Debates of Oct. 23rd, 2026

Finance

[Greg McLean, Conservative, Calgary Centre, AB]

Madam Speaker, a sign of a strong economy must be how much the government can give people because they cannot afford to pay their own bills.

The economist Prime Minister promised Canadians two things: to balance the budget by 2029 and to maintain a declining debt-to-GDP ratio. He is failing badly at both. To quote the PBO report, “the two fiscal anchors have imposed limited fiscal discipline on government spending and borrowing.” Our escalating debt is consuming way too much of our tax dollars. The bottom line is that if the PBO were a doctor, she would tell Canadians that the government is on life support.

When will the Liberals think about Canada's future and stop spending as if—

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

The hon. Minister of Finance.

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

Madam Speaker, Canadians know better. They are laughing at the question.

They understand that Canada will have the second-fastest growth in the G7 in 2027. They understand that we have the lowest net debt-to-GDP in the G7. They understand that we have one of the lowest deficit-to-GDP ratios in the G7. They understand that their country is the only one, with Germany, with a AAA credit rating.

Canadians are proud of this country. They know we are going to build Canada strong. I just hope the Conservatives get on board.

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

Madam Speaker, the PBO's latest report shows that unemployment will soon rise to 6.9%, but in my region it is as high as 8.3%. That includes families in Penticton, Grand Forks and Castlegar who cannot find work and are choosing between buying gas or buying groceries, yet this report shows that Liberal spending will only increase, with more debt. Therefore, higher taxes will follow.

Can the Liberal minister explain how their fiscal plan of fewer jobs and higher taxes will help families—

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

The hon. Minister of Finance.

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

Madam Speaker, I am sure Canadians who are watching are a bit puzzled. On one hand, the Conservatives are voting against measures to support Canadians and build the economy, and on the other hand, they are wondering what is going on.

Thank God we are not taking a lot of their advice. We are listening to Canadians. We are investing in this economy. We are supporting Canadians. We are investing in our sovereignty. Canadians are proud. They want this country to go forward. That is exactly what we are going to do.

Automotive Industry

[Dominique O'Rourke, Liberal, Guelph, ON]

Madam Speaker, my riding of Guelph is home to an extraordinary advanced manufacturing sector and automotive sector. Across southern Ontario, thousands of highly skilled workers are helping build the vehicles of the future.

Can the government please share its plan to protect and continue to support Canada's auto sector and its extraordinary auto workers?

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

Madam Speaker, my colleague from Guelph is the chair of our auto caucus.

Ontario's auto workers helped build this country, and we know that they will be key to our plan to build Canada stronger. This week the Prime Minister and the Premier of Ontario announced an additional $2.5-billion investment over two years for capital projects in the auto sector. With these investments, we will modernize our production lines, build the hybrids and EVs of today and tomorrow, and, most importantly, secure Canada's long-standing auto tradition.

Small Business

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC]

Madam Speaker, during Small Business Week, we celebrate Canadians who take risks and create jobs, especially during these turbulent times.

One of the most important tax measures available to small businesses, the $500,000 small deduction limit, has been left unchanged for 17 years, while inflation continues to soar. Will the Liberals agree with the Conservatives and raise the threshold to $700,000, so entrepreneurs can keep more of what they earn to invest and grow their business?

[Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)]

Madam Speaker, it is true that we use it often and that it is a source of pride for Canada. Small businesses are a source of both talent and strength for our country. This week, we are celebrating Small Business Week.

Since taking office, I have had the opportunity to talk with small business owners. What we are hearing is that they are very motivated and ambitious. They want to export and grow.

Many women run small businesses, and I admire their strength. I think that our small business owners are a source of inspiration.

[Brad Vis, Conservative, Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford, BC]

Madam Speaker, that was a very serious question, and I hope to see the change in the budget, because that was not an answer.

Here is another thing. The small supplier GST threshold has been frozen at $30,000 since it was introduced in 1991. Thirty-five years later, inflation has skyrocketed, costs have risen and small businesses have changed. Conservatives propose to increase the threshold to $60,000 to help entrepreneurs get ahead and reduce red tape.

Will the government accept our proposal to help small businesses cut costs and invest more?

[Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)]

Madam Speaker, over the past year, we have implemented various measures to support small businesses. As a result of the buy Canadian policy, many businesses are developing or multiplying their business opportunities. We are serious about supporting small businesses. Indeed, one solution alone cannot help an entire sector grow. That is often the response we get from our colleagues in the Conservative Party. The so-called one-size-fits-all solution does not work.

[Jason Groleau, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Madam Speaker, U.S. tariffs are hurting our small and medium-sized businesses. SMEs account for 99.7% of businesses in Canada and support nearly eight million jobs. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, tariffs are leading to additional costs of $187,000 a month per exporting business.

Why are the Liberals sending our money abroad, to the tune of billions of dollars, instead of supporting our SMEs and protecting the eight million Canadian jobs?

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

Madam Speaker, I imagine that my colleague was really busy yesterday, but he no doubt saw the press announcement by the Government of Ontario: more than $8 billion in support for Canada's steel sector, Canada's automotive sector and the development of critical minerals. That is exactly what the government has done. We were there to support workers with more than $25 billion and to help our industries pivot to new markets. We will always be there for our workers and our industries and to make Canada a strong nation.

[Jason Groleau, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

Madam Speaker, these measures are going to help big corporations. What I am saying is that the Liberals are turning their backs on our SMEs. Tariffs are having an impact: thirty-two per cent of Canadian businesses plan to scale back their operations, 24% are planning a hiring freeze and 23% intend to cancel their investments in Canada.

The Liberal government has collected over $9.7 billion in countertariffs. Instead of spending our money on illegal immigration, for example, why not give that money back to the people who keep us going, to our SMEs?

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

Madam Speaker, I know that today is Friday, but the member seems confused.

My colleague is an experienced member, and he knows full well that we are there to support our SMEs through our regional economic development agencies. Our SMEs are the beating heart of Canada's economy. We were there to support them, to help them pivot to new markets and to support Canadian workers. Every day is a good day to fight for Canadians.

Veterans Affairs

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Madam Speaker, established in 1945 to support veteran employment, the right of first refusal gave the non-profit and largest employer of veterans, the Commissionaires, preferential access to federal security guard contracts.

Considering that a Veterans Affairs ministerial briefing recognized that ending the right of first refusal could negatively affect older veterans, many of whom could struggle to find alternate employment, can the veterans minister tell veterans and Canadians why the Liberal government did this?

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Madam Speaker, yesterday we answered the question about the specific contract, but one thing I want to say to my colleague is what the minister is doing for veterans. Veterans today are, on average, 34 years old, and they have several skills. They work with drones. They work in aerospace. They work with cybersecurity. Our job is to ensure that the transition is successful, because the one thing they have asked for is a meaningful career and for their skill set to be recognized in all sorts of fields.

[Alex Ruff, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Madam Speaker, the parliamentary secretary did not answer the question. The question was about why Veterans Affairs, the Liberal government, ended the right of first refusal to the Commissionaires. I just want the numbers, so I will ask a different question.

The Commissionaires employs over 4,200 veterans. Can the Liberal government tell Canadians how many Canadian veterans American-owned Allied Universal, a company with ties to ICE, the American deportation machine, employs? I just want the number of Canadian veterans that Allied employs.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Madam Speaker, as mentioned several times, the CRA allocated the contract based on an independent way of allocating contracts. It is about an independent allocation of the contract to a Canadian company based in Ontario, and among the people hired on that contract, several are veterans.

The Economy

[Leslyn Lewis, Conservative, Haldimand—Norfolk, ON]

Madam Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed what Canadians are feeling every day. The economy is weakening, inflation is on the rise and Liberal spending is driving up the debt. The Liberals' projected deficit is now $38 billion higher than promised.

After years of broken promises, why are the Liberals forcing Canadians to pay the price for their reckless spending with an affordability crisis? Just this week, they voted against recognizing the affordability crisis. When will the Liberals finally admit that one exists?

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

Madam Speaker, I know it is Friday, so let me give my Conservative colleagues a takeaway as they go to their ridings to help their constituents. They should probably talk about the fact that Canada is projected to have the second fastest-growing economy in the G7 in 2027. They probably should talk among themselves as to why they are voting against measures that will support Canadians with respect to affordability. Most of question period today was about affordability. The sad thing for the people watching at home is that they say they are asking questions and they are talking a good game, but when it is time to vote they are missing in action. Why will they not vote to support the government? I am sure that we—

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

The hon. member for Calgary Signal Hill.

Natural Resources

[David McKenzie, Conservative, Calgary Signal Hill, AB]

Madam Speaker, Alberta's oil and gas industry is a critical component of our national economy. Despite all the press releases and announcements, the Liberal government still maintains the west coast tanker ban, Bill C-48. We know the tanker ban is not about protecting the environment, because it does not prevent the sailing of tankers through the waters supposedly protected by the ban.

Will the Prime Minister support Bill C-264, which is my private member's bill to repeal the west coast tanker ban, and get out of the way so our oil and gas—

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

The hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources