Peter Fragiskatos
London Centre, Ontario · Liberal · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, this member spent a half hour in a video going after Tim Hortons for converting to paper lids. Paper lids are her contribution to this discussion. She talks about Liberal policies. Liberal policies are squarely focused on the economy, on jobs, on youth, on child care, on dental care and on pharmacare.”
“Mr. Speaker, more than 4,000 Canadians live with ALS, and June is ALS Awareness Month. ALS has been called a rare disease, but that does not take away from the very real impacts it has on people who are living with it.”
“Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House, we heard from the Conservatives and the government. In a rare moment of unity, we expressed sympathy with what has happened. We condemned what has happened, and we continue to condemn what has happened. The hon.”
“Mr. Speaker, we continue to entrust law enforcement, in particular the men and women of the Canada Border Services Agency, to do what is necessary to keep Canadians safe. As I said before, since 2024, the IRGC has been recognized as a terrorist entity. Everything we do will be in accordance with public safety.”
“Madam Speaker, this member is doing outstanding work, first of all, on the committees for environment and for defence. He brings with him years of experience as a city councillor and as a journalist. He has been a pillar of his community.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will say what we will not do for seniors. We will not propose, as our central seniors policy, cutting pensions, for which the Leader of the Opposition fought for 20‑plus years. Housing is a very legitimate issue to talk about. We need more housing.”
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“Mr. Speaker, this member spent a half hour in a video going after Tim Hortons for converting to paper lids. Paper lids are her contribution to this discussion. She talks about Liberal policies. Liberal policies are squarely focused on the economy, on jobs, on youth, on child care, on dental care and on pharmacare. They are focused on making sure we have a prosperous environment and a prosperous society to give back to our kids.”
““Research”, of course, is another word for hope. I thank them. I thank the ALS Society of Canada and ALS Action Canada, two incredible advocacy organizations doing so much as well. We will continue this fight together.”
“Mr. Speaker, more than 4,000 Canadians live with ALS, and June is ALS Awareness Month. ALS has been called a rare disease, but that does not take away from the very real impacts it has on people who are living with it. ALS attacks the nerve cells that are responsible for movement; therefore, basic human functions such as walking, speaking, breathing and much more are impacted. While the effects are gradual, they are absolutely devastating. For the month of June, when we reflect on ALS and what it means for those living with it, we also celebrate the resilience of those who have this terrible disease. We also think of their family, their friends, their health care workers and of course the researchers. The researchers are doing so much, not only to bring awareness to ALS but also to provide hope.”
“Mr. Speaker, we continue to entrust law enforcement, in particular the men and women of the Canada Border Services Agency, to do what is necessary to keep Canadians safe. As I said before, since 2024, the IRGC has been recognized as a terrorist entity. Everything we do will be in accordance with public safety. Individuals who break the law are absolutely the focus of the government and the CBSA, and they can be deported.”
“Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House, we heard from the Conservatives and the government. In a rare moment of unity, we expressed sympathy with what has happened. We condemned what has happened, and we continue to condemn what has happened. The hon. member knows very well that the IRGC has been listed as a terrorist entity since 2024 in this country, and we will always continue to act in accordance with public safety. Investigations on visas are ongoing as well. We will continue to do everything we have to do to keep Canadians safe. That is what we will do.”
“Madam Speaker, this member is doing outstanding work, first of all, on the committees for environment and for defence. He brings with him years of experience as a city councillor and as a journalist. He has been a pillar of his community. Of course, just like every Liberal MP, the member has advocated for the groceries and essentials benefit, a benefit that that will allocate up to $1,900 for a family of four. Today, cheques going out are up to the amount of $533 for a family of four. This is serious support for families because we believe in this country, and that is the approach we take.”
“Mr. Speaker, time and again throughout the parliamentary session, the Conservatives have stood in the way of genuine, real and historic criminal justice reform. They will continue to do so, I suppose, but they should listen to their constituents, who want to see real reform. They should review the comments of police chiefs across the country, who have spoken in favour of exactly what the government is doing on these issues. With respect to the issue of non-residents or non-citizens, he knows very well, or should, that in 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada made clear that courts, and justices in particular, can take note of the immigration status of an individual but that does not impact upon sentencing.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will say what we will not do for seniors. We will not propose, as our central seniors policy, cutting pensions, for which the Leader of the Opposition fought for 20‑plus years. Housing is a very legitimate issue to talk about. We need more housing. That is why the government is seized with exactly that objective, working with provincial and municipal governments toward that end. If we look at the headwinds facing the Canadian economy and the trade war that has been put upon us, we see that of course there are challenges. The hardships created will absolutely be there for Canadians day in and day out. Conservatives can propose ideas that will not work and will not be serious. We are a serious government. We are going to stand up for Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, that was almost on cue. I guess the member did not have time to revise the question. There the Conservatives go again about refugee claimants. The members knows or should know that the interim federal health program has been in existence since the 1950s, supported by successive Conservative and Liberal governments. Let us also continue with the facts. Refugee claimants comprise less than 1% of the total population. That program, the interim federal health program, makes up less than 0.2% of the total health care spending in Canada. We have an obligation to respond in a compassionate way and also in a responsible way.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member knows, because he works on the House of Commons committee responsible for immigration, that for some time now, hotels have not been used to resettle refugee claimants. We are certainly working with municipalities to assist in a variety of ways. We know that the global displacement crisis that has been in effect since 2015 has certainly created challenges for Canada and other democracies. We are there for municipalities in response. We will continue to do that. I look forward to the report on the matter that is upcoming in committee as well.”
“Mr. Speaker, there is a pattern here with the Conservative questions on immigration. I have great respect for that member. We work together on the immigration committee. However, instead of putting meaningful reform forward that is constitutional, they go back to refugees constantly. That is not an illegitimate issue, but the way they frame it rings familiar. It is right-wing populism. He knows, because we have heard about it at committee, that there is no merit to those points. We are working with communities on long-term housing solutions for everyone.”
“Mr. Speaker, as we know, Canada has been especially dependent on the relationship with the United States. That relationship is experiencing a rupture. The global economy is experiencing a rupture. The result is that, if we are going to be serious about these matters, we must work together to better this country. If they do not want to listen to the Liberals, that is fine; they should listen to Stephen Harper. We must work together to find ways to ensure our future and our children's future. That is exactly what the Prime Minister is doing. Diversification is a priority. Building this country up, focusing on our resources and focusing on the infrastructure that will get our resources to market—”
“With that, I wish the nursery another 60 years of incredible contributions and thank it for all the work that it has done. It matters. It has made a difference.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the remarkable legacy and contributions of Arbour Glen Day Nursery, a child care centre in our community of London, Ontario, that will soon mark its 60th anniversary. I say it is remarkable because I speak from experience. Our daughter Ava took her first few steps there, formed her first friendships there and learned her first words there. What is true of Ava and our experience is true of so many other families and kids in London. This is a great place. It has been around for 60 years and for very good reason. It is because of the leadership, and it is because of the board, but it is especially because of the early childhood educators. I use those words very deliberately, as they are the teachers who help these kids day in and day out.”
“Once we see, hopefully, the page turn, and the American government and the Canadian government come to an agreement that serves this country's interests, we can see a better future for advanced manufacturing. The immigration system can help in that regard as well. My question to the minister is on how the main estimates and how her overall approach, and this government's approach, help to serve the immigration system and the economy. If she could talk specifically about the inextricable link between the two, I would appreciate it.”
“What about clean energy? What I just said about skilled trades aligns with that as well. We have seen the government pursue a number of initiatives. Just this week, we see the deal that has been set with the German government in terms of LNG. We will see much more work done on this in a variety of ways to advance that important priority. We are going to need skilled tradespeople in that area as well, and the immigration system provides an answer to that. On advanced manufacturing, our region, and Mr. Chair, we come from southwestern Ontario, is going through a very troubling time right now. We should not hide from that fact. The trade war that we never asked for, but has been put upon us, is a very real one, and so advanced manufacturing needs to continue to be a focus.”
“We have to ensure, beyond sourcing domestic apprentices, which are so tremendously important, of course, that skilled tradespeople can come, and the immigration system has always served to benefit this country in that regard. We can think about Portuguese immigrants, Italian immigrants, and I will not let down my ancestors here, Greek immigrants as well, working in the skilled trades. I could cite many other examples of celebrated heritage communities in our country that have made such an important contribution, and the future is bright in that regard. We have a Prime Minister and a government that is absolutely focused on the economy and recognizing fundamentally the natural tie that exists between the immigration system and the economic system. Immigration policy is economic policy. We cannot divorce ourselves from that reality.”
“When we hear the minister tonight talk about pathways that have been made available to immigrants to settle in Canada to engage and work in the health care system, particularly doctors, she focuses on the right things. This government will stay seized with that. What about the trades? This country is seeing playing out, on a global level, a rupture. The Prime Minister rightly described it as such at Davos in that landmark speech. This is a rupture that is happening across the world. We need to build this country up to address that and to ensure that we export our resources with a focus on oil, a focus on critical minerals and the list goes on.”
“When we look at those fundamental aspects that Canadians care about in the present and in the future, we look to the health care system first and foremost. Mr. Chair, you and I come from southwestern Ontario. We know the importance of nursing in our area. We know the importance of doctors in our area. You are from Stratford, and the surrounding communities have often lacked family doctors. The immigration system can help with that. The immigration system can help to secure nurses as well. In fact, 25% of nurses in Canada are immigrants, 37% of doctors are immigrants and 25% of overall health care workers in this country are immigrants.”
“Mr. Chair, it is always an honour to address the House of Commons, particularly on the matter of immigration as parliamentary secretary responsible for immigration. We have a discussion tonight that has unfolded, and unfolded sometimes in unfortunate ways. The issue has been politicized over the past few years. Regardless, we have an opportunity now to seize the moment and be serious about a fundamental pillar of Canadian society and the Canadian economy. What is true for Canada, of course, is true for democracies around the world. We are engaged in a global competition for talent. How could we not be? I used the term “pillar” before. The immigration system has always served as a pillar of our country.”
“Mr. Speaker, there are Canadians, certainly, who are experiencing hardship, but they will not find a plan for their future on the Conservative side, with all due respect. The member talks about food prices. The hon. Leader of the Opposition talked about food prices. There is no plan, in fact, on that side. They want to cut every support that goes towards that: the school food program, the Canada child benefit, dental care, child care. The list goes on. This is the Conservative approach: to throw whatever they can at the wall and catch a few headlines. It will not work. Canadians need a serious government. That is exactly what they have. We will continue to do this work.”
“Mr. Speaker, the International Monetary Fund has affirmed, as we know, the sound fiscal framework that the government has embraced. That is also true of the key rating agencies. My colleagues keep talking about a credit card. Yes, there are Canadians, young Canadians included, who do have credit card debt. Conservatives want to make it worse by forcing Canadians to not receive the Canada child benefit, to not receive support for child care and to not receive support for the school food program. Conservatives want Canadians to pay for these. In this country, we believe that government has a role in fundamentally making sure that Canadians have a chance. That is exactly what these programs do.”
“Mr. Speaker, as I have shared with the House before, personal attacks speak for themselves. What do we see on this side of the House? We are working for Canadians, putting in place the platform that every single Liberal MP ran on, which is being executed now: a decline in the number of temporary residents, a decline in the number of people seeking asylum, working toward and improving the international student system, a 70% decline in the number of student permits issued since 2014, and an entry and exit system that is being strengthened in partnership with the CBSA. I could go on. We will continue to be serious. The Conservatives can continue to play games.”
“Mr. Speaker, the use of the interim federal health program has declined by 43% quite recently. We will continue to see that, because we are seeing a dramatic decline in the number of people seeking asylum in this country. It is down by a third, in fact. Let us go one step further, though, and question the premise of the question. Refugees make up 1% of the country's population. Are Conservatives trying to tell us seriously now that refugees are to blame for challenges in the health care system? The Conservatives demonize, they play right-wing politics and they embrace populism. It is no way forward. We will focus on Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member is referring to the interim federal health program, a program that has been in existence since the 1950s, a program that has been supported by successive Conservative and Liberal governments. Yes, this program does provide health care for people seeking asylum. What have we seen since 2015? We have seen a mass displacement crisis across the world. Canada has seen a mass increase as a result of people seeking asylum in this country. The program's costs obviously have grown dramatically since then. What have we done? We have worked to bring down costs, putting in place a copayment system that is going into effect in May.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will give the Conservatives credit. They are on message. The script does not change. They talk about being in touch. I remind my colleagues that it was their leader who stood in front of the home of a waitress and called it a shack. What do they want to cut? The members on that side have never answered us. Would they cut the child benefit? Would they cut the food program in schools? Would they cut day care supports? They would cut all of it. They do not have a plan. They are not serious.”
“Mr. Speaker, there has been a 60% decline in the number of international students coming to Canada and a one-third decline in those claiming asylum. We are restoring control and integrity in the immigration system. There are a number of other examples I could provide, but for the benefit of the member, who is an honourable member and a good colleague on the immigration committee, he knows very well that is not what the deputy said. He is cutting off his comments, in fact. He said very clearly that the recommendations of the Auditor General are taken into account. Data systems are being put in place to ensure greater integrity. We will continue that work.”
“Mr. Speaker, he is often mining for clips, as we know, today more often than usual. I wonder why. He might be nervous about something. He is the champion of Brexit and the guy who wanted to cut the pensions of seniors. He talked about being out of touch. He stood in front of the home of a waitress and called it a “shack”. On this side of the House of Commons, we will be sincere. We will be hard-working, and we will stand by our communities and our constituents. We will put in place the foundations for the Canadian economy in the present and the future. That is exactly what we will do.”
“To govern is to choose, Mr. Speaker. I want to commend the member. She is a relatively newly elected member. I want to commend her for her propensity to do what Conservatives do, which is to constantly cite problems but never solutions. What would the Conservatives do? We see what we are doing. We are embracing the resource economy. We are ensuring a foundation for the future so that young people can get ahead. The Conservatives would cut every program that exists with respect to youth. They would get rid of the Canada child benefit, or very close to it. They do not want to support child care, dental care, the beginnings of pharmacare or any of these programs. They only want to identify problems.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honour the incredible life of my dear aunt, Gregoria Roubeka Merziotis, who passed away recently at the age of 97. She was the mother of Vassili, the mother-in-law of Kim, the devoted grandmother of Gregory and Leonida, the sister of Costadino, and of course, the extremely devoted wife of Leonida. She was born in 1928 in Halki, Greece, and came to Canada in 1957. She worked for more than 30 years on Chabanel Street in the garment district of Montreal, where she was so dedicated that she was recognized time and again for her contributions to her work. She raised her family that way. She will, above all, be missed for her devotion to the family, for her faith, for her abiding love for her family and, certainly, for her abiding love of Greece and of Canada. She was a remarkable Canadian.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member speaks with passion for London. Every member in this House of Commons who represents London and the southwest has passion, so I invite my colleague. We need more investment in London. We will see that through the defence spending that I just mentioned before, among other things. However, let us open our hearts to the suffering that exists when we come to the analysis of what is going on in this country. The Conservatives talk about the needs of people on the ground, yet they do not want to support dental care. They do not want to support pharmacare. They do not want to support the Canada child benefit. They do not want to support any of these initiatives to help people in a very difficult time. It is unacceptable.”
“Mr. Speaker, London certainly does have the talent and the potential for a great future. For too long, our region has been dependent on trade. We are diversifying now. The unemployment rate he talks about is an immense challenge. We are focusing on, among other things, defence: $6 billion over the next few years will give us 125,000 jobs by 2035. Southwestern Ontario and London are a defence anchor in this country in particular. We look forward to defence. We want to invest in it. We will get that job done.”
“Mr. Speaker, if the Conservatives want to talk about past policy, that is their prerogative. What we are focused on, from start to finish, is making sure that this country's present, and especially its future, is on a sustainable footing; that we build this country up; that we focus on the economy; and that we look to the immigration system as one way to make that happen. I will absolutely defend every colleague on this side of the House, because all of us are devoted, as the Conservatives are, to our constituents and our constituencies. Let us stop playing games. Let us get serious about the future of this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, personal attacks again speak for themselves. I am honoured to work with every single member of caucus who time and again devotes themselves to their constituency. As far as London or any Canadian community is concerned, we continue to see immigration as a fundamental building block in this country. Of course, transformations and policy are needed. That is exactly what we are devoted to. Service has been strained. We know that, but the numbers are coming down and will continue to come down. We see sustainability in the system, and we will continue that work.”
“Mr. Speaker, I have already gone over the achievements of the government on the immigration file. We will continue that work. Furthermore, Conservatives have a tendency, unfortunately, to count permits and not people. They will count the original permit that is issued and then the renewal, so a double counting often happens. As far as creative math is concerned, we will put that aside. Conservatives have mentioned time and again today the temporary foreign worker program. I will inform my hon. colleague, and his leader as well if he wishes to hear it, that quietly, when they have not been watching the leader's office, Conservatives have in fact been advocating for the temporary foreign worker program in their ridings.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member will be aware of the landmark 2013 Supreme Court decision, the Pham decision. That decision makes very clear that when it comes to assessing the criminal actions of individuals, whether they are foreign nationals or Canadians, public safety always takes precedence. If the individual has concerns with the decision of the court, that decision is a court decision. It is not a government decision. It does not relate to legislation. As far as visas are concerned, I remind the member of her leader 's comments when he was parading around the country.”
“Mr. Speaker, personal attacks speak for themselves. I have great respect, in fact, for the member. We have had the pleasure of working together on the House of Commons committee responsible for immigration. He understands that, fundamentally, immigration has played a very important role in the history of this country, and that needs to continue. He also understands, as our side does, that transformations in immigration policy are needed. In fact those are under way: a 60% decline in the number of international students on an annual basis, a 53% decline in the number of temporary residents and a one-third decline in the number of asylum seekers. We will continue that work. Of course we take seriously the recommendations of the Auditor General, because change is needed—”
“Mr. Speaker, my colleague is very well read. He will look at the recent reports of the International Monetary Fund, which has made clear that Canada stands as an example for the G7, and in fact for the entire OECD and beyond. What we have now is an opportunity to engage in serious policy to build up this country. I mentioned yesterday's investments in Canada's north. We have investments in Canada's west. I hope the Conservatives support that at least. We have investments in Canada's east. It is a jobs focus. It is a focus on opportunity because opportunity leads to jobs, which leads to purchasing power, which leads to affordability. That is how we build up this amazing country.”
“Mr. Speaker, obviously the jobs data that came out this morning is unfortunate, but the Conservatives can fixate on month-to-month data. They never mention, or their script never recites, anything on long-term trends. What did we see just a few days ago? It was a very clear announcement in Bloomberg. My colleague can go look at it. The largest amount of foreign investment that Canada has seen since 2007 was secured for this country. That means jobs and that means opportunities, for young people in particular. What did we see yesterday? We saw a huge investment in Canada's north: ports, airports, the construction of the Mackenzie Valley highway and the securing of Canada's north. That is how we build Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, members talk about the auto sector. What about the workers? What about a vision for this country? What about a plan? We have exactly that. They say they stand for working people. We have an opportunity now to rally around those working people with a serious approach to governance and policy. It is exactly what we are doing every single day. They quote unions in this House. We have the unions' backs and their families' backs. We will not stop until this country is on the right footing. We are going to get that work done.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member talks about seniors who are struggling in his community. They are struggling in my community, too. We have to acknowledge that. At the same time, what do we do to help those seniors? We put forward a serious plan for the future, an opportunities agenda, which is focused on getting our resources to market and building up the infrastructure to do it. That is how we build an opportunities agenda that has purchasing power attached to it, because it leads to jobs. We talk about the programs and pensions, which the Conservatives want to cut, by the way, but all of that relies on a strong economy, which is exactly what the government is focused on delivering.”
“Mr. Speaker, in her short time as a member of Parliament, the member is making outstanding contributions on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. She is doing great work in the constituency, she brings great experience as a former town councillor, and importantly, as a lawyer, she stood up for women who had been abused in domestic relationships. The member points to Bill C-15 . Of course, its main focus is the economy, but within that bill is a focus also on open banking. The autonomy provided by open banking can help women experiencing violence in relationships. It is another way that we are showing support for people across communities and especially vulnerable populations. We will continue to do that.”
“Mr. Speaker, there are children living in poverty in this country, and we have an opportunity to fight for them. The government supports the Canada child benefit because it goes to six million kids. There are 3.5 million families that get the Canada child benefit, but the Conservatives have never supported it. We support child care. They do not. What about pharmacare, the beginnings of it? That helps families too. We support it. They do not. When it comes to the school food program, the hon. member across the way called it “garbage” a few months ago. Have we forgotten that? It is a hard time. Let us have the backs of Canadians by pursuing serious agendas, not games.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member talks about posturing and pretending. I hate to do this. Do I have to remind him, though, about just a few weeks ago? He is very big on labour issues, apparently. He made a whole thing in here about CAMI in Ingersoll and did not even talk to the union in question. He failed to talk to their members. He failed to talk to their leadership. He made this whole point about severance pay. I hate to remind him again, but if he is being serious on the floor of the House of Commons, surely he will bring forward serious agenda items for the government to consider. We are working towards a major nation-building project for this country at a difficult time. The Conservatives have nothing to offer.”
“Mr. Speaker, while the apparent new trade critic or maybe foreign affairs critic from Bowmanville—Oshawa North talks about a hissy-fit doctrine with the Conservative Party, what is this government doing under the Prime Minister 's leadership? It is forging new trade relationships and forging new investment opportunities. We see the results in terms of foreign direct investment in a nation-building agenda that will lead, as I said, to new jobs and the purchasing power that comes from those along the way. We know that those results are not immediate, of course. We are cutting taxes for Canadians. We are continuing to put in affordability measures. We will continue to be there for the people of this country. It is a serious agenda for a serious time.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is always interesting that when the Conservatives cite reports, they cite only part of the report. Of course it is unfortunate that we saw a contraction of 0.6% in real GDP, but what else does the report say? It says that consumer demand is up. It says that domestic business investment is up. As my colleague is very well read, I am sure he read in Bloomberg yesterday that, beyond that, there is the highest foreign direct investment Canada has seen since 2007, at almost $100 billion. A major nation-building project is exactly what this country is engaged in to bring jobs and purchasing power. We will achieve exactly that.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is quite something to hear the Conservatives talk about household debt and the real concerns of middle-income and low-income Canadians but, at the same time call for, over the years, and I think it is still their position, the Canada child benefit to be eliminated and say that the school food program has no place in Canada. They do not want child care for kids. The list goes on and on, including dental care and pharmacare. This is not a serious approach. What we do have on this side is exactly that: an opportunities agenda seized with jobs in this country, building the country up, making sure we get our resources to market and building the infrastructure to do it. That is what we need.”
“Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that the Conservatives never tell us what they would cut. If they want to pursue this line of questioning, it is logical that they would go to another issue. Would they cut the Canada child benefit? They would. Would they cut child care? They certainly would. Would they cut pharmacare? They certainly would do that. Would they cut the school food program, which we want to make permanent? They would do that. Would they not support these measures? They never have, and they never will. What about a long-term focus, an opportunities agenda, jobs and a focus on families and youth? All those things are at stake, and we are pursuing exactly that. They should join us.”
“Mr. Speaker, the debt and deficit are fiscally sustainable. The IMF has testified to that fact, and the Bank of Canada has testified to that fact. We continue to put in measures, of course, to build up the economy, and an opportunities agenda is exactly what this country needs right now. We have seen the government moving ahead to ensure that the resources of this country get to market, to build up infrastructure and to make sure that this country can compete on a global level in a changing international landscape. If Conservatives want to be serious, they can join us in those initiatives by pursuing policies that are thoughtful, or they can keep playing games.”
“When we import our food from areas of the world that have been impacted by drought and flooding, because that has an impact on supply, naturally we will see higher prices at the grocery store. That is just one point—”