Andréanne Larouche

“Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to express my support for Bill C‑39, the building Canada strong act. As the member for Alfred-Pellan, I represent a community that is at the heart of a growing region. Laval is a vibrant city of workers, families and businesses that depend on efficient infrastructure to grow. Bill C‑39 is based on a simple reality: The world is changing quickly, so Canada must also be able to act quickly. We need to attract investment, build the infrastructure we need, diversify our trade and strengthen our economy. However, we must do so responsibly, upholding rigorous environmental standards and the rights of indigenous peoples. That is precisely the balance that Bill C‑39 proposes. This bill would establish clearer, simpler and more predictable processes for carrying out projects. Our government is committed to issuing decisions on projects requiring a federal permit within one year. This stability is essential for businesses and investors. It allows them to plan ahead, raise capital and create jobs. However, moving faster does not mean compromising on quality. Bill C‑39 does not ask us to choose between the economy and the environment. We can build faster while maintaining high environmental standards. The bill provides for better coordination of processes and aims to reduce unnecessary overlap, particularly between federal and provincial assessments. This approach is particularly relevant for Laval and my riding, Alfred-Pellan. Laval is at the heart of the greater Montreal area, and its economy depends on efficient transportation networks, both for citizens and for businesses. With over 13,500 businesses and nearly 165,400 people employed there, Laval is a community where infrastructure plays a central role in our economic development. In addition, with Bill C‑39, our government wants to improve the coordination of federal approvals and create a transportation project office that can move priority projects forward. For a city like Laval, that means infrastructure that is more predictable and that allows our businesses to access major transportation networks and markets more efficiently. This is not just about the economy. It is also about jobs. Workers are at the heart of this legislation. Bill C-39 seeks to modernize the Canada Labour Code, encourage early bargaining and strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms. The bill also provides for the hiring of 100 new health and safety officers, which would significantly increase inspection capacity. In other words, we are not just building infrastructure. We are also building an economy that must provide good jobs and protect workers. Bill C-39 provides for several safeguards. It upholds Canada’s strict environmental standards and indigenous rights. It also protects the right to strike, while encouraging the parties to resolve disputes more quickly through mediation and bargaining. We want Canada to invest in its future, while doing things right. We want a Canada where businesses can invest with confidence, where workers are protected and where communities benefit from better transit systems. Most importantly, we want a Canada that can move from planning to action. For Laval, Quebec and all of Canada, this legislation represents an important step toward building a stronger and more resilient economy. It is time to build.”