Mr. Chair, the IRA has also changed the playing field in the world for investments of this kind—
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.
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.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, the IRA has also changed the playing field in the world for investments of this kind—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
NDP
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I expect these rather childish games of gotcha to be played by the Conservatives—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, when the government brags about securing investment for jobs for Canadians, I do not think there is anything childish at all to ask whether it is written down or not. What I find childish is somebody refusing to say whether they have a written agreement or not.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I think what is important for Canadians is to know that the Volkswagen deal is a done deal. It has been disclosed. It is fully accounted for in our budget, and the details have been disclosed.
I think Canadians do have a reasonable interest in what is happening with Stellantis—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, certainly.
Now when it comes to Stellantis, I think it is important for us to all be serious about this. This is an important investment—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, as I think the member opposite knows and as I think Canadians know, we are negotiating right now with Stellantis and we are negotiating—
Department of Finance—Main Estimates, 2023-24Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, in this budget, the government allocated another $50 million on top of the over $300 million it has already allocated to chasing money from the poor who were in the CERB program. How much is the government prepared to spend on chasing people who cannot afford to pay their CERB debt?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, our government believes in compassion, and I think we have demonstrated that in budget after budget. Our government also knows that Canadians want to know that there is fairness and program integrity.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, organizations that are currently working with vulnerable Canadians have said that the CRA is no longer offering the $5-a-month or $10-a-month repayment plans. Is the minister aware of that fact?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I would like to talk about the importance of fairness.
Fairness is important to vulnerable Canadians as well as to affluent Canadians. Vulnerable Canadians who play by the rules want to know that everyone else is playing by the rules too. That is why we are finding a balance between integrity and compassion.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, how much money is the government spending to reclaim emergency wage subsidy dollars that were taken by companies that did not need it?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, the point about the importance of integrity and fairness applies to all Canadians and to all of our programs.
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Mr. Chair, well, it applies to Canadians but apparently not corporations. I will ask again, how much money is the government spending on reclaiming emergency wage subsidy dollars from companies that posted profits and paid dividends?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, as I said, we absolutely understand the importance of program integrity. It really matters to Canadians.
I also want to point out, and let us remember, that COVID was an unprecedented economic emergency. We took unprecedented—
