Debates of March 29th, 2023

Dental Care

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in yesterday's budget, the Liberals chose to spend heavily in areas of provincial jurisdiction to please the NDP, but that is not what Quebeckers need. That is why, this morning, the Quebec government asked to opt out with compensation from the federal dental care program because it already has one. Quebec rightly explains that, before new programs are created, existing programs should be adequately funded.

Is the government committed to giving Quebec the right to opt out with full compensation?

[Jean-Yves Duclos, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to hear the member make the connection with the major investments announced by the Prime Minister on February 6 and confirmed in the budget tabled yesterday by the Minister of Finance. These investments will support hundreds of thousands of Canadians, patients and workers across Quebec. In addition, the dental insurance program that will be implemented in the coming years and months will also help millions of Quebeckers take better care of their oral health.

Natural Resources

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec is also concerned that the budget is diverting our money away from the environment to line the pockets of oil companies, with good reason. Up to $37 billion over 10 years could be used for dirty energy projects or to indirectly stimulate the production of hydrocarbons. This morning, the National Assembly was unanimous. It is asking the federal government to halt all direct or indirect subsidies to oil and gas companies with Quebeckers' money.

Will the government finally listen to the unanimous voice of Quebec and stop investing our money in dirty energy?

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois constantly acts like the mother-in-law who is never satisfied and who is constantly pouting.

We invest in people in need, they pout. We invest in the environment, they pout. We invest in society as a whole, they pout. They are constantly pouting.

Instead, they should be happy that we are investing in health, dental care, the environment, and support to buy groceries.

That is a government that takes action.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the minister of inflation said she did not want to add fuel to the inflationary fire, yet in yesterday's budget she literally threw a $43-billion jerry can on the inflationary fire that she created in the first place and literally put $4,300 of extra cost on each and every Canadian household. Inflation is at a 40-year high. Gas, groceries, home heating, mortgages and rents have all doubled because of the failed policies of the Liberal-NDP government.

In what world is it fair to add an extra $4,300 on the backs of hard-working Canadian households?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, Conservatives can lack ambition for this country, but the Liberals know that we have a golden opportunity to build the economy for the future, to have hundreds of thousands of jobs in hydrogen, clean tech and green tech to feed and fuel the world. That is why our budget puts in the building blocks for the economy of the future, puts a marker down to help Canadians struggling with inflation and reinforces our health care system for the next 10 years.

The Conservatives do not like it. Canadians asked us to do it and that is our job. We are going to continue to deliver for Canadians.

Finance

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary Forest Lawn, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it will be adding $4,300 on the backs of each and every household. The Liberals think everyone is stupid, that we should join in on their war on work and on paycheques, that we should support their failed inflationary policies. We are not gullible like the NDP. We are going to stand up for Canadians every single day. This is a government that says it is fiscally prudent, then turns around and pile-drives Canadians with an extra $4,300 of cost.

The Liberals claim that they care about the pain of Canadians, yet they are going to increase the costs of their failed carbon tax this Saturday. Again, in what world is it fair to add an extra $4,300 on the backs of hard-working Canadian families?

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

Mr. Speaker, in what world is it fair to talk to Canadians who are dealing with the most difficult times since the Second World War, while using the kind of incendiary language and misrepresentation of fact that we heard from the other side?

We are going through a global inflation challenge, but this is a pattern of behaviour where they make it personal, they attack and they make up facts. Take the Prime Minister being in London, where they talked about the cost of a hotel room. That hotel room was for more than one room and it included rooms for security. There is a constant effort on the part of the party opposite—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

Order. The hon. member has 10 seconds left. Please proceed.

[Mark Holland, Liberal, Ajax, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it would behoove us in this House when we are dealing with issues that are as serious as what we are dealing with, instead of advancing a partisan interest, which was certainly incredibly evident in that last question with its hyperbole and misrepresentation, to instead deal seriously with the issues in front of us honestly.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, after eight years, the Liberal government clearly demonstrated that the out-of-control spending is not over.

We have a $43-billion deficit. That is $43 billion that we do not have. That is $43 billion that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will have to pay back. That is $43 billion that will contribute to inflation. Furthermore, taxes will increase on Saturday.

Ultimately, the $43-billion deficit means an extra $4,200 in debt for every Canadian family.

Is the Prime Minister prepared to rise in the House and repeat his famous line, “The budget is going to balance itself”?

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, during these difficult times around the world, the budget tells Canadians they can continue to count on the government being at their side.

We will meet the challenge posed today and in the future by introducing a new grocery rebate that will benefit 11 million Canadians. We will increase payments for the health system.

We will invest in the future of our economy. We will lay the cornerstone for a strong economy and a strong future. It is our duty, and we will do it for and with Canadians.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Mr. Speaker, almost exactly a year ago today, the Minister of Finance said, “We are absolutely determined that our debt-to-GDP ratio must continue to decline.” Today, the opposite is true.

She said, “Our deficits must continue to be reduced.” Today, the opposite is true.

She also said that the debt “must—and will—be paid down”, but the exact opposite is true.

Will the finance minister rise from her seat in the House of Commons, look Canadians in the eye and apologize for lying to them?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Innovation]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent. Yes, I will look him and the Canadians watching at home in the eye.

We listened to Canadians. That is something that the members on that side of the House should do a little more often.

Canadians asked us to help them with the cost of living. The grocery rebate will help 11 million Canadians. That is what being there for people looks like.

Canadians also asked us to help them with health care. We are making investments in that sector because it is a priority for Canadians.

They also asked us to create the jobs of tomorrow because they want a future for their children, and that is exactly what we are doing.

Housing

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the average price for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto has now hit $2,500. The cost of housing in the country is skyrocketing. We are in a housing crisis that is gripping the entire nation. Every community is feeling the impact.

People cannot find a home that is in their budget. People are struggling with inadequate housing. This government does not understand how serious it is. When will this Prime Minister take the housing crisis seriously and finally build more homes that people can afford faster?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion]

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the $4-billion housing accelerator fund to speed up the construction of new housing for more Canadians, a rent-to-own program, a $500 federal top-up for Canadian renters, a $40,000 tax-free first home savings account and new guidelines for protecting Canadians with mortgages facing exceptional circumstances, budget 2023 doubles housing construction in this decade, directly supports those with the cost of housing, helps Canadians to save for their first home, curbs unfair practices that drive up the price of housing and supports the construction of deeply affordable housing.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, economists are warning that a recession is very likely coming our way. The reality is that the debate is not about whether or not it is coming, but about how big or small it is.

Workers are staring down the face of a recession with an EI program that does not cover all workers. Unions, leaders and organizers have all raised the concern and alarm bells that we need an EI system that works. When will this government fix EI so that it is there for every worker?

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

Mr. Speaker, we understand that EI benefits need to be fair, more responsive and more adequate to the needs of Canada's evolving workforce. That is why we are committed to comprehensively modernizing the EI system.

We consulted widely with unions, workers, employers and other partners so that we can build an EI system that meets the needs of Canadians for decades to come. We have already extended EI sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks, and with budget 2023, we propose extending support for seasonal workers until October 2024.

The minister has always said that we need to get this right. This is a priority, we are on it and we will get this done.

Taxation

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, increases in duties such as those on alcohol can sometimes provide predictability to businesses. However, as all members of this House know, we are in an unusually high inflation situation. On April 1, the excise inflation adjustment on alcohol was set to increase by 6.3%.

I am asking the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance to tell this House what the government is doing to assist breweries, wine makers and spirit providers in this country.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague and friend from Etobicoke—Lakeshore and indeed all members of the Liberal caucus for raising this important issue for the government and for the hard work on the file.

In the budget we tabled yesterday, we temporarily capped the excise inflation adjustment for alcohol at 2% for one year as of April 1, 2023. This important—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Anthony Rota]

I am sorry, I am going to have to interrupt. I am having time hearing the answer.

The hon. minister has about 20 seconds.

[Randy Boissonnault, Liberal, Edmonton Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore and all Liberals for leaning in on this issue. In the budget yesterday, we capped the inflation excise tax at 2%. That is great news for the tourism sector and great news for Canadians. We listened, and we delivered.

Carbon Pricing

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's new spending spree in this year's budget would cost every Canadian family more than $4,300, and Canada's food price index is showing that groceries for a family of four are going to be more than $1,000 in 2023, yet the Prime Minister wants to make food even more expensive by increasing the carbon tax on April 1.

Why is the Prime Minister choosing to increase taxes and fan the inflationary flames, rather than make food more affordable for every Canadian family?