Veterans Affairs  Madam Speaker, I was saying that in the meantime, we encourage spouses of deceased veterans to contact Veterans Affairs Canada if they are having difficulty in the wake of their loss. Support is available to them as we speak.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for that very important question. Each of our regions is facing housing challenges, a serious issue that we must work on in close co-operation with the provincial and municipal governments. I would like my colleague to know that the Union des municipalités du Québec favourably welcomes the direction we are taking to solidify our investments in housing, infrastructure and economic development.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her hard work in supporting our veterans community and families. It is a very important question. VETS Canada is playing a major role, as are a number of organizations, in supporting veteran homelessness, identifying those veterans and walking them through the steps that are necessary to eliminate homelessness for them.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, it is a twofold approach. We need more immigrants to work and contribute to our great country, and we need to ensure that there is enough housing for all Canadians, including immigrants. That is why our government is investing billions of dollars to support all communities across this great country.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, it is a concern. There is no question. With all our investments, we are moving forward with many new and renovated affordable housing units for seniors, but we must find a way not to lose those that already exist, because of investors and whatnot. It is a very important approach.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Humber River—Black Creek. I am very pleased to be participating in the debate and to speak about our government's efforts to fight homelessness. I am certain that all my colleagues agree that safe housing is vital for the well-being of Canadians and their families.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have been unlawfully detained in China for over 900 days. All Canadians are worried about both of them. Our government has been working tirelessly on their release while staying in touch with the families of Mr. Kovrig and Mr.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I would like to thank the minister and his department for his continued work in supporting the families and trying to move forward on the important cases of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I am pleased to speak in committee of the whole about the work of Global Affairs Canada. I will focus my remarks on Canada's concerns with respect to the increasingly coercive diplomacy practised by China. I would like to start off by stating clearly that Canada will always protect and defend human rights around the world.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, we have been supporting the Alberta economy since the beginning with investments into pipelines. I am glad he is talking about carbon, because I understand that now the Conservatives are looking at carbon pricing as well. I am glad they see that, because polluting is not free and we need to invest in that area.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her important question. As we well know, we must continue to help Canadians, especially those in difficulty. We certainly know that, and we must do better. We increased EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks, and I am sure that this will help a lot.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, those were two important questions. I think the pharmacare one is very important. We are continuing the work that we started on pharmacare in bulk purchasing. In many areas we are investing more in pharmacare than we ever did. We will continue that. Child care is essential.

Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1  Madam Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me to rise in the House, virtually of course, to speak to Bill C-30. This budget is an extremely important one. The BIAs are key elements that we will be moving forward very quickly. We are in the third wave, and I want to thank Canadians right across the country for their efforts, and Nova Scotians as well.

Canada Revenue Agency Act  Mr. Speaker, I am also very pleased to speak to the importance of creating and maintaining an organ and tissue donor registry for every province and territory in Canada. There are currently far too few Canadians on the list of organ and tissue donors, and that needs to be remedied.

Freedom Kitchen  Madam Speaker, today I rise in the house to congratulate Freedom Kitchen on its grand opening. This soup kitchen, located in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, officially opened its permanent building, located next to Knox United Church, on April 19. Since the start of its pilot project in October 2019, the volunteers at Freedom Kitchen have served over 20,000 meals to the community, many of which were served during the pandemic.