Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the second budget implementation act. The core of this bill reflects our intention to build Canada strong. I thought I would use the next few minutes to talk a little about what we mean by “building Canada strong”. First of all, we mean building a strong Canadian economy. From day one, we have focused on making the Canadian economy stronger and more resilient. Although we are facing a tariff war that we never asked for, we have to act first and foremost to support the sectors and workers that are most affected. I am thinking of the steel, aluminum, auto and lumber sectors. My riding offers some concrete examples. The first announcement related to the strategic response fund was made in Madawaska—Restigouche and involved a business based in Clair, operating in the steel sector. The funds are intended to support the hardest-hit sectors to help them maintain operations and retool during challenging times. I am also thinking about everything we have done to support the softwood lumber sector, which is particularly important for the economy in my riding. In particular, I am thinking about access to loan guarantees to facilitate quick access to liquidity when times are tough, as well as various measures that help the industry adapt, innovate and transform. In fact, there is a softwood lumber task force, in which New Brunswick is represented, of course. In addition to this immediate work, we are also working hard to support our SMEs, which are the backbone of the Canadian economy. I am thinking in particular about all the programs to support innovation and encourage productivity gains. Through budget 2025, we put in place a suite of measures called investment super-deductions, such as immediate expensing and other forms of accelerated depreciation. These measures send a clear message: The time to invest in Canada is now. In particular, these measures help businesses cover the cost of buying machinery, new technologies and various types of equipment so they can increase productivity and innovate. There is also all the work we are doing to improve and streamline our scientific research and experimental development tax incentive program. In fact, I have visited companies in my riding that are benefiting from this program and are eager to see the results of the improvements we are currently making to it. There is also all the work we need to do to diversify the Canadian economy. Last year, in just 11 months, some 20 agreements were signed with countries around the world. This means new markets are opening up for Canadian businesses. It also means we will attract investment to Canada. This is already yielding meaningful results: a substantial increase in the value of Canadian goods exported to other regions of the world, outside the United States. I can think of a tangible example from my riding. The agreement we signed with Mexico will, among other things, allow potatoes to be exported to the Mexican market both for processing and for consumption. This means that our local potato farmers will gain access to a market of over 130 million people. I have spoken with several potato farmers, and I must say they certainly welcomed the news. In addition to the work we are doing to develop new trade ties around the world, we are also focusing on building a strong domestic market. That is an important pillar of our strategy to make Canada's economy more resilient. Take, for example, all of the measures that we have put in place to remove the interprovincial trade barriers that fall under federal jurisdiction, or our “buy Canadian” policy, which sends a clear message: The government wants us to be our own best customer. I am also thinking of the various investment policies that stimulate domestic demand. I am thinking of housing, Canada's defence industrial strategy and infrastructure. We want to get Canadian businesses and workers involved and use Canadian products on these major projects to increase domestic demand and strengthen Canada's economy. When we talk about building Canada strong, we are also talking about safe communities. Thanks to our ambitious legislative agenda, practical measures have already been introduced in the House. I am thinking of Bill C-14, which would make it harder for offenders to get bail and would provide for tougher sentences for the most dangerous criminals, particularly violent and repeat offenders. There is also Bill C-16, which is about offering better protection for victims of crime, such as victims of intimate partner violence, and protecting children from online predators. In addition to introducing these legislative measures, we are also making significant investments in prevention, because that is key to ensuring safe communities. Here is a very recent and specific example related to the national crime prevention strategy. I had the pleasure of announcing over $560,000 in federal funding to help the Northwest Regional Service Commission implement the Planet Youth Northwest program. Through this program, partners like the regional service commission, municipalities, the public health department, schools and community stakeholders will develop a range of activities to help reduce youth substance use, which is recognized as a factor that can lead to delinquent behaviour. They will also work to strengthen youth mental health and provide positive youth engagement experiences in their community. Planet Youth is based on an Icelandic model. It will be rolled out and adapted to local realities in northwestern New Brunswick. It is also based on the ongoing collection of evidence-based data to ensure that the services and activities put in place truly meet the needs of our young people. As an MP, I can say that it is always a pleasure to announce funding in my region, especially when it supports young people. When we talk about building Canada strong, as I often say, that also means having strong rural communities. Our rural regions are an integral part of our country. It is important that the programs we implement, including the ones targeting innovation, also benefit businesses in rural areas. I am thinking in particular of all the work done by our regional economic development agencies, such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, or ACOA, including through the regional economic growth through innovation program. In recent weeks, I was pleased to announce more than $210,000 in federal funding for the Charlo Salmonid Enhancement Centre. This investment will support the drilling of a new artesian well, as well as the acquisition of an industrial fish grader that will help manage the growth of juvenile fish stocks. This type of investment will help solidify the centre's position within New Brunswick's aquaculture supply chain. It also contributes to the economic vitality of my region, particularly by helping to preserve good jobs. This centre has been operating in the Restigouche area since 1938, helping to revitalize fish stocks in New Brunswick's waterways; that is nearly 90 years of activity. As an MP, I feel it is important to give these institutions—which are vital to our economy and our local communities—the means to continue operating in the long term. This investment will ensure the centre's stability. In the context of climate change, it will also give the centre access to groundwater sources. There was a problem with access to water, and this investment will help resolve it. As well as being a project that contributes to the economy, it is also in line with the new nature strategies, as it will help to better protect our natural ecosystems, particularly through the revitalization of fish stocks. When we talk about building Canada strong, that also means supporting our community organizations, which are making a real difference on the ground. I am thinking in particular of organizations like the Acanthus Gallery in Grand Falls, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. I attended an event to mark the occasion and took the opportunity to announce $25,000 in funding. It is not always the largest amounts that make a difference, but these funds help our organizations meet their needs and continue contributing to the vitality of our communities. Over the past decade, the Acanthus Gallery has become a key arts and culture hub in Grand Falls. It is a popular destination for both local residents and visitors. It showcases local artists as well as artists from outside the region who come to exhibit there. Thanks to the grant that was recently announced, pottery classes will now be offered in the Grand Falls area. These are some of the measures we are implementing to strengthen our social fabric and support our community organizations. When I talk about strengthening the socio-cultural vitality of our communities, that also means supporting our festivals. Summer is just around the corner, and I can tell the House that there will be no shortage of things to do in Madawaska—Restigouche. We have volunteers who are deeply committed to the vitality of our communities and are working hard to put together a great summer of programming. I am very pleased that our government is investing to support these initiatives. To give a few examples, I am thinking in particular of the financial support we provide to the Campbellton Salmon Festival, the Saint-Quentin Western Festival, the Grand Falls Potato Festival, the Rendez-Vous des Artistes de Saint-Léonard, and the Sortie branchée en Acadie, which takes place at the Botanical Garden in Saint-Jacques. All these different types of investments send a clear message that the socio-cultural vitality of our communities is very much a priority for us. I appreciate having the opportunity to expand a bit on what we mean when we talk about building Canada strong.
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