Debates of Sept. 23rd, 2022

Taxation

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion (Housing)]

Mr. Speaker, if there is one thing we can agree on with my colleague it is that Canadians across the country are having a hard time buying a home. We agree on that.

Where we disagree is that from the start, the Conservatives across the way have voted against every government measure to provide access to home ownership and give money directly to people so they can pay their rent.

When it comes to affordability, it is our government who is concerned about people across the country.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Rocky Ridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, with the government, the price of taxes has become 43% of all Canadians pay for. That has happened under the Liberal government.

The price of everything is going up, and the government is making things worse by raising the carbon tax on top of increasing the payroll tax. All these tax increases make life less affordable for Canadians who cannot afford higher costs with smaller paycheques.

At the very least, will the government commit today to stop making things worse and cancel these planned tax increases?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, our plan is designed so that the majority of households in Canada receive more from the climate action incentive payments than they pay, at a time when Canadians need more money and we need to fight climate change.

The Leader of the Opposition talked about a crisis earlier. We are giving families in Ontario $745. It is $830 in Manitoba, $1,100 in Saskatchewan and almost $1,100 in Alberta. The Conservative Party wants to take this money away from Canadians.

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the PBO knows this is not true. Families and small businesses in Hastings—Lennox and Addington have been decimated by the continual rising costs of living. The main street businesses that drive our economy are shuttering, and the farmers who feed our cities are taking on massive losses with no end in sight. What is the government's plan? Is it to take more of their hard-earned money?

Canadians should not have to be bailing out the government's poor economic planning. Will the government show empathy for struggling working-class Canadians and commit to cancelling this callous paycheque tax hike?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we are working hard to strengthen the Canadian pension plan. The Conservatives are trying to argue that we can make life more affordable by raiding the pension benefits of seniors in the future. It is basically the same playbook they used when they tried to raise the retirement age from 65 to 67.

Why the opposition wants to deprive Canadians of their retirement security when they need it most is beyond me, but I can say that it is very troubling public policy.

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, these government announcements are nothing more than poorly coordinated manoeuvring of the apostles, and our farmers, tradespeople, working seniors and single parents are left in the lurch. Drawing blood from a stone was never wise economic policy before our historic inflation and it certainly is not now. Canada is a G7 nation. Surely, after seven years in government, the cabinet could find substantive ways to combat inflation that do not include taxing hard-working Canadians.

Will the government cancel its planned paycheque tax increase, yes or no?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are not friends of the Canadian taxpayer. When they were in government, they raised taxes on Canadians more than 50 times. When we lowered taxes for the middle class twice, they voted against it. When we lowered taxes for small businesses, they voted against it. They can say whatever they want about lowering taxes, but their actions speak louder than their words.

Employment Insurance

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there are less than 48 hours left. On Sunday, the temporary employment insurance measures come to an end. On Sunday, unless the federal government does something, it is back to the spring gap, back to the nightmare for seasonal workers everywhere, especially in eastern Quebec.

In less than 48 hours, we will be back to an employment insurance system that 60% of workers do not have access to, despite having contributed to it their entire life. An overhaul is needed, but there is less than 48 hours left to do something about it.

Will the government extend the temporary measures?

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, we understand that EI benefits need to be more fair, more responsive and more adaptable to the needs of Canada's evolving workforce. That is why we are committed to delivering a full-scale modernization of Canada's EI system. Although some temporary pandemic benefit programs are winding down, regular EI benefits will continue to be available to workers, just as they were before the pandemic. We look forward to launching our long-term plan to improve Canada's EI system.

[Marilène Gill, Bloc, Manicouagan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government obviously does not understand. By raising the number of hours required to qualify for benefits from 420 to 700, it is putting entire families at risk.

The government does not understand the sacrifices that come with the spring gap. Depriving seasonal workers of benefits at a time of year when they do not have work is just going to push them to leave the industry or even their region. The government is plunging families into poverty. It is jeopardizing our seasonal industries, which are already experiencing a labour shortage, and it is contributing to the decline of the regions.

When will the government understand that?

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment]

Mr. Speaker, we have been there for workers throughout the pandemic and we will continue to be there for workers. Although some temporary pandemic benefit programs are winding down, as I mentioned, regular EI benefits will continue to be available to workers. We look forward to launching our long-term plan to improve Canada's EI system long term.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the cost of the government continues to drive up the cost of living for my constituents. Canadians living in rural and remote communities are already disproportionately impacted by higher gas prices and higher food prices. Now the government is hitting them again with a tax increase on their paycheques. From Vanderhoof to Prince George and Quesnel to Williams Lake, my constituents have told me loud and clear that they cannot afford any new taxes.

Will the Liberal government show some compassion, listen to our new Conservative leader and cancel the planned tax increase on Canadians' paycheques?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, this summer we presented a comprehensive plan to make life more affordable for Canadians. This fall, our legislative agenda is full of fresh ideas on how to make life more affordable for Canadians.

The Conservative plan presented all this week is really two parts: Stop fighting climate change and raid the pension benefits of our seniors. I am sorry, but this is not what responsible leadership looks like.

[Tako Van Popta, Conservative, Langley—Aldergrove, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in British Columbia is higher than anywhere else in Canada and is led by the high cost of housing. Gasoline is close to two dollars a litre and going higher still with the government's plan to triple the carbon tax. Adding to all this inflationary pressure, the government is now planning an increase in payroll taxes. This is the last thing hard-working Canadians need.

Will the government commit to cancelling its plans to increase paycheque taxes?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I note the hon. member is from my home province of British Columbia, where we have actually had a price on pollution since 2008. In fact, we have had that price on pollution while having the fastest-growing economy in the entire country.

In fact, if the Conservatives get their way and cancel our fight against climate change, in British Columbia it will mean a savings of exactly zero dollars and zero cents. It is important Canadians hear the facts.

Seniors

[Gerald Soroka, Conservative, Yellowhead, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Roy, a senior who lives close to Drayton Valley, is worried about the high cost of living. He told me it is difficult for him to have a dollar left at the end of the month. Increases for gas, groceries and even his prescriptions went up. Roy is now wondering how he will heat his home this winter.

Will the Liberal government cancel its planned tax increases on gas, home heating and groceries to help not only Roy but all Canadians already?

[Kamal Khera, Liberal, Minister of Seniors]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the challenges seniors are facing, and our government has been there for them.

Now, to help seniors who are struggling, we are doubling the GST tax credit. That means seniors will receive $700 back in their pockets. Nearly two million low-income renters who are struggling with their rent will receive $500. We also increased the old age security for seniors aged 75 by 10%. For seniors, for a full pensioner, that means $800 in their pocket.

While the Conservatives oppose every affordability measure, we will remain focused on delivering for seniors.

Taxation

[Robert Gordon Kitchen, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewanians are suffering from the government's lack of action on inflation and the skyrocketing cost of living. Winter is on its way, and with temperatures ranging between -10°C and -30°C, we have no choice but to heat our homes. Food prices have increased by 10% since last year and the carbon tax will be tripling, yet the government rebates do not even come close to covering those increased costs.

Will the government stop hurting Canadians and cancel its planned tax hikes on gas, heating and groceries?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, carbon pricing is widely recognized by nearly everyone including those in this House, except for the Conservative Party, as the most economically efficient way to reduce emissions while driving clean innovation and creating jobs.

Do not take it from me. Do not take it from the Bloc Québécois, the NDP or the Greens. Take it from some members of the Conservative Party who have asked that our system be applied in their province because it gives more money back into people's pockets and fights climate change at the same time.

Veterans Affairs

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the federal government paid Mr. Zourdoumis, a veteran, incorrectly and is now demanding that money back. Not only is Veterans Affairs Canada trying to make Mr. Zourdoumis pay for its mistake, it is putting the onus on him to navigate the bureaucracy of CRA. When he reached out for help from VAC, it would not even return his calls.

Will the minister apologize and take steps to ensure this never happens again?

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as someone who has walked in parades of World War II and World War I veterans, and who understands the true commitment of our veterans and the commitment of the minister responsible for veterans to seniors, I can assure the member that this is a file that is in fact being reviewed and looked at. We are not in a position where we will talk about individual cases on the floor of the House of Commons.

Service Canada

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, it is clear Nunavut communities are the last priority for the federal government, as they tell me they struggle to access Service Canada. When Nunavummiut attempt to call Service Canada, they are expected to wait or to speak a different language, or they have their phone calls dropped. It is unacceptable that 22 of my communities have to fly out to access a Service Canada office.

When will the federal government finally ensure Nunavut communities have any access to the basic services they deserve?

[Ya'ara Saks, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for her continued advocacy for the territory of Nunavut.

Just this summer, I and the minister took a deep look into the territories and understanding the needs of rural and remote communities when it comes to Service Canada. We know there is much work to be done in making sure we meet Canadians where they are every single day. That is why pilot programs like the “Reaching All Canadians” project are doing exactly that to meet Canadians' needs and to make sure they get the services and benefits they deserve.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Han Dong, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, with the world reopening after the pandemic we have seen more people are travelling to Canada to visit, to work and to study, and some are starting their new lives here. We know immigration is critically important to Canada's economic recovery and future prosperity. In my riding of Don Valley North, there are newcomers contributing so much to our local economy and local community.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship update the House? What is the government doing to welcome more visitors to Canada?

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, we are making every effort to reduce wait times and return to service standards. We have hired 600 staff this year, but we know that more needs to be done. That is why we are adding 650 more staff. We are making progress. We have processed 394,000 work permits between January and August of this year, more than doubling the number processed in the same period last year.

Modernizing our immigration system is about more than putting things online. It is about putting people at the heart of everything we do.