Italian Heritage Month  Signor Presidente, today, I would like to mark a very special and important anniversary for 1.5 million Italian Canadians. We are celebrating a country, its democratic system, and its people, but also each of its regions: l'Abruzzo, la Basilicata, la Calabria, la Campania, l'Emi

Lebanese-Canadian Scientific Community  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Canada's chief science advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer. The entire Lebanese-Canadian community shares this honour with Dr. Nemer, who was born in Beirut. Other women scientists originally from Lebanon have also made their mark. Dr. Jehane Dagher, a ph

Young Quebecers Leading the Way Award  Mr. Speaker, the Quebec Community Groups Network recognizes every year an exceptional individual with the Young Quebecers Leading the Way Award. She “is a brilliant, resilient and courageous young woman who overcame adversity to become a highly visible and influential proponent

Human Rights  Mr. Speaker, news out of Myanmar and Bangladesh about the Rohingya is nothing short of alarming. There are horrifying media reports of women and girls being raped and murdered, and thousands of children who have witnessed the unspeakable are on their own, trying to survive amid t

National Impaired Driving Prevention Week  moved: Motion No. 148 That, in the opinion of the House, the government should recognize the importance of educating Canadians about the consequences of impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, fatigue or distraction, which, each year, destroys the lives and health of thousan

National Impaired Driving Prevention Week  Madam Speaker, I salute my dear colleague. He has been extremely generous with the words he has shared with my daughter and also with his insight and advice. I commend him for having made it all the way to this honourable institution. My daughter was victimized by the accident,

National Impaired Driving Prevention Week  Madam Speaker, I will provide an example of where we are all at risk of getting involved with such behaviour. A friend, a person who is highly commended in his community, was arrested for impaired driving. When I spoke with him I said, “You of all people”. He had such a positive

National Impaired Driving Prevention Week  Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer a brief reply. Emotions make us. They are a driving force. They are a guide. I have to tell members that when I addressed this motion, I relived the circumstances that led me to propose it, and at times I am overtaken by emotion. Therefore, if m

International Women's Day  Mr Speaker, I salute my mother, Giuseppina Di Iorio. One might ask why she is here today. My mother brought in homemade white lasagna for my colleagues, as she does regularly for the charities she supports. When my mother found out that the opposition members would not have acce

Impaired Driving  Mr Speaker, we mark an historic moment. Parliament is sitting during the first National Impaired Driving Prevention Week. Impaired Driving is the criminal act that kills the most Canadians. As we are on the eve of cannabis legalization, we should all have an heightened sense of

Canada Revenue Agency  Mr. Speaker, like most Canadians, my Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel constituents are filling out their tax returns. Doing so will give them access to valuable benefits and credits our government introduced, such as the Canada child benefit and the Canada caregiver credit. This year,

Italian National Day  Mr. Speaker, a country is above all the expression of a people. Today, we are celebrating a nation with ancient roots transposed into a civilization spanning millennia. Its people used their knowledge, ingenuity, creativity, dedication, and emotions to create the biggest brands i

Transportation  Mr. Speaker, Montreal's public transit system is the most heavily used in the country. Many Montrealers make the eco-friendly choice to get around the city by metro, bus, and bike share. I am very pleased with our government's recent decision to help with planning the blue line e

Member for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel  Mr. Speaker, every time I enter or leave this venerable Chamber, I greet you with reverence. I offer this greeting to you as a colleague, and as someone who has also become a friend. Most of all however, I offer it to my country, to its people, to my constituents, and to this ins

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, in light of the speech I made yesterday, and considering that I might be missing a few votes during the 500 days that separate us from the general election, I may have gotten a bit too excited and I may have voted twice. I want to thank my colleagues in the oppositio