Debates of Sept. 27th, 2022

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, we should not assume that everyone who comes in via Roxham Road is a criminal. It is a bad stereotype. What does the Bloc have to say to refugees who contribute to our society? What does the Bloc have to say to my hon. colleague, the member for London West, who came into the country via Roxham Road and is now a very strong voice for her community? We need to stop these stereotypes. We need to invest in our asylum system.

Public Services and Procurement

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this is proof that they cannot stay on top of their files. They do not understand anything.

Aside from smugglers, the only people who will benefit from the decision to make Roxham Road permanent are those who receive federal contracts. We know that Roxham Road has already cost at least half a billion dollars. The exact amount is unclear because the federal government refuses to disclose all of its contracts. That is worrisome because, among the contracts that are known to exist, there are seven that were awarded without competition to the companies of two well-known Liberal donors. It pays to be Liberal.

When is the government going to disclose all the contracts, all the amounts and all the suppliers?

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Minister of Public Services and Procurement]

Mr. Speaker, transparency and accountability are critically important to our government. What we have done in terms of the Roxham Road situation is to deliver open, fair and transparent procurement processes while continuing to obtain the best value for Canadians. Of course, divulging confidential contract information would violate the agreement we have with the supplier.

Taxation

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Mr. Speaker, life has become increasingly unaffordable for Canadians. Because of Liberal taxes and the skyrocketing cost of living, the average Canadian family now spends 43% of their income on taxes, which is more than they spend on food, shelter and housing combined. A quarter of Canadians are even taking extreme measures like cutting back on food.

Will the government end its planned tax increases on gas, home heating and groceries, and have some compassion for suffering Canadians?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we know that times are tough for Canadians. That is why we have put forward a fiscally responsible plan to support them, and here is some good news. Conservatives are starting to get on board with our plan. They announced on Sunday that they are supporting the GST tax credit, which is going to give up to $500 to hard-working Canadian families.

It is time for the Conservatives to understand there are a lot of Canadians who need help paying the rent. The $500 one-time payment will help them. I hope the Conservatives will see the light on this great policy too.

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians cannot afford to pay for the government's reckless inflationary spending and deficits. The government's planned tax hikes will drive up the cost of living and will affect rural Canadians, low-income families and vulnerable populations the most. The government is out of touch with the struggles of everyday Canadians.

I ask my question again. Will the government end its planned tax increases on gas, home heating and groceries?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, a couple of times today we have heard the Conservatives talking about deficits, debt and fiscal responsibility. I would say that is a bit rich coming from a party whose leader actually had the temerity to advise Canadians to invest in Bitcoin, which would have eviscerated their savings. However, I do want to set the record straight on fiscal responsibility. Canada has the lowest deficit in the G7. We have the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, and we have a AAA credit rating.

[Jamie Schmale, Conservative, Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON]

Mr. Speaker, on average, Canadians now spend more of their income on taxes, at 43%, than they do on necessities such as food, shelter and clothing, which combined amount to 35%. Families are growing increasingly desperate as they stretch out their paycheques to fight inflation, a weakening dollar and out-of-control tax increases by the government.

When will the Prime Minister listen to their pleas, take action to cap spending and cancel his planned tax increases on gas, home heating and groceries?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the Conservatives of something Canadians understand very well. CPP and EI contributions are how all Canadians set money aside for our retirements and create a safety net in case we lose our jobs. At a time of global economic uncertainty, I have to say it is the height of irresponsibility, almost as bad as suggesting investments in crypto, for the Conservatives to be arguing that we should not be making these essential fiscally responsible contributions.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the price of basic foods is skyrocketing. For example, bakery products are up 16% in one year. Butter costs 26% more and is now $8.26. Thousands of Quebec families are struggling to make ends meet. Instead of wanting to help them, the Prime Minister wants to increase the burden on families. There is only one thing to do: Cancel the tax increase.

Can we count on him?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, CPP and EI contributions are how we save for retirement and create a safety net for Canadians. In this time of global economic uncertainty, it is completely irresponsible of the Conservatives to suggest that our country should stop setting money aside for retirement and a rainy day. Maybe their real plan is to cut Canadians' pensions.

[Laurel Collins, NDP, Victoria, BC]

Mr. Speaker, big oil has been making record profits off the backs of Canadians who are struggling, all while refusing to clean up its climate mess. The environment minister said he is not opposed to a windfall tax, but he is waiting to see if big oil will invest in climate action on its own. Instead, it is paying out huge dividends to its shareholders and bonuses to its rich CEOs. If the minister is waiting for big oil to do the right thing he is going to be waiting a long time. Time is running out for our planet.

Will the Liberals tackle corporate greed, implement a windfall tax and make big oil pay its fair share?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, I could not agree with the hon. member more. Energy companies are doing well and they must put their shoulders to the wheel and invest in reducing pollution.

We are working on many fronts to reduce fossil fuel emissions. We are going to cap emissions from the oil and gas sector. We are going to be introducing a clean fuel standard. We are putting a price on pollution. We are going to be eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies in 2023, two years ahead of schedule.

The Economy

[Alexandre Boulerice, NDP, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, if the Liberals agree, they just need to do it and have the guts to take on big oil.

The cost of groceries is skyrocketing. CEOs are raking in record profits and lining their pockets. Last year, the head of Sobeys earned over $8 million. Instead of raising employees' wages or lowering prices, he took away their bonuses. The nerve.

The NDP wants to see a parliamentary committee look into how corporate greed is driving up the cost of groceries. Does the government think it is okay for wealthy CEOs to pad their pockets by making families in Quebec and Canada empty theirs?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, we have been, and we remain, fully committed to ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of tax. We are permanently raising the corporate income tax rate by 1.5% on Canada's largest, most profitable banks and insurance companies, and we have introduced a recovery dividend of 15% on the excess profits these institutions made during COVID‑19.

That is action.

Disaster Assistance

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Mr. Speaker, hurricane Fiona has had a devastating impact across Atlantic Canada, particularly in communities in northern Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island and western Newfoundland. The government has committed to making sure we are part of that rebuilding process in communities and is working with the Canadian Red Cross to match private contributions. However, it is extremely important to make sure we have support on the ground to help with the cleanup and to restore electricity to those who need the help.

Can the Minister of National Defence, who is originally from Atlantic Canada and knows our communities well, provide an update to the House on the work of the Canadian Armed Forces to help support Atlantic Canadians in their time of need?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, as a Nova Scotian myself, I want to assure my hon. colleague and everyone in the House that the Canadian Armed Forces will be there for as long as needed. In Nova Scotia, they are removing debris and restoring roadways and bridges. In Prince Edward Island, they are assisting with restoring the power grid. In Newfoundland, they are going door to door to check on neighbours to make sure everyone is okay.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the members of the Canadian Armed Forces for all they are doing to keep Canadians safe in this time of need.

Taxation

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the weather is getting cool and people are starting to turn on the heat. Millions of Canadians rely on oil and propane to heat their homes. The costs of those fuels, however, have skyrocketed. It now costs upwards of $5,000, $6,000 or even $7,000 a winter to heat their home. The government has now put on top of that a carbon tax that will cost upwards of $400 to $500 a winter. People are getting desperate.

Will the government listen, including to the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and cut the tax on oil and propane heat?

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as we watch yet another disaster unfold that is fuelled by global climate change and as the world is called to act on climate change, the member is playing games with misrepresenting climate action. The member well knows that the money that is taken is given back to Canadians, and the action that is taken is essential so that we have fewer Fionas, fewer disasters and fewer Canadians who are affected by global climate change. We have to take action.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government is completely out of touch. Emissions have risen each and every year that the government has been in power, except for the year of the pandemic, when it shut everything down. A third of Atlantic Canadians heat with oil, as do over a million Ontarians and 10% of Canadian households.

When will the government do what other G7 governments have done and provide relief on fuel taxes, cutting the tax on the oil and propane heat that people are so desperate to use this winter?

[Terry Duguid, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, as our House leader said, in a week in which climate change has ravaged much of Atlantic Canada, it is absolutely astounding that the opposition wants to take a valuable tool off the table that is helping to reduce emissions and put more money in people's pockets. We will be there to help Atlantic Canadians rebuild. We will be there to help them transition from carbon-intensive fuels to greener energy. We will be there for Atlantic Canadians.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, economists agree that payroll taxes like the increase that the government is pushing on Canadians are the most regressive form of taxation, because they lead to lower productivity and jobs leaving Canada.

That is not stopping the government from jamming these taxes onto Canadian workers. Inflation is eroding Canadians' ability to buy the basics, and the government is gouging more of their take-home pay. Canadians get to feel the pain of the government's reckless policies at both ends.

Will the government cancel its planned tax increase on Canadians' paycheques?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, what Canadians need is for Conservatives to come clean with them on their plan to eviscerate our pension system. Their scheme is highly irresponsible. Do members know who pointed it out this week? It was Rob Carrick of The Globe and Mail. He wrote, “Canada pension plan premiums are not a tax...the CPP is the bedrock of a Canadian retirement plan.” The Conservatives want to undermine the pensions all Canadians depend on, but we will not let them do that.

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

We started off really well, but I am not sure what happened. I want to remind all members to look at their whips and follow their instructions.

The hon. member for Calgary Centre.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in the last decade, payroll contributions under the government have risen by 13% for employment insurance and over 60% for CPP. The last year has seen the effects of massive government overspending, showing up in inflation numbers Canadians have not seen in 40 years. Workers' paycheques are not going as far, and now there will be even less in those paycheques.

Given the harsh rise in the cost of living for Canadians, will the minister take heed and cancel the tax increase on Canadians' paycheques?