Lloyd Longfield

[National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act, October 30th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, in 2022, there was $64.6 billion of foreign direct investment in Canada. That was up 13.6% over the 10-year average.

It is interesting to see that manufacturing, which I know is a big deal in Transcona and a big part of the Assistant Deputy Speaker's economy, was actually ahead of energy and mining. There was $15.5 billion of foreign direct investment in manufacturing.

The green energy projects the member mentioned were number two in the world.

In terms of the importance of having security as a main part of what our review is, to attract even more than the 682 companies that have come to Canada to make investments, could the hon. member comment on the importance of us displaying certainty around our security provisions so that we can build even more from where we are now?

[National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act, October 30th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I am thinking of the timing of this study. We have not reviewed this act since 2009. The FDI reports show Canada as a premier destination for foreign direct investment and that our direct investment has really increased in the last few years, mostly as a result of the forward-looking trade deals we have with many countries. In fact, we are now the only G7 country to have agreements with all other G7 countries.

Could the hon. member talk about the strategic importance of looking at this act now, compared to where we were in 2009?

[National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act, October 30th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I would like to build on the security aspect that the Investment Canada Act, as amended, would now provide, the additional security protections against foreign actors, such as China and Russia, that want to capitalize on Canada's technological advancements, our skilled workforce and the economy, which is really coming along compared to other nations and puts us at risk with respect to security.

Could the hon. member comment on how we are building our security through the amendments to the act that have come back to us?

[Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 2023, October 24th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I heard a lot more in the hon. member's speech about what Canada could sell to Ukraine than about what it means to Ukraine to have access to the Canadian market and have the benefit of more customers to help it develop its economy through the sale of goods, like steel and tools. It has done great work on rolling stock for railways.

Can the hon. member talk about the opportunity we are giving Ukraine to sell into our market to help it develop its market?

[Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 2023, October 24th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, my question is in terms of the benefit to Ukraine for Canada to be able to export to it, as well as for it to have open access to our market, and how that really helps Ukraine in its recovery methods.

[Parkinson's Disease, October 24th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, every day in Canada, 30 individuals are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson Canada has identified key priorities for the Parkinson's community to consider to better improve overall health and quality of life for those living with this degenerative brain disease.

By identifying gaps and improving training and knowledge transfer with qualified health care professionals, we can allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment. Examining the systemic issues and barriers in our health care system will determine the steps we can take to increase the number of health care practitioners available to support the people who are living with this disease. By advancing equitable access to care and improved treatments, we will ensure better quality of life for all Canadians living with Parkinson's.

Today, I am joining our member from Milton and Senator Stephen Greene to host Parkinson Canada on the Hill to hear from the voices of those working to help those diagnosed with Parkinson's and improve outcomes, in Wellington room 310, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

[Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, September 26th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his thoughtful intervention.

The affordable housing initiative that we are putting forward, with the removal of the GST on rentals, is part of our national housing strategy, which has a variety of different programs intended to reach different parts of the market. Removing the GST is the equivalent of a 5% reduction for developers to build rental units, so we can get more rental units into the marketplace. Now that the cost of interest has gone up, this would help decisions be made to have rental units created.

Could the hon. member comment on how important it is to have such a range of options in our housing strategy?

[Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, September 25th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, there were a couple of things I was listening for but did not hear, so maybe the hon. member can help clarify them for me. One is in terms of external competition. In August, Saudi Arabia cut a million barrels a day of oil out of production, which was about a 20% cut of the supply of oil. When one reduces supply, one increases prices, and that is what we are seeing now with nine billion barrels a day as current production driving up the price of oil. I did not hear much about external competitive factors.

Also, I was really hoping to hear something about the Competition Bureau and the role that independent organization plays in Canada to enforce the act we are discussing, as well as how having an independent review is such an important part of the process. Quite often I hear the other side saying it is all the government's fault, but really we have an independent review through the Competition Bureau. Maybe he could discuss that.

[Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, September 25th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, the review we have done, starting in 2022, has been a public consultation on the Competition Act. A couple of things we heard about are finding their way into this bill, but there is a lot more on the website to show the other things we have heard that we need to address with future legislation.

[Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, September 25th, 2023]

Madam Speaker, reducing the cost of a $500,000 unit by $25,000 would really give a developer the opportunity to move forward with plans it has to create more supply. Creating more supply in a marketplace such as ours would reduce the cost, because of supply and demand. We have a demand that is right now not being met by supply. If we meet supply with more units, automatically the market would adjust itself accordingly.