Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Kings—Hants.

I am honoured to rise today for the first time to properly introduce myself as the proud member of Parliament for Spadina—Harbourfront. I thank my constituents for trusting me. In thousands of conversations during the campaign, they shared their stories, hopes and worries. I carry their voices with me every single day and will make sure that when decisions are made in this chamber, their voices are in the room and at the centre of all that I do.

I thank the volunteers and my team, who gave up evenings and weekends and braved the unpredictable April weather. They proved what we can achieve when we come together with purpose and a love for this great country. I thank my husband Ian for being my champion, grounding me in my values and always being my home. To my boys Sam and Ellis, the work I do each day is driven by my desire to create a better future for them, and this does not mean a bill for unlimited screen time.

As I stand in this chamber, I am reminded of the first time I walked through these doors in 2001, over 20 years ago. I had just launched McGill University's “Women in House” program because I believed more women deserved a seat right here in this House.

Today, I am a member of a caucus that is nearly 40% women. We have made real progress on dental care, child care, pharmacare and programs that invest in our communities.

I learned the power of collaboration as a parliamentary intern, learning from Libby Davies and the honourable Sheila Copps, and became a young staffer to former minister Carolyn Bennett, who taught me that good leaders ask good questions. These lessons guide me now, because real solutions start when we listen and build with people at the centre.

I am the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants. My family’s story, like those of so many across this country, began with hope. They left Vietnam dreaming of safety, dignity and opportunity for their children. They worked hard. They sacrificed. They built a life in a country that promised not only refuge, but belonging. Like so many newcomers, they gave back more than they ever took. Here, they found a home, a community that cared and a government compassionate enough to act, a government ready to invest in people, to build public systems and to make sure no one gets left behind.

I grew up running through the parks of Spadina—Harbourfront, shopping on Queen West and finding hidden gems in our local restaurants. I now raise my boys, Sam and Ellis, in the same community. I want them to grow up in a country where equity is not charity; it is strategy. When we widen the circle of opportunity, we grow the economy for everyone. The values that define Canada, such as fairness, opportunity and diversity, demand that when one of us struggles, we all step up.

Despite this, families are struggling to find affordable housing. Grocery prices are skyrocketing, and wages are not keeping pace with inflation. We are suffering from the impact of unfair U.S. tariffs and threats to our economic sovereignty and to Canadian jobs.

This is not the Canada I want to leave to my kids. My mandate from Spadina—Harbourfront is clear: build an economy that works for everyone by putting equity at its heart. That is why I am proud to be serving as part of this new Liberal government.

Affordable child care is economic infrastructure. For every dollar we invest, the return is measured in parents, especially mothers, re-entering the labour force, businesses gaining skilled talent and children gaining lifelong advantages. Our government’s $10-a-day child care program is one of the most transformational policies in decades. Equity builds our economy. When more women can work, GDP rises, tax revenue grows and families thrive. Every parent knows that child care is not a luxury; it is infrastructure. It is what makes everything else possible.

If we want to build a resilient, thriving Canada, we must start with the people who are raising our future generations. That means making sure families have not just support, but stability, starting with a roof over their heads. Housing is more than real estate; it is belonging. In ridings like Spadina—Harbourfront, the crisis is urgent. It affects families, seniors, students and newcomers. It demands bold, coordinated national leadership. That is why our government has committed to doubling the pace of housing construction, a truly transformational and generational ambition.

We believe that housing is a human right, not just a commodity.

Housing alone is not enough. People need to be able to move, connect and thrive in the communities they call home. Accessible, climate-smart transit connects people to work, school, health care and each other. When we talk about nation building, we must mean more than roads and towers. Let us build homes people can afford. Let us build transit systems that reflect the future we want to live in. Equity builds our economy. Every home built generates local jobs. Every transit line unlocks new markets and new opportunities.

I may be new to this chamber, but I am not new to this work. We are at a crossroads, and this is a moment that demands courage, care and clarity.

I know the road ahead will not be easy, but I did not come here for easiness. I came here to build Canada strong. I came here to make an impact. Let us all continue to work together to fight against the unjust tariffs and to make sure that we are taking clear steps to make life more affordable for Spadina—Harbourfront residents and all Canadians.

Chi Nguyen