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.
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I believe, as I am sure all members of this House do, that passengers have to have a clear and effective way to settle their concerns when they have been treated badly. I am aware that many passengers—
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
I have been trying to ask very reasonable questions, Mr. Chair. Most Canadians would be able to say whether a process is fair or not, but let us move on.
Does the minister believe that Canada should have one national economy, not 13?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I am going to answer that question with a question. Will the member from Central Okanagan support the movement he so cleverly launched and vote in favour of our legislation, which will free the beer and do lots of other—
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Mr. Chair, has the minister presented said legislation?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I would say to the member from Central Okanagan to watch this space.
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Mr. Chair, I will eagerly look to read the said bill, and then we can have a debate.
Is the time for acting on making one national economy now?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Again, Mr. Chair, I cannot resist offering a question in return, and that question to all members on the opposition benches is this: Will they support this essential legislation? I am prepared to—
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Mr. Chair, I spoke with Simon Rizzardo, whose business is Emcon Services, a Canadian road maintenance company that works in B.C., Alberta and Ontario. It struggles with the incompatible provincial transport regulations that prevent equipment movement among provinces. Has the minister heard of Emcon?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, I wonder if the member from Central Okanagan was listening to me earlier tonight. I spoke about how central transport and trucking are to our interprovincial trade barrier lifting work. I talked about the hackathon we are going to have. Maybe the member from Central Okanagan—
The Assistant Deputy Chair Conservative John Nater
The hon. member, for a very brief final question.
Dan Albas Conservative Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC
Mr. Chair, I just asked if the minister had heard of Emcon. Its plow trucks approved in Ontario cannot be used in B.C., its trailers cannot cross into Manitoba and it gets ticketed for equipment meant for provincial contracts. It even faces conflicting rules about plow truck wings—
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, barriers to interprovincial trade and barriers to interprovincial trucking do not make sense. That is why we are working hard to get rid of them.
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Mr. Chair, I would like to again congratulate all members of the House for joining the 45th Parliament.
I have some questions for the Minister of Transport. Can the minister tell Canadians how much investment has fled Canada since the production cap on oil and gas was announced?
Main Estimates, 2025-26Business of SupplyGovernment Orders
University—Rosedale Ontario
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland LiberalMinister of Transport and Internal Trade
Mr. Chair, I am here to answer questions about internal trade and transport, but since this is a question about the energy sector, I am going to allow myself to mention one project that I am very proud of and that I think all members of this House should be proud of. It is called TMX. During debate on the 2024 budget, I stood in this House and congratulated the skilled tradesmen who made the golden weld that—
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Mr. Chair, this is a transport project. Quite obviously, everything related to the oil and gas industry is involved in transport. Investment has fled the country because of the production cap on oil and gas, so transportation is not happening.
Does the minister know how much investment has fled the country?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, as I said, I am here to answer transport questions and internal trade questions, but I will allow myself to talk about TMX. It is a nation-building project. I am proud to have been the minister who was on the job when we got that project done. That is already delivering. It has reduced the differential between Canadian oil and U.S. oil. Premier—
David Bexte Conservative Bow River, AB
Mr. Chair, the TMX was four or five times the cost of the original private enterprise, but be that as it may, I will move on a bit.
Can the minister tell Canadians if any other G7 country has imposed a cap on its own internal or external energy production, or is the Liberal government uniquely short-sighted?
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Mr. Chair, again, it is a bit rich to hear Conservatives criticize the building of a pipeline. We got it built. The previous Conservative government did not. I am very proud of that pipeline. It is diversifying the Canadian economy today. It is giving us an alternative to the U.S. It is a nation-building project, and it is operating right now. It is making—