Bill C-13

An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

This enactment implements the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, done at Auckland and Bandar Seri Begawan on July 16, 2023, by updating how that Agreement is defined or referred to in certain Acts and by amending other Acts to bring them into conformity with Canada’s obligations under that Agreement and Protocol.

Business of the House

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I think we will have to ask CPAC which of the two of us more people tune in to see, because both of us, as the member well knows, tend to be very lovable and appreciated by all Canadians as we talk about the Thursday question.

I will say, in response to my hon. friend, that we will be coming back next sitting week to Bill C-9, which I know was a solemn election commitment by his party as well as mine. I know we all look forward to protecting community centres, temples, synagogues and mosques in Canada. These are obviously important things, especially as we watch the conflict in the Middle East.

We will continue the debate at third reading of Bill C‑13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Tomorrow, we will resume debate at second reading of Bill C‑20, an act respecting the establishment of Build Canada Homes.

As I said, when we return from our constituency week, on Monday, March 23, priority will be given to the very important Bill C-9, the combatting hate act, and of course Bill C-8, the cybersecurity legislation, which is essential for Canada in these days of online risks.

Finally, Tuesday, March 24, shall be an allotted day.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, I cannot think of anyone better or anyone who listens more attentively and regularly to farmers than the current Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The minister, I know, will be continuing his extremely hard work in representing their interests and reassuring them about the coming planting and growing season on the Prairies. We are going to absolutely look after our farmers from coast to coast to coast, including those very hard-working farmers on the Prairies. We will, of course, be addressing this issue as we return to Parliament after the break week next week, when members will be in their constituencies serving their constituents.

This afternoon, however, we will resume debate at third reading of Bill C‑15, budget 2025 implementation act.

Tomorrow, we will begin debate at second reading of Bill S‑2, with respect to new registration entitlements.

When we return from our constituency week on Monday, March 9, we will consider Bill C-20, the Build Canada Homes act, at second reading, and on Tuesday and Wednesday, we will consider Bill C-13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and Bill C-18, which would implement the comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Canada and Indonesia.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I wish you and your constituents a very good constituency week.

International Trade

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on International Trade in relation to Bill C-13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. The committee has studied the bill and has decided to report the bill back to the House with an amendment.

Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Act

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians elected a minority government, and Conservatives fully respect the democratic will of the electorate. That is why, as His Majesty's loyal official opposition, we will carry out our constitutional responsibilities within the House.

On some matters, we will oppose the government as the official opposition, which is a constitutionally mandated role in a Westminster parliamentary democracy. On other matters, we will support the government, seeing as Canadians did not give the government a majority, which requires the opposition to play a role in moving certain matters forward in the House.

Conservatives respect the democratic will of Canadians as expressed in the last election. The government needs to do the same. That means the government needs to understand that, on certain bills in front of the House, we will oppose the government, and on other bills in front of the House, we will support the government.

It is not reasonable for the government to expect the opposition in the House to support it in all and any bills that it brings before the House. That would undermine the constitutional role the official opposition has in holding the appointed executive to account.

The Conservatives support Bill C-18, just as we supported Bill C-13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and just as we have supported many other bills over the past year in this Parliament.

We have supported the following six government bills: Bill S-2, an act to amend the Indian Act; Bill S-3, an act to amend the Weights and Measures Act and other acts; Bill C-4, an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians; Bill C-5, an act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act; and Bill C-12, the strengthening Canada's immigration system and borders act.

Recently, we agreed that we would expedite the study and passage of Bill C-14, the bail and sentencing reform act. We have been clear that good ideas in the interest of Canadians will win our support. Including the bill in front of us today, we have supported eight government bills in this Parliament just in the last year.

The Conservatives support Bill C-18, an act to implement the comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Canada and Indonesia, because we support diversifying our trade with other partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

This agreement would eventually reduce tariffs on 97% of Canadian exports destined for Indonesia. However, the government procurement in this trade agreement requires further scrutiny. Indonesian firms could bid on Canadian contracts, but Canadian firms could only bid on Indonesian government procurement if it is expressly opened. Indonesian government procurement is largely closed.

Other trading partners of Canada secured better agreements with Indonesia on government procurement rules, including the United Arab Emirates and the European Union. The European Union also negotiated a commitment to begin market access negotiations. Canada has no specific timeline to begin negotiating market access. For Canada, market access is left to further negotiations and no published coverage schedules.

However, Conservatives will support passing Bill C-18 to committee, but we would scrutinize the effectiveness of this agreement and point to ways that it could be better utilized.

I would like to conclude my remarks on our support for this bill by adding the following: Just signing trade agreements is not enough to diversify our trade away from our main trading partner.

To capitalize on these trade agreements and these investment deals, the Government of Canada needs to do two other things. These are two things that the government has not been doing and that, if left undone, would prevent us from significantly diversifying trade away from our largest trading partner.

The first thing we need to do is make Canadian goods and services more competitive to buyers in Asia and in Europe. Over the last decade, the Canadian economy has become uncompetitive, and many of our goods and services are no longer desired by buyers in Asia and in Europe. The trade data bears this out.

In the year 2000, Canadian exports, expressed as a per cent of our gross domestic product, were 42%. In 2024, the last year for which we have data, our global exports, expressed as a per cent of our GDP, had dropped to 33%, which is a 9% drop. Clearly, our products and services are not as desirable to foreign buyers as they once were. That is because the Canadian economy has become uncompetitive and over-regulated.

Our tax system has become a completely Byzantine mess, and this includes both the personal and corporate income tax system. We need to overhaul competition policy to make our economy more competitive. We need to eliminate regulation and the regulatory overburden that is strangling our competitiveness. We need to overhaul our personal and corporate income tax system in the same ambitious way that we once did in 1971 and in 1986. The government has introduced none of these types of reforms to get our economy moving and to make our goods and services more desirable for buyers in Asia and Europe.

The second thing we need to do is increase the physical capability of exporting more goods and commodities to global markets via the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Currently, we do not have the capacity to significantly increase exports of commodities or goods via our country's largest ports. The port of Vancouver, which is our largest port and a federal entity, is woefully inefficient. According to a Standard & Poor's global study that was commissioned in 2024 by the World Bank, the port of Vancouver ranked 389 out of 403 global ports for efficiency. It is critical to have sufficient trade corridor infrastructure to significantly increase the export of commodities and goods via our ports to Asia or Europe.

Here is another example of a lack of trade corridor infrastructure: Canada is the largest high-income nation in the world without a comprehensive national highway system, and by highway, I mean an autobahn, an expressway or an autoroute, a system that would run from coast to coast, be entirely grade-separated, have no cross-traffic and have four or more lanes, two or more in each direction, allowing travel that is unimpeded by traffic signals, driveways, stop signs or intersections.

I encourage anyone listening to go to Google Maps to map out the fastest way from Halifax to Vancouver or from Toronto to Vancouver. Every single route will route us through the United States of America, through the U.S. interstate system, which is faster and more efficient than any highway system we have in this country. That is just one example of the lack of trade corridor infrastructure that prevents us from significantly diversifying trade beyond that with our largest trading partner.

Again, the government has introduced no real plans to significantly expand trade corridor infrastructure or improve its efficiency.

As I said, we support Bill C-18, just as we have supported seven other government bills in the House. However, simply signing trade agreements will not do much to diversify our trade unless the government does the necessary work here in this country to make our economy more competitive and ensure that the essential infrastructure is in place to export our goods and resources to global markets.

Business of the House

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the chief opposition whip, for at least the festive part of that statement. If he wants to stand and propose that Bill C-14 be read at all stages and passed, we will absolutely support that on this side of the House.

Before discussing the business of the House, I would like to join with my hon. colleague and take this opportunity to thank all members of Parliament and their staff, who work hard every day for Canadians, whether here in the House of Commons or in their ridings.

I would also like to wish very happy holidays and a merry Christmas to all those who help us here in the parliamentary precinct: the clerks, the pages, the interpreters and the members of the Parliamentary Protective Service.

Many of them are residents in my own riding of Gatineau, which I continue to be very proud to represent in this House.

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and I believe you would find unanimous consent in the House for the following motion:

That, notwithstanding any standing order, special order or usual practice of the House: (a) Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, be deemed read a third time and passed on division, and that the opposition of the Member for Saanich—Gulf Islands be noted; (b) Bill C-13, An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, be deemed read a second time on division and referred to the Standing Committee on International Trade; (c) Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures, be deemed read a third time and passed on division, and that the opposition of the Member for Saanich—Gulf Islands be noted; (d) following the adoption of this order, the House shall proceed immediately to the consideration of Private Members' Business, and during that time, no quorum calls, dilatory motions, or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair; (e) no proceedings pursuant to Standing Order 38 be taken up today; and (f) when the House adjourns later this day, it shall stand adjourned until Monday, January 26, 2026, provided that, for the purpose of Standing Order 28, it shall be deemed to have sat on Friday, December 12, 2025.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, it will come as no surprise to anyone that I totally disagree with my esteemed colleague's version of the facts. It is precisely the outbursts of Conservative members, true to their leader's example, with their three-word slogans and determination to upend the work of the House and committees, that prompted the decision by the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore to cancel this morning's committee work.

I encourage all members to focus on the issues. We introduce bills of great importance to all Canadians. We ensure that these bills move forward and are debated in parliamentary committees and in the House. The least we should be able to expect is to be treated with decorum, not in a heated, even frenzied way by the official opposition. I invite the Leader of the Opposition to tell his members that their behaviour, shouting and agitation are a disservice to our democracy.

This afternoon, we will continue with second reading debate of Bill C-15, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget. We hope the debate will end this afternoon.

Tomorrow, we will resume second reading debate on Bill C-10, an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation.

Next week, priority will be given to the third reading of Bill C-4, an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure. Canadians know well that we have cut income taxes for every taxpayer. We made sure we got rid of the consumer carbon tax and the GST for first-time homebuyers. This is something the Conservatives said they wanted to do, but apparently not.

Also, there will be the second reading debate of Bill C-13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a very solid piece of economic policy. We would think the Conservatives would be interested in that, but apparently not.

We have the report stage and third reading of Bill C-12, which would strengthen Canada's immigration system and border, something the Conservatives talk about a lot. However, apparently they have nothing to say about this substantial and very important piece of legislation.

There is the second reading of Bill C-2, the strong borders act. It contains a concept known as lawful access, which police forces across this country have been asking for. They have been calling the offices of Conservative members to say that they know the Conservatives are divided on that. They know they have had some very difficult conversations in their caucus. The police want the ability to deal with extortion and child pornography. The Conservatives said they wanted action on this. This is action, but the Conservatives want to hold it up.

Finally, should Bill C-15, the very good budget bill before the House, not collapse today, it will also be considered next week.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I will not trouble members once more today with the exciting details of our memorandum of understanding with the Province of Alberta, but I will provide some transparency and clarity, as always, on the way forward for Parliament in the spirit of co-operation and transparency as we work with my honourable friend and, indeed, all members of the House.

This afternoon, we will continue the debate at second reading of Bill C-15, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget.

Tomorrow, we will call Bill C-10, an act respecting the commissioner for modern treaty implementation, at second reading.

On Monday, we will see the House return to the third-reading debate of Bill C-4, an act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians, which contains tax cuts. Indeed, I am sure the Conservatives will want to hurry that bill off to the Senate.

On Tuesday, we will resume the second-reading debate of Bill C-13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we will begin debate at report stage and third reading of Bill C‑12, an act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures.

For the benefit of those committees studying the supplementary estimates, I believe Tuesday, December 9 will be the final allotted day of the supply cycle, but I will confirm this at this time next week.

I also want to mention that there will be a ministerial statement on Thursday, December 4 to commemorate the Polytechnique massacre.

[Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal, London West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise and answer the Thursday question on behalf of the government House leader, as the deputy House leader.

Of course, there has been a lot of discussion this week, but, most importantly, what I have heard from Canadians is that they really want to talk about the budget that we put forward, which many members of this House voted on. Lots of Canadians want to talk about the jobs that will be created through the budget and the affordability measures that are in the budget to help Canadians move forward.

This afternoon, we will continue the debate on second reading of Bill C-15, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget. We will resume debate on the bill tomorrow, as well as next Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday of next week, we will call second reading of debate of Bill C-13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

I would also like to inform the House that there will be a ministerial statement on Tuesday, November 25, which is the first day of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Finally, I would like to seek unanimous consent for the following motion: That, pursuant to subsection 24(1) of the Building Canada Act and section 62 of the Emergencies Act, a special joint committee of the Senate and the House of Commons be appointed to review the Governor in Council’s and the minister’s exercise of their powers and performance of their duties and functions under the—

Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, the point is that the opportunities are there, and I would hope the Conservative Party recognizes the value of the initiatives we are taking.

I believe that last summer, the Conservatives might have even voted in favour of Bill C-4. Now things have changed. Their leader has gotten elected here, so that might have changed the dynamics somewhat, but the point is that at least in principle, it appears they support some of the initiatives. I think they should go the extra mile and recognize the value within the budget itself, because there are many initiatives that Bill C-4 would build upon in regard to the budget we presented.

I would like to make reference to a couple of the initiatives that I feel are really important for us to recognize.

One is investing in our communities, with literally hundreds of millions of dollars virtually every year for a number of years now. We are going to be investing in infrastructure that deals with hospitals, roads, bridges and community facilities. Addressing things of that nature is how we build stronger infrastructure for our economy. That is a big part of this.

Today in question period, a number of Conservatives stood up and attempted to mock the Prime Minister because of his travel. I would ultimately argue that the Prime Minister is doing exactly what he should be doing. At a time of uncertainty, no one here can predict what President Donald Trump might say, but what we do know is that Canada needs to lessen our reliance on U.S.-Canada trade. That does not mean to ignore it. We love it, we want to see it grow and we will do what we can on it, but it is really important that we expand trade opportunities beyond the United States. We have a Prime Minister who truly understands that, even though the Conservative Party is negative toward this sort of travel.

Things do not just happen overnight; they take time, and we have achieved a great deal. I was glad that the Prime Minister was in Malaysia, because while he was in Malaysia, he met with President Marcos of the Philippines. A healthy discussion took place, with them in essence saying they wanted to achieve a trade agreement between Canada and the Philippines in 2026. Is that not positive? I would argue yes.

We now have Bill C-13, which would ultimately allow for more trade opportunities between Canada, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is a substantial piece of legislation, like Bill C-4 before us. What would it do? It would enable us to have more trade between Canada, England and Northern Ireland.

Take a look at what has happened in Indonesia. The Prime Minister has reached out there, and we will see, once again, that agreements are being made as a direct result of having a Prime Minister who is committed to expanding trade opportunities beyond the Canada-U.S. border.

When we take a look at what Bill C-4 would do, it is all part of a plan to build Canada as the strongest economy in the G7. We need to recognize that in order to protect Canada's economic sovereignty, we have to be aware of what is taking place at the ground level and why it is important that we provide tax relief. We also have to be aware of what is taking place outside our borders and respond to it.

That is why members will see a huge commitment, which we have not seen for generations, toward our military. Raising spending to 2% of GDP is a substantial commitment that will make a difference in virtually every region of our country as we expand opportunities for Canadian businesses and as we invest and beef up our Canadian military. These are the types of things that have impacts on where we are with our taxation levels and how we expand on things of that nature.

We can talk about the local level. I made reference to what the Prime Minister has done internationally, but members should take a look at what we have done at the local level. Virtually immediately after the last federal election, the Prime Minister was meeting with provinces, territories and indigenous leaders to talk about the importance of having one Canadian economy, which ultimately led to Bill C-5.

Bill C-5 amplified the need for us to have one Canadian economy. It deals with labour as well, and the mobility of labour in our country. It is a critically important area that was led by the Prime Minister, who worked with premiers, indigenous leaders and others so we could present, through Bill C-5, a major project proposal that has now had two runs. In the first run, the total accumulation had $60 billion of investment coming down the pipe, which is a significant amount of money. We can incorporate the second run, which I believe is over $50 billion, but do not quote me on that, as I am not as familiar with it.

I can tell members that every region of the country will benefit by this. Whether it is copper mines in Saskatchewan, the port of Montreal, the latest thing in Atlantic Canada, LNG in B.C. or the work being done on the relationship building between Alberta and Ottawa, there has been a genuine attempt to make sure that all of Canada's regions benefit.

It is just like Bill C-4, which is providing opportunities to deal with another important issue, affordability. On the housing aspect, it is interesting that not only does the tax break for first-time homebuyers help people directly; it also helps the housing industry by making things more affordable.

I am very grateful that, through this legislation, a tax break would be given to Canadians. I would like to think that every member of all political entities in the House will get behind Bill C-4 and support Canadians. Over 22 million people would benefit by the tax break itself. However, to take a look at the broader picture of what this government has been able to accomplish in eight months, I think we are on the right track to making Canada strong with the strongest economy in the G7.

Financial Statement of Minister of Finance

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Bourassa.

Let me be very clear: My first priority is the constituents of Winnipeg North. I am very grateful for the many times they have made the decision to elect me to this beautiful chamber. I appreciate and value every day I am able to share what I believe are the concerns and issues related not only to my constituents but also to Canadians as a whole.

I know that if we were to reflect on the budget the Prime Minister has brought forward to the House, we would see that it is a true reflection of what Canadians' expectations are all about, coming out of an election we just had, in April.

It is indeed a budget that would build Canada strong. It is a budget that recognizes the importance of economic security and the role a national government can play in being there for its citizens. I find it not surprising but unfortunate that while the government is focused on delivering for Canadians, the Conservative Party of Canada is more focused on going back to the polls.

If the Conservatives were to consult with their constituents, what they would find is that the people of Canada recognize we had an election only months ago, we have a Prime Minister who has been aggressively dealing with the issues that are before us, and we are delivering tens of thousands of jobs. In September alone there were 60,000 more jobs, and in October there were 60,000. We are dealing with the issue of affordability. Yes, there is more work to do, and we are prepared to do that work.

At the end of the day, there is great contrast between the Conservative Party of Canada and what it is that the government is proposing. I would suggest it is a time in which we need a government that is prepared to invest in Canadians. That is what this budget does. We are investing in Canadians. We believe that the best way to build Canada strong is to have confidence not only in our economy but also in the people who make up our great nation.

On the other hand, the Conservatives continuously provide inconsistency in terms of the statements they make. Let me highlight that by just the last two Conservative speakers. They are trying to build an election scenario in which they want an election all because of the deficit and the debt.

The reality of the situation is very clear: When it comes to the debt, the G7 countries of France, the U.K., the United States, Japan, Italy and Canada, and there is another one, we actually have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio of any of the G7 countries. With regard to the deficit, we are ranked number two; I think only Japan actually beats us on that particular issue.

We can talk about the accumulated deficit or the deficit for this year and contrast that to the deficit the leader of the Conservative Party had in 2009. That is when there was the greatest deficit, yet back then we had a government that insisted on not supporting Canadians, and that is the reason it was not able to create the same sort of jobs we have created, well over, virtually double, the number of jobs Stephen Harper and the current Leader of the Conservative Party did in the same period of time, ten years. We have created close to two million jobs.

The Prime Minister is leading the fight and working with different provinces and stakeholders to build a stronger and healthier economy in all ways. I say that we are investing in Canadians, and we do it in different ways. Again I want to highlight the contrast. One of the ways of investing is recognizing our children. We do that by saying that one of the things we need to recognize is that there are many children in different communities who did not have access to breakfast; they were going to school on an empty stomach. This is a reality. The Conservatives close their eyes and completely ignore it.

I was education critic in Manitoba many years ago when I served in the Manitoba Legislature. I can recall Sharon Carstairs', in 1988, talking about how we cannot expect children to learn on an empty stomach. This is a serious issue.

What is the response we get from the Conservative Party? One Conservative member stands up and says it is absolutely garbage and we do not need a program of this nature. Others kind of pile on and say that the program does not exist.

We have a Prime Minister who has looked at the value of the program and has made it a permanent fixture. That means children will not have to learn on an empty stomach. I believe that to somehow ignore the issue or give the impression that it is not a problem is just wrong. One cannot learn on an empty stomach.

With respect to our saying we are going to invest in people, let us look at the investment in apprenticeship programs. Canadians are going through some difficult times, and we recognize that. That is why we are enhancing apprenticeship programs, recognizing the value of training, of working and of creating job opportunities. It is why the Prime Minister has been travelling to Europe and to Asia; we are looking at ways to expand our economic sovereignty by having additional trading opportunities. It is why we have substantial legislation, like Bill C-13, which would actually enhance our trade with Britain and Northern Ireland.

This is what we have seen, virtually from day one, from the Prime Minister and the government. Let us look at the number of meetings that were held with the different provinces for the advancement of Bill C-5: one Canada, one economy and the mobility of labour. These are the types of actions that will continue to make a very positive, profound difference.

Where are the Conservatives on these important issues? Their priority is not the interests of Canadians; their interest is all about their own political interests and that alone. We hear this with the type of announcements we hear from them. Virtually every day, the spreading of misinformation takes place, and it is really quite sad and unfortunate, because it is a challenging time.

We understand that affordability is an important issue for us to address. That is the reason the Prime Minister got rid of the carbon tax. It is the reason we gave a tax break to 22 million Canadians. Let us remember Bill C-4, which the Conservatives still have not passed through and for which there is no indication of their support. Bill C-4 would give a tax break to 22 million Canadians. It would also give a tax break on the GST to first-time homebuyers. It would also put into law that the carbon tax is gone. These are the types of initiatives that are being taken.

We have the bail reform legislation. Not only are we delivering on budget items that support Canadians, but we also have other legislation. Crime and safety in our communities was a primary concern. Issues like extortion are a primary concern of the government. The Prime Minister made a commitment to Canadians in the last election to bring forward bail reform legislation.

Let us take a look at Bill C-14, bail reform legislation that all of us should be getting behind. I have challenged the Conservatives on numerous occasions to make a commitment to pass bail reform legislation before the end of the year. Not one of them is standing up to say that they are prepared to do that for their constituents. I find that shameful.

That approach is a directive from the Leader of the Conservative Party, who is more interested in calling an election than in delivering for Canadians. It is not that we are scared of an election, but we are reflecting on what Canadians are thinking. They are not thinking that they want an election today. They want co-operation inside the House of Commons among all political entities, to look at what is before us that is good and at how we can enable the legislation's passage, because that is what is in the best interests of Canadians, not the type of filibustering and the hype we get from the Conservative Party, threatening to have an election because Conservatives want another kick at the can.

Business of the House

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, there was a lot in there that was kind of like a Trey Yesavage slider. We will try not to swing or flail too much at all of those hard pitches from the opposition House leader.

Next week, Canadians will have a choice. An affordable budget for an affordable life that would build Canada strong and build the biggest and best economy in the G7 is one choice they have. The second choice is a Christmas election that no one wants, that would follow six months from the last election and that would deprive Canadians of benefiting from the budgetary plan that the government will be presenting next week.

The opposition serves up green eggs and ham, but on this side of the House there is a plan to build Canada strong and build the strongest economy in the G7.

This afternoon, we will continue the second reading debate of Bill C-14, the bail act. Tomorrow, we will resume debate at report stage of Bill C-3, an act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025).

On Monday at noon we will go back to debate on Bill C-14, the bail and sentencing reform act, and in the afternoon we will turn to Bill C-4, with major tax cuts for all taxpaying Canadians contained in the affordability legislation, at report stage and third reading.

Next Tuesday we will resume debate at second reading of Bill C-13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Tuesday will be a big day. At 4 p.m. the Minister of Finance and National Revenue will deliver the budget speech.

I would also like to inform all hon. colleagues that, as we approach the fateful day when the opposition gets to decide whether it deprives Canadians of their Christmas, Wednesday and Thursday will be days reserved for debate on the budget.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure my friend that ministers and the Prime Minister are in Ontario meeting with Premier Ford, members of the business community, and the private sector. We take these matters very seriously. The Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of Industry and others continue to work with communities, unions and employers to challenge the decisions the big auto companies have announced, which we obviously regret very much and are determined to make good on for the people of Ontario and the people of Canada.

This afternoon, we will continue with the fourth day of debate at second reading of Bill C-12, concerning the security of Canada's borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system.

Tomorrow and Monday, we will debate Bill C-3, which would amend the Citizenship Act, at report stage. Our hope is to deal with third reading of this bill on Wednesday of next week.

Next Tuesday, we will call Bill C-13, an act to implement the protocol on the accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was introduced by the Minister of International Trade earlier this week.

Next Thursday, we will begin second reading debate on Bill C-14 on bail and sentencing, which was proudly introduced this morning by the Minister of Justice.