International Trade  Mr. Speaker, Canada is an attractive place for African countries that are drawn by its bilingualism, its economic opportunities and its many top-notch institutions of higher learning. Last week the Prime Minister and many of his ministers were in Africa to develop new business opportunities.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Vancouver East for the question. We have not had a chance to work together, but I am looking forward to doing so. When I was the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, we heard a lot about the use of medical marijuana by veterans for their treatment.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, during the campaign and over the last year and a half, the importance of the agreement with our largest trading partner, the United States, came up on the doorsteps of the folks in my riding. This morning, the minister tabled that trade agreement, which has brought a lot of pride to Canada with respect to how we handled ourselves and what the return on the trade agreement will bring to our nations.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, it is not really a question, but I want to again thank my colleague across the away for the generous time he has always offered me, with respect to his good guidance and knowledgeable background. I have to say that he is a wealth of knowledge.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, the people of the south shore of Montreal are probably watching today and getting a kick out of the fact that my neighbour is sitting in the Speaker's seat. I am so proud to be your neighbour. First, I would like to thank the people of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, who on October 21 sent me back here with a larger level of support.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Madam Speaker, as this is the first time I am speaking in the 43rd Parliament, I would like to thank the citizens of Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne for their support again in this election, and of course my family, friends and volunteers. I listened to the member opposite's speech. I had the great pleasure of working with him in the 42nd Parliament on veteran affairs.

Centenary of the CN Railway  Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to mark an important milestone in Canadian history. On, June 6, 1919, 100 years ago today, Canadian National Railway was incorporated through an act of Parliament and set out on its journey to become the only transcontinental railway in North America.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Yellowhead for his advocacy. As the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Seniors, I know first-hand that abuse to seniors is a lot more prevalent than we probably know, and I want to thank him for bringing the bill forward.

Seniors  Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to improving the lives of seniors, and that is why we have reduced the age of eligibility for OAS and GIS from 67 to 65, keeping 100,000 seniors out of poverty. We increased the GIS for Canada's most vulnerable seniors by almost $1,000 per year.

Seniors  Mr. Speaker, our government values the contributions our seniors have made, and continue to make, to our communities. We have taken action to combat seniors' poverty since the day we were elected. Budget 2019 supports low-income seniors who work by increasing the earnings exemption for the GIS from $3,500 to $5,000.

Seniors  Mr. Speaker, seniors across Canada worked their entire lives. They deserve to have confidence in the future and to feel safe where they live. They deserve housing worthy of being called home. That is why our government came up with the first-ever national housing strategy for seniors.

Seniors  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question. We are thankful for the contributions of our seniors to our communities, workplaces and families. Therefore, I am pleased to have the opportunity to remind my colleague of all that the Government of Canada has done for seniors.

Leona Romanado  Mr. Speaker, yesterday was Mother's Day, and it was the first one without my mom. Leona Laurent Romanado passed away suddenly at the tender age of 67 on November 30. She was married to my dad for 49 years. Leona, or Lee, as she was known to her friends, was a stay-at-home mom who raised me and my two brothers.

Health  Mr. Speaker, our government has been working hard for seniors since the day we were elected. No one should have to choose between paying for prescriptions and putting food on their table. That is why budget 2019 establishes the Canadian drug agency that will work on developing a formulary and bulk buying prices for drugs, and negotiate drug prices to make prescription drugs more affordable for more Canadians.

Vincent Vaudrin, Isaël Vallée and Alexis Boivin  Mr. Speaker, on April 18, the École secondaire Monseigneur-A.-M.-Parent in Saint-Hubert became a certified “blue school” through the Communautés bleues project. This school in my riding is the first high school in the world to make this commitment to water issues. This certification is a dream come true for three students who succeeded in getting the school administration on board with their great idea.