Debates of Nov. 20th, 2025

World Fisheries Day

[Ernie Klassen, Liberal, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, on November 21, we mark World Fisheries Day, and recognize the vital role sustainable fisheries and healthy oceans play in our local economies and in our shared future. Coastal communities across our country rely on the ocean for their livelihoods. For generations, it has defined our culture and our identity.

Canada is known around the globe for our world-class seafood and our healthy oceans. Budget 2025 strengthens Canada's capacity to safeguard our coastlines and grow our fisheries through supporting small craft harbours and strong measures to grow our economy and expand our markets. These investments will build a more resilient industry, healthier oceans and stronger fishing communities. On this World Fisheries Day, let us recognize how important they are to all Canadians.

Public Safety

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, crime is escalating, and families and workers in my community are paying the price.

In Cambridge, families sleeping in their beds and workers in retail and service jobs are now facing violent criminals. Just this week, there was a smash-and-grab at a Canadian Tire, an armed jewellery store robbery at the Cambridge Centre and gunshots fired at a family home. Imagine being a retail worker wondering if today is the day mass criminals will storm in with weapons. Innocent employees are looking to earn a paycheque and feed their families, but now, nowhere feels safe, not even at home or at work.

My community is done waiting. They are speaking up loudly. They are flooding my email. They expect the government to protect them, not be easy on criminals who terrorize their streets. What they get from the Liberal government is half measures and a weak justice system where criminals roam free.

Cambridge has a message for the government. It has had enough of the soft-on-crime approaches that put criminals ahead of Canadians. Cambridge residents are asking the government to stop the revolving door of crime and bring back consequences to protect our community.

Jean-Paul Diamond

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Mauricie region recently lost one of its pioneers.

Jean-Paul Diamond dedicated many years of his life to his community and region. Not only was he committed to social causes like the Association des personnes handicapées du comté de Maskinongé, the Festival de la truite mouchetée de Saint-Alexis-des-Monts and the Festival des neiges, Mr. Diamond was also a prominent figure in the political world.

Mr. Diamond was first a councillor and then mayor of the municipality of Saint-Alexis-des-Monts. He also served as reeve of the RCM of Maskinongé for roughly 10 years. He then had the privilege of representing his region in the Quebec National Assembly. Politics aside, we must recognize the sincere commitment and dedication of Mr. Diamond, who always worked towards developing his region and ensuring the well-being of his constituents.

I extend my deepest condolences to his loved ones, as well as to the entire community, which has lost a leader today.

Mr. Diamond, we are grateful and we will remember you.

The Grenadiers

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on November 18, 1803, during the Battle of Vertières, a people rose up, overthrew colonial rule, and affirmed racial and gender equality. On that day, Haiti wrote an important page in the universal history of freedom and human dignity.

Fast forward to November 18, 2025, the Grenadiers, Haiti's national soccer team, qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which is being held here in Canada. This hard-working, proud, and resilient people have given us another victory, another reason to celebrate. Haiti's qualification paves the way for remarkable moments, not only for sport, but also for memory, hope, and the entire Haitian diaspora.

Sincere congratulations to Monique André of the Haitian Football Federation, as well as to the entire Grenadiers team, both coaches and players, for this invaluable gift to the Haitian people.

Toup pou yo.

Cost of Food

[Rhonda Kirkland, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government is the most expensive in Canadian history. Food prices are rising 40% faster here than in the United States, crushing workers, families, seniors and young people.

Today, Simcoe Hall Settlement House in Oshawa shared heartbreaking news. Families who have never needed help before are now walking into the food bank. Even long-time donors cannot give anymore because they are now struggling just to get by. One mother said her kids sometimes miss school because she cannot afford to pack a lunch.

Instead of giving parents real relief so they can afford to feed their own families, the Liberals point to a national school food program that does nothing to fix the affordability crisis at its root. Even while families struggle, Liberals hiked the industrial carbon tax, making food, farming and groceries even more expensive.

How many more families will be forced to line up at food banks before the government finally admits to the dire reality Canadians are facing?

National Child Day

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Canada should be the best place world to be a child and to raise a child.

On National Child Day, I reflect on the many steps we have taken to make this a reality. We introduced, in the last decade, the Canada child benefit, which has lifted half a million kids out of poverty. We created a national child care program, which is setting our kids up for success and enabling parents to stay in the workforce. We also created of a national school food program that is feeding 400,000 kids in Canada.

While these are good and necessary steps, there is still so much more we can and must do to provide the best start in life for Canadian children. One such area we need to tackle is the increasing harms our children are facing online, including cyberbullying, exploitation, grooming and AI-generated abuse. Children's organizations, parents and kids themselves are sounding the alarm.

Today, let us commit to tackling these new and emerging issues because all of our nation's kids deserve to live in safety and with every opportunity to build a bright future.

Taxation

[Lianne Rood, Conservative, Middlesex—London, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of Liberal government, Canadians cannot afford another Prime Minister who cashes in while they line up at food banks.

As Brookfield Chair, the Prime Minister helped funnel $6.5 billion through Bermuda and Cayman tax havens, dodging Canadian taxes for his personal benefit. That is not public service; it is self-service. Every dollar hidden offshore is a dollar not building homes, funding health care or supporting veterans and seniors who did everything right and are now falling behind.

Canadians see the pattern. The Prime Minister doubled Trudeau's deficits, cooked up the second-most expensive budget in history, fudged the numbers to hide how bad it was, and now, we learn that he helped the biggest tax dodger in Canada shelter billions. While the Prime Minister and his Bay Street buddies hide money at a Bermuda bike shop, he tells young Canadians to tighten their belts. This is unacceptable.

Conservatives demand an end to this insider game. We will close the loopholes and put Canadians first by cutting taxes for real growth and hope.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Kent MacDonald, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Speaker, in eastern Prince Edward Island fishing is not just an industry; it is a way of life and part of our identity.

More than 1,200 licensed harvesters contribute over $300 million annually to the island economy, with lobster alone accounting for nearly 70% of our landed value. Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to meet with fishers and the industry stakeholders in the region. These conversations focus on what matters most to our fishing communities: fair prices, deterrence of illegal fishing activity, sustainable stock management, safe working conditions and ensuring the next generation can continue this proud tradition in Atlantic Canada.

As we lead up to World Fisheries Day on November 21, let us reaffirm our gratitude to the harvesters, plant workers, buyers, families and coastal communities, whose dedication sustains one of Canada's most vital industries. Their knowledge, experience and commitment to sustainable harvesting ensures that our coastal communities remain strong for generations to come.

Prime Minister of Canada

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister spends more time in the air than he does here in Canada, jet-setting with global elites. In just eight months, he has taken 28 trips, racking up over 153,000 kilometres, which is enough to circle the globe nearly four times. What does he have to show for these air miles? He has absolutely nothing: no trade deals and no results.

Every time he is wheels up, Canadians get higher costs and higher tariffs. When he met the Americans, U.S. tariffs doubled. India has slapped tariffs on our peas. China is hammering our farmers on canola. Auto workers are losing their jobs.

Now the Prime Minister is on another trip. He is in Dubai just a few days after Brookfield invested billions of dollars there. What a coincidence. He is always there for his Brookfield friends, but he is never there for hard-working Canadians. He has plenty of takeoffs, but no takeaways for Canadians, because he has a net-zero record when it comes to—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for London Centre.

Pancreatic Cancer

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today, November 20, is World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Every year, 7,000 Canadians are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and more than 6,000 succumb to this terrible disease.

One was my late aunt, Eleni Dellaporta, who passed away this past January at the young age of 58. She leaves behind two extraordinary sons, Nikos and Panagis; her beloved husband, Petros; and her soon-to-be daughters-in-law, Bernice and Koralia.

All of this brings to mind the continued importance of research, awareness and making sure that early detection becomes possible. When we focus on those things, it does become possible.

International Trade

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's deal with Canadians was to elect him and he would get us a win on tariffs. Since then, he has taken over 20 trips, which might be worth it if he came home with better deals, but he is not.

After meeting with the U.S., tariffs are even higher than before. After meeting with China, we now have new tariffs on grain and seafood. India put new tariffs on peas after their meeting. He claimed to have some kind of special ability that would result in new trade deals, but it turns out he is not that special; he is just another Liberal.

Will the Prime Minister admit he is failing on trade, or is making things worse part of some genius strategy?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, today our government took another step forward in our commitment to double non-U.S. trade over the next decade and diversity our economy. While in the U.A.E., the Prime Minister signed a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement to create a more predictable environment for two-way investments. We also launched negotiations for a Canada-U.A.E. comprehensive economic partnership trade deal. This agreement would cut tariffs, remove trade barriers and expand market access for Canadian exporters.

With a signed FIPA and the launch of CEPA, we are opening doors, creating new markets and creating opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.

Natural Resources

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

Mr. Speaker, that is typically Liberal: Things are always just about to start getting better. Meanwhile, actual tariffs keep going up.

One way to increase trade with other countries would be with a pipeline to British Columbia's west coast, but the Liberals killed northern gateway in 2016, resulting in billions in lost opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. Now there is talk of reviving that pipeline, but of course, if the shipping ban stays in place, no one will be able to export what comes through the pipe.

The Liberals made it illegal to ship Canadian energy off Canada's west coast. Does that law also ban U.S. tankers from travelling through the same area?

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

Mr. Speaker, Canada has a tremendous opportunity to be a leading energy superpower. This government was elected to deliver nation-building projects, strengthen our economy, reinforce Canadian autonomy and advance indigenous prosperity while contributing to clean growth. We are working with all provinces, including Alberta, to achieve these shared objectives.

The federal government has been engaged in constructive talks with the Government of Alberta, and we will have more to say in a few weeks.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, after 10 years, we are just on the cusp of things all coming together, but I can answer the question the minister did not answer himself. The answer is no.

While the Liberals have made it illegal for Canadian companies to load Canadian ships with Canadian oil, U.S. tankers can continue to travel off B.C.'s coast and take their oil to countries around the world. As we speak, the U.S. crude oil tanker California is travelling from Tacoma to Alaska along the west coast.

Why are the Liberals keeping in a law that prevents Canada from exporting our oil while U.S. tankers travel through the exact same place?

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

Mr. Speaker, I know the hon. member across the aisle is not happy, but the Premier of Alberta has said that she is quite supportive of what we are doing and is looking forward to finishing conversations with the Prime Minister.

The Economy

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, since taking office, the Prime Minister has made more than 20 trips abroad under the pretext of wanting to create a richer Canada. However, the results have been the complete opposite. During the Prime Minister's travels around the world, Donald Trump's tariffs have doubled. Tariffs on aluminum are now sitting at 50%, lumber tariffs have tripled and thousands of Canadian jobs have been lost. With every trip he takes, new tariffs are imposed on Canadians.

Can the Prime Minister put away his passport, stay in Canada and take care of his country?

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade]

Mr. Speaker, our colleague knows very well that the government was elected with a mandate to diversify our trade with other countries around the world. This is an ambitious agenda that Canadians supported in the last election. Perhaps my colleague was a bit confused. Generally, that starts with the head of government taking a trip, to the United Arab Emirates for example. The good news is that we have signed an agreement with this important investor country.

We will continue to support the Canadian economy.

Canada Revenue Agency

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, they were elected under false pretenses. They were supposed to find a solution to the problems with Donald Trump, but they have failed miserably.

Meanwhile, the country has other major problems, including problems at the Canada Revenue Agency. The cost of government bureaucracy has risen by 80% since the Liberals took office, and now, nearly one million people cannot even access the Canada Revenue Agency's website. Some agents are providing incorrect information and some people are erroneously being told that they owe money. It is a total mess.

The minister said that he would fix all that. Where do things stand now?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform my colleague, as was announced by the Minister of Finance and National Revenue in the fall, that we have a 100-day plan to ensure that Canadians receive fast, accurate and reliable services from the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA.

Since the plan was implemented, the CRA's call centre capacity has doubled, and 70% of callers now receive a response in less than 15 minutes. Canadians also no longer need to call the CRA to get access to their files online. That is good news.

The finance minister's plan is working.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, former minister Diane Lebouthillier spent a decade making cuts. She cut CRA services. Cuts are still happening. People come to our constituency offices every day to complain about problems. Women cry in our staffers' arms. I myself have had a hard time using the services. It took me four attempts to resolve a tax issue I had. There is a problem. Nothing has been fixed.

Can the government treat this like an emergency and fix the problem? This is urgent.

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what we are doing. We recognize that Canadians deserve fast, accurate and reliable service from the CRA. The Minister of Finance's plan is working. Seventy per cent of Canadians now get an answer in less than 15 minutes. People no longer need to call the CRA to access its online services. We have also doubled the capacity of CRA call centres.

Climate Change

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister had two choices this week. He could go to Brazil, to COP30, to show that he has not completely capitulated in the fight against climate change, or he could go to the Middle East to make deals with oil monarchies. He chose the oil monarchies, just as he put oil companies first in the budget by offering them billions of dollars in tax credits and exempting them from a cap on their greenhouse gas emissions. It is hard to imagine that before getting into politics, he was a champion of green finance.

Does he realize that by betraying his values, he is also betraying the former director of Équiterre, who is sitting to his right?

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister did indeed have a choice to make this week. He chose to be here in the House twice to vote for a historic budget for Quebeckers and Canadians.

This Prime Minister will always act in the best interests of Canada, will always act in favour of opportunities and will always act to build and improve the possibilities and opportunities available to Quebeckers.

The Bloc Québécois should do the same.