Debates of May 29th, 2025

National Accessibility Week

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week is National Accessibility Week. It is a time to recognize the achievements of persons with disabilities across our beautiful country.

Over eight million Canadians currently live with a disability. Accessibility is vital to financial stability and to our future.

Our government is focused on improving accessibility in key areas like infrastructure, employment and financial security. Also, payments to the Canada disability benefit are beginning this July.

In 2019, our government introduced the Accessible Canada Act. We have come a long way.

However, our work is far from done. This year's theme for National Accessibility Week is “Breaking barriers together: Paving the way for an inclusive future”.

Together, we can achieve our goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040.

Finance

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today I rise for the first time to represent my Cambridge community. This week, the Liberal Prime Minister introduced his first spending bill. It is worse than Justin Trudeau's. He inherited a bloated Liberal government and promised to spend less, but this first spending bill spends 88% more than Trudeau did in his last year. It is a half-a-trillion-dollar spending spree, with no budget. Single moms, seniors and small businesses must budget before they spend. Why can a supposedly brilliant banker, a man with a plan, not do the same? No, this is not about investments. Consultants alone get a record-breaking $26.1 billion, costing every household in Canada $1,400. He promised to cap spending at 2% in his throne speech. The same afternoon, he introduced a bill boosting overall spending by 8%.

Is this why the Prime Minister did not table a spring budget, to hide his broken promise to rein in his out-of-control spending?

Davenport School Centennial

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in my constituency of Davenport, we recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Alexander G. Muir building, currently the home of the Alexander Muir/Gladstone Ave Junior and Senior Public School, also fondly known as AMG. It is named after the Scottish-Canadian poet and educator, Alexander Muir, who composed the lyrics to the The Maple Leaf Forever and served as the school's first principal.

Educating generations of family members, AMG fosters a strong learning environment where all students are valued and respected. Evolving with the community and the times, AMG is a reflection of the dreams and aspirations of our nation, where education is the key to prosperity and where, no matter what one's background is or their financial situation, one can achieve one's potential.

It was a true honour to join students, staff and community members of AMG to celebrate this historic anniversary. I wish them a happy 100-year anniversary.

Finance

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that he would be guided by a new fiscal discipline. He said that he would limit operational expenditures to no greater than an increase of 2%, yet he has presented a bill of half a trillion dollars to Canadians. Single mothers, seniors and small businesses all make a budget before they spend. One would think that a highly esteemed banker would know that and would do that.

Is he really committed to a new fiscal discipline, or is he just like the last guy?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be back in the House, and it is a pleasure to deliver for Canadians.

We are delivering on our plans to make life more affordable in Canada. The first measure we introduced was a tax cut for 22 million Canadians. There are Canadians in her riding who are going to benefit from the tax cut. We are eliminating GST for first-time homebuyers for their new house, and we are removing the consumer carbon price from law.

Together, we are going to build Canada strong, and I hope the Conservatives will join us in that.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Liberals never learn, and they never keep their promises.

The Treasury Board president said in the last Parliament that she would find savings of $7.1 billion on high-paid consultants. Instead, the government is now spending another $6 billion on high-paid consultants. The Prime Minister said that he would limit increases in operational spending to no greater than 2%, yet he has presented a half-trillion-dollar bill to Canadians.

Who is the Prime Minister going to choose: Canadians or his friends?

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

Mr. Speaker, it is very clear we have already chosen Canadians, and Canadians have chosen us to lead this nation, build a more ambitious Canada, build a strong Canada and build the best economy in the G7.

Together, on this side of the House, we are going to build a Canada of the future.

[Stephanie Kusie, Conservative, Calgary Midnapore, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that he would be guided by a new fiscal discipline.

He promised to rein in spending, yet here he is bringing in a bill that includes $500 billion in expenditures with no budget. Single mothers, seniors and small businesses make a budget before they spend. Why in the world would a banker not do the same?

Is he really committed to an new fiscal discipline or is he no different than his predecessor?

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

Mr. Speaker, as my colleague can see, we are presenting an ambitious plan for Canadians.

The very first measure we introduced was a tax cut for 22 million Canadians. Some of the people in her riding will benefit. Next, we said that we were going to eliminate the GST for first-time homebuyers.

These are concrete measures for Canadians that will help us build a strong, resilient economy, the best economy in the G7.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is asking Parliament to approve almost half a trillion dollars in spending, up 8% from last year. Nothing says spend less and invest more like spending more money on high-priced consultants and contractors. That is going up to $26 billion a year, which is more than a 35% increase.

Is the kind of change the government is trying to deliver to push civil servants out to bring their friends and high-priced consultants, such as McKinsey, back in?

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

Mr. Speaker, we are focusing on the results.

The first measure we introduced this Parliament was to help 22 million Canadians, which includes people in every riding. Canadians are watching at home and are wondering if the Conservatives are going to support them. Are they going to support the government? Canadians know that we have their backs and that we are going to fight for them every step of the way.

[Tamara Kronis, Conservative, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said he wants to spend less and invest more, but this week his government tabled a half-trillion-dollar spending bill with no budget.

While 15,000 people are using Loaves & Fishes, the food bank in my riding, the government has increased spending on consultants by a jaw-dropping $6 billion, a massive increase of 36%. Consultants will get a $26.1-billion gift that makes every household in Canada $1,400 poorer.

Is the Prime Minister's reckless spending the real reason why there is no budget this spring?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to be part of the new government, which is fighting for Canadians, from day one, with a proposed bill that would make life more affordable for 22 million Canadians. That is an average of $840 per family in income tax reductions. This is giving real help to Canadians, and I am very proud that we are delivering on day one.

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister claims he is different from his predecessor, but the numbers tell a different story. In his own first spending bill, consultants get a record-setting $26.1 billion, up more than 36% in one year. The government talks about restraint, but this is half a trillion dollars of spending without a budget.

Single moms, seniors and small businesses must budget before they spend. How come a brilliant banker cannot do the same?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, the question a lot of Canadians are asking is how come Conservatives cannot get behind the idea of supporting 22 million Canadians with a tax break that would make life more affordable for Canadians and of eliminating GST on new homes, which is going to help new homebuyers.

Our plan is an ambitious one to grow this economy and to make life more affordable for Canadians. I am hoping Conservatives will see the light and rally behind this ambitious plan for Canada.

Intergovernmental Relations

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, some of the plans outlined in the throne speech do not bode well for Quebeckers. When the Liberals talk about one Canadian economy, not 13, what they are really saying is that they want to run Quebec's economy from Ottawa. That is why the National Assembly immediately and unanimously rejected the proposal for one economy, not 13. Quebec is and always will be in charge of its economic future, its trade and the laws that govern it.

When the Prime Minister meets with his counterparts on Monday, will he commit to Quebec that he will respect its jurisdictions?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for that important question. I also want to thank Quebec Minister Christopher Skeete, with whom I spoke yesterday and who joined me at a meeting of provincial and territorial ministers responsible for internal trade. We have a constructive and productive relationship with the provinces and territories. We always respect provincial and territorial jurisdictions.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is not a business, and Quebec is not a subsidiary. If there is more than one economy in Canada, it is because there is more than one nation. Quebeckers' interests will never be sacrificed in the name of so-called Canadian unity. The French-language workplace in Quebec is not a barrier to labour mobility. Employing Quebeckers when we harvest our public forests is not a barrier to trade. The existence of the Quebec nation is not a trade barrier.

Does the Prime Minister understand that?

[Chrystia Freeland, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade]

Mr. Speaker, yes, as the Prime Minister said this morning, our government respects and will always respect the importance of Quebec, the importance of the Quebec nation and the importance of the French language. These are key elements for our government.

We also understand the importance of economic growth. Our government's main objective is to create the strongest economy in the G7. We understand that this will be good for Canadians across the country and for Quebeckers.

The Environment

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in the throne speech, the Liberals reiterated that only one environmental assessment per project is necessary. In other words, for a dirty oil pipeline from Alberta to Quebec to be subject to a single assessment, the federal government would impose its own and bypass Quebec and the provinces.

However, Quebec is master of its own house. Quebeckers and their institutions, such as the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement, or BAPE, are the ones that must decide on projects that go through Quebec. The BAPE's primacy and Quebec's sovereignty over its territory are non-negotiable. Will the government commit to respecting them?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to say how pleased I am to have so many Quebec members in our government. We have 44. They are the ones who will defend the interests and ideas of Quebeckers. I will always work hand in hand with Quebeckers, and I will work with our members to ensure that they are heard.

Finance

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

Mr. Speaker, in his speech on Tuesday, the King was very critical of those who have mismanaged Canada over the past 10 years. He said that the government would be guided by a new fiscal discipline.

The problem is that, just hours after that speech, the President of the Treasury Board introduced his first spending bill. It includes an 8% increase, meaning $40 billion in additional spending. I never thought these people would do worse than Justin Trudeau.

How can the Prime Minister stand up, look Canadians in the eye and tell them that he is doing a good job, and that he is even doing a better job than Justin Trudeau? It is the exact opposite.

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

Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Louis‑Saint‑Laurent—Akiawenhrahk knows that I have a great deal of respect for him.

He will be able to look the people in his riding straight in the eye about a tax cut for 22 million Canadians. He will be able to look them in the eye and say that he did something for them and that he voted with the Liberal government, because a tax cut is one way of showing Quebeckers and the people in his riding that he is there for them.

I invite him to vote in favour of the motion.

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

Mr. Speaker, that minister should realize that the King's statement about the importance of a new approach of fiscal discipline was actually very critical.

The Minister of Finance has a golden opportunity to do things properly, but no, he is going to spend even more on consultants. I never thought the Minister of Finance would do even worse than Justin Trudeau.

Can he stand up, look Canadians in the eye and tell them that he, unlike Justin Trudeau, will manage taxpayer dollars properly?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, who were Quebeckers actually critical of? This past election, they were critical of the Conservative Party, which failed to present a plan worth the paper it was written on, even though it had been demanding an election for years.

Quebeckers chose an ambitious plan to make the government more effective, to make the economy stronger and more resilient and to make life more affordable. That is what our tax cut for 22 million Canadians will do. That is $840 per family. I hope the member for Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk will support this plan.