House of Commons Hansard #14 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was strategies.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Albanian Heritage Month Act First reading of Bill C-209. The bill designates November every year as Albanian Heritage Month across Canada to celebrate the contributions and heritage of Albanian Canadians. 100 words.
Opposition Motion—GC Strategies Inc. Members debate the Auditor General's report finding GC Strategies was paid over $64 million with insufficient proof of work, particularly for the ArriveCAN app. A Conservative motion calls for the government to recover taxpayers' money within 100 days and impose a lifetime contracting ban on the company and its founders. The Liberal government acknowledges the findings, states it is taking action, including legal proceedings, and notes the AG made no new recommendations. Other parties support accountability and recovery but express skepticism about the timeline and government effectiveness. 57400 words, 7 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26 Members debate the government's main estimates, questioning the President of the Treasury Board on planned spending. Topics include the national debt, deficit, consultant spending (particularly on ArriveCAN), public service growth, housing initiatives, national defence, indigenous services, and social programs. The Minister highlights priority investments and efforts to manage spending, often referring to the estimates document. 13800 words, 2 hours.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Chair, under the legislation was the Minister of National Revenue.
There was $138 million paid in bonuses of public service management last year, based upon Treasury Board guidelines. The government only achieved 51% of its targets last year. Does the minister support his rules, which paid out so much of taxpayers' money for so much failure?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, annually, management consultants make up a very small percentage, 4% in 2023-24—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Kelly McCauley Conservative Edmonton West, AB
Mr. Chair, the minister is reading an answer for the wrong question.
Canada Mortgage and Housing paid out $30 million in management bonuses despite the housing hell that the government caused. CMHC's purpose on its website is to promote housing affordability. Does the minister believe housing is affordable and thus warrants $30 million—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, let us talk about the main estimates, which include important investments in priority areas, including the Canadian Armed Forces, the border, health care and housing.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, several members of the minister's government confirmed today that the government is in court with GC Strategies. When was the lawsuit filed?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Brampton—Chinguacousy Park Ontario
Liberal
Shafqat Ali LiberalPresident of the Treasury Board
Mr. Chair, as members know, this particular case is under investigation. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on that.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, again, this particular file is under investigation—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, what is the amount of damages sought by the government?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, again, this particular case is under investigation, and it would not be appropriate for me—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, the minister's government said in the House numerous times today that the government has taken GC Strategies to court. A lawsuit does exist. A statement of claim exists. Will the minister table the statement of claim today in the House, yes or no?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, as I said before, this particular case is under investigation, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, several members of the government stated today that the government made referrals to the RCMP regarding GC Strategies. When was this and for what criminal allegations?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, again, that particular case is under investigation. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on that.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, over three years ago, Kristian Firth, under oath, admitted to deliberately falsifying résumés to secure government contracts. This is the classic definition of fraud. Why did the government not make a referral to the RCMP at that time?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, again, I would say that this particular case is under investigation, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, why did the government continue to do business with GC Strategies after fraud came to light?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, as the member knows, the public service has banned that particular—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Larry Brock Conservative Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations, ON
Mr. Chair, does the government condone and encourage fraud with outside consultants?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, we are having a discussion on the main estimates. Let us talk about—
