Debates of June 10th, 2025

National Defence

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, we are proud to support Canada and to invest in Canada, in Canadians and in the Canadian Armed Forces. Reaching the 2% target set by NATO also means rebuilding our defence industry capabilities here at home. There are already close to 300,000 jobs in Canada in the broader defence sector. This investment will allow us to increase that number. We will, of course, support our Canadian Armed Forces members.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Mr. Speaker, over 60% of Canada's aerospace manufacturing takes place in Quebec. That needs be reflected in the contracts. Quebec's shipbuilding industry has the expertise to build icebreakers. That needs be reflected in the contracts, all the more so since, I remind members, Quebec got ripped off under the shipbuilding strategy. Another one of Quebec's strengths is artificial intelligence. That too needs to be reflected in the contracts.

At the very least, Quebec deserves its fair share, equal to 22% of defence investments. Will the minister even commit to establishing a floor?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, this is good news for Canada, for Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces. Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced a $9.3 billion investment in Canada's defence, which means that, in this fiscal year, we will meet NATO's 2% target. We are reinforcing Canada's role as a strong and reliable international partner in NATO while rebuilding and arming the Canadian Armed Forces.

Housing

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General's new report on housing shows just how badly the government has failed Canadians. Since 2018, the government has spent over $300 million to fund a new bureaucracy called the federal lands initiative. It built 309 units. That is fewer than 50 units a year. That is over a million bucks a unit. Now the Prime Minister says he is going to create another bureaucracy to do exactly the same thing.

How much more of Canadians' money will be flushed down the drain to pay for bureaucracies rather than paying for building homes?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Auditor General for her report on office space and federal lands. I note that we accept all recommendations. I also note that she highlights that progress has been made. We are on the way to meeting our objectives in terms of affordable housing on public lands and federal lands. This is very good news for Canadians.

[Melissa Lantsman, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, if we accept the findings and do the exact same thing, Canadians who need a place to live are the ones who end up paying the price. The federal lands initiative, the crown jewel of the government's agenda on building housing, has attained just 7% of its target. The people in charge of that initiative are now the justice minister and the finance minister. They actually got promoted.

In the real world, incompetence of this magnitude has consequences, so I have a simple question: Which one of them is getting fired?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I am new to this place and thankful for the opportunity to be here.

This new government is focused on moving forward and building affordable housing using the federal lands we can make available and partnering in good faith with mayors, premiers and chiefs to work in partnership and in synergy with all levels of government to leverage federal lands. We will do that.

[Jamil Jivani, Conservative, Bowmanville—Oshawa North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals have spent over $300 million on a housing program, claiming they would build 4,000 units. In seven years, they have built 309. To put it bluntly, that is not close at all. They have missed the mark by 93%.

How can the Prime Minister continue to have the minister responsible for this failure in his cabinet? How could he promote that failed minister to be our current Minister of Justice?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, we have a great opportunity here to build housing. When we look at the pathetic performance of former housing minister Pierre Poilievre, who delivered six affordable housing units in one year and zero in the city of Vancouver, where I was serving, that is a record that is deplorable. It is a record that this government will never repeat. We are focused on building big.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Vancouver Island, high prices are pushing thousands of families and seniors out of the housing market. Meanwhile, the Auditor General says that the government is sitting on empty office buildings and surplus land. The Liberals promised 4,000 homes through their signature housing initiative. After seven years, they have delivered a measly 309. For this failure, the former housing minister has been promoted to the justice portfolio. There is no justice in that.

How can the Prime Minister reward such failure while people in my riding are struggling to find a place to live?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I am very honoured to be here as the new housing and infrastructure minister and to go forward with initiatives that will deliver affordable housing across Canada. We will look for the support of the members opposite. We will look for partnerships with all levels of government to deliver that. We will use all the tools of the federal government to deliver with “build Canada homes”. We have a lot of opportunities ahead of us. We have to stay focused and work together.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Mr. Speaker, in 2017, the government estimated that 50% of federal offices were vacant or underused. The Liberals said they would cut that number in half and create housing. Eight years later, the Auditor General of Canada has confirmed that there has been less than a 2% reduction, that none of the 10 properties promised in the NCR have been disposed of and that only 309 of the 4,000 promised housing units have been built. They talk a good game but have yet to deliver.

Why does the Liberal government fail to keep its promises, even when there is a dire need and the money has already been budgeted?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Auditor General of Canada for her report. We accept all of her recommendations to ensure that we are meeting our objectives in terms of federal space and federal government rental space.

I would note, though, that in her report, she mentions very clearly that we are on track to meet our target for affordable housing units using federal lands.

National Defence

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

Mr. Speaker, now more than ever, it is critical to invest in Canadian industry as we rebuild Canada's national defence capabilities. For example, in my riding, Cove is leading the way in creating solutions and sustainable growth for Canada's marine and maritime sectors.

Can the minister please expand on the government's plan to rebuild, reinvest in and rearm our Canadian Armed Forces?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday this government announced a generational $9.3 billion investment in Canada's national defence. This means we will reach NATO's 2% spending target this fiscal year.

Reaching NATO's 2% target also means rebuilding our defence industrial capacity here at home, including in Nova Scotia. There are almost 300,000 jobs across Canada in the broader defence sector, and this investment will grow that number. We will ensure Canada remains strong, sovereign and secure.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we know how things work on the other side: incompetence gets rewarded.

Today's Auditor General's report reveals that the budget for our F‑35s has increased by 50% more than anticipated. The initial project costs submitted by National Defence in 2022 were based on 2019 data. Additionally, the construction of infrastructure for the F‑35s in Bagotville and Cold Lake is three years behind schedule.

Why are the Liberals incapable of meeting deadlines and avoiding cost overruns?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, we thank the Auditor General for her work.

For a project of this magnitude, it is not unusual for costs to change over time, especially given the challenges posed by the pandemic and inflation. National Defence monitors costs closely and works hand in hand with industry. We are making the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Speaker, it is hard for me to find the words to describe how badly mismanaged the F-35 procurement process has been. Costs are skyrocketing. The cost is now nearly $30 billion. There is a shortage of pilots and technicians. This has been discussed since 2018. The construction of the facilities is behind schedule and the completion date is now 2031.

This government is always behind schedule. Is that deliberate or due to incompetence?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, we would like to thank the Auditor General once again for her work and her recommendations.

We are committed to openness and transparency. National Defence will keep Canadians informed at every step of the process without compromising operational security. National Defence is closely monitoring costs and working closely with industry to ensure we get the best value for Canadians.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General has reported that the cost of the F-35 jets has increased by billions, by almost 50%.

I have a simple question. Are these increased costs included in the Prime Minister's recently announced plan to meet NATO's 2% target by April 1 of next year?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, we thank the Auditor General for her work.

In a project this big, it is normal for costs to fluctuate over time, especially with all the challenges faced during the pandemic, such as supply chain disruptions and inflation, as many F-35 participating NATO members have actually experienced.

National Defence is working hand in hand with industry to make sure we get good value for Canadians. We are making the biggest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in over 30 years. This is about giving our aviators the tools they need to keep Canada safe.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Mr. Speaker, Finland is also undertaking this big project. They announced their purchase of F-35 jets around the same time Canada did, in early 2022.

Finland purchased 64 jets, Canada 88. The Auditor General has reported that facilities and training for the F-35s are years behind schedule. The Finns' F-35s will achieve full operational capability in 2030. The government will not achieve that until at least 2033-34, years behind the Finns.

Why can the government not deliver these jets on time and on budget?

[David McGuinty, Liberal, Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, once again, we thank the Auditor General for her work and her recommendations. We are taking close note of them and moving to implement many of them already.

We are committed to being open and transparent. National Defence will keep Canadians updated every step of the way, without compromising operational security. I am sure the member is not implying that we should be doing that. National Defence is keeping a close eye on costs and working hand in hand with industry to make sure we get the best value for Canadians.

We remain focused on supporting our top Canadian aviators as we procure a new fleet of fighter jets.

Public Services and Procurement

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today's Auditor General report reveals the shocking contempt that the Liberal government has for matters of national security. It cannot demonstrate that security clearances were held by 50% of the contracts that it awarded to GC Strategies. In more than 20% of the cases, contractors were working without the required clearances. It did not check before the work began. It does not know if the work got done. There were no security clearances for the workers, but it cut the cheques anyway. Then, the Prime Minister gave the ministers responsible a promotion.

Will the Prime Minister stand up today and tell us when we get our money back?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, as I noted in previous answers, in March 2024, PSPC revoked the security clearance of GC Strategies. We have also terminated all contracts, because we will always hold bad actors to account.

Last week, the office of supplier integrity rendered the decision that makes GC Strategies ineligible for the next seven years. This is a process that is independent, that is free of political intervention, to hold bad actors to account, and it is working exactly as it should.