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.
Jill McKnight LiberalMinister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Veterans Affairs, I am honoured to answer my first question here in the House.
The national veterans employment strategy focuses on connecting veterans to good jobs, expanding access to skills training and supporting entrepreneurship. It also recognizes veteran-ready employers and strengthens hiring in the public service.
I am proud to build more opportunities for our veterans.
Jason Groleau Conservative Beauce, QC
Mr. Speaker, the 50% tariffs that Donald Trump has imposed on steel are an unjustified attack on our economy and our Canadian workers. This morning, I talked to representatives from two steel-producing businesses in my region. The repercussions will be devastating. Ninety per cent of their sales are in the United States. That represents a loss of $200 million, and hundreds of jobs are at stake.
After campaigning on a promise to stand up to President Trump, the Liberal government has done nothing.
What does the Prime Minister have to say to the businesses and workers in Beauce who are worried?
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, I understand and respect my colleague's point of view. That is why I will be pleased to work with him to help the businesses in this industry in Beauce.
I am the Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and we have funding to help these businesses. Let us work together. Together, let us stand up to the U.S. government that is imposing completely illegal and unjustified tariffs.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I was going to ask the Prime Minister a question about nation-building projects, but then today Tina called our office. She got my chief of staff on the phone and started explaining that she is a mom with disabilities and cannot figure out how she is going to feed her children, and she started crying on the phone. I have a nation-building project question. Cheques start going to Canadians with disabilities in July, but they have a lousy max-out at $200 a month.
How about a nation-building project to lift all Canadians with disabilities out of poverty?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for having such compassion for the constituents in her riding, as we do all across the country.
People who are living with disabilities have the right to be fully included in community. They have the right to live a decent life, just like the rest of us. That is why the government is proceeding with the Canada disability credit. That is why we are also working with provinces and territories, including, most recently, Ontario, to commit to ensuring that the money will not be clawed back from other benefits.
Yvan Baker Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-203, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce a bill called an act respecting Ukrainian heritage month. If passed, it would declare September of every year Ukrainian heritage month across Canada. I would like to thank the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore for cosponsoring this bill with me, and I hope that members on all sides of the House support it.
The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada came to Canada on September 7, 1891. Today, there are over 1.3 million Ukrainian Canadians, and they make important contributions every day from coast to coast to coast, in all the ridings represented here, that touch our political, economic, cultural and social life.
Canada was the first country to recognize Ukraine's independence in 1991. We have recognized the Holodomor as a genocide, and we continue to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ukrainian heritage month would give us an opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian heritage, the role that Canada has played in supporting Ukrainian Canadians and the role that Ukrainian Canadians play here in Canada.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-204, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer tax credit).
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to table the volunteer firefighting and search and rescue volunteer tax credit bill, which calls on the government to increase the tax credit for volunteer firefighters and search and rescue responders.
Members may be surprised to hear that most firefighters in Canada are volunteers. Across our country, 100,000 volunteer firefighters and search and rescue volunteers answer the call. They put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. They show up for wildfires, vehicle collisions, medical emergencies and more. While some volunteers receive an honorarium, they are not paid a living wage for their work.
In the last Parliament, thanks to the advocacy of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, people from hundreds of communities and the over 17,000 Canadians who signed petitions in support of my previous bill, Bill C-310, the tax credit was doubled from $3,000 to $6,000. However, that is not enough. Increasing the tax credit further would help compensate volunteers for expenses like gas and gear, as well as lost wages. It would also recognize the important contributions of these volunteers.
I extend my thanks to these everyday heroes for their sacrifice. I want to thank the member for Nunavut for seconding this bill, and I hope all members will support it.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. There have been consultations among the parties—
Bill C-204 Income Tax ActRoutine Proceedings
Arnold Viersen Conservative Peace River—Westlock, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of concerned Canadians, especially those serving in the armed forces. These Canadians are concerned that the Liberal government is not doing enough to ensure that servicemen and servicewomen have the freedom to express their religion. They note that Canada has a strong tradition of respecting, honouring and affirming the role of faith traditions in the armed forces.
These Canadians call on Parliament to affirm that the Canadian Armed Forces ought to support the freedom of servicemen and servicewomen through public prayer, in keeping with the hard-won and honourable traditions of the armed forces, especially on Remembrance Day.
Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of many British Columbians, and certainly all petitioners, who continue to draw attention to the perilous state of wild salmon populations and are looking at the entire food chain and the threat to herring populations, which are also being overfished. The petitioners ask that we at least go back to the recommendations of Mr. Justice Cohen and the report that he tabled, which, after years of study, called for the removal of fish farms. My constituents do not want me to call them that; they have asked me to call them toxic fish factories, and they should be taken out of open waters and placed on land.
Evan Solomon LiberalMinister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Questions on the Order PaperRoutine Proceedings
Steel and Aluminum TariffsRequest for Emergency DebateRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
The Chair has notice of a request for an emergency debate from the hon. member for Thornhill.
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Mr. Speaker, it now seems that the Liberal government failed to get a deal on tariffs. In fact, we learned that during the last campaign, the Liberals quietly reduced the retaliatory tariffs to near zero. We found out yesterday that Donald Trump has increased the unjustified tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%. Of course, this is after the person who was elected in this country claimed that he was a man with a plan, that he was the guy we hire in a crisis. What we see now is a 50% increase in tariffs.
For steelworkers who say that they are “on the verge of collapse”, for families who are worried about putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their head and for businesses that need certainty, Liberal ministers need to answer to the House. I know that is not something they care to do. I know they want to go home early for their summer vacation. We saw that when they ignored calls from the House to present a budget. However, I think this is important and requires an emergency debate. Therefore, I am requesting one, on behalf of Canadians and on behalf of members on this side of the House.
Speaker's RulingRequest for Emergency DebateRoutine Proceedings
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
I thank the hon. member for Thornhill for her intervention. However, I am not satisfied that this request meets the requirements of the Standing Orders at this time.
The House resumed from June 3 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.
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is an immense honour for me to rise for my first speech in the House of Commons. To be entrusted with the responsibility of representing the people of my hometown of Oshawa is both humbling and motivating. Oshawa is a proud city built on hard work, resilience and innovation. This chair belongs to it. Oshawa has roots as a manufacturing powerhouse, but it is also a resilient and forward-looking community. It is a place built on hard work and determination, and to me, it reflects the best of Canada's values: strength, opportunity and community.
I want to begin by thanking my neighbours in Oshawa for placing their trust in me, electing, for the first time, to send a woman to represent them in the House of Commons. I carry their voices with me into this chamber, voices of families, workers, students, seniors and small business owners, each with hopes and concerns that deserve to be heard and must be addressed with respect and action.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude first to my family, especially my two children, my 21-year-old son Clayton and my 14-year-old daughter Claire. They have sacrificed much over the past year and have been among my greatest supporters.
I would also like to thank my late parents, my mom, who passed away suddenly in 2021, and my dad, who quickly followed her to their heavenly home just 10 months later. I believe they would be proud. My mother was a meek, quiet woman but knew how to get the job done always. My dad introduced me to politics when I was 14. He was super interested in something called the Reform Party and Preston Manning, and that was my entrance into politics.
I also thank my siblings, whom I am more grateful for than ever. I am the youngest of seven children, often being the brunt of all the jokes, such as they found me on the side of the street and decided to bring me home. Those are the fun stories, but I am thankful that I have my siblings now that my parents have passed.
I also could not be more grateful to my incredible campaign team and volunteers. Their support made this moment possible. I am so thankful for their belief in me and in the work ahead. If I could name them all here today, I would, but time does not allow me to name the hundreds of workers who pounded in signs, knocked on doors and spoke to Canadians about their dreams and concerns. I look forward to thanking them all in person at our appreciation event this Friday in Oshawa.
I want to give a special thanks to Andrew, Alex, Skip, Maryann, George, Callum, Phil and Paula, who chaired this campaign with their whole hearts. Yes, they are my friends, but more than that, they gave their time and energy because they care deeply about Oshawa. They believe, as I do, that our city deserves strong, thoughtful representation and leadership that truly listens.
As I stand here today, I would be remiss if I did not mention members who came before me, whom I have held in high esteem as I have sought to represent my hometown. The late Hon. Michael Starr, the first cabinet minister of Ukrainian descent, served as minister of labour in the government of John Diefenbaker and served as the opposition House leader as well.
I would also like to thank my immediate predecessor, Dr. Colin Carrie, who faithfully served the people of Oshawa for nearly 21 years in opposition and in government. He served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of health under the Conservative governments of former prime minister Stephen Harper and as parliamentary secretary to the minister of the environment. It should also be noted that Dr. Carrie was instrumental in bringing record investment back to Oshawa while he was a member, more than the previous NDP and Liberal members combined, in fact. Oshawa should be proud of their choice since 2004. I intend to follow in that tradition, bringing the same level of commitment and purpose to my work for our Oshawa.
The recent election in Oshawa was more than just a political contest. It was a powerful reflection of our community's hope for a Pierre Poilievre Conservative government. One of the most unforgettable moments of the campaign came during our rally with our leader Pierre Poilievre in Oshawa. I had the privilege of standing amid 6,500 people and leading them in singing O Canada, and wow, did they ever do so with pride and purpose. In that moment, everyone could feel it: the unity, the hope and the belief that change is not only possible but within reach.
Among the crowd, I would find out later, was a 15-year-old high school student who had convinced his mom to attend. A few days later, she walked into our campaign office and wanted to share what that night had meant to both her and her son. He had been moved deeply. He spoke to her about his fears for his future and his hopes for our country.
That conversation has stayed with me because what that young man felt is what I heard repeatedly at the doors. It reminded me of my own children. His hopes were theirs. His fears were real. It was the story of every family I met who told me they are working harder than ever but falling farther behind, wondering if their kids will ever be able to afford a home in the community they grew up in. Therefore, I rise today not just as a member of Parliament but as a neighbour, a single mom, a worker, someone who understands what is at stake for every Canadian dreaming of a better future.
When we talk about building that future, we must talk about homes, because housing is the foundation of stability for so many families. Today that foundation is crumbling. It is time to restore the dream of home ownership, a dream that has been steadily slipping away over the past 10 years. Young Canadians are giving up on the hope of owning a home. It used to take 25 years to pay off a mortgage, and now it takes 25 years to even consider saving enough for a down payment. This means that when my son graduates from university next year, it is now expected to take him until he is about 47 years old to even consider having enough saved for a down payment. Conservatives refuse to accept that as normal.
Why can Canada not be faster when it comes to getting a building permit? There should be no more waiting for months or years to get shovels in the ground. If we want to solve the housing crisis, we need to act with speed and efficiency. As Conservatives, we will fight to free up land, speed up the permitting process and cut taxes for both homebuyers and home builders.
We all know that building more homes is not enough on its own; we want to ensure those homes are part of safe, vibrant communities, places where kids can play outside without worry, where seniors can enjoy a peaceful walk and where families can go to bed at night without fearing that their car might be gone or vandalized by the morning. Home ownership should mean more than just having a roof over one's head; it should bring a sense of security, stability and pride. We are committed to making that vision a reality again for every Canadian.
Downtown Oshawa is feeling the impact of the government's soft-on-crime policies. I hear it every day from business owners, parents and seniors who no longer feel safe walking to their car. Violent crime is up. Public drug use is rampant. People are scared, and they feel abandoned. The Liberal government has made life easier for repeat violent offenders and harder for law-abiding Canadians trying to raise their families and run businesses.
Conservatives will fight to end the dangerous policies that are putting our communities at risk, such as the catch-and-release bail system that lets repeat offenders walk free instead of facing real consequences. We will also champion a compassionate but tough approach to addiction, which means focusing on treatment and recovery, not simply handing out more drugs. People deserve the chance to rebuild their lives and break free from addiction, not to be left to struggle in it. Our goal is of course a drug-free Canada where individuals can get the help they need, where families can be reunited and where hope replaces despair. In Oshawa and across the country, Canadians deserve safe streets, and I will keep fighting until they have them.
Oshawa is a proud city, a city that helped build this country through auto manufacturing, small business, innovation and grit. From the early days of McLaughlin Motor Car Company to the modern production lines of General Motors, manufacturing is in our DNA.
Sadly, just a few weeks ago, we learned that General Motors will be reducing operations at the Oshawa Assembly plant, moving from three shifts to two and affecting 700 workers at the plant and thousands from feeder plants in the community. That news was heavy, but if there is one thing Oshawa has shown time and time again, it is that our people are resilient. We have weathered hardship before, and we have come through stronger. We will stand by our workers and families every step of the way.
Kody Blois Liberal Kings—Hants, NS
Madam Speaker, my hon. colleague from Oshawa referenced Mr. Carrie, her predecessor, who helped, in her words, deliver an incredible amount of federal funding to the constituency of Oshawa. I remind her that of course it was our government that helped deliver that funding, whether it was the $259 million into the Oshawa plant on the auto side or the Oshawa port investments. Again, I am looking these up in live time right here. There is also rapid housing.
I hope my colleague will continue to be a constructive voice in this House, but will she recognize there has been major federal investment from this Liberal government into Oshawa? I know she will continue to engage constructively with this side of the House so that we can keep doing good things for Oshawa in the days ahead.
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Madam Speaker, Dr. Colin Carrie is one of the hardest workers I know, and he always advocated for Oshawa.
Some of that investment came because of Dr. Carrie's advocacy, his standing up in this House and saying over and over again what Oshawa needed. The other part was when he was in government for 10 years, with our last Conservative mandate under former prime minister Stephen Harper.
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Madam Speaker, my colleague and I seem to have something in common: housing issues in our ridings. I deplore the situation in Granby, where there is a housing shortage and homelessness.
It seems to me that the Liberals clearly adopted a conservative tone in their throne speech, meaning a very centralized vision of housing funding. Quebec is asking for funds to be transferred to the Government of Quebec and to the municipalities, which are in the best position to know what the housing needs are.
Does my colleague agree that funds should be transferred to Quebec and the municipalities as quickly as possible so that they can take action on housing?
Rhonda Kirkland Conservative Oshawa, ON
Madam Speaker, Oshawa has elected a hometown girl who understands its struggles and its strengths. I would be remiss to stand here and speak about things I have not fully learned about.
I am here to defend our rights and freedoms, bring common sense back to government and be a voice for families, workers, seniors and youth in Oshawa. I will always work to effectively bring better housing for my community, and I do wish that for all Canadians.
Terry Beech Liberal Burnaby North—Seymour, BC
Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to rise during the member opposite's first intervention in this House.
Since this is my first intervention in the 45th Parliament, I would like to thank my constituents for sending me back here with an ever-increasing margin of victory for my fourth term. That is because of Julie Astley and the great team in my constituency office. It is because of everybody who worked on my campaign, but it is also because of my wonderful wife, Ravi, and my two kids, Nova and Solar.
I believe we have an opportunity here where the member opposite can pledge not just to oppose but to propose solutions, because no matter where we sit in this House, we are all on team Canada. Will she pledge to work with us to find solutions for all Canadians?