Indian Act  Mr. Speaker, this is something that emanates from an August 3, 2015, decision of the Superior Court of Quebec, which at the time ruled that the Indian Act unjustifiably violated equality rights. The Superior Court of Quebec at that time gave Parliament 18 months to try to make the necessary legislative changes to right a wrong.

Indian Act  Mr. Speaker, first, I congratulate the minister for her leadership on many files in indigenous affairs, but specifically, for withdrawing the appeal by the previous federal government against the Quebec Court of Appeal so that we can find solutions to this. There are impassioned arguments for a much broader reform for registration and membership under the Indian Act.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, irrespective of the member's perspective, this is an excellent budget for the province of Manitoba, which we both represent. Total transfers are at $3.7 billion, an increase of $150 million over 2016, which is the largest total transfer since 2006. Because budget 2017 is a continuation of 2016, as we speak, there is $58 million currently being spent in Manitoba on 24 water projects for 24 first nations, including $20 million for freedom road.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her hard work on the budget. There is so much goods in this budget for Manitoba compared to previous budgets. The new budget shows an overall increase of $148 million from 2016. As we speak, $58 million are being spent on new water treatment plants for first nations and indigenous communities, including $20 million for Freedom Road, for which which we are grateful.

Manitoba Day  Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, May 12, is Manitoba Day. Tomorrow, the province will celebrate its 147th anniversary as well as the 51st anniversary of Manitoba's flag. From the Ojibway “Manito-bau” and the Cree “Manitowapow”, our keystone province is a remarkable place to live. I invite all Canadians to celebrate our history at Fort Gibraltar, to take their family to Manitoba's Children's Museum, and to pay tribute to Louis Riel, the father of Manitoba, at Le Musée de Saint-Boniface.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  I can tell you, Madam Speaker, that the agricultural industry is incredibly important for Manitoba and Canada. That is why we believe it is equally important to innovate, modernize, and do things in a better way. We have budgeted over $1 billion over four years to support clean technology in agriculture to address the very issues that the hon. member speaks of.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. member. There is nothing more important than our relationship with indigenous peoples. Mental health is clearly a priority in the budget. We have tabled extra dollars, new dollars, not repurposed dollars, for mental health with the provinces that sign on.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, my riding had the honour of a visit from the Prime Minister for a highly anticipated announcement about day cares. About one month ago, my riding had the pleasure of welcoming the Prime Minister for a long-awaited announcement on child care. The purpose of the visit was to draw attention to our long-term funding commitment to child care.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Madam Speaker, it is a great honour and a privilege to rise today in this House on behalf of the citizens I represent in Saint Boniface—Saint Vital to share my thoughts on the budget. I am happy to say that budget 2017 would deliver on the policy platform on which we were elected in October 2015.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Madam Speaker, the hon. member asked if there is anyone in Canada who is better off. I actually wrote down the phrase when he asked that question, rhetorically, of course. I can share with the House that, as I speak, there is $58 million being invested in 24 first nations in Manitoba to prevent and address long-term drinking water advisories, and finally produce clean water for those indigenous communities to drink.

Infrastructure  Madam Speaker, our government was elected on a platform of building sustainable communities in cities and towns all over this great country. The City of Winnipeg is working alongside the federal government to rebuild our infrastructure for residents. The City of Winnipeg is working alongside the federal government to rebuild their infrastructure for the residents who live in those communities.

Harvey Smith  Mr. Speaker, on March 10, long-time Winnipeg city councillor Harvey Smith passed away. I had the distinct honour to work with Harvey for 14 years while we were both city councillors. Harvey was outspoken and was larger than life, but most of all he was a tireless advocate for social justice, for the ward of Daniel McIntyre, and for the City of Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Winter Festival  Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the Festival du Voyageur will be celebrated in the streets and restaurants by residents of Saint-Boniface—Saint-Vital. The Festival du Voyageur takes us back to the days of the voyageurs and the fur trade at Fort Gibraltar. The Festival du Voyageur's Fort Gibraltar, official sites and trading posts await us.

Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the hon. member for a reasoned speech. I do not agree with everything in his speech, but there were some excellent points. I think he would agree with me that last November the world changed with the election of a new president of the United States who is wildly unpredictable, more protectionist, and wants to renegotiate NAFTA.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 2  Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member that poverty is very real all across Canada. Certainly in the city of Winnipeg there is too much child poverty. That is why, in 2016, I was so proud of the Canada child benefit. It is a more generous child benefit than what existed before. It is targeted at those who need it.