Debates of Nov. 4th, 2024

Housing

[Randeep Sarai, Liberal, Surrey Centre, BC]

Mr. Speaker, last week, we learned that the Conservative leader will reverse Canada's housing progress and cut programs that are building more homes faster in Surrey and across the country. It is not just his own MPs who disagree with his reckless housing cuts. Mayors across the country, including former Conservative MPs, are sounding the alarm over the cuts.

The housing accelerator fund invests in housing in Surrey and every local community across Canada, but the Conservative leader wants to shut housing projects down. Interest rates are down. Housing starts are up. Housing permits are up. We need to build on this progress, not take it backwards to the days when the Conservative leader was Harper's failed housing minister. He failed to build more homes back then and he wants to reverse housing progress now.

Canadians cannot afford these Conservative housing cuts. We need more homes, and we will not let the Conservative leader stand in our way.

Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

[Jake Stewart, Conservative, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal costly coalition, there is only one person keeping the Prime Minister in power. That is the leader of the NDP.

Remember the NDP leader's big stunt when he told Canadians he ripped up the coalition deal with the Liberals? It was just a scam on the poor voters of Elmwood—Transcona right before a by-election. The NDP leader said, “The fact is, the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for [Canadians].”

While the NDP leader supports the punishing carbon tax, voting for it over 24 times, Canadians visit food banks in record-smashing numbers. Every day the Prime Minister stays in power is because of the leader of the NDP, who lacks courage. It is time for the Prime Minister to call a carbon tax election now so Canadians can make the choice.

Housing

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years, the “Liberal Bloc” is not worth the cost of housing.

Rents, mortgage payments and down payments have doubled. The good news is that a Conservative government is going to axe the federal sales tax on new homes sold in Canada. This tax cut will save homebuyers $40,000, or $2,200 a year in mortgage payments, on an $800,000 house.

This tax cut will spark 30,000 extra homes built every year and give a break to buyers struggling to find housing. Our Conservative proposal has been hailed by the Corporation des propriétaires immobiliers du Québec, the Quebec landlords' association, as “a step in the right direction” that will “lower housing costs”.

It is clear that only common-sense Conservatives will bring home Canada's promise that hard work earns a powerful paycheque that buys affordable food and homes in safe neighbourhoods.

Foreign Interference

[Irek Kusmierczyk, Liberal, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this Friday, my wife and I were honoured to join the vibrant and growing Sikh community in Windsor—Tecumseh to celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas. We prayed together, lit clay lamps, rolled roti in the kitchen and shared langar.

The news from the RCMP that foreign agents of the Government of India participated in serious crimes on Canadian soil against Sikh Canadians has shaken my community, just as it has shaken all Canadians from coast to coast to coast. To think for even one second that a member of my community could be targeted or killed for their religious or political beliefs by an agent working on behalf of a foreign government is abhorrent. An attack on one Canadian is an attack on all Canadians and our shared values of democracy and freedom.

It is past time for the leader of the Conservative Party to join all opposition leaders in getting his security clearance. It is past time to put the nation ahead of himself. There is nothing more important than protecting Canadians.

Persons with Disabilities

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in Nanaimo—Ladysmith, we are fortunate to have individuals and organizations championing the rights of those living with disabilities. One such group is the Self Advocates of Nanaimo, providing a platform for people with diverse abilities to have a voice and join together in advocacy, mentorship, education and community building.

It was such an honour to meet with self-advocates Miranda, Barbara, Pat, Crystal, CJ, Nick and Ryan, as well as the advisory and outreach supporters Gwen and Cheyanne. These incredible self-advocates shared with me important stories of strength and stories of unacceptable challenges.

People living with disabilities need and deserve enough to live with dignity and respect. Up to $200 a month is nowhere near enough. The applications necessary for supports need to be free and accessible, and housing is in dire need. I hear the Self Advocates of Nanaimo and stand with it.

ADISQ Gala

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Quebec culture shone brightly last night, as its stars dressed up for the biggest event of the year in the music and entertainment industry, the ADISQ Gala.

It was so nice to see and hear Quebec artists of every generation who continue to enrich our culture, playing everything from trad and pop to rap and hip hop. It was magical to see Les Trois Accords, Karkwa, Elisapie, Souldia, Roxane Bruneau, Roch Voisine and Isabelle Boulay give such electrifying performances. It was so moving to reflect on the people we lost this year, like Jean‑Pierre Ferland and Karl Tremblay. It was so heartwarming to see Les Cowboys Fringants walk away with three Félix awards, including the most prestigious, which went to Jean‑François Pauzé, the brilliant songwriter who has been writing award-worthy songs from the very start. What an amazing celebration it was.

The gala was a lot of fun, but it is important to remember that the cultural sector needs to be taken seriously when it asks for support, including things like copyright reform to ensure our creators have a future. Nevertheless, despite the challenges they face, artists are always there to sing about our joys, our sorrows and our hopes.

To borrow from a Les Cowboys Fringants song, thanks to Quebec artists, we are a long way from “la fin du show”, the end of the show.

Housing

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberals, they are not worth the cost of homes and housing. The sad reality is that the government is focused on building deficits, not homes, and young Canadians are paying the price. Over half of Canadians under 35 say they want to own a home, and that same amount are saying the government's economic mismanagement is making that dream impossible.

Common-sense Conservatives will axe the tax on new homes sold. On an $800,000 home, this tax cut would save homebuyers $2,200 a month in mortgage payments. The response to this plan has been impressive. The Canadian Real Estate Association said, “a positive move toward lowering building costs, increasing housing supply, and making homeownership more attainable for Canadians”, and Habitat for Humanity concluded that the plan would reduce costs, passing on savings to Habitat homeowners.

It is only the Conservatives who have united industry, advocates and Canadians regarding housing, and it is only Conservatives who will build the houses and bring young Canadians home.

Diwali

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Brampton North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I wish you a happy Diwali. Last week, I celebrated the festival of lights in my riding by going to local mandirs and gurdwaras. What made Diwali even more special was that the Prime Minister dropped by to celebrate with Bramptonians.

Today, we will continue the grand celebration on the Hill, hosted by the Liberal caucus, with many in attendance from across the country. The celebration on the Hill is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and respect for all communities. In contrast, the Conservative caucus cancelled its Diwali celebration, proving that all the Conservatives care about is themselves.

The celebration of Diwali is shared among Hindus and Sikhs, and over the last few days I have witnessed these communities celebrating together in harmony. However, I am also deeply troubled by what took place yesterday: first the protests and acts of violence that took place outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir, and then the counterprotests and violence that took place at Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara.

Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their places of worship. There is no room for such actions in our society. Let us respect the true essence and teachings of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, come together and respect community.

The Economy

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberal Prime Minister's economic vandalism, over two million Canadians are visiting a food bank in a single month, housing costs have doubled and inflation continues to eat away at Canadians' paycheques.

The Prime Minister's massive deficits and tax hikes are causing extreme damage to the Canadian economy. For eight out of the last nine quarters, Canadian per-person GDP is down. This is a made-in-Canada, per-person GDP recession. That means Canadian workers work harder but bring home less.

Will the Prime Minister stop his economic vandalism and cancel his job-killing, paycheque-shrinking tax hikes?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, this morning we heard the sad news of the passing of the Hon. Murray Sinclair. Let me take a moment before we begin today to say a few words about him.

As a former judge, senator and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Murray was determined to help Canada reckon with its colonial realities and bring healing to this country. He was a visionary and a leader, and his kind and fierce commitment to truth has pushed Canada forward in profound and lasting ways.

Our hearts and minds are with his family. Canada is a much better place for his service.

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, I join in my hon. colleague's sending of condolences.

However, we are witnessing economic vandalism in real time. Last Thursday, the government was briefed that the only sector of the Canadian economy that was actually producing any growth was the energy sector. What did the government do today? It slapped a punishing cap on Canadian production. This will only chase investments and jobs to other countries, but that is something the Prime Minister is good at. He increased Canadian investment in the US by $63 billion last year alone.

Will the Prime Minister stop fuelling the U.S. economy, cancel his tax hikes and cancel the production cap to bring those investment dollars back home?

[Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, today, we were very pleased to announce an emissions cap with respect to the oil and gas sector in this country.

Given that oil and gas constitutes 31% of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, it is important that we work with the sector to reduce emissions, just as we do with every sector. It is also true that, as we move towards a lower carbon economy across the world, oil and gas produced with the lowest emissions is going to have value around the world.

We are moving forward with a plan to address climate change and build a strong economy going forward. The Conservatives are stuck in the past and ignoring the science of climate.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Liberal, Greg Fergus]

Before I get to the hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle, I would just ask the hon. member for Calgary Centre to hold on until it is his turn to ask a question.

The hon. member for Regina—Qu'Appelle.

[Andrew Scheer, Conservative, Regina—Qu'Appelle, SK]

Mr. Speaker, all this production cap will do is make other countries richer while making Canadians poorer. That is something the Prime Minister is so good at.

Members can consider this: GDP per capita in Canada is down. In the U.S., it is up. Nine years ago, average wages in the U.S. and Canada were almost identical. Now, an American worker brings home $22,000 more than their Canadian counterpart. As well, half a trillion dollars in investments has fled Canada to the United States, creating bigger paycheques for American workers. All of this is because of the Prime Minister's high taxes and massive deficits.

The Prime Minister is the number one job creator in the United States. Instead of helping the U.S. economy, why does he not fight for Canada for once?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, maybe the member opposite should take the time to actually read the information about the pollution cap. Production is forecast to increase 16% by 2030. The idea that we are somehow cutting production is simply not true.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after nine years of this Prime Minister, supported by the Bloc Québécois, half a billion dollars has left Canada for the United States. The Conservatives will bring home investments, money and jobs.

Because of this Prime Minister's high taxes and astronomical deficits, American workers are thriving, while Canadian workers are losing hope because they can no longer afford to put a roof over their head or food on the table. American workers are now earning $22,000 more than their Canadian counterparts.

Will the Prime Minister bring our money, investments and jobs back to Canada, or will he once again shirk his responsibilities?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, I am a patriotic Canadian and I know that our country is a great country. I do not want to be American. If the Conservatives want to make comparisons, here is what they should be comparing. Inflation is lower in Canada. The interest rate is lower in Canada. The average Canadian will live four years longer than the average American. The Conservatives are wrong if they think that the United States is better than Canada.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that after nine years of this Prime Minister and three different U.S. presidents, this Liberal government has been unable to create wealth in Canada.

The gap between the United States and Canada is widening. Look at the softwood lumber deal and the Buy America Act. This Prime Minister failed miserably at defending Canadian factories and workers. No one has created more jobs in the U.S. than the Prime Minister. Per capita income is down in Canada, yet it is up 18% in the U.S.

When will the Prime Minister stand up for Canada, cut taxes, and bring home our money, jobs and investment?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance]

Mr. Speaker, once again, let me tell the House what we do better in Canada. Inflation is lower. The interest rate is lower. The average lifespan is longer.

I want to share a comment from David Rosenberg, a well-known economist. He said last week that that U.S.-based investors should strongly consider leaving New York for Toronto. That is because he knows that Canadian companies have stronger returns. That is the reality.

International Trade

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on the eve of the American election, we must stop Senators Peter Boehm and Peter Harder from blocking Bill C-282. They want to prevent us from protecting supply management in free trade agreements, when we know that the U.S. can reopen CUSMA, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, as early as 2026. The fact that these two senators are blocking this bill is not just undemocratic and harmful, it is also dangerous. It is dangerous because it is jeopardizing 6,000 businesses and 100,000 jobs in Quebec.

Will the Prime Minister finally ask them to stop threatening Quebec farmers?

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, having been a farmer all my life and involved in the supply management system for all of my agricultural career, I am fully aware of how valuable the supply management system is to this country. I belong to a government and a party that has initiated supply management and continues to support supply management. I can tell my hon. colleague and this country that the government will continue to support the supply management program.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we know that the next president of the United States can reopen CUSMA as early as 2026. On the one hand, we have Trump, who wants to eliminate our supply management system altogether. On the other, we have Kamala Harris, whose running mate is the Governor of Wisconsin, a state that will benefit hugely if our supply management system is weakened. Caught in the middle are Quebec farmers, who are appalled that the will of the elected members of the House of Commons is being thwarted by two unelected senators. That is undemocratic. It is shocking and it is dangerous.

Will the Prime Minister finally ask Peter Boehm and Peter Harder to pass Bill C-282?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Minister of National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, we have already explained to our Bloc Québécois colleagues that senators are independent. However, what I also understand is that the Bloc is admitting that it is unable to protect supply management. The only one that can protect this system, no matter what happens on the other side of the border, is a Liberal government, because it is truly willing and committed to doing so. Only the Liberals will protect supply management.

Health

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in Canada, we believe health care should be there when we need it, and it should be free.

Today, Collège des médecins du Québec president, Dr. Mauril Gaudreault, was quoted saying that patients are typically being told by doctors that they could do the surgery in 14 months, but if the patient goes to their private clinic, they could get it done in one month and it would cost $25,000. Dr. Gaudreault says that is questionable, if not illegal.

I think it is pretty clearly illegal. Does the Prime Minister agree?