Debates of June 17th, 2025

National Public Service Week

[Greg Fergus, Liberal, Hull—Aylmer, QC]

Mr. Speaker, this week, we are celebrating National Public Service Week. This is a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of those who keep our country running smoothly every day.

The public service of 2025 needs to take advantage of new technologies and AI, which can help us build a more agile and efficient public service. Our government will give public servants the tools they need to keep up their excellent work in serving Canadians. New technologies can make it easier to complete routine tasks so that public servants can focus on what matters: creativity, judgment and problem solving.

To keep Canada strong, we need a strong public service. I wish everyone a happy National Public Service Week.

Canadian Energy Sector

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, despite having the gift of abundant natural resources, Canada is not meeting its potential. Canada has the third largest oil reserves in the world, yet due to the lost Liberal decade and its anti-energy policies, we import nearly half a million barrels of oil a day. Liberals have preferred to support dirty dictator oil instead of our responsible Canadian energy.

To many Canadians, Alberta represented a beacon of hope and prosperity, and an opportunity for a fresh start, but over the last decade, our economy has had the worst economic growth in the G7, and the hope is quickly fading. Canada cannot wait. We need Canadian energy projects, mines, pipelines, LNG, nuclear and so much more. Canada needs breakthroughs. We need to scrap anti-energy Bill C-69, the shipping ban, the energy cap and the industrial carbon tax to unlock our natural resources.

We have the people. We have the know-how. We have the energy. What we need is for the Liberal government to get out of the way and let Canada flourish.

Rural Economic Development

[Jessica Fancy-Landry, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong rural advocate for South Shore—St. Margarets, and as a former educator and award-winning researcher on rural youth and development, I rise today to speak about the vital importance of rural economic development in Canada.

Rural communities are not just picturesque backdrops. They are the lifeblood of this country. They are where our milk is produced, where the seafood on our plate is hauled in and where the Christmas trees that brighten our homes in December are grown. In fact, my own grandfather, with Riverview Christmas Tree Farm, was a grower in Lunenburg county, the Christmas tree capital of the world.

My research has long been focused on ensuring rural people are not left behind. Too often, rural needs are treated as afterthoughts. We must change that, because when we invest in rural infrastructure, innovation and education, we invest in the sustainability of our food systems, our natural resources and our local industries.

Rural Canada does not just feed us, it grounds us. Let us prioritize it.

Buzz Hargrove

[Harb Gill, Conservative, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Conservative member of Parliament for Windsor West. I am deeply humbled by the trust the good people of Windsor have placed in me to represent their voices in Ottawa.

It is in that spirit that I pay tribute to a man who left an indelible mark on our community and our country's auto industry. That man was Buzz Hargrove, who passed away on June 15. Buzz started in the line of the Windsor Assembly Plant and later rose through the ranks to become the president of the Canadian Auto Workers Union.

He was a passionate advocate for working families, especially in Windsor, where the auto sector is not just a source of jobs but part of our identity. Buzz fought hard for wages, safer workplaces and the security that comes with a good contract. His legacy is felt not only in the assembly lines, but also in the strength and resilience of our communities.

May Buzz rest in peace. His voice may have fallen silent, but his legacy will live on.

Jimmy Lai

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as world leaders gather at the G7 summit, we must speak with one voice about international human rights and freedom of expression.

The G7 is happening at a critical juncture. The trial of Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong political prisoner and defender of freedom of expression, is set to resume in mid-August. He is 77 years old, diabetic and has already spent four and a half years in arbitrary and illegal detention that UN experts have condemned.

Jimmy Lai's case is probably one of the most publicized in the world. In 2023, both the House of Commons and the Senate unanimously approved motions calling for Mr. Lai's immediate release.

Parliamentarians from all parties believe that granting him honorary Canadian citizenship will put pressure on the Hong Kong government to release him. I am one of them, and I sincerely hope that the members of this Parliament will join me in this call.

100th Anniversary of Commissionaires

[Darren Fisher, Liberal, Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS]

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 100th anniversary of Commissionaires, an extraordinary not-for-profit organization that has proudly served Canadians and supported our veterans for a full century.

Founded in 1925 to provide meaningful employment for veterans returning from war, Commissionaires has grown into one of the largest private security employers in the country, offering thousands of good jobs while continuing its original mission. From protecting federal buildings to supporting local communities, its work is vital, but its impact goes deeper. For countless former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP, Commissionaires offers not just employment, but dignity, purpose and camaraderie after service.

We thank the entire Commissionaires family, past and present, for a century of service, loyalty and care. Here is to the next 100 years.

The Economy

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, in this short parliamentary session, we are rushing through legislation to temporarily, partially, perhaps, override the very laws that have defined the Liberal government's decade-long war on development. Let us name them: Bill C-69, the “no new pipelines” act; Bill C-48, the tanker ban; the oil and gas production cap; and the industrial carbon tax. These laws have made Canada one of the slowest-growing economies in the developed world. Now, as we host the G7, our allies are still asking why Canada cannot get anything built.

The government's latest response is Bill C-5, which is a patchwork fix for which they hope no one notices the mess underneath. Selectively overriding laws is a fake approach.

Here is the real solution: Repeal these anti-energy laws, approve energy projects, create jobs and build again. Let us stop pretending and start delivering stronger paycheques and a better future for Canadians.

Community Yard Sale in Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East

[Salma Zahid, Liberal, Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to attend the community yard sale and annual bake sale held by the Church of Our Saviour, Don Mills, in my riding of Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East. I thank Liz Liness and Reverend Pierre Niyongere for inviting me, and everyone who helped to organise this fantastic event. I appreciated the warm welcome.

It was wonderful to meet members of the community in this relaxed setting and to also see the talents of Don Valley East on display with the amazing art, homemade soups, donuts and other baked goods. Whatever our faith, we all want the best for our family, our community and our country. Events like this help to build strong communities, and I look forward to getting to know this part of my riding this summer.

I hope everyone has a productive and fulfilling summer.

Gas-Powered Vehicles

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Mr. Speaker, never has it been more difficult for V8 truck owners in this country. After years of Liberal mismanagement, they have created hardships for farmers, families and forestry workers in northern Alberta. Now, the Liberal government plans to ban gas-powered vehicles and force Canadians to drive electric vehicles. It is just one more example of “Ottawa knows best”.

I will tell members what Albertans and rural Canadians know. The farmer hauling his livestock cannot wait for hours to recharge during a trip. The hunter who needs to bring home his moose cannot stick it in the back of a Prius. When it is -40°C out, oil and gas workers cannot rely on EVs to haul the heavy equipment needed to keep the heat on for the rest of the country. Even in Quebec, the number one selling vehicle is the gas-powered, F-series pickup.

In a strong and free Canada, Canadians must have the choice to drive a vehicle that meets their needs at a price that they can afford. It is time to axe the ban on gas-powered vehicles.

Community Grandioses Awards

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Mr. Speaker, last month, during my very first official activity as the MP for Madawaska—Restigouche, I had the pleasure of attending the Community Grandioses awards ceremony organized by the Grand Falls Regional Municipality.

Three individuals will receive a Grandiose award in recognition of their volunteer work. They generously give their time to organize activities and provide essential services to the community. Without these dedicated volunteers, many local initiatives would simply not happen.

I send my congratulations to Mariette Lafrance, Judith Thériault and Josée Roussel. Their contributions are both valuable and essential.

Three other individuals were honoured in the ambassador category.

This award recognizes individuals whose outstanding achievements bring prestige to the Regional Municipality of Grand Falls at the provincial, national or international level.

I want to congratulate Alain Lavoie, Morel Caissie, and Carole “Coco” Belliveau. They are a true source of pride for their region.

As I have said before, Madawaska—Restigouche is full of talent. It is a big privilege to represent this beautiful riding.

Gas-Powered Vehicles

[David McKenzie, Conservative, Calgary Signal Hill, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government will soon ban the sale of gas and diesel-powered vehicles in our country. Liberals want to force Canadians to buy electric vehicles. It does not matter that the Liberal plan will add $20,000 to the cost of a vehicle. It does not matter that Canada is one of the largest and coldest nations in the world. It does not matter that working Canadians rely on dependable vehicles to earn a living and provide for their families. It does not matter that we do not have the electrical generation or transmission capacity for their idea. It does not matter that EV sales in Canada are on the decline and that both General Motors and Ford have called for scrapping the ban.

Canadians demand that the Prime Minister support farmers, tradespeople, energy field workers and their families, who require reliable transportation and must be allowed to choose their vehicles.

Jean‑Yves Guindon

[Stéphane Lauzon, Liberal, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have the immense honour of acknowledging the exceptional contribution of an artist back home, watercolourist Jean‑Yves Guindon. He is an artist from Saint‑André‑Avellin in my riding, Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation. With a more than 40-year career and 5,000 paintings to his credit, Mr. Guindon is an emblematic figure of Quebec art. From his unique perspective he has captured the beauty, the landscapes, the soul of the building and architectural heritage of our region with precision and remarkable sensitivity. He has exhibited his artwork in Quebec, Canada and Europe, in Toronto and Brussels, but his inspiration remains deeply rooted at home in Quebec.

Beyond his artistic career, Mr. Guindon is also involved in roughly 30 organizations, foundations and corporations in the region. Today, I am proud to present him the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his work, his invaluable contribution to Canadian culture and his community involvement.

Automotive Industry

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, what if I said the government had a plan to increase the cost of vehicles by over $20,000 and kill 40,000 high-paying Canadian jobs? Well, that is exactly what the Liberals are doing with their mandate to eliminate gas-powered vehicles, which starts to take effect next year. Workers and families across Canada, especially in rural and northern communities, cannot afford this dangerous Liberal experiment.

It is simple: Canadians do not want this shoved down their throats. Tonight, will the Liberals vote to end their radical ban on gas-powered vehicles immediately?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Minister of Environment and Climate Change]

Mr. Speaker, leave it to the Conservatives to hit one of the most major industries we have in our country exactly at the same time as it is getting hit by unjustified tariffs from the United States.

We stand with our auto workers. We have been investing in our auto industry, and we will keep making sure that we have strong union jobs in our auto sector.

[Chris Warkentin, Conservative, Grande Prairie, AB]

Mr. Speaker, that is completely ridiculous, because a report out today projects 50,000 job losses in the auto sector because of trade uncertainty. Rather than providing the auto sector with any kind of certainty, the Liberals are doubling down on their risky and dangerous EV mandate.

Ford and GM are pleading with the government to end the insanity. Industry projects that the Liberal ban on the gas-powered engine will cost an additional 40,000 high-paying Canadian jobs. The combination of the Liberals' inability to get a deal on tariffs and their self-imposed radical EV mandate will destroy Canada's auto sector.

Will the Liberals join us today and call an end to—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. Minister of Finance.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the Conservatives. We will take no lessons from these guys. Under our government, we have seen record investment in the auto sector. Even Bloomberg ranked Canada first in the world for its EV supply chain. We should all be celebrating.

We are going to fight for the industry. We are going to fight for our workers. We are going to fight for Canada strong.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we will take no lessons from them. We will stand up for Canadians' freedom of choice: the choice to drive the vehicle that suits their needs and the choice to drive the vehicle they need for their family. That is what this side of the House will stand for. We are—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Order. I could not hear anything. The member can start over.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but you have to bring the House under control.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member has the floor. Would she like to ask her question?

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that.

The Liberals over here do not believe in the freedom of choice that Canadians should have when it comes to the vehicle they drive. Right now, they have a mandate in place that makes it so Canadians will have to buy EVs. They will have to, but that does not fit the needs of Canadian families. Especially at this time when Canadian families are struggling to make ends meet, they cannot afford the additional $20,000 that this mandate would add to their bill when they go to purchase a new car.

Right now, the government has an option, and that is to vote with Conservatives to relinquish the ban on gas-powered vehicles. Will they vote with us?