at the government level.

She also talked about innovating within government.

She also spoke about her university celebrating a special anniversary. In the riding that I have the pleasure of representing, in Fredericton, I have two universities: the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. Scientists in those institutions are pleased to see the government moving forward with a scientific agenda, and an agenda that will focus on innovation.

Could the hon. member speak a little about what she is hearing from people at the University of British Columbia as it pertains to science and innovation?

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2015]

Madam Chair, I thank the minister for his comments. I would also like to thank him for recognizing the tremendous mobilization effort afoot in New Brunswick. There are tremendous community organizations in my community, the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, the military community, Red Cross, local religious groups, and individuals.

Perhaps the member could comment a bit further about the community mobilization afoot in other communities like mine, and perhaps about the reception ongoing right now in New Brunswick, for the benefit of this committee.

[Speech from the Throne, December 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again congratulate you on your well-deserved election. I am sure that our good friend and my mentor Andy Scott is watching us today with pride.

I would also like to congratulate my friend and dear colleague on his excellent speech. He spoke very eloquently about how we are going to bring about real change for Canadians and about the hard work we have ahead of us in this Parliament.

I must also thank the good people of Fredericton as well as my family for their dear support and the confidence they have placed in me to stand in this place today. People in Fredericton are hopeful once again that the government will look to our region, and in fact to all regions, to invest in people and in communities.

Constituents have told me that they are keen to see the federal government move forward with an ambitious and innovative agenda that in my riding will help spur entrepreneurism and scientific pursuits at our world-class universities and our smart high-tech business hub.

They are ready to prove that, with leadership at the federal level, New Brunswick can be a pioneer with an innovative approach to delivering health care services.

Those at Canada's largest military training base are eager to see us care for our veterans once again.

These are the priorities in my riding.

Can my hon. colleague tell me what the priorities are in his riding?