The Environment  Mr. Speaker, on March16, I had the pleasure of hosting a virtual meeting with the Orléans Youth Council, alongside my provincial counterpart, MPP Stephen Blais, to discuss our youth environmental priorities with our special guest, Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. As climate change has long been among the most important issues raised by our youth council, their questions on pollution, emissions and carbon neutrality contributed to an exciting conversation.

Awards to Women and Girls in Orleans  Mr. Speaker, this past Friday, I had the privilege to present the 2021 Orleans leading women and girls recognition awards to honour the exceptional contributions of 35 women leaders and community volunteers in Orleans. Their hard work, passion and dedication have had a tremendous impact on our community, and they have been outstanding role models for women and girls in Orleans and beyond.

Public Services and Procurement  Madam Speaker, the opposition often cites incorrect figures on vaccines. For the residents of my riding, Orléans, and for all Canadians, it is important that we provide the most up-to-date figures and talk about the measures we have already taken and what we can expect. Could the parliamentary secretary set the record straight with respect to the vaccines that have been and will be delivered to Canada and reassure Canadians about the future?

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I think that question has two parts. The member talked again about carbon pricing. In the community I represent, there is not a single senior who does not fear climate change. Seniors listen to the science and see how our government can do more to improve their lives and the lives of our future generation.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I have always found some of these aspects very interesting. I understand the member represents his community, and I am sure, very well. Some seniors are facing poverty. This is why I am so happy. I did not have a chance, unfortunately because of the distraction, to share all the measures that have been put in place since 2015 to help, knowing that over 900,000 seniors have benefited from actions we took.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her comments. I worked in the health sector for 20 years, more specifically in long-term care homes for seniors. Before I became a member of Parliament, I was an MPP, so I understand how important collaboration is. However, one thing is for sure now: When people call my riding office, they tell me that I need to do something.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I had absolutely no intention of causing problems for my colleagues from Quebec or the interpreters who work very hard to help members understand one another in our country's two official languages. With the unanimous consent of the House, I would be happy to go get a blue mask.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, this new mask is not blue, but I think it will work. Another fundamental component of this strategy is the additional support provided by old age security and the guaranteed income supplement. Since we took office in 2015, 25% fewer seniors live in poverty. Like the retirement age, the Liberal government restored the eligibility age for old age security to 65 after the previous government’s decision to raise it to 67.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to participate in today's debate in the House. I want to begin my speech by making one important point. Canada is what it is today because of our seniors. After a lifetime of hard work, seniors deserve to enjoy a secure and dignified retirement.

Canadian Polish Congress  Mr. Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to virtually connect with the constituents of Orléans and a long-time leader of Ottawa's Polish community, Marek Kiejna. Mr. Kiejna has recently renewed his role as the regional director for eastern Canada in the Canadian Polish Congress, an organization that coordinates cultural events, community activities and promotes international co-operation between Canada and Poland.

Opioids  Mr. Speaker, last week I was proud to present a petition calling on the federal government to collaborate with the provinces and territories to establish a pan-Canadian action plan to end overdose deaths and overdose injuries. With a death taking place roughly every two hours, and a death toll of 15,400 people in the last four years alone, the opioid crisis is one of the deadliest public health emergencies of our lifetime.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the Secretary General of the United Nations expressed serious concerns about the crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The UN estimates that about 3.2 million people, more than half of Tigray's population, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I am presenting a petition today organized by Katherine Steinhoff in memory of her son Simon. It calls on the government to declare an opioid crisis, which is one of the deadliest public health emergencies of our lifetime. One death is taking place on average every hour, and the death toll has been 15,400 in the last four years alone.

Standing Orders and Procedure  Madam Speaker, for me, not sitting on Fridays as a tradition being set does not mean we cannot find other ways. We could possibly have a dual chamber where we could have more engaging debate. I am in Orleans, so I guess my sensitivity is for many members who are far away and need to travel.

Standing Orders and Procedure  I will be very quick, Madam Speaker. I very much agree with my colleague.