Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the hon. member for Vaughan—Woodbridge. I join the debate today with a certain amount of disappointment that the official opposition is choosing to use today's motion, not to discuss the issues that matter to Canadians during this pandemic but instead to continue a partisan and unnecessary attack on the government.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, the member opposite served on the assistance in dying joint committee. I had the honour of serving on that committee as well. It was an example of the kind of collaborative work we were able to do in that Parliament. Now we find ourselves having to deal with the issue of medical assistance in dying again, ensuring that it conforms constitutionally with the recent court decision.

Arts and Culture  Mr. Speaker, today I stand to recognize the resilience, the generosity and the creative work of artists, artisans, technicians and cultural workers across Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic has completely shaken the cultural world and yet our artists have continued to reinvent a universe that allows us to dream and that contributes to our well-being during this difficult time.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I just want to say how much I appreciated the speech from the hon. member across the way. I, too, share his concern about seniors in long-term care facilities. This is a particular concern in my home province of Quebec. I would like to know what the hon. member would suggest.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her speech. She mentioned that she was going to tell us about things that she liked in the speech. I must have missed some of that because it seemed to go in the other direction. As a new member in 2015-16, I was on the public accounts committee and we were shocked to see how disability payments from the Canada pension plan had been significantly slowed to Canadians.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, the throne speech talks about the issue that has been too long neglected, and that is the whole way we address disabilities pensions and the way they are done. We have made the commitment to revise and modernize the disability pension, so that it would resemble the guaranteed income supplement.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I am certainly not an expert on energy and the different options that we have before us as we move forward to a greener future. I will say, as a member from Quebec and a proud owner of a fully electric vehicle, in Quebec we are using electric and it is working very well.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, he may have noticed that we are in a pandemic and that has delayed certain ambitious projects that we had when we came into government last fall. That being said, we remain committed to planting the two billion trees and I am hoping that he will join me in planting a few in his riding.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, who asked a number of questions. I absolutely agree that some sectors and industries have been impacted more directly by COVID-19. We expect to have measures in place to support them soon. With respect to health, we just gave the provinces $19 billion, which will help them do the important work of protecting the public and delivering health care.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure to appear before the House today to speak to our government's Speech from the Throne and why I believe it presents the best plan possible for Canadians who need support during this COVID-19 pandemic. Our government's plan will ensure not only that our economy can rebound once COVID has been beaten, but that we come back as a stronger, greener, more inclusive Canada.

Canadian Heritage  Mr. Speaker, in the weeks following the tragic death of George Floyd, the words “Black Lives Matter” have galvanized millions of people seeking justice around the world and here in Canada. Our Prime Minister recently brought cabinet together to discuss this important issue. Since this issue is vital to Canadians, can the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth please update the House on what Canada is doing to combat racism?

Further COVID-19 Measures Act  Mr. Speaker, I always learn something when the member for Hull—Aylmer addresses the House. It struck me that we are thinking of deadlines and time limits and legal technicalities that would be not normally the subject here in the House during this confinement because of the coronavirus, which is already a terrible and difficult time for people.

Further COVID-19 Measures Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to say, first of all, how much I appreciate the work of the minister in digging down into the weeds of what is a patchwork, if not a minefield, of how benefits and services are delivered to disabled people in this country. In my riding, this is one of the big surprises that people have any time I speak to them.

Black Community Support  Mr. Speaker, since the tragic death of George Floyd May 25 in Minneapolis, the words “black lives matter” have mobilized not only Americans but millions seeking justice around the world and here in Canada. My own hometown of Châteauguay held its first-ever Black Lives Matter protest, attended by hundreds of people of all ages and from all racial and linguistic backgrounds, including our next-door neighbours in Kahnawake.

An Act Respecting Further COVID-19 Measures  Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on her speech and point out that today's bill will really address several of the needs I have seen in my riding. People with disabilities and parents of young adults with disabilities were very disappointed when the House could not come up with legislation that would help them.