Secularism of Government Institutions  Madam Speaker, our government does defend all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We value the diversity of the population, we respect the laws and the right of people to pray and to subscribe to a particular faith, and we represent the multiculturalism of our great nation.

Official Languages  Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drummond for his question. The Government of Canada, and all Canadians, firmly believe that access to federal services in the language of their choice is a fundamental issue. We firmly believe that Canadians who want to access public information from federal institutions must be able to do so in the language of their choice.

Official Languages  Madam Speaker, our government is determined to promote and foster the use of both official languages throughout Canada, especially in communications and service to the public. The Minister of Canadian Heritage is mandated to work with the president of the Treasury Board to ensure that all federal services are provided in full compliance with the Official Languages Act.

Canadian Human Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his work on human rights, and for his comments on the bill. As an openly gay member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and having watched the marriage debate with great personal interest, without the leadership of the House and of civil society, I might still be waiting for the legal opportunity to marry the person who I most love in this world.

Canadian Human Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, there was a time not so long ago when I myself was discriminated against by our own government and our country. Since we will be called upon to vote on this bill, what can we do as MPs to ensure that people feel a genuine sense of belonging to the country and that they feel at home here?

Canadian Human Rights Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his speech. I am an openly gay man and an MP from Alberta, and I know that Quebec has a very open and tolerant society. According to my dear colleague, the member for Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d'Orléans—Charlevoix, why is it important for the House to expand human rights to include the rights of transgendered people?

Canadian Human Rights Act  Madam Speaker, the beauty of Canada is that we live in a pluralistic society. If we trace our roots back to the founding peoples, the indigenous peoples who welcomed European settlers here, and the social contract that we built with the English and French, and then later official bilingualism, which led to official multiculturalism and this amazing society we have, we are a rights-based society.

Canadian Human Rights Act  Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question. In Canada, a nation built around the rule of law, there is no higher deliberative or legislative body than this august chamber that decides on the laws of the land, that talks about and speaks to freedom and liberty, and that from the highest offices of the land says that people of all races, religions, creeds, sexual orientation, and, soon I hope, gender expression belong.

Canadian Human Rights Act  Madam Speaker, Tuesday May 17 was an important day. It was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. It was a day to recognize the efforts of everyone who has fought for equality, freedom, and respect for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, non-binary, and two-spirited persons.

Jim Prentice  Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in this House with a heavy heart. Last week, Albertans and Canadians lost one of our most devoted public servants. The hon. Jim Prentice served with honour and conviction as a member of this House, as a member of the federal cabinet, and as premier of Alberta.

City of Edmonton  Mr. Speaker, despite tough economic times, my home city of Edmonton continues to enjoy modest growth. Edmontonians are resilient people. We know how to cut loose with everything from the International Street Performers Festival, the Jazz Festival, The Works Art and Design Festival, and the stunning Tour of Alberta.

Muslim Canadians  Mr. Speaker, as-salaam alaykum. I rise today in solidarity with Muslim Canadians and Muslim newcomers across the country. When Muslim newcomers decide to leave their country and come to Canada, they often leave behind prejudice and profiling for a better life in this country. Mistrust and fear of newcomers are dismal aspects of our shared past.

Dairy Industry  Mr. Speaker, as I said, the Government of Canada does not see any agreements or working relationships with indigenous people as impediments to resource development in Canada. These elements are complementary and part of a properly functioning, balanced, fair, and progressive society.

Dairy Industry  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this evening to rise to respond to the question by the hon. member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, here on traditional Algonquin territory. As stated in the mandate letter to each and every minister of this government, no relationship is more important to the Prime Minister or to Canada than the one with first nations, the Métis nation, and Inuit people.

Official Languages  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. My colleagues are working hard on matters pertaining to official bilingualism in this country. We are drafting an action plan for Canada's official languages for 2018-2023. As far as Parks Canada, the RCMP, and our whole-of-government approach to official languages are concerned, we are working on it and will continue to strengthen standards throughout Canada.