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.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem, with the hon. member for Wellington—Halton Hills North leading us.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
Mr. Speaker, we had some good news yesterday. No, I am not really talking about the budget. I am talking about the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York.
Let us return closer to home, to my riding of Rosemont—La Petite‑Patrie, where we also have some good news. During Black History Month, Ninette Piou, director of the Centre N A Rive, was recognized for her involvement and dedication. For over 40 years, Ms. Piou has been working at the centre, which is a place of learning, integration and recreation. We need only think of all the workshops offered to immigrant women, the organization of the Haitian book festival in Montreal or the creation of the Institut créole et du patrimoine culturel haïtien. As a passionate advocate for social justice and communal peace and harmony, Ms. Piou is a true pillar of La Petite‑Patrie.
I want to congratulate Ninette and thank her for working tirelessly to build a better world where everyone can live in dignity.
Doug Eyolfson Liberal Winnipeg West, MB
Mr. Speaker, measles was eliminated in Canada in 1998 and we maintained that achievement for more than 25 years. Today, however, we are seeing a resurgence of this disease, driven mostly by misinformation and growing vaccine hesitancy.
In 2025 alone, Canada has reported more cases than in the last 25 years combined, with over 5,000 cases, 169 hospitalizations and, tragically, three infants losing their lives. Measles is a serious disease that can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, hearing loss, developmental delay and death.
The positive news is that this is entirely preventable. The measles vaccine is safe, effective and life-saving. We all have a role to play in protecting our communities. I encourage Canadians to ensure that they and their children are fully immunized. By working together, sharing accurate information and supporting public health initiatives, we can protect our most vulnerable citizens and restore Canada’s status as a measles-free nation.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, this year the Silver Cross mother is Nancy Payne from Lansdowne, Ontario. On Remembrance Day, Nancy will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in our nation's capital, representing the mothers and families who have lost a daughter or son in military service to Canada.
Nancy's son, Corporal Randy Payne, served proudly with the Canadian Army as a military police officer. He was killed in action on April 22, 2006, while serving in a close protection unit in Afghanistan. Through Nancy, we honour not only Randy's sacrifice but also the legacy of all who have served and fallen in defence of Canada.
The fallen and their families have given so much to our country, and we are forever in their debt.
As the Silver Cross mother, Nancy Payne carries the weight of the personal loss of her son Randy, as well as the grief of so many Canadian families who have lost their loved ones in service of freedom and Canadian values.
We cannot forget that. We must never forget them. We will remember them.
Sonia Sidhu Liberal Brampton South, ON
Mr. Speaker, today Canadians from coast to coast join Sikh communities in commemorating the 556th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first guru and founder of Sikhism.
Today we reflect on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s timeless teachings: naam japna, meditation; kirat karni, honest living; and vand ke chakna, sharing with others. These principles are not only central to Sikhism, but they also resonate strongly with Canadian values.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji defended equality and justice, advocating for the rights of women, a message that continues to reflect the values we uphold in Canada today. These teachings are lived every day by Sikh Canadians, whose contributions continue to enrich our country.
May the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji continue to inspire us all. Happy Gurpurab to everyone who celebrates it.
John Williamson Conservative Saint John—St. Croix, NB
Mr. Speaker, as we approach Remembrance Day, I rise to pay tribute to Master Warrant Officer Earle Eastman, retired; sadly, he passed away this year.
Earle served 33 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and completed tours on three continents. After returning from Afghanistan, he dedicated himself to serving veterans as president of the Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle unit, second VP of the Legion's New Brunswick Command and knight commander of the Order of St. George. In 2022, Earle's public service continued when he was elected to St. Stephen's municipal council.
Earle was a dedicated member of our community, but most of all, he was a loving husband to Charlie, a father, a grandfather and my friend.
May Earle Eastman rest in peace.
Fayçal El-Khoury Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the extraordinary work being done in my riding of Laval—Les Îles by Linda Delisle.
Life is a river filled with many explorers and many foundering souls. Sometimes we are lucky enough to encounter someone with a pure heart, a life raft we can cling to. Ms. Delisle is one of those people.
Under her leadership, the Manoir du Ruisseau has become a warm and welcoming place to live, where every resident is treated with respect, attentiveness and kindness. She has created a culture of compassion and dignity, ensuring that seniors receive the care they deserve. Through her leadership, she has made the Manoir du Ruisseau a model of excellence. Her team feels it is an honour to serve our nation builders and care for seniors.
On behalf of all Canadians, all Quebeckers and all Laval residents, I thank Ms. Delisle. I extend my greetings to all the Manoir du Ruisseau residents.
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC
Mr. Speaker, a lifelong Conservative and friend, Vic Brandl was born in 1933 in Jeffrey, Alberta, and passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Vernon, B.C.
Vic quit school during the Depression to work on the neighbour's farm until he went to work in Edmonton in 1950. By the age of 19, Vic had worked at a gas station, on a drilling rig and on a barge moving freight from Yellowknife, to name just a few places. He started V.E. Brandl oil field construction in 1961 when he bought his first D7 dozer, and he grew the company to 100 pieces of heavy-duty equipment.
Vic served on our local Reform Party, Canadian Alliance and Conservative Party boards, finishing as our director emeritus. Over the years, Vic became a good friend, often stopping by for a coffee to talk politics and current events.
Vic was a husband to his beloved Edith; dad to Kevin, Barry and Ron; father-in-law to Marnie and Larisa; grandpa to Noah, Nikita and Eva; and brother to Roger, Bob and Jim.
I thank Vic for everything he did for our riding, community and country. He will be missed.
Amandeep Sodhi Liberal Brampton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurab, an important celebration for Sikh Canadians. Today marks the birth of the founder of Sikhism, a spiritual leader who continues to guide millions of Sikhs across the world.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us that there is one creator and that all human beings are equal. He emphasized the importance of living with honesty, integrity and a spirit of seva. He called on us to earn an honest living, kirat karo; share what we have, vand chhakko; and remember the divine in all that we do, naam japo.
Through these acts of faith and service, Sikhs reaffirm the core principles of Sikhism: devotion, humility and compassion. We are reminded of our duty to serve humanity and respect the sacred gift of life we are blessed with.
As we honour this day, let us reflect on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's timeless message of inclusion, kindness and service, values that continue to strengthen Canada.
Mike Lake Conservative Leduc—Wetaskiwin, AB
Mr. Speaker, for decades in Canada, Conservative and Liberal governments alike have been steadfast leaders in the global fight to end polio. Partners include Global Citizen, Results and the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health, but the undisputed leader in this mission is Rotary International, where there is no bigger champion than Canada's own Jennifer Jones, who became its first woman international president just a few years ago.
Rotary's vision statement says, “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change—across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” Canadian Rotarians and Rotaractors live this out every single day.
Whether building playgrounds and spray parks in their local communities or eradicating polio worldwide, these friends and neighbours stand shoulder to shoulder, roll up their sleeves and just do the work.
Today, we are closer than ever to ending polio once and for all. Working together, we will win. Along the way, every one of us will be individually better for having taken part in the fight.
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC
Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to not one, but two of my predecessors, both of whom, by happy coincidence, announced that they were retiring at roughly the same time.
Yvan Loubier represented the riding of Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot from 1993 to 2007. He was the first Bloc Québécois member of Parliament in the region after the party's creation and is known as an experienced and competent parliamentarian.
After he left, Ève-Mary Thaï Thi Lac took over in the 2007 by-election. She represented the riding until 2011 and was known for her local involvement, her presence and her close ties with her constituents.
I am extremely fortunate to know these two devoted individuals personally. They are two separatists with unshakeable convictions. It is a true privilege. This is a well-deserved rest for Yvan and Ève-Mary. I thank them for everything they have done for the region and for the nation of Quebec. We will remember your contributions.
Gurbux Saini Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a matter of grave concern: public safety in Surrey. Residents are deeply worried about their safety and the security of their livelihoods. Seventy-four cases of extortion are currently under investigation. These are not just statistics. They are families, entrepreneurs and neighbourhoods living in fear. With Bill C-14, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to work together across all levels of government to restore safety, confidence and peace of mind.
I want the people of Fleetwood—Port Kells to know their voices are being heard, and our government remains firmly committed to ensuring justice and safety for all Canadians.
William Stevenson Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Mr. Speaker, Food Banks Canada has given the Liberal government an F when it comes to poverty and food security. With Canadians paying over $800 more for food this year than they did last year, it is no wonder food bank usage has skyrocketed across the country. The hidden Liberal industrial carbon taxes on fertilizer and farm equipment, along with the so-called clean fuel standard, keep on increasing the cost of food for Canadians due to the need to transport all our food. This has become so unsustainable that more families are going hungry every day.
The Liberal government decided to announce a deficit of $78 billion, which will continue to drive up the cost of food in Yellowhead and across the country. Every hour, this budget adds $10 million to our national debt, which means $5,400 in inflationary spending per household. Imagine the impact $5,400 would have on Canadian families. It is time for Liberals to scrap the hidden food taxes so Canadians can decide how they want to spend their own money.
Kristina Tesser Derksen Liberal Milton East—Halton Hills South, ON
Mr. Speaker, November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month. One in four women in Canada report experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and alarmingly, those numbers continue to rise. In my community of Milton East—Halton Hills South, Halton Women’s Place provides critical shelter, counselling and support for women experiencing domestic violence. Last weekend, I joined their annual Hope in Every Step walk, an event that raises funds and sends a clear message of solidarity and hope to every woman seeking safety and support.
It was deeply inspiring to see survivors, families, advocates, volunteers and many young men who came with their local sports teams, including the Burlington Cougars, Iroquois Ridge Football, the Milton Menace and the U15 Jump Basketball team, led by Milton’s own Raheem “the Dream” Chaudhry, who has been walking in this event since he was just seven years old. Their participation is a reminder that ending gender-based violence requires all of us to stand together, challenge harmful attitudes and foster a culture of respect, equality and safety.
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Mr. Speaker, private member’s Bill C-291 passed with unanimous support in the last Parliament to replace the term “child pornography” in our laws with what it really is: child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Sexual abuse and exploitation of children are some of the most horrendous crimes, and viewing child sexual abuse and exploitation material represents a revictimization of victims traumatized for life.
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that two men who had possession of hundreds of images and videos of children as young as three years old could not be imprisoned for a mandatory one-year term. For a prolonged period, these two possessed hundreds of images and videos produced by torturing innocent children, but the court applied imaginary scenarios rather than the facts in issuing this disgusting ruling.
I urge the government to do the right thing, stand with children and victims of child sexual abuse material, and invoke the notwithstanding clause.
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi, QC
Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Private Basil Alias Odjick of Maniwaki, son of William Odjick and Catherine Riel. He served with courage and dignity during the Second World War, giving his life in service to Canada on August 28, 1944, during the Battle of Normandy. His name is commemorated in the Second World War Book of Remembrance, alongside that of his brother, Private Robert Simon Odjick, who also made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the Royal Regiment of Canada.
Today, let us honour the sacrifice and bravery of the Odjick family and of all soldiers from Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi who served and who continue to serve for peace and freedom.
Glen Motz Conservative Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner, AB
Mr. Speaker, this fall, my office surveyed southern Alberta residents about their priorities and expectations for the federal budget. An overwhelming 76% of respondents indicated the cost of living is their top concern, and 80% of business owners said the rising costs were hurting their operations. Interestingly, 88% did not believe Canada's economic situation would improve in the next year. Sadly, they are correct.
The Prime Minister's “spend less” promise has been shattered, with an $80-billion budget deficit this year alone, the highest ever in Canadian history outside of COVID. This year's interest on the national debt will be a staggering $55.6 billion, even more than our health transfers. The budget is adding $10 million to our debt every hour, which equals approximately $33,000 for every Canadian and is climbing rapidly.
The Liberals need to realize that every dollar they spend comes out the pockets of hard-working Canadians. My voters are demanding that the Liberals stop the reckless spending that is driving up the cost of everything.
Jessica Fancy-Landry Liberal South Shore—St. Margarets, NS
Mr. Speaker, this week we are joined by over 80 outstanding educators from across Canada who are taking part in the Teachers Institute on Canadian Parliamentary Democracy, many of whom are here today.
As a former educator, I know how deeply teachers shape the minds and values of the next generation. Though I now serve in the chamber, I will always see myself as a lifelong learner, a lesson taught to me by many dedicated colleagues over the years. I am especially proud to recognize my former colleague Darcie Moore, from Forest Heights Community School, who is one of the lead organizers of this incredible program.
To the teachers here today, and to those in classrooms from coast to coast to coast, I thank them for the work they do each and every day that inspires, challenges and empowers the next generation of Canadians.
To all the educators, I welcome them to Parliament Hill and thank them for the difference they make in the lives of young Canadians every single day.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, never before in history has a budget forced Canadians to pay so much for so little. Every dollar that the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians. He broke his promises. He promised to spend less, yet he is increasing net spending by an additional $90 billion. That amounts to $5,400 per family. He has doubled Justin Trudeau's deficit and has added more debt than in any year outside of the COVID‑19 crisis.
At a time when Canadians cannot pay their bills, why is the Prime Minister forcing them to pay even more?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, Canada is in a strong fiscal position. We have the second-lowest deficit in the G7, the lowest net debt in the G7 and a budget that is investing in Canada. On this side of the House, we believe in Canada.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, this Prime Minister is becoming the most costly Prime Minister in the history of our country, and it is actually the bankers who stand to benefit the most. Now the interest on the national debt is going to cost Canadians $55 billion. That is more than we spend on health transfers, and it is more than the government takes in from the GST. Every penny that Canadians pay in GST does not go to nurses and doctors, but rather to bankers.
Why does the Prime Minister want to take money that should go to health care and hand it over to bankers instead?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, first of all, the debt burden as a share of GDP is lower now than it was when the Conservative government was in power. Second, we are investing in Canada and protecting transfers to the provinces for health care, education and social services.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, never before have Canadians had to spend so much to get so little. The budget, with its record deficit outside of COVID, has a deficit twice the size of the one Trudeau left behind and $16 billion bigger than the Prime Minister promised. It has, in its spending, $5,400 of extra costs for every family, in more expensive government.
While Canadians are already unable to eat, heat and house themselves, why is the Prime Minister's costly budget making them pay even more?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, 75% of the budget's measures are for our sovereignty: to protect our borders, to protect our communities and to protect our way of life. The balance is for affordability, a middle-class tax cut the member opposite missed because he was not here.
The budget invests in Canada at twice the rate of any budget during this millennium. We believe in Canada.
Pierre Poilievre ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, it is twice as expensive as any other budget, and it makes generational debt. Speaking of sovereignty, what about food sovereignty? The Prime Minister's budget increases taxes on food production. With the industrial carbon tax on farm equipment, fertilizer, storage bins and food processing plants, Sylvain Charlebois, Canada's food professor, says it is arguably the most damaging aspect of the Liberal carbon tax. It is a tax across the supply chain that undermines the competitiveness of our agri-food sector.
Why is the Prime Minister threatening our food sovereignty and driving up our food prices?