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

House of Commons Hansard #13 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.

Topics

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

Statements by Members

Question Period

The Conservatives focus on Liberal government failures highlighted by the Auditor General, including the ArriveCAN scandal, F-35 procurement, and housing initiatives, accusing them of wasting money and promoting failed ministers. They also raise concerns about rising grocery prices due to inflationary spending, soft-on-crime laws, and anti-energy policies.
The Liberals focus on achieving best-in-class procurement, building the strongest G7 economy, and increasing defence spending to meet NATO targets. They are committed to delivering affordable housing, supporting public safety with measures like the Strong Borders Act, and helping Canadians with tax credits and youth jobs, while addressing carbon pricing and tariffs.
The Bloc challenges the government on carbon tax rebates sent without collecting the tax, calling it an injustice against Quebeckers who received no compensation. They demand the government pay back the $814 million owed to Quebecers, arguing Quebec money was used to give "gifts" to others who were not paying the tax.
The NDP criticize Bill C-2, calling it a violation of privacy and civil liberties.

Canada Carbon Rebate Bloc MP Jean-Denis Garon raises a question of privilege, alleging the Minister of Finance deliberately misled the House about whether Canada carbon rebate cheques sent during the election were funded by collected carbon tax. 1100 words, 10 minutes.

National Livestock Brand of Canada Act First reading of Bill C-208. The bill recognizes a national livestock brand as a symbol of Canada and its western and frontier heritage, honouring ranchers, farmers, and Indigenous peoples for their contributions. 300 words.

Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act Second reading of Bill C-4. The bill addresses affordability measures for Canadians. It proposes a middle-class tax cut reducing the lowest income tax rate, eliminates the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million, and repeals the consumer carbon price. The bill also includes changes to the Canada Elections Act, raising concerns about privacy and provincial jurisdiction. Parties debate the sufficiency and impact of the measures, with some supporting passage while seeking amendments. 25700 words, 3 hours.

Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26 Members debate departmental estimates, focusing on the housing crisis, affordability, and homelessness, with government plans including the new build Canada homes entity. They also discuss natural resources, including wildfires, critical minerals, the forestry sector facing US tariffs, and accelerating project approvals via the "one Canadian economy act". Opposition questions government record and policy effectiveness. 32400 words, 4 hours.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The hon. member.

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, can any premier veto any project on a whim?

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, as I said, we are working with these five criteria. The premiers have all agreed that these are the criteria that will be used. When actual projects come up, we will—

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The hon. member.

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, can any premier veto any project on a whim?

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, what we are here to do is get Canada building again. What I see over there is an attempt to divide, an attempt to obstruct. If we want to get things—

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The hon. member.

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, with all due respect, it is the minister's file and he should know these answers.

How many LNG projects were on the books in B.C. when the Liberals came to power in 2015?

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, I am a new minister. I am here to look forward. This is a new government. It is here to look forward. We are here to pass the one Canadian economy act and build new projects of national interest, which will—

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The hon. member.

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, the answer is 20.

How many were completed?

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, I am not sure what the assertion is. If the assertion here is that somehow I am not familiar with building major projects, I would like to tell the member that in my private sector life, we built many—

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The hon. member.

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

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

The minister said that he has completed a number of projects, and then he backtracked and said that he was part of a number of projects. I hope he can get his answers correct.

Does the minister consider a 5% completion rate successful?

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, I do not understand the question: 5% of what?

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, there were 20 LNG projects and only one was done.

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, again, the member seems to be looking backwards. This government, the new government, is focused on looking forward. That is why we are focused on the one Canadian economy act.

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, when was the last time Canada had a softwood lumber agreement with the U.S.?

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, Canada has a free trade agreement with the United States, which the United States has consistently violated. We are on our fifth version of that violation now. Every time, we have stood up for—

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The hon. member.

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, that was 2015. It has been 10 years since the government has been in power and had the opportunity to secure a softwood lumber agreement, but it failed each time.

How much has the American government collected in tariffs in Canadian softwood since 2015?

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, I think I answered that question about 10 questions ago.

Since 2017, it is $10 billion.

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, why has the government allowed American tariffs to gut the B.C. forestry industry for 10 years?

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

10:10 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, the assertion is absurd. The United States has declared trade wars on us. We did not ask for this trade war; it was declared on us. The government is focused on winning. Part of winning is getting the—

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

10:10 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The hon. member.