Debates of June 19th, 2025

Natural Resources

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, I understand why the Bloc Québécois is not interested in building one strong Canadian economy. However, I find it harder to understand why the Bloc is opposed to the kind of major projects that Quebeckers are dreaming of, such as generating hydroelectricity, building infrastructure and uniting this country to create job opportunities.

Instead of throwing around baseless insults that are beneath him, the member should get onboard so that we can build one economy together and give Quebeckers opportunities.

Taxation

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, Canada's fiscal watchdog confirms another broken Liberal promise, this time on the Liberals' tax cut. On the campaign trail, the Prime Minister promised Canadians an $800 income tax cut, but the Parliamentary Budget Officer just confirmed that the average Canadian will save $15 a month, and low-income seniors will save only $10 a month, which will not buy a gallon of milk from the Lumsden co-op.

Why did the Prime Minister mislead Canadians in the last election?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, that member of Parliament, and we thank him for it, and his entire caucus voted for the exact tax cut we committed to for Canadians by July 1, so that on July 1, in every pay stub in Canada, everyone who pays income tax will have a reduction from 15% to 14% in the first tax bracket. That will put up to $840 in the pockets of Canadian families. Happy Canada Day. We are delivering for Canadians.

Housing

[Warren Steinley, Conservative, Regina—Lewvan, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it is sad but true, Canadians are getting used to being misled by that Liberal in particular.

Moving on to another Liberal failure, a damning new report from the Liberals' own housing agency has declared the death of housing affordability in our country. It said that Canada needs to double housing construction to restore affordability, but the Liberals' record is dismal. Housing starts in Vancouver are down 10%; in Toronto, down 58%; in Guelph, down 78%; in Hamilton, down 50%; in London, down 72%.

It is a simple question. When will the housing minister stop buying investment properties and start building homes for Canadians?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I will caution the member opposite. He is leaving out all of the Canadian communities that are increasing their housing starts right now. Housing starts across Canada are near record levels. That is good news to celebrate, but it is just a start for us.

Canadians elected the party that was running to double housing construction in Canada. We hope you will support us on that.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I remind the minister to direct his comments through the Chair.

The hon. member for Riding Mountain.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Mr. Speaker, a damning report by the government's own housing agency revealed that Canada needs to double housing construction in 10 years to restore affordability. In the last year, housing starts are down over 10% in Vancouver, down 50% in Hamilton, down over 58% in Toronto and down a whopping 78% in Guelph. The government's record on building bureaucracy instead of homes has failed young Canadians.

When will the Liberals admit they have killed the dream of home ownership in Canada?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, we are laser-focused on doubling housing construction across Canada. I am encouraged to hear the members' opposite new-found concerns about housing construction and affordability, particularly given that they voted against every significant housing program in the last few decades. Our hope now is that they will support us to double construction and vote for affordable housing in Canada.

Taxation

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, we just came out of an election where the Liberals promised the moon to get elected. Their hypocrisy is catching up with them. They were strutting around with promises of giving Canadians $800. Today we get the truth straight out of the Parliamentary Budget Officer's mouth.

Honest people were taken for a ride. Instead of getting $800, they are getting $90. This Prime Minister misled Canadians.

Why did he do that?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Mr. Speaker, that is preposterous.

The member knows full well that 22 million people will be getting a tax cut after July 1; at the very least, he voted in favour of a bill that lowers taxes for all Canadians. Their paycheque will show a tax cut somewhere between 15% and 40% in the first bracket. That represents up to $840 for a Canadian family.

That is what we promised to do. That is what we have done.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I have something to say to my colleague.

The Conservatives, like Canadians, were taken for a ride. The Liberals lied to us. I invite this Liberal government—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The member is close to crossing the line. I know that he is a good debater, but there is no need to go too far.

That said, he can have the floor again.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I dare say the Liberals have not been truthful. This Liberal government said one thing during the election and is now doing the opposite.

After only two months, the Liberals have broken their promise to cut spending, taxes, consulting and defence fees, and they have ruined relations with the United States.

Those are the facts. Even the Parliamentary Budget Officer says he was in a—

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, that is an incredible question.

When I think that, two months ago, when they had the opportunity to present a plan to Canadians and they came out with their so-called costed platform, there was only one number that was not demolished by practicably everyone in the country and that is 17. There were 17 photos of their leader, which is more than Canadians asked for.

On this side of the House, we are committed to cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. That is exactly what we are delivering. It will have a positive impact on my colleague's riding, my riding, Quebec and the entire country.

Foreign Affairs

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the world is becoming an increasingly dangerous and uncertain place, from rising geopolitical tension and economic instability to the impacts of climate change and conflict, yet Canadians can be confident that their government is putting their safety, security and prosperity first by working closely with our allies and defending the values that matter to us.

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs update the House on Canada's engagement at the G7 and how we are working with partners to build a more secure and stable world?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Speaker, Canada just concluded hosting an extremely successful G7 summit in Alberta at Kananaskis. The world is becoming more unpredictable, and the world needs Canada's leadership.

The Prime Minister and his colleagues signed joint statements on critical minerals, on energy security and on transnational crime. The world needs more Canada. Canada is ready to lead.

Long live Canada!

Public Safety

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals' catch-and-release policies are so bad that mayors and city councillors are pre-emptively writing letters to Crown counsel begging them to keep the bad guys in jail. Mayor Rathor of Williams Lake recently wrote, “We vehemently oppose Jacob Daniel FUNK’s release.... The actions of this individual have put our residents and property at significant risk.” He said that when Jacob Funk is in jail, the crime rate goes down; when he is out, the crime rate goes up.

Why does the Prime Minister keep putting the rights of criminals ahead of those of Canadians?

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)]

Mr. Speaker, we are making it tougher for violent criminals to get out on bail and imposing stricter sentences for repeat offenders, but let me be clear: There is nothing in the law stopping judges and JPs from denying bail. The current law is that people who are a risk to public safety or a flight risk should not be given bail.

What is really going on here? Reports are saying that judges are making decisions because the provinces are not providing the space needed to hold criminals. It is time for the provinces to join us and step up.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is alway somebody else's fault.

Jacob Funk has been arrested 37 times, and 37 times he has been released, over nine times in the past month. On April 27, it was assault with a weapon and uttering threats. On May 27, it was break and enter and disguising face. On June 8, it was assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest and breach of release. On June 12, it was assault and uttering death threats.

He is wreaking havoc on the citizens of Williams Lake, and the Prime Minister is letting him. When will he repeal his soft-on-crime policies and finally put victims' rights ahead of those of criminals?

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)]

Mr. Speaker, we are on the same page. Repeat violent offenders should not be released, so let me be clear again: There is nothing stopping judges and JPs from denying bail. The current law states that people who are a risk to public safety or a flight risk should not be given bail.

I think it is time for the provinces to step up. What is happening? Let us make sure that Crown prosecutors are well funded and make sure there is space to hold these criminals. We are going to do our part; the provinces should do theirs.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Mr. Speaker, crime has been rising in my riding since the Liberals formed government, and justice is too often delayed for victims. According to the latest Owen Sound Police Service's annual report, violent crimes are up 14.6%. My communities are worried. To make matters worse, more than 10% of the cases are now exceeding the Jordan limit, delaying justice further.

When will the Liberal government reverse its soft-on-crime legislation and adopt a common-sense plan to keep violent offenders behind bars and ensure victims and their families get the justice they deserve?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, I have good news to report. Canadians elected a new Liberal government, in part on the promise to advance reforms that will stiffen bail proceedings and adopt more serious sentences for violent repeat offenders. In addition to the changes to the Criminal Code that the member should expect to see later this calendar year, we are making investments to give law enforcement the tools they need to prevent crimes in the first place.

I am willing to work with members on all sides of the aisle to advance these important reforms to help keep communities safe.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Mr. Speaker, this old cabinet minister has not answered the question. Premiers, police organizations and victims are pleading for tougher penalties for repeat violent offenders. Just last week, West Grey police rearrested a repeat violent offender for failing to comply with a release order and who was found in possession of fentanyl and prohibited weapons.

The Prime Minister ran on a platform that included establishing a reverse onus for severe crimes and increasing penalties. Can the minister provide specific timelines as to when the government will implement these changes and reverse its soft-on-crime policies?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, when dangerous people who pose a threat to the public commit serious offences, they should be treated with the concomitant sentencing and bail decisions from the courts.

We are going to be advancing reforms that we campaigned on in the fall. We intend, specifically, to change the bail rules as they pertain to home invasions, auto theft and organized crime. We will also advance new sentences when it comes to violent repeat offenders and, again, those participating in organized crime.

I hope rather than just resorting to rhetoric in the House of Commons, they will actually work across partisan lines to advance the kinds of reforms Canadians are calling for so we can help—