Debates of Nov. 7th, 2025

Veterans Affairs

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge Lieutenant Colonel Skip Simpson, retired, from the member for Bay of Quinte's office, both for his service to our country and for his service to the constituents in the Bay of Quinte.

Budget 2025 indeed represents generational investment in communities across Canada. It also includes $185 million to streamline services for veterans and their families. I call on all members of the House to join me in acknowledging the service and sacrifice of all Canada's veterans and their families.

Ethics

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, top executives at the Prime Minister's company, Brookfield, are defying an order of the House to testify at committee about his use of offshore tax havens. This is tantamount to contempt of Parliament.

Will the Prime Minister pick up the phone and tell his pals at Brookfield to comply with the House order, or is he complicit in the cover-up?

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the news today was that we created 67,000 jobs, six-seven. It is great news. We are growing the economy, and budget 2025 is making historic investments that are going to keep this economy moving for generations to come.

Why do the Conservatives not stand up and support this investment budget?

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Mr. Speaker, evidently, the Prime Minister is complicit, because here are the facts: He was chair of the company that is Canada's biggest tax-dodger. Not only that, but he set up investment funds in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands in which he stands to make millions. The Prime Minister has a responsibility to come clean and come clean today.

How much cash does he have stashed in offshore tax havens?

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has a responsibility to help build this country and create jobs, and we created 67,000 jobs in the last month alone. We have a plan in budget 2025 to build this country up by building major projects, including in the member's riding and province. We have investments to help support young people in this country, to build up apprentices, to be able to drive this country forward.

That is what we are focused on over on this side of the House: supporting Canadians, creating good jobs and helping drive this country forward. That is what we are going to keep doing.

Housing

[Ned Kuruc, Conservative, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government is the most expensive in Canadian history. Every dollar the Prime Minister spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians. The more the government spends, the more things like housing cost.

The Ontario Home Builders' Association says it is deeply disappointed with the Liberal budget, which fails to unlock supply and restore affordability. The government's inaction on housing has put 40,000 jobs at risk in Ontario, and the impact of these losses on the Ontario economy could be $5.3 billion.

How can the Liberal budget cost so much but deliver so little to Canadians?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, Oscar Wilde described a “cynic” as someone who knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing.

On this side of the House, we value investments in health care, we value investments in jobs, we value investments in the Canadian Armed Forces and we value investments in housing. We have irony and hypocrisy on full display when the member stands up to advocate for more money for housing before he votes against a budget that has record investments in housing.

On this side of the House, we are going to listen to Canadians and make investments to improve their quality of life. I wish, for once, the Conservatives could do the same.

Indigenous Affairs

[Ellis Ross, Conservative, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Premier Eby says the court decided not to provide Richmond homeowners with notice of the Cowichan court litigation, but the Cowichan lawyers said the judge in the case said the parties were free to provide notice of this litigation to private landowners years ago. This includes Canada as represented by the Attorney General. Canada has been and still is missing in action.

Why is the Prime Minister being so quiet at a time when people are anxious about their homes and looking for answers?

[Rebecca Alty, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, Canada disagrees with the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling and appealed it on September 8. Further legal clarity is required to address the decision, particularly relating to private property rights. The Province of British Columbia, the City of Richmond, Musqueam Indian Band and Tsawwassen First Nation have also appealed.

We will continue to work collaboratively with all parties to uphold the principles of reconciliation, transparency and legal responsibility to all parties. We remain available for dialogue with the other parties to the litigation throughout this process.

[Ellis Ross, Conservative, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in the meantime, there is chaos and panic in B.C. Everybody is complaining, and everybody is blaming each other. The public is blaming Richmond's counsel. Premier Eby is blaming the court. The government continues to stay quiet. This was only the second time I have heard the government say anything about this case. The first time, it was a staffer. It has always been the Crown's duty to deal with rights and title issues. That is clear in the 2004 Haida court case.

Does the Prime Minister have any statements to make to Canadian citizens regarding the Cowichan ruling?

[Rebecca Alty, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, we did make an announcement in September on this, and we remain available to work with all parties to address this matter.

[Chak Au, Conservative, Richmond Centre—Marpole, BC]

Mr. Speaker, homeowners in Richmond are sounding the alarm. The Cowichan court ruling undermines the principle of private property ownership, and many fear their homes and businesses are at risk. The Liberal government saw this coming and did nothing. There is no explanation, no reassurance and no leadership, and the government remains silent. Richmond is left in the dark. Families are anxious; investors are pulling back, and confidence in our communities is crumbling.

Why will the Liberal government not stand up to defend property rights in Richmond and soon across Canada?

[Rebecca Alty, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said to the other member, Canada disagrees with the B.C. Supreme Court's ruling and appealed it on September 8. We remain available for dialogue with the other parties to the litigation throughout this process.

Health

[Jamil Jivani, Conservative, Bowmanville—Oshawa North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Liberals have banned the vast majority of nicotine pouches for sale in Canada, despite the fact that many Canadians use these products to help quit smoking. Canadians just want to go to the corner store, the gas station or wherever cigarettes are sold and choose an alternative product. Even the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada agrees.

When will the Liberals do the right thing? When will the Liberals free the Zyn?

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

Mr. Speaker, our government remains firmly committed to reducing smoking rates, especially among youth. While nicotine pouches may have a role for adults who are trying to quit smoking, evidence shows they are not risk-free. These products contain nicotine, which is addictive and can harm the developing brain. This is why clear guidelines are in place to ensure they are used appropriately and not marketed or flavoured in ways that attract youth. Our priority is to protect the health of Canadians, especially our next generation.

[Jamil Jivani, Conservative, Bowmanville—Oshawa North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the very same government that likes to push so-called safe supply drugs into our communities now wants to point out nicotine as a problem for adult usage. Health Canada set a target for 2035 to reduce the number of Canadians smoking to less than 5%. The government should have no excuses for making alternatives to cigarettes available wherever cigarettes are sold, such as corner stores, gas stations, wherever.

The question remains. When will the Liberals do the right thing? When will they free the Zyn?

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of young people, the first new medical school in the GTA in over 100 years in Brampton is happening, with a $25-million investment in budget 2025. This government is stepping up to support the new TMU medical school to train the next generation of doctors in Brampton. This is how we are empowering young Canadians across the country. This is how we build Brampton and Canada strong.

[Burton Bailey, Conservative, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal government, it is easier for Canadians to continue smoking than quit. Since former Liberal health minister Mark Holland launched his personal crusade against cigarette alternatives, everything we have heard from the government is smoke and mirrors. While nicotine pouches are banned from pharmacies, cigarettes can be bought anywhere. It makes no sense.

Instead of blowing more smoke, will the minister finally give Canadians a real chance to quit, and free the Zyn?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Secretary of State (Sport)]

Mr. Speaker, addiction is a serious issue, and the Conservatives are making it blatantly political, which is wrong. Regardless of where people can access it, nicotine causes addiction to nicotine. The Conservatives should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. We have produced good numbers on nicotine and cigarette reductions. We continue to be there to improve the health of Canadians and make sure these are available at the appropriate time, and never for children, never for children.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

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

Mr. Speaker, as a proud Acadian who represents the riding of Madawaska—Restigouche—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Fridays are usually quiet; this must be a special day.

The hon. member for Madawaska—Restigouche.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a proud Acadian who represents the riding of Madawaska—Restigouche in the House, I care about the development of our francophone communities.

Since 2022, we have seen a major increase in francophone immigration outside Quebec. It is crucial that we maintain that trend to support the vitality of our communities. Since we are celebrating National Francophone Immigration Week, I would like to ask the minister to tell us how our new immigration levels plan will help ensure the demographic growth of francophone communities across Canada.

[Lena Metlege Diab, Liberal, Minister of Immigration]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his dedication. In 2023 and 2024, we surpassed our target for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec. Today, while stabilizing the overall intake of permanent residents, we still plan to welcome over 30,000 francophones every year for the next three years by increasing the francophone immigration target. That is how we will meet our 12% target and strengthen communities everywhere.

[Michelle Rempel, Conservative, Calgary Nose Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, non-citizen Abraham Daniel Abraham was convicted of criminally abusing his dog, Simba. Abraham repeatedly punched and kicked Simba and tied him to a pole so high that his front legs dangled off the ground. Simba could not lie down or sit and was left crying and yelping, yet Abraham remains in Canada with no deportation guarantee. That is disgusting.

Why has the immigration minister not strengthened the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to make sure non-citizens convicted of serious crimes, like Simba's abuser, are swiftly deported?