Peter Fonseca
Mississauga East—Cooksville, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, this June, we proudly mark Portuguese Heritage Month, an important time to recognize and celebrate the meaningful contributions of Canadians of Portuguese descent. Today, June 10, is Portugal Day, celebrated in Portugal and by Portuguese communities around the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, this June, we proudly mark Portuguese Heritage Month. It an important time to recognize and celebrate the meaningful contributions of Canadians of Portuguese descent. Today, June 10, is Portugal Day, celebrated in Portugal and by Portuguese communities around the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians watched with pride as over 250 Canadian athletes competed this year in the Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Games. Nothing makes us prouder than cheering on team Canada, so can the Secretary of Sport tell us how the Government of Canada is supporting these incredible athletes?”
“A scam can empty a bank account in minutes. An online interaction can put a young person at risk almost instantly. Our local police, especially Peel Regional Police, are doing exceptional work, but they have been very clear that the tools available to them must keep pace with the threats that they face.”
“It is important to emphasize that these pillars are not isolated; they reinforce one another. Strong laws mean little without enforcement. Enforcement alone is insufficient without prevention, and prevention must be paired with accountability. Today's legislation, Bill C-22 , sits squarely within that second pillar.”
“During those months, evidence can disappear, victims can be further harmed and criminal networks can continue to operate without interruption. This is unacceptable. Once a link is confirmed, police would then need to seek judicial authorization to access subscriber information such as name and address.”
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“It would help ensure that when Canadian companies bid on major infrastructure projects in Indonesia, they do so on a level playing field. Here is why that matters to families in my community: When Hatch grows in Jakarta, Mississauga feels it, Peel Region feels it and Canada feels it. It means more engineers hired here at home in Mississauga, more co-op students trained, more research partners with Canadian universities, more procurement from Canadian suppliers and more tax revenue to support our schools, hospitals and public services. International growth builds our economy and strengthens it for future generations. If we want Canadian workers to benefit from global growth, we must be present, competitive and have the right agreements in place. Bill C-18 would do exactly that. It would support services trade.”
“Founded in 1955, this company began as a small Canadian engineering firm and has steadily grown over seven decades into a truly global enterprise with offices on six continents and projects in more than 150 countries. This is a Canadian success story. It is what we want to see duplicated over and over here in our country. With decades of expertise in mining, energy, infrastructure and metals, Hatch has built a reputation as one of the most respected engineering firms in the world. Hatch already has a presence in Jakarta, supporting projects across Indonesia and southeast Asia. It is there because Indonesia is growing, and growing big time. An agreement like this would reduce barriers even further. It would provide clearer rules. It would improve market access. It would strengthen investment protections.”
“When we lower barriers to trade in services, when we protect intellectual property and when we ensure clear procurement rules, we are not just signing paperwork. We are opening doors for Canadian workers and businesses. We are creating the conditions for Canadian companies to contribute to infrastructure delivery both here at home and in dynamic markets like Indonesia. To bring this all together, I want to highlight a local example. Hatch is a global engineering and professional services firm headquartered in Mississauga, in Peel Region. Hatch employs more than 10,000 people globally, including a significant concentration of highly skilled engineers, project managers, technologists and support staff here in the GTA.”
“It requires project management to the highest global standards, and Canada has exactly that. Canadian firms are recognized worldwide for their expertise in mining, energy systems, nuclear technology, clean infrastructure, environmental services and large-scale project delivery. Our companies know how to operate responsibly, transparently and sustainably. They know how to partner with local communities. They know how to deliver complex projects on time and on budget. Trade agreements are not abstract documents; they are practical tools. They reduce barriers. They create certainty. They protect investment. They improve transparency. They make it easier for Canadian firms to compete fairly and win contracts abroad.”
“Planned for East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, it is designed to ease pressure on Jakarta, which faces congestion, pollution and land subsidence challenges. Nusantara is envisioned as a smart, sustainable forest city, powered by renewable energy, with modern transit systems, resilient water infrastructure, digital connectivity and green building standards at its core, which are all opportunities for Canada and our trade. The scale of this undertaking, including government complexes, housing, transportation corridors, utilities and social infrastructure, represents hundreds of billions of dollars in long-term investment and extraordinary opportunities for global infrastructure partners. (1725) Taken together, this kind of growth requires world-class expertise. It requires engineering excellence.”
“When they succeed internationally, that success flows home in the form of jobs, investment, research and prosperity, which brings me to Indonesia. Indonesia is one of the fastest-growing economies in the Indo-Pacific. With a population approaching 300 million people and projected to surpass that in the coming years, Indonesia is urbanizing rapidly, expanding its middle class and undertaking ambitious infrastructure transformation. This is a country investing heavily in ports, transit systems, power generation, water systems, mining development and sustainable infrastructure. It is building new industrial hubs. It is even advancing the development of a new capital city to support long-term national growth. The new capital, known as Nusantara, is one of the most ambitious urban development projects in the world today.”
“As a member from Mississauga, Ontario, I can say that nuclear energy produces 60% of our energy here in this province. This is a great project. These projects mean hard hats on heads. They mean shovels in the ground. They mean apprentices getting their first paycheques and experienced tradespeople passing on their knowledge to the next generation. Behind every one of these projects stands incredible, world-class Canadian companies, engineering firms, construction leaders and technology innovators ready to deliver excellence here at home and around the world. However, building Canada strong does not stop at our borders. When Canadian companies grow, they do not just build here; they build everywhere.”
“Through our Major Projects Office, we are working to ensure that nation-building projects move forward efficiently, responsibly and in partnership with communities and indigenous peoples. We are aligning approvals, cutting duplication and ensuring that major investments turn into real jobs for real people. We are modernizing and expanding our ports so Canadian goods can reach global markets faster and more competitively. We are advancing responsible resource development so that Canada remains a world leader in critical minerals and sustainable mining. We are moving forward with projects like the refurbishment and expansion of the Darlington nuclear generating station in Ontario, which is an investment that will provide clean, reliable energy for decades to come, powering our growing economy and supporting thousands of skilled workers.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in support of Bill C-18 and the Canada-Indonesia trade agreement, an agreement that reflects who we are as a country and where we are headed as an economy. One in five jobs in Canada depends on exports and trade. We are talking agri-food, forestry, aerospace, energy and manufacturing, and we have a lofty goal. We want to double our exports beyond the U.S. market, double those exports around the world, and that is what we are doing. We are a government focused on building: building infrastructure, building opportunity and building Canada strong. Across this country, from coast to coast to coast, Canadians can see and feel that momentum.”
“Mr. Speaker, the auto sector is facing the biggest challenge in a generation. Unjustified and unjustifiable tariffs from the United States on our auto sector are leaving our auto workers under a cloud of uncertainty. Our government stands behind our auto sector, our communities and the workers who are facing these new realities head-on. Can the Minister of Jobs and Families please tell the House how the newly announced auto strategy will transform Canada's auto industry, protecting our workers today and building the vehicles of tomorrow?”
“Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives stand in the way of progress, our government is relentless in delivering for Canadians, including by bringing forward two pieces of trade diversification legislation in the current parliamentary session. Trade diversification benefits the entire country, which is why we are moving swiftly to advance the trade deal with Indonesia, a market of 275 million people. Can the minister share how the Canadian-Indonesian trade agreement will create real opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers?”
“May Canada always stand with Ukraine, may our communities continue to grow in friendship, and may the spirit of the Ukrainian people be resilient, hopeful and unbreakable and continue to shine brightly across Mississauga and across our great country. Slava Ukraini .”
“Ukrainian heritage month is a moment to celebrate the music and art of Barvinok, the faith and community of St. Mary's church, the education and cultural grounding of St. Sofia school, the leadership of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the resilience of families that came here seeking hope and the generations that helped build Mississauga into the thriving multicultural city it is today and Canada into a true symbol of hope. In the House, during Ukrainian heritage month and throughout the year, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, promoting peace and celebrating the heritage of all who call Canada home.”
“Mary's, and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the UCC, has helped to make sure that Canadians are aware of the Holodomor through school programs, public exhibits, the Holodomor bus that arrives at Parliament Hill, survivor testimonials and community vigils. The UCC, both nationally and through its Ontario and local chapters, is the backbone of Ukrainian community life in Canada. It advocates, educates, organizes cultural events, supports newcomers and mobilizes volunteers. Its work in Mississauga, together with my wife, Councillor Christina Yaremczuk-Fonseca, and chairwoman Liliya Gulych, held the first Ukrainian flag-raising and art exhibition in the city of Mississauga this year. The UCC ensures that the Ukrainian identity remains strong and future generations understand their heritage.”
“This is why I want to take a moment to thank my colleague, the member for Etobicoke Centre , who has been a true champion for Ukraine in this Parliament, advocating tirelessly for humanitarian aid, military support and the protection of Ukrainian culture and identity. His leadership has been felt not only here but in Ukraine and in communities across the GTA and Canada. As we celebrate culture and heritage, we must also remember the history, especially its darkest chapters. The Holodomor was a man-made famine imposed by Stalin's regime in 1932 and 1933, killing millions of innocent Ukrainian men, women and children. It was a genocide, an attempt to erase the people, their language, their identity and their existence. In Mississauga, people gather yearly at a memorial organized with the leadership of St.”
“Beyond recognizing Ukraine's independence in 1991, Canada was one of the first countries to condemn Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, impose sanctions against those attacking Ukrainian sovereignty, provide military training through Operation Unifier, supply humanitarian aid, welcome displaced Ukrainian families and support Ukraine on the international stage in every forum, NATO, the G7 and the United Nations. Canada has helped rebuild power grids, supply medical equipment, support demining and strengthen Ukraine's democratic institutions. Ukraine is not only fighting for its territory but for the principles that we hold together, and Canada stands proudly beside it.”
“I met a newcomer, a mother, who arrived with her two children after fleeing the war in Ukraine. She spoke about landing at Pearson airport with one suitcase, no job and no certainty about the future, but she also spoke about how St. Mary's parishioners rallied around her, finding her temporary housing, helping her access settlement services, bringing her clothing and food and ensuring that her children were enrolled in school within days. Canada was the first western nation to recognize Ukraine's independence in 1991, and we remain steadfast in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity today. Canada and Ukraine are a partnership of values, courage and friendship. We stand for sovereignty, democracy, human rights and peace.”
“Sofia has taught thousands of young people the Ukrainian language, Ukrainian history and enduring values of faith, community and cultural pride. The impact of that school is profound; many of its graduates become leaders, educators, entrepreneurs or artists who carry their heritage proudly while contributing to the fabric of our country. Not long ago I spoke with a Mississauga parent who told me she enrolled her daughter at St. Sofia because she wanted her to know who she is and where she comes from. That young girl is now in high school, fluent in Ukrainian, still volunteering at community events and still dancing with Barvinok. This is how culture endures. This is how Canada grows stronger. (1850) One cannot spend time with Ukrainian Canadians in Mississauga without hearing stories of sacrifice and resilience.”
“It is where newcomers have found support groups, charitable assistance and a community that welcomes them with open arms. Nearby, the Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School, under the leadership of Fedir Danylak, continues a tradition that stretches back generations. The dancers, children, teenagers and adults, carry forward the colours, the steps and the stories of Ukraine. Every time Barvinok performs in Mississauga, across Canada or, for that matter, throughout the world, it reminds us that culture is not only preserved but is lived, danced, and sung, and is passed from one generation to the next. We cannot speak of the Ukrainian presence in Mississauga without honouring the role of St. Sofia Byzantine Catholic School. For decades, St.”
“Walking through our neighbourhoods, whether in Cooksville or Applewood, or across our broader region, we can see the legacy of a people who came here seeking opportunity, safety and dignity, and who helped build the Canada we know today. St. Mary's Canadian Ukrainian Catholic Church in the heart of Mississauga has long been more than a place of worship; it is a spiritual anchor and a gathering space for thousands. Just a couple of weeks ago I was there with my family, meeting Father Jerry and the community for their annual Christmas bazaar, where hundreds gathered for folklore and festivities. St. Mary's is where families celebrate baptisms, weddings and Christmas Eve liturgies filled with candlelight, incense and the unmistakable beauty of Ukrainian hymnody.”
“Christina is also dedicated to the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League, an organization that has done so much, especially in recent years, to mobilize humanitarian aid and support for newcomers, to preserve traditions and to strengthen community life. Our two boys, Alexander and Sebastien, grew up dancing with Barvinok, one of Canada's most-celebrated Ukrainian dance ensembles. My wife and I wanted them to learn culture and to feel those stories in the steps, in the music and in the colours. I remember watching them backstage at performances and seeing the pride in their faces as they put on their embroidered vyshyvanka shirts and their boots. Those are memories that I hold deeply. In Mississauga we are proud to be home to one of the most active and influential Ukrainian communities in our nation.”
“Like so many families, my parents came to Canada seeking opportunity and a better life, but through marriage, family and community, I have gained a deep appreciation and respect for the Ukrainian community and spirit. My wife, Christina Yaremczuk, is proudly of Ukrainian heritage. Her family comes from the beautiful and historic Lviv region, a region known for its culture, its faith and its fierce commitment to freedom. Through Christina, her parents and our extended Ukrainian family, I have come to understand what Ukrainian identity means: perseverance, dignity, cultural pride and love of community.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is quite an honour to rise in the House today to speak to Bill S-210 , concerning Ukrainian heritage month, and to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Ukrainian Canadians across our country, particularly the vibrant, compassionate and deeply rooted Ukrainian community of Mississauga. Canada is home to over 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent, a community whose presence here dates back more than 125 years. That is why I want to thank the member for Etobicoke Centre for bringing forward this bill to designate the month of September as Ukrainian heritage month and to give all Canadians the opportunity to learn, to remember and to celebrate. I want to begin with something personal. I am not of Ukrainian descent; I was born in Portugal.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada is a trading nation. Diversification is our tool to be able to weather any storm and to make us more resilient. The member is quite right; we have agreements with Europe, with Asia and with countries around the world. We have the most trade agreements of any G7 country, but we have to continue to open up even more opportunities. The member mentioned many countries. Indonesia is another one that we just signed a free trade agreement with. We brought a free trade agreement to the House, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. The Conservatives voted against it. It is unbelievable that they would be against trade, because we are a trading nation, and trade is so important for us.”
“Mr. Speaker, again, innovation is so important to the budget, and that is why we are investing in research and development, investing in companies and investing in people: to be able to innovate and to create not only the jobs of today but also the jobs of tomorrow.”
“Mr. Speaker, I patently disagree. That is a false statement that the member has made. The government is investing in innovation. I have spoken to people from many industries. They talk about the SR&ED program, how we are enhancing that program and what it means, and about the investment tax credits we are providing to businesses to accelerate them. That is all done through research and development, through innovation. This is the type of investments that we are seeing—”
“Mr. Speaker, I am glad that my hon. colleague has some interest in housing. The Conservatives had gotten out of the housing business. It is the Liberal government that has brought housing back to the wonderful House of Commons. Within our budget, we are helping, in terms of those who are buying new homes, the new homebuyers, by taking the GST off. I am glad to see that the Province of Ontario has followed suit. This will save new homebuyers a great deal of money. We are investing in all housing. That includes co-ops, affordable housing and purpose-built rentals. It is right across the spectrum of housing. This is an ambitious plan to build the most housing we have ever built here in Canada.”
“To my colleagues on all sides of the aisle who are here, let us build a Canada that is more prosperous, more secure, more united and more confident than ever before. Let us pass this bill. Let us build this future. Let us build Canada strong.”
“Within this budget, there are a number of investments for health care that will help with that hospital's development. When it comes to helping our most needy, the food bank welcome targeted, affordable measures that will help ease the pressures on families. This is a transformational moment. The world is changing and Canada must choose whether to wait or to build. I say we need to build. That is what we are doing. We are building the homes Canadians deserve, building the industries of the future and building safer communities. It is building opportunities and fairness for workers, and it builds confidence in our country and ourselves. This is Canada strong, built by Canadians for Canadians.”
“CARP, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, affirms that stronger fraud protections, quicker access to funds and supports for caregivers will significantly improve the financial security of Canadian seniors. In Cooksville, Applewood and across Mississauga, families want to know that their streets are safe and their children are protected. These measures would help ensure exactly that. The budget would strengthen the systems Canadians rely on for community well-being, health care, research and community supports. In Mississauga, we are building the biggest, most innovative hospital in Canada right now. That hospital will take care of all the families in my riding and all the families in the ridings across Mississauga. Beyond that, it will take care of the greater Toronto area. That is how large this hospital will be.”
“This is all lowering costs for people and giving people more control over their financial future. We live in an era of rising threats such as fraud, organized crime, illegal smuggling and global instability. The Prime Minister said we must protect our communities, our borders and our way of life. In this budget, safer communities and stronger borders are presented in hiring 1,000 new CBSA officers, expanding border intelligence and detection systems, launching a national fraud strategy, and creating a dedicated financial crimes agency. The National Police Federation has said that these measures demonstrate a commitment to its members and to safer communities.”
“The Canadian Labour Congress has praised this approach by saying Canadian unions welcome the billions invested in homebuilding infrastructure, skills training and the new $1,100 tax credit for our PSWs. I think of Keisha in Mississauga East—Cooksville, who is a dedicated personal support worker, caring for seniors in our community. She told me, “I don't need much, but I just need a little bit of help.” The new PSW tax credit, that $1,100, is designed for people like Keisha, who give so much of themselves to our community. Bill C-15 would deliver major steps forward toward fairness and affordability. It would exempt the Canada disability benefit from income calculations, expand the disability support deduction, strengthen the consumer protections in the financial sector and modernize access to banking, credit unions and digital payments.”
“This is about taking back control of our economic destiny. This is about building an economy by Canadians for Canadians. Budget 2025 is designed to give Canadians real opportunities, meaningful opportunities and a more affordable life. It is about building better careers and a stronger workforce by investing in our people's skills. That is why the government is launching a nationwide re-skilling initiative for up to 50,000 workers, extending and modernizing employment insurance, creating digital jobs and training platforms with private sector partners. The workforce alliance would unite our labour unions, employers and industries to modernize that skills development.”
“This ambitious plan unleashes this $1 trillion in public and private investments over five years by accelerating nation-building projects; fast-tracking approvals through the Major Projects Office; building the roads, bridges, rail and trade corridors that we need; supporting critical minerals and advanced manufacturing; and modernizing ports and transportation networks. The first wave of our major projects will drive more than $60 billion into the economy and create thousands of well-paying jobs. (1735) The Mining Association of Canada said that budget 2025 enhances the competitiveness of Canadian mining and accelerates critical mineral investments. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said budget 2025 helps set the conditions for productivity and investment. Canada needs bold action, and this budget recognizes the urgency.”
“However, the world is more uncertain than at any time in recent history. Trade patterns are shifting. Old assumptions are eroding. The Prime Minister said that, in the face of global uncertainty, Canada must focus on what we can control. We must build the strongest, most independent, most competitive economy in the G7. Budget 2025 does exactly that by unlocking $1 trillion in investment. Just today, we heard the Prime Minister talk about a $70-billion investment pledged by the UAE to Canada.”
“Budget 2025 provides $51 billion over 10 years through the build communities strong fund to strengthen the local infrastructure Canadians rely on most. It is a fund that is nation building and that empowers Canadians with faster commutes, better connections and stronger communities. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities welcomes this budget. It says that budget 2025 “recognizes a core reality: municipal infrastructure is essential to economic infrastructure...critical to...housing delivery [and] economic strength”. For Mississauga, what does this mean? It means safer streets, modern community centres, improved transit and the infrastructure needed to build more homes and support more families. We are attracting more investment and building Canada's economic strength.”
“Through Build Canada Homes, the government is doubling the pace of homebuilding over the next decade, using partnerships with Mississauga, municipalities, Ontario, provinces and the private sector to move faster and be stronger. Homes will be built with Canadian materials, Canadian labour and innovative construction that reduces delays and lowers costs. The Prime Minister put it clearly: “We will build Canadian and buy Canadian...creating new orders”. We will also create new jobs and new opportunities for workers and businesses across our great country. In Mississauga East—Cooksville, our community knows the value of good infrastructure. Transit, roads, schools, hospitals and water systems are the foundation of our daily life.”
“It makes generational investments to build the major infrastructure that underpins our prosperity, builds homes at a speed and scale our country has not seen in generations, builds industries that create good-paying careers and builds a stronger, more resilient, more independent Canadian economy. In Mississauga East—Cooksville, housing is top of mind: homes, condos, apartments, co-ops and affordable housing. I recently met Maria, a single mom working two jobs to keep up with her rent. She told me, “Peter, I love this community, and I want to continue to find a way to stay here and grow my family here.” Well, I want Maria to stay and grow her family in our community, and this budget is designed for Maria and families like hers.”
“People want the chance to have an affordable home, to find meaningful work, to raise their children in safety and to see their community grow with confidence. Budget 2025 would do just that. It is our government's plan to build Canada strong. The Prime Minister said it best when he said that the world has changed, and Canada must build the future we want for ourselves. We cannot sit back and wait for it. We must build. We must build it boldly and now. This is not a small vision, it is a generational project. We are building homes, infrastructure and an economy by Canadians for Canadians. This budget shifts Canada from a posture of uncertainty to one of ambition.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to rise today on behalf of the people of Mississauga East—Cooksville to speak strongly in support of Bill C-15 , the budget implementation act. This is a bill that reflects exactly what Canadians have been asking for: a government focused on building, protecting and empowering our country and our people. When I walk through the neighbourhoods in my riding, whether on Kirwin Avenue or Dundas Street, or near the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre or Mississauga Valley Community Centre, I hear from all of my constituents, and members will hear those people's voices in this speech. I will share their stories and those of the thousands and millions of stakeholders who have brought their input into this budget.”
“Madam Speaker, I will say that there is always time for talk and keeping up those communication channels, keeping them open. It may be through a different forum, but there is always an opportunity to see movement when there is dialogue. When there is no dialogue is when things break down. We want to make sure that those channels are always open.”
“Madam Speaker, the hon. member is quite right. As soon as that election was over and we won it, the Prime Minister made sure to visit our greatest trading partners, one being the U.K. It is our number three trading partner. We have increased trade with the U.K. From 2016, it has gone up almost 53%. We want to continue on that track and to continue to increase that trade. The way to do that is for our Prime Minister and our government to reach out to other like-minded countries to be able to open those doors and open trade because it is good for our—”
“We are a trading nation. While 2.5% of the world's trade is done by Canada, we make up only 0.5% of the world's population.”
“Madam Speaker, it is imperative that government, when it is doing a trade deal, reach out to a vast array of stakeholders. That is all levels of government and stakeholders in every sector. That is what has happened with the CPTPP, as well as with the accession of the U.K. into the CPTPP: reaching out to those stakeholders. That has happened. The vast majority of those stakeholders are in favour of our moving forward. I sit on the international trade committee. It is a privilege here in this House. At that trade committee, there is an opportunity to debate, to go through the bill, to look at parts of the bill and to really dissect any issues within the bill in which we think there could be improvements. We have a robust model here in Canada to be able to bring these trade agreements to our country and to help with our trade.”
“Madam Speaker, I will speak to this trade agreement with the U.K.'s accession into the CPTPP. We have other agreements, be it with CETA or agreements with other countries around the world. Canada is a trading nation. Those agreements allow for open dialogue. I understand the concerns of the beef producers, but having open dialogue with the U.K. allows us to put our story forward, to make ground, to be able to open up markets. It is very important that we continue to keep those communication channels open. By having an agreement like this, those communication channels continue to stay open so that we can continue to make our case for our great beef producers here in Canada.”
“We have set the goal of increasing our international trade beyond the United States by over 50% over the next decade. That would be from $300 billion, where we are today with exports, to $600 billion for Canada. What does that mean? It means jobs in our communities. It means a stronger Canada, a Canada strong.”
“Supporting this legislation means supporting businesses in Mississauga that are ready to grow, want to take the next step and need the right tools to make it happen. It means backing the government's efforts to build a trade ecosystem, agreements, services and infrastructure that help Canadian entrepreneurs reduce risk and seize these opportunities. It means investing in communities and workers by creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth. Mississauga's story is Canada's story. It is a story of innovation, diversity, resilience and ambition. The CPTPP and U.K. accession are critical parts of that story. Let us give our businesses the tools they need to write their next chapter, from the main street to the global stage.”
“This gives our businesses a unique advantage, one that can be leveraged with the right tools and supports. I will now go to the United Kingdom. Welcoming the U.K. into the CPTPP adds an important new dimension to Canada's trade diversification strategy. The U.K. is a major economy with long-standing ties to Canada. Its accession expands the agreement's reach and opens new opportunities for Canadian businesses, including those in Mississauga. U.K. inclusion also sends a strong message to the world that the CPTPP is a high-standard, inclusive trade pact that continues to grow. This stability and scale give exporters greater confidence and make it easier for them to engage in international markets.”
“It is not just the exporters that benefit. The jobs created by increased exports ripple through the economy, from manufacturing floors to supply chains to marketing teams, with all of them working together. When these businesses grow, they hire more people, invest in innovation and contribute to a more vibrant local economy. This also helps with something we have been challenged with for a long time, which is our productivity. These companies become much more productive when they invest themselves in looking at new markets and staying as competitive as they possibly can be. Mississauga's diversity is a major strength. Our city is home to people from all over the world, many with deep knowledge of languages, cultures and business practices in the countries where the CPTPP operates.”
“For my city and our country, it means more manufacturers exporting advanced products, more tech start-ups breaking into global markets and more service providers creating high-quality jobs that benefit families right here at home. This is especially important for small and medium-sized businesses, which make up the backbone of Mississauga's economy. I was delighted to have the Mississauga Board of Trade appear as a witness at the trade committee here in Ottawa, and it explained how important diversification is for small and medium-sized enterprises in Mississauga. These companies often do not have the resources to absorb big shocks or to easily pivot without support. Trade agreements combined with government services can help level the playing field to ensure these businesses can fully participate and chart their paths to growth.”