Kent MacDonald

Mr. Speaker, that is a hard act to follow, but as we are dealing with climate change, and it continues to increase the frequency and severity of emergencies like flooding, wildfires and storms, it is critical that indigenous communities are recognized as equal partners in emergency preparedness and response efforts that keep community members safe. Can the Minister of Indigenous Services update [more]

Mr. Chair, I guess I better thank the Minister of Finance for the kind words. As Canada looks to strengthen domestic supply chains and transportation corridors, does the minister see untapped potential in Atlantic Canada's ports and harbours to support industries such as agri-food, storage and transportation, and even the broader national objectives of defence and economic resiliency?

C-30 Mr. Chair, I rise this evening to highlight the contributions of the new government in Billto the coastal communities of Prince Edward Island. Small craft harbours are places of employment for more than 1,200 fishers. For many, it is a way of life passed from one generation to the next, from setting day when family and friends line the wharf to wish harvesters a safe and prosperous season [more]

Thank you, Chair. Thank you to the witnesses. We've been tasked with trying to take a look at BRM, and we've been hearing from different witnesses. One evolving theme is the realities producers are facing. The BRM programs that are in place now aren't keeping up with those realities and a lot of things, such as severe weather, droughts and floods. The programs need some design change. I'll ask [more]

Is there any way of catching, in particular...? In our world today, the reality is that we have a migratory workforce, especially in regions like Atlantic Canada. We have a lot of workers who go to a province like Alberta, stay there for their productive years, pay tax, increase the balance sheet in Alberta and then return to Atlantic Canada for their retirement. This puts strains on our health [more]

Oh, I'm sorry. If I get another round, I'll ask the question.

Thank you. The Canada health transfer is a conditional transfer of funds. Can you quickly explain the difference among the transfers that your department handles? Some of them are conditional for the provinces, and some of them have no conditions attached.

Why are there more insolvencies in general? That was just something I noted, that now it's gone to proposals rather than bankruptcies.

In these proposals, then, if the bank is accepting 50 cents on the dollar, then CRA has to be in that same category: 50 cents on the dollar.

You pointed out that the Canada Revenue Agency has maybe not been a willing negotiator on these proposals. Are you recommending that government change the regulations to try to...?

I'll continue with a question for Professor Pugliese.

I'll question Mr. MacKenzie first. Mr. MacKenzie, we've heard a lot of testimony here at committee arguing that many owners of households may appear to be stable because of their accumulated home equity, but in practice they could be short on liquidity, and they're vulnerable to refinancing challenges and rising mortgage payments when they refinance, as well as the cost of insurance, taxes and [more]