Petitions  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise on behalf of over 4,000 of my neighbours who are signatories to petition e-2731, which calls on the Government of Canada to refuse the approval of the proposed CN logistics hub in Milton. The findings of the environmental assessment panel concluded inevitable and unprecedented adverse effects on human health and an increase in three no-threshold pollutants, unsafe at any level.

Halton Women's Place  Madam Speaker, we know that women have been disproportionally impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Staying home does not mean staying safe for women and children affected by domestic abuse and men's violence against women. Halton Women's Place is an essential organization in Milton that offers shelter and crisis services for women and their kids.

Canadian Heritage  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Scarborough—Guildwood for his work in promoting diversity and inclusion in his community for over 20 years. This past month, Canadians have been celebrating the contributions of black Canadians to the country that we love. Our government was proud to support Black History Month cultural and community events across Canada.

Coldest Night of the Year Walk  Madam Speaker, I proudly grew up in community housing, with my brother Luke and my mother Beata, at Chautauqua Co-op. My mom is the community coordinator at Briarview Co-op, and I join her in championing co-op housing as a solution for poverty and housing insecurity in Canada.

Citizenship Act  Madam Speaker, thank you very much to my colleague opposite for his eloquent remarks. I am impressed that he does as much as he does without ever reading. I am going to try to do the same. I have found that many of the Conservatives' comments regarding this topic have expressed their undying willingness to support indigenous peoples, as long as it suits their political narrative and as long as people are okay with these big resource extraction projects going on.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act  Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today because I am confused and dismayed at the earlier comments made by the member for Prince Albert. I am confused because the member spoke for five minutes on the value of debate, discourse and dialogue, and then subsequently moved to adjourn all discussions for the day.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments from my colleague opposite, because I love standing up to talk about the Canada child benefit. As everybody in the House knows, the origins go way back to the baby bonus in the 1940s, following the Second World War. Again, the Progressive Conservative government in 1992 modernized that, but it was in 2015, when we got elected, that we changed it, made it non-taxable and made it available for more people.

Relations with Indigenous Peoples  Madam Speaker, I sat in relative awe of a lot of people today listening to a variety of statements and perspectives. Like a lot of things, that is what makes the House great: a lot of different perspectives and opinions. However, there is a degree to which this issue and the people involved in the project are being co-opted to reinforce multiple political narratives.

Black History Month  Madam Speaker, in this month of February, I want to highlight the importance of Black History Month. I am proud to say that the Town of Milton is officially recognizing Black History Month with a proclamation at Town Hall on Monday, February 10, at noon. The Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton has exhibits and shows across Halton throughout the month, and I encourage everyone to check the schedule.

Sport in Milton  Mr. Speaker, last week I got to show off Milton's amazing velodrome facility to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. This was a great reminder that Milton has such a strong culture of active living, something I hope to highlight as the parliamentary secretary for sport. Recently, the Sherwood Community Centre also opened its doors to the public in Milton.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, that question came up often at the doors: What about the deficit? I will talk about the deficit and the debt to GDP ratio, which is more important than a raw number. We can talk about the price of gas all we want. We can talk about the price of one thing, which is just one direction.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, this is an important topic in my riding as well. I attended a forum on universal health care and universal pharmacare. Indeed, we are the only country in the world with universal health care that does not have a comprehensive universal pharmacare. We have promised to pursue just that.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, indeed, there are different types of debt and different types of deficits. We know there is good debt and bad debt. When this government took over from the previous government, there was a huge structural deficit. The previous Conservative government was not building things, but now we are.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, a few days ago I was on Twitter and uncharacteristically came across a story that warmed my heart. It was the story of a young third grade boy who came to Newfoundland as a refugee from Syria with his family. I learned that this young boy knew that some of his classmates played hockey and he wanted to play too, but there were a few barriers in his way.

Canadian Heritage  Mr. Speaker, as a white, straight, cisgender male, I acknowledge my own privilege. I have never and will never experience racism, bigotry or homophobia. Darkening one's face, regardless of the context or the circumstances, is always unacceptable because of this racist history and the practice.