Pensions  Mr. Speaker, today is my first opportunity to speak in this honourable House of Commons. I want to thank the people of Québec for electing me and giving me the opportunity to join this assembly in contributing to the serious work that awaits us. I want to respond to my hon. coll

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question, which is a very good one. I know that she is happy the new government has big plans to fight poverty and inclusion. I invite her to watch closely as we announce measures over the coming months.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to say that I really liked the speech given by the member for Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel, especially when he spoke so enthusiastically and so passionately about the importance of democracy. I want to congratulate him on what he s

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. It gives me the opportunity to say how moved the Canadian government and I were by the sadness and suffering of our families in Quebec City. These deaths occurred under extremely difficult circumstances thousands of kilometres a

Social Development  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for reminding us that the issue the Auditor General raised in his very welcome report is an important one. I was very concerned about the findings in the report regarding the fate of the most vulnerable members of our society. I met with the Audito

Social Development  Mr. Speaker, I am a little surprised that this question is coming from the party to our right and not the party across the way. In any case, in response I would say that of course we want to see the Social Security Tribunal of Canada operating properly, because that tribunal dea

Social Development  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I agree that it is important to invest in social housing. In recent weeks, I had the opportunity to meet with many stakeholders and partners who are concerned about this issue. We are working with the provinces and municipalities

Health  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member of Parliament for his dedication and interest in this important topic. Our government acknowledges the scope and seriousness of the health and mental health issues faced by our northern Ontario communities and elsewhere in Canada. Federal, provinc

Health  Mr. Speaker, I again thank the hon. member for his sensitivity to this very important issue. He has heard over the last few weeks and months this government's commitment to working on a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with indigenous peoples in order to make progress on th

Health  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her comments. I certainly appreciate her sensitivity to this serious need in our aboriginal communities. As everyone knows, our government recognizes that our aboriginal communities in northern Ontario and across Canada are facing significant,

Pensions  Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank the member for his very important question. I am delighted to remind the House that our government is committed to providing seniors with a very secure retirement. We will restore to 65 the age of eligibility for old age security, well before the pl

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear this question. That matter was an important element of our platform in the last election and contributed to electing a government that is sensitive both to economic growth and to inclusive growth. We will have very good news in a matter of a few

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member from across the aisle for her question. This relates to a key aspect of the program we developed and championed during the election campaign. We announced at that time that the Canadian government would recommit to supporting affordable social hous

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for that important question. This issue is very important to us. As we have pointed out, this is about the vulnerability of the most at-risk and poorest members of our society. I think the hon. member will be surprised in the coming weeks by the

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I am so delighted and so proud to be part of a team that will be implementing the most significant social policy innovation in a generation. This new Canada child benefit will be simpler, non-taxable, and will benefit nine families out of ten. It will take 300 child