Debates of Nov. 17th, 2025

House of Commons Hansard #54 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was billion.

Topics

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This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Food and Drugs Act Second reading of Bill C-224. The bill aims to restore the traditional definition of natural health products, reversing Bill C-47 changes that regulated them like therapeutic drugs. Conservatives argue this increased costs, as Health Canada already had sufficient powers for safety. Liberals express concern C-224 would make it harder to trust NHP safety, advocating more oversight. The Bloc highlights Health Canada's failure to enforce existing regulations before C-47's changes. 8200 words, 1 hour.

Budget Documents Distributed to Members Members debate a question of privilege regarding alleged incomplete budget documents distributed during the lock-up and in the House, with the Liberal MP stating the official tabled budget was complete and lock-up documents are a courtesy. 600 words.

Financial Statement of Minister of Finance Members debate the government's Budget 2025, with Liberals framing it as a "generational budget" investing in housing, infrastructure, and public safety. Conservatives criticize the "staggering $78-billion deficit" and rising national debt, arguing it fails to address affordability and relies on "creative accounting." The Bloc Québécois expresses disappointment over health care transfers and support for industries. Concerns are raised about the budget's impact on future generations and economic growth. 39100 words, 4 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.

Statements by Members

Remembering WWII veteran Gordon Quan
Criminalize the promotion of terrorism
Recognizing Tibetan Canadians and Tibet Day
Remembrance Day and fiscal challenges
ImmigrateAI Global wins G20 competition
End B.C. drug decriminalization experiment
National Philanthropy Day in Canada
Medical students advocate for healthcare improvements
Richard Gere, Tibet and compassion
Remembering Nova Scotian artist Peter Baylis
Seniors, food banks and debt
50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald wreck
Prime Minister, Brookfield and tax avoidance
World Diabetes Day and diabetes research
Saskatchewan Roughriders win Grey Cup
Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday and compassion

Question Period

The Conservatives criticize the Liberal government's reckless spending and ballooning deficit, citing warnings from the PBO and Fitch Ratings. They highlight the soaring cost of living, especially grocery prices and baby formula, attributing it to Liberal taxes like the carbon tax. They also condemn the government's failure to address the extortion crisis in Canada.
The Liberals defend Budget 2025 as a plan for generational investments to grow the economy. They highlight dropping inflation and rising wages, claiming Canada has the best fiscal position in the G7. They emphasize investments in infrastructure, affordable housing, national defence (including soldier pay raises), childcare, and a national school food program. They also address public safety and climate commitments.
The Bloc criticizes the government's failed trade strategy with the US and rising tariffs. They demand action for seniors and health transfers, and accuse Liberals of hiding the real deficit numbers and attempting to replace the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
The Greens question the budget's omission of Paris commitments and seek assurances on climate adaptation, nature strategy, and Indigenous reconciliation.
The NDP highlights the housing crisis affecting Quebec, demanding substantial investments in co-operative, social, and community housing.

Criminal Code First reading of Bill C-257. The bill amends the Criminal Code to create a new offence for the wilful promotion of terrorism or terrorist groups, aiming to close a legal gap while protecting Charter rights with specific defences. 200 words.

Parliamentary Budget Officer Conservative MP Kelly McCauley raises a question of privilege, stating the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has been denied access to information on budget measures, including the "comprehensive expenditure review." He argues this obstructs Parliament's ability to hold the government accountable and constitutes contempt, asking the Speaker to find a prima facie case. 2900 words, 20 minutes.

Adjournment Debates

Auto sector job losses Andrew Lawton criticizes the government's budget and its failure to protect auto sector jobs in his riding, blaming the government's economic mismanagement. Karim Bardeesy defends the budget's investments, highlighting a new gigafactory in St. Thomas, and accuses the opposition of lacking climate change action plans.
Tariffs on Canadian crops Jeremy Patzer raises concerns about China and India's tariffs on Canadian canola and pulse crops, calculating significant losses for farmers. Sean Casey cites government support through AgriStability and marketing programs. Patzer questions provincial agreement on AgriStability and demands tariff repeal. Casey emphasizes commitment to farmers and ongoing negotiations with China.
Government spending and deficits Mike Lake warns that persistent deficits under the Liberal government risk cuts to social programs. Ryan Turnbull defends the government's investment strategy, arguing it will grow the economy and provide revenue to reduce the deficit. Lake insists that this "investment" is just spending, setting Canada on a dangerous path.
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Climate ChangeOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Carney Liberal Nepean, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for her advocacy for the Youth Climate Corps, which is in this budget and which the House can vote for, to vote for the future of this country.

This budget puts us on the path for real results for climate, for nature and for reconciliation. I can confirm to the House that we will respect our Paris commitments for climate change, and we are determined to achieve them. I can confirm with the House that consistent with our Kunming-Montreal commitments, the nature strategy will be released in the coming weeks.

We will build this country strong, sustainable and pure for future generations.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Conservative

Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said to judge him on the prices at the grocery store. Nowhere is his failure more evident than with baby formula. According to StatsCan, since 2017, the price of baby formula has gone up by 84%. After 10 years of Liberal governments, desperate families are relying on Facebook groups and are even buying opened cans of baby formula for their children.

Why is the Prime Minister increasing inflationary spending and making baby formula more expensive?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Mississauga—Streetsville Ontario

Liberal

Rechie Valdez LiberalMinister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes that in order to build a strong economy, we need to ensure that women and girls are safe and have the tools they need to be supported and to thrive. That is why our government is investing $660.5 million over five years, with $131 million ongoing. This includes stable funding to prevent gender-based violence, strengthen women's economic security and support equality across Canada.

When the Conservatives were in power, they gutted Women and Gender Equality 40%, which saw the closure of 12 regional offices. On this side of the House, we understand that when we invest in women, we are going to—

The EconomyOral Questions

2:45 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

The hon. member for Fort McMurray—Cold Lake.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Laila Goodridge Conservative Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB

Mr. Speaker, moms want to feed their own children, and they should be able to afford baby formula. If the Liberals' programs were working, we would not have one in three kids at food bank lines every single month. We would not have 700,000 kids, every single month, in food bank lines. We would not have baby formula as the number one stolen food product in Canada.

This is because of the Liberals' failure, so will they end their inflationary spending so moms can afford baby formula?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount Québec

Liberal

Anna Gainey LiberalSecretary of State (Children and Youth)

Mr. Speaker, we have taken action to fight food insecurity. Part of the solution is working with our provincial, territorial and indigenous partners to ensure that 400,000 more children get nutritious meals at school every year. That is why this budget will make the national school food program permanent. In Canada, no child should wonder at school where their next meal is coming from.

When members opposite talk about food insecurity, they should start by voting for the budget.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Kelly DeRidder Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, while families in Kitchener are increasingly using food banks at alarming rates, the government had a chance to lower food prices by scrapping the fuel standard tax. Instead it chose to increase it by another 17¢. This increases the cost of things like coffee, which is already up 34%, and beef, which is up 16%.

Why does the Prime Minister seem so determined to drive Canadians into poverty by ignoring skyrocketing food prices while he enjoys a luxury lifestyle hidden from the consequences of his own policies?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Thunder Bay—Superior North Ontario

Liberal

Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, last week we came to an agreement with Ontario to continue our work on affordable child care in that province, and all across the country families are saving money. Do not take it from me; listen to a parent from Andrew Fleck Children's Services, who said that their family has been able to have healthier meals at home and to start saving for post-secondary education. Another parent said that her family was able to buy a house because of the child care fee reduction, which has made a monumental difference in their lives.

If the Conservatives want to help families, why do they not vote for our budget?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Kelly DeRidder Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON

Mr. Speaker, I asked a question on food, and in typical Liberal fashion, I got an answer on child care. I am going to ask again. Why is the Prime Minister not only refusing to scrap the fuel standard tax that is driving up food prices but also actually increasing it? This will drive up the cost to grow food, package food and deliver food across the country.

Does the Prime Minister want groceries to be a luxury item because luxury is the only thing he knows, while everyday Canadians cannot afford to put food on the table?

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Thunder Bay—Superior North Ontario

Liberal

Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, I guess the member was not listening to the parent from Andrew Fleck Children's Services who said that their family has been able to have healthier meals at home and start saving for post-secondary education. Another mother, from the same child care service, said that she would have had to quit her job and become a stay-at-home mom, and her family would not have been able to afford child care at previous prices.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON

Mr. Speaker, I know that they do not really like seeing women in the workforce, but the mom talks about—

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

The hon. Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

The EconomyOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Liberal

Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON

Mr. Speaker, the member talks about the coverage that her job afforded. Not everybody has the luxury to stay at home.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:50 p.m.

Conservative

Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC

Mr. Speaker, I hope you will show me the same generosity.

The current Liberal government is the most costly in the history of Canada. Every dollar spent by the Prime Minister comes directly out of Canadians' pockets. Everything costs more: groceries, housing and heating.

The much-talked-about industrial carbon tax increases farmers' production costs. Do members know what farmers do? They produce the food that we put on our tables. There is nothing in the budget to give Canadians a bit of breathing room.

Why is the Prime Minister increasing the industrial carbon tax, which is driving up the price of groceries?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Laurier—Sainte-Marie Québec

Liberal

Steven Guilbeault LiberalMinister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

Mr. Speaker, I think that the Conservative member across the way is a bit confused. If he wants to be less confused, all he has to do is ask his colleague seated next to him the question. She was a member for the Quebec Liberal Party and she voted in favour of the carbon pricing system in Quebec. Quebec's carbon pricing system is not the federal system. All the member has to do is ask his colleague seated next to him.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Vincent Ho Conservative Richmond Hill South, ON

Mr. Speaker, the current Liberal government is the most expensive in Canadian history. Every dollar the Prime Minister spends is driving up the cost of everything and is paid for by hard-working Canadians. According to the latest data, year over year, the price of chicken is up 6%. Seafood is up 8%, infant formula is up 6% and beef is up a staggering 17%. Food prices are now rising 40% faster in Canada than in the United States.

However, instead of scrapping the industrial carbon tax and making life affordable, the Liberals doubled down, hiking the tax on farmers and producers, driving up the cost of farm equipment and fertilizer.

When will the Liberal Prime Minister finally end his punishing industrial carbon tax so Canadians can afford to put food on the table again?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Toronto Centre Ontario

Liberal

Evan Solomon LiberalMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Mr. Speaker, while the opposition members are busy talking down the economy, we are building it up. Maybe they are too busy to know that what went down is inflation.

We are investing in builders and entrepreneurs. I was at the OneEleven innovation zone in Toronto. Young entrepreneurs were thankful that this budget will make it easier to hire Canadians and invest in Canada. Do not take my word for it; listen to the Council of Canadian Innovators, which says that our budget is listening to innovators.

I hope the opposition listens as well and does what Canadians want: build in Canada, buy in Canada and believe in Canada. It should support the budget.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Conservative

Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC

Mr. Speaker, the current Liberal government is the most expensive government in Canadian history. Every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians, driving up the cost of everything. Food prices have risen nearly 40% faster in Canada than in the U.S. What is the Liberals' answer? It is to increase the industrial carbon tax. The Okanagan Valley is the fruit basket of Canada, yet taxes on our farms mean the cost of fruit grown in Canada is higher than that of fruit from abroad.

Why is the Prime Minister increasing the industrial carbon tax and making food more expensive?

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby B.C.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

Mr. Speaker, Canadians elected the new government to deliver on affordable homes and strong, connected communities, and I have good news for my colleague from B.C.: Budget 2025 answers the call with historic investments.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia

Excuse me. I am going to ask the minister to start again because of the noise level around me.

Carbon PricingOral Questions

2:55 p.m.

Liberal

Gregor Robertson Liberal Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have good news for my colleague from B.C.: Budget 2025 answers the call with historic investments in affordable homes that will make a difference in people's lives, and investments in improving our roads, our transit, our public infrastructure and our community centres, hospitals and schools. With Build Canada Homes, we are closing urgent gaps and building at an unprecedented scale that brings affordability to all Canadians. Every investment is about empowering Canadians and making a difference in their lives with affordable housing and great community infrastructure.