Debates of June 12th, 2025

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

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

Mr. Chair, again, this is the area of the Minister of International Development. On the sideline, I can ask my colleague, and we can have a discussion with them to see what the reality is.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, in addition to the 11% cut to peace and security spending, there is a 5% cut in development spending and a 40% decrease in peacekeeping since 2016. That does not feel, to me, like a government that is playing a meaningful role on the world stage.

In addition to that, the minister knows that there have been recent reports, including from NCCM and the University of Toronto's “Under Layered Suspicion”, that have revealed troubling evidence that Muslim-led charities are being disproportionately targeted by audits by Canada Revenue Agency. This raises serious concerns about systematic bias and Islamophobia within the CRA.

What does the minister have to say about this?

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

Mr. Chair, hate or discrimination has no place in Canada, whether it is in a department or the community. This government is committed to improving and working on diversity and inclusion and making investments to remove barriers and discrimination.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, I was not asking if they were going to be working on reducing racism. I was asking if they were going to fix the systems that were systematically targeting Muslim charities within the CRA. The answer he provided does not answer the question I asked him.

Indigenous and northern communities continue to face critical challenges, from inadequate infrastructure and housing to limited access to clean water and essential services. Given the federal government's responsibility and commitments, what concrete steps is the government taking to ensure long-term funding for indigenous and northern communities?

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

Mr. Chair, I would like to go back to my colleague's question and what I said, that no department, no official should discriminate against anyone. There is no place for discrimination in Canada.

In regard to indigenous services, the 2025-26 main estimates include $25.3 billion in planned spending for Indigenous Services Canada, reflecting a $4.3-billion increase in voted funding to advance—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, in the last Parliament, I tabled some legislation that would tie federal transfer payments intended for post-secondary education to be used solely for post-secondary education. It was a piece of legislation that was intended to ensure that the transfer payments we send from the federal government to the provincial government could direct and ensure that post-secondary education became more affordable and made sure that there was adequate staffing.

I am wondering whether the minister would be willing to look at ensuring that the transfers that go to provinces are tied to making sure the post-secondary institutions receive the funding that was intended for their use.

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

Mr. Chair, I would remind my colleague that there are rules in place between federal and provincial or territorial governments. Transfers are made accordingly following those rules. The rules are followed when transfer payments are made.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, yes, and those rules can be changed, which is what our job is here actually, Minister.

My next question is on Canada summer jobs. In Edmonton Strathcona, four out of five Canada summer jobs are unfunded, despite the fact that we have a youth employment crisis in this country.

I am wondering if the minister has anything to say about the chronic underfunding of the Canada summer jobs program, particularly in urban ridings, such as Edmonton Strathcona.

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

Mr. Chair, this falls under the ESDC minister's portfolio. I would advise my colleague to get in touch with the minister responsible for that.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, I would like to just point out to the minister that in fact he is responsible for ensuring that money leaves the federal government, and so he has oversight on how that is done. All programs require funding from the federal government, and we have the ability to ask him questions about those funds. The fact that he has not been able to answer very many of those this evening is deeply worrying for many of us.

I will ask one more question. It is about the investment in women and girls across this country. Right now, we are seeing a backsliding on the feminist agenda that the previous government had guaranteed—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member for St. Albert—Sturgeon River.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Mr. Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, as well as the member for Chatham-Kent—Leamington.

On February 28 of last year, this House ordered the government to recover all funds paid to arrive scam contractors, who did no work, within 100 days. It has been 16 months since that House order. As of today, how much money has been recovered?

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

Mr. Chair, we are here tonight to have a discussion on the main estimates for 2025-26. Let us talk about investments in national defence, which include $35.7 billion in planned spending for national—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Mr. Chair, the minister has increased, through the estimates, the budget for contractors by $7 billion. My question related specifically to the contracting practices of the Liberal government as it pertains to arrive scam. How much money has been recovered to date? Is the number zero?

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

Mr. Chair, I would say again that this specific case is under investigation. It is not appropriate for me to comment on that.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Mr. Chair, I will take it that the number is zero.

Has the government commenced legal action against GC Strategies in relation to arrive scam?

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

Mr. Chair, there are rules in place, and everyone has to abide by those rules. If there is any—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Mr. Chair, a legal action is a public document. Has the government commenced legal action against GC Strategies in relation to arrive scam, yes or no?

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

Mr. Chair, we are here to talk about the main estimates, which include important investments to support key priorities like HR modernization, greening initiatives—

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Kmiec]

The hon. member.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Mr. Chair, millions of taxpayer dollars improperly went out the door to GC Strategies under the Liberal government's watch. All day, Liberal MPs referenced this mysterious legal action against GC Strategies. Does it exist, yes or no?

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

Mr. Chair, this is a new government. I tabled the main estimates, and we are here to talk about the main estimates, which include investments—