Debates of Nov. 29th, 2023

Housing

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the problem with the Prime Minister is that the future never comes. It is a promise that is always just around the corner. For example, his $4-billion housing accelerator has completed exactly zero homes two years after it was announced, and here is why. The other day he announced a bunch of money in Halifax, and where did the money go according to the city? It went to hire 29 new bureaucrats, the same bureaucrats who are blocking housing construction in the first place.

Why does he not accept my common-sense plan to require cities to boost housing completions by 15% in order to get federal money so that we build homes, not bureaucracy?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I hate to break it to the Leader of the Opposition, but a TikTok video is not a plan.

We are going to continue to work, roll up our sleeves and deliver for Canadians every step of the way. While the Conservatives are flip-flopping all over the place, refusing to stand with workers, refusing to stand with Ukraine and watching too much far right American TV, we are going to stay focused on delivering concretely for Canadians, with the lowest deficit in the G7, the best debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 and the best AAA credit rating of all countries around the world except for the top three, of which we are a part. We are going to continue delivering for Canadians.

Diversity and Inclusion

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, the cover of Croc magazine stated, “Just because people laugh does not mean it is funny”. According to the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the simple act of celebrating Christmas with a tree, family, music and gifts is systemic racism. I wonder if good old Santa Claus is racist. I wonder if snow has become racist. Does the Prime Minister think that Christmas is racist?

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

I have to say that I am not convinced that this has anything to do with government administration, but I see that the right hon. Prime Minister is on his feet.

The hon. leader of the Bloc Québécois.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Human Rights Commission falls under the federal government's jurisdiction. I am therefore asking the Prime Minister of Canada to show some backbone and respond.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise to try to answer such a ridiculous question. Obviously, Christmas is not racist. Canada is a country of diversity, a country where we celebrate our personal and individual beliefs and where we also share and celebrate our neighbours' milestones and special occasions. That is a strength that enriches our country. Sharing our celebrations makes us a rich and diverse country, and we always will be. The Bloc Québécois is trying to pick a fight and is being ridiculous. It is unbelievable.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

That was not so hard, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps we can almost agree. The creation of a national culture involves bringing people in and being welcoming. It does not involve excluding people or undermining the host society. A few dozen immigrant Quebeckers will be attending a Christmas celebration that I am hosting in my riding in a few days. Do I have to cancel that event because the Canadian Human Rights Commission thinks that celebrating Christmas is racist? That is my question for the Prime Minister.

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

No, Mr. Speaker. We should all celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and all of the different festivals, holidays and celebrations that take place in our ridings and across the country. Our diversity is an incredible strength, and we will always celebrate it. I know that there are a lot of problems in the world today, but I think it is a good thing for us to take a moment to celebrate each other in the House.

Carbon Pricing

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to be the first of the season to wish everybody a merry Christmas. What a beautiful celebration. We love our great Canadian traditions, including Christmas.

Unfortunately, after eight years, the Prime Minister promises nothing but a carbon tax lump of coal for Canadians. Will he get off the backs of Canadians so they can enjoy beautiful gifts and maybe even a turkey and warm meal around the Christmas table this season?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to point out that we are the government phasing out coal, over the opposition of the Leader of the Opposition.

We are going to continue to build a better and brighter future for all Canadians, and that includes fighting against climate change so we can ensure that we keep a stronger future for Canadian children to go sledding, but also so we can make sure they have better jobs in the future. The climate denialism of the Conservative Party of Canada is putting future white Christmases at risk. That is why, on this side of the House, we stand for Christmas.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, that has to be the angriest and most caustic Christmas message I have ever seen.

This is a guy who has not phased out coal, despite his theatrics over there. What he is doing is phasing out food because Canadians cannot afford it now as he raises carbon taxes on the wonderful farmers who bring it to our table. Why will he not axe the tax on farmers so that Canadians can eat, heat and house themselves. Why does he not be a little less like Scrooge and a little more like Santa Claus?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, one of the issues we have is that, when the Leader of the Opposition talks about the impact of our price on pollution on farmers, he includes farmers in Ukraine and he includes farmers who are busy feeding us and feeding people around the world. He stood against the free trade deal that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people want us to have because he pretends we are imposing a price on pollution on them, which of course we are not. That is the extent to which the Leader of the Opposition will spin to make a political attack when it is completely unfounded. We will be there to stand with Ukraine and with Christmas.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, we cannot even have a bit of fun in this place because, of course, once the Prime Minister is off script, he starts rambling all over the map, unable to stay on any subject.

The question was about the cost of food. After he has forced Canadians to line up in breadlines that we have not seen since the Great Depression, with a record-smashing two million visits to a food bank, he now sees it as the time to quadruple the tax on the farmers who feed us. Will he stop blocking common-sense Conservative Bill C-234 to take the tax off the farmers so that Canadians can afford Christmas dinner?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, 97% of farm fuel emissions are already exempt from our price on pollution. That is what the Leader of the Opposition refuses to accept.

There are many factors that go into the rise in food prices not just in Canada but around the world, and the war in Ukraine is certainly one factor. The fact that the Conservatives have not chosen to stand with Ukraine against Russia in this difficult time is very much relevant. No matter how much they try to dodge and spin out of it, they are not standing with Ukraine at this difficult time.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister would like Canadians to think about anything other than their hungry stomachs, after eight years in office. He would like Canadians to forget that he has doubled the cost of rent, that he wants to quadruple the carbon tax and that he has given us the worst interest rate hikes in Canadian history. The least he could do is back off on his plan to quadruple the tax on our farmers.

Will he stop blocking Bill C-234, the common-sense Conservative bill to take the tax off our farmers, so that our Canadian people can afford to eat?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, that might have been a more credible question if it had not been for the fact that the Conservative Party delayed the implementation of our affordability act, which would bring in more competition on groceries. It is moving forward to stabilize grocery prices and support Canadians through this difficult time.

The Conservatives have also stood against other initiatives we are supporting Canadians with, like dental care for young Canadians and for seniors, which is coming in the coming months. They have stood against supports like our grocery rebate. They have stood against the investments we are busy making to support Canadians right across the country because they stand for austerity and cuts.

Housing

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Mr. Speaker, this summer, Canadians saw refugees rendered homeless in the city of Toronto. With pressure, the federal government finally agreed to provide some support, but it is not enough. Tonight, another refugee family will be turned away from a shelter because it is full. As the nights get colder, things will only get worse. Mayor Olivia Chow negotiated a historic new deal with the Province of Ontario that calls on the federal government to deliver for refugees.

Will the Prime Minister do his part so that refugees do not have to sleep on the streets and be rendered homeless this winter?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, over the past number of years, we have transferred hundreds of millions of dollars to cities across the country, including Toronto, to support them with the challenges they are facing with overburdened shelters, and with people seeking solace and places to sleep. We are going to continue to be there as partners to the City of Toronto.

We are glad to see the Province of Ontario finally stepping up to do its part, but we need to continue to all work together. The province needs to do more to take on its responsibilities, and we will continue to be there as a partner in keeping Canadians, and all who come to this country, safe and warm.

Automotive Industry

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has given billions for EV battery plants, but he has no plan for supplying Canadian critical minerals to make these EV battery operations a Canadian success. There are metal deposits in Sudbury, Thompson and Timmins that are ready to go into operation, but they need a federal partner. Without a tax credit strategy, the auto industry is going to be getting its metal from China, Indonesia or Congo, all places with much lower standards in environmental rights, human rights and wages.

Why is the Prime Minister continuing to botch a made-in-Canada solution that would allow us to be a true, clean energy leader?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I was extremely pleased to welcome the presidents of the European Union and of the European Commission to Newfoundland and Labrador last week to talk about everything we are doing to invest in critical minerals across the country as a part of the supply chain the world needs. Canadian clean aluminum, Canadian clean steel and Canadian responsibly extracted and developed critical minerals are going to be an essential part of the supply chains of the future for our allies around the world.

That is why we are stepping up with a critical mineral strategy. That is why we are investing in a strong and green mining future for Canada. We will be there for the future of jobs in Canada.

News Media Industry

[Viviane LaPointe, Liberal, Sudbury, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the vitality of rural media is of paramount importance, particularly in minority-language communities.

Through its online news bill, the government has signalled its support for Canadian media.

Can the Prime Minister inform the House of the progress made in implementing this bill?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Sudbury for her question and hard work.

I am pleased to say that we have reached an agreement with Google to ensure that this web giant pays its fair share for online news. In fact, Google will invest $100 million a year in our newsrooms. This landmark agreement demonstrates that our online news legislation is working.

Despite the Conservative Party's ideological opposition, we have secured a sustainable, independent future for local news in Canada.

Carbon Pricing

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, everything the Prime Minister has said about his carbon tax has been proven to be false. Most recently, he said that farmers only pay a teeny carbon tax. Well, it turns out that that tax adds up to well over $100,000 a year for just one mushroom farm in my riding. The Prime Minister now wants to quadruple the carbon tax on those farmers.

I have a very simple question from Carleton Mushroom Farms: How should it pay for the $400,000 in new taxes? Should it raise prices on consumers, or should it cut production, so we import more of our food from dirty, foreign economies?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, farmers across the country, including those in the member opposite's riding, know how important it is to fight climate change as well as protect their investments and future generations of farmers in this country. That is why we are stepping up with significant investments to support innovation in farming and agriculture and support direct investments to change the way we are doing things. It is so we can do them cleaner and greener, in ways that continue to support Canadians and build a stronger future for everyone.

We know that farmers care deeply about the land and its future. We are working with them, not denying the reality they are facing.

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is denying the reality they are facing. I was asking specifically about Carleton Mushroom Farms. Let us do the math. It is paying over $100,000 today for the Prime Minister's carbon tax. He wants to quadruple that to $400,000 a year.

How will it pay for that $400,000? Will it raise prices on consumers who already cannot afford food, or will it just cut production so Canadians buy more expensive, foreign food from polluting countries? Which one will it be?