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.

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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, how many mills have closed in B.C. since the minister's party 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, as a result of the unjust and unfair trade wars the United States has put on our forest process, too many mills have closed in British Columbia.

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 actual number is 35. Eleven mills have closed in my riding alone.

How many job losses have there been in the forestry industry since the government came to power?

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 member seems to think I am not sensitive to the challenges in the industry. I grew up in a small logging town on the northern end of Vancouver Island. I am quite familiar with the hardships that are going on.

The government is focused on dealing with those unfair trade wars. Part of dealing with those unfair—

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, over 40,000 jobs have been lost. These are friends, colleagues and family members in my riding.

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

10:15 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, they are my friends too.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, how will the government stop the mill closures in northern B.C.?

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

10:15 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, getting the one Canadian economy act passed will give us the ability to get projects going. We will focus on putting money to work in retooling and rebuilding our economy.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

Mr. Chair, what is the value of softwood lumber exports?

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

10:15 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, I do not have that number at my fingertips, but I can get it for the member within a couple of seconds.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON

Mr. Chair, Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong is home to three refineries, multiple plastics facilities and major energy infrastructure, so my questions will pertain to that.

Since the no more pipelines bill, Bill C-69, was put in place, Canada has cancelled 16 major energy projects, resulting in a $176-billion hit to our economy. Will the minister repeal Bill C-69?

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

10:15 p.m.

Markham—Thornhill Ontario

Liberal

Tim Hodgson LiberalMinister of Energy and Natural Resources

Mr. Chair, as I said multiple times tonight, what the government will do is pass the one Canadian economy act. That will get this country building again. That will get projects built. If that is what you are interested in, we would appreciate your support in passing the bill.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The minister must speak through the Chair.

The hon. member.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON

Mr. Chair, the one Canadian economy act allows the government to choose which projects will be exempted from Bill C-69 and the non-competitive industrial carbon tax. If the government is going to exempt some projects, why not exempt them all?

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

10:15 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, as we have indicated, the way the bill works is that there will be five criteria. Any project that meets those five criteria will be considered.

At the same time, we are negotiating agreements with each province, so we will have one project—

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater

The hon. member.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON

Mr. Chair, no proponent will come forward if they do not get an exemption to Bill C-69, the uncompetitive industrial carbon tax and the emissions cap. On the emissions cap, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said that it will reduce nominal GDP by almost $21 billion and kill almost 55,000 full-time jobs.

Will the minister repeal the emissions cap?

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

10:15 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, what we have been doing over the last several weeks is meeting with the leaders of the energy proponents all across this country, renewables and conventional. They are telling us that they are supportive of the one Canadian economy act and would like these members to support it.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON

Mr. Chair, to reduce our dependency on the U.S., we have to export our oil. In order to do that, we have to increase production. We cannot do that because there is an emissions cap, which is really a production cap. Will the minister repeal the emissions cap?

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

10:15 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, we are not going to negotiate in public. Our plan is to reduce Canada's emissions while building the strongest economy in the G7. This includes lowering emissions in the conventional energy sector by supporting technologies such as carbon capture and methane abatement.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON

Mr. Chair, does the minister agree with the projections of the Canada Energy Regulator that the demand for electricity will double by 2050?

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

10:15 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, I am very familiar with those estimates, and yes, I agree.

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

10:15 p.m.

Conservative

Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON

Mr. Chair, Ontario Power has been given a mandate by the province to build electrical capacity in the former Lambton generating station in my riding to address the gap. Will the minister commit to federal support and to fast-track using the new one Canadian economy act to accelerate that project?

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

10:15 p.m.

Liberal

Tim Hodgson Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON

Mr. Chair, assuming that our colleagues help us pass the bill, we will absolutely consider any projects that come through. We will evaluate them against the criteria. We will negotiate with the provinces for one project, one review, and we will get the projects—