Mr. Speaker, before I start my speech, I would like to congratulate the hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot for his service to the House. I would also love to congratulate the Deputy Speaker on his appointment. I am sure the residents of Calgary Shepard are very proud and that he will do great work.

I will be splitting my time with the hon. Conservative member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith.

I rise today, with pride and responsibility, to speak to the government’s vision as shared in His Majesty’s Speech from the Throne. It is a plan built on hope, strength, and a deep belief in keeping Canadians safe, united and moving forward together. Today, the world is more uncertain and more difficult than it has been in many years, but our government is ready. We are focused on protecting what matters most to Canadians: their safety, their values and their way of life.

As the MP for Surrey Newton, I talk every day with hard-working Canadians in mosques, churches, mandirs, gurdwaras, community halls and small businesses. People are proud of Canada, but they are also worried. They are worried about the cost of living, housing and crime in their neighbourhoods, and they are worried about ensuring immigration remains fair and manageable. Today, I will speak to how our government is addressing those concerns with real action to strengthen public safety, improve affordability, grow our economy and manage immigration responsibly.

Canadians are feeling the pressure of rising costs. That is why our government is taking concrete steps to make life more affordable. We will introduce tax relief that will help nearly 22 million Canadians, saving families up to $800 per year. This will allow Canadians to save more of their hard-earned money and put it back into their homes, families and communities.

To help tackle the housing crisis, we are eliminating the GST on all new homes up to $1 million for first-time homebuyers and also reducing the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes between $1 million and $1.5 million. This targeted support will help more Canadians achieve their dream of home ownership and ease demand in the market.

Public safety remains a top priority. When people feel safe, they can build better lives and stronger communities. We are giving police and border officers better tools to fight modern crimes. We are hiring 1,000 new RCMP officers across the country to address gang violence, drug trafficking and gun crimes. These officers will provide frontline support where it is needed most.

We are changing laws to prevent stolen vehicles and illegal goods from being exported, targeting the profits of organized crime. We are also using modern tools, such as drones, scanners, helicopters and police dogs, to intercept dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, and illegal firearms before they reach our streets.

To protect victims of domestic violence, anyone who has assaulted a partner or is under a court order will be barred from possessing firearms. We are making bail harder to obtain for repeat offenders involved in serious crimes, such as car theft, drug smuggling or human trafficking.

In response to the growing threat of foreign interference, our government is taking action to protect Canadians and safeguard our institutions. We have introduced new measures to increase transparency, strengthen intelligence oversight and ensure that those who seek to undermine our country’s values and public confidence are held accountable. Canada must remain a place where people are free from intimidation and foreign influence.

Canada is a country built by immigrants. People from all over the world have come here for a better life, and together, they have built the Canada we are proud of today. Our immigration system must be fair and manageable. Right now, immigration growth is outpacing the capacity of our schools, hospitals, housing and job markets. That puts stress on everyone, including newcomers and long-time Canadians. To restore balance, we will limit the number of temporary foreign workers and international students to below 5% of Canada’s total population by 2027.

We are not stopping immigration, but we are making sure that it works properly. We want newcomers to succeed. That means making sure that there are enough homes, enough teachers, enough doctors and enough jobs. We will continue to welcome skilled newcomers such as doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, drywallers, plumbers, electricians and other technical workers. We will improve the recognition of their credentials so that they can contribute to the economy in a faster way. We are also calling on talented Canadians living abroad to return home. Their energy and experience are vital to building Canada’s future.

Immigration is not a federal issue alone. We will work closely with provinces, municipalities and community organizations to ensure that these changes are successful. A strong and secure economy is the foundation of everything we do. While the United States remains a key partner, we must diversify our trade relationships. That is why we are building new economic partnerships in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Diversifying trade helps Canadian businesses grow, reduces risk and strengthens our economy for the future.

In Surrey Newton and across Canada, this means more opportunity for exporters, small businesses and workers, and a more resilient, globally connected economy. These are not easy decisions, but they are the right ones. We are not choosing between compassion and safety. We are choosing both. We want a Canada that is welcoming and fair, secure and strong, affordable, and full of opportunity for our young people.

When His Majesty opened Parliament, he reminded us of the enduring strength and promise of Canada. That Canada is still here, but the world has changed. We must respond. Let us work together, across party lines, to build a Canada that is safe, fair and prosperous, for this generation and the next. Let us show our future generations that we met challenging times with courage, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility.

Sukh Dhaliwal

$624,015.00