The House is on summer break, scheduled to return Sept. 15

House of Commons Hansard #12 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.

Topics

line drawing of robot

This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

National Housing Strategy Act First reading of Bill C-205. The bill amends the National Housing Strategy Act to ban forced encampments on federal land and mandate consultation for housing alternatives for those experiencing homelessness. 300 words.

National Strategy on Brain Injuries Act First reading of Bill C-206. The bill establishes a national strategy on brain injuries to reduce incidents, improve care, and address related challenges like substance use and homelessness. 200 words.

Canada Pension Plan First reading of Bill C-207. The bill requires approval from two-thirds of participating provinces for a province to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan, aiming to protect it and give Canadians a say in its future. 200 words.

Opposition Motion—Canada Carbon Rebate and Payment to Quebec Members debate a Bloc motion demanding Quebec receive $814 million, its estimated contribution to a federal carbon rebate paid to other provinces after the consumer tax was eliminated. The Bloc calls the payment an election giveaway funded by all taxpayers, excluding Quebeckers who have their own system. Liberals argue the payment was necessary for families who budgeted for it in participating provinces and highlight other benefits for Quebeckers. Conservatives support ending the tax but agree the rebate timing and exclusion of Quebec were unfair, also raising concerns about government spending. Discussions touch on climate policy and industrial carbon pricing. 55400 words, 7 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives focus on Auditor General reports revealing government incompetence and waste. They highlight ArriveCAN app failures ($64 million to GC Strategies with no proof of work, no security clearances), the F-35 cost overruns ($14 billion over budget, delays), and housing program failures (only 309 units built). They demand taxpayers get their money back and criticize the promotion of ministers responsible.
The Liberals address Auditor General reports, highlighting the ineligibility of GC Strategies for contracts. They emphasize increasing military spending to meet NATO targets and reviewing the F-35 contract. They discuss building affordable housing on federal lands and clarify the status of the federal carbon tax and rebate.
The Bloc criticize the carbon tax "advance" given to Canadians but not Quebeckers, demanding Quebec receive the money owed. They also advocate for defence spending to benefit Quebec's economy through local procurement.
The NDP criticize Bill C-5 for overriding provincial consent on resource projects and question the invitation of leaders concerned with human rights and foreign interference to the G7 summit.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26 Members question Ministers on the government's estimates. Discussions cover fiscal responsibility, budget deficits, national debt, US tariffs and trade diversification, support for Ukraine, and measures for affordability like tax cuts and housing. Specific topics include collected tariffs, debt servicing costs, unemployment, budget timing, internal trade barriers, and support for industries like steel, aluminum, and canola. 36200 words, 4 hours.

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Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec

The hon. member.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, again, the question is simple. Is the answer yes or no?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, the answer is that Canada has an AAA credit rating. It is a great position to be in.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, the federal government plans to divide the budget into two with operations and investments. Is that correct?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, I am impressed that the member has been listening to the Liberal campaign, and she can draw her own conclusions.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, can the minister explain what exactly will qualify as an investment?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, we have been very clear during the campaign that we will lay that out very simply. However, I can say that, when a person buys groceries, they spend, and when they buy a house, they invest.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, ArriveCan was called an investment in digital innovation. Would that be on the investment budget?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, Canadians watching at home tonight, and I know there are many, want to understand the difference between expenses and investments. If a person buys groceries, they spend, and if they buy a house, they invest.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, the $1.4-billion boost to CBC was called an investment in culture. Would that be on the investment budget?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, I will come back to an example that folks will be very familiar with. They know that, when they do their groceries, they spend, and when they buy a house, they invest—

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec

The hon. member.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, the GST holiday, which the former finance minister admitted was unaffordable, was also labelled an investment in affordability. Would that be on the investment budget?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, as I said, when we lay out the budget, it is going to be very clear what are expenses and what is capital, and I know the member—

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec

The hon. member.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, is this not just creative accounting to give the illusion of a balanced budget?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, the member will be pleased to know that the United Kingdom also divides between operating expenses and capital. She would know that other G7 countries are doing that.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, would the minister agree that the bond markets we need to borrow from do not care about political word games, but want real numbers like debt-to-GDP?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

June 10th, 2025 / 6:45 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, I know that the bond market cares a lot about the AAA credit rating, which is what Canada has to offer. I can tell the member that the markets are very appreciative of Canada.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, can the minister tell me how much the current debt-to-GDP ratio is?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, it is public, but as of the projection for 2024-25, it was 41.9%.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, can the minister tell me how much the federal debt is?

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, it is public, and I would be happy to, but there will be more questions. I am sure the member can look at the estimates, and she would know.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Conservative

Tamara Jansen Conservative Cloverdale—Langley City, BC

Mr. Chair, I am just looking for the number.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

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

Mr. Chair, the number is in the document.