Darrell Samson

[Democratic Institutions, December 16th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, the government is committed to protecting and strengthening Canada's democracy. We look forward to the ongoing work of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, including the commissioner's final report in December. The government will review the report in due course. In the meantime, the government continues to take steps to counter foreign interference. This includes proposed amendments to the Canada Elections Act, recently introduced through Bill C-65. I look forward to the ongoing engagement with members of the House as we consider potential changes to further protect and strengthen our Canadian democracy.

I want to wish my colleagues and everybody in the House happy holidays. We will see them in the new year.

[Democratic Institutions, December 16th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today to speak about the important issue of combatting foreign interference in our democratic institutions. It is a little ironic for my colleague to talk about political interests in matters of national security when his leader still will not get his security clearance to learn more about foreign interference taking place in his party.

Since coming to office, our government has taken a range of measures to address the threats of foreign interference, such as amending the Canada Elections Act in 2018; creating both the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians; standing up a range of initiatives to strengthen our electoral system against cyber and other threats through the plan to protect Canada's democracy in advance of the 2019 election; and building upon and further strengthening that plan in the advance of the 2021 election.

Bill C-65 would ensure key protections against foreign interference are not limited to the election period; ban intentionally false and misleading statements about election activities or the voting process to disrupt an election or its results; prohibit contributions through money orders, prepaid gift cards or crypto assets, the source of which can be difficult to trace; and introduce new third party contribution rules to increase transparency and mitigate the so-called dark or foreign funds from entering the system. If passed, these amendments would continue the cycle of continuous improvements to Canada's electoral process. Members will have a chance to study the amendments proposed in Bill C-65 and we look forward to the discussions that will follow.

[Season's Greetings, December 16th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, do not worry, my voice carries very well in this chamber.

The holiday season is here and I have been getting into the Christmas spirit. I have been doing my Christmas shopping at some of the fantastic craft markets right across Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of joining the community of Fall River for its annual Christmas tree lighting. My grandkids and I enjoyed a pancake breakfast with Santa Claus at Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre during his visit.

We thank the volunteers of Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook and across Canada for their incredible generosity and stewardship. Their kindness truly embodies the spirit of the season.

I wish everyone Happy holidays.

[Business of Supply, December 9th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I have to say that my colleague made some good points.

He recognized that a combination of measures is needed to achieve the objective of addressing the housing crisis. Let us not forget that the Conservative Party members are saying that they have the best strategy. They are going to get rid of all the other strategies that we proposed and that are on the table today. However, the mayors are thanking us for introducing them. I recognize the jurisdictional issue, but a Canadian is a Canadian. To keep from wasting time, they need to work closely with the federal and provincial governments to achieve the goal of building housing quickly.

Does my colleague agree that the Conservative Party members should not be muzzled? We know that they are not allowed to talk about this.

[Privilege, December 9th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is a hard-working MP, and I appreciate that. However, I have to be honest. I am surprised that the Conservatives decided to talk about housing today, especially when their leader has clearly indicated that he intends to cut the accelerator program, as well as the housing infrastructure program. The accelerator program is going to build over 750,000 homes in the next decade. That is quite impressive.

Canadians can see what is happening. There is a trend. The Conservatives are now voting against many great programs, including the school food program, the child care program, the dental program and the pharmacare program. Canadians know where the Conservatives would make their cuts.

Is the member one of the MPs who has the gag order or has been silenced regarding speaking about all the good things the accelerator program has brought and will bring to Canadians?

[Questions on the Order Paper, December 6th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed over $46 million towards connectivity initiatives in Prince Edward Island. The $20-million partnership with the Government of Prince Edward Island is being allocated to projects that provide coverage to areas not serviced by other ongoing connectivity initiatives.

With regard to parts (a), (b), (d), (f) and (g) of the question, details of projects approved under the $20-million partnership will be available once negotiations with Prince Edward Island and the recipients are complete.

With regard to part (c), details of projects approved under the $20-million partnership will be available once negotiations with Prince Edward Island and the recipients are complete. It is expected that approximately 2,000 homes will be connected as a result of this funding partnership.

With regard to part (e), the minister may declare a default under the agreement in the event of a recipient not meeting the performance metrics, the timeline or any requirements outlined in the funding agreement. The minister may, at their discretion, notify the recipient of the issue and allow 15 business days to resolve it or prove corrective action. If not addressed, the minister may declare an event of default. If the minister declares that an event of default has occurred, the minister may exercise any one or more of the following remedies: suspend any further payments to the recipient under the agreement, including payments in respect of claims that may have been received by the minister prior to the date of the minister’s declaration of default; terminate the agreement, including any obligation to make further payments to the recipient under the agreement; require the recipient to repay all or part of the contribution that has been paid to the recipient, together with interest from the date of demand for repayment; and/or any other remedy available to the minister under the law.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, December 4th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports of the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, or APF: the reports respecting its participation in two parliamentary missions to the United Nations in New York, United States of America, on February 22 and 23, 2024, and from April 3 to 5, 2024; the report respecting the Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians in Doha, Qatar, on June 26 and 27, 2024; the report concerning the bureau meeting, the 49th annual session and the 10th edition of the APF's Francophone Parliament of Youth, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from July 4 to 9, 2024; and the report concerning the 39th regional assembly of the APF's America Region, in Toronto, Canada, from August 7 to 9, 2024.

[Conservative Party of Canada, December 2nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that the Conservative leader has a talent for saying one thing and doing another. Conservatives love to wrap themselves in the flag of tax cuts, but last week they voted against our tax break. That is right; the Conservative leader said no to putting more money back in the pockets of Canadians. Canadians are wondering whether Conservatives believe in affordability or whether it is just a sound bite for their YouTube channel.

The government believes in action, not slogans. While Conservatives oppose solutions, we will keep delivering for Canadians.

[Veterans' Week, November 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today in recognition of Veterans' Week.

Over the past nine years, our government has made the well-being of veterans and their families a top priority. We have invested over $11 billion to provide new and enhanced services for veterans. We have reduced wait times and improved quality. We have reduced veterans' homelessness in Canada. We have supported veterans facing mental health challenges and other service-related injuries and illnesses. We have ensured that the families and caregivers of veterans are taken care of. We have recognized the unique needs of the women and 2SLGBTQI+ veterans.

We know that there is much more to be done. By collaborating with veterans, other levels of government, not-for-profits and other stakeholders, we can ensure that veterans can live with the dignity and the respect that they have earned and that they deserve for their services through the dedication to our great country. Lest we forget.

We will remember them.

[The Economy, November 1st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, what are the Conservatives talking about right now? They are talking about making cuts. The question is, what cuts is he going to be making with his leader and his government? They want to make cuts to child care. They want to make cuts to $10-a-day day care. They want to make cuts to dental care. They want to make cuts to pharmacare. I even heard that they are going to move the retirement age from 65 to 67. No, I heard 67, 68, 69. What is it?

Let us have the real truth. They should share it with Canadians: How many cuts are they going to make? Where are they making the cuts? We are ready; we want to hear. Canadians want to know where they are going to make those cuts.