Finance Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2026

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

It was the nature of the commercial leases that was the issue.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

I will continue quickly.

The GST credit will start being paid later this year. The one-time payment will be made in the next fiscal year. From a technical point of view, I understand that the bulk of the measure will be budgeted in the economic update for the next fiscal year. So it will appear in the next deficit, and it will not have an impact on the $78 billion deficit that you announced in the fall. Did I understand correctly?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Depending on how the payments are made, yes, as you said, it will fall into the next fiscal year. Having said that, we have to get royal assent first.

[The Chair, Liberal, Karina Gould]

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Garon.

Before I go to Ms. Idlout, I just want to remind everyone that one person has to speak at a time, or it is very difficult for the interpreters to interpret. Please speak one person at a time.

Mr. Kelly, you have five minutes, please.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Minister, in September 2023, you said that you were going to bring price stability to groceries. That was two and a half years ago. The current situation with food affordability demonstrates the spectacular extent to which you have failed in that commitment. We support today's bill that we are discussing. We always support tax relief for Canadians. However, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, this puts a $12.5-billion hole in your budget.

What does the bill do to your future budget projections, when you have just tabled a budget with a $78.3-billion deficit?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

It's good that you support it, because I was not so sure, hearing what you were saying. You went on the news to say you would support the measure. I hope it's still the case, because Canadians are watching at home. It's important for you to be there for Canadians when they are.

When it comes to the budget, we presented a set of generational investments. This is a measure that was timely and needed to support Canadian families, but at the same time, that put structural measures in place to have more food resiliency in Canada. I think you should applaud that measure, because I know you care about food security in the country.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Yes, I do, Minister, but you didn't answer my question. Will this affect your budget projections, yes or no?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

When preparing a budget, which will come later this year, you obviously have to take a number of things into account. I say that this measure was very much needed for Canadians and to support the Canadian economy.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Minister, you make promises around budgets and deficits all the time, but you break them every time. Is this another one where your future deficit projections are jeopardized by this budget, or will there be reductions in public services, cuts or tax increases? Canadians need to know these things. If this is to pay for groceries, you're putting the nation's groceries on the nation's credit card. You need to explain how this will be paid for.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

I think Canadians are confused now. I don't know if you're for or against it.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

I'm for accountability.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

I'm listening to you. If I were sitting in Saskatchewan tonight, listening to you, I might say, “Is the Conservative Party for the measure? They're voting for it, but I'm listening to them tonight, and they don't seem very much in favour.” It's quite confusing. I'm thinking of all the families listening to you.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

I don't want you to be confused, Minister, so let's be clear.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Canadians are listening to you tonight. People are watching at home, and they're saying, “Is he for or against food security?”

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

No, they're watching, and they're seeing a minister who won't answer a question. I just asked you if this is going to change your projections.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

If the question is about something that you do or do not support, then your question is confusing to Canadians as to whether you support the measure. You're voting in favour, but now you're talking against it.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Minister, I've asked you at least three times now if—

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

You can ask me five times if you want.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Well, I'm going to ask you again and ask you if you will clearly answer the question. Does Bill C-19 affect the budget projections contained in the budget you just tabled, yes or no?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Every measure that the government takes has an impact on the budget. I would say that when you govern, you choose. We chose to support Canadians, and I thought you did too. However, now Canadians are confused. Are you for Bill C-19 or not?

Tell Canadians; they're watching. They're watching your smile. Actually, they can see me now. I wish they could see you.

Are you for the measure—if you're voting in favour?

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Minister, you are here to answer questions.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

I am.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

How will your government finance Bill C-19? That's the type of question we ask at committee. Ministers come, and we ask hard questions like this: How will you pay for a measure that you've proposed in the House of Commons?

How will you pay for this measure?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Every measure that we take is taken into account in the budget, and there will be other measures, obviously, that we need to put forward to support Canadians.

The real thing tonight is that I'm not sure what Canadians should take from your questions, whether you're going to be for or against.

You know that every measure the government has put forward is obviously going to have an impact on the budget, but the reality is that this is the smart thing to do, at the right time, to support families.

Are you in favour of supporting families, yes or no?

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

We're here to ask the questions, Minister. You're the minister here to answer questions from committee. Let's finish this with another question.

You've spoken many times in this meeting about the need for elected officials to show some humility. You have a few seconds left; will you apologize to Canadians for your failure to bring price stability as you promised in 2023?