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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“In addition to giving young people a great job experience, it also supports our community organizations, our small and medium-sized businesses and our municipalities because it allows them to hire summer workers who are essential to their activities. That in itself is great news. I would also like to draw my colleagues' attention to the fact that Canada covers a vast area and its economic realities vary across the country. Many sectors, including agriculture, fishing, forestry and tourism, especially in rural areas, rely heavily on seasonal workers. As we know, these industries have to cope with weather and seasonal constraints, as well as variations related to fluctuating demand. For that reason, EI provides temporary income support to these workers during the off-season, while they wait for a new season of employment to begin.”
“It is because we want to provide apprentices currently in their training program with an incentive to complete their training and obtain the Red Seal. When we talk about training the next generation, it is also important to offer meaningful employment experiences. That is why I am very pleased that the economic update reiterates our government's decision to increase funding for the Canada summer jobs program. We are already seeing real results. In my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche, this represents an investment of more than $1.5 million for the summer of 2026, which will support more than 400 jobs for young people in my region. This includes jobs in a variety of sectors, such as summer camps, tourist sites, care homes, day cares and the cultural community, to name a few.”
“To help employers hire, train and retain apprentices, we will put in place wage subsidies of up to $10,000 for their first-year salary. This is a financial incentive to support employers who give our apprentices on-the-job training opportunities. Of course, there is also the classroom training component. We will be providing apprentices with an additional $40 week in income while they are completing their mandatory classroom training. This amount will be in addition to measures already in place, such as employment insurance benefits for eligible apprentices and the student loan and grant program. We will also introduce a new $5,000 success bonus upon obtaining Red Seal certification. By comparison, the previous version of this bonus was approximately $2,000, so this is a substantial increase. Why is this being introduced now?”
“Our workers are the engine of our economy in Canada. That is why, with the economic update, we are launching our plan to recruit and train workers, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal skilled trades workers over the next five years. That is important because we want to build big, but we need the manpower to do it. We will modernize the Red Seal program to reduce certification delays and improve national consistency. We will introduce online exams and digital logbooks and create a single national registered apprenticeship number. All of this will help to simplify the process. We will also introduce financial incentives. As part of their Red Seal certification training, apprentices have to accumulate a certain number of hours of on-the-job training, which is essential to their apprenticeship.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by informing you that I will be sharing my time with the member for Winnipeg South Centre . For over a year now, I have had the pleasure of serving as the member for Madawaska—Restigouche, and since day one, our government has remained focused on what we can control: building a stronger Canadian economy, diversifying our international trade partners, managing the budget rigorously and responsibly and supporting Canadians who are struggling because of the cost of living. We are on the right track. We have more work to do, but over the past year, we have been on track, and our 2026 spring economic update is the next step in our plan to build a stronger Canada for everyone. Building Canada strong and meeting our housing, infrastructure and defence needs will require workers who are already qualified.”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my colleague's speech, and I must admit that I am rather surprised. He seems to believe that Quebec was overlooked in this economic update. However, what I see, when I read the update, is a historic investment for small craft harbour infrastructure that coastal communities have been waiting for for a long time. There are many such communities in the Atlantic provinces, but also in Quebec. This is a historic, long-awaited investment. We are also investing in sports to expand access to sport for young people. That will benefit all of Canada, including Quebec. There is also the update on the housing strategy. In January, Quebec and Ottawa signed an agreement to speed up the construction of housing and the infrastructure needed to support housing construction. There are projects of national interest.”
“Mr. Speaker, I share my colleague's excitement about the fact that our government has launched Canada's first sovereign wealth fund, the Canada Strong fund. It is based on a model that other countries have been using to generate revenue over several decades. Here in Canada, we will have a fund tailored to our needs and our economy that will focus on our long-term growth. Why does my colleague think it is important to implement meaningful measures like this one that will have long-term benefits when it comes to strengthening our economy and country?”
“Mr. Speaker, House of Commons Procedure and Practice , first edition, explicitly states that when the governing party holds a majority in the House, it also holds a majority in all parliamentary committees. There is therefore a well-established tradition in our Canadian parliamentary system that when a party has a majority in the House, it also has a majority in committee. I would like to ask my colleague why it is so important to uphold traditions and principles for the proper functioning of our Westminster-style system of government.”
“To mark this 80th anniversary, the Association des anciennes, anciens et ami.es de Saint‑Louis—Maillet, the Edmundston Campus' alumni and friends association, is sponsoring a series of activities, including homecoming celebrations in June. Congratulations to everyone who has played a role in shaping this institution's rich history. Long live the Edmundston Campus of the Université de Moncton.”
“Mr. Speaker, this year, 2026, we are proud to be celebrating 80 years of French-language post-secondary education in northwestern New Brunswick. Collège Saint‑Louis, founded in 1946 by the Eudist Fathers, and Collège Maillet, founded in 1949 by the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph, laid the groundwork for what would later become the Edmundston Campus of the Université de Moncton. Since then, this institution has played a vital, essential role in regional development and in the economic, social and cultural vitality of our francophone, Acadian and Madawaska communities. Over the decades, the Edmundston Campus has trained generations of students and nurtured cutting-edge research.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague put it well when he said that in Canada, our political system is based on respect for traditions and principles. This ensures that the system is stable and the government is able to function properly. If we look at the last 10 majority governments in our history, whether they were Liberal or Conservative, we see that there has never been a case where a committee chair had to cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie. This morning, I heard some opposition members taking issue with the proposed composition of committees. I would like to ask the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons whether the government's proposed composition better reflects the traditions of our parliamentary system than the suggestions put forward by the opposition during this morning's debates.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her excellent speech. She clearly illustrated how this bill strengthens our election laws. Our election system in Canada is fair and Canadians have confidence in it. To maintain that confidence, our legislative framework must evolve in response to the concerns of the day. For example, there is a proposal to introduce a new ban on impersonation using deepfakes, or in other words, the use of artificial intelligence to create fake images and make it appear as though a person has said or done something, even though the image is not of the actual person. This type of disinformation can be harmful to democracy. I invite my colleague to explain why it is so important to take these modern issues into account when updating our election laws.”
“I also want my colleague to clarify whether he agrees that the bill is almost ready to go to committee so that we can continue studying it.”
“Mr. Speaker, our legislative framework needs to evolve whenever new issues arise. We see that with Bill C‑25 , for which there is a bit of consensus in the House, based on what I am hearing. In particular, I am thinking of the issues of addressing foreign interference, strengthening the rules for nominations, implementing stricter rules on political fundraising and preventing disruptive activities when it comes to protecting elections. One example is also the longest ballot committee, which we have seen in action in various by-elections and general elections in recent years. I want to ask my colleague why we should review the Canada Elections Act on a regular basis and ensure that we are addressing emerging issues and responding to them in a collaborative way, as we are doing now.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to hear that my colleague sees Bill C-22 as a step in the right direction. I understand that she expects it to be referred to committee soon for the next steps in the legislative process. I also see that she has studied the bill thoroughly and understands it very well. I would like my colleague to tell us what she thinks are the main improvements in this new legislative framework that is going to be implemented. She mentioned that Canada is the only Five Eyes country that does not have a legal framework governing access for our law enforcement agencies. This was a request made by various police forces. I would like her to explain how this constitutes a step forward for keeping Canadians safer, especially given that we know today's criminals use many different technologies.”
“I would like to know whether the member agrees with her Conservative colleague that the bill is a step in the right direction for law enforcement in this country. Does she also agree that it should be sent to committee?”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague expressed some concerns about public safety, and I want to reassure her. On this side of the House, we take these commitments to make our communities safer seriously. The purpose of Bill C-14 is to ensure tougher sentences for repeat violent offenders, while Bill C-16 seeks to better protect victims. Finally, the purpose of Bill C-22 is to provide law enforcement with the tools they need to properly investigate various crimes being committed using more modern technology. Her colleague, the member for Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner , even said that the bill would better assist law enforcement in their investigations and that he welcomed this legislation. He urged us to send Bill C-22 to committee.”
“Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to commend the minister for his leadership in preparing this bill, which is another example of how our government is taking Canadians' safety seriously and acting accordingly. As members know, law enforcement has long been asking us to modernize Canada's lawful access capabilities and powers. Bill C‑22 has been very well received by a number of organizations that represent law enforcement. I am thinking in particular of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, which is encouraging all members to work together to pass the bill quickly. My question for the minister is, how were the various organizations representing law enforcement consulted in the drafting of Bill C‑22?”
“With Motion No. 15, we have an opportunity to strengthen these actions. It proposes a pragmatic, balanced and effective approach to accelerate the protection of natural environments in Canada. (1805) For all these reasons, I invite my colleagues to support this motion. Protecting nature means protecting our future. The decisions we make today will shape the land we leave for future generations. In closing, I want to congratulate my colleague from Brome—Missisquoi for his leadership on this file.”
“We also recognize the vital role played by citizens, conservation organizations, local communities and indigenous peoples in protecting the land. The green transition cannot be carried out by governments alone. It must be the result of a collective effort. That is precisely what my colleague's motion proposes. It calls on us to strengthen a model that is already working, a model based on generosity, collaboration and shared responsibility for our natural heritage. I want to emphasize that protecting nature is not a luxury. It is a necessity for the health of our ecosystems, the resilience of our communities and the well-being of future generations. Every protected forest, every protected river and every restored wetland is an investment in our future. Every act of voluntary conservation deserves to be recognized and encouraged.”
“The true beneficiaries of these donations are all of the members of our communities. As I mentioned, protected lands have significant environmental benefits, particularly in terms of drinking water filtration. They support biodiversity, mitigate the effects of climate change and provide natural spaces that contribute to the quality of life in communities. These contributions represent collective benefits that extend far beyond the land itself. Motion No. 15 aims to better recognize this contribution. By supporting this motion, we are not merely creating a tax mechanism. We are sending a clear message: that voluntary conservation is an integral part of the solution for protecting biodiversity in Canada.”
“For some conservation programs, one government dollar is estimated to attract at least one dollar of private funds, thereby creating a significant leverage effect. Supporting environmental philanthropy is therefore one example of a highly profitable public investment that we can make. It is also important to note that ecological gifts are not limited to large estates. Many donations come from rural families, farmers, or citizens who wish to protect a wooded area, a marsh, or a lake that is part of their family history. These landowners are not seeking a financial benefit. They wish to leave a legacy. The tax credit is therefore not a gift. It simply recognizes the actual loss of asset value incurred by the donor when they choose to protect land rather than sell or develop it.”
“15 proposes to examine the possibility of instituting tax parity between land donations and monetary donations made to conservation organizations. This idea is based on a recognition that these two types of contribution are complementary. Land donations help protect natural environments, while monetary donations help ensure that these environments are protected and managed over the long term. Each depends on the other to fully function. Creating tax parity between these two forms of philanthropy would strengthen Canada's entire voluntary conservation system, with potentially significant benefits. National analyses show that every dollar invested in conservation can generate considerably more in economic, social and environmental benefits.”
“These organizations play a key role in protecting natural environments. They conduct biological inventories, manage sites, conduct ecological restoration and ensure long-term monitoring of protected lands. In other words, they turn a gift of land into a true, sustainable conservation project. Their work relies heavily on private and philanthropic contributions. Monetary donations are used to fund essential activities like scientific studies, legal fees, conservation easement acquisitions, habitat restoration, ecological monitoring and community engagement. Without these resources, effectively protecting and managing donated land becomes much more difficult. Today, however, tax incentives for monetary donations to support conservation are still relatively limited. Motion No.”
“It is a great example of collaboration among citizens, conservation organizations and governments. However, for this model to work, it must be adequately supported. Today, while the ecological gifts program remains an exemplary tool, many aspects of the tax framework have not been modernized in over two decades. Motion No. 15 therefore poses a simple but essential question: How can we adapt our tax incentives to encourage more Canadians to participate in this collective effort? The first part of this question has to do with land donations themselves. For example, enhancing tax credits for ecological gifts could encourage more landowners to take that next step and speed up the creation of protected areas on private lands. The motion also highlights another issue, which is the funding of conservation organizations.”
“It is also a smart economic decision. Nature-based solutions, such as protecting forests, wetlands and watersheds, are among the most effective and cost-effective ways to strengthen our communities' resilience to climate change. Investments in ecological restoration also generate significant economic benefits. In other words, protecting nature is not a barrier to development, but rather an investment in a sustainable future. Ecological gifts are a perfect example of this logic. When a landowner decides to make an ecological gift, they voluntarily give up a significant portion of the market value of their property so that the land can be protected in perpetuity. (1800) This turns a private asset into a public asset. It does so without the government having to purchase the land or immediately assume the costs of acquiring it.”
“These lands include old-growth forests, essential habitats for species at risk, wetlands that filter water and natural landscapes that shape the identity of many communities across the country. With the help of this program, every hectare protected helps to preserve our natural heritage and safeguard our collective future, because natural ecosystems play a role in filtering our water and purifying our air. They store carbon and help mitigate climate change. Our natural ecosystems also support pollination, which is essential to food production, and they reduce the risk of floods and droughts. The positive impacts of natural ecosystems are estimated to be worth more than $30 billion annually in Canada, representing an immense asset to our society. Protecting natural environments is therefore not just an environmental issue.”
“Whether it be forests, wetlands, rivers or natural grasslands, a significant proportion of these ecosystems belongs to citizens, families, farmers and businesses. In other words, the success our our national commitment also depends on the willing participation of these landowners. That is precisely where ecological gifts come into play. Through the ecological gifts program, landowners can donate land or a conservation easement to a recognized organization to ensure that the natural environment is permanently protected. In return, they receive a tax benefit that recognizes the value of this gesture. This program is one of the most effective conservation tools available to Canada. Since 2007, it has helped protect over 800,000 hectares of natural areas across the country, an area comparable to the size of Prince Edward Island.”
“Canada has committed to protecting 30% of our land and oceans by 2030. This commitment is part of the global biodiversity framework adopted in Montreal in 2022 and represents one of the most ambitious environmental objectives of our time. To meet it, we must adopt a whole-of-society approach based on innovation and close co-operation. That includes the participation of indigenous peoples, several federal departments and agencies, all levels of government, industry, environmental organizations, philanthropic organizations and private landowners. This objective does not depend solely on the government. The reality across Canada is clear: A large proportion of the natural habitats with the greatest biodiversity is found on private land.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support Motion No. 15, moved by my colleague from Brome—Missisquoi and which I am pleased to co-sponsor, calling on the government to examine ways of improving tax incentives for ecological gifts and to establish tax parity between in-kind donations of land and monetary donations to conservation organizations. There is a very important principle behind this motion, that of empowering people to protect nature. That is important because Canada has a lot of natural capital. Our country is home to 20% of the world's freshwater reserves, 37% of the world's lakes, 25% of the world's wetlands and 24% of the world's boreal forests. We also have one of the longest coastlines and one of the largest maritime territories in the world. Our natural habitats are home to approximately 80,000 species.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her remarks and acknowledge her expertise and work on cybersecurity issues. Cybersecurity is a matter of national security, and our government has a responsibility to protect Canadians from all the growing cyber-threats. With Bill C-8 , we are taking concrete steps to protect our telecommunications infrastructure and other critical sectors. I would like to ask my colleague to explain why it is so important to pass this bill at this time.”
“Mr. Speaker, accelerating housing construction is key to improving affordability. That is why Build Canada Homes is working with partners across the country to launch new projects. Last week, I had the great pleasure of participating in an announcement with my colleagues to deliver some very good news to New Brunswickers. Can the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure update the House on this recent housing announcement in New Brunswick?”
“Mr. Speaker, through a joint collaboration table, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec agreed to work together to fund affordable housing projects aligned with their shared priorities. On this side of the House, I am pleased to sit with more than 40 Liberal MPs from Quebec who understand the importance of working together to address housing needs. In light of this formalized collaboration between the two levels of government, will the Bloc Québécois member vote in favour of the bill to create the Build Canada Homes Crown corporation, or will the Bloc Québécois decide to oppose it by voting to block housing construction in Quebec?”
“If he agrees, will he vote with us to support the bill and enable Build Canada Homes to accelerate housing starts across the country?”
“Mr. Speaker, the figures speak for themselves. Three of the five best years on record for housing starts in Canada have been within the last five years, in 2025, 2022 and 2021. The other two years were in the 1970s. What do these historic peaks have in common? Liberal governments were in power in Ottawa. However, the Conservatives' record from their most recent stint in power is far less impressive. Only a few tens of thousands of affordable homes were built or renovated over the course of nearly 10 years. There was no national strategy and very little investment. When comparing these records, would my colleague not agree with me that the Liberal approach to housing delivers far more tangible results, with increased housing starts?”
“Mr. Speaker, cancer affects nearly every family in Canada. I myself lost my wife Stéphanie at the age of 34 to this disease. Stéphanie firmly believed in the importance of research to advance treatment for this disease and support life-saving progress. In Canada, it is estimated that about four in 10 cancer cases could be avoided with better risk reduction and prevention measures. Can the minister tell us about investments we are making in cutting-edge research on cancer prevention?”
“I hope we can count on the co-operation of our opposition colleagues to support us in passing our various bills on fighting crime and protecting victims, namely Bills C-16 , C-14 and C-12 , as well as all of the measures we are proposing in the House to make our communities safer. It is in that same spirit of co-operation that we will be supporting the private member's bill before us today. We understand that keeping Canadians safe and protecting victims of crime must transcend party lines and should be a concern for all of us. On our side of the House, we understand that safe and resilient communities are the backbone of a strong Canada. They attract people, families, businesses and investment, and promote security and prosperity. We must take action to keep our communities safe and help protect victims of crime.”
“What is more, Bill C-12 seeks to strengthen security at our borders. We are making crucial changes to give law enforcement and border security the tools and resources they need to disrupt the activities of increasingly sophisticated criminal groups, including those involved in fentanyl and weapons trafficking. We also made investments in public safety in budget 2025, specifically to hire more RCMP and border services officers. We also invested in prevention and mental health services in order to be proactive about preventing crime before it is committed. The safety of our communities is an issue that we, on this side of the House, take very seriously.”
“As legislators, we must ensure that the best interests of victims are at the heart of our justice system, and that is what we are doing through this ambitious Criminal Code reform, as set out in Bill C‑16 . I would like to mention that this reform is part of a series of bold and decisive public safety measures that our new government has put in place since taking office. With Bill C-14 , we will make our bail laws stricter and impose tougher sentences for repeat and violent offenders. This bill proposes over 80 targeted amendments to the Criminal Code. These changes make it more difficult to get bail, particularly for repeat and violent offences, and ensure that those who commit serious crimes face real consequences. That is what Canadians expect of us. We have listened and we are acting on what we have heard.”
“This means that victims are less protected, especially those who are being blackmailed under the threat that intimate images or sexually explicit images will be released if the victim does not comply with the requirements of the person making the threat. We need to protect victims from this type of threat, and we will do so because it is unacceptable. This will apply to the threat of sharing real images as well as sharing deepfakes created using artificial intelligence. Together, these reforms will help create a justice system that is quicker and earlier to act and offers stronger protection to those facing domestic violence and sexual violence, all while keeping our children safe.”
“As we know, with the rise of artificial intelligence, it is becoming increasingly easy to create fake images that look like real images. When these are shared, it can have devastating consequences for the people involved. As a government, we need to better protect victims against these new threats, which are based on recently developed technologies. Another issue is that the Criminal Code currently does not have provisions against making threats to share intimate images. As I mentioned, it is a crime to share an intimate image without the consent of the person depicted, but there is no section in the Criminal Code on threatening to do so.”
“(1255) With these changes, femicide committed in the context of domestic violence will be treated as first-degree murder. This is a major step forward. This is important because it addresses a problem we are facing in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, women continue to account for a disproportionate number of homicide victims at the hands of an intimate partner. In 2024, according to Statistics Canada figures, nearly one in six homicide victims in Canada was killed by a spouse or intimate partner. We cannot tolerate this type of crime in our country, and we need to crack down on those who perpetrate it. We will also tackle deepfakes. The Criminal Code already prohibits the distribution of intimate images without the individual's consent. However, this offence does not apply to sexually explicit deepfakes.”
“We will also ensure that criminal harassment offences expressly include harassing behaviour committed using modern technologies. With the technological advances made in recent years, a growing number of troubling situations have come to light, specifically with respect to electronic surveillance. Victims must be fully protected from harassment committed by these means. Bill C‑16 also allows us to take action in this area. Another major improvement is that murders committed in situations of control, hate, violence or sexual exploitation will be processed as first-degree murders, even in the absence of premeditation or deliberation. This is important because first-degree murder is the most serious type of homicide under the Criminal Code.”
“Their testimonies will help us better understand the subtle means used by abusers to exert control over their intimate partners. Bill C‑16 also seeks to make it easier to prove criminal harassment. Currently, this offence requires the prosecution to prove that the victim feared for their safety, which often involves the victim having to testify. This puts victims in a situation where they are forced to relive traumatic events. We therefore propose replacing the requirement that the victim fear for their safety with an objective requirement, namely, whether a reasonable person in similar circumstances would have had such fears. That is an important distinction. It allows the prosecution to establish that criminal harassment has occurred without requiring the victim to testify.”
“We will create a new offence to prohibit coercive or controlling behaviour toward an intimate partner. The goal is to give the justice system the tools it needs to intervene before violence escalates. We know that abuse often stems from controlling behaviours long before physical violence occurs. We must therefore criminalize coercive control in order to facilitate early intervention before intimate partner violence escalates or, in some cases, becomes fatal. “Coercive behaviour” refers to a combination or repetition of three types of behaviour: violent behaviour, coercive sexual behaviour, or behaviour that could reasonably lead a victim to believe that their physical or psychological safety is threatened. For this last category, a non-exhaustive list of problematic behaviours will be developed based on the experiences of survivors.”
“This rule states that any disclosure to victims regarding release or eligibility for parole must include an explanation of how the applicable dates were determined. This approach applies consistently to all disclosures, reduces repetition in the law and limits the risk of inconsistencies. The amendment broadening the scope of the information available to victims is part of one of the most significant updates to the Criminal Code in generations, which the government has undertaken with Bill C-16. This reform aims to respond to modern threats, protect victims of domestic violence, defend our children and strengthen victims' rights. To strengthen our response to intimate partner violence, we have proposed several legislative amendments in Bill C-16.”
“More broadly, the proposed amendments are in keeping with our government's overall approach of putting victims' best interests at the heart of our justice system. Moreover, our government's Bill C-16 has the same objectives as the private member's bill we are considering today, namely to broaden the scope of the information available to victims, strengthen their right to receive clear explanations, and ensure their impact statements are taken into account not only at sentencing, but also when decisions regarding parole or corrections are made. However, the methodologies are different. Rather than repeating the same explanation requirement in several separate disclosure provisions, our Bill C-16 establishes a single, clear rule.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favour of Bill C‑221 . This bill would ensure that victims of crime are informed about the offender's parole eligibility dates, including an explanation of how those dates were determined. The bill would require the Correctional Service of Canada and the Parole Board of Canada to explain to victims how parole eligibility, review and release dates are determined. This bill is consistent with our government's commitment to supporting victims of crime and their families. We believe that disclosing information to victims shows transparency and that their right to information about the people who harmed them must be respected at all stages of the correctional and parole process.”
“Mr. Speaker, the opposition members like to claim that our country is broken. Not only is that in poor taste, but it is completely untrue, because Canada has everything the world covets: abundant natural resources, a highly skilled workforce and strong, diverse trade agreements. On this side of the House, we believe in Canada, and we believe in our Canadian businesses and workers. I would like to ask the parliamentary secretary how this confidence translates into generational investments in the Canadian economy.”
“Mr. Speaker, National Acadian Day is a time when all Acadians come together to proudly celebrate our beautiful French language, our nation and our cultural commonalities. For years now, the funding has not been permanent. It always had to be renegotiated when agreements expired. This is a long-standing Société nationale de l'Acadie ask, and they were heard. Several MPs who care about Acadia raised these issues during the budget consultations. We were heard. On budget day, the Prime Minister himself came and told me that funding for National Acadian Day would not only be made permanent, but would also be doubled. I see this as good news not only for New Brunswick's Acadian economy, but also for Acadians in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and everywhere people celebrate Acadia.”