Government Appointments  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to provide the same response in our second official language, English. Our two official languages are at the heart of who we are as Canadians. Our government is firmly committed to a rigorous, open, and transparent process for all public appointments. The Commissioner of Official Languages is a critically important role.

Government Appointments  Mr. Speaker, both our official languages are an important part of our history and our Canadian identity and they are important to us. As far as appointments are concerned, our government is firmly committed to having a strong, open, and transparent appointment process and finding the best candidate for each position.

Multiculturalism  Madam Speaker, my friend opposite perhaps is not aware of the different aspects or the different initiatives being undertaken by the Department of Canadian Heritage with respect to multiculturalism. Therefore, let me tell him about some of the applications we have received. We have received applications for inter-action funding, which will fight racism, prejudice, and discrimination.

Multiculturalism  Madam Speaker, I thank my friend opposite for his commitment to this issue. I will start with some prefatory comments about what our government is committed to and then I will answer the member's question directly. Our government is committed to diversity. It is a great source of pride.

Canadian Heritage  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Toronto—Danforth for her continued advocacy and support on behalf of the arts in her riding and around the country. Our government is committed to the arts. We are committed to supporting creative labs and to bringing artisan creators together to work and grow.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, at the outset, I will provide two responses. In terms of what the government, through the budget, is doing for jobs and for infrastructure, it is making historic investments that are actually having results for Canadians right around the country. Canadians elected us on a platform of investment in the economy, and that is exactly what we are doing.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Essex for her question and for her advocacy in this chamber. In terms of the winery economy, the vintners of Canada are an important aspect of our economy, as are all of our alcohol producers and alcohol distributers. The actual tax that is proposed in this budget will amount to a tax of what I understand to be 1¢ per bottle.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Winnipeg South. It is a pleasure for me to rise today to speak to budget 2017. I want to address key parts of the budget that I know would have an important and lasting impact on my riding of Parkdale—High Park in Toronto.

Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague across the way for his comments and speech. I have a question for him about the public transit tax credit. What was mentioned in my colleague's comments was that there are people who are in need. That is accepted. What was mentioned in my colleague's comments was that he is serving those people who are in need with tax clinics in his riding.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, April 22 is Earth Day. In recognition, I want to acknowledge a tremendous organization in my riding of Parkdale—High Park: Green 13. Green 13 is a collection of residents in my community who work hard every day to raise awareness about the most pressing issue of our generation: climate change.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I have two responses to the member's question. First of all, it is inaccurate to portray this budget or this government's commitment as one that is delayed, or speculative, for future years. We started out with a commitment of nearly $2 billion for housing in budget 2016.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from my colleague across the way and the work that she does here in the House as a member. I would like to reiterate what I said earlier. We talked to a lot of organizations, residents, and people who work in the field. They asked us first for a national housing strategy and second for a long-term vision to develop that strategy.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, the importance of this budget is that it looks at different streams, different government programs, and understands how to synchronize them to work toward the same goal. The sustainability point the member mentioned is a critical part of this goal. For example, when we look at housing, whether it is in first nations communities or in downtown Toronto, what we are looking at and trying to promote through requests for proposals is green infrastructure housing.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to budget 2017. I want to address key parts of the budget that I know will have an important and lasting impact on my riding of Parkdale—High Park in Toronto. Since October 2015, I have heard loud and clear from my constituents about the issues that matter to them most, and I know that this budget would go a long way toward addressing those issues.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, I came to this country as a refugee and I have spent my career as a constitutional and human rights lawyer, promoting social justice, diversity, pluralism, and inclusion. Prior to agreeing to speak at this conference on diversity and pluralism, I proactively contacted the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, who approved the travel.