Billy Morin
Edmonton Northwest, Alberta · Conservative · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of presenting my first petition, petition e-6909, which has approximately 13,000 signatures. The petitioners call on the government to protect the records and testimony of residential school survivors. I know there is some ambiguity with respect to these records.”
“There is some great work that has been done by the truth and reconciliation centre out of Winnipeg, but this ambiguity needs to be addressed by the House of Commons so that it can be a forthright and respectful conversation going forward with Canadians, and we can all, Canadians and indigenous peoples, move forward in a country that is fo…”
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has been good at announcing programs, dollars and funds, but it is really blank on the details. I am wondering if the minister knows what codes are on the first nations themselves and if he is going to invest from the public purse into first nation homes.”
“Mr. Speaker, the AFN exposed that the last decade of Liberal housing strategy has left first nations 157,000 homes short. Given that Build Canada Homes plans to build only 5,000 homes annually, by what year will the Liberals build 157,000 homes needed for first nations? I would like to know just the year.”
“Mr. Speaker, in 2020, the Liberals told chiefs they would make first nations policing an essential service, with new legislation and expanded service and number of communities served.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Older, Bolder, Better event, Alberta's largest Seniors' Week event, was recently hosted by the WE Seniors at my home of Enoch Cree Nation's River Cree Resort.”
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“There is some great work that has been done by the truth and reconciliation centre out of Winnipeg, but this ambiguity needs to be addressed by the House of Commons so that it can be a forthright and respectful conversation going forward with Canadians, and we can all, Canadians and indigenous peoples, move forward in a country that is focused on a bright future together.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of presenting my first petition, petition e-6909, which has approximately 13,000 signatures. The petitioners call on the government to protect the records and testimony of residential school survivors. I know there is some ambiguity with respect to these records. There is a conversation still happening in Canada. Ultimately, reconciliation is most important when we talk about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. At the end of the day, the survivors and their families deserve justice. The conversation is still happening in Canada, but before we can have reconciliation, the truth needs to be kept and upheld.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has been good at announcing programs, dollars and funds, but it is really blank on the details. I am wondering if the minister knows what codes are on the first nations themselves and if he is going to invest from the public purse into first nation homes. There is a shortage of 157,000 homes, and the national building codes and provincial codes do not apply on first nations. What codes will he be building to when investing this money from the public purse in first nations?”
“Mr. Speaker, the AFN exposed that the last decade of Liberal housing strategy has left first nations 157,000 homes short. Given that Build Canada Homes plans to build only 5,000 homes annually, by what year will the Liberals build 157,000 homes needed for first nations? I would like to know just the year.”
“Mr. Speaker, in 2020, the Liberals told chiefs they would make first nations policing an essential service, with new legislation and expanded service and number of communities served. Six years later, nothing has been done, and we hear every week from first nations of how their people are dying because of these broken promises when it comes to safety. On what date will the Liberals table that policing bill and keep their promises for once?”
“I encourage all Albertans to remember the sacrifices that our parents, our grandmothers, our grandfathers and our ancestors made to build our province in our country that we call home. In their honour, take action to keep Alberta in a united Canada this fall.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Older, Bolder, Better event, Alberta's largest Seniors' Week event, was recently hosted by the WE Seniors at my home of Enoch Cree Nation's River Cree Resort. I am proud that the Westend Seniors Activity Centre, which is the gathering place for thousands of Edmonton seniors, is located in my community of Edmonton Northwest. Congratulations to the CEO, Dr. Haidong Liang, and his whole team for their hard work in welcoming over 1,200 elders and over 120 vendors specializing in serving the silver economy. As the local member of Parliament, I had the honour of being the keynote speaker, and I was proud to take our Conservative Party of Canada's message back to Edmonton that an empowered Alberta belongs in a united Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague across the way for her advocacy. She mentioned the infrastructure needed even before we build homes, for things like water. I note that the Liberals have 11 years of broken promises when it comes to the promises they made about indigenous water, in addition to breaking their promise in this Parliament on water legislation two times. Let us grant them leniency on that just for now and say they are going to build homes for indigenous communities. There is a shortage of 157,000 homes on first nations reserves alone. What dent would Build Canada Homes put in that? What is the specific number of homes it would build on reserve?”
“Madam Speaker, the AFN estimates that there are 157,000 new homes needed to address the severe housing crisis on first nation reserves in addition to the 81,000 existing units needing major renovations. The minister announced some indigenous incentives in this, but the numbers add up to about 3,400 homes across 600‑plus first nations. Can the minister address more systematic fixes when it comes to first nations housing crises, rather than just band‑aids?”
“Gas prices can make life more affordable for seniors, the most important people who deserve an affordable life across our country.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is about Canada, whether it is the east coast, the northern reaches of our country, the west coast or where I am from, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is from Ontario. In Alberta, I heard the same thing. Last week, doing town halls and going to the Westend Seniors Activity Centre, I heard from seniors that they are picking and choosing when to go see their grandkids, when to get out of the house and when to engage with their community. What I learned from the elders and the seniors back in my own home community is that if one does not use it, one loses it. These are members who are stuck at home and slowly going the way that they did not wish for their retirement, being shut in. Gas prices can affect that.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Quebec was talking about equitability in how this is applied. I have heard that question throughout the House today, and I find it perplexing that the excuse being used not to do this is the Brookfield class. The rich people across this country are hindering getting things done for the majority of Canadians who are feeling this pinch at the pumps and with respect to affordability. It is the same principle that the Liberals use when they focus on criminals rather than the victims. It is the government that is messing everything up, and that is what I would reflect in respect to her question.”
“No, Mr. Speaker, I would not agree. Why would we be having this conversation in the first place? It has been the same government for the last 11 years trying the same old things that it has always done. I believe that is insanity, at the end of the day. I would encourage that member to go back to the principles that brought her to the House.”
“Canadians deserve answers as to why the current government has created a system where gas prices are 13% higher in Canada than in the United States and they are spending 22¢ on the dollar more per litre than the Americans. Canadians are right to question how the current Liberal government justifies gas costing 50¢ more per litre today than when global prices were at the same level in 2014. Canadians deserve policies that make life more affordable, opportunities that allow them to get ahead and a government that recognizes the reality they face every day.”
“Conservatives are asking the government to put an end to all federal taxes on gas and diesel for the rest of the year, including the GST, and to permanently scrap the clean fuel standard. These are measures intended to provide relief that Canadians would see directly at the gas pumps. Canadians do not want to hear that the Brookfield class is being used as an excuse to not help the majority of Canadians who need this relief the most today. Canadians are working hard. They should not feel punished for driving to work, taking their children to activities, visiting loved ones or keeping essential services running. They are not asking for a government to take care of them through subsidies or socialist programs that lead to being taxed more. Canadians are asking for a government to finally get out of the way.”
“In a time when Canadian families are already facing economic challenges, we should be doing everything in our power to help them get ahead, yet many professionals in Edmonton Northwest are struggling to keep up with the pressures they face. The motion before us highlights another reality. Gas prices in Canada are 13% higher than in the United States, 22¢ per litre more here in Canada. For families filling up their tanks every week, these differences matter. Canadians do not want excuses. They do not want to hear that enough has already been done while they continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. A half attempt to a temporary measure is not relief. Canadians want action that lowers costs and restores confidence. They want to know that the government understands the challenges that they are facing.”
“We are a country rich in natural resources, especially oil and gas, with the potential to strengthen our economy and contribute to global energy needs. For years, our resource sector has raised concerns about the regulatory barriers, permit delays and uncertainty that have slowed development and investment. More than a decade ago, global oil prices were at similar levels, yet Canadians paid 50¢ less at the pump. Canadians are asking a reasonable question: Why are they paying more today? (1710) When governments burden our resource sector with additional bureaucracy and taxes, every person feels the impact. Investment slows, opportunities are delayed and costs continue to rise for Canadian families.”
“Communities such as James Smith Cree Nation feel additional strain in operating community safety, policing services, security services and administration. Rising fuel costs place greater pressure on services that people rely on every day. For many rural and indigenous communities, transportation costs carry an even greater burden. Distances are longer, options are fewer and services are often spread out. Rising fuel costs can mean even higher operating expenses for communities already working hard to deliver services and support their members. The community members often most affected are children, seniors and women, many of whom already face limited and expensive transportation. Canada should be in one of the strongest positions in the world.”
“Materials do not arrive at construction sites without transportation. Small businesses do not receive their supplies without trucks on the road. Every increase at the gas pump creates a chain reaction throughout the economy. Businesses face higher transportation costs. Those costs are passed along to consumers, and Canadians end up paying more for the necessities they need every day. Higher gas prices also impact public services. K-Bro Linen in Edmonton Northwest faces higher costs to deliver uniforms and other items to health care providers and other service providers across Edmonton. This impact is felt in indigenous communities and local governments as well. Communities such as Ermineskin Cree Nation face increasing costs to operate essential services like water delivery and utilities.”
“It affects volunteers driving to programs, parents taking their children to activities, workers commuting to their jobs and organizations trying to meet the needs of the people they serve. When people cannot afford to fill up their tanks, families, businesses and communities suffer. These are the people who need relief from Liberal fuel taxes the most. Edmonton has the most refinery capacity in our country and is proud to supply everyone as much as possible with essential fuel and energy to sustain their lives. We should not feel the stress of high prices caused by government taxes for our own resources, but the impact does not stop there. Rising fuel prices increase the cost of transporting goods across our country. Groceries do not appear on store shelves on their own.”
“Think about that: Canadians who have worked their entire lives and contributed to their communities are now being forced to think twice before driving to visit the people they love the most. This is not just a financial issue. It is a quality of life issue. The same applies to accessing health services and social activities. These rising fuel costs do not just affect families. Businesses in Edmonton Northwest, like K-Bro Linen, face growing operating costs. Organizations such as Chrysalis, which serves persons with disabilities, the YMCA, Play On!, Special Olympics Alberta, the Westend Seniors Activity Centre, Islamic Family and the Beulah Alliance Church, all depend on transportation to deliver services and support their communities. When fuel costs rise, this impacts everyone.”
“Families in Edmonton Northwest tell me that rising costs at the gas pump are forcing impossible choices. They are deciding between filling their tanks and paying for essentials like groceries or rent. For many families, driving is not a luxury. It is not optional. It is how they get to work, take their children to school activities, attend appointments and remain connected to their communities. Just last week, I spent some time with seniors in Edmonton Northwest, and they shared with me how much their lives have changed. They told me they are seeing their loved ones less often because their already stretched pensions simply do not go far enough. Something as simple as driving across the city to spend time with family is becoming harder to afford.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would be honoured to share my time with the member for London—Fanshawe . Today residents in Edmonton Northwest are feeling the increasing pressure of unaffordability. Yes, there is global uncertainty, but global uncertainty is not an excuse to delay implementing the necessary relief Canadians need today. As the PM rhetorically says, “We need to focus on what we can control,” and what his government controls is taxes. For Canadian families, high gas and food prices are not a new reality exacerbated by global conflict. For many, this comes after a decade of rising costs, higher taxes and inflationary spending from a government that recklessly tries to convince Canadians that the government is not the problem. Canadians know better.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have to have humility. I am not a lawyer, so I stand to read what lawyers say in this regard, but I thank the member for his point. That is my understanding of it as well. I hope the Liberals have more humility too. They admit that they got things wrong and things are not going in the right direction. They should not dismiss people's fears, because this is a real issue that British Columbians are facing, and ultimately, so is Canada. We need them to step up in that regard as well and not be fearful of addressing the issues.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is the fear. It is disappointing when the Liberals deny Canadians' fear. That is a real emotion, at the end of the day. Quebec or any other province needs to take a look at what is going on in B.C., because there is an aspect of federalism. First nations are in section 35, so this has federal implications. For Quebeckers and the people of the Wendat, there are mechanisms to work together, but continually, the Liberal government does not take full advantage or performs reconciliation rhetoric when it comes to creating real partnerships at the end of the day. We are looking for leadership. People of the Wendat can provide that, in spite of what the Liberal government does.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have been here as a first-term member of Parliament for one year. Canadians were hoping for something different, but they got more of the same: just more Liberal rhetoric. For my communities, it is really disappointing for me to say that the Liberals really have cheapened reconciliation to a political talking point. It is reconciliation rhetoric now. As much as the Prime Minister says something in this House, all of his actions outside of it prove otherwise. Actions speak louder than words, and he continues to fail in that regard.”
“Otherwise, if the House does not act, courts, division and conflict will define where we go next. While the government claims to be a party of reconciliation, it only acts for true change when challenged in court. In areas such as Indian Act discrimination, child family services, water and more, the government is only forced to the table through court. There is an opportunity to be better and to do the role of leadership, not just more reconciliation rhetoric, in this House. Canada must do better. The government, under the Liberals, must do better. Real reconciliation does not come from rhetoric but from a responsible government, honest engagement and the resolve to follow through. It requires a government that says what it means, does what it says and is willing to be held accountable every step of the way.”
“It must stop watering down the treaty process and bring the structures necessary to protect private property in all future agreements, negotiations and modern treaties so that we can have certainty for both first nations and Canadians. Our Treaty No. 6 brings certainty to first nations in Canada. “As long as the sun shines, grass grows and the rivers flow”, this treaty cannot be changed. The government's signing these modern treaties with easy back-out clauses and using performative language, such as living agreements, is not a true treaty process and only delegitimizes all treaties. We call upon the government to put aside differences in this House, to strike a cross-party committee to address this, to show real leadership from this House and to be proactive in first nation and Canadian relationships.”
“We are ready not to just talk about balancing property rights and section 35 rights; we are acting. We are challenging the government to lead, to bring clarity and certainty to homeowners, first nations and investors. We call upon the government to put private property first. We need to start analyzing how to do this while respecting all perspectives. When my nation settled a land claim over the west side of Edmonton that had residential and commercial property on it, we never went after private property; we worked with negotiators for solutions. We call upon the government to aggressively defend property rights in all litigation. To do otherwise would prove that it wants to see chaos and division.”
“The vice-president of Justice for Girls said just days ago, regarding the government's lack of urgency to change discrimination, “To resist doing that under the guise of consultation and supporting [the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples] is absolutely flabbergasting to me”. We see such hypocrisy and political games by the Liberal leadership to exploit our people. They are just stalling to keep the Indian Act discrimination going against women and families. For what reason, nobody really knows. The government talks, avoids, lacks transparency, vilifies fair questions and shows a complete lack of leadership. It is no wonder we have this situation in B.C., as well as separation in Alberta and Quebec. Conservatives are ready to lead.”
“Speaking of consultations, first nations are asking the government right now at committee why it is weaponizing consultations against first nations women and families by creating a four-year delay sham process for S2 legislation, which would end discrimination against women and families. Women are now saying the government uses consultation as an excuse to delay human rights legislation through a four-year sham process, but it rams through other bills that have implications for first nations' rights. Clearly, this is, again, the Liberal government being hypocritical, because it knows the Mikisew court case protects Parliament when it comes to a lack of consultation in legislation development.”
“Did the government have free, prior and informed consent of other tribes in the area when it signed its Musqueam agreement, an agreement negotiated in secrecy and sprung on the people of Vancouver and other first nations in the Lower Mainland? The answer is no. (1545) The government is hypocritical when it comes to free, prior and informed consent, as evidenced by the Squamish, who had to release a public statement saying they were “not consulted or meaningfully engaged by the federal government prior to the announcement of these agreements.” The people of Vancouver were not consulted, nor were the other local tribes, such as the Tsawwassen, when it comes to the Musqueam agreement.”
“Currently, the government is not serious about UNDRIP's free, prior and informed consent when it comes to modern treaty processes in B.C. Several of the recent agreements in B.C. have raised threats of blockades and protests among the first nations themselves. While the provincial government has a big role to play, the federal government is ultimately responsible for these treaties and agreements. To pretend otherwise and to use the excuse that things should wait until the process comes to this Parliament formally is neglectful and reactive, and it will only sow more division in the future. So far it really seems as though the Liberal strategy is to sow division and chaos and water down the spirit and intent of treaties to avoid the rights of those who sacrificed to help build this country.”
“Conservatives make it clear, and so have first nations leaders, that nobody is against Métis self-government and self-determination, but answers remain outstanding that need to be had before moving ahead with modern treaties that overlap with historical rights. Surely the government considered this, because its silence to first nations' concerns on this matter is deafening. Furthermore, the United States tribes are now attempting to leverage DRIPA and UNDRIP to cause chaos in our country's developmental affairs. Where are the Liberals on this issue? They are silent. Conservatives know to put Canada first on such things and raise them in this House so that the government might do its job to stand up for this country. What about other modern treaties?”
“The Liberals' strategy seems to be to exploit first nations when it suits their political purposes, even creating and sowing division and chaos among indigenous peoples themselves. Recently, first nations wrote to this government as it tried to expedite the Manitoba Métis Federation bill. Their question for the Liberal government was whether it has the free, prior and informed consent of first nations to sign a new modern treaty when it has yet to honour the historical ones that lay claim to the same territory. The government has several public letters now from Treaty 6, Treaty 8, Manitoba first nations, the AFN and more, citing their concerns over a lack of consultation and a lack of consideration on historical treaty rights.”
“Fall came and went with no legislation. He then told AFN chiefs at the winter assembly that there would be water legislation in the spring of 2026. There has been no water legislation tabled this spring, and there are only weeks left until the summer break for the Liberals to keep their word instead of breaking another promise regarding water. The government creates uncertainty and stress by not keeping its word, and it is doing that in B.C. at this moment. A core source of uncertainty in B.C. under the Musqueam agreement, treaties and other such initiatives, is the application of UNDRIP. I note the Prime Minister said several times that he will uphold free, prior and informed consent, a key piece of UNDRIP, but we know when he says this, it is just political rhetoric as his party has said it now for years.”
“It reflects a broader and more troubling pattern under the Prime Minister and his Liberal government. As a first-term member of Parliament, I have seen trust repeatedly broken with indigenous peoples, political negligence at the expense of lasting progress and an inability to take full responsibility when things continually go wrong. The Prime Minister says he is all about reconciliation, but he and his government have reduced reconciliation to a cheap political talking point. His record over one year shows a complete lack of respect and neglect for indigenous peoples. In 2015, the government promised to end boiled water advisories in six years. Now the Liberals are six years past that promise, with no end in sight. After the last election, the Prime Minister 's government promised new water legislation for fall 2025.”
“We see the villainization of those asking for certainty and clarity around property rights, and we see an all-time high in division between British Columbians and first nations. Whose is the government in Ottawa today during the lead-up to this in British Columbia? It is the Liberals' government. This is not just a provincial government issue. First nations are a federal jurisdiction under section 35 of the Constitution. Treaty-making, agreements and court action involving first nations require federal government leadership, vision, clarity and the desire for unity, but all we have from the government for the current challenges in B.C. is avoidance, a lack of transparency, contradictions and reconciliation rhetoric. The situation regarding Cowichan is not an isolated failure.”
“Mr. Speaker, why is it that when Albertans feel frustrated and feel that they are being held from reaching their full potential to share their energy with Canada and the rest of the world, there is a Liberal government in Ottawa? Why is it that Alberta's separatism is at an all-time high today, and there is a Liberal government in Ottawa? Why is it that throughout history when a Quebec separation referendum happens, there is a Liberal government in Ottawa? Whose was the government in Ottawa over the last decade as separation sentiment in Quebec reached heights not seen in generations? It was the Liberals' government. The Liberal record shows a lack of leadership, the villainization of provinces for political benefit and the causing of divisions among the people of Canada. Today in British Columbia, we see a lack of leadership.”
“Mr. Speaker, everyday Canadians do not have time to worry about what the G7 or IMF says. At this moment in time, we have record high unemployment for youth. At this moment in time, we have record lineups at food banks. At this moment in time, Liberals want to waste $1 billion on a gun grab that nobody wants. At this moment in time, Canadians have the highest household debt at over $3 trillion. At this moment, we are at year 11 of record Liberal deficits. When will the Liberal Prime Minister commit to capping the deficit at the reckless $31 billion left by Justin Trudeau?”
“Mr. Speaker, Brian Kingston, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, took a moment to say, “There’s clearly a disconnect between statements and implementation. The longer this goes on, with no resolution on US tariffs, it will have real implications for investments in this country.” The only thing the Liberals have invested in is more costly bureaucracy. They are using Canadians' own taxpayer money to fuel deficits larger than Justin Trudeau's. When will the Liberal Prime Minister take a moment to end his costly credit card budgeting, so that Canadians can afford to live?”
“Mr. Speaker, currently, in 2026, as of today, I see a real concern when it comes to property rights and, in the bigger picture, when it comes to reconciliation. I would like to see some consideration of the Canadian-Métis relationship, every other Canadian considered in this and a protection of property rights, quite frankly.”
“Mr. Speaker, there is language that attempts to create safeguards amongst jurisdictions. As mentioned in my speech, there is language in this treaty that acknowledges that there are other distinct collectivities and groups. Given some of the precedent that has been set, I am certainly aware that the Canadian Energy Regulator is doing consultations with the Manitoba Métis Federation and arguably the jurisdiction of the B.C. Métis Nation. Those things are ambiguous and clearly not spelled out. I think the space for that dialogue needs to happen and those things need to be overcome before taking a serious run at the next steps of this bill.”
“Mr. Speaker, I agree that getting it to standing committee would be a good thing because those voices who felt they had been left out of the government processes in the lead up to this bill would have their opportunity to be heard. It is very important that we get there. I also want to, again, acknowledge the inconsistencies when it comes to engaging those voices in consultation with the Liberal government. Bill S-2 is going through a multi-year engagement. On things like this, we hear from communities that there has been no level of engagement and consultation, and the only room left for them is through things such as standing committees.”
“We will move forward on that. I do think there is ambiguity in the term “collectivity”. I think it has to be better defined in consideration of other Métis groups.”
“Mr. Speaker, yes, I am first nation. I am a former chief from the Enoch Cree Nation. That is where my roots come from, but I also have Métis roots, to be frank. I have a Métis grandfather. It is very difficult as a member of Parliament to balance all the hats we wear and to be a Canadian, a member of Parliament, who represents everybody else beyond the distinction of indigenous peoples. This bill is very important. It is a precedent setter when it comes to Métis governments, and it is going to go up against scrutiny and historic treaties that have not been implemented, and the honour of the Crown has not been upheld. First nations, rightly so, are of the position that they would like to see that honour upheld in consideration before anything else comes to this space. I think that discussion can line a solution.”
“Creating division among indigenous groups is not something the Canadian government should be striving toward, in the interest of creating business and moving this country forward.”
“Mr. Speaker, there are some good things about the bill, and there are some things that I think are a little too ambiguous. The first thing is that it would bring a level of certainty and new definitions to the section 35 rights of the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Red River Métis people. That is a very good thing because certainty, at the end of the day, is good for investors, good for business and good for things moving in a more structured way, in a more timely way. However, the ambiguous nature of this means there are concerns from other indigenous groups that it is encroaching on their territory, encroaching on their space or jurisdiction. We have to hear those concerns in consideration of implementing the bill.”
“They are learning their lesson in that regard, but I think the first nations would want to be part of the conversation, in particular when it comes to historic treaties, maybe some of the modern treaties, but more the historic treaties on the Prairies, because that is where this will be interpreted to affect the most. I would like to have seen them engaged in the conversation from the get-go in a more structured way, rather than maybe a more government-defined way, a structured way defined by them.”
“Mr. Speaker, I think we have to go back to basics. Too often when it comes to indigenous relations, Inuit, Métis, and first nations alike, a lot of things are complicated. They are vastly complicated. This is a nation of many Inuit communities, many Métis communities and 600-plus recognized first nations across the country, so it is a very complex process when we are negotiating new modern treaties. That said, going back to basics includes the respect of having other first nations and indigenous groups in the conversation right from the get-go. We hear the Liberals say this all the time.”