Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, as we see Conservatives across the country cutting access to French education, our government strongly believes that all Canadians should have access to an education in the official language of their choice. Last Monday, I was extremely pleased to see the minister make an important announcement at Simon Fraser University.

First Responders  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the vital work that first responders do to protect and serve our communities. Each day, they bravely put their lives on the line to ensure we can live with peace of mind. This weekend in my riding there are two great events. The first event is a carwash at the Gordon R.

Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1  Madam Speaker, in my mind, pharmacare is a very important national strategy that we need to move forward on as soon as possible. Again, in the 10 years that the Conservative Party was in power, there was no talk about moving on that important agenda. Stephen Frank, the president and CEO of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association said: We’re grateful that the government is listening to what Canadians say they want for national pharmacare--an approach that covers everyone, but that doesn’t result in people losing the workplace benefits they currently have.

Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. He has to understand that we Liberals are investing in Canadians. At home we might decide to borrow money to buy a house, a car, or something else. We are investing $150 million and Canadians created 900,000 jobs. That is going to generate the revenue that will help pay down consumer debt.

Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1  Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his comments and his question. I am happy to tell him that this is a program that did not exist in the previous 10 years. We have to start somewhere. We are trying to help first-time homebuyers. Yes, it goes on the average, but keep mind that is still getting a piece of that pie.

Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to say that the budget is probably the most important instrument that the government can present every year. I am very disappointed that we were not able to hear the Minister of Finance give his speech. The following week, many of my constituents told me how much they deplored missing the opportunity to hear the speech.

Budget Implementation Act, 2019, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his rather interesting speech. He seems to be very knowledgeable about the budget, and I must congratulate him for speaking about all the good things that the Liberals put in the budget to help Canadians. However, he said that it was not enough.

Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. It is clearly very important that we support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This bill certainly emphasizes the principle of consultation and close collaboration with indigenous peoples and northerners.

Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act  Madam Speaker, I do not think we have any lessons to learn from the former Conservative government; that is for sure. When it comes to consultation, Conservatives did not even know what the word “consultation” meant for 10 years. When the Prime Minister of the country is going to various provinces to speak to people without letting the premiers of the provinces know that he is going to be in town, that is just disrespectful.

Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak to Bill C-88, an act to amend the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act and to make consequential amendments to other acts. I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional lands of the Algonquin people.

Corrections and Conditional Release Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. As we know, the people working in these institutions have contributed to the success of this bill. Consultation was an important component for us. We also injected funding to ensure that the necessary safety infrastructure was in place so these people could do their work.

Corrections and Conditional Release Act  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to quote Mr. Godin. He is the president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers. He also said that to put this together, what is really crucial is that the investments follow and we make sure that our government is putting those investments in to ensure that this law can proceed and to ensure the safety of the employees and the safety of the individuals in the correctional centres.

Corrections and Conditional Release Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. He raises an interesting point about the decisions from Ontario and British Columbia, which certainly raised certain issues. However, we added two measures to alleviate segregation. First, the hours when the inmates can leave their cells are between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Corrections and Conditional Release Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this new chamber to speak to Bill C-83. When this bill was introduced, it was an important piece of legislation. However, what is even more important is that the parliamentary process has helped enhance this very important bill. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members who have participated in the debate, who provided information and who shared their views.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, my colleague, as we heard, sits at committee and does some really good work. He has also sat at the veterans committee. I have always appreciated his feedback. However, I believe he has to admit that it is the responsibility of the members of Parliament and of the people of Canada to share with the minister or the Attorney General or the Prime Minister some of the concerns and issues we have.