House of Commons Hansard #47 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-14.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Admissibility of Committee Amendments to Bill C-4 Mr. Perron raises a point of order on the admissibility of Bloc Québécois amendments to Bill C-4's GST exemption for first-time homebuyers. He argues they do not require a royal recommendation, as they lower revenue. 1100 words, 10 minutes.
Bail and Sentencing Reform Act Second reading of Bill C-14. The bill aims to strengthen bail and toughen sentencing, targeting repeat violent and organized offenders. It expands reverse onus provisions and restricts conditional sentences for sexual offences. While the government emphasizes public safety and Charter compliance, the opposition deems it insufficient, arguing previous Liberal laws caused current problems. Other parties express concerns about judicial discretion, the bill's impact on marginalized groups, and provincial resource implications. 47400 words, 6 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Canada Health Act Second reading of Bill C-239. The bill aims to amend the Canada Health Act to strengthen accountability by requiring provinces to develop and report on frameworks for timely health care access. Critics argue it adds more red tape, duplicates existing reporting, disrespects provincial jurisdiction, and fails to address the federal government's underfunding of health care or the shortage of health professionals. 7100 words, 1 hour.
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Speaker, the numbers do not lie. Canadians have made a smashing 2.2 million food bank visits, and over 700,000 are children. Canadians are living in their cars. They are struggling. They cannot afford food and they cannot afford homes. These are facts.
Why will the Liberals not admit that their programs are not working and that they will choose their friends and insiders over Canadians every single time?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families
Mr. Speaker, I have noticed that the Conservatives have stopped quoting the report from Food Banks Canada. Do members know why? It is because in that report, what Food Banks Canada said is that there are some promising signs from the federal government, with things like the Canada disability payment, done for the very first time, something those guys voted against; the Canadian dental care plan, which is bringing down the cost of dental care for Canadians; the national school food program; and the national housing strategy, which is focused on market rent housing. That is what they are prepared to throw away—
The EconomyOral Questions
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister stands to make tens of millions of dollars in future bonus pay from three investment funds that he registered in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. I have a simple question. How many other investments does the Prime Minister have in offshore tax havens?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, the member knows very well that all members of this House must abide by some of the strictest, most stringent ethics rules in the world. The Prime Minister has not only met but exceeded his requirements under those ethics guidelines, and he will continue to do so.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Mr. Speaker, expert testimony reveals that the Prime Minister's company Brookfield is the biggest tax dodger in Canada, having avoided paying a staggering $6.5 billion in taxes in just five years. As chair of Brookfield, the Prime Minister registered three investment funds in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands from which he stands to make millions.
Again, how much does the Prime Minister have in offshore tax havens?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, once again, Canada lives under the most stringent and strongest ethics guidelines for designated public office holders in the world. All members must comply with these requirements. These requirements are met very transparently, including the Prime Minister's, which are all available for the public to view.
The ethics guidelines in Canada are strong and we should be proud of that.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals speak of a stringent and robust regime, yet the Prime Minister's company Brookfield registered multiple funds to a bike shop in Bermuda to avoid paying taxes in Canada.
The Prime Minister is dodging a simple question so I will ask it again. How much money does he have in offshore tax havens? I want just a number, please.
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, on April 28, Canadians had a choice between a leader with world and business experience and a leader with no experience outside of this House. Canadians spoke loud and clear. They elected a leader who is going to build Canada and invest in Canada. They elected a leader who is going to make Canada the strongest economy in the G7.
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister refuses to come clean about his offshore tax havens. Meanwhile, he lectures young Canadians that they need to sacrifice more. After 10 years of the Liberals, they cannot afford food. They cannot afford rent. They have nothing left to give.
When will the Prime Minister park his hypocrisy, come clean and tell us how much cash he has stashed in offshore tax havens?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, while the party opposite is focused on its leader, we are focused on Canada. We are focused on building our economy to be the strongest in the G7.
EthicsOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I could not hear. If the hon. secretary of state would like to start from the top, that would be ideal.
Wayne Long Liberal Saint John—Kennebecasis, NB
Mr. Speaker, the party opposite has had a bad week. We understand that. Its members are focused on their leader and a revolting caucus.
On this side of the House, we are focused on building Canada. We are focused on investing in Canada. On November 4, we will come forth with a budget that will invest, build, and build our economy into the strongest in the G7.
Tatiana Auguste Liberal Terrebonne, QC
Mr. Speaker, we have industries, innovators and workers ready to deliver the advanced technologies that our armed forces and allies need, from aerospace to cyber systems.
Can the Minister of Government Transformation explain to the House how buying Canadian will ensure that federal procurement supports the development of a strong Canadian defence and security industry, strengthens our supply chains and builds a more resilient and prosperous economy for all Canadians?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Terrebonne for her excellent question. I am so glad to have her here with us. I know that there are many businesses in her riding that care about buying Canadian.
What does buying Canadian mean? It means prioritizing Canadian companies and having Canadian content requirements. It means helping SMEs so they can get federal government contracts. It ultimately means supporting Canadian companies in sectors like the ones my colleague mentioned, such as aerospace, shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and manufacturing.
We will move forward, because everyone knows that a contract is always better than a subsidy, and that is what will help us build this country.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
Mr. Speaker, the facade has been exposed. The Prime Minister's claim of being a master negotiator is pure fiction. Every time the Prime Minister meets with foreign leaders, it is Canadian farmers who suffer the consequences.
India has slapped a 30% tariff on Canadian yellow peas. This is when farmers are already suffering from crippling tariffs from China on peas, canola, beef, seafood, pork and other commodities. Now India has taken another step. Every time the Prime Minister travels, it is farmers who feel the pain.
Why is it that Canadian farmers are the ones paying the price for the Prime Minister's vanity tour?
Anita Anand LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, numerous times I have reiterated in this House the importance of diversifying Canada's supply chains.
Over the past number of months, I have spoken with my counterpart in Pakistan. Pakistan is one of the world's largest importers of canola. This morning, he confirmed to me that Pakistan will open its doors to Canadian canola. In fact, he confirmed to me that orders have already been placed for Canadian canola. This is great news for Canadian farmers.
On this side of the House, we will build Canada strong.
John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB
Mr. Speaker, thanks to the Liberal trade failures, now 80% of Canada's pea markets are facing tariffs. That is a fact. Every time the Prime Minister travels, it is Canadian farmers who are suffering the consequences.
Let us look at the Liberal scoreboard. In China, there are 100% tariffs on Canadian peas and canola and 25% on pork and seafood, and Canadian beef has been blocked since 2021. The United Kingdom does not take Canadian beef and pork. Meanwhile, imports from the United Kingdom of beef have skyrocketed. Now India has slapped a 30% tariff on Canadian peas and 10% on lentils.
Will the Prime Minister stop the photo ops and get tariff relief for Canadian farmers, who are just trying to feed Canadians?
Anita Anand LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I am going to reiterate that we are actively making sure that countries hear the interests of Canadian farmers, Canadian suppliers and Canadian producers.
Not only is Pakistan opening its doors to Canadian canola, but I raised potash, canola, agriculture and seafood in my recent trip to the Indo-Pacific. The governments with which I spoke assured me that we will continue to work together to build economic supply chains across the Indo-Pacific, which is why the Prime Minister is in the region right now.
Steven Bonk Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Mr. Speaker, prairie farmers do not want handouts; they want a trade deal. China's unfair tariffs on Canadian canola have cost billions of dollars and punished our producers. The canola sector is bigger than Canada's steel, aluminum and auto sectors combined, yet the government treats it like an afterthought. Now the Prime Minister is in China meeting with President Xi.
Will he finally reach a deal to lift these punishing tariffs, or will he come back once again empty-handed, proving that when it comes to standing up for Canadian farmers, the Prime Minister is all talk and no trade?
Sophie Chatel LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Mr. Speaker, canola farmers produce the best canola in the world. We know China has imposed unfair tariffs on canola. We are working on it. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture are currently in Asia diversifying our trade, but also resolving disputes, and Pakistan has now opened its doors to our canola.
In the meantime, we will be there for our farmers with programs to support them during this difficult time.
Fares Al Soud Liberal Mississauga Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, there are now fewer than 100 days until the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Our government recognizes that athlete health and well-being are foundational to performance, and we want all of team Canada to know that when they are representing the country we all love, we have their backs.
Could my good friend and colleague, the Secretary of State for Sport, share how our government is supporting team Canada Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their coaches?
While I have the opportunity, go Blue Jays.
Adam van Koeverden LiberalSecretary of State (Sport)
Mr. Speaker, on Monday, I announced a more than $3 million investment in mental health for athletes to support the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic institutes and networks across our country, supported by the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. We are also supporting game plan, the Canadian national team total wellness program. These investments are critical because our government knows that health, mental health and overall well-being are foundational to the performance and success of our national team athletes in sport and in life.
Canadians are proud of our athletes. With the 2026 Paralympic and Olympic Winter Games fast approaching, Canada's new government is committed to supporting team Canada.
Andrew Lawton Conservative Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadian youth are struggling, but Liberal elites have never had it so good. Youth unemployment is at 15%. Young people are writing off the dream of home ownership as simply a fantasy, but the gravy train is chugging along for the Prime Minister's friends.
Seventy-nine per cent of Export Development Canada executives cashed in bonuses averaging $143,000 each. BDC executives got bonuses averaging $216,000 each. The Prime Minister's housing agency paid out over $30 million in bonuses.
Will the Prime Minister ask his elite Liberal insider friends to make sacrifices instead of young Canadians?