House of Commons Hansard #51 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was fish.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising Act First reading of Bill S-211. The bill creates a national framework to limit sports betting advertising. It aims to reduce promotion to youth and vulnerable groups, addressing concerns about the abundance of ads overshadowing sports and protecting Canadian families. 200 words.
Budget Documents Distributed to Members Gabriel Ste-Marie raises a question of privilege regarding incomplete paper budget documents distributed to MPs, arguing it violates their right to full information and impedes their ability to perform parliamentary duties. 800 words.
Financial Statement of Minister of Finance Members debate the government's budgetary policy, with the Leader of the Opposition criticizing the increased national debt, rising cost of living, and the industrial carbon tax. The Bloc Québécois calls the budget a "sham" for ignoring Quebec's needs and climate action, while Liberals defend it as a transformative investment in economic growth, social programs, and infrastructure. 14400 words, 2 hours.
Fisheries Act Second reading of Bill C-237. The bill seeks to amend the Fisheries Act to harmonize recreational groundfish fishing periods across Atlantic Canada and Quebec and to create a monitoring system for catches. The Conservative sponsor argues the bill would allow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to fish seven days a week, like other Atlantic provinces, and would encourage better enforcement to eliminate illegal fishing. Liberal and Bloc members express concerns about the bill's potential impact on commercial fisheries, its shift from stock-based to species-based management, and the possibility of new costs or fees for recreational fishers. Bill C-237 8700 words, 1 hour.
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the last Liberal budget had a fiscal anchor of deficits of less than 1% of GDP. This budget would double those deficits, averaging 2% of GDP. The last Liberal budget had a fiscal anchor of a declining debt-to-GDP ratio. This budget would increase the debt-to-GDP ratio.
Will the government admit that its fiscal anchor is weaker than the previous Trudeau government's?
Wayne Long LiberalSecretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, I know they are having a bad week over there, but yesterday we tabled a historic budget to build our economy for Canadians and by Canadians so we will never be reliant on one country again. We will spend less on wasteful spending so we can invest in our country and build our economy into the strongest economy in the G7.
Canadians from coast to coast to coast support our budget. It is time for us to come together in this House, like Canada. It is time for the party opposite to support our budget.
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON
Mr. Speaker, last July, bond-rating agency Fitch warned that a material rise in the debt-to-GDP ratio and a material rise in our deficit could lead to a credit downgrade. This budget would double deficits and lead to an ever-increasing debt-to-GDP ratio.
Will the government acknowledge that it is putting this country's credit rating at risk, not to mention that it is saddling younger Canadians with a mountain of national debt?
Maninder Sidhu LiberalMinister of International Trade
Mr. Speaker, speaking of young Canadians, they are looking at this budget for generational opportunities. We are unlocking new markets for them.
With budget 2025, we are getting young Canadians and young entrepreneurs export-ready through our SME export readiness program. Once they are export-ready, we will launch the CanExport program to support them in attending trade shows globally to showcase their goods. Once they have orders ready to go out, EDC will step in to support them in getting into new markets around the world.
This is how we are helping young Canadians and young entrepreneurs access new markets and create jobs here at home.
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, there has been much talk about the $78-billion generational deficit in the budget, and rightly so. What are the key features of this budget? Military is the top priority, the fight against climate change is over, oil companies are getting more tax credits and tens of thousands of jobs are being cut. All of these choices would have delighted Stephen Harper, because they are conservative. They are so conservative that a Conservative member of Parliament became a Liberal because he identified with them. It is a Liberal deficit with Conservative priorities.
In all this, why is there nothing for Quebec's priorities?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, I know my colleague well, and I also know his riding well, and one thing is clear: Talk about military spending and investment has an impact in his riding of Mirabel.
It will have an impact on CAE. It will have an impact on Airbus. It will have an impact on Bell Textron Canada. It will have an impact on thousands of jobs in Mirabel.
Is my colleague saying that this budget does not produce results for Quebec and for Mirabel? I think my colleague is out of touch with reality.
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, a $78-billion deficit will affect future generations in my riding. Worse still, the Liberals are increasing the deficit while announcing cuts to health transfers. They are not investing a penny in seniors who are struggling with the cost of living. They are refusing to offer loans at preferential rates to first-time home buyers. They are replacing the only housing construction program in Quebec that worked with Build Canada Homes, which will jam everything up and slow it all down.
How is it possible to create a $78-billion deficit by failing to meet all of Quebeckers' needs?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, Quebec asked us to invest more to build hospitals. What did we say? We said, “That is a great idea. Let us put it in our budget.” All my colleague has to do is read the budget and he will see that in there.
Quebeckers told us that they wanted us to protect their language and culture, to make investments in that area, because that is important to them. The Minister of Finance and National Revenue and the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture invested more than ever in arts and culture.
We expected the Bloc Québécois to be in favour of that. Quebeckers support this budget. When will the Bloc Québécois vote in favour of it?
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
Mr. Speaker, in 2015, six cents of every dollar was used to pay interest on the national debt. Yesterday's budget confirms that that number will double to more than 13¢ of every dollar, which is almost $76 billion going to bankers and bond holders to pay interest on the national debt. That is even more than the government will receive from taxing and GST.
When the finance minister says that he is making generational investments, is he just saddling the next generation with his unaffordable budget?
Anita Anand LiberalMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is overlooking that Canada has a AAA credit rating, has the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, has been world acclaimed as a home for direct foreign investment and is top of the G20.
The difference between that side of the House and this side of the House is that we believe in Canada. We believe in Canadians. We are diversifying supply chains, and we are investing in our population so that we become the strongest economy in the G7. We ask them to join us.
Adam Chambers Conservative Simcoe North, ON
Mr. Speaker, the difference is that every Liberal finance minister seems to keep breaking their fiscal promises. They said that the deficits would be low and temporary, but they were long and very large. They said the deficit would be capped. They said the debt-to-GDP ratio would continue going down. The ratio went up, and the deficits blew through the cap.
Now, we have a new finance minister with a new, weaker fiscal anchor. Will the finance minister confirm that this anchor is weaker? How long will it be before he breaks his promise too?
Evan Solomon LiberalMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, we are a nation of builders. We are building for young people. We have the best debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We are building affordable homes. We are investing in trades and hospitals. We are creating 100,000 new summer jobs. We are investing in entrepreneurs. Why? It is because this is a budget of resilience. This is a budget of strength. This is a budget of hope.
Why will the Conservatives not join us to build Canada strong?
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister just delivered one of the most expensive budgets in Canadian history. He promised fiscal responsibility during the last election, but Canadians got a staggering $80-billion deficit instead. That is $80 billion in new debt that will drive up the cost of food, housing and everything that Canadians buy.
After hearing all this talk about change, Canadians are left wondering one thing: How is the Prime Minister's out of control spending any different than Justin Trudeau's?
Ryan Turnbull LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, Canadians across this country empowered us in the last election and now we are empowering them in budget 2025, a budget that will make generational investments to create the strongest economy in the G7. That is exactly what we are doing. We are building major infrastructure, homes and industries. We are protecting our communities, borders and way of life, and we are empowering Canadians with better careers, strong public services and a more affordable life.
We know a strong country can be even stronger, but it takes vision and leadership. It is too bad the Conservatives have neither.
Dan Mazier Conservative Riding Mountain, MB
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is not investing. He is spending on the backs of future generations. In fact, because of his reckless spending spree, Canadians will be paying over $55 billion a year in interest alone to service the debt. That is more money being spent on interest payments than on health care transfers that help patients.
Does the Prime Minister realize that his spending is lining the pockets of his banker and bondholder friends, instead of funding our doctors and nurses?
Mandy Gull-Masty LiberalMinister of Indigenous Services
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister does not only have a vision for what this country is now, but what it is going to be. That is why he has assigned multiple ministries to work on transforming health care in those critical spaces in the north, spaces that always lacked investment on this side of the House, spaces that never see the light of day with having support on this side of the House. We are inviting them to finally come into those spaces and support indigenous people with those critical services. It is something that we know all voters are asking for.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L’Érable—Lotbinière, QC
Mr. Speaker, this is a costly budget that is going to make life even more expensive for Canadian families. Yesterday, the Prime Minister presented a budget that will cement his memory in history as the nation's biggest-spending Prime Minister ever.
That is a deficit of almost $80 billion. He promised to spend less, yet he is spending $90 billion more. That amounts to $5,400 per family coming directly out of the pockets of Canadians.
Why is the Prime Minister deliberately driving up the cost of groceries even higher by introducing the worst inflationary budget in Canadian history?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Mr. Speaker, Canada has a AAA credit rating from the credit rating agencies, the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7 and the lowest borrowing rate in the G7. That is Canada's fiscal position.
What is in the budget? Housing is being doubled. Investments in infrastructure are being made. The salaries of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces are being increased like never before. We are equipping them to protect Canada's sovereignty. We are lowering the income tax of 22 million Canadians. That is what is in the budget, and I am very proud of it.
Shannon Miedema Liberal Halifax, NS
Mr. Speaker, my riding of Halifax is home to a thriving defence sector with more than 10,000 Canadian Armed Forces members. I know that many of my constituents, including those in uniform, watched yesterday as the Minister of Finance tabled budget 2025.
Can the Minister of National Defence speak to the new defence investments Canada is making?
David McGuinty LiberalMinister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, through budget 2025, we are investing over $81 billion over the next five years to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in our Canadian Armed Forces. This is a generational investment in defence infrastructure, capabilities, training and, of course, our incredible personnel.
From Halifax to Latvia, when the brave men and women of the CAF answer the call to serve, they know we have their backs, and they know it is time to build Canada strong.
Scot Davidson Conservative New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, this costly budget of broken promises is a disastrous attempt to put out the fire they started. Not only is the Prime Minister fuelling inflation with the largest regular budget deficit in Canadian history, but he is also hiking up the industrial carbon tax and driving up food prices.
Families are already struggling to afford food, housing and everything else, so why does the Prime Minister want to raise the industrial carbon tax and make life even harder for Canadians?
John Zerucelli LiberalSecretary of State (Labour)
Mr. Speaker, we are creating opportunities for Canadians. Budget 2025 is about building Canada and creating opportunities for young people. We are building Saint John strong, Etobicoke strong, Vancouver strong, Halifax strong, Fredericton strong, Winnipeg strong, Bradford strong. City by city, community by community, we are building Canada strong for our young people, for Canadians. Through budget 2025, we are building roads, bridges, hospitals, water systems, community centres, homes that Canadians need and major projects in the national interest. We are doing it with Canadian steel, Canadian lumber and Canadian union workers.
Scot Davidson Conservative New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canada is in this mess because of 10 years of Liberal deficits and taxes. Now this costly budget will make things worse by adding $10 million to our debt every hour. It is like cranking up the furnace and leaving the windows open. Canada is the only G7 country where food inflation has gone up four months in a row, and by increasing the industrial carbon tax and driving up inflation, this budget will only raise prices higher.
Why is the Prime Minister so intent on making life unaffordable for Canadian families?
Buckley Belanger LiberalSecretary of State (Rural Development)
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Conservatives to join the rest of the country and love our country. I love Canada. They all seem to call Canada down. On this side of the assembly, we are marketing Canada, something those guys should do. On this side of the aisle, we are defending Canada, something those guys should do as well.
At the end of the day, we are building while they are tearing down Canada. Shame on them. Let us get on the same page. Canadians deserve that.
Costas Menegakis Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister's costly budget is full of broken promises and is the most expensive in Canadian history. It has the largest deficit in history outside of COVID. It will drive up the cost of food, housing and everything else that Canadians buy. The Liberals had a chance to lower food costs for Canadians, but they chose to make food more expensive by increasing the industrial carbon tax, driving up the cost of fertilizer and farm equipment.
Why is the Prime Minister increasing the industrial carbon tax and making food more expensive for Canadians?