Tim Louis
Kitchener—Conestoga, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary community leader in Kitchener—Conestoga, Mr. Martin Buhr. For decades, Martin has worked tirelessly to ensure that people in need have a safe, affordable place to call home.”
“Martin's leadership has inspired countless people across Waterloo Region and reminds us about the difference one person can make. On behalf of the grateful community in Kitchener—Conestoga, I thank him and wish him every success in his final ride. I will see Mr. Buhr tomorrow.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Kitchener Rangers on capturing junior hockey's top national honour this year, the Memorial Cup, after an amazing season that also saw them win the OHL championship.”
“Their support has carried the Rangers every step of the way. Once again I congratulate the Kitchener Rangers. They have brought pride, inspiration and lasting memories to our community. This achievement stands as a proud moment for Kitchener and for all who believe in them. Go, Rangers, go!”
“The federal government heard from our provincial and territorial partners that our health care data was being held back by a long-standing dependence on paper and fax to transmit prescriptions. We should not be relying on fax machines at a time when information is so easily accessible.”
“The resulting program, PrescribeIT, was launched in 2017, following extensive consultations with the provinces and territories. It is important to note that the goal was never to have the federal government fund PrescribeIT indefinitely. From the outset, the plan was for the program to be self-funded over time.”
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“Martin's leadership has inspired countless people across Waterloo Region and reminds us about the difference one person can make. On behalf of the grateful community in Kitchener—Conestoga, I thank him and wish him every success in his final ride. I will see Mr. Buhr tomorrow.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary community leader in Kitchener—Conestoga, Mr. Martin Buhr. For decades, Martin has worked tirelessly to ensure that people in need have a safe, affordable place to call home. As founding member of MennoHomes, which is now known as Beyond Housing, he built a legacy of compassion, inclusion and service that continues to strengthen our community. This year, as Beyond Housing marks his 25th anniversary and Martin celebrates his 87th birthday, he is preparing for his final Out-Spok'n Bike-a-thon, a community event uniting riders, sponsors and supporters committed to affordable housing. Over the years, through this ride, Martin has raised more than $387,000, with a goal of reaching $500,000. Proceeds will support a 30-unit accessible apartment in Elmira.”
“Their support has carried the Rangers every step of the way. Once again I congratulate the Kitchener Rangers. They have brought pride, inspiration and lasting memories to our community. This achievement stands as a proud moment for Kitchener and for all who believe in them. Go, Rangers, go!”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Kitchener Rangers on capturing junior hockey's top national honour this year, the Memorial Cup, after an amazing season that also saw them win the OHL championship. The Rangers demonstrated remarkable determination and composure throughout their run, excelling in both the OHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup tournament. They have met every challenge with confidence and resolve, proving what their fans already knew, which is that they are true champions. I send my congratulations to the players for their dedication and performance and to the coaches and staff for their ongoing leadership and guidance. I also send my thanks to the billet families and to the fans, whose steadfast belief and passion have been the foundation of this team's success.”
“Mr. Speaker, let us focus on the facts of this situation. The previous government launched a program in 2017 that was intended to become self-sufficient over time. After 10 years, it was clear that doctors and pharmacists were not using the program and that it had no path to self-sufficiency. As our government takes its role of defending taxpayer dollars seriously, we decided to end funding for the program. Our new government will always make sure that we are focusing resources and investments so they deliver the greatest benefit to patients and our health care system.”
“Our government will always be there for Canadians, for our health care sector, and for our provincial and territorial partners, to make sure that we are helping to deliver health care in a way that puts the needs of patients first.”
“At a time when Canadians expect that we will spend health care dollars wisely and carefully, we wanted to make sure that we were investing taxpayer money in a way that delivers the greatest benefit to patients and the health system alike. Are there questions about the future of lnfoway following this decision? Of course there are. That is why we are refocusing government spending and ensuring that Canada Health lnfoway focuses on what it was intended to do, which is to build up Canada's health data infrastructure and support the development of national health data standards. This work is important, and it speaks to the future of Canada's health care system. Canadians deserve and expect a system that meets their needs and adapts to the world as the flow of information changes.”
“The resulting program, PrescribeIT, was launched in 2017, following extensive consultations with the provinces and territories. It is important to note that the goal was never to have the federal government fund PrescribeIT indefinitely. From the outset, the plan was for the program to be self-funded over time. This meant that, when our new government came into office last year, we took a hard look at what was working and what was not working. We take our responsibility as stewards and watchdogs for taxpayer dollars very seriously. We saw that PrescribeIT did not have the level of pick up that was expected when it launched nearly a decade ago. As was mentioned, only 5% of prescriptions were filled using the system. Rather than continuing to fund a program that no one was using, we decided to end funding for PrescribeIT.”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her question, and I will say many of the things to her that I said to the member's colleagues. As my colleague knows, PrescribeIT was launched by the previous government in collaboration with Canada Health Infoway, the provinces and territories because it saw that there was a need for it. The provinces and territories wanted to move doctors and pharmacies away from using fax machines and toward a system where important health care data could be sent electronically. Infoway was chosen for the job because it had received funding from Liberal and Conservative governments alike since 2001. The organization has long been a place for federal, provincial and territorial governments to come together to work on improving Canada's health data infrastructure.”
“Mr. Speaker, it sounds like the Conservatives seem to think the government should continue funding programs that are not being used. A previous government worked with Infoway and our provincial and territorial partners to launch PrescribeIT, because that is what the provinces and territories said was needed. A decade later, it was clear that doctors and pharmacies were not using the system, so we ended funding for it. Our government will always work to ensure we are delivering programs for policies that are smarter, faster and more effective for all Canadians. That means, in health care, that it works for everyone.”
“Our new government came into office and took a look at what was working and what was not. Based on our careful review, we saw that there was no path for PrescribeIT to become financially sustainable, and we ended the funding for the program. The Conservatives seem to think there is something wrong with ending a program that has low uptake, but the fact is that our new government takes its role as steward and custodian of taxpayer dollars very seriously, especially when it comes to health care. We are committed to focusing on resources where those dollars will deliver the greatest benefit to patients and our health care system.”
“The federal government heard from our provincial and territorial partners that our health care data was being held back by a long-standing dependence on paper and fax to transmit prescriptions. We should not be relying on fax machines at a time when information is so easily accessible. To try to address this challenge, the previous government provided seed funding to Health Canada Infoway for a program that would replace this outdated reliance on fax machines. This was never intended to be long-term, ongoing funding. From the beginning, the plan was for PrescribeIT to become self-sufficient. Nearly a decade later, it was clear this plan had failed. While nearly 11 million prescriptions were fulfilled last year using PrescribeIT, that number is only 5% of prescriptions across Canada. Doctors and pharmacies alike did not use the system.”
“Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, Canada Health Infoway has received funding from the Government of Canada for 25 years. That is 25 years of Liberal and Conservative governments alike recognizing that we need to come together with the provinces and territories to jointly fund an organization that promotes improving our health data infrastructure. This collaboration with provinces and territories is essential in a country like Canada, where health care falls under provincial jurisdiction. This means that we need to work together, alongside the provinces and territories, ensuring that our health care system responds to the needs of all Canadians. That is why the previous government worked with Infoway and the provinces and territories to launch PrescribeIT in 2017.”
“Madam Speaker, we are talking about legislation and the Canadian space launch act. My colleague is from Manitoba, so he will be happy to know that I just recently met with a group called Manitoba Advantage from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, industry and the Business Council of Manitoba, which are all behind growing our aerospace industries. We heard from a colleague from Quebec saying that Quebec is poised to grow our aerospace industries. I want to support Ontario, specifically the Waterloo region, for our strong tech sector. We are also poised to grow in the aerospace industries. We have two universities and a community college in Waterloo region. Can my colleague from Manitoba explain the importance of the aerospace industry in connecting with our post-secondary institutions?”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians sent us to Ottawa to get the best deal, not to settle for a bad deal. We are working at our pace to make sure we get the best deal for Canadians. We are consulting with Canadians. We are consulting with industries. We are using every legal, diplomatic and economic tool, and we are working with provinces, territories and Canadians to make sure we get the best deal possible. We are not going to negotiate in public, but we are working together.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada already has the best deal among U.S. trading partners in the world, and we are working hard to maintain that deal. We continue to engage with our American and our Mexican counterparts to review CUSMA. At the same time, Canadians gave us a mandate to expand our non-U.S. trade with the world. That is what we are doing. The third prong of that is working together with the provinces, territories, industries and unions. Every Canadian is working together to prepare for this. We are ready to build. This is what Canadians sent us to do. We are going to build Canada strong.”
“All proceeds from the festival are returned directly to the community, supporting local charitable and not-for-profit organizations and turning a delicious day of celebration into lasting community impacts. Year after year, the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival truly represents the best of community, agriculture and springtime in Canada. I offer my congratulations.”
“Mr. Speaker, every spring there is a sure sign that warmer days are on the way, and in Kitchener—Conestoga that sign has been a cherished tradition since 1965: the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. Recognizing the world's largest one-day maple syrup festival, Elmira, home to about 12,000 residents, welcomed around 70,000 visitors this past Saturday. I thank the tireless volunteers, the festival committee and the dedicated sponsors whose support brings our community together year after year. The day featured a pancake-flipping contest, a family fun area, incredible food, local vendors, live entertainment and of course pancakes drenched in pure Canadian maple syrup produced right here in Kitchener—Conestoga.”
“Mr. Speaker, we know we need to work together to make major projects happen, and that is what our government is doing. We are maintaining an open dialogue with other levels of government, with farmers, with unions and with all community stakeholders. We need to build this country together, and we are looking forward to the co-operation that is going to happen.”
“During this week of appreciation, coinciding with national Kindness Week, I encourage everyone to get involved and volunteer their time, lend their skills or simply reach out to a local non-profit organization to ask how they can help. Sometimes the smallest gesture becomes the moment that someone remembers the most. I thank all non-profit sector workers and volunteers. Their work reflects the very best of who we are as Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, February 15 marks the beginning of Non-Profit Sector Appreciation Week, and I am proud to rise today to celebrate the heart of our communities: our non-profits and the people behind them. These are our neighbours. They are the friendly faces who step up when someone needs a ride, a meal, a place to call home or a caring professional to talk to. Their dedication does not make headlines most days, but it makes a world of difference in Kitchener—Conestoga and across the nation. We are Canadian. We celebrate those who strengthen our communities through compassion, service and the belief that we are better when we lift each other up.”
“On Agriculture Day, I want to thank the people whose work helps us put food on our table every day and whose efforts strengthen our economy and food security. They are building Canada strong.”
“Mr. Speaker, today is Canada's Agriculture Day, a time to recognize the farmers, producers and food processors who sustain our communities and our economy. In Kitchener—Conestoga, across Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich, agriculture is a part of everyday life and is a year-round commitment. From the first harvest of maple syrup in early spring, through planting and the fall harvest to the daily care of livestock throughout the year, the work never stops. Agriculture is present in our farms and barns, in on farm markets, in processing plants and along the routes that move food from farm to table. I recognize and appreciate the early mornings, long hours and dedication required to steward the land, produce high-quality food and plan for the future.”
“We are also working to reduce food costs by strengthening local food infrastructure, addressing production and supply chain challenges, and investing in domestic food production, including greenhouses. By supporting farmers and ensuring Canadians can afford the food they need, we are safeguarding Canada's food sovereignty for generations to come.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada's food sovereignty begins with the people who grow and produce our food. In Kitchener—Conestoga, we see that every day. Agriculture is at the heart of our community and farmers feed families across our country. Recently, I joined the Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade and the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. for a national round table with Canadian dairy farmers and producers. We discussed the pressures they face and their determination to keep Canada's food system strong. Safeguarding our food sovereignty requires that we be supportive of the producers who feed us and the families facing rising grocery costs. Our government's new Canada groceries and essentials benefit will provide targeted support to those who need it most, helping families manage the cost of food.”
“He was named Wellesley citizen of the year and remained a pillar of generosity throughout his life. I thank his family and friends for sharing Adolf with us. His life reminds us that true success is measured by the lives we touch.”
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honour Adolph Hafemann of Wellesley Township, who passed away this fall at the age of 95. Adolph's life is a story of resilience and of service. Born in Poland, he fled with his family during the Second World War, immigrating to Canada with just 15¢ in his pocket. He worked on farms, then in Kitchener's manufacturing sector, before building a new life in Wellesley Township. In 1970 Adolph and his wife, Emily, purchased a small grocery store in Wellesley. It turned into a thriving business. His character shone through in the quiet moments, gestures like slipping food into the bag of a family in need, or granting credit with no questions asked. Adolph Hafemann helped found the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival, a tradition that continues to bring our community together every year.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an incredible achievement by the Woolwich Thrashers sledge hockey team. At the recent Cruisers Cup tournament, our junior Thrashers struck gold, going undefeated and capping it off with a 4–0 shutout in the finals. Their determination, teamwork and heart were on full display, with Wilder Sutter-Ruston scoring all four goals and goalie Hadley Deckert earning a flawless shutout. Not to be outdone, the Thrashers’ men and women mixed open team battled through tough competition to claim bronze in their division. From start to finish, these athletes showed resilience, skill and sportsmanship, qualities that make our community proud. I send my congratulations to the players, the coaches and families. Their hard work and spirit inspire us all. Go, Woolwich Thrashers!”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like the member to know that our government knows that forestry matters. These tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber are unjustified. We are working at every level to fix this dispute. In the meantime, our government is going to continue supporting workers. We are going to prioritize Canadian materials in construction, and we are going to change the federal procurement process to procure Canadian lumber. We will continue to support Canadian workers and industries with Canadian products. Let us work together.”
“That ceremony reminds us that national traditions can begin with a single determined voice. Let the poppy flag be a promise that we will remember, we will honour and we will continue to support our veterans and their families. Lest we forget.”
“Mr. Speaker, this past Friday, history was made in Ottawa. For the first time, the “lest we forget” poppy flag was raised on Parliament Hill to mark the beginning of Veterans' Week and the Royal Canadian Legion's annual poppy campaign. This powerful moment was driven by the dedication of Donald Eenkooren, a proud Canadian Armed Forces veteran and member of the New Hamburg Legion in Kitchener—Conestoga. Donald understands the importance of visibly honouring those who served, and he turned that belief into a national moment. With support from the local New Hamburg branch, Branch 532 of the Legion, and support from my office, his vision was brought to life. Standing with veterans, fellow members of Parliament and the Minister of Veterans Affairs , I was deeply moved as Donald raised the flag for the first time on Parliament Hill.”
“Mr. Speaker, as the vibrant colours of autumn signal the end of harvest, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible farmers in Kitchener—Conestoga and across our country, whose dedication helps feed us all. From the fields of Wellesley and Wilmot to the barns and greenhouses of Woolwich, farmers work tirelessly, feeding our families, fuelling our economy and stewarding the land with care and resilience. While the fall harvest marks a seasonal milestone for many, the work of farming never truly stops. Whether it is planning, caring for livestock or managing operations, our farmers continue their vital work year-round. Therefore, I thank all our farmers for their hard work, their resilience and their deep care for the land and for us. They make Kitchener—Conestoga proud and Canada strong.”
“This milestone 50th anniversary is a testament to the enduring spirit of community and volunteerism that has made the festival a beloved celebration for generations. I congratulate everyone involved in the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival.”
“Mr. Speaker, Kitchener—Conestoga recently celebrated the Wellesley and New Hamburg fall fairs, two events that showcase the best of rural life and bring neighbours together. These fairs connect us to our agricultural roots and highlight the values of hard work, community and tradition. They also help bridge urban and rural communities, raising awareness about agriculture and inspiring future farmers. I am thankful to the volunteers, organizers, sponsors and agricultural societies whose dedication keeps these traditions alive. This past weekend, I flipped pancakes at the 50th Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival and was also honoured to mentor young performers at the Wellesley idol competition.”
“Gender equality is not achieved by one group; it is everyone's responsibility. Let us commit to making this real together.”
“Mr. Speaker, this Gender Equality Week, I rise not just to celebrate progress but also to challenge us to go further. Despite women making up half our population, their voices are still too often dismissed or diminished, even in places of leadership like the House of Commons. Research shows that women are interrupted significantly more than men, and when they do speak their ideas are often only recognized when repeated by someone else. I have seen this happen to family, staff and colleagues, some of the strongest women I know. I will admit I have not noticed it enough, but once we notice something we can change it. Men have a crucial role to play, so here is my call to action: Men must be the ally in the room. They must listen more and interrupt less, give credit where it is due and speak up when they see bias.”
“Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague talked about co-operation. I think we can all agree that Canada has the potential to be an energy superpower in the world, in both traditional and clean energy. The Major Projects Office is something he talked about. This is a place where stakeholders, projects, federal government, provincial and territorial governments and indigenous nations, anyone, can come together and work together to expedite projects. Can the member expand on how important the Major Projects Office is going to be in this process?”
“Mr. Speaker, 2.6 million Canadian jobs rely on exports to the United States, and Canada has the strongest trade deal of any U.S. partner. Our government is working closely with both the U.S. and Mexico to modernize our supply chains and support Canadian exporters. We are focused on maintaining the benefits of CUSMA, preventing future tariff threats and expanding market access. Standing up for Canada is what Canadians expect us to do. Standing up for Canada is what our government is doing.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada and the U.S. share the world's most integrated and mutually beneficial trade partnership. That is not up for debate. Millions of jobs in Canada and the U.S. depend on our trading relationship. Canada already, and it is unequivocal, has the best deal among U.S. trading partners. While we continue to negotiate with the U.S. and with Mexico, our government is focused on what we control the most, which is diversifying our trade relations and supporting Canadian businesses and all sectors.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a local organization making a powerful impact through sport, the Southern Ontario Cricket Association, SOCA. Founded by Parveen Sharma and now led by Giridhar Bannaravuri, SOCA began in 2019 with just 12 teams. Today, it is Canada's second-largest cricket league, expanding to 78 teams. SOCA's heart lies in youth development, Their Little Champs junior club empowers children with skills, confidence and values of teamwork and leadership. Their rapid growth in women's cricket and plans for a winter indoor camp show commitment to equity and opportunity in sport. By introducing an over-40 men's league, SOCA is ensuring that cricket remains a game for all generations. Through cricket, SOCA is building more than athletes. It is building stronger, more inclusive communities.”
“Let us rise to meet this moment with clarity, with courage and with the conviction that the next chapter of Canada's story will be written by those bold enough to build it.”
“When we break down barriers and open new doors, we set the stage for something bigger: for projects of national interest that will move this country forward. We need to get projects approved faster and change our mindset from whether to build to how to build. That is why we are proposing that Canada adopt a new approach to projects that will advance our national goals, projects that shape the future of our country, build our resilience in an uncertain world and strengthen our autonomy and security. We need to do all of these things in a way that still respects indigenous rights and protects our economy. The one Canadian economy act is about more than increasing our GDP; it is about investing in people.”
“This government is working closely with provinces and territories to allow skilled Canadians, including nurses in St. John's, engineers in Edmonton, carpenters in Wellesley and teachers and paramedics from Trois-Rivières to Whitehorse, to move freely, taking their skills, credentials and ambitions with them wherever opportunity calls. The one Canadian economy act is about unlocking the true potential of Canadian workers so that whether a person is a home builder in Kelowna or a health care worker in Cape Breton, this country stands behind them, values their training and welcomes their contribution. (1425) When goods, services and Canadian workers can move freely across our country, so do ideas, skills and opportunities. That is what unity looks like, not just in words but in action. That is what this bill is designed to deliver.”
“Under this bill, if goods are produced, used or distributed according to the rules set out by a province or territory, those goods could be recognized as meeting comparable federal standards on interprovincial trade. We are also proposing to do the same thing with federal trade barriers on selling Canadian services across our provinces and territories. Under this bill, if a service is provided following provincial or territorial rules, that service would be considered in line with the federal rules on interprovincial trade. The second key element of this bill's barrier-reduction strategy is labour mobility. This is a commitment to ensuring that every Canadian can put their talents to work anywhere in Canada without being weighed down by complicated, costly barriers.”
“I would like to highlight the work the provinces and territories are already doing to make it easier to sell goods and services to each other, addressing provincial barriers. We need to continue to work together at all levels of government and above partisan politics. The one Canadian economy act builds on that co-operation. It is not about encroaching on responsibilities or regulations of provinces or territories. This is the government's effort to do its part to make trade smoother at the federal level. This legislation would allow the Government of Canada to lend a hand in taking down roadblocks, because when every order of government works together, there is no limit to what Canada can achieve.”
“However, they may want to sell those organic tomatoes in Quebec, a province that has its own organic system. A responsible grower, even when they have been doing everything right in Ontario, cannot legally call their tomatoes “organic” in Quebec unless they obtain federal certification and go through the extra paperwork and extra expenses. Rather than just putting those tomatoes on a truck and getting them to shelves in Montreal, they face extra steps, because provincial organic certifications are not automatically accepted by the federal government. Our farmers are doing things right; it is the system that puts up barriers where there ought to be bridges. Under this bill, if a good is produced, used or sold under a province's rules, it can move across the country without needing to meet federal standards if it serves the same purpose.”
“Second, the one Canadian economy act offers us a path forward to growth and prosperity, so that projects of national interest, projects that build this nation and benefit Canadians, could move swiftly from the drawing board to the real world, where they would have the power to make a difference in the lives of all Canadians. I will speak to each of these elements further. I will start by addressing the need to eliminate federal trade barriers, beginning with an example of how current national regulations make it challenging for Canadian business owners to sell a simple item outside of their province or territory. For example, an organic tomato farmer in Ontario can call their tomatoes “organic” and sell them at farmers' markets across Ontario because they were certified under Ontario's system.”
“It is in times like these that we must stand together as one Canada, work together and move forward. I will share the two key federal barriers that the one Canadian economy act is proposing to knock down. First, the bill would help remove federal obstacles that hold back the movement of goods and services within our country. It would also allow us to address federal licensing barriers that make it harder for Canadian workers to work wherever opportunity takes them. The free movement of goods, services and labour is essential if we are to meet this moment.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to speak in this House about one of the first bills of this new government, which is foundational for our vision and ambition, groundbreaking in scope and unifying in its promise. I refer to the one Canadian economy act. Today, I want to share a bold vision with members, a vision for unity, for growth, for a Canada that does not sit on the sidelines or take our destiny for granted. Today, the world's economies are changing. Global relationships are being tested. Our biggest trading partner, the United States, is taking a new, more unpredictable course. However, the unjustified tariffs issued by the U.S. administration have also presented Canada with an opportunity. History has shown us what these moments of challenge can become when a nation discovers its true strength.”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague is right; Canadians sent us here to address affordability issues and to make life better for Canadians. We have legislation before us that, if we work together, we can pass quickly. That would help 22 million Canadians with a tax cut, and it would help with the GST rebate. I look forward to working across the aisle as fast as possible to make sure that we can do what Canadians sent us here to do.”