House of Commons Hansard #7 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was communities.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply Members respond to the Speech from the Throne, discussing government priorities and opposition criticisms. Liberals highlight plans for affordability through tax cuts and social programs, building a stronger economy by reducing trade barriers and investing in nation-building projects, and enhancing public safety. Conservatives criticize the lack of a plan, rising crime, the opioid crisis, and policies impacting industries, advocating for lower spending and taxes. Bloc Québécois members raise concerns about budget transparency, climate change, and provincial jurisdiction. NDP members point to social program achievements and call for action on housing, workers' rights, and environmental protection. 60700 words, 7 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Members debate wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which have forced thousands of evacuations, particularly from northern and Indigenous communities. The NDP and Bloc criticize the federal government's response, consultation, and lack of permanent infrastructure. Conservatives question preparedness, funding, and forest management practices, while noting human-caused fires. Liberals highlight their swift response, coordination with provinces and Indigenous partners, and efforts to provide support. All thank first responders and volunteers, emphasizing the need to work together, address the increasing frequency of disasters linked to climate change, and improve preparedness and resilience. 45000 words, 5 hours.
Leslie Church Liberal Toronto—St. Paul's, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is Pride Month. It is a time to celebrate the 2SLGBTQI+ community and recognize their many accomplishments. We also know that the rise in hate targeting this community has left many feeling unsafe.
Could the Minister of Women and Gender Equality share how the government plans to continue ensuring that everyone can live openly, safely and with dignity?
Rechie Valdez LiberalMinister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. member for taking her seat in this place. It is always a privilege to stand in this House. I would like to thank the constituents of Mississauga—Streetsville, my family and the volunteers for putting their trust in me.
Pride season celebrates the resilience and contributions of the 2SLGBTQI+ community across this country, yet too many people face hate and discrimination for being themselves. Our new government will provide security funding for their Pride celebrations this year to ensure everyone is safe. We all deserve to live openly, with dignity and without fear.
Dalwinder Gill Conservative Calgary McKnight, AB
Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of Liberal government, violent crime is up 50%, gun crime is up 116%, gang homicides are up 78%, auto theft is up 46% and extortion is up 357%. The Liberal government insists on putting repeat violent offenders back into our communities, unleashing crime, chaos and disorder.
Will the Prime Minister stop the crime and lock up the criminals by repealing Trudeau's Bill C-5 and Bill C-75?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, this afternoon we introduced a new bill in order to ensure the safety and security of our borders. I invite my friend opposite, as well as the Conservative Party, to support the bill.
The bill would ensure the safety and security of Canadians on our streets. It would cut the flow of fentanyl and ensure that guns are off the streets, as well as making sure that money laundering is addressed in a very serious way. I invite the Conservative Party to support the bill and pass it expeditiously in order to keep our communities safe.
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, out of the left side of his mouth, said his first focus is on deeply affordable housing. Then, out of the right side, he said they will fundamentally rely on the private sector to build it. As a banker and former chair of Brookfield Asset Management, he should instinctively know that big developers' first priority is to maximize profit. Deeply affordable homes will not just magically materialize.
Will the Prime Minister commit to bringing back a national co-op and social housing program with deep core subsidies now?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, the government is very focused on affordable housing. We look forward to working with all members of this House to deliver, from the new Government of Canada, affordable housing for the affordable end of the spectrum, from supportive housing to social housing and co-op housing.
We need to focus where the need is greatest. That is where we will focus. We will work with the private sector to help deliver on market housing and rentals, but the stress has to be on the most affordable housing for those who need it.
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, postal workers across the country continue to serve Canadians in every corner of our nation, through snowstorms, through uncertainty and even through a global pandemic.
However, Canada Post continues to undermine this essential service, pushing Canadians to privatize services, refusing to address working conditions and stripping postal workers of their right to free and collective bargaining. Why is the government allowing management to tear apart our postal system and delay negotiations with CUPW members, who are simply asking for a fair deal?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, first of all, we do thank the postal workers who, every single day, service our communities.
I will say this: The best deal is the deal that the parties arrive at themselves. Federal mediators continue to work with the parties on a solution, and we know that Canadians are relying on them to get this right.
The House resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, for an address to His Majesty the King in reply to his speech at the opening of the session.
Dominique O'Rourke Liberal Guelph, ON
Mr. Speaker, congratulations on your new role.
I will be sharing my time with the member for Egmont.
It is with tremendous humility and gratitude that I rise to speak for the very first time in this chamber, thanks to the confidence afforded to me by the wonderful people of the city of Guelph. I first want to thank all my volunteers, especially Guelph's own, the legendary Pat Sorbara, who served as my campaign chair and co-manager with the very talented Sean Mitchell.
More than 240 people of all ages and backgrounds volunteered for the campaign and were literally with me every step of the way. There is only one name on the ballot, but there are hundreds of people behind that person. I think all members of the House will agree that a vibrant democracy is a beautiful thing, and it is worth protecting.
I want to thank my husband Mike and my kids Rebecca, the historian, and Elise, the environmentalist, who have been my number one supporters. I want to leave Canada and this planet better for them and for their children.
It is up to us to leave behind a prosperous and equitable country and a healthier planet.
My thanks to the residents of Guelph, who believed in me to be their voice in Ottawa, and to every person who took the time to speak with me at the door or in their driveway, especially those who do not agree with me, because we have to regain our ability to have conversations grounded in respect and civility. We have to regain our ability to find common ground for the greater good.
Just as the Speech from the Throne began with a land acknowledgement, and an ongoing commitment to reconciliation, I want to acknowledge that Guelph has served as traditional lands for many peoples over time, specifically the Attiwonderonk and the Haudenosaunee. The land is held as the treaty lands and territory with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation under the Between the Lakes Purchase Treaty No. 3, and it is home to many first nations, Inuit and Métis people today.
Guelph is also known as the Royal City. When it was founded by John Galt in 1827, he named it in honour of the British royal family, who were descended from the House of Welf, also known as the Guelfs.
It is fitting that my first speech as the new MP for Guelph, the Royal City, be an enthusiastic endorsement of and response to the Speech from the Throne. Last Tuesday, His Majesty King Charles III read these words: “While the world faces unprecedented challenges, generating uncertainties across the continents with regards to peace and stability, economics, and climate change, your communities have the skills and determination to bring a wealth of solutions.” I know that Guelph residents and businesses have the skills and determination to face these unprecedented challenges and to seize this opportunity, to think big and to act bigger, as we embark on the largest transformation of our economy since the Second World War.
We are facing unprecedented challenges. The Conference Board of Canada identified Guelph as the most vulnerable city in Canada to tariffs. In February, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce identified Guelph as the sixth most vulnerable city overall, with the fourth-highest exports to the U.S. per capita.
Over the course of this conversation in this chamber, members opposite have been implying that the Trump tariff threat was somehow conjured to scare voters during the election, unnecessarily, but it is a very real threat to the people in my community and all across Canada. Protecting jobs, supporting workers and building the strongest economy in the G7 is the single most important thing this new government can do to help the 16,500 people in Guelph who work directly in manufacturing. That is one in five homes directly employed in advanced manufacturing and thousands more who work in related fields.
Sometimes people we talk to during the campaign think we are not going to remember those conversations, but I am thinking right now of a single mom who talked to me in her driveway. She was wearing a hoodie embroidered with the name of a local food processor. She was terrified she might lose her job because of these senseless tariffs.
During a different round table discussion, another woman told me that people in her cultural community are worried not only that they could lose their jobs, but if that did happen, they are scared they would not be able to meet their financial commitments to family members they have sponsored through our immigration system. Already, the threat of tariffs has slowed employment and expansion.
I am thrilled that the Speech from the Throne meets this issue head-on for everyone in this House and for those people in my community. This throne speech prioritizes a new economic relationship with the United States, stronger relationships with reliable trading partners and allies around the world, and lower interprovincial trade barriers. We are already seeing those after six days in this House.
We are seeing national infrastructure projects and an industrial strategy that will make Canada more globally competitive while fighting climate change. This is possible. In January, the federal and provincial governments invested in Linamar to accelerate the development of green technologies in the auto sector. Linamar is expanding its portfolio of advanced electrified products that reduce overall emissions while staying flexible to the needs of the end market as technologies evolve. We can do both.
The Speech from the Throne also outlines the government's plan to catalyze new investment to create better jobs and higher income for Canadians, to build hundreds of thousands of good careers in the skilled trades and to build Canada into the world's leading hub of science and innovation. These last three points are particularly exciting opportunities, and they speak to Guelph's leadership in advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and clean technology.
Conestoga College has a campus in Guelph that stands ready to train young people in a variety of trades, and this new Liberal government has promised to support apprentices and people who are ready to make a mid-career move. Guelph is also home to the University of Guelph, one of Canada's top comprehensive and research-intensive universities. I am an alum myself. Whether people know it as Canada's food university or home of the Ontario Agricultural College or the Ontario Veterinary College, every day scholars at U of G are tackling significant global challenges, like protecting groundwater, creating drought-resistant plants, food safety and security, reducing plastics and so much more.
Protecting, attracting, growing, innovating and retaining business is job one. However, it is not just what we do but also how we build the strongest economy in the G7 that matters. We know that GDP alone does not reflect our well-being as a society. Right now, the cost of these devastating wildfires, the firefighters, the displacement and all the rebuilding that will have to come, all of those costs add to the GDP, but at what cost to the people and their communities? A clean and constructive transition to a strong and productive economy is what matters to Guelph and to Canada.
Guelph is the largest Canadian city to rely almost exclusively on groundwater for its drinking water, so we have strong natural heritage protections and robust monitoring of water quality, quantity and conservation. When the throne speech talks about reinforcing Canada's commitment to protect 30% of lands and 30% of waters by 2030, that is vitally important, and it reflects this government's commitment to climate. Also important is the commitment to conservation. It can never be either the economy or the environment. It must be both.
Who benefits from that strong economy matters too, and we see that reflected in the throne speech's assertion that the economy is only truly strong when it serves everyone. It is boots and suits, scrubs and lab coats, waders and jeans and whatever people wear to work or in their community. It is young people, families, seniors and artists. It is everyone. Beyond jobs, opportunity and inclusion, we need affordability, and that looks like a middle-class income tax cut that will save two-income families up to $840 a year. It looks like eliminating the GST on homes at or under $1 million for first-time homebuyers.
It looks like tackling the supply side of the housing issue by doubling the rate of homebuilding using Canadian technology, Canadian skilled workers, Canadian products and prefab homes, including those manufactured by Pacd Homes in Guelph. Inspired by the auto industry, its system allows it to build cost-effective homes in just four to eight weeks. With six years on city council, I am acutely aware that housing supply and affordability are urgent issues that need all levels of government to work together, and I am proud that this new government has committed to the most ambitious homebuilding plan since World War I.
This government will protect all the programs that support Canadians, and I am confident the people of Guelph, the city, its small and large businesses and the—
Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech from the Throne
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
I apologize for interrupting, but we need to move to questions and comments.
The hon. member for Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong.
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON
Mr. Speaker, first let me say how delightful it is to see you in the chair, and I would like to congratulate the member for her maiden speech.
The throne speech had a lot of things in it that sound good. This has been the problem with the last decade of the Liberals, that they say one thing and do another, leading to some of the highest inflation we have ever seen, people in the longest lines at food banks, the homeless issue, encampments and all of these things.
I wonder how the member squares the words in the throne speech with a plan to spend another $486 billion that will drive the same results as in the last decade.
Dominique O'Rourke Liberal Guelph, ON
Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians understand that we are functioning within a global context and that most of the issues we are facing are much more complex than a simple slogan can address. If we look at the record of the previous Liberal government, it did a lot to support families, like through the Canada child tax benefit and by lifting hundreds of thousands of seniors out of poverty by bringing the eligibility age for OAS and GIS back to 65.
This government will continue to act and has set funds aside to support workers through this transition.
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Mirabel, QC
Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by congratulating the member for Guelph on her election.
What she said in her speech is very noble. She began by saying that she got into politics for her children, to whom she wanted to leave a cleaner, healthier world, a world where global warming might be below 1.5°C.
The International Energy Agency has been quite clear that if we want to prevent global warming from exceeding 1.5°C, then the world cannot start any new oil projects.
For the sake of her children, is my colleague prepared to sit down with the Prime Minister and tell him that she will oppose any major infrastructure project that will result in increasing the production of Canadian oil?
Dominique O'Rourke Liberal Guelph, ON
Mr. Speaker, my daughter is studying environmental sciences. We are really excited about the promise of a green energy and conventional energy superpower.
We are in a transition period, which means several things. We will certainly promote clean energy and study the best options available in the current context for the provinces concerned.
Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the member for Guelph on her maiden speech.
I cannot help but reflect on the question that came from our Conservative colleague a few moments ago. On the one hand, they are basically saying that folks are struggling, and they are identifying the realities of what is going on in our country. On the other hand, they are saying, how dare we spend money on actually trying to help people. I think that this is a key difference between Liberals and Conservatives. We see not just the responsibility, but also the opportunity to invest in people and provide them with the resources they need to be able to achieve that quality of life that they desire.
Can the member comment on that?
Dominique O'Rourke Liberal Guelph, ON
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the comment because it is a reflection I have had a number of times over the past few days. We want the federal government to do more to support people. We want to achieve $10-a-day child care. We want to do more on climate action, and there is going to be an expense to that. The beauty, though, is when we invest in projects, we are going to generate new income and new jobs. That is the magic within this throne speech.
Marc Dalton Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the new member for Guelph.
Liberals were elected on a promise of building half a million new homes a year. It reminds me of a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. It looks real, but it is a trick. TD released a report today stating that housing starts will actually be declining to 215,000 from 245,000 last year.
Does the member realize that Canadians do not want hyperbole and empty—
Resumption of Debate on Address in ReplySpeech from the Throne
Dominique O'Rourke Liberal Guelph, ON
Mr. Speaker, I, my colleagues, this government, most provinces and every municipality are 100% committed to seeing more homebuilding so that we can address the housing crisis.
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties and, if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. I move:
That, notwithstanding any Standing Order or usual practice of the House, during the debate pursuant to Standing Order 52, later this day, no quorum calls, dilatory motions or requests for unanimous consent shall be received by the Chair.
Business of the HouseSpeech from the Throne
The Assistant Deputy Speaker John Nater
All those opposed to the hon. member's moving the motion will please say nay.
It is agreed.
The House has heard the terms of the motion. All those opposed to the motion will please say nay.
Hearing no dissenting voice, I declare the motion carried.
(Motion agreed to)
The House resumed consideration of the motion, as amended, for an address to His Majesty the King in reply to his speech at the opening of the session.
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise in this chamber for the fourth Parliament that I have been participating in as the member of Parliament for Egmont.
I want to congratulate all members who are sitting in this particular Parliament who ran successful elections. I also want to reflect momentarily on all of those who contested seats in the recent election and were not successful in arriving here. We all have colleagues who were not successful in their election and who are not returning. I was reminded of that a number of years ago. I was first elected in 1982, and when I commented to an individual that I enjoyed elections very much, they remarked to me, “It is easy for you; you have never been defeated.” I think of that in each election, in each legislature I have sat in and each parliament in this House of Commons that I was successful on being re-elected to.
Our democratic system depends on men and women putting their names forward in a very public process. Elections are very public. I often advise people of different political stripes on whether they should run for office or not. I tell them that there is only one of two outcomes in an election: one either wins or one loses, but both are very public. If a person can accept either of those conclusions, then they should put their name forward and run for office.
I would ask everybody to reflect on the many candidates who put their names forward in this last election who were not successful. Only 343 people can be successful and earn the right to sit in this chamber. However, I enjoyed listening to the many speeches here over the past week, especially from new members of Parliament, new politicians, and the enthusiasm they bring forward, the dreams they have for the areas they represent and what they would like to accomplish.
None of us arrive here without an extensive team. Over the last week, I was sending notes of thanks to my many volunteers, and it dawned on me just how many participated in my election. Hundreds of people came forward to do the jobs that are important for candidates to win in elections and for those who participate. I want to reflect, which I often do, on the candidates who do not get to speak in this chamber following an election. Some of them were here before, some of them were new with ambitions to be here, but did not make it. It is important for us as parliamentarians, because we get the ultimate reward of representing the part of the country that chose us to be their representative. It is really a great honour, because we take forward the concerns and the ambitions of the people we represent.
My riding of Egmont in Prince Edward Island is similar to most rural areas across this wonderful country. There is always more to be done than we have the ability to do, but that is really what governing is all about. However, I have been so proud of our government's track record over the past number of years in the area of rural development. My colleague, who is sitting close to me today, is passionate about rural development and ensuring that rural parts of this country are treated equally with the many challenges that rural, small-town Canada faces. As parliamentarians, it is important for us to make sure we do not overlook that, and that we are constantly using every opportunity we have to advance the concerns and the issues brought forward by rural communities.
My riding is actually half urban and half rural. Over the past number of years, infrastructure has been one of the significant investments by the government that I was part of. All across the riding, each community is significantly better off today than it was 10 years ago. I am extremely proud of the record of our government in developing infrastructure, but still more has to be done. There are always a lot of needs in this country, and it is always interesting to listen to debate.
On one hand, members of the electorate were very clear in the last election. They stated that they did not want to pay more taxes, but, by the same token, they still want government to support the many safety and social programs that we have come to depend on in this country. That becomes a contradiction and the roadway that governments have to travel: living within their means, spending appropriately, while at the same time still investing across this country. That is why I was so pleased that in the throne speech, our government and the Prime Minister, even today in question period, referenced so much about investing and growing the economy through major projects that built this nation. It has been done before. Going back in its history, this country was built on great visions from coast to coast to coast, investing in significant infrastructure that grew the country over the years.
One of the issues that was loud and clear to me in my riding over the past election was an area that the federal government shares with provinces. That is the area of health care transfers. Today, the Prime Minister, in an answer in question period, referenced the fiscal statement that we will present to the House as presenting increases in health care transfers. I am going to speak to the area of health care, recognizing that it is a shared constitutional responsibility. In fact, this morning, my colleague, the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands, tabled a petition in the House on this particular subject.
The subject that I want to talk about was the number one issue raised at the doorsteps in my riding, and that is health care. Everywhere I go, I hear real frustrations about the state of health care, and I share the concerns of all those Islanders. Over the past number of years, I have spoken with thousands of people in my Egmont riding and, over the course of the last election, I spoke with many again. Again and again, I am told that access to health care is getting more and more difficult. Frankly, I have come to the conclusion that what I am hearing is correct. The province's response to a genuine health care crisis is not keeping pace with need.
Let us be clear. In 2023, the federal government joined with the province in a new funding arrangement for health care. Ottawa came to the table, with P.E.I., with $1 billion over 10 years. There was $300 million in new funding. This year, the federal government will provide $236 million to the province through the Canada health transfer. Everyone in here knows how this works. Under the Constitution, the provinces operate the health care system. In other words, the province is in charge of health care recruitment, hospitals and professional services. Our role in Ottawa is to support that work through financial transfers, and that side of the arrangement has been respected.
However, here is what I have heard at the doors: People in Ottawa may be spending money, but we residents are not getting the health care we need. In fact, I heard from many residents that they are now very weary of the province's excuses. Sadly, those provincial excuses are meant to deflect responsibility for poor service, long wait times and inadequate access. For Islanders, this is increasingly distressing and, again, I share their frustration. As a member of Parliament, my duty is to understand the day-to-day needs of the residents. The part that really hurts is that so many Islanders are enduring uncertainty every day because of poor access to health care. This has to be fixed. When I speak with young parents about their worries, it is very hard not to share that anxiety. When I speak to older Islanders concerned about loved ones and spouses, it is hard. The federal government has done its part. The money is there. The federal end of the partnership has been met and exceeded. I will say that until Islanders are confident and content with their health care system, I will continue to demand better.
We live in the greatest country in the world. We are extremely fortunate to have great financial resources and an outstanding education system. For that reason, I do believe elected representatives of the federal government should start insisting on measurable improvements. We should make our voices heard. The federal government has kept up its side, and now is the time for all of us to insist that our provincial colleagues keep up their end and focus their considerable resources on the front lines of our health care system.
Clifford Small Conservative Central Newfoundland, NL
Mr. Speaker, a promise was made to the people of Prince Edward Island, as it was made to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, that the ferry passage rates would be drastically reduced, to less than half. I know that the member has been quite irritated. I saw in the press not long ago that he expects that the rate should be dropped by July 1.
With regard to the promise that was made that affected the outcome, and he spoke about outcomes in his speech, is that promise going to be kept, or was it just a promise that was pulled out of thin air to affect the outcomes of the elections in Newfoundland and Labrador and in Prince Edward Island?