Debates of June 10th, 2025

Opposition Motion—Canada Carbon Rebate and Payment to Quebec

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that I have been here for this entire debate, but it is very difficult to get a chance to speak.

As he said, there is concern about fossil fuel subsidies. I want to add that, during the election campaign, the Green Party asked the Parliamentary Budget Officer to tell us how much these subsidies amounted to. We wanted to know how much money was being paid to businesses. It is a huge waste of public resources. In fact, most of the companies receiving these subsidies are foreign companies, and they are wealthy. The Parliamentary Budget Officer said that he could not get that answer because of obstacles put up by the Department of Finance.

What does my colleague think about the mystery surrounding these subsidies—

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

I must interrupt the member to give the hon. member the opportunity to answer the question.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague raises some very interesting points. She should be given the floor more often. She was talking about fossil fuel subsidies. It seems that the finance department is putting up obstacles that are preventing us from getting better numbers.

I am going to throw something out there: The member for Saint-Maurice—Champlain could tell the people in his circle to provide numbers and be objective. Not only do the member for Saint-Maurice—Champlain's constituents expect the government to table a budget, but they also expect the government to be transparent.

I thank the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands. I can tell her that several billion dollars have been paid in subsidies. In the next few years, more than $82 billion in tax credits will be given, and 22% of that money comes from Quebec. It is time to stop harassing us over the infamous equalization payments.

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

Mr. Speaker, I disagree with the member when he tries to give the impression that the people of Quebec were tricked in the last election.

I believe the people of Quebec, much like the people in Manitoba, understood that the primary issue in the election was no doubt that of genuine concern over Trump's tariffs and trade. I think they looked at what was out there and voted accordingly. The Bloc had the opportunity to make its case. It did not make its case strong enough. I respect what the people of Quebec, and equally the people of Manitoba, voted for. To try to say that our constituents or the voters were being tricked is not appropriate. The voters in Quebec did a fine job in recognizing the important issues of the province.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I am almost happy to see my colleague from Winnipeg North again.

When he says he disagrees, I am never surprised, but I never said that the election was stolen. What I said was that, today, people are being cheated out of that $800 million. He should acknowledge that. A cheque was issued for a tax that has not been collected. That money was taken from somewhere.

The Liberals are real magicians, but at some point, there is a limit. Everyone knows that the money comes from somewhere. Where does it come from? Twenty-two per cent of that money comes from Quebec. I will quote a former Quebec premier who said, "Give us back our loot". Today, that amount is $814 million. We just want our money. It is simple and it is reasonable. We are asking nicely. I think that the Minister of Finance is hearing these demands because he is from Quebec. I am glad to see him smile.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

The question is as follows.

Shall I dispense?

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

[Chair read text of amendment to House]

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

If a member participating in person wishes that the amendment be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

[Jean-Denis Garon, Bloc, Mirabel, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with your permission, I request a recorded division.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, June 11, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I suspect if you were to canvass the House, you would find unanimous consent at this time to call it 6:43 p.m., which would allow us to continue on with the estimates.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Is it agreed?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Deputy Speaker, Tom Kmiec]

Pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 27, the House will now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to study all votes in the main estimates and the supplementary estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

I do now leave the chair for the House to resolve itself into committee of the whole.

(Consideration in committee of the whole of all votes in the main estimates and supplementary estimates (A), Tom Kmiec in the chair)

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

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

Pursuant to order made on Tuesday, May 27, the committee of the whole convenes today for the sole purpose of asking questions to the government in regard to the estimates. The first round will begin with the official opposition, followed by the government and the Bloc Québécois. After that, we will follow the usual proportional rotation.

Each member recognized by the Chair will be allocated 15 minutes. These periods may be used for both debate and for posing questions. Should members wish to use this time to make a speech, it can last a maximum of 10 minutes, leaving at least five minutes for questions to the minister or the parliamentary secretary acting on behalf of the minister. When members are recognized, they shall indicate to the Chair how the 15-minute period will be used, in other words, what portion will be used for speeches and what portion for questions and answers. Members who wish to share their time with one or more members shall indicate it to the Chair.

When the time is to be used for questions, the minister's or parliamentary secretary's response should reflect approximately the time taken to ask the question, since this time will count toward the time allotted to the member.

The period of time for the consideration of the estimates in committee of the whole this evening shall not exceed four hours. I also wish to indicate that, in committee of the whole, comments should be addressed through the Chair. I ask for everyone's co-operation in upholding all established standards of decorum, parliamentary language and behaviour.

In addition, pursuant to order made Tuesday, May 27, no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair.

The hon. member for Calgary East.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Chair, I will be splitting my time three ways.

During the election, the Prime Minister said he would collect $20 billion in U.S. tariffs. Can the minister confirm on what date they will be fully collected?

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

Mr. Chair, first of all, let me congratulate you on your role as the Chair this evening. As well, I thank the officials for being with us tonight.

As the member should know, we had the largest countermeasures to face—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Chair, there was no date in there. On what date will $20 billion be collected, as the Prime Minister had said it would be?

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

Mr. Chair, it is a real privilege to be with you tonight and to answer questions from the member. As he knows, we have mounted the largest number of countertariffs, probably in Canada's history, to face the unjustified and illegal tariffs that have been imposed by the United States.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Chair, the minister refuses to answer on what date they will be collected. Will the $20 billion be collected by the time the minister gets around to making his budget?