House of Commons Hansard #75 of the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was farmers.
This summary is computer-generated. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Act Second reading of Bill C-18. The bill is an act to implement the Canada-Indonesia comprehensive economic partnership agreement. Proponents, including the Liberal government, argue the agreement diversifies trade, reduces tariffs on Canadian exports like wheat, barley, pulses, and oil seeds, and strengthens economic ties with a rapidly growing market. Opposition parties, while generally supportive of trade diversification, raise concerns about human rights, labour standards, and the inclusion of investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms. 15600 words, 2 hours.
Keeping Children Safe Act Second reading of Bill C-223. The bill, the keeping children safe act, proposes amendments to the Divorce Act to strengthen protections for children and survivors in family law proceedings. It aims to better recognize family violence and coercive control, limiting the misuse of parental alienation claims and prohibiting harmful reunification practices. While parties largely support the bill's objective to prioritize children's safety, some Conservatives raise concerns about prohibiting judicial consideration of parental alienation evidence. The Bloc Québécois supports sending the bill to committee for expert review. 7600 words, 1 hour.
The Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia
The hon. member for Kitchener—Conestoga will be leading us in the singing of O Canada today.
[Members sang the national anthem]
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canada is in a national housing emergency. Rents are skyrocketing, home ownership is slipping out of reach and encampments are growing in every city. This did not happen by accident, and it is not inevitable; it is the result of a government that has failed to act with the urgency and the scale that this crisis demands.
Housing is a human right. We need public builders, real investment in non-profit and co-op housing, strong tenant protections, indigenous housing led by indigenous communities and homes people can actually afford.
The Liberals do not get it. Their budget offers only half of what the Prime Minister promised during the election, and they are delivering only a fraction of the of the half-million homes they promised. Canadians need real leadership, someone who will declare a national housing emergency to mobilize resources, to protect renters and to measure success by homes built and lives changed.
Patrick Weiler Liberal West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the extraordinary life of Vi Roden, who recently passed away at the age of 102. A World War II veteran, mother, friend and tireless community activist, Vi believed that if we see injustice, we must act, and she lived by that principle.
In 1978, after learning of abuses in the women's prison system, she famously phoned the Attorney General at home and made it clear that she would go to the press if action was not taken. He called back and listened, and a royal commission was launched, leading to meaningful reform.
In 1980 Vi raised the funds to establish British Columbia's first counselling centre for sexually abused children. That initiative grew into Act 2 Child and Family Services, which is now a $25.5-million non-profit serving Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Even in her later years, Vi never slowed down. At the age of 101, she volunteered during the federal election campaign, as she had throughout her life, making hundreds of calls because she believed participation mattered.
The world needs more people like Vi Roden. May we honour her life by carrying her compassion forward.
Fred Davies Conservative Niagara South, ON
Mr. Speaker, if the government is really serious about building faster, it should start with opportunities already in front of it. I have one that is truly shovel-ready: restoring wharves 17 and 18 on the Welland Canal in Port Colborne.
For more than 20 years this critical infrastructure has sat broken. During that time the City of Port Colborne, shipping companies, port authorities and private investors have all been ready to move, but they are still waiting on the St. Lawrence Seaway and Transport Canada to act. Federal funding has already been partially committed. The Liberals talked a good story for over 10 years on this project but failed to hit the finish line. In the meantime, we are waiting.
Every year of delay costs us real economic opportunity. Restoring the wharves could create well-paying local jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains and position Port Colborne as a strategic industrial hub while helping protect Canada's economic sovereignty. This project is shovel-ready, the partners are ready and the benefits are clear. It is time to pull the trigger and get the job done.
Jean-Yves Duclos Liberal Québec Centre, QC
Mr. Speaker, on January 1, my friend and canoeing and camping buddy, André Provencher, left us far too soon after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Provencher was passionate about local news and a staunch defender of Quebec culture and he held executive positions at TVA, Télé‑Québec and Cogeco.
He also launched La Presse Télé, which produced popular television series such as Les Parent, Les chefs! and En direct de l'univers. He led the digital transformation of the daily newspapers Le Nouvelliste and Le Soleil, and he oversaw the creation of the Fonds Capital Culture Québec.
Passionate, honest and loyal in friendship and in business, André knew how to spot people with talent and help them to succeed. On behalf of all members of the House, I want to offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Rachel, and his sons, Paul, Bruno and François.
Pat Kelly Conservative Calgary Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago the government campaigned on a promise to “run modest...deficits of less than $10 billion...to fund historic investments in infrastructure” and then let the budget balance itself. For 10 years the Liberals ran increasing deficits, failed to build the infrastructure, ignored their promise and claimed that all that really mattered was declining debt to GDP. In 2024, the then finance minister said that the then $42-billion deficit was a line she would not cross, but then she crossed the line and resigned when the deficit hit $60 billion.
Last year the Prime Minister ran as the guy who would finally rein in spending, reduce debt to GDP and build at speeds not seen in decades. Today the deficit is $80 billion, debt to GDP ratio is rising and nothing is being built. Canada's economy is under attack, and Canadians need their government to succeed, but a strong, sovereign, self-reliant and fiscally sustainable Canada cannot be built out of recycled, broken Liberal promises.
Angelo Iacono Liberal Alfred-Pellan, QC
Mr. Speaker, as Parliament resumes, Canada is facing a new reality. The challenges ahead of us are clear: a world marked by a breakdown in the international order and economic pressures affecting our families, workers and businesses.
To deal with this change, our government is choosing to act, not simply endure. We are strengthening Canada domestically by supporting our businesses and securing our supply chains. We are building a more resilient economy that is focused on innovation, energy and diverse trading partners. A strong economy is critical to our sovereignty, our security and our ability to defend our values in an increasingly unstable world.
In this new year, we encourage all parliamentarians to work together constructively. Canadians expect us to be united and focused on the national interest.
Arpan Khanna Conservative Oxford, ON
Mr. Speaker, despite our differences, one truth still unites Canadians: the strength, resilience and the talent of our people. Oxford is home to many of these superstars. From the hallways of Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute, astronaut Jeremy Hansen is reaching beyond the stars as he looks to make history as the first Canadian to go to the moon. Ingersoll's Ella Shelton will be representing Team Canada as part of the women's hockey team at the Olympics in Italy.
For them it is more than just a milestone; it is more than just a personal celebration. It is about reflecting on our community and what we stand for. We work hard. We stand strong. We help one another. We innovate. We lead, and we create opportunities for others to succeed.
I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Jeremy and Ella every success in the exciting weeks ahead because we are proud of Canada, and the best is yet to come.
Leslie Church Liberal Toronto—St. Paul's, ON
Mr. Speaker, for many families across Canada, Alzheimer's is not an abstract illness; it is a daily reality, lived in small moments and carried by loved ones who show up with patience and care. January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month, a time to wear the forget-me-not as a symbol of hope, and a time to recognize the more than 750,000 Canadians living with dementia and the millions of family members and caregivers who walk alongside them every day. Alzheimer's affects far more than memory; it touches relationships, independence and dignity.
I want to praise the vital work of the Alzheimer's societies across Canada that provide support, education and advocacy for people living with dementia and for those who care for them. As our population ages, this issue will touch more families. This is why awareness, research and compassionate care matter now more than ever.
To everyone living with Alzheimer's and to the caregivers and advocates beside them, I say that we see them, we value them and we will keep working to support them.
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON
Mr. Speaker, Beijing's foreign interference is the biggest threat to the security of Canada; that is what the Prime Minister told Canadians last spring. Less than a year later, the Prime Minister has entered into a so-called strategic partnership with Beijing, yet we still have no foreign influence transparency registry.
When the bill was being debated, the government said it hoped to have the registry up and running in 12 months, ahead of a federal election. It is now 19 months and one election later, and there is still no registry. Another election could pass without the protection of a registry. One wonders if the government delayed the registry until now to avoid offending Beijing's leadership, and for the same reason Liberal MPs were told recently to cut short their trip to Taiwan.
Canadians deserve a government that treats foreign interference seriously as a threat to our national security. The government needs to implement the foreign influence transparency registry now.
Mario Simard Bloc Jonquière, QC
Mr. Speaker, a great wordsmith has left us. Although his work may not appear in any collections, it echoes throughout our land.
Henri Dorion was a geographer, toponymist, professor, diplomat and architect of the Quiet Revolution. As the first president of the Commission de toponymie du Québec, he recorded and standardized place names throughout Quebec. He chaired the Commission d'étude sur l'intégrité du territoire du Québec, the first major effort to define our borders in detail, a task that remains unfinished to this day.
Henri Dorion made a name for himself himself internationally as Quebec's delegate to Mexico, Russia and Ukraine, and as the chair of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names.
On behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I would like to offer my condolences to his four daughters and all his loved ones. His memory will live on throughout our vast homeland.
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2001, I was in New York when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center. I saw the bravery and solidarity and shared the anguish first-hand. As a Canadian, I was incredibly proud of how we rose to the occasion to support our closest friend and ally. From the hospitality showed by the people of Gander to fundraising campaigns to support the victims, to our government being the first one to suggest that NATO invoke article 5, we were there for the United States. As we have for generations, our troops bravely fought side by side with Americans in Afghanistan. More than 40,000 Canadians served in the conflict; 158 of our soldiers died, and over 2,000 were injured.
I know members of this place will want to join me in extending our deepest respect and gratitude to the men and women who served. Canadians will never forget their sacrifice. Our American friends should not forget it either.
Greg McLean Conservative Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, announcements are easy. One can organize a press conference and tell the hungry crowd of reporters all the great things one is going to do. Getting things done requires work. Were the Liberal government to be judged by its announcements, the country would be riding a 10-year wave of success. Sadly, this is not so. For announcements to translate to results, economic activity and paycheques for Canadians, something has to be delivered. Over 10 years of not delivering has left Canada as the economic laggard of the developed world.
Conservatives worked with the government to amend and pass Bill C-5, giving the Prime Minister incredible powers to approve projects quickly. What are the outcomes? No projects have been approved, and they have not removed a single regulatory barrier. This smoke-and-mirrors show must end, and action must begin. We have introduced a motion to pass the Canadian sovereignty act. Will the government work with us and agree to support our motion to repeal the federal industrial carbon tax and the oil tanker moratorium act?
Peter Schiefke Liberal Vaudreuil, QC
Mr. Speaker, next week, Canada will write a new chapter in our space history with the Artemis II mission. For the first time in over 50 years, humans will leave the earth's orbit and head for the moon. This is an important moment, not only for science, but for Canadians and all of humanity.
For Canada, Artemis II represents the next great chapter in Canadian space exploration. Following in the footsteps of great Canadians like the late Marc Garneau, Roberta Bondar, Chris Hadfield, David Saint-Jacques and so many more, and built on the unprecedented collaboration between NASA and Canadian space engineers and scientists, Colonel Jeremy Hansen will break barriers by becoming the first Canadian, and the first non-American, to travel around our moon.
On behalf of all members of the House and all Canadians, I wish Colonel Hansen and the Artemis II crew a safe journey and a successful mission. They carry the pride of everyone in the House and all Canadians with them. Godspeed.
Jeremy Patzer Conservative Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, SK
Mr. Speaker, Canada has the highest food price inflation in the G7. That is the Liberal record on full display for the whole world to see. Instead of fixing it, the Prime Minister raises taxes on fertilizer, manufacturing and transportation, all of which lead to higher food prices. Reversing Liberal policies that punish Canadian agriculture would be a good start, but we could also grow even more food here at home.
Saskatchewan is already the breadbasket of the world, but there is still room for us to grow and expand the available farmland. Right now, there are shovel-ready irrigation projects waiting for approvals, like the ones around Lake Diefenbaker. The Westside irrigation rehabilitation project alone would open up 100,000 acres of irrigated land to grow more food and specialty crops. Studies show this project will add $13 billion to our GDP, create 80,000 jobs and generate over $1 billion in tax revenue.
The Liberals have so much to learn from rural Canada. This is one of many promising and resourceful projects we want to build in Saskatchewan. All the government needs to do is let our farmers and industry do what they have always done best and lead the way forward.
Caroline Desrochers Liberal Trois-Rivières, QC
Mr. Speaker, today, my colleague and I would like to highlight the exceptional work done by the organizing committee for the 59th Quebec Games, which took place last summer in Trois-Rivières and brought together more than 3,500 young athletes from across Quebec.
The committee's goal was to raise $100,000 to donate to Excellence sportive Mauricie, but thanks to the committee's efforts and the private sector's commitment, a total of $350,000 was raised for that organization, which supports talented athletes in their development. The games also generated nearly $29 million in economic spinoffs for the Mauricie region, an achievement that earned the organization the regional award of excellence.
I especially want to point out that none of this would have been possible without the dedication of the 2,318 volunteers who were central to the games' extraordinary success. I would like to recognize François Parent and Caroline Poulin, who won the outstanding volunteer team award at the most recent sports awards gala.
In closing, I wish Blainville every success and challenge the organization to do even better for the benefit of our young athletes across Quebec.
Dane Lloyd Conservative Parkland, AB
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives supported the passage of Bill C-5, which gave the Prime Minister extraordinary authority to approve nation-building projects fast.
The Prime Minister claimed that with these powers, the government would unleash our economic potential. He claimed that we would build at speeds not seen in generations. Sadly, the Prime Minister's promises are not reflected in reality. Canadians in the mining sector, the oil and gas sector and other sectors tell me the Liberal government has not lifted a finger to make it easier to get permits and build projects.
That is why Conservatives are calling for the passage of the Canadian sovereignty act, which would remove the barriers and cut the red tape that is stopping these projects. We want the Prime Minister to live up to his promises. Conservatives are giving him the tools to get the job done. Why is he not using them? The Prime Minister has no excuse. The time for fancy rhetoric is over. The time for action is now.
James Maloney Liberal Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the close and growing relationship between Ireland and Canada. Today, the Irish Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, and our Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture launched Canada-Ireland 180. This initiative, planned for 2027, will commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Great Famine migration in 1847, when over 100,000 Irish people landed on our shores.
Irish Canadians have become a core part of Canada's history, national identity and culture. This initiative will celebrate that shared heritage through events, art, screen and sport. Nothing grabs the heart more than creative storytelling, so the collaboration between screen industries in both countries will be moving. I make a special mention of the Canadian industry, which has a strong presence in my riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore.
We will celebrate Gaelic sports, but the gloves might come off if we meet in the World Cup. However, we will hug and toast each other after the competition, as family does.
Slàinte.
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, the primary concern for all the families watching us right now is the cost of groceries. Unfortunately, Canadian families are being hit hard by food inflation, which currently stands at 6.2%. That is the worst result in the G7.
One of the contributing factors is the Liberal fuel tax. According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, this tax could cost families an extra $1,000. We, the Conservatives, want to work for families. We want to work with the government.
Is the government prepared to abolish the Liberal fuel tax to give Canadian families some relief?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for the question. We know that the Conservatives are allergic to good news. I will remind them of what we announced on Monday.
In addition to the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, we announced the following measures: $500 million from the strategic response fund to help Canada's supply chain; immediate expensing for greenhouse buildings to have more food grown here at home; additional funding for food banks; and a national food security strategy that will standardize labelling in Canada.
I hope the Conservatives will join us—
Carbon PricingOral Questions
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent—Akiawenhrahk, QC
Mr. Speaker, the problem is that the minister talks a good game, but he does not get results.
Let us not forget that, just two years ago, he was boasting about meeting with grocery executives. What came out of that? The result was the worst food inflation in the G7. The Liberals' plan is not working. It is not surprising that 2.2 million Canadians are using food banks. The charitable organization Amélie et Frédérick on Bastien Boulevard in Neufchâtel has seen a 3% increase in users.
We need to provide families with direct assistance. One of the best ways to do that is to do away with the Liberal fuel tax. Will the government do that for the good of all Canadians?
François-Philippe Champagne LiberalMinister of Finance and National Revenue
Mr. Speaker, my colleague is known for his rhetoric, but, on this side of the House, we are known for taking action.
On Monday, we announced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. The Conservatives may be laughing today, but 12 million Canadians will see a difference at the end of the month. Canadian families expect members of the House to be responsible.
Will the Conservatives rise to the occasion and support the government in helping Canadians in need?
Tim Uppal Conservative Edmonton Gateway, AB
Mr. Speaker, Canada now has the worst record for food inflation in the entire G7, with grocery prices up 6%. That is an extra $1,000 for an average family in Canada to buy groceries. Costs have doubled since the Prime Minister has taken office. That is twice the rate of food inflation than in the United States. Over two million Canadians a month are having to go to food banks.
The Liberals continue to pile on the costs with their industrial carbon tax and the fuel standards tax. When will they finally deliver real and permanent relief for Canadian families?
Julie Dabrusin LiberalMinister of the Environment
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues might want to know that the member for Battle River—Crowfoot represents the second-largest canola-producing riding in all of Alberta. Advanced Biofuels Canada said that the clean fuel regulations will create or preserve “average farm revenue by $60,000”. That is money in the pockets of farmers in that riding.
Why is the member not standing up for the farmers in his riding? We are.