The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member from Toronto for her question. Indeed, we do share much in common. My riding is the home of the University of Manitoba, our major research university. We have enhanced grants, particularly for low-income families, as well as loans. Student w

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I think the record is clear. We have had 10 years of stagnation in this country, 10 years of low growth under the previous government, and this budget makes historical investment with which we will stimulate our economy, create jobs, and lift children out of poverty.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, the alternative was a Liberal Party, led by the Prime Minister, that believed the middle class deserves better. Voters saw that while the wealthiest 1% of society had seen their incomes more than double in the last 30 years, middle-class incomes had stagnated. Midd

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege and honour for me to rise and speak today in the House on the subject of our government's 2016 budget. It is not an exaggeration to say that we have the good fortune to live in one of the world's great democracies. Canadian democracy as we kn

Questions on the Order Paper  Mr. Speaker, since its creation on April 1, 2013, the tribunal has received a total of 17,190 Canada pension plan disability appeals. As of November 1, 2015, the number of active Canada pension plan disability appeals has been reduced to 5,969. Of those 5,969 appeals, there are

Social Development  Madam Speaker, let there be no doubt that we on this side of the House share the hon. member's concern. We know we have work to do to improve the process for appealing benefit decisions. No Canadian should be left hanging without a decision about the benefits to which they are

Social Development  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the hon. member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot regarding her concern for Canadians appealing decisions through the Social Security Tribunal, especially those waiting for disability benefits. I share her concern. The recent report from the Aud

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for her helpful suggestions. As promised during the election, our government is committed to developing a strategy to re-establish the federal role in support of affordable housing. The strategy will prioritize investments in affordable housi

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to respond to the member for Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot. Let me begin by saying that we share her concern for vulnerable Canadians that need support in meeting their housing needs. I can assure the House that the government will indeed invest i

Social Development  Mr. Speaker, to repeat, our government feels that one of our most important roles is to help those Canadians who need it most, and those who are facing homelessness are among our most vulnerable. We need to address the challenges that many face when it comes to finding stable af

Social Development  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to respond to the member for Hochelaga and I share her concern for low-income households. One of the most important roles of government is to support vulnerable Canadians, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We are committed to

Floyd Wiebe  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize today in the House the passing of Floyd Trevor Wiebe in late 2015. Mr. Wiebe grew up in the Winnipeg South community of St. Vital. He was a successful entrepreneur and businessman, but will be best remembered for his work helping and protec

Housing  Mr. Speaker, the government committed to a $20-billion infrastructure program that would emphasize social infrastructure. That will include housing and renewing housing agreements, as the member mentioned, as well as facilities for seniors, early learning, and child care.

Housing  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the hon. member, who I met for the first time this morning in the elevator. I would just repeat what I said before. Our government has committed to $20 billion over the next 10 years in social infrastructure. A major element of that wi

Families  Mr. Speaker, as this is the first time I rise in the House, I want to thank the good people of Winnipeg South for placing their confidence in me and assure them that I will work hard every day to earn that trust. I appreciate the question from the hon. minister.