COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, these are difficult days for all, and today I heard of the passing of a great Barrie resident. I will use the first valuable moments of my time to regretfully inform the House of the passing of the hon. Aileen Carroll. Aileen started in politics as a Barrie city councillor in 1995 and rose in politics to become a federal cabinet minister in 2003.

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, I have a specific question then. During the pandemic crisis, one of the disgusting sides that has arisen is the rise in fraud. It is hard to believe that criminals are out there taking advantage of people in this time of need. Has the government considered providing tougher sentences for individuals found to be committing fraud against individuals during this pandemic?

COVID-19 Pandemic  Madam Chair, further to that question, many police services across Canada are scrambling right now to find the resources to cover their day-to-day business. Now they have been added this increase in fraud across Canada. Will the federal government be able to help any of the police services across Canada with some extra resources to fight this battle?

COVID-19 Emergency Response  Mr. Speaker, during this difficult time, Canadians are reaching out for answers, clarity and reassurance. My office is receiving hundreds of calls and emails daily with enquiries about government programs. Canadians are very frustrated at not being able to get through on phone lines, and if they do get through, they can be on hold for hours.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to the government’s policy on firearms: which specific makes and models of weapons that are currently available on the legal market does the government consider to be “military-style assault weapons”?

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Officer recently released its report on infrastructure spending. Alarmingly, this report tells Canadians there is no way of tracking where money is being spent. The report went so far as to say the Liberals' infrastructure plan “does not exist”.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, Lake Simcoe is the jewel of central Ontario. It contributes to the great quality of life for those who live nearby. On October 9, 2019, the Deputy Prime Minister visited Barrie and promised that a re-elected Liberal government would reinstate funding for the Lake Simcoe cleanup fund.

Questions Passed as Orders for Returns  With regard to spending by departments, agencies and Crown corporations, since January 1, 2018: what were the total costs of rentals and purchases of individual staging, lighting and audio equipment, and production and assorted technical costs for all government announcements and public events, broken down by (i) date of event, (ii) location, (iii) event description, (iv) vendor name, (v) goods or services provided by each vendor, (vi) contract value, including cost of each good or service, if known?

Questions on the Order Paper  With regard to individuals working full-time, part-time, on contract, or on a casual basis at Global Affairs Canada’s offices abroad, including local and third-country cooperants and advisors, as of December 1, 2019: (a) how many such individuals were required to have (i) a secret security clearance or above, (ii) a confidential security clearance, (iii) no security clearance; and (b) how many individuals were working at Global Affairs Canada’s offices abroad, as of December 1, 2019, either without the required security clearance or pending the issuance of a security clearance?

House debate  Madam Speaker, I thank the member for welcoming me to the House. The Conservative Party believes that it is a global effect. Global warming is not just in Canada but is going on all over the world. It is not just a local issue. We are dealing with more local issues in Barrie.

House debate  Madam Speaker, Canada was formed on its resource base, and right now our resource base is being hit very hard. There are many people losing their jobs. I am hearing this every day through my former members, especially in the west, who are suffering in the energy sector.

House debate  Madam Speaker, with regard to climate change, the Conservative Party has never considered that putting taxes on people is going to help. We do not want to tax people who are going to be driving their kids to hockey. I am a hockey coach and am dealing with 17 parents all the time.

House debate  Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Barrie—Innisfil for sharing his time with me today. I served many years on council with him. He has been a great mentor to me. I look forward to spending the next four years here together in Ottawa, or maybe not quite four years. We will see how long it is going to be.

Oro-Medonte  Mr. Speaker, standing up and speaking for the first time in Parliament should be an occasion filled with joy and happiness. Unfortunately, it is with heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to not one but two Oro-Medonte councillors who recently passed away. Councillor Scott Macpherson passed away on November 6, 2019.