Debates of June 2nd, 2025

Canada-U.S. Relations

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised elbows up, promised dollar-for-dollar tariffs on the U.S. and promised he would collect $20 billion in revenue, but in reality, he quietly dropped the tariffs on the U.S., practically to zero. Now Donald Trump is threatening to double tariffs on Canadian steel to 50%. This will destroy our industry and punish our workers.

Since the Canadian tax revenue was supposed to support Canadian steelworkers, can the Prime Minister tell us how much he has collected so far for jobs in Oxford? Give us just the number.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to see in the House the same movement we have seen with steelworkers in the industry. This is a time when we need to come together as a nation. This is the moment to fight the unjustified tariffs together. This is a time to make sure we protect our industry and our workers. This is a time when we need to build this country, like the Prime Minister is doing with the premiers today in Saskatoon. I just wish, in the House, that everyone would stand up to defend our industry, defend our workers and build Canada strong.

Carbon Pricing

[Arpan Khanna, Conservative, Oxford, ON]

Mr. Speaker, surprise, surprise, the Liberals cannot give us a number. Now Trump's 50% tariffs on steel will shut down our plants across our country. Thousands of jobs are on the line. Layoffs have already started in Oxford. There is anxiety on our shop floors and at our kitchen tables.

It is not just Trump's tariffs that are killing jobs; it is also the Liberal industrial carbon tax.

If the Prime Minister cannot get a deal with Trump on tariffs, will he at least give our workers a fighting chance and remove the Liberal industrial carbon tax today?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

Mr. Speaker, we know that we need to make sure that we fight back with strong countertariffs against the rhetoric coming out of the White House. However, our strategy has been working. There are only two countries on earth that have put up countertariffs against tariffs by the Americans: China and us.

Today the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said that the threat of 50% tariffs on the steel and aluminum sector is completely unacceptable. We will work with our allies within American society, and we will make sure that we fight back.

Democratic Institutions

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the election proved that the federal government treats indigenous people like second-class citizens. In Abitibi—Baie‑James—Nunavik—Eeyou, Inuit people were unable to vote. Reports indicate that polling station hours were not respected in at least six communities. The polling station in Ivujivik did not even open at all. No one was able to vote. If this happened in Toronto, it would be a scandal, but it is tolerated in the north.

Does the Minister of Indigenous Services think it is right that Inuit people were thus denied their right to vote?

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

Mr. Speaker, Elections Canada is an independent agency that securely and effectively protects our democracy. In fact, it is one of the best such agencies in the world. If there are problems with an election or the way it is carried out in Canada, then obviously the questions should be addressed to Elections Canada.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Mr. Speaker, Elections Canada stripped Inuit people of their right to vote, the most fundamental right in a democracy. That is completely unacceptable, yet it is accepted. No one is talking about it. We have no right to condone the harm done to the Inuit by Elections Canada, whether through incompetence or negligence.

What will the minister do to ensure that Elections Canada discloses everything that happened? What measures will she put in place to ensure that this never happens again in her riding or anywhere else?

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

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member is well aware, if there are problems, he can obviously share his concerns with Elections Canada, as can all Canadians. I am sure that this independent agency, which is the envy of the world, will try to answer these questions.

It goes without saying that Canadians have an absolute right to vote. We fight for that every day in the House. Elections Canada is responsible for conducting our elections. It does that very well, but it will address those concerns.

Finance

[Kelly DeRidder, Conservative, Kitchener Centre, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister introduced his first spending bill. The Liberals increased spending by 8% after promising to keep it below 2%. Spending on consultants alone increased by more than 36%, to an unprecedented $26.1 billion. Now, every Canadian household has to pay $1,400 per year in taxes just to pay for well-connected Liberal insiders. Liberal spending drives inflation.

When will the Liberals spend responsibly to ensure that Canadians, including residents of Kitchener Centre, never have to decide between filling the refrigerator and putting—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. President of the Treasury Board has the floor.

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

Mr. Speaker, the new government is making sure that spending is being carefully managed and is focused on our most pressing priorities.

In 2023 and 2024, departments started reducing spending on professional services and travel services by $500 million. We will continue to review our spending to make sure we are being efficient, effective and focused.

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

Mr. Speaker, on the very day the Prime Minister pledged a 2% spending cap, his government unveiled a bill that surges spending by 8%, shattering that promise. Consultant fees skyrocketed by 36% after the Liberals promised to cut them, costing Canadian families $1,400 in additional taxes. While households are forced to manage their budgets, the Liberal government acts unchecked, putting jobs at risk.

After 10 years of Liberal failures, why does the Prime Minister think it is okay to spend even more money on government insiders and lobbyists?

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

Mr. Speaker, I just talked about our spending reduction. Let us also talk about investment in the main estimates, which includes important funding to support dental care, the Canadian Forces and border services. The new government is investing in Canadians to build Canada strong.

[Kathy Borrelli, Conservative, Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, we have a new Prime Minister, but nothing has changed. He is proposing the same spending that will cause the same painful consequences for Canadians. People in the auto industry in Windsor, Ontario, are worried about losing their home if they are laid off. The results of Liberal spending are missed mortgage payments and skyrocketing job losses.

Why is the Liberal government asking to spend half a trillion dollars, causing further inflation, without a budget plan?

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my colleague to the House. She should know that we made generational investment in Windsor in the auto sector. She should be celebrating the Liberal government. She should be standing up to thank the government.

The workers, the industry and people in Windsor can see a future. The people in Windsor know that we have their back. They know that we are going to fight for them. We are going to fight for the industry. We are going to fight for the auto workers. We are going to build Canada strong together.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister presented his first estimates last week. After 10 years of a Liberal government, I thought no one could do worse than Justin Trudeau. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

The Prime Minister inherited a bloated Liberal government. Although he promised to spend less, he is now spending 8% more than Justin Trudeau spent in his last year, all without a budget.

How will the Prime Minister of Canada explain to his colleague, Quebec's former finance minister, that Canada can be managed without a budget?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, we did indeed receive a strong mandate to improve government efficiency using means like new technologies. We also received a mandate to reduce reliance on outside consultants, which we are doing and will continue to do, while still ensuring that the public service has the expertise and tools it needs to carry out its mission.

However, I would point out that the estimates include things like funding for the Canadian dental care plan, which benefits thousands of people in the riding of my colleague on the other side of the House. The Conservatives said during the campaign that they would support the plan, but now they are going to vote against it.

It is unfortunate and deplorable that my colleague is depriving thousands of his constituents of the Canadian dental care plan.

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

Mr. Speaker, I do not think that we have to take any management lessons from the Liberal government.

Total spending will grow almost three times faster than inflation and population growth combined. This is a half-trillion-dollar spending plan with no budget.

How can Liberal colleagues who go in their ridings to meet with single mothers, families, seniors, and business owners, people who are struggling to make ends meet, accept this kind of spending without a budget?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I have been in the House for 10 years now, and I am grateful to the people of Louis-Hébert. I have seen the Conservatives' selective amnesia, which causes them to forget that just a month ago, they were unable to present a costed platform, even though they had been calling for an election for years. The numbers they used were not worth the paper they were printed on.

My colleague talks about seniors and the people in his riding. What will he tell them after voting against the Canadian dental care plan, which two days ago was extended to people between the ages of 18 and 64? This will give millions of Canadians access to dental care. He should support it. He should be ashamed of voting against it.

Emergency Preparedness

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Rural Development—

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

It is indeed a very serious issue, and I would ask my Conservative friends to calm down a little bit.

Mr. Speaker, very serious wildfires are taking place in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Victims of the fires are having to be evacuated from rural communities in the Prairies by the thousands. This is a very serious issue. I want to compliment the firefighters and the first responders for their efforts and for doing a fantastic job.

Can the secretary of state explain what it is the federal government is—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The Secretary of State for Rural Development has the floor.

[Buckley Belanger, Liberal, Secretary of State (Rural Development)]

Mr. Speaker, it is a very serious matter. I was home in Saskatchewan this weekend; I met with the premier, and we had a very good press conference. I met with Métis and indigenous leaders. I met with local leaders, and I met with a lot of different groups, including evacuees who are struggling during this very challenging time.

Many of my constituents were forced to flee their homes. Certainly our prayers are sent out to them. I will say quickly that the federal government is ready to assist. We will be there for Saskatchewan. We will be there for Manitoba. We will be there for all of Canada.

Oil and Gas Industry

[John Barlow, Conservative, Foothills, AB]

Mr. Speaker, when knocking on doors, I met Foothills families whose members were in tears because they are losing their jobs and losing their businesses because of the Liberal attacks on Canadian energy. These are small business owners who employ hundreds of thousands of Canadians right across this country. They need real action and no more political games. Like the provinces, they want to build because pipelines mean paycheques, a growing economy and energy independence. Why are the Liberals the only holdout?

The Prime Minister is meeting with premiers in Saskatchewan today. Will he approve a pipeline at that meeting?