Debates of Nov. 24th, 2025

Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Madam Speaker, during the 2008 crisis, the Harper government spent money on infrastructure. It was put into lift stations. It was put into things that were not considered sexy items. It was for things that Canadians needed in order to have a proper functioning economy.

Yes, we need proper investments so we can actually feel and touch the assets that Canadians looked at. I want to remind members that during that time frame, it was not the government that picked the projects; it was the municipal governments and the provincial governments. Here, the federal government is dictating which projects get a green light and which do not. A committee was just set up for big beautiful projects. The Liberals should look at all 10 of them.

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I rise to support the generational budget from the finance minister. We all listened very keenly to the budget speech given by the finance minister, and we have had a glance at the numerous very positive media reports on this ambitious, robust and confident budget. The budget, as it says on the cover, is what it says on the tin: It is here to build Canada strong.

It is an absolute privilege to stand here and talk about the responsible approach we have taken to setting up investments in key areas that are important to our country, investments that set the foundation for generations of success. The Prime Minister was right when he said that we cannot control what other countries do, but we can control what we build.

The “Canada Strong” budget is the biggest investment in our nation's infrastructure in a generation. It is a budget for all Canadians, and it delivers where it matters most for families: in jobs, health and safety. This is a budget that keeps Canadian dollars in Canada, working locally, building nationally, going everywhere and doing everything, all at once.

As I was going around my riding of Don Valley North this past weekend, what struck me was the absolute confidence that the electorate had in our Prime Minister's leadership and in this government's direction as we navigate a rapidly changing and more hostile world. People have come up to me and said that this is a budget for the times.

We can see why. When I met with youths at the S.E.A.S. Centre, Wordswell, IWOO, Working Women, and Newcomer Women's Services, many shared that through Canada summer jobs, they made their first meaningful connection to the workforce. At the Flemingdon Health Centre, I heard directly from staff how federal investments have helped them serve vulnerable residents with language programs, mental health support and community health resources. These are real examples of how the budget meets the moment.

The budget from the finance minister is our government's plan to build Canada into the strongest economy in the G7. It is focused on catalyzing Canada's growth over the longer term. That is good for the economy. Most importantly, it is good for Canadian families. In Don Valley North, families have told me what they value most in the budget: infrastructure, housing, community safety and health.

Because health is top of mind for every Canadian, let me highlight what the budget delivers. Residents in Don Valley North, from Bayview Village to Hillcrest to Henry Farm to Bayview Woods-Steeles to York Mills, all want a health care system that is modern, accessible and people-centred. Budget 2025 delivers exactly that.

The $5-billion health infrastructure fund would modernize hospitals, urgent care centres and ERs, and would expand medical schools so that families get care in spaces designed for today. The $97-million foreign credential recognition action fund would help internationally trained doctors, nurses and specialists get licensed faster. The national dental program, already helping seniors and children in Don Valley North, would be strengthened so that more families can access preventative care and avoid costly emergencies.

These health investments are not abstract. They are real improvements in people's daily lives.

Strengthening health care also means strengthening the research and innovation ecosystem that drives discovery, new treatments and long-term competitiveness. Budget 2025 makes some of the most significant research investments in more than a decade, strengthening Canadian leadership in life sciences, digital health, AI, biomanufacturing and clean technologies.

The budget also modernizes Canada's talent attraction strategy, ensuring that world-class researchers, scientists, engineers and innovators see Canada as the place to build their career. These investments will shape the future of medicine, improve patient care and support the health innovation economy that communities like Don Valley North are deeply connected to.

Health is shaped by more than clinical care. It is also shaped by nutrition, connection and the supports that help people thrive. Budget 2025 continues these investments.

At Cliffwood Public School, the national school food program ensures that students start their day nourished and ready to learn. Through the new horizons program, seniors at the Bayview Village Association stay active, engaged and socially connected, all proven determinants of better health. These are the very people who will feel the benefit of a stronger, more accessible health care system.

We are investing to make Canada the best country to be young and grow old in. From the tax credit for personal support workers to the tax cut for 22 million Canadians, we are building Canada strong. I am very proud, as a member of this government, to say “well done” to the Prime Minister and the finance minister for delivering the “Canada Strong” budget, a budget that is not merely an economic investment but a necessity for our sovereignty. Its long-term significance, I believe, will be absolute.

This budget reflects not only the values of our government, but the aspirations of the people of Don Valley North, people who believe in community, progress and building Canada strong for the next generation.

[Eric Melillo, Conservative, Kenora—Kiiwetinoong, ON]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise and participate in the debate today.

Speaking of the budget, many people I spoke to across northwestern Ontario had sticker shock. They could not believe the amount of spending and the amount of the deficit. After the Prime Minister promised spending would go down, it has gone up. He promised the deficit would go down, but it has gone up. On all the measures the Prime Minister has set for himself, he is missing the mark.

I am wondering if the member can explain why those measures were missed. Can she talk about the effect this will have on the next generation, which will have to pay back the massive deficit?

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the question. It gives me an opportunity to highlight some of the measures and investments we included in this budget, which will build Canada strong for the next generation and the current generation.

In the budget, we are making generational investments in major projects, for example through community strong infrastructure funds. We are building new hospitals. We are building new ERs. We are building medical schools. This will expand capacities and at the same time create good high-tech and research jobs, as I mentioned in my speech.

These are exciting opportunities. I talk to folks in Don Valley North, and they are excited to see them unfold. I also want to highlight that, in my riding, the North York General Hospital will really benefit from the research innovation in this budget.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts. The Bloc Québécois wanted the budget to include an increase in old age security for seniors aged 65 to 74. Everyone knows that the OAS was increased for those over 75, but seniors aged 65 to 74 also need support, since many of them have ended up living in poverty. No adjustments are planned to close this gap. The government has created two classes of seniors and has no interest in fixing that.

I would like to hear my colleague's thoughts on that.

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Madam Speaker, in this budget, we have a number of affordability measures. If the hon. member looks carefully, he will see the tax cut for 22 million Canadians. The new horizons for seniors program is a very good program that seniors in my riding of Don Valley North really enjoy accessing to stay connected to the community. When we have a very connected, healthy population, it saves costs down the road.

With respect to what the member asked, I look forward to having further conversations on it.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Madam Speaker, health is a top priority for the people in my riding. My colleague highlighted some of the investments we are making in the budget for it, such as the investment in research and the new health infrastructure fund. We are also going to increase transfers to provinces over the next five years.

I would like to hear the member's view on why the investments in health are so important for the people in her riding of Don Valley North, for the people in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche and for all Canadians.

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Madam Speaker, indeed, health care is such a major component of our identity. We highlighted in our budget that we are making major investments to strengthen it through the health infrastructure fund of $5 billion to modernize hospitals, build our ER capacity and train more health professionals. This will increase benefits for seniors and the people in Don Valley North.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Madam Speaker, I am just curious. Can the member explain to me why the government felt it needed to include things like stablecoins in the BIA? Something like a stablecoin should probably have its own piece of legislation because of the new aspect of this financial tool.

Why would the Liberals include stuff like this in the BIA? Why would they not introduce it as its own legislation in Parliament?

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Don Valley North, ON]

Madam Speaker, I look forward to having a further discussion on this.

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON]

Madam Speaker, for months, Canadians have waited to see how the government, elected on promises of fiscal foresight, economic integrity and monetary wizardry, would turn the fortunes of this nation around. If Canadians expected any sort of responsible governance from this budget, they were sorely disappointed. Instead, they got a glossy communications document full of arbitrary promises about vague infrastructure spending, all dressed up behind a clever new accounting trick: “Canadians rejoice, because the government no longer racks up debt but now makes capital investments.” These can be whatever the government wants. Apparently, the invisible hand of the market has struck a secret deal guaranteeing billions of investments from unknown private sector benefactors.

To be clear, private sector investment can be beneficial to the nation, but banking on it to fund infrastructure spending is not. All of that is to say that the government can be forgiven for taking what I am sure it thinks is a bold new approach to government financing. After all, along with the black shoes and white shirts in the PMO, the Prime Minister also brought a new fiscal calendar with him from his time in London, which is why we are now speaking to the budget in November instead of the more traditional spring. However, the budget is just that: a statement of intentions. It remains to be seen what Parliament actually approves and how the government spends the money.

I will give the government credit for one thing. It is refreshing to finally see some relief for the ever-suffering estimates process. We have time to flesh out the mains instead of diving through a budget and estimates at almost the same time.

I will move on to the content of the budget itself.

One notable piece of the budget that is of great concern not just for my constituents but also for law-abiding firearm owners across the nation is the arbitrary ad hoc firearms policy. We might think that, after three decades, at least one person would take the time to inform themself about how firearms operate, yet here we are, a full 33 years after the initial launch of the long-gun registry, with this budget in 2025. Still, the Liberals are chasing that elusive dragon. The budget proudly claims that “Weapons made for the battlefield do not belong on Canadian streets”. I cannot begin to fathom the cartoonish ignorance of this statement, and it boggles the mind that this line went through dozens, if not hundreds, of sets of eyes before seeing publication and not one person stood up and said, “This does not make sense.” It is a clear indication that the government paints our rural farmers, sportsmen, hunters and indigenous communities as gun-crazed fetishists who need to be put under the jackboot of the state, instead of the responsible, mature, respectable and law-abiding gun owners they are.

To make matters worse, we have a public safety minister who, as kind as he might be, has waffled on what exactly this buyback program entails and whether or not it is legally binding. He is telling Canadian gun owners one thing, then telling his tenants something completely different. The government has shown, time and again, that it does not care about gun owners and that, most telling, it does not care to learn about guns or gun owners. No criminals are doing a drive-by shooting in downtown Toronto with a legally purchased SKS.

The Conservatives know this, gun owners know this and criminals themselves know this. I would normally presume the government knows this as well, but, as the age-old saying goes, do not attribute to malice what can be explained by ignorance. I am certainly not going to argue against that, given the 30-plus years of evidence we have.

This dovetails very conveniently into the other concern many rural and small urban centres have, which is crime. The government has made big promises to help combat crime, which is refreshing to hear. However, again, it needs to follow up on its promises instead of rehashing the same promises year after year, budget after budget. This means working with our provincial cousins to ensure they have the capacities and infrastructure for federal laws to be effective in the first place. We need to move beyond the tired old blame game between federal and provincial governments to get laws passed, jails built and criminals behind bars. This needs to be a priority, one that ought to be championed by the federal government. What the provinces need is leadership and a firm commitment from Ottawa to keep our cities, towns and communities safe.

In tandem with this, and related to my previous point, Ottawa needs to understand that rural Canada exists. There are millions of Canadians who are quite literally nowhere near law enforcement or emergency services. I urge the government to keep this in mind at all times, especially when looking at ways to tackle crime in rural Canada.

Another group that is often lost in discussions in Ottawa is seniors. These are the men and women who built the country we call home today. Their labour, toil, struggles and efforts have granted us a nation that, despite some very real issues, is among the world's greatest countries to live in, and they deserve our respect and admiration. The measures in the budget to combat economic abuse are welcomed. As we all know, financial abuse and fraud especially affect our golden Canadians. It is imperative that the government work with financial institutions to spot instances of abuse and take mitigating steps to protect potential victims. Our aging population is an issue policy-makers have ignored for years, and we do so at our own peril. I urge the government to heed the needs of our seniors and their families. The hallmark of a civilization is how we treat the most vulnerable, and nowhere is that more true than with our seniors.

I would like to finish off by talking about the issue that has been dominating headlines for months now. That issue is trade and, in particular, what this budget and government have been doing on the file of late. Conservatives understood the government wanted to take its shot in negotiating with the United States. We showed patience while the government withheld details, recognizing that not everything can be conducted in full public view. We support efforts to diversify trade relationships. However, what has happened since negotiations have collapsed is very troubling. The Prime Minister campaigned on leadership regarding this file, yet, when it matters most, he is failing to deliver. In the most recent weeks, the government has shown no plan, no urgency and zero accountability. The silence and inaction speak volumes, and none of it inspires confidence.

There are two axioms that I need to believe are true. One, trade is good. Two, trade is not finite. Cabinet needs to keep this front of mind. Undermining trade with our closest ally to chase deals with dictatorships in Beijing and the U.A.E. is not just misguided but also reckless. Canada and the United States had and still have the closest relationship between two nations anywhere in the world. Our joint history has stretched for hundreds of years and has been through trials and tribulations far worse than a trade spat, including literal all-out war. Our bond with the United States is unmatched, transcending politics, culture and geography. I urge the government not to take this easy, politically expedient path of disengagement. The decisions we make now will have consequences far beyond the next three years. With the world at a crossroad, war in Europe, sabre-rattling in the South China Sea, and terror and death across Africa and the Middle East, now more than ever, Canada must turn toward, not away from, the country that has always been and will always be there.

In closing, Canadians deserve a government that balances ambition with responsibility. The budget offers flashy promises but little substance. As official opposition, we will continue to demand accountability, transparency and real results, putting our country's future ahead of political spin. Canadians deserve that.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, the member made reference to the issue of trade. Let us take a look at that.

I have been a parliamentarian for over 30 years. I cannot name another individual, outside of the Prime Minister, who has been so aggressive in looking for trade opportunities that go beyond the United States border, while at the same time waiting to get the best deal we can with the United States. In the interim, let us look at what has been taking place with Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Africa and the European Union. We have legislation. We have all sorts of actions, with millions of dollars going into billions of dollars of potential future trade because we have a government and a prime minister looking at trade and exports as something that will deliver for Canadians not only for today but also for tomorrow.

I am wondering if the member and her party can support the trade initiatives the Prime Minister and his government are taking today.

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON]

Madam Speaker, this is disturbing. Perhaps I can share some cold, hard truth about the Prime Minister and the lack of action he has had on this file. In fact, he thinks he is going to wait until it makes sense to speak with our neighbours to the south. The Prime Minister has suggested that the age-old adage between Canada and the U.S. is over. Tariffs are hitting all-time highs, key sectors, businesses and families are being affected and this unilateral approach is not working.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to point out that my colleague's speech was very thoughtful, covered a number of issues and was rather nuanced. I appreciate that and hold her in high regard.

My colleague raised the issue of public safety in rural areas. I am very concerned about that particular issue. I was in Notre‑Dame‑du‑Nord yesterday, a village near Ontario, in Témiscamingue, where thefts are becoming increasingly frequent. One possible solution is to have more resources for collaboration between the various police forces. I am thinking of the Sûreté du Québec and the Ontario Provincial Police, as well as the indigenous police forces.

My colleague mentioned that this is a problem elsewhere in rural Canada. Is she seeing an increase in organized crime in our regions? What solutions is she proposing?

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON]

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the kind remarks by my colleague.

Bringing an approach to Parliament of seasoned compassion and the encouragement of respectful engagement is now more important than ever. We are in an era that is very angry and divided.

I recognize the question my hon. colleague asked about organized crime. Organized crime exists and governments need to step up. Right now, we are seeing so little action from the government, only talk, promises and a flashy budget document giving us lots of “We may do this and we may do that” but very little substance.

I am curious to see what will happen over the next several months because it is just not working right now.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Madam Speaker, my colleague mentioned, in her speech, the government's targeting of law-abiding firearm owners. We have heard in committee, over the last number of weeks, from police chiefs and chiefs of first nations and Inuit communities. They think it is a waste of resources to go after law-abiding firearm owners' firearms.

Does the member think it is a good use of taxpayer money to continue to attack law-abiding firearm owners rather than go after criminals?

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON]

Madam Speaker, law-abiding gun owners are enjoying the outdoors and providing a livelihood.

The government is stuck in a different era. I do not understand how, after 30 years of listening to stakeholders and people in their ridings, members are not getting the facts and are making arbitrary, single-handed decisions that are not focused on rural centres one bit.

Have Canadians take a hard look at the legislation. Canadians expect significant change from the government.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to take part in the debate on Bill C‑15, the 2025 budget implementation bill, and to highlight the significant investments in this budget that will help build Canada strong.

As we know, advanced economies are feeling global economic challenges. Canada is no different. With the historic rise in tariffs posing significant challenges to the Canadian economy, Canadians are feeling the impact in their daily lives.

To rise to the challenges of our time and seize new opportunities, we must make historic investments that protect and transform our industries, strengthen our economy and empower Canadians. Our generational investments in housing, infrastructure, defence, productivity and competitiveness will enable us to rise to the challenges. Canada's new government is building a single Canadian economy, powered by major projects of national interest that will connect our regions, diversify our markets and create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs ranging from skilled trades to cutting-edge technologies.

We are investing by building homes for Canadians; we are investing $25 billion in building affordable housing at scale.

Through the Build Canada Homes tax measures, incentives and programs, we are building the foundation of Canada's most ambitious housing plan in a generation.

These investments are not only for building houses. Budget 2025 proposes a plan to invest $115 billion to build 21st-century infrastructure.

Projects would be focused on trade and transport, along with supporting indigenous and municipal projects, all of which are key drivers of economic growth and support high-paying careers. To create the right conditions for businesses to invest and drive real, sustainable growth, budget 2025 outlines an ambitious plan to invest $110 billion to supercharge growth by increasing productivity and competitiveness through such areas as innovation support programs, investments in AI, and major tax credits and incentives.

With Bill C‑5, our government is moving forward with projects that will build Canada and increase confidence in our security and resilience.

Bill C-15's measures will build a Canada for today and for generations to come. That is how we will build Canada strong.

Climate change is real. Fighting climate change is not only our economic duty, it is our moral duty. That is why budget 2025 lays out Canada's new climate competitiveness strategy.

Budget 2025 includes clean economy investment tax credits that will attract investments and help drive Canada's economy toward net zero by 2050.

The clean electricity investment tax credit reimburses up to 15% of the capital cost of eligible investments in equipment related to low-emission electricity generation, electricity storage, and electricity transmission between provinces and territories.

Eligibility for this tax credit would be limited to taxable Canadian corporations and certain non-taxable corporations, such as provincial and territorial Crown corporations, corporations owned by municipalities or indigenous communities, and pension investment corporations.

In addition to the implementation of the clean electricity investment tax credit, Bill C-15 proposes enhancements to the existing suite of ITCs to ensure that they remain competitive and effective in attracting projects and high-paying careers to Canada. These include the carbon capture, utilization and storage investment tax credit, which would maintain full credit rates for an additional five years up to 2035. The clean technology manufacturing investment tax credit would be broadened to include more critical minerals essential for clean-technology supply chains. As well, the critical mineral exploration tax credit would be expanded to cover 12 more critical minerals necessary for defence, semiconductors, energy and clean technologies.

This generational budget is designed to bring about generational change.

Generational challenges would include shifting trade relationships and supply chains, climate change and housing. Canada, like many countries, is facing a steep housing supply gap, one that threatens affordability, opportunity and the ability for Canadians to build a life and a future here at home.

Canada is facing a steep housing supply gap, one that threatens affordability, opportunity and the ability for Canadians to build a life and a future here at home.

Canadians demand immediate action, and we are delivering with the urgency that the moment requires, with bold actions to unlock supply and bring affordability back within reach. From eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on homes under $1 million to launching Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency that will drive investment and public-private co-operation, we will build faster and smarter.

With the passing of Bill C-15, Build Canada Homes would be supported by an investment of $13 billion to help double the number of affordable homes built over the next decade. That is not all we plan to build.

Budget 2025 is about generational investment in our infrastructure and our future. That is why proposed legislative changes are included in Bill C-15 that would accelerate the development of the Alto high-speed rail project, a project that could create 51,000 jobs during construction and inject up to $35 billion into our GDP, with a target of 25 million tonnes in emissions savings.

These amendments would enact a new act that would streamline approvals for the high-speed rail project, remove regulatory burden and eliminate duplication of effort, in order to reduce the cost and timeline to build the project.

This measure would go beyond what is possible under the Building Canada Act by allowing the project to be advanced as separate segments under the Impact Assessment Act and by adding flexibilities to the expropriation process and reservation or priority sale of lands to reduce acquisition costs.

Budget 2025 makes generational investments while maintaining Canada's strong fiscal advantage. This foundation allows us to invest ambitiously and responsibly and make the Canadian economy the strongest in the G7. We cannot control what other nations do, but we can control what we build.

That is why Canada is transforming its economy from dependence to resilience. Now is the time to make generational investments.

That is why I wish to encourage all members of the House to join me in supporting the passage of this crucial piece of legislation, which would help ensure that our workers and businesses will prosper by building Canada's strength at home and our economy for Canadians and by Canadians.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Madam Speaker, I noticed that the most recently released public accounts show that the government increased debt maintenance, payments for interest on its debt, by 13%, or $6 billion, over the previous year. The increase to health care transfers for the province was just $2.6 billion, or 4.7%.

I wonder if the member could comment on why the government's policies have led the country to spend so much more in increases to interest payments than help for health care transfers.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Madam Speaker, right now, it is all about building. We are investing in the future of Canadians. We have a duty in this House to invest in the future of young Canadians. That is exactly what we are doing with this budget.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Madam Speaker, it is really something to hear the government say what a fantastic budget this is for the environment when, internationally, nearly 2,000 NGOs gathered at the UN climate conference gave it the fossil of the day award, an environmental booby prize, for its constant backsliding, including in this budget. Funds for electric vehicle incentives, the tree-planting initiative and the emissions cap in the oil and gas sector are gone, gone, gone. The government has no plan to meet its 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target either.

How can my colleague say that this budget is an environmental winner when it is being roundly described as a very alarming step backward?

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Madam Speaker, yes, we still have work ahead in the fight against climate change. However, this budget provides funds for the youth climate corps. We are also working on Canada's new climate competitiveness strategy. Our efforts to ensure that our environmental initiatives move forward also continue. We are going to work in collaboration with all of our colleagues in the House to make things better, because there is always room for improvement.

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, I want to ask my colleague to expand a bit more on the investment in the next generation of young people and particularly on the youth climate corps.

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Madam Speaker, this budget includes several investments for young people, including in the Canada summer jobs program, the federal student work experience program and the youth climate corps.

These investments, totalling nearly $1 billion, will provide young people with green jobs and help support our communities, helping young people find work in these tough times.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Madam Speaker, this budget seems to be oddly aligned with Brookfield's investment policies.

Could the member ease my concerns?