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.
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians spoke loud and clear in electing members of this side of the House to deliver on housing. This government, our new government, has put forward the most aggressive plan to build affordable housing this country has ever seen, and it starts today with a break on GST for new homebuyers.
Ziad Aboultaif Conservative Edmonton Manning, AB
Mr. Speaker, TD Bank says the Prime Minister's housing policy promises are not enough for the federal government to reach its goal of 500,000 new units annually over the next decade. In fact, housing starts are expected to decline next year. The Prime Minister's proposed new bureaucracy will not build any homes. There is too much red tape. Canadians deserve better.
When will the government table a budget so that Canadians will learn whether the government has any plan to put a roof over their head?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Mr. Speaker, we have a number of action steps in play right now, as I have answered repeatedly in the House.
We are going to take action on a cut to the GST for new homebuyers, as well as to take action on reducing income taxes for 22 million Canadians. These are affordability measures that are for right now, and “build Canada homes” is on the way in to bring us a huge number of new affordable homes. I hope the members opposite will support these efforts.
Gabriel Hardy Conservative Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC
Mr. Speaker, a recent survey by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or CMHC, shows that 63% of new homebuyers are worried about not being able to make their next mortgage payments. The main reasons for that are the higher cost of living, increases in mortgage rates and potential job losses in the current economic situation. The reality is that people in Montmorency—Charlevoix and across Canada are using credit to pay off credit.
Will we see a budget so that Canadians can plan and budget for their future?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, there will indeed be a budget. There is also a very important measure. The first thing we put forward as a government was an affordability plan.
The people of Charlevoix are interested in that. Why? It is because there is going to be a tax cut. This is very good news for the people of Charlevoix. There is also more good news. The GST on homes worth up to $1 million will be eliminated for first-time homebuyers. These are meaningful measures. These are measures that are going to help people.
The Conservatives should be happy to have a Liberal government that is helping people.
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Mr. Speaker, in my hometown of Williams Lake, with a population of 10,000, six prolific offenders have committed 98% of the crime. When they are in jail, the crime rate goes down. When they are out on the streets, the crime rate goes up.
Businesses cannot even get mandatory insurance anymore due to the high rates of vandalism. On top of that, our communities are faced with an out-of-control overdose crisis. Last week, Williams Lake saw an average of 20 to 30 overdoses per day.
If he is the man with a plan, will the Prime Minister rise today to tell us what his plan is to confront the overdose crisis, lock up repeat offenders and make our communities safe?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, our plan to keep communities safe will keep drugs, guns and criminals off our streets. The first bill that should be debated tomorrow will be the borders bill. We are expecting the Conservative Party to support it in order for us to keep fentanyl and guns off our streets and make sure that illicit fundraising is curtailed, as well as to ensure that our communities are safer. If they want to put action behind their talk, it is time for them to act to support this bill and get it through Parliament.
Roman Baber Conservative York Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, last night in North Toronto, a man was shot to death and at least five others were wounded. Three masked men opened gun fire, steps away from the Yorkdale mall. It is not clear if, or how many, bystanders were hit.
The Liberal record on crime is no accident. Liberal bills, such as Bill C-5 and Bill C-75, put repeat criminals back on the streets, unleashing crime and chaos on the streets of Toronto. Gun crimes more than doubled under the Liberals. The solution is simple: Repeal soft-on-crime Liberal laws.
When will the Liberals get serious about deadly shootings in Toronto and across Canada?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened by the news coming out of the city of Toronto this morning. The gun violence is unacceptable and perpetrators must be brought to justice.
We are partnering with police services across the country to fight organized crime and disrupt firearm smuggling and trafficking operations. The strong borders act, introduced in the House yesterday, includes provisions to crack down on illegal firearms and organized crime.
I look forward to working with the member opposite to pass this important legislation. We will continue to work tirelessly to support police across Canada.
Scott Anderson Conservative Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, BC
Mr. Speaker, as a former city councillor on the front lines of this emergency, I have watched from 2015 until today as Liberal policies simply made the opioid crisis worse. Each new policy just makes things worse. Decriminalization is not a case of not doing enough, but of doing too much of the wrong thing. Conservatives are calling for life sentences for fentanyl kingpins committing mass murder.
When will the Liberal government recognize that Canadians who are battling addictions are worth fighting for? When will it stop enabling harm and start supporting real recovery instead of palliative care?
Mental Health and AddictionsOral Questions
Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park Ontario
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Mr. Speaker, the fentanyl crisis has impacted communities across Canada and across North America. We are accelerating the work to crack down on and dismantle the fentanyl trade and the organized crime groups that profit from it. That is why we listed seven cartels as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code.
I am working closely with Kevin Brosseau, Canada's fentanyl czar, at home and abroad, to put a laser-sharp focus on dismantling fentanyl. We will put those who are profiting from this drug behind bars. We expect support for the border bill from my friend opposite and the members across the aisle. This is a very important—
Mental Health and AddictionsOral Questions
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
Mr. Speaker, last week in Cambridge, police arrested two individuals at the Galt bus terminal and seized 10 grams of suspected fentanyl, enough to cause up to 5,000 deaths. Police are doing their part, but the Liberal government's soft-on-crime policies are letting drug kingpins get away with mass murder. Conservatives are calling for life sentences for those convicted of trafficking more than 40 milligrams of fentanyl.
When will the Liberal government treat fentanyl like the deadly weapon it is and make those who profit from it face real consequences?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Mr. Speaker, one of the first measures the new government has taken is to present a stronger borders act. It would crack down on fentanyl, auto theft, money laundering, illegal firearms, irregular migration and organized crime. It would also make it tougher for violent criminals to get bail, and impose stricter sentences on repeat offenders.
We will work until violent criminals are put behind bars. The government will do everything it takes to make Canadians safe.
Madeleine Chenette Liberal Thérèse-De Blainville, QC
Mr. Speaker, before I was elected, I had the privilege of serving as Canada's ambassador to the OECD, where I saw how a global rules-based order helps to create opportunities for workers, improve affordability for consumers and support business innovation and growth.
The rest of the world wants and needs what Canada has to offer, but the free trade system we rely on is now at risk. Last weekend, President Trump followed through on his threat to raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%.
Our Minister of Industry has already told us that she was actively working with businesses and unions. Can the Minister of Industry inform the House of measures taken by our new government—
Steel and Aluminum IndustryOral Questions
Mélanie Joly LiberalMinister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her important question and for the great work that she does in Thérèse‑De Blainville.
It goes without saying that we are in the midst of a tariff war. We believe that the tariffs are completely unacceptable, unjustified and illegal, and that is why we are in problem-solving mode. We will invest in projects of national significance that will create jobs across the country, including in the steel and aluminum industry. We will invest in defence and diversify our markets so that our steel and aluminum can be exported elsewhere in the world and so that we can stop depending on—
Steel and Aluminum IndustryOral Questions
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said that we should judge him by the prices at the grocery store. Well, beef, apples, rice, infant formula and so many things are all up in price. Do members know what else is up? It is food bank use.
Canadians have to budget, especially during hard times, so that is exactly what they expected from the self-described “man with the plan”. Canadians need to see a budget from the Liberal government so that they can see what the plan is to reverse 10 years of Liberal tax increases and the effects of its inflationary spending.
When will we see a budget?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleague will be happy, because we are actually reducing taxes for 22 million Canadians. I am sure he is going to rejoice this evening, because tomorrow or in the coming days, he will have the opportunity to put his vote where his mouth is. If he wants to support reducing taxes, we will give him a great opportunity to vote for reducing taxes for 22 million Canadians. I know that Canadians are going to be watching at home. We on this side of the aisle are going to be watching to make sure he does the right thing for Canadians.
Michael Barrett Conservative Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON
Mr. Speaker, it was the current Prime Minister who said that the metric that he should be judged by is the price of food at grocery stores, and prices are up and so is food bank use. We have been calling relentlessly for the Liberals to put a budget in front of the House. In fact, Parliament has spoken and has said that the Prime Minister must put a budget forward this spring.
The Prime Minister has not delivered on his promise to lower food prices or deliver affordable food. Will he at least respect the will of Parliament, respect the majority of members of the House who have called on him to produce a budget so we can see that plan?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, we take note of the vote of Parliament, but in fact the people in the member's riding and my folks from Shawinigan will be watching to make sure that the Conservatives are actually voting in line with their values, because in the coming days, they will have this great opportunity. We are giving them a golden opportunity to show Canadians that they care, that they want to reduce their taxes and that they want to help 22 million Canadians. We are all going to be watching whether they do the right thing. We certainly hope so.
Jagsharan Singh Mahal Conservative Edmonton Southeast, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are getting crushed at the grocery store. Food inflation, since the start of this year, is out of control. Beef is up by 34%, oranges are up by 26%, and the list goes on.
Ten years of Liberal inflationary deficit has a record number of Canadians going to food banks. Single mothers are watering down milk for their kids, and Canadians are eating less nutritious food. The Liberals now are increasing spending by 8%, but they promised 2%.
Will the Liberals table a budget that will actually reduce inflation so that Canadians can afford to feed their family?
Patty Hajdu LiberalMinister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Mr. Speaker, since 2015, we have seen a significant decrease not only in child poverty but also in youth poverty and seniors' poverty, which means that the measures we are putting into place to support Canadians, whether it is the Canada child benefit, dental care or affordable child care across this country, are working for Canadian families.
Of course we need to do more, and of course we need to stand up to the United States, and we will do that, as my colleagues have outlined, but the Conservatives need to get on board and be part of the solution.
Chi Nguyen Liberal Spadina—Harbourfront, ON
Mr. Speaker, my waterfront riding of Spadina—Harbourfront in downtown Toronto is proud to host many Canadian Armed Forces members, from the army to the air force and the navy. Every year, about 8,200 members are released from the Canadian Armed Forces, and roughly half of them are looking to start new careers.
Can the Minister of Veterans Affairs share with us how the national veterans employment strategy is supporting veterans who are seeking new career opportunities?
