Marie-France Lalonde

In response to a question from Claude DeBellefeuille

“We are debating this bill right now to make sure our military gets the modern equipment they need quickly. Canada needs the right tools for future challenges instead of relying on old gear.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for that important question. I would say that the legislative process is under way right now. That is why we are having these discussions. I think it is important to meet expectations so that our military personnel, the men and women who serve our country, get the equipment they need in a timely manner. We also need to be able to quickly assess the options that are proposed. It is time for Canada to get today’s equipment to meet tomorrow’s challenges, rather than relying on yesterday’s equipment to carry out the missions of the future.”

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In response to a question from Jeff Kibble

“Under the Conservatives, defence spending fell below 1% of our economy. Our government is working to reach the 2% NATO spending target. We have also included the Coast Guard in our national defence, and its members appreciate that.”

“Mr. Speaker, I did not want to be overly partisan, because I was trying to stay within the limits of being parliamentary, but especially in Orleans, we are reminded that under the Conservative government, NATO spending fell below 1%. What our new government has done is go forward in meeting our 2% target. That was exceptional, and I think we collectively all agree. We have also made a significant change in our Coast Guard by including it in our military, in DND and in our defence. From meeting some of its members in the Iqaluit over the summer, I think they are very appreciative that we are going forward in improving their ability to serve Canadians.”

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In response to a question from Rhéal Éloi Fortin

“I want the House to pass this bill. It takes too long for Canada to buy military gear, which leaves our troops with old equipment and costs more money. This bill creates a new agency that cuts red tape and buys equipment faster while still being watched by Parliament.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House to speak to Bill C‑40. As many of my colleagues have done, I would like to take a moment, on behalf of the community of Orléans and myself, to acknowledge the tragedy at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where four Canadian Armed Forces members lost their lives and dozens more were injured during a training exercise. To their families, loved ones and colleagues and to the entire community of Wainwright, I want to say that our thoughts are with them. I want them to know that the entire nation stands with them during this difficult time. I will now come back to the issue before us today. I think all members of the House can agree that our defence procurement system has become too cumbersome and that we need to find ways to operate faster and more efficiently. No matter which government has been in power over the past decades, this problem has been going on for a long time. Delays in military procurement are not a partisan issue. They are an issue of capacity, efficiency, funding and, ultimately, national security. We are at a critical moment. The federal government is moving forward with important reforms through the new defence industrial strategy and the new Defence Investment Agency. However, the world is not standing still. Threats are changing fast, new technologies are reshaping how wars are fought, and global instability is on the rise. While our allies are moving quickly to modernize their forces and strengthen their capabilities, Canada cannot afford to fall behind. We cannot meet today’s challenges with yesterday’s processes. Every delay means higher costs, lower delivery and a greater risk that our military will not have the tools it needs when it needs them most. As the former parliamentary secretary to the minister of national defence, I saw first-hand how our system can become a veritable labyrinth. What should take a few years sometimes takes 10 or 15 years, if not longer. While paperwork piles up on desks, costs soar, threats multiply and diversify, and our women and men in uniform continue to wait. The biggest cost is not always financial. It is felt by the women and men who serve in uniform. They need modern equipment to do their jobs and keep Canada safe, not equipment that arrives years after it was requested. The reality is that this issue is not tied to any one government or political party. We have seen these challenges for years. When a project takes years longer than expected, our military personnel are left to make do with aging equipment, rising costs and reduced capabilities. In some cases, the delays are so lengthy that the equipment may become outdated before it even reaches our service members. I had the privilege of serving on the Standing Committee on National Defence, where we studied defence procurement. We heard from officials from National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat. On paper, it often appeared that the system was moving forward. On the ground, however, the reality was somewhat different: Projects were delayed, costs were going up, and our military personnel was still waiting for the equipment they needed. Over the years, many individuals have weighed in on this issue. Calls to reform our procurement system are nothing new. As early as 2005, researchers at Queen’s University were studying the need to modernize defence administration. In 2013, the Jenkins report recommended better government coordination. Our defence procurement system was seen as overly complex and fragmented across multiple departments. In response to that report, the government launched a strategy aimed in part at streamlining the procurement process. In 2016, the Canadian Global Affairs Institute already observed that delays persisted and that reforms were not moving forward quickly enough. Regardless of which government was in office, the assessment remained largely unchanged: Efforts to streamline processes and improve coordination needed to continue. Our new federal government made important commitments to NATO. Canada has reached a benchmark of spending 2% of GDP on defence, and we are committed to investing even more in the years ahead. However, spending more money is not enough. That money must be turned into real capabilities, real equipment and real results for the women and men who serve our country. That is why Bill C-40, the strengthening Canada’s defence sector act, is so important. Through this legislation, we are proposing to establish the new Defence Investment Agency as a Crown corporation. This new structure would give it greater operational flexibility, would allow it to work more effectively with industry and would cut through some of the administrative barriers that too often have slowed down defence projects. The goal is simple: acquire capability faster, build stronger strategic partnership, support Canada’s defence industrial base and deliver the equipment our Canadian Armed Forces need when they need it. The equipment of tomorrow should be built by Canadian workers using Canadian steel and aluminum and driven by Canadian innovation. By giving the Defence Investment Agency more flexibility, we would be modernizing a system that must keep pace with a rapidly changing world. Our military does not need more bureaucracy. It needs equipment, it needs capabilities and it needs results. This is exactly what Bill C-40 is designed to deliver. This bill is about changing how we deliver critical capabilities to the Canadian Armed Forces. It is about making sure that essential projects do not sit in the system for years while operational needs grow more urgent by the day. In today’s world, the cost of inaction is too high. It is measured not only in dollars but in lost capabilities, reduced readiness and increased risks to our national security. The threats we face will not wait for our processes to catch up, and neither should we. All too often, we wait until a piece of equipment has come to the end of its useful life before we think about what comes next. Many experts recommend that instead, we always stay one step ahead. While one generation of equipment is in use, we should already be designing and developing the next. These recommendations also emphasize the need to speed up decision making, reduce administrative delays and streamline the approval process. The objective is clear: to enable Canada to achieve better results more quickly and respond to rapidly evolving international security threats. For residents of Orléans, national defence is not an abstract issue. We rub shoulders every day with soldiers, veterans and professionals who contribute directly to Canada’s security. They expect investments that are announced to produce real results, not years of administrative delays. Bill C-40, the strengthening Canada’s defence sector act, is specifically intended to make the system more agile, more efficient and better suited to today’s world so that our armed forces receive the capabilities they need when they need them. That said, more flexibility does not mean less transparency. The Defence Investment Agency will remain accountable to the government through a minister. It will be required to be accountable, comply with strict financial management rules, and undergo regular audits. Parliament will also continue to exercise its oversight role. With Bill C-40, the strengthening Canada’s defence sector act, the government is seeking to reduce delays and red tape while ensuring that taxpayer money is managed properly and that the agency remains accountable for its decisions. I hope to have my colleagues’ support for the next steps in the legislative process.”

In response to a question from Steeve Lavoie

“Our government promised to keep investing in major projects and in people. Canada and Ontario just agreed to keep helping families with child care costs, following Quebec's example.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member very much for his important question. The government has promised to keep investing not only in major projects, but also in communities and people. I just want to make a comment. I know we have been talking about Quebec, but I want to talk about something else. Quite recently, Canada and Ontario agreed to continue supporting our families when it comes to child care fees. Quebec had set an extraordinary example, which we followed. I am proud to see that our government is going to keep investing to help families.”

In response to a question from Martin Champoux

“The government has invested a lot of money into Quebec, including new icebreakers and port projects. These projects help the economy. We need to stop complaining about the past and focus on the future.”

“Mr. Speaker, I also appreciate working collaboratively with my colleague on the francophonie, at the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie and on other such issues. I would also like to remind the House and my colleague that we can engage in fearmongering or we can talk about the facts, including the investments made in Quebec in recent years, in all sorts of excellent projects that will improve working conditions and boost Canada’s economic situation, including in Quebec. I want to talk about that briefly. In recent years, there have been six icebreakers ordered from Davie Canada. There is the big port project in Contrecoeur. There was the designation of Quebec City as a container port. We need to stop looking backward and start moving forward. It is no longer 1900. It is 2026. I would like to remind my colleague of that.”

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In response to a question from Dan Albas

“I support this bill. Worker rights are important, and this bill gives certainty to help projects move forward for our economy.”

“Mr. Speaker, I support Bill C-39. I support our workers. I am a former business owner myself. I completely agree that the rights of workers are very important in this country. This bill is about giving certainty, allowing projects to go forward and seeking the future of our economy. This is very important, and it is why I stand in very strong support of this bill.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It will speed up approvals for major projects and give investors certainty, while still protecting the environment and Indigenous rights.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to rise in the House of Commons. I am proud to rise today to speak to Bill C‑39, the building Canada strong act. When we talk about building Canada, it is helpful to take a step back. Before we talk about laws, infrastructure, investments or major projects, let us remember one simple truth: Canada was built by people who dared to think big. Through hard work, determination and vision, generations of Canadians built communities, created opportunities and contributed to creating what is now the best country in the world. Our history is, in many ways, a story of bringing people together. When Canadians built the railway, they were doing far more than laying tracks across the country; they were connecting communities, creating opportunities and opening new possibilities for future generations. They understood that a strong and united Canada depends on connections between people, regions and ideas. That vision helped transform a vast country into the Canada we proudly call home today. Canadians had a bold vision for their future. They wanted an ambitious country and, through determination and hard work, they built one. Canada has never been a country that has stood still. Over the years, we have kept on building: ports, roads, transportation networks, and infrastructure like hospitals and community centres. All of this has allowed our communities to grow and prosper. We have invested in developing our natural resources, like hydroelectricity, and built nuclear power plants using CANDU technology. We founded universities, like McGill University, the University of Toronto, Queen’s University and the University of Ottawa. We have also become an important ecosystem in the auto sector, particularly here in the beautiful province of Ontario. As Canadians, we understand that building is not just a matter of concrete and steel. First and foremost, building is about people: the entrepreneurs who create jobs, the workers who contribute to our economy’s growth every day, the researchers who push the boundaries of knowledge, and the young people who imagine the Canada of the future, a stable and prosperous Canada that is free to act as it sees fit. When I hear the words “building Canada strong”, I think of a Canada that believes in ambition, rewards hard work and creates the conditions for every Canadian to succeed. I think of a Canada that gives its people the opportunity not only to dream big, but to turn those dreams into reality. As I reflect on the many conversations I had this summer with constituents in Orléans, I am reminded that my community is somewhat anxious about the world and about the economy, but my community in Orléans is also optimistic about the new opportunities. They want good jobs. They want growing businesses. They want their children and their grandchildren to be able to successfully live right here in Canada, and they understand that in a rapidly changing world, the status quo is not an option. Over the decades, the global economy has changed. Technology has advanced and new industries have emerged. Every step of the way, Canada has managed to adapt and make the most of the opportunities that came its way. We know that a strong economy is built not by looking backward, to the past, but by preparing for the future. Canada cannot rely on its past success alone to meet the challenges of the future. Now, our turn has come to build on this legacy by creating the conditions that will allow Canadians to succeed in an ever-changing global economy. That is why diversification matters. Diversification is not about turning away from our long-standing partners. It is about ensuring that Canada is well positioned to compete and succeed in a changing world. It means creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses, opening new markets for Canadian products and strengthening our economic resilience. It means giving our workers, entrepreneurs and innovators more places to sell, invest and grow. This is also why our government has set an ambitious objective to help Canadian businesses expand into new markets and increase Canada’s exports beyond the United States. A resilient economy is one that can adapt, seize opportunities wherever they arise, and continue to create good jobs and prosperity here at home. Today’s global economy is changing fast. Supply chains are being reshaped, and trade structures are transforming. Countries want to secure access to the strategic resources and goods they need for sustained growth. In this context, Canada cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. We have everything it takes to succeed. We have talented and highly skilled workers, innovative entrepreneurs creating jobs, and coveted natural resources. We also have communities across Canada that are ready to help grow our economy. The question is not whether Canada has the potential to succeed. The question is whether we are ready to seize the opportunities that are ours for the taking. I believe we are. The building Canada strong act is about making it easier to get projects moving. It is about giving businesses and investors greater certainty. Our government has created and will continue to create the conditions that allow businesses to invest and grow, and give investors the confidence to invest here in Canada. It is about strengthening the transportation and trade corridors that connect our communities to the rest of the country and to the world. It is about making sure Canadian workers continue to benefit from a growing economy. These are important changes and important changes deserve careful study. Over the last year, the bill has been shaped by consulting with businesses, investors, unions, employers, other stakeholders and our indigenous partners. The government participated in 30 meetings with indigenous groups. The intent of all these consultations with all these stakeholders was to create a project approval process that is more efficient, more predictable and better coordinated, while maintaining rigorous environmental studies and standards, upholding indigenous rights and ensuring fair treatment for workers. If we are to build for the future, we must do so in a way that earns public confidence, creates opportunities for Canadians and delivers lasting benefits to communities across the country. That is the balance we must strive to achieve as we consider Bill C-39, the building Canada strong act. One aspect of our history that is worth mentioning is our openness to the world. Canada has never built its future alone. We have developed partnerships and welcomed people from all walks of life, whose history and culture enrich our society. By inspiring trust, Canada has built economic and diplomatic relationships that contribute to our prosperity. These relationships are still essential today. When I think about the railway, I do not think only about the infrastructure. I also think about a generation of Canadians who chose to invest in the future of this country. When I think about Canada’s successes, I do not only think about economic indicators or statistics. I think about the men and the women who had the courage to build, to innovate and to believe in what our country could achieve. When I think about diversifying our economy, I think about our ability to adapt, change and seize new opportunities. I think about the next generation of Canadians. I think about the jobs they will hold, the businesses they will create and the opportunities that will be available to them. At the end, our greatest strength has never been a single project, a single industry or a single resource. Our greatest strength has always been our people. Let us be ambitious for our country, let us move forward responsibly and let us make the most of the opportunities before us. If we do so, future generations will be able to look back on this period and say that Canadians saw the challenges before them, rose to meet them and chose to build for the future.”