Rosemarie Falk
Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan · Conservative · Canada
“Let me be clear: The defence has never protected hate speech or calls to violence. If somebody promotes hatred or incites violence, that is already illegal, and it has always been illegal. The religious defence does not change that. It simply ensures that good-faith expression of religious belief is not swept into the Criminal Code.”
“Mr. Speaker, there was lack of consultation with this bill. We know there was lack of consultation when it came to religious organizations, civil liberty groups, legal experts and faith communities across Canada, and I would say individual Canadians as well.”
“This level of public engagement demonstrates just how deeply Canadians care about protecting their freedoms. Faith leaders are speaking out. Experts are raising concerns. These are not fringe voices. These are thoughtful, engaged Canadians who understand what is at stake.”
“Actions such as obstructing access to places of worship, acts of intimidation, promoting hatred and inciting violence are all already illegal. Conservatives offered a reasonable path forward with this bill.”
“Canadians are also looking at the government's record. This is not an isolated case. There is a broader pattern here, a pattern of shutting down debate, dismissing experts and stakeholders, pushing through legislation without proper review and introducing policies that chip away at fundamental freedoms.”
“Over and over again, when it comes to faith and expression, the government has shown its willingness to draw lines around what Canadians can say and what they can believe. This is why Canadians are uneasy.”
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“Mr. Speaker, this is not something new under the Prime Minister . This was also a continued effort under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. If anybody not wearing Liberal red brought forward thoughtful, meaningful amendments or even questions to debate, there was no entertaining it, which does a disservice. I think this is one of the reasons we have seen members from other parties crossing the floor. They are being enticed by being told they will be heard and listened to, as opposed to the governing party of the day acting like grown-ups, being respectful and thoughtful and having conversations. It is unfortunate that this does not happen in this place under the Liberals.”
“Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, we can kill this bill. This bill can be withdrawn. The government can do that and bring forward legislation that is uniting to Canadians, that immediately addresses the concerns that I mentioned in my speech. I will say that the government cannot be trusted. We know that a minister of the Crown said there are parts of scripture that should be criminalized. That is the intent and goal of this. We cannot just take what Liberals say at face value. In my speech, I gave multiple examples of where the government is limiting Canadians' religious freedom and freedom of expression.”
“Mr. Speaker, there was lack of consultation with this bill. We know there was lack of consultation when it came to religious organizations, civil liberty groups, legal experts and faith communities across Canada, and I would say individual Canadians as well. I will also note that stakeholders have publicly raised concerns about this, many of them, including the Christian Legal Fellowship, the Canadian Council of Imams, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, ARPA Canada and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. There have been many organizations, not just one particular faith group, that have brought forward the concerns of not being consulted or seeing issues with the bill. I will also note, though, that there are sections within the Criminal Code that address crimes against places of worship and obstruction.”
“This bill should be completely withdrawn. Rather than rushing this divisive legislation through the House, the minister needs to bring forward legislation that combats hate while fully protecting religious freedom and freedom of expression. It is time to listen to Canadians, and it is time for these Liberals to stop chipping away at the freedoms that define us as Canadians.”
“Actions such as obstructing access to places of worship, acts of intimidation, promoting hatred and inciting violence are all already illegal. Conservatives offered a reasonable path forward with this bill. We offered to split the bill, to pass the parts everyone agrees on right away to protect Canadians and places of worship without delay, but the Liberals refused. They also rejected Conservative efforts to add clear language to the bill that would protect freedom of expression and freedom of religion. Canadians should be free to practise their religion and express their beliefs without fear, and that includes being free from overreach by the Liberal government. We must not criminalize peaceful expression. We must not open the door to the persecution of faith. It is time for the government to reconsider.”
“Over and over again, when it comes to faith and expression, the government has shown its willingness to draw lines around what Canadians can say and what they can believe. This is why Canadians are uneasy. When a government asks for trust while limiting debate, while dismissing and ignoring legitimate concerns, and while removing long-standing protections, Canadians are justifiably concerned. This is exactly what we are seeing in Bill C-9 . What is needed right now is leadership. The growing number of hate crimes must be confronted, but we must also recognize that the rise has happened under the Liberal government's watch. The Liberal government has failed to show leadership. It has failed to enforce laws that already exist. Many of the measures in this bill are already covered in current law.”
“Canadians are also looking at the government's record. This is not an isolated case. There is a broader pattern here, a pattern of shutting down debate, dismissing experts and stakeholders, pushing through legislation without proper review and introducing policies that chip away at fundamental freedoms. We saw it with the Canada summer jobs attestation. Canadians were told that if they did not affirm to certain beliefs, they could not access funding. We saw it when the finance committee suggested removing charitable status from churches. That recommendation was an attack on religious freedom and completely dismissed the incredible work faith communities across this country do every single day. We also saw freedom of religion threatened when the Liberals banned public prayer at Remembrance Day ceremonies.”
“This level of public engagement demonstrates just how deeply Canadians care about protecting their freedoms. Faith leaders are speaking out. Experts are raising concerns. These are not fringe voices. These are thoughtful, engaged Canadians who understand what is at stake. The Liberal government has once again limited debate on this issue. It is shutting down the voices in this place, and it is ignoring the voices of Canadians. The Liberals are asking Canadians to trust them and to trust their intentions, but the Liberal Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture has already suggested that passages from the Bible are clearly hateful. He has said that prosecutors should have the discretion to lay charges in those cases. This is not a hypothetical concern. It is a stated view on the record from a Liberal minister.”
“That should concern every single member of the House, because this would not be a minor, technical change, but the removal of a long‑standing protection that has been part of the balance in our law for over half a century. It would be removed without careful consideration that such a decision demands. Canadians are paying attention, and they are sounding the alarm. I am hearing from my constituents, and I know colleagues in the House are hearing from theirs as well. (1240) We do know that more than 200,000 postcards were sent to members in the other place, urging them to reject this change, yet those postcards were withheld and not delivered immediately. Parliament has a responsibility to ensure the voices of Canadians are received and considered.”
“In fact, it was not even in the government's original bill, but was added later without evidence to support it. This would be a significant change to Canadian criminal law, and changes like this are rare. When Parliament has changed or removed legal defences in the past, it is done so carefully, after serious study, hearing from experts and consulting with Canadians. That did not happen here. Witnesses did not call for the change, nor did religious communities ask for this, yet the Liberals are pushing it through anyway. They could have split the bill and built consensus around those measures, and they would have had broad support. Instead, the Liberals are using procedural tools to limit debate and accelerate the passage of this divisive bill.”
“Let me be clear: The defence has never protected hate speech or calls to violence. If somebody promotes hatred or incites violence, that is already illegal, and it has always been illegal. The religious defence does not change that. It simply ensures that good-faith expression of religious belief is not swept into the Criminal Code. That balance has worked for decades. It is part of what has made our laws constitutional. In fact, the Supreme Court has recognized this protection as essential to keeping Canada's hate speech laws constitutional. It is part of what has protected both freedom of expression and freedom of religion in this country. This bill, in its current form, would remove that safeguard, and it would do so not after years of study, a major review of the Criminal Code or broad consultation with Canadians.”
“While the amended bill would add to the list of prohibited hate symbols, it would not undo the proposed removal of the religious defence in the Criminal Code. This defence has long been part of Canadian law. It was introduced when Parliament created our modern hate propaganda laws. At the time, Parliament made a deliberate choice to create strong laws to combat hate, but also to include clear safeguards. Those safeguards include defences for truth, for statements made in the public interest, for lack of intent and for good‑faith religious expression. The purpose was simple: to ensure that while we prohibit hate, we do not criminalize belief; that Canadians can speak out about their faith; and that religious texts can be discussed, taught and debated without fear.”
“These are not just acts of vandalism; they target entire faith communities, undermine the sense of belonging and safety that these places provide and erode the fundamental freedom of Canadians to gather, worship and live out their beliefs in peace. This trend is serious. It demands attention. These crimes must be met with real consequences. Those who commit them must be prosecuted. The law must be enforced, and the government must show leadership. Threatening the religious freedom and expression of the very people being targeted is not the solution. That remains the serious concern with Bill C‑9 . It would not target just hate. Even as amended, Bill C‑9 would still risk undermining the very religious freedom and freedom of expression that it should be strengthening.”
“Mr. Speaker, off the top, I will note that I will be splitting my time with the member for London—Fanshawe . Canadians of faith must be free to practise their beliefs without fear of intimidation, violence or persecution. That freedom is fundamental. It was secured by the generations that came before us, and it has been defended time and again. It remains our responsibility to protect and safeguard it for generations to come. There is no doubt that we are seeing a troubling rise in hate crimes across our country: Christian churches have been burned and vandalized, synagogues have been shot at and firebombed, mosques have been targeted and temples have been attacked.”
“Mr. Speaker, we know that the Minister of Heritage had suggested that passages of religious scripture could be viewed as hateful. We know that this government, which the member is a part of, has moved to limit debate once again, specifically on Bill C-9 , since that is what we are debating, but it is happening on a lot of things. I am wondering why the member thinks that his government should continue to ram this bill through before the end of the session instead of killing the bill and coming back with something that is not so divisive and that actually can unite Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, food affordability is so terrible that there is scurvy in that member's riding. We cannot forget that this Prime Minister is the one who said affordability is the best that it has been in over a decade. He is showing up at the G7 as the only leader who has caused a recession in his own country. That is his Liberal government's record: inflationary spending, red tape and antidevelopment policies that are driving up costs. It is not global factors; it is the Liberal choices that Canadians cannot afford. When will this government stop making life more expensive for Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, in just 14 trips, the Prime Minister spent nearly $1 million on inflight catering at taxpayers' expense. Meanwhile, two in five Canadians struggle to put food on the table and a record 2.2 million Canadians rely on the food bank in a single month. Liberal inflationary spending, red tape and antidevelopment policies are driving up costs and weakening our economy. It is always Canadians who are left paying for Liberal waste. Will the Prime Minister reverse his costly policies that caused this crisis, so Canadians can afford to live again?”
“Mr. Speaker, unlike that secretary of state, Canadians do not get to ignore the reality of the recession caused by the Liberal government's terrible policies. Food Banks Canada is reporting that lower-income households are spending more than 100% of their income on basic essentials. Every other G7 country is facing the same global pressures, yet Canada is the only one in a recession. Why are Canadians paying the price for this government's economic failures, while every other G7 country has avoided recession?”
“Mr. Speaker, Canada is now the only G7 country in a recession, and Canadians are facing the real consequences of that reality. Demand at food banks continues to surge across the country, and Food Banks Canada is now reporting that millions of Canadians are facing historic levels of food insecurity. The fact is, one in four Canadians is now food-insecure. If the Prime Minister says this recession is being driven by global energy markets and tariffs, why is Canada the only G7 country in a recession?”
“Mr. Speaker, we know, and hear in this place almost daily, that Canadians are struggling. We are in an affordability crisis. Canadians are having a hard time being able to house themselves, feed themselves and even fuel up to get where they need to go. We hear a lot from the Liberal government about its so-called affordability measures that it seems to have to put in place, but they are clearly not working because Canadians still cannot afford to feed and house themselves. Why is it that the Liberal government always promotes or wants to increase taxes and does not care when costs keep rising and it is a burden is on Canadians?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are not proposing measures that will make life more affordable for Canadians. We know that their policies are driving up inflation and making life more expensive. Families are paying more for gas, groceries and housing. Now, Global News is reporting that many Canadians are spending more than their entire income on food and rent. Canadians were promised relief by the Prime Minister , but he has delivered more costs, more taxes and more debt on the national credit card. Conservatives have a real plan to deliver relief by removing all federal fuel taxes for the year. On what date will these Liberals finally adopt it?”
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' costly credit card budget reveals a deficit of $65.3 billion. That is more than double Justin Trudeau's deficit, and it is the largest deficit in our history outside of COVID. This inflationary credit card-style spending does not just stay on the books here in Ottawa. It means higher costs, higher taxes and more debt for Canadians already struggling with affordability. Canadians will now pay $59 billion in debt interest, which is more than federal health transfers and more than GST revenues. Servicing the debt costs the average family about $3,400 annually. This spending also shows up on the bills of every Canadian. That is the real impact. While Liberals pat themselves on the back for deficit spending, Canadians are left paying more, because in the end, there is no such thing as government money.”
“I look forward to working with all colleagues in the House in advancing this important piece of legislation. (Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)”
“Bill S-209. Introduction and first reading moved for leave to introduce Bill S-209, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to pornographic material . She said: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to introduce Bill S-209 . I would like to begin by thanking Senator Miville-Dechêne for her leadership to bring the bill forward. Her continued efforts in advancing this legislation reflect her strong commitment to better protecting children and young people online. I would also like to thank the member for Newmarket—Aurora for seconding the legislation. The bill, and its previous version in the last session, has received support across party lines. It demonstrates a shared commitment among members of the House and the other place to better protect young people.”
“Mr. Speaker, well, despite promising to spend less, the Prime Minister has instead continued the Liberal practice of credit card budgeting. He has added $90 billion in new spending above the previous levels. This costly approach has left Canada with the worst grocery inflation, the worst household debt, the worst housing crisis and the second-highest unemployment in the G7. The Prime Minister runs up deficits and Canadians are the ones who pay the price. Will he end his credit card budgeting so Canadians can actually afford to live?”
“Mr. Speaker, the second petition I am presenting today is signed by Canadians who are deeply concerned about the Liberal government's planned expansion of medical assistance in dying to persons whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. The petitioners call on the government to support the right to recover act, Bill C-218 , and halt this dangerous expansion. Hope is always possible and that is why we are urging Parliament to prioritize suicide prevention and improve access to mental health supports for vulnerable Canadians.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a couple of petitions. The first one is signed by Canadians who oppose the Liberal government's firearms buyback and confiscation program. The petitioners note that the program targets law-abiding, licensed firearms owners and does nothing at all to address gun smuggling or gang violence, which is responsible for the sharp rise in crime. This program diverts resources from measures that would actually reduce violent crime. The public safety minister has also admitted that this is costly and ineffective. Therefore, petitioners call upon the government to end the buyback program and prioritize public safety through real reforms, including stricter bail for dangerous and repeat offenders.”
“They need expanded market access and a deal that provides the stability to grow, attract investment, and protect their livelihoods and communities.”
“Mr. Speaker, forestry directly and indirectly supports workers and families in rural communities all across Canada. It is a proud part of our heritage, and in my riding, it is a major economic driver that sustains local jobs, businesses and communities. With mill closures and ongoing challenges facing the sector, communities where forestry is the heart of the local economy are facing growing uncertainty. Each closure hits close to home, and a year into the Prime Minister 's leadership, that uncertainty has only grown. Despite the Prime Minister's rhetoric, tariffs remain. There is still no softwood lumber deal, costs are rising and investment is flowing elsewhere instead of supporting growth right here at home. Forestry workers need more than speeches and empty promises.”
“Mr. Speaker, we cannot control what happens abroad, but the Liberals do control the policies here at home that are making life more expensive for all Canadians. Canada now has the highest food price inflation in the G7 and the only shrinking economy. While fuel prices are soaring, Canadians are paying even more at the pump because of Liberal policies. Gas in Canada averages $1.70 per litre. Members can compare that to $1.45 in the United States. That is nearly 26¢ more per litre. The Prime Minister 's industrial carbon tax and fuel standard are already driving up costs, yet he still plans to raise the fuel standard to 17¢ a litre. These costs affect all Canadians. Higher costs to produce and ship food push grocery prices even higher. The Prime Minister cannot hide behind global factors.”
“Mr. Speaker, on that point of order, I will note that the member from Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas is repeatedly saying odious, disrespectful things to members on this side. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, when you fail to intervene, we have to stand up for ourselves. I would appreciate it if you would bring that member to order when he is acting the way he does on a repetitive, daily basis.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present some petitions signed by Canadians who are deeply alarmed by the Liberal-Bloc amendments to Bill C-9 that threaten religious freedom. The petitioners warn that removing existing safeguards in the Criminal Code could criminalize the sharing of passages from religious texts. Freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights that must be upheld. Therefore, they call on the government to withdraw this proposal and to protect the right of Canadians to read and share their sacred texts without the fear of criminal sanction.”
“Mr Speaker, I do not even have the words. The member across the way is very emotional, raising his voice to the level that he is about a topic that is very divisive for Canadians. The Liberals, as my colleague from Edmonton Manning has pointed out, have done a very good job of dividing Canadians. There are a lot of reasons why Canadians and Conservatives do not trust Liberals. We know that, but here is my question for the member across the way. The Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture is a person who sits at the cabinet table. He stated that parts of the Bible should be banned and identified as hate speech. That is why we do not trust the Liberals. What does the member have to say to that?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his very thoughtful and well-articulated words in this place regarding Bill C-9 . I know there have been millions of Canadians across this country from coast to coast to coast sounding the alarm. My office has heard from a plethora of constituents who reside not only in Battlefords—Lloydminster—Meadow Lake but also outside, who have shared their concerns. They do not want to see the bill passed with this Bloc-Liberal amendment. I wonder whether the member has experienced the same within his own riding.”
“Mr. Speaker, with rising oil prices, Canada should be well positioned to supply energy to ourselves and our allies. However, a decade of Liberal policies has chased away investment and production. Despite the rhetoric, the Prime Minister has not approved a single new pipeline to tidewater, and the Major Projects Office has not approved a single project. Now another $8-billion project has been put on hold, citing the Liberal industrial carbon tax and regulatory barriers. Canadian consumers used to have some protection when oil prices went up because our dollar did too, but today we produce less oil, and that protection is gone. Canada has the resources to supply our allies and strengthen our economy. Why will the Prime Minister not get out of the way so we can fuel our allies and power paycheques at home?”
“Why is it that the Liberals seem to always tax Canadians and always lecture Canadians, instead of putting in long-term solutions that will make life more affordable?”
“Mr. Speaker, I will remind the member that we voted against their measures because they are band-aid solutions and they do not actually work. I also want to correct the record. I know the previous speaker, the member for Kings—Hants , made a comment that the Conservatives said the consumer carbon tax was the only issue causing the affordability crisis. This is 100% not true. We know it is the Liberals' inflationary spending, the fact that they print money like it is nobody's business and the fact that they do not respect the Canadian taxpayer. The Liberals seem to be very good at lecturing Canadians, telling them where to spend their money, and then taking their money and saying they can apply for this program and the Liberals will give them a little bit back.”
“Mr. Speaker, if those measures worked, Canadians would actually be able to afford their groceries. Lettuce is up 12%, beef is up 16%, apples are up 10% and even baby formula is up another 6%. After 10 years of Liberal inflation and taxes, Canada now leads the G7 with the highest food inflation. Conservatives are ready to fast-track solutions: eliminate the industrial carbon tax, cut the fuel standards tax, boost grocery competition and cut red tape for farmers. Will the Liberal government introduce legislation to implement these solutions and to work with us to finally lower the price of food for Canadians?”
“These celebrations inspire pride, reflection and a deeper understanding of the vital role Ukrainian Canadians have played and continue to play in shaping our country. The federal designation would give these celebrations national recognition. It would amplify the message that standing with Ukraine and honouring its people and their heritage remains a priority for Canada. I look forward to supporting Bill S-210 , and I hope that the bill will have the support of the members of the House. By embracing the designation, we would do more than celebrate heritage; we would reaffirm our commitment to freedom, to democracy and to the enduring bonds between Canada and Ukraine.”
“It would inspire future generations to carry forward these values and contributions with pride and determination. Again, by designating September as Ukrainian heritage month, we would celebrate the rich history and enduring contributions of Ukrainian Canadians to the Canadian story. We would celebrate the nearly 1.4 million Ukrainian Canadians who continue to contribute to our nation in every province and territory. We would recognize the traditions, the language and the culture that they have preserved against tremendous odds. These rich traditions are already celebrated across the country through festivals, provincial proclamations, community events and cultural gatherings.”
“As members of the House consider the designation of September as Ukrainian heritage month, it is in this context, the context of Ukraine being at war with Putin; the context of democracy, freedom and territorial sovereignty being under attack; and the context of its people standing firm in defence of rules-based international order. A Ukrainian heritage month would offer all Canadians an opportunity to reflect on the values that unite us. It would remind us that freedom is precious and must always be defended. It would remind us of the strength that comes from standing together, and it would reinforce what binds us as a nation. It would celebrate the courage of the people who came before us and the contributions of those who continue to enrich our country today.”
“Conservatives also negotiated a free trade agreement, and we launched Operation Unifier, a military training mission to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also imposed the toughest sanctions in the world on those responsible for Russia's aggression at the time. Since Putin launched his full-scale invasion in 2022, we have continued to stand with the Ukrainian people as they defend their freedom, independence and sovereignty. It is against this backdrop of resilience that Ukrainian heritage month takes on an even deeper significance.”
“Conservatives have always stood firm in defence of those values, and we have always stood firmly in support of Ukraine. In fact Conservatives have a steadfast record of standing with Ukraine. On August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from the Kremlin's rule. It was on December 2, 1991, under a Conservative government, that Canada became the first western country to recognize Ukraine's independence. Later, in 2008, it was another Conservative government that officially recognized the Holodomor genocide. This recognition commemorates the deliberate starvation that killed millions of men, women and children in Ukraine between 1932 and 1933, carried out by Stalin's regime. After Putin's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered a blunt message to Vladimir Putin to get out of Crimea.”
“By designating September as Ukrainian heritage month, we would celebrate this remarkable heritage and honour the contributions of Ukrainian Canadians to our shared history. We would also recognize the nearly 1.4 million Ukrainian Canadians who continue to contribute to our nation, and we would celebrate their traditions, their language and their culture, which they have worked so hard to preserve for generations. (1835) The designation of Ukrainian heritage month is significant not just because of the fact that Canada has the third-largest diaspora in the world but also because of the strong bond between Ukraine and Canada. The bond between Canada and Ukraine has always been rooted in our shared values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”
“I want to add that my late mother, who passed away five years ago, is the one who embroidered this for me. My parents fought very strongly to preserve our Ukrainian heritage. I actually did Ukrainian dancing for 14 years of my childhood, and this is one of the vyshyvankas that she embroidered for me so that I could display not only our heritage but the importance of preserving it. This represents the endurance of a community that has preserved its language, traditions and culture despite hardship, displacement and attempts to erase its identity. My family, like so many others, settled in the Prairies and passed down values, culture and traditions that continue to shape our communities. Today, the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada stands at nearly 1.4 million people.”
“A proud Canadian of Ukrainian heritage, I am actually a great-granddaughter of Ukrainian immigrants who settled in southeastern Saskatchewan, on both my mother's and my father's sides. They are the ones who helped plow the land and helped clear the bush. I recall the stories of my grandparents, and even of my parents, who would recall the times when they would be in the field picking stones by hand. It was something we were often threatened with when we were younger, that we would have to go out and pick stones from the field. There is a strong connection between Canada and Ukraine, and this is deeply personal for me. Today I am wearing my vyshyvanka, a traditional embroidered shirt that reflects the rich culture and history of the Ukrainian people.”
“They have enriched Canada's social, economic and cultural life by founding businesses, contributing to local economies, advancing the arts, preserving their language and traditions, and strengthening the civic life of their communities. Canadians of Ukrainian heritage have also defended our nation and our values in combat. In fact, Ukrainian Canadians enlisted in great numbers to fight for Canada in the Second World War. Their enlistment rate was the highest of any ethnic group outside those of British descent. In a country like Canada, where hockey occupies such a big place in our hearts, they also brought victories on the ice, with names like Wayne Gretzky coming to mind.”
“Mr. Speaker, the friendship and the ties between Canada and Ukraine are deep and historic. The first recorded arrival of Ukrainians to Canada took place in the month of September, more than 125 years ago. In the decades that followed, many more Ukrainians made the journey to Canada in search of opportunity. While they settled in communities across the country, their mark is particularly significant on the Prairies. Living in difficult conditions and enduring harsh prairie winters, they worked tirelessly to build new lives and communities. They cleared farmlands, built churches and schools, raised families and helped shape many of the prairie towns and villages that still stand today. For generations, Ukrainian Canadians have played a foundational role in building not only the Prairies but also the very fabric of our nation.”
“Mr. Speaker, I guess the member has a short memory. He does not remember that the federal Conservatives actually had four pipelines built. It was the Liberal government that cancelled 7,000 kilometres of pipe—”
“Mr. Speaker, absolutely. I mentioned in my speech the amount that energy companies do for local economies and local communities. When someone goes into any hockey rink in my riding, they can see what energy company has donated money to make sure the lights can stay on and the ice can stay Zambonied. For us out west, we definitely have the frustration that, when we have to stop at the pesky rail crossing and we see oil being transferred by rail, we know we could remove that oil and put it into a pipeline. We could then be hauling more of our canola, our potash, our uranium and our grain to market.”