Madeleine Chenette
Thérèse-De Blainville, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“Madam Speaker, I am rather surprised by the member's comments and by the fact that he is proposing to delay the passage of this bill by failing to abide by our rules. The member gave a good description of the process in committee, where there are five‑minute speeches and then time for questions.”
“Madam Speaker, unlike the Bloc Québécois, members on this side of the House have zero doubts that culture is important, and we are ready to invest in it. We did so in the budget, yet they were against it.”
“Madam Speaker, I have a great deal of respect for my colleague, but today he seems to be all doom and gloom. Today, thanks to the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, we are providing $543 to a single person as a GST credit and $1,086 to a family of four.”
“Mr. Speaker, last Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend the ceremonial parade of the 806 Sainte-Thérèse Air Cadet Squadron, which brought together more than 90 young cadets. What a great organization that teaches leadership, civic responsibility and teamwork.”
“Mr. Speaker, as we saw during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Canadian athletes show us what is possible when talent, hard work and opportunity come together. Today, we have the privilege of recognizing and thanking these extraordinary athletes here in Ottawa.”
“Mr. Speaker, as my colleague explained, Build Canada Homes is there for affordable housing. We are welcoming athletes to Ottawa today and making sport affordable through a $755-million investment to make sport accessible to all. We are developing projects and programs for our society on so many issues, including tax cuts.”
The complete record
Every one of 128 lines we hold for Madeleine Chenette, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 3.
“Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to welcome my colleague and neighbour from Mirabel. I am also glad to hear him say that it can be a privilege and a source of pride to be part of the G7. Then again, I was a little hurt to be described as “repackaged”. I stand here as a proud new member of the Liberal Party and the Liberal government. I do not really think of myself as repackaged. This is who I am, a fresh, new member. That said, I share my colleague's point of view. When it comes to rhetoric, we need to tread carefully. The same can be said about political activism. We need to listen to all citizens, not just our own supporters, and in his case, not just those who support the rhetoric we sometimes hear from the Bloc Québécois.”
“Mr. Speaker, before I was elected, I had the privilege of serving as Canada's ambassador to the OECD, where I saw how a global rules-based order helps to create opportunities for workers, improve affordability for consumers and support business innovation and growth. The rest of the world wants and needs what Canada has to offer, but the free trade system we rely on is now at risk. Last weekend, President Trump followed through on his threat to raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%. Our Minister of Industry has already told us that she was actively working with businesses and unions. Can the Minister of Industry inform the House of measures taken by our new government—”
“Madam Speaker, I want to add my voice to those offering moral support and calling on the government to support efforts to address this very unfortunate crisis in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In response to my hon. colleague's comments, it is clear that the climate situation is very worrisome. I would point out that Canada and our Canadian government are very involved in discussing all these elements within the Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation, the International Energy Agency and the International Transport Forum. There are also other issues to consider, such as health. As my colleague said, we need to work together, not just by province. Are you prepared to truly co-operate with all the provinces, to address climate change and also invest with other countries to have a single, strong voice in Canada?”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened to my hon. colleague's speech, and there is clearly an issue when it comes to energy and some of our regions. Our Prime Minister has been very clear about the goal of making Canada an energy superpower in both conventional and clean energy and of reducing our emissions. From that perspective, yesterday's meeting in Saskatoon was clearly a huge success. Can we count on the Conservatives to support working as a country made up not of 13 separate entities, but of one single voice?”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague raised several points in connection with the Speech from the Throne. I want to assure her that the speech does lay out a clear vision and establish clear priorities. I heard my colleague saying that the details of this action plan need to be clarified. I want to assure her that we are already getting to work. Our commitments on the issue of affordability are important for our constituents. I heard her. Our seniors' concerns are being considered. Our government wants to strengthen a united Canadian economy without interprovincial trade barriers. I want to emphasize that, because the OECD's economic surveys of Canada very clearly show that we must get rid of our internal barriers and create domestic synergy. Isolating ourselves is no way to create productivity or growth.”
“Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague did a good job summarizing the issues and concerns of Canadians and business owners. I would like to add that the current context is not necessarily like a boxing match or hockey game. It is more like tai chi, which I have been practising for 30 years now. In tai chi, we use each other's energy to move forward. I would say that, yes, the economy will be the priority. As for industrial carbon pricing, it generates billions of dollars in investments and creates tens of thousands of jobs across Canada. It is three times more effective than consumer carbon pricing. I will end by saying that we need to take the right measures to ensure our economic growth while, of course, protecting our environment.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my esteemed colleague for that question. I will simply say that we have an economic framework for managing quality of life in Canada that will help build our economy. That framework encompasses housing, transportation and the environment. I am not going to go into detail, since it is all written down. In doing so, we will all work together to ensure that this economy delivers results for every region.”
“Mr. Speaker, yes, I worked at the OECD and at the International Energy Agency. I will say that Dr. Fatih Birol, the IEA's executive director, has repeatedly stated in international forums that Canada has everything it needs to succeed by combining all of its energy sources. He has also repeatedly stated that the energy transition is important. I have heard him say that a number of times, and the Prime Minister has been very clear about his objectives. Our government wants to build and turn Canada into a “superpower in both clean and conventional energy” while reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Let us stop focusing on just one part of the conversation. Energy means the full range of energy sources Canada is blessed with.”
“Mr. Speaker, for starters, members need to stop scaring our fellow Quebeckers and French Canadians with respect to our ability to maintain our language. I have said it before and I will say it again: Our leaders are taking action. Our government has plenty of francophone leaders and leaders who share their pride in our French language. We are going to speak it. I want to reiterate that we are all committed to promoting the French language across our beautiful country.”
“By working together with the provinces and territories, indigenous peoples and all stakeholders, we can build a strong future for all Canadians, a future where our shared values continue to be a priority.”
“The scale of this government's initiative will match the challenges of our times and the ambitions of Canadians. I want to close by telling my esteemed colleagues that we, as Canadians, are strong and free, and that we will do everything we can over the course of this mandate entrusted to us to make this great country even stronger. Doing so will require more than just programs and policies. It will require a commitment to moving our country forward despite the challenges ahead. Canada has tremendous assets and economic leverage: our talents and ability to innovate, the private sector's expertise combined with the public sector's, our rich multicultural mosaic and our strength when it comes to inclusion and global partnerships. Canada is also brimming with hope and opportunity.”
“We will attract the best talent from around the world to build the Canadian economy. In all of its actions, our government will be guided by a new fiscal discipline, one that involves spending less so that Canadians can invest more. This is also something the people of Thérèse-De Blainville have been calling for. We believe that every public dollar should be spent wisely in the collective interest. Our government will work hard to achieve this. Our government will balance its operating budget over the next three years by cutting waste, capping the public service, ending duplication and deploying technology to improve public sector productivity. In parallel, we will take a series of measures to catalyze new investments and create better jobs and higher incomes for Canadians.”
“Our government will be a reliable partner to indigenous peoples, upholding its fundamental commitment to advancing reconciliation. We will meet that commitment with conviction. We are also committed to protecting our farmers, who provide us with fresh, healthy, high-quality food. Protecting supply management is very important. Our food sovereignty is an essential component of our national sovereignty. Canada's immigration system has also long been a source of pride for Canadians. That is why we are committed to rebuilding Canadians' trust in immigration by restoring balance to the system. (1335) This responsibility will demand both structure and compassion. With that in mind, our government will cap the number of temporary foreign workers and international students allowed to come to Canada.”
“They define the country that Canadians and I love so much. I have promoted our country throughout my career, right across Canada and internationally. That is the kind of leadership we all need to show every day. Protecting our language, our traditions and our heritage is essential. It is also an incredible asset in our international trade. I know what I am talking about. Canada is a country that respects and celebrates its official languages and indigenous languages. The government is determined to protect the institutions that bring these cultures and this identity to the world, like CBC/Radio‑Canada, and programs that really make a difference, such as the indigenous loan guarantee program, which will double from $5 billion to $10 billion.”
“We must ensure that they are safe places for everyone, at all times. To that end, we will hire 1,000 more RCMP personnel and make changes to firearms licensing. We are going to take car theft and home invasions very seriously, and we are going to toughen the Criminal Code to make bail harder to get for repeat offenders charged with committing these crimes, along with human trafficking and drug smuggling. The safety of our communities is non-negotiable. Now I want to turn to something that is ingrained in me, something essential for building a strong Canada. I have said this many times to the constituents of Thérèse‑De Blainville: I am a proud Quebecker and a proud francophone. At the same time, I am a proud Canadian. The French language and Quebec culture are both at the heart of the Canadian identity.”
“New tools to stop the flow of fentanyl and its precursors will also be introduced. The Canada Border Services Agency will be given new powers to examine goods destined for export in order to prevent the transport of illegal and stolen products, including cars, which we all know has become a serious problem. We will not stop there. Our government will protect Canada's sovereignty by rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces and will strengthen Canada's presence in the north. We will also join ReArm Europe to invest in transatlantic security. Security also means solidarity. Ensuring that our borders are secure is one thing, but we cannot ignore the safety of our communities. Our communities are where we live, where our loved ones live, our children and our parents.”
“(1330) Our government will also introduce measures to deliver affordable homes by creating a mission-driven organization called build Canada homes, which will accelerate the development of new affordable housing, invest in the growth of the prefabricated and modular housing industry, and provide significant financing to affordable home builders. Our constituents want concrete actions like these. Together with all stakeholders and regional parties involved, we will innovate and overcome challenges. In recent months, we have also heard a lot of talk about Canada's security, especially at our borders. To that end, our government will introduce legislation to enhance security at Canada's borders. A strong country must be able to protect its borders, its citizens and its territorial integrity.”
“During the election campaign, I heard from my constituents that housing was a top priority for them, as it is for all Canadians. Their message is very clear. Major changes are needed; concrete action must be taken, and quickly. That is why our government will undertake a series of measures to help double the rate of home building while creating an entirely new housing industry using Canadian technology, Canadian skilled workers and Canadian lumber. We must also be ready to innovate so that we can meet our climate challenges. We have the resources, we have the know-how and we have the will. It is time for action.”
“The new major federal project office will reduce the time needed to approve a project from five years to two, all while upholding Canada's world-leading environmental standards and its constitutional obligations to indigenous peoples. This will enable us to strike a balance between efficiency and accountability. Our government will also strike co-operation agreements with every interested province and territory within six months to realize its goal of “one project, one review”. By removing these barriers holding back the Canadian economy, we will unleash a new era of growth in Canada that will ensure we do not just survive trade wars, but emerge from them as a stronger sovereign nation. It is that resilience, that ability to turn adversity into opportunity, that has always characterized our country.”
“For that, we will need to work closely with provinces, territories and indigenous peoples to implement projects of national significance. Throughout my career, I have worked with the business community, unions, civil society, as well as diplomats and governments around the world. Now more than ever, our Canadian pride must deepen our ties with the world to create high-paying jobs for Canadians. We know that these projects require leadership, but also a listening ear, flexibility and respect for jurisdictions. More importantly, this plan to build Canada strong resonates with our constituents. Given the scale of opportunities before us, speed is of the essence.”
“Internal barriers to trade and labour mobility cost Canada as much as $200 billion each year. That is unacceptable, and so we will be introducing legislation to remove all federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility by Canada Day. Numerous premiers have already taken vital steps to break down provincial and territorial barriers to trade, and we will build on that progress to create a strong economy for the whole country. Working with provincial and territorial premiers is the key to success, and everyone in the House has a role to play in this joint effort so that we can reach our full economic potential. However, that is not all. A lot more needs to be done to reach our full potential and build Canada strong. This cannot happen without a strong commitment to collaboration.”
“What we heard from our constituents as we went door to door is that our social programs must be maintained because they have a real impact on Canadians' everyday lives. These programs enable many people to access essential services, and that is something we will never jeopardize. Everyone knows, because we said it very clearly during the recent campaign, that our government's main goal is to build the strongest economy in the G7. That starts with creating one Canadian economy. It is an ambitious and critical plan. It is time to break down silos, overcome internal barriers, and build a true economic union among our provinces and territories. The OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, has been recommending this for years in its economic reports. Now there is a sense of urgency that is driving us to act.”
“The people of my riding made it abundantly clear to me that they believe the economy is only truly strong when it serves everyone and is consistent with what all Canadians want. That is why we are reducing middle-class taxes, saving two-income families up to $840 a year. We will also be reducing the GST on homes at or under $1 million for first-time homebuyers, which will save them up to $50,000. Our constituents want concrete action. These measures are concrete. They will have a direct impact on the lives of Canadians and Canadian families by improving both access and security. (1325) Furthermore, we will protect the programs that are already helping Canadians save thousands of dollars a year, such as the child care program, pharmacare and more.”
“The Prime Minister and the President of the United States have begun defining a new economic and security relationship between our two countries, rooted in mutual respect and founded on the common interests of our two sovereign nations. This renewed partnership with our neighbour to the south offers us an opportunity to write a new chapter in our history of collaboration, mutual growth and shared prosperity. At the same time, our government is strengthening ties with our trading partners and allies. We already have 50 free trade agreements. Now more than ever, we need to put them to good use. Today, our economic future hinges on our ability to build strong, lasting strategic ties around the world.”
“Until recently, I served as Canada's ambassador and representative to the OECD, the International Energy Agency, the International Transport Forum, the Nuclear Energy Agency, and the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence. I can assure the House that member countries are ready for this partnership with Canada. This kind of involvement on the world stage does not detract from our national interests. On the contrary, it is a natural extension of those interests. We believe that in order to be strong at home, we have to be present, respected and engaged internationally. No discussion of change and opportunities would be complete without considering what is going on with our neighbours in the United States.”
“These profound changes mean incredible opportunities for our entire country: opportunities for renewal, opportunities for growth and, above all, opportunities for Canada to undertake its greatest economic transformation since the Second World War. We are going through these changes together. They are affecting our families, our communities and our workplaces. Yes, these changes will challenge us, but they will also give us the impetus to build a better future. By remaining true to its values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that works for all Canadians. Canada is ready to build a coalition with countries that share its values and believe in international co-operation, as we will demonstrate a few weeks from now, when Canada chairs the G7 summit in June.”
“I want to sincerely thank my husband Claude, my family, and the volunteers who supported me throughout this campaign. In my previous role as Canada's ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, I was deeply concerned about the place of democracy in the world. I am pleased to see our Canadian democracy so strong and healthy. All of our conversations have been respectful. In this chamber that embodies our country's democratic values, I rise today with a deep sense of responsibility. As stated in the Speech from the Throne, all Canadians are experiencing major changes at this point in time.”
“Mr. Speaker, hon. colleagues, before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation. I am both humbled and excited to rise as the member for Thérèse-De Blainville. It is an honour to be here today, on behalf of my constituents, to deliver this speech. As I often tell my friends and family, I do not take my good fortune for granted. I congratulate you on your new position, Mr. Speaker, and I congratulate all members of the House. I look forward to working with everyone. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my constituents for the trust they have placed in me. I thank them for their questions, their commitment and all their suggestions.”