Caroline Desrochers

In response to a question from Andréanne Larouche

“We need an independent group that has the power and knowledge to protect children online and hold social media companies accountable. I am ready to hear ideas to make this plan even stronger.”

“Madam Speaker, it is true that we have worked together productively at the HUMA committee on a number of issues that have a real impact on people’s lives. In my view, the right approach is to establish an independent Canadian commission with both the power to legislate on such cases and the expertise to identify the best way to protect our children and secure the necessary commitments from the platforms. However, if the member has any ideas to put forward to strengthen this aspect, we are ready to listen to them and consider them.”

In response to a question from Helena Konanz

“This bill is necessary. After talking to my children, young people, and experts, I know we need it. It creates a new commission to hold online platforms accountable and make them protect Canadian children.”

“Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for asking her question in French. I appreciate it. That does not mean that we agree, but I am still appreciative. From what I heard from my children, the Mauricie youth council and stakeholders, I can say that this bill is necessary. It enacts laws like the digital safety act and digital safety commission of Canada act. It creates a new commission. We really want to put the tools in place to achieve our goal of holding the digital platforms to account and ensuring that they do what it takes to protect our children here in Canada.”

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“I want the House to pass this bill. Social media is harming young people's mental health, and parents cannot protect their kids on their own. Social media companies must be required to keep children safe and quickly remove harmful content.”

“Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House to share the views of my constituents in Trois‑Rivières, as well as those of my family. I have two kids aged 16 and 18. My daughter just turned 16 yesterday. They are not affected by the bill, but it was a close call. They are certainly interested in it, though. We have had some lively discussions about it. As the mother of two teens, I can say that I lost the social media battle a long time ago. Obviously, the pandemic did not make things any easier. My children have both been active on social media for quite some time now. I think that I will bring a practical perspective to the discussion because I have gone through all this myself, and I am still dealing with it every day. As a mother, I had to find other ways to ensure that my children were using social media safely because I could not necessarily trust the platforms. For me, that means periodically reviewing the content my children have access to, asking questions about what they are looking at and explaining how algorithms push content based on what they click on. Despite all that, despite the time I have spent every day having these conversations with my kids, they are still among the too many young people today who are living with anxiety or mental health issues. As studies show, there is a link between the use of social media, the content that is generated, the content our kids have access to, and the state of their mental health or anxiety levels. The numbers are getting higher and higher. Young people who experience online victimization report three times more suicidal ideation. That was just in the past year, so there is a real impact. Depression has doubled and anxiety has quadrupled among Canadians aged 15 to 24. These figures show that even supervision, open communication and an understanding of how things work are not enough. Simply keeping a watchful eye on things is not enough. My children have certainly been affected, as have many other children. I cannot even begin to imagine the pressure this puts on parents who may not be equipped to have these conversations, to provide this guidance, or who do not have the time to keep such a close eye on their kids. Some parents might have one, two or three jobs. As we know, it is difficult. Our government was elected with a mandate to protect Canadians. Clearly, we are living in a digital world and, as we know, the evidence points to serious and growing mental health challenges among young people. Furthermore, online harm is on the rise. We see this every day, even as parliamentarians. Regardless of our political affiliation, we all receive comments on our social media accounts. Our children are also exposed to this. They are exposed to the same kind of treatment. I believe we have a duty to act. We introduced Bill C-34, the safe social media act, precisely to regulate online activities and better protect our children. Bill C-34 introduces a duty to act responsibly and regulates certain services, requiring them to assess the risks associated with harmful content. It also establishes a duty to protect children by ensuring that services incorporate age-appropriate safeguards into the design and operation of their platforms and products. Finally, it introduces a duty to make certain content inaccessible to underage users. Obviously, in some cases, this will mean the faster removal of content that victimizes young people, sexual exploitation material and intimate content. We must put frameworks in place. These things happen every day in schools across Canada and in Quebec. We need to establish a regulatory framework to combat this. Most Canadians believe that the status quo is unacceptable. That is why we are introducing this bill. I would like to talk about what people told me this summer back home in Trois-Rivières. I had several discussions with stakeholders in the health and education sectors. In fact, yesterday, the Mauricie youth council, a non-partisan council, was here in the House. We are really making sure that we hear young people’s opinions. I had discussions with police representatives who work in schools to combat bullying. We also held round table discussions with students in grades 10 and 11. These discussions allowed us to hear the perspectives of both young people and stakeholders on certain issues. These discussions were insightful, constructive and nuanced, and they demonstrated young people’s interest in issues affecting their safety and experiences online. They shared their ideas with us and were very engaged in the discussions. We began the conversation by asking them whether they felt safe on social media and to rate that feeling on a scale from 1 to 10. What was interesting was that the boys’ sense of safety was around 9, while the girls’ was between 6 and 7. We then had a discussion about whether this was related to the type of content they are shown or are more likely to be exposed to. That led to a rich and insightful exchange. Several key findings emerged from those consultations, and I would like to bring them to the attention of the House so they can be taken into account in the important debate before us today. First, young people agreed that online safety is a shared responsibility. A number of different actors have a role to play. Platforms, of course, bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of young people. We also discussed the ability of platforms to remove harmful or abusive content quickly. That was one of the young people’s main concerns. Users themselves obviously bear a significant share of the responsibility. The young people also said that parents, schools and all levels of government have an important role to play. What is interesting is that, at the beginning of the conversation, the young people were uncomfortable with the idea of the government getting too involved. However, as we explained the bill and they discussed it amongst themselves and shared their experiences with social media, they began to change their minds. By the end of the conversation, many of them recognized that governments did in fact have a responsibility. They understood that the goal was not to prevent them from using social media before they were 16 but to make the platforms take accountability and create a safe online environment. We also talked about age. Interestingly, the young people we talked to suggested a gradual approach. For example, they said that if they were allowed to get a job when they were 14 but could not use social media until they were 16, then they would not be able to communicate with their co-workers about their shifts or availability. They really made some interesting points. In closing, I would simply like to say that our children have the right to a safe online environment and that they deserve to be protected. When children leave the house, we protect them and we want to know who they are with and what they are doing. We need to give ourselves the necessary tools to protect them the same way when they are online in a virtual environment.”

In response to a question from Gabriel Hardy

“Our government is making housing more affordable. Housing costs are coming down, construction is up, and we are making deals to build more homes across the country. We will announce more help on November 5. The Conservatives are not doing the work.”

“Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we focus on the facts. We say this every day. I invite the member to be in the House on November 5, when we will be proposing even more measures to help with housing affordability. The cost of housing is coming down, as the Minister of Housing has said several times. Housing construction has increased, including in Montreal. We are signing agreements across Canada to build more housing. We launched the Canada rental protection fund to maintain the affordable housing stock. We on this side of the House are working to maintain affordability. Where are the Conservatives? Obviously, they are nowhere to be seen.”

In response to a question from Jason Groleau

“We are working with provincial leaders to build a stronger economy. Our projects, like Churchill Falls, local shipyards, train manufacturing, and housing, are creating tens of thousands of jobs.”

“Madam Speaker, we are working hard with the premiers of all of the provinces and territories, across party lines, to build a stronger economy. Because of this co-operation, this summer, we were able to launch the Churchill Falls project, which will save Quebec taxpayers $200 billion and create 23,000 jobs. Other examples include the Davie shipyard, which will create 5,000 jobs, and the Via Rail project that is being carried out by Alstom in La Pocatière, which will create 700 jobs. We are investing in housing and infrastructure to create tens of thousands of jobs. We are there for working Canadians and Quebeckers. That is why they elected us.”

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In response to a question from David Bexte

“Our announcements are real, and the work has already started. Projects like the one at the Contrecoeur port are underway, and work will start at Churchill Falls too. I do not understand what my colleague is complaining about.”

“Mr. Speaker, all the announcements we have made are very concrete. For example, at the Contrecoeur port, the work has already started. The work will start at Churchill Falls. With all the announcements we have made, those projects have already started, so I am not really sure what my colleague is referring to.”

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In response to a question from Natilien Joseph

“Half of the cargo moving through the Port of Trois-Rivières is critical minerals. Our plan to build mines faster and use our rail network will help the region ship these minerals across Canada and to Europe.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question. I have been to his riding as well. We had some great visits. In fact, 50% of transshipments at the port of Trois-Rivières consist of critical minerals. There are investments that will speed up the process. Canada’s commitments to accelerate the development of critical minerals and mines in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada, and the use of a rail network connecting to the port of Trois-Rivières, will really allow the region to play its role to the full, whether in terms of shipping critical minerals to European markets or, once again, shipping domestically in Canada to meet processing needs.”

In response to a question from Maxime Blanchette-Joncas

“This bill does not lower our standards or make project reviews less strict. It runs the review steps at the same time so decisions get made faster. Investors need to know timelines so they can plan.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, but I am a little disappointed that he oversimplified some things in his question. I think it is clear that the fact that a project takes more than a year to be assessed does not make it a bad project. The assessment standards remain the same. The process remains as rigorous. The processes will take place simultaneously. The decision-making process will be coordinated to expedite the project. The degree of rigour is not changing. The standards are not changing. The same standards apply. The timelines are there so people know whether or not a project can move forward. Investors need that predictability.”

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In response to a question from Jim Bélanger

“Our new government did not wait to act. Since being elected in 2025, we have put forward 167 projects and attracted about 500 billion dollars in investment. This bill puts our plans into action.”

“Mr. Speaker, we introduced the bill after our new government took office. I am a new member, elected in 2025. We have been taking action and launching strategies since we first took office, and now we are implementing those measures. We have already submitted 167 projects at the Canada investment summit that took place in Toronto three weeks ago and that helped attract roughly 500 billion dollars’ worth of investment to Canada.”

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“I want the House to send this bill to committee. Ongoing trade wars mean we must build infrastructure faster and process our own resources in Canada. This bill speeds up reviews to one year without lowering environmental standards or ignoring Indigenous rights. It will cut red tape, protect the right to strike, and help places like Trois-Rivières move goods more easily.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise this evening and speak on behalf of the constituents in my riding, Trois‑Rivières. Trois‑Rivières has been a port city since 1634 and will soon be celebrating its 400th anniversary. It is a city of trade, industry and workers. Canada’s first iron ore plant opened in Trois‑Rivières nearly 300 years ago. Trois‑Rivières was long the 20th century’s paper-making capital of the world. It holds a central place in Canada’s industrial development, even thought it has had to reinvent itself now and then, successfully, as technology and geopolitics evolved. The resilience and adaptability shown by Trois‑Rivières over the years are really the focus of what I want to talk about today. The global situation facing us now demands that we exercise that resilience and adaptability. Ten years ago, a trade war like the one we are experiencing today would have been unimaginable. We did not ask for this war, but we will continue to stand our ground, come what may. Families, workers and businesses are feeling the effects of this trade conflict every day. That is why we cannot just keep doing things the way we always have. We need to rethink how we invest in, develop and build the infrastructure underpinning all of this. That raises a simple question: How do we re-envision the future and how do we ensure we have the means to achieve our ambitions? This is the reality and the drive to survive that gave rise to Bill C‑39. Canada has what the world wants: energy, critical minerals, steel, aluminum, forest resources and world-renowned industrial expertise. The Prime Minister has been clear about our ambition to make Canada an energy superpower in both renewable and conventional energy. However, possessing these resources is not enough. We need to be able to develop them, process them and generate greater value from them here in Canada. Canadians must be able to reap the benefits of these investments and these assets. This means we need to rethink our supply chains. What do we import and export? What can we produce and, in particular, what can we process here at home to add more value to our economy and more value for Canadians? We need to build more, and we need to build more of what we need. That is especially important in terms of critical minerals, steel and aluminum. It is also essential for the forestry sector, which is currently going through a difficult period and remains top of mind for us. Since the spring, our government has signed more than 20 new economic and security agreements, and we have launched more than 27 nationwide initiatives. These efforts have helped support 337,000 jobs and nearly $200 billion in new investments. We need to make sure that we have the infrastructure we need to meet the expectations and respond to the opportunities we created with these trade agreements, both with our international partners and with our SMEs. The potential is even greater. The message is clear. We must create the conditions that lead to investments. Bill C-39 proposes to overhaul the way we carry out our major projects. What we are proposing is one project, one assessment, and a decision all within one year. The goal is not to conduct fewer assessments or to be less rigorous, but rather to coordinate things more effectively, to clarify the decision-making process, and to run the processes in parallel to speed things up. Seven provinces have already signed co-operation agreements to reduce duplication among governments, because they know that this hinders the smooth functioning and economic development of our country. Environmental standards remain rigorous, and the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as our commitment to consultation and participation, remain unchanged. This is not just about consultation, but also about the participation of indigenous peoples in these major projects. For businesses that want to invest here, whether they are from Quebec, Canada, or abroad, predictability is essential. Every month of delay can drive up costs and delay the investments that our communities, families and workers need. That is why we are picking up the pace. For Trois‑Rivières, this is a practical issue. The Port of Trois-Rivières is one of 17 Canadian port authorities. In 2025, the port of Trois-Rivières handled 2.6 million tonnes of cargo, 65,000 trucks, 11,000 rail cars and more than 240 ships. It is connected to 100-plus ports in over 40 countries. It is a hub for Canada’s steel and aluminum trade. Fifty per cent of the goods handled at the port of Trois-Rivières are critical minerals. The trade diversification corridors fund could help improve the efficiency of these activities with new, state-of-the-art equipment. Bill C-39 modernizes port governance, clarifies certain rules, facilitates the digitalization of trade and reduces red tape. However, a port cannot operate alone. The St. Lawrence River remains one of our most important trade corridors, and we have to think of our network as a whole, including ports, railways, roads and airports. Their proper operation is vital to both Canada and our international partners. We must therefore identify bottlenecks and invest where it can make the biggest difference. The Churchill Falls and Contrecoeur projects illustrate the importance of this approach. We must ensure that we can move our products as efficiently as possible. It is also a matter of productivity. A more efficient transportation system makes our businesses more competitive. Unfortunately, for too long now, Canada’s transportation system has been one of the least competitive and least productive in the world. We need to make the necessary investments to improve our transportation system’s productivity. We owe it to our businesses, to our families and to workers. This potential is already clear in Trois‑Rivières. The new airport terminal, which opened last year, includes a 9,000-foot runway and increases opportunities for freight transport and aircraft maintenance. I attended the opening ceremony, and I can say that the project does a good job of demonstrating our region’s potential. Trois‑Rivières brings together the maritime, rail, road and air networks; they are just a few minutes apart. That is exactly why a bill like Bill C‑39 can help the regions position themselves well and play the role of economic lever that our country needs. It allows for the right investments to make it possible to link all the points together, facilitate trade and transport goods. We might think of our development intentions in the north, the commitments we have made to develop the north and secure the Arctic, as well as the diversification of our trade. We have also spent a great deal of time in the House discussing Alto. My colleague may speak to that shortly. Trois‑Rivières is one of the seven stations planned for Alto’s future rail link between Toronto and Quebec City. We are very eager to see this project move forward. For projects of this scale to proceed, federal processes must be coordinated and predictable. Of course, our infrastructure is only as effective as the workers who keep it running. Longshore workers, truck drivers, railway workers, industrial workers and unions are the lifeblood of our economy. I would note that 95% of collective agreements in the federally regulated sector are concluded without a work stoppage. Bill C‑39 seeks, among other things, to encourage earlier negotiations and greater use of mediation. Section 107 remains subject to clear safeguards. In fact, additional guardrails are being put in place. The minister must take into account the report of an independent special mediator as well as the impact on the national interest. The right to strike remains protected. Further centralization is not the aim. The aim is to make processes more predictable and reduce duplication. Greater predictability also means fewer disruptions for our businesses and our workers. If we want to strengthen our ties with Europe, as our colleagues in the Bloc Québécois are so keen to see, we must have the infrastructure required to get our products to those markets. To my Conservative colleagues, I would say that there is no need to choose between the environment and the economy. We have said this many times. Speeding up a project does not mean abandoning our environmental protections. Trois-Rivières has been helping to build Canada for nearly four centuries—just take look at our paper, aluminum, grain, transportation and industry. Today, we have the opportunity to help build the Canada of tomorrow. The world has changed, and our ways of doing things must evolve with it. I call on my colleagues to support Bill C-39 so that it can be referred to committee.”