House of Commons Hansard #98 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was 2022.
Randy Boissonnault LiberalMinister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, I will tell members what was vaporized: Canadians' savings when they followed the new Conservative leader's advice to go put money into Bitcoin. Quite frankly, it is shameful, irresponsible and reckless.
Andrew Scheer Conservative Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK
Mr. Speaker, what has been vaporized is Canadians' purchasing power as the government has caused the record-breaking inflation that is hammering Canadians' abilities to make ends meet.
The best way to stop inflation is to put an end to the deficits that caused it in the first place. Instead, the Liberals are going to make the problem a whole lot worse. Rising prices have robbed Canadians of the ability to heat their homes and fill their fridges, and in the coming new year, the government is planning on hiking payroll taxes and carbon taxes, meaning Canadians will have to spend more as they take home less.
Will the government simply cancel its planned tax hikes?
Randy Boissonnault LiberalMinister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, let us go through the numbers through the years.
In 2015, when we lowered income taxes on Canadians, that member and that bench voted against. In 2019, when we lowered taxes for Canadians, again the Conservative leader and that bench voted against. In 2021, when we lowered taxes for working Canadians, that side of the aisle voted against. Even this summer, when we reduced taxes on businesses, once again, the Conservatives in the House voted against taxes.
We know who has the record on having the backs of Canadians on taxes.
Brenda Shanahan Liberal Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC
Mr. Speaker, in many instances, dental care is not affordable for some families. Last week, the Prime Minister announced that the government's first bills on the docket this fall are going to make life more affordable for those Canadians who need it the most.
Can the Minister of Health tell the House how the government is delivering on its promises with regard to dental care for Canadians?
Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to congratulate and thank the member for Châteauguay—Lacolle for the remarkable work she is doing for her community.
The good news today is that we have a new dental benefit to help low- and middle-income families, who together have a total of 500,000 children under the age of 12, with up to $650 per year or $1,300 over two years. This benefit will help lower the cost of living for these low- and middle-income families, but more importantly, it will help them protect their kids' oral health by reducing infection, pain and disease associated with poor oral health.
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Mr. Speaker, we have been warning the Liberals about the dangers of inflation for two years now. They kept saying there was nothing to worry about, but now we are in a Liberal inflationary spiral. Over half of Canadians have said they could not afford a sudden expense over $1,000. Nearly 40% of Canadians are worried about their debt load. Families are having a hard time putting gas in the car and food on the table.
Will the Liberals promise not to raise taxes?
Randy Boissonnault LiberalMinister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
Mr. Speaker, in the last six years, the Conservatives have voted against tax cuts proposed by the Liberal Party four times. The targeted measures we are introducing in the House today are designed for Canadians who need them most. We will put more money into housing, we will create a dental program and we will double the GST/HST credit. That is real money in the pockets of real Canadians.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, small businesses will be among the hardest hit by planned Liberal tax hikes.
First is the planned payroll tax increase forces them to pay more taxes on wages. Second is the Liberal plan to triple the carbon tax. While large, industrial corporations do not pay the carbon tax at all, small businesses will see their energy costs sky rocket, forcing them to charge more to consumers and pay less to workers.
Will the government cancel these new tax hikes so small businesses can survive?
Arif Virani LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, let me outline what we have done for small businesses during the past two and a half years. We have supported small businesses throughout a pandemic. What we have also done, a matter that I am sure the member opposite is very concerned about, is support small businesses in their inclusivity with the women's entrepreneurship program. We have launched a Black entrepreneurship program. We are supporting indigenous businesses.
The Conservative record on supporting small businesses leaves a little to be desired. When we have proposed rebates for small businesses, the Conservatives have opposed them in their voting record. When small businesses in the city were under siege by an illegal blockade, the man who is now the Leader of the Opposition supported that blockade and the impediments it caused to small businesses. That is the Conservative record.
Shannon Stubbs Conservative Lakeland, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canada is the fifth largest natural gas producer, but does not export any LNG. The world wants Canadian LNG, but the Liberal gatekeepers killed 16 projects, 100,000 jobs and forced Canada to import. What is worse is that after the Prime Minister's snub, Germany may do a deal with Saudi Arabia instead.
Canada could be the sixth largest LNG exporter if all the projects were built and replace all Russian LNG to Europe, Japan and South Korea.
Why do the Liberals always export Canadian paycheques and projects to foreign dictators?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, last month, we welcomed the German chancellor to Canada. What are we exporting? Hydrogen and critical minerals. What are we creating right here at home? Well-paying, sustainable jobs.
We had conversations with the chancellor. We responded to what they need, and we will be there to support our allies while supporting Canadian jobs.
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Don Valley East, many people are struggling with increased rent and housing costs, especially families, working individuals and the most vulnerable. There is no question that more help is needed and that our government must continue to act.
Could the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion please tell the House—
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I am sure the minister wants to hear the question. I could not hear it.
I will ask the hon. member to start from the top.
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Don Valley East, many people are struggling with increased rent and housing costs, especially families, working individuals and the most vulnerable. There is no question that help is needed and that our government must continue to act.
Could the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion please tell the House what new measures our government is putting in place to help families through this difficult time?
Ahmed Hussen LiberalMinister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Mr. Speaker, we know that it is getting harder for many Canadians to afford the increased rent. That is why today we introduced legislation to provide a $500 federal top-up to the Canada housing benefit. This will help 1.8 million low-income Canadians and will be on top of the already existing $2,500, on average, from the Canada housing benefit.
On this side of the House, we will always have the backs of Canadian renters.
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
Mr. Speaker, this summer, 21 families a day buried their loved ones because of the toxic drug crisis. This is devastating but was foreseeable. The Public Health Agency of Canada warned that this crisis could continue to get worse. This is just weeks after the Liberals and the Conservatives both voted against an NDP bill to create a national health-based strategy. Instead of supporting real solutions, the Liberals' inaction has cost lives.
When will the Liberals fix their mistakes by creating a national health-based strategy to fight this crisis?
Jean-Yves Duclos LiberalMinister of Health
Mr. Speaker, we are obviously devastated by the news every day of so many Canadians dying of mental health issues, issues that can be cared for and prevented for the reasons and example the member just gave. We are investing, and very mindful of the need to invest, in the mental health of Canadians.
My colleague, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, is working very hard on that. She has announced many measures and more will come.
Laurel Collins NDP Victoria, BC
Mr. Speaker, Scott Graham, a senior from my riding, is missing. He was last seen in Spain at the Canadian embassy visibly injured and without life-saving medication. His daughters feel like they have been left to investigate on their own. Scott reached out for help, but Canada's system to support people in an emergency failed.
When Canadians go to their embassy, they expect to get help. When loved ones go missing abroad, they expect real action for families.
What is the minister doing to support the family while making sure this never happens again?
Rob Oliphant LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. member that we are very concerned for the well-being of Mr. Graham. Consular officials, both here in Ottawa and in Spain, have taken this very seriously and will continue to advise us as we continue to search for information about his well-being. We will be in contact with his friends and family as well.
The minister has asked for a complete understanding of how the department and the embassy have dealt with this situation, and we are happy to report back to the House at a later day.
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I wish to draw the attention of members to the 30th anniversary of CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel. CPAC has been broadcasting the debates of the House, gavel to gavel, for three decades.
CPAC was originally created in 1992 by a consortium of 27 Canadian cable companies. Its primary mandate was to broadcast the proceedings of the House of Commons to millions of homes with cable, at no cost to taxpayers.
Since then, CPAC has expanded to provide continued unfiltered coverage of House of Commons proceedings and parliamentary committees, as well as a multitude of other public affairs activities across the country.
Despite the rapidly advancing forms of social and digital communications, CPAC continues to play a key role in keeping our fellow citizens informed about the business of Parliament. CPAC has worked in close partnership with us to ensure that Canadians have a front-row view into the very heart of our democracy.
CPAC has come to play such a significant role in Canadian political life that it is truly hard to imagine that such an essential service did not always exist. Today we welcome to the gallery the members of CPAC's board of directors.
On behalf of all members of Parliament, I would like to thank them for their invaluable contribution to the Canadian democratic process.
Jake Stewart Conservative Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Today, in question period, the leader of the official opposition, the member for Thornhill and others cited a March 2022 report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer that shows the carbon tax will be a net cost of $1,461 to Ontario households, $1,145 to households in Manitoba—
The Speaker Liberal Anthony Rota
I will have to interrupt. I am afraid this is more debate than a point of order. I am sure that if the member checks things out and finds something that is a point of order, he can bring it back tomorrow.
The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-22, An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee.
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, just prior to question period, I talked about what the Prime Minister and members of the Liberal caucus talk a great deal about, and that is moving forward, as we have in the past, and putting an emphasis on Canada's middle class, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that we have an economy that is working for all Canadians. That is something we take very seriously.
When we take a look at Bill C-22 and we get an understanding of the real purpose behind it, the principle, as I see it, is to ensure that all Canadians have a better, more equal opportunity to participate. This legislation would enhance the disposable income for literally tens of thousands of people with disabilities from coast to coast to coast.
Members should not be surprised at the progressive nature of this legislation. As a government we have demonstrated, virtually from 2015, that we are committed to supporting Canadians who need that additional support. I can recall when we first talked, in 2015, about increasing the GIS for the poorest of all seniors. I made reference before question period to the hundreds of individuals in Winnipeg North who were lifted out of poverty as a direct result of the increase to the GIS. Earlier I made reference to the hundreds of kids in Winnipeg North who were lifted out of poverty because of changes and enhancements we made, and because we brought in the Canada child benefit program.
Once again, we are seeing another progressive piece of legislation that will lift tens of thousands of people with disabilities out of poverty. This is the type of government that has made a difference in a very real and tangible way, ensuring that the disposable income of people in many different areas, in all different regions of our country, would be increased. That makes our economy healthier. It will increase and improve the quality of life for people who need it in a very real and tangible way.
The legislation itself will set the framework for a national program. Part of that program means that we have to work with the different provincial entities out there. Depending on the province, we could find a patchwork of sorts. There may be disability credits in some areas, possibly. There may be support programs in other areas. As the minister indicated when introducing the bill, we want to make sure that the money we are giving to people with disabilities today is not going to be clawed back in other types of provincial or territorial supports. This should be top-off money.
That is something that would require a great deal of effort, an effort we have demonstrated to Canadians we can be very successful in. One need only take a look at the child care program, the first-ever national child care program, on which we were able to achieve agreements with all of the provinces and territories. It is that same sort of worth ethic, working with Canadians and working with other jurisdictions, that will enable us to create the first-ever national disability program, arguably what could be the first such national program in the world.
This is a wonderful opportunity for members to be very clear in supporting the legislation. Let us see this bill go to committee, come back and ultimately become law.