The hon. minister has the floor.
House of Commons Hansard #379 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was documents.
House of Commons Hansard #379 of the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was documents.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. minister has the floor.
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Madam Speaker, our plan is very simple: to tackle affordability. That is what we did yesterday. We offered a tax cut to Canadians at a time when they need it.
What is shameful and what is on the mind of every Canadian is this question: Why would the Conservatives vote against a tax cut? I am sure people watching at home are saying that they must have been missing something. What is happening to the Conservatives, who say, “axe the tax”? Yesterday, they had a chance not to do slogans but to do something for Canadians, and they failed miserably.
Canadians need a break. That is—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable has the floor.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Madam Speaker, after nine years, this Prime Minister's economic vandalism is the biggest threat to the economy for Canadian families.
Statistics Canada revealed today that Canada's GDP per capita has fallen for the sixth consecutive quarter. This is a made-in-Canada, GDP-per-capita recession, caused by inflationary spending and tax increases imposed by this Prime Minister, supported by the Bloc Québécois. This Prime Minister has caused the worst decline in Canadians' standard of living in 40 years. He has no plan.
When will he call an election so that Canadians can elect a prime minister who has a plan?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Innovation
Madam Speaker, I am sure people watching at home are wondering where the member was yesterday. Our plan is clear. Our plan is to cut taxes. It is like the Conservative slogan, only better. Yesterday, it became clear that the only thing the Conservatives care about is slogans.
On this side of the House, we understand that the issue Canadians care about most is affordability, affordability, affordability. Yesterday, the Conservatives missed an opportunity to show which side they are on. People have realized that we understand what is going on in families—
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès) Liberal Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Madam Speaker, yesterday the Conservatives voted against a partial and temporary political gimmick to save 10¢ on chips. This is an election gimmick. That is what we voted against.
Today, we learned that, according to Statistics Canada, our country's GDP per capita fell for the sixth consecutive quarter. That is a sad and tough reality.
When will the Prime Minister put an end to his economic vandalism and call an election to really axe the tax and elect a new prime minister who has a plan for Canadians?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Madam Speaker, we see that, once again, my colleague is repeating the speaking points that his leader gave him.
Basically, the question we should be asking is how we can help Canadians who currently need financial assistance. That is exactly what we are doing. We are cutting taxes. Why, then, is my Conservative colleague from Quebec so opposed to us cutting taxes? Why did he vote against this measure? Why did all of his other Quebec colleagues vote against it?
Quebeckers know that the federal government is there to support them, and that is exactly what we are doing during this holiday season.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Madam Speaker, the Government of Quebec has just written to the federal government asking it to remove the religious exemption set out in the Criminal Code that allows hate speech masquerading as faith-based speech. Quebec is fed up with Ottawa's inaction, which is partly to blame for the current tensions in Montreal and which encourages speech that leads to violence.
As it happens, the Bloc Québécois has introduced a bill that would repeal the religious exemption. There should be no excuse, including any religious excuse, for inciting hatred.
Will the minister finally take action?
Arif Virani LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Madam Speaker, we are well aware of the figures and data concerning the truly alarming rise of hate in our societies, both in Quebec and in the rest of Canada.
We are being asked to take action against hate. I am perfectly willing to work with the member, with the Bloc Québécois and with the Government of Quebec to fight hate.
What we are asking is to break the gridlock in the House, with the help of the Bloc Québécois, and to study this bill and all others in good faith to fight hate.
Christine Normandin Bloc Saint-Jean, QC
Madam Speaker, politicians are speaking out against hate speech, but this outcry is pointless unless somebody in Ottawa has the courage to demand that the religious exemption be repealed, as the Bloc Québécois is calling for.
Hate speech is supposed to be criminal, period. Tolerating hate speech in the name of religion actively undermines our ability to co-exist in harmony. The Liberals have a choice. They can continue to condone incitement to hatred, or they can bring the Bloc Québécois bill back to the House and support it.
Will they make the right choice?
Arif Virani LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Madam Speaker, what I can say about the fight against hate is that we currently have Bill C‑63 on the table here in the House. It deals with aspects of the Criminal Code of Canada relating to hate. For example, if they want a change or amendment to the same sections in the Criminal Code of Canada, there is already a way to do that here in the House.
If they want to co-operate with us to promote this bill, I am quite comfortable co-operating with them.
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Madam Speaker, this government is allowing its own Crown corporation to attack workers. Canada Post is laying off striking workers. That is a brutal and illegal tactic for making them back down. It is disgusting. It is intimidation and a violation of the workers' fundamental right to strike.
The postal workers are fighting to protect good jobs and decent wages. The minister has to take responsibility and call Canada Post to order.
Will the Liberals stand up for the rights of workers, or will they allow Canada Post to behave ruthlessly?
Stéphane Lauzon LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizens' Services
Madam Speaker, the government is aware that this labour action will have a major and immediate impact on millions of people. No one wants this strike. Canada's small businesses and charitable organizations rely on Canada Post during the holidays. We understand in particular that the most significant impact will be felt in remote regions.
We want just one thing. We encourage both parties to continue working together to resolve the problems.
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Madam Speaker, the government has once again allowed its Crown corporation to walk all over workers. Not only did Canada Post illegally lay off striking workers; it also cut off medical benefits for people like Marc Caron, who has cancer and now has to pay thousands of dollars for medication. This is despicable. It is intimidation and it is a violation of workers' fundamental right to strike.
What does the minister have to say to Marc Caron and the thousands of workers who have been abused by Canada Post and the Liberal government?
Terry Sheehan LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and Seniors
Madam Speaker, on this side of the House, we know the best deals are always made at the bargaining table. The special mediator has suspended mediation services and the minister has asked both parties to go and create new proposals that will work and get back to the bargain table because Canadians are expecting them to come back and make a deal that works for all.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Speaker, after nine years, we are seeing the NDP-Liberal government's economic vandalism in real time with new data from Statistics Canada today. Real GDP per capita fell 0.4% in the third quarter in 2024. Per capita GDP has fallen now for six consecutive quarters. This is a made-in-Canada per capita GDP recession caused by the NDP-Liberal carbon tax housing crisis and job-killing, investment-killing capital gains tax hike.
The Prime Minister does not have a plan. Will he get out of the way for a prime minister who does?
Peter Fragiskatos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing
Madam Speaker, inflation is back to normal levels. Unemployment levels in this country are around historically low levels. That member continues to talk about GDP per capita like all of them do. On that measure specifically, which has been roundly criticized by economists as not presenting a fair economic picture, let us look at it. We exceed the U.K., France and Japan. Yesterday, Conservatives had a chance to vote for a tax cut for Canadians, and what did they do? They did what they always did. They voted on the opposite side. They do not care about the middle class. They do not care about everyday Canadians.
Tracy Gray Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Madam Speaker, what that member opposite does not want to talk about is that the new GDP data represents the worst standard of living decline in Canada in 40 years. The Canadian dollar is the lowest it has been in five years, and more costs to Canadians are on the way with the new U.S. administration wanting to put a 25% tariff on all Canadian exports. What is the Prime Minister's response? It is to hike taxes, like the carbon tax, which will be going up on April 1, which will make the cost of everything go up.
The Prime Minister does not have a plan. Will he get out of the way for a prime minister who does?
Arif Virani LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Madam Speaker, Canadians respect principle, but they have challenges with duplicity. I know that member to be a strong advocate for small businesses in this country. I know that because she herself is a small business owner. In the past seven days, we have had the Canada carbon rebate apply to small businesses in the terms of thousands of dollars, which is tremendous. Last night, we had a vote in this chamber about axing a tax that reduces the GST on the small businesses that member defends constantly in this chamber. I just do not understand the duplicity when she cannot find her conscience and vote in favour of a tax that will help businesses in B.C. and right around the country.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Madam Speaker, while the U.S. economy roars, real GDP per capita in Canada falls. It is a made-in-Canada recession, and these NDP-Liberals have presided over the worst standard of living decline in this country in 40 years. Food bank use is at records never seen before. The United States is going to hit us with a 25% tariff. What is their plan? It is to raise taxes. The NDP-Liberal government is going to raise its job-killing carbon tax.
The Prime Minister does not have a plan.
Peter Fragiskatos LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing
Madam Speaker, he talks about our relations with the United States. I remember back when I was first elected in 2016. What did we see with the rise of Donald Trump in the United States? We saw a government that was there for Canadians, and we saw a Conservative Party at that time that was telling the government to capitulate. We will not do that. We will stand for everyday Canadians, as we always have. On the issue of what happened yesterday, they do not want to talk about it, but let us talk about it. It is very critical to note yet again that they turned their back on Canadians. They voted against a tax cut. They did it years ago; they have done it again. They were against middle-class tax cuts.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, ON
Madam Speaker, let us talk about a record of the failed government that does not have a plan to address the 25% tariffs that are going to be imposed by the U.S. government, that is except for the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister to introduce his carbon tax being raised again on April 1, along with a host of other taxes. Poverty is up. Food bank use is up. Mortgage costs have doubled. Rent has doubled.
If the Prime Minister does not have a plan to fix what he has broken, will he get out of the way for a prime minister who can fix it?
Maninder Sidhu LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Export Promotion
Madam Speaker, our trade relationship with the U.S. is of utmost importance and it is a key priority for our government. What Canadians want to know is where the Conservatives were last night with their axe. They did not vote in favour of axing the tax. On this side of the House, Liberal MPs stood strong with Canadian families and voted to axe the GST for two months so Canadians can save up to 13% in Ontario. This means prepared food, children's toys, diapers, car seats, board games, puzzles, video games and other essentials will be much less expensive over the holidays. Why will the Conservatives not stand with Canadian families?
Corey Tochor Conservative Saskatoon—University, SK
Madam Speaker, new data has been released and it is bad. Canadians' economy is on life support. It is so bad that Stats Canada just reported our economy is collapsing. GDP per capita has declined for six consecutive quarters. The United States is eating our lunch. The U.S. economy in the last quarter increased by 2.8%; in Canada, 0.3%; not 3%, but 0.3%.
Canadians are going broke and the Prime Minister does not have a plan. When will he get out of the way for a prime minister who has a plan?