Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today as the first speaker at second reading from our caucus on Bill C-6, an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding conversion therapy, formerly Bill C-8 before COVID-19 changed our model here and we lost a few months on this legislation. I

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for the kind words. After I came out, I had a Facebook post to thank everyone, and the line that I have used many times since to talk about it is that every person who shares their story opens up new hearts and new minds. This is where I belie

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, as I mentioned in my speech, I believe that we are proposing what we feel are reasonable amendments. In my comments, I used a bipartisan approach to this. I know that many of my colleagues thought the same when they read the news release from the Department of Just

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I want to begin acknowledging the work that the hon. member has done in his time in Ottawa and the leadership he has shown, to pave the way for people such as myself to follow in his shoes as we talk about LGBTQ issues in legislation. A fundamental building block

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I have been a member of Parliament for one year and I am getting the legal hang of things bit by bit, but I will not presuppose what may happen if the amendment is not there. My focus right now is working with my colleagues who are on the justice committee, as we g

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I think this legislation would correct for the future subjecting children to this dangerous practice. So, it would eliminate and go there. I also think, as I said in my comments, this is a testimony and a tribute to those who have been victims of conversion therapy

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise here this afternoon as one of the final speakers on Bill C-9. It is a key piece of economic legislation with much-needed support programs for businesses, not only in eastern Ontario where I reside but in every part of the country. I have sai

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, I agree. We needed to have a quick response to get assurances to businesses as quickly as possible. Having said that, the one thing I have always said is to spend the extra hours here debating, scrutinizing and going back and forth and to spend some time at committee

Renovations on Parliament Hill  Madam Speaker, for generations, Canadians have been proud to visit and showcase Parliament Hill, with our House of Commons, the Peace Tower and the Centennial Flame. However, with the ongoing work taking place here to renovate these historical assets, Canadians are becoming incre

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, Canadian Blood Services is begging Canadians across this country to donate blood this holiday season in the midst of a second wave. I want to donate and make a difference, but I cannot because I am gay. In the year 2020, why is that?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, here is the problem. The minister in the Liberal government made the promise to end the discrimination and stigma that gay men face in this country. She had no problem during the election campaign telling gay men this would end. Now, she is hiding behind a bunch of b

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the minister tonight has used the buzzword a robust portfolio. Let me tell her that there is a robust portfolio of gay men in this country who want to step forward, make a difference and donate blood. They want to give blood like you promised you would allow us to do

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, this is going to be a long seven and a half-minute exchange, and very painful for the minister because she did not promise to study or review or fund or do anything. She promised to end it. It was in the Liberal Party platform. If she could commit to doing that, she

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I am frustrated too and it is personal for me. The minister had no problem during an election campaign, alongside the Prime Minister, to end the stigma and end the discrimination against gay men in this country. To hear that answer and the waving all over the place

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I am going to ask again. I am not going to let it go. Would the minister take my blood?