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.
Opposition Motion—GC Strategies Inc.Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec
[Chair read text of motion to House]
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to request a recorded division.
Opposition Motion—GC Strategies Inc.Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec
Pursuant to Standing Order 45, the division stands deferred until Monday, June 16, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to see the clock at 6:42 p.m.
Opposition Motion—GC Strategies Inc.Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Opposition Motion—GC Strategies Inc.Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Some hon. members
Agreed.
Opposition Motion—GC Strategies Inc.Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
The Deputy Speaker Tom Kmiec
Pursuant to order made on Wednesday, June 11, the House will now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to study all votes in the main estimates and supplementary estimates (A) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.
I do now leave the chair for the House to resolve itself into committee of the whole.
(Consideration in committee of the whole of all votes in the main estimates and supplementary estimates (A), Tom Kmiec in the chair)
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Tom Kmiec
Pursuant to orders made on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, June 11, the committee of the whole convenes today for the sole purpose of asking questions to the government in regard to the estimates.
The proceedings will unfold in the same manner as they have the last few nights. When members are recognized, they shall indicate to the Chair how the 15-minute period will be used. Members who wish to share their time with one or more members shall indicate it to the Chair.
When the time is to be used for questions, the minister's or parliamentary secretary's response should reflect approximately the time taken to ask the question, since this time will count toward the time allotted to the member.
The period of time for the consideration of the estimates in committee of the whole this evening shall not exceed two hours. I also wish to remind members that comments should be addressed through the Chair and that no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair.
I recognize, first, the member for Calgary Midnapore.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Chair, I welcome the minister.
What is the current debt?
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, I would like to thank my colleague for being a critic—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Chair, what is the current deficit in Canada? The debt is approximately $1.4 billion. What is the current deficit, please?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, I had the honour to present the main estimates. The details are there. Total spending is $486.9 billion—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Chair, last year's deficit was $61.9 billion.
What was the amount requested in the main estimates just two weeks ago?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, the main estimates give in-depth information. I would suggest that my colleague look—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Chair, yes, that is right. I will be splitting my time three ways.
What is the total amount of authorities that require approval by Parliament in the main estimates?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, in the main estimates, voted authorities are at $222.9 billion and—
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Chair, what is the current expenditure of interest on debt, please?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, the main estimates include approximately 10% for servicing debts.
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Conservative
Stephanie Kusie Conservative Calgary Midnapore, AB
Mr. Chair, it is $49.1 billion. What is the dollar amount increase in debt servicing over the last year?
Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A), 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
Liberal
Shafqat Ali Liberal Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, ON
Mr. Chair, as I mentioned, 10.1% is the debt servicing—