Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault
Madawaska—Restigouche, New Brunswick · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to hear what my colleague has to say about the fact that, through the economic update, we are continuing to implement our action plan for official languages, with $4.1 billion to support the vitality of francophone communities everywhere outside Quebec.”
“Mr. Speaker, after the economic update was released, several unions praised our initiative to develop the team Canada strong initiative to recruit up to 100,000 new skilled workers. We implemented a series of measures to help these people, particularly apprentices, on their journey to certification.”
“Madam Speaker, the Conservative Party used to call itself the party of law and order. Unfortunately, today, the Conservatives no longer have any credibility on this issue. When the time comes to better protect victims, what do the Conservatives do? They vote against it.”
“Today, we are focusing specifically on the proposed Senate amendment to add the noose to the list of symbols of hate. The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights has heard from numerous witnesses and organizations who have stated that the noose is a recognized symbol of terror and intimidation against Black people and that it should be…”
“This is how we strengthen our shared way of life and the truly Canadian values of respect, equality and dignity. I will use the last few minutes of my time to say that I am disappointed by the excessive partisanship we have seen in the debate on Bill C‑9 .”
“I do not believe this is commensurate with the issues before us, and I find it deplorable. Lastly, beyond the issue of hate symbols, Bill C‑9 is an important step forward in a number of ways.”
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“This criterion guarantees that future generations will not receive citizenship without having real ties to the country. Our goal is to preserve the value of Canadian citizenship without needlessly restricting it. This is a modern, balanced and responsible framework. In fact, it is more rigorous than simply getting rid of the first-generation limit. It protects the integrity of our citizenship while correcting glaring injustices. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that, behind the legal and administrative considerations we are discussing today, there are real people with personal stories, life experiences and sincere ties to Canada. We must remember that the decisions we make in this House can shape the destinies of individuals and entire families.”
“However, the court granted us an extension to allow Bill C‑3 to run its parliamentary course. If this bill is not passed before the ruling's suspension ends, there will be no limits anymore on citizenship by descent for all the people born to Canadian citizens abroad. People will be able to pass citizenship on to their children in perpetuity without the need for a substantial connection to Canada. (1140) Bill C-3 seeks to strike a balance between implementing reasonable limits to automatic citizenship by descent and protecting the rights and privileges associated with Canadian citizenship. The introduction of the substantial connection criterion helps maintain a reasonable balance. Citizenship by descent will still be possible, but it will have to be rooted in a real, tangible connection with Canada.”
“A substantial connection is defined as being physically present in Canada for 1,095 cumulative days, or approximately three years. This requirement ensures that children who are granted citizenship have a genuine connection to Canada, without arbitrarily excluding people based on their place of birth. Some might wonder why the substantial connection test is not being applied retroactively. That is because it would be unfair to impose conditions on people who were born before the law came into force, when the criterion was not yet in place. The bill takes a forward-looking approach, setting clear, transparent, fair standards for the future. I would like to emphasize that, since the court struck down the first-generation criterion adopted in 2009 as unconstitutional, it cannot stay in place.”
“Today we have an opportunity, I would even say a duty, to correct an injustice. Bill C‑3 seeks to expand access to citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. It was designed with one clear objective: to restore the rights of lost Canadians while establishing a fairer framework for future generations. Once passed, Bill C‑3 will automatically grant citizenship by descent to anyone who was born abroad to a Canadian parent before the law came into force. That means that the unjustly excluded descendants of Canadians will have their status restored. (1135) For children born after the bill comes into force, a new framework will be introduced that allows citizenship to be passed on beyond the first generation if a Canadian parent can demonstrate a substantial connection to Canada.”
“Failing to recognize them sends a message of exclusion to those who feel like full-fledged Canadians. It is a dismissal of the contributions of our diaspora and of the reality that this is a country where familial and citizenship ties often transcend borders. In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that the first-generation limit is unconstitutional on the grounds that it violates sections 6 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that is, mobility rights and equality rights. The Government of Canada did not appeal this decision, since it acknowledges that the act has had unacceptable consequences. Instead, our government is bringing forward a legislative framework that is both balanced and responsible. I sincerely believe that this was the right decision.”
“This provision means that only children born abroad to a Canadian parent who was born in Canada are automatically entitled to citizenship. In other words, if two successive generations are born outside Canada, even if the parents are active Canadian citizens, the child cannot become a citizen. This provision severed the legal and symbolic tie between Canada and many children of Canadians living temporarily abroad. Canadian families were plunged into legal uncertainty when they discovered that their children were considered foreigners in their own country. These concerns are not theoretical. They are affecting children growing up in Canadian households abroad and families who wish to pass on to their children not just a passport, but also a Canadian identity, a cultural heritage, a sense of belonging to a community and a feeling of safety.”
“To be a citizen of Canada is to be part of a collective project rooted in democracy, equality, diversity and freedom. There are three pathways to citizenship under the Citizenship Act: by being born in Canada, through naturalization by immigrating to Canada and acquiring citizenship, or by descent if an individual is born abroad to a Canadian parent. Today, our debate is focusing on this last pathway, which is citizenship by descent. Since 2009, the fundamental right to citizenship by descent has been unfairly restricted. Thousands of people with a real, long-term connection to Canada have been deprived of that sense of belonging. An amendment made to the Citizenship Act under Stephen Harper's Conservative government introduced an arbitrary rule commonly known as the first-generation limit.”
“Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to be back here in Ottawa this fall to represent the beautiful riding of Madawaska—Restigouche in Parliament. After spending the summer in the community with my constituents, I am thrilled to get back to our legislative work as part of a team that is determined to quickly deliver concrete results for Canadians and to build a strong Canada. Today, we are addressing a very important issue with our study of Bill C‑3 . Canadian citizenship is more than just an administrative status. It is a powerful symbol of belonging to a country. It confers certain fundamental rights, such as the right to vote and the right to travel with a Canadian passport, and it also embodies a civic responsibility, a shared identity and a deep connection to our country.”
“Mr. Speaker, Bill C‑5 is a concrete example. It has been four weeks, and we are removing internal trade barriers and strengthening Canada's economy through projects of national interest. We have passed a tax cut for the middle class and made historic investments in defence. Clearly, our new government, led by our new Prime Minister , is action-oriented and practical. We want to meet Canadians' expectations.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her excellent question. I consulted the chambers of commerce in my riding, Madawaska—Restigouche, and I talked with people. We clearly want less red tape. We want to facilitate internal trade, especially given the uncertainty surrounding trade with the United States. My riding has a long border with our southern neighbour and five ports of entry. Our economy is quite heavily integrated with the U.S. economy. A bill like this one is very appealing to business owners in my riding. It facilitates access to markets in other Canadian provinces and makes it easer for them to sell their products and services. It is certainly being very well received and my region, like many others across the country, expects it to generate significant economic benefits.”
“Mr. Speaker, the government will have a legal obligation to act in accordance with the purpose of the act and to expedite projects of national interest, while maintaining rigorous environmental standards and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples. Projects that will be subject to an impact assessment will be reviewed by existing regulatory agencies to identify the conditions necessary to protect Canadians and the environment. The designated minister must consult with other relevant ministers as well as provinces, territories and indigenous peoples to ensure that these conditions are sufficient.”
“Mr. Speaker, we were elected with a clear mandate in the last election. It is a mandate to achieve great things, to be bold and ambitious in responding to the challenges of our time. Bill C-5 is in keeping with this spirit. With Bill C-5, we will be able to move forward more quickly on projects of national interest. This is consistent with the “one project, one review” approach. We understand that we must act now to strengthen the Canadian economy, unify it to create good jobs, stimulate the economy and make Canada's economy the strongest in the G7.”
“Let us rise to the expectations of this generation and leave an even better country for the next. Let us work together to build a strong Canada.”
“From consultation requirements to robust permit conditions to ambitious climate goals, our projects will set the new global standard for responsible development. We are not here to manage the decline. That is not how we do things in Canada. We are here to seize opportunities. We are here to make Canada the strongest economy in the G7, thanks to this bill. My conversations with my constituents and with Canadians across the country have led me to believe there is no challenge Canadians cannot overcome if we work together, as one team, one economy, in one big, united country. The one Canadian economy bill and its approach of developing projects of national interest are an invitation to rebuild with intention, pride and hope. Let us seize this moment.”
“Every project of national interest will involve significant consultation with indigenous communities. This is the only way to build with legitimacy and unlock generational economic opportunities that are inclusive and sustainable. We have already committed—not just with words, but with tangible policies—to economic reconciliation, including doubling funding for the indigenous loan guarantee program from $5 billion to $10 billion. It supports indigenous ownership and ensures that the prosperity generated by nation-building projects can also benefit indigenous communities today and for the long term. When it comes to protecting the environment, Bill C-5 does not undermine Canada's world-class protections. It asks a simple question: How do we build big projects responsibly?”
“That is what the industry, developers and the provinces asked us for. That is what this moment calls for. This will be accompanied by a clear consultation that the indigenous peoples will participate in and a commitment to always protect our natural environment. No other G7 country is progressing as decisively as Canada. Bill C-5 marks the end of a culture of delay. We are a government that is defined by living up to expectations. As a new member, I am proud to be part of this new government led by our new Prime Minister . Let me be clear. Our determination to build does not mean abandoning our values—quite the opposite. In fact, our vision can only succeed if it reflects those values. I am thinking of values such as partnership with indigenous peoples, respect for the environment and responsible stewardship for future generations.”
“This will make the “one project, one assessment” approach real—another commitment that was at the heart of what we promised to Canadians during the last election. That means fewer administrative formalities, more certainty and better results, not just for investors, but also for workers, communities, indigenous peoples and the environment. The time of endless debate on determining whether projects should get built is behind us. For the projects that meet our strict criteria, the question instead will be: How are we going to build and how fast can we unlock the benefits for Canadians? Thanks to this bill, once a project is declared in the national interest, we will provide a single, consolidated document on the federal conditions that will replace years of work on permits, reviews and regulatory uncertainty.”
“We also need to demonstrate clarity, confidence and Canadian leadership on the world stage. We need to send a clear signal to investors that Canada is committed to seeing projects through to completion. That is why our government will set up a new federal major projects office, which will serve as a single window for proponents and partners, consolidating work that was once done by several organizations. (1555) The new major federal project office will act like the biggest infrastructure hub in Canada, a hub to guide every project with clarity, reliability and transparency through the federal process. Instead of getting lost in a government maze, developers will have a single point of contact tasked with reporting to Canadians on the progress made.”
“Building a strong economy means unlocking our country's full potential and getting past the red tape and duplication that have held us back for too long. It is time to transform the way we do business as a nation. Bill C‑5 lays out our government's clear intention to proactively identify and advance projects in the national interest that will propel Canada into the next era. These projects will stimulate economic growth, strengthen energy security and supply chains and create long-term sustainable jobs. Once we determine that a project is in the national interest, it will go ahead right away, not 10 years from now. There will be a one-and-done federal approval process. The current system of overlapping barriers and reviews will be replaced with a clear path forward. We urgently need to do things quickly, but there is more to it than that.”
“The world is changing rapidly. The rules of the global economy are being rewritten, particularly because of the tariffs and disruptive trade actions coming out of the United States. We did not ask for a trade war, but one thing has become clear: We will do whatever it takes to build long-term prosperity for Canadians, and we will do it on our own terms. We can no longer take stability and access to global markets for granted. In order to secure good jobs for workers, improve our standard of living and keep life affordable, we need to quickly strengthen our economic foundations here at home. It is important to understand that the best way to make life more affordable for Canadians is to get to work building a strong Canadian economy that can sustain programs that save families thousands of dollars a year.”
“This is on top of other measures, including a tax cut for Canadian families and historic investments in defence. I think that what surprises the opposition even more is our determination and our ability to take concrete measures to strengthen our economy and deliver on our commitment to the Canadian people. A lot of the response to Bill C‑5 has been very positive. For example, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has stated that now is the time for bold action to ensure we stop holding up nation-building projects. I myself organized a meeting with the chambers of commerce in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, and I can say that people are very interested in the various legislative measures we have introduced over the past month here in Ottawa. I understand their enthusiasm, because this is a hinge moment in our nation's history.”
“Over the past few days, I have been a little taken aback to hear opposition members express their surprise at what Bill C‑5 contains. Our intentions were clear, written down in black and white. During the election campaign and afterward, we said time and again that we wanted to strengthen and unify the Canadian economy. Over 8.5 million people across the country voted for our ambitious plan to strengthen and unify the Canadian economy. That is the most votes any political party has ever received in a Canadian federal election. What comes as a bit of a surprise to my opposition colleagues is how quickly we are moving to meet Canadians' expectations. After only four weeks in the House, we have put in place concrete measures, through Bill C‑5, to strengthen internal trade and make it easier to carry out major national interest projects.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am here to talk about the one Canadian economy act , which seeks to build a stronger, more competitive and more resilient Canadian economy. I am also here to talk about our intention to identify, defend and complete projects of national interest for Canadians from coast to coast to coast. I will also talk about the measures to eliminate trade barriers in order to unlock our full economic potential and make Canada stronger both nationally and internationally. These measures were at the heart of the commitment we made to Canadians during the election. We were clear and transparent. In our platform, we talked about creating one Canadian economy, not 13. To do that, we have to start by getting rid of internal trade barriers. During the election campaign, we also talked about implementing projects of national interest.”
“Mr. Speaker, we were always extremely clear and transparent throughout the election. We made two strong commitments: unify the Canadian economy, including by eliminating barriers to internal trade, and build major projects of national interest. Over 8.5 million Canadians voted for our plan, which enabled us to win 44 seats in Quebec. As a result, we now have exceptional new colleagues in the House. I want to ask my colleague the following question. Will he respect the will of voters, particularly those in Quebec, who asked us to strengthen and unify the Canadian economy, and will he vote in favour of Bill C‑5 ?”
“Mr. Speaker, Bill C‑3 is intended to right a past wrong. In 2009, Stephen Harper's Conservative government passed legislation limiting citizenship by descent to the first generation. This has had significant repercussions. Individuals with genuine ties to our country have been excluded. It has also negatively affected Canadians whose children were born abroad. In 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice struck down these provisions, and we did not appeal that decision, given the unacceptable consequences these provisions had had. Will my colleague work with us and support this bill, which will right a past wrong?”
“Mr. Speaker, as a new member, I am very happy to be able to work and learn from my colleague within our new government. Fortunately, my colleague won his seat and was able to keep his seat in Winnipeg North. What will be the benefits of our ambitious plan to unify the Canadian economy?”
“Mr. Speaker, I am glad my colleague spoke about the importance of putting strong measures in place to support families and workers. On our side of the House, we understand that the best way to make life more affordable is to build a strong economy that allows us to maintain programs that save families thousands of dollars a year, such as dental care, affordable child care and the Canada child benefit. I would like my colleague to tell me about the positive impacts that programs such as the Canadian dental care plan have had on the people he represents in his community.”
“Mr. Speaker, in his speech, my colleague used words like “radical” and all sorts of adjectives to describe us. Unfortunately for him, that is not what Canadians believe. We were just re-elected with the most votes ever won by a political party in a federal election. Our team was deemed to be the most competent and best prepared to govern and to build a strong economy. Rather than using divisive language, rather than seeking division in the House tonight, I would like my colleague to tell me how he might work with us to strengthen our economy. We have put forward a number of concrete measures. I would like my colleague to comment on that.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague spoke about the positive impact of expanding dental care coverage in his community. I have heard the same thing in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. When I was door knocking during the campaign, a lot of people spoke about the positive impact this new program has had on their life and about the importance of having access to affordable dental care. I would like to hear the views of my colleague on why it is important for him and our team to build a strong economy that benefits everyone.”
“Madam Speaker, in his speech, my colleague mentioned that he was concerned about our government's lack of clear direction. However, as a new member, I can say that the direction has been very clear since the election campaign. Our platform is crystal clear. The first subsection of the platform, entitled “One Canadian Economy”, talks about a plan to build the strongest economy in the G7, to create one Canadian economy, not 13, and to remove all barriers to internal trade. The second subsection talks about nation-building projects. What is surprising about this? The direction we were going to take was written in black and white in our platform.”
“This award recognizes individuals whose outstanding achievements bring prestige to the Regional Municipality of Grand Falls at the provincial, national or international level. I want to congratulate Alain Lavoie, Morel Caissie, and Carole “Coco” Belliveau. They are a true source of pride for their region. [ English ] As I have said before, Madawaska—Restigouche is full of talent. It is a big privilege to represent this beautiful riding.”
“Mr. Speaker, last month, during my very first official activity as the MP for Madawaska—Restigouche, I had the pleasure of attending the Community Grandioses awards ceremony organized by the Grand Falls Regional Municipality. [ English ] Three individuals will receive a Grandiose award in recognition of their volunteer work. They generously give their time to organize activities and provide essential services to the community. Without these dedicated volunteers, many local initiatives would simply not happen. I send my congratulations to Mariette Lafrance, Judith Thériault and Josée Roussel. Their contributions are both valuable and essential. [ Translation ] Three other individuals were honoured in the ambassador category.”
“Mr. Speaker, in the last election, Canadians made it clear that they want us to take concrete action to help them with the cost of living. With Bill C‑4 , we are delivering by lowering taxes, eliminating the GST on the purchase price of a first home and eliminating the consumer carbon price. Will my colleague work with us to do what Canadians have asked us to do and meet their expectations quickly? Will he commit to working with our government to get these measures passed before the summer?”
“We will get to work quickly to meet Canadians' expectations. I am not worried. After just a few weeks, I think we can see that the results are there. We are taking action to make life more affordable and address the concerns of Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, yes, we both represent rural ridings, and the areas we cover are large. When we go door to door, sometimes the distance between two homes is greater than it is in a city centre. The cost of living is also a challenge in rural areas. People have asked for meaningful action, and they welcome the news about the tax cut. There have also been repeated calls to expand the Canadian dental care plan to include all age groups. When I was knocking on doors, people told me that they wanted the Canadian dental care plan to be expanded and that they wanted concrete measures on housing. A first step was announced today with the elimination of the GST on the purchase of a first home. However, let us not forget that our platform includes one of the most ambitious housing plans that Canada has ever seen.”
“Mr. Speaker, during the election, people told us that they wanted concrete and swift action to help them deal with the cost of living and to strengthen the Canadian economy. That is why we returned to the House of Commons so quickly. Ours was the second-fastest post-election return to the House of Commons in Canadian history. We want to take the time to do things right. As my colleagues have already mentioned, a budget will be presented in the fall. In the meantime, we still want to take concrete action to help people deal with the cost of living. People have asked us to do that, and we want to deliver. We are starting by cutting income taxes, eliminating the GST on new homes, and doing away with consumer carbon pricing.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are moving forward with the affordable child care spaces program in collaboration with the provinces and territories. The challenges and issues may vary from place to place, but what is important is maintaining a good working relationship with all jurisdictions across the country to strengthen this program that is extremely important and changes the lives of Canadian families. It ensures that parents do not have to choose between paying for child care and having a career. Our government continues to work with the provinces and territories to strengthen this very important program.”
“These changes are in addition to efforts by our government to build a strong economy and ensure the sustainability of programs that already help families save thousands of dollars each year. I am proud of my government. This government understands the importance of having a strong economy to make life more affordable, and it is guided by the conviction that the economy is only truly strong when it serves everyone. I look forward to voting in favour of Bill C‑4 to make life more affordable for Canadians, including the people in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche.”
“This is an important measure because during the election campaign, when I was knocking on doors and making phone calls, I heard over and over again how important this program is. I am thinking of the example of one constituent who told me that he has had tooth pain for years and that he could not afford dental care. Now, thanks to the expansion of the program we announced in May, that person will be able to access the care he needs. This is extremely important and makes a difference in the lives of the people we represent. Last month, the people in my riding and elsewhere in the country expressed the desire to see the cost of living go down. We heard them. Thanks to measures set out in Bill C‑4 , our government is making changes to cut taxes, decrease costs and put money back in the pockets of Canadians.”
“Under the agreement with my province, New Brunswick, the Government of Canada is investing roughly $11.2 million over the next three years to expand and improve access to the national school food program at the schools in the province. That means being able to fund breakfast programs at 160 additional schools across New Brunswick. In all, more than 57,000 children in New Brunswick will benefit from these programs during the current school year. I would also like to mention the Canadian dental care plan. It is a very important program as we try to help families cope with the cost of living. In May, we expanded eligibility for this program to all age groups. The program is now available to about eight million Canadians and saves them about $800 a year to get the affordable dental care they need.”
“When families are strong, the economy is strong, and we are making Canada stronger. (1755) I am also thinking of the national school food program, a meaningful measure to make life more affordable. This program is a direct investment in the middle class. It makes life easier for hard-working families. It is also a safety net for children who do not always get enough to eat at home. No child should go to school on an empty stomach because it is much harder for kids to focus when they are hungry. We have entered into school food agreements with all the provinces and territories. That means that the national school food program is fully operational.”
“In my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, more than $40 million a year is paid to parents in our community to help them provide for their children. I would also like to mention our affordable child care program. Since its launch in 2021, this program has become a cornerstone of Canada's social infrastructure. More than 900,000 children are benefiting from quality child care services. Families across the country are saving thousands of dollars a year, paying on average one-third of what they paid in 2021. During the election campaign, we made a commitment to protect and strengthen this important program. We understand that our workforce is stronger because parents, and primarily mothers, no longer have to choose between the cost of child care and their careers.”
“It just so happens that our government has a plan to build the strongest economy in the G7 by investing in productivity and innovation, getting more Canadians into the workforce and eliminating interprovincial trade barriers. A strong economy will ensure the sustainability of programs that help make life more affordable for Canadians and save families thousands of dollars a year. Over the next few minutes, I am going to give a few examples of the measures and programs I am referring to. Of course, there is the Canada child benefit, which for nearly nine years has been helping low- and middle-income families meet the costs of raising a child. These are monthly tax-free payments made to parents and, since it was rolled out, this benefit has lifted nearly 650,000 children across the country out of poverty.”
“In other words, this means a maximum relief of $50,000 on the purchase of new home by a first-time homebuyer. We are a government that listens to the people. Many Canadians asked for a climate policy that transcends political divisions, and we listened. From day one, our new government eliminated consumer carbon pricing. We are already seeing the impact. This has resulted in lower fuel prices. This is another meaningful action that helps Canadian families. Bill C-4 repeals the provisions on consumer carbon pricing. The three measures proposed in Bill C‑4 are part of a broader effort to help families deal with the rising cost of living. That is a very important thing to understand. The best way to make life more affordable for Canadians is to get to work on building a strong economy.”
“This change will benefit more than 22 million people across the country. Individuals will be able to save up to $420 per year, and dual-income families will be able to save up to $840 per year. We are taking meaningful action to put money back in the pockets of Canadians. During the election campaign, when we were knocking on doors or making phone calls, we heard people say that access to home ownership was a challenge, especially for young people. That is why we want to bring in the GST rebate for first-time homebuyers. The goal is both to help individuals entering the housing market for the first time and to encourage developers to increase the housing supply. The rebate will provide GST relief on new homes at or under $1 million.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform you that I will be sharing my time with the member for Vancouver Kingsway . On April 28, Canadians came together to give our new Liberal government a strong, historic mandate. We were elected on a commitment to build a strong economy that works for everyone. Over the past few weeks, our government has taken concrete steps to deliver on our plan to make life more affordable for Canadian families. Bill C‑4 delivers on three of the government's earliest announcements: cutting taxes for the middle class, eliminating the GST on new homes for first-time homebuyers and repealing the pollution pricing act. I have mentioned the tax cut several times in the House because it is excellent news. This measure will lower the tax rate of the first income tax bracket from 15% to 14%.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Les Pays-d'en-Haut for his excellent speech, which has provided some necessary clarification on the issues being discussed today. He ended his speech by saying that rather than trying to discuss a motion that is somewhat divisive, we should focus on the issues of the day, such as the need to strengthen and unify our economy. How will our government's plan to strengthen the economy help his region?”
“Mr. Speaker, on May 31, the community of Val‑d'Amour in Restigouche celebrated an exceptional volunteer, Donald LeBlanc, whose commitment to community spans more than 50 years. Through his contribution to local governance, his active participation on numerous boards of directors and community organizations, and his involvement in the forestry workers' co-operative and in sports, recreation and many other areas of community life, Mr. LeBlanc has left a lasting mark on his region. As the member of Parliament for Madawaska—Restigouche, I am honoured to recognize Mr. LeBlanc's remarkable journey, which embodies the values of dedication, solidarity and public service that are the backbone of our communities. I was very pleased to attend the event held in his honour. I offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. LeBlanc.”
“Madam Speaker, as I said, Bill C‑2 is an ambitious bill containing several crime-fighting measures. We want to give our law enforcement agencies more flexible tools so they can take effective action to combat crime in our communities and make Canada safer and more secure. That means we will introduce more concrete measures. For example, the Liberal platform includes more resources for the RCMP. It is a commitment to make Canada stronger and safer.”
“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for her important question. In the recent election campaign, Canadians asked us to bring in measures to strengthen security in Canada and fight crime. That is what we are doing. To demonstrate how seriously we are taking this matter, in the first weeks of this Parliament, we introduced Bill C-2 , which includes several strong measures to strengthen our border and fight crime here at home. This is a first step. Our election platform and the Speech from the Throne both include a number of other measures to fight crime and keep Canadians safe. This is a first step, and I would say that it is a big step forward in our plan to make Canada an even safer and more secure country.”