Debates of June 12th, 2025

Indigenous Affairs

[Rebecca Alty, Liberal, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations]

Mr. Speaker, this bill requires meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples, consistent with section 35 of the Constitution and the duty to consult. It would require consultation both during the process of determining which projects are in the national interest and, most important, once a project is selected during the permitting process. Both steps would require our indigenous partners. I look forward to continuing to engage with partners to ensure the success of the legislation and the involvement of indigenous peoples in moving our economy forward.

Finance

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the average Canadian family is going to spend $800 more on food this year because of Liberal inflationary spending. The Calgary Food Bank organizers say that 65% of working Calgarians are now experiencing severe food insecurity. What affects this, of course, is bad government budgeting. Deficits lead to inflation, and the government plans to spend 8% more this coming year. The Liberals want to go on a spending spree and force Canadians to go on a diet.

Will the Prime Minister set the table and finally serve up this year's budget?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, there is good news for Canadians: Over 22 million Canadians are going to receive a tax cut thanks to the work of this Parliament. Further good news is that, in the last election, Canadians coast to coast to coast said that the kinds of measures that are helping them are affordable child care; the Canada child benefit, which is indexed to inflation; the national food program; and the Canada disability benefit, which will be available next month. These are the kinds of things that are making a difference for Canadians. We just hope that the Conservatives will stop voting against them.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are delaying tabling a budget as it is expected to show a supersize deficit that will increase inflation even further; the higher the deficit, the higher the inflation. The price Canadians pay for food is dependent upon the government's budget. However, we should not worry; the government's budgets affect only Canadians who eat.

Will the government stop driving up costs and bring forward a budget so that Canadians can feed their families without going further into debt?

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, let us look at some economic facts. Inflation has dropped from 8.1% to 1.7% over the last two years. Our real GDP numbers are growing. We have had workforce participation of 65.3% versus 62.5%, compared to the U.S.A. We have a AAA Moody's credit rating.

The fundamentals of our economy are very strong. We have a strong mandate from Canadians, and we are going to continue to work together across the aisle to get things done for Canadians.

[Rhonda Kirkland, Conservative, Oshawa, ON]

Yes, Mr. Speaker, let us look at some actual facts.

StatsCan reports that for every dollar of disposable income, Canadians now owe $1.74; this is the worst debt ratio in the G7. Oshawa's unemployment is at 9.1%, and TD Bank warns of a looming recession, with 100,000 jobs at risk. The government's response is to blow through $500 billion with no budget, no plan and no accountability.

Will the Liberals finally table a budget, or will their silence continue to speak louder than their commitment to Canadians?

[Ryan Turnbull, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, I think we all know who brought it home in the last election; it was every member on this side of the House. Why did Canadians vote for this Liberal government? It is because they know we are compassionate and we care about the affordability challenges that they are facing.

We have a plan to create good jobs, build a stronger economy and make life more affordable. What do Conservatives have? They have none of the above. They have complaints, anger, an absent leader and divisive rhetoric.

We are delivering for Canadians and making Canada strong.

Employment

[Kelly DeRidder, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday's Waterloo Region Record says that Ontario businesses are freezing summer hiring. Unemployment in the region is up—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I am sorry; I cannot hear the question, so we will start from the top.

[Kelly DeRidder, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday's Waterloo Region Record says that Ontario businesses are freezing summer hiring. Unemployment in the region is up 7.3%, and TD Bank says there is a looming recession with job losses of 100,000 jobs, causing local businesses to focus on staying lean. Nearly one-third of Canadian small businesses have adjusted or paused their summer hiring plans, according to a survey by Merchant Growth.

Kitchener businesses need a plan. A budget is a plan. Why does the government refuse to heed our calls and table a budget that reverses its inflationary spending?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, there is good news for Canadian youth this summer. In addition to the 70,000 Canada summer jobs, we are adding 6,000 more all across the country. We know that this is an emergency valve for youth unemployment, which is indeed rising. However, what will not help is voting against the measures that Canadians are looking for this summer. What we know is that Canadians vote every single time there is an opportunity to help the constituents in their riding. We will not do that; we will stand up for Canadian families.

Carbon Pricing

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, small businesses fought for five years to receive the carbon tax rebate. Now that the money has been disbursed to small businesses across Canada, they are seeking clarification as to whether or not the Canada Revenue Agency will treat it as a taxable benefit.

Can the Government of Canada clarify this today? Yes or no, are carbon tax rebates taxable?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)]

Mr. Speaker, as we know, small businesses are the backbone of our Canadian economy, and our new government has their back. We are cutting taxes for small businesses and red tape. We are breaking down interprovincial trade barriers by July 1 and helping businesses go digital. We also welcome our middle-class tax cut, which will help entrepreneurs get a well-deserved tax break while they can.

We will always be there for small businesses. Let us not forget that we have cut the carbon tax for small business as well.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

[Jeremy Patzer, Conservative, Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is responsible for over one-fifth of the world's canola exports, with China being one of the largest buyers. The Communist regime in Beijing implemented 100% tariffs on canola oil and meal, but there has been radio silence from the Prime Minister.

Farmers plan their crop rotations years in advance, and they have had to ride out this trade war all on their own. Will the Prime Minister prioritize our farmers for once and end China's tariffs on our canola, or is he too compromised from Brookfield's quarter-billion dollar loan from a Chinese bank?

[Heath MacDonald, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, it has been a little over three weeks, and I am finally getting to my feet.

First and foremost, I want to thank the people of Malpeque for putting me here, as well as my wife and my family.

This is immensely important for us, and I will be travelling to the prairie provinces this weekend to meet with farmers to see first-hand the effect of the canola tariffs. I will say that we had the international trade minister meeting with officials and the Prime Minister. We are moving in the right direction, and we will always stand up for farmers.

[Steven Bonk, Conservative, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, farmers in Souris—Moose Mountain and across the prairies are being crushed by crippling 100% tariffs on canola. The Liberal government has done nothing. These unjust tariffs are jeopardizing family farms, threatening livelihoods and undermining the backbone of our agricultural economy. While producers urgently seek leadership and support, the Liberals remain silent.

When will the Liberals take real, concrete action to eliminate these punitive tariffs on Canadian canola and, for once, stand up for Canadian farmers?

[Heath MacDonald, Liberal, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Mr. Speaker, this gives me the opportunity to talk about how important farming is in this country. One in nine jobs is related to farming, and 6.75% of our GDP is related to farming. I have spoken to every first minister across the country, and one thing we have in common is that we are united in our front against these tariffs, and we will stay that way because it is going to benefit everybody.

Steel and Aluminum Industry

[Ned Kuruc, Conservative, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, just days after the minister's promise-filled visit to ArcelorMittal this past weekend in Hamilton, ArcelorMitta has announced the closure of its Long wire mill, resulting in a loss of 153 mortgage-paying jobs in my community. Yesterday, I spoke to a concerned father whose daughter, Amanda, lost her job to the mill closure. Her father stated that the Prime Minister had promised tariff relief on TV.

When will Amanda get her tariff relief?

[Karim Bardeesy, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, we are fighting these illegal and unjustified tariffs every day. They are hurting workers on both sides of the border, including Canadian workers and Canadian companies. The government will not be bullied. We are going to fight against these tariffs, defending every job and every business in Hamilton, in the Soo and across Canada.

[Ned Kuruc, Conservative, Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot take that answer to the hard workers of Hamilton. This closure is not just a local story. It is a warning sign to all working Canadians in this country. The Prime Minister promised elbows up with the United States and to collect $20 billion. All we have seen is elbows down.

I ask this question of the Prime Minister on behalf of the workers of Hamilton's industrial corridor and Canadians: Is this the end of closures or just the beginning?

[Carlos Leitão, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the House that these tariffs were imposed by the United States. These are U.S. tariffs that have been put on our products.

Our government will be there to help workers and businesses get through this difficult period. We need everyone's co-operation to get through this crisis.

The Environment

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Mr. Speaker, our new government was elected to implement a strong vision for nature conservation on land and sea, as well as improved access for Canadians.

Could the Secretary of State for Nature inform the House of the measures our government will take to protect nature in Canada?

[Nathalie Provost, Liberal, Secretary of State (Nature)]

Mr. Speaker, since this is my first time rising in the House, I will take a moment to thank my constituents in the beautiful riding of Châteauguay—Les Jardins-de-Napierville for their trust and support.

Nature is a fundamental part of the Canadian identity. It brings us together, and Canadians of every political stripe love nature. This new government will work with the provinces, territories, indigenous peoples and all stakeholders to protect nature.

That is what a united Canada means.

Canadian Heritage

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in the last Parliament, the Liberals forced through one piece of censorship legislation after another: Bill C-18, which stops the spread of news on social media outlets; Bill C-11, which controls what Canadians can see and say online; and then Bill C-63, which is bloated censorship legislation that brought in an Internet czar and controls freedom of speech.

The Liberals claim that this is a “new government”. My curiosity is for whoever is in charge over there: Will the Liberals commit to respecting Canadians and, of course, stop censoring them?

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages]

Mr. Speaker, for decades, we have witnessed journalists losing their jobs, newsrooms shutting down and local media going bankrupt. Access to fact-based information from coast to coast to coast is essential to keeping Canadians informed. Unfortunately, my Conservative colleagues do not believe that preserving this pillar of our democracy is important.

On our side, we chose to pass the Online News Act to ensure that journalists can continue their important work for our country, our democracy and our Canadian unity.