Debates of Sept. 26th, 2025

An Act Respecting Cyber Security

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC]

Madam Speaker, I am practising my French with my hon. colleague, and I thank her for her patience.

When it comes to the provinces and Canada, what I would say to my hon. colleague is this: cybersecurity attacks do not distinguish. An attack on a city, as my colleague mentioned, like Hamilton, an attack on the province of Quebec or British Columbia, an attack on this legislature or on the Government of Canada, any of those is an attack that we as federal legislators have jurisdiction over and should be addressing. I am not going to say that any attack should be delineated by jurisdiction.

We, here, should be prepared to stand up against every cyber-attack, and I hope to work on legislation that would do that.

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

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola for such a serious speech. I know he is a serious MP and will be working on these issues at the public safety committee on behalf of his constituents.

Speaking of his constituents, I had the pleasure of representing many of them in the Nicola Valley, and I wanted to take this opportunity to ask the member how they are doing, and if he could please pass on my best to each and every one of them.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC]

Madam Speaker, that might be the biggest softball I get today.

My hon. colleague will often say when he is there that the people of the Nicola Valley got an upgrade when I started to represent them, but I would joke that it was a downgrade because he is such an exceptional member. One of the things I appreciate about the member, and realized as I was talking to a newer member just yesterday and relating stories about “the member told me this, and this is what I learned from it,” I have not even had a chance to tell him this, but it was at that moment I realized how much wisdom he had imparted to me.

This is very critical. We should be prepared to impart wisdom across the aisle, but also across our benches. I thank the member for his mentorship, example and leadership in this place.

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

Madam Speaker, I heard my friend's comment earlier on Bill C-2, and I want to pursue it a bit. I know we are talking about Bill C-8.

I would like the member's thoughts on this as a lawyer. Why would we not consider something else instead of thinking we can open people's mail? It has the addressee's name right on it. If we think a package or a letter is suspicious, does the hon. member think there is a better way to pursue what is in the envelope by asking the addressee before we open it without their permission?

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC]

Madam Speaker, we come back to mail every time. The hon. member is a lawyer. To be candid, I would have to give that some thought. My law enforcement brain is thinking that there may not be candour from somebody who is saying, “Yes, please open up this envelope that has drugs in it. Go ahead.” I do worry about that.

In terms of other measures, though, whenever somebody looks at something in which a section 8 privacy interest, the right to be free from arbitrary search and seizure, is engaged, I think the easiest mechanism is to get a warrant. I would love to talk more with this member and the member for Winnipeg North about what the technical briefing told me, because it was completely different from what I thought I was going to hear. I am happy to discuss that further.

Let us just put a warrant provision in the bill and be done with it.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons]

Madam Speaker, misinformation is really important on this. What the member is trying to say is that if any of the 55,000 people who work for Canada Post have any sense that there is any sort of a drug in a number 10 envelope, they will have the authority to open that envelope. I believe he knows full well that is not the case. A warrant would be required. Bill C-2 legislation would put Canada Post on the same playing field as Purolator and other companies.

[Frank Caputo, Conservative, Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola, BC]

No, Madam Speaker, that is wrong. It says Canada Post may open a letter when its employees have reasonable grounds to suspect; a warrant is issued on reasonable grounds to believe. I cannot be any more clear. No, the member is wrong. I am sorry, he is wrong.

Father Hamish Currie

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

Madam Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to my friend Father Hamish Currie, who passed away recently at the age of 73.

He married Lisa and I and baptized my kids, and he was a supporter throughout my political career.

Ordained in 1980, he served in the Soo and in Wawa. He used to reach out personally to people who were struggling, offering comfort and support beyond the pulpit. He was deeply committed to fostering unity, and he regularly engaged with leaders of other faiths to build bridges and promote unity in my community and beyond.

He was also a man of artistic talents: a pianist, a violinist with the Sault Symphony Orchestra for 27 years, and an occasional actor, appearing in local productions such as Les Misérables and A Christmas Carol and playing Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar.

His life was one of service, kindness and faith, a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Women's Rugby World Cup

[Grant Jackson, Conservative, Brandon—Souris, MB]

Madam Speaker, tomorrow team Canada takes on England in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup final.

In the starting lineup is Emily Tuttosi, who hails from our community in Westman. Emily and I grew up together, attending Souris School. In fact I was one of the VPs when she was student council president. That is a few years ago. Now ranked 15th out of the best 50 rugby players in the world and consistently mentioned as the best hooker in the world, yes, that is a real position in rugby, Emily takes in her second world cup and receives her 41st cap playing for Canada tomorrow. Emily is living proof that when kids from small towns dream big and work hard, they can achieve big things.

Souris Sabres rugby coach Brian Yon and many community members are hosting a watch party at Souris School gym tomorrow. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. I encourage all folks to come out and show their support. It is not every day that we have a local wearing the maple leaf on the world stage.

We are so proud of Emily, and we know she will represent us well.

Bishop's University

[Marianne Dandurand, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Bishop's University in my riding of Compton—Stanstead, the alma mater of two esteemed colleagues, the members for Victoria and for Etobicoke—Lakeshore.

Despite the school's small size, with fewer than 3,000 students, the Gaiters brought home five championship titles last year. The men's and women's golf teams successfully competed at the nationals. The football team, basketball team and women's hockey team triumphed in their conference championships, with the women's hockey team also claiming its first U Sports national title, Bishop's fourth overall.

I am proud to represent a riding with such a distinguished academic institution. As students and faculty gear up to celebrate homecoming this weekend, I would like to wish them continued success in their endeavours this year.

Volunteers in Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes

[Michael Barrett, Conservative, Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes, ON]

Madam Speaker, people do not have to travel far in Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands—Rideau Lakes to find them; they are everywhere. They work late nights and early mornings. They work on weekends and holidays. Many of them have been doing it for decades. We can find them at food banks and churches, farms, fairs and festivals, chambers, committees and boards. They are volunteers.

We would be a shadow of the community we are today if it were not for their good works. They create wonderful experiences for residents and visitors, feed the hungry, minister to those in need and raise funds for worthy causes. Whether it is the thousands of mouths they feed, the hearts they touch, or the smiles they create, they do it because they love our community. We are better for their selflessness

I want to thank all the volunteers in my community. They make the great place we live even greater.

Gender Equality Week

[Ginette Lavack, Liberal, St. Boniface—St. Vital, MB]

Madam Speaker, in recognition of Gender Equality Week, I want to pay tribute to my sister Chantale.

ln 2006, she completed her outdoor power equipment technician certification at Red River College, choosing a career in the trades, a non-traditional path for women. After graduating, she faced many challenges, working hard to overcome biases and the limitations placed on her by employers, but she persevered. ln 2021, she joined StandardAero as a gas turbine repair and overhaul technician, where she continues to excel today.

Her courage and determination are proof that when women have an opportunity to thrive, they can break down barriers and succeed in any field.

As we celebrate Gender Equality Week, let us continue to encourage more women to enter the trades, not only to fill the growing demand for skilled professionals but also to build a strong, more inclusive Canada.

Promotion of French Around the World

[Gabriel Hardy, Conservative, Montmorency—Charlevoix, QC]

Madam Speaker, we are incredibly fortunate to live in a bilingual country. Bilingualism is an asset that sets us apart on the international stage. French is not just an historical language. It is a living language that carries our culture and our collective voice everywhere.

Canada needs to broaden its economic horizons. We hear a lot about the need to build ties with other nations and expand trade. To fully achieve this goal, we must see our bilingualism as an advantage and never compromise on it.

If we truly want to flourish, we need to protect and promote French across the country. Simply stating that French is important is not enough. We need to cultivate our collective pride in our francophone heritage and history. We need to make French a pillar of our international presence, and we need to recognize that French is in decline in Quebec and across Canada.

Promoting French will enhance this country's linguistic and cultural ability to dialogue, exchange ideas and create. It will give us a strong voice for a better future. I invite my colleagues to become ambassadors for French across the country.

Career Paths of Two Prominent Figures

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the careers of two prominent politicians from Mont‑Saint‑Bruno—L'Acadie who recently announced they would not seek re-election.

The first is Yves Lessard, mayor of Saint‑Basile‑le‑Grand. Throughout his career, first as a municipal councillor, then as a federal MP and finally as mayor, he has always served with conviction and dedication. His leadership and approachability have left a lasting impression.

The second is Suzanne Roy, the provincial MNA for Verchères and minister of families. Having previously served as mayor of Sainte‑Julie, president of the Union des municipalités du Québec and reeve of the Marguerite‑d'Youville RCM, she has used her experience and passion to support the development of our communities.

I sincerely thank both of them for their dedication and their contributions. Best of luck to all the candidates running in Quebec's municipal elections. Their commitment is important for democracy.

Prime Minister of Canada

[Kelly Block, Conservative, Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek, SK]

Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister said that Canadians would judge him by the prices at the grocery store. Every dollar the Liberal government spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians.

Shocking testimony at committee from the Parliamentary Budget Officer yesterday described federal finances under the Liberal Prime Minister as “unsustainable”, “very alarming” and “stupefying, shocking”, and said, “it means, if you don't change, this is done” and “something's going to break”.

He went on to say, “It's very serious, and I think as anyone who's managed a household budget knows, if you sit down at the end of the month and you don't have enough money to pay your bills, and it happens month after month after month, you know that something's going to break.”

Money-printing deficits drive up the cost of the goods we buy. That is the inflation tax, another broken promise, another Liberal bait and switch. The consequences are more inflation at the grocery store, record-high food bank use and Canadians skipping meals.

The Prime Minister is being judged—

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

The hon. member for Abitibi—Témiscamingue has the floor.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Madam Speaker, kuei, kwe. I rise today to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, like the Huskies from Rouyn-Noranda, who are once again this year dedicating a special game to reconciliation with first nations in order to honour the indigenous children who were lost in the residential school system. This event is being organized in my riding in collaboration with the organization Minwashin, whose name means “that which is beautiful”. I am particularly proud of this organization.

Today, I urge everyone to make a commitment to improving dialogue and recognizing each person's right to self-determination. We had travelled some distance on the road to reconciliation, but then Ottawa failed with Bill C‑5. It failed to consult, to listen and to obtain free, prior and informed consent. However, there is still time to come together in a big circle, to finally share our human and environmental values and to jointly build major projects in our communities through respect for genuine partnerships.

To achieve reconciliation with first nations, we must first make more of an effort to acknowledge their truth. My sincere wish is for us to be completely open to a long-term dialogue.

Artificial Intelligence

[Jenna Sudds, Liberal, Kanata, ON]

Madam Speaker, Canada faces a pivotal moment in the global technology race, with artificial intelligence driving unprecedented demand for faster, energy-efficient communication technologies.

Ottawa has a proud history as a hub for photonics innovation, built on decades of research, amazing talent and companies like Ranovus, Ciena and Inpho. The Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre, based right here in Ottawa, offers a strategic opportunity to capitalize on this demand. It is a world-class facility that enables companies and researchers alike to design, prototype and scale using compound semiconductors. Supporting this facility is not just smart; it is essential for Canada to lead in the photonics revolution and secure our place as a global AI powerhouse.

Let us seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Food Prices

[Carol Anstey, Conservative, Long Range Mountains, NL]

Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister once said Canadians would judge him by the costs at the grocery store. Well, the verdict is in. I hear regularly from people in Trout River, Corner Brook and Stephenville; they are all struggling to put food on the table. Across Canada, 25% of households are now food-insecure. In Newfoundland and Labrador, we face the highest rate of child food insecurity in the country.

Families are making impossible choices between heating their home, paying rent or putting food on their table. Meanwhile, grocery prices keep climbing. In just three months, beef is up 33%, canned soup is up 26%, grapes are up 24% and coffee is up 22%. Since the Liberals took office, food inflation has risen by 40%. This is yet another Liberal broken promise.

Canadians are hungry for change, and Conservatives will bring it.

Prime Minister of Canada

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

Madam Speaker, just like Justin was, the current Prime Minister is compromised by Beijing. In September 2024, he became the head of Trudeau's task force on economic growth. Two weeks later, the Prime Minister's company Brookfield secured a $250-million loan from a Beijing state-controlled bank, indebting himself to a hostile regime. Since then, he has refused to come clean and disclose the full extent of his financial interests, including the extent to which he is indebted to Beijing.

Is it any wonder, therefore, that the Prime Minister, who has repeatedly lavished absurd praise on Beijing, was silent this week when Taiwan was excluded from the ICAO assembly and has been silent on Beijing's atrocious human rights record?

It is time for the Prime Minister to come clean and to disclose the full extent of his financial interests, including the extent to which—

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

The hon. member for Carleton has the floor.

Rural Fairs in Carleton

[Bruce Fanjoy, Liberal, Carleton, ON]

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the importance of our rural fairs. From Metcalfe to Richmond and Carp, each one is a proud tradition and a symbol of rural life across Canada. These fairs celebrate our farmers, who feed families, fuel our economy and sustain our communities. I will always stand with them and proudly champion rural fairs and our farmers.

Last week I attended the Richmond Fair and was moved by the passion, dedication and community spirit that define my riding of Carleton. I invite everyone to visit the Carp Fair this weekend, from September 25 to September 28, and the Metcalfe Fair from October 2 to October 5 to celebrate agriculture and community together.

The pride and spirit of Carleton lives in our rural fairs, and I will continue to champion them here in the House and at home.

Gender Equality Week

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Madam Speaker, this week, we are celebrating gender equality, and I would like to highlight the key role women play in leadership, specifically in Thérèse-De Blainville.

I have two examples to share. First, I want to mention Julie Desrosiers, the leader of Enertec Rail Equipment, who is living proof that women can excel in technical fields. Then there is Véronique Desmarais, executive director of the Centre d'entraide Thérèse‑De Blanville. Women excel in that sector.

That said, only one in five SMEs in Canada is majority-owned by women. In clean technology, energy and STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, women represent only 20% to 28% of the total workforce.

However, there is hope. Canada leads the G7 in terms of bringing more women into AI roles. If we can break down barriers in AI, we can do so in all industries. Everyone in Parliament and across society must work towards this goal.

Women in leadership means building a stronger, more innovative and more inclusive economy.

Prime Minister of Canada

[Michael Guglielmin, Conservative, Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON]

Madam Speaker, the Prime Minister's promises are like George Orwell's doublespeak: say one thing and mean another. Let us take a look at some examples.

The Prime Minister promised the fastest-growing economy in the G7; he delivered the fastest-shrinking economy. He promised grocery prices would judge him; he delivered skyrocketing food costs. He promised “build, baby, build”; he has delivered “block, baby, block”. He promised nation building at unimaginable speed; he delivered zero permits. He promised “spend less, invest more”; he is about to deliver the highest deficit in Canadian history. He promised a trade deal with the U.S. by July 21; he delivered higher tariffs. He promised “elbows up”; he has delivered “elbows down”.

The Prime Minister promised a departure from Trudeau. Well, at least he got that one right; he is worse.

The Prime Minister's doublespeak promises one thing but delivers the opposite. When will he stop deceiving and start delivering?

Potlotek Mi'kmaq Elder

[Jaime Battiste, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish, NS]

Madam Speaker, today, I rise in the House to honour Eleanor Mitchell from the Potlotek Mi'kmaq community, an elder whose life embodies resilience, compassion and enduring strength.

Eleanor was taken to the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School at the age of six, separated from her family and subjected to the trauma that so many indigenous children endured. Despite these hardships, Eleanor's life became a testament to survival and love. She raised three sons, cared for her mother through illness and is cherished by her family for her knitting and baking.

Eleanor is the last living survivor in Potlotek to have attended the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. This week, her community will honour her.

My aunt Eleanor's story reverberates with both pain and hope. On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, let her name be remembered in the House and let her courage inspire our continued commitment to truth, reconciliation and justice.