Debates of June 10th, 2025

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, that makes me smile. I can tell my colleague from Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk that the Prime Minister of Canada and I are as close as close can be. We are working together to grow the Canadian economy. We are going to build the strongest economy in the G7, and that will benefit my colleague's constituents. He is very happy; I can see it in his smile this evening.

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

Madam Chair, I am not smiling when the minister does not give us an answer. What is certain is that the Prime Minister rebuked him.

The government has committed to capping spending at 2%. What is the increase in the consulting budget?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I am glad to see that my colleague is paying so much attention to Liberal proposals. What we announced was that we would cut the growth in operating spending from 9% to 2%. He saw that in our platform.

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

Madam Chair, a few hours after the Liberals said that they would cap spending at 2%, we learned that the budget for consultants had increased by 36%. That is not good management.

My colleague has been finance minister for 88 days, but he has been a minister in this government for more than 3,073 days, and this government is responsible for $500 billion in debt. What is the interest on the debt at this time?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, as I was saying, I am always learning from my colleague. He tells me that it has been 3,073 days. I intend to remain the Minister of Finance for a long time yet, although I can tell him that he knows very well that the figures that he is referring to come from the “Fiscal Monitor”, which looks backward. I am forward‑looking.

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

Madam Chair, he should have been forward‑looking 3,000 days ago instead of increasing the debt of Canadians by $500 billion.

The minister is also the Minister of Revenue. Did he read Marie‑Ève Fournier's article in La Presse on May 16?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I do not wish to offend the journalist, but unfortunately I have not had a chance to read that article. However, I am sure that my colleague is about to tell me what it said.

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

Madam Chair, the newspaper La Presse conducted a survey on the current relationship between taxpayers and the revenue department. It appears that things are not going well at all.

When people call to inquire about TFSAs, they are unable to get straight answers. People are complaining that they do not have enough training. Employees feel inadequately prepared to answer questions. What will the minister do to address these urgent needs, which are spelled out in black and white in La Presse?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I would first like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who works at the Canada Revenue Agency, particularly those in Shawinigan, in my riding. I can tell you that each and every one of them strives to deliver the best possible service to Canadians. We are looking closely at the concerns raised by my colleague.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Chair, it has been seven days since President Trump announced unjustified 50% tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel. On what date will the trade dispute be resolved?

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

Madam Chair, first I would like to welcome the member. I think he is a new member, and I want to welcome him to the House. I look forward to answering his questions. I think we are going to be together for another two or three hours.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

The minister did not answer my question, Madam Chair. On what date will the trade dispute be resolved?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, as I said, in the tariff world, things move very quickly. If the member wants to make a prediction, I am sure Canadians are willing to listen to him on—

[The Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member has the floor.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Chair, will the minister commit to removing the industrial carbon tax on Canadian steel and aluminum producers?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, what I can commit to is working hard for the sector. I have been in touch with the leaders and the unions because we want to fight for the steel and aluminum sector in this country. It is important that we have them to build Canada strong.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

I would like a yes or no, please, Madam Chair.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I will always fight for Canadian workers and Canadian industry.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Chair, will the minister guarantee that industrial carbon pricing will not hurt Canadian steel and aluminum producers, yes or no?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, what I can guarantee to the member is that I will, like all my colleagues, fight for Canadian industry and Canadian workers, because we need a very strong steel industry to build Canada strong.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Chair, does the minister think it is important to know the fiscal impact of the trade war when budgeting, yes or no?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I think it is important for the Minister of Finance to know many things when preparing a very ambitious budget that is going to build Canada strong.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Chair, how much will a prolonged trade war with the United States drive up federal expenditures?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Madam Chair, I am not in the job of guessing. I will let the member guess in front of Canadian viewers tonight if he wants to make projections.

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Chair, does the minister not track and make projections as part of his budgeting process, yes or no?