Supplementary Estimates (B), 2021-22  Madam Chair, this pandemic does not recognize borders. The collaboration between countries during this pandemic illustrates the importance of diplomacy. During the COVID-19 crisis, our government was present on the world stage and our country was an indisputable leader. Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us about her recent trip to Europe, as well as her participation in the 2021 NATO summit and the summit of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the OSCE?

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2021-22  Mr. Speaker, I thoroughly enjoyed the minister's speech and I look forward to supporting his work, of course, as his parliamentary secretary. Earlier today, I stood up in the House of Commons for an S.O. 31 to highlight some of the work being done by my alma mater, McMaster University.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to congratulate my colleague for his election victory and his long political career. I also thank him for his military service. The situation being what it is, we need to focus on the work ahead. It would be reasonable to have this conversation in many standing committees, including citizenship and immigration, foreign affairs, international development, veterans affairs and national defence.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, that was an excellent speech. I would also like to acknowledge that of all of us, 338 in this House, likely no one has as much experience or perspective on this issue. I want to thank the hon. member for adding to that discourse today. I hear what he said regarding the need for a committee.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his comments and his commitment to this very important file. I agree that the work that needs to be done does not require a whole new committee. I would like his thoughts on what the next steps should be. How do we achieve this in a non-partisan way?

Pandemic Preparedness Research  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand in the House today to highlight some of the remarkable work being done at McMaster University. I am a proud Mac grad and Marauder, so the opportunity to speak to their work to develop Canada's global nexus for pandemics and biological threats is especially significant.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I wish I had the time to get into this for even longer, because it is a passion of mine. I followed very closely the Vote Housing campaign during the election, and I will do my best to fulfill its six campaign requests. I will tell members a quick story, as the member's statement today focused on the federal government.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague's question is a good one, and indeed we are here talking about innovative solutions for fighting climate change. I am very heartened that in the past week in particular, in the face of the horrible disasters that have occurred in British Columbia, I have heard more about climate change from the Conservatives than I think any of us ever have.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. I want him to know that I share his concerns about affordable housing in Canada. I can assure the member that I have been pressuring our government to ensure we have co-op housing, non-profit housing and logement social, as another colleague from the Bloc corrected me earlier to inform me of the correct terminology used in Quebec.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, as this is my first time to rise in this House in the 44th Parliament, it is my honour to congratulate you on your re-election to that Chair and to congratulate all of my colleagues from every party for their election and re-election. I am excited to work with everybody here in this House to build a better country.

Residential Schools  Mr. Speaker, the Kamloops Indian Residential School on Tk’emlups te Secwépemc territory operated for almost 100 years before it was finally closed in 1978. Indigenous children stripped from their lands and their families were brought there and to hundreds of schools like it and subjected to a cultural genocide.

Attack in London, Ontario  Mr. Speaker, the horrific act of domestic terrorism on Sunday, June 6, was another tragic reminder of the evil and hateful prejudice and racism that continues to exist in our country. It was an attack on an innocent family, a religious community and our ideals as Canadians. On Wednesday night, I attended a vigil in Oakville, and I saw the coming together of a Muslim community that was shaken, but not broken.

National Health and Fitness Day  Mr. Speaker, like most Canadians, I have found it really tough to stay physically active over the last 15 months. Sport, physical activity and recreation are super important for our physical and mental health, but they also build communities and helps to maintain our connections and friendships.

Diversity and Inclusion  Madam Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge my role as an ally in this place. As a white, cisgendered, straight man, I have never experienced racism, homophobia or bigotry in any form, and I do feel like I have a role, as an ally, to stand up. We are taking steps to review the Employment Equity Act, particularly in light of comments that it does not address the distinct experiences of Black employees.

Diversity and Inclusion  Madam Speaker, I just cannot thank my hon. colleague and friend from Fredericton enough for her speech and her advocacy on this very important topic. I admire her willingness to come out here and always confront difficult topics of conversation. I share her satisfaction with the fact that we are the first government that has a Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, that does the hard work and commits to the hard work.