Debates of Jan. 27th, 2026

Taxation

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario]

Mr. Speaker, for a party that talked about costs of living and helping families for months and months to stand up and fight against things that will help families is kind of hard to believe.

Canadians are watching. They are watching from the riding of that member, who is fighting against the very things that will help. Let me tell members, the Roots Community Food Centre in my riding said that as a community organization, they look forward to providing predictability at a time when community members are struggling to meet their day to day needs.

That is how we are partnering with organizations and Canadians to make sure that they have the safety net they deserve, and that her riding does too.

[Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Conservative, Hastings—Lennox and Addington—Tyendinaga, ON]

Mr. Speaker, our goal is to help stop the struggle. Taxes such as the industrial carbon tax and the fuel standards tax are directly contributing to the rising cost of food. They are directly and negatively impacting our farmers' ability to affordably grow, produce and transport the food we need to survive. Removing these taxes will help Canadian families afford groceries and farmers produce them.

Will the government introduce legislation to eliminate the industrial carbon tax, eliminate the fuel standards tax and cut red tape for farmers?

[Julie Dabrusin, Liberal, Minister of the Environment]

Mr. Speaker, there was a study about the impact of the industrial carbon price on food prices, and the result was that it was about zero.

If we are going to talk about real things, let us talk about how we are going to help farmers. Let us talk about how the canola farmers support the clean fuel regulations. Are they standing against the canola farmers?

We are there to support our farmers. We are there to support Canadians. I hope that the Conservatives will be there to support our groceries and essentials benefit because that will be helping 12 million Canadians in all of our communities.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals are determined to keep their industrial carbon tax even though they know it is making food more expensive. Another new carbon tax hikes the price of gas by 7¢ a litre with another 10¢ a litre to come. This directly jacks up the price of food.

Will the government axe the hidden carbon taxes so people can afford to eat?

[Stephanie McLean, Liberal, Secretary of State (Seniors)]

Mr. Speaker, low-income seniors in Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke have been asking their government to take action to help fight the rising cost of groceries, and we listened.

We are helping with up to $950 of food and goods for low-income single seniors with the groceries and essentials benefit. We are also tackling the root causes by developing a national food security strategy to improve seniors' access to affordable, nutritious food. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are blocking everything we do, and they have no good reason for it, just fake news.

[Cheryl Gallant, Conservative, Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke, ON]

Mr. Speaker, everyone likes a cheque in the mail, but those cheques are written on borrowed money and they are going to have to pay it back with interest.

Last week, we learned what these Liberals have been denying all along: Food inflation is real and it is the worst in the G7. While Canadians are struggling to put food on the table, a nice little cheque in the mail may help with a week's groceries, but it is borrowed money and they will have to pay it back with interest.

Will the government finally do the right thing and axe the hidden carbon taxes so Canadians can have some real relief?

[Stephanie McLean, Liberal, Secretary of State (Seniors)]

Mr. Speaker, we are controlling what we can, and we are helping Canadians where they are. We have increased OAS for seniors who are over 75 years old. We have protected OAS, ensuring that it is indexed to inflation, and we just guaranteed that low-income seniors will get the help they need to fight rising food costs with the new groceries and essentials benefit. It would buy up to 950 dollars' worth of food for a single low-income senior.

We are also tackling the root causes by developing a national food insecurity strategy to improve seniors' access to affordable and nutritious food.

What are the Conservatives doing? They are trying to block the real action that Canadians are asking for.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are shocked by their grocery bills. That is because Canada is seeing the worst food inflation in the G7. Paycheques cannot keep up with the prices, yet the Liberals are burdening our farms with fuel taxes and red tape. We need affordability from farm to table. Conservatives are ready to fast-track any bill that would reverse the highest inflation in the G7.

Will the Liberals immediately introduce legislation that would cut red tape and taxes for farmers?

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

Mr. Speaker, there was actually a study on the impact the industrial carbon pricing has on the cost of food, and the result of that study was that it has a 0% impact on the cost of groceries. The number one cause of food inflation is actually climate change, and we only have to talk to one farmer to realize that.

I fully recognize that food costs too much these days, so our government is here with the groceries and essentials benefit, which is a rebate that lower-income Canadians would receive four times a year to assist with these additional grocery prices.

The Conservatives have a choice to make: Are they going to support affordability for Canadians, or are they going to keep standing up for the wealthiest Canadians?

Housing

[Tatiana Auguste, Liberal, Terrebonne, QC]

Mr. Speaker, housing and infrastructure needs are particularly pressing in Quebec. Our government has taken action by implementing targeted investments to increase the supply of affordable housing and support municipalities in carrying out local essential infrastructure projects.

Can the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure tell the House what practical measures have been put in place in Quebec and how they make housing more affordable and improve the quality of infrastructure for Quebec communities?

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Terrebonne for her question.

Our government and the Government of Quebec have signed a Build Canada Homes agreement to accelerate housing construction and ensure that Quebec's priorities are met. What is more, under the agreement on the Canada housing infrastructure fund, nearly $1 billion will be used to modernize the infrastructure needed to develop new housing in Quebec.

It is time to live. It is time to build together.

Justice

[Tim Uppal, Conservative, Edmonton Gateway, AB]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians are living in fear in their own neighbourhoods as extortion runs rampant right across the country. In British Columbia alone, extortion has increased by nearly 500%, yet the Liberals continue to ignore this crisis, so much so that just yesterday Surrey city council desperately passed a unanimous motion to ask the government to take some action. Canadians do not need more empty announcements or more meetings and town halls. Canadians need action.

Why is the government ignoring the safety of Canadians? When will the Liberals finally work with us to bring in mandatory minimum sentences for extortion to help protect Canadians?

[Sean Fraser, Liberal, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]

Mr. Speaker, extortion is a real and pressing problem in this country, and that member has an opportunity to do something about it.

There are laws being debated in Parliament right now that would make it harder for people charged with extortion-related offences to be released on bail, that would result in deeper and longer sentences for people who are convicted of extortion and would give new tools to law enforcement, who are asking the House to pass the strong borders act on lawful access so they can investigate, charge and prosecute criminals.

The thing that these different measures have in common is that the Conservative Party of Canada has been obstructing them for months. I ask them to get with the program, support these important bills and bring extortion to an end in Canada.

[Harb Gill, Conservative, Windsor West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as a former police officer, I know a crisis when I see one. Extortion is out of control. Businesses and families are being threatened, shot at and shaken down daily, yet the Liberals deny there is a crisis. They are dragging their feet. Some municipalities are even asking for a state of emergency to be declared.

When will the government stop its hug-a-thug policy, work with Conservatives, restore mandatory minimums and repeal the catch-and-release laws, Bill C-5 and C-75? For crying out loud, do something about this crisis.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I will remind the member to direct his comments through the Chair.

[Ruby Sahota, Liberal, Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)]

Mr. Speaker, in this country, we have life in prison for extortion and mandatory minimum sentences when extortion is committed by organized criminals or with a firearm. We are taking this issue very seriously. That is why I have criss-crossed the country, finding out what is needed and where the gaps are.

Everywhere I have gone, police and law enforcement agencies have asked for lawful access. That was the second measure that we brought to Parliament, but the Conservatives have been obstructing it every step of the way. What do they have against catching extortionists?

[Amarjeet Gill, Conservative, Brampton West, ON]

Mr. Speaker, extortion is exploding and terrorizing communities across Canada, such as Brampton and Surrey. Homes and businesses are being threatened and shot at. Families are living in fear. Some residents have recently fled the country. Their families are in fear for their lives. This crime surge cannot become the new normal. Canadians are paying the price, but Canadians deserve safety, not excuses.

When will the Liberal government take real action to stop extortion, crack down on organized crime and keep Canadians safe?

[Jill McKnight, Liberal, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Mr. Speaker, the rise in extortion-related threats, shootings and intimidation across Ontario and the Lower Mainland is a grave concern. I know how much fear it is causing for families, businesses and our communities.

Our government is advancing expanded legislative powers so that law enforcement has the tools it needs to effectively combat extortion and organized criminal networks. Political opponents in Surrey put aside their differences to act with quick urgency. I am asking their Conservative counterparts to stop obstructing necessary legislation and work with us to provide practical solutions. Our communities need to feel safe at home.

The Economy

[Kristina Tesser Derksen, Liberal, Milton East—Halton Hills South, ON]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, our Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance made a historic announcement outlining concrete steps the government is taking to help life be more affordable for Canadians.

Residents in my riding of Milton East—Halton Hills South support our government's ambitious plan to strengthen and diversify the economy, but they know that doing so requires both long-term investments and meaningful immediate supports. They want to know what actions our government is taking to make life more affordable and if they can count on all members of the House to put politics aside to support affordability for Canadians.

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday was a historic moment. We supported Canadians. I can hear the Conservatives. They are so happy, they are going to put that in their householders. They are going to say to Canadians that a family of four will now receive $1,890 more to meet the moment.

I know that the Conservatives know in their hearts that this is good. They are going to put it in their householders. We are going to help them. Let us build Canada strong together.

[Jason Groleau, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, to start the year off right, I would like to settle up my accounts for the Conservative Christmas party, but the member for Markham—Unionville still owes me $100.

[The Speaker, Francis Scarpaleggia]

The hon. member knows that in order for a question to be considered relevant, it must concern government business and cannot refer to another member. He will be given a second chance because he is a new member.

The hon. member for Beauce.

[Jason Groleau, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Mr. Speaker, after 10 years of chaotic, inflationary Liberal management, housing costs have more than doubled in Canada. It is clear that the cost of housing has doubled. In Beauce, one in five families can no longer afford to pay their rent.

When will the Liberals stop fuelling inflation, work with us and finally present a budget and a real affordability plan?

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

Mr. Speaker, there is more good news. I feel that my Conservative friends could use some. I have good news for my colleague and for the farmers of Beauce.

He can say that structural measures were announced in yesterday's statement. He will be happy to know that I spoke with the president of the Union des producteurs agricoles and asked him how we could strengthen food security in Canada.

We will work with farmers, producers and distributors. We will ensure food security across this country, and that will give him some good news for the people of Beauce.

Northern Affairs

[Don Davies, NDP, Vancouver Kingsway, BC]

Mr. Speaker, New Democrats just returned from Rankin Inlet, where we witnessed the challenges facing Canadians in the north. We heard stories of 12, 15 or 17 people living in a two-bedroom home, of folks on housing waitlists for decades and of extreme food prices, from $15 onions to $28 orange juice. There is no hospital, not enough jobs and unreliable Internet.

People are experiencing similar issues in communities across Canada. When is the government going to take real action to address them?