Debates of Dec. 8th, 2021

Supplementary Estimates (B), 2021-22

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Madam Chair, since the 2021 budget was tabled, we have made a number of investments and we continue to invest in the sectors that are hardest hit, including tourism. We will continue to support the tourism industry.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Chair, I am glad the President of the Treasury Board rose to answer me, but unfortunately she did not answer my question.

My question is very simple: Where will the money come from?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Madam Chair, I have a question for the members opposite: Are they going to support the tourism industry or do they want to see it die before the end of the pandemic?

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Chair, I am going to ask the minister a new question: Does he plan to split the bill in two to help the tourism sector as quickly as possible? This is a catch-all bill with all sorts of things thrown in, some of which the members on this side of the House see as necessary.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Madam Chair, it is very clear. We presented a list of all of the sectors we will support by investing billions of dollars because these sectors asked us for help.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Chair, I have a question for the Minister of Health, since he and I are almost seniors. I do not want to impute motive on him, but here we are.

During the election campaign, the government promised to increase old age security. Can the minister tell us by what percentage the benefit will increase in 2022?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, I am very happy to answer that question. I do not know exactly how old my colleague is, but he seems very young and in good shape. I wish him a long life filled with happiness and good health, although not necessarily with the Conservatives. He would be even happier if he were to come over to the Liberals. That is up to him.

As for his question about seniors, there was a 25% reduction in poverty—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member has the floor.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Chair, he did not answer my question. I do not get it. Every time I ask a question, no one can give me an answer, even when my questions are simple. I asked the minister by what percentage old age security benefits would increase in 2022. It is not a complicated question.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, I doubt my colleague is getting the benefit since he is not old enough yet, but if he were old enough, he would have already received $500—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Chair, no, I am not quite there yet, but I will be soon.

Once again, the minister is not answering the question. I was not talking about the $500 that the government gave out before the election, I was talking about the increase in old age security that the government promised during the election campaign.

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, I know my colleague is looking forward to getting that increase, but I am telling him he must be a little older to become eligible for it. One day, when he is old enough, he will get the 10% increase that we promised for those 75 and older.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Chair, you cannot imagine how much I look forward to being on the other side so I can give completely ridiculous answers like the ones I was just given.

I point out to my colleague that I am not 65 and that I will be turning 60 next year.

I am asking a very simple question: What is the percentage increase in old age security? I will also ask a second question: What is the inflation rate as we speak?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, I see that my colleague is getting ready for his golden years.

There are two types of increases or indexation. The first is the increase that has been happening for 50 years, the cost-of-living increase. The second is the extra one we promised during the election campaign.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Madam Chair, does that mean the increase will be at least 4.7%?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, it means the increase is tied to an increase in the cost of living.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Madam Chair, I am happy to be here asking questions about the budget.

Perhaps the Treasury Board minister could answer my first question. Is she aware that Canada is in a housing bubble right now, yes or no?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Madam Chair, I will not ask my colleague how old he is because I can see he is reluctant to share that sensitive information. However, what I can tell him is that, in Canada, since 2019—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Richmond—Arthabaska.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Madam Chair, I will repeat my question. It is very straightforward. Is the government aware that Canada is in a real estate bubble right now, yes or no?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Québec, QC]

Madam Chair, Canada has been facing a housing crisis for years. That is why, in 2017, we implemented the first—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Richmond—Arthabaska.

[Alain Rayes, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Madam Chair, is the government aware that inflation is raging and the cost of living has gone up for everyone, including seniors, families and the less fortunate, yes or no?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Madam Chair, inflation is a global phenomenon. The inflation rate is 4.7% in Canada and 6.2% in the United States.