Debates of Dec. 1st, 2025

Sitting Resumed

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised in March to provide first-time homebuyers with a GST rebate on new homes. When we came back to Parliament after he was elected, he made the GST rebate effective only as of May in the original version of Bill C-4, which meant that thousands of homebuyers who believed what the Prime Minister said were ineligible for the GST rebate. The Bloc Québécois proposed amendments to the bill, but the Liberals opposed those amendments. They rejected them. We made our case to the Speaker and, finally, thanks to the Bloc Québécois, thousands of first-time homebuyers will get their GST rebates.

Can my colleague tell me why the Liberal Party of Canada opposed, both in committee and here in the House, before the Speaker, GST rebates for thousands of first-time homebuyers on new homes? We are talking about Canadians who are having a hard time getting into the housing market.

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the first-time homebuyers' GST rebate in Bill C-4 would help thousands of people who want to buy their first home, and it would be a very effective tool.

I will also say that in budget 2025, we are investing an additional $25 billion. We are determined to increase housing supply in this country, and we are trying to increase housing supply across the whole spectrum of housing. With this period of heavy investment at all levels of government, home ownership or being able to live affordably in this country will soon be a possibility for every single Canadian.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, within Bill C-4 is a tax break for over 22 million Canadians. It deals with the consumer carbon tax by getting rid of it. It also provides a tax exemption for first-time homebuyers. All of these are wonderful measures dealing with issues like affordability.

I am wondering if my colleague could provide her thoughts on how important it is that we pass this legislation. Would it not be nice to have it pass before Christmas?

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yes, I truly believe that the three measures contained in Bill C-4 would be very beneficial for all Canadians because they would provide direct, immediate relief that will reach Canadians where they need it most. It would be an early Christmas gift that we could provide to all Canadians.

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK]

Mr. Speaker, the member talked in her speech about how a family could save up to $840 with the Liberals' tax break, but at the end of the day, a couple with children making about $75,000 a year would realize only about $20 in savings with this tax cut. In fact, a single parent making $50,000 would realize only about $140 or $150 in savings with this tax cut.

I am wondering how the Liberals can square this. They are trying to sell the bill as having big, grand savings for people, but the reality is that the people who need it the most would be receiving the least amount of benefit. How can the member sell this to her constituents?

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is not just that we are providing this tax cut, which I believe will put more immediate funds into the pockets of 22 million Canadians; over the last 10 years, we have introduced the Canada child benefit, national child care and the dental care plan. We have introduced a whole series of measures that are supporting our families and helping them live affordable lives and—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We will now move on to Statements by Members.

World AIDS Day

[Marcus Powlowski, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is World AIDS Day, a day to remember the 42 million people who have died: our neighbours, friends and relatives.

AIDS is an ongoing pandemic. It used to be a death sentence, but the discovery of antiretrovirals has really changed everything, turning AIDS, when treated, into a chronic disease. Making these drugs affordable to millions of people worldwide has been one of the greatest scientific and humanitarian triumphs of all time, yet today our progress faces a grave threat as major donors slash international assistance and HIV funding.

The impact has been devastating. For example, in South Africa, treatment initiation has fallen 30%. The funding cuts could create a whole new wave of disease and tens of thousands more deaths. This is why our government's recent $1-billion pledge to the global fund is so welcome. As many wealthy nations backtrack on their commitments, we need to unite globally to ensure that decades of progress in fighting this terrible disease do not unravel.

Food Assistance in Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are facing a sharp rise in food prices, and two million of them are using food banks. Fortunately, in the riding of Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, hundreds of volunteers are working hard to help the least fortunate among us.

In Loretteville, the Maison de la Famille in St-Ambroise and Accueil Saint-Ambroise are getting ready to distribute Christmas hampers.

In L'Ancienne-Lorette, the Society of Saint-Vincent de Paul and Rayon de soleil are providing food assistance services, just like Solidarité familles is doing in Les Saules.

In Val-Bélair, the Rotarians are looking after the Val Bon Coeur community fridge.

The Quebec City indigenous friendship centre and the Wendake food service will be distributing food hampers across the nation's territory.

Every day, the Amélie et Frédérick organization provides direct assistance to families in Neufchâtel and Lebourgneuf.

In addition, all of these organizations can count on support and assistance from the Knights of Columbus, the Optimist Club, the Rotarians and the Lions Club.

As Christmas approaches, the generosity of Canadians is shining through in all its glorious splendour.

Belinda Cradden

[Kelly DeRidder, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I share today the loss of one of my oldest friends, Belinda Cradden. On November 17, her life was taken through an unimaginable act of violence by a person she stepped in to help when our justice system had failed them.

Belinda had an open, generous heart, and her compassion was her strength. Her murder is not only a personal heartbreak for me but also a reflection on the failures of our justice system. When people who pose a clear risk to society are not kept behind bars or provided with the mental health and rehabilitation tools they need, this is the consequence. Belinda's death is a painful reminder that we must do better.

I will always remember her beautiful soul and her light-up-the-room, bold, dynamic personality. I love Belinda. May she rest in peace, and may her memory tell us and inspire us to fight for a safe and more just world.

Jean‑Guy Levesque

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

Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Jean‑Guy Levesque, who recently announced his retirement after a decade in municipal politics.

A well-known figure in Restigouche, he has dedicated his life to public service, beginning in the school system as a teacher, school principal, and district superintendent. A tireless volunteer, he made a name for himself in several community and sports organizations. Recently, he headed the bid committee that secured the next Acadian World Congress in 2029 for the Baie-des-Chaleurs region.

After serving as chair of the Val-d'Amour local service district, he was elected municipal councillor in Atholville in 2015 and then mayor. In 2023, he became the first mayor of the Campbellton Regional Community, following local government reform in New Brunswick.

Known for his collaborative spirit, sense of ethics, and unifying sense of humour, Jean-Guy leaves a lasting impression.

I thank him for his years of public service, and I hope he knows that he has left a lasting impression on Restigouche.

International Trade

[Kerry Diotte, Conservative, Edmonton Griesbach, AB]

Mr. Speaker, let us play “today in history”.

It has been 133 days since the Prime Minister said he would have a trade deal with Donald Trump's U.S.A. It was the PM's main campaign promise, but he broke it. It is now December, and there is no deal in sight. Tariffs are higher: Softwood lumber tariffs exceed 45%, tariffs on steel are 25%, and they are 25% on some Canadian autos. It is now almost impossible to sell many crucial products to the U.S., and jobs are being lost.

The Prime Minister travels the world to get trade deals with other countries, but he fails there too. Tariffs have now increased on Canadian products shipping to the U.K., India, China and other nations. The PM has racked up the air miles, but that is money for nothing.

We do not need a globetrotter; we need a deal maker, but the Prime Minister is not that guy. Conservatives, though, will always fight for Canadian workers and jobs.

No. 2 Construction Battalion

[Alana Hirtle, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

Mr. Speaker, leading into Remembrance Day, the town of Truro, Nova Scotia, renamed its outdoor athletic facility in honour of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the only all-Black Canadian unit in World War I. The men of the No. 2 showed up ready to enlist, and Canada said, “No, thanks; this is a white man's war.” When eventually allowed to serve, the No. 2 was the backbone of Canadian efforts, laying track for railroads and milling lumber, every board going to trenches, bridges, observation towers, walkways and fence posts.

These men built the infrastructure that won the war; it was first-class service from men treated as second-class citizens. The No. 2 Construction Battalion provides us with an example of national service and commitment to community that we would do well to remember today. Let us serve the memory of its members by being of service to one another.

Taxation

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, it is always a good day to be Brookfield when the Liberals are in power. The Prime Minister just committed $500 million to the European Space Agency, creating good-paying jobs in none other than Europe. What is so significant about this? Brookfield actually owns 50% of the Harwell campus, where the agency is located. This is the same Brookfield that has avoided $6.5 billion in Canadian taxes through offshore havens.

Meanwhile, 2.2 million Canadians line up at food banks each month, the unemployment rate is at 6.9%, and the Prime Minister has tabled the most expensive budget in history since COVID. I am talking about a $78-billion deficit.

Conservatives have a solution to offer. It is this: Twelve companies' avoiding taxes just like Brookfield does would equal that $78 billion in deficit. As the 12 days of Christmas approach, would the Prime Minister maybe do us a favour and commit to those 12 companies' paying their fair share? On the first day of Christmas, he can start with Brookfield.

Rita Léonard‑Lafond

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to mark the passing of a remarkable woman from Sainte-Scholastique and an important figure in the history of Quebec, Rita Léonard-Lafond.

She was a woman of conviction and courage, who dedicated her entire life to defending her community at the height of the Mirabel expropriation saga. Through her efforts to support the public battles that led to the return of 85,000 acres of land, she became the voice and the face of those who had been expropriated. Her tenacity inspired citizens, elected officials and academics to demand investigations into the Mirabel airport file.

Rita Léonard-Lafond leaves behind a huge legacy, that of a woman who refused to accept injustice and who stood firm until the end, despite a federal government that, to this day, refuses to officially apologize to the people expropriated from Mirabel. One thing is certain: From up above, her integrity will continue to inspire my work in politics for a long time to come.

To her loved ones and all who knew her, I offer my deepest condolences. I want to thank Ms. Léonard-Lafond for everything.

Gender-Based Violence

[Dominique O'Rourke, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in the time it takes to deliver this statement, another survivor of intimate partner violence will call for help. IPV is happening now, and 106 Ontario municipalities, including Guelph, have declared it an epidemic. It is pervasive, and we must end it. During the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, let us acknowledge our shared responsibility, work to change the norms that allow violence to persist, and ensure support for survivors.

I thank everyone leading Guelph's 16 days campaign: the CFUW, Guelph Public Library, the Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Diversity and Empowerment, Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation, Out on the Shelf, Queer Night Out, the student wellness centre at the University of Guelph, Thrive HIV Prevention & Support and Zonta Club of Guelph. I thank all the frontline organizations that support survivors and work toward prevention every single day.

Everyone deserves safety, justice and dignity.

Giving Tuesday

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, the day that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a day that asks us to turn our attention to something entirely different. Instead of deals and discounts, Giving Tuesday encourages us to look around our community and ask, “How can I help today?” It is a day built on simple gestures that mean a lot: supporting a local charity, checking in on a neighbour, giving a ride, sharing a meal or stepping up for someone who could use a hand.

In Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, and in communities across this great country, we see this spirit every day, especially from non-profits, charities and the incredible volunteers that keep them going. Giving Tuesday is a moment to shine a little extra light on their work and to join in. Let us take tomorrow and lift people up in big and small ways. Generosity is contagious, and I hope we all catch it.

Food Security

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the annual hunger report from Feed Ontario came out today, and it shows just how hard life in Canada has become. For the ninth year in a row, food bank use has increased. More than one million Ontarians visited a food bank, for a total of 8.7 million visits, in the last year, the highest level ever recorded. These are not conspiracies; these are facts. The more the Liberals spend, the more Canadians go hungry. With the Prime Minister who thinks like a banker, these human struggles are treated as numbers on a balance sheet, not as people.

It does not matter how hard people work in the Liberals' cost of living crisis, as 23% of food bank users were employed, and nearly one-third were children. As we head into the cold winter months, food banks are warning they are at a breaking point. Some fear they will run out of food within six months.

The Liberals boast about their school food program, yet there is nothing to celebrate when kids grow hungry. This is not The Hunger Games, but under the so-called new government, the Capitol feasts while the districts fight to survive. Families cannot live on Liberal talking points and paper promises.

Alan Wells

[Helena Jaczek, Liberal, Markham—Stouffville, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we recently lost a great Canadian. I first knew Alan Wells when we worked together at The Regional Municipality of York. A chartered accountant by profession, he served there with dedication for 27 years, including as commissioner of social services and finally as chief administrative officer and my boss.

After his retirement, our paths crossed again when I was the member of provincial Parliament appointed to serve on the Rouge Park Alliance, of which he was chair. Under his leadership, along with our colleague the member for Wellington—Halton Hills North, we were finally able to establish the Rouge National Urban Park.

Alan was a dedicated environmentalist, Blue Jays fan, fishing enthusiast, former Uxbridge town councillor, engaged supporter of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust and so much more. His contributions will benefit our communities for generations to come.

I offer my sincere condolences to Alan's family and friends, and to everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. We will miss Alan's twinkling eyes.

Food Security

[Dan Muys, Conservative, Flamborough—Glanbrook—Brant North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last year alone, one million Ontarians needed a food bank, and that totalled 8.7 million visits, according to today's Feed Ontario hunger report. This is the highest number of visits ever recorded. Of those visitors, one in three was a child, one in three was a person with a disability, and one in four was a working Ontarian who still could not earn enough to make ends meet. Ontario had twice as many seniors turning to food banks as it did five years ago, and three in five visitors were social assistance recipients who simply cannot keep up with the cost of living.

This is not normal, and it is not sustainable. After a decade of Liberal spending and broken promises, Canadians cannot afford to live. How many more warning signs will the government ignore while families, workers and seniors are being pushed to the breaking point?

Canadian Forces Reserves in Trois‑Rivières

[Caroline Desrochers, Liberal, Trois-Rivières, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I want to highlight the exceptional work of the women and men of the Canadian Forces Reserves in Trois‑Rivières. Every day, the men and women of HMCS Radisson and the 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada embody the professionalism and dedication that is at the core of our armed forces.

Whether they are on a mission here at home, supporting Canadians during floods or helping battle COVID-19, or whether they are serving overseas, such as with Operation Reassurance in support of NATO, they always step up. Their ability to mobilize quickly and to protect, support and represent Canada with honour deserves to be recognized.

I want to thank these military members, the majority of whom have busy professional lives beyond their commitments to the Canadian Forces. They give of themselves by spending hours in the evenings and on weekends training and drilling so they are ready to deploy when we need them. I thank them for their commitment, their courage and their willingness to serve in our region and for our country.

We are proud of them.

Ethics

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK]

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, the Prime Minister left his position at Brookfield Asset Management as head of ESG and impact fund investing. He claims to have put all his assets in a blind trust and disclosed his investments to the Ethics Commissioner. With the conflict of interest screen in place, everyone is supposed to just trust the process, after the head of Canada's government left working with a company known for using tax havens in the Caribbean. It also means he must recuse himself from policy discussions involving multinational investment firms. How is that going to happen consistently while he is running a G7 country?

Last week, a senior Brookfield executive admitted to the ethics committee that the Prime Minister would not have to worry about managing so many conflicts of interest if he just sold his assets instead of putting them in a blind trust. It was also confirmed that 95% of Brookfield's companies are not included in his screen. By the way, the same Brookfield executive had a meeting with the Prime Minister in October after he had already met with the Brookfield CEO in May. Are Canadians really supposed to believe that the blind trust is hidden from him?

What more do we need in order to see that the government is starting yet another round of Liberal corruption?

Children's Health Advocate

[Rob Oliphant, Liberal, Don Valley West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege today to rise to celebrate a great Canadian, a great leader and a good friend.

For 10 years, Julia Hanigsberg has served as CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Don Valley West. Holland Bloorview has become an incredible centre of excellence, with a reputation in Canada and abroad. Holland Bloorview recently received the highest possible rating from Accreditation Canada, an exemplary standing that recognizes its commitment to excellence in all parts of health care delivery.

This is just one of the marks of Julia's incredible leadership. She has combined her passion for helping children with disabilities, her work ethic and her magnetic personality to make Holland Bloorview a place of innovative treatments with the highest level of respect for children and their families, as it promotes social justice and inclusion for children and youth with disabilities. Holland Bloorview is a family. It continues to do great work. It will miss Julia. Her legacy will continue.

The Economy

[Pierre Poilievre, Conservative, Leader of the Opposition]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians should not have to go hungry, but today's report from the Observatoire québécois des inégalités says that food insecurity has increased by 82% in Quebec and that food bank visits have increased by 116%. The percentage of workers living with food insecurity has doubled to 20%. That means that 1.7 million Quebeckers are going hungry.

Why is this Liberal government forcing Quebeckers to pay more in taxes and inflation to feed the bureaucracy instead of feeding their families?

[Anna Gainey, Liberal, Secretary of State (Children and Youth)]

Mr. Speaker, of course no parent should struggle to feed their children. That is why we have invested in school meals, the Canada child benefit and tax cuts for families, benefiting 22 million Canadians. We have invested in affordable housing, which is a very important aspect of fighting poverty. Those of us on this side of the House are here for families. On the other side, they have voted against all of these measures every single time.