“I support this budget bill and want the House to pass it. It helps workers buy the businesses they work for, gives more aid to students, and funds community centres and safety for local groups.”

“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Spadina—Harbourfront. This is my first opportunity to speak to Bill C-30, and I welcome the opportunity to talk about the way we are going to guide our great country forward. I am very proud to rise today in support of the government’s spring economic update, which is an update grounded in realism, responsibility and, above all, the lived experiences of many Canadians. This document recognizes that while global forces remain uncertain, Canada is choosing to lead with focus and purpose. It shows that we are investing where it matters most: in people, communities and long-term economic resilience. This funding supports frontline responses that prioritize safety, dignity and coordination with municipal and community partners. It recognizes that addressing homelessness requires sustained federal leadership, not temporary fixes, and it ensures that communities are not left on their own. The people of Humber River—Black Creek are proud of the diversity that defines our neighbourhoods, but they know that rising hate-motivated incidents are real and very terrible. They undermine people’s sense of safety and belonging. That is why continued investments in the Canada community security program matter. Supporting places of worship, community centres and cultural institutions with enhanced security is not about fear, but ensuring that every Canadian feels safe participating fully in public life. Economic strength and social cohesion go hand in hand. We cannot have one without the other. My community is powered by workers, many of whom are in small and medium-sized enterprises, family businesses and co-operatives. The spring economic update’s decision to make the employee ownership trust tax exemption permanent is a practical, forward-looking measure. It would help workers buy into the businesses they helped build, support succession planning for local entrepreneurs and keep jobs rooted in communities like Humber River—Black Creek, instead of being sold off or hollowed out. This is an economic policy that rewards work, loyalty and shared prosperity. Affordability measures are felt especially sharply right now by students and young people. Many families in my riding rely on federal student support to make education possible. That is why extending enhanced Canada student grants and interest-free Canada student loans for the 2026-27 academic year is so very significant. In Ontario, approximately 400,000 students would benefit from these programs. This is about keeping the doors open so that post-secondary education remains a pathway to opportunity, not a barrier or a debt. Economic growth is meaningful only if it improves daily life. Investments through programs like the build communities strong fund recognize that community infrastructure, recreation centres, parks and public spaces are essential to healthy neighbourhoods for everyone. These investments support youth, families, seniors and newcomers. They create safe places to gather, stay active and build connections. In communities like mine, this is how opportunities become tangible. Let me also highlight the renewed support for the community volunteer income tax program. In Ontario alone, over 330,000 returns were filed last year through local clinics that help people with modest incomes, free of charge, access the benefits they are entitled to. For four Saturdays in a row, my constituency office, together with volunteers and community officers, filled out well over 800 income tax forms for many of my constituents. Renewing and expanding this program mean that seniors, newcomers, students and low-income families in Humber River—Black Creek can continue to access vital supports without barriers. The spring economic update also looks to the future. The upcoming Canada investment summit, which will be held in Toronto, will reinforce Ontario’s and Canada’s position as a global destination for investment in advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, clean energy and artificial intelligence. This builds on our strengths, creates jobs and helps diversify trade at a time when resilience matters more than ever. At the same time, Canada continues to maintain fiscal discipline. The deficit outlook has improved and investments are clearly targeted, not scattershot. Borrowing is focused on building capacity, not papering over problems. This spring economic update reflects the simple but powerful idea that economic policy should be measured by how it shows up in people’s lives. In communities like Humber River—Black Creek, it shows up as safer communities, as support for students and workers, as help for families struggling with affordability, and as investments that strengthen neighbourhoods and create opportunity. That is why I am so proud to support this update, and why I believe it deserves the support of everyone in the House. This will help to move Canada forward, to move our businesses forward and to move many communities like Humber River forward to provide more opportunity for the many people who are struggling today and will clearly move forward in a much better way. I am thankful for the opportunity to speak to this issue today. I look forward to it getting through the House and off to committee, and eventually through Parliament and through the Senate.”

“We need to invest in infrastructure like the bridges leading to the port of Vancouver. If we do not fix them, we will not be able to move our goods to the port.”

“Mr. Speaker, the member was also a member of the international trade committee for many years. We have had the opportunity to work together and very much care about similar issues. We are looking at the infrastructure dollars and the improvements that have to happen at the ports. I read this morning about two bridges that lead to the port of Vancouver and how those bridges have to be replaced. Otherwise, we are not going to be able to get anything to the port of Vancouver from that direction. I believe the investment we are making will improve those access points. The member is 100% right: If we do not have access to the ports, how are we going to get our different goods there? I think that is all part of the plan for the future to make that difference.”

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“We are working with developers, provinces, and cities to build as many homes as possible. We need a lot more housing, and we are working as fast as we can to get it built.”

“Mr. Speaker, I know the member cares, as we all do, about ensuring that we can get much more housing out there, built by working with private developers and utilizing lots of land that are owned by different municipalities and provinces, and by us all coming together. I am very confident that we will have much more than that small amount that he referenced. The need is tremendous and we all know that. We are all doing everything possible to move things along as fast as we can.”

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“Developing the port of Churchill will cost a lot of money, but it gives us huge opportunities. Our government is investing in major trade and infrastructure projects to help move goods faster. This includes working on a trade deal with South America that we hope to sign by the summer.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see that my hon. colleague is feeling better and that he is back and standing up and down in his usual role in the House. It is interesting that he mentions the port of Churchill. We did have a former member of the NDP who was constantly talking about the port of Churchill. That is the reason why, when the hon. member mentions it, I am so very well aware of it. It will cost a lot of money, but there are enormous opportunities if we can develop. Through our Major Projects Office, all of those things where there are huge opportunities for us to move forward are making themselves available. I just had an opportunity, with our trade committee, to visit Brazil and Argentina and talk about the free trade agreement with the Mercosur area, which we plan to hopefully get signed by the summer. There are opportunities that are provided, with the investments we are making in major infrastructure products, to be able to move merchandise and agricultural goods through much faster. I look forward to that being successfully completed.”

“I support our economic plan because it invests heavily in our cities. People in Toronto are worried about high living costs and housing. We are spending money on public transit, building affordable rental homes, and funding community spaces and sports.”

“Mr. Speaker, Canadians are living through a moment of real uncertainty. Families are feeling the pressure of rising costs, communities are anxious about economic instability and people want to know the government has their back and is prepared to step up and invest in the future of our country. At a time like this, we cannot afford to pull back from our cities. We need to invest in them. This is exactly what our government has been doing. Toronto’s 23 Liberal members of Parliament have been strong advocates for this city because we understand how important Toronto is to Canada’s economic and cultural future, and our record reflects that. We have delivered historic federal investments in transit, housing, infrastructure and waterfront revitalization, including over $40 million for Harbourfront Centre and a tri-government commitment of roughly $1 billion for each level of government to the waterfront east transit project. These are investments in how people move through the city, where they live, how communities stay connected and whether families can continue to build a future in Toronto. Through the spring economic statement and budget 2025, our government is continuing to make targeted investments that strengthen communities, support local economies and help Canadians navigate a highly competitive and uncertain global economy with great stability and opportunity. Over the last few months, I have spent a lot of time in community centres, town halls, small businesses, school gyms and on the doorsteps of Spadina—Harbourfront. No matter where the conversation starts, it almost always comes back to the same thing: People are worried about whether life in the city is becoming unaffordable for ordinary people. A few weeks ago, I spoke with a young woman in my riding who wants to build her future here. She told me she has done everything she was told to do. She has worked hard, gone to school, built a career and taken care of her family, but she cannot imagine ever owning a home in the city where she has grown up. She told me that she does not need luxury and just wants stability. That feeling resonates with a lot of Canadians right now. People are not asking for miracles. They are asking for a fair shot at opportunities to improve their lives. In a city like Toronto, that pressure shows up everywhere. It shows up in the student working two jobs while trying to finish school. It shows up in the parent deciding between child care costs and rent. It shows up in seniors stretching fixed incomes further every month. It shows up in young professionals who thought they were doing everything right but still feel like stability keeps moving further out of reach. Everyone wants to know that if they work hard, then they can afford a home, raise a family, get a good-paying job and remain in the communities they love. Strengthening our economy requires hard work and must never come at the expense of Canadians. Now more than ever, Canadians need our support. Our government is focused on building a strong and resilient economy that keeps Canadians financially secure and ensures that no one is left behind. This is why the measures in the spring economic statement matter. I also hear from small business owners across Spadina—Harbourfront who are trying to keep their doors open while navigating rising operating costs, staffing pressures and economic uncertainty. Whether it is a café like Ivy on Queens Quay or a food truck operator at Street Eats at Sugar Beach, local businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. When we invest in transit, public infrastructure, tourism, housing, arts and culture, and vibrant public spaces, we are also investing in the local economies that those businesses rely on every single day. We know solving the housing crisis requires us to build differently and to build faster. That is why investments in modular and factory-built housing are so important. Canadians do not want endless debates about housing; they want homes built. Our government will be accelerating over $7 billion in low-cost loans through the apartment construction loan program to help build up to 16,500 new rental homes. Projects could include major waterfront and downtown developments, such as Quayside, which will help unlock new housing supply where it is needed most. In a community like Spadina—Harbourfront, where density is high and 57% of residents are renters, this investment will make a meaningful difference, helping more people find a place they can afford to call home. Our government is also launching the build communities strong fund, a $51‑billion investment to strengthen infrastructure and improve quality of life in communities across Canada. We are moving beyond concrete and construction to build communities where people actually feel a sense of belonging. In my riding, we see that every day in places like Harbourfront Centre, spaces that have become gathering points for our city, where families attend festivals, young people take part in sports and recreation, artists share their work and residents reconnect with public space along Toronto’s waterfront. Last week, I was pleased to join an announcement with the Secretary of State for Sport at Harbourfront Centre, recognizing it as one of the 25 community mini-pitch projects across Canada aimed at increasing sport participation among children and youth. Watching kids immediately run onto the pitch and neighbours stopping to connect with one another was a reminder that investments in community space have a real impact on people’s lives every day. This project builds on the investments outlined in the spring economic statement, including $660 million over five years with ongoing funding to strengthen community sport and create more opportunities for Canadians, especially children and youth, to participate, to connect and to thrive. For many residents in downtown Toronto, public space matters deeply because not everyone has access to a backyard, access to green space or even room to gather with family and friends. That is why spaces like the Bathurst Quay Common, the Toronto Islands, Love Park, Sugar Beach, Fort York, Little Norway Park, Ireland Park, Coronation Park, Trillium Park, Canoe Landing and The Bentway are so important. These are places where people build community, where children play, where families gather, where cultural events take place and where residents reconnect with the city and waterfront around them. They are also important economic and tourism assets for Toronto. Thoughtful public infrastructure attracts visitors, supports local businesses, encourages investment and strengthens the vibrancy of our downtown core. As Toronto continues to grow, protecting and investing in these public spaces will only become more important, not only for tourism and economic development, but for quality of life and the sense of connection people feel to the communities they call home. I want to speak specifically about The Bentway, because it reflects what strong public infrastructure can look like when we invest in community space with intention. What was once underutilized space beneath the Gardiner Expressway has been transformed into a destination that draws residents and visitors year-round through public art, cultural programming, recreation and community events. Today, The Bentway is a place where people skate in the winter, check out contemporary art and connect with friends and neighbours. These kinds of spaces encourage people to stay longer, explore different parts of the waterfront, support nearby businesses and experience Toronto in a more connected and meaningful way. Transit is not a luxury. It shapes people’s quality of life and whether parents can make it home in time to see their kids before bed. Transit shapes access to jobs, education, health care and opportunity. Strong public transit systems are one of the ways we make cities more affordable, more connected and more livable. This is why our government continues to invest in critical transit projects such as the Ontario line. Once it is complete, Spadina—Harbourfront will be home to five Ontario line stations: Exhibition, King West, Chinatown, Osgoode and Queen. We are also working alongside the province and the City of Toronto to jointly fund the waterfront east transit, because building transit requires collaboration across all levels of government. These projects are a critical component to connecting our community and linking residents in Spadina—Harbourfront and beyond to their jobs, families and homes. Toronto’s tourism sector has welcomed more than 28 million visitors, spending $9 billion in our city. With FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, Toronto, and in particular Spadina—Harbourfront, will welcome even more visitors. In fact, all six Ontario matches will be hosted on the vibrant waterfront in Spadina—Harbourfront. Toronto has a proud record of hosting international sporting events, from the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup to the 2015 Pan Am Games. Spadina—Harbourfront is home to some of Canada’s most recognizable destinations and sports and entertainment venues, like the Rogers Centre, or the SkyDome, Scotiabank Arena, the CN Tower, Union Station, our waterfront and Toronto’s financial district. It is also home to the teams and events that bring millions of people into our city every year, from the Toronto Blue Jays and the Raptors to the Toronto FC, the Maple Leafs and Toronto Tempo, among others. It has become one of the great sports and cultural cities in the world, and that economic activity matters for Canada. That is why our government will be investing $755 million over five years and $118 million ongoing to support Canada’s sports ecosystem and help strengthen our ability to host major international events. When we talk about growing our economy, Canada depends on strong local economies. Toronto’s business improvement areas, including the Waterfront BIA, play a major role in that work. The Waterfront BIA brings together businesses, tourism partners, cultural institutions and community organizations to help strengthen Toronto’s waterfront as a year-round destination for residents and visitors alike. This contributes to the economic growth across our city, and it builds on decades of sustained federal investment into Toronto’s waterfront and public infrastructure. Toronto’s 23 Liberal MPs have been strong advocates for this city because we understand its importance to Canada’s economic future. Our record reflects that commitment: historic investments in transit, housing, arts and culture, infrastructure and waterfront revitalization. The spring economic statement is ultimately about the kind of future we want to build together. Through budget 2025 and the spring economic statement, we are continuing to make targeted investments that strengthen communities, support local economies, attract global investment and ensure that cities like Toronto continue to grow and thrive.”

“Trade is very important to Canada's economy. Even though we have a small share of the world's population, we do a large share of world trade. I want the member to share her thoughts on how finding new trade partners helps build a stronger economy.”

“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate many of the comments that my colleague put on the record. There is one thing that I think is really important for us to recognize. She made reference to building a strong, healthy economy, an economy that is there for all Canadians, and that is something we want. Earlier, there was a discussion in regard to the importance of trade. Trade is so critically important to our nation. We make up, I believe, 0.5% of the world population, yet when it comes to international trade, we contribute 2.5% of world trade. The province of Ontario has a manufacturing industry second to no other in the country. Can the member provide her thoughts on just how important it is that we diversify our trade opportunities to help build a stronger, healthier economy?”

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“The Toronto Region Board of Trade is doing important work in my riding. They are helping local small businesses get ready for upcoming trade talks and grow our economy.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the fantastic question on how we think about diversifying our economy at this really challenging time. We have a phenomenal organization in our riding called the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Its home is actually in Spadina—Harbourfront. They are doing some very important ecosystem work right now to help prepare companies and small businesses to pivot so that they are ready as we move into the conversations about CUSMA and compliance. This is part of the work that is happening in our riding to make sure that we grow the economy and support local and small businesses in Toronto.”

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“People in my community are talking a lot about this expansion. I have not seen the details of the plan yet, so I cannot guess what will happen. We want to grow the economy, but we also need to balance that with other good uses for the waterfront.”

“Mr. Speaker, that is certainly a hot topic of conversation in our communities. I have recently hosted a number of town halls and had conversations with residents. Right now, I will say that I have not seen the plan, in terms of how the expansion might go forward, and I cannot speculate on something that I do not have the details on, but I do know that we are looking right now to think about how we strengthen and grow the economy. However, I truly want to talk about the incredible uses on the waterfront of a whole host of pieces, such as our institutions, and that is really critical to get that balance of uses right.”

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“Our government is doing its job by funding large building projects. I want to see the waterfront east transit project built, and we need to work with other governments to pay for the public transit we need.”

“Mr. Speaker, I believe our government is stepping up in the ways that it is best suited to. We can invest the capital that is required to build these massive projects. I spoke about waterfront east transit. That is a project that I am very excited to see come online. It is years overdue. In this work, our role as a federal government is to work alongside other levels of government to ensure that we are investing in and building out the transit that we need.”

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“I want the member to share her thoughts on affordability, including the tax break and the benefit program for groceries and essentials.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if the member could provide her thoughts in regard to the issue of affordability, whether it is the tax break or the groceries and essentials benefit program that the government has. I would like her thoughts on affordability.”

“I support this benefit because it helps people with food right now and starts a national plan to fix our food system.”

“Mr. Speaker, one of the pieces of the groceries and essentials benefit that I really love, in terms of a policy measure, is that we are having the conversation about a national food strategy. This means that we are not just doing the immediate piece, but we are actually thinking about how we invest in a food system that works for the country. I think that is really critical when we are addressing these pieces: the urgent needs, but also thinking about the systems.”