Linda Lapointe
Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, Quebec · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, now that summer is here, I would like to invite everyone to come discover the wonders of the Lower Laurentians. Our region offers a unique one-day agri-tourism experience that gives visitors an opportunity to meet local producers, sample local flavours and support our local businesses.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague, the member for Mirabel, a riding to the north of my riding. I really enjoy his sense of humour and quick wit. I like that in my colleagues.”
“Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to rise today to speak in support of the Build Canada Homes act. This landmark legislation will establish Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation tasked with building and expanding affordable housing for Canadians. Canada is in the midst of a housing crisis.”
“Build Canada Homes will work collaboratively to address the housing needs of indigenous communities. The Government of Canada respects indigenous sovereignty and supports self-determined housing solutions that apply an indigenous lens to design and implementation.”
“It will also work with non-profit organizations and other key stakeholders in the housing sector to stimulate the construction of affordable housing across Canada. This includes private developers and community organizations.”
“Approximately 30% of the homes, representing up to 450 units, will be built in smaller rural communities. I have been a member of the rural caucus for several years, and one of the comments that I often hear is that we must ensure that affordable housing is built in rural communities as well.”
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“I invite businesses and MPs to participate so that they can find out about all of the business opportunities that are available and take advantage of them. That is how we are building a stronger economy and strengthening our Canadian sovereignty.”
“Mr. Speaker, when we talk about national defence, we are talking about our armed forces. However, we also need to talk about our businesses, our regions and our ability to innovate. SMEs, research centres and entrepreneurs in the Laurentians want to contribute to Canada's defence industrial strategy and the major investments that were announced. These investments are creating practical opportunities to innovate, co-operate and strengthen our national security. It is with that in mind that Connexion Laurentides will be hosting an innovation and defence event on March 31 in Mirabel, with the help of several local MPs, including the members for Thérèse-De Blainville , Les Pays-d'en-Haut , Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation and, of course, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles.”
“Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. Indeed, given that we were heavily dependent on our neighbours to the south, the Prime Minister is someone who will make Canada less vulnerable. We need to open up more markets, actually ensure that we open up other markets. Adding the United Kingdom to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, is certainly a good thing. However, we need to do more. We also have the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which is a growing market, and the Canada-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement. We will be able to participate and exchange products, sell products, with Latin America. We have incredible expertise in aerospace. There are many companies in the Montreal area that are behind this, particularly in my constituency.”
“Mr. Speaker, obviously, reciprocity in health standards is always a delicate issue, and it came up when we negotiated the free trade agreement with Europe. I must say that the quality of the products we produce here, whether it be poultry, beef or pork, is higher and meets higher standards. It was surprising that there was a problem with England, when we know very well that Japan is accepting our exports, because we have some of the best standards in the world. We have not been able to really clarify this issue, but there is no doubt that products from here in Canada meet the highest standards in the world. As a former grocer, I believe in our Canadian products.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that comes up often at the Standing Committee on International Trade: The pensions of British citizens who live in Canada are not indexed, unlike in the United States. I understand that this is a really important issue for them, but I do not believe this is the right forum to resolve this situation. However, that does not mean that we are not aware of what these people are experiencing. People who receive their pensions from Great Britain must continue to try to resolve this situation.”
“This bill will open new doors for our businesses, support job creation, and strengthen Canada's position in the global economy. Trade agreements are not just legal documents. They are tools for prosperity. When they are well negotiated, as is the case with the CPTPP, they allow Canada to export not only its products, but also its values: high standards for workers, for the environment, and for fair competition. That is exactly what this bill does today.”
“The CPTPP includes important provisions on labour rights and environmental protection. These provisions help ensure that economic growth respects high standards and is in line with sustainable development. Trade can be a powerful driver of prosperity, but it must also be fair, responsible and sustainable. In a global context marked by economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and rapid changes in supply chains, it is more important than ever for Canada to strengthen its partnerships with countries that share our values. The United Kingdom's accession to the CPTPP sends a clear message. It demonstrates that Canada believes in open international trade based on rules founded on co-operation between reliable partners.”
“As chair of the Liberal women's caucus, I want to highlight an important dimension of modern trade. International trade needs to be more inclusive. Today, a growing number of women are running businesses in Canada. Women-owned businesses account for 18% of Canadian SMEs and that number continues to grow. However, many entrepreneurs still face barriers when it comes to accessing international markets. Modern trade agreements, like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or the CPTPP, can help create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs by making it easier to access markets and by supporting the growth of SMEs. When women succeed in business, the entire economy benefits. It is also essential that international trade reflect the values we stand for.”
“They represent real opportunities for growth. They mean new markets, new partners and new jobs here in Quebec and Canada. Several key sectors of our economy will benefit from this expansion of the CPTPP. As I mentioned earlier, the aerospace, agri-food, clean technologies, service and innovative industries come to mind. These sectors play a vital role in the Canadian economy. For example, the agri-food industry accounts for $140 billion in economic activity in Canada and employs more than two million Canadians. Aerospace, for its part, accounts for nearly 215,000 highly skilled jobs and contributes more than $28 billion to the Canadian economy. Access to new markets can therefore have a direct and positive impact on these industries. (1215) I want to raise another point.”
“Canada is in a unique position given that it is a member of the CPTPP and has a trade agreement with the European Union. We are one of the few countries in the world that has preferential access to markets representing more than 1.5 billion consumers. This creates extraordinary opportunities for Canadian businesses. In my riding in the Lower Laurentians, which includes Rosemère, Boisbriand, Saint-Eustache and Deux-Montagnes, many businesses depend directly on international trade. There is a very large aerospace industry in the Lower Laurentians, as well as a sizable agri-food and food processing industry. We have innovative small and medium-sized businesses, thriving manufacturers and entrepreneurs who export their products all over the world. Trade agreements are not abstract concepts for these businesses.”
“The United Kingdom's accession to the CPTPP is a step in that direction. The United Kingdom is the world's sixth-largest economy, with a GDP of over $3 trillion and a population of nearly 70 million. Bilateral trade between Canada and the United Kingdom already exceeds $40 billion annually. It is our third-largest trading partner. The United Kingdom is also one of the largest investors in Canada, with more than $90 billion in direct investment in our economy. The United Kingdom's accession to the CPTPP will therefore strengthen these economic ties and open up new opportunities for our businesses. This bill is also strategic for another reason. It positions Canada as an economic hub between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.”
“With the United Kingdom's accession, the CPTPP will go from 11 to 12 economies and will represent close to 600 million consumers, or around 15% of global GDP. International trade is central to Canada's prosperity. Our nation is a trading nation. About one in five jobs depends on exports, and more than 60% of our gross domestic product is tied to international trade. Every year, Canadian companies export more than $780-billion worth of goods and services around the world. These exports support millions of jobs in every region of the country. In an ever-changing world, it is essential for Canada to diversify its trading partners. Just look at what is happening south of the border. That is one of the main reasons we need to diversify our markets. It is therefore strategic for our country to open up more markets elsewhere in the world.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member from Mississauga East—Cooksville . I am very pleased to rise today as a proud member of the Standing Committee on International Trade. This is my fourth year serving on that committee and it is always very interesting. We have studied a number of free trade agreements. Today, I am rising to discuss Bill C‑13 , which seeks to implement the United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. First of all, it is important to remember that this bill does not create a new trade agreement. The CPTPP already exists. Canada has been a member of it since 2018, along with 10 other major economies in the Indo-Pacific region. What we are doing today is welcoming a new partner into the agreement, a major addition.”
“Mr. Speaker, with International Women's Day celebrations still front of mind, let us take a moment to reflect on how far we have come. The advances that we celebrate today were never a foregone conclusion. They happened because one generation of women after another had the courage to challenge what seemed unchangeable. International Women's Day is more than simply a time to look back. It is an opportunity for us to look at the world as it is today, and the current context calls for clarity. In many parts of the world, conflict and crises are hitting women and children hard. Even in our societies, certain realities remind us that more work needs to be done on the road to equality. Women's rights cannot be taken for granted. They exist, advance or regress depending on the choices we make.”
“Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to my hon. colleague. Can the member describe in concrete terms the pressure that the Conservatives believe asylum seekers are putting on Canada's health care system, which all Canadians are very proud of?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Rivière-du-Nord, which is north of Mirabel, so he is surely also very aware of the situation. He is a lawyer, after all. The laws have changed since 1985. Expropriation laws have changed. He should be realize that things are different now.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Quebec City. What people need to do is get involved and go to the consultations to get the right information. Instead of peddling information that is unverified and potentially incorrect, people need to get involved and visit the Alto website to find out more. Consultations will be held in over 100 communities. That is what I would suggest to everyone.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague if he has ever been to Mirabel. Have you ever spoken to people in Mirabel? Do you know what intergenerational trauma is? Costas Menegakis: Yes. Linda Lapointe: Are you aware that this motion recognizes the injustice and the people of Mirabel whose land was expropriated? Acres of land have been returned, and there is still some land that is being leased around the airport.”
“I thank my hon. colleague for his question. In my speech, I said that the laws have changed since 1969. We are no longer in the same place at all. Respect has become very important in all of this. There was no notice before. Now, people will be invited to participate. There are consultations. The people in the 60‑metre corridor who will be affected will know it, and agreements will be made. This is a major project that will connect us. The majority of Canadians live in the 100 kilometres between Quebec City and Windsor, in the south of the country. This will help us reduce greenhouse gases in all public transit. It will also promote tourism. It will help us economically, so that everyone will be able to visit and enjoy themselves in these beautiful cities.”
“We want to build a major project without repeating the mistakes of the past. We should all be united around a simple idea. It is possible to be both ambitious and humane. It is possible to build and think big while listening to people. It is possible to invest in the future without hurting communities. I sincerely believe that this bill is the key. It will allow us to bring this project to fruition, protect residents and take action respectfully. In closing, I want to tell the families in Mirabel and the families of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles that their history matters, that their voices matter and that their experience is guiding us. I want to tell young people that we are working hard to make their country modern, fair and united. We can do both, but we must all work together to make it happen.”
“That is normal. What the people of Mirabel went through was unacceptable. I sincerely believe that we now have the tools to do things differently. We have learned from the past. We have strengthened our laws since then, and we have changed our culture. We are a long way from the 1960s and 1970s. We live in a Canada that listens better, holds more consultations and is more respectful. In my riding, people tell me two things: one, that they want their history to be respected, and two, that they want their children to have a future. They want jobs—good jobs. They want modern infrastructure and efficient services. They want responsible development. They want us to move forward without forgetting where we came from. This debate should not divide us. It should unite us all in pursuit of a common goal.”
“There will also be a very positive impact on the environment. This is a project that will leave its mark on an entire generation. I hope I will have the opportunity and the privilege to go from Quebec City to Windsor or Toronto. I hope I will be able to do that in my lifetime. To make that happen, we have to proceed respectfully, and that is exactly what the law provides for. The law requires consultations. It provides for serious assessments. It promotes voluntary acquisition. It limits expropriation. It guarantees fair compensation. It recognizes the rights of communities. It puts Canadians at the heart of the process. I understand the concerns that have been shared. I understand that there are fears. I also understand the mistrust that people sometimes feel. When someone has experienced an injustice, they become more vigilant.”
“Obviously, Ontario and Quebec support the project, as do the mayors of Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal, and I would add Laval as well. The first phase of consultations is currently under way. Today, in Saint-Eustache, one of the four cities in my riding, there will be consultations in the afternoon and evening. I want people to know that if they are in Saint-Eustache, they can go to the consultations today and see what is on offer. They will be able to ask questions. Now is the time. This project will create jobs, 50,000 of them. It will use our materials. It will use our steel and aluminum. It will employ people from Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Laval, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. It will bring our regions closer together. (1300) It will improve our mobility. It will also support our economy.”
“High-speed rail is an important project for our country. Do my colleagues know that the first segment to be built will be between Montreal and Ottawa, with 25 trains running per day? Travelling from Toronto to Montreal will take three hours by train. It will take two hours to get from Toronto to Ottawa and one hour to get from Montreal to Ottawa. Also, going from Montreal to Quebec City will take an hour and a half. The corridor will need to be 60 metres wide for the train to pass. The project will span about 1,000 kilometres once the project is completed. Evidently, this will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100,000 tonnes, which is huge. That is what we want: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, 92% of Ontarians and Quebeckers support this project.”
“I ran four times in Rivière-des-Mille-Îles and I went door knocking all four times. Every time I would meet people from the Mirabel area—it was not Mirabel at the time; it was Sainte-Scholastique, Saint-Janvier, four or five towns that merged. When I knock on doors in Saint-Eustache, I still meet people whose land was expropriated. Recognizing this reality is not about making excuses; it is about recognizing that mistakes were made, saying that this should not have happened, and committing to doing better. Since then, our legislation has changed, our practices have evolved, and the way we work in our communities has been transformed. Today, we can no longer impose a bill without consultation, we can no longer act without transparency, and we can no longer ignore citizens. Frankly, that is a good thing.”
“What happened in 1969 had a profound impact on thousands of people, families that lost their homes, their lands and their communities, often without even understanding what was happening and with no way to defend themselves. At the time, we lived in Laval, and my father had a stable. That was when everyone's farms were expropriated. My father wanted to update his stable and took me, as a young girl, to buy equipment in Mirabel, in Sainte-Scholastique. I still remember how heartbreaking it was to see the deserted farmlands and the empty barns. It was so sad. That is what struck me then as a little girl. Again, I have a lot of respect for the families that went through this. That moment in history is a wound that has not yet healed. The trauma is transferred from one generation to the next. It is important to acknowledge that with humility.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Beauport—Limoilou . I rise today with the utmost respect for the families and communities that were affected by the Mirabel expropriations. As many here know, I have lived in the Lower Laurentians region for a number of years. My riding of Rivière-des-Milles-Îles includes Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache, Boisbriand and Rosemère. It is just south of Mirabel. I have always worked in the Lower Laurentians. I raised my family there. I have connected with people from all over the Lower Laurentians and Laval. The issue that the Bloc Québécois is talking about is not abstract to me. It brings to mind faces, stories and memories.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the House's attention to a great source of pride for Canada and for my riding of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. Deux‑Montagnes native Mikaël Kingsbury has been named a flag bearer for Team Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 winter Olympics, which begin at the end of this week. Mikaël Kingsbury is an exceptional athlete and freestyle skiing icon who epitomizes excellence, perseverance and personal achievement. His remarkable career has inspired an entire generation of young people to believe in their dreams and strive for excellence. On behalf of the people of Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, I would like to sincerely congratulate him. I wish great success to him and all the Canadian athletes competing in the Olympics, which kick off this week.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question, and I am very pleased to be back here in the House with my colleagues. Elevating femicide to first-degree murder also allows us to set an international example, particularly for democratic countries with justice systems similar to ours. I will say it again: it is unacceptable for this to be considered an ordinary murder. The victims' families must also be supported during the process. This is important if we want them to be able to find some semblance of peace in their lives. I will continue if there is time.”
“Mr. Speaker, since January 1, there have been four femicides in Quebec, and nine in total in Canada. It is unacceptable that we live in a country where women and girls experience this violence. It has been proven and studied: There are several stages leading up to femicide. Ultimately, there is a kind of inner anger for which no solution has been found. Since my colleague asked me the question, I would like to know whether the Bloc Québécois will support making coercive control a criminal offence. This will allow for much earlier intervention in cases of intimate partner violence.”
“Mr. Speaker, this is a subject we have discussed many times. Intimate partner violence is one of our priorities. As I explained earlier, there are many coercive behaviours that tend to be seen before a femicide occurs. There are many measures that can be put in place regarding the intimate partner who is using psychological violence in the context of coercive control. Violence also includes preventing women from accessing their financial resources. Say a woman is trapped in a domestic violence situation. She has children and cannot just leave home. She has no resources. If she is killed, it would be first-degree murder. Several steps have already been taken by that point. When the intimate partner takes that drastic step, the least we can do is ensure that he is charged with first-degree murder.”
“It is supported by women's rights organizations, child protection groups, police forces and several provinces. This bill represents a major step forward. Most importantly, it sends an essential message to victims: We believe them, we see them and we are taking action. On behalf of the Liberal women's caucus, I support Bill C-16, and I encourage all parliamentarians to do the same.”
“(1800) Bill C-16 clearly affirms the right of victims to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. It improves access to information, expands access to testimonial aids, and recognizes the right of victims to participate fully in a process that concerns them. Finally, this bill addresses another major problem: court delays. Too many serious cases are being dropped. Too many survivors look on while their cases collapse, not because the violence was not real, but because the system did not act fast enough. Bill C-16 requires the courts to consider alternatives before ordering a stay of proceedings. It simplifies certain rules of evidence and endeavours to restore public trust in our justice system. This bill is the outcome of consultations, expertise and testimony.”
“For victims' families, this legal recognition has been a long time coming. The bill also modernizes our response to contemporary forms of violence. It includes intimate images generated by artificial intelligence. These sexual deepfakes are used to humiliate, control and extort victims. The problem disproportionately affects women and girls. As chair of the Liberal women's caucus, I also want to point out that this bill is not limited to gender-based violence. It also strengthens protections for children against sexual exploitation, online grooming and sextortion. Predators use sophisticated technology these days. Our criminal law must keep pace. The bill restores mandatory minimum penalties for the most serious sexual offences committed against children, while providing a judicial safety valve to ensure charter compliance.”
“It requires a pattern of behaviour and clear intent, and it takes into account the power imbalance within the relationship. It is aimed at protecting victims, not criminalizing them. It is a preventive measure, an early intervention measure, a measure that can save lives. Bill C‑16 also recognizes a painful reality. Too often, when the violence culminates in death, the justice system fails to name what actually happened. When a homicide is committed in a context of coercive control, sexual violence, exploitation or hate, it is not an isolated incident. It is the culmination of ongoing violence. Bill C‑16 now recognizes these homicides as the most serious crimes. It elevates these murders to first-degree murder. It also requires the courts to consider imposing a life sentence if manslaughter is committed those circumstances.”
“Women told us that they did not recognize their own lives, that they had to ask permission to see their families. Can my colleagues imagine being forced to ask permission to see their families? These women told us that they no longer had access to their money, that they lived in constant fear without any clear criminal offence that could be invoked. Until now, the Criminal Code has not had the tools to address this reality. Bill C-16 corrects that. By creating a specific offence relating to coercive or controlling conduct in the context of an intimate relationship, our government is sending a clear message: This type of violence is real, it is serious and it deserves a serious criminal response. Let me be clear. This offence is carefully worded.”
“Above all, it is deeply rooted in the lived reality of too many women, too many children and too many survivors in this country. For a long time, our criminal law has been designed to intervene after the fact, after the blows, after the attack, after the tragedy, sometimes even after death. Bill C-16 marks a fundamental change. It finally recognizes what survivors, advocates and experts have been telling us for years: Violence does not always begin with physical harm; it often begins with control, fear and isolation. Coercive control is an insidious form of violence. It does not always leave visible marks. It sets in slowly. It is exercised through hurtful words, monitoring, humiliation, financial restriction, and implicit or explicit threats, yet it is one of the strongest predictors of serious violence and femicide.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for London West . First, I would like to offer my best wishes for a happy new year to all my colleagues in the House and especially to all my constituents in Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, whom I proudly represent, whether they are from Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache, Boisbriand or Rosemère. I would like to wish everyone a safe and healthy 2026, and if possible, I would love for us to achieve world peace, so that everything going on around us could calm down somewhat. I rise today as a member of Parliament, but also as chair of the Liberal women's caucus, to express my strong support for Bill C-16 , the protecting victims act. This bill is ambitious. It is necessary.”
“Mr. Speaker, strengthening economic security also means protecting seniors' dignity and financial peace of mind. That includes protecting them from fraud, which is a major political issue. Who said that? It was the member for Shefford . We agree. That is why it is disappointing to see the Bloc Québécois delaying the passage of Bill C-15 . Could the Minister of Finance remind those who are intentionally delaying this bill's passage about the very real impact that their partisan games are having on seniors?”
“Mr. Speaker, I enjoyed listening to our colleague's speech. I would like to know his position on the fact that, thanks to the plans we have put in place, 60,000 jobs were created in October and November. Does my colleague intend to support the budget implementation bill?”
“I want to wish all the families in my riding and in Canada a holiday season filled with warmth, caring, hope, love and peace.”
“Mr. Speaker, at this time of year, when helping one another becomes especially meaningful, I want to draw the House's attention to the importance of the many food drives that are being held in our communities. Thanks to the generosity of our fellow Canadians, hundreds of families are getting essential support and finding a bit of hope as the holidays approach. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the volunteers who make these initiatives possible. Their commitment makes a real difference. I am thinking in particular of the cadets, scouts, Knights of Columbus and all the organizations and volunteers who spend countless hours helping others. I want to thank all those who give of their time, energy and kindness. They are living proof that generosity is one of the strongest pillars of our society.”
“Mr. Speaker, believe me, I will fight for Quebec too, and I will fight for the French language. I agree with the investments in CBC/Radio-Canada that my colleague talked about. I would like to know what my Bloc Québécois colleague thinks about our budget and the investments that we are going to make in the Port of Montreal at Contrecoeur, in Hydro-Québec, in culture and for the French language. What do his constituents think of the federal investments in the Canada child benefit? What do they think about the Canadian dental care plan, which must certainly be helping 20% of them? Will my hon. colleague vote in favour of this budget?”
“Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague spoke about agriculture. I used to be a grocer; my father and I owned supermarkets. We bought our products locally, in my corner of the country, from places like Mirabel, Saint-Joseph-du-Lac and Saint-Eustache. Yes, we need to support agriculture. We are going to build infrastructure and encourage farmers. The process of transferring agricultural businesses is also very important, and we need to talk about it to ensure that things will continue to improve on that front.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague is talking to me about Mirabel, a city north of my riding. We are going to be making serious investments in defence. We have no choice; we have to take care of our defence. Mirabel is home to L3Harris Mas, which maintains the F‑35s. It is also home to Airbus, Safran and Textron, which manufactures helicopters. My riding is home to Novabus, and Paccar is next door. All of these businesses will benefit from the investments that we are making, and if the businesses benefit, then so will the workers in the Lower Laurentians. I do not understand why the Bloc Québécois did not support this budget. I encourage them to change their position.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of serving as a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade. Our country has free trade agreements with Europe, Asia, the United States and Mexico. We are working hard to ensure that we create as much opportunity as possible for our businesses as we try to diversify our markets as much as possible and make Canada as successful as possible. We all know that Canada has a AAA credit rating, the highest in the world. Our debt-to-GDP ratio is the lowest in the G7. We have an opportunity to invest in our communities, to grow our businesses, and to believe in Canada.”
“On this side of the House, we believe in a strong Canada where people have more opportunities and more security. I firmly believe that this bill will improve the lives of the people of Rivière‑des‑Mille‑Îles. It brings hope, it responds to real needs, it supports families, it protects our seniors, it helps our businesses, it encourages homebuilding, and it lays the foundation for the future of our young people. For all these reasons, I am proud to support Bill C-15 and I invite all my colleagues to do the same.”
“(1155) This will make travel simpler, reduce time spent in transit, and open up new opportunities for work, study and tourism. This project is significant for the entire country, including Quebec. It is rumoured that there could be a stop in Laval, right next door to Rivière‑des‑Mille‑Îles. This is very exciting. There will also be benefits here at home. This project will create more economic opportunities and it will close the distance between our communities and the larger centres. The bill also helps workers get training and find better careers. It supports vulnerable people, protects consumers, helps indigenous communities, and strengthens investments in clean energy. These are concrete measures that all support the same objective: building Canada strong.”
“Housing is another key focus of the bill. Many young people in Rivière‑des‑Mille‑Îles would like to buy or rent a home, but they cannot afford to. This bill offers a number of solutions. It seeks to accelerate rental housing construction. It simplifies certain measures that were causing problems for property owners. It enables the government to invest more in affordable housing. This is all to help more people access decent housing faster. There are also projects for the future, like the high-speed rail line between Quebec City and Toronto. With this bill, the high-speed rail project can make some real progress. One day, our young people, our workers and our families will be able to travel much more quickly and easily, using a clean, modern, lower-emitting mode of transportation.”
“For many families in our communities, this takes one more concern off their shoulders. Bill C‑15 also helps our local businesses, big or small. In Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, we have businesses that are innovating, manufacturing, and creating jobs. The bill will make it easier to invest in new machinery and modern technology. When a business is able to modernize its tools, it becomes more productive and faster and can employ more people. This is good for workers, the local economy, and the future of our Lower Laurentians region. The bill will also enhance the research support program. This means that businesses that innovate, create, and develop new ideas will receive additional support. This support is critical to ensuring our businesses remain competitive in today's fast-paced and ever-changing environment.”