Excise Tax Act  That is a good thing, so today is a good day, when Bill C-323 was encapsulated in Bill C-69, the budget Implementation bill, and it is something, again, that New Democrats have led the charge on. Regarding the Excise Tax Act, I think back to my predecessors John Duncan, who was an MP in this place for 18 years, and James Lunney, who was an MP for 15 years, both Conservatives, with a total of about 33 years that they sat in this place. They did get one bill passed, and it was actually to change the Excise Tax Act to remove the excise tax on jewellery so people could get their diamonds more cheaply.

Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1  If the government had any respect for the federative nature of the country we are currently in, it would never dream of interfering like this. First, it should negotiate, and then it should coordinate. That is all we are asking the government to do, but it refuses to do it. It always comes down to John A. Macdonald's great dream of a legislative union rather than a federation.

Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1  Madam Speaker, it is huge honour and privilege to rise after the final speech of my friend from Halifax. We have done many things together. When he was the parliamentary secretary to the environment and climate change minister, he worked with me on a national strategy to combat plastic pollution and helped get his caucus to unanimously support that.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, in Union Bay on Vancouver Island, a massive ship full of toxic chemicals is being broken up in the high tide zone in the same waters that half of B.C. shellfish come from. Recent tests show that this area has become a toxic wasteland with copper levels 15 times higher than they should be.

National Canadian Seafood Day  There is the Fisheries for Communities group and, as I mentioned before, there are many different people who are part of this work. They are asking for the government to give fishing access back to fish harvesters, first nations and coastal communities. They go on to say that only first nations and people who work on fishing boats should be able to own a licence and quota, as I was talking about with respect to the boots on the boats, and that there should be policies in place that phase out big business, investors and non-domestic ownership.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up tonight on my previous question to the government about the skyrocketing use of food banks in this country. It is going in the wrong direction. We have seen the national statistics, but tonight I want to provide an update on the local scene, which is not much better.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to the communities which comprise the federal electoral district of Courtenay—Alberni, since the 2005-06 fiscal year: (a) what are the federal housing investments, including direct transfers to the municipalities and First Nations, for the communities of (i) Tofino, (ii) Ucluelet, (iii) Port Alberni, (iv) Parksville, (v) Qualicum Beach, (vi) Cumberland, (vii) Courtenay, (viii) Deep Bay, (ix) Dashwood, (x) Royston, (xi) French Creek, (xii) Errington, (xiii) Coombs, (xiv) Nanoose Bay, (xv) Cherry Creek, (xvi) China Creek, (xvii) Bamfield, (xviii) Beaver Creek, (xix) Beaufort Range, (xx) Millstream, (xxi) Mt.

National Day Against Gun Violence  Last year, the Prime Minister declared the National Day Against Gun Violence would be observed in Canada on the first Friday in June. Last year, we joined the Toronto Raptors and many community organizations that advocate for community safety and anti-gun violence.

Public Complaints and Review Commission Act  That has nowhere been more true than with the indigenous people who live in this land called Canada. I first want to note that the riding I represent, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, is served entirely by the RCMP. In my time as the member of Parliament for Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, which I have been fortunate to hold since 2015, I have developed a good working relationship with the RCMP, the North Cowichan/Duncan detachment and the West Shore.

Public Accounts committee  I'm sure first nations communities appreciate you quibbling with metrics when there are folks in this country who do not have adequate housing. I'm sure they appreciate you quibbling with metrics. I want to follow up. Chief Lance Haymond said, “The bigger challenge...is that most of these initiatives are proposal-driven”, so that, “Those with the greatest need have the least capacity” and “lesser-capacity first nations are getting less of the national budget”.

Unknown Newfoundland Soldier  Speaker, today I rise to honour the return of the unknown Newfoundland soldier, who bravely fought in the First World War from 1914 to 1918. This hero is finally home and will be laid to rest on July 1 at the base of the National War Memorial in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. This is a solemn occasion for all of us, as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and as Canadians, to come together to pay tribute to the sacrifice and to remember the courage of all who served.

Public Accounts committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Chair, through you, thank you to Mr. Wernick for joining us virtually here this afternoon on the Auditor General's report. Obviously, from your experience, we're looking at about a decade and a half, give or take, between the Privy Council Office and as deputy minister at what was then Aboriginal and Northern Development Canada.

Public Complaints and Review Commission Act  We are still reeling from the effects and the ongoing participation of colonization by institutions that were built to do just that. The RCMP was first founded as a paramilitary group in recognition of the paramilitary group created in Ireland to attack the Irish people. It was replicated here in North America as a way to clear the plains when Sir John A.

Human Resources committee  Thank you. My name is John Gordon. I am the CEO of National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. I'm very pleased to be here today to appear in front of the committee and offer my insights into the matters being studied.

Health committee  The First Nations Health Authority, the BC First Nations Justice Council, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Dr. Henry, who you seem to not support—