Debates of Dec. 8th, 2025

Seniors

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, strengthening economic security also means protecting seniors' dignity and financial peace of mind. That includes protecting them from fraud, which is a major political issue. Who said that? It was the member for Shefford.

We agree. That is why it is disappointing to see the Bloc Québécois delaying the passage of Bill C-15. Could the Minister of Finance remind those who are intentionally delaying this bill's passage about the very real impact that their partisan games are having on seniors?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, financial fraud is a serious problem that disproportionately affects seniors, newcomers and other vulnerable populations. That is why we are taking decisive action through budget 2025 and Bill C-15 to strengthen law enforcement and to protect seniors from the scourge of financial fraud.

Surprise, surprise, the Bloc Québécois does not support that. While it may hard to understand why the Bloc Québécois would oppose measures to protect seniors, what is abundantly clear is that the 44 members from Quebec on this side of the House will always be there to defend seniors.

The Economy

[Dalwinder Gill, Conservative, Calgary McKnight, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister told Canadians to judge him by the prices at the grocery store. Eight months have passed, and now “Canada's Food Price Report” says that Canadian families should expect to pay an extra $1,000 for groceries in 2026. In total, grocery bills have doubled under the Liberals to $340 per week.

When will the Liberals cut their inflationary spending, their industrial carbon tax and their new fuel tax so Canadians can afford to eat?

[Eleanor Olszewski, Liberal, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, we have cut taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are building affordable homes. We are making it easier for young people to buy homes. We are creating thousands of jobs by investing in our economy. The easiest way for Conservatives to make life more affordable for Canadians is to support our plan in budget 2025.

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

Mr. Speaker, the government's economic policies are not working. Take the weekly cost of groceries, for example. The cost has doubled in 10 years from $159 to $338 under the Liberal government. It is going to cost an extra $1,000 next year.

Food bank demand is way, way up. Back home in Saint‑André de Neufchâtel, 200 Christmas food hampers will be handed out. That is 70 more than last year. Accueil Saint‑Ambroise is handing out a record 325 hampers. There is even a food bank that cannot hand out any more because it has reached its quota. Some people who are expecting a hamper will not get one.

Do the Liberals realize that their policies are not working?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, what sets us apart from the Conservative Party is that on this side of the House, we believe that we need to build a strong economy to protect the most vulnerable. When it comes to the first part, a strong economy, 54,000 jobs were created in November, 67,000 in October, and 60,000 in September. The unemployment rate is falling and inflation is within the Bank of Canada's target range. That is what a strong economy looks like.

As for protecting the most vulnerable, that is something that would never cross the Conservatives' minds. Not only that, but they are determined to vote against the Canadian dental care plan, Canada's national school food program, the Canada child benefit, and tax cuts for 22 million Canadians. Frankly, the hypocrisy of the Conservative Party is shocking.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, speaking of hypocrisy, the Liberals have been putting programs in place for 10 years, but nothing is working.

In my riding, I toured 17 food banks, 17 organizations that do things like prepare Christmas hampers. Everyone involved with these organizations talked to me about the rising demand. What the government is doing is unacceptable.

The Prime Minister needs to come down from his ivory tower, get out there and stop imposing inflationary taxes.

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

Mr. Speaker, I think we have said a number of times that the Conservatives are talking about imaginary taxes. Inflation is actually dropping here in Canada.

We are here to meet the needs of Canadians, yet the Conservative Party has voted against all the measures in the budget that are going to help people make ends meet, including our school food program, which is going to help kids. It seems unbelievable.

Financial Institutions

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

Mr. Speaker, budget 2025 contains many comprehensive measures to help make life more affordable for Canadians while helping grow the economy. Open banking promotes competition and affordability by letting Canadian consumers and businesses take advantage of cutting-edge technologies and share their financial data with approved and regulated service providers.

Can the Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions please outline why open banking is so important to the Canadian economy and how stalling progress on this file is harming Canadian consumers and businesses?

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, open banking will give Canadians more control over their own financial data, allowing them to securely choose the services that work best for their needs. It will increase competition, lower costs and help families get better budgeting tools, faster access to credit and tailored financial products. These are common-sense measures that the opposition is obstructing by delaying our budget bill.

I urge the Conservative leader to let his heart grow over Christmas, put the partisan games aside and join us in building a strong and resilient Canadian economy.

Liberal Party of Quebec

[Gabriel Hardy, Conservative, Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's Conflict of Interest Act states that a “public office holder” such as a “member of ministerial staff” has no right to “accept any gift or other advantage”.

This morning, the Journal de Montréal's investigative desk reported that 10 people with ties to the Liberal Party of Canada had each received $1,000 for services rendered during the last leadership race to select the current leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec.

Can the Prime Minister explain to Quebeckers what all this Liberal funny business is about?

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I do not believe that Canada's Conflict of Interest Act applies to the provinces.

Does anyone want to answer the question?

The hon. Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, as the member and all Canadians know very well, the political parties in the National Assembly and in the House of Commons are completely independent of one another.

Of course, all Canadians are free to get involved in provincial politics, and doing so is a personal choice. We obviously expect all current and former government employees to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner and obey all laws.

Fisheries and Oceans

[Lori Idlout, NDP, Nunavut, NU]

Uqaqtittiji, Nunavut's fishery is an underdeveloped economic engine, as QIA keeps saying. As a result of Liberal decisions, B.C. and Newfoundland hold more than an 80% interest in their coastal fisheries, but Nunavut gets only half. Fisheries infrastructure, like the deep-sea port in Qikiqtarjuaq, is left unfinished.

Will the Liberals finally treat Inuit like a full economic partner, so they can benefit from local resources?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure my colleague across the aisle that the conversations are still happening. No decision has been made, and I encourage their participation as we move forward toward making a decision.

The House resumed consideration of the motion that Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the amendment.

Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

It being 3:11 p.m., the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment of the member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan to the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-15.

Call in the members.

And the bells having rung:

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The amendment is as follows. Shall I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

[Chair read text of amendment to House]

(The House divided on the amendment, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #53

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I declare the amendment defeated.

I wish to inform the House that, because of the deferred recorded division, the time provided for Government Orders will be extended by 13 minutes.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the “2024 Annual Report on the RCMP's Use of the Law Enforcement Justification Provisions”.

Foreign Affairs

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Minister of International Trade]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and in accordance with the enhanced transparency requirement set out in the amended policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I am pleased to present to the House of Commons the Government of Canada's objectives for negotiations for a Canada-Philippines free trade agreement.

The Government of Canada intends to commence negotiations with the Philippines as soon as it is practical, but, in accordance with the policy, the commencement of negotiations will take place no earlier than 30 days from today.

Government Response to Petitions

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8)(a), I have the honour of tabling, in both official languages, the government's responses to nine petitions. These returns will be tabled in electronic format.