John Zerucelli
Etobicoke North, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I have a news flash for the hon. member. Who builds houses? The building trades build houses. Who is supporting the building trades? It is the current government, with $6 billion in skilled trades to build right across this country. We are building bridges, roads and hospitals right across this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party leader needs to explain the $8.8 million of unaccounted for, unexplained expenses. The Conservatives know that we are in the middle of a trade war, but we have a plan. We are building. Let me give some examples.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians do not want theatrics. The Conservative leader knows full well that we are in a trade war, which is creating real headwinds for the Canadian economy. However, we have a plan and we are confident in that plan.”
“Mr. Speaker, we are proud to stand up for our record every day in this House of Commons because the member knows very well that we are in the middle of a trade war. This country is facing headwinds, but we have a plan. Canada is building, from LNG in B.C.”
“Mr. Speaker, we have Canada's first European LNG agreement, more than $30 billion in investments secured; the Nouveau Monde Graphite mine project in Quebec, over 1,000 new jobs, shovels in the ground; the Darlington new nuclear project, 18,000 construction jobs; the Contrecoeur port expansion, shovels in the ground; and 150 Airbus A220s,…”
“Mr. Speaker, the member talks about affordability, but when it comes time to support the very measures that benefit the seniors in her riding, she votes against them. In her riding, 31,000 members receive the Canada dental benefit. That is a seniors benefit.”
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“Mr. Speaker, we are creating opportunities for Canadians. Budget 2025 is about building Canada and creating opportunities for young people. We are building Saint John strong, Etobicoke strong, Vancouver strong, Halifax strong, Fredericton strong, Winnipeg strong, Bradford strong. City by city, community by community, we are building Canada strong for our young people, for Canadians. Through budget 2025, we are building roads, bridges, hospitals, water systems, community centres, homes that Canadians need and major projects in the national interest. We are doing it with Canadian steel, Canadian lumber and Canadian union workers.”
“Mr. Speaker, we keep hearing those words from the Conservatives, but the reality of the situation is that every time there is an opportunity to vote for measures that help Canadians, they vote against them. They voted against dental care. They voted against the national school food program, which they called “garbage”. They said no to the increase to the Canada child benefit and no to a tax cut that helps 22 million Canadians. While they keep saying no, our government is investing to help families. It is yes to lowering costs for Canadians and yes to building a stronger future for Canadians. Today, the Conservatives will get another chance to vote for a budget that is affordable for Canadians. Will they join us?”
“Mr. Speaker, I have travelled across this country and met with union leaders and workers, and they are excited about our plan to build big, build bold, build infrastructure projects and build Canada homes because of the opportunities it creates, opportunities to bring in high school students, opportunities to bring in apprentices and opportunities to invest in the next generation of skilled workers. If the Conservatives want an affordable budget for an affordable life, they have the opportunity to vote for one today. Will they join us?”
“Mr. Speaker, how about the Conservative Party apologizes to all the kids who benefit from the national school food program? The Conservatives called it “garbage” last week, and they claimed that it does not feed a single child. On the contrary, the program feeds 400,000 kids every year, helping them to learn, to focus and to be ready for a full day of school. This is about giving every child an opportunity, no matter where they live, and no matter where they learn. I ask the members opposite, now that this is known, will they correct the record and apologize, or will they ruin Christmas with a Christmas—”
“Mr. Speaker, Conservative members seem to enjoy talking Canada down. They talk about imaginary taxes. It is almost as if they were cheering for the LA Dodgers instead of Canada's team last night. While the Conservatives vote against measures that support Canadians, we are investing in them. We are building major projects and building homes right across the country with Canadian steel, Canadian lumber and Canadian unionized workers. We are putting people to work, strengthening communities and building a future that Canada can be proud of. Here is my question: Will the Conservatives vote for the budget or will they trigger an Xmas election?”
“Mr. Speaker, the BC Building Trades are in town, and their message is clear: It is time to build. We agree with them. We are investing in major infrastructure projects across the country. We are building more homes, but none of that happens without the people who are going to do the building. That is why, through budget 2025, we are doubling the union training innovation program, strengthening the Red Seal trades and creating more opportunities for apprentices. This is about investing in people and investing in our workers, because when we invest in our union workers, we invest in Canada's future. I hope the other parties join us in voting for the budget on November 4.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives voted no to dental care, no to the national school food program, no to the Canada child benefit and no to a tax cut that helped 22 million Canadians. Our government brought in these measures to make life more affordable for Canadians, help families, support workers and build a stronger Canada. However, there is good news. On November 4, the Conservative Party will have another chance, a chance to say yes to Canadians and yes to measures that make a real difference in people's lives. Will they stand with Canadians, or will they continue to stand in the way?”
“Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the U.S. has changed their trading relationship with the world, and that is having an impact on the auto sector. The Minister of Industry is out fighting for workers. She has summoned Stellantis and GM here to hold them accountable. We are going to do whatever it takes to protect workers, defend our auto sector and bring production back to Canada, because Canadian auto workers are the best in the world. We are going to fight for them every single day.”
“Mr. Speaker, every day, the Conservatives come to the House and talk down the Canadian economy. We are supporting our workers. We are going to build, build bold and build now with Canadian lumber, Canadian steel and Canadian unionized workers. We are defending our workers. We will be there for Canada. I hope the Conservatives join us.”
“Mr. Speaker, I had the honour of presenting Red Seals to three new apprentices of IBEW Local 230, Victoria, B.C. They are proud of what they accomplished. They are optimistic about the future, because we are going to put them to work. We are going to build homes. We are building major infrastructure projects in the national interest, with thousands of jobs and thousands of opportunities for apprenticeship. While the Conservatives come to the House and talk Canada down every day, we are going to be supporting workers who are building Canada up.”
“Mr. Speaker, one of the best ways to combat inflation is to create real opportunities for Canadians. That is exactly what we are doing. We are going to be building. We are building homes and building projects in the national interest, with Canadian lumber, Canadian steel and Canadian unionized workers. We are optimistic about Canada's future. Will the Conservatives get on board?”
“Mr. Speaker, every member of this House of Commons cares deeply about the cost of living for Canadians, but there is one difference. On this side, we are bringing forward initiatives and opportunities for real Canadians by building this country. We are going to build big, we are going to build bold and we are going to build now with working Canadians. We are going to create hundreds of thousands of jobs with more opportunities for apprenticeship. Conservative voters want this. I hope the opposition gets on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, finally, there is a good question. I have been meeting with workers from Surrey to St. John's, including Canada's building trades unions that are in town this week, and they all say the same thing: It is time to build. That is exactly what we are doing. From major nation-building projects to building Canadian homes, we are building big with Canadian steel, Canadian lumber, Canadian unionized workers. We are creating thousands of jobs and apprenticeship opportunities through the union training and innovation program. We are investing in training the next generation. While the Conservatives talk down Canada, we are building Canada up with Canadian workers.”
“Mr. Speaker, one of the best ways to deal with food inflation is to give Canadians real opportunities. That is what we are doing by building a strong economy, a building economy. We are building big, building bold and building right now. We are building with major projects. I was pleased to stand with the Prime Minister last week in Edmonton, where we announced the first tranche of projects through the Major Projects Office. We announced our plan to build homes using Canadian steel, Canadian lumber and Canadian unionized workers. This will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, apprenticeship opportunities, training opportunities and real careers. We are optimistic about the future of this country, and I hope the opposition gets on board.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to join the hon. member from the Sault in welcoming some of the most important unions and skilled trades to Ottawa today. These unions represent over one million good-paying jobs. Our one Canadian economy plan will fast-track major projects so we can build across this country, brick by brick, with good Canadian steel and aluminum. It is time to build big, build bold and build now. Canada's building trades will get it done, and this government will always have their backs.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians elected a new government to build a strong Canada and to protect programs that serve families. Families are strong when kids are healthy. Our national school meal program is delivering meals to hundreds of thousands of kids this year. It saves parents up to $800 per year. We are committed to making this permanent. We made this commitment in the campaign, and I call on the member opposite to support us.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to talk about this list again because I think it is so important. We increased the CCB, delivered $10 day care and put in place a national school food program. The federal minimum wage has been increased. We have dental care and pharmacare. All those programs have reduced poverty in all age groups. They are the things that Conservatives have voted against.”
“Mr. Speaker, we increased the CCB. We delivered $10-a-day day care. We put in place a national school food program. The federal minimum wage was increased. We have dental care and pharmacare. All those programs have reduced child poverty by 38% since 2015. Seniors' poverty is down by 30% since 2015. They are all things the Conservatives voted against.”