House of Commons Hansard #201 of the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Department of Public Works and Government Services Act Report stage of Bill S-222. The bill requires the Minister of Public Works and Government Services to consider environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, when developing requirements for federal construction. It aims to promote the use of wood and other sustainable building materials, highlighting its carbon sequestration and potential for job creation in the forest industry. While widely supported, some desire stronger language to give preference to wood. 8000 words, 1 hour.
Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act Third reading of Bill S-5. The bill, which updates the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, aims to strengthen environmental protection by recognizing the right to a healthy environment and enhancing the management of toxic substances. Key amendments include a commitment to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a focus on vulnerable populations, and a strategy to reduce animal testing. The Conservatives oppose the bill due to an amendment on tailings ponds and hydraulic fracturing, which they view as an intrusion into provincial jurisdiction, while the NDP and Bloc Québécois support the bill, despite some reservations. 31000 words, 5 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24 Members debate the Department of Finance's main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, focusing on the government's economic policies. Discussions include the impact of the carbon tax on inflation and household costs, the government's fiscal responsibility and debt-to-GDP ratio, and investments in climate action and the clean economy. Members also discuss affordability measures like the grocery rebate and dental care plan, as well as housing initiatives and tax fairness. 34300 words, 4 hours.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Madam Chair, last November, the government said that it would balance the budget by 2027.
Now, when will Canada's budget be balanced?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, for us, the most important things are jobs and economic growth. We are getting excellent results.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Madam Chair, for Canadian taxpayers, the most important thing is having some money left in their pockets.
The Liberal government just invented a second Liberal carbon tax.
Can the Minister of Finance tell us, on average, how much that will cost a family in Quebec?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, is the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent talking about the fuel regulations on which, during the 2021 election campaign, the Conservative Party, including members from Quebec—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Madam Chair, on average, how much will the second Liberal carbon tax cost Quebec families?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, Quebec is a province that believes climate action is important, so I think that—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Madam Chair, the Parliamentary Budget Officer indicated that the second Liberal carbon tax will cost Canadian families an average of $436 more. Is that true or false?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, we will assess progress so that the price of carbon is on the path to $170 a tonne. That was the plan—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Madam Chair, we are not talking about the tax per tonne. We are talking about the money that this is going to cost taxpayers—
The Deputy Chair NDP Carol Hughes
Order. The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism on a point of order.
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Madam Chair, I am sorry to have interrupted my colleague.
My colleague has already directly asked the minister a number of questions, even though we know very well that, in committee of the whole, we have to ask the question through the Chair.
The Deputy Chair NDP Carol Hughes
If I did not catch it, I apologize.
The hon. member must address his questions and comments through the Chair.
The hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Madam Chair, does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with the Parliamentary Budget Officer, who stated in a report that the Liberal carbon tax will cost Quebec families an average of $436 more, yes or no?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, does the member opposite agree with his platform in the 2021 election campaign and with the promises he made to his Quebec constituents, who believe in the importance of action?
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Madam Chair, does the Deputy Prime Minister agree with the Parliamentary Budget Officer's assertion that the second version of the Liberal carbon tax will cost the average Quebec family an additional $436? Is that true, yes or no?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, I agree with the Parliamentary Budget Officer who appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance and said that our plan is fiscally responsible and that our deficit is responsible, especially in comparison with other G7 countries.
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Madam Chair, does it mean an extra $436 for families, yes or no?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Madam Chair, is it $170 per tonne as the Conservatives promised, yes or no?
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Madam Chair, what is Canada's household debt as a percentage of the GDP?
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
University—Rosedale Ontario
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland LiberalDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Madam Chair, what is the Conservative plan on climate, because we have heard a lot of—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Stephen Ellis Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Madam Chair, why did the Liberal government cancel the clean tidal energy program to produce power in Nova Scotia?