Affordable Housing and Groceries Act  Madam Speaker, we are having meetings currently. We believe that the grocery chains and the large manufacturers will come forward with solutions. In Canada, we all work together. I believe they understand that the thing to maximize is not only shareholder value, it is also stakeholder value in other areas, such as employees and customers.

Affordable Housing and Groceries Act  Madam Speaker, the prices are too high. We all understand that. We have all seen that. We are asking. We are not on our knees, we are meeting with the heads of these companies, both the grocery chains and the manufacturers, to talk to them about what they could do voluntarily to address this with us.

Affordable Housing and Groceries Act  Madam Speaker, yes, I realize I said a name I should not have.

Affordable Housing and Groceries Act  Madam Speaker, they have called in the heads of the grocery chains as well as the heads of major food manufacturers to come speak with the government and work together to come up with further solutions, because we all have to work together. We know when grocery chains are making record profits and CEOs and others in the C-suite are getting high-level bonuses that Canadians need to know they are also concerned about other stakeholders, such as their loyal customers and their frontline employees, who need help given to them as well.

Affordable Housing and Groceries Act  Madam Speaker, it is an honour to rise to address Bill C-56, our affordable housing and groceries act, as affordability is an issue of great concern to many of the constituents in the riding of Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, which I have the privilege of representing. Affordability continues to be a major challenge for Canadians.

Department of Public Works and Government Services Act  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in the House to speak on the bill, which is a small but important bill when it comes to greening our economy and fighting climate change. As always, I am very privileged to rise as the member for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill. Today I am going to be addressing Bill S-222 and how the use of a sustainable and renewable material such as wood can help build a greener and healthier economy for all.

Anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian Flag  Mr. Speaker, September 25 is the anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag. This day is very important for several reasons. First, we get to celebrate the Franco-Ontarian people and, by the same token, francophones throughout the country. Second, the fact that Canada is a country with two founding cultures and two vibrant official languages is a source of pride that should be celebrated.

Gender Equality Week  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise as the MP for Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill to speak on gender equality, a fundamental issue for so many in my riding and all of Canada. Today marks the midpoint of Gender Equality Week, and in this place, we are just about at the midpoint to gender equality.

Queen's York Rangers  Madam Speaker, today I am honoured to rise to speak to the valour, dedication and ongoing service of the Queen's York Rangers. The regiment and the regimental family are proud to be a part of and contribute to the vibrant communities of Toronto and of Aurora, in my riding. The regimental council is also a registered charity that does phenomenal work, and I attended their York County Day last week.

Central York Fire Services  Mr. Speaker, as provinces across Canada continue to battle wildfires, it has never been more important to recognize the vital role firefighters and fire services play in our communities. I am proud to congratulate the entire graduating class of 2023 from Central York Fire Services, whose graduation I attended this past week.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, the member opposite's speech was very personal and compelling. I cannot imagine there is a member of the House who does not feel the same way about this being a crisis and about the need to work on it. This applies to constituents in my area as well. However, attacking municipalities and saying it is all their fault is not the correct way to go either, in my opinion.

Diversity and Inclusion  Mr. Speaker, June 1 marked the beginning of pride season across Canada. We honoured the occasion today with the raising of the pride flag and a celebratory drag brunch. It is a joyful time of year, when we uplift the 2SLGBTQI+ community. However it was disappointing that the official opposition was not well represented as we raised the pride flag.

Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act  Mr. Speaker, it is good to hear that the member opposite and I want the same thing. I did not say there was not concern regarding the lack of available child care; what I was trying to say is that we need to move forward, and the fact that we have other issues to deal with should not prevent us from moving forward with what we have in front of us now.

Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act  Mr. Speaker, the member's question is an important one. We are working with every province to sign agreements that work for those provinces. My belief is that with public day care, not-for-profit day care, there is no profit margin. It has to be more affordable when it is delivered.

Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act  Mr. Speaker, the member opposite raised a very good point, which is that this is not just about affordability and workforce participation; it is also about giving our children a great start in life. I think the Quebec model has exemplified that through the early learning component, which is certainly something we are trying to replicate through this bill, so I give full credit for that.