Public Safety  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for making sure I can continue to explain for my esteemed colleague the importance of the network in Canada. Just before Christmas, Canadians are watching question period, I am sure, and one thing they understand is that we on this side of the aisle understand what national security is about and we will make the right decision for this generation and future generations.

Health  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his leadership. As members in the House know, it has been my absolute priority to grow the biomanufacturing sector in this country to ensure the health and safety of Canadians for generations to come. Our agreement with Merck means that we will be manufacturing therapies against COVID-19 right here in Canada, in Whitby, Ontario.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives when it comes to promoting the energy sector in Canada. The member on the other side knows well that not only do we promote the energy sector, but we landed the first blue hydrogen project in Canada, in Edmonton, Alberta.

Diversity and Inclusion  Madam Speaker, I thank my excellent colleague for his excellent question. Since this initiative was launched, nearly 1,400 Canadian organizations have stepped up and taken on the 50-30 challenge. Just this morning, we also announced more than $28 million in funding to help organizations participating in the 50-30 challenge meet their diversity and inclusion objectives.

Points of Order  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the point made by the opposition House leader. I apologize if my colleague was offended by what I said. That was not my intention.

The Economy  Madam Speaker, it is quite a pleasure to see you again this morning. I am happy to see that my hon. colleague wants to talk about geography. Let me mention a few countries: the United States, Mexico, Germany, the eurozone and New Zealand. What do they have in common? More inflation than Canada.

Government Priorities  Madam Speaker, that is a very important question. The members know that on this side of the House we have been there for small businesses and that we have been there for businesses throughout the pandemic. I take this question very seriously. If the hon. member has a case in point, we would be happy to look at it on this side of the House and provide a response.

Forestry Industry  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question. I am from the Mauricie region, and I am very familiar with the forestry industry and companies like Rémabec and Resolute. My riding is even home to the École forestière in La Tuque. If there is one thing that the Canadians watching at home this morning need to know, it is that the Minister of International Trade is in Washington today to defend the interests of forestry workers.

Forestry Industry  Madam Speaker, one thing that Canadians know for sure is that we on this side of the House know how to stand up for the interests of Canadian businesses and industries. We demonstrated this when duties were imposed on the steel and aluminum industry, for example. In addition, as I just mentioned while running out of breath, the Minister of International Trade is in Washington at this very moment, standing up for the interests of forestry workers and defending the interests of the industry.

Small Business  Madam Speaker, it is a real pleasure to be rising in the House again today. I think the member is misleading in her question. In fact, this is not an increase. This is not a tax. We will make sure we will be there. What Canadians understand is that we have been true to them and have been with them every step of the way during this pandemic, and we will continue to be there for small and medium-sized businesses.

Small Business  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for the question because it gives me a chance to explain something to the House and to Canadians who are watching at home this morning. One thing that Canadians and small businesses across this nation will remember is that we have been with them every step of the way through this pandemic, both at the start and during the pandemic, and we will continue.

The Economy  Madam Speaker, we all appreciate and understand in this House that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy, and that is why, during this pandemic, as members will recall, this government was there to support them every step of the way. One thing we said to small businesses is that we have their backs as long as it takes to make sure we get through this pandemic together.

The Economy  Madam Speaker, I am very, very happy to talk about the economy this morning, because I have other good news. In fact, 106% of jobs have been recovered since the pandemic. This is astonishing, and it is thanks to Canadian workers and Canadian businesses. That compares to 83% south of our border.

The Economy  Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent. He knows that I truly respect him, and I am happy that he has given me the opportunity today to share some good news with the House and with Canadians. As a result of Canadians' hard work, Canada added 154,000 jobs in November, which is five times higher than what had been forecast for our economy.

The Economy  Madam Speaker, I understand because earlier this year, I myself helped distribute food hampers to families in need. If there is one thing that Canadians will remember about our government, it is that when Canada went through a pandemic, we were there to support them. We were there for families, we were there for workers and we were there for businesses.