Mr. Chair, my question, again, is, will we have free trade in Canada by Canada Day?
House of Commons Hansard #9 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
House of Commons Hansard #9 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was chair.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Business of the House Steven MacKinnon moves motion agreed to by Members to change House Standing Orders for the 45th Parliament regarding committee composition, appointment, and procedures for suspending sittings during late-night votes. 400 words.
Strong Borders Act Second reading of Bill C-2. The bill aims to strengthen border security, combat organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, money laundering, and enhance immigration system integrity. Proponents say it provides crucial new tools for law enforcement. Critics raise concerns about its omnibus nature, lack of provisions on bail and sentencing, insufficient resources, and privacy implications of new powers, including lawful access and mail inspection, arguing it requires thorough, detailed work in committee. 44700 words, 6 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Main Estimates, 2025-26 Members debate Public Safety and Transport estimates. Discussions include concerns about correctional service decisions, bail reform, gun control (including the buyback program), and border security (Bill C-2, CBSA/RCMP hiring). They also discuss efforts to strengthen the economy and create a single Canadian market by reducing internal trade barriers, investments in national transport infrastructure like ports and rail, and issues with air passenger rights. 31800 words, 4 hours.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, my question, again, is, will we have free trade in Canada by Canada Day?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, my commitment is that I am going to do everything in my power to get there as fast as I can.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, will we have all federal barriers eliminated by Canada Day?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, that is an excellent question, and I hope that means the members opposite are going to vote for and support our one Canadian—
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, what percentage of total barriers are federal barriers?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I actually did not hear an answer to whether the Conservatives will be supporting our bill. I really hope they will.
Federal barriers are a small portion of the barriers, but in saying that, I want to lean on what great work the provinces are doing.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, just to answer the question, we will read the legislation and then find out whether we are going to support it. I think that makes sense. I was actually hoping that we might get draft legislation in advance so that we would not have to be slowed down by amendments or other contributions we may have.
Once again, will all barriers be gone by Canada Day?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, as I said, we are a minority in this House, as we were reminded earlier this week. It is my commitment as a minister to do everything in my power, in the federal government's power, to remove federal barriers—
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, the Prime Minister committed five different times during the campaign to eliminating “all barriers”. These are his words, not mine. I realize there may be some reasons why he cannot, but that is why I never would have made that promise to begin with.
Does the minister think the Prime Minister was being disingenuous when he made the promise that we would have free trade in Canada by Canada Day?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, Canadians are really smart. Canadians know we need one economy, not 13. Canadians know we need free trade in Canada as soon as we can get it. If we all work really hard, and we are going to have to do it together, across the country, provinces, territories, the federal government, the opposition—
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, the member mentioned the number $200 billion. That has been stated by academics to be for the removal of all barriers. It has been stated clearly today that we will not have all barriers gone. What will be the economic impact of the barriers that will be removed by Canada, if any?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, it is a really good point, and I want to be clear. I am going to stop the ritualized jousting and be a normal human. I convened a round table of economists really shortly after being sworn in as minister. We had divergent views. Some said that if we lift all barriers, we get 4% of GDP; others said 1%. Reasonable people can differ, but there is unanimity that this is going to make our economy stronger—
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, I thank the minister for that, but those numbers were all calculated on the basis of eliminating all barriers. We are not even sure if any barriers will be eliminated by Canada Day.
This was a disingenuous false promise by the Prime Minister. Does the minister think he set her up for failure?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I believe in succeeding or failing based on my own strengths, merits and hard work. I think I will leave it there.
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, I think I have just seen two prime ministers in a row set the minister up to fail.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, on interprovincial trade, we are absolutely already making progress, and the progress, I have to say, is—
Philip Lawrence Conservative Northumberland—Clarke, ON
Mr. Chair, since we will have the legislation by, I believe, tomorrow, and I look forward to the technical briefing, will the minister commit to providing all economic analysis of the financial impact and economic impact of the legislation?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I have with me a binder of independent analyses done on this, including a study done for the IMF. Truly and sincerely as a human, not a jouster, it is an issue—
The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater
Resuming debate, the hon. member for Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Chair, I am very pleased to take part in this evening's discussion. I would like to congratulate the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade on her re-election and her appointment to cabinet in this very important position, particularly given the economic challenges we are facing.
When it comes to the debate on interprovincial measures, let us remember that almost nine years ago to the day, on June 14, 2016, we were debating a motion to “free the beer”. I see the minister remembers that. She will recall that her party voted against our motion, which specifically aimed to allow more transportation and more efforts.
In the throne speech, the King said that we need to “remove all remaining federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility by Canada Day”. Canada Day is in 25 days. Would she not agree that the goal that the government made the King say a few days ago is far too unattainable?