Dominique O'Rourke

In response to a question from Steven Bonk

“This bill does not replace farmers' work. It recognizes the work farmers and researchers have done for decades. It sets up a national plan to help coordinate that work and reward farmers for protecting soil health.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is not that at all, because we are acknowledging the work of the folks who have been doing this work for decades. We are acknowledging the work of universities and researchers. We are identifying what the gap is and a national system that could help coordinate, really supercharge, and have accountability for that. One hundred and fifty-three witnesses spoke to the Senate’s agriculture and forestry committee. This is absolutely about putting farmers, producers and ranchers in the middle of the conversation to see how we can help them and how we can reward them as well for supporting soil health.”

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In response to a question from Emma Harrison

“I support this bill to protect soil health. Healthy soil is vital for growing food and feeding people across the world.”

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague is a beef farmer, has restored the soil on her property and is an ardent champion of agriculture in Ontario. We talk a lot about the importance of agriculture. There was a lot of battling over who else would be able to speak to second reading of this private member’s bill. I think that when we are in a centre of agricultural excellence, when we are surrounded by farmland and when we understand what this would mean to our food security and our ability to feed the world, we cannot help but be extremely passionate about the topic.”

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In response to a question from Sébastien Lemire

“Many studies from local research centres have moved to other centres and universities across Canada. I promise that I will always support farming and food research in Canada.”

“Mr. Speaker, as we know, many of the studies carried out by the research institutes have been transferred to other research centres in Canada or to university centres. We can talk about the framework in which research can be conducted, but I can assure the House that I will be a champion for agri-food research in Canada.”

In response to a question from Kurt Holman

“The government is already investing a lot in farm research. This is an important topic to discuss, and I will keep supporting research and innovation in Canadian agriculture.”

“Mr. Speaker, first I would acknowledge that the original private member’s bill came from a member opposite. It is Senator Black who is carrying it forward for an important conversation. I believe there is a lot of investment currently happening in agriculture research. I think the question is worth a conversation, and I will continue to support agricultural innovation and research in Canada.”

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“I want the House to send this bill to a committee. Healthy soil is at risk across the country, and we need it to grow food. This bill requires the government to create a national plan to protect our soil, track its health, and report back to Parliament every three years.”

“moved that Bill S-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement, be read the second time and referred to a committee. She said: Madam Speaker, 8.2 billion people around the world have something in common. We all rely on the soil, the critical ground beneath our feet, to sustain us. Globally, scientists estimate that the average soil depth on land is in the order of about only one metre. Of course, it can vary dramatically. Prime agricultural land in Ontario can often have only half a metre to one and a half metres of soil before reaching glacial deposits or bedrock, while some prairie soils can be two to three metres in depth. The life-supporting layer of life on Earth is remarkably shallow. It is extraordinarily valuable, and it is at risk. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations found that 33% of earth’s soils are already degraded and over 90% could become degraded by 2050. In Ontario, 68% of Ontario’s farmland is at risk of unsustainable soil loss. Like any scarce resource, we need to protect it, conserve it and enhance it, but this can only be done through a coordinated national approach to protecting Canada’s soil resources. That is why Bill S-230, an act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement, is so necessary and so timely. Introduced by Ontario senator Robert Black and passed in the Senate on March 26, Bill S-230 builds on the Senate’s agriculture and forestry committee’s excellent 2024 report entitled “Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human, and Social Health”. The title says it all. The report describes how this one metre of soil is essential for ecosystem services that enable all plant, animal and human life on earth. It is one metre for water purification and storage, climate and flood regulation, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and the provision of food, fibre, fuel and habitat for organisms. I encourage everyone to look it up at SenCanada.ca. It is a page-turner, a fascinating and thorough examination of soils across Canada, including forest soils and permafrost. It is informed by 153 witnesses, 74 briefs and fact-finding missions with farmers, producers, industry and researchers right across Canada. Someone who is not already fascinated with soil and soil health before they read this report will quickly become an advocate. Canada owes Senator Black a debt of gratitude for his lifetime of leadership in Canadian agriculture, and Parliament owes him a debt of gratitude for championing this legislation. In the House, we often talk about Canada’s food security. We talk about grocery prices, supply chains and our ability to produce and process more food here at home. They are important priorities, especially at a time when international trade uncertainty, rising production costs and extreme weather are placing pressure on Canadian farmers, families and food prices. However, there is another part of our food system that is so foundational and deserves much more attention, and that is the health of the soil that makes agricultural production possible. Soil provides crops with essential nutrients and water, supports biodiversity, stores carbon and helps agricultural land withstand drought and heavy rainfall. When soil loses its structure, nutrients or organic matter, farmers can face lower productivity and higher costs and are more vulnerable to extreme weather. Those factors translate into higher costs at the grocery store for Canadians. Restoring degraded soil can take years, even decades. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, restoring soil health, biological activity, carbon content and water-holding capacity can take anywhere between five and 20 years under good management. Fully regenerating the soil can take centuries. We use the word “generational” in the House quite a bit, and this is a generational issue. We use “vital” a lot in the House as well. What more appropriate word could apply to our soil health? Vitalis, meaning life, pertaining to life and necessary for life, captures the essential nature of healthy soils, which are necessary for our environmental, food security, sovereignty and economic needs. The city of Guelph is home to more than 50 agricultural organizations, industry associations, research institutes and government agencies. That makes us one of Canada’s largest agri-food innovation hubs. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, the Arrell Food Institute, Bioenterprise, and the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance all call Guelph home. The University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College is ranked number one in Canada and among the top 15 globally, anchoring world-leading soil and agri-food research right here in Ontario. University initiatives such as Soils At Guelph connect researchers, farmers, industry and government to deliver real-world solutions across climate, crops, biology and water systems. State-of-the-art soil monitoring systems at the Ontario crops research centre in Elora are among the only facilities of their kind in North America, supporting Ontarian and Canadian producers with valuable agricultural data for more than 45 years. We understand the important relationship among soil health, one health, and agricultural innovation and resilience. Every day, researchers in Guelph and right across Canada seek to make soils, plants and agriculture more resilient, more abundant and more affordable. These findings really matter to farmers, who are working every day to manage input costs, improve productivity and remain competitive, and who are extraordinary champions of soil health and protection. It is an exciting time. Agriculture is increasingly high-tech. Farmers, producers and ranchers are using technology to protect and restore soil health by making agriculture more precise, efficient and sustainable. Using GPS-guided equipment, satellite imagery, soil sensors, AI and data analytics, farmers can apply water, fertilizer and crop protection products only where they are needed, reducing waste and minimizing impacts on soil and waterways. New technologies also support practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage and precision nutrient management, which help prevent erosion, build soil organic matter, improve water retention and increase resilience to drought and extreme weather. Together, all these innovations are enabling farmers to produce more food, while preserving the long-term health and productivity of the soil on which agriculture depends and on which we all depend. Understanding soil health is equally important in preparing Canadian agriculture for a changing climate. In 2021, severe drought in the Prairies contributed to a 37% decline in Canadian wheat production. Healthy soil cannot prevent a drought, but better soil structure and higher organic matter can improve water retention and help agricultural systems become more resilient. Practical soil health solutions benefit both farmers and the environment, and demonstrate that agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability can be complementary. In fact, the long-term success of Canadian agriculture depends on it. Canadian farmers, producers and industry are leading in this respect. Canada already has tremendous expertise. This bill calls for consolidation, enrichment and evolution of that expertise across the country to ensure that it informs and guides a coordinated, long-term national effort. Our government has already taken an important step toward achieving this goal. On March 26, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced the Government of Canada’s commitment to advancing a national agricultural soil health strategy, alongside Senator Black and Alan Kruzel, farmer director at the Soil Conservation Council of Canada, with which the government will partner to develop the strategy. This builds on the significant work already undertaken by the council, farmers and industry partners across the country who have been working on soil health strategies for years. However, without an overarching federal strategy, as proposed in this bill, we lack the ability to protect and conserve agricultural and forestry soils in this country. This announcement marked an important step forward for Canadian agriculture: the recognition of soil as a critical national asset that supports the livelihood of Canadian farmers, our food security, agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. This strategy will be informed through regular engagement with provinces and territories, indigenous agricultural groups, producer organizations, academia and industry, ensuring that regional realities and long-term agricultural priorities are reflected in this development. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will also work with the Soil Conservation Council of Canada to establish a committee structure and advisory working groups, bringing together expertise in research, knowledge sharing, soil data and incentives to support sustainable agricultural practices. The objective is to build on existing knowledge, strengthen coordination, improve soil health information and support the long-term resilience of Canada’s agricultural lands. It demonstrates that the government is already taking steps to advance a national approach to agricultural soil health, building on the momentum created by farmers, researchers, industry partners and Parliament. The fact that work on a national strategy is already under way does not diminish the importance of this legislation. It reinforces it. The March announcement establishes a commitment to collaboration and action. Bill S-230 would complement that work by establishing a legislative framework with clear responsibilities and reporting requirements to support accountability over the longer term. Together these efforts would provide an opportunity to ensure that protecting and enhancing Canada’s agricultural soils remains a national priority for generations to come. The legislation also aligns with Canada’s first national food security strategy announced by the Prime Minister in July. That strategy focuses on increasing grocery competition, expanding food processing in Canada, growing more fruits and vegetables year-round and reducing regulatory barriers. However, if we want Canadian farmers to produce more food, we must also protect the very foundation of our food system by keeping farmland and soils healthy, productive and resilient. Time is of the essence, and the momentum is strong. That brings me to what Bill S-230 would accomplish. First, the legislation would require a national strategy that recognizes soil as a strategic national asset essential to domestic and international food security. We recognize the strategic importance of our energy resources, critical minerals and transportation infrastructure. Our agricultural soils deserve similar attention, because they sustain our ability to produce food, fibre and fuel. Importantly, the legislation would also connect soil health with agricultural production that is both sustainable and profitable. Second, Bill S-230 would require measures to improve our understanding of the condition of Canadian soils. That includes examining degradation, compaction, nutrient availability, contamination, carbon content and water-holding capacity. Better information would help identify emerging risks, assess the effectiveness of different practices and guide future research and policy decisions. Third, the bill would support education, research, technical assistance and knowledge sharing. This means helping farmers access practical information about effective soil management practices while recognizing the importance of indigenous knowledge and stewardship. It would also provide for consideration of a national soil information system to improve how knowledge is collected and shared, which is very important. Fourth, the strategy would include recommendations concerning a national advocate for soil health, alongside appropriate targets, timelines and resources. This one is essential. These provisions matter, because national priorities need clear objectives and ways to measure progress. The legislation would also recognize diversity in Canada’s agricultural regions. What works for a grain producer in Ontario may not be appropriate for a rancher in Alberta or a potato farmer in P.E.I. That is why meaningful consultation is essential. Finally, Bill S-230 would establish an important accountability mechanism. The national strategy would have to be tabled in Parliament within two years of the legislation’s coming into force. The minister would then be required to report on progress within three years after the strategy is tabled, and every three years thereafter. These reports would assess what has been implemented, what results have been achieved and what work remains outstanding. We have established how urgent this is. Bill S-230 would provide an opportunity to reinforce the progress that has already been made and to support accountability for the years ahead. Our national food security strategy, our agricultural investments that support innovation and our environmental priorities all align. Soil health connects all three. The work being done across Canada is a testament to what is possible when research, agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship come together. We have an opportunity to build on that progress, because protecting our soils today means protecting Canada’s ability to feed itself tomorrow. It means carbon capture in our wetlands. It means healthy forest soils. Soil health, our food security and sovereignty are not partisan issues. I hope all members of the House will support the bill’s referral to committee.”

In response to a question from Michael Barrett

“I want us to move forward with this bill. It gives us a framework so we can talk, make changes, and agree on the rules for space launches. The opposition always slows things down by saying bills are not good enough. They rush things they like, but they stall on this. We need to be consistent.”

“Madam Speaker, I completely respect the opposition’s role in challenging decisions and in making legislation better. I am going to point out another trend, though. It’s the trend of saying that we know we need this, but let us really slow it down, as with Bill C-16. It is great legislation, but to them it does not go far enough, so they are going to vote against security for women. I see the irony when the Leader of the Opposition says to call him when there is pipe in the ground. Before there is even a path on a pipeline, they want to hurry up on the pipeline, yet now we need a lot more frameworks and a lot more conversation. What I am saying is that there is room for conversation. This is a framework. It will invite conversation, amendment and agreement. We already have agreement in Nova Scotia with the premier, indigenous communities and the municipality. There are a lot of trends here, but let us try to be consistent.”

In response to a question from Marilyn Gladu

“Canada needs its own rules to launch satellites into space. Right now, we have to rely on other countries, which costs us jobs and control over our own data. We need to build our own space industry here.”

“Madam Speaker, there are only so many places in the world where we can launch satellites that provide us with really important data that we use every single day. When we have to compete or go to another country and get in line to launch our satellites, that is a problem. The member opposite was speaking earlier about jobs that are fleeing to those places where they can launch satellites, because a whole economic ecosystem develops around those spaces. This is important to provide a framework for our sovereignty, in terms of our launch capability and our sovereignty over data, and also our economic sovereignty of investing in ourselves to create our own, more robust space ecosystem.”

In response to a question from Dane Lloyd

“Changing the rules and permissions for this land makes it much more valuable. That is why this site now has so much economic potential.”

“Madam Speaker, the question is a good one and worthy of scrutiny, but I will say again that anyone involved in land speculation can have land that is basically worthless for generations, but when the zoning and the permissions change on that property, the value goes up exponentially. This is basic. This is what is happening. Because of the economic potential of this location at this time, there is increased value in the economic potential and benefits.”

In response to a question from Yves Perron

“I do not have the exact numbers with me. Building sites like this costs a lot, but it pays off. Experts say the Nova Scotia spaceport could create at least 16,000 jobs and add 300 million dollars to our economy.”

“Madam Speaker, I do not have the details in hand. I would say that, in many cases, these are investments in a site’s potential. Anyone involved in development understands this. Although it is costly, the Conference Board of Canada, now known as Signal49, believes that the Nova Scotia spaceport could create 16,000 jobs and contribute $300 million to the gross domestic product. That is just the minimum. The potential of this investment is enormous.”

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In response to a question from Greg McLean

“The police are investigating the claims made here. But this land is worth more now because of its location and what we can do with it. Land always costs more once its use changes. Canada does not have many places to launch satellites, and this is one of them.”

“Madam Speaker, those are extraordinary accusations and allegations in the House. I am certain, with the RCMP investigation, that we will investigate and get to the bottom of it, clearly. I want to come back to the whole conversation, though, about how the land is supposedly just a little slab, how it was worth a tiny amount and how we are now paying this much for it. Anyone who knows a thing about zoning knows that every housing development and every factory starts in a field, a slab. It is about the geography. It is about the potential. The minute the zoning changes, the minute the economic opportunity expands, so does the cost. There are not a million places we can launch satellites from in Canada. This is one of them.”

“I want the House to pass this bill so Canada can launch its own satellites. Other countries are moving fast in the space race, but we still pay foreign nations to launch our satellites. We need clear rules so companies can invest here, protect our security, and keep our daily technology working.”

“Madam Speaker, it is my first time speaking in the House since the tragedy at Wainwright in Alberta last Saturday, so I want to offer my condolences, certainly to the families of the soldiers who are deceased; to the families, loved ones and communities of the soldiers who are injured; and to all the personnel of the Canadian Armed Forces. We are with them wholeheartedly, today and always, and we will absolutely remember their sacrifice. I rise today to speak to Bill C‑28. This is an essential bill because we are in a race. It is not a rhetorical race but rather a race for investment, infrastructure and legislation. Countries around the world are moving quickly. The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, India and New Zealand have each built launch sites, passed modern space legislation and committed billions of dollars to securing sovereign access to space and data. Government investment in space launches is increasing around the world, with government spending in the space sector reaching approximately $130 billion globally in 2024. If Canada does not act quickly, it may fall behind. That is why I am rising today to speak to the Canadian space launch act at second reading. This bill is long overdue, and it is essential to building Canada’s legacy as a leading space nation. Canada is not new to space. We are one of its pioneers. In 1962, Canada launched the Alouette I and became the third country in the world to place a satellite in orbit. We built the Canadarm. Our astronauts range from Marc Garneau to University of Guelph alumna Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman in space; Chris Hadfield; David Saint-Jacques; Jeremy Hansen; and just a few weeks ago, Joshua Kutryk, who is currently on the International Space Station. They have inspired generations, and their research informs important scientific discoveries. Canada is known globally for excellence in robotics, earth observation and satellite communications. That is a proud legacy. Space is not out there; it is in every community. The University of Guelph, in my riding, is home to leading expertise in satellite earth observation and remote sensing. It uses satellite data to support precision agriculture, environmental monitoring and climate research. As Canada strengthens its sovereign space capabilities and AI capabilities, communities such as Guelph are already helping develop the talent and innovation that will turn that data into economic and public benefits. This is strategic data. Canada wants sovereignty over this strategic data. To have that, we must launch our satellites in Canada. The industry has already made significant investments to grow the space sector and push the limits of innovation. Canada’s own space sector now supports more than 13,800 direct high-scale jobs, a nearly 6% workforce increase in 2023, and sustains an additional 12,500 jobs across the broader economy. For growth in this sector, the sky is literally the limit, but industry needs government to provide the regulatory certainty and confidence companies require to attract and sustain new investment. My colleagues across the way confirm that. Canada designs satellites, manufactures components and trains world-class engineers only to ship our work off to other countries so that they can launch those satellites, as my Conservative colleague mentioned. That results in higher costs, longer delays and greater uncertainty. The opposition party wants to move quickly and innovate, but now all of a sudden it wants to put the brakes on. I cannot understand them. Why is space important? It is important because satellites form the backbone of almost all aspects of modern daily life in Canada. When Canadians use their phones to get directions or to do their banking online, they are using satellites. Satellites provide Internet, television and telephone services to rural, northern and remote communities. Space weather forecasts alert us to severe weather events, such as blizzards, heat waves and heavy rain. Satellite technology is also essential for monitoring sea ice, vessel traffic and marine pollution, especially in Canada’s Arctic and coastal regions. Satellites are essential infrastructure just like roads, hospitals and airports, but they are only reliable if we can launch, maintain, defend and replace them on our own terms, according to our own needs, without depending on another country. A country that cannot launch its own satellites depends on the goodwill of foreign countries to keep its infrastructure running. That is a vulnerability that we can and must eliminate. Space has become an increasingly hostile and contested domain, so there is a greater need to safeguard our critical space assets. Many of our allies have acknowledged this fact and are already investing heavily in space-based defence and sovereign space launch capabilities. There is no defence without space. Canada has an opportunity to provide a much sought-after service to our allies that can support several multilateral security objectives. In this new space race, existing global demand for launch far exceeds the supply of launch services, so foreign governments and international companies are actively seeking alternatives in stable, trusted countries like Canada. Once again, Canada has what the world wants, and part of that is our geography. The proposed legislation would allow Canada to harness its natural advantages of land, coastlines and talent, and to build the frameworks necessary to support a viable, safe industry of space launch and re-entry. The Canadian space launch act is a framework that is necessary to ensure that all launch and re-entry activities in Canada would be conducted safely, securely, sustainably and in the public interest. This is not strictly about science or industry. This is a fundamental question of sovereignty. Canada needs its own means to collect its own data. Our ability to lead in AI depends on good data, including strategic satellite data that powers everything from climate forecasting and agriculture to Arctic surveillance, while ensuring that Canadians retain sovereignty over critical data sets rather than relying on foreign providers to launch our satellites. A sovereign satellite and launch capability strengthens our security, economic competitiveness and resilience, enabling Canadian-made AI systems built for Canadian conditions and ensuring uninterrupted access to vital data during times of crisis. Canadian innovators are ready to compete. They need legal authority and clear rules to follow so they can raise capital, build prototypes, test new technologies and attract international clients right here in Canada. That is what this act would provide. The act would improve safety by implementing a modern, risk-informed approach to regulations that is aligned with international best practices and complemented by a robust regime of oversight, inspection and enforcement, exactly what members opposite were calling for a second ago. It would also require operators to carry insurance and to demonstrate, before any launch is authorized, the financial responsibility to cover any damages that may occur. This is not a partisan issue, nor should it be. The question is whether Canada intends to compete in the 21st century or stand on the sidelines while others seize opportunities that should be ours. If the House passes the Canadian space launch act, Transport Canada will act swiftly to advance the regulatory framework; work with the provinces, territories and indigenous communities that are already on board; coordinate with industry; and establish international partnerships to ensure that Canada is not merely a participant in the global space economy, but a leader. The choice is very simple: Canada can lead, or it can fall behind. Let us choose to be masters in our own house. Let us choose our industries, our sovereignty and our security. I hope all members of the House will choose to lead in sovereign space launch capability, because it is about our economy, science, safety and our sovereignty.”

In response to a question from Mario Simard

“This bill does not change our environmental laws, and projects must still follow the rules. It also helps us build pipelines so we can sell energy to our allies in Europe and Asia instead of just the United States.”

“Madam Speaker, first, I would remind the House that no environmental legislation will be amended and that all existing requirements must be met. Second, thanks to oil and gas pipelines, our exports will not necessarily be going to the United States anymore; they may go to Asia and Europe instead. Given the geopolitical situation in Europe, our allies are very eager to access Canadian energy to heat their homes.”

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In response to a question from Dan Albas

“Building big projects like roads and pipelines takes time because it is hard to get the land, do the planning, and find partners. I want the member to vote for this bill so a committee can study it properly.”

“Madam Speaker, I believe my colleague from Calgary Confederation began to address it. First of all, when we are talking about linear infrastructure, it can take some time to assemble the land, to do the engineering, to get the partners onside, etc. That may be why. I would encourage my hon. colleague to support the bill and get it to committee, where we could have a more fulsome discussion.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It will speed up government reviews for major building and trade projects to just one year by doing different reviews at the same time. It helps our economy during trade disputes without lowering environmental standards or hurting Indigenous rights. It also protects workers, adds health and safety inspectors, and helps businesses ship their goods faster.”

“Madam Speaker, this is my first time speaking to legislation since we came back in the fall, so I would like to take the opportunity to welcome the pages, who are from all over the country, to this House. They are in for a spectacular year. I myself sat where they are in 1991, but do not do the math. We congratulate the pages. What an honour this is and what a full-circle moment it is to welcome the pages and to be here speaking to legislation that is transformative in this country. I also want to thank everyone in Guelph for the conversations, meetings, site tours and community events over the summer. It is a real honour to represent Guelph in this House. As we approach Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for the privilege, the responsibility and the honour of serving my community and this great country at this historic time. Guelph is the fourth-largest exporter to the U.S. per capita. This means we engineer, we make things and we ship things primarily by road and rail. Did members know that the city of Guelph is one of the few municipalities that owns a railway? In the 1880s, businesses in Guelph were frustrated with the freight rates and service provided by the Grand Trunk Railway, which held a monopoly on rail transport in the city, so local merchants and civic leaders decided to build their own. They believed competition was essential for economic growth, and they created the Guelph Junction Railway to connect Guelph to the growing Canadian Pacific Railway network, providing local industries with an alternative route to markets across Canada. Now, 142 years later, the GJR owns approximately 38 kilometres of track. It connects with both Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the CN network, serving local manufacturers and industries. As Guelph heads into our bicentennial year, I want to celebrate those early industrialists and civic leaders who I think would agree with the building canada strong act. They wanted to give themselves more certainty. They built a stronger, more resilient and more independent economy. Everyone in Guelph I have met and have been working with for the past 18 months, including some of the largest employers in advanced manufacturing, agri-food, clean tech, packaged goods and consumer products, wants predictability and certainty. I heard this all the time when I was on city council. Of course, it is at a micro level, but people will tell us that they want faster processes, because sequential approvals and multiple reviews, and sometimes a change in municipal or provincial government, can derail a project. It definitely increases costs. It can delay a store opening. It can threaten the viability of an entire project. A lot of money and time can be spent in this churn that is not productive, and it is magnified when multiple jurisdictions are involved. This is what Bill C-39 seeks to address. We are in a trade war with our largest trading partner, which is something the opposition has sought to minimize repeatedly. We did not ask for it. We do not deserve it. It is illegal and it is unjustified, yet here we are. We will not be complacent. We will have our own plans. We cannot control what other countries do, but we can take down our interprovincial trade barriers, which the federal government has done and provinces are working on. We can control our own processes and regulations at home to get big things built, people working and goods to our own projects and to an expanding list of international markets. We can make sure federal reviews and decisions are completed within one year of a proponent submitting a completed comprehensive application, while upholding Canada’s rigorous environmental standards and respecting indigenous rights. We can and we must do so. How? It is by removing duplication and conducting reviews and consultations concurrently rather than sequentially. We can accelerate these processes. In fact, already since December 2025, Canada has achieved co-operation agreements with seven provinces to advance a one-project, one-review framework to reduce existing duplication between federal and provincial assessments. To be clear, the building canada strong act would make no changes to federal environmental standards. It would be a change in process. All factors would still need to be taken into consideration, including climate impacts, species at risk, ecological and nature implications, and more. I know this is really important to folks in Guelph. Let us remember that major projects, like electrification, massive hydro and wind projects, and critical mineral extraction and processing, also support our climate goals. They support Guelph businesses like Hammond Power, which makes the transformers that keep our industries humming and is key to cleaner energy and transportation, and Hitachi Construction Truck Manufacturing, which makes a partly electrified 150-tonne rigid-frame mining truck using Hamilton steel and manufactured in Canada by highly skilled workers. Canada’s new government has set an ambitious vision of major projects, electrification, nuclear, a defence industrial strategy, homebuilding and massive investments in infrastructure. Who is going to build all this? Who is going to fabricate the steel we need, make the moulds and build the ports, roads and towers? Canadian workers are. This government is so invested in our skilled tradespeople that we are investing $6 billion in the team Canada strong initiative. Working with unions, we have set a goal to recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades by 2031 and to support them financially along the way. We are a government that believes in labour, and we consulted with labour on this bill. Bill C-39 would modernize the federal labour framework and strengthen protection for workers in federally regulated industries. Changes to the Canada Labour Code will strengthen collective bargaining by helping parties address issues earlier, reach negotiated agreements and resolve disputes, while fully protecting the right to strike. Section 107 has been in the Canadian Labour Code for nearly 50 years. This bill would create guardrails around its use, adding transparency and predictability while ensuring that it is reserved as a last resort tool for exceptional circumstances in which both parties have reached an impasse. Any decision to invoke section 107 would require the federal government to demonstrate significant national, economic and social risks. The government will also be adding new health and safety officers to increase inspection capacity by 70%, hiring new staff at the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to clear the backlog of complaints by workers against employers and cracking down on worker misclassification with more inspectors. Together, these changes will ensure workers are treated fairly, are protected on the job and have greater income security, and they will promote stable labour relations. This is important to the workers, to their families, to people in my riding and to all Canadians. Bill C-39 would also formally designate strategic trade corridors, remove bottlenecks and establish a transportation project office to coordinate federal permitting and advance priority transportation projects within one year. Guelph is a manufacturing hub. Advanced manufacturing is Guelph’s largest employment sector, accounting for $4.5 billion in exports every year. Getting raw material in and finished products out faster and more predictably improves productivity, reduces business costs and makes Canadian business more competitive. This includes logistics and shipping companies such as PDI and Traxxside, which use the Guelph Junction railway, and multiple trucking companies. Since last spring, Canada has signed 20 new economic and security agreements. We want to export to the world. To do that, we need modern border crossings, including ports and trade digitization. When I spoke with people from UPS operations this summer in Guelph, they told me that digital trade processes will reduce costs for exporters, improve supply chain resiliency and help small and medium-sized enterprises participate in international markets. These small and medium-sized businesses sometimes get lost in the conversation on major projects. They seem far from Guelph, but these faster supply chains and trade corridors are for small and medium-sized businesses too. They account for approximately 99% of all employer businesses in Canada. There are 444 CFIB members in Guelph alone. I am so excited. I am so proud to be on the industry committee and the transportation committee at this moment in time. It is an awesome intersection. This is the most ambitious reform to how Canada builds in a generation. We are modernizing regulatory approvals, maintaining rigorous environmental standards, upholding indigenous rights and ensuring workers are treated fairly. We can all work together to build Canada now, keep Canada moving and ensure Canada is strong for all.”

• Echo ×3

  A repeated line

  “Changes to the Canada Labour Code will strengthen collective bargaining by helping parties address issues earlier, reach negotiated agreements and resolve disputes, while fully protecting the right to strike.”

  Said 3 times by 3 members since September 24.

  Every time it was said →