Dominique O'Rourke

“Canada has the right to make its own rules about taxes, the environment, and what is sold here. We are in a trade war, and the Conservatives should not call the Americans our friends while they put unfair tariffs on us. We must protect Canadian and Quebec culture from American influence.”

“Mr. Speaker, there are often times in the House when we can find common ground. I think we can all agree on the fact that a sovereign Canada, a sovereign country, has the right to make decisions on matters within its borders. If someone wants to sell something in Canada, we have the right to make safety, environmental or tax regulations. It is also a fact that Canadians want us to be self-sufficient. We are in a tariff war, as others have mentioned, and we have the right to make decisions accordingly. I am shocked that the Conservatives are calling the Americans our friends when they are imposing unfair tariffs on us. We can, however, agree on the importance of Quebec and Canadian culture. My colleague talked about a geographic injustice, but there is also the matter of the American and anglophone culture flooding in. Would my colleague not agree—”

“May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Ontario. Intimate partner and sexual violence is a major crisis across Canada. A bill will help protect victims, but we must also stop violence before it happens by fixing root causes like inequality and racism.”

“Mr. Speaker, May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Ontario. Every day, news stories show how widespread and devastating intimate partner and sexual violence is across Canada. These are not isolated incidents. They are not private matters. They are part of a systemic crisis with real human and social costs. In Canada, a recent report shows that sexual violence costs nearly $15 billion every year in lost wages, counselling, investigation, courts and more. About one in three police-reported violent incidents involves IPV, and we know that this is the tip of the iceberg. Bill C-16 would expand protections, increase access and help address systemic vulnerability, but cops, courts and counselling are all after the fact. Prevention must be the goal, through education, early intervention and addressing root causes, including gender inequality, racism and discrimination. I thank Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, support teams at the University of Guelph and Guelph General Hospital, Victim Services Guelph, Guelph Police Service, and groups like them across Canada. Ending sexual violence is not just their work. It must be all of ours and it must be done every day.”

“Our budget helps workers by making school cheaper, helping them move for work, and giving tax breaks to employee-owned businesses. I want the parliamentary secretary to explain how this helps the economy.”

“Madam Speaker, economic growth is truly transformational only when everyone has the chance to participate in and benefit from it. The spring economic update will empower workers through the historic team Canada strong program, Canada’s largest-ever investment in workers, by making education more affordable and by advancing the labour mobility deduction. Our government has also made permanent the employee ownership trust tax exemption. The former MP for Guelph, Lloyd Longfield, and I are huge advocates. Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance please explain how this strengthens the economy for all?”

“Today is Guelph's 199th anniversary. I invite all Canadians to visit Guelph and celebrate the city's history, culture, and achievements.”

“Mr. Speaker, today the city of Guelph marks its 199th anniversary, nearly two centuries shaped by people who care deeply about learning, community, place and one another. Situated on Treaty No. 3 lands held by the Mississaugas of the Credit, home to the Haudenosaunee and the Attawandaron, Guelph brings together nature and ideas, from the University of Guelph Arboretum to the Speed and Eramosa rivers, and to a historic downtown rich in arts, culture and local business. Its contributions to the arts, culture, science, innovation and business resonate nationally and globally. As Guelph approaches its bicentennial, I invite members and all Canadians to gather in Guelph to celebrate a city that values words and imagination; is home to celebrated authors; is the birthplace of Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, author of In Flanders Fields; and is the birthplace of two Nobel laureates. Guelph is a cornerstone of Ontario agriculture and a leader in advanced manufacturing. I welcome all to gather in Guelph to celebrate this remarkable city. I wish a happy birthday to the royal city.”