House of Commons Hansard #129 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was money.
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, reckless advice was offered to Canadians by the Conservative leader, who urged Canadians to use crypto as a way to opt out of inflation. Anyone who did that would have lost at least 65% of their savings.
I have to ask the member opposite: Does he agree with Robert Breedlove, whose YouTube channel the Conservative leader found “extremely informative” and who said, “Central banking is an institution of slavery.” Is that the Conservative position?
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Speaker, the cost of living continues to increase for Canadians under the Liberal government. Food was up 10% in October; shelter is up close to 7% and gas almost 18%, and that is because the government has a problem with inflationary spending: $36.4 billion in this fiscal year alone.
When will the government stop its inflationary spending and cancel its plan to triple the tax on gas, groceries and home heating?
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, our government's approach is absolutely compassionate. We have provided targeted support to the most vulnerable, but we have done it in a fiscally responsible way. The proof of that comes from Moody's, the ratings agency, which reaffirmed Canada's AAA credit rating just a few hours after I tabled our fall economic statement.
Canada today is the third-largest AAA-rated economy in the world. We have the lowest deficit in the G7, and we have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. That is fiscal responsibility.
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Speaker, the government needs to rein in all of its reckless spending. The Prime Minister spent $420,000 on a weekend to London in 2021. Global Affairs Canada lost $7,000 in petty cash, if members can believe it. What does the government need to do? It needs to stop its inflationary spending and cancel its plan to triple the tax on gas, groceries and home heating.
Sean Fraser LiberalMinister of Immigration
Mr. Speaker, what the hon. member calls reckless spending is what we used to support Canadians during their time of need. We have helped nine million Canadians keep food on the table through the pandemic. We have helped millions of Canadians remain on the payroll with the Canada emergency wage subsidy and helped hundreds of thousands of Canadian businesses keep their doors open.
Now the Conservatives continue to argue in the House that this spring we should undermine the integrity—
TaxationOral Questions
The Speaker Anthony Rota
Order. We were doing so well. I am going to ask everyone to listen to the answer and the questions as well. That is all I am asking, and to not make any comments. If members want to talk to each other, that is okay, but they should do it outside in the lobby or somewhere other than the chamber, or they can whisper.
I would ask the hon. Minister of Immigration to start from the top, so we can all hear the answer.
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, the Conservatives have a very difficult time with hard truths. Canadians need support. It is our government that has been here to support them since 2015, and it is our government that will be here to support them going forward.
What the Conservatives call reckless spending are the supports we extended to keep nine million Canadian households fed, to keep millions of workers on the payroll, and to make sure small businesses could keep their doors open. Now they are arguing in this chamber that this spring we should undermine the integrity of the EI system and the Canada pension plan. It is ridiculous that they pretend to be heroes for the working class. They jeer because they know it is true, and they cannot handle the truth in this instance.
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Mr. Speaker, food insecurity means worrying every day about not being able to pay for food. It means a mother or father skipping a meal to feed their child.
We should not even be talking about this in an industrialized country like Canada, but according to the numbers that were released just yesterday, 16% of Quebeckers are suffering from severe food insecurity. The research is clear: The main reasons are inflation and rising food prices.
Will the government stop impoverishing Canadian families and guarantee that it will not increase taxes?
Pablo Rodriguez LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, the government is there for our families and will always be there for our families. We understand their challenges and their needs.
It is somewhat strange to hear the Conservatives talk about this. Let us not forget that when they were in government, they made cuts to culture, veterans' funding, employment insurance and just about everything else.
They are a little self-conscious today, but if they were being honest, perhaps they would tell us where they would cut.
Would their cuts impact our children, our seniors, our families, employment insurance, workers or health care? Where would they cut?
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Mr. Speaker, one thing is for sure, anyway. I do not know where they are getting their numbers from when they say they are lifting people out of poverty, but right now, in 2022, 671,000 Quebeckers are using food banks, and one-third of those people are children.
Minister of Families is not just a title, actually. It comes with responsibilities, such as making sure families do not have to water down their babies' formula because they cannot afford to pay 20% more.
Will the government stop its inflationary spending so that Canadians can afford food, housing and heating?
Pablo Rodriguez LiberalMinister of Canadian Heritage
Mr. Speaker, we have lifted 450,000 children out of poverty. That is not some random number. These are children, human beings. The Government of Canada is taking concrete steps to shape Canada's future, whereas the Conservatives have never set goals or even expressed the intention to do anything to fight poverty.
I spent seven years on the opposition benches watching them cut program after program.
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is embarrassing for Quebeckers to be represented by Canada at COP27.
On Monday, the climate change performance index ranked 60 countries based on their greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy and energy use.
Do members know where Canada ranked out of 60 countries? It is 58th. Canada is even worse than China.
Will the Liberals stop lying to themselves and realize that, under their reign, Canada is one of the most dangerous countries for the planet?
Terry Duguid LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, just to point out to the hon. member, the report did not take into account some of our most recent actions, but I agree. All of us on this side of the House do. We need to do more.
That is why we are investing $9.1 billion in our emissions reduction plan. We will be capping oil and gas emissions. We will be eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, and we will be challenging the energy sector to invest in reducing pollution and creating the clean economy of tomorrow and the goods jobs of today.
Kristina Michaud Bloc Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, QC
Mr. Speaker, who should we listen to, the feel-good Liberals or international experts who ranked Canada 58 out of 60?
The feel-good Liberals approved Bay du Nord and, as we speak, they are authorizing five oil companies to excavate the seabed off Newfoundland to find even more oil. They own a $21-billion pipeline and are oil developers. That is why Canada ranked 58 out of 60.
Do the feel-good Liberals not think it may be time to stop all the oil development?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, a net-zero world will always need oil for non-fuel purposes. We are talking about oil for the bicycle that I ride in town. We will always use it and there will always be a need for it.
However, when it comes to exploration, the tendering process does not in itself authorize production activities in the offshore area. We are talking about exploration only, not a proposal for production.
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, the World Cup of soccer begins Sunday in Qatar, a country whose new stadiums may have cost as many as 6,500 workers their lives. We will never know the exact number, because Qatar is a dictatorship that silences journalists, imprisons gay people and tramples on women's rights.
Let us be clear. This has nothing to do with the athletes. They have every right to go. However, diplomatically, Canada has no business being there. The tournament begins Sunday, three days from now, but the government still does not have a clear position. Will it finally take a stand and confirm today that it will not send a diplomatic delegation to Qatar?
Adam van Koeverden LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. It is a good question, on a very important issue.
I am proud of our men's soccer team and their historic qualification for the 2022 World Cup. We are aware of the concerns surrounding the decision to hold the 2022 FIFA tournament in Qatar, and we are focused on finding constructive solutions that promote unity, because in a divisive world, we need to work together with our partners.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Mr. Speaker, last January the Prime Minister was briefed by CSIS that at least 11 candidates in the 2019 election received hundreds of thousands of dollars, directed and funnelled through Beijing's Toronto consulate.
Given that this violates multiple sections of the Canada Elections Act, upon learning of this illegal activity, did the Prime Minister report it to Elections Canada?
Pam Damoff LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. Canada's fair and free election process was never compromised, and this was determined by an independent panel of national security experts. The only ones who benefit from foreign interference are enemies of democracy. These attacks are an attack on all members of Parliament, and we cannot afford to play partisan games on this issue.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Mr. Speaker, hundreds of thousands of dollars were directed and funnelled by Beijing to 11 candidates. If that is not foreign interference, I do not know what is.
Talk about a non-answer. I asked a specific question about whether the Prime Minister acted or failed to act.
Again, upon being briefed by CSIS, did the Prime Minister report this illegal activity to Elections Canada, yes or no?
Pam Damoff LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, protecting Canada's democracy is something we take very seriously. On this side of the House and on that side of the House, we should all condemn foreign interference, because the ones who benefit are not in the House. They are enemies of democracy who are trying to damage our democratic process here in Canada. We will always stand up for democracy, and I invite all members of the House to stand with us.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Mr. Speaker, I am.
I am standing up for democracy, as should members on both sides of the House. In January, the Prime Minister was informed that 11 election campaigns had illegally received money from a foreign country. The revelations are clear: The interventions were targeted, and the funding was illegal. Elections are the foundation of our democracy. We all agree on that. That is why we are asking the Liberal government a simple question.
Did the government report these allegations to the Chief Electoral Officer, and, if so, when?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question. This hon. colleague and everyone in the House should stand up for democracy. That is what we do every day by answering their questions.
Politics have no place in a discussion about national security, protecting democracy and protecting our institutions. Every member of the House has the same responsibility to defend Canadian democracy every day.
That is what we will continue to do on our side of the House.
Bonita Zarrillo NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Speaker, climate change is here. Extreme weather events are more often and more severe, affecting people's access to food and medicine and putting their lives at risk. The Liberal government is missing in action. Rural and urban communities are being left to fend for themselves. This needs to change now. Communities need long-term stable funding for climate-resilient infrastructure that will withstand extreme weather events.
Will the Liberals finally invest the needed funding municipalities have been asking for?
Terry Duguid LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, I definitely commiserate. There was a $9-billion impact from the atmospheric river, and 600 people died under the heat dome. We need to build community resiliency. We have invested $4 billion in climate change adaptation to date, and we will be tabling a climate adaptation plan in the coming months.