Debates of Sept. 24th, 2025

The Economy

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said Canadians should judge him by prices at the grocery store. Since he was elected, Canada's food prices have surged 50% faster than those in the U.S.

After 10 years of Liberal rule, we have record lineups at food banks. Families cannot afford to put food on their table; they are struggling. The Prime Minister promised he would be different, but it is just another bait and switch.

When will the Prime Minister cut food taxes and stop his plan to double the deficit, in order to bring grocery prices down?

[Rebecca Chartrand, Liberal, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency]

Mr. Speaker, nutrition north is showing real progress, with results that are reaching more northerners every year. In its first year, more than 15,000 harvesters were supported, with hundreds of hunts and over 700 food-sharing initiatives, from Nain, Nunatsiavut, to Old Crow, Yukon, showing the program's reach across the north. In Nunavut, the price of flour in Rankin Inlet has dropped by more than 65%, and in Iglulik, a dozen eggs, which was once nearly $10, is now just five dollars.

Today, 124 communities across the north are being directly supported through indigenous government initiatives—

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member for Calgary Centre.

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of Liberal mismanagement, food bank usage in Canada is up 142%. In Calgary, demand for emergency hampers rose another 17% this past year.

The Prime Minister said that Canadians would judge him by the cost at the grocery store. Well, they are. They are lining up at food banks. This is not about inflation; it is about a government that has lost control of affordability, employment and, in the end, human dignity.

When will the Prime Minister stop grading himself on promises and start delivering real, tangible results for Canadians?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Secretary of State (Sport)]

Mr. Speaker, Food Banks Canada does essential work on the front lines, but it also makes recommendations for politicians like us on better policies to support Canadians, so I would put it back on that member.

When we had a vote in this House of Commons not that long ago on a national school food program, he voted against it. Every time we have a policy to support Canadians, such as $10-a-day child care or dental care, they vote against it. When we bring forward measures to ensure that there is more affordable housing for Canadians, they vote against it.

If the member is going to quote the Food Banks Canada report, please read the report and consider some of the recommendations.

[Pat Kelly, Conservative, Calgary Crowfoot, AB]

Mr. Speaker, the Calgary Herald reports record demand at the Calgary Food Bank as food prices at the grocery store continue to rise faster than inflation and as unemployment approaches 8% in Calgary. The Prime Minister said he would be judged by the cost at the grocery store, and the verdict is a scathing indictment of the Prime Minister's performance.

When will the Prime Minister stop running out-of-control deficits that are driving inflation, unemployment and demand at the food bank?

[Wayne Long, Liberal, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)]

Mr. Speaker, in the last election, Canadians had a clear choice between a leader with economic and business experience versus the leader opposite, who has no economic experience whatsoever.

We are laser-focused on building a strong economy. We are cutting taxes for 22 million Canadians. We are cutting the GST for first-time homebuyers. Interest rates have just dropped, and we are going to build houses at a scale not seen since the Second World War.

It is time for the Conservatives to stop the rhetoric, help us build the strongest economy in the G7, and get on board.

[Richard Bragdon, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of the Liberal government, Canadians cannot afford groceries. Back home, the Valley Food Bank in Woodstock reports serving twice as many people this time of year compared to last. These increases span every age group, especially seniors. These are our neighbours. They are not just statistics. They are our family members and they are our friends.

Can the Prime Minister tell this House how, on the one hand, he plans on tackling inflation and bringing down grocery costs, while on the other hand he is doubling the nation's deficit? How is that even possible?

[John Zerucelli, Liberal, Secretary of State (Labour)]

Mr. Speaker, every member of this House of Commons cares deeply about the cost of living for Canadians, but there is one difference. On this side, we are bringing forward initiatives and opportunities for real Canadians by building this country. We are going to build big, we are going to build bold and we are going to build now with working Canadians. We are going to create hundreds of thousands of jobs with more opportunities for apprenticeship.

Conservative voters want this. I hope the opposition gets on board.

[Anna Roberts, Conservative, King—Vaughan, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister promised Canadians that he would be judged by the cost at grocery stores, yet, in August, food inflation soared 70% higher than the overall inflation. Denise, a senior in Quebec, is now forced to skip meals to survive the crushing cost of living. This is another broken promise from a Prime Minister who has let our seniors down time and time again.

Will the Prime Minister stop doubling the deficit in order to bring down inflation so that seniors do not have to skip their meals?

[Buckley Belanger, Liberal, Secretary of State (Rural Development)]

Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that I have been hearing the Conservatives complain about food prices, but not hearing one solution, not one idea, nor one iota of support for some of the measures we have taken on this side of the House. Those are empty, hollow words.

My message to the Leader of the Opposition and the Conservative caucus is this: Slogans do not put food on the table.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, no one should go without food. This week the media reported the story of seniors who have to skip meals in order to make ends meet. Unfortunately, that is what a growing number of Canadian households are experiencing, hit hard by food inflation levels twice that of general inflation after 10 years of Liberal rule.

Food banks are no longer meeting demand, and by skipping a meal a day, seniors can cut one last item from their budgets.

Is the Prime Minister aware of the financial insecurity of seniors?

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, what Quebeckers are very aware of is the fact that every day, here in Ottawa, at 2 p.m., the Conservatives grow a conscience. However, when it comes time to vote for measures that directly support seniors, young people and families, that Conservative conscience is nowhere to be found.

When it was time to vote for the Canada child benefit, which reduced child poverty in Canada by 38%, they voted against it. When it was time to vote for an increase to the guaranteed income supplement for the most vulnerable seniors, they voted against it. When it was time to lower the age of retirement, they voted against it.

It is not surprising that Quebeckers rejected the Conservative Party and chose a serious government that is capable of growing the economy to protect our social programs.

[Jacques Gourde, Conservative, Lévis—Lotbinière, QC]

Mr. Speaker, our seniors are suffering in silence from financial insecurity. They are going hungry, too. They are suffering due to exorbitant rents and the unexpected costs of illness.

The Prime Minister cannot even imagine the situation from his ivory tower. Inflation is eating all their savings.

When will the Liberal Prime Minister take action? A Prime Minister has the duty to keep both feet on the ground. The Prime Minister's honeymoon is over now.

[Joël Lightbound, Liberal, Minister of Government Transformation]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his great performance. We had missed that.

However, I want to mention, as my colleague said, that Conservative theatrics are not putting food on the tables of Canadians, nor are they helping seniors in need across the country.

Quebeckers and Canadians rejected the Conservative approach, which is to cut programs Canadians need. The Conservatives now have the choice to support an ambitious plan to increase Canadians' spending power with tax cuts, including for the middle class, and grow Canada's economic potential.

Mental Health and Addictions

[Jake Sawatzky, Liberal, New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville, BC]

Mr. Speaker, young Canadians are facing unprecedented challenges that are harmful to their mental health and well-being. Too often, the services they need are fragmented, hard to access and not designed specifically for youth.

Can the Minister of Health tell us what the government is doing to ensure that young Canadians get the mental health care they need?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Minister of Health]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

Young people are the driving force needed to build a strong Canada. One of my priorities is to respond as effectively as possible to mental health and addictions issues among young people, particularly young men. That is why, based on research findings in this area, our government has invested in creating integrated youth service centres, which have opened their doors in Quebec and across the country. We have opened 109 centres across the country, 17 of which are located in my colleague's province of British Columbia.

Housing

[Costas Menegakis, Conservative, Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of Liberal chaos, the housing market is a mess. Prices are still too high for buyers. Sellers cannot sell, and builders cannot build. The Prime Minister promised change, but it is just another bait and switch. Housing starts have crashed. Preconstruction sales in the GTA have plunged to levels not seen since the global financial crisis. Young people are still unable to afford a home in which to live. The Prime Minister's answer is more of the same, another costly housing bureaucracy.

When will the Prime Minister stop building bureaucracy and start building homes?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I have news for the member opposite. He needs to check his facts. Housing starts were up in August 2025. They are up 10% over August 2024, so Canadians are building, the interest rate is dropping and the government is committed to the most aggressive affordable housing program in our history.

We will see housing being built in the tens of thousands that is below-market and accessible for all Canadians.

[Colin Reynolds, Conservative, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of the Liberal government, we are in a housing crisis. Builders cannot build, and young Canadians are priced out of the market. Now housing starts are down 16%, and a new report shows that Canada is at risk of losing 100,000 housing-related trades jobs. That means that construction workers and tradespeople, like me, will all lose their livelihoods while the government refuses to get shovels in the ground.

Why is the Prime Minister building another costly housing bureaucracy in Ottawa while workers are out of a job?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, again the facts speak for themselves. We are seeing housing starts surge in Montreal, where there was a 32% increase this past month. We are seeing it in Vancouver as well. We are seeing housing starts increase in many jurisdictions across the country.

We as a new government are doubling down to make sure we are supporting builders. We are working with provinces, territories and mayors to make sure we are building affordable housing on a scale that was never embraced by the members opposite.

[Kathy Borrelli, Conservative, Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, ON]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of Liberal housing chaos, buyers cannot buy, sellers cannot sell and builders cannot build. My community has an unemployment rate of over 11%. It is the highest in Canada, and now we have one of the highest markets in which to buy a home. A new report states that ownership is only for the very wealthy in Windsor.

When will the Prime Minister stop his empty promises? When will he stop building bureaucracy and start building homes?

[Gregor Robertson, Liberal, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada]

Mr. Speaker, I will restate the facts. Under the previous Conservative government, housing was completely ignored for a decade. The reinvestment has been building up, and we are taking it to the next level with a $13-billion investment in affordable housing for Canada. That includes $1 billion to focus on homelessness and supportive housing in ridings across the country where people cannot access housing. We are going to build like never before.

Indigenous Affairs

[Terry Sheehan, Liberal, Sault Ste. Marie—Algoma, ON]

Mr. Speaker, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Can the Minister of Indigenous Services please update the House on what our new government is doing to advance the goals of reconciliation?

[Mandy Gull-Masty, Liberal, Minister of Indigenous Services]

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 10th year of the TRC's calls to action. The government has made historic decisions to respond.

In the current government, there has been the appointment of the first indigenous Minister of Indigenous Services so indigenous people can be served by their very own. We also have indigenous voices at the cabinet table, creating space for representation and decision-making.

The Prime Minister has advanced the TRC's foundational request of inclusion and belonging for September 30 and every day after that.