Debates of Oct. 1st, 2025

The Economy

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is leading the country to prosperity. That is why we said that we needed to change our approach. We need to spend less so we can invest more. Why? It is because Canada is a big country. We have talent across the country. We are capable of making cars, planes and ships. We have critical minerals. We have abundant energy, and we are the only G7 country that has a free trade agreement with every G7 nation.

On that side of the House, they should be celebrating the Prime Minister's plan, because together we are going to make Canada the strongest country in the G7.

Canada Post

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this government is to blame for the postal crisis.

It announced that it was overhauling Canada Post but did not even consult the workers. They found out about it in the news. Now, no one is getting their mail. Some people are not getting their cheques or have to travel to pick them up. Businesses are having to improvise to get their parcels delivered. Quebec is afraid that no one will receive their ballot to vote in the municipal elections. All of this is because the minister is improvising without consulting anyone.

Seriously, what else did he expect?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her question.

I would like to set the record straight. This dispute has been going on for 20 months. The union was on strike from November 2024 to December 2024. I was nowhere close to being a minister at that time. My colleague says that we did not consult, but we are implementing the Kaplan report recommendations. The inquiry commission reviewed Canada Post's financial statements, heard from the union and management, and made sensible and responsive recommendations to modernize the institution.

With Canada Post losing $10 million a day, we can no longer afford to wait to modernize an institution that is essential to the country.

[Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the postal crisis was brought on by the federal government.

The best example is passports. People waiting for passports that will not arrive on time have to go to a Service Canada office to get one and pay hundreds of dollars.

As it turns out, Service Canada reports to the same minister. It is clear that the minister did not even think to look for solutions for people before kicking off a firestorm at Canada Post.

Why is it that Quebeckers once again have to pay the price for the Liberals' incompetence?

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

Mr. Speaker, we have a plan in place so that citizens can get their passports.

Service Canada can quickly support people who have a situation with their passport stuck in the mail. We are available 24-7 to help Canadians.

Carbon Pricing

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we know the Prime Minister was misleading Canadians when he cancelled the carbon tax. I want to quote the food professor, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, who stated it perfectly: “The carbon tax—”

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I ask the member to start over, without that particular language. It was inadvertent, maybe. I would not suggest that the hon. member is intentionally doing something like that.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, we know the Prime Minister was doing a classic Liberal bait and switch when he told Canadians he cancelled the carbon tax. I want to quote the food professor, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, who put it perfectly:

“The carbon tax was not eliminated.

“Only the consumer portion was reduced to zero. The industrial carbon tax remains fully in place—and has actually increased since April 1. We have argued numerous times that the carbon tax across the supply chain is undermining the competitiveness of our agri-food sector.”

Why is the Prime Minister pulling a bait and switch and taxing farmers and the food Canadians rely on?

[Tim Hodgson, Liberal, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources]

Mr. Speaker, the industrial carbon price is essential to our credibility as a responsible energy supplier and is key to gaining market access as we diversify our exports. It is driving over $57 billion in investment, enabling carbon capture projects like the Pathways project and reinforcing Canada's leadership as a low-emission LNG producer. This is the right thing to do.

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to give the Prime Minister some facts. The fact is that food prices have increased nearly 40% since the Liberals were elected 10 years ago. I saw it at the grocery store this weekend. Pork shoulder is up 37%, and my coffee was up 25%. A little package of lunch meat was almost $10.

The Prime Minister said that he would be judged by food prices. Food Banks Canada has now said that a quarter of Canadians are struggling to put food on the table. That should never be the reality in this country.

Will the Prime Minister do the right thing, support the Conservative motion and scrap his taxes on farmers and the food Canadians rely on?

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are well aware of who has their backs, and that is why they chose this Liberal government in the last election. Over the last 10 years, they have watched Conservatives vote against all of their interests. Whether it is programs for kids, programs for seniors, training for tradespeople or investments in agriculture, the Conservatives vote against. I hope by the nature of that question, though, that they will not vote against the tax cut for 22 million Canadians. That is how they help Canadians: by standing with them.

The Economy

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians in higher Liberal taxes and inflation. Let us start with the grocery aisle. The Prime Minister promised that he would judged by Canadians' experience at the grocery store, and since he took office, food prices have been rising 50% faster here than in the U.S. Greta from Trout River, a widow, reached out saying that prices on everything have gone through the roof. She cannot afford to eat.

Will the Liberal Prime Minister stop taxing groceries so Canadians can afford to put food on their tables?

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, while the Conservative leader was busy trying to get the only job he ever had back, three months ago today we cut taxes for 22 million Canadians, and we are not stopping there. We are going to cut spending on government operations so we can invest more in nation-building projects, in housing, in infrastructure and in defence. We will create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, and I ask the Conservatives to cut the rhetoric and get on board.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the real truth is that the Prime Minister has been on this job for half a year, and grocery prices have already become more unaffordable. The so-called struggle meals, like Hamburger Helper and Kraft Dinner, are trending as Canadians struggle with the high price of food, all because of things like food packaging taxes and the industrial carbon tax. Canadians are judging the Prime Minister, just as he expected. They are asking, pleading, for prices to go down immediately.

Again, will the Prime Minister stop taxing groceries so Canadians can afford to eat?

[Stephanie McLean, Liberal, Secretary of State (Seniors)]

Mr. Speaker, today we mark National Seniors Day. I want to point out that our government has taken action to ensure seniors in Canada can age with dignity. We are cutting red tape. We are building homes faster, and we have introduced dental care, which more than two million seniors have signed up for.

We are building an economy that works for everyone, while the Conservatives have a record of pushing the retirement age higher. It is very rich coming from them, given they are interested in cutting benefits and leaving seniors behind. While they are voting against support for seniors, we are empowering older Canadians.

[Gabriel Hardy, Conservative, Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the cost of living is out of control and people are stretched thin. Food inflation has reached 70% over the Bank of Canada target and families are paying hundreds of dollars more every year for staples such as meat, fruit, vegetables and coffee. The price of coffee has gone up by 23% over the past few months. This also threatens an industry that supports hundreds of thousands of workers in the country.

Does the Prime Minister realize that every dollar he spends recklessly fuels inflation and increases the cost of living?

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Secretary of State (Children and Youth)]

Mr. Speaker, we are determined to grow the strongest economy in the G7 and protect and strengthen the support measures that help Canadians. Our investments in child care services, dental care and school food programs are not only lowering the cost of living for families, but they are also strengthening Canada by promoting women's participation in the labour market, while giving children the best possible start in life. We are giving families the means to make ends meet.

Seniors

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is National Seniors Day, an opportunity to recognize the contributions that seniors have made to building our communities and our country, yet some are still facing delays in processing old age security and Canada pension plan applications.

Could the Secretary of State for Seniors share what steps are being taken to speed up the processing of these critical applications?

[Stephanie McLean, Liberal, Secretary of State (Seniors)]

Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to take a moment to recognize the tremendous contribution of seniors in this country. They built this country, and we assure them that this government is working hard to deliver the benefits they deserve.

Service Canada is streamlining applications, increasing automation and improving communication with clients. We have an action plan to improve the speed and quality of service for seniors in this country, and we will implement this plan. For example, the 96% of seniors receiving GIS are now automatically renewed, ensuring continuity of service. This is the kind of work we are doing to ensure seniors are getting the resources they have worked so hard for.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the generation that built our prosperity is now being bled dry by the Liberal government's “unaffordabillion” crisis. A shocking new report shows that one-third of seniors are covering their adult children's basic costs, and three-quarters say it is draining their retirement. After 10 years of Liberal spending, costs rise and hopes slip away.

Every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of seniors' pockets in Liberal taxes and inflation, inflation that will further increase with the Prime Minister's plan to double the deficit. How many more seniors will be forced to choose between supporting themselves and supporting their families?

[Stephanie McLean, Liberal, Secretary of State (Seniors)]

Mr. Speaker, I am so glad the Conservatives are showing interest in Canada's seniors. This new government is taking action to empower Canada's seniors, and we are steadfast in our mission to protect the dignity and security of those who built this country through a lifetime of hard work. That is why we are taking action to ensure that low-income seniors receive the guaranteed income supplement. This is a vital support that helps those with little or no income beyond their old age security.

We are focused on ensuring they receive every dollar they are entitled to, because supporting seniors is not just policy, but a promise we will always uphold.

[Anna Roberts, Conservative, King—Vaughan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after a lifetime of hard work raising their families, seniors deserve to enjoy their retirement, but under the Liberal government, that dream is slipping away. Every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians in higher Liberals taxes and inflation. A new report shows that one in three grandparents is now supporting their adult children and grandchildren, and 76% say that it is cutting into their retirement savings.

How much more inflation will the Prime Minister add with his plan to double the deficit?

[Stephanie McLean, Liberal, Secretary of State (Seniors)]

Mr. Speaker, this government is taking action to empower Canada's seniors. With the Conservatives' plan, folks would not have been able to retire until 67. I think it is important to point out that on this side of the House, we are ensuring a strong, stable future for our seniors.

We have crucial programs that provide more than $1,000 per month to the most financially vulnerable seniors, and we are focused on ensuring that they receive every dollar they are entitled to. We are steadfast in our mission to protect the dignity of seniors, those who built this country, and they—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Markham—Unionville.