Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise today as the federal representative for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas to speak in support of the implementation of a new budget for Canada, a pivotal investment in the future of our great country.
We are living through a fundamental shift in global trade, global alliances and the global economy. For decades, Canada and our democratic allies around the world relied on stable, predictable international trade partners. Today, that world no longer exists. Our largest trading partner is governed by an increasingly hostile and unpredictable administration. The Trump administration has not hesitated to illegally target Canadian industries, Canadian workers and Canada's national interests for its own short-term political gains.
In a moment like this, Canada cannot afford to stand still. We must take action to defend not only our economic prosperity but also our national sovereignty and very way of life. That is why the government is taking decisive action. We are taking action to protect our economic sovereignty and way of life because we believe fundamentally in the unity and strength of the Canadian people. As the Prime Minister said, we must take control of our own destiny.
This budget implementation act does exactly that. At its core, it has three clear priorities: to build, to protect and to empower. Canada's economic fundamentals remain the strongest in the G7 and in the world. Our debt-to-GDP ratio is the lowest in the G7. Employment growth remains steady, adding 67,000 new jobs in October and 60,000 the month before that. Canada continues to be one of the safest, most stable jurisdictions for business investments in the G7. The Canadian economy is well positioned for the future, but only if we act now.
For the first time, the budget makes a clear, important distinction between capital and operating spending. Of course, this is how businesses operate, as well as most families. There is a family's large capital investments, like the mortgage, house or car loan, and its operational expenses, like clothing, utilities, groceries, etc. In the federal government, we are making significant capital investments in housing, infrastructure, climate adaption and defence, investments that will build a stronger Canada for decades. Operational spending is being strategically managed and will be brought back into balance within three years. That is good fiscal policy, and it is long-term nation-building.
As the member of Parliament for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, I want to speak directly to what I see in the budget for Hamilton.
Hamilton's infrastructure has benefited from significant levels of federal investment, but continued growth and modernization require even more. Now is the time for provincial and federal partners to build on that progress and deliver the next wave of funding to strengthen services, support housing and prepare Hamilton for the next generations to come.
This budget commits $115 billion over five years toward the building and repairing of infrastructure. For Hamilton, that would mean investments in transit, drinking water, waste-water and stormwater systems, community spaces and the critical infrastructure that underpins responsible and sustainable growth.
There is $25 billion over the next five years for housing, supporting and enhancing the incredible progress already being made in Hamilton through the Hamilton is Home coalition, one of the most ambitious housing initiatives in the entire country.
There is $30 billion over five years for defence, supporting Canada's manufacturing sector, an area where Hamilton plays a critical role. Hamilton's steelworkers, machinists and advanced manufacturing sector are all essential to Canada's national security and NATO commitments.
The government has also reaffirmed support for the Hamilton B-line LRT, the first phase of the rapid transit BLAST network that will transform the entire city. As I did when I served on Hamilton's city council, I am already looking beyond the B-line LRT toward future investment in the next phase of A-line light rail transit along the Upper James corridor, right from the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport to the port and waterfront.
This is a budget that believes in Hamilton's future.
However, no federal budget, no matter how ambitious, can succeed without the involvement and collaboration of all levels of government, and that includes the Province of Ontario, led by Premier Doug Ford. Federal health transfers to Ontario continue to outpace provincial spending. We urge the Province of Ontario to direct sufficient health care funding toward hospitals and emergency care to improve patient outcomes and the working conditions of doctors, nurses and health care professionals. We urge the Province of Ontario to direct sufficient health care funding toward supports for addictions and mental health, because too often, these health care issues go unresolved and often lead to homelessness.
We are pleased to see that, just this week, Premier Ford is making new investments in Ontario's criminal justice system, strengthening Ontario's bail laws and adding resources to Ontario's jails and courts. The federal government is a willing partner, and we look forward to closer collaboration with the Province of Ontario.
Since the COVID pandemic, affordability and the cost of living have become top of mind for families across Canada, including in Hamilton, Ancaster and Dundas. This budget would strengthen the systems families rely on. Affordable child care gives parents the ability to build careers without sacrificing family, permanent school food programs ensure that children can learn and grow without hunger, a strengthened Canada child benefit lifts hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty and an increased old age security supports seniors in their retirement years. Critically, by offsetting municipal costs for infrastructure and housing, we would also reduce the pressure being placed on local municipal property taxpayers.
This is about creating opportunity, good jobs, strong communities and the ability for families to build the life they deserve. The mission statement of the City of Hamilton is “To be the best place to raise a child and age successfully”, and I believe this budget would move us closer to that goal.
Our government is also investing in opportunities for families to earn a secure living and afford a lifestyle they can be proud of. SEIU Healthcare, which represents 68,000 Canadian health care workers, says, “Budget 2025 will help build a stronger Canada by making life more affordable for 200,000 personal support workers...through a new tax credit.... More money in the pockets of PSWs means more care workers at the bedside of Canada’s seniors, and a stronger, more resilient public healthcare system.”
LiUNA Canada, a major partner in the city of Hamilton, says, “LiUNA welcomes the government's continued commitment to apprenticeship, union-led training, and workforce development. By recognizing the essential role of union labour in constructing the infrastructure that powers our economy, this budget reinforces Canada's path to growth, stability, and long-term prosperity. Let's build.”
The Ontario Building and Construction Trades Council said, “We're pleased to see the Federal Government's continued commitment to investing in Canada's workforce through this budget. Increased support for training and apprenticeships under the Union Training and Innovation Program, along with new opportunities for nation-building projects through the Major Projects Office, will help ensure skilled tradespeople can continue building the vital infrastructure Ontario and Canada rely on.”
The president of Canada's Building Trades Unions says, “I also welcome the new Build Communities Strong fund, which includes a generational investment of $50 billion for local infrastructure projects, with a focus on using unionized labour and Community Employment Benefit Agreements. I’m very pleased to see the $450 million for the Strategic Response Fund, which will support tens of thousands of workers and key sectors, from lumber to steel to the auto industry.”
Voters across Canada elected a government that believes in Canada, invests in Canada and trusts Canadians. This budget would build the infrastructure we need for our future and would invest in our country. The budget implementation act is about building a resilient, confident and sovereign Canada that protects our workers, supports our families, strengthens our democracy and secures our place in a rapidly changing world. It is a budget that would build, protect and empower. Finally, it is a budget that reflects the very best of who we are as Canadians.