Jim Bélanger

“Police on Manitoulin Island just seized drugs and guns and charged six people. Drug trafficking leads to worse crimes, addiction, and high health care costs. Conservatives have a plan to keep people safe. I want the Liberals to take this problem seriously.”

“Mr. Speaker, six people have been charged following a major police operation that led to the seizure of drugs and firearms on Manitoulin Island. Drug trafficking fuels other, more serious crimes in northern communities. It contributes to addiction and overdoses that cost our health care system millions of dollars. The Conservatives have a plan to keep Canadians safe. When will the Liberals follow our example and start taking this issue seriously?”

“I want the member to explain why apprentices need access to jobs to finish their training and succeed in the trades.”

“Mr. Speaker, as a tradesman himself, my hon. friend knows the importance of hands-on experience. With so much discussion about the Red Seal program and Bill C-30, would he speak to how essential access to jobs is for apprentices to complete their training and succeed in skilled trades?”

“Summer festivals and fairs are starting in my riding. This weekend, I am going to the Rayside-Balfour heritage days to honor our founding families. I invite everyone to come to the parade in Chelmsford on Saturday.”

“Mr. Speaker, summer is on the way, and in Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, that means agricultural fairs and vibrant community celebrations, such as Valley East Days, the Verner Ram Rodeo and the Massey Fair. This weekend, I am very proud to participate in the Rayside-Balfour heritage days hosted by Café Heritage, an organization led by Gary Michalak and Éric Lachance. With the help of many volunteers, they are doing an excellent job of promoting our history and culture. This year, we are paying tribute to the pioneer families who founded our community. There are nearly fifty of them, including the Bélangers, the Blais, the Carrières, the Castonguays, the Grattons, the Leroux, the Pilons, the Poulins, the Séguins, the Trottiers, the Vaillancourts, the Watiers and many others. I invite people to come out in large numbers to celebrate and join us for our parade, which will take place this Saturday at 11 a.m. in Chelmsford.”

“Tax credits helped the film industry grow in Sudbury. I want to know if the member supports this tax or not.”

“Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned before, the filming industry in my area, in Sudbury, managed to come about and grow because of tax credits, incentives and so on. I listened to the member, and I would like to ask him whether he is for or against this tax.”

“Youth unemployment is at 14.3 percent, which is almost double the national rate. I want to know when the government will help create jobs for young Canadians.”

“Mr. Speaker, while the Liberal government claims the economy is growing, young Canadians are being left behind. Youth unemployment has risen to 14.3%, nearly double the national rate, and young people across northern Ontario are struggling to find work and build a future. It is more debt, more taxes, more job losses and just more of the same. When will the Liberal government finally deliver the jobs and opportunities young Canadians deserve?”

• Echo ×3

  A repeated line

  “Unfortunately, it is just more taxes, more job losses and more of the same.”

  Said 3 times by 2 members since May 8.

  Every time it was said →

“The Prime Minister has not lowered tariffs, and people in northern Ontario are losing their jobs. I want to know when he will deliver the fair trade deal he promised.”

“Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister was elected on the premise that he was the man. Well, it seems that the man with the plan has disappeared. The Liberal government has been on the sidelines for far too long, failing to secure a single reduction on tariffs, while North Ontarians continue to lose both patience and jobs. Communities are being pushed to a breaking point, yet there is still no progress and no real results from the Liberal government. When will the Prime Minister finally get his act in gear and deliver the fair trade deal he promised a year ago?”

“Sawmills in northern Ontario are closing because the government failed to get a fair softwood lumber deal. Tariffs have tripled to 45% since 2022. The government must fight for forestry workers.”

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday, hundreds of workers in Nairn Centre and Gogama were told their sawmills will shut down indefinitely. The Liberals have been dragging their feet and have failed to secure a fair deal. Hard-working families are now left in limbo. The Prime Minister promised a trade win by last summer. Instead, softwood lumber tariffs have tripled to 45% since 2022, putting immense pressure on Canada’s forestry sector. Recycled speeches and photo ops are not enough. It is time for the Liberal government to walk the talk. The alarm bells are ringing. We need results. The Liberals must stand up for our forestry sector and finally fight for the workers who keep northern Ontario communities alive.”