House of Commons Hansard #50 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was amendments.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Citizenship Act Third reading of Bill C-3. The bill addresses an Ontario court ruling that found the Citizenship Act's first-generation limit unconstitutional. It allows Canadians born abroad to pass citizenship to their children also born abroad, provided the parent has 1,095 cumulative days of physical presence in Canada. Liberals argue this ensures equality and responds to a court deadline. Conservatives and Bloc members contend the bill, which saw committee-passed amendments rejected, devalues citizenship by lacking requirements like language proficiency and security checks, creating "citizens of convenience" and "unfettered chain migration." 34000 words, 4 hours in 3 segments: 1 2 3.
Financial Statement of Minister of Finance Members debate the Liberal government's Budget 2025, presented as a generational investment plan for economic resilience, focusing on housing, infrastructure, defence, and productivity, alongside efforts for fiscal discipline. Opposition parties criticize the budget for a large deficit, increased debt, higher cost of living, and broken promises, particularly regarding the industrial carbon tax. Conservatives propose an amendment for affordability. 9200 words, 1 hour.
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite is well aware considering how often we have discussed it, our government will keep fighting climate change. Our government is also going to keep building this country because that is what Canadians want to see. They want to see that we have major projects on the go that will create good jobs for young people and make our country strong.
We will continue to do just that. I hope they will support our budget.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Liberal government spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians through higher taxes and higher inflation.
Today, at four o'clock, we are going to find out just how much more the Liberals are going to take out of the pockets of Canadians. Canadians could be paying $300 to $400 more in grocery costs because of the food packaging tax.
Canadians are looking for an affordable budget for an affordable life, so will the Prime Minister scrap his food packaging tax instead of trying to engineer a costly election with his costly budget?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, this is a historic day for our country. Today, our government will table a generational, disciplined budget. We will transform our economy from reliance to resilience to build our economy into the strongest in the G7. We will spend less on government operation, invest more in capital projects and build our economy into the strongest economy in the G7.
I hope the party opposite cuts the rhetoric and will support us and vote for our budget.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, we have heard this same tune from the Liberals before, and the result is that 2.2 million Canadians are visiting food banks. Their industrial carbon tax is another example of driving up costs for everyday Canadians. They are paying more, and they are getting less.
We want to know why the Liberals continue with these taxes, like their food packaging tax. We know they love consultants. Deloitte is saying it is raising the price of produce by 30%.
Will the Prime Minister, while he still has a chance, commit to having an affordable budget for the affordable lives of Canadians instead of having a costly election?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, there is no food packaging tax. The party opposite is obsessed with imaginary taxes.
Let us talk affordability. Let us talk about cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. There are no comments on that. Let us talk about cutting taxes for first-time homebuyers. There are no comments on that. Let us talk about cutting the consumer carbon tax. There are no comments on that.
On this side of the House, we are focused on affordability for Canadians. Canadians made a choice in the last election. They chose our side. They chose our Prime Minister. They rejected that leader.
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Liberals spend, as we know, comes from the pockets of Canadians, which drives up taxes and inflation. Now they are making it worse with their hidden food taxes. For example, the Liberal plastic packaging ban will add $5.6 billion to food prices, because, of course, it forces producers to use more costly packaging that does not preserve food as well. This means a shorter shelf life, more waste and higher food prices.
Will the Prime Minister stop trying to engineer a costly election with his costly budget, and instead scrap this $5.6-billion hidden food tax?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues have said, there is no tax. It is an imaginary tax. There is no tax on food packaging in Canada.
Raquel Dancho Conservative Kildonan—St. Paul, MB
Mr. Speaker, the experts are telling us that the food packaging tax will add $5.6 billion, and that is just one of them. The Liberals are also forcing the food industry to redesign food labels, of all things, which will add an additional $8 billion to the cost of food.
Canadians are not asking the Liberals to redesign food labels; they are asking for more affordable food, so will they scrap this hidden food tax and save Canadians some money?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, there is no food packaging tax. There is no food labelling tax. There is no tax on groceries. These are imaginary taxes, and repeating these same lines is not going to make them real.
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Mr. Speaker, every dollar the Liberals spend comes straight out of the pockets of Canadians through higher taxes and the skyrocketing cost of living. The Liberals can gaslight and call the fuel regulations tax imaginary all they want, but my neighbours in Oshawa will feel the hit of up to 17¢ per litre more for gas.
Will the Prime Minister stop trying to engineer a costly election with a costly budget and finally scrap the fuel regulations tax?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, here is what we are going to do. We are going to stand up for Canadians every single day. We are going to invest in their futures. We are going to invest in the jobs that Canadians are talking about that they want to take up.
This is a time when Canadians have pulled together to build Canada strong, and that is exactly what our budget is going to do. We are going to make sure the tools are there for every Canadian who is protecting this country.
I hope these guys get on board.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, every time the Liberal government spends $1, $1 comes out of a Canadian's pocket because of higher taxes and Liberal inflation. Piling hidden taxes on families who are struggling to put food on the table is the height of Liberal hypocrisy. Yes, it is a hidden tax. Canadians are forking over $5.6 billion because of a change to food packaging rules.
Instead of tabling a costly budget this afternoon, will the Prime Minister abolish the packaging tax and give $5 billion back to families in an affordable budget for an affordable life?
Steven MacKinnon LiberalMinister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that there is no tax on packaging, that the taxes described by the member do not exist. There are no taxes on food at the grocery store. There are no taxes. The Conservatives are talking about imaginary taxes. They do not exist, and Canadians know it. It is time for the Conservatives to realize that as well.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, there is nothing imaginary about mothers not having enough money to buy the milk, cheese and meat they need to feed their children. For example, the industrial carbon tax costs them up to $1,000 a year of very real money. While they wonder how they are going to pay for their groceries, the Prime Minister is trying to engineer a costly election with a costly budget.
Why does he not think of the families and simply cancel this industrial carbon tax, which is going to make life even more unaffordable?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, just because my colleague keeps asking the same question does not mean that he expects to keep getting the same answer.
Our point is that he is not only talking about imaginary taxes, but he is also failing to mention that we have lowered taxes. We have lowered taxes for the middle class. What is more, the budget being tabled later today in the House will help protect our jobs, our economy and our communities. It will help build our country and our economy with major projects and major investments in defence. Also, our budget will be there to strengthen—
Carbon PricingOral Questions
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC
Mr. Speaker, as the Prime Minister returns from a mission to Asia, let us not forget that China trades heavily in products made using forced labour, including child labour. Canada's economic diversification must never be achieved through modern-day slavery and by violating human rights. The Bloc Québécois introduced Bill C-251 to block imports from regions suspected of using modern slavery, unless the seller can prove that they do not profit from forced labour or child labour.
Will the government support our bill?
Anita Anand LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his question.
Of course, our government does not support forced labour in any way. We will continue to stand up for human rights around the world, especially within multilateral organizations.
We will also continue to invest in our economy and maintain the bilateral relationships that are necessary for our country throughout the world.
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, the Chinese regime is guilty of genocide against the Uyghurs and Turkic peoples in Xinjiang. This genocide includes forced labour and child labour to make products such as cotton. Their blood is on our hands. This House has formally recognized the genocide, but that has not stopped the Prime Minister from courting China. The Bloc Québécois bill is simple: It follows in the footsteps of the United States, which is banning the import of products made with forced labour.
My question is simple: Will you support the Bloc's bill, yes or no?
International TradeOral Questions
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
Unfortunately, I do not have the right to vote on this matter.
The hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Anita Anand LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, Canada is extremely concerned about the treatment of Uyghurs in China. The report was an essential step and revealed an alarming pattern.
China has yet to take meaningful action in response. Canada will continue to work with its international partners to address this situation.
Canada remains committed to defending human rights in international organizations. This is a priority for us.
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Speaker, young Canadians are asking a simple question: What is left for them to sacrifice after a decade of failed Liberal policies? They are saying they cannot find a job, they are delaying starting a family, they cannot buy a home and they are living in their parents' basement. What is left to sacrifice? What is the Liberal government's response? It is going to mortgage their future with more generational debt.
Will the Prime Minister stop breaking his promises, rein in his reckless spending and finally deliver an affordable budget that gives young Canadians a fighting chance at an affordable life?
Anna Gainey LiberalSecretary of State (Children and Youth)
Mr. Speaker, today's budget will deliver historic investments to build Canada strong. This means strong families and strong communities from coast to coast to coast, and investments that will create good-quality jobs and careers for young Canadians, that will build infrastructure, that will put more affordable homes within reach for young Canadians and that will protect the supports that help families get ahead.
Our new government is putting forward a budget to build, protect and empower Canadians and Canada. I hope the members opposite will join us and support the budget.
Sandra Cobena Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have been saying those same words for over a decade, but life has only gotten harder. They call it an investment, but it is not. It is a mortgage on our youth's future.
A 19-year-old girl from Halifax was on national news saying she cannot afford groceries and she cannot find work. That is the reality behind their so-called investments. Youth unemployment is at 15%, not because young people have given up but because the Liberal government has given up on them.
Will the Prime Minister stop asking young Canadians to sacrifice even more and deliver an affordable budget for an affordable life?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, this government is taking action to make life more affordable for young Canadians. We are delivering on housing. If we look across the country right now, average rents are down, mortgage rates are down and home prices are going down. That is benefiting young Canadians, and we are not stopping there. We are doubling up on housing for young Canadians, making sure the first-time homebuyer tax benefits go up to $50,000, and we are going to deliver with Build Canada Homes.