Human Resources Committee on May 28th, 2026

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

I let you speak, but you didn't answer my question.

I've been out there. There are seniors living in co-ops that cost them 75% of their budget. They can't make ends meet. For the first time, seniors are late paying their rent. People brought up the rising cost of groceries.

Given the rising cost of living, it simply makes no sense not to acknowledge that there has been no increase in the old age security pension for seniors between the ages of 65 and 74.

How does the government plan to protect the purchasing power of vulnerable seniors and families in the coming years? What you've put in place isn't working. More and more people are becoming homeless. Demand for food baskets is on the rise. That's what I've heard over the last couple of weeks.

How are you going to increase supports? What are you going to do?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

It's not true there hasn't been any increase in the rate for seniors.

All of the benefits are indexed to inflation and in fact go up each year. There is an indexation of all of the benefits that seniors receive, regardless of what age category they're in.

Also, low-income Canadians, on June 5, are going to receive the groceries and essentials benefit, which will double, essentially, the GST. That will benefit older people who are facing high costs of living.

Look, every step of the way, we are focused on making sure that Canadians have what they need during this extraordinary time.

It's important not to provide misinformation to Canadians. In fact, all benefits are indexed to inflation, and each year they are increased based on the inflationary rate.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

I'll let you answer; I'm trying to keep to the speaking time, but I have a lot of questions for you.

In terms of the indexing method you're talking about, some seniors were insulted, because the increase on their cheques was barely $2 or $3. That isn't even enough to buy a cup of coffee. If that's the indexing method and the increase you're talking about, that doesn't work either. The indexing method will have to be revisited.

I know the government brags about the New Horizons for Seniors program, which is meant to be another way to help seniors. This year, projects are capped at $50,000. Has the total budget been increased, and, if so, by how much? Can you confirm the budget allocation for the New Horizons for Seniors program, which will be opening soon?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

I'd have to look to my officials for that.

[Robert Wright]

Thanks very much for the question.

We're in the process of raising the cap for projects, as you have already said. However, in terms of the total budget, we can get back to you in writing.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

How much is the total envelope? This year, the cap is no longer $25,000; it's $50,000. Has the envelope been doubled?

[Robert Wright]

We can provide you with a written response to make sure that it's accurate.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Thank you very much. I would appreciate that.

Another thing I have heard mentioned in the last two weeks is business numbers. It is becoming more and more demanding to apply for the New Horizons for Seniors program.

For example, in recent years, Cercles de fermières du Québec, which provides incredible knowledge transfer in Quebec, was among the organizations with the most projects under the New Horizons for Seniors program. However, the organization has been excluded from the program this year, because only the organization's national club has a registration number, whereas the local clubs don't. This is getting a strong reaction in the regions, since the clubs help keep senior women socially active and give them the opportunity to meet up.

We have contacted your department. Will something be done to enable these groups to apply to benefit from the program, which starts on June 2?

[Robert Wright]

That's an important question. We're in the process of ensuring that the Government of Canada's programs are robust and that we can fight against fraud. The fraud rate is—

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Are you going to show some flexibility for Les Cercles de fermières du Québec?

July 14, the deadline for tabling budgets, is in the middle of a summer holiday. Tabling a budget just before Christmas or in the middle of the summer is not easy for organizations.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

May I answer, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

You can give a short answer.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Why don't you forward the specific case to my office, and we'll take a look at that specific case?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you, Ms. Larouche.

Mrs. Goodridge, the floor is yours for five minutes.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Both of my parents were Red Seal tradespeople. Some of the most brilliant people I've ever met in my entire life—hard-working people—have been tradespeople.

For more than 10 years, your government vilified energy workers and made all kinds of heinous statements against oil sands workers and the energy industry in general. I fully agree that we need to have more tradespeople. That is clear. Conservatives have been saying that the entire time. I'm glad to see you have finally come on board with regard to this.

However, do you not think that the actions of your government and the cabinet you've sat in for the last 10 years have something to do with the fact that people aren't going into the trades? You were saying that the gendered impact of the construction industry was having impacts on communities and noted all of the other stuff that was keeping young people from going into the trades because they didn't see a future in those industries.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

That is completely false, Ms. Goodridge. In fact, we have been supporting workers ever since I've been in this place.

We've had a great relationship with Canada's Building Trades Unions. We've had a great relationship with energy workers. We've had a great relationship with tradespeople. In fact, this is not the first time we've funded unions' training, because we believe unions do a fantastic job of training, and institutions do as well. Polytechnic institutions do a fantastic job of training in trades, and we've supported them as well.

This is in addition to the work we've done. We've promoted trades. We've offered completion grants, and we've had committees for impacted workers. We've supported impacted workers with a number of different measures, including retraining opportunities.

Ms. Goodridge, I would think it would be you who is actually talking down—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

The just transition and telling people in my community and across the energy industry that their jobs shouldn't exist and that you're going to transition them out are not—

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

You are, again—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

That did not do anything to get more people into the trades. I'm just being quite frank with you.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

You are actually presenting your opinion, Ms. Goodridge, which is different from evidence. When we speak about matters, it is important that we are clear when it is an opinion versus evidence, and you're absolutely wrong. In fact, the sustainable jobs committee—

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

I would invite you to come to Fort McMurray and talk to some people.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

—has a number of tradespeople, including retired tradespeople and leaders of unions and organizations, who know there is an imperative to support workers when industry changes, and industry does change.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

All right. Thank you.

Do you believe that the government should slow the growth of for-profit child care?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

I believe that public funds should primarily go to public institutions. I believe that we've worked flexibly with a number of different provinces on privatization when there aren't other solutions. The agreements with provinces and territories are carefully crafted to make sure that we keep quality and equity in these programs.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Does the government think that female small-business owners operating child care centres are the problem in creating solutions for child care? I ask because that's the reality.