Debates of Oct. 4th, 2023

Carbon Pricing

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, what the hon. Leader of the Opposition refuses to understand is that one cannot have a plan for the future of the economy and jobs in this country if one does not also have a plan for the environment and to fight climate change.

That is what we have demonstrated over the past eight years, as we have seen emissions come down faster than any of our colleagues in the G7, as we continue to move forward in a way that both delivers affordability for families and jobs for the coming generations. These are the things that Canadians need for the future. That is what is our plan is delivering.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, what they need is affordable food and energy with a policy that lowers emissions, like we did, rather than raising taxes, like he does. Emissions are actually up. That is the great irony. Emissions are rising under the Prime Minister, which proves that he and his carbon tax are not worth the cost.

After eight years, can he not see the pain and suffering in the many streets where people are lined up to go into food banks because of his tax? Will he do the honourable and compassionate thing and vote with us today to axe the tax?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, what the hon. Leader of the Opposition continues to put forward is a plan to double down on oil and gas at a time when that is not going to build the careers, the future or the innovation Canadians need.

I was pleased to meet with a number of Albertan business leaders last night to talk about how we are going to work with them, including in the oil and gas industry, to reduce emissions and build a brighter future that includes great jobs for Albertans and workers in the energy sector right across the country.

We have a plan to fight climate change and grow the economy for the future. The Conservative Party has none.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the only thing the Prime Minister has is a second carbon tax that will apply to Quebec, with the support of the Bloc Québécois. That party wants to collect Quebeckers' money here in Ottawa with the federal government, while the leader of the Bloc Québécois is still on vacation. Why not burn some jet fuel?

Will the Prime Minister and his friend, the leader of the Bloc Québécois, cancel their travel plans and the carbon tax to protect the environment and Quebeckers' wallets?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are discussing serious issues for Canadians, such as their future and their jobs. The leader of the Conservative Party continues to make personal attacks.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Decorum is very important in this House. I would like to remind my colleagues that only one person must rise to speak. It is important that we respect that. We must behave in a way that is worthy of this chamber.

The right hon. Prime Minister.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we will always be there to support Canadians. We will always be there to work hand in hand with willing parties to build a stronger economy and protect the future of Canadians. That is what people expect. We take that very seriously in the House. Some members do not take this place seriously and would rather make personal attacks than engage in substantive debate. Canadians will be the judge of that.

I look forward to continuing to work with the Bloc Québécois, the New Democratic Party and the Green Party to build a stronger future for all Canadians, despite the Conservatives' games.

Housing

[Francesco Sorbara, Liberal, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are concerned about the cost of housing. While the Conservatives are letting partisan politics get in the way of important legislation that would increase the number of affordable units built in Canada, our government is working side by side with cities and the provinces to increase the housing supply.

Can the Prime Minister share with this House some of the concrete actions taken in my community of Vaughan by the government to fight the housing crisis?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the MP for Vaughan—Woodbridge for his hard work and his leadership. We are seeing the work of the housing accelerator fund in action. Yesterday, following a request from the Minister of Housing, Vaughan city council passed a bold housing resolution to unlock more affordable family-sized homes. We are excited to share that their plan has now been approved.

While the Leader of the Opposition's plan is to cut the accelerator fund, destroying the momentum we have built with cities like London and now Vaughan, we are going to continue to work to build more homes faster now.

The Economy

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I know the Conservatives love a history lesson, so let us go back in time to when the Conservatives were in power. Ground beef went up 128%, coffee went up 89% and bread went up by 60%, and the Conservatives' response was to give billions in tax giveaways to wealthy corporations. Now, after eight years of Liberals, food prices have also increased by 30%.

Now the Prime Minister's solution is to ask greedy CEOs nicely to stabilize their prices. When will he have the courage to take on the real problem, which is corporate greed?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian grocery bills are just too high. That is why we are taking immediate action.

We called the top CEOs to Ottawa to discuss how they can make groceries more affordable. Should they fail to show results, their inaction will have consequences. We are also moving forward on competition reforms, because we know increased competition is good for consumers. Unfortunately, the Conservative Party has chosen to obstruct debate on the competition reform bill, but we are going to continue to move forward, because that is what Canadians need.

Persons with Disabilities

[Mike Morrice, Green, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while the minister responsible for people with disabilities says it is going to be 18 more months until anyone receives the Canada disability benefit, Canadians with disabilities continue to disproportionately live in poverty across the country.

Like me, the Prime Minister has never had the experience of living under the crushing weight of legislated poverty, but he can do something about it. He could immediately introduce the disability emergency response benefit, as the disability community has called for. Will he do it?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I agree there is much more to be done in supporting Canadians with disabilities, but we have done a significant amount over the past years and we will continue to do so to address the ongoing barriers faced by persons living with disabilities.

We are focused on improving the lives of Canadians in the long term, and the historic Canada disability benefit is just one of the steps our government is taking. Our government is looking forward to doing the work directly with the disability community completely in the spirit of “Nothing about us without us.”

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

The member for Port Moody—Coquitlam is rising on a point of order.

[Bonita Zarrillo, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to ask for unanimous consent to make my statement over. There was some accidental walking in front of my shot earlier today. I would like to do it again.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Is there consent?

[Some hon. members]

No.

The House resumed from September 28 consideration of the motion.

Opposition Motion—Carbon Tax

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, September 28, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion of the member for Carleton related to the business of supply.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #416

Business of Supply

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I declare the motion lost.

Order. I would encourage members to continue their conversations outside the chamber.

I wish to inform the House that because of the deferred recorded division, Government Orders will be extended by 13 minutes.

[Blake Desjarlais, NDP, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a report on indigenous rights and justice, entitled “Indigenous Lobby Day 2023”, by the Canadian Labour Congress. It calls for safe drinking water for indigenous communities, immediate action on missing and murdered indigenous persons and honouring residential school children and their families. I ask for the consent of the House to table this report.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

All those opposed to the hon. member moving the motion will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.