Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1  Madam Speaker, it is an honour for me to rise today and speak to the implementation of the budget. It is an incredible honour for me, as well, to be splitting my time with the great member for Edmonton Manning, who is a very valuable colleague. I am really looking forward to hearing what he has to say later.

Government Policies  Mr. Speaker, after eight years of the Prime Minister, Canadians are struggling more than ever. People are turning to food banks in record numbers, young people are worried that they will never be able to afford a home and people are struggling just to fill their gas tanks. This week, the NDP-Liberal coalition approved its new budget, which only features more of the same failed policies that have caused these issues in the first place.

Northern Ontario Curling Championship  Mr. Speaker, just over a week ago, the City of Kenora played host to the top curlers from across northern Ontario for the regional playdowns. This is always an incredible opportunity to showcase the great talent we have across the north, and I know that Kenora was honoured to once again host this important event.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to applications received under the Northern Ontario Development Program, since 2018, broken down by year the applications were received: (a) how many applicants and what percentage did not receive a decision within 80 days of the government receiving the application; (b) of the applicants in (a), how many organizations were (i) Indigenous-owned or were from Indigenous communities, (ii) non-indigenous owned or were from non-indigenous communities; (c) what is the breakdown of (a) by federal riding in Northern Ontario; and (d) for each instance where the application did not receive a decision within 80 days, what was the reason for the delay?

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to applications received for funding under the Economic Development Initiative in Northern Ontario, since 2018, broken down by the year the applications were received: (a) how many applicants and what percentage did not receive a decision within 80 days of government receiving the application; (b) of the applicants in (a), how many organizations were (i) Indigenous-owned or were from Indigenous communities, (ii) non-indigenous owned or were from non-indigenous communities; (c) what is the breakdown of (a) by federal riding in Northern Ontario; and (d) for each instance where the application did not receive a decision within 80 days, what was the reason for the delay?

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to the Canada Revenue Agency: what is the total number of employees or full-time equivalents in each division and section of the agency (human resources, administration, corporate tax processing, etc.), broken down by year, since 2016?

Questions on the Order Paper  With regard to the 2022-23 departmental plan for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario: (a) what is the government's target for the percentage of companies engaged in collaborations with higher education institutions in Northern Ontario; and (b) what is the government's target in terms of the dollar value of exports of clean technologies from Northern Ontario?

Telecommunications Act  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the comments from the government member across the way. In the debate today, a number of concerns have been brought forward around some of the ministerial powers included in Bill C-26, as well as the lack of accountability mechanisms. I think we have heard from all parties about the desire to bring forward amendments and improvements at the committee stage.

National Council for Reconciliation Act  Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Edmonton Griesbach for his comments. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with him on a number of files over the last year. I want to go back to the amendment that has been proposed by the Liberals. In 2018 the government signed an accord recognizing the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples as one of the five national indigenous organizations, which is why at committee the Conservatives brought forward a motion to add a seat at the table for this organization.

National Council for Reconciliation Act  Madam Speaker, the member for Nunavut touched on a number of very important issues. I really appreciate the passion she brings to this place. She really speaks from the heart on a lot of these issues. I have had the pleasure of working with her on the indigenous and northern affairs committee, as the parliamentary secretary has as well.

National Council for Reconciliation Act  Madam Speaker, I had the pleasure of working with my colleague from the Bloc previously on the indigenous and northern affairs committee. To that end, I want to talk a bit about the amendment that was put forward by the Liberal Party to remove the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples from having a seat on this council.

National Council for Reconciliation Act  Madam Speaker, my colleague from Winnipeg had quite a few questions within that, so I will try to address them in the time I have. To her point around the spending, I alluded to it in my speech. It is not necessarily about more or less, but about spending more efficiently and more effectively.

National Council for Reconciliation Act  Madam Speaker, I have appreciated the opportunity to work with my colleague once again on the indigenous and northern affairs committee, as he alluded to. The short answer is all of them. I support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and I support moving forward on the calls to action, but the point the parliamentary secretary made, and he alluded to it as well in his speech, is talking about calls to action 53 to 56.

National Council for Reconciliation Act  Madam Speaker, as I alluded to in my speech, a very important aspect is that the government needs to listen and be responsive to the needs of indigenous communities. When I talk to chiefs and leaders across my riding, they know what their communities need and they know where the gaps are, but too often we have Indigenous Services trying to dictate where those dollars should flow, and that is why I think we see a number of gaps, including when it comes to housing.

National Council for Reconciliation Act  Madam Speaker, it is an honour for me to join the debate today on Bill C-29, the truth and reconciliation council. It has been an honour for me as the member for Kenora representing northwestern Ontario, which includes 42 first nations across three treaty territories as well as the Métis homeland, to work on this bill throughout the committee process.