Sukh Dhaliwal
Surrey Newton, British Columbia · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life and legacy of Rajpaul Singh Dhillon, known as Paul Dhillon, an award-winning journalist, screenwriter, producer and film director whose contributions enriched Canada's cultural landscape and amplified the voices of diverse communities.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. Arun Garg for his lifetime of leadership, service and dedication to improving public health in British Columbia. For more than 50 years, including several decades with Fraser Health, Dr. Garg has advanced culturally informed health care.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have spent the last week talking down Canada's economy, industries and workers. Meanwhile, our government is making historic investments to grow the economy and strengthen Canada's future, from tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure to reaching NATO's 2% target, and $6 billion for the skilled trades.”
“Mr. Speaker, demand for LNG is growing, and Canada is the cleanest supplier to help meet the demand. During the last election, we committed to making Canada an energy superpower, and we are delivering on that promise. Less than a year ago, LNG Canada delivered its first exports to Asia, and we are already expanding further.”
“Mr. Speaker, as we celebrated Africa Day yesterday, I would like to recognize the impactful work of Beyond Hoops Africa under the leadership of James Kamau. Rooted in Surrey's African diaspora, this organization represents the power of community-driven development across borders.”
“Mr. Speaker, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh . This month marks the seventh anniversary of Sikh Heritage Month, which allows us to celebrate and educate future generations about the contributions Sikh Canadians continue to make across our country. Vaisakhi, the founding of Khalsa, is being honoured today on Parliament Hill.”
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“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the life and legacy of Rajpaul Singh Dhillon, known as Paul Dhillon, an award-winning journalist, screenwriter, producer and film director whose contributions enriched Canada's cultural landscape and amplified the voices of diverse communities. Through his work, he shared stories that fostered understanding, celebrated heritage and connected people across generations. His dedication to journalism, storytelling and the arts reflected a commitment to truth, creativity and community. I extend my sincere condolences to his spouse, Harsimrat, and his two children, Muskaan and Ishaan, as well as to all those whose lives he touched. May his memory and enduring legacy continue to inspire future generations.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. Arun Garg for his lifetime of leadership, service and dedication to improving public health in British Columbia. For more than 50 years, including several decades with Fraser Health, Dr. Garg has advanced culturally informed health care. He has championed prevention, healthy living and community-based care, while bridging traditional knowledge with modern medicine. As the founder of Canada India Network Society and a leader of the South Asian Health Institute, Dr. Garg has brought together physicians, researchers and community leaders to improve culturally informed care and healthier living. Dr. Garg's vision, humility and commitment to teamwork have created a legacy for generations to come. Please join me in thanking Dr. Arun Garg for his amazing service to our communities and to Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have spent the last week talking down Canada's economy, industries and workers. Meanwhile, our government is making historic investments to grow the economy and strengthen Canada's future, from tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure to reaching NATO's 2% target, and $6 billion for the skilled trades. Can the minister tell Canadians how these investments are helping us respond to economic headwinds and build a more resilient and prosperous economy?”
“Mr. Speaker, demand for LNG is growing, and Canada is the cleanest supplier to help meet the demand. During the last election, we committed to making Canada an energy superpower, and we are delivering on that promise. Less than a year ago, LNG Canada delivered its first exports to Asia, and we are already expanding further. Can the minister update the House on the efforts to expand Canadian LNG exports?”
“Mr. Speaker, as we celebrated Africa Day yesterday, I would like to recognize the impactful work of Beyond Hoops Africa under the leadership of James Kamau. Rooted in Surrey's African diaspora, this organization represents the power of community-driven development across borders. Through initiatives in Kenya, it is expanding access to clean water, building sports facilities and promoting environmental stewardship. Equally important, it is creating meaningful opportunities for Canadians to engage in global citizenship and support sustainable change. Its work reflects the very best of collaboration, compassion and leadership, strengthening ties between Canada and Africa while empowering youth and communities toward a brighter future.”
“Mr. Speaker, Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh . This month marks the seventh anniversary of Sikh Heritage Month, which allows us to celebrate and educate future generations about the contributions Sikh Canadians continue to make across our country. Vaisakhi, the founding of Khalsa, is being honoured today on Parliament Hill. On April 18, Khalsa Day and Vaisakhi will be celebrated in Surrey Newton, where the annual Nagar Kirtan will attract over half a million people. This celebration reflects the Sikh commitment to equality, selfless service and unity. I thank the organizers of the Surrey Nagar Kirtan and Sikh Canadians across our nation, who, over the past century, have helped build Canada into the country it is today. Jo Bole So Nihal. Sat Sri Akal.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important work of the Tradesman Association of British Columbia, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the skilled trades and strengthening our construction industry. Through education, safety training and professional development, the association helps tradespeople build successful careers while promoting high standards of workmanship and safety. On March 28 and 29, the association will host its 10th annual construction expo in Surrey, welcoming thousands of visitors with free public admission. Led by president and founder Mr. Raman Sharma, this expo connects industry professionals with families and homeowners, showcases innovation and green building and supports local businesses. I commend Mr. Sharma and the Tradesman Association of BC for its leadership.”
“Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, I rise to recognize the important contributions of Black Canadians and the work of the Black Business Association of BC. Surrey is home to the largest black population in our province. Black entrepreneurs are creating jobs, driving innovation and strengthening our economy, even as many face systemic barriers. Led by co-founders Nerissa Allen and Clavia Alleyne, the Black Business Association of BC is addressing these challenges. Through programs that support market access, regulatory compliance and international trade, they help businesses grow and compete globally. By investing in equity and inclusion, we invest in Canada's future and build a stronger, more inclusive Canada. Today is Pink Shirt Day. Let us stand against bullying and stand together in kindness.”
“Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the hon. member for Winnipeg North for being the seconder to Bill C-239 , and for his support and inspiration to me as I brought this forward. I am hearing a lot of resentment from the opposition, particularly the Conservative Party. Conservatives think they believe in accountability, but they do not. In fact, if they really believed in accountability in health care and wanted to improve health care for Canadians, they would support Bill C-239 . It is a very basic bill that would open up the Canada Health Act and introduce a sixth pillar, for provincial governments to be responsible so that Canadians' dollars are well spent on Canadians for their health care and for their well-being.”
“Mr. Speaker, on this particular question, I agree with the member. When there was a non-controlled border location where people were moving into Quebec and piling up those claims, we, as a federal government, were fully committed to making sure that we were able to provide the resources that the Government of Quebec and Quebeckers needed to deal with those situations. I personally support him on this idea.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the hon. member. He is very compassionate and a very good friend of the Sikh community. As I mentioned earlier, there are accountability issues with health care. That is why I brought in Bill C-239 , which proposes to strengthen accountability under the Canada Health Act. I would request that the hon. member for Cariboo—Prince George and his leader support that bill, so we can provide the accountability that Canadians, particularly British Columbians, need.”
“This shows the motion is not really about fixing health care; it is about playing politics with vulnerable people. The IFHP is not only about compassion. It is about public health and smart spending. Many asylum claimants will eventually become protected persons, permanent residents and possibly citizens. If we deny basic health care now, we will likely pay much higher costs later through the emergency care system. The government is acting responsibly by reducing asylum claim volumes, speeding up decisions, introducing copayments and investing in health care for Canadians. While the Conservatives debate what services to cut, we are focused on health care based on medical needs and fairness.”
“Recently I had a discussion with one of the top young criminal defence lawyers, Gagan Nahal, who is also running for a city council position. I wish him the best. In fact, he agreed with me that they should be punished and serve sentences before they are sent back to their home country. The motion would weaken deterrence and threaten public safety as well. I also want to speak about politics and accountability. The Conservatives say this motion is about accountability in health care spending, but if they truly care about accountability in the health care system, they would support my private member's bill, Bill C-239 , which proposes to strengthen accountability under the Canada Health Act. The Conservatives cannot say they want accountability on one hand and then block an accountability bill on the other.”
“We can show limited openness to reviewing how long coverage lasts, but the Conservative proposal would likely create higher costs and worse outcomes. Part C calls for more transparency. Our government is already transparent. We have provided information to Parliament. We asked the PBO to examine the program. We answered Order Paper questions. The number of people covered and cost are already public. A new formal reporting law is therefore unnecessary. Part D calls for immediate removal of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes. In Canada, criminal law comes first. People must face justice and serve their sentences before removal. If we change this rule, we would remove a real punishment for serious crime. People could commit crimes and simply be sent home.”
“That is why we introduced copayments for supplementary benefits. These changes will save hundreds of millions of dollars each year. We can remain open to further examination, but the motion ignores what has already been done. Part B calls for limiting rejected claimants to emergency life-saving care only. This sounds simple, but it is not. Some people cannot be removed for humanitarian reasons. Limiting them to emergency-only care would create a contradiction. We would be saying we cannot send them back but also denying them basic primary care. This also risks pushing people into hospital emergency rooms instead of to family doctors. That increases costs and pressure on the health care system.”
“It will not train nurses, and it will not build hospitals. That is why our government is investing in health care for Canadians. (1215) More than six million Canadians are now eligible for the Canadian dental care plan, which is saving families hundreds of dollars a year. With budget 2025, we are investing $5 billion in health care infrastructure. We are all well aware that this is the first time leadership has been shown by a federal government to intervene in this particular program. Through pharmacare, mental health investments and co-operation with provinces and territories, we are strengthening health care based on medical need, not the ability to pay. Let me turn to the proposals in the motion. Part A calls for reviewing benefits to find savings. We already agree with this principle.”
“They also align the IFHP with other publicly funded programs, including those for people on social assistance. At this time, essential care remains fully covered. We will monitor the impact closely to protect public health and meet our legal and humanitarian obligations. Fourth, the motion claims that asylum claims are preventing Canadians from getting health care. There is no evidence for this. It is difficult to measure exactly how much pressure asylum claimants place on the health care system, and rejected claimants are only one portion of the IFHP users. My two daughters are physicians who are proudly serving Canadians, and I can say that Canada's health care challenges mainly come from a shortage of doctors and nurses, an aging population and long-standing system pressures. Blaming asylum seekers will not fix wait times.”
“When opposition members claim that the program will cost far more in the future, they are relying on projections that ignore reforms already under way. Third is the claim that asylum claimants receive better care than Canadians. The IFHP provides basic and temporary coverage while claims are processed by the Immigration and Refugee Board. Essential care, such as visits to a doctor or a hospital, will continue to be fully covered. This protects public health and avoids higher costs later. For supplementary benefits, such as some vision care and medications, we are making measured changes. Starting in May, there will be a $4 copayment for filling or refilling a prescription and a 30% copayment for other supplementary services. These changes were announced in budget 2025. They are expected to save hundreds of millions of dollars each year.”
“The good news is that under our government, asylum claims were down by about one-third last year. This will reduce pressure on the IFHP. Through Bill C-12 and other measures, we are closing loopholes at the border, tightening visa rules and discouraging misuse of the asylum system. These actions reduce future surges and shorten delays. That is how we control costs responsibly. Second, the opposition relies heavily on the projections from the Parliamentary Budget Officer. We respect the work of the PBO, but this report presents an incomplete picture. It does not account for the recent changes to the IFHP announced in budget 2025, the expected impact of Bill C-12 on claim volumes and processing time, and the possibility of further future adjustments. It also assumes that the government will do nothing more, which is simply not true.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with not only a good friend of mine, but in fact a great friend of the Sikh community, the hon. member for Winnipeg North . The interim federal health program, or IFHP, is a temporary program. It supports people who do not yet have provincial or territorial health coverage. It is also an important tool to protect the health and safety of Canadians while supporting vulnerable people who are seeking Canada's protection. Let me address the claims behind the motion before us. The first is on the growth in costs. Yes, costs under the IFHP have increased, but we must be honest about why. The cost of this program depends mainly on two things: how many asylum claims are made, and how long it takes to make final decisions. When claim volumes are high and processing times are long, costs rise.”
“Mr. Speaker, in fact, if we look at this motion, it is nothing but politics. It has no solutions. The only solution is the immediate action we need on the ground to catch those criminals. I want to tell the hon. member that I brought up that the CFSEU-BC should be deployed in British Columbia. The Prime Minister , the Minister of Public Safety , the Secretary of State for Combatting Crime and the B.C. Liberal caucus supported me in that. The only person who did not support that is the Leader of the Opposition . The member should go and tell his leader to support me on that issue.”
“Mr. Speaker, recently, members might have noticed that some of the criminals who are trying to commit crimes are seeking asylum. When we see Bill C-12 , which has already gone through the House, pass through the Senate and get royal assent, they will not be eligible to claim asylum, effective June 2025. What I am hearing on the ground is that the people who are caught should not be free. They should be kept behind bars. If the Conservatives and the opposition parties support Bill C-14 , once it passes, those criminals will stay behind bars and not be out and free.”
“Mr. Speaker, any person who claims to be a citizen, either by descent or by naturalization, has to go through criminal and security checks. That is what I personally believe and what this Parliament believes, and that legislation is in place.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is quite evident that Bill C-2 , which would give lawful access to police forces, Bill C-12 , which deals with asylum seekers, and Bill C-14 , which deals with bail reforms, are the bills that police chiefs, premiers and the public want. There is only one party, the Conservative Party, that is blocking those bills and not letting them pass. The Conservatives are the ones who are putting Canadians at risk every day. That is what I am hearing on the ground, and I am here to fix that problem.”
“Fighting extortion requires evidence-based policy and firm endorsement, not false promises, and it requires a justice system that is tough on crime while still upholding the rule of law. The Conservative approach is to blame immigration and repeal laws. Our approach is to dismantle criminal networks, strengthen enforcement, protect victims and uphold the rule of law. Victims of extortion want results, not slogans. This motion would divide communities, undermine due process and distract from real solutions. (1220) For those reasons, I will oppose this motion and support the serious, targeted reforms needed to keep Canadians safe.”
“Mandatory jail time remains for extortion involving firearms or criminal organizations, which are exactly the cases that Canadians are most concerned about. Our current legislation agenda targets extortion directly and effectively. Bill C-14 would create a new reverse onus for violent extortion, require consecutive sentences for related crimes like arson, prohibit weapons at bail and strengthen geographic restrictions. Together with Bill C-2 , Bill C-8 , Bill C-9 and Bill C-12 , these reforms would strengthen border enforcement, cybersecurity, hate crime laws and immigration integrity. These are evidence-based measures supported by law enforcement and municipalities across Canada. Extortion is not a street-level crime; it is driven by organized networks and money laundering. That is why the response must be comprehensive.”
“Conservatives have delayed them, while premiers, police chiefs and municipalities have called for their urgent passage. Bill C-75 did not weaken bail. It strengthened protections for victims of intimate partner violence by defining “intimate partner” to include former partners, creating a reverse onus for repeat offenders and requiring courts to consider prior convictions. Bill C-14 would go even further by clarifying that restraint does not mean automatic release, yet the Conservatives have blocked it. I have seen that in the House. The other day, speaker after speaker from the Conservatives did nothing but block Bill C-14, which would strengthen the bail act. Bill C-5 did not allow house arrest for serious extortion. Conditional sentences are unavailable when sentences exceed two years or offenders pose a public safety threat.”
“Judges may consider immigration consequences to ensure that a sentence remains fit and proportionate, but never to reduce a sentence below what is appropriate. There is no evidence that the courts are improperly lowering sentences to avoid deportation. Any rare adjustments are reviewable on appeal and often reflect the joint positions of the Crown and defence. Eliminating judicial discretion would weaken, not strengthen, the justice system. The Conservatives are also demanding the repeal of Bill C-5 and Bill C-75 . Canadians elected this government with a mandate to strengthen public safety and modernize the justice system, and we are delivering. We have tabled more than six major public safety and criminal justice bills designed to crack down on violent and repeat offenders.”
“Adopting the Conservative proposal would not close a loophole; it would create new administrative layers and invite litigation. (1215) Paragraph (b) of the motion would bar asylum claims for those with active criminal proceedings. That, too, has already been addressed. CBSA officers may suspend eligibility reviews when a claimant is charged with a serious offence. Once the criminal case is resolved, the officer resumes the assessment and may deem the person ineligible. Canada's system already prevents asylum claims from advancing when serious charges are pending. In paragraph (c), the Conservatives call for an end to so-called leniency to avoid deportation. What they are really proposing is to prohibit judges from considering immigration consequences at sentencing.”
“If they are found inadmissible, their asylum claim is terminated, their lawful status ends, and they face removal. Foreign nationals already subject to a removal order cannot make a refugee claim. In cases of serious inadmissibility, those individuals are permanently barred from re-entering Canada. CBSA is aggressively pursuing the removal of criminals attempting to misuse the asylum system. Where credibility issues arise, CBSA prioritizes those files, presents evidence to the Immigration and Refugee Board and seeks dismissal or admissibility hearings leading to deportation. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a claim is already ineligible if the person is inadmissible for serious criminality or has been convicted in or outside Canada of an offence punishable by at least 10 years.”
“Once passed, Bill C-12 , the strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act, would modernize immigration enforcement and crack down on transnational organized crime, including extortion networks, making it harder for violent offenders to exploit procedural delays. Now let us address the Conservative proposals directly. They are claiming that non-citizens convicted of serious crimes can make refugee claims to avoid consequences. That is simply false. Claiming asylum does not and will not prevent criminals from being punished to the fullest extent of the law. Criminal matters take precedence over immigration matters. When CBSA believes a claimant is inadmissible on the grounds of serious criminality, their claim is put on hold while their criminal case proceeds.”
“have jointly provided $1 million to support victims of extortion. The federal RCMP will deploy up to an additional 20 RCMP officers, along with helicopter resources, to support on-the-ground enforcement efforts in Surrey. Further funding is being delivered through the federal gun and gang violence action fund to disrupt gun and gang violence linked to extortion networks. We have also taken decisive action by listing the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization. The RCMP and the CBSA are actively supporting investigations, laying charges and, where appropriate, also pursuing removal orders against foreign nationals who are inadmissible due to criminality or to non-compliance with Canadian law.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my colleague, the hon. member for Surrey Centre . Let me begin clearly: Extortion is a serious crime. It terrorizes families, threatens small business owners and undermines confidence in public safety. In Surrey and across British Columbia, I have met with constituents who are living in fear. They deserve real solutions, not political theatre. The Conservative motion claims to be about fighting extortion, but it relies on misinformation and proposals that would weaken, not strengthen, our justice system. In British Columbia, the federal government has provided significant resources to combat extortion. We have committed $4 million to strengthen the B.C. extortion task force through the regional integrated drug enforcement team. In addition, the federal government and the Province of B.C.”
“Mr. Speaker, in his speech, the hon. member mentioned foreign interference. In fact I am very familiar with the issue because I brought in a motion in the previous Parliament to deal with foreign interference. In fact our government brought in Bill C-70 to deal with those situations as well. I would like the hon. member to tell the House what kind of foreign interference he is hearing about on the ground, and what his leader is doing to curb that situation.”
“Madam Speaker, extortion has been a key issue in British Columbia. I have been on this file almost every day, talking to the secretary of state, the Minister of Public Safety or even the Prime Minister . The Conservatives are playing games when it comes to dealing with extortion. I would ask the hon. secretary of state what the Conservatives can do immediately to deal with this situation instead of making it a political football?”
“Mr. Speaker, small businesses in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and across Canada are being targeted by organized extortion. Businesses are receiving threats. Families are afraid, and communities are under real pressure from criminal groups that use fear and violence. This is happening in our neighbourhoods and on our streets, and it requires urgent action from Parliament. Our government has introduced important public safety legislation, including Bill C-2 , Bill C-12 and Bill C-14 , to give law enforcement stronger tools to fight organized crime, strengthen Canada's bail system and toughen sentences for serious and violent crimes. I call on the Conservatives to stop delaying and allow these bills to pass quickly, so law enforcement can confront organized extortion and better protect Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, last week, the President of the Treasury Board held and co-hosted a summit on reduction of red tape, bringing together leaders from across the country. Could the president update the House on what came out of this summit and how this work will help cut red tape, speed up approvals and strengthen Canada's economy?”
“Madam Speaker, I have publicly supported the MOU, and if the Leader of the Opposition had included the MOU in its complete form, I would have supported that as well. My colleague from British Columbia is right: The Leader of the Opposition either uses slogans or plays politics. If the member could explain a little more how he is playing politics with British Columbians, that would be great.”
“Madam Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the first report of the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament in relation to the motion adopted on Monday, November 24, 2025, regarding the quorum and mandate of the committee.”
“Mr. Speaker, last week in Surrey, federal, provincial and local leaders, along with law enforcement agencies, came together for an anti-extortion summit to address the growing threat extortion crimes bring to our communities. Extortion, often tied to organized crime, puts families and small businesses at risk. Our government, led by our Prime Minister , is taking strong and coordinated action. We are strengthening enforcement through the B.C. extortion task force and creating a new regional integrated drug enforcement team. We are also expanding support for victim services and investing in prevention through a new youth engagement hub in Surrey. We are taking real steps to keep our communities safe and to stop organized crime from harming families across the Lower Mainland.”
“Mr. Speaker, today marks the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of ninth Sikh guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, a towering figure not only in Sikh history but also in the history of humanity. His supreme sacrifice to defend freedom of conscience and to protect the rights of those persecuted is a timeless lesson in moral courage. Long before the world spoke of universal human rights, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji stood firmly for equality, justice and interfaith solidarity. His legacy is a reminder that the strength of Canada is rooted in these very values. Today, we honour his memory and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding human rights and religious freedom for all.”
“Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago, human rights defender Jaswant Singh Khalra stood here in Ottawa to urge parliamentarians to pay attention to the disappearances and unlawful killings of thousands of Sikhs in Punjab, India. Just months after that visit, he was abducted, tortured and killed for his courage and conviction. Before his tragic death, he shared a powerful message, one that continues to inspire people around the world today. He reminded us that we must never stay silent in the face of injustice. As we honour Jaswant Singh Khalra's courage and sacrifice, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to truth, justice and human rights, the values that form the foundation of our democracy.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the proposed improvements to the Newton Athletic Park in the heart of Surrey Newton. Thanks to budget 2025, federal funding will support a new artificial turf field, a practice field, tennis courts and lighting for the walking paths. By creating a more welcoming environment, this project will promote active living, foster community well-being and maximize the park's use throughout the year. Investments like this, along with upgrades to the Royal Athletic Park in Victoria and the White Rock Pier my colleague already talked about, and support for a new Filipino community and cultural centre in metro Vancouver strengthen community bonds and promote wellness. I will continue to advocate for Surrey Newton and its residents to ensure our community remains safe, vibrant and thriving for everyone.”
“We are investing in 1,000 new RCMP officers and 1,000 new CBSA officers, and 150 of them will be assigned to deal just with financial crimes. These are the kinds of investments we need, so I would request that all members, the Conservatives, the Bloc, NDP and Green members, support this budget and—”
“In fact, he was a strong advocate that we need to get something like that done, and that was delivered, the Filipino cultural and community centre in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. That is what our government is doing and will deliver. The list goes on. In fact, White Rock, which is the riding next door to me, will get a pier as well. These are the kinds of community investments that make a difference in people’s daily lives: spaces where children can play, where families can gather and where newcomers can feel part of our community. (1710) That is what the budget is all about: building a stronger Canada, not just through national policy but also through local action on the ground. Budget 2025 also strengthens community safety, an issue that residents in Surrey Newton care deeply about.”
“When we go to the mayors of cities, I hear appreciation for what we have done in this budget. That is why I am particularly proud that budget 2025 includes federal support for upgrades to Newton Athletic Park. This investment would deliver new artificial-turf fields, practice areas, tennis courts and walking paths, which would provide families and young people in Surrey Newton with safer, more accessible and modern recreational spaces. This is not the end. In fact, in the whole of British Columbia, the Filipino community has been advocating for a long time for their community centre. When they met with me, I went to the hon. member for Winnipeg North for his advice because he is very involved in the Filipino community.”
“With initiatives such as the trade diversification strategy and other major projects, Canada would strengthen its trade corridors, open new markets and build a more resilient export economy. While these are national goals, they are felt most directly also at the local level. In communities like Surrey Newton, or Richmond Centre—Marpole , these matter. Surrey is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada. It is a place of opportunity, diversity and entrepreneurship, but as we grow, we need infrastructure that keeps pace. We need parks, transit and community spaces that improve quality of life. Contrary to what the member for Richmond Centre—Marpole was saying earlier, that cities do not need investments in their parks and in their sports, that is not acceptable.”
“We will be delivering on major projects that connect our regions, create high-paying jobs and support Canadian industries like steel and softwood lumber. The Build Canada Homes initiative is one example of how we are creating growth that Canadians can see and feel in their daily lives. The third objective is unifying our economy. Through the One Canadian Economy Act , we will break down interprovincial trade barriers, open new opportunities for workers and businesses, and ensure indigenous communities are full partners in Canada’s growth. The fourth objective is diversifying our trade. We are expanding beyond traditional markets and developing a more flexible, resilient network of partners.”
“(1705) In doing so, we are shifting from a model of endless operating growth to one of strategic investment, focusing every dollar on projects that build productivity, competitiveness and resilience. By 2028-29, our goal is to balance day-to-day spending with revenues, while maintaining a modest deficit entirely tied to long-term investments that grow the economy. The vision of budget 2025 is guided by four key objectives. First is focusing our strengths and recognizing that Canada has what the world needs: clean and conventional energy, critical minerals, advanced technology and a highly educated workforce. We are an energy and innovation superpower, and we are investing in our ability to lead in both. The second objective is building our nation.”
“Whether I travel to Edmonton or am in Surrey, British Columbia, I see that people are looking for hospital infrastructure. This fund is going to help not only the people in Surrey, but people from coast to coast to coast. Together, these investments will not only strengthen our economy but also improve the quality of life for Canadians in every region. This budget is also about efficiency and accountability. Through a comprehensive expenditure review, our government will save $60 billion over five years by cutting red tape and modernizing operations. Is that not what the Conservatives are looking for? I think that is what they are looking for. That $60 billion in savings is right there.”