House of Commons Hansard #10 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was unemployment.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act Second reading of Bill C-4. The bill, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, aims to implement a tax cut for 22 million Canadians, eliminate the GST for first-time homebuyers on new homes up to $1 million, and remove the consumer carbon price from law. Liberals argue these measures deliver on election promises to make life more affordable. Conservatives call it "half measures" insufficient to address the cost of living crisis and rising unemployment, criticizing the continued industrial carbon tax. The Bloc Québécois questions the lack of a budget and argues Quebec was unfairly excluded from carbon tax rebates. 27100 words, 3 hours in 2 segments: 1 2.
Steven MacKinnon LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, that member, just like all of his colleagues, is going to have a golden opportunity. Presented later today, there will be a bill with a plan, a plan to build this country with wood, steel and aluminum; with companies; with unions; with workers, men and women from right across this country, to build the economy of tomorrow.
That member will have a golden opportunity to support this government's plan. Will he do it?
Greg Fergus Liberal Hull—Aylmer, QC
Madam Speaker, Canadian workers and businesses are already taking action to build a clean and competitive economy. However, at a time when our largest trading partner is threatening to impose new tariffs, it is crucial that we expand our trade with other countries.
Can the Minister of Environment and Climate Change tell us how Canada's industrial carbon pricing system supports clean growth and helps protect Canada's economic sovereignty?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of Environment and Climate Change
Madam Speaker, industrial carbon pricing is important for building a strong economy for Canada.
In the face of U.S. tariffs, Canada is seeking to diversify our trade, and in that, we are looking at countries around the world that are adopting border carbon adjustments. Making sure that we have a strong industrial carbon price is a part of the solution to making sure we have access to those markets. Beyond that, it protects our planet, and it protects Canadian jobs.
Unlike the Conservatives, who do not care about this and are actually seeking to avoid it, we—
Carbon PricingOral Questions
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Langley Township—Fraser Heights.
Tako Van Popta Conservative Langley Township—Fraser Heights, BC
Madam Speaker, the Canadian dream is to own a home, but that dream has been shattered for so many young families. Those who own a home are now facing higher mortgage payments due to higher interest rates caused by 10 years of the Liberal government's mismanagement of the economy. According to a recent CMHC report, 63% of Canadian homeowners are worried about defaulting on their mortgages, and 17% have actually missed mortgage payments.
Will the Minister of Housing acknowledge that the Liberal government has totally mismanaged the housing file?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Madam Speaker, this new government is focused on rolling out the most ambitious affordable housing plan that Canada has ever seen. We expect the members opposite to support this. They have raised many questions on this issue. Clearly, they are keen to support our initiatives to scale up affordable housing across Canada with the “build Canada homes” initiative. We look forward to that support. It is time to build.
Jason Groleau Conservative Beauce, QC
Madam Speaker, there is a housing crisis across the country. Rent prices have skyrocketed over the past 10 years under this Liberal government. Federal programs for multi-unit housing developments are too slow, too cumbersome, too expensive, too complicated and, above all, inflationary. The measures announced by this government are insufficient. Young people in Beauce deserve to buy their own homes.
My question is very simple. When will this government present a budget?
Joël Lightbound LiberalMinister of Government Transformation
Madam Speaker, I would first like to congratulate my colleague on his arrival in the House and his election.
I will note that over the past 10 years, though, his party has voted against every affordability measure, whether it be tax cuts for the middle class, the Canada child benefit, the dental care program or more child care spaces in Quebec.
The Conservatives have now gotten off on the right foot by supporting us with a measure to lower taxes for 22 million Canadians, as well as eliminate the GST on new builds, which will directly help first-time buyers become home owners.
I hope they will keep going and support us with estimates that fund essential programs for my colleague's constituents in Beauce.
Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON
Madam Speaker, according to the Liberals' own housing agency, 60% of Canadians are struggling to pay down debt, and one in four are using one credit card just to pay off another. The cost of living is up 45%, job losses are up 34%, and interest rates are climbing 29%. The dream of home ownership is slipping further out of reach. Canadians are stuck living in their parents' basement.
What is the Liberal government's plan to restore the hope Canadians once had? When will it table a budget so people can plan for the future?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Madam Speaker, as I have said numerous times in this House, there is a real focus on this side of the House on ensuring that young Canadians have an opportunity for home ownership. That is why we brought in the GST break for first-time homebuyers, $50,000 for homes up to $1 million, and a GST break up to $1.5 million in the markets that are higher priced.
We are delivering a break for first-time homebuyers. We are also focused on scaling up “build Canada homes”, which will build homes that are needed at the prices that are affordable for young people across Canada in these years ahead.
Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON
Madam Speaker, the Liberals promised 500,000 new home starts a year, but according to a TD report, the target is completely unrealistic. Even under the most generous projections, the Liberals' plan falls dramatically short of what is needed, and now construction is falling, not rising. Let us be honest. A GST cut on homes under $1 million does nothing if there are no homes being built.
When will the Liberal government stop spinning its talking points and provide a real plan for Canadians, or maybe it just does not have one?
Gregor Robertson LiberalMinister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
Madam Speaker, I urge the member opposite to check the facts. The year-to-year housing starts are up across Canada. We are building more than ever before. We need to scale that to the next level, though. That is why this government ran on a commitment to build up to 500,000 homes a year across Canada. In 10 years, we have to scale up to that level, and that means cranking up a whole new industry on modular and off-site construction.
We have to build faster, cheaper and greener across Canada to deliver the homes that Canadians need. That is what we are committed to.
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Madam Speaker, as wildfires force tens of thousands to evacuate their homes, criminals are taking advantage of the situation to loot homes and businesses and steal emergency equipment needed to fight the flames. In Redwater, a man was arrested for tampering with sprinkler equipment during the fire, and in Yellowhead County, emergency equipment was stolen. The RCMP is saying that this is the work of repeat offenders. This is happening across the country.
When will the Liberals finally get serious about protecting our communities and crack down on these thugs?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Madam Speaker, this new government is taking community safety very seriously. We have committed ourselves to bail reform for repeat violent offenders, for those who are involved in home invasions, auto theft, human smuggling and drug trafficking.
However, let me be clear: The provinces and territories also have a critical role to play. I am glad to see that the Province of Ontario has taken some steps. We welcome Premier Ford's announcement to strengthen Ontario's bail system. I hope other provinces also follow suit—
Public SafetyOral Questions
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Madam Speaker, the Liberal government's record is a clear failure. I spoke with an RCMP officer in Drayton Valley who told me that he had arrested a meth dealer only to see them back out on the street four hours later.
The Liberals' catch-and-release bail policies have endangered our communities, as drug dealers and violent criminals are released back out onto our streets in record time. There is something seriously wrong in our country when a criminal can be arrested, processed and back out on the streets faster than a sick Canadian can see a doctor in an emergency room.
Do the Liberals recognize that their catch-and-release bail policies have made our communities far more dangerous?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Madam Speaker, I have said before that we are committed to making it tougher for violent criminals to get bail, and we are going to impose stricter sentences for repeat violent offenders. The provinces, too, have a role to play. We have had these discussions with provinces. Some provinces have been stepping forward. We look forward to working with our provinces and territories to make sure that Canadians are safe. We will stop at nothing to protect Canadians.
Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON
Madam Speaker, Liberal experiments in leniency have led to lawlessness on our streets. Ontario court data shows that major assaults have increased 70% since 2015, from 13,000 cases to over 23,000 cases. That is not just a failure of so-called social justice policy; it is a failure of moral responsibility by the government.
Will the Prime Minister put victims ahead of violent offenders and cancel his “get out of jail free” laws, Bill C-5 and Bill C-75?
Ruby Sahota LiberalSecretary of State (Combatting Crime)
Madam Speaker, once again, we are going to bring forward bail legislation in the coming months. We are working hard to make sure feedback is being taken from all our policing agencies. We are going to do whatever it takes to protect Canadians. We are working hard to make sure we strengthen this regime, but provinces, too, have a role to play in the administration of justice.
Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON
Madam Speaker, it has been ten years and no bail reform. Why? The Liberals think everything is okay. In Durham, they do not. In 2015, there were 68 cases of sexual assault. Last year, there were 128 cases. At the same time, offenders violating bail and other conditions were up 137%. That is not mere coincidence; that is cause and effect.
Will the minister please break this cycle of violence and repeal the “get out of jail free” laws, Bill C-5 and Bill C-75?
Sean Fraser LiberalMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Madam Speaker, the hon. member is right to raise concern around crimes involving sexual violence, but his solution is to repeal a law that makes it tougher for people who have committed acts of intimate partner violence to escape bail and return to our communities. That is a nonsensical approach.
In the months ahead, we are going to be moving forward with legislative reforms that are going to make it harder to get bail for people who commit violent acts, for people who are engaged in auto theft, home invasion and human trafficking, and tougher sentences for violent repeat offenders. We need to be smart. We need to look at the facts, and we need to make sure we understand the laws that we are putting forward or, as the member suggests, we would take off the books.
Andrew Lawton Conservative Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, ON
Madam Speaker, last night the Minister of Public Safety made some shocking admissions. He is the minister responsible for confiscating law-abiding firearms owners' guns. He does not know what the firearms safety course is. He does not even know what a firearms licence is. I invite him to come out to my local range, the East Elgin Sportsmen's Association, and learn the things he needs to know to do his file.
Since the minister does not even know the basics of Canada's gun laws, will he halt the government's confiscation of firearms?
Gary Anandasangaree LiberalMinister of Public Safety
Madam Speaker, let me first congratulate my colleague opposite for his Adobe editing skills, for the type of trash that he is putting out on social media.
Let me just address the issue of buyback. A serious plan to keep our communities safe starts with responsible action to keep guns off our streets. The buyback program will provide fair compensation to businesses and firearm owners in possession of prohibited firearms that are otherwise unusable or unsellable. The first phase allows gun stores and gun dealers now holding over 10,000 guns that are now illegal—
FirearmsOral Questions
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès) Alexandra Mendes
The hon. member for Winnipeg South Centre.
Ben Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Madam Speaker, over the course of the past few weeks, we have watched as devastating wildfires have ravaged through my home province of Manitoba and the neighbouring province of Saskatchewan. Entire communities have been evacuated, homes have been lost, and the air quality has been so poor that everyday activities have been rendered very difficult. Unsurprisingly, in places like Winnipeg, my hometown, the community has responded with kindness and generosity.
Can the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience share with this House how other Canadians can step up in this moment of need?