Debates of Oct. 21st, 2025

Canada Revenue Agency

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate that the minister is pleased with his 100 days. However, I would like to remind him that, just two years ago, he did exactly the same thing. He told everyone that he had met with all the supermarket executives and that we would see food prices go down, and yet, for the past two years, prices have only gone up. That is the truth.

Let me get back to the Canada Revenue Agency. The Auditor General wrote that the CRA places greater importance on how closely agents adhere to their schedule for their shift and breaks than on the accuracy of the information they provide.

Is the minister proud of that?

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

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure who is watching question period today, but I doubt whether the people in his riding would be proud of seeing him attack those who work at the Canada Revenue Agency. These public servants do exemplary work. What they need is an improvement in processes and technology. Everybody wants to ensure that Canadians get good service.

I know that he is aware that CRA agents work hard to serve Canadians. We will give them the tools they need to serve Canadians.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, three things are certain in life. They are death, taxes and that we will wait on hold when we call the CRA, according to today's Auditor General report. CRA's own service standards were only met 18% of the time, with wait times doubling over the last year. Only 17% of agents could accurately provide basic tax information.

Complaints have increased by 145% in the last three years, so can the minister explain why Canadians are paying so much, yet receiving so little?

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

Mr. Speaker, Canadians deserve timely, accurate and consistent information from the CRA. We accept the Auditor General's report. We have embarked on a 100-day plan. Service is improving. We have a long way to go. We are working with the leadership of the CRA. We will make it right. Canadians will get the service they deserve.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, instead of focusing on other people's jobs, that member should start doing his. Almost 10 years ago to the day, the Liberals signed a $50-million contract for the CRA call system. It has now almost quadrupled to $190 million, and operational costs at the CRA have increased by 70% under the Liberals. While taxpayers wait on hold, Liberal insiders and contractors cash in.

Does the government have a hang-up with value for money? Is this another arrive scam?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the CRA for delivering Canadians great services such as the Canada child benefit and the disability tax credit. Where would Canadians be without the CRA delivering COVID benefits?

Service levels need to improve. We accept the Auditor General's report. We will get this right. Service levels and access are improving.

We have a lot more work to do, but we will deliver for Canadians.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[Marianne Dandurand, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the independence of the RCMP is a fundamental principle of our democracy, and it is a principle that all responsible leaders should uphold, not undermine.

Last week, the leader of the Conservative Party chose to attack the RCMP, accusing it of covering up scandals and engaging in political manoeuvring. These remarks are irresponsible and cast doubt on an institution that is responsible for protecting Canadians.

Can the Minister of Public Safety reaffirm the independence of the RCMP and reiterate the importance of public trust in our institutions?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, the Conservative leader's dangerous rhetoric is irresponsible.

The words of the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the RCMP are completely unacceptable.

The RCMP is an independent organization, one that enhances the rule of law in Canada and that ensures the safety and security of Canadians. Day in and day out, the RCMP officers on the ground work to save and secure this country.

I demand that the Leader of the Opposition retract the statement and apologize to the members of the RCMP.

Finance

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, while they continually try to distract from their irresponsible policy, we on this side of the House stand united, united against Liberal deficits, against Liberal incompetence and for the Canadian people.

For 10 years, the Liberals have promised deficits would lead to investment. Well, Canada had the worst per capita growth in the G7 and a more than 10% drop in investment per worker. That is no surprise to Canadians, though. We have the same government and the same, failed, Liberal policies.

Will they finally stop their inflationary deficits so Canadians can afford to live?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. friend would like the distractions to stop. I suggest that he tell his leader to not go on podcasts anymore, to not pay for shawarma with crypto and to not call into doubt the independence of our institutions such as the CBC, the Bank of Canada and the proud men and women of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

[Vincent Ho, Conservative, Richmond Hill South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Liberal Prime Minister spends is taken out of the pockets of hard-working Canadians through inflationary deficits and higher taxes. Let us not forget that, for 10 years, Liberals claimed runaway deficits would spark investments.

The current finance minister, back when he was industry minister, helped double the national debt, promising it would lead to growth. What did Canadians get? The worst per capita GDP growth in the G7 and investment per worker collapse by more than 10%.

Will he ensure that his next budget will stop the inflationary deficit so Canadians can afford to live again, or will he instead double down on Trudeau's policies and make Canadians pay for his failures?

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

Mr. Speaker, Halloween is coming up, but the only thing scary in here is the misinformation coming from the Conservatives.

We are cutting red tape. We are building homes faster, and we have introduced dental care that now more than 2 million seniors have signed up for. We are building an economy that works for everyone, while Conservatives have a record of pushing the retirement age higher. I cannot think of anything scarier than that.

While they are voting against support for seniors, we are empowering older Canadians. We are protecting not only their dignity but also their peace of mind.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this Liberal government has been taking Canadians for a ride for 10 years now.

The Liberals hold the record for the largest annual deficit. They shattered that record by doubling the accumulated deficit of all governments over the past 50 years.

What is the direct impact on Canadians' wallets? Things cost more. The Liberals should stop saying that they are putting more money in people's pockets.

Will the Prime Minister keep his promise and ensure that the deficit does not exceed $42 billion, which will give Canadians some breathing room? The answer is a simple yes or no.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, the problem with the Conservatives is that they talk about inflationary deficits, but they never specify what kind of spending is supposedly inflationary. Is it dental care? Is it help for our industries and workers? Is it pharmacare?

Could they tell us what they consider to be inflationary spending?

Public Safety

[Kent MacDonald, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported that, in 2024 alone, Canadians lost millions of dollars to fraud. There is not one person in this House today who does not know a senior, a newcomer or a vulnerable person who has been affected by financial abuse and scams.

Yesterday, our government announced that it is taking action. Can the Minister of Finance provide an update on how our new government plans to help Canadians by combatting fraud, financial abuse and scams?

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Kent MacDonald, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Speaker, I am a new member; it has been five months.

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

Finally, we have a good question, Mr. Speaker.

Yesterday my colleagues and I were proud to announce a very important measure to combat fraud and financial abuse. Yes, the Conservatives may want to listen to that. We announced measures to improve financial security for Canadians. In our upcoming budget, we will introduce the first-ever national anti-fraud strategy. We will also implement a new financial crime agency to lead Canada's efforts in combatting financial crime. We will also introduce a new code of conduct for the prevention of economic abuse.

On this side of the House, we understand we need to help our seniors, we need to help the most vulnerable—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt.

Natural Resources

[Jim Belanger, Conservative, Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after years of talk, the Liberals continue to break their promise to get shovels in the ground when it comes to the Ring of Fire. Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars are at stake, yet the Prime Minister refuses to move this important project along. The Liberals ignored this vital project on their national priority list, which was a huge slap in the face to northern Ontario.

Will the Liberals stop breaking their promise and get shovels in the ground now, so our region can get to work?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Ring of Fire represents an immense opportunity to develop Canada's critical minerals in partnership with first nations. We have established a regional assessment working group to advance the Ring of Fire alongside robust consultations with indigenous rights holders. We are actively working with the Province of Ontario to increase regulatory efficiencies, and we look forward to concluding our “one project, one review” process with the Province of Ontario.

Employment

[Leah Gazan, NDP, Winnipeg Centre, MB]

Mr. Speaker, Trump is pushing for Stellantis to ship 3,000 jobs from Canada to the United States. Today, GM announced it is closing another plant in Ingersoll. That is another 1,000 jobs, making clear what we have known from the start, that Trump is set on destroying the Canadian economy. However, the Prime Minister continues to flatter Trump, calling him a “modern man”, a world-class leader. Trump is stealing our jobs.

When will the Prime Minister finally fight back against this economic extortion and protect jobs and workers in Canada?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

Mr. Speaker, of course it is not lost on this government that these unjustified tariffs are having real impacts at home and real impacts at the Stellantis plant. That being said, I will of course work with my colleague, work with the NDP and work with Unifor to push back against the decision of the company, to make sure that we ultimately hold Stellantis to account. We need to put pressure on. Let us work together. Let us make this happen.

The Economy

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians across the country are suffering from punishing high costs of daily essentials, such as food, housing and utilities. Grocery prices are sky-high, and rent is completely unaffordable, yet today's inflation numbers show the problem is getting worse, with food up 4%; rent is up 4.8% and 9.6% in Quebec.

Under the Liberals, life keeps getting harder for workers and their families. When will the government take the affordability crisis seriously, admit its policies are not working and take effective action to help?

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for bringing the affordability issue to this floor. We work together. There is a lot we can be proud of that we have achieved together. When we think about dental care, when we think about pharmacare, when we think about the national school food program, those are all the types of programs. The Conservatives call them slogans. When one is on the government side, we call them programs, because they deliver benefits to Canadians.

We are going to continue to work with our colleagues in this House to make sure we are there for Canadians in times of need.