Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, we have taken action. Since early 2016, the connect to innovate program has brought Internet service to 900 communities and 190 indigenous communities. Not only did we take the necessary steps back in 2016, but in 2019 we added another $1.7 billion to the funding.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, it is to the contrary. In 2012, the Conservative government cut the rural secretariat completely. We are not only adding a minister dedicated to rural development, but, as I indicated earlier, the connect to innovate program had 4.4 billion dollars' worth of proposal

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, we set aside funding for the frequency band spectrum, and 44% of this amount is for rural areas. That is a large amount. This is the first time that the federal government has made such investments. The member does not have to believe me. She can ta

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and member for Mississauga—Malton. I thank the minister for the work he has done on the Internet access file over the past three and a half years. For the first time in the hi

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am having a little difficulty understanding the NDP motion. Obviously we are familiar with the problems the New Democrats have raised, but I do not see any solutions in their motion. Did they read budget 2019? It includes an accelerated capital cost allowance for b

Telecommunications  Madam Speaker, our government has made tremendous progress in delivering infrastructure across the country, and has approved 4,800 projects to date. We patiently wait for the Ford government to act on this and prioritize these projects, which it has failed to do in a timely mann

Rural Economic Development  Madam Speaker, broadband is important for the prosperity of our country. We are focusing on making sure that we connect all Canadians. We have approved 180 projects in 900 communities, plus 190 indigenous communities. By 2021, our investments will connect 90% of Canadian househol

Rural Digital Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague from Pontiac for his work on Motion No. 208 and for all the work he has done in the community with respect to Internet services. I rise in the House today to speak to the government's position on Motion No. 208. As members know, my riding

Telecommunications  Mr. Speaker, I disagree with the hon. member. Broadband is essential for helping rural Canadians grow their businesses and access services and new skills. Our government has made significant investment in broadband infrastructure. We will connect 90% of households by 2021. Also,

Telecommunications  Madam Speaker, I agree with the hon. member that Canada is a large country and that we need to ensure that our regions and remote areas have access to the Internet. Many partnerships are required to accomplish that. It is very important that the regions work with the provinces,

Telecommunications  Madam Speaker, I want to thank my esteemed colleague for raising this important issue and for her work on behalf of rural regions. Our government believes that the only way for Canada to succeed is to make sure that all of our communities are able to succeed, no matter where the

Official Languages  Madam Speaker, I disagree with my colleague. We took the initiative to meet with several organizations and the provinces as part of our study on the modernization of the Official Languages Act. In November 2018, the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie wr

Official Languages  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Drummond for his question and his work on francophone issues. We were surprised by the announcement concerning the future of Ontario's French-language university. The vitality of official language communities across the country and the p

Canada Post  Mr. Speaker, it is really important that both parties sit down to negotiate. Both parties have to look at elements in the collective agreement. As the member mentioned, this is something that needs to be negotiated. It needs to be outlined by both parties in order to support the

Canada Post  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Elmwood—Transcona for bringing up this important issue. I am happy to rise today to speak about our government's introduction of back-to-work legislation to ensure the resumption and continuation of services at Canada Post. Our government has