- Member of Parliament
- President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada
Minister of Emergency Preparedness
Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
- Liberal
- Vancouver South
- British Columbia
- Voting Attendance: 57%
- Expenses Last Quarter: $65,993.28
- Government Page
- Jun/3/24 3:11:17 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, extreme weather events are increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters, but often, I hear my colleagues across the floor downplay or even deny the reality of climate change and its effects on Canadians. They would rather claim that wildfires are caused by arson. Last year, 59% of Canada's wildfires were the result of lightning strikes. We owe it to the Canadians who were impacted and to the thousands who were already displaced this year to acknowledge the reality of climate change.
Our government has invested more than $10 billion to help communities better prepare and adapt to climate change, and we are proudly continuing our work to limit our emissions.
115 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- May/21/24 3:20:00 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for raising those concerns directly with me, and we responded. Other ministers in other departments responded very quickly. I also spoke with my counterpart within the province to look at the issues. We are speaking with the telecommunication companies to look at how we can look at a longer-term solution and also emergency solutions, and making sure that communication stays.
69 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- May/3/24 12:14:09 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank all the wildland firefighters, who have done amazing work. We have been working very closely with provincial counterparts to address this issue, but one thing to make clear is that, in fact, we care very deeply about the work that they are doing. That is why we increased the tax credit for the volunteer firefighters as well.
We will do everything possible to make sure we support them.
78 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Apr/19/24 11:47:01 a.m.
- Watch
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for his very strong advocacy on flood protection.
We know of the devastating impacts that climate change is having on Canadians. Insurance companies are paying out billions of dollars, and those costs are being passed on to Canadians, making it even more expensive to own homes. With budget 2024, we are increasing our investments on a a national, low-cost, flood insurance program. Over the next year, we will work with the provinces and territories to put this program in place.
We will be there for Canadians when climate change impacts their lives.
101 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Apr/16/24 3:11:41 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, last year, we had the worst wildfire season in Canadian history because of climate change, and potentially this season could be even worse. We have been working very closely with the provinces and territories and indigenous leaders to provide the resources they need. We are training more firefighters, providing additional firefighting equipment and adding more initiatives to provide humanitarian support.
On this side of the House, we know the devastating impact that climate change is having on Canadians and we will be there for them.
87 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/29/24 3:13:41 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, in fact, actually, we are taking immediate action, taking lessons learned not only from last year but also from previous years.
First and foremost, we need to make sure that all the resources that have been put in place go directly to fighting wildfires, that is, to the local levels. We have already trained approximately 500 firefighters, putting in place more personnel to support the recovery.
Yes, we are reviewing the overall national system as well.
For any support that we provide, we are going to make sure that it actually has the maximum impact.
97 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/8/24 3:02:51 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the members of Parliament from Nova Scotia who have kept me informed so we can make the appropriate and timely decisions to get the support to the people in need.
Parks Canada leveraged the crucial snow removing equipment, and we did that within hours. I also want to thank our partners like the Canadian Coast Guard and Team Rubicon that rapidly put people on the ground to help their neighbours get out from under the snow. Over 500 people were made available to provide this support.
93 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/5/24 3:04:27 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the members of Parliament who kept me updated yesterday on the significant snowfall in Nova Scotia. We received a request for assistance from the Nova Scotia government late last night, which is something I approved. I am happy to report that search and rescue crews have been working all weekend. Heavy equipment for snow clearing from Parks Canada has been made available, as well as transportation support from the Coast Guard. Our humanitarian workforce will provide additional support as well.
87 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Jan/30/24 11:25:51 a.m.
- Watch
Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that Thursday, February 1, shall be an allotted day.
18 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/11/23 2:34:34 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, wildfires have ravaged our country. In the Northwest Territories, towns were almost burned down. We had to evacuate the capital city of the Northwest Territories. What did the Conservatives do? They voted against the measures that fight against climate change, and they voted against the measures to support Canadians in their time of need as well.
58 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/6/23 3:18:38 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, our nation has been dealing with significant wildfire seasons because of climate change, and it is impacting the most vulnerable, especially when it comes to our indigenous communities.
Every time I have gone to visit the disaster-affected areas, I do meet with the indigenous communities. One of the things that we are looking at is making sure that we use their knowledge, in terms of the mitigation, and making sure that we have the appropriate response force.
We are going to get this right by making sure that the indigenous have the support to actually support us in our wildfire response.
104 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Dec/5/23 3:12:53 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, in fact, just yesterday, I was in West Kelowna visiting the firefighters after the devastating wildfires that happened in West Kelowna and all across British Columbia. We talked about many different measures for firefighters that we will be supporting, in addition to the training of 1,000 firefighters.
We have a lot of options currently on the table, but no doubt about it, we will be supporting our firefighters.
71 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Nov/22/23 3:24:29 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the devastating wildfires in the Northwest Territories caused an extremely large evacuation and impacted many homes. I visited the area. I am speaking with my counterpart on what the actual needs are. I also visited indigenous communities. Infrastructure, including roads and even telecommunications lines, is the topic we are currently discussing. We will make sure that the north gets the support it needs.
65 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 9:59:19 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Chair, many families, including my own, have very similar stories to this. I was 14 years old at that time, and I remember trying to serve my country in the military and constantly being attacked and being accused of being a terrorist. Fortunately for me, I had ability as a police officer and status as a member of the military. However, many Canadians do not have that, and every time they stand up for human rights, they are called out.
One of the things we will always do is stand up for fundamental human rights. We will also stand up for the rule of law in our own country.
110 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 9:57:35 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Chair, I think the official opposition's silence speaks loudly right now in comparison to the voice it had when it came to the foreign interference of one particular country. Hardeep Nijjar's family and son would understand the Sikh values of fighting for others' rights very well.
We should not let this incident just be about one country. This is a message to all communities that our country and our government will stand together. It is a message to the Chinese community, Iranian community and many others that are feeling the anxiety of this. At the same time, hopefully, they are listening to the silence of one particular party as well.
113 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 9:54:55 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Chair, Canadians have been coming here to Canada, to these lands, for a better life and better protection, whether it was 300 years ago, as I said, or even 30 years ago. When we come together, we learn from one another. Multiculturalism is thriving. We celebrate our diversity; however, we also celebrate where we came from. I am personally very proud of the fact that I was born in the small village of Bombeli in India.
I too have concerns about human rights violations, not only in India but also all over the world. I stood up very strongly, and still do to this day, to Russian aggression in Ukraine. In Canada, we have the opportunity to stand up for human rights, because that is what Canada represents. Our message to all the first generations who are born here, who have not seen the history and the past of where their families have come from, is that they should not take for granted what we have here. That is what we are talking about and protecting today.
178 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 9:50:20 p.m.
- Watch
Madam Chair, I will be sharing my time with the member for Windsor—Tecumseh.
Canada offers a promise to live in a democracy where fundamental rights are safeguarded and guaranteed. That is why Canada is home to so many Canadians who have come from every corner of our planet, with many proudly represented in this House. They come to Canada because they know that we protect the rights of minorities and that Canadians have the right to express their views peacefully. Standing up for human rights should not label one as a terrorist.
Canadians understand that this country thrives because we listen to each other and work together, even when we disagree. I would say especially when we disagree. I have always said that it does not matter if one came to this country 300 years ago, 30 years ago or three years ago; we are all immigrants to this land. Only the first nations of these lands can say these lands were their original home. As Canadians, we share a common value. We are stronger when we learn from each other and peacefully share different ideas. It is crucial that these principles be safeguarded.
The potential involvement of the Indian government and the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is a grave violation of our sovereignty. It goes against the principles that we hold so dear. The perpetrators of the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar need to be brought to justice, and protecting the integrity of the investigation is crucial. I want to thank the law enforcement and intelligence agencies for the work they are doing on behalf of Canadians. Our government keeps working to modernize and enhance Canada's security and intelligence organizations, and we are providing them with the tools to take action and disrupt foreign interference and threats. I have complete confidence in their work, and I know that they will do everything in their power to protect Canada's sovereignty.
As we move through this extremely difficult time, my message to Canadians who were originally born in India, or whose families originally came from there, is to stress that calm, kindness and unity are of the utmost importance right now. I say this to Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and more. Let us not give a foreign state an opportunity or reason to point a finger at us. Those who seek to undermine Canada's sovereignty will do and say things to delegitimize and undermine our existence as Canadians. To that I say the following: Whatever our faith, we are Canadian; whatever the colour of our skin, we are Canadian. We are Canadian, and Canada is a free and strong democracy.
449 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/19/23 6:32:50 p.m.
- Watch
moved:
That this committee take note of the allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen.
27 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/18/23 3:19:56 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleague on this. I look forward to meeting with her and listening to her ideas.
Every time we have had an emergency and disaster across this country, year after year our folks have continually learned and applied those lessons regularly. This year in particular, we have had floods, wildfires and even hurricanes at our doorsteps. We will learn from them and put the appropriate resources in place. I will be focusing on making sure we have the right resources at the right place at the right time.
96 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Sep/18/23 3:18:52 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that climate change is having a devastating impact across the country, and especially in British Columbia. The member opposite and I toured Osoyoos together and saw the impacts directly, where a wildfire was close to a neighbourhood. It was just one metre away. We thank all the firefighters for their amazing work. We need to make sure we have the right resources at the right place at the right time, and that is what we are committed to doing.
86 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- menumenu
- notificationsnotifications
- home
- mailmail
- searchsearch
