House of Commons Hansard #8 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was economy.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Ukrainian Heritage Month Act First reading of Bill C-203. The bill declares September of every year Ukrainian Heritage Month across Canada to celebrate Ukrainian heritage and contributions to Canadian life. 200 words.
Income Tax Act First reading of Bill C-204. The bill proposes to increase the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue responders to help compensate for expenses and recognize their important contributions. 200 words.
Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply Members debate the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. New MPs deliver maiden speeches. Conservatives highlight concerns over housing affordability, rising crime, and the economy, criticizing the government's approach to the energy sector and lack of a budget. Liberals defend their record and outline plans for a resilient economy, infrastructure, housing, and national programs. Bloc MPs criticize the centralized "one economy" vision and advocate for provincial jurisdiction and supply management. NDP raise concerns for vulnerable Canadians. 24800 words, 3 hours.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
It being Wednesday, we will now have the singing of the national anthem, led by the hon. member for Peace River—Westlock.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, for over 150 years, Canada Post has been a cornerstone of our national identity, connecting Canadians in every region. It is more than a mail carrier; it is a vital public service. It is as Canadian as maple syrup, yet today that service is under threat.
Canada Post is considering cuts to door-to-door delivery, closing post offices, outsourcing jobs and even privatizing. These moves would weaken communities and jeopardize thousands of good union jobs. Postal workers have taken a stand not only for fairer working conditions but to defend this public institution.
The Liberals shut down the strike prematurely, and to this day, no agreement has been reached. Now Canada Post is pushing for a forced vote on its final offer. This will not bring lasting peace. There is a better way. CUPW has proposed final and binding arbitration and a fair, neutral path that suspends strikes and lockouts and that ensures a just resolution.
I urge the minister and this House to stand with postal workers, defend this vital public service and restore fairness to the bargaining process.
Peter Fonseca Liberal Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
Mr. Speaker, with heartfelt gratitude and deep humility, I rise today in this 45th Parliament. I am truly honoured that the people of Mississauga East—Cooksville have entrusted me with the responsibility of serving them once again. Representing this vibrant and diverse community since 2003 has been one of the greatest honours of my life.
I want to sincerely thank the dedicated volunteers and supporters of our campaign for their commitment to our community and country. I thank my loving wife, Christina, and our twin sons, Sebastien and Alexander. Their unwavering support and many sacrifices are at the heart of everything I do, and I am forever grateful.
As an immigrant of Portuguese descent whose family's journey reflects the dreams of many, I join all Canadians in celebrating June as Portuguese Heritage Month, honouring the hard work, resilience and contributions of the community. Though challenges lie ahead, our path is clear: We must protect our sovereignty, ease the cost of living, keep our community safe and grow a strong, inclusive economy.
Canada strong.
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Mr. Speaker, Jimmy Lai is a father, brother, uncle and grandfather with strong ties to Canada. He is a British citizen, a pro-democracy leader, a media freedom champion and a prisoner of conscience.
Since December 2020, Hong Kong authorities have held Mr. Lai in solitary confinement on trumped-up charges under their authoritarian national security laws. That is over four years, and for what crime? He published the truth, defended democracy and stood up for freedom. Mr. Lai's imprisonment is unjust, not to mention dangerous for a 77-year-old suffering from diabetes.
This despicable show trial in front of hand-picked judges by the Chinese Communist Party has already lasted over 17 months. Next week, Sebastien Lai will be on Parliament Hill to tell his dad's story and talk about what Canada should do to help free Jimmy Lai.
This is a gross human rights violation such as the Magnitsky act was designed to address. The Government of Canada should use it, speak out and forcefully call for Jimmy Lai's release.
Sima Acan Liberal Oakville West, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is the honour and privilege of a lifetime to rise in this House as the representative for the remarkable people of Oakville West. I thank them for their trust, and I am deeply grateful to my incredible volunteers, team and family. Their support and sacrifice have brought me here.
This election was about change, values and Canada's future, and that future is promising.
With over 20 years in automation, industry and robotics, I have seen how innovation is reshaping our world. As the Prime Minister has said, Canada is poised to lead in AI, clean tech and advanced manufacturing, but only if we invest in our people and our potential. That includes creating real opportunities for women in STEM so that they are not just part of the future but helping to design it.
I look forward to working with the Prime Minister and this government to ensure that Canada leads with innovation, inclusion and strength.
We are going to build Canada strong together.
Steven Bonk Conservative Souris—Moose Mountain, SK
Mr. Speaker, it is always a distinct honour to rise in this chamber to represent the good people of Souris—Moose Mountain, a region that shaped who I am. It is where I was born, where I was raised and where I learned the value of hard work, integrity and service.
Our riding is built on the strength of those who rise early and work hard: farmers, ranchers, oil and gas workers, power producers and entrepreneurs. Their industries do not just support families in our region; they help drive the Canadian economy.
The people of Souris—Moose Mountain embody the best of rural Canada. They are self-reliant, community-minded and deeply rooted in their values. I was raised in that environment, and I will carry those principles with me into every debate, every vote and every conversation in this House.
To the good people back home, I say thanks for their trust and their example. It is a privilege to serve them, and I will continue to be a strong and steady voice for them and our region here in Ottawa.
Claude Guay Liberal LaSalle—Émard—Verdun, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is with humility and gratitude that I rise today for the very first time in this honourable House of Commons. I thank the people of LaSalle—Émard—Verdun for putting their trust in me. It is a great honour for me. I also want to thank my wife, Carol Anne, my team, our volunteers and my predecessors, the Right Hon. Paul Martin and the Hon. David Lametti, for their help and support.
Our community is a wonderful kaleidoscope that represents the best of Canada. Every day, I see acts of courage, generosity and resilience. Whether it is young people who are getting involved at school, seniors who are sharing their wisdom, newcomers who are building their future among us or small businesses like those on Monk and Champlain boulevards and Wellington Street in Verdun—
Riding of LaSalle—Émard—VerdunStatements by Members
Blaine Calkins Conservative Ponoka—Didsbury, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honour the life and legacy of my friend Blair Vold of Ponoka, Alberta, who passed away on May 11.
Born on October 13, 1955, Blair embodied what it means to be Albertan: hard-working, resilient and devoted to community. He was best known for his life in cattle sales and service on local boards, including being president of the Ponoka Stampede. He was a man who earned tremendous respect and accomplishments in Alberta's business and agricultural community.
Above all, Blair was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Sheryl; a proud father to Nansen, Labrie, Gjenna, Sarah and the late Cooper Tonneson; a loving son to Dolores and the late Ralph Vold; a cherished grandfather; a caring brother; a loyal human to his dog, Odie; and a dear friend to all who knew him.
I will miss our conversations, his welcoming and hospitable character, his charitable spirit and the fun-loving, mischievous glint in his eye. I say to Blair, “Rest easy, cowboy.”
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Mr. Speaker, on Monday, the first ministers gathered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I think that sent a very powerful message for all of us. Whether we are inside or outside the chamber, the people of Canada understand that in order to have and build the strong Canadian economy that we need to counter Trump, the tariffs and the trade issues, we need to come together. Political partisanship needs to be put to the side, as was clearly demonstrated by the Prime Minister and the first ministers in Saskatchewan. We could all learn from that and, I hope, be able to work together in order to get the legislation that is so critically important to support what the first ministers did in Saskatchewan just a day ago.
Lianne Rood Conservative Middlesex—London, ON
Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the London Knights on their incredible Memorial Cup championship win. What a moment for Middlesex—London and Canadian hockey. With a dominant 4-1 victory, the Knights have claimed their third Memorial Cup title. This is a team that never stopped pushing, never stopped believing and showed what it means to play with grit, determination and heart.
Easton Cowan from Strathroy made history as the first player since 1972 to lead the tournament in scoring in back-to-back years, with seven goals in this series alone. He has earned his MVP title and made us all proud.
To the coaches, staff, families and especially the players, I say that their dedication, discipline and teamwork brought this championship home. They have inspired the next generation of young athletes across Middlesex—London and beyond.
This victory is a testament to the strength of local sports programs and the bright future of Canadian hockey. I congratulate the London Knights, who have made history once again.
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Mr. Speaker, if one was flying over our region, it would be impossible to decide where to touch down: in the rugged mountains of Haute-Gaspésie, where cliffs plunge into the depths of the sea; amid the gentle waves of Baie-des-Chaleurs, where, nestled between the sea and the mountains, a happy people sing; at the breathtaking Percé Rock; on the vibrant Gaspé Coast; in the Gaspé adventure park; among our Mi'kmaq friends; on the stages of one of our many festivals to hear the best talent perform; on the banks of one of our exquisite rivers, such as the Matane, the Matapédia, the Nouvelle, the Cascapédia, the Bonaventure or the York; and the list goes on.
One could likely spend hours admiring this peninsula from above, soaking in the atmosphere from one area to the next. Ultimately, one quality supersedes all the rest: the Gaspé Peninsula is a land of freedom. On June 5, I would like to wish a happy Gaspé Day to all those who love my corner of the country.
Aslam Rana Liberal Hamilton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, as I rise today in Parliament as a first-time MP for Hamilton Centre, it is with deep gratitude to the people of Hamilton Centre. I thank them for placing their trust in me to serve as their member of Parliament. It is a huge honour to represent our vibrant, diverse and resilient community in this chamber. I also want to thank my wife, my children and the incredible team of volunteers and constituents who believed in me.
Our government is committed to cutting taxes for the middle class, to affordable housing and to strengthening our economy. The people of Hamilton Centre deserve nothing less than a government that shows up, listens and delivers. I am here to do just that.
I thank Hamilton Centre.
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Speaker, tonight, the Stanley Cup finals begin and our Edmonton Oilers have once again brought the heart and the pride of oil country back to the finals.
From Connor McDavid's incredible skills to Stuart Skinner's resilience in net, this team has shown Canadians what determination, teamwork and dedication look like. Behind every goal and every save is a city united, cheering from living rooms to patios and, yes, even right here on Parliament Hill. This season, the energy is electric and Canadians from coast to coast to coast are rallying behind a team that embodies grit, passion and true Canadian spirit. In fact, the Toronto CN Tower and Montreal's Samuel de Champlain Bridge will be lit up in orange and blue tonight.
Let us bring the Stanley Cup home, back from the U.S. to Canada, where it belongs. Go, Oilers, go.
Sameer Zuberi Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, over the last several months, Canadians have felt the impacts of the groundbreaking dental care plan introduced by the previous Liberal government.
The program is now open to Canadians of all ages.
For the first time, a wide cross-section of households do not have to choose between fixing their teeth and putting food on the table. To help Pierrefonds—Dollard residents get coverage, Justin Myers, a PIP intern in my office, called hundreds of households to help them enrol.
Already, nearly 10,000 people in my riding are registered and eligible to receive dental care.
The dental program is helping people, and that is because of collaboration within Parliament. If someone living in Pierrefonds—Dollard wants info on the plan, they can call my office or visit canada.ca/dental.
Arpan Khanna Conservative Oxford, ON
Mr. Speaker, after 10 years, the Liberals have destroyed our immigration system. It used to work for newcomers, for Canadians and for our country, but the Liberals' radical policies have unleashed chaos. They ignored warnings from their own officials, skipped vetting on applications and allowed fraud and abuse in our TFW, international student and refugee programs. Now we have millions of people in Canada with expired or expiring visas, and we have yet to hear a plan from the Liberals on how these people will leave.
Under the Liberals' watch, we have had the highest population growth in the G7, and now the OECD confirms that high immigration numbers are causing Canada's economic problems by putting pressure on housing and on jobs. Despite knowing this, the Liberals have already issued 180,000 new temporary foreign worker permits this year. That is a 10% increase already over the last quarter. This is not sustainable.
If Canadians, the OECD and the Bank of Canada know this, why do the Liberals not?
Tom Osborne Liberal Cape Spear, NL
Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a significant milestone for North Atlantic, a proud Newfoundland and Labrador energy company, with its planned acquisition of established energy assets in France. North Atlantic has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a controlling interest in Esso SAF and full ownership of ExxonMobil Chemical France, developing a green energy hub of low-carbon fuels and renewable power.
This planned investment will strengthen our province's growing connections with Europe and enhance our energy security. North Atlantic's commitment to sustainable local growth is clear through its wind-to-hydrogen project, expansion of its transportation and retail operations, and plans for a green energy hub to export green energy to Europe. These initiatives will create opportunities for our people, our communities and our economy. Newfoundland and Labrador companies are not just participating—
Newfoundland and Labrador Energy CompanyStatements by Members
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Mr. Speaker, we have been dealing with rising food costs for years, but this year it is spiralling out of control. Families, seniors and hard-working Canadians are being pushed to the brink and struggling to afford even the basics. I left the grocery store last week after paying $100 for just two bags: the basics, no meat and only enough to feed my family for a couple of days. Beef is up 33%; oranges are up 26%; infant formula is up 9%.
In Oshawa, Simcoe Hall Settlement House, which has been serving our community for 90 years, is being pushed to its limits with a staggering 55% increase in food bank usage, including from dual-income families, but single moms like me are among the hardest hit and now represent the largest group relying on its support.
Canadians are not asking for luxuries; they are asking for groceries. It is time for this Liberal government to get serious, table a budget and tackle the rising cost of food.
Karina Gould Liberal Burlington, ON
Mr. Speaker, as it is the first time I rise in the House in this Parliament, let me begin by thanking the good people of Burlington for electing me to a fourth consecutive term. It is a real privilege to be their voice and stand for them in this place.
Speaking of the good people of Burlington, it brings me tremendous pride to highlight Keerthana Srinivasan, a grade 12 student at Aldershot School. Keerthana won first place in Samsung Canada's Solve for Tomorrow contest. Her system analysis and reporting for advanced hardware is an innovative algorithm designed to detect and locate faults in large-scale solar farms, significantly reducing downtime and improving the efficiency of renewable energy systems. Her project is a powerful example of how youth are using their creativity and skills to build a better future for us all.
Congratulations to Keerthana and the entire Aldershot School team.
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear, Trump's tariffs on Canada are wrong, unjustified and an attack on our workers and our economy. Now, while other countries have gotten deals to lower their tariffs, not only has the PM failed to do that, but he has gotten Canada's tariffs doubled on steel and aluminum. He promised he was the man with the plan; he cannot even get a deal.
Our workers are terrified about losing their jobs. The Prime Minister promised that he would collect $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs, but then secretly dropped those tariffs to zero during the campaign. If he is so sure that he is still going to collect $20 billion, why not table a budget and prove it to Canadians?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the American tariffs, the new tariffs on steel and aluminum, are unlawful, unjustified and illogical, I agree with the member opposite, and that is one of the reasons why we have retaliatory tariffs on over 90 billion dollars' worth of U.S. goods. We are in intensive negotiations with the Americans and, in parallel, preparing reprisals if those negotiations do not succeed.
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, one way to deal with the Americans is from a position of strength, but now the Prime Minister is saying that he will not even approve a new pipeline unless there is consensus. This is already unravelling. The radical B.C. premier is saying no pipeline through his province, and there is not even consensus in the Liberal cabinet, with top ministers committed to killing oil and gas projects.
The vast majority of Canadians do not want to give a veto to politicians. They want to be less dependent on the Americans and earn more powerful paycheques from selling our oil and gas around the world.
Will the Prime Minister show some leadership and commit to approving a pipeline today?
Mark Carney LiberalPrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, Canadians from Shawinigan to Saskatoon, and the premiers and the Prime Minister who represent them, have agreed on the importance of building projects of national interest. The consensus that is required includes a consensus with indigenous peoples, something that members opposite do not do.
We will stand with indigenous Canadians. We will build pipelines, energy infrastructure and the future of this great country.
Andrew Scheer ConservativeLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, if photo ops and phony rhetoric actually got things done in this country, then Justin Trudeau would still be prime minister.
However, in all seriousness, the Liberals' half-trillion in new spending without a budget will make inflation worse. The PM said that he wants to be judged by prices at the grocery store. So, let us look at those prices. The verdict is in: Beef is up 34%; apples are up 18%; coffee is up 9%.
Will the Prime Minister listen to Parliament and table a budget that controls spending, lowers taxes and cuts inflation so that Canadians can afford to put food on the table?