Debates of June 12th, 2025

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

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, the Treasury Board paid KPMG $700,000 for advice on how to cut consultant spending.

Did taxpayers get their money's worth?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, President of the Treasury Board]

Mr. Chair, the department—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, the Liberals are increasing spending on consultants to $26 billion this year.

Did the government pay KPMG $700,000 to tell the government to increase spending on companies like KPMG?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON]

Mr. Chair, these are the main estimates, and they are the spending for a country to run and operate. In 10 seconds or five seconds, how can the member expect a response?

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, did KPMG report the government could save money by spending billions more?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON]

Mr. Chair, the department is working. There is a review ongoing to improve—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, the Liberal government campaigned on “Significantly reducing” money spent on management consultants, yet the estimates call for $26 billion this year, $6 billion more than last year. Does the minister think $6 billion in added spending is a significant reduction?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON]

Mr. Chair, there is a spending review from 2023-24, which is ongoing, with the department cutting spending on travel and professional services by—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, $26 billion is more than $20 billion. That is how much more the government is spending on management consultants this year.

Does the minister agree that this is a significant cut, as his election campaign called for?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON]

Mr. Chair, this new government is focusing on reducing the operating budget in the next few years, actually balancing the operating budget and—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, public accounts show $3.3 billion set aside for small businesses for the carbon tax rebate. These estimates show $3.192 billion. Where is the missing $108 million set aside for small businesses?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON]

Mr. Chair, I truly appreciate the question, but again, I would refer the member opposite to looking into the main estimates. There is all—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, I just quoted the main estimates, which show $3.192 billion for a rebate. Public accounts is $3.3 billion. Minister, where is the missing $108 million set aside for small businesses?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON]

Mr. Chair, I would refer the member again to read the documents. The details are in there—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, I can assure the member that I actually have read the estimates, unlike himself, apparently.

The Liberals called small businesses tax cheats. Is this why the government is cheating small businesses of that $108 million?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON]

Mr. Chair, this government stood up for the businesses.

Actually, Canadians elected this new government to—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Mr. Chair, whose decision was it to reduce the payout by $108 million?

[Shafqat Ali, Liberal, Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON]

Mr. Chair, Canadians elected this government, a responsible government, to build the economy.