Main Estimates, 2020-21  Mr. Speaker, I do not find it surprising the Conservative Party wants us to cut our Global Affairs budget during a global pandemic. One thing we have learned from this pandemic is that more than ever we need global solidarity. I also know this is the party that pledged to cut foreign aid by 25% in the last election.

Main Estimates, 2020-21  Mr. Speaker, I welcome this opportunity to speak virtually from my constituency office in Brampton West about the work of Global Affairs Canada. Before I delve into the important work that Global Affairs Canada does on behalf of Canadians every day, I would like to take a moment to recognize the individual contributions by Canada's diplomats on behalf of all of us.

Natural Resources  Madam Speaker, it is a core responsibility of the federal government to help get Canada's natural resources to market and support good middle-class jobs. We know this is only possible when we earn the public's trust and work toward addressing environmental, indigenous peoples' and local concerns.

Natural Resources  Madam Speaker, I assure the hon. member that I am extremely proud of our government, our Minister of Canadian Heritage and all cabinet members for the work they do in ensuring that we not only grow our economy but do it in a way that protects the environment. We have a steadfast commitment to moving forward in the right way, every step of the way, on TMX, because we know how important it is to every Canadian.

Health  Madam Speaker, as a registered nurse, having worked in the community as well as in hospitals, and having met with individuals with rare diseases, I can say that I understand what the member is talking about. There are significant challenges for patients with rare diseases in our country.

Health  Madam Speaker, I rise to speak about this extremely important topic of access to therapies for rare diseases. I would like to reassure the member and the House that our government recognizes the importance of providing access to medications for patients with serious conditions and few treatment options.

International Development  Madam Speaker, we are doing incredible work when it comes to foreign affairs on the national front, as well as the international front. I am extremely proud of the feminist international assistance policy that is helping the most vulnerable and the poorest individuals around the world.

International Development  Madam Speaker, before I begin, I want to acknowledge that the question the member put forward for the adjournment debate was related to international development. I know she is also the shadow minister for international development and I would love to provide her with feedback in terms of what our government is doing for international development.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his ongoing advocacy on this issue, and we have had many conversations about it. It is very personal for me to speak on this issue, as I have in the past when the debate on medical assistance in dying first came to this chamber in 2015.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, my colleague raises a very important question. As I have said before, this is a very complex and personal issue. It raises many difficult conversations, not just in this place but throughout the country. Whether it is around mature minors or mental health, we are ensuring that we work with provinces and territories to continue to invest in palliative care.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I want to correct the record. There are not two choices; there are many choices. It is about the choices of people who are going through the suffering at the end of their life. It is truly about that. As someone who has worked with patients during their end of life and has provided palliative care to patients, I am their biggest advocate to ensuring we are working to provide more palliative care.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I know this is very complex and a very personal issue. For those whose death is reasonably foreseeable, the bill proposes to eliminate the 10-day reflection period, 10 days that many practitioners say can prolong unbearable suffering. It is about patients and about the individuals and their rights.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in this House to speak today about Bill C-7. This bill would amend the medical assistance in dying regime in the Criminal Code to address the Superior Court of Quebec's decision in the Truchon case. As members know, in September 2019, the Quebec Superior Court struck down the eligibility criterion of “reasonably foreseeable natural death” from the medical assistance in dying, or MAID, regime in the Criminal Code.

Judges Act  Madam Speaker, it is important to recognize that our gender-based violence strategy invests over $200 million in federal initiatives to prevent gender-based violence, to support survivors and their families, to promote a responsive legal and justice system and to ensure we support those front-line organizations that provide that support.

Judges Act  Madam Speaker, as has been mentioned by my colleague, in 2017, our government launched the gender-based violence strategy. We have invested close to $200 million in federal initiatives to ensure we prevent gender-based violence, supported survivors and their families and promote responsive legal and justice systems.