Debates of Sept. 26th, 2025

Firearms

[Dane Lloyd, Conservative, Parkland, AB]

Madam Speaker, the government is not seizing any assault weapons because law-abiding Canadians do not own any.

Ukrainian government officials were very excited to hear that the government was finally sending them some weapons of war, but they were very surprised to just receive the Cabela's Christmas catalogue.

Not only are the Liberals incinerating billions of dollars to go after law-abiding hunters, they are also embarrassing us by trying to send gopher-hunting guns to Ukrainians who are risking their lives on the front lines. This is a fiasco. When will the Prime Minister make this minister resign?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, I can guarantee one thing: We will never refuse a direct request from the Government of Ukraine, as we had with the free trade arrangements with Ukraine, which were voted against by the Conservatives. That was a pretty embarrassing moment for them.

The other embarrassing moment for them always comes when we ask them what specific gun measures they would put in place. Canadians are demanding sensible restrictions on assault firearms that cause mass tragedies. We have a response to that. What is theirs?

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Madam Speaker, in private, the minister told us the truth. In public, he said his words were misunderstood and mis-characterized. Well, let me translate for him.

“[I]f I were to redo this...from scratch, I would have a very different approach”. Translation: The minister does not believe in his plan.

“This is the mandate I was given.... Just put an end to this and move on”. Translation: It is about politics, not public safety.

“Don't ask me to explain the logic to you on this.” Translation: This plan will not work.

Canadians do not have confidence in the minister. How long will the Prime Minister stand behind him?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Madam Speaker, it is probably a good thing that the member opposite is not a translator.

Let me be very clear. We brought forward a pilot program in Nova Scotia to ensure that the systems we have put in place as part of the compensation program work. The program will last for about five to seven weeks. We will expand it nationwide, across Canada, so that all law-abiding Canadians can seek compensation for prohibited firearms.

That is a very responsible way to ensure that lethal weapons are off our streets.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Madam Speaker, I admit, it is sometimes difficult to translate Liberal hypocrisy, but let me say what the Liberal plan has led to: a crime problem, a gun problem, a leaky border problem and an illegal gun problem. That has led to a “Canadians do not feel safe” problem. That is the minister's number one job: keep Canadians safe. Instead of that and instead of hiring border and RCMP officers, he is wasting $750 million on a program he knows will not work.

It is the responsibility of every leader to accept the consequence of their actions, however heavy they may be. Will the Prime Minister do that today and fire the minister?

[Steven MacKinnon, Liberal, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, once again, we have a perfect example of the Conservatives refusing to offer up a single common-sense proposal to limit the propagation of assault rifles in our country. We refuse to accept the gun regime in the United States, where we see repeated tragedies happening in the streets. We want common-sense restrictions on the ability to possess an assault rifle.

Hunters do not want them; hunters do not need them. Hunting rifles are preserved, but assault rifles—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Alexandra Mendès), Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for St. Albert—Sturgeon River.

[Michael Cooper, Conservative, St. Albert—Sturgeon River, AB]

Madam Speaker, the Minister of Public Safety was caught on tape admitting that the Liberals' gun buyback is a $750-million scam, all about gaining votes for the Liberals and nothing to do with public safety. The minister even counselled his tenant to break the law and keep his now-illegal firearm.

Given the minister's complete lack of confidence in his own $750-million scheme, will he do what is right, save his reputation and resign?

[Gary Anandasangaree, Liberal, Minister of Public Safety]

Madam Speaker, in addition to the compensation program pilot that we launched this week in Nova Scotia, we have invested $1.3 billion in our borders. We brought forward Bill C-2, which is in front of the House right now. With the support of the opposition, we could pass it today to ensure that our borders are stronger so we can keep illegal firearms off our streets. We will also be hiring 1,000 new CBSA and RCMP officers, and we will be making criminal justice reforms.

It is a combination of efforts on this side of the House that will ensure the safety and security of Canadians.

Industry, Science and Industry

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Madam Speaker, our strategic industries are at a crossroads.

With our neighbours to the south imposing tariffs, Canada is ready to lay the foundation for a new industrial era.

Can the Minister of Industry tell the House how the strategic response fund will help our strategic industries adapt, pivot and diversify in order to continue building the strongest economy in the G7?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions]

Madam Speaker, we know that trade tensions with the United States are affecting our businesses and workers. I met with them throughout the summer in places like Sault‑Sainte‑Marie, Hamilton, Saguenay and Bécancour. Together, we came up with solutions, such as the $5-billion strategic response fund and $1 billion in support for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and all the regional economic development agencies. These measures seek to help our businesses pivot, adapt and, most importantly, preserve and protect jobs, while promoting economic growth.

We will be there for our businesses.

Infrastructure

[Dan Albas, Conservative, Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna, BC]

Madam Speaker, when Highway 97 shuts down because of landslides, wildfires or serious accidents, Okanagan residents, including cancer patients and essential workers, are stranded.

Many are forced onto dangerous, poorly marked forest roads, like FSR 201. The Harper-Campbell governments' successful four-laning between Summerland and Peachland now requires $24 million in stabilization work.

As a funding partner, the federal government has a clear obligation to contribute a share. Will the federal government commit to half the costs, so the province can stabilize the corridor and upgrade FSR 201, giving Okanagan motorists a safe, reliable alternative to Highway 97?

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure]

Madam Speaker, our government is always committed to working with provinces to ensure that Canadian residents are safe.

We look forward to ongoing discussions in this regard continuing so that we can find a solution that works for everyone.

Health

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Madam Speaker, Canadians donate their blood to save lives here at home.

Now we learn that a foreign drug maker, Grifols, is profiting off plasma donated through Canadian Blood Services without donors knowing.

Canadian Blood Services promised that none of the plasma collected from Canadians would be used in products sold offshore. That promise has been broken.

Does the Prime Minister agree that plasma donated through Canadian Blood Services should stay in Canada, yes or no?

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, Canadian Blood Services is responsible for managing Canada's blood system outside Quebec at arm's length. It operates on behalf of the provinces and territories.

As Canadian Blood Services moves forward in its agreement with Grifols, we would strongly recommend and encourage it to follow the promises made when it signed the contract in 2022, to ensure that blood products are manufactured exclusively for Canadian patients and to establish the in-Canada supply chain necessary to produce them.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Riding Mountain, MB]

Madam Speaker, Canadians are outraged to learn that Grifols, a foreign company, is making money off their blood donations without their knowledge.

The Prime Minister is not outraged, and we know why. It is because Brookfield has been aggressively working to buy Grifols over the last year, including while the Prime Minister was chair of Brookfield.

Canadian blood donations should save lives in Canada, not line the pockets of foreign companies or the Prime Minister. If Brookfield buys Grifols, how much money will the Prime Minister make?

[Maggie Chi, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health]

Madam Speaker, as I mentioned, Canadian Blood Services is responsible for managing Canada's blood system outside Quebec at arm's length. It operates on behalf of the provinces and territories.

As Canadian Blood Services moves forward in its agreement with Grifols, we would strongly encourage it to follow the promises made when it signed the contract in 2022.

Housing

[Abdelhaq Sari, Liberal, Bourassa, QC]

Madam Speaker, my question is for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.

In my riding, Bourassa, like in many parts of Canada, citizens want affordable and accessible housing. Can she inform the House on the ways her department is working together with local stakeholders, particularly municipalities, non-profits, local organizations and community organizations, to offer real housing solutions?

[Jennifer McKelvie, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question.

Canadians have asked us to take action. This is why we launched “build Canada homes” in order to meet housing needs across the country. The program will ensure co-operation with the provinces, cut red tape and help small communities build housing more quickly.

We are working closely with Quebec, where local organizations are key in making these projects a reality. We have a good working relationship with Quebec, and we intend to keep it that way.

Taxation

[Scott Reid, Conservative, Lanark—Frontenac, ON]

Madam Speaker, in 2022, the Liberals imposed a 35% tariff on Russian fertilizer. By December of that year, Canadian farmers had paid $115 million in tariffs, which the government donated to Ukraine.

In the three subsequent years, the tariff has remained in place, and a further $300 million has been paid to the government by farmers, but the funds are no longer being donated to Ukraine. Because replacements are not available, imports of Russian fertilizer have not gone down.

If the tariff does not actually hurt Russian exports or help Ukraine, why is the government still extracting hundreds of millions of dollars each year from Canadian farmers?

[An hon. member]

Are you a Russian asset?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Minister of Finance and National Revenue]

Madam Speaker, we have stood with Ukraine every step of the way, unlike the Conservatives. I would be very careful, if I were them, about raising questions like that. I can even tell members, as the chair of the G7 finance ministers, that we always have an item with respect to Ukraine.

I was with the finance minister of Ukraine just earlier this week. One thing that the Ukrainian government knows, and that all Ukrainians know, is that Canada will be by their side, today, for the future and for as long as it takes.

Canada Post Corporation

[Jenny Kwan, NDP, Vancouver East, BC]

Madam Speaker, the Liberals abruptly announced that they will end door-to-door mail delivery. The elderly and rural, remote and indigenous communities will have a hard time accessing their mail. Those who work nine to five will have to take time off work to get their mail. There is a better way forward.

Instead of tearing down Canada Post, will the minister build it up by reintroducing postal banking, building an electric vehicle charging network and expanding its infrastructure by creating a community hub of services such as high-speed Internet, computer access, video conferencing and e-commerce support?

Will the minister do the right thing?

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Government Transformation]

Madam Speaker, Canada Post is in deep financial difficulty. Our government is clear that endless government bailouts are not the answer. We have already stepped in with significant support, but without real reform, the future of this public service, and the jobs that depend on it, is at risk.

Our government has directed Canada Post to take concrete steps. These changes will put Canada Post on a more stable footing, ensuring that it continues to serve Canadians well.

International Trade

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Madam Speaker, earlier this week, in Ottawa, I was honoured to meet with brave indigenous women from Guatemala, representing the Xinca people, who are fighting a Canadian silver mine in Escobal that is violating their rights.

I thought, right away, that I would go to the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, to see if they could investigate. They do not have good investigative tools. They do not have teeth in that office. Right now, however, the office is empty.

Can the hon. Minister of International Trade inform us when the new ombudsperson will be in place?