Honourable senators, today I ask for your support in passing Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 22, 2016 and other measures.

As you know, this bill implements provisions of the government's budgetary measures to grow the middle class and drive economic growth. Bill C-15 delivers on many of the government's key policy commitments to Canadians. The public expects and deserves to see these elements of the budget enacted in a timely fashion.

To do that, we must pass Bill C-15. The bill reflects the democratic will of Canadians and their desire for more inclusive economic growth. Bill C-15 will make an immediate difference in people's lives. At a time when many Canadians are struggling, this legislation takes the essential step to grow the middle class and revitalize our country's economy. It will make our country more fair and prosperous.

For example, a cornerstone of this legislation is the new Canada child benefit, designed to assist families with the high cost of raising children. This benefit is simpler, tax free and more generous than the existing federal benefits. Nine out of ten Canadian families will receive higher monthly benefits and hundreds of thousands of children will be lifted out of poverty.

This benefit will mean more for families, and they will be able to afford to send their kids to camp this summer or put them in hockey or music lessons in the fall and to support their children in their day-to-day needs.

To ensure that hardworking Canadian families receive the support they deserve, it is incumbent upon us to pass this legislation as quickly as possible.

In addition to helping young families, the government is committed to providing support to older and more vulnerable Canadians by enhancing the suite of programs designed to help retirees.

It is worth mentioning today that the Minister of Finance reached an historic accord on the enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan with provincial finance ministers last night, which will give future retirees the same security in their years that previous generations have enjoyed.

Within Bill C-15, the government is taking action to help vulnerable seniors by increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the so-called GIS, by 10 per cent. For single seniors, many of whom are women, the increase of about $947 per year will make a significant difference in their quality of life. As with the proposed Canada child benefit, we must pass this bill in order for them to see these gains in their life.

As we all know, the past year has been volatile for the Canadian economy, especially in the resource-dependent regions of our country. Again, to help those regions, and indeed the country, deal with difficult times, Bill C-15 makes important changes to improve the employment insurance system. Changes to eligibility rules will facilitate access to benefits for workers and those reentering the workforce.

To ease the burden, the government will extend EI benefits in regions affected by the collapsed price of oil and other commodities. This will help persons struggling in parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, northern Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The waiting period for benefits will also be reduced from two weeks to one week, meaning less hardship at a very difficult time for so many Canadians. Again, I ask you to pass this legislation to ensure these benefits can be delivered to Canadians in a timely fashion.

For veterans, the budget restores critical access to services. For disabled veterans, it ensures their long-term financial security. In addition, Canadian veterans will be able to access more local, community-based services plus improved access to case managers.

The budget also invests in effective tax enforcement. This means reducing tax evasion, addressing unintended tax advantages and improving the integrity of our tax system.

Bill C-15 further maintains our world-renowned financial sector by strengthening regulations affecting our financial institutions. This means balancing the need for stability and competition with the needs of consumers and businesses.

Honourable senators, these policies, which we have studied in detail in this chamber and at committee, will be critical to Canada's long-term success. Moreover, the budgetary policies will make Canada more fair and prosperous by growing the middle class and revitalizing the economy. That is the plan Canadians chose for their future.

I believe it is our responsibility to act quickly to pass Bill C-15 to ensure that the benefits of which I spoke can reach their intended beneficiaries as soon as possible. Let's do the right thing and make this bill a law.