Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, we know it is time to build up, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank is an important piece of that plan. This plan is creating a million jobs. It is building strong communities through investments and infrastructure, such as public transit, clean energy, access to broadband and affordable housing for indigenous peoples in northern communities.

Canadians of African Descent  Mr. Speaker, Canada's participation in the transatlantic slave trade and enslavement of African people is a stain on our country's history, the effects of which persist today as systemic racism in our society and in our institutions continues to harm Black Canadians. In 2016, during an official visit to Canada, the United Nations working group of experts on people of African descent recommended that the Government of Canada “recognize African Canadians as a distinct group who have made and continue to make profound economic, political, social, cultural, and spiritual contributions to Canada” and “Issue an apology and consider reparations for enslavement and historical injustices”.

Infrastructure  Madam Speaker, we know that in Canada it is time to build up, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank is an important part of that plan. Our plan is creating a million jobs and building strong communities through investments in infrastructure like public transit, clean energy, broadband and affordable housing for indigenous peoples and northern communities alike.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, public transit investments create good jobs and help Canadians get around their communities. This is why this government funded the planning and preliminary engineering of the Yonge North subway extension into York Region, while Conservatives ran on a platform of funding cuts for infrastructure.

Infrastructure  Madam Speaker, what this difficult time has shown us is that every dollar we invest in public infrastructure can and must do triple duty. First, our government is investing in infrastructure projects that are creating thousands of jobs across the country and growing our economy.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, what this difficult time has shown us is that every dollar we invest in public infrastructure can and must do triple duty. Our government is investing in infrastructure projects that are creating jobs across this country and growing our economy. We are investing in infrastructure so that everyone gets a fair shot at success wherever they live in Canada.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, communities from coast to coast to coast rely on transit projects to get built to get them from home to work and school, and to meet their needs and access the services they need on a daily basis. This government is committed to a historic community investment program of $180 billion over 12 years to make sure that residents of communities from to coast to coast to coast get the services they need.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, we have a bilateral agreement with Ontario that will see the federal government invest over $11.8 billion in Ontario over the next decade, including $8.3 billion for public transit. Success on large, complex projects requires all orders of government to work together, and we remain committed to working with provincial and municipal leaders to prioritize public transit projects, get them funded and get them built.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I share the member's deep concern both for people living with disabilities and for seniors in Canada. I am very proud of the fact that the throne speech announced a new Canada disability benefit. It is going to have a major impact on people living with disabilities in Canada.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I am very sorry to hear that my colleague feels he needs to speak in favour of the Conservative position on this throne speech. We will be able to show him and his party many great reasons to support the throne speech and to win his admiration for the plan going forward.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, we have seen in urban, suburban and rural communities that their main streets have been devastated by the economic fallout of this COVID-19 pandemic. Our government is committed to helping businesses, employees and individuals to recover economically from this fallout and put our main streets back into the powerful position they have held and deserve to keep in the economies of our communities and provinces rolling forward.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I can assure the member that the throne speech and the government are laying out a plan to make sure Canadians have jobs through the recovery of the pandemic period and through the transition to a low-carbon economy. We are undertaking the largest upskilling and retraining of Canadian workers in the history of our country, and no one will be left behind as we move to a cleaner, smarter future.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I will be splitting my time today with the member for Fleetwood—Port Kells. While this is not the first time I have spoken in reply to a Speech from the Throne, it is certainly the first time I have done so from Halifax, my hometown, the place that I love and fight for and the community that I am so humbled to represent in Canada’s House of Commons.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Brampton East for all his hard work on behalf of his constituents. We are committed to investing in communities as we build back better from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. Our investing in Canada plan means new electric buses, new subways, new bike lanes and new multi-use paths.

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, I can assure this House that we take security very seriously, as well as the need to keep equipment from getting lost or damaged. Department audits are routine and helpful, and we make them public to ensure accountability. In this case, a total of seven computers, not 200, were not properly recorded in a new inventory system.