Debates of June 19th, 2025

150th Anniversary of Verdun

[Claude Guay, Liberal, LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC]

Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of the parliamentary session and we head into summer, I invite all Canadians to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Verdun.

Our community is offering exceptional programming, including exhibitions, workshops and outdoor concerts with artists such as Clay and Friends and Orchestre Métropolitain. Each event reflects the vibrant spirit of Verdun.

I also have the great pleasure of announcing that, in August, our constituency office will be moving to Wellington Street, which was recently voted the coolest street in the world by Timeout magazine and which becomes a pedestrian-only street during the summer.

In closing, I want to thank Marie‑Andrée Mauger, mayor of Verdun, who is ending 12 years of public service in our community. Her commitment will leave a green, compassionate and lasting legacy back home.

I wish Verdun a happy 150th anniversary, and I wish a happy summer to all.

Italian Heritage Month

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in 1955, a 22-year-old Italian man from Treviso, Italy, got on a boat and took that courageous trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada. He ended up settling in Woodbridge, Ontario. When he arrived, he worked at a mushroom farm, then a steel factory, and then he started a business. He lived the Canadian dream. That man was my grandfather Nico Guglielmin, who passed away last year at the beautiful age of 95.

My grandfather truly was the inspiration in my life. He was strong and strict, full of decency and integrity, and he was also kind and understanding. He never lost his temper. No one ever saw him sweat. He was accomplished and qualified.

They say we can judge a person by what people say about them when they are gone. I say that Nico Guglielmin was a great man. He was a risk-taker who achieved his dreams, an entrepreneur of incredible accomplishment and a gentleman who carried himself throughout his life with dignity and honour.

I wish a happy Italian Heritage Month to the residents of Vaughan—Woodbridge and all Italian Canadians, like my grandfather Nico.

Ukraine

[Judy Sgro, Liberal, Humber River—Black Creek, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking strong, targeted action to support the people of Ukraine and to hold Russia accountable for its ongoing war of aggression. In one of our most significant sanctions packages since the invasion began in 2022, we are imposing new sanctions on 77 individuals and 39 entities, and restricting trade on nearly 1,000 items, including those linked to chemical weapons, advanced technologies and critical industrial goods.

We are also expanding our crackdown on Russia's shadow fleet by listing over 200 additional vessels, now totalling more than 300, and banning all related services to disrupt Russia's global shipping networks.

Sanctions also target key financial institutions, energy companies and individuals enabling Russia's military and disinformation efforts. Canada stands firmly with the people of Ukraine as well as all those in the G7 whose courage and resilience continue to—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Chatham-Kent—Leamington.

Cheri Elliott

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as members rose and gave our first speeches in this place, we thanked our families and our volunteers for helping us get here. Now, as we carry out our legislative agenda, we rely on others to help us carry out our work. They do not often get the recognition they deserve. They are our staff.

On June 30, Cheri Elliott will retire after nearly 20 years of tireless service to our Conservative team. She began her journey in 2004 with Merv Tweed, the former member for Brandon—Souris, and went on to serve the hon. Vic Toews, the hon. Rob Nicholson and the hon. Candice Bergen, as well as Damien Kurek, and I can say his name today, and myself.

Last night's gathering showed that Cheri has been much more than a staffer. She has been a mentor, a friend and a trusted guide to many across the Hill.

For 15 years she also organized “Party Under the Stars”, a non-partisan fundraiser supporting veterans and first responders through post-traumatic wellness programs. To Cheri, I give thanks from me and from Canada.

Gens du pays

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on June 24, 1975, the celebrated poet of Natashquan chose the feast day of Saint-Jean, soon to become our national holiday, to bestow upon Quebeckers a priceless treasure: a song they could all call their very own.

For 50 years now, whenever we celebrate a loved one's birthday around the dinner table or out at a restaurant with friends and family, we all raise our voices to sing Gilles Vigneault's lyrics featuring the name of the birthday boy or girl.

Nowhere else in the world are homes filled with the sound of this extraordinary song written to celebrate Quebec, a song we now use to celebrate each and every Quebecker. Vigneault's superbly poetic words speak directly to the heart:All we have left, when all's said and done
Is the time we've taken to love one another
The care we have shown, the seeds we have sown
Will bloom in us forever
In the garden to which time has flown
People, o my people, it is your turn
To receive the love you've earned

[Members sang]

Beth Hundey

[Peter Fragiskatos, Liberal, London Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the extraordinary life of Beth Hundey, who passed away at the age of 40 this past April after a courageous battle with cancer. She was wife to Seneca and stepmother to Percy, cherished daughter of Rick and the late Jane Hundey, sister of Eric and Tim and their wives, Julie and Yvonne, and an aunt who was adored by her nieces and nephews.

Incredibly bright, she finished her PhD in geography at Western University in 2014. She later served as a professor at Western and was widely respected on campus and throughout Canada, in fact, for the innovations she made specifically in the area of curriculum development.

A passionate advocate for fighting climate change as well, Beth was loved, respected and admired. May she rest in peace.

Westminster Working Group

[Kurt Holman, Conservative, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the Westminster Working Group, a dedicated group of neighbours in London—Fanshawe, volunteers who have, for years, brought our community together to make it even better.

This is through hosting family-friendly events including free winter snowshoe rentals at Westminster Ponds, summer movies and yoga at Westminster Optimist Park and the Victoria Day weekend fireworks display at Nicholas Wilson Park. The Victoria Day weekend fireworks event has drawn over 1,000 Londoners. The group's commitment to creating accessible, family-friendly events fills our city with fun and fosters a neighbourly bond.

I would like to extend a warm invitation to everyone in this community and beyond, throughout London, to enjoy these wonderful activities. Again, I thank the Westminster Working Group.

NATO Parliamentary Assembly

[Julie Dzerowicz, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it was a true honour to lead a delegation of Canadian parliamentarians to Dayton, Ohio, for the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, where parliamentarians from all NATO countries assembled for discussions.

Dayton was selected to honour the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accord, which marked the end of the Bosnian War. Given the changing geopolitical situation and Canada's strong commitment to secure and defend our borders, the vital role that NATO plays cannot be understated. The Dayton session provided an excellent opportunity for NATO parliamentarians to reaffirm our support for Ukraine, that we must support Ukraine until it wins, and to lend our voice to creating a more resilient NATO.

I am proud that Canada announced increased defence spending, to 2% of our GDP by the end of this year. This means an additional $9 billion of investment in our Canadian Armed Forces. We made a commitment to Canadians to protect our sovereignty and to defend our country, and we will do so, both today and for generations to come.

Claire Bell

[Éric Lefebvre, Conservative, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Speaker, she does not know what the word "courage" means yet, but she personifies it. She does not know what determination is yet, but she embodies it. She cannot understand what resilience is, but she is a living example of it. She does not know what it means to stay calm yet, but she is a testament to it.

Those words now have a name: Claire Bell, age three.

Today, all Canadians and my colleagues join me in thanking the hundreds of police officers and volunteers who did a tremendous job.

I hope Claire's childhood is filled with love, safety and kindness. I hope she has dreams and fulfills them, because with her strength, courage, determination and resilience, at the tender age of three, she has already proven that she is an exceptional person.

May she never forget, never doubt and always remember that the whole country was rooting for her.

Youth Corner at the Fête au Vieux-Village in Sainte-Julie

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about an inspiring 11-year-old boy from Mont-Saint-Bruno—L'Acadie. His name is Jacob, and I am very pleased to welcome him and his father to Parliament Hill.

The Fête au Vieux-Village was held a few weeks ago in Sainte-Julie. Jacob helped out by providing a space where young local people could make their mark and share their talents. Jacob made a determined effort, showing remarkable leadership and infectious enthusiasm. What I find the most compelling are his dreams for other young people. He says he would like to help kids his age by guiding them through their own entrepreneurial projects. At the Fête au Vieux-Village, the City of Sainte-Julie set up a space just for them. They were given their own table at the market, where they could proudly showcase and sell their products.

Jacob represents the future, a future defined by solidarity, creativity and commitment. I hope he continues to dream. This is only the beginning.

Iran

[Roman Baber, Conservative, York Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, in the violent revolution of 1979, the barbaric ayatollahs took over the prosperous and peaceful nation of Iran. They oppressed the great Persian people for almost 50 years. They murdered countless Jews and, recently, 58 Canadians. They are the world's largest state sponsor of terror.

The difference is simple: If given a chance, Iran would kill 10 million Israelis, but if it were up to Israel, the regime would fall and the new government would not beat women or hang gays. On June 13, the state of Israel lawfully defended itself and gave a gift to the world by ensuring that the psychos in Tehran do not get a nuclear weapon.

Now is the time for the great Persian people to reclaim their country, peacefully. Let the voices of the people rise. To my Persian friends, I say, "Do not be afraid." Let us work and pray for a free Iran.

Discovery Centre

[Shannon Miedema, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Discovery Centre, a pillar of the Halifax community, which has evolved into a flagship Canadian export and global success. The Discovery Centre model, designed and engineered in Halifax, provides an accessible way for youth and community members to experience science and technology up close through immersive Canadian-made exhibits.

Under the leadership of Dov Bercovici and his incredible team, this initiative is now scaling globally, with eight new centres under way in Brazil and South America, and a national science centre in Sri Lanka. When complete, these new facilities will generate tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue and support new Canadian jobs. This is a clear example of trade diversification through innovation, and it is a bold reminder of the value we create when Canadians lead with impact.

The Discovery Centre is not just exporting exhibits; it is also exporting Canadian vision, values and talent in what is sure to be the first chapter in a much bigger story.

Finance

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is continuing the Trudeau tradition of breaking his promises and hiding from accountability. He refuses to table a spring budget, while massively increasing government spending and keeping the Parliamentary Budget Officer in the dark, and just like Trudeau, he cannot even get a tax cut right. He promised $800, yet the average Canadian will save only $90 this year, which is not even enough to get a hot chocolate from Tim Hortons weekly.

Did the Prime Minister mislead Canadians during the election, is he misleading them now, or both?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the job of prime minister comes with many responsibilities; I did not know addition and division were one of them.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer refers to the reductions for all Canadians. The vote on which the members opposite supported the government delivers a tax cut for the 22 million Canadians who pay taxes and drive this country forward.

[Jasraj Singh Hallan, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this is coming from a guy who does not even do his own grocery shopping.

The Prime Minister is bragging about a $90 tax cut this year, when his government's policies raised the cost of groceries $800. He has broken all of his promises: spending, tax cuts and high-priced consultants, and he is all elbows down on the U.S. While he is begging on his knees in front of Trump, Canadians have high grocery prices, unaffordable homes and rising crime, but wait: Everyone should be grateful for a $90 tax cut this year.

Why does the Prime Minister not just reverse his disastrous policies, drop his spring budget and actually lower taxes for Canadians?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, once again, a tax cut is a cut for those who pay taxes. Twenty-two million Canadians pay taxes in this country. Eighty-six per cent of that tax cut goes to those in the first two tax brackets. For a two-earner family, the maximum tax cut is $840 a year.

The members opposite think it is irrelevant, but it is relevant for Canadians; it is building the economy. We are glad they voted for it; they just happen to have forgotten now.

Ethics

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, last night we learned that the Prime Minister has an entire department of bureaucrats trying to manage his conflicts of interest, but they cannot even tell us whether the Prime Minister has set up a conflict of interest screen, which means that the former chairman of a multi-billion dollar investment firm is sitting at the cabinet table and could be taking decisions that personally improve his financial standing. He has been Prime Minister for 100 days, but he is still jumping through ethics loopholes.

Why will the Prime Minister not stop hiding the truth from Canadians and come clean? What are your conflicts of interest?

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I would remind the member to direct his question through the Chair.

The Right Hon. Prime Minister has the floor.

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the member opposite, I am proud of having experience in the private sector. I am proud of having experience helping to build this country. I am proud of having filed all my requirements in advance, before required, including a screen for conflict of interest.

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the Right Hon. Prime Minister, I am proud to have served our country in the Canadian Armed Forces in uniform.

The Prime Minister seems to do whatever he thinks he can get away with. He voted for the Liberals' ban on gas-powered cars, while Brookfield is heavily invested in the EV supply chain. We know that he used offshore tax havens in the Caribbean to avoid paying Canadian taxes. His own department will not even say whether he set up conflict of interest screens.

Instead of maligning people who serve the country in uniform, why does the Prime Minister not stand up and come clean about his conflicts of interest?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud, as Prime Minister, to have made the biggest investment in our military in decades. I am proud to be reversing the decades of cuts from members opposite.

Taxation

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign, the Prime Minister and the Liberals promised to lower taxes for families. For an average family, that meant saving $825. The Parliamentary Budget Officer released a report today. The actual amount is $250, not $825. That is less than a third of what was expected.

The Prime Minister is an honourable man, to say the least. Could he stand up and apologize to Canadians for misleading them?

[Mark Carney, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, there is a difference between average and maximum. The maximum is indeed $840 per year.

This is a tax cut for 22 million Canadians. I thank members for supporting this measure.

[Gérard Deltell, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is not being truthful. The problem is that, on average, Canadians will barely get $90, while low-income seniors will be getting about $50, which is not even a dollar a week.

When the Prime Minister was head of Brookfield, if a director came and told him that they had a plan to make good cuts and then did not deliver the goods and gave three and a half times less than forecast, would he say, “Hooray, let us keep going”?

Would he not instead ask them why they misled him?