Vance Badawey

[Regional Economic Development, February 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, frankly, I was very specific to the member across and if he wants, I can pass on my speaking notes to him as well as some of the specifics that I outlined in my response.

From the onset of the pandemic, our government moved quickly to implement Canada's COVID-19 economic response plan. As well, FedNor was a key partner in delivering special relief and recovery funding in northern Ontario. FedNor demonstrated its ability to quickly deliver these special programs to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic for affected businesses, organizations, communities and first nations in the region.

FedNor, as I mentioned earlier, will continue to deliver on its commitments to the people of northern Ontario. It will work to find efficiencies to ensure it remains responsive to the needs of the region and that it meets program delivery service standard timelines.

[Regional Economic Development, February 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, to begin, I want to acknowledge that I am speaking today from the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabe peoples.

Our government shares the member's view about the importance of the efficient and responsive delivery of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, FedNor, program funding. We recognize the significant challenges facing northern Ontario's small businesses as well as communities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the particular impact it is having on indigenous communities and rural and remote areas.

The ongoing pandemic has significantly increased the demand for support for communities as well as businesses in this region. Since 2020, FedNor has received more than double the number of yearly applications to its programs. From day one, FedNor moved quickly to respond to their needs, helping to protect jobs and keep businesses afloat as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. With more than $123 million allocated for northern Ontario through the COVID-19 regional relief and recovery fund and the regional air transportation initiative, FedNor has efficiently and effectively delivered support to key sectors, contributing to the economic well-being of the region.

In delivering the RRRF program, FedNor mobilized quickly to provide decisions on applications in half the time of its current service standard of 80 working days. FedNor is now delivering four new recovery programs that will inject nearly $83 million in new funding into the region over the next few years. These new programs were launched this summer and include the Canada community revitalization fund at $19.14 million over two years, the tourism relief fund at $25.3 million over two years, the jobs and growth fund at $26.6 million over three years, and the aerospace regional recovery initiative at $11.88 million over three years.

FedNor staff continue to work diligently to process applications to deliver on new relief and recovery programs, while continuing to offer its regular programs. FedNor is also working to streamline business processes. One of its priorities is to reduce the current service standard of providing a decision on funding applications within 80 working days of receipt of a completed application.

FedNor will continue to remain committed to providing responsive and quality service.

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 31st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, insofar as Indigenous Services Canada, ISC, and its Special Operating Agency of Indian Oil and Gas Canada are concerned, the response is as follows. With regard to part (a), ISC continues to support the Okanagan Indian Band with the addition to the reserve of the former CN Rail corridor lands bisecting Duck Lake Indian Reserve 7. CN Rail is currently the registered owner of the lands in fee simple, and Canada has provided CN with a draft agreement of purchase and sale to support the transfer of lands to Canada for the use and benefit of the band.

With regard to part (b), the Okanagan Indian Band continues to work to resolve third party interests, including property rights required by telecommunications providers, electrical transmission and distribution services, sewer utility interests and access agreements for on-reserve developments. Canada has offered to support the band with their negotiations; however, assistance has not been requested. The band has the support of legal and technical experts working to satisfy addition-to-reserve, or ATR, requirements.

With regard to part (c), government officials engage with the Okanagan Indian Band on a biweekly basis in an effort to satisfy remaining ATR requirements for resolution of third-party interests. There have been no meetings or briefings on this project with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations or the Minister of ISC.

ISC does not attend meetings and does not receive briefings of the Okanagan Indian Band’s participation on the Okanagan rail trail project. Once the ATR is completed, it will be up to the band to determine the intended use of the lands.

With regard to part (d), the last communication between ISC and the Okanagan Indian Band regarding the ATR was November 19, 2021.

With regard to part (e), it is difficult to estimate timelines for completion, as completion of the ATR is subject to the readiness and willingness of third party interest holders to negotiate federal replacement interests.

[Housing, December 10th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, many Canadians are struggling to find affordable housing, especially in my riding of Niagara Centre. Yesterday, the Conservatives decided to play political games while bringing their motion that did not even mention affordable housing. It proposed no constructive ideas, showing just how out of touch they are on this issue.

Can the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion please tell the House about our government's real, concrete plan to address this issue?

[Niagara Athlete, November 25th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, today I am extremely proud to recognize the accomplishments of Port Colborne lifelong resident and cycling athlete Anna Tykoliz. Starting with a bicycle built for two that she shared as a teenager with her future husband, Wally, Anna eventually excelled in the cycling disciplines of mountain bike, cyclocross, road, individual time trial and criterium racing.

Her most recent master level results include gold medals and Canadian championship titles in individual time, road race and criterium back in September 2021. Only Anna's commitment to training during the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed her to accomplish these historic results. She trained indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions to reach the required fitness level to succeed.

Anna is not just a role model for her children, Jay and Janet. She has also set an example for the entire Niagara community.

[Year of the Garden, June 21st, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, gardens and gardening contribute to the development of our country and our cities, as well as to the lives of Canadians in terms of health, quality of life, reconciliation, inclusion and environmental challenges.

We recognize 2022 as Canada’s Year of the Garden, marking the centennial of Canada’s ornamental horticulture sector on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association. The Year of the Garden, led by the Canadian Garden Council, will engage Canadian gardeners, families, students and tourists with our garden culture and history, the importance of public and private gardens, and our urban landscapes. It will invite Canadians to “live the garden life”.

The Year of the Garden 2022 will also contribute to the economic development of municipalities across this great nation. Members of all political parties have expressed support for the Year of the Garden 2022, along with members of Canada’s garden family from all parts of this great country. Canada is also the first country to celebrate the Year of the Garden.

[Indigenous Affairs, June 18th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic hit businesses across Canada hard. Now, as we move into recovery, it is crucial that we support communities through the reopening process. This is particularly important for indigenous businesses, which often face barriers such as accessing capital or broadband Internet.

Could the minister please provide an update on the current supports for first nations, Inuit and Métis businesses?

[Committees of the House, June 16th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “Emerging from the Crisis: A Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Air Transport Sector”.

I will take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all the witnesses who gave testimony for this very important study; our clerk, analysts and other members of the House of Commons resources team; as well as members of the committee and their respective teams.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

[Committees of the House, June 9th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the second report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, entitled “A Study of Aircraft Certification in Canada in Light of Two Incidents Involving Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302”.

The committee heard from witnesses who had lost family members in the tragic incident involving Ethiopian Airlines flight 302. I extend, on behalf of all committee members, our sincere appreciation for their participation and heartfelt condolences for their loss.

The study reviewed Canada's process in responding to aviation-related incidents.

The committee dedicates this report to the memory of all those who lost their lives on Lion Air flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines flight 302.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.

[Public Service and Members' Staff, May 12th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I have always understood, respected and held a great appreciation for those who work behind the scenes at every level of government. They put in an endless effort to ensure government and our country function day in and day out. We recognize that with the contributions of our constituency office staff, our staff in Ottawa, as well as the many talented individuals available to us from the different departments throughout government, this great nation continues to thrive based on the values established by past generations.

I proudly take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to all those who work tirelessly with all of us to ensure the residents, businesses, organizations and municipalities within our country’s borders are well taken care of. Their efforts do not go unnoticed and neither has their commitment to the well-being of our country during this time of exceptional challenges. Their efforts have strengthened the future health and prosperity of Canada. They should be forever proud of what they have accomplished during these historic times.

I thank my team, Dan, Ashley, Seema, Gail, Anna, Sarah, Douglas, Julie and Greg. They continue to make a difference in the lives of many.